cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ships Passing in the Night? Reflections on the Middle East in the Indian Ocean

The study of the Middle East is witnessing a sea change (excuse the maritime metaphor). The traditional geographic poles of Middle East studies (Turkey, Egypt, the Levant, and Iraq) stand firm, but are now facing a challenge from places once thought to be peripheral to the historiography: namely, South Arabia and the Gulf. The rising tide of scholarship on those areas is due in large measure to the opportunities that now present themselves in resituating them historically, and thinking about them as part of broader transoceanic worlds. This reorientation has made itself clear in the growing number of publications that wrestle with the Middle East's maritime frontiers—especially in the sister disciplines of history and anthropology. Here I limit myself to just one of those disciplines—history—and chart out the waves of contact between historians of the Middle East and the Indian Ocean. I offer no argument, but rather a survey of where the field has been and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Expanding the Horizon, Reawakening the Heart: Reply to Eric Chelstrom

This paper is a reply to Eric Chelstrom’s “Criticism of Cicovacki’s The Analysis of Wonder.” Chelstrom mostly critiques my reconstruction of the role of love and personality in Hartmann’s philosophy. I offer a defense of my interpretation by illuminating how Hartmann’s philosophical project differs from that of Kant. Although Hartmann does not sufficiently develop either his conception of love or his understanding of personality, I argue that both conceptions could be further elaborated and that they could serve as the ways to reintroduce Hartmann into the mainstream of the current philosophical discussion.
Investigation of aerodynamic drag on tractor-trailer in underground road traffic

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in 3D are performed to analyse the aerodynamic drag performance of a truck for two different on-highway road tunnel dimensions. The objective of this work is to investigate the aerodynamic drag performance of single- and multiple vehicle platooning configurations in single- and multi-lane one-way road traffic condition. Significant aerodynamic drag benefit is observed in no-traffic vehicle with an increase in gap between vehicle and road tunnel. In the vehicle platooning, the predicted aerodynamic drag benefit is up to 23% at lower vehicle separation. The aerodynamic drag benefit gradually drops in one-lane traffic and negative performance is observed from 60ft separation distance onwards. In two-lane traffic, where one vehicle is behind the other without a lateral separation, the predicted aerodynamic drag benefit is up to 60 and 44% at vehicle separation distance of 30 and 150ft, respectively. The aerodynamic drag changes are negligible with an increase in vehicle separation distance where two vehicles are separated laterally with 1.2 m distance. In all configurations, the leading vehicle aerodynamic drag changes are negligible irrespective of the vehicle separation distance.
Passively mode-locked InAs quantum dot lasers on a silicon substrate by Pd-GaAs wafer bonding

We demonstrate an electrically pumped InAs quantum dot (QD) two-section passively mode-locked laser (MLL) on a silicon substrate by low temperature (250 °C) Pd-GaAs wafer bonding technology. The saturable absorber of the QD-MLL is electrically isolated by a 15-μm wide dry-etching gap which resulted in ∼30 kΩ resistance from the gain regions of the MLL. At room temperature, the laser operates in the O-band (1.3 μm) telecommunication wavelength regime with a threshold current of 94 mA and laser bar cavity and absorber lengths of 6 mm and 300 μm, respectively. The optimum mode-locked conditions are observed under injection current and reverse bias voltage of 124 mA and −7 V, which generates pulses at a repetition rate of 7.3 GHz, an optical bandwidth of 0.97 nm, and a nearly transform limited pulse width of 2 ps (sech2 pulse profile). These results enable QD-MLLs to be integrated with silicon photonic integrated circuits, such as optical time division multiplexing and optical clocks.
Between Mexico and New York City: Mexican Maternal Migration's Influences on Separated Siblings’ Social and Educational Lives

There are negative consequences for children and youth when a primary caregiver leaves to migrate. However there are unforeseen experiences related to schooling. I compare how Mexican maternal migration has influenced the education experiences of the children left behind in Mexico and their siblings living in the United States. These microcontexts of where and how siblings live in Mexico and in New York City present us with a somewhat surprising picture of the different education experiences.
Seasonality of Deep Cycle Turbulence in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific

AbstractThe seasonal cycles of the various oceanic and atmospheric factors influencing the deep cycle of turbulence in the eastern Pacific cold tongue are explored. Moored observations at 140°W have shown seasonal variability in the stratification, velocity shear, and turbulence above the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). In boreal spring, the thermocline and EUC shoal and turbulence decreases. Marginal instability (clustering of the local gradient Richardson number around the critical value of 1/4), evident throughout the rest of the year, has not been detected during spring. While the daily averaged turbulent energy dissipation in the EUC is weakest during the spring, it is not clear whether the diurnal fluctuations that define the deep cycle cease. Large-eddy simulations are performed using climatological initial and boundary conditions representative of January, April, July, and October. Deep cycle turbulence is evident in all cases; the mechanism remains the same, and the maximum turbulence leve...
Westernmost Grand Canyon incision: Testing thermochronometric resolution

The timing of carving of Grand Canyon has been debated for over 100 years with competing endmember hypotheses advocating for either a 70 Ma (“old”) or <6 Ma (“young”) Grand Canyon. Several geological constraints appear to support a “young” canyon model, but thermochronometric measures of cooling history and corresponding estimates of landscape evolution have been in debate. In particular, 4He/3He thermochronometric data record the distribution of radiogenic 4He (from the 238U, 235U and 232Th decay series) within an individual apatite crystal and thus are highly sensitive to the thermal history corresponding to landscape evolution. However, there are several complicating factors that make interpreting such data challenging in geologic scenarios involving reheating. Here, we analyze new data that provide measures of the cooling of basement rocks at the base of westernmost Grand Canyon, and use these data as a testbed for exploring the resolving power and limitations of 4He/3He data in general. We explore a range of thermal histories and find that these data are most consistent with a “young” Grand Canyon. A problem with the recovered thermal history, however, is that burial temperatures are under predicted based on sedimentological evidence. A solution to this problem is to increase the resistance of alpha recoil damage to annealing, thus modifying He diffusion kinetics, allowing for higher temperatures throughout the thermal history. This limitation in quantifying radiation damage (and hence crystal retentivity) introduces non-uniqueness to interpreting time–temperature paths in rocks that resided in the apatite helium partial retention zone for long durations. Another source of non-uniqueness, is due to unknown U and Th distributions within crystals. We show that for highly zoned with a decrease in effective U of 20 ppm over the outer 80% of the radius of the crystal, the 4He/3He data could be consistent with an “old” canyon model. To reduce this non-uniqueness, we obtain U and Th zonation information for separate crystals from the same rock sample through LA-ICP-MS analysis. The observed U and Th distributions are relatively uniform and not strongly zoned, thus supporting a “young” canyon model interpretation of the 4He/3He data. Furthermore, we show that for the mapped zonation, the difference between predicted 4He/3He data for a uniform crystal and a 3D model of the crystal are minimal, highlighting that zonation is unlikely to lead us to falsely infer an “old” Grand Canyon.
The Telomere and Telomerase Activity

In lieu of an abstract, below is the article's first paragraph. In the past few years, a new area of genetics has emerged that has scientists in many other fields intrigued. The discovery of telomeres, the end segments on our chromosomes, and the enzyme that controls them, has evoked an interest in professionals from a wide range of specialties. Articles on the subject have appeared in journals of cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, gerontology, and have even surfaced in the popular media. There is already a wealth of information to be found on the topic, yet there is many times more still to be discovered, in several different fields. Because of the relatedness of this topic to so many areas, telomere biology has almost emerged as a branch of biology in and of itself.
Caspase-9 CARD: core domain interactions require a properly formed active site

Caspase-9 is a critical factor in the initiation of apoptosis and as a result is tightly regulated by many mechanisms. Caspase-9 contains a Caspase Activation and Recruitment Domain (CARD), which enables caspase-9 to form a tight interaction with the apoptosome, a heptameric activating platform. The caspase-9 CARD has been thought to be principally involved in recruitment to the apoptosome, but its roles outside this interaction have yet to be uncovered. In this work, we show that the CARD is involved in physical interactions with the catalytic core of caspase-9 in the absence of the apoptosome; this interaction requires a properly formed caspase-9 active site. The active sites of caspases are composed of four extremely mobile loops. When the active-site loops are not properly ordered, the CARD and core domains of caspase-9 do not interact and behave independently, like loosely tethered beads. When the active-site loop bundle is properly ordered, the CARD domain interacts with the catalytic core, forming a single folding unit. Taken together, these findings provide mechanistic insights into a new level of caspase-9 regulation, prompting speculation that the CARD may also play a role in the recruitment or recognition of substrate.
High frame-rate compressive spectral video system

A high frame-rate compressive spectral video system is developed. The 4-dimensional targets (space, time and spectra) are captured by multi-spectral LED modulated illumination. The reflection of targets passing through an objective lens is modulated by a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) in the spatial domain, which is then collected by a RGB sensor through an imaging lens. The rapidly changing LED illumination patterns and DMD codings provide unique modulations for each temporal frame. Mathematical modeling and simulation are shown all as well as experimental results.
TRANSFER OF NK ACTIVITY AND LYMPHOMA RESISTANCE TO AKR MICE BY MARROW FROM HIGH NK, LYMPHOMA-RESISTANT (C57xAKR)F1 MICE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the transfer of natural killer (NK) activity and lymphoma resistance to AKR mice by marrow from high NK, lymphoma-resistant (C57×AKR)F 1 mice. In the study described in the chapter, AKR mice, aged 4 to 6 weeks, received 950 R whole-body irradiation ( 137 Cs) followed by intravenous transfusion with 10 7 marrow cells from either the AKR strain, or the high NK, low-spontaneous-leukemia (C57×AKR)F 1 hybrid, or the low NK, high-spontaneous-leukemia (C3H×AKR)F 1 hybrid. Age-matched untreated control and chimeric AKR mice were tested at 2 to 4 week intervals for spleen cell mediated cytolysis of YAC-1 lymphoma cells by 4 h chromium release assay. From 2 to 12 weeks post-irradiation and marrow transfusion, spleen cell mediated lysis was higher in AKR mice rendered chimeric with marrow from the high NK-reactive, low leukemia (C57×AKR)F 1 strain than from the low NK reactive, high-leukemia (C3H×AKR)F 1 or AKR strains, and higher than age control untreated AKR mice.
Assessing the ability of human endothelial cells derived from induced-pluripotent stem cells to form functional microvasculature in vivo.

Forming functional blood vessel networks is a major clinical challenge in the fields of tissue engineering and therapeutic angiogenesis. Cell-based strategies to promote neovascularization have been widely explored, but cell sourcing remains a significant limitation. Induced-pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) are a promising, potentially autologous, alternative cell source. However, it is unclear whether iPSC-ECs form the same robust microvasculature in vivo documented for other EC sources. In this study, we utilized a well-established in vivo model, in which ECs (iPSC-EC or human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVEC]) were coinjected with normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLFs) and a fibrin matrix into the dorsal flank of severe combined immunodeficiency mice to assess their ability to form functional microvasculature. Qualitatively, iPSC-ECs were capable of vessel formation and perfusion and demonstrated similar vessel morphologies to HUVECs. However, quantitatively, iPSC-ECs exhibited a two-fold reduction in vessel density and a three-fold reduction in the number of perfused vessels compared with HUVECs. Further analysis revealed the presence of collagen-IV and α-smooth muscle actin were significantly lower around iPSC-EC/NHLF vasculature than in HUVEC/NHLF implants, suggesting reduced vessel maturity. Collectively, these results demonstrate the need for increased iPSC-EC maturation for clinical translation to be realized.
A novel technique for stabilization of high-grade spondylolisthesis with transvertebral fusion without reduction

Abstract Surgical treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis and spondyloptosis is recommended in symptomatic patients, yet there exists much debate regarding the optimal surgical approach and the need for reduction. Similar to the Bohlman technique in that fixation is achieved across two vertebral endplates, we discuss a novel technique with the advantage of using bilateral threaded pedicle screws of large diameter and length instead of a single fibula allograft. Patients underwent posterior instrumented fusion without spondylolisthesis reduction using a novel technique placing pedicle screws with a transvertebral trajectory through the two end plates involved in the spondylolisthesis. Following screw placement, patients underwent decompression ± discectomy. Screws were connected to adjacent pedicle screws either in the upper adjacent vertebrae (i.e. L5) or the more rostral adjacent vertebrae (i.e. L4) if spinal alignment or instability necessitate including additional levels of fixation. Three patients were reviewed with ages of 67, 62, 58 years, operative times of 377–790 min, estimated blood loss 400–1050 cc, and follow-up times of 478–1082 days. There were no CSF leaks, intragenic neurologic deficits post-operatively, implant failures, revisions, or other systemic events. Two patients achieve radiographic fusion assessed by CT. At the time of final follow up, all patients were satisfied and essentially pain free. This one-stage technique offers the ability to manage local malalignment with a technique that inherently minimizes risk. The minimal complications and favorable outcomes make this technique an effective, efficient and safe procedure. Additional studies will focus on long term outcomes and should include larger patient samples.
Pediatric ICU Transfers Within 24 Hours of Admission From the Emergency Department: Rate of Transfer, Outcomes, and Clinical Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data describing pediatric patients transferred to an ICU within 24 hours of hospital admission from the emergency department (ED). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients ≤21 years old transferred from an inpatient floor to an ICU within 24 hours of ED disposition from 2007 to 2016 in a tertiary children’s hospital. Patients transferred to an ICU after planned operative procedures were excluded. Rate of transfer, clinical course, and baseline demographic and/or clinical characteristics of these patients are described. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 841 children, representing 1% of 82 397 non-ICU ED admissions over the 10-year period. Median age was 5.1 years, 43% had ≥1 complex chronic condition, and 47% were hospitalized within the previous year (27% in the ICU). The majority of transfers were for respiratory conditions (65%) and cardiovascular compromise (18%). Median time from hospitalization to ICU transfer was 9.1 hours (interquartile range 5.1–14.9 hours). Thirty-eight percent of transfers received 1 or more critical interventions within 72 hours of hospitalization, most commonly positive pressure ventilation (29%) and vasoactive infusion (9%). Median time to intervention from hospitalization was 13.6 hours (interquartile range 7.5–21.6 hours), 0.8% of children died within 72 hours of hospitalization, and 2.4% died overall. CONCLUSIONS: In this single pediatric academic center, 1% of hospitalized children were transferred to an ICU within 24 hours of ED disposition. One-third of patients received a critical intervention, and 2.4% died. Although most ED dispositions are appropriate, future efforts to identify patients at the highest risk of deterioration are warranted.
Analysis of Coenzymes and Antioxidants in Tissue and Blood Using 1D 1 H NMR Spectroscopy.

Cellular coenzymes including coenzyme A (CoA), acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), coenzymes of redox reactions and of energy, and antioxidants mediate biochemical reactions fundamental to the functioning of all living cells. The redox coenzymes include NAD+ (oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), NADP+ (oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), and NADPH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate); the energy coenzymes include ATP (adenosine triphosphate), ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and AMP (adenosine monophosphate); and the antioxidants include GSSG (oxidized glutathione) and GSH (reduced glutathione). Their measurement is important to better understand cellular metabolism. Recent advances have pushed the limit of metabolite quantitation using NMR methods to an unprecedented level, which offer a new avenue for analysis of the coenzymes and antioxidants. Unlike the conventional enzyme assays, which need separate protocols for analysis, a simple 1D 1H NMR experiment enables analysis of all these molecular species in one step. In this chapter, we describe protocols for their identification and quantitation in tissue and whole blood using NMR spectroscopy.
Thirty-Day Morbidity after Simultaneous Resection of Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Liver Metastasis: American College of Surgeons NSQIP Analysis

Background Approximately 20% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) present with synchronous liver metastases (CRLM). The decision to resect simultaneously or sequentially remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether simultaneous resection of CRC and CRLM is associated with increased complications compared to isolated resection. Study design Prospective data from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) NSQIP, including the ACS NSQIP procedure-specific colectomy and hepatectomy modules from 2014 to 2017, were reviewed in a retrospective cohort study. Primary study outcome was combined 30-day complication rates; secondary outcomes included colectomy and hepatectomy-specific complication. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for confounding factors associated with postoperative complication. Results A total of 23,643 patients underwent colectomy, 7,462 hepatectomy, and 592 simultaneous resection for CRC and CLRM. Overall morbidity was higher among patients treated with simultaneous resection (29.9%) compared with either isolated colorectal (22.2%) or hepatic resection (17.1%; p Conclusions Although simultaneous resection offers definitive resection for patients with synchronous CRC and CRLM, it is associated with significantly increased 30-day overall and procedure-specific postoperative morbidity.
RESUSCITATION OF A PATIENT WITH EXTREMIS CARDIOGENIC SHOCK, TAKOTSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY CAUSED BY PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors. They can present with signs of catecholamine excess, multi organ failure and features of stress induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy. A 34-year-old female presented to urgent care for chest and abdominal pain following exercise. After transfer to the
Bovine Milk Exosomes Affect Proliferation and Protect Macrophages against Cisplatin-Induced Cytotoxicity.

BACKGROUND Exosomes are extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication. The objectives were to characterize bovine milk exosomes (BME) and determine its effect on RAW 264.7 macrophages. METHODS BME were isolated using differential centrifugation and characterized by particle size and the presence of exosomal markers Alix, TSG101, and CD81. The effect of in vitro digestion and different pH on the stability of BME was investigated. The biological activity of BME in RAW 264.7 macrophages was conducted by assessing proliferation and cell cycle. Moreover, the protective effect of exosomes on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated. RESULTS BME have an average particle size of 106.8 ± 3.4 nm and expressed Alix, TSG101, and CD81. TSG101 was detected after digestion and exposure to different pH values. Cell-cycle analysis showed that BME reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells while arresting the cells in G2/M phase accompanied by differential expression of proliferation markers p53, p21, cyclin D1, and β-catenin. Exosomes protected macrophages against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION Our results showed for the first time the effect of BME on the proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophages and its protective effect against chemotherapeutic drug-induced cytotoxicity. Potential effect of BME on immune system must be studied.
Primary superficial Ewing sarcoma: A unique entity? A case report including novel findings of ELF3 and TNFRSF14 copy number loss.

Primary superficial Ewing sarcoma (psES) cases are exceedingly rare, with fewer than 150 cases reported in the literature. Small case series have suggested differences between psES and Ewing sarcoma (ES) of bone or deep soft tissues: psES appears to have a more indolent course and a higher 5-year overall survival rate. PsES is more common in older adolescent females as opposed to younger males in their peak growth velocity years in bone or deep soft tissue ES. We present a case report of a 17-year-old female with a relatively static nodule on her left thigh for 4 years. Morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular evaluations confirmed ES. Patient underwent a gross-total resection and a shortened course of adjuvant chemotherapy without radiation. Cancer gene panel testing found three gene abnormalities (in addition to EWSR1-FLI1 fusion): CCND1 copy number gain, ELF3 copy number loss, and TNFRSF14 copy number loss. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of psES to include genomic sequencing and the first to report ELF3 and TNFRSF14 abnormalities in ES. Larger series of psES cases with genomic profiling are needed to elucidate a possible genetic etiology for its more indolent clinical course and favorable outcomes.
Changes in student perceptions and beliefs, self-efficacy, role identification, and behavioral intentions after participation in longitudinal interprofessional pain management simulation

PURPOSE Determine how an interprofessional simulation influences learners’ perceptions, role-identification, selfefficacy, and intention to collaborate with other professions on pain issues. METHODS This was a quality improvement initiative. An interprofessional education activity was conducted focusing on pain management student learners from medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physical and occupational therapy. Sequential questionnaires were administered pre- and post-participation in two interprofessional education events utilizing a simulated patient case depicted by standardized patients. RESULTS In total, 433 students participated. Across all domains, increased odds of reporting a more favorable response after exposure to each activity was recorded (OR between 1.45 and 9.07). CONCLUSION The results demonstrate significant positive effects after participation in interprofessional education activities. The large number and variety of student participants, response rates on the questionnaire, and high level of overall positive responses make these results valuable for shaping this activity and may inform other university education initiatives.
Bankruptcy, Relocation and the Debtor’s Dilemma: Preserving Your Homestead Exemption versus Accepting the New Job Out of State

Current unemployment levels have forced a significant portion of homeowners to contemplate bankruptcy. In an attempt to avoid the impending bankruptcy, those homeowners have sought new employment - even when that meant moving to a different state. Yet crossing state lines may be the worst strategy for a debtor contemplating bankruptcy. Most jurisdictions condition the homestead exemption in bankruptcy on residency requirements: to exempt a home from creditor claims in bankruptcy, a debtor must have lived in her current domicile for two years. Thus, the unemployed debtor who is trying to avoid bankruptcy by moving out of state to begin new employment sets herself up for a tremendous disadvantage should bankruptcy become necessary in the new state. Her move requires her to gamble her homestead protection in bankruptcy against the likelihood that new employment will keep her out of bankruptcy. Faced with this dilemma, the savvy debtor would do well to file for bankruptcy protection before moving. To be sure, bankruptcy laws create a perverse incentive for debtors to file bankruptcy prior to relocating out of state. Bankruptcy laws were never intended to present debtors with this dilemma. For that matter, they were never intended to create an incentive to file for bankruptcy. This article challenges the assumptions that underlie the present failing of bankruptcy law regarding homestead exemption requirements. It then proposes statutory changes that will eliminate this problem. Specifically, bankruptcy statutes must firstly adopt a standard for exemption eligibility that coincides with venue requirements; secondly examine the relative financial impact of the relocation; and thirdly repeal the dollar cap on homestead exemptions in the context of relocation. These simple changes will both promote overall re-employment that requires interstate relocation and prevent unnecessary bankruptcy filings.
Migration through a Major Andean Ecogeographic Disruption as a Driver of Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity in a Wild Tomato Species

Evolutionary dynamics at the population level play a central role in creating the diversity of life on our planet. In this study, we sought to understand the origins of such population-level variation in mating systems and defensive acylsugar chemistry in Solanum habrochaites-a wild tomato species found in diverse Andean habitats in Ecuador and Peru. Using Restriction-site-Associated-DNA-Sequencing (RAD-seq) of 50 S. habrochaites accessions, we identified eight population clusters generated via isolation and hybridization dynamics of 4-6 ancestral populations. Detailed characterization of mating systems of these clusters revealed emergence of multiple self-compatible (SC) groups from progenitor self-incompatible populations in the northern part of the species range. Emergence of these SC groups was also associated with fixation of deleterious alleles inactivating acylsugar acetylation. The Amotape-Huancabamba Zone-a geographical landmark in the Andes with high endemism and isolated microhabitats-was identified as a major driver of differentiation in the northern species range, whereas large geographical distances contributed to population structure and evolution of a novel SC group in the central and southern parts of the range, where the species was also inferred to have originated. Findings presented here highlight the role of the diverse ecogeography of Peru and Ecuador in generating population differentiation, and enhance our understanding of the microevolutionary processes that create biological diversity.
Ergodic Linear-Quadratic Control for a Two Dimensional Stochastic System Driven by a Continuous Non-Gaussian Noise

Abstract In this paper an infinite time horizon (ergodic) quadratic cost control problem for a linear two dimensional stochastic system with a two dimensional Rosenblatt noise process is solved by providing an explicit expression to determine the optimal feedback. The system has some symmetry properties that allow for an explicit determination of an optimal control. The controls are the family of constant linear feedbacks which is known to be the natural family of controls for a Brownian motion noise to determine optimality. This family of constant linear feedback controls allows for practical implementation of the optimal control. Rosenblatt processes are continuous, non-Gaussian processes that have a long range dependence and a useful stochastic calculus and they are generated by double Wiener-Ito integrals with singular kernels. The long range dependence property of the Rosenblatt processes is a natural generalization from an important subfamily of (Gaussian) fractional Brownian motions. Long range dependent processes have been identified empirically in a significant variety of physical phenomena. An expression is obtained to determine explicitly the optimal ergodic control. The ergodic control result in this paper seems to be the first explicit ergodic control result for a multidimensional control system with a continuous, non-Gaussian noise. Furthermore it seems to be the first solution for a multi-dimensional game problem with a Rosenblatt noise.
A Near-Optimal Solution to a Class of Deep Structured Teams with Nonlinear Dynamics

Classical control offers reliable, optimal control strategies in multi-agent settings to sequential decision-making problems. However, these methods usually rely on strong assumptions on the system dynamics. In contrast, model-free control provides the flexibility to deal with unmodeled system dynamics to perform complex tasks. In this work, we study the connection between the two methods in multi-agent systems. We focus on deep structured teams where the agent’s evolution is a known linear function of each agent’s state and the linear regression of all agents’ states and actions plus an unknown nonlinear term with a bounded Lipschitz constant. Furthermore, the cost is considered to be quadratic for the states and actions of all the agents. We prove the existence of a near-optimal solution in the convex vicinity of initialized controllers obtained from model-based LQR methods. We show these initialized control strategies are derived by solving an Algebraic Riccati Equation (ARE), obtained by neglecting the nonlinear terms. Finally, we provide convergence guarantees to the optimal solution using a derivative-free policy gradient approach. Simulations confirm the validity of the analytical results.
Making slotted ALOHA efficient and fair using reinforcement learning

Abstract Reinforcement learning (RL) has been proposed as a technique that allows nodes to learn to coordinate their transmissions in order to attain much higher channel utilization. Several RL-based approaches have been proposed to improve the performance of slotted ALOHA; however, all these schemes have assumed that immediate feedback is available at the transmitters regarding the outcome of their transmissions. This paper introduces ALOHA-dQT, which is the first channel-access protocol based on the use of RL in the context of slotted ALOHA that takes into account the use of explicit acknowledgments from receivers to senders. As such, ALOHA-dQT is the first RL-based approach for channel access that is suitable for wireless networks that do not rely on centralized repeaters or base stations. ALOHA-dQT achieves high utilization by having nodes broadcast short summaries of the channel history as known to them along with their packets. Simulation results show that ALOHA-dQT leads to network utilization above 75%, with fair bandwidth allocation among nodes.
Seasonal Economic and Settlement Patterns of the Arikara

AbstractThat the Arikara were characterized by seasonal economic activities accompanied by varying settlement patterns during the Late Prehistoric and EarlyContact Periods is amply documented in th...
On the Development of the Silicon Oxide Nanoparticle Thin Films to Reduce Building Energy Consumption

The growth of the cities is characterized by a great increase in built and paved areas, energy consumption, and heat generation. As a result, solar energy is absorbed by building and paved surfaces, causing the surface temperature of urban structures to become several degrees higher than ambient air temperatures. The phenomenon of urban warming is called heat island. High temperatures increase energy demand for air conditioning in buildings and photochemistry effects that increase atmospheric pollution, as well as increasing environmental impacts due to the demand of energy generation. Materials with high albedo and emittance attain lower temperatures when exposed to solar radiation, reducing the transfer of heat to the environmental air. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop the Silicon Oxide (SiO2) nanoparticle thin films as the solar reflective coating materials to be used either in the external facade of buildings, roof, and walls or for pavements and other urban structures. The prepared SiO2 nanoparticle thin films were coated on different types of asphalt shingles. The near-infrared radiation (NIR) reflectance properties of the prepared samples were measured in the laboratory. In addition, the effect of the SiO2 nanoparticle thin films on energy loads was quantified using EnergyPlus simulation program. It was found that the prepared asphalt shingles doped SiO2 nanoparticle film coatings has the high solar reflectance index value (SRI) in comparison with the conventional asphalt shingles. Results indicated that asphalt shingle surfaces with high SRI represent a major contributing factor to the urban heat island effect.
Milagros fronterizos: ignorancia y libertinaje clericales y el público de los Milagros de Nuestra Señora

In this article, I study the nature of the audience of the medieval Spanish writer Gonzalo de Berceo's most famous work: the Milagros de Nuestra Senora. To do so, I look at Berceo's poem in relationship with its cultural and historical context: the situation of churchmen and women in thirteenth-century Castile. In my article, I discover that the two main sins committed by ecclesiastical sinners that Berceo's Virgin Mary forgives in the poem are fornication and ignorance. These two sins were indeed frequent in the Castilian church of the time, standing as its main peculiarity. Foreign reformers tried in vain to eliminate fornication and ignorance, finding only the rejection of the Castilians clerics, who saw in their intervention an attempt to undermine the Castilian churchmen's independence. I identify these reformers with some authority figures that appear in Berceo's work. Indeed, Berceo's Mary not only forgives the peculiar sinners, but also punishes the reformers with uncharacteristic harshness. I conclude that the Milagros de Nuestra Senora presents a very controversial topic, that of clerical fornication and ignorance, in a way that could hardly be used to attract pilgrims to Berceo's monastery, as it has been proposed. On the contrary, the poem's point of view on the subject would only be likely to appeal to a very particular audience: Castilian churchmen, maybe even Berceo's companions at San Millan monastery. This audience would regard the characters' fornication and ignorance as forgivable peculiarities, and any attempt to reform them as an unjustifiable intrusion. In short, this audience of Castilian churchmen is the most likely to have been Berceo's.
Intraguild responses of aphid predators on apple to the invasion of an exotic species, Harmonia axyridis

The effects of the invasion ofan exotic predator, Harmonia axyridis(Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), wereinvestigated using three experiments on theecology of aphid predators on apple. Oneexperiment, 1992, was collected prior to theH. axyridis invasion, and two others,1996 to 1997 and 1999 to 2000, were collectedafter the invasion. Except for one year, 1999,H. axyridis was the dominant coccinellid,replacing the formerly dominant Coccinellaseptempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),another exotic species. The dominance of H. axyridis was greater among larvae thanamong adults. There was no apparent effect ofthe H. axyridis invasion on abundance ofthe predator, Aphidoletes aphidimyza(Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and apossible positive effect on the abundance ofchrysopids (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Principal component analysis indicated thatalthough individual species were affected, theoverall effect of H. axyridis invasion onthe predator guild as a whole was negligible. The data indicate that the interaction betweenthe two exotic species, H. axyridis andC. septempunctata, may be allowing nativecoccinellids to become more abundant on applethan when C. septempunctata was thedominant coccinellid.
Growth of Preschool Children in the North Central Region.

Calcium and iron intake of two thousand preschool children in the North Central Region changed drastically during the first few years of life. Irregularity in these nutrients may be attributed to the milk-drinking and cereal-eating patterns of young children. Diets compared favorably with the Recommended Dietary Allowances for calcium and phosphorus, but provided much less iron * than currently recommended.
Chain Elongation of α- and γ-Linolenic Acids and the Effect of Other Fatty Acids on Their Conversion in Vitro

Abstract The chain elongations of α- and γ-linolenic acids with malonyl coenzyme A with rat liver microsomes were studied. γ-Linolenic acid was converted to eicosatrienoic acid in about 70% yield, whereas α-linolenic acid was only converted to about 30% under the same conditions. Unsaturated acids of the linoleic acid family present in the incubation mixture increased the conversion of both linolenic acids. The conversion of γ-linolenic acid was inhibited most effectively by trienoic acids: 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic, 5,8,11- octadecatrienoic, and 5,8,11-heptadecatrienoic acids. α- Linolenic acid was mainly inhibited by its own metabolic products, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, when these were added. Saturated fatty acids inhibited the conversion of both acids, but in quite different fashions. The inhibition of α-linolenic acid was independent of the chain length of the saturated acids, whereas γ-linolenic acid was most effectively inhibited by tetradecanoic and pentadecanoic acids. The strong inhibition by the saturated fatty acids of the elongation of unsaturated fatty acids may serve as a regulation of the composition of tissue lipids.
Monosubstituted group VIB carbonyls: Mass spectra and bonding

Abstract Nineteen metal carbonyl derivatives of the type M (CO) 5 L (where M = Cr, Mo, or W, and L = trivalent ligands of N, P, As, and Sb, or pyridine) have been prepared and the mass spectra of these compounds and ligands determined. The mass spectral results have been compared to the Graham σ- and π-parameters, a measure of the donor-acceptor properties of these ligands. No significant correlation was found between any major feature of the mass spectra and these Graham parameters. These results are discussed in terms of postulated ionization and fragmentation processes.
FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF 9Cr-1MoV AND THERMALLY AGED ALLOY 617 FOR ADVANCED REACTOR APPLICATIONS

Nickel-base Alloy 617 is being considered as a structural material for application in the secondary heat exchanger of the New Generation Nuclear Plant, a very high temperature gas-cooled reactor. Thermal aging of Alloy 617 plate and welds is being performed with tensile, Charpy impact, and fracture toughness tests conducted at temperatures to 950 C. Results of testing for thermal aging to 5,300 h have been obtained and are presented; varying effects of thermal aging temperature and time on fracture toughness are observed. The 9Cr-1MoV (Grade 91) ferritic steel is a candidate for structural applications in the sodium fast reactor. Fracture toughness testing of unaged Grade 91 steel has been performed to evaluate specimen size effects in preparation for future testing of the material in the thermally aged condition. Results for material in the mill-annealed and heat treated conditions are presented and show that this heat of Grade 91 steel does not indicate a small specimen bias on the fracture toughness Master Curve reference temperature.
Magnetic Hypersonic Flow near the Stagnation Point at Low Reynolds Number

1 Seiff, A., "Secondary Flow Fields Embedded in Hypersonic Shock Layers," TN D-1304, May 1962, NASA. 2 Hart, H. H., "Hypersonic Delta-Wing-Body Interference," paper presented at the Seventh U. S. Navy Symposium on Aeroballistics, June 7,1966. 3 Beskin, L., "Determination of Up wash Around a Body of Revolution at Supersonic Velocities," Rept. CM-251, May 27, 1946, Applied Physics Lab., The Johns Hopkins Univ. 4 Puckett, A. E. and Stewart, H. J., "Aerodynamic Performance of Delta Wings at Supersonic Speeds," Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 10, Oct. 1947, pp. 567-578. 5 Morikawa, G., "Supersonic Wing-Body Lift," Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Vol. 18, No. 4, April 1951, pp. 217-228. 6 Cross, E. J., Jr. and Hankey, W. L., "Investigation of the Leeward Side of a Delta Wing at Hypersonic Speeds," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 6, No. 2, Feb. 1969, pp. 185-190. 7 Cleary, J. W., "An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of the Pressure Distribution and Flow Fields of Blunted Cones at Hypersonic Mach Numbers," TN D-2969, Aug. 1965, NASA. 8 Polutchko, R. J. and Hultgren, B. O., "Hypersonic Flow Field About a Blunt Nosed Cone at Angle of Attack: Phase II," Rept. ARL 64-214, Dec. 1964, Office of Aerospace Research, U. S. Air Force. 9 Tracy, R. R., "Hypersonic Flow Over a Yawed Circular Cone," Memo. 69, Aug. 1, 1963, Graduate Aeronautical Lab., California Institute of Technology. 10 Miller, P. H., "A Study of Curved Shock Fronts for Various Bodies and Flow Conditions," Rept. DRL-481 (APL/JHU CM-1015), May 1962, Defense Research Lab., Univ. of Texas. 11 Horstman, C. C., "Pressure and Heat Transfer Measurements Over a Circular Cylinder at Angles of Attack up to 15° at M = 11," ARL 63-81, May 1963, Office of Aerospace Research, U. S. Air Force. 12 Eggers, A. J., Jr. and Savin, R. C., "A Unified Two-Dimensional Approach to the Calculation of Three-Dimensional Hypersonic Flows, with Application to Bodies of Revolution," Rept. 1249,1955, NACA.
Is Myocardial Recovery Possible and How Do You Measure It

Medical and device therapies that reduce heart failure morbidity and mortality also lead to decreased left ventricular volume and mass, and a more normal elliptical shape of the ventricle. These are due to changes in myocyte size, structure, and organization that have been referred to collectively as “reverse remodeling.” Moreover, there are subsets of patients whose hearts have undergone reverse remodeling following mechanical circulatory support with a ventricular assist device (VAD), who are able to be weaned from their VADs, which has been referred to as “myocardial recovery.” Although the term myocardial recovery has been used to describe the reversal of various aspects of the heart failure phenotype following medical and device therapy, there is no consensus with regard to what constitutes myocardial recovery; moreover, the methodology for identifying myocardial recovery in patients is unclear. These topics will be discussed in the current review.
The Emergence of Parallel Markets in a Transition Economy: The Case of Mozambique

Abstract The food rationing scheme in Maputo, Mozambique was intended to ensure food security for the poor. An analysis of survey data reveals that even households that possess ration cards are mainly reliant on parallel markets, instead of the ration system, for their purchases. The results indicate that market liberalization, including eliminating rationing, will at worst be neutral for the poor, and more likely be beneficial since the treasury will capture the rents associated with rationing that presently accrue to traders and parastatals.
Delivery of sry1, but not sry2, to the kidney increases blood pressure and sns indices in normotensive wky rats.

Our laboratory has shown that a locus on the SHR Y chromosome increases blood pressure (BP) in the SHR rat and in WKY rats with the SHR Y chromosome (SHR/y rat). A candidate for this Y chromosome hypertension locus is Sry, a gene that encodes a transcription factor responsible for testes determination. The SHR Y chromosome has six divergent Sry loci. The following study examined if exogenous Sry1 or Sry2 delivered to the kidney would elevate renal tyrosine hydroxylase, renal catecholamines, plasma catecholamines and telemetered BP over a 28 day period. We delivered 50 μg of either the expression construct Sry1/pcDNA 3.1, Sry2/pcDNA 3.1, or control vector into the medulla of the left kidney of normotensive WKY rats by electroporation. Weekly air stress was performed to determine BP responsiveness. Separate groups of animals were tested for renal function and plasma hormone patterns and pharmacological intervention using alpha adrenergic receptor blockade. Pre-surgery baseline and weekly blood samples were taken from Sry1 electroporated and control vector males for plasma renin, aldosterone, and corticosterone. BP was measured by telemetry and tyrosine hydroxylase and catecholamines by HPLC with electrochemical detection. In the animals receiving the Sry1 plasmid there were significant increases after 21 days in resting plasma norepinephrine (NE, 27%) and renal tyrosine hydroxylase content (41%, p < .05) compared to controls. BP was higher in animals electroporated with Sry1 (143 mmHg, p < .05) compared to controls (125 mmHg) between 2–4 weeks. Also the pressor response to air stress was significantly elevated in males electroporated with Sry1 (41 mmHg) compared to controls (28 mmHg, p < .001). Sry2 did not elevate BP or SNS indices and further tests were not done. The hormone profiles for plasma renin, aldosterone, and corticosterone between electroporated Sry1 and control vector males showed no significant differences over the 28 day period. Alpha adrenergic receptor blockade prevented the air stress pressor response in both strains. Urinary dopamine significantly increased after 7 days post Sry electroporation. These results are consistent with a role for Sry1 in increasing BP by directly or indirectly activating renal sympathetic nervous system activity.
Categorization versus distance: hemispheric differences for processing spatial information

It has been hypothesized that the brain computes two different kinds of spatial-relation representations: one used to assign a spatial relation to a category and the other used to specify metric distance with precision. The present visual half-field experiment offers support for this distinction by showing that the left and right cerebral hemispheres make more effective use of the categorization and metric distance representations, respectively. Furthermore, the inclusion of a bilateral stimulus presentation condition permits the computation of a reversed association that offers additional support for the distinction between two types of spatial-relation representation.