cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel simulation of 3D sintering

A three-dimensional parallel implementation of a Monte Carlo model for the microstructure evolution during sintering is presented. The model accounts for the main phenomena occurring during sintering, including grain growth, pore migration and vacancy annihilation. The parallel implementation is based on the SPPARKS code and enables the simulation of systems with large number of particles. Several examples are shown and results are compared with a serial implementation as well as experimental data available.
Density Functional Theory Study of CO Adsorption on Cu(I)-ZSM-5

The coordination and local geometry of Cu+ cations in Cu(I)-ZSM-5 and the adsorption of CO to such cations were explored using density functional theory. A thorough examination was made of the effects of placing Cu+ in each of the cation-exchange sites available in the MFI lattice, the location of the Al atom in the site, and the number of Al atoms in the site. Cu+ cations in I2 exchange sites, located at the edge of the main and sinusoidal channels, are coordinated to two framework O atoms before and after CO adsorption. The calculated adsorption energy for CO adsorbed on such cations lies between 30 and 33 kcal/mol, and the C−O vibrational frequency lies between 2150 and 2158 cm-1. Cu+ associated with five- or six-membered rings, i.e., M5, M6, Z5, and Z6 exchange sites, located in the main and sinusoidal channels of the zeolite, are 3-fold coordinated to framework O atoms, but the coordination number can decrease to 2 upon CO adsorption. The calculated CO adsorption energy of Cu+ in such sites is in the...
Crossing Borders, Crossing Boundaries How Asian Immigrant Backgrounds Shape Gender Attitudes About Interethnic Partnering

How do gender attitudes affect second-generation Asian Americans’ decisions to enter into interethnic heterosexual partnerings? A grounded theory approach was applied to 88 in-depth interviews, which represent a subsample of the respondents from Wave III of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study. I find that second-generation Asian women seek relationships across ethnic and racial lines as a way to resist patriarchal and gendered attitudes that they perceive are held by men from their own co-ethnic group and often stereotype Asian American men in the process. Cohabitation was also an important aspect of interethnic partnering: Whereas men cohabitated across ethnic and racial lines but typically married co-ethnics (in a process I term imagining the future), women were more likely to resist co-ethnic relationships and crossed ethnic and racial boundaries regardless of the type of relationship.
Resident support for a landfill-to-park transformation

Globally, landfills are being transformed into other uses because land resources are scarce, property values are increasing, and governments seek to reduce urban blight and adaptively reuse space. Park planners and city managers are likely to find that gauging public perceptions of a landfill-to-park transformation and promoting such sites to potential visitors as highly challenging tasks, but important components of sustainability efforts. A landfill-to-park project currently underway is the transformation of the former Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, New York into Freshkills Park. Understanding supporters of and visitors to the park can inform the implementation of the transformation. The present research draws from consumer behavior, urban geography, and park studies to examine how residents’ place attachment, familiarity with, attitude toward, intent to visit, and support for the site varies by proximity to and experience history with the site. A mail survey to a random sample of Staten Island households was implemented to study early adoption of a former landfill as a recreation site. The survey results showed those living close to the site were more familiar with the new park and had stronger intent to visit once opened, compared to those living further away; a finding consistent with past research. As hypothesized, residents with the least history with the site were found to be less familiar with the site and hold less place identification with Staten Island. Longtime residents, going as far back as the pre-landfill era, were most familiar with the area’s parks and the Fresh Kills site and held the highest place identity with Staten Island. Support for the landfill-to-park transformation was generally positive across all respondent subgroups. Overall, this research shows that proximity and experience history were relevant in understanding area residents’ familiarity with, attitudes toward, support for, and intent to visit the park site. This research is helping New York City planners and recreation managers reach local residents and connect them to the site. Urban park professionals can draw from this research by examining distance from park and length of residency to understand how low levels of support or intent to visit may be related to concerns about recreating at former landfill sites.
Religion and the State: Why Moderate Teaching Should Be Promoted

The US and its allies are asking what they can do to curb the spread of radical, violent versions of Islam. Part of the answer lies in what Muslim children are taught in schools, especially in the Madrasas. The Saudis are now ready to stop supporting the teachings of radical Islam. Needed are textbooks and teacher training in the moderate versions of Islam. Only teaching secular topics such as science and math and liberal values will not do.
Abstract 145: Finding correlations between CtBP expression and breast cancer risk factors.

In women, breast cancer is ranked second in cancer deaths; almost 40,000 deaths are expected and over 225,000 new cases are expected. Research has shown that breast cancer prevalence and mortality are influenced by various factors including race and lifestyle. Studies have indicated racial disparity whereby young women of African descent have higher breast cancer mortality rate and this could be partly explained by higher occurrence of more aggressive breast cancer forms that exhibit characteristics of epigenetically re-programmed reactivation of embryonic processes that promote tumor invasion, spread and resistance to chemotherapy. These are features common to certain breast cancer subtypes including basal-like and triple negative breast cancers, which occur more frequently in younger African American women. We are focusing on epigenetic factors that explain this disparity as this understanding will help provide population-based approach to detecting and treating breast cancer. C-terminal Binding Protein (CtBP) is a family of epigenetic regulators that undergoes dimerization which is stimulated and stabilized by NADH, a product of metabolism. CtBP has been shown to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an embryonic program that increases tumor invasion and metastasis; we therefore hypothesize that CtBP likely plays a role in tumor progression. Research from our lab has shown an elevated level of CtBP present in the nuclei of more clinically aggressive breast cancer subtypes.. To find the correlation between CtBP expression and other patient factors such as race, age, BMI and hormone receptor status we have begun to screen several breast cancer patient cohorts obtained from larger minority serving medical centers around the country. Our preliminary findings reveal that elevated levels of CtBP expression in patient tumor samples shows a statistically significant correlation with shortened median survival. Moreover, random sampling of a small population of these cohorts suggests that the correlation between CtBP and poor clinical outcome is greater in women of African heritage compared to European descent. How epithelial features and stromal attributes of the tissue microenvironment contribute to this correlation is currently under investigation. Citation Format: Mofiyinfoluwa A. Obadina. Finding correlations between CtBP expression and breast cancer risk factors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 145. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-145
Manifestations of Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension From the Intracranial Hypertension Registry

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the presenting symptoms, demographics, and interventions in pediatric patients enrolled in the Intracranial Hypertension Registry. Methods We analyzed confirmed intracranial hypertension patients ≤18 years at the time of initial diagnosis who were enrolled in the registry. Results A total of 203 patients met the criteria for inclusion; 142 (70%) were considered primary intracranial hypertension. Females made up 72.5% (103 of 142) and 75.8% (47 of 61) in the primary intracranial hypertension and secondary intracranial hypertension groups, respectively. There were no clinically significant differences in age, body mass index, or opening pressure between the primary intracranial hypertension and secondary intracranial hypertension groups. Symptoms most often reported were headache and blurred vision. Bilateral optic disc edema occurred in 89.3% of primary intracranial hypertension and 78.7% of secondary intracranial hypertension patients. When divided into pre- and postpubertal status, 32.5% of patients were classified prepubertal; 77.3% of these had primary intracranial hypertension. This resulted in a female to male ratio of 1:1.04 for prepubertal and 6:1 for postpubertal primary intracranial hypertension patients. The body mass index was significantly higher in the postpubertal primary intracranial hypertension group ( P = 0.0014). There was no significant difference in opening pressure. Conclusions The common symptoms of intracranial hypertension, including headache, optic disc edema, and vision changes, occurred with similar frequencies in our cohort to those reported in the literature. In separate subanalyses, we found significantly higher rates of obesity in postpubertal females with primary intracranial hypertension. The female-to-male ratios in the postpubertal primary intracranial hypertension and secondary intracranial hypertension groups were higher than reported in the literature.
Infected Nonunions and Infected Hardware

Infection in the setting of implanted hardware or joint replacement has become one of the more difficult issues to treat. There are no currently published protocols or guidelines to tell the surgeon when to remove hardware and how to manage stability while also maintaining the intended outcome. Infections around implanted biomaterials can manifest at different time points and this often dictates what type of infection and what type of treatment course one should undertake. It is important to understand the timing and onset of infection and the functionality of hardware or implants for the achievement of the intended goals of the original procedure. The principles of management are to ensure proper and thorough debridement of infected tissue, including bone. This is then followed by copious irrigation and assessment of stability of the hardware and fracture, osteotomy, or implant interface. One must assess the hardware for ability to share or bear load and its function with respect to stabilizing the healing bone segment. Fractures with unstable fixation have been shown to lead to failures in greater fashion than those with stable fixation. The plan for how to treat and manage these issues is very unclear in the literature and often the protocols for hip and knee prosthetics are used for lack of foot and ankle protocols.
Staying Connected A Conversation With Sheldon Braaten

Sheldon Braaten career has focused on children and youth with significant behavior and emotional challenges. His career has spanned experiences from a mental health therapist, special education teacher, school administrator, and university professor. Sheldon founded the Behavioral Institute for Children and Adolescents and initiated the International Child and Adolescent conference. He is an established author and editor in the field and was the recipient of the Howard Muscott CCBD Distinguished Service Award in 2013 from the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders. Dr. Braaten shared his reflections with members of the JANUS project shortly after receiving this service award. Sheldon describes the benefit of establishing and nourishing connections for a successful and rewarding career.
Tempered Stable Distributions

In this chapter we formally define tempered stable distributions and discuss many of their properties.
Construction of Electric Power Enterprise Synthesis Information Management System Based on Knowledge Management

Taking knowledge management as core,the electric power enterprise synthesis information management system is built,according to the present condition of electric power enterprise information construction.This system takes project,human resources,funds and materials as main-line,composing the main framework of the system application in common.At the same time,basis platform of the main framework is constructed with system management and knowledge management melting into main framework.This system is adapted to technology intensive enterprise development and supplies effective method for knowledge accumulation,share and innovation.
Comparison of serum clearance and urinary excretion of mesobilirubinogen-H 3 in control subjects and patients with liver disease.

Mesobilirubinogen-H3, a representative urobilinogen, was administered either intravenously or via an intraduodenal tube to a control group of patients and a group with hepatobiliary disease. Patients in the hepatobiliary group included 5 patients with resolving alcoholic hepatitis, 5 patients with cirrhosis and portacaval shunts, and 1 patient with extrahepatic obstruction. Results of intravenous studies indicate that mesobilirubinogen-H3 was rapidly cleared from the serum in control patients with small amounts appearing in the urine. All patients with hepatobiliary disease had an impaired serum clearance of mesobilirubinogen-H3 with much larger amounts of radioactivity appearing in the urine. Results of intraduodenal studies showed small amounts of radioactivity appearing in the serum and urine of control patients, while patients with alcoholic hepatitis had significantly larger amounts of radioactivity appearing in serum and urine. The shunt patients had markedly elevated serum levels and urinary excretion of radioactivity compared with both the control and the hepatitis group.
Large Lymphoceles Resulting from Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy

AbstractWe report 2 cases of large lymphoceles resulting from retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. The literature is reviewed briefly and management alternatives are discussed. In 1 case disastrous complications ensued during expectant management, which could have been prevented by earlier surgical intervention. Early definitive surgical management for these large lymphoceles using external drainage is recommended.
BLOOD LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH ADMINISTRATION OF LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT DEXTRAN.

L ow molecular weight dextran (LMD) has been, used extensively for the treatment of shock and for hemodilution in pump oxygenators.9,12 The beneficial effects which occur are ascribed to improved capillary blood flow.6,7 There have been reports of increased bleeding during operation when low molecular weight dextran has been employed, but this experience has not been uniform.5,16 Most of the reports in which bleeding has been evaluated were concerned with open-heart surgery and controls have been difficult to establish.
On the Mechanism of Irreversible Brain Damage Caused by Perinatal Thyroid Hormone Deficiency

Thyroid hormone-processing neural systems appear and become organized during the critical phase of thyroxine-dependent brain development (1). Hypothyroidism during that period causes irreversible mental impairment. Because lack of aromatic amino acids permanently damages developing neural systems which require them for neurotransmitter synthesis, we proposed permanent damage to thyroid hormone-processing systems may account for the cerebral manifestations of adult cretinism. To test this hypothesis, we studied the fate of i.v. 125I-labeled T3 and T4 in hippocampus and cerebellum, known targets of perinatal thyroid hormone deficiency, in serial film autoradiograms (ARGs), prepared from 50 day old rats made hypothyroid from −5 to +16 days of life by PTU (neoPTU). For comparison, film ARGs were prepared after i.v. 2-deoxyglucose given to neoPTU and control (C) rats. Results: The highly resolved labeling patterns seen in selected layers of hippocampus and cerebellum of C rats given labeled thyroid hormones were blurred and distorted in neoPTU. When viewed at the same level of resolution, differences seen could not be accounted for by changes in glucose metabolism of tissue morphology. Conclusion: The prediction that thyroid hormone deficiency during the critical phase would lead to permanent abnormalities in thyroid hormone processing in adult brain was borne out by the evidence gained in these studies.
Book Review: Anastasia Piliavsky (ed.), Patronage as Politics in South Asia:

Anastasia Piliavsky (ed.), Patronage as Politics in South Asia. Delhi: Cambridge University Press. 2014. 485 pages. ₹895.
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for the Treatment of Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder: A Case Report

Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED), formerly known as reactive attachment disorder–disinhibited type, is a relatively rare condition connected to severe deprivation early in life. DSED ...
Daily Digital Technology Use Linked to Mental Health Symptoms for High-risk Adolescents.

Abstract United States adolescents spend an unprecedented amount of time using digital technology to access the Internet and engage with social media. There is concerned that this continuous connectivity could increase their mental health symptoms, especially for at-risk adolescents. A new study has reported that on days that at-risk adolescents used technology more, they experienced more conduct problems and higher attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms compared to days when they used digital technologies less. However, the study also found that on days when adolescents spent more time using digital technologies they were less likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety. Further research is needed to assess whether changing technology use can alter mental health symptoms and long-term mental health outcomes.
Design and Characterization of a PVLA-PEG-PVLA Thermosensitive and Biodegradable Hydrogel

A set of poly(δ-valerolactone-co-d,l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(δ-valerolactone-co-d,l-lactide) (PVLA-PEG-PVLA) triblock copolymers was synthesized and the solution properties were characterized using rheology, cryo-TEM, cryo-SEM, SANS, and degradation studies. This polymer self-assembles into a low viscosity fluid with flowerlike spherical micelles in water at room temperature and transforms into a wormlike morphology upon heating, accompanied by gelation. At even higher temperatures syneresis is observed. At physiological temperature (37 °C) the hydrogel’s average pore size is around 600 nm. The PVLA-PEG-PVLA gel degrades in about 45 days in cell media, making this unique hydrogel a promising candidate for biomedical applications.
Effects of exposure to anti-vaping public service announcements among current smokers and dual users of cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Abstract Introduction Anti-vaping public service announcements (PSAs) are intended to discourage vaping or use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). However, vaping portrayals in PSAs may have unintended effects if they increase smoking or vaping urges. This study examined benefits and unintended effects of anti-vaping PSAs with vapor portrayals on smoking and vaping-related outcomes. Methods Young adult smokers (N = 171) and dual users (N = 122) aged 21–30 years were randomly assigned to view: 1) anti-vaping PSAs with vapor; 2) anti-vaping PSAs without vapor; 3) physical activity PSAs; or 4) anti-smoking PSAs with smoking cues. Outcomes were changes in vaping and smoking urges before and after viewing PSAs, post-test vaping and smoking intentions in the next hour, and post-test intention to purchase ENDS and traditional cigarettes. Results Smokers only: Exposure to anti-vaping PSAs with vapor (vs. physical activity) was associated with lower intention to vape and to purchase ENDS (ps Conclusion Viewing anti-vaping PSAs with vapor was not associated with unintended effects and may have benefits on reducing smoking and vaping-related outcomes.
Oscillation Damping Control Using Multiple High Voltage DC Transmission Lines: Controllability Exploration

This paper explores the controllability of power system oscillation modes by multiple high voltage DC (HVDC) transmission lines. The controllability exploration is performed in a reduced model of the Western Electricity Coordination Council (WECC) system, with added HVDC lines according to previously proposed lines. The exploration shows that various oscillation modes, across several system areas, can be simultaneously controlled by coordinating three or more HVDC lines. The degree of damping in each oscillation mode can be selected by designing a multi-input multi-output control system on the HVDC lines.
Comparison of Integrases Identifies Bxb1-GA Mutant as the Most Efficient Site-Specific Integrase System in Mammalian Cells

Phage-derived integrases can catalyze irreversible, site-specific integration of transgenic payloads into a chromosomal locus, resulting in mammalian cells that stably express transgenes or circuits of interest. Previous studies have demonstrated high-efficiency integration by the Bxb1 integrase in mammalian cells. Here, we show that a point mutation (Bxb1-GA) in Bxb1 target sites significantly increases Bxb1-mediated integration efficiency at the Rosa26 locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells, resulting in the highest integration efficiency reported with a site-specific integrase in mammalian cells. Bxb1-GA point mutant sites do not cross-react with Bxb1 wild-type sites, enabling their use in applications that require orthogonal pairs of target sites. In comparison, we test the efficiency and orthogonality of ϕC31 and Wβ integrases, and show that Wβ has an integration efficiency between those of Bxb1-GA and wild-type Bxb1. Our data present a toolbox of integrases for inserting payloads such as gene circuits or therapeutic transgenes into mammalian cell lines.
On Eulerian versus Lagrangian models of mechanical blood damage and the linearized damage function

Two limitations have been discovered in the derivation of the Eulerian method of hemolysis prediction using a linearized blood damage function. First is that in the transformation from the Lagrangian material volume of the original power-law model to a fixed Eulerian control volume, the spatial dependence of duration of exposure to fluid stress was neglected. This omission has the implication that the Eulerian method as reported is valid only for steady, uniaxial flow in which velocity is constant along streamlines. The second issue is related to linearization, which involves distributing an exponent across an integral. This operation is valid only for limited conditions that include the exponent being unity (which is not the case for any power-law hemolysis models) or the blood damage function being constant throughout the flow regime. These constraints severely restrict the applicability of the Eulerian method. An example problem is presented that demonstrates that the source term of the Eulerian method as reported does not account for differences in velocity between 2 similar flows. Correcting the source term to match the hemolysis prediction to that of the original, unlinearized method requires an analytical description of the flow field that may not be easily obtained for the complex flows in some cardiovascular devices.
iVAMS 2.0: Machine-Learning-Metamodel-Integrated Intelligent Verilog-AMS for Fast and Accurate Mixed-Signal Design Optimization

The gap between abstraction levels in analog design is a major obstacle for advancing analog and mixed-signal (AMS) design automation and computer-aided design (CAD). Intelligent models for low-level analog building blocks are needed to bridge the accuracy gap between behavioral and transistor-level simulations. The models should be able to accurately estimate the characteristics of the analog block over a large design space. Machine learning (ML) models based on actual silicon have the capabilities of capturing detailed characteristics of complex designs. In this paper, a ML model called Artificial Neural Network Metamodels (ANNM) have been explored to capture the highly nonlinear nature of analog blocks. The application of these intelligent models to multi-objective AMS block optimization is demonstrated. Parameterized behavioral models in Verilog-AMS based on the ANN metamodels are constructed for efficient AMS design exploration. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first paper to integrate ANN models in Verilog-AMS, which is called iVAMS 2.0. To demonstrate the application of iVAMS 2.0, this paper presents two case studies: an operational amplifier (OP-AMP) and a phase-locked loop (PLL). A biologically-inspired "firefly optimization algorithm" is applied to an OP-AMP design in the iVAMS 2.0 framework. The optimization process is sped up by 5580X due to the use of iVAMS with negligible loss in accuracy. Similarly, for a PLL design, the physical design aware ANNs are trained and used as metamodels to predict its frequency, locking time, and power. Thorough experimental results demonstrate that only 100 sample points are sufficient for ANNs to predict the output of circuits with 21 design parameters within 3% accuracy. A proposed artificial bee colony (ABC) based algorithm performs optimization over the ANN metamodels of the PLL.
Solvent Effects on the Stability and Delocalization of Aryl Dicyanomethyl Radicals: The Captodative Effect Revisited

The captodative effect postulates that radicals substituted with both electron donating and accepting groups enjoy a special enhanced stabilization, a model given theoretical support by simple MO and resonance arguments. A key prediction from theory is that captodative stabilization of radicals is larger in polar solvents than in nonpolar solvents or the gas phase, which can be viewed in the resonance model as solvent stabilization of charge-separated resonance forms. Yet, several experimental studies have failed to observe a solvent effect on radical stability, casting doubt on key aspects of the captodative effect. Here, we examine in detail the effect of solvent on the stability of structurally related captodative aryl dicyanomethyl radicals. An attractive feature of these radicals is that they exist as stable steady state populations of radicals in equilibrium with their dimers, allowing us to directly characterize from experiment their thermodynamic stabilities and spin delocalization in solvents of varying polarity. In contrast to the prior studies, we find that captodative radicals are indeed stabilized by polar solvents, as measured by a shift in the radical-dimer association constants by up to 100-fold toward the radical upon going from nonpolar toluene to more polar DMF. Moreover, in polar solvents, the spin is shifted onto the donor substituent and away from the benzylic carbon. Within the resonance model, these results can be explained by the increased contributions of the zwitterionic resonance structures to the overall hybrid. These results provide experimental support to a key prediction from theory that had previously been dismissed.
Wildfire Monitoring with Uneven Importance Using Multiple Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) have great potentials in wildfire monitoring to provide real time data to support better wildfire management. This paper focuses on the problem of multi-UAS coordination in wildfire monitoring. To effectively deal with the heterogeneous behavior of wildfire spread, we develop an importance-based coordination method that takes into consideration the different levels of attention needed for monitoring different regions of a fire perimeter. The developed method is compared with a rendezvous-based coordination method and a circling-based coordination method and is evaluated in a wildfire spread simulation environment. Experiment results show that the importance-based coordination is able to direct UASs to visit the active regions of a wildfire more frequently while monitoring the entire fire perimeter.
Decitabine Induces High Response Rates in Patients with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML).

Background The hypomethylating agents decitabine and azacitidine have significant anti-myelodysplastic (MDS)activity and have been FDA approved for the treatment of MDS and CMML. Experience in CMML has been minimal. Study Aims Evaluate the efficacy of decitabine in CMML. Study Group and Treatment Patients with CMML received decitabine 20 mg/m 2 IV/1 hour daily x 5 or 2 alternative schedules, delivering 100 mg/m 2 /course every four weeks (Kantarjian, Blood 2006). Response was evaluated by the modified IWG criteria (Cheson, Blood 2006). Results Nineteen patients were treated. Their median age was 66 years (range 44–82 years). Splenomegaly was present in 4 (21%); hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL in 10 (53%); thrombocytopenia less than 100 x 10 9 /L in 12 (63%); WBC more than 40 x 10 9 /L in 5 (26%); chromosomal abnormalities in 6 (32%); prior therapy for CMML in 9 (47%); marrow or peripheral blast 5% or more in 11 (58%). Overall, 13 patients (69%) achieved IWG responses: CR in 11 (58%), other HI in 2 (11%). Improvement of thrombocytopenia was noted in 7/8 patients (88%) with pretreatment platelets less than 50 x 10 9 /L. Median survival was 19 months. Among 6 patients with pretreatment chromosomal abnormalities who achieved response, 1 (17%) had disappearance, and 2 had > 50% reduction of cytogenetic abnormalities. Extramedullary toxicities were minimal. Conclusions Decitabine is active and safe in CMML. Future studies may combine decitabine with histone deacetylase inhibitors, chemotherapy (eg cytarabine, topotecan), or growth factors.
UAV Pre-flight Structural Strength Verification during On-ground Static Load Test

The paper presents on-ground static load test preparation and execution for UAV pre-flight structural strength verification. The test object is RPAS - remotely piloted aerial target named Hornet, which is used in Polish Air Force. Due to a proposal for introducing some structural modifications in a new Hornet version, the ground tests were performed before flight test campaign, to ensure the strength operational safety of modified structure. The special modular test rig was designed as well as measurement system for local strain and element displacement data acquisition. Achieved data as well as post-test remarks are presented.
Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Functional Heartburn

This report discusses the potential mechanisms that might underlie refractory GERD and functional heartburn, and how to distinguish among those mechanisms using a systematic evaluation that includes careful medical history, endoscopy with esophageal biopsy, esophageal manometry, and esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring. The report provides an approach to patient management that depends on the underlying mechanism identified by this systematic evaluation.
An experimental investigation of cryogenic treatments effects on porosity, permeability, and mechanical properties of Marcellus downhole core samples

Abstract Shale reservoirs can be stimulated by injecting cryogenic fluids such as liquid nitrogen (LN2) to initiate and propagate fractures and to connect existing natural fracture networks. This research aims to investigate the efficacy of the cryogenic treatments on the porosity, permeability, and mechanical properties (Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, brittleness, bulk compressibility, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS)) of Marcellus downhole core samples. Three downhole core samples, taken from 1700 m depth, were heated up to the reservoir temperature (66 °C). LN2 was then injected into a core holder hosting the core samples. Then, the samples were pressurized at three different pressures of 1.38, 2.76, and 4.14 MPa. Computed tomography (CT) scan, porosity, permeability, and ultrasonic velocity tests were conducted on the core samples prior to and after implementing the cryogenic treatments. The results of the CT-scan analyses, porosity, permeability, and mechanical property measurements revealed that implementing the cryogenic treatments resulted in creating new cracks in all the core samples. The results also demonstrated that pressurizing the injected LN2 at 1.38, 2.76, and 4.14 MPa increased the porosities of the core samples by 1.51%, 2.49%, and 5.01% and significantly increased the permeability by 270%, 388%, and 9482%, respectively owing to the creation of new cracks inside the core samples. Also, the compressional and shear velocities decreased owing to the creation of the new cracks resulted from conducting the cryogenic treatment by up to 2.11% and 0.70%, respectively. As a result, dynamic Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the core samples decreased by up to 2.37% and 5.24%, respectively. Moreover, the brittleness and bulk compressibility increased by up to 1.59% and 7.05%, respectively. After implementing the cryogenic treatments, the UCS of the core samples ranged from 34.73 to 2.57 MPa, significantly lower than typical values of UCS for Marcellus core samples (101–170 MPa), owing to the creation of new cracks resulting from implementing the cryogenic treatments. The results revealed that the cryogenic treatments could be potentially implemented in shale fields to increase the permeability, and as a result, increase hydrocarbon production rates.
Fulminant myocarditis and atrial fibrillation in child with acute COVID-19.

COVID-19 has manifested with ventricular dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias, most commonly atrial fibrillation (AFib), in adults. However, very few pediatric patients with acute COVID-19 have had cardiac involvement. AFib, an exceedingly rare arrhythmia in otherwise healthy children, has not been reported in children with COVID-19. We report a 15 year-old girl with acute COVID-19, fulminant myocarditis and AFib.
The psychiatric sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescents, adults, and health care workers.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is the most serious global public health crisis since the 1918 influenza pandemic. This study is the first to assess its mental health impact across the lifespan in the United States in adolescents, adults, and health care workers. Methods We recruited 4909 participants through an online survey advertising on Facebook and Instagram to assess exposure to COVID-19 and psychiatric symptoms from April 27 to July 13. We also recruited through the University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and other health care systems around Pittsburgh. The primary outcomes were clinically significant depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, suicidal ideation or behavior, and grief reactions since COVID-19. Results Adolescents were significantly more likely to report moderate to severe symptoms of depression (55% vs. 29%; χ2 = 122, df = 1; p Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased rates of clinically significant psychiatric symptoms. Loneliness could put individuals at increased risk for the onset of psychiatric disorders.
Correction to: A novel agent-based model for tsunami evacuation simulation and risk assessment

In the Abstract, the sentence “Usually, only single traffic mode (e.g., on foot or by car) is considered, while pedestrian speed adjustment and multi-modal evacuation (e.g., on foot and by car) are not considered concurrently.”
Can a Building Be an Apparatus

When Michel Foucault introduces the term, dispositif, commonly translated as ‘apparatus’, he uses the architectural example of the Panopticon to illustrate how power is exercised. A building, according to this line of thinking, seemingly has the capacity to exercise control on its occupants. But is this really the case? This paper examines the thinking of Foucault on the subject, and questions to what extent we can conceive of a building as being in and of itself an apparatus. It goes on to explore Foucault’s subsequent reflections on the subject in his interview with Paul Rabinow, ‘Space, Knowledge and Power’, where he seems to qualify his earlier remarks on the Panopticon. It then opens up the theory of affordances to question whether a building – or any other entities that could be perceived as operating as a tool or mechanism within the social realm – has the agency to control behaviour. Finally, the paper introduces Gilles Deleuze’s subsequent remarks in ‘Postscript on the Societies of Control’ where he contributes to the debate about the political agency of form by arguing that in our present age there has been an erosion in the hegemony of the physical, and current forms of control are more gaseous and invisible in their operations than a mere physical building. The paper concludes that it is too simplistic to regard a building in and of itself as an apparatus. At best it could be perceived as an element within a ‘system of relations’ that might constitute the apparatus.
Non-Sovereign Stores of Value

Investors buy non-sovereign stores of value such as gold and bitcoin despite the absence of a yield. This paper presents an equilibrium model for studying investor adoption and the pricing of non-sovereign stores of value. The model is used for the quantitative analysis of historical gold prices and real interest rates. Since 1975, the real price of gold has been negatively related to real rates on Treasuries, but only when real rates have been low. The model is consistent with this nonlinear relation and can match quantitative properties relating real interest rates and gold prices. The model can also replicate some key properties of CME Comex gold futures prices.
Against Institutional Luck Egalitarianism

Kok-Chor Tan has recently defended a novel theory of egalitarian distributive justice, institutional luck egalitarianism (ILE). On this theory, it is unjust for institutions to favor some individuals over others based on matters of luck. Tan takes his theory to preserve the intuitive appeal of luck egalitarianism while avoiding what he regards as absurd implications that face other versions of luck egalitarianism. Despite the centrality of the concept of institutional influence to his theory, Tan never spells out precisely what it means for an inequality to be produced by an institution. In this paper, I consider different conceptions of institutional influence that ILE might employ. It appears that however this concept is construed, ILE has serious problems. On some conceptions, the luck egalitarian character of the theory is undermined. On others, the theory gives rise to precisely the sorts of absurd implications facing other versions of luck egalitarianism that Tan takes his theory to avoid.
Case Study 2: Objectives and the Quest for AI

This chapter provides a case study in how objectives can hold back progress in a particular field of scientific research. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) focuses on the ambitious aim of creating a human-level computer intelligence, an objective which is fascinating for the profound implications it entails if is ever achieved. Interestingly, viewing the dominant approaches to AI through the myth of the objective illustrates the insidious potential for objectives to deceive even scientific experts. In particular, AI research is guided by perceived progress towards the objective of human-level AI, and the criteria for publishing AI papers are themselves driven by performance and theoretical objectives. While on their surface these incentives seem to make sense, there’s no reason to suspect that the quest for AI is fundamentally different from other systems of innovation or achievement. Thus the chapter suggests non-objective criteria that might productively unseat traditional objective-based incentives in AI research.
SCTF loop for noise reduction in Autozero amplifiers

The use of a lowpass switched continuous time filter (SCTF) in the noise cancellation loop of an Autozero amplifier to reduce the white noise aliasing effect at low frequencies is presented. The SCTF limits only the bandwidth of the sampled noise, not the bandwidth of the amplifier. Time domain simulations showing the effect of the SCTF-Autozero on both flicker and white noise are presented, as well as a designed low-noise electroencephalography (EEG) amplifier (DC - 150 Hz) that takes advantage of the proposed technique for a 40- reduction of its input rms noise voltage.
Dynamic Failure Investigation in Polymers

The use of dynamic photoelasticity in the examination of the crack tip stress field in the asymmetric impact loading configuration is discussed in this paper. The high-speed photographs indicate that a K-dominant field is not established over a length of even 1 mm in the short time scales of this experiment. The isochromatic fringe patterns indicate that the shear stress does reaches a high enough magnitude to cause yielding and shear localization.
Storage of solar energy

A framework is presented for identifying appropriate systems for storage of electrical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal energy in solar energy supply systems. Classification categories include the nature of the supply system’s setting; the type of energy supplied ; the type of solar energy collection system used (including ‘ indirect ’ solar energy, such as wind and hydropower) ; the type of energy stored ; and some other characteristics of the storage system. A global insolation summary is used to exhibit the diversity of requirements for solar energy storage in different settings. Comments are then made on the need and opportunities for 24 hr storage of electrical energy in batteries; backup systems that use stored chemical fuel derived from solar energy; storage of intermediate temperature heat as heat of hydration of compounds such as sulfuric acid; annual storage of low temperature heat in fresh water ponds or aquifers; and annual storage of ice produced in places with cold winters. Arguments are presented for using a systems approach to the selection of solar energy storage methods appropriate for use in specific types of settings.
Early versus late pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following treatment for inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND: COPD is a frequent co-mordidity among patients with NSCLC that may profoundly impact cancer treatment outcomes. PR benefits and timing in this setting are unclear. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of early and late PR following cancer therapy on exercise capacity, COPD acute exacerbations (AECOPDs), COPD-related hospital admission rates, and HRQoL endpoints among patients with COPD and inoperable NSCLC. METHODS: Patients with Gold Stage II-IV COPD were referred to the outpatient PR clinic for management of chronic dyspnea and fatigue following chemoradiation therapy for NSCLC. Patients were grouped into early ( 31 days) time points and longitudinally studied. Baseline assessments of exercise capacity, HRQoL, dyspnea and fatigue were used to develop a 12-week, individualized PR program that included thrice weekly high intensity strength and aerobic training plus weekly educational sessions. RESULTS: Forty-nine early and 78 late patients completed PR. AECOPD rates were similar (2.93 early PR, versus 3.27 late PR, p =0.12), however, fewer hospital admissions for AECOPD were seen in the early group (17% versus 38%. p 2 peak, (+0.28 L/min versus +0.11 L/min, P CONCLUSIONS: PR post NSCLC therapy offers significant benefits with greater improvements and fewer AECOPD-related hospitalizations following early PR.
Changes in astroglial scar formation in rat optic nerve as a function of development

Although astroglial scar formation is a common response to almost any type of injury to the adult central nervous system, lesions in fetal and neonatal rats have been reported to induce little or no scar formation. To examine this developmental difference further, rats ranging in age from 1 to 65 days postnatal were unilaterally enucleated, a surgical procedure that causes the axons in the optic nerve to degenerate. The optic nerves were processed for light and electron microscopy at times ranging from 7 to 365 days postenucleation. Pronounced and permanent glial scars were formed in every age group examined, including the neonates. However, the time course for removal of the degenerating axonal debris and formation of a compact, debris-free glial scar varied as a function of developmental age. In neonatal rats, a compact glial scar formed in 1-2 weeks whereas 3-5 months were required for compact glial scar formation in juveniles and adults. Changes in cross-sectional area were also associated with optic nerve degeneration and glial scar formation. Whereas lesioned neonatal optic nerves underwent little change in area, there was a substantial decrease in area in the juvenile and adult. Morphometric analysis showed that irrespective of the age of the animal at the time of enucleation, the final area of the compact glial scar was 10-20% of the unlesioned adult control. These results suggest that conflict in the literature over the ability of neonatal astrocytes to form a glial scar may be due to the nature of the lesion or the method of detection since astrocytes in the neonatal rat optic nerve clearly have the capacity to become reactive and form a glial scar.
Nonlinearity Cancellation in Fiber Optic Links Based on Frequency Referenced Carriers

We study the limitations and their origins in the nonlinear effects mitigation in fiber-optic communication systems. The carrier frequencies uncertainty and their stochastic variations are identified as the major impeding factor for successful inter-channel nonlinear impairments management. Furthermore, the results clearly point out to the significant benefits of employing fully frequency referenced carriers in transmission, with frequency combs representing an immediately available solution. Finally, frequency referenced transmitters and/or receivers are shown as critical for availing longer reach at high spectral efficiencies in transmission.
Constructing Domain-Specific Knowledge in Kindergarten: Relations among Knowledge, Intelligence, and Strategic Performance.

Abstract Thirty kindergarten children from two classrooms participated in a 3-week curricular unit on dinosaurs designed to teach taxonomic relations and distinguishing features aligned with 15 dinosaur species. Both domain-specific learning and strategic performance on a Twenty Questions game were assessed twice throughout the curriculum, as well as during a postcurriculum assessment involving the comparison domain of birds. Performance on all knowledge measures improved significantly across the 3 weeks, with more substantial knowledge gains for higher-aptitude children. Ninety percent of children asked strategic questions that eliminated multiple items while playing Twenty Questions: Domain-specific knowledge was related to strategic questions focused on the features or behaviors taught during the curriculum, while IQ scores were related to strategic questions that did not pertain to curricular content. Because children did not demonstrate metacognitive awareness of their strategic questioning, we suggest that the curricular content prompted implicit changes in strategy use.