cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite element study of the effect of material properties on reaction forces produced by solitary wave propagation in granular chains

The response of a granular chain to impulse loading was investigated as a function of material properties. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, the elastic modulus and density of the grains were varied while the piston and force sensor properties remained fixed. The result of solitary wave propagation through the granular chain was recorded at the force sensor as a series of reaction force waves. It was found that wave velocity and amplitude increased with elastic modulus. Increasing density caused a decrease in wave velocity and an increase in amplitude. In addition, higher density granular chains exhibited a decrease in the number of waves in their respective reaction force wave trains. LS-DYNA was then used to explore the response of a variety of ceramic and metallic granular chains. Density, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio were all set to representative values for the respective material. It was found that solitary wave development and decay occurred at different rates for different materials. In addition, the kinetic energy decay of the impactor was slower for glass compared with tungsten. Finally, it was shown that a single reaction force wave with no train could be produced by impacting a high density, high modulus chain such as tungsten with a glass piston, which has relatively low density and elastic modulus. Increasing impact velocity for this case resulted in a single high-amplitude wave with no train.
Growth and Yield of Caged Cotton Plants Infested with Nymphs and Adults of Lygus hesperus

Damage to individual cotton plants ‘Deltapine 16’, by uniform and continuous infestations of 1 late-stage nymph or adult male Lygus hesperus Knight per cage during 4 infestation periods was studied at Tucson, Arizona, in 1969. Nymph-infested plants grew taller and showed altered patterns of squaring, flowering, and bolling, as compared with noninfested controls, but no significant reductions in seed cotton yield or lint quality were detected. Nymph-infested plants yielded lower percentage weights of lint and higher percentage weights of seed. Plants infested with nymphs from the time of 1st square until Aug. 16 had significantly increased numbers of main stem vegetative branches. Plants infested with adults from the time of 1st square until 1st bloom showed altered patterns of squaring and flowering but no significant yield reductions. Lint quality and monetary value were lower on plants exposed to adults during the late infestation period from July 26 to Aug. 16.
EFFECT OF CO2 ON ANAEROBIC GLYCOLYSIS OF UNWASHED, ONCE-AND TWICE-WASHED SPERMATOZOA FROM THE SAME SEMEN SAMPLES.

SummaryA minimum partial pressure of carbon dioxide is required for the glycolytic processes furnishing energy for motility of spermatozoa. The washing process for obtaining twice-washed sperm cells depletes the cells of CO2 below the minimal required level for glycolysis and motility and must be replaced from exogenous sources when the cells are in dilute concentration.
Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone and Penetration of D-Xylose-1-C14 and α-Aminoisobutyric Acid-1-C14 into Slices of Testis.

SummaryExperiments in vitro have failed to establish an influence of pituitary gonadotropins upon the permeability of testicular cells to D-xylose-1-C14 and to α-amino-isobutyric acid-1-C14 under conditions which allow a clear-cut response with respect to the biosynthesis of steroids.
Global martingale solution for the stochastic Boussinesq system with zero dissipation

ABSTRACTWe study the two-dimensional stochastic Boussinesq system with zero dissipation and multiplicative noise. We show the existence of a martingale solution by a priori estimates using stochastic calculus, and applications of Prokhorov's, Skorokhod's, and martingale representation theorems. Due to the lack of dissipation, the proof requires higher regularity estimates, taking advantage of the structure of the nonlinear term. Moreover, we obtain the existence of the pressure term via an application of de Rham's theorem for processes.
Comparative Analyses of Granular Pavement Moduli Measured from Lightweight Deflectometer and Miniaturized Pressuremeter Tests

A field investigation was conducted with two testing devices, the miniaturized pressuremeter test (MPMT) and a lightweight deflectometer (LWD), to evaluate the elastic characteristics of granular pavement layers. The stress–strain data from the MPMT tests were used to determine the stiffness of pavement materials under the influence of static loading conditions in initial elastic modulus (Ei) and reload elastic modulus (Er). The time–deflection data from the LWD tests were used to determine the stiffness parameters of pavement materials under the influence of dynamic loading conditions in dynamic deformation modulus (Ed) and LWD plate deflection. The results of the MPMT tests were compared with the results of the LWD tests in two phases. First, a direct approach was conducted with statistical analysis. MPMT elastic moduli were compared with LWD dynamic moduli. The results indicate that Ei and Er could be used to estimate Ed. The initial-modulus model had the best prediction for granular pavement dynamic m...
Developing Scholarly Practitioners: Doctoral Management Education in the 21st Century

Doctoral education in the United States is nearing its 150th anniversary and doctoral education in management is nearing its 75th anniversary. Such milestones occasion an examination of the current state of doctoral education, particularly in management, and a determination as to whether any aspects of doctoral education need rethinking. Certainly, the organizational environment of today is dramatically different from that of the 1850s and 1930s. This changed environment has implications both for the nature of doctoral education and for the study of management at the doctoral level. This chapter will also explore current trends in doctoral education as well as briefly allude to the specific examples of a few university programs. The primary emphasis of the chapter will be to present the Doctor of Management degree at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) as a case study. The designers of this program endeavored to rethink all aspects of the traditional Ph.D. and, where necessary, make improvements. Atwell (1996) has called for multiple models of excellence, reflecting different but equally worthy educational missions. UMUC's intention is to develop a model that will become the benchmark doctoral degree for students who want to be scholarly practitioners rather than tenure-track faculty. If history is any predictor, models get "locked in" and are not easily changed in higher education; once such a model is formed it may influence doctoral education for over 100 years. The chapter will conclude with a series of ideas for exploration as educators continue to modify and improve doctoral education.
Numerical Simulation of Influence of Water-filled Karst Cave above Tunnel on Stability of Surrounding Rock

The water-filled cave above tunnel is in very high risk when the tunnel is excavated. Safe rock wall should be reserved to ensure construction. The surrounding rock stability of the tunnel when water-filled karst cave exists right above and side above the tunnel is comparatively analysed by numerical simulation. The result shows that( 1) under the action of self-weight stress,it easily leads to the gushing water and collapse if the plastic zone of tunnel links up the water-filled karst caves after the tunnel is excavated;( 2) if there are the water-filled karst caves right above and side above the tunnel,the safety rock wall thickness is suggested at least 0. 8 times and 1. 0 times as large as the tunnel diameter respectively when the diameter ratio is less than 1. 0;( 3) while the safety rock wall thickness is suggested at least 1. 0 times and 1. 2 times as large as the tunnel diameter respectively when the diameter ratio is greater than 1. 0.
Testing a Pollen-Parent Fecundity Distribution Model on Seed-Parent Fecundity Distributions in Bee-Pollinated Forage Legume Polycrosses

Random mating (panmixis) is a fundamental assumption in quantitative genetics. In outcrossing bee-pollinated perennial forage legume polycrosses, mating is assumed by default to follow theoretical random mating. This assumption informs breeders of expected inbreeding estimates based on polycross size. In examining forage legume pollen-parent fecundity distributions (i.e., distribution of pollen-parent gamete contribution frequencies to the progeny generation in a polycross) it is obvious that the pollen-parent fecundity distribution is not uniform (i.e., panmixis expectation). Using an empirical approach, a Weibull distribution-based model has been developed to accurately predict a polycross’ pollen-parent fecundity distribution depending only on polycross size. In this study we wanted to determine if this pollen-parent fecundity distribution model was able to predict seed-parent fecundity distributions in bee-pollinated forage legume polycrosses of varying sizes. We found that the pollen-parent fecundity distribution model worked very well in predicting observed seed-parent fecundity distributions with R 2 for eight polycrosses tested ranging from 0.83 to 0.99. A poor fit was observed for a ninth polycross tested (R 2 = 0.30). Preliminarily we attributed this poor fit to the fact that parent plants in this polycross were clonally replicated. Using the Weibull-based model, both expected pollen-parent and seed-parent fecundity distributions can be predicted for forage legume polycrosses knowing only polycross size. This model should allow breeders to estimate more realistic inbreeding expectations based on polycross size.
Virus Inactivation During Food Processing

Consumers are increasingly demanding food products that are fresh-tasting, nutritious and convenient. At the same time, consumer concerns about food safety have steadily increased as the incidence of reported foodborne illnesses has continued to rise. These trends have fueled interest in nonthermal processing technologies, such as high hydrostatic pressure processing, irradiation, pulsed electric fields, and high-intensity pulsed light. A nationwide consumer survey assessing awareness of alternative food processing technologies, consumer food safety attitudes and knowledge about nonthermal processed products, such as high pressure treated foods, indicated that a large proportion of polled consumers were willing to pay $0.25–0.50 more regardless of the value of the product if they were communicated on the benefits to the consumer (Hicks et al. 2009). Similarly, these trends have also fueled the renewed interest in wash water technologies such as more effective sanitizers that are natural and organic along with processing technologies that aid in the removal of contaminants to ensure the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dynamic spectrum access enabled home area networks for smart grid communications

In this paper, we investigate the dynamic spectrum access for home area network in smart grid communications where home appliances access RF spectrum opportunistically. We evaluate the proposed approach through simulations and the numerical results show that the proposed dynamic spectrum access-based smart grid communication outperforms the static spectrum access-based smart grid communications. Smart grid is the transformation of current power grid system through the integration of advanced information technology and communication technology with power system grid. The choice of communication technology for smart grid is highly critical to provide secure, reliable and efficient information transfer between the smart grid components. However, because of dynamic topology changes, connectivity problems, interference and fading issues, and delay requirements, current information and communication infrastructures and standards are incapable of meeting the strict requirements of smart grid technology. The dynamic spectrum access capability of cognitive radio networks is a promising technology that can be used to reduce the communication expenses and improve reliability by improving spectrum utilisation in smart grids.
Twin mechanism for baryon and dark matter asymmetries

In the context of twin Higgs models, we study a simple mechanism that simultaneously generates asymmetries in the dark and visible sector through the out-of-equilibrium decay of a TeV-scale particle charged under a combination of baryon and twin baryon number. We predict the dark matter to be a 5 GeV twin baryon, which is easy to achieve because of the similarity between the two confinement scales. Dark matter is metastable and can decay to three quarks, yielding indirect detection signatures. The mechanism requires the introduction of a new colored particle, typically within the reach of the LHC, of which we study the rich collider phenomenology, including prompt and displaced dijets, multijets, monojets and monotops.
Dioxins and Mammalian Carcinogenesis

First notice of an adverse human health effect (occupational chloracne) of (TCDD) became known in 1957,1 evidence of teratogenicity in animals was reported in 1971,2 and the first international symposium was held in 1973.3 World public concern was raised in July of 1976 when a chemical company producing trichlorophenol in Seveso, Italy, exploded and contaminated the countryside with TCDD and other reaction products.4–8 Since then, other “accidents” or large-scale occupational and environmental exposures have been divulged or have occurred.7,9
Differential template attacks on PUF enabled cryptographic devices

In this paper we provide the first practical attacks on software implementations of fuzzy extractors (FEs). The significance of these attacks stem from the fact that FEs are becoming an essential building block in the implementations of physical unclonable function (PUF) enabled devices. In fact, almost every single implementation of PUFs heavily relies on using a FE. Our attacks exploit the information leaked through the power side-channel in the initial stages of error correction and can be used to recover the FE input which would essentially mean cloning the PUF device. More specifically, our attacks target the initial step in the syndrome decoding phase of BCH and Reed-Solomon (RS) decoder implementations where the input (PUF response) is read. We report two attacks: a simple power analysis (SPA) attack where we make use of conditional checks in a naive implementation to recover the PUF response by simply observing time shifts in the power consumption profile. In our second attack, we assume all conditional executions are removed making the device secure against SPA attacks. Instead, we mount a new kind of template attack on a two instruction sequence to recover the FE input (or PUF output).
Biofluid Flow and Heat Transfer

Fluid mechanics, dissolved species transport and particle dynamics phenomena play major roles in normal and pathological processes occurring in the human body. Most evident on the macro-scale are the transport phenomena associated with blood flow supplying oxygen and nutrients to organs, and airflow in the lung enabling the O2 – CO2 gas exchange. On the micro-scale, it appears that complex particle-hemodynamics can trigger biochemical responses at the cellular level that could lead to stenosed arteries, aortic heart-valve failure, or aneurysm rupture.
Nano-Particulate Exposure Impacts Proteasome Adaptive Responses in Young and Middle-Aged Female Mice

Environmental toxicants contribute to cellular oxidative stress, damaging proteins, and if not removed or neutralized, causing protein oxidation, aggregation, and cross-linking. The time-dependent accumulation of protein-aggregates is a potential underlying contributor to the aging process. By rapidly degrading minimally oxidized intracellular proteins, proteinases such as the 20S Proteasome, the Immunoproteasome, and (inside mitochondria) the Lon protease minimize the extent of protein aggregation and cross-linking. With advancing age, however, the efficiency of these proteinolytic systems declines. Our objective is to understand age-related changes associated with nanoparticulate exposure (representing environmental photochemical smog) by comparing young (3 month) and middle-aged (18 month) female mice. In the present study we have focused on the Proteasome and its transcriptional regulators. Female mice were exposed to either ambient air or re-aerosolized particulate matter (nPM) collected from the 110 Freeway (in Southern California). Both 3 month and 18 month old female mice were exposed for 5 hours a day, 3 days a week, for a total of 10 weeks. Afterwards, heart, liver, and lung tissue was collected and protein expression, activity, and oxidation was assessed. Our results show that that both nPM exposure and age affect Proteasome expression and activity in lung, heart, and liver. In all three tissues, nPM exposure resulted in loss of Proteasome activity, yet expression increased in an age- and nPM-dependent manner. Interestingly, Nrf2, the transcriptional activator of the Proteasome, showed age-related increases, accompanied by age-related increases in the levels of the transcriptional suppressors, Bach1 and c-Myc. Thus our findings indicate that cells may be unable to appropriately degrade non-functional Proteasome, and/or the increase in levels of the transcriptional suppressors, Bach1 and c-Myc limits the generation of new functional Proteasome. This work should lead to a clearer understanding of the effects of pollution on aging, and of the Proteasomes’ specific involvement in the aging process.
Skeletal muscle changes following stroke: a systematic review and comparison to healthy individuals.

AbstractBackground: Despite extensive study of the impact of stroke on muscle and functional performance, questions remain regarding the extent to which changes are due to the neurological injury vs. age-related loss of morphology and force production.Objectives: To synthesize available evidence describing post-stroke changes in lower extremity muscle size and strength compared to healthy adults.Methods: Scientific literature was searched up to April 2016 to identify studies that included lower extremity muscle size and strength measures in individuals with chronic stroke. Lower extremity muscle size and strength data from healthy controls were sought for comparison. Relative differences were calculated between paretic, nonparetic, and control limbs.Results: Fifteen studies with 375 participants (61% male; age = 62 ± 5 years; time since stroke = 60 ± 42 months) were included. The paretic limb exhibited deficits of ~13% in thigh muscle size, ~5% in lower leg muscle size, and ~8% in lean leg mass compared t...
Quantitative Bacterial Tissue Cultures From 209 Prostatectomy Specimens: Findings and Implications

AbstractTo define the prevalence of prostatic bacterial infection or colonization, tissue from 209 patients undergoing prostatectomy (204 transurethral and 5 suprapubic) was submitted for quantitative bacterial tissue cultures. Tissue from 44 patients (21 per cent) yielded positive, single organism bacterial growth. In an attempt to identify preoperatively this patient subgroup, multiple preoperative and intraoperative variables were examined. Although the presence of a preoperative indwelling catheter was associated with positive prostate cultures, only 34 per cent (24 of 70) of the patients with preoperative catheters had positive prostate cultures. Of the 44 patients with positive prostate cultures 36 (82 per cent) had sterile urine cultures documented preoperatively, all urine specimens having been obtained in the absence of antibiotics. The data support a significant prevalence (21 per cent or more) of prostatic infection in patients undergoing prostatic surgery for obstructive symptoms and an appare...
Wearable wireless sensor patch for continuous monitoring of skin temperature, pressure, and relative humidity

This paper describes system design issues involved in the development of a wearable wireless sensor system for continuous monitoring of skin pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. The system is intended for prevention of pressure ulcers (bedsores), and would alert a patient or caregiver to a potentially harmful level of contact pressure or adverse microclimate that could cause tissue damage. Implementation of this system would reduce health care costs by improving pressure ulcer prevention, enabling patient treatment and monitoring outside a hospital setting, and easing workload on caregivers.
Increased Walking's Additive and No Substitution Effect on Total Physical Activity

Purpose We assessed the associations between a change in time spent walking and a change in total physical activity (PA) time within an urban living adult sample to test for additive or substitution effects. Methods Participants living in the greater Seattle area were assessed in 2008-2009 and again 1-2 yr later (2010-2011). At each time point, they wore accelerometers and GPS units and recorded trips and locations in a travel diary for seven consecutive days. These data streams were combined to derive a more objective estimate of walking and total PA. Participants also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to provide self-reported estimates of walking and total PA. Regression analyses assessed the associations between within-participant changes in objective and self-reported walking and total PA. Results Data came from 437 participants. On average, a 1-min increase in total walking was associated with an increase in total PA of 1 min, measured by objective data, and 1.2-min, measured by self-reported data. A similar additive effect was consistently found with utilitarian, transportation, or job-related walking, measured by both objective and self-reported data. For recreational walking, the effect of change was mixed between objective and self-reported results. Conclusion Both objective and self-reported data confirmed an additive effect of utilitarian and total walking on PA.
Kierkegaard on the (un)happiness of faith

ABSTRACTHegel famously accuses Christianity of ‘unhappy consciousness’: it has a normative goal – union with the divine – that it cannot, in principle, satisfy. Kierkegaard was intimately aware of this criticism and, unlike some of Hegel’s other accusations, takes it seriously. In this paper my co-author and I investigate the way in which Kierkegaard addresses this issue in two texts published in 1843: Fear and Trembling and ‘The Expectancy of Faith’. We are especially interested in how the two texts describe faith’s relationship to finitude: for instance, whether the person of faith is permitted to expect that God will bless her in particular and concrete ways. My co-author and I offer competing interpretations. I argue that there is a deep tension in the way faith is described in the two texts; my co-author argues that there is consonance.
Specimen Orientation and Environment

Precise knowledge and control of the specimen’s orientation relative to the electron beam is critical for the collection of electron diffraction data. Tilting stages capable of + /- 70° about a single axis or +/- 65° with two degrees of freedom (double-tilt or single-tilt and rotation) are used to collect data from most of Fourier space but a portion remains unsampled. For many biological specimens this is a serious limitation due to the lack of symmetry, but for most crystals it may not be serious. However, we are investigating cylindrically symmetric stage designs and specimen mounting methods that allow complete sampling of Fourier space. Conventional stages require the specimen to be vacuum compatible, but in-situ experiments in other environments, as well as temperature control, are increasingly important. Environmental chambers provide a gaseous and/or liquid specimen environment while maintaining normal instrument operation. Temperature-controlled stages can operate near liquid helium temperature or up to several thousand Kelvins.
Culture of haploid blastocysts in FGF4 favors the derivation of epiblast stem cells with a primed epigenetic and transcriptional landscape

Pluripotent stem cells within the inner cell mass and epiblast of mammalian embryos have the capacity to form all lineages in the adult organism, while multipotent trophoblast stem (TS) cells derived from the trophectoderm are capable of differentiating into fetal lineages of the placenta. While mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) exhibit distinct expression patterns and utilize distinct external signaling pathways for self-renewal, because mouse EpiSCs resemble human ES cells they are a useful model to investigate mechanisms of human ES cell self-renewal and differentiation. Recent studies have shown that haploid embryos and ES cells can be generated from chemically-activated unfertilized mouse oocytes. However, it is unclear whether EpiSCs or TS cells can be derived from haploid embryos. Here, we describe the derivation of EpiSCs from haploid blastocyst-stage embryos using culture conditions that promote TS cell self-renewal. Maternal (parthenogenetic/gynogenetic) EpiSCs (maEpiSCs) functionally and morphologically resemble conventional EpiSCs. Established maEpiSCs and conventional EpiSCs are diploid and exhibit a normal number of chromosomes. Moreover, global expression analyses and epigenomic profiling revealed that maEpiSCs and conventional EpiSCs exhibit similarly primed transcriptional programs and epigenetic profiles, respectively. Altogether, our results describe a useful experimental model to generate EpiSCs from haploid embryos, provide insight into self-renewal mechanisms of EpiSCs, and suggest that FGF4 is not sufficient to derive TS cells from haploid blastocyst-stage embryos.
An in-depth analysis of the use of shared decision making in contraceptive counseling.

Abstract Objective(s) Shared decision making (SDM) has emerged as a useful tool to promote patient-centered communication and is highly applicable to contraceptive decision making. Little is known about how SDM is operationalized in contraceptive counseling. This study aimed to explore and describe how SDM is used in the contraceptive counseling context. Methods We analyzed a selection of transcripts from a larger study of 342 audiorecorded visits in which contraceptive counseling occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area. A previous study team had identified 106 transcripts that demonstrated principles of SDM. We randomly selected 40 transcripts from this group for deeper analysis. We coded transcripts using directed content analysis to understand the process of SDM in the context of contraceptive counseling. We focused on how the previously identified phases of SDM (information sharing, deliberation and decision making) occurred in these visits and identified emerging themes. Results Rather than consisting of distinct phases, our analysis found that, in contraceptive counseling, the information sharing and deliberation stages of SDM were largely integrated in an iterative back and forth process between patient and provider. The final decision-making phase was directed by the patient, who retained the final choice. Conclusion Our analysis found that the use of SDM in the contraceptive counseling context reflected the intimacy and complexity of contraceptive decision making. These findings can be used as a foundation for future work to develop training designed to integrate SDM in a manner appropriate to the context of contraception, including prioritizing patient autonomy and acknowledging preexisting preferences of patients.
Magnetic Field Mapping of the CLAS12 Torus—A Comparative Study Between the Engineering Model and Measurements at JLab

This paper provides an overview of the magnetic field measurement and subsequent electromagnetic re-modeling of the CLAS12 torus during the commissioning of the magnet in the fall of 2016. The CLAS12 detector in Hall B is part of the 12 GeV Accelerator Upgrade project at Jefferson Lab. The torus magnet allows precise determination of particle momenta within a cone ~ (5°-40°) in the forward direction. The ability to do this requires that we know the ∫B·dl of the torus to within an accuracy of 0.5% or better. To achieve this, an accurate model of the field along the particle path is required. The TOSCA code is used to generate a full three-dimensional (3-D) simulation of the magnetic envelope of the magnet as designed. Experimentally, the actual magnetic field within the magnet was surveyed to confirm the model design and to measure the deviation from the ideal case. The magnetic field deviations are attributed to manufacturing variability and assembly tolerances. A final model was created with allowances for these deviations guided by the survey data to create a more precise field integral model, which greatly improves the momentum resolution capability, allowing it to deliver the required specifications.
Go to More Parties? Social Occasions as Home to Unexpected Turning Points in Life Trajectories:

Reviving classical attention to gathering times as sites of transformation and building on more recent microsociological work, this paper uses qualitative data to show how social occasions open up unexpected bursts of change in the lives of those attending. They do this by pulling people into a special realm apart from normal life, generating collective effervescence and emotional energy, bringing usually disparate people together, forcing public rankings, and requiring complex choreography, all of which combine to make occasions sites of inspiration and connection as well as sites of offense and violation. Rather than a time out from “real” life, social occasions hold an outsized potential to unexpectedly shift the course that real life takes. Implications for microsociology, social inequality, and the life course are considered.
College athletics directors’ attitudes toward spectator aggression

ABSTRACTIn 2008, former President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Myles Brand expressed serious concern about college sport spectator aggression. More specifically, Brand asserted that many sport administrators may be “looking the other way” when confronted by spectator aggression. As a result, the following study was conducted to assess university athletic directors’ attitudes toward various form of spectator aggression using the Sport Spectator Attitude Scale (SSAS). Overall, results showed that athletic directors were unsupportive of spectator aggression. However, there were a couple of exceptions based on responses to items #2 and #7. These particular responses suggest that some, if not many athletic directors, may need to increase their understanding and valuing of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Additional implications from the results are discussed.
SEVERE SHOCK IN THE CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: IMPROVED OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH NOREPINEPHRINE AND INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON PUMP USE

Severe shock is associated with high mortality in critically-ill patients. We aimed to describe the association between mortality, vasopressor use and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support in patients admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) with severe shock. We retrospectively
Time and Space

In the days and weeks following my stroke, my sense of time and space was jumbled and fantastical. It reflected a novel mix of actual events, imagined ones, and remnants from dreams, all within timeframes that were utterly malleable in my mind. For example, when my friend Jillian visited me soon after my arrival at the Boulder rehab, before they had even allowed me outside for a breath of air, I regaled her with an imaginative tale of my having just come back from a morning walk with my good friends Ioannis Antoniou and Ilya Prigogine. I claimed that they had surprised me with a visit and we had taken a nice stroll to the downtown Boulder post office, where I’d mailed some letters to friends. In reality, Ioannis was at home in Greece and not even aware of my stroke, and dear Ilya has been dead since 2003. However, they had both visited me in Boulder in years past and we had taken walks downtown, even if not to mail letters.
Genetic relationships and hybridization among three western Atlantic sparid species: sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), sea bream (A. rhomboidalis) and pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)

Three species of sparids in the western Atlantic, sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), sea bream (A. rhomboidalis), and pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), share overlapping habitats, spawning seasons, and spawning grounds, providing opportunities for interaction among these species. Three regions of mitochondrial DNA and three nuclear DNA intron sequences were used to construct the genetic relationships among these species. The results showed that these species are closely related, suggesting the presence of soft polytomy with sheepshead and western Atlantic sea bream as sister species. However, western Atlantic sea bream and pinfish are equally divergent from sheepshead. We used a suite of 18 microsatellite markers to verify the occurrence of hybridization, identify the parental types, and evaluate the filial-generation status of 36 individuals morphologically identified as hybrids from the Indian River Lagoon system, in Florida. The 36 putative hybrids were analyzed with a reference group of 172 western Atlantic sea bream, 232 pinfish, and 157 sheepsheads and were all genetically determined to be F1 of sheepshead and western Atlantic sea bream with very little indication or no introgressive hybridization among the 172 reference specimens of western Atlantic sea bream. Hybridization was asymmetric, with western Atlantic sea bream males crossing with sheepshead females. Hybrids were first observed in the Indian River Lagoon in 2005, after the western Atlantic sea bream had become common there, in the 1990s. Their occurrence could be associated with unique features of the Indian River Lagoon that bring the two species together or with recent anthropogenic changes in this system. Further study is needed to determine the causes and long-term effects of the recurrent production of F1 hybrids and the degree of their sterility in the Indian River Lagoon.
Celebrity disclosure prompts public discourse regarding appearance changes related to breast cancer care: a content analysis of Internet comments

Background: In an op-ed posted on the New York Times (NYT) website, Angelina Jolie disclosed that she carries the BRCA1 genetic mutation and received a preventive mastectomy. Studies have since dem...
Machine Learning in a Post Moore’s Law World: Quantum vs. Neuromorphic Substrates

Although machine learning currently relies on conventional computer architectures, the looming end of Moore’s Law necessitates exploration of novel computational platforms. Neuromorphic and quantum systems are a natural path to pursue; biological neurons are incredibly efficient, and quantum mechanics provides theoretical foundations for fast solutions to optimization problems. Here, we make the first comparison of emerging hardware (D-Wave quantum annealer and Intel Loihi spiking processor) on an identically-posed machine learning problem. We implement the bioinspired Locally Competitive Algorithm (LCA) for solving sparse coding on the different substrates. To make the comparison valid, our dataset of choice (Fashion MNIST) is dimensionally-reduced via sparse principal component analysis, under the constraint that both classification performance and a graph-based clustering metric remain unchanged. This enables the problem to be mapped identically to both devices. An analysis of several metrics, including power consumption, reconstruction, and classification accuracy are presented. When given the same specifically-constructed challenge, both substrates perform similarly. Our results suggest while neuromorphic and quantum systems are still in their infancy, they present a possible route to address certain types of classically challenging problems, such as sparse coding, in a way that leverages the unique aspects of the substrates.
The patient experience of hemodialysis vascular access decision-making

Background:To describe vascular access (VA)-related decision-making from the patient perspective, in patients who have already chosen hemodialysis as their renal replacement modality, and identify ...
Direct 12V/24V-to-1V Tri-State Double Step-Down Power Converter With Online V CF Rebalancing and In-Situ Precharge Rate Regulation

In response to fast-growing high-voltage (HV) power IC market demands, this article presents a tri-state double step-down (DSD) power converter to achieve direct 12V/24V- to-1V dc–dc power delivery with high efficiency and high power density. By taking advantage of the benefits from both three-level and DSD converter topologies, the converter allows the use of lower voltage rating power devices and thus facilitates high switching frequency operation with smaller power passives. An online flying capacitor voltage ( $V_{\mathrm {CF}}$ ) rebalancing scheme is introduced to optimize switching nodes voltages and minimize power path mismatch for improved reliability and efficiency. During startup transients, an in-situ precharge rate regulation technique manages the charging process on flying capacitors precisely in avoidance of potential device breakdown. An IC prototype of this design was fabricated using a 180 nm HV bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) process with an active area die of 6.3 mm2. At 3-W output power, a chip power density of 476 mW/mm2 is accomplished. The online $V_{\mathrm {CF}}$ rebalancing reduces voltage mismatch between the flying capacitors by 16.7%. The converter achieves peak efficiencies of 88.3% and 92.1% for 24V/1V and 12V/1V conversion, respectively.
Step Towards Energy-Water Smart Microgrids; Buildings Thermal Energy and Water Demand Management Embedded in Economic Dispatch

Energy, building, and water networks are three interlinked critical infrastructures that need to be operated cooperatively to maximize the smart grid’s economic benefits. In this paper, a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) formulation is proposed to approach the economic dispatch (ED) problem for smart grids embedded with interdependent water and energy networks. Energy management of various building applications is considered by intelligently controlling the indoor temperature during occupied and unoccupied hours. To optimize the demand of water distribution system, pump’s nonlinear scheduling and hydraulic factors and daily water usage of buildings are added to the proposed model. Piecewise linear approximation of univariate and bivariate nonlinear functions is used to convert the nonlinear problem to an MILP formulation. Several case studies were conducted to examine the impact of indoor temperature settings of the buildings, speed of pumps, battery efficiency, and end of day (EoD) battery and tank constraints on economic dispatch of the microgrid system.
Ensuring access to high-quality substance use disorder treatment for Medicaid enrollees: A qualitative study of diverse stakeholders' perspectives.

Abstract Background Medicaid programs are vital to ensure low-income individuals have access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. However, shifts in Medicaid policies may alter coverage and SUD care for this population, who already face difficulties receiving high-quality SUD treatment. Using a policy implementation research approach, we sought to identify barriers and facilitators when transitioning from Medicaid fee-for-service to managed care plan structures and opportunities for improving SUD care in New York State (NYS). Method Study staff conducted semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews (N = 40 total) with diverse stakeholders involved with different aspects of SUD treatment in NYS, including policy leaders (n = 13), clinicians (n = 12), Medicaid managed care plan administrators (n = 5), and patients (n = 10). Results Findings from thematic analysis centered on three themes: 1) while transitions to managed care have benefited clinicians, certain policies affect patients' Medicaid enrollment and quality of care; 2) stakeholders perceived individuals with dual diagnoses, older adults, and linguistic minorities to be at higher risk for inadequate care; and 3) current quality metrics may not adequately capture treatment quality. Conclusion Policy changes should focus on promoting increased collaboration among stakeholders, expanding Medicaid coverage, and reducing stigma. Resources should be diverted to facilitate psychiatric care for patients with dual diagnoses and to build workforce capacity to adequately meet the needs of older adults and linguistic minorities. Opportunities for NYS Medicaid include adapting performance metrics to capture meaningful patient outcomes and link reimbursements to improvements in patients' quality of life.
Sharing Photos on Social Media: Visual Attention Affects Real-World Decision Making

This study tested the effect of visual attention on decision-making in digital environments. Fifty-nine individuals were asked how likely they would be to share 40 memes (photos with superimposed captions) on social media while their eye movements were tracked. The likelihood of sharing memes increased as attention to the text of the meme increased; conversely, the likelihood of sharing decreased as attention to the image of the meme increased. In addition, increased trait levels of agreeableness predicted a greater likelihood of sharing memes. These results indicate that individual differences in personality and eye movements predict the likelihood of sharing photo-memes on social media platforms.
Epilogue: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”—War and Reconciliation

Included in the epilogue is a brief history of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., and its significance to women veterans as a place of healing and recovery. Focusing on war and reconciliation, Tanner discusses her interpretation of the ways each of the eight women have reconciled their place in the Vietnam War, specifically through memorials, oral history, and activism. An update on the current status of the eight women is also included in this final chapter. Tanner reflects on interviewing the women represented on these pages and offers her thoughts on attending the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in 2018. And lastly, the author updates the reader on the current status of sexual harassment in the military and Veterans Treatment Court.
SpiderLearner: An ensemble approach to Gaussian graphical model estimation

Multivariate biological data are often modeled using networks in which nodes represent a biological variable (e.g., genes) and edges represent associations (e.g., coexpression). A Gaussian graphical model (GGM), or partial correlation network, is an undirected graphical model in which a weighted edge between two nodes represents the magnitude of their partial correlation, and the absence of an edge indicates zero partial correlation. A GGM provides a roadmap of direct dependencies between variables, providing a valuable systems-level perspective. Many methods exist for estimating GGMs; estimated GGMs are typically highly sensitive to choice of method, posing an outstanding statistical challenge. We address this challenge by developing SpiderLearner, a tool that combines a range of candidate GGM estimation methods to construct an ensemble estimate as a weighted average of results from each candidate. In simulation studies, SpiderLearner performs better than or comparably to the best of the candidate methods. We apply SpiderLearner to estimate a GGM for gene expression in a publicly available dataset of 260 ovarian cancer patients. Using the community structure of the GGM, we develop a network-based risk score which we validate in six independent datasets. The risk score requires only seven genes, each of which has important biological function. Our method is flexible, extensible, and has demonstrated potential to identify de novo biomarkers for complex diseases. An open-source implementation of our method is available at https://github.com/katehoffshutta/SpiderLearner.
Edward H. Hon, MD (1917-2006): A scientist, inventor, academician and the pioneer for the development of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring.

Aims To describe the professional life of Edward H. Hon, MD, and the course of his academic career for the development of electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring. Methods Review of archives at the Loma Linda University related to Dr Hon's early education and medical school training, his postgraduate training at Yale University, his faculty appointments at Yale University, University of Southern California and his research accomplishment related to electronic FHR monitoring. Results Primarily, Dr Hon advanced the clinical application of the electronic FHR monitoring, particularly during labor and delivery. Dr Hon also defined significance of FHR patterns based on years of clinical studies and astute observations. Conclusion Currently, electronic FHR monitoring, during pregnancy and labor/delivery, has a universal application. Dr Hon's research contribution on FHR monitoring, and its impact for the welfare of mother and her unborn child, is well recognized.
Childhood Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Risk

Metabolic syndrome in children age 10 years and older, as defined by consensus among experts through the International Diabetes Federation, is a cluster of six risk factors for cardiovascular disease: obesity (defined by waist circumference or central obesity), elevated triglyceride concentrations, low high-density lipoprotein concentrations, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose concentrations or type 2 diabetes. Of these risk factors, obesity in adults is the second leading cause of preventable death in the USA and is also a risk factor for cancer in adults. Obesity has been associated with increased risks of postmenopausal breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, and kidney cancers, and it probably also increases the risk of gallbladder, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid, and prostate cancers. In this chapter, we review the epidemiology of obesity and cancer, the effect of obesity on cancer morbidity and mortality, and the biochemical factors associated with obesity in association with increased cancer risk. We also explore the rates of obesity and its consequences in long-term survivors of childhood cancers.
The purine nucleotide cycle. IV. Interactions with oscillations of the glycolytic pathway in muscle extracts.

The oscillations observed previously in the operation of the purine nucleotide cycle correspond to oscillations in the glycolytic pathway, as shown by metabolite assays. The oscillatory process involves the activation of phosphofructokinase by its product fructose diphosphate, as well as control by the adenine mononucleotides. The changes in the concentrations of ATP, ADP, and AMP associated with the glycolytic oscillations, and the corresponding changes in the concentrations of GTP and GDP, account for the behavior of the purine nucleotide cycle. The responsiveness of the purine nucleotide cycle to changes in the [ATP]:[ADP] ratio is consistent with its proposed role in maintaining a high [ATP]:[ADP] ratio in the face of a high rate of ATP usage during muscular contraction.
Ghosts, Stars, and Learning Online: Analysis of Interaction Patterns in Student Online Discussions.

Discussions are commonly used in online teaching and have been shown to foster student learning and collaboration. This case study uses content analysis to explore the interaction patterns of student online discussions during a semester-long teacher preparation course using concepts from sociometry. Findings suggest that interaction patterns were influenced by the content of student posts. Online discussions in this case were found to be an equitable form of collaborative learning, enabling each student to have a voice. There were, however, indications that gendered ways of knowing may play a role in the content of interaction, if not in the patterns themselves.
Nicotine from edible Solanaceae and risk of Parkinson disease

Objective To test whether risk of Parkinson disease (PD) is associated with consumption of nicotine-containing edibles from the same botanical family as tobacco, Solanaceae, including peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.