cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Healing and Super Healing in Continuum Damage Mechanics

In this work, the principles of damage/healing mechanics are first reviewed. This is followed by introducing the concept of super healing of materials in the framework of continuum damage mechanics. Once a damaged material is healed and the damage is recovered, further healing results in a strengthened material. This process of added healing beyond what is necessary to recover damage is termed here super healing. In super healing, the material gains stiffness and the end and final objective of the super healing process is to reach what is called the Super Material. The second part of this work generalizes these concepts to anisotropic damage and healing of materials. The concept of anisotropic super healing is also introduced. An example is presented for the case of plane stress where the mechanics of damage/healing and super healing are demonstrated. Finally, the characteristics of the elusive Super Material are postulated.
ACCURACY OF THE UNIPOLAR ELECTROGRAM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF THE SITE OF ORIGIN OF VENTRICULAR ACTIVATION

Unipolar Electrogram. introduction: The purpose (if this study was to determine the accuruey of the unipolar electrogram tor identifying the earliest site of ventricular activation. The earliest site of ventricular activation may he identified with the unipolar electrogram hy the absence of an R wave. However, the accuracy of this technique is unknown. Methods and Results: A sJn^^Ie ventricular premature complex was induced mechanically at the tip of an electrode catheter to simulate a ventricular premature depolarization site of origin. Unipolar electrograms were recorded from the right ventricular septum at the tip electrode and at 2, 5, 8, and 11 nmi from the electrode tip in 20 patients. No R waves were detected at the ventricular premature depolarization site of origin. R waves were detected in 4 of 20 patients (20%) at 2 mm from the tip electrode and 7 of 20 patients (35%) at 5. 8. and 11 mm from the tip electrode. An R wave was not ohserved at distances < 11 mm from the site of tachycardia origin in 13 of 20 patients (65%), Conclusions: While an R wave in the unipolar electrogram can he seen as close as 2 mm fnmi the site of impulse origin, the ahsence of an R wave as an indicator of the site of impulse origin in the right ventricle is highly inaccurate. Therefore, the ahsence of an R wave in the unipolar electrogram is unlikely to he an adequate guide for identiHcation of an effective target site for ahlation of right ventricular tachycardia. (./ Cardiovusc Electrophysiol. Vol. H. pp. 974-979, Scptemlwr
Survival after left ventricular assist device with and without temporary right ventricular support.

Background Right ventricular (RV) failure after the insertion of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) historically results in poor outcomes. Patients requiring temporary RV support after LVAD insertion are a heterogeneous group of patients consisting of those in cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction, to those with chronic decompensated heart failure. For patients requiring biventricular support, we have used a hybrid system consisting of a HeartMate II LVAD and CentriMag right ventricular assist device (RVAD). The purpose of this study was to determine the 1-year survival in patients requiring isolated LVAD and patients requiring biventricular support. Methods All patients who underwent HeartMate II LVAD alone or in conjunction with a temporary CentriMag RVAD were examined from 2006 to 2011. Preoperative demographics, operative outcomes, and survival were analyzed. Results A total of 139 patients required HeartMate II insertion; 34 (24%) required biventricular support at the time of HeartMate II implantation. The mean duration of biventricular support was 17 ± 11.9 days (range, 6 to 56 days) with 91.8% (n = 31) of RVADs successfully explanted. Survival to hospital discharge was not different between groups (95.2 versus 88.2%; p = 0.2). However, 1-year survival was significantly greater in patients who required isolated HeartMate II LVAD (87% versus 77%; p = 0.03). Conclusions Biventricular support using a HeartMate II LVAD and CentriMag RVAD resulted in limited mortality at hospital discharge. However biventricular dysfunction does not have a favorable outcome at 1 year when compared with patients requiring isolated HeartMate II.
The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS): an evolving evidence-based clinical approach to suicidal risk.

The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) is an evidence-based clinical intervention that has significantly evolved over 25 years of clinical research. CAMS is best understood as a therapeutic framework that emphasizes a unique collaborative assessment and treatment planning process between the suicidal patient and clinician. This process is designed to enhance the therapeutic alliance and increase treatment motivation in the suicidal patient. Central to the CAMS approach is the use of the Suicide Status Form (SSF), which is a multipurpose clinical assessment, treatment planning, tracking, and outcome tool. The original development of CAMS was largely rooted in SSF-based quanti- tative and qualitative assessment of suicidal risk. As this line of research pro- gressed, CAMS emerged as a problem-focused clinical intervention that is designed to target and treat suicidal ''drivers'' and ultimately eliminate suicidal coping. To date, CAMS (and the clinical use of the SSF) has been supported by six published correlational studies and one randomized clinical trial (RCT). Cur- rently, two well-powered RCTs are under way, and various new CAMS-related projects are also being pursued. The clinical and empirical evolution of CAMS—how it was developed and what are the next steps for this clinical approach-are described here.
Organic and elemental carbon concentrations in fine particulate matter in residences, schoolrooms, and outdoor air in Mira Loma, California

Indoor and outdoor elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations were measured from September 2001 through January 2002 at 20 residential sites and a local high school in western Riverside County, CA. The correlation (R 2 ) between indoor vs. outdoor EC and indoor vs. outdoor OC were 0.63 and 0.47, respectively, while the correlation of EC to OC outdoors and indoors was 0.58 and 0.23, respectively. The average OC content of PM2.5 was 0.25 and 0.55 for outdoor and indoor PM2.5, respectively. It was concluded that there were no significant indoor sources of EC while indoor OC sources contributed significantly to indoor PM2.5. Home with smokers had significantly higher TC and OC than homes without. Schoolrooms generally had less EC and OC due to the schools HVAC system. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Neonatal complications associated with use of fetal scalp electrode: a retrospective study

Objectives To estimate the incidence and risk of complications associated with a fetal scalp electrode and to determine whether its application in the setting of operative vaginal delivery was associated with increased neonatal morbidity. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Twelve clinical centers with 19 hospitals across nine American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists US districts. Population Women in the USA. Methods We evaluated 171 698 women with singleton deliveries ≥ 23 weeks of gestation in a secondary analysis of the Consortium on Safe Labor study between 2002 and 2008, after excluding conditions that precluded fetal scalp electrode application such as prelabour caesarean delivery. Secondary analysis limited to operative vaginal deliveries ≥ 34 weeks of gestation was also performed. Main outcome measures Incidences and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of neonatal complications were calculated, controlling for maternal characteristics, delivery mode and pregnancy complications. Results Fetal scalp electrode was used in 37 492 (22%) of deliveries. In non-operative vaginal delivery, fetal scalp electrode was associated with increased risk of injury to scalp due to birth trauma (1.2% versus 0.9%; adjusted odds ratios 1.62; 95% confidence intervals 1.41–1.86) and cephalohaematoma (1.0% versus 0.9%; adjusted odds ratios 1.57; 95% confidence intervals 1.36–1.83). Neonatal complications were not significantly different comparing fetal scalp electrode with vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery and vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery alone or comparing fetal scalp electrode with forceps-assisted vaginal delivery and forceps-assisted vaginal delivery alone. Conclusions We found increased neonatal morbidity with fetal scalp electrode though the absolute risk was very low. It is possible that these findings reflect an underlying indication for its use. Our findings support the use of fetal scalp electrodes when clinically indicated. Tweetable abstract Neonatal risks associated with fetal scalp electrode use were low (injury to scalp 1.2% and cephalohaematoma 1.0%).
A Blaschke product with a level-set of infinite length

A recent paper by Piranian and A. Weitsman [1] describes an outer function f in the unit disk D such that, for uncountably many values R, the R-level-set {z:|f(z)| = R} has infinite length. We shall now show that an inner function can also have a level-set of infinite length.
Deposition of Polymer and Organic Thin Films Using Tunable, Ultrashort-Pulse Mid-Infrared Lasers

Advanced processing techniques for organic and polymer materials are critical to the burgeoning use of these versatile materials in electronic and electro-optic thin-film devices. Tunable, ultrashort-pulse mid-infrared lasers offer a promising new tool for laser-mediated deposition of these thermally labile materials, because they can be operated in a regime that largely avoids pathways to electronic excitation and are thus less prone to inducing destructive photochemical processes. This paper outlines the fundamental issues in the use of tunable mid-infrared lasers in the processing of organic materials, from the perspective of thin-film deposition by laser ablation. Consideration of the effect on laser ablation of spatially and temporally dense vibrational excitation leads to a figure of merit for comparing the process yield of lasers with varying pulse durations, energies and intensities. The mechanisms of mid-infrared laser ablation are examined using recent studies of three model materials: polystyrene, poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene). Examples of thin-film deposition of technologically interesting polymers and nanoparticles by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) are presented. Finally, current developments in mid-infrared laser technology suitable for the processing of organic molecules, polymers and functional nanoparticles are presented.
Open Beyond Software

The "community-based" model has generated many of the innovations we use on a daily basis. The social structure created by this model has cultivated many entrepreneurial ventures and even seeded new industries and product categories. The model is based upon the open, voluntary, and collaborative efforts of users - a term that describes enthusiasts, tinkerers, amateurs, everyday people, and even firms who derive benefit from a product or service by using it. This paper describes key elements of the community-based model and provides examples of community-based innovation that span fields and centuries.
The Time Management Study as a Tool for New Technical Services Managers

Inexperienced technical services managers and those new to their departments or organizations have many challenges, including building rapport and trust with staff, assessing workloads, and prioritizing assignments. Additionally, middle managers of libraries are often not adequately prepared for management through formal education or on-the-job training and workshops. Time management studies are a simple tool for shedding light on work habits, time allocations, and labor expenditures. This is critical information for new managers, and can demonstrate whether priorities, assignments or workflows need to be redirected. At the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Montana libraries two librarians in middle management undertook separate time management studies to increase knowledge and improve management of their departments.
Dendritic Cells Regulate Development of Alloantigenic and Mitogenic THl Versus TH2 Responses

Previous studies indicate that different T helper cells may regulate humoral and cell-mediated immunity to foreign antigens. This regulation may be controlled in part by cytokines produced by different helper T cell (TH) populations, i.e., TH1 cells that produce IL-2 and IFN-γ, and TH2 cells that produce IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10.1,2 However, the induction and regulation of these distinct TH subsets and their derived cytokines in vivo is still under investigation. It remains to be elucidated whether a given antigen presenting cell may induce similar or divergent cytokine production profiles or patterns in its regulation of cell-mediated versus humoral immunity. The studies presented here have addressed the possibility that DC regulate these divergent immune responses through induction of divergent T cell-derived cytokine production profiles.
The Problem of children and fire: an historical perspective

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an historical perspective on the problem of children and fire. An examination of fire use in society suggests it is both revered and feared. On the one hand, fire is seen as crucial for human survival because of its role in such activities as heating and cooking, while it is also seen as dangerous and deadly. The latter perception is perhaps best illustrated by the description of hell as a place of eternal fire and damnation. This ambivalence concerning fire would appear to play a central role in explaining the dangerous and deadly mix of children and fire. Each family and culture has had to find ways to teach its young the proper and safe use of fire. The scope of the problem of children and fire is broken down into a discussion of children playing with fire, followed by a discussion of juvenile arson trends and patterns. Primary data sources include Children and Fire in the United States. Data provided by National Fire Incident Reporting System indicate that the majority of all child injuries and death are directly related to children playing with fire. Nearly two-fifths of all preschool deaths are due to child-playing fires. This risk is more than twice the risk of all age groups combined.
Estrogens, Nucleic Acids, and Protein Synthesis in Uterine Metabolism

The tissues of the uterus, like most tissues, are composed chiefly of water; only one-fifth of the total weight is contributed by other substances. Proteins form the bulk of the solid material, constituting approximately 80% of the formed matter. The next most prominent uterine constituent by weight is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which accounts for about 8% of the dry weight. DNA is followed in order by phospholipid, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and neutral fat. The remaining uterine components total approximately 5% of the dry weight and less than 1% of the total weight. A general outline of the chemical composition of the rat uterus is given in Table 1. It may be noted that many compounds, including intermediates of the glycolytic and citric acid cycles, some electrolytes, free amino acids, some mucopolysaccharides, and many other trace organic compounds have not been included in Table 1. A summary of the chemical composition of the uterus, based on several species in different stages of estrus and the menstrual cycle, has been compiled by Kosterlitz (1961).
A buoyancy-driven squeeze-film model of intrapleural fluid dynamics: basic concepts

We propose a new model of pleural liquid mechanics in the apneic animal based on the observation that the lung, in its position within the serous fluid of the chest, is a buoyant object with few ph...
A Survey of Test and Evaluation Practices

21 test evaluation (T&E) specialists responded to a questionnaire dealing with various aspects of testing practice. In general, T&E methods are selected on the basis of utility and ease of usage.
Effectiveness of comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge interventions on drug users in voluntary detoxification

Objective To evaluate the influence of HIV/AIDS comprehensive interventions on drug users in voluntary detoxification.Methods Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its sources were interviewed with questionnaires among 277 drug users in voluntary detoxification at detoxification center in Beijing.Comprehensive intervention with HIV/AIDS knowledge was instituted for them,including dissemination of communication materials,watching CD video,attending lectures and group discussion,and so on.Follow-up for their HIV/AIDS knowledge was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.Results Awareness of HIV/AIDS knowledge was 45.8～99.3 percent in among drug users in voluntary detoxification before intervention,and increased to 70.4～99.6 percent after intervention,with statistical significance,except for knowledge items of "HIV/AIDS can not be found in one's appearance" and "HIV/AIDS can be infected by blood transfusion and sharing syringe with other drug users".Conclusions Awareness of HIV/AIDS knowledge among drug users in voluntary detoxification at the detoxification center improved significantly after HIV/AIDS knowledge comprehensive intervention.More importance should be attached to HIV/AIDS knowledge comprehensive interventions for them.
Genetic Evaluation and Use of Chromosome Microarray in Patients with Isolated Heart Defects: Benefits and Challenges of a New Model in Cardiovascular Care.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are common birth defects and result in significant morbidity and global economic impact. Genetic factors play a role in most CHD, however, identification of these factors has been historically slow due to technological limitations and incomplete understanding of impact of human genomic variation on normal and abnormal cardiovascular development. The advent of chromosome microarray (CMA) brought tremendous gains in identifying chromosome abnormalities in a variety of human disorders and is now considered part of a standard evaluation for individuals with multiple congenital anomalies and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. Several studies investigating use of CMA found that this technology can identify pathogenic copy-number variations in up to 15-20% of patients with CHD with other congenital anomalies. However, there have been fewer studies exploring the use of CMA for patients with isolated CHD. Recent studies have shown that the diagnostic yield of CMA in individuals with seemingly isolated CHD is lower than in individuals with CHD and additional anomalies. Nevertheless, positive CMA testing in this group supports chromosome variation as one mechanism underlying the development of isolated, non-syndromic CHD—either as a causative or risk-influencing genetic factor. CMA has also identified novel genomic variation in CHD, shedding light on candidate genes and pathways involved in cardiac development and malformations. Additional studies are needed to further address this issue. Early genetic diagnosis can enhance the medical management of patients and potentially provide crucial information about recurrence. This information is critical for genetic counseling of patients and family members. In this review, we review CMA for the non-genetics cardiology provider, offer a summary of copy-number variation in isolated CHD, and advocate for the use of CMA as part of the cardiovascular genetics evaluation of patients with isolated CHD. We also provide perspective regarding the benefits and challenges that lie ahead for this model in the clinical setting.
Aspects of Quantitative Distributional Paleoecology

Three aspects of quantitative distributional paleoecology that rapidly are becoming computer-based are biofacies and biotope analysis; study of intraspecific variations of morphology with environment, geography, or stratigraphy; and study of population dynamics and survivorship. Non- quantitative distributional paleoecology has a long developmental history. Only in the last few years have cluster analysis, relative entropy mapping, canonical analysis and ordination techniques been applied to paleoecological problems.
Eating Culture: An Anthropological Guide to Food

Crowther undertakes an ambitious task: providing a comprehensive textbook for Food Culture courses at undergraduate level. She succeeds partially. The book has great breadth and covers a number of ...
siRNA, a Potential Therapy for AL Amyloidosis.

AL amyloidosis is a rare, sporadic disorder characterized by the accumulation of misfolded monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains (LC) as systemic amyloid deposits. Current therapies primarily include chemotherapies targeted at killing the plasma cells, often having toxic side effects for the patients. We have designed siRNAs targeted at either the variable (VL) or the constant regions (CL) of the LC to reduce amyloidogenic precursor protein expression in the producing cells. The strategy of targeting the unique VL is to develop sequence-specific siRNAs; alternatively, by targeting shared sequences in CL, siRNAs may be effective for sets of patients sharing the same LC family. Using picomolar concentrations of siRNAs, we have reduced LC protein levels in transfected cells in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion. In an in vivo tumor transplant mouse model of AL amyloidosis we have shown we can decrease the local and circulating LC levels. In this model, SP2/0 plasmacytoma cells stably expressing human amyloidogenic LCs are injected subcutaneously, and allowed to form a tumor. Once the tumor is the appropriate size, In Vivo Electroporation (IVEP) is used to deliver the siRNA oligos into the cells. By examining tumor and serum samples 48 hours post treatment, we have shown the siRNAs can significantly decrease the amount of LC in a sequence-specific manner. This model system highlights the therapeutic potential of siRNA for this disease. In conclusion, siRNA appears to be a viable potential therapy for AL amyloidosis.
Density, Viscosity, Speed of Sound, Bulk Modulus, Surface Tension, and Flash Point of Binary Mixtures of Butylcyclohexane with Toluene or n-Hexadecane

The viscosities and densities ((293.15 to 353.15) K), speeds of sound ((293.15 to 333.15) K), surface tensions (room temperature), and flash points were measured for binary mixtures of n-butylcyclohexane with either toluene or n-hexadecane. Increasing the temperature decreased the densities, and the excess molar volumes of the mixtures were generally positive, suggesting increased spacing due to differences in packing and intermolecular forces. Increasing the temperature also decreased the viscosities, and the McAllister three-body model successfully modeled the viscosity with the larger fitting term corresponding to two molecules of the more viscous substance. The mixture surface tensions and flash points fell between the pure-component values, which ranged from (26.7 to 28.6) mN·m–1 and (324.7 to 406.2) K, respectively. The speed of sound decreased with increasing mole fraction of n-butylcycylohexane in n-hexadecane, but several speed of sound values for mixtures of n-butylcyclohexane and toluene were l...
Innovations and Future Directions in Head and Neck Microsurgical Reconstruction

Head and neck reconstructive microsurgery is constantly innovating because of a combination of multidisciplinary advances. This article examines recent innovations that have affected the field as well as presenting research leading to future advancement. Innovations include the use of virtual surgical planning and three-dimensional printing in craniofacial reconstruction, advances in intraoperative navigation and imaging, as well as postoperative monitoring, development of minimally invasive reconstructive microsurgery techniques, integration of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology with reconstruction, and the dramatic advancement of face transplant.
Perceived or not perceived: film character models for expressive NLG

This paper presents a method for learning models of character linguistic style from a corpus of film dialogues and tests the method in a perceptual experiment. We apply our method in the context of SpyFeet, a prototype role playing game. In previous work, we used the Personage engine to produce restaurant recommendations that varied according to the speaker's personality. Here we show for the first time that: (1) our expressive generation engine can operate on content from the story structures of an RPG; (2) Personage parameter models can be learned from film dialogue; (3) Personage rule-based models for extraversion and neuroticism are be perceived as intended in a new domain (SpyFeet character utterances); and (4) that the parameter models learned from film dialogue are generally perceived as being similar to the character that the model is based on. This is the first step of our long term goal to create off-the-shelf tools to support authors in the creation of interesting dramatic characters and dialogue partners, for a broad range of types of interactive stories and role playing games.
Redefining the Rectus Sheath: Implications for Abdominal Wall Repair.

Background The abdominal wall is frequently manipulated in a variety of reconstructive procedures, and its anatomy is well described. The authors' clinical observations, however, contradict the standard depiction of the components of the abdominal wall at various levels-particularly regarding the course of the transversus abdominis muscle. Therefore, the authors sought to characterize the components of the rectus sheath at various surgical landmarks to define anatomic points important to abdominal wall repair. Methods The authors analyzed the abdominal computed tomographic studies of 100 healthy, young (age, 18 to 35 years; body mass index, 20 to 40 kg/m) patients with suspected renal calculi. Coordinates of key landmarks were recorded at vertebral levels T12 to L5 using a specially designed computer program that scaled all values and calculated distances between various points. Results All subjects had significant presence of the transversus abdominis within the rectus sheath (the overlap between the abdominis rectus and transversus abdominis muscles) at the costal margin plane (T12-L1, 4.2 cm). Ninety-nine percent had transversus abdominis presence within the rectus sheath at L1-L2 (3.2 cm), 86 percent at the level of the twelfth rib (L2-L3, 1.4 cm), 36 percent at the umbilicus (L3-L4), and 2 percent slightly above the posterosuperior iliac spine (L5-S1). Conclusions These findings contradict classic teachings of abdominal wall structure and highlight the need for a cautious revisiting of the various permutations of component separation, particularly posterior component release. Furthermore, these anatomical landmarks may help predict the development or recurrence of ventral hernias, thus guiding patient selection and informing surgical technique.
Myth and History in Modern Indian Drama

(1983). Myth and History in Modern Indian Drama. South Asian Review: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 27-36.
Spectral Solvers to Non-Conservative Transport for Non-Linear Interactive Systems of Boltzmann Type

In several technological areas there is increasingly a need for analysis of problems involving a vast range of physical scales. For example, compressible Navier Stokes equations are completely adequate for understanding gas fluid flows where the length scales are large compared to the local mean free path λ of fluid molecules. If the flow scales are not large compared to λ, either because λ itself is large if the flow is in low density state (rarefied) or because boundary conditions produce inhomogeneities resolved at small flow scales, a kinetic theory model from statistical formulations and their simulations becomes necessary.
Possible effects of risk factors on fibrinolysis.

The hypothesis that atheromatous plaques originate as intimai collections of blood components was first advanced by Rokitansky (1). This hypothesis has since been revived by Duguid (2) and others (3, 4). Recent findings in support of this concept include the demonstration that the intimai deposits may consist of platelets as well as fibrin. The presence of high thromboplastic activity in the intimai layer of blood vessels, especially arteries (5), provides a mechanism for fibrin or platelet deposition. Additionally, any increase in the coagulability of the circulating blood would facilitate the process. On the other hand, fibrinolytic activity is high in the vascular intima, though less active in arteries than in veins, and could be important in the removal of mural thrombi.
Role of Chain Length in the Formation of Frank-Kasper Phases in Diblock Copolymers

The phase behavior of poly(styrene)-$b$-poly(1,4-butadiene) diblock copolymers with a polymer block invariant degree of polymerization ${\overline{N}}_{b}\ensuremath{\approx}800$ shows no evidence of Frank-Kasper phases, in contrast to low molar mass diblock copolymers (${\overline{N}}_{b}l100$) with the same conformational asymmetry. A universal self-concentration crossover parameter ${\overline{N}}_{x}\ensuremath{\approx}400$ is identified, directly related to the crossover to entanglement dynamics in polymer melts. Mean-field behavior is recovered when ${\overline{N}}_{b}g{\overline{N}}_{x}$, while complex low symmetry phase formation is attributed to fluctuations and space-filling constraints, which dominate when ${\overline{N}}_{b}l{\overline{N}}_{x}$.
Aerial Aftermaths: Wartime from Above, by Caren Kaplan

Caren Kaplan’s brilliant new Aerial Aftermaths is full of quotable material, but perhaps it is Bruno Latour who best summed up what this book has to offer, when he wrote in his epochal essay, ‘Visu...
A Case Study of Cyber-Physical System Design: Autonomous Pick-and-Place Robot

Although modern robots in warehousing systems can perform adequately in a goods-to-person model using hand-designed algorithms that are specialized to a particular environment, developing a robotic system that is capable of handling new products at an inexpensive cost remains a challenge. A conspicuous example of this challenge is seen in Amazon's use of autonomous robots to fetch customers' orders in their massive warehouses. To encourage advance in this technology, Amazon organized the competition, Amazon Picking Challenge that asked participants to develop their own hardware and software for the general task of picking a designated set of products from inventory shelves and then placing them at a target location (called a pick-and-place task). Current technology for pick-and-place tasks is still insufficient to meet the demand for low-cost automation. Handling awkward or oddly shaped object must still depend on hand-programming or specialized robotic systems, making manufacturing automation less flexible and expensive. In this paper, we shall present the design and implementation of a software system that is a step in advancing the technology toward full automation at reasonable costs. Our system integrates a set of state-of-the-art techniques in computer vision, deep-learning, trajectory optimization, visual servoing to create a library of skills that can be composed to perform a variety of robotic tasks. We demonstrate the capability of our system for performing autonomous pick-and-place tasks with an implementation using Hoppy, an industrial robotic arm in an environment similar to the Amazon Picking Challenge.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant

Abstract Objective Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a useful treatment for severe primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant. The ideal timing of initiation is unknown. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 362 adult heart transplant recipients at our center between January 2011 and December 2017. Thirty-eight patients (10.5%) experienced severe primary graft dysfunction treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. As our institution adopted a prompt venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation policy in 2015, patients were stratified into pre-2015 (conservative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: n = 18) and post-2015 (prompt extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: n = 20) cohorts. Clinical outcomes were compared. Results Baseline characteristics were similar (conservative vs prompt) except for age (51.82 vs 59.96 years, P = .036), aspartate transaminase (32 vs 21.5 U/L, P = .038), male donor (44.4 vs 80%, P = .042), and donor ejection fraction (60 vs 65%, P = .047). Median ischemic time was significantly longer in the conservative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cohort (210 vs 148 minutes, P = .005). Median time to initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was significantly shorter in the prompt extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cohort (7.26 vs 1.95 hours, P Conclusions Prompt venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use for primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant results in excellent myocardial recovery and a possible decrease in mortality without increased risk of complications.
Optical systems for large-aperture phased laser array including diffractive optics

Directed energy propulsion for interstellar travel has been proposed as an ideal method for reaching appreciable speeds relative to the speed of light: 0.2c. However, the amount of energy required necessitates a large aperture, on the order of kilometers, while mitigation of atmospheric perturbations requires a discretization of the aperture into many individual laser elements. The use of fiber lasers for these elements obligates mode-matching the fiber to the desired 10 cm aperture for a collimated beam. Various collimation systems were designed and compared. A 3-lens system with one achromat and two aspheric lenses, with two of the lenses used as a Keplerian telescope to achieve a system-shortening effect was analyzed. A similar system made with a plano-convex lens replacing the large-aperture aspheric lens with two additional compensating lenses was compared. A single diffractive optic operating at F/8 was likewise considered. The optical performance of these systems was compared, as was the cost-effectiveness. Scalability to millions of elements was required, so cost-per-system was a crucial consideration factor. Possible manufacturing processes for a diffractive system were investigated, and stamping processes for replication were analyzed to determine the possibility of replication of such an optic reliably, cheaply, and with acceptable results.
Chemical evolution of the citric acid cycle: Sunlight photolysis of α-ketoglutaric acid

Sunlight photolysis of α-ketoglutaric acid produces succinic acid as a major product. Other higher molecular weight products are identified by GC-MS analysis. These results provide further support for the important role of succinic acid in chemical evolution.
T-Cell Immunity against the Hepatitis C Virus: A Persistent Research Priority in an Era of Highly Effective Therapy

Approximately 70% of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections become chronic, indicating that the virus is exceptionally well adapted to persist in humans with otherwise normal immune function. Robust, lifelong replication of this small RNA virus does not require a generalized failure of immunity. HCV effectively subverts innate and adaptive host defenses while leaving immunity against other viruses intact. Here, the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in control of HCV infection and their failure to prevent virus persistence in most individuals are reviewed. Two issues of practical importance remain priorities in an era of highly effective antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. First, the characteristics of successful T-cell responses that promote resolution of HCV infection are considered, as they will underpin development of vaccines that prevent HCV persistence. Second, defects in T-cell immunity that facilitate HCV persistence and whether they are reversed after antiviral cure to provide protection from reinfection are also addressed.
Abstract PR13: Polymerase-mediated ultramutagenesis: A new approach for modeling the high mutational load of human cancer

Cancer is characterized by increased mutation rate, and recent work has led to a deeper understanding of mutator phenotypes and underlying molecular mechanisms. Differences in the mutational landscape of individual cancers underlie key aspects of clinical behavior. For example, overall base substitution rate is the best predictor of immune therapy response. Most genetically engineered mouse models of cancer (GEMMs) reiterate a few driver events but fail to recapitulate the high mutational loads that are the ultimate cause of most human cancer, making GEMMs inadequate for many aspects of tumor behavior, such as immune responses. The highest base substitution rates in cancers (≥100/Mb) result from specific heterozygous single amino acid substitutions (usually P286R) in the proofreading domain of DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE), rendering POLE highly error prone. POLE mutations are most common in endometrial cancer but occur with lower incidence in a wide range of cancers. We hypothesized that GEMMs could be generated by recapitulating PoleP286R via conditional knockin. Previously, we showed that constitutive expression of PoleP286R throughout the body triggered malignancies of diverse lineages. Mice harboring LSL-PoleP286R and the endometrial BAC-Sprr2f-Cre developed endometrial cancers starting at 1 year. Endometrial cancers exhibited histologic features previously reported in human POLE tumors, and metastasized in all mice (p This abstract is also being presented as Poster A34. Citation Format: Hao-Dong Li, Changzheng Lu, He Zhang, Ileana C. Cuevas, Subhransu S. Sahoo, Yang-Xin Fu, Diego H. Castrillon. Polymerase-mediated ultramutagenesis: A new approach for modeling the high mutational load of human cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling; 2020 Mar 2-5; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PR13.
Learning to Actively Learn: A Robust Approach

This work proposes a procedure for designing algorithms for specific adaptive data collection tasks like active learning and pure-exploration multi-armed bandits. Unlike the design of traditional adaptive algorithms that rely on concentration of measure and careful analysis to justify the correctness and sample complexity of the procedure, our adaptive algorithm is learned via adversarial training over equivalence classes of problems derived from information theoretic lower bounds. In particular, a single adaptive learning algorithm is learned that competes with the best adaptive algorithm learned for each equivalence class. Our procedure takes as input just the available queries, set of hypotheses, loss function, and total query budget. This is in contrast to existing meta-learning work that learns an adaptive algorithm relative to an explicit, user-defined subset or prior distribution over problems which can be challenging to define and be mismatched to the instance encountered at test time. This work is particularly focused on the regime when the total query budget is very small, such as a few dozen, which is much smaller than those budgets typically considered by theoretically derived algorithms. We perform synthetic experiments to justify the stability and effectiveness of the training procedure, and then evaluate the method on tasks derived from real data including a noisy 20 Questions game and a joke recommendation task.
Severe maternal morbidity at delivery and postpartum readmission in the United States.

Background Little is known about the extent to which severe maternal morbidity (SMM) at delivery impacts early and late postpartum readmission. Objectives We examined readmission rates for women with and without SMM (and their 18 subtypes) at delivery and characterised the most common medical reasons for readmissions. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilising the 2016-2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database among women giving births in the United States. Deliveries were classified according to the presence or absence of 18 SMM indicators defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis and procedure codes. The primary outcome of this study was all-cause early (≤7 day) and late (8 to 42 day) postpartum readmission. Survey-weighted Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to generate adjusted risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to investigate the association between SMM and early and late postpartum readmission. Additionally, we compared principal diagnoses codes during readmission hospitalisations among women with and without SMM at delivery. Results Of the 6 193 852 women examined, 4.9% (n = 4928) with any SMM and 1.4% (n = 83 995) with no SMM were readmitted within 42 days after delivery. After adjusting for obstetric co-morbidities and sociodemographic factors, women with any SMM were 57% (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.47, 1.67) more likely to have an early readmission and 69% (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.57, 1.82) more likely to have a late readmission compared to women with no SMM at delivery. However, the risk was attenuated when excluding women with blood transfusion only. Women with and without SMM were readmitted predominantly for obstetric complications and infections. Conclusions Women with SMM at delivery were more likely to experience both early and late postpartum readmission, independent of their obstetrical co-morbidity burden and sociodemographic factors.
The MFA in Theater Management and the MBA: A Replicative Study of Perspectives of Decision-Makers at Theaters in the United States

This article presents findings from a follow-up study focused on decision-makers in theater companies in the United States and their perceptions of MBA and MFA theater management programs. An origi...
Evaluation of Some Factors that may Affect Plasma or Serum Zinc Concentrations

The objective of this study was to evaluate some selected factors which may influence zinc concentrations during or subsequent to sample collection. The factors assessed were 1) tourniquet pressure, 2) quantity of heparin used, 3) length of time between collection and centrifugation, 4) centrifuge speeds and 5) reaming of serum clots.
Evaluation of Behavioral/Adaptive Functioning

Behavioral/adaptive function is another area that should be considered in the evaluation of a child with suspected developmental delay. The American Association on Mental Deficiency (AAMD) defines adaptive behavior as “the effectiveness with which the individual meets the standards of personal independence and social responsibility”1 (p. 1). Adaptive behavior is both age and culture specific and typically includes independent functioning, social responsibility, and cognitive development.1 Sensori-motor, communication, and self-help skills are measured in the preschool period. At older ages, practical application of academic skills and appropriate interpersonal function can be assessed. Public Law 94–142 and the AAMD both stipulate that deficits in adaptive behavior and intelligence must be substantiated before an individual is classified as “mentally retarded.” A more comprehensive overview of adaptive behavior can be found in a 1987 special issue of the Journal of Special Education.2
Ionizing Radiation Fluctuations and Large-Scale Structure in the Lyα Forest

We investigate the large-scale inhomogeneities of the hydrogen-ionizing radiation field in the universe at redshift z = 3. Using a ray-tracing algorithm, we simulate a model in which quasars are the dominant sources of radiation. We make use of large-scale N-body simulations of a Λ cold dark matter universe and include such effects as finite quasar lifetimes and output on the light cone, which affects the shape of quasar light echoes. We create Lyα forest spectra that would be generated in the presence of such a fluctuating radiation field, finding that the power spectrum of the Lyα forest can be suppressed by as much as 15% for modes with k = 0.05-1 h Mpc-1. This relatively small effect may have consequences for high-precision measurements of the Lyα power spectrum on larger scales than have yet been published. We also investigate a second probe of the ionizing radiation fluctuations, the cross-correlation of quasar positions and the Lyα forest. For both quasar lifetimes that we simulate (107 and 108 yr), we expect to see a strong decrease in the Lyα absorption close to other quasars (the foreground proximity effect). We then use data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey First Data Release to make an observational determination of this statistic. We find no sign of our predicted lack of absorption, but instead increased absorption close to quasars. If the bursts of radiation from quasars last on average less than 106 yr, then we would not expect to be able to see the foreground effect. However, the strength of the absorption itself seems to be indicative of rare objects and hence much longer total times of emission per quasar. Variability of quasars in bursts with timescales of between 104 and 106 yr could reconcile these two facts.
The 13C(p, d)12C and 208Pb(p, d)207Pb reactions at 123 MeV

Abstract Cross-section and analyzing power angular distributions have been measured for 13 C ( p , d ) and 208 Pb ( p , d ) at 123 MeV to the strong low-lying residual states in both final nuclei. The data have been compared with the results of both zero- and exact-finite-range distorted wave calculations. and some serious discrepancies were noted for the analyzing powers. For the case of the 13C calculations, marked improvement in the description of the data was achieved with the use of a damping factor in the nuclear interior.
Hydrogen metabolism of green algae: discovery and early research - a tribute to Hans Gaffron and his coworkers.

The detection of hydrogen metabolism in green algae more than 60 years ago by Hans Gaffron dispelled the widely accepted dogma at that time that this feature was unique to prokaryotic organisms. Research on this unexpected aspect of algal physiology has continued until today because of its evolutionary implications and possible practical significance. This minireview focuses on the work of Gaffron and his collaborators, whose experiments provided most of the information about the mechanism of hydrogen metabolism in algae during the 35 years following its discovery. It is shown that the emergence of our present mechanistic concepts was closely linked to the changing perception of the process of photosynthetic water oxidation. Whereas the mechanism of ‘photoreduction,’ i.e., the photoassimilation of carbon dioxide with hydrogen as the electron donor, was well understood already by Gaffron’s group as being a reaction mediated by Photosystem I only, a clear concept of the mechanism of light-dependent hydrogen production has been more difficult to establish. Gaffron and his collaborators provided ample evidence, however, that ‘photohydrogen’ evolution can be fueled by reducing equivalents derived from a photolysis of water as well as by an oxidation of internal and external organic molecules. The presently prevailing view embraces this concept of multiple pathways, but the relative contribution of each of them, and the regulatory mechanisms determining it, remain a matter of debate.