cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Comments on Probability Theory

This chapter reviews result from probability theory. Probability theory is essential to inverse theory because it provides the framework needed to quantify measurement error, which is such a fundamental aspect of the measurement process. The concept of a random variable is introduced, as is the probability density function (p.d.f.) that quantifies its behavior. The mode (maximum likelihood point), mean, variance, and covariance are introduced as ways of expressing some of the key properties of p.d.f.s as single parameters. The concept of error propagation—error in data leading to uncertainty in model parameters—is introduced, and the mathematical tools needed to study it are developed. The Gaussian (or Normal) p.d.f. is introduced in both its univariate and multivariate forms and its properties are enumerated. Pearson's chi-squared test is put forward as a way to ascertain whether a particular data set follows Gaussian statistics. Conditional p.d.f.s are defined and Bayes theorem is derived. Methods of computing realizations of random variables using MatLab are reviewed and the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm is introduced.
Preservers of term ranks and star cover numbers of symmetric matrices

Let $\S$ denote the set of symmetric matrices over some semiring, $\s$. A line of $A\in\S$ is a row or a column of $A$. A star of $A$ is the submatrix of $A$ consisting of a row and the corresponding column of $A$. The term rank of $A$ is the minimum number of lines that contain all the nonzero entries of $A$. The star cover number is the minimum number of stars that contain all the nonzero entries of $A$. This paper investigates linear operators that preserve sets of symmetric matrices of specified term rank and sets of symmetric matrices of specific star cover numbers. Several equivalences to the condition that $T$ preserves the term rank of any matrix are given along with characterizations of a couple of types of linear operators that preserve certain sets of matrices defined by the star cover number that do not preserve all term ranks.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Epidemiology, Infection Prevention, and Control

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections have acquired prominence as a leading cause of health care-associated infections. Understanding VRE epidemiology, transmission modes in health care settings, risk factors for colonization, and infection is essential to prevention and control of VRE infections. Infection control strategies are pivotal in management of VRE infections and should be based on patient characteristics, hospital needs, and available resources. Hand hygiene is basic to decrease acquisition of VRE. The effectiveness of surveillance and contact precautions is variable and controversial in endemic settings, but important during VRE outbreak investigations and control. Environmental cleaning, chlorhexidine bathing, and antimicrobial stewardship are vital in VRE prevention and control.
Reactions of Hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA)-Derived Benzynes with Thioamides: Synthesis of Dihydrobenzothiazino-Heterocyclics.

Reaction of thioamides (e.g., II) with benzynes generated by the hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) cycloisomerization (e.g., I) produces dihydrobenzothiazines (e.g., III). It is postulated that the reaction proceeds via benzothietene (cf. IV) and o-thiolatoaryliminium (cf. V) intermediates and that the latter undergoes intramolecular 1,3-hydrogen atom migration to produce the penultimate isomeric iminium zwitterions VI.
A Single Amino Acid in the Gla Domain Mouse FVIIa Allows Its Binding to the Endothelial Protein C Receptor and Enhances Its Coagulant Activity In Vivo

Abstract The human protein C (PC) interaction with the endothelial PC receptor (EPCR) is mediated through the PC Gla domain, via key amino acids Phe4 and Leu8. Specifically, substitution of Leu8 with Val from human prothrombin abolishes the PC-EPCR interaction. The Gla domain of human Factor VII (FVII) shares these positions with PC and, consequently, the EPCR binding capacity. In the mouse, a commonly used in vivo model, the sequence determinants of the Gla domain of mouse PC (mPC) interaction with mouse EPCR (mEPCR) are not known. Remarkably, mouse FVII (mFVII) and its activated form (mFVIIa) have poor affinity for mouse EPCR. We previously described a variant of mFVIIa (mFVIIa-FMR) that contained the Leu4->Phe, Leu8->Met and Trp9->Arg from the mPC Gla domain. We found that this molecule was functionally similar to mFVIIa and could bind mEPCR. Using mFVIIa-FMR as surrogate to study the mPC-mEPCR interaction, we highlighted the importance of the Phe4/Met8/Arg9 in the mPC-mEPCR interaction. We also found that mFVIIa-FMR had enhanced hemostatic properties when infused at 3 mg/kg after FeCl3 carotid artery injury in hemophilic mice (vessel occlusion was 2.5 times faster than mFVIIa). In order to further refine whether the mEPCR binding capacity of mPC is coordinated by any/all of Phe4/Met8/Arg9 positions, we previously generated single variants of mPC at these positions using the corresponding amino acids of mFVIIa (that has poor interaction with mEPCR). We found that Phe4 is the sole determinant of specificity of the mPC-mEPCR interaction. Moreover, when Phe4 was placed in mFVIIa, we found that mFVIIa-Phe4 had activity similar to mFVIIa and bound mEPCR on cells (or in solution to soluble mEPCR) with a Kd of ~350nM. This was of similar magnitude to the mEPCR affinity of a mFVIIa variant with the entire mPC Gla domain (~200 nM), indirectly suggesting that Phe4 determines both the specificity and affinity of mPC to mEPCR. Since mFVIIa-FMR showed improved hemostatic properties in vivo as a result of mEPCR binding, enhancing the EPCR-FVIIa binding may generate improved human FVIIa molecules for the treatment of bleeding. Here we wanted to provide proof-of-concept using limited Gla domain modifications. For this, we utilized mFVIIa-Phe4, a minimally modified mFVIIa molecule, described above. Specifically, hemophilia B animals were subjected to a 7.5% FeCl3 injury of their carotid artery for 2 minutes; after 10 minutes mice were infused with 3 mg/kg of mFVIIa or mFVIIa-Phe4. Time to vessel occlusion was determined by monitoring blood flow. Hemostatically normal mice occluded in 13.3 ± 3.0 min. We found that infusion of mFVIIa resulted in vessel occlusion at 8.9 ± 1.7 min. However, mice that received mFVIIa-Phe4 reached vessel occlusion within 4.5 ± 2.4 min, ~2.5 times faster than mFVIIa-infused mice (P Disclosures Ivanciu: Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program: Research Funding. Margaritis: Novo Nordisk A/S: Research Funding; Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program: Research Funding.
Standardizing Newborn Screening Results for Health Information Exchange

Newborn screening (NBS) is a complex process that has high-stakes health implications and requires rapid and effective communication between many people and organizations. Currently, each NBS laboratory has its own method of reporting results to state programs, hospitals and individual providers, with wide variation in content and format. Pediatric care providers receive reports by mail, email, fax or telephone, depending on whether the results are normal or abnormal. This process is slow and prone to errors, which can lead to delays in treatment. Multiple agencies worked together to create national guidance for reporting newborn screening results with HL7 messages that contain a prescribed set of LOINC and SNOMED CT codes, report quantitative test results, and use standardized units of measure. Several states are already implementing this guidance. If the guidance is used nationally, office EHRs could capture NBS results more efficiently, and regional and national registries could better analyze aggregate results to facilitate improvements in NBS and further research for these rare conditions.
Targeted sections in either XY or XZ plane with dual-axes confocal endomicroscope (Conference Presentation)

We demonstrate a dual axes confocal architecture, which can be used to collect horizontal(XY-plane) or vertical cross-sectional(XZ-plane) images for tissue. This scanner head is 5.5mm in outer diameter(OD), and integrates a 3D MEMS scanner with a compact chip size of 3.2×2.9mm2. To realize the miniaturization, there are some obstacles of the small size of 3D MEMS scanner, MEMS wire bundle, the air pressure effect for MEMS motion, the processing of parabolic mirror, and optical alignment to come over. In our probe, separation mechanical structure for optical alignment was adopted and a step shape MEMS holder was designed to deal with the difficult of MEMS wire bundle. Peptides have been demonstrated tremendous potential for in vivo use to detect colonic dysplasia. This class of in vivo molecular probe can be labeled with near-infrared (NIR) dyes for visualizing the full depth of the epithelium in small animals. To confirm our probe performance, we take use of USAF 1951 resolution target to test its lateral and axial resolution. It has lateral and axial resolution of 2.49um and 4.98um, respectively. When we collect the fluorescence imaging of colon, it shows that the field of view are 1000um×1000um (horizontal) and 1000um×430um (vertical). The horizontal and vertical cross-sectional images of fresh mouse colonic mucosa demonstrate imaging performance with this miniature instrument.
Jurisdiction in the Fourth Restatement of Foreign Relations Law

This essay for the Yearbook of Private International Law discusses the draft Fourth Restatement of Foreign Relations Law on the topic of jurisdiction. The essay describes the Fourth Restatement’s division of jurisdiction into the three categories of jurisdiction to prescribe, jurisdiction to adjudicate, and jurisdiction to enforce. It covers the principal developments in each category since publication of the Third Restatement in 1987, including the revival of the presumption against extraterritoriality. The essay also notes the Fourth Restatement’s emphasis on distinguishing clearly between domestic law and international law, which has resulted in the Fourth Restatement giving greater coverage to the U.S. domestic law of jurisdiction than the Third Restatement did.
Dendritic Structure and Language Development

Quantitative studies of neuronal dendritic patterns in language-related cortical areas reveal progressive changes as language facility develops in the infant. Histological development of the right (non-language-dominant) hemisphere appears precocious at birth, but is gradually overtaken and surpassed by the left (language-dominant) hemisphere as language capability develops. It is suggested that a critical time window exists for such changes during the first 6–8 years of life. However, gross changes in the perisylvian language zone are found in the fetus, in early hominids and in apes and may represent a much more primitive stage of preparation for hand and language function.
Battery-Free Cellphone

We present the first battery-free cellphone design that consumes only a few micro-watts of power. Our design can sense speech, actuate the earphones, and switch between uplink and downlink communications, all in real time. Our system optimizes transmission and reception of speech while simultaneously harvesting power which enables the battery-free cellphone to operate continuously. The battery-free device prototype is built using commercial-off-the-shelf components on a printed circuit board. It can operate on power that is harvested from RF signals transmitted by a basestation 31 feet (9.4 m) away. Further, using power harvested from ambient light with tiny photodiodes, we show that our device can communicate with a basestation that is 50 feet (15.2 m) away. Finally, we perform the first Skype call using a battery-free phone over a cellular network, via our custom bridged basestation. This we believe is a major leap in the capability of battery-free devices and a step towards a fully functional battery-free cellphone.
Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia

Source Citation Levin EG, Miller VT, Muesing RA, et al. Comparison of psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and cellulose as adjuncts to a prudent diet in the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholestero...
Control of MMC-HVDC in low-inertia weak grids

With the inherent benefits of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems like long-distance high-power transmission with lesser losses and costs, easy integration of renewables, and others, increased presence of DC-AC grids is expected. One of the consequences of increased presence of power electronics is the reduced inertia in the grid, which is an emerging concern. Moreover, the long length of AC transmission lines result in the presence of weak grids (with low short-circuit ratio). To address these concerns, an advanced control algorithm is proposed to control the modular multilevel converter (MMC) based HVDC substation that is connected to a low-inertia weak-grid. The algorithm is based on optimization of control states like frequency, capacitor voltages, active power, and currents in the MMC. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated in PSCAD/EMTDC to show the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Baseline Retinal Examinations in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Newly Initiating Hydroxychloroquine Treatment in a US Medicaid Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Population, 2000-2010.

Objective Baseline retinal examinations have long been recommended for patients beginning treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), but it is unknown how well this guideline is followed. We investigated baseline eye examinations among US SLE patients enrolled in Medicaid in whom HCQ treatment was newly initiated. Methods Using billing codes, we identified SLE patients ages 18-65 years who were enrolled in Medicaid and residing in the 29 most populated US states, from 2000 to 2010. New users of HCQ were identified by filled prescriptions, with none filled in the preceding 12 months. Retinal examinations that were performed within 30 days before to 1 year after the index prescription were identified. We examined the proportions of patients receiving retinal examinations over the study years and compared the characteristics of those who did and those who did not receive examinations, using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results Among 12,755 SLE patients newly starting HCQ treatment, 32.5% received baseline dilated eye examinations. The proportions of patients receiving baseline eye examinations did not significantly change from 2000 to 2010 (31.0-34.4%; P for linear trend = 0.12). Factors associated with an increased likelihood of having an examination included female sex, Asian versus white race, and a higher number of laboratory tests performed during the preceding year. Compared with white patients, lower proportions of black and Native American patients with SLE had baseline retinal examinations. Conclusion Only one-third of patients with SLE enrolled in Medicaid and in whom HCQ was newly initiated received the recommended baseline retinal examinations, and this proportion did not significantly increase from 2000 to 2010. The sociodemographic variation in this recommended care has been observed for other recommended medical care in SLE and requires both further investigation and interventions to address it.
An Unmutated IgM Response to the Vi Polysaccharide of Salmonella Typhi Contributes to Protective Immunity in a Murine Model of Typhoid

T cell-dependent B cell responses typically develop in germinal centers. Abs generated during such responses are isotype switched and have a high affinity to the Ag because of somatic hypermutation of Ab genes. B cell responses to purified polysaccharides are T cell independent and do not result in the formation of bona fide germinal centers, and the dominant Ab isotype produced during such responses is IgM with very few or no somatic mutations. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is required for both somatic hypermutation and Ig isotype switching in humans and mice. To test the extent to which unmutated polysaccharide-specific IgM confers protective immunity, we immunized wildtype and AID-/- mice with either heat-killed Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) or purified Vi polysaccharide (ViPS). We found that wildtype and AID-/- mice immunized with heat-killed S. Typhi generated similar anti-ViPS IgM responses. As expected, wildtype, but not AID-/- mice generated ViPS-specific IgG. However, the differences in the Ab-dependent killing of S. Typhi mediated by the classical pathway of complement activation were not statistically significant. In ViPS-immunized wildtype and AID-/- mice, the ViPS-specific IgM levels and S. Typhi bactericidal Ab titers at 7 but not at 28 d postimmunization were also comparable. To test the protective immunity conferred by these immunizations, mice were challenged with a chimeric S. Typhimurium strain expressing ViPS. Compared with their naive counterparts, immunized wildtype and AID-/- mice exhibited significantly reduced bacterial burden regardless of the route of infection. These data indicate that an unmutated IgM response to ViPS contributes to protective immunity to S. Typhi.
Search for “Chemical Ecology Stories” in the Forest or Other Ecosystem

Near the end of the course, all course participants have not only mastered procedures in the laboratory, but also developed an eye for potential “chemical ecology stories” in their outdoor surroundings. Depending on geographic location, this can be the seashore, grasslands, agricultural fields, a lake, or a riverbank. Given our location, the students went into the woods surrounding our field station in teams of two for 1 or 2 h and explored. After their explorations, we gathered in the field classroom and teams reported their findings, interpretations, and research ideas. Instructor and the entire class discussed what they had seen. The instructor can elaborate on their ideas and fill in any studies that have been published on the topics the students bring up. Here is a list of topics from 1 year
Genetics of scapula and pelvis development: An evolutionary perspective

In tetrapods, the scapular and pelvic girdles perform the important function of anchoring the limbs to the trunk of the body and facilitating the movement of each appendage. This shared function, however, is one of relatively few similarities between the scapula and pelvis, which have significantly different morphologies, evolutionary histories, embryonic origins, and underlying genetic pathways. The scapula evolved in jawless fish prior to the pelvis, and its embryonic development is unique among bones in that it is derived from multiple progenitor cell populations, including the dermomyotome, somatopleure, and neural crest. Conversely, the pelvis evolved several million years later in jawed fish, and it develops from an embryonic somatopleuric cell population. The genetic networks controlling the formation of the pelvis and scapula also share similarities and differences, with a number of genes shaping only one or the other, while other gene products such as PBX transcription factors act as hierarchical developmental regulators of both girdle structures. Here, we provide a detailed review of the cellular processes and genetic networks underlying pelvis and scapula formation in tetrapods, while also highlighting unanswered questions about girdle evolution and development.
Computer Aided ECG Interpretation

Little more than 20 years ago, Pipberger wrote a computer program designed to screen normal ECGs. His was the first significant attempt to apply computer technology to the interpretation of electrocardiograms [1]. Fifteen years later, 4 million (5 percent) of the electrocardiograms taken in the United States were interpreted by computer, and the usage of computer-read ECGs is increasing at a 12 percent rate per year. The latest versions of ECG computers not only help physicians interpret ECG tracings, they also print reports and provide bookkeeping and management support [2, 3]. Let’s look at how this field has developed, assess current user benefits, and attempt some predictions.
The Reliability of Memory: An Argument from the Armchair

The “problem of memory” in epistemology is concerned with whether and how we could have knowledge, or at least justification, for trusting our apparent memories. I defend an inductive solution – more precisely, an abductive solution – to the problem. A natural worry is that any such solution would be circular, for it would have to depend on memory. I argue that belief in the reliability of memory can be justified from the armchair, without relying on memory. The justification is, roughly, that my having the sort of experience that my apparent memory should lead me to expect is best explained by the hypothesis that my memories are reliable. My solution is inspired by Harrod's (1942) inductive solution. Coburn (1960) argued that Harrod's solution contains a fatal flaw. I show that my solution is not vulnerable to Coburn's objection, and respond to a number of other, recent and likely objections.
Evidence of a hemolymph-born factor that induces onset of maturation in Manduca sexta larvae

Insect metamorphosis is a complex developmental transition determined and coordinated by hormonal signaling that begins at a critical weight late in the larval phase of life. Even though this hormonal signaling is well understood in insects, the internal factors that are assessed at the critical weight and that drive commitment to metamorphosis have remained unresolved in most species. The critical weight may represent either an autonomous decision by the neuroendocrine system without input from other developing larval tissues, or an assessment of developmental thresholds occurring throughout the body that are then integrated by the neuroendocrine tissues. The latter hypothesis predicts that there could be one or more developmental threshold signals that originate from developing tissues and ultimately induce the onset of metamorphosis. However, there is no evidence for such a signal in the organisms for which the critical weight is well described. Here we test for the evidence of this factor in Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) by transferring hemolymph from individuals that are either post- or pre-critical weight into pre-critical weight 5 th instar larvae. We found that hemolymph from a post-critical weight donor induces a shortening of development time, though the mass at pupation is unaffected. This suggests that metamorphic commitment occurring at the critical weight is at least partially coordinated by signaling from developing tissues via a hemolymph-borne signaling factor.
Steel-steel composite metal foam in simulated pool fire testing

Abstract A comprehensive experimental and numerical simulated pool fire test is conducted on stainless steel composite metal foam (S–S CMF) panels and is reported in this study. The uncertainty assessments for the measured and calculated unexposed surface temperatures in the calibration and simulated pool fire tests on the S–S CMF specimens are also conducted and reported. This test procedure is designed to measure the thermal performance of new or untried thermal protection systems, such as S–S CMF, and to test for its survivability when exposed to a 100-min pool fire condition. The assembly was tested in triplicate in three consecutive simulated pool-fire exposures as specified in 49 CFR Part 179, Appendix B and achieved successful results. Based on the experimental and modeling results as well as the uncertainty studies, the 15.9 mm thick steel-steel composite metal foams tested as a novel insulation system met the acceptance criteria for the simulated pool fire test specified in 49 CFR 179 Appendix B by a large margin and is expected to pass with near certainty if the test were to be reproduced in a different laboratory. The main reason for successful performance of S–S CMF is attributed to the large air content in the material. The numerical studies reported in this study indicated that the low surface emissivity of the material is also contributing to the superior performance of the material to some extent. To complete the full test requirements of CFR Part 179 App. B, the material will need to be tested against the torch-fire exposure in duplicate. This research indicates that one of the potential applications of lightweight S–S CMF can be in tank cars carrying hazardous materials and replacing conventional structural steel with demonstrated benefits of excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, low weight along with its established energy absorption capabilities.
Dietary Fat Makes Germinal Center B Cells Happy.

It is unclear whether ex vivo bona fide distinct types of lymphocytes require the availability of different nutrients in the extracellular environment to support cell growth upon activation. Weisel et al. (2020) recently identified fatty acids as a predominant energy source for ex vivo bona fide germinal center B cell growth.
Criterion Validity and Relationships between Alternative Hierarchical Dimensional Models of General and Specific Psychopathology

ABSTRACT Psychopathology can be viewed as a hierarchy of correlated dimensions. Many studies have supported this conceptualization, but they have used alternative statistical models with differing interpretations. In bifactor models, every symptom loads on both the general factor and one specific factor (e.g., internalizing), which partitions the total explained variance in each symptom between these orthogonal factors. In second-order models, symptoms load on one of several correlated lower-order factors. These lower-order factors load on a second-order general factor, which is defined by the variance shared by the lower-order factors. Thus, the factors in second-order models are not orthogonal. Choosing between these valid statistical models depends on the hypothesis being tested. Because bifactor models define orthogonal phenotypes with distinct sources of variance, they are optimal for studies of shared and unique associations of the dimensions of psychopathology with external variables putatively relevant to etiology and mechanisms. Concerns have been raised, however, about the reliability of the orthogonal specific factors in bifactor models. We evaluated this concern using parent symptom ratings of 9-10 year olds in the ABCD Study. Psychometric indices indicated that all factors in both bifactor and second-order models exhibited at least adequate construct reliability and estimated replicability. The factors defined in bifactor and second-order models were highly to moderately correlated across models, but have different interpretations. All factors in both models demonstrated significant associations with external criterion variables of theoretical and clinical importance, but the interpretation of such associations in second-order models was ambiguous due to shared variance among factors. General Scientific Summary Some investigators have proposed that viewing the correlated symptoms of psychopathology as a hierarchy in which all symptoms are related to both a general (p) factor of psychopathology and a more specific factor will make it easier to distinguish potential risk factors and mechanisms that are nonspecifically related to all forms of psychopathology versus those that are associated with specific dimensions of psychopathology. Parent ratings of child psychopathology items from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study were analyzed using two alternative statistical models of the proposed hierarchy. All factors of psychopathology defined in both bifactor and second-order models demonstrated adequate psychometric properties and criterion validity, but associations of psychopathology factors with external variables were more easily interpreted in bifactor than in second-order models.
Exploratory Analysis to Address Deep Uncertainty – Using Calibratable System Models for Exploratory Simulation of Complex Missions

Traditional optimization methods and sometimes even the underlaying concept of experimentation design for optimization problems are not always successful in complex solution spaces. This is not only driven by the complexity itself, but also by the deep uncertainty in estimating the model parameters. Applying exploratory analysis to better understand the solution space has been recognized as a promising approach for several years, but with the new generation of computers the community now has the means to practically apply it as well. We define the terms, derive a conceptual model, provide an application case from the defense domain, and show the possibility to generalize the results, namely that parameter sweeps are possible and lead to deeper insights of the solution space, allowing for stable and robust solutions that often are more important in practice than optimized point solutions.
Psychosocial functioning in veterans with combat-related PTSD: An evolutionary concept analysis.

BACKGROUND Veterans returning from combat have a greater risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and greater severity of psychosocial functioning impairment. Previous research has demonstrated the strong association between PTSD and psychosocial functioning impairment. Psychosocial functioning is an ambiguous term often used in literature to discuss PTSD-associated consequences, intervention response, and symptom progression. An evolutionary concept analysis was conducted to clarify understanding of psychological functioning in veterans with combat-related PTSD. Rodgers' method for an evolutionary concept analysis was used to examine the concept of psychosocial functioning. A literature search using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and SCOPUS databases and subsequent screening yielded twenty articles meeting established criteria for analysis. The analysis highlights significant attributes, antecedents, consequences, and implications for future concept development. Psychosocial functioning environment/domain, social support, and engagement in treatment were distinguishing attributes identified. Combat exposure and various PTSD symptoms are related antecedents. Consequences such as decreased intimacy, decreased work function, low parenting satisfaction, and inadequate productivity in educational settings are all components of this concept. The concept of psychosocial functioning is meaningful in the everyday lives of US combat veterans with PTSD and requires special consideration in treatment planning by healthcare providers.
Nonoscillatory Central Difference and Artificial Viscosity Schemes for Relativistic Hydrodynamics

High-resolution, nonoscillatory, central difference (NOCD) numerical schemes are introduced as alternatives to more traditional artificial viscosity (AV) and Godunov methods for solving the fully general relativistic hydrodynamics equations. These new approaches provide the advantages of Godunov methods in capturing ultrarelativistic flows without the cost and complication of Riemann solvers, and the advantages of AV methods in their speed, ease of implementation, and general applicability without explicitly using artificial viscosity for shock capturing. Shock tube, wall shock, and dust accretion tests, all with adiabatic equations of state, are presented and compared against equivalent solutions from both AV and Godunov based codes. In the process we address the accuracy of time-explicit NOCD and AV methods over a wide range of Lorentz factors.
A 256-Element Ku-Band Polarization Agile SATCOM Transmit Phased Array With Wide-Scan Angles, Low Cross Polarization, Deep Nulls, and 36.5-dBW EIRP per Polarization

This article presents an ultralow-profile and lightweight Ku-band transmit phased array with 256 dual-polarized antenna elements for SATCOM on-the-move (SOTM) terminals. The antennas are placed in a square grid with $\lambda $ /2 spacing at 14 GHz. At normal incidence, the phased array results in a measured effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of 64.5 and 66.5 dBm at $P_{\mathrm {1~dB}}$ and $P_{\mathrm {sat}}$ , respectively, per polarization. The measured patterns, in $E$ - and $H$ -planes, show almost ideal patterns with a wide scanning range of ±60°, a 3-dB instantaneous bandwidth of 13.0–14.6 GHz, and a cross-polarization isolation of 27 dB up to ±45° and 23 dB at ±60° scan angles. In the circular polarization mode, the measured axial ratio (AR) is <1.1 dB at 14–14.5 GHz. The phased array is also capable of synthesizing deep nulls (−30 to −40 dB) over a wide range of angles, thereby reducing unintended radiation to geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites. Transmit noise analysis is presented and shows that the array signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is dominated by the block upconverter (BUC) and not by the beamformers. An error vector magnitude (EVM) of 2.8%–3.5% was achieved over a wide scan range for QPSK, 8-PSK, and 16-PSK waveforms with 100-MHz bandwidth. The array near-ideal performance, compact size, low profile with 3.5-mm thickness, and ultralightweight of 212 g make it ideal for affordable Ku-band SATCOM terminals.
Pathology of Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas represent the second most common group of primary bone sarcomas. Their pathologic subcategorization is based on morphology and biological behavior and has been recently revised to better harmonize risk of metastasis with diagnostic terminology. Many of the different entities are associated with specific genetic aberrations, and their identification can be essential to accurate diagnosis. Patient management depends on the correct integration of key pathological, molecular, and imaging data.
Newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia in a pregnant patient after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination.

Over 26 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in the United States with over 440 000 deaths. Despite COVID-19 vaccine approval, pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials. We report a case of immune thrombocytopenia in the first trimester, which occurred 13 days after initiating the COVID-19 vaccination series. Thorough evaluation, including hematology consultation, established the diagnosis. High-dose oral corticosteroids were started, and she was discharged home with significant improvement in platelet count on her fourth day of hospitalization with no subsequent complications. We advocate that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risk of infection in pregnancy and that pregnant women should be included in clinical trials. Closer post-vaccination surveillance may be warranted in the pregnant population pending further data.
Development of a Prototype Automation Simulation Scenario Generator for Air Traffic Management Software Simulations

A technique for automated development of scenarios for use in the Multi-Center Traffic Management Advisor (McTMA) software simulations is described. The resulting software is designed and implemented to automate the generation of simulation scenarios with the intent of reducing the time it currently takes using an observational approach. The software program is effective in achieving this goal. The scenarios created for use in the McTMA simulations are based on data taken from data files from the McTMA system, and were manually edited before incorporation into the simulations to ensure accuracy. Despite the software s overall favorable performance, several key software issues are identified. Proposed solutions to these issues are discussed. Future enhancements to the scenario generator software may address the limitations identified in this paper.
Disorders leading to an impairment of the urea cycle and hyperammonemia

Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are inborn errors of ammonia detoxification/arginine synthesis due to defects affecting the catalysis of the Krebs-Henseleit cycle (five core enzymes, one activating enzyme and two transporters). The hallmark of urea cycle (UC) dysfunction is hyperammonemia, due to the impossibility of detoxifing ammonia derived from dietary protein intake, muscle catabolism or bacterial production within the intestine. Beside primary defects of one of the enzymes or transporters, other genetic or acquired conditions can secondary affect, by different mechanisms, UC function, hereby leading to hyperammonemia. Aim of this paper is to review the most important genetic conditions responsible of UC function impairment, to highlight the connection with UC enzymes and to provide the clue for differential diagnosis.
DO EBAY SELLERS COMPLY WITH STATE SALES TAXES

The rapid growth in online commerce has eroded state sales tax bases. However, the extent of this reduction is diffi cult to estimate. In this paper we collect our own data from eBay.com on a “representative” commodity classifi cation and a “typical” day. Our data consist of nearly 21,000 eBay listings generated by roughly 7,000 individual sellers with 9,300 buyers. We fi nd that overall eBay seller compliance is quite low, but that compliance by established sellers is signifi cantly higher. Given that established sellers account for the bulk of online commerce, the estimated revenue loss from eBay seller noncompliance may be relatively small.
Two Forms of Acetoacetyl Coenzyme A Thiolase in Yeast II. INTRACELLULAR LOCATION AND RELATIONSHIP TO GROWTH

Abstract Two forms of acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase with different properties have been found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The enzyme with isoelectric point pH 5.3 (thiolase 5.3) is found in the cytosol while that with isoelectric point pH 7.8 (thiolase 7.8) occurs in the mitochondria. When yeast are grown on glucose under aerobic conditions, thiolase activity shows two increases in activity during the growth period. Early in log phase, there is an increase in thiolase activity which subsequently reaches a plateau level. A second increase in activity at mid-log phase attains a peak value before decaying in late log to stationary phase. The biphasic curve is also observed during anaerobic growth on glucose or aerobic growth on galactose, indicating that removal of catabolite repression by glucose is unrelated to the rise in activity during midlog phase growth. A method for distinguishing the activities of both forms was developed. The early log phase activity contains predominantly thiolase 7.8, while the midlog phase increase in activity is due to thiolase 5.3. Growth on galactose, which provides higher levels of mitochondria in early log phase, indicated increased thiolase 7.8 activity. Since the same enzyme appears in anaerobic growth, it indicates that thiolase 7.8 is also located in the promitochondria. Yeast grown aerobically on glucose in the presence of d-threochloramphenicol, an inhibitor of mitochondrial development, exhibited no thiolase 7.8 activity, indicating that the expression of this enzyme is related to mitochondrial development. Thiolase 5.3 was not affected. The possibility that thiolase controls the level of acetoacetyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA, negative and positive effectors of pyruvic carboxylase, is discussed.
Extended finite element framework for fault rupture dynamics including bulk plasticity

SUMMARY We present an explicit extended finite element framework for fault rupture dynamics accommodating bulk plasticity near the fault. The technique is more robust than the standard split-node method because it can accommodate a fault propagating freely through the interior of finite elements. To fully exploit the explicit algorithmic framework, we perform mass lumping on the enriched finite elements that preserve the kinetic energy of the rigid body and enrichment modes. We show that with this technique, the extended FE solution reproduces the standard split-node solution, but with the added advantage that it can also accommodate randomly propagating faults. We use different elastoplastic constitutive models appropriate for geomaterials, including the Mohr–Coulomb, Drucker–Prager, modified Cam-Clay, and a conical plasticity model with a compression cap, to capture off-fault bulk plasticity. More specifically, the cap model adds robustness to the framework because it can accommodate various modes of deformation, including compaction, dilatation, and shearing. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coupling Nitrogen Removal and Anaerobic Digestion for Energy Recovery from Swine Waste Through Nitrification/Denitrification

Abstract As a major swine-producing state, North Carolina (United States) has adopted incentives for energy recovery from swine waste and environmental performance standards for new swine facilities. However, there are no treatment performance requirements for existing farms; therefore, management of swine waste in open lagoons with spray irrigation for disposal is nearly universal in North Carolina. Emissions of nitrogen to the atmosphere and the landscape from large industrial swine farms have led to concerns over the impact on environmental quality and human health. Accordingly, there has been increasing interest in developing alternate treatment methods for swine waste, including methods that allow for energy recovery. To evaluate the technical feasibility and limitations of coupling biological nitrogen removal with anaerobic digestion of swine waste for energy recovery, we operated a pilot nitrification/denitrification system at an 8,000-head finishing farm already practicing full-scale anaerobic dig...
Design of resonant small antenna using composite right/left-handed transmission line

The paper presents the design of an electrically small antenna employing a composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line. The physical size and operating frequency of the antenna depend on the unit cell size and equivalent transmission line model parameters. Therefore, the small antenna is realized by miniaturizing the unit cell and increasing the shunt inductance and series capacitance. A four unit cell resonant antenna is designed and tested at 1.06 GHz. The length, width and height of the proposed antenna are (1/19)/spl lambda//sub 0/, (1/23)/spl lambda//sub 0/, and (1/83)/spl lambda//sub 0/, respectively.
Compiling a functional logic language: the basic scheme

We present the design of a compiler for a functional logic programming language and discuss the compiler's implementation. The source program is abstracted by a constructor based graph rewriting system obtained from a functional logic program after syntax desugaring, lambda lifting and similar transformations provided by a compiler's front-end. This system is non-deterministic and requires a specialized normalization strategy. The target program consists of 3 procedures that execute graph replacements originating from either rewrite or pull-tab steps. These procedures are deterministic and easy to encode in an ordinary programming language. We describe the generation of the 3 procedures, discuss the correctness of our approach, highlight some key elements of an implementation, and benchmark the performance of a proof-of-concept. Our compilation scheme is elegant and simple enough to be presented in one page.
A fault-tolerant dynamic channel allocation protocol for cellular networks

In this paper, we propose a fault-tolerant distributed dynamic channel allocation scheme, which works well under mobile host failures, base station failures as well as communication link failures. Our algorithm is based upon the mutual exclusion model where the channels are grouped by the number of cells in a cluster and each group of channels cannot be shared concurrently within the cluster. We present our scheme and discuss its simulation based performance evaluation.
Voltage-sensitive gating of the Pannexin-1 channel

Since its discovery just over a decade ago, Pannexin-1 (Px1) has been recognized in a number of important physiological and pathophysiological processes such as taste, inflammation, and tumor suppression. This large-pore, polymodal ion channel was initially identified as voltage-dependent,‘ though there have been no precise studies concerning the gating properties of Px1 to date. Because Px1 is expressed in excitable cells, identifying voltage-gating properties of Px1 was our primary goal. Using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique, we showed for the first time that Px1 is a weakly voltage-gated channel. Depolarizing voltages up to +200 mV revealed half-maximal activation at +51 mV and a weak voltage-dependence through generation of a complete Boltzmann activation curve. We also showed that Px1 activates in < 3.5 ms, consistent with the time frame of action potentials (1-4 ms). Opening rates of Px1 also seemed to be very weakly voltage-dependent. Further, we showed that Px1 displays consistent current decay at depolarizing voltages greater than +100 mV. Additionally, using two cell systems to exogenously express Px1, we observed a marked decrease of functional Px1 expression within ~24 hours of injection. Taken together, our findings suggest that Px1 is a fast opening, voltage-sensitive channel that may have a number of mechanisms in place to prevent uncontrolled conductivity.
Yields of O2(1Σg+) and O2(1Δg) in the H + O2 reaction system, and the quenching of O2(1Σg+) by atomic hydrogen

The generation of metastable O2(1Σg+) and O2(1Δg) in the H + O2 system of reactions was studied by the flow discharge chemiluminescence detection method. In addition to the O2(1Σg+) and O2(1Δg) emissions, strong OH(v = 2) OH(v = 0), OH(v = 3) OH(v = 1), HO2(2A′000) HO2(2A″000), HO2(2A′001) HO2(2A″000), and H O2(2A″200) HO2(2A″000) emissions were detected in the H + O2 system. The rate constants for the quenching of O2(1Σg+) by H and H2 were determined to be (5.1 ± 1.4) × 10−13 and (7.1 ± 0.1) × 10−13 cm3 s−1, respectively. An upper limit for the branching ratio to produce O2(1Σg+) by the H + HO2 reaction was calculated to be 2.1%. The contributions from other reactions producing singlet oxygen were investigated.
The dynamics of water in protein solutions: The field dispersion of deuterium NMR longitudinal relaxation

Abstract The analysis of the field dispersion of the 2 H-NMR longitudinal relaxation of water in lysozyme, bovine serum albumin (BSA), alkaline phosphatase and hemocyanin solutions was attempted. In all cases, two independent relaxation contributions are required in order to fit the data. For typical globular proteins, the shortest correlation time (10 −8 s) is identified with the rotational correlation time of the protein monomer. A second correlation time (10 −7 s) is attributed to protein polydispersity.
African Testimony Reported in European Travel Literature: What Did Paul Soleillet and Camille Piétri Hear and Why Does No One Recount It Now?

European visitors to Africa frequently report versions of oral narratives in their travel accounts from the precolonial era. Beatrix Heintze cautions against the uncritical use of these narratives, arguing that they are a “special category of source to which one must apply not only all the criteria for the analysis of oral traditions, but also the sort of source criticism specific to written sources.” Her call for textual criticism is appropriate, but her recommendations regarding the oral aspects of the information raise several issues: what criteria should be adopted for the analysis of oral narratives and what insights into the past do these materials provide? Heintze assumes that oral narratives present “concrete historical data” with “literal” meanings which become “more abstract over the course of time.” She sees the principal value of European-mediated accounts as providing access to the factual statements and initial metaphors from which emerged the more abstract historical cliches expressed by informants in contemporary Africa.