cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supersonic Business Jet Design using a Knowledge-Based Genetic Algorithm with an Adaptive, Unstructured Grid Methodology

In the design of supersonic low-boom aircraft, it is important to balance the aerodynamic performance and sonic boom requirements in a way that represents the best compromise for the overall design. Since the ground sonic boom is typically not a smooth function of the design variables and may actually contain multiple local minima, it is important to select an optimization algorithm that is able to cope with this kind of design space. In this work, we study the use of Kriging approximation models for both boom and performance and use them in conjunction with genetic algorithm techniques to investigate the computational cost and characteristics of such an approach for the design optimization of a low-boom supersonic business jet (SBJ). Direct use of genetic algorithms with high-fidelity CFD analysis tools has been limited by the inherently large computational cost of genetic algorithms (GAs). The use of computationally inexpensive approximation models in lieu of high-fidelity CFD greatly improves the robustness and eciency of the design process for searches in relatively large design spaces. In order to improve the performance of this method, a new hybridization strategy that combines a GA with gradient information is proposed and its improved convergence rate is demonstrated. Regardless, the proposed procedures still require a large number of evaluations of the flow and boom patterns for dierent points in the design space. For this purpose we have built two automated Euler analysis tools that use a CAD-based geometry engine, and both multiblock-structured and unstructured, adaptive meshing techniques (they are named QSP107 and QSP-UA respectively). QSP-UA, has been developed to handle the geometric detail of the complete configuration including wing, fuselage, nacelles, diverters, empennage, etc., and to provide accurate performance and boom data. Results of sample test problems, and a 15-dimensional design case are presented and discussed.
Dose Delivered to the Lumbosacral Plexus From High-dose-rate Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

Objective To calculate dose delivered to the lumbosacral plexus (LSP) with cervical brachytherapy using 3-dimensional imaging, and to compare this with the position of the tandem in the pelvis using bony landmarks. We also report long-term LSP toxicity outcomes. Methods and Materials Treatment planning images from 55 patients treated with tandem and ring brachytherapy from October 2009 through November 2012 were reviewed. The LSP was contoured on planning computed tomographic scans to calculate dose received. Lumbosacral plexus dose was studied as a function of tandem distance from the sacrum and pubic symphysis (STratio) measured on digitally reconstructed radiographs. Patient and implant characteristics were included as covariates on LSP dose. Clinical follow up on LSP toxicity was recorded. Results Patients were prescribed 550 to 700 cGy using computed tomography–based imaged-guided brachytherapy for 4 to 5 fractions. The maximum dose to 2 cc (D2cc) of LSP ranged from 44 to 287 cGy per implant. The median D2cc was 118 cGy, corresponding to 18% of prescription dose. Patients with an STratio less than 0.33 (closer to the sacrum) and at least 0.33 had median LSP doses of 138 and 98 cGy, respectively. Lumbosacral plexus dose did not change significantly with body mass index, uterus position, or tumor stage. Two patients reported symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, with a median follow-up of 14.7 months. Conclusions The mean D2cc per fraction to the LSP is roughly 20% of the prescribed high dose-rate and varies with the position of the tandem from the sacrum. The dose threshold for radiation-induced neuropathy of the LSP remains undefined.
Comparative clinical pharmacology of [111In]-labeled murine monoclonal antibodies

Patients with metastatic melanoma received either the murine antimelanoma antibody ZME-018 (20 patients) or antibody 96.5 (26 patients) at doses ranging from 1 to 20 mg and coupled to 2.5 or 5 mCi of [111In]. The pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of these antibodies were measured at various times after infusion of the radiolabel. The clearance of the [111In] label from plasma closely fit (r2>0.90) an open, one-compartment mathematical model after administration of antibody 96.5. Clearance of [111In] from plasma after administration of ZME-018 fit a one-compartment model in some patients and a two-compartment model in others. The terminal phase half-lives of 96.5 and ZME-018 antibodies at the 20-mg dose were almost identical (27±2 h and 29±5 h, respectively). The half-lives calculated for 96.5 were not dependent upon the total antibody dose; however, with increasing doses of ZME-018 there was a dose-dependent increase in t 1/2 (from 17.8±2 h at the 2.5-mg dose to 29±5 h at the 20-mg dose). For 96.5 antibody, the apparent volume of distribution (Vd) approximated the total blood volume (7.8±0.7 l) at the 1-mg dose and decreased significantly at the 20-mg dose, suggesting saturation of extravascular antigen sites. In contrast, the Vd calculated for ZME-018 did not appear to be dependent upon the administered dose. Improved imaging occurred with increasing doses of unlabeled 96.5 above 2 mg, a finding not observed with ZME-018. The cumulative urine excretion of [111In] after administration of 96.5 or ZME-018 was 10%–14% of the total dose. These studies show that murine monoclonal antibodies of the same subtype but recognizing different surface antigens can exhibit markedly different in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior, which may partially explain differences in imaging noted with increasing doses of monoclonal antibody.
The autonomic mechanism of heat conservation and dissipation

Abstract In a previous communication 1 we reported the effects on skin temperature of exposing the body to heat. Our studies were carried out on patients who had been subjected to various operations on the sympathetic nervous system. The operations were mostly unilateral, and this provided the opportunity for control studies on the normally innervated side. The present report is concerned with the effects on skin temperature of cooling the entire body in a refrigerator. It might be supposed that under the conditions of these experiments the skin loses heat as an inanimate body. The presence of circulating blood in the skin, however, makes this impossible. The temperature of viable skin at all times is a function of the temperature of the blood and of the factors which control its rate of flow through the cutaneous vessels. To secure data relevant to this problem was the purpose of these experiments.
221 SECOND ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT IN A CHILD WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE USING A REDUCED-INTENSITY CONDITIONING REGIMEN AS A ‘BOOST’ FOR PROGRESSIVELY DECREASING DONOR CHIMERISM.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation provides the only curative potential for sickle cell disease and has been shown to have an excellent outcome. Myeloablative conditioning regimens consisting of busulfan and cyclophosphamide, with or without antithymocyte globulin or total lymphoid irradiation, have been effective but are limited by increased toxicity. Reduced-intensity conditioning regimens have been shown to induce stable mixed chimerisms with amelioration of the complications from sickle cell disease, with the added advantage of reduced transplant-related toxicity. Both regimens, however, risk graft rejection and subsequent recurrence of sickle cell disease. We describe a 6½-year-old black male with hemoglobin SS disease who at the age of 4 years had an allogeneic BMT from an HLA-matched sibling sickle cell trait donor. Prior to BMT, the patient had a history of recurrent hospitalizations for pneumonia, dactylitis, and acute chest syndrome requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Conventional myeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin was used prior to transplant. The PATIENT required multiple packed red blood cell and platelet transfusions during the hospital stay. Immunosuppressive therapy after BMT consisted of prednisone and cyclosporine, which was gradually weaned over a 5-month period. The patient had minimal symptoms of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Chimerism studies followed closely over time have shown an inevitable gradual decline in the level of donor chimerism to 15%. Patient was given a donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) 360 days after BMT, which showed no improvement of donor chimerism. Subsequently, the patient received another BMT from the same matched sibling with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen consisting of fludarabine, melphalan, and campath. The patient tolerated the regimen exceptionally well. The patient is now on tapering immunosuppressive therapy consisting of mycophenolate mofetil and is without symptoms of GVHD. Follow-up chimerism studies at day 122 show 97% donor cells. This case shows that after closely weighing the risks and benefits, patients with hemoglobin SS disease may tolerate a second allogeneic BMT using a nonmyeloablative reduced-intensity conditioning regimen to ‘boost’ the donor chimerism level.
Epidemiological investigation on 3 cases of H7N9 avian influenza in Nanchang County

Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics of 3 reported cases of H7N9 avian influenza in Nanchang County in 2013, and provide the basis for further prevention and control of H7N9 avian influenza. Methods The 3 cases and the close contacts of them were studied. The respiratory samples of the 3 cases were detected for nucleic acid of H7N9 avian influenza virus, and the close contacts were tested by double serological detection. Results 1 case had severe pneumonia with progressive exacerbation,and the other 2 cases had severe pneumonia but without progressive exacerbation. The average time of the 3 cases from the initial symptom to the first visit to a doctor was one day, and to the first time of hospitalization was 5 days, and to the confirmed diagnosis was 6.6 days. The 3 cases were highly distributed and no epidemiological link between them. Of them, 2 cases were in the spring,and 1 case was in the early summer. All the 3 cases had indirect contact with poultry. Isolated treatment, medical observation of close contacts, disinfection of epidemic spot and prohibition of living poultry markets were carried out to make epidemic under controlled.Conclusion The 3 cases of H7N9 avian influenza have indirect contact with poultry, and so far there is no evidence of contagion from man to man. Early detection and treatment is the key to improve the prognosis of patients. Strengthening the monitoring of patients infected with H7N9 avian influenza and timely scientific treatment of the disease can control the spread of the epidemic.
0.6-μm CMOS-Switched-Inductor Dual-Supply Hysteretic Current-Mode Buck Converter

Microsystems can sense, process, and transmit information between nodes across hospitals, factories, and homes that can save lives, energy, and money. Unfortunately, supplying power with so much embedded functionality is challenging, because while some functions can survive higher noise levels and voltages, others cannot. Power supplies must therefore satisfy several independent outputs without consuming much power or occupying much space. A switched inductor is attractive in this respect because, with only one off-chip inductor, the system can output 80%–90% of the power it draws. Regulating multiple outputs with one inductor, however, links several feedback loops and their reactions to individual and combined loads. The sacrifice for this is usually accuracy in the form of response time. The single-inductor dual-output buck converter presented here uses a hysteretic current loop for this reason: to accelerate the response of the loops used to regulate the outputs. The 0.6-μm CMOS prototype supplies 70 and 50 mA to 1.5- and 2.5-V outputs with 80%–88% power-conversion efficiency and responds to 45–65 mA load dumps within 3.8 μs to keep 1.5 V within ±5% and 2.5 V within ±7%.
Flow-cytometric isolation of neoplastic clones in clinical carcinomas coupled with aCGH enables profiling of novel and previously undetectable genomic aberrations.

B176 Normal cell infiltration and clonal heterogeneity of cancer cells in clinical tumors can greatly interfere with efforts to detect and resolve DNA copy number alterations. In addition to masking critical genomic aberrations, the cellular complexity of clonal mixtures of neoplastic cell populations makes it prohibitively difficult to discern which genomic aberrations occur concurrently. To address these issues, we developed a multistep method for preparing clinical samples in a way that isolates clonal populations prior to analysis of DNA by high definition aCGH. Specifically we flow sorted neoplastic cells that represent distinct clonal populations from primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) and adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) tissues. We then used 60mer oligonucleotide 244k CGH arrays (Agilent Technologies) to scan the genomes of these clonal samples as well as a series of PA cell lines and tumor xenografts. The copy number aberrations present in each of these samples were objectively detected and mapped using an aberration calling method based on computing significance scores for all genomic intervals. We used an efficient algorithm (ADM2) to identify all high scoring intervals in the carcinoma genomes. These experiments demonstrated robust and high definition CGH resolution and identified distinct copy number aberrations in each clonal sample including homozygous deletions, focal amplifications, and interstitial deletions. For example homozygous deletions localizing to genes such as CDKN2A on 9p21.3 and PTEN on 10q23.31, as well as focal amplification of DNA repair genes and various kinases were detected and mapped in flow sorted PA and ACC clonal aneuploid populations. Furthermore examples of several known and novel intragenic transitions in copy numbers, suggesting gene-targeting rearrangements and translocations, were detected in several of the samples. Genes that mapped to regions commonly affected by focal amplifications are being evaluated by high throughput RNAi phenotype profiling experiments to determine which of the genes are essential for PA cell survival, and which might regulate response to Gemcitabine. This functional analysis has allowed us to rapidly prioritize candidate drug targets to selectively treat pancreatic cancers that harbor specific genetic changes. The results of this study provide compelling evidence that coupling methods for isolating clonal populations of neoplastic cells, with aCGH analysis provides a breakthrough for resolving novel genomic aberrations and clinically relevant gene targets that would otherwise be masked by cellular and clonal heterogeneity.
Review of Childhood Obesity: From Epidemiology, Etiology, and Comorbidities to Clinical Assessment and Treatment

Childhood obesity has emerged as an important public health problem in the United States and other countries in the world. Currently 1 in 3 children in the United States is afflicted with overweight or obesity. The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is associated with emergence of comorbidities previously considered to be "adult" diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and dyslipidemia. The most common cause of obesity in children is a positive energy balance due to caloric intake in excess of caloric expenditure combined with a genetic predisposition for weight gain. Most obese children do not have an underlying endocrine or single genetic cause for their weight gain. Evaluation of children with obesity is aimed at determining the cause of weight gain and assessing for comorbidities resulting from excess weight. Family-based lifestyle interventions, including dietary modifications and increased physical activity, are the cornerstone of weight management in children. A staged approach to pediatric weight management is recommended with consideration of the age of the child, severity of obesity, and presence of obesity-related comorbidities in determining the initial stage of treatment. Lifestyle interventions have shown only modest effect on weight loss, particularly in children with severe obesity. There is limited information on the efficacy and safety of medications for weight loss in children. Bariatric surgery has been found to be effective in decreasing excess weight and improving comorbidities in adolescents with severe obesity. However, there are limited data on the long-term efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in adolescents. For this comprehensive review, the literature was scanned from 1994 to 2016 using PubMed using the following search terms: childhood obesity, pediatric obesity, childhood overweight, bariatric surgery, and adolescents.
Automatic prediction of coronary artery disease from clinical narratives

Display Omitted We propose a system to predict coronary artery disease from clinical narratives.We employ an ontology-guided approach to feature extraction.The system achieves state-of-the art performance of 77.4% F1-score. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is not only the most common form of heart disease, but also the leading cause of death in both men and women (Coronary Artery Disease: MedlinePlus, 2015). We present a system that is able to automatically predict whether patients develop coronary artery disease based on their narrative medical histories, i.e., clinical free text. Although the free text in medical records has been used in several studies for identifying risk factors of coronary artery disease, to the best of our knowledge our work marks the first attempt at automatically predicting development of CAD. We tackle this task on a small corpus of diabetic patients. The size of this corpus makes it important to limit the number of features in order to avoid overfitting. We propose an ontology-guided approach to feature extraction, and compare it with two classic feature selection techniques. Our system achieves state-of-the-art performance of 77.4% F1 score.
A two-segment optical DAC 40 Gb/s PAM4 silicon microring resonator modulator transmitter in 65nm CMOS

A two-segment silicon photonic microring modulator implements an optical DAC for PAM4 modulation. Independent level and edge-rate control is achieved using segmented MSB/LSB pulsed-cascode drivers. The 65nm CMOS transmitter achieves 40Gb/s operation at 4.38mW/Gb/s while driving each microring modulator segment with 4.4V ppd swing.
An Institutional Review of Splenic Artery Aneurysm in Childbearing-Aged Females and Splenic Artery Aneurysm Rupture During Pregnancy. Is Screening Justified?

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the prevalence of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) in women of childbearing age and the incidence of peripartum rupture to ascertain a possible benefit of screening this potentially high-risk population. Methods: Patients diagnosed with SAA over a 6-year period were collected from a single institutional medical records database. Inclusion criteria included female gender and age between 15 and 49 years. The number of abdominal computed tomography studies performed on our study population during the study period was compared to the number of detected SAAs. The number of deliveries at our institution during the study period was compared to the number of peripartum SAA ruptures. The resultant data were used to calculate the prevalence of SAA in childbearing-aged females and the incidence of SAA rupture during pregnancy. Results: The prevalence of SAA in childbearing-aged females and incidence of rupture during pregnancy were less than 0.1%. Conclusion: Radiologic screening of all ...
Position matters: Validation of medicare hospital claims for myocardial infarction against medical record review in the atherosclerosis risk in communities study.

Purpose The objectives of this study were to investigate sensitivity and specificity of myocardial infarction (MI) case definitions using multiple discharge code positions and multiple diagnosis codes when comparing administrative data to hospital surveillance data. Methods Hospital surveillance data for ARIC Study cohort participants with matching participant ID and service dates to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hospitalization records for hospitalizations occurring between 2001 and 2013 were included in this study. Classification of Definite or Probable MI from ARIC medical record review defined "gold standard" comparison for validation measures. In primary analyses, an MI was defined with ICD9 code 410 from CMS records. Secondary analyses defined MI using code 410 in combination with additional codes. Results A total of 25 549 hospitalization records met study criteria. In primary analysis, specificity was at least 0.98 for all CMS definitions by discharge code position. Sensitivity ranged from 0.48 for primary position only to 0.63 when definition included any discharge code position. The sensitivity of definitions including codes 410 and 411.1 were higher than sensitivity observed when using code 410 alone. Specificity of these alternate definitions was higher for women (0.98) than for men (0.96). Conclusion Algorithms that rely exclusively on primary discharge code position will miss approximately 50% of all MI cases due to low sensitivity of this definition. We recommend defining MI by code 410 in any of first 5 discharge code positions overall and by codes 410 and 411.1 in any of first 3 positions for sensitivity analyses of women.
Cytoreduction and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for the Management of Non-Gynecological Peritoneal Surface Malignancy

Peritoneal surface malignancy can arise from pseudomyxoma peritonei, gastrointestinal carcinoma, abdomino-pelvic sarcoma and peritoneal mesothelioma. In the past, only palliative treatments were offered and the results were poor. We have proposed a new concept in managing patients with peritoneal surface malignancy. It involves an aggressive combined treatment modality of cytoreduction and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The results are promising for patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei, peritoneal mesothelioma and well-selected patients with invasive peritoneal surface malignancies. The success in such comprehensive treatment depends on tumor biology, patient's co-morbidities, the completeness of cytoreduction, the efficacy of intraperitoneal chemotherapy administration and the surgeon's experience. The importance of patient selection is emphasized. The rationales and the outline of the current management strategies are described. Large phase II studies have demonstrated the marked survival advantage in this aggressive approach to peritoneal surface malignancy.
Fusion-Permissive Protoplasts

While artificial systems are useful for delineating the fusogenic properties of specific lipids or proteins, they cannot encompass the complexity of A. living cell membrane. To address basic questions such as what renders the plasma membrane fusion permissive and what regulates the fusion permissive state in vivo, A. highly fusion permissive system was needed. Since under nonpathological conditions there are only A. few times in the life of an organism in which cells are capable of undergoing fusion (e.g., fertilization and muscle maturation), few model systems are available. A. new method has been developed for culturing cells of wild carrot (Daucus carotaL.), so that they yield fusogenic or fusion permissive protoplasts (Boss et al, 1984a). The fusion yield (fused protoplasts/fused + nonfused protoplasts) is greater than 50%. Fusion is calcium stimulated, enhanced by the calcium ionophore, A23187, and inhibited by EGTA and calmodulin antagonists (Boss and Grimes, 1985; Grimes and Boss, 1985).
Migrating heritage? Recreating ancestral and new homeland heritage in the practices of immigrant minorities

This paper problematises the engagement with heritage of immigrants and their new-homeland-born children, bringing together heritage and migration studies. It discusses the use of ancestral heritag...
Chapter 18 – Family Arteriviridae

The family Arteriviridae is one of four families in the order Nidovirales. Arteriviruses are enveloped, plus-strand RNA viruses with genomes of 12.7–15.7 kb. The overall genome organization and gene expression strategy of the arteriviruses is highly similar to the coronaviruses. Notably they use a discontinuous transcription strategy for synthesis of subgenomic mRNAs. There are no recognized human pathogens among the arteriviruses. Members of the family include equine arteritis virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, the latter an economically important pathogen of pigs.
Bryan J. McCann. The Mark of Criminality: Rhetoric, Race, and Gangsta Rap in the War-on-Crime Era. Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press, 2017. 186 pages. $49.95 hardcover.

Throughout The Mark of Criminality, Bryan McCann thoughtfully challenges dominant narratives about gangsta rap by shedding light on its kairotic relationship with the beginning of the U. S. governm...
Quantifying Performance Determinism in Virtualized Mixed-Criticality Systems

Virtualization has been a leading technology for managing shared infrastructures. Virtualization reduces infrastructure cost, enhances security, provides isolation and flexibility for migrating/upgrading systems. However, as virtualization is being pushed into defense and mission-critical applications, new challenges are emerging. For instance, U.S. Department-of-Defense (DoD)s recent initiative to deploy a cloud-based Joint-Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) brings in several questions, mainly, how to ensure deterministic performance for mission-critical applications in a virtualized environment. Similar to avionic systems with mixed-criticality tasks, mission-critical applications and systems require lengthy software certifications that assess the determinism and guaranteed execution time of such applications. Unfortunately, we observe several challenges on leveraging cloud for time-critical jobs. Thus, in this paper, we characterize and investigate the determinism of performance for applications on cloud systems and compare between state-of-the-art schedulers and real-time implementations.
Mastering their own fates through the matrix.

With their ability to give rise to many different cell types, stem cells have long been a target of scientists who seek to achieve control over their differentiation. New evidence suggests that stem cells influence their own fates through protein deposition and physical remodelling of their microenvironment.
Nonreciprocal wave propagation and parametric amplification of bulk elastic waves in nonlinear anisotropic materials

Parametric amplification of an elastic wave and a framework for using elastic waves that could enable a new generation of high performance, low noise acoustic amplifiers, mixers and circulators are presented. Using a novel approach with nonlinear materials produces highly desirable non-reciprocal characteristics. Parametric amplification of a weak elastic signal wave is achieved by an elastic pump wave of higher intensity. By careful selection of material orientation together with precise excitation of signal and pump waves, "up frequency conversion" is suppressed and selective amplification of the elastic signal wave occurs at its original frequency. In addition, a general mathematical framework is developed and used for analytical studies of coupled wave equations in nonlinear anisotropic materials. The results obtained from the analytical studies are verified using a finite element implementation.
Studies utilizing the portable electromagnetic ballistocardiograph. III. The ballistocardiogram in bundle branch block.

Ballistocardiographic studies were done on 28 subjects with left bundle branch block and on 18 subjects with right bundle branch block. The influence of ventricular asynchronism, and the predominance of left or right ventricular disease, upon the derivation and interpretation of the ballistocardiogram, is discussed. The ballistocardiogram was found to be a valuable objective guide in the detection of subjects whose bundle branch block was not associated with significant heart disease. The ballistocardiogram also provided helpful confirmatory evidence of coronary artery or hypertensive heart disease when this was the suspected or certain diagnosis in subjects with bundle branch block.
Constitutional Interpretation and Republican Government

The debate over how to interpret the Constitution, what sources might properly be considered, and what role the Supreme Court should play in that process, are questions that go back to the earliest days of the American republic. The force of these debates has ebbed and flowed throughout American history. For almost 50 years, Republican presidents and presidential candidates have criticized the Supreme Court for its alleged "activism" and "free-style" methods of constitutional interpretation. This Essay discusses and contrasts the interpretative approaches espoused by Reagan adminstration Attorney General Edwin Meese, Supreme Court Justices William Brennan and Antonin Scalia, and finally, in considerable depth, the approach of Justice Stephen Breyer as propounded in his book "Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution."
Common institutional design, divergent results: A comparative case study of collaborative governance platforms for regional water planning

Abstract Environmental governance challenges often span geographic and sectoral boundaries, requiring collaboration between diverse stakeholders and multilateral decision making. To facilitate such efforts, policymakers and public managers create and support platforms that provide a structured framework for promoting collaborative governance. As the collaborative platform model is often centrally initiated – e.g., when state or national actors create a system of local collaborative resource management platforms – cross-case comparison is particularly important for understanding how a common design leads to variance in procedures and outputs in local contexts. Many collaborative platforms leave a “paper trail” of documents such as meeting records and plans. This analysis compares 10 identically designed and simultaneously initiated regional water planning platforms in the State of Georgia. Drawing on 106 meeting reports, we apply topic modeling to these meeting documents to generate replicable and scalable measures of how participant actions and interest representation unfold over time. Specifically, we measure topical focus on water planning issues over time, and compare these process-phase measures between councils and against the content of the resulting plan developed by each planning council. While existing literature has focused on how institutional design features such as representation and decision-rules shape procedural outcomes and outputs, we observe considerable variation in procedural behavior and plan outputs despite the fact that all 10 platforms share a common design. The consulting firm selected to direct each local platform is shown to be associated with both the topical focus of each regions’ planning discussion and the BMPs selected in regional plans. This comports with recent evidence pointing to the important – and largely overlooked – role that technical consultants play in environmental governance and regulatory processes.
Bestimmung von reduziertem und oxydiertem Glutathion in Weizenmehlen und -teigen * **

Fur die quantitative Analyse von reduziertem (GSH) und oxydiertem (GSSG) Glutathion in Cerealien wurde das folgende Verfahren entwickelt: Extraktion eines Mehles oder Teigs und Carboxymethylierung des GSH, Gelfiltration an Sephadex G-50, Chromatographic an Dowex 50 WX8 und nach alkalischer Spaltung Bestimmung des abgetrennten GSSG mit 5,5′-Dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoesaure), Abtrennung des carboxymethylierten GSH an Dowex 1X8 und Bestimmung mit 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzoesulfonsaure. In drei Sorten von Weizenmehlen wurden 0,27–0,46 μmol/g GSH and 0,26–0,38 μmol/g GSSG gefunden. Beim Kneten (5 min) verschwand das GSH und das GSSG nahm entsprechend zu.
The Effect of Semicollisional Accretion on Planetary Spins

Planetesimal accretion during planet formation is usually treated as collisionless. Such accretion from a uniform and dynamically cold disk predicts protoplanets with slow retrograde rotation. However, if the building blocks of protoplanets, planetesimals, are small, of the order of a meter in size, then they are likely to collide within the protoplanet's sphere of gravitational influence, creating a prograde accretion disk around the protoplanet. The accretion of such a disk results in the formation of protoplanets spinning in the prograde sense with the maximal spin rate allowed before centrifugal forces break them apart. As a result of semicollisional accretion, the final spin of a planet after giant impacts is not completely random, but is biased toward prograde rotation. The eventual accretion of the remaining planetesimals in the post-giant-impact phase might again be in the semicollisional regime and delivers a significant amount of additional prograde angular momentum to the terrestrial planets. We suggest that in our solar system, semicollisional accretion gave rise to the preference for prograde rotation observed in the terrestrial planets and perhaps the largest asteroids.
Using Video-Analysis in the Professional Development of a Classroom Teacher.

Professional development for educators is often not evidence-based and insufficient to improve classroom management skills. Video-analysis has been shown to be effective at improving pedagogy of cl...
Using Crack Geometry to Determine Fracture Properties

Linear elastic fracture mechanics theory predicts a parabolic crack opening profile. However, direct observation of crack tip shape in situ for brittle materials is challenging due to the small size of the active crack tip region. By leveraging advances in optical microscopy techniques and using a soft brittle hydrogel material, we can measure crack geometry on the micron scale. For glasses and ceramics, expected crack opening displacements are on the order of nanometers. However, for hydrogels, we can achieve crack opening displacements on the order of hundreds of microns or larger while maintaining brittle fracture behavior. Knowing the elastic properties, we can use crack geometry to calculate the stress intensity factor, K, and energy release rate, G, during propagation. Assuming the gel is hyperelastic, we can also approximate the size of the nonlinear region ahead of the crack tip. Geometric measurement of fracture properties eliminates the need to measure complex boundary and loading conditions, allowing us to explore new methods of inducing crack propagation. Further, this allows us to define measures of fracture resistance in materials that do not fit the traditionally defined theories of fracture mechanics.
The KH domains of FMRP differentially regulate neuronal granule formation, dynamics, and function in Drosophila

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most prevalent cause of inherited mental deficiency and is the most common monogenetic cause of autism spectral disorder (ASD). Here, we demonstrate that disease-causing missense mutations in the conserved K homology (KH) RNA binding domains (RBDs) of FMRP cause defects in its ability to form RNA transport granules in neurons. Using molecular, genetic, and imaging approaches in the Drosophila FXS model system, we show that the KH1 and KH2 domains of FMRP regulate distinct aspects of neuronal FMRP granule formation, dynamics, and transport. Furthermore, mutations in both KH domains disrupt translational repression in cells and the localization of known FMRP target mRNAs in neurons. These results suggest that the KH domains play an essential role in neuronal FMRP granule formation and function which may be linked to the molecular pathogenesis of FXS.
In-hospital outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical mitral valve repair in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) using MitraClip is a treatment option for patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation who are not surgical candidate. Liver cirrhosis is associated with higher operative morbidity and mortality; however, it is not part of preoperative risk assessments calculators. We sought to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes in TEER and surgical mitral valve repair (SMVR) in liver cirrhosis. METHODS National Inpatient Database from 2013 to 2017 was used to obtain all patients with cirrhosis who underwent TEER or SMVR using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. The primary outcome is to compare inpatient mortality between TEER and SMVR. Secondary outcomes were assessed including length of stay (LOS) and rate of complications including cardiogenic shock, blood transfusion and prolonged ventilation. RESULTS A total of 875 patients with cirrhosis who underwent TEER (n = 123) or SMVR (n = 752) were identified in our analysis. Patients with TEER had significantly higher comorbidities such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In-hospital mortality was lower in TEER group (8.2% vs 16%, P = .04). TEER was associated with lower rates of blood transfusion (30.3% vs 61.2%, P = .02) and reduced rates of prolonged mechanical ventilation (1.2% vs 17.2%, P = .042). In multivariate regression analysis, both blood transfusion and prolonged mechanical ventilation were significant predictors of mortality in liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS TEER was associated with lower rate of in-hospital mortality, LOS, blood transfusion and prolonged mechanical ventilation in cirrhosis patients. TEER can be considered as a viable option for cirrhosis patient with severe mitral regurgitation.
Isolation of Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide-dependent l-Fucose Dehydrogenase from Pork Liver

Abstract A DPN+-dependent l-fucose dehydrogenase has been isolated from pork liver and purified over 300-fold by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pH optimum for the dehydrogenase was 8.7 and Km values were 2.0 x 10-5 m for DPN+ and 3.2 x 10-4 m for l-fucose. The immediate product of l-fucose oxidation was shown to be l-fuconolactone (probably the 1 → 5 isomer); the lactone was hydrolyzed spontaneously to l-fuconate at the pH of the reaction. The purified enzyme also catalyzed the oxidation of l-galactose (Km 8.0 x 10-3 m), d-arabinose (Km, 2.1 x 10-3 m), and 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-arabinose (Km, 8.0 x 10-3 m); all active sugars have the same hydroxyl group configurations from C-2 to C-4. The 2-, 3-, or 4-epimers of d-arabinose were much less effective substrates for the enzyme (Km g 3 x 10-2 m).
Pretreatment surgical staging of patients with cervical carcinoma: the case for lymph node debulking.

BACKGROUND The routine use of extraperitoneal surgical staging prior to radiation therapy in patients with bulky or locally advanced cervical carcinoma remains controversial. METHODS A review was performed of 266 patients with cervical carcinoma who underwent extraperitoneal pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy prior to receiving radiotherapy. Patients were divided into groups based on their lymph node status. Group A had negative lymph nodes; Group B had resected, microscopic lymph node metastases; Group C had macroscopically positive lymph nodes that were resectable at the time of surgery; and Group D had unresectable lymph nodes. All patients received standard radiotherapy utilizing external beam and brachytherapy. Patients with lymph node metastases received extended field irradiation. Survival probabilities were computed by the Kaplan-Meier product limits method with statistical significance determined by the Mantel-Cox log rank test. RESULTS Lymph node metastases were detected in 49% of patients. Five- and 10-year disease free survival rates were similar for all patients in Groups B and C. All patients in Group D recurred. There was a 10.5% incidence of severe radiation-related morbidity and a 1.1% incidence of treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment extraperitoneal staging of patients with bulky or locally advanced cervical carcinoma may afford a survival benefit via the debulking of macroscopically positive lymph nodes without significantly increasing treatment-related morbidity or mortality. Cancer 1998;82:2241-2248. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Fluorescence-based methods for studying intermediate filaments.

Publisher Summary Fluorescence-based methods have made major contributions to the knowledge of the structure and function of intermediate filaments (IFs), particularly since the introduction of live cell imaging techniques. This chapter outlines some of the relevant fluorescence-based techniques that have been used to study IFs in both fixed and living cells and highlights the value of combining conventional immunofluorescence techniques with live cell imaging for studying IF dynamics. It also provides some background material together with step-by-step details of experimental protocols used in this study. Time-lapse observations of cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)–IF fusion proteins show unequivocally that IFs and their subfilamentous precursors are in reality extraordinarily dynamic components of the cytoskeleton. Live cell imaging per se reveals little about the molecular mechanisms that underly IF dynamics; however, immunofluorescence studies of cells have proved of great value, especially in helping to uncover functional interactions between IF and other cytoskeletal components. There is little doubt that these interactions, and similar ones involving actin-based motors and actin microfilaments (MFs), target IFs to regions of the cytoplasm, where they are required for numerous physiological functions ranging from local control of the mechanical properties of the cytoplasm to the construction of elaborate IF networks involved in signal transduction processes.
Full scale aircraft antenna measurements at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Newport Measurement Facility

This paper describes the Air Force Research Laboratory, Newport Antenna Measurement Facility. The facility provides on-aircraft antenna pattern, isolation and system level measurements. A variety of full size, tower mounted airframes are available for cost effective, high accuracy aircraft antenna evaluations without in-flight testing.
Attitudes Towards Exercise in Institutions for Elderly Residents

Increasing behaviors to promote health, such as exercise, among nursing homes for elderly residents is a widely acknowledged goal (Craig, 1982). Research suggests that behavioral technologies can b...
The control distance metric and constraints on maneuvering satellites

Changes in the orbit of a space-based object are a characteristic of a maneuver having occurred or of mismodeling of the state dynamics. This paper focuses on the former hypothesis to evaluate what constraints and inferences can be made on the actions of a vehicle given minimal information on its change in state. Such information can generally be used to evaluate whether a maneuver was likely, place constraints on the size of the maneuver, and can be used to reconstruct what form a maneuver took. This paper reviews what can be inferred from a difference in an object's orbital state through the definition and application of the control distance metric.
Invariants of sets of linear varieties.

Abstract A minimal set of generators of the ring of invariants for four linear subspaces of dimension n in a vector space of dimension 2n is computed, using the symbolic method introduced by Grosshans et al. [Grosshans, F., Rota, G.-C. & Stein, J. A. (1987) Invariant Theory and Superalgebras (Am. Math. Soc., Providence, RI)].
Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Suicidal Ideation in Veterans

Objective: To examine the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on suicidal ideation among Veterans with insomnia. Design: Longitudinal data collected in the course of an uncontrolled evaluation of a large-scale CBT-I training program. Setting: Outpatient and residential treatment facilities. Participants: Four hundred five Veterans presenting for treatment of insomnia. Interventions: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Measurement and Results: At baseline, 32% of patients, compared with 21% at final assessment, endorsed some level of suicidal ideation [χ 2 (df = 1) = 125; P < 0.001]. After adjusting for demographic variables and baseline insomnia severity, each 7-point decrease in Insomnia Severity Index score achieved during CBT-I treatment was associated with a 65% (odds ratio = 0.35; 95% confidence intervals = 0.24 to 0.52) reduction in odds of suicidal ideation. The effect of change in insomnia severity on change in depression severity was also significant. After controlling for change in depression severity and other variables in the model, the effect of change in insomnia severity on change in suicidal ideation remained significant. Conclusion: This evaluation of the largest dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in the United States found a clinically meaningful reduction in suicidal ideation among Veterans receiving CBT-I. The mechanisms by which effective treatment of insomnia with CBT-I reduces suicide risk are unknown and warrant investigation. The current results may have significant public health implications for preventing suicide among Veterans.
Synthesis, Characterization, Substitution, and Atom- Transfer Reactions of (ŋ2-Aikyne)(tetratolylporphyrinato)titanium(II). X-ray Structure of trans- Bis( 4-picoline) ( tetratolylporphyrinato )titanium(II)

A general preparative method for (tetratolylporphyrinato)titanium(II) [eta][sup 2]-acetylene complexes, (TTP)Ti([eta][sup 2]-RC[triple bond]CR[prime]), (R = R[prime] = CH[sub 3], CH[sub 2]CH[sub 3], C[sub 6]H[sub 5]; R = CH[sub 3], R[prime] = CH[sub 2]CH[sub 3]) is described. Displacement of 2-butyne from (TTP)Ti([eta][sup 2]-MeC[triple bond]CMe) with terminal acetylenes allows the preparation of (TTP)Ti([eta][sup 2]-HC[triple bond]CH) and (TTP)Ti([eta][sup 2]-PhC[triple bond]CH). The [pi] complexes undergo simple substitution reaction with pyridine (py) and 4-picoline (pic) to afford the bis(ligand) complexes trans-(TTP)Ti(py)[sub 2] and trans-(TTP)Ti(pic)[sub 2]. The structure of the bis(picoline) complex, C[sub 66]H[sub 56]N[sub 4]Ti, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (triclinic, P[bar 1]). Crystallographic symmetry requires that the Ti atom resides in the center of the 24 atom porphyrin plane. The Ti-N[sup pic] distance is 2.223(3) [angstrom], and the average Ti-N[sub pyrrole] distance is 2.047(8) [angstrom]. The two picoline ligands are coplanar, and the dihedral angle formed by the plane of the picoline rings and the Ti-N[sub 1] vector is 43[degrees]. When ([eta][sup 2]-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Ti(TTP) is treated with di-p-tolyldiazomethane, a diazo adduct (TTP)Ti=NN=C(C[sub 6]H[sub 4]CH[sub 3])[sub 2] is formed. Atom transfer occurs when ([eta][sup 2]-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Ti(TTP) is treated with X=PPh[sub 3] (X = S, Se), resulting in a two-electron oxidized product, (TTP)Ti=X, PPh[sub 3], andmore » free PhC[triple bond]CPh. Treatment of (TTP)Ti([eta][sup 2]-PhC[triple bond]CPh) with elemental sulfur or selenium produces the perchalcogenido complexes (TTP)Ti(S[sub 2]) and (TTP)Ti(Se[sub 2]).« less