cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Air Filtration and Radon Decay Product Mitigation

Air cleaning as a means of mitigating the risks arising from exposure to indoor radon progeny has been evaluated in a single-family house in the north eastem US. using an automated, semi-continuous activity-weighted size distribution measurement system. The measurements included radon concentration, condensation nuclei count, and activity-weighted size distribution of radon decay products. Measurements were made in the house with and without an operating air filtration system and with various particle sources common to normal indoor activities operating. Aerosols were generated by running water in a shower, candle burning, cigarette smoking, vacuuming, opening doors, and cooking. Using a room model, the changes in attachment rates, average attachment diameters, and deposition rates of the unattached fraction with and without the air cleaning system were calculated. In the presence of active aerosol sources, the air filtration unit typically reduced the concentration of particles within the hour following the end of particle generation. After candle burning, cigarette smoking, and vacuuming in the bedroom, the reductions of PAEC by air filtration are about 60% with the air filtration system operating in the bedroom. During cooking in the kitchen, the reductions of PAEC in the bedroom with the air filtration system were about 40%. However, for all cases the dose reductions were smaller than the particle and PAEC reductions. For those particles that were generated within the bedroom, there was a 20% to 50% reduction in dose. In the case of cooking where the door was open and particles infiltrated from the rest of the house, the dose reduction was only 5% on average and appears to be insignificant. Thus, the dose reductions were h e r than the reductions in activity concentration, but there were no cases where the estimated dose actually increased.
Regenerative microchannel electrode array for peripheral nerve interfacing

A regenerative microchannel scaffold capable of housing microelectrodes to form a high-throughput peripheral nerve interface is described. The regenerative microchannel scaffold was fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and SU-8 as substrate and structural materials, respectively. This microchannel scaffold is capable of being integrated with a PDMS-based thin-film microelectrode array (MEA) to form a peripheral nerve interface. Preliminary in vitro characterization was performed using dorsal root ganglia cultures to evaluate biocompatibility and the ability of the microchannel design to direct and orient neurite outgrowth. Our findings provided evidence that the microchannel design will be effective in directing axon regeneration to the benefit of a neural interfacing device.
A Parable, A Pearl and “Popular”? How the Broadway Musical Wicked—Especially Elphaba’s Character—May Assist Adolescent Girls to Claim Their Uniqueness

In this essay I provide a brief exegesis of the parable of the “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:45–46) as an introduction to an examination of Elphaba’s character in the Broadway musical Wicked [as distinguished from her character in Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked (1996)] and the potential value this character has for pastoral care with adolescent girls who struggle with the need to belong as well as the need to be themselves. I argue that Wicked may be understood as a twenty-first century parable that appeals to many, adults and adolescents alike, but it is especially appealing to teenage girls because it “taps into a certain teenage angst” (Zinoman 2005) that relates to the quest for popularity, a first true love, and beauty makeovers. Elphaba’s seriousness has a certain kind of spiritual nature which may be related to her green skin (James 1984, p. 160) that may encourage adolescent girls to adopt their own spiritual natures and enable them to claim their own voices even as Elphaba finally “defies gravity” and learns to fly.
Early Brain Response to Low-Dose Radiation Exposure Involves Molecular Networks and Pathways Associated with Cognitive Functions, Advanced Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Understanding the cognitive and behavioral consequences of brain exposures to low-dose ionizing radiation has broad relevance for health risks from medical radiation diagnostic procedures, radiotherapy and environmental nuclear contamination as well as for Earth-orbit and space missions. Analyses of transcriptome profiles of mouse brain tissue after whole-body irradiation showed that low-dose exposures (10 cGy) induced genes not affected by high-dose radiation (2 Gy) and that low-dose genes were associated with unique pathways and functions. The low-dose response had two major components: pathways that are consistently seen across tissues and pathways that were specific for brain tissue. Low-dose genes clustered into a saturated network (P < 10(-53)) containing mostly down-regulated genes involving ion channels, long-term potentiation and depression, vascular damage, etc. We identified nine neural signaling pathways that showed a high degree of concordance in their transcriptional response in mouse brain tissue after low-dose irradiation, in the aging human brain (unirradiated), and in brain tissue from patients with Alzheimer's disease. Mice exposed to high-dose radiation did not show these effects and associations. Our findings indicate that the molecular response of the mouse brain within a few hours after low-dose irradiation involves the down-regulation of neural pathways associated with cognitive dysfunctions that are also down-regulated in normal human aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Stability of a three-station fluid network

This paper studies the stability of a three-station fluid network. We show that, unlike the two-station networks in Dai and Vande Vate l18r, the global stability region of our three-station network is not the intersection of its stability regions under static buffer priority disciplines. Thus, the “worst” or extremal disciplines are not static buffer priority disciplines. We also prove that the global stability region of our three-station network is not monotone in the service times and so, we may move a service time vector out of the global stability region by reducing the service time for a class. We introduce the monotone global stability region and show that a linear program (LP) related to a piecewise linear Lyapunov function characterizes this largest monotone subset of the global stability region for our three-station network. We also show that the LP proposed by Bertsimas et al. l1r does not characterize either the global stability region or even the monotone global stability region of our three-station network. Further, we demonstrate that the LP related to the linear Lyapunov function proposed by Chen and Zhang l11r does not characterize the stability region of our three-station network under a static buffer priority discipline.
Volunteer Participation and Time Commitment by Older Americans

Using the 1989 Current Population Survey, this study profiles elderly volunteers ages 55 and older, identifies volunteer organizations served by the elderly, and examinesfactors associated with volunteer participation and time volunteered by the elderly. Results of tobit model with sample selection indicate that thefollowingfactors are positively related to participation in volunteer work: being afemale, being married, living in the Midwest, having a high income, having an advanced education, owning a home, and seeking employment (for retired group). Living in a large city and having a large household size are negatively related to volunteer participation. Factors affecting time volunteered by the retired are college education, home ownership, and presence of children younger than age 18. Implicationsfor volunteer organizations are presented.
Spatial Capacity of Cognitive Radio Networks: Narrowband Versus Ultra-Wideband Systems

For cognitive wireless networks, this paper analyzes the achievable sum capacity of spectrum-sharing cognitive radio (CR) networks, taking into account of a number of factors including channel multipath profile, transmit power constraints, as well as the outage probability at a primary legacy user. Two transmission formats, narrowband versus ultra-wideband, are compared for adoption in CRs. Capacity analysis indicates that ultra-wideband CRs are in general more suitable for networks operating over licensed bands, when strict outage requirements are imposed for protecting primary users. On license-free bands, on the other hand, narrowband CRs employing orthogonal channelization offer higher network capacity, while its ultra-wideband counterparts become competitive only when the multipath effect is moderate. In the presence of primary users, the interference temperature constraint deteriorates a narrowband cognitive network more than its ultra-wideband counterpart.
Objective Indicators of the Life Cycle Evolution of Extratropical Transition for Atlantic Tropical Cyclones

Abstract Forty-six percent of Atlantic tropical storms undergo a process of extratropical transition (ET) in which the storm evolves from a tropical cyclone to a baroclinic system. In this paper, the structural evolution of a base set of 61 Atlantic tropical cyclones that underwent extratropical transition between 1979 and 1993 is examined. Objective indicators for the onset and completion of transition are empirically determined using National Hurricane Center (NHC) best-track data, ECMWF 1.125° × 1.125° reanalyses, and operational NCEP Aviation Model (AVN) and U.S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) numerical analyses. An independent set of storms from 1998 to 2001 are used to provide a preliminary evaluation of the proposed onset and completion diagnostics. Extratropical transition onset is declared when the storm becomes consistently asymmetric, as measured by the 900–600-hPa thickness asymmetry centered on the storm track. Completion of the ET process is identified using a...
Violent Encounters: Violent Engagements, Skirmishes, and Tiffs

From the author’s study of violent and nonviolent offenders and nonoffenders’ accounts, he drew two main conclusions about the interaction that takes place between the perpetrator and victim when violent crimes are committed. First, these crimes are committed during violent encounters that encompass five stages: (1) role claiming, (2) role rejection, (3) role sparring, (4) role enforcement, and (5) role determination. Second, based on how many of these stages are completed, violent encounters can be divided into three subtypes: (1) engagements, (2) skirmishes, and (3) tiffs. Violent dominance encounters that go through all five stages constitute engagements, those that enter only four of the stages constitute skirmishes, and those that enter only three of the stages constitute tiffs. Thus, for any theory to provide a complete explanation of violent crimes, it must be able to account for not only violent engagements but also violent skirmishes and tiffs.
What Are the Treatment Goals for Helicobacter pylori Infection

The goals of therapy of Helicobacter pylori are commonly viewed as either clinical (e.g., avoid further morbidity, mortality, or prevent disease from occurring) or economic (e.g., save healthcare dollars by avoiding further expenditure of resources). However, when viewed globally, these goals are not incongruent but are inexorably linked. Prevention of disease or avoidance of further morbidity and mortality by curing H. pylori infection is obviously an improved clinical outcome, but it also concurrently avoids further utilization of healthcare resources and is "cost-effective," resulting in improved economic outcome as well. The more clinically effective an H. pylori treatment is, the more economically effective it is as well. When comparing regimens, the cost-effectiveness is determined by efficacy of the regimen, not its cost. Put more simply, "The most expensive therapy is the one that doesn't work!" Therefore, the goals of the therapy are simple: avoid further morbidity, mortality, and prevent disease while minimizing further utilization of healthcare resources, thus saving money. The most clinically effective therapy is also the most cost-effective therapy. Regimens used should have demonstrated greater than 90% efficacy or effectiveness in the population being treated for H. pylori infection. The regimens should be simple and well tolerated. It is clinically and economically inappropriate to use a regimen not meeting these criteria.
Risk-driven aggregation and transmission prioritization of cyber alerts over mobile networks

Alert Aggregation in mobile networks plays an important role in mitigating the adverse impact of alert generation by reducing the amount of communication and security data to be transmitted. However, it is not guaranteed that the bandwidth necessary to transmit all aggregated alerts is always available, which usually result in the transmission of a portion of the alerts, while others are discarded or queued. The transmission of insufficient alert information hinders making correct decisions about attacks, leading to compromising network security. In order to maximize the benefits of data aggregation while minimizing the impact of partial alerts, this paper presents a risk-driven real-time transmission prioritization technique for implementing lossy and lossless aggregation of cyber alerts. Lossy alert aggregation and transmission are managed adaptively by allowing the prioritization and transmission of aggregated alerts according to the risk assessment of such alerts. This paper also presents a risk-driven utilization model that further adapts the aggregation and prioritization in response to dynamic network conditions. The performance results of the proposed techniques are obtained by running simulations on data collected from a mobile network. Simulation results for the aggregation of raw alerts have shown an average reduction of 51% in data storage space and bandwidth usage.
FIELD EVALUATION OF DECOMMISSIONED NONCOMPOSITE STEEL GIRDER BRIDGE

Field tests conducted on a noncomposite steel girder bridge are described. Two separate 36.6 m (120 ft) units, each three-span continuous, were subjected to increasing static loads by means of a trailer and concrete barriers. Results show that the girders acted as partially composite sections in the positive moment region up to the onset of yield. Due to curb participation and the transverse location of the applied load, exterior girders exhibited a higher degree of partially composite action. In the negative moment region, partially composite action was evident only in the exterior girders. As a result of partially composite action and curb participation, the yield load was about 7% higher than predicted. Bearing restraint is shown not to have a significant impact on the behavior of the tested bridges. In addition, the stiffness of the interior girders, as measured under the constant weight of a dump truck, are shown to be virtually unaffected by the heavy trailer loads. More significant changes in girde...
Teaching signal processing on the Information Superhighway

It is becoming increasingly more common today for companies to team together when undertaking large and detailed projects. This activity, which is vital in terms of competitiveness, will no doubt increase substantially with the advent of the "Information Superhighway". From an pedagogical point of view, this modern reality requires that we as educators develop new skills in our graduates which are relevant for these activities. These skills include: (1) learning to identify technical expertise and interest within the larger distributed group, (2) segmenting tasks in a meaningful fashion, (3) integrating results across a high speed network, (4) verifying system level performance, and (5) compiling and writing a comprehensive final report. An ongoing NSF funded project based at George Mason University is described for teaching and developing the above mentioned skills in the context of junior and senior level courses in signal processing and system analysis. Methods of team learning based on current notions of distance learning are detailed. Extensions to this program which integrate in a constructive manner a number of Universities via "connected laboratories" and a common instruction base are discussed. >
RISK OF SUBCLINICAL MICROMETASTATIC DISEASE IN THE SUPRACLAVICULAR NODAL BED ACCORDING TO THE ANATOMIC DISTRIBUTION IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED BREAST CANCER

Purpose To determine the anatomic distribution of gross supraclavicular nodes within the supraclavicular fossa using 2-deoxy-2-[F-18] fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans, and to evaluate likely coverage of specific regions of the supraclavicular fossa using standard radiation fields. Methods and Materials We identified 33 patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had a PET/CT scan demonstrating hypermetabolic supraclavicular lymph nodes in 2005. The locations of the involved lymph nodes were mapped onto a single CT set of images of the supraclavicular fossa. These lymph nodes were also mapped onto the treatment-planning CT dataset of 4 patients treated in our institution (2 patients with biopsy-proven supraclavicular nodes and 2 patients with clinically negative supraclavicular nodes). Results We were able to determine the distribution of 52 supraclavicular lymph nodes in 32 patients. Of 32 patients, 28 (87%) had a history of metastatic disease, and 2 patients had isolated nodal recurrences. Five patients had supraclavicular nodes posterior to the vertebral body transverse process, and several lymph nodes were in close proximity to the medial field border, raising the possibility of geographic miss in these areas. Conclusions In patients with locally advanced disease, increased coverage of the supraclavicular fossa medially and posteriorly may be warranted.
HBT IC process with copper substrate

The authors have demonstrated a copper/polymer substrate HBT integrated circuit technology which offers a low loss microstrip transmission line environment, continuous back-side ground planes, and enhanced thermal performance.
Atomic and molecular processes in the early Universe

Most of the information about the environment of the early Universe comes to us from radiation emitted from atoms and molecules. An understanding of the relevant atomic and molecular processes is needed to correctly interpret this radiation. Atomic and molecular process also control the evolution of the early Universe. In this paper, we review the atomic and molecular processes that are important in the early Universe.
Visualizing radical-surface interactions in plasma deposition processes: reactivity of SiH/sub 3/ radicals with Si surfaces

There is a need for improving our fundamental understanding of the radical surface interactions during plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of Si. Toward this goal, we have calculated the interaction energy between SiH/sub 3/ radicals and various Si surfaces, and mapped the changes in this energy as a function of position on the surface. Application of this analysis to the SiH/sub 3/ radical impinging on a variety of Si surfaces, coupled with detailed investigation of the radical impingement dynamics, proved valuable in understanding and visualizing the driving forces that determine the nature of the radical-surface interactions during plasma deposition of Si.
Soil water dynamics differ among rangeland plant communities dominated by yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), annual grasses, or perennial grasses

Abstract California's interior grasslands have undergone dramatic changes during the last two centuries. Changes in land-use patterns and plant introductions after European contact and settlement resulted in the conversion of perennial-dominated grasslands to exotic annual grasses. More recently, the annual grasslands have been heavily invaded by the deeply rooted late-maturing forb yellow starthistle. This series of invasions and conversions has changed the community structure and phenology of the grasslands. We hypothesized that these changes have resulted in significant differences in soil water–use patterns in the grasslands. We studied soil water depletion and recharge patterns of three grassland community types dominated by perennial grasses, annual grasses, or yellow starthistle with contrasting phenology and rooting depths for 4 yr. Soil moisture measurements were taken every month from March to December in 1998, 1999, and 2000 and every other month in 2001. Measurements were taken with a neutron ...
Late-onset granuloma formation after poly-l-lactic acid injection

Poly-l-lactic acid (Sculptra, Sanofi Aventis, Bridgewater, NJ) is a gel polymer made of poly-l-lactic acid microspheres and water suspended in a mannitol and carboxymethyl cellulose suspension.1 This injectable tissue filler has been used for correction of lipoatrophy in HIV patients as well as for cosmetic purposes since its US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2004. The mechanism of action involves induction of a subclinical inflammatory response that stimulates fibroblast proliferation and collagen formation, ultimately leading to a progressive increase in volume of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues.2 Late-onset immune-mediated adverse effects associated with the use of poly-l-lactic acid can appear years after the initial injection with reported range of 6 to 60 months.3 These effects include inflammatory nodules, papules, and edema. Previous reports of adverse effects associated with poly-l-lactic acid identify a maximum of 60 months before development of a subcutaneous nodule.3 These adverse effects can cause significant distress for patients, as the erythema, edema or nodules that can result may cause cosmetic disfigurement and mimic an infectious process, necessitating, at times, extensive workup including biopsy. Here, we present a case of granuloma formation that appeared more than 70 months after treatment, surpassing the previously reported maximum latency of 60 months for poly-l-lactic acid and long surpassing the 2-year duration that the product is purported to last in the tissues.1 To our knowledge, this is the longest reported latency period for development of a subcutaneous nodule with foreign body reaction observed with poly-l-lactic acid. Practitioners should be aware of the extent of adverse events associated with procedural complications to adequately inform their patients, provide the highest standard of care, and maintain awareness of this etiology in their differential diagnosis for patients presenting with facial nodules of unknown etiology, even if poly-l-lactic acid exposure was several years prior.
An Automated Microplate System For Blood Group Serology

An automated blood grouping system designed to determine ABO and Rh types was evaluated. The instrument automates the preparation of hemagglutination tests in a microplate format and measures the light absorbance in the reaction wells. A computer analyzes and interprets these absorbance readings following the reactions. Of 650 blood samples tested with this instrument, 577 (88.8%) were correctly grouped. Of the remaining 73 specimens, 47 (7.3%) could be visually interpreted and edited on-line, 19 (2.9%) were successfully grouped upon retesting, and the types of only seven samples (1.08%) were still not determined after the final pass. This instrumem can enable small and medium-sized facilities to incorporate automated blood grouping in the laboratory.
Effect of vitamin E and ozone on pentane and ethane expired by rats.

Abstract Pentane and ethane, which arise during lipid peroxidation in vivo, were measured by gas chromatography in breath samples of rats fed for 8 weeks a vitamin E-deficient diet to which had been added 0 ,1 1 , or 40 IU vitamin E acetate per kg. Further lipid peroxidation was induced by exposure of individual rats to 1 ppm ozone for 60 min. Nonparametric statistical analysis of the data for pentane expired before exposure of rats to ozone gave α values (α = 2P) of 0.0006 when the 0 vitamin E group was compared with either of the vitamin Esupplemented groups. For ethane, comparison of the 0 vitamin E group with the groups supplemented with 11 and 40 IU vitamin E/kg of diet were 0.0294 and 0.0080, respectively. Alpha values < .05 were considered significant. After a 60-min exposure of rats to 1 ppm ozone, the paired t-test showed pentane to be significantly (P < .005) increased in only the rats fed the vitamin E-deficient diet.
Subsolidus isothermal fractional crystallization

In theory, multicomponent silicate liquids of minimum or eutectic composition should crystallize their solidus phases simultaneously and in their invariant proportions. In reality, the crystallization of those liquids of granitic composition produces sequential assemblages and normal fractional crystallization of solid solutions when crystallization commences at or along an isotherm well below the solidus of the system. The sequence of mineral assemblages derives principally from their relative stabilities, as measured by the Gibbs free energy change for the reaction of melt to crystals in the metastable region below the liquidus surface, rather than chemical concentration alone. Whereas crystallization close to the solidus (Δ T ≈ 50 °C) promotes the simultaneous (eutectic) crystallization of quartz and feldspars that leads to the formation of granite, large liquidus undercooling (Δ T ≈ 200 °C) produces sequential assemblages from the margins to centers of melt bodies. The liquidus undercooling that drives subsolidus isothermal fractional crystallization is the single-most important process for the generation of zoned granitic pegmatites.
Imaging for assessment of sudden death risk: current role and future prospects

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major public health problem and there is an urgent need to maximize the impact of primary prevention using the implantable defibrillator. While implantable defibrillators are of utility for prevention of SCD, current methods of selecting candidates have significant shortcomings. Major advancements have occurred in the field of cardiac imaging, with significant potential to identify novel cardiac substrates for improved prediction. While assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction remains the current major predictor, it is likely that several novel imaging markers will be incorporated into future risk stratification approaches. The goal of this review is to discuss the current status and future potential of cardiac imaging modalities to enhance risk stratification for SCD.
The 1925 Vatican Mission Exposition and the Interface Between Catholic Mission Theory and World Religions

After the First World War, which disrupted missions around the world, Pope Pius XI announced a Holy Year for 1925, a major focus of which was the creation of the Vatican Mission Exposition. After a...
Effect of inhaled nitric oxide on aquaporin expression in newborn rat lung in acute hyperoxic lung injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of inhaled nitric oxide on aquaporin expression and alveolar epithelial fluid transport in newborn rats with acute hyperoxic lung injury. METHODS: 32 newborn SD rats were randomized to breathe for 48 h room air (C), 95%O2 (O), 95%O2+10-5 NO (NO only in the first 24 h, ONO), room air + NO (CN). Then, the rats were killed, the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio (QW/QD), the histology, and AQP1, AQP5, α1-NKA, α-ENaC mRNA expressions in the lungs were measured. RESULTS: Compared with C group, the QW/QD in O group significantly increased (P0.01), and AQP1 mRNA expression decreased significantly (P0.01). Compared with O group, ONO group had a lower level of QW/QD (P0.05), and AQP1 mRNA expression increased (P0.05). AQP5 mRNA expression in all groups remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: In newborn rats with acute hyperoxic lung injury, inhaled 10-5 nitric oxide for 24 h may attenuate lung edema and increase AQP1 mRNA expression, suggesting that inhaled 10-5 nitric oxide for 24 h may promote the AQP1 expression in lung in this model of acute lung injury.
Revalidating the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale With Five Helping Professions:

Objective:This article describes the validation of the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Process Assessment Scale (RSIPAS) across five helping professions. The RSIPAS was originally developed to mea...
Directional charged-particle detector with a two-layer ultrathin phosphor foil

Current charged-particle detectors are able to estimate the position and energy of a particle, but not its direction. This study is aimed at developing a detector capable of measuring the direction of a charged particle as well as its position. The detector uses an image intensifier and a lens-coupled CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) camera to capture the scintillation light excited by a charged particle traversing a phosphor assembly. The phosphor assembly is made of two layers of ultrathin phosphor foils separated by an air gap. The performance of the detector is illustrated by simulation, theory and experiment.
Dynamic Optical Data Center Network Load Balancing and Resource Allocation

We highlight the advantages of dynamic wavelength allocation and path rerouting in hybrid optical flow-switched data center networks compared with static electronic packet-switched data center networks. Current electronic packet-switched networks perform routing based on lookup tables and shortest path routing over high speed optical connections. However, load balancing and path rerouting are not designed in coordination with the optical data plane. In this work, we design and analyze the performance of load balancing and resource allocation in hybrid flow data center architectures. In the hybrid flow architecture, the transport layer and control plane are responsible for load balancing, congestion control and reliable data delivery in wavelength division multiplexed networks. The transport layer abstracts the underlying network and data link layers from user applications. Applications are unaware of whether flows are transmitted via the electronic data plane, optical data plane, or both, where the relevant metric for applications is transaction delay. We show that the data center architecture that minimizes delay in the presence of elephant flows and dynamic loads is the hybrid flow architecture with dynamic resource allocation.
Thesis I: Human Systems

This proposal is an example of an integrated GIScience approach to investigating urban social issues. Additionally, the proposal demonstrates that a thesis proposal is just that—a proposal. Whereas some thesis proposals may appear to be nearly completed works, this proposal is an example of a common—but effective—research proposal. The proposal identifies the key issues, methods, and study area and sketches the core theoretical framework that informs the study.
Homogeneous Assays of Second Messenger Signaling and Hormone Secretion Using Thermofluorimetric Methods That Minimize Calibration Burden

Homogeneous assays are characterized by rapidity, low cost, and simple workflows. However, relatively few specialized homogeneous platforms have garnered significant use in biological studies. Inconsistencies in matrix interferences, limited multiplexability, and the requirement for specialized instrumentation are among the various reasons for delayed acceptance. Recently, we have shown that DNA-driven protein assays using thermofluorimetric analysis (TFA) can limit matrix interference and promote multiplexing, all while requiring only a standard qPCR instrument for readout. Here, we show that homogeneous, one step (mix-and-read) TFA methods can be extended to the analysis of both a small molecule second messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and a downstream cell-secreted hormone, insulin. Differential thermal analysis of DNA melting in these assays allowed analytical discrimination of background and signal without physical separation. The direct-readout, differential nature of TFA also promot...
Floristic response to urbanization: Filtering of the bioregional flora in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Premise of the study Globally, urban plant populations are becoming increasingly important, as these plants play a vital role in ameliorating effects of ecosystem disturbance and climate change. Urban environments act as filters to bioregional flora, presenting survival challenges to spontaneous plants. Yet, because of the paucity of inventory data on plants in landscapes both before and after urbanization, few studies have directly investigated this effect of urbanization. Methods We used historical, contemporary, and regional plant species inventories for Indianapolis, Indiana USA to evaluate how urbanization filters the bioregional flora based on species diversity, functional traits, and phylogenetic community structure. Key results Approximately 60% of the current regional flora was represented in the Indianapolis flora, both historically and presently. Native species that survived over time were significantly different in growth form, life form, and dispersal and pollination modes than those that were extirpated. Phylogenetically, the historical flora represented a random sample of the regional flora, while the current urban flora represented a nonrandom sample. Both graminoid habit and abiotic pollination are significantly more phylogenetically conserved than expected. Conclusions Our results likely reflect the shift from agricultural cover to built environment, coupled with the influence of human preference, in shaping the current urban flora of Indianapolis. Based on our analyses, the urban environment of Indianapolis does filter the bioregional species pool. To the extent that these filters are shared by other cities and operate similarly, we may see increasingly homogenized urban floras across regions, with concurrent loss of evolutionary information.
A macroscopic material model for woven fabrics based on mesoscopic sawtooth unit cell

Abstract A macroscopic numerical material model based on the mesoscopic structure of woven fabrics is developed. A mesoscopic unit cell modeling approach is adopted based on the sawtooth geometry to take into account the mesoscopic length scale deformations involved. Three important woven fabric mechanical responses (Uniaxial, biaxial and shear) are implemented using continuum mechanics and constitutive relations. The material model is implemented as a user-defined-material (UMAT) within an explicit finite element framework and validated under various loading conditions by simulating different experiments (Uniaxial tensile, bias extension and indentation tests). The results show that the developed macroscale material model based on the mesoscopic unit cell is capable of capturing the woven fabric response while simulating the deformation mechanisms involved in the mesoscopic length scale.
Evaluation of Local Error Estimators for the RWG-Based EFIE

Several error estimators suitable for use with the adaptive refinement solution of the electric field integral equation (EFIE) are investigated. The estimators are evaluated using a series of test problems for which correlation coefficients and scatter plots are computed. In addition, two new discontinuity estimators are introduced based on the combination of the charge discontinuity with the current or current discontinuity. The evaluations show that simple discontinuity estimators are as accurate for adaptive refinement as the EFIE residual estimator, and are far more computationally efficient.
Higher mortality rate in patients with heart failure who are taking commonly prescribed antidiabetic medications and achieve recommended levels of glycaemic control.

Current guidelines for diabetes recommend that physicians attain a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration ≤7.0%, but this target may not be applicable to those with heart failure. Fourteen studies in patients with chronic heart failure that examined the relationship between the level of HbA1c and risk of death specified whether HbA1c was influenced by treatment with antidiabetic medications. In patients with heart failure not receiving glucose-lowering drugs, the mortality rate was not higher among those with an HbA1c concentration 7.0%. These studies suggest that patients with both heart failure and diabetes are at increased risk of death if they are prescribed certain glucose-lowering drugs to achieve levels of HbA1c <7.0%.
Characterization of Isomeric Glycans by Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography-Electronic Excitation Dissociation Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The occurrence of numerous structural isomers in glycans from biological sources presents a severe challenge for structural glycomics. The subtle differences among isomeric structures demand analytical methods that can provide structural details while working efficiently with on-line glycan separation methods. Although liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is a powerful tool for mixture analysis, the commonly utilized collision-induced dissociation (CID) method often does not generate a sufficient number of fragments at the MS2 level for comprehensive structural characterization. Here, we studied the electronic excitation dissociation (EED) behaviors of metal-adducted, permethylated glycans, and identified key spectral features that could facilitate both topology and linkage determinations. We developed an EED-based, nanoscale, reversed phase (RP)LC-MS/MS platform, and demonstrated its ability to achieve complete structural elucidation of up to five structural isomers in a single LC-MS/MS analysis.
‘Tous ceux sans qui la France ne serait pas la France’: The case for a French national museum of colonial histories:

Although France is known as the country of museums, it has yet to inaugurate a museum of French history. At a time of mounting tensions between an increasingly multiracial and multicultural French ...
Multiband antenna for wireless applications including GSM/UMTS/LTE and 5G bands

A simple ultra thin multiband antenna is introduced. The proposed antenna with four bands covers many wireless applications. The proposed antenna has simple configuration including two open L-shaped slots to create resonat mode at GSM and GPS bands and also two rectangular slots on the radiating element for creating multi resonant modes to meet the specifications of mentioned frequency bands. According to the simple, small and planar configuration, the proposed antenna design is inexpensive and can easily be integrated with the other microwave circuit boards. The proposed antenna has the small size of 10 mm and the total size of 120 mm χ 60 mm χ 0.5 mm, promising to be used widely in compact and ultra slim handsets.
Negotiating (dis)Trust to Advance Democracy through Media and Information Literacy

The new media environment, through multitudinous entanglements with processes of digitization and commodification, has contributed to the formation of extreme distrust in media and institutions in advanced democracies, and fluctuations in trust relations worldwide, according to Pew Research and Gallup polling. Resulting from threats of fake news, the overabundance of information, and intentional misguidance by bad actors, individuals find it increasingly difficult to evaluate information and make informed decisions. Ideally, in democracies, institutions help foster trust between citizens and information sources by encouraging trustworthy institutions that are responsible to citizens, since trust is so fundamental to a functional democracy. This paper draws a link between trust, which is crucial to democracy, and media and information literacy (MIL), which empowers democratic principles, to suggest how the implicit reciprocity and negotiability of trust relations can be seized to advance democratization through a media and information literacy policy framework. Using the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Policy and Strategy Guideline as a reference, this paper builds an approach to show how, through the negotiability of trust, MIL and the democratizing principle of civic agency might be concurrently advanced and mutually reinforcing by educating a citizenry more literate about media and information systems and generating democratic institutional change concurrent with greater trust between actors.
An Online Degradation Detection Method for Grid-Connected Converters with LCL Filter

This paper presents an online methodology to detect the degradation of the LCL filter installed in voltage source converters (VSCs). With the assist of Luenberger state observer, the proposed degradation detection method is able to identify the component degradation by only utilizing the measurement data from the VSC controller. In addition, the proposed method can be implemented to both SVPWM and SPWM based VSCs. Numerical examples are provided at the end of this paper for validating the proposed diagnostic method.
Different Perceptions Exist Between Health Care Providers and the General Population Regarding the Importance of Findings on Additional Imaging for Trauma Consults.

BackgroundApproximately one-third of additional imaging for trauma consults results in the discovery of new injuries. No studies have addressed the perception of these findings in non-health care p...
Structure–activity relationship studies on 2,5,6-trisubstituted benzimidazoles targeting Mtb-FtsZ as antitubercular agents

Filamenting temperature sensitive protein Z (FtsZ) is an essential bacterial cell division protein and a promising target for the development of new antibacterial therapeutics. As a part of our ongoing SAR studies on 2,5,6-trisubstituted benzimidazoles as antitubercular agents targeting Mtb-FtsZ, a new library of compounds with modifications at the 2 position was designed, synthesized and evaluated for their activity against Mtb-H37Rv. This new library of trisubstituted benzimidazoles exhibited MIC values in the range of 0.004-50 μg mL-1. Compounds 6b, 6c, 20f and 20g showed excellent growth inhibitory activities ranging from 0.004-0.08 μg mL-1. This SAR study has led to the discovery of a remarkably potent compound 20g (MIC 0.0039 μg mL-1; normalized MIC 0.015 μg mL-1). Our 3DQSAR model predicted 20g as the most potent compound in the library.
Deep and Durable Response to Nivolumab and Temozolomide in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Associated With an Early Decrease in Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells.

Structured Abstract: Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors are now an approved treatment for patients with extensive- stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive and incurable malignancy. However, the median survival for patients remains around 1 year, and treatment in the second line and beyond is associated with a low likelihood of response. There currently are no data regarding the optimal treatment of patients who progress on upfront chemo-immunotherapy, and biomarkers are needed to aid patient selection. Obtaining sufficient tissue for advanced molecular testing is a challenge in SCLC due to often limited or crushed tissue specimens. Reliable blood based biomarkers may augment tissue based testing and allow for repeated assessments that is often not possible with tumor tissue, and changes in the peripheral blood may provide information regarding the tumor microenvironment. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) exert immunosuppressive function and have been investigated as a potential barrier to response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Here we demonstrate that MDSC level and function can be readily assessed in the peripheral blood at multiple time points during treatment with combination immunotherapy and temozolomide. Results This report represents the first case of a patient with refractory SCLC treated with combination nivolumab and temozolomide as part of a clinical trial (NCT03728361), who sustained a deep and durable clinical response that was accompanied by an early decrease in MDSC and improved T cell function (increased CD8+ and CD4+ T cell proliferation). We review the literature regarding use of ICI in SCLC and the evidence supporting MDSC as a possible target to enhance the activity of immunotherapy, and emphasize the importance of assessing immune cell subsets as correlative studies in clinical trials. Conclusion An assessment of MDSC level and function during treatment, as well as other immune cell subsets, should be included in prospective studies to further evaluate these assays as possible blood-based biomarkers.
Nonneoplastic Mass Lesions of the Hypothalamus

Nonneoplastic mass lesions of the hypothalamus are rare but are composed of a variety of pathologies. These can be broken down into cystic lesions, such as epidermoid, dermoid, arachnoid, colloid, and Rathke’s cleft cysts; vascular lesions, such as cavernomas and hypothalamic hamartomas; inflammatory, including hypothalamitis, syphilitic gummas, tuberculomas, toxoplasmosis-related lesions; and inflammatory lesions, including multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Many of these lesions do not present as isolated entities but as part of a larger overarching diagnosis, thus providing clues into the nature of the hypothalamic lesion. As with other space-occupying lesions in the hypothalamic region, the common symptoms include visual disturbances and endocrine problems, with the most common symptom being diabetes insipidus. Nonneoplastic lesions are generally associated with a more indolent course and a wider range of treatment options, from surgical excision to radiotherapy and medical management like antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. In some cases, spontaneous resolution can also be a welcome outcome.
The dam as catastrophe: connecting geological models to modern history

The concept of the Anthropocene implies a coincidence of modern history and geological time. This coincidence has generated controversy, animating debates in several disciplines and obscuring other profitable ways to connect history and geology. This article draws inspiration from British geologist Derek Ager’s seminal 1973 text, The Nature of the Stratigraphical Record, to suggest how different geological models of change might influence modern historical interpretation. Such models suggest new ways of conceptualizing the historical relationship of material, time, and space. Drawing also on recently translated work by Reinhart Koselleck, this research applies Ager’s geological models to a history of dam building in Turkey. The result is a layered, nonlinear, entangled, and decentralized narrative that suggests new methods of analysis in modern environmental history.