cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visualizing activity on wikipedia with chromograms

To investigate how participants in peer production systems allocate their time, we examine editing activity on Wikipedia, the well-known online encyclopedia. To analyze the huge edit histories of the site's administrators we introduce a visualization technique, the chromogram, that can display very long textual sequences through a simple color coding scheme. Using chromograms we describe a set of characteristic editing patterns. In addition to confirming known patterns, such reacting to vandalism events, we identify a distinct class of organized systematic activities. We discuss how both reactive and systematic strategies shed light on self-allocation of effort in Wikipedia, and how they may pertain to other peer-production systems.
Iterative soft decision decoding of Reed Solomon codes based on adaptive parity check matrices

We present a soft decision decoding algorithm for Reed Solomon (RS) codes using their binary image representations. The novelty of the proposed decoding algorithm is in reducing the submatrix corresponding to the less reliable bits to a sparse nature prior to each decoding iteration and in adapting the parity check matrix from one iteration to another. Simulation results show that the new method provides significant gain over hard decision decoding (HDD) and compares favorably with other popular soft decision decoding methods [R. Koetter et al., 2003].
Accurate prediction of enzyme mutant activity based on a multibody statistical potential

Motivation: An important area of research in biochemistry and molecular biology focuses on characterization of enzyme mutants. However, synthesis and analysis of experimental mutants is time consuming and expensive. We describe a machine-learning approach for inferring the activity levels of all unexplored single point mutants of an enzyme, based on a training set of such mutants with experimentally measured activity. Results: Based on a Delaunay tessellation-derived four-body statistical potential function, a perturbation vector measuring environmental changes relative to wild type (wt) at every residue position uniquely characterizes each enzyme mutant for model development and prediction. First, a measure of model performance utilizing area (AUC) under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve surpasses 0.83 and 0.77 for data sets of experimental HIV-1 protease and T4 lysozyme mutants, respectively. Additionally, a novel method is introduced for evaluating statistical significance associated with the number of correct test set predictions obtained from a trained model. Third, 100 stratified random splits of the protease and T4 lysozyme mutant data sets into training and test sets achieve 77.0% and 80.8% mean accuracy, respectively. Next, protease and T4 lysozyme models trained with experimental mutants are used to predict activity levels for all remaining mutants; a subsequent search for publications reporting on dozens of these test mutants reveals that experimental results are matched by 79% and 86% of predictions, respectively. Finally, learning curves for each mutant enzyme system indicate the influence of training set size on model performance. Availability: Prediction databases at http://proteins.gmu.edu/automute/ Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Some Forms of the Strain Energy Function for Rubber

Abstract According to Rivlin's Phenomenological Theory of Rubber Elasticity, the elastic properties of a rubber may be described in terms of a strain energy function which is an infinite power series in the strain invariants I1, I2 and I3. The simplest forms of Rivlin's strain energy function are the neo-Hookean, which is obtained by truncating the infinite series to just the first term in I1, and the Mooney-Rivlin, which retains the first terms in I1 and I2. Recently, we proposed a strain energy function which is a cubic in I1. Conceptually, the proposed function is a material model with a shear modulus that varies with deformation. In this paper, we compare the large strain behavior of rubber as predicted by these forms of the strain energy function. The elastic behavior of swollen rubber is also discussed.
Establishment of a rat and guinea pig aortic interposition graft model reveals model-specific patterns of intimal hyperplasia.

Objective Although the aortic interposition bypass model has been widely used to evaluate biomaterials for bypass grafting, there is no comprehensive description of the procedure or of the distribution of intimal hyperplasia that results. The objectives of this study were to (1) review and summarize approaches of aortic interposition grafting in animal models, (2) determine the pertinent anatomy for this procedure, (3) validate this model in the rat and guinea pig, and (4) compare the distribution of intimal hyperplasia that develops in each species. Methods A literature search was performed in PubMed from 1980 to the present to analyze the use of anesthesia, anticoagulation, antiplatelet agents, graft material, suture, and anastomotic techniques. Using 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and Hartley guinea pigs, we established pertinent aortic anatomy, developed comparable models, and assessed complications for each model. At 30 days, the graft and associated aorta were explanted, intimal formation was assessed morphometrically, and cellularity was assessed via nuclear counting. Results We reviewed 30 articles and summarized the pertinent procedural findings. Upon establishing both animal models, key anatomic differences between the species that affect this model were noted. Guinea pigs have a much larger cecum, increased retroperitoneal fat, and lack the iliolumbar vessels compared with the rat. Surgical outcomes for the rat model included a 53% technical success rate and a 32% technical error rate. Surgical outcomes for the guinea pig model included a 69% technical success rate and a 31% technical error rate. These two species demonstrated unique distribution of intimal hyperplasia at 30 days. Intimal hyperplasia in the rat model was greatest at two areas, the proximal graft (5400 μm 2 ; P 2 ; P 2 ; P Conclusions In this report, we summarize the literature on the aortic interposition graft model, present a detailed description of the anatomy and aortic interposition graft procedure in the rat and guinea pig, and describe a unique distribution of intimal formation that results in both species. This information will be helpful when designing studies to evaluate novel graft materials in the future.
Resource Switching and Species Coexistence in Guenons: A Community Analysis of Dietary Flexibility

Competition is generally viewed to be an important variable in structuring communities of closely related species occupying similar trophic space and may be most intense over limiting resources. Here, I have evaluated how cercopithecoids with extensive dietary overlap coexist. I examined species patterns of resource switching and expected species differences that relate to differences in digestive strategies between colobines and cercopithecines. Overall, the three cercopithecines had higher frequencies of resource switching than the colobine. Cercopithecus ascanius was found to have the most diverse diet and engaged in the most resource switching. I suggest that resource switching is facilitated by digestive flexibility. Such a mechanism may allow species packing and coexistence because it allows animals a means to switch to other dietary resources in the presence of other animal competitors or during times of seasonal scarcity. However, resource switching need not necessarily have evolved as a consequence of past competition. This may be either a retained primitive feature or one that evolved multiple times during population divergence that facilitated coexistence when species later came together.
Building Freight-friendly Environment☆

This study uses data collected from pole-mounted portable video recorders to shed light on delivery vehicle activities and their interactions and impacts on other stakeholders who share urban space. Data were collected at over 60 locations in the Chicago area in the summer of 2013. The overreaching aim of the study is to facilitate infrastructure design and management that can better accommodate delivery trucks and reduce conflicts with other road and sidewalk users.
Crystal orientation measurements using transmission and backscattering

A method has been devised and tested for measuring the c-axis orientation of crystal grains in thin sections of glacier ice. The crystal orientation and grain size of ice are of great interest to glaciologists since these parameters contain information on the prior thermal and flow history of the ice. The traditional method of determining c-axis orientation involves a transmission measurement through an ice sample, a process that is time-consuming and therefore impractical for obtaining a continuous record. A reflection- or backscatter-based method could potentially be used inside boreholes, with bubbles as reflectors to avoid such drawbacks. The concept demonstration of this paper is performed on ice slices, enabling a direct comparison of accuracy with traditional methods. Measurements of the crystal orientations (θ, ϕ) in 11 grains showed an average error of ±0.8° in ϕ, with no grain error >1.4°. Measurements of θ showed an average error of ±8.2° on ten grains, with unexplained disagreement on the remaining grain. Although the technique is applied specifically to glacier ice, it should be generally applicable to any transparent birefringent polycrystalline material.
How to Search for a C. elegans Homologue of Your Gene

線虫 C. elegans は、発生や神経系を研究するためのモデル生物としてよく用いられていますが、最近、ゲノムの全塩基配列がほぼ決定され、Science (1998), 282, 2011-2045に発表されました。C. elegans は、遺伝子をノックアウトする逆遺伝学的手法や古典遺伝学的手法も使えることから、生物学的機能の明らかでない遺伝子を研究するためのモデル生物として、線虫研究者以外からも注目されてきています。ここでは、自分の研究している(興味のある)遺伝子のホモログが、線虫に存在しているかどうか、インターネット上で検索するにはどうしたらよいのかについて簡単に説明します。DDBJを用いる方法についてはすでに紹介されています [TIGG (1999), 11, 119-127] ので、ワシントン大学及びサンガーセンターのサーチサービスを用いる方法について説明します。
Assimilation as Concept and as Process

ion and derivative of culture. It is a long step from the employment of such a concept in cultural studies to the equation of the basic personality structure of any society with the personal character of individuals who compose that
Phase II trial of vinblastine in advanced ovarian carcinoma. A Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

A phase II trial of vinblastine in patients with refractory epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma of the ovary was conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) between March 9, 1988 and July 7, 1988. Vinblastine was administered in a dose of 9 mg/m2 intravenously every three weeks until disease progression or toxicity supervened. Twenty patients were entered initially. One was ineligible due to a previous primary cancer. Thus, 19 patients are evaluable for toxicity and response. All patients had cisplatin-combination chemotherapy and four had prior radiotherapy. Median age was 63 years (range 40–75 years). Thirteen patients had disease in the pelvis and six had extrapelvic metastases. Ten patients had grade 3 lesions and seven had grade 2. A median of two courses (range: 1–6) were administered. Toxicity was moderate. Seven patients (36.8%) experienced GOG grade 3 or 4 leukocytopenia and six had grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia. Median nadir WBC was 2,000 cells/μ1 (range 600–3,500) and platelet nadirs for the three patients with thrombocytopenia were 60,000, 116,000, and 147,000. Other toxicity included grade 3 gastrointestinal and renal toxicity in one patient each. Seven patients (36.8%) had stable disease on therapy and 12 had increasing disease. No responses were observed. Vinblastine in this dose and schedule is inactive in patients with resistant epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma progressing on first-line chemotherapy.
Solution-processed organic solar cells from dye molecules: an investigation of diketopyrrolopyrrole:vinazene heterojunctions.

Although one of the most attractive aspects of organic solar cells is their low cost and ease of fabrication, the active materials incorporated into the vast majority of reported bulk heterojunctio...
Comparison of Different Diagnostic Criteria of Metabolic Syndrome in Shanghai Adults Aged 35-74 Years

[Objective] To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MS) disease cluster under different diagnostic criteria of International Diabetes Federation(IDF,2005),Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ(ATPⅢ,2001) of the U.S.National Cholesterol Education Program,and Chinese Diabetes Society(CDS,2004).[Methods] A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shanghai among 7 414 35-74-year-old adults selected by stratified cluster random sampling method.[Results] According to definitions in IDF,ATPⅢ and CDS,the prevalence of MS was 25.75%(21.45%),19.81%(16.21%) and 22.23%(17.78%) respectively(age-standardized prevalence shown in the parenthesis).MS prevalence was higher in female than in male under IDF and ATPⅢ definitions,and was higher in urban residents than in rural ones.Kappa test showed that the agreement among three definitions was high and the highest Kappa coefficient was 0.593 between CDS and ATPⅢ.[Conclusion] MS is becoming a major public health problem in Shanghai.All the three definitions may apply to Shanghai adults,however,each need to be further evaluated and studied for better application.
Determination of Pesticide Residues in Foods by Acetonitrile Extraction and Partitioning with Magnesium Sulfate: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted to determine multiple pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables using a quick, simple, inexpensive, and effective sample preparation method followed by concurrent analysis with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). For short, the method is known as QuEChERS, which stands for quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe. Twenty representative pesticides were fortified in 3 matrixes (grapes, lettuces, and oranges) at 3 duplicate levels unknown to the collaborators ranging from 10 to 1000 ng/g. Additionally, 8 incurred pesticide residues were determined. Thirteen laboratories from 7 countries provided results in the study, and a variety of different instruments were used by collaborators. The QuEChERS procedure simply entails 3 main steps: (1) a 15 g homogenized sample is weighed into a 50 mL centrifuge tube to which 15 mL acetonitrile containing 1% HOAc is added along with 6 g MgSO4 and 1.5 g NaOAc, and the tube is shaken and centrifuged; (2) a portion of the extract is mixed with 3 + 1 (w/w) MgSO4-primary secondary amine sorbent (200 mg/mL extract) and centrifuged; and (3) the final extract is analyzed by GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. To detect residues <10 ng/g in GC/MS, large-volume injection of 8 microL is typically needed, or the extract can be concentrated to 4 g/mL in toluene, in which case 2 microL splitless injection is used. In the study, the averaged results for data from 7-13 laboratories (not using internal standardization) for the 18 blind duplicates at the 9 spiking levels in the 3 matrixes are as follows [%recovery and reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSD(R), %)]: atrazine, 92 (18); azoxystrobin, 93 (15); bifenthrin, 90 (16); carbaryl, 96 (20); chlorothalonil, 70 (34); chlorpyrifos, 89 (25); cyprodinil, 89 (19); o,p'-DDD, 89 (18); dichlorvos, 82 (21); endosulfan sulfate, 80 (27); imazalil, 77 (33); imidacloprid, 96 (16); linuron, 89 (19); methamidophos, 87 (17); methomyl, 96 (17); procymidone, 91 (20); pymetrozine, 69 (19); tebuconazole, 89 (15); tolylfluanid (in grapes and oranges), 68 (33); and trifluralin, 85 (20). For incurred pesticides, kresoxim-methyl (9.2 +/- 3.2 ng/g) and cyprodinil (112 +/- 18) were found in the grapes; permethrins (112 +/- 41), lamda-cyhalothrin (58 +/- 11), and imidacloprid (12 +/- 2) were determined in the lettuces; and ethion (198 +/- 36), thiabendazole (53 +/- 8), and imazalil (13 +/- 4) were determined in the oranges. Chlorpyrifosmethyl (200 ng/g) was used as a quality control standard added during sample homogenization and yielded 86% recovery and 19% RSD(R). Intralaboratory repeatabilities for the method averaged 9.8% RSD for all analytes. The results demonstrate that the method is fit-for-purpose to monitor many pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, and the Study Director recommends that it be adopted Official First Action.
Biofeedback in Urology Using Urodynamics: Preliminary Observations

AbstractBiofeedback training aided by urodynamic instrumentation produced significant clinical improvement in 4 of 8 urological patients. The display of electromyographic activity of the periurethral striated muscles was facilitated by the use of a new intraurethral catheter with 5 surface mounted electrodes. This modality of treatment seems worth considering for selected patients with urinary retention or urinary incontinence.
Odontoma in a 255-Million-Year-Old Mammalian Forebear.

This study describes cancer in a 255-million-year-old mammalian forebear and comments on the implications for establishing the phylogenetic and physiologic conditions under which such pathologic conditions first arose.
Some kids are left behind: The failure of a perspective, using critical race theory to expand the coverage in the sociology of youth sports

Sports are no longer simply extracurricular activities. For many children, sports are curricular, central to their identity, development, and peer and familial relationships. However, sport scholars and sociologists spend little time trying to learn and understand the huge growth in youth sports participation and even less attention to the role of race in youth sports. Sociology could offer much more, but suffers from what James McKee calls (1993) “the failure of a perspective” with regard to studying and understanding race, racism, and race relations. Critical Race Theory can help to extend the coverage of youth sports to include more input from Youth and of Scholars of Color. In this article, we review a current debate in the sociology of youth sports, which illustrates the gap in understanding the experiences of youth of color and Black athletes in particular. And, we provide solutions and ideas for future research.
A novel polymer-coated nanoparticle (NP) for urothelium penetration and drug delivery.

e15543 Background: Up to 40% of patients with non-invasive bladder cancer (BC) will develop invasive disease progression despite locally-directed therapy. Overcoming the urothelial barrier is a challenge for intravesical drug delivery. We designed a biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) NP coated with a novel cell penetrating polymer, poly (guanidinium oxanorbornene) (PGON) for testing against BC in vitro and in vivo. We chose to deliver the HDAC inhibitor belinostat (bel) for its BC cell cytotoxicity and inhibition of invasion & migration pathways; key mechanisms that enable progression of BC. Methods: Fluorophore (C6) or bel was encapsulated in PLGA using an oil/water nanoemulsion method, and surface coated with PGON, and then characterized for morphology, size, and loading. BC cell lines UM-UC-3 and T24 were treated with belinostat or NP-bel-PGON vs controls for assessment of cytotoxicity and acetyl-H4 histone expression over time. In vivo murine bladder and ex vivo human ureter were treated ...
Scalable synthesis of bryostatin 1 and analogs, adjuvant leads against latent HIV.

Bryostatin 1 is an exceedingly scarce marine-derived natural product that is in clinical development directed at HIV/AIDS eradication, cancer immunotherapy, and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this unique portfolio of indications, its availability has been limited and variable, thus impeding research and clinical studies. Here, we report a total synthesis of bryostatin 1 that proceeds in 29 total steps (19 in the longest linear sequence, >80% average yield per step), collectively produces grams of material, and can be scaled to meet clinical needs (~20 grams per year). This practical solution to the bryostatin supply problem also opens broad, facile, and efficient access to derivatives and potentially superior analogs.
The Growing Role of Mass Spectrometry

Since the late 1950s when it was first demonstrated that the amino acid sequence of small peptides can be deduced from the mass spectrum of a suitable volatile derivative (1), mass spectrometry has contributed to certain areas of protein structure determination. The identification of N-terminal blocking groups, which are a severe obstacle in the sequential Edman degradation, and the identification of unusual or modified amino acids in peptides were the problems most frequently solved. The major disadvantage of conventional mass spectrometric techniques in protein chemistry was the requirement that the sample to be analyzed had to be somewhat volatile and limited in molecular size, certainly less than 2000 daltons.
Unusual Complication of Nasal CPAP: Subcutaneous Emphysema Following Facial Trauma

Subcutaneous emphysema is an unusual complication of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We report a case of a 58-year-old man who fell and sustained mild facial trauma to the left side of his head. After using CPAP the following night, he developed diffuse subcutaneous emphysema of his face and left neck. He discontinued CPAP, and his symptoms improved. The potential mechanisms of this patient's subcutaneous emphysema and the prior reports of this complication following facial trauma or dental procedure without use of CPAP are reviewed. Although there are case reports of bacterial meningitis and pneumocephalus following use of nasal CPAP, we are not aware of any prior reports of subcutaneous emphysema following use of CPAP. In light of our experience and the above related case reports, we would suggest nasal CPAP be withheld temporarily in the setting of acute facial trauma.
Replica Placement and Request Routing

All content delivery networks must decide where to place its content and how to direct the clients to this content. This chapter provides an overview of state-of-the-art solution approaches in both of these areas. But, instead of giving a detailed description on each of the solutions, we provide a high-level overview and compare the approaches by their impact on the client-perceived performance and cost of the content delivery network. This way, we get a better understanding of the practical implications of applying these algorithms in content delivery networks. We end the chapter with a discussion on some open and interesting research challenges in this area.
Self-referentiality in the Brouwer–Heyting–Kolmogorov Semantics of Intuitionistic Logic

The intended provability semantics of Intuitionistic Propositional Logic IPC (also called Brouwer–Heyting–Kolmogorov semantics) has been formalized within Godel-Artemov’s framework. According to this approach, IPC is embedded in modal logic S4 by Godel embedding and S4 is realized in Artemov’s Logic of Proofs LP which has a provability interpretation in Peano Arithmetic. Artemov’s realization of S4 in LP uses self-referential LP-formulas of the form \(t\!\!:\!\!\phi(t)\), namely, ‘t is a proof of a formula φ containing t itself.’ Kuznets showed that this is not avoidable by offering S4-theorems that cannot be realized without using self-referential LP-formulas. This paper extends Kuznets’ method to find IPC-theorems that call for direct self-referentiality in LP. Roughly speaking, examples include double-negations of tautologies that are not IPC-theorems, e.g., \(\neg\neg(\neg\neg p\!\rightarrow\! p)\), and there are also examples in the purely implicational fragment IPC → . This suggests that the Brouwer–Heyting–Kolmogorov semantics of intuitionistic logic is intrinsically self-referential.
Modeling Issues and Applications

Modeling issues raised in Chapters 1 and 2 are now explored in more detail within the context of resource decision problems from several application areas, in particular: range, timber, multiple-use; infrastructure rehabilitation/maintenance, in particular, for highway pavements; agriculture, irrigation, water supply; energy generation, in particular, hydroelectric energy; other potential applications, for example, soil-conservation, land reclamation, mining, pest control and aquaculture.
Oral pemphigoid: Subset of cicatricial pemphigoid?

Abstract Objective. Cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies with a varied heterogeneous clinical spectrum. We sought to characterize a subset of patients with disease limited to the oral cavity. Study Design. Twenty-nine random patients with vesiculobullous disease limited to the oral cavity were studied. We identified patients by clinical criteria, the presence of subepidermal/subepithelial bullae on routine histopathologic study, and deposition of IgG, complement, or both on the BMZ of perilesional tissue by immunopathological studies. Treatment included local and systemic therapies. Patients were monitored for a mean period of 6.7 years (range, 3.5 to 11 years). Results. The female/male ratio was 4.8:1. Patients with limited or minimal disease received local therapy only. In patients with extensive or severe disease, the use of dapsone yielded significant clinical improvement. Long-term follow-up showed that patients with severe disease treated with dapsone followed a clinical course similar to that in patients with minimal disease. Conclusions. Oral pemphigoid is a distinct clinical subset of CP. Overall it has a relatively benign course compared with that in patients with CP involving the oral cavity and other mucosae and the skin. Patients with minimal disease respond satisfactorily to topical therapy. Patients with severe and extensive disease benefit from dapsone therapy. In most patients the clinical course is prolonged and treatment is required for several months; in our study the mean treatment period was 42 months (range, 24 to 78 months). All the patients in this study went into clinical remission and remained in remission on cessation of therapy. No other mucosae or the skin were involved during the follow-up period.
Review of analytical studies on TiO2 nanoparticles and particle aggregation, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, stabilization

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used in industrial and consumer products. Comprehensive and accurate detection, characterization, and quantification of TiO2 NPs are important for understanding the specific property, behavior, fate, and potential risk of TiO2 NPs in natural and engineered environments. This review provides a summary of recent analytical studies of TiO2 NPs and their aggregation, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, stabilization under a wide range of conditions and processes. Much attention is paid on sample preparation prior to an analytical procedure, analysis of particle size, morphology, structure, state, chemical composition, surface properties, etc., via measurements of light scattering and zeta potential, microscopy, spectroscopy, and related techniques. Recently, some advanced techniques have also been explored to characterize TiO2 NPs and their behaviors in the environment. Many issues must be considered including distinction between engineered TiO2 NPs and their naturally occurring counterparts, lack of reference materials, interlaboratory comparison, when analyzing low concentrations of TiO2 NPs and their behaviors in complex matrices. No "ideal" technique has emerged as each technique has its own merits, biases, and limitations. Multi-method approach is highlighted to provide in-depth information. Improvements of analytical method for determination of TiO2 NPs have been recommended to be together with exposure modelers and ecotoxicologists for maximum individual and mutual benefit. Future work should focus on developing analytical technology with the advantages of being reliable, sensitive, selective, reproducible, and capable of in situ detection in complicated sample system.
Optical properties of excitons in buckled two-dimensional materials in an external electric field

We study the binding energies and optical properties of direct and indirect excitons in monolayers and double-layer heterostructures of Xenes: silicene, germanene, and stanene. It is demonstrated that an external electric field can be used to tune the eigenenergies and optical properties of excitons by changing the effective mass of charge carriers. Our calculations show that the existence of the excitonic insulator phase is plausible in freestanding Xenes at small electric fields. The Schr\"odinger equation with field-dependent exciton reduced mass is solved by using the Rytova-Keldysh (RK) potential for direct excitons, while both the RK and Coulomb potentials are used for indirect excitons. It is shown that for indirect excitons, the choice of interaction potential can cause huge differences in the eigenenergies at large electric fields and significant differences even at small electric fields. Furthermore, our calculations show that the choice of material parameters has a significant effect on the binding energies and optical properties of direct and indirect excitons. These calculations contribute to the rapidly growing body of research regarding the excitonic and optical properties of this new class of two-dimensional semiconductors.
A Novel Expandable Catheter Wireless Amplified NMR Detector for MR Sensitivity Accessing the Kidney in Rodent Model

This paper demonstrates the enlarged effective range for MRI sensitivity enhancement with a deformable catheter MRI coils integrated with a wirelessly powered amplifier. The expandable balloon wireless amplified nuclear magnetic resonance detector (WAND) is constructed on a copper-clad polyimide film to resonate at the first and second harmonics of the proton Larmor frequency at 7 Tesla. The WAND is then mounted on a balloon catheter system for easy delivery inside confined orifice. Upon reaching the region of interest, it is unfolded out of the sheath tube to increase its effective size. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging experiments with and without the WAND are performed both in a water phantom and in a live rat to evaluate the WAND's sensitivity advantage. Expanded from a 3 mm diameter in its folded state, this deformable WAND can change its width by >100% in its inflated state to at least 6 mm, leading to a sensitive detection region extending to up to 20 mm in the transverse direction. When the deformable WAND is placed in an artery in the region of the kidney of a live rat, it could achieve at least a 10-fold SNR gain over images acquired by a standard external detector of 22 mm diameter, even though the region of interest is separated from the WAND's surface by a distance larger than the WAND's own width. The proposed expandable catheter WAND could significantly enlarge the effective range for MR sensitivity enhancement in-vivo , enabling versatile applications in interventional MRI.
ISSLS PRIZE IN BIOENGINEERING SCIENCE 2019: biomechanical changes in dynamic sagittal balance and lower limb compensatory strategies following realignment surgery in adult spinal deformity patients.

A longitudinal cohort study. To define a set of objective biomechanical metrics that are representative of adult spinal deformity (ASD) post-surgical outcomes and that may forecast post-surgical mechanical complications. Current outcomes for ASD surgical planning and post-surgical assessment are limited to static radiographic alignment and patient-reported questionnaires. Little is known about the compensatory biomechanical strategies for stabilizing sagittal balance during functional movements in ASD patients. We collected in-clinic motion data from 15 ASD patients and 10 controls during an unassisted sit-to-stand (STS) functional maneuver. Joint motions were measured using noninvasive 3D depth mapping sensor technology. Mathematical methods were used to attain high-fidelity joint-position tracking for biomechanical modeling. This approach provided reliable measurements for biomechanical behaviors at the spine, hip, and knee. These included peak sagittal vertical axis (SVA) over the course of the STS, as well as forces and muscular moments at various joints. We compared changes in dynamic sagittal balance (DSB) metrics between pre- and post-surgery and then separately compared pre- and post-surgical data to controls. Standard radiographic and patient-reported outcomes significantly improved following realignment surgery. From the DSB biomechanical metrics, peak SVA and biomechanical loads and muscular forces on the lower lumbar spine significantly reduced following surgery (− 19 to − 30%, all p < 0.05). In addition, as SVA improved, hip moments decreased (− 28 to − 65%, all p < 0.05) and knee moments increased (+ 7 to + 28%, p < 0.05), indicating changes in lower limb compensatory strategies. After surgery, DSB data approached values from the controls, with some post-surgical metrics becoming statistically equivalent to controls. Longitudinal changes in DSB following successful multi-level spinal realignment indicate reduced forces on the lower lumbar spine along with altered lower limb dynamics matching that of controls. Inadequate improvement in DSB may indicate increased risk of post-surgical mechanical failure. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Location Determination of Transient Cable Fault by Graphical Analysis of Time-Domain Waveform with Impact of Load Distribution

This paper is a continuation of fault location research specifically for self-clearing, transient underground cable faults in power distribution systems. From the initial inverse time-domain approach to the graphical implementation of the algorithm, the focus has been an improvement in accuracy of the algorithm in real situations. The primary focus of this paper is to investigate the influence of the load center location on the accuracy of fault location estimation. Varied load configurations and load profiles are implemented and transient faults are staged to determine the load impact. The tests involve the use of fault data generated from simulations under different multi-spatial loads in ATP/EMTP and a validation using preset cable parameters. The findings made from the study include a comparison of the results from faults at different sections along cables that lie in between loads. Initial observations are discussed with respect to the impact of varied load center locations.
Contemporary outcomes after carotid endarterectomy in high-risk anatomic and physiologic patients

Abstract Objective Current guidelines state that the acceptable 30-day postoperative stroke/death rate after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing CEA from 2011 to 2017 in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program vascular targeted database. Patients with high-risk anatomic or physiologic characteristics were identified by a predefined variable and were compared with normal-risk patients. The primary outcome was 30-day stroke/death, stratified by symptom status. Results We identified 25,788 patients undergoing CEA, of whom 60% were treated for asymptomatic carotid disease. Among all patients, high-risk physiology or anatomy was associated with higher rates of 30-day stroke/death compared with normal-risk patients (physiologic risk, 4.6% vs 2.3% [P Conclusions As currently selected, contemporary real-world outcomes after CEA in asymptomatic carotid disease patients meeting high-risk physiologic criteria show an unacceptably high 30-day stroke/death rate, well above the 3% threshold. These results suggest the need for better selection of patients and preoperative optimization before elective CEA.
Effect of Clinically Meaningful Antibiotic Concentrations on Recovery of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Anaerobic Blood Culture Bottles with and without Antibiotic Binding Resins

ABSTRACT Blood cultures are routinely collected in pairs of aerobic and anaerobic bottles. Artificial sterilization of Gram-negative bacteria in aerobic bottles containing clinically meaningful antibiotic concentrations has previously been observed. This study assessed recovery from anaerobic bottles with and without antibiotic binding resins. We studied the recovery of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae when exposed to meropenem, imipenem, cefepime, cefazolin, levofloxacin, and piperacillin-tazobactam in resin-containing BacT/Alert FN Plus and BD Bactec Plus anaerobic/F bottles as well as resin-free BacT/Alert SN and BD Bactec standard anaerobic bottles. Bottles were inoculated with bacteria and whole blood containing peak, midpoint, or trough concentrations and incubated for up to 120 hours in their respective detection systems. In E. coli resin-containing bottles, recovery was observed in 10/24 (42%), 17/24 (71%), and 18/24 (75%) (P = 0.034) of those exposed to peak, midpoint, and trough concentrations, respectively. In K. pneumoniae resin-containing bottles, recovery was observed in 8/16 (50%), 10/16 (63%), and 10/16 (63%) (P = 0.710), respectively. No growth was detected in bottles containing cefepime regardless of concentration, while recovery was observed in the presence of all concentrations of cefazolin and piperacillin-tazobactam. Recovery in bottles with meropenem and imipenem was more frequently observed in BacT/Alert FN Plus bottles compared with Bactec Plus bottles. Resin-free bottles demonstrated significantly lower recovery than bottles containing binding resin. Clinical concentrations of certain antibiotics can adversely affect detection of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in anaerobic blood culture bottles. Obtaining blood cultures immediately before a dose and utilizing resin-containing anaerobic bottles will maximize the likelihood of recovery.
Usability of Existing Volunteer Water Monitoring Data: What Can the Literature Tell Us?

For decades citizen science has been used in environmental monitoring, and perhaps most commonly in water quality monitoring, as a tool to supplement professional data. Hundreds of volunteer monitoring efforts have generated datasets that cover large geographic areas over multiple years, and these large-scale datasets have been shown to be especially valuable for monitoring changes over time. Although volunteer water monitoring programs continue to grow worldwide, research shows that many of the existing datasets are still underutilized due to concerns about the accuracy of volunteer-collected data. An increasing number of “comparison studies” have attempted to address quality concerns by comparing volunteer data to professional data to assess relative accuracy, and the majority have reported that volunteer data are of a quality comparable to professional data. Nearly all of these studies, however, focused on a small subset of volunteer program data or data collected under experimental controls, and as such the results may not be applicable to existing, large-scale datasets with unknown controls and high levels of variation. Through a comprehensive look at water quality comparison studies to date, this review reveals a need for additional studies that specifically address the quality of highly variable, large-scale volunteer datasets and ultimately serve as a framework by which decades of volunteer efforts already in existence across the country can be better utilized.
Breast Imaging in Transgender Patients: What the Radiologist Should Know

Transgender is the umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from their assigned sex at birth. With the rise in patients undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery, it is increasingly important for radiologists to be aware of breast imaging considerations for this population. While diagnostic imaging protocols for transgender individuals are generally similar to those for cisgender women, screening guidelines are more variable. Currently, several professional and institutional guidelines have been created to address breast cancer screening in the transgender population, specifically screening mammography in transfeminine individuals who undergo hormone therapy. This article defines appropriate terminology with respect to the transgender population, reviews evidence for breast cancer risk and screening in transgender individuals, considers diagnostic breast imaging approaches, and discusses special considerations and challenges with regard to health care access and public education for these individuals. ©RSNA, 2019.
A Search for Submillimeter Galaxy Counterparts

In this paper, we look to find counterparts to our 450µm sources found in our SCUBA-2 imaging of the Chandra Deep Field – South (CDF-S). We chose sources greater than 4σ and found 21 sources. We then matched the sources to a published 850µm ALMA catalog. We matched the sources within a 4 arcsecond radius and found 12 matches to our 450µm sources. Using the fluxes from the SCUBA-2 CDF-S map and the ALMA 850µm fluxes from the catalog. We created a 450µm to 850µm flux ratio versus redshift plotted against an Arp220 spectral energy distribution (SED) at varying temperatures.
SECTION 18-3 – Electroporation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a method for stably introducing a linearized plasmid into the genome of cultured mammalian cells. A high-voltage pulse is generated in a foil-lined cuvette containing the mammalian cells and linearized DNA. The cells become permeable to DNA and take up the exogenous DNA. Some of that absorbed DNA is integrated into the genome, creating a stable transformant—cells with incorporated DNA. If the introduced plasmid contains a selectable marker, the stable integration event can be identified by growth in a selection medium. This method is used primarily for generating stable transformants. Transformation efficiencies vary between 10-4 and 10-6 transformants per cell, depending on the cell line used. The transformants are selected in a medium supplemented with an appropriate selectable marker at a level sufficient to kill nontransformed cells.
A multiscale cohesive law for carbon fiber networks

Abstract Better predictive models of mechanical failure in low-weight heat shield composites would aid material certification for missions with aggressive atmospheric entry conditions. Here, we develop such a model for the rapid engineering analysis of the failure limits of phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) - a leading heat shield material whose structural component is a carbon fiber network. We hypothesize inelastic deformation failure mechanisms and model their behavior using molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the binding energy. We then upscale this binding energy to the macroscale using a renormalization argument. The approach delivers insightful and reasonably accurate macroscale predictions that compare favorably to experiments. In application, the model is validated for a particular variety of PICA by comparison to experiment and would then be used to study design scenarios in different entry conditions.
Higher-order perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and interfacial damping of Co/Ni multilayers

We report on the experimental investigation of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in $\mathrm{Pt}/{[\mathrm{Co}/\mathrm{Ni}]}_{\mathrm{N}}/\mathrm{Ir}$ multilayers. Broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and polar angle dependent FMR measurements reveal the presence of a strong fourth-order contribution to the perpendicular anisotropy. By numerically solving the Smit-Beljers relation, we are able to fit the polar angle dependence of the resonance field and extract both the second and fourth-order anisotropy constants. While this model provides a qualitative description for all samples, we note that, for samples near or in the easy cone state of the phase diagram, systematic deviations emerge in the polar angle dependent data. The exchange stiffness of the multilayers is found to be lower than the weighted average of the exchange stiffness reported for Co and Ni in the literature. We find that the effective Gilbert damping scales with the inverse multilayer thickness, indicating a significant interfacial contribution to the damping process.
Unified Micromechanics of Finite Deformations

In this chapter finite (large) deformation micromechanics is discussed. Formulation is more complicated than small deformation theory; therefore, it is easier to explain with an example. Micromechanical modeling of polymer (PMMA) is used as an example. A dual-micro-mechanism rate-dependent constitutive model is used to describe thermo-mechanical response of amorphous polymers below and above glass transition temperature. Material property definitions, evolution of internal state variables, and plastic flow rules are revisited to provide a smooth and continuous transition in material response around glass transition temperature, θg.
The importance of warm habitat to the growth regime of cold-water fishes

A common goal of biological adaptation planning is to identify and prioritize locations that remain suitably cool during the summer. This implicitly devalues areas that are ephemerally warm, even if they are suitable most of the year for mobile animals. Here we develop an alternative conceptual framework, the growth regime, which considers seasonal and landscape variation in physiological performance, focusing on riverine fish. Using temperature models for 14 river basins, we show that growth opportunities propagate up and down river networks on a seasonal basis, and that downstream habitats that are suboptimally warm in summer may actually provide the majority of growth potential expressed annually. We demonstrate with an agent-based simulation that the shoulder-season use of warmer downstream habitats can fuel annual fish production. Our work reveals a synergy between cold and warm habitats that could be fundamental to support cold-water fisheries, and highlights the risk in conservation strategies that underappreciate warm habitats. Modelling riverine fish growth across warm and cool sections of a river network, the authors demonstrate that habitats that are suboptimally warm in summer may actually provide the majority of growth potential. This highlights a risk in conservation strategies that devalue ephemerally warm habitats.
Music Teacher Education Program Practices: Preparing Teachers to Work With Diverse Learners:

Music educators must meet the needs of students with diverse characteristics, including but not limited to cultural backgrounds, musical abilities and interests, and physical, behavioral, social, a...
Geometric vertex operator algebras

In this chapter we define the notion of geometric vertex operator algebra and prove that it is equivalent to that of vertex operator algebra. In Section 5.1 we discuss briefly graded vector spaces with finite-dimensional homogeneous subspaces and fix some notations. In Section 5.2 we define the notion of geometric vertex operator algebra assuming the convergence of certain projective factors. (The convergence of these projective factors will be proved in Section 6.7.) In Section 5.3, we give the algebraic definition of vertex operator algebra. We also give some immediate consequences of this definition and the duality properties in this section.
Dielectric Properties of Thin Films: Polarization and Effective Polarization

In thin films, with their amorphous or polycrystalline structure, a large number of dielectric polarization mechanisms are possible. These can be classified into two rather general groupings: those which occur due to the presence of interfaces and those which are characteristic of the thin film material itself. That is, this latter category does not owe its existence in any way to interfaces whereas the former exists because of interfaces. The mechanism basic to the first category is the presence of concentration modifications at electrodes and at interfaces, which may occur within the film. Although such interface effects are usually dismissed in dealing with bulk dielectric properties, they may dominate in thin film structures. Consequently their probable presence cannot be taken lightly. It should be pointed out that even in thick “bulk” samples of material it is well known that the interface effects can dominate as is the case for electrets.