cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The solubility of Carbon Dioxide and Methane in polyimides at elevated pressures

The solubility of CO2 and CH4 in five polyimides was measured at 35.0°C and at pressures up to 10 atm (147 psia). The concentration of the penetrant gases dissolved in the polymers can be represented satisfactorily as a function of penetrant pressure by the “dual-mode sorption” model. The solubility coefficients for CO2 and CH4, S(CO2) and S(CH4), increase in the polyimide order: The magnitude of the solubility coefficients appears to depend primarily on the intermolecular forces between the penetrant gases and the polymers. The values of these coefficients are greater for the polyimides with larger mean interchain spacings, but no one-to-one correspondence appears to exist in this respect. The lower solubility of CO2 in PMDA-4,4'-m-APPS compared with that in the 6FDA polyimides may be due to the lower “excess” free volume of the former polymer. The ratio S (CO2)/S (CH4) varies relatively little for a variety of PMDA and 6FDA polyimides.
The Golden Age of European growth: A review essay

This paper surveys recent scholarship on the economic growth of Europe during its Golden Age, 1950–73, as represented by three recent collections of essays. The essays generally agree that rapid economic growth in the Golden Age originated in reconstruction from World War II. They explore several different arguments to explain why the Golden Age continued after reconstruction was complete and use a variety of economic tools to argue that the Golden Age was a transitory historical phenomenon. There is far more agreement on the origins of the Golden Age than on its demise. I suggest that insights from new growth theory are limited and that the end of the Golden Age may have been brought about by the ‘shock’ of restrictive monetary policies used to combat inflation after the oil crises of the 1970s.
Lateral and radial corrosion propagation behavior of 9–21% Cr and 18% Cr + 2.8% Mo stainless steel reinforcing materials in simulated concrete environments

The life of a concrete structure exposed to deicing compounds or seawater is often been limited by chloride induced corrosion of the steel reinforcement. A complete assessment of the potential benefits afforded by new candidate rebar alloys must address both the lateral and radial corrosion propagation behavior in comparison to conventional steel as well as other factors that might affect the risk of corrosion-induced concrete cracking. The radial (depth) and lateral (length) corrosion propagation behavior of 18% Cr + 2.8% Mo (S31653) stainless steel, 21% Cr (S32101) duplex stainless steel, and 9% Cr steel compared to plain ASTM A615 carbon steel were characterized in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution. Radial pit growth was found to be Ohmically controlled for all materials but repassivation occurred more readily at high applied potentials for 18% Cr + 2.8% Mo and 21% Cr stainless steels. Conversely, pit growth on plain steel propagated at all applied anodic potentials and did not repassivate until deactivation by cathodic polarization. Stainless steel also showed the highest resistance to lateral corrosion propagation from an active site during microelectrode array testing. 21% Cr duplex stainless and 9% Cr steel showed similar radial propagation behavior and corrosion morphology, which was intermediate to that of plain steel and S31653 stainless steel. Based on an existing concrete cracking model, it is expected that 9–21% Cr and 18% Cr + 2.8% Mo corrosion resistant rebar materials would require a greater depth of corrosion attack than carbon steel before damaging concrete via corrosion product formation.
Cell-type-specific expression of catecholamine transporters in the rat brain

The dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) terminate catecholaminergic neurotransmission at synapses by high-affinity sodium-dependent reuptake into presynaptic terminals, and are the initial sites of action for drugs of abuse and antidepressants. In the present study, we used in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry to study the distribution of DAT and NET mRNA in the adult rat brain. Cells were first immunolabeled with antisera directed against one of the catecholamine-synthetic enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), or phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), in order to identify dopaminergic, noradrenergic, or epinephrine-containing cells. The immunolabeled cells were subsequently assayed for their ability to express catecholamine transporter mRNAs by in situ hybridization using either a rat DAT or NET cRNA probe. All dopaminergic cell groups of the mesencephalon contained high levels of DAT mRNA but only the A12 and A13 dopaminergic cell groups of the diencephalon appear to express detectable levels of DAT. All norepinephrine-containing cell bodies in the brainstem (locus coeruleus and lateral tegmentum) appear to express NET mRNA. In contrast, epinephrine-containing cell bodies of the brainstem do not appear to express NET mRNA, which raises the possibility that epinephrine may utilize a transporter that is distinct from the other bioactive amines, or may act as an endocrine regulator that does not require rapid reuptake mechanisms. Moreover, the cell-type-specific expression of catecholamine transporters suggests that DAT and NET gene expression may be closely linked to cellular mechanisms that specify transmitter phenotype. The termination of neurotransmission is a critical component of neural signaling and depends on the rapid removal of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft. Pharmacological evidence indicates that the action of monoamines at the synapse is terminated predominantly by rapid reuptake into presynaptic nerve endings via neurotransmitter-specific, high-affinity, Na(+)-dependent membrane transporter proteins. The cDNAs encoding distinct transporter proteins for the monoamines dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin have been cloned, expressed, and characterized in a variety of heterologous systems (Blakely et al., 1991; Giros et al., 1991; Hoffman et al., 1991; Kilty et al., 1991; Pacholczyk et al., 1991; Shimada et al., 1991; Usdin et al., 1991). Although the monoamine transporters share a high degree of sequence homology, they are distinguished by their monoamine substrate specificities and by their differential sensitivities to a wide spectrum of transport antagonists. For example, pharmacological agents that potently inhibit norepinephrine and serotonin transport, such as desmethylimipramine and citalopram, have little effect on the activity of the dopamine transporter (Javitch et al., 1983).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Plant Essential Oils Affect the Toxicities of Carbaryl and Permethrin Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Phytochemicals have been considered as alternatives for conventional pesticides because of their low mammalian toxicity and environmental safety. They usually display less potent insecticidal effects than synthetic compounds, but may express as yet unknown modes of action. In the current study, we evaluated 14 plant essential oils for their toxicities and synergistic effects with carbaryl and permethrin against fourth instars of Aedes aegypti (L.) as well as 5-7-d-old adults. Six essential oils showed significant synergistic effects with carbaryl at 10-50 mg/liter, but paradoxically all of them decreased the toxicity of permethrin against Ae. aegypti larvae. None showed toxicity or synergistic effects on Ae. aegypti adults, at doses up to 2,000 ng/ insect. The six essential oils displaying synergistic effects in Ae. aegypti larvae inhibited the in vitro activities of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and carboxylesterases in the low milligram per liter range. The data indicated that cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and carboxylesterase were probably targets for these natural synergists. Thus, the mechanism of synergism was most likely inhibition of metabolism and not interacting target site effects.
An Implanted Upper Extremity Neuroprosthesis Utilizing Myoelectric Control

Neuroprostheses use electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles to produce controlled limb movement. A first generation implanted neuroprosthesis for upper extremity function underwent a successful multi-center clinical trial and received FDA approval in 1997. We have now developed a family of second generation implanted neuroprosthetic systems. These systems provide control of grasp-release, forearm pronation, and elbow extension for individuals with cervical level spinal cord injury. The key feature of the advanced system is the capability to transmit data out of the body, allowing the use of implanted control sensors, thus minimizing the required external components. Clinical studies have been initiated with a second generation neuroprosthesis that consists of twelve stimulating electrodes, two myoelectric signal recording electrodes, an implanted stimulator-telemeter device and an external control unit and transmit/receive coil. This system has now been implemented in three C5/C6 spinal cord injured individuals, including one subject with bilateral implants. The results from these three subjects demonstrate that myoelectric signals can be recorded from voluntary muscles in the presence of electrical stimulation of nearby muscles. Myoelectric signals can be used for both discrete and proportional control signals. The results to date are promising, and all subjects have demonstrated improved function using the implanted neuroprosthesis
Small School Reform: The Challenges Faced by One Urban High School

This qualitative ethnographic case study explored the evolution of a public urban high school in its 3rd year of small school reform. The study focused on how the high school proceeded from its initial concept, moving to a small school program, and emerging as a new small high school. Data collection included interviews, observations, and document review to develop a case study of one small high school sharing a multiplex building. The first key finding, “Too Many Pieces, Not Enough Glue,” revealed that the school had too many new programs starting at once and they lacked a clear understanding of their concept and vision for their new small school, training on the Montessori philosophies, teaching and learning in small schools, and how to operate within a teacher-cooperative model. The second key finding, “A Continuous Struggle,” revealed that the shared building space presented problems for teachers and students. District policies remain unchanged, resulting in staff and students resorting to activist approaches to get things done. These findings offer small school reform leaders suggestions for developing and sustaining a small school culture and cohesion despite the pressures to revert back to topdown, comprehensive high school norms.
Incidence of erythromelalgia: a population‐based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota

OBJECTIVE To estimate the population-based incidence of erythromelalgia. Background Only one report describing the incidence of erythromelalgia has been published previously. STUDY DESIGN A population-based analysis of data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project. SETTING Tertiary care medical centre in Olmsted County, Minnesota (a rural county in the south-eastern portion of the state). PATIENTS Thirty-three residents of Olmsted County with a diagnosis of erythromelalgia during the study period. METHODS Age- and sex-specific incidence rates of erythromelalgia were determined. INTERVENTION None. MAIN OUTCOME Population-based incidence rate. RESULTS The overall age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate (95% confidence interval, 95% CI) was 1.3 (0.8-1.7) per 100,000 people per year. The incidence of primary and secondary erythromelalgia was 1.1 (0.7-1.5) and 0.2 (0.02-0.4) per 100,000 people per year, respectively. The age-adjusted incidence rates (95% CI) were 2.0 (1.2-2.7) per 100,000 women and 0.6 (0.1-1.1) per 100,000 men. The study was limited by the small sample size and potential variability in recognition of erythromelalgia. CONCLUSION The population-based incidence of erythromelalgia has increased with each decade in Olmsted County over the past three decades; overall incidence was 1.3 per 100,000 people per year, approximately 5 times higher than previously reported.
Thrombophilic state in cancer, Part I: Biology, incidence, and risk factors

Division of Surgical Oncology, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,Miami, FloridaThe association between malignancy and thrombosis has long been appreciated but remains incompletely understood. This is the ﬁrst of atwo-part review of the complex, integral relationship between these two entities, and addresses the mechanisms and pathogenesis of thisrelationship and the clinical risk factors for thromboembolism in cancer patients.
A novel mechanism for implementing multiple collocated spherical joints

The paper presents the spherical joint mechanism, a new mechanism for implementing multiple collocated spherical joints. The mechanism is designed to be strong, rigid, easy to build and have a large range of motion. Two different design concepts are presented and compared to other implementations of spherical joints previously proposed. Finally, implementation issues and potential applications of the spherical joint mechanism are discussed.
Posterior inferior cerebellar artery reimplantation: buffer lengths, perforator anatomy, and technical limitations

OBJECTIVE Reimplantation of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) to the vertebral artery (VA) is a safe and effective bypass option after deliberate PICA sacrifice during the treatment of nonsaccular and dissecting aneurysms at this location. However, the anatomy and limitations of this technique have not been studied. The goal of this study was to define the surgical anatomy and buffer lengths specific to the proximal segment of the PICA related to 2 variations of PICA reimplantation: 1) reimplantation "along-VA" (simulating a dissecting VA aneurysm), and 2) reimplantation "across-VA" (simulating a nonclippable, proximal PICA aneurysm). METHODS Ten cadaver heads (20 sides) were prepared for surgical simulation. Twenty far-lateral approaches were performed. The PICA was mobilized and reimplanted onto the VA according to 2 different paradigms: 1) transposition along the axis of the VA (along-VA) to simulate a dissecting VA, and 2) transposition perpendicular to the axis of the VA (across-VA) to simulate a nonclippable, proximal PICA aneurysm. The buffer lengths provided by mobilization of the artery in each paradigm were measured and the anatomy of perforator branching on the proximal PICAs was analyzed. RESULTS The PICA was reimplanted in all surgical simulations. The most common perforating artery on the P1 and P2 segments was the short circumflex type. No direct perforator was found on the P1 segment. The mean buffer length with reimplantation along the VA axis was 13.43 ± 4.61 mm, and it was 6.97 ± 4.04 mm with reimplantation across the VA. The PICA was less maneuverable when it was reimplanted across the VA, due to perforator branches of the PICA (P3 segment). CONCLUSIONS The buffer lengths measured in this study describe the limitations of PICA reimplantation as a revascularization procedure for nonsaccular aneurysms in this location. PICA reimplantation is a revascularization option for dissecting VA aneurysms incorporating the PICA origin that are < 13 mm in length, and for nonsaccular proximal PICA aneurysms that are < 6 mm in diameter. The final decision to reimplant the PICA depends on careful inspection of perforator anatomy that is not visible preoperatively on angiography, as well as an assessment of technical difficulty intraoperatively.
A MECHATRONIC THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MOBILE FUEL CELLS

Abstract The evolution of ground transportation power sources from internal combustion engines to a hybrid architecture featuring a fuel cell stack and electric drives necessitates the re-design of the traditional cooling system. The common thermostat and mechanical pump are replaced by smart valves, variable speed pumps, and adjustable radiator fans. In the fuel cell, multiple cooling zones are proposed using servo-motor components to better regulate the temperature and moisture levels as prescribed by the operating conditions. In this paper, multiple thermal loops and dynamic models for a fuel cell cooling system will be presented. A scale experiment, emulating the main fuel cell cooling loop, validated the models and demonstrated temperature tracking capabilities. The coolant temperature was maintained in a ±1.5°C neighborhood of the set point.
Module-Scale Analysis of Pressure Retarded Osmosis: Performance Limitations and Implications for Full-Scale Operation

We investigate the performance of pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) at the module scale, accounting for the detrimental effects of reverse salt flux, internal concentration polarization, and external concentration polarization. Our analysis offers insights on optimization of three critical operation and design parameters—applied hydraulic pressure, initial feed flow rate fraction, and membrane area—to maximize the specific energy and power density extractable in the system. For co- and counter-current flow modules, we determine that appropriate selection of the membrane area is critical to obtain a high specific energy. Furthermore, we find that the optimal operating conditions in a realistic module can be reasonably approximated using established optima for an ideal system (i.e., an applied hydraulic pressure equal to approximately half the osmotic pressure difference and an initial feed flow rate fraction that provides equal amounts of feed and draw solutions). For a system in counter-current operation wi...
Operationalizing peace through commerce: Toward an empirical approach

Abstract Most scholars would agree that the goal of business is to create value. Yet, can there be anything more valuable than peace? This article tackles the following research question: How can, or do, businesses advance peace? It explains why peace through commerce is a topic worthy of study and sets out an empirical approach to operationalize it. The implementation of that approach remains in the future, but in this article, I seek to examine the contours of a possible approach. The proposed study will demonstrate how some businesses have already begun to move toward advancing peace and will give direction for how businesses could follow suit in the future. With both a content analysis and a panel data analysis, there would be data to help determine an index for peace through commerce, which would contribute a great deal to the existing body of literature. The proposed study will help scholars and practitioners alike understand the relationship between business and peace better.
Sleep EEG in Boys with Attention Deficit Disorder

Researchers at the University of Montreal, Canada, studied spectral analysis of non-REM sleep (stages 2, 3 and 4) and REM sleep EEG in 6 boys (age 10.3 +/- 1.2) with ADHD compared to 6 healthy controls.
The Case for Repeal and the Forces Favoring the Status Quo

This concluding chapter makes three major points. First, the 2001 AUMF will have met its intended purpose once the United States ends its combat role in Afghanistan and the core al Qaeda leaders are either dead or captured. Second, powerful obstacles stand in the way of the AUMF’s rightful repeal: organizational interests, irrational yet common reactions to risk, other psychological tendencies, and built-in political incentives. Finally, it is important to fight against these sources of inertia; not doing so will have real costs.
Observing complex systems thinking in the zone of proximal development

Our paper builds on the construct of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) (Vygotsky in Mind in society: the development of higher psychological processes, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1978) to analyze the relationship between students’ answers and the help they receive as they construct them. We report on a secondary analysis of classroom and interview data that was collected with 1st and 2nd grade students completing a short scaffolded inquiry project designed to help them learn about how honeybees collect nectar. We explore how the progression of questions reveal students’ understanding of complex systems by examining how students’ progression through the questions tended to become more sophisticated as we increased support. We further compare two complex-systems perspectives, Component-Mechanism-Phenomena and agent-based approaches, to see how each would categorize students’ explanations. Findings demonstrate the value of the ZPD as an analytic framework in exploring students’ systems understanding in terms of the nature of questions (e.g., sequencing, type of question) and multiple conceptual models (e.g., component-mechanisms-phenomenon, single agent or aggregate behaviors), and how this might impact students’ groupings according to their ability and subsequent instructional support.
Achievement of Weight Loss and Other Requirements of the Diabetes Prevention and Recognition Program A National Diabetes Prevention Program Network Based on Nationally Certified Diabetes Self-management Education Programs

PurposeThe purpose of this report is (1) to describe the use of the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ (AADE’s) model of implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program through nationally certified diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs and (2) to report the aggregated program outcomes as defined by the Diabetes Prevention and Recognition Program standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).MethodsIn 2012, the AADE worked with the CDC to select 30 certified DSME programs for National Diabetes Prevention Program delivery. For the following 3 years, the AADE continued to work with 25 of the 30 original programs. Results for all CDC recognition standards have been collected from these 25 programs and analyzed as aggregated data over the course of 36 months.ResultsAt the end of the full-year program, average percentage body weight loss for participants across all 25 programs exceeded the CDC’s minimum requirement of 5% weight loss. All programs on average m...
Pulitzer's Gold:A Century of Public Service Journalism: By Roy Harris Jr. New York: Columbia University Press, 2015, 488 pp.

This is an update of the 2007 edition. The book covers the 103 gold medals awarded for public service reporting. The author states, “Pulitzer's Gold examines the latest sixteen in detail,” and the ...
Enhancement of Cytogenetic Diagnosis of Myeloid Disorders through Application of SNP-Array-Based Karyotyping.

Abstract Cytogenetic testing improves diagnosis in myeloid disorders; chromosomal (chr) aberrations have important clinical implications. SNP arrays (SNP-A) can be applied for karyotyping with a superb resolution of unbalanced defects and detection of uniparental disomy (UPD). We stipulated that SNP-A will enhance diagnostic value of metaphase cytogenetics (MC) and uncover new random/recurrent lesions. We applied 250K SNP-A to analysis of 76 controls and 318 patients, including 95 MDS, 64 AA, 20 PNH, 48 MDS/MPD, and AML both as primary (N=32) and secondary (N=59). Multiple samples were obtained in 13 patients. Minimal clonal size detectable by SNP-A was 25–50% by dilution studies. Repetitive testing resulted in congruent results; analysis of chr X in males showed >99% fidelity. To obtain reference, deletions and duplications seen in controls were analyzed. These abnormalities correspond to germ line encoded copy number variants (CNV). In patients such CNV were not deemed pathogenic. SNP-A confirmed 82% of unbalanced chr lesions detected by MC; discordant cases included defects involving smaller clones ( i. it may help to distinguish AA from hypocellular MDS (clonal chr. defects, including UPD, occur in 33% of AA patients), ii. AA with normal SNP-A testing showed superior response to immunosuppression as compared to patients with a totally normal karyotype. Aside of the clinical relevance, new overlapping/recurrent lesions point towards genes involved in the disease process. We conclude that SNP-A karyotyping may enhance MC in diagnosis of chr. defects and allow for a better clinical correlations of the defects with the phnenotypic and clinical features.
Developmental-Play Group Counseling with Early Primary Grade Students Exhibiting Behavioral Problems

This research study was developed to investigate whether a structured discussion group on feelings)in combination with play group counseling can be effective as an intervention approach in working with disadvantaged primary grade children who are exhibiting disruptive classroom behavior. The general nature of the research hypotheses was that developmental play group counseling would not only reduce disruptive behavior of disadvantaged second grade students, but would also help to enhance these students' self concepts and attitudes toward school. None of the six hypotheses were confirmed. Developmental play group counseling did not significantly reduce "classroom disturbance" behavior, improve perceived self image, or improve attitude toward school over periods of time. The data indicated that play group counseling did significantly reduce "classroom disturbance" behavior after seven weeks of treatment, and maintained that general level of improvement eight weeks after the end of the study. The above finding suggested that play group counseling be utilized with disadvantaged early primary grade children who present behavior problems in school.
Review: Swahili Port Cities: The Architecture of Elsewhere, by Prita Meier

Prita Meier Swahili Port Cities: The Architecture of Elsewhere Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2016, 230 pp., 16 color and 68 b/w illus. $35 (paper), ISBN 9780253019158 Defining the Swahili, the peoples at the center of this book, is almost always fraught, not least because Swahili is only ever an approximate ethnic category, the putative constituents of which speak a unifying language that is one of the most thoroughly border crossing and widely spoken in Africa. Prita Meier's exploration of Swahili histories of architecture therefore encompasses other questions not bearing directly on architecture: Why do the Swahili, who typically claim origins in places far from the East African coast, construct their identity through such extra-African filiations? Are these claims true? And if so, are not Swahili peoples other than “African”? The book incorporates serious answers to these questions while constantly circling back to a critical address of its central issue: Can material culture, architecture especially, help frame such questions with more rigor and answer them more persuasively than have other disciplines? Perhaps because this world of Swahili things also helped construct its peoples’ rather unfamiliar kind of African ethnicity in the first place, Swahili Port Cities also explores how objects, broadly speaking, constitute and express Swahili identity and culture, even as they contest the former's meanings internally. Unlike other recent studies, Meier's is distinguished in part by its modern-era focus and by its engagement with both the African world and Indian Ocean maritime circuits. Unusually attentive also to things noncanonical, the book is especially concerned with architecture. Buildings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are often ignored in the scholarship in favor of centuries-old ruins and archaeological finds––the former thought either uninteresting or inauthentic, presumably because produced amid the unfolding of British colonialism. With determination, the author locates her account instead among the ordinary things of this period, viewed transculturally, while also bringing to their understanding a revaluation of both ancient histories and modern things. …
Differential MicroRNA Analyses of Burkholderia pseudomallei- and Francisella tularensis-Exposed hPBMCs Reveal Potential Biomarkers

Increasing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the immune response against infectious agents suggests that miRNA might be exploitable as signatures of exposure to specific infectious agents. In order to identify potential early miRNA biomarkers of bacterial infections, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) were exposed to two select agents, Burkholderia pseudomallei K96243 and Francisella tularensis SHU S4, as well as to the nonpathogenic control Escherichia coli DH5α. RNA samples were harvested at three early time points, 30, 60, and 120 minutes postexposure, then sequenced. RNAseq analyses identified 87 miRNAs to be differentially expressed (DE) in a linear fashion. Of these, 31 miRNAs were tested using the miScript miRNA qPCR assay. Through RNAseq identification and qPCR validation, we identified differentially expressed miRNA species that may be involved in the early response to bacterial infections. Based upon its upregulation at early time points postexposure in two different individuals, hsa-mir-30c-5p is a miRNA species that could be studied further as a potential biomarker for exposure to these gram-negative intracellular pathogens. Gene ontology functional analyses demonstrated that programmed cell death is the first ranking biological process associated with miRNAs that are upregulated in F. tularensis-exposed hPBMCs.
Optical Annealing of Black Silicon

Silicon hyperdoped with chalcogens using femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation (“black silicon”) shows strong broad-band absorption due to intermediate band formation and surface texturing; thus, this material has promise for advanced optoelectronic devices such as silicon-based infrared photodetectors and intermediate band solar cells. To reduce structural defects and form a rectifying junction after fs laser irradiation, however, annealing is necessary, which deactivates the optical effect of the dopant. Here, we investigated the use of laser-based optical annealing using nanosecond (ns) excimer pulses and found that it removes amorphous material resulting from the black silicon fabrication process while maintaining high above-bandgap and sub-bandgap absorption. We also studied the effect of ns optical annealing on the surface morphology of black silicon.
Social networking online to recover from opioid use disorder: A study of community interactions

Abstract Background Social media has increasingly become a venue for health discourse and support, particularly for vulnerable individuals. This study examines user-generated content of an online Reddit community targeting individuals recovering from opiate addiction. Methods 100 Reddit posts and their comments were collected from the online community on August 19, 2016. Posts were qualitatively coded for opioid use disorder (OUD) criteria as outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), as well as other common themes. Comments were coded for expression of distinct therapeutic factors (i.e., instillation of hope, universality, imparting information, and altruism). All posts and comments were coded for addiction phase of the author (i.e., using, withdrawing, recovering). Results 73 unique usernames authored the 100 posts. Among the 73 usernames, 33% (24/73) described enough symptoms in their posts to meet DSM-V criteria for OUD (16/73 or 22% mild severity, 7/73 or 10% moderate severity, and 1/73 or 1% high severity. Among the 100 posts, advice was requested in 43% (43/100) of the posts and support was sought in 24% (24/100) of the posts. There were 511 comments made on the 100 posts, nearly all of which contained at least one distinct therapeutic factor (486/511, 95%) with altruism being the most common (341/511, 67%). Conclusions This research provides validity to the supportive content generated on an online recovery-oriented community, while also revealing discussions of self-reported struggles with OUD among group members. Future research should explore the feasibility of incorporating social media-based peer support into traditional addiction treatments.
Encircle routing: An efficient deterministic network on chip routing algorithm

In the current era, with technology scaling heading towards deeper submicron, system-on-chip designs have traversed from basic CISC and RISC architectures to intricated multi-core systems with higher communication requirements. Network-on-chip architectures dawned as a favorable solution for the forthcoming system-on-chip communication architecture designs, having said that, the routing algorithms of the network-on-chip architecture are confronted with great challenges. To address the shortcomings of the current routing algorithms, a new deterministic routing algorithm: Encircle routing is proposed in this paper. In the proposed algorithm, the traffic heap is deflected from the center of the network and distributed to the entire network, which in turn helps to improve the overall system performance. Simulation of the proposed Encircle routing algorithm and two existing routing algorithms has been carried out using NIRGAM simulator. Simulation results indicate that the performance of the Encircle routing algorithm surpasses the performance of existing algorithms in terms of lowering the congestion at the center of the network and improving average latency.
Optimal finite-horizon sensor selection for Boolean Kalman Filter

Partially-observed Boolean dynamical systems (POBDS) are large and complex dynamical systems capable of being monitored through various sensors. However, time, storage, and economical constraints may impede the use of all sensors for estimation purposes. Thus, developing a procedure for selecting a subset of sensors is essential. The optimal minimum mean-square error (MMSE) POBDS state estimator is the Boolean Kalman Filter (BKF) and Smoother (BKS). Naturally, the performance of these estimators strongly depends on the choice of sensors. Given a finite subsets of sensors, for a POBDS with a finite observation space, we introduce the optimal procedure to select the best subset which leads to the smallest expected mean-square error (MSE) of the BKF over a finite horizon. The performance of the proposed sensor selection methodology is demonstrated by numerical experiments with a p53-MDM2 negative-feedback loop gene regulatory network observed through Bernoulli noise.
Precision Prevention and Early Detection of Cancer: Fundamental Principles

Prevention and early detection is critical for reducing the population cancer burden. Two approaches have been used: Population approaches change social norms (e.g., smoking bans) or impose incentives (e.g., cigarette taxes); high-risk strategies intervene upon individuals with elevated cancer risk (e.g., smoking cessation). Knowledge about carcinogenesis mechanisms, extreme exposures, and inherited susceptibility provides opportunities to develop precision prevention and early-detection (PPED) strategies. PPED aims to understand the basis of risk, identify groups that optimally benefit from interventions, characterize heterogeneity in intervention responses, optimize intervention timing, and minimize toxicities. We propose a framework around which PPED strategies can be developed. Currently available cancer prevention and early-detection approaches have the potential to reduce a large proportion of the cancer burden in the population. However, even if fully implemented, existing methods cannot fully eliminate the cancer burden. New PPED approaches that exploit the growing knowledge of molecular and biological cancer mechanisms should be developed and implemented. Cancer Discov; 8(7); 803–11. ©2018 AACR.
Reconstitution of LHC Phosphorylation by a Protein Kinase Isolated from Spinach Thylakoids

Protein kinase activity is responsible for phosphorylating LHC (light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex of photosystem II), leading to its migration in the thylakoid membrane, the fractional redistribution of excitation energy between photosystems II and I, and the phenomenon of State transition. Early reports (1,2) in which the partial purification of two membrane-bound kinases was claimed, stated that these enzymes could not utilise isolated LHC as a substrate. We have confirmed (3) that neither protein recognized by Lin et al, (1) can be responsible for in situ LHC phosphorylation. Their preparation undoubtedly contained a protein kinase, however, and the activity of a similar preparation has been partially characterized using lysine-rich histone as a substrate (4). Subsequent work from this laboratory (5) described the purification to homogeneity of a thylakoid protein kinase which catalyzes the phosphorylation of isolated LHC, albeit at only 1–10% of a rate estimated for this enzyme and substrate when resident together in the thylakoid membrane. in this communication, we report rates of LHC phosphorylation that are close to physiological, in a system comprised of isolated, purified protein kinase (LHCK) and native LHC.
Teacher Education for Teaching the Gifted

The continuing discussion regarding the preparation of teachers in general and especially teachers of the gifted has caused researchers to analyze the basic teacher training processes and relate these processes to the needs of teachers of the gifted. The recently developed standards for the assessment of teachers of the gifted set parameters for the evaluation of their qualifications for this position. Researchers have proposed theories that include the characteristics they feel are appropriate for teachers of the gifted. A review of these theories and lists shows that there is consensus of thought regarding these important characteristics. The basic cooperation of two major organizations for the gifted has helped trainers of preservice and in-service teachers become acquainted with the basic information and necessary approaches to working with gifted students by establishing National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for teachers of the gifted.
Rural Students with Low Incidence Disabilities: Recommended Practices for the Future:

Serving students with low incidence disabilities incurs multiple challenges for rural school district personnel. In this article, a comprehensive statewide approach for implementing six recommended...
Providers' Perspectives on Palliative Care in a Neuromedicine-Intensive Care Unit: End-of-Life Expertise and Barriers to Referral.

Abstract Objective: This study identifies health care providers' perspectives on palliative care at end of life (EOL) in a neuromedicine-intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU) and barriers to providing pa...
Consensus-Based Human-Agent Interaction Model for Emotion Regulation in ASD.

This paper presents a human-agent interaction framework for emotional regulation through emotional interaction with a virtual agent that uses a consensus-based algorithm. This model-based framework provides a parameterized and dynamic approach for emotional interaction with an agent that can be applied to social robot-based therapies and virtual agent-based socio-emotional interaction studies. The extended goal of this study is to develop a human-robot interaction framework that can implement emotion regulation (ER) for children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This paper describes the algorithmic approach for the design of this framework, as well as a user study to evaluate its effectiveness as a tool to provide emotional interaction and emotion regulation to children with ASD.
Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients.

Background Not all women undergo post-mastectomy breast reconstruction due to medical comorbidities or personal preference. An aesthetically pleasing closure and contour of the chest wall is still desired, though may be technically difficult to achieve in some patients. By combining techniques and lessons learned from breast reductions and female-to-male mastectomies (FTTM), we present a technical approach to aesthetic primary closure post-mastectomy that can be utilized in patients regardless of preoperative breast size. Methods After mastectomy, excess cranial/caudal tissue is determined and the lower flap is de-epithelialized to allow for bulk in the reconstructed breast. Excess tissue in the horizontal plane is assessed, and axillary, nonbreast tissue is medialized. Excess skin in the horizontal plane is removed with a small lateral incision similar to a wise-pattern closure. Results We have performed this technique with good aesthetic results and satisfied patients postoperatively. Conclusion When performing post-mastectomy closure without reconstruction, attention to tissue excess, medialization of axillary tissue and providing bulk with lateral and caudal tissue allows for an easy, reproducible, and aesthetic closure.
Abnormal perfusion fluctuation and perfusion connectivity in bipolar disorder measured by dynamic arterial spin labeling.

Objectives We sought to evaluate whether dynamic Arterial Spin Labeling (dASL), a novel quantitative technique robust to artifacts and noise that especially arise in inferior brain regions, could characterize neural substrates of BD pathology and symptoms. Methods Forty-five subjects (19 BD patients, 26 controls) were imaged using a dASL sequence. Maps of average perfusion, perfusion fluctuation, and perfusion connectivity with anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were derived. Patient symptoms were quantified along four symptom dimensions determined using factor analysis of the subjects from the Bipolar and Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (BSNIP) study. Maps of the perfusion measures were compared between BD patients and controls and correlated with the symptom dimensions in the BD patients only by voxel-level and region-level analyses. Results BD patients exhibited (i) significantly increased perfusion fluctuations in the left fusiform and inferior temporal regions (P = .020, voxel-level corrected) and marginally increased perfusion fluctuations in the right temporal pole and inferior temporal regions (P = .063, cluster-level corrected), (ii) significantly increased perfusion connectivity between ACC and the occipitoparietal cortex (P = .050, cluster-level corrected). In BD patients, positive symptoms were negatively associated with ACC perfusion connectivity to the right orbitofrontal and superior frontal regions (P = .002, cluster-level corrected) and right orbitofrontal and inferior frontal regions (P = .023, cluster-level corrected). Conclusion The abnormal perfusion fluctuations and connectivity alterations may underlie the mood fluctuations and cognitive and emotional dysregulation that characterize BD.
Contact with citizens and job satisfaction: expanding person-environment models of public service motivation

Relational job design theory suggests that interactions with citizens is an important motivational factor for public service employees. Through the mechanisms of fit, such interactions might enhanc...
Recovery of alkaline-earths into liquid Bi in ternary LiCl-KCl-SrCl 2 /BaCl 2 electrolytes at 500 °C

Electrochemical reduction of Sr2+ and Ba2+ into liquid Bi was investigated in dilute concentrations of SrCl2/BaCl2 (0‒5 mol%) in LiCl-KCl electrolytes at 500 °C to ascertain the limit of liquid Bi electrodes for alkaline-earth recovery. Analysis of the electrodes after constant current electrolysis to the specific charge of 270 C g–1 showed Sr2+ ions consuming 29% of charge at 5 mol% before dropping to 8‒10% of the total charge at 0.45‒0.72 mol% SrCl2 and Ba2+ ions consuming 54% at 5 mol% BaCl2 before decreasing to 22‒24% at 0.42‒0.89 mol% BaCl2; substantial co-deposition of Li was observed in all chemistries, consuming up to 53% of charge. At ~0.1 mol% SrCl2/BaCl2, these alkaline-earth ions consumed 1% of the total charge indicating ~0.4 mol% to be the lower limit of alkaline-earth chloride concentration to achieve appreciable deposition of alkaline-earths. The overpotentials of liquid Bi at 5 mol% of SrCl2/BaCl2 were evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The co-deposition of Sr and Li exhibited the largest increase in charge transfer resistances implying sluggish charge transfer kinetics whereas the co-deposition of Ba and Li exhibited a large increase in mass transport resistances due to the slow diffusion of Ba2+ ions in the electrolyte.
Patriarchal pits: the gendered experiences of female concert photographers

While the presence of women in photojournalism is increasing, the way they are treated by their male counterparts remains unbalanced. Drawing from feminist theory and embodiment, this study examine...
Measuring the New Governance Pillar of Agrarian Sustainability at Farm, Sectoral and National Level in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, like in many other countries, practically there are no comprehensive assessments of the governance sustainability of agriculture and its importance for the overall agrarian development. This study tries to fill the gap and suggests a holistic framework for understanding and assessing the governance sustainability of Bulgarian agriculture. The newly elaborated approach is “tested” in a large-scale study for assessing the governance sustainability of country’s agriculture at national, sectoral, and farm levels. The study has proved that it is important to include the “missing” Governance Pillar in the assessment of the Integral sustainability of agriculture and sustainability of agro-systems of various types. Multiple Principles, Criteria and Indicators assessment of the Governance sustainability of Bulgarian agriculture indicates that the Overall Governance Sustainability is at a “Good” but very close to the “Satisfactory” level. Besides, there is a considerable differentiation in the level of Integral Governance sustainability of different agro-systems in the country. What is more, the individual indicators with the highest and lowest sustainability values determine the “critical” factors enhancing and deterring the particular and integral Governance sustainability of evaluated agro-system. Last but not least important, results on the integral agrarian sustainability assessment based on micro (farm) and macro (statistical, etc.) data show some discrepancies which have to be taken into consideration in the analysis and interpretation, while assessment indicators, methods and data sources further improved.
An immune stress test for resilience to aging: Pneumococcal vaccine response

The idea that the degree of response to physical stress in early life can be used to measure health in later life is a novel approach to better define resilience to aging. To investigate this, middle-age (15 months) mice were stressed by vaccination with a commercial pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 13), and 30 days later separated into a high antibody response group and a low antibody response group using Elisa to detect IgG serum antibody levels. After 4 months, mice were evaluated for physiological performance and learning ability. The high antibody response group was able to stay on a rotating rod longer than the low antibody response group and were more quickly able to find the escape hole in a spatial navigation learning task. This observation suggests Prevnar 13 antibody response in midlife could be a useful stress test to predict healthy aging. Keywords: Resilience to aging, immune stress test, prevnar 13 vaccine, elisa antibody titers, aging mice
Potential Flow Generator With L₂ Optimal Transport Regularity for Generative Models.

We propose a potential flow generator with L₂ optimal transport regularity, which can be easily integrated into a wide range of generative models, including different versions of generative adversarial networks (GANs) and normalizing flow models. With only a slight augmentation to the original generator loss functions, our generator not only tries to transport the input distribution to the target one but also aims to find the one with minimum L₂ transport cost. We show the effectiveness of our method in several 2-D problems and illustrate the concept of ``proximity'' due to the L₂ optimal transport regularity. Subsequently, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the potential flow generator in image translation tasks with unpaired training data from the MNIST data set and the CelebA data set with a comparison against vanilla Wasserstein GAN with gradient penalty (WGAN-GP) and CycleGAN.