cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurements of Fluorescence Decay Time by the Frequency Domain Method

Among the many contributions of Gregorio Weber to science and technology, the development of frequency domain technology in his lab in 1969 has caused a deep controversy, dividing scientists that will refuse using anything but the frequency domain approach to measure the fluorescence decay from the other camp that simply refuses anything but the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) approach. Although at the time of the major contribution of Gregorio Weber and Richard Spencer in 1969, the TCSPC method was not yet invented, the basic controversy “frequency domain vs time domain” in the field continues today. We have made progress both in the scientific understanding and in describing the technical differences between the two approaches; still it is interesting how scientists continue to be divided. As for many of the contributions of Gregorio Weber that stirred controversy, I would like to mention a common theme of my conversations with Dr. Weber about refusing to follow a “god’ and about the independence of the scientific thinking from “common beliefs” that ultimately slows scientific progress. In this chapter I would like to describe the scientific progress brought about by Weber’s ideas in this specific “technological” area that should be judged by “pure” scientific analysis rather than by beliefs.
[Association between temperature and daily mortality in Guangzhou, 2006-2009: a time-series study].

Objective To study the association between temperature and daily mortality from June 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009 in Guangzhou. Methods Time series approach was used to estimate the impact of temperature on the rates of total and cause-specific daily mortality. We fitted generalized additive Poisson regression using non-parametric smooth functions to control for the long-term time trend, day of week, air pollution and other weather variables. Results A slight sloping U-like relationship between the total mortality and temperature was found, with an optimum average temperature (temperature with lowest mortality risk) value of 19.7 ℃ in Guangzhou. For temperature above the optimum value, the relative risk of total mortality increased by 3.0% (RR=1.030,95%CI: 1.011-1.050) for each increase of degree in Celsius. For average temperature below the optimum value, the relative risk of total mortality and diseases of circulatory system had a 3.3%(RR=0.967,95%CI: 0.936-0.997 ) decrease and a 3.6% ( RR= 0.964,95%CI:0.935-0.994 ) increase,for each degree of Celsius increase, respectively. Conclusion Our findings showed that the temperature had an impact on the daily mortality in Guangzhou. Countermeasures needed to be taken to reduce the temperature related mortality. Key words: Temperature; Mortality; Time-series; General additive model
DNA copy number changes in early metastatic breast cancer lesions

A80 Axillary lymph node (LN) metastasis confers a high risk for recurrence and remains the most important predictor of prognosis in breast cancer patients. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first node to harbor malignant cells in breast tumors with metastasis and currently its positivity is an indication for a complete axillary LN dissection. Because genetic alterations in the SLN lesions are likely to represent early and significant changes in the process of metastasis, characterization of such changes may aid in the discovery of new prognostic markers. In this study we investigated DNA copy number changes present in the SLN metastatic lesions and compared them to the ones present in their corresponding primary breast tumors (PBT) from the same patient. Twenty paired specimens were studied. Paraffin embedded tumor tissues were obtained from the Hospital Nossa Senhora das Gracas, Brazil, and analyzed by chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH). We observed that there was a homogeneous distribution of the number of genomic alterations per chromosome in the PBT and in the SLN metastatic lesions (P>0.90). We also observed that the alterations observed per chromosome, as well as the number of gains and/or losses detected in the SLN lesions were significantly dependent on their incidence in the PBT (regression coefficient test; P
A Pilot Study of an Adaptive, Idiographic, and Multi-Component Attention Bias Modification Program for Social Anxiety Disorder

An attentional bias toward threat may be one mechanism underlying clinical anxiety. Attention bias modification (ABM) aims to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders by directly modifying this deficit. However, existing ABM training programs have not consistently modified attentional bias and may not reflect optimal learning needs of participants (i.e., lack of explicit instruction, training goal unclear to participants, lack of feedback, non-adaptive, inability to differentiate or target different components of attentional bias). In the current study, we introduce a new adaptive ABM program (AABM) and test its feasibility in individuals with social anxiety disorder. We report task characteristics and preliminary evidence that this task consistently modifies attentional bias and that changes in attentional bias (but not number of trials) correlate with the level of symptom reduction. These results suggest that AABM may be a targeted method for the next generation of studies examining the utility of attention training.
Secondary carcinoma of the penis.

AbstractSecondary tumors of the penis are rare. The genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts are the most common sites of origin. Immunoperoxidase tissue stains are useful in determining the primary site of secondary tumors of the penis. We report 2 such cases with primary tumors in the colon and rectum.
From Oblivion to Eternity: The Château de Versailles and the Politics of Commemoration in the 1920s

While the château of Versailles may epitomise the architectural unity and clarity of design commonly associated with French Baroque classicism, in the 1920s it was a paradox, a monument so resilient that it could absorb incompatible interpretations while at the same time claim to represent the values and aspirations of the French nation as a whole. This paper will focus attention on French perceptions of the château of Versailles during the interwar period and how these competing perceptions informed major decisions regarding the restoration of the château and park in the 1920s.
Electrophysiological Changes After Repeated Alcohol Withdrawal

Studies of spontaneous and kindled electrophysiological brain activity following AW emphasize the important contribution of several variables to the severity of AW and to the associated long-lasting changes in brain function. Thus, withdrawal severity depends on the pattern of alcohol intake (e.g., withdrawal history) as well as on the total amount of alcohol exposure. Moreover, different brain regions respond differently to various patterns of alcohol exposure.
Point Kinetics Framework for Characterizing Prompt Neutron and Photon Signatures From Tagged Neutron Interrogation

The goal of this paper is to build a simple point kinetics model to predict the neutron and photon multiplicities induced by an associated particle imaging deuterium-tritium neutron generator interrogating uranium metal. A point kinetics framework is used to model the relationship between multiplication and radiation released from a 14.1-MeV neutron-induced fission chain in subcritical uranium. The goal of developing this point kinetics model is to tie the number of neutrons and photons released from a configuration to the multiplication of that configuration. The discussion is limited to building a model that describes the photon and neutron multiplicities released from a uranium inspection object, not considering the detection process. The addition of polyethylene shielding is also investigated. The point kinetics predictions are compared with the results from an MCNP-PoliMi simulation throughout as a way of measuring how closely the simple point kinetics model describes the complex propagation and transport of fission chain radiation in fissile material. The results show that the point kinetics does an excellent job of predicting the multiplicities released from the inspection objects, but at the cost of multiple additional inputs, some of which rely on the knowledge of geometric information from imaging.
Body Sanctification and Sleep in Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis: A Pilot Study.

Imbuing one’s body with divine significance is associated with health-protective behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adolescents with a life-shortening, chronic disease (cystic fibrosis) who sanctified their bodies also received adequate sleep. Data from Daily Phone Diaries and questionnaire replies from 45 adolescents with cystic fibrosis (ages 11–19 years) were analyzed. A significant relationship between body sanctification and sleep was found, with between-gender differences. Body sanctification is an understudied construct which is associated with healthy behaviors.
The role of Fas-FasL in CD8+ T-cell-mediated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

In the past few years a number of studies have evaluated the contributions of different cytolytic pathways in the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells, which results in insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus. Conflicting results continue to emerge regarding the role of Fas-mediated apoptosis in β-cell destruction. This is likely to reflect differences inherent to the model systems under investigation, as well as the pleiotropic nature of the genes that are involved in cytotoxicity. Despite these complications, it may be possible to reconcile some of these apparently conflicting results by considering that T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity can occur simultaneously by several mechanisms and that variables such as the cytokine milieu and the strength of the signal to the T cell received through the T-cell receptor complex may alter the relative contribution of each cytolytic pathway to β-cell destruction.
Business-to-business solutions for the cosmetic industry

This paper develops e-cosmetic business-to-business solutions based on strategic value chain management analysis. Specifically, it first investigates the e-business adoption in the major activities involved in the cosmetic business based on strategic value chain analysis. Then, it decomposes these activities into a set of implementable business-to-business solutions. Finally, the implementation patterns of these solutions for the top ten companies are analyzed. The results will be helpful in accelerating e-business adoption in the cosmetic business.
Understanding the Influence of Configuration Settings: An Execution Model-Driven Framework for Apache Spark Platform

Apache Spark provides numerous configuration settings that can be tuned to improve the performance of specific applications running on the platform. However, due to its multi-stage execution model and high interactive complexity across nodes, it is nontrivial to understand how/why a specific setting influences the execution flow and performance. To address this challenge, we develop an execution model-driven framework that extracts key performance metrics relevant to different levels of execution (e.g., application level, stage level, task level, system level) and applies statistical analysis techniques to identify the key execution features that change significantly in response to changes in configuration settings. This allows users to answer questions such as "How does configuration setting X affect the execution behavior of Spark?" or "Why does changing configuration setting X degrade the performance of Spark application Y?". We tested our framework using 6 open source applications (e.g., Word Count, Tera Sort, KMeans, Matrix Factorization, PageRank, and Triangle Count) and demonstrated the effectiveness of our framework in identifying the underlying reasons behind changes in performance.
Line shape parameters of air-broadened water vapor transitions in the ν1 and ν3 spectral region

Abstract A Bruker IFS-120HR Fourier transform spectrometer located at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington was used to record a series of spectra of pure H2O and air-broadened H2O in the regions of the ν1 and ν3 bands (3450–4000 cm−1) at different pressures, temperatures and volume mixing ratios of H2O in air. Eighteen high-resolution, high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio absorption spectra were recorded at T = 268, 296 and 353 K using two temperature-controlled absorption cells with path lengths of 9.906(1) and 19.95(1) cm. The resolution of the spectra recorded with the 9.906 cm and 19.95 cm absorption cells was 0.006 and 0.008 cm−1, respectively. A multispectrum nonlinear least squares fitting technique was employed to fit all the eighteen spectra simultaneously to retrieve 313 accurate line positions, 315 intensities, 229 Lorentz air-broadened half-width and 213 air-shift coefficients and their temperature dependences (136 for air-broadened width and 128 for air-shift coefficients, respectively). Room temperature self-broadened half-width coefficients for 209 transitions and self-shift coefficients for 106 transitions were also measured. Line mixing coefficients were experimentally determined for isolated sets of 10 transition pairs for H2O-air and 8 transition pairs for H2O-H2O using the off-diagonal relaxation matrix element formalism, and 85 quadratic speed dependence parameters were measured. Modified Complex Robert-Bonamy (MCRB) calculations of self-, and air-broadened (from N2- and O2-broadening) half-width and air-shift coefficients, and temperature dependence exponents of air-broadened half-width coefficients are made. The measurements and calculations are compared with each other and with similar parameters reported in the literature.
Optimistic Hybrid Analysis: Accelerating Dynamic Analysis through Predicated Static Analysis

Dynamic analysis tools, such as those that detect data-races, verify memory safety, and identify information flow, have become a vital part of testing and debugging complex software systems. While these tools are powerful, their slow speed often limits how effectively they can be deployed in practice. Hybrid analysis speeds up these tools by using static analysis to decrease the work performed during dynamic analysis. In this paper we argue that current hybrid analysis is needlessly hampered by an incorrect assumption that preserving the soundness of dynamic analysis requires an underlying sound static analysis. We observe that, even with unsound static analysis, it is possible to achieve sound dynamic analysis for the executions which fall within the set of states statically considered. This leads us to a new approach, called optimistic hybrid analysis. We first profile a small set of executions and generate a set of likely invariants that hold true during most, but not necessarily all, executions. Next, we apply a much more precise, but unsound, static analysis that assumes these invariants hold true. Finally, we run the resulting dynamic analysis speculatively while verifying whether the assumed invariants hold true during that particular execution; if not, the program is reexecuted with a traditional hybrid analysis. Optimistic hybrid analysis is as precise and sound as traditional dynamic analysis, but is typically much faster because (1) unsound static analysis can speed up dynamic analysis much more than sound static analysis can and (2) verifications rarely fail. We apply optimistic hybrid analysis to race detection and program slicing and achieve 1.8x over a state-of-the-art race detector (FastTrack) optimized with traditional hybrid analysis and 8.3x over a hybrid backward slicer (Giri).
A mixed computational and experimental approach to improved biogas burner flame port design

Abstract Anaerobic digestion is a well-known and potentially beneficial process for rural communities in emerging markets, providing the opportunity to generate usable gaseous fuel from waste resources. With recent developments in low-cost digestion technology, communities across the world are gaining affordable access to the benefits of anaerobic digestion derived biogas. For example, biogas provides a more efficient and cleaner burning alternative to biomass (wood, charcoal, dung), effectively reducing harmful emissions and fuel consumption. This study sought to develop and test a design approach for optimizing flame port geometry for household biogas-fired burners. The approach consists of a multi-component simulation that incorporates three-dimensional CAD designs with simulated chemical kinetics and computational fluid dynamics. The simulated flame port designs included an array of circular and rectangular geometries using a widely available biogas burner. The three highest performing designs identified were manufactured and tested experimentally to validate model outputs and to compare against a baseline port geometry. In the experiment, each of the three designs suggested improved thermal efficiency relative to the baseline. A configuration of four millimeter circular ports resulted in a 7.17% improvement, raising an average thermal efficiency of 53.0% to 56.8%. The results indicated that hydraulic diameter, velocity and mixture density are relevant factors in port geometry design to improve the thermal efficiency of a biogas burner. Conversely, the emissions predictions made by the model were found to be unreliable and incongruent with laboratory experiments.
The Effect of Hematin in “Inducible” Hepatic Porphyria

As discussed elsewhere in greater detail (15), those forms of hepatic porphyria in which various inducing,factors may precipitate a lifethreatening acute neurologic relapse, are appropriately grouped under the term “inducible.” This relates to induction of 6-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALA-S), the rate-limiting enzyme of porphyrin biosynthesis. The term embraces acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), porphyria variegata (PV), and hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), but porphyria cutanea tarda is not included, as it is doubtful whether ALA-S is significantly induced in this form (10); there may be induction, but at a very low level (5).
Minimally Invasive Osteosynthes of Periprosthetic Fractures in the Lower Extremity

Periprosthetic fractures (PPF) of the lower extremity are increasing as the population ages, as the number of joint replacement increases, and patients remain active. The management of PPFs is challenging because of implant and cement obstruction within the bone, poor bone quality, and limited availability of bone stock for screw purchase. Historically, they have been associated with high rates of nonunion, infection, and fixation failure. Minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) has reduced complications and improved union rates compared to conventional open plating of fractures. This paper reviews the principles of treatment, implant choices, and technical challenges of MIO for PPF in the lower extremity. In recent series, PPF for the lower extremity has shown reduced complication rates, improved union, and early mobilization compared prior open treatment. MIO for PPF is technically challenging but promising method of treatment for PPF.
Application of laser microdissection to study phytoplasma site-specific gene expression in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

Many aspects of plant diseases caused by phytoplasmas are still unknown, as these pathogens are phloem restricted, uncultivable wall-less bacteria and must be studied always in association with their host. Phytoplasma transcripts are strongly underrepresented within host tissues and this poses problems for gene expression analyses. In this study, a procedure was established to infect the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana with the phytoplasma Flavescence doree, a serious threat to European viticulture. Rates of phytoplasma infective insects and transmission efficiency to A. thaliana as well as pathogen loads were measured in different tissues of infected A. thaliana plants, and modification of phloem cell ultrastructure was observed in infected plant tissues at microscopic level. Moreover, a protocol for the application of laser microdissection to analyze plant and phytoplasma gene expression profiles in the specific colonized tissue was designed. The procedure allowed a good preservation of the plant tissue anatomy. Results showed that the extracted RNA was suitable for qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR, since both plant and pathogen transcripts, either abundant or rare ones, could be detected without any pre-amplification step. The combined use of laser microdissection approach and A. thaliana to study phytoplasmas opens the way to exploit biological, molecular and bioinformatic tools available for the model plant and to elucidate key pathways of the infection mechanisms of these important plant pathogen.
Web-Based Exercise Program Increases Cervical Strength in Adolescent Athletes

This cohort study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a web-based 6-week cervical strengthening program on cervical strength in adolescent athletes. It was hypothesized that subjects completing the program would demonstrate significant increase in cervical muscle strength compared with baseline strength. Eighty-three high school soccer athlete subjects were recruited from 2 local nationally competitive soccer clubs. Teams were assigned to either control or intervention groups to minimize information crossover. Fifty subjects were recruited to the intervention group (29 male, 21 female; average age 15.1 years). Thirty-three subjects were recruited to the control group (21 male, 12 female; average age 15.1 years). Intervention group subjects completed a web-based progressive cervical strengthening program over 6 weeks. Cervical strength in flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion (LLF) was measured in Newton (N) of force at 3 time points during the competitive season for both control and intervention groups. Intervention group subjects significantly increased cervical strength [mean difference (95% confidence interval)] in LLF [24.1 (15.9-32.4)], extension [27.9 (18.4-37.5)], right lateral flexion [18.8 (11.6-26.1)], and flexion [mean ratio: 1.2 (1.1-1.2)] at follow-up testing; whereas control subjects did not see significant changes in strength. A web-based progressive cervical strengthening program improves cervical muscular strength in a population of adolescent athletes over a period of 6 weeks. Such a program could be used by researchers in future studies evaluating the influence on concussion risk and by practitioners as a means of reducing sport-related head and neck injuries.
Exploring ligand non-innocence of coordinatively-versatile diamidodipyrrinato cobalt complexes.

The non-innocence of diamidodipyrrin is explored in a series of cobaltous complexes with novel binding motifs. By varying the coordination modes, a reversible one-electron reduction is remarkably shifted by nearly 200 mV in a single metal–ligand platform. Our study illustrates a new strategy for modifying the redox activity of porphyrin-like scaffolds.
Consensus of High-Order Nonlinear Continuous-Time Systems With Uncertainty and Limited Communication Data Rate

This paper considers the consensus problem of high-order nonlinear continuous-time systems with limited communication rate. With the aid of dynamic encoding and decoding, distributed controllers are proposed such that the states of a group of systems without uncertainty reach consensus. If there is uncertainty in each system, an inner-loop and outer-loop controller design approach is proposed. With the aid of this approach, distributed dynamic controllers are designed such that the states of a group of systems reach consensus. Simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed controllers.
An Experimental System of the Classical Preisach Model of Magnetic Hysteresis

The original Preisach model of magnetic hysteresis is based on the properties of single domain particles, switching by a coherent reversal, and interacting magnetostatically. All the properties of the classical Preisach model are illustrated by the example of a regular two-dimensional array of strongly uniaxial magnetic garnet particles, corresponding to the assumptions of the model. The up- and down switching fields of the individual particles, and the macroscopic hysteresis loop of the assembly of a large number of particles were measured. The distribution statistics of the critical fields and interaction fields were determined directly from the data, and the measured major loop data were compared to the calculated one, with a very good agreement. However, shape and size effects of the particles, and the dependence of the standard deviation of the interaction field on the actual magnetization have to be included even in the simplest model.
Evidence for the Generation of Coherent Longitudinal Acoustic Phonons through the Resonant Absorption of Pulsed Far-Infrared Laser Radiation in Silicon Doping Superlattices

We report the first experimental evidence for the direct excitation of coherent high-frequency acoustic phonons in semiconducting doping superstructures by electromagnetic fields of the same frequency. Nanosecond pulses of acoustic phonons have been detected by a superconducting bolometer at the appropriate time-of-flight across a (100) silicon substrate for ballistic longitudinal phonons when a silicon doping superlattice is illuminated with grating-coupled nanosecond-pulsed 246-GHz laser radiation with power density of ~1 kW/mm^2. The absorbed phonon power density in the microbolometer is estimated to be ~10 μW/mm^2, in agreement with theory. The phonon pulse duration matches the laser pulse duration. The absence of any detected transverse acoustic phonon signal by the superconducting bolometer is particularly striking. We believe these observations provide the first evidence that coherent zone-folded longitudinal acoustic phonons can be generated in a silicon doping superlattice and with negligible associated heat pulse generation, through the resonant absorption of grating-coupled pulsed far-infrared laser radiation.
Surfactant-Assisted Spontaneous Imbibition to Improve Oil Recovery on the Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp Shale Oil Reservoir: Laboratory to Field Analysis

Abundant resources being left behind at the end of the short production life of an unconventional liquid-rich reservoir (ULR) well has inspired many to investigate methods to improve the recovery. ...
The Spillovers from Easy Liquidity and the Implications for Multilateralism

Exchange rate appreciation in capital-receiving countries, induced by easy monetary policy in funding countries, increases the expected net worth of firms in receiving countries and their ability to buy assets. Anticipating this higher liquidity for their assets, corporations in capital-receiving countries lever up, and neglect alternative sources of debt capacity such as maintaining the pledgeability of their cash flows. When monetary policy in source countries tightens, receiving country exchange rates depreciate, and liquidity dries up in their corporate sector even if country prospects are sound. Since pledgeability has been neglected, debt capacity plummets, leading to a sudden stop in funding and subsequent financial distress. Exchange rate intervention by recipient countries to slow appreciation (and depreciation) may improve outcomes.
Statistical analysis plan for the Maximizing the Efficacy of Sedation and Reducing Neurological Dysfunction and Mortality in Septic Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure trial.

Background The best sedative medication to reduce delirium, mortality and long term brain dysfunction in mechanically ventilated septic patients is unclear. This multicentre, double-blind, randomised trial investigates the short term and long term effects of dexmedetomidine versus propofol for sedation in mechanically ventilated severely septic patients. Objectives To describe the statistical analysis plan for this randomised clinical trial comprehensively and place it in the public domain before unblinding. Methods To ensure that analyses are not selectively reported, we developed a comprehensive statistical analysis plan before unblinding. This trial has an enrolment target of 420 severely septic and mechanically ventilated adult patients, randomly assigned to dexmedetomidine or propofol in a 1:1 ratio. Enrolment was completed in January 2019, and the study was estimated to be completed in September 2019. The primary endpoint is days alive without delirium or coma during first 14 study days. Secondary outcomes include 28-day ventilator-free days, 90-day all-cause mortality and cognitive function at 180 days. Time frames all begin on the day of randomisation. All analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. Conclusion This study will compare the effects of two sedatives in mechanically ventilated severely septic patients. In keeping with the guidance on statistical principles for clinical trials, we have developed a comprehensive statistical analysis plan by which we will adhere, as this will avoid bias and support transparency and reproducibility. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01739933).
Karyopherins and condensates.

Abstract Several aggregation-prone RNA-binding proteins, including FUS, EWS, TAF15, hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2, and TDP-43, are mutated in neurodegenerative diseases. The nuclear–cytoplasmic distribution of these proteins is controlled by proteins in the karyopherin family of nuclear transport factors (Kaps). Recent studies have shown that Kaps not only transport these proteins but also inhibit their self-association/aggregation, acting as molecular chaperones. This chaperone activity is impaired for disease-causing mutants of the RNA-binding proteins. Here, we review physical data on the mechanisms of self-association of several disease-associated RNA-binding proteins, through liquid–liquid phase separation and amyloid fiber formation. In each case, we relate these data to biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological data on the inhibition of self-association by Kaps. Our analyses suggest that Kaps may be effective chaperones because they contain large surfaces with diverse physical properties that enable them to engage multiple different regions of their cargo proteins, blocking self-association.
Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostatic urethra following a remote history of primary brachytherapy for prostate cancer

Secondary malignancies are a known, albeit uncommon, complication of radiation for prostate cancer, either in the form of external beam radiotherapy or seed-implant brachytherapy. Of these secondar...
Abstract 13667: Programming to S1PR1+ Endothelial Cell Population Promotes the Restoration of Vascular Integrity in vivo

Introduction: Increased endothelial permeability and failure to repair is the hallmark of several vascular diseases including acute lung injury (ALI). However, little is known about the intrinsic p...
Monitoring a storm surge during Hurricane Harvey using multi-constellation GNSS-Reflectometry

Storm surges, one of the major causes of hurricane damage, lead to an abnormal rapid rise in water levels of up to a few feet for several minutes due to low pressure, strong winds, and high waves caused by a hurricane. This study utilizes GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) to monitor the unexpected water level change due to a storm surge using multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS. With an enhanced spectral analysis based on multiple frequency GNSS signals and statistical data processing, the proposed approach detected the signature of storm surge on the water level and improved the overall capability of GNSS-R-based water level measurements in terms of accuracy and temporal resolution. Suggested algorithms were validated by a case study for detecting a storm surge during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The one month of data processing result showed a strong correlation with the co-located tide gauge even during the extreme storm surge when the correlation coefficient was 0.97. In addition, we quantified the impact of involving multiple constellations GNSS regarding their improvement of accuracy and the temporal resolution of water level measurements. The results reveal that all GNSS constellations generated consistent measurements, the water level accuracy was improved by multi-frequency signals, and the temporal resolution was significantly improved by having an increased number of GNSS observations.
On the suicide of Angelus Novus: Searching for history’s future through (academic) hell

On March 19, 2020, Angelus Novus, better known as the Angel of History, died by suicide. Those close to the Angel had worried about it for a long time, noting that the entity had been nearly incons...
Association of Perioperative Complications with Vitamin D Levels in Major Head and Neck Surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To investigate the association of vitamin D level and perioperative complications in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cohort Study. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients undergoing reconstructive head and neck surgery between December 2017 and December 2019. Data regarding patient demographics, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol) level, hospital course, prior radiation, and fistula formation were collected. Patients were categorized by serum calcidiol level as deficient (<20 ng/mL) or sufficient (≧20 ng/mL) and outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients were included in the analysis. Average age at time of surgery was 62.6 ± 10.6 years. Patients with vitamin D levels <20 ng/mL were considered deficient and ≧20 ng/mL were considered sufficient. Individuals in the deficient group (n = 29) had a mean serum calcidiol level of 13.95 ± 3.95 ng/mL, whereas those in the sufficient group (n = 28) had a mean calcidiol level of 28.53 ± 5.73 ng/mL. The rate of fistula was 41.4% in the deficient group, whereas patients in the sufficient group had a rate of fistula of 14.3% (P = .038). On multivariate analysis, higher serum calcidiol level above 20 ng/mL was associated with a lower likelihood of developing fistulae with an odds ratio 0.830 (95% confidence interval: 0.718-0.960, P = .012). CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in development of fistula after major head and neck surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 2021.
Insulin modulation of hepatic synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein B by rat hepatocytes

Insulin inhibition of apolipoprotein B (apoB) secretion by primary cultures of rat hepatocytes was investigated in pulse-chase experiments using [35S]methionine as label. Radioactivity incorporation into apoBH and apoBL, the higher and lower molecular weight forms, was assessed after immunoprecipitation of detergent-solubilized cells and media and separation of the apoB forms using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hepatocyte monolayers were incubated for 12-14 h in medium with and without an inhibitory concentration of insulin. Cells were then incubated for 10 min with label, and, after differing periods of chase with unlabeled methionine, cellular medium and media labeled apoB were analyzed; greater than 90% of labeled apoB was present in cells at 10 and 20 min after pulse, and labeled apoB did not appear in the medium until 40 min of chase. Insulin treatment inhibited the incorporation of label into total apoB by 48%, into apoBH by 62%, and into apoBL by 40% relative to other cellular proteins. Insulin treatment favored the more rapid disappearance of labeled cellular apoBH with an intra-cellular retention half-time of 50 min (initial half-life of decay, t1/2 = 25 min) compared with 85 min in control (t1/2 = 60 min). Intracellular retention half-times of labeled apoBL were similar in control and insulin-treated hepatocytes and ranged from 80 to 100 min. After 180 min of chase, 44% of labeled apoBL in control and 32% in insulin-treated hepatocytes remained cell associated. Recovery studies indicated that insulin stimulated the degradation of 45 and 27% of newly synthesized apoBH and apoBL, respectively. When hepatocyte monolayers were continuously labeled with [35S]methionine and then incubated in chase medium with and without insulin, labeled apoBH was secreted rapidly, reaching a plateau by 1 h of chase, whereas labeled apoBL was secreted linearly over 3-5 h of chase. Insulin inhibited the secretion of immunoassayable apoB but not labeled apoB. Results demonstrate that 1) insulin inhibits synthesis of apoB from [35S]methionine, 2) insulin stimulates degradation of freshly translated apoB favoring apoBH over apoBL, and 3) an intracellular pool of apoB, primarily apoBL, exists that is largely unaffected by insulin. Overall, insulin action in primary hepatocyte cultures reduces the secretion of freshly synthesized apoB and favors secretion of preformed apoB enriched in apoBL.
Historical Agency and the 'Great Man' in Classical Greece

The 'great man' of later Greek historical thought is the long product of traceable changes in ancient ideas about the meaning and impact of an individual life. At least as early as the birth of the Athenian democracy, questions about the ownership of the motion of history were being publicly posed and publicly challenged. The responses to these questions, however, gradually shifted over time, in reaction to historical and political developments during the fifth and fourth centuries BC. These ideological changes are illuminated by portrayals of the roles played by individuals and groups in significant historical events, as depicted in historiography, funerary monuments, and inscriptions. The emergence in these media of the individual as an indispensable agent of history provides an additional explanation for the reception of Alexander 'the Great': the Greek world had long since been prepared to understand him as it did.
Molecular subtyping and tracking of food-borne bacterial pathogens

This chapter provides an overview on molecular subtyping methods, including conventional banding-based methods and novel DNA sequence-based methods, to molecularly confirm that isolates belong to a given food-borne bacterial pathogen and to discriminate among isolates belonging to a given food-borne bacterial pathogen. It discusses about molecular subtyping methods which will be grouped into two categories: (i) conventional banding-based or DNA fingerprint-based methods and (ii) DNA sequence-based methods. DNA sequencing of one or more genes or the whole genome, probing the presence of specific repeat sequences, sequence-specific hybridizations, and differentiating allelic types from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent DNA sequence-based molecular subtyping methods used to differentiate food-borne pathogens. SNP typing assays may be developed to directly target nucleotides that have been shown to discriminate allelic types. Another major advantage of SNP typing over conventional banding-based or other DNA sequence-based molecular subtyping techniques is that SNP genotyping assays can be designed to target slowly accumulated genetic variations in protein-coding genes (e.g., synonymous mutations), providing the most reliable inference of genetic relatedness. In addition, DNA sequence-based subtyping techniques (particularly multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) typing schemes) are becoming more standardized across laboratories and databases that contain DNA sequenced-based molecular subtyping data continue to rapidly expand. Multiplexed SNP typing assays that differentiate allelic types based on SNPs present within housekeeping genes known to diversify on an evolutionary time scale show great promise to characterize food-borne pathogens.
Improving Supply Chain Efficiency Through Electronic Payments: The Case of Micro-Entrepreneurs in Kenya and Tanzania

Research suggests that one possible key to development may be the growth of micro-entrepreneurial firms. The current work suggests that improving supply chain efficiency may help these very small enterprises grow. Specifically, it examines the role played by the use of mobile payments to facilitate transactions with suppliers. The study contrasts Kenya, which has widespread adoption of mobile payments by both consumers and small business, with neighboring Tanzania, where adoption, although substantial, has occurred at a much slower rate and achieved far less penetration. Findings support the idea that positive business outcomes such as increased income and increased hiring are related to mobile payment usage.
Development of an economic injury level for European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on corn grown for silage.

Studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 at 2 locations in Wisconsin to assess the impact of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), on corn grown for silage. Relationships between silage yield losses and control costs were used to develop economic injury levels specific to corn grown for silage in Wisconsin. Treatments were established as the percentage of plants infested with European corn borers. Treatment levels of 0, 12, 24, 40, and 84% of plants infested were used to separately examine simulations of 1st- and 2nd-generation European corn borer infestations. Experiments were performed using Pioneer dual purpose hybrids 3394 and 3751. Results from experiments showed that overall whole plant dry matter yields for 3394 were 8.5% > 3751 across the 3 experiments. Increasing European corn borer infestation proved to be highly correlated with a decrease in both whole plant and stover silage yields throughout experiments, hybrids, and simulated European corn borer generations. Differences in the rates of yield reduction were not seen between the 2 hybrids, however simulations of 1st-generation European corn borer infestation caused greater reductions than did simulations of 2nd-generation European corn borers. Linear regression models proved to best fit the yield loss relationships and were developed to describe silage yield losses resulting from European corn borer infestations. Economic injury levels were determined by comparing silage yield reductions and associated monetary losses with control costs. Economic injury levels were calculated separately for both 1st- and 2nd-generation European corn borers.
A three-layer built-in analytical modeling of concrete

Abstract It has been accepted in recent years that concrete can be treated as a three-phase composite, consisting of a cement mortar continuous phase, a coarse aggregate dispersed phase, and interface transition zone (ITZ)– an interphase between cement mortar and coarse aggregates. A large number of experiments have been conducted to investigate the effect of every phase on the mechanical properties of concrete; however, the analytical modeling studies have not been conducted as extensively as experimental studies have. In this paper, a three-layer built-in model was developed by assuming coarse aggregates as spheres and embedding a spherical coarse aggregate coated with an ITZ-like interphase and cement mortar layer with uniform thickness into equivalent concrete media. The preliminary calculation results show that, for the three-phase concrete, each phase has several effective factors for the improvement of the mechanical properties of concrete. For overall evaluations, the effective factors are: 1) reducing the elastic modulus of cement mortar and ITZ-like interphase and increasing the elastic modulus of coarse aggregates, 2) decreasing the coefficient of thermal expansion of each phase, 3) enhancing the tensile strength of cement mortar and reinforcing the deformability of ITZ-like interphase, 4) reducing the volume fraction of cement mortar and increasing the concentration of ITZ-like interphase and coarse aggregates phase, 5) decreasing the maximum grain size of coarse aggregates, and 6) adopting open-graded coarse aggregates.
Effects of shock‐induced cracks on the ultrasonic velocity and attenuation in granite

Measurements of the compressional wave velocity and the attenuation coefficients of 1-cm cubes were conducted. Samples were taken at various radii and depths beneath a 20 × 20 × 15 cm San Marcos granite block, impacted by a lead bullet at a velocity of 1200 m/s. The damage parameters of the cubes are calculated from the measured preimpact and postimpact P wave velocities, V_(p0) and V_p, and the crack density is inverted from the measured P wave velocities. The anisotropic orientation of cracks is more obvious from the attenuation than crack density and damage parameters calculated from the ultrasonic velocity. P wave velocity and the normalized distance from the impact point follow an exponential decay relation. Other properties, such as the damage parameter, crack density, and attenuation coefficient, are expressed by a power law decay with distance. The damage parameter and attenuation coefficients are approximately linearly related. The slope of the linear fitting results in directions normal to the crack orientation is about twice the value in direction along the crack orientation. The attenuation coefficient is found to be a more useful parameter than elastic velocity in describing the anisotropic orientation of cracks.
The Ocean Drilling Program II: JOIDES Resolution - Scientific drillship of the 80's

The Ocean Drilling Program, which began operations in January, 1985, required a drilling vessel with increased operational capabilities to achieve its ambitiously redefined objectives in sub-seafloor research. The vessel selected would be called upon to continue and exceed the remarkable accomplishments of Glomar Challanger and the Deep Sea Drilling Project. During 1984, the Sedco/BP 471 drillship was selected for that mission and was converted to a scientific drilling/coring vessel. In addition to a more than twofold increase in scientific laboratory and berthing accommodations in comparison to the Challanger, the following operational upgrades have been incorporated: 1. Increased drill string capability to 30,000 feet (9144 meters) by means of a tapered drill string with additional racking capacity. 2. Increased available power for dynamic positioning, pipehandling and increased transit speed. 3. Riser handling capability. 4. State-of-the-art drilling systems, including in-line heave compensator, electric top drive, "Iron Roughneck" and dual-drum coring winch. 5. New downhole systems, including high resolution sonar and television capabilities for reentry, and the use of downhole motors for coring and bare-rock spudding. The Sedco vessel, unofficially rechristened "JOIDES Resolution", has now completed several months of ODP operations with only minimal "teething problems". In nearly all respects the desired capabilities have been achieved or exceeded. This paper describes the improvements and discusses planned additional upgrading of capabilities.
Two-phase flow data for non-circulating and slowly circulating mixtures

Abstract Slip ratios are presented for air-water, nitrogen-mercury and nitrogen-freon-113 mixtures flowing at superficial liquid velocities up to one foot per second. For non-circulating mixtures, the void fraction is presented as a function of the superficial gas velocity in air-water and in nitrogen-mercury.