cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A crack opening stress equation for fatigue crack growth

A general crack opening stress equation is presented which may be used to correlate crack growth rate data for various materials and thicknesses, under constant amplitude loading, once the proper constraint factor has been determined. The constraint factor, alpha, is a constraint on tensile yielding; the material yields when the stress is equal to the product of alpha and sigma. Delta-K (LEFM) is plotted against rate for 2024-T3 aluminum alloy specimens 2.3 mm thick at various stress ratios. Delta-K sub eff was plotted against rate for the same data with alpha = 1.8; the rates correlate well within a factor of two.
Repetitive DNA elements, nucleosome binding and human gene expression

Abstract We evaluated the epigenetic contributions of repetitive DNA elements to human gene regulation. Human proximal promoter sequences show distinct distributions of transposable elements (TEs) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). TEs are enriched distal from transcriptional start sites (TSSs) and their frequency decreases closer to TSSs, being largely absent from the core promoter region. SSRs, on the other hand, are found at low frequency distal to the TSS and then increase in frequency starting ∼ 150 bp upstream of the TSS. The peak of SSR density is centered around the − 35 bp position where the basal transcriptional machinery assembles. These trends in repetitive sequence distribution are strongly correlated, positively for TEs and negatively for SSRs, with relative nucleosome binding affinities along the promoters. Nucleosomes bind with highest probability distal from the TSS and the nucleosome binding affinity steadily decreases reaching its nadir just upstream of the TSS at the same point where SSR frequency is at its highest. Promoters that are enriched for TEs are more highly and broadly expressed, on average, than promoters that are devoid of TEs. In addition, promoters that have similar repetitive DNA profiles regulate genes that have more similar expression patterns and encode proteins with more similar functions than promoters that differ with respect to their repetitive DNA. Furthermore, distinct repetitive DNA promoter profiles are correlated with tissue-specific patterns of expression. These observations indicate that repetitive DNA elements mediate chromatin accessibility in proximal promoter regions and the repeat content of promoters is relevant to both gene expression and function.
A direct method of estimation of stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions

A novel technique of direct estimation of stimulus frequency otoacoustic emission (SFOAE) signals is proposed. SFOAE signals have been the subject of much research because of their value in providing information about the structure and health of the human auditory system. Current methods of estimation of SFOAE signals are indirect in the sense that the use of suppressor tones is inevitable and the SFOAE signals are estimated indirectly by virtue of a nonlinear residual time-domain technique. Conventional signal processing techniques do not provide any means of direct estimation of SFOAE signals given that both the stimulus and the otoacoustic emission are at the same frequency. The studies conducted through testing of the proposed SFOAE estimation technique on simulated data show good performance of the proposed technique.
Active Surveillance for Renal Cortical Neoplasms

Purpose: We retrospectively evaluated our single center experience with patients with renal cortical neoplasms who elected active surveillance.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated our urological oncology database between January 1993 and January 2009, identifying a total of 223 renal cortical neoplasms in 212 patients that were initially managed by active surveillance. We described patient and tumor characteristics, and assessed the differences between patients who remained on AS and those who underwent delayed intervention or progressed with metastasis.Results: Median patient age was 71 years at active surveillance initiation and the median Charlson comorbidity index was 3. Median tumor size was 2.8 cm (range 0.5 to 13.7) at study enrollment and 3.7 cm (range 0.9 to 14.1) at final assessment. The median growth rate in the entire cohort was 0.34 cm per year (range 0.29 to 2.3). Median followup was 35 months (range 6 to 137). Active surveillance failed in 15 patients (7%), of whom 4 (2%) pro...
When Cultures Collide: The Anatomy of a Merger

An extended case study of a recent merger between two mutual savings banks is studied from the perspective of organizational culture. Data on organizational culture and organizational climate are analyzed from pre- and post-merger interviews, observations, archival information, and survey questionnaires. Results suggest that even within the same industry, there are major difficulties in trying to merge two different though viable organizational cultures.
Clinical Effectiveness of Comprehensive Psychological Intervention for Nonadherence to Medical Treatment: A Case Series

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an adherence promotion intervention provided to patients and families referred to a clinical service. Methods 6 patients and their caregivers representing 5 different chronic conditions were seen for comprehensive psychological intervention that was evaluated based on electronic monitoring of adherence to prescribed oral medication. Results Time series analysis (Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average) indicated that for each of the 6 cases, treatment adherence increased during the intervention phase relative to nonintervention periods, but for 5 of these 6 patients, adherence decreased during the follow-up period (p<.05). Conclusion Comprehensive adherence promotion strategies delivered in standard clinical practice were effective, but the effects did not persist after treatment. Future adherence promotion interventions should focus on sustaining intervention effects.
Asymptotic crack-tip fields in an anisotropic plate subjected to bending, twisting moments and transverse shear loads

Abstract Asymptotic crack-tip fields, including the effect of transverse shear deformation, in an anisotropic plate under bending, twisting moments and transverse shear loads are presented. By utilizing the Hellinger–Reissner variational principle, the equilibrium equations and generalized strain/stress relations for anisotropic Reissner plate theory are obtained. Assuming the displacement and stress resultant are in a separation-of-variable form, it is found that, for the first two order terms of the asymptotic solution, the equations governing crack-tip fields of anisotropic plate bending are analogous to those governing plane stress and anti-plane deformation of anisotropic elasticity. Thus the Stroh formalism can be used to characterize the crack-tip fields of the anisotropic plate up to the second-order term and the energy release rate can be expressed in a very compact form in terms of stress intensity factors and the Barnett–Lothe tensor L. The first three order terms of the crack-tip displacement and stress fields including the “T-stresses” in bending and transverse shear are presented. The displacement and stress fields near crack tips in isotropic plates up to the second order are also provided. The energy release rate expression for orthotropic and isotropic plates is also derived. The solutions of anisotropic plates by a combination of in-plane and bending loads is also investigated. The expression of the path-independent integral, J, in terms of the generalized stress and strain is derived which is useful to calculate the value of stress intensity factors. Finally, on the basis of the asymptotic solutions, methods of determining stress intensity factors and T-stresses are proposed.
This Little User Went to Market, This Little User Stayed Home

Etude economique des bibliotheques numeriques- ce terme etant pris sous le sens: collection de documents electroniques accessibles par reseau. Etude realisee du point de vue utilisateur, en prenant en compte les revenus de l'utilisateur (ou du non-utilisateur), l'appartenance ethnique...
Transbronchial Biopsy Culture in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is well established as a useful tool, in the diagnosis of suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis that are sputum smear-negative. However, little attention has been focused on the role of transbronchial biopsy culture in the bacteriologic diagnosis of the disease. In this series of 12 patients with culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis, we reviewed the results of transbronchial biopsy culture in comparison to the culture of prebronchoscopy sputa, postbronchoscopy sputa and bronchial washings. We found that transbronchial biopsy culture yielded positive cultures in only 16 percent (2/12) of these cases of proven tuberculosis and that transbronchial biopsy culture was not an exclusive source of culture-positive material in any of the patients studied. Although fiberoptic bronchoscopy may be quite helpful in establishing the diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients that are sputum smear-negative, our findings indicate that culture of transbronchial biopsy specimens contribute little to the bacteriologic diagnosis.
Constitutional Interpretation in Law-Making: China's Invisible Constitutional Enforcement Mechanism

It is conventional wisdom that China’s Constitution is unenforceable, and plays little role in China’s legal system, other than as a symbolic document. This view rests on the fact that the Supreme Court has no power to interpret the Constitution. The formal body with interpretive power, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, has never issued an official interpretation. Despite this apparent lack of enforcement, we argue that China’s Constitution indeed plays an increasingly important role within the party-state. It does so not through the courts but through the legislative process, in which formal requirements of constitutional review have helped the legislature to resolve complex disputes about the relationship among different government organs, the economic system, and even rights claims. Understanding this hidden mechanism contributes to our knowledge of the internal constitutional workings of authoritarian systems, which differ from those of liberal democracies. But it is also consistent with broader literatures on the constitution outside the courts, in which internal legislative processes have received relatively little scrutiny.
In-situ characterization of dispersion stability of WO 3 nanoparticles and nanowires

The stability of tungsten trioxide (WO3) suspensions in various common polar solvents such as water, acetone, isopropanol (IPA), ethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol (1M-2P) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was investigated. The morphology of WO3 aggregates formed by irregular nanoparticles (d ∼ 40 nm, with 1 μm nominal diameter compact aggregates) and by nanowires of different types (uneven, single or bundled in diameter) and dimensions (nominal lengths of 2, 4, 6, and 10 μm) were described by means of the small angle static light scattering and the elliptically polarized light scattering (EPLS) techniques. Aggregation of low aspect ratio (bundled) 2 μm nanowires monitored through the change in spatial extent of the aggregate was found to be minimal (i.e., radius of gyration, Rg ∼ 1.8–2.2 μm in 1-methoxy-2-propanol), with a minimal change in aggregate structure (i.e., fractal dimension, Df ∼ 1.8–1.9 in 1-methoxy-2-propanol) in a time period of about 1 week. Fractal dimension was found to be the lowest for the low aspect ratio nanowires when suspended in N,N-dimethylformamide (Df ∼ 1.4). Aggregates of very high aspect ratio single nanowires (L/D ∼ 250 with 10 μm nominal length) were also observed to form stable dispersions in a period of about a week. Aggregate structures that would lead to observed fractal dimensions were proposed. Information on how well inorganic nanowires are dispersed in various solvents is based singly on the time consuming and intrusive advanced microscopy analyses (such as SEM and TEM) in the literature, and without any reference to the underlying structures. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt for in-situ description of the underlying causes, such as aggregate morphologies, aggregation rates and solvent types, of the observed dispersion and sedimentation behaviors of inorganic nanowires that were not subjected to any surface treatment or functionalization.
Consistency checking and optimization of macromodels

A systematic methodology for automatic consistency checking and optimization of parameterized macromodels is described. An overview of the entire macromodel verification system. iMAVERICK, is provided. An efficient stochastic algorithm to optimize the parameters of a given macromodel is described, and a number of characteristics of the algorithm are examined. A heuristic measure of the likelihood that a cost evaluation will provide useful information or a better solution that is used in the algorithm is based on the information accumulated from the previous cost evaluations. This heuristic measure is used to reject poor sample points without sacrificing the quality of solutions. A waveform comparison technique for evaluating the performance of the proposed configuration in the optimization process is described. It is sensitive to phase errors between waveforms and has the capability of filtering out glitches and high-frequency noise. Several examples of macromodel optimization using the iMAVERICK system are presented. >
Central nervous system lupus erythematosus: measurement of cerebrospinal fluid cyclic GMP and other clinical markers of disease activity.

Cyclic-GMP (C-GMP), a normal constituent of the central nervous system, was found to be present in increased amounts in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with active neurologic disease. Twenty-four CSF samples from 17 patients with SLE were evaluated for C-GMP concentration by radioimmunoassay. This study extends our initial observations and examines three groups of SLE patients based on their clinical status at the time of each lumbar puncture: those with active neurologic and psychologic abnormalities (group I), active neurologic abnormalities (group II), and psychologic abnormalities without active neurologic involvement (group III). Groups I and II had mean CSF C-GMP values of 3.1 nM ± 0.64 (SE) and 4.1 nM ± 0.10 respectively, which were both significantly higher than the mean for group III (1.2 nM ± 0.43) (P < 0.05). Other CSF findings did not display this close correlation with activity of neurologic disease. In 4 SLE patients, significantly higher levels of CSF C-GMP were found on serial sampling during times when neurologic abnormalities were active. Thus elevated CSF C-GMP concentration may be a marker of active neurologic disease in SLE.
Ulnar artery thrombosis: A sports-related injury:

A case of ulnar artery thrombosis following a sports- related injury is reported. Treatment by resection of the thrombosed segment and replacement with a reversed vein graft resulted in complete relief of symptoms. An extensive review of the literature is presented.
INFLUENCE OF INHALED SMOKE FROM UPPER RESPIRATORY LASER SURGERY

Endoscopic tracheal lavage cytology was evaluated before and 24 hours after standing transendoscopic laser surgery of the upper airway in 18 horses (9 patients undergoing Neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet [Nd:YAG] surgery and 9 non-patient horses undergoing argon surgery). Paired endoscopic tracheal lavages taken 24 hours apart were evaluated in six control horses to determine if the lavage technique influenced the cytology. After 24 hours, no inflammation was noted in three, mild inflammation was noted in six and suppurative inflammation in four surgically treated horses. Five of the surgically treated horses underwent general anesthesia prior to baseline tracheal lavage and had evidence of inflammation in pre-laser lavage samples; this made it difficult to assess the true incidence of laser-induced inflammation in horses in this report. Five of six control horses had a normal tracheal lavage at 24 hours. Six normal adult horses had baseline tracheal mucous clearance rates determined using scintigraphy followed one week later by tracheal mucous clearance rates two hours after either standing transendoscopic Nd:YAG ventriculectomy or standing transendoscopic argon cauterization of a 2 × 2 cm area of dorsal pharynx. The horses were left in pasture for three weeks, followed by a second baseline and post-laser tracheal mucous clearance rate using the opposite laser technique. There was no significant difference between the first and second baseline measurements. The order of laser treatments had no effect on the results obtained. There was no significant difference between the baseline tracheal mucous clearance rates (mean 1.65 ± 0.65 cm/min) and tracheal mucous clearance rates post-laser surgery (mean 1.62 ± 1.21 cm/min). Neither laser technique altered tracheal mucous clearance rates significantly (argon mean 1.57 ± 0.59 cm/min and Nd:YAG mean 1.67 ± .68 cm/min.
Levels of dna damage are unaltered in mice overexpressing human catalase in nuclei

Two types of transgenic mice were generated to evaluate the role of hydrogen peroxide in the formation of nuclear DNA damage. One set of lines overexpresses wild-type human catalase cDNA, which is localized to peroxisomes. The other set overexpresses a human catalase construct that is targeted to the nucleus. Expression of the wild-type human catalase transgene was found in liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, spleen, and brain with muscle and heart exhibiting the highest levels. Animals containing the nuclear-targeted construct had a similar pattern of expression with the highest levels in muscle and heart, but with lower levels in liver and spleen. In these animals, immunofluorescence detected catalase present in the nuclei of kidney, muscle, heart, and brain. Both types of transgenic animals had significant increases of catalase activities compared to littermate controls in most tissues examined. Despite enhanced activities of catalase, and its presence in the nucleus, there were no changes in levels of 8OHdG, a marker of oxidative damage to DNA. Nor were there differences in mutant frequencies at a Lac Z reporter transgene. This result suggests that in vivo levels of H(2)O(2) may not generate 8OHdG or other types of DNA damage. Alternatively, antioxidant defenses may be optimized such that additional catalase is unable to further protect nuclear DNA against oxidative damage.
The Circular 230 Amendments: Time to Throw Them Out and Start Over

Treasury's amendments to Circular 230 have provoked a hue and cry from tax advis While some of the objections are overblown and trivial, many are not. It is time for Treasury to admit that the amendments are wrongheaded. Treasury apparently has two objectives: to curb tax shelter penalty protection opinions and to protect consumers. The current opt-out approach does a poor job of achieving either objective. The amendments are overbroad, curb legitimate advice and probably result in worse tax advice than before. An opt-in approach that would permit only very detailed and highly regulated opinions to serve as penalty protection is far preferable, particularly if it is couple with strong enforcement. All other tax advice, provided it is not misleading or deceitful, would be regulated by the market. Treasury does not need to respond to the legitimate advice by caving in. Rather it should focus only on penalty protection opinions and enforce the rules with respect to those opinions.
Designing an interactive personal assistant web application system

The purpose of this paper is to present the components and design process of the backend user interface that is included in the Interactive Personal Assistant Web-Application System (iPAWS). The front end user interface of iPAWS is designed to assist adults on the autism spectrum with task completion and reduce the need for constant supervision. The back end user interface provides functionality to manage user accounts, generate reports, create tasks and assign categories. Design of the system components, derivation of functionality, and implementation requirements are explained. Future work is also discussed.
Listening today. James Ferraro's ‘Far Side Virtual' and the fate of functional sounds

On his 2011 release, ‘Far Side Virtual’, artist and musician James Ferraro employs a distinctly new, yet familiar palette of sounds from the logon sound of Skype to alert sounds from com- puter programmes and melodic ringtones. The record demonstrates that the functional sounds of the digital listening environment often interrupt and become enmeshed in the programmed composition. While some critics lauded ‘Far Side Virtual’ as a playful conceptual gambit of music-making and listening in the digital age (it was named ‘Record of the Year’ by The Wire), others criticised the utter banality of its sources. This reaction reveals a deep irony within an experimental music community dedicated to the theories of John Cage. Listening – Cage’s liber- ating approach towards music-making that allowed non-musical, functional sounds to enter the composition – has become an orthodoxy with strictly defined stylistic parameters. On ‘Far Side Virtual’ Ferraro adopts Cage’s method of listening as composing and, in the process, reveals how these methods seek to remove sounds from their contextual origins, an impossibil- ity in the contemporary digital listening environment.
Overview of treatment of superficial bladder cancer.

Seventy per cent to 80 per cent of patients with bladder cancer will have their initial tumor confined to the mucosa (Stage Ta or Tcis, carcinoma in situ) or lamina propria (Stage T1), and at least 50 per cent of them will have a true recurrence or new recurrence despite resection of their initial tumor. If the tumor is of low grade and confined to the mucosa, intravesical chemotherapy might be considered either as treatment if the neoplasm is too extensive to resect completely or if multiple prior endoscopic resections have failed, or, alternatively, as prophylaxis against a subsequent tumor after complete endoscopic removal of the existing neoplasm. Thiotepa, until recently the most commonly used agent, completely eradicates all obvious tumor in approximately 30 per cent of patients, and it is effective in preventing subsequent tumor. Myelosuppression occurs in up to 20 per cent of patients receiving this agent, so careful monitoring of the white blood cell and platelet counts is mandatory. Mitomycin has low risk of myelosuppression and is effective in both the treatment and prophylaxis of superficial bladder cancer; the complete response rate is the same whether patients had an initial low-grade papillary or high-grade tumor (carcinoma in situ). Doxorubicin hydrochloride and bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) are other agents that have been used for intravesical therapy. Chemical cystitis, the primary side effect of doxorubicin, has caused discontinuation of treatment in 15 per cent to 20 per cent of patients. The efficacy of doxorubicin varies among those reporting its use. BCG has been shown to be effective in both treatment and prophylaxis, with response rates similar to those reported for mitomycin; however, a comparative trial has not been performed. There is a need to standardize the potency of each BCG vial and to determine fully the necessity of concomitant intradermal administration.
Teaching the macroeconomic effects of tax cuts with a quasi-experiment

Abstract We design and conduct a classroom experiment that teaches students the complexities of income tax policy and its effect on the macroeconomy. We also receive insights into how students make labor supply and consumption decisions when the tax structure changes. With the experimental design, we collect data as well as anecdotal evidence to test if tax cuts affect labor supply and consumption decisions. We find that both temporary and permanent income tax cuts significantly induce higher labor supply and consumption decisions, but the labor response is temporary for both the temporary and permanent cuts while the consumption permanence depends on the permanence of the tax cuts. A follow-up discussion of student data ties up the classroom activity.
Neuropsychological Testing in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: What to Do When Baseline Testing Is Not Available

Barth and colleagues' seminal study using baseline neuropsychological testing as a model for sports concussion management serves as the template for many collegiate sports medicine programs. However, there remains a significant need for an evidence-based strategy in cases where no baseline testing has been conducted. In this article, we further articulate such a model based on work with athletes at our Division I university. The foundation of the model involves base rates of impairment in a typical neurocognitive sports concussion battery, with decision rules that differ slightly for males and females. There is flexibility in the model such that its application can start during an acute period postconcussion when athletes are still potentially symptomatic, as well as after athletes self-report being symptom free. We use our population of collegiate athletes and the tests we administer as a framework to provide concrete values to the proposed algorithm based on specific tests, but the logic of our evidence-based model could easily be applied to other sports concussion populations and neurocognitive test batteries. Our proposed neuropsychological concussion management guidelines are evidence based, but also allow for accommodating trends in the literature which suggest that increasingly individualistic clinical concussion management approaches are most prudent.
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Intravascular Air After Lower Extremity Intraosseous Access.

Abstract Background Vascular air embolism is a rare but potentially deadly phenomenon. Early diagnosis allows providers to initiate measures aimed at preventing further air entry, preventing the migration of air to the lungs, and mitigating the hemodynamic effects of pulmonary air embolism. Case Report An emergency physician used point-of-care ultrasound to identify intravascular air before embolization to the pulmonary vasculature. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Bedside ultrasound can be used as a tool for early diagnosis of intravascular air. Emergency physicians should be aware of the typical sonographic manifestations of intravascular air and the initial steps in treating vascular air embolism.
Carbon-based supercapacitors for efficient energy storage

The advancement of modern electronic devices depends strongly on the highly efficient energy sources possessing high energy density and power density. In this regard, supercapacitors show great promise. Due to the unique hierarchical structure, excellent electrical and mechanical properties, and high specific surface area, carbon nanomaterials (particularly, carbon nanotubes, graphene, mesoporous carbon and their hybrids) have been widely investigated as efficient electrode materials in supercapacitors. This review article summarizes progress in high-performance supercapacitors based on carbon nanomaterials with an emphasis on the design and fabrication of electrode structures and elucidation of charge-storage mechanisms. Recent developments on carbon-based flexible and stretchable supercapacitors for various potential applications, including integrated energy sources, self-powered sensors and wearable electronics, are also discussed.
Spinal anesthesia for pediatric urological surgery: Reducing the theoretic neurotoxic effects of general anesthesia.

Summary Background Spinal anesthesia (SA) is an effective technique that has been used in children for years. With growing concern with regard to the risks of general anesthesia (GA), we developed a SA program to provide an alternative option. We present our initial experience with this program. Objective To implement a SA program at a large tertiary care pediatric center and assess the safety and efficacy of the technique as an alternative to GA for urologic surgery. Study design/methods We prospectively collected data on all children undergoing SA at our institution. We recorded demographics, procedure, time required for placement of the SA, length of surgery, success of lumbar puncture, success of attaining adequate surgical anesthesia, need for supplemental systemic sedation, conversion to GA, and perioperative complications. Results SA was attempted in 105 consecutive children (104 boys, 1 girl) with a mean age of 7.4 ± 4.3 months (range 19 days–24 months) and mean weight of 8.3 ± 1.7 kg (range 3.5–13.7). Placement of the SA was successful in 93/105 children (89%). Inability to achieve lumbar puncture (cerebrospinal fluid was not obtained) meant that SA was abandoned in seven (7%) patients and GA was administered. In five patients in whom SA was successful and surgery was begun, 5/93 (5%) required conversion to GA: two because of evisceration of intestine through large hernia defects related to coughing and abdominal irritation, two because of lack of motor blockade despite an adequate sensory block, and one because of an inability to place an intravenous catheter in the lower extremities (required per SA protocol). If necessary, an intravenous catheter can be placed in the upper extremity, but this must be weighed against the fact that the block has already been placed and is of limited duration. Overall, SA was successful (SA was placed and surgery was completed without conversion to GA) in 88/105 children (84%). No additional sedation and no systemic anesthetic agents were required in 75/88 children (85%). The average time required to place the SA was 3.8 ± 2.7 min (range 1–12). The average time for the surgical procedure was 38.3 ± 23.1 min (range 10–122). No patient required conversion to GA because of recession of block. There were no surgical complications. Discussion/conclusions SA is a safe and efficacious technique for routine pediatric urological procedures. SA should be considered for cases such as neonatal torsion or patients with significant cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities when the risks of GA are often weighed against the risks of non-intervention.
Abstract 473: Compound-21 Acts at Renal Proximal Tubule AT2 Receptors to Inhibit Na+ Reabsorption via Bradykinin, Nitric Oxide, and Cyclic GMP

Angiotensin (Ang) AT2 receptors (AT2Rs) are expressed in the kidney at vascular and tubular sites. Previous studies from our lab have shown that renal AT2R activation induces natriuresis and that Ang III is the endogenous agonist for this response. Compound 21 (C21) is a highly selective non-peptide AT2R agonist with approx. 25,000-fold selectivity for AT2Rs over AT1 receptors (AT1Rs). However, C21, particularly at high concentrations, has recently been shown to have AT2R-independent effects in the vasculature. We hypothesized that C21 induces natriuresis via AT2R translocation to the apical membrane and by activating a bradykinin (BK)-nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling pathway in the renal proximal tubule (RPT). In anesthetized, uninephrectomized, volume-expanded rats, intravenous (iv) C21 infusion (100, 200 and 300 ng/kg/min; each dose for 30 min) increased urinary Na+ excretion (UNaV) from 0.16±0.03 to 1.12±0.19, 1.51±0.08 and 2.03±0.21 μmol/min, respectively; all P
Three Statistical Paradigms for the Assessment and Interpretation of Measurement Uncertainty

Since its adoption, the ISO Guide has sparked a revolution in uncertainty analysis. Of course, even with all of the positive contributions from the development and adoption of the ISO Guide, there will always be a need to improve the assessment of uncertainty in particular applications and to extend it to cover new areas. Among other work along these lines, the International Committee on Weights and MeasuresÂ’ Joint Committee on Guides in Metrology is currently working on several supplements to the ISO Guide. Other authors have also recently made many important contributions to the theory and practice of uncertainty analysis. The goals of this chapter are to discuss different approaches to uncertainty assessment from a statistical point of view and to relate them to the methods that are currently being used in metrology or are being developed within the metrology community. The particular statistical paradigms under which different methods for uncertainty assessment are described include the frequentist, Bayesian, and fiducial paradigms. Each approach is illustrated using common examples and computer code for carrying out each analysis is illustrated using open-source software.
Interface Integrity Evaluation of Explosively Welded Metallic Structures

Explosively bonded tubes have been applied in high pressure and high temperature environments, such structures are usually consisting of dissimilar metals which are very difficult to be welded together by other conventional welding methods. In this study, various experimental techniques were used for the evaluation of interface integrity between steel major tube and tantalum donor tube. First, X-ray diffraction technique was used to profile the residual stress levels in the tantalum donor tube before bonding and steel major tube after bonding, especially the hoop stress level which is critical to quality control. Also, other experimental techniques including digital microscopy for interface geometrical features, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for interface compositions, and nano-hardness testing for materials strength at micro/nano scale were further applied to explain bonding mechanisms and to quantify bonding interface conditions. Then nondestructive ultrasound C-scan technique was used to create acoustic images of the bonding interfaces and the results showed that the technique has the potential to find weak interface and to further quantify good and poor bonds. Finally, destructive testing techniques were used to measure the interface shear and tensile strength and to study the interface failure mechanisms, and the results agree well with other experimental techniques.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Progenitor Cells for Cartilage, Bone, Fat and Stroma

Bone marrow provides the rich milieu necessary to maintain myeloid and lymphoid progenitor cells throughout the life of an organism. At least two stem cell populations have been identified in marrow, the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). The HSC has been characterized in many ways, but much remains to be learned about its intrinsic potential and interactions with other cells of the marrow environment. We have studied the human stem cell population for mesenchymal tissues that resides in adult bone marrow. These MSCs potentially have the ability to differentiate to all mesenchymal cell types, including osteocytic, chondrocytic, adipocytic, myocytic, tenocytic, and also dermal and stromal lineages (1, 2). We have sought to understand the potential role(s) that MSCs play in healthy individuals and their response to trauma, disease or aging.
Avoid, Talk, or Fight: Alternative Cultural Strategies in the Battle Against Oligarchy in Collectivist-Democratic Organizations

As Rund Koopmans has argued (1995) and as Carole Pateman (1970) argued in her theory classic of three decades ago, Participation and Democratic Theory, the actual face-to-face deliberation and debate that goes on in directly democratic groups may be the best way, maybe even the only way, to develop in people the capacity for democracy and self-governance. To date, we do not have a convincing, empirically based, answer to this question. Leach (2005) however, has recently found that, over the last quarter century, literally hundreds of thousands of people in the German social movement sector have been exposed to collectivist-democratic practices and a significant number of these people have come to expect consensus-based decision-making and collectivist-democratic practices in much of their community life. Are the sensibilities and capacities developed in these voluntary, social movement organizations in the modern Germany having a visibly democratizing effect on the nation as a whole? Could they, if these collectivist organizations were to spread in the United States or anywhere else in the world, be the path to reinvigorating democracy? These are important questions for examination.
Finding the personal voice in filmmaking

Finding The Personal Voice In Filmmaking by Erik Knudsen offers an exploration of feelings and the part they play in motivating the development of narrative ideas that are at once intimate or close...
Bandit Learning with Biased Human Feedback

We study a multi-armed bandit problem with biased human feedback. In our setting, each arm is associated with an unknown reward distribution. When an arm is played, a user receives a realized reward drawn from the distribution of the arm. She then provides feedback, a biased report of the realized reward, that depends on both the realized reward and the feedback history of the arm. The learner can observe only the biased feedback but not the realized rewards. The goal is to design a strategy to sequentially choose arms to maximize the total rewards users receive while only having access to the biased user feedback. We explore two natural feedback models. When user feedback is biased only by the average feedback of the arm (i.e., the ratio of positive feedback), we demonstrate that the evolution of the average feedback over time is mathematically equivalent to users performing online gradient descent for some latent function with a decreasing step size. With this mathematical connection, we show that under some mild conditions, it is possible to design a bandit algorithm achieving regret (i.e., the difference between the algorithm performance and the optimal performance of always choosing the best arm) sublinear in the number of rounds. However, in another model when user feedback is biased by both the average feedback and the number of feedback instances, we show that there exist no bandit algorithms that could achieve sublinear regret. Our results demonstrate the importance of understanding human behavior when applying bandit approaches in systems with humans in the loop.
The Drive to Zero [Technology Leaders]

When the Port of Long Beach (POLB) in California adopted the Green Port Policy in 2005, it made a permanent commitment to sustainability and reducing pollution from all sources associated with port-related operations at the complex that sits at the edge of the greater Los Angeles area on the U.S. West Coast. The policy set the stage for aggressive clean air programs, the success of which has led to today's transformational drive toward a zero-emissions port.
Effects of Fluid Mud on Bottom Boundary Layer Dynamics and Sediment Fluxes at Mudflats

Abstract : The scientific goal of this project is to understand the effects of spatial and temporal variability of estuarine circulation and sediment fluxes on the morphodynamics of intertidal mudflats. The methodological goal is to develop reliable predictive tools and sensing techniques that document the hydrodynamics, sediment/substance transport and morphodynamics at mudflats. Specific Objectives of this study: In FY07, we have participated and assisted in the planning of the tidal mud flats field experiment. We have actively attended the research project meetings in order to share our research ideas and coordinate our resources with the overall DRI team. Our specific objectives of this project are: 1) to understand the effects of mud suspension on flow energy dissipation at the bottom boundary layer, on the bottom stress, and consequently on the mud transport itself; 2) to develop appropriate parameterizations of the bottom drag coefficient for estuarine/mudflat hydrodynamic models; and 3) to understand the mechanisms for the direction and magnitude of sediment transport at mudflats in response to hydrodynamic forcing at intratidal (ebb-flood) timescales and at fortnightly (spring-neap) timescales.
A review of entropy measures for uncertainty quantification of stochastic processes

Entropy is originally introduced to explain the inclination of intensity of heat, pressure, and density to gradually disappear over time. Based on the concept of entropy, the Second Law of Thermody...
CsR(R(6)CoI(12))2 (R = Gd, Er) and (CeI)0.26(Ce(6)MnI(9))2: two new structure types featuring R(6)Z clusters.

Compounds adopting two new structure types containing discrete lanthanide clusters have been found, CSR(R 6 Col 12 ) 2 (R = Gd or Er) and (Cel) 0.26 (Ce 6 Mnlg) 2 . CsEr(Er 6 Col 12 ) 2 and CsGd(Gd 6 Col 12 ) 2 were synthesized in reactions of Csl, RI 3 , Col 2 , and R metals (3:19:6:23) heated to 750 °C for 500 h followed by slow cooling (0.1 °C/min). The X-ray crystal structure of CsEr(Er 6 Col 12 ) 2 was solved in the Pa3 space group with a = 18.063(2) A at 250 K (Z= 4, R 1 [I> 2σ(I)] = 0.0459). (Gel) 0.26 (Ce 6 Mnl 9 ) was synthesized by combining Kl, Cel 3 , Mnl 2 , and Ce metal and heating to 850 °C for 500 h. The single-crystal X-ray structure for (Cel) 0.26 (Ce 6 mnl 9 ) 2 was solved in the trigonal, P3 (147) space group with lattice parameters of a = 11.695(1) A and c = 10.8591(2) A (Z= 2, R 1 [I > 2σ(I)] = 0.0895). Elemental analyses (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)) were performed and show the absence of potassium in the structure. A disorder model was refined for the atoms in the large cavity. The magnetic susceptibility data for CsGd(Gd 6 Col 12 ) 2 is consistent with strong intracluster ferromagnetic coupling, but intercluster antiferromagnetic coupling suppresses the susceptibility below 70 K.
Liberty and Justice, The Privilege of Straight Men: An Analysis of Louisiana's Surrogacy and Filiation Laws as They Relate to Same-Sex Couples

In 2016, Louisiana enacted its surrogacy laws, which, in pertinent part, establishes two prerequisites to enter into a gestational carrier agreement: (1) the intended parents are married; and (2) both intended parent's provided their gametes to effectuate the child. The purpose and Intent of Louisiana's new surrogacy law is to purportedly by-pass the lengthy and complex adoption proceedings by ensuring the child is genetically filiated with the intended parents. However, such requirements completely bar same-sex couples from this artificial reproductive technology and does not achieve its ultimate end of by-passing adoption proceedings in light of Louisiana's filiation laws. Accordingly, this Article addresses how Louisiana's surrogacy laws violate the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and proposes constitutionally sufficient changes to the current law.
Selective Postnatal Excitation of Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons Results in Distinctive Behavioral and Circuit Deficits in Adulthood

Summary In leading models of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and in human data, the efficacy of outgoing cortical connectivity transitions from overly exuberant to languid from early development to adulthood. This transition begs the question of whether the early enhancement in excitation might be a common driver, across etiologies, of these symptoms. We directly tested this concept by chemogenetically driving neuronal activity in neocortical neurons during postnatal days 4-14. Hyperexcitation of Emx1-, but not dopamine transporter-, parvalbumin-, or Dlx5/6-expressing neurons led to decreased social interaction and increased grooming activity in adult animals. In vivo optogenetic interrogation in adults revealed decreased baseline but increased stimulus-evoked firing rates of pyramidal neurons, impaired recruitment of inhibitory neurons and reduced cortico-striatal communication. These results directly support the prediction that changed firing in developing circuits irreversibly alters adult circuit function that leads to maladaptive changes in behaviors. This experimental approach offers a valuable platform to study the impact of disruption of developmental neural activity on the formation and function of adult neural circuits and behavior.
Experimental Methods to Replicate Power Loss of PV Modules in the Field for the Purpose of Fault Detection Algorithm Development

As the photovoltaics industry matures the methods for monitoring and responding to power loss events is also maturing. For researchers to develop advanced algorithms to detect and notify plant owners of actual failures, and potential failures, reliable methods need to be developed to emulate field failures. This work discusses the development and characterization of three reliable methods for replicating power loss events in modules, and strings for outdoor field testing. Experimental methods were developed to emulate soiling, within module interconnection failures, and cell cracks. The objective of the work is to develop well characterized methods for inducing power loss such that data sets can be generated that can be used to develop advanced algorithms for power loss detection, root cause analysis, and prognostic notifications.
Effect of Norepinephrine on Intracellular Ca 2+ Levels in Malignant Hyperthermia-Susceptible B Cells: Pilot Study in the Search for a New Diagnostic Test for Malignant Hyperthermia

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) crises may induce morbidity or death in MH-susceptible (MHS) individuals. The only sensitive method of determining susceptibility is the caffeine-halothane contracture test, requiring muscle biopsy. Early research on MH demonstrated an abnormal response to catecholamines in MHS individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MHS B lymphocytes would demonstrate an increased sensitivity to norepinephrine as indicated by an adrenergic augmentation of intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) accumulation, to possibly develop a less invasive laboratory assay for determining MH susceptibility. The fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye fura-2 acetoxymethyl was used to identify Ca2+ flux within Epstein-Barr virus- immortalized MH-negative (MHN) and MHS B cells exposed to the RyR1 agonist 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC) before and after administration of 1 μM of norepinephrine. In the presence of 4-CmC and norepinephrine, the area under the curve dose responses were significantly elevated in MHS B cells compared with MHN B cells (F[1,10] = 27.37; P < .01). Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cells from MHS humans displayed an increased sensitivity to norepinephrine compared with those from MHN individuals. These data suggest that an abnormal response to exogenous norepinephrine could potentially be used to develop a diagnostic laboratory assay to determine MH susceptibility.
How People with Opioid Use Disorder Communicatively Experience Family: A Family Systems Approach

In the United States (U.S.), 130 people die every day from an opioid overdose, and family is an influential factor in people’s experience of opioid use disorder (OUD). Although a growing body of re...
Arquitetura como práxis: apontamentos sobre o legado da Arquitetura Nova

The separation of desenho and canteiro, identified by Arquitetura Nova as the cleavage of the conflict between capital and labour, operates today in an augmented reality. The role of the architect is one of an illusionist who reduces the complexity of architectural labour to uniqueness, a process through which capital is reified and endlessly reproduced in the pervasive circulation of images. Against this condition Arquitetura Nova's work offers a method. As a group they exercised a radically collective form of practice that opposed authorship placing the workers’ knowledge at the centre of the design and building process. More importantly they turned the gap between the real subject and one imagined in their theory and practice into the substance of their political project. The archetype of the vault-house, in its very material form, reclaims and exposes architecture as a collectively produced form of common knowledge: architecture as praxis, rational critical action.