cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solvent Selection and Recycling for Carbon Absorption in a Pulverized Coal Power Plant

Simulated Annealing is used to optimize the solvent selection and recycling conditions for a carbon dioxide absorber in a pulverized coal power plant. The project uses Aspen Plus V7.1 to model a pulverized coal power plant and the carbon capture system. Simulated Annealing is introduced via the CAPE OPEN feature in Aspen Plus to find the best combination to absorb the most carbon dioxide while using the least amount of power for carbon absorption. With this optimal configuration, retrofitting carbon absorption into current power plants will cause a smaller drop in efficiency than that of the current practice. This project will lead to improved sustainability for fossil fuel power plants, by reducing the amount of emissions from fossil fuel power plants without a significant reduction in efficiency.
Differential effects of mineralocorticoid and angiotensin II on incentive and mesolimbic activity

The controls of thirst and sodium appetite are mediated in part by the hormones aldosterone and angiotensin II (AngII). The present study examined the behavioral and neural mechanisms of altered effort-value in animals treated with systemic mineralocorticoids, intracerebroventricular AngII, or both. First, rats treated with mineralocorticoid and AngII were tested in the progressive ratio operant task. The willingness to work for sodium versus water depended on hormonal treatment. In particular, rats treated with both mineralocorticoid and AngII preferentially worked for access to sodium versus water compared with rats given only one of these hormones. Second, components of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway were examined for modulation by mineralocorticoids and AngII. Based on cFos immunohistochemistry, AngII treatment activated neurons in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens, with no enhancement by mineralocorticoid pretreatment. In contrast, Western blot analysis revealed that combined hormone treatment increased levels of phospho-tyrosine hydroxylase in the ventral tegmental area. Thus, mineralocorticoid and AngII treatments differentially engaged the mesolimbic pathway based on tyrosine hydroxylase levels versus cFos activation.
The Effects of Short-Run Variations in Supplies of Cattle and Costs of Slaughtering in California

HORT-RUN fluctuations in the supplies of raw material are common occurrences in the operation of many agricultural processing plants. Such variations may take the form of seasonal shifts or week-to-week changes. The end result of the irregular supply is that the plant is forced to either operate some of the time at less-than-capacity rate of output and/or to work overtime during periods of peak production. In either event, the costs of production for the processing firm are affected. This study is concerned with estimating the effects of weekly variations in the supplies of slaughter cattle on the costs facing beef packing plants in California. The cost data used in this analysis were taken from a study of economies of scale in which costs of slaughtering were synthesized for eight model plants utilizing Los Angeles cost rates.' The immediate analysis was limited to three of the model plants with capacities of 17, 35, and 50 head of cattle per hour. These three plants utilize the conventional bed-type system of slaughtering in which longrun output is expanded by duplicating portions of the dressing rail side by side rather than lengthening the line. All but a few of the packing plants in California fall under this classification.2
Abstract 183: Depressive Symptoms and Incident Stroke in Black and White Participants in the REGARDS Study

Background and Purpose: Research suggests that depression may contribute to stroke risk independent of other known risk factors. Most studies examining the impact of depression on stroke have been ...
Characterization of Boron Carbide Films Formed by PECVD

Boron carbide films have been fabricated from pentaborane (B5H9) and methane using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Availability of high quality specimens has facilitated analysis of electronic and optical properties. We have undertaken measurements of photoluminescence spectra and infra-red band-edge absorption. Results show that the bandgap is strongly influenced by the ratio of boron to carbon. There is evidence for the existence of shallow trapping levels.
Complex Variables and Line-Coordinates

(1968). Complex Variables and Line-Coordinates. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 269-272.
Effects of shear on P-selectin deposition in microfluidic channels

Traditional leukocyte adhesion assays have provided significant insight into the mechanisms of leukocyte rolling in part through the use of homogeneously coated surfaces. These assays typically involve protein coating of glass coverslips or plastic petri dishes applied via a static drop of protein solution. With this approach, it is difficult to spatially control the location of proteins to fabricate surface-bound protein gradients that mimic in vivo situations. Microfluidic patterning of proteins with microfluidic devices has become a popular technique due to the ability to spatially pattern proteins on a cellular scale. Despite the advantages of microfluidic patterning, few studies have systematically investigated the effects of perfusion time, protein concentration, and perfusion shear stress on protein deposition. Herein, we demonstrated the fabrication of both line and step gradients of P-selectin on glass substrates that support cell rolling and adhesion assays. Investigation of the flow conditions ...
Computation of the eddy-current modes of three-dimensional conducting bodies

Low-frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors are commonly used in subsurface detection applications because of their efficacy at detecting even small fragments of metal when they are buried near the surface. This efficacy can become a shortcoming when the detector is expected to locate specific classes of targets that are buried among metallic clutter. For these applications, broadband EMI sensors have shown considerable promise at being able to detect, classify and locate targets such as land mines, and discriminate between them and the clutter with low false-alarm rates. In such cases, where differentiating targets from clutter is a significant obstacle, detection strategies based on the discrete spectrum of relaxation frequencies (DSRF) have been shown to be highly effective. For such purposes, a dictionary of DSRF of targets of interest must be computed a priori. Several classes of targets such as sphere and rings have DSRF that can be derived analytically, however, in general, the DSRF must be computed numerically. Previously, numerical strategies have been presented for thin conducting shells and rotationaly symmetric targets. In this paper, we will present a strategy to compute the DSRF of arbitrary conducting targets using a null space free Jacobi Davidson iteration (NFJD).
IP149. Hyperbaric Oxygen Acutely Increases Wound Circulation as Assessed by Fluorescent Angiography

The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to facilitate wound healing in diabetic lower extremity ulcers is well established. The exact mechanism of HBOT-mediated wound healing is unclear but is thought to relate to increased reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). ROS and RNS lead to many downstream affects that impact wound healing, including increased growth factors, diminished inflammatory responses, and improved neovascularization. The impact of HBOT, however, on tissue perfusion and flow is not known. The purpose of this pilot study was to ascertain the immediate effects of HBOT on the microvasculature of chronic wounds as assessed by fluorescent angiography.
Modified Radical Mastectomy

The recent history of operations for breast cancer indicates a growing trend toward conservatism. The modified radical mastectomy achieves the goal of removing all evidence of cancer in the breast involved and removes the regional lymph nodes for accurate staging of the disease. In addition, it provides a cosmetic result superior to that of the standard radical mastectomy. Breast reconstruction may be undertaken at a later time with excellent result. The 5 and 10 year survival rates of comparable groups of patients after modified radical mastectomy and standard radical mastectomy appear to be almost identical.
NEW PALEONTOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE EMSIAN–EIFELIAN TROUT VALLEY FORMATION, BAXTER STATE PARK'S SCIENTIFIC FOREST MANAGEMENT AREA, AROOSTOCK COUNTY, MAINE

Abstract The Trout Valley Formation of Emsian–Eifelian age in northern Maine hosts evidence of early vascular plant communities interpreted as having colonized wetland, estuarine environments. To date, collections made under permits issued by the Baxter State Park Commission originate from outcrop along Trout Brook, its tributaries, and poorly exposed lithologies inside the woodlands. Construction of a new roadway in the Scientific Forest Management Area, oriented parallel to Trout Brook, unearthed pavement exposures in which new fossil assemblages were found. These were collected under a salvage and conservation effort. Plant megafossils, as well as new macroinvertebrates and ichnofossils, were recovered from sandy siltstone and siltstone lithofacies along a west-to-east transect along Wadleigh Mountain Road. Autochthonous plants fossils include erect axes of cf. Psilophyton forbesii and vertical rooting structures of unknown affinity. Parautochthonous and allochthonous plants include Pertica quadrifaria...
GRASPx: efficient homolog-search of short peptide metagenome database through simultaneous alignment and assembly.

Metagenomics is a cultivation-independent approach that enables the study of the genomic composition of microbes present in an environment. Metagenomic samples are routinely sequenced using next-generation sequencing technologies that generate short nucleotide reads. Proteins identified from these reads are mostly of partial length. On the other hand, de novo assembly of a large metagenomic dataset is computationally demanding and the assembled contigs are often fragmented, resulting in the identification of protein sequences that are also of partial length and incomplete. Annotation of an incomplete protein sequence often proceeds by identifying its homologs in a database of reference sequences. Identifying the homologs of incomplete sequences is a challenge and can result in substandard annotation of proteins from metagenomic datasets. To address this problem, we recently developed a homology detection algorithm named GRASP (Guided Reference-based Assembly of Short Peptides) that identifies the homologs of a given reference protein sequence in a database of short peptide metagenomic sequences. GRASP was developed to implement a simultaneous alignment and assembly algorithm for annotation of short peptides identified on metagenomic reads. The program achieves significantly improved recall rate at the cost of computational efficiency. In this article, we adopted three techniques to speed up the original version of GRASP, including the pre-construction of extension links, local assembly of individual seeds, and the implementation of query-level parallelism. The resulting new program, GRASPx, achieves >30X speedup compared to its predecessor GRASP. At the same time, we show that the performance of GRASPx is consistent with that of GRASP, and that both of them significantly outperform other popular homology-search tools including the BLAST and FASTA suites. GRASPx was also applied to a human saliva metagenome dataset and shows superior performance for both recall and precision rates. In this article we present GRASPx, a fast and accurate homology-search program implementing a simultaneous alignment and assembly framework. GRASPx can be used for more comprehensive and accurate annotation of short peptides. GRASPx is freely available at http://graspx.sourceforge.net/ .
The postexilic exile in Third Isaiah: Isaiah 61:1-3 in light of Second Temple hermeneutics

Isaiah 61 is a text that has received an enormous amount of attention in the history of interpretation and in modern scholarly discourse. In Christian circles, this is no doubt due in large part to its use in Luke 4 to refer to the ministry of Jesus. Although the passage seems rather straightforward at first glance, further inspection shows it to be a complex text that articulates its message through a col lage of allusions to prior texts and traditions. In addition, developing an under standing of its present canonical function in the book of Isaiah is an arduous task and is open to a variety of interpretations.1 In this article, I will examine Isaiah 61 in its postexilic context, a context that is not just historical but also theological and hermeneutical. I will argue that Isaiah 61 provides one of the earliest attestation of the idea of a theological exile that extends beyond the temporal and geographical bounds of the Babylonian captiv ity. Furthermore, the subsequent appropriation of the text by later authors of the Trito-Isaianic corpus and its redaction into the canonical form of Third Isaiah and the book of Isaiah as a whole reveal a development of this concept of the ongoing exile that would flourish in later Second Temple writings. Thus, Isaiah 61 plays an important and pivotal role in the development of theological motifs and hermeneu tical methods during the postexilic period.
Flourishing in Filth: House Fly–Microbe Interactions Across Life History

Larval house flies, Musca domestica (L.), nutritionally require live bacteria; therefore, all stadia are associated with microbe-rich environments. Larvae live among and ingest bacteria, which are digested via the combined activity of digestive enzymes, lysozyme, and antimicrobial effectors. Some bacteria resist digestion and subsequent proteolytic processes that occur during metamorphosis, and are carried trans-stadially. Adult house flies ingest bacteria directly from septic substrates or indirectly via self-grooming. Ingested bacteria also face digestion in adults; nonetheless, some microbes not only survive, but proliferate and exchange genetic material. The interaction between adult flies and bacteria is critical in determining vector potential. If the fly is ineffective at eliminating ingested microbes, they can be disseminated in excreta. Unlike larvae, adult house flies are highly mobile, synanthropic, and gregarious, moving indiscriminately between septic environments and domestic locations. Flies can travel miles between sites, dispersing pathogens and their antibiotic-resistance and virulence genes. Considered together, these aspects of adult fly biology underlie their role in the epidemiology and ecology of infectious diseases. Studies of house fly biology have fortuitously revealed interesting adaptations to their septic lifestyle that can be exploited in future approaches to fly control and human health. Larval dependence on microbes can be integrated in novel control strategies, which alter habitat microflora. In contrast, larvae can be utilized beneficially to clear manure of pathogens before being used as fertilizer. In addition, house fly defense effectors such as antimicrobial peptides serve as an untapped resource with the potential to generate novel classes of microbicidal therapeutics.
The Flour Convoy by Chaitram Singh (review)

Singh, Chaitram. The Flour Convoy . Bloomington, IN: I-Universe, 2011. Review by Sam Fuller.
Self-powered integrated microfluidic point-of-care low-cost enabling (SIMPLE) chip

Portable, low-cost, and quantitative nucleic acid detection is desirable for point-of-care diagnostics; however, current polymerase chain reaction testing often requires time-consuming multiple steps and costly equipment. We report an integrated microfluidic diagnostic device capable of on-site quantitative nucleic acid detection directly from the blood without separate sample preparation steps. First, we prepatterned the amplification initiator [magnesium acetate (MgOAc)] on the chip to enable digital nucleic acid amplification. Second, a simplified sample preparation step is demonstrated, where the plasma is separated autonomously into 224 microwells (100 nl per well) without any hemolysis. Furthermore, self-powered microfluidic pumping without any external pumps, controllers, or power sources is accomplished by an integrated vacuum battery on the chip. This simple chip allows rapid quantitative digital nucleic acid detection directly from human blood samples (10 to 105 copies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus DNA per microliter, ~30 min, via isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification). These autonomous, portable, lab-on-chip technologies provide promising foundations for future low-cost molecular diagnostic assays.
An adaptive DPG method for high frequency time-harmonic wave propagation problems

Abstract The Discontinuous Petrov–Galerkin (DPG) method for high frequency wave propagation problems is discussed. The DPG method, with its attractive uniform (mesh and wavenumber independent) pre-asymptotic stability property, allows for a fully automatic adaptive h p -algorithm that can be initiated from very coarse meshes. Moreover, DPG always delivers a Hermitian positive definite system, suggesting the use of the Conjugate Gradient algorithm for its solution. We present a new iterative solution scheme which capitalizes on these attractive properties of DPG. This novel solver is integrated within the adaptive procedure by constructing a two-grid-like preconditioner for the Conjugate Gradient method that exploits information from previous meshes. The construction of our preconditioner is discussed, and its efficacy is illustrated with an example of a 2D acoustics problem. Our results show that the proposed iterative algorithm converges at a rate independent of the mesh and the wavenumber.
Hemispheric organization in disorders of development

A recent theoretical account posits that, during the acquisition of word recognition in childhood, the pressure to couple visual and language representations in the left hemisphere (LH) results in competition with the LH representation of faces, which consequently become largely, albeit not exclusively, lateralized to the right hemisphere (RH). We explore predictions from this hypothesis using a hemifield behavioral paradigm with words and faces as stimuli, with concurrent ERP measurement, in a group of adults with developmental dyslexia (DD) or with congenital prosopagnosia (CP), and matched control participants. Behaviorally, the DD group exhibited clear deficits in both word and face processing relative to controls, while the CP group showed a specific deficit in face processing only. This pattern was mirrored in the ERP data too. The DD group evinced neither the normal ERP pattern of RH dominance for faces nor the LH dominance for words. In contrast, the CP group showed the typical ERP superiority for words in the LH but did not show the typical RH superiority for faces. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the typical hemispheric organization for words can develop in the absence of typical hemispheric organization for faces but not vice versa, supporting the account of interactive perceptual development.
Late Positive Component Event-related Potential Amplitude Predicts Long-term Classroom-based Learning.

It is difficult to predict whether newly learned information will be retrievable in the future. A biomarker of long-lasting learning, capable of predicting an individual's future ability to retriev...
Solar Energy Development and the Biosphere

Abstract Although solar energy can undoubtedly contribute to global deep decarbonization and mitigation of climate change through emissions reductions, the potential for ecological impacts from large installations on the ground merits further discussion. Solar energy development, particularly large and ground-mounted solar energy installations in natural or other types of environments with biophysical capacity may function as a contemporary, anthropogenic driver of disturbance and land-use and land-cover change. Siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy infrastructure may modify environmental conditions and thereby affect biota. At the landscape-level, displacive solar energy development requires land and may directly contribute to habitat loss. Once sited, disturbance associated with development, including site preparation, construction, and maintenance and operations, may negatively affect soils, plants, and animals. Meanwhile, generalist and invasive species may benefit from the same disturbance. Environmental perturbations resulting from such enterprises may impact biota directly or indirectly (e.g., by displacement of species). In contrast, integrated solar energy is that which has zero land-use and land-cover change impacts beyond those associated with raw materials acquisition and manufacturing. Thus, it has minimal to zero adverse effects on the biosphere (beyond life-cycle emissions), resources (e.g., cultural), and legal entitlements (e.g., religious rights of indigenous communities). Sustainable siting of solar energy infrastructure will depend on a better understanding of ecological responses to its development in conjunction with ongoing industry efforts to prevent and mitigate negative impacts.
Estimation of Parameters on Some Extensions of the Katz Family of Discrete Distributions Involving Hypergeometric Functions

A two-parameter family of discrete distributions developed by Katz (1963) is extended to three- and four-parameter families whose probability generating functions involve hypergeometric functions. This extension contains other distributions appearing in the literature as particular cases. Various methods of estimating the parameters are investigated and their asymptotic efficiency relative to maximum likelihood estimators compared.
Effects of inhibitory and excitatory neurons on the dynamics and control of avalanching neural networks.

The statistical analysis of the collective neural activity known as avalanches provides insight into the proper behavior of brains across many species. We consider a neural network model based on the work of Lombardi, Herrmann, De Arcangelis et al. that captures the relevant dynamics of neural avalanches, and we show how tuning the fraction of inhibitory neurons in this model alters the connectivity of the network over time, removes exponential cut-offs present in the distributions of avalanche size and duration, and transitions the power spectral density of the network into an ``epileptic'' regime. We propose that the brain operates away from this power-law regime of low inhibitory fraction to protect itself from the dominating avalanches present in these extended distributions. We present control strategies that curtail these power-law distributions through either random or, more effectively, targeted disabling of excitatory neurons.
Use of Stem Cells in Wound Healing

This review provides an overview of the principal stages of wound healing, the populations of endogenous and therapeutic stem cells, applications of stem cells in specific types of wounds, and current approaches of stem cell delivery for tissue regeneration. New uses of progenitor stem cells have been developed for the treatment of wounds. Stem cells improve wound healing through both local and paracrine effects. Stem cell populations of therapeutic utility include embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, adult bone marrow and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, as well as stem cells from skin, cord blood, and extra fetal tissue. Induced pluripotent stem cells mitigate many of the ethical and immunogenic concerns related to use of embryonically derived stem cells. Skin, the largest organ in the human body, serves as a protective barrier for mammals. Both aging and disease contribute to loss of skin barrier function, which can result in consequences such as chronic wounds. Recent advances in many types of stem cell therapy may revolutionize treatment of difficult wounds. Optimal techniques for obtaining and delivering stem cells are still being refined.
Fatal warfarin-associated intracranial hemorrhage in atrial fibrillation inpatients.

Ischemic stroke and major bleeding, mostly due to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), cause about the same rates of death in pivotal randomized trials of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). We analyzed our AF inpatient database to determine whether any ICH-related deaths were potentially preventable. Among 5008 patients admitted to our institution between May 2008 and September 2014 with a diagnosis of AF, eight had fatal ICH between admission and 90 days follow-up. The mean age of these patients was 85 years; 62% were male. Localization of the ICH was intraparenchymal in 62% and subdural in 38%. CHA2DS2−VASc scores ranged from 4 to 7, and the HAS-BLED scores ranged from 3 to 7. Three of the eight fatal ICHs were directly due to falls. All 8 patients were taking warfarin. One was taking concomitant aspirin. At the time ICH was diagnosed, one patient had an INR of 5.4. Five patients had an INR within the target therapeutic range of 2.0–3.0, and two had an INR less than 2.0. After multivariate adjustment, a history of falls was the sole independent predictor of fatal ICH (OR 22.3; 95% CI 2.5–60.3). In conclusion, most patients had achieved the target INR at the time of ICH, and the primary precipitant of fatal ICH was often a fall. Using DOACs instead of warfarin and implementing structured fall-prevention programs in high-risk patients could further reduce mortality from ICH in AF.
Location prediction using GPS trackers: Can machine learning help locate the missing people with dementia?

Abstract Significant number of people with dementia are at risk of wandering and getting lost. These individuals may get hurt, cause distress to families and caregivers, and require costly search parties. This study explores the possibility of using machine learning methods applied to data from GPS trackers to create individualized models that describe patterns of movement. These patterns can be used to predict typical locations of individuals with dementia, and to detect movements that do not follow these patterns and may correspond to wandering. Data from a sample of 337 GPS trackers were used. After pre-processing the data are used for iterative clustering, followed by classification learning. The number of clusters ranged between one (devices that always stayed “home”) and nine for devices with maximum mobility. The average number of clusters was 2.62. Models for predicting location achieved varying accuracy, depending on regularity of wearer's schedule. The achieved average Area under ROC (AUC) is 0.778, with accuracy 0.631, precision 0.662, and recall 0.604. Unusual locations that potentially correspond to wandering incidents were identified by applying a secondary classification learning after filtering out data corresponding to normal movement.
Monitoring Aqueous Reprocessing Systems for Detection of Facility Misuse

Traditional approaches to material control and accounting at used nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities rely in large part on laboratory-based destructive assay of periodic samples taken from key stages. These techniques are highly accurate, but limited inspection frequency may limit the size and operation of a reprocessing facility. Online monitoring techniques using in-line detectors can be applied to fuel reprocessing systems to improve the situational awareness as the facility is operating to provide additional indicators of the evolving state of the facility between normal inspection periods, potentially alerting regulators to the need for additional inspection. The multi-isotope process (MIP) monitor combines medium-resolution gamma detectors with statistical data analysis techniques to monitor reprocessing systems for anomalous conditions resulting from process control issues or malfeasance. The MIP monitor is attractive for process and safeguards monitoring because of its unsupervised approach to detection and its inherent data obfuscation. This paper presents the application of the MIP monitor to detect a notional diversion scenario in an operating aqueous reprocessing facility by analyzing gamma spectra with a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and the sequential probability ratio test. Gamma spectra collected from the H-Canyon reprocessing facility were analyzed to demonstrate the efficacy of the MIP Monitor for detecting notional diversion scenarios. The proposed analysis successfully detected small, protracted diversions, which would alert regulators of the need for additional inspection.
Relationship Between Prior Radiotherapy and Checkpoint-Inhibitor Pneumonitis in Patients With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the relationship between radiotherapy (RT), in particular chest RT, and development of immune-related (IR) pneumonitis in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with anti–programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Patients and Methods Between June 2011 and July 2017, NSCLC patients treated with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 at a tertiary-care academic cancer center were identified. Patient, treatment, prior RT (intent, technique, timing, courses), and IR pneumonitis details were collected. Treating investigators diagnosed IR pneumonitis clinically. Diagnostic IR pneumonitis scans were overlaid with available chest RT plans to describe IR pneumonitis in relation to prior chest RT. We evaluated associations between patient, treatment, RT details, and development of IR pneumonitis by Fisher exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results Of the 188 NSCLC patients we identified, median follow-up was 6.78 (range, 0.30-79.3) months and median age 66 (range, 39-91) years; 54% (n = 102) were male; and 42% (n = 79) had stage I-III NSCLC at initial diagnosis. Patients received anti–PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy (n = 127, 68%) or PD-1/PD-L1-based combinations (n = 61, 32%). In the entire cohort, 70% (132/188) received any RT, 53% (100/188) chest RT, and 37% (70/188) curative-intent chest RT. Any grade IR pneumonitis occurred in 19% (36/188; 95% confidence interval, 13.8-25.6). Of those who developed IR pneumonitis and received chest RT (n = 19), patients were more likely to have received curative-intent versus palliative-intent chest RT (17/19, 89%, vs. 2/19, 11%; P = .051). Predominant IR pneumonitis appearances were ground-glass opacities outside high-dose chest RT regions. Conclusion No RT parameter was significantly associated with IR pneumonitis. On subset analysis of patients who developed IR pneumonitis and who had received prior chest RT, IR pneumonitis was more common in patients who received curative-intent chest RT. Attention should be paid to NSCLC patients receiving curative-intent RT followed by anti–PD-1/PD-L1 agents.
Creating Community in Teacher Education Classes with Hogwarts-style “Houses”

AbstractThe author successfully implemented the “House” system in a university social studies methods class and reports on the positive results that ensued. Students reported a sense of unity, cama...
Improving and Assessing Computational Thinking in Maker Activities: The Integration with Physics and Engineering Learning.

Computational thinking (CT) is believed to be a critical factor to facilitate STEM learning, and a vital learning objective itself. Therefore, researchers are continuing to explore effective ways to improve and assess it. Makerspaces feature various hands-on activities, which can attract students with diverse interests from different backgrounds. If well designed, scaffolded maker activities have the potential to improve students’ CT skills and STEM learning. In this study, we explore ways to improve and assess physics and engineering integrated CT skills through developing maker activities and assessments, which are applicable in both informal and formal educational settings. Our paper presents our work on improving and assessing CT in maker activities with two primary goals. First, it introduces the maker activities and instruments we developed to improve and assess CT that are integrated in physics and engineering learning. Second, it presents the students’ CT skill and disposition change from pretest to posttest in two summer academies with CT enhanced maker activities, which was respectively led by after school educators and formal educators in a public library.
Spatiotemporal Persistent Homology for Dynamic Metric Spaces

Characterizing the dynamics of time-evolving data within the framework of topological data analysis (TDA) has been attracting increasingly more attention. Popular instances of time-evolving data include flocking/swarming behaviors in animals and social networks in the human sphere. A natural mathematical model for such collective behaviors is a dynamic point cloud, or more generally a dynamic metric space (DMS). In this paper we extend the Rips filtration stability result for (static) metric spaces to the setting of DMSs. We do this by devising a certain three-parameter “spatiotemporal” filtration of a DMS. Applying the homology functor to this filtration gives rise to multidimensional persistence module derived from the DMS. We show that this multidimensional module enjoys stability under a suitable generalization of the Gromov–Hausdorff distance which permits metrization of the collection of all DMSs. On the other hand, it is recognized that, in general, comparing two multidimensional persistence modules leads to intractable computational problems. For the purpose of practical comparison of DMSs, we focus on both the rank invariant or the dimension function of the multidimensional persistence module that is derived from a DMS. We specifically propose to utilize a certain metric d for comparing these invariants: In our work this d is either (1) a certain generalization of the erosion distance by Patel, or (2) a specialized version of the well-known interleaving distance. In either case, the metric d can be computed in polynomial time.
Cooperative Clinical Trials

Cooperative clinical trials play a major role in advancing knowledge in the fields of medicine and surgery. The National Cancer Institute provides a robust infrastructure to help carry out these important studies for cancer, although multicenter trials certainly can be conducted outside of this mechanism with enough planning and coordination. In addition to the inherent value of the education and contribution to the scientific field, involvement in cooperative group research affords the opportunities for networking and mentorship, leadership training and career development, scientific discovery and funding, all of which can add to personal career satisfaction.
Sheep grazing to control weeds enhances soil carbon, not nitrogen

Sheep (Ovis aries L.) grazing on weeds and crop residue during the fallow period may enhance soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) through urine and faeces returned to the soil. We compared sheep grazing, tillage, and herbicide application as weed management practices on soil total C (STC), total N (STN), ammonium (NH4+)-N, and nitrate (NO3–)-N contents in a dryland 5-year crop rotation from 2012 to 2015 in the northern Great Plains, USA. The treatments were sheep grazing with no chemical input in organic crop production (GO), minimum tillage with chemical inputs (MT), and conventional tillage with no chemical input in organic crop production (TO). The 5-year crop rotation was safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)/sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L.) cover crop–sweet clover cover crop–winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–lentil (Lens culinaris L.)–winter wheat. At the 0–1.20 m depth, STC was 14–20 Mg C ha–1 greater in GO than MT and TO, but STN was 2.1–2.2 Mg N ha–1 greater in TO than GO and MT. The NH4+-N and NO3–-N contents were 5–21 kg N ha–1 greater in MT than GO and TO. While STC and STN tended to increase with year for all treatments, NH4+-N and NO3–-N contents varied with treatments and years. Sheep grazing enhanced soil C storage, but had a variable effect on N storage and residual N compared to tillage and herbicide application for weed control.
Flow-Based Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Assays

Blood flow regulates coagulation and fibrinolysis by determining the rate of delivery of plasma proteins, the rate of dilution of reaction products, and the rate of accumulation of blood cells and extracellular vesicles. Most clinical assays of coagulation and fibrinolysis do not incorporate these features. Flow assays are an ex vivo method to measure thrombus formation and dissolution under physiologic and pathologic hemodynamics and in anatomically inspired geometries. This chapter reviews the state of the art in flow assays with a particular emphasis on discoveries reported in microfluidic devices. This chapter is organized into five sections that include devices for studying (i) the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways, (ii) fibrinolysis, (iii) pathologic hemodynamics, (iv) bleeding, and (v) trauma. Each section discusses new discoveries, and where applicable, preclinical results using samples from individuals with coagulopathies. A sixth section discusses the opportunities and challenges in translating flow assays into the clinic.
Coagulopathy and Bleeding Management for Aortic Dissection Surgery

In patients following aortic surgery, the prevention and treatment of bleeding requires a multimodal approach that includes targeting fibrinogen and platelet repletion, the use of anti-fibrinolytic agents, and evaluating surgical sources of bleeding. Prothrombin complex concentrates, and fibrinogen concentrates are becoming increasingly important components of treatment algorithms. With major hemorrhage, specific protocols for massive transfusion in conjunction with pharmacologic agents should be considered. Bleeding management algorithms using viscoelastic testing to guide targeted replacement are being used increasingly in complex cardiac surgical patients.
Thermal comfort assessment of a green roof at the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Tucson, Arizona.

This paper describes a method for thermal comfort assessment of green roofs in the urban environment of hot arid regions. The dual goals of this study are to emphasize green roof technology and to design thermally comfortable outdoor spaces on that roof. Method of investigation for this project started with an experiment, which included building a test cell equipped with data acquisition system that accommodated four different roof types. The data recorded helped establish the thermal benefits of green roof technology in comparison with the other roof types studied for hot-arid surrounding. Building on the test cell results, the project further investigated a proposed green roof at the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Tucson, Arizona. Few distinct locations were selected for the analysis using the OUTDOOR© program. The results indicated major thermally uncomfortable conditions on the proposed roof. Hence design modifications were suggested and simulated to bring the microclimate within occupants’ thermal comfort condition.
Characterization of the distal esophagus high-pressure zone with manometry, ultrasound and micro-computed tomography.

Background We sought to determine how the individual components of the distal esophagus and proximal stomach form the gastroesophageal junction high-pressure zone (GEJHPZ) antireflux barrier. Methods An endoscopic ultrasound/manometry catheter was pulled through the proximal stomach and distal esophagus in 20 normal subjects. The axial length and width of individual structures on endoscopic ultrasound were measured. The anatomic orientation of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) components was examined in two organ donor specimens using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Key Results The three distinct structures identified within the GEJHPZ, from distal to proximal, were as follows: the gastric clasp and sling muscle fiber complex, crural diaphragm, and lower esophageal circular smooth muscle fibers (LEC). The LEC was statistically significantly thicker than adjacent esophageal muscles. These structures were associated with three pressure peaks. The pressure peak produced by the clasp/sling fiber complex often overlapped with the pressure peak from the crural diaphragm. The most proximal peak, associated with the LEC, was significantly greater and bimodal in nine of 20 subjects. This bimodal LEC pressure peak correlated with two areas of thickened muscle observed with ultrasound. Micro-CT of GEJ from organ donors confirmed the two areas of thickened muscle. Conclusions & Inferences Three distinct anatomic structures, the clasp and sling muscle fibers, crural diaphragm, and LEC combine to form the antireflux barrier of the proximal stomach and distal esophagus. The clasp and sling muscle fibers combine with the crural diaphragm to form a distal pressure profile. The more proximal LEC has a bimodal pressure profile in some patients.
Do outside directors monitor managers

Abstract Examining 128 tender offer bids made from 1980 through 1987, we categorize outside directors as either independent of or having some affiliation with managers, and find that bidding firms on which independent outside directors hold at least 50% of the seats have significantly higher announcement-date abnormal returns than other bidders. However, the relationship between bidding firms' abnormal stock returns and the proportion of board seats held by independent outside directors is nonlinear, suggesting it is possible to have too many independent outside directors. All results are lost if the traditional inside-outside board classification method is used.
The biosynthesis of D-apiose in Lemna minor.

Abstract Lemna minor incorporates radioactivity from d-glucose-1-14C, d-glucose-2-14C, d-glucose-3,4-14C, d-glucose-6-14C, sodium acetate-2-14C, dl-serine-3-14C, and l-methionine-14CH3 into the d-apiose moiety of cell wall polysaccharide. The mechanism of biosynthesis of this hydroxymethyltetrose was studied by determining the distribution of 14C in d-apiose after feeding various labeled precursors. Labeled d-apiose was isolated from this tissue, and an aliquot was reduced to d-apiitol. These two compounds were then oxidized with periodate to formic acid, formaldehyde, and glycolic acid, and the radioactivity in each of the carbon atoms of d-apiose was determined. The results show that d-glucose can serve as a precursor for all of the carbon atoms of d-apiose in L. minor, whereas acetate and dl-serine are probably converted to d-glucose before being incorporated into d-apiose. The evidence obtained in this study indicates that d-apiose is derived from d-glucose by the loss of carbon atom 6, followed by a branching reaction which occurs without randomization, and converts either C-3 or C-4 of d-glucose to one of the hydroxymethyl groups of d-apiose.
Cellular differentiation in the anamniota. IV. Relationship between RNA synthesis and aerobic metabolism in fundulus heteroclitus embryos.

Abstract RNA synthesis, measured as incorporation of labeled uracil into total RNA, was shown to occur at all stages of development in embryos of Fundulus heteroclitus. This synthesis was inhibited by Actinomycin D approximately 50 per cent at all stages. 2 × 10−3 M NaCN completely arrested uracil incorporation into the RNA of these embryos. Actinomycin D had no effect on respiration. The previously reported ability of cyanide to postpone Actinomycin D sensitivity is probably a result of the reversible inhibition of RNA synthesis caused by cyanide. RNA synthesis in these embryos is dependent upon aerobic metabolism, not necessarily to be explained by a loss in bioenergetics capacity.
Pigeon liver malic enzyme. V. Kinetic studies.

Abstract Kinetic studies with crystallized pigeon liver malic enzyme (malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.40) gave intersecting initial velocity plots that conform to a sequential mechanism. The following product inhibition patterns were observed with TPN and malate, respectively, as variable substrates: bicarbonate, noncompetitive and noncompetitive; pyruvate, uncompetitive and uncompetitive; and TPNH, competitive and noncompetitive. These results are consistent with an ordered kinetic mechanism where TPN is added first, followed by malate, and the products are released in the order bicarbonate, pyruvate, and TPNH. Detailed analysis of the kinetic data suggest the existence of an abortive enzyme-bicarbonate complex. A reaction mechanism involving two conformational states of the enzyme is postulated. The Michaelis constants for TPN and malate, at pH 7, were found to be 1.4 µm and 86 µm, respectively. Apparent Michaelis constants for the back reaction were 13 mm, 6.4 mm, and 2.1 µm for bicarbonate, pyruvate, and TPNH. Dissociation constants of TPN and TPNH were determined from kinetic studies to be 0.96 µm and approximately 3 µm.
Studies of the Nature of the Inhibitory Action of Inorganic Phosphate, Fluoride, and Detergents on 5'-Adenylic Acid Deaminase Activity and on the Activation by Adenosine Triphosphate

Studies of the nature of the inhibitory action of inorganic phosphate, fluoride, and some detergents on 5′-adenylic acid deaminase activities of rat brain and liver show that inorganic phosphate, as well as ATP, is an effector of the deaminase. Inorganic phosphate was found to be a competitive inhibitor in the absence of ATP, but in the presence of ATP, the nature of the inhibition was uncompetitive. ATP strongly prevented the inhibition by inorganic phosphate. It appears that inorganic phosphate competes with the substrate, AMP, and with the activator, ATP, simultaneously at the active site and the effector site, respectively. Fluoride inhibited the deaminase noncompetitively in the absence of ATP, and uncompetitive effect was obtained in the presence of ATP. It is likely that fluoride competes with ATP in binding to the effector binding site, and in the absence of ATP fluoride occupies the effector binding site to modify the activity. Deoxycholate and lauryl sulfate acted as activators or inhibitors, depending upon the enzyme concentrations and the inhibitor concentrations. The inhibition was also dependent upon the substrate concentrations and therefore showed a mixed type in nature. ATP could prevent the inhibitory effect, but higher deoxycholate concentrations reduced or diminished the ATP-activated activity. It appears that deoxycholate or lauryl sulfate can affect the ATP-binding site in modifying the ATP-activation as well as the deamination. The physiological significance of the relationship between inorganic phosphate and ATP in regard to AMP metabolism and consequently to intermediary metabolism is discussed.
Planetary Bow Shocks

Planetary bow shocks provide insight into both the behavior of collisionless shocks and the nature of the planetary obstacle responsible for creating those bow shocks. This review paper first presents a survey of the microstructure of planetary bow shocks using data obtained at Mercury, Venus, the earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. When it examines the correspondence of the behavior of the shock jumps with that predicted by theory, and the differences between gas dynamic and magnetohydrodynamic solutions. Finally, it examines the information available from observations of the location of the bow shock about the nature of the solar wind-planetary interaction.