cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adumbrations of the End in Andrei Belyi’s Treatment of Africa

Farly in 191 1, while vacationing in Sicily, Andrei Belyi and Asya Turgeneva decided to escape unexpectedly high prices and low temperatures by proceeding still further south, to Africa. The couple's itinerary will sound familiar to any reader of Petersburg. Like Nikolai Apollonovich in the novel's epilogue, they stayed first in the small village of Rades, not far from Tunis, and then proceeded on to Cairo.' During those months abroad, in fact, Belyi had planned to make a start on Petersburg (then conceived simply as the sequel to Tie Silver Dove). Finding the subject matter darkly out of keeping with the colorful images surrounding him at the beginning of his journey, he put off the novel for a time, though elements of it nonetheless made their way into his travel notes, particularly as the journey progressed; the role of his journey in the creation of Petersburg is stressed, as will be seen, by the writer himself.2 Over the decade which followed this trip Belyi came back to his notes on various occasions to create several works on African themes. Among these the most significant were a substantial essay, "Egypt" ("Egipet," 1912); the first volume of his travelogue, rravelAlotes (Putevye zametki, 1921); and the continuation of this work, African Diaiy (Afrikanskii dnevnik, published only in 199 1).3
Comparison of Six Real-Time PCR Assays for Qualitative Detection of Cytomegalovirus in Clinical Specimens

In this study, we compared the performance of six real-time PCR assays for the qualitative detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in clinical samples other than plasma. Two hundred specimens (respiratory [n = 72], urine [n = 67], cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] [n = 25], tissue [n = 18], amniotic fluid [n = 10], and bone marrow [n = 8]) submitted for routine testing by CMV real-time PCR analyte-specific reagents (ASR) (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) were also tested by a laboratory-developed test (LDT) and 4 commercially available PCR assays: EraGen Multicode (Luminex, Austin, TX), Focus Simplexa (Focus Diagnostics, Cypress, CA), Elitech MGB Alert CMV (Fisher Scientific, Hanover Park, IL), and Abbott CMV (Abbott Park, IL). Nucleic acid was extracted using the MagNA Pure system (Roche Diagnostics) and subsequently tested by each PCR method. Results were analyzed by comparing each assay to a "consensus result," which was defined as the result obtained from at least 4 of the 6 assays. In addition to the prospective samples, 13 lower respiratory samples with known positive results by CMV shell vial were tested by each PCR method. Following testing of the 200 prospective specimens, the Abbott, Elitech, EraGen, and Focus PCR assays demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% (46/46), while the Roche analyte-specific reagents (ASR) and LDT showed sensitivities of 89% (41/46) and 98% (45/46), respectively. Percent specificities ranged from 97% (149/154) by Elitech to 100% (154/154) by the LDT. Among the 13 shell vial-positive lower respiratory samples, the percent sensitivities ranged from 69% (9/13) by Elitech to 92% (12/13) by the LDT. The Abbott, EraGen, Elitech, Focus, and LDT PCR assays performed similarly (κ ≥ 0.89) for the detection of CMV in clinical specimens and demonstrated increased sensitivity compared to the Roche ASR.
Small-Scale Yielding versus Exact Linear Elastic Solutions

This chapter discusses the differences among exact linear elastic solutions for crack problems and small-scale yielding solutions, using as examples the solutions of the three fundamental modes of fracture for infinite plates. The linear elastic solution to the plane strain, mode I crack problem for an infinite plate subjected to a biaxial tensile traction applied at an infinite distance from an internal crack is proposed. The plots of comparisons among the small-scale yielding stresses and exact linear elastic stresses are analyzed. It is found that the deviations between the exact and approximate solutions increase with distance from the crack tip. For the stresses, the exact solution tends toward the remote traction, whereas the small-scale yielding solution tends toward zero. It is observed that if the plastic deformation is extensive, the purely linear elastic solutions may not characterize the problem at all, owing to elastic unloading and a redistribution of the stresses. The elastic-plastic loci as predicted by linear elastic fracture mechanics are also elaborated.
Missile autopilot design using the extended-mean assignment control. I. Stabilization

The paper presents a missile autopilot design using a recently developed extended mean assignment (EMA) control technique for linear time varying (LTV) systems. The EMA control technique is based on a new series D-eigenvalue (SD eigenvalue) concept in a way similar to the conventional pole placement design for linear time invariant (LTI) systems. The autopilot is to control the nonlinear, time varying pitch axis dynamics of a hypothetical tail controlled missile, which has been used as a benchmark in a number of recent studies on nonlinear, gain scheduling design techniques. A significant improvement of the EMA controller over the previous design is that the new EMA controller uses complex value SD-eigenvalues to avoid singularities known as finite escapes. The nonlinear dynamics of the missile is rendered into a linear one that is tractable by the EMA control technique via the classical linearization along a nominal normal acceleration profile, followed by a linear coordinate transformation. This is the first application of the EMA control to a state space LTV model that is not in the phase variable canonical form. Simulation results are presented for the zero input stabilization; the complete tracking problem will be studied in Part II of the paper. >
Trust and Participation in Organizational Decision Making as Predictors of Satisfaction

This study assesses the usefulness of trust and participation in decision making in predicting satisfaction among a college faculty. Organizational trust, a political assessment of hierarchical dec...
Ultrasound features of pediatric Crohn disease: a guide for case interpretation

With the emerging use of ultrasound in the evaluation of children with Crohn disease presenting with acute abdominal symptoms, there is a need to become familiar with the sonographic features of this disease. Our aim is to provide a primer of the characteristic intramural and extramural US findings in children with Crohn disease to serve as a practical and systematic guide to interpretation.
SHARP NMR biomedical spatial localization.

An application of the Slepian-Pollak-Landau “time and band limited functions” is found in NMR imaging. The precise context is best described by the rotating-frame dynamics of the Bloch equations, where an analogy is made to the problem of simultaneously concentrating a function in time and frequency. The appropriately modulated rf fields are found to yield excellent response characteristics when used in numerical simulations of the Bloch equations.© 1985 Academic Press,Inc.
Expression of Trio, a member of the Dbl family of Rho GEFs in the developing rat brain.

Trio, a member of the Dbl family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), has a series of spectrin repeats, two GEF domains, protein interaction domains, and a putative kinase domain, potentially important in neuronal axon guidance and cell migration. Most knowledge about Trio is based on studies of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, while the function of Trio in vertebrates is unclear. The aim of these experiments was to establish the patterns of Trio expression in the postnatal rat brain. During postnatal (P) development, high levels of Trio mRNA are found in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, caudate/putamen, and olfactory bulb, with lower levels in the septal nucleus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Except for the cerebellum, Trio mRNA in major brain areas is highest at P1, decreasing gradually during development, with low but detectable levels at P30. In P14 cerebral cortex, pyramidal neurons with strongly staining soma and dendrites are observed primarily in layer 5. In hippocampus, strong staining is observed in pyramidal neurons, granule cells, and isolated interneurons. Cerebellar Purkinje neurons exhibit intense staining in the soma and in extensive dendritic arbors at P7 and P14. Levels of Trio mRNA and the intensity of Trio immunostaining in cerebellar Purkinje cells increase from P1 to P30. Consistent with the in situ hybridization pattern, Western blot analyses show that Trio levels in the hippocampus and cortex are high at P1, decreasing until P30. The data suggest that Trio plays an important role during neuronal development. J. Comp. Neurol. 482:333–348, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Attachment Styles and Intimate Television Viewing: Insecurely Forming Relationships in a Parasocial Way:

Attachment theory was investigated as an alternative inter-personal theory for understanding how audience members form parasocial relationships with television personalities. Attachment theory posits that people develop relationships in either a secure or insecure fashion. We explored whether attachment styles influenced the extent to which individuals engage in parasocial interaction. A total of 115 students completed the parasocial scale and two attachment style questionnaires. Results provided evidence that attachment styles are related to parasocial behavior: Anxious-ambivalents were the most likely to form parasocial bonds, Avoidants were the least likely to develop such relationships, and Secures were in the middle, with the more mistrusting Secures showing a tendency to engage in parasocial interaction. The discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for the attachment process.
Simulating a Poisson cluster process for Internet traffic packet arrivals

An efficient algorithm to generate a large amount of data from a Poisson cluster process is developed. This algorithm is then used to do comparisons between simulated data and real-life Internet traffic data. The simulated data is also used to check the validity of the procedures used for estimating the parameters in the model, which are evaluated in terms of bias and MSE.
Southern Heritage on Display: Public Ritual and Ethnic Diversity within Southern Regionalism

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2003 Pages: viii + 301 Publisher: University of Alabama Press Prices: $49.95
Establishment phase greenhouse gas emissions in short rotation woody biomass plantations in the Northern Lake States, USA

Uncertainty exists over the magnitude of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with open land conversion to short-rotation woody biomass crops (SRWC) for bioenergy in the Northern U.S. Lake States. GHG debts incurred at the plantation establishment phase may delay the climate mitigation benefits of SRWC production. To better understand GHG debts associated with converting open lands to SRWC, we established research plantations with willow (Salix spp.), hybrid-poplar (Populus spp.), and control plots in spring 2010 at two sites in northern Michigan (ES) and Wisconsin (RH). These sites had similar climates, but differed in time since last cultivation: 5 vs. 42 years. To address the short-term effects of plantation establishment, we compared two-year biomass production and GHG emissions. We hypothesized that the long-idle ES site, with higher initial soil C and N stocks, would have higher GHG emissions following conversion compared to the recently-idle RH site, but that this would be balanced in part by greater SRWC productivity at the ES site. As hypothesized, grassland conversion resulted in two-year net GHG emissions due to land conversion of 43.21 and 33.02 Mg-CO2eq ha � 1 for poplar and willow at ES that was far greater than the 4.81 and � 1.54 Mg-CO2eq ha � 1 for poplar and willow at RH. Contrary to our
Variation in Growth Among 13 Prosopis (mesquite) Species

SUMMARY 1 Mesquitc (Prosopir spp) is a nitrogcn-fixing and drought-resistant leguminous tree which exists ' in many of the semi-arid regions of the world but little has been done to develop its potential for wood, nitrogcn fixation or pod yield. We report field and greenhouse cultural practices for mcrquitc and thc rcsults of a field screening trial for biomass production of 32 accessions, rcprcscnting North and South American and African germplasrn. Non-destructive biomasg estimates, dcrivcd from height and stem diameter measurements, had a 180-fold range; the preponderance of slow-growing accessions were from the rangelandr of southwestern USA. Prosopis (mesquite) is an extremely diverse leguminous genus of 44 species of shrubs and trees of semi-arid regions, primarily in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Mexico and southwestern United States. A native and an introduced species occur in west Africa, and two native and several introduced species occur in the Caucasus-Indian region. Forms are known that are use ful .for soil conservation and uui sources of fodder, and the genus may be valuable for timber, fuel, nitrogen fixation and the accumulation of leaf litter (Felker, 1979). We have assembled 400 single tree selections (accessions) of 13 species of Prosopis. This paper reports the results of two studies on the growth of 39 of these accissions (Table 1) in respect of height and stem diameter, and describes the silvicultural procedures and methods of controlling weeds and insects. Methods of inoculation with Rhizobium will appear elsewhere (Felker and Clark, in press). Most of the material was supplied by Professor O. T. Solbrig of Harvard University, and was obtained during work on the International Biological Program (IBP) in North and South America. The North American mesquite supplied by Solbrig was collected by Simpson along an east-west transect from Texas to Arizona. Other accessions were supplied by the USDA Northern Regional Research Centre, Peoria, trlinois; R. Modesto, Thermal, California; R. Winterbottom, Upper Volta; O. Hamel, Senegal; H. Hyland, Beltsville, Maryland; H. Esbenshade, Davis, California; and the Desert Nursery, Riverside, California.
TOPOGRAPHIC SHELTER AND CONIFER ESTABLISHMENT AND MORTALITY IN AN ALPINE ENVIRONMENT, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA

We examined the importance of periglacial shelter in the spatial distribution of conifers at and above alpine treeline. Using a detailed field-based method, we sampled a total of 211 conifer patches at three study locations in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. Conifers were found to be nonrandom spatial associates of three periglacial shelter types: boulders, terrace risers, and combination shelters. Our results indicate that conifer establishment and survival in this extreme mountain environment is connected to shelter availability and shelter type.
Databases Unplugged: Challenges in Ubiquitous Data Management

The recent Asilomar Report on Database Research cites ubiquitous “information appliances” as a major driver for database systems research over the next ten years. For the present, however, the use of most mobile devices is mostly restricted to Personal Information Management (PIM) applications. In order to fully realize the potential of ubiquitous data access, such devices must be allowed to serve as an extension to the enterprise data management infrastructure. Thus, database technology must be adapted to deal with the limitations as well as the tremendous opportunities of large-scale mobile data access. Challenges exist in core database areas such as system architecture, query processing, and transaction management, as well as in emerging areas such as data dissemination and user-directed execution. In this talk I will outline several of these challenges and describe approaches that have been proposed to meet them.
On the Use and Abuse of Dasein in Cognitive Science

Dasein is one of several twentieth-century notions which paint a portrait of the “post-Cartesian subject.” Critics of cognitivism such as Dreyfus (1992) have invoked Dasein in arguing that computational models cannot be sufficient to account for situated cognition. Van Gelder (1995) argues that dynamic systems theory provides an empirical model of cognition as practical activity which avoids the Cartesianism implicit in the computational approach. I assess Van Gelder's claim for dynamic systems as a model of being-in-the-world. Contra Van Gelder, I argue that the force of the “Dasein objection” is that the significance of a mental process, whether representational or not, depends on a lived background of value. While dynamic systems can help model the diachronic interplay between organism and environment, the semantic context for this interplay is no more accounted for here than in traditional computer models.
Effect of High-Pressure Processing and Milk on the Anthocyanin Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Strawberry-Based Beverages

The present study investigated processing strategies and matrix effects on the antioxidant capacity (AC) and polyphenols (PP) content of fruit-based beverages: (1) strawberry powder (Str) + dairy, D-Str; (2) Str + water, ND-Str; (3) dairy + no Str, D-NStr. Beverages were subjected to high-temperature-short-time (HTST) and high-pressure processing (HPP). AC and PP were measured before and after processing and after a 5 week shelf-life study. Unprocessed D-Str had significantly lower AC compared to unprocessed ND-Str. Significant reductions in AC were apparent in HTST- compared to HPP-processed beverages (up to 600 MPa). PP content was significantly reduced in D-Str compared to ND-Str and in response to HPP and HTST in all beverages. After storage (5 weeks), AC and PP were reduced in all beverages compared to unprocessed and week 0 processed beverages. These findings indicate potentially negative effects of milk and processing on AC and PP of fruit-based beverages.
Host range of the gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in the field versus laboratory

Lepidopteran larvae were sampled in the field to determine levels of infection by the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), fungal pathogen, Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu & Soper. Lepidopteran larvae were reared from 7 plots in Virginia in which moderate density gypsy moth populations simultaneously exhibited from 40.8 to 97.5% E. maimaiga infection. From a total of 1,511 larvae from 52 species belonging to 7 lepidopteran families in 4 superfamilies, only 2 individuals, 1 of 318 forest tent caterpillars, Malacosoma disstria Hiibner (0.3% infection), and 1 of 96 Catocala ilia (Cramer) (1.0% infection), became infected by entomophthoralean pathogens. Results from genomic DNA probes and bioassays confirmed that E. maimaiga had caused these infections. Laboratory studies yielded infection over a greater diversity of species, and percentages of infection from laboratory studies were higher than findings from the field for the 1 species infected in both the laboratory and field. At all sites, the gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus also was found, occasionally causing epizootics, but viral occlusion bodies were never found in nontarget Lepidoptera that died. In addition, 279 nontarget Lepidoptera belonging to 34 species in 8 families were collected and reared from areas with low density native gypsy moth populations, and E. maimaiga infections were not found in these nontarget hosts, although E. maimaiga was active in gypsy moth populations. A survey of lepidopteran cadavers collected from 1989 to 1995 containing entomophthoralean spores documented E. maimaiga infections in 3 species of lymantriids. The Lepidoptera-specific North American endemic entomopathogen Entomophaga aulicae (Reichardt in Bail) Humber, which is morphologically identical to E. maimaiga, was found in 1 geometrid species, 1 notodontid, 2 species of arctiids, and 1 introduced lymantriid, but in none of the gypsy moth larvae tested. Our results demonstrate that data from laboratory bioassays are poor estimates for predicting nontarget impact.
Detection of a poorly resolved airplane using SWIR polarization imaging

Polarization can be used to detect manmade objects on the ground and in the air, as it provides additional information beyond intensity and color. Skylight can be strongly polarized, so the detection of airplanes in flight requires careful consideration of the skylight degree and angle of polarization (DoLP, AoP). In this study, we detect poorly resolved airplanes (≥ 4 pixels on target) in flight during daytime partly cloudy and smoky conditions in Bozeman, Montana. We used a Polaris Sensor Technologies SWIR-MWIR rotating imaging polarimeter to measure the polarization signatures of airplanes and the surrounding skylight from 1.5 to 1.8 μm in the short-wave infrared (SWIR). An airplane flying in a clear region of partly cloudy sky was found to be 69% polarized at an elevation angle of 13° with respect to the horizon and the surrounding skylight was 4-8% polarized (maximum skylight DoLP was found to be 7-14% at an elevation angle of 50°). As the airplane increased in altitude, the DoLP for both airplane and surrounding sky pixels increased as the airplane neared the band of maximum sky polarization. We also observed that an airplane can be less polarized than its surrounding skylight when there is heavy smoke present. In such a case, the airplane was 30-38% polarized at an elevation angle of 17°, while the surrounding skylight was approximately 40% polarized (maximum skylight DoLP was 40-55% at an elevation angle of 34°). In both situations the airplane was most consistently observed in DoLP images rather than S0 or AoP images. In this paper, we describe the results in detail and discuss how this phenomenology could detect barely resolved aircrafts.
Commissioning and operational results of the 12 GeV helium compression system at JLab

The new compressor system at Jefferson Lab (JLab) for the 12 GeV upgrade was commissioned in the spring of 2013 and incorporates many design changes, discussed in previous publications, to improve the operational range, efficiency, reliability and maintainability as compared to previous compressor skids used for this application. The 12 GeV helium compression system has five compressors configured with four pressure levels supporting three pressure levels in the new cold box. During compressor commissioning the compressors were operated independent of the cold box over a wide range of process conditions to verify proper performance including adequate cooling and oil removal. Isothermal and volumetric efficiencies over these process conditions for several built-involume ratios were obtained. This paper will discuss the operational envelope results and the modifications/improvements incorporated into the skids.
From Scrimmage Lines to End Zones: Latinos in the National Football League

“A Question of the Brown Scrimmage Line” provides a nuanced socio-cultural analysis of exclusionary practices and trends in the early history of the pro leagues—or what the authors identify as the brown color line.
OPM Hack: The Most Dangerous Threat to the Federal Government Today

ABSTRACT2015 was a year of countless data breaches. From the Ashley Madison hack in July 2015 to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John Brennan's breach of his personal e-mail account, it is clear that people's privacy is no longer safe. However, one data breach stands out due to its size and scope—the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) hack. OPM fell victim to not only one, but two cybersecurity attacks on its secure information systems. Law enforcement officials conducted an investigation and arrested a group of Chinese hackers responsible for the theft of 21.5 million federal employee's background information and 5.6 million fingerprints. The names of federal employees, their addresses, social security numbers, and other personal records were stolen. By acquiring information about current and past federal employees, these criminals were now in possession of invaluable information to conduct economic espionage. As media outlets picked up on the story of this massive data breach, the que...
Neural regulation of immunity: molecular mechanisms and clinical translation

Neural pathways regulate immune responses and inflammation. Recent research using technological advances in molecular genetics has provided important insights into the functional anatomy and cellular and molecular mechanisms of this regulation. These advances resulted in clinical trials exploring neuromodulation in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Abstract 374: Soy Supplementation Prevents Progression of Smaller but Not Larger Atherosclerotic Plaques: Results of a Postmenopausal Monkey Reverse Translational Trial

Rationale_ A recent clinical trial reported that soy supplementation reduced atherosclerosis progression in the carotid arteries of women who were 5 years postmenopausal. Here we tested the hypothesis that soy atheroprotection may be influenced by the size of pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions at the initiation of treatment. Methods_ Premenopausal female cynomolgus macaques (n=38) were fed an atherogenic diet (Casein/Lactalbumin [CL]) for 34 months. Animals were then ovariectomized (OVX) and the left iliac artery (LCI, a surrogate for the coronary arteries) was biopsied to determine the amount of atherosclerosis present at baseline. Immediately after OVX, monkeys were randomized to either continue consuming the CL diet (n = 20) or to consume a soy protein diet (SP, n = 18) for an additional 34 months. At necropsy, the right iliac (RCI) and coronary arteries were collected and atherosclerosis extent was quantified. Results_ The CL diet group increased plaque size in the RCI compared to pretreatment (0.43 ± 0.06 mm 2 vs. 0.85 ± 0.12 mm 2 , p =0.019) whereas, plaques did not increase in size in the SP diet group, (LCI: 0.60 ± 0.10 mm 2 vs. RCI: 0.82 ± 0.16 mm 2 , p=0.17). Notably, SP diet did not have a beneficial effect on coronary artery plaque extent (CL: 0.73 ± 0.20 mm 2 vs. SP: 0.63 ± 0.16 mm 2 , p =NS). However, we observed that when animals were divided at the median based on pretreatment LCI plaque sizes (below; 0.21 ± 0.14 mm 2 : above; 0.82 ± 0.06 mm 2 ), the SP diet prevented plaque progression in both the iliac (CL: 0.54 ± 0.14 mm 2 vs. SP: 0.19 ± 0.04 mm 2 , p =0.04) and coronary arteries (CL: 0.52 ± 0.11 vs. SP: 0.17 ± 0.06 mm 2 , p =0.04) only in animals with smaller pretreatment plaques. There was no atheroinhibition among soy treated monkeys with plaques that were above the median (RCI CL: 1.32 ± 0.11 mm 2 vs. SP: 1.35 ± 0.14, p =0.94 and coronary artery CL: 1.06 ± 0.11 vs. Soy: 1.00 ± 0.17, p =0.63). Conclusions_ Pretreatment atherosclerosis stage is a major determinant of the potential atheroprotective effect of soy treatment. These data suggest that to obtain cardiovascular benefits of soy supplements, treatment should begin during the perimenopausal transition or in the very early postmenopause while plaques are usually still small.
Photochemistry and reactions of OH− defects and F centers in Alkali Halides

Abstract Additively colored KCl:OH− crystals show under combined UV and visible irradiation an irreversible destruction of F centers and visible absorption. This process, which is effective over the whole temperature range 4–300 K, was studied systematically in terms of the reaction efficiency and products using UV-visible and IR (local mode) spectroscopy. The UV photo-dissociation of OH− defects and photo-ionization of F centers produce a combined net effect, in which at higher temperatures all F centers are converted into U centers, thus completely bleaching the colored crystal. By these photo-reactions, high contrast visible images can be produced which are stable under visible light at RT, and are thermally stable up to 650°C. Besides the optical information-storage aspect, these photo-reactions can be used for controlled production of UA centers if the crystal contains alkali-ion impurities like Na+.
Anion Capture and Exchange by Functional Coatings: New Routes to Mitigate Steel Corrosion in Concrete Infrastructure.

Chloride-induced corrosion is a major cause of degradation of reinforced concrete infrastructure. While the binding of chloride ions (Cl-) by cementitious phases is known to delay corrosion, this approach has not been systematically exploited as a mechanism to increase structural service life. Recently, Falzone et al. [Cement and Concrete Research72, 54-68 (2015)] proposed calcium aluminate cement (CAC) formulations containing NO3-AFm to serve as anion exchange coatings that are capable of binding large quantities of Cl- ions, while simultaneously releasing corrosion-inhibiting NO3- species. To examine the viability of this concept, Cl- binding isotherms and ion-diffusion coefficients of a series of hydrated CAC formulations containing admixed Ca(NO3)2 (CN) are quantified. This data is input into a multi-species Nernst-Planck (NP) formulation, which is solved for a typical bridge-deck geometry using the finite element method (FEM). For exposure conditions corresponding to seawater, the results indicate that Cl- scavenging CAC coatings (i.e., top-layers) can significantly delay the time to corrosion (e.g., 5 ≤ df ≤ 10, where df is the steel corrosion initiation delay factor [unitless]) as compared to traditional OPC-based systems for the same cover thickness; as identified by thresholds of Cl-/OH- or Cl-/NO3- (molar) ratios in solution. The roles of hindered ionic diffusion, and the passivation of the reinforcing steel rendered by NO3- are also discussed.
Balance in Positive Emotional Expressivity Across School Contexts Relates to Kindergartners’ Adjustment

ABSTRACTPositive emotional expressivity has been associated with increased social competence and decreased maladjustment in childhood. However, a few researchers have found null or even positive associations between positive emotional expressivity and maladjustment, which suggests that there may be nuanced associations of positive expressivity, perhaps as a function of the social context in which it is expressed. We examined whether observed positive emotional expressivity balance across peer-oriented/recreational and learning contexts predicted kindergarten children’s adjustment (N = 301). Research Findings: Higher positive expressivity during lunch/recess compared to positive expressivity in the classroom was associated with lower teacher–student conflict, externalizing behaviors, and depressive symptoms. In addition, overall positive emotional expressivity predicted lower externalizing behaviors as well as lower depressive and anxiety symptoms. Practice or Policy: The results suggest the importance of ...
A 3-D Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics Model of Electrode Erosion

Results from a smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method of modeling electrode ablation in pulsed power systems are presented. The model follows numerous previous studies on electrode erosion in which the primary mechanism is conductive heat transfer. Total eroded mass as a function of peak current, frequency, and circuit damping were compared to theoretical and experimental data. The results indicate an average of a 16% deviation of the SPH code from the analytical prediction; however, most of the SPH data points qualitatively fall close to or within experimental ranges. The results indicate the potential of the SPH code to effectively model fusion propulsion reactor components for use in space travel.
Modeling associations between latent event processes governing time series of pulsing hormones

This work is motivated by a desire to quantify relationships between two time series of pulsing hormone concentrations. The locations of pulses are not directly observed and may be considered latent event processes. The latent event processes of pulsing hormones are often associated. It is this joint relationship we model. Current approaches to jointly modeling pulsing hormone data generally assume that a pulse in one hormone is coupled with a pulse in another hormone (one-to-one association). However, pulse coupling is often imperfect. Existing joint models are not flexible enough for imperfect systems. In this article, we develop a more flexible class of pulse association models that incorporate parameters quantifying imperfect pulse associations. We propose a novel use of the Cox process model as a model of how pulse events co-occur in time. We embed the Cox process model into a hormone concentration model. Hormone concentration is the observed data. Spatial birth and death Markov chain Monte Carlo is used for estimation. Simulations show the joint model works well for quantifying both perfect and imperfect associations and offers estimation improvements over single hormone analyses. We apply this model to luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), two reproductive hormones. Use of our joint model results in an ability to investigate novel hypotheses regarding associations between LH and FSH secretion in obese and non-obese women.
Phantom-based field maps for gradient nonlinearity correction in diffusion imaging

Gradient coils in magnetic resonance imaging do not produce perfectly linear gradient fields. For diffusion imaging, the field nonlinearities cause the amplitude and direction of the applied diffusion gradients to vary over the field of view. This leads to site- and scan-specific systematic errors in estimated diffusion parameters such as diffusivity and anisotropy, reducing reliability especially in studies that take place over multiple sites. These errors can be substantially reduced if the actual scanner-specific gradient coil magnetic fields are known. The nonlinearity of the coil fields is measured by scanner manufacturers and used internally for geometric corrections, but obtaining and using the information for a specific scanner may be impractical for many sites that operate without special-purpose local engineering and research support. We have implemented an empirical field-mapping procedure using a large phantom combined with a solid harmonic approximation to the coil fields that is simple to perform and apply. Here we describe the accuracy and precision of the approach in reproducing manufacturer gold standard field maps and in reducing spatially varying errors in quantitative diffusion imaging for a specific scanner. Before correction, median B value error ranged from 33 - 41 relative to manufacturer specification at 100 mm from isocenter; correction reduced this to 0 - 4. On-axis spatial variation in the estimated mean diffusivity of an isotropic phantom was 2.2% - 4.1% within 60 mm of isocenter before correction, 0.5% - 1.6% after. Expected fractional anisotropy in the phantom was 0; highest estimated fractional anisotropy within 60 mm of isocenter was reduced from 0.024 to 0.012 in the phase encoding direction (48% reduction) and from 0.020 to 0.006 in the frequency encoding direction (72% reduction).
Cardiovascular Problems in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

A number of phenomena that follow spinal cord injury increase the risk of cardiovascular complications and either are directly related to the neurologic problem or are the result of changes that occur with immobilization. It is important to prevent, identify, and treat such complications to optimize the rehabilitation process and ensure the patient’s full potential for functional improvement and ultimate success in meeting goals of rehabilitation.
Greetings to Frank Yang in Mid-Course (August 12, 1982)

It is a really exceptional pleasure to talk on the sixtieth birthday of my best student. Now the first point is that it isn’t his sixtieth birthday. His sixtieth birthday is supposed to be at some uncertain time. I heard clear proof that it is on the twenty-second of September, and I have heard further proof that it is on the first of October. But I wouldn’t amount even to any approximation of a theoretical physicist if I could not find one more difficulty. You see, in the birth of a theoretical physicist the important thing is not the calendar. The important thing is when his thoughts started, and that is very hard to find out. And in the case of Frank, we used to call him that, in the case of Frank Yang I wonder when he started first to think about the difference between right and left, even if not between matter and antimatter. So we can say by definition that this is his sixtieth birthday.
PLASMA BOTTLENECKS: DYNAMICS OF LASER-INDUCED PLASMAS

Diffusion of the hot, dense electron-hole plasma generated during pulsed laser annealing of Si can reduce the rate at which the carriers heat the lattice near the semiconductor surface and increase the extent of the region in which this energy transfer occurs. However, consideration of carrier diffusion indicates that the observed time-dependence of the reflectivity at two probe wavelengths during the annealing is inconsistent with the assumption that a dense, but expanding, plasma is responsible for the reflectivity rise.
Cellular and regional maintenance of iron homeostasis in the brain: normal and diseased states

Iron is an essential trophic factor for normal development of the brain and for maintenance of normal neurological function throughout life. However, iron when not regulated, can become a potent toxin through its ability to induce lipid peroxidative damage. Consequently, the brain has an exquisite system to assure the availability and timely delivery of iron. In this manuscript we review the cellular and regional distribution of the proteins involved in mediating the regulation of iron in the brain. These proteins, transferrin and its receptor (iron mobilization) and ferritin (iron storage) are thus responsible (along with the cells in which they reside) for maintaining iron homeostasis in the brain. Within the brain, iron and iron regulatory proteins have a region specific distribution being especially abundant in areas associated with motor functions. At the cellular level oligodendrocytes are the predominant cell type to stain for iron, transferrin and ferritin; although, numerous ferritin-positive microglial cells are present. Preliminary data from an analysis of isoforms of ferritin in the brain which may provide insight into the role of each cell type in iron regulation are discussed herein.
Geo-sampling in developing nations

ABSTRACTRTI International created a geospatial grid-based sampling methodology that: achieved a probability-based household sample and unbiased estimates; was comparable across countries; used simp...
The Visual Production of Chinese Masculinity in Political Cartoons, Photography, and Laundry

The act of oppressing a group to improve the economic, social, mental, and racial standing of another has remained a constant within United States society. The ways historians and individuals have studied this systematic discrimination, however, have changed and will most likely continue to evolve as new evidence and theories are introduced. In considering today’s events and the political tone used to defne “us,” versus “them,” it is relevant to focus on this pattern of fear associated with immigrants or “foreigners.” As a group that experienced some of the first xenophobic legislation and founding ideas for immigrant exclusion, the Chinese in North America provide an important narrative and contribution to the overall study of American exclusion. Their entrance into the United States and what it entailed for the racial order of society was unprecedented. In an attempt to study the Chinese American experience it proved to be a unique challenge because of the language barrier that rendered verbal primary accounts more obscure. The growing body of literature in material and gender studies has provided insightful avenues, however, for identifying the varying methods by which Chinese immigrants were subordinated, particularly in contradictory ways. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Targeted ballet program mitigates ataxia and improves balance in females with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis.

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that causes ataxia and deficits in balance. Exercise-based therapies have been identified as integral to the recovery of motor function in MS, but few studies have investigated non-traditional movement interventions. We examined a targeted ballet program (TBP) designed to mitigate ataxia and improve balance in females with mild-to-moderate relapsing-remitting MS. Methods and findings Twelve females with mild-to-moderate disability due to MS were assessed for study eligibility for the study. Ten participants met the inclusion criteria. Two were lost to unrelated health complications. Eight participants completed the TBP. The TBP met twice a week for 60 minutes for 16 weeks. Assessments included (a) the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), (b) the Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), (c) smoothness of movement during a five-meter walk, and (d) balance in a step to stand task before and after the TBP. There were no TBP-related adverse events. Single-tailed paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon tests were conducted. Improvements were observed in ICARS (p = 7.11E-05), Mini-BESTest (p = 0.001), smoothness of movement in the left (p = 0.027) and right (p = 0.028) sides of the body, and balance in a step-to-stand task in the back (p = 0.025) direction. Results yielded 42% and 58% improvements in the mean Mini-BESTest and ICARS scores, respectively. Conclusions This study adds to current research by providing support for a TBP intervention targeting ataxia and balance in MS. The TBP was well tolerated, improved balance, and mitigated ataxia. Clinical improvements were larger than those of previous studies on physical rehabilitation in MS with similar outcome measures.
Principles of TAVR valve design, modelling, and testing

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an effective minimally-invasive alternative to surgical valve replacement in medium- to high-risk, elderly patients with c...
Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health, and Bullying as Predictors of Partner Violence in a Representative Sample of Youth.

Abstract Purpose Partner violence (PV) is prevalent among US adolescents, though little is known about its prevalence and correlates across gender identities and sexual orientations. Existing research has frequently placed lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), questioning, and transgender adolescents in the same category, obscuring potential differences in risk of PV. Methods This study (N = 9,352) uses the 2015 Healthy Kids Colorado Study, a statewide representative survey, to explore how sexual orientation and gender identity are associated with PV victimization among high-school youth, and whether there is a relationship between mental health and bullying victimization and PV. Results Out of all youth who dated in the past year, 9.4% reported experiencing past-year PV. Compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers, cisgender LGB youth (AOR = 1.48 [1.17, 1.86]) and cisgender questioning youth (AOR = 1.68 [1.13, 2.48]) had elevated risk of experiencing PV. Transgender youth, particularly those who are both transgender and LGB (AOR = 3.25 [2.02, 5.22]) or transgender and questioning their sexual orientation (AOR = 8.57 [4.28, 17.16]), had the highest risk of PV. Depressive symptoms (AOR = 1.99 [1.67, 2.37]), suicidality (AOR = 1.83 [1.62, 2.06]), bullying victimization (AOR = 1.58 [1.31, 1.91]), and online bullying victimization (AOR = 1.98 [1.62, 2.06]) were associated with PV. Conclusions LGB, questioning and transgender high school students are at elevated risk of PV, with the highest risk among those who are both LGB and transgender. Adolescents who report PV are also more likely to be struggling with bullying, depression, and suicidality. PV prevention and response interventions should use intersectional approaches responsive to the unique needs of LGBT youth.
Performance Rating Scales

An area of practice of increasing importance to human resource development (HRD) professionals is the design and use of performance rating scales. Unfortunately, there seems much uncertainty about what constitutes best practice in this regard, especially when predetermined standards are not available. Regardless, the analysis of tasks or individual competencies should underlie the design of all types of performance rating scales. Performance rating scales have many different uses. For instance, managers use performance rating scales when they review a subordinate at the end of a review period. As will be discussed in the following chapters, individuals also use a performance rating scale when they assess their own abilities relative to various individual competencies. Though often simple in their layouts, performance rating scales can be used in some powerful ways, such as ensuring that learning has occurred, documenting when a person has completed certain actions that need to be done, and ensuring that all parts are included in the delivery of a set of communications. Performance rating scales are almost always used to measure some level of skill or ability. This chapter introduces four types of performance rating scales: checklist, product scale, numerical scale, and graphical scale.
Self-Doped Conjugated Polymeric Binders Improve the Capacity and Mechanical Properties of V2O5 Cathodes

Polymeric binders serve to stabilize the morphology of electrodes by providing adhesion and binding between the various components. Successful binders must serve multiple functions simultaneously, including providing strong adhesion, improving conductivity, and providing electrochemical stability. A tradeoff between mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance in binders for lithium-ion batteries is one of the many challenges of improving capacity and performance. In this paper, we demonstrate a self-doped conjugated polymer, poly(9,9-bis(4′-sulfonatobutyl)fluorene-alt-co-1,4-phenylene) (PFP), which not only provides mechanical robustness but also improves electrode stability at temperatures as high as 450 °C. The self-doped PFP polymer is comprised of a conjugated polyfluorene backbone with sulfonate terminated side-chains that serve to dope the conjugated polymer backbone, resulting in stable conductivity. Composite electrodes are prepared by blending PFP with V2O5 in water, followed by casting and drying. Structural characterization with X-ray diffraction and wide-angle X-ray scattering shows that PFP suppresses the crystallization of V2O5 at high temperatures (up to 450 °C), resulting in improved electrode stability during cycling and improved rate performance. This study demonstrates the potential of self-doped conjugated polymers for use as polymeric binders to enhance mechanical, structural, and electrochemical properties.
Treatment Options for Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma

The advent of new, more effective, and less toxic therapies has revolutionized the management of multiple myeloma in the past decade. Despite the availability of new treatments, most patients with multiple myeloma will become refractory to the therapies that currently comprise the hematologic standard of care for the malignancy, including proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, in recent years, a new subset of patients with multiple myeloma refractory to all 3 of these agents has emerged. This population, for whom a clear treatment paradigm has remained undefined, has been characterized by poor survival outcomes. The current approaches to the treatment of triple-class refractory disease are limited and include conventional chemotherapy, salvage autologous stem cell transplantation, and recycling previous regimens, each of which have generally had short-lived efficacy. It is anticipated that additional agents will be available for triple-refractory disease in the near future, including selinexor, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, and next-generation monoclonal antibodies. The development and further refinement of novel treatments for this subset of patients should be considered a key clinical and research priority.