cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a protocol to evaluate the use of representations in secondary chemistry instruction

Although observational protocols have been developed that assess different aspects of science teaching, none of the protocols existing in the literature address the principles of effective chemistry instruction guided by Johnstone's triangle of macroscopic, symbolic, and particulate representations of matter (Johnstone, 1991). We developed our own protocol, the Representations in Chemistry Instruction (RICI) protocol, to meet this need. RICI's research-based indicators include: (1) who used the representations (teacher or student) during instruction; (2) the role of representations in improving conceptual understanding; (3) the quality of discourse around the representations; and (4) the degree to which different representations (macroscopic, symbolic and particulate) were integrated in the lesson. The protocol was evaluated for face validity by a panel of chemistry education researchers and for reliability with evaluation of paired observations by two researchers, resulting in a Cohen's kappa of 0.71. The RICI protocol, used with an inquiry-based instruction observation protocol, like the similarly formatted EQUIP (Marshall et al., 2009), can evaluate the quality of secondary chemistry instruction for education researchers and professional development leaders, provide feedback to chemistry teachers for professional growth, and serve as a model for effective use of representations in chemistry instruction.
Beam tests of a thin dual-readout calorimeter for detecting cosmic rays outside the Earth's atmosphere

Cosmic ray experiments outside the Earth’s atmosphere are subject to very severe restrictions on the mass of the instruments. Therefore, it is important that the experimental information that can be obtained per unit detector mass is maximized. In this paper, we describe tests of a thin ! 1:4lint deep) hadron calorimeter that was designed with this goal in mind. This detector was equipped with two independent active media, which provided complementary information on the showering hadrons. It is shown that by combining the information from these media it was possible to reduce the e!ects of the dominant leakage fluctuations on the calorimeter performance. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 13.85.Tp; 29.40.Vj; 07.60.Vg
Non-Stationary Markov Models and Anomaly Propagation Analysis in IDS

We propose an anomaly based IDS that results in a decreased rate of false positives. It employs the new means of host-based detection in the system call domain with correlating anomalies reported by different hosts to the IDS server. A novel anomaly detection mechanism operating at the host level treats an application or service as a non-stationary stochastic process and models it as a non- stationary Markov chain that significantly improves model accuracy. A server-based procedure for the detection of anomaly propagation is employed. While false alarms do not propagate within the network, detected anomaly propagation with a high degree of certainty can be attributed to a computer worm; otherwise the alarms are to be treated as false positives.
Bubble dynamics in time-periodic straining flows

The dynamics and breakup of a bubble in an axisymmetric, time-periodic straining flow has been investigated via analysis of an approximate dynamic model and also by time-dependent numerical solutions of the full fluid mechanics problem. The analyses reveal that in the neighbourhood of a stable steady solution, an O(ϵ1/3) time-dependent change of bubble shape can be obtained from an O(e) resonant forcing. Furthermore, the probability of bubble breakup at subcritical Weber numbers can be maximized by choosing an optimal forcing frequency for a fixed forcing amplitude.
Kinesin’s processivity results from mechanical and chemical coordination between the ATP hydrolysis cycles of the two motor domains

Kinesin is a processive motor protein: A single molecule can walk continuously along a microtubule for several micrometers, taking hundreds of 8-nm steps without dissociating. To elucidate the biochemical and structural basis for processivity, we have engineered a heterodimeric one-headed kinesin and compared its biochemical properties to those of the wild-type two-headed molecule. Our construct retains the functionally important neck and tail domains and supports motility in high-density microtubule gliding assays, though it fails to move at the single-molecule level. We find that the ATPase rate of one-headed kinesin is 3–6 s−1 and that detachment from the microtubule occurs at a similar rate (3 s−1). This establishes that one-headed kinesin usually detaches once per ATP hydrolysis cycle. Furthermore, we identify the rate-limiting step in the one-headed hydrolysis cycle as detachment from the microtubule in the ADP⋅Pi state. Because the ATPase and detachment rates are roughly an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding rates for two-headed kinesin, the detachment of one head in the homodimer (in the ADP⋅Pi state) must be accelerated by the other head. We hypothesize that this results from internal strain generated when the second head binds. This idea accords with a hand-over-hand model for processivity in which the release of the trailing head is contingent on the binding of the forward head. These new results, together with previously published ones, allow us to propose a pathway that defines the chemical and mechanical cycle for two-headed kinesin.
Bariatric Surgery and Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations for Heart Failure Exacerbation: Population-Based, Self-Controlled Series

Abstract Background The United States is battling obesity and heart failure (HF) epidemics. Although studies have suggested relationships between obesity and HF morbidity, little is known regarding the effects of substantial weight reduction in obese patients with HF. Objectives This study investigated whether bariatric surgery is associated with a decreased rate of HF exacerbation. Methods We performed a self-controlled case series study of obese patients with HF who underwent bariatric surgery, using the population-based emergency department (ED) and inpatient sample in California, Florida, and Nebraska. Primary outcome was ED visit or hospitalization for HF exacerbation from 2005 to 2011. We used conditional logistic regression to compare the outcome event rate during sequential 12-month periods, using pre-surgery months 13 to 24 as the reference period. Results We identified 524 patients with HF who underwent bariatric surgery. During the reference period, 16.2% of patients had an ED visit or hospitalization for HF exacerbation. The rate remained unchanged in the subsequent 12-month pre-surgery period (15.3%; p = 0.67). In the first 12-month period after bariatric surgery, we observed a nonsignificantly reduced rate (12.0%; p = 0.052). However, the rate was significantly lower in the subsequent 13 to 24 months after bariatric surgery (9.9%; adjusted odds ratio: 0.57; p = 0.003). By contrast, there was no significant reduction in the rate of HF exacerbation among obese patients who underwent nonbariatric surgery (i.e., cholecystectomy, hysterectomy). Conclusions Our findings indicate that bariatric surgery is associated with a decline in the rate of HF exacerbation requiring ED evaluation or hospitalization among obese patients with HF.
Formation of an edge striped phase in the ν = 1 3 fractional quantum Hall system

teraction. The FQHE has been relatively less studied in the disk geometry [2,13,14], because, in part, the interest was focused on the bulk states, and it is difficult to separate disk edge effects for small number of electrons. In this paper we report results of a detailed numerical investigation of the microscopic structure of the FQH edge. To this end, we diagonalize the interaction Hamiltonian in the disk geometry for up to N = 12 Coulombinteracting electrons. For N ≥ 10 we observe formation of a striped order in the charge density at the edges. These edge stripes are not captured by the Laughlin wave function that works well for the bulk FQH states. We also obtain an analytical fit to the numerical data, which suggests that the amplitude of the charge density oscillations decays only as a power law (specifically, as inverse square root) with distance, appreciably extending into the sample. We interpret these results as formation of an edge striped phase (ESP) with wave vector qesp ≈ π/2l0, possibly smectic liquid crystal, at the edge of a FQH system. We study the simplest FQH state, that of spinpolarized electrons restricted to lowest Landau level, as appropriate in the large B limit, at filling ν = 1 . The interaction Hamiltonian in the second-quantized form is H =
Neisserial Antigen H.8 is Immunogenic in Patients with Disseminated Gonococcal and Meningococcal Infections

Antigenic diversity among and within strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis has complicated studies of the pathogenesis of these strains and obstructed vaccine development. We previously described a distinct surface antigen (H.8) common to pathogenic Neisseria. We have now demonstrated in vivo expression of the H.8 antigen by detecting antibody responses to the antigen in 13 patients with disseminated neisserial infections. Each serum sample from a convalescent patient blocked the binding between the infecting meningococcal or gonococcal strain and a monoclonal antibody directed to the H.8 antigen, as demonstrated by binding-inhibition studies in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (P less than .005). Testing by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting demonstrated an IgG response in each convalescent serum to an antigen co-migrating with the H.8 antigen. Specificity of this antibody response was confirmed by probing recombinant bacteriophage that expressed the H.8 antigen. The commonality and the immunogenicity of the H.8 antigen indicate its possible role in the pathogenesis of, and its potential as a vaccine component for, gonococcal and meningococcal diseases.
Conservation Easement Tax Credits A Viable Policy for Stimulating Donations

Public concern about urban sprawl has spurred states to offer incentives for land preservation, such as state income tax credits granted to donors of conservation easements. This study examines the effect of these tax credits on conservation easement donations to regional land trust organizations in the lower forty-eight states during the period from 1994 to 2005. Regression results indicate that a state income tax credit has a statistically significant impact on conservation easement donations only during the initial period of implementation. The results also show that donation rates are significantly impacted by the extent of state park land holdings.
The Regional Economic Effects of Military Base Realignments and Closures

This paper empirically investigates the impact of military base realignments and closures on regional economic activity in light of the 2005 round of Base Realignment and Closure actions. Baseline regressions with county-level data show employment multipliers comparable to those generated from conventional input–output models. However, controlling for possible endogeneity and other regional-specific factors, regressions indicate more tenuous results for spillover effects from the military to the private sector. Only the contractor type of base employment generated economically and statistically meaningful impacts on local employment. In addition, there is strong evidence of asymmetric effects between military buildups and drawdowns.
Feedback Control for a Two-Dimensional Burgers' Equation System Model

In this paper, we consider the problem of controlling a system governed by a two-dimensional nonlinear partial differential equation. Motivation for the problem is the development of control methodologies for fluid flow, where the dynamics of the system are governed by the nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations. An initial boundary value problem described by the twodimensional Burgers’ equation is formulated to model a right-travelling shock over an obstacle. We focus on implementing feedback control via Dirichlet boundary conditions on the obstacle. We formulate a control problem for the system model, and examine two different methods of finding the control. The first method involves obtaining the solution of an algebraic Riccati equation. The second method involves obtaining a steady-state solution of the Chandrasekhar equations. Numerical approximations are developed to numerically simulate solutions of the problem with and without control. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the efficacy, as well as the shortcomings, of the control method. Additionally, the influence of boundary condition on the functional gains, and the resulting controls, is demonstrated through numerical examples. Avenues of future work are presented.
Face Recognition Based on Subspace of Variant Lighting Direction

This paper presents a method to solve the problem caused by the variant lighting direction in face recognition.The subspaces corresponding to different lighting direction are constructed, and the subspace that the test sample belongs to is determined, then a match using nearest neighboring method is carried out and the ultimate recognition result is achieved. The experiment is divided into two cases based on SHIMON face database, there is only lighting direction changing in the first case, in another case there are both lighting direction changing and view changing. The experiment result proves that this method is effective.
Help Wanted A Quality Needs Assessment Creates a Position for a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

1. A survey needs assessment demonstrated that nurses in hospital practice need and want a PCNS for support with conflict resolution, difficult personnel and families, stress reduction, education, death and dying, and support groups. 2. Nurses (69%) who were considering leaving their positions wanted a PCNS to talk with them about their decisions. They felt a PCNS could provide insights they had overlooked. Nurses felt that they needed a PCNS on site or on call to be there for them to improve their practice. 3. Creating a position for a PCNS to be a consultant and liaison for nurses is a cost effective way to increase retention of excellent nurses, improve quality of care, job satisfaction, increased productivity, and reduced costs.
The platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX complex

The GP Ib-IX complex is part of a conglomerate of polypeptides on the platelet surface that perform several key roles of central importance to the haemostatic function of platelets. When deranged, these interactions can also lead to pathological thrombosis, with potentially disastrous consequences for the organism. In this manuscript, several aspects of the structure and biology of the complex are reviewed, including the structures of its polypeptides and their relationships to other members of a phylogenetically widespread protein family, its topology on the platelet membrane and relationship with cytoskeletal components, peptide sequences involved in binding its ligands, von Willebrand factor and thrombin, its polymorphisms, its biosynthesis, and the organizations of the genes that encode its subunits.
Compactifying parameter spaces

Keynote Questions (a) (The five conic problem) Given five general plane conics C 1 , …, C 5 ⊂ ℙ 2 , how many smooth conics C ⊂ ℙ 2 are tangent to all five? (Answer on page 308.) (b) Given 11 general points p 1 ,…, p 11 ϵ ℙ 2 in the plane, how many rational quartic curves C ⊂ ℙ 2 contain them all? (Answer on page 321.) All the applications of intersection theory to enumerative geometry exploit the fact that interesting classes of algebraic varieties—lines, hypersurfaces and so on—are themselves parametrized by the points of an algebraic variety, the parameter space , and our efforts have all been toward counting intersections on these spaces. But to use intersection theory to count something, the parameter space must be projective (or at least proper) so that we have a degree map, as defined in Chapter 1. In the first case we treated in this book, that of the family of planes of a certain dimension in projective space, the natural parameter space was the Grassmannian, and the fact that it is projective is what makes the Schubert calculus so useful for enumeration. When we studied the questions about linear spaces on hypersurfaces, we were similarly concerned with parameter spaces that were projective—the Grassmannian ( k,n ) and, in connection with questions involving families of hypersurfaces, the projective space ℙ N of hypersurfaces itself. These spaces have an additional feature of importance: a universal family of the geometric objects we are studying, or (amounting to the same thing) the property of representing a functor we understand. This property is useful in many ways, first of all for understanding tangent spaces, and thus transversality questions. In many interesting cases, however, the “natural” parameter space for a problem is not projective. To use the tools of intersection theory to count something, we must add points to the parameter space to complete it to a projective (or at least proper) variety. It is customary to call these new points the boundary , although this is not a topological boundary in any ordinary sense—the boundary points may look like any other point of the space—and (more reasonably) to call the enlarged space a compactification of the original space.
Why understanding the asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) is important to the clinician.

Many common chronic diseases are clinically very heterogeneous with novel and genetically complex mechanisms that significantly interact with environmental forces. The chronic airway syndromes of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are excellent examples of such diseases where the environment, genetics and epigenetics contribute to a wide spectrum of phenotypes1,2,3,4. Asthma and COPD are both airway obstructive diseases and the two most common respiratory diseases worldwide with millions of patients suffering from these syndromes1. Because these both are so common, probability would suggest that there would be patients that could have both diseases or at least elements of both syndromes. In 2004, Guerra noted that it was common in clinical practice to see patients with asthma that also showed COPD-like phenotypes and vice versa5. The overlap of asthma and COPD in adults was also suggested by the observation than adult patients with active asthma were 12 times more likely to acquire COPD over time than patients without active asthma5. Gibson and Simpson noted in 2009 that epidemiological studies have shown as many as half of the older patients with obstructive airway disease have overlapping diagnoses of both asthma and COPD6. They named this the “overlap syndrome”.
How to formulate the problem of personal identity

Eric Olson and Ned Markosian have, independently, complained that the ways in which the problem of personal identity has been formulated rule out certain views of personal identity just by how the problem is formulated. As a result, both have proposed alternative formulations, each attempting theory neutrality. They have not succeeded, however, since both of their formulations, as well as the formulations that they have rejected, are biased against presentist solutions to the problem, and some are biased against four-dimensionalist solutions, as well as stage theory solutions. In this paper, I show how previous formulations, including Olson’s and Markosian’s, are biased in the ways mentioned, and I propose a list of criteria that any formulation of the problem must meet in order to be theory neutral. Finally, I attempt a formulation that is neutral.
Adult Experience With Long Term Devices

Abstract As mechanical circulatory support (MCS) therapies are increasingly applied to the pediatric population, many concepts and lessons from the adult experience (especially with continuous flow devices) are relevant to the care of children and adolescents with advanced heart failure. The importance of MCS in the pediatric population was embraced at the national level with the creation in 2012, of the US national registry for Pediatric Mechanical Assisted Circulatory Support, which was initiated as a component of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–funded Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support. In the current era, continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) account for >95% of durable MCS device implants. This chapter will review concepts and experiences with continuous flow technology in the adult population that are particularly relevant to applications in pediatric patients.
Blockchain Technology and Race in Corporate America

Blockchain technology provides anonymous and secure transactional guarantees through democratized trust and disintermediation. Minorities and disenfranchised communities can benefit from the evolving technology and its anti-discrimination features. The article evaluates how blockchain technology helps minimize discriminatory practices in corporate America and creates a more equal society.
Probing the relative psychometric validity of three measures of psychological inflexibility

Abstract The present study probed the relative structural and concurrent validity of responses to three self-report measures of psychological inflexibility with a large sample of college students (N = 797): the revised version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), the shorter version of the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y8), and the longer version of the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y17). Structural validity findings showed that responses to the AAQ-II and AFQ-Y8 indicated good data–model fit and latent construct reliability, whereas the data–model fit for responses to the AFQ-Y17 was poor, despite strong latent construct reliability. Concurrent validity findings demonstrated that scores derived from all three measures of psychological inflexibility had comparable correlations with several concurrent indicators of negative mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, global negative affect), positive mental health (i.e., happiness, hope, global positive affect), and theoretically-similar therapeutic processes (i.e., mindfulness skills). Yet findings from hierarchical regressions evidenced some incremental validity when scores from the AAQ-II, AFQ-Y8, and AFQ-Y17 were taken together to predict concurrent mental health outcomes—suggesting potential differential construct representation among these three measures. Limitations of the present study and future directions for research and practice are discussed.
Letter Forms as Communicative Urban Artifacts for Social Narratives

Words, type and letters - as signs and artifacts - have an immense promise to convey meaning in the urban environment. Letterforms are the 'architecture of language' (Baines and Haslam, 2005) - they build narratives, and create inquisitive interpretive spaces through which the reader experiences meaning. Typography and letterforms can possibly be perceived and defined in two ways - functional (legibility) and visual (formal). The utilitarian domain of typography is a prerequisite for effective communication, but letterforms have also been an unsolved quest for designers to explore and qualify various other more ephemeral dimensions of communication. Unique to letterforms is the distinctive manner in which they can be used to occupy space, convey characteristics, portray personality and physique, and situate dimensionally or even be associated with variety of emotions. Type is an art form, providing immense pleasure to the everyday observer, reader and speculator.
The Trypanosoma cruzi RNA-binding protein RBP42 is expressed in the cytoplasm throughout the life cycle of the parasite.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans, has a complex life cycle that promotes survival in disparate environments. In each environment, the parasite must fine-tune its metabolic pathways to divide and multiply. In the absence of recognizable transcriptional gene regulation, it is apparent that protein levels are determined by post-transcriptional mechanisms. Post-transcriptional gene control is influenced by RNA-binding proteins that target mRNAs in the cell’s cytoplasm. To initiate the study of post-transcriptional activities in T. cruzi, we studied this organism’s ortholog of RBP42, a trypanosomal RNA-binding protein. RBP42 was originally detected in Trypanosoma brucei and was shown to target a subset of mRNAs that encode proteins governing central carbon metabolism. T. cruzi RBP42 structurally resembles T. brucei RBP42, sharing an NTF2 domain at its amino terminus and a single RNA-binding domain (specifically, the RNA recognition motif, or RRM), at its carboxy terminus. A phylogenetic analysis reveals that an NTF2 and a single RRM are distinguishing features of all RBP42 orthologs within the broad kinetoplastid grouping. T. cruzi RBP42 is expressed in all life cycle stages of the parasite as determined by immunoblot and immunofluorescence microscopy. In each case, the protein is localized to the cytoplasm, indicating a role for T. cruzi RBP42 in post-transcriptional activities in all stages of the parasite life cycle. We speculate that RBP42 influences the dynamic metabolic pathways responsible for parasite infection and transmission.
Safety and efficacy of Regadenoson in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) stress tests: A review

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) tests are often used to help diagnose coronary heart disease (CAD). The tests usually involve applying stress, such as hard physical exercise together with administration of vasodilators, to the patients. To date, many of these tests use non-selective A2A adenosine receptor agonists which, however, can be associated with highly undesirable and life-threatening side effects such as chest pain, dyspnea, severe bronchoconstriction and atrioventricular conduction anomalies. Regadenoson is a relatively new, highly selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist, suitable for use in MPI tests which exhibits far fewer adverse side effects and, unlike others testing agents, can be used without the necessity of excessive concomitant exercise. Also, the dose of regadenoson required is not dependent upon patient weight or renal impairment, and it can be rapidly administered by i.v. Injection. Regadenoson use in MPI testing thus has the potential as a simplified, relatively safe, time-saving and cost-effective method for helping diagnose CAD. The present study was designed to review several articles on the safety, efficacy, and suitability of regadenoson in MPI testing for CAD. Overall, the combined studies demonstrated that use of regadenoson in conjunction with low-level exercise in MPI is a highly efficient and relatively safe test for CAD, especially for more severe health-compromised patients.
Patterning challenges for monolithic silicon photonics: AP/DFM: Advanced patterning / design for manufacturability

The curvilinear geometries of photonic devices are fundamentally different than the rectilinear designs of existing CMOS devices. In a monolithic integration of CMOS and photonic components, process changes to the conventional flow are required to accommodate the unique geometries of photonic devices. In this paper we discuss changes made in both fab processing and Optical Proximity Correction to improve the optical performance on a monolithic 90nm technology.
miR-17-92 cluster promotes cholangiocarcinoma growth: evidence for PTEN as downstream target and IL-6/Stat3 as upstream activator.

miR-17-92 is an oncogenic miRNA cluster implicated in the development of several cancers; however, it remains unknown whether the miR-17-92 cluster is able to regulate cholangiocarcinogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of the miR-17-92 cluster in cholangiocarcinoma. In situ hybridization and quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the miR-17-92 cluster is highly expressed in human cholangiocarcinoma cells compared with the nonneoplastic biliary epithelial cells. Forced overexpression of the miR-17-92 cluster or its members, miR-92a and miR-19a, in cultured human cholangiocarcinoma cells enhanced tumor cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasiveness, in vitro. Overexpression of the miR-17-92 cluster or miR-92a also enhanced cholangiocarcinoma growth in vivo in hairless outbred mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SHO-PrkdcscidHrhr). The tumor-suppressor, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), was identified as a bona fide target of both miR-92a and miR-19a in cholangiocarcinoma cells via sequence prediction, 3′ untranslated region luciferase activity assay, and Western blot analysis. Accordingly, overexpression of the PTEN open reading frame protein (devoid of 3′ untranslated region) prevented miR-92a– or miR-19a–induced cholangiocarcinoma cell growth. Microarray analysis revealed additional targets of the miR-17-92 cluster in human cholangiocarcinoma cells, including APAF-1 and PRDM2. Moreover, we observed that the expression of the miR-17-92 cluster is regulated by IL-6/Stat3, a key oncogenic signaling pathway pivotal in cholangiocarcinogenesis. Taken together, our findings disclose a novel IL-6/Stat3–miR-17-92 cluster–PTEN signaling axis that is crucial for cholangiocarcinogenesis and tumor progression.
Development of a Uniform System for Mortality Review

Four Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Medical District 14 of the Great Lakes region collaborated in the development and implementation of a uniform, education-oriented mortality review system. Because the new review format emphasizes evaluation of care already delivered as well as planning for treatment in similar situations, the process and product of such reviews is expected to be very useful. Data derived from these mortality reviews may also be used for trending both within and between medical centers.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Reliability-oriented Optimal Distribution System Reconfiguration

This study presents a framework for solving the optimal distribution system reconfiguration problem with an objective of reliability improvement. The framework proposed in this paper is developed based on a new linearized optimization model, in which the coupling between active power and voltage bounds as well as the coupling between reactive power and voltage angle are considered, unlike some traditional linearized models. Furthermore, we developed a search method based on particle warm optimization (PSO) to determine the best combinations of the sectionalizing and tie-switches that yield to minimum power curtailment. We also developed a method based on higher-order contingency analysis to evaluate the reliability of the tested distribution systems. In addition, we utilized a method based on graph theory to preserve the radiality constraints of the resultant optimal configuration. For comparison purposes, we developed a method based on Genetic Algorithms (GA) to search for the best combinations of the sectionalizing and tie-switches that yield to minimum power curtailment. We disseminated the effectiveness of the proposed framework on 33 bus system, 69 bus system, and 118 bus system, which have been extensively used in the literature as examples in solving the distribution system reconfiguration problem. We utilized the proposed framework to calculate the expected energy not supplied reliability index (EENS) and the energy index of unreliability (EIU) for numerous case studies. The obtained results have shown that the amount of the annual expected energy not supplied can be significantly reduced using the proposed framework.
Membrane module design, construction, and testing for vacuum sweep dehumidification (VSD): Part I, prototype development and module design

Abstract There is an unmet market demand for membrane-based humidity control air conditioning systems. This paper hypothesizes that this unmet demand results from the lack of optimized membrane module designs for this application. Designing membrane modules for vacuum sweep dehumidification (VSD) of building air requires the minimization of vacuum pump work and the maximization of the percent reduction in absolute humidity. Because the operating conditions for VSD differ significantly from the typical membrane gas separation process, the resulting membrane module design was significantly different than the typical hollow-fiber module. Theoretical and experimental analysis determined that the design should focus on reducing the feed/retentate boundary layer resistance to mass transport. The development process evaluated three module geometries. Testing and evaluation of the module geometries, using an industry standard feed humidity for designing air conditioning systems, showed that membrane module design can produce VSD membrane systems with better performance and energy efficiencies than standard cooling coil systems. The best module tested (patent pending) had an overall module water-vapor permeance of 4700 GPU for feed humidities of 11-g/kg; producing a 26% reduction in absolute humidity with
JCL roundtable: Coronary artery calcium scoring and other vascular imaging for risk assessment

Abstract Computed tomographic (CT) coronary calcium scoring has been established by large prospective, population-based studies as the single best noninvasive predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk available today. The calcium score correlates highly with the total burden of coronary atherosclerosis demonstrated at autopsy. It adds significantly to traditional risk calculators such as the Framingham Risk Calculator or the Pooled Cohort Equations. The 2018 U.S. Cholesterol Guidelines endorse the use of CT coronary calcium scoring to refine risk estimates in the intermediate range of 7.5%–20% over 10 years. Most, but not all, adults with calcium scores of zero can reasonably elect to avoid or defer statin therapy, but repeating the calcium score should be considered in 5 to 10 years. Discussants at this roundtable urge that coronary calcium scoring be offered to many more adults than currently receiving this test, including those with borderline 10-year risk in the range of 5%–7.5%. CT coronary angiography is a procedure based on intravenous contrast injection, mostly used in low-risk patients with chest pain. In British guidelines, CT angiography is preferred over stress testing for initial assessment of suspected coronary symptoms. Carotid ultrasound evaluating both the carotid intima-media thickness and presence of plague is less predictive than coronary calcium scoring for overall atherosclerotic risk but more predictive for stroke risk.
A Stress Buffering Perspective on the Progression of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

This study used the stress buffering perspective to identify social resources, including social network support, having a high quality marriage, and spousal support, that protect against deleteriou...
Role of hemoglobin denaturation and band 3 clustering in initiating red cell removal.

While multiple mechanisms likely exist to assure that a defective erythrocyte does not escape removal by macrophages, we believe that the more heavily used clearance pathways will have certain characteristics in common. First, the pathway should involve a change in components already present in the circulating erythrocytes, since de novo protein synthesis will have terminated before the erythrocyte reaches maturity. Second, the changes initiating the removal sequence must eventually be manifested on the exofacial surface of the cell, since a macrophage has little means of detecting an intracellular biochemical lesion. And finally, the exofacial changes recognized by the macrophage must be inducible by a change in the biochemistry of the cytoplasm, since cells that develop intracellular defects early in their lifespans are also removed early (e.g., sickle cells, (1) s-thalassemic cells, (2) cells with enzyme deficiencies, (3) cells treated with oxidants, (4) etc). That is, a linkage of some sort must exist between the functional state of components in the cytoplasm and markers at the cell surface recognized by macrophages. The hypothesis outlined below describes how hemoglobin, the most abundant protein in the cytoplasm, and band 3, the most prominent protein in the membrane cooperate to establish this linkage, transducing information regarding the biochemical integrity of the cell to the reticuloendothelial system which is responsible for aged/abnormal cell clearance.
The contributions of junctions and nanowires/nanotubes in conductive networks

Electrical transport in networked materials occurs through percolative clusters composed of a random distribution of two kinds of interconnected elements: elementary nanostructures and nanostructure-nanostructure junctions. Rationalizing the contribution of these microscopic elements to the macroscopic resistance of the system is a fundamental issue to develop this class of materials and related devices. Focusing on networks composed of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures, such as nanowires (NWs) or nanotubes (NTs), these concepts are still raising controversy in modeling and interpretation of experimental data. Despite these incongruences and the large variations induced by disorder in the electrical properties of such networked systems, this work shows that the ratio between the junction and the nanostructure resistance is nearly the same at the microscopic and macroscopic levels, regardless of the network features. In other words, this means that we may assess the relative contribution of nanostructures and junctions to the macroscopic network resistance directly from the knowledge of its microscopic building blocks. Based on experimental data available in the literature, this result is proven to hold for different materials and network densities, ranging from inorganic NWs to organic carbon NTs and from the percolation critical density nc up to, at least, five times nc, respectively.
Fine-motor skills and occupations of young adults with Multiple Sclerosis (ms)

Date Presented 04/04/19 Many symptoms of young adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) affect their age appropriate milestones, such as education, family, and vocational planning. This dissertation study shows how fine-motor skills of young adults with MS (YAwMS) play a role in their occupational performance as they attempt to achieve planned life goals. This mixed-method study addresses how the quantitative results of the study support the qualitative findings through cross-case comparison and merged findings. Primary Author and Speaker: Mary Squillace
Exploratory behaviour is associated with microhabitat and evolutionary radiation in Lake Malawi cichlids

Encountering and adaptively responding to unfamiliar or novel stimuli is a fundamental challenge facing animals and is linked to fitness. Behavioural responses to novel stimuli can differ strongly between closely related species; however, the ecological and evolutionary factors underlying these differences are not well understood, in part because most comparative investigations have focused on only two species. In this study, we investigate behavioural responses to novel environments, or exploratory behaviours, sampling from a total of 20 species in a previously untested vertebrate system, Lake Malawi cichlid fishes, which comprises hundreds of phenotypically diverse species that have diverged in the past one million years. We show generally conserved behavioural response patterns to different types of environmental stimuli in Lake Malawi cichlids, spanning multiple assays and paralleling other teleost and rodent lineages. Next, we demonstrate that more specific dimensions of exploratory behaviour vary strongly among Lake Malawi cichlids, and that a large proportion of this variation is explained by species differences. We further show that species differences in open field behaviours are explained by microhabitat and by a major evolutionary split between the mbuna and benthic/utaka radiations in Lake Malawi. Lastly, we track some individuals across a subset of behavioural assays and show that patterns of behavioural covariation across contexts are characteristic of modular complex traits. Taken together, our results tie ecology and evolution to natural behavioural variation, and highlight Lake Malawi cichlids as a powerful system for understanding the biological basis of exploratory behaviours.
The Influence of Physical Activity on Cavernous Malformation Hemorrhage.

Abstract Background and Aim: Cavernous malformations are low-flow vascular malformations of the central nervous system. Brainstem location and prior hemorrhage increase future hemorrhage risk. We sought to determine the influence of physical activity on hemorrhage risk. Methods: Consecutive patients with radiologically confirmed cavernous malformations participated in a prospective registry with structured, baseline interviews, surveys, and examinations. Patients were asked about unusual events prior to initial clinical presentation. Medical records and MRIs were reviewed. Patients were surveyed about their physical activity after receiving their diagnosis. Annual follow-up surveys to patients ascertained new hemorrhages. Follow-up terminated at last follow-up, hemorrhage, surgery, or death. Univariate analysis assessed the risk of physical activities on prospective hemorrhage. Results: Of 195 patients, 117 (60%) were female. Median diagnosis age was 41 years. After diagnosis, 103 (52.8%) patients returned the physical activity survey (cerebral n = 100; spine n = 3). Over 539.4 patient years, 23 had a prospective hemorrhage. Five patients were removed from analysis because they had less than 6 weeks of physical-activity exposure before censor. The remaining 98 had no difference in prospective hemorrhage risk than those patients participating greater than or equal to 3 times monthly in walking, running, greater than 20-pound or less than 20-pound weight lifting, or noncontact sports. Few (n = 5) reported contact-sport participation, scuba diving (n = 2), or high-altitude climbing (n = 1) greater than 3 times monthly. Conclusions: Aerobic activity and noncontact sports do not increase hemorrhage risk in cerebral cavernous malformation; patients should not be restricted. Less is known about contact sports, high-altitude climbing, scuba diving, and those with spinal-cord cavernous malformation.
Chapter 14 – Computer Modeling and Simulation of UHMWPE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of computer modeling and simulation for mechanical characterization of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). One of the most important uses of a validated constitutive model is to predict failure of the structure at hand on some length scale. The modeling of UHMWPE orthopedic bearings is usually performed to examine questions related to macroscopic failure, such as in a knee bearing insert, or microscopic failure, such as occurs concomitant to the generation of wear particles in a hip bearing insert. The current state of the art in mechanical modeling is based on finite element (FE) simulations. Linear elasticity is the most basic of all material models. Only two material parameters need to be determined experimentally: Young's modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (v). A natural extension of linear elasticity is hyperelasticity, which is a collective term for a family of models that all have a strain energy density that depends only on the currently applied deformation state (and not on the history of deformations). This class of material models is characterized by a nonlinear elastic response, and does not capture yielding, viscoplasticity, or time dependence. Linear viscoelasticity is an extension of linear elasticity and hyperelasticity that enables predictions of time dependence and viscoelastic flow. The hybrid model (HM) is a constitutive model aimed at predicting the large strain time-dependent behavior of both cross-linked and uncross-linked UHMWPE.
Emergency Action Plans in Football

Emergency action plans (EAPs) are concrete, written plans that outline what should be done in the event of an emergency. This chapter outlines the purpose of an EAP in a football setting and discusses the components of an EAP in depth.
Histopathological characterisation of molluscoid pseudotumour seen in Ehlers–Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a clinically and genetically heterogenous group of connective tissue disorders characterized by abnormal fibrillar collagen synthesis or abnormalities in proteins that interact with collagen.1 The basic clinical hallmarks of EDS are joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility.2,3 Molluscoid pseudotumors are a characteristic dermatologic feature of the classical EDS subtype and serve as a minor criterion in its diagnosis.2.
Moss Sporophyte Transpiration Rates are Higher when Calyptrae are Removed

Moss sporophytes are physically attached to and dependent on the leafy gametophyte through their entire life. During early development, the sporophyte apex is covered by the calyptra, a cap of gametophytic tissue which protects the developing capsule. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of the calyptra on sporophyte transpiration rates in mosses. We used two laboratory-grown species with different sporophyte and calyptra sizes for this study: Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. and Physcomitrium pyriforme (Hedw.) Hampe. When the calyptra was removed from the sporophyte apex, there were significantly higher rates of sporophyte transpiration compared to individuals with the calyptra present. These results provide evidence supporting the importance and influence of the gametophyte calyptra on the movement of water in moss sporophytes. Changes in transpiration, and thus the pull of water and nutrients from the gametophyte into the sporophyte, may also have downstream effects on sporophyte reproductive output.
Adaptive Changes in Human Adipose Tissue During Weight Gain

Weight gain refers to the gradual development of adipose tissue (AT), which ultimately leads to obesity if too excessive and prolonged. The expansion of AT was long, thought to be a passive phenomenon by which adipocytes store excess energy in the form of triglycerides. Currently, AT is regarded as a complex and heterogeneous endocrine organ whose role is not limited to storage. Recent studies of AT development during weight gain have revealed complex multiple mechanisms, both structural and functional, which accompany AT expansion. These mechanisms are discussed in this chapter.
Molecular Basis for Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule Deficiency

Adhesion of leukocytes to other cells and to the extracellular matrix has now been established as a critical component in acute and chronic inflammatory reactions (Moller, 1990). This process involves a number of adhesion molecules belonging to several gene families, including the selectins, integrins, and immunoglobulins. The biologic importance of this process has been established in part through an understanding of the pathogenesis of a rare disease, Leu-CAM deficiency. In this disease, leukocytes from affected individuals have lost either partially or completely their ability to adhere to and migrate across endothelium and subendothelial matrix at inflammatory sites and to phagocytose invading bacteria. Affected individuals consequently suffer from recurrent and often fatal bacterial infections despite the presence of neutrophilia. Biopsies of infected tissues often reveal numerous bacteria, lymphocytes, and plasma cells, with very few neutrophils. Blood vessels at the inflammatory sites, however, often are congested and dilated and contain numerous neutrophils. The defects in extravasation and ingestion were traced through a series of studies in the early 1980s to defective expression of three surface glycoprotein heterodimers, Leu-CAMs (CD 11/CD 18, β 2 integrins), now known to be members of the large integrin family (Hynes, 1987; Ruoslahti, 1991). The same disease was subsequently identified in dogs (Giger et al., 1987) and in cattle (Kehrli et al., 1990). In the latter case, the disease is also known as the granulocytopathy syndrome and is an important cause of mortality in young Holstein cattle.