cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of soliton waves in conjugated polymers.

We report the discovery of soliton-like electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) waves in the electrochemical oxidation of thin films (15−250 nm) of the semiconducting conjugated polymer poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT). The ECL “wave fronts” were visualized and imaged in space and time by optical emission microscopy and observed to freely propagate parallel to the plane of the electrode. The data reveal that the EC solitons are triggered by the flux of electrolytes into the polymer film at nanoscale “leaks” (or defects) and propagate by a highly nonlinear, positive-feedback kinetic mechanism involving EC oxidation, mass transport of electrolyte anions, and oxidation-induced swelling, all taking place within the conjugated polymer film. Several model systems with spatially distributed reaction “triggers” were studied to elucidate the mechanistic details of this complex oxidation process in polymer films.
Effect of characteristics of white carbon black on mechanical properties of HTPB liner

The reinforcing effect of the deposited white carbon black in HTPB/TDI liner was investigated,as well as the effects of dispersibility,surface hydroxyl content and type,void volume of white carbon black on mechanical properties of HTPB liner.The results show that deposited white carbon black is one kind of good reinforcing filler in the HTPB/TDI liner system;the reinforcing effects include physical reinforcing and chemical reinforcing.The chemical reinforcing effect depends on the isolated surface hydroxyl group and its relative content,and the physical reinforcing effect depends on the dispersibility.The void volume of white carbon black is an effective parameter to synthetically evaluate the reinforcing effect in HTPB/TDI liner.
Modélisation multi-échelles du couplage physico-chimie mécanique du comportement du combustible à haute température des réacteurs à eau sous pression

Dans le cadre de la problematique de l’Interaction entre la Pastille et la Gaine (IPG) d’un crayon combustible, il est necessaire d’avoir une bonne description du comportement thermomecanique du combustible. Lorsque le combustible est soumis a de fortes variations de puissance (comme lors d’une situation de fonctionnement incidentel), une des principales sollicitations provient du phenomene de gonflement gazeux, phenomene induit par l’irradiation. En effet, le combustible est un milieu poreux contenant differents types de cavites et l’accumulation de produits de fission sous forme gazeuse dans toutes ces cavites entraine un gonflement de la pastille. Or, ce gonflement gazeux va directement impacter le comportement mecanique de la pastille et particulierement son comportement viscoplastique, comme le montrent des simulations thermomecaniques 3D de l’IPG. Afin d’ameliorer la description de ce comportement, il a ete necessaire de developper un modele micromecanique capable de coupler deux types de modelisation qui, jusqu’ a present, traitaient de maniere relativement autonome : – la physico-chimie simulant les transferts de gaz entre les diffeerentes cavites ; – la mecanique estimant les deformations viscoplastiques du combustible. Ce travail de these consiste a mettre en relation ces deux disciplines a partir des cavies presentes dans le combustible : la mecanique calcule une evolution de la fraction volumique de cavites en tenant compte de leurs pressions et la physico-chimie tient compte de l’evolution de la fraction volumique des cavites pour calculer une pression interne coherente. Afin de pouvoir decrire une microstructure beaucoup plus riche basee sur une double population de cavites a deux echelles differentes, un nouveau modele micromecanique a ete developpe. Ce modele utilisant une approche multi- echelles permet de decrire les evolutions de chacune des deux populations en tenant compte de leurs pressions internes ainsi que du comportement viscoplastique macroscopique du combustible. En se basant sur l’hypothese de separation d’echelles, le comportement du milieu contenant les petites cavites est traite a l’aide d’une methode d’homogeneisation. A l’echelle des grosses cavites, le comportement macroscopique est determine a partir d’un composite lineaire de comparaison a N couches. Ce modele est compare a des simulations numeriques par elements finis et qualifie pour la description du comportement viscoplastique du combustible nucleaire. On decrit enfin comment coupler ce modele micromecanique a des modeles de physico-chimie se differenciant par leurs complexites. Des premieres investigations par des simulations en situation d’IPG illustrent l’interet d’un tel couplage.
Factors affecting donations in U.S. retail stores: A conceptual framework

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that influence consumer donations in U.S. retail stores. The study provides a conceptual framework of factors derived from the cause-related marketing, consumer behavior and psychology literatures. These factors are categorized as consumer-related factors, retailer-related factors and context-related factors. Consumer-related factors include consumer-retailer identification, consumer-cause affinity, impure altruism, civic engagement and post-purchase cognitive dissonance. Retailer-related factors consist of retailer-cause fit, retailer's commitment to the cause, retailer image as being altruistic, and retailer credibility. Context-related factors include time pressure, social pressure, shopping amount, and perceived savings during the shopping trip. This conceptual framework serves as a foundation for future empirical studies.
Translating Logical Terms

The is an old question over whether there is a substantial disagreement between advocates of different logics, as they simply attach different meanings to the crucial logical terminology. The purpose of this article is to revisit this old question in light a pluralism/relativism that regards the various logics as equally legitimate, in their own contexts. We thereby address the vexed notion of translation, as it occurs between mathematical theories. We articulate and defend a thesis that the notion of “same meaning” is itself context-sensitive, depending on the purposes of a given conversation.
Prenatal growth characteristics of lymphatic malformations

Abstract Purpose The natural history of prenatally diagnosed lymphatic malformations (LM) remains unknown. The ability to predict growth of a lesion is important to prenatal counseling and any future prenatal intervention. We describe the prenatal growth patterns of LMs as they relate to gestational age, anatomical location, and postnatal management. Methods A retrospective review of fetuses prenatally diagnosed with an LM who were followed with serial ultrasounds from 2003 to 2014 was performed with attention to the growth of the lesion as indicated by the lesion volume ratio (LVR). Results Thirty patients with LM had serial ultrasound measurements between 19 and 39weeks gestation. The LVR increased in 53%, decreased in 23%, and remained stable in 23% of fetuses from the initial to the final ultrasound. Unlike other locations that demonstrated both positive and negative growth profiles, axillary lesions only demonstrated increased growth. Lesions with positive growth increased throughout gestation (peak LVR at 35±3weeks). Twenty-four patients had postnatal interventions, including surgical resection, sclerotherapy, and surgery + sclerotherapy. Conclusion LMs have variable prenatal growth profiles. The majority of lesions, especially axillary LMs, will continue to grow throughout gestation and will not reach a growth plateau until the end of gestation. Level of Evidence Level III (Retrospective cohort study).
Pairing of most relevant variables and bootstrap samples with ridge regression for data sharing

A parameterized ridge regression-based perturbation model is proposed in this paper to address data privacy and data utility in cyber-physical systems. In this approach, most relevant confidential variables are extracted along with their bootstrap samples to attain high confidentiality protection and data classification accuracies. The multiple devices and their connectedness in cyber-physical systems can help the pairing of the most relevant confidential variables and their corresponding bootstrap samples efficiently. The out-of-bag error and signal-interference-ratio are used as measures to study the performance of the proposed model. The experimental analysis shows the existence of ridge regression parameters that can help perturb data to achieve high confidentiality and classification as data utility. This study motivates a further research with these models.
Bureaucratization in Academic Research Policy: What Causes It?

Senior academic researchers and research administrators whose careers have spanned decades have witnessed a monotonic trend in the growth of bureaucratic rules and structures pertaining to research policy. The increase in administrative requirements takes many forms, some directly related to research and others tangentially related. While the onslaught of rules has increased administrative burdens, not all of these requirements are red tape; many are useful and even vital. But when taken together, the amount of administrative procedure and documentation associated with research conduct and administration becomes crushing. Others have well documented the bureaucratization of university research policy and administration. Our primary purpose is to explain why rules and regulations and the bureaucratic structures supporting them continue to grow, extracting an ever-greater toll on time and resources available for actual research. Absent an explanation of the growth of administrative burden, it is not possible to provide valid assessment of the effectiveness of rules and regulations pertaining to research policy. We examine the problem from the lens of a well-developed theory of organizational red tape specifically, applying it specifically to the problem of research administration red tape. The theory suggests that the increase in research policy bureaucratization can be explained chiefly by three different factors: crisis response, pressures for bureaucratic over-control, and the use of research policy for side-payments, both social side-payments (to achieve social goals not directly related to research) and political side-payments (conferring factor with political supporters by proving rules or policy symbols favored by them). To help elaborate the theory as well as to provide context, we provide case illustrations of ranging from the vitally important (research misconduct) to mundane bureaucratic requirements (standardization of required biosketches).
Doing Business Responsibly: ROC United and Restaurant Workers

Colors Restaurant & Bar in New York City has made a name for itself by serving as a role model for the equitable treatment of workers in the traditionally low-paid restaurant industry. As described in this chapter, this cooperative enterprise also illustrates that businesses can operate with multiple motivations beyond profit maximization. Colors Restaurant is an unanticipated byproduct of Restaurant Opportunities Centers-United (ROC-U), a membership organization initially formed by restaurant workers displaced from jobs in the World Trade Center after 9/11. ROC-U operates Colors as part-restaurant, part-training facility, and part-exemplar of “high road” employment practices. ROC-U’s other campaigns (such as “One Fair Wage”) and litigation have secured pledges for better wages and working conditions from some larger restaurant conglomerates in the United States.
D-512, a novel dopamine D2/3 receptor agonist, demonstrates greater anti-Parkinsonian efficacy than ropinirole in Parkinsonian rats

Background and Purpose Symptoms of Parkinson's disease are commonly managed using selective dopamine D2/3 receptor agonists, including ropinirole. While D2/3 agonists are useful in early-stage Parkinson's disease, they tend to lose efficacy in later disease stages and do not appear to modify disease progression. We have recently developed a novel ‘multifunctional’ compound, D-512: a high-affinity D2/3 receptor agonist with antioxidant and other neuroprotective properties that may limit Parkinson's disease progression. This study sought to compare the anti-Parkinsonian properties of the clinically used compound, ropinirole, with those of the novel compound, D-512. Experimental Approach A rat model of Parkinson's disease was created by unilaterally infusing 6-hydroxydopamine, a dopamine neurotoxin, into the medial forebrain bundle. D-512 was compared with ropinirole for ability to stimulate spontaneous motor activity and reverse Parkinsonian akinesia. These beneficial effects were compared against each drug's liability to provoke dyskinesia, a common motor side effect. Key Results Both compounds increased spontaneous movement, but D-512 showed a longer duration of action. Only D-512 was able to significantly reverse forelimb akinesia. Drug-induced dyskinesia was similar for equivalent doses. Conclusions and Implications Compared with ropinirole, D-512 showed greater peak-dose efficacy and a longer duration of action, despite a similar side-effect profile. Our results add to earlier data showing that D-512 is superior to available D2/3 agonists and could merit clinical investigation.
Politics first: Examining the practices of the multi-district superintendent

Over the past decade, multiple states have implemented a form of regional school district consolidation referred to as multi-district unions. Their organizational structure enables districts to retain individual school boards within regional local education agencies, all of which are overseen by a superintendent and a central board. However, no empirical research has been conducted to date on the ensuing work of multi-district superintendents. In our exemplary case study, we analyze time records, interviews, and observations to understand the role allocations and work of one multi-district superintendent. We find the division of time and ensuing responsibilities of the multi-district superintendent is predominantly political to the organizational structure of the union, and we conclude with implications for policy and practice.
Positional cloning of quantitative trait nucleotides for blood pressure and cardiac QT-interval by targeted CRISPR/Cas9 editing of a novel long non-coding RNA

Multiple GWAS studies have reported strong association of cardiac QT-interval to a region on HSA17. Interestingly, a rat locus homologous to this region is also linked to QT-intervals. The high resolution positional mapping study located the rat QT-interval locus to a <42.5kb region on RNO10. This region contained no variants in protein-coding sequences, but a prominent contiguous 19bp indel polymorphism was noted within a novel predicted long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which we named as Rffl-lnc1. To assess the candidacy of this novel lncRNA on QT-interval, targeted CRISPR/Cas9 based genome-engineering approaches were applied on the rat strains used to map this locus. Targeted disruption of the rat Rffl-lnc1 locus caused aberrant, short QT-intervals and elevated blood pressure. Further, to specifically examine the significance of the 19bp polymorphism within the Rffl-lnc1 locus, a CRISPR/Cas9 based targeted knock-in rescue model was constructed by inserting the 19bp into the strain which contained the deletion polymorphism. The knock-in alleles successfully rescued the aberrant QT-interval and blood pressure phenotypes. Further studies revealed that the 19bp polymorphism was necessary and sufficient to recapitulate the phenotypic effect of the previously mapped <42.5kb rat locus. To our knowledge, this study is the first demonstration of a combination of both CRISPR/Cas9 based targeted disruption as well as CRISPR/Cas9 based targeted knock-in rescue approaches applied for a mammalian positional cloning study, which defines the quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) within a rat long non-coding RNA as being important for the pleiotropic regulation of both cardiac QT-intervals and blood pressure.
Ultrasound for the assessment of distal shunt malfunction in adults with internal ventricular shunts

Shunts that are used for the treatment of hydrocephalus have a propensity towards malfunction, however, diagnosing a shunt malfunction can sometimes be a challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ultrasound technology can be safely and effectively used to assess for distal shunt malfunction. This was a prospective cohort study at a single institution. Eighteen adult patients that received a radionuclide shunt patency study also underwent an ultrasound shunt patency study. Ultrasound with Doppler technology was used to visualize flow through the shunt tubing following manual compression of the shunt reservoir. A peak flow speed was recorded and the results were compared to the results of the radionuclide shunt patency study. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve comparing the ultrasound to the radionuclide shunt patency study was generated, revealing an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.84-1.00). The ultrasound test performed maximally with a cutoff speed of ≤10cm/s as the criteria for malfunction, with a sensitivity of 100.00%, specificity of 90.91%, accuracy of 94.44%, positive likelihood ratio of 11.000 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.000 using the radionuclide study results as criteria for comparison. Overall, ultrasound has the potential to be a safe, quick, available and cost-effective screening test for patients with suspected distal shunt malfunction. The high sensitivity of the test makes it an attractive option for use as a screening method that could potentially reduce the number of cases requiring radionuclide shunt patency study.
Precision Scaling of Neural Networks for Audio Processing

While deep neural networks have shown powerful performance in many audio applications, their large computation and memory demand has been a challenge for real-time processing. In this paper, we study the impact of scaling the precision of neural networks on the performance of two common audio processing tasks, namely, voice-activity detection and single-channel speech enhancement. We determine the optimal pair of weight/neuron bit precision by exploring its impact on both the processing performance and delay. Through experiments conducted with real user data, we demonstrate that deep neural networks that use lower bit precision significantly reduce processing delays (up to 30x). However, their performance impact is low (
Orpheus: Enforcing Cyber-Physical Execution Semantics to Defend Against Data-Oriented Attacks

Recent studies have revealed that control programs running on embedded devices suffer from both control-oriented attacks (e.g., code-injection or code-reuse attacks) and data-oriented attacks (e.g., non-control data attacks). Unfortunately, existing detection mechanisms are insufficient to detect runtime data-oriented exploits, due to the lack of runtime execution semantics checking. In this work, we propose Orpheus, a security methodology for defending against data-oriented attacks by enforcing cyber-physical execution semantics. We address several challenges in reasoning cyber-physical execution semantics of a control program, including the event identification and dependence analysis. As an instantiation of Orpheus, we present a new program behavior model, i.e., the event-aware finite-state automaton (eFSA). eFSA takes advantage of the event-driven nature of control programs and incorporates event checking in anomaly detection. It detects data-oriented exploits if physical events and eFSA's state transitions are inconsistent. We evaluate our prototype's performance by conducting case studies under data-oriented attacks. Results show that eFSA can successfully detect different runtime attacks. Our prototype on Raspberry Pi incurs a low overhead, taking 0.0001s for each state transition integrity checking, and 0.063s~0.211s for the cyber-physical contextual consistency checking.
Strain Evolution in Lithium Manganese Oxide Electrodes

Lithium manganese oxide, LiMn2O4 (LMO) is a promising cathode material, but is hampered by significant capacity fade due to instability of the electrode-electrolyte interface, manganese dissolution into the electrolyte and subsequent mechanical degradation of the electrode. In this work, electrochemically-induced strains in composite LMO electrodes are measured using the digital image correlation (DIC) technique and compared with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements of surface resistance for different scan rates. Distinct, irreversible strain variations are observed during the first delithiation cycle. The changes in strain and surface resistance are highly sensitive to the electrochemical changes occurring during the first cycle and correlate with prior reports of the removal of the native surface layer and the formation of cathode-electrolyte interface layer on the electrode surface. A large capacity fade is observed with increasing cycle number at high scan rates. Interestingly, the total capacity fade scales proportionately to the strain generated after each lithiation and delithiation cycle. The simultaneous reduction in capacity and strain is attributed to chemo-mechanical degradation of the electrode. The in situ strain measurements provide new insight into the electrochemical-induced volumetric changes in LMO electrodes with progressing cycling and may provide guidance for materials-based strategies to reduce strain and capacity fade.
Grain-Growth and Recrystallization Characteristics of Zirconium

Grain-growth and recrystallization characteristics of a commercially pure zirconium prepared by the iodide process are reported. Grain growth from 640° to 800°C was continuous once initiated and obeyed D = kt n . Recrystallization of zirconium occurred at temperatures of 450° to 550°C after deformations of 20 and 50 pct. Hardening from partially soluble inclusions prevented determination of the absolute rates of recrystallization, but the relative rates of recrystallization obtained are useful as a guide in fabrication practice.
Hot Spots for Solar Activity

Studies on hot spots and active longitudes are briefly reviewed in this paper. Although the concept of active longitudes are old, interesting discoveries were made by recent studies, which applied new analysis methods to data covering several solar cycles. The main characteristics of hot spots are as follows: (1) Hot spots, initially recognized as areas where major flares erupt preferentially, are also preferred areas for emergence of big sunspot groups. (2) Double hot spots appear in pairs that rotate at the same rates, separated by about 180° in longitude. Single hot spots have no such companions. (3) The northern and southern hemispheres behave differently in organizing solar activity in longitude. Because of this north-south asymmetry, the areas for preferred flare eruptions are called hot spots (Bai 1987). (4) Lifetimes of hot spots range from one to several solar cycles. (5) A hot spot is not always active throughout its lifetime but goes through dormant periods. (6) Hot spots with different rotation periods can co-exist in the same hemisphere during the same solar cycle.
Group Status Modulates the Associative Strength Between Status Quo Supporting Beliefs and Anti-Black Attitudes:

What belief systems are associated with negative attitudes toward lower status groups? Does the relationship differ across higher and lower status groups? We examined the extent to which status quo...
Using GPU Shaders for Visualization, Part 3

GPU shaders aren't just for glossy special effects. Parts 1 and 2 of this discussion looked at using them for point clouds, cutting planes, line integral convolution, and terrain bump-mapping. Part 3 covers compute shaders and shader storage buffer objects-two features announced as part of OpenGL 4.3.
Involving Stakeholders’ Knowledge in Co-designing Social Valuations of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Implications for Decision-Making

We contribute to addressing two gaps that reduce the utility of ecosystem sciences for decision-making: lack of standard methods for using stakeholders’ knowledge to co-design ecosystem services science research, and absence of commensurable social valuation metrics that allow effective value comparisons. In two phases, we used co-designed instruments to conduct social valuation of biodiversity, and provisioning, cultural and regulating services. First, we conducted eight participatory fora, where experts and non-experts identified ecosystem aspects to which they ascribe value. We combined knowledge from the fora—expert and non-expert—and the literature to identify 45 ecosystem aspects of value—importance—to people. Second, we organized the valued aspects into four psychometric social valuation instruments that were reviewed and contributed to by experts and non-experts. We used those instruments in a survey questionnaire completed by 968 residents of Deschutes County, USA. Co-design led to high valuation reliabilities. The omission of either expert or non-expert knowledge would have resulted in suboptimal valuation. Unexpectedly, biodiversity was valued more than any category of ecosystem services, and urban sprawl regulation—a novel non-expert-identified function—was valued more than all aspects of climate regulation. These findings—directly resulting from co-design—illustrate that co-designed commensurable metrics are adaptable to various decision contexts; they can provide issue-specific valuations and comparisons, broader valuations, comparisons between specific and broader ecosystem services, and equity-based parameters for addressing distributional concerns vital to decision-making. Co-designed commensurable metrics lead to social valuations that are better suited for decision-making and for persuasive communication of those decisions to enhance social compliance.
Decline of open surgical experience for general surgery residents

Minimally invasive surgery is now preferred to open in many surgical procedures. This has led to changes in training to ensure skills acquisition and education in minimally invasive technique. There have been limited data regarding the effect of the number of open procedures being performed in training. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship in trends for open and laparoscopic procedures performed by general surgery residents. A retrospective review of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education publicly available resident case log statistical reports for the academic years from 1999–2000 to 2017–2018 was performed for laparoscopic and open anti-reflux surgery, appendectomy, colectomy, splenectomy, and inguinal hernia repair. The data were grouped by time period and compared to evaluate changes in operative patterns. The mean number for all (open and MIS) of the selected procedures increased from 159.1 in 2000 to 223.8 in 2018 (40.7%). The mean number of laparoscopic cases increased from 23.6 to 135.6 (462%), and open decreased from 135.5 to 88.2 (− 34.9%). There was a significant decrease in the average number of open procedures performed in each period among anti-reflux operations (3.4, 1.8, 1.5, 0.7, p < 0.01), appendectomy (30.7, 23.4, 13.6, 6.8, p < 0.01), and splenectomy (3.0, 2.0, 1.6, 1.4, p < 0.05); the number of open colectomies decreased significantly from Period 2 to Period 4 (46.1, 38.5, 33.4, p < 0.02). There was a significant increase in the number of laparoscopic procedures performed in each period among appendectomy (13.1, 28.3, 48.9, 58.4, all p < 0.02), colectomy (2.9, 10.1, 19.1, 23.4, all p < 0.01), and inguinal hernia repair (9.7, 14.9, 25.6, 34.1, all p < 0.01). The number of open procedures performed by general surgery residents continues to decline despite an increase in total cases reported. The reduction in open surgical experience may result in surgeons who lack technical skills to safely complete open procedures.
Prospective randomized trial of standard versus highly crosslinked tibial polyethylene in primary posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty: clinical and radiological follow-up at 2 to 11 years.

Aims There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of alternative polyethylene bearings in modular, fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to compare stand...
Spontaneous Progressive Muscle Weakness with Persistent Leukocytosis

Iliacus compartment syndrome is a rare clinical condition which can result in a severe, unilateral, femoral neuropraxia. Recognition of this syndrome as the cause of a developing neuropathy is often delayed given a lack of familiarity with this clinical diagnosis and the retroperitoneal location of the iliacus muscle. Prompt diagnosis is important to avoid risk of consequent muscle necrosis, rhabdomyolysis, and possibly permanent nerve injury. We describe a case of iliacus compartment syndrome in an elderly, frail woman with end-stage renal disease, anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation, who presented with subacute, progressive lower extremity muscle weakness and pain in the setting of complicated metabolic derangements. She was found to have a spontaneous large hematoma in her left iliacus muscle on computed tomography scan. Despite an initial diagnostic delay, she was successfully managed with an iliacus fasciotomy, which led to complete resolution of her symptoms.
Novel Therapies to Overcome HER2 Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in approximately 15–20% of breast cancers. Trastuzumab was the first HER2-targeted therapy to be approved for clinical use against HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. However, some patients fail to respond, and many eventually develop progressive disease despite receiving treatment, which may be attributed to the development of a resistant phenotype. New therapies have been developed and approved in combination with trastuzumab for newly diagnosed disease. However, this combinatory regimen also fails and leads to treatment resistance. In this chapter, we review currently used HER2-targeted therapies for breast cancer, available therapies for HER2 antibody therapy-resistant breast cancer, and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of resistance. The primary focus is on novel approaches to overcome HER2 therapy resistance in the treatment of breast cancer. We discuss approaches to target HER2 with antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or antibody-drug conjugates, as well as targeting downstream signaling, immune pathways, cell cycle regulators, and estrogen receptor signaling. Ultimately, this chapter will provide a detailed overview of the mechanisms of resistance in HER2-positive breast cancers and therapeutic strategies for patients who have developed progressive disease while being treated with HER2 antibody therapy.
Does culture travel? Cultural influences on environmentalism in Taiwan in comparison to the United States

This study investigates how the grid-group two-dimensional cultural theory (CT) of Douglas and Wildavsky, demographic attributes, and partisan identification are associated with environmentalism in...
Compact 5G n77 Band Pass Filter with Through Silicon Via (TSV) IPD Technology

a compact size 5G n77 band-pass filter (BPF) design fabricated with a Through Silicon Via (TSV) Integrated Passive Device (IPD) process is presented in this paper. Insertion loss ≤ 2.2 dB with ≥ 30dB attenuation at 2.7GHz, 5.18GHz, and ISM band is achieved in a standard 1608 baseline design plus TSV add-on. The proposed design provides >20dB wideband attenuation up to 10GHz with low package variation and added thermal via introduced by TSV process. Therefore, this Silicon IPD with TSV design can support low cost, compact dimension, high precision, and high power requirement of 5G filter. Model correlation is verified through on wafer measurement.
Community program activities predict local tobacco policy adoption in Florida Counties

The Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida’s community program funds county-level grantees who promote local policy change through activities that educate the public, policy-makers, and decision-makers. Th...
Upgrading Rural Youths’ Capacity for Driving Shrimp-Based Agribusiness Value Chain in Nigeria

This study derives its significance from the current debate on ageing agricultural labour force in Nigeria and the need for capacity building of rural youth. This study investigates rural youth capacity for driving shrimp-based agribusiness development in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from primary sources using a structured questionnaire with randomly selected 120 shrimp operators (harvesters, processors and marketers). Statistical analytical tools (descriptive and inferential statistics) were employed to analyze the collected data. Test of the hypothesis implies that the mean income earned by youth is significantly (p < 0.01) higher that the income of aged workforce in the shrimp agribusiness value chain. Further finding shows that human capital of youth (shrimp-oriented education, training, workshops attended and access to credit) has a positive and significant (p < 0.01) effect on their financial performance. Incentives such as loans and aquaculture-oriented education and regular workshops should be given to the rural youth to upgrade their capacity to drive the development of shrimp-based agribusiness in Nigeria in the future.
How the capillarity and ink-air flow govern the performance of a fountain pen.

Abstract As kids, the authors enjoyed learning how to write by dipping nib pens into ink, and then later, using flex nib pens for calligraphy. They remember, less fondly, the troubles with ink leaks and spills over the paper’s surface. Despite advances in fountain pen design, the performance of fountain pens is still not perfect. A robust fountain pen has to provide a sustainable ink flow—no leaks—for smooth and precise writing on paper. In the long history of the design and development of fountain pens, more attention has been focused on the ink flow than on the ink/air capillary flow balance. It is found that as ink flows out of the cartridge, the holding pressure in the ink cartridge builds up and the pressure drop across the capillary valve increases. Consequently, the air is sucked toward the ink cartridge. An air-ink meniscus is formed at the capillary valve and finally breaks into air bubbles due to Rayleigh instability. The air bubbles float into the ink cartridge under buoyancy force to reduce the holding pressure so that the ink can continuous flow out to the nib to keep the fountain pen in function. The unbalance between the air holding pressure in the ink cartridge and the pressure drop across the capillary valve is the key for the functionality of the fountain pen. A poor design of the feed/cartridge connection with a small orifice of the capillary valve leads to the malfunction of the fountain pen.
A Cautionary Tale: Quantitative LC-HRMS Analytical Procedures for the Analysis of N-Nitrosodimethylamine in Metformin

A private testing laboratory reported in a Citizen Petition (CP) to FDA that 16 of 38 metformin drug products they tested had N-nitrosodimethyl amine (NDMA) amounts above the allowable intake (AI) of 96 ng/day. Because the FDA had been monitoring drugs for nitrosamines, orthogonal analytical procedures had been developed, validated and applied to detect the following nitrosamines in metformin drug products (if present): (i) NDMA (with a dedicated method) or (ii) NDMA (with a second confirmatory method), N-nitroso-diethylamine (NDEA), N-ethyl-N-nitroso-2-propanamine (NEIPA), N-nitroso-diisopropylamine (NDIPA), N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine (NDPA), N-nitroso-methylphenylamine (NMPA), N-nitroso-di-n-butylamine (NDBA) and N-nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA). In contrast to the private laboratory results, FDA testing on the same set of 38 samples with orthogonal procedures observed amounts over the AI in only 8 of the 38 products and generally observed lower values than reported by the private testing laboratory. As described here, the investigation into the cause of the discrepancy revealed that N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) can interfere with NDMA measurements. The data showed that the use of sufficient mass accuracy in the data acquisition and appropriate mass tolerance setting in the data processing to assure the selectivity of mass spectrometry measurements of NDMA in the presence of co-eluting DMF was necessary to prevent overestimation of the level of NDMA in metformin drug products. Overall, care should be taken to assure the necessary specificity in analytical procedures for adequate assessment of the nitrosamine level in drug products that also contain DMF or other potential interfering substances.
Direct estimation of the reduced scattering coefficient from experimentally measured time-resolved reflectance via Monte Carlo based lookup tables.

A heuristic method for estimating the reduced scattering coefficient (µs’) of turbid media using time-resolved reflectance is presented. The technique requires measurements of the distributions of times-of-flight (DTOF) of photons arriving at two identical detection channels placed at unique distances relative to a source. Measured temporal shifts in DTOF peak intensities at the two channels were used to estimate µs’ of the medium using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation-based lookup tables. MC simulations were used to compute temporal shifts in modeled reflectance at experimentally employed source-detector separations (SDS) for media spanning a wide range of optical properties to construct look up tables. Experiments in Intralipid (IL) phantoms demonstrated that we could retrieve µs’ with errors ranging between 6-25% of expected (literature) values, using reflectance measured across 650-800 nm and SDS of 5-15 mm. Advantages of the technique include direct processing of measured data without requiring iterative non-linear curve fitting. We also discuss applicability of this approach for media with low scattering coefficients where the commonly employed diffusion theory analysis could be inaccurate, with practical recommendations for use.
Perceptions of interjurisdictional competition and cooperation: A gender comparison of administrators in economic development

The desire to grow a tax base often compels local governments to compete and cooperate simultaneously with nearby jurisdictions. Managing interjurisdictional relations is an important role of admin...
Dynamic Radial Placement and Routing in Paper Microfluidics

The low cost, simplicity, and ease of use of paper microfluidic devices have made them valuable medical diagnostics for applications from pregnancy testing to COVID-19 screening. Meanwhile, the increasing complexity of paper-based microfluidic devices is driving the need to produce new tools and methodologies that enable more robust biological diagnostics and potential therapeutic applications. A new design framework is being used to facilitate both research and fabrication of paper-based microfluidic biological devices to accelerate the investigative process and reduce material utilization and manpower. In this work we present a methodology for this framework to dynamically place and route microfluidic components in a nondiscrete design space where fluid volume usage, surface area utilization, and the timing required to perform specified biological assays are accounted for and optimized while also accelerating the development of potentially lifesaving new devices.
Driven-dissipative dynamics of atomic ensembles in a resonant cavity: Quasiperiodic route to chaos and chaotic synchronization

Abstract We analyze the origin and properties of the chaotic dynamics of two atomic ensembles in a driven-dissipative experimental setup, where they are collectively damped by a bad cavity mode and incoherently pumped by a Raman laser. Starting from the mean-field equations, we explain the emergence of chaos by way of quasiperiodicity — presence of two or more incommensurate frequencies. This is known as the Ruelle–Takens–Newhouse route to chaos. The equations of motion have a Z 2 -symmetry with respect to the interchange of the two ensembles. However, some of the attractors of these equations spontaneously break this symmetry. To understand the emergence and subsequent properties of various attractors, we concurrently study the mean-field trajectories, Poincare sections, maximum and conditional Lyapunov exponents, and power spectra. Using Floquet analysis, we show that quasiperiodicity is born out of non- Z 2 -symmetric oscillations via a supercritical Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. Changing the detuning between the level spacings in the two ensembles and the repump rate results in the synchronization of the two chaotic ensembles. In this regime, the chaotic intensity fluctuations of the light radiated by the two ensembles are identical. Identifying the synchronization manifold, we understand the origin of synchronized chaos as a tangent bifurcation intermittency of the Z 2 -symmetric oscillations. At its birth, synchronized chaos is unstable. The interaction of this attractor with other attractors causes on–off intermittency until the synchronization manifold becomes sufficiently attractive. We also show coexistence of different phases in small pockets near the boundaries.
Control of multiagent networks with misbehaving nodes

We study multiagent networks with floating, driver, and unmodelled nodes, where floating nodes exchange local information, driver nodes not only exchange local information but also take input and o...
The library and undergraduate research in the liberal arts: Present contributions and future opportunities

ABSTRACTThis study sought to describe library value as seen through its various contributions to the mentored undergraduate research experiences of students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at Hope College. Concurrently, it explored new opportunities for how librarians might become more directly connected with students involved in this hallmark of the academic program. Findings were intended to both highlight existing library contributions and initiate a well-informed movement toward aligning library priorities and with the greater institutional academic mission.
Interference with Virus Infection

In eukaryotes, type 1 IFN is essential for defense against virus infection and is a major component of antimicrobial defenses and the innate immune response. The discovery of IFN was driven by the new field of virology ([1][1]) and studies of influenza A virus (IAV) in the 1950s through which the
Nuclear Transfer and Cloning: Preservation or Expansion of Proliferative Lifespan?

Cloning of animals by somatic cell nuclear transfer has provided the potential for undertaking therapeutic cloning to produce stem cells that can be used to treat human disease. This chapter considers limitations in the ability of the oocyte to restore replicative potential to adult somatic cell nuclei. Specifically, questions related to somatic mutation load and aneuploidy, mitochondrial replacement, and telomere restoration are considered. Additionally, the feasibility of therapeutic cloning in humans is addressed.
A new multistage running-sum decimator

This paper presents a new running-sum decimator for an even decimation factor. The decimator is designed as a cascade of an integrator and a differentiator making it possible to move the integrator section to a lower rate, which is half of the high input rate. The structure consists of three main sections: a cascade of first-order moving average filters, a cascade of integrators and a cascade of differentiators. With the aid of polyphase decomposition, the polyphase subfilters of the first section can be operated at a still lower rate.
NORMAL MICROTUBULE (MT) ASSEMBLY BY CHEDIAK-HIGASHI (CH) PMNs

A new indirect immunofluorescent technique was employed in studies of a 1 y/o M with CHS to delineate possible functional relationships between assemblage of MTs & PMN motility, morphology & surface distributions of adhesion or lectin binding sites. CH PMNs exposed to gradients of fMLP demonstrated diminished orientation/migration (p <.001) but normal numbers of MT/PMNs [34±5 (CH), 36±7 (control)] & normal MT lengths - [CHS; 6.9±2.0 μm (PBS) → 10.1±3 μm (fMLP) vs control; 7.1±2 μm (PBS) → 10.9±3.1 μm (fMLP)]. MTs of CH & normal PMNs were equally susceptible to depolymerization by colchicine (μM) & their reassemblage following fMLP stimuli was normal. Shape change by CH PMNs stimulated in suspension with fMLP (2 nM, 5 min) was diminished [mean % bipolar + uropod forms = 30±7 (CHS), 92±6 (controls), p <.001]. Colchicine (μM) promoted significantly less bipolar shape change of CH PMNs (10±6%) as compared to normal PMNs (55±10%) (p <.001). Conditions promoting a redistribution of surface binding sites for albumin coated latex beads (ACLB) to the cell uropod in normal PMNs [colchicine (μM) or fMLP (0.1 nM, 10 nM)] failed to redistribute (cap) ACLB binding sites of CH PMNs. In contrast, CH PMNs demonstrated enhanced spontaneous concanavalin A capping [55±7% (CH), 8±6% (control), p <.001] or capping following colchicine (μM) preincubation [84±11% (CH), 61±10% (control)]. Thus, abnormalities of PMN mobility, shape change & surface distributions of lectin or ACLB binding sites mediated by chemotactic factors are unrelated to pathologic MT assembly.
Numerical Model for Storm Surges in Galveston Bay

A numerical scheme for computation of two-dimensional, nonlinear storm surges and tides is applied to Galveston Bay, Tex. Allowance is made for the overflow of low-lying barrier islands and for the flooding of and recession from low-lying land areas adjacent to the bay. The initial surge or tide, or both, at the seaward end of the bay outside the barrier islands is prescribed. The system has been calibrated for spring tide conditions and for the surge produced by hurricane Carla (September, 1961). Verification of the system is carried out for hurricane Cindy (September, 1963).
Peer‐to‐Peer Communication

This article presents the basic principle of peer-to-peer communications and representative peer-to-peer systems. Keywords: peer-to-peer; communication
Implementation of Online Control Customization within the Open Control Platform

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction What is the OCP? F-16 Aircraft Model Integration of Matlab with OCP Simulink to OCP Components Asynchronous Systems and Simulink Models Conclusion References ]]>
Calcium in Root Hair Growth

The growth of cells as diverse as fungal hyphae, pollen tubes, algal rhizoids, and root hairs is characterized by a highly localized control of cell expansion confined to the growing tip. The cellular regulators that have been shown to maintain this spatial localization of growth range from monomeric G-proteins and the actin cytoskeleton to protein kinases and phospholipid-modulating enzymes. A central theme in the proposed mode of action of most of these factors is either regulation of, or response to, the concentration of cytoplasmic Ca2+. For example, a tip-focused Ca2+gradient is associated with the growing point of the root hair and is thought to mediate spatial control of membrane trafficking and the cytoskeleton. Key advances in our understanding of how Ca2+acts in this system have been the recent identification of some of the Ca2+channels and transporters likely responsible for modulating this Ca2+gradient and the likely central role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in regulating these events. Similarly, molecular identification of Ca2+-responsive elements, such as Ca2+-dependent protein kinases, likely to interact with the tip-focused gradient has begun. This Ca2+-signaling system appears to interact with many of the other components of the tip growth system, including monomeric G-proteins, phospholipases, and the cytoskeleton, helping integrate these activities to facilitate the localization of growth.