cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In situ TEM and synchrotron characterization of U–10Mo thin specimen annealed at the fast reactor temperature regime

Abstract U–Mo metallic alloys have been extensively used for the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) program, which is now known as the Office of Material Management and Minimization under the Conversion Program. This fuel form has also recently been proposed as fast reactor metallic fuels in the recent DOE Ultra-high Burnup Fast Reactor project. In order to better understand the behavior of U–10Mo fuels within the fast reactor temperature regime, a series of annealing and characterization experiments have been performed. Annealing experiments were performed in situ at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope (IVEM-Tandem) facility at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). An electro-polished U–10Mo alloy fuel specimen was annealed in situ up to 700 °C. At an elevated temperature of about 540 °C, the U–10Mo specimen underwent a relatively slow microstructure transition. Nano-sized grains were observed to emerge near the surface. At the end temperature of 700 °C, the near-surface microstructure had evolved to a nano-crystalline state. In order to clarify the nature of the observed microstructure, Laue diffraction and powder diffraction experiments were carried out at beam line 34-ID of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at ANL. Phases present in the as-annealed specimen were identified with both Laue diffraction and powder diffraction techniques. The U–10Mo was found to recrystallize due to thermally-induced recrystallization driven by a high density of pre-existing dislocations. A separate in situ annealing experiment was carried out with a Focused Ion Beam processed (FIB) specimen. A similar microstructure transition occurred at a lower temperature of about 460 °C with a much faster transition rate compared to the electro-polished specimen.
The Bilingual Advantage: Promoting Academic Development, Biliteracy, and Native Language in the Classroom, by Diane Rodríguez, Angela Carrasquillo, and Kyung Soon Lee

With their text The Bilingual Advantage: Promoting Academic Development, Biliteracy, and Native Language in the Classroom (2014), authors Rodriguez, Carrasquillo, and Lee offer a comprehensive guid...
A journey in bioinspired supramolecular chemistry: from molecular tweezers to small molecules that target myotonic dystrophy

This review summarizes part of the author’s research in the area of supramolecular chemistry, beginning with his early life influences and early career efforts in molecular recognition, especially molecular tweezers. Although designed to complex DNA, these hosts proved more applicable to the field of host–guest chemistry. This early experience and interest in intercalation ultimately led to the current efforts to develop small molecule therapeutic agents for myotonic dystrophy using a rational design approach that heavily relies on principles of supramolecular chemistry. How this work was influenced by that of others in the field and the evolution of each area of research is highlighted with selected examples.
Molten Composition B Viscosity at Elevated Temperature

A shear-thinning viscosity model is developed for molten Composition B at elevated temperature from analysis of falling ball viscometer data. Results are reported with the system held at 85, 110, and 135°C. Balls of densities of 2.7, 8.0, and 15.6 g/cm3 are dropped to generate a range of strain rates in the material. Analysis of video recordings gives the speed at which the balls fall. Computer simulation of the viscometer is used to determine parameters for a non-Newtonian model calibrated to measured speeds. For the first time, viscosity is shown to be a function of temperature and strain rate–dependent maximum RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) particle volume fraction.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Violence Prevention Centers: Paving the Way to Prevention

When you think about violence in the United States in recent years, it is clear that we have been transfixed by a seemingly unending series of tragedies associated with mass shootings. While those events deserve our utmost attention, what has been largely ignored is the fact that we lose an average of 12 youth 10–24 years of age to homicide each day in this country [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2014]. In effect, every day in the United States we lose more young people to “unrelated” homicides than occur in a typical mass shooting. The health burden of these “unrelated” homicides and associated nonfatal violence dwarfs that of the mass shootings of which we, as a society, have been so acutely aware. All the while, in the dark, the broader and much larger problem of youth violence continues, largely unacknowledged and unaddressed. However, despite the relative obscurity this issue has faced, great progress is being made in understanding how communities can work together to prevent it. Language: en
Klassifikation und Plazentationsverhältnisse bei der Mehrlingsgravidität

Die Beurteilung der Chorion-Amnion-Verhaltnisse last wichtige Ruckschlusse auf die genetische Verwandtschaft und damit fur die Differentialdiagnose zwillingstypischer Krankheitsbilder zu; 80 % aller Zwillingsplazenten sind dichorial-diamnial; 35 % dieser Kinder haben ein unterschiedliches Geschlecht und sind dizygot. Genotypanalysen zeigen, das lediglich 8 % der 45 % gleichgeschlechtlichen Feten monozygot sind, wahrend 37 % zweieiig sind. Gefasanastomosen kommen bei dichorialen Plazenten fast nie vor. 20 % aller Zwillingsplazenten sind monochorial, davon wiederum nur jede 10. Plazenta auch monoamnial. Monochoriale Plazentationsverhaltnisse weisen immer auf Monozygotie hin. Die Membranverhaltnisse bei Mehrlingen sind postpartal makroskopisch leicht beurteilbar und sollten stets im Krankenblatt dokumentiert werden. Der makroskopische Befund sollte stets auch histologisch bestatigt werden. Dabei last der Nachweis dichorial-diamnialer Membranverhaltnisse mit 90 %iger Wahrscheinlichkeit die Diagnose der Dizygotie zu. Wird diese neben der Geschlechtsidentifikation leicht durchfuhrbare Untersuchung nach der Geburt versaumt, bleibt die Klarung des Verwandtschaftsgrades haufig erst spater moglichen, aufwendigen Analysen des Geno- und Phanotyps vorbehalten.
Keeping Homo Sapiens 1.0

From a theological perspective, the human animal is estranged. The feat of self-awareness leads also to the rejection of other human beings as non-persons. In this article, I will first outline a theological concept of sin that is coherent with modern scientific findings. I will then discuss human bonding mechanisms and their evolutionary evolved limits. Finally I will argue that we ought not to improve homo sapiens but should still attempt to build an intelligence partner species (e.g. humanoid robots) that can teach us to be more tolerant and inclusive.
DECISION-MAKING TOOLS FOR PUBLIC PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT: A COMPARISON OF DEA TO COST-BENEFIT AND REGRESSION ANALYSES (1)

The long tradition in the public sector of introducing decision-making tools that then fail to live up to expectations has fueled a debate over the proper role of government. This paper suggests that the debate over government productivity may be misplaced. Public productivity may be hindered as a result of inappropriate use of decisionmaking tools for the allocation of resources. Thus, this paper argues for an enlarged repertoire of decision-making techniques. In particular, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is presented as an alternative often more appropriate than such commonly used techniques as cost-benefit ratio and regression analyses.
BIOLOGICAL RESURFACING: AN ALTERNATIVE TO TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY

These preliminary observations suggest that the functional repair of adult hyaline cartilage is controlled by the entrance and lineage progression of uncommitted MSCs into chondrocytes under the direction of specific biological and mechanical cues which represent a recapitulation of embryonic events. This concept implies that to some extent the regeneration of destroyed articular cartilage is limited by an inadequate supply of MSCs from the host and their inefficient interaction with the appropriate factors at the local site. Finally, the use of autologous cell tissue engineering could provide the basis of an important application for the repair of deficient joint surfaces as a result of trauma or osteoarthritis.
Assay of Adhesion Under Shear Stress for the Study of T Lymphocyte-Adhesion Molecule Interactions

Overall, T cell adhesion is a critical component of function, contributing to the distinct processes of cellular recruitment to sites of inflammation and interaction with antigen presenting cells (APC) in the formation of immunological synapses. These two contexts of T cell adhesion differ in that T cell-APC interactions can be considered static, while T cell-blood vessel interactions are challenged by the shear stress generated by circulation itself. T cell-APC interactions are classified as static in that the two cellular partners are static relative to each other. Usually, this interaction occurs within the lymph nodes. As a T cell interacts with the blood vessel wall, the cells arrest and must resist the generated shear stress.1,2 These differences highlight the need to better understand static adhesion and adhesion under flow conditions as two distinct regulatory processes. The regulation of T cell adhesion can be most succinctly described as controlling the affinity state of integrin molecules expressed on the cell surface, and thereby regulating the interaction of integrins with the adhesion molecule ligands expressed on the surface of the interacting cell. Our current understanding of the regulation of integrin affinity states comes from often simplistic in vitro model systems. The assay of adhesion using flow conditions described here allows for the visualization and accurate quantification of T cell-epithelial cell interactions in real time following a stimulus. An adhesion under flow assay can be applied to studies of adhesion signaling within T cells following treatment with inhibitory or stimulatory substances. Additionally, this assay can be expanded beyond T cell signaling to any adhesive leukocyte population and any integrin-adhesion molecule pair.
Curcumin, Oxidative Stress, and Breast Cancer

Abstract Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women in the western world. Oxidative stress is one of the important pathogenic factors of cancer development. Among the antioxidants, curcumin (1,7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione; diferuloylmethane) is a dietary natural yellow pigment derived from the rhizome of the herb Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae). This study evaluated the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress in an established in vitro experimental breast cancer model (Alpha-model) as well as in isolated cells derived from breast specimens. Such model was developed with the immortalized breast cell line, MCF-10F, that was exposed to low doses of high linear energy transfer (LET) α particles (150 keV/μm) of radiation, values comparable to α particles emitted by radon progeny, and cultured in the presence of 17β-estradiol. It consisted of cell lines in different stages of transformation: (i) MCF-10F, (ii) an estrogen-treated, called Estrogen, (iii) a malignant one, called Alpha3, (iv) a malignant and tumorigenic one, called Alpha5, and (v) a tumor cell line, called Tumor2 derived from a tumor after injection of previous one in nude mice. Free radical production is ubiquitous in all organisms and it is enhanced in many diseases. Curcumin interferes with multiple genes that promote carcinogenesis, thereby affecting genomic instability. Alteration in protein expressions involved in key signaling pathways and epithelial-mesenchymal transition render this model an important tool for monitoring effects of natural dietary compounds in breast carcinogenesis.
Salmonella Persistence within the Peripheral Lymph Nodes of Cattle following Experimental Inoculation.

ABSTRACT Utilizing a transdermal method of inoculation developed in our laboratory, the duration of infection of Salmonella in the peripheral lymph nodes of steers was examined. Thirty-six Holstein steers (mean body weight of 137 kg) were inoculated with Salmonella Montevideo (day 0) on each lower leg and both sides of the back and abdomen. Calves were euthanized beginning at 6 h and subsequently on each of days 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, and 21 postinoculation (four animals each time). The subiliac, popliteal, and superficial cervical (prescapular) lymph nodes were collected and cultured (quantitatively and qualitatively) for the challenge strain of Salmonella. The challenge strain was detected via direct culture within the lymph nodes at 6 h postinoculation and on each subsequent necropsy date. Salmonella levels in lymph node were 0.8 to 1.8 log CFU/g. Lymph nodes were generally positive after enrichment culture throughout the experiment. Salmonella elimination appeared to begin approximately 14 days postin...
Characterization of a BODIPY Dye as an Active Species for Redox Flow Batteries

An all-organic redox flow battery (RFB) employing a fluorescent boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye (PM567) was investigated. In a RFB, the stability of the electrolyte in all charged states is critically linked to coulombic efficiency. To evaluate stability, bulk electrolysis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments were performed. Oxidized and reduced, PM567 does not remain intact; however, the products of bulk electrolysis evolve over time to show stable redox behavior, making the dye a precursor for the active species of an RFB. A theoretical cell potential of 2.32 V was predicted from CV experiments with a working discharge voltage of approximately 1.6 V in a static test cell. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the products of bulk electrolysis. Related experiments were carried out using ferrocene and cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate as redox-stable benchmarks to further explain the stability results. The coulombic efficiency of a model cell using PM567 as a precursor for charge carriers stabilized around 73 %.
Applications of Stochastic Modeling in Climate Change Impact Assessment

The development of stochastic models of precipitation has been driven primarily by practical problems of hydrologic data simulation, particularly for water resource systems design and management in data-scarce situations, and by scientific interest in the probabilistic structure of the arrival process of precipitation events. The need for better methods of developing local climate scenarios associated with alternative climate simulations produced by global atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) has provided another application for stochastic models of precipitation, but necessitates different model structures.
A nonlinear constitutive model for describing cyclic mechanical responses of $$\hbox {BaTiO}_{3}/\hbox {Ag}$$ composites

In this study, the macroscopic hysteretic response of $$\hbox {BaTiO}_{3}/\hbox {Ag}$$ composites under uniaxial cyclic mechanical loading was characterized and described by formulating a thermodynamically consistent constitutive model. Cylindrical composite samples with varying silver composition (from 0 to 13 vol%) were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique. The stress–strain hysteretic response was characterized at room temperature under uniaxial compressive stress by cyclically loading and unloading samples to different stresses, until 200 MPa or failure of the sample. For each loading cycle, the tangent modulus was determined at the initiation of the unloading stage. The tangent modulus showed changes after each cycle with increasing loading magnitude in all samples. Permanent deformations were also observed after each unloading cycle, which were associated with changes in the microstructures of the specimens. In formulating the model to describe the above macroscopic mechanical responses of the composites, we assume that the body has two natural configurations, which are different stress-free configurations associated with the original and newly formed microstructures. The new microstructure is formed when the body is subjected to relatively large stress, leading to reorientation of the dipole moments in the crystalline structures and other possible microstructural changes such as cracking. The Gibbs potential was defined in terms of the stress and the volume fraction of the domain transformation, and the internal state variable and its corresponding driving force for domain transformation (dipole reorientations and microstructural changes) were identified. A Preisach operator was adopted to model the relation between the internal state variable and the driving force. The material parameter calibrations were discussed, and the model predictions of the hysteretic response were compared to the experiment results.
Geostatistical Approach to Spatial Data Transformation

Spatial data transformation is one of the most fundamental functions in geographic information system technology. Despite its popularity and significance, the uncertainty associated with data transformation and the potential errors involved with it draw less attention. In this article, we offer a geostatistical approach as a means of conducting spatial data transformation, which enables analysts to explicitly take into account support of the data (source) and the outputs (target). We also discuss a few means of evaluating and quantifying the quality of the outcomes. We present a brief review of linear geostatistics and variant kriging methods, followed by a case study in which a realization of the spatial process of interest is available through stochastic simulation. To mimic real-world situations, we created two data sets with different footprints (supports)—point and areal data—from the reference point values. We conducted kriging to reproduce the true surface based on the sample data derived from the reference values and the theoretical variogram parameters. Also, we assessed the differences between the predicted values and reference point values using two criteria—the reproduction of spatial structure and the coherence property. We found that data transformation tends to alter the variability of attributes and spatial continuity (spatial dependence). For example, we showed that both point kriging methods, using either point or areal data, underestimate the variability of attributes but overestimate the spatial contiguity in the empirical variogram analysis. We also showed in the case study how much errors are committed in the outputs by oversimplifying the support of source data.
Identifying Optimal Encryption Effort to Improve Battery Life in Mobile Wireless Devices

Multimedia streaming applications are increasing rapidly due to the widespread use of wireless communications channels. Such applications have to be designed with both security and battery life in mind. Secure video applications are the most common culprit of battery drainage. In this article, an application layer algorithm that runs on the transmitting device is presented in order to adjust the amount of encryption performed depending on the wireless channel's conditions. This algorithm trades-off between security and power in wireless video communications. It achieves the desired security requirements while saving on power at the same time. The algorithm is validated and verified through a series of extensive simulations.
Kidney Transplantation: Have the Promises Been Kept and Needs Met

Kidney transplantation has achieved remarkable success over the last century, both technically and scientifically. Sophisticated immunosuppression protocols are now available for the vast majority of patients, rendering hyperacute rejection nearly obsolete, with remarkable improvements in rates of early T-cell-mediated rejection as well. Antimicrobial prophylaxis has advanced dramatically. The economic advantages of kidney transplantation over dialysis are more evident than ever, with transplantation costs falling and dialysis costs continuing to increase. However, long-term graft survival remains suboptimal, due largely to inadequate control of the antibody response. Infection and cancer also remain as depressing clinical endpoints for some kidney recipients, and unacceptable rates of death-with-a-functioning-graft persist. Preemptive transplantation has not been adequately utilized, and limited organ availability continues to preclude many potential recipients from receiving transplants. Programs to create immunologic tolerance remain exciting, though currently limited to a few specialized centers. For these reasons, while many of the original promises of kidney transplantation have been met, significant promises in kidney transplantation remain unfulfilled and great needs remain for a future generation to address.
Donation decisions after death: The case for a family veto

Summary This paper argues that families should be able to refuse to donate the organs of their deceased relative, even when their relative was registered as an organ donor. Families generally hold important relational claims on the body of a decedent, claims which should be respected in the form of allowing families to “veto” postmortem organ donation. Current arguments for and against a “family veto” will first be addressed in order to demonstrate their insufficiency. Typical claims against a family veto either are overly utilitarian, or they appeal to the donor's autonomy and face the problem of explaining why informed consent should be respected after death. I offer a new approach for this issue, which considers relational autonomy and embodied relationships. Thus, I conclude that organ donation decisions should be balanced between the potential donor and their family in a double-veto system.
Khovanov homology and binary dihedral representations for marked links

Abstract We introduce a version of Khovanov homology for alternating links with marking data, ω , inspired by instanton theory. We show that the analogue of the spectral sequence from Khovanov homology to singular instanton homology introduced in Kronheimer and Mrowka (2011) for this marked Khovanov homology collapses on the E 2 page for alternating links. We moreover show that for non-split links the Khovanov homology we introduce for alternating links does not depend on ω ; thus, the instanton homology also does not depend on ω for non-split alternating links. Finally, we study a version of binary dihedral representations for links with markings, and show that for links of non-zero determinant, this also does not depend on ω .
The Sensitivity of Rat Liver and Yeast Mitochondrial Ribosomes to Inhibitors of Protein Synthesis

Amino acid incorporation by isolated intact rat liver mitochondria was severely inhibited by chloramphenicol, carbomycin, or sparsomycin, partially inhibited by emetine, and unaffected by erythromycin or lincomycin. By contrast, amino acid incorporation by inner membrane-matrix fractions prepared from rat liver mitochondria by digitonin was strongly inhibited by emetine, erythromycin, and lincomycin. These results suggest that the mitochondrial membrane acts as a permeability barrier to these drugs thus preventing their inhibitory effects on protein synthesis in intact mitochondria. Ribosomes with a sedimentation coefficient of 55 S were isolated from rat liver mitochondria. When incubated with supernatant factors from Escherichia coli, these ribosomes catalyze poly(U)-dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis at rates comparable to those obtained with ribosomes isolated from yeast mitochondria. Protein synthesis on ribosomes isolated from both rat liver and yeast mitochondria was inhibited to the same extent by carbomycin, chloramphenicol and erythromycin over a wide concentration range of drug. Hence, mitoribosomes from yeast or rat liver do not differ in their sensitivity to these inhibitors of protein synthesis. The binding of radioactive chloramphenicol to yeast mitoribosomes and E. coli ribosomes was blocked by erythromycin, carbomycin, or lincomycin. Carbomycin and lincomycin partially prevented the binding of radioactive chloramphenicol to rat liver mitochondrial ribosomes, while erythromycin only inhibited 10 to 20 % of the binding. These results suggest that significant differences may exist in the binding sites for these antibiotics on rat liver and yeast mitoribosomes.
Repurposed FDA-Approved drug sorafenib reduces replication of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and other alphaviruses.

Abstract The New World alphaviruses –Venezuelan, eastern, and western equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV, EEEV, and WEEV respectively) – cause a febrile disease that is often lethal in equines and children and leads to long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. Endemic to the Americas, epizootic outbreaks of the three viruses occur sporadically in the continental United States. All three viruses aerosolize readily, replicate to high titers in cell culture, and have low infectious doses. Additionally, there are no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics for human use. To address the therapeutic gap, a high throughput assay utilizing a luciferase reporter virus, TC83-luc, was performed to screen a library of commercially available, FDA-approved drugs for antiviral activity. From a group of twenty compounds found to significantly decrease luminescence, the carcinoma therapeutic sorafenib inhibited replication of VEEV-TC83 and TrD in vitro. Additionally, sorafenib inhibited replication of EEEV and two Old World alphaviruses, Sindbis virus and chikungunya virus, at 8 and 16 h post-infection. Sorafenib caused no toxicity in Vero cells, and coupled with a low EC50 value, yielded a selectivity index of >19. Mechanism of actions studies suggest that sorafenib inhibited viral translation through dephosphorylation of several key proteins, including eIF4E and p70S6K, leading to a reduction in viral protein production and overall viral replication.
Frost-hardy Eucalyptus grow well in the southeast

Seedlings of Eucalyptus spp. were planted in a sandy loam soil in Georgia, in 1972, 1973 and 1975. The species planted and seed sources, including southern Brazil, south Africa and Australia, varied with each planting. In 1977, measurements of height and diameter were compared with fastgrowing native species planted in the same test. E. novanglica was the most cold-hardy species that also had reasonable growth and form. Local volume tables constructed from standing and felled trees, and wood and pulping properties were compared. E. nova-anglica, E. viminalis, E. camphora and E. parvifolia were the most promising species for breeding trees that are both cold-hardy and capable of a high yield.
Anatomical Study of Percutaneous Trigeminal Compressive Balloon Positioning on Merged 3-D Rotational X-Ray and Preprocedural Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background Percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy or balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia carries a potential risk for the brainstem, the carotid artery, and the basilar artery. Objective To detail the relation of critical neural and vascular structures to expanded balloons used for percutaneous compression of the trigeminal ganglion. Method A retrospective analysis of preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and procedural X-ray-based imaging for 9 patients detailed balloon proximity to the brainstem, carotid artery, and basilar artery. Results Balloons extended 10.96 ± 5.54 mm (mean ± SD) posterior to the clival line. The average distance from the balloon to the brainstem was 6.89 mm, and that to the basilar artery was 12.12 mm (range: 0-18.2). The medial edge of the balloon was an average distance of 1.39 mm from the baseline position of the carotid lumen. Conclusion Preprocedural MRI, merged with 3-D rotational angiography suite imaging, detailed the proximity of the balloon to critical neural and vascular structures. Our study found that the standard technique for percutaneous trigeminal compression, with balloon placement at an average depth of 10.96 mm posterior to the clival line, on average, provided an additional 6.89 mm of space before the brainstem would have been encountered, demonstrating safe positioning.
All (animal) models (of neurodegeneration) are wrong. Are they also useful

Richard M. Ransohoff, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Third Rock Ventures and Visiting Scientist at Harvard Medical School, provides his personal opinion on using animal models to address current challenges and opportunities in drug development for neurodegeneration.
The Effect of Load Carrying Capacity of Pile-response Under Subsequent Loading for Rotary-Jacking Pile

Pile jacking process can lead to high bearing capacity, stiff base response but sometimes excessive installation resistance. However, it limited by jack capacity and negative shaft resistance. To overcome some of the above problems and to improve the pile performance, rotary jacking of the pile is used. It can alleviate installation problems and bearing capacity is activated during subsequent loading. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate the behavior of pile using this new innovative technique. A 25 mm circular fabricated steel pile was used for the experiments The experiments were done in the laboratory using a large container filled with silica sand, and the rotary and jacking method was tested with few series of cases. Results show that this new method of pile installation is successfully obtained and acceptable. This new method of pile installation is an innovative method to be used for the future in the construction industry.
Patient-Centered Outcomes for Skin Cancer Management: Utilization of a Patient Delphi Process to Identify Important Treatment Themes.

BACKGROUNDPatient-reported outcomes are critical to research directed at maximizing patient benefit. The outcomes patients consider most relevant in the treatment of skin cancer have not been directly investigated.OBJECTIVETo develop a ranked list of outcomes deemed most important by patients with s
Collision Potential Analysis in First and Second Order Integrator Networks Over Strongly Connected Digraphs

This paper investigates the collision potential of any two nodes in first and second order integrator networks subject to distributed disturbances. Our results extend previous analysis quantifying this notion of robustness using an induced $L_{2}$ to $L_{\infty}$ norm for networks with symmetric feedback interconnection to systems with directed feedback. We focus on the special case where the underlying feedback interconnection is represented by a strongly connected digraph described by a diagonalizable weighted graph Laplacian matrix. We derive analytical expressions for system robustness for networks of first and second order systems with two different combinations of absolute and relative state feedback. A numerical example simulating a second order system connected over a line graph (a vehicle platoon) is employed to investigate the effect of asymmetric feedback control laws on collision potential. Our numerical results show that in contrast to previous results showing improved stability margin through asymmetric feedback control laws, this type of control law can actually increase the collision potential (decrease system robustness) for certain vehicle pairs in platoons with and without leaders.
Interactions of substrate and non-substrate effectors with p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase from psuedomonas fluorescens

Abstract 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoate (3,4-DOHB), 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate (2,4-DOHB), and benzoate facilitate the interaction of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase with TPNH. The two dihydroxybenzoate effectors form 1:1 complexes with the enzyme, inducing large spectral perturbations and fluorescence quenching. The dissociation constants for 2,4-DOHB and 3,4-DOHB are 0.15 and 0.50 mM respectively. During the reaction of enzyme with TPNH and oxygen, all the 2,4-DOHB,
Effect of intravoxel incoherent motion on diffusion parameters in normal brain.

Abstract At very low diffusion weighting the diffusion MRI signal is affected by intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) caused by dephasing of magnetization due to incoherent blood flow in capillaries or other sources of microcirculation. While IVIM measurements at low diffusion weightings have been frequently used to investigate perfusion in the body as well as in malignant tissue, the effect and origin of IVIM in normal brain tissue is not completely established. We investigated the IVIM effect on the brain diffusion MRI signal in a cohort of 137 radiologically-normal patients (62 male; mean age = 50.2 ± 17.8, range = 18 to 94). We compared the diffusion tensor parameters estimated from a mono-exponential fit at b = 0 and 1000 s/mm2 versus at b = 250 and 1000 s/mm2. The asymptotic fitting method allowed for quantitative assessment of the IVIM signal fraction f* in specific brain tissue and regions. Our results show a mean (median) percent difference in the mean diffusivity of about 4.5 (4.9)% in white matter (WM), about 7.8 (8.7)% in cortical gray matter (GM), and 4.3 (4.2)% in thalamus. Corresponding perfusion fraction f* was estimated to be 0.033 (0.032) in WM, 0.066 (0.065) in cortical GM, and 0.033 (0.030) in the thalamus. The effect of f* with respect to age was found to be significant in cortical GM (Pearson correlation ρ ​= ​0.35, p ​= ​3*10−5) and the thalamus (Pearson correlation ρ = 0.20, p = 0.022) with an average increase in f* of 5.17*10−4/year and 3.61*10−4/year, respectively. Significant correlations between f* and age were not observed for WM, and corollary analysis revealed no effect of gender on f*. Possible origins of the IVIM effect in normal brain tissue are discussed.
The Analysis of Influence of the Gangue in the Coal as Fired on the Coal Conveying System and the Boiler Operation of the Circulating Fluidized Bed Unit

The coal as fired, with unidentified characteristics of the coal gangue, was burned on a 300MW circulating fluidized bed unit. The equipment of the coal conveying system was damaged and the boiler operation was unstable. In response to the problems, the coal quality data and storage conditions of the coal were examined and the site was spot-checked to evaluate the coal quality characteristics. At the same time, the typical representative parameters of the coal handling system and boiler operation were selected. According to the analysis of coal quality and coal storage, the coal quality fluctuates greatly and the uniformity of particle size distribution is poor. There is actually the coal gangue with hard texture and hard to grind in the coal pile. The coal gangue will have adverse effects on the fine screening machine, fine crusher and other equipment. After burned this type of coal, the fluidized quality of the boiler bed is degraded to make an impact on the safe and stable operation of the boiler. It is recommended that the coal should be screened and then burned into the furnace to ensure safe and stable operation of the boiler.
Telemedicine for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Background: As the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) would seem to be amenable to interventions that increase access to screening and managem...
Subpectoral Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction

Introduction Implant-based (alloplastic) breast reconstruction is the most common method for breast reconstruction. Patients frequently choose this method because of quicker surgery and recovery as compared with autologous reconstruction.
Extracellular vesicles released by adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from obese pigs fail to repair the injured kidney.

Abstract Aims Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle select MSC contents and are endowed with an ability to repair ischemic tissues. We hypothesized that exposure to cardiovascular risk factors may alter the microRNA cargo of MSC-derived EVs, blunting their capacity to repair the post-stenotic kidney in pigs with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and renal artery stenosis (RAS). Methods Porcine MSCs were harvested from abdominal fat after 16wks of Lean- or MetS-diet, and their EVs isolated and characterized using microRNA-sequencing. Lean- and MetS-EV protective effects were assessed in-vitro in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). To compare their in-vivo efficacy to repair ischemic tissues, allogeneic-EVs were intrarenally delivered in pigs after 6wks of MetS + RAS, and 4wks later, single-kidney renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were studied in-vivo, and microvascular architecture and injury ex-vivo. Lean-, MetS-, and MetS + RAS-sham served as controls (n = 6 each). Results Ten microRNAs, capable of targeting several pro-angiogenic genes, were upregulated in MetS-EVs versus Lean-EVs. In vitro, MetS-EVs failed to increase tube number and length, and to boost HUVEC migration compared to Lean-EVs. Lean- and MetS-EVs were detected in the stenotic-kidney 4wks after injection in the vicinity of small vessels. RBF and GFR were lower in MetS + RAS versus MetS, and restored in MetS + RAS + Lean-EVs, but not in MetS + RAS + MetS-EVs. Furthermore, MetS-EVs failed to restore renal expression of angiogenic factors, improve microvascular density, or attenuate fibrosis. Conclusions MetS alters the microRNA cargo of MSC-derived EVs and impairs their functional potency, limiting the therapeutic efficacy of this endogenous cellular repair system.
Impacts of cattle, hunting, and natural gas development in a rangeland ecosystem

Abstract This paper investigates the impacts from natural gas development, hunting, and cattle grazing on a typical Western U.S. rangeland ecosystem using a general equilibrium model that describes ecosystem dynamics. The study area is located in the region surrounding the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas project in southern-central Wyoming and analyzes the population densities of various species, net hunting benefits, cattle profits, and existence value of sage grouse. The general equilibrium model analyzes the responses of six animal species, two plant species, and accounts for differences in prey scarcity inside and outside the disturbed areas around the wells. The differences in scarcity arise from sage grouse, mule deer, and elk experiencing stress in the disturbed areas and the changes in foraging behavior from the rest of the species. The simulations highlight the advantage of a general equilibrium ecosystem model because it is capable of capturing the complex changes that occur between plant and animal species when natural gas development reduces the habitat of vulnerable species. For the study area, the present-value loss in ecosystem services is $58.40 million (or $2,796 per ha), but could vary between -$0.12 and $81.67 million depending on the size of the disturbed area and coordination of government agencies.
Visual Utopia: Art in the Seventeen Years (1949–1966)

From 1949 to 1966, dubbed the “Seventeen Years” by the media and historians, Chinese art experienced a fundamental reconstruction, including guidelines and institutions: it became a party-led system constructed to implement communist ideology. It launched the Xin Nianhua (Novel New Year’s Prints) Campaign, remodeled guohua (national painting), and advocated for various phases as applied to oil painting: Humble Realism, Socialist Realism, and Nationalization. Large-scale sculpture created ideological theaters in ppublic space, while propoganda posters helped visualize absurdity. All the arts served proletarian politics and its ideological basis in order to build a visual utopia.
"Looking at future cancer survivors, give them a roadmap": addressing fertility and family-building topics in post-treatment cancer survivorship care

Fertility is an important issue among adolescent and young adult female (AYA-F) cancer survivors. This study examined AYA-F survivors’ unmet needs and recommendations for care to address fertility/family-building in post-treatment survivorship. Semi-structured interviews (45–60 min) explored themes related to fertility and family-building after cancer. Coding categories were derived based on grounded theory methods. Themes were identified through an iterative process of coding and review. Participants (N = 25) averaged 29 years old (SD = 6.2; range, 15–39) were primarily White and well educated, and averaged 5.81 years post-treatment (SD = 5.43); 32% had undergone fertility preservation (pre- or post-cancer). Six recommendations for improving care were identified: addressing patient-provider communication, need to provide informational, emotional, and peer support, financial information, and decision-making support. AYA-Fs believed the best way to learn about resources was through online platforms or doctor-initiated discussions. Telehealth options and digital resources were generally considered acceptable. Face-to-face interactions were preferred for in-depth information, when AYA-Fs anticipated having immediate questions or distressing emotions, and with concerns about Internet security. Thus, a combined approach was preferred such that information (via web-based communication) should be provided first, with follow-up in-person visits and referrals when needed. Informational and support services are needed to better educate patients about gonadotoxic effects and options to have children after cancer treatment is completed. Future work should evaluate how to best support oncology providers in meeting the needs of survivors concerned about fertility and family-building including referral to clinical specialties and supportive resources.
Low Self-Control, Substance-Using Peers and Intimate Partners, Pro-Drug Use Definitions, and Inhalant Use Among Convicted Offenders in South Korea:

Hirschi has repeatedly argued that the relationship between social learning variables and crime is a product of “self-selection” driven by low self-control (LSC). Akers’ has suggested that social l...
Long-term outcomes with conventional fractionated and stereotactic radiotherapy for suspected heart-base tumours in dogs.

Published radiotherapy results for suspected heart-based tumours in dogs are limited. In this retrospective longitudinal study (3/2014-2019), eight dogs with either clinical signs attributable to a heart-base mass (6), or asymptomatic with a progressively larger mass on echocardiogram (2), received conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Clinical findings in symptomatic cases included one or more of the following: retching/coughing (4), exercise intolerance (2), collapse (1), pericardial effusion (2), rare ventricular premature contractions (2), abdominal effusion (1), or respiratory distress due to chylothorax (1). CFRT cases received 50 Gray (Gy) in 20 fractions and SBRT cases received 30 Gy in 5 or 24 Gy in three fractions. Two dogs received chemotherapy post-radiation. At analysis, 7/8 dogs were deceased and one was alive 684 days post-treatment. The estimated median overall survival (MOS) from first treatment was 785 days (95% CI 114-868 days, [range 114-1492 days]). Five dogs received CFRT (MOS 817 days; (95% CI 155 days-not reached [range 155-1492 days])). Three dogs received SBRT with one alive at analysis (MOS 414 days, (95% CI, 114 days-not reached [range 114-414 days])). No statistically significant difference was found between survival for CFRT and SBRT. Of the symptomatic patients, 5/6 showed improvement. Mass size reduced in 4/5 cases receiving follow-up ultrasounds. Possible complications included asymptomatic radiation pneumonitis (4), atrial tachycardia/premature beats (4) and pericardial effusion with heart failure coincident with tumour progression (1). This study provides preliminary evidence that radiotherapy may impact clinically relevant or progressively enlarging heart-base masses.
Common-Knowledge-Based Pragmatics

Suppose a speaker S and an audience A are in a communication coordination problem. That is, for some proposition p, they each prefer that S mean that p and that A believe p in response. How do they coordinate their thought and action to solve the problem? The Gricean answer is that they reason their way to the solution. Pragmatics makes a similar assumption. “Pragmatics involves perception augmented by some species of ‘ampliative’ inference … a sort of reasoning” (Kepa Korta and John Perry, “Pragmatics”). There are two objections. The first is that it is not plausible to attribute such reasoning to speakers and audiences. The second objection grants, for the sake of argument, that speakers and audiences reason in the required ways. The objection is that this is not sufficient to solve coordination problems since a speaker and an audience may not know how each has reasoned. The problem is well-known in game theory, which typically solves it by assuming the parties’ preferences are common knowledge. Common knowledge is the recursive belief state in which people are know something, know they know it, know they know they know it, ad infinitum. I propose a similar solution. When people interact as speaker and audience, common knowledge arises from their perceptions of each other as fulfilling the roles of speaker and audience. The account of how common knowledge arises entails Grice’s general characterization of conversational implicatures. More precisely, it entails speakers and audiences involved in communication coordination problems typically commonly know that a relevant instance of the conditions holds. The common knowledge approach requires attributing reasoning to speakers and audiences, but it keeps those attributions to a plausible minimum. Thus the common knowledge approach is a viable alternative to current approaches that attribute extensive reasoning to speakers and audiences.
Neural correlates of sustained attention and cognitive control in depression and rumination: An ERP study

Attention problems and risk for depression are often associated with a trait tendency towards rumination. Although theorists have linked rumination to deficits in attention, the nature of its effect on cognitive control, and how it may interact with depression remains unclear. Therefore, this study explored cognitive control in depression and two forms of rumination (brooding and reflection) associated with passive and analytic responses to negative mood, respectively. An electrophysiological Go/NoGo vigilance task was used to measure N2 and P3 event related potentials (ERPs) associated with the recruitment of cognitive resources and inhibition of motor responses in the task, respectively. Participants continuous levels of depressive symptoms and trait levels of each form of rumination were also obtained by self-report. Consistent with prior research, significantly larger mean amplitudes in the N2 and P3 ranges were observed in NoGo versus Go trials. A significant interaction between reflection and depression on P3 amplitudes was observed, indicating that at high levels of reflection, as depression increased P3 amplitudes to NoGo trials also increased. Levels of depression and reflection were not significantly associated with accuracy or reaction time in the task. No significant interactions between depression and brooding, or main effect of brooding was observed on any task measure. Thus, high levels of reflection may uniquely and negatively impact the efficiency that cognitive resources are applied during goal directed behavior in depression. Results are discussed in relation to cognitive models of depression and rumination.
Aligning Public Health Training and Practice in Evaluation: Implications and Recommendations for Educators:

Objective. This study aimed to understand the extent to which master of public health (MPH) graduates engage in evaluation on the job, to learn how MPH graduates implement evaluation, and to hear f...
Training residents to intervene when mistreated by patients and their families

Purpose: Mistreatment of trainees adversely impacts their learning and well-being and can lead to medical errors and preventable adverse outcomes. However, few studies have examined mistreatment of trainees by patients and their families or the effect of a curricular intervention to address it. We hypothesized that pediatric residents commonly experience mistreatment from patients and their families and that targeted training would improve their knowledge and perceived effectiveness in responding. Methods: We collected baseline data on resident mistreatment using …