cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic properties of polyurea-milled glass composites part II: Micromechanical modeling

Abstract In Part I, the results of experimental evaluation of the mechanical properties of pure polyurea (PU) and polyurea with milled glass composites (PU-MG) in low (1–20 Hz) and high (0.5–1.5 MHz) frequency ranges (Nantasetphong et al., 2016a) have been reported, focusing on the dependence of these properties on frequency, temperature, and the milled glass volume fraction. Here, we report the results of the corresponding micromechanical modeling. The models are developed, based on three different approximations: (1) dilute random, (2) non-dilute random, and (3) non-dilute periodic distributions of inclusions. Different orientation distributions of fibers, e.g., uniaxial parallel, in-plane random, and 3D random are considered and their results are compared with experimentally measured data presented in (Nantasetphong et al., 2016a). Moreover, the computational results are used to construct master curves of dynamic Young’s storage and loss moduli and compare these with those constructed from experimental data. The 3D random and in-plane random calculation results are compared with the dynamic longitudinal and shear moduli of PU-MG composites obtained from ultrasonic wave measurements. These comparisons demonstrated that, as expected, the orientation distribution of the short fibers was affected by the thickness of the composite sample, and this effect was manifested in overall elasticity tensor of the composite.
Analysis and Research of Operating Environment for Low-Voltage Power Line Carrier Communication

Based on the research of low-voltage power line carrier communication techniques,analysis works are conducted on the environment of low-voltage power line channel in such three aspects as noise characteristics,resistance characteristics,and attenuation characteristics,and related modeling of testing device for three aspects are proposed, the characteristic of the operating environment of low-voltage power line channel are also classified and discussed in this paper.
94 ARE SERIAL LIVER BIOPSIES USEFUL IN ASSESSING DISEASE PROGRESSION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS

Introduction Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune cholestatic liver disease that causes progressive hepatic fibrosis, often leading to liver failure. The severity of PBC is typically determined by grading the extent of fibrosis in a liver biopsy using a 4-point histological scale: 0 = no fibrosis, 1 = non-bridging fibrosis, 2 = bridging fibrosis, and 3 = cirrhosis. However, liver biopsy is prone to sampling error, and it is sometimes a painful and dangerous procedure. The utility of serial liver biopsies to detect disease progression has not been studied, but it is a critical issue for clinical investigators and physicians. Null Hypothesis The average change of fibrosis in serial liver biopsies in patients with PBC is not a reliable indicator of clinical progression. Methods Serial liver biopsies were collected every 2 years on 265 subjects with PBC as part of a multicenter double-blind randomized controlled study, which demonstrated that methotrexate, when added to ursodiol treatment, had no effect on PBC. Mean follow-up was 7.4 years, and 935 samples were collected. Four pathologists, who were blinded to the sample order, graded each biopsy. A mean fibrosis score was calculated for each biopsy. Clinical decompensation was defined as development of one or more of the following: varices, ascites, encephalopathy, variceal bleed, liver transplant or liver death. The rate of change of fibrosis over time was compared between the patients who experienced clinical decompensation (n = 83) and those who did not (n = 162) using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results Fibrosis increased an average of 0.05 stages per year in the group who developed clinical decompensation and decreased 0.01 stages per year in the group who did not. This difference was statistically significant (p Conclusion In a large group of PBC patients, serial liver biopsies can detect a statistical difference in the change of fibrosis between patients who develop clinical decompensation versus patients who do not. However, the average rate of change in fibrosis associated with clinical decompensation is too small to be appreciated in an individual patient. Thus serial liver biopsies are not useful clinical tools to assess disease progression in individuals with PBC taking ursodiol.
Government 103: what happened to the great idea?

1. James T Griffith, PhD CLS(NCA)[⇑][1] 1. is Chancellor Professor and Chairperson; Department of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1. Address for correspondence: James T Griffith PhD CLS(NCA), Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth,285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth Massachusetts 02747-2300. (508) 999-8328, (508) 999-8418 (fax). JGriffith{at}UMassD.edu The great idea is the great foundation of the system of self-governing brought to this portion of the North American continent in 1789. Let us say you had a great idea about how things in healthcare could work better. Then you did all the right things. You formed it into a cohesive thought and purpose. You looked up pertinent existing statutes at the appropriate level; municipal, state or federal. You determined how your idea could fit in and you took a shot at writing draft language. You found a sympathetic legislator at the appropriate level and secured their support. You had the legislation filed and assisted it through the legislative process. You made compromises to appease objectors and applauded your success when the bill became law. At this point you realize that several challenging steps remain. Regulations implementing the new statute need to be written. The new law has to fit itself into the existing pantheon of other great ideas. Other laws in the same area will follow. The landscape upon which your idea was founded will change. Why are you getting that cold, clammy feeling? Here is a look at how some previous legislation fared. PL 100-175 (HR 1451, SIGNED November 29, 1987) OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1987 This legislation reauthorized the Older Americans Act of 1965 through 1991. While the Older Americans Act has been reauthorized several times since, this established (Title III) state and area agencies on aging and a new authority for in-home services for… ABBREVIATIONS: HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; HR = House of Representatives; PL = public law; WEDI = Workgroup for Electronic Data Exchange [1]: #corresp-1
Assessment of body force effects in flow condensation, part II: Criteria for negating influence of gravity

This study concerns the development of a set of mechanistic criteria capable of predicting the flow conditions for which gravity independent flow condensation heat transfer can be achieved. Using FC-72 as working fluid, a control-volume based annular flow model is solved numerically to provide information regarding the magnitude of different forces acting on the liquid film and identify which forces are dominant for different flow conditions. Separating the influence of body force into two components, one parallel to flow direction and one perpendicular, conclusions drawn from the force term comparison are used to model limiting cases, which are interpreted as transition points for gravity independence. Experimental results for vertical upflow, vertical downflow, and horizontal flow condensation heat transfer coefficients are presented, and show that, for the given test section, mass velocities above 425 kg/m2 s ensure gravity independent heat transfer. Parametric evaluation of the criteria using different assumed values of mass velocity, orientation, local acceleration, and exit quality show that the criteria obey physically verifiable trends in line with those exhibited by the experimental results. As an extension, the separated flow model is utilized to provide a more sophisticated approach to determining whether a given configuration will perform independent of gravity. Results from the model show good qualitative agreement with experimental results. Additionally, analysis of trends indicate use of the separated flow model captures physics missed by simpler approaches, demonstrating that use of the separated flow model with the gravity independence criteria constitute a powerful predictive tool for engineers concerned with ensuring gravity independent flow condensation heat transfer performance.
High directivity negative-resistance composite right/left-handed leaky-wave antenna

A novel negative-resistance composite right/left-handed (NR-CRLH) leaky-wave antenna (LWA) is presented. The conventional CRLH unit cell is made configurable by using the negative resistance (NR) circuit. An LWA constituted by the proposed unit cells allows manipulation of the current distributions over the radiating surface of the antenna. Consequently, the radiation pattern, and directivity can be adjusted to the desired values. The fabricated prototype of the proposed NR-CRLH LWA demonstrates enhanced directivity compared to the conventional all passive CRLH LWA. The proposed method provides simple current amplitude control while minimally influencing the desired dispersive/transmission characteristics of the LWA.
Spinal cord injury is associated with enhanced peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity

Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), but the exact mechanism is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether peripheral chemoreceptors activity is enhanced in individuals with chronic SCI compared to abled‐bodied control subjects using CO2 and O2 chemical tests. In protocol (1) 30 subjects (8 cervical [cSCI], 7 thoracic [tSCI] and 15 able‐bodied [AB]) were studied to determine the ventilatory response to hyperoxia during wakefulness in the supine position. In protocol (2) 24 subjects (6 cSCI, 6 tSCI, and 12 AB subjects) were studied to determine the ventilatory response to a single breath of CO2 (SBCO2). The chemoreflex response to SBCO2 was calculated as ∆VE/∆CO2 (L/min/mmHg). The ventilatory response to hyperoxia was defined as the % change in VT following acute hyperoxia compared to preceding baseline. During hyperoxia SCI subjects had a significant decrease in VT and VE (63.4 ± 21.7% and 63.1 ± 23.0% baseline, respectively, P < 0.05) compared to AB (VT: 87.1 ± 14.3% and VE: 91.38 ± 15.1% baseline, respectively, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between cSCI and tSCI in the VT or VE during hyperoxia ( P = NS). There was no significant correlation between AHI and VE% baseline ( r = −0.28) in SCI and AB ( n = 30). SCI participants had a greater ventilatory response to an SBCO2 than AB (0.78 ± 0.42 L/min/mmHg vs. 0.26 ± 0.10 L/min/mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05). Peripheral ventilatory chemoresponsiveness is elevated in individuals with chronic SCI compared to able‐bodied individuals.
Molecular Bottlebrushes with Bimodal Length Distribution of Side Chains

The structural details of bottlebrush polymers, specifically the grafting density and molecular weight distribution of side chains, influence their physical properties; however, they are difficult to analyze using conventional techniques. Herein we report the synthesis, characterization, and molecular imaging of bottlebrush macromolecules with both uniform and bimodal length distributions of poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA) side chains. The densely grafted copolymers were prepared via the “grafting from” approach using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Bottlebrush macromolecules with both shorter and longer grafted chains were prepared by removal of a fraction of the bromine chain ends of the initial densely grafted brush by selective capping with 4-butoxy-TEMPO and subsequent chain extension of remaining active chains forming longer PnBA grafts. This procedure provided bottlebrush macromolecules with two distinct degrees of polymerization of the grafted side chains herein called bimodal grafts. A...
Cushing's Disease

Cushing's disease is caused by an adrenocorticotropin-producing tumor of the pituitary gland, causing hypercortisolism and Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's disease is the most common cause of Cushing's syndrome but can be very difficult to diagnose and to treat. Most pituitary adenomas causing Cushing's disease are small (<10 mm) and often difficult to find on imaging studies. Confirmation that the tumor resides in the pituitary and not at an ectopic site often requires an inferior petrosal sinus sample, in which the concentration of adrenocorticotropin in the pituitary venous effluent is compared to that in mixed venous blood. Transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery, when performed by an experienced neurosurgeon, is curative in the majority of cases, but even at the best centers recurrence rates are high. Bilateral adrenalectomy is curative when pituitary surgery is not, and recent advances in medical therapy hold promise for improving outcomes. The long-term health and quality of life in patients with Cushing's disease remain suboptimal, despite even the most advanced care.
Head Injury and Substance Use in Young Adults.

Background: Prior studies suggest a link between head injuries and substance use but do not routinely capture mechanisms connecting the two. Objectives: The goal of the study was to explore whether...
Trends in Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhages.

Introduction Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) accounts for 5% of all strokes; 30-day mortality is as high as 40%. We sought to evaluate outcomes of aSAH patients treated 2004-2014 by endovascular therapy (EVT), to demonstrate associated trends, and to evaluate angioplasty use for aSAH-related cerebral vasospasm. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2004-2014 was used to derive a study cohort using ICD-9 codes. Survey procedures were used to adjust for stratified cluster design of NIS. NIS trend weights were used to generate national estimates. Mortality during hospitalization and use of angioplasty for aSAH-induced cerebral vasospasm trends were evaluated with multivariate regression analysis. Results We identified n = 10,822 (weighted n = 52,062) EVT-treated aSAH hospitalizations. Increasing years independently predicted decreased mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.926, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.905-0.948, p < 0.0001), decreased utilization of angioplasty (age ≥50 years [OR 0.916, 95% CI 0.867-0.968, p = 0.0019] and age <50 years [OR 0.922, 95% CI 0.879-0.967, p = 0.0009]) after controlling for increasing age, Charlson comorbidity index, and external ventricular drain placement. Angioplasty rates were higher in age <50 years compared to age ≥50 years (5 vs. 3.63%, p < 0.001). Conclusion It is notable that EVT for aSAH management will be an integral and increasingly useful tool for initial aneurysm management. Advances in procedural techniques, operator experience, and periprocedural management could be significant contributors of decreasing mortality and reducing the need for angioplasty for cerebral vasospasm in patients admitted with aSAH.
Substantive and Symbolic Certification: Technology Choices for Signaling Social Responsibility

Eco-certifications signal corporate social responsibility (CSR), or the voluntary provision of public goods. Yet flexible certifications often lead to noisy signals, leaving open the question of ho...
The SMAD3 transcription factor binds complex RNA structures with high affinity

Several members of the SMAD family of transcription factors have been reported to bind RNA in addition to their canonical double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) ligand. RNA binding by SMAD has the potential to affect numerous cellular functions that involve RNA. However, the affinity and specificity of this RNA binding activity has not been well characterized, which limits the ability to validate and extrapolate functional implications of this activity. Here we perform quantitative binding experiments in vitro to determine the ligand requirements for RNA binding by SMAD3. We find that SMAD3 binds poorly to single- and double-stranded RNA, regardless of sequence. However, SMAD3 binds RNA with large internal loops or bulges with high apparent affinity. This apparent affinity matches that for its canonical dsDNA ligand, suggesting a biological role for RNA binding by SMAD3.
Experimental study of a latent heat thermal energy storage system assisted by a heat pipe network

Abstract The charging and discharging processes of a latent heat thermal energy storage system assisted by a heat pipe network was experimentally studied. Rubitherm RT55 was chosen as the phase change material (PCM) and was enclosed within a vertical cylindrical container. A network of simulated heat pipes was embedded within the PCM to enhance the heat transfer. The heat pipe array consisted of a primary central heat pipe with an array of secondary heat pipes. The primary heat pipe transfers the thermal energy from the heat source to the heat sink while the secondary heat pipes transport the extra thermal energy into to the phase change material during the charging process or retrieve it from the phase change material during the discharging process. The heat pipe network was simplified by employing an arrangement of copper and acrylic pipes. Water was used as the heat transport fluid, which was circulated through the pipe network with a relatively high velocity to decrease the temperature drop, similar to what happens inside a real heat pipe. The effects of different heat transfer fluid flow rates and temperatures on the thermal performance of the latent heat energy storage system were studied. The results indicated that the heat transfer fluid flow rate and temperature have significant impacts on the total charging time of the system. It was also found that the while the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid has minimal effect on the discharging process, the temperature of the heat transfer fluid plays a significant role.
‘We Need to Keep the Door Open’: A Framework for Better Understanding the Formation of Younger Teachers in Catholic Schools

Younger teachers in Catholic schools have a key role in maintaining the religious identity of the school. This is especially so at a time of significant cultural change. This chapter reports on an empirical study which examined school principal perceptions in three key areas: the religious experience and background of younger teachers in schools; what is being done to support younger teachers; any particular challenges in the formation of younger teachers. Some key findings were that younger teachers are reflective of the wider cultural shifts in religious practice and belief but are open to greater engagement with the religious tradition.
Systematic review of spica casting for the treatment of paediatric diaphyseal femur fractures.

Abstract Purpose Paediatric femur fractures are commonly encountered and often successfully managed with spica casting. Despite spica casting’s long history there is little formal guidance for optimal outcomes and no consolidation of existing literature. The purpose of this study is to review the available literature regarding the use of spica casting for the management of paediatric diaphyseal femur fractures. Methods The PubMed database was queried for all research articles including the phrase “spica”. A total of 788 abstracts were reviewed for relevance to the current study. Data was extracted from all available research studies which specified tolerance for fracture angulation or shortening in the cast. Additionally, all articles describing alternative materials, methods for spica application, and complications of spica casting were reviewed. Results In all, 106 articles were found relevant to the management of diaphyseal femur fractures in the paediatric population. The aggregated, accepted fracture...
Book review: Angela Willey (2016), Undoing Monogamy: The Politics of Science and the Possibilities of Biology:

Angela Willey (2016), Undoing Monogamy: The Politics of Science and the Possibilities of Biology. Durham: Duke University Press. 216 pp., 9 illustrations. $89.95 (Cloth), ISBN: 978-0-8223-6140-4; $...
Computer Simulation of Power Electronics and Motor Drives

Abstract This chapter shows how power electronics, electric motors, and drives can be simulated with modern spice-based software simulation tools. The focus will be on LTspice, which is widely used and available for free download for all contemporary (2016) Windows 7, 8, and 10 PCs. The LTspice examples have been developed for the current LTspice IV version of the software [ 1 ]. LTspice lends itself especially well to simulations of switch-mode power electronics circuits since it was designed to support Linear Technologies' family of products. This product line includes a large number of switch-mode power conversion parts. This manifests itself in the stability of the simulator during switching transitions. The author found the use of these examples is very beneficial in an educational environment, since the examples can be shared with students to enhance their understanding of the lecture material. The concepts and examples presented here can also be used for serious professional work. In fact, the author has used these tools with great success in many research projects. In addition to LTspice, PTC Mathcad [ 2 ] has been used to derive and present the underlying equations. Equations created in Mathcad look as perfect as in the best typesetting software, but they can also be evaluated numerically and manipulated symbolically to derive additional equations and to validate the underlying theory.
Multilinear Algebra and Tensors

Smooth functions, vector fields and 1—forms are tensors of fairly simple types. In order to handle higher order tensors, we will need some rather sophisticated multilinear algebra. The reader who is well grounded in the multilinear algebra of R—modules can skip ahead to Section 7.4, referring to the first three sections only as needed.
Assessing the efficacy of rational budgeting approaches: fiscal recovery planning and municipal budgetary solvency

This study assesses the effects of financial recovery planning on the budgetary solvency of US cities. Budgetary solvency is the ability of governments to meet their service responsibilities and ot...
Reconstruction of acoustic scenes in biosonar

Biosonar mechanisms are highlighted by comparing acoustically reconstructed scenes derived from generalized methods with the performance of echolocating animals. Bioinspired computations replacing standard methods then offer a path towards understanding the animal’s solutions. Seemingly simple outdoor spaces present flying bats with complex scenes when vegetation and the ground are factored in, and even sound-treated research spaces such as flight rooms evolve into complex scenes as transmitted sounds propagate through the space. Underwater scenes, particularly for shallow water, are much more complicated because longer propagation distances create multipath reverberation that often overlaps with echoes. Interpulse intervals of biosonar emissions must be short to support rapid updating of tracking and perception, but reverberation means that pulse-echo ambiguity occurs. Two reconstructive methods are useful—the HARPEX method for visualizing the progression of echoes and reverberation following a sound, and a HARPEX-like method reconfigured as a forward-looking sonar. Acoustic datasets visualize airborne and underwater sonar scenes by reconstructing sound images for successive time frames following a transmitted sound using a tetrahedral soundfield microphone or a forward-looking sonar head. The complex acoustics of vegetation are examined with a simulation model built to understand the bats’ perception of vegetation. (Work supported by ONR.)Biosonar mechanisms are highlighted by comparing acoustically reconstructed scenes derived from generalized methods with the performance of echolocating animals. Bioinspired computations replacing standard methods then offer a path towards understanding the animal’s solutions. Seemingly simple outdoor spaces present flying bats with complex scenes when vegetation and the ground are factored in, and even sound-treated research spaces such as flight rooms evolve into complex scenes as transmitted sounds propagate through the space. Underwater scenes, particularly for shallow water, are much more complicated because longer propagation distances create multipath reverberation that often overlaps with echoes. Interpulse intervals of biosonar emissions must be short to support rapid updating of tracking and perception, but reverberation means that pulse-echo ambiguity occurs. Two reconstructive methods are useful—the HARPEX method for visualizing the progression of echoes and reverberation following a sound, an...
Online Learning of Human Navigational Intentions

We present a novel approach for online learning of human intentions in the context of navigation and show its advantage in human tracking. The proposed approach assumes humans to be motivated to navigate with a set of imaginary social forces and continuously learns the preferences of each human to follow these forces. We conduct experiments both in simulation and real-world environments to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and the benefit of employing it to track humans. The results show the correlation between the learned intentions and the actions taken by a human subject in controlled environments in the context of human-robot interaction.
Polypropylene: Now Available without Chain Ends

Summary Polyolefin manufacturing eclipsed 170 million tons in 2016, but the cyclic versions of these important materials are only synthesized in small quantities or are simply synthetically inaccessible. In this work, we describe the synthesis of “atactic” cyclic polypropylene. Cyclic polypropyne is first synthesized via catalytic ring expansion polymerization of propyne and then hydrogenation of the unsaturated polymer provides cyclic polypropylene. Evidence for a cyclic topology comes from both solution and solid-state characterization. Importantly, we report the rheological differences between linear and cyclic polypropylene.
Recommendations for assessing ovarian health and fertility potential in survivors of childhood cancer

Most children diagnosed with cancer survive for many years after treatment. However, the fertility potential of these patients may suffer due to their oncologic therapies. Certain chemotherapies and radiation are more likely to be detrimental to gonadal function, and put patients at risk of acute or premature ovarian failure. Prepubertal cancer patients will need different follow-up and testing from their post-pubertal counterparts. This review will present evidence to help patients, family members and physicians determine who is most at risk of ovarian insufficiency and how to monitor childhood cancer survivors. It will discuss the impact of age at diagnosis and cancer therapies on reproductive outcomes, and guide caregivers and patients on monitoring gonadal function after therapy.
Near-peer Led Workshops on Game Development for Broadening Participation and Diversity in Computing

The goal of a technology-focused service-learning course at an open access, baccalaureate degree granting institution is to increase the confidence and persistence of students, especially underrepresented students, in computing. An earlier study has shown the positive impact for the students enrolled in the service-learning course. In this paper, we evaluate the service part of the course, outreach activities that aim to let young people get excited about technology. Specifically, we evaluate the effectiveness of the near-peer outreach activities in the form of light-weight workshops for game development. One major activity conducted by the service-learning students is to develop games and then conduct workshops for lower class students (mostly freshmen) in Introduction to Computing, a general education course. In the workshops, the audience will develop miniature versions of the games that the service-learning students have developed. This makes the workshops fun and light-weight, taking only one-class period and allows our students to reach many classes and a large audience. In addition to reaching a large audience, data shows that this game-based, light-weight and near-peer led workshops are very effective in attracting diverse early college students into programming. Based on this observation, we make suggestions for future activities in outreach, which we believe are also applicable outside our service-learning course context.
Passive CubeSats for remote inspection of space vehicles

Remote inspection can supplement instrumentation to holistically characterize vehicle state, but for space vehicles in flight, inspection is often either risky or costly. We propose using passive inspection CubeSats (PICs) to reliably and affordably image the launch vehicle with fine resolution, moderate coverage, and rapid response. The PICs mission, developed by Brigham Young University undergraduate students and manifested for launch in 2019, is designed to demonstrate this approach using two redundant CubeSats. Each CubeSat uses a spherical array of six cameras, 12 light-emitting diode flash units, and a field-programmable gate array to rapidly boot after separation and capture spherical images of its entire surroundings, including the launch vehicle and other released CubeSats. The PIC bus system includes several custom components, including a compact 3500-mAh battery system, 1 to 2 W solar power system, chassis, omnidirectional antenna system, radio, and a small integrated remove-before-flight-pin and system access port. Preliminary test results suggest the PICs are able to boot within 1.1 s of separation and inspect 1-mm features on each other and their launch vehicle, regardless of the spin developed at separation.
Residual strength of additive manufactured ABS parts subjected to fatigue loading

Abstract This study investigates the effect of tension fatigue loading on the residual strength degradation of additive manufactured ABS components formed by fused deposition modeling. Sinusoidal tension-tension fatigue loading with nine treatment combinations of cycling stress and duration were followed by tensile tests for 0°, +45/−45°, and +30/−60° mesostructures. Normalized residual strengths of the bidirectional mesostructures were significantly higher than that of the 0° parts for all factor combinations studied. A proposed phenomenological model, based on a strength degradation model for carbon fiber-reinforced composites, successfully described 92–96% of residual strength variability for the 0° specimens, and 77–92% for the bidirectional mesostructures tested.
Cricopharyngeal Achalasia: Management and Associated Outcomes-A Scoping Review.

Objective There is little consensus regarding the efficacy and safety of treatment options for cricopharyngeal (CP) achalasia. The purpose of this scoping review is to assess the literature regarding the various treatments for this disease. Data sources PubMed was searched for all articles addressing treatment of adult CP achalasia between January 1990 and June 2019. Review methods In total, 351 peer-reviewed results were reviewed by 3 otolaryngologists for inclusion. After review of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 60 articles were selected. Results Among included studies, 55% were retrospective and 45% were prospective. Forty-five percent of studies were case series. CP achalasia etiologies included idiopathic (28%), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (28%), neurologic disease (17%), head and neck radiation treatment (11%), Zenker's diverticulum (10%), and myositis (5%). Most commonly employed treatments were botulinum toxin injection (40%), endoscopic CP myotomy (30%), dilation with either balloon or bougie (25%), and open CP myotomy (15%). A proportion of patients were treated with more than 1 approach. Most studies included both subjective and objective outcome measures. Complications were reported most often in patients with a history of head and neck radiation. Conclusions Small sample sizes and heterogeneity of causes and treatments of CP achalasia, as well as short duration of follow-up, make it challenging to assess the superiority of one treatment over another. There is a need for a prospective study that more directly compares outcomes of administration of botulinum toxin, dilation, and CP myotomy in patients with CP achalasia of similar etiologies.
86 GHz Very Long Baseline Polarimetry of 3C273 and 3C279 with the Coordinated Millimeter VLBI Array

86 GHz Very Long Baseline Polarimetry probes magnetic field structures within the cores of Active Galactic Nuclei at higher angular resolutions and a spectral octave higher than previously achievable. Observations of 3C273 and 3C279 taken in April 2000 with the Coordinated Millimeter VLBI Array have resulted in the first total intensity (Stokes I) and linear polarization VLBI images reported of any source at 86 GHz. These results reveal the 86 GHz electric vector position angles within the jets of 3C273 and 3C279 to be orthogonal to each other, and the core of 3C273 to be unpolarized. If this lack of polarization is due to Faraday depolarization alone, the dispersion in rotation measure is >=90000 rad/m^2 for the core of 3C273.
Rarefied particle motions on hillslopes – Part 3: Entropy

Abstract. Theoretical and experimental work (Furbish et al., 2021a, b) indicates that the travel distances of rarefied particle motions on rough hillslope surfaces are described by a generalized Pareto distribution. The form of this distribution varies with the balance between gravitational heating, due to conversion of potential to kinetic energy, and frictional cooling, due to particle–surface collisions; it varies from a bounded form associated with rapid thermal collapse to an exponential form representing isothermal conditions to a heavy-tailed form associated with net heating of particles. The generalized Pareto distribution in this problem is a maximum entropy distribution constrained by a fixed energetic “cost” – the total cumulative energy extracted by collisional friction per unit kinetic energy available during particle motions. That is, among all possible accessible microstates – the many different ways to arrange a great number of particles into distance states where each arrangement satisfies the same fixed total energetic cost – the generalized Pareto distribution represents the most probable arrangement. Because this idea applies equally to the accessible microstates associated with net cooling, isothermal conditions and net heating, the fixed energetic cost provides a unifying interpretation for these distinctive behaviors, including the abrupt transition in the form of the generalized Pareto distribution in crossing isothermal conditions. The analysis therefore represents a novel generalization of an energy-based constraint in using the maximum entropy method to infer non-exponential distributions of particle motions. Moreover, the energetic costs of individual particle motions follow an extreme-value distribution that is heavy-tailed for net cooling and light-tailed for net heating. The relative contribution of different travel distances to the total energetic cost is reflected by the product of the travel distance distribution and the cost of individual particle motions – effectively a frequency–magnitude product.
State-of-the-art narrative review: multimodality imaging in electrophysiology and cardiac device therapies

Cardiac electrophysiology procedures have evolved to provide improvement in morbidity and mortality for many patients. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) placement and lead extraction procedures are proven procedures, associated with significant reductions in patient morbidity and mortality as well as improved quality of life. The applications and optimization of these therapies are an evolving field. The optimal use and outcomes of cardiac electrophysiology procedures require a multidisciplinary approach to patient selection, device selection, and procedural planning. Cardiac imaging using echocardiography plays a key role in selection of patients for CRT therapy, for guidance of left ventricular (LV) lead placement, and for optimization of atrioventricular pacing delays in patients with CRT. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is an important tool in assessment of lead perforation, as well as assessing risk of lead extraction and procedural planning. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important adjunct to transthoracic echocardiography for patient selection and risk stratification for defibrillator therapy for multiple disease states including ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac sarcoidosis, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) is a useful adjunct to the diagnosis of device infections as well as inflammatory conditions including cardiac sarcoidosis. Our review attempts to summarize the contemporary roles of multimodality imaging in CRT therapy, ICD therapy and lead extraction therapy.
Just 2% of SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals carry 90% of the virus circulating in communities

We analyze data from the Fall 2020 pandemic response efforts at the University of Colorado Boulder (USA), where more than 72,500 saliva samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using quantitative RT-PCR. All samples were collected from individuals who reported no symptoms associated with COVID-19 on the day of collection. From these, 1,405 positive cases were identified. The distribution of viral loads within these asymptomatic individuals was indistinguishable from what has been previously reported in symptomatic individuals. Regardless of symptomatic status, approximately 50% of individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 seem to be in non-infectious phases of the disease, based on having low viral loads in a range from which live virus has rarely been isolated. We find that, at any given time, just 2% of individuals carry 90% of the virions circulating within communities, serving as viral "super-carriers" and possibly also super-spreaders.
Creativity, Resilience and Resistance: Black Birthworkers’ Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article documents the experiences of Black birthworkers supporting pregnant and birthing people and new mamas during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on the methodology and outcomes of Battling Over Birth-a Research Justice project by and for Black women about their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth-the authors utilized a "community-based sheltered-in-place research methodology" to collect the narratives of Black birthworkers, including doulas, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), homebirth midwives, lactation consultants, community health workers and ob/gyns. The article examines the impact of restrictions put in place by hospitals and clinics, including inadequate or inconsistent care, mandatory testing, separation from newborns, and restrictions on attendance by birth support people, including doulas. Birthworkers shared the innovative approaches that they have devised to continue to offer care and the ways that they have expanded the care they offer to make sure the needs of Black birthing people and new parents are being met during this uncertain time. The article also explores the threats to health, safety, and financial security faced by Black birthworkers as a result of the pandemic, and the overt and subtle forms of racism they had to navigate. Finally, it documents the sources of strength that Black birthworkers have found to sustain them at the frontlines of a maternal health care system in crisis.
Digitization and Pre-Purchase Information: The Causal and Welfare Impacts of Reviews and Crowd Ratings

Digitization has led to product proliferation, straining traditional institutions for product discovery; but digitization has also spawned crowd-based rating systems. We compare the relative impacts of professional critics and crowd-based Amazon star ratings on consumer welfare in book publishing. We assemble data on daily Amazon sales ranks, star ratings, and prices for thousands of books in 2018, along with information on their professional reviews in several major outlets. Using various fixed effects and discontinuity-based empirical strategies, we estimate that a New York Times review raises estimated sales by 78 percent during the first five days following a review; and the elasticity of sales with respect to an Amazon star is about 0.75. We use these causal estimates to calibrate structural models of demand for measuring the welfare impact of pre-purchase information in a way that respects the distinction between ex ante and ex post utility. The aggregate effect of star ratings on consumer surplus is roughly 15 times the effect of traditional review outlets. Crowd-based information now accounts for the vast majority of pre-purchase information, but the absolute effects of professional reviews have not declined over time. Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber.org.
Physics of large-area pulsed laser powder bed fusion

Abstract The build rate of powder bed additive manufacturing could be significantly accelerated if consolidation of metal powders evolved from a serial process to a parallel process. In this work, the physics of Large-Area pulsed laser Powder Bed Fusion (LAPBF) in 316L stainless steel was studied through high speed imaging and high-fidelity physics simulations. Laser pulses were found to rapidly melt the metal powder, with subsequent fast coalescence of the melted particles into larger droplets. Conduction of heat from the molten droplets melted the substrate surface, and the molten droplets then spread out over roughly 100 μs. For the laser and metal powder parameters used in this study, layer thicknesses of greater than 40 µm resulted in uneven distribution of added material onto the substrate surface and thus an increase in porosity in multilayer prints. Simulations showed that pit features could be created (that can result in pores) from overlying powder particles shadowing the underlying substrate and blocking sufficient laser energy to deposit into the substrate. Simulations suggested that for these laser and powder parameters using thinner powder layers would reduce shadowing and allow the laser pulse to effectively heat the substrate thereby mitigating the defect formation. Implementing this change ultimately demonstrated > 99.5% density in the simulation, and > 99.8% density experimentally in 316L stainless steel prints. During the LABPF process very little material ejection was observed, a known impediment to laser powder bed fusion scaling to larger volume part production. This absence of eject a suggests that LAPBF may be able to produce material with high quality, suitable for critical applications, and scalable to high volume production.
Being in Good Community: Engagement in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty.

Authentic community engagement in Indigenous communities insists on the exercise of tribal sovereignty over research. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes are sovereign Nations with uni...
Prediction of Damage in A Randomly Oriented Short-Fiber Composite Plate Containing A Central Hole

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a micro–macro mechanistic approach to matrix cracking in randomly oriented short-fiber composites that is used for the damage and failure analysis of a random glass/epoxy plate containing a central hole under tensile loading. At the micro scale, the virgin and reduced elastic properties of the composite are computed using micromechanical models and are then averaged over all possible orientations and weighted by an orientation distribution function. The macroscopic response is performed by means of a continuum-damage mechanics formulation, in which the damage evolution law is obtained using a damage threshold function and the concepts of thermodynamics of continuous media. Damage accumulations leading to initiation and propagation of a macroscopic crack are modeled through a vanishing element technique. The use of short-fiber composites has become of great interest to the automotive sector as a possible means to reduce vehicle weight. The fiber and matrix properties, fiber aspect ratio, and volume fraction, as well as their orientation distribution, strongly influence the mechanical response of these materials. In this approach, the virgin and reduced elastic properties of the composite are computed through micromechanical models.
Time, Energy, and the Limits of Measurement

We present a discussion of our microstatistical formalism for multitime quantum measurements. We show that this formalism is capable of dealing with time in quantum mechanics in a rigorous way, and enables one to precisely state and derive time-energy uncertainty relations. Another application to the problem of the quantum limit of accuracy of position measurements in the context of gravitational wave detection is briefly discussed.
The Incidence and Outcomes of Ischemic Hepatitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Ischemic hepatitis is a devastating cause of acute liver injury. Data are limited regarding its incidence and outcomes. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science with specific search terms. Inclusion criteria included case series with >10 patients and clear case definition (especially liver enzyme levels >10 times the upper limit of normal). Results Twenty-four papers met inclusion criteria. A total of 1782 cases were identified in these papers (mean 78 per paper, range 12-322). The pooled average age of the included patients was 64.2 years, and their mean peak aspartate aminotransferase level, alanine aminotransferase level, and total bilirubin were 2423 IU/L, 1893 IU/L, and 2.55 mg/dL, respectively. Ischemic hepatitis was present in 2 of every 1000 admissions; including 2.5 of every 100 intensive care unit admissions and 4 of 10 admissions associated with an aminotransferase level >10 times the upper limit of normal. The pooled proportions of patients with ischemic hepatitis who had a predisposing acute cardiac event or sepsis were 78.2% and 23.4%, respectively. The proportion of patients with a documented hypotensive event of any duration was 52.9%. Overall, the pooled rate of survival to discharge was 51% (range 23.1%-85.7%). Conclusions Ischemic hepatitis is a common cause of severe acute liver injury and is associated with a significant risk of in-hospital death. A major opportunity in the management of ischemic hepatitis is recognition of the condition without documented hypotension.
Effects of varying interfacial surface tension on macroscopic polymer lenses

We investigate macroscopic polymer lenses (0.5- to 2.5-cm diameter) fabricated by dropping hydro- phobic photocurable resin onto the surface of various hydrophilic liquid surfaces. Due to the intermolecular forces along the interface between the two liquids, a lens shape is formed. We find that we can vary the lens geometry by changing the region over which the resin is allowed to spread and the surface tension of the substrate to produce lenses with theoretically determined focal lengths ranging from 5 to 25 mm. These effects are varied by changing the container width, substrate composition, and substrate temperature. We present data for five different variants, demonstrating that we can control the lens dimensions for polymer lens applications that require high surface quality. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.