cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roll characteristics of the 120-mm M831A1 projectile

The 120-mm M831A1 projectile is a low-cost training projectile used by U.S. armor troops. For the last several years, program managers have received feedback from the user that in some cases, M831A1 impact performance did not appear consistent with the current M831A1 computer correction factor (CCF). Based on this information, a low-scale but in-depth experimental analysis of the round was conducted to assess its aeroballistic qualities and hopefully identify any potential issues that could affect accuracy performance. The fiveround experiment was conducted by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) at the Transonic Experimental Facility (TEF), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. An aeroballistic evaluation of the round was completed. The analysis showed that an aerodynamic trim existed on most shots (Soencksen, et al., 2000). This, combined with previously published roll data, led to a relatively in-depth roll analysis of the current data set. Although the roll data integrity was less than desired, the gaps were filled in by careful hand measurement of all shadowgraphs. This resulted in an excellent qualitative assessment of the early roll history. All five rounds exhibited very little roll over the * Mechanical Engineer, Member AIAA t Mechanical Engineer, Non-member $ Aerospace Engineer, Associate Fellow AIAA This work is declared work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. measured trajectory because of a less-than-optimum roll moment. Accurate values of roll damping coefficient, C , and static roll moment coefficient, C10, were not obtained, though a detailed analysis of C10 has led to a range of probable values: 0.0010 to 0.0016. A more accurate value of C10 could probably be determined in future testing given the knowledge gained from the current experiment. The implication of the very slow roll observed on all rounds is that any trims which might be present could bias the flight path enough to cause a measurable inaccuracy at the target. Since trims have been shown on some M831 Al shots, this serves as a possible explanation for the occasional inaccuracies observed in the field. Another possible explanation is found in the round's pitch damping characteristics. Although the M831A1 currently tests within acceptable TIE) standards, further experimental work is planned, including a study of stabilizer design modifications.
Acetabular augmentation at six- to 30-year follow-up. A biochemical and histological analysis

In developmental dysplasia of the hip, a deficient acetabulum may be augmented by placing local autogenous iliac osseous graft, or the ilium itself, over the head of the femur with the expectation that the added bone will function as a bearing surface. We analysed this bone obtained en bloc during subsequent surgery which was performed for degenerative osteoarthritis in three patients at 6, 25 and 30 years after the initial augmentation procedure. In each patient, the augmentation comprised of red cancellous bone covered on its articulating surface by a distinct layer of white tissue. Microscopy of this tissue showed parallel rows of spindle-shaped cells lying between linearly arranged collagen bundles typical of joint capsule. Biochemical analysis showed type I collagen, the principal collagen of joint capsule and bone, with no significant quantity of type II collagen, the principal collagen of cartilage. While the added bone produced by acetabular augmentation was durable, histological and biochemical analyses suggested that it had not undergone cartilage metaplasia. The augmented acetabulum articulates with the head of the femur by means of an interposed hip joint capsule.
Optimized Decision-Making of Power Grid DC De-icing Plan Based on Tabu Search Algorithm

In view of the problem that DC de-icing of transmission lines would lead to reductions of the power system operation reliability and transmission capacity, an optimized decision-making model of power grid DC de-icing plan was proposed. The mathematic model took the combination of all lines' DC de-icing time slots as the decision-making variable and the minimum increment of expected energy not supplied caused by DC de-icing of transmission lines in the whole DC de-icing period as the target, which optimized DC de-icing time slots of transmission lines based on Tabu search algorithm. In addition, the urgency of DC de-icing, as the constraint, could keep the icing lines to be DC de-iced timely. Finally,the feasibility and effectiveness of the method are validated by the example of Guizhou power grid.
Abstract A01: Evaluation of hypoxia adaptation in neuroblastoma identifies reproducible transcriptional and phenotypic responses

Although metabolic adaptation is a cornerstone of the hypoxia response, very little is known about hypoxia-induced metabolic changes in neuroblastoma or how the metabolome influences phenotype. Identifying genes that regulate neuroblastoma metabolism and also influence clinical behavior may provide clues for novel therapeutic targets. Mixed linear models were used to identify differentially expressed genes between neuroblastoma cells grown in hypoxia or normoxia in two independent experiments (GEO accessions GSE17714 and GSE55391). Linear models were also used in to identify differentially expressed genes from tumors of two independent cohorts of neuroblastoma patients (GEO accession GSE16254 and EMBL accession E-MTAB-179) who survived compared to those that did not. We utilized a false discovery rate of 0.01 and fold change in the top or bottom 10% of all genes as a significance cutoff. qPCR was used to validate expression differences in multiple neuroblastoma cell lines. 157 genes, significantly exceeding chance (p -6 ) on permutation testing, were present in both neuroblastoma cell line data sets, all but five of which showed consistent directionality of expression change from normoxia to hypoxia, including 44 involved in metabolism. These genes were enriched for hypoxia and metabolic pathways: HIF-1α transcription factor network (p = 1.3x10 -11 ), glycolysis (p = 1.9x10 -8 ) and fructose metabolism (p = 1.0x10 -3 ). 826 genes, significantly exceeding chance (p -6 ) were differentially expressed in both patient cohorts of 478 and 88 patients. These genes were enriched for cell cycle pathways (p = 4.5x10 -7 ). Of these genes, nine of them were also differentially expressed in hypoxia compared to normoxia with consistent directionality, again more than expected by chance (p -6 ). High expression in eight of the nine genes was also significantly associated with poor outcome in a Kaplan-Meier analysis of both of the patient cohorts evaluated. Three of these genes are part of the glycolytic pathway and three more are directly involved in cellular metabolism. In the SK-N-BE2 cell line, all eight of our identified genes are up-regulated in hypoxia (p Citation Format: Mark A. Aplebaum, Aashish Jha, Alexandre Chlenski, Christopher Mariani, Clara Kao, Mildred Nelson, Kyle Hernandez, Helen Salwen, Marija Dobratic, Kevin White, Barbara Stranger, Susan L. Cohn. Evaluation of hypoxia adaptation in neuroblastoma identifies reproducible transcriptional and phenotypic responses. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research: From Mechanisms and Models to Treatment and Survivorship; 2015 Nov 9-12; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(5 Suppl):Abstract nr A01.
Peritoneal fluid from women with moderate or severe endometriosis inhibits sperm motility: the role of seminal fluid components *

Objective To examine the mechanism of sperm motility inhibition by peritoneal fluid (PF) from women with endometriosis. Design Prospective, randomized study. Setting University-based andrology laboratory. Patients Women with and without endometriosis. Interventions Fresh semen or Percoll-purified sperm fractions were combined with PF from women with endometriosis (n=20), from fertile women without endometriosis (n=10), or with physiological saline. Main Outcome Measure Sperm motility parameters were determined with computer-assisted semen analysis. Data were evaluated by the analysis of variance and the Student's t -test. Results Peritoneal fluid from women with minimal or mild endometriosis did not inhibit sperm motility in semen. Peritoneal fluid from women with moderate or severe endometriosis caused approximately 40%, 50%, and 80% declines in sperm motility and in percent progressive motile sperm, after 4, 7, and 24hours, respectively. Sperm velocity was inhibited by approximately 30% and 60% after 7 and 24hours, respectively. However, in the Percoll-purified sperm fractions the same PF did not inhibit sperm motility within the 4- to 7-hour time frame, and only a 17% to 42% inhibition occurred after the overnight incubation. Sperm velocity was not affected. Conclusion Cellular components of seminal fluid appear to mediate the inhibitory action of PF. Assuming that the leukocyte components of semen and PF are common, the cell-mediated inhibition of sperm motility is a likely contributor to endometriosis-related infertility.
Evaluation and Management of Fetal Cardiac Function and Heart Failure

Two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography has become both an essential component in the assessment of anatomic anomalies of the fetal heart and an important tool in the assessment of fetal cardiac function. Various techniques for assessing fetal cardiovascular function exist and can be used to characterize systolic and diastolic ventricular function and estimate fetal cardiac output. These techniques can be utilized to assess fetuses with cardiovascular compromise due to a number of cardiac and non-cardiac conditions, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome, high-cardiac output lesions such as fetal tumors and vascular malformations, and primary fetal cardiomyopathy. As many of these conditions can now be treated by a variety of fetal therapeutic techniques, it is now important to be able to understand and identify fetal cardiac dysfunction. Characterization of fetal cardiac dysfunction now has the potential to provide clinicians with the means to better select patients for intervention, predict outcome, and perform follow-up following fetal interventional procedures.
Abstract 718: Macrophage PI3Kgamma signaling promotes cancer immune suppression

Innate immune cells can switch from a pro-inflammatory state that defends against pathogens and to an anti-inflammatory state that repairs damaged tissue. Pro-inflammatory myeloid cells activate cytotoxic T cells to eliminate pathogens, but anti-inflammatory myeloid cells inhibit T cell mediated immunity, stimulate angiogenesis, and stimulate fibrosis, all of which promote tumor progression. The predominant isoform of PI(3)Kinase in myeloid cells, PI3Kgamma, controls the switch between immune stimulation and immune suppression during inflammation and cancer. Myeloid cell PI3Kgamma and its effectors Akt1, mTor, and S6Kinase stimulate C/EBPbeta-dependent expression of immunosuppressive factors, including Arginase and TGFbeta, but suppress NFkappaB-dependent expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL12 and IFNgamma, thereby inducing tumor immune suppression and consequent tumor growth and metastasis. In contrast, inhibition of PI3Kgamma activity by genetic or pharmacological means suppresses C/EPBbeta-mediated transcription of anti-inflammatory factors and stimulates NFkappaB-mediated transcription of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL12 and IFNgamma, thereby restoring CD8+ T cell-dependent cytotoxicity that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, inhibitory targeting of PI3Kgamma indirectly restores cytotoxic T cell immune responses that elicit tumor suppression without unwanted side effects. Our studies highlight the strong therapeutic potential of targeting this kinase to control inflammation and cancer. This work was supported by grants to JAV from the NIH (5R01CA126820), the Landon Foundation-AACR (12-60-27-VARN), the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research and the Whitworth Foundation for Cancer Research. Citation Format: Megan M. Kaneda, Judith A. Varner. Macrophage PI3Kgamma signaling promotes cancer immune suppression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 718.
Editorial: “One Robot is Robotics, Ten Robots is Automation”

Automation has come of age. As Raja Chatila aptly summarized in the quote above, automation addresses the challenges that arise when robots scale beyond proof-of-concept. Germany approved a $5B sale of Kuka to Midea Corp in China to provide robots for assembly automation. General Electric Corporation is now focusing on automation algorithms and data analytics and predicts this will be a $225 billion market within five years. These developments build on ongoing research in Big Data, Cloud Computing, Deep Learning, Open-Source Software, and Government/Industry initiatives, such as The “Internet of Things,” “Smarter Planet,” “Industrial Internet,” “Industrie 4.0,” and “Made in China 2025.” Automation is playing an increasingly central role in the global economy and in our daily lives.
The Immune Response in Protein-Energy Malnutrition and Single Nutrient Deficiencies

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) (undernutrition or overnutrition) is one of the nutritional problems recognized by the WHO as public health problems in different parts of the world. The others are nutritional anemias, vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency. Primary PEM (undernutrition) has long been regarded as a problem of underprivileged, low-socioeconomic groups, especially those from less developed countries. Although severe malnutrition (kwashiorkor and/or marasmus) are rare except in countries hit by natural disasters such as drought and war, mild and moderate malnutrition are quite common. The prevalence of this form of malnutrition varies from 21 to 70% depending on the continent and/or country (Rao and Naider, 1977; Suskind et al., 1990). This form of malnutrition may not be any less deleterious on the immune response than severe malnutrition, especially when it occurs in the context of poor sanitation, infections, and multiple nutritional deficiencies.
Choosing a Prescription Isodose in Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases: Implications for Local Control

Objective Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) achieves excellent local control (LC) with limited toxicity for most brain metastases. SRS dose prescription variables influence LC; therefore, we evaluated the impact of prescription isodose line (IDL) on LC after SRS. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with brain metastases treated on a Gamma Knife platform from 2004 to 2014 was conducted. Clinical, toxicity, radiographic, and dosimetric data were collected. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and competing risks analysis was used to determine predictive factors for LC. Results A total of 134 patients with 374 brain metastases were identified with a median survival of 8.7 months (range, 0.2–64.8). The median tumor maximum dimension was 8 mm (range, 2–62 mm), median margin dose was 20 Gy (range, 5–24 Gy), and 12-month LC rate was 88.7%. On multivariate analysis, PFS improved with increasing IDL ( P = 0.003) and decreased with non-non-small-cell lung cancer histology ( P = 0.001). Margin dose, tumor size, conformality, and previous whole-brain irradiation failed to independently affect PFS. When adjusting for death as a competing risk, the cumulative likelihood of LC improved with higher IDL ( P = 0.04). The rate of SRS-induced radiographic and clinical toxicity was low (16.6% and 1.5%, respectively), and neither was affected by IDL. Conclusions Our results confirm that SRS for brain metastases results in favorable LC, particularly for patients with smaller tumors. We noted that dose delivery to a higher prescription IDL is associated with small but measurable improvements in LC. This finding could be related to higher dose just beyond the radiographically apparent tumor.
Optical methods for measuring DNA folding

One of the most important biological processes is the dynamic folding and unfolding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The folding process is crucial for DNA to fit within the boundaries of the cell, while the unfolding process is essential for DNA replication and transcription. To accommodate both processes, the cell employs a highly active folding mechanism that has been the subject of intense study over the last few decades. Still, many open questions remain. What are the pathways for folding or unfolding? How does the folding equilibrium shift? And, what is the energy landscape for a particular process? Here, we review these emerging questions and the in vitro, optical methods that have provided answers, introducing the topic for those physicists seeking to step into biology. Specifically, we discuss two iconic experiments for DNA folding, the tethered particle motion (TPM) experiment and the optical tweezers experiment.
Nephrotoxicity of Natural Products: Aristolochic Acid and Fungal Toxins

This chapter reviews the chemistry, toxicokinetics, and biological activities of natural nephrotoxins found in certain herbs used for medicinal purposes and in fungi associated with various foodstuffs. Aristolochic acid, a human carcinogen, is notable for its selective toxicity to the proximal tubule. Ochratoxin, fumonisin B1, and citrinin are mycotoxins produced by molds that infest agricultural products, while orellanine is a proximal tubule nephrotoxin found in certain species of mushroom.
Phase behavior of colloid-polymer depletion mixtures with unary or binary depletants.

Adding depletants to a colloidal suspension induces an attractive interparticle interaction that can be tuned to obtain desired structures or to probe phase behavior. When the depletant is not uniform in size, however, both the range and strength of the attraction become difficult to predict and hence control. We investigated the effects of depletant bidispersity on the non-equilibrium phase behavior of colloid–polymer mixtures. We added unary or binary mixtures of polystyrene as the depletant to suspensions of charged poly(methyl methacrylate) particles. The structure and dynamics of the particles were compared over three sets of samples with various mixtures of two different polystyrenes whose size varied by an order of magnitude. The structure and dynamics were nearly independent of depletant dispersity if the polymer concentration was represented as a sum of normalized concentrations of each species. Near the transition region between a fluid of clusters and an interconnected gel at intermediate volume fractions, partitioning of polymers in a binary mixture into colloid-rich and polymer-rich phase leads to a slightly different gelation pathway.
Asymptotic Stability of Non-Linear Multiparameter Singularly Perturbed Systems

Abstract Sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the asymptotic stability of a class of non-linear singularly perturbed systems with several perturbation parameters of the same order. Estimates of the region of attraction and bound on the small parameters are obtained.
Waterpipe cafés are hazardous to your health: Determination of a waterpipe specific calibration factor.

Abstract Introduction The use of a waterpipe to smoke tobacco has emerged as a popular trend in the United States. Waterpipe smoking establishments have had an increasing presence in the U.S., despite smoke-free air legislation. Dangers of waterpipe smoking have been documented, but less data has been gathered about the waterpipe cafe itself. This project sought to determine a waterpipe-specific calibration factor (CF) for measuring waterpipe aerosol, and field-test this CF by conducting surveillance on the existing waterpipe cafes of western and central New York. Methods Nine laboratory-controlled experiments were conducted to determine a waterpipe-specific CF. In the lab, two TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitors and two sampling trains for gravimetric PM2.5 sampling were present during waterpipe smoking sessions (lasting 1–3 h). Indoor air quality was assessed in 7 waterpipe cafes in three counties of New York, and real-time measurements of particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) were obtained. Results Results from the 9 controlled waterpipe experiments determined a calibration factor of 0.38 (SD 0.08), which should be used to convert SidePak measurements to true PM2.5 measurements. When applying the CF to the measurements taken in the 7 public waterpipe venues, the mean PM2.5 concentration was 515 μg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter (SD = 338.8) while the mean ambient CO was 20.5 ppm (SD = 18.3). The mean active smoking density was 2.41 waterpipes per 100 m3 of air. The PM2.5 levels increased with increasing active smoking density (rho = 0.68, p = 0.09). Conclusions Applying the waterpipe-specific CF for the SidePak, 0.38, allowed for field assessments to be conducted in locations with waterpipe smoke to determine accurate particle exposure concentrations. The concentrations of both particulate matter and carbon monoxide were above established air quality standards and therefore increase the health risks of both patrons and workers of these establishments.
Evolution to environmental contamination ablates the circadian clock of an aquatic sentinel species.

Environmental contamination is a common cause of rapid evolution. Recent work has shown that Daphnia pulex, an important freshwater species, can rapidly evolve increased tolerance to a common contaminant, sodium chloride (NaCl) road salt. While such rapid evolution can benefit organisms, allowing them to adapt to new environmental conditions, it can also be associated with unforeseen tradeoffs. Given that exposure to environmental contaminants can cause circadian disruption, we investigated whether the circadian clock was affected by evolving a tolerance to high levels of road salt. By tracking the oscillations of a putative clock gene, period, we demonstrated that D. pulex express per mRNA with approximately 20-hr oscillations under control conditions. This putative circadian rhythm was ablated in response to high levels of salinity; populations adapted to high NaCl concentrations exhibited an ablation of period oscillation. Moreover, we showed that while gene expression is increased in several other genes, including clock, actin, and Na+/K+-ATPase, upon the adaptation to high levels of salinity, per expression is unique among the genes we tracked in that it is the only gene repressed in response to salt adaptation. These results suggest that rapid evolution of salt tolerance occurs with the tradeoff of suppressed circadian function. The resultant circadian disruption may have profound consequences to individuals, populations, and aquatic food webs by affecting species interactions. In addition, our research suggests that circadian clocks may also be disrupted by the adaptation to other environmental contaminants.
Robotic Low Anterior and Abdominoperineal Resection: Hybrid Technique

Rectal cancer surgery represents one of the most challenging procedures in colorectal surgery. In particular, the minimally invasive approaches to rectal dissection pose significant challenges because of difficulty in accessing the low pelvis, lack of instrument articulation, inadequate retraction and camera stability. Robotic technology holds the potential to address some of these technical challenges and has been increasingly employed for rectal applications over the past decade. In this chapter we will review the technique of hybrid laparoscopic-robotic total mesorectal low anterior resection, a procedure that is particularly favored by experienced laparoscopic colorectal surgeons who have consistently found the best application for the robot to be in pelvic dissections.
Olmsted’s Public Parks: Civic-Spirited Design

Olmsted expressed alarm over increasing social segregation in America and its loss of civic spirit and fraternity. To address these problems, Olmsted’s park designs sought to promote communal belonging and to provide spaces for rejuvenation, yielding personal as well as civic benefits. Whether the ambitious goals Olmsted set for his parks could be fully achieved, this chapter claims, is doubtful. Social science research questions whether social contact alone can turn strangers into acquaintances or inspire coordinated action. Also unconvincing is Olmsted’s claim that park beauty would have a positive “moral” impact on visitors. Though Olmsted may have over sold the benefits of his parks, he was a fierce and public-spirited advocate for creating and preserving aesthetically pleasing spaces for all, not just the few.
Immigration, motherhood and parental involvement: narratives of communal agency in the face of power asymmetry

The notion of parental involvement in American schools has been dominated by an ‘official’ discourse that prescribes the expected standards for parental behavior and responsibilities in the learnin...
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE AND PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS COLITIS IN HUMANS

ABSTRACT The studies summarized here provide compelling evidence that C. difficile is the putative agent of all, or nearly all, cases of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). The organism is regularly recovered from stool of afflicted patients, but is infrequently encountered in the fecal flora of healthy persons. The vast majority of patients also have a cytotoxin in stools which may be neutralized by C. sordelli antitoxin. C. difficile has been found to produce a similar or identical cytotoxin in vitro . This organism or its partially purified cytotoxin produce a similar disease with intracecal injection into experimental animals. Thus, Koch's postulates have been satisfied for the role of C. difficile as an enteric toxigenic pathogen. These observations have evolved rapidly during the past three years, and they have eventuated in the most encouraging finding, which is successful treatment using oral vancomycin directed against the responsible agent. Nevertheless, the final chapter in PMC has obviously not been written. Particularly enigmatic at this juncture is the association of C. difficile , its toxin and its clinical expression, almost exclusively in the presence of antibiotic exposure. There is little precedent for this type of relationship in other infectious diseases caused by bacterial toxins. Also perplexing is the source of the organism, since it is uncertain if patients who develop PMC are a subset of those who were previously colonized by the organism, or if C. difficile was acquired from an environmental source. Finally, the mechanism of action of C. difficile . toxin on the intestinal mucosa is unclear. Studies in tissue cultured cells show changes in ultrastructure, but other biologic effects of the toxin are ill-defined. A final comment is that toxin purification studies have focused on the cytotoxin, but there is no absolute assurance that this is the only toxin produced by C. difficile .
Synthesis of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters by Brain Membranes

It is long known that chronic ethanol ingestion could result in the development of fatty liver as well as alterations of lipids in other body organs (see review by Lieber, 10). The biochemical mechanism underlying the alcohol-induced lipid changes is not yet clearly understood. However, it is realized that some of the effects may be due to an alteration of the membrane enzymes involved in metabolism of the lipids (see review by Sun and Sun, 17). Nevertheless, ethanol can also undergo a number of oxidative and non-oxidative metabolisms within the cellular system. Among the non-oxidative pathways, ethanol is shown to participate in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanol (2) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) (6). This form of ethanol metabolism has not been explored sufficiently and may contribute to some of the tissue damage which could not be otherwise explained by other form of ethanol metabolism. The aim of this paper, however, is concerning mainly with the latter aspect of ethanol metabolism, i.e. the biosynthesis of FAEE by brain membranes.
Relationship Between Salivary Cortisol, Self-Assessed Stress Levels, and Body Mass Index in High Achieving High School Adolescents

Studies of stress and cortisol levels in adults indicate that keeping normal levels of cortisol is beneficial to subjects. The hormone cortisol has many functions including proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, immune function, and inflammatory response. When cortisol levels spike, as with stress, there can be a negative effect on the individual. Due to the hectic pace of modern life, the body’s stress response does not always have time to return to normal, leading to cortisol levels remaining too high. This can lead to suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, and increased abdominal fat. Stress plays a prominent role in the lives of millions of people all across the globe. This problem is not one that affects solely the adult population but also a multitude of adolescents and children. Oftentimes, stress can have both a physical and psychological effect on an individual. Many persons report an effect on food consumption when under stressful situations, causing one to either eat more or less than normal. In turn, these eating patterns can potentially influence the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual. While increased stress can lead to a higher or lower than normal cortisol level and BMI in adults, the role in adolescents is not entirely clear. This study investigated whether there is a relationship between stress and BMI in high-achieving adolescents, aged 14 to 18. The Perceived Stress Scale survey paired with additional questions that helped determine variables believed to impact stress levels were administered to determine overall stress levels in each subject. To determine cortisol levels, a competitive enzyme immunoassay was used. This study indicates that there are no significant correlations between perceived stress levels, salivary cortisol levels, and BMI in this group of individuals. However, a distinct difference in self-assessed stress levels was apparent between males and females. Somewhat unexpectedly, a negative relationship was found between BMI and salivary cortisol levels and perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels.
Amphibious surface-wave phase-velocity measurements of the Cascadia subduction zone

Author(s): Janiszewski, Helen A; Gaherty, James B; Abers, Geoffrey A; Gao, Haiying; Eilon, Zachary C | Abstract: SUMMARY A new amphibious seismic data set from the Cascadia subduction zone is used to characterize the lithosphere structure from the Juan de Fuca ridge to the Cascades backarc. These seismic data are allowing the imaging of an entire tectonic plate from its creation at the ridge through the onset of the subduction to beyond the volcanic arc, along the entire strike of the Cascadia subduction zone. We develop a tilt and compliance correction procedure for ocean-bottom seismometers that employs automated quality control to calculate robust station noise properties. To elucidate crust and upper-mantle structure, we present shoreline-crossing Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity maps for the Cascadia subduction zone, calculated from earthquake data from 20 to 160 s period and from ambient-noise correlations from 9 to 20 s period. We interpret the phase-velocity maps in terms of the tectonics associated with the Juan de Fuca plate history and the Cascadia subduction system. We find that thermal oceanic plate cooling models cannot explain velocity anomalies observed beneath the Juan de Fuca plate. Instead, they may be explained by a ≤1 per cent partial melt region beneath the ridge and are spatially collocated with patches of hydration and increased faulting in the crust and upper mantle near the deformation front. In the forearc, slow velocities appear to be more prevalent in areas that experienced high slip in past Cascadia megathrust earthquakes and generally occur updip of the highest-density tremor regions and locations of intraplate earthquakes. Beneath the volcanic arc, the slowest phase velocities correlate with regions of highest magma production volume.
Will Teens Go Red? Low Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Among Young Women.

Background The American Heart Association Go Red for Women campaign has improved awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adult women aged 25 years and older. Little is known about awareness...
Saphenous vein graft failure: seeing the bigger picture.

Approximately 50% of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) fail by 5 to 10 years post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and between 20–40% fail within the first year (1,2). While SVG failure can sometimes be silent, when symptomatic events occur, SVG percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often performed. SVG PCI represents approximately 6% of the total PCI volume in the US (3). Given the aggressiveness of SVG atherosclerosis and the high risk for recurrent SVG failure, what are the optimal prevention and treatment options in such patients?
Sex-specific Association of Matrix Metalloproteinases with Secondary Injury and Outcomes after Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Abstract Objective Intracerebral hemorrhage affects approximately 2 million individuals per year. While the incidence is roughly equal in men and women, few studies have examined the influence of sex on secondary injury and associated long-term functional outcomes. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) promote vessel rupture and worsen outcomes by potentiating blood-brain barrier breakdown after injury. We hypothesized that different MMP isoform levels would be predictive of injury severity, secondary injury, and long-term functional outcomes in males and females, respectively. Methods We examined the levels of MMP isoforms in serum samples from a prospective patient biobank (n = 55). Baseline clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data were also analyzed. Results We found that MMP-1 (P = .036), MMP-2 (P = .014), MMP-3 (P Conclusions This is the first sex-specific study to examine serum MMP levels and their correlation with clinicoradiologic measures after intracerebral hemorrhage, and identifies potential biomarkers of secondary injury and long-term outcomes in both sexes.
MCompiler: A Synergistic Compilation Framework

This paper presents a meta-compilation framework, the MCompiler. The main idea is that different segments of a program can be compiled with different compilers/optimizers and combined into a single executable. The MCompiler can be used in a number of ways. It can generate an executable with higher performance than any individual compiler, because each compiler uses a specific, ordered set of optimization techniques and different profitability models and can, therefore, generate code significantly different from other compilers. Alternatively, the MCompiler can be used by researchers and compiler developers to evaluate their compiler implementation and compare it to results from other available compilers/optimizers. A code segment in this work is a loop nest, but other choices are possible. This work also investigates the use of Machine Learning to learn inherent characteristics of loop nests and then predict during compilation the most suited code optimizer for each loop nest in an application. This reduces the need for profiling applications as well as the compilation time. The results show that our framework improves the overall performance for applications over state-of-the-art compilers by a geometric mean of 1.96x for auto-vectorized code and 2.62x for auto-parallelized code. Parallel applications with OpenMP directives are also improved by the MCompiler, with a geometric mean performance improvement of 1.04x (up to 1.74x). The use of Machine Learning prediction achieves performance very close to the profiling-based search for choosing the most suited code optimizer: within 4% for auto-vectorized code and within 8% for auto-parallelized code. Finally, the MCompiler can be expanded to collect metrics other than performance to be used in optimization process. The example presented is collecting energy data.
Model toxin level does not directly influence the evolution of mimicry in the salamander Plethodon cinereus

The resemblance between palatable mimics and unpalatable models in Batesian mimicry systems is tempered by many factors, including the toxicity of the model species. Model toxicity is thought to influence both the occurrence of mimicry and the evolution of mimetic phenotypes, such that mimicry is most likely to persist when models are particularly toxic. Additionally, model toxicity may influence the evolution of mimetic phenotype by allowing inaccurate mimicry to evolve through a mechanism termed ‘relaxed selection’. We tested these hypotheses in a salamander mimicry system between the model Notophthalmus viridescens and the mimic Plethodon cinereus, in which N. viridescens toxicity takes the form of tetrodotoxin. Surprisingly, though we discovered geographic variation in model toxin level, we found no support for the hypotheses that model toxicity directly influences either the occurrence of mimicry or the evolution of mimic phenotype. Instead, a link between N. viridescens size and toxicity may indirectly lead to relaxed selection in this mimicry system. Additionally, limitations of predator perception or variation in the rate of phenotypic evolution of models and mimics may account for the evolution of imperfect mimicry in this salamander species. Finally, variation in predator communities among localities or modern changes in environmental conditions may contribute to the patchy occurrence of mimicry in P. cinereus.
Current Hualish Vitality

What is the current state of Hualish based on its six vital signs? A careful assessment reveals that Hualish currently is an operational culture with some elements of sustainable culture that is striving to become a gravitative culture. I support my overall assessment of each functional characteristic with an example of one of the structural components at one of the organizing levels.
Joint action without robust theory of mind

Intuitively, even very young children can act jointly. For instance, a child and her parent can build a simple tower together. According to developmental psychologists, young children develop theory of mind by, among other things, participating in joint actions like this. Yet many leading philosophical accounts of joint action presuppose that participants have a robust theory of mind. In this article, I examine two philosophical accounts of joint action designed to circumvent this presupposition, and then I proffer my own novel account of what makes (at least some) interactions between very young children and others joint. I argue that children can take up without deliberation intentions with a joint content that have been transmitted to them by others. In doing so, children can come to share intentions with others, and by acting on these shared intentions they can come to act jointly, all without employing a robust theory of mind.
Altered muscle electrical tissue properties in a mouse model of premature aging.

Introduction Improved methods are needed to detect and quantify age-related muscle change. In this study we assessed the electrical properties of muscle impacted by acquired mitochondrial DNA mutations via the PolG mouse, which exhibits typical age-associated features, and the impact of a potential therapy, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Methods The gastrocnemii of 24 PolG and 30 wild-type (WT) mice (8 PolG and 17 WT treated with NMN) were studied in an electrical impedance-measuring cell. Conductivity and relative permittivity were determined from the impedance data. Myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) was quantified histologically. Results Untreated PolG mice demonstrated alterations in several impedance features, including 50-kHz relative permittivity and center frequency. A potential effect of NMN was also observed in these parameters in PolG but not WT animals. Impedance values correlated with myofiber CSA. Discussion Electrical impedance is sensitive to myofiber features considered characteristic of aging and to the impact of a potential therapy.
United States Administrative Databases and Cancer Registries for Thoracic Surgery Health Services Research

Background Data from administrative claims and cancer registries have an ever-expanding role in thoracic surgery health services and health policy research. However, their strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications are often poorly understood, leading to errors in study design and data interpretation. The intent of this review is to discuss relevant and crucial considerations when conducting research with some of the most common national thoracic surgery data sources. Methods Information on the National Cancer Database; National Inpatient Sample; American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project; Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database; SEER-linked databases; The Society of Thoracic Surgery General Thoracic Surgery Database; and state cancer registries were obtained from the official webpages for these databases and from a review of PubMed (1990 to July 1, 2019). Results We provided a review of the above-mentioned commonly used administrative databases and cancer registries in thoracic surgery health services research, with particular attention toward their strengths and limitations. Conclusions An appreciation of the strengths, limitations, and differences between various sources of data from administrative, hospital-based, and population-based cancer registries is equally essential for investigators to improve the quality and accuracy of their research and for readers to properly interpret the results of such studies.
An autoethnographic account of urban restructuring and neighborhood change in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley:

Suburbs have long been glossed over by critical urbanists for being culturally, even if not spatially, less than urban. In Los Angeles, it is the San Fernando Valley that has received such treatmen...
Non-Puerperal Uterine Inversion Managed Robotically

Video Objective To demonstrate a method for surgical correction of chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion. Setting Patient with chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion of unknown duration, symptomatic for 3 months. She was referred to Urogynecology at a tertiary referral center for presumed pelvic organ prolapse. Interventions Surgical video demonstration of robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in the setting of complete uterine inversion. Conclusion We found that the chronic nature of this patient's uterine inversion precluded reduction with traditional methods. We demonstrate additional surgical techniques that may be used to ensure safe dissection of pelvic anatomy.
Compressive deformation analysis of large area pellet-fed material extrusion 3D printed parts in relation to in situ thermal imaging

Abstract In large area pellet extrusion additive manufacturing, the temperature of the substrate just before the deposition of a new subsequent layer affects the overall structure of the part. Warping and cracking occur if the substrate temperature is below a material-specific threshold, and deformation and deposition adhesion failure occur if the substrate temperature is above a different threshold. Currently, Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) machine users mitigate this problem by trial and error, which is costly and may result in decreased mechanical properties, monetary losses and time inefficiencies. Through thermal imaging, the range of temperatures present during the printing of a 20 wt. % carbon fiber reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS-20CF) single-bead vertical wall via the BAAM machine was measured. Compression tests were performed to understand the material behavior at those temperatures. Optical imaging was performed to identify a relationship between porosity in the printed bead and plateau regions in the compression curves at temperatures of 170 °C and below. From the thermal imaging and compressive testing, it was concluded that if the substrate temperature is above 200 °C, it will not be able to withstand the load exerted by the deposition of a new layer without experiencing deformation. This behavior was attributed to the experimentally obtained low compressive strength of ABS-20CF observed at temperatures above 200 °C.
Swift Sense of Community: Resourcing Artifacts for Rapid Community Emergence in a Temporary Organization

Relational sense of community (SOC) research suggests that SOC depends on the depth of relationships cultivated between members over time. The rise of temporary organizations—transient work arrange...
High-Performance Flexible Bismuth Telluride Thin Film from Solution Processed Colloidal Nanoplates

Thermoelectric generators are an environmentally friendly and reliable solid-state energy conversion technology. Flexible and low-cost thermoelectric generators are especially suited to power flexible electronics and sensors using body heat or other ambient heat sources. Bismuth telluride based thermoelectric materials exhibit their best performance near room temperature making them an ideal candidate to power wearable electronics and sensors using body heat. In this report Bi2Te3 thin films are deposited on a flexible polyimide substrate using low-cost and scalable manufacturing methods. The synthesized Bi2Te3 nanocrystals have a thickness of 35 ± 15 nm and a lateral dimension of 692 ± 186 nm. Thin films fabricated from these nanocrystals exhibit a peak power factor of 0.35 mW/m·K2 at 433 K, which is among the highest reported values for flexible thermoelectric films. In order to evaluate the flexibility of the thin films, static and dynamic bending tests were performed while monitoring the change in electrical resistivity. After 1000 bending cycles over a 50mm ROC, the change in electrical resistance of the film was 23%. Using our Bi2Te3 solutions, we demonstrated the ability to print thermoelectric thin films with an aerosol jet printer, highlighting the potential of additive manufacturing techniques for fabricating flexible thermoelectric generators.
Terpene Chain Length Affects the Base Pairing Discrimination of S-geranyl-2-thiouridine in RNA Duplex.

Summary Geranylation is a hydrophobic modification discovered in several bacteria tRNAs with the function of promoting codon bias during translation. However, why nature selects this C10-geranyl group remains a question. We conduct synthesis, UV-thermal denaturation, and molecular simulation studies in RNA duplexes and reveal possible reasons behind this natural selection. Among methyl-(C1), dimethylallyl-(C5), geranyl-(C10), and farnesyl-(C15) modified 2-thiouridines, only geranyl-group promotes U:G over U:A pair. Molecular simulation shows all the modified terpene groups point to the minor groove of RNA duplexes. The discrimination between U:G and U:A pairs derives from the difference in hydrogen bonding and interactions of the chain with the hydrophobic area in the minor groove. Geranyl group has perfect length to discriminate U:G and U:A pairs, whereas the others are either too long or too short to achieve the same behavior. This work indicates that geranyl group cannot be replaced by other terpene groups in promoting codon-specificity.