cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic and cardiovascular demands of a high-intensity interval exercise bout utilizing a suspension device

Two methods of training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and suspension device training, have recently gained popularity in the fitness and health industry. Purported effects of these rapid, efficient workouts (HIIT) and functional training devices include weight loss, cardiovascular improvements, and other health benefits. However, limited or no data currently exists combining these two methods of training. Therefore, the purpose of this study to determine the cardiovascular and metabolic demands of a high-intensity interval training program performed on a suspension device. Twelve, apparently healthy, men (n=9) and women (n=3), mean age = 24.67 ± 2.90, volunteered to participate in this study. Participants performed a pre-programmed HIIT suspension device program (i.e., TRX® Metabolic Blast) consisting of nine bodyweight exercises, followed by a 1 minute cardio sprint. Results demonstrated that the exercise bout elicited an average heart rate of 148.0 ± 12.0 beats.min-1, or 82.99 ± 4.20% HRmax. The bout produced a VO2avg of 24.34 ± 3.24 ml.kg-1.min-1, which was 55.97 ± 5.82% VO2max. Total caloric expenditure for the HIIT program resulted in 96.98 ± 19.49 kcals.min-1, or approximately 10.78 ± 2.17 kcals.min-1. While average MET levels for the workout were equal to 6.94 ± 0.93. Results of suggest that the exercise bout could be classified as “moderate-to-high intensity” exercise according to the established American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. While, the workout elicited a vigorous intensity heart rate, only a moderate percentage of VO2max was obtained. Therefore, cardiovascular adaptations may not be seen in semi- to highly-trained individuals.
A Study of Subsonic Cavity Flows - Low Dimensional Modeling

A 2-D hybrid RANS/LES approach has been used to simulate the flow over a shallow cavity for a Mach number 0.3 flow consisting of a baseline case and two forced cases. The effect of the first Smagorinsky coefficient on the simulation results was investigated and a value of C = 0.018 was found to provide results that match the experimental results reasonable well. The data sets of the three cases were processed with the POD method to obtain the dominant modes of the flow. Three versions of low dimensional models were obtained by projection of the Navier-Stokes equations onto the eigenmodes obtained from the POD using the Galerkin projection. The low dimensional models include one where the control input was kept implicitly in the model, and two others where the control input region was separated from the rest of the flow field, resulting in models with the control input term explicitly defined, as required for the controller design. The stochastic estimation was used to assess the state of the flow from surface pressure measurements with good results, so this state can be used as the initial condition for the Galerkin projection method.
Simulation of Coupled Unsteady Fluid Dynamics and Conduction Heat Transfer in a Turbine Stage

A 3-D, unsteady, compressible, finite-difference Navier- Stokes solver has been coupled with a 3-D, unsteady, finite-difference conduction heat transfer solver to study conjugate heat transfer problems in turbomachinery. The heat transfer solver was validated by computing unsteady heat transfer in a cylinder and comparing the results with an analytical solution. The code was then applied to a high pressure turbine stage, typical of those found in mod- ern high bypass turbofan engines, with a non-uniform in- let temperature profile. The unsteady temperature field of a rotor blade, both at the surface and within the blade, has been examined in detail. The surface temperature results have also been compared with those from a flow simulation in which the blade surfaces were assumed to be adiabatic, demonstrating the need for the coupled ap- proach.
Thiazolothiazole Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Polymer Semiconductors for Photovoltaic Applications

A series of eight new donor–acceptor conjugated copolymers based on thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TT) were synthesized by Suzuki and Stille polycondensations, and their optical, electronic structure, field-effect charge transport, and photovoltaic properties were investigated. The number-average molecular weight was moderate to high (20–103 kDa) for four of the new copolymers and low (<10 kDa) for the rest. The optical band gap (1.7–2.2 eV) and the ionization potential (4.9–5.7 eV) of the copolymers could be tuned by varying the strength of the electron-donating comonomers. X-ray diffraction analysis of the neat TT polymer thin films showed that they exhibit a lamellar crystalline morphology with a (100) d-spacing of 1.449–1.881 nm. The polymers had field-effect hole mobilities of 2 × 10–3–3 × 10–2 cm2/(V s). Although fullerene (PC71BM)-based bulk heterojunction solar cells showed that most of the new polymers had low photovoltaic power conversion efficiency (<2.4%), the standout polymer PDEHTT had a high effi...
Why Asexual Reproduction?: Variation in Populations of the Parthenogenetic Wasp, Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The wing characters of a laboratory population and a wild population of the thelytokous parthenogenetic wasp, Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst), show a high degree of variability. Discriminant analysis can separate the wild and the laboratory populations with 99% accuracy. However, laboratory clone lines established from single females have so much intraclone variability that less than 50% of the individuals can be correctly identified by discriminant analysis to their proper clone line. This high degree of variability within a clone suggests that, in colonizing a new environment, a thelytokous female can flood the environment with copies each of which is different and not identical to another. The variable nature of the copies may confer the same selection benefits to the offspring as are enjoyed by bisexual species, and this variability, together with the lack of necessity of finding a mate, may explain the ability of some parthenogenetic animals to colonize new environments.
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography excludes pericardial metastasis by recurrent lung cancer

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis and staging of a variety of malignancies. Because of its high sensitivity, FDG PET frequently detects malignant lesions that are not demonstrated clearly by anatomic imaging modalities. FDG PET usually has high negative predictive value and, therefore, negative studies are highly suggestive of a benign process. The authors present a patient in whom transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging described pericardial metastasis from a recurrent lung cancer, which on FDG PET was shown correctly to suggest benign scar tissue.
Focused Refinement in the RRT*: Trading Optimality for Improved Performance

This paper investigates how to limit the exploration property of the RRT* algorithm in order to decrease the computation time needed to produce a low-cost, but good enough, path. We aim to do this by (i) focusing the attention of the RRT* algorithm on paths that are found quickly by RRT*, and by (ii) reducing the number of nodes in the obtained paths. The latter is achieved by an online smoothing process that aims to connect added nodes directly to their grandparents. Extensive two-dimensional simulation results are provided to examine how the number of obstacles in an environment affects the proposed extensions. Simulations for a Dubins’ vehicle are presented to show how the modifications perform for vehicles with differential constraints.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
In-situ X-ray study of the deformation mechanisms of non-woven polypropylene

Abstract Non-wovens are of emerging research and industrial importance due to the characteristic high surface area, high porosity, high damage tolerance, and low cost. However strength and toughness are difficult to design for due to the structural irregularity and multitude of deformation mechanisms. Here we investigate the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of polypropylene non-wovens as a function of areal weight. Mechanical characterization showed that higher areal weight corresponds to equivalent stiffness and greater strength per weight compared to lower areal weight. Two x-ray studies were carried out with synchrotron radiation during uniaxial tensile testing: micro-computed tomography (3D microstructure) and x-ray diffraction (fiber orientation). These techniques combined to reveal that in compact non-wovens inter-fiber bonds provide strong constraints on the network structure and limit fiber rotation until the bonds fail. Conversely, in sparse non-wovens localized fibers align, plastically deform, and eventually fracture. These comprehensive combined mechanical response and microstructural data sets will serve to build microstructure-based constitutive models in future work.
Neuronal Migration Disorders

This chapter focuses on defining and categorizing the neurodevelopmental disruptions known collectively as neuronal migration disorders (NMDs). NMDs range from focal disruptions that appear as interruptions in the normal cellular architecture of the brain to more global disruptions often characterized by changes in sulci and gyri. The genetic causes for many NMDs have been identified, and the functions of associated gene products have revealed basic cellular mechanisms necessary for neuronal migration and cellular patterning in the brain.
Dances with cytokines, featuring TFH cells, IL-21, IL-4 and B cells.

Follicular helper T cells (TFH cells) sequentially acquire the potential to secrete interleukin 21 (IL-21) and IL-4. The shift from secretion of IL-21 to that of IL-4 modifies the nature of the 'help' signals delivered by TFH cells to germinal center (GC) B cells.
The study of silicon dies stress in stacked die packages

The purpose of the present study is to understand the overhang size effect of stacked die package on a chip. The deflection and stress in the chip as during wire bonding is evaluated using finite element model. It is considered that stresses in the part of top die over the spacer edge, and effect of the thickness on the chip is discussed. Also, this study provides stresses of the structure around a bond pad during bonding process. The stress of a top die is investigated for two types of spacer materials, silicon and resin spacer, respectively.
Isolation, characterization and evaluation of virulent bacteriophages against Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract Bacteriophages are considered a potential antimicrobial food intervention due to their ability to inactivate target bacteria in different environments. This study was undertaken to isolate, characterize, and identify a mixture of phages that could be used for control of Listeria monocytogenes. A total of 37 phages were isolated from raw sewage sludge using L. monocytogenes serotypes 4b, 1/2a and 1/2b strains. The host range of these phages was determined by spot-testing. Ten lytic phages were selected for further evaluation with efficiency of plating (EOP) analysis and characterization by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). According to the spot tests and EOP results, the isolated phages against L. monocytogenes 4b strains were found to be capable of lysing a wider range of ribotypes. Also, three phages specific for 1/2a and 1/2b serotypes had similar lysis capabilities over a range of target Listeria with high EOP values between 0.5 and 1.0. PFGE analysis identified 5 distinct restriction profiles of the 10 selected phages whose DNA was digested with either EcoRI or HinDIII. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures revealed that five selected phages belonged to the Myoviridae and one phage to the Podoviridae family. Based on screening results, a phage cocktail (LP1) comprised of six lytic phages was used to inactivate a mixed culture of five L. monocytogenes strains. LP1 was able to lyse bacterial cells within 30–60 min at multiplicity of infection values (MOI, PFU/CFU) of 1000 and maintained the target cells under detection levels for 24 to 48 h at 4, 10, and 30 °C. These results suggested the LP1 phage collection contained effective and strongly lytic phages that may serve as antibacterial preparation to control L. monocytogenes of different serotypes.
VIOLÊNCIA SIMBÓLICA NA EPT – UM ESTUDO DE CASO NO CURSO TÉCNICO DE ENFERMAGEM DO INSTITUTO HUMBOLDT DE VITÓRIA/ES.

Trata-se de um estudo de caso, que contou com a participacao de tres turmas do curso tecnico de enfermagem, do Instituto Humboldt, da cidade de Vitoria/ES. O trabalho se baseia no entendimento de Pierre Bourdieu, sociologo frances, que por meio de sua teoria do habitus, afirma que a dominacao socio-economica e majoritaria e primeiramente reproduzida, pela dominacao cultural. Em seus estudos voltados para a area educacional, constatou que e atraves da violencia simbolica reproduzida no ambiente escolar, que a cultura dominante se naturaliza e se impoe como universal e superior. A partir deste entendimento, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo levantar os casos da violencia simbolica no contexto pedagogico do curso tecnico em enfermagem, verificar os problemas ocasionados por tal violencia e identificar se os professores tem implementado acoes que visem diminuir esses problemas. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como exploratoria, qualitativa, se embasou em um estudo de caso, por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Apos a analise fenomenologica dos dados, foi possivel confirmar a hipotese levantada.
Carbohydrates mediate sperm-ovum adhesion and triggering of the acrosome reaction.

The fertilization process is the net result of a complex sequence of events that collectively result in the fusion of the opposite gametes. The male gamete undergoes continuous morphological and biochemical modifications during sperm development in the testis (spermatogenesis), maturation in the epididymis, and capacitation in the female reproductive tract. Only the capacitated spermatozoa are able to recognize and bind to the bioactive glycan residue(s) on the ovum's extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). Sperm-zona binding in the mouse and several other species is believed to take place in two stages. First, capacitated (acrosome-intact) spermatozoa loosely and reversibly adhere to the zona-intact ovum. In the second stage tight irreversible binding occurs. Both types of bindings are attributed to the presence of glycan - binding proteins ( receptors ) on the sperm plasma membrane and their complementary bioactive glycan units ( ligands) on the surface of the ZP. The carbohydrate-mediated adhesion event initiates a signal transduction cascade resulting in the exocytosis of acrosomal contents. This step is believed to be prerequisite which allows the hyperactivated acrosome-reacted spermatozoa to penetrate the ZP and fertilize the ovum. This review focuses on the role of carbohydrate residues in sperm-ovum interaction, and triggering of the acrosome reaction. I have attempted to discuss extensive progress that has been made to enhance our understanding of the well programmed multiple molecular events necessary for successful fertilization. This review will identify these events, and discuss the functional significance of carbohydrates in these events.
Abstract 316: A Potential Mechanism Involving mTOR For The Expression Of CTGF In Agonist-stimulated Adult Cardiomyocytes

Cardiac hypertrophy ensues as a response to multiple stimuli, such as mechanical stress, neurohumoral activation, growth factors and cytokines. Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), a potent fibrogenic cytokine, regulates a wide range of biological functions including ECM deposition, wound repair, angiogenesis, migration, differentiation, survival and proliferation. While CTGF overexpression in fibroblasts has been shown to be responsible for fibrosis in various organs, controversy exists about the source of CTGF. Since interstitial fibrosis contributes to ventricular wall stiffness and impairs diastolic function, understating how key factors such as CTGF are expressed and released for the genesis of fibrosis in the hypertrophying heart is important to develop new treatment options. To this end, we explored the signaling pathway(s) involved in the phenylephrine (PE), a hypertrophic agonist, induced expression of CTGF by cardiomyocytes (CMs). Since mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is reported to regulate PE-induced hypertrophic signaling, we hypothesize that mTOR plays a role in PE induced CTGF expression in CMs. To test if CMs produce CTGF, we treated adult feline CMs with phenylephrine. PE stimulated CTGF mRNA expression in a dose and time dependent manner. mTOR forms two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. Whereas both complexes are sensitive to a pharmacological inhibitor Torin1, only mTORC1 is sensitive to Rapamycin inhibition. Our results indicate that PE stimulated CTGF expression could be substantially enhanced by torin1 pretreatment of CMs. Moreover, shRNA mediated silencing of Rictor in CMs, one of the components of mTORC2, significantly augmented the PE induced CTGF mRNA expression. But mTORC1 inhibition using Rapamycin or activation of its downstream target S6K1 using Rapamycin resistant S6K1 adenovirus had no impact in PE -stimulated CTGF expression. The same trend was also observed in the level of secreted CTGF. In conclusion, these results strongly indicate that mTORC2 plays a repressive role in CTGF mRNA expression in adult CMs, and that the loss of such repression in PO myocardium might be a potential mechanism for the onset of cardiac fibrosis in hypertrophying myocardium.
pH Neutralization of Aqueous Bio-Oil from Switchgrass Intermediate Pyrolysis Using Process Intensification Devices

Despite the potential carbon-neutrality of switchgrass bio-oil, its high acidity and diverse chemical composition limit its utilization. The objectives of this research are to investigate pH neutralization of bio-oil by adding various alkali solutions in a batch system and then perform neutralization using process intensification devices, including a static mixer and a centrifugal contactor. The results indicate that sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are more appropriate bases for pH neutralization of bio-oil than calcium hydroxide due to the limited solubility of calcium hydroxide in aqueous bio-oil. Mass and total acid number (TAN) balances were performed for both batch and continuous-flow systems. Upon pH neutralization of bio-oil, the TAN values of the system increased after accounting the addition of alkali solution. A bio-oil heating experiment showed that the heat generated during pH neutralization did not cause a significant increase in the acidity of bio-oil. The formation of phenolic comp...
Just Like Family: How a Community Parent Resource Center Serves Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families and Promotes Inclusive Practices

Abstract This study employed interview and observation methods to describe the culture and operation of a parent-to-parent support program serving predominantly African American families of children with disabilities. Using grounded theory methods to analyze transcripts and videos, the authors identified ways the organization supports families and promotes inclusive practices that fit with the cultural and economic context of the community. Themes from the data included the importance of lived commonality, accepting help seekers as they are, and a family-like organizational culture. The ways this mutual support program contrasts with many formal social service programs are described. The supports provided by the organization assist parents through challenging circumstances, such as poverty and unresponsive services, and affect different types of inclusion.
Perception of pro-environmental behavior

Abstract Interventions to change individual human behavior have real promise in helping to reach sustainability goals and emissions reductions targets. However, little is known about how laypeople characterize the vast array of behaviors they perform that impact the natural environment, which has major implications for the design of successful pro-environmental behavior (PEB) interventions. Drawing on the psychometric paradigm from risk perception research, the current project involves a two-study investigation (Study 1: n = 157, Study 2: n = 266) into the attributes laypeople consider when evaluating PEBs and assesses the influence of these attributes on PEB intention using aggregated factor analysis. We find that laypeople’s perceptions differ from experts’ and include characterizations in terms of financial and behavioral cost, environmental impact and financial savings, external pressures, and health and safety impacts, with all factors except environmental impact and financial savings relating to PEB intention. Furthermore, our plots of behaviors on 2-dimensional attribute planes provide key information to researchers and policymakers about which factors to address in future PEB campaigns.
Understanding Public Opinion Toward Presidential Candidate Spouses

This chapter develops the study’s key theoretical frameworks guiding the analysis of public perceptions toward candidate spouses—new traditionalism, incumbency advantage, symbolic representation, polarization, and the degree to which attitudes toward candidate spouses are shaped by as well as independent from attitudes toward the candidates themselves—and considers these frameworks in the context of public opinion data on candidate spouses over the past 30 years. Using over-time data, showing favorable ratings of presidential candidate spouses from 1988 to 2016 and a list of all the questions pollsters have asked about candidate spouses, as well as original survey data collected specifically for this study, Chap. 2 investigates how Americans’ preference for traditional candidate spouses has been challenged or reinforced by presidential candidate spouses, and, importantly, how the public has responded. This chapter also considers how traditional expectations for candidate spouses have evolved and how modern spouses are expected to be quite active within the traditional frame, which this book labels the new traditionalism. Longitudinal data are also used to explore the conditional effect of incumbency advantage and the degree to which candidate spouses can rise above party polarization and maintain an image in the public’s mind independent of that of their spouses.
The moderating role of self-compassion on weight and shape concerns and eating pathology: A longitudinal study.

Objective The present study employed a longitudinal design to examine the moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between weight/shape concerns and the outcomes of eating pathology and stress in a diverse college student population. Method Participants were 765 students who completed measures of self-compassion, weight/shape concerns, eating pathology, and stress over their first 2 years of college. We tested whether self-compassion attenuated the relation between weight/shape concerns at the beginning of college and eating pathology, and stress later in college. Results For the first year of college, self-compassion significantly moderated the relationship of weight/shape concerns and eating pathology. For participants who were low in self-compassion, there was a stronger relationship between weight/shape concerns and disordered eating; whereas, for individuals high in self-compassion, there was a weaker relationship between weight/shape concerns and disordered eating. However, these findings did not replicate for the second year of college. Self-compassion also significantly moderated the relationship between weight/shape concerns and stress for the first year of college, though the relationship was complex and warrants further research. Discussion Our findings suggest that high self-compassion may reduce the likelihood that undergraduate students with weight/shape concerns will engage in disordered eating behavior in the first year of college. They also highlight the influence of self-compassion on general stress.
College-aged men view more foods as snacks than women do

Abstract The perception of food as a snack or a meal influences later caloric consumption (Capaldi, Owens, & Privitera, 2006). In the past 40 years, the intake of snacks increased and main meals decreased in American adults (Kant & Graubard, 2015), but gender differences in which foods are perceived as snacks vs. meals has not been directly investigated. Here, we asked a college-aged sample of men and women to categorize a list of foods as snacks or meals. Two follow-up studies were also conducted that offered a greater assortment of food and the addition of more complex answer choices. All surveys showed that men categorized more foods as snacks as compared to women, particularly sweet and energy-dense foods. These results suggest that snack and meal perceptions by men and women may be reflective of actual eating patterns.
Variational conditions with smooth constraints: structure and analysis

This is an expository paper about the analysis of variational conditions over sets defined in finite-dimensional spaces by fairly smooth functions satisfying a constraint qualification. The primary focus is on results that can provide quantitative and computable sensitivity information for particular instances of the problems under study, and our objective is to give a personal view of the state of current knowledge in this area and of gaps in that knowledge that require future work. The writing style is informal, in keeping with the objective of focusing the reader's attention on the basic concepts and the relationships between them, rather than on details of the particular results themselves.
The Sacroiliac Joint and Long Lumbosacral Fusions

This chapter discusses the inherent implications involving the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) when a long lumbosacral fusion is performed. It will discuss direct effects on the SIJ due to adjacent stress from the more modern methods being used to attain a solid lumbosacral fusion. Current instrumentation techniques to fixate the SIJ while performing a long lumbosacral fusion will be discussed as well as the hazards of over zealous bone graft harvesting and positive sagittal balance.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Thoracic Surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to perioperative care that aims to mitigate the stress response to surgery, thus enabling a smoother recovery and faster return to baseline functional status. While still an emerging concept in thoracic surgery, ERAS is comprised of core components that span the pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative arenas. The involvement of the anesthesiologist is vital to the success of a thoracic ERAS program. Here we will review the background and core tenets of ERAS, the available literature related to specific components, the barriers to implementation, and the direction for future efforts in this field.
Prevention of hospital-acquired respiratory viral infections: Assessment of a multimodal intervention program.

A multimodal program focused on preventing nosocomial respiratory viral infections. Definite cases per 1,000 discharges increased 1.3-fold in hospital units screening visitors for respiratory viral symptoms during the 2017–2018 respiratory virus season but not during the 2016–2017 season. Definite cases per 1,000 discharges increased 3.1-fold in hospital units that did not screen visitors either season.
Identifying Knowledge Gaps among LVAD Candidates

Education is an important aspect of evaluation and consent for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) candidates. A better understanding of candidate knowledge during the education process can help identify knowledge gaps and improve informed consent processes. This paper presents the results from a validated, LVAD-specific Knowledge Scale administered to candidates before and after education to identify items most and least frequently answered correctly. At baseline and 1-week, both candidates educated with a standard education and an LVAD-specific decision aid were most likely to answer logistical items relating to support and self-care correctly with ≥90% of candidates answering these items correctly after education. Candidates were least likely to answer questions about risks, transplant eligibility, and expenses correctly with <60% of candidates answering them correctly after education. Items with the greatest improvement in correct answers from baseline to 1-week were primarily related to the logistics of living with an LVAD. Candidates educated with the decision aid showed significant improvements on more knowledge items including those related to the forecasting of recovery and complications when compared to candidates educated with a standard education. The 20-item scale provides a standardized way for clinicians to identify knowledge gaps with LVAD candidates, potentially helping to tailor education. Targeted improvements in LVAD education should focus on the understanding of risk and potential complications to ensure that decision-making and informed consent processes emphasize both the patient and clinicians' conceptualizations of knowledge needs for informed consent.
Direct strain evaluation method for laboratory-based pillar performance

Abstract Pillar stability is one of important aspects for underground mines. Generally, the stability of the pillars is evaluated empirically based on case studies and site-specific rock mass conditions in mines. Nevertheless the empirical approach applicability can sometimes be constrained. The numerical-based approaches are potentially more useful as parametric studies can be undertaken and, if calibrated, can be more representative. Both empirical and numerical approaches are dependent on the strength evaluation of the pillars while the strain developing in the pillars is seldom taken into consideration. In this paper, gypsum and sandstone samples were tested in laboratory with different width-to-height ratios (W/H) to adapt the strain evaluation method to the laboratory-based pillars. A correlation was then developed between the strain and the width-to-height ratio for pillar monitoring purposes. Based on the results, a flowchart was created to conduct back analysis for the existing pillars to evaluate their stability and design new pillars, considering the strain analysis of the existing pillars with the W/H ratios modelled.
Procedural Techniques for the Management of Severe Transvalvular and Paravalvular Aortic Regurgitation During TAVR

Aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with an increased risk of mortality. In severe cases, abrupt hemodynamic changes may occur with a sudden increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure that results in frank pulmonary edema, hypoxia, and cardiogenic shock. Here, the case is reported of a patient who developed severe AR immediately after valve deployment that led to severe hemodynamic compromise. The procedural techniques necessary for the immediate management of severe transvalvular and paravalvular AR are described.
Classification of Critical Points in Energy Bands Based on Topology, Scaling and Symmetry

A critical point of the energy dispersion is the momentum where electron velocity vanishes. At the corresponding energy, the density of states (DOS) exhibits nonanalyticity such as divergence. Critical points can be first classified as ordinary and high-order ones, and the ordinary critical points have been studied thoroughly by L\'eon van Hove, whose DOS is particle-hole symmetric and logarithmically divergent. In this work, we describe and classify high-order critical points based on topology, scaling, and symmetry. We show that high-order critical points can have power-law-divergent DOS with particle-hole asymmetry, and can be realized at generic or symmetric momenta by tuning a few parameters such as twist angle, strain, pressure, and/or external fields.
Effect of alkali-silica reaction on the fracture properties of confined concrete

Abstract Alkali-silica reaction (ASR), which was recently discovered in nuclear power plant structures commonly without shear reinforcement, has previously been shown to induce anisotropic expansion in confined concrete. The fracture properties (strength, stiffness, and specific fracture energy) of ASR-induced anisotropically-damaged concrete specimens were quantified by varying both the damage level and relative direction of the ASR-induced cracking orientation against the loading direction corresponding to the fracture propagation. The effect of different orientations (0, 45, and 90° relative to the notch of the specimen) of expected ASR-induced cracks on the fracture properties was investigated using a wedge-splitting test (WST). Specimens without ASR expansion generally showed the highest fracture properties; however, the specific fracture energy was highest for ASR-affected specimens in which the expected orientation of ASR-induced cracks was perpendicular to the WST specimen notch. Specimens in which the ASR-induced cracks were parallel to the notch exhibited the lowest strength and fracture energy.
A revised mid-Pliocene composite section centered on the M2 glacial event for ODP Site 846

Abstract. The composite section from ODP Site 846 has provided key data sets for Pliocene stable isotope and paleoclimatic time series. We document here apparent outliers in previously published data sets for stable isotopes and alkenone-derived sea surface temperature (SST) estimates in the Pliocene interval containing the M2 glaciation (ca. 3.290–3.3 Ma) by tying high-resolution core measurements to a continuous downhole conductivity log. We generate a revised sequence of new stable isotopic and alkenone measurements across the M2 event that correlate well to the revised splices of color reflectance and gamma ray attenuation porosity evaluator data from Site 846, and to a new composite section produced at equatorial Pacific ODP Site 850. A new composite splice for Site 846 is proposed, along with composite isotope and alkenone time series that should be integrated into revised Pliocene paleoclimatic stacks.
Deciphering the Neuronal Population Code

Neuroscience has long asked questions about how neurons represent both external sensory information arriving from the outside world and motor and cognitive signals that are internal to an organism. These questions were first asked at the level of spiking activity in single neurons, but in the latter years of the twentieth century, technological advances enabled recording from small groups of neurons. Along with the technology, computational frameworks have been developed to analyze neuronal populations, starting with pairs and moving into larger groups. This body of work has opened up avenues of inquiry that range from primarily theoretical (how do neurons represent information?) to highly practical (how can we design a robust brain computer interface?). This chapter reviews the history of analytic approaches and neuroscience research aimed at deciphering the population code, from early work with single neurons and pairs to more recent approaches leveraging the newest technology to measure tens to hundreds of neurons simultaneously.
Circulating endocannabinoids during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A pilot study.

Objective Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is a stressful and rigorous medical procedure involving significant emotional and immune challenges. The endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system is involved in regulation of both the immune system and emotional reactivity, yet little is known about its function during HCT. We investigated the role of the eCB signaling system in a group of HCT recipients.
Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss: Implications for Counseling:

The purpose of this research was to explore women’s experiences of pregnancy loss. The following five themes were identified: (a) grief and new emotions, (b) social aspects, (c) meaning making, (d)...
Therapeutic Options to Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes with Long-Term Hemodialysis.

Patients with CKD bear a substantial burden, particularly when CKD reaches the point of needing dialysis. There are three observations that best illustrate the costliness of the burden in kidney failure management with hemodialysis. First, there are the emotional and physical consequences of a
Engineered pegRNAs improve prime editing efficiency

Prime editing enables the installation of virtually any combination of point mutations, small insertions or small deletions in the DNA of living cells. A prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) directs the prime editor protein to the targeted locus and also encodes the desired edit. Here we show that degradation of the 3′ region of the pegRNA that contains the reverse transcriptase template and the primer binding site can poison the activity of prime editing systems, impeding editing efficiency. We incorporated structured RNA motifs to the 3′ terminus of pegRNAs that enhance their stability and prevent degradation of the 3′ extension. The resulting engineered pegRNAs (epegRNAs) improve prime editing efficiency 3–4-fold in HeLa, U2OS and K562 cells and in primary human fibroblasts without increasing off-target editing activity. We optimized the choice of 3′ structural motif and developed pegLIT, a computational tool to identify non-interfering nucleotide linkers between pegRNAs and 3′ motifs. Finally, we showed that epegRNAs enhance the efficiency of the installation or correction of disease-relevant mutations. Stabilizing pegRNAs with 3′ RNA structures increases prime editing efficiency.
Effect of Nanorod Physical Roughness on the Aggregation and Percolation of Nanorods in Polymer Nanocomposites

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate the effect of nanorod roughness on nanorod aggregation, dispersion, and percolation in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). By choosing coarse-grained m...
Digital control workstation

The digital control lessons and workstation used in the automatic controls course for electrical engineering majors at the United States Military Academy are presented. These digital control lessons culminate with the conversion of a conventional control design for implementation by a digital system. The control system is a lead compensator for a servo trainer configured for position control. Students design lead-lag compensation to achieve phase margin, closed-loop bandwidth and low-frequency gain specifications. The system hardware comprises the following components: an IBM/PC-AC compatible computer, (Zenith Z-248), a PC expansion board that implements the compensator, and a DC servo trainer. A detailed description is given of each of the workstation components and the digital design problem (and solution) that forms the basis for the workstation demonstration. >
Demoted to High School: Are College Students' Free Speech Rights the Same as Those of High School Students?

The First Amendment guarantees significant rights to free speech and expression for students of all ages. These rights have been limited, however, by the U.S. Supreme Court's 1988 decision in Hazelwood School District v. KuNattier that school officials can regulate the style and content of school-sponsored student speech in ways that are "reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns." Since then, lower courts have relied on Hazelwood to uphold censorship of student speech in elementary and secondary school, including restrictions based on the speaker's viewpoint. Recent cases have extended this analysis to the university context by upholding acts of censorship under Hazelwood's reasonableness standard. This Note argues that university officials should not be given the same level of deference as secondary school officials when regulating student speech. The "material and substantial disruption" test currently provides the most appropriate framework for balancing the competing interests in favor of protecting university students' speech rights.
Splenomegaly in 2,505 patients in a large university medical center from 1913 to 1995. 1913 to 1962: 2,056 patients

Splenomegaly was studied retrospectively at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, on all patients (N = 2,056) for the years 1913 to 1962. The patients were classified into several diagnostic groups, and these groups were tested for statistical significance (chi(2)) with many clinical and laboratory variables to determine their predictive value. Hematologic disorders were associated with 57% of cases of splenomegaly and 81% of cases of massive splenomegaly. Among patients with splenomegaly, 19% had infectious diseases, 11% had hepatic diseases, and 9% had congestive or inflammatory disorders. The residual 4% were considered to have primary splenic disorders or a disorder of unknown cause. The commonest diseases associated with splenomegaly were hematologic (acute and chronic leukemias), infectious (malaria, endocarditis, and tuberculosis), hepatic (chronic liver disease), congestive (congestive heart failure), inflammatory (thyrotoxicosis), and other (cancers not metastatic to the spleen). The diseases most frequently associated with massive splenomegaly were the chronic leukemias. The disease with the highest incidence of massive splenomegaly was myelofibrosis (23 of 29 patients, 78%). Splenectomy was performed in 154 patients (7%), primarily for hematologic amelioration and hepatic hypersplenism. Hematologic diseases showed significant associations with lymphadenopathy, generalized lymphadenopathy, massive splenomegaly, and cytoses (P .001) and with progressive splenic enlargement (P < .02). Infectious diseases showed significant association with fever, and hepatic diseases showed significant association with abnormal results of liver function tests (P < .001). The findings of this retrospective study should be validated prospectively.
FCC v. Fox: Does Government Censorship of Broadcast Television Still Makes Sense?

In January 2012, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that demonstrates how the law struggles to adapt to changes in technology. In Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television Stations, et al. (docket 10-1293), the Court is considering whether the FCC's indecency-enforcement regime violates the First Amendment or Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, and whether that regime is too vague to be constitutional. This paper examines the history and foundations for FCC censorship, analyzes the briefs submitted on behalf of Fox (and other networks) and the government, and raises the question of whether broadcast television is still be relevant as a unique category in telecommunications regulatory framework.
Describing and Using Query Capabilities of Heterogeneous Sources

Information integration systems have to cope with the different and limited query interfaces of the underlying information sources. First, the integration systems need descriptions of the query capabilities of each source, i.e., the set of queries supported by each source. Second, the integration systems need algorithms for deciding how a query can be answered given the capabilities of the sources. Third, they need to translate a query into the format that the source understands. We present two languages suitable for descriptions of query capabilities of sources and compare their expressive power. We also describe algorithms for deciding whether a query "matches" the description and show their application to the problem of translating user queries into source-specific queries and commands. Finally, we propose new improved algorithms for the problem of answering queries using these descriptions
In defense of pure reason: Epistemological objections to rationalism

INTRODUCTION This chapter will consider a number of epistemological objections to the moderate rationalism outlined in the previous chapter. What qualifies these objections as distinctively epistemological in character is their underlying concern with whether and why rational insight, as characterized in the preceding chapter, can provide epistemic justification for a belief, in the sense specified in 1.1 above: that is, can yield a compelling reason for thinking that the belief in question is true . There can be little doubt that an apparent rational insight provides some sort of reason for believing the proposition in question. A belief arrived at in this way is certainly not merely arbitrary or capricious and may indeed be psychologically compelling to the point of being inescapable. But none of this shows that the believer in question possesses a genuinely epistemic reason for his belief, and it is this that the objections to be considered attempt to call into question. I have already remarked that despite the widespread conviction that rationalism is untenable, fully developed and articulated objections to rationalism are difficult to find. This is especially true of the epistemological objections that are the subject of this chapter. Thus, while it is unlikely that anyone who has thought very much about the issue of a priori justification will find the general drift of these objections to be utterly unfamiliar, the specific presentations offered here are largely my own attempts to tease out and develop lines of thought that are usually only briefly hinted at in the literature or, more often, in oral discussion (thus the relative dearth of specific citations).
Planetary Scale Atmospheric Circulation

Atmospheric circulation characteristics on a planetary scale can largely, but not completely be described by the distribution of properties in meridional-vertical cross-sections. Thus the distribution of temperature and humidity is discussed in Section 3.1. The temperature and humidity distribution is, through the thickness pattern and the slope of constant pressure surfaces, related to the zonal wind regime, as reviewed in Section 3.2. The mean meridional circulation is likewise considered in Section 3.3. By contrast, the maintenance of the circulation in terms of angular momentum and kinetic energy, as discussed in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, involves eddy mechanisms and cannot be accounted for by mean property distributions in meridional-vertical planes. Since kinetic energy amounts only to a small fraction of the total energy content, it is here considered separate from the budgets of heat and moisture addressed in Chapter 5.
The Apicomplexan CDC/MACPF-like pore-forming proteins

Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) encompass a broad family of proteins that are used for virulence or immune defense. Members of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) and membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) family of PFPs form large β-barrel pores in the membrane. The CDC/MACPF proteins contain a characteristic four-stranded β-sheet that is flanked by two α-helical bundles, which unfold to form two transmembrane β-hairpins. Apicomplexan eukaryotic parasites express CDC/MACPFs termed perforin-like proteins (PLPs). Here we review recent studies that provide key insights into the assembly and regulation of the Apicomplexan PLP (ApiMACPF) molecular pore-forming mechanisms, which are necessary for the osmotically driven rupture of the parasitophorous vacuole and host cell membrane, and cell traversal by these parasites.