cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A three-phase model of the elastic and shrinkage properties of mortar

Abstract Mortar and concrete are composite materials with overall properties that are influenced by the arrangement and characteristics of each constituent in the microstructure. Elastic shrinkage, like other properties of mortar and concrete, must be described by a three-phase model: aggregate, bulk cement paste, and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) cement paste. A simple two-dimensional digital-image-based model of a mortar is developed based on the hard core/soft shell percolation model. Specific attention is given to the properties of the ITZ between cement paste and aggregate. The elastic shrinkage properties of this model are computed numerically, using a specialized finite-element technique. The effects of varying the elastic moduli and shrinkage properties of the ITZ and bulk cement paste are examined in parameter studies, both analytically, for low aggregate content, and numerically, for arbitrary aggregate content. Special attention is given to the effect that the topology of the ITZ has on overall shrinkage. A comparison is made between model predictions and the limited available experimental results (0.35 w/c, 65% hydration), assuming an ITZ width of 20 μm. Based on this comparison, this paper introduces the prediction that the Young's modulus of the ITZ is one third to one half of the modulus for bulk cement paste and that the unrestrained shrinkage of the ITZ material is close to the shrinkage of bulk cement paste when both are averaged over a 20-μm ITZ. This finding is supported by further analysis of a three-dimensional microstructural model of cement paste.
The use of clinical guidelines highlights ongoing educational gaps in physicians’ knowledge and decision making related to diabetes

Background Clinical guidelines for type 2 diabetes are a resource for providers to manage their patients and may help highlight specific areas in need of further education and training. We sought to determine how often guidelines are used and the relationship to physicians’ diabetes-related knowledge and decision making.
Protective role of hemopexin on heme-dependent lung oxidative stress.

Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH)-dependent chemiluminescence of perfused rat lungs increased by almost 500% upon addition of heme (from 297 +/- 28% to 1204 +/- 125% of control, p < 0.01 vs no heme). Preincubation with hemopexin significantly decreased the heme-stimulated chemiluminescence to 779 +/- 155% of control (p < 0.01) When hemopexin was replaced with rat albumin heme-stimulated chemiluminescence decreased to 1007 +/- 104% (not significantly different from results with heme alone). In vitro studies showed that hemopexin did not decrease chemiluminescence from bovine serum albumin oxidation (493 +/- 94% compared to 292 +/- 81% of control in the absence of hemopexin) and that the heme-hemopexin mixture also emitted light when exposed to t-BOOH (264 +/- 66% of control). These results suggest that hemopexin specifically inhibits some of the oxidative reactions catalyzed by free heme and may have a protect tissue oxidation in conditions in which heme release occurs (i.e., stroke).
The polygyny-fertility hypothesis revisited: the situation in Ghana.

Re-examination of the polygyny-fertility hypothesis, by multiple regression analysis of the 1988 Ghana DHS data, reveals that polygyny has no effect on the number of children ever born; i.e. polygynously married women are as fertile as those monogamously married. Husband's age has no significant role in determining the number of children ever born to a woman.
MUTATIONS AND DISEASES OF G PROTEIN COUPLED RECEPTORS

AbstractCurrently known disease-causing mutations in G protein coupled receptors are reviewed and discussed in conjunction with other naturally occurring receptor mutations. Special emphasis is made on opsin, vasopressin and MSH receptor mutations and what they tell are begining to tell us about the inner workings of this superfamily of signalling molecules.
P-110: Light extraction of Phosphorescent OLEDs by Defective Hexagonal-Close-Packed Array

Defective silica sphere arrays having locally hexagonal-closed-packed structure but lack of long range ordering were incorporated into phosphorescent organic light emitting diode devices as grating to extract the waveguided modes. With a 0.5 μm grating, the current and power efficiency were enhanced by 55% and 110% without spectral changes and directionality.
Z0Z0 and W+W- pair production at supercollider energies.

We present the invariant-mass distributions for the production of Z/sup 0/Z/sup 0/ pairs by W/sup +/W/sup -/ and Z/sup 0/Z/sup 0/ fusion at 40 TeV. Results are given for Higgs-boson masses of 0.5 and 1.0 TeV and a rapidity cut eta/sub c/ of 1.5. These calculations, which are performed using the effective-gauge-boson approximation, are compared with the corresponding results for the production of W/sup +/W/sup -/ pairs by the same fusion mechanism. A comparison between the approximate calculation and an exact calculation of Z/sup 0/Z/sup 0/ pair production by W/sup +/W/sup -/ fusion is also presented
Successful evacuation of a pontine hematoma secondary to rupture of a venous angioma

A middle-aged woman presented with progressive brainstem neurological deficits. Clinical manifestations and preoperative radiological examination were indicative of an expanding intrapontine mass. At operation, an intrapontine hematoma and a venous angioma adherent to the floor of the fourth ventricle were discovered. Successful evacuation of the hematoma was followed by an excellent recovery. Postoperative angiography demonstrated the venous angioma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of angiographically proved ruptured venous angioma of the pons treated successfully by an operation.
Fabry-Perot metrology for displacements up to 50 mm.

A system designed to apply Fabry–Perot interferometry to the measurement of displacements is described. Two adjacent modes of a Fabry–Perot cavity are probed, and both the absolute optical frequencies and their difference are used to determine displacements via changes in cavity length. Light is coupled to the cavity via an optical fiber, making the system ideal for remote sensing applications. Continuous interrogation is not necessary, as the cavity length is encoded in the free spectral range. The absolute uncertainty is determined to be below 10 pm, which for the largest displacement measured corresponds to a relative uncertainty of 4×10−10. To my knowledge this is the smallest relative uncertainty in a displacement measurement ever demonstrated.
Male-male sexual contact in the U.S.A.: Findings from five sample surveys, 1970-1990.

Estimates of the prevalence of male‐male sexual contact are derived using data from five probability surveys conducted between 1970 and 1990. Estimated minimums of 5 to 7 percent of U.S. men report some same‐gender sexual contact during adulthood. Because of the likelihood of underreporting, these estimates might be considered lower bounds on the actual prevalence of such contact. Estimates show relatively little variation across social and demographic subgroups with the major exception that higher prevalence is reported among never‐married men, particularly those 35 and older. Some lesser variations are also found by service in the military, current residence, and current religious affiliation. Fragmentary evidence from these surveys suggests that some men may have episodic male‐male contact in adulthood while other men may have a relatively consistent and exclusive pattern of same‐gender contacts. Only one‐quarter to one‐half of the U.S. men who report male‐male contacts in adulthood also report having ...
Temporal Bayesian Fusion for Affect Sensing: Combining Video, Audio, and Lexical Modalities

The affective state of people changes in the course of conversations and these changes are expressed externally in a variety of channels, including facial expressions, voice, and spoken words. Recent advances in automatic sensing of affect, through cues in individual modalities, have been remarkable; yet emotion recognition is far from a solved problem. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to the problem of multimodal affect sensing in the hope that combining different information sources would provide great improvements. However, reported results fall short of the expectations, indicating only modest benefits and occasionally even degradation in performance. We develop temporal Bayesian fusion for continuous real-value estimation of valence, arousal, power, and expectancy dimensions of affect by combining video, audio, and lexical modalities. Our approach provides substantial gains in recognition performance compared to previous work. This is achieved by the use of a powerful temporal prediction model as prior in Bayesian fusion as well as by incorporating uncertainties about the unimodal predictions. The temporal prediction model makes use of time correlations on the affect sequences and employs estimated temporal biases to control the affect estimations at the beginning of conversations. In contrast to other recent methods for combination of modalities our model is simpler, since it does not model relationships between modalities and involves only a few interpretable parameters to be estimated from the training data.
Using Mechanical Turk to Study Clinical Populations

Although participants with psychiatric symptoms, specific risk factors, or rare demographic characteristics can be difficult to identify and recruit for participation in research, participants with...
Unjustified inferences about meta-analysis

Berk (Statistical Inference and Meta-Analysis, 2007) asserts that the results of inferential statistics make scientific sense only if the data to which they are applied were actually generated through random sampling from a defined real population. Because meta-analysis data are not generated in that manner, he claims that the statistical conclusions of meta-analysis are fictional and suggests that conventional research review procedures be used instead. This rejoinder argues that Berk’s position on statistical inference represents a narrow literalism that he fails to justify and that does not reflect the way inferential statistics are used or generally understood in contemporary practice. Consequently, his critique has little significance for meta-analysis or any of the other widespread forms of social science research that apply inferential statistics in similar spirit. Berk’s advocacy of conventional literature reviews omits any explanation of how they would avoid the well-documented deficiencies of that approach or be conducted in a manner that offers any advantage over meta-analysis.
The Utility of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosing White Coat Hypertension in Older Adults

The beneficial effect of antihypertensive medication on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events is supported by data from randomized controlled trials of older adults with hypertension. However, in clinical practice, overtreatment of hypertension in older adults may lead to side effects and an increased risk of falls. The diagnosis and treatment of hypertension is primarily based on blood pressure measurements obtained in the clinic setting. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) complements clinic blood pressure by measuring blood pressure in the out-of-clinic setting. ABPM can be used to identify white coat hypertension, defined as elevated clinic blood pressure and non-elevated ambulatory blood pressure. White coat hypertension is common in older adults but does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of CVD events among this population. Herein, we review the current literature on ABPM in the diagnoses of white coat hypertension in older adults, including its potential role in preventing overtreatment.
A new conflict resolving switchbox router

A parallel algorithm, called PARALLEX, which uses a conflict resolving method, has been developed for the switchbox routing problem in the parallel processing environment. PARALLEX can achieve a very high degree of parallelism by generating as many processes as nets. Each process is assigned to route a net, which bears the same identification number as the process. If any conflict is found for the current route of a net, then each process classifies the conflict segments with groups by their relations. Each process finds partial solutions, and merges them with the partial solutions from other processes to make a conflict-free switchbox. The speed-ups for 7-nets and 19-nets problem were 4.7 and 10 respectively. >
Optically pumped submillimeter laser heterodyne receivers: astrophysical observations and recent technical developments

The use of optically pumped submillimeter lasers as a local oscillator source is discussed. The principle of operation of submillimeter lasers in heterodyne systems is examined, and a detailed description of an airborne laser receiver system is given as an example. Some ground-based and airborne laser heterodyne astrophysical observations are then reviewed. Advances in submillimeter technology, especially the miniaturization of the CW CO/sub 2/ pump laser, are discussed, and advances in submillimeter lasers designs are briefly addressed. >
Extending Applicable Ranges of Regression Equations for Yarn Strength Forecasting

Using recently developed technology for rapid instrument testing of cotton fiber, it is possible to characterize large numbers of bales rapidly and accurately. Many com mercial spinners of cotton and cotton blend yams have used such data in combination with standard statistical techniques to generate regression equations for forecasting product quality. Because of the mill-specific nature of such forecasting equations, each mill or each product must be studied as a separate case. This report describes work that permits extending the applicable ranges of these regression equations to include the effects of changes in yarn count, twist multiple, combing noils, and blend level. Mathematical models quantitatively describing these parameters are presented in a form that can be easily incorporated into existing forecasting equations.
Serum calcium and phosphorus measurements in patients with psoriasis: a retrospective review

The recent success of vitamin D and its analogues in the treatment of psoriasis has generated extensive research into the role of vitamin D and calcium in this hyperproliferative skin disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate calcium and phosphorus levels in patients admitted to our dermatology service for treatment of severe psoriasis. The charts of 15 patients from 21 to 80 years of age were reviewed and admission laboratory data values recorded. Retrospective analysis of laboratory data from patients admitted with psoriasis demonstrated no abnormalities of calcium metabolism when assessed by calcium and phosphorus levels. Although vitamin D and its analogues appear to have a role in the treatment of psoriasis, this study suggests that a systemic aberration of calcium metabolism probably does not occur.
Developmental androgen fluctuations and the five dimensions of mammalian sex (with emphasis upon the behavioral dimension and the human species)

Abstract Evidence reported largely in the past twenty years is reviewed regarding how mammals are sexually differentiated through variations in circulating levels of a set of biochemicals called androgens . Five fairly distinct dimensions of the sexual differentiation process are identified as follows: the genetic dimension, the genital dimension, the neuro-organization dimension, the nongenital morphological dimension, and the behavioral dimension. The problem of designating a mammal's "overall sex" is briefly discussed. Then, the basic process whereby a "dynamic equilibrium" in androgen levels tends to be maintained within an animal is described, along with an account of the kinds of experiential encounters a mammal can have that can dramatically "upset" the equilibrium. Finally, a "threshold range" concept of androgenic effects upon behavior is discussed, along with an outline of four basic interactive processes whereby behavior apparently can be affected by variations in androgens.
The oscillatory instability of convection rolls in a low Prandtl number fluid

The instability of convection rolls in a fluid layer heated from below is investigated for stress-free boundaries in the limit of small Prandtl number. It is shown that the two-dimensional rolls become unstable to oscillatory three-dimensional disturbances when the amplitude of the convective motion exceeds a finite critical value. The instability corresponds to the generation of vertical vorticity, a mechanism which is likely to operate in the case of a variety of roll-like motions. In all aspects in which the theory can be related to experiments, reasonable agreement with the observations is found.
From Functional to Fun: End User Development for Teenagers

Teenagers describe their perceptions of computing as boring, anti-social, and irrelevant to their lives. We are working on a broadening participation in computing project to portray computing as an innovative, creative, and challenging field with authentic, real-world applications. We have developed an Introduction to HCI course for teenagers in which they will participate in design-based projects using end user development tools on the web. The increasing availability of web-based software for creating mashups offers an opportunity to engage teenagers in computing by meeting them in their existing informal and fun environments on the Web.
Ten unorthodox perspectives on evolution prompted by comparative population genetic findings on mitochondrial DNA

INTRODUCTION 46 PERSPECTIVES ON GENETIC TRANSMISSION 46 Asexual Transmission 46 Populations within Populations 48 MOLECULAR PERSPECTIVES 50 Nonuniversal Code 50 Conserved Function, Rapid Evolution 51 Lack of Mobile Elements, lntrons, Repetitive DNA 53 PERSPECTIVES ONINTERGENOM1C INTERACTIONS 54 Endosymbiotic MtDNA Origins 54 lntergenomic Conflicts of Interest 55 lntergenomic Cooperation 57 PHYLOGENETIC P RSPECTIVES 57 Phylogeography and Historical Demography 57 Gene Trees Versus Organismal Phylogenies 60 SPECIAL CONCERNS AND RESEARCH DIRECTIONS 62 CONCLUSION 63
The public health utility of genome-wide association study results for smoking behavior

New approaches to improve smoking cessation rates are needed. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the genetics of smoking behavior, and this knowledge may eventually be used to personalize treatment for smokers. Although there are highly significant and reproducible genetic associations, none are yet ready for clinical applications. We suggest that translational research from several disciplines, including behavioral science, ethics and economics, should be performed in parallel with ongoing genome-wide association studies for smoking behavior and pharmacogenetic trials. The coordinated effort of multidisciplinary research teams will help reveal the circumstances under which we can translate genetic insights into clinical practice in the hope of reducing the burden of smoking in society.
Genetic transformation system for the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus flavus.

A heterologous transformation system was developed for Aspergillus flavus with efficiencies greater than 20 stable transformants per micrograms of DNA. Protoplasts of uracil-requiring strains of the fungus were transformed with plasmid and cosmid vectors containing the pyr-4 gene of Neurospora crassa. Transformants were selected for their ability to grow and sporulate on medium lacking uracil. Vector DNA appeared to integrate randomly into the genome of A. flavus with a tendency for multiple, tandem insertion. Transformants with single or multiple insertions were stable after five consecutive transfers on medium containing uracil. Uracil-requiring recipient strains were obtained either by UV-irradiating conidia and selecting colonies resistant to 5-fluoroorotic acid or by transferring the mutated pyr locus to strains by parasexual recombination. This is the first report of a transformation system for an aflatoxin-producing fungus. The transformation system and the availability of aflatoxin-negative mutants provide a new approach to studying the biosynthesis and regulation of aflatoxin. Images
Computer lab in maths courses

During 1996-98 a special Program in Mathematics oriented to engineering students was developed at UTFSM. Description and final results of this Program were reported on FIE 98-99. As a practical application of this Program we have organized a special computer lab with 12 personal computers oriented to mathematical teaching, as an important complementary didactic component in maths courses given in a lecture format. We think that this lab size could foster interactivity and facilitate a more personalized work with the students. We have adapted a special software related to subjects of calculus and based on MATHEMATICA.
Stochastic MINLP optimization using simplicial approximation

Mathematical programming has long been recognized as a promising direction to the efficient solution of design, synthesis and operation problems that can gain industry the competitive advantage required to survive in today's difficult economic environment. Most of the engineering design problems can be modelled as MINLP problems with stochastic parameters. In this paper a decomposition algorithm is presented to solve convex stochastic MINLP problems. The proposed approach is an extension of the simplicial approximation approach proposed by Goyal and Ierapetritou [Goyal, V., & Ierapetritou, M. G. (2004a). MINLP optimization using simplicial approx imation method for classes of non-convex problems. In C. A. Floudas, & P. M. Pardalos (Eds.), Frontiers in Global Optimization (p. 165). Goyal, V., & Ierapetritou, M. G. (2004b). Computational studies using a novel simplicial-approximation based algorithm for MINLP optimisation. Computers and Chemical Engineering, 28, 1771], for solving deterministic MINLP problems and is based on the idea of representing the feasible region by a close approximation of its convex hull. Two case studies are presented illustrating the applicability and efficiency of the proposed approach.
SCALING LAWS AT LARGE TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM

The application of simple dimensional counting to bound states of pointlike particles enables us to derive scaling laws for the asymptotic energy dependence of electromagnetic and hadronic scattering at fixed c.m. angle which only depend on the number of constituent fields of the hadrons. Assuming quark constituents, some of the s→∞, fixed-t/s predictions are (dσ/dt)πp→πp∼s^-8, (dσ/dt)pp→pp∼s^-10, (dσ/dt)γp→πp∼s^-7, (dσ/dt)γp→γp∼s^-6, Fπ(q^2)∼(q2)^-1, and F1p(q^2)∼(q^2)^-2. We show that such scaling laws are characteristic of renormalizable field theories satisfying certain conditions.
Enhancing Software Traceability by Automatically Expanding Corpora with Relevant Documentation

Software trace ability is the ability to describe and follow the life of a requirement in both a forward and backward direction by defining relationships to related development artifacts. A plethora of different trace ability recovery approaches use information retrieval techniques, which depend on the quality of the textual information in requirements and software artifacts. Not only is it important that stakeholders use meaningful names in these artifacts, but also it is crucial that the same names are used to specify the same concepts in different artifacts. Unfortunately, the latter is difficult to enforce and as a result, software trace ability approaches are not as efficient and effective as they could be - to the point where it is questionable whether the anticipated economic and quality benefits were indeed achieved. We propose a novel and automatic approach for expanding corpora with relevant documentation that is obtained using external function call documentation and sets of relevant words, which we implemented in Trace Lab. We experimented with three Java applications and we show that using our approach the precision of recovering trace ability links was increased by up to 31% in the best case and by approximately 9% on average.
Least structure solution of photonuclear yield functions

Abstract A new method for the solution of experimental photonuclear yield functions for cross sections is presented. The method gives the “smoothest” set of cross sections as a function of photon energy consistent with the experimental yield. For this reason the term “least structure analysis” is used to describe the method of analysis. Cross sections derived by least structure analysis of trial yield functions are presented. The resulting cross sections are compared to the assumed cross sections used to derive the trial yield function. This comparison fully justifies the use of least structure analysis at all energies including energies higher than the giant resonance energy where other methods have failed to give physically acceptable solutions. Errors and resolution functions corresponding to the least structure solutions of the trial yields are also given.
Assessing the Putnam-Wilson Organizational Communication Conflict Instrument (OCCI)

The OCCI moves from a stylistic to a strategic conceptualization of conflict by assessing communicative tactics that individuals use in organizational situations. The OCCI consists of items that refer to verbal and nonverbal behaviors and to situational factors that shape choice of conflict behaviors. It also employs three rather than five modes of conflict. Although the article acclaims the internal reliability of the scale, it quibbles with the decision to combine collaborating and compromise and with the apparent item desirability bias inherent in the OCCI and other measures of interpersonal conflict.
Arterial blood nicotine concentration and coronary vasoconstrictive effect of low-nicotine cigarette smoking.

Abstract Low-nicotine cigarettes have been advertised to the public as less harmful to the cardiovascular system. We studied the effects of smoking two low-nicotine cigarettes on arterial and venous blood nicotine levels, hemodynamics, and coronary vascular tone in 12 patients referred for diagnostic coronary arteriography. All were chronic smokers as evidenced by their elevated baseline arterial and venous cotinine blood levels (139 ± 30 ng/ml and 155 ± 34 ng/ml, respectively). High-resolution coronary angiograms were evaluated "blindly" before and after smoking. An electronic caliper was used to measure the diameter of disease-free coronary segments of the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries. Arterial nicotine levels rose from 5 ± 1 ng/ml at baseline to 37 ± 7 ng/ml ( p p p p p p p p p p p p r = 0.46, p = 0.049) and a significant correlation with the second cigarette ( r = 0.61, p = 0.003). No correlation was found with venous nicotine levels. We conclude that smoking low-nicotine cigarettes evokes significant increases in arterial blood nicotine concentrations, which substantially exceed venous levels, increases heart rate and double product, and induces significant coronary vasoconstriction. Therefore smoking low-nicotine cigarettes produces adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.
Goal Programming via Multidimensional Scaling Applied to Senegalese Subsistence Farms

A methodology is developed to estimate empirically the weights for a multiple-goal objective function of Senegalese subsistence farmers. The methodology includes a farmer-oriented goal preference survey and an application of a multidimensional scaling technique to the survey data. A comparison of model performance under the multiple-goal objective function with a profit-maximization objective function does not indicate that there are distinct advantages to using either function.
Extended-cycle oral contraceptive pills with 10 µg ethinyl estradiol pills in place of placebo pills

The elimination of monthly withdrawal bleeding with use of extended-cycle (84 pills) monophasic birth-control pills has modernized oral contraceptives. The use of ethinyl estradiol 10 µg pills in place of the seven placebo pills addresses the problems posed by 21/7 formulations of low-dose birth-control pills, which allow early stimulation of ovarian follicles, and of the early 84/7 formulations, which had higher rates of unscheduled bleeding and spotting.
Super strong polymers in planar directions

A novel approach for producing multiaxially oriented polymers with ultrahigh mechanical properties in more than one direction is discussed. According to the approach, which is adaptable to conventional commercial processes, the polymer is processed in a contained geometry at a temperature near to but below the isotropic crystalline melting point under curvilinear flow conditions generated by the combined effects of a compressive force and a rotational force perpendicular to the compressive force. The process is demonstrated with thermoplastic and thermotropic polymers using simple torsional flow. The general features of the process and the properties of the multiaxially oriented polymers are discussed in view of the different flow conditions.
Plant evolution at the interface of paleontology and developmental biology: An organism-centered paradigm

Paleontology yields essential evidence for inferring not only the pattern of evolution, but also the genetic basis of evolution within an ontogenetic framework. Plant fossils provide evidence for the pattern of plant evolution in the form of transformational series of structure through time. Developmentally diagnostic structural features that serve as "fingerprints" of regulatory genetic pathways also are preserved by plant fossils, and here we provide examples of how those fingerprints can be used to infer the mechanisms by which plant form and development have evolved. When coupled with an understanding of variations and systematic distributions of specific regulatory genetic pathways, this approach provides an avenue for testing evolutionary hypotheses at the organismal level that is analogous to employing bioinformatics to explore genetics at the genomic level. The positions where specific genes, gene families, and developmental regulatory mechanisms first appear in phylogenies are correlated with the positions where fossils with the corresponding structures occur on the tree, thereby yielding testable hypotheses that extend our understanding of the role of developmental changes in the evolution of the body plans of vascular plant sporophytes. As a result, we now have new and powerful methodologies for characterizing major evolutionary changes in morphology, anatomy, and physiology that have resulted from combinations of genetic regulatory changes and that have produced the synapomorphies by which we recognize major clades of plants.
Work in progress - designing for economic empowerment in nicaragua

Faculty and students in several disciplines at four institutions in the United States and Nicaragua are collaborating on technology entrepreneurship education for economic empowerment in Esteli, Nicaragua. The project aims to demonstrate a new paradigm for development that is rooted in education. The effort will focus on design and delivery of new curriculum for collaborative, interdisciplinary product development. To demonstrate the curriculum, the effort will launch cross- cultural student teams to identify and develop markets, partners, and technology for entrepreneurial ventures in Nicaragua, utilizing Nicaraguan materials and skills. The envisioned long term goal is local economic empowerment and a sound, collaborative process for technology innovation and product development that is both replicable and transferable. The proposed program includes six sequential phases; phase one is complete and phase two is in progress. This paper discusses the goals, results, and assessment of the first two phases in the context of the ongoing project.
Extending the Microtubule/Microfibril paradigm. Cellulose synthesis is required for normal cortical microtubule alignment in elongating cells

The cortical microtubule array provides spatial information to the cellulose-synthesizing machinery within the plasma membrane of elongating cells. Until now data indicated that information is transferred from organized cortical microtubules to the cellulose-synthesizing complex, which results in the deposition of ordered cellulosic walls. How cortical microtubules become aligned is unclear. The literature indicates that biophysical forces, transmitted by the organized cellulose component of the cell wall, provide a spatial cue to orient cortical microtubules. This hypothesis was tested on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) protoplasts and suspension-cultured cells treated with the cellulose synthesis inhibitor isoxaben. Isoxaben (0.25–2.5 μm) inhibited the synthesis of cellulose microfibrils (detected by staining with 1 μg mL−1 fluorescent dye and polarized birefringence), the cells failed to elongate, and the cortical microtubules failed to become organized. The affects of isoxaben were reversible, and after its removal microtubules reorganized and cells elongated. Isoxaben did not depolymerize microtubules in vivo or inhibit the polymerization of tubulin in vitro. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that cellulose microfibrils, and hence cell elongation, are involved in providing spatial cues for cortical microtubule organization. These results compel us to extend the microtubule/microfibril paradigm to include the bidirectional flow of information.
Strongly Consistent Steady-State Derivative Estimates

We establish strong consistency (i.e., almost sure convergence) of infinitesimal perturbation analysis (IPA) estimators of derivatives of steady-state means for a broad class of systems. Our results substantially extend previously available results on steady-state derivative estimation via IPA.Our basic assumption is that the process under study is regenerative, but our analysis uses regenerative structure in an indirect way: IPA estimators are typically biased over regenerative cycles, so straightforward differentiation of the regenerative ratio formula does not necessarily yield a valid estimator of the derivative of a steady-state mean. Instead, we use regeneration to pass from unbiasedness over fixed, finite time horizons to convergence as the time horizon grows. This provides a systematic way of extending results on unbiasedness to strong consistency.Given that the underlying process regenerates, we provide conditions under which a certain augmented process is also regenerative. The augmented process includes additional information needed to evaluate derivatives; derivatives of time averages of the original process are time averages of the augmented process. Thus, through this augmentation we are able to apply standard renewal theory results to the convergence of derivatives.
A comparison of technologically mediated and face-to-face help-seeking sources

Background Current post-secondary school students have access to multiple help-seeking sources. As help-seeking behaviour relates to academic achievement, the provision of preferred help sources would be beneficial to students, instructors, and course designers. Aims This study examines whether students prefer and intend to utilize technologically mediated or face-to-face help-seeking sources. Sample Participants (n = 226) were recruited from two sections of an on campus, introductory, educational psychology class. Methods An online survey was distributed containing measures of help-seeking threat, adaptive help-seeking tendencies, avoidant help-seeking tendencies, and the intention to seek help from six sources. Correlations and an ANOVA were calculated to determine whether source preferences differed by self-reported course grade. Results Help-seeking threat was only negatively associated with sources of help that required face-to-face interaction. Despite the threat, students intended to use face-to-face help-seeking sources more than technologically mediated sources. Students intended to seek help the most before or after class, via email, or during class. Students intended to seek help the least through the discussion board and during online office hours. Higher performing students preferred face-to-face sources, particularly before or after class and during class, more than lower performing students. Lower performing students intended to use mediated sources especially the discussion board and online office hours more than the higher performing students. Conclusions The results provide new insights into the help-seeking process and suggestions for instructors when allocating time and classroom resources. Additionally, the study illustrates the need for continual refinement of a help-seeking source classification system.
The effects of gravity in second-sound

Abstract We present a modified wave equation for second-sound propagation in an inhomogeneous medium. For extreme inhomogeneity we show that a new mode exists at low frequency, in which normal wavelike propagation is not possible. The nature of this mode is discussed.
Spectrum of thyroid malignant neoplasms: F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging

1074 Learning Objectives 1. To describe the incidental finding of thyroid cancer during F-18 FDG PET/CT evaluation of unrelated malignancies and to emphasize their importance in patient care. 2. To present the clinical applications of F-18 FDG PET/CT evaluation of thyroid cancer and lymphoma. This exhibit presents (1) the PET/CT incidental finding of thyroid cancer with its frequency and contribution the patient oncologic care,(2) the PET/CT evaluation and post-therapeutic surveillance of different types of thyroid cancer such as papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic and Hurthle cell cancer, with emphasis on the non-iodine avid variants, and (3) the PET/CT staging and monitoring of thyroid lymphoma such as primary B-cell thyroid lymphoma and MALT thyroid lymphoma. Characteristics of each thyroid entity are discussed in correlation with PET/CT features
Cavity Enhancement of Burst-Mode Ultraviolet Pulses for Laser-Assisted H − Beam Stripping

We developed a novel technique to realize power enhancement of high energy burst-mode ultraviolet pulses by combination of Pound-Drever-Hall technique and fiber acousto-optic frequency shifter in a doubly-resonant optical cavity.
Community, Control and Acculturation: A Case Study of Slavery in Eighteenth Century Brazil

Interest in the nature of Brazilian slavery has increased dramatically during the last ten years. In part this interest has been stimulated by the desire of North American social scientists to examine what was initially viewed to be the striking differences between patterns of race relations and slavery as they developed in the United States and Brazil. Among Brazilians the interest in slavery is older, beginning as an aspect of the larger evolution of cultural nationalism which sought to demonstrate the unique nature of the Brazilian solution to a multiracial society. Among both North American and Brazilian writers the initial tendency was to emphasize the more “humane” nature of slavery in Brazil. This was attributed to a number of factors of which the Portuguese concept of the slave as a human being based on cultural and religious traits was paramount. Increasingly this view has been subjected to intense criticism and recent works have focused on the harshness of Brazilian slavery and have sought to stress the similarities between the two systems.
Damage Mitigation: Recent Advances in Thermoplastic Self-Healing Polymers

Several commercially available polymeric materials that display puncture self-healing functionality at different temperature ranges have been identified. The puncture healing mechanism in these materials is a function of the synergistic combination of viscoelastic properties. Temperatures at the site of impact were measured to be as high as 130 o C. Also, puncture healing mechanism in a polymeric panel was confirmed and captured by high speed video. The findings reported in this communication highly suggest puncture healing functionality may possibly be tailored for various temperature based applications.
Action Behavior Analysis on Directional Element of Line Protection under Multiple Faults

The action behavior of sequence component directional element, energy directional element and directional element based on variation of power frequency components under simultaneous faults of different phases occurred inside and outside the protection zone is theoretically analyzed. It is pointed out that the basic reason of abnormal action of directional elements is that the faulty points respectively locate at both sides of the CT for protection measurement. On this basis an integrated directional element that can quickly and correctly act under such multiple faults is proposed. The results of real time digital simulation (RTDS) show that the proposed directional element can quickly and correctly determine the direction of faulty point under multiple faults with the same sensitivity as that under the single fault condition.
Synchronization of Heterogeneous Oscillators Under Network Modifications

Synchronization is central to many complex systems in engineering physics (e.g., the power grid, Josephson junction circuits, and electrochemical oscillators) and biology (e.g., neuronal, circadian, and cardiac rhythms). Despite these widespread applications---for which proper functionality depends sensitively on the extent of synchronization---there remains a lack of understanding for how systems can best evolve and adapt to enhance or inhibit synchronization. We study how network modifications affect the synchronization properties of network-coupled dynamical systems that have heterogeneous node dynamics (e.g., phase oscillators with nonidentical frequencies), which is often the case for real-world systems. Our approach relies on a synchrony alignment function (SAF) that quantifies the interplay between heterogeneity of the network and of the oscillators and provides an objective measure for a system's ability to synchronize. We conduct a spectral perturbation analysis of the SAF for structural network modifications including the addition and removal of edges, which subsequently ranks the edges according to their importance to synchronization. Based on this analysis, we develop gradient-descent algorithms to efficiently solve optimization problems that aim to maximize phase synchronization via network modifications. We support these and other results with numerical experiments.
Predicting renal recovery after liver transplant with severe pretransplant subacute kidney injury: The impact of warm ischemia time

Identifying which liver transplantation (LT) candidates with severe kidney injury will have a full recovery of renal function after liver transplantation alone (LTA) is difficult. Avoiding unnecessary simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLKT) can optimize the use of scarce kidney grafts. Incorrect predictions of spontaneous renal recovery after LTA can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. We retrospectively analyzed all LTA patients at our institution from February 2002 to February 2013 (n = 583) and identified a cohort with severe subacute renal injury (n = 40; creatinine <2 mg/dL in the 14-89 days prior to LTA and not on renal replacement therapy [RRT] yet, ≥2 mg/dL within 14 days of LTA and/or on RRT). Of 40 LTA recipients, 26 (65%) had renal recovery and 14 (35%) did not. The median (interquartile range) warm ischemia time (WIT) in recipients with and without renal recovery after LTA was 31 minutes (24-46 minutes) and 39 minutes (34-49 minutes; P = 0.02), respectively. Adjusting for the severity of the subacute kidney injury with either Acute Kidney Injury Network or Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-Stage Kidney Disease criteria, increasing WIT was associated with lack of renal recovery (serum creatinine <2 mg/dL after LTA, not on RRT), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.08 (1.01-1.16; P = 0.03) and 1.09 (1.01-1.17; P = 0.02), respectively. For each minute of increased WIT, there was an 8%-9% increase in the risk of lack of renal recovery after LTA. In a separate cohort of 98 LTA recipients with subacute kidney injury, we confirmed the association of WIT and lack of renal recovery (OR, 1.04; P = 0.04). In LT candidates with severe subacute renal injury, operative measures to minimize WIT may improve renal recovery potentially avoiding RRT and the need for subsequent kidney transplant. Liver Transplantation 22 1085-1091 2016 AASLD.
Marine Toxins and Venomous and Poisonous Marine Plants and Animals (Invertebrates)

Publisher Summary The venomous and poisonous marine animals have held a fascination for man since the very beginnings of written history. Early people often attributed the consequences of their bites and stings, or their ingestion, to forces beyond nature, sometimes to vengeful deities thought to be embodied in the animals themselves. To these early people, the effects of the bites or stings by animals were so surprising, so varied, and often so violent that the injuries were usually shrouded with much myth and superstition. The study of the marine toxins, marine toxinology, has also enjoyed a fascinating history, since by the very nature of the complexity of these substances and their ability to destroy life by complicated and sometimes undetermined means, their investigation has invited speculation, exaggeration, and sometimes pure fantasy. However, during the past three decades, considerable progress has been made on the chemistry and physiopharmacology of the marine toxins. This chapter treats the toxins of some of the more venomous and poisonous organisms of the world. It is concerned with the chemical, toxicological and immunological properties of the toxins, the animal's venom apparatus and the mechanism of envenomation. Some attention has been given to the general biology of the animals and to the clinical problem of poisoning in man. A second purpose of the chapter is to present an account of several of the more interesting current problems in marine toxinology.
Abstract 15840: The Sound of Atherosclerosis: Voice Signal Characteristics are Independently Associated With Coronary Artery Disease

Background: There is a clinical need for remote, non-invasive, and objective tests for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Voice signal analysis is an emerging non-invasive diagnostic tool that has been assessed and associated with several disease states. The current study tested the hypothesis that patient voice signal characteristics are associated with the presence of CAD. Methods: The study population included 121 consecutive patients referred for elective coronary angiography, as well as 25 control patients referred for non-cardiac elective procedures. All subjects had their voice signal recorded using an application downloaded to their personal smartphone device prior to the coronary angiography. Voice was recorded, stored and analyzed for multiple features of voice intensity and frequency using “Beyond Verbal Communications” clinical trial application. Analysis was blinded with respect to patient data. CAD was defined as at least one angiographic stenosis > 70%. Results: Mean age of the study population was 58±12 years and 51% were men. 42 (34%) patients had significant CAD. Compared with subjects with no coronary disease, patients with CAD were older (62±10 vs. 56±13 years, p=0.002). Univariate binary logistic regression analysis identified 11 voice features that were associated with CAD (p<0.05 for all). Stepwise binary logistic regression with adjustment for age and gender showed the every one unit increase in the average cycle time of fluctuations in the frequency band around 1622hz was associated with 2.4 increased likelihood of CAD (95% CI 1.18-4.79, p=0.015). Conclusions: We identified abnormal voice characteristics that are independently associated with CAD. This study suggests a potential relationship between voice characteristics and CAD. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif