cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A theoretical analysis of Ka-band turnaround noise in radios used for deep space comm/Nav

Deep-space missions typically use a radio link between the Deep Space Network (DSN) ground stations and the spacecraft to transmit telemetry data and to generate the range and Doppler shift measurements that enable precise navigation. The amount of carrier phase noise present in this radio link is an important metric of performance, and radios are often designed to minimize the impact of this noise. From a communication perspective, more noise causes an increase in the system's frame-error rate, and from a navigation perspective more noise causes larger errors in the range and Doppler shift measurements. A thorough understanding of how carrier phase noise enters the spacecraft radio system and how that noise is modified during the communication process enables the radio designers to build a better system. This paper contributes to the current body of knowledge on turnaround noise for Deep Space communication and Doppler data, and how to mitigate the resulting performance degradation. In particular, this paper focuses on systems with an X-band uplink and a Ka-band downlink, as is planned for the NASA Solar Probe Plus and Europa Missions. The analysis in this paper compares the design equations listed in the DSN Telecommunications Link Design Handbook (810-005) with more rigorous and higher fidelity equations recently proposed by one of the authors. Numerous factors that affect the final noise level are considered: thermal noise at the DSN receiver, turn-around factors, uplink scintillation, uplink thermal noise, radio filtering effects, downlink scintillation, DSN receiver filtering, and implementation loss. The equations that result from this analysis accurately verify and explain data collected from a recent DTF-21 test. The resulting higher fidelity models permit analysts to make refinements to current radio designs to mitigate this interference. Several example mitigation techniques are discussed and evaluated for the previously mentioned missions in terms of noise levels and the resulting frame-error rates.
Effects of Agility Training on Soldiers in a Warrior Transition Battalion: A Proof of Concept Study

Background: Soldiers are returning from military service with physical and/or emotional injuries that impair health and overall physical functioning. To address this limitation these Soldiers are assigned to Warrior Transition Battalions (WTB). Objectives: This proof of concept study evaluated the impact of an individualized Agility Program (AP) on the physical functioning of 11 Soldiers assigned to a WTB at a Midwest military base. Methods: A pre-post design was used that assessed four fitness domains (cardiovascular function, agility, mobility and balance) before and after six weeks of two days per week training. Cardiovascular (CV) function was measured by the 6-Minute Walk test, agility by the Illinois Agility test, mobility with the Up and Go test, and balance by Single Leg Stance test. Modifications for the AP were individualized for each participant based on their medical history and current health status. Results: Results indicated significant improvements in the 6-minute walk test (P = 0.05), Illinois Agility test (P = 0.022), Up and Go test (P = 0.002), and single leg stance test (P = 0.027). Soldiers assigned to a WTB may see physical fitness improvements through participation in an individualized AP. Conclusions: This improvement in CV function, strength, agility and balance has the potential to result in better health and improved overall physical functioning.
Variations on a Bhattacharyya Theme

Bhattacharyya introduced a family of bivariate distributions with normal conditions in 1943. He discussed what additional conditions are required to guarantee that the joint distribution is a classical bivariate normal distribution. The family of distributions with normal conditionals is , in itself, an interesting exponential family. Its structure is discussed in the present paper. Extensions to higher dimensions and to cases in which the conditional distributions are prescribed to belong to non normal families are discussed. These conditionally specified families of distributions are shown to be particularly suitable for use as prior distributions in multiparameter Bayesian Inference settings.
Rhetoric and the archive

ABSTRACTBlending personal narrative, pedagogical guidance, and analytic commentary, this essay performatively explores the individual and social dimensions of contemporary rhetorical inquiry, claiming the experiential interdependence of its manifold forms. Situating archive as a conceptual bridge that links different types of practice, the essay first proffers an approach to reading the archive of rhetorical scholarship in order to ascertain its evolving dynamics. Next, it explicates the creation of an archive for an individual project, demonstrating that a letter of condolence written by a Union soldier in 1863 represents text or context, and is recognizable as fragment or icon, depending not on its physical or formal features but on the analytic purposes and processes of the scholar. The essay constitutes pluralism and specialization as a productive paradox for individual scholars as well as the disciplinary community, and it emphasizes the interactions of analytic approach and affective associations.
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty:: Morphological findings in 3 patients

Little morphologic information is available on the status of the major epicardial coronary arteries in patients dying after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. We studied hearts from 3 men (aged 60, 45 and 47 years) dying 3 days, 1 month and 7 months after balloon--dilatation of obstructed coronary artery segments. Twice the left anterior, once the left main coronary artery have been desobliterated. In one patient the procedure has not been successful and a venous bypass graft had to be implanted. Histologically the site of dilatation is clearly recognisable after 7 months. The characteristic findings are intimal tears in the segment opposite to the obstructing plaque. The intimal gaps are filled after 7 months by a neointima. In the dilated left main coronary we find 1 month after angioplasty an extensive proliferation of smooth muscle cells resulting in restenosis. Two patients died suddenly after an interval without angina. In the third patient--ome hours after bypass grafting--spasm of the non-involved right coronary artery occurred resulting in inferior infarction; this patient died 3 days after dilatation.
Psychological Text Analysis in the Digital Humanities

In the digital humanities, it has been particularly difficult to establish the psychological properties of a person or group of people in an objective, reliable manner. Traditionally, the attempt to understand an author’s psychological makeup has been primarily (if not exclusively) accomplished through subjective interpretation, qualitative analysis, and speculation. In the world of empirical psychological research, however, the past two decades have witnessed an explosion of computerized language analysis techniques that objectively measure psychological features of the individual. Indeed, by using modern text analysis methods, it is now possible to quickly and accurately extract information about people—personalities, individual differences, social processes, and even their mental health—all through the words that people write and speak. This chapter serves as a primer for researchers interested in learning about how language can provide powerful insights into the minds of others via well-established and easy-to-use psychometric methods. First, this chapter provides a general background on language analysis in the field of psychology, followed by an introduction to modern methods and developments within the field of psychological text analysis. Finally, a solid foundation to psychological text analysis is provided in the form of an overview of research spanning hundreds of studies from labs all over the world.
Doctrine and Power: Theological Controversy and Christian Leadership in the Later Roman Empire

This is one of the latest volumes in the distinguished series Transformation of the Classical Heritage (Peter Brown, general editor). It is a history of early Arianism, but less of the Arianism of ...
A radioluminescent nuclear battery using volumetric configuration: 63 Ni solution/ZnS:Cu,Al/InGaP

Abstract Energy dense power sources are critical to the development of compact, remote sensors for terrestrial and space applications. Nuclear batteries using β--emitting radioisotopes possess energy densities 1000 times greater than chemical batteries. Their power generation is a function of β- flux saturation point relative to the planar (2D) configuration, β- range, and semiconductor converter. An approach to increase power density in a beta-photovoltaic (β-PV) nuclear battery is described. By using volumetric (3D) configuration, the radioisotope, nickel-63 (63Ni) in a chloride solution was integrated in a phosphor film (ZnS:Cu,Al) where the β- energy is converted into optical energy. The optical energy was converted to electrical energy via an indium gallium phosphate (InGaP) photovoltaic (PV) cell, which was optimized for low light illumination and closely matched to radioluminescence (RL) spectrum. With 15 mCi of 63Ni activity, the 3D configuration energy values surpassed 2D configuration results. The highest total power conversion efficiency (ηt) of 3D configuration was 0.289% at 200 µm compared 0.0638% for 2D configuration at 50 µm. The highest electrical power and ηt for the 3D configuration were 3.35 nWe/cm2 at an activity of 30 mCi and 0.289% at an activity of 15 mCi, respectively. By using 3D configuration, the interaction space between the radioisotope source and scintillation material increased, allowing for significant electrical energy output, relative to the 2D configuration. These initial results represent a first step to increase nuclear battery power density from microwatts to milliwatts per 1000 cm3 with the implementation of higher energy β- sources.
Multimode Geometric-Profile Monitoring with Correlated Image Data and Its Application to Nanoparticle Self-Assembly Processes

The authors propose a new method for monitoring changes in geometric profiles of objects, where the geometric profiles may change through various modes in a dynamic process.
Development of a High-brightness, Quasi-monoenergetic Neutron Source for Neutron Imaging

Abstract Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is developing a high-brightness, quasi-monoenergetic neutron source for fast neutron-based imaging. The intensity of the neutron source is expected to be 10 10∼11 n/s/sr with energies set at 7 MeV or 10 MeV with 5% bandwidth at 0-degrees. The neutrons are produced by the D(d,n) reaction using one of two accelerators of consisting of 1 or 2 RFQs (depending on the desired energy) and a DTL. Each accelerator will deliver approximately 100- or 300-uA (depending on the energy) average current deuteron beam onto a pulsed deuterium gas target or a solid target, depending on the application. In this paper, we discuss some of our benchmarking measurements and overall progress in preparation to be online in late 2017. We also discuss our performance expectations and broader set of applications.
Water from Wood: Pouring through Pores

Natural materials based on cellulose such as wood, paper, and foams have received extensive attention in the context of clean energy, fresh water, and environment. In this issue of Joule , Hu and coworkers report their findings related to the use of different types of wood for solar steam generation. They relate the solar steam generation efficiency to the microstructure and thermal properties of the wood employed as interfacial evaporator and provide design rules for the rational selection of wood for solar steam generation.
CD5 inhibits the activity of dendritic cells to activate T cells and induce immune responses (IRM7P.703)

It is known that CD5 mediates inhibitory signals in T cells and plays important roles in immune tolerance. Little is known about whether CD5 has a role in dendritic cell (DC) induced T cell activation and immune responses. Here we show that CD5 was expressed by CD11c+ DC in the thymus, lymph node, spleen and skin of mice. A deficiency in CD5 gene (CD5-/-) did not have a significant effect on the development of DC. However, it enhanced the activity of DC to activate CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro and in vivo. CD5-/- DC were more potent than wild type DC in the induction of anti-tumor immunity and contact hypersensitivity response in animals. CD5-/- DC induced higher levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma production by T cells than wild type DC. Restoration of CD5 expression on CD5-/- DC inhibited their activity to activate T cells and induce immune responses in mice. Further analysis indicated that the deficiency in CD5 increased the production of IL-12 and IL-23 by DC and that the restoration of CD5 expression inhibited the cytokine production by CD5-/- DC. Collectively, the study has demonstrated that CD5 inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines by DC and has an inhibitory effect on their activity to activate T cells and induce immune responses. It provides novel insights into mechanisms for DC induced T cell tolerance and immune suppression.
Natural disasters in Italy: do we invest enough in risk prevention and mitigation?

Italy is exposed to a number of major natural risks. In the period 1944–2012, earthquakes, landslides and floods have resulted in huge losses with an economic cost (widely underestimated) of 3.5 bi...
Series Expansion Solution for Circuit Problems

In this chapter we assume the solution of the form of a polynomial series of the form y(t) =∑ n a n t n and set out to figure the series coefficients. Each of the branch currents and/or node voltages is assumed to have such a series expansion. When doing KVL/KCL we end up tying the various series coefficients and finally when we use the initial conditions were are able to calculate those iteratively. The beauty of this method is that it gives us accurate solution for small time intervals, but does need more expansion terms to predict solution at large time intervals. We apply the method on various RLC problems and obtain good match to SPICE, especially for short time scales. This method is meant to pave the way for the more efficient Fourier series method, but it stresses the idea of series summation and the idea of achieving more accurate solutions via including more series terms.
Retrospective Analysis of Physician-based Surveys Published in OPRS.

PURPOSE To review physician-based clinical surveys published in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. METHODS Complementary Ovid and PubMed searches of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal content were performed for the term "survey." Results were narrowed to studies that specifically addressed physicians' clinical practices. This search resulted in 162 articles, and after dual-investigator independent screening, 13 surveys met inclusion criteria. RESULTS Of the 13 surveys published from 2007 to January 2017, 6 were published since 2015, showing an increased trend in survey-based publications. Topics included assessing practice patterns regarding eyelid disorders, thyroid eye disease, optic nerve sheath fenestration, anophthalmic socket, and diagnosing lacrimal disorders. Average response rate was 38.7% (range 17.5-60%), with 201 average number of replies (range 72-310). Nine out of 13 surveys included some form of statistical analysis with the remainder presenting data in percentages. CONCLUSIONS There has been an increased rate of survey-type publications in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery over the past 10 years. The low response rate and frequent lack of statistical analysis raise concerns regarding the validity and usefulness of such studies. The authors believe that survey studies can be improved through better standardization and the use of author guidelines. They have made specific recommendations to improve the impact of survey papers in the future.
Plane Electromagnetic Waves and Gaussian Beams

Plane electromagnetic waves are solutions of the Maxwell equations that are unbounded in the plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation. They approximately describe local properties of the real field far from the source of radiation. They can also be used as building blocks from which a general solution of Maxwell’s equations in free space can be constructed. An important practical example of electromagnetic radiation that finds many applications in accelerator physics and elsewhere is a focused laser beam. The distribution of the electromagnetic field in such light is characterized by Gaussian modes which can be considered as a superposition of plane waves propagating at small angles to the direction of the beam. Gaussian beams correctly describe the field structure near the focus and the diffraction of the beam as it propagates away from the focal region. In this chapter, we will briefly summarize the main properties of plane electromagnetic waves, and then derive the field in a Gaussian beam.
Trigger warnings as respect for student boundaries in university classrooms

The fierce public and scholarly debate over trigger warnings in university classrooms has often characterized the issue as one of academic freedom and ignored the social justice arguments for trigg...
Inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases: implications for cancer development

MMPs are a family of at least 25 highly homologous secreted or plasma membrane-associated zinc-binding proteinases (reviewed in [1,2]). MMPs can be produced by virtually all cell types, and regulate many developmental processes and a variety of pathological conditions, including, but not limited to, cancer, auto-immune diseases, and periodontitis.
There’s no Place like Home: Oklahoman’s Preferences for Site of Death

Objective: This study sought to document Oklahomans knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding palliative care; this paper focuses on subjects stated preferences for where they would choose to die. Design: Quantitative study used a random state-wide telephone sample of Oklahoma residents. Subjects: Data from 804 residents in the State of Oklahoma between November and December (2005). Results: An overwhelming majority of the respondents (80%) reported preference to die at home in the event that they suffer a terminal illness. The proportion of respondents under the age of 65 who preferred to die at home (80.9%) was slightly higher than those aged 65 and over (74.8%). Also, while 81.4% of the female respondents reported preference for dying at home, 75.8% of the male respondents shared such preference (P 0.05). More married respondents (82.7%) than non-married respondents (74.7%) reported preference for dying at home (P 0.01). A signifi cant association (P 0.05) between income level and preference for dying at home was noted. While 84.3% of those with income level at $21,000 or more reported reference for dying at home, 76.4% of those with income below $21,000 reported the same preference. Conclusions: This paper offers insight into factors that infl uence Oklahoman’s stated preferences for site of death that can assist the statewide agenda in the planning and provision of palliative care. This information can be adapted in other states or countries to determine palliative care needs.
On Critical Slowing-Down in Spin Glasses

It is rare to find an experimental feature in spin glasses which is both clear-cut and unchanged over a wide variety of materials. The rather simple critical slowing-down of the spin relaxation rates which Salamon and coworkers ‘ have recently identified in the electron spin resonance data from a variety of spin glasses seems to be such a feature. I shall review Salamon’s arguments, and then report new results from two theoretical models which support the view that the transition from par-amagnet to spin glass should be marked by slow spin fluctuations, and that experimentally this critical slowing-down should be dominated by mean field behavior.
Catalytic and Magnetic Anisotropy of Iron Surfaces

Small (1.5 nm), medium size (4 nm), and large (30 nm) metallic iron particles jwere prepared on a magnesium oxide support. The turnover number, N, for the ammonia synthesis on these catalysts at atmospheric pressure between 570 and 700° K, was found to increase with particle size and with nitrogen-induced surface reconstruction for the small and medium-size particles. This latter effect was also accompanied by decreases in the surface-sensitive magnetic-anisotropy energy barrier and carbon monoxide chemisorption of the corresponding iron surfaces. It thus appears that small and medium-size particles are lacking in certain sites which are produced via the nitrogen-induced surface reconstruction, and all effects taken together indicate that these sites are C7 sites, i.e., surface atoms with seven nearest neighbors.
Clostridioides (Formerly Clostridium) difficile Infection During Hospitalization Increases the Likelihood of Nonhome Patient Discharge.

BACKGROUND Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, including frequent hospitalizations. However, the impact of CDI after hospital discharge is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess patient discharge disposition and understand CDI-related risk factors for nonhome discharge. METHODS Using a nationally representative database of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients (2003-2014) and a validation database from hospitalized non-VHA patients in Houston, Texas, admission and discharge disposition was obtained for patients with CDI and matched controls. Incidence of and clinical/microbiologic risk factors for nonhome discharge were assessed using these databases. RESULTS A total of 15173 VHA patients with CDI and 48599 non-CDI control patients originally admitted from the community were included. Significantly more patients with CDI were discharged to a nonhome location compared with controls (18% vs 8%; P < .0001), most commonly hospice/death (12%) or nursing home/long-term care facility (6%). Results were confirmed using a propensity-matched analysis and a validation cohort of 1941 hospitalized patients with CDI in Houston, Texas. Age, comorbidities, severe CDI, and ribotypes F027, F001, and F053-163 were associated with a nonhome discharge (P < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Hospitalized patients with CDI frequently required a higher level of medical care residence at discharge compared with non-CDI patients. Risk factors for discharge to a higher level of care included CDI disease severity and variables associated with recurrent CDI.
Rape-Related Pregnancy and Association With Reproductive Coercion in the U.S

Introduction Rape-related pregnancy is a public health problem where sexual violence and reproductive health intersect; yet, there is a dearth of research to inform public health practice. The authors examined the prevalence and characteristics of rape-related pregnancy in U.S. women and its association with intimate partner reproductive coercion. Methods Data years 2010–2012 are pooled from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a telephone survey of U.S. adults. Accounting for complex survey design, in 2017, authors estimated the prevalence of vaginal rape–related pregnancy for U.S. women overall and by race/ethnicity. The authors also examined the proportion of rape-related pregnancy among victims of vaginal rape overall, by perpetrator type and by presence of reproductive coercion in the context of intimate partner rape. Results Almost 2.9 million U.S. women (2.4%) experienced rape-related pregnancy during their lifetime. Among rape victims, 77.3% reported a current/former intimate partner perpetrator, and 26.2% of intimate partner rape victims reported rape-related pregnancy compared with those raped by an acquaintance (5.2%) or stranger (6.9%). Women raped by an intimate partner and reporting rape-related pregnancy were significantly more likely to have experienced reproductive coercion compared with women who were raped by an intimate partner but did not become pregnant. Conclusions This paper reports the first national prevalence of rape-related pregnancy by any perpetrator in two decades. The high proportion of rape-related pregnancy committed by intimate partner perpetrators and its association with reproductive coercion suggest the need for primary prevention of intimate partner violence and access to trauma-informed reproductive health services for rape/intimate partner violence victims.
Analyzing disinformation and crowd manipulation tactics on YouTube

YouTube, since its inception in 2005, has grown to become largest online video sharing website. It's massive userbase uploads videos and generates discussion by commenting on these videos. Lately, YouTube, akin to other social media sites, has become a vehicle for spreading fake news, propaganda, conspiracy theories, and radicalizing content. However, lack ineffective image and video processing techniques has hindered research on YouTube. In this paper, we advocate the use of metadata in identifying such malicious behaviors. Specifically, we analyze metadata of videos (e.g., comments, commenters) to study a channel on YouTube that was pushing content promoting conspiracy theories regarding World War III. Identifying signals that could be used to detect such deviant content (e.g., videos, comments) can help in stemming the spread of disinformation. We collected over 4,145 videos along with 16,493 comments from YouTube. We analyze user engagement to assess the reach of the channel and apply social network analysis techniques to identify inorganic behaviors.
Effect of competing mechanisms on fracture toughness of metals with ductile grain structures

Abstract The fracture toughness of ductile materials depends on the combined effect of plastic dissipation in the constituents and energy spent on creating new crack surfaces. The design of polycrystalline metals with improved fracture toughness requires in-depth understanding of two levels of competing mechanisms: the competition between plastic deformation and crack formation as well as the competition between transgranular and intergranular fracture. Currently, no systematic approach exists to analyze the effects of the two competitions. The fundamental challenges lie in the difficulty in separating the two forms of energy dissipation and inadequate knowledge about the correlation between fracture mechanisms and material fracture toughness. In this paper, a multiscale framework based on the Cohesive Finite Element Method (CFEM) is developed to quantify the two levels of competitions and to predict the fracture toughness of ductile materials by calculating the J-integral at the macroscale. The fracture surface energy for the crack paths associated with different types of failure mechanisms is evaluated through explicit simulation of crack propagation at the microstructure level. The calculations carried out here concern the AZ31 Mg alloy, but the overall approach applies to other materials as well. Results indicate that a proper balance between transgranular and intergranular failure can lead to optimized fracture toughness. Microstructures with refined grain sizes and balanced bonding strength in grains and grain boundaries can best promote the manifestation of favorable failure mechanisms, and as a result, enhance fracture toughness.
UNCOVERING THE CONTRADICTIONS IN SAMUEL GOMPERS'S “MORE”: READING “WHAT DOES LABOR WANT?”

Samuel Gompers's address at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago is typically remembered for its invocation, “we want ‘more.’” This essay views Gompers's address in its broader context as a window into the Gilded Age labor movement and America's crisis of the 1890s. Gompers's thinking can be understood in terms of two sets of contradictory discourses or antinomies: labor republicanism as distinguished from socialism and apocalyptic change as distinguished from evolutionary development. Rather than someone who rationalized the interests of a narrow stratum of craft workers, Gompers emerges from this analysis as a serious and complex thinker who sought to bridge and contain divergent discourses and political tendencies within the broader labor movement for which he was the spokesperson.
Whooping Cough in a Young Infant.

Whooping Cough in a Young Infant An 8-week-old girl was admitted to the hospital with 2 weeks of worsening cough associated with a whooping sound (shown in a video), along with episodes of apnea. B...
Integrative single-cell and bulk RNA-seq analysis in human retina identified cell type-specific composition and gene expression changes for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) preferentially affects distinct cell types and topographic regions in retina. To characterize the impact of AMD on gene expression changes across retinal cell types and regions, we generated both single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data from macular and peripheral retina in postmortem human donors with and without AMD. The scRNA-seq data revealed 11 major cell types with many previously reported AMD risk genes showing substantial cell type and region specificity. Cell type proportional changes with advancing AMD stage were significant for Muller glia, rods, astrocytes, microglia and endothelium.
Optimizing composition in MnBi permanent magnet alloys

Abstract MnBi is an attractive rare-earth-free permanent magnetic material due to its low materials cost, high magnetocrystalline anisotropy (1.6 × 106 J m−3), and good magnetization (81 emu g−1) at room temperature. Although the theoretical maximum energy product (BH)max of 20 MGOe is lower than that of NdFeB-based magnets, the low temperature phase (LTP) of MnBi has a positive temperature coefficient of coercivity, up to 200 °C, which makes it a potential candidate for high temperature applications such as permanent magnet motors. However, the oxygen sensitivity of the MnBi compound and the peritectic reaction between Mn and Bi make it difficult to synthesize into a material with high purity. This challenge is partly offset by adding excess Mn to the alloy, with composition close to Mn55Bi45 resulting in the highest saturation magnetization after common processing techniques such as arc melting, casting, melt spinning, and ball milling. Here we report a systematic process which reduces the amount of excessive Mn, while simultaneously providing a large saturation magnetization (MS) of 79 emu g−1 at 300 K in the annealed Mn52Bi48 ribbons. We also report excellent magnetic properties in the ball powders, resulting in 0.5–5 µm particles with MS of 75.5 emu g−1, coercivity Hci of 10.8 kOe, and (BH)max of 13 MGOe using 9 T applied field at 300 K. A secondary annealing treatment on various ball milled powders increased Hci by up to 21%, and also resulted in an increase in MS up to 78.8 emu g−1.
Cooperative Avoidance Control With Velocity-Based Detection Regions

Guaranteed collision avoidance control laws for multi-agent systems typically rely on constant detection regions. This constraint tends to generate conservative and slower agents’ trajectories. To reduce the conservatism of avoidance control laws, this letter presents two decentralized, cooperative strategies for arbitrarily large groups of agents that decrease the vehicles’ effective detection regions by using velocity information. The vehicles are modeled as a class of nonlinear Lagrangian systems which full state vector represents absolute position. The control laws are proven to guarantee collision avoidance at all times and are shown to be more energy-efficient and to generate faster and smoother trajectories than traditional methods. Moreover, by decreasing the detection regions, the agents are able to converge to destinations closer to each other’s avoidance regions, a feature not possible with traditional avoidance control.
Mechanical characterization of thermally treated calcite-cemented sandstone using nanoindentation, scanning electron microscopy and automated mineralogy

Abstract In this study, we proposed a series of experimental and imaging techniques to investigate variations in the mechanical properties (reduced modulus, Er and hardness, H) of minerals and mineral-to-mineral contacts at a nanoscale in calcite-cemented sandstone subjected to high temperature treatment (500 °C) in a furnace. Automated mineralogy combined with environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) was used to determine minerals and mineral-to-mineral contacts in oven-dried and furnace-heated calcite-cemented sandstone. The crack density in oven-dried and furnace-heated calcite-cemented sandstone samples was measured using a MATLAB code written for ESEM image processing. The results showed significantly increased microcrack densities in furnace-heated samples compared with oven-dried samples. Additionally, nanoindentation tests were performed to determine the Er and H of the minerals and mineral-to-mineral contacts subjected to high temperature treatment. The Er and H of the minerals and mineral-to-mineral contacts significantly decreased in furnace-heated samples compared to oven-dried samples. Finally, an effort was made to understand the relationship between nanoscale mechanical properties and mesoscale properties of calcite-cemented sandstone. The decreased Er and H of the different minerals and mineral-to-mineral contacts due to high temperature treatment were likely to be caused by the decreased mesoscale mechanical properties of calcite-cemented sandstone.
A New Community Definition For MultiLayer Networks And A Novel Approach For Its Efficient Computation.

As the use of MultiLayer Networks (or MLNs) for modeling and analysis is gaining popularity, it is becoming increasingly important to propose a community definition that encompasses the multiple features represented by MLNs and develop algorithms for efficiently computing communities on MLNs. Currently, communities for MLNs, are based on aggregating the networks into single graphs using different techniques (type independent, projection-based, etc.) and applying single graph community detection algorithms, such as Louvain and Infomap on these graphs. This process results in different types of information loss (semantics and structure). To the best of our knowledge, in this paper we propose, for the first time, a definition of community for heterogeneous MLNs (or HeMLNs) which preserves semantics as well as the structure. Additionally, our basic definition can be extended to appropriately match the analysis objectives as needed. In this paper, we present a structure and semantics preserving community definition for HeMLNs that is compatible with and is an extension of the traditional definition for single graphs. We also present a framework for its efficient computation using a newly proposed decoupling approach. First, we define a k-community for connected k layers of a HeMLN. Then we propose a family of algorithms for its computation using the concept of bipartite graph pairings. Further, for a broader analysis, we introduce several pairing algorithms and weight metrics for composing binary HeMLN communities using participating community characteristics. Essentially, this results in an extensible family of community computations. We provide extensive experimental results for showcasing the efficiency and analysis flexibility of the proposed computation using popular IMDb and DBLP data sets.
Addition of Nucleophiles to Glycopyranosiduloses

Two distinct types of interactions control the stereochemistry of nucleophilic addition to glycopyranosiduloses. One is the classical nonbonded steric interaction and torsional strain between the incoming nucleophile and substituents on a pyranoside ring. These types of interactions are typical for all polysubstituted six-membered cyclic compounds. The second type of interaction is the electrostatic (dipolar) or electronic interaction between the incoming nucleophile and the glycosidic and/or the ring oxygen and is typical for carbohydrates. We will illustrate these by examining the stereochemistry of addition of various nucleophiles to the carbonyl carbon of glycopyranosid-2-, 3-, and 4-ulose of both α- and β-anomers.
Immunoglobulin A vasculitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective cohort study.

To describe the baseline characteristics and outcome of a series of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV). Patients with biopsy-proven IgAV with IBD ...
System-level modeling methodology for capturing the pile cap, helical pile group, and soil interaction under uplift loads

Abstract In tall and light structures, such as transmission towers, wind turbines, and light-gauge steel structures, there is an increasing application of pile cap with helical pile foundation systems to resist the uplift loads due to the effects of windstorms and earthquakes. There is a lack of knowledge, published literature, or analysis methods to account for the effects of the pile cap, helical pile group, and soil interactions on the holistic response of the foundations, particularly, for the load conditions creating net uplift loads. In the lack of such, discrete modeling approaches are frequently employed in practice. These approaches isolate each system component and analyze them individually, neglecting the interactions between them. In an attempt to bridge this knowledge gap, this study proposes a system-level modeling methodology for the holistic analysis of pile cap systems in dry soil and static load conditions, while accounting for the effects of interactions between system components and the inherent material nonlinearities. The methodology employs a three-stage process in which the material and interaction properties are calibrated with the experimental benchmark specimens. The failure mechanisms are also experimentally verified based on the relative displacement of the piles. Important modeling considerations are discussed, and experimental benchmark specimens are provided to assist practitioners in accurately performing system-level analyses. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is discussed, and the responses obtained, including the load–displacement responses, load capacities, and failure modes, are compared with those obtained from the discrete modeling approaches. The results demonstrate that discrete modeling approaches significantly underestimate the load capacity while not accurately predicting the governing behavior and the failure modes.
Radiation-kinetics interactions: A comparison of opposed-flow flame spread in a low-velocity microgravity and low-pressure downward environments

Abstract Flame spread over solid fuels in an opposed-flow environment has been studied for decades. While the thermal regime, where finite-rate kinetics and radiation are ignored, has a closed-form theoretical solution for the spread rate, only experimental and numerical studies have been used to correlate spread rate data in regimes where kinetics and radiation play important roles. In a low-opposing flow environment such as in microgravity, radiation has been shown to play a dominant role due to the increased residence time leading to radiative flame extinguishment. Experiments with downward flame spread in low pressure environments show remarkable similarities with microgravity flames, and this analogy has been used to replicate and expand the microgravity data. In this study, a scale analysis is used to identify non-dimensional numbers - the Damkohler number and the radiation number controlling the finite-rate kinetic and radiative losses - to explore the similarities and differences between a low-pressure downward configuration and a quiescent low-gravity environment. A comprehensive numerical model with finite-rate kinetics and gas and solid phase radiation is used to explore flame extinguishment by reducing ambient pressure and gravity level independently. It is shown that a reduction of pressure in a downward configuration accompanies enhanced radiative loss and finite-rate chemical effects, a combination that brings about flame weakening leading to extinction. When the gravity level is reduced, the radiation and Damkohler numbers increase. While the enhanced radiative losses cool the flame significantly, the increased residence time allows sufficient combustion for a cooler flame to sustain steady spread until radiative extinction occurs at a very low gravity level. Despite the radiative similarities, the role of finite-rate kinetics is shown to be completely opposite in the two configurations.
Nutritional Anemias: Iron Deficiency and Megaloblastic Anemia

Nutritional anemias in children are important for the clinician to be able to recognize, diagnosis, and treat. Iron deficiency is not only the most common nutritional anemia but also the most common cause of anemia in infancy and childhood. Iron deficiency anemia has important health ramifications including effects on neurodevelopment. Dietary modifications can prevent iron deficiency, and if iron deficiency develops, simple interventions help prevent cognitive detriments. Given the common prevalence of this disease and its impact on neurodevelopment, it is imperative that primary care physicians recognize the condition early and initiate treatment.
Relocation of an Extrasynaptic GABAA Receptor to Inhibitory Synapses Freezes Excitatory Synaptic Strength and Preserves Memory

The excitatory synapse between hippocampal CA3 and CA1 pyramidal neurons exhibits long-term potentiation (LTP), a positive feedback process implicated in learning and memory in which postsynaptic depolarization strengthens synapses, promoting further depolarization. Without mechanisms for interrupting positive feedback, excitatory synapses could strengthen inexorably, corrupting memory storage. Here, we reveal a hidden form of inhibitory synaptic plasticity that prevents accumulation of excitatory LTP. We developed a knockin mouse that allows optical control of endogenous α5-subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors (α5-GABARs). Induction of excitatory LTP relocates α5-GABARs, which are ordinarily extrasynaptic, to inhibitory synapses, quashing further NMDA receptor activation necessary for inducing more excitatory LTP. Blockade of α5-GABARs accelerates reversal learning, a behavioral test for cognitive flexibility dependent on repeated LTP. Hence, inhibitory synaptic plasticity occurs in parallel with excitatory synaptic plasticity, with the ensuing interruption of the positive feedback cycle of LTP serving as a possible critical early step in preserving memory.
An easy way to create duration variables in binary cross-sectional time-series data:

In cross-sectional time-series data with a dichotomous dependent variable, failing to account for duration dependence when it exists can lead to faulty inferences. A common solution is to include d...
Financial flexibility and the choice between dividends and stock repurchases

Abstract This paper measures the growth in open market stock repurchases and the manner in which stock repurchases and dividends are used by U.S. corporations. Stock repurchases and dividends are used at different times from one another, by different kinds of firms. Stock repurchases are very pro-cyclical, while dividends increase steadily over time. Dividends are paid by firms with higher “permanent” operating cash flows, while repurchases are used by firms with higher “temporary”, non-operating cash flows. Repurchasing firms also have much more volatile cash flows and distributions. Finally, firms repurchase stock following poor stock market performance and increase dividends following good performance. These results are consistent with the view that the flexibility inherent in repurchase programs is one reason why they are sometimes used instead of dividends.
Clinical Efficacy of Enzalutamide vs Bicalutamide Combined With Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Men With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Black patients have been underrepresented in prospective clinical trials of advanced prostate cancer. This study evaluated the efficacy of enzalutamide compared with bicalutamide, with planned subset analysis of Black patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), which is a disease state responsive to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Objective To compare the efficacy of enzalutamide vs bicalutamide in combination with ADT in men with mHSPC, with a subset analysis of Black patients. Design, setting, and participants In this randomized clinical trial, a phase 2 screening design enabled a nondefinitive comparison of the primary outcome by treatment. Patients were stratified by race (Black or other) and bone pain (present or absent). Accrual of at least 30% Black patients was required. This multicenter trial was conducted at 4 centers in the US. Men with mHSPC with no history of seizures and adequate marrow, renal, and liver function were eligible. Data analysis was performed from February 2019 to March 2020. Interventions Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive oral enzalutamide (160 mg daily) or bicalutamide (50 mg daily) in addition to ADT. Main outcomes and measures The primary end point was the 7-month prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response (SMPR) rate, a previously accepted surrogate for overall survival (OS) outcome. Secondary end points included adverse reactions, time to PSA progression, and OS. Results A total of 71 men (median [range] age, 65 [51-86] years) were enrolled; 29 (41%) were Black, 41 (58%) were White, and 1 (1%) was Asian. Thirty-six patients were randomized to receive enzalutamide, and 35 were randomized to receive bicalutamide. Twenty-six patients (37%) had bone pain and 37 patients (52%) had extensive disease. SMPR was achieved in 30 of 32 patients (94%; 95% CI, 80%-98%) taking enzalutamide and 17 of 26 patients (65%; 95% CI, 46%-81%) taking bicalutamide (P = .008) (difference, 29%; 95% CI, 5%-50%). Among Black patients, the SMPR was 93% (95% CI, 69%-99%) among those taking enzalutamide and 42% (95% CI, 19%-68%) among those taking bicalutamide (P = .009); among non-Black patients, the SMPR was 94% (95% CI, 74%-99%) among those taking enzalutamide and 86% (95% CI, 60%-96%) among those taking bicalutamide. The 12-month PSA response rates were 84% with enzalutamide and 34% with bicalutamide. Conclusions and relevance The findings of this randomized clinical trial comparing enzalutamide with bicalutamide suggest that enzalutamide is associated with improved outcomes compared with bicalutamide, in terms of the rate and duration of PSA response, in Black patients with mHSPC. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02058706.
Macroeconomic Effects of Federal Reserve's Unconventional Monetary Policy: A Computational Linguistics Approach

I propose a new approach to estimating the Federal Reserve’s unconventional monetary policy after the Great Recession. During the 2009-2015 U.S. zero lower bound period, the Federal Reserve resorted to unconventional policies like forward guidance and large-scale asset purchases. I quantify these policies by creating an unconventional monetary policy index using computational linguistics and machine learning on the FOMC meeting minutes. This index provides information on how much of the discussion during each meeting was pertaining to the large-scale asset purchase program and forward guidance. A positive shock to this measure can be interpreted as more discussion about this topic in particular meeting. Using such shocks as instruments in a in a factor-augmented vector auto-regression framework, I find that the Fed’s unconventional policy had its desired effects of stimulating the economy, by increasing output and reducing the unemployment rate. I also find significant, albeit less, effects on the financial markets.