cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of crystalline thrust sheets in the internal parts of mountain chains

Two kinds of crystalline thrust sheets form in the internides of mountain chains. Type C megathrust sheets are internally brittle slabs of intact crust (composite basement) that detach within the thermally softened ductile-brittle transition (DBT) and, once formed, behave as thin-skinned thrust sheets. Type F thrust sheets are fold-related lobe-shaped thrust sheets that form below or within the DBT by attenuation of the common limb between antiforms and synforms in passive- or flexural-flow folding; transport is controlled by ductile flow. Type C megathrust sheets form by continent-continent or arc-continent collision accompanying A-subduction; Type F sheets form via A- or B-subduction below the DBT. Both result in crustal thickening. Individual Type C megathrusts are very strong (compared to large foreland sheets), with maximum size and displacement attained where crystalline thrusts ramp into weak zones in platform sedimentary rocks. Here crustal thickness may be duplicated, but α (basal detachment) and β (surface slope) angles remain constant (and near zero) because of slab geometry. Coefficient of internal friction along the base of nascent Type C megathrust sheets would be low (<0.3), while the sheet itself would be very strong and coherent, with a high coefficient of internal friction (≥0.85). Foreland thrusts are driven ahead of Type C sheets as crystalline and foreland thrusts merge into the Coulomb wedge of the foreland. Behaviour modes also merge here, because, once formed, Type C sheets commonly ramp onto the platform and propagate along the basal detachment of the deforming platform wedge. Thin platform assemblages on continental promontories restrict the size and displacement of Type C and foreland sheets. Crustal duplexes form in ramp zones as thrusts can no longer propagate along the DBT. Duplexes of platform sedimentary rocks (± basement) may also form beneath the crystalline sheet and arch the sheet above. Late macro- and meso-scale structures (isolated domes, out of sequence thrusts, open folds, some crenellations, and ductile shears) related to thrust emplacement may form within the sheet. Thrust-related meso- and microfabrics are mostly concentrated in or near the fault zone. Character of fault rocks varies with location, rate of motion on the fault, availability of fluid, and ambient T-P conditions in the fault zone.
Comparative techno-economic analysis of advanced biofuels, biochemicals, and hydrocarbon chemicals via the fast pyrolysis platform

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of three product portfolios from a biomass fast pyrolysis biorefinery: biofuel, biochemicals, and hydrocarbon chemicals. The biorefinery design is based on the fast pyrolysis and five-stage fractionation system developed by Iowa State University. It can produce drop-in transportation fuels (biofuel scenario); infrastructure materials such as bioasphalt and bio-cement, and dextrose (biochemicals scenario); and hydrocarbon aromatics and olefins (hydrocarbon chemicals scenario). Bio-oil is fractionated into five stage-fractions and upgraded through different pathways based on the chosen portfolio. Minimum product-selling prices (MPSP) are calculated using a 30-year discounted cash flow rate of return analysis spreadsheet. Uncertainty analysis via Monte-Carlo analysis is used to determine the maximum investment cost (MIC) and the net present value (NPV) distribution.We estimate MPSPs of US$3.09/gallon for biofuels, $433.7/MT for biochemicals, and $7...
Two Steps Forward One Step Back - Developments in the Regulation of Civil Society Organizations in China

Against a short backdrop of the current regulation of civil society organizations in China and the dual management system, this paper discusses several recent developments in the regulatory structure. While dual management is still the system, experiments are being made to create more space for civil society.
Death by Late-Presenting Bochdalek Hernia in Infant Soon After Congenital Cardiac Repair

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) presenting beyond the neonatal period is commonly perceived to be rare. With reported frequencies of 2.6% to 20% of all CDH, it may be an overlooked cause of mortality. Variable symptomatology makes its diagnosis challenging. We report the sudden death of a 3-month-old patient shortly after hospital discharge following congenital heart surgery. Autopsy findings associated the patient's demise with migrated abdominal contents in the chest through a Bochdalek hernia defect. No indications of CDH existed before hospital discharge. Relevant issues pertaining to congenital heart disease, CDH, and importance of autopsy in this context are discussed.
Equivalence of Controlled-source Electric And Magnetic Data For Resistivity Inversion

We use a combination of theory and synthetic surveys to understand whether horizontal magnetic data offer additional information over horizontal electric data alone for CSEM inversions. Our results show that the two data types are almost equally effective at detecting reservoirtype resistivity anomalies in the subsurface. We note that the magnetic data produce somewhat better-behaved inversions close to the seafloor, but this advantage is at least partially offset in the field by the smaller dynamic range available in magnetic data. The practical impact is that we may freely substitute magnetic data for electric data on instruments with faulty electric channels when inverting CSEM surveys.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Engineered Escherichia coli SHuffle Strains and Their Wild-Type Parents

ABSTRACT SHuffle strains are genetically engineered Escherichia coli strains that are capable of oxidizing cysteines within proteins to form disulfide bonds. Here we present the complete genome of both the K-12 and B versions of SHuffle strains along with their parental ancestors. These strains have been of significant use to both the general scientific community and the biotech industry, interested in producing novel disulfide-bonded proteins that were hitherto unable to be expressed in standard E. coli expression strains.
WOMEN AS MANAGERS: ATTITUDES AND ATTRIBUTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE BY MEN AND WOMEN

The article presents a replication of a study that investigated the relationships between attitudes towards women as managers. The study examines a number of attributions for the success and failur...
Library Learning Spaces: Investigating Libraries and Investing in Student Feedback

ABSTRACTWe examine how students in academic libraries work; their furniture, technology and space needs; research methods used to determine these; and the results and evolution of our space design and assessment efforts. From the creation of a new collaborative center at Mann Library at Cornell University in 2007 to our latest space redesign in 2015, we've used a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods—including surveys, interviews, usability tests, and participatory design exercises—to discover the study behaviors and needs of users, applied this data to help redesign our collaborative study spaces, and assessed the results.
MTF-based Resources for Satellite Image Restoration

In this paper, based on MTF (modulation transfer function) theory of image restoration, to discuss how to effectively improve the pseudo-resolution satellite images and details of energy, etc.
The stathmokinetic experiment: a single-parameter and multiparameter flow cytometric analysis.

Publisher Summary The stathmokinetic or metaphase-arrest technique has been introduced as a procedure for estimating cell production or birthrates. By determining the percentage of mitotic cells in a culture at various times following the addition of a chemical agent that arrests cells during division, it is possible to obtain a plot of the increase in mitosis as a function of time. If the growth fraction (GF) is known, the slope of the mitotic accumulation curve will, under certain circumstances, provide an estimate of the cell cycle duration or cell doubling time. This stathmokinetic approach has been widely used over the past several decades to analyze the kinetics of cell growth both in vitro and in vivo . The chapter also reviews various stathmokinetic techniques and discusses their advantages and limitations. Several reviews detailing the flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of stathmokinetic experiments are discussed as are mathematical analyses and interpretation of data obtained from such experiments.
Determination of four acids in the air of workplace by gas chromatography

Objective Four kinds of acids (acetic acid,propionic acid,acrylic acid and methylacrylic acid) in the air in a workplace were quantitatively determined by gas chromatography synchronously.Methods Four acids in the air were adsorbed by silica gel tube sampling and solvent desorption using acetone,then analyzed by GC with FFAP capillary column.Results To acetic acid,propionic acid,acrylic acid and methylacrylic acid,the linear regression equations were respectively y=-4.3+1.46x (r=0.999),y=0.4+2.37x(r= 0.999),y=10.4+1.73x(r=0.999) and y=-2.3+3.21x(r=0.999).The detection limits were respectively 3.4μg/mL,2.1 μg/mL,2.9 μg/mL and 1.6 μg/mL.The average desorption efficiencies were respectively 92.2%~92.8%,94.1%～97.4%,94.8%～95.4% and 94.1%～98.3%.The relative standard deviations were 1.1%～4.0%,1.2%～ 7.8%,0.9%～4.0% and 1.6%~4.8%.Conclusion The method is suitable to determine four kinds of acids in the air in a workplace. Key words: Acetic acid; Propionic acid; Acrylic acid; Methylacrylic acid; Workplace air; Silica gel; Gas chromatography
Management of Status Epilepticus

Significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology and evaluation and management of the patient in status epilepticus have markedly decreased associated morbidity and mortality in the last two decades. Any type of seizure can progress to status epilepticus. Identification and management of the cause is of particular importance for those patients for whom initial pharmacologic management fails. This subgroup of individuals tends to have important underlying metabolic, structural, toxic, or infectious causes that must be addressed. Those episodes associated with CNS pathology tend to have a more serious prognosis. Cause aside, appropriate, organized, and timely care will significantly effect outcome. Treatment goals are fourfold: (1) rapid stabilization of the individual, (2) expeditious termination of both clinical and electrical seizure activity, (3) determination and management of life-threatening precipitants, and (4) timely recognition and minimalization of any adverse physiologic sequelae of seizure activity. Benzodiazepines, phenytoin, and phenobarbital remain the most effective first-line and second-line pharmacologic agents. If these agents prove ineffective, appropriately monitored pentobarbital anesthesia appears to be the modality of choice and should be rapidly instituted.
Strain-sensitive upconversion for imaging biological forces(Conference Presentation)

Nearly all diseases can be traced back to abnormal mechanotransduction, but few sensors can reliably measure biologically-relevant forces in vivo. Here, we investigate sub-25nm lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles as novel optical force probes, which provide several biocompatible features: sharp emission peaks with near infrared illumination, a high signal-to-noise ratio, and photostability. To increase force sensitivity, we include d-metal doping in the nanoparticles; the d-metal siphons energy from the lanthanide ions with an efficiency that varies with pressure. We synthesize cubic-phase NaYF4: Er3+,Yb3+ nanoparticles doped with 0-5% Mn2+ and compress them in a hydrostatic environment using a diamond anvil cell. When illuminated at 980nm, the nanoparticles show sharp emission peaks centered at wavelengths of 522nm, 545nm, and 660nm. In 20nN increments, up to 700nN, the ratio of the red-to-green peaks in 0% Mn-doped nanoparticles increases by nearly 30%, resulting in a perceived color change from orange to red. In contrast, the 1% Mn-doped samples exhibit little color change but a large 40% decrease in upconversion intensity. In both cases, the red-to-green ratio varies linearly with strain and the optical properties are recoverable upon release. We further use atomic force microscopy to characterize optical responses at lower, pico-Newton to nano-Newton forces. To demonstrate in vivo imaging capabilities, we incubate C. elegans with nanoparticles dispersed in buffer solution (5mg/mL concentration) and image forces involved in digestion using confocal microscopy. Our nanoparticles provide a platform for the first, non-genetically-encoded in vivo force sensors, and we describe routes to increase their sensitivity to the single-pN range.
Nonlinear phonon dynamics in Bi 2 Se 3 driven by intense THz pulses and probed with optical second harmonic generation

We demonstrate a powerful, table-top approach for directly visualizing crystal lattice dynamics using optical second harmonic generation after intense terahertz photoexcitation of a specific phonon mode in the topological insulator Bi 2 Se 3 .
Late Follow-Up of Colon Interpositions

The replacement of the esophagus in the pediatric patient is most commonly used in those with congenital esophageal atresia (complicated or long-gap) or those with irreversible damage from caustic ingestion. An interposition using the colon is a technically challenging operation and has rare mortality, but complications are frequent and are related to the length of follow-up. Perseverance in management is necessary as many occur decades following the initial operation; surgical revision is often required. Follow-up now extends to 25 years in some series, which have shown very satisfactory long-term results. We review many large series, reporting long-term outcome and management of late complications. In the senior authors’ experience, the colon conduit provides an excellent substitute esophagus for the pediatric patient.
Similarity and Deviation in Event Segmentation and Memory Integration: Commentary on Richmond, Gold, & Zacks

In this commentary on Richmond, Gold, and Zacks (2017) , we focus on two complementary processes that play critical roles in event segmentation theory, and thus figure prominently in the arguments of the authors. We argue that the processes of similarity and deviation are important not only to event segmentation, but to a process that may seem its polar opposite, namely, integration of separate episodes of experience. In event segmentation theory, the perception of similarity in the ongoing flow of activity is fundamental to behavioral control such that as long as elements of an activity are similar, the event is the “same” and the controlling schema continues to be valid. Equally important in the model is the complement of similarity—deviation is critical in that (a) within an episode, as long as there is no deviation, the current schema can control behavior; and (b) when predictions are violated (a deviation), event boundaries are imposed and the event model is updated. We illustrate these processes in the context of the ERISS model (Encoding, Reactivation, Integration, Selection, and Self-derivation), which was developed to understand derivation of new knowledge through integration of separate episodes, and is here extended to event segmentation.
Effects of dilute-acid pretreatment conditions on filtration performance of corn stover hydrolyzate

The reaction conditions used during dilute-acid pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass control the carbohydrate digestion yield and also hydrolyzate properties. Depending on the conversion route of interest, solid-liquid separation (SLS) may be required to split the hemicellulose-rich liquor from the cellulose-rich insoluble solids, and slurry properties are important for SLS. Corn stover was pretreated at different reaction conditions and the slurries were assessed for conversion yield and filtration performance. Increasing pretreatment temperature reduced the solids mean particle size and resulted in slower slurry filtration rates when vacuum filtered or pressure filtered. Corn stover pretreated at 165°C for 10min and with 1% H2SO4 exhibited the highest xylose yield and best filtration performance with a no-wash filtration rate of 80kg/hm2 and cake permeability of 15x10-15.
Adversarial Training for Relation Extraction

Adversarial training is a mean of regularizing classification algorithms by generating adversarial noise to the training data. We apply adversarial training in relation extraction within the multi-instance multi-label learning framework. We evaluate various neural network architectures on two different datasets. Experimental results demonstrate that adversarial training is generally effective for both CNN and RNN models and significantly improves the precision of predicted relations.
Dynamic treatment selection and modification for personalised blood pressure therapy using a Markov decision process model: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Objective Personalised medicine seeks to select and modify treatments based on individual patient characteristics and preferences. We sought to develop an automated strategy to select and modify blood pressure treatments, incorporating the likelihood that patients with different characteristics would benefit from different types of medications and dosages and the potential severity and impact of different side effects among patients with different characteristics. Design, setting and participants We developed a Markov decision process (MDP) model to incorporate meta-analytic data and estimate the optimal treatment for maximising discounted lifetime quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) based on individual patient characteristics, incorporating medication adjustment choices when a patient incurs side effects. We compared the MDP to current US blood pressure treatment guidelines (the Eighth Joint National Committee, JNC8) and a variant of current guidelines that incorporates results of a major recent trial of intensive treatment (Intensive JNC8). We used a microsimulation model of patient demographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors and side effect probabilities, sampling from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2014), to compare the expected population outcomes from adopting the MDP versus guideline-based strategies. Main outcome measures Costs and QALYs for the MDP-based treatment (MDPT), JNC8 and Intensive JNC8 strategies. Results Compared with the JNC8 guideline, the MDPT strategy would be cost-saving from a societal perspective with discounted savings of US$1187 per capita (95% CI 1178 to 1209) and an estimated discounted gain of 0.06 QALYs per capita (95% CI 0.04 to 0.08) among the US adult population. QALY gains would largely accrue from reductions in severe side effects associated with higher treatment doses later in life. The Intensive JNC8 strategy was dominated by the MDPT strategy. Conclusions An MDP-based approach can aid decision-making by incorporating meta-analytic evidence to personalise blood pressure treatment and improve overall population health compared with current blood pressure treatment guidelines.
A plasma-vacuum interface tracking algorithm for magnetohydrodynamic simulations of coaxial plasma accelerators

Abstract The resistive Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) model describes the behavior of a strongly ionized plasma in the presence of external electric and magnetic fields. For problems involving the plasma with an open boundary to very low pressure/vacuum regions, the continuum assumption is no longer valid in the entire domain of interest. For example, this is seen in a plasma accelerator where a dense plasma expands into a vacuum background. A common practice to deal with this issue is to assign small values of density and pressure to the vacuum regions and proceed to solve the continuum based MHD equations throughout the domain. We show that this approach fails to produce solutions consistent with the physics of the problem and can give rise to unacceptable artifacts such as spurious shocks. We develop a plasma–vacuum interface tracking approach to mitigate this problem. The plasma–vacuum interface is tracked in a physically consistent manner and the MHD equations are solved only in the regions that contain the plasma. The interface tracking is achieved using a face-flux formulation derived from the theoretical solution to a 1D free expansion problem. Coupled with a threshold based approach, the interface tracking is implemented for both explicit and implicit time stepping frameworks on generalized unstructured grids. Simulations of magnetized thermal plasma jets expanding into a vacuum background indicate plume profiles devoid of the unphysical shock obtained using the small background density approach. In the context of resistive MHD simulations, the interface tracking approach overcomes the numerical stiffness induced by specifying a large background resistivity in the vacuum regions, resulting in significant wall-clock time gains.
Natural history of changes in prostate specific antigen in early stage prostate cancer.

AbstractUntil recently, the only information on the growth rate of prostate tumors has been derived from cross-sectional histological labeling studies, autopsy data and clinical studies of patients managed expectantly. However, serial measurements of prostate specific antigen (PSA) may now allow studies of the natural history of the earliest stages of prostate cancer. Frozen sera samples from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging have been used to compare the patterns of change in PSA levels in men with and without prostate cancer up to 25 years before the diagnosis of cancer. Men with no prostatic disease exhibited a slow linear increase in PSA levels, whereas benign prostatic hyperplasia cases showed a gradual acceleration in the rate of change in PSA. In contrast, cancer cases exhibited an early linear phase followed by an exponential phase of increase in PSA levels before diagnosis. On average, the exponential phase of PSA increases began 7 to 9 years before the tumors were detected clinically. Th...
Identification of O,O-dialkyl-S-methylphosphorodithioate residues in fish

O,O-Dialkyl-S-methylphosphorodithioates were found in Mississippi River buffalo fish caught near several chemical plants and oil refineries in Hartford and Wood River, IL. These chemicals, which have not been previously recognized as environmental or food contaminants, were identified and quantitated by a procedure similar to the AOAC multiresidue method for organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides, using gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric detection (FPD). The key to their identification was a GC/FPD retention time pattern that was virtually the same as that for the diazomethane reaction products of a commercial zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate motor oil additive. GC/mass spectrometry (MS) showed that the compound producing the largest GC/FPD peak contained butoxy groups. The identification of this compound as O,O-di(2-methylpropyl)-S-methyl-phosphorodithioate (Compound C) was confirmed by GC/MS analysis by comparison with the authentic material. The buffalo fish contained 0.15 ppm Compound C and 0.5 ppm total O,O-dialkyl-S-methylphosphorodithioates. Subsequent analyses of fish from other areas showed that these contaminants were not limited to the Hartford-Wood River area. Lower residue levels of Compound C, ranging from 0.01 to 0.05 ppm, were found in fish from the Mississippi River at Sauget, IL, and from the Delaware River and Newark Bay in NJ.
What The Niemann-Pick Type C Gene Has Taught Us about Cholesterol Transport

Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NP-C) is characterized by abnormal accumulation of endocytosed cholesterol in lysosomes and the Golgi complex and by delayed induction of cellular homeostatic responses to cholesterol. Positional and complementation cloning has recently identified both the human NPC1 and the syntenic mouse Npc1 genes. Complementation analysis has shown that a second mutant human gene, designated NPC2, produces an identical phenotype. The notable cellular defect in NP-C disease involves impaired trafficking of lysosomally-derived cholesterol to the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Defective enrichment of regulatory sterol pools in the endoplasmic reticulum delays induction of homeostatic responses. Current evidence suggests that the two NPC proteins may: (i) mediate transport of endocytically-derived cholesterol from lysosomes to the Golgi complex and (ii) be linked to regulation of anterograde and retrograde Golgi cholesterol transport. In addition to the disruptions in cholesterol metabolism, impaired trafficking of endocytosed glycolipids along the NPC protein-mediated pathway may play a role in the neuropathology associated with NP-C disease. Future studies of the NPC genes and their products will provide insight into the relationship between cholesterol and glycolipid trafficking.
Towards a physical and personal math coin tutoring system

Many elementary mathematics teachers believe that learning improves significantly when students are instructed with physical objects such as coins, called manipulatives. Unfortunately, teaching with manipulatives is a time consuming process that is best with personalized 1-to-1 tutoring. In this paper, we explore the research challenges and solutions of an automated physical and personal tutoring solution.
L1 Influence on L2 Intonation in Russian Speakers of English

i List of Tables iii List of Figures iv Introduction 1 Literature Review 3 The Importance of Intonation 4 Intonation in Language: the melody of utterances 6 Intonation Contours and Typology 8 English Intonation Contours for Yes-no and Wh-Questions 8 Russian Intonation Contours for Yes-no and Information Questions 13 Potential L1 Intonation Influence on Learners of English 19 Perceptions of and Attitudes toward Russian Intonation in Eng. L2 22 The Importance of Intonation and a Focus on Teaching Intonation 24 Research Questions 28 Methodology 29 Results 36 Discussion 54 Conclusion 58 Bibliography 59
Controversies in VTOS: What Is the Best Approach to the First Rib in VTOS?

The critical consideration in planning treatment for patients with VTOS is that if decompression is performed, it must include the anterior part of the first rib. This area can be approached and resected very easily via the transaxillary approach, and this is our preferred option if no further reconstruction needs to be done. If the vein is not felt to need reconstruction, we advocate simply resecting the rib as above along with aggressive external venolysis; again, the transaxillary approach serves well. If the vein requires reconstruction, however – it is very badly diseased and the patient is symptomatic – direct and thorough exposure must be obtained. The two primary choices in this situation are the paraclavicular approach (with full mobilization of the vein from above) or rotation of the clavicle upwards ala Molina. Either approach, with the patient in the supine position, also makes completion venography very easy (and preserves the ability to correct any problems so found). Many feel there is benefit to decompressing the venous thoracic outlet even if the vein is chronically occluded. Finally, if the patient is highly symptomatic and reconstruction cannot be accomplished, jugular transposition (probably with some form of thoracic outlet decompression) is highly effective.
Structural Health Indices for Steel Truss Bridges

Steel bridges represent a significant portion of the nation’s aging bridge inventory. The United States Army’s inventory has over two hundred steel bridges that are vital to the operation of nearly every Army Installation. The Army regularly inspects their bridges to ensure the continued functionality of the bridges. However, current inspection techniques and schedules may not be able to detect certain defects that could compromise bridge integrity. To supplement current inspection standards, the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has contracted to install a structural health monitoring (SHM) system on the historic steel truss Government Bridge at the Rock Island Arsenal. ERDC envisions a system that measures strain, acceleration, tilt, and electrical resistance to determine the bridge’s structural health. Research into the usefulness of the Damage Locating Vector (DLV) method, and the damage indices that the method calculates, in detecting corrosion damage has been conducted. Numerical studies on a finite element model of the Government Bridge have indicated that the DLV method has potential as a damage detection algorithm on such a large structure. Laboratory experiments using corroded members in a model truss have additionally shown that the DLV can be used to monitor corrosion induced damage.
Which components of processing speed are affected in ADHD subtypes

ABSTRACTThe term “processing speed” (PS) encompasses many components including perceptual, cognitive and output speed. Despite evidence for reduced PS in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (A...
Introduction to the X window system for ada

This work was sponsored by DARPA under STARS contract no. F19628-88-D-0031. Distribution Statement "A" - Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Adjuvant chemotherapy with or without sequential radiation in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Who will win RTOG 0848?

334Background: The current role of adjuvant radiation in the management of resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) is controversial. A prospective trial, RTOG 0848, is currently in process to deter...
Violent Natures: From Coercive Conservation to Climate Change

Since the colonial era, African naturesboth external landscapes and internal human dispositionshave been constructed as violent via the parallel ideologies of wildlife conservation and climate change. Both address the human impact on, responsibility for, and stewardship of the environment through the lens of violent natures. During the colonial era in East Africa, natives were relegated to specific areas, their lands usurped for white settlement and the conservation of dangerous wildlife. Today, conservationists continue to violently evict residents of East and Southern Africa from apparently precarious landscapes. In colonial and contemporary conservation, both native and nature appear unruly and potentially violent. Under the ideology of climate change, as well, poor, non-white populations usually bear the brunt of catastrophic natural (or unnatural) disasters at the same time that they are blamed for contributing to the underlying environmental causes of such events. African environments and peoples are therefore constructed as inherently violent and in need of external intervention via the rhetoric of both conservation and climate change. Each system of thought employs science and technology to cast the poverty-stricken, racialized other in the role of the enlightened noble conservationist; evil instigator of anti-conservationist or climate change-inducing practices; or victim of the violent environments engendered by conservation and climate change. These roles depend, at a basic theoretical level, on the characterization of native, nature, or both native and nature, as violent. Violent Natures thus explores the racialization of nature by connecting the parallel stories of conservation and climate change in Africa. /
First Report of Hadrosomus Teapensis (Distant, 1893) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) in the United States

New distributional records are presented to add Texas, new U. S. state record, and the United States of America, new country record, to the known distribution of the species Hadrosomus teapensis (Distant, 1893) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeidae).
Influence of Project Bundling on Maintenance of Traffic Costs across Highway Project Types

AbstractMaintenance of traffic (MOT) is the process of providing transportation management and traffic control at highway work zones. MOT work is an essential part of any construction project and c...
Business Ethics in a Global Economy: A Cross-Cultural Study Among Working Adults in Russia and Vietnam:

AbstractThe purpose of the present study is to empirically examine the personal perception of working adults on business ethics in Russia and Vietnam. Data were collected with the help of a questio...
Bupropion inhibits serotonin type 3AB heteromeric channels at a physiologically relevant concentration

Abstract Bupropion, a FDA-approved antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake transporters and non-competitively inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) and serotonin type 3A (5-HT3) receptors. 5-HT3 receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that regulate synaptic activity in the central and peripheral nervous system pre- and postsynaptically. In the present study, we examined and compared the effect of bupropion and its active metabolite hydroxybupropion on homomeric 5-HT3A and heteromeric mouse 5-HT3AB receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-electrode voltage clamp experiments. Co-application of bupropion or hydroxybupropion with 5-HT dose-dependently inhibited 5-HT-induced currents in 5-HT3ABRs (IC50 = 866 μM and 505 μM, respectively) but potentiated 5-HT-induced currents at low (30-50 μM) concentrations. The corresponding IC50s for bupropion and hydroxybupropion with 5-HT3AR were 10- and 5-fold lower, respectively (87 μM and 113 μM), and no potentiation was observed. The inhibition of 5-HT3AR and 5-HT3ABR was non-use dependent and voltage-independent, indicating bupropion is not an open channel blocker. The inhibition by bupropion was reversible and time-dependent. Of note, pre-incubation with a low concentration of bupropion that mimics therapeutic drug conditions significantly inhibited 5-HT induced currents in 5-HT3A and even more so 5-HT3AB receptors. In summary, our results indicate that bupropion inhibits 5-HT3ABR, as well as homomeric receptors, and that this inhibition takes place at clinically-relevant concentrations. Inhibition of 5-HT3 receptors by bupropion may contribute to its desired and/or undesired clinical effects. Significance Statement 5-HT3AB receptors are found in brain areas involved in mood regulation. Clinical studies indicate that antagonizing these receptors was successful in treating mood and anxiety disorders. Some currently clinically available antidepressants and antipsychotics act as antagonists of 5-HT3 receptors. Previously, bupropion was shown to be an antagonist at homopentameric 5-HT3A receptors. The present work provides novel insights into the pharmacological effects bupropion exerts on heteromeric 5-HT3AB receptors. The results advance the knowledge on the clinical effect of bupropion as an antidepressant.
Validation of the Bio-Response Solutions Human-28 Low-Temperature Alkaline Hydrolysis System:

Introduction:High temperature alkaline hydrolysis (AH) is recognized as an alternative method for sterilization and disposition of animal carcasses and human remains. The aim of this study is to va...
Short-Term Power Load Forecasting Model Based on Fuzzy Neural Network using Improved Decision Tree

Aiming at the low accuracy of short-term power load forecasting, Short-Term power Load Forecasting Model Based on Fuzzy Neural Network using Improved Decision Tree is proposed. High accuracy power load forecasting for a specific area, specific date and specific time period in the smart grid environment can be implemented for power dispatching. The short-term power load forecasting model preprocesses the historical data of each region and quantifies each feature, then classifies the training data using DBSCAN clustering algorithm and decision tree algorithm MID3, and finally sends the classified data to the fuzzy neural network for training and prediction. Based on the original fuzzy neural network, the short-term power load forecasting model introduces the decision tree to classify the historical data. The simulation results show that the short-term power load forecasting model improves the prediction accuracy, reduces the relative error, and the model is more effective.
Does facility volume influence survival in patients with primary malignant bone tumors of the vertebral column? A comparative cohort study.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND CONTEXT Facility volume has been correlated with survival in many cancers. This relationship has not been established in primary malignant bone tumors of the vertebral column (BTVC). PURPOSE To investigate whether facility patient volume is associated with overall survival in patients with primary malignant BTVCs. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective comparative cohort. PATIENT SAMPLE Adult patients with chordomas, chondrosarcomas, or osteosarcomas of the mobile spine. OUTCOME MEASURES Five-year survival. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 733 patients with primary malignant BTVCs in the national cancer database from 2004 through 2015. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to correlate specific outcome measures with facility volume. Volume was stratified based on cumulative martingale residuals to determine the inflection point of negative to positive impact on survival based on the patient cohort. Long-term survival was compared between patients treated at high and low volume using the Kaplan-Meier method. Only patients with malignant primary tumors were considered eligible for inclusion; patients with incomplete treatment data or benign tumors were excluded. RESULTS Patients treated at high-volume centers (HVCs) were younger (p=.0003) and more likely to be insured (p CONCLUSIONS Primary malignant BTVCs are rare, even for HVCs. Despite this, patient survival was significantly improved when treatment was performed at HVCs.
Abstract P354: Percent of Americans Meeting Food Group Recommendations and Top Food Sources of Key Nutrients in the American Diet

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consumption of a healthy dietary pattern that includes nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, protein foods, and oils. How...
Assessment of the kappa-epsilon Turbulence Model for Compressible Flows using Direct Simulation Data

Abstract : We evaluate the kappa-epsilon turbulence model using direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of a Mach 4 boundary layer. We find that the low Reynolds number damping functions for the Reynolds stress must be corrected by the density ratio to match the DNS data. We present the budget of the kappa equation and assess the modeling of the various source terms. The models for all the source terms, except for the production and dilatational dissipation terms, are found to be adequate. Finally, we present the solenoidal dissipation rate equation and compute its budget using the boundary layer data. We compare this equation with the dissipation rate equation in an incompressible flow to show the equivalence between the two equations. This is the basis for modeling the solenoidal dissipation equation. However, an additional term in the equation due to variation of fluid viscosity needs to be modeled.
Inrush Current Testing

Inrush current testing is used for a variety of purposes including sizing fuses and carrying out power supply performance verification. Effective, accurate inrush testing can do more, including enabling power quality measurements and generating exemplars for machine-learning systems monitoring the power line. Some off-the-shelf AC power supplies offer capabilities for controlled inrush testing, but control dynamics and power limitations affect the shape, peak, and time constants of the results. Also, AC power sources obscure details of the grid connection to a load. To provide more accurate and relevant results, a phase-controlled switch is demonstrated as an alternative that can be used in situ. Established or existing line impedance is automatically included for realistic measurements. This paper reviews the design and performance of a proposed phase-controlled switch, and also reviews application of the measured data for line impedance estimation.
Atom vacancies and electronic transmission Stark effects in boron nanoflake junctions

Finite-sized boron nanomaterials have received little attention in comparison to their graphene-like 2D boron analogues. It is with systems of precise atomic structures where the electrical conductance can be most fruitfully analyzed at the fundamental level. To understand how conductance varies with respect to the electronic structure, and particularly with vacancies, we study finite-sized boron nanoflakes (BNFs) and closely examine their remarkable changes in physical properties. Unlike carbon-based materials, we find from non-equilibrium Green's functions density functional theory (NEGF-DFT) calculations that the charge transport of BNFs with 35–37 atoms is modulated by site-specific atomic vacancies. The BNF with no vacancy (B37) shows significantly lower conductivity (9.23 μS), than B36 with one vacancy (46.1 μS), and lower still than with two vacancies (B35, 54.2 μS). From the thermopower function, these nanomaterials change from strong hole conductors to electron and back to hole conductors with the addition of each vacancy, from a doublet (B37) to singlet (B36) to doublet (B35) ground state, respectively. The projected density of states also reveals a trend from semiconducting to metallic-like character. A key finding is the observation of vacancy-dependent electronic transmission Stark effects (ETSEs) with respect to bias voltage (±1 V) in these molecular junctions. B37 exhibits quadratic behavior of resonance shifting, B36 shows competition between quadratic and cubic, and B35 exhibits a linear Stark effect, although this masks the nature of a cubic response at bias exceeding ±0.8 V. We prove that the vacancy position is a determining factor in the quadratic or linear ETSE behavior, from isomeric structures of these BNFs. The I–V responses also reveal that charge transport increases with vacancy for these nanoflakes. Thus, not only do vacancies affect nanoflake conductivity, but they also affect the nature of electrical transmission in the presence of a voltage bias, which is important for transistor switching. It follows then, that rather than seeking to fabricate electronic devices with pristine, defect-free boron nanoflakes, we should, however, be introducing site-specific atomic defects for high-performance devices.
Relation of Biomarkers of Cardiac Injury, Stress, and Fibrosis With Cardiac Mechanics in Patients ≥ 65 Years of Age.

High sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hscTnT), soluble ST2 (sST2), N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and galectin-3 are biomarkers of cardiac injury, stress, myocardial stretch, and fibrosis. Elevated levels are associated with poor outcomes. However, their association with cardiac mechanics in older persons is unknown. Associations between these biomarkers and cardiac mechanics derived from speckle tracking echocardiography, including left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS), early diastolic strain, and left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) were evaluated using standardized beta coefficients () in a cross sectional analysis with cardiac biomarkers in older patients without cardiovascular disease, low ejection fraction, or wall motion abnormalities. Biomarker associations with strain were attenuated by demographics and risk factors. In adjusted models, LVLS was associated with continuous measures of hscTnT (β∧−0.06, p = 0.020), sST2 (β∧ −0.05, p = 0.024) and NT-proBNP (β∧ −0.06, p = 0.007). “High” levels (i.e., greater than prognostic cutpoint) of hscTnT (>13 ng/ml), sST2 (>35 ng/ml), and NT-proBNP (>190 pg/ml) were also associated with worse LVLS. In risk factor adjusted models, LARS was associated with hscTnT (β∧ −0.08, p = 0.003) and NT-proBNP (β∧−0.18, p 13 ng/ml) and high NT-proBNP (>190 pg/ml) were also both associated with worse LARS. Gal-3 was not associated with any strain measure. In conclusion, in persons ≥ 65 years of age, without cardiovascular disease, low ejection fraction, or wall motion abnormalities, hscTnT, sST2, and NT-proBNP are associated with worse LVLS. HscTnT and NT-proBNP are associated with worse LARS. In conclusion, these subclinical increases in blood biomarkers, and their associations with subtle diastolic and systolic dysfunction, may represent pre-clinical heart failure.
A Rigorous Path Integral for Supersymmetic Quantum Mechanics and the Heat Kernel

In a rigorous construction of the path integral for supersymmetric quantum mechanics on a Riemann manifold, based on Bar and Pfaffle’s use of piecewise geodesic paths, the kernel of the time evolution operator is the heat kernel for the Laplacian on forms. The path integral is approximated by the integral of a form on the space of piecewise geodesic paths which is the pullback by a natural section of Mathai and Quillen’s Thom form of a bundle over this space. In the case of closed paths, the bundle is the tangent space to the space of geodesic paths, and the integral of this form passes in the limit to the supertrace of the heat kernel.
The Posting of Workers Saga: A Potted Version of the Challenges Engulfing Social Europe

This policy brief examines the development of and background to the 2018 Posting of Workers Directive. Arguably, the new Directive illustrates the uneasy development of a European social dimension and marks a sea-change to the previous approach, which can be attributed to a change of preferences in some central and eastern European countries in the light of the failed convergence strategy underpinned by low wages. The briefing argues that the posting of workers saga highlights the increased diversity of national industrial relations systems, while also showing that positive solutions can be found to the challenges of low-end social competition.
Eight Bit Quantum Fourier Transform Using the FDTD Method

A way of using the Finite Difference Time Domain method is described to simulate the Quantum Fourier Transform, which is an essential component of Shor’s factoring algorithm. This simulation is based on the direct implementation of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in one dimension. Each bit is simulated as an electron in a harmonic oscillator. The behavior of each quantum gate is simulated by applying a magnetic field in specific orientations for set amounts of time based on the amount of time the electron requires to precess. By using a combination of these quantum gates, it is possible to simulate the behavior of the full Quantum Fourier Transform. An eight bit Quantum Fourier Transform was simulated for this work, but it could easily be expanded to reach higher numbers of bits. Results were compared with computational results and shown to match. Simulations were done in Python without requiring significant computational power.
Impact of hazardous alcohol use on intensive PTSD treatment outcomes among veterans

Background: Intensive treatment programmes (ITPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) produce large symptom reductions and have generally higher completion rates compared to traditional weekly...
Escape time formulation of state estimation and stabilization with quantized intermittent communication

The problems of state estimation and feedback stabilization of a linear system including a communications channel are quantified as escape or survival times, which yield stochastic processes describing the time of first exit of the state estimate error or of the system output from a specific domain. The complications introduced by communications-intermittency, channel noise, quantization, etc.-are evaluated using a Markov stopping time formulation. This is compared to and contrasted with earlier analyses which considered the behavior of Kalman filters with intermittent data based on moments and conditional moments, and the evaluation of the minimal number of bits required for mean square stabilization. The main result shows the escape time is characterized by a Markov chain which is amenable to explicit analysis through the calculation of its cumulative distribution function. This is examined in the linear Gaussian and quantized linear Gaussian cases and then used to develop an approach to bitrate assignment in such communications-based control systems.