cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insights into the nature of plume–asthenosphere interaction from central Pacific geophysical anomalies

Abstract The central Pacific is one of the type localities where the influence of a plume on the properties of the asthenosphere can be investigated based on the geophysical observations. Recent seismological studies showed enigmatic structures of the upper mantle in the central Pacific. The asthenosphere (~ 100–200 km depth) in this region has unusually strong V SH / V SV > 1 anisotropy associated with relatively weak azimuthal anisotropy. Although less well-constrained, there are suggestions of higher than normal viscosity and lower than normal electrical conductivity in this region. Previous models for the plume–asthenosphere interaction do not easily explain these observations. I propose that these observations are the consequence of a single process: depletion of water by deep partial melting in the plume column. The plume-fed materials in the asthenosphere will be dominated by the olivine A-type fabric whereas in the surrounding normal asthenosphere olivine E-type fabric dominates. This contrast in olivine fabrics provides an explanation for the observed anomalous seismic anisotropy in the central Pacific. Water depletion will also cause high viscosity and low electrical conductivity. The present model implies that plumes supply depleted materials (rather than enriched materials) to the asthenosphere.
Greenhouse Evaluation of Neonate and Adult Applications of Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Control Twospotted Spider Mite Infestations

Abstract The lady beetle Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a euryphagous predator that is known to consume the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Spider mites are frequently problematic in greenhouse operations and often cause damage to the ornamental and bedding plant Impatiens walleriana Hook f. (Ericales: Balsaminaceae). Increasing demand for alternatives to pesticides combined with resistance to registered pest control products necessitates the evaluation of viable alternatives. In this study, naive impatiens were intentionally infested with twospotted spider mites. When damage was visible on experimental plants, they were treated with lady beetles in containment cages. One treatment was adult C. maculata and another treatment was neonate C. maculata using recently developed methods for rearing and harvesting eggs. Levels of spider mite infestation were assessed after treatments, and images of the treated and untreated plants were collect...
Fock space realizations of imaginary verma modules

This work expands to the setting of $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}_{n}(\mathbb{C})}$ the results of H. Jakobsen and V. Kac and independently D. Bernard and G. Felder on the realization of $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}_{2}(\mathbb{C})}$ , in terms of infinite sums of partial differential operators. We note in the paper that, in the generic case, these geometric constructions are just realizations of the imaginary Verma modules studied by V. Futorny.
An Integrated Flexible Implantable Micro-Probe for Sensing Neurotransmitters

In this work, we have developed an integrated flexible implantable probe on a polyimide-film substrate for sensing neurotransmitters. The flexibility of the probe helps to prevent scar forming in tissues aiming for long-term in vivo monitoring. A micro Ag/AgCl reference electrode was integrated in the same probe with the Au/Cr or Pt/Cr working electrodes providing measurements without the need of a separate reference probe. Several electrode configurations have been considered and designed for implantation at various locations in the central nervous system. The prototype device for proof of principle was an enzyme-based electrochemical L-glutamate sensor using L-glutamate oxidase. A comparison between Au and Pt thin films was conducted by cyclic voltammetry to evaluate their performance as working electrodes. The L-glutamate oxidase was deposited on the working electrodes followed by a meta-Phenylenediamine electropolymerization process to improve the selectivity. The self-referencing technique was also utilized to enhance both the limit of detection and selectivity. The assembled sensors were calibrated and tested at various concentrations of L-glutamate with and without the presence of interfering molecules. The results showed good sensitivity and selectivity. In vivo animal tests were conducted to show the capability of detecting changes of electrochemical signals responding to graded peripheral somatosensory stimuli.
Fundamental Concepts of NMR in Paramagnetic Systems Part I: The Isotropic Shift

A simple model is presented as the basis for explaining the equations that describe the isotropic shift for paramagnetic molecules in solution. The simplest case is that of an axially symmetric molecule for which the Curie Law is valid and for which zero field splitting and second-order Zeeman effects are small. It is used as a point of departure for considering the many underlying factors that affect observation of NMR resonances in paramagnetic molecules.
Simian virus 40, poliovirus vaccines, and human cancer: research progress versus media and public interests

From 1955 through early 1963, millions of people were inadvertently exposed to simian virus 40 (SV40) as a contaminant of poliovirus vaccines; the virus had been present in the monkey kidney cultures used to prepare the vaccines and had escaped detection. SV40 was discovered in 1960 and subsequently eliminated from poliovirus vaccines. This article reviews current knowledge about SV40 and considers public responses to reports in the media. SV40 is a potent tumour virus with broad tissue tropism that induces tumours in rodents and transforms cultured cells from many species. It is also an important laboratory model for basic studies of molecular processes in eukaryotic cells and mechanisms of neoplastic transformation. SV40 neutralizing antibodies have been detected in individuals not exposed to contaminated poliovirus vaccines. There have been many reports of detection of SV40 DNA in human tumours, especially mesotheliomas, brain tumours and osteosarcomas; and DNA sequence analyses have ruled out the possibility that the viral DNA in tumours was due to laboratory contamination or that the virus had been misidentified. However, additional studies are necessary to prove that SV40 is the cause of certain human cancers. A recently published review article evaluated the status of the field and received much media attention. The public response emphasized that there is great interest in the possibility of health risks today from vaccinations received in the past.
The use of raw and extruded soybeans in layer diets.

Abstract SOLVENT extracted soybean meal has long been regarded as the primary protein source for poultry diets with the majority of the extracted oil used for human consumption. The economics of oil production has changed in recent years so that oil prices have generally declined. As a result, use of whole soybeans to provide both good quality protein and energy for poultry diets may soon become economically feasible. A U.S.D.A. report (Doty, 1965) noted that for 1963–64 the estimated average economic advantage in Arkansas of using cooked soybeans as compared to using 44% protein soybean meal and inedible tallow in mixed feeds was $16.51 per ton. In layer hen studies with full-fat soybeans, controversy exists regarding the necessity of cooking or flaking the beans in order to obtain maximum utilization of the nutrients. In some of these trials raw extracted flakes or meal were used and in other studies raw…
High frequency oscillators using cointegrated BAW thin-film piezoelectrics with microwave BJTs

The authors report on the design of UHF and L-band oscillators using of sputter-deposited, thin-film, aluminum nitride resonators cointegrated with microwave f/sub T/=2.5 GHz bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). This technology uses reactive ion etching (RIE) trench-isolated 2.5-GHz BJTs cointegrated with high-Q AlN resonators synthesized with an anisotropic etch along the
Finite Elements and Weak Solutions

In Chapter 5, we studied the oldest, and in many ways the simplest, class of numerical algorithms for approximating the solutions to partial differential equations: those based on finite difference approximations. In the present chapter, we introduce the second of the two major numerical paradigms: the finite element method.
Reconsideration of the agricultural transfer model

The cooperative extension system in American agriculture is widely viewed as the paradigmatic public sector technology transfer system. Empirical evidence supports the view that research and extension are complementary inputs in increasing agricultural productivity. Cooperative extension, however, does not perceive itself as a technology transfer system; but as an informal education system. Many participants at the federal, landgrant university, or county levels in cooperative extension would not recognize their work within a technology transfer framework. Moreover, many would object to such a characterization of their work. The differences in perspective is accounted for, in part, by the fact that agricultural extension is part of the larger system of cooperative extension. This system, which encompasses agriculture, home economics, 4-H and community and rural development, requires a more encompassing framework than technology transfer to provide an integrated rationals for its program elements. Within the technology transfer framework, the roles of the different components of the system across the states are both highly variable and changing. Based on site interviews in nine states, analysis is presented of the current and prospective roles of extension specialists and county agents.
Arizona's Penal Management System: Voter Disenfranchisement and Restoration

Arizona is one of 48 states in the United States that suspends the right to vote when a citizen is convicted of a felony offense. This report provides an analysis of the statutory basis for voter disenfranchisement and restoration in Arizona. It reviews the practices of the 15 counties with respect to the voter restoration process and facilitates voting if incarcerated prior to conviction, or if serving a misdemeanor sentence. It reviews state policy on the Help America Vote Act as it relates to re-enfranchisement of convicted felonies. Finally, it makes recommendation for statutory, policy and procedural changes that should be considered by Arizona leaders in light of the correctional objective of rehabilitation and the democratic interests of the right to vote to all, including persons convicted of felonies. Though a number of civil rights are suspended by a felony conviction, this report only focuses on voting rights.
Notch deformation and stress gradient effects in multiaxial fatigue

Abstract This paper investigates notch mechanics under multiaxial fatigue loading conditions with respect to notch stress–strain estimation rules and stress gradient effects. A pseudo stress-based plasticity modeling technique, incorporating a structural yield surface concept, was applied to predict local stress distributions for a 2024-T3 aluminum alloy notched tubular specimen, as well as for two different AISI 1141 steel alloy notched shaft specimen geometries. Stress–strain predictions were generated for several nominal loading conditions and compared to nonlinear FEA solutions. Most predictions were found to be within ±15% error for loading levels relevant to typical fatigue loading applications. To evaluate stress gradient models, fatigue life predictions were performed for each specimen geometry using Neuber’s rule with fatigue notch factor, as well as several different interpretations of Theory of Critical Distances (TCD) approaches. The effect of critical distance value on life predictions was also studied. The Fatemi–Socie critical plane damage parameter was used to calculate fatigue lives. While the TCD approaches were found to provide improved multiaxial fatigue data correlation when compared to fatigue notch factor, negligible differences between the different TCD approaches were observed. Life prediction trends were found to be consistent regardless of notch geometry and material, thus suggesting some generality of the findings.
Interstate Systems, World-Empires and the Capitalist World-Economy: A Response to Thompson

This is a response to William R. Thompson's valuable discussion of the dynamics of the modern interstate system. We address some of the issues his critique raises and consider problems suggested by a matter on which his analysis is conspicuously silent. Specifically, Thompson's discussion fails to address the argument that the reproduction of the interstate system is due to the operation of specific institutions characteristic of a capitalist mode of production. His emphasis on generally 'political', as opposed to 'economic', variables leads him to refer to rather vague notions of 'uneven development' and 'economic growth'. We are interested in discovering the importance of historically specific economic institutions such as commodity production, wage labor, and commodified wealth (capital) for the dynamics of the modern world-system. So in addition to responding to Thompsons's critique, we shall advance a comparison of capitalist world-economy to pre-capitalist world empires and world-economies' in order to demonstrate the importance of capitalist institutions for the reproduction of the interstate system.
Potentials of Applying Surface-Wave Methods for Imaging Subsurface Properties in Permafrost Soils

Seismic methods have the benefit of being noninvasive while providing continuous field-scale (hundreds of meters) information on subsurface characteristics of permafrost-affected soils. Imaging approaches based on surface wave propagation (e.g. MASW) are effective when characterizaing near-surface permafrost alteration (e.g. active zone freeze/thaw cycles) for at least two reasons: (1) energetic propagations within the top 10s of meters of the subsurface; (2) its direct indications on shear wave velocity, a sensitive indicator of soil matrix properties. We present a four-phase rock physics model developed for mapping frozen soil material properties to seismic observables. We predict seasonal variations in Pand S-wave velocities from the rock physics model based on existing in situ ground temperature measurements. We also conduct numerical simulations of seismic wave propagations based upon velocity models derived from rock physics model predictions. Surface wave dispersion analysis results generated from the resultant synthetic seismograms show that seismic methods, especially surface-wave-based approaches, are very promising approaches for delineating subsurface features in permafrost environments such as active layer thickness (ALT) variations, ice saturation, unfrozen water content, and soil texture, etc.
Mix it and fix it: functions of composite olfactory signals in ring-tailed lemurs

Animals communicating via scent often deposit composite signals that incorporate odorants from multiple sources; however, the function of mixing chemical signals remains understudied. We tested both a ‘multiple-messages’ and a ‘fixative’ hypothesis of composite olfactory signalling, which, respectively, posit that mixing scents functions to increase information content or prolong signal longevity. Our subjects—adult, male ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta )—have a complex scent-marking repertoire, involving volatile antebrachial (A) secretions, deposited pure or after being mixed with a squalene-rich paste exuded from brachial (B) glands. Using behavioural bioassays, we examined recipient responses to odorants collected from conspecific strangers. We concurrently presented pure A, pure B and mixed A + B secretions, in fresh or decayed conditions. Lemurs preferentially responded to mixed over pure secretions, their interest increasing and shifting over time, from sniffing and countermarking fresh mixtures, to licking and countermarking decayed mixtures. Substituting synthetic squalene (S)—a well-known fixative—for B secretions did not replicate prior results: B secretions, which contain additional chemicals that probably encode salient information, were preferred over pure S. Whereas support for the ‘multiple-messages’ hypothesis underscores the unique contribution from each of an animal9s various secretions, support for the ‘fixative’ hypothesis highlights the synergistic benefits of composite signals.
Avoided level crossings in very highly charged ions

We report a systematic measurement of the ${(2{p}_{1/2}^{\ensuremath{-}1}3{d}_{3/2})}_{J=1}$ and ${(2{s}_{1/2}^{\ensuremath{-}1}3{p}_{1/2})}_{J=1}$ levels in 14 neonlike ions between ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{46+}$ and ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{72+}$ and document the effects of their avoided crossing near $Z=68$. Strong mixing affects the oscillator strengths over a surprisingly wide range of atomic numbers and leads to the vanishing of one transition two atomic numbers below the crossing. The crossing voids the otherwise correct expectation that the ${(2{p}_{1/2}^{\ensuremath{-}1}3{d}_{3/2})}_{J=1}$ level energy is only weakly affected by quantum electrodynamics (QED). For about 10 atomic numbers surrounding the crossing, its QED contributions are anomalously large, attaining almost equality to those affecting the ${(2{s}_{1/2}^{\ensuremath{-}1}3{p}_{1/2})}_{J=1}$ level. As a result, the accuracy of energy level calculations appears compromised near the crossing.
Enhancement of ethylenethiourea recoveries in food analyses by addition of cysteine hydrochloride.

The effectiveness of cysteine hydrochloride (Cys-HCl) as a preservative of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in product matrixes and during analysis was studied. ETU recoveries were adversely affected by certain product matrixes when fortified directly into the product. Recoveries in 8 selected food items were 0-92% when analyzed 30 min after fortification and 0-51% when analyzed after 24 h. When Cys-HCl was added to product prior to fortification, recoveries increased to 71-95% even after frozen storage for 2-4 weeks. Cys-HCl was added during analysis of 53 untreated items. Recoveries improved an average of 15% with Cys-HCl. Without Cys-HCl, recoveries were erratic (20-98%), but with Cys-HCl, recoveries were 68-113%. Other antioxidants (sodium sulfite, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, and vitamins A and C) also were evaluated as ETU preservatives. When lettuce was treated first with sodium sulfite and then fortified with ETU, recoveries averaged 86% ; without sodium sulfite, they averaged 1%. The other antioxidants were less effective for preserving ETU in lettuce, giving only 8-46% recoveries. The effect of oxidizers (potassium bromate, sodium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide) on ETU recovery was also determined. Recovery of ETU from a baby food product (pears and pineapple) was 82% ; with oxidizers, recoveries were 0-8%.
Patient Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence Discussion during Genetic Counseling Sessions

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major health concern in the United States (ACOG 2013). The World Health Organization (WHO) describes IPV as any physical, sexual, psychological harm by a current or former intimate partner (WHO 2016). Due to the psychosocial depth and nature of discussions within genetic counseling sessions, patients may disclose and/or discuss IPV as it relates to sexual well-being, reproductive and overall health. This study aims to assess the role for IPV screening, counseling and intervention in genetic counseling practice by investigating the incidence, experiences and attitudes about IPV among genetic counseling patients. Patients receiving genetic counseling at an urban metropolitan hospital were anonymously surveyed about experiences and perspectives on IPV as a topic of discussion during genetic counseling sessions. Among 60 eligible patients, 50 completed the survey (49 females, 1 male, of which, 5 identified as LGBT) ages 20 to 66. The incidence of IPV in this group was 16.0 % (n = 8). Majority of participants had never been asked about IPV by a healthcare provider (n = 32; 64.0%), would have felt comfortable answering questions about IPV by their healthcare provider (n = 34; 68.0%), and would have felt comfortable answering questions about IPV by their genetic counselor (n = 39; 78.0%). Perspectives from all participants, notably those with IPV history, provided insights to the role of genetic counselors in areas for IPV screening and counseling training.
Hexagonal Patterning of the Insect Compound Eye: Facet Area Variation, Defects, and Disorder

The regular hexagonal array morphology of facets (ommatidia) in the Drosophila compound eye is accomplished by regulation of cell differentiation and planar cell polarity during development. Mutations in certain genes disrupt regulation, causing a breakdown of this perfect symmetry, so that the ommatidial pattern shows onset of disorder in the form of packing defects. We analyze a variety of such mutants and compare them to normal (wild-type), finding that mutants show increased local variation in ommatidial area, which is sufficient to induce a significant number of defects. A model formalism based on Voronoi construction is developed to predict the observed correlation between ommatidium size variation and the number of defects, and to study the onset of disorder in this system with statistical tools. The model uncovers a previously unknown large-scale systematic size variation of the ommatidia across the eye of both wild-type and mutant animals. Such systematic variation of area, as well as its statistical fluctuations, are found to have distinct effects on eye disorder that can both be quantitatively modeled. Furthermore, the topological order is also influenced by the internal structure of the ommatidia, with cells of greater relative mechanical stiffness providing constraints to ommatidial deformation and thus to defect generation. Without free parameters, the simulation predicts the size-topology correlation for both wild-type and mutant eyes. This work develops formalisms of size-topology correlation that are very general and can be potentially applied to other cellular structures near the onset of disorder.
Operation of a 25,000-Kw rotating phosphorus furnace

TVA’s 25,000-kw No. 7 rotating phosphorus furnace has been in successful operation for almost a year. Power consumption per ton of P2O5 charged has been less than in other smaller stationary furnaces at TVA. The quality of the phosphorus has also been higher.
Microarray Analysis of DNA Replication Timing

Although all of the DNA in an eukaryotic cell replicates during the S-phase of cell cycle, there is a significant difference in the actual time in S-phase when a given chromosomal segment replicates. Methods are described here for generation of high-resolution temporal maps of DNA replication in synchronized human cells. This method does not require amplification of DNA before microarray hybridization and so avoids errors introduced during PCR. A major advantage of using this procedure is that it facilitates finer dissection of replication time in S-phase. Also, it helps delineate chromosomal regions that undergo biallelic or asynchronous replication, which otherwise are difficult to detect at a genome-wide scale by existing methods. The continuous TR50 (time of completion of 50% replication) maps of replication across chromosomal segments identify regions that undergo acute transitions in replication timing. These transition zones can play a significant role in identifying insulators that separate chromosomal domains with different chromatin modifications.
Extranodal Hodgkin Disease

Hodgkin disease (HD) is a lymphoid malignancy that has become, to a large extent, a curable disease. At presentation, HD is usually supradiaphragmatic, with spread often occurring predictably from one nodal group contiguously to the next along the lymphatic pathways. HD is usually almost entirely confined to the lymph nodes. Although, at presentation or in the course of the disease, extranodal lesions may develop. Extranodal involvement in HD is very uncommon compared with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Extranodal invasion of adjacent tissue is found in up to 15% of cases, and hematogenous spread in 5 to 10%. Even when dissemination occurs beyond the lymphoreticular system, certain patterns of associated spread are frequently evident. The extranodal disease, except spleen and thymus involvement, signifies stage IV HD. With the recent progress in therapy, the aim Is currently to cure patients with HD and to limit long-term therapeutic toxicity. For these reasons, the therapeutic indications are tailored to the initial prognostic factors. All prognostic scores established for HD take account of either the presence of stage IV disease or the number of the extranodal sites. The initial staging is crucial for therapeutic decisions, demonstrating extranodal involvement or not. First, it must distinguish contiguous disease (E stage), which needs in addition local radiation therapy, from stage IV disease, which Is treated with chemotherapy combined or not with general radiotherapy. Secondly, the number of extranodal involvement must be evaluated as it is considered prognostic. The purpose of this chapter is to present the various radiologic appearances of extranodal involvement in HD with emphasis on the pathophysiological mechanisms of tumoral spread. HD mainly spreads by means of lymphatic invasion or hematogenous dissemination. As a result, every organ system containing or not containing lymphoid tissue may be involved in HD. Extranodal involvement is more likely to occur at recurrence than at presentation. The differential diagnoses and diagnostic pitfalls will be discussed since extranodal HD may simulate other neoplastic or infectious diseases.
Diagnostic yield of gastrointestinal endoscopy in North West Region Cameroon and trends in diagnosis over time

Introduction : Gastrointestinal endoscopy is an important modality for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disease, but there are limited data regarding the diagnostic yield of endoscopy in Cameroon and changes in the prevalence of endoscopic findings over time. Our aims were to describe the diagnostic utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy, the impact of periodic on-site mentorship on cecal intubation rate and changes in the prevalence of common upper gastrointestinal findings when compared to a similar report from our region published in 1990. Methods : Retrospective review of all EGD and colonoscopy procedures performed during 2015 at a regional referral hospital in North West Region, Cameroon, with comparison to EGD findings reported by Dent and colleagues in 1990. During the year 3 endoscopists provided periodic colonoscopy mentorship. Results : Among 1,371 EGDs, abnormalities were found in 59.7% and therapeutic interventions (most commonly esophageal stricture dilation or band ligation of varices) were performed in 137 (10%). When compared to 25 years previously, peptic ulcer disease was less common and esophagitis was more common (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001). The prevalence of malignancy (2.2%) was similar. Among 380 colonoscopies diagnostic findings were seen in 60.5%, including colorectal malignancies in 5.8%. Cecal intubation rate improved from 32% to 89% during the one-year study period. Conclusion : EGD and colonoscopy have a diagnostic yield of about 60% in symptomatic patients in North West Region, Cameroon. When compared to 1990 peptic ulcer disease was less common and esophagitis was more common. Periodic onsite mentorship was associated with improved physician performance of colonoscopy.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Progressive Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors Treated With 177Lu-Dotatate in the Phase III NETTER-1 Trial.

PurposeNeuroendocrine tumor (NET) progression is associated with deterioration in quality of life (QoL). We assessed the impact of 177Lu-Dotatate treatment on time to deterioration in health-related QoL.MethodsThe NETTER-1 trial is an international phase III study in patients with midgut NETs. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with 177Lu-Dotatate versus high-dose octreotide. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaires QLQ C-30 and G.I.NET-21 were assessed during the trial to determine the impact of treatment on health-related QoL. Patients completed the questionnaires at baseline and every 12 weeks until tumor progression. QoL scores were converted to a 100-point scale according to European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer instructions, and individual changes from baseline scores were assessed. Time to QoL deterioration (TTD) was defined as the time from random assignment to the first QoL deterioration ≥ 10 points for each patient i...
Activity of RNA and DNA Polymerases in Delayed-Implanting Mouse Embryos

Mouse blastocysts may enter either of two distinctly different developmental pathways before implantation. In normal pregnancies their development is characterized by high rates of metabolic activity and cell division as they prepare to implant. Alternatively, in pregnancies complicated by concurrent lactation or castration, the embryos have decreased levels of metabolic activity; cell division slows and finally stops altogether and development stops at the blastocyst stage. Furthermore, these embryos do not implant but remain quiescent in the uterine lumen for days or even weeks; this is referred to as facultative delayed implantation. The embryos can be reactivated by removal of the suckling young or by injection of estradiol-17β along with progesterone. A similar metabolic activation appears to occur when the dormant embryos are removed from the uterus and placed in vitro (McLaren, 1973; Weitlauf, 1974; Van Blerkom and Manes, 1977).
Improved diffusion methods for nitrogen and 15nitrogen analysis of Kjeldahl digests.

Simple methods are described that permit the use of either H 3 BO 3 indicator solution or acidified filter disks to collect NH 3 liberated by treatment of Kjeldahl digests with NaOH. These methods incorporate modifications to improve reliability, analytical capacity, and convenience. A semimicro digest was diluted to 25 mL with deionized water, and a 10 mL aliquot, containing up to 4 mg N (150 μg N for diffusions into acidified disks), was transferred to a shell vial, which was placed inside a 473 mL (1 pint) Mason jar containing 10 mL 10N NaOH. The NH 3 liberated by overturning the vial was collected after 12 to 48 h at ambient temperature, or after 4 h at 45 to 50°C on a hotplate, for quantitative andlor isotope-ratio analyses. With either H 3 BO 3 indicator solution or acidified filter disks, recovery of diffused N was quantitative. Isotope-ratio analyses of diffused N from 15 N-labeled chemical, plant, and soil samples were within 3% of analyses using steam distillation.
884Optimization of PEEP as a Strategy to Reduce Ventilator-Associated Events

Background: Current ventilator bundles primarily aim to prevent pneumonia. New ventilator-associated event (VAE) definitions launched by the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) in Jan 2013 detect other physiologic processes than pneumonia. Use of higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may reduce other causes of VAE, such as atelectasis and acute lung injury. Methods: We initiated a pilot project in a 22-bed surgical/trauma ICU, part of a large community-based academic health care system, in December 2013. The project involved initiating PEEP of 8 cm H20, rather than 5, as the standard option for all newly ventilated patients in the study ICU. Respiratory therapists were educated as to the protocol and conducted spontaneous breathing trials and ventilator weaning per their usual practice. We tracked number and rate of VAEs (per 1000 ventilator-days), mean ventilator-days per month, and mean ICU days per month. Results: During the 4-month pilot, 263 patients underwent mechanical ventilation in the study ICU. The total VAE, IVAC, and possible/probable VAP rates decreased during the pilot, while the VAC rate remained stable. Compared to the preceding 4 months (with 291 ventilated patients), average ventilator days decreased slightly during the PEEP trial (4.6 ± 4.8 days vs. 5.1 ± 5.9 days, p = 0.3) and average ICU length of stay remained stable (6.7 ± 8.3 days vs. 6.8 ± 7.9 days). No barotrauma or other complications were detected. Discussion: Pilot data suggest that higher standard PEEP levels at time of initiation of mechanical ventilation may help to reduce VAE, without increasing harm. Other ventilator bundle components were utilized simultaneously and likely also contributed to decreased events. Further study is warranted in additional ICUs, for longer duration, and of additional outcomes such as antimicrobial utilization. CONCLUSIONS • Although PEEP of 5 cm H20 often habitual, increasing PEEP at lower levels of FiO2 standardized in published protocols & supported by improved outcomes • Increasing baseline amount of PEEP from 5 to 8 cm H20: • Not difficult to implement with appropriate planning & training of RTs (to overcome sentiment that patients on 8 of PEEP “sicker,” ensure that spontaneous breathing trials still performed daily, as to not trigger VACs)
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement: A comparison of outcomes between patients with hepatic hydrothorax and patients with refractory ascites.

Abstract Purpose To compare the outcomes in patients who had transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placed for hepatic hydrothorax with those who had it placed for refractory ascites. Materials and methods One hundred and forty-seven patients who underwent TIPS placement for refractory fluid accumulation were included. There were 97 men and 50 women with a mean age of 56.1 ± 9.7 (SD) years (range: 25–81 years). Of those, 32 patients (32/147; 21.8%) had refractory hepatic hydrothorax and 115 (115/147; 78.2%) had refractory ascites. Electronic medical records were reviewed for all patients to determine demographic, procedural related, and outcomes data. Both traditional analysis and a propensity score matching analysis were performed, to account for differences in baseline laboratory values, etiology of cirrhosis, age, and average number of paracenteses/thoracenteses per week. Survival analysis was also performed to compare post-TIPS survival by indication. Results Differences in response rates, in terms of fluid accumulation reductions, at 1, 3, and 6 months were not significant (P = 0.19, P = 0.33, and P = 0.28, respectively). A successful propensity score matching was made between 24 hepatic hydrothorax and 46 ascites patients. After propensity score matching the response rates at 1, 3, and 6 months remained non-significant (P = 0.3, P = 0.71, and P = 0.78 respectively). No differences in mean overall survival were found between hepatic hydrothorax patients (672 days) and ascites patients (1224 days) (P = 0.15). Conclusion The clinically relevant outcomes of improvement in fluid accumulation and overall survival do not appear to be significantly different in patients who have TIPS placed for refractory hepatic hydrothorax or and those who have TIPS placed for ascites.
Applying Thévenin’s Theorem and Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule to a Common RC Circuit

Many physics textbooks describe the way in which a capacitor in an RC circuit charges and discharges over time. A circuit that consists of a capacitor that is connected to a voltage divider as shown in Fig. 1 is commonly addressed, but the textbooks limit the discussion to the time immediately after the switch is closed and a long time after the switch is closed, without discussing the behavior of the circuit in the intermediate times. Our experiment explores this intermediate stage, using the RC circuit in Fig. 1. Given the ubiquity of this problem in introductory textbooks, and the ease with which it may be further explored, a more in-depth analysis is warranted.
Targeted Temperature Management at 33 Versus 36 Degrees: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives:To determine the association between targeted temperature management goal temperature of 33°C versus 36°C and neurologic outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.Design:This was a retrospective, before-and-after, cohort study.Setting:Urban, academic, level 1 trauma center from 2010 to
Bayesian Parameter Estimation for Arctic Coastal Erosion Under the Effects of Climate Change

Arctic coastal erosion due to decreasing ice protection and increasing temperatures is a threat to coastal communities and infrastructure as well as a driver of long-term habitat changes. In order to respond to this threat, decadal predictive models are required that incorporate the effects of climate change under current emission trajectories. This work presents an Arctic erosion one-line model capable of estimating unknown coastal parameters through historic coastline measurements. Parameter estimation is carried out using both the extended and unscented Kalman filters, and the results compared. The model and parameter estimation are evaluated using two sections of Arctic coastline, one near Oliktok Point, AK, and the other along the coast of Barter Island, AK. Historic wave fields are modeled for both locations using downsampled historic GCM data for boundary conditions and estimating fetch distance. Future wave and temperature conditions are found using GCM projections under the RCP 8.5 pathway. Parameter estimation is performed on all coastal measurements except the most recent coastline available; this hold out measurement is then used to test the predictive power of the model. Coastlines at both locations are simulated from 1980 to 2070. It is found that root-mean-square error values for both locations are lower than purely empirical techniques and future predictions show increasing rates of erosion under the RCP 8.5 pathway.
Household Wealth and Resilience to Financial Shocks in Italy

High household wealth is often cited as a key strength of the Italian economy. Both in absolute terms and relative to income, the Italian household sector is wealthier than most euro area peers. A sizable fraction of this wealth is held by the rich and upper middle classes. This paper documents the changes in the Italian household sector’s financial wealth over the past two decades, by constructing the matrix of bilateral financial sectoral exposures. Households became increasingly exposed to the financial sector, which in turn was exposed to the highly indebted real and government sectors. The paper then simulates different financial shocks to gauge the ability of the household sector to absorb losses. Simple illustrative calculations are presented for a fall in the value of government bonds as well as for bank bail-ins versus bailouts.
Three Wrongs Do Not Make a Right: The Conundrum of the U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

In March 2018, the United States enacted tariff increases on a vast range of imported steel and aluminum products. The Trump administration cited national security concerns as the justification, claiming an exception under GATT Article XXI. In response to these tariffs, several WTO Members, including the European Union, Canada, Mexico, China, Russia, and Turkey, adopted their own tariffs against imports from the United States, justifying their tariffs under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. Other Members, such as South Korea, Brazil, and Argentina opted for quota agreements on these exports with the United States in exchange for exemption from the tariffs. This article argues that none of these measures is consistent with WTO rules. The sweeping tariffs that the United States have adopted, the retaliatory measures that several Members have implemented, and the bilateral quota agreements that three Members concluded with the United States are indeed “three wrongs” that do not make a right, but rather endanger the stability of the international trading system under WTO legal disciplines.
Scatsat-1 High Winds Geophysical Model Function and its Winds Application in Operational Marine Forecasting and Warning

In this paper we develop high wind portion of a Geophysical Model Function (GMF) for Scatsat-1 scatterometer measurements. Starting with NSCAT4 GMF the high wind portion has been modifying by utilizing measurements obtained by IWRAP instrument on board of NOAA P3 aircraft within tropical and extratropical cyclones. The Ao coefficient in NSCAT4 GMF was modeled so its slope is a linear function of a logarithm of wind speed and its first derivative of it equals to zero at saturation wind speed for particular incidence angle and measurements frequency as it was measured by IWRAP. The calibrated measured sigma0's from Scatsat-1 shows good agreement with the new GMF named NSCAT4.H at the high winds. The respective wind retrievals are higher and much better aligned with ASCAT high winds while the global winds statistic performance of ScatSat-1 winds remained unchanged. The new ScatSat-1 wind products produced by NSCAT4.H GMF has been implemented in NOAA's operational marine forecasting and warning applications and examples are presented here.
189 The Effect of Vitamin K on the Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Osteoblasts

Tissue engineering offers a viable alternative to bone grafts in repairing large bone defects. This involves using scaffolds of various sizes and shapes that contain stem cells and other osteoinductive molecules. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of vitamin K in osteogenic medium and its effect on the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) into osteoblasts. Vitamin K has been shown to increase bone mineral density by acting as a coenzyme in the γ-carboxylation of osteocalcin, a protein involved in bone mineralization (Weber 2001 Nutrition 11–12, 1024). Our hypothesis was that the presence of vitamin K in the osteogenic medium would positively influence the number of osteoblastic nodules formed. Swine ASC were isolated as described (Monaco et al. 2009 Open Tissue Eng. Regen. Med. J. 2, 20–33). The ASC were divided into 7 different treatments: 5 concentrations of vitamin K in the osteogenic medium (10, 50 100, 500, 1000 nM) plus 2 control treatments (osteogenic medium without vitamin K and a negative control, DMEM). The media was changed twice a week for 4 weeks. The experiment was replicated 6 times. At the end of the culture period, cells were stained with Alizarin Red S and Von Kossa. In each well, we counted the nodules and then divided them in 2 categories: formed and forming nodules. Data were analysed by analysis of variance using the generalized linear model (GLM) procedure of SPSS (IBM/SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA); the least significant difference (l.s.d.) post hoc test was used to perform statistical multiple comparison, and the α-level was set at 0.05. The results showed (in Table 1) that there was no positive effect on nodule formation when vitamin K was added to the medium; however, when 1000 nM vitamin K was added, nodule formation decreased. More experiments need to be conducted to determine if vitamin K can act synergistically with other vitamins to produce a significant role in ASC differentiation into osteoblasts. This preliminary experiment is the first step towards the analysis of the behaviour of ASC on scaffolds with vitamin K incorporated into their matrix. Table 1.The average number of formed and forming osteoblast nodules compared between treatment groups (SD in parentheses)
Airborne Infection Risks of SARS-CoV-2 in U.S. Schools and Impacts of Different Intervention Strategies.

The potential airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has triggered concerns as schools continue to reopen and resume in-person instruction during the current COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical to understand the risks of airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission under different epidemiological scenarios and operation strategies for schools to make informed decisions to mitigate infection risk. Through scenario-based analysis, this study estimates the airborne infection risk of SARS-CoV-2 in 111,485 U.S. public and private schools and evaluates the impacts of different intervention strategies, including increased ventilation, air filtration, and hybrid learning. Schools in more than 90% of counties exhibit infection risk of higher than 1%, indicating the significance of implementing intervention strategies. Among the considered strategies, air filtration is found to be most effective: the school average infection risk when applying MERV 13 is over 30% less than the risk levels correlating with the use of increased ventilation and hybrid learning strategies, respectively. For most schools, it is necessary to adopt combined intervention strategies to ensure the infection risk below 1%. The results provide insights into airborne infection risk in schools under various scenarios and may guide schools and policymakers in developing effective operations strategies to maintain environmental health.
The use of gradient methods in solving a differential game of relevance in aerial combat

Zero sum differential game solution for aerial combat problem, applying direct gradient methods
Likelihood Construction and Estimation

After a statistical model for the observed data has been formulated, the likelihood of the data is the natural starting point for inference in many statistical problems. This function typically leads to essentially automatic methods of inference, including point and interval estimation, and hypothesis testing. In fact, likelihood methods are generally asymptotically optimal provided the assumed statistical model is correct. Thus, the likelihood is the foundation of classical model-based statistical inference. In this chapter we describe, and often derive, basic likelihood methods and results. We start with construction of the likelihood in numerous examples and then move to various inferential techniques. The development in this chapter follows the classical frequentist approach to inference. However, the Bayesian approach to inference is equally dependent on the likelihood, and the material in this chapter is essential to understanding the Bayesian methods in Chapter 4.
Electrochemical/mechanical coupling in ion-conducting soft matter.

Mechanical and electrochemical phenomena exhibit many interesting multidirectional couplings in ion-exchange soft matter due to their intrinsic material physiochemical states and responses to environmental stressors. In this Perspective, such coupling is explored in terms of recent studies with a focus on the degradation of polymer-electrolyte fuel-cell membranes. In addition, (electro)chemical–mechanical coupling of ion-conducting polymers in other applications is also introduced, as there is a research need to explore the interactions between these often wrongly assumed disparate fields in order to optimize, exploit, and discover new technologies and applications.
The effect of sodium taurocholate on biliary iodipamide excretion in the dog.

The effect of sodium taurocholate in stepwise increasing infusion rates, 0.3 to 9.6 μmoles per min per kg, on the biliary excretion rate of iodipamide was investigated in 6 dogs (10 experiments) with complete bile diversion under general anesthesia. Iodipamide was administered intravenously with an initial priming dose of 33 μmoles per kg followed by a constant infusion of 1.3 μmoles per min per kg. Although the bile flow continuously increased with an increasing taurocholate dose, the iodipamide excretion rate reached a plateau with a 0.6 μmoles per min per kg of taurcholate infusion, which was 20% higher than with the lowest taurocholate dose. With a taurocholate dose over 2.4 μmoles per min per kg, a significant decrease in the iodipamide rate was found, amounting to 22% of its maximum value with the largest taurocholate dose. The bile iodipamide concentration was already at its maximum with the lowest taurocholate dose, and it decreased with an increasing taurocholate dose. Since the bile iodipamide concentration is probably the most important determinant in clinical cholangiography, low bile salt plasma levels should result in the best radiographic visualization of the biliary tree.