cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust residual- and recovery-based a posteriori error estimators for interface problems with flux jumps

For elliptic interface problems with flux jumps, this article studies robust residual- and recovery-based a posteriori error estimators for the conforming finite element approximation. The residual estimator is a natural extension of that developed in [Bernardi and Verfurth, Numer Math 85 (2000), 579–608; Petzoldt, Adv Comp Math 16 (2002), 47–75], and the recovery estimator is a nontrivial extension of our method developed in Cai and Zhang, SIAM J Numer Anal 47 (2009) 2132–2156. It is shown theoretically that reliability and efficiency bounds of these error estimators are independent of the jumps provided that the distribution of the coefficients is locally monotone. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 28:476–491, 2012
Atomistic simulation of matter under stress: crossover from hard to soft materials

Atomistic simulation can give insights to the mechanical behavior of stressed crystalline hard materials. Theoretical strength, de*ned in the long wavelength limit through elastic stability criteria, or more generally in terms of soft vibrational modes in the deformed lattice, can be studied by direct simulation of stress–strain response. It is suggested that this approach may be applied as well to the understanding of structural instability (failure) in soft materials, with appropriate considerations of the microstructure characteristic of such systems. Simple observations are made on the e-ects on strength and deformation of structural features—disorder, voids, surfaces and interfaces—that are common to both classes of matter. An exploratory study of membrane rupture is discussed to illustrate the mechanistic details on void nucleation and growth that are available from atomistic simulations. c
Are Black Holes Really Two Dimensional

The insights of a provocative connection between general relativity and quantum field theory, called the AdS/CFT correspondence, have been extended to rotating black holes that can occur astrophysically.
Optimization-based methods for nonlinear and hybrid systems verification

Complex behaviors that can be exhibited by hybrid systems make the verification of such systems both important and challenging. Due to the infinite number of possibilities taken by the continuous state and the uncertainties in the system, exhaustive simulation is impossible, and also computing the set of reachable states is generally intractable. Nevertheless, the ever-increasing presence of hybrid systems in safety critical applications makes it evident that verification is an issue that has to be addressed. In this thesis, we develop a unified methodology for verifying temporal properties of continuous and hybrid systems. Our framework does not require explicit computation of reachable states. Instead, functions of state termed barrier certificates and density functions are used in conjunction with deductive inference to prove properties such as safety, reachability, eventuality, and their combinations. As a consequence, the proposed methods are directly applicable to systems with nonlinearity, uncertainty, and constraints. Moreover, it is possible to treat safety verification of stochastic systems in a similar fashion, by computing an upper-bound on the probability of reaching the unsafe states. We formulate verification using barrier certificates and density functions as convex programming problems. For systems with polynomial descriptions, sum of squares optimization can be used to construct polynomial barrier certificates and density functions in a computationally scalable manner. Some examples are presented to illustrate the use of the methods. At the end, the convexity of the problem formulation is also exploited to prove a converse theorem in safety verification using barrier certificates.
Changing patterns of West Nile virus transmission: altered vector competence and host susceptibility

West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus (Flaviviridae) transmitted between Culex spp. mosquitoes and avian hosts. The virus has dramatically expanded its geographic range in the past ten years. Increases in global commerce, climate change, ecological factors and the emergence of novel viral genotypes likely play significant roles in the emergence of this virus; however, the exact mechanism and relative importance of each is uncertain. Previously WNV was primarily associated with febrile illness of children in endemic areas, but it was identified as a cause of neurological disease in humans in 1994. This modulation in disease presentation could be the result of the emergence of a more virulent genotype as well as the progression of the virus into areas in which the age structure of immunologically naive individuals makes them more susceptible to severe neurological disease. Since its introduction to North America in 1999, a novel WNV genotype has been identified that has been demonstrated to disseminate more rapidly and with greater efficiency at elevated temperatures than the originally introduced strain, indicating the potential importance of temperature as a selective criteria for the emergence of WNV genotypes with increased vectorial capacity. Even prior to the North American introduction, a mutation associated with increased replication in avian hosts, identified to be under adaptive evolutionary pressure, has been identified, indicating that adaptation for increased replication within vertebrate hosts could play a role in increased transmission efficiency. Although stable in its evolutionary structure, WNV has demonstrated the capacity for rapidly adapting to both vertebrate hosts and invertebrate vectors and will likely continue to exploit novel ecological niches as it adapts to novel transmission foci.
A text summarizer based on meta-search

Text summarization is an important problem since it has numerous applications. This problem has been extensively studied and many approaches have been proposed in the literature for its solution. In this paper, we investigate a new approach that employs meta-search. In particular, summaries from several summarizers are evaluated to identify the best summary. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that employs meta-search in the context of text summarization. We have employed data from Document Understanding Conference 2002 (DUC-2002) and 5 different summarizers in our experiments
Listeria marthii sp. nov., isolated from the natural environment, Finger Lakes National Forest.

Four isolates (FSL S4-120T, FSL S4-696, FSL S4-710, and FSL S4-965) of Gram-positive, motile, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming bacilli that were phenotypically similar to species of the genus Listeria were isolated from soil, standing water and flowing water samples obtained from the natural environment in the Finger Lakes National Forest, New York, USA. The four isolates were closely related to one another and were determined to be the same species by whole genome DNA–DNA hybridization studies (>82 % relatedness at 55 °C and >76 % relatedness at 70 °C with 0.0–0.5 % divergence). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed their close phylogenetic relatedness to Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua and more distant relatedness to Listeria welshimeri, L. seeligeri, L. ivanovii and L. grayi. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences for sigB, gap, and prs showed that these isolates form a well-supported sistergroup to L. monocytogenes. The four isolates were sufficiently different from L. monocytogenes and L. innocua by DNA–DNA hybridization to warrant their designation as a new species of the genus Listeria. The four isolates yielded positive reactions in the AccuProbe test that is purported to be specific for L. monocytogenes, did not ferment l-rhamnose, were non-haemolytic on blood agar media, and did not contain a homologue of the L. monocytogenes virulence gene island. On the basis of their phenotypic characteristics and their genotypic distinctiveness from L. monocytogenes and L. innocua, the four isolates should be classified as a new species within the genus Listeria, for which the name Listeria marthii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of L. marthii is FSL S4-120T (=ATCC BAA-1595T =BEIR NR 9579T =CCUG 56148T). L. marthii has not been associated with human or animal disease at this time.
Direct evidence that coronary perfusion affects diastolic myocardial mechanical properties in canine heart.

Objective: The effect of coronary perfusion on left ventricular chamber distensibility is only indirect evidence that perfusion alters the mechanical properties of the myocardium. The aim of this study was to demonstrate explicitly the effects of coronary perfusion on these mechanical properties. Methods: The effects of different levels of coronary perfusion were studied both on in-plane stress-strain relations and on transverse stiffness in an isolated, perfused canine interventricular septal preparation. Additionally, to determine the vascular compartment responsible for the mechanical effects of perfusion on tissue properties, we examined the in-plane stress-strain responses and transverse stiffness after embolisation of the vasculature with 15 μm microspheres. Results: The data show a clear dependence of tissue stress-strain properties on perfusion. The in-plane stress-strain relations were shifted to the left and transverse stiffness increased linearly as septal artery perfusion pressure increased. The dependence of both the in-plane stress-strain relations and transverse stiffness on perfusion was significantly decreased following embolisation. Conclusions: Myocardial tissue stiffness is directly related to perfusion. The linear relationship between transverse stiffness and perfusion makes it easier to assess the effects of perfusion on tissue stiffness than with in-plane stress-strain relations. Perfusion of capillaries and/or venules is largely responsible for these alterations in myocardial stiffness. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :403-410
Mild pyelectasis: evaluating the relationship between gestational age and renal pelvic anterior–posterior diameter

Objective To determine the relationship between gestational age and renal pelvic anterior–posterior diameter and the feasibility of developing gestational age–specific thresholds for the diagnosis of mild pyelectasis. Methods Cross-sectional study of 420 singleton fetuses between 16 and 39 weeks' gestation. The mean renal AP diameter as a function of gestational age was determined using fractional polynomial regression models and centile plots were generated. Assessment of goodness of fit for each regression model was performed. Results There was a positive correlation between gestational age and renal pelvic AP diameter (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient 0.65). Using the derived mean and standard deviations of renal AP diameter, gestational-age specific 95% reference levels were generated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of using the gestational age-specific cutoffs for predicting persistent postnatal renal anomaly were 80%; 99%; 29%; and 99% respectively. Conclusion There is a positive correlation between gestational age and renal pelvic AP diameters. Reliable gestational age-specific renal AP thresholds for diagnosis of pyelectasis are provided. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the direct determination of three-dimensional crystallographic phases at low resolution: crambin at 6 A.

Abstract Using a pseudo-atom approach, the three-dimensional crystallographic phases for the protein crambin (a = 40.76, b = 18.49, c = 22.33 A, β = 90.61°, space group P21) were determined to 6 A by direct methods. First, the centrosymmetric h0l set was assigned phases by symbolic addition, and the initial solution was then refined by Fourier methods. Phase values of strong reflections were then permuted, and the decision to change the phase value for two of these was made by consulting a cross-correlation of the experimental density histogram to the theoretical or known histogram for the protein. The two-dimensional basis was then extended by the Sayre equation into three dimensions by assigning a phase to a third allowed hkl origin-defining reflection and an algebraic value to another axial reflection. The correct solution was again identified by the histogram correlation, yielding a solution in which the mean phase error for all 98 reflections was 61.5° or 23.1° for the 21 most intense reflections. A parallel study with another protein indicates this method may have general utility.
Seasonal Measurements of Sediment Elevation in Three Mid-Atlantic Estuaries

Relative sediment elevations have been measured seasonally since Spring, 1990, in three estuaries representing a range of estuarine geomorphologies, sizes, and watershed inputs: the North Inlet estuary, South Carolina (SC), the Patuxent River estuary, Maryland (MD), and the Rhode River estuary, Maryland (MD). Sediment elevations were quantified using a levelling-arm device that allowed accurate, repeatable measurements at four arm orientations per site (with nine replicates per orientation), a number of habitat sites per location, and a number of locations in each estuary. This hierarchical design allowed variability to be partitioned into nested spatial scales. At North Inlet, we established six locations characterizing a range of freshwater and oceanic influences, and marsh ages. Water level gauges continuously recorded inundation rates at three of the six locations. Six sediment elevation locations along the Patuxent River estuary (one habitat site each) differentiated tributary marshes from main channel marshes, marshes from mudflats, and upper from lower river geomorphologies. Seven sediment elevation sites in the Rhode River estuary were all within the same 0.25 ha area (spatially equivalent to a single habitat site in the other two estuaries), and we used these data to investigate small-scale variability in brackish marsh sediment elevations over time. Results from North Inlet showed sediment elevations increasing at the greatest rates at locations nearest to freshwater influence. These rates were two to three times apparent sea level rise (ASLR), which is 2-4 mm yr -1 in all three estuaries. Sediment elevations in dead end tidal creek marshes - those without direct freshwater inputs - generally increased at rates comparable to ASLR. Geologically older marshes showed little or no net accretion over 2.5 years. A large decline in sediment elevations (-9.4 mm yr -1 ) at a mudflat located in the headwaters of a geologically young tidal creek appeared to represent the "birth" of a transgressive subtidal creek from an intertidal mudflat. Sediment elevations generally increased at the Patuxent River tributary marsh sites, but at greater rates in lower river than upper river tributaries. In contrast, a lower river main channel marsh and upper river mudflat appeared to be eroding while a middle river marsh and mudflat appeared to be accreting. This pattern suggests that the extensive mid-channel tidal freshwater marshes of the upper river and the isolated tributary headwater marshes of the lower river may be sediment sinks, while others may be sediment sources. The Rhode River study, on the other hand, showed that small-scale variability in brackish marsh sediment elevations may be much greater than seasonal or long-term differences. The consistent use of this accurate and repeatable technique to quantify estuarine sediment elevation dynamics in a number of systems will continue to generate data critical to future comparisons of Atlantic and Gulf Coast estuaries.
Primary chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an older patient with late-onset AD phenotype

First described as dementia pugilistica in boxers, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is associated with repeated head injury and has received much attention after several high-profile National Football League cases.1 Recent work suggests that both the nature of potential predisposing trauma and the clinical spectrum of CTE may be broader than previously recognized.1–3 We report a case of CTE presenting as Alzheimer-like dementia in a war reporter with a history of prolonged proximity to shelling but no acute head trauma.
Ventral tegmental area dopamine revisited: effects of acute and repeated stress

Aversive events rapidly and potently excite certain dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), promoting phasic increases in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. This is in apparent contradiction to a wealth of literature demonstrating that most VTA dopamine neurons are strongly activated by reward and reward-predictive cues while inhibited by aversive stimuli. How can these divergent processes both be mediated by VTA dopamine neurons? The answer may lie within the functional and anatomical heterogeneity of the VTA. We focus on VTA heterogeneity in anatomy, neurochemistry, electrophysiology, and afferent/efferent connectivity. Second, recent evidence for a critical role of VTA dopamine neurons in response to both acute and repeated stress will be discussed. Understanding which dopamine neurons are activated by stress, the neural mechanisms driving the activation, and where these neurons project will provide valuable insight into how stress can promote psychiatric disorders associated with the dopamine system, such as addiction and depression.
Doxorubicin *-cyclophosphamide: Effective chemotherapy for advanced endometrial adenocarcinoma

Eight of 11 consecutive patients with metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma completed more than one course of treatment with a doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide combination. Six of these patients improved, with three showing a complete remission of all disease manifestations and two experiencing an objective partial response (greater than 50 per cent tumor shrinkage). Median duration of all responses was 10 months, with three patients surviving more than one year. Review of patient characteristics suggests that, unlike progestin therapy, this new program is effective in the presence of poorly differentiated tumors and short progression-free intervals. Therefore, chemotherapy should probably supplement progestins in future clinical trials and should certainly be considered when hormone therapy fails in advanced endometrial cancer. Moreover, if the degree of efficacy reported herein is confirmed, it will justify clinical trials that include patients in earlier stages of disease.
Addressing potential local adaptation in species distribution models: Implications for conservation under climate change

Species distribution models (SDMs) have been criticized for involving assumptions that ignore or categorize many ecologically relevant factors such as dispersal ability and biotic interactions. Another potential source of model error is the assumption that species are ecologically uniform in their climatic tolerances across their range. Typically, SDMs treat a species as a single entity, although populations of many species differ due to local adaptation or other genetic differentiation. Not taking local adaptation into account may lead to incorrect range prediction and therefore misplaced conservation efforts. A constraint is that we often do not know the degree to which populations are locally adapted. Lacking experimental evidence, we still can evaluate niche differentiation within a species' range to promote better conservation decisions. We explore possible conservation implications of making type I or type II errors in this context. For each of two species, we construct three separate Max-Ent models, one considering the species as a single population and two of disjunct populations. Principal component analyses and response curves indicate different climate characteristics in the current environments of the populations. Model projections into future climates indicate minimal overlap between areas predicted to be climatically suitable by the whole species vs. population-based models. We present a workflow for addressing uncertainty surrounding local adaptation in SDM application and illustrate the value of conducting population-based models to compare with whole-species models. These comparisons might result in more cautious management actions when alternative range outcomes are considered.
Author response: Extended follow-up of lung cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease mortality among California diatomaceous earth workers.

We will address the comments offered by Mundt and Boffetta1 on our manuscript describing findings from an update of mortality among California diatomaceous earth (DE) workers.2 We regard the sustained dose–response trends for lung cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease (NMRD) (tables 3 and 4, respectively) as the most important findings regarding risks associated with crystalline silica. The reduction of overall mortality for these outcomes, indicated by reduced standardised mortality ratios (SMR), is more likely to be a ‘depletion of susceptibles’ phenomenon than a ‘balancing out’ effect. We agree that a healthy worker effect is an unlikely explanation for the reduced lung cancer SMR. However, support for the …
Online Volt-Var Control for Distribution Systems With Solid-State Transformers

In distribution power systems, feeder voltages can be very sensitive to changes in load and/or distributed generation. This paper introduces a solid-state-transformer-based local voltage-control strategy to reduce variability distribution system bus voltages. An online dynamic volt-var control (VVC) algorithm is proposed to regulate bus voltages by injecting or absorbing reactive power through a solid-state transformer (SST). The proposed algorithm does not require any communication between the SST and the substation and makes control decisions locally. The main goal of the voltage-control algorithm is to enforce strict voltage constraints on the system voltages. The proposed control algorithm is validated in a radial and meshed distribution system using PSCAD.
Computed tomography using a /sup 137/Cs source

The purpose of this work was to explore the use of a monoenergetic gamma ray source and pulse counting techniques for use in a CT device. The ideal source for CT scanning is one with a 100-keV gamma ray, long lifetime and low-cost availability in high specific activity. However, since the attenuation coefficient of tissue-like materials varies slowly with energy a Cs-137 source was used without significant disadvantage. Phantoms consisting of brass, aluminum and low-Z, organic polymers were scanned with 2.0 mm ray spacing and up to 60 angular orientations. The results from 0.1 percent statistical accuracy data obtained with the prototype scanner have demonstrated that a 2.5 percent density gradient can be detected. One of the advantages of a Cs-137 source is that the calculated attenuation coefficients are directly proportional to physical densities of the materials scanned.
Occurrence frequency of unsuspected pneumothoraces in cancer patients undergoing PET/CT and 18F-FDG imaging

2513 Objectives Pneumothorax, collection of air between the lung and the chest wall, is a serious condition that could be fatal if not treated. The incorporation of CT into PET has added another dimension to molecular imaging PE/CT by allowing it to identify pneumothoraces, otherwise impossible to recognize with PET alone. In this study, we investigate the frequency of occurrence of unsuspected pneumothoraces in patients undergoing PET/CT and 18F-FDG imaging for cancer evaluation. Methods This research is based on 3084 body PET/CT and 18F-FDG scans performed on 2749 patients who were referred to our institution for their cancer evaluation. All CT scans (140 Kv; 114-209 mA) acquired for PET attenuation correction were evaluated for pneumothoraces using lung window. Results Unsuspected pneumothoraces were observed in 3 out of 3084 (0.1%) scans of patients who underwent PET/CT and FDG imaging for diagnosis, staging or restaging. Conclusions Although rare, unsuspected pneumothoraces can occur in cancer patients undergoing PET/CT and 18F-FDG imaging. Because pneumothoraces are life threatening situations, nuclear medicine technologists should be trained to recognize such dangerous conditions in order to advise the patients with pneumothoraces to go to the nearest emergency room or the appropriate service.
Linear Free Energy Relationships for the Biotic and Abiotic Reduction of Nitroaromatic Compounds

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are susceptible to biological and abiotic reduction. Prior works have found that for the abiotic reduction of NACs, the logarithm of the NACs’ rate constants correlate with one-electron reduction potential values of the NACs (EH,NAC1) according to linear free energy relationships (LFERs). Here, we extend the application of LFERs to the bioreduction of NACs and to the abiotic reduction of NACs by bioreduced (and pasteurized) iron-bearing clay minerals. A linear correlation (R2=0.96) was found between the NACs’ bioreduction rate constants (kobs) and EH,NAC1 values. The LFER slope of log kobs versus EH,NAC1/(2.303RT/F) was close to one (0.97), which implied that the first electron transfer to the NAC was the rate-limiting step of bioreduction. LFERs were also established between NAC abiotic reduction rate constants by bioreduced iron-bearing clay minerals (montmorillonite SWy-2 and nontronite NAu-2). The second-order NAC reduction rate constants (k) by bioreduced SWy-2 and NAu-2 were well correlated to EH,NAC1 (R2=0.97 for both minerals), consistent with bioreduction results. However, the LFER slopes of log k versus EH,NAC1/(2.303RT/F) were significantly less than one (0.48–0.50) for both minerals, indicating that the first electron transfer to the NAC was not the rate-limiting step of abiotic reduction. Finally, we demonstrate that the rate of 4-acetylnitrobenzene reduction by bioreduced SWy-2 and NAu-2 correlated to the reduction potential of the clay (EH,clay, R2=0.95 for both minerals), indicating that the clay reduction potential also influences its reactivity.
Cold war university: Madison and the new left in the sixties

Although the University of Wisconsin-Madison was a key location for the New Left, it has received surprisingly little scholarly attention.1 Matthew Levin’s Cold War University remedies this, offeri...
Discussion on calculation methods for determination results of lead in blood by GFAAS

[Objective]To discuss the influencing factors of detection results of lead in blood,put forward the more reasonable and accurate methods for determination and calculation of lead in blood.[Methods]GFAAS for lead in blood from WS / T 20-1996 was adopted. GBW 09139 lyophilized bovine blood was used as the standard reference material in quality control,to collect the data of the blank blood selection,the blank reagent deduction,as well as the calculation and comparison of three fitting equations. Some details in the determination process of lead in blood by GFAAS were discussed and analyzed.[Results]There were obvious differences in results between different methods of selecting reference blood blank,blank reagent deduction and fitting equations.[Conclusion]The bovine blood can be replaced by a human blood with low lead content. The regent blank should not be deducted while testing samples with homogeneous blood calibration graph. The calibration graph should be established after deducting standard blank.
Comparing Government Spending Over Time

The calculation of relative values is especially challenging in assessing the costs of the federal government across time. Specifically, the challenge of determining relative values of government spending is based on two related issues. First, the government spends money on many different things. The government compensates employees, administers programs, sends money to states and local governments, reimburses doctors and hospitals for medical expenses, provides direct loans and loan guarantees, distributes cash assistance, subsidizes farmers, and maintains a military in addition to many other activities. Second, government expenditures evolve over time based on the political and economic environment. This paper examines the considerations of three different ways in which analysts tend to compare relative values at different points in time.
SU-F-T-650: The Comparison of Robotic Partial Breast Stereotactic Irradiation Using MLC Vs. Iris Cone

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric impact on treatment planning for partial breast stereotactic irradiation using Cyberknife with MLC versus Iris Cone. Methods: Ten patients whom underwent lumpectomy for DCIS or stage I invasive non-lobular epithelial breast cancer were included in this study. All patients were previously treated on the Cyberknife using Iris cone with the prescription dose of 37.5Gy in 5 fractions covering at least 95% of PTV on our phase I SBRT 5 fraction partial breast irradiation trial. Retrospectively, treatment planning was performed and compared using the new Cyberknife M6 MLC system for each patient. Using the same contours and critical organ constraints for both MLC and Iris cone plans, the dose on target and critical organs were analyzed accordingly. Results: Dose to critical organs such as ipsilateral lung, contralateral lung, heart, skin, ipsilateral breast, and rib were analyzed, as well as conformity index and high dose spillage of the target area. In 9 of 10 patients, the MLC plans had less total ipsilateral breast volume encompassing the 50% prescription isodose (mean:22.3±8.2% MLC vs. 31.6±8.0 Iris, p=0.00014) .The MLC plans mean estimated treatment delivery time was significantly less than the Iris plans (51±3.9min vs. 56.2±9min, p=0.03) Both MLC and Iris cone plans were able to meet all dose constraints and there was no statistical difference between those dose constraints. Conclusion: Both MLC and Iris Cone can deliver conformal dose to a partial breast target and satisfy the dose constraints of critical organs. The new Cyberknife with MLC can deliver a more conformal dose in the lower dose region and spare more ipsilateral breast tissue to the 50% prescription isodose. The treatment time for partial breast SBRT plans was also reduced using MLC. Project receives research support from Accuray Inc.
Rights Come to Mind: From PVS to MCS

A Consensus on PVS Beyond all the media hype, and faux explications invoking all manner of pseudo-science, how could a patient, like Terry, diagnosed as vegetative for so long, recover so dramatically? There were emerging prognostic rules about such things, and Terry had seemingly broken all of them, regaining consciousness so late in the game. No one came out of the vegetative state after nineteen years. It was impossible , and not what the experts had agreed upon back in 1994 when a definitive set of consensus papers were published in the New England Journal of Medicine by leading representatives of clinical societies concerned with brain states. Under the banner of a “Multi-Society Task Force,” these expert neurologists, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, and others laid out such parameters about the vegetative state. A central feature of their deliberations was the recognition that brain injuries were not inherently fixed and immutable, but sometimes brain states could, over time, lead to the recovery of consciousness. They agreed that when a vegetative state continues beyond thirty days, it is described as persistent and that permanence sets in three months after anoxic injury (severe oxygen deprivation) and twelve months after the insult resulted from trauma. Presciently, the authors of the document worried about being too definitive about predictions, accounting for the possibility of both error and ignorance of our future state of knowledge. To their credit, they hedged just a bit on the question of permanence, making it a more probabilistic statement than an outright certainty. In a brilliant distinction they observed that: As originally defined by Jennett and Plum in 1972, the term “persistent,” when applied to the vegetative state, meant sustained over time; “permanent” meant irreversible. Notwithstanding Jennett and Plum's precise use of language, confusion has arisen over the exact meaning of the term “persistent.” The adjective “persistent” refers only to a condition of past and continuing disability with an uncertain future, whereas “permanent” implies irreversibility. Persistent vegetative state is a diagnosis; permanent vegetative state is a prognosis. In retrospect, one reason Terry could have breached these categories was diagnostic error. Bryan Jennett, the co-originator of the vegetative state with Dr. Plum, later put it this way, “Some alleged late recoveries might in fact have been late discoveries of earlier recovery.”
Using network analysis to discern compositional patterns in ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry data of dissolved organic matter

Rationale Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) has long been recognized as a large and dynamic component of the global carbon cycle. Yet, DOM is chemically varied and complex and these attributes present challenges to researchers interested in addressing questions about the role of DOM in global biogeochemical cycles. Methods Organic matter extracts from seawater were analyzed by direct infusion with electrospray ionization into a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Network analysis was used to quantify the number of chemical transformations between mass-to-charge values in each sample. The network of chemical transformations was calculated using the MetaNetter plug-in within Cytoscape. The chemical transformations serve as markers for the shared structural characteristics of compounds within complex DOM. Results Network analysis revealed that transformations involving selected sulfur-containing moieties and isomers of amino acids were more prevalent in the deep sea than in the surface ocean. Common chemical transformations were not significantly different between the deep sea and surface ocean. Network analysis complements existing computational tools used to analyze ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry data. Conclusions This combination of ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry with novel computational tools has identified new potential building blocks of organic compounds in the deep sea, including the unexpected importance of dissolved organic sulfur components. The method described here can be readily applied by researchers to analyze heterogeneous and complex DOM. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moral learning as intuitive theory revision

We argue that moral learning, like much of conceptual development more generally, involves development and change in children's intuitive theories of the world. Children's intuitive theories involve coherent and abstract representations of the world, which point to domain-specific, unobservable causal-explanatory entities. From this perspective, children rely on intuitive sociological theories (in particular, an abstract expectation that group memberships constrain people's obligations), and their intuitive psychological theories (including expectations that mental states motivate individual behavior) to predict, explain, and evaluate morally-relevant action. Thus, moral learning involves development and change in each of these theories of the world across childhood, as well as developmental change in how children integrate information from these two intuitive theories. This perspective is supported by a series of research studies on young children's moral reasoning and learning, and compared to other developmental approaches, including more traditional forms of constructivism and more recent nativist perspectives.
A Nonlinear QR Algorithm for Banded Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problems

A variation of Kublanovskaya's nonlinear QR method for solving banded nonlinear eigenvalue problems is presented in this article. The new method is iterative and specifically designed for problems too large to use dense linear algebra techniques. For the unstructurally banded nonlinear eigenvalue problem, a new data structure is used for storing the matrices to keep memory and computational costs low. In addition, an algorithm is presented for computing several nearby nonlinear eigenvalues to already-computed ones. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the efficacy of the new methods, and the source code has been made publicly available.
Breast Cancer Stem Cells and the Move Toward High-Resolution Stem Cell Systems

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) were the first cancer stem cells defined among solid tissue malignancies. In a little over a decade since their discovery, the literature has boomed with additional markers and regulatory mechanisms governing their behavior. However, it has become evident in that time that BCSCs may themselves be heterogeneous and plastic. This calls for a more comprehensive but also higher-resolution investigation of the various cells that comprise a cancer and will potentially require new paradigms to describe their cellular hierarchies and the role of stem cell biology within them.
Uvision: a lightweight portable UVR detection system

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun can cause major damage to the skin if it is overexposed. The damage can be minor, from a sunburn to accelerated skin aging, to major with the development of detrimental skin cancers. UV photons that are able to bypass the natural defenses of the skin, melanin and DNA, can cause mutagenic damage to DNA, which can result in a range of harmful effects. Relying solely on the skin's natural defenses against the sun is ill advised. The use of sunblock decreases a person's chances of skin damage, but changing overall behavior through education is healthier. In this paper, we propose a lightweight portable UVR detection system, UVision. It consists of a wearable UV sensor for collecting real time UVR data and an Android application for displaying the sensor's results. The sensor will connect to the mobile application via Bluetooth and provide the user with awareness on UVR damage and suggestions to stay protected. With nearly five million Americans being treated for skin cancer each year and medical expenses for skin cancer costing about $8.3 billion annually, modern educational tools are needed. UVision looks to do just that in a cost-efficient manner.
Industrial application of Raman spectroscopy for control and optimization of vinyl acetate resin polymerization.

Monitoring and control of resin polymerizations is essential for high process safety, high product quality, and competitive production costs. Vinyl acetate resins created by bulk and solution polymerization usually have a high molecular weight and viscosity, making sample extraction for analysis a cumbersome process. In-process analytical methods, like Raman spectroscopy, enable not only the measurement of monomer and polymer composition during the reaction without complex mathematical calibrations but also the determination of final product properties. The latter is also possible in conjunction with other process data like temperatures and feed rates and with a multivariate approach. An overview of challenges, necessary considerations, and results is given.
The influence of cladding on fission gas release from irradiated U-Mo monolithic fuel

Abstract The monolithic uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloy has been proposed as a fuel design capable of converting the world's highest power research reactors from use of high enriched uranium to low enriched uranium. However, a zirconium (Zr) diffusion barrier must be used to eliminate interactions that form between the U-Mo monolith and aluminum alloy 6061 (AA6061) cladding during fabrication and are enhanced during irradiation. One aspect of fuel development and qualification is to demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the extent of fission product release from the fuel under anticipated service environments. An exothermic reaction has previously been observed between the AA6061 cladding and Zr diffusion layer. In this paper, two fuel segments with different irradiation history were subjected to specified thermal profiles under a controlled atmosphere using a thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyzer coupled with a mass spectrometer inside a hot cell. Samples from each segment were tested with cladding and without cladding to investigate the effect, if any, that the exothermic reaction has on fission gas release mechanisms. Measurements revealed there is an instantaneous effect of the cladding/Zr exothermic reaction, but not necessarily a cumulative effect above approximately 973 K (700 °C). The mechanisms responsible for fission gas release events are discussed.
Hypoxic Vasodilation by Red Blood Cells and Impairment in Vascular Disorders.

Physiological O 2 gradients are principal regulators of blood flow in the microcirculation: position-to-position changes in hemoglobin (Hb) O 2 saturation are coupled to regulated vasodilation (“hypoxic vasodilation”). The mechanism by which graded changes in O 2 content of blood evoke this response has been a great challenge to understand. A new role for red blood cells (RBCs) in hypoxic dilation of blood vessels and inhibition of platelet activation involving release of nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity is described. We show that NO groups can be transferred within hemoglobin (Hb) from hemes to highly-conserved cysteine thiols (β-Cys93) to form bioactive S -nitrosohemoglobin (SNO-Hb), and that efficient production of SNO-Hb requires selective processing of NO within the β-subunits. Bioactive SNO-Hb is localized primarily to the RBC membrane through interaction with Band 3, the transmembrane anion-exchanger 1 protein (AE1). Upon deoxygenation, transfer of the NO group from β-Cys93 of Hb to a cysteine thiol within AE1 serves the RBC vasodilator activity. In this way, O 2 binding in Hb modulates the release of NO bioactivity. We further show that RBC NO bioactivity is inversely proportional to pO 2 and impaired in disease. In an aortic ring bioassay sparged with variable concentrations of O 2 , addition of normal human RBCs elicited graded responses from relaxation at tissue pO 2 (~3–7 mm Hg, hypoxic vasodilation), to loss of relaxation and progressively greater contractions at pO 2 ’s of 10–63 mm Hg (hyperoxic vasoconstriction). Notably, RBC SNO-Hb levels and hypoxic vasodilation are impaired in several diseases characterized by vascular dysfunction. For example, in RBCs from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), we found decreased (13% of control) SNO-Hb content (assessed by photolysis-chemiluminescence) and impaired O 2 -dependent vasodilation (bioassay). RBCs from patients with other ischemic disorders have also been examined: RBCs demonstrate a pathogenesis-based impairment in their ability to mediate hypoxic vasodilation by NO. These results confirm the (patho)physiologic importance of RBC NO, and suggest that RBC dysfunction may contribute to impaired blood flow in diseases of the heart, lung and blood.
An ecosystem model for evaluating the effects of introduced Pacific salmon on contaminant burdens of stream-resident fish

In the Laurentian Great Lakes, introduced Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) can transport persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals to tributaries during their annual spawning migrations. To evaluate contaminant biotransport by spawning Pacific salmon, we developed a mass-balance ecosystem model for a Lake Huron tributary using Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) and Ecotracer. Within EwE and Ecotracer, we developed scenarios that reflected a range of salmon biomass inputs and different trophic pathways to predict polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and mercury (Hg) burdens of Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Mottled Sculpin. Our model accurately predicted PCB concentrations in stream-resident fish across a range of salmon spawner densities. However, we were unable to similarly predict Hg concentrations of stream-resident fish. Our modeling results suggest that salmon inputs specifically control PCB concentrations in stream-resident fish whereas Hg concentrations are more strongly influenced by diffuse background sources. Our model highlights how species-specific differences in diet and growth, along with trophic pathways, can influence the magnitude of contaminant impacts by spawning salmon. Insights from our study suggest that an EwE approach could be used to evaluate other legacy and emerging bioaccumulative contaminants in a variety of ecosystems.
Heterogeneity in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Introduction In recent years, molecular characterization of renal cell carcinoma has facilitated the identification of driver genes, specific molecular pathways, and characterization of the tumor microenvironment, which has led to a better understanding of the disease. This comprehension has revolutionized the treatment for patients with metastatic disease, but despite these advancements many patients will develop resistance leading to treatment failure. A primary cause of this resistance and subsequent treatment failure is tumor heterogeneity. We reviewed the literature on the mechanisms of tumor heterogeneity and its clinical implications. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed using the MEDLINE/PubMed Index. Results Intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity is possibly a reason for treatment failure and development of resistance. Specifically, the genetic profile of a renal tumor differs spatially within a tumor as well as among patients. Genomic mutations can change temporally with resistant subclones becoming dominant over time. Conclusions Accounting for intratumor and intertumor heterogeneity with better sampling of cancer tissue is needed. This will hopefully lead to improved identification of driver mutations and actionable targets. Only then, we can move past the one-size-fits-all approach toward personalized treatment based on each individual׳s molecular profile.
Mathematical programming heuristics for the production routing problem

This paper develops a framework and solution methodology for optimizing the integration of production, inventory, and distribution for supplying retail demand locations from a production facility. Two mathematical programming-based heuristics are developed which use a relaxed mixed integer model to determine an initial solution. One approach uses set partitioning and another approach employs the concept of seed routes to determine an approximate solution and a vehicle routing metaheuristic is used to sequence routes for each time period in the planning horizon. A multi-iteration improvement procedure determines the final solution. The proposed multi-phase approach achieves many new best known solutions to test problems for this challenging supply chain optimization problem. Additionally, experiments are conducted to assess the inclusion of fixed vehicle costs and the impact on fleet size and solution quality.
Monitoring Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Presence in Flue-Cured Tobacco Using Yellow Sticky Traps

The thrips-borne tomato spotted wilt tospovirus is a serious economic threat to Georgia's flue-cured tobacco crop. Two thrips vectors, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) and F. occidentalis (Pergande), ar...
Reconsidering the “Conventional Wisdom” of the Relationship between False Alarms and Risk Beliefs

The purpose of this research was to examine how false alarm experience of weather-related emergencies affects the relationship between perceived danger and desire for warnings. Participants reported how dangerous they perceived each event to be, whether they believed warnings should be distributed, whether they had experienced the event, and whether they had experienced a false alarm of the event. Participants indicated strong agreement for the desire for weather warnings. Although the literature implies that people who have experienced many false alarms may perceive that danger as less severe in the future due to the “crywolf effect,” our data suggest that people have a heightened risk perception and desire for warnings of those events. Because memories inform mental representations that guide decision-making in uncertain situations, it is imperative that future research continue to examine what people have stored in memory of false alarm experiences to settle debates in the contentious literature of fal...