cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting the Yield of Acid-fast Sputum Smears in Patients With HIV and Tuberculosis

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of acid-fast sputum smears in the diagnosis of pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Design Retrospective chart and radiographic film review. Setting Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York City. Patients All patients with positive sputum cultures for MTB during 1989 to 1991, including 100 with HIV, and 76 without HIV infection. Parameters The likelihood of a positive acid-fast sputum smear, related to chest radiograph findings, CD4 cell counts, drug sensitivity, and the presence of disseminated disease. Results Overall, 60 percent of patients with HIV had positive acid-fast smears, compared with 57 percent of non-HIV-infected patients. A relative absence of cavitary infiltrates did not substantially reduce the frequency of acid-fast smears in patients with and without HIV. Patients with HIV and CD4 count 200 had positive acid-fast smear rates of 58 percent, 60 percent, and 56 percent, respectively; HIV-infected patients with drug-resistant organisms had 65 percent positive smears. Smear positivity was 96 percent in patients with HIV infection and disseminated MTB. Conclusions Positive acid-fast sputum smears in culture-proven MTB occur with similar frequency in patients with and without HIV. The absence of cavitary disease did not significantly reduce the frequency of positive acid-fast smears. For patients with HIV, the likelihood of a positive smear was also independent of CD4 cell counts and drug resistance. Patients with HIV and disseminated MTB had positive sputum smears in nearly all cases.
Access System Framework for Regulating Offshore Wind Power in State Waters

Published research suggests the presence of a large wind resource off the U.S. coast. Although there is considerable interest among wind power developers in the coastal states, few projects have been proposed to date. A major factor constraining resource development is the lack of a regulatory framework to provide access to the ocean space and allocate property rights to the submerged lands where the wind turbines can be installed. Efforts to address this void began in 2005 at the federal level, but it has progressed unevenly and unsuccessfully since that time. At the state level, no coastal state has adopted a comprehensive and detailed regime to regulate, manage, and oversee this new ocean use in state waters. This article examines various approaches taken by coastal states to facilitate existing and emerging ocean uses and recommends a regulatory framework for installing offshore wind turbines in state waters.
Risk factors for Candida species colonization of neonatal intensive care unit patients

Background.Candida spp. are increasingly important pathogens in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Prior colonization is a major risk factor for candidemia, but few studies have focused on risk factors for colonization, particularly in NICU patients.Methods.A prospective, multicenter cohort study
Confronting Prejudiced Comments: Effectiveness of a Role-Playing Exercise

We examined whether a role-playing exercise, similar to that developed by Plous (2000), increases students’ ability to generate effective responses to prejudiced comments. We assessed social psychology students’ (n = 23) ability to respond to prejudiced comments before and after the exercise, and compared their performance to that of 2 other groups of students (total n = 38) who did not participate in the exercise. Results showed that the exercise increased students’ ability to generate effective responses to prejudiced comments. If students apply this skill in their daily lives, it could lead to a reduction in the overt expression of prejudice among others.
Robust Receding Horizon Control of A Tri-Turbofan Airship

This paper examines the use of receding horizon control technique to stabilize a 6 degree-of-freedom model of a tri-turbofan remote controlled indoor airship. The lateral-directional dynamics of the airship are simulated using a linear parameter varying force model that has been verified against actual flight test data. Due to the varying dynamics of the airship as it transitions between different flight modes, the problem of developing robust controllers due to model uncertainty becomes challenging. A receding horizon control implementation formulated as a linear matrix inequality optimization problem is implemented in order to introduce robustness to the changing dynamics of the airship model.
A semi-local paradigm for wavelet denoising

Wavelet denoising methods have been proven useful for many one- and two-dimensional problems. Most existing methods can in principle be carried over to three-dimensional problems, such as the denoising of volumetric positron emission tomography (PET) images, but they may not be sufficiently flexible in allowing some regions of an image to be denoised more aggressively than others. In this paper, we propose a semi-local paradigm for wavelet denoising. The semi-local paradigm involves the division of an image into suitable blocks, which are then individually denoised. To denoise the blocks, we use our modification of the generalized cross validation (GCV) technique of Jansen and Bultheel to choose thresholding parameters; we also present risk estimators to guide some of the other choices involved in the implementation. Experiments with phantom PET images show that the semi-local paradigm provides superior denoising compared to standard application of the GCV technique. An asymptotic analysis demonstrates that, under some regularity conditions, semi-local denoising is asymptotically consistent on the logarithmic scale. The paper concludes with a discussion on the nature of semi-local denoising and some topics for future research.
Reflective middleware for integrating network monitoring with adaptive object messaging

In the future, applications will need to execute in a ubiquitous environment with varying network conditions (connectivity, bandwidth, etc.) and system constraints (e.g., power and storage). The distributed object paradigm is often used to facilitate the development of large-scale distributed applications. However, the traditional object messaging layer operates with limited awareness of underlying system and network conditions, whereas current system and network monitoring tools operate at the network layer with little awareness of application-level object communication requirements. This article explores the possibility, mechanisms and benefits of filling the gap between object messaging and system monitoring. We introduce connection abstraction as the mechanism for these two layers to communicate and exchange information. Through this integration, object messaging can proactively adapt to changing system conditions; system monitoring policies and parameters can be optimized based on interobject communication properties.
Nuclear protein IK undergoes dynamic subcellular translocation and forms unique nuclear bodies during the cell cycle

IK is a nuclear protein containing a unique domain named RED due to the presence of a repetitive arginine (R), aspartic (E), and glutamic acid (D) sequence. To date, the function of this protein remains largely unknown despite of a couple of previous studies in the literature. Here we report that depletion of IK via RNA interference results in mitotic arrest. We also demonstrate that IK undergoes dynamic translocation during interphase and mitosis. In particular, IK is primarily present in some interphase cells as nuclear foci/bodies which do not co-localize with nucleoli, PMA bodies and Cajal bodies. Pull-down analysis coupled with mass spectrometry reveals that IK is associated with DHX15, a putative ATP-dependent RNA helicase. Our results strongly suggest that IK may participate in pre-mRNA splicing and that it may be a useful biomarker for a new nuclear structure in the cell.
Distinct Allelic Loss Patterns in Papillary Serous Carcinoma of the Peritoneum

Tumor and normal tissues from 55 patients with papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum (PSCP) were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of tandem repeat polymorphism was used to screen for loss of heterozygosity (LOH). We mapped 22
Application of sequential probability ratio test to uranium enrichment verification

Abstract The sequential probability ratio test is a statistical process capable of quickly and accurately verifying the uranium enrichment in the header pipes of uranium centrifuge enrichment facilities. The test minimizes the time required for a measurement, making a complete verification possible in 15–30 min.
Social Support Networks and Expectations for Aging in Place and Moving

This study investigated the relationship of social support networks with expectations for aging in place and moving in a sample of relatively healthy, community-dwelling adults (N = 4,611). Results indicated that those with aging in place expectation and those with moving expectation were comparable in sociodemographics, self-rated health, and social support networks. Knowledge of home- and community-based services (HCBS) availability was associated with respondents reporting an older age at which they expected regular help and moving. When compared with those who did not offer an age prediction, knowledge of HCBS availability, information sources for personal care, and social activity engagement were important in understanding the choices of age ranges at which respondents expected to age in place and to move. Findings point to the importance of expanding social support networks, providing opportunities for social activity, and strengthening information networks with the emphasis on targeting older adult...
A Hydroponic Seedling Assay for Resistance to Cephalosporium Stripe of Wheat.

Cowger, C., and Mundt, C. C. 1998. A hydroponic seedling assay for resistance to Cephalosporium stripe of wheat. Plant Dis. 82:1126-1131. A procedure was developed to rate winter wheat seedlings approximately 20 days old for resistance to Cephalosporium stripe, a vascular wilt caused by the soilborne f ungus Cephalosporium gramineum. Seedlings were inoculated after 12 to 15 days of growth in liquid culture in controlled-environment chambers, then assessed for disease symptoms at 7 to 8 days post-inoculation. Disease severity was assayed by measuring chlorophyll in the youngest fully expanded leaf, using a chlorophyll meter. Four replicated trials tested a total of 12 winter wheat cu ltivars, including both hard red cultivars from the U.S. Southern Plains and soft white winter cu ltivars from the U.S. Pacific Northwest. With one exception, the procedure consistently ranked cultivars correctly, according to field performance, as moderately resistant or susceptible. Jagger, a moderately resistant, hard red Kansas wheat, was ranked with susceptible cultivars in one of three trials. Additional keywords: Hymenula cerealis, Triticum aestivum
Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery with an intramural course within the aortic wall: report of 3 surgical cases.

sion. The long-term graft patency of saphenous vein grafts is reported to be about 60% at 4 years. Percutaneous coronary intervention is the choice of revascularization for poor surgical candidates with calcified aortas. Technical and equipment advances have enabled stenting in the unprotected left main coronary artery to be performed with a high initial success rate and acceptable shortto intermediate-term outcomes. Favorable long-term outcomes have also been reported for patients with good left ventricular function, although restenosis occurs in 20% of patients. For patients with previously inserted multiple bare metal stents and restenosis, Furukawa and colleagues used sirolimuseluting stents and observed good 6-month outcomes. In conclusion, we report a case of TA with obliteration of the left coronary ostium. This was successfully treated with CABG, and the patient was event free at 1 year. CABG, although difficult in some cases of TA, remains the best revascularization option for patients with significant left main trunk stenosis.
Design of a superregenerative receiver for solar powered applications

The design of an inexpensive superregenerative radio receiver suitable for battery or solar powered operation in remote control applications where traditional sources of power are unavailable is discussed. Power consumption is held to a minimum without sacrificing receiver sensitivity by providing minimal biasing to discrete devices and by utilizing low power CMOS integrated circuits wherever practical. Supply current varies from a minimum value of 0.8 mA to a maximum value of 1.8 mA over the supply voltage range of 4.0 to 5.4 V. Power consumption at the nominal battery voltage of 4.8 V is less than seven mW, with a current of 1.4 mA. Receiver sensitivity, when defined as the minimum modulated source voltage required to produce a reliable demodulated digital output signal, is a consistent 1 mu V over the supply voltage range. Receiver bandwidth at the minimum signal level of 1 mu V is 700 kHz. Bandwidth increases to 2.0 MHz for a 10 mu V input signal. >
Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and their applicability to related species

Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an important biological control agent of aphids, and a model organism for the study of host—parasitoid ecology and evolution. We isolated microsatellite loci from A. ervi to examine the genetic effects of its introduction from Europe to North America. We present primers for 11 microsatellites from A. ervi . We have assayed six of these loci for variability and found from two to 37 alleles. These six primer pairs were tested on 17 related species and appear broadly applicable. These microsatellite loci provide a new tool for research on A. ervi and its relatives.
Do Institutions Really Matter? Assessing the Impact of State Judicial Structures on Citizen Litigiousness

The issue of American litigiousness, especially in the area of tort litigation, has long been a topic of academic debate and political consternation. While some researchers argue over the existence of a 'litigation explosion' or its extent, others seek to understand the root causes of citizen legal mobilization and why governmental entities (states, municipalities, etc.) often have very different experiences concerning citizen legal mobilization and rates of litigation. A number of explanations for variance in state litigation rates have been offered, including political culture, socio-economic dynamics, and legislative intervention (e.g. tort reform), among others. Some of these studies find that litigation and citizens' use of the courts provide an alternative means of political mobilization when more traditional means of political participation may be perceived as less viable. While such studies have provided important insight into citizens' propensity to invoke the state courts to settle disputes, there remain unresolved questions in the literature concerning state litigation rates. In addressing the puzzle of state legal mobilization, existing studies have largely ignored an important theoretical consideration: the institutional structure of state court systems. We draw upon a well-established state politics literature to argue that the structural aspects of state judicial systems, specifically the professionalism of the courts and the method of judicial selection, have important implications for state citizen legal mobilization (litigiousness). We further suggest that the effects of these institutional structural characteristics do not work independently, but are conditioned upon the ideology of the citizenry in which they operate. We consider tort litigation rates in 10 states over 20 years to assess the proposition that these institutional structural characteristics of state court systems affect state citizen legal mobilization, expressed as litigation rates.
Islandology: geography, rhetoric, politics

Marc Shell’s Islandology: Geography, Rhetoric, Politics is an examination of historical and literary perspectives on islands. Filled with many illustrations, photos, maps, and narratives, this book...
A Comparison of Homelessness Across Cities

State Street is a University of Wisconsin landmark filled with great shops and restaurant, and is also home to some of Madison’s notorious homeless people. For example, “Piccolo Pete” can be found sitting outside the university bookstore playing his piccolo, and “Scanner Dan” has the reputation of shouting gibberish about UW Madison’s sororities. Students walk past these infamous characters on a daily basis, and many offer spare change or food as a temporary remedy. However, instead of offering temporary solutions to the current homelessness problem, one can dive deeper into the rooted causes of homelessness in order to derive a viable solution to this overwhelmingly present problem.
Inhibition of SV40 Replication In Vitro by Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ated Diadenosine Tetraphosphate

Although poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is generally considered as a post- translational modification of protein, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase may also catalyze the addition of poly(ADP-ribose) to the 5′ dinucleotide diadenosine-5′,5′″-P1, P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) (1). 5′-Dinucleotides such as Ap4A have been identified in a number of biological systems, including bacteria, plants, and mammalian cells, yet the physiological role of these compounds remain unclear (reviewed in 2 and 3). One proposed role for Ap4A and related compounds is as “alarmones” or mediators of the cellular stress response (4, 5). This proposal is based on the observation that Ap4A accumulates in cells following a number of physiological stresses, including heat shock and oxidative stress (4–8). Ap4A has also been proposed to serve as a positive regulator of DNA replication (9, 10). Support for this model include reports of 50–1000 fold increases in the Ap4A pools of cells in S phase (9, 10) and that Ap4A initiates DNA synthesis in permeablized growth arrested cells (11). It should be noted, however, that these effects have not been observed by all investigators (5, 6, 12, 13). Ap4A could regulate either the cellular stress response or the initiation of DNA replication through an Ap4A binding protein that has been identified as part of the 640 kDa DNA polymerase alpha holoenzyme (EC 2.7.7.7) (14). Although neither the presence of this protein nor Ap4A seem to alter the catalytic activity of DNA polymerase alpha in vitro (15), the presence of the Ap4A binding protein allows Ap4A to serve as a primer for DNA synthesis in the absence of an RNA primer (16).
Assessing Clinical MSW Students’ Attitudes, Attributions, and Responses to Poverty

ABSTRACTThe choices social workers make to assist people in poverty may be attributable to the attitudes they bring to their social work education but might also be attributable to the explanations for poverty they learned during their programs. This study surveyed 337 students in a clinical MSW program about their attitudes toward the poor, attributions for poverty, and beliefs regarding models of interventions regarding poverty. Students preferred structural attributions for poverty over individual attributions for poverty. They also strongly endorsed structural responses ut simultaneously endorsed psychological responses. Future research should investigate students’ connections between attitudes towards the poor, attributions for poverty and beliefs regarding intervention responses.
On-Chip Group Velocity Dispersion Compensation using Coupled Chirped Vertical Gratings

Coupled chirped vertical gratings are proposed for on-chip group velocity dispersion compensation. The device is studied using finite-difference time domain simulations and fabricated. The device circumvents the need for directional couplers to redirect compensated data.
Emerging Biomarkers in Personalized Therapy of Lung Cancer

The two clinically validated and Food and Drug Administration approved lung cancer predictive biomarkers (epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocations) occur in only about 20 % of lung adenocarcinomas and acquired resistance develops to first generation drugs. Several other oncogenic drivers for lung adenocarcinoma have emerged as potentially druggable targets with new predictive biomarkers. Oncologists are requesting testing for ROS1 translocations which predict susceptibility to crizotinib, already approved for ALK positive lung cancers. Other potential biomarkers which are currently undergoing clinical trials are RET, MET, HER2 and BRAF. Detection of these biomarkers includes fluorescent in situ hybridization and/or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (ROS1, RET, HER2), mutation analysis (BRAF) and immunohistochemistry (MET). Screening by immunohistochemistry may be useful for some biomarkers (ROS1, BRAF). Targeted next generation sequencing techniques may be useful as well. These five biomarkers are under consideration for inclusion in revised lung cancer biomarker guidelines by the College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and Association for Molecular Pathology.
Can streptomycin prevent the selection of isoniazid-resistant mutants in nude mice infected with M. tuberculosis?

Rationale: In a previous study, the treatment of M.tuberculosis infected athymic nu/nu (nude) mice with the bactericidal drug isoniazid (H) combined with the two sterilizing drugs, rifampicin (R) and pyrazinamide (Z) failed and selected H-resistant mutants. We investigated whether the combination of H with the bactericidal drug, streptomycin (S) would be able to prevent that selection. Methods: A total of 80 nude mice were aerosol infected with 3.67±0.13 log10 of M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Two weeks later, at treatment initiation, mice were randomized in the following subgroups: untreated and treated with RZH + ethambutol (E) as controls; treated with SH or RH, as tests, Treatment was given five days/week for 12 weeks. Drug doses (mg/kg) were 10 for R and H, 150 for Z and 100 for S and E. Lung CFU counts were done the day after infection, on treatment initiation, and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment on plain and H 0.2 μg/ml-containing 7H11 selective plates. Results: Lung CFU counts were 7.40±0.28 log10 on treatment initiation. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, they were 5.82±0.35, 4.05±0.55 and 2.30±0.25, respectively for RHZE; 5.00±0.09, 5.32±0.6 and 6.57±0.29, respectively for SH; and 6.00±0.39, 6.24±0.28, 7.68±0.49, respectively for RH. H resistance was prevented in RHZE treated mice but not in SH and RH treated mice. Conclusion: Despite its bactericidal activity, S alone cannot prevent selection of H-resistant mutants in nude mice.
Indoor Air Quality of Metro Line 2 Stations before Commercial Operation in Xi’an

[Objective]To analyze the indoor air quality of 17 stations of metro line 2 in Xi’an.[Methods]With reference to the Technical Rules of Health Monitoring for Public Places(GB/T 17220—1998),indicators including temperature,relative humidity,wind velocity,carbon monoxide(CO),carbon dioxide(CO 2),formaldehyde,respirable particular matter(PM 10),air bacteria,noise,and illumination were detected in the 17 station halls and platforms.[Results]Except the temperature of Station 16 and the PM 10 in Stations 9 10 were higher than the standards,the indicators of the other 14 stations were all within the acceptable limits.The temperature,the concentrations of CO 2 and formaldehyde were higher in the station halls,and the relative humidity,noise levels,and illumination levels were higher in the platforms(P0.05).[Conclusion]The indoor hygienic quality of Xi’an metro line 2 is at a high level.Routine hygienic monitoring should be performed after the commercial operation.
Measure and check of noise level for typical transmission and transformation facilities in Heilongjiang power grid

The noise made when power grid operates is an important polluted environment factor,this paper proposed countermeasures to decreasing noise pollution by testing and measuring the noise level for typical transmission and transformation facilities in power grid.
Spatiotemporal Event Forecasting in Social Media.

Event forecasting in Twitter is an important and challenging problem. Most existing approaches focus on forecasting temporal events (such as elections and sports) and do not consider spatial features and their underlying correlations. In this paper, we propose a generative model for spatiotemporal event forecasting in Twitter. Our model characterizes the underlying development of future events by jointly modeling the structural contexts and spatiotemporal burstiness. An effective inference algorithm is developed to train the model parameters. Utilizing the trained model, the alignment likelihood of tweet sequences is calculated by dynamic programming. Extensive experimental evaluations on two different domains demonstrated the effectiveness of our pro-
Gossip and Other Matters

Personal relationships form a key strand in the evolution of a transformed Anglo-American journalism, especially during the 1860s and 1870s. A cosmopolitan literary culture flourished on both sides of the Atlantic. When British pressmen visited America on extended lecture tours or when transmitting stories to their newspapers, they frequently stayed with American writers or journalists, were wined and dined by them, and became part of a transatlantic literary coterie. From these men and women they absorbed rapid-fire techniques of news collecting as well as such American press “vulgarisms” as interviewing; some of them returned to Britain suffused with ideas that had a considerable impact on its journalism. The details of this interaction are frequently difficult to trace. But Henry Lucy’s observation that the development of a popular press in Britain resulted from “grafting American journalism on a British stem,” is, undoubtedly, close to the mark.1
Local people’s perceptions of wildlife species in two distinct landscapes of Northern Tanzania

Abstract Local attitudes towards wildlife species are key for the coexistence between humans and wildlife. To assess how economic, social, and psychological factors affect human perception of wildlife species we conducted questionnaire surveys in two ecologically and culturally distinct rural areas of Northern Tanzania (Mbulu Plateau highlands and Rift Valley lowlands). Using responses of 356 individuals we determined local preferences for population sizes of 31 wildlife species. For five of these species or species groups (rodents, hyena, birds of prey, African elephant, jackal), more than 30% of participants desired a population decline. To investigate correlates for desired population reductions of these species, we ran species-specific (five listed species and African lion) and study area-specific generalized linear mixed models that accounted for spatial autocorrelation. Using these models we assessed relationships between the likelihood of respondents desiring a population decline and six hypothesized explanatory variables: gender; age; ethnicity, and wealth of participant; perceived frequency of negative interactions with; and fear of each species. In both the highland and lowland and for all species, participants that perceived higher instances of negative interactions with wildlife were more likely to prefer smaller future populations, but relationships between perceived frequency of negative interactions and attitudes were often non-linear. People who feared a species were also more likely to desire a population decline. Other variables (gender, age, ethnicity, wealth) showed species- and area-level variations, and we observed substantial spatial variation in expressed attitudes towards species. Thus, negative attitudes towards wildlife appear to be mainly associated with past (negative) experiences and fear, but not necessarily with associated costs or socio-demographic variables. To ensure coexistence between wildlife and humans, we suggest (1) wildlife damage prevention through technical measures and (2) educational initiatives to increase positive attitudes towards wildlife.
Selamectin Lacks Efficacy against Lungworm (Rhabdias sp.) in the Lemur Leaf Frog (Hylomantis lemur)

Abstract Lemur leaf frogs (Hylomantis lemur) positive for Rhabdias sp. were treated topically with technical grade (6 or 60 mg/kg) or commercial selamectin (Revolution®, 6 mg/kg) dissolved in isopropyl alcohol. Frogs were treated weekly for three treatments. Feces were examined over 21 days for the presence or absence of Rhabdias sp., with the infection data analyzed by log linear analysis. Topical selamectin was not efficacious in the control of Rhabdias sp. in this species of frog.
Energy-Harvesting Low-Power Devices in Cyber-Physical Systems

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) widely use sensors and actors for monitoring and controlling the physical elements of the CPS. Reliability and lifetime of those sensors and actors play an important role in the reliability and availability of the whole system. The limited battery capacity of the sensors and actors emerge as a significant challenge in hyper-connected CPSs, mostly because intense communications in a limited physical space drain batteries faster than conventional sensor applications. Energy conservation and energy harvesting approaches increase the lifetime of sensors. However, traditional energy harvesting techniques do not serve as deterministic sources of energy due to their intermittent availability. Recently, low-power sensors with radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting capability have become commercially available. In this chapter, we motivate the use of RF-powered sensors in CPSs. The chapter introduces results from RF energy harvesting in sensor networks and in heterogenous wireless networks. In addition, the chapter discusses and presents some preliminary results on relayed energy transfer.
Seismic Fragility Analysis of Faulty Smart Structures

In this chapter, seismic vulnerability of smart structures is assessed using fragility analysis framework. The fragility analysis framework is effective to evaluate the performance and the vulnerability of structures under a variety of earthquake loads. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the seismic fragility analysis framework, a three-story steel frame building employing the nonlinear smart damping system is selected as a case study structure. To investigate the impact of sensor failures, various sensor damage case scenarios are considered. The seismic capacity of the smart building is determined based on the typical structural performance levels used in the literature. The unknown parameters for the seismic demand models are estimated using a Bayesian updating algorithm. Finally, the fragility curves of the smart structures under a variety of sensor damage cases are compared. It is proved from the extensive simulations that the proposed seismic fragility analysis framework is very effective in estimating the control performance of smart structures with sensor faults.
Physical and Psychosocial Donation Experiences Of Older Adult Related HSC Donors (>60 yrs.) Compared To Those Of Younger Adult Donors

During the past two decades, there have been multiple investigations of unrelated hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donor safety and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). During this same time period, there have been few investigations of related donor safety and HRQoL – particularly older related donors. Co-morbid conditions may be particularly likely to affect the risk of donation to related donors >60 years of age. As older related siblings are increasingly asked to donate, it is critical to understand HRQoL in this group. Findings presented here are the first from a 5-year investigation of related donor safety and HRQoL (RDSafe). The goal was to compare HRQoL among older adult related donors to that of younger related and unrelated adult donors. Participants included older adult related HSC donors (ages >60 yrs; n=106) and adult related (n=55) and unrelated (n=46) HSC donors ages 18-60 who donated PBSCs at domestic U.S. centers between 3/2010 and 4/2013. Findings presented here are based on structured telephone interviews completed pre-donation and 4 weeks post-donation. Interviews focused on socio-demographics, physical and mental health status, and donation-related perceptions using well-validated instruments. Odds-ratios for dichotomous variables and t-tests for continuous variables were used to examine pre- and post-donation differences (older donors versus the two younger donor groups). Demographics As expected, given known demographic differences between the groups, older related donors were less likely to be employed, and more likely be white, married, and to have children. Pre-donation psychosocial and donation-related: Pre-donation, older related donors reported higher importance of religion/spirituality (t=2.60; p These findings are very reassuring, as older donors are increasingly being asked to donate for their siblings. Despite having somewhat poorer overall general health that is likely age-related, the fact that older donors experience similar – and in some domains better – donation-related HRQoL compared to younger donors is a critical finding. Further data from this study detailing specific medical toxicities experienced by these older related donors will help better understand how to counsel these donors pre-collection. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
An event-triggered control approach for the leader-tracking problem with heterogeneous agents

This paper presents an event-triggered control and communication framework for the cooperative leader-tracking problem with communication constraints. Continuous communication among agents is not a...
Interdependency amongst earthquake magnitudes in Southern California

ABSTRACTRecent research has shown that for the larger earthquakes recorded (M≥5.2) within the global centroid moment tensor (gCMT) there is a positive correlation between the magnitudes of earthquakes and the magnitudes of their aftershocks [13]. Through a modification of model independent stochastic de-clustering [12] and a more localized catalog provided by the Southern California Earthquake Data Center (SCEDC), the methodologies of Nichols and Schoenberg can be extended to catalogs complete with a much lower minimum magnitude of completeness (M≥2.2). Results indicate that the positive correlation observed between larger earthquakes in the gCMT catalog and their aftershocks is also evident in the relationship between the magnitudes of earthquakes in the SCEDC data and their aftershocks. However, with the lower minimum magnitude of completeness found in the SCEDC catalog and with short periods of extreme earthquake activity evident within the data, the statistical power of the stochastic de-clustering al...
A daily investigation of smartphone use and affective well-being at work

This study examines the effects of employees daily smartphone use for personal purposes (i.e., entertainment, social, and informative usage) on their affective well-being at the end of workday. Spe...
Communication, interactivity, and satisfaction in B2B relationships

Abstract This study examines how traditional and new communication media impact satisfaction in business-to-business (B2B) relationships. We develop a conceptual model and empirically investigate hypotheses linking personal face-to-face (F2F), digital, and impersonal communication to buyer and supplier contacts, rationality, social interaction, and reciprocal feedback, and these interactivity dimensions to relationship satisfaction. Structural equation models are estimated with data from the commercial printing and graphic design industry. The findings indicate that personal has a stronger positive association than digital communication with dyadic contact (buyer and supplier contacts), social interaction, and reciprocal feedback, but a weaker positive association than digital with rationality. Digital has a stronger positive association than impersonal communication with dyadic contact, rationality, and reciprocal feedback, but a weaker positive association than impersonal with social interaction. Only rationality and reciprocal feedback have positive associations with satisfaction. Dyadic contact, however, has a negative association with satisfaction that is stronger for personal than digital communication.
Chiral phase transition at finite chemical potential in 2 +1 -flavor soft-wall anti-de Sitter space QCD

The phase transition from hadronic matter to chirally symmetric quark-gluon plasma is expected to be a rapid crossover at zero quark chemical potential ($\ensuremath{\mu}$), becoming first order at some finite value of $\ensuremath{\mu}$, indicating the presence of a critical point. Using a three-flavor soft-wall model of anti--de Sitter/QCD, we investigate the effect of varying the light and strange quark masses on the order of the chiral phase transition. At zero quark chemical potential, we reproduce the Columbia Plot, which summarizes the results of lattice QCD and other holographic models. We then extend this holographic model to examine the effects of finite quark chemical potential. We find that the the chemical potential does not affect the critical line that separates first-order from rapid crossover transitions. This excludes the possibility of a critical point in this model, suggesting that a different setup is necessary to reproduce all the features of the QCD phase diagram.
Environmentally benign metallization of material extrusion technology 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene parts using physical vapor deposition

Abstract Metallization has been widely used to enhance the aesthetics and performance of injection molded plastic parts, but the techniques have not been widely extended to 3D printed parts due to intrinsic differences in surface chemistry and morphology. Here, we investigate direct metallization of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) 3D printed thermoplastic parts using low cost environmentally benign surface preparations and physical vapor deposition (PVD) to avoid the use of preparation with toxic chromic acid. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra are gathered for each surface preparation method prior to metallization. The metallized parts are then characterized for thin film adhesion, electrical resistivity, and optical reflectivity. Additionally, each part is imaged using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) post-metallization. The results show that surface preparation with solvent results in a smooth and aesthetically pleasing surface, but metallic film adhesion is poor. Conversely, when 2000 grit sandpaper is used to mechanically prepare the surfaces, the resulting films have poor electrical conductivity and optical reflectance, but excellent adhesion. Atmospheric plasma treatment of the parts results in the highest overall performance, with superior adhesion strength and optical reflectivity and low electrical resistivity. Electron microscopy and FTIR reveal that the high adhesion resulting from atmospheric plasma is caused by modification surface morphology, but not surface chemical termination. The results indicate that direct metallization of 3D printed ABS is a viable method for creating metallized parts with high performance and an aesthetically pleasing appearance and that the use of chromic acid in surface preparation is not necessary.
CHROMOSOME STUDIES IN NORMAL AND LEUKEMIC RATS

1. Adequate chromosome preparations were obtained in 70 per cent of normal rat peripheral blood cell cultures. However, cultures of peripheral blood cells from leukemic rats were almost universally unsuccessful. 2. In x-ray- and 3MCA-induced leukemias direct bone marrow preparations provided adequate metaphases in eight of 12 cases. Failures were attributed in four cases to scanty material obtained from fibrotic marrows. 3. No consistent chromosome abnormalities, such as those reported in human myelogenous leukemia, were found in these leukemic rats. However, the series of cases is small, and species differences and other factors may have influenced the results of these studies.
Parallel computing in grid environment

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the applications of parallel computing over the grids. It has been performed to demonstrate compatibility and applicability of the parallel tools developed in the Computational Fluids Dynamics Laboratory, IUPUI, in the Grid environment. The objective is to use all available resources (heterogeneous operating systems such as Unix, Linux, and Windows, and different resources such as parallel computers and clusters through networks) distributed and owned by different organizations. The new tools should respond to changing environments that are identified by the computer and network loads, restricted access problems, and multiple high-demanding users. It should also support shared or dedicated computer resources. A load management tool should be capable of hiding the complexity of the computing environment from the user. In a previous chapter, two gatekeepers are defined in the CFD Laboratory for the grid environment by using Globus. Single job submission between two gatekeepers in Globus environment has been achieved with its default schedule.
Incorporation of sustainability in process control of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional reservoirs

Abstract Typically, the term shale oil refers to natural oil trapped in rock of low porosity and ultra-low permeability. What has made the recovery of shale oil and gas economically viable is the extensive use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. Research on the relationship between the distribution of propping agent, called proppant, and shale well performance indicates that uniformity of proppant bank height and suspended proppant concentration across the fracture at the end of pumping determines the productivity of produced wells. However, it is important to note that traditional fracturing fluid pumping schedules have not considered the environmental and economic impacts of the post-fracturing process such as treatment and reuse of flowback water from fractured wells. Motivated by this consideration, a control framework is proposed to integrate sustainability considerations of the post-fracturing process into the hydraulic fracturing process. In this regard, a dynamic model is developed to describe the flow rate and the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) in flowback water from fractured wells. Thermal membrane distillation is considered for the removal of TDS. An optimization problem is formulated to find the optimal process that consists of hydraulic fracturing, storage, transportation, and water treatment, through minimizing annualized cost and water footprint of the process. The capabilities of the proposed approach are illustrated through the simulation results of different scenarios that are performed to examine effects of water availability on the productivity of stimulated wells. Finally, the environmental impact of flowback water treatment is evaluated using TRACI, a tool for the reduction and assessment of chemical and other environmental impacts.
Rationale and design of a nurse-led intervention to extend the HIV treatment cascade for cardiovascular disease prevention trial (EXTRA-CVD)

Background Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are at increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In spite of this, uptake of evidence-based clinical interventions for ASCVD risk reduction in the HIV clinic setting is sub-optimal. Methods EXTRA-CVD is a 12-month randomized clinical effectiveness trial that will assess the efficacy of a multi-component nurse-led intervention in reducing ASCVD risk among PLHIV. Three hundred high ASCVD risk PLHIV across three sites will be randomized 1:1 to usual care with generic prevention education or the study intervention. The study intervention will consist of four evidence-based components: (1) nurse-led care coordination, (2) nurse-managed medication protocols and adherence support (3) home BP monitoring, and (4) electronic health records support tools. The primary outcome will be change in systolic blood pressure and secondary outcome will be change in non-HDL cholesterol over the course of the intervention. Tertiary outcomes will include change in the proportion of participants in the following extended cascade categories: (1) appropriately diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (2) appropriately managed; (3) at treatment goal (systolic blood pressure Conclusions The EXTRA-CVD trial will provide evidence appraising the potential impact of nurse-led interventions in reducing ASCVD risk among PLHIV, an essential extension of the HIV care continuum beyond HIV viral suppression.
Cloud Edge Properties Measured by the ARM Shortwave Spectrometer Over Ocean and Land

We use the spectrally-invariant method to study the variability of cloud optical thickness () and droplet effective radius (reff) in transition zones between the cloudy and clear sky columns observed by Shortwave Array Spectroradiometer-Zenith (SASZe) at the Southern Great Plains Central Facility site (SGP C1) and during the Marine ARM GPCI Investigation of Clouds (MAGIC) field campaign. The spectrally-invariant method approximates the spectra in the transition zone as a linear combination of definitely clear and definitely cloudy spectra. The slope and intercept of the linear relations characterize and reff in the transition region, respectively. The radiative transfer model simulations show that that (i) the slope of the visible (VIS) band is positively correlated with while (ii) the intercept of the near-infrared (NIR) band has a high negative correlation with reff. We have analyzed 22 cloud edge cases from the SGP and MAGIC and found that from cloud to clear in the transitions (a) the slopes of the VIS band decrease, indicating the decrease of towards cloud edges; (b) the intercepts of the NIR band show a much more significant increase at the SGP than from the MAGIC. The results from observed cases suggest that while decreases for all cases, the decrease in reff is much more significant for cloud over land at the SGP site compared to the ocean counterpart during the MAGIC campaign.
The introductory communication course from 1956 to 2016: a meta-synthesis

The history of the academic discipline of communication and the subsequent departments that followed are linked in some form or fashion to the evolution of the introductory communication course. Gi...
CROI 2019: advances in antiretroviral therapy

The 2019 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections included many exciting advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART). Investigators presented a case report of a second patient possibly cured of HIV through an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant from a CC chemokine receptor 5-delta 32 donor. Two clinical trials of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine showed promising safety, efficacy, and tolerability as maintenance ART. Test-and-treat and rapid-ART-start strategies show promise in advancing progress toward the HIV care cascade 90-90-90 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS/World Health Organization targets. However, late diagnosis and mortality after ART initiation remain high, even in the context of HIV service scale-up, and mortality from unintentional opioid overdose in people living with HIV in the United States is on the rise. In vitro studies were presented that identified and evaluated the effect of resistance-associated mutations on ART susceptibility and elucidated mechanisms of resistance. Epidemiologic data were reported on the prevalence, impact, regional variation, and changes over time of resistance-associated mutations. Decreasing regional and national rates of resistance may be a benefit of increasing use of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs). New findings were presented on maternal and fetal health outcomes in women of reproductive potential, drug-drug interactions between hormonal contraception and ART, and further exploration of the association between InSTIs and birth defects.