cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of Plastic Parts

Abstract Practical considerations for plastic part design are presented beginning with an overview of advantages of polymeric materials and manufacturing processes. Basic material selection is considered with respect to electrical, mechanical, thermal, and processing properties. A comparison of common manufacturing processes including extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, and injection molding is provided to support process selection. Structural design guidelines are provided with regard to strength and stiffness. Design for manufacturing and assembly guidelines are provided for assembling, fastening, and maintaining tolerances for multiple component designs. Strategies for risk mitigation in design are also presented.
Semantically-Aware Aerial Reconstruction from Multi-modal Data

We consider a methodology for integrating multiple sensors along with semantic information to enhance scene representations. We propose a probabilistic generative model for inferring semantically-informed aerial reconstructions from multi-modal data within a consistent mathematical framework. The approach, called Semantically-Aware Aerial Reconstruction (SAAR), not only exploits inferred scene geometry, appearance, and semantic observations to obtain a meaningful categorization of the data, but also extends previously proposed methods by imposing structure on the prior over geometry, appearance, and semantic labels. This leads to more accurate reconstructions and the ability to fill in missing contextual labels via joint sensor and semantic information. We introduce a new multi-modal synthetic dataset in order to provide quantitative performance analysis. Additionally, we apply the model to real-world data and exploit OpenStreetMap as a source of semantic observations. We show quantitative improvements in reconstruction accuracy of large-scale urban scenes from the combination of LiDAR, aerial photography, and semantic data. Furthermore, we demonstrate the model's ability to fill in for missing sensed data, leading to more interpretable reconstructions.
Urban Renaissance or Invasion: Planning the Development of a Simulation Model of Gentrification

Gentrification has gone from being perceived as a process that cities should avoid at all costs to a welcome result of sound economic redevelopment policy. This transformation in perception is rooted in the recent decoupling of the inflow of high-status residents to the urban core from the outflow of low-status residents. However, it is unclear whether this decoupling is based on an actual lack of a relationship between displacement of the poor and urban resettlement by the rich or is rather a relic of the empirical difficulty of empirically tracking the movements of displaced populations. In this chapter, we propose assessing the extent to which the decoupling of gentrification and displacement is warranted by deriving an agent-based residential sorting model to represent the dynamics of urban neighborhood change.
Sociological Aspects of the Decision Making Process

N RECENT years, a rather complete conceptual framework of the decision making process has evolved. This framework, in its broadest form, encompasses concepts and principles taken from economics, psychology, sociology and related social sciences. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of sociology relative to the decision making process. This examination will proceed in two steps. First, the relationship of sociology to the decision making framework will be discussed. Second, the degree to which sociological aspects of the decision making process are being investigated in the empirical study under discussion in this series of papers will be indicated. Sociology is involved in decision making in several ways and at various levels of importance. The first and perhaps most significant implication of sociology to the decision making process is relative to the goals and objectives of managers. The making of decisions implies the existence of objectives toward which decisions are oriented. As agricultural economists, we have generally assumed that the objective of the farm firm is to maximize returns to the productive services employed. This is an extremely useful assumption. It is doubtful, however, if it is a universally valid assumption in the dynamic environment characteristic of the real world in which managers operate. If the unique household-firm relationship of the farm unit is fully recognized, it appears that its objectives are determined, in part, by the social and cultural environment of the farm family. If this is the case, then the objectives of the farm unit are a function of such socio-economic variables as social and economic status, age, family composition, educational level achieved, stage in the family cycle, and the like.
Comet: an active distributed key-value store

Distributed key-value storage systems are widely used in corporations and across the Internet. Our research seeks to greatly expand the application space for key-value storage systems through application-specific customization. We designed and implemented Comet, an extensible, distributed key-value store. Each Comet node stores a collection of active storage objects (ASOs) that consist of a key, a value, and a set of handlers. Comet handlers run as a result of timers or storage operations, such as get or put, allowing an ASO to take dynamic, application-specific actions to customize its behavior. Handlers are written in a simple sandboxed extension language, providing properties of safety and isolation.We implemented a Comet prototype for the Vuze DHT, deployed Comet nodes on Vuze from PlanetLab, and built and evaluated over a dozen Comet applications. Our experience demonstrates that simple, safe, and restricted extensibility can significantly increase the power and range of applications that can run on distributed active storage systems. This approach facilitates the sharing of a single storage system by applications with diverse needs, allowing them to reap the consolidation benefits inherent in today's massive clouds.
An Empirical Assessment on Program Module-Order Models

Software reliability can be improved by detecting latent software defects prior to deployment. A practical approach is to target available resources toward program modules likely to have faults, i.e., low-reliability modules. An empirical investigation on program module-order models (MOM) is presented. A module-order model assists management in prioritizing verification and validation tasks toward efective modules, providing a goal-oriented software reliability enhancement. The output of a MOM is a quality-based ranking of program modules where quality is estimated by an underlying software defect prediction model. We present an empirical investigation on module-order models designed using different underlying defect prediction models. Based on case studies of various industrial systems, it is observed that there is no single fault prediction model that always results in the preferred MOM. In fact, performance of a MOM was dependent on the cutoff range of interest, i.e., how many modules can be inspected with the given resources. Consequently, a practitioner can select a MOM based on a given cutoff range of interest.
Effects of Defects: Part B—A Comparison of Progressive Damage Modeling of Fiberglass/Epoxy Composite Structures with Manufacturing Induced Flaws

Application of different damage modeling approaches for use with composite materials and composite material structures has grown with increasing computational ability. However, assumptions are often made for “worst case” scenarios with these modeling techniques In order to develop a tool that will allow for accurate analysis of a complete structure, modeling approaches must be optimized by including defects of different parameters. It was the optimization of these approaches that was investigated herein with specific application toward establishing a protocol to understand and quantify the effects of defects in composite wind turbine blades. A systematic, three-round study of increasing complexity was performed to understand the effects of three typical blade manufacturing defects while investigating continuum, discrete, and combined damage modeling. Through the three rounds of the benchmark material testing, significant coupon level testing was performed to generalize the effects of these defects. In addition, material properties and responses were analyzed and then utilized as material inputs and correlation criteria for each analytical technique. A standard defect case was initially used for each modeling technique and correlation was compared both qualitatively and quantitatively. While each modeling type offered certain attributes, a combined approach yielded the most accurate analytical/experimental correlation. Thus, a unique comparison of several different analytical approaches to composites with respect to manufacturing for consistency, accuracy, and predictive capability allowing for improved blade reliability and composite structural assessment.
Attitudes Toward Advanced Licensing for Macro Social Work Practice

ABSTRACTTrends in clinical licensing and a renewed energy to strengthen macro practice are raising questions about the appropriateness of licensure for macro social work practice. This article presents findings from an online survey of macro social work educators and macro social work practitioners exploring their attitudes toward an advanced-level macro social work license. Faculty and practitioner responders agreed that there is a role for advanced-licensing of macro social work practice; however, the lack of a collectively strong response reflects a current state of ambivalence toward advanced-level licensing for macro practice. Implications from these findings on contemporary social work are discussed.
Synthesis and Properties of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Calcium Aluminate Nanocomposites

This paper describes the synthesis, structure and properties of a new layered nanocomposite which may have applications in cementitious systems. This material is one example of a new class of materials which consist of inorganic crystals containing intercalated organic polymer. The nanocomposite is synthesized by precipitating $${\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_2}{\text{Al}}{\left( {OH} \right)_6}\left[ X \right] \cdot {\text{n}}{{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}}\left( {X = O{H^ - },CO_3^{ - 2}} \right)$$ in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the nanocomposite consists of calcium aluminate layers separated by interlayers containing anions, water and PVA. The intercalation of PVA can only be accomplished during crystal growth and is accompanied by an expansion in layer spacing from ∼8 A to ∼18 A. The nanocomposite exhibited enhanced thermal stability and when compacted into a cylinder was found to have more than twice the compressive strength than the pure calcium aluminate.
Polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of mycoplasma consensus gene in sperm with low oocyte penetration capacity*

Objective To determine the prevalence of mycoplasmas in washed sperm and to compare the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes by sperm with and without mycoplasmas. Design Prospective comparative study. Setting Clinical and academic research environment. Patient(s) Semen from 34 male patients. Intervention(s) Specimens were divided, Percoll washed, and scanned for differences in kinematic parameters. Sperm DNA was extracted and assayed for mycoplasma DNA using the polymerase chain reaction-ELISA method targeting the consensus gene of 15 mycoplasma species. Remaining sperm were processed by centrifuge, Percoll, or TEST (TES and Tris) Yolk Buffer (TYB) and assessed for penetration capacity. Main Outcome Measure(s) Detection of mycoplasma DNA. Result(s) Mycoplasma DNA was detected in 29.4% of the Percoll-washed sperm. The penetration of oocytes by mycoplasma-positive sperm (59.5%±17.3%; mean±SEM) was less than mycoplasma-negative sperm (86.8%±5.4%) in the TYB-processed group. Conclusion(s) Mycoplasma DNA is demonstrated in almost a third of the Percoll-washed sperm. Because there were no other cell types except sperm, the results suggest that the mycoplasmas were either internalized or attached to the membranes. The reduced penetration by mycoplasma-positive sperm after 48-hour TYB suggest mycoplasmas required time to affect sperm function. Similarities between hypo-osmotic swelling and between kinematic parameters suggest that the mechanism does not involve differences in membrane integrity and in motility patterns.
Modern approach to the diagnosis of anaerobic surgical sepsis.

Sepsis following surgery of the oral cavity, the vagina, and the colon is frequently due to the escape of oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria during the course of the operative procedure. To enable the isolation and successful identification of most of these anaerobic microorganisms from clinical exudate, special collection and bacteriologic techniques are necessary.
Dopamine-Stimulated Solid-State Signaling: A Novel Role for Single-Carbon Folates in Human Attention

Although a large number of studies have documented a link between disorders of single-carbon metabolism and psychiatric illness, the biochemical events that comprise this link have remained obscure. Recently our laboratory discovered the ability of dopamine (DA) to stimulate transfer of folate-derived methyl groups to membrane phospholipids, a process mediated exclusively by the D4 dopamine receptor (D4R) subtype (1), (2). This previously unappreciated signaling mechanism appears to allow dopamine modulation of synaptic signaling via the influence of increased membrane fluidity on the activity of membrane proteins located near the D4R. Recognition of folate-dependent D4R-mediated phospholipid methylation (PLM) provides a novel framework for understanding the mechanism by which single-carbon folate dysfunction could translate into psychiatric outcomes.
Electrocatalytic amplification of DNA-modified nanoparticle collisions via enzymatic digestion

We report a new and general approach that will be useful for adapting the method of electrocatalytic amplification (ECA) to biosensing applications. In ECA, individual collisions of catalytic nanoparticles with a noncatalytic electrode surface lead to bursts of current. In the work described here, the current arises from catalytic electrooxidation of N2H4 at the surface of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs). The problem with using ECA for biosensing applications heretofore, is that it is necessary to immobilize a receptor, such as DNA (as in the case here) or an antibody on the PtNP surface. This inactivates the colliding NP, however, and leads to very small collision signatures. In the present article, we show that single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) present on the PtNP surface can be detected by selectively removing a fraction of the ssDNA using the enzyme Exonuclease I (Exo I). About half of the current associated with collisions of naked PtNPs can be recovered from fully passivated PtNPs after exposure to Exo I. Experiments carried out using both Au and Hg ultramicroelectrodes reveal some mechanistic aspects of the collision process before and after treatment of the ssDNA-modified PtNPs with Exo I.
Relationship of Hospital Staff Coverage and Delivery Room Resuscitation Practices to Birth Asphyxia.

Objective The objective of this study was to assess utilization of specialist coverage and checklists in perinatal settings and to examine utilization by birth asphyxia rates. Design This is a survey study of California maternity hospitals concerning checklist use to prepare for delivery room resuscitation and 24-hour in-house specialist coverage (pediatrician/neonatologist, obstetrician, and obstetric anesthesiologist) and results linked to hospital birth asphyxia rates (preterm and low weight births were excluded). Results Of 253 maternity hospitals, 138 responded (55%); 59 (43%) indicated checklist use, and in-house specialist coverage ranged from 38% (pediatrician/neonatologist) to 54% (anesthesiology). In-house coverage was more common in urban versus rural hospitals for all specialties ( p p = 0.88). Higher birth volume hospitals had more specialist coverage ( p p = 0.3). In-house obstetric coverage was associated with lower asphyxia rates (odds ratio: 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20, 0.58) in a regression model accounting for other providers. Checklist use was not associated with birth asphyxia (odds ratio: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.68). Conclusion Higher birth volume and urban hospitals demonstrated greater in-house specialist coverage, but checklist use was similar across all hospitals. Current data suggest that in-house obstetric coverage has greater impact on asphyxia than other specialist coverage or checklist use.
Multiobjective design and optimization of polymer flood performance

Abstract The design and optimization of polymer flood projects have traditionally focused on increasing oil production only. For economic viability, the optimization strategy should maximize oil production while minimizing polymer usage. However, these two objectives can be conflicting. The challenge is how to optimize polymer flood design considering the trade-off between these conflicting objectives. In this work, we utilize the concept of Pareto optimality to generate a set of Pareto optimal solutions that represent a trade-off relation between the conflicting objectives viz. polymer utility factor and incremental oil gain. The Pareto optimal solutions can be searched by a non-domination based genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). The algorithm evaluates fitness by a dominance relationship instead of fitness measures as in the ordinary single-objective genetic algorithm. The dominance concept defines levels of optimality by assigning several ranks to each population. The algorithm iteratively minimizes ranks until all members of the population become rank one which implies that the Pareto optimality condition is reached. The application of our proposed method is demonstrated by a 2D synthetic example and a 3D field-scale application. The Pareto-based approach is implemented to simultaneously optimize two objectives: (1) polymer utility factor (UF) which is the amount of polymer required per barrel of incremental oil and (2) cumulative incremental oil production (Np). The results demonstrate that beyond the optimal design, relatively minor increase in oil production requires significantly more polymer injection and the polymer UF is increased substantially. To optimize both oil production and polymer utility, the Pareto optimal solutions provide the best compromise that enables maximizing oil production while maintaining the efficiency of polymer usage.
Dynamic auction environment with subcontracting

This article provides evidence on the role of subcontracting in the auction-based procurement setting with private cost variability and capacity constraints. We demonstrate that subcontracting allows bidders to modify their costs realizations in a given auction as well as to control their future costs by reducing backlog accumulation. Restricting access to subcontracting raises procurement costs for an individual project by 12% and reduces the number of projects completed in equilibrium by 20%. The article explains methodological and market design implications of subcontracting availability.
Comparison of Van Allen Probes radiation belt proton data with test particle simulation for the 17 March 2015 storm

The loss of protons in the outer part of the inner radiation belt (L = 2 to 3) during the 17 March 2015 geomagnetic storm was investigated using test particle simulations that follow full Lorentz trajectories with both magnetic and electric fields calculated from an empirical model. The simulation results presented here are compared with proton pitch angle measurements from the Van Allen Probe satellites Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) instrument before and after the coronal mass ejection-shock-driven storm of 17–18 March 2015, with minimum Dst =− 223 nT, the strongest storm of Solar Cycle 24, for four different energy ranges with 30, 38, 50, and 66 MeV mean energies. Two simulations have been run, one with an inductive electric field and one without. All four energy channels show good agreement with the Van Allen Probes REPT measurements for low L (L 2.4. A previous study using the Highly Elliptical Orbiter 3 spacecraft also showed improved agreement when including the inductive electric field but was unable to compare effects on the pitch angle distributions.
Treating HIV in the Bronx and Beyond: How the Center for AIDS Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center is Working Toward the Future

This review provides a historical perspective on research performed at both the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM) and the Montefiore Medical Center (MMC). It discusses how the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) has been an invaluable resource for the network of investigators at AECOM/MMC and it surveys the past and current HIV-related research projects in the Bronx and beyond.
Suppressed flavor changing neutral current in new physics with shared flavor symmetry

Many extensions of the standard model (SM) generate contributions to flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) processes that must have sufficient flavor suppression to be consistent with experiments, if the new physics (NP) is associated with a scale of a TeV. Here we present a mechanism for suppressing the NP effects to FCNC processes while allowing for new non-SM $CP$ violating phases. We consider the possibility that the source of NP contributions to FCNC processes share the same flavor symmetry underlying the SM source of FCNC processes which are the quark and lepton mass matrices. We call this the principle of shared flavor symmetry. In the flavor symmetric limit, the quark and lepton mixing matrices have fixed forms and there are no NP FCNC processes. In the flavor symmetric limit, we take the quark mixing matrix to be the identity matrix and the lepton mixing matrix to be given by tri-bimaximal mixing. Realistic mixing matrices are obtained by the small breaking of the flavor symmetry. New contributions to FCNC processes arise because of nonuniversal breaking of the flavor symmetry in the quark and lepton mass matrices and the NP sources of FCNC processes. In particular, we will focus on new FCNC effects that arise due to the breaking of flavor symmetry only in the quark and charged lepton mass matrices but not in the NP sector. In this scenario, NP contributions to FCNC processes are linked to the source of flavor symmetry breaking in the quark and charged lepton mass matrices. The breaking of flavor symmetry in the NP sector is assumed to produce FCNC effects that are at most the size of NP FCNC effects due to the breaking of flavor symmetry in the quark and charged lepton mass matrices. To demonstrate the mechanism we use a two Higgs doublet model as an example of beyond the SM physics though one should be able to adapt this mechanism to other models of new physics.
Tunneling Transport Between Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Over the last 5 years, many groups have worked to fabricate vertical tunneling devices using graphene, h-BN, and 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Within our own collaboration, we sought to make devices exhibiting both resonant tunneling (between like bands in either electrode) and steep switching (between unlike bands). Presently, there have been several successful reports of negative differential resistance (NDR) in a number of devices [1–3], beyond the graphene ones discussed in Chaps. 7 and 8. An even greater number of studies have resulted in 2D devices with a similar vertical geometry that display neither NDR nor steep switching based on vertical tunneling [4–7]. It is the goal of this chapter to discuss efforts within our collaboration to grow vertical 2D heterostructures and study their properties with low-energy electron microscopy, relating the results when possible to tunneling transport characteristics.
Development of novel miR-129 mimics with enhanced efficacy to eliminate chemoresistant colon cancer stem cells

// Ning Wu 1, 2, * , Andrew Fesler 1, * , Hua Liu 1, * and Jingfang Ju 1 1 Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA 2 Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jingfang Ju, email: jingfang.ju@stonybrookmedicine.edu Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; miR-129; colorectal cancer; cancer stem cells; chemoresistance Received: September 07, 2017 Accepted: October 13, 2017 Published: November 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Background : Resistance to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) based chemotherapy is the major reason for failure of treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Materials and methods : In this study, we developed a novel miR-129 mimic with potent efficacy in eliminating resistant colon cancer stem cells both in vitro and in vivo . We integrated 5-FU into miR-129 by replacing Uracil (U) to generate 5-FU-miR-129 mimics (Mimic-1). Results : Mimic-1 is a strong therapeutic candidate with a number of unique features. Mimic-1 can be delivered to cancer cells without any transfection reagents (e.g. lipids, viral vector, nanoparticles). Mimic-1 is more potent at inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase than native miR-129 and the other mimics tested, while retaining target specificity. Mimic-1 prevents colon cancer metastasis in vivo without toxicity. Conclusion : This represents a significant advancement in the development of a nontoxic and highly potent miRNA based cancer therapeutics and establishes a foundation for further developing Mimic-1 as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic for treating colorectal cancer.
Multi-institutional competing risks analysis of distant brain failure and salvage patterns after upfront radiosurgery without whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastasis.

ABSTRACT Background In this study, we use a competing risks analysis to assess factors predictive of early-salvage whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and early death after upfront stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone for brain metastases in an attempt to identify populations that benefit less from upfront SRS. Patients and methods Patients from eight academic centers were treated with SRS for brain metastasis. Competing risks analysis was carried out for distant brain failure (DBF) versus death prior to DBF as well as for salvage SRS versus salvage WBRT versus death prior to salvage. Linear regression was used to determine predictors of the number of brain metastases at initial DBF (nDBF). Results A total of 2657 patients were treated with upfront SRS alone. Multivariate analysis (MVA) identified an increased hazard of DBF associated with increasing number of brain metastases (P Conclusions Patients with a higher initial number of brain metastases were more likely to experience DBF, have a higher nDBF, and receive early-salvage WBRT, while patients who were older, had lower KPS, or had more systemic disease were more likely to experience death prior to DBF or salvage WBRT.
Vacuity aware falsification for MTL request-response specifications

We propose a method to improve the automated test case generation for Metric Temporal Logic (MTL) falsification for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). In this work, we focus on request-response MTL specifications. That is, specifications that consist of at least one antecedent and a corresponding consequent. Test case generation is particularly difficult for these specifications since the consequent is only considered if the antecedent is satisfied. Therefore, we propose a method that first targets the antecedent in the specification. We show that our framework can improve upon existing falsification methods on a number of benchmark problems.
Tinbergen–Bos Systems: Combining Combinatorial Analysis with Metric Topology

In 1969, Tinbergen was awarded the first Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics. Meanwhile, Bos was interested in the dispersion of economic activities, and he and Tinbergen coauthored a classic book entitled Mathematical Models of Economic Growth (1962). This is the foundation upon which Tinbergen–Bos systems were built. This chapter explores Tinbergen–Bos economic geographic landscapes, which are operationalizations of Losch’s general spatial economic equilibrium central place model.
CD4 T Cell Affinity Diversity Is Equally Maintained during Acute and Chronic Infection

TCR affinity for peptide MHC dictates the functional efficiency of T cells and their propensity to differentiate into effectors and form memory. However, in the context of chronic infections, it is unclear what the overall profile of TCR affinity for Ag is and if it differs from acute infections. Using the comprehensive affinity analysis provided by the two-dimensional micropipette adhesion frequency assay and the common indirect affinity evaluation methods of MHC class II tetramer and functional avidity, we tracked IAb GP61-80-specific cells in the mouse model of acute (Armstrong) and chronic (clone 13) lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. In each response, we show CD4 T cell population affinity peaks at the effector phase and declines with memory. Of interest, the range and average relative two-dimensional affinity was equivalent between acute and chronic infection, indicating chronic Ag exposure did not skew TCR affinity. In contrast, functional and tetramer avidity measurements revealed divergent results and lacked a consistent correlation with TCR affinity. Our findings highlight that the immune system maintains a diverse range in TCR affinity even under the pressures of chronic Ag stimulation.
On the Neutron Inelastic-Scattering Cross Sections of 232 Th, 233 U, 235 U, 238 U, 239 Pu and 240 Pu

Differential-neutron-emission cross sections of 232Th, 233U, 235U, 238U, 239Pu and 240Pu are measured from ≈ 1.0 to 3.5 MeV with sufficient angle and magnitude detail to provide angle-integrated emission cross sections to ≲ 3% accuracies. Emitted-neutron resolutions are quantitatively defined and vary from ≈ 0.1 to 0.35 MeV. The experimental results are corrected for fission-neutron contributions to obtain pseudo-elastic-scattering cross sections which, together with independently measured neutron total cross sections, define the non- elastic cross sections to within specified energy resolutions. The latter results imply inelastic-neutron-scattering cross sections which are compared with quantities deduced from prominent evaluations. Good general agreement is noted for 232Th, 233U, 235U, and 238U inelastic-scattering cross sections. The agreement is poor in the case of 240Pu and very poor for 239Pu. The implications of the present results on the integral behavior of 239Pu critical assemblies and FBR energy systems are discussed.
Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of female infertility

Phillip Bozzini is credited with the first description of endoscopy in 1805, as he attempted to view the urethral mucosa with a simple tube and candlelight. Pantaleoni used a cystoscope to identify uterine polyps in 1869, thus accomplishing the first hysteroscopy. Jacobaeus of Sweden performed the first laparoscopy in 1910, when he placed a Neitze cystoscope and used a candle to illuminate a hollow tube placed into the peritoneal cavity. Eventually, Semm of Germany reported advanced operative laparoscopic procedures, such as salpingectomy, myomectomy, oophorectomy, ovarian cystectomy, and salpingostomy, in the 1970s. These pioneers of endoscopic surgery and many others have forged the way for the rest of us who now routinely perform endoscopic surgery. This chapter is to review safe and effective techniques and principles of laparoscopic surgery.
Risk Analysis, Pilot Motivation, and Decision-Making: Application of the PAVE Personal Minimums Checklist to Pilot Decision-Making in Three General Aviation Accidents

This paper addresses the relative effects of risk and pilot motivation on decisions made by three general aviation pilots. Using the PAVE (Pilot, Aircraft, environment, External pressures) personal minimums checklist, various risk elements related to the flights and information available to the pilots prior to/during flight are considered. The motivation behind each pilot’s decision to go ahead with the flight in spite of adverse conditions is also discussed. Use of the checklist as an in-flight decision-making tool, as well as go/no-go decision-making are considered, and suggestions for further research are offered.
Contrast volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate ratio for prediction of contrast‐induced acute kidney injury after cardiac catheterization in adults with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are vulnerable to contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) after cardiac catheterization. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for clinically significant CI-AKI and evaluate the predictive value of contrast volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate ratio (V/eGFR) for the risk of CI-AKI following catheterization in the ACHD population. METHODS ACHD patients who underwent catheterization at Boston Children's hospital between 1/2011 and 1/2017 were retrospectively analyzed. CI-AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hr or ≥1.5 times baseline within 7 days of procedure. Controls without CI-AKI were matched for calendar year of catheterization with cases using a 3:1 ratio. RESULTS Of 453 catheterizations meeting inclusion criteria, 27 catheterizations (5.9%) were complicated by CI-AKI, with dialysis being used to manage renal dysfunction in five of these events. Older age, male gender, admission prior to catheterization, and V/eGFR ratio were found to be related to risk of CI-AKI. Patients with a V/eGFR ≥ 2.6 had a significantly higher risk of CI-AKI (OR = 6.4; 95% CI = 2.0-20.4; P = 0.002). Survival at 3 years post-catheterization, was significantly shorter for CI-AKI cases compared to controls (49% versus 97%; P < 0.001) even in those with return to baseline renal function prior to discharge (60% versus 97%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In ACHD patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, a higher V/eGFR ratio is a strong predictor of clinically significant CI-AKI. Development of CI-AKI is a poor prognostic indicator and is associated with decreased survival in this population.
AMP−activated protein kinase activation ameliorates eicosanoid dysregulation in high-fat−induced kidney disease in mice

High-fat diet (HFD) causes renal lipotoxicity that is ameliorated with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Although bioactive eicosanoids increase with HFD and are essential in regulation of renal disease, their role in the inflammatory response to HFD-induced kidney disease and their modulation by AMPK activation remain unexplored. In a mouse model, we explored the effects of HFD on eicosanoid synthesis and the role of AMPK activation in ameliorating these changes. We used targeted lipidomic profiling with quantitative MS to determine PUFA and eicosanoid content in kidneys, urine, and renal arterial and venous circulation. HFD increased phospholipase expression as well as the total and free pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (AA) and anti-inflammatory DHA in kidneys. Consistent with the parent PUFA levels, the AA- and DHA-derived lipoxygenase (LOX), cytochrome P450, and nonenzymatic degradation (NE) metabolites increased in kidneys with HFD, while EPA-derived LOX and NE metabolites decreased. Conversely, treatment with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-furanosyl 5'-monophosphate (AICAR), an AMPK activator, reduced the free AA and DHA content and the DHA-derived metabolites in kidney. Interestingly, kidney and circulating AA, AA metabolites, EPA-derived LOX, and NE metabolites are increased with HFD; whereas, DHA metabolites are increased in kidney in contrast to their decreased circulating levels with HFD. Together, these changes showcase HFD-induced pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoid dysregulation and highlight the role of AMPK in correcting HFD-induced dysregulated eicosanoid pathways.
Chemoselective N-acylation via condensations of N-(benzoyloxy)amines and alpha-ketophosphonic acids under aqueous conditions

A new amide-forming reaction with N-benzoyloxyamines and alpha-ketophosphonic acids was investigated. A mixed solvent of t-BuOH/water (1:1) at 40 degrees C provided the desired amide in high yield (71-96%). Both phosphonic acids ( 9, 12, or 13) and their disodium salts (e.g., 10) were shown to react with the respective N-benzoyloxyamines ( 1b and 4) in excellent yields. The phosphonic acid methyl ester monosodium salt 11 did not react under these conditions. However, compound 11 did provide the desired amide in 22% yield upon addition of 2 equiv of TFA. The N-acylation reaction is highly chemoselective for N-benzoyloxyamines as both aliphatic amines and N-hydroxylamines were shown not to react productively with the alpha-ketophosphonic acids under the conditions tested. Moreover, the alpha-ketophosphonic acids are more selective than the related alpha-ketocarboxylic acid systems, which react with both the N-hydroxylamines and N-benzoyloxyamines. In this regard, this novel phosphonic acid methodology provides a new high-yielding, chemoselective acylating reagent for further study.
0.3 pJ/Bit Machine Learning Resistant Strong PUF Using Subthreshold Voltage Divider Array

This brief presents a subthreshold voltage divider based strong physical unclonable function (PUF). The PUF derives its uniqueness from random mismatch in threshold voltage in an inverter with gate and drain shorted and biased in subthreshold region. The nonlinear current-voltage relationship in subthreshold region also makes the proposed PUF resistant to machine learning (ML) based attacks. Prediction accuracy of PUF response with logistic regression, support vector machine (SVM) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) is close to 51%. A prototype PUF fabricated in 65nm consumes only 0.3pJ/bit, and achieves the best combination of energy efficiency and resistance to ML attacks. The measured inter and intra hamming distance (HD) for the PUF are 0.5026 and 0.0466 respectively.
An exploratory randomized sub-study of light-to-moderate intensity exercise on cognitive function, depression symptoms and inflammation in older adults with heart failure

Abstract Objective Almost half of patients with heart failure (HF) have cognitive impairment. While exercise relates to better cognitive health, a hallmark of HF is exercise intolerance. The study objective was to explore whether light-to-moderate exercise improves cognitive function in patients with HF. Methods This was an exploratory parallel design study of 69 patients with symptomatic HF (mean age = 65, SD = 10), recruited from VA and University of California, San Diego Healthcare Systems. Participants were randomized to Tai Chi (TC) (n = 24), resistance band (RB) exercise (n = 22) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 23). The primary outcome was change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. We further explored if changes in Beck Depression Inventory – IA (BDI-IA) scores or inflammation biomarkers, CRP, TNFα and IL-6 related to altered cognitive function. Results There was a fixed effect of group for MoCA scores changes (F = 8.07, p = .001). TC and RB groups had greater MoCA score increases versus TAU, but no differences were found between TC and RB. Depression symptom changes predicted altered MoCA scores (ΔR2 = 0.15, Β = −0.413, p = .001). However, group did not interact with depression symptom levels for MoCA alterations (p = .392). Changes in CRP levels predicted MoCA scores (ΔR2 = 0.078, Β = −0.283, p = .01), but group did not interact with CRP levels for MoCA alterations (p = .689). Conclusions Light-to-moderate exercises, TC and RB may improve cognitive function. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT01625819
A Dimensionally Reduced Model of Biofilm Growth Within a Flow Cell

Biofilms are colonies of bacteria attached to surfaces. They play a critical role in many engineering and medical applications. Scientists study biofilm growth in flow cells but often have limited direct knowledge of the environmental conditions in the apparatus. Using fully resolved, numerical simulations to estimate conditions within a flow cell is computationally expensive. In this paper, we use asymptotic analysis to create a simulation of a biofilm system that has one growth-limiting substrate, and we show that this method runs quickly while maintaining similar accuracy to prior models. These equations can provide a better understanding of the environmental conditions in experiments and can establish the boundary conditions for further smaller-scale numerical simulations.
Damköhler number scaling of active cascade effects in turbulent premixed combustion

Effects of combustion heat release on turbulent velocity and scalar statistics are investigated as a function of the Damkohler number using three direct numerical simulation databases of spatially developing turbulent premixed jet flames. At low Karlovitz numbers, where heat-release effects dominate turbulent kinetic energy budgets, their relative significance scales with the integral Damkohler number in a priori Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) statistics and the filter Damkohler number in Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The Damkohler-number scaling of counter-gradient transport in this regime follows theoretical arguments underpinning linear-algebraic turbulence models, which explains their efficacy at low Karlovitz numbers. Conversely, at moderate Karlovitz numbers, LES subfilter turbulence is more strongly influenced by heat-release effects than the analogous large-scale RANS turbulence. This is consistent with the notion of an “active cascade,” which postulates that heat-release-induced volumetric expansion competes on intermediate scales with classical forward-cascade energy transfer. LES exposes these dynamics as dominant subfilter-scale physics, unlike in RANS, where they are secondary to the effects of mean-shear production at the large scales. The significance of subfilter-scale interactions is promoted by the LES filter itself, which modifies the RANS spectral basis by incorporating local flame-normal averaging. This is highlighted by comparing LES fields obtained using a 3D filter to those using a modified 2D filter, excluding the flame-normal direction, which significantly reduces the apparent influence of heat-release effects but is not representative of LES in practice. The subfilter modeling challenges posed by these distinctions at moderate Karlovitz numbers and order-unity Damkohler numbers remain to be understood.
Reduction of Mechanical Ventilation Time in CABG Surgery Patients: A Continued Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Quality Improvement Process

Background: In the fall of 2016 as we aligned with Cleveland Clinic Alliance Network, it became clear that we had a significantly larger cardiac bypass and graft (CABG) patient population experiencing prolonged mechanical ventilation versus the national STS data. From January through September 2016, we had 11 patients (9.7%) receiving mechanical ventilation for >24 hours post-operatively versus the national Society of Thoracic Surgery database at 7.9%. Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) approach, an interdisciplinary team was formed comprised of RNs, providers, RTs, physical therapy and pharmacy. An early extubation protocol was developed to guide all disciplines within all phases of care from pre-operative to post-extubation. Once implemented, ongoing evaluation of patient outcomes and caregiver feedback supported a continued PDSA cycle. Results: In fiscal year 2018 an increase of prolonged ventilation occurred. Interdisciplinary quarterly meetings were established to review cardiac surgery prolonged ventilation cases and determine trends. Challenges were also identified: three new cardiac surgeons joined our hospital in 2017, case volume increased by 21% (311 procedures in FY2017 to 376 in FY2018). We experienced an increase in high acuity cases such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), heart transplants, etc. that made up almost 33% of the total cardiac cases. After identifying the obstacles, changes were made utilizing the PDSA model. Changes made included new approach to identifying patient trends, broadened eligibility criteria and a 20-hour bedside huddle with RT, RN and provider if patient was still intubated. Once the protocol was established, the process saw impressive results regarding the percentage of CABG patients with prolonged ventilator times during our fiscal year 2017: Q1 8%, Q2 14.3%, Q3 (roll out of early extubation protocol) 3.7% and Q4 0%. In fiscal year 2018, a resurgence of prolonged mechanical ventilation after the success in fiscal year 2017: FY2018: Q1 11.1%, Q2 6.3%, Q3 14.3%. After the interdisciplinary workgroup made modifications using the PDSA model which led to a reduction of prolonged ventilation in Q4 to 4.5%. Conclusions: An interdisciplinary approach is necessary to facilitate and maintain the process of striving for early extubation in cardiac surgery patients. We incorporated this process for all cardiac surgery types in our CVICU and continue to meet as a team on a quarterly basis to review and adjust our protocol as needed utilizing the PDSA model.
Property Torts and the Restatements

Essay examining connections between tort law and property, and the Restatements' treatment of tort liability for loss of, damage to or interference with property interests.
Bouc–Wen hysteresis model identification using Modified Firefly Algorithm

Abstract The parameters of Bouc–Wen hysteresis model are identified using a Modified Firefly Algorithm. The proposed algorithm uses dynamic process control parameters to improve its performance. The algorithm is used to find the model parameter values that results in the least amount of error between a set of given data points and points obtained from the Bouc–Wen model. The performance of the algorithm is compared with the performance of conventional Firefly Algorithm, Genetic Algorithm and Differential Evolution algorithm in terms of convergence rate and accuracy. Compared to the other three optimization algorithms, the proposed algorithm is found to have good convergence rate with high degree of accuracy in identifying Bouc–Wen model parameters. Finally, the proposed method is used to find the Bouc–Wen model parameters from experimental data. The obtained model is found to be in good agreement with measured data.
Rhodanobacter denitrificans sp. nov., isolated from nitrate-rich zones of a contaminated aquifer.

Bacterial strains 2APBS1T and 116-2 were isolated from the subsurface of a nuclear legacy waste site where sediments are co-contaminated with large amounts of acidity, nitrate, metal radionuclides and other heavy metals. A combination of physiological and genetic assays indicated that these strains represent the first members of the Rhodanobacter genus shown to be capable of complete denitrification. Cells of strain 2APBS1T and 116-2 were Gram negative, non-spore-forming, rods, 3-5 micro;m long and 0.25-0.5 m in diameter. The isolates were facultative anaerobes, and had temperature and pH optima for growth at 30 C and pH 6.5, respectively, and could tolerate up to 2.0 % NaCl, though growth improved in its absence. Strains 2APBS1T and 116-2 contained fatty acid profiles and 100 % Q-8 ubiquinone, that are characteristic features of the genus Rhodanobacter. Although strains 2APBS1T and 116-2 share high SSU rRNA gene sequence similarity to R. thiooxydans (>99%), DNA-DNA hybridization values were substantially below the 70% threshold used to designate novel species. Thus, based on genotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological differences, strains 2APBS1T and 116-2 are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhodanobacter, for which the name Rhodanobacter denitrificans sp. nov is proposed. The type strain ismore » 2APBS1T (=DSM 23569T =JCM 17641T). Strain 116-2 (=DSM 24678 = JCM 17642) is a reference strain.« less