cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtual Avatar as an Emotional Scaffolding Strategy to Promote Interest in Online Learning Environment

Online learning allows students to have greater control over their learning process in terms of time and place. However, students often experience unwanted negative emotions due to the lack of emotional support while interacting with online learning content. This chapter suggests virtual avatars (VAs; also known as pedagogical agents) as a vehicle to provide just-in-time emotional scaffolding in online learning. First, this chapter introduces the concept of VAs and emotional scaffolding. Then, based on a literature review on interest development, two design considerations for emotional scaffolding with VAs are discussed: visual persona and verbal messages. Finally, the findings of a case study involving VAs are shared to demonstrate how VAs can be designed and utilized to scaffold learners’ situational interest in an online learning environment.
Birth Order: A Critical Review

As the number of birth order studies continues to burgeon, it seems appropriate to review the state of this research area. This paper examines theories, findings, problems, and possibilities. Theories which incorporate the guiding assumptions of most birth order studies include intrauterine or physiological, only-child uniqueness, dethronement, anxious or relaxed parent, sibling influence, and economic. Findings are compiled under personality adjustment and problems, education-achievement-intelligence, anxiety-affiliation-dependence-conformity, and miscellaneous. The two most consistent findings in the birth order literature are: (1) greater educational attainment, including college attendance, among first-borns (including only children), and (2) first-borns are more affiliative and dependent than laterborns. Problems involve cohort and demographic difficulties, needed controls and specifications, the restrictiveness of early socialization theories, and researcher-induced bias in experimental studies. These problems themselves may also be viewed as possibilities, as they are solved, but three specific possibilities which should be pursued are studies of whole or completed families, theoretical expansions, and sophisticated statistical controls.
Evolutionary trend and epidemiological characteristics of measles in Xinyang City from 1953-2010

[Objective]Through the analysis of the evolutionary trend and the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Xinyang City during 1953-2010,to provide evidence for measles elimination in 2012. [Methods]The data about epidemic situation of measles and the data from the surveillance system were studied by descriptive epidemiology. [Results]During 1953-2010 the average annual incidence rate and the average annual mortality rate of measles was 346.49/100 000,0.50% respectively.The maximum of incidence rate was 2 946.95/100 000 in 1970 and the minimum was 0.68/100 000 in 2001.Disease process could be divided into the natural epidemic period,the early stage of measles immunization campaign,the planned immunization period,the period of Health Ⅶ project and the elimination period of measles.Measles vaccine changed the epidemiological characteristics of measles.The epidemic strength of measles decreased gradually and the peak incidence moved backward.The morbidity peak was March to July from 1997-2010.The proportion of measles incidence were 62.15%.The incidence in adult and infant were increased in the past 8 years,which occupied 30% and 10% of total incidence.Sporadic cases and local outbreaks were identified. [Conclusion]Routine immunization and supplementary vaccination of measles must be strengthened.And it is necessary to promote measles vaccination in women of childbearing age,to protect the infants without immunization,to establish and complete the institution the certifications of vaccination,to provide subsidies for measles vaccination,to improve the job enthusiasm of grass-roots workers,to increase propaganda for measles prevention,and to increase the people's awareness of disease prevention.
Analysis of epidemiologic characteristics of leprosy in Jinping from 1949 to 2013

Objective To analyze epidemic status of leprosy in Jinping in order to to provide scientific basis for the elimination of leprosy. Methods Epidemiological methods were used to analyze the data of leprosy from 1949-2013. Results In the 66 patients,53 ones were male(80.30%), and 13 ones were female(19.70%). There were 47 dead cases and 19 survived cases. All the 66 patients were famers. There were 21 cases of TT, 1 case of BT, 8 cases of BB, 1 case of Bl, 26 cases of LL, and 9 cases of unidentified types of leprosy. There were 38 cases of MB(57.58%), and 28 cases of PB(42.42%). Of the 19 survived cases, there were one case with disability in one body part and eight cases with disability in 2 or more body parts. Conclusion Timely and accurately identifying and completely curing leprosy patients are the important measures to eliminate the infectious source and control the leprosy in Jinping.
De novo ALK kinase domain mutations are uncommon in kinase inhibitor-naïve ALK rearranged lung cancers

Abstract Introduction Anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) rearranged lung adenocarcinomas are responsive to the multitargeted ALK inhibitor crizotinib. One of the common mechanisms of resistance to crizotinib is the acquisition of ALK kinase domain mutations. However, the presence of ALK mutations in crizotinib-naive tumors has not been widely reported and it is unclear if de novo ALK mutations affect the response to crizotinib. Methods We analyzed preclinical models of ALK rearranged lung cancers that were sensitive/resistant to ALK inhibitors, probed our institutional and other lung cancer databases for tumors with ALK kinase domain mutations, and evaluated tumor response to crizotinib. Results ALK rearranged cell lines with ALK kinase domain mutations were heterogeneously less inhibited by increasing concentrations of crizotinib than cells driven solely by EML4-ALK fusions. Previous ALK rearranged lung cancer cohorts did not report ALK kinase mutations in inhibitor-naive tumors. We identified one TKI-naive ALK rearranged tumor with an ALK kinase domain mutation: ALK -S1206F (mutations at ALK-S1206 shifted crizotinib inhibitory curves only minimally in preclinical models). The never smoker whose tumor harbored de novo EML4 - ALK -E5;A20+ ALK -S1206F only achieved a 4-month radiographic response to crizotinib 250mg twice daily. Conclusions Combining data from our and prior cohorts, ALK kinase domain mutations were uncommon events ( ALK rearranged lung adenocarcinomas but their effect on intrinsic resistance to ALK inhibitors should be better evaluated.
Calibration Techniques for Non-contacting Force Excitation Part 1: Frequency Domain Methods

Experimental characterization of the higher frequency modes of a structure presents challenges due to the frequency limitations of traditional excitation techniques. Non-contact excitation via low power ultrasonic transducer presents the possibility of exciting higher frequencies not currently possible with shakers or impact hammers. However, quantification of the actual force applied by the ultrasonic transducer requires that a relationship between the ultrasonic pressure field and the voltage driving the transducer be established.
Socialism Revised and Modernized: The Case for Pragmatic Market Socialism

(1993). Socialism Revised and Modernized: The Case for Pragmatic Market Socialism. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 964-966.
Markov Logic Networks for Text Mining: A Qualitative and Empirical Comparison with Integer Linear Programming.

Joint inference approaches such as Integer Linear Programming (ILP) and Markov Logic Networks (MLNs) have recently been successfully applied to many natural language processing (NLP) tasks, often outperforming their pipeline counterparts. However, MLNs are arguably much less popular among NLP researchers than ILP. While NLP researchers who desire to employ these joint inference frameworks do not necessarily have to understand their theoretical underpinnings, it is imperative that they understand which of them should be applied under what circumstances. With the goal of helping NLP researchers better understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of MLNs and ILP; we will compare them along different dimensions of interest, such as expressiveness, ease of use, scalability, and performance. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic comparison of ILP and MLNs on an NLP task.
Raman Spectroscopic Investigation of CH4 and N2 Adsorption in Metal−Organic Frameworks

The adsorption behavior of CH4 and N2 (298 K, 30 bar) in a series of isoreticular metal−organic frameworks (IRMOFs) was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. For CH4, the ν1 vibrational mode shifted to lower frequency by 7.6, 8.4, 11.0, 10.3, and 10.1 cm-1 from 2917 cm-1 when adsorbed to IRMOF-1, -6, -8, -11, and -18, respectively. Along this same series, the adsorbed N2 stretch exhibited smaller shifts of 2.7, 3.1, 4.2, 4.1, and 3.7 cm-1. These shifts arise because of interactions within the framework pores, and not with the outer crystal surface. In all cases, Raman spectra at pressures up to 30 bar showed that saturation of the sorption sites does not occur. The observed shifts of the vibrational modes for each gas indicate different chemical environments within different IRMOFs, pointing to the important role the linkers play in the adsorption of gases.
Magnetic Sealing System

The gas and lubrication oil leakages in reciprocating machinery systems including compressors and cooling units are usual problems that have not been well solved yet which normally influences the machine performance. This new magnetic sealing mechanism design is to solve these gaseous or fluid media leaking problems. In this new sealing mechanism, the rare-earth magnet steel can perform as a permanent magnet. Both computer-aided simulation and prototype testing verify that this sealing mechanism can effectively decrease the leaking problem in machinery systems including compressors and cooling systems. This new mechanism has better sealing performance than traditional rubber seal, diaphragm seal, corrugated pipe seal, and magnetic fluid seal. Figures 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 display full view of new high-pressure gas compressive and filtration system, 3D cross-section view of new high-pressure gas compressive system, and 2D cross-section view of new high-pressure gas compressive system.
Three scenarios for the future of China

As we begin to think about the twenty-first century, we are entering a time of fundamental global change. the most dramatic shift will be the movement of China to the status of great power. Yet, the only specific forecast for the future of China that we can make with confidence is that a straight-line extrapolation is most unlikely to occur. China will not continue to grow at double digit rates for the coming decade. Nor is the rest of Southeast Asia going to grow at the 8 percent that has been registered for the past decade and more. Nor is everything going to go smoothly.
Improved System for ParkNet Mobile Network

In the process of developing ParkNet system, there are several problems limit the accuracy of detection algorithm. Specially, when the sensor vehicle is driving in the two lane road situation, it will greatly influence object recognition. In the paper, we will analyze some special features of this problem. Also, we will post some parking statistics for the valid parking position data collection. Including, identifying legitimate parking space and location matching algorithm.
Copyright and the Value of Performance, 1770–1911

In the nineteenth century, copyright law expanded to include performances of theatrical and musical works. These laws transformed how people made and consumed performances. Exploring precedent-setting litigation on both sides of the Atlantic, this book traces how courts developed definitions of theater and music to suit new performance rights laws. From Gilbert and Sullivan battling to protect The Mikado to Augustin Daly petitioning to control his spectacular 'railroad scene', artists worked with courts to refine vague legal language into clear, functional theories of drama, music, and performance. Through cases that ensnared figures including Lord Byron, Laura Keene, and Dion Boucicault, this book discovers how the law theorized central aspects of performance including embodiment, affect, audience response, and the relationship between scripts and performances. This history reveals how the advent of performance rights reshaped how we value performance both as an artistic medium and as property.
Anchoring depth ontology to epistemological strategies of field theory: exploring the possibility for developing a core for sociological analysis

Critical realism's insight into depth ontology creates the possibility for re-imagining sociology as a science of the social world. However, critical realism has yet to gain a strong foothold in so...
Modeling recreation demand and fees at national parks

Abstract The paper develops a model to estimate the effect of entry fees on U.S. national parks visits. Monte Carlo analysis demonstrates that a Poisson-estimated exponential model is preferable to a log-linear model of tourist arrivals. We apply the model to panel data of U.S. national parks tourism to estimate the effect of fees on annual visitation. The results provide evidence that visits to U.S. national parks are inelastic with respect to fees. We use the model to predict the effects of two proposed fee revisions.
Importance of a Comprehensive Approach

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the foremost cause of disability (The top 10 causes of death. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/. Accessed 18 Apr 2017). For over a decade and a half, the Brain Attack Coalition (BAC) has been developing recommendations for the treatment of stroke, and the Joint Commission has been certifying centers based on these recommendations (Alberts et al., JAMA 283(23):3102–3109, 2000). These guidelines are designed to improve access and triage decision making for patients in efforts to obtain the best possible population-based clinical outcomes. The current highest level of Joint Commission certification is Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC).
Random vs. quasi phase matching: frequency conversion in zinc-blende polycrystals, experiment and theory

We develop a model for random-phase matching which takes into account effects of random crystal orientation and grain size fluctuations and show that for ultrafast interactions, random-phase matching can be as efficient as quasi-phase matching. © 2019 The Author(s)
Role of Resistivity Index Analysis in the Prediction of Hemodynamically Significant Venous Sinus Stenosis in Patient With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

BACKGROUND The resistivity index (RI) in cerebral venous sinus stenosis (VSS) has not been studied in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of RI measured by quantitative magnetic resonance venogram (QMRV) as a noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of venous hypertension associated with VSS in IIH. METHODS Retrospective evaluation of 13 consecutive IIH patients who underwent venous sinus stenting at our institution between 2013 and 2018.Patients' demographics, clinical presentation, cerebral mean venous sinus pressure (MVP), and RI both pre- and poststenting were recorded. The baseline RI was also compared to a control group. RESULTS Among 13 patients of IIH, 11 had unilateral VSS in dominant sinus, whereas 2 had bilateral VSS. RI was significantly higher in IIH patients compared to the control group in the superior sagittal (SSS) and transverse sinuses (TS) (0.21 vs 0.11, P = .01 and 0.22 vs 0.13, P = .03, respectively). The MVP (in mm Hg) decreased significantly after venous sinus stenting in the SSS (41.9 to 22.5, P < .001) and TS (39.4 to 19.5, P < .001), which was also associated with a significant reduction of the RI (0.22 vs 0.17, P < .01 in SSS and 0.23 vs 0.17, P = .03 in TS) poststenting. CONCLUSION RI calculated using QMRV can serve as a noninvasive tool to aid in the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant VSS. The study had a small sample size, and larger multicenter studies would be required to validate the results further.
Dense Tactile Force Estimation using GelSlim and inverse FEM

In this paper, we present a new version of tactile sensor GelSlim 2.0 with the capability to estimate the contact force distribution in real time. The sensor is vision-based and uses an array of markers to track deformations on a gel pad due to contact. A new hardware design makes the sensor more rugged, parametrically adjusTable AND Improves illumination. leveraging the sensor’s increased functionality, we propose to use inverse finite element method (ifem), a numerical method to reconstruct the contact force distribution based on marker displacements. the sensor is able to provide force distribution of contact with high spatial density. experiments and comparison with ground truth show that the reconstructed force distribution is physically reasonable with good accuracy.A sequence of Kendama manipulations with corresponding displacement field (yellow) and force field (red). Video can be found on Youtube: https://youtu.be/hWw9A0ZBZuU
Cortical Circuit Dynamics Are Homeostatically Tuned to Criticality In Vivo.

Summary Homeostatic mechanisms stabilize neuronal activity in vivo, but whether this process gives rise to balanced network dynamics is unknown. Here, we continuously monitored the statistics of network spiking in visual cortical circuits in freely behaving rats for 9 days. Under control conditions in light and dark, networks were robustly organized around criticality, a regime that maximizes information capacity and transmission. When input was perturbed by visual deprivation, network criticality was severely disrupted and subsequently restored to criticality over 48 h. Unexpectedly, the recovery of excitatory dynamics preceded homeostatic plasticity of firing rates by >30 h. We utilized model investigations to manipulate firing rate homeostasis in a cell-type-specific manner at the onset of visual deprivation. Our results suggest that criticality in excitatory networks is established by inhibitory plasticity and architecture. These data establish that criticality is consistent with a homeostatic set point for visual cortical dynamics and suggest a key role for homeostatic regulation of inhibition.
Protecting Young Infants From Measles.

* Abbreviation: MMR — : measles-mumps-rubella vaccine In this issue of Pediatrics by Science et al,1 measles antibody levels were assessed in a cross-sectional sample of infants in Ontario, Canada, where endemic measles transmission has been eliminated since 1998. Antibody levels waned quickly, and all infants were considered susceptible to measles by age 6 months. The increased susceptibility to measles among younger infants in an elimination setting is not surprising and has been noted previously. Measles vaccine–induced maternal antibodies result in lower levels of passively acquired antibodies in infants.2,3 However, as the authors state, this leaves infants potentially susceptible to measles until they are old enough to receive the vaccine. In light of increasing measles outbreaks during the past year reaching levels not recorded in the United States since 1992 and increased measles elsewhere,4,5 coupled with the risk of severe illness in infants, there is increased concern regarding the protection of infants against measles. Current recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices allow measles vaccination as early as 6 months for infants who plan to travel internationally, infants with ongoing risk for exposure during measles outbreaks, and as postexposure prophylaxis.6 For routine vaccination, … Address correspondence to Walter A. Orenstein, MD, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Rd NE, Suite 446, Atlanta, GA 30322. E-mail: worenst{at}emory.edu
Oxygen Consumption in Two Portable Ventilators Using a High Pressure Gas Source

Background: The VOCSN (Ventec Life Systems, Bothell, WA) and Trilogy (Philips Respironics, Murrysville, PA) ventilators can deliver oxygen via low or high pressure sources utilizing different circuits. We evaluated and compared oxygen consumption from a high pressure gas source using the two ventilators with a null hypothesis that there would be no difference. Methods: The VOCSN and Trilogy ventilators were evaluated using a high pressure gas source (e-cylinders regulated to 50 psi) with both passive (constant leak) and active (exhalation valve) circuits connected to a TTL test lung (Michigan Instruments, Grand Rapids, MI). The three simulated TTL lung models were: normal - Cst 60 mL/cm H2O and Raw 5 cm H2O/L/s, restrictive - Cst 30 mL/cm H2O and Raw 5 cm H2O/L/s, and obstructive - Cst 60 mL/cm H2O, Raw 20 cm H2O/L/s. Using pressure ventilation modes, the peak pressure and rise time were titrated to achieve a tidal volume of 500 mL, as measured by a Certifier FA Plus (TSI Inc, Shoreview MN). Other settings include: frequency 12 breaths/min, PEEP 5 cm H2O and IT 1.0 second, set FIO2 of 0.40. Delivered FIO2 was measured by the Handi + oxygen analyzer (Maxtec, Salt Lake City, UT) at the lung inlet. In addition, the VOCSN pulse dose function was evaluated by titrating its oxygen flow to achieve an FIO2 of approximately 0.40. We measured the length of time to reduce e-cylinder pressure by 100 PSI for each lung model and test configuration, then calculated the liters of oxygen utilized per minute during each test run. A series of three tests were performed for all lung models and circuit configurations. Data for the three lung models were averaged for each test configuration and reported as the mean ± SD for both circuits. Results: Tidal volume delivery and measured FIO2 remained relatively constant during all lung models, test configurations and circuit types (501 ± 7 mL and 0.397 ± 0.01 respectively). Oxygen consumption using VOCSN with pulse dose oxygen delivery was 1.7 ± 0.7 and 1.7 ± 0.1 L/min, using VOCSN with set FIO2 was 4.8 ± 0.8 and 2.4 ± 0.1 L/min, and using Trilogy with set FIO2 was 5.2 ± 1.0 and 4.8 ± 0.9 L/min with passive and active circuits respectively. Conclusions: Oxygen utilization was lowest using the VOCSN ventilator with pulse dose oxygen delivery with both the passive and active circuits, and with VOCSN using a set FIO2 with the active circuit compared to the Trilogy 202 ventilator.
Hypertension in older adults: Assessment, management, and challenges

Hypertension in older adults is related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, such as heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death. The global burden of hypertension is increasing due to an aging population and increasing prevalence of obesity, and is estimated to affect one third of the world's population by 2025. Adverse outcomes in older adults are compounded by mechanical hemodynamic changes, arterial stiffness, neurohormonal and autonomic dysregulation, and declining renal function. This review highlights the current evidence and summarizes recent guidelines on hypertension, pertaining to older adults. Management strategies for hypertension in older adults must consider the degree of frailty, increasingly complex medical comorbidities, and psycho-social factors, and must therefore be individualized. Non-pharmacological lifestyle interventions should be encouraged to mitigate the risk of developing hypertension, and as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the need for medications. Pharmacological therapy with diuretics, renin-angiotensin system blockers, and calcium channel blockers have all shown benefit on cardiovascular outcomes in older patients. Given the economic and public health burden of hypertension in the United States and globally, it is critical to address lifestyle modifications in younger generations to prevent hypertension with age.
Am I Part of the Cure or Am I Part of the Disease? Keeping Coronavirus Out When a Doctor Comes Home.

Am I Part of the Cure or Am I Part of the Disease? A front-line physician wonders how he can protect a vulnerable member of his household from the pathogens he’s exposed to in the ED — especially i...
Molecular Reaction Imaging of Single-Entity Photoelectrodes

Photoelectrochemical cells have the potential to convert solar energy to liquid fuels. Nanostructured electrode materials are attractive light-harvesting materials for this purpose because their na...
Coded Edge Computing

Running intensive compute tasks across the fifth generation mobile network of edge devices introduces distributed computing challenges: edge devices are heterogeneous in the compute, storage, and communication capabilities; and can exhibit unpredictable straggler effects and failures. In this work, we propose an error-correcting-code inspired strategy to execute computing tasks in edge computing environments, which is designed to mitigate variability in response times and errors caused by edge devices’ heterogeneity and lack of reliability. Unlike prior coding approaches, we incorporate partially unfinished coded tasks into our computation recovery, which allows us to achieve smooth performance degradation with low-complexity decoding when the coded tasks are run on edge devices with a fixed deadline. By further carrying out coding on edge devices as well as a master node, the proposed computing scheme also alleviates communication bottlenecks during data shuffling and is amenable to distributed implementation in a highly variable and limited network. Such distributed encoding forces us to solve new decoding challenges. Using a representative implementation based on federated multi-task learning frameworks, extensive performance simulations are carried out, which demonstrate that the proposed strategy offers significant gains in latency and accuracy over conventional coded computing schemes.
Abstract 15168: Circulating Cell-free DNA Correlates With Markers of Disease Severity in the Rat Sugen/hypoxia Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Introduction: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is released into circulation following tissue injury and cell turnover. In cancer and allograft rejection, cfDNA serves as a valuable biomarker for monitoring di...
Is One of the 'Peace Dividends' Negative? Military Expenditure & Economic Growth in the Wealthy OECD Countries

This paper studies the effect of military spending--milex--oneconomic growth in the wealthy OECD countries. The hypothesis is that increased milex will have a non-linear effect with higher milex associated with faster growth at low levels and slower growth at higher levels. The regression results are consistent with the hypothesis.
Davis Press: Should You Publish Meccan Madness?

You are the owner/editor of your own publishing firm, Davis Press. You encounter a dilemma when, in 2010, you are given the opportunity to publish a novel set in the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Given the angry fallout after the publication of Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses, the Iraq War, and the controversy of Qur'an desecration at the US naval base prison at Guantanamo Bay, publishing the novel presents a host of ethical dilemmas. This case discusses the ethics of a free press and challenges the profit motive in the face of jeopardizing political and religious world affairs. Excerpt UVA-E-0421 Rev. Jan. 8, 2021 Davis Press: Should You Publish Meccan Madness? After 25 years of career success in a leading US publishing firm, you harnessed the monetary and human resources to launch your own publishing firm, Davis Press. Your company has created a niche for itself in high-adventure, factually based fiction, and, as a risk-taker, you have profited from the national resurgence in adventure novel sales. It is late 2010, and you are currently celebrating Davis Press's sixth year since inception and its first year in the black. Earlier in the year, author Jonathan Taajwar had submitted a manuscript to Davis Press called Meccan Madness. The editorial staff reviewed the book, and it has been and found it to be a fascinating and riveting novel about a Muslim woman who attempts to lead an underground movement to take control of the Kaaba, the holy sanctuary at Mecca. You are sure the book would be a bestseller, which would give a large and welcome boost to your bottom line. Your confidence in the success of Meccan Madness is also, however, the very reason for your serious concern about publishing it under the Davis Press name. You are well aware that the novel's basic premise makes it controversial, as does the fact that Taajwar is a self-professed lapsed Muslim. Needless to say, any publication critical of Islam would be badly received, primarily by people of the Islamic faith. Although the tragedy of September 11, almost four years earlier, had created interest in learning about the Islamic faith and consequently would probably boost sales, it had also created a far more volatile climate that could mean a potentially hostile reception to Taajwar's novel. In addition, the Iraq War, waged by America in the spring of 2003, had created a lot of anti-American sentiment not only in Iraq but also in many other Muslim countries. . . .
Solidification and microstructure evolution in additively manufactured H13 steel via directed energy deposition: Integrated experimental and computational approach

Abstract The current work investigated additive manufacturing of H13 steel via laser aided directed energy deposition (L-DED) technique. The laser power was kept constant at 350 W, whereas, the laser beam speed was varied in the range of 5.8–14.8 mm/s (laser fluence: 77–30 J/mm2). Cube samples of dimensions 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm3 were additively manufactured. Effect of variation of processing parameters on the microstructure and phase evolution in L-DED samples was examined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electron back scatter diffraction. The complex thermokinetics involving repetitive and rapid heating/post-heating-cooling cycles experienced by the material during the L-DED process were simulated using a 3-dimensional multiphysics process model. The model was built using a multi-track multi-layer approach. Additional parameters such as the location specific ratio of thermal gradient to solidification rate (related to microstructural morphology) and multiplication of thermal gradient with solidification rate (cooling rate during solidification) were predicted from the model. The microstructure revealed signatures of cellular morphology from prior austenite grains within the transformed ferrite/martensite grain structure. The precipitates compositionally rich in carbide forming elements were detected at the cell boundaries and junctions. Bainite like morphology was revealed at a high magnification within the ferrite/martensite grain structure. The amount of retained austenite steadily decreased with an increase in the laser fluence. Hardness of the samples increased as a function of build height and the laser fluence. An integrated experimental and computational approach was developed to realize the microstructure-property evolution in the L-DED H13 steel.
Evaluation of an Adjustable Flow Diverter Valve for Mutiplex Ventilation: A Simulation Study

Background: Ventilation of two patients with one machine during a ventilator shortage became a popular topic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our previous study indicated failure of a multiplex circuit to ventilate patients with different lung mechanics in 67% of simulations (PMID: 32345741). Prior studies attempted to solve this problem by manipulating the resistance of the circuit to the patient requiring less VT. But this method affects the total resistance of the system and changes volume delivery to both patients. We designed an adjustable flow diverter valve (AFDV) to partition flow without affecting the system resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the AFDV. Methods: Two IngMar ASL 5000 breathing simulators were set to represent identical passive patients (same resistance and compliance). The mode of ventilation was pressure control continuous mandatory ventilation with set-point targeting (PC-CMVs) as in our previous study. The volume delivery to each lung simulator was recorded by the simulators. The AFDV was adjusted from equal VT to full occlusion of one patient. The AFDV was considered successful in individualizing VT if volume delivery to patient A did not change while volume delivery to patient B decreased, as the valve was adjusted toward occlusion for patient B. In the full occlusion position, patient B was disconnected from the simulator to determine if there was disrupted ventilation to the other patient. Results: The AFDV allowed precise control and nearly linear adjustments in volume delivery to one patient without impacting the other (see Figure). When the valve was adjusted for occlusion to patient B, this patient was successfully removed from the ventilator without affecting volume delivery to patient A and without ventilator alarms. Conclusions: This simulation-based study shows that the AFDV allows individual control of the VT to one patient without affecting ventilation to the other.
Brainstem Gangliogliomas: Total Resection and Close Follow-Up

Gangliogliomas are mixed glioneuronal tumors with two histological features: atypical ganglion cells and neoplastic glial cells. They comprise approximately 0.4% of all central nervous system tumors and less than 2% of all intracranial tumors. Gangliogliomas are usually located in temporal lobe. Brainstem gangliogliomas are unusual tumors and only few cases have been reported in the literature. Complete tumor resection if feasible, is usually associated with good prognosis. The surgical management of these tumors depends on their location. The definitive role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy has not yet been established. Even after resection a close long-term follow-up is mandatory for these patients.
Identification of biofilm proteins in non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae biofilm formation is implicated in a number of chronic infections including otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis. Biofilm structure includes cells and secreted extracellular matrix that is "slimy" and believed to contribute to the antibiotic resistant properties of biofilm bacteria. Components of biofilm extracellular matrix are largely unknown. In order to identify such biofilm proteins an ex-vivo biofilm of a non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae isolate, originally from an otitis media patent, was produced by on-filter growth. Extracellular matrix fraction was subjected to proteomic analysis via LC-MS/MS to identify proteins. 265 proteins were identified in the extracellular matrix sample. The identified proteins were analyzed for COG grouping and predicted cellular location via the TMHMM and SignalP predictive algorithms. The most over-represented COG groups identified compared to their frequency in the Haemophilus influenzae genome were cell motility and secretion (group N) followed by ribosomal proteins of group J. A number of hypothetical or un-characterized proteins were observed, as well as proteins previously implicated in biofilm function. This study represents an initial approach to identifying and cataloguing numerous proteins associated with biofilm structure. The approach can be applied to biofilms of other bacteria to look for commonalities of expression and obtained information on biofilm protein expression can be used in multidisciplinary approaches to further understand biofilm structure and function.
Sending Signals: How Self-Interested Individuals Help Policymakers

Policymakers operate with specifics, but the public sends signals at a level of generality. Policymakers need to read and anticipate that signal, basically that the public wants government to do more or less, and translate it into specific policies. This paper develops the Integrated Theory of Self-Interest, which provides a theoretical framework for understanding the effects of self-interest within the dynamic political context, and examines hypotheses about how the policy attitudes of self-interested individuals might contribute to macro-level politics. If self-interest has the individual level effects predicted by the Integrated Theory, then self-interested individuals will have rational opinions on specific policies that emerge as a clear signal to policymakers. To address this objective, I test for a conditional effect of self-interest on partisanship in terms of individuals’ issue attention, behavior, and electoral decisions based on relevant issue preferences when compared to individuals without an interest in a policy. The findings indicate that self-interested partisans are more likely to attend to issue information, engage in political behaviors designed to influence the issue, and express voting intentions consistent with their interests in the issue.
Tumor pO2 as a surrogate marker to identify therapeutic window during metronomic chemotherapy of 9L gliomas

Glioblastomas are aggressive and highly vascularized primary brain tumors with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Approaches targeting tumor vasculature are currently being investigated to achieve therapeutic benefits for this fatal malignancy. However, lack of suitable markers that can be used to monitor therapeutic effects during such treatments has restricted their optimization. We have focused on the development of tumor pO2 as a surrogate marker to identify the therapeutic window during metronomic chemotherapy.We report the effect of four weekly administrations of cyclophosphamide (140 mg/Kg, i.p), a chemo drug, on tumor pO2 and growth of subcutaneous 9L tumors in SCID mice. The repeated measurement of tumor pO2 was carried out using in vivo EPR oximetry. The subcutaneous 9L tumors were hypoxic with a pre-treatment tumor pO2 of 5.1 ± 1 mmHg and a tumor volume of 236 ± 45 mm3 on day 0. The tumor pO2 increased significantly to 26.2 ± 2 mmHg on day 10, and remained at an elevated level till day 31 during weekly treatments with cyclophosphamide. The tumor pO2 then declined to 20 ± 9 mmHg on day 43. The tumor volume of the control group increased significantly with no change in tumor pO2over days.Results indicate a transient increase in tumor pO2 duringmetronomic chemotherapy of 9L gliomas and could be potentially used as amarker to identify vessel normalization during metronomic chemotherapy. The ability to identify therapeutic window non-invasively using EPR oximetry can have a significant impact on the optimization of clinical protocols. In vivo EPR oximetry is currently being tested for repeated pO2 measurements in patients with superficial tumors.
Regional variation in ICC distribution, pacemaking activity and neural responses in the longitudinal muscle of the murine stomach.

Intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) play a critical role in enteric neural regulation of the circular muscle layer in the stomach, but no studies have been performed on the longitudinal layer. Kit immunohistochemistry was used to examine ICC-IM in the longitudinal muscle layer of the murine corpus and antrum, and it revealed marked heterogeneity in the distribution of ICC-IM in longitudinal muscles. In the corpus, ICC-IM were found along the greater curvature near the fundus. ICC-IM decreased in density in the circumferential axis toward the lesser curvature and in the longitudinal axis toward the antrum. ICC-IM were absent from the longitudinal layer of the antrum. Double labelling with markers for specific classes of enteric motor neurones revealed that cholinergic and nitrergic motor neurones formed close contacts with ICC-IM in the corpus but not in the antrum. Enteric nerve stimulation evoked prominent cholinergic excitatory and nitrergic inhibitory responses in longitudinal muscles of the corpus, but not in the antrum of wild-type animals. Cholinergic and nitrergic nerves were also present in W/WV mice, but functional innervation of the longitudinal muscle layer by these nerves in the corpus and antrum were absent. The data show that cholinergic and nitrergic neurotransmission only occurs in the gastric longitudinal layer in regions where ICC-IM are present. In regions, such as the corpus, where ICC-IM are common, robust neural responses are present, but the reduced density of ICC-IM near the lesser curvature and in the distal stomach leads to reduced neural regulation in these gastric regions.
Updating and Querying Databases that Track Mobile Units

In this paper, we consider databases representing information about moving objects (e.g., vehicles), particularly their location. We address the problems of updating and querying such databases. Specifically, the update problem is to determine when the location of a moving object in the database (namely its database location) should be updated. We answer this question by proposing an information cost model that captures uncertainty, deviation, and communication. Then we analyze dead-reckoning policies, namely policies that update the database location whenever the distance between the actual location and the database location exceeds a given threshold, x. Dead-reckoning is the prevalent approach in military applications, and our cost model enables us to determine the threshold x. We propose several dead-reckoning policies and we compare their performance by simulation. Then we consider the problem of processing range queries in the database. An example of a range query is ‘retrieve the objects that are currently inside a given polygon P′. We propose a probabilistic approach to solve the problem. Namely, the DBMS will answer such a query with a set of objects, each of which is associated with a probability that the object is inside P.
Extraction of Dynamic Low-Order Nonlinear Inductor Models Based on Steady State Solutions

Three methods for extracting low-order dynamic models of nonlinear magnetic devices from a high-order physics-based (finite element) model are presented and compared. The proposed nonlinear model order reduction (NMOR) methods are based on the piecewise linear approach with the Krylov subspace projection using various training processes, various projection processes, and various weighting processes. These NMOR methods enable physics-based models to be implemented without heuristic assumptions or excessive computation. They are demonstrated with an example inductor model and verified experimentally. Simulation results show that the original, nonlinear high-order system is well represented by a piecewise set of connected low-order, linear systems. Synthesis of these methods can be fully automated so the end user can rapidly model new devices without repeating sophisticated mathematics. This work provides a foundation for modeling more complicated magnetic devices for power electronics, such as multi-phase coupled inductors, actuators, and rotary machines.
The economics of hydrogen and carbon monoxide separation with cuprous ammonium lactate solutions

Abstract A process is proposed for making hydrogen from coal which completely eliminates low temperature and reduces the amount of high temperature shift conversion. The resulting 1:1 H2CO mixture is separated by absorption and reaction in a cuprous ammonium lactate solution at 1000 p.s.i.a. The hydrogen is used for large scale coal liquefaction. Regeneration of the cuprous ammonium lactate solution results in a sulfur and particulate free carbon monoxide stream suitable for electric power generation. A comparison of the economics of this alternative with conventional high and low temperature shift conversion shows an increase in the process efficiency as well as reduction in the amount of capital required. This, plus other savings, results in carbon monoxide costing 0.988 $/MSCF or 3.095 $/MM Btu. On an equivalent Btu basis, this is 70.9% of the cost of hydrogen by conventional coal conversion. Thus, substitution of separation for shift conversion results in a substantial product cost reduction.
In vivo microdialysis assessment of extracellular serotonin and dopamine levels in awake monkeys during sustained fluoxetine administration.

Fluoxetine (FLU) rapidly enhances extracellular (EC) serotonin (5-HT) in rodent brain, whereas the antidepressant effects of this drug in humans are typically not observed for 2-3 weeks. Thus, the effects of chronic oral FLU administration on neocortical and hippocampal EC 5-HT, and on caudate EC 5-HT and dopamine (DA), were examined in awake monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using in vivo microdialysis (10.0 mg/kg; 3, 7, 14, and 21 days). On day 3, 5-HT was significantly increased above baseline levels in hippocampus (HC) and caudate. There was a trend for an increase in neocortex EC 5-HT levels. However, by day 7 5-HT remained significantly elevated only in HC, although 5-HT levels elsewhere had not completely returned to baseline. In contrast, levels of the 5-HT metabolite, 5-HIAA, were significantly reduced in all brain regions at all time points. Caudate DA levels tended to be decreased throughout FLU treatment. Local FLU and K(+) infusion were also used at various times during chronic systemic FLU administration to evaluate changes in functional synaptic regulation. In general, these results, along with the significant decrease in 5-HIAA levels and the tendency for basal EC 5-HT levels to remain modestly elevated only in HC during sustained FLU administration, suggest a reduction in releasable pools of 5-HT. Taken together with the trend for a decrease in caudate EC DA levels, these results do not appear to support the current hypothesis regarding the mechanism of action of SSRI antidepressants-that monoaminergic neurotransmission is progressively augmented during chronic treatment.
Fabrication of planar optical phase elements

Abstract A method is described for obtaining thin film planar optical phase elements using photolithographic and specially developed evaporation/etching techniques. As an example of the method, the fabrication of a phase Fresnel zone plate in which the outermost zone measures 4.3 microns, is described.
Vitamin D receptor binding to the negative human parathyroid hormone vitamin D response element does not require the retinoid x receptor.

An important physiological control of PTH gene expression is its transcriptional repression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)]. The mechanism of this 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-mediated transcriptional repression is poorly understood. Previous investigations have identified a DNA sequence in the 5'-regulatory region of the human PTH (hPTH) gene that binds the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and mediates transcription repression in response to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in GH4CI cells. The hPTH gene sequence does not mediate transcriptional repression in ROS 17/2.8 cells, even though up-regulatory vitamin D response elements (VDREs) are active in these cells. The hPTH DNA sequence differs from the upregulatory VDREs in that it contains a single copy of a hexameric motif (AGGUC) homologous to those repeated in the up-regulatory VDREs. The protein-DNA interactions of this sequence were examined using nuclear extracts from bovine parathyroid, GH4CI, and ROS 17/2.8 cells. In bovine parathyroid nuclear extracts, the VDR bind...
Chiral Layers on Curved Surfaces

Backscatter from curved metallic surfaces coated with chiral layers is investigated. Here we examine canonical cylindrical and spherical geometries to understand basic scattering and absorption mechanisms, and to find the efficacy of chiral coatings in reducing radar cross-section. Of special interest is the combined effect of the degree of chirality and structure curvature on backscatter cross-section for lossy screens. The physical principles underlying the reduction of scattering are discussed, fundamental formulations are given, and relevant comparisons to the planar geometry case are noted. The backscatter cross-section for coated curved surfaces can be intelpreted as a modulation of chiral planar results by achiral structural resonances.