cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactive aramid nanostructures as high-performance polymeric building blocks for advanced composites

Traditionally, the field of advanced nanocomposites has relied on a fairly limited set of building blocks; many with low reactivity and of limited variability. These limitations have been addressed by the creation of functionalized nanometer-scale aramid structures, in the form of nanofibers and nanosheets. These were obtained by deprotonating macroscale, commercial Kevlar yarns using potassium hydroxide in dimethyl sulfoxide to yield stable dispersions of nanometer-scale aramid fibers that were then hydrolyzed using phosphoric acid (PA). To illustrate the use of these functionally-active nanostructures as building blocks for nanocomposites, they were crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GA), and formed into macroscopic thin films by vacuum-assisted filtration. It was shown that the mechanical properties of these PA/GA treated films can be tuned by varying the amounts of PA and GA used during synthesis, adjusting the relative amounts of hydrolysis and polymerization. These results are the first demonstration that aramid nanometer-scale fibers can be used to form versatile nanometer-sized building blocks that can then be crosslinked to fabricate a wide variety of nanostructured aramid materials with tailorable properties.
A Longitudinal Study of Children with Down Syndrome Who Experienced Early Intervention Programming

Background and Purpose. The long-term motor, cognitive, and adaptive functioning of a sample of adolescents with Down syndrome who experienced an early intervention program was examined in this descriptive study. Subjects. Ten children with Down syndrome (7 girls, 3 boys) who had participated in an early intervention program constituted the early intervention (EI) group. An age-matched group of children with Down syndrome (6 girls, 4 boys) who had not experienced an early intervention program served as a comparison group. Methods. The EI group's motor functioning was compared with that of a normative sample used in the development of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. The cognitive and adaptive skills of the EI group were compared with those of the comparison group. The children were assessed using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. Results. The EI group subjects fell below their chronological age levels in gross and fine motor skills; however, their mean gross motor skill levels exceeded their mean fine motor skill levels. The specific deficits in gross motor and fine motor skills, which were documented in a previous follow-up study on the same sample, continued to be areas of deficits (visual motor coordination, running speed, balance, and reaction time). The EI group subjects had significantly higher scores on measures of intellectual and adaptive functioning than did the children in the comparison group. The EI group subjects did not show the decline typically seen with age in adaptive functioning in individuals with Down syndrome. Conclusion and Discussion. Because of the design limitations, the differences between the groups should be interpreted with caution.
Histologic and Ultrastructural Evaluation of Thyroid Lesions Associated With Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Thyroid lesions in 16 pet dogs with hypothyroidism were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Lymphocytic thyroiditis, found in seven dogs, was characterized by diffuse infiltration of the thyroid gland by lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages with formation of some lymphoid nodules and destruction of follicles, progressing to replacement of most of the thyroid by fibrous connective tissue. The basement membrane around follicles was thick and had electron-dense deposits. The morphology of the thyroid lesions and the presence of circulating thyroglobulin autoantibodies suggested that lymphocytic thyroiditis was immune-mediated. Idiopathic follicular atrophy, found in nine dogs, was characterized by loss of thyroid parenchyma and replacement by adipose connective tissue. Degeneration of individual follicular cells was present in the early stage, with exfoliation into the colloid and interfollicular area. Most of the thyroid gland consisted of adipose connective tissue with either interspersed small follicles or individual follicular cells that had dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, large Golgi apparatus, and intracytoplasmic microfollicles in the advanced stage. Follicular atrophy was a degenerative lesion of follicular cells of unknown cause, not associated with inflammatory destruction in the thyroid gland.
On the Time to Search for an Intermittent Signal Source Under a Limited Sensing Range

A mobile robot with a limited sensing range is deployed to search for a stationary target that intermittently emits short duration signals. The searching mission is accomplished as soon as the robot receives a signal from the target. We propose the expected searching time (EST) as a primary metric to evaluate different robot motion plans under different robot configurations. To illustrate the proposed metric, we present two case studies. In the first case, we analyze two common motion plans: a slap method (SM) and a random walk (RW). The EST analysis shows that the SM is asymptotically faster than the RW when the searching space size increases. In the second case, we compare a team of n homogeneous low-cost robots with a super robot that has the sensing range equal to that of the summation of the n robots. Our analysis shows that the low-cost robot team takes Θ(1/n) time, while the super robot takes Θ(1/√n) time as n → ∞. Our metrics successfully demonstrate their ability in assessing the searching performance. The analytical results are also confirmed in simulation and physical experiments.
Concern, caution, and care : HIV risk perception among hospital nurses

Nurses routinely confront uncertainties surrounding the risk of occupationally transmitted HIV, particularly in the context of hospital AIDS care. Nurses respond to their perception of this HIV risk with a mixture of concern, caution, and care. This study empirically examines HIV risk perception based on a survey of hospital nurses in U.S. cities with high HIV seroprevalence rates. There is variation in the degree to which hospital nurses worry about HIV at work, despite widespread use of universal precautions. Occupational HIV risk perception is associated with knowledge of workplace transmission vectors, comfort with AIDS patients, AIDS care experience, and working conditions. Results show that nurses on AIDS care units are more habituated to HIV risk, whereas those with less AIDS care knowledge, tolerance, and experience are more concerned about HIV Consequently, nurses who worry less about being infected with HIV are more willing to perform AIDS care, predict plans to continue AIDS care in the future, and report more equal treatment of people with AIDS. Supportive workplaces which reduce stress and emotional exhaustion, together with enhanced and improved training for hospital nurses, may temper provider concerns and improve the continuity and quality of care.
Valuing amenity resources under uncertainty: A skeptical view of recent resolutions

Abstract This paper questions Colby and Cory's recent characterization [1987, 1988, 1989] of the appropriate benefit measures to be used to value improvements in the quantity, quality, or conditions of access to environmental resources under uncertainty. The paper uses Graham's [1981] analysis of individual and aggregate welfare measurement under uncertainty to demonstrate the problems with Colby and Cory's recommendations. It evaluates their classification of important research issues and summarizes in general terms the difficulties that arise in the practical implementation of the conceptual measures for benefits under uncertainty.
Broadband Characterization of GaN Transistors for Software Defined Radio Power Amplifier Applications

A technique for applying a series of narrowband load pull measurements of a Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistor to the design of a broadband power amplifier (PA) is presented with potential application to software defined radio (SDR). Load pull uses computer controlled tuners to apply a series of impedances at discrete frequencies to the device under test (DUT) and then calculates performance contours such as gain, efficiency, output power, etc. The basics of load pull testing and its application to device characterization for PA design are reviewed. The operation of a load pull system is presented, along with test fixture design to accommodate broad band measurements. A GaN device is measured and contours of output power and efficiency are determined for each frequency. These results are interconnected to obtain an impedance locus vs. frequency from which an output matching network is designed. The technique is applied to the design of a 500 MHz to 2500 MHz single-stage GaN PA with a saturated output power of +41 dBm. It achieves a minimum efficiency of 35% at nominal drain voltage and achieves a minimum efficiency of 46% when subjected to drain voltage optimization over frequency.
Flower foraging behavior of the Australian species Eleale aspera (Newman) (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae).

Abstract Checkered beetles are infrequently encountered in large numbers, perhaps a manifestation of their biologic ties with floral periodicity, prey population density, or climatic factors. What is published about Cleridae biology deals mostly with adult emergence from woody plants and predatory activity of immatures on lignicolous insects. Very little is known about plant foraging behavior of these beetles. They are known to visit flowers to aggregate for mating, secure pollen, or to feed on entomophagous insects. Field and laboratory observations that involve the speciose Australian genus Eleale indicate that E. aspera (Newman) visits flowers to mate, to fortuitously gather pollen for food, and to utilize the flower of Pyracantha crenulata (Roxb. Roemer) as a “watering hole.” Eleale aspera beetles and relatives immerse their forebodies deeply into the corolla of the flower to reach nectaries which provide essential moisture when water is at a premium during the Australian dry season.
Assessing Cultural Competence Among Oncology Surgeons.

QUESTION ASKED:Are there attributes of surgical providers that are associated with culturally congruent care?SUMMARY ANSWER:Surgical providers reported treating diverse patient populations; 71% encountered patients from six or more racial/ethnic groups. More than half (58%) reported completing cultural diversity training, with employer-sponsored training the most common type reported (48%; 71 of 147). Cultural Competence Assessment scores ranged from 5.99 to 13.75 of a possible 14 (mean = 10.3; standard deviation ± 1.3), and receipt of diversity training was associated with higher scores than nonreceipt (10.56 v 9.82, respectively; P < .001).METHODS:Surgical providers from six hospitals in the Puget Sound region of Washington State were invited to participate. Participants completed a 50-item survey that assessed demographic data and incorporated the Cultural Competence Assessment and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Survey response rate was 51.1% (n = 253).BIAS, CONFOUNDING FACTORS(S), DRAWB...
Maximum likelihood estimation of synchronous machine parameters from flux decay data

A time-domain system identification procedure to estimate the parameters of a 5 kVA salient pole synchronous machine from standstill test measurements is proposed. The test consists of a DC flux decay signal applied to the d-axis and q-axis of the machine. From the recorded responses to this signal, the admittance transfer function models and the standstill frequency response equivalent circuit models are identified. The maximum likelihood algorithm is used to estimate the model parameter values, and the Akaike Criterion is used to select the best-fit model. The performance of the standstill models in the dynamic environment is studied through simulation of an on-line small-disturbance test. The results are compared with measured data. >
Enhanced fluorescent resonant energy transfer of DNA conjugates complexed with surfactants and divalent metal ions

Dimerization and resultant quenching of donor and acceptor dyes conjugated on DNA causes loss of fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) efficiency. However, when complexed with surfactants and divalent metal ions, sheathing effects insulate and shield the DNA structures, reducing dimerization and quenching which leads to significant enhancement of FRET efficiency.
Electron Temperature in a Methane-Air Flame under a DC Electric Field

A premixed methane-air flame at the stoichiometric equivalence ratio was produced on a flat flame burner. A flat grid electrode placed above the burner was used to produce electric fields using potentials up to 27.3 kV/m. Both a single and double core Langmuir probe were inserted into the flame to record a current-voltage sweep. Measurements were repeated at multiple points in the flame and at different electric field strengths. Results were used to determine the electron temperature as a function of axial location and electric field strength as a means of assessing how effective dissociative recombination is in influencing flame behavior.
Three-Dimensional Model Simulation of Ball Motion in A Tumbling Ball Mill

Mechanical alloying process, especially conducted by ball milling of metal powders, shows poor reproducibility, since we have few indices adequate for the mathematical description of the process. Energy consumption by the plastic deformation of metal powder particles in the mechanical alloying process can be a good index for the mathematical description. However, it is much difficult to measure the energy consumption only by the plastic deformation of metal powder particles. In this study, the authors tried to trace the motion of individual milling balls in a tumbling ball mill during ball milling of a metal powder, by using a three-dimensional model simulation based on discrete element method. From the motion of individual balls calculated by the simulation, frequency of collision event as well as distribution of impact velocity were estimated as a function of ball filling ratio, J. As a result, the motion of balls and therefore the distribution of impact velocity were affected signifficantly by the ball filling ratio. Especially, the frequency of collision event having higher impact velocities shows an maximum at J=0.5. This means that the plastic deformation of the metal particles is most promoted at J=0.5 if the plastic deformation requires higher impact velocity.
Pairing glue in the two-dimensional Hubbard model

Cluster dynamical mean-field calculations are used to construct the superconducting gap function of the two-dimensional Hubbard model. The frequency dependence of the imaginary part of the gap function indicates that the pairing is dominated by fluctuations at two characteristic frequencies: one at the scale of the hopping matrix element $t$ and one at a much lower scale. The lower-frequency component becomes more important as the doping is reduced into the pseudogap regime. Comparison to information on the spin-fluctuation spectrum of the model suggests that superconductivity arises from exchange of spin fluctuations. The inferred pairing glue function is in remarkable qualitative consistency with the pairing function inferred from optical conductivity data.
Selenoprotein W gene regulation by selenium in L8 cells.

The effects of selenium on selenoprotein W gene expression were examined in cultured L8 rat skeletal muscle cells. Selenoprotein W contains selenium as selenocysteine in the primary protein structure and levels of this selenoprotein are affected by selenium. Northern blots indicated that there were no significant changes (P<0.05) in selenoprotein W mRNA levels during cell proliferation and differentiation. Reduction of selenium concentration in the medium decreased the selenoprotein W mRNA levels. Nuclear run-on experiments with isolated L8 nuclei showed the same rate of selenoprotein W mRNA synthesis in cells cultured in either low selenium or selenium supplemented medium, suggesting that the transcription rate of the selenoprotein W gene is independent of selenium. Measurement of the selenoprotein W mRNA half-life in myoblasts treated with the transcription inhibitor, α-amanitin, showed that selenoprotein W mRNA levels decreased over time with an estimated half-life of 57 h for cells grown in low selenium medium. Selenium treatment increased the selenoprotein W mRNA half-life 2-fold. These data suggest that selenium stabilizes selenoprotein W mRNA but has no effect on transcription.
So you want to be a Medical Volunteer.

When you ask colleagues why they entered medicine many say it was to help people however evidence suggests that job satisfaction is decreasing.1 Perhaps you are becoming tired and are looking for a new challenge. Well why not use your skills and become a medical volunteer.
Minimizing index size by reordering rows and columns

Sizes of compressed bitmap indexes and compressed data are significantly affected by the order of data records. The optimal orders of rows and columns that minimizes the index sizes is known to be NP-hard to compute. Instead of seeking the precise global optimal ordering, we develop accurate statistical formulas that compute approximate solutions. Since the widely used bitmap indexes are compressed with variants of the run-length encoding (RLE) method, our work concentrates on computing the sizes of bitmap indexes compressed with the basic Run-Length Encoding. The resulting formulas could be used for choosing indexes to build and to use. In this paper, we use the formulas to develop strategies for reordering rows and columns of a data table. We present empirical measurements to show that our formulas are accurate for a wide range of data. Our analysis confirms that the heuristics of sorting columns with low column cardinalities first is indeed effective in reducing the index sizes. We extend the strategy by showing that columns with the same cardinality should be ordered from high skewness to low skewness.
Cohort‐specific variation in juvenile coho salmon habitat use

In this study, we examined summer and fall freshwater rearing habitat use by juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the quickly urbanising Big Lake drainage in south-central Alaska. Habitat use was assessed by regressing fish count data against habitat survey information across thirty study sites using generalised linear mixed models. Habitat associations were examined by age-0 and age-1+ cohorts separately, providing an opportunity to compare habitat use across different juvenile coho salmon life stages during freshwater rearing. Regression results indicated that the age-0 cohorts were strongly associated with shallow, wide stream reaches with in-stream vegetation, whereas age-1+ cohorts were associated with deeper stream reaches. Furthermore, associations between fork length and habitat characteristics suggest cohort-specific habitat use patterns are distinct from those attributable to fish size. Habitat use information generated from this study is being used to guide optimal fish passage restoration planning in the Big Lake drainage. Evidence for habitat use partitioning by age cohort during freshwater juvenile rearing indicates that pooling age cohorts into a single “juvenile” stage for the purposes of watershed management may mask important habitat use dynamics.
Associations Between Foot Placement Asymmetries and Metabolic Cost of Transport in Hemiparetic Gait.

Stroke survivors often have a slow, asymmetric walking pattern. They also walk with a higher metabolic cost than healthy, age-matched controls. It is often assumed that spatial-temporal asymmetries...
Novel Method to Monitor Cell Survival and Distribution in PLGA Degradable Scaffolds

Cell survival and infiltration into tissue engineering scaffolds affects both the rate at which cells proliferate on the scaffold and the ultimate functionality of the scaffold. In order to assess cell distribution and growth in degradable scaffolds, we have developed a combination of methods that results in a 3D image that can be used to assess cell viability and distribution within PLGA scaffolds. These methods involve first labeling live cells with specific fluorescence dyes, sectioning of the scaffold construct, compilation of fluorescence images, deconvolution, and reassembly into a 3D image. Our results have shown cell seeding by orbital shaking is the best method to seed cells while causing minimal cell death due to stress and/or media deprivation while allowing cell distribution throughout the entire scaffold. In addition, analysis of the compiled images shows that most cells reside on the surface and in the porous area near the scaffold surface after static seeding.
Mindfulness Moderates the Association Between Perceived Burdensomeness and Suicide Ideation in Adults With Elevated Depressive Symptoms.

A conceptual model in which the associations between perceived burdensomeness and suicide ideation, and between thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation, are moderated by mindfulness was examined. Participants were 218 undergraduates (mean age = 20.81) with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. Mindfulness significantly moderated the association between perceived burdensomeness and suicide ideation; participants with thoughts of burdensomeness experienced lower levels of suicide ideation if they were high, as opposed to low, in mindfulness. Mindfulness did not significantly moderate the association between thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation. Implications for intervention and elaboration of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide are discussed.
Heterotrophic CO2-Fixation, Mentors, and Students: The Wood-Werkman ReactionS

Les travaux associes de C.H. Werkman et son etudiant H.G. Wood ont permis l'elaboration d'un nouveau concept scientifique concernant le mecanisme biochimique de la fixation heterotrophique du CO 2
Bi-Cultural Reflections of HR Strategies of Pakistani-Owned Enterprises in the UK

This paper explores bi-cultural reflections of HR strategies and practices of Pakistani-owned enterprises in the UK. The study was aimed to discover some facts about Pakistani entrepreneurs' rationale in hiring and keeping talent with them in the UK's multicultural business environment. The topic of the research was investigated through questionnaire-based field survey around randomly selected 50 enterprises and 165 respondents located in major cities of the UK. The study revealed that Pakistani origin entrepreneurs are playing their role as bicultural mediators to grow, compete and succeed in the UK. Their dual socialization as Pakistani and UK citizens helped them to make their business entities attractive for both Asian and white British communities. Their HR practices were particularly influenced by cultural factors. They were inflexible, formal, professional and disciplined like white British, and flexible, tolerant, informal and social like Asians. Bi-cultural reflections of these enterprises provided them a wider platform to ensure more and more acceptability and adjustability in a highly competitive market of the UK. Despite financial and administrative limitations, Pakistani enterprises are moving forward in managing knowledgeable and skilled people with them. The findings of the study provide some practical lessons to SMEs in the UK in general and ethnic minority SMEs in particular. :
A Survey of Ethics Training in Undergraduate Psychology Programs at Jesuit Universities

Training in ethics is fundamental in higher education among both faith-based and secular colleges and universities, regardless of one’s academic major or field of study. Catholic colleges and universities have included moral philosophy, theology, and applied ethics in their undergraduate curricula for generations. The purpose of this investigation was to determine what, if anything, Jesuit college psychology departments are doing to educate psychology majors regarding ethical issues. A survey method was used to assess the psychology departments of all 28 Jesuits colleges and universities in the United States. A total of 21 of the 28 schools responded and completed the survey. Five schools (23%) reported that they offered a course specifically on ethics in psychology, and three (14%) additional schools offered related courses. Of the eight (38%) that offered ethics-related courses, only one required its majors to take it, and only if they were enrolled in the mental health or forensic psychology tracks. For two (10%) of the schools, the ethics in psychology course counted as a university core ethics requirement; for two others (10%), the class met an elective university ethics requirement for psychology majors.
Suppression of Markers of Thrombin Generation and Inflammation in Patients Receiving Low Molecular Weight Heparin Compared to Unfractionated Heparin for TEE-Guided Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation.

Abstract Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a cardiovascular syndrome which can lead to embolic stroke. Several AF clinical trials have shown a decrease risk of stroke with anticoagulation using warfarin. Currently, there are two approaches for anticoagulation in AF patients. For outpatients, warfarin is used with an INR goal 2.0–3.0. For inpatients requiring cardioversion, unfractionated heparin (UFH, IV) is used as a bridge to therapeutic warfarin. More recently, anticoagulation with a low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, has been reported to give a more predictable anticoagulant response than UFH in TEEguided cardioversion. The present study compares the markers of inflammation and thrombin generation in patients included in the ACUTE II study. Methods: This was a randomized multicenter trial of 155 patients from 17 clinical sites, the anticoagulant activity of LMWH (enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg sc bid, Sanofi-Aventis, n=76) was compared to that of UFH (APTT 1.5 – 2.5 x control, n=79). Blood samples were drawn at enrollment (baseline), day 2 (peri cardioversion) and day 4 in both groups. Day 2 and day 4 samples were taken 3–4 hours after the injection of LMWH in patients in the LMWH group. Blood samples were evaluated for inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), CD 40 ligand (CD 40L), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and anticoagulant effect: thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragment (F 1.2). Results: The APTT and anti-Xa levels indicated therapeutic anticoagulation was achieved (previously reported). In addition, both TAT and F1.2 levels were increased at baseline and were significantly decreased with LMWH (p Conclusion: In the ACUTE II trial, anticoagulation with LMWH in AF patients may be a better alternate than UFH during TEE-guided cardioversion due to a a stronger anticoagulant.
Students of a Feather “Flocked” Together: A Group Assignment Method for Reducing Free-Riding and Improving Group and Individual Learning Outcomes:

Group-based teaching and learning is ubiquitous across undergraduate and graduate business curricula, and with any type of group work, free-riding—a form of social loafing in which free-riding grou...
Eigenmode multiplexing with SLM for volume holographic data storage

The cavity supports the orthogonal reference beam families as its eigenmodes while enhancing the reference beam power. Such orthogonal eigenmodes are used as additional degree of freedom to multiplex data pages, consequently increase storage densities for volume Holographic Data Storage Systems (HDSS) when the maximum number of multiplexed data page is limited by geometrical factor. Image bearing holograms are multiplexed by orthogonal phase code multiplexing via Hermite-Gaussian eigenmodes in a Fe:LiNbO3 medium with a 532 nm laser at multiple Bragg angles by using Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulators (SLMs) in reference arms. Total of nine holograms are recorded with three angular and three eigenmode.
Lipopolysaccharide receptors and signal transduction pathways in mononuclear phagocytes.

It is generally accepted that bacterial products are among the most potent stimuli leading to the activation of monocytes and macrophages. Of all the bacterial products which have been investigated during the past 50 years, the endotoxic lipopolysaccharides (LPS), derived from gram-negative microorganisms, have become recognized as the microbial activator of choice for many studies. This has, in part, been due to the fact that relatively low concentrations of LPS are required to effect macrophage stimulation. In addition, however, LPS may be obtained in highly purified form and active principle of LPS responsible for biologic activity has been identified and chemically characterized.
Speed to Initial Public Offering of VC-Backed Companies

Venture capitalists realize returns on their investments when their portfolio companies either go public (IPO) or are acquired by a publicly traded company. Finance theory implies that the sooner a particular return can be realized the higher the “real” return to the investor. We use an ecosystem perspective to investigate speed to initial Public Offering. Findings indicate that geography of the portfolio company matters, that non high-tech portfolio companies go public faster than do those in the computer-related sector, and that speed is increased with the recent favorable IPO market but not at the same rate for all regions.
Efficacy of Testosterone plus NASA Exercise Countermeasures during Head-Down Bed Rest

INTRODUCTION Prolonged confinement to head-down bed rest (HDBR) results in musculoskeletal losses similar to those observed during long-duration space flight. Exercise countermeasures by themselves have not completely prevented the deleterious losses in muscle mass or function in HDBR or space flight. PURPOSE The objective was to investigate the safety and efficacy of intermittent, low-dose testosterone treatment in conjunction with NASA exercise (SPRINT) countermeasures during 70 d of 6° HDBR. METHODS Healthy men (35 ± 8 yr) were randomized into one of three groups that remained inactive (CON) or performed exercise 6 d·wk in addition to receiving either placebo (PEX) or testosterone treatment (TEX, 100 mg·wk). Testosterone/placebo injections were administered once a week for 2 wk, followed by 2 wk off and so on, during HDBR. RESULTS Total, leg, and trunk lean body mass (LBM) consistently decreased in CON, increased in TEX, and had little or no changes in PEX. Total, leg, and trunk fat mass consistently increased in CON and PEX and decreased in TEX. Leg strength decreased in CON, whereas PEX and TEX were protected against loss in strength. Changes in leg LBM correlated positively with changes in leg muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS Addition of a testosterone countermeasure enhanced the preventative actions of exercise against body composition changes during long-term HDBR in healthy eugonadal men. This is the first report to demonstrate that cycled, low-dose testosterone treatment increases LBM under conditions of strict exercise control. These results are clinically relevant to the development of safe and effective therapies against muscle atrophy during long-term bed rest, aging, and disease where loss of muscle mass and strength is a risk. The potential space flight applications of such countermeasure combinations deserve further investigations.
The Many Faces of a Computational Medium: Teaching the Mathematics of Motion

This chapter reviews the development and deployment of two editions of a course on the mathematics of motion. The course was based on the premise that everyone involved—students, teachers and researchers—should develop a flexible competence with a general, programmable computational medium, Boxer. We illustrate the many ways that Boxer was used in the course, from microworlds and flexible tools to tutorials, from a compact and precise notation in which to define and use fundamental concepts, to providing the basis for extended and thoroughly personalized independent projects. A computational medium has many attractive qualities that help foster a gradual but effective shift in classroom practices to new ones that support more effective and more enjoyable learning of important mathematical and scientific ideas.
THE 6-COMPONENT COMPLEMENT SYSTEM OF THE NURSE SHARK (GINGLYMOSTOMA CIRRATUM)

Publisher Summary The natural humoral immune system of the nurse shark is amazingly complex and efficient. The serum of nonimmunized nurse sharks contains antibodies with at least three distinct specificities for these two targets: one against a common or public determinant and one each for specific determinants carried by glycoproteins isolated from the erythrocyte membranes. The unusually high concentration of immunoglobulins in shark serum reflects an unparalleled multitude of natural antibodies with distinct specificities against an imposing array of natural antigens represented by the erythrocytes, lymphocytes, tissue cells, or tumor cells of many species as well as bacteria and viruses. This chapter describes the 6-component complement system (Cln) of the nurse shark.
Legal Framework for the Urban Water Environment

The complexity of the legal framework for the urban water environment approaches the complexity of the scientific and technical aspects of urban water management addressed in other chapters, although for different reasons and with different possible solutions. Urban water resources are addressed, to varying and sometimes overlapping degrees, by private, local, state, regional, federal, and sometimes even international law. Some aspects of urban water resources management are governed by common law (legal principles derived from a series of decisions reached by judges in individual cases), while other requirements are dictated by statutes passed by federal, state, or local legislative bodies, or regulations issued by administrative agencies. Separate (although sometimes linked) legal regimes address aspects of water supply, water treatment and distribution, and the environmental and human health and safety aspects of wastewater, storm water, and drainage or flood control. This chapter will outline the major legal doctrines and sources of law that govern or affect urban water management most directly. (Other legal principles, such as those governing contracts, affect urban water use and management more tangentially and largely in the same way as they affect other public and private activities.) Even this brief summary, however, covers a wide range of statutory, regulatory, common law and other legal aspects of the urban water environment. The chapter concludes with a critique of the manner in which the fragmentation of that law and policy impedes efforts to promote more sustainable and efficient uses of water in urban areas.
High-Risk Comorbidity Combinations in Older Patients Undergoing Emergency General Surgery

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Over a million older patients in the United States are admitted yearly for emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions. Seven procedure types dominate: colon, small bowel, gallbladder, ulcer disease, adhesiolysis, appendix, and laparotomy operations. A higher comorbidity burden is known to increase mortality in this population, but the impact of specific comorbidity combinations is unknown. Our objectives were to (1) characterize the distribution of procedures, comorbidities, and outcomes for older patients undergoing EGS; and (2) apply a data-driven approach (association rule mining) to identify comorbidity combinations associated with disproportionately high mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional study of patients 65 years and older who underwent one of the seven procedures previously cited, taken from the 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. A total of 280 885 patient encounters were identified. MEASUREMENTS In-hospital mortality, procedures, and comorbidities based on the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. RESULTS Overall mortality was 5.6%. The most common procedures were gallbladder (33.7%), ulcer surgery (21.5%), and adhesiolysis (21.0%). Mortality increased for all procedures as patients aged. Comorbidities associated with the highest mortality included coagulopathy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.41-4.11; p < .001), fluid and electrolyte disorders (FED) (aOR = 2.89; 95% CI = 3.66-3.14; p < .001), and liver disease (aOR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.61-2.22; p < .001). Three-way comorbidity combinations most highly associated with mortality were coagulopathy, FED, and peripheral vascular disease (aOR = 5.10; 95% CI = 4.17-6.24; p < .001), and coagulopathy, FED, and chronic pulmonary disease (aOR = 4.83; 95% CI = 4.00-5.82; p < .001). CONCLUSION For older patients, combinations of comorbidities portend additional risk beyond single comorbidities, and the associated risk burden is driven by the specific constellation of comorbidities present. Future work must continue to examine the effect of co-occurring diseases to provide personalized and realistic prognostication for older patients undergoing EGS. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:503-510, 2019.
Longitudinal trajectories of perpetration of adolescent dating abuse in a national sample

Despite extensive research regarding patterns and outcomes of victimization in dating relationships, there has been limited investigation of the developmental profiles of the perpetration of adolescent dating abuse (ADA). We estimated longitudinal latent growth models of ADA perpetration in a sample of 2,269 U.S. adolescents/young adults ages 12-18 at baseline, drawing on four waves (2013-2017) of data from the nationally representative Survey of Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence. Model results revealed three classes representing "nondaters," respondents showing "increasing dating/ADA," and respondents with "high/stable dating/ADA." Results support prior research finding heightened patterns of ADA perpetration by older youth, and distinguish individual and family characteristics associated with adolescent/young adults' ADA perpetration for the purpose of informing individual and programmatic prevention efforts.
Learning from protein fitness landscapes: a review of mutability, epistasis, and evolution

Abstract Proteins carry out many diverse functions in nature and are increasingly used in non-native contexts, such as in medical or industrial applications. A wide array of synthetic biology techniques can be used both to study proteins in their native context and to identify new variants with useful properties for non-native functions. High-resolution protein fitness landscapes, generated via deep scanning mutagenesis, are an emerging technology that can be used to model evolution and identify useful variants. Interestingly, many differences exist between mutability quantified by evolutionary studies and deep scanning mutagenesis. Here, we review several contributing factors to this difference, highlighting epistasis, binding partners, and selection conditions as key contributors. Through this lens, we describe what can be learned, both about evolution and protein function more broadly, from fitness landscape studies.
Restrictions on Private Property Rights, Exchange, and Production

The government does not have to say: “There shall be price competition.” Price competition simply happens whenever the right of ownership and contractual freedom are enforced. As discussed in the previous chapter, the right of ownership and contractual freedom provide incentives for individuals to pursue activities that have the unintended consequence of moving resources from lower- to higher-valued uses. Transaction costs interfere with the efficiency of price competition, and the demand for nonpecuniary goods is frequently confused with inefficient behaviors. The right of ownership and contractual freedom provide strong incentives for individuals to seek ways to increase the extent of exchange via reduction in transaction costs.
Evaluating Venetoclax and Its Potential in treatment-naïve Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Venetoclax (ABT-199), a BH3-mimetic and selective BCL-2 inhibitor, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adult patients aged 75 years or older, or otherwise unable to tolerate intensive induction chemotherapy, in combination with either hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine. In this review article, we discuss venetoclax's mechanism of action, in relation to both the BCL-2 protein family in general and BH3-mimetic activity in particular. We then outline the pharmacological advances that preceded and facilitated its development, as well as providing an overview of key preclinical and clinical studies which lead to its use first in chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), then in small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL), and subsequently in AML. Finally, we seek to offer an overview of the challenges and opportunities encountered as venetoclax moves into more widespread use, including its use and activity against leukemia initiating cells and oxidative phosphorylation.
Implementing CenteringPregnancy Group Prenatal Care for Minority Women Living with HIV at an Urban University Hospital

Introduction Pregnant women with HIV require sustained education and support throughout pregnancy to achieve healthy perinatal outcomes. To enhance prenatal care for women with HIV, the Prenatal Immunology Service at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine adapted the Centering Healthcare Institute's CenteringPregnancy curriculum to include HIV content. Nurse-midwives introduced the curriculum in a pilot project to learn if women would enroll in group prenatal care. A retrospective record review was conducted to evaluate perinatal outcomes among women with HIV who received prenatal care in a group setting. Methods Data were collected from the electronic health records of women with HIV who received either CenteringPregnancy-HIV group prenatal care or traditional prenatal care between March 2015 and July 2016. Sociodemographic factors, HIV immune markers, and pregnancy and birth outcomes were reviewed. Univariate and bivariate statistics and multiple regression models assessed differences between women in CenteringPregnancy-HIV group prenatal care compared with women with HIV in traditional care. Results Among women with HIV who received prenatal care during the pilot project, 128 met eligibility criteria for review. Perinatal outcomes were analyzed for 117 women who had a live birth; of these, 14 participated in CenteringPregnancy-HIV group prenatal care, and 103 received traditional care. Demographic profiles were similar in both groups. No significant differences in perinatal outcomes were observed among women in CenteringPregnancy-HIV group prenatal care compared with women with HIV in traditional prenatal care. Discussion Women with HIV can often feel stigmatized and isolated. Group prenatal care can foster patient engagement, self-management, and social support to improve adherence to antiretroviral and other health regimens that promote healthy outcomes for both woman and newborn. Although results of this pilot study were not statistically significant, they show that CenteringPregnancy-HIV group prenatal care may be an option for women with HIV, but the benefits need further exploration in larger studies.
A Novel Word Cloud Graph System Design for Movie Comments

This paper presents a novel movie recommendation application system. When people want to see a movie for fun, they may just search those with high ratings, which may not be the one they are really interested in. We proposed a system to try to solve this problem. It can provide more information about the movie and help audiences find the movie they are interested in. It uses the spider and word cloud to get the comments about movies from the website and integrate them into a picture saved in a database. Audiences can get the picture from the database to know more information about the movie based on all viewers' comments. This application simplifies the movie comments into some keywords and integrates them into a picture. It provides more information about the specific movie besides ratings, to help people look for their favorite movies.
Assimilation of NCEP multi-sensor hourly rainfall data using 4D-Var approach: A case study of the squall line on April 5, 1999

¶NCEP multi-sensor hourly rainfall data were used for data assimilation and evaluation of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) through a case study of a squall line on April 5, 1999. Improvements in QPFs were obtained through direct assimilation of these rainfall observations using 4-dimensional variational assimilation (4D-Var). Inclusion of the observed no-rain information was shown to be beneficial to QPFs. While the penalty constraint applying a digital filter was effective in removing high frequency oscillations introduced by rainfall assimilation and produced a smoother “optimal” initial condition, its impact on QPFs is mixed. Sensitivity studies indicated that the adjustments in the moisture and temperature fields resulted from precipitation assimilation played a more important role than those of other state variables for improving QPFs.
Heterogeneous sensor-based condition monitoring in directed energy deposition

Abstract The objective of this work is to detect in situ the occurrence of lack-of-fusion defects in titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4 V) parts made using directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing (AM). We use data from two types of in-process sensors, namely, a spectrometer and an optical camera which are integrated into an Optomec MR-7 DED machine. Both sensors are focused on capturing the dynamic phenomena around the melt pool region. To detect lack-of-fusion defects, we fuse (combine) the data from the in-process sensors invoking the concept of Kronecker product of graphs. Subsequently, we use the features derived from the graph Kronecker product as inputs to a machine learning algorithm to predict the severity (class or level) of average length of lack-of-fusion defects within a layer, which is obtained from offline X-ray computed tomography of the test parts. We demonstrate that the severity of lack-of-fusion defects is classified with statistical fidelity (F-score) close to 85% for a two-level classification scenario, and approximately 70% for a three-level classification scenario. Accordingly, this work demonstrates the use of heterogeneous in-process sensing and online data analytics for in situ detection of defects in DED metal AM process.
Adhesion Behavior of Soft Materials

Adhesion is defined as the strength of an interface. The study of adhesion involves understanding the development of interfacial properties when two materials come into contact. Thus, it is a field that has relevance in nearly every aspect of our lives ranging from biological adhesion to microelectronics. In most instances, it is the control of adhesion that is important to the specific application. Additionally, adhesion is important to a diverse set of materials that ranges from soft tissues to hard inorganic materials. Therefore, it is important to discuss the general concepts and key materials properties that are involved in the adhesion and separation of an interface. As the scope of this book addresses properties of biomaterials, this chapter will focus on the adhesion of soft materials. To aid in this understanding, the theories of Hertz and JKR will be discussed as these theories address the coupling between contact geometry of the interfacial and materials properties. We will also discuss examples of the applications of these theories for characterization adhesion of different soft material applications. With the recent interests in biomimetic adhesion, i.e. gecko adhesion, we will also use these theories as foundation for understanding how patterned surfaces can tune interfacial properties and impact macroscopic performance.
Abstract WP353: Assessing the Accuracy of ICD-10 Codes for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Location

The adoption of ICD10 in October 2015 offers important opportunities for administrative database and EHR-based aneurysm research as it includes more than twenty distinct codes for subarachnoid hemo...