cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete Elastic Tensor for Mullite (∼2.5Al2O3·SiO2) to High Temperatures Measured from Textured Fibers

Directionally solidified mullite fibers have been grown by the laser-heated, float-zone method from starting materials with a nominal composition of 3Al 2 O 3 .2SiO 2 . The fibers used in this study have large single-crystal regions with composition 2.5Al 2 O 3 .SiO 2 and [001] fiber axis orientation. The complete elastic tensor of these samples has been determined by Brillouin spectroscopy at room temperature and elevated temperatures up to 1200°C. Isotropic moduli (bulk, shear, and Young's) have been calculated using the Voigt-Reuss-Hill averaging scheme. The room-temperature values obtained are K VRH = 173.5 ± 6.9 GPa, G VRH = 88.0 ± 3.5 GPa, E VRH = 225.9 ± 9.0 GPa. All moduli show gradual, linear decreases with temperature. The temperature derivatives obtained for the equivalent, isotropic moduli are dK VRH /dT = -17.5 ± 2.5 MPa/°C, dG VRH /dT = -8.8 ± 1.4 MPa/°C, dE VRH /dT = -22.6 ± 2.8 MPa/°C. Substantial differences between bulk properties calculated from the single-crystal measurements in this study and the properties reported in the literature for polycrystalline sintered mullite are identified, indicating the importance of factors such as microstructure, intergranular phases, and composition to the elasticity of mullite ceramics.
Experimental Study of $\langle \hbox{110}\rangle$ Uniaxial Stress Effects on p-Channel GaAs Quantum-Well FETs

The impact of 〈110〉 uniaxial stress on 2-D hole gas (2DHG) transport and charge control in a GaAs quantum well (QW) is studied through wafer bending experiments. Ungated Hall bars and QW field-effect transistors (FETs) were characterized under various stress levels. Through Hall measurements, changes in hole mobility and concentration due to applied stress were separated. The piezoresistance coefficients of the 2DHG along the two 〈110 〉 directions in the GaAs QW have been determined for the first time. We found that the linear-regime current of the QW-FET changes due to a combination of piezoelectric effect and hole mobility changes. The value of these coefficients suggests that uniaxial strain engineering is a viable technique to improve p-channel GaAs QW-FET performance for future logic applications.
Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Subcortical Lesions in Healthy Elderly People

Background and Purpose—The relationship between blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) and MRI assessments of subcortical T2 hyperintensities was evaluated in healthy elderly men and women. Methods—Casual and 24-hour ambulatory BPs and HR measurements were taken of 144 elderly individuals, aged 55 to 79 years. Subjects had no evidence of previous health disorders. MRI scans of white matter, subcortical gray matter, and insular subcortex were coded for severity of hyperintensities. Results—Mean casual BP for the group was 120/72 mm Hg. With age and sex accounted for, individuals with the highest severity rating of white matter hyperintensities had higher casual, awake, and sleep systolic BPs; higher awake diastolic BPs; greater awake systolic BP variability; and a smaller nocturnal fall in systolic and diastolic BPs than individuals with less severe ratings. Higher severity ratings for subcortical gray matter hyperintensities were associated with elevations in casual, awake, and asleep systolic BPs and a ...
The Local Maximum Clustering Method and Its Application in Microarray Gene Expression Data Analysis

An unsupervised data clustering method, called the local maximum clustering (LMC) method, is proposed for identifying clusters in experiment data sets based on research interest. A magnitude property is defined according to research purposes, and data sets are clustered around each local maximum of the magnitude property. By properly defining a magnitude property, this method can overcome many difficulties in microarray data clustering such as reduced projection in similarities, noises, and arbitrary gene distribution. To critically evaluate the performance of this clustering method in comparison with other methods, we designed three model data sets with known cluster distributions and applied the LMC method as well as the hierarchic clustering method, the -mean clustering method, and the self-organized map method to these model data sets. The results show that the LMC method produces the most accurate clustering results. As an example of application, we applied the method to cluster the leukemia samples reported in the microarray study of Golub et al. (1999).
The differential extension in dsDNA bound to Rad51 filaments may play important roles in homology recognition and strand exchange.

RecA and Rad51 proteins play an important role in DNA repair and homologous recombination. For RecA, X-ray structure information and single molecule force experiments have indicated that the differential extension between the complementary strand and its Watson–Crick pairing partners promotes the rapid unbinding of non-homologous dsDNA and drives strand exchange forward for homologous dsDNA. In this work we find that both effects are also present in Rad51 protein. In particular, pulling on the opposite termini (3 0 and 5 0 ) of one of the two DNA strands in a dsDNA molecule allows dsDNA to extend along non-homologous Rad51ssDNA filaments and remain stably bound in the extended state, but pulling on the 3 0 5 0 ends of the complementary strand reduces the strandexchange rate for homologous filaments. Thus, the results suggest that differential extension is also present in dsDNA bound to Rad51. The differential extension promotes rapid recognition by driving the swift unbinding of dsDNA from non-homologous Rad51-ssDNA filaments, while at the same time, reducing base pair tension due to the transfer of the Watson–Crick pairing of the complementary strand bases from the highly extended outgoing strand to the slightly less extended incoming strand, which drives strand exchange forward.
Influence of previous herbivory on behavior and development of Spodoptera exigua larvae on glanded and glandless cotton

We examined the influence of previous herbivore injury on the feeding behavior, survival and development of larval beet armyworm, Spodoptera exiguaHubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on glanded and glandless ‘Stoneville 213’ cotton, Gossypium hirsutumL. In a greenhouse study, neonate S. exigua placed on the terminal foliage of glanded cotton plants moved down the plant to feed on older leaves. The location of feeding was more concentrated towards the bottom of the plant on previously damaged plants than on undamaged control plants. In contrast, larval feeding on glandless plants was evenly distributed within the plant and no difference in distribution was noted on plants that had sustained previous herbivore injury when compared to undamaged plants. In a laboratory study, where larvae were offered one type of foliage in a no-choice situation, survival on young or mature leaves from glanded or glandless plants, with or without previous herbivore injury, did not differ significantly. However, pupae of larvae reared on young leaves of damaged glanded cotton weighed significantly less than pupae from larvae fed all other diets. Pupae from larvae fed young leaves of control glandless plants weighed significantly more than pupae from all other diets. Similar trends were observed in adult weights. In addition, time to pupation and time to adult emergence were significantly longer for larvae fed young leaves from damaged glanded plants compared to all other diets. The experiments reported here link larval feeding behavior of S. exigua to performance. Larval feeding preferences changed following induction of systemic defense such that food choice was optimized for growth.
Study of the Relationship Between Sprouting Score and Sprout Damage in Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum)

Sprout damage in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) is caused by pre-harvest sprouting. It reduces seed quality and causes a loss of starch gel viscosity, which negatively affects the pasta industry. The objectives of this research were to study the relationship between sprouting score and sprout damage in two durum wheat populations grown at Langdon, and Prosper, ND, to test the sensitivity of the stirring number test compared with the falling number test for estimating sprout damage, and to evaluate the effect of cutting date on sprout damage. A negative correlation between sprouting and sprout damage was detected in both populations. The stirring number test was more sensitive than the falling number method, but the two tests were positively correlated when sprouted and sound seeds were used. Cutting date did not significantly affect sprouting score. There was no significant cutting date × genotype interaction. Viscosity loss due to sprouting was complete in the two populations.
Cadmium selenide nanocrystals as white-light phosphors

Recently, there has been great interest in developing direct white-light phosphors for solid state lighting. Current commercial white light emitting diodes (LEDs) rely on complicated fabrication methods to produce white light. Utilizing magic-sized, white-light emitting cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanocrystals as a direct white-light phosphor eliminates the need for complex doping schemes and deposition techniques. Herein we report preliminary data representing the first elementary steps in designing and optimizing device architectures for building high-quality, highly efficient white-light emitting LEDs for solid state lighting.
A Statistical Examination of the Short-Term Stability of the υ Andromedae Planetary System

Because of the high eccentricities (~0.3) of two of the possible planets about the star υ Andromeda, the stability of the system requires careful study. We present results of 1000 numerical simulations which explore the orbital parameter space as constrained by the observations. The orbital parameters of each planet are chosen from a Gaussian error distribution, and the resulting configuration is integrated for 1 Myr. We find that 84% of these integrations are stable. Configurations in which the eccentricity of the third planet is 0.3 are always stable, but when the eccentricity is 0.45, the system is always unstable, typically producing a close encounter between the second and third planets. A similar exercise with the gas giants in our solar system sampled with the same error distribution was performed. Approximately 81% of these simulations were stable for 106 yr.
Combinatorial Effects of Transposable Elements on Gene Expression and Phenotypic Robustness in Drosophila melanogaster Development

Embryonic patterning displays remarkable consistency from individual to individual despite frequent environmental perturbations and diverse genetic contexts. Stochastic influences on the cellular environment may cause transcription rates to fluctuate, but these fluctuations rarely lead to developmental defects or disease. Here we characterize a set of recessive alleles of the Toll pathway component tube that destabilize embryonic dorsoventral patterning in Drosophila melanogaster. Females bearing these tube alleles generate embryos of an unusually wide range of dorsalized phenotypes, with the distributions across this range being unique for each allele. We determine that the mutant lines have in common a retrotransposon insertion upstream of the tube transcription start site. Genetic and molecular approaches demonstrate that this insertion dramatically reduces maternal expression of tube, thereby uncovering the inherent variability in gene expression. We further find that additional transposable element insertions near the tube gene synergistically enhance the phenotype caused by the sensitizing upstream insertion. These studies document how phenotypic variability can arise from normally occurring fluctuations around reduced mean expression and illustrate the contribution of transposons, individually and combinatorially, to such a state.
The management of accidental wire brush bristle ingestions: A combat military perspective:

There has been an increasing recent trend in accidental ingestion of wire barbeque grill brush bristles. Because of the unique nature of the foreign object, both the diagnosis and management of this injury are new realms in everyday trauma without clearly established protocols. We present the case of an accidental wire bristle ingestion resulting in oesophageal perforation; with insight from recent military trauma data, we managed this patient conservatively without surgical exploration. In the subset of asymptomatic patients with negative imaging, this divergence from operative management is safe with close observation and follow-up.
Dispatcher: enabling active botnet infiltration using automatic protocol reverse-engineering

Automatic protocol reverse-engineering is important for many security applications, including the analysis and defense against botnets. Understanding the command-and-control (C&C) protocol used by a botnet is crucial for anticipating its repertoire of nefarious activity and to enable active botnet infiltration. Frequently, security analysts need to rewrite messages sent and received by a bot in order to contain malicious activity and to provide the botmaster with an illusion of successful and unhampered operation. To enable such rewriting, we need detailed information about the intent and structure of the messages in both directions of the communication despite the fact that we generally only have access to the implementation of one endpoint, namely the bot binary. Current techniques cannot enable such rewriting. In this paper, we propose techniques to extract the format of protocol messages sent by an application that implements a protocol specification, and to infer the field semantics for messages both sent and received by the application. Our techniques enable applications such as rewriting the C&C messages for active botnet infiltration. We implement our techniques into Dispatcher, a tool to extract the message format and field semantics of both received and sent messages. We use Dispatcher to analyze MegaD, a prevalent spam botnet employing a hitherto undocumented C&C protocol, and show that the protocol information extracted by Dispatcher can be used to rewrite the C&C messages.
Inter-chain Proline: Proline Contacts Contribute to the Stability of the Triple Helical Conformation

The triple helical conformation observed in the collagen group of proteins is related to the presence of large numbers of imino residues and is derived from the stereochemical properties of these residues. The triple helix is stabilized by increasing numbers of these residues. Hydrogen bonds are usually considered to be a major factor in the formation and stability of protein conformation, however, imino residues are not hydrogen bond donors. We have evaluated the role of these residues in stabilizing the triple helix by re-examining two X-ray based structures of the triple helical polypeptide (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 using molecular mechanics calculations. The two minimized structures are comparable in energy and have helical parameters close to the starting values for each starting structure. Our studies suggest that clusters of close van der Waals contacts between proline residues in adjacent chains contribute significantly to the stability of the triple helix. Preliminary NMR studies support this concept. We propose that non-bonded interactions between proline residues may be a significant stabilizing force in the triple helix generated by (Pro-Pro-Gly)10.
FREEDM system - a vision for the future grid

The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management System (FREEDM System) is a revolutionary distribution system that is currently being studied at the newly NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC). Established in 2008, the center's research mission is to develop the fundamental and enabling technologies necessary to implement the paradigm shifting FREEDM System. In this paper, the main features of the FREEDM system is discussion. In addition to its research mission, the center is also developing a comprehensive and innovative power engineering education program from K-12 to Ph.D. levels.
Protonophore- and pH-insensitive glucose and sucrose accumulation detected by FRET nanosensors in Arabidopsis root tips

Although soil contains only traces of soluble carbohydrates, plant roots take up glucose and sucrose efficiently when supplied in artificial media. Soluble carbohydrates and other small metabolites found in soil are in part products from exudation from plant roots. The molecular nature of the transporters for uptake and exudation is unknown. Here, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) glucose and sucrose sensors were used to characterize accumulation and elimination of glucose and sucrose in Arabidopsis roots tips. Using an improved image acquisition set-up, FRET responses to perfusion with carbohydrates were detectable in roots within less than 10 sec and over a wide concentration range. Accumulation was fully reversible within 10-180 sec after glucose or sucrose had been withdrawn; elimination may be caused by metabolism and/or efflux. The rate of elimination was unaffected by pre-incubation with high concentrations of glucose, suggesting that elimination is not due to accumulation in a short-term buffer such as the vacuole. Glucose and sucrose accumulation was insensitive to protonophores, was comparable in media differing in potassium levels, and was similar at pH 5.8, 6.8 and 7.8, suggesting that both influx and efflux may be mediated by proton-independent transport systems. High-resolution expression mapping in root tips showed that only a few proton-dependent transport of the STP (Sugar Transport Protein) and SUT/SUC (Sucrose Transporter/Carrier) families are expressed in the external cell layers of root tips. The root expression maps may help to pinpoint candidate genes for uptake and release of carbohydrates from roots.
Recency Bias and Post-Earnings Announcement Drift

In this paper we examine the role of the timing of 52-week high, or recency, in the post earnings announcement drift (PEAD) puzzle. We argue that, because investors are less likely to bid up (down) a stock price if a stock’s 52-week high occurred in the recent (distant) past, these stocks are underpriced (overpriced) and earn higher (lower) future returns. We report these findings. First, PEAD profits are mainly driven by recency bias. An enhanced strategy based on both PEAD and recency accounts for 74% of total PEAD profits. Second, the recency bias accounts for the entire PEAD profits of large stocks and of the recent 24 years. The effect of recency bias on PEAD exists even after controlling for price proximity to 52-week high. Our evidence suggests that recency bias plays an important role in PEAD.
The Predictive Value of Interim Reports for Improving Forecasts of Future Quarterly Earnings

Estimates of future quarterly earnings are of prime importance to capital market participants for formulating their investment decisions. Superior ability to forecast future earnings may enable investors to reap extraordinary returns by trading in the affected securities. The extant forecast accuracy literature has presented convincing evidence that interim accounting data contain predictive value for improving forecasts of annual earnings. But by concentrating upon forecasts of annual earnings, past research has presented no evidence regarding the predictive value of interim data for improving forecasts of future quarterly earnings. Improved annual forecasts are not synonymous with improved forecasts of future quarterly earnings. As the year progresses, the annual earnings forecast generally can be significantly improved by substituting known interim data for their earlier predicted values, leaving intact previous forecasts of future quarterly earnings. By introducing an alternative methodology, evidence is presented that interim data have predictive value for improving forecasts of future quarterly earnings.
Generalization of the possible algebraic basis of q -triplets

The so called q-triplets were conjectured in 2004 [C. Tsallis, Physica A 340, 1 (2004)] and then found in nature in 2005 [L.F. Burlaga, A.F. Vinas, Physica A 356, 375 (2005)]. A relevant further step was achieved in 2005 [C. Tsallis, M. Gell-Mann, Y. Sato, PNAS 102, 15377 (2005)] when the possibility was advanced that they could reflect an entire infinite algebra based on combinations of the self-dual relations q → 2 - q (additive duality) and q → 1/q (multiplicative duality). The entire algebra collapses into the single fixed point q = 1, corresponding to the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy and statistical mechanics. For q ≠ 1, an infinite set of indices q appears, corresponding in principle to an infinite number of physical properties of a given complex system describable in terms of the so called q-statistics. The basic idea that is put forward is that, for a given universality class of systems, a small number (typically one or two) of independent q indices exist, the infinite others being obtained from these few ones by simply using the relations of the algebra. The q-triplets appear to constitute a few central elements of the algebra. During the last decade, an impressive amount of q-triplets have been exhibited in analytical, computational, experimental and observational results in natural, artificial and social systems. Some of them do satisfy the available algebra constructed solely with the additive and multiplicative dualities, but some others seem to violate it. In the present work we generalize those two dualities with the hope that a wider set of systems can be handled within. The basis of the generalization is given by the selfdual relation q → q a (q) ≡ ((a+2)−aq) / (a−(a−2)q) (a ∈ R). We verify that q a (1) = 1, and that q 2(q) = 2 - q and q 0(q) = 1/q. To physically motivate this generalization, we briefly review illustrative applications of q-statistics, in order to exhibit possible candidates where the present generalized algebras could be useful.
Reliability, Number of Stations, and Examination Length in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are widely used to document medical competence but reliability concerns raise questions about the number of stations and time that should be allocated for reproducible performance estimates. For example, when Standardized Patients (SPs) are used, Swanson and Norcini have estimated that 8 hours of testing or approximately 24 twenty-minute stations are needed to reliably assess information gathering and communication skills.1 The University of Michigan’s (UM) third-year OSCE consists of 12 stations using a variety of formats to assess a range of clinical skills. Generalizability theory was used to assess the reliability of the existing examination and estimate potential changes needed for improvement. The results indicated that the 12 station exam has a reliability of approximately. 60. If the exam were expanded to 20 stations, reliability would increase to the lower. 70s. In order to obtain score reliability of 0.80, it would be necessary to have approximately 30 stations or 10 hours. The fact that the UM OSCE was designed to assess a range of clinical skills may introduce variance from content area and skill domain as well from student and test-related sources and thereby account for the relatively lower reliability estimates compared with the Swanson and Norcini study.
A tale of two crises: Germany’s Landesbanken and the United States’ savings and loans

This research compares the experiences of financial institutions in two very different financial crises: savings and loan institutions (S&Ls) in the United States during the 1980s and Germany’s state-owned banks, known as Landesbanken, during the global recession of 2007–2008. While much of the research on bank failures centers on the choices made by public and private actors according to their interests, this research focuses on the relationship between the ideas that drive an economic entity and the institutions that hold the economic entity accountable. The article argues that while the crises were very different, there is a causal thread that connects the two. Landesbanken and the S&Ls experienced a similar disruption in the complementarity between their original mission and their regulatory framework. The disruption contributed to increased volatility, weak oversight, and greater dependence on third parties and bank managers for risk information.
Theory of defects in semiconductors : Recent developments and challenges

Our present understanding of the properties of defects in semiconductors comes from a combination of microscopic experiment and first-principles theory. Over the past few decades, theory has evolved from a qualitative tool to the point where many properties of defects can be predicted quantitatively. The following perspective outlines some recent developments and remaining challenges.
Cervical spine anomalies in children and adolescents

Purpose of reviewCervical spine anomalies in paediatric patients are difficult to recognize due to the unique anatomy of the developing spine as well as the rarity of their occurrence.Recent findingsRadiographic interpretation is critical to arriving at the correct diagnosis for cervical spine abnor
Presidential Address-1974 from explanation to action in psychosomatic medicine: the case of obesity.

Psychosomatic medicine began as a social movement within medicine, designed to counteract the mechanistic and impersonal features that had accompanied the introduction of science into medical education. In its early days, therapeutic inefficacy led to a concentration upon understanding the origins of disorders in which emotional determinants played a role. To a large exten, psychosomatic medicine is still identified with such understanding. Within recent years, however, the development of increasingly effective therapeutic techniques has changed the emphasis in psychosomatic medicine from understanding to action. These developments are particularly well exemplified by the case of obesity. Social investigations have revealed that the prevalence of obesity within populations is determined to a very high degree by social factors, operating in an unplanned and uncontrolled manner. More planned social intervention, particularly by means of behavior modification, has improved the effectiveness of treatment of obesity by a factor of 2. Furthermore, this intervention has been subjected to research whose increasing effectiveness derives from the availability of both a powerful independent variable—specification of the precise behaviors of the therapeutic intervention—and a dependent variable of unprecedented reliability, validity and economy in psychotherapy research—weight change in pounds. Some of the new experimental designs developed in this research are laying the groundwork for a truly cumulative science of psychotherapy. The development of more effective treatment techniques leads to the question of how best to deliver them. The relative merits of medical auspices, patient self-help groups and commercial enterprises are discussed.
Aqueous Organic Chemistry in the Atmosphere: Sources and Chemical Processing of Organic Aerosols

Over the past decade, it has become clear that aqueous chemical processes occurring in cloud droplets and wet atmospheric particles are an important source of organic atmospheric particulate matter...
High-speed flamefront imaging in premixed turbulent flames using planar laser-induced fluorescence of the CH C−X band

Abstract We describe efforts to develop kHz-rate or high-speed planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of the CH radical for application to premixed flames. The basic approach used here involves excitation and detection of the CH radial via the C 2 Σ + −X 2 Π ( v ′ = 0, v ″ = 0) band, which has transitions in the wavelength range λ ≈ 310–320 nm. Transitions in this band are generally stronger than those in the A−X and B−X bands of CH and the radiative lifetimes are shorter too. Thus, the C−X band should have advantages with regard to CH detectability in atmospheric flames, and we show that good CH-PLIF signal-to-noise and signal-to-background ratios can be attained at a 10-kHz interrogation rate and that the spatial resolution (of the CH layer) is reasonably good as well. Of course, strong OH lines, from the A 2 Σ + −X 2 Π (0,0) and (1,1) bands, lie nearby the CH C−X lines. While this can create some interference in the detection of CH, we demonstrate that OH lines can be avoided, if desired, or excited, if desired. Indeed, easy access to either CH or OH is a substantial benefit of the method outlined herein. Furthermore, we show that simultaneous imaging of CH and OH—using a single laser system and camera—is possible too. We demonstrate the utility of this approach for resolving the flamefront dynamics with 10-kHz measurements in a turbulent, premixed methane–air Bunsen flame: we see intrusion of flame and products into the reactant-zone, which appears to accelerate the consumption of the reactant core, and fingers of flame and reactants that extend into the product-zone and then pinch off and burn out.
The effect of complex biological azotobacter fertilizer on rice

The nitrogen content in the soil will increase and the soil fertility will improve after application of the complex biological azotobacter fertilizer which is a biological fertilizer.Adding complex biological azotobacter fertilizer can significantly increase rice yield,combined with conventional fertilization of rice.The results showed that the early rice yields increase by 47.1% and2 083 kg/hm2 on an average,bringing net profits about RMB 3 921 yuan/hm2.On the other hand,the late rice yields increase by 19.4%and 1 156 kg/hm2 on an average,bringing net profits about RMB 2 172 yuan/hm2.
Study on the rheological behavior of AP/HTPB suspension

The rheological behavior of AP/HTPB suspension of boronbased fuelrich solid propellant and the effects of AP particle size and shape, loading fraction and surfactant are studied. The results show that pseudoplastic behavior of the suspension is mainly due to the interaction among AP particles with the aid of binder system to form a quasinet structure. The relationship between the relative viscosity and the loading fraction can be described by a formula with construction viscosityterm. The surface properties of superfine AP may be improved by adding surfactant SH.
Mortality from Epilepsy

Standard mortality ratios (SMRs) of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy were determined in a prospective national population-based study at the Epilepsy Research Group, National Hospital, London; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy; and the Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, UK.
Anesthesia for Noncardiac Surgery Following Thoracic Organ Transplantation

As survival following thoracic organ transplantation improves, anesthesiologists are increasingly likely to see transplant recipients presenting for noncardiac surgery. Therefore, anesthesiologists and surgeons need a basic knowledge of the physiologic changes that occur in the immediate postoperative period and years following thoracic organ transplantation. During the preoperative workup period, it is advantageous for dedicated transplant teams to be involved in discussions regarding these patients; however, this is not always possible because of time constraints. Therefore, general anesthesiologists must be prepared to manage transplant recipients.
Telomere Biology and Disease

Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of mammalian chromosomes that are critical for genomic stability. Multiple protein complexes bind to and regulate telomeric DNA to protect against end-to-end chromosomal fusions and to enable cells to elongate critically shortened telomeres. Mutations in telomere maintenance genes underlie a complex spectrum of inherited adult and childhood disorders known as telomeropathies. The clinical manifestations of telomeropathies can range from mild single organ dysfunction to severe bone marrow, pulmonary, and/or hepatic failure. Diagnosis of telomere disorders depends on the recognition of the characteristic signs and symptoms of telomeropathies and correctly interpreting telomere-length testing and gene sequencing. Special attention to the multisystem nature of these disorders is required when caring for patients with telomeropathies. The current treatment paradigm for telomere disorders relies on stem cell transplantation and solid organ transplantation for severe organ failure. Medical therapy to attenuate telomere losses due to telomere gene mutations, thereby preventing organ dysfunction, is an emerging treatment strategy.
Personal and Professional Encounters with Hazards in Context: The Challenge of Ambiguity

Changes in the problems addressed and the modes of interpretation employed by one hazard researcher during a lengthy professional career are identified and analyzed. These illustrate an ongoing dia...
Performance Requirements and Characteristics of Mechanical Necks

A short history of the development of mechanical necks for anthropomorphic dummies is given. The response envelopes recommended by Mertz and Patrick are reviewed. A modified performance requirement for mechanical necks based on this data, but emphasizing loading corridors, is set forth. Autogenous and dynamic neck trajectories for the volunteer LMP are presented, and the difficulties of establishing a trajectory performance requirement are discussed.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Heritable Salt Tolerance of Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link)

The salt-tolerant capability of the candidate bioenergy crop prairie cordgrass greatly surpasses that of previously characterized prairie grass species and most other plants. To understand the mechanism of inherited salt tolerance, we compared phenotypic and genetic qualities in half-sib families of prairie cordgrass after salt treatment. Each family was treated with a 400 mM NaCl solution or a water control and then measured for various health phenotypes. Phenotypes associated with salt tolerance were shown to be moderately heritable between parent and offspring. RNA-seq analysis revealed differential regulation in unique pathways including metabolism, signaling, photosynthesis, and the circadian rhythm. The studies herein suggest that alternative regulation of the photosynthetic pathway could confer increased salt resistance in halophytes and can be monitored phenotypically or genetically in breeding programs. The improvement of salt-tolerant traits in prairie cordgrass would increase its potential to be grown as a bioenergy crop on lands that are not suitable for the growth of food crops.
Realizing the potential of data science

Data science promises new insights, helping transform information into knowledge that can drive science and industry.
Stress-Assisted Reaction at a Solid-Fluid Interface

On the interface between a solid and a fluid, a reaction can occur in which atoms either leave the solid to join the fluid, or leave the fluid to join the solid. If the solid is in addition subject to a mechanical load, two outcomes may be expected. The reaction may proceed uniformly, so that the interface remains flat as the solid recedes or extends. Alternatively, the reaction may cause the interface to roughen and develop sharp cracks, leading to fracture. This paper reviews the current understanding of the subject. The solid-fluid is a thermodynamic system: the solid is in elastic equilibrium with the mechanical load, but not in chemical equilibrium with the fluid. Thermodynamic forces that drive the interfacial reaction include chemical energy difference between the solid and the fluid, elastic energy stored in the solid, and interfacial energy. The reaction is taken to be thermally activated. A kinetic law is adopted in which the stress affects both the activation energy and the driving force of the interface reaction. A linear perturbation analysis identifies the stability condition, which differs substantially from the well known stability condition based on the driving force alone. Large perturbations are examined by assuming that the interface varies as a family of cycloids, from slight waviness to sharp cracks. An analytic elasticity solution is used to compute the stress field in the solid, and a variational method to evolve the shape of the interface.
Pigeon Herpes Encephalomyelitis Virus

The pigeon herpes encephalomyelitis virus belongs to the Herpesviridae family. It causes neurological signs, paralysis of the head and neck, and extremities. It has mortalities of 90%. Pigeon is the host to this disease; however, there are limited host ranges of the disease. The areas free from the virus are still unknown. The virus has only been recorded in Iraq and Egypt. The chapter further highlights the key developments of the disease. The first cases of pigeon herpes encephalomyelitis were described in Iraq in 1978. Experimental infection and specific nature of pigeon herpes encephalomyelitis were reported in 1979–1981. Strains from Egypt produce similar clinical conditions. Virus isolation is the most reliable diagnostic technique for the disease. In general, the techniques developed for the laboratory diagnosis of herpes viruses are applicable. No diagnostic reagents for the disease are commercially available.
EXPOSIÇÃO DE TRABALHADORES A AGROTÓXICOS EM HORTAS COMUNITÁRIAS DE PALMAS (TOCANTINS)

Objetivo: Analisar caracteristicas socio- profissionais e economicas, de saude e de uso e manuseio de agrotoxicos por trabalhadores agricolas em hortas comunitarias no municipio de Palmas (Tocantins). Metodo: Estudo descritivo, quantitativo, feito atraves da analise de questionarios, respondidos por 39 produtores de hortalicas, o levantamento dos dados ocorreu entre setembro de 2015 e maio de 2016. Resultados: A maioria dos produtores eram mulheres (66,7%) com idade media de 53 anos e com Ensino Fundamental incompleto (71,8%). A maioria (92,3%) utiliza agrotoxicos no combate de pragas nos cultivos. 28,21% informa ja ter sofrido algum tipo de intoxicacao e 97,44% ja sentiu algum desconforto associado a exposicao ao agrotoxico. Apenas 38,46% dos produtores informaram usar equipamento de protecao individual (EPI). Conclusao: Os dados sugerem a necessidade de fortalecer acoes de vigilância em todos os setores atuantes no processo fabricacao-venda-utilizacao-producao-comercializacao da producao, assim como a difusao de campanhas educativas que provoquem nao apenas a conscientizacao, mas principalmente a sensibilizacao da comunidade como um todo.Palavras-chave: saude do trabalhador; agrotoxicos, vulnerabilidade.
Extensible persistence as a service for containers

Abstract Micro-services and containers are becoming the de-facto way of building software and deploying workloads in an agile manner. Following these paradigms leads eventually to replacing the old fashioned monolithic applications by compositions of single-purpose, independent services communicating with each other through light-weight mechanisms. These services are often deployed in containers which have proven to be a suitable runtime platform for micro-services. In the container landscape, there are different container frameworks enabling elastic horizontal scaling for the workloads that are designed as so-called 12-factor applications. 1 These frameworks were built to accommodate stateless services and require that any state need to be maintained out-of-band of the platform. Support for stateful services in a scalable way is not well covered, particularly in scenarios where state is accessed from workloads in different deployment platforms. It is noteworthy that these workloads cover a wide spectrum of legacy software applications. In order to efficiently support these kinds of workloads, persistent storage such as filesystem or block storage is necessary to maintain the data and make it available for the containers. Managing different types of persistent storage across heterogeneous container orchestrators is a challenging task that people tried to resolve in a specific way for each storage backend or container orchestrator. In this paper, we present the Ubiquity framework, which provides seamless access to persistent storage across different container orchestrators (Cloud Foundry, OpenShift, Kubernetes, Docker and Mesos). Ubiquity is extensible to other container frameworks and different types of file and block storage systems, which can be managed independently of the container orchestrator. Ubiquity makes it easy to onboard stateful services in heterogeneous container environments and based on heterogeneous storage backends, extending the efficiency gains of containerization.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) belongs to the recently defined Pneumoviridae family, Orthopneumovirus genus. It is a negative sense, single stranded RNA virus that results in epidemics of respiratory infections that typically peak in the winter in temperate climates and during the rainy season in tropical climates. Generally, one of the two genotypes (A and B) predominates in a single season, alternating annually, although regional variation occurs. RSV is a cause of disease and death in children, older people, and immunocompromised patients, and its clinical effect on adults admitted to hospital is clarified with expanded use of multiplex molecular assays. Among adults, RSV produces a wide range of clinical symptoms including upper respiratory tract infections, severe lower respiratory tract infections, and exacerbations of underlying disease. Here we discuss the latest evidence on the burden of RSV related disease in adults, especially in those with immunocompromise or other comorbidities. We review current therapeutic and prevention options, as well as those in development.
Design of Ceramic Packages for Acoustically Coupled Implantable Medical Devices

Abstract Objective Ultrasonic acoustic power transfer is an efficient mechanism for coupling energy to millimeter and sub-millimeter implants in the body. To date, published ultrasonically powered implants have been encapsulated with thin film polymers that are susceptible to well-documented failure modes in vivo, including water penetration and attack by the body. As with all medical implants, packaging with ceramic or metallic materials can reduce water vapor transmission and improve biostability to provide decadal device lifetime. In this paper, we evaluate methods of coupling acoustic energy to the interior of ceramic packages. Methods The classic wave approach and modal expansion are used to obtain analytical expressions for acoustic transmission through two different package designs and these approaches are validated experimentally. A candidate package design is demonstrated using alumina packages and titanium lids, designed to be acoustically transparent. Results Bulk modes are shown to be more effective at coupling acoustic energy to a piezoelectric receiver than flexural modes. Using bulk modes, packaged motes have an overall link efficiency of roughly 10%, compared to 25% for unpackaged motes. Packaging does not have a significant effect on translational misalignment penalties, but does increase angular misalignment penalties. Passive amplitude-modulated backscatter communication is demonstrated. Conclusion Thin lids enable the use of acoustically coupled devices even with package materials of very different acoustic impedance. Significance: This work provides an analysis and method for designing packages that enable acoustic coupling with implantable medical devices, which could facilitate clinical translation.
Biochar alters nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in a western rangeland ecosystem

Abstract Application of biochar to soils has been proposed as a novel approach to managing wood residuals, enhancing soil carbon (C) storage and improving soil fertility; however, the majority of biochar studies have been conducted in agricultural systems that rely on tillage and nutrient inputs associated with annual cropping schemes. Few studies have evaluated the influence of biochar on soil processes in semi-natural rangeland ecosystems that feature more complex plant communities, lack deep soil disturbance, and have relatively few external nutrient inputs. In August 2018, biochar produced using wood waste from a lumber mill in Columbia Falls, MT, USA was applied to surface soils in replicated plots at an experimental ranch in western Montana to test the impact of biochar on soil C storage and nutrient management. A series of soil biochemical properties including total soil C and nitrogen (N), microbial N functional genes, available phosphorus (P) and the net accumulation of nutrients below surface soil layer were evaluated over a one-year period following biochar addition with or without a poultry litter based organic fertilizer. Biochar used alone slightly reduced soil NH4+, significantly increased soil nitrification potential, increased the relative abundance of the bacterial amoA gene, and increased the soil nitrate (NO3−) pool size, while having no net effect on soil inorganic N accumulation below surface soil. By contrast, biochar charged with poultry litter (termed “charged biochar”) had no effect on NH4+ availability, but had a positive effect on amoA abundance. Charged biochar significantly reduced NH4+ accumulation below 25 cm depth compared to poultry litter alone. Biochar additions led to a shift towards a more fungal dominated community and a general increase in P availability. However, biochar alone also contributed to a greater amount of soluble P collected below surface soil, an effect slightly attenuated when biochar was applied with poultry litter. Soil pH increased from 5.7 to 6.9 in response to biochar addition and was one of the dominant factors governing the observed changes in soil processes. Charged biochar helped retain soil nutrients and promoted soil C storage in this semi-natural rangeland system over one growing season. Changes in these soil pools and fluxes may influence various trophic groups affecting ecosystem functioning over time.
Clinical predictors of post-injury anxiety in adolescent patients following concussion.

The purpose of the current study was to examine predictors (e.g., pre-injury anxiety and sub-types, concussion symptom severity, neurocognitive performance, and vestibular/ocular-motor impairment) ...
Assessing the impact of multicomponent diffusion in direct numerical simulations of premixed, high-Karlovitz, turbulent flames

Abstract Implementing multicomponent diffusion models in numerical combustion studies is computationally expensive; to reduce cost, numerical simulations commonly use mixture-averaged diffusion treatments or simpler models. However, the accuracy and appropriateness of mixture-averaged diffusion has not been verified for three-dimensional, turbulent, premixed flames. In this study we evaluated the role of multicomponent mass diffusion in premixed, three-dimensional high Karlovitz-number hydrogen, n-heptane, and toluene flames, representing a range of fuel Lewis numbers. We also studied a premixed, unstable two-dimensional hydrogen flame due to the importance of diffusion effects in such cases. Our comparison of diffusion flux vectors revealed differences of 10–20% on average between the mixture-averaged and multicomponent diffusion models, and greater than 40% in regions of high flame curvature. Overall, however, the mixture-averaged model produces small differences in diffusion flux compared with global turbulent flame statistics. To evaluate the impact of these differences between the two models, we compared normalized turbulent flame speeds and conditional means of species mass fraction and source term. We found differences of 5–20% in the mean normalized turbulent flame speeds, which seem to correspond to differences of 5–10% in the peak fuel source terms. Our results motivate further study into whether the mixture-averaged diffusion model is always appropriate for DNS of premixed turbulent flames.