cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Footprint of the CO2 Plume during Carbon Dioxide Storage in Saline Aquifers: Storage Efficiency for Capillary Trapping at the Basin Scale

We study a sharp-interface mathematical model of CO2 migration in deep saline aquifers, which accounts for gravity override, capillary trapping, natural groundwater flow, and the shape of the plume during the injection period. The model leads to a nonlinear advection–diffusion equation, where the diffusive term is due to buoyancy forces, not physical diffusion. For the case of interest in geological CO2 storage, in which the mobility ratio is very unfavorable, the mathematical model can be simplified to a hyperbolic equation. We present a complete analytical solution to the hyperbolic model. The main outcome is a closed-form expression that predicts the ultimate footprint on the CO2 plume, and the time scale required for complete trapping. The capillary trapping coefficient and the mobility ratio between CO2 and brine emerge as the key parameters in the assessment of CO2 storage in saline aquifers. Despite the many approximations, the model captures the essence of the flow dynamics and therefore reflects proper dependencies on the mobility ratio and the capillary trapping coefficient, which are basin-specific. The expressions derived here have applicability to capacity estimates by capillary trapping at the basin scale.
Personality as Risk and Resilience in Physical Health

Research on the association between personality characteristics and subsequent physical health has produced several consistent findings and identified other tentative relationships. Chronic anger/hostility and neuroticism/negative affectivity are the best established personality risk factors for poor health. Optimism, social dominance, and other traits also appear to influence risk. Several mechanisms have been identified as possibly underlying these effects, but few have been evaluated definitively. Future research may be well served by incorporation of concepts and methods from current personality research.
Is there an ideal age for hypospadias repair? A pilot study.

Abstract Objective To assess whether repairing hypospadias before or after 18 months affects psychological adjustment, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and surgical outcome. Patients and methods Seventy-seven boys aged 6–17 years were assigned to one of two groups, according to whether they had a hypospadias repair before or after the age of 18 months. The surgical outcome was assessed using the pediatric penile perception score by non-involved urologists. A psychologist interviewed the patients to assess HRQoL and gender-role behavior. The child's psychological adjustment was assessed with a questionnaire for parents. Results The surgical outcome and complication rate were not significantly different between groups. A covariance analysis of HRQoL, gender-role behavior and psychological adjustment as a function of age at the last operation with current age as covariant was performed, but differences did not reach significance. Conclusion This study does not provide evidence to support recommendations concerning the ideal age for hypospadias repair. In the absence of evidence of a benefit of early surgery, anesthesia-related risk factors must be considered when operating in very early infancy. Large, prospective studies, measuring surgical and psychological outcome with similar instruments to those presented may reveal whether there is a true ideal age for hypospadias surgery.
Development of Procedures for Determining the Amino Acid Requirements of Chickens by the Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation Method

To better understand the amino acid requirements of chickens, a method is needed to determine a point estimate of the requirement. A method developed to determine the amino acid requirements of piglets and human infants by using the oxidation rate of an indicator amino acid as the test parameter was adapted for use in growing chickens. Polycarbonate chambers measuring 30 x 40 x 30 (L x W x H) were constructed to house one small mature chicken or several small immature chickens and to trap exhaled CO2. In the first experiment, 10-d-old chicks (250 to 300 g each) were feed deprived for 12 h and given 1 g of a methionine-deficient diet (gavage) with L-[1-C14]phenylalanine. Peak oxidation of L-[1-C14]phenylalanine occurred between 30 and 90 min (-200 dpm/g). A linear rate of oxidation (slope = -1.84; r2 = 0.96) was achieved by 120 min after feeding until after 180 min, when oxidation stabilized at a low rate. The second experiment tested different chambers and chicks with the same treatment to show repeatability. There were four chicks (250 to 300 g each) in each of three apparently identical chambers. Chicks were given two meals labeled with L-[1-C14]phenylalanine, 2 h apart. The CV for the 0- and 30-min collections were 17 and 10%, respectively. The CV for the remaining collections remained at <4%. These data supported a system of two feedings, 2 h apart to reduce variability and a collection period that included up to 3 h after the second feeding.
Electrical noise in YBaCuO superconducting thin-films with differing axes of orientation

In this paper we present a comparison of dc and electrical noise characteristics of high-temperature superconductor thin-films with differing preferred axes of orientation. Four thin-film samples were studied, two of c-axis and two of a-axis orientation. All films were YBaCuO superconducting material on SrTiO/sub 3/ substrates. The R-T, I-V, and electrical noise properties were measured for each of the films and comparisons were made between them. The experimental data was compared with current hypotheses on conduction and crystal structure. Our results show that from the dc and electrical noise measurements that the c-axis films are much better than a-axis films in applications where sensitivity and sharp transition are important factors. These results also show that preliminary results fit a p-noise model for a 2-D normal conductor-superconductor percolation network. >
Caulobacter crescentus Requires RodA and MreB for Stalk Synthesis and Prevention of Ectopic Pole Formation

Caulobacter crescentus cells treated with amdinocillin, an antibiotic which specifically inhibits the cell elongation transpeptidase penicillin binding protein 2 in Escherichia coli, exhibit defects in stalk elongation and morphology, indicating that stalk synthesis may be a specialized form of cell elongation. In order to investigate this possibility further, we examined the roles of two other proteins important for cell elongation, RodA and MreB. We show that, in C. crescentus, the rodA gene is essential and that RodA depletion leads to a loss of control over stalk and cell body diameter and a stalk elongation defect. In addition, we demonstrate that MreB depletion leads to a stalk elongation defect and conclude that stalk elongation is a more constrained form of cell elongation. Our results strongly suggest that MreB by itself does not determine the diameter of the cell body or stalk. Finally, we show that cells recovering from MreB depletion exhibit a strong budding and branching cell body phenotype and possess ectopic poles, as evidenced by the presence of multiple, misplaced, and sometimes highly branched stalks at the ends of these buds and branches. This phenotype is also seen to a lesser extent in cells recovering from RodA depletion and amdinocillin treatment. We conclude that MreB, RodA, and the target(s) of amdinocillin all contribute to the maintenance of cellular polarity in C. crescentus.
DNA sequence-based "bar codes" for tracking the origins of expressed sequence tags from a maize cDNA library constructed using multiple mRNA sources.

To enhance gene discovery, expressed sequence tag (EST) projects often make use of cDNA libraries produced using diverse mixtures of mRNAs. As such, expression data are lost because the origins of the resulting ESTs cannot be determined. Alternatively, multiple libraries can be prepared, each from a more restricted source of mRNAs. Although this approach allows the origins of ESTs to be determined, it requires the production of multiple libraries. A hybrid approach is reported here. A cDNA library was prepared using 21 different pools of maize (Zea mays) mRNAs. DNA sequence “bar codes” were added during first-strand cDNA synthesis to uniquely identify the mRNA source pool from which individual cDNAs were derived. Using a decoding algorithm that included error correction, it was possible to identify the source mRNA pool of more than 97% of the ESTs. The frequency at which a bar code is represented in an EST contig should be proportional to the abundance of the corresponding mRNA in the source pool. Consistent with this, all ESTs derived from several genes (zein and adh1) that are known to be exclusively expressed in kernels or preferentially expressed under anaerobic conditions, respectively, were exclusively tagged with bar codes associated with mRNA pools prepared from kernel and anaerobically treated seedlings, respectively. Hence, by allowing for the retention of expression data, the bar coding of cDNA libraries can enhance the value of EST projects.
Short stature in Noonan syndrome: response to growth hormone therapy

Background—Growth hormone (GH) has been used to promote growth in both the short and long term in a number of dysmorphic syndromes, including Turner syndrome. As this condition shares many clinical features with Noonan syndrome, it would seem logical to treat the latter group with GH. Aims—To assess the short and long term response to GH therapy in patients with Noonan syndrome. Methods—Analysis of patients with Noonan syndrome in the Pharmacia & Upjohn International Growth Study (this postmarketing database contains data on the majority of patients currently treated with GH in the UK). A questionnaire was also sent to participating clinicians. Results—Data on 66 patients (54 males) were available for study.At the start of GH therapy children were short, compared with both normal and Noonan children. During the first year of GH therapy height velocity increased from a mean of 4.9 to 7.2 cm per year. For patients treated long term with GH, mean height SDS increased from ˛2.9 pretreatment to ˛2.6 after one year and ˛2.3 after five years. Of the 10 patients at near final height, only one had a height above the 3rd centile for normal adults and above the mean for untreated Noonan patients. The mean increment in final height was 3.1 cm (range ˛1.1 to 6.5 cm). Conclusions—GH therapy in patients with Noonan syndrome will improve height velocity in the short term. Longer-term therapy results in a waning of eVect;initial indications are that final height is not improved substantially in most patients. (Arch Dis Child 2001;84:440‐443)
Pneumatically Driven Finger Movement: A Novel Passive Functional MR Imaging Technique for Presurgical Motor and Sensory Mapping

Two of the most common reasons for failure to obtain adequate preoperative functional data are inadequate task performance and excessive head motion. With an MR imaging-compatible pneumatically driven manipulandum, passive motor tasks elicited reproducible contralateral activation in the M1 and S1 in 10 healthy controls and 6 patients. The SMA was localized in all healthy controls and in 5 of 6 patients. Head motion was reduced in passive tasks compared with active tasks.
Characterization of granular cold water-soluble starch

Granular, cold water soluble (GCWS) wheat and corn starch can be prepared by heating in aqueous alcohol and evaporating the solvents. GCWS starch was characterized by light and electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, HPLC, enzymic hydrolysis, the Brabender Amylograph, and differential scanning calorimetry. Charakterisierung von korniger, kaltwasserloslicher Starke. Kornige, kaltwasserlosliche Weizen- und Maisstarke (GCWS) kann durch Erhitzen in wasrigem Alkohol und Verdampfen des Losungsmittels erhalten werden. GCWS-Starke wurde durch Licht- und Elektronenmikroskop, Rontgenbeugung, HPLC, enzymatische Hydrolyse, den Brabender-Amylographen und Differential-Raster-Kalorimetrie charakterisiert.
Airflow Management in a Contained Cold Aisle Using Active Fan Tiles for Energy Efficient Data-Center Operation

Generally, passive perforated tiles are used in a data center and the supplied airflow rate is underprovisioned; thus, the balance of the server air requirement is met by the hot air in the room, resulting in higher server inlet temperatures. Full provisioning of the supplied airflow rate and containing the cold aisle is expected to minimize the hot air leakage in the cold aisle, resulting in uniform and lower server inlet temperatures. Thus, the supply air temperature can be raised, resulting in energy savings at the chiller plant. Supplying extra air can be achieved using active perforated tiles, having multiple fans installed on them. In this paper, the underprovisioned case using passive tiles and the fully provisioned case using active tiles are investigated for both open and contained aisle conditions. Thermal field measurements suggest lower and uniform server inlet temperatures for the case with contained aisle as compared to open aisle and for the fully provisioned case using active tiles as comp...
Analysis of Flame Retardancy in Polymer Blends by Synchrotron X-ray K-edge Tomography and Interferometric Phase Contrast Movies.

Underwriters Laboratories 94 test bars have been imaged with X-ray K-edge tomography between 12 and 32 keV to assess the bromine and antimony concentration gradient across char layers of partially burnt samples. Phase contrast tomography on partially burnt samples showed gas bubbles and dark-field scattering ascribed to residual blend inhomogeneity. In addition, single-shot grating interferometry was used to record X-ray movies of test samples during heating (IR and flame) intended to mimic the UL 94 plastics flammability test. The UL 94 test bars were formulated with varying concentrations of a brominated flame retardant, Saytex 8010, and a synergist, Sb2O3, blended into high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). Depending on the sample composition, samples will pass or fail the UL 94 plastics flammability test. Tomography and interferometry imaging show differences that correlate with UL 94 performance. Key features such as char layer, gas bubble formation, microcracks, and dissolution of the flame retardant in th...
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A case of Private Entrepreneurial Authority

Just as financial accounting measures the inflow and outflow of money, greenhouse gas accounting provides an inventory of the gases that are put into and removed from the atmosphere. This chapter traces the creation of one specific greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting scheme, called the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The Protocol was created by two NGOs, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), in extensive consultation with numerous firms, NGOs and government agencies. The net result of this process is the
Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate Part II: Tissue Prognosticators

In this second review article of a two-part series on adenocarcinoma of the prostate, both established and experimental tissue prognosticators for adenocarcinoma of the prostate will be discussed. Consideration should be given to tissue indicators of prognosis for patients with prostatic carcinoma because this malignant neoplasm may exhibit remarkably variable biologic behavior. As in the first article, which addressed prostatic tissue sampling issues, the discussions will be centered on tissue specimen types. A final section focuses on experimental prognosticators for adenocarcinoma in prostatic tissues.
Rapport-building with cooperative witnesses and criminal suspects: A theoretical and empirical review.

Rapport-building is perceived by law enforcement as an essential ingredient to a successful investigative interview. Despite its professed importance and longstanding recommendation within major interviewing guidelines (e.g., the Cognitive Interview, the Army Field Manual), empirical studies have only recently examined its impact on cooperative adult witnesses and criminal suspects. To accommodate the burgeoning interest and corresponding research on rapport-building, this article reviews recent empirical literature on its role and effectiveness during investigative interviews. First, this review summarizes different definitions of rapport in clinical and investigatory contexts and the various rapport-building techniques recommended and used with witnesses and suspects. Second, this review synthesizes empirical research that has investigated the effects of rapport-building on cooperative witness accounts and its impact on the diagnostic value of information retrieved from criminal suspects. This review concludes with a discussion of public policy implications and recommendations for researchers and practitioners.
ESA Symposium: The Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth Research and Development Program

In 1973, 3 forest insects were causing heavy damage in the U.S.: the Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata (McD.)) was epidemic on over 800 thousand acres (324,000 ha) in the Pacific Northwest; the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) was causing widespread tree killing over thousands of square miles from Texas to Virginia; the gypsy moth (Porthetria dispar (L.)) was defoliating some 1.7 million acres (688,000 ha) in the Northeast.
Splanchnic and whole body L-[1-13C,15N]leucine kinetics in relation to enteral and parenteral amino acid supply.

The effect of the route of administration of a complete amino acid solution (0.24 g.kg-1.h-1) on leucine (Leu) and alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) metabolism in the splanchnic region (Sp) was assessed ...
PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES FOR SELECTED CANINE PATHOGENS AMONG WOLVES (CANIS LUPUS) FROM THE ALASKA PENINSULA, USA

Abstract We collected blood samples from wolves (Canis lupus) on the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, US, 2006–11 and tested sera for antibodies to canine adenovirus (CAV), canine coronavirus (CCV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine herpesvirus (CHV), canine parainfluenza (CPI), canine parvovirus (CPV), Neospora caninum, and Toxoplasma gondii. Detected antibody prevalence was 90% for CAV, 28% for CCV, 12% for CDV, 93% for CHV, 0% for CPI, 20% for CPV, 0% for N. caninum, and 86% for T. gondii. Prevalence of CCV antibodies suggested a seasonal pattern with higher prevalence during spring (43%) than in fall (11%). Prevalence of CCV antibodies also declined during the 6-yr study with high prevalence during spring 2006–08 (80%, n=24) and low prevalence during spring 2009–11 (4%, n=24). Prevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies were highly variable in the study area during 2006–11. Results suggested that some pathogens might be enzootic on the Alaska Peninsula (e.g., CAV and CHV) while others may ...
Pain and pain relief with intrauterine device insertion

In this journal issue, Speedie and colleagues1 examine whether the type of stabilising forceps (single-toothed tenaculum vs atraumatic forceps) applied to the cervix during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion influences the pain perceived among women who have had a vaginal delivery. They randomised 100 parous women and found that mean pain scores at the time of forceps application on a 0–10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) were 1.5±1.8 for the single-toothed tenaculum and 1.2±1.6 for the atraumatic (Littlewoods) forceps ( p =0.52). As expected, pain scores for IUD insertion itself were low among this group of women (3.3±2.1, single-toothed tenaculum vs 2.7±2.2, atraumatic forceps, p =0.10). This finding is similar to a randomised controlled trial performed in the USA comparing single-toothed and atraumatic tenaculum types among 80 women undergoing IUD insertion, approximately half of whom had experienced …
Effects of polymer topology and morphology on thermal transport: A molecular dynamics study of bottlebrush polymers

The effects of polymer topology and morphology on thermal transport are of great importance to both fundamental understanding and practical applications. Bottlebrush (BB) polymers are unique polymers that feature a highly extended backbone conformation stabilized by densely packed side-chain polymers, which offer a rich platform to study those effects. In this paper, we report the thermal transport properties of BB polymers using equilibrium molecular dynamics. We find that sidechains dominate heat conduction in aligned BB chains and lead to lower k than aligned linear polymers due to strong localization, while backbones form an effective heat conduction network in amorphous BB polymers and lead to higher k than their linear polymer counterparts. The effect of morphology on k is also discussed.
Temporal changes and determinants of childhood nutritional status in Kenya and Zambia.

The prevalence of undernutrition is decreasing in many parts of the developing world, but challenges remain in many countries. The objective of this study was to determine factors influencing childhood nutrition status in Kenya and Zambia. The objective of this study is to determine factors associated with temporal changes in childhood nutritional status in two countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data from national demographic and health surveys from the World Bank for Kenya (1998–2009) and Zambia (1996–2014) were used to select the youngest child of each household with complete data for all variables studied. Multiple linear regression analyses were used for data from 2902 and 11,335 children from Kenya and Zambia, respectively, in each year to determine the relationship between social and economic factors and measures of nutritional status, including wasting, stunting, and overweight. There was a decreased prevalence of stunting (35% in Kenya and 40% in Zambia), while the prevalence of wasting was unchanged (6–8% in both countries). From 1998 to 2009, there was a protective effect against stunting for wealthier families and households with electricity, for both countries. Finally, better educated mothers were less likely to have stunted children and girls were less likely to be stunted than boys. Based on the data analyzed, there was a higher risk of stunting in both Kenya and Zambia, for those with lower literacy, less education, no electricity, living in rural areas, no formal toilet, no car ownership, and those with an overall lower wealth index. Improving the education of mothers was also a significant determinant in improving the nutritional status of children in Kenya and Zambia. More broad-based efforts to reduce the prevalence of undernutrition need to focus on reducing the prevalence of undernutrition without promoting excess weight gain. Future economic advances need to consider integrated approaches to improving economic standings of households without increasing the risk for overnutrition.
To take or not to take: the association between perceived addiction risk, expected analgesic response and likelihood of trying novel pain relievers in self‐identified chronic pain patients

Background and aims Probability discounting refers to the effect of outcome uncertainty on decision making. Using probability discounting, we examined the degree to which self-identified chronic pain patients (CPP) were likely to try a novel analgesic medication given increasing addiction risk. We postulated that propensity for opioid misuse, trait impulsivity, and previous opioid experience would be positively associated with likelihood of risky medication use. Design This cross-sectional online study determined state/trait associations with addiction-related medication decisions in CPP. Setting US-based CPP participated via Amazon Mechanical Turk; data were collected and analyzed in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants 263 CPP (70% female) participated in the study from December 12-13, 2014. Measurements CPP responded to the Benefit vs. Addiction Risk Questionnaire (BARQ) assessing likelihood of taking a hypothetical once-daily oral analgesic medication as a function of two factors: risk of addiction (0%-50%) and duration of expected complete pain relief (3, 30, or 365 days). The primary outcome was the BARQ, quantified as area-under-the-curve (AUC). Grouping of CPP at high or low risk for opioid misuse was based on the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients in Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R). Predictors included previous experience with opioids, as well as various measures of chronic pain and mental health. Findings Across hypothetical addiction risk assessed in the BARQ, the likelihood of taking a novel analgesic medication was significantly elevated in patients with high (>18; n=137) versus low (<18; n=126) SOAPP-R scores (p<0.001; 3-day: Cohen's d = 0.66, 95% CI 0.63, 0.69; 30-day: d = 0.74, 95% CI 0.71, 0.78; 365-day: d = 0.75, 95% CI 0.72, 0.79). Conclusions In the USA, self-identified chronic pain patients (CPP) at higher risk for opioid misuse were more likely to report willingness to try a novel analgesic despite increasing addiction risk than CPP with low risk of opioid misuse.
Parental Depression and Cooperative Coparenting: A Longitudinal and Dyadic Approach.

Objective To examine the relationship between parental depression and cooperative coparenting among couples over the first 5 years after a birth. Background Previous research has considered how depression affects coparenting but has not focused on the association as a longitudinal and dyadic process. Understanding coparenting is important as it is linked to parents' and children's well-being. Method Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing (FFCW) study were analyzed using actor-partner interdependence models. The FFCW follows families and their children as part of a birth cohort of children who were born in large urban cities of the United States in the late 1990s. Results The actor-partner interdependence models indicated that (a) parents' depression is associated with decreased coparenting perceptions for both mothers and fathers, and the effects endure over time; (b) fathers' depression was also associated with mothers' perceptions of cooperative coparenting over the later years; and (c) differences between mothers and fathers emerged only during the early years, with the effect of depression on coparenting being larger for fathers than mothers. Conclusion The results not only highlight the importance of both parents' mental health on coparenting but also the added role that fathers' depression plays in shaping their own and their partners' perceptions of coparenting. Implications Policy makers and family practitioners who are invested in building healthy families may find it valuable to screen for and treat mental illness in the context of creating programs to increase cooperative coparenting.
Introductory Speech for David Page

I am pleased and honored to be able to introduce David Page, this year’s winner of the Curt Stern Award.
Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Aneurysms

The incidence of extracranial carotid aneurysms is low (0.3–0.6%). Atherosclerosis is the most common cause followed by connective tissue disorder and fibromuscular dysplasia. The most common presentation is TIA or stroke secondary to embolization. Larger carotid aneurysms can present as pulsatile mass in the neck with compression of adjacent structures and cranial nerves. CTA and catheter-based angiography are helpful in diagnosis and planning treatment. The primary objective of the treatment is resection of the aneurysm and restoring continuity of the internal carotid artery by end-to-end anastomosis or interposition vein graft. The most common postoperative complication is cranial nerve injury.
Procurement Finance for the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Procurement finance provides many benefits in helping in the resolution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) financing, essentially connected with the difficulties in accessing to the credit from the financial institutions. First, it has more flexibility. With the aid of supply chain strength, upstream and downstream enterprises on respect to the customer business can use the flexibility of financing strategy, inherent to procurement finance, to obtain various forms of financial support. Second, procurement finance helps in getting direct financing, for instance within the same ecosystem composed of SMEs, financial institutions, and third-party logistics operators. Third, it is easy to carry our folk financing (private lending) since the supply chain provides an information sharing platform for financial institutions and SMEs. This helps in solving the problem of information asymmetry between financiers and enterprises.
Human task performance baseline: results from a cross-band facial identification perception study

Cross-band facial recognition is a difficult task, even for the most robust matching algorithms. Inherent factors such as camera effects (blur, noise, and sampling), and variation in pose and illumination, are known to negatively affect algorithm performance. Because cross-band matching algorithms are in the infancy of development, it is currently unclear if their performance is superior to human observers performing this task. In this paper, we present findings from a pilot study aimed at analyzing the ability of an ensemble of human observers to perform the 1:N cross-band facial identification task on degraded facial images, where the probe and gallery images were captured in different spectral bands (visible, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR). Results from our 11-alternative forced choice perception study indicate that: 1) a group of observers familiar with even a subset of subjects in a gallery set are, on average, able to perform the task with higher probability (p > 0.15) than a group of observers with no prior exposure, and 2) task performance for both the familiar and unfamiliar groups increased 1.5-3.4% when matching multi-spectral probe images to galleries of 24-bit color facial images vs. 8-bit monochrome facial images. For the SWIR case, however, we observed a 9.1% increase in performance with 24-bit facial images vs. 8-bit facial images. Results from this study can be leveraged for future work directly comparing cross-band matching performance of humans vs. algorithms.
General and robust covalently linked graphene oxide affinity grids for high-resolution cryo-EM

Abstract Despite their great potential to facilitate rapid preparation of quite impure samples, affinity grids have not yet been widely employed in single particle cryo-EM. Here, we chemically functionalize graphene oxide coated grids and use a highly specific covalent affinity tag system. Importantly, our polyethylene glycol spacer keeps particles away from the air-water interface and graphene oxide surface, protecting them from denaturation or aggregation and permits high-resolution reconstructions of small particles.
PGL(2,Fq) acting on Fq(x)

AbstractLet Fq(x) be the field of rational functions over Fq and treat PGL(2,Fq) as the group of degree one rational functions in Fq(x) equipped with composition. PGL(2,Fq) acts on Fq(x) from the r...
Estimating the Final Epidemic Size for COVID-19 Outbreak using Improved Epidemiological Models

Final epidemic sizes of different geographical regions due to COVID-19 are estimated using logistic, SIR and generalized SEIR models. These models use different parameters which are estimated using non-linear fits from the available data. It is found that both SIR and generalized SEIR models give similar estimations for regions where curves show signs of flattening. A study of these models with data from China indicates that in such cases these estimates may be more reliable. The estimates are presented for the most affected countries due to COVID-19. According to these models, the final epidemic size in the US, Italy, Spain, and Germany could be 0.8, 0.16, 0.18 and 0.14 million respectively. Also, curves for most of the geographical regions will flatten by the middle of May 2020.
Computational Investigation of APOBEC3H Substrate Orientation and Selectivity.

APOBEC3 enzymes (A3s) are cytidine deaminases responsible for dC->dU mutations. Most A3s act selectively on a 5'-dTdC-3' motif, with the exception of A3G which prefers a 5'-dCdC-3' motif. A3H is kn...
Framingham Risk Score Is an Ineffective Screening Strategy for Coronary Heart Disease in Long-Term Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivors.

Long-term allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) survivors suffer an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized, cross-sectional study to screen asymptomatic survivors at a single allo-HCT center using cardiac computed tomography (CT) involving coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. Seventy-nine subjects with a median age of 39 years at allo-HCT and a median follow-up interval of 8 years were evaluated for CHD by Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and cardiac CT. CHD was detected in 33 of 79 (42%) subjects; 91% of lesions were nonobstructive, 19.5% of were noncalcified and 30% had associated valvular calcification. Overall, CAC was significantly superior to FRS in detecting early CHD in allo-HCT survivors [∆C = 0.25; P 95% specific, FRS had a sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of only 28% (95% CI, 14%-47%), 90% (95% CI, 55%-100%) and 60% (95% CI, 47%-73%), respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of CAC were 78% (95% CI, 60%-91%), 96% (95% CI, 80%-100%) and 83% (95% CI, 69%-93%), respectively. Significantly, cardiac CT detected CHD in 23 of the 68 (34%) survivors deemed to have a low Framingham risk. Radiation exposure during cardiac CT was negligible, and there were no adverse events. In conclusion, CAC score with or without CCTA is a safe, feasible and sensitive screening technique for CHD. The FRS greatly underestimates CHD in allo-HCT survivors.
Transcriptomic changes due to early, chronic ethanol exposure during cortical development implicate arealization, cell-type specification, axon guidance and synaptogenesis as primary determinants of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Ethanol (EtOH) exposure in early development can lead to profound consequences on neural progenitor cells (NPC) and the neurons that they generate. The clusters of neurological and anatomical hallmarks associated with prenatal EtOH exposure are collectively referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum (FAS). Because EtOH affects multiple developmental processes depending on dosage, frequency and timing of exposure, FAS symptoms exists on a spectrum from relatively benign to severely debilitating intellectual disability, including difficulties with learning, memory and executive function. While animal models successfully recapitulate multiple aspects of FAS including characteristically altered craniofacial morphogenesis and behavioral deficits, much less is understood regarding how EtOH exposure affects human NPCs and neuronal development. In this study, we utilize an in vitro human pluripotent stem cell-based (hPSC) model of early neurogenesis to probe the differences in the development of NPCs and post-mitotic neurons using bulk RNA sequencing. Our findings include specific alterations in the areas of WNT signaling, cortical regionalization and synapse formation.
INTRACELLULAR PROTEIN CATABOLISM IN MUSCLE

We feel that our main function at this symposium is to act as devil’s advocates. Several of the speakers this week have discussed protein degradation in many different tissues. However, I would like to gently remind the audience that about half of the total weight of the body, or 40% of the total protein of the body is muscle, and of this protein, 60% is represented by contractile protein (1). The average turnover time of the contractile proteins has been estimated to be about 6 days, varying from 4 days for actin to about 11 days for myosin (2). It is obvious that the protein reservoir is not only large, but highly mobile in the musculature of the body.
Piecewise-linear generalizable cohesive element approach for simulating mixed-mode delamination

Abstract A cohesive element formulation is proposed that provides a general framework to approximate experimentally measured Traction–Separation Law (TSL) shapes. Unlike other approaches, it does not assume specific TSL shapes, such as bi-linear or exponential. The TSL shapes are defined generally, in a piecewise-linear fashion, and Mode I and shear (Mode II and Mode III) TSLs can have different shapes. Furthermore, it provides added generality by enabling coupling with most fracture criteria proposed in the literature. For each material point, the measured Mode I and shear TSLs are scaled based on the fracture criterion chosen and the calculated mode-mixity. If the mode-mixity at a material point changes between damage onset and complete fracture, the Mode I and shear TSLs are scaled such that: (i) energy is dissipated as determined by the mixed-mode fracture criterion, and (ii) artificial healing/damage is prevented. The approach is shown to accurately converge to Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics for conditions approaching quasi-brittle fracture, confirming its soundness. For conditions approaching brittle–ductile planar fracture, the approach reproduces accurately the general TSLs used as input, under pure Mode I and shear loadings. For mixed-mode conditions, the specified mixed-mode fracture criterion is accurately reproduced ensuring the correct energy is dissipated. The mixed-mode TSL shapes are a function of the Mode I and shear TSLs used, the fracture criterion chosen, and the local mode-mixity. The adaptability of the approach, as evidenced by the preliminary results, suggests that it can be used to simulate a broad range of cohesive responses.
Endocrine Disruption and Reproductive Disorders:Impacts onSexually Dimorphic Neuroendocrine Pathways

We are all living with hundreds of anthropogenic chemicals in our bodies every day, a situation that threatens the reproductive health of present and future generations. This review focuses on endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), both naturally occurring and man-made, and summarizes how they interfere with the neuroendocrine system to adversely impact pregnancy outcomes, semen quality, age at puberty, and other aspects of human reproductive health. While obvious malformations of the genitals and other reproductive organs are a clear sign of adverse reproductive health outcomes, injury to brain sexual differentiation and thus the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis can be much more difficult to discern, particularly in humans. It is well-established that, over the course of development, gonadal hormones shape the vertebrate brain such that sex specific reproductive physiology and behaviors emerge. Decades of work in neuroendocrinology has elucidated many of the discrete and often very short developmental windows across pre- and postnatal development in which this occurs. This has allowed toxicologists to probe how EDC exposures in these critical windows can permanently alter the structure and function of the HPG axis. Included in this review are discussion of key EDC principles including how latency between exposure and the emergence of consequential health effects can be long, along with a summary of the most common and less well understood EDC modes of action. Also provided are extensive examples of how EDCs are impacting human reproductive health, and evidence that they have the potential for multi-generational physiological and behavioral effects.
Recognizing Differences in Underrepresented Civil Engineering Students’ Career Satisfaction Expectations and College Experiences

AbstractStudent career satisfaction expectations and college experiences are an underutilized map toward attracting and sustaining the interest of underrepresented groups (URGs) in the civil engine...
Human Spatial Behavior and Microclimates in Urban Public Spaces Using Agent-Based Simulation Modeling

Microclimates play a crucial role in peoples’ participation in public urban spaces. It highlights an environmental impact on human spatial behavior in cities. Studies integrating microclimates and pedestrian behavior simulations are getting popular to help architects and planners toward an informed design process. This paper presents a case for Agent Based Model (ABM) as a microclimate integrated human spatial behavior simulation technique to develop socio-environmental focused, outdoor space design assessment tools. This study uses Federal Plaza in Chicago as a pilot study representing urban plazas with hot summer humid continental climate. The key findings of the study are: (1) current state-of-the-art modeling techniques to simulate human behavior and microclimates; and (2) to propose a public space design assessment framework using human spatial behavior and microclimates in ABM. This study contributes to research-informed outdoor public space designs for environmental, social, and economic upliftment of a city.
The influence of DSS types, decision style, and environment on individual decision making

Cognitive style, measured by Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, was used to categorize deci­ sion makers. Information source in the form of different DSS types was provided to help the decision makers make more effective decisions. The research attempted to investigate system­ atically the effects of cognitive style and DSS usage on the decision maker's perception of risk in the context of capital expansion projects. The research encompassed analysis of behavior under conditions of uncertainty for two values of the cognitive dimension, sensing-intuition (S-N), and use of two types of information sources, data-bases DSS (DBDSS) and model based DSS (MBDSS). The behavior was studied within the boundaries of four decision scenarios (2 information sources x 2 cognitive styles). The research attempted to establish the interaction of decision support systems and cognitive style on perceived risk, in a decision-making situation under uncertainty. The decision maker's choice in a risky situation is influenced by the risk perceived by the decision maker. The perception of risk is a result of an interaction between a decision maker's personal characteristics and the environment in which he/she faces the problem. Each type of individual needs the kind of information to which he/she is psychologically attuned in order to use it most effectively. The information needed by the decision maker can come from different types of DSS. DSS supports the decision-making activity and enhances the decision maker's effectiveness. From the literature review, previous researchers have indicated that considering the human variable of cognitive style is very necessary for the successful design of decision support systems. The objective of this research was to study the level of risk perceived by people of different cognitive styles, using different types of decision support systems, when they face problems under uncertainty/. The following research hypothesis was supported in Experiment 2, when decision environment was introduced as a control variable. "Perceived risk will be influenced by the compatibility of the information source and the cognitive style of the decision maker."
SURFACE ROUGHNESS BY X-RAY AND NEUTRON SCATTERING METHODS

We discuss how the roughness and morphology of surfaces and interfaces can be characterized by the nondestructive techniques of X-ray and neutron scattering. We first discuss the mathematical description of rough surfaces in terms of correlation functions and then discuss the various kinds of rough surfaces which exist. These fall into the category of self-afflne (Gaussian) surfaces, surfaces with capillary wave fluctuations, stepped surfaces, and surfaces with islands or pits. We then discuss how the scattering from such surfaces may be described and which types of information are available from specular reflectivity, off-specular (diffuse) scattering, and grazing incidence reflection experiments, including a comparison with results obtained by other surface techniques. We then discuss multiple rough interfaces and the scat- tering from thin films and multilayers. Finally, we shall discuss scattering of neutrons by magnetically rough surfaces and multilayers.
Housing Tax Reform and Foreclosure Rates

Since the housing market collapse of 2008 and the ensuing economic recession were amplified by rising foreclosure rates, we study the potential impact of housing taxation reform on foreclosures. Two ways in which housing receives preferential treatment are the tax deductibility of mortgage interest payments and the non-recognition of imputed rents. We employ a recursive equilibrium model in which heterogeneous agents make housing tenure choices and in which mortgage default occurs in equilibrium. We calibrate the model and use the calibration results to quantify the effects of reforming these parts of the tax regime. We find that elimination of the mortgage interest tax deduction reduces the foreclosure rate by 12.4 percent. Alternatively, taxing imputed rents would reduce it by 32.5 percent.
Stations of the Self: Aesthetics and Ascetics in Foucault’s Conversion Narrative

Based primarily on his 1981-1982 course, The Hermeneutics of the Subject , I contend that Michel Foucault’s robust treatment of ancient models for self-salvation answers his systematic problem of a lost spiritual art of living primarily through a sustained dichotomy between the Hellenistic-Roman and Christian models of conversion. In this way his intended recovery of an aesthetic-ascetic spiritual “resistance” is accomplished through a methodology of resistance. He relies on an accelerating arrangement of polarities between the aim and practice of immanent self-return and what he takes to be the coercive discourses of transcendent self-renunciation. Though such historiography may raise questions for some readers, my aim is simply to show how, for Foucault, the dichotomizing is necessary for grounding his own understanding of the art of ”conversion.”
Defective Thyroglobulin Synthesis in an Experimental Rat Thyroid Tumor: LACK OF MEMBRANE-BOUND SIALYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY

Abstract The incorporation of carbohydrates has been studied in vitro in the experimental rat thyroid tumor 1-1C2. The uptake of N-[3H]acetylmannosamine, a precursor of sialic acid, is less than 5% of that in normal thyroid gland; no label is found in 19 S thyroglobulin or its precursors either in the soluble or in the solubilized proteins. N-[3H]Acetylglucosamine is incorporated at a slower rate than in normal thyroid gland and is present in the membrane-bound thyroglobulin; there is no conversion into sialic acid in the soluble thyroglobulin of tumor as occurs in normal thyroid. [14C]Mannose and [14C]galactose are incorporated at an almost normal rate and [14C]fucose, at a subnormal rate; they are present mainly in the particle-bound proteins as ∼18 S thyroglobulin and its precursors. Measurement of sialyltransferase activity showed that, with desialylated thyroglobulin as acceptor, the 22,000–105,000 x g pellet of tumor contains ∼3% of normal sialyltransferase activity, and the soluble fraction contains ∼25% of normal activity. Desialylated fetuin and orosomucoid are generally better acceptors than desialylated thyroglobulin for tumor sialyltransferase. The findings indicate that defective thyroglobulin release and absence of incorporation of sialic acid into thyroglobulin coexist in this tumor. The very low activity of thyroglobulin-specific sialyltransferase activity in the tumor particulate fraction accounts for the failure of sialic acid incorporation into thyroglobulin and may explain the defect in thyroglobulin release.