cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Porosity from seismic data: A geostatistical approach

Using a geostatistical technique called cokriging, the areal distribution of porosity is estimated first in a numerically simulated reservoir model, then in an oilbearing channel-sand of Alberta, Canada. The cokriging method consistently integrates 3-D reflection seismic data with well measurements of the porosity and provides error-qualified, linear mean square estimates of this parameter. In contrast to traditional seismically assisted porosity mapping techniques that treat the data as spatially independent observations, the geostatistical approach uses spatial autocorrelation and crosscorrelation functions to model the lateral variations of the reservoir properties. In the simulated model, the experimental root-meansquare porosity error with cokriging is 50 percent smaller than the error in predictions relying on a leastsquares regression of porosity on seismically derived transit time in the reservoir interval. In the Alberta reservoir, a cross-validation study at the wells demonstrates that the cokriging procedure is 20 percent more accurate, in a mean square sense, than a standard regression method, which accounts only for local correlations between porosity and seismically derived impedances. In both cases, cokriging capitalizes on areally dense seismic measurements that are indirectly related to porosity. As a result, when compared to estimates obtained by interpolating the well data, this technique considerably improves the spatial description of porosity in areas of sparse well control.
Opposing views on tensegrity as a structural framework for understanding cell mechanics

Donald E. Ingber: Important new theories in science often ignite heated debates. If they do not, they are probably of little significance. Thus a strong argument in support of the importance of the tensegrity model of cell and tissue architecture first proposed almost 20 years ago ([23][1], [24][2
A collaborative-distributed framework for the long-haul truckload trucking industry

In this paper, we present a framework for collaborative networks in the long-haul truckload trucking industry. To help preserving memberspsila privacy, a distributed design is proposed for the network. Moreover, decisions about when to engage a collaboration and how much information to reveal is totally left to the network participants. The proposed framework integrates a dynamic optimization base that intents to achieve a good trade-off between local optimization representing each network participant personal goals and global optimization representing the network global goals. Issues related to the implementation of the proposed solution approaches in a dynamic setting are also discussed.
Overcoming Ideology: Why It Is Necessary to Create a Culture in Which the Ethical Review of Protocols Can Flourish

My objective in this commentary2 is to describe and discuss a major threat to the continued thriving of science in our society, which is all the more insidious because it is largely unrecognized by those in the scientific community who are in a position to rectify the problem. Astute people in that community are well aware of many threats to science that include but are not limited to the following: appalling public scientific illiteracy; the unfortunate resurgence of “magic thinking”—reflected in turn in the reappearance of Creationism, which is hostile to evolution—and the billions of dollars spent on evidentially baseless “alternative medicine”; the fact that more cryptozoology books are sold than all bioscience books; young students, particularly women, being unwilling to enter biomedical research out of fear of being compelled to “hurt animals”; and, as I have discussed elsewhere, ubiquitous iconic Frankensteinean imagery that informs public reactions to scientific advances in biotechnology. These latter issues are detailed in my book on the ethics of biotechnology (Rollin 1995). The one threat that I describe below— Scientific Ideology—has escaped serious mainstream attention. Personal Experience
Sexual health issues in women with cancer

Introduction Sexual health issues for women who have cancer are an important and under‐diagnosed and under‐treated survivorship issue. Survivorship begins at the time a cancer is detected and addresses health‐care issues beyond diagnosis and acute treatment. This includes improving access to care and quality‐of‐life considerations, as well as dealing with the late effects of treatment. Difficulties with sexual function are one of the more common late effects in women.
Latina Students, an Early College High School, and Educational Opportunity A Case Study

This case traces the involvement of a principal of an Early College High School (ECHS) and her understanding of performance of Latina students attending the school. Latina students are the lowest academic performers in the ECHS, despite the school obtaining high accolades in terms of accountability. To best understand the phenomena of underperformance of Latina students, the principal hires a consultant. The consultant discovers aspects of the ECHS and aspects of schooling as experienced by the Latina students that contribute to underperformance. The case raises important issues for aspiring leaders, making it an excellent example of the complexities embedded in student achievement.
Experimental optimization of electrodes for high Q, high frequency HBAR

In this paper we present experimental work towards the fabrication of a high-overtone bulk acoustic resonator (HBAR) that demonstrates large values of quality factor (Q) at high frequency (≫7GHz). We have optimized electrode design and fabrication technique with respect to deposition conditions, material, active-area size, and thickness. We fabricated devices with gold, aluminum, and molybdenum electrodes. Once the molybdenum electrodes were determined to be superior, we fabricated devices with 11 different active-area sizes, ranging from 5,300 µm2 to 23,600 µm2. Finally, we made HBARs with electrode thickness ranging, in 0.02 µm increments, from 0.06 µm to 0.14 µm. The best device utilized 0.14 µm thick molybdenum electrodes, an active-area of 6,500 µm2, and had Q = 6501 at 7.520 GHz, yielding fQ = 4.49 × 1013.
Foetal haemoglobin and the dynamics of paediatric malaria

Although 80% of malaria occurs in children under five years of age, infants under six months of age are known to have low rates of infection and disease. It is not clear why this youngest age group is protected; possible factors include maternal antibodies, unique nutrition (breast milk), and the presence of foetal haemoglobin (HbF). This work aims to gain insight into possible mechanisms of protection, and suggest pathways for focused empirical work, by modelling a range of possible effects of foetal haemoglobin and other red blood cell (RBC) developmental changes on parasite dynamics in infants. A set of ordinary differential equations was created to investigate the leading hypotheses about the possible protective mechanisms of HbF-containing red blood cells, in particular whether HbF suppresses parasite population growth because parasite multiplication in individual RBCs is lower, slower or absent. The model also incorporated the intrinsic changes in blood volume and haematocrit that occur with age, and the possibility of parasite affinities for HbF-containing RBCs or reticulocytes. The model identified several sets of conditions in which the infant remained protected, or displayed a much slower growth of parasitaemia in the first few months of life, without any intervening immune response. The most protective of the hypothesized mechanisms would be the inhibition of schizont division in foetal RBCs so that fewer merozoites are produced. The model showed that a parasite preference for HbF-containing RBCs increases protective effects for the host, while a preference for reticulocytes has little effect. The results from this simple model of haematological changes in infants and their effects on Plasmodium falciparum infection dynamics emphasize the likely importance of HbF and RBC number as an explanatory factor in paediatric malaria, and suggest a framework for organizing related empirical research.
Allochronic Associations of Rattus exulans

Association analysis has been used to test whether categories of individuals in a population are associated or segregated for instantaneous or relatively brief (synchronic) time frames. In this paper we extend this idea to populations from different (allochronic) time frames. To demonstrate our test we used data from a 3-year study of Rattus exulans from central Java, Indonesia. Despite between 35 and 73% of the rats being present after a month time lag, the analysis showed no regular pattern of overall allochronic association. However, histograms of the frequency of association values for some sex-age categories revealed that the categories tended to be distributed non-randomly even when no individuals in the two populations were in common. Allochronic patterns are consistent with synchronic patterns previously reported but the lack of strong allochronic patterns emphasizes the vagility of R. exulans .
High magnitude cyclic load triggers inflammatory response in lumbar ligaments.

Background: Cumulative trauma disorder is commonly reported by workers engaged in prolonged repetitive/cyclic occupational activities. Recent experimental evidence confirms that relatively short periods of cyclic lumbar flexion at high loads result in substantial creep of viscoelastic tissues, prolonged periods of its recovery to baseline together with a neuromuscular disorder and exposure to instability. The biochemical process associated with the creep and neuromuscular disorder are not well explored. The purpose of the study is to identify the ligaments as one of the organs of failure and an acute inflammation as the result of failure as a preliminary step in the development of chronic inflammation that might lead to cumulative trauma disorder elicited by high magnitude cyclic loads. Methods: The lumbar spine of anaesthetized cats was subjected to cyclic flexion loading at high magnitudes for six periods of 10 min each with 10 min rest in between followed by 7 h rest. Lumbar displacement was monitored throughout. Supraspinous ligaments from L-3/4, L-4/5, L-5/6 and unloaded T-10/11 were removed at the end of testing and assessed using mRNA expression for cytokine (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, TNF a, TGFb). Cytokines expression in the lumbar ligaments were statistically compared to their self control in the unloaded thoracic ligament. The creep developed during the loading and its recovery during the 7 h rest was calculated. Findings: The mean creep developed during the loading period reached 57.3% recovering to a residual value of 25.5% at the end of the 7 h rest. Increase in cytokine expression was seen in all lumbar ligaments with statistical significance in the L-4/5 and L-5/6 levels. Interpretation: The results confirm that prolonged high magnitude cyclic loading of the lumbar spine in flexion–extension elicits substantial residual creep together with significant increases in cytokines expression, consistent with an acute inflammation, several hours post loading. Further exposure to cyclic loading over time may result in conversion to chronic inflammation.
Finite element response sensitivity analysis using force-based frame models

This paper presents a method to compute consistent response sensitivities of force-based finite element models of structural frame systems to both material constitutive and discrete loading parameters. It has been shown that force-based frame elements are superior to classical displacement-based elements in the sense that they enable, at no significant additional costs, a drastic reduction in the number of elements required for a given level of accuracy in the computed response of the finite element model. This advantage of force-based elements is of even more interest in structural reliability analysis, which requires accurate and efficient computation of structural response and structural response sensitivities. This paper focuses on material non-linearities in the context of both static and dynamic response analysis. The formulation presented herein assumes the use of a general-purpose non-linear finite element analysis program based on the direct stiffness method. It is based on the general so-called direct differentiation method (DDM) for computing response sensitivities. The complete analytical formulation is presented at the element level and details are provided about its implementation in a general-purpose finite element analysis program. The new formulation and its implementation are validated through some application examples, in which analytical response sensitivities are compared with their counterparts obtained using forward finite difference (FFD) analysis. The force-based finite element methodology augmented with the developed procedure for analytical response sensitivity computation offers a powerful general tool for structural response sensitivity analysis.
The DREZ Procedure: an update on technique

The DREZ operation was first done in 1975 on a patient with arm pain following a brachial plexus avulsion. Since then approximately 500 patients have undergone the DREZ procedure under our care for treatment of various pain syndromes including deafferentation pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, and post-paraplegia pain. We report several modifications in instrumentation and technique. Currently, we use two types of electrodes for lesion production. The first is the standard 0.25 mm diameter, thermocouple, temperature monitoring electrode which has a 2 mm long tip for introduction into the spinal cord. A second type, recently modified from the original, is used only for lesioning the nucleus caudalis in patients with trigeminal post-herpetic neuralgia. Its tip is 3 mm long with insulation along the first 1 mm. This allows lesioning of the caudalis nucleus while sparing the more superficial spinocerebellar tracts. We no longer lesion only the dorsal root entry zones at each root level but include all the contiguous substantia gelatinosa between roots. With lesions only 1 mm apart this greatly increases the number of lesions and decreases the incidence of incomplete postoperative pain relief. In patients undergoing caudalis lesioning, we make two rows of lesions, one above the other, from C2 to slightly above the obex. This prevents sparing of the facial midline with resultant residual pain. Finally, lesions are made by heating the electrode tip to 75 degrees C for exactly 15 sec, thus allowing for a more uniform lesion. With these modifications, we have a decreased incidence of incomplete pain relief as well as a decreased incidence of complications, especially in patients undergoing caudalis lesioning.
Antibiotics Before Removal of Percutaneously Inserted Central Venous Catheters Reduces Clinical Sepsis in Premature Infants.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the incidence of postcatheter removal clinical sepsis when antibiotics were infused prior to the removal of percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICCs). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of premature neonates (n = 196) weighing ≤1250 g at birth with 218 PICC line removals in the presence or absence of antibiotics at a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between January 1, 2010, and May 31, 2012. Charts were reviewed looking for the presence of clinical sepsis defined as a sepsis workup including white blood cell count, differential, C-reactive protein, blood and/or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), and urine cultures along with at least 48 hours of antibiotic therapy given within 72 hours after removal of a PICC line. Antibiotics were considered present at line removal if given within 12 hours before catheter removal either electively or at completion of a planned course. RESULTS: When antibiotics were given within 12 hours before PICC line removal, only 2% ...
NPY inhibits glutamatergic excitation in the epileptic human dentate gyrus.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been shown to depress hyperexcitable activity that has been acutely induced in the normal rat brain. To test the hypothesis that NPY can also reduce excitability in the chronically epileptic human brain, we recorded intracellularly from dentate granule cells in hippocampal slices from patients with hippocampal seizure onset. NPY had a potent and long-lasting inhibitory action on perforant path-evoked excitatory responses. In comparison, the group 3 metabotropic glutamate receptor agonistl-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (l-AP4) evoked a mild and transient decrease. NPY-containing axons were found throughout the hippocampus, and in many epileptic patients were reorganized, particularly in the dentate molecular layer. NPY may therefore play a beneficial role in reducing granule cell excitability in chronically epileptic human tissue, and subsequently limit seizure severity.
Exiting from Fragility in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Fiscal Policies and Fiscal Institutions

This paper studies the role of fiscal policies and institutions in building resilience in sub-Saharan African countries during 1990-2013, with specific emphasis on a group of twenty-six countries that were deemed fragile in the 1990s. As the drivers of fragility and resilience are closely intertwined, we use GMM estimation as well as a probabilistic framework to address endogeneity and reverse causality. We find that fiscal institutions and fiscal space, namely the capacity to raise tax revenue and contain current spending, as well as lower military spending and, to some extent, higher social expenditure, are significantly and fairly robustly associated with building resilience. Similar conclusions arise from a study of the progression of a group of seven out of the twenty-six sub- Saharan African countries that managed to build resilience after years of civil unrest and/or violent conflict. These findings suggest relatively high returns to focusing on building sound fiscal institutions in fragile states. The international community can help this process through policy advice, technical assistance, and training on tax administration and budget reforms.
System-Level Analysis of Far-Field Radio Frequency Power Delivery for mm-Sized Sensor Nodes

Millimeter-sized and low-cost sensor nodes can enable future applications of the Internet of Things (IoT), for which the number of sensors is projected to grow to a trillion within the next decades. RF far-field power transfer is a potential technique for wirelessly powering these sensors since it offers flexible configuration of sensor networks, beamforming capability and a large power transfer range compared to near-field approaches. However, system design for RF power transfer needs to be completely rethought to enable this new paradigm of a trillion IoT sensors. This paper, therefore, presents a comprehensive, system-level analysis strategy and a modular framework for investigating the fundamental efficiency components in an RF power transfer chain. Through this detailed analysis, it is demonstrated that the optimal frequency is primarily determined by the antenna size and the quality factors $(Q)$ of components in the matching network. Millimeter-wave frequencies are shown to be optimal for powering mm-sized sensors for practical matching component $Q$ values. An intuitive explanation of our results is also provided, along with insights for the design and practical implementation of RF power transfer systems for the IoT space.
“I’m None of the Above”: Exploring Themes of Heteropatriarchy in the Life Histories of Black Male Educators

AbstractBlack male teachers are consistently positioned in teacher recruitment and teacher education discourse as the potential solution to a myriad of social and educational problems. However, the expectations of Black male performance are at times predicated on limiting and oppressive assumptions. In this qualitative study, the authors use the Black feminist tenet, heteropatriarchy, to examine the life histories of two Black male teacher candidates and one Black male teacher in order to convey the problematic relationship among racial and gendered stereotypes, professional identities, and classroom experiences. Our findings suggest that the expectations Black male educators perceive others to hold of them do not leave space for diverse expressions of racial, gendered, and sexual identities. We conclude by offering recommendations toward identifying and challenging themes of heteropatriarchy within the social, cultural, and professional expectations communicated to Black male teacher candidates and teachers.
The Law of Privacy and Marketing Research

As it is currently evolving, the complex law of privacy is probably quite different from the perceived “right of privacy.” This paper examines the law, and identifies the most vulnerable flanks of ...
Calculation on Dew Temperatures of Binary Gas Mixtures SF_6/N_2 and SF_6/CO_2 Under 0.4～0.8 MPa Gas Pressures

The gas pressure is usually increased so as to improve the electric strength of SF6 gas mixtures in gas insulated switchgear(GIS) and gas insulated transmission line(GIL), leading to the increase of the dew temperature. As the dew temperature of gas mixtures increases, the liquefaction characteristics may be beyond the application scope of GIS and GIL considering the temperature of the operation environment. Therefore, we calculated the vapor-liquid equilibrium(VLE) data of SF6/N2 and SF6/CO2, respectively, to get the dew temperature of gas mixtures under 0.4～0.8 MPa. The calculating model is based on the Peng-Robinson(PR) state equation using the classical van der Waals(vd W) mixing rule(namely PR-vd W method). The results show that when the gas pressure of GIS and GIL is at 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 MPa, the mole fraction of SF6 in SF6/N2 gas mixtures should be controlled under 0.84, 074, and 0.66, respectively. And the mole fraction of SF6 in SF6/CO2 gas mixtures should be controlled under 0.77, 0.60, and 0.47, respectively. Therefore, SF6/N2 gas mixtures have a wider range of application than SF6/CO2 gas mixtures in GIS and GIL.
Hematologic indications for splenectomy.

The increase in popularity of splenectomy in the management of various hematologic disorders has resulted mainly from a better understanding of these disease states and a better clarification of the indications for the procedure. Autoimmune hematologic disorders, congenital hemolytic states, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, staging procedures, and miscellaneous indications are discussed.
Creating a large angle coherent atomic beamsplitter without a magnetic field

Many atom interferometer applications would benefit from large angle atomic beamsplitters with narrow distributions. The interaction between a magnetic field and two standing wave laser fields can provide such a beamsplitter.1 Unfortunately, the required magnetic fields are undesirable in many interferometer applications, and few atomic systems have a suitable transition.
African American Ebonics: Discourse & Discursive Practice—A Chicago Case Study of Historical Oppression

ABSTRACTThe nature of inequality within African American communities is a well-studied phenomenon that continues to yield new insights into how human beings interact in broad terms. Work relations, housing inequity, occupational unevenness to discourse following the end of the “Race Era,” racism, and inequality have all encouraged numerous discussions about African Americans. The literature addressing African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and racial inequality does not focus on the way in which the use of dialect within AAVE reveals critical issues of power and oppression. In other words, scholars have not used dialect as a means of tracing historical oppression. Using principles of critical discourse analysis as a lens, this article outlines the way in which African American English as a communicative event gives insight into the socioeconomic, historical, cultural, and political context in which people and communities are situated. Using the Northern city of Chicago as a case study, I demonstrate t...
Biomarkers of Airway Type-2 Inflammation and Integrating Complex Phenotypes to Endotypes in Asthma.

Purpose of Review Over the past decade, the most important advance in the field of asthma has been the widespread recognition that asthma is a heterogeneous disease driven by multiple molecular processes.
Standardization and Quality of Maternal-Fetal Transport

Implementation, Outcomes and Evaluation Task force members included a physician champion, bedside nurses, nurse leaders, and a performance improvement specialist. A review of current literature was conducted. Based on review findings, a plan was developed that included assessing unit readiness, steps for early recognition of and response to OB hemorrhage, and a process for the review and refinement of the practice changes. Obstetric hemorrhage risk factors are assessed on admission and with any change in the woman’s condition. A stage-based approach promotes early recognition and quick response. Quantified blood loss is standard. An emergency medication kit is easily accessible in all areas. Obstetric hemorrhage carts containing needed supplies are stocked and kept on the nursing units. The electronic health record was enhanced to facilitate accurate and timely documentation. A post-OB hemorrhage debrief form was developed to review all hemorrhages in order to identify trends and areas for improvement
Structural studies on KijD1, a sugar C-3'-methyltransferase.

Kijanimicin is an antitumor antibiotic isolated from Actinomadura kijaniata. It is composed of three distinct moieties: a pentacyclic core, a monosaccharide referred to as d-kijanose, and a tetrasaccharide chain composed of l-digitoxose units. d-Kijanose is a highly unusual nitro-containing tetradeoxysugar, which requires at least ten enzymes for its production. Here we describe a structural analysis of one of these enzymes, namely KijD1, which functions as a C-3′-methyltransferase using S-adenosylmethionine as its cofactor. For this investigation, two ternary complexes of KijD1, determined in the presence of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and dTDP or SAH and dTDP-3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-4-keto-3-methyl-d-glucose, were solved to 1.7 or 1.6 A resolution, respectively. Unexpectedly, these structures, as well as additional biochemical analyses, demonstrated that the quaternary structure of KijD1 is a dimer. Indeed, this is in sharp contrast to that previously observed for the sugar C-3′-methyltransferase isolated from Micromonospora chalcea. By the judicious use of site-directed mutagenesis, it was possible to convert the dimeric form of KijD1 into a monomeric version. The quaternary structure of KijD1 could not have been deduced based solely on bioinformatics approaches, and thus this investigation highlights the continuing need for experimental validation.
MRI in Childhood Dermatomyositis

The demonstration of muscle involvement using the MRI in four patients with dermatomyositis is reported from the Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI.
Self-Regulation of Unattainable Goals and Pathways to Quality of Life

This chapter addresses how people can adapt when goals are unattainable and protect their psychological well-being and physical health. It is argued that the experience of unattainable goals can elicit emotional distress and contribute to patterns of biological dysregulation and physical health problems. However, individuals can avoid these negative consequences of goal failure if they disengage from unattainable goals, protect their emotional and motivational resources, and engage in other meaningful goals. The literature review includes studies examining (a) specifi c self-regulation processes in response to an unattainable goal and (b) individual difference in self-regulation tendencies applied across different situations. Studies on specifi c self-regulation processes show that the use of goal disengagement, self-protective, and goal re-engagement processes is associated with high levels of subjective well-being, and these processes become particularly important in older adulthood when individuals confront increasing developmental constraints on the pursuit of their personal goals. In addition, studies examining general self-regulation tendencies show that goal disengagement capacities can reduce levels of negative emotions and thereby contribute to adaptive biological functioning and good physical health. Goal re-engagement capacities, by contrast, did not predict health-related outcomes but were signifi cantly associated with aspects of subjective well-being. Implications of these fi ndings for adaptive development and future directions are discussed.
Evalutation of Selected Insecticide Seed Treatments with In-Furrow Insecticide Applications on Corn Yield

On 21 Apr, a corn insecticide seed treatment trial was planted in Starkville, MS, at the R. R. Foil Experiment Station using an Almaco cone planter. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plot size was 4 rows by 40 ft long on 38 in. centers. Nine treatments were evaluated …
23 The Status of Wraparound Approach in the United States

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the status of intervention for children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders who typically have been treated in institutional settings or with fragmented services in the community. The wraparound approach offers an alternative to both. The current evidence base for wraparound is reviewed and the ambiguity around the definition, values, elements, and requirements for implementing the wraparound approach is addressed. The need to operationalize wraparound is emphasized by a survey, conducted which found that 88% of U.S. states and one out of five U.S. territories implement programs that they identify as wraparound, despite indications that implementation is likely to vary across sites. It is clear that wraparound has been disseminated widely throughout the country, there was reason for optimism that wraparound could be provided more systematically based on the recent publication of a training video, a manual, and standards in several states.
Elephant in the room.

We read with interest the article by Aggarwal et al on repository corticotropin injection (RCI) in the treatment of refractory polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM and DM) published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases .1 The authors, who are well-respected researchers in the field of myositis, have done a good job in conducting a small open-label trial of RCI in the treatment of PM/DM using validated disease activity measures and outcome measures. Whether these patients were truly ‘resistant’ is debatable, since only 3 of the 11 patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) …
Late Pennsylvanian glaciation: Evidence of icehouse conditions from Canyon and cisco units, Midland Basin, Texas

Abstract The late Paleozoic has long been recognized a time of significant continental glaciation associated with high-frequency, high-amplitude glacioeustasy. Although, precise assessment of glacioeustatic amplitudes are difficult to extract from the stratigraphic record, best approximations may be possible by analyzing spatial and temporal distributions of depositional facies utilizing several wells across the study area. We used detailed sedimentologic description and depositional facies analysis from 12 wells and applied rigorous cycle stacking pattern analysis, exposure surfaces recognition and wireline logs to correlate timelines across the wells. On the basis of the high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework built for the Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators (SACROC) field, a highly-resolved glacioeustatic curve was generated for latest Desmoinesian to the latest Virgilian. Our eustatic curve suggests that the Missourian and Virgilian stages of the late Pennsylvanian are characterized by high frequency, high-amplitude eustatic fluctuations. The Missourian stage was a period dominated grainstone-capped cycles that are isopachous and conformable. These cycles reflect a eustatic amplitude of at least 37 m with an average duration of 100 ka suggesting the dominance of short-term eccentricity signal. The Virgilian stage is far more complicated and is characterized by highly shingled cycles compared to the Missourian stage. Deeper water phylloid boundstone and calichified shoal complex grainstones are juxtaposed next to each other which suggests a stronger eustatic amplitude (>40 m) compared to the Missourian stage. Although the eustatic amplitude of the Virgilian cycles is similar to those of the Missourian cycles, they have a longer frequency (343 ka) representative of long-term eccentricity. We conclude that the late Pennsylvanian stratigraphy of the SACROC field in the Midland Basin records extensive continental glaciation during the Missourian stage and increased and reached an acme during the Virgilian stage.
Analysis of Pullout Strength and Pedicle Screw Loosening from Loading Rigid Rod Construct

Introduction: Pedicle screws have been used for many different purposes in order to provide effective fixation between a metal interface like a rod or plate to a vertebral body. These screws generally fixate in a proper and secure manner in patients with normal bone density but in patients with osteoporosis, these screws can easily come out of the bone and lead to complications. Methods: Two pedicle screws each were applied in osteoporotic thoracic vertebral bodies from human cadavers. Three cc of Kyphplasty cement was injected through one screw and not through the other screw. Half were loaded in a cantilever setup to simulate the load as well as a 5 Nm moment to measure screw loosening that occurs. The other half had the screw heads were gripped in a self centering vice, secured in an aligning fixture, and subjected to pullout tests at a rate of 1 mm/sec on MTS 858 Minibionics until failure occurred and peak load is recorded. Results: For non-cemented screws, the angles increased for 5 of the 6 specimens and the translations increased for all 6 specimens tested. The average peak force recorded for the five vertebras tested is 320.24±40.38N. When compared to the pullout forces of cemented pedicle screws inserted into the opposite pedicle of the same vertebral bodies, the average increases dramatically to 659.84±102.6N. The average percent increase in pullout strength is 109.75% (P < 0.003). Discussion: A t-test showed significantly more loosening (p<.05)of the non-cemented pedicle screw when compared to the cemented screw in the same vertebral body. In regard to pullout strength, the injection of cement the results show a significant increase in strength while using a small amount of bone cement compared to other forms of cement augmentation.
Countertransferences and Counter-Culture Clients:

When client and therapist consciously reject the value premise of the other's lifestyle, inevitable challenges are brought to the helping process
Advanced defect inspection techniques for NFET and PFET defectivity at 7nm gate poly removal process

During 7nm gate poly removal process, polysilicon is removed exposing both NFET and PFET fins in preparation for high-k gate oxide. If the polysilicon etch is too aggressive or the source and drain are not sufficiently protected, the etch can damage the active region and render the FET inoperative. Different materials are used in the active region for NFET and PFET that have different susceptibility to the polysilicon etch. To sufficiently monitor this defect, we must have good detection of damaged active regions on both PFET and NFET. However, PFET and NFET regions have very different optical noise characteristics due to varying levels of process uniformity. In addition, the distance between NFET and PFET has continued to shrink with the design rule, making evaluating each independently with optical inspection tools increasingly difficult. In this paper, we introduce new techniques to independently monitor both NFET and PFET defectivity, with improved performance over current methods.
Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders

Although recent years have witnessed markedly increased public attention throughout the world to the human and societal costs of substance abuse, there has never been a time, even in the most ancient of days, when the use and abuse of intoxicants was not a matter of concern, attention, and dismay (Keller, 1985). In widely separated centuries and diverse geographic loci, Chinese revelers were cautioned about the dangers of rice liquor by Confucius and Lao-Tse; Alexander and his Macedonians were warned of the risks posed by their wine by Plutarch and Herodotus (unsuccessfully, in Alexander’s case: Celebrating his conquest of Babylon in 323 b.c., he died of acute alcohol poisoning at the age of 32!); the Romans were enjoined from heavy drinking by both Seneca and the Elder and Younger Plinys; and Daniel, Aaron, Samson, and the Rechabites were cautioned about the perils of immoderation by the God of the Old Testament (Dorchester, 1884).
Erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum: multiple ligand-receptor interactions and phenotypic switching.

Infection with the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of human malaria with over two million deaths per year. The clinical symptoms of malaria infection result from the rapid exponential expansion of parasites during the asexual erythrocytic phase of the P. falciparum life cycle. Invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites is a tightly controlled process that involves specific receptor-ligand interactions between host and parasite molecules. Virulence of P. falciparum parasites has been associated with increased multiplication rates and an ability to invade a greater range of host erythrocytes.1 Here we focus on our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying host cell selection and invasion of the host erythrocyte using parasite adhesive proteins. We will consider the parasite strategy of deploying multiple and variant adhesive ligands for successful invasion. An understanding of the molecular mechanism by which these proteins mediate invasion will facilitate their use in the rational design of vaccine and drug strategies.
Polyurethane nanocomposite coating with silanized graphene and hexagonal boron nitride as nanoadditives for improved resistance against ultraviolet degradation

Polyurethane coatings modified with silanized graphene and/or hexagonal boron nitride as nanoadditives were synthesized, characterized, and tested for ultraviolet degradation and hydrophobicity. Th...
Building long-term empathy: A large-scale comparison of traditional and virtual reality perspective-taking.

Virtual Reality (VR) has been increasingly referred to as the “ultimate empathy machine” since it allows users to experience any situation from any point of view. However, empirical evidence supporting the claim that VR is a more effective method of eliciting empathy than traditional perspective-taking is limited. Two experiments were conducted in order to compare the short and long-term effects of a traditional perspective-taking task and a VR perspective-taking task (Study 1), and to explore the role of technological immersion when it comes to different types of mediated perspective-taking tasks (Study 2). Results of Study 1 show that over the course of eight weeks participants in both conditions reported feeling empathetic and connected to the homeless at similar rates, however, participants who became homeless in VR had more positive, longer-lasting attitudes toward the homeless and signed a petition supporting the homeless at a significantly higher rate than participants who performed a traditional perspective-taking task. Study 2 compared three different types of perspective-taking tasks with different levels of immersion (traditional vs. desktop computer vs. VR) and a control condition (where participants received fact-driven information about the homeless). Results show that participants who performed any type of perspective-taking task reported feeling more empathetic and connected to the homeless than the participants who only received information. Replicating the results from Study 1, there was no difference in self-report measures for any of the perspective-taking conditions, however, a significantly higher number of participants in the VR condition signed a petition supporting affordable housing for the homeless compared to the traditional and less immersive conditions. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Evaluation of commercially available styrene-co-maleic acid polymers for the extraction of membrane proteins from spinach chloroplast thylakoids

Abstract Solubilization of membrane proteins by poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) salts (pSMA-S) has significant potential for membrane protein studies. This approach provides an opportunity to overcome many disadvantages associated with a traditional detergent-based technique including protein denaturation and displacement of boundary lipids which may offer both structural and functional stability to membrane proteins. Thylakoid membranes (TMs) from photosynthetic organisms are well studied protein-rich membranes that host several multi-subunit protein complexes associated with oxygenic photosynthesis. These protein complexes are important for applied photosynthesis and by being extracted and purified they can be used in the near future for direct energy conversion. In this study, we used spinach TMs isolated from purified intact chloroplasts to systematically test the solubilization efficacy of 12 commercially available styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers that vary in size, styrene-to-maleic acid molar ratio, and type of ester group. The efficacy of these pSMA-S to solubilize protein-containing biomembranes was evaluated via quantification of protein and chlorophyll content in the resulting SMA Lipid Particles (SMALPs). In addition, the extracted polymer-lipid-protein complexes were studied by low temperature fluorescence, sodium dodecyl sulfate and clear native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS- and CN-PAGE), and immunoblot analysis. Our results indicate considerable variability in the solubilization efficacy of commercially available pSMA-S with at least 5 polymer formulations being able to efficiently extract membrane proteins from TMs. These 5 SMA copolymers may also be effective in extraction of membrane proteins from other biomembranes.
Echocardiographic phenotype of canine dilated cardiomyopathy differs based on diet type

Abstract Introduction Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can result from numerous etiologies including genetic mutations, infections, toxins, and nutritional imbalances. This study sought to characterize differences in echocardiographic findings between dogs with DCM fed grain-free (GF) diets and grain-based (GB) diets. Animals Forty-eight dogs with DCM and known diet history. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of dogs with DCM from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2018 with a known diet history. Dogs were grouped by diet (GF and GB), and the GF group was further divided into dogs eating the most common grain-free diet (GF-1) and other grain-free diets (GF-o). Demographics, diet history, echocardiographic parameters, taurine concentrations, and vertebral heart scale were compared between GB, all GF, GF-1, and GF-o groups at diagnosis and recheck. Results Dogs eating GF-1 weighed less than GB and GF-o dogs, but age and sex were not different between groups. Left ventricular size in diastole and systole was greater, and sphericity index was less for GF-1 compared with GB dogs. Diastolic left ventricular size was greater for all GF compared with that of GB dogs. Fractional shortening, left atrial size, and vertebral heart scale were not different between groups. Taurine deficiency was not identified in GF dogs, and presence of congestive heart failure was not different between groups. Seven dogs that were reevaluated after diet change (6 received taurine supplementation) had clinical and echocardiographic improvement. Conclusions Dietary-associated DCM occurs with some GF diets and can improve with nutritional management, including diet change. The role of taurine supplementation, even without deficiency, is uncertain.
Comparison of Correlation Analysis and MSD Used in Distribution Network Topology Verification

Many power utilities have problems with the quality of data about distribution network topology. This affects the operation and maintenance of smart grid, including outage management and line loss. The operation data, such as voltage data whose similarity has been analyzed to verify distribution network connectivity. The most commonly method used to evaluate similarity is correlation analysis. In this paper, correlation analysis and morphology similarity distance (MSD) have been compared when used in distribution network connectivity verification. The results show that the data should be normalized when MSD is used. Four case studies have been carried out in order to compare the performance of the two methods. Results show that when the voltage loss of 10kV feeder is large, the performance of correlation analysis is better than MSD. When the variety range of the voltage curves is small, the performance of MSD is better than correlation analysis. When the voltage curves have catastrophe points, the performance of MSD is better than correlation analysis.
Sexual Assault Risk and School Facility Restrictions in Gender Minority Youth.

In the current issue of Pediatrics , Murchison et al1 have shown that transgender and gender nonbinary adolescents restricted from using school restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity had an increased risk of sexual assault. Data were derived from an anonymous online survey of >3000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer adolescents, with respondents being from throughout the United States. The increased risk of sexual assault was observed in transgender boys, nonbinary adolescents designated female at birth, and transgender girls.1 The findings of this study make a compelling case for what we as gender specialist providers witness every day in our work: failure to support transgender and gender-expansive youth in being able to fully live in their affirmed gender puts them at physical as well as psychological risk.2 Yet, with respect to school restrooms … Address correspondence to Stephen M. Rosenthal, MD, Global Health and Clinical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Hall, 550 16th St, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94143. E-mail: stephen.rosenthal{at}ucsf.edu
Dialogic Exchanges and the Negotiation of Differences: Female Graduate Students' Experiences of Obstacles Related to Academic Mentoring

This study, framed by social constructionism, investigated the dialogic exchanges and co-construction of knowledge among female graduate students, who met to discuss the ways in which the differences between mentors and mentees might be negotiated in order to develop and maintain mentoring relationships that benefit both partners. Ten female graduate students, with qualitative research experience, participated in individual interviews and focus groups. Findings indicated our participants were open to the differences expressed, focusing on commonalities, rather than accentuating or suppressing stated differences. This negotiation of difference enabled our participants to co-construct more complex and legitimate understandings of mentoring. Collectively, our participants expressed a need for mentoring that addressed psychosocial, as well as career functions and mentoring relationships that supported the development of both mentor and mentee as scholars and