cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIGH RESOLUTION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FATIGUE CRACK CLOSURE MODELLING

Understanding the physical bases of a cracked sample’s macroscopic response to applied loading, e.g. fatigue crack closure, requires non-destructive, microscopic quantification of the crack face separations as a function of applied load. Ideally, these measurements should cover the entire crack face. Non-destructive sectioning with high resolution X-ray computed tomography has been used for in situ observations of the crack faces under applied load in samples of Al–Li 2090, and in this paper, the crack openings that were measured in the interior of the sample are related to crack face geometry and to changes in the slope of load–displacement curves. The implications of these results are discussed for physically based crack closure modelling.
Aggressive early crystalloid resuscitation adversely affects outcomes in adult blunt trauma patients: An analysis of the Glue Grant database

Background—Evidence suggests that aggressive crystalloid resuscitation is associated with significant morbidity in various clinical settings. We wanted to assess whether aggressive early crystalloid resuscitation adversely affects outcomes in adult blunt trauma patients. Methods—Data were derived from the Glue Grant database. Our primary outcome measure was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included days on mechanical ventilation; intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS); inflammatory - (acute lung injury and respiratory distress syndrome [ALI/ARDS], multiple organ failure [MOF]) and resuscitationrelated morbidity (abdominal and extremity compartment syndromes, acute renal failure) and nosocomial infections (ventilator associated pneumonia [VAP], bloodstream [BSI], urinary tract [UTI] and surgical site infections [SSI]). Results—In our sample of 1,754 patients, in-hospital mortality was not affected, but ventilator days (p<0.001), as well as ICU (p=0.009) and hospital (p=0.002) LOS correlated strongly with the amount of crystalloids infused in the first 24 hours post-injury. Amount of crystalloid resuscitation was also associated with development of ARDS (p<0.001), MOF (p<0.001), bloodstream (p=0.001) and SSI (p<0.001), as well as abdominal (p<0.001) and extremity compartment syndromes (p=0.028) in a dose-dependent fashion, when age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) severity of injury and acute physiologic derangement, comorbidities, and colloid & blood product transfusions were controlled for. Conclusion—Crystalloid resuscitation is associated with a substantial increase in morbidity, as well as ICU and hospital LOS in adult blunt trauma patients. Level of Evidence—2b
Explosion-Source Energy Partitioning and Lg-Wave Excitation: Contributions of Free-Surface Scattering

A 2D boundary-element numerical simulation approach and a local slow- ness analysis method for an embedded array are used to quantify effects of topo- graphic scattering on near-source energy partitioning for simple underground explosion sources. Various parameters, including free-surface models with different root mean square (rms) random topographic fluctuations and correlation lengths, source depths from 0.25 to 3 km, and Q values from 50 to infinity are included in the numerical simulations, with energy responses of different phases being deter- mined as functions of frequency. The results reveal that for a crustal model with a relatively high surface velocity, near-source free-surface scattering provides an impor- tant coupling mechanism that can impart additional explosion energy to the Lg wave. At relatively low frequencies, and for a moderately rugged free-surface, the Rg-to-Lg transfer is quite efficient, while at higher frequencies or for a very rugged free surface, the body wave to Lg transfer may dominate the process. The Rg excitation functions, source depth, and topographic correlation length all contribute frequency dependence to the Lg excitation function. The presence of a low Q value within the uppermost crust severely attenuates the high-frequency energy transferred to the Lg wave.
The Effect of Repeated Interaction on Contract Choice: Evidence from Offshore Drilling

We argue that repeated interaction and high-powered formal contracts can be either substitutes or complements, depending on the relative impact of repeated interaction on incentive problems and contracting costs. In the offshore drilling industry, we find that oil and gas companies are less likely to choose fixed-price contracts as the frequency of their interaction with a driller increases. This supports the conclusion that repeated interaction and high-powered formal contracts are substitutes in this setting, indicating that repeated interaction reduces incentive problems more than contracting costs. In addition, we find that using instrumental variables to account for the endogenous matching of drillers to projects strengthens our results. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Correlation-Aware Object Placement for Multi-Object Operations

A multi-object operation incurs communication or synchronization overhead when the requested objects are distributed over different nodes. The object pair correlations (the probability for a pair of objects to be requested together in an operation) are often highly skewed and yet stable over time for real-world distributed applications. Thus, placing strongly correlated objects on the same node (subject to node space constraint) tends to reduce communication overhead for multi-object operations. This paper studies the optimization of correlation-aware data placement. First, we formalize a restricted form of the problem as a variant of the classic Quadratic Assignment problem and we show that it is NP-hard. Based on a linear programming relaxation, we then propose a polynomial-time approximation algorithm that finds an object placement with communication overhead at most two times that of the optimal placement. We further show that the computation cost can be reduced by limiting the optimization scope to a relatively small number of most important objects. We quantitatively evaluate our approach on keyword index placement for full-text search engines using real traces of 3.7 million web pages and 6.8 million search queries. Compared to the correlation-oblivious random object placement, our approach achieves 37-86% communication overhead reduction on a range of optimization scopes and system sizes. The communication reduction is 30-78% compared to a correlation-aware greedy approach.
Dose–response Predictability of Urinary Bladder Hyperplasia by N-2-Fluorenylacetamide Feeding in Mice: Its Modification by Sex

Abstract ; A serial sacrifice experiment involving urinary bladder hyperplasia, produced by feeding 8–86 ppm of N - 2-fluorenylace- tamide for 90 days to BALB/c mice, showed a dose–response relationship for males but not females. The information from this study was used in a statistical design to predict the percent of hyperplasia in relation to time and dose. A formula for establishing the confidence limits of the curve was derived. Sex-dependent spontaneous pericardial fibrosis and mineralization were also observed, with the male response being twice that of the female.
Gaskinetics and gasdynamics of orifice flow

The paper gives the result of a study on the efflux of gases through circular apertures. The problem is considered as an example of a transition from the gasdynamic to the gaskinetic regime.The mass flow of helium, argon and nitrogen was measured for a range of upstream pressures corresponding to (mean free path)/(aperture diameter) from about 50 to 5 × 10−3; within this range the transition from molecular effusion to inviscid, transonic flow takes place. The theory for the two asymptotic limits is discussed and first-order corrections to the free molecular and inviscid limit formulae are given.
250 ANTI-MÜLLERIAN HORMONE: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOLLICULAR RESERVE, FOLLICULAR FUNCTION, AND FERTILITY IN THE MARE

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a granulosa-cell derived glycoprotein which plays an important regulatory role during folliculogenesis. Antral follicle count (AFC) and AMH have been used in several species to assess ovarian reserve, but relatively little is known about these parameters in mares. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) plasma AMH concentrations and AFC in mares of different ages, as well as their repeatability within and across oestrous cycles; (ii) the relationship between plasma AMH concentrations and AFC with regard to age and follicle size; and (iii) endocrine and molecular changes in growing and preovulatory follicles in relation to AFC and peripheral AMH concentrations. In Exp. 1, young (3–8 years), middle-aged (9–18 years), and old (>18 years) mares were examined by transrectal ultrasonography over 2 to 3 oestrous cycles and changes in the number and size of all detectable antral follicles were recorded. Concentrations of AMH were determined by ELISA. In Exp. 2, molecular and endocrine differences in growing and dominant equine follicles were examined in relationship to variation in AFC, peripheral AMH concentrations and mare age. Follicular fluid oestradiol and AMH concentrations were determined by immunoassay, and expression of AMH, AMHR2, ESR1, ESR2, FSHR, IGF1, INHA, INHBA, and CYP19A1 was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Antral follicle counts were significantly lower in old mares than in young and middle-aged mares, and AMH concentrations were significantly lower in old mares than in middle-aged mares. A positive relationship was detected between AFC and AMH, and this relationship varied by mare age with a strong correlation in older mares (ρ = 0.86; P < 0.0001), a moderate correlation in middle-aged mares (ρ = 0.60; P = 0.01), and no correlation (ρ = 0.40, P < 0.4) in young mares. Circulating AMH concentrations were significantly related to the number of antral follicles between 6 and 20 mm in diameter, and the repeatability of AFC and AMH concentrations was high within and between oestrous cycles. Within growing follicles, expression of AMH, AMHR2, ESR2, and INHA in granulosa cells was significantly associated with AFC and plasma AMH concentrations, whereas expression of ESR1 and FSHR were significantly correlated with AMH concentrations alone. In follicular fluid, AMH concentrations declined and oestradiol concentrations increased in dominant compared to growing follicles. Our findings indicate that the relationship between AMH and AFC varies across age groups, and that variations in AFC and plasma AMH concentrations are associated with molecular differences in the equine follicle, which, in turn, may have an impact on follicular function. Funded by the Albert G. Clay Endowment at the University of Kentucky.
Abstract 517: The Use of Congenic Strains, Comparative Genome Hybridization, and Whole Genome Sequencing to Dissect the Genetic Basis of Chronic Kidney Disease in the Dahl S Rat

Chronic kidney disease is a major health issue, with hypertension playing a significant role in progression of kidney injury and decline in kidney function. Previously, genetic studies utilized the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat, a model of hypertensive related kidney disease and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (hypertensive, but resistant to kidney injury) to identify genomic regions associated with kidney injury. To confirm identified genomic intervals, congenic strains were developed for several chromosomes (RNO) by transfer of SHR genome to the genetic background of the S, including RNO2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 19. Several of these congenic strains, with the exception of RNO6 and 19 have been extensively investigated. Here, we report that S.SHR(6) and (19) demonstrate significantly improved proteinuria (53±2.5 and 54±2.5 mg/24hr, respectively) compared to control S (116±7.2) and improved measures of kidney function (BUN= 24.3±0.6 and 24.6±0.6 vs. 28±1.3 mg/dl). To facilitate the identification of genetic variants that underlie each genomic region, especially on RNO6 and RNO19, comparative genome hybridization (CGH) was performed (NimbleGen and Agilent) to identify copy number variation (CNV) between the S and SHR. CNV was identified on RNO6 and RNO19 (as well as other chromosomes) which could be linked to the development of kidney injury. In addition, recent sequencing of the entire genomes of the S and SHR has identified essentially all genetic variation (SNP and INDEL) between the two inbred models. The 95% confidence interval of each causative locus spans ~10 Mb. The region on RNO6 contains 54 annotated genes (24 nonsynonymous SNP) and RNO19 contains 101 genes and/or miRNA (68 nonsynonymous SNP). The majority of SNP (>95%) are within intergenic or intronic regions, regardless of the genomic locus. A modest number of SNP (~5%) fall within the putative promoter region of genes which could impact gene expression. In summary, CGH and high quality genome sequence analysis will help guide upcoming congenic substrain analysis to expedite identification of the causative genetic variation(s) that underlie each genomic locus.
Statistics and the Paperwork Reduction Act: An FTC Case Study

The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires that federal agencies obtain OMB approval before requesting most types of information from the public. Among other requirements, the PRA requires that agencies desiring to conduct surveys provide OMB with a variety of information about the study design to ensure that results will be high quality, objective, and methodologically consistent across agencies.Despite the large number of surveys conducted by federal agencies each year, most of these are little more than pilot studies on which the sponsoring agency cannot base regulatory, legislative, or policy decisions. A good example of this is the ongoing study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of patent assertion entities (PAE). The FTC study may well contribute new data related to PAE activity, but, like other exploratory studies, there should be important limits on the use of the FTC’s findings and on the conclusions that may be drawn.
Synthesis of (7S,15S)- and (7R,15S)-dolatrienoic acid.

The stereospecific synthesis of (7S,15S)- and (7R,15S)-dolatrienoic acids (2) was achieved using an approach consisting of 16 linear steps. The C-11−C-16 unit was prepared in seven steps from ethyl (S)-lactate and coupled using a trans-selective Wittig−Schlosser reaction to the C-7−C-10 fragment. Chirality at the C-7 position was introduced using an Evan's-type chiral auxiliary in a cobalt-mediated Reformatsky reaction to give the (3S,11S)-aldehyde 24. Subsequent Wittig reaction with a phosphonium salt derived in three steps from tiglic acid gave (7S,15S)-dolatrienoic acid, one of the four possible diastereoisomers of the nonpeptide portion of the strong cancer cell growth inhibitory cyclodepsipeptide dolastatin 14 (1). A second diastereoisomer, (7R,15S)-dolatrienoic acid, was synthesized employing chiral oxazolidinone 21 by an analogous synthetic route.
Epidemiology and outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the United States: findings from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is defined as systolic heart failure within the last month of pregnancy or 5 months after delivery in the absence of any identifiable cause of heart failure. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of PPCM and predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with PPCM. We analyzed patients with diagnosis of PPCM from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database using the Ninth Revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) from 2009 to 2010. We categorized PPCM (n = 4871) into three groups of presentation based on their ICD-9 codes: antepartum (674.53; n = 189), peripartum (674.51, 674.52; n = 887) and postpartum (674.54; n = 3741). PPCM was more common in African-Americans (43.9%) as compared with white (40.8%), Hispanic (8.7%) and Asian (2.7%) women. Hypertensive disorders were classified as pre-existing hypertension (31.6%), gestational hypertension (3.7%), preeclampsia (9.9%), eclampsia (2.4%) and preeclampsia/eclampsia superimposed on hypertension (3.1%). Among different ethnicities, pre-existing hypertension (1 : 2.3) and diabetes (1 : 10.4) were more prevalent in African-Americans, whereas preeclampsia (1 : 4.3) and premature labor (1 : 5.4) were more common in Asians. In-hospital mortality rate was 1.8%, with 2.1% in the postpartum and 0.5% in the peripartum group. Asians had the highest mortality (8.3%). In multimodel regression analysis, Asians [odds ratio (OR) 9.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–83.9, P = 0.03] and length of stay (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03–1.10, P < 0.01) were associated with increased mortality, whereas white women were associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.59, P = 0.01). Although PPCM was prevalent in African-Americans, Asians had higher in-hospital mortality, increased prevalence of preeclampsia and premature labor. Also, mortality rate was significantly higher in the postpartum group.
A Taylor Weak Statement CFD Algorithm for Free Surface Hydromechanical Flows

Abstract A finite element CFD algorithm is established for the two-dimensional, unsteady depth-averaged free surface Navier-Stokes equations for an incompressible isoenergetic flow. The governing equation set is cast in hyperbolic conservation law form, whereupon a temporal Taylor series is utilized to establish truncation error terms. The resulting Taylor weak statement embeds functional expressions dominating dispersion and dissipation error mechanisms of the semi-discrete approximation. Theoretical analyses are developed to characterize these mechanisms for the linear basis implementation. An efficient numerical linear algebra procedure is developed using matrix tensor products. Numerical results are highlighted that document algorithm performance.
A survey of inorganic structures and bonding

Abstract The structures of many molecules can be depicted by means of a relatively small number of models. Hybrid orbital types and the number of electrons are the principle factors. In this chapter, the nature of hybrid orbitals, resonance, and formal charges are used to explain molecular structures. More complexes are discussed and minor deviations in bond angles are explained. The structures of molecules that are electron deficient lead to the consideration of three-center bonds.
Differences in mental workload between traditional and single-incision laparoscopic procedures measured with a secondary task

Abstract Intro The mental workload associated with laparoscopic suturing can be assessed with a secondary task that requires the same visual-spatial attentional resources. The purpose of this study was to use a secondary task to measure the incremental workload demands of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) procedures versus traditional laparoscopic procedures. Method 12 surgery residents and surgical assistants who had met FLS criteria on an FLS and SILS simulator performed one trial each of peg transfer, cutting, and intracorporeal suturing tasks simultaneously with the secondary task and provided subjective workload ratings using the NASA-TLX. Results SILS procedures resulted in lower primary and secondary task scores, p p p p p Conclusions SILS procedures were significantly more mentally demanding than traditional laparoscopic procedures corroborated by primary and secondary tasks scores and subjective ratings.
Spatial and Temporal Relationships Between the Invasive Snail Bithynia tentaculata and Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River

Bithynia tentaculata is an invasive snail that was first reported in Lake Michigan in 1871 and has since spread throughout a number of freshwater systems of the USA. This invasion has been extremely problematic in the Upper Mississippi River as the snails serve as intermediate hosts for several trematode parasites that have been associated with waterfowl mortality in the region. This study was designed to assess the abundance and distribution of B. tentaculata relative to submersed aquatic vegetation as macrophytes provide important nesting and food resources for migrating waterfowl. Temporal changes in both vegetation and snail densities were compared between 2007 and 2015. Between these years, B. tentaculata densities have nearly quadrupled despite minor changes in vegetation abundance, distribution and composition. Understanding the spatial distribution of B. tentaculata in relation to other habitat features, including submersed vegetation, and quantifying any further changes in the abundance and distribution of B. tentaculata over time will be important for better identifying areas of risk for disease transmission to waterfowl. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary organic aerosol from chlorine-initiated oxidation of isoprene

Abstract. Recent studies have found concentrations of reactive chlorine species to be higher than expected, suggesting that atmospheric chlorine chemistry is more extensive than previously thought. Chlorine radicals can interact with hydroperoxy (HOx) radicals and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to alter the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. They are known to rapidly oxidize a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the atmosphere, yet little is known about secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from chlorine-initiated photooxidation and its atmospheric implications. Environmental chamber experiments were carried out under low-NOx conditions with isoprene and chlorine as primary VOC and oxidant sources. Upon complete isoprene consumption, observed SOA yields ranged from 7 to 36 %, decreasing with extended photooxidation and SOA aging. Formation of particulate organochloride was observed. A high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometer was used to determine the molecular composition of gas-phase species using iodide–water and hydronium–water cluster ionization. Multi-generational chemistry was observed, including ions consistent with hydroperoxides, chloroalkyl hydroperoxides, isoprene-derived epoxydiol (IEPOX), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), evident of secondary OH production and resulting chemistry from Cl-initiated reactions. This is the first reported study of SOA formation from chlorine-initiated oxidation of isoprene. Results suggest that tropospheric chlorine chemistry could contribute significantly to organic aerosol loading.
Taming Airbnb: Toward guiding principles for local regulation of urban vacation rentals based on empirical results from five US cities

Urban vacation rentals, a phenomenon that has grown explosively very recently, bring benefits to cities but also impose quality of life and housing market impacts on neighborhoods. As a consequence, cities are beginning to grapple with creating regulatory regimes for managing this new land use and its encroachments on residential areas. This article uses webscraped data from Airbnb, the industry leader, to analyze the geographical patterns and concentrations of these impacts in five US cities: Austin, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. It uses the findings to put forth four general principles for cities seeking to manage impacts imposed by Airbnb and its competitors. These are that webscraping is an imperfect but relatively cheap and effective means of gathering locally specific data; that “spiky” usage patterns dictate a microgeographic approach to regulation; that meaningful regulation necessitates dedicated enforcement, likely paid for with permit fees; and that it is desirable to distinguish between “mom-and-pop” hosts and those operating at a commercial scale.
Communication Effects: Review and Commentary

Three theoretical perspectives have been used by researchers to examine the various aspects of communication effects: The directive perspective, which explores the manipulation and control of commu...
Indigenous Peoples in the U.S., Sovereign Nations, and the DDC

Claims of bias within the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system in its treatment of indigenous peoples in the U.S. focus on marginalization through ghettoization, historicization, diasporization, and missing topics, such as the status of indigenous peoples as sovereign nations. Investigation into the treatment of indigenous peoples in the U.S. from DDC 16 to DDC 23 reveals that two of the most central concerns, ghettoization and historicization, are not borne out. Diasporization turns out to be a legitimate, but resolvable, concern. The current failure to recognize indigenous peoples as sovereign nations leads to a proposal for a series of expansions in Table 2 for the geographic areas over which indigenous peoples are sovereign; a mismatch between organization by the DDC and by indigenous peoples in the U.S. leads to the supplying of a Manual note table going from names of tribes (a Table 5 concept) to sovereign nations (a Table 2 concept).
Regional Anesthesia and Cardiovascular Disease

Surgical stress can result in major adverse cardiac events, and this accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. More effective analgesia provided by regional block can allow for improved postoperative function which can improve recovery times and reduce potential complications. Furthermore, there are cardiovascular benefits with the use of different regional techniques for both cardiac and non-cardiac patients. In this chapter we review some of the different regional techniques for cardiac and non-cardiac patients including neuraxial block, epidural block, paravertebral and intercostal nerve blocks, as well as peripheral nerve block in patients with cardiac disease who are undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
Modern infinitesimals and the entropy jump across an inviscid shock wave

This article applies nonstandard analysis to study the generalized solutions of entropy and energy across one-dimensional shock waves in a compressible, inviscid, perfect gas. Nonstandard analysis ...
Risk Factors for Hospital Readmission following Implementation of a Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Power Plan

Patients admitted to the hospital with DKA are at high-risk for readmission. We have previously demonstrated that implementation of a DKA PowerPlan (PP) that guides IV insulin dosing following acute management and transition to SC insulin reduces the frequency of recurrent DKA and rebound hyperglycemia during the index hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the DKA PP reduces all cause and diabetes-related (recurrent DKA, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia) hospital readmissions at 30 days and 1 year following an index hospitalization, as well to examine the contribution of high risk co-morbidities (psychiatric illness and/or history of alcohol/polysubstance abuse) associated with readmission risk in this group of patients. Retrospective chart review was performed for patients admitted with primary diagnosis of DKA prior to (pre-PP, n=60) and following DKA PP implementation (Post-PP, n=60). The groups were similar in age (Pre- vs. Post-PP: 38 ± 13.5 vs. 40 ± 16.6), BMI (26 ± 6.7 vs. 27 ± 7 kg/m2), gender (%Male: 38% vs. 48%), HbA1c (11.7 ± 2.4 vs. 11.3 ± 2.9%), admission BG (560 vs. 615 mg/dl) and anion gap (AG) (27.6 vs. 27.4), but differed in the prevalence of comorbidities which were higher in the pre-PP group (58 vs. 40%, p = 0.045). All cause readmissions were similar at 30 days (Pre vs. Post-PP: 1.4 ± 0.8 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4) but were lower at 1 year in the post-PP group (5.2 ± 4.7 vs. 3.5 ± 2.7, p = 0.07). Patients with co-morbidities in the post-PP group had lower all-cause (p = 0.023) but not diabetes related readmissions at 1 year, compared to patients with co-morbidities in the pre-PP group. In summary, these findings suggest that a DKA PP may be associated with a reduction in all cause hospital readmission in high risk patients with underlying psychiatric or substance abuse disorders. These results emphasize the need to identify and address patient specific factors that contribute to readmission in this high risk group. Disclosure N. Karajgikar: None. A. Donihi: None. R.A. Salata: None. R. Codario: None. R. Acharya: None. P. Manroa: None. M.T. Korytkowski: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Other Relationship; Self; JAEB Center For Health Research.
Numerical investigations into the behavior of light rail bridges

Abstract This paper presents various technical aspects related to bridges under light rail gravity loadings, including flexural and shear responses, deflection, serviceability, and dynamic load allowance. Unlike highway and conventional rail bridges, the behavior of light rail bridges has scarcely been reported; thus, limited information is available. Five types of benchmark bridges are designed with steel plate girders, prestressed concrete boxes, reinforced concrete T-girders, prestressed concrete I-girders, and closed steel box girders. Three-dimensional finite element models are developed to predict the behavior of these bridges when loaded by four representative light rail trains operated in the United States (Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Utah), which results in 4,932 cases. Parameters for investigations involve structural configurations (simply-supported and continuous spans), geometries (girder spacing, span length, curvature, and skew), and loading characteristics (one-track-loaded and two-track-loaded with one to four articulated trains). A comparative study is conducted to evaluate the applicability of existing design specifications (highway and heavy-haul train loadings) that are frequently referenced in light rail bridge design. The flexural moment of the bridges is controlled by span length, the number of loaded tracks, and the axle spacing of the articulated trains. Contrary to the implications of horizontal curvature, those of skew angles are significant in altering the responses of the bridges concerning moments and fundamental frequencies. The deflection criteria of the existing specifications are not applicable to the light rail bridges; consequently, an alternative approach is suggested. Regarding dynamic load allowance, the predicted values are generally lower than those used in practice.
Collective Action Theory Meets the Blogosphere: A New Methodology

With the advent of advanced yet exoteric ICTs, especially the social media, new forms of collective actions have emerged to illuminate several fundamental yet theoretically obscure aspects of collective actions. Existing computational studies focusing on capturing and mapping the interactions and issues prevailing in social media manage to identify the manifestations of collective actions. They, however, lack modeling and predictive capabilities. In this paper, we propose a new methodology to gain deeper insights into cyber-collective actions by analyzing issue propagation, influential community members’ roles, and transcending nature of collective actions through individual, community, and transnational perspectives, The efficacy of the proposed model is demonstrated by a case-study on Al-Huwaider’s campaigns consisting of 150 blogs from 17 countries tracked between 2003 and 2010. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed methodology is the first to address the lacking fundamental research shedding light on re-framing Collective Action Theory in online environments.
Fatigue of Metals

Abstract Fatigue of metals is an extremely important scientific and technical problem that spans multiple length and time scales and has significant repercussions in a wide variety of industrial and military applications. In this chapter, a brief historical perspective on this phenomenon is provided, followed by basic definitions of key variables and testing procedures. Then, the three fundamental aspects of metal fatigue are reviewed, namely cyclic deformation, crack nucleation and crack propagation, with emphasis on experiments and modeling of pure cubic and hexagonal metals and their alloys for low, high and very high cycle fatigue regimes.
Bifurcation of Second Moment Closures in Rotating Stratified Flow

Equilibria of second moment closure models respond to rotation and to stratification by bifurcating between solution branches. For some region of the rotation-Richardson number plane the bifurcation surface corresponds to sustained turbulence. Outside of this region, the solution converts to decaying turbulence. Strictly speaking, the bifurcation is initially to an algebraically growing solution, which subsequently becomes the decaying solution branch. A closed form solution for stratified, rotating shear flow shows that equilibria very easily can fail to exist. This is the case for some models in the literature. Unphysical solutions are then seen in temporal integrations. The analytical solution provides a well-posedness constraint on model coefficients. A set of constants that satisfy well-posedness, and agree with certain experimental data, is found.
Intensional Verbs and Quantifiers

This paper discusses the semantics of intensional NP-taking verbs such as need, want, recognize, and hire. It proposes several new linguistic criteria for intensionality besides the traditional ones of failure of existential quantification and substitutivity, and it defends two different semantic analyses for different intensional verbs. For the majority of verbs, the paper argues for a partialized version of the intensional quantifier analysis originally proposed by Montague, but for a single class of verbs, verbs of comparison, it adopts the property analysis recently proposed as a general analysis of intensional verb constructions by Zimmermann (1992). The paper also includes a systematic classification of intensional verbs according to the type of lexical meaning they involve.
Epigenetic regulation of the circadian gene Per1 contributes to age-related changes in hippocampal memory

Aging is accompanied by impairments in both circadian rhythmicity and long-term memory. Although it is clear that memory performance is affected by circadian cycling, it is unknown whether age-related disruption of the circadian clock causes impaired hippocampal memory. Here, we show that the repressive histone deacetylase HDAC3 restricts long-term memory, synaptic plasticity, and experience-induced expression of the circadian gene Per1 in the aging hippocampus without affecting rhythmic circadian activity patterns. We also demonstrate that hippocampal Per1 is critical for long-term memory formation. Together, our data challenge the traditional idea that alterations in the core circadian clock drive circadian-related changes in memory formation and instead argue for a more autonomous role for circadian clock gene function in hippocampal cells to gate the likelihood of long-term memory formation.
Solar Probe Plus Array Reliability

The Solar Probe Plus will follow a trajectory passing the sun in the closest orbit at approximately 9.86 solar radii. During this mission the probe will encounter a high irradiance high temperature (HIHT) environment, making it necessary for a more intricate solar array configuration. This requires the standard Failure Modes Effects and array reliability calculations to be modified. Failure modes include solder deterioration, VDA Kapton evaporation, solar cell material deterioration, coverglass to cell adhesive degradation, and also typical interconnect and wire failures. Using statistics suited for two different types of strings, the reliability of the solar array is calculated when the probe is at aphelion and perihelion. The array contains not only two different types of strings, but also cell sizes and panel sections, making the true reliability more complex. Through statistical analysis of individual components reliabilities, the reliability of the complete array with no, one and two string failures is calculated to be 89.55 %, 5.22 %, 0.13 % respectively during perihelion mode and 80.17%, 13.64%, and 1.09 % during aphelion mode. In result, the probe has a reliability of 94.89 % with at most two string failures during perihelion mode and 94.91 % during aphelion mode. After calculating the number of exposure hours per particular string exposed it was visible that the most inboard string, No. 22, experiences 39, 994.875 exposure hours with strings No. 9 through No. 1 experiencing the full exposure time of the planned mission, 61, 370.766 hours. With this, the reliability of 42 double-interconnected strings is 99.9 % but with the inclusion of the two single-interconnected strings, this goes down to 94.9%. Due to the Solar Space Probe having a much different solar array configuration than that of most space systems it necessitates different statistical computation, in this case producing a unique reliability over the course of its 7-year mission.
Organization and function of tension-dependent complexes at adherens junctions.

Adherens junctions provide attachments between neighboring epithelial cells, and a physical link to the cytoskeleton, which enables them to sense and transmit forces and to initiate biomechanical signaling. Examination of the Ajuba LIM protein Jub in Drosophila embryos revealed that it is recruited to adherens junctions in tissues experiencing high levels of myosin activity, and that the pattern of Jub recruitment varies depending upon how tension is organized. In cells with high junctional myosin, Jub is recruited to puncta near intercellular vertices, which are distinct from Ena-containing puncta, but can overlap Vinculin-containing puncta. We identify roles for Jub in modulating tension and cellular organization, which are shared with the cytohesin Steppke, and the cytohesin adapter Stepping stone, and we show that Jub and Stepping Stone together recruit Steppke to adherens junctions under tension. Our observations establish Jub as a reporter of tension experienced at adherens junctions, and identify distinct types of tension-dependent and tension-independent junctional complexes. They also identify a role for Jub in mediating a feedback loop that modulates the distribution of tension and cellular organization in epithelia.
Fatal reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the emergency department

A healthy, 56-year-old female with a history of panic disorder presented to the emergency department (ED) with chest pressure. Physical examination and supporting data were within normal limits. Despite normal stress testing, she experienced recurrence of the chest pain the same day, and repeat ED assessment revealed isolated ST elevation and a troponin of 0.15. Following admission, serial troponin increased to 26.35 and subsequent coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and a ventricular wall motion consistent with reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The patient unexpectedly succumbed to a malignant arrhythmia on day 3. The following core competencies were addressed in this case report: Patient care, Medical knowledge, Patient education.
What do neurons really want? The role of semantics in cortical representations

Abstract What visual inputs best trigger activity for a given neuron in cortex and what type of semantic information may guide those neuronal responses? We revisit the methodologies used so far to design visual experiments, and what those methodologies have taught us about neural coding in visual cortex. Despite heroic and seminal work in ventral visual cortex, we still do not know what types of visual features are optimal for cortical neurons. We briefly review state-of-the-art standard models of visual recognition and argue that such models should constitute the null hypothesis for any measurement that purports to ascribe semantic meaning to neuronal responses. While it remains unclear when, where, and how abstract semantic information is incorporated in visual neurophysiology, there exists clear evidence of top-down modulation in the form of attention, task-modulation and expectations. Such top-down signals open the doors to some of the most exciting questions today toward elucidating how abstract knowledge can be incorporated into our models of visual processing.
A Starry Starry Night: Integrating Hand-Painted Textile Surface Design With Wearable Technology

Our inspiration was Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Starry Night.Our intentions were not to recreate his painting, but rather use the color scheme as well as the swirling brushstrokes that he used. The sertiprocess of silk painting was usedto hand apply vibrant oranges and deep blues to silk chiffon with expressive brushstrokes similar to Van Gogh. We sewed100+LED sequins with conductive thread in a parallel circuit to light up our garment’s starry night scene.Wecodedthe Adafruit Circuit Playground Express(microcontroller) using MakeCode to transmit the desired color to and turn on and off the LED sequins in a way that simulatestwinkling stars. We intentionally placed the microcontroller, which contained a ring of lights,underneath the sun. The battery and microprocessor are easily removed from the fully lined garment for laundering.
Equity and Excellence Among Arizona School Leaders: Encouraging Integration within a Segregative Policy Context

ABSTRACTWe present case studies of elementary school leaders in an Arizona district with a large enrollment of Latinx Spanish-speaking students who qualify for English language development services...
The intermetallic compound Gd6Ta4Al43

Gadolinium tantalum aluminium, Gd6Ta4Al43, adopts the Ho6Mo4Al43 structure type, with 12-fold coordination around the Gd and twofold coordination around the Ta and Al atoms.
A phase I study of simvastatin in combination with topotecan and cyclophosphamide in pediatric patients with relapsed and/or refractory solid and CNS tumors.

10541Background: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) can inhibit IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation, a critical pathway in pediatric CNS and solid tumors. Statins also inhibit tumor proliferation, a...
HDL and Reverse Remnant-Cholesterol Transport (RRT): Relevance to Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases predominantly result from atherosclerosis, a natural biological phenomenon reflecting food intake and energy production in humans. Lipolysis of plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRLs) by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is an essential element of energy production that delivers free fatty acids to peripheral cells. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays a key role in this process by acquiring surface lipids, including free cholesterol, that are released upon TGRL lipolysis. According to the reverse remnant-cholesterol transport (RRT) hypothesis, such removal of cholesterol from remnant lipoproteins followed by transport to the liver and excretion into the bile represents a major biological function of HDL that is essential for energy production, and which can reduce cholesterol influx into the arterial wall by accelerating the removal of atherogenic TGRL remnants from the circulation.
Economic impacts of feeding microalgae/wood blends to hydrothermal liquefaction and upgrading systems

Abstract Experimental work observed a synergetic effect of using microalgae/wood blended feedstocks for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) conversion with a yield advantage over using microalgae only or wood only as the feedstock. Experimental results for HTL and hydrotreating were used to develop the techno-economic analysis (TEA) for a blended feedstock HTL and biocrude upgrading system. For the blended feedstock system, wood is blended with algae feedstock during the lower algal productivity seasons (winter, fall, and spring) to match the maximum algal seasonal production rate. Adding woody biomass led to a 34% larger plant scale than the algae-only system with the same assumptions for algae seasonal productivity. In addition, low-cost woody biomass led to lower blended feedstock cost than the algae-only case. Blended feedstock also eliminated the need for drying a portion of the algae during summer and spring for winter and fall use, a requirement of the algae-only case, and thus reduced the related capital and operating costs. Economic analysis results indicated that, with feeding of microalgae/wood blended feedstock, the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) to produce naphtha and diesel blendstock was reduced by 21% and the conversion-only cost (excluding cost for feedstock) was reduced by 13% compared to the algae-only case. Sensitivity analysis identified algae feedstock cost, algae blend ratios, and biocrude yields as key factors affecting the MFSP of the blended feedstock system.
Response to Comment on “Female toads engaging in adaptive hybridization prefer high-quality heterospecifics as mates”

Braun et al. contend that we did not account for survival, but we did. Differential survival does not alter our conclusions, which were also robust to removing anomalous families. They ignore the study system’s natural history justifying our fitness measures, while failing to account for our behavioral data. We stand by our conclusion that females adaptively choose among heterospecific males.
Space, Force, and Matter in the Early Natural Science Writings

Utilizing Kant’s natural science writings from 1747 to 1755, this chapter shows how he never accepts either Leibnizian-relationist or Newtonian-absolutist conceptions of space. I argue that Kant holds essentially the same concept of space from 1747 to 1768, which may be called a material plenum view. This plenum is made up of waves of attractive force emanating from tiny cells, which initially, at the start of the universe, constitute a resistant space that then develops into a nearly empty, rarified space of weak forces. His cosmology then uses this original active power in all things to account for the formation of the other forces of nature and material bodies themselves. Part of the reason why this view has not been widely recognized is that scholars tend to assume that Kant’s metaphysics is a simple force-shell atomism governed by Newtonian laws. Against such interpretations, this chapter exposes the dynamical, metaphysical, teleological, and theological components of Kant’s philosophy that do not fit with a simple Newtonian picture of the cosmos.
Contractarian ideology and the legitimacy of government

Social contract theory depicts a constitutional contract as the result of a hypothetical agreement among society's members to escape a prisoners' dilemma situation. It depicts citizens as political equals agreeing to be forced into a cooperative strategy rather than a socially suboptimal strategy that gives them the highest personal payoff. Government is the organization that forces everyone to cooperate. However, citizens can never bargain as political equals. An elite few design the rules, and others are forced to comply with them. The contractarian ideology that depicts government as acting in the general public interest legitimizes the actions of government, giving those elite few who hold government power a greater ability to use it to further their own interests, often at the expense of the masses. Within the context of a prisoners' dilemma game, contractarian ideology leads to an outcome that is socially suboptimal, but beneficial for the political elite.
Lessons of the Asia/Russia Financial Crises

I am most pleased to once again be in the midst of Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and Federal Reserve colleagues discussing important and interesting policy problems. I spent 25 years at the New York Fed, first in research, but mostly close to operations in government securities and foreign exchange markets, only too often quite directly involved in market crises, or in thinking about them. I am now with a large financial conglomerate, one which is unregulated at the parent level and in most of its noninsurance subsidiaries. My approach today is rooted in my Fed past, but the ideas are drawn mainly from my private sector experience of the last six years. My thoughts are my own, and in no way reflect American International Group (AIG) policy or viewpoints. Neither is much of my discussion directly about AIG activities.