cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of fiber-reinforced polymers to reinforced concrete bridges

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials and their integration with reinforced concrete (r.c.) structural systems represent an important strategy in the design of protective and performance-enhancing technologies for bridges subjected to a variety of extreme loads. This chapter discusses applications of FRPs as retrofits to bridge designs for use in mitigating the negative response and damage from seismic, blast, and other loading events, within the context of large-scale testing performed over three decades at the Powell Structural Research Laboratories at the University of California, San Diego. This overview includes structural elements such as reinforced concrete columns and superstructure elements for bridges. The applications treated include retrofits and repairs of existing structures and for new constructions. The FRP material systems considered consist of carbon, aramid, or glass fibers in epoxy or matrices. The fabrication methods associated with these FRPs include field wet lay-up or spray-up-generated composite overlays using fabrics, strips, and nets. A number of example applications of the FRP technologies are considered and references to code details are included.
Allocating Water among Alternative Uses

Economic criteria for determining the allocation of water among competing uses and users are developed. A profit-maximizing firm will allocate water to a particular use unit the marginal value product from the use of water equals the price of water. If there is a limited quantity of water available and there are many competing uses and users water should be allocated so that the marginal value productivity of water will be equated for all uses and users. Physical and institutional factors may impede the use of economic criteria. The effect of these factors on allocation decisions is analyzed. The application of these economic criteria to water allocation situations involves many and difficult problems of estimation. These problems include obtaining estimates of production functions, marginal physical productivities and marginal value productivities of water, costs of obtaining water and the supplies available for allocation.
IBA Transport by PDR Proteins

Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) is an important contributor to auxin homeostasis and blocking IBA conversion to the active auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) results in an array of developmental defects. Similar to IAA, IBA movement within the plant is mediated by carriers, many of which remain unidentified. In this chapter, we discuss roles for IBA in plant development, roles for PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE (PDR) members of the ABCG family in IBA transport, and missing transporters required for IBA movement.
Predicting Who Will Develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Findings from meta-analyses of predictors of PTSD suggest that using variables that are both more proximal to the event and more subjective than objective, such as peritraumatic dissociative experiences or subsequent social support, enhances prediction. Our examination of the knowledge base of predicting who develops PTSD appears to corroborate the sage observation made by Cluckhorn and Murray (1948) more than half a century ago: “Every man is in certain respects a. like all other men, b. like some other men, c. like no other man” (p. 35). Exposure to an event experienced as traumatic (a combination of b and c), elicits an initial fight or flight response and a period of oscillating avoidance and re-experiencing (a). As a varying amount (b) of time passes, the intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal phenomena either dissipate or become established symptoms (b) partly as a function of a variety of predictors or risk factors (b) and partly as a function of idiographic factors (c). Whether or not a treatment intervention occurs (e.g., Hembree et al., 2003; Resick, Nishith, Weaver, Astin, & Feuer, 2002; Weiss, in press), many experience symptoms of PTSD for a prolonged period of time (b) perhaps with a pattern or waxing and waning symptoms (b). The nature of the symptomatic course and the connection to the traumatic event are mostly unique (c). This perspective underscores the necessity to acknowledge the role of individualized interpretations and construal of meanings and the logical consequence that there is likely a ceiling on how accurate prediction can be. From a forensic point of view, this current state of affairs is likely unsatisfactory. It underscores the need for a thorough evaluation in every legal case involving PTSD.
Multiple malignancy in the upper genital canal

Abstract The concomitant finding of multiple sites of malignant alteration in the upper genital canal (fundus, tube, and ovary) is a frequent and historically well-documented occurrence. Among the study group, there were 118 secondary carcinomas in the Fallopian tube, and 397 cases classified as primary ovarian, endometrial, or tubal cancers. Study revealed that in numerous instances, the pattern of the neoplasm in the separate organs was similar enough to make determination of the primary site impossible and to suggest that a proportion of these cases represented multicentric foci of origin rather than metastatic disease.
Corporate Tax Minimization Strategies When Dividends Are Exempt

Professor Michael Calegari of Santa Clara University examines some tax minimization strategies businesses can use if President Bush's proposal to exempt dividends from taxation is enacted.
FROM PLANTATION TO CORPORATION: The Attack on Tenure and Academic Freedom in Florida

Florida's recent history as well as current trends within the state reveal a failure to protect academic freedom and an aggressive attack on the tradition of academic tenure. From the mid-nineteen fifties to the mid-nineteen sixties, the notorious "Johns Committee" sought to dis- cover any communists, "godless"faculty or homosexuals in Florida's uni- versities. Acting as investigator, prosecutor and judge, the Committee forced the departure of untold numbers offaculty and students. Today, the undermining of tenure and academic freedom is more subtle. Under the rubric of such terms as "productivity," efficiency," "the market," and "flexibility," powerful political and business interests have declared war on tenure in Florida. While the primary focus of this paper is on the current campaign against tenure and academic freedom in the State University System of Florida, it begins by briefly framing the issues now facing faculty in terms of the historical context within which Florida's public universities developed. One need only look at recent history of the State to understand that attacks on tenure and academic free- dom have a long and honored history.Thirty years ago authorities justified these assaults as efforts to root out Communism and homosexuality; today the attacks on academic freedom and tenure are legitimated by appeals to cost-benefit analy-
Spirochetes in Ixodes dammini and Babesia microti on Prudence Island, Rhode Island.

Etude de la frequence des infections par spirochetes chez I.d. en 1982. Les agents etiologiques de la maladie de Lyme et de la babesiose sont transmis par I.d. au nord-est des Etats-Unis. I.d. est l'espece de tique la plus rencontree dans cette region
SPINOZA: ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND SPEECH

(1977). SPINOZA: ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND SPEECH. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 47-53.
Incarceration of a retroflexed, gravid uterus from severe uterine prolapse: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute urinary retention as a result of incarceration of a retroflexed, gravid uterus is a known phenomenon. However, prolapse as a risk factor has not been previously described. CASE: A 40-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 2, with an intrauterine gestation of 19 weeks presented to the emergency room complaining of inability to void for the previous 12 hours and difficulty voiding and constipation for the previous 6 weeks. She had a history significant for stage III uterine prolapse in early pregnancy. Foley catheterization yielded 800 mL of urine, and an examination revealed a retroflexed uterus. The cervix was displaced anteriorly behind the pubic symphysis. Ultrasound confirmed these findings and the presence of a viable gestation. The uterus was successfully manually displaced under epidural anesthesia. The patient was able to void without difficulty after uterine displacement. CONCLUSION: Incarceration of a retroflexed uterus should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any woman who presents with voiding difficulty in the late first or second trimester. Uterine prolapse is a risk factor for incarceration of a retroflexed uterus. Epidural anesthesia should be considered for a patient if manual uterine displacement cannot be performed successfully without anesthesia.
Analysis of China's wind power industry development strategies in the global perspective

The article described the background of global wind power industry and the trend of China's wind power industry development.Facing the challenges and shortcomings of China's wind power industry,the paper drew on the advanced practices of other countries,especially developed countries,and proposed strategies to further promote the development of China's wind power industry.
External Mindfulness, Secure (Non)-Attachment, and Healing Relational Trauma: Emerging Models of Wellness for Modern Buddhists and Buddhist Modernism

Much scholarly attention has been devoted to examining the incorporation of Buddhist-derived meditations such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) into psychotherapeutic and medical settings. This paper approaches the cross-fertilization of Buddhist and therapeutic notions of wellness from the opposite direction by exploring Dharma Punx teacher Josh Korda’s interweaving of psychoanalytic developmental theory and affective neuroscience into his Buddhist teachings. Korda provides a useful case study of some of the main patterns emerging from psychotherapeutically informed American Buddhist convert lineages. One of these, I argue, is a “relational turn,” a more context-sensitive approach to individual meditation practice and an increasing interest in developing interpersonal and communal dimensions of Buddhist practice. In conclusion, I consider what Korda’s approach and this relational turn suggests in terms of the unfolding of Buddhist modernism in the West.
Extremal Quasiconformal Mappings with Given Boundary Values

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the quasiconformal self mappings f= fx of the unit disc E: |z| <1. The superscript x denotes the complex dilatation of the mapping f. By continuation, f induces a homeomorphism of the boundary ∂E onto itself. The chapter presents a proof of Hamilton's theorem for the unit disc, based on the length-area method. The quadratic differentials φn determined by the extremal quasiconformal mappings of the unit disc with n distinguished boundary points form a maximizing sequence for this integral. The chapter discusses an open problem regarding whether the condition (*) is also sufficient, in other words, whether the converse of Hamilton's theorem is true. The proof presented in the chapter makes use only of the length-area method and well-known properties of quadratic differentials with finite norm.
The Schooling We Need

A variety of alternatives to standardization are offered, and specific suggestions are made for a curriculum for human flourishing in a democracy, including the need to personalize learning, adapt it to the twenty-first century, develop critical thinking, include attention to the arts, sustainability, and cosmopolitanism, and help students to understand the nature of nature and complexity and strive for wisdom.
Cognitive Discrepancy, Dissonance, and Selective Exposure

Although cognitive dissonance is regarded as one of the most recognized causes of selective exposure [N. J. Stroud, Niche News (Oxford University Press, 2011)], the mechanism for such causation is ...
Artificial Grammar Learning in Tamarins (Saguinus Oedipus) in Varying Stimulus Contexts

The human ability to detect regularities in sound sequences is a fundamental substrate of our language faculty. However, is this an ability exclusive to human language processing, or have we usurped a more general learning mechanism for this purpose, one shared with other species? The current study is an attempt to replicate and extend Hauser, Weiss, and Marcus's (2002) retracted study (2010) of artificial grammar learning in tamarins to determine if tamarins can detect an underlying grammatical structure in a pattern of sounds. Human language consonant-vowel (CV) combinations from Hauser et al.'s original study, newly created tone sequences, and newly created monkey vocalizations made into sequences were used to familiarize tamarins to an AAB or ABB pattern. Tests of novel sounds in each condition were presented that either were consistent with the familiarized pattern or were different from it. Longer looking times toward the sound source (an audio speaker with a specific location in the auditory field) indicated recognition of novelty. Tamarins looked toward the speaker significantly longer with inconsistent human language CV sequences and with inconsistent tone sequences but not when an inconsistent monkey vocalization was presented. Moreover, tamarins showed differential rates of habituation to the different types of sound patterns, with more robust habituation to CV sequences and tone sequences than to monkey call sequences. The implications of these findings for the generality of learning mechanisms for linguistic and nonlinguistic input across species and the importance of testing across various stimuli are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
Three-dimensional whole breast segmentation in sagittal MR images with dense depth field modeling and localized self-adaptation

Whole breast segmentation is the first step in quantitative analysis of breast MR images. This task is challenging due mainly to the chest-wall line’s (CWL) spatially varying appearance and nearby distracting structures, both being complex. In this paper, we propose an automatic three-dimensional (3-D) segmentation method of whole breast in sagittal MR images. This method distinguishes itself from others in two main aspects. First, it reformulates the challenging problem of CWL localization into an equivalence that searches for an optimal smooth depth field and so fully utilizes the 3-D continuity of the CWLs. Second, it employs a localized self- adapting algorithm to adjust to the CWL’s spatial variation. Experimental results on real patient data with expert-outlined ground truth show that the proposed method can segment breasts accurately and reliably, and that its segmentation is superior to that of previously established methods.
Post-Dural Puncture Headache is Uncommon in Young Ambulatory Surgery Patients:

Background The incidence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) arising from spinal anesthesia in the general population is low. However, patients under 45 years have been shown to exhibit a higher incidence of PDPH, even with small needles.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION HOSPITAL PROCESS OF CARE SCORES WITH CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN A STATEWIDE STUDY

Background: Public reporting of hospital quality of care scores is freely available online and frequently accessed. Studies on the relationship of process improvement reports to clinical outcomes are contradictory. We examined the association between process of care scores for myocardial infarction
A Review of Morton Effect: From Theory to Industrial Practice

ABSTRACTThe Morton effect (ME) is known to cause spiral vibrations of rotors supported by fluid lubricant bearings when there is significant differential heating at rotor journals. The root cause of ME is accumulative asymmetric heating brought on by the viscous shearing effect of the bearing lubricant, mainly during synchronous vibrations. The thermal nature of the cause together with the symptoms of spiral vibrations make ME a thermal-induced instability. This article provides an in-depth review of the ME. It starts with a general introduction and assessment of the significance of ME, noting its widespread nature. Subsequently, key findings are introduced about general ME mechanisms, including the important relationship between journal orbits and the hot spot. The circumstances and typical symptoms of ME-induced instability are summarized and followed by a discussion of the critical issues to be tackled in both the theoretical analysis and the experimental techniques regarding ME phenomenon. Lastly, thi...
Medicaid Reimbursement for the Female Condom

Objectives. To examine state-level female condom use through Medicaid from 2004 to 2014, because in 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed for expanded Medicaid coverage in many states, extending requirements for contraceptive care to more of the poorest women in the United States and to most women with private insurance.Methods. We collected data via brief survey of Medicaid offices in all 50 states between March 2015 and March 2016.Results. The number of states providing Medicaid reimbursement for the female condom increased 33% (from 25 to 36) since 2007. Twenty-nine states provided data showing low numbers of claims for female condoms but high rates of reimbursement.Conclusions. This period of heightened access demands that the public health community seize the moment to increase awareness about and promote the female condom among health care professionals and consumers. The pending repeal of the ACA may thwart important gains in access; policies promoting women’s reproduct...
Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in early and advanced cirrhosis.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma is well described in early cirrhosis. Less is known regarding outcomes with more advanced cirrhosis, and this study aimed to compare these groups. Methods A retrospective review of resections at a high-volume hepatobiliary center over a 15-year period was performed. Primary end-points were 30 and 90-day mortality. Secondary end-points included complications and survival. Results 80 early (Child's A) were compared to 26 advanced (20 Child's B and 6 Child's C) patients. Baseline patient and tumor characteristics were similar except for parameters indicating degree of cirrhosis. Only early cirrhotic patients underwent anatomic hepatectomies (six cases) and median operative times were longer (151 vs 99 min, p = 0.03). Intraoperative blood loss, conversion, R0 resection, length-of-stay and perioperative complications were comparable. 30 and 90-day mortality were statistically similar (2.5 vs 0%, OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.08–36.19 and 2.5 vs 7.7%, OR 0.31 95% CI 0.04–2.30). There was a trend toward longer survival in the early cirrhotic group but this did not reach significance (50 vs 21 months, p = 0.077). Conclusions In carefully selected advanced cirrhotic patients, laparoscopic liver resection may be performed with acceptable outcomes. Though this is not yet well established, further trials may be warranted.
Predictors of portable technology adoption intentions to support elementary children reading

Much attention has focused on technology acceptance in the classroom, with little investigation into how parents make decisions about their children’s use of portable technology to support reading development in the home. Applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, this study identifies predictors of parents portable technology adoption intentions to support children’s reading development in the home. Participants were parents from two elementary schools within 46 classrooms in the southeastern United States. Phase one of data collection included 120 parents who responded to a validated survey that identified predictors and behavioral intention to adopt technology. The regression model explained 64% of parents have intentions to use portable technology to develop their children’s reading skills, with social influence and attitude as the most important predictors. Surveys indicated 99% of children used portable technology to support reading in the home, therefore phase two included explanatory interviews to examine adoption predictors. Interview data specified social influence ensued from the child’s school and parent community; attitude resulted from children’s affinity to use technology. Though parents’ intentions indicated continued portable technology use, parents preferred their child read print books. Interview data also revealed parents perceived an increase in performance expectancy when their child used portable technology. This study highlights the need for teachers and school administrators to be cognizant of educational requests on home learning, influences of the broader parent community on parent intentions to adopt educational technology, and children’s enjoyment reading with portable technology.
Higher Dimensional Lattices

Two-dimensional granular crystals have been investigated far less than 1D configurations. In two spatial dimensions, the nodes can be arranged in a number of ways. While the role of disorder is of particular interest for engineering applications (Behringer RP (2015) Jamming in granular materials. C R Phys 16:10 [1], Liu A, Nagel SR (2010) The jamming transition and the marginally jammed solid. Annu Rev Cond Matter Phys 1:347 [2]) we will focus on ordered configurations, such as hexagonal (see Figs.7.1 a,b) or square packings.
The Polymerase Incomplete Primer Extension (PIPE) Method Applied to High-Throughput Cloning and Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Significant innovations in molecular biology methods have vastly improved the speed and efficiency of traditional restriction site and ligase-based cloning strategies. "Enzyme-free" methods eliminate the need to incorporate constrained sequences or modify Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-generated DNA fragment ends. The Polymerase Incomplete Primer Extension (PIPE) method further condenses cloning and mutagenesis to a very simple two-step protocol with complete design flexibility not possible using related strategies. With this protocol, all major cloning operations are achieved by transforming competent cells with PCR products immediately following amplification. Normal PCRs generate mixtures of incomplete extension products. Using simple primer design rules and PCR, short, overlapping sequences are introduced at the ends of these incomplete extension mixtures which allow complementary strands to anneal and produce hybrid vector/insert combinations. These hybrids are directly transformed into recipient cells without any post-PCR enzymatic manipulations. We have found this method to be very easy and fast as compared to other available methods while retaining high efficiencies. Using this approach, we have cloned thousands of genes in parallel using a minimum of effort. The method is robust and amenable to automation as only a few, simple processing steps are needed.
Derivations on Certain CSL Algebras II

Let A be a CSL algebra on a Hilbert space. Sufficient conditions are given so that all derivations of A into A are inner. The conditions are determined by an order relationship between the core projection of A. The proofs are based on a result of E.C. Lance which shows that the nth cohomology spaces for a nest algebra are trivial. Reflexive algebras whose invariant subspace lattice is an infinite ordinal direct sum of commutative subspace lattices satisfy the sufficient conditions. A nest subalgebra A of a von Neumann algebra which is a CSL algebra is also shown to have only inner derivations.
Automatic feature mining for personalized digital image retrieval

Computing the distance between two features often measures similarity between objects. Unfortunately, the feature space cannot always capture the notion of similarity in human perception. So, most current image retrieval systems use weights measuring the importance of each feature. However, the similarity does not vary with equal strength or in the same proportion in all directions in the feature space. In this paper, we present an incremental method to automatically obtain feature weights based on both the clustered database and on relevance feedback. We show that using cluster information for an initial search gives better results than using the standard distance. In contrast to existing image database systems, the system can store user feedback into feature weights and reduce redundant search steps. We present shape-based indexing and retrieval results that demonstrate the efficacy of our technique.
Fetal-placental crosstalk occurs through fetal cytokine synthesis and placental clearance

Abstract Background Cytokines modulate fetal well-being and contribute to parturition. Their origin in fetal blood, whether maternal, placental or fetal, at the time of parturition remains unclear. Objective To determine fetal and placental contributions to circulating fetal cytokines by measuring umbilical arterial (UmA) and venous (UmV) concentration differences in uncomplicated term pregnancies in the absence and presence of labor. Methods Term uncomplicated pregnancies were assessed: Group 1 were not in labor and delivered by elective cesarean section (n = 20); Group 2 delivered vaginally following uncomplicated pregnancy and labor (n = 30). UmA and UmV blood was collected before delivery of the placenta to measure circulating cytokines. Placental tissue was collected for histology and to determine cytokine contents and localization. Results Group 1 UmA and UmV IL-10 concentrations were similar (504 ± 15 and 468 ± 16 pg/ml, respectively; P ≥ 0.1); other cytokines were below level of detection. During labor, IL-10 concentrations increased 15–34%, but placental contents decreased. Group 2 UmA IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations increased (P 6-fold increases in placental IL-6/IL-8 contents (P Conclusions In uncomplicated term pregnancies fetal circulating IL-10 is likely of placental origin, whereas IL-6/IL-8 are derived from the fetus, increase during parturition, and circulating levels are modulated by non-saturable placental clearance, revealing a novel pathway for fetal-placental crosstalk and signaling.
“View the Stars by Day” in a Deep Dark Well

Focusing on Heidegger’s complex explorations of (un)truth in clearings, this chapter suggests in traditional direct teaching of “truth,” teaching is reduced to a method instructing students to acquire knowledge under the shining Sun of Truth, a concept criticized by Heidegger (The piety of thinking. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN, 1958/1976) as “brighter than one thousand suns” (p. 56). The powerful ethical, pedagogical, and philosophical question Heidegger raises is how to “view the stars by day” when we have to “descend into the dark of the depths of the well” (p. 56). A Taoist Pedagogy of Pathmarks thus encourages teachers to teach in the complex play between light and darkness rather than in the permanent and often rabid zeal of that shining Sun of Truth, which causes a blindness masquerading dangerously as enlightenment.
Creating Magic Squares.

centuries, magic squares have held a fascination for young and old. Those who are challenged by magic squares are always searching for new ways to generate them. Recall that a magic square is an n x n array of numbers in which the sum of the numbers in each row each column, and each diagonal is tht same. It can be shown that a given square is "magic" by adding the proper components, but it is more exciting to create a new square and show that it is magic. Magic squares and their construction can be used as valuable classroom projects. Groups of students can be involved in the process leading to the creation of magic squares by choosing the rules of addition, filling in the numbers, and checking the totals. Magic squares can be an excellent way to review signed numbers and fractions or decimals, as will be illustrated.
Sparsening algorithm for multihadron lattice QCD correlation functions

Modern advances in algorithms for lattice QCD calculations have steadily driven down the resources required to generate gauge field ensembles and calculate quark propagators, such that, in cases relevant to nuclear physics, performing quark contractions to assemble correlation functions from propagators has become the dominant cost. This work explores a propagator sparsening algorithm for forming correlation functions describing multihadron systems, such as light nuclei, with reduced computational cost. The algorithm constructs correlation functions from sparsened propagators defined on a coarsened lattice geometry, where the sparsened propagators are obtained from propagators computed on the full lattice. This algorithm is used to study the low-energy QCD ground-state spectrum using a single Wilson-clover lattice ensemble with ${m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}\ensuremath{\approx}800\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$. It is found that the extracted ground state masses and binding energies, as well as their statistical uncertainties, are consistent when determined from correlation functions constructed from sparsened and full propagators. In addition, while evidence of modified couplings to excited states is observed in sparsened correlation functions, it is demonstrated that these effects can be removed, if desired, with an inexpensive modification to the sparsened estimator.
Effect of Automated Immunization Registry-Based Telephonic Interventions on Adult Vaccination Rates in Community Pharmacies: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacies have a unique opportunity to address suboptimal adult vaccination rates, but few solutions have proven effective. Such strategies are challenged by the lack of access that ma...
Visco-hyperelastic constitutive modeling of strain rate sensitive soft materials

Abstract A novel viscous dissipation potential is proposed for the visco-hyperelastic constitutive modeling of short-time memory responses of soft materials, which can capture both linear and nonlinear large deformation behaviors over a wide range of strain rates. The proposed potential is compatible with objectivity and continuum thermodynamics principles, consists of physically motivated model parameters, and adds the capability of modeling strain rate sensitivity in the small strain regime, which is currently not possible with available external state variable driven viscous dissipation potentials. By combining the proposed viscous dissipation potential with the Mooney-Rivlin strain energy density function, a visco-hyperelastic relation is formulated and fit to the rate-dependent tensile stress-strain data of human patellar tendon, which was previously modeled using an existing viscous dissipation potential. It is demonstrated that the proposed model offers improvements in fitting accuracy and prevents possible thermodynamic instabilities in quasi-static hyperelastic models from corrupting the dynamic response. In addition, the uncomplicated mathematical form of the model and the accompanying multi-step multi-start optimization procedure helps prevent numerical instabilities. Multi-deformation mode fitting of human brain gray matter under all three primary deformation modes (compression, tension and shear) is also considered using a visco-hyperelastic model based on the proposed potential and the semi-empirical Gent-Gent strain energy density function. It is shown that visco-hyperelastic models based on the proposed viscous dissipation potential capture all the essential features of the stress-strain data with unique optimal model parameters, giving reasonable accuracy in both single and multiple deformation mode cases. Further, it is demonstrated that the proposed model is stable and robust with respect to both the choice of the hyperelastic strain energy density and the availability of data from multiple deformation modes.
Evaluation of soil treatment techniques on remediated brine spill sites in semi-arid rangelands.

Abstract Unconventional oil and gas development (UOG) generates high volumes of flowback and produced water, byproducts of hydraulic fracturing operations, that are often released or spilled on the soil surface. Soil contamination with these wastewaters, commonly referred to as brine, has the potential to inhibit vegetation growth indefinitely. Natural attenuation of brine is not expedient in arid and semi-arid regions where most United States UOG developments are located, including the Bakken region of North Dakota. In situ (at-site) and ex situ (off-site) soil treatment techniques are commonly employed to remediate brine-contaminated soils in the Bakken. However, little is known regarding each technique's efficacy despite differences in application, cost, and efficiency. We selected 10 sites previously remediated with chemical amendments (in situ) and 11 sites with topsoil excavation (ex situ) in the United States Forest Service Little Missouri National Grasslands. We paired each remediated site with a reference to examine the ability of each strategy to return brine-contaminated sites to conditions reflective of the current state of the surrounding semi-arid rangeland ecosystem. At each site, we quantified soil electrical conductivity (ECe) as an indicator of soil salinity and measured vegetation cover, biomass production, bare ground, and litter. The difference between paired reference and remediated sites was used for analysis. Brine contamination was still evident as soil ECe was similarly increased on chemical amendment and topsoil excavation remediated sites over paired references at all soil depths tested. Due to the nature of the topsoil excavation treatment, elevated ECe in the 0–15 cm depth suggested resalinization of the new topsoil. Remediation techniques also resulted in similar plant community composition marked by an increase in exotic forb biomass, largely due to the invasion of kochia (Bassia scoparia) which was absent from reference sites. However, remediation techniques differed substantially in vegetation establishment. We found 15% more bare ground on sites remediated with chemical amendment treatment than paired references and 55% more with topsoil excavation. Our results indicate that in situ strategies may be more suitable than ex situ strategies for brine-spill remediation in semi-arid rangelands like the Bakken in North Dakota as they cause less disturbance and likely require less post-remediation management to establish adequate vegetation cover to protect the soil from further erosion.
Standardized Heat Spreader Design for Passive Cooling of Interconnects in the BEOL of ICs

The back-end components of integrated circuits (ICs) are susceptible to self-heating deteriorating effects due to the microscale interconnects carrying large current densities, and thus require innovative passive cooling strategies. This article investigates the cooling effect of the high conductivity metallization (MET) fill that is used in conjunction with the chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process. Thermal simulation models are developed for a three-level back end of line (BEOL) stack and then validated experimentally using high-resolution thermal imaging. A coupled approach is used to optimize the numerical model and fully characterize the BEOL embedded passive cooling solution. Results indicate that stricter thermal constraints are present for devices higher in the BEOL stack and exhibit the highest cooling potential from the use of CMP fill in the underlying MET layers. As a thermal improvement strategy for such thermally critical interconnects, a CMP fill-based cooling solution is presented by modifying the fill pattern in order to maximize heat dissipation within the BEOL. The resulting heat spreader (HS) design achieved up to 30% reduction in temperature for 10- $\mu \text{m}$ -wide interconnects and can reach 43% for narrower interconnects. The gained cooling makes it possible to extend the activation limits of interconnects by 15% and 25%, respectively. The experimentally validated HS simulation model is used to conduct parametric analysis for a range of interconnect dimensions with an eye on standardizing the HS design within the BEOL stage of ICs.
Physicochemical and microstructural properties and probiotic survivability of symbiotic almond yogurt alternative using polymerized whey protein as a gelation agent.

A plain symbiotic almond yogurt-like product was formulated and developed using a plant-based starter YF-L02 (Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Bifidobacterium animalis) and inulin; 0.6% polymerized whey protein (PWP), 0.3% pectin, and 0.05% xanthan gum were optimized for the formula of the almond yogurt alternative. Two groups with/without calcium citrate and vitamin D2 were prepared and analyzed for chemical composition, changes in pH, viscosity, and probiotic survivability during storage at 4 °C for 10 weeks. The results showed that (1) over 10 weeks storage, the differences in the pH, viscosity, and probiotic survivability between the control and the fortified samples were not significant (P > 0.05); (2) the pH of both yogurt samples decreased 0.2 units while their viscosity slightly increased during storage; (3) the populations of L. paracasei and B. animalis remained above 106 cfu/g during the storage, whereas the population of L. acidophilus decreased dramatically during the first 4 weeks, especially the control group; (4) the microstructure was examined by scanning electron microscopy, revealing a compact and denser gel structure formed by 0.6% PWP with the presence of 0.3% pectin and 0.05% xanthan gum. In conclusion, PWP might be a proper gelation agent for the formulation of symbiotic almond yogurt alternative. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, polymerized whey protein was used as a gelation agent to formulate symbiotic almond yogurt alternatives with comparable physical texture and probiotic survivability to dairy yogurt during storage. This technology may be used for the development of plant-based fermented foods.
Anticipated and Perceived Stigma Among Patients With Psoriasis.

Background:Perceived stigma among patients with psoriasis (PWP) is associated with poorer quality of life.Objective:To determine the prevalence and predictors of stigmatizing attitudes that PWP exp...
Calcium biology and disorders

Abstract In the body, calcium has a major structural role in the formation of bone and is important in blood coagulation, neurological and neuromuscular function, and intracellular signaling. The majority of calcium in the body is localized to bone (e.g., ~99%). Phosphate is involved in many critically important biochemical processes, including energy metabolism (e.g., ATP), nucleic acid metabolism, cell signaling, bone formation, and maintenance of acid/base balance (especially related to urinary phosphate buffering). Both calcium and phosphate are important in skeletal formation and turnover. Bone provides us (as humans) with form, mobility, and protection. It is also the site of hematopoiesis. In many ways, bone is an extended endocrine target organ, as many hormones regulate bone dynamics to varying degrees, including parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcitonin, thyroid hormones, sex steroids, glucocorticoids, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor I. Bone is also the source of many regulatory factors, including fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). The biological action of FGF23 is to produce phosphaturia. FGF23 is produced by osteocytes.
Community building and belonging in Southern Rhodesia’s purchase areas

The study of small, atypical places can yield big insights. Such is the case with Joseph Mujere’s book on the community of Basotho farmers in the Dewure purchase area (now called small-scale commer...
Abstract PR05: Regulation of mRNA N6-adenosine methylation by the mTOR signaling

N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) is the most abundant chemical modification on eukaryotic mRNA. Emerging evidence shows that alterations in m6A modifications on mRNAs encoding oncogenes and tumor suppressors drive cancer initiation and progression including leukemia, glioma, breast and lung cancers. A methyltransferase complex METTL3/METTL14/WTAP deposits methyl groups on mRNA, and then the m6A-marked mRNAs undergo various fates including changes in stability, localization, and translation efficiency. Through phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic analyses of mTOR signaling, we identified the methyltransferase complex as a novel downstream target of the mTOR pathway. We have also found that mTOR signaling, potentially through m6A methylation, regulates expression of the one-carbon metabolic pathway enzymes, which provide building blocks and methyl donors for growing cells. Together, our results indicate that mTOR signaling controls the activity of the methyltransferase complex to govern the m6A modifications of key mRNAs impacting tumor growth. This abstract is also being presented as Poster A11. Citation Format: Gina Lee, Sungyun Cho, Brian F. Pickering, Cholsoon Jang, Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Samie R. Jaffrey, John Blenis. Regulation of mRNA N6-adenosine methylation by the mTOR signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr PR05.
Real-Time Operating Systems for Cyber-Physical Systems: Current Status and Future Research

This paper studies the current status and future directions of RTOS (Real-Time Operating Systems) for time-sensitive CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems). GPOS (General Purpose Operating Systems) existed before RTOS but did not meet performance requirements for time sensitive CPS. Many GPOS have put forward adaptations to meet the requirements of real-time performance, and this paper compares RTOS and GPOS and shows their pros and cons for CPS applications. Furthermore, comparisons among select RTOS such as VxWorks, RTLinux, and FreeRTOS have been conducted in terms of scheduling, kernel, and priority inversion. Various tools for WCET (Worst-Case Execution Time) estimation are discussed. This paper also presents a CPS use case of RTOS, i.e. JetOS for avionics, and future advancements in RTOS such as multi-core RTOS, new RTOS architecture and RTOS security for CPS.
The Firm as a Dedicated Hierarchy: A Theory of the Origins and Growth of Firms

In the formative stages of their businesses, entrepreneurs have to provide incentives for employees to protect, rather than steal, the source of organizational rents. We study how the entrepreneur’ s response to this problem determines the organization’s internal structure, growth, and its eventual size. Large, steep hierarchies will predominate in physical-capital-intensive industries, and will have seniority-based promotion policies. By contrast, e at hierarchies will prevail in human-capital-intensive industries and will have up-or-out promotion systems. Furthermore, e at hierarchies will have more distinctive technologies or cultures than steep hierarchies. The model points to some essential differences between organized hierarchies and markets. At the root of most enterprises generating economic surplus is an entrepreneur with a unique critical resource such as an idea, good customer relationships, a new tool, or superior management technique. A fundamental problem of entrepreneurship is how to enlist the cooperation of the many agents necessary for production without ceding to them too much of the surplus generated by the enterprise. The risk of being expropriated, however, is always inherent in production. In particular, the entrepreneur has to give her employees (whom we call managers) close proximity or access to the critical resource for them to learn to produce effectively. For example, a manager has to understand the idea, be in contact with the key customers and suppliers, or even learn the entrepreneur’ s unique managerial techniques, in order to work effectively. But access also gives the manager the opportunity to expropriate this critical resource and compete against the entrepreneur. Managers may steal the idea, walk away with clients, or mimic the entrepreneur’s management style, and start up a rival concern. The greater the access a manager has, the more he can appropriate, and the more effectively he can compete. This paper explores the role of organizational design in
Mercury offloading in gametes and potential adverse effects of high mercury concentrations in blood and tissues of Atlantic Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara in the southeastern United States.

Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous and non-essential heavy metal that is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Few studies examine Hg and its effects on wild fish populations. Here, we investigated the potential effects of Hg exposure on a large and long-lived marine species of conservation concern, the vulnerable Atlantic Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara. Our objectives were (1) to measure Hg (methyl-Hg; and total Hg = combined methyl-Hg and inorganic-Hg) concentrations in whole blood (WB) and gametes (eggs and sperm); (2) to investigate the relationships between Hg concentrations in muscle and liver with WB and gametes; (3) to investigate the relationships between Hg concentrations in liver, muscle, and WB with hematological and plasma biochemical analytes; and (4) to investigate the relationship between liver Hg and pigmented macrophage aggregates in liver tissue sections. We found several lines of evidence for potential adverse effects on Goliath Grouper health and reproduction by high Hg concentrations in liver, muscle, WB, and gametes, including (1) Hg concentrations in all tissues and gametes were well above observable ranges of marine and freshwater fishes from experimental exposure studies; (2) gamete Hg concentrations were among the highest recorded in wild fishes, with seasonal patterns suggesting females offload significant amounts of Hg into their eggs during the spawning season; (3) Methyl-Hg was highest in muscle, followed by sperm, liver, eggs, and WB; (4) there were significant correlations between liver, muscle, and WB Hg concentrations with various blood analytes; (5) vitellogenin positively correlated with female liver methyl-Hg concentrations, and was abnormally high in males, suggesting direct endocrine effects; and (6) liver total Hg positively correlated with pigmented macrophage aggregate count and percent area. This work will help guide future research examining the potential adverse effects of Hg and its role as an additional stressor on wild fish populations.
The Psychological Well-Being of Content Moderators: The Emotional Labor of Commercial Moderation and Avenues for Improving Support

An estimated 100,000 people work today as commercial content moderators. These moderators are often exposed to disturbing content, which can lead to lasting psychological and emotional distress. This literature review investigates moderators’ psychological symptomatology, drawing on other occupations involving trauma exposure to further guide understanding of both symptoms and support mechanisms. We then introduce wellness interventions and review both programmatic and technological approaches to improving wellness. Additionally, we review methods for evaluating intervention efficacy. Finally, we recommend best practices and important directions for future research. Content Warning: we discuss the intense labor and psychological effects of CCM, including graphic descriptions of mental distress and illness.
Planning support systems for cities and regions

This book provides an excellent update on specific instances of the traditional planning support system (PSS) focus on land use plan-making and more recent work in development control, sandwiched b...