cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring application and infrastructure adaptation on hybrid grid-cloud infrastructure

Clouds are emerging as an important class of distributed computational resources and are quickly becoming an integral part of production computational infrastructures. An important but oft-neglected question is, what new applications and application capabilities can be supported by clouds as part of a hybrid computational platform? In this paper we use the ensemble Kalman-filter based dynamic application workflow and investigate how clouds can be effectively used as an accelerator to address changing computational requirements as well as changing Quality of Service constraints (e.g., deadlines). Furthermore, we explore how application and system-level adaptivity can be used to improve application performance and achieve a more effective utilization of the hybrid platform. Specifically, we adapt the ensemble Kalman-filter based application formulation (serial versus parallel, different solvers etc.) so as to execute efficiently on a range of different infrastructure (from High Performance Computing grids to clouds that support single core and many-core virtual machines). Our results show that there are performance advantages to be had by supporting application and infrastructure level adaptivity. In general, we find that grid-cloud infrastructure can support novel usage modes, such as deadline-driven scheduling, for applications with tunable characteristics that can adapt to varying resource types.
A Thermodynamic Framework for the Superplastic Response of Materials

Over the years, a number of constitutive equations have been proposed to model the thermomechanical behaviour of superplastic materials. Most of those relations were motivated by phenemenological observations and restricted to uniaxial forms at (high homologous) superplastic temperatures. Not only do they lack the rigor of mechanics (e.g. finite deformation, frame invariance, three dimensional form) but also do not potrary the post-formed room temperature response. The latter is an important criterion in determining if a superplastically formed component can be used in a critical industrial application. In this work, we attempt to address these concerns by developing superplastic constitutive relationships within the frame work of nonlinear mechanics and thermodynamics by invoking the concept of natural configurations. This is an imposing but important task. This work (the first in a series of papers) outlines the basic principles of such a formulation and enumerates the restrictions arising from the structural and mechanical observations of superplastic materials in different temperature regimes.
Williams syndrome: Cognition, personality, and adaptive behavior

Williams syndrome is caused by a microdeletion of at least 16 genes on chromosome 7q11.23. The syndrome results in mild to moderate mental retardation or learning disability. The behavioral phenotype for Williams syndrome is characterized by a distinctive cognitive profile and an unusual personality profile. Relative to overall level of intellectual ability, individuals with Williams syndrome typically show a clear strength in auditory rote memory, a strength in language, and an extreme weakness in visuospatial construction. The personality of individuals with Williams syndrome involves high sociability, overfriendliness, and empathy, with an undercurrent of anxiety related to social situations. The adaptive behavior profile for Williams syndrome involves clear strength in socialization skills (especially interpersonal skills related to initiating social interaction), strength in communication, and clear weakness in daily living skills and motor skills, relative to overall level of adaptive behavior functioning. Literature relevant to each of the components of the Williams syndrome behavioral phenotype is reviewed, including operationalizations of the Williams syndrome cognitive profile and the Williams syndrome personality profile. The sensitivity and specificity of these profiles for Williams syndrome, relative to individuals with other syndromes or mental retardation or borderline normal intelligence of unknown etiology, is considered. The adaptive behavior profile is discussed in relation to the cognitive and personality profiles. The importance of operationalizations of crucial components of the behavioral phenotype for the study of genotype/phenotype correlations in Williams syndrome is stressed. MRDD Research Reviews 2000;6:148-158.
Improving Children’s Oral Health An Interdisciplinary Research Framework

Despite the concerted efforts of research and professional and advocacy stakeholders, recent evidence suggests that improvements in the oral health of young children in the United States has not followed the prevailing trend of oral health improvement in other age groups. In fact, oral health disparities in the youngest children may be widening, yet efforts to translate advances in science and technology into meaningful improvements in populations’ health have had limited success. Nevertheless, the great strides in genomics, biological, behavioral, social, and health services research in the past decade have strengthened the evidence base available to support initiatives and translational efforts. Concerted actions to accelerate this translation and implementation process are warranted; at the same time, policies that can help tackle the upstream determinants of oral health disparities are imperative. This article summarizes the proceedings from the symposium on the interdisciplinary continuum of pediatric oral health that was held during the 43rd annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. This report showcases the latest contributions across the interdisciplinary continuum of pediatric oral health research and provides insights into future research priorities and necessary intersectoral synergies. Issues are discussed as related to the overwhelming dominance of social determinants on oral disease and the difficulty of translating science into action.
Stochastic simulation GUI for biochemical networks

Motivation: This article describes the development of a useful graphical user interface for stochastic simulation of biochemical networks which allows model builders to run stochastic simulations of their models and perform statistical analysis on the results. These include the construction of correlations, power-spectral densities and transfer functions between selected inputs and outputs. Availability: The software is licensed under the BSD open source license and is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/jdesigner. In addition, a more detailed account of the algorithms employed in the tool can be found at the Wiki at http://www.sys-bio.org/sbwWiki. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A meta-analysis of the neuropsychological sequelae of chemotherapy-only treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background. Mixed findings on the neuropsychological sequelae of chemotherapy-only treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), without radiation, indicate the need for a comprehensive meta-analytic review. The purpose of the current study was to conduct a meta-analysis assessing neuropsychological and academic functioning differences between children with ALL treated solely with chemotherapy and comparison groups. Procedures. Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria for the metaanalysis and were analyzed using a random effects model, weighted least squares methods. Results. Mean effect sizes were significantly different from zero for multiple domains of intelligence and academic achievement; processing speed; verbal memory; and some aspects of executive functioning and fine motor skills, indicating worse functioning in ALL survivors. Effect sizes for visualmotor skills and visual memory were not significantly different from zero. Conclusions. Results support the presence of neuropsychological and academic sequelae for ALL survivors treated solely with chemotherapy and highlight the need for ongoing follow-up of children with ALL using a standardized neuropsychological test battery and research methodology. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:99‐104. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The evolution, operation and future of Minnesota SAFPLAN: a coalition for family planning

Minnesotas Statewide Association for Family Planning (SAFPLAN) a coalition formed in 1990 to address the inadequacy of state-subsidized family planning funds provides a valuable case study of the formation and maintenance of a health coalition. In this case coalition formation was prompted by the Minnesota Department of Healths replacement of a pro-rated funding policy with a competitive grant application process. Information on SAFPLANs recruitment of members and division of labor was collected through 31 interviews with coalition representatives and lobbyists document review and participant observation in coalition activities. Organizations that had applied for state family planning funds were invited to an initial meeting at which the goal of educating the community and legislators about the advantages of preventing unwanted pregnancies was established. At present community clinics (operated by city health departments or Planned Parenthood) comprise the largest membership sector. Notably underrepresented are rural agencies natural family planners and minorities. An organizations level of influence in formulating the coalitions goals emerged as the key predictor of level of involvement in SAFPLAN. 77% of those interviewed cited time and scheduling conflicts as the major barrier to more active involvement. Less involved representatives were able to keep informed about funding developments through monthly organizational meetings while more activist-oriented members participated in weekly lobbying meetings and brainstorming sessions. 90% of SAFPLAN members have indicated that the coalition has succeeded in meeting its goal of increasing available subsidized family planning dollars through a lobbying presence. Now that the funding crisis has improved somewhat SAFPLAN members are discussing broadening the goals of the coalition and recruiting a broader membership. SAFPLANs challenge will be to achieve this expansion without diminishing the coalitions cohesion and effectiveness.
Doubly charged ion mass spectra. 2—aromatic hydrocarbons

Doubly charged ion mass spectra for 15 aromatic hydrocarbons have been obtained using a Nier-Johnson geometry, Hitachi RMU-7L mass spectrometer operating at 1.6 kV accelerating voltage. The doubly charged ion spectra have features that are characteristic of the individual compounds. Unsaturated aromatic molecules show intense molecular ions in contrast to saturated, substituted or heteroatom compounds which undergo extensive fragmentation. Ionization energies for forming doubly charged molecular ions and appearance energies for the prominent doubly charged fragment ions have been measured. Calculations of the SCF energies and structures of various doubly charged ions have been carried out. Measured and calculated ionization/appearance energies are in reasonable accord and lend support to the suggested ion structures.
Toward development of assays for scrapie-specific antibodies.

At least 40 attempts have been made to detect antibodies directed against the scrapie agent (Table 1). All have failed. More than 10 were by neutralization (1–6), seven by precipitation in gel or tubes (3,7–9), eight by complement fixation (3,5,7), and six by direct or indirect immunofluorescence procedures (3,6,8). Passive hemagglutination, passive hemolysis, passive anaphylaxis, immunoconglutinin (7), and anti-nuclear (10) and anti-cardiolipin (7) antibody tests were also employed. Antisera from goats, sheep, mice, rabbits, roosters, monkeys and humans have been tested.
A fresh look at sideritic "coprolites"

Abstract Sideritic “coprolites” from the late Miocene of southwest Washington, the Upper Cretaceous of Saskatchewan and Madagascar, and the Permian of China have often been claimed to be pseudofossils. They are here interpreted as intestinal casts (cololites) prefossilized by bacterial activity and later transformed into siderite with no traces of original food particles left. All occurrences are found within fluvial overbank deposits that carry no other vertebrate remains. Their absence could be due to aquifer roll-fronts that destroyed phosphatic bones and teeth but favored siderite precipitation.
Education in Mechatronics

Education in mechatronics is a relatively new discipline in engineering education, as is mechatronics itself. At the first developmental stages about 30–35 years ago, the content of courses and programs in mechatronics formed spontaneously and were primarily based on the developer’s professional experience. As a rule, mechatronics courses were initiated independently by professors in mechanical or electrical and computer engineering departments. In the case of the former, this was generally through the inclusion of courses on microprocessors and control within a primarily mechanical engineering programme while in the latter, the primary emphasis tended to be on the electrical and electronic components of mechatronic systems. This divergence of approach is consistent with the evolutionary structure of mechatronics shown in Figure 12.1.
Thrombospondin as a regulator of angiogenesis

The process of angiogenesis involves multiple interactions between endothelial cells and the proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) (Furcht, 1986; Ingber and Folkman, 1989; Ingber, 1991). ECM proteins can regulate endothelial cell function, such as proliferation and Chemotaxis, and may play a role in stabilizing newly formed capillaries (Madri and Williams, 1983; Madri et al., 1988; Montesano et al., 1995). Several components of the ECM, including laminin, SPARC (osteonectin), collagens, and tenascin influence endothelial cell morphology (Montesano et al., 1993; Form et al., 1986; Grant et al., 1989; Murphy-Ullrich et al., 1991; Sage et al., 1989). Another ECM molecule that has profound effects on endothelial cell function is thrombospondin (TSP). TSP is a large multi-functional ECM glycoprotein that can influence endothelial cell function in vitro (Tuszynski et al., 1987; Murphy-Ullrich and Mosher, 1987; Lahav, 1988; Murphy-Ullrich and Hook, 1989) and angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo (Rastinejad et al., 1989; Good et al., 1990; Iruela-Arispe et al, 1991a; DiPietro et al., 1994).
The emergence of the vasopressin and oxytocin hormone receptor gene family lineage: Clues from the characterization of vasotocin receptors in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a jawless vertebrate at an evolutionary nexus between invertebrates and jawed vertebrates. Lampreys are known to possess the arginine vasotocin (AVT) hormone utilized by all non-mammalian vertebrates. We postulated that the lamprey would possess AVT receptor orthologs of predecessors to the arginine vasopressin (AVP)/oxytocin (OXT) family of G protein-coupled receptors found in mammals, providing insights into the origins of the mammalian V1A, V1B, V2 and OXT receptors. Among the earliest animals to diverge from the vertebrate lineage in which these receptors are characterized is the jawed, cartilaginous elephant shark, which has genes orthologous to all four mammalian receptor types. Therefore, our work was aimed at helping resolve the critical gap concerning the outcomes of hypothesized large-scale (whole-genome) duplication events. We sequenced one partial and four full-length putative lamprey AVT receptor genes and determined their mRNA expression patterns in 15 distinct tissues. Phylogenetically, three of the full-coding genes possess structural characteristics of the V1 clade containing the V1A, V1B and OXT receptors. Another full-length coding gene and the partial sequence are part of the V2 clade and appear to be most closely related to the newly established V2B and V2C receptor subtypes. Our synteny analysis also utilizing the Japanese lamprey (Lethenteron japonicum) genome supports the recent proposal that jawless and jawed vertebrates shared one-round (1R) of WGD as the most likely scenario.
Providing Access to Academic Content for High-School Students With Significant Intellectual Disability Through Interactive Videos:

There has been a slight increase in the number of studies focused on the strategies used to introduce content-based instruction to students with moderate/severe disability. However, interventions for students with significant intellectual disability (ID) are lacking adapted materials to make instruction available in all major academic areas including social studies. This multiple baseline study examined the effects of adapted videos for improving factual comprehension of non-fiction clips by four high school students with significant ID. Video adaptations included picture/word-based closed captions and interactive video searching for answers. According to the visual analyses, students performed better with adapted and interactive video clips. Furthermore, social validity interviews revealed that all students enjoyed the adapted and interactive videos and found them beneficial. Limitations and directions for future research in the area of adapted and interactive video instruction are discussed.
Fault Management in Map-Reduce Through Early Detection of Anomalous Nodes

Map-Reduce frameworks such as Hadoop have built-in fault-tolerance mechanisms that allow jobs to run to completion even in the presence of certain faults. However, these jobs can experience severe performance penalties under faulty conditions. In this paper, we present Fault-Managed Map-Reduce (FMR) which augments Hadoop with the functionality to mitigate job execution time penalties. FMR uses an anomaly detection algorithm based on sparse coding to anticipate a faulty slave node. This proposed technique has the following key advantages: (1) model training uses only normal-class data, (2) time taken for prediction is less than a second, and (3) confidence estimates are produced along with the anomaly prediction. FMR uses the result of anomaly detection to invoke a closed-loop recovery action, namely dynamic resource scaling. A scaling heuristic is proposed to determine the extent of scaling necessary to reduce impending performance penalty. FMR facilitates practical adoption by being implemented as a set of libraries and scripts that require no changes to the underlying source code of Hadoop. A set of realistic Map-Reduce applications were studied through a few thousand job executions on a 72-node Hadoop testbed. Detailed empirical evaluation shows that FMR successfully mitigates performance penalties from 119% down to 14%, averaged across experiments.
Effect of estrogen on flow-induced dilation in NO deficiency: role of prostaglandins and EDHF

To investigate the role of estrogen in flow-induced dilation (FiD) in nitric oxide (NO) deficiency, FiD was examined in isolated gracilis arterioles of ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX rats with estrog...
Water on the Rocks: Oil Shale Water Rights in Colorado

This report provides a summary and analysis of the water rights, mostly conditional, established in support of eventual oil shale development in western Colorado.
Basic properties and characterizations of incremental stability prioritizing flow time for a class of hybrid systems

This paper introduces incremental stability notions for a class of hybrid dynamical systems given in terms of differential equations and difference equations with state constraints. The specific class of hybrid systems considered are those that do not have consecutive jumps nor Zeno behavior. The notion of incremental asymptotic stability is used to describe the behavior of the distance between every pair of solutions to the system having stable behavior (incremental stability) and approaching zero asymptotically (incremental attractivity). A version of this notion that is uniform (in hybrid time) with respect to initial conditions is also introduced. These notions prioritize flow time and are illustrated in examples. Basic properties of the class of systems are considered and those implied by the new notions are revealed. An equivalence characterization of the uniform notion is provided in terms of a KL-function. Moreover, sufficient and necessary conditions under which asymptotic stability implies the new incremental notions are provided. We consider the case when the original hybrid system has an asymptotically stable compact set and also the case when an auxiliary hybrid system, which has twice the dimension of the original system, has a diagonal-like set asymptotically stable.
Monte Rey Methods for Unscented Optimization

Unscented optimization offers a simple approach for solving stochastic programming problems. Optimization problems with uncertainty appear in nearly all aspects of guidance and control: air-traffic control, missile guidance, mission planning, pilot modeling etc. The uncertain parameters in many of these problems have a boundary defined by the laws of physics. Some of the strategies used in the selection of sigma points for unscented optimization may not lie in the support of the distribution. The alternative of using cubature points with nonnegative weights is limited by the curse of dimensionality. Monte Carlo sampling is very simple, but it generates a large scale optimization problem. The new idea of Monte Rey sampling provides a balance between simplicity, accuracy and scalability. These ideas are used in this paper to develop an unscented approach for risk-cost management. Results for a sample chance-constrained problem demonstrate a reduction in risk by over a factor of three when compared to deterministic optimization.
Spatial Ecology and Survivorship of Resident and Translocated Hognose Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos)

Movements and survivorship of eight resident and eight translocated adult Heterodon platirhinos were monitored daily with radiotelemetry during the activity seasons (15 April-15 October) of 1992 to 1994 in upland open forest habitat. Hognose snakes were diurnally active and used a variety of open and edge micro- habitats with grassy or leafy groundcover. Resident snakes were active on about 57% of days but some were inactive for extended periods (up to 68 d) in midsummer. Residents confined their movements within large (x = 50 ha), well-defined home ranges which, for individuals, remained similar in size and location from year- to-year. Movements of both resident and translocated snakes averaged approximately 120 m/d, but movements of residents were confined to home ranges whereas those of translocated snakes were not so confined. Com- pared to residents, translocated snakes exhibited a 6x greater variance in distance of daily movements and made most of the long (>400 m/d), unidirectional movements. Resident snakes survived, on average, more than 3x longer (x = 122 d) than translocated snakes (x = 36 d) within the 184 d annual activity season.
Disparities in Vision Loss Due to Cataracts in Hispanic Women in the United States.

ABSTRACTPurpose: To review the current literature on the prevalence of cataract in Hispanic females living in the United States. Methods: Review relevant literature on cataract, eye disease, and health practices of Hispanics living in the U.S. Results: Females comprise 64.5% of blind persons worldwide. Internationally, female gender is associated with lower awareness of cataract and other diseases of the eye and women are less likely to have cataract surgery than men in low- and middle-income countries. Conclusion: Hispanic women receive disparate care compared to their male counterparts. The etiology of this is likely multifactorial but possible contributors include genetics, gender roles, and personal healthcare decisions. Interventions to address this disparity should be targeted, efficient, and sustainable.
LEGAL DILEMMA AND OUTLET IN METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT

Methadone substitution treatment,also called methadone maintenance treatment (MMT),is the most effective way of treating opiate addicts at community health organizations. MMT could reduce the spread of HIV and help drug users to Abstain from heroin addiction. MMT has been developed rapidly in recent years,and obtained both economic benefits and social benefits. In practice,multi-sectors as well as several laws rules were involved in MMT. However,the governance of MMT faces legal dilemma in organization limitition,administrative license,drug package,organization inner administration. It is needed to perfect some legal systems,such as the formulation of MMT protocol,responsibility system,and disputes settlement,governance procedure etc.
Discussion on Leukocyte Count Limit of Workers Exposed to Benzene

[Objective]To investigate the pros and cons of leukocyte count limits of workers exposed to benzene in the occupational health examination.[Methods]Occupational health examination data of a certain district of Beijing City were analyzed between 2009-2010 retrospectively.[Results]The leukocyte count of 8% workers exposed to benzene from 57 enterprises of various types(2772 person-time) during the physical examination was less than 4.5 ×109/L,with no symptom.After review and regularly observed by qualified medical institutions,except for 4 workers(leukocyte count between 4.1 ～ 4.4),the others had no abnormalities.In the same period,a total of 4247 workers exposed to benzene received the pre-service physical examination,8.6% of them leukocyte count was less than 4.5 × 109 /L which was similar to the previous data.[Conclusion]Leukocyte count limits of workers exposed to benzene in the occupational health examination should be back to 4.0 × 109 /L,to protect the employment rights of staff in post and job seekers.
RESEARCH ON CHARACTERISTICS AND HEALTHY PERSONALITY CULTIVATION OF POOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

The personality cultivation of poverty-stricken college students is a problem worthy of attention during the course of China higher education reform.By analyzing the characteristics of poor college students,this paper finds poverty renders college students generally have unhealthy personality characteristics of strong inferiority complex,reclusive autism,low social boldness,poor social communication,high anxious sentiment and strong jealousy.And those characteristics have serious impact on poor college students' growth,progress and sound development.Therefore,this paper puts forward countermeasures to stimulate the healthy personality cultivation of poor college students from the perspective of society,colleges and universities and impoverished students.
MR imaging of the adrenal neoplasms.

SUMMARY The most commonly encountered adrenal mass is the non-hyperfunctioning adrenal adenoma. Chemical-shift MR imaging can detect and characterize these adrenal masses as benign but cannot distinguish between hypersecreting and nonhyper-secreting adrenal adenomas. Because of its direct multiplanar capability and superb soft tissue contrast, MR imaging can detect and potentially characterize other adrenal neoplasms.
Coping measurement: Creating short form of Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale using item response theory and patients dealing with chronic and acute health conditions.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to enhance the CAPS tool by clarifying the concept of coping, using item response theory (IRT) to shorten and assess the metric equivalence of the scale, and testing the preliminary validity of the resulting shortened scale. Methods A descriptive design of participants from different ethnic backgrounds was employed (USA n=347 and Panama n=327). To select items for the shortened CAPS, a well-established multi-step process grounded in IRT was used. Further, a coping ladder was created to approximate the a priori perceived location/difficulty of each item along the coping trait scale. Items for the shortened scale were selected based on considerations central to the middle range theory of coping and adaptation processing and the results of the item calibration and model testing. Results A total of 15 items were selected. The selected items were well distributed on the coping ladder and all basic subconcepts of the middle range theory were included. Further the sum of the DIF size for the selected short form items is −0.01, so the overall bias of the total score is minimal. Finally, concurrent and divergent validity of the new scale was demonstrated in two separate correlational studies. Conclusion The 15-item Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale (CAPS)--Short-Form can be a practical tool to effectively and efficiently measure coping and adaptation in both practice and research for people dealing with both chronic and acute health conditions.
Chapter 29 – Seafood Proteins and Human Health

The role of diet in maintenance of health has been well recognized and is commonly accepted. Numerous seafood products have attracted the attention of nutritionists and dieticians as a source of proteins physiologically important in human health. Educational campaigns undertaken in the last decades have been successful in raising the awareness of the importance of balanced intake of dietary protein and other macro- and micronutrients. This chapter discusses the nutritional importance of seafood muscle proteins. In the beginning, it briefly covers the structure and composition of seafood muscle as it pertains to better understanding of the nutritional value of seafood proteins. In the end, it introduces a relatively novel method to isolate seafood muscle proteins from underutilized, as well as, undervalued aquatic resources including by-products resulting from their processing. Further, their potential health benefits are succinctly discussed.
Distributed power allocation for spectrum sharing in mutually interfering wireless systems

Abstract Allocation of transmit power is critical for spectrum sharing and coexistence of mutually interfering wireless systems. In this paper we present a novel approach for allocation of transmit power, which is based on a non-greedy procedure that aims at maximizing transmission rate while also controlling interference levels. The proposed approach is fully distributed and requires no central control or coordination. Numerical results obtained from simulations are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed approach in both sparse and dense environments. In sparse wireless environments, where there are fewer mutually interfering wireless links than available frequency bands, the proposed approach yields power allocations which outperform those obtained by applying alternative power allocation strategies, while in dense environments, where there are more interfering links than available frequency bands, the proposed approach yields power allocations with performance similar to those of existing power strategies. Thus, the distributed power allocation procedure based on the proposed approach is a drop-in replacement algorithm that yields better system throughput than existing algorithms for spectrum sharing.
Testing for Construct Bias in the Differential Ability Scales, Second Edition: A Comparison Among African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Caucasian Children:

Individually administered intelligence measures are commonly used in diagnostic work, but there is a continuing need for research investigating possible test bias among these measures. One current ...
Evaluation of criteria for exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension in patients with resting pulmonary hypertension.

Exercise-induced PH defined by the mPAP-CO relationship may lack sensitivity for detecting pulmonary vascular disease http://ow.ly/v0r330dVzxr
Radiation-induced grain subdivision and bubble formation in U3Si2 at LWR temperature

Abstract U3Si2, an advanced fuel form proposed for light water reactors (LWRs), has excellent thermal conductivity and a high fissile element density. However, limited understanding of the radiation performance and fission gas behavior of U3Si2 is available at LWR conditions. This study explores the irradiation behavior of U3Si2 by 300 keV Xe+ ion beam bombardment combining with in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. The crystal structure of U3Si2 is stable against radiation-induced amorphization at 350 °C even up to a very high dose of 64 displacements per atom (dpa). Grain subdivision of U3Si2 occurs at a relatively low dose of 0.8 dpa and continues to above 48 dpa, leading to the formation of high-density nanoparticles. Nano-sized Xe gas bubbles prevail at a dose of 24 dpa, and Xe bubble coalescence was identified with the increase of irradiation dose. The volumetric swelling resulting from Xe gas bubble formation and coalescence was estimated with respect to radiation dose, and a 2.2% volumetric swelling was observed for U3Si2 irradiated at 64 dpa. Due to extremely high susceptibility to oxidation, the nano-sized U3Si2 grains upon radiation-induced grain subdivision were oxidized to nanocrystalline UO2 in a high vacuum chamber for TEM observation, eventually leading to the formation of UO2 nanocrystallites stable up to 80 dpa.
3D vascular anatomy of the presacral space: impact of age and adiposity

Defining patient characteristics that alter vascular anatomy at the sacrum is critical for avoiding life-threatening bleeding at the time of sacrocolpopexy. We tested the hypothesis that in thinner/older women, the bifurcations of the aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC) are lower relative to S1 resulting in less space accessible for suture/mesh placement, placing this group at increased risk of major vascular injury. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, CT scans were used to make 2D measurements and a 3D model of the aorta/IVC, intervertebral disc space, and bony anatomy using segmentation and modeling software. For analysis, Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation, Student’s t test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used along with multivariate analysis of variance. Of eligible women who had undergone abdominal/pelvic CT, 107 were included. The median locations of the aortic and IVC bifurcations utilizing 2D analysis were at the inferior L4 and middle L5 vertebral body, respectively. In 10.2% of patients, the IVC was located at the L5-S1 disc space or lower; however, 3D modeling of this space which allowed assessment of the area below the S1 “drop off” showed that the amount of accessible space for suture/mesh placement was not decreased. Utilizing 2D analysis there was no statistically significant independent correlation between age or adiposity and the aortic or IVC bifurcation. Patients who were both elderly and thinner had a lower aortic bifurcation (p = 0.005) and a trend towards a lower IVC bifurcation (p = 0.082). In 10.2% of women, the IVC bifurcation descended at or below the L5-S1 disc space, suggesting that this group of women is at increased risk of major vascular injury. Patients who were both thin and elderly had lower bifurcations, but there was no difference in accessible surface area for suture placement on 3D analysis. 3D modeling improved visualization of the anatomy beyond the S1 “drop off” and may provide a future tool for surgical planning once predictors of high-risk anatomy are defined.
A selective somatostatin type-2 receptor agonist inhibits neointimal thickening and enhances endothelial cell growth and morphology following aortic balloon injury in the rabbit.

Somatostatin analogs have been shown to inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and attenuate neointimal thickening following experimental balloon catheter injury. In this study, the effects of a selective agonist for the somatostatin receptor subtype 2, PRL-2486, on neointimal thickening and endothelial cell regrowth 2 weeks following balloon catheterization of male New Zealand White rabbits were determined. Rabbits treated 2 days prior to and 2 weeks after catheter injury with 10 μg/kg/day PRL-2486 (PRL-tx) had decreased I/M ratios (intimal area/medial area × 100; p < 0.05) but had no effect at lower (5 μg/kg/day) or higher (20 μg/kg/day) doses. PRL-tx had significantly decreased VSMC proliferation compared to untreated animals. PRL-tx increased endothelial regrowth by over 2-fold (p < 0.002) and improved endothelial cell morphology. Endothelial-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine were attenuated by catheter injury, and were not improved with PRL-tx. These data suggest that the PRL-2486-mediated inhibition of neointimal thickening exhibits a bell-shaped dose-response curve. This inhibition may be due in part to decreased VSMC proliferation, which may be a function of enhanced endothelial regrowth, but not the return of endothelium-dependent vascular function.
A description of teacher-student verbal interactions in a resource room versus regular classrooms.

The focus of this study was the description and classification of verbal operants as described by Skinner (1957) that were used by a resource room teacher and two regular education teachers, the compliance responses of two students identified as learning disabled who attended all three classes, and the actual tasks that existed in each setting. These descriptions were used to compare the similarities and differences that may account for student success in a resource classroom and lack of success in mainstream classrooms. The results indicated that the verbal operants could be used to determine the tasks that existed in each setting. Comparisons showed that the greatest differences among the settings existed in the type of “mand” stated, the proportion of instructional to management “mands,” the frequency of compliance to instructional “mands,” and the teacher consequence for compliance or non-compliance with “mands.”
Residues of thiamethoxam and mefenoxam in vegetative and floral tissue of soybean at the early reproductive stage resulting from seed treatments.

Abstract Thiamethoxam with mefenoxam is the most widely used neonicotinoid insecticide/fungicide mixture applied to soybean (Glycine max [L]) as seed treatments. Based on the systemic nature of thiamethoxam and mefenoxam, residues of this insecticide/fungicide mixture may be present in soybean vegetative and floral tissue and negatively impact beneficial insects. Although neonicotinoids are often applied in combination with systemic fungicides, the research on ecological risks of neonicotinoids has been focused on the analysis of these compounds without considering their interaction with other agrochemicals. The objective of this study was to identify the concentration of thiamethoxam and mefenoxam in soybean flowers and leaves during early reproductive soybean stages. A field experiment with three treatments: a thiamethoxam-mefenoxam combination, thiamethoxam only, and untreated seeds, was conducted. Flowers were collected during early reproductive soybean stages R1-R2 at different locations in Nebraska during two years. Quantification of the pesticides in floral tissue was conducted using a modification of the QuEChErs extraction method and HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Mean concentrations of thiamethoxam and mefenoxam in floral and vegetative tissue were exteremely low or not detected although trace levels of thiamethoxam were higher in floral tissues from seed treatments relative to the control. The only residue consistently detected above the method detection limit among plants grown from thiamethoxam treated seeds was the thiamethoxiam metabolite, clothianidin. Results from this study provide important baseline information to estimate the window of activity for this compound in soybean in the North Central Region of the United States.
Xenotransplantation of Human PSC-derived Microglia Creates a Chimeric Mouse Brain Model that Recapitulates Features of Adult Human Microglia

Abstract Microglia, the brain-resident macrophages, exhibit highly dynamic functions in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. Human microglia possess unique features as compared to mouse microglia, but our understanding of human microglial functions is largely limited by an inability to obtain human microglia under resting, homeostatic states. We developed a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based microglial chimeric mouse brain model by transplanting hPSC-derived primitive macrophage precursors into neonatal mouse brains. The engrafted human microglia widely disperse in the brain and replace mouse microglia in corpus callosum at 6 months post-transplantation. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of the hPSC microglial chimeric mouse brains reveals that xenografted hPSC-derived microglia largely retain human microglial identity, as they exhibit signature gene expression patterns consistent with physiological human microglia and recapitulate heterogeneity of adult human microglia. Importantly, the chimeric mouse brain also models species-specific transcriptomic differences in the expression of neurological disease-risk genes in microglia. This model will serve as a novel tool to study the role of human microglia in brain development and degeneration.
Incomplete influenza A virus genomes occur frequently but are readily complemented during localized viral spread

Segmentation of viral genomes into multiple RNAs creates the potential for replication of incomplete viral genomes (IVGs). Here we use a single-cell approach to quantify influenza A virus IVGs and examine their fitness implications. We find that each segment of influenza A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2) virus has a 58% probability of being replicated in a cell infected with a single virion. Theoretical methods predict that IVGs carry high costs in a well-mixed system, as 3.6 virions are required for replication of a full genome. Spatial structure is predicted to mitigate these costs, however, and experimental manipulations of spatial structure indicate that local spread facilitates complementation. A virus entirely dependent on co-infection was used to assess relevance of IVGs in vivo. This virus grows robustly in guinea pigs, but is less infectious and does not transmit. Thus, co-infection allows IVGs to contribute to within-host spread, but complete genomes may be critical for transmission. The genome of influenza is often incomplete in infected cells, but the implications for infection remain unclear. Here, Jacobs et al. show that an average of 3.6 particles is necessary for productive infection and that coinfection supports efficient complementation within a host but not upon transmission to a new host.
Strong Hydration at the Poly(ethylene glycol) Brush/Albumin Solution Interface

Albumin molecules are extensively used as biocompatible coatings, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) materials are widely used for antifouling. PEG materials have excellent antifouling property because of their strong surface hydration. Our previous research indicates that hydration at the PEG/bovine serum albumin solution interface is stronger than that at the PEG/water interface. This research shows that this observation is general for different types of albumin molecules. Different albumins including bovine, porcine, rat, rabbit, and sheep serum albumins were studied in this research. It was found that the hydration at the PEG methacrylate (pOEGMA)/albumin solution interface is always stronger than that at the pOEGMA/water interface. Here, we define "strong interfacial hydration" as "ordered strongly hydrogen-bonded interfacial water". We believe that such a strong hydration is because of the strong hydration on the albumin surface, leading to its biocompatible property. All of the albumin molecules demonstrated stronger hydration on the pOEGMA surface compared to other protein molecules such as lysozyme and fibrinogen. The strong hydration on albumin molecules is related to the high surface coverage of glutamic acid and lysine with similar amounts.
Estimable intra-age, intra-period, and intra-cohort effects in age-period-cohort multiple classification models

Even if a researcher found a constraint that correctly identified an age-period-cohort multiple classification (APCMC) model, the results would not address the issue of how stable these effects are within ages, periods, or cohorts. This occurs because APCMC models are based on the main effects for each age group, each period, and each cohort, and these main effects only assess the additive effects of ages, periods, and cohorts. The main effects of ages are constant across periods and cohorts, the main effects of periods are constant across ages and cohorts, and the main effects of cohorts are constant across ages and periods. I present a method for assessing the stability of age effects within ages, period effects within periods, and cohort effects within cohorts. For example, does the cohort effect for a specific cohort diminish as the cohort ages or is it enhanced; is the period effect for a particular period stronger for younger aged people than for older aged people or does only a single age-group in a particular period deviate from the trend within that period. The proposed measures of the stability of these effects are based on estimable functions from the full APCMC model. Such functions are the same no matter which just identifying constraint is applied to the APCMC model. I illustrate the use of this approach using homicide arrest data for the United States from 1965 to 2015.
Challenges and opportunities related to the objective assessment of physical activity within U.S. health surveys

Public health surveillance is a vital component in the assessment of health-related behaviors such as physical activity (PA). With multiple active national health surveys in the United States, questions arise about how data are collected, what each data source contributes to the overall knowledge base about PA and health outcomes, and how to interpret PA data from different data sources to gain an understanding about PA at the population level. This article highlights specifically the challenges and opportunities with using wearable devices in population-level PA assessment. A major challenge faced by PA assessment researchers is that of which assessment methods and evaluation tools to use and under what circumstances to use them. This article discusses issues related to (1) what device to use, (2) how to collect data, (3) how to process data, (4) how to analyze the data, and (5) how to report the procedures used. These decisions shape not only the data collection process including collection time and cost but also directly impact data analysis and subsequently the outcomes of interest. This article discusses the implications of using different assessment methods and evaluation tools and how the use of sensor-based tools may impact the future of PA assessment at the population level. There are a number of opportunities emerging for population-level assessment of PA due in part to the technological advances occurring with wearable technology. These opportunities may afford surveillance systems new data streams to bolster what is currently being collected to provide more robust estimates of PA and other health behaviors. The article concludes with some discussion about how the landscape of population-level PA assessment is changing, thanks to increasing opportunities to collect wearable device data. With new data streams becoming available through advanced wearable devices containing multiple sensor types and the opportunity for corporate partnerships, the way PA is being assessed could change considerably in the near future. While acknowledging the limitations of wearable technology, it is an exciting time for PA assessment, given the possibilities on the horizon.