cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Balanced Approach to the Aircraft Design

Aircraft design comprises several disciplines that need to be integrated during the design of a new aircraft to provide qualitative as well as quantitative data for the design candidates. This data then needs to be analyzed through structured design methods to ensure that design requirements are met and design objectives are achieved. A multidisciplinary design and optimization methodology (MDO) has been developed for providing high fidelity design data from Computer Aided Design, Engineering and Manufacturing (CAD, CAE and CAM) Tools for the conceptual design of an aircraft. The methodology provides qualitative and quantitative design data for a number of concepts being considered for a given design problem. Structured design methods, the most effective means for fulfilling the design requirements, are illustrated to be applied with actual design data for the design concepts, thus eliminating arbitrariness that usually shadows their traditional application based on guess work, experience or “intuition”. The concept of Balanced Design was introduced by Stuart Pugh to address qualitative and quantitative aspects of the design in “balanced” manner. Pugh’s method is applied to MALE UAV Design as the MDO methodology provides Qualitative and the Quantitative design data for merging two bounds of the Balanced Design. Creativity Bound is realized through CAD geometry definition whereas CAE tools enable the other bound called Analysis boundary.
Quantitative study of prostate cancer using three dimensional fiber tractography

AIM: To investigate feasibility of a quantitative study of prostate cancer using three dimensional (3D) fiber tractography. METHODS: In this institutional review board approved retrospective study, 24 men with biopsy proven prostate cancer underwent prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an endorectal coil on a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Single shot echo-planar diffusion weighted images were acquired with b = 0.600 s/mm2, six gradient directions. Open-source available software TrackVis and its Diffusion Toolkit were used to generate diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) map and 3D fiber tracts. Multiple 3D spherical regions of interest were drawn over the areas of tumor and healthy prostatic parenchyma to measure tract density, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA), which were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: DTI tractography showed rich fiber tract anatomy with tract heterogeneity. Mean tumor region and normal parenchymal tract densities were 2.53 and 3.37 respectively (P < 0.001). In the tumor, mean ADC was 0.0011 × 10-3 mm2/s vs 0.0014 × 10-3 mm2/s in the normal parenchyma (P < 0.001). The FA values for tumor and normal parenchyma were 0.2047 and 0.2259 respectively (P = 0.3819). CONCLUSION: DTI tractography of the prostate is feasible and depicts congregate fibers within the gland. Tract density may offer new biomarker to distinguish tumor from normal tissue.
Determination of melamine in milk by GC/MS

Objective:To establish a method for determination of melamine residues in milk by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry(GC/MS).Methods:The melamine in sample was detected on a MCX cartridge after the protein was precipitated.The purified was derivatized,and detected with GC/MS.Results:The recovery rates were 82.3%～117.0% and RSD10%,the limit of determination was 0.5 μg/g.Conclusion:The method is sensitive,accurate and has a effective clean-up,so it could be used for determination of melamine in common milk.
Effects of Modulation Periods on Structure and Adhesion Strength of TiN/Ti Multilayer Films

TiN/Ti multilayer films were deposited on Ti6Al4 Vsubstrate by alternatively depositing Ti layer and TiN layer in a reactive magnetron sputtering system,in order to explore the effects of modulation periods on microstructure and adhesion strength between films and substrate.The crystal structure,microstructure,hardness and adhesion strength between the films and the substrate were investigated by XRD,SEM,microhardness instrument and scratch test apparatus,respectively.The results show that all the TiN/Ti multilayer films contain three phases:Ti,TiN and Ti2 N.SEM characterization shows that all the TiN/Ti multilayer films are column microstructure.For the films with high modulation period(5layers),the interfaces between the Ti layer and the TiN layer can be clearly seen.With the decrease of the modulation period(increase of layer number),these interfaces gradually disappear.The microhardness of the TiN/Ti multilayer thin films is higher than that of the TiN single layer films.However,for the TiN/Ti multilayer thin films,with the increase of the number of layers,the microhardness slightly decreases.In addition,the adhesion strength of the TiN/Ti multilayer thin films with 30 layers is up to 73 N,which is much higher than that of the TiN single layer films.
Computer Aided Tissue Engineering: Overview, Scope and Challenges(Part I)

Advances in computer-aided technology and its integration with biology, engineering, and information technology to tissue engineering application have developed a new field of computer-aided tissue engineering(CATE).This emerging field encompasses computer-aided design,imaging process, manufacturing, and solid freeform fabrication for modeling, designing, simulation, and manufacturing of biological tissue and organ substitutes. This paper presents some salient advances in this field, particularly in computer-aided tissue modeling, computer-aided tissue informatics, and computer-aided tissue scaffold design and fabrication. Methodologies of development of CATE modeling from high resolution non-invasive imaging and image-based 3D reconstruction, and various reconstructive techniques for CAD based tissue modeling generation will be described. The latest development in solid freeform fabrication to tissue engineering and a framework of bio-blueprint modeling for 3D cell and organ printing will also be introduced.
From contrastive rhetoric to intercultural rhetoric : A search for collective identity

Contrastive rhetoric (CR) has come under sharp criticism in recent years. This chapter first traces CR’s emphasis on textual differences in students’ writing to its historical link to formal linguistics, delineating the reach and limitations of such an approach. Then, examining the major criticisms leveled against CR, it suggests that the criticism reflects the changing theoretical winds in Western academia. CR, with its continuing focus on the demonstrable linguistic traits of writing rather than their ideological implications, is vulnerable to charges of political neutrality, if not naivete. Finally, it posits that intercultural rhetoric, by including qualitative research with expanded notions of culture, will offer both insights to teaching writing to non-native speakers of English and alternatives to the dominant discourse.
Biological Control and Pollination Services on Organic Farms

Organic farming is an ecologically responsible method of food production encompassing “holistic production systems that promote and enhance agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity” (Dabbert et al. 2004) (Fig. 3.1). In contrast, many conventional farming systems sacrifice ecosystem services including biological control, pollination, and soil conservation for short-term increases in yield (Fig. 3.1). By conserving ecosystem services, organic farms generally produce yields only slightly lower than conventional farms with significantly less inputs (Crowder and Reganold 2015) (Fig. 3.1). The combination of high yields and organic premiums, which are paid by consumers in part because organic farming is considered more environmentally friendly, allows organic farms to often exceed the profits of conventional farms (Crowder and Reganold 2015).
Complementary Glycomic Analyses of Sera Derived from Colorectal Cancer Patients by MALDI-TOF-MS and Microchip Electrophoresis.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in the United States, yet there are no reliable noninvasive early screening methods available. Serum-based glycomic profiling has the necessary sensitivity and specificity to distinguish disease states and provide diagnostic potential for this deadly form of cancer. We applied microchip electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-MS-based glycomic procedures to 20 control serum samples and 42 samples provided by patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Within the identified glycans, the position of fucose units was located to quantitate possible changes of fucosyl isomeric species associated with the pathological condition. MALDI-MS data revealed several fucosylated tri- and tetra-antennary glycans which were significantly elevated in their abundance levels in the cancer samples and distinguished the control samples from the colorectal cancer cohort in the comprehensive profiles. When compared to other cancers studied previously, some unique changes appear to be a...
Medication Costs and Adherence of Treatment Before and After the Affordable Care Act: 1999–2015

To examine national changes in rates of cost-related prescription nonadherence (CRN) by age group, we used data from the 1999–2015 Sample Adult and Sample Child National Health Interview Surveys (n = 768 781). In a logistic regression analysis of 2015 data, we identified subgroups at risk for cost-related nonadherence.The proportion of all Americans who did not fill a prescription in the previous 12 months because they could not afford it grew from 1999 to 2009, peaking at 8.3% at the height of the Great Recession and dropping to 5.2% by 2015. CRN among seniors, however, peaked in 2004 at 5.4% and dropped to 3.6% after implementation of Medicare Part D in 2006.CRN is responsive to improved access related to implementation of Medicare Part D and the Affordable Care Act.
Biophysical Characterization of Membrane Pores Formed by Amyloid Beta(25-35)

Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) by a yet unidentified mechanism. In brain tissue, Aβ occurs in various forms, including a undecapeptide Aβ(25-35) (GSNKGAIIGLM), which exerts neurotoxic effect through mitochondrial dysfunction and/or Ca2+-permeable pore formation in cell membranes. This work was aimed at biophysical characterization of pores formed by Aβ(25-35) in membranes of unilamellar vesicles composed of zwitterionic POPC, acidic POPG, and varying fractions of cholesterol. Vesicles were made by extrusion, in a buffer containing 6 mM Quin-2, a Ca2+-dependent fluorophore. External Quin-2 was removed using a Sephadex G-50 column, and 6 mM CaCl2 was added externally to the vesicles. Aβ(25-35) was incubated in an aqueous buffer for 3 hours to form oligomers, and was added to the vesicles, resulting in gradual increase in Quin-2 fluorescence, interpreted in terms of membrane pore formation by the peptide, Ca2+ influx and binding to intravesicular Quin-2. The positive and negative controls involved addition of a non-fluorescent calcium ionophore Br-A23187 or blank buffer, respectively. The pore forming activity of Aβ(25-35) was dependent on the lipid composition of the vesicles and the ionic strength of the buffer. High ionic strengths (150 mM NaCl and above) significantly suppress pore formation, indicating the importance of electrostatic interactions between the cationic peptide (Lys28) and anionic membranes. CD spectra of Aβ(25-35) in same vesicle samples displayed a minimum around 210 nm and a shoulder at 222 nm, whereas the peptide in a buffer without lipid showed a minimum around 206 nm, indicating membrane induced α-helix formation. The effect of membrane cholesterol on Aβ(25-35) pore formation is underway and may elucidate the role of cholesterol in AD pathogenesis. Combined with FTIR analysis, these studies will provide the structure and function of membrane pores formed by Aβ(25-35).
Assessing LED Lights for Visual Changes in Textile Colors

Increasingly, museums are installing energy-saving light sources, such as LED (light emitting diode) lamps. LEDs represent an evolving technology; there are concerns about the effects of light spectra on artifacts, including textiles. Many LED models do not possess the same color rendering properties that observers are accustomed to, and it is important to understand the effects that spectra can play on dyed textiles. This research focuses on the visual effects of different light spectra, including those of LEDs, on textile colorants in order to gauge the range of color differences produced. Nine early synthetic dyes and one commercial fading standard were utilized. This paper summarizes our findings to date: that LED spectra with the same color temperature can render very different observable colors, especially with saturated colors. Saturated purples were found to be extremely hard to render accurately with LEDs. Other hues may also be compromised. Experimental work indicates that color temperature, ill...
Break-induced replication links microsatellite expansion to complex genome rearrangements.

The instability of microsatellite DNA repeats is responsible for at least 40 neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, Mirkin and co-workers presented a novel mechanism for microsatellite expansions based on break-induced replication (BIR) at sites of microsatellite-induced replication stalling and fork collapse. The BIR model aims to explain single-step, large expansions of CAG/CTG trinucleotide repeats in dividing cells. BIR has been characterized extensively in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a mechanism to repair broken DNA replication forks (single-ended DSBs) and degraded telomeric DNA. However, the structural footprints of BIR-like DSB repair have been recognized in human genomic instability and tied to the etiology of diverse developmental diseases; thus, the implications of the paper by Kim et al. (Kim JC, Harris ST, Dinter T, Shah KA, et al., Nat Struct Mol Biol 24: 55–60) extend beyond trinucleotide repeat expansion in yeast and microsatellite instability in human neurological disorders. Significantly, insight into BIR-like repair can explain certain pathways of complex genome rearrangements (CGRs) initiated at non-B form microsatellite DNA in human cancers.
Table 9: [Conversation] Problem-based learning: How to incorporate into class

*No special preparation required*AÂ Welcome to ITL and this table! Join your fellow Mason instructors to informally discuss this table's topic. At the table, you will find desk copies of related resources (digital versions are available below), and an experienced Mason colleague who has experience and strategies related to this topic.AÂ AÂ Not sure what to talk about?AÂ AÂ Here are some conversation starters:Share a little about yourselves:AÂ DepartmentYears at MasonCourses you are teachingWhat excites you about teaching?What brought you to this table? What sorts of problems do professionals in your field need to be able to solve?What kinds of problems or parts of problems can lower-division students engage in even if they donA¢â¬â¢t know enough to complete a full project?How can we use modeling, peer reviews, guided learning, progress reports, and/or reflection as whole-class activities when students are working on diverse individual or team projects?What are some helpful strategies for team-based project design and management?What are some useful strategies for supporting and assessing student projects?Have an example or resource to share?AÂ AÂ Submit through this link and we'll upload it after the conference:AÂ http://library.gmu.edu/publishing/submitAÂ Still have questions?AÂ AÂ Leave a post it note on the table sign at the end of the Share-a-thon or email your questions toAÂ stearns@gmu.eduAÂ AÂ AÂ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:AÂ
Bactec Blood Culture Systems

In the mid-1950s Dr. William Johnston and colleagues from Purdue University founded a company that specialized in developing instruments to detect very low levels of carbon-14, which were marketed for use in air quality testing. In the late 1950s, the company was sold to an investor who took it in the direction of seeking government contracts to study beta radiation and develop sensitive detection devices. The desire to transition the business to development of commercial products for the private sector led to a collaboration with scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the development of the Bactec 110 ( Fig. 1A ), the company’s prototype bacterial detection system. The instrument accommodated 10 sample bottles on a rotatory device and utilized a dual-needle adaptor to penetrate the rubber septum and sample headspace gas from bottles. The technology was based on Johnston’s tritium air monitor, detecting carbon-14-labeled CO2 produced by bacteria from radiolabeled substrates in the medium ( 1 , 2 ).
Isoform-specific role of Na/K-ATPase α1 in skeletal muscle.

The distribution of Na/K-ATPase α-isoforms in skeletal muscle is unique, with α1 as the minor (15%) isoform and α2 comprising the bulk of the Na/K-ATPase pool. The acute and isoform-specific role o...
Abstract 18049: Chromosome Content of Cardiac Progenitor Cells Influences Regenerative Potential of the Heart

Introduction: Discovery of endogenous stem cells in the heart, cardiac progenitor cells (CPC), has prompted intense basic discovery in multiple experimental animal models and clinical trials in hea...
Perilipin‐2 promotes obesity and progressive fatty liver disease in mice through mechanistically distinct hepatocyte and extra‐hepatocyte actions

Key points Wild-type mice and mice with hepatocyte-specific or whole-body deletions of perilipin-2 (Plin2) were used to define hepatocyte and extra-hepatocyte effects of altered cellular lipid storage on obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathophysiology in a Western-diet (WD) model of these disorders. Extra-hepatocyte actions of Plin2 are responsible for obesity, adipose inflammation and glucose clearance abnormalities in WD-fed mice. Hepatocyte and extra-hepatic actions of Plin2 mediate fatty liver formation in WD-fed mice through distinct mechanisms. Hepatocyte-specific actions of Plin2 are primary mediators of immune cell infiltration and fibrotic injury in livers of obese mice. Abstract Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an obesity- and insulin resistance-related metabolic disorder with progressive pathology. Perilipin-2 (Plin2), a ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic lipid droplet scaffolding protein, is hypothesized to contribute to NAFLD in humans and rodent models through effects on cellular lipid metabolism. In this study, we delineate hepatocyte-specific and extra-hepatocyte Plin2 mechanisms regulating the effects of obesity and insulin resistance on NAFLD pathophysiology in mice fed an obesogenic Western-style diet (WD). Total Plin2 deletion (Plin2-Null) fully protected WD-fed mice from obesity, insulin resistance, adipose inflammation, steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis found in WT animals. Hepatocyte-specific Plin2 deletion (Plin2-HepKO) largely protected against NASH and fibrosis and partially protected against steatosis in WD-fed animals, but it did not protect against obesity, insulin resistance, or adipose inflammation. Significantly, total or hepatocyte-specific Plin2 deletion impaired WD-induced monocyte recruitment and pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization found in livers of WT mice. Analyses of the molecular and cellular processes mediating steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis identified differences in total and hepatocyte-specific actions of Plin2 on the mechanisms promoting NAFLD pathophysiology. Our results demonstrate that hepatocyte-specific actions of Plin2 are central to the initiation and pathological progression of NAFLD in obese and insulin-resistant mice through effects on immune cell recruitment and fibrogenesis. Conversely, extra-hepatocyte Plin2 actions promote NAFLD pathophysiology through effects on obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance. Our findings provide new insight into hepatocyte and extra-hepatocyte mechanisms underlying NAFLD development and progression.
Spontaneous cervical chyle fistula: A case report.

Abstract Background Cervical chylous fistulae are rare complications usually occurring from iatrogenic injury to the thoracic duct. There have been no reported cases of spontaneous chyle leaks in surgical naive necks. Methods Case report. Results A 50 year-old female presented with progressive left neck swelling without fever, dyspnea, or dysphagia. Imaging demonstrated extensive infiltrative changes of the left neck with retropharyngeal fluid extending into strap musculature and the mediastinum. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed posterior pharyngeal wall edema. Differential diagnosis included abscess versus necrotizing fasciitis. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated and she was taken to the OR for neck exploration. Intra-operatively, milky fluid was present around the carotid sheath and in the retropharyngeal space. Fluid analysis demonstrated chylomicrons and triglycerides >2400 mg/dL. Repeat imaging of the neck, chest, and abdomen did not reveal malignancy or obstructive masses. A lymphangiogram showed dilated lymphatic vessels near the cervical thoracic duct. On post-operative day four, the patient was taken back to the OR for thoracic duct ligation and biopsy of nearby tissue. Pathology demonstrated benign lymph nodes with dilated sinusoids. A low-fat diet was started and she was discharged home on hospital day nine. She has followed up regularly with no signs of recurrence. Conclusion A cervical chylous fistula usually results from iatrogenic injury to the thoracic duct. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a spontaneous cervical chyle leak.
Correction to: 3He-Rich Solar Energetic Particle Events with no Measurable 4He Intensity Increases

Correction to: Solar Phys (2019) 294:33 The original article has been corrected due to typesetting mistakes made in the last paragraph of section 2. Observations.
Adaptive covariance estimation of LiDAR-based positioning errors for UAVs

Outdoor positioning for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commonly relies on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals, which might be reflected or blocked in urban areas. Thus, additional on-board sensors such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) are desirable to aid positioning. To fuse measurements from different sensors, it is important to accurately characterize the error covariance matrices of individual sensor measurements. We propose a novel method for adaptively estimating the LiDAR-based positioning error covariance matrix based on the point cloud features surrounding the UAV. We model the position error as a multivariate Gaussian distribution and estimate its covariance matrix from individual surface and edge feature points. Simulations show that our model is more accurate than a distance-based covariance matrix model. Furthermore, we conduct an outdoor experiment that fuses global positioning system (GPS) signals and LiDAR position measurements. We demonstrate a clear improvement in the UAV's global position estimation using our adaptive covariance matrix for LiDAR-based measurements.
Trending Interconnectedness: The Value of Comparative Analysis

Global public administration represents an under-studied current within public administration scholarship, and the experiences of those who work within organizations which span international boundaries remain under studied as well. As challenges become increasingly global in nature—migration, environmental degradation, and cybersecurity threats—so must the policies to confront those challenges have international foci. International policy is administered by public servants, which in this context are international civil servants, whose work-life is governed by unique display rules. Managing the demands of those rules requires emotional labor, and in order to understand how it is experienced by international civil servants, an expanded comparative public administration must delve into both the home cultures of civil servants and the meta-culture of international public administration. “Boundary spanning” employees must balance national and subnational differences in both display rules and emotive demands. Yet, theories of emotional labor were primarily crafted within Western cultures, and scholarship has been slow to explore how the framework of emotional labor may differ around the globe. It is imperative that scholars investigate if and where differences exist in order to provide tools to international civil servants for managing their work in a diverse, global environment.
Combination of kdr mutation and detoxification gene expression associated with high tolerance for permethrin in a resistant Aedes aegypti population

Aedes aegypti, as one of the vectors transmitting several arboviruses, is a main target in mosquito control programs. Permethrin remains the major adulticide used to control these mosquitoes. The increasing percentage of permethrin resistant Aedes aegypti has become an important issue around the world. Knockdown resistance (kdr) is one of the major mechanisms related to permethrin resistance. On the other hand, detoxification genes including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), are also suggested as permethrin resistance apparatus. Here we selected a permethrin resistant (p-s) Aedes aegypti population from Florida and compared its mortality after exposure, median lethal dose (LD50), adult survivorship and larval development to several field populations. We used allele-specific PCR genotyping of the S989P, V1016I and F1534C sites in the sodium channel gene and gene expression analysis of several p450 and GSTs genes before and after permethrin exposure to determine their involvement in permethrin sensitivity between Ae. aegypti populations. Results indicated the p-s population had the highest resistance to permethrin based on LD50 and the mortality test. The larval development time did not significantly differ between the populations, however the p-s adults survived longer than the other populations. In the genotype study, p-s population had mostly homozygous mutations in all three mutant sites of the sodium channel gene. Detoxification gene expression studies showed that two p450 genes, AAEL009124 ( CYP6N12 ) and, AAEL009127 ( CYP6M11 ), were upregulated and, accession # AAEL006802, AAEL014891 (CYP6P12 ) and AAEL014619 ( CYP9J22 ) were downregulated after 120 minutes of permethrin exposure in the p-s population. These results suggest that in highly permethrin resistant Aedes aegypti populations both kdr mutations and xenobiotic metabolism might be involved. Involvement of multiple mechanisms to achieve resistance to permethrin supports the need for implementing comprehensive mosquito control measures, such as an integrated pest management strategy, so that selection pressure for resistance is decreased without compromising control efforts while new methodologies are being developed.
Demand, challenges, and marketing strategies in the retail promotion of local brand milk

This article addresses the demand and challenges for local brand milk and focuses on the marketing strategies for retail promotion. While federal and state government make efforts to promote local food purchases and consumption at the farm level, local foods face significant distribution challenges in grocers, especially in larger retail stores. Limited shelf space and high pricing by retailers impedes consumers’ purchases and results in weak competitiveness for local brands. Therefore, it is essential for local producers and “buy local” programs to understand what types of promotion and marketing strategies might be more effective in stimulating demand in retail outlets. Using 2010‐2011 Nielsen Retail Scanner data in the Northeast region, we estimate a random‐coefficient discrete choice model of demand to determine the effects of nutritional characteristics, price, packaging, and distribution strategies on the consumers’ choice to purchase locally branded milk. Results show that local brand milk faces significant demand challenges in addition to high prices and limited outlets in competing with lower‐priced products. Marketing strategies, such as price cut, one‐gallon package offering, and expanded presence in retail stores, can significantly stimulate the demand for locally branded milk, with one‐gallon package offering being the most effective strategy.
Leave some for me! The role of marketing in influencing responsible consumption during times of crisis

This conceptual paper discusses the role of marketing in advancing socially responsible consumption during times of crisis. We argue that socially responsible consumption must be expanded from its ...
The influence of CO2-transformed iron oxide grain coatings on the frictional stability and transport properties of simulated faults in sandstones

Carbon sequestration involves long-term containment of CO2 in ideally sealed reservoirs. However, CO2 migration can weaken rocks and faults by geochemical alteration, elevate risks of seismic hazards, and loss of inventory. Recent studies show that CO2 bleaching can alter the iron oxide grain coating of sand-sized quartz in sandstones, which may impose a significant influence on frictional stability and permeability evolution of faults in sandstones. This study investigates the influence of iron oxide grain coatings via coupled shear-flow experiments on uncoated, hematite-coated, and CO2-transformed goethite-coated synthetic sand gouge. Shear strength, frictional stability, healing/relaxation, and shear-parallel permeability are measured in velocity-stepping and slide-hold-slide loading modes. Hematite-coated sand exhibits the highest shear strength, followed by goethite-coated and uncoated sand. All samples, both coated and uncoated, show similar residual shear strength. Frictional stability measurements suggest hematite-coated sand may undergo potential seismic slip (negative (a − b) values); goethite-coated sand is aseismic (positive (a − b) values) but features higher frictional healing and relaxation. Shear-parallel permeability enhances during initial shear in all samples, followed by a sharp decline after the peak strength, except for goethite-coated sand, for which permeability reduction is moderate. SEM characterizations pre- and post-shear suggest that the competitive liberation, transport, and clogging of coating particles and shear-produced wear products can be an important mechanism in permeability evolution.
Differences in cancer amputee survival based on marital status: an analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

Limb amputation is a life-altering procedure used to treat certain cancer patients. The influence of psychosocial factors (such as marital status) on outcomes is poorly understood, hindering the de...
Lipid droplet screen in human hepatocytes identifies TRRAP as a regulator of cellular triglyceride metabolism

Hepatocytes store triglycerides (TGs) in the form of lipid droplets (LDs), which are increased in hepatosteatosis. The regulation of hepatic LDs is poorly understood and new therapies to reduce hepatosteatosis are needed. We performed a siRNA kinase and phosphatase screen in HuH-7 cells using high-content automated imaging of LDs. Changes in accumulated lipids were quantified with developed pipeline that measures intensity, area, and number of LDs. Selected "hits," which reduced lipid accumulation, were further validated with other lipid and expression assays. Among several siRNAs that resulted in significantly reduced LDs, one was targeted to the nuclear adapter protein, transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP). Knockdown of TRRAP reduced triglyceride accumulation in HuH-7 hepatocytes, in part by reducing C/EBPα-mediated de novo synthesis of TGs. These findings implicate TRRAP as a novel regulator of hepatic TG metabolism and nominate it as a potential drug target for hepatosteatosis.
Life of the party: The polarizing effect of foreign direct investment

Abstract As countries are becoming increasingly connected with one each other, it is essential to study the influence multinational firms have on political outcomes in the countries where they locate. This paper examines the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on party vote shares in 149 countries between 1990 and 2017. We construct a database by cataloging political parties into specific political positions. We use a measure of linguistic distance between countries to construct a novel instrumental variable using the average exchange rate of the surrounding region. With this IV, we capture the relative attractiveness of FDI in host countries. Our results indicate that increased FDI causes an increase in vote shares for right-wing parties. We also find suggestive evidence of increased left-wing support in developing countries and legislative elections. We show that more moderate parties, specifically center-right parties, generally lose vote shares as FDI increases.
Non-conventional hot rolling for improvement of mechanical properties in binary Mg-alloys

Abstract Non-conventional differential speed and confined hot rolling methods were employed to process two binary magnesium-aluminum-alloys, Mg-xAl (x = 6 and 9 wt%), with conventional rolling being used as a comparative control. The study focused on the effect of the processing methods and parameters on the efficacy of grain refinement and texture evolution through dynamic recrystallization, and eventually on the mechanical properties of the as-processed materials. Key results are summarized as follows: (1) The grain size of the Mg–6%Al and Mg–9%Al alloy plates was greatly refined after rolling; the microstructure of the plates processed by differential speed rolling (DSR) showed greater refinement than those processed by conventional rolling (CR) or confined rolling. (2) For both alloy compositions, the as-rolled plates exhibited a strong { 0001 } basal texture, regardless of CR, DSR, or confined rolling conditions. Moreover, the basal texture intensity of the plates via DSR was lower than that of the plates processed by other rolling methods. (3) The mechanical properties were significantly improved after rolling for both alloy compositions. In particular, the anisotropy of the plates processed by DSR was reduced compared to that of the plates processed by CR. As such, our research showed that DSR holds great potential in the fabrication of bulk metal components with enhanced mechanical properties and formability.
Stress analysis and probabilistic assessment of multi-layer SiC-based accident tolerant nuclear fuel cladding

Abstract Silicon carbide (SiC) fiber, SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) are being considered as a cladding material for light water reactors in order to improve safety performance. Engineered, multi-layer cladding designs consisting of both monolithic SiC (mSiC) and SiC/SiC have been examined as promising concepts to meet both strength and impermeability requirements. A new model has been developed to calculate stresses and failure probabilities for multi-layer cladding consisting of SiC-based materials in reactor operating conditions. The results show that stresses in SiC-based cladding are dominated by temperature-dependent irradiation-induced swelling, with the largest stresses occurring during the cold shutdown conditions. Failure probabilities are driven by the resulting tensile stresses at the cladding inner wall, while the outer wall is subject to compressive stresses. This indicates that the inner SiC/SiC, outer mSiC concept has the lowest failure probability, as the pseudo-plastic deformation of the composite reduces tensile loading and the compressed monolith provides a reliable, impermeable barrier to fission product release.
Large-Scale Discriminative Training for Statistical Machine Translation Using Held-Out Line Search

We introduce a new large-scale discriminative learning algorithm for machine translation that is capable of learning parameters in models with extremely sparse features. To ensure their reliable estimation and to prevent overfitting, we use a two-phase learning algorithm. First, the contribution of individual sparse features is estimated using large amounts of parallel data. Second, a small development corpus is used to determine the relative contributions of the sparse features and standard dense features. Not only does this two-phase learning approach prevent overfitting, the second pass optimizes corpus-level BLEU of the Viterbi translation of the decoder. We demonstrate significant improvements using sparse rule indicator features in three different translation tasks. To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale discriminative training algorithm capable of showing improvements over the MERT baseline with only rule indicator features in addition to the standard MERT features.
Rundum Business Intelligence

Abstract: An Hand von „Stichproben“ wird ein Uberblick uber Anwendungen der Business Intelligence gegeben. Moglichst praktisch und unterhaltsam. Wozu werden Data Warehouses gebraucht, verwendet? Das Geschaftliche sollte beim Bau von Anwendungen im Vordergrund stehen, nicht der Traum, „alles“ abfragen zu konnen! Es wird von Daten- und Menschenproblemen bei Projekten berichtet, uber den Wandel: Business Intelligence reift zu einem entscheidenden Teil der Unternehmensseele heran.
Update: nail unit dermatopathology

Nail unit dermatopathology is a growing field filled with many challenges. Many advances in this field have been made in the last 5 years. This review article provides an update on new information and studies published in that period of time. We divided these works into different sections, including clinical and pathologic challenges in diagnosis and treatment of nail disorders, nail unit biopsy and processing techniques, normal nail unit histology, nail plate structural and growth pathology, metabolic disease, inflammatory conditions, onychomycosis, benign growths, malignant growths, and dyschromias. Specific highlights include advances in the marking and orientation of nail unit biopsies for improved histologic interpretation, improved nail plate softening techniques, new methods for histologic evaluation of onychomycosis, descriptions of newly described benign growths unique to the nail unit, and the morphologic and immunohistochemical distinction between benign and malignant pigmented lesions of the nail unit.
Stability Analysis of BWR-HD: An Optimized Boiling Water Reactor with High Power Density

AbstractA boiling water reactor (BWR) with high power density (BWR-HD) was designed through an optimization search that was constrained to a square lattice fuel array. It has a power level of 5000 MW(thermal), equivalent to a 26% uprated Advanced BWR (ABWR), the latest version of operating BWR. This results in economic benefits, estimated to be ~20% capital and operations and maintenance costs and similar total fuel cycle cost per unit electricity. The stability of the ABWR and BWR-HD were assessed for the three modes of density wave oscillations: single-channel thermal hydraulics, coupled neutronic regional core oscillations, and coupled neutronic global core oscillations. The sensitivity to design parameters such as inlet subcooling, presence of water rods, and inlet orifice coefficient as well as to changes in reactor power, flow rate, and void coefficient were examined using the STAB frequency domain code. The BWR-HD’s stability performance and sensitivity were concluded to be similar to those of the ...
Tax Base Composition and Revenue Volatility: Evidence from the U.S. States

This study examines the effect of tax base composition on revenue volatility, with focus on state general sales tax and individual income tax. In doing so, extensive historical data (1992–2007) are presented on state taxation of various categories of sales and incomes that exhibit wide cross-state variations in taxable status, and revenue volatility is measured using the deviation-from-trend approach. Models of sales and income tax volatility are estimated using pooled OLS, and the analyses reveal that revenue volatility is significantly affected by how the tax base is composed. The paper concludes by discussing the policy implications of the results.
The quantification of spermatozoa by real‐time quantitative PCR, spectrophotometry, and spermatophore cap size

Many animals, such as crustaceans, insects, and salamanders, package their sperm into spermatophores, and the number of spermatozoa contained in a spermatophore is relevant to studies of sexual selection and sperm competition. We used two molecular methods, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and spectrophotometry, to estimate sperm numbers from spermatophores. First, we designed gene-specific primers that produced a single amplicon in four species of ambystomatid salamanders. A standard curve generated from cloned amplicons revealed a strong positive relationship between template DNA quantity and cycle threshold, suggesting that RT-qPCR could be used to quantify sperm in a given sample. We then extracted DNA from multiple Ambystoma maculatum spermatophores, performed RT-qPCR on each sample, and estimated template copy numbers (i.e. sperm number) using the standard curve. Second, we used spectrophotometry to determine the number of sperm per spermatophore by measuring DNA concentration relative to the genome size. We documented a significant positive relationship between the estimates of sperm number based on RT-qPCR and those based on spectrophotometry. When these molecular estimates were compared to spermatophore cap size, which in principle could predict the number of sperm contained in the spermatophore, we also found a significant positive relationship between sperm number and spermatophore cap size. This linear model allows estimates of sperm number strictly from cap size, an approach which could greatly simplify the estimation of sperm number in future studies. These methods may help explain variation in fertilization success where sperm competition is mediated by sperm quantity.
What is implicit causality

In causal dependent clauses, the preferred referent of a pronoun varies systematically with the verb in the main clause (contrast Sally frightens Mary because she … with Sally loves Mary because she …). This “implicit causality” phenomenon is understood to reflect intuitions about who caused the event. Researchers have debated whether these intuitions are based on linguistic structure or instead a function of high-level, non-linguistic cognition. Two lines of evidence support the latter conclusion: implicit causality is related to a broad social judgement task, and it is affected by general knowledge about the participants in the event. On closer inspection, neither of these claims have been established. Eight new experiments find that (a) the relationship between implicit causality and the social judgement task is tenuous, and (b) previously employed event-participant manipulations have minimal to no effect on implicit causality. These findings support an account on which implicit causality is driven pri...
Hubble Space Telescope Observations of QSO Absorption Lines Associated with Starburst Galaxy Outflows

In order to study the physical state of outflows from starburst galaxies, we have been obtaining spectra of QSOs located behind possible starburst outflows and searching for UV absorption by low-ionization gas. We have detected strong and probably complex Mg II, Mg I, and Fe II absorption arising from gas in the outer envelope of the starburst galaxy NGC 520 at a distance from the galactic nucleus of 24 h–1 kpc and possible weak Mg II absorption at a distance of 52 h–1 kpc. The detection of absorption at these distances is consistent with the idea that the size of gaseous envelopes around starburst galaxies is greatly enhanced from outflows of gas from the galaxies' nuclei, but it is also possible that the absorption arises from tidally disrupted gas associated with the interactions between NGC 520 and a dwarf galaxy companion. In the former case, the data would be consistent with starburst outflows generating the QSO absorption lines observed in extended halos at high redshift. In the latter case, the data is consistent with the low-redshift Mg II absorbers being associated with tidal debris. We have also searched for Mg II absorption along two sight lines toward NGC 253, both at a distance of 44 kpc from the galaxy. Complex structure is seen, which may arise in gas associated with NGC 253. However, any absorption at the systemic velocity of NGC 253 is expected to be close to local Galactic absorption, and indeed the Mg II lines seen toward Q0042–2450 from the Milky Way are resolved and asymmetric. However, the sight lines to this QSO pass close to the Magellanic Stream, and we suggest that, with the current data, an equally likely possibility is that the additional absorption may arise in low column density gas associated with the Stream. Further searches for high-ionization absorption lines (such as C IV and N V) from starburst outflows in NGC 253 and other galaxies may well be successful.
The Effect of Dislocations on Magnetization Near Saturation

The effect of dislocations on the magnetization curve at high fields is calculated by direct use of dislocation theory. The deviation from saturation is assumed to be due to magnetostrictive forces, localized in the stress field about the dislocation rather than at the dislocation itself; their effect is more complicated than that of the simple "line concentrations of force" considered in an earlier article. Pairs of dislocations of opposite sign, separated by a short distance, contribute a term $\frac{a}{H}$ to the deviation from saturation; in this respect they resemble line concentrations. Pairs separated by a long distance and surplus dislocations of one sign contribute a term $\frac{b}{{H}^{2}}$, with $b$ theoretically not a constant but a logarithmically varying function of $H$. From data on the variation of the empirical $a$ and $b$ with plastic strain, it is possible to calculate the density of dislocations and the "block" length if a value is assumed for the distance $Y$ between the members of a dislocation pair. The orders of magnitude obtained agree with those obtained in the theory of hardening if $Y$ is taken $\ensuremath{\cong}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ cm. It appears that all but about 1 percent of the dislocations are members of such pairs.
Photonic crystals self-assembled against templates

Self-assembly of monodispersed spherical colloids has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to fabricate three-dimensional photonic bandgap crystals. The major challenge in this field is to control the order, thickness, domain size, crystal orientation, defects, and registry of colloidal crystals. In this paper we describe a Template-Assisted Self-Assembly (TASA) approach to control the orientation of the photonic crystals. The self-assembled crystalline lattice usually has a face-center-cubic (fcc) structure with its (111) planes parallel to the surface of the solid support. In TASA process, we used an array of pyramid-shaped pits etched in a Si (100) wafer as the templates. The pits were fabricated by photolithographic patterning and anisotropic etching. Owing to the 70.6° angular geometry of the pyramid-shaped pits, monodispersed colloids nucleated and grew in a vectorial fashion exclusively within the pits to forma pattern of fcc colloidal crystals with (100) layer planes parallel to the (100) face of the single crystalline Si wafer. The small crystals in silicon pits then served as seeds to define and direct the further growth of the crystal along the direction perpendicular to the substrate. A large, (100)-oriented single crystal of colloids with well-controlled thickness was obtained if the diameter of the colloids matched the separation between adjacent pits, and if the raised edge between adjacent pits was small enough.