cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Algorithms for Joint Routing and Frame Aggregation in 802.11n Wireless Mesh Networks

A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a special type of wireless ad-hoc network, which consists of mesh clients, mesh routers and gateways to the Internet, organized in a mesh topology. The mesh clients are often laptops, cell phones and other wireless devices. Mesh routers forward traffic between mesh clients and gateways. Despite a number of promising features provided by WMNs, such as low deployment cost, self-healing, etc., the throughput of WMNs is often limited by severe congestion and collisions, and thus cannot satisfy the increasing traffic demands of numerous applications. In this paper, we study how to maximize the throughput of IEEE 802.11n WMNs by joint routing and frame aggregation. Frame aggregation is to aggregate multiple frames into a large frame before transmission, to reduce communication overhead and alleviate collisions. We first show that previous frame aggregation strategies cannot achieve optimal network throughput. We then formulate the joint problem into a linear programming (LP) problem by considering traffic in the network as flow. As most previous algorithms for LP are centralized and difficult to deploy in large-scale WMNs, we propose a distributed algorithm to solve the formulated problem, in which each mesh router determines the amount of traffic flow for its adjacent links based on the traffic information of neighbors and interfering links. However, in realistic 802.11n WMNs, traffic is transmitted in frames instead of flow, and the traffic to different routers needs to be distinguished. Thus, we further provide an algorithm to determine the routing and frame aggregation strategy for each mesh router, using the traffic flow derived from the first algorithm. We have conducted extensive simulations to evaluate the proposed algorithms and the results demonstrate that the network throughput can be significantly improved compared with existing schemes.
Homology in the Age of Developmental Genomics

The homology concept was introduced into pre-Darwinian evolutionary biology by Richard Owen as referring to “the same organ in different animals regardless of form and function”. Since then, it has played not only a fundamental role as an organizing idea in comparative anatomy but also an important role in preparing the way for evolutionary biology. Homology is the primary evidence for phylogenetic relationships among organisms, and whenever we project experimental results from a model organism onto humans, we assume homology among the mechanisms in humans and the model organism. Homology was fully integrated into the Darwinian tradition through Lankester’s redefinition as an organ in two species that is derived from the same organ in the most recent common ancestor of the two species. Nevertheless, the homology concept remains controversial primarily because it seems to escape a simple rigorous definition. Homology shares this attribute with other fundamental concepts like that of species or gene. In addition, homology is hard to pin down mechanistically. Apparently, homology is among the concepts biologists have a hard time living with but certainly can’t live without. This situation often leads to considerable frustration among biologists, and some have suggested abandoning the concept altogether and may even result in proposals to abandon the concept altogether, a move that is hardly feasible.
Cost Accounting Standards In Higher Education: Impact Of Required Changes

Beginning in January of 1995, certain institutions of higher education are required to comply with four Cost Accounting Standards and complete a disclosure statement. This study outlines these changes in cost accounting procedures and provides descriptive comments gathered through a survey of seventy universities with regards to these changes. Results indicate that complying with the revised rules affords universities the opportunity to review their costing practices and better train employees in costing procedures. However, the process has been costly in terms of both time and cash expenditures.
Summertime Marine Refractivity Conditions along Coastal California

Abstract Large vertical gradients of temperature and moisture, which are not uncommon at the top of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL), yield strong gradients in microwave refractivity that can result in anomalous electromagnetic (EM) propagation, including ducting wherein energy is strongly channeled horizontally. Of particular importance to surface radars and other microwave transmitters are surface-based ducts in which energy is ducted throughout the entire depth of the MABL. The Naval Research Laboratory’s Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) is used to define boundary layer structure during two coastal field experiments, and this model’s ability to forecast refractivity, including surface-based ducting, is assessed. At three marine sites, COAMPS shows considerable skill in MABL forecasts during the Variability of Coastal Atmospheric Refractivity experiment, although it contains biases for the MABL to be somewhat shallow and for the forecast duct strength, measured b...
Tacrolimus for the prevention and treatment of rejection of solid organ transplants

Since its introduction to the antirejection armamentarium in 1994, tacrolimus has become the workhorse of transplant professionals for avoidance of solid organ transplant rejection. Not only does tacrolimus have potent immunosuppressive qualities that prevent rejection, but dosing is straight forward and it is generally well tolerated. However, in the long term, conditions such as calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity can become a problem. A discussion of the compound, the pharmacokinetics, history, and current approved uses for tacrolimus is described. Indeed, tacrolimus is the most important drug for preventing transplant rejection. However, the increased appreciation for significant side effects, particularly in the long term, has led to building interest in new agents with different mechanisms of action and different metabolism.
The Uncanny Valley Effect in Behavioral Targeting and Information Processing of Peripheral Cues

This paper examines how young adults process information related to privacy, and how that affects their attitude towards behavioral targeted advertising. Differences between computer novices and experts were examined based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty & Cacioppo, 1984), which argues that people who have the ability to process information do so differently than those who do not have the ability. Consistent with the theory, we found that computer novices were relying on peripheral cues to process information related to security due to their lack of knowledge. We also identified an “uncanny valley” effect where people liked customization of targeted advertisements, but then became uncomfortable if the advertisements seemed to know too much of their past behavior until the suggestions were perfectly aligned with their interests.
Determinants of Flows into U.S.-Based International Mutual Funds

The last few decades has witnessed a dramatic growth of U.S.-based mutual funds that invest in non-U.S. stock markets. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of flows into these international mutual funds for 1970–2003. Our analysis uncovers several new facts about mutual fund flows. First, the empirical findings show a strong relationship between flows into U.S.-based international mutual funds and the correlation between the returns of the fund’s assets and the returns of the U.S. market, consistent with investors’ desire for international diversification. Furthermore, a stronger flow-performance relationship is observed when these correlations are low. As expected, the flows are lower when the volatility of the fund is higher. Second, the flows are related to contemporaneous and past fund returns supporting an “information asymmetry” as well as “return chasing” hypothesis for international capital flows.
Coal Swelling Model for High Heating Rate Pyrolysis Applications

Thermal swelling of coal during pyrolysis strongly influences combustion and gasification rates. Coal swelling is known to vary strongly with coal rank, heating rate, and total pressure. New experiments confirm and clarify previous observations that maximum swelling occurs for high-rank bituminous coals at heating rates slightly below 104 K/s. Advanced swelling models based on bubble physics yield good qualitative trends at low heating rates, but they fail to predict observed decreases in coal swelling as particle heating rates increase beyond 104 K/s. An empirical swelling correlation for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applications that correctly describes experimentally observed trends with the heating rate is proposed. Model parameters were fit to data from the literature using a coal rank index based on the chemical structure of the coal. The correlation has a form that allows for calculation of shrinkage for lignites, increasing swelling ratios as rank increases from sub-bituminous to bituminous ...
Evaluating Technology-Based Educational Interventions: A Review of Two Projects

The article discusses current evaluation methodologies used to assess the usability, user enjoyment, and pedagogical efficacy of virtual learning environments (VLEs) and serious games. It also describes the evaluations of two recently developed projects: a virtual learning environment that employs a fantasy 3D world to engage deaf and hearing children in math- and science-based educational tasks, and a serious game for undergraduate students' learning of sustainable building concepts and practices. Although a growing body of evidence suggests that serious games and VLEs could be advantageous and beneficial as instructional tools, research focused on their role in educational settings still lacks a unified approach to evaluating these interventions. To address this gap, the article provides an overview of current challenges associated with assessing the effectiveness of serious games and VLEs. In addition, the results from two projects provide lessons learned, and are intended to guide future efforts in de...
Biology and Host Range of the Weevil Neochetina affinis, which Feeds on Pontederiaceae in Argentina

The weevil, Neochetina affinis Hustache, developed in the fields on two species of Pontederiaceae, Eichhornia azurea (Swartz) Kunth (anchored waterhyacinth) and Pontederia (= Reussia) rotundifolia L.f. (tropical pickerelweed). Adult weevils also fed, and could possibly develop, on P. cordata L. var. lancifolia (Muhl.) Torrey (pickerelweed) but not on E. crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (waterhyacinth). In laboratory tests, adults fed most on E. azurea, less on P. rotundifolia and E. crassipes, much less on P. cordata. However, they laid most eggs on E. crassipes, half as many on P. rotundifolia, and only few on the other plants. Adult N. affinis fed mostly on leaves, making long, crescent-shaped feeding lesions along with smaller, roundish lesions; they ate an avg of 89 mm2 leaf surface/day. Adults were usually found under loose bracts on the stems of the host plant. Females in the laboratory laid an avg of 3.5 eggs/♀ per day, usually in the distal half of the petioles. Larvae in the field fed in roundish cavities in the stems where they also pupated. Duration of the egg stage was 13 days and that of the 3 larval stages was in excess of 48 days. Two generations per year occurred in the field near Buenos Aires.
Degradation Kinetics of Polymer Films in Marine and Soil Systems under Accelerated Conditions

Marine water, marine sediment and soil laboratory-scale systems were designed to carefully control exposure conditions, simulate environments and accelerate rates of degradation of polymer films. Polymer films studied include polysaccharides, thermoplastic bacterial polyesters and polymer blends. Films were characterized for changes in physical and chemical properties including surface appearance by SEM, weight changes, changes in mechanical strength, crystallinity, molecular weight by GPC and IR. Data collected on degradation kinetics in the accelerated systems will be correlated with data from polymer films studied in outdoor exposures in related marine and soil environments.
Estimating the Potential Toxicity of Chemicals Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Using Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Modeling

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 1173 chemicals associated with hydraulic fracturing fluids, flowback, or produced water, of which 1026 (87%) lack chronic oral toxicity values for human health assessments. To facilitate the ranking and prioritization of chemicals that lack toxicity values, it may be useful to employ toxicity estimates from quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. Here we describe an approach for applying the results of a QSAR model from the TOPKAT program suite, which provides estimates of the rat chronic oral lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL). Of the 1173 chemicals, TOPKAT was able to generate LOAEL estimates for 515 (44%). To address the uncertainty associated with these estimates, we assigned qualitative confidence scores (high, medium, or low) to each TOPKAT LOAEL estimate, and found 481 to be high-confidence. For 48 chemicals that had both a high-confidence TOPKAT LOAEL estimate and a chronic oral reference dose from EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, Spearman rank correlation identified 68% agreement between the two values (permutation p-value =1 × 10(-11)). These results provide support for the use of TOPKAT LOAEL estimates in identifying and prioritizing potentially hazardous chemicals. High-confidence TOPKAT LOAEL estimates were available for 389 of 1026 hydraulic fracturing-related chemicals that lack chronic oral RfVs and OSFs from EPA-identified sources, including a subset of chemicals that are frequently used in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Experimental Study of T92 Steel Aging Rigidity Change and Its Creep Life Prediction

Rigidity is an important indicator of material aging.Careful experimental study on T92 ferritic steel rigidity change after high temperature aging is conducted.The causes of rigidity change are concluded,and T92 steel's approximate creep life is extrapolated based on rigidity method.Results show that T92 steel is able to meet the 600~650 ℃ environmental requirement imposed by USC units.
Natural Capital and Economic Development

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the concept of natural capital, and to explain in more detail its role in modern economic development.
Pediatric appendicitis: state of the art review

Appendicitis is a common cause of abdominal pain in children. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease have undergone major changes in the past two decades, primarily as a result of the application of an evidence-based approach. Data from several randomized controlled trials, large database studies, and meta-analyses have fundamentally affected patient care. The best diagnostic approach is a standardized clinical pathway with a scoring system and selective imaging. Non-operative management of simple appendicitis is a reasonable option in selected cases, with the caveat that data in children remain limited. A minimally invasive (laparoscopic) appendectomy is the current standard in US and European children's hospitals. This article reviews the current 'state of the art' in the evaluation and management of pediatric appendicitis.
Environmental Coding: A New Method Using the SPELIT Environmental Analysis Matrix

The purpose of this article is to describe a new coding and data analysis method for qualitative and evaluation researchers. We label this method Environmental Coding, an adaptation of Schmieder-Ramirez and Mallette’s (2007) text, The SPELIT Power Matrix: Untangling the Organizational Environment With the SPELIT Leadership Tool, into the frameworks for qualitative data analysis outlined in Saldana’s (2016) The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Environmental Coding employs an eclectic combination of coding approaches in hermeneutic cycles to generate a multidimensional analysis of an environment’s culture and its drivers. This article uses one of Donald Trump’s initial candidate speeches for the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign to illustrate Environmental Coding in action.
Solution methods for vehicle-based inventory routing problems

Abstract A novel method for solving vehicle-based inventory routing problems (IRPs) under realistic constraints is presented. First, we propose a preprocessing algorithm that reduces the problem size by eliminating customers and network arcs that are irrelevant for the current horizon. Second, we develop a decomposition method that divides the problem into two subproblems. The upper level subproblem considers a simplified vehicle routing problem to minimize the distribution cost while satisfying minimum demands, which are calculated based on consumption rate, initial inventory and safety stock. In the lower level, a detailed schedule with drivers is acquired using a continuous-time MILP model, by adopting the routes selected from the upper level. Finally, an iterative approach based on the upper and lower levels is presented, including the addition of different types of integer cuts and parameter updates. Different options of implementing this iterative approach are discussed, and computational results are presented.
A LARGE SPLENIC HEMANGIOMA MASQUERADING AS AN “ADRENAL INCIDENTALOMA”

ABSTRACT Objective: A case is presented of a large splenic hemangioma masquerading as an adrenal tumor. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 65-year-old woman with a history of lower-extremity edema and refractory hypertension was incidentally found to have an apparent 8.5-cm left-adrenal mass on magnetic resonance imaging, suspicious for adrenal cortical carcinoma. An adrenal functional evaluation was unrevealing. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the mass with splenectomy, as the tumor was inseparable from the spleen. Final pathology revealed a 9 × 8 × 7 cm splenic hemangioma. Splenic hemangioma is a rare tumor, associated with thrombocytopenia and anemia, which can rupture and bleed. Management varies from observation to partial or total splenectomy. Several factors, including the patient's history, presentation, and imaging, contributed to the incorrect pre-operative diagnosis of an adrenal tumor. Conclusion: Adrenal incidentalomas are common. However, it is important t...
Positive Cognitive Effects of Bilingualism and Multilingualism on Cerebral Function: a Review

A review of the current literature regarding bilingualism demonstrates that bilingualism is linked to higher levels of controlled attention and inhibition in executive control and can protect against the decline of executive control in aging by contributing to cognitive reserve. Bilinguals may also have smaller vocabulary size and slower lexical retrieval for each language. The joint activation theory is proposed to explain these results. Older trilingual adults experience more protection against cognitive decline and children and young adults showed similar cognitive advantages to bilinguals in inhibitory control. Second language learners do not yet show cognitive changes associated with multilingualism. The Specificity Principle states that the acquisition of multiple languages is moderated by multiple factors and varies between experiences. Bilingualism and multilingualism are both associated with immigration but different types of multilingualism can develop depending on the situation. Cultural cues and language similarity also play a role in language switching and multiple language acquisition.
Focal Macropatch Recordings of Synaptic Currents from the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction

Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an excellent model system to study glutamatergic synaptic transmission. We describe the technique of focal macropatch recordings of synaptic currents from visualized boutons at the Drosophila larval NMJ. This technique requires customized fabrication of recording micropipettes, as well as a compound microscope equipped with a high magnification, long-distance water immersion objective, differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, and a fluorescent attachment. The recording electrode is positioned on the top of a selected synaptic bouton visualized with DIC optics, epi-fluorescence, or both. The advantage of this technique is that it allows monitoring the synaptic activity of a limited number of sites of release. The recording electrode has a diameter of several microns, and the release sites positioned outside of the electrode rim do not significantly affect the recorded currents. The recorded synaptic currents have fast kinetics and can be readily resolved. These advantages are especially important for the studies of mutant fly lines with enhanced spontaneous or asynchronous synaptic activity.
Identifying and Using Secondary Datasets to Answer Policy Questions Related to School-Based Counseling: A Step-by-Step Guide

This chapter expands knowledge of national secondary datasets with the aim of increasing policy relevant research related to school-based counseling. A brief review of benefits and challenges of national and international secondary datasets is provided. A six-step research process (i.e., gaining access to the data, becoming familiar with and evaluating the data, preparing the data for analysis, conducting appropriate analyses, interpreting results and examining policy implications, and describing the limitations of the study/data) is presented as a step-by-step guide to conducting research studies with these national and international secondary datasets. Potential policy relevant research questions pertinent to school-based counseling are discussed.
Bi-directional vibration control of offshore wind turbines using a 3D pendulum tuned mass damper

Abstract Offshore wind turbines suffer from excessive bi-directional vibrations due to wind-wave misalignment and vortex induced vibrations. However, most of existing research focus on unidirectional vibration attenuation which is inadequate for real applications. The present paper proposes a three dimensional pendulum tuned mass damper (3d-PTMD) to mitigate the tower and nacelle dynamic response in the fore-aft and side-side directions. An analytical model of the wind turbine coupled with the 3d-PTMD is established wherein the interaction between the blades, the tower and the 3d-PTMD is modeled. Aerodynamic loading is computed using the Blade Element Momentum method where the Prandtls tip loss factor and the Glauert correction are considered. JONSWAP spectrum is adopted to generate wave data. Wave loading is computed using Morisons equation in collaboration with the strip theory. Via a numerical search approach, the design formula of the 3d-PTMD is obtained and examined on a National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) monopile 5 MW baseline wind turbine model under misaligned wind, wave and seismic loading. Dual linear tuned mass dampers (TMDs) deployed in the fore-aft and side-side directions are utilized for comparison. It is found that the 3d-PTMD with a mass ratio of 2 % can improve the mitigation of the root mean square and peak response by around 10 % when compared with the dual linear TMDs in controlling the bi-directional vibration of the offshore wind turbines under misaligned wind, wave and seismic loading.
Abstract 3528: Anti-CD47 immunotherapy regulates T cell metabolism and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment

Dysfunction of infiltrating CD8+ effector T cells can be induced by hypoxia and aberrant tumor metabolite uptake in the microenvironment causing an “exhausted” T cell phenotype that limits anti-tumor immunosurveilance. Hence- therapeutic strategies aimed at improving T cell bioenergetics have the potential to reinvigorate T cell responses to reduce tumor burden. CD47 is a widely expressed receptor that controls phagocytic activity by engaging its counter receptor, SIRPα, in macrophages. Also autonomously or by binding to its ligand Thrombospondin-1 CD47 activation can control cell fate under stress. Our prior work shows that targeting CD47 on CD8+ T cells enhanced cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Moreover, depletion of CD8+ T cells in murine models reversed the anti-tumor effect of anti-CD47 therapy. Our new data shows that targeting CD47 reduced the growth of B16 melanoma tumors by approximately 50% (1607 ± 213.7, saline vs. 815.1 ± 67.8, CD47 (-) *p Citation Format: Yismelin R. Feliz-Mosquea, Elizabeth Stirling, Katherine L. Cook, Adam Wilson, Manish Bharadwaj, Anthony J. Molina, Liliya Yamaleyeva, Pierre L. Triozzi, David R. Soto-Pantoja. Anti-CD47 immunotherapy regulates T cell metabolism and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3528.
Methanol-to-Olefin Conversion on 3D-Printed ZSM-5 Monolith Catalysts: Effects of Metal Doping, Mesoporosity and Acid Strength

Abstract In this study, activity and selectivity in methanol-to-olefins (MTO) reaction of Cr, Cu, Ga, La, Mg, Y, and Zn-doped 3D-printed ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths were evaluated and the appropriate dopants were screened through various analysis. These 3D-printed ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths were doped with the above metals by direct addition of metal nitrate precursors into the 3D printing paste thus the metal doping procedure was integrated with the 3D printing fabrication. The effect of dopants on physical and chemical characteristics of the doped monoliths was studied through XRD, XRF, N2 physisorption, FTIR, SEM-EDX, H2-TPR, and NH3-TPD. The performance of these printed metal–doped zeolite monoliths in MTO reaction was systematically evaluated and compared with their non-doped counterparts at 673 K for 24 h of reaction time. It was found that doping of Cr, Mg, and Y into 3D-printed ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths leads to enhanced methanol conversion, whereas doping of Ce, Cu, Ga and Y has little or no effect on catalysts reactivity. The olefins selectivity followed the sequence Zn > Mg > La > Y > Cr > Cu > Ga at 10 wt% dopant contents, in line with the relative amount of moderated acid sites in the monoliths. The results indicated that among all the investigated metal dopants, 3D-printed ZSM-5 zeolite monolith doped with 10 wt% Mg exhibited the favorable effect on the light olefins production and showed ethylene and propylene selectivity of 24% and 33%, respectively with methanol conversion approaching 95% at 673 K. The increased selectivity towards ethylene and propylene was correlated to the presence of moderate Bronsted acidity which inhibited the formation of paraffins and aromatics, consistent with the NH3-TPD results whereby moderate Bronsted acid sites were observed after Mg addition to 3D-printed ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths. The occupation of Mg dopant in the micropores, which is assigned to the cages of the ZSM-5 framework, took up the space for perspective aromatics, which are regarded to be coke precursors, and therefore reduced the coke formation.
The two immune sides of obesity

Obesity promotes PD-1–mediated T cell dysfunction but also improves tumor response to immune checkpoint blockade.
Immigrant Opposition in a Changing National Demographic

This article advances the argument that the effects of demographic change on individual-level immigration policy preferences is dependent on the level of segregation in the individuals’ local conte...
A Simple and Efficient Method of Moments Solution Procedure for Solving Time-Domain Integral Equation—Application to Wire-Grid Model of Perfect Conducting Objects

In this paper, a straightforward method of moments procedure to solve the time-domain integral equation is presented and applied to a wire-grid model of an arbitrarily shaped conducting body. The conducting body is illuminated by a Gaussian plane wave. Contrary to all the available time-domain algorithms, this procedure does not involve marching in time thus eliminating error accumulation, a major source for late-time instability problem. The procedure presented in this paper is conceptually simple, numerically efficient, and handles multiple excitations in a trivial manner, all the while remaining stable. The numerical procedure utilizes pulse functions for space variable and time-shifted Gaussian functions for time variable, respectively. Furthermore, the numerical procedure adopts Galerkin method of solution implying the usage of same time and space functions for both expansion and testing. The numerical results obtained in the time domain are validated by comparing with the data obtained from the frequency domain solution at several frequencies and performing inverse discrete Fourier transform.
Strained Oxiranes from cis‐Diols.

The cis-diols (I) are treated with triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate to form the epoxides (IIa) and (IIb).
Interventional Radiology in GI Hemorrhage

Interventional radiology (IR) can play a key role in the management of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, especially when endoscopy fails or if the patient is a poor surgical candidate. IR can locate as well as treat the bleeding site. In most algorithms, endovascular therapy by IR is used after endoscopy, but it can be considered a first-line intervention when visualization is likely to be poor, as with an unprepped colon with high suspicion of a lower GI bleed, or if the patient is unstable and endoscopic yield is felt to be low, such as in a briskly bleeding patient. In the case of upper GI bleeds, a distinction should be made between variceal and non-variceal bleeding sources as arterial interventions on the former would not be applicable. Proper utilization of IR requires a multidisciplinary approach and good communication among providers such that the bleeding patient gets the most appropriate therapy with the most efficient use of time.
Statistical Design of Accelerated Fatigue Life Tests for Qualification

Accelerated fatigue life testing of a product under development may be conducted as a key component of the reliability qualification program to assess whether the product can be expected to survive with high probability for a prescribed length of time at the design stress level. Planning of such testing can be facilitated and improved by an understanding of how inferences for extreme percentiles of the fatigue life distribution are likely to be affected by different choices regarding overall test sample size, the number of stress levels at which units are tested, and the distribution of sample size among the test levels.
Cross-Linkable Semi-Rigid 6FDA-Based Polyimide Hollow Fiber Membranes for Sour Natural Gas Purification

Robust high-performance hollow fiber membranes are needed for sour natural gas separation. In this study, a semi-rigid, cross-linkable, defect-free 6FDA-based polyimide hollow fiber membrane was de...
The Epidemiology of Respiratory Failure in the United States 2002-2017: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives Respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation is a limited labor-intensive resource that is associated with high mortality. Understanding the longitudinal national epidemiology is essential for the organization of healthcare resources. Design Serial cross-sectional study. Setting The 2002-2017 Healthcare Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample datasets. Interventions None. Measurements We use six diagnosis codes and five procedural codes from International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, and 19 diagnosis codes and 15 procedures codes from International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification to examine national epidemiology of different case definitions for respiratory failure. Results In the United States in 2017, there were an estimated 1,146,195 discharges with a diagnosis of respiratory failure and procedural code for mechanical ventilation, with an average length of stay of 10.5 days and hospital charge of $158,443. Over the study period, there was an 83% increase in incidence from 249 to 455 cases per 100,000 adults with a 48% decrease in hospital mortality from 34% to 23%. Exploring a case definition that captures only diagnosis codes for respiratory failure, there was a 197% increase in annual incidence, from 429 to 1,275 cases per 100,000 adults with a 57% decrease in hospital mortality from 28% to 12%. For invasive mechanical ventilation without a requisite diagnosis code, there was no change in incidence over the study period, with the 2017 incidence at 359 cases per 100,000 adults, but a 19% decrease in hospital mortality from 37% to 30%. For the noninvasive mechanical ventilation procedural codes, there was a 437% increase in incidence from 41 to 220 cases per 100,000 adults, with a 38% decrease in hospital mortality from 16% to 10%. Conclusions Examining different case definitions for respiratory failure, there was a large increase in the population incidence and decrease in the hospital mortality for respiratory failure diagnosis codes with more modest changes procedural codes for invasive mechanical ventilation. There was a large increase in incidence of noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
TNF-shaped microbiota promotes cancer

The approval of anti-TNF therapy for colitis over 20 years ago represented a paradigm shift for the treatment of this disease. Anti-TNF therapy is now shown to prevent colitis-associated colon cancer in mice by modifying the gut microbiota composition and transcriptional activity, including genes in Escherichia coli that control colibactin synthesis.
Micro-geography: a fundamental organizing attribute

Distance truly died in March of 2020. Hypothetical concerns about remote-learning and working-from-home quickly gave way to the involuntary reality of a hyperlocal existence. In an astonishingly sh...
Effective Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Entry by Heparin and Enoxaparin Derivatives.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic of historic proportions and continues to spread globally, with enormous consequences to human health. Currently there is no vaccine, effective therapeutic, or prophylactic. As with other betacoronaviruses, attachment and entry of SARS-CoV-2 are mediated by the spike glycoprotein (SGP). In addition to its well-documented interaction with its receptor, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), SGP has been found to bind to glycosaminoglycans like heparan sulfate, which is found on the surface of virtually all mammalian cells. Here, we pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 SGP on a third-generation lentiviral (pLV) vector and tested the impact of various sulfated polysaccharides on transduction efficiency in mammalian cells. The pLV vector pseudotyped SGP efficiently and produced high titers on HEK293T cells. Various sulfated polysaccharides potently neutralized pLV-S pseudotyped virus with clear structure-based differences in antiviral activity and affinity to SGP. Concentration-response curves showed that pLV-S particles were efficiently neutralized by a range of concentrations of unfractionated heparin (UFH), enoxaparin, 6-O-desulfated UFH, and 6-O-desulfated enoxaparin with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of 5.99 µg/liter, 1.08 mg/liter, 1.77 µg/liter, and 5.86 mg/liter, respectively. In summary, several sulfated polysaccharides show potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and can be developed for prophylactic as well as therapeutic purposes.IMPORTANCE The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and its subsequent spread to the rest of the world has created a pandemic situation unprecedented in modern history. While ACE2 has been identified as the viral receptor, cellular polysaccharides have also been implicated in virus entry. The SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (SGP) binds to glycosaminoglycans like heparan sulfate, which is found on the surface of virtually all mammalian cells. Here, we report structure-based differences in antiviral activity and affinity to SGP for several sulfated polysaccharides, including both well-characterized FDA-approved drugs and novel marine sulfated polysaccharides, which can be developed for prophylactic as well as therapeutic purposes.
Imagined-Trailing-Whitespace-Agnostic Levenshtein Distance For Plaintext Table Detection.

The standard algorithm for Levenshtein distance, treats trailing whitespace the same as any other letter or symbol. However, when humans compare 2 strings, we implicitly assume that both strings are padded by infinite trailing whitespace. This informs our expectations for what the costs for insertion, deletion and replacement, should be. This violation of our expectations results in non-intuitive edit distance values. To account for this specific human intuition, a naive approach which considers "all possible" substrings of trailing whitespace would yield an $O(n^3)$ algorithm. In this work, we provide an efficient $O(n^2)$ algorithm to compute the same. Keywords: Imagined Infinite Trailing Whitespace, Human Friendly, Intuitive Edit Distance, Table Detection, Table Alignment
Exploring the Design of Energy-Efficient Intermittently Powered Systems Using Reconfigurable Ferroelectric Transistors

In this article, we explore the design of energy-efficient intermittently powered systems (IPSs) using reconfigurable-ferroelectric transistors (R-FEFETs). Utilizing the dynamic tunability between volatile and nonvolatile modes of operation in R-FEFETs, we design nonvolatile flip-flops (NVFFs) and memory (NVM) suitable for IPS. We present two variants of R-FEFET-based NVFFs (RNVFFs): 1) with automatic backup and 2) with need-based backup. While the former offers high backup energy efficiency, the latter offers low normal operation energy. We also present an IPS-specific R-FEFET-based NVM (3T-R) with high energy efficiency compared with FEFET-based 2T NVM. Leveraging these nonvolatile circuits, we map the microcontroller unit (MCU) core registers of an IPS to RNVFFs and its on-chip memory to 3T-R. Subsequently, we analyze system-level implications of improving NVFFs and NVM individually by using R-FEFETs compared with existing FEFET-based designs. Our system-level simulations demonstrate that although we improve the register energy by 55%-67%, the total memory and system-level energy savings obtained from just improving the NVFFs (registers) in the microcontroller core are only 0.60%-5.78% and 0.31%-3.18%, respectively. However, improving the NVM by using 3T-R results in a much larger total memory and system-level energy savings in the range of 37%-40% and 20%-22%, respectively, in the context of a state-of-the-art IPS.
Binding of Syringomycin and Syringotoxin by Serum Proteins and by Membrane and Cytoplasmic Substances of Maize Cells

Syringomycin (SR) and syringotoxin (ST) are nonspecific polypeptide Phytotoxins produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae which are involved in various diseases produced by ecotypes of this pathogen (Backman and DeVay, 1971, DeVay et al., 1968, Gonzalez et al., 1981, Gross and DeVay, 1977, Sinden et al., 1971). In addition to their phytotoxicity, both SR and ST are biocidal to a wide range of microorganisms; their primary mode of toxicity involves the disruption of cell membranes (Backman and DeVay, 1971, Surico and DeVay, 1982, Bidwai et al., 1987) although, depending on concentration, they also cause an uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, stimulation of respiration and ATPase activity, inhibition of ATP formation, increased swelling of isolated maize mitochondria and a loss of membrane potential (Surico and DeVay, 1982). Other possible sites of action of SR involve a proliferation of mitochondrial and nuclear membranes at sublethal concentrations, a binding to DNA and an inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Backman and DeVay, 1971, Penner et al., 1969).
Rapid and cost effective immunoassay development and fit-for-purpose validation of a biomarker assay using Spatial Proximity Analyte Reagent Capture Luminescence (SPARCL) (TECH2P.760)

A novel detection technology was used for rapid immunoassay development and validation. SPARCL (Spatial Proximity Analyte Reagent Capture Luminescence) is a proximity dependent and homogeneous chemiluminescent detection method. In a SPARCL assay, a chemiluminescent substrate (acridan) is brought into the proximity of an oxidative enzyme (horseradish peroxidase) through the specific antigen/antibody interaction. A flash of light is generated and is proportional to the amount of IL-8 bound. Assay development was completed in less than 3 days. The validated assay features a wide dynamic range (2 - 4,000 pg/mL), low MRD, short assay run time (60 min.), and sensitivity (2 pg/mL). Quality control samples (QC’s) run in plasma resulted in statistics that show the assay is precise and accurate, with a total error of all QC levels of under 12%. Matrix spiked with IL-8 diluted in a linear manor. The SPARCL technology enables rapid assay development, delivers an assay with desirable performance characteristics and allows for considerable savings in labor, disposables and capital equipment compared to popular platforms. Existing software and luminometers may be used for a SPARCL data acquisition. As a result, there may not be a need to validate new software or plate readers already running in existing Laboratory Information Management Systems or in a regulated environment. The SPARCL assay is microtiter plate-based and is suitable for use with robotics and in HTS applications.
NUCLEOCYTOPLASMIC HYBRIDS BETWEEN RANA PIPIENS AND RANA PALUSTRIS. I. ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROPERTIES OF THE NUCLEI BY MEANS OF NUCLEAR TRANSPLANTATION.

Abstract Although diploid hybrids between Rana pipiens and Rana palustris are normal, the androgenetic haploid hybrids develop much more poorly than do ordinary haploids of either species. This suggested the existence of a nucleocytoplasmic incompatibility which is expressed when a nucleus containing chromosomes from only one of these species is present in the cytoplasm of the other. Since haploids, in any case, are not viable, a valid test required the study of diploids. Such a study, as reported in this paper, demonstrates that this nucleocytoplasmic incompatibility does in fact exist. When diploid pipiens blastula nuclei were transplanted into enucleated palustris eggs, the resulting nucleocytoplasmic hybrids displayed a specific pattern of deficiencies leading to their developmental arrest in postneurula stages. Whether or not this incompatibility causes stable changes in the developmental properties of the nuclei was then tested by transferring pipiens nuclei after division for one, two, and three blastula generations in palustris cytoplasm back into enucleated pipiens eggs. The large majority (84%) of the back-transfer embryos developed normally, thus demonstrating that the nuclei remained unchanged in their ability to function normally in their own cytoplasm following as many as 36 divisions in the foreign egg cytoplasm. The possibility that such changes might take place later in the development of the nucleocytoplasmic hybrids remains to be worked out. Cytological analyses of the nucleocytoplasmic hybrids and the back-transfer embryos revealed that both types of embryos possessed normal chromosome complements. This result is particularly significant with regard to the nucleocytoplasmic hybrids since it shows that their deficient development is not caused by gross chromosomal abnormalities. In addition, work described elsewhere shows that the abnormal behavior of these embryos can be completely corrected by the addition of a haploid set of palustris chromosomes. Thus, this hybrid combination offers a unique opportunity for analyzing genetic and biochemical events involved in the formation of a predictable set of developmental deficiencies in embryos whose nuclei have normal chromosome complements and are known, under defined conditions, to be genetically competent.
Homogeneous and Non Homogeneous Algorithms

Motivated by recent best case analyses for some sorting algorithms and based on the type of complexity we partition the algorithms into two classes: homogeneous and non-homogeneous algorithms.1 Although both classes contain algorithms with worst and best cases, homogeneous algorithms behave uniformly on all instances. This partition clarifies in a completely mathematical way the previously mentioned terms and reveals that in classifying an algorithm as homogeneous or not best case analysis is equally important with worst case analysis.
Chapter 27. Catalytic Antibodies

Publisher Summary Enzymes are proteins that have evolved to catalyze the biochemical reactions. They do so by stabilizing the transition state of the reaction, thus providing a lower energy pathway for the conversion of substrate to product. Accordingly, it has been proposed that the active site structure of an enzyme has evolved to be more complementary to the transition state structure rather than the ground state structures of substrates or products. Given the adaptable nature of the antibody molecule, it is perhaps not surprising that the antibodies that bind transition state (TS) analogs can be produced from the vertebrate immune response. These antibodies are called catalytic antibodies. They behave similarly to enzymes in that they show saturation kinetics, substrate selectivity, and accelerate the rate of reaction over the uncatalyzed background reaction. As a technology, catalytic antibodies offer a potential source of laboratory-designed enzymes for possible applications as research tools or therapeutics. Antibodies, with combining sites that are complementary to stable transition state analogs, are catalytically active in the same way as natural enzymes. The monoclonal antibody technology has made it possible to obtain gram-quantities of homogeneous antibody samples that are crucial for the kinetic characterization of antibody catalysis. The major research emphasis in this field in recent times has been to define the chemical scope of antibody catalysis and determine the classes of chemical reactions that are amenable to antibody catalysis through transition state analog design. It is now clear that the scope of antibody catalysis is quite broad and it is now reasonable to assume that any reaction, for which a bonafide transition state analog can be synthesized, is anticipated to produce an antibody catalyst with some catalytic activity.
Trends in Solar Cell Technologies and Laser Manufacturing

This article gives a brief overview of the current technological players in photovoltaic solar-energy solutions – crystalline wafers, thin-films, and multijunction concentrator cells – and how lasers play important roles in their manufacture. Then, we discuss a technology on the horizon: high-efficiency crystalline thin film deposited onto inexpensive substrates to provide cost-effective, high-output solar panels.
Chapter 6 The Theory of Public Enforcement of Law

Abstract This chapter surveys the theory of the public enforcement of law—the use of governmental agents (regulators, inspectors, tax auditors, police, prosecutors) to detect and to sanction violators of legal rules. The theoretical core of the analysis addresses the following basic questions: Should the form of the sanction imposed on a liable party be a fine, an imprisonment term, or a combination of the two? Should the rule of liability be strict or fault-based? If violators are caught only with a probability, how should the level of the sanction be adjusted? How much of society's resources should be devoted to apprehending violators? A variety of extensions of the central theory are then examined, including: activity level; errors; the costs of imposing fines; general enforcement; marginal deterrence; the principal-agent relationship; settlements; self-reporting; repeat offenders; imperfect knowledge about the probability and magnitude of sanctions; corruption; incapacitation; costly observation of wealth; social norms; and the fairness of sanctions.