cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of static lateral behavior of battered pile group foundation at I-10 Twin Span Bridge using three-dimensional finite element modeling

In this study, the static lateral behavior of a battered pile group foundation was investigated using three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis. The FE model was used to simulate the static la...
Administrators and Citizens: Measuring Agency Officials' Efforts to Foster and Use Public Input in Forest Policy

This study examines a basic question. In a federal system such as the United States, do officials at lower levels of governance foster and incorporate citizen input in policy making more than do officials at higher levels? Long-standing efforts to bring the government closer to the people have included calls for devolution of policy responsibility from national to state governments. But the claim that such devolution would lead to greater participation has not been tested empirically. This study tests the claim in one policy sector by comparing state and national agency officials' efforts to foster and use citizen participation in public
New Species of Lichens from Porto Rico. III.

Thallus epilithicus, tenuis, tartareus, late expansus, e maculis pluribus confluentibus formatus, griseo-albus, opacus, minute areolatus, areolis ad 0.1 mm. latis, planis, angulosis, rimis tenuissimus separatis, soridiis et isidiis nullis, in margine passim linea tenui nigra cinctus; gonidia ad Cystococcum pertenentia. Apothecia plus minus dispersa, adpresso-sessilia, minuta, 0.1-0.15 mm. lata, nigra, opaca, a thallo libera, convexa; excipulum dimidiatum, fusco-nigrum, ostioilo minuto pertusum; hymenium gelatinosum, J dilute cupreum; paraphyses mox confluentes; asci ovali-clavati, 8 spori; sporae in ascis biseriales, decolores, ellipsoideae vel ovales, rectae, uniseptatae, septo tenui, 14-18 X 8-9 mic.
Abstract 2791: SINE retrotransposons cause epigenetic reprogramming of adjacent gene promoters

Retrotransposons of SINE and LINE classes have been extremely successful in colonizing mammalian genomes. Almost half of the human genome and as much as 40% of the mouse genome is composed of repetitive DNA sequences. The comparison of human and mouse genomes revealed a spatial concordance in positioning of SINE but not LINE repeats, indicating evolutionary pressure to maintain and/or exclude these repeats from orthologous regions. We hypothesized that this phenomenon is due to a negative influence of SINE repeats on gene expression and counter selection over evolution, resulting in exclusion of these repeats from vulnerable genomic environments. To test the capacity of SINE B1 elements in promoting gene silencing, we generated a system where the luciferase gene is under the control of three different mouse gene promoters (cdkn2a, p14arf and mlh1), and we inserted two and four copies of SINE B1 elements upstream to these promoters. Using this in vitro system, we found that SINE B1 elements can influence the activity of downstream gene promoters, with acquisition of DNA methylation and loss of activating histone marks, thus resulting in a repressed state. Interestingly, SINE sequences themselves do not immediately acquired DNA methylation, but became marked by H3K9me2 and H3K27me3. Moreover, gain of DNA methylation depended on cryptic genomic methylation centers rather than spreading from SINE B1 repeats. Since mouse SINE B1 elements caused transcriptional repression, we sought to investigate whether human SINE Alu repeats could have the same effect. The human E-cadherin gene has three SINE Alus adjacent to the 3’ region of its CpG island, and in reporter assays the removal of these repeats resulted in higher, stable promoter activity. Genome-wide analysis of SINE repeats distribution in the human and mouse genomes showed that they are excluded from proximal promoters and their enrichment is directly correlated with the presence of USF1, USF2 and CTCF binding, proteins with insulator function. In conclusion, our work supports the concept that SINE repeats interfere negatively with gene expression and that their presence near gene promoters is dependent on, and co-evolved with the presence of insulator elements. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2791. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2791
Towed body altitude stabilization and states estimation in aerial recovery of micro air vehicles

In this paper, we present two strategies to stabilize the altitude of the towed body (drogue) in the presence of the steady wind. The ight test results are presented to verify the concept of aerial recovery and the mathematical model of the system. By using the parameter con guration and the data collected in the ight test, a matching work is conducted to testify the delity of the mathematical model in the simulation. A series of trade studies are developed in the simulation to analyze the design parameters. In the presence of the steady wind, two proportional-integral controllers are developed to stabilize the altitude of the drogue. The simulation results illustrate the feasibility of the two methods. We also develop an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to estimate the drogue states in the case of data delay and the simulation results are presented.
Research and Development of the Control Strategy based on Pumped-Storage Power Station Governor System

This paper sketches the principle and configuration of the 300 MW grade pumped-storage power station governor system which developed by the state grid electric power research institute.Devotes the condition define and switch qualification of the governor system,discuss the control strategy for each running condition,and analysis the field running situation with the spot experiment record.
Testing Direct and Indirect Effects of Identity, Media Use, Cognitions, and Conversations on Self-Reported Physical Activity Among a Sample of Hispanic Adults

This article presents the results of a study testing the direct and indirect effects of identity, media use, cognitions and conversations on physical activity (PA). The study was guided by the O-S-O-R model (Markus & Zajonc, 1985), and it used data collected from a sample of Hispanic adults (N = 268) living in the U.S. Southwest. Exercise identity and ethnic identity were defined as pre-orientations (O1); use of PA-related media content was defined as the stimulus (S); reflective integration and conversations about PA-related media were post-orientations (O2); and self-reported physical activity was the behavioral response (R). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and several compelling results emerged. Exercise identity had a significant positive direct effect on PA and PA-related media use, as well as a significant positive indirect effect on conversations about PA-related media. PA-related media use exerted a strong and significant positive effect on conversations about PA-related media, as well as a significant positive indirect effect on PA. Finally, conversations about PA-related media content had a significant positive direct effect on PA. The results indicate that identity acts as a filter influencing what media content are selected and that cognitions and conversations about media content can serve as a link between media use and health behavior. Key words: O-S-O-R model, physical activity, Hispanic adults, identity, media use, conversation.
Molecular cloning and analysis of in vivo expression of murine P- selectin

P-selectin (CD62) is a rapidly inducible cell surface adhesion molecule that is expressed on platelets and endothelial cells and mediates their interaction with leukocytes. In vitro studies have suggested that this receptor may play an important role in hemostasis and in inflammatory response to tissue injury. We report the molecular cloning and sequencing of murine cDNA for P-selectin. The lectin, epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains are highly conserved between mouse and human, with an overall amino acid identity of 79%. To further investigate the biology of this adhesion molecule in vivo, we analyzed mRNA levels for P-selectin in mice after injection with endotoxin. Northern blot data indicate that the cellular response in vivo includes a rapid increase in the level of mRNA, presumably for new synthesis of P-selectin. The increase in mRNA is maximal at 4 hours, and turnover is relatively rapid, with levels of RNA having decreased substantially by 6 hours following stimulation with endotoxin. After administration of endotoxin, the highest levels of mRNA expression were detected in liver, lung, kidney, and heart.
Why doesnʼt the laser go backwards

Diode-pumped, intracavity-doubled, unidirectional ring lasers are efficient sources of visible radiation.1 Unidirectional lasing in the ring resonator eliminates spatial hole burning and allows stable intracavity generation of frequency-doubled radiation.2 Stable unidirectional operation is paradoxical, since the nonlinear loss in the forward direction exceeds the calculated linear loss difference between the forward and reverse directions.
Biomedical Engineering: Biomedical Engineering and Cancer

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, you should: Understand the magnitude of the problem of cancer in modern society. Develop an elementary understanding of the biology of cancer cells and be able to describe some of the methods for characterizing the progression of tumors in cancer patients. Know some of the ways that ionizing radiation interacts with biological tissues and understand the use of radiation in treatment of solid tumors. Understand the role of surgery in diagnosis and treatment of tumors and be able to predict some of the ways that surgical treatments for cancer will develop in the future. Understand the value and limitations of chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Know about some of the new approaches, based on our understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of cancer, for creating biological treatments. Prelude Cancer is a common, often life-threatening, disease involving the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly in developed nations such as the United States. Cancer is really a group of diseases; it can arise in any organ of the body and has differing characteristics that depend on the site of the cancer, the degree of spread, and other factors. Mutations in certain genes within cells—called proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes—are the primary cause of cancer (1). Sadly, almost every college student has some knowledge of cancer, gained through experience with classmates, family members, or friends.
Ipsilateral supraorbital nerve transfer in a case of recalcitrant neurotrophic keratopathy with an intact ipsilateral frontal nerve: A novel surgical technique

Abstract Purpose To report a case of regained corneal sensation and function in a patient with neurotrophic keratopathy due to direct damage to the long ciliary nerves by performing a corneal neurotization procedure using ipsilateral supraorbital nerve. Surgical technique is described in detail as well as a review of the literature on corneal neurotization. Observations A patient with devastating corneal anesthesia and poor visual acuity refractory to other treatments underwent a new surgical technique involving an ipsilateral supraorbital nerve transfer to the surrounding limbus to restore corneal sensation. At 8 months follow up, there was resolution of corneal stromal opacification documented with photographs and greatly improved corneal sensation by testing with a wisp of cotton in all 4 quadrants. Her visual acuity had improved, and at two years she was stable with even more improvement in visual acuity and ocular surface health. Conclusions and importance We present the first successful case of corneal neurotization with ipsilateral supraorbital nerve in a patient with corneal anesthesia from a local injury to the long ciliary nerves. Our case demonstrates that the described method of corneal neurotization is a viable option for patients with recalcitrant neurotrophic keratopathy and an intact ipsilateral frontal nerve.
The dream medium: Robert Edmond Jones’ theatre of the future

ABSTRACTIn the late 1920s, American scenic designer Robert Edmond Jones conceived of the ‘New Theatre’, a hybrid art form created through the combination of theatre and cinema. For Jones, this strategy’s function was to illuminate what he called the ‘dual nature’ of humanity. By examining Jones’ largely ignored and forgotten writings on what he called ‘the dream medium’, we can gain insight into new ways of utilizing combinations of living actors and media to inspire us and lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. Jones saw a multitude of benefits from such an arrangement, including as a way to tap into the unconscious world of the inner self and dreams. Jones saw the relationship between the body of the actor and the projected image as the relationship between the ‘outer’ and ‘inner’ eye – the conscious and the unconscious. These methods, first proposed by Jones, are being used in contemporary performance to explore the dual nature of self and to disrupt and dislocate singular noti...
Full-duplex wireless: algorithms and rate improvement bounds for integrated circuit implementations

Full-duplex (FD) communication can substantially improve spectrum efficiency in wireless networks. Designing higher layer algorithms (e.g., for power control and scheduling) tailored for FD requires taking into account the special characteristics of the physical layer. In particular, the characteristics of recently introduced integrated circuit (IC) implementations required for mobile devices pose unique challenges. Thus, we describe some of our recent results in the area of antenna and analog/RF cancellation. Then, we overview our corresponding results regarding rate gains and algorithm design when considering these IC-based FD implementations. Finally, we discuss cross-layered open problems.
A Qualitative Study of Survival Strategies Used by Low-Income Black Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are often portrayed as helpless victims. Yet many women who experience IPV implement strategies to help them survive the abuse. This qualitative study sought to explore the survivor strategies used by low-income black women who experience IPV. Authors used a semistructured interview guide to survey 26 survivors who reported being in an IPV relationship in the past two years. Thematic analysis revealed three types of survivor strategies used by low-income black women: (1) internal (use of religion and becoming self-reliant), (2) interpersonal (leave the abuser or fight back), and (3) external (reliance on informal, formal, or both kinds of sources of support). This article informs social work practitioners of the strategies used by low-income black women in surviving IPV so that practitioners can develop interventions that support these strategies.
Rectangular stable power-aware mobile projection on planar surfaces

Pico projectors are becoming increasingly popular and can be used in conjunction with handheld mobile devices, portable media players, digital cameras in the foreseeable future. Mobile projection provides new opportunities realizing mobile spatial augmented reality applications. Projection from handheld devices bring in challenges of stabilizing the imagery in the persence of hand movements which entails more complex problems like keystone, zoom and jitter correction. However, no suitable software interface exists today that integrates these pico-projectors with handheld mobile devices.This paper develops the first power-efficient software methods and interface to project a rectangular, stable image from a pico-projector augmented to a handheld mobile device that can allow users to make contents legible on such devices via real-time solutions for keystone correction, zoom and jitter correction. To provide power efficient solutions in the context of mobile power-sensitive devices, we achieve the keystone correction, zoom and hand-movement stabilization mostly using data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) while minimizing the use of less power-efficient sensor like camera. For zoom stabilization, we use a very inexpensive low power distance sensor. The camera is used only for initialization. We have developed two prototype systems to show our software interface: the first one is implemented on cellphone running Android OS; and the second one used a raspberry pi interface to the projectors.
Natural language processing to ascertain two key variables from operative reports in ophthalmology.

Purpose Antibiotic prophylaxis is critical to ophthalmology and other surgical specialties. We performed natural language processing (NLP) of 743 838 operative notes recorded for 315 246 surgeries to ascertain two variables needed to study the comparative effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery. The first key variable was an exposure variable, intracameral antibiotic injection. The second was an intraoperative complication, posterior capsular rupture (PCR), which functioned as a potential confounder. To help other researchers use NLP in their settings, we describe our NLP protocol and lessons learned. Methods For each of the two variables, we used SAS Text Miner and other SAS text-processing modules with a training set of 10 000 (1.3%) operative notes to develop a lexicon. The lexica identified misspellings, abbreviations, and negations, and linked words into concepts (e.g. “antibiotic” linked with “injection”). We confirmed the NLP tools by iteratively obtaining random samples of 2000 (0.3%) notes, with replacement. Results The NLP tools identified approximately 60 000 intracameral antibiotic injections and 3500 cases of PCR. The positive and negative predictive values for intracameral antibiotic injection exceeded 99%. For the intraoperative complication, they exceeded 94%. Conclusion NLP was a valid and feasible method for obtaining critical variables needed for a research study of surgical safety. These NLP tools were intended for use in the study sample. Use with external datasets or future datasets in our own setting would require further testing. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TeenACE for Science: Using Multimedia Tools and Scaffolds to Support Writing.

TeenACE for Science (TAS) is a writing intervention that combines components of Multimedia Technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) to help st...
The Lord in the Law: Reflections on a Catholic Law School

The symbiosis between law and morality has played a major role in universities since their formation and is critical to our moral and legal future. Each is dependent on the other, and an attempt to separate the two will seal the fate of our society as a whole. The Catholic law school must ensure that this symbiosis is never broken, but is fulfilled by incorporating relevant new courses and by teaching present classes in light of the Catholic message. Further, Catholic defense clinics should be offered to enrich the lives of others, and priests and nuns should be made available to assist the spiritual growth of students. However, the pervasive attitude in today's Catholic law schools not only ignores the Catholic heritage, but also rejects the religious reasoning underpinning the law. As a result, today's lawyers are robbed of a full understanding of the law and its origins. Nurturing young lawyers' moral development should be the business of Catholic law schools to ensure a future of fair, equitable, and just laws.
Combining Ensemble Learning Techniques and G-Computation to Investigate Chemical Mixtures in Environmental Epidemiology Studies

Background: Although biomonitoring studies demonstrate that the general population experiences exposure to multiple chemicals, most environmental epidemiology studies consider each chemical separately when assessing adverse effects of environmental exposures. Hence, the critical need for novel approaches to handle multiple correlated exposures. Methods: We propose a novel approach using the G-formula, a maximum likelihood-based substitution estimator, combined with an ensemble learning technique (i.e. SuperLearner) to infer causal effect estimates for a multi-pollutant mixture. We simulated four continuous outcomes from real data on 5 correlated exposures under four exposure-response relationships with increasing complexity and 500 replications. The first simulated exposure-response was generated as a linear function depending on two exposures; the second was based on a univariate nonlinear exposure-response relationship; the third was generated as a linear exposure-response relationship depending on two exposures and their interaction; the fourth simulation was based on a non-linear exposure-response relationship with an effect modification by sex and a linear relationship with a second exposure. We assessed the method based on its predictive performance (Minimum Square error [MSE]), its ability to detect the true predictors and interactions (i.e. false discovery proportion, sensitivity), and its bias. We compared the method with generalized linear and additive models, elastic net, random forests, and Extreme gradient boosting. Finally, we reconstructed the exposure-response relationships and developed a toolbox for interactions visualization using individual conditional expectations. Results: The proposed method yielded the best average MSE across all the scenarios, and was therefore able to adapt to the true underlying structure of the data. The method succeeded to detect the true predictors and interactions, and was less biased in all the scenarios. Finally, we could correctly reconstruct the exposure-response relationships in all the simulations. Conclusions: This is the first approach combining ensemble learning techniques and causal inference to unravel the effects of chemical mixtures and their interactions in epidemiological studies. Additional developments including high dimensional exposure data, and testing for detection of low to moderate associations will be carried out in future developments.
Renewable Isohexide-Based, Hydrolytically Degradable Poly(silyl ether)s with High Thermal Stability.

Several degradable poly(silyl ether)s (PSEs) have been synthesized by dehydrogenative cross-coupling between bio-based 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols (isosorbide and isomannide) and commercially available hydrosilanes. An air-stable manganese salen nitrido complex [MnV N(salen-3,5-tBu2 )] was employed as the catalyst. High-molecular-weight polymer was obtained from isosorbide and diphenylsilane (Mn up to 17000 g mol-1 ). Thermal analysis showed that these PSEs possessed high thermal stability with thermal decomposition temperatures (T-5 % ) of 347-446 °C and glass transition temperatures of 42-120 °C. Structure-property analysis suggested that steric bulk and molecular weight have a significant influence to determine the thermal properties of synthesized polymers. Importantly, these polymers were degraded effectively to small molecules under acidic and basic hydrolysis conditions.
Boundary element method for 3-D cracks in a plate

Fundamental solutions which automatically satisfy boundary conditions at the interfaces of an elastic plate perfectly bonded to two elastic halfspaces are implemented in a three-dimensional BEM for crack problems. The BEM features a new integration scheme for highly singular kernels. The capability is achieved through a part analytic and part numerical integration procedure, such that the analytic part of the integration is similar for all slip/opening variations. Part-through elliptic cracks in an elastic plate with traction-free surfaces are analyzed and the SIF values along the crack front are found to compare favorably with the numerical SIF results of Raju and Newman (1979).
Clinical determinants of radial artery caliber assessed at the time of transradial cardiac catheterization using routine prospective radiobrachial angiography

Abstract Background Transradial coronary angiography/intervention (TRA/TRI) is associated with reduced rates of bleeding, vascular complications, and major adverse cardiovascular events as compared to the transfemoral approach, but remains underutilized in the United States (U.S.). Small radial caliber is often cited as a technical impediment, however radial artery diameter (RAD) has not yet been systematically studied in the U.S. population using routine, prospective radiobrachial angiography . Methods Consecutive patients (pts) with radiobrachial angiography acquired during TRA/TRI from September 2015 to August 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Quantitative angiography (QA) was performed on digital subtraction angiograms. RAD measurements at distal (dRAD), mid (mRAD), and proximal (pRAD) segments, as well as minimum (minRAD) and maximum (maxRAD) diameters were indexed to radial arterial sheath size and tabulated. RAD measurements were adjudicated by 2 expert operators. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed using STATA (College Station, TX). Results Of 175 radiobrachial angiograms, 2 were excluded due to uninterpretable QA. Woman had smaller RAD versus men: pRAD (3.11 vs 3.33 mm, p = 0.021), minRAD (2.36 vs 2.59 mm, p = 0.006), and maxRAD (3.32 vs 3.53 mm, p = 0.0195). Univariate analysis showed correlation between minRAD and gender ( p = 0.012), age (p = 0.019), and weight (p = 0.008). However, after multivariate analysis , only gender was associated with minRAD ( p = 0.05). Conclusion This is the first study to describe the clinical determinants of RAD using prospective post-vasodilator, radiobrachial angiography in a U.S. population. Women had significantly smaller RAD across proximal, minimum, and maximum segments. Sex was the only multivariate predictor of minRAD.
KinaMetrix: a web resource to investigate kinase conformations and inhibitor space

Protein kinases are among the most explored protein drug targets. Visualization of kinase conformations is critical for understanding structure-function relationship in this family and for developing chemically unique, conformation-specific small molecule drugs. We have developed Kinformation, a random forest classifier that annotates the conformation of over 3500 protein kinase structures in the Protein Data Bank. Kinformation was trained on structural descriptors derived from functionally important motifs to automatically categorize kinases into five major conformations with pharmacological relevance. Here we present KinaMetrix (http://KinaMetrix.com), a web resource enabling researchers to investigate the protein kinase conformational space as well as a subset of kinase inhibitors that exhibit conformational specificity. KinaMetrix allows users to classify uploaded kinase structures, as well as to derive structural descriptors of protein kinases. Uploaded structures can then be compared to atomic structures of other kinases, enabling users to identify kinases that occupy a similar conformational space to their uploaded structure. Finally, KinaMetrix also serves as a repository for both small molecule substructures that are significantly associated with each conformation type, and for homology models of kinases in inactive conformations. We expect KinaMetrix to serve as a resource for researchers studying kinase structural biology or developing conformation-specific kinase inhibitors.
Standard Ruler at Cosmic Dawn

The matter in our Universe comes in two flavors: dark and baryonic. Of these, only the latter couples to photons, giving rise to the well-known baryon acoustic oscillations and, in the process, generating supersonic relative velocities between dark matter and baryons. These velocities-imprinted with the acoustic scale in their genesis-impede the formation of the first stars during cosmic dawn (z∼20), modulating the expected 21-cm signal from this era. In a companion paper we showed, combining numerical simulations and analytic models, that this modulation takes the form of robust velocity-induced acoustic oscillations (VAOs), with a well-understood shape that is frozen at recombination, and unaffected by the unknown astrophysics of star formation. Here we propose using these VAOs as a standard ruler at cosmic dawn. We find that three years of 21-cm power-spectrum data from the upcoming HERA interferometer should be able to measure the Hubble expansion rate H(z) at z=15-20 to percent-level precision, ranging from 0.3% to 11% depending on the strength of astrophysical feedback processes and foregrounds. This would provide a new handle on the expansion rate of our Universe during an otherwise unprobed epoch, opening a window to the mysterious cosmic-dawn era.
Changes in Cross-sectional Area and Signal Intensity of Healing Anterior Cruciate Ligaments and Grafts in the First 2 Years After Surgery:

Background:The quality of a repaired anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or reconstructed graft is typically quantified in clinical studies by evaluating knee, lower extremity, or patient performance....
Facts or Fables? Muslims’ Evaluation of Historical Memory

Muslim scholars maintain that the report of a text or event could be considered as indisputably true if it has been confirmed by the collective historical memory of the community throughout the ages and down the generations. Some suggested that if the authority of historical memory came into doubt, the entire edifice of religion and history would collapse as both were firmly based on historical memory. They were however aware of the possibility that an unconscious, spontaneous coordination of minds due to a shared feeling of a people might create a common assumption that turns a statement or event into a common knowledge for future generations and builds what we know as historical memory. They knew that stories are not fixed but can change over time, and that people might add additional material including their own interpretation of an event to their observation and thus form a collective memory that may have no truth embedded in it. They knew that the first hearing of an event or a report might influence the mind in such a way that the mind always remembered the event or report within that original understanding. So, how to prove that a piece of historical memory was really true and that it was not merely hearsay that people at the time happened to believe in, or wanted to believe in, and narrated to one another, passing it down from generation to generation? What is the line between fact and rumor and when does historical memory represent the truth, that is, the actual occurrence of an event or utterance of a statement? A number of requirements have been suggested in the Islamic tradition to narrow down the scope of error and increase the credibility of a piece of historical memory as representative of the actual occurrence of an alleged fact. This paper attempts to present those suggestions.
Time Budget Analysis and Risk Management: Estimating the Probabilities of the Event Schedules of American Adults

Comprehensive risk management must account both for the exposure and consequences of risks. Time budget analysis focuses on the activities and location of people, which are directly related to potential exposure, and consequences of risk. The analysis of the distribution of daily activities allows risk analysts to adjust exposure likelihoods for the changing population distribution over the course of a 24 hour period. In addition, time budget analysis allows the risk analyst to account for shifts in potential consequences associated with location of people at various times of the day. This paper examines three significant aspects of time budget analysis and risk management. First, the direct exposure rates to ongoing hazards as a function of the amount of time spent at risk (e.g. in an automobile, or airplane, or outdoors in a neighborhood adjacent to an uncontrolled hazardous materials site). Second, the effect on the likelihood of exposure to and severity of consequences for relatively sudden events (e.g. toxic chemical spills, radioactive leaks, other airborne risks transmitted via the plume-exposure pathway, tornadoes, earthquakes and flash floods). Finally, the effect on risk management through effective emergency management is directly related to location and activity of people at various times of the day (e.g. likelihood of warning receipt, probable evacuation flow dynamics, and likelihood of inadvertent adaptive location).
Financial planning for colorectal surgeons

Abstract Physicians spend years of their life studying and training to have a successful career and steady income, but spend precious little time learning how to effectively protect the income they have worked so hard to obtain. This deficiency, coupled with rising educational debt and decreased reimbursement, has led to poor financial choices, increased stress, and rising levels of burnout. 1 , 2 This review will examine several common financial decisions physicians and surgeons encounter, general guidelines for successful financial practices and planning, and common pitfalls to avoid.
High Gain Wireless Power Transfer Using 60GHz Antenna Array

An indoor, high gain 60-GHz wireless power transfer system is proposed in a residential house filled with furniture and home appliances. A single transmitter composed of a 32 by 32 patch antenna array transfers power wirelessly to 5 different security cameras equipped with 32 by 32 patch array receivers located at 5 different positions around the house. The array exhibits a realized gain of 34.42 dB. The minimum required power to feed a prototype ultra-low power camera is 4.6 dBm (2.36 mW). In order to deliver the required amount of power to each receiver, an exhaustive search is conducted to find the best transmitter position in which the maximum amount of power is fed to all receivers. Overall, the necessary amount of power required to feed the ultra-low power camera is met, with an average power transfer of 22.03 dBm (0.16 W) at the best transmitter position.
Engineered fluoride sensitivity enables biocontainment and selection of genetically-modified yeasts

Biocontainment systems are needed to neutralize genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that pose ecological threats outside of controlled environments. In contrast, benign selection markers complement GMOs with reduced fitness. Benign selection agents serve as alternatives to antibiotics, which are costly and risk spread of antibiotic resistance. Here, we present a yeast biocontainment strategy leveraging engineered fluoride sensitivity and DNA vectors enabling use of fluoride as a selection agent. The biocontainment system addresses the scarcity of platforms available for yeast despite their prevalent use in industry and academia. In the absence of fluoride, the biocontainment strain exhibits phenotypes nearly identical to those of the wildtype strain. Low fluoride concentrations severely inhibit biocontainment strain growth, which is restored upon introduction of fluoride-based vectors. The biocontainment strategy is stringent, easily implemented, and applicable to several eukaryotes. Further, the DNA vectors enable genetic engineering at reduced costs and eliminate risks of propagating antibiotic resistance.
A History of the Radiation Warning Sign.

ABSTRACT This paper provides a history of the radiation warning sign with a focus on the period from 1946 to 1948. It employs previously unpublished material from the University of California Radiation Laboratory's Health Chemistry Group, the memoirs of John Gifford, and an account by George Warlick. Also considered is an alternative version of the sign's origin described by Cyrill Orly.
Adopt a Design Patent: 1842-1925

This collection of 50 NFTs is based on 50 United States design patents filed between 1842 and 1925. Each NFT in this collection is of a different design patent and consists of an image derived from that design patent. The purpose of this collection is to encourage the adoption of abandoned and forgotten designs, and their reuse for new and different purposes. Obviously, the images associated with the NFTs in this collection could be used as profile pictures. But there are other potential uses as well. After all, they were created as ornamental designs for commercial products. They could still be used as ornamental designs or as trademarks, among other things. Their potential is yours to explore. All of the materials in this collection are in the public domain, so there are no legal restrictions of any kind on the use of the design patents or the images they include. Accordingly, the owner of an NFT from this collection may use the image associated with the NFT for any purpose, including commercially.
PrEP Care Continuum Engagement Among Persons Who Inject Drugs: Rural and Urban Differences in Stigma and Social Infrastructure

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that prevents HIV acquisition, yet PrEP uptake has been low among people who inject drugs. Stigma has been identified as a fundamental driver of population health and may be a significant barrier to PrEP care engagement among PWID. However, there has been limited research on how stigma operates in rural and urban settings in relation to PrEP. Using in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 57) we explore PrEP continuum engagement among people actively injecting drugs in rural and urban settings. Urban participants had more awareness and knowledge. Willingness to use PrEP was similar in both settings. However, no participant was currently using PrEP. Stigmas against drug use, HIV, and sexualities were identified as barriers to PrEP uptake, particularly in the rural setting. Syringe service programs in the urban setting were highlighted as a welcoming space where PWID could socialize and therefore mitigate stigma and foster information sharing.
The mediating/moderating role of cultural context factors on self-care practices among those living with diabetes in rural Appalachia

The aim of this study was to examine whether cultural factors, such as religiosity and social support, mediate/moderate the relationship between personal/psychosocial factors and T2DM self-care in a rural Appalachian community. Regression models were utilized to assess for mediation and moderation. Multilevel linear mixed effects models and GEE-type logistic regression models were fit for continuous (social support, self-care) and binary (religiosity) outcomes, respectively. The results indicated that cultural context factors (religiosity and social support) can mediate/moderate the relationship between psychosocial factors and T2DM self-care. Specifically, after adjusting for demographic variables, the findings suggested that social support may moderate the effect of depressive symptoms and stress on self-care. Religiosity may moderate the effect of distress on self-care, and empowerment was a predictor of self-care but was not mediated/moderated by the assessed cultural context factors. When considering health status, religiosity was a moderately significant predictor of self-care and may mediate the relationship between perceived health status and T2DM self-care. This study represents the first known research to examine cultural assets and diabetes self-care practices among a community-based sample of Appalachian adults. We echo calls to increase the evidence on social support and religiosity and other contextual factors among this highly affected population. US National Library of Science identifier NCT03474731. Registered March 23, 2018, www.clinicaltrials.gov .
Family legal status and health: Measurement dilemmas in studies of Mexican-origin children

Abstract Family legal status is a potentially important source of variation in the health of Mexican-origin children. However, a comprehensive understanding of its role has been elusive due to data limitations and inconsistent measurement procedures. Using restricted data from the 2011–2012 California Health Interview Survey, we investigate the implications of measurement strategies for estimating the share of children in undocumented families and inferences about how legal status affects children's health. The results show that inferences are sensitive to how this “fundamental cause” is operationalized under various combinatorial approaches used in previous studies. We recommend alternative procedures with greater capacity to reveal how the statuses of both parents affect children's well-being. The results suggest that the legal statuses of both parents matter, but the status of mothers is especially important for assessments of child health. The investigation concludes with a discussion of possible explanations for these findings.
Assessment of pre-PCR whole genome amplification of single pollen grains using flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

ASSESMENT OF PRE-PCR WHOLE GENOME AMPLIFICATION OF SINGLE POLLEN GRAINS USING FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus florida) By Candace Elizabeth Dillon, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Major Professor: Rodney J. Dyer, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biology Studies of gene flow in natural plant populations often focus on either historical or abiotic dispersal methods (e.g. wind, water, gravity), but there is little information available on contemporary, animal-mediated pollen dispersal patterns. Emerging molecular laboratory techniques allow unprecedented insights into spatial patterns of pollen-mediated gene flow. However, to date, technical challenges have limited their widespread application. The genome of a pollen grain can be amplified via whole genome amplification (WGA) prior to traditional amplification via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to prevent the stochastic effects associated with low copy number amplification. Even still, WGA can suffer from low success rates or poor repeatability. The present
SU‐E‐T‐658: Quantitative Comparison of VMAT Arc Geometry for Locally Advanced Lung Cancer with Large PTVs

Purpose: Overall low dose to lung for patients with locally advanced lung cancer with large PTVs is a concern, prompting investigation into the preferred arc geometry for lung VMAT. Methods: 8 subjects (6 males, 64±7 years, stage III/IV=5/3) were enrolled with a mean PTV size of 595±303cc. A standard dose scheme of 60Gy in 30 fractions was used for all subjects. For each subject, four VMAT plans with different combinations of the number of arcs (1 arc vs. two arcs) and the arc range (full vs. partial arc) were generated in Eclipse. Dosimetric characteristics for each plan were evaluated by PTV coverage and OAR sparing. PTV coverage was quantified by mean, max dose, homogeneity index HI5/95 defined as (D5%–D95%)/Mean_dose and conformity index (CI). OAR sparing was measured by mean, V10 and V20 for lung minus GTV, mean, max, V30 and V40 for heart and max dose for cord. For each metric abovementioned, a two-way repeated ANOVA analysis was performed to evaluate whether the number of arcs and the arc range will significantly affect dose distribution of VMAT plans. Results: In general partial arc geometry provided better PTV coverage with significantly smaller HI5/95 (p<0.05) and higher mean dose (p=0.15) when keeping the total MU similar. For OAR sparing, partial arc geometry resulted in more dose sparing to the contralateral lung with significantly reduced mean lung dose (p=0.006). On the other hand, full arc geometry significantly reduced mean dose to the ipsilateral lung (p=0.02) as well as dose to the heart and the cord (p<0.05) especially with a two-full arc geometry. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that choice of an optimal VMAT geometry depends on clinical goals. For example, partial arc geometry should be preferred over full arc when considering overall low lung dose for patients with poor lung functions.
Citigroup-Wachovia-Wells Fargo

To explore the complexities of acquiring distressed companies in the context of the 2008 financial crisis.
A Hybrid Optimization Algorithm with Bayesian Inference for Probabilistic Model Updating

A hybrid optimization methodology is presented for the probabilistic finite element model up- dating of structural systems. The model updating pro- cess is formulated as an inverse problem, analyzed by Bayesian inference, and solved using a hybrid optimiza- tion algorithm. The proposed hybrid approach is a com- bination of a modified artificial bee colony (MABC) algorithm and the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) method. The MABC includes four modifica- tions compared to the standard ABC algorithm, which basically improve the global convergence of ABC in the solution phases of initialization, updating, selection, and rebirth. The BFGS is inserted to improve the finer solu- tion search ability aiming at a higher solution accuracy. In brief, a probabilistic framework based on Bayesian in- ference is first derived so to get a regularized objective function for optimization. Then the proposed MABC- BFGS algorithm is applied to determine the unknown system parameters by minimizing the newly defined objective function. System parameters as well as the pre- diction error covariance are updated iteratively in the optimization process. Posterior distributions of the iden- tified system parameters are determined using a weighted sum of Gaussian distributions. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated by the numer- ical data sets of the Phase I IASC-ASCE benchmark model and the experimental data sets of a three-storey frame structure (from the Los Alamos National Labo- ratory (LANL), New Mexico, United States).
Characterization of the interaction between calpactin I and fodrin (non-erythroid spectrin).

Abstract Calpactin I, a calcium-binding protein associated with the membrane cytoskeleton, has been reported to bind to a calcium-dependent manner to fodrin, to certain phospholipids, and to F-actin. We have investigated the interaction between calpactin I and fodrin. Using a gel filtration assay, we observed one or more calpactin I molecules were bound calcium-dependently only at high concentrations of calpactin (greater than 1 microM), indicating that the interaction is of only moderate affinity. At higher concentrations of calpactin I, the calpactin coprecipitated with fodrin in a calcium-dependent manner. The molar ratio of calpactin to fodrin tetramer in the precipitate was greater than 25:1, indicating that the calpactin binds to a large number of sites. Moreover, the monomeric form of calpactin I (p36), which did not induce precipitation of fodrin, showed no evidence of saturation in its binding to fodrin even when more than 30 mol of p36 were bound per mole of fodrin tetramer. Several proteins other than fodrin, including clathrin, alpha-actinin, and neurofilament-H, also interacted calcium-dependently with calpactin I in the gel filtration assay. These results demonstrate that the interaction between calpactin and fodrin is not of high affinity, is not readily saturated, and is not specific for fodrin. Our results suggest that calpactin's interaction with fodrin is a particular example of a calcium-dependent, but promiscuous, binding of calpactin to proteins.