cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Locating Value in the Study of Religion

Religious studies courses frequently justify their existence with the rhetoric of “value.” While appeasing the socio-economic concerns of college boards, this undermines the work of more critical approaches under the field’s big tent. The following paper responds to this disconcerting trend by casting religious studies as an analytical discipline that takes “evaluation” as its object of study. It details a way of navigating the critical turn using Michel de Certeau’s notion of “scriptural economy” as a pedagogical framework for three lower-level, undergraduate classes: REL-101 Signifying Religion: An African American Worldview , REL-226 Introduction to the New Testament , and REL-293 Introduction to Islam . Students theorize religion as a heuristic for studying how bodies are conscribed, prescribed, described, and inscribed in relation to evaluative systems.
Game Design to Introduce Pets

Introduction of animals from an early age can make children to love animals, especially pets. Children are the easiest group to receive stimulation, such as for example the stimulation of introducing children to the pet. Various media are used by parents to introduce pet. For examplle, by the media of books, multimedia, etc. One of the interesting media to introduce pet is with game. Of these problems then need to know how to make concept and design game to introduced pets for children age 3-6 years. In this paper, author formulate how to make pet game design include game genre, user interface design, image model selection, game characters, and game engine. The expected design of this game can be formulation of learning through proper game as a learning tool children. Game design derived from this writing by using model 2-dimensional images are funny and interesting coloring. And combines several game genres into one, or use the mini games that children do not get bored quickly. Design of GUI (Graphical User Interface) is made as simple as possible so that children easily understand in playing this game, but also must use an interesting image
Marginal abatement cost curve for nitrogen oxides incorporating controls, renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and fuel switching.

ABSTRACTA marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) traces out the relationship between the quantity of pollution abated and the marginal cost of abating each additional unit. In the context of air quality management, MACCs are typically developed by sorting control technologies by their relative cost-effectiveness. Other potentially important abatement measures such as renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and fuel switching (RE/EE/FS) are often not incorporated into MACCs, as it is difficult to quantify their costs and abatement potential. In this paper, a U.S. energy system model is used to develop a MACC for nitrogen oxides (NOx) that incorporates both traditional controls and these additional measures. The MACC is decomposed by sector, and the relative cost-effectiveness of RE/EE/FS and traditional controls are compared. RE/EE/FS are shown to have the potential to increase emission reductions beyond what is possible when applying traditional controls alone. Furthermore, a portion of RE/EE/FS appear to...
In situ frustum indentation of nanoporous copper thin films

Abstract Mechanical properties of thin films are often obtained solely from nanoindentation. At the same time, such measurements are characterized by a substantial amount of uncertainty, especially when mean pressure or hardness are used to infer uniaxial yield stress. In this work we demonstrate that indentation with a pyramidal flat tip (frustum) indenter near the free edge of a sample can provide a significantly better estimate of the uniaxial yield strength compared to frequently used Berkovich indenter. This is first demonstrated using a numerical model for a material with an isotropic pressure sensitive yield criterion. Numerical simulations confirm that the indenter geometry provides a clear distinction of the mean pressure at which a material transitions to inelastic behavior. The mean critical pressure is highly dependent on the plastic Poisson ratio ν p so that at the 1% offset of normalized indent depth, the critical pressure p m c normalized to the uniaxial yield strength σ 0 is 1 m c /σ 0 0 ν p 0.5 . Choice of a frustum over Berkovich indenter reduces uncertainty in hardness by a factor of 3. These results are used to interpret frustum indentation experiments on nanoporous (NP) Copper with struts of typical diameter of 45 nm. An estimate of the yield strength of NP Copper is obtained 230 MPa σ 0 300 MPa. Edge indentation further allows one to obtain in-plane strain maps near the critical pressure. Comparison of the experimentally obtained in-plane strain maps of NP Cu during deformation and the strain field for different plastic Poisson ratios suggest that this material has a plastic Poisson ratio of the order of 0.2–0.3. However, existing constitutive models may not adequately capture post-yield behavior of NP metals.
Patterns of vasopressor utilization during the resuscitation of massively transfused trauma patients.

Abstract Background The use of vasopressors (VP) in the resuscitation of massively transfused trauma patients might be considered a marker of inadequate resuscitation. We sought to characterize the utilization of VP in patients receiving massive transfusion and examine the association of their use with mortality. Methods Trauma patients admitted from January 2011 to October 2016 receiving massive transfusion, defined as 3 units of pRBC within the first hour from admission, were selected for analysis. Demographics, admission vital signs and labs, use of VP, surgical interventions and outcomes were collected. Standard statistical tools were utilized. Results Over the 5-year study period, 120 trauma patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 39 years with 77% being male and 41% sustaining a penetrating injury. Patients who received VP [VP (+)] were more likely to have a lower admission GCS (median 4.5 vs. 14.0, p Conclusion In the era of massive transfusion protocols, vasopressors are commonly utilized in exsanguinating trauma patients and their use is associated with a higher mortality risk. Deaths in patients receiving vasopressors are more likely to occur later compared to those in patients who do not receive vasopressors. Further research to characterize the role of these agents in the resuscitation of trauma patients is required.
The Education–Industry Interface: The interface between university and industry must be penetrated swiftly—in the national interest

(1968). The Education–Industry Interface: The interface between university and industry must be penetrated swiftly—in the national interest. Research Management: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 159-166.
Knowledge Representation and Ontologies

Ontologies have become important tools in biomedicine, supporting ­critical aspects of both health care and biomedical research, including clinical research. Some even see ontologies as integral to science. Unlike terminologies (focusing on naming) and classification systems (developed for partitioning a domain), ontologies define the types of entities that exist, as well as their ­interrelations. And while knowledge bases generally integrate both definitional and assertional knowledge, ontologies focus on what is always true of entities, i.e., ­definitional knowledge. In practice, however, there is no sharp distinction between these kinds of artifacts, and ontology has become a generic name for a variety of knowledge sources with important differences in their degree of formality, ­coverage, richness, and computability. In this chapter, we focus on those ontologies of ­particular relevance to clinical research. After a brief introduction to ontology ­development and knowledge representation, we present the characteristics of some of these ontologies. We then show how ontologies are integrated in and made accessible through knowledge repositories and illustrate their role in clinical research.
Speed of Processing Time Slowing in Eating Disorders.

We applied Brinley ( 1965 ) plot analysis to the eating disorders field. Across 23 studies and 165 experimental conditions [experienced by a total of 773 eating disorder (ED) participants, including anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating (BE), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and 995 controls], the best-fit regression equation was Y (ED) = 1.08 X (CONTROL) - 31. This equation accounted for 98.2% of the variance. Thus, the ED subjects were only 1.08 times slower than the control subjects, suggesting little processing speed slowing in ED. We also examined simple reaction time [SRT; Y (ED) = .91 X (CONTROL) + 63; variance accounted for = 93.6%] and choice reaction time (CRT; Y (ED) = 1.12X (CONTROL) - 43, variance accounted for = 99.7%). These slopes are significantly different. ED subjects are more impacted when the task involves a decision component (CRT) than when it does not (SRT).
Effect of cation nature on the lubricating and physicochemical properties of three ionic liquids

Abstract In this work, the lubricating ability and physicochemical properties of three ionic liquids (ILs) containing the same anion and three different cations are studied. Steel-steel contact, lubricated with each IL was studied using a ball-on-flat reciprocating tribometer. The three ILs presented very similar values of thermal stability, density, and surface tension. Trihexyltetradecylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide showed the best wettability at 25 °C, but the worst wettability at 100 °C. The influence of the surface finish in the lubricating properties of the ILs were also investigated. Results show higher wear values for fine-finished surfaces. No significant differences in the tribological performance of the ILs are found at low frequency; however, tribo-attack of the imidazolium-based IL on steel, resulted in higher wear at 5 Hz.
Expectancy Modulation of Opioid Neurotransmission

Expectancies are powerful modulators of cognitive and emotional experiences, as well as the neurobiological responses linked to these processes. In medicine, placebo effects are a clear example of how expectancies activate opioid neurotransmission in a treatment context, leading to the experience of analgesia and the improvement of emotional states, among other symptoms. Molecular neuroimaging techniques using positron emission tomography (PET) and the selective μ-opioid receptor tracer [11C]carfentanil have significantly contributed to our understanding of the neurobiological systems involved in the formation of placebo effects. This line of research has described neural and neurotransmitter networks implicated in placebo effects and provided the technical tools to examine inter-individual differences in the function of placebo responsive mechanisms. As a consequence, the capacity to activate endogenous opioid networks during the administration of placebos has been linked to the concept of resiliency mechanisms, partially determined by genetic factors, and uncovered by the cognitive emotional integration of the expectations created by the therapeutic environment and its maintenance through learning mechanisms. This evidence has contributed to the understanding of the biological bases of the cognitive and psychological mechanisms implicated in the response to treatments, and opened up new opportunities for drug development and the enhancement of treatment responses. Further, delineation of these processes within and across diseases is critical to understand neural systems that could be enhanced to promote symptomatic improvement and modify disease progression.
Thermo-fluid dynamic analysis of concrete masonry units via experimental testing and numerical modeling

Abstract This study aims to achieve a better understanding of the thermal behavior of concrete masonry systems, focusing not only on standard units but also on special thermally efficient unit configurations. In this context, sophisticated numerical models are generated to predict the thermal performance of masonry units. The validation of these numerical models follows a rigorous process that includes comparisons against experiments in the laboratory. The validated models are then used to evaluate the effect of material properties, geometry, and insulated materials on the heat flow path, distribution of temperatures, and air velocities within the units. The results show the importance of including the three heat transfer mechanisms of conduction, convection, and radiation within an effective numerical model and the equal importance of considering the influence of air flow within the cells of the masonry units.
Police killings and their spillover effects on the mental health of black Americans: a population-based, quasi-experimental study

Summary Background Police kill more than 300 black Americans—at least a quarter of them unarmed—each year in the USA. These events might have spillover effects on the mental health of people not directly affected. Methods In this population-based, quasi-experimental study, we combined novel data on police killings with individual-level data from the nationally representative 2013–15 US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to estimate the causal impact of police killings of unarmed black Americans on self-reported mental health of other black American adults in the US general population. The primary exposure was the number of police killings of unarmed black Americans occurring in the 3 months prior to the BRFSS interview within the same state. The primary outcome was the number of days in the previous month in which the respondent's mental health was reported as "not good". We estimated difference-in-differences regression models—adjusting for state-month, month-year, and interview-day fixed effects, as well as age, sex, and educational attainment. We additionally assessed the timing of effects, the specificity of the effects to black Americans, and the robustness of our findings. Findings 38 993 (weighted sample share 49%) of 103 710 black American respondents were exposed to one or more police killings of unarmed black Americans in their state of residence in the 3 months prior to the survey. Each additional police killing of an unarmed black American was associated with 0·14 additional poor mental health days (95% CI 0·07–0·22; p=0·00047) among black American respondents. The largest effects on mental health occurred in the 1–2 months after exposure, with no significant effects estimated for respondents interviewed before police killings (falsification test). Mental health impacts were not observed among white respondents and resulted only from police killings of unarmed black Americans (not unarmed white Americans or armed black Americans). Interpretation Police killings of unarmed black Americans have adverse effects on mental health among black American adults in the general population. Programmes should be implemented to decrease the frequency of police killings and to mitigate adverse mental health effects within communities when such killings do occur. Funding Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
Evolution of Local Amplitude in Trains if Shear Flow Instability Waves

ABSTRACT The equations of motion for small amplitude three-dimensional disturbances to an inviscid incompressible shear flow are manipulated to yield a single equation for the cross-stream displacement of a fluid particle. A variational principle satisfied by this displacement variable is derived and exploited to yield an equation similar to Whitham's law of conservation of wave action density (Whitham, 1974 Chap. 11). The variational formalism recovers the familiar Rayleigh stability equation, thus establishing the compatibility between the present variational formalism and the more traditional theory of normal modes.
Electrophysiological Consequences of D 2 and/or D 3 Receptor Knockout by Antisense Oligonucleotides in Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons

Mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons possess receptors for their own neurotransmitter, dopamine, at both somatodendritic as well as axon terminal regions. These receptors are termed autoreceptors and act to modulate dopaminergic synaptic transmission in two ways. Activation of the somatodendritic autoreceptors produces a membrane hyperpolarization by increasing a potassium conductance (Lacey, 1993) which leads to an inhibition of spontaneous activity (Groves et al., 1975). Activation of the terminal autoreceptors produces a decrease in terminal excitability which is presumed to reflect a membrane hyperpolarization (Tepper et al., 1985) which leads to a reduction in dopamine synthesis and in calcium- and impulse-dependent release of dopamine from nerve terminals (Starke et al., 1989; Wolf and Roth, 1987).
Reasonably programmable literal notation

General-purpose programming languages typically define literal notation for only a small number of common data structures, like lists. This is unsatisfying because there are many other data structures for which literal notation might be useful, e.g. finite maps, regular expressions, HTML elements, SQL queries, syntax trees for various languages and chemical structures. There may also be different implementations of each of these data structures behind a common interface that could all benefit from common literal notation. This paper introduces typed literal macros (TLMs), which allow library providers to define new literal notation of nearly arbitrary design at any specified type or parameterized family of types. Compared to existing approaches, TLMs are uniquely reasonable. TLM clients can reason abstractly, i.e. without examining grammars or generated expansions, about types and binding. The system only needs to convey to clients, via secondary notation, the inferred segmentation of each literal body, which gives the locations and types of spliced subterms. TLM providers can reason modularly about syntactic ambiguity and expansion correctness according to clear criteria. This paper incorporates TLMs into Reason, an emerging alternative front-end for OCaml, and demonstrates, through several non-trivial case studies, how TLMs integrate with the advanced features of OCaml, including pattern matching and the module system. We also discuss optional integration with MetaOCaml, which allows TLM providers to be more confident about type correctness. Finally, we establish these abstract reasoning principles formally with a detailed type-theoretic account of expression and pattern TLMs for “core ML”.
A review of the effects of exposure parameters on DAP and ESD on fluoroscopy X-rays systems

During fluoroscopic and interventional procedures, radiographers monitor and record patient DAP/ESD values, from which local DRLs can be established. DRLs are used as a guide for dose optimisation for different imaging modalities. However the relevance of DRLs in paediatric fluoroscopic procedures is questionable. Different factors, e.g. pulse rate, magnification, etc. enable radiographers to optimise the radiation dose received by the patient. This is especially important in paediatric radiology, were optimal exposure is of utmost importance. The fundamental aim of this work is to provide adequate information to radiographers of the effects different parameters have to the DAP and ESD values on the various fluoroscopy systems in the hospital. Two mobile and one fixed fluoroscopy system were studied. Results indicate that at higher pulse rates, the increase in DAP and ESD rates when going from one pulse rate to another vary across the different systems, with one system increasing by up to 160%. Results also showed a decrease in DAP values of up to 30% when changing from full field to higher magnification settings while the ESD rates increased by up to 16%. A comprehensive investigation is presented here of the effects the varying parameters have on DAP and ESD values. Information sheets are being developed for the respective unit to improve the radiographer’s understanding of the systems. This will subsequently provide more confidence in their decisions with real time dose optimisation during complex procedures, which will be in line with image gently protocols and the new BSS.
β-glucan induced training and tolerance: alterations to primary monocytes

In mice and humans, exposure to β-glucan can induce epigenetic reprograming in monocytes resulting in enhanced responses to heterologous agonists. Epigenetic reprograming is the basis for innate memory, which includes both decreased immune responsiveness (innate tolerance) and increased responsiveness (innate training). As a valuable food animal and medically relevant species, we sought to understand the phenotypic and mechanistic alterations induced by β-glucan on swine cells to develop methods to enhance health while limiting antibiotic usage. Thus, primary porcine monocytes were stimulated with β-glucan from S. cerevisiae or C. albicans , rested for 5 d, and then restimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; TLR 4 agonist) or Pam 3 CSK 4 (synthetic triacylated lipopeptide; TLR 2 agonist) to determine trained or tolerant phenotype (increase or decrease in cytokine production relative to unstimulated controls). Zymosan (β-glucan from S. cerevisiae ) primed monocytes exhibited a tolerant phenotype (decreased IL-1β and TNF-α production compared to controls) when restimulated with LPS or Pam 3 CSK 4 . However, β-glucan from C. albicans (the primary β-glucan used in mouse and human studies) primed porcine monocytes for increased cytokine production after LPS and Pam 3 CSK 4 stimulation, an indication of trained immunity. Epigenetic analysis of the accessibility of the genome to transposase (ATAC-sequencing) showed changes in promoter peaks with treatment, providing insight into mechanisms of tolerance versus training. These data indicate that β-glucan can induce both training and tolerance in porcine monocytes, but the source and purity of β-glucan likely impacts innate memory.
Ethnographic Observations at Christ Church Burial Grounds

This ethnography presents observations of visitor behaviors at Christ Church Burial Grounds in Old City Philadelphia. This study shows that visitors to Christ Church Burial Grounds did not always adhere to the social rules that govern actively used cemeteries like remaining on marked paths and appropriately interacting with monuments or markers. Additionally, this study shows that most people visited Christ Church Burial Grounds by chance, rather than by plan, and that the visitors were drawn to Christ Church Burial Grounds because it is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin. Although Christ Church Burial Grounds is technically classified as a cemetery, its visitors are not governed by the same social rules that apply to actively-used cemeteries, and therefore it cannot be analyzed through the same lens.
Intracellular Polyphenols: How Little We Know

In vitro cell studies are used by scientists to determine mechanisms that can be operating in vivo and pave the way for animal and human studies. Polyphenols, the major antioxidants in plants and the human diet, have been extensively studied in cells within thousands of publications. However, glucuronides, sulfates, and methyl metabolites and not the original polyphenols are generally present in the circulation and often have weaker beneficial effects in cell studies. The number of articles in the literature involving their cellular metabolites is quite small. We will critically examine the knowledge we have up to the present regarding polyphenols and cells in five areas: stability in in vitro cell culture media, metabolites, conjugation/deconjugation, transport to cells, and cells in vivo. Also, the future research needs in the field of polyphenols and their metabolites with cells will be outlined.
Relations of anxiety sensitivity dimensions to nonsuicidal self-injury frequency and versatility among patients with substance use disorders.

Objective Despite the theoretical and empirical relevance of anxiety sensitivity (AS) to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), few studies have investigated this association. This study examined the incremental validity of AS dimensions in NSSI frequency and versatility, above and beyond emotion dysregulation and relevant covariates (racial/ethnic background, negative affectivity). AS dimensions were expected to account for additional unique variance in NSSI outcomes. Method Participants included 204 patients (50.5% female) with substance use disorders in residential treatment. Results In this sample, 37.2% reported a history of NSSI. The hierarchical regression models revealed a unique positive association between AS social concerns and NSSI outcomes when adjusting for model variables. In contrast, AS physical concerns were uniquely negatively associated with NSSI outcomes. Conclusion Findings provide support for AS social concerns as a vulnerability for engagement in NSSI behaviors and highlight this particular AS dimension as a potential treatment target for NSSI prevention and intervention programs.
Increasing Shopper Trust in Retailer Technological Interfaces via Auditory Confirmation

Abstract This research examines the effects of sounds made by retail technological interfaces – self-checkout kiosks, credit card readers, mobile apps, websites – at point-of-sale. We propose that such sounds, retail transaction auditory confirmation (RTAC), increase trust in technological interfaces by providing auditory confirmation that stages of the checkout process have been successfully executed. Increased trust in technological interfaces leads to positive downstream consequences in the form of satisfaction and purchase intention. Visual and auditory distraction in the retail environment reduces trust, even when visual confirmation is provided, but synchronously provided audio-visual confirmation attenuates the negative effects of environment distraction.
Fitness Factors for Bioorthogonal Chemical Probes

Bioorthogonal chemistry has offered an invaluable reactivity-based tool to chemical biology owing to its exquisite specificity in tagging a diverse set of biomolecules in their native environment. ...
Not ready for prime time: Intermittent versus partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta for prolonged hemorrhage control in a highly lethal porcine injury model

Background Partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (pREBOA) and intermittent REBOA (iREBOA) are techniques to extend the therapeutic duration of REBOA by balloon titration for distal flow or cyclical balloon inflation/deflation to allow transient distal flow, respectively. We hypothesized that manually titrated pREBOA would reduce blood losses and ischemic burden when compared with iREBOA. Methods Following 20% blood volume controlled hemorrhage, 10 anesthetized pigs underwent uncontrolled hemorrhage from the right iliac artery and vein. Once in hemorrhagic shock, animals underwent 15 minutes of complete zone 1 REBOA followed by 75 minutes of either pREBOA or iREBOA (n = 5/group). After 90 minutes, definitive hemorrhage control was obtained, animals were resuscitated with the remaining collected blood, and then received 2 hours of critical care. Results There were no differences in mortality. Animals randomized to iREBOA spent a larger portion of the time at full occlusion when compared with pREBOA (median, 70 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 70-80 vs. median, 20 minutes; IQR, 20-40, respectively; p = 0.008). While the average blood pressure during the intervention period was equivalent between groups, this was offset by large fluctuations in blood pressure and significantly more rescue occlusions for hypotension with iREBOA. Despite lower maximum aortic flow rates, the pREBOA group tolerated a greater total amount of distal aortic flow during the intervention period (median, 20.9 L; IQR, 20.1-23.0 vs. median, 9.8 L; IQR, 6.8-10.3; p = 0.03) with equivalent abdominal blood losses. Final plasma lactate and creatinine concentrations were equivalent, although iREBOA animals had increased duodenal edema on histology. Conclusion Compared with iREBOA, pREBOA reduced the time spent at full occlusion and the number of precipitous drops in proximal mean arterial pressure while delivering more distal aortic flow but not increasing total blood loss in this highly lethal injury model. Neither technique demonstrated a survival benefit. Further refinement of these techniques is necessary before clinical guidelines are issued.
Improving the Use of Aggregate Longitudinal Data on School Performance to Assess Program Effectiveness: Evidence from Three Within Study Comparisons

More aggregate data on school performance is available than ever before, opening up new possibilities for applied researchers interested in assessing the effectiveness of school-level interventions...
Emission Quotas for Maintaining Air Quality

In order to control the air pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as required by the Clean Air Act. The emission quota is applied to major industrial pollutants and particularly to the sulfur oxides in an attempt to maintain the standards over an air quality control region. It is a regionalized and not an interstate control. The scientists at Argonne have put together a book which tells how to put together an emission control quota in a local region.
Gendered preferences: How women’s inclusion in society shapes negotiation occurrence in intrastate conflicts:

To what extent do gender relations in society influence the likelihood of negotiations during intrastate disputes? A substantial body of literature recognizes gendered inequalities as integral to u...
A Bayesian Framework for Estimating the Risk Ratio of Hospitalization for People with Comorbidity Infected by SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

OBJECTIVE: Estimating the hospitalization risk for people with comorbidities infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is important for developing public health policies and guidance. Traditional biostatistical methods for risk estimations require: (i) the number of infected people who were not hospitalized, which may be severely undercounted since many infected people were not tested; (ii) comorbidity information for people not hospitalized, which may not always be readily available. We aim to overcome these limitations by developing a Bayesian approach to estimate the risk ratio of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients with comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We derived a Bayesian approach to estimate the posterior distribution of the risk ratio using the observed frequency of comorbidities in COVID-19 patients in hospitals and the prevalence of comorbidities in the general population. We applied our approach to two large-scale datasets in the United States: 2491 patients in the COVID-NET, and 5700 patients in New York hospitals. RESULTS: Our results consistently indicated that cardiovascular diseases carried the highest hospitalization risk for COVID-19 patients, followed by diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and obesity, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our approach only needs (i) the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and their comorbidity information, which can be reliably obtained using hospital records, and (ii) the prevalence of the comorbidity of interest in the general population, which is regularly documented by public health agencies for common medical conditions. CONCLUSION: We developed a novel Bayesian approach to estimate the hospitalization risk for people with comorbidities infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Tuning the strength and ductility balance of a TRIP titanium alloy

Abstract Titanium (Ti) alloys are ubiquitous in the aerospace, defense, and biomedical industries for their high strength to density ratios and good corrosion resistance. Ti alloys are typically optimized for strength, but improved work hardening characteristics and ductility would broaden their use in engineering applications. Here we show desirable combinations of strength and ductility in Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (wt.%), including a fourfold increase in yield strength without commensurate losses in ductility, overcoming the classic strength/ductility tradeoff. This is achieved by nanoscale ω phase precipitates produced by natural and artificial aging, in concert with TRansformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP). Opportunity exists to tailor these strengthening mechanisms to design microstructural and mechanical response, opening up the performance landscape for lightweight Ti alloys for structural applications, analogous to the design of advanced high strength steels that result in lightweighting and improved crashworthiness for transportation applications.
A Unique Gut Microbiome-Physical Function Axis Exists in Older People with HIV: An Exploratory Study.

Impairments in physical function and increased systemic levels of inflammation have been observed in middle-aged and older persons with HIV (PWH). We previously demonstrated that in older persons, ...
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Adaptation in Relation to Models of Psychobiological Development

Once defined by anatomical features or electrical activity, neural systems in the brain can now be discriminated by neurochemical techniques. The neurons in each system synthesize and release or store specific chemicals to excite subsequent cells in their respective pathways. For several years my colleagues and I (and others in other laboratories) have been studying a number of macromolecular adaptive changes affecting the function of adrenergic and serotonergic transmission in the brain. In the former, norepinephrine is thought to be related to states of arousal, attention, and perhaps to mood; in the latter, serotonin has been implicated in involuntary vascular functions, emotional memory, and moods of sexuality and rage.
An Assessment of the Net Value of CSP Systems Integrated with Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract Within this study, we evaluate the operational and capacity value—or total system value—for multiple concentrating solar power (CSP)plant configurations under an assumed 33% renewable penetration scenario in California. We calculate the first-year bid price for two CSP plants, including a 2013 molten-salt tower integrated with a conventional Rankine cycle and a hypothetical 2020 molten-salt tower system integrated with an advanced supercritical carbon-dioxide power block. The overall benefit to the regional grid, defined in this study as the net value, is calculated by subtracting the first-year bid price from the total system value. Re--sults of this study indicate a positive net value for a variety of scenarios, depending on technology assumptions and assumed values for natural gas price and tax incentives. We provide results for the 2013 and 2020 CSP configurations as a function of thermal energy storage capacity and solar field size. We provide a sensitivity of these results to natural gas price, which influence the operation value and thus the total system value. We also investigate the sensitivity of the net value to current and anticipated tax incentives.
An Introduction to Large Deviations and Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics for Turbulent Flows

Two-dimensional turbulent flows, and to some extent, geophysical flows, are systems with a large number of degrees of freedom, which, albeit fluctuating, exhibit some degree of organization: coherent structures emerge spontaneously at large scales. In this short course, we show how the principles of equilibrium statistical mechanics apply to this problem and predict the condensation of energy at large scales and allow for computing the resulting coherent structures. We focus on the structure of the theory using the language of large deviation theory.
Non-aqueous reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Abstract It has been found that mnay hydrophobic substances such as hydrocarbons and glyceride oils may not completely elute from a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic column when using semi-aqueous mobile phases containing methanol or acetonitrile. Addition of lower-polarity solvents such as methylene chloride or tetrahydrofuran to the carrier causes rapid elution of these non-polar susbtances. By using a highly retentive reserved-phase packing. Zorbax ODS, it has been demostrated that non-aqueous mobile phases provide an effective way of separating water-insoluble, non-polar substances. The enhanced solubility of compounds in these non-aqueous solvents greatly facilitates the detection of compounds which have poor UV absorbance/fluorescence characteristics.
Learning From Simulation-Based Medication Event Reporting: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Abstract Background Errors committed during the course of delivering care represent a significant threat to patient safety. Nurse educators are in a unique position to effect change in patient safety, but more opportunities for learning from and reporting errors are needed to realize this goal. Method This study used the convergent parallel design and followed three cohorts of students longitudinally. As part of the simulation program, students were asked to report any adverse events committed or observed during simulation encounters. The reported medication events were analyzed using chi-square analysis and content analysis. Results A decreasing trend of reported medication events across courses was found. Chi-square analysis showed statistically significant differences in the categories of wrong dose, wrong patient, failing to ID the patient, communication breakdown, medication handling, knowledge, and personal distraction. Themes identified via content analysis of the open-ended questions included needing to improve communication; double checking orders, dosages, and patient identifiers; needing to gain more medical knowledge; deficiencies in assessment skills; poor focus; distraction; and nervousness. Conclusion The findings uncover a domain of patient safety that has not been fully explored. The results provide a deeper insight into how students acquire knowledge from making errors and how they incorporate and reflect on lessons learned as they gain knowledge and skills.
Reproducibility of forced expiratory tracheal collapse: assessment with MDCT in healthy volunteers.

Rationale and Objectives To assess the reproducibility of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT)-measured forced expiratory tracheal collapse in healthy volunteers. Methods and Materials Fourteen healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (6 males, 8 females, mean age 48.7 ± 13.8 years) underwent repeat imaging 1 year after baseline imaging of tracheal dynamics employing the same scanner and technique (64-MDCT, 40 mAs, 120 kVp, and 0.625 mm detector collimation) with spirometric monitoring of total lung capacity and forced exhalation. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of the trachea was measured 1 cm above the aortic arch at end-inspiration and dynamic expiration, and percentage (%) expiratory reduction in tracheal lumen was calculated. Measurements were compared between baseline (Yr1) and repeat imaging (Yr2) using correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots. Results Mean end-inspiratory CSA was 255.3 ± 56 mm2 at Yr1 and 255.1 ± 52 mm2 at Yr2; mean dynamic expiratory CSA was 125.6 ± 60 mm2 at Yr1 and 132.1 ± 58 mm2 at Yr2; and mean % expiratory reduction was 51.7 ± 18% at Yr1 and 48.7 ± 19% at Yr2. Mean differences between Yr1 and Yr2 values were 0.2 mm2 for end-inspiratory CSA, 6.5 mm2 for dynamic expiratory CSA, and 3.0% for percentage expiratory reduction. There was excellent correlation between the Yr1 and Yr2 measures of end-inspiratory CSA (r2 = 0.97, P Conclusion MDCT measurements of forced expiratory tracheal collapse in healthy volunteers are highly reproducible over time.
Ambient hypoxia reverses retinal vascular attenuation in a transgenic mouse model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE Loss of retinal capillaries is an inherent component of late stage autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). This study examined the hypothetical role of tissue hyperoxia in this vascular attenuation process and tested the potential of ambient hypoxia to reverse it. METHODS Transgenic mice expressing a mutant opsin gene with a 3-bp deletion of isoleucine at codon 255/256 were used. This model is characterized by early onset of a rapidly progressing retinal degeneration that by postnatal day (P)20 results in the loss of all but one row of photoreceptor nuclei. At P20 some mice were placed in 12% oxygen until they were euthanatized at P26. The remainder were maintained in normoxia and killed at the same age. Retinas were dissected, stained for ADPase, and flat-mounted. RESULTS Deep plexus capillary density was significantly different in normoxic normals versus transgenics at 20 days of age (P: </= 0. 005). An additional 65% reduction of capillary density occurred within the deep plexus of normoxic transgenics between P20 and P26 (P: </= 0.005). Ambient hypoxia between days P20 and P26 reversed this trend, causing an increase in deep capillary plexus density of nearly 100% (P: </= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This model of ADRP demonstrates two important features of human retinitis pigmentosa: photoreceptor cell death and subsequent retinal capillary atrophy. Low ambient oxygen was used to reverse the capillary atrophy and to stimulate new capillary growth, implying that retinal oxygen tension may link these two features of the pathology. The implications of this study hold importance for strategies designed to treat retinitis pigmentosa with retinal cell transplantation.
Insertional mutagenesis and recovery of interrupted genes of Streptococcus mutans by using transposon Tn917: preliminary characterization of mutants displaying acid sensitivity and nutritional requirements.

New vectors were constructed for efficient transposon Tn917-mediated mutagenesis of poorly transformable strains of Streptococcus mutans(pTV1-OK) and subsequent recovery of interrupted genes in Escherichia coli (pT21delta2TetM). In this report, we demonstrate the utility of Tn917 mutagenesis of a poorly transformable strain of S. mutans (JH1005) by showing (i) the conditional replication of pTV1-OK, a repA(Ts) derivative of the broad-host-range plasmid pWVO1 harboring Tn9l7, in JH1005 at the permissive temperature (30 degrees C) versus that at the nonpermissive temperature (45 degrees C); (ii) transposition frequencies similar to those reported for Bacillus subtilis (10(-5) to 10(-4)) with efficient plasmid curing in 90 to 97% of the erythromycin-resistant survivors following a temperature shift to 42 to 45 degrees C; and (iii) the apparent randomness of Tn917 insertion as determined by Southern hybridization analysis and the ability to isolate nutritional mutants, mutants in acid tolerance, and mutants in bacteriocin production, at frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 0.7%. Recovery of transposon-interrupted genes was achieved by two methods: (i) marker rescue in E. coli with the recovery vector pTV21delta2TetM, a tetracycline-resistant and ampicillin-sensitive Tn9l7-pBR322 hybrid, and (ii) "shotgun" cloning of genomic libraries of Tn917 mutants into pUC19. Sequence analyses revealed insertions at five different genetic loci in sequences displaying homologies to Clostridium spp.fhs (66% identity), E. coli dfp (43% identity), and B. subtilis ylxM-ffh (58% identity), icd (citC [69% identity]), and argD (61% identity). Insertions in icd and argD caused nutritional requirements; the one in ylxM-ffh caused acid sensitivity, while those in fhs and dfp caused both acid sensitivity and nutritional requirements. This paper describes the construction of pTV1-OK and demonstrates that it can be efficiently employed to deliver Tn917 into S. mutans for genetic analyses with some degree of randomness and that insertions in the chromosome can be easily recovered for subsequent characterization. This represents the first published report of successful Tn9l7 mutagenesis in the genus Streptococcus.
The production of accelerated radioactive ion beams

During the last few years, substantial work has been done and interest developed in the scientific opportunities available with accelerated radioactive ion beams (RIBs) for nuclear physics, astrophysics, and applied research. This interest has led to the construction, development, and proposed development of both first- and second-generation RIB facilities in Asia, North America, and Europe; international conferences on RIBs at Berkeley and Louvain-la-Neuve; and many workshops on specific aspects of RIB production and science. This paper provides a discussion of both the projectile fragmentation, PF, and isotope separator on-line, ISOL, approach to RIB production with particular emphasis on the latter approach, which employs a postaccelerator and is most suitable for nuclear structure physics. The existing, under construction, and proposed facilities worldwide are discussed. The paper draws heavily from the CERN ISOLDE work, the North American IsoSpin Laboratory (ISL) study, and the operating first-generation RIB facility at Louvain-la-Neuve, and the first-generation RIB project currently being constructed at ORNL.
The Lying Chicken and the Gaze Avoidant Egg: Eye Contact, Deception, and Causal Order

People commonly believe that a link exists between perceptions of message veracity and nonverbal behaviors. Almost always, a specific causal order among the constructs is presumed. Nonverbal behaviors affect judgments of message veracity. The experiment reported here tests if the reverse order might also be possible. A 2 × 2 mixed-model experiment (N = hundred one fifteen) is reported where message veracity (truths, lies) is crossed with foreknowledge of message veracity (veracity known, unknown). A two-way interaction between message veracity and preknowledge of veracity was found. Participants reported observing significantly less eye contact in messages known to be lies than in the same messages in the unknown veracity condition. These data suggest that the knowledge that a message source is lying affects receivers' perceptions of the source's behavior. That is, although a person's nonverbal behavior affects the extent to which they are seen as dishonest, it is apparently also the case that the extent ...
A multioperand two's complement addition algorithm

This paper presents a novel algorithm for summing a set of 2's complement numbers in parallel. The 2's complement addition is converted to an equivalent parallel summation of unsigned numbers. The conversion is performed by simply complementing all the sign bits. Only a few constant bits are required for sign correction. This algorithm is suitable for computer-aided design (CAD) of custom VLSI.
Origin of ultramafic-hosted magnesite on Margarita Island, Venezuela

Ultramafic-hosted deposits of magnesite (MgCO3) have been studied on Margarita Island, Venezuela, to elucidate the source of carbon and conditions of formation for this type of ore. Petrographic, mineralogic, and δ18O data indicate that magnesite precipitated on Margarita in near-surface environments at low P and T. δ13C ranges from −9 to −16‰ PDB within the magnesite and −8 to −10‰ PDB within some calcite and dolomite elsewhere on the island. The isotopically light dolomite fills karst and the calcite occurs as stock-work veins which resemble the magnesite deposits. These carbon isotopic ratios are consistent with a deep-seated source rather than an overlying source from a zone of surficial weathering. However, there is not much enrichment of precious metals and no enrichment of heavy rare-earth elements, as would be expected if the carbon had migrated upward as aqueous carbonate ions. The carbon probably has risen as a gaseous mixture of CO2 and CH4 which partially dissolved in near-surface water before leaching cations and precipitating as magnesite and other carbonates. The process probably is ongoing, given regional exhalation of carbonaceous gases.
In Pursuit of Gold: Chinese American Miners and Merchants in the American West

Sue Fawn Chung has begun to crack one of the most vexing of historical puzzles. Historians have known that Chinese immigrants were among the many ‘49ers’ to rush to California during that state's G...