cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geometric Design of Symmetric 3-RRS Constrained Parallel Platforms

The paper presents the kinematic synthesis of a symmetric parallel platform supported by three RRS serial chains. The dimensional synthesis of this three degree-of-freedom system is obtained using design equations for each of three RRS chains obtained by requiring that they reach a specified set of task positions. The result is 10 polynomial equations in 10 unknowns, which is solved using polynomial homotopy continuation. An example is provided in which the direction of the first revolute joint (2 parameters) and the z component of the base and platform are specified as well as the two task positions. The system of polynomials has a total degree of 4096 which means that in theory it can have as many solutions. Our example has 70 real solutions that define 70 different symmetric platforms that can reach the specified positions.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Evolution of Water Vapor Concentrations and Stratospheric Age of Air in Coupled Chemistry-Climate Model Simulations

Stratospheric water vapor concentrations and age of air are investigated in an ensemble of coupled chemistry-climate model simulations covering the period from 1960 to 2005. Observed greenhouse gas concentrations, halogen concentrations, aerosol amounts, and sea surface temperatures are all specified in the model as time-varying fields. The results are compared with two experiments (time-slice runs) with constant forcings for the years 1960 and 2000, in which the sea surface temperatures are set to the same climatological values, aerosol concentrations are fixed at background levels, while greenhouse gas and halogen concentrations are set to the values for the relevant years. The time-slice runs indicate an increase in stratospheric water vapor from 1960 to 2000 due primarily to methane oxidation. The age of air is found to be significantly less in the year 2000 run than the 1960 run. The transient runs from 1960 to 2005 indicate broadly similar results: an increase in water vapor and a decrease in age of air. However, the results do not change gradually. The age of air decreases significantly only after about 1975, corresponding to the period of ozone reduction. The age of air is related to tropical upwelling, which determines the transport of methane into the stratosphere. Oxidation of increased methane from enhanced tropical upwelling results in higher water vapor amounts. In the model simulations, the rate of increase of stratospheric water vapor during the period of enhanced upwelling is up to twice the long-term mean. The concentration of stratospheric water vapor also increases following volcanic eruptions during the simulations.
Water adsorption with hysteresis effect onto microporous activated carbon fabrics

Understanding the adsorption of water vapor onto activated carbons is important for designing processes to re- move dilute contaminants from humid gas streams, such as providing protection against chemical warfare agents (CWAs), or against toxic industrial compounds (TICs) used in a terrorist chemical attack. Water vapor isotherms for Calgon BPL granular activated carbon (GAC), mil- itary ASZM-TEDA GAC, electrospun activated carbon nanofibers (ACnF), Calgon Zorflex ™ activated carbon cloth, and Novoloid-based activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) are presented. Of particular interest are the ACFC isotherms, which exhibit an unusually high degree of hydrophobicity. The ACFC isotherms also show a correlation between water vapor adsorption hysteresis and the level of activation. Water vapor isotherm models from the literature are compared.
Describing the Use of the Internet for Health, Physical Activity, and Nutrition Information in Pregnant Women

The purpose of this study was to determine how pregnant women in the Midwestern United States use the internet for health information during pregnancy including information related to physical activity and nutrition, and to determine the impact of the internet on women’s confidence in making decisions about physical activity participation and eating behaviors during pregnancy. This was a descriptive, exploratory study using a convenient, non-probabilistic sample. Women were recruited through handouts provided in person, fliers posted at venues, or local websites that cater to women who are pregnant or up to 1 year post-partum. Overall, 293 women (28.5 years ± 4.9) completed the survey online (Survey Monkey) or in-print. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t tests, and analyses of covariance. Almost all women used the internet for health information during their pregnancy. Half of women used the internet for information related to physical activity during their pregnancy and some increased their physical activity as a result. Women reported an increase in their confidence for making decisions related to physical activity during pregnancy after using the internet for physical activity information. Women that reported increases in physical activity during pregnancy, had greater increases in confidence for making decisions from using the internet compared to women who decreased or did not change their physical activity. Findings related to nutrition were similar to physical activity. However, there were no significant differences in increases in confidence between those who did or did not change the foods they ate. This study provides health promotional professionals useful information to consider when designing future physical activity and/or nutrition interventions for pregnant women.
Polarization Sensitive time reversal SAR imaging in an environment filled with trees

In this paper, we present a time reversal SAR (TR-SAR) algorithm to improve the target images and reduce the ghost images by utilizing different polarizations in an environment filled with trees.
Model reduction and nonlinear MPC for energy management in buildings

In this paper, we introduce a singular perturbations framework for the dynamic analysis and model reduction of building models. Working with a prototype building, we present a theoretical justification of the empirically acknowledged multiple time scale dynamic response of buildings, and develop a mathematically rigorous methodology for deriving reduced-order models for the dynamics in each time scale. Our analysis accounts for the potential use of Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs), and we show that their presence leads to the emergence of a dynamic behavior with three time scales, including an overall, system-wide component which involves both the building and the HVAC system. The second part of the paper presents a simulation case study, where we demonstrate the use of the derived reduced-order models in the synthesis of a nonlinear predictive model-based optimal energy management strategy for a single-zone test building situated on the University of Texas campus. The proposed controller exhibits excellent performance, can easily be executed in real-time and its application results in significant energy savings compared to setpoint tracking strategies.
A survey of clinical practice of lung transplantation in North America

Objectives: The clinical practice of lung transplantation (LT) varies widely among transplant centers. The objective of this study was to determine the practice patterns of North American lung transplant programs in specific areas that are considered controversial by most lung transplant practitioners. Methods: The Transplant/Immunology Network of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) designed a survey and distributed it through the ACCP using a Web-based survey tool. The survey was divided into the following two sections: (1) patient selection issues; and (2) posttransplant management. Additional questions were asked about graft preservation, retransplantation, and living donor operations. A single 64-question survey was sent to each lung transplant program in the United Sates registered in the United Network of Organ Sharing database as of September 2001 and to each of the five active Canadian programs. Results: The survey was conducted in September and October 2002. Fifty of 65 active centers completed the survey, for a response rate of 77%. The data are presented in graphic format as a percentage of respondents. Conclusion: This survey provides a large, time-sensitive database summarizing the clinical practice of LT in North America. In general, the survey responses demonstrated a remarkable degree of consistency around patient selection criteria, but much greater variance in posttransplant management of lung transplant recipients. These findings may reflect the fact that a published selection criteria guideline exists, but no similar documents have been designed for postoperative management. Hopefully, postoperative areas with widely divergent approaches to management will foster future collaborative studies aimed at identifying the most appropriate practices. (CHEST 2004; 125:1224 –1238)
Do Animated Disney Characters Portray and Promote the Beauty-Goodness Stereotype?

Disney movies are frequently cited as a source of the what-is-beautiful-is-good stereotype. Two studies (a) assessed prevalence of the stereotype across animated Disney movies; and (b) examined whether exposure to such films influences children's judgments of peers. In Study 1, human characters in 21 films were rated on attractiveness, goodness, and character outcome. Regression analyses demonstrated that attractiveness of a character was a significant predictor of the character's portrayal. In the second study, 42 children (ages 6–12) were exposed to either a high or low beauty-biased film and then rated target peers. Children rated the attractive target more favorably than the less attractive target. However, film exposure did not increase children's use of the stereotype.
Timing driven wiring on an advanced microprocessor

The effect of wire delay within critical timing paths is becoming an increasing problem. By comparing the large improvement of transistor performance, due to shrinking L/sub eff/ or new technology such as silicon on insulator, versus the smaller improvements of wire delay, such as copper wires and better dielectrics, it can be seen that the wiring within an advanced microprocessor will become a more dominant portion of the critical paths. In deep sub-micron designs it is crucial to analyze and improve any wire dominated paths while assuming that the transistor delay continues to improve. This paper describes wire related improvements, such as an algorithmic wiring approach, wire bending and clock skew reduction that is used in the timing convergence of an advanced PowerPC microprocessor. The impact of wiring improvements is evaluated on the timing, clocking and wireability of the microprocessor.
Fundamental analysis powered by Semantic Web

Conducting fundamental analysis within subsets of comparable firms has been demonstrated to provide more reliable inferences and increase the prediction quality in equity research. However, incorporating and representing both firm-specific information and common economic determinants has been widely recognized as the key challenge. This paper investigates how to leverage Semantic Web technologies to assist fundamental analysis by generating flexible and meaningful selections of comparable firms at low costs. We approach the problem by proposing Linked Open Financial Data as the data organization model and ontology modeling for knowledge representation. Results are verified in terms of efficiency with examples of quick mashups, and feasibility by adapting to existing valuation models.
Chronic Ethanol Ingestion Increases Nitric Oxide Production in the Lung

Abstract Chronic ethanol (EtOH) ingestion increases the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The mechanisms underlying EtOH-induced susceptibility to lung injury continue to be defined. This study examines the hypothesis that EtOH increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and activity in the lungs of a rat model of chronic EtOH ingestion. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed liquid diets containing EtOH (36% of calories) or maltose–dextrin as an isocaloric substitution for EtOH (control) for 6 weeks. Selected animals were also treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor lisinopril (3mg/l in diet) for 6 weeks. At study completion, animals were sacrificed, and lung tissue was collected for assays of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism or pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) were isolated for analysis of NO release. Compared to the control diet, chronic EtOH ingestion increased lung H 2 O 2 production, eNOS expression and activity, lung cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content, and levels of protein nitration and oxidation. MVEC from animals with chronic EtOH ingestion released greater amounts of NO. EtOH-induced increases in lung H 2 O 2 production, eNOS expression and activity, cGMP content, protein nitration and oxidation, and MVEC NO production were all attenuated by treatment with lisinopril. Chronic EtOH ingestion stimulates ACE-dependent increases in NO production in the lung. These novel findings indicate that chronic EtOH ingestion increases reactive species production in the lung parenchyma and provide new insights into mechanisms by which EtOH causes phenotypic alterations in the lung and alters the lung's response to inflammatory stimuli.
Load Rate and Temperature Dependent Mechanical Properties of the Cortical Neuron and Its Pericellular Layer Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy

When studying the mechanical properties of cells by an indentation technique, it is important to take into account the nontrivial pericellular interface (or pericellular “brush”) which includes a pericellular coating and corrugation of the pericellular membrane (microvilli and microridges). Here we use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the mechanics of cortical neurons taking into account the presence of the above pericellular brush surrounding cell soma. We perform a systematic study of the mechanical properties of both the brush layer and the underlying neuron soma and demonstrate that the brush layer is likely responsible for the low elastic modulus (<1 kPa) typically reported for cortical neurons. When the contribution of the pericellular brush is excluded, the average elastic modulus of the cortical neuron soma is found to be 3–4 times larger than previously reported values measured under similar physiological conditions. We also demonstrate that the underlying soma behaves as a nonviscous elast...
The Protective Role of Commitment to Social Change in the Relationship Between Women’s Sexist Experiences and Self-Silencing

Sexism is a stressor for many women and is related to a host of harmful psychosocial outcomes, including silencing oneself in social relationships. The present study examined the relationships among sexist experiences, endorsement of traditional feminine gender roles, commitment to social change, and self-silencing among a sample of 261 women. Results revealed that recent sexist experiences and endorsement of traditional feminine gender roles significantly and positively predicted self-silencing, whereas a commitment to social change significantly and negatively predicted self-silencing. In addition, lifetime sexist experiences were associated with greater self-silencing for women with low levels of commitment to social change, but not for women with average or high levels, suggesting a buffering effect. Women who were less committed to social change demonstrated higher levels of self-silencing when sexual objectification experiences were less frequent; women with higher levels of commitment to social change were less likely to self-silence, regardless of the frequency of sexual objectification experiences. Thus, it is important to explore women’s sexist experiences and gender roles attitudes and to locate women’s self-silencing within a sexist sociocultural context. Moreover, fostering a commitment to social change may be a promising intervention for reducing the impact of sexist events on women’s self-silencing.
Hyaluronan concentration and size distribution in human knee synovial fluid: variations with age and cartilage degeneration

One potential mechanism for early superficial cartilage wear in normal joints is alteration of the lubricant content and quality of synovial fluid. The purpose of this study was to determine if the concentration and quality of the lubricant, hyaluronan, in synovial fluid: (1) was similar in left and right knees; (2) exhibited similar age-associated trends, whether collected postmortem or antemortem; and (3) varied with age and grade of joint degeneration. Human synovial fluid of donors (23–91 years) without osteoarthritis was analyzed for the concentrations of protein, hyaluronan, and hyaluronan in the molecular weight ranges of 2.5–7 MDa, 1–2.5 MDa, 0.5–1 MDa, and 0.03–0.5 MDa. Similarity of data between left and right knees was assessed by reduced major axis regression, paired t-test, and Bland-Altman analysis. The effect of antemortem versus postmortem collection on biochemical properties was assessed for age-matched samples by unpaired t-test. The relationships between age, joint grade, and each biochemical component were assessed by regression analysis. Joint grade and the concentrations of protein, hyaluronan, and hyaluronan in the molecular weight ranges of 2.5–7 MDa, 1–2.5 MDa, and 0.5–1 MDa in human synovial fluid showed good agreement between left and right knees and were similar between age-matched patient and cadaver knee joints. There was an age-associated decrease in overall joint grade (–15 %/decade) and concentrations of hyaluronan (–10.5 %/decade), and hyaluronan in the molecular weight ranges of 2.5–7 MDa (–9.4 %/decade), 1–2.5 MDa (–11.3 %/decade), 0.5–1 MDa (–12.5 %/decade), and 0.03–0.5 MDa (–13.0 %/decade). Hyaluronan concentration and quality was more strongly associated with age than with joint grade. The age-related increase in cartilage wear in non-osteoarthritic joints may be related to the altered hyaluronan content and quality of synovial fluid.
Service Provision by the Not-For-Profit Sector: A Comparative Study

The provision of services through not-for-profit organizations is reproduced in growth regions in much the same pattern, after some lag, as has occurred in the older established areas of settlement...
Underwater Search and Evidence Response Teams

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has a responsibility for investigating more than 300 separate criminal and terrorism-related matters that fall into categories ranging from violent and drug-related crime to white-collar crimes, as well as investigations involving counterterrorism and counterintelligence. In order to carry out its law enforcement function, the FBI employs 14,000 special agents operating in 56 domestic field offices and more than 30 foreign offices or Legats. Due to the need of the FBI to routinely extend its law enforcement functions to underwater environments, the FBI maintains an Underwater Evidence Program based in the FBI Laboratory. This program is composed of four Underwater Search and Evidence Response Teams (USERTs) and a Technical Dive Team (TDT).
Screening for glaucoma.

A 55-year-old black woman presents to your office for a routine well-woman examination. Her medical history is significant for hypertension, which is well controlled with medication. She mentions that her mother was diagnosed with glaucoma a few years ago and is currently undergoing treatment. She reports no vision symptoms and wonders if she should be checked for glaucoma.
Microbiogeochemical Ecophysiology of Freshwater Hydrothermal Vents in Mary Bay Canyon, Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park WY

Geothermally derived energy was shown to be definitively involved in elemental cycling and microbiogeochemical ecophysiology of a confined canyon in the caldera portion of Yellowstone Lake. Visual and olfactory evidence from small boats indicated efflux of volatile, redox-labile sulfur compounds on any calm morning. Bulk chemical composition of lakewater was found to be enriched in common geothermal constituents, ΣCO2, Cl−, SiO2, and the oxidized end-product SO4=. Lakewater chemosynthesis in the canyon was not necessarily high, but persistent presence of active chemosynthetic microbial populations was demonstrated in enrichment incubations. Admixtures of lakewater and hydrothermal emanations collected at the orifice of hot vents under this water column contained variable, often substantial enrichment in energy substrates, but samples collected simultaneously only 50 cm above the vent orifice had already become nearly indistinguishable chemically from deep lake water. Ventwaters supported aerobic chemosynthetic activity (dark CO2 fixation) at receiving water temperatures that could be several times the rate of light-saturated surface water photosynthesis on a volumetric basis. Some vents had little activity at 15 °C but sprung into action at 50 °C, indicating populations of obligately thermophilic chemolithoautotrophs. Below the sediment-water interface, pore water chemistry of a >60 °C gravity core displayed strong influence of geothermally altered fluids. Geochemicals ΣCO2, SiO2, and H2S were present at levels far above those attainable through organic matter diagenesis, punctuated by conservative Cl− concentrations of >9 mM, over 60 times that of overlying lakewater. Apparently geothermally altered water was transported through semipermeable subsurface conduits to sediment surface orifices, where emanations were biogeochemically altered to support microbial productivity and mineral encrustation processes. Deep waters of the confined canyon supported stable microbial populations poised to use reduced mineral energy for growth. Chemolithoautotrophic metabolism, either active or potential, was evident throughout the Mary Bay Canyon ecosystem.
Language in the Right Hemisphere Following Callosal Disconnection

The received view is that the disconnected right hemisphere (RH) has a rich semantic system, limited phonology, and poor syntax. It has a large auditory vocabulary and a smaller reading vocabulary but little or no writing and speech. Further, recent studies show that when resources are taxed, word recognition in the disconnected RH can be sensitive to wordness, word length, word frequency, and word concreteness but not to regularity of grapheme-phoneme correspondence. But even though it has no assembled phonology, the disconnected RH can sometimes demonstrate addressed phonological access to speech. In fact some aphasic symptoms are attributable to RH contribution when left-hemisphere (LH) inhibition is removed, notably semantic paralexias in deep dyslexia, miming without naming in optic aphasia, and covert reading in pure alexia. Converging evidence suggests that language performance in the normal RH can borrow resources from the LH and can surpass the capacity of the disconnected RH, including some competence for grammar and for assembled phonology. Language performance in the disconnected RH can, in turn, borrow resources from the disconnected LH and can surpass the capacity of the aphasic’s RH. Word recognition in either normal hemisphere appears to progress in parallel through both a nonlexical and a non-lexical route and the two routes interact.
Survival Tips for the Young Physician

Practical advice for the young physician is offered in this chapter. How to effectively present a patient is a critical talent, which all artists of medicine should have. Succinct directives are given on how to convey medical information with clear examples so that the reader may easily understand what is expected of them. The young physician is taught that the best way to get better at the practice of medicine is to see more patients, while learning from each one. You will be let in on a truism in medicine that is rarely discussed: all great clinicians started out in their careers just as you are doing—young, green, and inexperienced. Good communication techniques are highlighted. A simple mnemonic is reviewed which will help every reader focus on how to best show that the care of the patient intended is communicatedeffectively.
The Use of Habitat Structure Preferenda for Establishing Flow Regimes Necessary for Maintenance of Fish Habitat

The pursuit of simplicity in the complex management of instream and out-of-stream water uses very early led to the minimum, or “base,” flow concept and the myth that a consistent methodology could be used to establish the desired minimum flow. Such a single flow value has not proven to be practical. As water becomes fully appropriated to upstream use and storage, the minimum flow, if not violated, tends to become the average condition. This situation is manifest in a flat or stepped but fixed hydrograph throughout the stream reach of concern for much of the year.
Systematic Epidemiological Investigations of Cases of Senecavirus A in US Swine Breeding Herds

Summary Epidemiological investigations were conducted on a case series of six Senecavirus A (SVA)-affected breeding herds in the United States to determine potential routes of introduction and enhance the swine industry's knowledge of SVA's clinical presentation and spread. Each SVA-affected herd was evaluated using a standard form to ensure that all relevant data were collected. The form was used to guide a detailed discussion about the clinical presentation of SVA and risk events that occurred in the 4 weeks prior to the first observation of clinical signs with the herd veterinarian and farm personnel. Each event was then subjectively assigned a risk level of low, medium or high likelihood for SVA introduction by the investigation team. The clinical presentation of SVA varied by case. All SVA-affected herds (six of six) reported increases in pre-weaning mortality and sow anorexia. Vesicular lesions were observed in four of six herds, and mild-to-moderate neonatal diarrhoea was observed in three of six herds. No gross anatomic or histologic lesions were observed in neonatal pigs that tested positive for SVA via PCR. Multiple potential routes of introduction were identified. Events subjectively rated as high risk for SVA introduction were on-farm employee entry (six of six), carcass disposal (four of six), cull sow removal (three of six) and breeding replacement entry (two of six). Non-swine domestic animals, rodents, other visitors, repairs outside swine barns, feed delivery, weaned pig removal and semen entry were assigned a high risk level in one of six herds. Cases occurred in breeding herds of all sizes with variable biosecurity in both swine dense and swine sparse areas.
Phytochemicals as novel agents for the induction of browning in white adipose tissue

Obesity and its associated metabolic syndrome continue to be a health epidemic in westernized societies and is catching up in the developing world. Despite such increases, little headway has been made to reverse adverse weight gain in the global population. Few medical options exist for the treatment of obesity which points to the necessity for exploration of anti-obesity therapies including pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds. Defects in brown adipose tissue, a major energy dissipating organ, has been identified in the obese and is hypothesized to contribute to the overall metabolic deficit observed in obesity. Not surprisingly, considerable attention has been placed on the discovery of methods to activate brown adipose tissue. A variety of plant-derived, natural compounds have shown promise to regulate brown adipose tissue activity and enhance the lipolytic and catabolic potential of white adipose tissue. Through activation of the sympathetic nervous system, thyroid hormone signaling, and transcriptional regulation of metabolism, natural compounds such as capsaicin and resveratrol may provide a relatively safe and effective option to upregulate energy expenditure. Through utilizing the energy dissipating potential of such nutraceutical compounds, the possibility exists to provide a therapeutic solution to correct the energy imbalance that underlines obesity.
Aspartate transformation at 200 °C with brucite [Mg(OH)2], NH3, and H2: Implications for prebiotic molecules in hydrothermal systems

Abstract Hydrothermal systems may have been favorable environments for the evolution of prebiotic chemistry on early Earth due to the presence of chemical, temperature, and redox gradients that could promote the formation of biomolecules. However, the relevance of these environments in origins of life scenarios has been debated due to rapid decomposition of biologically essential species, such as amino acids, at high temperatures. Little is known about the reactivity of amino acids in the presence of mineral surfaces and reducing conditions, which reflect the geochemical complexities of environments such as serpentinite-hosted hydrothermal vents. We investigated the decomposition of 25 mM aspartate at 200 °C and 15.5 bars (PSAT) in gold capsules both with and without brucite [Mg(OH)2], a mineral product of serpentinization, and reducing conditions (NH4Cl and H2(aq)). We observed that the reaction products of aspartate vary significantly with the initial reaction conditions. Fluids containing aspartate only decomposed to fumarate, maleate, malate, acetate, and trace amounts of succinate and glycine. However, under reducing conditions, the main product was succinate (8 mM) and also approximately 1 mM total of the amino acids glycine, α-alanine, and β-alanine. The amount of α-alanine increased three-fold with brucite. Furthermore, we detected a two-fold decrease in the fumarate concentration, whereas total maleate concentration dramatically decreased over ten-fold and resulted in an overall increase in the trans/cis ratio of these deamination products of aspartate from 0.9 to 4.5 as a function of brucite loading. This net decrease in fumarate and maleate concentration and the five-fold increase in the trans/cis ratio might have been caused by a combination of a pH increase and the formation of magnesite due to increased Mg2 + ion concentration. The results of this study provide evidence that the fundamental properties of a hydrothermal system, including mineral assemblages, reducing conditions, and dissolved species concentrations, will influence the fate of amino acids at high temperature.
Stabilization of a vibrating string system linked by point masses

Controlled motion of a string system linked with several point masses is described. It is established that strong stabilization cannot be achieved by feedback of pure velocities of the vibrating masses in certain cases, but can be achieved by feedback combining the mass velocities with the interior distributed or pointwise velocity when designed appropriately.
Research on a razor's edge

When I was awarded a 3-year graduate fellowship from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the fall of 2015, I was elated to have the freedom to dedicate myself to my research on aquatic invasive species. But I was also a little worried. A lack of funds had forced a last-minute
Extracting Information from Negative Interactions in Multiplex Networks Using Mutual Information

Many interesting real-world systems are represented as complex networks with multiple types of interactions and complicated dependency structures between layers. These interactions can be encoded as having a valence with positive links marking interactions such as trust and friendship and negative links denoting distrust or hostility. Extracting information from these negative interactions is challenging since standard topological metrics are often poor predictors of negative link formation, particularly across network layers. In this paper, we introduce a method based on mutual information which enables us to predict both negative and positive relationships. Our experiments show that SMLP (Signed Multiplex Link Prediction) can leverage negative relationship layers in multiplex networks to improve link prediction performance.
Fluidized Bed Chemical Vapor Deposition of Zirconium Nitride Films

AbstractA fluidized bed–chemical vapor deposition (FB-CVD) process was designed and established in a two-part experiment to produce zirconium nitride barrier coatings on uranium-molybdenum particles for a reduced enrichment dispersion fuel concept. A hot-wall, inverted fluidized bed reaction vessel was developed for this process, and coatings were produced from thermal decomposition of the metallo-organic precursor tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium (TDMAZ) in high-purity argon gas. Experiments were executed at atmospheric pressure and low substrate temperatures (i.e., 500 to 550 K). Deposited coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy. Successful depositions were produced on 1 mm diameter tungsten wires and fluidized ZrO2-SiO2 microspheres (185 to 250 µm diameter) with coating thicknesses ranging from 0.5 to 30 μm. The coating deposition rate was nominally estimated to be 0.04 ± 0.02 µm/h. The ZrN coating adhered to...
In Bacillus subtilis, the SatA (Formerly YyaR) Acetyltransferase Detoxifies Streptothricin via Lysine Acetylation.

Soil is a complex niche, where survival of microorganisms is at risk due to the presence of antimicrobial agents. Many microbes chemically modify cytotoxic compounds to block their deleterious effects. Streptothricin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by streptomycetes that affects Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria alike. Here we identify the SatA (for streptothricin acetyltransferase A, formerly YyaR) enzyme of Bacillus subtilis as the mechanism used by this soil bacterium to detoxify streptothricin. B. subtilis strains lacking satA were susceptible to streptothricin. Ectopic expression of satA+ restored streptothricin resistance to B. subtilissatA (BsSatA) strains. Purified BsSatA acetylated streptothricin in vitro at the expense of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). A single acetyl moiety transferred onto streptothricin by SatA blocked the toxic effects of the antibiotic. SatA bound streptothricin with high affinity (Kd [dissociation constant] = 1 μM), and did not bind acetyl-CoA in the absence of streptothricin. Expression of B. subtilissatA+ in Salmonella enterica conferred streptothricin resistance, indicating that SatA was necessary and sufficient to detoxify streptothricin. Using this heterologous system, we showed that the SatA homologue from Bacillus anthracis also had streptothricin acetyltransferase activity. Our data highlight the physiological relevance of lysine acetylation for the survival of B. subtilis in the soil.IMPORTANCE Experimental support is provided for the functional assignment of gene products of the soil-dwelling bacilli Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus anthracis This study focuses on one enzyme that is necessary and sufficient to block the cytotoxic effects of a common soil antibiotic. The enzyme alluded to is a member of a family of proteins that are broadly distributed in all domains of life but poorly studied in B. subtilis and B. anthracis The initial characterization of the enzyme provides insights into its mechanism of catalysis.
Kinesin activation drives the retrieval of secretory membranes following secretion in rabbit lacrimal acinar cells.

Recent studies in the lacrimal gland have focused on how changes in membrane trafficking may contribute to the development of tear insufficiency and the development of autoimmunity in the lacrimal gland. We have focused on resolving the roles that microtubule-based vesicle transport and the individual motor proteins, kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein, play in facilitating membrane-trafficking events in lacrimal acini.
HAI controversies: contact precautions.

Despite the widespread use of contact precautions in acute care hospitals, even after decades of experience, the use of contact precautions (CP) remains controversial. This paper aims to review the current controversies related to CP in acute care hospital settings, identify potential areas for future study, and provides updated information where available.
Properties of the Host (The Human Body)

It will be much easier to follow the discussion in later chapters on the subjects of implants and other biomedical technologies if an appreciation of certain anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the human body has been obtained. In this chapter, we will describe and discuss the building blocks of the human body, and certain diseases such as arthritis which affect the structure and performance of the body. You should be better able to understand why implants are designed in certain ways so that they can be used to rehabilitate normal function.
Detecting Multiethnic Rare Variants

Genome-wide association studies have identified many common genetic variants which are associated with certain diseases. The identified common variants, however, explain only a small portion of the heritability of a complex disease phenotype. The missing heritability motivated researchers to test the hypothesis that rare variants influence common diseases. Next-generation sequencing technologies have made the studies of rare variants practicable. Quite a few statistical tests have been developed for exploiting the cumulative effect of a set of rare variants on a phenotype. The best-known sequence kernel association tests (SKATs) were developed for rare variants analysis of homogeneous genomes. In this chapter, we illustrate applications of the SKATs and offer several caveats regarding them. In particular, we address how to modify the SKATs to integrate local allele ancestries and calibrate the cryptic relatedness and population structure of admixed genomes.
Problem Representation, Background Evidence, Analysis, Recommendation: An Oral Case Presentation Tool to Promote Diagnostic Reasoning

What's New Oral case presentations provide an opportunity for trainees to communicate diagnostic reasoning at the bedside. However, few tools exist to enable faculty to provide effective feedback. We developed a tool to assess diagnostic reasoning and communication during oral case presentations.
Cortical Blindness and Delayed Visual Development in Infants

The author's experience with infants who have cortical blindness or delayed visual development, particularly in reference to phenomena observed in cortically blind adults is presented.
Mechanistic simulation of batch acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation with in situ gas stripping using Aspen Plus™

Process simulations of batch fermentations with in situ product separation traditionally decouple these interdependent steps by simulating a separate “steady state” continuous fermentation and separation units. In this study, an integrated batch fermentation and separation process was simulated for a model system of acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation with in situ gas stripping, such that the fermentation kinetics are linked in real-time to the gas stripping process. A time-dependent cell growth, substrate utilization, and product production is translated to an Aspen Plus batch reactor. This approach capitalizes on the phase equilibria calculations of Aspen Plus to predict the effect of stripping on the ABE fermentation kinetics. The product profiles of the integrated fermentation and separation are shown to be sensitive to gas flow rate, unlike separate steady state fermentation and separation simulations. This study demonstrates the importance of coupled fermentation and separation simulation approaches for the systematic analyses of unsteady state processes.
The Illusion of Care: Regulation, Uncertainty, and Genetically Modified Food Crops

Examining the degree to which environmental concerns have or have not been incorporated into the registration requirements of Bt crops, it becomes clear that the regulatory process suffers from many ills. In approving these genetically engineered crops for market, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repeatedly disregarded significant but unresolved scientific questions about these GM crops. Seed companies agreed to environmentally protective measures in their crop registrations, but assumed no responsibility for implementing those measures. Instead, the implementation burden fell exclusively on growers who, as third parties to the genetically modified organisms' registrations, were not directly subject to regulatory jurisdiction. No regulatory framework existed (or, for that matter, exists) to monitor and enforce these registration restrictions. I suggest that these defects grow directly from ill-advised fragmentation of the regulatory role and a squeamish unwillingness to engage in necessary, but politically charged, direct regulation that might slow the development of a high-tech industry. These serious regulatory deficiencies call into question the soundness of the entire biotechnology regulatory process, a question ultimately much broader than any particular GMO.Using the actual behavior of regulators and the regulated community as a case study, this article evaluates whether the Coordinated Framework facilitates relatively safe development and introduction of these new crops. Specifically, I examine how regulatory decisions have used available scientific information and have responded to scientific uncertainty. Without advocating the elimination of Bt crops, or discounting the potential benefits of biotechnology, I conclude that the Bt case study reveals significant regulatory failures that can be remedied only through systemic changes to the regulatory process.Keywords: genetically modified organisms, environmental law, agriculture, precautionary principle, uncertainty, risk assessment
Tunable Orbital Angular Momentum Microring Laser

We demonstrate a microring laser generating vortex beams with topological charge. By implementing a chiral S-bend element inside the active ring and a second-order grating structure around the sidewall, this system could effectively down-convert the large order whispering gallery mode to on-demand OAM values.
Classification and Management of Donor-Site Wound Complications in the Profunda Artery Perforator Flap for Breast Reconstruction.

Background Profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap breast reconstruction has emerged as a popular choice for patients who are not optimal candidates for autologous breast reconstruction using abdominal-based techniques such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Despite increased utilization of PAP flaps, there are no previous studies on the donor-site morbidity. In this study, we present risk factors, classification of thigh wounds, and our management of donor-site wounds. Methods Retrospective review of 69 patients who underwent PAP flap from 2013 to 2016 was performed. Demographic, patient characteristic, and flap data were collected. Postoperative photographs of donor sites were reviewed, and the wounds were classified into three types: type I—normal wound, type II—minor scab, and type III—dehiscence. Results Of the 69 patients (130 flaps), there were 13 patients (17 flaps) with wound dehiscence (13%), 8 patients with cellulitis (8.5%), 2 patients with seroma (3%), and 1 patient with hematoma (1.5%). The patients with wound dehiscence had statistically higher body mass index (BMI) (29.2 vs. 26.5) with p-value Conclusion Our study shows that BMI plays a significant role in the development of postoperative thigh wounds, and all wounds occurred at the medial thigh. However, the majority of the study population did not require any intervention, and revision of scar using the posterior thigh advancement flaps can be used to improve the gluteal aesthetics. We believe findings from our study can help plastic surgeons to counsel and assist patients who will undergo breast reconstruction with a PAP flap.
Mouse methods and models for studies in hearing

Laboratory mice have become the dominant animal model for hearing research. The mouse cochlea operates according to standard "mammalian" principles, uses the same cochlear cell types, and exhibits the same types of injury as found in other mammals. The typical mouse lifespan is less than 3 years, yet the age-associated pathologies that may be found are quite similar to longer-lived mammals. All Schuknecht's types of presbycusis have been identified in existing mouse lines, some favoring hair cell loss while others favor strial degeneration. Although noise exposure generally affects the mouse cochlea in a manner similar to other mammals, mice appear more prone to permanent alterations to hair cells or the organ of Corti than to hair cell loss. Therapeutic compounds may be applied systemically or locally through the tympanic membrane or onto (or through) the round window membrane. The thinness of the mouse cochlear capsule and annular ligament may promote drug entry from the middle ear, although an extremely active middle ear lining may quickly remove most drugs. Preclinical testing of any therapeutic will always require tests in multiple animal models. Mice constitute one model providing supporting evidence for any therapeutic, while genetically engineered mice can test hypotheses about mechanisms.
Comparison of Machine Learning Models to Predict Twitter Buzz

This paper investigates six machine-learning models to determine which algorithm would effectively predict buzz on Twitter. Different classifiers are applied such as Stochastic Gradient Descent, Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, Deep Neural Networks, Random Forests and Extra Trees on a Twitter dataset. This dataset contains features with users and author engagement over a certain period. After tests conducted on all the algorithms, we concluded that Extra Trees model outperforms the other models.
Simulations of H2 Sorption in an Anthracene-Functionalized rht-Metal–Organic Framework

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were performed to investigate H2 sorption in the rht-metal–organic framework (MOF) MFM-132, which is composed of two chemically distinct Cu2+ ions coo...
A Behavioral Multispread Epidemic Model

Abstract We introduce a class of epidemic models that represent multiple spread rates in terms of discrete behavior classes, rather than in terms of discrete compartments comprising individuals. The model is framed in terms of D behavior classes, each with its own spread rate. The population is represented as a density on the D-simplex, where each point is a D-vector f whose components sum to 1. Each component of f represents the fraction of time in which an individual spends engaging in the corresponding behavior. The evolution equation is an integro-differential equation on the D-simplex. The model is capable of describing the “superspreader” phenomenon in terms of behavior spread rates, as opposed to terms of individual infectivity. We show the existence of SIR-like separable solutions and discuss their stability. We explore the numeric properties of the model using a D = 3 case featuring a “safe” behavior, a moderate-spread behavior, and a superspread behavior.
Applying Evidence to Inform Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Care

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common problems treated by hand surgeons. As our understanding of the condition has improved and focus on quality and evidence-based care has evolved, management of CTS has shifted as well. Although for many patients the diagnosis and treatment plan are relatively straightforward, understanding how to decide what diagnostics are appropriate, how to avoid complications especially in high-risk patients, and even which surgical option to offer remains a challenge. As CTS research efforts broaden and available evidence grows, understanding the different research findings in order to implement the evidence into practice is critical for all surgeons. In this article, we approach commonly encountered challenges in CTS management and take a methodological viewpoint to guide evidence-based practice.