cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of water chemistry and operational conditions on μGAF process performance.

Abstract Microgranular adsorptive filtration (μGAF) is a water treatment technique in which adsorption and granular media filtration operate simultaneously as water passes through a thin layer of adsorbent pre-deposited on a woven mesh or membrane. Our previous work showed that when heated aluminum oxide particles (HAOPs) are the adsorbent in such systems, substantial natural organic matter (NOM) removal and fouling reduction can be achieved. The present study investigated the effects of feed water chemistry and operational conditions on μGAF performance. Parameters investigated include the pH, ionic strength, and concentration of divalent cations in the feed, the flux through the adsorbent layer, and the pressure drop across both the adsorbent layer and the membrane. In the range from pH 3 to 9, lower pH promoted removal of NOM in general, and transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) in particular, by HAOPs. These enhanced removals led to increased fouling of the HAOPs layer and reduced fouling of a downstream membrane. Higher ionic strength exacerbated fouling of the bare membrane but had little effect on the ability of HAOPs to collect foulants from the feed. Increased concentrations of divalent cations reduced membrane fouling slightly, possibly due to the agglomeration of polysaccharides caused by divalent cations. Increasing the flux through the HAOPs layer had essentially the same effect as lowering the pH of the feed – it enhanced removal of NOM and TEP by, and increased fouling of, the HAOPs layer, thereby reducing fouling of the downstream membrane. The HAOPs layer was incompressible, even when some NOM had accumulated on or in it, suggesting that NOM molecules adsorb on the HAOPs throughout the layer and do not form a continuous gel layer on top of the HAOPs layer. Particulate and colloidal matter were inferred to be the dominant foulants in μGAF units, whereas soluble NOM (including soluble TEP) was the key foulant in the downstream membrane units.
TOTAL VIABLE COUNTS | Pour Plate Technique

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by James W. Messer, Eugene W. Rice, Clifford H. Johnson, volume 3, pp 2154–2158, © 1999, Elsevier Ltd.
Temperature and drought impacts on rice production: An agronomic perspective regarding short- and long-term adaptation measures

This review addresses short- and long-term adaptation strategies in rain fed and irrigated rice production systems under two climate change scenarios, specifically temperature increases and drought incidence. Each scenario is discussed based on rice plant physiological responses to abiotic stress and, where applicable, consequent yield losses. Possible short- and long-term adaptation measures, mainly focused on crop management strategies and germplasm development, are suggested to overcome production losses. Increased temperature, for example, can adversely affect rice yields either as a result of spikelet sterility or reduced accumulation of assimilates. Most agronomic operations to minimize the impact of increased temperatures involve early sowing or the use of early maturing rice cultivars to avoid high temperatures at grain filling. These measures might be feasible, but inadequate, as periods of increased temperature become more frequent and severe particularly in regions where temperatures are already above optimum for rice growth. On the other hand, rice germplasm from exceedingly warm environments can be used for selecting traits which are appropriate for the development of high temperature stress-tolerant rice cultivars. Drought incidence causes stomata closure, which reduces the leaf CO2/O2 ratio, resulting in photosynthesis inhibition and subsequent reductions in biomass production and the life cycle of the plant. These are manifested in significant yield losses. Drought is a common phenomenon in many rice growing environments, and research on developing cultivars capable of escaping, avoiding and/or tolerating drought merits further attention. Crop management, including water management techniques, to mitigate drought stress has also advanced. The implementation of a water-saving technology called alternate-wetting and drying, for example, enables optimum use of irrigation water and reduces methane emissions by 48% compared to continuous flooding of rice fields. Therefore, the suggested adaptation measures are also aligned and discussed based on their potential to decrease methane emissions from rice fields. This paper highlights the importance of germplasm development and improved agronomic practices as the center piece of climate change adaptation in rice farming systems.
Graphene Oxide Reinforced Double Network Hydrogel

In this paper, to improve the mechanical properties of calcium alginate/polyacrylamide double network hydrogel, the graphene oxide is introduced as a nano-reinfrocer in the naocomposite gel. In addition, the swelling property of gels is suppressed with GO.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Abstract 046: Deep Sequencing in mpkCCD Collecting Duct Cells Identifies Transcriptional Response to Vasopressin

Blood pressure regulation depends in part on control of ion and water transport in the renal collecting duct by vasopressin and other hormones. To identify genes that are transcriptionally regulated by vasopressin in cultured mouse collecting duct cells (mpkCCD), we carried out both RNA-seq (n=9) and ChIP-seq for RNA polymerase II (Pol-II, n=3) after 24-hr treatment with vasopressin analog dDAVP or vehicle (Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencer). RNA-seq analysis showed significant changes in 33 transcripts out of 8393 quantified (Volcano plot thresholds: p Cited1 (log2[dDAVP/Vehicle]= 5.2) and the water channel Aqp2 (log2[dDAVP/Vehicle]= 4.2). The ChIP-seq analysis showed significantly increased RNA-Pol-II binding in 209 genes versus only 9 with decreases. Plotting RNA-seq data versus ChIP-seq data for 3883 genes revealed 43 genes that exceeded the 95% CI for control-vs-control measurements for both variables, i.e., are transcriptionally regulated. The transcriptionally regulated genes included those involved in control of Na+/Cl- transport and/or blood pressure, viz. Fxyd4 (aldosterone-regulated channel-inducing factor), Tsc22d3 (the aldosterone-regulated leucine-zipper protein GILZ), Atp1b1 (Na+-K+-ATPase beta subunit) and Sik1 (salt-inducible kinase 1). Among transcriptionally upregulated genes were several transcription factors ( Elf3 , Nfkbiz , Nr4a1 , Myc ) that form the core of a proposed vasopressin/cAMP-activated transcriptional network. Conclusions: 1) Vasopressin signaling effects on transcription are biased with more genes increased than decreased. 2) Among the genes that are transcriptionally regulated in response to vasopressin are several that have been implicated in regulation of salt and water transport in the collecting duct.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and the kidney

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a neoplasm of small mature B lymphocytes, and is the most common leukemia in the Western hemisphere with an estimated 18,650 cases diagnosed in 2016 and almost...
Could geoengineering research help answer one of the biggest questions in climate science

Anthropogenic aerosol impacts on clouds constitute the largest source of uncertainty in quantifying the radiative forcing of climate, and hinders our ability to determine Earth's climate sensitivity to greenhouse gas increases. Representation of aerosol–cloud interactions in global models is particularly challenging because these interactions occur on typically unresolved scales. Observational studies show influences of aerosol on clouds, but correlations between aerosol and clouds are insufficient to constrain aerosol forcing because of the difficulty in separating aerosol and meteorological impacts. In this commentary, we argue that this current impasse may be overcome with the development of approaches to conduct control experiments whereby aerosol particle perturbations can be introduced into patches of marine low clouds in a systematic manner. Such cloud perturbation experiments constitute a fresh approach to climate science and would provide unprecedented data to untangle the effects of aerosol particles on cloud microphysics and the resulting reflection of solar radiation by clouds. The control experiments would provide a critical test of high-resolution models that are used to develop an improved representation aerosol–cloud interactions needed to better constrain aerosol forcing in global climate models.
Scientific Expertise and Engagement Experts

This chapter offers a perspective that combats both cynical and idealist forms of public engagement. Engaging in a conversation with the “demarcation problem,” this chapter suggests that a rhetorical standpoint helps reframe the difference between expert and nonexpert discourse and alleviates the cynical mindset. This conceptual development invites us to reconsider the authority of publics to deliberate on technical and scientific issues. Following our discussion of demarcation, ending with the collision between Kuhn and Popper, we examine how demarcation is enacted in legal settings. Our final task in this chapter is to briefly review and synthesize some of the arguments we have made in previous chapters and suggest that a rhetorical sensibility can assist in producing more ecologically valid public engagement with science.
Estimation of parameters and basic reproductive ratio for Japanese encephalitis transmission in the Philippines using a sequential Monte Carlo filter

We developed a sequential Monte Carlo filter to estimate the states and the parameters in a stochastic model of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) spread in the Philippines. This method is particularly important for its adaptability to the availability of new incidence data. This method can also capture the variability in the incidence through time which is dependent upon various factors relating to the host species and the weather. Parameters estimated from the particle filter simulations show seasonal as well as yearly variations. The basic reproductive ratio fluctuations are in compliance with the endemicity of JE in the Philippines. The estimated basic reproductive ratio is comparable with other similar mosquito transmitted disease like Zika, dengue, and West Nile viruses.
Elucidating Duramycin's Bacterial Selectivity and Mode of Action on the Bacterial Cell Envelope.

The use of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides provides a promising route to selectively target pathogenic agents and to shape microbiome structure. Lantibiotics, such as duramycin, are one class of bacterially produced peptidic natural products that can selectively inhibit the growth of other bacteria. However, despite longstanding characterization efforts, the microbial selectivity and mode of action of duramycin are still obscure. We describe here a suite of biological, chemical and physical characterizations that shed new light on the selective and mechanistic aspects of duramycin activity. Bacterial screening assays have been performed using duramycin and Populus-derived bacterial isolates to determine species selectivity. Lipidomic profiles of selected resistant and sensitive strains show that the sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria depends on the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the cell membrane. Further the surface and interface morphology were studied by high resolution Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and showed a progression of cellular changes in the cell envelope after treatment with duramycin for the susceptible bacterial strains. Together, these molecular and cellular level analyses provide insight into duramycin’s mode of action and a better understanding of its selectivity.
Design of functionalized cyclic peptides through orthogonal click reactions for cell culture and targeting applications

An approach for the design of functionalized cyclic peptides is established for use in 3D cell culture and in cell targeting. Sequential orthogonal click reactions, specifically a photoinitiated thiol-ene and strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition, were utilized for peptide cyclization and conjugation relevant for biomaterial and biomedical applications, respectively.
Evolving indirectly encoded convolutional neural networks to play tetris with low-level features

Tetris is a challenging puzzle game that has received much attention from the AI community, but much of this work relies on intelligent high-level features. Recently, agents played the game using low-level features (10 X 20 board) as input to fully connected neural networks evolved with the indirect encoding HyperNEAT. However, research in deep learning indicates that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are superior to fully connected networks in processing visuospatial inputs. Therefore, this paper uses HyperNEAT to evolve CNNs. The results indicate that CNNs are indeed superior to fully connected neural networks in Tetris, and identify several factors that influence the successful evolution of indirectly encoded CNNs.
Old Shoes, New Feet, and the Puzzle of the First Square in Ancient Egyptian Architecture

The processes of manipulation of the square that lead to the production of ad quadratum, the golden rectangle, and the sacred cut exploit the properties of the square, but only by virtue of the existence of a primal figure, a first and original square. That ‘first’ square has to be the result of a simple, clear, effective and efficient method of construction: a method that constituted its original geometry and established its perfection as the instrument for all subsequent geometrical and metrological manipulations. The paper deals directly with this puzzle of the first square, tracing its origins to the emergence of the western architectural tradition in ancient Egypt. The question that it will ask and answer is: “how did that original square get there in the first place?” It will do this by showing that there are recurring references to a very specific pair of measurements—the 20-digit remen and the 28-digit cubit—and that there are recurring discussions of techniques for their application.
Location: Absolute/Relative

Location refers to the relationship of a place to other places in a space. The space can be absolute or relative. Absolute space can be imagined as a container into which objects can be placed, removed, or moved from location to location. In relative space, places are related by adjacency and by place attributes that mediate the exchanges between adjacent locations. The distinction between absolute and relative location has both philosophical and practical importance. Space has other attributes that affect the notion of location, including scale, topology, distance, and dimension.
Map Matching for Taxi GPS Data with Extreme Learning Machine

In this work, we explore a new map matching method through mining historical GPS data collected by taxis. The principle behind is that the map matching can be regarded as a pattern recognition if there are enough historical GPS points labelled with road network information. Supervised learning algorithms are feasible for this situation. However, the learning speed of conventional learning techniques is often not satisfactory, especially facing enumerous classes (road labels). Considering the matching (classifying) speed and accuracy, we employ the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) as a multi-class classifier for its excellent performance in the learning speed. Furthermore, we propose MapReduce based GPS trajectories training data preprocessing algorithms and an optimal ELM parameter selection algorithm. Extensive experimental results show that, compared to the SVM-based approach, the ELM-based approach achieved faster learning speed and matching speed, while got close to similar performance on matching accuracy.
Redox-Responsive Protein Design: Design of a Small Protein Motif Dependent on Glutathionylation

Cysteine S-glutathionylation is a protein post-translational modification that promotes cellular responses to changes in oxidative conditions. The design of protein motifs that directly depend on defined changes to protein side chains provides new methods for probing diverse protein post-translational modifications. A canonical, 12-residue EF-hand motif was redesigned to be responsive to cysteine glutathionylation. The key design principle was the replacement of the metal-binding Glu12 carboxylate of an EF-hand with a motif capable of metal binding via a free carboxylate in the glutathione-conjugated peptide. In the optimized peptide (DKDADGWCG), metal binding and terbium luminescence were dependent on glutathionylation, with weaker metal binding in the presence of reduced cysteine but increased metal affinity and a 3.5-fold increase in terbium luminescence at 544 nm when cysteine was glutathionylated. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that the structure at all residues of the glutathionylated peptide changed in the presence of metal, with chemical shift changes consistent with the adoption of an EF-hand-like structure in the metal-bound glutathionylated peptide. This small protein motif consists of canonical amino acids and is thus genetically encodable, for its potential use as a localized tag to probe protein glutathionylation.
Synthesis of ( R)- and ( S)-Fmoc-Protected Diethylene Glycol Gamma PNA Monomers with High Optical Purity.

A robust synthetic route has been developed for preparing optically pure, Fmoc-protected diethylene glycol-containing (R)- and (S)-γPNA monomers. The strategy involves the application of 9-(4-bromophenyl)-9-fluorenyl as a temporary, safety-catch protecting group for the suppression of epimerization in the O-alkylation and reductive amination steps. The optical purities of the final monomers were determined to be greater than 99.5% ee, as assessed by 19F-NMR and HPLC. The new synthetic methodology is well-suited for large-scale monomer production, with most synthetic steps providing excellent chemical yields without the need for chromatographic purification other than a simple workup and precipitation.
Reaching Young People Through Texting-Based Crisis Counseling: Process, Benefits, and Challenges

Texting-based crisis intervention counseling reaches young people who suffer from mental health issues at high rates yet hesitate to seek help. As a new interface, it is neither well-researched nor well-understood. This study examined 49 randomly selected text counseling transcripts and key informant interviews with two counselors to identify unique characteristics of the text counseling process and learn texter reactions to the sessions. Texters presented problems that were similar to those reported in voice-based hotlines. Texters valued the privacy and flexibility of texting that permitted them to receive help immediately rather than delaying. Counselors reported that they must be brief and direct with questions and avoid assigning emphasis to words. The written format required that both parties must be explicit and clear to convey their messages accurately. Both texters and counselors suggested that the texting option might lead young people to seek help that they might otherwise avoid. Recommendations include specialized training on strategies to assess and connect with texters using only the written word and research to develop best practices for texting-based crisis intervention services.
A Model Regime of Privacy Protection (Version 1.1)

Privacy protection in the United States has often been criticized, but critics have too infrequently suggested specific proposals for reform. Recently, there has been significant legislative interest at both the federal and state levels in addressing the privacy of personal information. This was sparked when ChoicePoint, one of the largest data brokers in the United States with records on almost every adult American citizen, sold data on about 145,000 people to fraudulent businesses set up by identity thieves. In the aftermath of the ChoicePoint debacle, both of us have been asked by Congressional legislative staffers, state legislative policymakers, journalists, academics, and others about what specifically should be done to better regulate information privacy. In response to these questions, we believe that it is imperative to have a discussion of concrete legislative solutions to privacy problems. What appears below is our attempt at such an endeavor. Privacy experts have long suggested that information collection be consistent with Fair Information Practices. This Model Regime incorporates many of those practices and applies them specifically to the context of commercial data brokers such as Choicepoint. We hope that this will provide useful guidance to legislators and policymakers in crafting laws and regulations. We also intend this to be a work-in-progress in which we collaborate with others. We welcome input from other academics, policymakers, journalists, and experts as well as from the industries and businesses that will be subject to the regulations we propose. We invite criticisms and constructive suggestions, and we will update this Model Regime to incorporate the comments we find most helpful and illuminating. We also aim to discuss some of the comments we receive in a commentary section. To the extent to which we incorporate suggestions and commentary, and if those making suggestions want to be identified, we will graciously acknowledge those assisting in our endeavor. Notice, Consent, Control, and Access 1. Universal Notice 2. Meaningful Informed Consent 3. One-Step Exercise of Rights 4. Individual Credit Management 5. Access to and Accuracy of Personal Information Security of Personal Information 6. Secure Identification 7. Disclosure of Security Breaches Business Access to and Use of Personal Information 8. Social Security Number Use Limitation 9. Access and Use Restrictions for Public Records 10. Curbing Excessive Uses of Background Checks 11. Private Investigators Government Access to and Use of Personal Data 12. Limiting Government Access to Business and Financial Records 13. Government Data Mining 14. Control of Government Maintenance of Personal Information Privacy Innovation and Enforcement 15. Preserving the Innovative Role of the States 16. Effective Enforcement of Privacy Rights
Investigating evolutionary models of leadership among recently settled Ethiopian hunter-gatherers

Abstract Humans are thought to have evolved in small, egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies. Evolutionary theories of leadership, which draw heavily on studies of contemporary hunter-gatherer and other small-scale societies, have proposed numerous traits that putatively characterize leaders in domains of sociality, productivity, reproduction, dominance, and cognition. We investigated many such traits among the Chabu, an Ethiopian population of former hunter-gatherers who now subsist on hunting, gathering, horticulture, and cash crops. There were strong positive correlations among most traits across domains, which, in turn, were positively associated with elected leader status among both women and men. Measures of prestige and dominance were largely independent, and although both predicted leader status, prestige was more important. Biased social learning was a modest predictor of leader status but a stronger predictor of respect. Revised evolutionary theories of leadership must account for the importance of women leaders and the strong covariation of traits.
An Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT)Sensor System for BuildingEnvironmental Monitoring

One of the world’s largest sources of energy dissipation is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), which accounts for 40% of total electricity use in the United States. The main challenge of current HVAC systems is that their operation is determined by a set of predefined setpoints regardless of the actual building occupancy status. This is wasteful, especially when no or fewer people occupy buildings, while these HVAC systems deliver more than enough fresh air. Occupancy-driven HVAC control is a promising strategy to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems. In this paper, we will address the next-generation sensor hardware design and explore new system architectures. We systematically investigate, design, and implement a lowcost, hybrid smart sensor platform for accurate occupancy counting towards energy-efficient buildings. Specifically, the proposed hardware architecture is wisely divided into two modules: main and gate monitoring modules. Five heterogeneous sensors are integrated into this architecture to collect richer building environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity. CO2, acoustic, and infrared signals. These sensor signals can be fused and analyzed for cross-correlation to increase the accuracy of building occupancy counting. The proposed systems have been implemented in breadboards and PCB boards. Experimental measurements have validated system functionality and performance.
Solution verification of PANS model for a PWR fuel assembly

Abstract Partially averaged Navier-Stokes model is an energy based, filtered representation of the Navier-Stokes equations. As part of the bridging model paradigm family, it is possible to resolve the turbulent space and time scales of interest. The implicit filtering approach enables us to use the PANS model as a classical RANS model as well as large eddy simulation model or even as a direct numerical simulation, without changing the form of the closure model equations. The energy-based filter, unlike large eddy simulations, decouples the closure model relation from the computational grid size. This allow us to perform classical mesh-based refinement solution verification analyses. In the present study we will perform a solution verification study and model validation for a turbulent flow inside a 5 × 5 fuel bundle, with a single spacer grid and split-type mixing vanes. Grid convergence index analysis has been used to estimate the numerical discretization error for local and integral quantities of interest. A posteriori internal consistency criterion is presented in order to verify that the applied spatial discretization is commensurate with the externally imposed energy filter. The results of the PANS model will be compared with large eddy simulation results and PIV data available from literature.
Cemetery Damage and Vandalism

This chapter focuses on the ways in which police and others may suspect foul play or other causes of cemetery damage. Causes of cemetery damage vary on a continuum from environmental factors, material aging, and accidents to intentional crimes such as vandalism, juvenile delinquency, hate crimes, and cultural and physical genocide. Law enforcement, organizational, religious and ethnic group, and community responses to cemetery damage are examined. In addition, the traumatic and stigmatizing effects of cemetery vandalism and hate crimes are examined.
When Time Matters: An Adolescent Intervention to Prevent Adult Brain Dysfunction

Can we one day prevent mental disorders? Mukherjee et al. (2019) use a genetic mouse model of schizophrenia-risk with established abnormalities in adult hippocampal-prefrontal circuit function and cognitive behaviors to identify circuit-specific treatments during adolescence that prevent the onset of the adult deficits.
Real-Time Human-Robot Communication for Manipulation Tasks in Partially Observed Environments

In human teams, visual and auditory cues are often used to communicate information about the task and/or environment that may not otherwise be directly observable. Analogously, robots that primarily rely on visual sensors cannot directly observe some attributes of objects that may be necessary for reference resolution or task execution. The experiments in this paper address natural language interaction in human-robot teams for tasks where multi-modal (e.g. visual, auditory, haptic, etc) observations are necessary for robust execution. We present a probabilistic model, verified through physical experiments, that allows robots to acquire knowledge about the latent aspects of the workspace through language and physical interaction in an efficient manner. The model’s effectiveness is demonstrated on a mobile and a stationary manipulator in real-world scenarios by following instructions under partial knowledge of object states in the environment.
A Simple Approach on Global Control of a Class of Underactuated Mechanical Robotic Systems

This paper presents an approach to show global controllability of a class of underactuated mechanical systems. This class of systems include gymnastic robots and the classic cart-pole system. For this class of systems, we can define a connection point, and design a damping controller $u(t)$ with the Lyapunov method to drive all states to the connection point. Further by exploiting the time reversal symmetry of the system and spline interpolation, a controller $u(-t)$ can be obtained to drive the system from the connection point to any other state. The system is thus shown completely controllable, i.e., there exists an admissible trajectory from any given state to any given final state. Swing-up control designs for a pendubot, cart-pole system and triple pendulum are given as illustrative examples.
Hostile Sexism and the 2016 Presidential Election

We use Google Trends data over the 2004-2015 period to identify hostile sexism and examine its effect on support for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election. An area’s sexist search volume is a significant negative predictor of Clinton’s two-party vote share. Although we find no evidence that hostile sexism was more prevalent among conservative and less educated whites prior to the election, we do find evidence that it had a larger impact in areas with this demographic. We argue that demographic groups targeted by Trump may have been more receptive to his rhetoric. Our main contribution to the literature is showing that sexism had a politically consequential effect. We calculate that sexism cost Clinton 2.6 percentage points of her two-party vote share. In state-level simulations that are made possible by our use of Google Trends data, we show that Clinton would have won an additional 190 electoral college votes if every state had the same level of sexism as the least sexist state.
Abstract 69: Trans-eQTL Analysis of Blood After Ischemic Stroke Reveals X-Linked SNP-Gene Relationships

Objective: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is one of the most common types of genetic variation and likely has a contributing role in ischemic stroke (IS). The influence of SNPs on changes of ...
Noninvasive and Nonocclusive Blood Pressure Monitoring via a Flexible Piezo-Composite Ultrasonic Sensor

Continuous blood pressure monitoring in everyday life is important and necessary to detect and control high blood pressure in advance. While the existing blood pressure monitoring techniques are well suited for applications in current clinical settings, they are inadequate for next-generation wearable long-term monitoring of blood pressure on a daily basis. In this study, a flexible piezo-composite ultrasonic sensor was reported, for the first time, for continuous blood pressure measurement through ultrasonic motion tracking of blood vessel wall. A flexible piezo-composite ultrasonic sensor was designed and fabricated with a layer of PZT-5A/ polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) anisotropic 1–3 composite and silver nanowire based stretchable electrodes. The material properties and dimensions of the sensor were determined according to the volume fraction of PZT-5A and the material properties of PZT-5A and PDMS. The experimental results illustrated that the flexible sensor possessed adequate bandwidth and sensitivity for blood pressure monitoring. Continuous blood pressure measurement was successfully conducted with the ulnar artery on a volunteer’s right arm. Compared with the measurement results using a clinical ultrasound probe and a commercial upper arm blood monitor, the results obtained in this study demonstrated the capability of the proposed flexible sensor to continuously monitor blood pressure waveforms during cardiac cycles. The flexible sensor provides a promising solution for noninvasive, nonocclusive and calibration-free blood pressure monitoring. It has great potential to be integrated into a wearable ultrasonic healthcare sensing system for blood pressure and flow monitoring.
Functional and structural basis of extreme non-coding conservation in vertebrate mRNA 5' untranslated regions

The lack of RNA-level knowledge about extreme conservation in the genome remains a major gap in our understanding of the evolution of gene regulation. While previous findings have mainly focused on the role of extreme conservation in transcriptional regulation, its implications for RNA biology remains largely unexplored. Our results reveal an unexpected role of extremely conserved 5′UTRs in translational regulation that is linked to the emergence of essential developmental features in vertebrate species. In particular, we identify widespread occurrence of non-canonical translation initiation sites in extremely conserved 5′UTRs that may enable spatio-temporal regulation of protein expression during embryonic development. Understanding how these RNA sequences function requires an understanding of their structures. We develop in-cell mutate-and-map (icM2), a novel methodology that maps the RNA structural ensemble using high-throughput mutational analysis previously impossible to perform inside cells. Using icM2, we determine that the extremely conserved 5′UTR of Csde1 can encode multiple alternative structures whose relative proportions are actively maintained by ATP-dependent RNA helicases. We further show that the dynamic range of protein expression can be precisely tuned according to the translational efficiency of the alternative conformations. These results explain how RNA-level biological functions can contribute to extreme sequence conservation in mRNA untranslated regions of vertebrate genomes.
The beneficial effects of vaccination on the evolution of seasonal influenza

1 Abstract Although vaccines against seasonal influenza are designed to protect against circulating strains, by affecting the emergence and transmission of antigenically divergent strains, they might also change the rate of antigenic evolution. Such evolutionary effects could affect vaccination’s direct benefits to individuals and indirect benefits to the host population (i.e., the private and social benefits). To investigate these potential impacts, we simulated the dynamics of an influenza-like pathogen with seasonal vaccination. On average, more vaccination decreased the rate of viral antigenic evolution and the incidence of disease. Notably, this decrease was driven partly by a vaccine-induced decline in the rate of antigenic evolution. To understand how vaccines’ evolutionary effects might affect their social and private benefits, we fitted linear panel models to simulated data. Including evolutionary effects increased the social benefits but sometimes lowered the private benefits compared to when evolutionary effects were ignored. Thus, in the long term, vaccination’s potential private (social) benefits may be respectively lower (higher) than predicted by current theory, which omits long-term evolutionary effects. These results suggest that conventional seasonal vaccines against influenza, if protective against transmission and given to the appropriate populations, could further reduce disease burden by slowing antigenic evolution. However, these evolutionary effects could compound collective action problems, increasing the need for policies to encourage vaccination.
Analysis on subsynchronous oscillation stability for large scale offshore wind integration

Abstract As the offshore wind installations are moving further from shore, the transmission distance also increases. Synthesize the cost of construction and maintenance, as well as the technical maturity, grid-connection via AC network will still be a preferred power delivery method for offshore wind power projects in the near future. However, according to the “8•9” blackout in the UK, there is sub-synchronous oscillation (SSO) risk in the AC network connected offshore wind projects, which was attributed to the mismatch between the power electronic source and the power grid. In this article, both eigenvalue analysis and time-domain simulation method are used to evaluate the operating SSO stability of grid integration of large scale offshore wind power. It suggests that transmission system via long distance cables naturally forms a weak AC network, and the SSO characteristics of AC grid connected offshore wind farm is closely related to the wind turbine parameters, offshore distance and the active power output level. At last, the principle of parameter configuration in offshore wind turbines is proposed based on different offshore distances.
Propeller Characterization for Distributed Propulsion

AbstractThe goal of this study was to characterize the effect of propeller variables as relevant to the design of a flight vehicle with numerous distributed propulsors. The impact of propeller radi...
Political Engagement and Crime Victimization: A Causal Analysis

In recent years, research has demonstrated that crime victimization serves as a catalyst to political engagement. However, much of this work has not addressed two key issues: 1) the true causality of this relationship, and 2) how victims’ identities and personal experiences might influence this relationship. This paper tackles these issues by testing the effect of victimization on non-electoral engagement using the Two-City, Six-Wave panel survey administered in Brazil between 2002 and 2006. It finds that the causal relationship between victimization and engagement only exists for participation in political party meetings. Furthermore, when exploring the role of individual identity and community context, only men, those who live in safe neighborhoods, and White Brazilians experience an increase in their engagement. Meanwhile, women, those in unsafe neighborhoods, and Afro-Brazilians do not experience such an increase. Those who have not experienced discrimination also increase their participation, while those who have experienced discrimination do not.
Geographic landscape of foreign medical graduates in US neurosurgery training programs from 2007 to 2017.

Abstract Objective Although foreign medical graduates (FMGs) have been essential to the US physician workforce, the increasing competitiveness has made it progressively challenging for FMGs to match in US neurosurgery programs. We describe geographic origins and characteristics associated with successful match into US neurosurgery training programs. Methods Retrospective review of AANS membership data (2007–2017). Scopus was used to collect bibliometrics. Results From 2009 neurosurgical residents, 165 (8.2%) were FMGs. Most were male (n = 148; 89.6%) with a median age of 34.0 years. Top six feeder countries (TFC) included India (13.9%; n = 23), Lebanon and Pakistan (9.1%; n = 15), Caribbean Region (7.2%; n = 12), Mexico (6.67%; n = 11), and Greece (3.6%; n = 6). Compared to FMGs from non-top feeder countries (NTFC), TFC FMGs had higher H-indices (2 vs 4, p = 0.049), greater number of publications (2 vs 5, p = 0.04), were more likely to have an MBBS/MBBCh (n = 38 vs n = 17, p = 0.03), and had twice as many candidates from major feeder medical schools that successfully matched into a US neurosurgery program (n = 43 vs NTFC = 20, p Conclusions TFC graduates have higher bibliometrics, frequently come from major feeder schools, and have greater match success at a broader selection of programs and NIH top-40 programs. Future studies characterizing FMG country and medical school origins may enable foreign students to geographically target institutions of interest and could allow US programs to better evaluate foreign training environments.
Historical Origins of Inter-Religion Differences: Evidence from 19th and 20th Century Egypt

The proposed dissertation project contributes to the growing literature on the impact of religion on economic outcomes. It explores the differences across religious groups with respect to educational and occupational outcomes employing census data from Egypt, both individual-level data (1848-1868) and village/quarter-level data (1897-1927). The digitization of the (1848-1868) individual-level census records is currently ongoing at the National Archives of Egypt. The empirical evidence from Egypt (1897-1927) that has been obtained to date suggests that Jews and Copts (Egyptian Christians) outdistanced Muslims in terms of literacy and were relatively more concentrated (than Muslims) in manufacturing and commerce. This phenomenon seems to have deep roots in Egyptian Medieval history since at least the Islamic conquest of the thenChristian (mostly Coptic) Egypt (7th century AD). The project suggests a new interpretation of the shift in the educational and occupational distributions of Copts after the Islamic conquest. The theory emphasizes the role of the Islamic tax system (with its poll-tax on Non-Muslims) in the conversion of the poor and uneducated segments of the Coptic population into Islam to avoid paying the tax. The theory also emphasizes the geographical pattern of Arab immigration and settlement and the role it played in explaining the subsequent spatial variation in the enforcement of the poll-tax. It is argued that such variation in the enforcement of the poll-tax, in turn, might have shaped the currently “observed” spatial distribution of Copts as well as the spatial variation in the Coptic-Muslim educational and occupational differences. This hypothesis is then used to identify the causal impact of being a Copt on literacy and occupation.
An evaluation of the potential radiative forcing and climatic impact of marine organic aerosols as heterogeneous ice nuclei

[1] Observational evidence demonstrates that marine organic aerosols (MOA) are able to act as ice nuclei. MOA explains a substantial portion of the submicron marine aerosol, so that they have the potential to effectively influence marine cloud microphysics and cloud radiative forcing. This study provides the first evaluation of the radiative forcing and climatic impact of marine organic aerosols as ice nuclei on a global scale. MOA is implemented into a coupled aerosol and general circulation model. It is found that MOA contributes to more ice formation than dust or black carbon/organic matter in mixed-phase clouds. They also have a significant impact on the ice water path in the Southern Hemisphere and therefore could be an important missing source of ice nuclei in current models. The addition of MOA as natural heterogeneous ice nuclei reduces the magnitude of the total top-of-atmosphere anthropogenic aerosol forcing by as much as 0.3 W/m2.
Immunochemical and serological studies of enzymatically fractionated human IgG globulins. I. Hydrolysis with pepsin, papain, ficin and bromelin.

Abstract Ummunochemical methods are not available to distinguish the Fab fragments of IgG glubulins produced by a variety of proteolytic enzymes. Serum agglutinators (anti-γ-globulin antibodies) are present in most human sera, in sufficient titer with serologic specificity for these different Fab fragments. They permit a differentiation of the Fab fragments surpassing in sensitivity the available immunochemical methods.
Successive approximation linear quadratic regulator for estuarine management problem

A successive approximation linear quadratic regulator (SALQR)method is applied to solve estuarine management problems to determine the optimal amount of freshwater inflows into baysand estuaries to maximize fishery harvests. Fishery harvests areexpressed in regression equations as functions of freshwaterinflows. The optimization problem is posed as a discrete-timeoptimal control problem in which salinity represents the statevariable and freshwater inflow represents the control variable. A two-dimensional hydrodynamic-salinity transport model, HYD-SAL,is used as the transition to simulate the flow circulation andtemporal and spatial salinity pattern in an estuary system. Thebound constraints for the control and state variables areincorporated into the objective function using a penalty functionmethod to convert the problem into an unconstrained formulation. The SALQR method is applied to the Lavaca-Tres Palacios Estuaryin Texas and the results are compared with those of usingregression equations as the transition equations.
Security Games Applied to Real-World: Research Contributions and Challenges

The goal of this chapter is to introduce a challenging real-world problem for researchers in multiagent systems and beyond, where our collective efforts may have a significant impact on activities in the real-world. The challenge is in applying game theory for security: our goal is not only to introduce the problem, but also to provide exemplars of initial successes of deployed systems in this problem arena. Furthermore, we present key ideas and algorithms for solving and understanding the characteristics large-scale real-world security games, and then present some key open research challenges in this area.
Transient Torque Converter Performance, Testing, Simulation and Reverse Engineering

The objective of this project was to investigate the transient performance of a three-element torque converter used in automotive applications. The investigation was conducted by running lab tests as well as numerical simulations. Lab tests subjected various torque converters to transient conditions similar to that seen in automotive applications. Numerical simulations were focused on solving a set of nonlinear differential equations that result from application of energy and momentum conservation laws. A computer model was created that successfully predicts the transient behavior of the torque converter. Validation of the computer model was accomplished by comparing simulation results to test data for three separate torque converters. Excellent agreement between test and simulation was seen across the range of data. Out of a need for various design parameters required in the transient model, a technique to reverse engineer the torque converter was developed. Additionally, a computer routine has been created that allows efficient study of a torque converter from a design perspective.
A test case of the Afro-Hispanic connection: Syllable-final /s/ in Equatorial Guinea

Abstract Many current theories of Hispanic dialectology implicate the influence of African phonotactic patterns on the evolution of Latin American Spanish, particularly as regards the behavior of syllable-final consonants. The present study offers a unique test case which permits the separation of external phonotactic influences from the original dialectal base brought from Spain to Latin America. In this fashion, it is possible to more adequately model the interaction of phonological patterns which shaped the evolution of European languages transplanted to the Americas, since the prototype situation may in principle be extended to other language-contact environments.