cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Environmental Favorability for Tropical Cyclogenesis by Statistical Analysis of Threshold Parameters

As the climate changes, the ability to predict changes in the frequency of tropical cyclogenesis is becoming ofincreasinginterest.A uniqueapproachis proposed thatutilizesthresholdvaluesin potentialintensity,wind shear, vorticity, and normalized saturation deficit. Prior statistical methods generally involve creating an index or equation based on averages of important meteorological parameters for a given region. The new method assumesthat thresholdvalues exist for each importantparameterfor whichcyclogenesisis unlikelyto develop. This technique is distinct from previous approaches that seek to determine how each of these parameters interdependently favors cyclogenesis. To determinethree of theindividualthresholdvalues (shear,potentialintensity,andvorticity),an idealized climate is first established that represents the most advantageous but realistic (MABR) environment. An initial numerical simulation of tropical cyclone genesis in the MABR environment confirms that it is highly favorable for cyclogenesis. Subsequent numerical simulations vary each parameter individually until no tropical cyclone develops, thereby determining the three threshold values. The new method of point downscaling,wherebybackground meteorologicalfeaturesarerepresentedbyasingleverticalprofile,isusedinthe simulations to greatly simplify the approach. The remaining threshold parameter (normalized saturation deficit) is determined by analyzing the climatological record and choosing a value that is statistically observed to prevent cyclogenesis. Once each threshold value is determined, the fraction of time each is exceeded in the location of interest is computed from the reanalysis dataset. The product of each fraction for each of the relevant parameters then gives a statistical probability as to the likelihood of cyclogenesis. For predicting regional and monthly variations in frequency of genesis, this approach is shown to generally meet or exceed the predictive skills of earlier statistical attempts with some failure only during several off-season months. This method also provides a more intuitive rationale of the results.
Work in Progress - Learning Community and Active Learning Study

Learning communities involve creating a positive learning environment and focusing on interaction with students, faculty and staff, all of which have been connected to retention. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is in the third year of a learning community program and has seen first-to-second year retention of learning community students 25% higher than the control group consisting of students not participating in a learning community. The CS department sponsors six learning communities including a special-population community for Women in Computing. CS communities are limited to 20 students and are taught in a studio environment, making the learning community project very resource-intensive. Different learning community models are being studied to determine the impact of size, active vs studio (hands-on computer) learning, and the impact of the duration of the community on student success and retention. This paper documents the preliminary results of a year-long study examining the various learning community formats and pedagogical approaches.
The Top 10 Reasons Musculoskeletal Sonography Is an Important Complementary or Alternative Technique to MRI

OBJECTIVE. Worldwide, the use of sonography for the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system has been growing. However, radiologists in North America have been relatively slow to incorporate musculoskeletal sonography into their practices. The purpose of this article is to show the advantages of musculoskeletal sonography.CONCLUSION. Musculoskeletal sonography is an important complementary tool to MRI and is essential for radiologists who want to provide patients with state-of-the-art musculoskeletal imaging.
“Go To” Telescopes and Mountings

Since the mid-1980s, amateur astronomers have been able to buy commercial telescopes that will slew automatically to a desired target, eliminating the hassle of having to “star-hop” to the target or use setting circles in the dark.
Notes from the Library in Volume 8:1

"The Stratagem of the Virgin" by Peter Charanis. "Eighteenth-Century Uniquities" by Rudolf Kirk.
Four Cordilleran paleorivers that connected Sevier thrust zones in Idaho to depocenters in California, Washington, Wyoming, and, indirectly, Alaska

Upper Cretaceous sandstones from 17 localities from California to southeastern Alaska (United States) contain unexpectedly large populations of detrital zircons with Proterozoic U-Pb ages, with age peaks at 1800–1650 and 1380 Ma. These peaks are indicative of a sediment source region in the southern part of the Proterozoic Belt Supergoup basin in central Idaho, which hosts 1800–1650 Ma detrital zircons and which was intruded by rift-related 1380 Ma bimodal plutons and sills. Belt rocks were strongly uplifted and eroded during Late Cretaceous Sevier shortening and fed four paleoriver systems. The Lemhi Pass–Hawley Creek river system flowed east and sourced the Beaverhead-Harebell-Pinyon nonmarine megafan in the Cordilleran foreland basin. The Kione River flowed southwest to northern California, where it sourced a very large, ca. 82–80 Ma, ∼600-m-thick delta and submarine fan complex within the northern Great Valley forearc basin. Considerable Kione detritus also transited the forearc basin to reach the Franciscan trench, sourcing a pulse of deposition and subduction accretion in central California and even part of southern California. The Swakane River flowed northwest out of Idaho into Washington, sourcing the protolith for the high-grade Swakane gneiss. More speculatively, a Yakutat River may have flowed northwest and deposited Yakutat strata in a trench off Washington or British Columbia, before those rocks were translated north to southeastern Alaska. Recognition of a major source area in central Idaho for zircons with an uncommon age of 1380 Ma helps constrain the ca. 85–65 Ma paleogeography and paleotectonics of major sectors of the North American convergent margin orogen.
Group Embedded Figures Test: Psychometric Data Documenting Shifts in Field Independence from Prior Norms for Accountants

This study examined the performance of 516 practicing accountants on the Group Embedded Figures Test and scores were compared with previously published norms and scores from Pincus (1985). The present accountants scored significantly more field-independent than the test norms and the 124 accountants in Pincus's sample. Significant differences were also noted between traditional (entry immediately following college at age 22) and delayed-entry accountants (late entry or second career). Gender differences noted in the norms were not observed for the current sample.
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure and Customer Location Impacts on Fleet Mix and Vehicle Routing

An increase in the use of conventional vehicles in combination with alternative fuel vehicles requires trucking carriers to make a decision on when to use a mixed fleet. The purpose of this article is to investigate how alternative fuel infrastructure and patterns of customer locations influence fleet compositions when minimizing routing costs. The variable-route vehicle refueling problem (VRVRP) for the mixed fleet is formulated as a mixed-integer programming model and solved with an optimization method. A logistic regression is then employed to assess the impacts of both the density of the alternative fuel infrastructure and the patterns of customer locations on the optimal fleet composition. Experimental results reveal that the right fleet mix decision is impacted by customer location patterns and available fuel infrastructure. While alternative fuel trucks were favored over conventional trucks with a dense alternative fuel infrastructure, the likelihood of mixed fleet use varied across different patterns of customer demand locations. Further, our analysis suggests that shippers and trucking carriers should understand the relative benefits and constraints of different geographical dispersions of customers and densities of alternative fuel infrastructures when designing optimal delivery strategies.
The democratizing effect of education

Several influential scholars have argued that increases in education improve levels of democracy. However, relevant challenges to this view have also figured prominently. In this article we tackle this controversy. We examine the link between education and democracy using an expanded dataset on educational attainment that covers most of the postwar era. We find that increases in levels of education improve levels of democracy and that the democratizing effect of education is more intense in poor countries.
Reconstructing Events

Growing multicamera, multiperspective image capture provides the opportunity to reconstruct and recount real-world events at a fine resolution.
Safety of 50,000-100,000 units of vitamin D3/week in vitamin D-deficient, hypercholesterolemic patients with reversible statin intolerance

Background: Vitamin D deficiency ( 100 ng/mL) but not toxic (>150 ng/mL) in 4 patients (1.4%). Median serum calcium was unchanged from entry (9.60 mg/dL) to 9.60 at 6 months (P = .36), with no trend of change (P = .16). Median eGFR was unchanged from entry (84 mL/min/1.73) to 83 at 6 months (P = .57), with no trend of change (P = .59). On vitamin D3 71,700 (mean) and 50,000 IU/week (median) at 12 months in 112 patients, serum vitamin D rose from pretreatment (21-median) to 51 ng/mL (P 100 but 0.3. eGFR did not change from 79 mL/min/1.73 at entry to 74 mL/min/1.73 and 77 mL/min/1.73 at 6 months and 12 months, P > 0.3. There was no trend in the change in serum calcium (P > 0.5 for 6 months and 12 months), and no change of eGFR for 6 months and 12 months, P > 0.15. Conclusions: Vitamin D3 therapy (50,000-100,000 IU/week) was safe and effective when given for 12 months to reverse statin intolerance in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Serum vitamin D rarely exceeded 100 ng/mL, never reached toxic levels, and there were no significant change in serum calcium or eGFR.
Comparison of Different Types of Central Stimulation from Analeptics.

Summary and Conclusions1. A method is described for measuring stimulation produced by analeptics, which consists of suspending white rats or other small animals in small cages from wire springs and summating the amount of movement by connecting the springs to Harvard work adders. The activities resulting over periods of hours, are recorded by electrical contacts on the work adders through signal magnets writing on a kymograph drum. The apparatus is kept in a lighted constant temperature chamber between 27 and 29° C as conditions for minimum activity. The amounts of activity shown by the animals after injections of normal saline solution are designated as control levels of activity, and subtracted from those observed during the action of a drug to give the net stimulation produced by the agent in question.2. Metrazol, in doses from 10 to 40 mg per kilo, produced no increase in general activity except during convulsions resulting from doses of 40 mg. Picrotoxin, in doses from 0.1 to 1.6 mg per kilo also pro...
A Method to Estimate Static Voltage Stability Margin After Branch Outage

A method to estimate static voltage stability margin after branch outage is proposed.Firstly,the state variables of the critical point of voltage stability after branch outage is pre-estimated by second order sensitivity,and based on the pre-estimated state variables the post-fault injected power at state variables of the critical point are solved;then the injected power is equivalent to the variation of the injected power at initial operating point under normal conditions,and according to this equivalent variation the variation of post-branch outage load margin is pre-estimated to avoid the defect of insufficient pre-estimation accuracy due to low linear sensitivity of load margin to branch admittance.The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation results of IEEE 30-bus system.
On the Parallelism Techniques of "Jinti" Poetry from Shirenyuxie

TheVol.7 of Shirenyuxie written by Wie Qing in Dynasty Song brings together the previous parallelism techniques of Chinese rhythm poem composed of five or seven characters.The monograph illustrates such couplets as "liushui" couplet,"gejushan" couplet,"dangjuyou" couplet,"cuo" couplet,"jie" couplet and "tianshengde" couplet.In the book,some skills frequently mentioned are comprehensively introduced;however,each skill is not so elaborated and only several cases are enumerated.In the paper,the above couplets are analyzed with the reference to different documents on poetry.
ANALYSIS OF MUTATIONS IN FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR (FGF) AND A PATHOGENIC MUTATION IN FGF RECEPTOR (FGFR) PROVIDES DIRECT EVIDENCE FOR THE SYMMETRIC TWO-END MODEL FOR FGFR DIMERIZATION

Two competing models for fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) dimerization have recently emerged based on ternary FGF-FGFR-heparin crystal structures. In the symmetric two-end model, heparin promotes dimerization of two FGF-FGFR complexes by stabilizing bivalent interactions of the ligand and receptor through primary and secondary sites and by stabilizing direct receptor-receptor contacts. In the asymmetric model, there are no protein-protein contacts between the two FGF-FGFR complexes, which are bridged solely by heparin. To identify the correct mode of FGFR dimerization, we abolished interactions at the secondary ligand-receptor interaction site, which are observed only in the symmetric two-end model, using site-directed mutagenesis. Cellular studies and real-time binding assays, as well as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight analysis, demonstrate that loss of secondary ligand-receptor interactions results in diminished FGFR activation due to decreased dimerization without affecting FGF-FGFR binding. Additionally, structural and biochemical analysis of an activating FGFR2 mutation resulting in Pfeiffer syndrome confirms the physiological significance of receptor-receptor contacts in the symmetric two-end model and provides a novel mechanism for FGFR gain of function in human skeletal disorders. Taken together, the data validate the symmetric two-end model of FGFR dimerization and argue against the asymmetric model of FGFR dimerization.
Politics and Value, Part 2

In the first part of this essay, from page 14 through 18, we talked about the relation between norms and fact and suggested that the problem of the role of norms would not arise in a situation of simple harmony. We also suggested that the problem of norms arises as does the sense of human freedom—the awareness of the extent to which man transcends the patterns of “natural freedom” found in the world of nature. Thus the problem of the relation between fact and norm is an aspect of the problem of man’s freedom in general. To put the matter in other terms, the difficulties in delimiting with any precision the area of human freedom are seen in the difficulty in drawing with any precision or “objectivity” the line between statements of fact and statements of value.
Education About Human Rights: Teacher Preparation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses human rights in the education of prospective and in-service teachers and highlights some of the conceptual and procedural issues that have emerged from them. In addition to acquiring the skills to foster critical thinking, teachers need to learn numerous methods thought to be critical in human rights teaching. They should learn how to lead and participate in open discussion, involve students in the creation of curricula, establish classroom climates conducive to equal participation by all students, encourage expression of opinions about social and economic problems and government's actions to resolve them, and emphasize student opportunities to exercise judgments and solve problems. Closely related to issues that result from different interpretations of human rights are questions about what constitutes the cognitive and affective content of human rights that prospective teachers should learn. One approach, influenced by the lead taken by faculties of law throughout the world, emphasizes the juridical basis of human rights.
Assessment of Follow-up Completeness and Notification Preferences for Imaging Findings of Possible Cancer: What Happens After Radiologists Submit Their Reports?

Rationale and Objectives To understand the reasons leading to potentially inappropriate management of imaging findings concerning for malignancy and identify optimal methods for communicating these findings to providers. Materials and Methods We identified all abdominal imaging examinations with findings of possible cancer performed on six randomly selected days in August to December 2013. Electronic medical records (EMR) of one patient group were reviewed 3 months after the index examination to determine whether management was appropriate (completed follow-up or documented reason for no follow-up) or potentially inappropriate (no follow-up or no documented reason). Providers of a second patient group were contacted 5–6 days after imaging examinations to determine notification preferences. Results Among 43 patients in the first group, five (12%) received potentially inappropriate management. Reasons included patient loss to follow-up and provider failure to review imaging results, document known imaging findings, or communicate findings to providers outside the health system. Among 16 providers caring for patients in the second group, 33% were unaware of the findings, 75% preferred to be notified of abnormal findings via e-mail or EMR, 56% wanted an embedded hyperlink enabling immediate follow-up order entry, and only 25% had a system to monitor whether patients had completed ordered testing. Conclusions One in eight patients did not receive potentially necessary follow-up care within 3 months of imaging findings of possible cancer. Automated notification of imaging findings and follow-up monitoring not only is desired by providers but can also address many of the reasons we found for inappropriate management.
Robust learning from demonstration techniques and tools

Large state spaces and the curse of dimensionality contribute to the complexity of a task. Learning from demonstration techniques can be combined with reinforcement learning to narrow the exploration space of an agent, but require consistent and accurate demonstrations, as well as the state-action pairs for an entire demonstration. Individuals with severe motor disabilities are often slow and prone to human errors in demonstrations while teaching. My dissertation develops tools to allow persons with severe motor disabilities, and individuals in general, to train these systems. To handle these large state spaces as well as human error, we developed Dimensionality Reduced Reinforcement Learning. To accommodate slower feedback, we will develop a movie-reel style learning from demonstration interface.
A Model for the Origin of Bursty Star Formation in Galaxies

We propose a simple analytic model to understand when star formation is time-steady versus bursty in galaxies. Recent models explain the observed Kennicutt-Schmidt relation between star formation rate and gas surface densities in galaxies as resulting from a balance between stellar feedback and gravity. We argue that bursty star formation occurs when such an equilibrium cannot be stably sustained, and identify two regimes in which galaxy-scale star formation should be bursty: i) at high redshift (z>~1) for galaxies of all masses, and ii) at low masses (depending on gas fraction) for galaxies at any redshift. At high redshift, characteristic galactic dynamical timescales become too short for supernova feedback to effectively respond to gravitational collapse in galactic discs (an effect recently identified for galactic nuclei), whereas in dwarf galaxies star formation occurs in too few bright star-forming regions to effectively average out. Burstiness is also enhanced at high redshift owing to elevated gas fractions in the early Universe. Our model can thus explain the bursty star formation rates predicted in these regimes by recent high-resolution galaxy formation simulations, as well as the bursty star formation histories observationally-inferred in both local dwarf and high-redshift galaxies. In our model, bursty star formation is associated with particularly strong spatio-temporal clustering of supernovae. Such clustering can promote the formation of galactic winds and our model may thus also explain the much higher wind mass loading factors inferred in high-redshift massive galaxies relative to their z~0 counterparts.
National and State Trends in Sales of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes, U.S., 2011–2015

Introduction In recent years, self-reported cigarette smoking has declined among youth and adults, while electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has increased. However, sales trends for these products are less certain. This study assessed national and state patterns of U.S. cigarette and e-cigarette unit sales. Methods Trends in cigarette and e-cigarette unit sales were analyzed using retail scanner data from September 25, 2011 through January 9, 2016 for: (1) convenience stores; and (2) all other outlets combined, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, drug, dollar, and club stores, and military commissaries (online, tobacco-only, and “vape“ shops were not available). Data by store type were available for the total contiguous U.S. and 29 states; combined data were available for the remaining states, except Alaska, Hawaii, and DC. Results During 2011–2015, cigarette sales exhibited a small, significant decrease; however, positive year-over-year growth occurred in convenience stores throughout most of 2015. E-cigarette unit sales significantly increased during 2011–2015, but year-over-year growth slowed and was occasionally negative. Cigarette unit sales exceeded e-cigarettes by 64:1 during the last 4-week period. During 2014–2015, cigarette sales increases occurred in 15 of 48 assessed states; e-cigarette sales increased in 18 states. Conclusions Despite overall declines during 2011–2015, cigarette sales in 2015 grew for the first time in a decade. E-cigarette sales growth was positive, but slowed over the study period in assessed stores. Cigarette sales continued to exceed e-cigarette sales, reinforcing the importance of efforts to reduce the appeal and accessibility of cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products.
Parasitismo en huevos de araña Achaearanea tepidariorum (Koch) (Aranea: Theridiidae) en Costa Rica

Two new records of parasites of the eggs of the spider Achaearanea te­pidariorum are reported: an undescribed species of a microhymenopteran, Baeus sp. (Scelionidae) and a neuropteran, Mantispa viridis (Mantispidae). Three populations of the spider were studied, of which the one on the campus of Universidad de Costa Rica was highly infested: 63.85 per cent of the to­ tal egg sacs collected were parasitized, about 48 per cent by Baeus sp. and about 15 per cent by the mantispid. In M. viridis one larva develops in every egg sac, utilizing nearly all the eggs present. On the other hand, Baeus sp. has one larva developing per egg, parasitizing almost 80 per cent of the eggs present in each saco This means that of all the eggs produced by A. tepidariorum , less than 50 per cent complete their normal development. Two egg sacs were found evidently parasitized by both species, which means that some of the eggs eaten by the mantispid larva had already been parasitized by the wasp. Apparently M. viridis has a definite advantage in this competitive relationship for an identical source of food, but as shown here this is not the case in nature, due probably to the relatively large size of the neu­ ropteran. In many cases the mantispid is probably detected and captured by the female spider while approaching or leaving the egg sac, a problem not faced by the minute wasps. The adults of M. viridis feed actively on small insects... and live ap­ proximately five days under laboratory conditions. Those of Baeus sp. apparently do not feed (on sugar solutions). The males live one or two days, the females between five and seven days (one female lived 14 days in the laboratory).
Mobilities of Language and Literacy Ideologies: Dual Language Graduates’ Bilingualism and Biliteracy:

Using qualitative methodology, this research examines how graduates of a K-5 dual language immersion program have experienced multiple and competing social, cultural, institutional, and political f...
A Dynamic System Matching Technique: A State Space Formulation

Analog systems are typically modelled by differential equations with several coefficients as design parameters. Manufacturing processes produce systems whose coefficients vary from the desired coefficients of the system designs. In [1], the authors presented a method for combining the measurements from several analog systems, that are nominally the same, using a technique based on the concept of dynamic element matching discussed in [2]. A heuristic analysis in [1] and a simulation in [3], indicated that this method can effectively control the output errors when the outputs of the several systems are corrupted due to manufacturing errors. In a recent paper [4], a rigorous analysis of a dynamic system matching technique (DSMT) applicable to a small class of scalar single input-single output (SISO) analog systems showed that for that class of systems the DSMT reduces the power in the output noise due to manufacturing errors. In this paper, those results are generalized to a class of linear SISO systems defined by general linear state space equations.
Clinical trials, ototoxicity grading scales and the audiologist's role in therapeutic decision making.

Objectives: Define clinical trials and adverse event (AE) monitoring from the perspective of the audiologist. Rationalise the importance of audiology’s involvement before, during and after monitori...
Population Genomics Provides Key Insights in Ecology and Evolution

Population genomic tools have revolutionized many aspects of biology, as detailed throughout the chapters of this volume. In particular, population genomics has provided key insights into ecological and evolutionary processes in natural and managed populations. These studies address a wide range of questions, including demography, phylogeny, genetics of ecologically relevant traits, and adaptation. They have also facilitated the conservation and management of biodiversity and harvested populations. Rather than exhaustively document the applications of population genomics in ecology and evolution, in this chapter we provide perspectives on a few key issues confronting researchers seeking to use population genomic tools in non-model systems. A wide variety of molecular and computational genomic approaches are available and have been used in ecological and evolutionary studies. There is no single best approach; rather, the genomic approach used should be tailored to best address the particular study goals and guided by the biology of the system. A large number of trade-offs, costs, and benefits distinguish genomic approaches, which we discuss below. To illustrate these issues, we focus on several published case studies and assess how the research questions were addressed.
H7 Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty in Females with Perineal or Vestibular Fistulae

The patient should be placed in the prone position, with the pelvis elevated. Multiple 5-0 silk sutures are placed around the fistula (mucocutaneous junction) to exert uniform traction (Fig. 1). A posterior sagittal incision is made through the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The parasagittal fibres and ischiorectal fat are divided in the midline. The muscle complex and levator mechanism are identified and divided exactly in the midline (Fig. 2).
Estimation of Multimedia Exposures Related To Hazardous Waste Facilities

Soil contamination often results from improper land disposal, storage, treatment, and spills of hazardous waste in liquid or solid form. In order to properly address the levels of pollutants up to which contaminated soil needs to be cleaned, it is necessary to estimate the magnitude of human exposure for each likely exposure pathway. The procedure developed in this paper for estimating the level of pollutant cleanup from soil relates to 1) identification of exposure pathways, 2) exposure assessment to estimate pollutant intakes by humans from each pathway, and 3) the use of health effects data to estimate the acceptable exposure levels.
Information Sharing Beyond Firm Boundaries: A Taxonomy and Research Framework

Information Technology has brought significant business benefits to organizations. IT has allowed greater information sharing within and across firms leading to performance improvements. However, a comprehensive understanding of how information sharing beyond firm boundaries results in business value for the firm and what factors affect the resulting business value is still lacking in both research and practice. This paper presents an integrated taxonomy and a research model that provides a framework for studying business value of information sharing beyond firm boundaries.
Cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV vaccination: exploring gendered perspectives, knowledge, attitudes, and cultural taboos among Mexican American adults

ABSTRACT Background: Gendered perspectives may be particularly important in shaping norms and values around HPV and HPV vaccination, as previous research suggests that sexuality taboos (e.g. promis...
Hospital-Acquired Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infection: Epidemiology and Outcome

AbstractAnalysis of 221 episodes of hospital-acquired bacteremic urinary tract infection in 4 hospitals of 1 metropolitan area from 1977 to 1981 revealed an over-all mortality rate of 30.8 per cent. The mortality rate attributed specifically to bacteremic urinary tract infection was 12.7 per cent. Of the 28 patients whose deaths were attributed directly to hospital-acquired bacteremic urinary tract infection 19 were on medical services and all had focal or diffuse central nervous system disease, malignancy, alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis, advanced arteriosclerosis with renal failure and/or diabetes mellitus with obliterative peripheral vascular disease. Extrapolation of these data suggests that 3,520 deaths in the United States each year are directly caused by hospital-acquired bacteremic urinary tract infection but that these deaths may be limited virtually to high risk patients with poor prognoses from underlying diseases.
Abstract 4037: Interactions between STAT3 and TGFβ in the regulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis and signaling in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells

Evidence suggests that growth of cancer stem cells (CSCs) drives intratumor heterogeneity, a major clinical problem that results in drug resistance, recurrence of tumors, and metastatic progression of breast cancer. Therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs require identification of signaling pathways that facilitate the emergence and/or expansion of CSCs. These signaling pathways are implicated in altering cell behavior, as well as promoting the expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration and invasion. Previous work demonstrated that a cooperative STAT3/SMAD3 gene transcription program increased the expression of Hyaluronan Synthase 2 (HAS2), an enzyme that produces Hyaluronic Acid (HA) which serves as a CD44 ligand and facilitates EMT. We hypothesize that STAT3 is a critical regulator of HA synthesis and signaling which enhances EMT and stemness of human mammary epithelial cells, driving tumor progression. We tested this hypothesis in a TGFβ triggered model of EMT. Immortalized human mammary epithelial cells (HMLE) expressing either a control vector (pWZL-GFP) or a vector containing TGFβ1 (pWZL-TGFβ1-GFP) were characterized with respect to STAT3 signaling, HA synthesis, and mammosphere formation. Our data revealed that HMLE-pWZL-TGFβ1-GFP cells have significantly higher expression of active STAT3 (Y705) compared to control cells, but total STAT3 gene and protein expression were similar in the two cell lines. HMLE-pWZL-TGFβ1-GFP cells exhibited a significant increase in expression of HAS2 and HAS2-AS1, a long non-coding RNA that enhances the transcription of HAS2. Preliminary results show that overexpression of TGFβ1 increased HA secretion in media compared to control cells. HMLE-pWZL-TGFβ1-GFP cells demonstrated significantly higher mammosphere forming ability compared to control cells, suggesting that TGFβ increases the percentage of stem cells in the population. Initial results demonstrated changes in mammosphere size and morphology of HMLE-pWZL-TGFβ1-GFP cells treated with the HA synthesis inhibitor 4-Methylumbelliferone (4MU). Together, these results suggest STAT3 and TGFβ1 co-regulate HAS2 expression and HA production in a model of EMT supporting the use of the HMLE-pWZL cell series as a promising model to study STAT3 regulation of the HA-CD44 signaling pathway. Citation Format: Brenda G. Trevizo-Barresi, JoEllen Welsh. Interactions between STAT3 and TGFβ in the regulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis and signaling in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4037.
P028 Importance of evaluating allele-level HLA typing of the donor to assess the immunological logistics of importing a renal allograft for highly sensitized recipient and facilitating a successful transplant

Renal transplant candidates with more than 99% CPRA are at greater disadvantage for a match run. Even with a match-run, some of the allelic DSAs not used for Unacceptable Antigens [UA] entry criteria, could make the decision to import an organ from a distant location difficult without knowing the donor’s allele level typing. We describe the case of a patient where the first potential importable organ had to be rejected and the second one could be accepted leading to a successful transplant based on inferred 2 field HLA typing information of the donor. Case: Patient JG, a 24 year old female with a hx of ESRD secondary to pauci-immune glomerulonephritis with a kidney txp in 2001 that failed in 2012 with >99% CPRA got an import kidney offer in Aug 2017 for a donor with an HLA Genotype of A68/-; B35, 39; C1, 7; and DRB1 *0401/04/02/03 at both HLA-DRB1 Loci. The Recipient had strong antibody to DRB1*04:02 [MFI 7000 consistently]and B39MFI = 3117. Since the donor had a potential DRB1*04:02 on both DR4 loci and a B39, the offer was rejected. HLA-DR4 could not be entered as UA despite a high MFI value since listed patient was DRB1*04:01/*04:07. Another offer came through and the donor had a DRB1*04 but the most possible alleles were depicted as DRB1*04: 03/*04:07 and DRB1*04:02 was not an option. So the only HLA DSA the patient had towards this donor was B39 [MFI = 3117]; Accepted the organ and the real cross match was negative, the transplant was done and the Recipient is doing well as of now. Allele-specific antibodies and their impact on real cross matches have been highlighted by failed NKR Chains not knowing allele specific DSAs. Also, when a patient is listed as DRB1*04, we cannot list any UAs as DR4. And as we propagate our ability to assign antibody specificity based on the single antigen bead based assays, we are still at large with allele-specific antibodies that could be crucial. We have an example of a case where the Recipient had antibodies against B*35:01 and DRB1*14:01/02/54; and had a donor with B*35:12 and DRB1*14:07 -And No beads to assess antibodies against B*35:12 or DRB1*14:07. Conclusion: Virtual crossmatch can be an excellent tool as long as we have reliable data on DSAs in terms of the allele-specific antibodies where applicable, and it is extremely important when one make decision to import an organ based on potential allele-specific DSAs.
The effect of multidirectional bias magnetic fields on the converse magnetoelectric response of multiferroic concentric composite ring

A composite multiferroic ring was characterized under two orthogonal bias magnetic fields while electrically loaded near resonance to measure the circumferential converse magnetoelectric (CME) response. The composite multiferroic structure consisted of an inner magnetostrictive Terfenol-D ring with an axially aligned preferred magnetocrystalline axis bonded to a radially polarized outer piezoelectric poled lead zirconate titanate ring to form a concentric ring structure. A single uniform bias magnetic field was varied from zero to beyond magnetic saturation while the composite ring's axial alignment was changed from perpendicular to parallel with respect to the bias magnetic field direction. The change in the ring orientation thus subjected the ring to two orthogonal bias magnetic fields, whose strengths were calculated based on the orientation angle. The overall CME behavior was found to be largely correlated with the perpendicular magnetic field strength assisted with the shape anisotropy of the ring structure favoring magnetization along the longest axis. Nonetheless, the parallel magnetic field had a notable contribution to the CME response by enhancing the magnetization in the preferred axial direction and activating other unique magnetocrystalline axes. In all, the CME behavior with respect to two orthogonal bias magnetic fields is characterized by an interplay of magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies bolstered by the parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields.A composite multiferroic ring was characterized under two orthogonal bias magnetic fields while electrically loaded near resonance to measure the circumferential converse magnetoelectric (CME) response. The composite multiferroic structure consisted of an inner magnetostrictive Terfenol-D ring with an axially aligned preferred magnetocrystalline axis bonded to a radially polarized outer piezoelectric poled lead zirconate titanate ring to form a concentric ring structure. A single uniform bias magnetic field was varied from zero to beyond magnetic saturation while the composite ring's axial alignment was changed from perpendicular to parallel with respect to the bias magnetic field direction. The change in the ring orientation thus subjected the ring to two orthogonal bias magnetic fields, whose strengths were calculated based on the orientation angle. The overall CME behavior was found to be largely correlated with the perpendicular magnetic field strength assisted with the shape anisotropy of the ring st...
Biogeochemical fate of ferrihydrite-model organic compound complexes during anaerobic microbial reduction.

Abstract Associations of organic carbon (OC) with iron (Fe) oxide minerals play an important role in regulating the stability of OC in soil environments. Knowledge about the fate and stability of Fe-OC complexes is impaired by the heterogeneity of OC. Additional biogeochemical variables in soil environments, such as redox conditions and microbes, further increase complexity in understanding the stability of mineral-associated soil OC. This study investigated the fate and stability of model organic compounds, including glucose (GL), glucosamine (GN), tyrosine (TN), benzoquinone (BQ), amylose (AM), and alginate (AL), complexed with an Fe oxide mineral, ferrihydrite (Fh), during microbial reduction. During a 25-d anaerobic incubation with Shewanella putrefaciens CN32, the reduction of Fe followed the order of Fh-BQ > Fh-GL > Fh-GN > Fh-TN > Fh-AL > Fh-AM. In terms of OC released during the anaerobic incubation, Fh-GN complexes released the highest amount of OC while Fh-AM complexes released the lowest. Organic carbon regulated the reduction of Fe by acting as an electron shuttle, affecting microbial activities, and associating with Fh. Benzoquinone had the highest electron accepting capacity, but potentially can inhibit microbial activity. These findings provide insights into the roles of different organic functional groups in regulating Fe reduction and the stability of Fh-bound OC under anaerobic conditions.
Sports and machine learning: How young people can use data from their own bodies to learn about machine learning

In order to foster interest in machine learning among young people, presented are simple and effective ways to engage kids using sensors on their own bodies.
Improve Quadrupedal Locomotion with Actuated or Passive Joints

Animals interact with their environment softly through interaction of muscles, tendons, and rigid skeleton. By incorporating flexibility, they reduce ground impact forces and improve locomotive eff...
Hydrogen Refuelling Reference Station Lot Size Analysis for Urban Sites

Hydrogen Fuelling Infrastructure Research and Station Technology (H2FIRST) is a project initiated by the DOE in 2015 and executed by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to address RD considerations of the delivery truck path, traffic flow, parking, and convenience store location are also important. Station designs that utilize underground and rooftop storage can reduce footprint but may not be practical or economical. For example, burying hydrogen storage tanks underground can reduce footprint, but the cost savings they enable depend on the cost of burial and the cost land. Siting and economic analysis of station lot sizes illustrate the benefit of smaller station footprints in the flexibility and cost savings they can provide. This study can be used as a reference that provides examples of the key design differences that fuelling stations can incorporate, the approximate sizes of generic station lots, and considerations that might be unique to particular designs.
The Ecological Tasks of Poetry: Women and Nature in Biancamaria Frabotta

In the history of European philosophy and culture, women have been both linked to nature and excluded from writing. Because of this, feminist poets face the task of rethinking the two realms togeth...
Rate transient analysis of infinite-acting linear flow by use of piecewise constant diffusivity coefficients

Abstract Rate transient analysis (RTA) techniques are developed based on the analytical solutions to the hydraulic diffusivity equation. The diffusivity equation is subject to nonlinearity caused by the dependency of the rock and fluid properties to pressure. In this study, first, we develop a semi-analytical model to solve a nonlinear diffusivity equation for transient linear flow under the constant bottom-hole pressure condition. We use piecewise constant diffusivity coefficients to linearize the diffusivity equation. The domain under consideration is divided into an arbitrary number of subdomains. Each subdomain is assigned with a constant hydraulic diffusivity coefficient. As a result, the nonlinear diffusivity equation is reduced into a set of piecewise linear equations. Further, we propose a new RTA approach using the developed semi-analytical model. We then validate both the semi-analytical model and the RTA approach against direct numerical simulation. The comparison reveals the high accuracy of the developed model in the estimation of reservoir properties, pressure profiles, and flow rates, including the cases with highly pressure-dependent properties. Finally, we apply the proposed RTA approach to the flowback and long-term production data obtained from two horizontal wells to determine the reservoir properties, such as the cross-sectional area to flow and initial permeability. The field applications demonstrate that the proposed RTA approach provides a rigorous avenue for production data analysis of pressure-sensitive formations during transient linear flow.
Development of prediction models for clinically meaningful improvement in PROMIS scores after lumbar decompression.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The ability to preoperatively predict which patients will achieve a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after lumbar spine decompression surgery can help determine the appropriateness and timing of surgery. Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores are an increasingly popular outcome instrument. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop algorithms predictive of achieving MCID after primary lumbar decompression surgery. PATIENT SAMPLE This was a retrospective study at two academic medical centers and three community medical centers including adult patients 18 years or older undergoing one or two level posterior decompression for lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis between January 1, 2016 and April 1, 2019. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome, MCID, was defined using distribution-based methods as one half the standard deviation of postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROMIS physical function, pain interference, pain intensity). METHODS Five machine learning algorithms were developed to predict MCID on these surveys and assessed by discrimination, calibration, Brier score, and decision curve analysis. The final model was incorporated into an open access digital application. RESULTS Overall, 906 patients completed at least one PROMs survey in the 90 days before surgery and at least one PROMs survey in the year after surgery. Attainment of MCID during the study period by PROMIS instrument was 74.3% for physical function, 75.8% for pain interference, and 79.2% for pain intensity. Factors identified for preoperative prediction of MCID attainment on these outcomes included preoperative PROs, percent unemployment in neighborhood of residence, comorbidities, body mass index, private insurance, preoperative opioid use, surgery for disc herniation, and federal poverty level in neighborhood of residence. The discrimination (c-statistic) of the final algorithms for these outcomes was 0.79 for physical function, 0.74 for pain interference, and 0.69 for pain intensity with good calibration. The open access digital application for these algorithms can be found here: https://sorg-apps.shinyapps.io/promis_pld_mcid/ CONCLUSION Lower preoperative PROMIS scores, fewer comorbidities, and certain sociodemographic factors increase the likelihood of achieving MCID for PROMIS after lumbar spine decompression.
Compound Semiconductor Crystals

As we learned from previous chapters, silicon has a diamond crystal structure with pure covalent bonding. Due to its nature as a single element, the Si crystal structure is highly symmetric. Since there are two different elements in binary III–V compounds, the basic diamond structure turns into zinc-blende crystal structure, which destroys some of the symmetry observed in Si. This lower symmetry in crystal structure leads to band structures with different features which, in turn, give the unique properties not available to Si. Using GaAs as an example, the main advantages over Si are (a) Larger bandgap: The larger bandgap leads to a low intrinsic carrier concentration (ni) suitable for high-temperature operation. (b) Smaller effective mass: The effective mass is inversely proportional to the carrier mobility. The higher mobility contributes to high-speed operation. (c) Direct bandgap: The location of the lowest conduction band minimum also varies with a decreasing degree of crystal symmetry in III–V compounds. Some of them have both the conduction band minimum and the valence band maximum located at the zone center. These are called direct bandgap semiconductors. This allows for their use in photonic device and transfer electron device applications. (d) Heterostructures: Additionally, binary III–V compounds can form ternary and quaternary compounds, which leads to an expanded selection of lattice constants and bandgap energies. New heterostructure and quantum effect devices then become possible.