cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation and testing of cyclosporine microsphere and solution formulations in the treatment of polyarthritis in rats

We prepared a microencapsulated sustained-release formulation of cyclosporine A (CsA) and compared its efficacy to the solution formulation of cyclosporine A (Sandimmune, Sandoz) in an attempt to improve the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Microspheres containing cyclosporine were prepared with poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a polymer in the submicron particle range of 0.22-0.8 micron. Studies were carried out to determine uptake rates and mechanisms of lymphocyte inhibition mediated by macrophages containing CsA microspheres in vitro. The results of these studies were used to establish whether lower doses of the microencapsulated cyclosporine could be used in in vivo studies in the polyarthritic rat model for rheumatoid arthritis. In vitro dissolution testing revealed that CsA was released extremely slowly from microspheres for up to 48 hr (0.002%). Radiolabeled 3H CsA was incorporated into some PLGA microspheres or the microspheres were labeled using a 99mTc radioligand when needed, and radiolabeling efficiency was consistently above 50%. Uptake studies at various microsphere-to-macrophage ratios (1:1, 1:5, 1:10) were carried out using 99mTc radiolabeled microspheres and macrophages obtained from normal and polyarthritic rats. Normal macrophages behaved significantly differently from arthritic macrophages throughout the study. Arthritic macrophages cause increased amounts of CsA to be released (68% of the dose) into the culture medium past 24 hr compared to normal macrophages (48% of the dose). This factor may account for the significantly increased inhibition (68.2%) of mixed lymphocyte culture proliferation in the presence of arthritic macrophages containing CsA-loaded PLGA microspheres over normal macrophages (48.2%) that were pre-exposed to the same microsphere dose. The equivalent quantity of CsA as that contained in the microspheres when placed in solution or the same quantity of blank PLGA microspheres caused decreased levels of lymphocyte inhibition when compared to the effects of CsA microspheres in macrophages of normal cells, but significantly decreased levels of inhibition in arthritic cells. From the in vivo studies, it is evident that CsA microspheres, even at low dose levels, were highly effective in inhibiting polyarthritis in rats.
Validation of a video-based motion analysis technique in 3-D dynamic scapular kinematic measurements.

Background: Current non-invasive 3-D scapular kinematic measurement techniques such as electromagnetic tracking are subjected to restrictions of wired sensors and limited capture space. Video-based motion analysis provides greater freedom with relatively less movement restriction. However, videobased motion analysis was rarely used in and not validated for scapular kinematics. Methods: Scapular kinematics of five subjects performing abduction, scaption, and internal/external rotation was captured simultaneously with video-based motion analysis and dynamic stereo X-ray, a gold standard for tracking scapular movements. The data from video-based motion analysis was correlated with the data from dynamic stereo X-ray for validity evaluation. Findings: Strong and significant correlations were identified in scapular protraction/retraction and medial/lateral rotation during abduction and scaption, and scapular medial/lateral rotation and anterior/posterior tilt during internal/external rotation. Interpretation: Video-based motion analysis is valid for evaluating a single subject’s scapular movement pattern in protraction/retraction during abduction and scaption, and medial/lateral-rotation during internal/external rotation. Anterior/posterior-tilt during abduction and scaption should be investigated with caution. Video motion analysis is also valid for evaluating group average of scapular kinematics except for protraction/retraction during internal/external rotation. While acknowledging the inherent limitations, video-based motion analysis is an appropriate technique for tracking scapular kinematics. & 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Resources and the Information Problem in Rebel Recruitment

How does the resource base of a rebel group impact its membership, structure, and behavior? While scholars, analysts, and policy makers increasingly link natural resources to the onset and duration of civil war, this article explores how resource endowments shape the character and conduct of rebel groups. This article identifies a rebel “resource curse” much like the one that undermines state institutions in resourcerich environments. While the presence of economic endowments makes it possible for leaders to recruit on the basis of short-term rewards, these groups are flooded with opportunistic joiners who exhibit little commitment to the long-term goals of the organization. In resource-poor environments, leaders attract new recruits by drawing on social ties to make credible promises about the private rewards that will come with victory. Opportunistic joiners stay away from these movements, leaving a pool of activist recruits willing to invest their time and energy in the hope of reaping large gains in the future.
Interferometric studies of laser-created plasmas using compact soft x-ray lasers

We summarize results of several successful dense plasma diagnostics experiments realized combining two different kinds of table-top soft x-ray lasers with an amplitude division interferometer based on diffraction grating beam splitters. In the first set of experiments this robust high throughput diffraction grating interferometer (DGI) was used with a 46.9 nm portable capillary discharge laser to study the dynamics of line focus and point focus laser-created plasmas. The measured electron density profiles, which differ significantly from those expected from a classical expansion, unveil important twodimensional effects of the dynamics of these plasmas. A second DGI customized to operate in combination with a 14.7 nm Ni-like Pd transient gain laser was used to perform interferometry of line focus laser-created plasmas with picosecond time resolution. These measurements provide valuable new benchmarks for complex hydrodynamic codes and help bring new understanding of the dynamics of dense plasmas. The instrumentation and methodology we describe is scalable to significantly shorter wavelengths, and constitutes a promising scheme for extending interferometry to the study of very dense plasmas such as those investigated for inertial confinment fusion.
Integrated VCO With Up/Down Converter for Si-Based 60 GHz WPAN Applications

This letter presents the design and implementation of the largest reported bandwidth of a 60 GHz up/down converter with an integrated voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) in a low-cost 0.18 mum silicon-germanium process. The up/down conversion is achieved using the 2X sub-harmonic passive mixing with anti-parallel diode pairs. A 30 GHz cross-coupled VCO is designed, optimized and integrated with the sub-harmonic mixer through a cascode amplifier to meet the local oscillator power requirements. The fully integrated chip takes only 1.5 mm2 of silicon die area and consumes only 40 mW of dc power for a measured conversion loss of 12 dB at 61.5 GHz. The integrated up/down converter is measured to have greater than 9 GHz double-sided 3-dB RF bandwidth suitable for wideband high data-rate WPAN transceiver requirements. The VCO and VCO-amplifier test structures are separately fabricated and measured to have a phase noise as low as -105 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset with a tuning range of 2.3 GHz.
Deterministic Modeling without (Unwarranted) Apology

The risk literature in agricultural economics asserts that deterministic methods ignore important sources of uncertainty, and thus strongly discourages their use to model economic behavior, performance, and welfare. This paper applies principles of randomness drawn from the philosophy of science literature to investigate this assertion and to formulate proper implications for the appropriate use of deterministic methods under uncertainty. The results specify the circumstances under which a deterministic approach offers a scientifically credible alternative to a probabilistic approach in accounting for uncertainty.
Multi-scale defect interactions in high-rate brittle material failure. Part I: Model formulation and application to ALON

Abstract Within this two part series we develop a new material model for ceramic protection materials to provide an interface between microstructural parameters and bulk continuum behavior to provide guidance for materials design activities. Part I of this series focuses on the model formulation that captures the strength variability and strain rate sensitivity of brittle materials and presents a statistical approach to assigning the local flaw distribution within a specimen. The material model incorporates a Mie–Gruneisen equation of state, micromechanics based damage growth, granular flow and dilatation of the highly damaged material, and pore compaction for the porosity introduced by granular flow. To provide initial qualitative validation and illustrate the usefulness of the model, we use the model to investigate Edge on Impact experiments ( Strassburger, 2004 ) on Aluminum Oxynitride (AlON), and discuss the interactions of multiple mechanisms during such an impact event. Part II of this series is focused on additional qualitative validation and using the model to suggest material design directions for boron carbide.
Compared to what? The effects of a frame of reference on older adults’ subjective memory

It is often unclear what comparisons older adults make when evaluating their own memory. If thinking about their memory relative to others, they may assess their own abilities differently than if comparing it to their past capabilities. To test the effect of reference frames on memory assessments and memory performance, we randomly assigned 120 older adults to one of three conditions in which we manipulated frames of reference (control, past-self comparison, or other adults comparison) on a memory self-efficacy questionnaire. Participants also completed general and specific memory predictions and an objective memory test. Participants in the past-self condition reported significantly lower global memory self-efficacy compared with the other adults and control conditions. No condition differences emerged for memory predictions, objective memory, or the likelihood of over- or underpredicting memory performance. These findings suggest that reference frames impact global memory self-efficacy, but do not influence the accuracy of subjective memory judgments.
Biobanking: The Future of Cell Preservation Strategies

With established techniques cryopreservation is often viewed as an “old school” discipline yet modern cryopreservation is undergoing another scientific and technology development growth phase. In this regard, today’s cryopreservation processes and cryopreserved products are found at the forefront of research in the areas of discovery science, stem cell research, diagnostic development and personalized medicine. As the utilization of cryopreserved cells continues to increase, the demands placed on the biobanking industry are increasing and evolving at an accelerated rate. No longer are samples providing for high immediate post-thaw viability adequate. Researchers are now requiring samples where not only is there high cell recovery but that the product recovered is physiologically and biochemically identical to its pre-freeze state at the genominic, proteomic, structural, functional and reproductive levels. Given this, biobanks are now facing the challenge of adapting strategies and protocols to address these needs moving forward. Recent studies have shown that the control and direction of the molecular response of cells to cryopreservation significantly impacts final outcome. This chapter provides an overview of the molecular stress responses of cells to cryopreservation, the impact of the apoptotic and necrotic cell death continuum and how studies focused on the targeted modulation of common and/or cell specific responses to freezing temperatures provide a path to improving sample quality and utility. This line of investigation has provided a new direction and molecular-based foundation guiding new research, technology development and procedures. As the use of and the knowledge base surrounding cryopreservation continues to expand, this path will continue to provide for improvements in overall efficacy and outcome.
The Antitrust Philosophy of Justice Holmes

At first glance, Holmes's general prominence in American jurisprudence does not appear to carry over into antitrust law. His antitrust opinions often appear to a modern reader perverse. Early in his tenure on the Supreme Court, he opined in his famous dissent in Northern Securities Co. v. United States that the Sherman Act "says nothing about competition." His private correspondence contains references to the Sherman Act as "noxious humbug" and "absurd." A survey of his antitrust opinions finds Holmes squarely against the grain of mainstream antitrust law regarding the purpose of the antitrust laws, price agreements between competitors, information exchanges among competitors, resale price maintenance, the meaning of interstate commerce, the extraterritorial application of the Sherman Act, the defense of in pari delicto, the meaning and impact of the Clayton Act, and antitrust issues involving intellectual property. This article views Holmes and his antitrust opinions as more than an amusing anachronism. The article traces Holmes's Supreme Court antitrust opinions and dissents as a well formed personal expression of a skepticism of the desirability of unbridled competition as either economic or social policy and an abiding faith in combination as the true nature of social progress.
Effects of β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate on working memory and cognitive flexibility in an animal model of aging

Objectives: Normal aging results in cognitive decline and nutritional interventions have been suggested as potential approaches for mitigating these deficits. Here, we used rats to investigate the effects of short- and long-term dietary supplementation with the leucine metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (HMB) on working memory and cognitive flexibility.Methods: Beginning ∼12 months of age, male and female Long–Evans rats were given twice daily access to sipper tubes containing calcium HMB (450 mg/kg) or vehicle (285 mg/kg calcium lactate) in a sucrose solution (20% w/v). Supplementation continued for 1 or 7 months (middle- and old-age (OA) groups, respectively) before testing began. Working memory was assessed by requiring rats to respond on a previously sampled lever following various delays. Cognitive flexibility was assessed by training rats to earn food according to a visual strategy and then, once acquired, shifting to an egocentric response strategy.Results: Treatment with HMB improved working m...
Diversity and Empathy

Advancing global international relations (IR) reminds me of Dr. Doolittle’s two-headed pushmi-pullyu. Observing good table manners, the pushmi-pullyu typically uses one head for talking, and the other for eating. The global and the international are similarly poised at different and complementary ends of an analytical spectrum that encases different world views. On the one hand, there is the modern vision of a global world transforming, for better and for worse, the traditional divisions between nation-states. It highlights new connections between global and local and the growing importance of nonstate actors. On the other hand, there is the traditional vision of an international world in which cross-border exchanges of goods, services, money, peoples, and information increases the dynamic density of the international system, without challenging the position of nation-states as the most important actors in world politics. Like Dr. Doolittle’s pushmi-pullyu, global IR will do most and will do best if, tugging in different directions, it continues to stands still, attentive to both the transformative and traditional elements of world politics. The reason is simple. Scholars and teachers will need all the tools that global and international studies can offer to navigate a …
Manipulations during the second, but not the first, week of life increase susceptibility to cocaine self-administration in female rats

We compared the effects of manipulations during week 1 vs week 2 of life on the propensity to self-administer cocaine. Pups received daily subcutaneous saline injections, were handled briefly, or remained undisturbed during their respective treatment periods. Animals handled during the second week of life exhibited increased locomotor response to novelty when tested on postnatal day (PND) 48, compared to all other groups. Rats were implanted with jugular catheters on PND 70 and then given the opportunity to self-administer (0.125 mg/kg/infusion) cocaine for 5 consecutive days (1 h sessions). The dose was then raised to 0.25 mg/kg/infusion for 5 days and to 0.5 mg/kg/infusion for the final 5 days of testing. Only animals manipulated during the second week of life acquired drug-taking behavior. These effects were both stimulus- and gender-specific. Females handled during the second week of life acquired cocaine self-administration (SA) at the lowest dose, and females injected during the second week of life acquired at the intermediate dose. Males injected during the second week of life showed a similar, but more variable, drug-taking pattern. There were no group differences in serum corticosterone response to novelty, although relative to undisturbed animals and those manipulated in the first week of life, female animals manipulated during the second week of life had lower basal expression of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in adulthood. We conclude that the second week of life in the rodent is a sensitive period during which manipulations result in a more vulnerable phenotype for the acquisition of cocaine SA.
Of bats and men

since the discovery by broca in 1863 that damage to the left cerebral hemisphere in men led to disruption of language (aphasia), clinicians, scientists, educators, and the public alike have been fascinated with the topic of hemispheric asymmetry. Research across remarkably diverse scientific fields
Near infrared fluorescent imaging of tumor boundaries using tissue transglutaminase substrates

A novel strategy is developed to optically image tumor boundaries by cross-linking near infrared fluorescent-labeled tissue transglutaminase substrates into tumor boundary tissue.
Supramolecular Interactions in PuO2Cl42– and PuCl62– Complexes with Protonated Pyridines: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Raman Spectroscopy

The synthesis, crystal structures, and Raman spectra of seven plutonium chloride compounds are presented. The materials are based upon Pu(VI)O2Cl42– and Pu(IV)Cl62– anions that are charge balanced by protonated pyridinium cations. The single crystal X-ray structures show a variety of donor–acceptor interactions between the plutonium perhalo anions and the cationic pyridine groups. Complementary Raman spectra show that these interactions can be probed through the symmetric vibrational mode of the plutonyl moiety. Unlike previously reported studies in similar uranyl(VI) systems, the facile redox chemistry of plutonium in aqueous solution has demonstrated the feasibility of using not only the An(VI)O2Cl42– anion with approximate D4h symmetry but also the approximately Oh An(IV)Cl62– anion in order to manipulate both the structure and dimensionality of such hybrid materials.
Impressions of Mathematical Education in the People's Republic of China

(1977). Impressions of Mathematical Education in the People's Republic of China. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 509-517.
Production Response in the Interior of the Production Set

Quantile regression is used to estimate production functions at various quantiles within a dairy farm production set, and marginal products and input substitutions are derived for each of the quantile production functions. Economic relationships vary in the interior of the production set compared to the frontier of the production set, with no discernible pattern through the production set. Implication is that production response for inefficient firms in the interior of the production set may differ compared to efficient firms on the frontier of the production set as well as other inefficiency firms. The results are for a specific dairy production data set so further analysis is warranted to determine what patterns exist with other empirical production sets.
The Use of Melatonin as a Marker for Circadian Phase and as a Chronobiotic in Blind and Sighted Humans

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights the use of melatonin as a marker for circadian phase and as a chronobiotic in blind-sighted humans. Melatonin is produced only at night in the dark. Levels of plasma melatonin are quite low during the day and increase to about 50–100 pg/ml at night. The GCMS assay continues to be the gold standard, because of its sensitivity, specificity, and precision. The GCMS assay has been used in the discovery of important findings, such as suppression of human melatonin production by bright light. Two of the abnormally phased individuals were studied longitudinally on a weekly basis for four consecutive weeks. One of them appeared to be stably entrained, albeit at an abnormal phase. It is not necessary to measure the entire nighttime profile when using melatonin to assess circadian phase. In sighted people, the melatonin onset is also the preferred marker for assessment of circadian phase. Melatonin has had a very significant role in our understanding of human circadian physiology.
The induction of anagen hair growth in telogen mouse skin by cyclosporine A administration.

One clinical complication of immunosuppressive cyclosporine A (CsA) therapy is the stimulation of hair growth. Since few pharmacologic agents cause hypertrichosis, CsA appears particularly interesting for investigating the mechanisms which control normal hair formation. Previous investigators have shown that CsA affects the hair growth of the laboratory rat, several genetic variants of mice, as well as humans, and they have concluded that CsA influences keratinization predominantly. Using a well-defined in vivo assay which measures the induction of hair follicle growth, we report here that CsA induces resting (telogen) follicles to enter active growth (anagen) in normal laboratory mice (C57 B1-6), i.e., animals with a normal hair cycle. The experiments indicate that the rate of anagen induction is dependent on the dose, time course, and method of administration and that it may be mediated via a direct action of CsA on the skin and its appendages. These studies suggest that understanding the molecular mechanisms of CsA action on hair growth will help elucidate the mechanisms of normal anagen induction.
An additive approach to low temperature zero pressure sintering of bismuth antimony telluride thermoelectric materials

Abstract This paper presents an additive-based approach to the formulation of thermoelectric materials suitable for screen printing. Such printing processes are a likely route to such thermoelectric applications as micro-generators for wireless sensor networks and medical devices, but require the development of materials that can be sintered at ambient pressure and low temperatures. Using a rapid screening process, we identify the eutectic combination of antimony and tellurium as an additive for bismuth-antimony-telluride that enables good thermoelectric performance without a high pressure step. An optimized composite of 15 weight percent Sb 7.5 Te 92.5 in Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 3 is scaled up and formulated into a screen-printable paste. Samples fabricated from this paste achieve a thermoelectric figure of merit ( ZT) of 0.74 using a maximum processing temperature of 748 K and a total thermal processing budget of 12 K-hours.
Artificial Social Agents

A fundamental question in the social sciences is what makes human beings social? What is the root of sociality? Today, computational social theorists are not simply providing descriptions of society at a particular point in time. They are in the business of providing insight into the fundamental basis of ‘socialness,’ understanding how societies change, and how agents negotiate, constrain, enable, and are constrained by the social world in which they live. They are in the business of explaining the dynamics by which social agents, groups, teams, organizations, societies, and cultures evolve and co-evolve. Computational models allow us to peel away what is understood about cognition, and consequently reveal the basis of socialness. Artificial social agents range from simple cellular automata models to more cognitively realistic agents, such as SOAR. Today, this research is informed and informs research in distributed artificial intelligence and multi-agent systems. Artificial social agents are used to: design teams; explore organizational and social adaptation; fine-tune experiments; reason on the impact of technology, etc. In this article, the range of artificial social agents and the way in which they are used to advance our understanding of social behavior are described.
Esthesioneuroblastoma and Olfactory Preservation: Is it Reasonable to Attempt Smell Preservation?

Objective Olfactory preservation after resection of esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) has been reported, however, the ability to predict tumor involvement of the olfactory system is critical to this surgical strategy. This study aims to answer the question: Can a surgeon predict, based on preoperative imaging, whether there is unilateral involvement of the olfactory system allowing for safe attempt of olfactory preservation? Methods This is a retrospective review of post-resection ENB meeting inclusion criteria of having bilateral olfactory tracts and bulbs submitted at the time of primary resection for pathologic margins. Five board-certified skull base surgeons blinded to the pathology individually reviewed the preoperative MRI scans to predict degree of tumor involvement. Results Olfactory bulb involvement occurred in both bulbs in 35% of cases and unilateral in 39% of cases, and there was no involvement in 26% of cases sampled. When comparing physician prediction of involved tracts or bulbs, involvement was appropriate or over-called (i.e., called positive when pathology was in fact negative) in 96% of cases. Conclusion This study demonstrates unilateral or no pathologic olfactory involvement of the olfactory system in 65% of cases. Our ability to predict this involvement, which may allow for a management strategy that attempts to preserve olfactory function, was accurate at 96%. Therefore, interpretation of imaging and proceeding with smell preservation in ENB appears reasonable in this cohort. Level of Evidence: Level 2b.
The Human Milk Glycome as a Defense Against Infectious Diseases: Rationale, Challenges, and Opportunities

Each year over 3 million people die from infectious diseases with most of these deaths being poor and young children who live in low- and middle-income countries. Infectious diseases emerge for a multitude of reasons. On the social front, reasons include a breakdown of public health standards, international travel, and immigration (for financial, civil, and social reasons). At the molecular level, the modern rise of infectious diseases is tied to the juxtaposition of drug-resistant pathogens and a lack of new antimicrobials. The consequence is the possibility that humankind will return to the preantibiotic era wherein millions of people will perish from what should be trivial illnesses. Given the stakes, it is imperative that the chemistry community take leadership in delivering new antibiotic leads for clinical development. We believe this can happen through innovation in two areas. First is the development of novel chemical scaffolds to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. The secon...
Impact of crystal orientation on the modulation bandwidth of InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes

High-speed InGaN/GaN blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are needed for future gigabit-per-second visible-light communication systems. Large LED modulation bandwidths are typically achieved at high current densities, with reports close to 1 GHz bandwidth at current densities ranging from 5 to 10 kA/cm2. However, the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of InGaN/GaN LEDs is quite low at high current densities due to the well-known efficiency droop phenomenon. Here, we show experimentally that nonpolar and semipolar orientations of GaN enable higher modulation bandwidths at low current densities where the IQE is expected to be higher and power dissipation is lower. We experimentally compare the modulation bandwidth vs. current density for LEDs on nonpolar (101¯0), semipolar (202¯1¯), and polar 0001 orientations. In agreement with wavefunction overlap considerations, the experimental results indicate a higher modulation bandwidth for the nonpolar and semipolar LEDs, especially at relatively low current densities....
The Role of Texting in Addressing Mental Health

Text messaging is ubiquitous, easy to use, and inexpensive. Text-message interventions are also relatively inexpensive to develop and maintain. Effective text-message interventions exist for adolescent mental health self-monitoring, depression prevention and interventions, suicide prevention, and other topics. Before implementing text messaging in practice, it is important for clinicians to consider privacy and security of data, quality of evidence behind a program, and the availability of clinical support. Suggestions for evaluating and designing text-message interventions are presented.
Indoor temperature, relative humidity and CO2 levels assessment in academic buildings with different heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems

Abstract Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a matter of immense concern for human health as people spend major portion of their lifetime indoor. Keeping in view, this study was aimed to investigate and compare the IAQ and thermal comfort in classrooms of four buildings of an educational institute having different types of heating ventilation and air conditioning system. On-site continuous measurements of indoor levels of CO2, temperature and relative humidity were recorded at an interval of 1 min for both weekdays, including occupational and non-occupational hours as well as weekends. Simultaneous outdoor temperature and relative humidity measurements were also used in the analysis. Statistical analysis of mean hourly values of each studied classroom showed significant difference (p 0.05). Exceedance in levels of CO2 from ASHRAE standards was found to be more in buildings with non-centralized systems as compared to buildings with centralized systems during the occupational period. Moreover, thermal comfort parameters were found to be influenced by outdoor climatic conditions and buildings orientation.
Experimental Modal Analysis of 9-meter Research-sized Wind Turbine Blades

The dominant and persistent trend with wind turbine technology, particularly in the past three decades, has been growth in the length of the blades. In order to investigate design choices which reduce blade weight, Sandia Labs initiated a study, which is near completion, to evaluate innovative concepts for large blades. The innovations include strategic use of carbon fiber in the spar caps, bend-twist coupling in the composite layup, and thick, flatback airfoils. Several large blades were designed and then built at a down-scaled 9-meter length. Each blade design has undergone a full series of structural tests including modal tests, static tests, and fatigue tests. The modal tests performed for evaluation of these blades is the focus of this paper. Major findings from these tests are summarized, and they include: (1) techniques for experimental quantification of uncertainty in the modal parameters, (2) insight into model calibration using both static load-deflection data and the modal parameters, (3) novel test techniques for reducing the uncertainty in the root boundary condition, and (4) the development of validated structural models. This paper will provide a summary of blade modal testing and structural model validation, and will emphasize recent validation tests using a seismic-mass-on-airbags boundary condition.
Eko-nomías: Apuntes sobre imaginarios domésticos - lacaza-elpan-latierra-elmar-vidamuerte-magia-caos-papas-arroz-fideos

Pensar en la posibilidad de articular una red, un grupo o un colectivo de iniciativas autonomas en torno a las practicas artisticas en Chile ha sido siempre un asunto complejo; si bien existen antecedentes con respecto a las diferentes formas que ha tomado la nocion de “colectividad”, “asociacion” o “cooperativa” en las nuevas fases del desarrollo capitalista y su relacion con el trabajo artistico, faltan aun materiales que relaten su trayectoria y funcionamiento desde una perspectiva que profundice sobre las complejidades que implican las relaciones afectivas y colaborativas entre quienes proponen re-elaborar un pensamiento critico a traves del arte. Este escrito expone las condiciones y el campo de posibilidades en las que han germinado ciertas practicas politicas que tienen como raiz la socializacion desde el arte contemporaneo, especificamente en la region de Valparaiso.
Cardiovascular Effects of Anesthetic Drugs and Adjuncts

Drugs that produce general anesthesia also markedly affect the cardiovascular system: not only hemodynamic variables such as myocardial contractility, blood pressure, systemic resistance, and heart rate, but also coronary blood flow and baroreceptor and chemoreceptor responses. While most emphasis here is on the cardiovascular effects that can be directly monitored in the human patient, the other effects must be kept in mind.
Progress towards flight software hybrid controllers from formal specifications

The manual translation of informally defined requirements into statecharts, from which source code can be generated automatically, can be an error-prone, laborintensive process. Design errors sometimes propagate into final implementation code, only to be discovered during testing and verification. However, the requirements that the software needs to satisfy can be formally defined via temporal logics. In this paper, an approach to automatically synthesize flight-software hybrid-controllers for dynamic systems from formal specifications is given. First, specifications for a specific control functionality are defined by a set of linear temporal logic formulas. These, together with a model of the dynamical system, are then used as inputs to the Caltech-developed temporal logic planning toolbox (TuLiP), which searches for a control design. This results in a controller that is hybrid as it combines a finite state controller together with low-level continuous control actions. We map the resulting controller design to UML statecharts, which can be given as input to the Statechart Autocoder (SCA) developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. SCA maps statechart controller designs to software implementation C code suitable for flight applications. By construction, the resulting code will meet the original formal design specifications, thus eliminating latent design errors. This paper describes the new 2nd generation interface developed to specify and convert the TuLiP-produced design to more optimized (e.g., reduced number of states and transitions) input UML (as XML file) for the JPL Statechart Autocoder. By applying intermediate optimization procedures, in which indistinguishable states are merged and transitions are grouped, the size of the statechart and the resulting code is reduced substantially. This is demonstrated by revisiting our 2016 speed-controller example showing reduction by more than 75% of the states synthesized in the original example.
Oligopeptides as Specific Antiviral Agents

The occurrence of this course is testimony to the recent progress toward the development of antiviral chemotherapy. Much of this progress has been due to the identification and characterization of viral enzymes, particularly those involved in nucleic acid synthesis, topics that are discussed extensively in this volume. In addition to the elucidation of the roles of viral enzymes, a great deal has also been learned about the biological activities of other viral proteins, and in some cases detailed information has been obtained on structure-function relationships of proteins with biological activities that are targets for inhibition. This presentation will deal with the development of specific oligopeptide inhibitors of paramyxoviruses and myxoviruses, inhibitors that were designed on the basis of information gained on the structure and biological functions of viral surface glycoproteins, including information that indicated that a specific region of the protein was involved in biological activity. The proteins are the fusion (F) protein of paramyxoviruses and the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of myxoviruses, and the step in virus replication that is inhibited is penetration of the virus into the cell, which occurs by fusion of the viral membrane with the cell membrane. These findings have been described in detail in several previous publications (Richardson et al., 1980, 1981, 1983; Choppin et al., 1981, 1983) and will be summarized briefly in this communication.
Likelihood estimation of secondary crashes using Bayesian complementary log-log model.

Abstract Secondary crashes (SCs) occur within the spatial and temporal impact range of a primary incident. They are non-recurring events and are major contributors to increased traffic delay, and reduced safety, particularly in urban areas. However, the limited knowledge on the nature of SCs has largely impeded their mitigation strategies. The primary objective of this study was to develop a reliable SC risk prediction model using real-time traffic flow conditions. The study data were collected on a 35-mile I-95 freeway section for three years in Jacksonville, Florida. SCs were identified based on travel speed data archived by the Bluetooth detectors. Bayesian random effect complementary log-log model was used to link the probability of SCs with real-time traffic flow characteristics, primary incident characteristics, environmental conditions, and geometric characteristics. Random forests technique was used to select the important variables. The results indicated that the following variables significantly affect the likelihood of SCs: average occupancy, incident severity, percent of lanes closed, incident type, incident clearance duration, incident impact duration, and incident occurrence time. The study results have the potential to proactively prevent SCs.
Development of a Model of Hemispheric Hypodensity ("Big Black Brain").

Abstract Subdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common finding after abusive head trauma (AHT). Hemispheric hypodensity (HH) is a radiological indicator of severe brain damage that encompasses multipl...
Mustela sibirica (Carnivora: Mustelidae)

Mustela sibiricaPallas, 1773, commonly known as the Siberian weasel, is a widely distributed Palearctic musteline with natural populations ranging from west of the Ural Mountains of Siberia to the Far East and south to Taiwan and the Himalayas. A key characteristic that distinguishes M. sibirica from most sympatric musteline species is the occurrence of a black mask on its face that surrounds the eyes, a white muzzle and chin, and the presence of a nearly completely monotone yellowish-brown coat. Although M. sibirica is hunted to make “kolinsky stable-hair” paintbrushes, populations remain stable and the species is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation and Nature and Natural Resources.Version of Record, first published online September 27, 2018, with fixed content and layout in compliance with Art. 8.1.3.2 ICZN
Simulation Test Study on Influence of Grounding Resistance on Lightning Capability of Triggering Lightning Tower

The Triggering Lightning Tower is erected along the corridor of the transmission line. There are great differences in soil resistivity between different geographical locations, which leads to different grounding resistances of the Triggering Lightning Tower and further affects the lightning performance. In order to study the relationship between the triggered lighting ability of the triggering lightning tower with grounding resistance, the 1:12.5 scale model tower is designed in this paper, numerous discharge experiments with standard switching impulse has been conducted on the testing triggering lightning tower model scaled in the ratio of 1:12.5 respectively, the discharge process was observed. The results represent that: under a gap condition of 1m in length, a negative correlation between the grounding resistance and the triggered lighting ability: the correlation is higher when the grounding resistance is lower. The experimental results lead to the conclusion that the lightning protection measures would be influenced by the grounding performance of triggering lighting tower, and it was proved qualitatively that the ability of triggered lighting would be better with the grounding resistance decreased. The conclusions drawn from test results have provided reference for experimental study of grounding and site selection of triggering lightning tower.
Improving Diabetes Care: Should We Reconceptualize Diabetes Burnout?:

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore and understand the experience of diabetes burnout among people with diabetes (PWD).MethodsA qualitative descriptive analysis of 35 blog narratives pu...
Self-gravitating relativistic fluids: The formation of a free phase boundary in the phase transition from soft to hard

In the 1990s Christodoulou introduced an idealized fluid model intended to capture some of the features of the gravitational collapse of a massive star to form a neutron star or a black hole. This was the two-phase model introduced in ‘Self-gravitating relativistic fluids: a two phase model’ (Demeterios, Arch Ration Mech Anal 130:343–400, 1995). The present work deals with the formation of a free phase boundary in the phase transition from hard to soft in this model. In this case the phase boundary has corners at the null points; the points which separate the timelike and spacelike components of the interface between the two phases. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a free phase boundary. Also the local form of the shock near the null point is established.
Challenges of Translating Gene Regulatory Information into Agronomic Improvements

Improvement of agricultural species has exploited the genetic variation responsible for complex quantitative traits. Much of the functional variation is regulatory, in cis-regulatory elements and trans-acting factors that ultimately contribute to gene expression differences. However, the identification of gene regulatory network components that, when modulated, will increase plant productivity or resilience, is challenging, yet essential to provide increased predictive power for genome engineering approaches that are likely to benefit useful traits. Here, we discuss the opportunities and limitations of using data obtained from gene coexpression, transcription factor binding, and genome-wide association mapping analyses to predict regulatory interactions that impact crop improvement. It is apparent that a combination of information from these data types is necessary for the reliable identification and utilization of important regulatory interactions that underlie complex agronomic traits.
Sequential decomposition of repeated games with asymmetric information and dependent states

We consider a finite horizon repeated game with $N$ selfish players who observe their types privately and take actions, which are publicly observed. Their actions and types jointly determine their instantaneous rewards. In each period, players jointly observe actions of each other with delay 1, and private observations of the state of the system, and get an instantaneous reward which is a function of the state and everyone's actions. The players' types are static and are potentially correlated among players. An appropriate notion of equilibrium for such games is Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium (PBE) which consists of a strategy and a belief profile of the players which is coupled across time and as a result, the complexity of finding such equilibria grows double-exponentially in time. We present a sequential decomposition methodology to compute structured perfect Bayesian equilibria (SPBE) of this game, introduced in [1], where equilibrium policy of a player is a function of a common belief and a private state. This methodology computes SPBE in linear time. In general, the SPBE of the game problem exhibit signaling behavior, i.e. players' actions reveal part of their private information that is payoff relevant to other players.
Shiitake mushroom-induced flagellate dermatitis: Case report

Shiitake mushroom (SM)-induced flagellate dermatitis follows the ingestion of undercooked SMs. Pathogenesis is thought to be a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to lentinan, a heat-sensitive polysaccharide found in SM. Eruption is self-resolving and lasts from 2 days to 6 weeks. It presents as pruritic, linear, whiplash-like, erythematous plaques on the trunk. Flagellate eruption differential diagnoses include bleomycin-induced dermatitis, dermatomyositis, and adult-onset Still's disease.
Field-Driven Phase Transformations in Relaxor Ferroelectric Single Crystals

Relaxor ferroelectric single crystals such as PMN-PT and PIN-PMN-PT undergo field driven phase transformations when electrically or mechanically loaded in crystallographic directions that provide a positive driving force for the transformation. The observed behavior in certain compositions is a phase transformation distributed over a range of field levels without a distinct forward or reverse coercive field. This work focuses on the material behavior that is observed when the crystals are loaded sufficiently to drive a partial transformation and then unloaded as might occur when driving a transducer to achieve high power levels. A set of experiments was conducted to characterize the minor hysteresis loops that occur with the partial transformations. Distributed transformations have been modeled using a Gaussian distribution of transformation thresholds. In this work the Gaussian model is extended to include the partial transformations that occur when the field is reversed before the transformation is complete. The resulting minor hysteresis loops produced by the model are in good agreement with the experimental results.Copyright © 2013 by ASME