cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Real Gas Effects in Supercritical CO2 Centrifugal Compressors

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of real gas effects on the performance and matching of centrifugal compressors operating in supercritical CO2. The analytical framework combines first principles based modeling with targeted numerical simulations to characterize the internal flow behavior of supercritical fluids with implications for radial turbomachinery design and analysis. Trends in gas dynamic behavior, not observed for ideal fluids, are investigated using influence coefficients for compressible channel flow derived for real gas. The variation in the properties of CO2 and the expansion through the vapor-pressure curve due to local flow acceleration are identified as possible mechanisms for performance and operability issues observed near the critical point.The performance of a centrifugal compressor stage is assessed at different thermodynamic conditions relative to the critical point using CFD calculations. The results indicate a reduction of 9% in the choke margin of the stage compared to its performance at ideal gas conditions due to variations in real gas properties. Compressor stage matching is also impacted by real gas effects as the excursion in corrected mass flow per unit area from inlet to outlet increases by 5%. Investigation of the flow field near the impeller leading edge at high flow coefficients shows that local flow acceleration causes the thermodynamic conditions to reach the vapor-pressure curve. The significance of two-phase flow effects is determined through a non-dimensional parameter that relates the time required for liquid droplet formation to the residence time of the flow under saturation conditions. Applying this criterion to the candidate compressor stage shows that condensation is not a concern at the investigated operating conditions. In the immediate vicinity of the critical point however, this effect is expected to become more prominent. While the focus of this analysis is on supercritical CO2 compressors for carbon capture and sequestration, the methodology is directly applicable to other non-conventional fluids and applications.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Geospatial decision support for drought risk management

Drought affects virtually all regions of the world and results in significant economic, social, and environmental impacts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates annual drought-related losses in the U.S. at $6--$8 billion, which is more than any other natural hazard. Congress enacted the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) and farmers to be more proactive in managing drought risk.
Use of analytic morphomics of liver, spleen, and body composition to identify patients at risk for cirrhosis.

Background & Aims A diagnosis of cirrhosis can be made on the basis of findings from imaging studies, but these are subjective. Analytic morphomics uses computational image processing algorithms to provide precise and detailed measurements of organs and body tissues. We investigated whether morphomic parameters can be used to identify patients with cirrhosis. Methods In a retrospective study, we performed analytic morphomics on data collected from 357 patients evaluated at the University of Michigan from 2004 to 2012 who had a liver biopsy within 6 months of a computed tomography scan for any reason. We used logistic regression with elastic net regularization and cross-validation to develop predictive models for cirrhosis, within 80% randomly selected internal training set. The other 20% data were used as internal test set to ensure that model overfitting did not occur. In validation studies, we tested the performance of our models on an external cohort of patients from a different health system. Results Our predictive models, which were based on analytic morphomics and demographics (morphomics model) or analytic morphomics, demographics, and laboratory studies (full model), identified patients with cirrhosis with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) values of 0.91 and 0.90, respectively, compared with 0.69, 0.77, and 0.76 for aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio, Lok Score, and FIB-4, respectively, by using the same data set. In the validation set, our morphomics model identified patients who developed cirrhosis with AUROC value of 0.97, and the full model identified them with AUROC value of 0.90. Conclusions We used analytic morphomics to demonstrate that cirrhosis can be objectively quantified by using medical imaging. In a retrospective analysis of multi-protocol scans, we found that it is possible to identify patients who have cirrhosis on the basis of analyses of preexisting scans, without significant additional risk or cost.
Expert system aided contingency analysis and corrections

An expert system technique for improving contingency analysis and optimal correction using multiple-objective-function optimal power flow is presented. The system aids in identifying harmful and nonharmful contingencies, thereby reducing the number of cases to be studied. It also aids in eliminating masking and misranking phenomena by systematically selecting appropriate weights applicable to chosen performance indices. The selected violations are included in the multiple objective optimal power flow program using a generalized quadratic-based model. An appropriate objective function for a given contingency is selected by aid of the expert system. The expert system is developed using if-then rules derived from the experience of planning engineers and system operators during system security analysis and corrective activities. The algorithm has been tested for actual power systems, and optimal solutions were reached in relatively few iterations. >
Hybrid wireless Network on Chip: a new paradigm in multi-core design

The performance benefits of conventional Network-on-Chip (NoC) architectures are limited by the high latency and energy dissipation in long distance multihop communication between embedded cores. This limitation of conventional NoC architectures can be addressed by introducing long-range, high bandwidth and low power wireless links between the distant cores. Using miniaturized on-chip antennas as an enabling technology, wireless NoCs (WiNoCs) can be designed. In this paper, we elaborate the design principles of a hybrid WiNoC. It is demonstrated that a WiNoC outperforms its wireline counterpart and the performance gain is more significant for larger system size.
Cases 101: Learning to Teach with Cases

Abstract There is little information in the nursing literature regarding how best to develop and implement cases as a teaching strategy. This article takes the reader through the process of developing a case and implementing its use in a nursing classroom.
A Free Speech Theory of Copyright

Copyright is a system of federal regulation that empowers private actors to silence others, yet no one seriously doubts that copyright is consistent in principle with the First Amendment freedom of speech. Scholars and courts have tried to resolve the tension between exclusive rights in expression and free speech in one of two ways: some appeal to copyright's built-in accommodations to suppress any independent First Amendment analysis, while others apply standard First Amendment tests to evaluate whether and where copyright becomes an unconstitutional burden on speech. Neither of these approaches properly appreciates the constitutional balance struck at the Framing between the Copyright Clause and the First Amendment. This Article develops a free speech theory of copyright informed by this balance. I advocate thinking of Copyright Clause's limits as free speech limits, giving them the force of an individual right.
In Response to the Remarks by Lawrence H. Summers, Presenting Empirical Data on the Differences in Learning Styles between Males and Females

This essay responds to the provocative remarks by Lawrence H. Summers made at a conference on Diversifying the Science and Engineering Workforce. Summers postulated that a reason for a disparity in women's representation in tenured positions in science and engineering was the different availability of aptitude at the high end. He also commented that there were studies indicating that males perform better on achievement tests than females. In this essay, Boyle and Honigsfeld share the results of an international study by Doctors Honigsfeld and Rita Dunn. Drs. Honigsfeld and Dunn found that there were differences between high school males and females, throughout the world, in terms of their learning styles. This gender study indicated that female students process academic information differently from their male counterparts. (The researchers also found that, whereas there were differences between the learning styles of boys and girls in five countries, individuals within each group had unique learning styles as well.) With respect to the differences that Summers refers to, Boyle & Honigsfeld conclude that it may be neither aptitude nor IQ that is at issue here, but the difference between how the subjects of science and engineering are taught and how these subjects are learned by females and males.
The 10-Hz sympathetic rhythm is dependent on raphe and rostral ventrolateral medullary neurons

We studied the effects of brain stem and spinal lesions on the 10-Hz rhythms in left and right inferior cardiac sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) of baroreceptor-denervated, decerebrate cats. Unilateral medullary lesions [parasagittal section 1.5 mm lateral to midline, radiofrequency lesion of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), or chemical inactivation (muscimol) of the RVLM] dramatically reduced the 10-Hz rhythmic discharges in the two nerves. Power in the 10-Hz band of ipsilateral inferior cardiac SND was reduced more than that in contralateral SND. In contrast, bilateral parasagittal medullary sections or microinjection of muscimol into the medullary raphe uniformly reduced the 10-Hz rhythmic discharges of both nerves. Unlike unilateral medullary lesions, rostral pontine or cervical spinal hemisection reduced the 10-Hz discharges of only the ipsilateral inferior cardiac nerve. The chemical inactivation experiments demonstrate that the 10-Hz rhythm in SND is dependent on medullary raphe and RVLM neurons. Moreover the experiments with unilateral lesions demonstrate a mutually facilitatory interaction of medullary circuits that are responsible for the 10-Hz rhythmic discharges in sympathetic nerves located on opposite sides of the body.
Hyperparasitoids from Pea Aphid Mummies, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera: Aphididae), in North America

The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), seems under biological control in North American alfalfa, primarily as a result of attacks by parasitoid wasps. Of the 10 known primary parasitoids, an introduced aphidiid, Aphidius ervi Haliday, seems most important in Iowa and elsewhere in the East. Mummies of A. pisum collected in central Iowa during five seasons produced four species of hymenopterous hyperparasitoids, although eight additional species are known from other studies elsewhere. The Iowa species in descending order of abundance were: Asaphes lucens (Provancher) (Pteromalidae), Dendrocerus carpenteri (Curtis) (Mesaspilidae), Alloxysta victrix (Westwood) (Alloxystidae), and Pachyneuron siphonophorae (Ashmead) (Pteromalidae). Keys and descriptive notes are presented to allow identification of all known North American A. pisum hyperparasitoid species in their adult stages, and the known primary and hyperparasitoids by means of evidence left on or in vacated aphid mummies. Hyperparasitoids constituted a smaller proportion (17.8%) of the insects successfully emerging from Iowa A. pisum mummies than expected. Speculations about the reason for the low level of hyperparasitism and its implications for biological control are provided.
Changes in hearing ability after neonatal hearing screening

AABRまたはOAEを用いて行う新生児聴覚スクリーニングの方法が普及してきた。スクリーニングの結果が refer の場合は, さらに精密検査を行い, 難聴の有無やその程度を決め, 療育へと繋なぐのがスクリーニングの狙いである。過去5年間にスクリーニング後の74人 (pass 例4, refer 例70) の乳幼児に精密検査を行ない, 経過観察と親の支援を続けてきた。このうち7例の聴力低下を経験した。この経験から, 乳幼児に行う検査方法は複数の方法を採用し, 検査結果を比較しながら記録することが重要であること, および聴力低下の好発年齢が1歳6ヵ月前後であったことから, 1歳6ヵ月の健康診査 (健診) に聴覚チェックを施行することで聴力低下の早期発見と予防が可能になることを指摘した。聴力低下を起こしやすい難聴のハイリスク因子として, 家族性難聴と仮死での出生について検討し, 聴覚管理の重要性を再確認した。
Abstract 3038: G quadruplex stabilization induces mitophagy in S. cerevisiae

G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures are stable planar structures held together by multiple G-G base pairs. G4 structures are thought to affect transcription and other chromosomal processes but their presence in vivo is also expected to slow replication fork progression. Previous work from our lab demonstrates that the S. cerevisiae Pif1 5′ to 3′ DNA helicase is a particularly potent unwinder of G4 structures in vitro1. In addition, cells lacking the Pif1 helicase exhibit replication fork slowing and DNA breakage at G4 motifs, chromosomal sequences that form intra-molecular G4 structures in vitro1,2. In addition, treating yeast in vivo with the G4 stabilizing drug PhenDC3 increases G4-mediated genome instability3. We treated a collection of 4,783 S. cerevisiae strains that each contained a single gene deletion with PhenDC3 to search for genes that are sensitive or resistant to PhenDC3. We will discuss results showing that several yeast genes that affect maintenance of mitochondrial DNA and autophagy induction are hypersensitive to PhenDC3. Using fluorescent microscopy and immunoblotting, we further demonstrate that treatment of wild type S. cerevisiae cells with PhenDC3 induces autophagy, and more specifically, mitophagy. Moreover, cells lacking Pif1 are themselves activated for autophagy. Reference: 1 Paeschke, K. et al. Pif1 family helicases suppress genome instability at G-quadruplex motifs. Nature 497, 458-+, doi:10.1038/nature12149 (2013). 2 Paeschke, K., Capra, J. A. & Zakian, V. A. DNA replication through G-quadruplex motifs is promoted by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 DNA helicase. Cell 145, 678-691, doi:10.1016/j.cell.2011.04.015 (2011). 3 Piazza, A. et al. Genetic instability triggered by G-quadruplex interacting Phen-DC compounds in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleic Acids Res 38, 4337-4348, doi:10.1093/nar/gkq136 (2010). Citation Format: Jennifer Stundon. G quadruplex stabilization induces mitophagy in S. cerevisiae. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3038. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3038
Uncoupling Action of Sulfonylureas on Brown Fat Cells

Tolbutamide markedly enhanced glucose oxidation to carbon dioxide and inhibited lactate formation by rat brown fat cells in the presence of insulin or cysteine. Tolbutamide alone increased oxygen uptake, and this stimulation was enhanced by insulin or cysteine. The effects of tolbutamide were similar to those of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. The increase in glucose oxidation by tolbutamide or the uncoupling agent was not due to time stimulation of glucose metabolism via the pentose shunt pathway. The hypoglycemic sulfonylureas, tolazamide and glyburide, also stimulated glucose oxidation and respiration in the presence of insulin, but to a lesser extent than tolbutamide. Carboxytolbutamide, which has no hypoglycemic action, did not affect brown fat cell metabolism. Tolbutamide also stimulated respiration and glucose oxidation by rabbit brown fat cells in the presence of insulin. Tolbutamide did not affect the oxidation of glucose by white fat cells in either the presence or absence of insulin. Phenformin stimulated lactate formation by rabbit and rat brown fat cells and rat white fat cells. Phenformin inhibited glucose oxidation by rat white or brown fat cells in the presence of insulin. The results suggest that the effects of tolbutamide on brown fat cells are probably due to an uncoupling action, while those of phenformin are due to inhibition of respiration.
Improvement in hearing loss over time in Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

Abstract Objectives Patients with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) are reported to have conductive (CHL) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), but there is little information pertaining to the progression of hearing loss over time. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence of CHL and SNHL in adults and children with CdLS and look for changes in SNHL over time. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients with CdLS presenting to a CdLS clinic was conducted. Also, a written survey of clinical concerns was collected from additional patients/families seen in the clinic and through the Cornelia de Lange Foundation. Results Seventy-eight patients (50% female) were included in the chart review. Mean age was 16.8 ± 11.4 years (range-0.6–50 years) and mean age at diagnosis of hearing loss was 4.6 ± 10.6 years (n = 26). Five patients (6.4%) had severe to profound SNHL that improved with time, including 2 who had complete normalization of audiogram results. Thirty-five families/patients completed the clinical survey, and 45.5% of the families reported a noticeable improvement of hearing over time. Conclusions Conductive hearing loss and SNHL are common in CdLS. More than 50% of the patients seen in an adult CdLS clinic reported improvement in hearing loss over time, and a subset of patients had an improvement in SNHL. In light of these findings, we recommend longitudinal evaluations of hearing loss in these patients with both auditory brainstem response and otoacoustic emissions testing if SNHL is identified.
Spectrophotometric assays for monitoring tRNA aminoacylation and aminoacyl-tRNA hydrolysis reactions

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases play a central role in protein synthesis, catalyzing the attachment of amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. Here, we describe a spectrophotometric assay for tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase in which the Tyr-tRNA product is cleaved, regenerating the tRNA substrate. As tRNA is the limiting substrate in the assay, recycling it substantially increases the sensitivity of the assay while simultaneously reducing its cost. The tRNA aminoacylation reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically by coupling the production of AMP to the conversion of NAD+ to NADH. We have adapted the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase assay to monitor: (1) aminoacylation of tRNA by l- or d-tyrosine, (2) cyclodipeptide formation by cyclodipeptide synthases, (3) hydrolysis of d-aminoacyl-tRNAs by d-tyrosyl-tRNA deacylase, and (4) post-transfer editing by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. All of these assays are continuous and homogenous, making them amenable for use in high-throughput screens of chemical libraries. In the case of the cyclodipeptide synthase, d-tyrosyl-tRNA deacylase, and post-transfer editing assays, the aminoacyl-tRNAs are generated in situ, avoiding the need to synthesize and purify aminoacyl-tRNA substrates prior to performing the assays. Lastly, we describe how the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase assay can be adapted to monitor the activity of other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and how the approach to regenerating the tRNA substrate can be used to increase the sensitivity and decrease the cost of commercially available aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase assays.
Evaluating the Acceptability and Effectiveness of Family Assessment Portfolios.

The Family Assessment Portfolio (FAP) is a new tool that includes scrapbooks, web-based profiles, and movies that families create to introduce their children to educators. FAP was developed to promote good home/school communication and collaboration. Although FAPs appear to be a promising practice for the field of special education, there is limited information about its social validity; the social importance of FAPs' goals, procedures, and outcomes. To evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of the FAPs, data were collected, through interviews and questionnaires, from three groups of stakeholders: parents, FAP facilitators, and educators. Participants reported that the goals of the FAPs are important for both families and educators. The procedures for developing the FAP were considered to be appropriate and acceptable, and the final product was evaluated as very useful and meaningful. Participants also shared their perceived challenges related to the FAPs and had suggestions for improvement. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. In the field of special education there is wide- spread consensus regarding the merits of a family-centered approach to providing ser- vices and supports. Decades of research have documented positive outcomes from family participation in a child's schooling, and fed- eral special education legislation strongly en- courages parental involvement in educational planning (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, & Soodak, 2006). However, barriers to effective
Long-Term Dosing of Intrathecal Baclofen in the Treatment of Spasticity After Acquired Brain Injury.

Abstract Background Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) often is used to treat severe spasticity of cerebral origin. Although literature exists regarding the efficacy of ITB, there has been minimal investigation related to dosing in the adult-acquired brain injury population, particularly at long-term duration. Objective To investigate long-term dosing of ITB in adult patients with spasticity of cerebral origin due traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting An academic outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Patients Forty-two adult patients with spasticity secondary to TBI, stroke, or HIE treated with ITB for greater than 3 years. Methods Medical records and device manufacturer records of included patients were reviewed to obtain demographic data, dosing information, dates of pump and catheter placements, and revisions. Main Outcome Measure Average daily ITB doses and mean change in ITB dose over 1, 2, and 3 years. Goal of ITB treatment (active function versus comfort/care/positioning) also was compared. Results Of 42 total patients, spasticity was attributed to either TBI (n = 19), stroke (n = 11), or HIE (n = 12). The mean (standard deviation) age was 35.21 (10.17), 56.7 (13.1), and 35.1 (12.4) years for the TBI, stroke, and HIE groups, respectively ( P P = .002). The mean duration of ITB therapy was 8.5 (5.0), 7.8 (3.4), and 9.1 (4.6) years in the TBI, stroke, and HIE groups, respectively ( P = .79). The mean daily ITB dose was 596.9 (322.8) μg/d, 513.2 (405.7) μg/d, and 705.2 (271.7) μg/d for the TBI, stroke, and HIE groups, respectively ( P = .39). In the subset of the cohort with ITB therapy for more than 5 years, the mean percent change in daily ITB dose between time of chart review and 1, 2, and 3 years previously was 7.3% (13.6), 12.7% (16), and 24.7% (50.3), respectively. A complex dosing pattern was used more frequently in those with stroke (36.4%) compared with the TBI and HIE (9.7%) groups ( P = .04). Conclusion Despite the long-term use of ITB therapy in this cohort, the mean daily dose of ITB continued to require adjustments. There was no significant difference in the mean daily dose between patients with a diagnosis of TBI, stroke, or HIE. A complex dosing pattern was used more frequently in patients with stroke. Level of Evidence III
A Step-by-Step Design Methodology for a Base Case Vanadium Redox-Flow Battery.

The purpose of this work is to develop an evolutionary procedure to be used by Chemical Engineering students for the base-case design of a Vanadium Redox-Flow Battery. The design methodology is based on the work of Douglas (1985) and provides a profitability analysis at each decision level so that more profitable alternatives and directions can be indentified before additional time and effort is expended on an impractical design. Ultimately, a base case flow sheet and capital cost estimate are generated; this type of design activity as the work presented here is referred to as creation and analysis of a study level design.
HBL1 Is a Human Long Noncoding RNA that Modulates Cardiomyocyte Development from Pluripotent Stem Cells by Counteracting MIR1

Cardiogenesis processes in human and animals have differential dynamics, suggesting the existence of species-specific regulators during heart development. However, it remains a challenge to discover the human-specific cardiac regulatory genes, given that most coding genes are conserved. Here, we report the identification of a human-specific long noncoding RNA, Heart Brake LncRNA 1 (HBL1), which regulates cardiomyocyte development from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Overexpression of HBL1 repressed, whereas knockdown and knockout of HBL1 increased, cardiomyocyte differentiation from hiPSCs. HBL1 physically interacted with MIR1 in an AGO2 complex. Disruption of MIR1 binding sites in HBL1 showed an effect similar to that of HBL1 knockout. SOX2 bound to HBL1 promoter and activated its transcription. Knockdown of SOX2 in hiPSCs led to decreased HBL1 expression and increased cardiomyocyte differentiation efficiency. Thus, HBL1 plays a modulatory role in fine-tuning human-specific cardiomyocyte development by forming a regulatory network with SOX2 and MIR1.
A Comparative Study of Modern Machine Learning Approaches for Focal Lesion Detection and Classification in Medical Images: BoVW, CNN and MTANN

Two dominant classes of modern approaches for the detection and classification of focal lesions are a bag of visual words and end-to-end learning machines. In this study, we reviewed and compared these approaches for lung nodule detection, colorectal polyp detection, and lung nodule classification in CT images. Specifically, we considered massive-training artificial neural networks (MTANNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as representatives of end-to-end learning machines, and Fisher vectors as a representative of the bag of visual words. We first compared CNNs with Fisher vectors in nodule detection, nodule classification, and polyp detection, concluding that the best performing CNN model achieved comparable performance to that of Fisher vectors. We also analyzed the performance of CNNs with varying depths for the 3 studied applications. Our experiments showed that the CNN architectures with 3 or 4 convolutional layers were more effective than shallower architectures, but we did not observe a further performance gain by using deeper architectures. We then compared CNNs with MTANNs, concluding that MTANNs outperformed CNNs for nodule detection and classification particularly given limited training data. Specifically, for nodule detection, the MTANNs generated 0.08 false positives per section at 100% sensitivity, which was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the best performing CNN model with 0.67 false positives per section at the same level of sensitivity. We showed that the best performing CNN model achieved comparable performance to that of Fisher vectors in the 3 studied applications, and that MTANNs outperformed CNNs in nodule detection and classification, especially given limited training data.
Periods of Susceptibility: Interspecies Comparison of Developmental Milestones During Ontogenesis of the Central Nervous System

Abstract The central nervous system is a highly complex organ with a multifaceted, intricate, yet orderly development. Similar to other organs, the anlagen of nervous system structures appear and develop in a defined sequence that is remarkably consistent across species and will be briefly reviewed. Nevertheless, the gestational age at which these events occur varies across species. In this chapter, developmental data for the nervous systems of rats, mice, monkeys, and humans are presented in a series of tables based on the appearance of external and internal milestones. The comparative developmental timing for establishing the cerebral cortical layers and myelination of various nervous system tracts is also presented. Such tables identify gestational ages when particular structures develop across species which, in turn, pinpoints the most sensitive period in the animal models for studying the development of nervous system structures. These data are important for designing investigational studies of nervous system development.
Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase from Human Cell Line Lu-65

In this chapter, we present our data on the isolation and properties of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PES; E.C. 1.14.99.1) from a human cell line. This enzyme has been isolated and purified to homogeneity in other species; partially purified human platelet PES that retained activity has been prepared by DEAE-chromatog-raphy (Hammarstrom and Falardeau, 1977) and has been purified to near-homogeneity (Ho et al., 1980). In other studies, an inactive human platelet PES has been identified by SDS-PAGE (Roth and Majerus, 1975). Preliminary data on the characterization of this PES from a human cell line, Lu-65, is presented.
Genetic Algorithm-Based Dynamic Intraoperative Treatment Planning for Prostate Brachytherapy

This paper reports on the use of a genetic algorithm (GA) for dynamic intraoperative treatment planning (DITP) with stepwise replanning for the prostate implant. The study applied a simple needle and seed reconstruction model to simulate the seed displacement. The simulation of DITP consists of an initial plan and four re-optimized plans. The results show that, on average, the total number of seeds required by each re-plan increased. The average maximum urethral dose and maximum rectal dose showed a slight increase during the first two replanning steps, but increased substantially during the latter two replanning steps. Several issues are discussed regarding the limitation and future improvement of GA-based DITP.
Partisan Intuition Belies Strong, Institutional Consensus and Wide Zipf’s Law for Voting Blocs in US Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court throughout the twentieth century has been characterized as being divided between liberals and conservatives, suggesting that ideologically similar justices would have voted similarly had they overlapped in tenure. What if they had? I build a minimal, pairwise maximum entropy model to infer how 36 justices from 1946–2016 would have all voted on a Super Court. The model is strikingly consistent with a standard voting model from political science, W-Nominate, despite using $$10^5$$ less parameters and fitting the observed statistics better. I find that consensus dominates the Super Court and strong correlations in voting span nearly 100 years, defining an emergent institutional timescale that surpasses the tenure of any single justice. Thus, the collective behavior of the Court over time reveals a stable institution insulated from the seemingly rapid pace of political change. Beyond consensus, I discover a rich structure of dissenting blocs with a heavy-tailed, scale-free distribution consistent with data from the Second Rehnquist Court. Consequently, a low-dimensional description of voting with a fixed number of ideological modes is inherently misleading because even votes that defy such a description are probable. Instead of assuming that strong higher order correlations like voting blocs are induced by features of the cases, the institution, and the justices, I show that such complexity can be expressed in a minimal model relying only on pairwise correlations in voting.
Affective Neural Mechanisms of a Parenting-Focused Mindfulness Intervention.

Behavioral evidence suggests that parenting-focused mindfulness interventions can improve parenting practices and enhance family wellbeing, potentially operating through altered emotional processing in parents. However, the mechanisms through which parent mindfulness interventions achieve their positive benefits have not yet been empirically tested, a knowledge which is key to refine and maximize intervention effects. Thus, as part of a randomized controlled trial, the present study examined the affective mechanisms of an 8-week parenting-focused mindfulness intervention, the Parenting Mindfully (PM) intervention, versus a minimal-intervention Parent Education control. Twenty highly stressed mothers of adolescents completed pre- and post-intervention behavioral and fMRI sessions, in which mothers completed a parent-adolescent conflict interaction, fMRI emotion task, and fMRI resting state scan. Mothers reported on their mindful parenting, and maternal emotional reactivity to the parent-adolescent conflict task was assessed via observed emotion expression, self-reported negative emotion, and salivary cortisol reactivity. Results indicated that the PM intervention increased brain responsivity in the left posterior insula in response to negative affective stimuli and altered resting state functional connectivity in regions involved in self-reference, behavioral regulation, and social-emotional processing. Changes in mothers’ brain function and connectivity were associated with increased mindful parenting and decreased emotional reactivity to the parent-adolescent conflict task. Findings suggest that mindfulness-based changes in maternal emotional awareness at the neurobiological level are associated with decreased emotional reactivity in parenting interactions, illuminating potential neurobiological targets for future parent-focused intervention.
Factors associated with overactive bladder symptom improvement after 1 year of monthly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation therapy.

Aims To investigate patient characteristics associated with overactive bladder (OAB) symptom improvement after 1 year of monthly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) therapy. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of women who underwent PTNS for refractory OAB symptoms between January 2011 and December 2017 in our tertiary center. Patients who received 12 monthly PTNS maintenance treatments after achieving success with 12 weekly PTNS treatments were included in the study. Reports on subjective changes in urinary frequency, nocturia, and urgency urinary incontinence were submitted at each visit. Patients were categorized to symptom improve and no improve groups. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify patient characteristics that predicted symptomatic improvement. Results Sixty-six patients were identified. Average subjective improvement after 12 monthly sessions compared with 12 weekly sessions was 5.2% on a scale of -100% to +100%. A history of urogynecologic surgery remained a significant negative predictor of symptom change from 12 weekly sessions to 12 monthly treatment sessions (odds ratio, 0.19; P = .01). Conclusions OAB symptoms remain relatively stable after 12 monthly treatments of PTNS, as compared with the 12-week time point. A history of urogynecologic surgery was a negative predictor of OAB symptom improvement in patients receiving monthly PTNS for at least 12 months.
Image Processing Using Multiple GPUs on Webcam Image Streams

Image analysis is an important area in many fields of research, such as sensor networks, where webcams have become an increasingly popular addition. Sensor network webcams gather images frequently and, as such, a need for processing large image streams has occurred. In this paper, we test a variety of OpenCV functions on image streams from sensor networks on CPU, GPU and multiple GPU to find the most efficient way of processing image series. OpenCV is a popular computer vision and image processing library. Although OpenCV supports GPU functionality, the library’s multiple GPUs functions are lacking. Two image processing algorithm for snow and cloud detection were developed using OpenCV and applied to an image series. The execution times, speedup, and throughput of the different implementations are compared and discussed. From this, The best execution method for various situations is determined.
On the Stochastic Link Modeling of Static Wireless Sensor Networks in Ocean Environments

Despite the advantages that ocean surface Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have over traditional ocean monitoring methods, ocean WSN research suffers from lack of an accurate model that describes the stability of wireless links among sensor nodes. In this paper, we are going to investigate ocean surface waves’ effects on the Line-of-Sight (LoS) link between sensors in a homogeneous WSN. Specifically, we will derive the blockage probability of LoS links between a transmitter and receiver pair due to wave movements, and analyze how environmental effects like wind speed affect it. Simulation results along with oceanographic measurements validate our analyses, making our model applicable in design and planning of WSN in the ocean environment.
Optimal Fermionic swap networks for Hubbard models

We propose a Fermionic swap network scheme for efficient quantum computing of $n$-dimensional Hubbard-model Hamiltonians, assuming linear qubit connectivity. We establish new lower bounds on swap depth for such networks. These rely on isoperimetric inequalities from the combinatorics literature and are closely connected to graph bandwidth. We show that the scheme is swap-depth optimal for both spin and spinless two-dimensional Hubbard model Hamiltonians. In the first case it is also optimal in the number of Hamiltonian interaction layers, and is one from optimal in the second case.
Fast-Acting Insulin Aspart Use with the MiniMedTM 670G System.

Background: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of ultrarapid insulin Fiasp® in the hybrid closed-loop MiniMed™ 670G system. Methods: This was a pilot randomized double-blinded crossover st...
Hepatic Steatosis After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: Incidence and Implications for Outcomes After Pancreatoduodenectomy.

This study aimed to determine the incidence of new onset hepatic steatosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer and its impact on outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy. Retrospective review identified patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and underwent pancreatoduodenectomy from 2013 to 2018. Preoperative computed tomography scans were evaluated for the development of hepatic steatosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Hypoattenuation included liver attenuation greater than or equal to 10 Hounsfield units less than tissue density of spleen on noncontrast computed tomography and greater than or equal to 20 Hounsfield units less on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. One hundred forty-nine patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a median of 5 cycles (interquartile range (IQR), 4–6). FOLFIRINOX was the regimen in 78% of patients. Hepatic steatosis developed in 36 (24%) patients. The median time from neoadjuvant chemotherapy completion to pancreatoduodenectomy was 40 days (IQR, 29–51). Preoperative biliary stenting was performed in 126 (86%) patients. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy was delivered to 23 (15%) patients. Female gender, obesity, and prolonged exposure to chemotherapy were identified as risk factors for chemotherapy-associated hepatic steatosis. Compared with control patients without neoadjuvant chemotherapy-associated hepatic steatosis, patients developing steatosis had similar rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (8% (control) vs. 4%, p = 0.3), delayed gastric emptying (8% vs. 14%, p = 0.4), and major morbidity (11% vs. 15%, p = 0.6). Ninety-day mortality was similar between groups (8% vs. 2%, p = 0.08). Hepatic steatosis developed in 24% of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy but was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy.
Durability of fiber-reinforced plastics for infrastructure applications

Abstract FRP composite materials have exhibited outstanding potential in civil infrastructure applications to date due to the fact that they are lightweight, easy to install, and offer high strength-to-weight ratio. FRP composites have been used to construct more durable new infrastructure systems and strengthen existing structures. However, there are still concerns about the long-term durability performance of these materials when subjected to different environmental conditions. This chapter reviews the applications of FRP in civil infrastructures and their durability performance under different environmental conditions. Because it is important to predict the long-term durability of FRP composite under these conditions, several analytical models have been proposed. Some of them are summarized here, including predicting hygrothermal degradation of composite and bond strength at elevated temperatures.
Immune Thrombocytopenia in Adolescents

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune condition defined as an isolated platelet count of <100,000/microL with a normal white blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration in the absence of identifiable and specific precipitants. ITP in adolescents is similar to ITP in adults and children in terms of diagnosis and presentation. The clinical course is a hybrid, with more patients requiring therapy, and many patients eventually achieving remission. Therapy is guided by bleeding symptoms, rather than absolute platelet counts, but also by prophylaxis against bleeding, given the increased physical activity in this age group. Careful attention should be paid to females with heavy menstrual bleeding. Lastly, the psychosocial aspects of care for patients in this vulnerable age group must be considered, with attention to aspects of independence and shared decision making.
Going vertical: triage flags improve extraction times for priority patients

Objective The number of mass casualty incidents (MCIs) has been steadily increasing. High-priority MCI patient outcomes are highly dependent on rapid identification, treatment, and transport. Although there are several methods used to mark patients for rapid extraction, most current methods utilize low-profile tags, with no gold standard. This study examines if the use of a vertical cue, a triage flag, to identify high priority MCI patients results in faster extraction times than those with a wrist triage tag alone. Methods A prospective randomized crossover study was conducted with medical students trained in basic disaster life support, who completed 2 extraction simulations. Two fields were each arranged with 32 randomly placed, pretriaged manikins (10 red, 17 yellow, 5 black). The manikins were marked with either triage tags alone or with triage tags and flags. The total time elapsed for participants to report all high-priority manikin triage tag numbers was recorded. Results Eighty-two participants completed both simulations. The average completion time for the "tags-only" simulation was 94.5 seconds (±16.4 seconds) compared to 70.7 seconds (±13.2 seconds) for the flags and tags simulation. This corresponds to an average decrease of 23.8 seconds (P < 0.0001), or a 25.2% reduction in time. Conclusion Using a vertical cue decreased the time required to identify high-priority patients. This suggests that a rapidly deployable and visually apparent triage marker may allow faster identification and extraction of patients across a field of victims with varying injury severities than a flat horizontal triage tag, thereby potentially improving patient outcomes.
Effects of Shared Gaze on Audio- Versus Text-Based Remote Collaborations

Remote collaborations are becoming ubiquitous, but, despite their many advantages, face unique challenges compared to collocated collaborations. Visualizing the collaborator's point of gaze on a shared screen has been explored as a promising way to alleviate some of these limitations by increasing shared awareness. However, prior studies on shared gaze have not considered the medium of communication and have only studied its effect on audio. This paper presents a study that compares the effects of shared gaze on collaboration performance during audio- and text-based communication. We find that for text, shared gaze improved task correctness and led collaborators to look at and talk more about shared content. Similar trends are found for gaze-augmented voice communication, but contrary to the slower performance in text, it also saw improvements in completion time as well as in cognitive workload. Our findings demonstrate the differences in how shared gaze impacts audio- versus text-based communication and highlight the need to further understand the nuances of the medium of communication when designing novel tools to support remote collaborators.
cAMP-Independent Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response by Cholera Toxin.

ABSTRACT Cholera toxin (CT) is an AB5 protein toxin that activates the stimulatory alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein (Gsα) through ADP-ribosylation. Activation of Gsα produces a cytopathic effect by stimulating adenylate cyclase and the production of cAMP. To reach its cytosolic Gsα target, CT binds to the plasma membrane of a host cell and travels by vesicle carriers to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The catalytic CTA1 subunit then exploits the quality control mechanism of ER-associated degradation to move from the ER to the cytosol. ER-associated degradation is functionally linked to another quality control system, the unfolded protein response (UPR). However, the role of the UPR in cholera intoxication is unclear. We report here that CT triggers the UPR after 4 h of toxin exposure. A functional toxin was required to induce the UPR, but, surprisingly, activation of the adenylate cyclase signaling pathway was not sufficient to trigger the process. Toxin-induced activation of the UPR coincided with increased toxin accumulation in the cytosol. Chemical activation of the heterotrimeric G protein or the UPR also enhanced the onset of CTA1 delivery to the cytosol, thus producing a toxin-sensitive phenotype. These results indicate there is a cAMP-independent response to CT that activates the UPR and thereby enhances the efficiency of intoxication.
Direct Observation of Electron Beam-Induced Phase Transition in MgCrMnO4

Irreversible structural transformation in intercalation-type cathode materials, which has been frequently observed, has been perceived as a principal cause of capacity fading and voltage decay in (...
Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis to Reduce Mortality of Future Infectious Diseases in Society

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the strain of novel coronavirus that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that generates high number of infected cases and deaths worldwide. The fundamental question in this field of research is how countries can reduce fatality rates of COVID-19. This study confronts this question here by developing the first global analysis (based on more than 160 countries), which endeavors to analyze the socioeconomic sources of the reduction of mortality rates of COVID-19 in society. Results suggest that a low average fatality rate of COVID-19 is associated with countries having high level of current health expenditure expressed as a percentage of GDP, high domestic general government health expenditure per capita and a reduced exposure of population to days exceeding safe levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). These findings are important, very important to support an effective strategy to cope with future epidemics similar to COVID-19 that has to be based on high investments in health sector and environmental policy that reduces air pollution in order to be able to minimize fatality rates of future infectious diseases.