cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The value of a comprehensive, integrated assessment program for improving the first-year engineering experience

The College of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame recently completed the fifth year of its first-year Introduction to Engineering course. Each year, the College assesses the quality of the learning experience using various assessment methods including student surveys, student and faculty interviews, student demographic information, student performance in the course and retention rate into the sophomore year. This combination of assessment methods has allowed the College to direct its efforts toward those areas that appear to have the greatest potential for improvement. Our assessment/course improvement cycle has demonstrated the value of an integrated approach to assessing course effectiveness and student progress toward learning outcomes. We have implemented several modifications to the course that have had a positive impact on the retention of all students and, particularly, on the retention of women. The information has also helped us to identify cultural and systemic issues at the University, outside of the course, that affect the retention of engineering students, particularly women, and have enabled us to effect changes at the University level to address those issues. The information has also led us to characterize the types of students at risk for leaving engineering early, allowing the College to engage in proactive efforts to improve the delivery of information to these groups of students. Any single element of this integrated assessment effort might have provided tantalizing clues for necessary changes. But the value of a comprehensive, integrated assessment program lies in the fact that the College can target changes to an identified need, thus achieving positive results
Wideband spatial processing with wavelet transforms

For a nearfield sensor array, wideband signals, and moving scatterers or sensors, beamforming may not be valid. The signals received at different sensors may no longer be delayed versions of one another. To localize wideband, nearfield, and/or moving sources, a wideband spatial processor is presented. Applicable to both active and passive processing, it relies on a new relation that expresses the wideband correlation receiver output as an affine convolution of two wavelet transforms; the wideband spreading function is convolved with an auto ambiguity function. This new expression is then deconvolved to obtain a high resolution estimate of the wideband spreading function. >
Improving energy efficiency of buffer cache in virtual machines

Main memory contributes a large fraction of energy consumption in powerful servers running virtualization software to support concurrent virtual machines (VMs). Furthermore, data-intensive applications executing inside virtual machines increase the demand for larger physical memory, resulting in the memory subsystem consuming a significant portion of system's energy. Data-intensive applications heavily rely on a large buffer cache that occupies a majority of physical memory and as a result we are focusing on the power management for physical memory dedicated to the buffer cache in VMs. Existing approaches have focused on optimizing memory energy consumption from an operating system (OS) perspective. However, these approaches cannot be directly used in a virtual machine environment because of abstractions and separations used in virtualization of resources. To address virtualization of resources, we adapt an existing mechanism that leverages file I/O system calls in the guest OS kernel to hide the delay incurred by the memory power state transition while reducing memory energy consumption. In addition, we propose a novel hybrid mechanism that is able to improve energy efficiency for memory-mapped files in addition to regular file I/Os through system calls. Through detailed trace driven evaluation, the delay-hiding energy management in the guest operating system inside a virtual machine can reduce memory energy consumption by 89.6% compared with a standard virtual machine environment when handling file I/O system calls; our proposed hybrid mechanism performs better than either mechanism and can improve memory energy saving with negligible delay when processing both file I/O system calls and memory-mapped files.
Power and cost aware localized routing with guaranteed delivery in wireless networks

In a localized routing algorithm, each node currently holding message makes routing decision solely based on the information about itself its neighbors and destination. In a unit graph, two nodes can communicate if and only if the distance between them is no more than the transmission radius, which is the same for each node. A localized routing algorithm that guarantees delivery in connected unit graphs has been described previously. Also, several power, cost and power-cost aware metrics and localized loop-free routing algorithms for wireless networks based on the exact power needed for transmission between two nodes, and/or remaining battery power at nodes were proposed. However, these algorithms did not guarantee the delivery of a message in connected unit graphs. This paper proposes such localized routing algorithms, aimed at minimizing total power for routing a message, or maximizing the total number of routing tasks that a network can perform before a partition. The algorithms are combinations of known greedy power and/or cost aware localized routing algorithms and an algorithm that guarantees delivery. A shortcut procedure is introduced in later algorithm to enhance its performance. The efficiency of proposed algorithms is verified experimentally by comparing their power savings, and the number of routing tasks a network can perform before a node loses all its energy, with, the corresponding shortest weighted path algorithms, and localized algorithms that use fixed transmission power at each node. Significant energy savings (which depend mainly on network density and maximum transmission radius) are obtained.
Identification of Functional Tat Signal Sequences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteins

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is a system used by some bacteria to export proteins out from the cytosol to the cell surface or extracellular environment. A functional Tat pathway exists in the important human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Identification of the substrates exported by the Tat pathway can help define the role that this pathway plays in the physiology and pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis. Here we used a reporter of Tat export, a truncated β-lactamase, ′BlaC, to experimentally identify M. tuberculosis proteins with functional Tat signal sequences. Of the 13 proteins identified, one lacks the hallmark of a Tat-exported substrate, the twin-arginine dipeptide, and another is not predicted by in silico analysis of the annotated M. tuberculosis genome. Full-length versions of a subset of these proteins were tested to determine if the native proteins are Tat exported. For three proteins, expression in a Δtat mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis revealed a defect in precursor processing compared to expression in the wild type, indicating Tat export of the full-length proteins. Conversely, two proteins showed no obvious Tat export in M. smegmatis. One of this latter group of proteins was the M. tuberculosis virulence factor phospholipase C (PlcB). Importantly, when tested in M. tuberculosis a different result was obtained and PlcB was exported in a twin-arginine-dependent manner. This suggests the existence of an M. tuberculosis-specific factor(s) for Tat export of a proven virulence protein. It also emphasizes the importance of domains beyond the Tat signal sequence and bacterium-specific factors in determining if a given protein is Tat exported.
Kernel synthesis for generalized time-frequency distributions using the method of projections onto convex sets

The kernel in Cohen's generalized time frequency representation (GTFR) requires is chosen in accordance to certain desired performance attributes. Properties of the kernel are typically expressed as constraints. We establish that many commonly used constraints are convex in the sense that all allowable kernels satisfying a given constraint form a convex set. Thus, for a given set of constraints, the kernel can be designed by alternately projecting among these sets. If there exists a nonempty intersection among the constraint sets, then the theory of projeciion onto convex seis ( POCS) guarantees convergence to a point in the intersection. If the constraints can be partitioned into two sets, each with a nonempty intersection, then POCS guarantees convergence to a kernel that satisfies the inconsistent constraints with minimum mean square error.
Distribution and possible interactions of actin-associated proteins and cell adhesion molecules of nerve growth cones

Actin filaments and their interactions with cell surface molecules have key roles in tissue cell behaviour. Axonal pathfinding during embryogenesis, an especially complex cell behaviour, is based on the migration of nerve growth cones. We have used fluorescence immunocytochemistry to examine the distribution in growth cones, their filopodia and lamellipodia of several actin-associated proteins and nerve cell adhesion molecules. The leading margins of chick dorsal root ganglion nerve growth cones and their protrusions stain strongly for f-actin, filamin, alpha-actinin, myosin, tropomyosin, talin and vinculin. MAP2 is absent from DRG growth cones, and staining for spectrin fodrin extends into growth cones, but not along filopodia. Thus, organization of the leading margins of growth cones may strongly resemble the leading lamella of migrating fibroblasts. The adhesion-mediating molecules integrin, L1, N-CAM and A-CAM are all found on DRG neurites and growth cones. However, filopodia stain relatively more strongly for integrin and L1 than for A-CAM or N-CAM. In fact, the 180 X 10(3) Mr form of N-CAM may be absent from most of the length of filopodia. DRG neurones cultured in cytochalasin B display differences in immunofluorescence staining which further emphasize that these adhesion molecules interact differentially with the actin filament system of migrating growth cones. Several models for neuronal morphogenesis emphasize the importance of regulation of the expression of adhesion molecules. Our results support hypotheses that cellular distribution and transmembrane interactions are key elements in the functions of these adhesion molecules during axonal pathfinding.
Monotonicity for the Chern-Moser-Weyl curvature tensor and CR embeddings

We give, in this paper, a monotonicity formula for the Chern-Moser-Weyl curvature tensor under the action of holomorphic embeddings between Levi non-degenerate hypersurfaces with the same positive signature. As an application, we provide some concrete examples of algebraic Levi non-degenerate hypersurfaces with positive signature that are not embeddable into a hyperquadric of the same signature in a complex space of higher dimension.
Corporate Social Performance: A Review of Empirical Research Examining the Corporation–Society Relationship Using Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini Social Ratings Data:

This article reviews empirical research of corporate social performance (CSP) using Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini (KLD) social ratings data through 2011. The review synthesizes 100 empirical studies, n...
Out to Eat

Unheard of in the eighteenth century, restaurants became an integral part of New York City’s public culture in the antebellum period. This article examines the emergence and development of New York’s restaurant sector in the nineteenth century, focusing on three aspects in particular: the close ties between urbanization and the rise of New York’s restaurants, the role restaurants played in enforcing the city’s class structure and gender mores, and the role of restaurants in shaping the public culture of the growing metropolis.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip Girdle Pain in the Athlete

Evaluation of an athlete's report of "hip pain" is challenging. Many conditions involving the pelvic girdle can present with overlapping pain distributions, and athletes often may have coexisting disorders. Appropriate evaluation requires thorough, systematic consideration of intra-articular hip disease, extra-articular local causes of hip pain, and referred pain from other musculoskeletal or even visceral sources. Although our understanding of intra-articular hip disorders has been greatly enhanced in recent decades through advances in hip arthroscopy, gaps still exist in our understanding of appropriate treatment, including effective nonsurgical protocols and when to consider surgical intervention. For instance, we have a better understanding of hip dysfunction related to structural changes that occur prior to the onset of arthritis, but we are also learning that correction of the structural changes does not always guarantee a correction of dysfunction and pain. Furthermore, athletes need instruction and guidance in retraining appropriate movement patterns after a surgical intervention. Risk stratification regarding which athletes need surgical intervention and what their needs are after specific surgical procedures remain undefined. In this review we will describe the differential diagnosis of hip and pelvic girdle pain in the athlete and then discuss how to use a history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging and diagnostic injections to arrive at a proper diagnosis. Lastly, a brief discussion is included of key concepts and controversies involved in treating some of the most common hip disorders experienced by athletes.
Chloride in lead chloride-derived organo-metal halides for perovskite-absorber solar cells

Organo-metal halide perovskites are an intriguing class of materials that have recently been explored for their potential in solar energy conversion. Within a very short period of intensive research, highly efficient solar cell devices have been demonstrated. One of the heavily debated questions in this new field of research concerns the role of chlorine in solution-processed samples utilizing lead chloride and 3 equiv of methylammonium iodide to prepare the perovskite samples. We utilized a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction to probe the amount of chlorine in samples before and during annealing. As-deposited samples, before annealing, consist of a crystalline precursor phase containing excess methylammonium and halide. We used in situ techniques to study the crystallization of MAPbI3 from this crystalline precursor phase. Excess methylammonium and chloride evaporate during annealing, forming highly crystalline MAPbI3. However, even after prolonged a...
Endoscopic approaches to brainstem cavernous malformations: Case series and review of the literature.

Background: Symptomatic cavernous malformations involving the brainstem are frequently difficult to access via traditional methods. Conventional skull-base approaches require significant brain retraction or bone removal to provide an adequate operative corridor. While there has been a trend toward limited employment of the most invasive surgical approaches, recent advances in endoscopic technology may complement existing methods to access these difficult to reach areas.
Use of PFGE to analyze an outbreak of food poisoning caused by Salmonella enteritidis

Objectives To isolate and identify the pathogen responsible for an outbreak of food poisoning in a district of Wuhan in 2014 and to analyze the homology of those pathogens. Methods The pathogen was isolated and cultured in accordance with the methods in GB 4789-2012 and WS/T 13-1996,and the pathogen was typed and identified.Pulsedfield gel electrophoresis(PFGE)was used to molecularly type the pathogen and strains of Salmonella enteritidis from the laboratory,and PFGE was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the pathogen and strains of S.enteritidis.Susceptibility testing was carried out using the modified K-B method recommended by the WHO. Results Results of an epidemiological study and laboratory testing indicated that the outbreak of food poisoning was caused by S.enteritidis.In total,18 strains were isolated.Strains isolated from suspected food sources had 100% similarity to S.enteritidis from anal swabs of patients who suffered food poisoning and 90% similarity to clinical isolates from patients during the same period.The isolated strains were least similar(similarity of less than 90%)to isolates from physical exams conducted in2012 and clinical isolates from patients in 2013-2014.Strains that were responsible for the outbreak of food poisoning were more sensitive to antibiotics than other strains. Conclusion The pathogens responsible for the outbreak of food poisoning are dominant strains of S.enteritidis that are prevalent in this region.PFGE can be used to analyze the origins of bacterial food poisoning.
The Dissolution of Yugoslavia: Ethnicity, Nationalism and Exclusionary Communities

Dans la Yougoslavie des annees 1990, l'idee d'une societe multiethnique a ete remplacee par celle d'une societe formee de communautes exclusives et separees dans des regions ethniquement homogenes. Trois raisons principales sont proposees par l'A. : 1) L'absence d'une societe civile dans la formation de la Yougoslavie : quand le Parti Communiste yougoslave perdit son influence sur la vie politique, on assista a une montee des partis ethniques ; 2) Le developpement d'un discours ethnique etait soutenu par les medias : televisions, radios et journaux a Belgrade, Zagreb et Ljubljana ont transmis des images falsifiees sur la souffrance de leurs peuples, et ont soutenu la secession et des solutions violentes au conflit ; 3) L'incapacite du parti et du gouvernement federal de repondre a la crise economique.
Boosting Energy Efficiency of Nickel Cobaltite via Interfacial Engineering in Hierarchical Supercapacitor Electrode

Hybrid electrodes with electroactive components on conductive substrates have been demonstrated to be an effective strategy to achieve high energy and power density in supercapacitors. However, the mismatch of interface property could be a huge hurdle to further improve energy storage performance and long-term stability. In this work, an interfacial metal seeding approach has been developed targeting strengthening of the interfacial interaction between electroactive NiCo2O4 nanostructure and carbon substrate as well as to promote electron transfer across the interface. By implanting low-concentration nickel (Ni) nanoparticles at the interface, the electrochemical capacitance of NiCo2O4 was boosted up to 2367 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g in a symmetric two-electrode configuration, which is about 2 times higher than the capacitance obtained from the electrode without metal seeds. The Ni seeds also contribute to an excellent cycling retention of >96% after 5000 cycles, where only 65% capacitance was ret...
Adaptive CORDIC: Using Parallel Angle Recoding to Accelerate CORDIC Rotations

The CORDIC algorithm is used in the evaluation of a wide variety of elementary functions. It is a simple and elegant method, but it suffers from the problem of long latency. The angle recoding method is able to reduce the number of iterations by more than 50%, but its implementation in hardware requires a large increase in cycle time, to accommodate its complex angle selection function. This restricts its use to those cases where the angle of rotation is fixed and known in advance, so that the method can be applied off-line. This paper, presents a simpler implementation of the angle selection scheme that allows the angle recoding method to be used dynamically for any arbitrary angle of rotation. The method also has the advantage that all the angle constants are found in parallel, in a single step, without having to perform successive CORDIC iterations.
212 A SIMPLE PROTOCOL TO EXTRACT DNA FROM SMALL NUMBERS OF CELLS

Reproductive biotechnology frequently requires improvements in our ability to isolate DNA from fewer and fewer cells. It is now possible to find several commercially available kits to meet this demand, but they frequently come at a relatively high cost. The aim of this project was to evaluate the efficiency of a simple handmade protocol to extract DNA from a small number of cells. To evaluate this method we chose 3 different bovine cell lines, Mac T-cells, sperm, and fibroblasts, for the analysis. Five different quantities (30, 100, 150, 300, and 500 cells) were evaluated for each cell line. The endpoints examined were the purity of the extracted DNA by NanoDrop analysis and visualisation of bands on agarose gels after PCR. The samples were initially diluted in 20 µL of PBS. The cell lysis buffer contained 15 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.9), 50 mM KCl, 2.5 mM MgCl2, 0.1% Triton X-100, and 150 µg mL−1 of proteinase K. Twenty microlitres of lysis buffer were added to each sample. The tubes were then incubated at 55°C for 1 h. Last, proteinase K was inactivated by incubation at 90°C for 10 min. After extraction, 3 samples from each cell quantity for each replicate were evaluated by NanoDrop. After NanoDrop analysis, a standard PCR procedure was carried out using the homologue gene, tRep-137, as the amplification target. As a control, the Gene Wizard DNA extraction kit was used for all cell treatments. The DNA fragments resulting from PCR were separated for visualisation on agarose gels. Five replicates of the experiment were performed with 3 individual samples for each cell quantity evaluated. There were 80 total samples evaluated, including 5 control samples (1 per replicate). The PCR results were analysed using chi-square analysis with Fisher correction. An α-level of 0.05 was selected a priori for significant differences. The agarose gel analysis showed that each cell line gave different results. The data presented in Table 1 shows that this protocol is less effective for Mac T-cells, but satisfactory for both sperm and fibroblast cells. When the quality of the DNA extracted was evaluated with the NanoDrop method, DNA was found in all samples, but the purity of the samples was very low. None of the samples had a 260/280 ratio over 1, the range being 0.6 to 0.8. This high impurity could explain why not all samples showed PCR product bands on the gel. The next step will be to purify the DNA by removing all of the protein from the samples after isolation from the cells. In conclusion, these data show that it is possible to extract DNA at a low cost from a small number of cells. Table 1. The mean (SD in parentheses) percentage of samples with PCR bands for each cell line and each cell quantity
Influences of landscape heterogeneity on home-range sizes of brown bears

Animal space use is influenced by many factors and can affect individual survival and fitness. Under optimal foraging theory, individuals use landscapes to optimize high-quality resources while minimizing the amount of energy used to acquire them. The spatial resource variability hypothesis states that as patchiness of resources increases, individuals use larger areas to obtain the resources necessary to meet energetic requirements. Additionally, under the temporal resource variability hypothesis, seasonal variation in available resources can reduce distances moved while providing a variety of food sources. Our objective was to determine if seasonal home ranges of brown bears (Ursus arctos) were influenced by temporal availability and spatial distribution of resources and whether individual reproductive status, sex, or size (i.e., body mass) mediated space use. To test our hypotheses, we radio collared brown bears (n = 32 [9 male, 23 female]) in 2014–2016 and used 18 a priori selected linear models to evaluate seasonal utilization distributions (UD) in relation to our hypotheses. Our top-ranked model by AICc, supported the spatial resource variability hypothesis and included percentage of like adjacency (PLADJ) of all cover types (P 0.17 for males, solitary females, and females with dependent young), and body mass (kg; P = 0.66). Based on this model, for every percentage increase in PLADJ, UD area was predicted to increase 1.16 times for all sex and reproductive classes. Our results suggest that landscape heterogeneity influences brown bear space use; however, we found that bears used larger areas when landscape homogeneity increased, presumably to gain a diversity of food resources. Our results did not support the temporal resource variability hypothesis, suggesting that the spatial distribution of food was more important than seasonal availability in relation to brown bear home range size.
Media Exposure of Corruption and the Re-Election Chances of Incumbent Parties in Africa

Possible explanations for re-electing corrupt incumbents are that elections are not free and fair, or that voters are uninformed or misinformed about incumbents’ corruption. After adjusting for election freedom and press freedom, this study addresses whether voters in Africa punish incumbent parties for corruption, whether voters’ access to information enhances the re-election chances of the incumbent parties in Africa, and whether information about corruption changes the response of electors. Using probit models to analyze 50 elections from 30 African countries, the study finds that corruption does not affect the re-election chances of incumbent parties in Africa; that voters’ access to information reduces the re-election chances of incumbent parties in Africa; and that there is no evidence that information about corruption affects the re-election chances of incumbent parties. This may mean that African voters do not understand the negative impact of corruption on their economic wellbeing.
Infection Prevention and Control in Pediatric Ambulatory Settings

Since the American Academy of Pediatrics published its statement titled "Infection Prevention and Control in Pediatric Ambulatory Settings" in 2007, there have been significant changes that prompted this updated statement. Infection prevention and control is an integral part of pediatric practice in ambulatory medical settings as well as in hospitals. Infection prevention and control practices should begin at the time the ambulatory visit is scheduled. All health care personnel should be educated regarding the routes of transmission and techniques used to prevent the transmission of infectious agents. Policies for infection prevention and control should be written, readily available, updated every 2 years, and enforced. Many of the recommendations for infection control and prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for hospitalized patients are also applicable in the ambulatory setting. These recommendations include requirements for pediatricians to take precautions to identify and protect employees likely to be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials while on the job. In addition to emphasizing the key principles of infection prevention and control in this policy, we update those that are relevant to the ambulatory care patient. These guidelines emphasize the role of hand hygiene and the implementation of diagnosis- and syndrome-specific isolation precautions, with the exemption of the use of gloves for routine diaper changes and wiping a well child's nose or tears for most patient encounters. Additional topics include respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette strategies for patients with a respiratory tract infection, including those relevant for special populations like patients with cystic fibrosis or those in short-term residential facilities; separation of infected, contagious children from uninfected children when feasible; safe handling and disposal of needles and other sharp medical devices; appropriate use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection; and appropriate use of sterilization, disinfection, and antisepsis. Lastly, in this policy, we emphasize the importance of public health interventions, including vaccination for patients and health care personnel, and outline the responsibilities of the health care provider related to prompt public health notification for specific reportable diseases and communication with colleagues who may be providing subsequent care of an infected patient to optimize the use of isolation precautions and limit the spread of contagions.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing and its applications for aortic diseases

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a process which generates prototypes from virtual objects in computer-aided design (CAD) software. Since 3D printing enables the creation of customized objects, it is a rapidly expanding field in an age of personalized medicine. We discuss the use of 3D printing in surgical planning, training, and creation of devices for the treatment of aortic diseases. 3D printing can provide operators with a hands-on model to interact with complex anatomy, enable prototyping of devices for implantation based upon anatomy, or even provide pre-procedural simulation. Potential exists to expand upon current uses of 3D printing to create personalized implantable devices such as grafts. Future studies should aim to demonstrate the impact of 3D printing on outcomes to make this technology more accessible to patients with complex aortic diseases.
Objectively-assessed physical activity and weight change in young adults: a randomized controlled trial

Reductions in physical activity (PA) are common throughout young adulthood and low PA is associated with weight gain. The SNAP Trial previously reported that two self-regulation approaches to weight gain prevention reduced weight gain over a 2-year period in 18–35 year olds. Presented here are secondary analyses examining changes in PA and the relationship between PA and weight change over 2 years. 599 young adults (age: 27.4 ± 4.4 yrs.; BMI: 25.4 ± 2.6 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment arms: Small Changes (reduce calorie intake by 100 kcals/day & add 2000 steps/day), Large Changes (lose 2.3–4.5 kg initially & increase PA to ≥250 min/wk), or Self-guided (control condition). Small and Large Changes received 10, face-to-face group sessions (months 1–4), and two 4-week refresher courses each subsequent year. Body weight and PA were objectively-measured at baseline, 4 months, 1 and 2 years. Daily steps and bout-related moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA: ≥3 METs, ≥10-min bouts) was calculated. Changes in bout-related MVPA and daily steps did not differ among treatment groups over the 2-year period (p’s > 0.16). Collapsed across groups, participants gaining >1 lb. (n = 187; 39.6%) had smaller changes in bout-related MVPA at 4 months, 1 and 2 years relative to those maintaining or losing weight (≤1 lb. weight gain; n = 282, 60.4%, p’s 1 lb. did not differ on daily steps (p’s > 0.10). Among participants engaging in ≥250 min/wk. of MVPA at 2 years (n = 181), 30% gained >1 lb. from baseline to 2 years, which was not different from those engaging in 150–250 min/wk. (n = 87; 36%; p = 0.40), but this percentage was significantly lower when compared to those engaging in 150 min/week of MVPA is needed for weight gain prevention and that increasing MVPA, rather than steps, should be targeted. www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01183689). Registered Aug 13, 2010.
Demonstration of parallel algal processing: production of renewable diesel blendstock and a high-value chemical intermediate

Co-production of high-value chemicals such as succinic acid from algal sugars is a promising route to enabling conversion of algal lipids to a renewable diesel blendstock. Biomass from the green alga Scenedesmus acutus was acid pretreated and the resulting slurry separated into its solid and liquor components using charged polyamide induced flocculation and vacuum filtration. Over the course of a subsequent 756 hours continuous fermentation of the algal liquor with Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z, we achieved maximum productivity, process conversion yield, and titer of 1.1 g L−1 h−1, 0.7 g g−1 total sugars, and 30.5 g L−1 respectively. Succinic acid was recovered from fermentation media with a yield of 60% at 98.4% purity while lipids were recovered from the flocculated cake at 83% yield with subsequent conversion through deoxygenation and hydroisomerization to a renewable diesel blendstock. This work is a first-of-its-kind demonstration of a novel integrated conversion process for algal biomass to produce fuel and chemical products of sufficient quality to be blend-ready feedstocks for further processing.
The Addicted Geriatric Patient

The older population in the U.S. is growing at an unprecedented rate. At present, there are 37 million people 65 years of age and over in the United States. Due to the aging of the baby boomers, this population will expand to more than 71 million by 2030 [1]. Approximately 2.5 million older adults have substance abuse problems. This number is expected to double to 5 million by 2020 [2]. Projections indicate that increases in the number of older adults with problem substance use will increase across race, ethnicity, and gender. As the population of older substance abusers continues to grow, so too will the number of older in-patients and surgical patients with substance abuse disorders.
The Judicial Threat to Public Health Innovation - The Sword of Boreali.

The Judicial Threat to Public Health Innovation A 1987 court decision regarding a New York State regulation of tobacco use has been used to strike down various innovative — but “controversial” — public health regulations that would probably have saved lives.
Reasoning Patterns in Galileo’s Analysis of Machines and in Expert Protocols: Roles for Analogy, Imagery, and Mental Simulation

Reasoning patterns found in Galileo’s treatise on machines, On Mechanics, are compared with patterns identified in case studies of scientifically trained experts thinking aloud, and many similarities are found. At one level the primary patterns identified are ordered analogy sequences and special diagrammatic techniques to support them. At a deeper level I develop constructs to describe patterns that can support embodied, imagistic, mental simulations as a central underlying process. Additionally, a larger hypothesized pattern of ‘progressive imagistic generalization’—Galileo’s development of a model or mechanism that becomes more and more general with each machine while still being imagistically projectable into many machines—provides a way to think about his progress toward a modern explanatory model of torque. By unpacking his arguments, we gain an appreciation of his skillful ability to foster imagistic processes underlying scientific thinking.
Microstructure Analysis on Size Distribution During Film Growth in HAMR Media

Grain size and size distribution reduction in L10 FePt granular thin film is becoming critical to increase the areal storage density and realize the full potential of heat-assisted magnetic recording media. FePt and amorphous carbon or mixture with other segregants are often deposited at elevated temperature in order to promote the L10 ordering in FePt. Due to the materials system and high temperature involved in the fabrication process, the bimodal distribution of the grains is often observed with a significant amount of small grains with diameter <3 nm. The bimodal distribution of the grains could potentially lead to a significant microstructure nonuniformity and thus grain-to-grain properties variation, such as Curie temperature (Tc), texture, ordering, and magnetic properties. In this paper, we performed a detailed analysis on microstructure evolution of FePt-C thin film during the growth process on different initial layer conditions to understand the origin of bimodal grain size distribution in the FePt-C media. Experimental modeling study of depositing FePt on continuous carbon layer at elevated temperature was conducted to understand the nucleation and growth process.
Normal-Tissue Tolerance to IOERT, EBRT, or Both: Animal and Clinical Studies

Early clinical investigations of intraoperative electron irradiation (IOERT) as an alternative to conventional external-beam irradiation (EBRT) were based on a limited number of preclinical studies to provide important information regarding the radiobiologic response of normal and surgically manipulated tissue to high, single doses of radiation. Since the overall goal of IOERT was to maximize the total radiation dose that can be safely delivered to the tumor, there was a strong need to establish tissue-specific guidelines for the clinical use of IOERT to minimize normal-tissue toxicity.
Building Organizational Knowledge Quality: Investigating the Role of Social Media and Social Capital

To the extent that knowledge is the most strategically important resource for sustainable competitive advantage, organizations must consciously and systematically manage their knowledge asset. In this paper, we explore how social media and social capital at the organizational level help organizations benefit from their knowledge management initiatives in turn improving organizational knowledge quality. A research model was developed and survey data were used to test the model. The preliminary results show that social media helps to provide the technical environment conducive to knowledge exchange and social capital enables the actual knowledge sharing between businesses. Both facilitate an organizational emphasis on knowledge management that leads to organizational knowledge of higher quality.
Myeloproliferative Disorders and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

The myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) encompass a pathologically and clinically heterogeneous group of hematologic entities that are united by their putative origin from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. The World Health Organization classifies these entities into three broad categories: (1) the chronic myeloproliferative diseases, (2) the myelodysplastic syndromes, and (3) the myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases1 (see Table 35-1). Though all are true hematopoietic stem cell disorders characteristically associated with bone marrow hyperplasia, they are divergent in that MPD typically are associated with effective hematopoiesis, while MDS are associated with ineffective hematopoiesis, reflected by high or low peripheral blood counts, respectively.
Dynamics of Chromatography: Principles and Theory

This classic and bestselling landmark publication, originally published in 1965, examines the dynamic mechanisms, fundamental principles, and physical properties of various chromatographic procedures. It offers methods to characterize, identify, and predict chromatographic phenomena - providing strategies to select the most appropriate separation tools and techniques for specific applications in chemistry, physics, biology, and forensic and environmental science.Written by a world-renowned pioneer in the field, Dynamics of Chromatography contains many worked equations and real-world examples in gas and liquid chromatography. It includes numerous schematic figures for visualization of key concepts, introduces the means to control migration rate differences and zone spreading, and presents a detailed random-walk model for clarification of column processes. It also analyzes flow, diffusion, and kinetic events, stresses the link between theory and practice, and summarizes mathematical quantities and parameters.
Role of systemic high-dose methotrexate and combined approaches in the management of vitreoretinal lymphoma: A single center experience 1990-2018

Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) management remains a challenge. We present 72 patients with VRL, diagnosed at Mayo Clinic between 1990-2018. Three nondiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) histology cases were excluded. Among 69 DLBCL, 33 patients had primary VRL (PVRL), 18 concurrent intraocular and central nervous system (CNS) or systemic disease and 18 secondary VRL. Patients received intraocular chemotherapy (intraocular injections of rituximab or metothrexate or steroids or in combination), radiotherapy, systemic or combined systemic plus intraocular treatment in 9, 10, 35, and 15 cases, respectively. Among primary and concurrent VRL, median failure free survival (FFS), CNS relapse-free survival (CNS-RFS) and overall survival (OS) were: 1.8, 4.9, and 4.1 years, respectively; among PVRL, median FFS, CNS-RFS, and OS were: 2.6 year, Not Reached and 9.3 year, respectively. No CNS relapse occurred beyond 4 years in PVRL. Median OS for patients diagnosed between 1990 and 1999 vs between 2000 and 2018 was 1.5 vs 9.4 years, respectively (P = .0002). OS was significantly higher in PVRL, as compared with concurrent VRL (P = .04). Previous immunosuppression and poor performance status were predictive of worse outcome. In PVRL, a combined systemic and intraocular therapy showed higher FFS (P = .002) and CNS-RFS (P = .003), but no differences in OS. Among 18 secondary VRL, at a median follow-up of 1.1 year after vitreoretinal relapse, median FFS and OS were 0.3 and 1.3 years. An improvement in survival of VRL has been observed over the decades. PVRL should undergo combined systemic and intraocular chemotherapy to prevent CNS progression.
Suppression of Strong Sidelobes Masking Weak Targets Using Multiplicative Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques (MART)

Detection, localization and reconstruction of images (3D / 2D) of below ground targets based upon RF tomography is a process using multistatic antenna (Transmitters and Receivers) configuration of randomly distributed over the measurement domain. In this paper, an effective method for RF tomography image enhancement is presented. The interference between strong scatterer sidelobes and weak scatterers in the measurement domain, leading to a decrease in the image quality and also can mask the returns from nearby weak targets in Rf Tomography. We propose a faster, more flexible and accurate method to deal with ill-conditioned operators in RF tomography, we decrease the effects of strong sidelobes on targets which increases the potential to reconstruct quality images of buried weak targets using an Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms (IRT), such as Multiplicative Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques (MART). The MART algorithm is an iterative algebraic approach that inverts the linear operator with less computational expense when the operator is ill-conditioned. Suppression, or the clean algorithm is an effective approach to remove the effect of strong sidelobes from dominant scatterers on nearby weak targets in the measurement domain. This algorithm functions by modeling the strong scatterers as extra transmitters in the measurement domain. The sidelobes of these dipoles are subtracted from the collected field to sharpen the quality of the weak targets image. Simulation data using the computational electromagnetic software FEKO are used to validate a inversion scheme, based on an Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms (IRT), such as Multiplicative Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques (MART), and the proposed suppression algorithm.
Queering consent: design and sexual consent messaging

For decades, sexual violence prevention and sexual consent have been a recurrent topic on college campuses and in popular media, most recently because of the success of the #MeToo movement. As a result, institutions are deeply invested in communicating consent information. This article problematizes those institutional attempts to teach consent by comparing them to an alternative grounded in queer politics. This alternative information may provide a useful path to redesigning consent information by destabilizing categories of gender, sexuality, and even consent itself.
Endoscopic decompression of epidural spinal metastasis causing lumbar radiculopathy through a transforaminal approach: report of two cases.

Radiculopathy in patients with metastatic spine disease (MSD) may be palliated with open or microsurgical techniques. However, delay of chemoradiation, infection risk, extended hospitalization periods, and surgical site pain may complicate surgical efforts to improve these patients’ lives. Endoscopic approaches, heretofore used almost exclusively in degenerative spine disease, may also palliate debilitating pain while mitigating the drawbacks of surgical intervention in providing focal tumor debulking. Specimen for histopathologic diagnosis, which is of increasing importance in oncology treatments, may also be obtained by the endoscopic approach. The first case is of a 61-year-old woman with right thigh pain and weakness referable to a foraminal component of metastatic disease who underwent transforaminal endoscopic decompression through a single port with resolution of her primary pain complaint. The second case is of a 50-year-old man with history of urothelial cancer who presented with L5 radicular pain referable to foraminal tumor compression who underwent similar procedure with stabilization of his primary pain complaints. Adequate tissue biopsy was obtained in both cases. Endoscopic technique may allow direct visualization with minimal morbidity for effective decompression of symptomatic metastatic disease resulting from compression of the exiting and traversing nerve roots. Patients compromised from systemic disease may benefit from this less invasive approach that requires neither endotracheal intubation nor extended hospital stay.
Engineering communication in industry and cross-generational challenges: an exploratory study

Engineering communication is a highly desirable competence in industry. However, to become efficient communicators, engineers must consider cross-generational styles in the process. In this explora...
Cryptic phosphorylation in nucleoside natural product biosynthesis.

Kinases are annotated in many nucleoside biosynthetic gene clusters but generally are considered responsible only for self-resistance. Here, we report an unexpected 2′-phosphorylation of nucleoside biosynthetic intermediates in the nikkomycin and polyoxin pathways. This phosphorylation is a unique cryptic modification as it is introduced in the third of seven steps during aminohexuronic acid (AHA) nucleoside biosynthesis, retained throughout the pathway’s duration, and is removed in the last step of the pathway. Bioinformatic analysis of reported nucleoside biosynthetic gene clusters indicates the presence of cryptic phosphorylation in other pathways and the importance of functional characterization of kinases in nucleoside biosynthetic pathways in general. This study also functionally characterized all of the enzymes responsible for AHA biosynthesis and revealed that AHA is constructed via a unique oxidative C–C bond cleavage reaction. The results indicate a divergent biosynthetic mechanism for three classes of antifungal nucleoside natural products. Rather than their expected role in self-immunity, kinases encoded in the biosynthetic gene clusters of nucleoside natural products catalyze the phosphorylation of an early intermediate, a modification that is later removed in a downstream step.
Integrative network learning for multimodality biomarker data

The biomarker networks measured by different modalities of data (e.g., structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)) may share the same true underlying biological model. In this work, we propose a node-wise biomarker graphical model to leverage the shared mechanism between multi-modality data to provide a more reliable estimation of the target modality network and account for the heterogeneity in networks due to differences between subjects and networks of external modality. Latent variables are introduced to represent the shared unobserved biological network and the information from the external modality is incorporated to model the distribution of the underlying biological network. We propose an efficient approximation to the posterior expectation of the latent variables that reduces computational cost by at least 50%. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by extensive simulation studies and an application to construct gray matter brain atrophy network of Huntington's disease by using sMRI data and DTI data. The identified network connections are more consistent with clinical literature and better improve prediction in follow-up clinical outcomes and separate subjects into clinically meaningful subgroups with different prognosis than alternative methods.