cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Received Voltage Versus Antenna Height

Relative received voltage versus antenna height above ground is a function of field intensity height gain and the height dependent antenna effective length and impedance. The results of an empirical investigation of relative received voltage versus antenna height using typical EMI antennas in the frequency range 2.5 MHz to 1 GHz are presented. In a theoretical analysis field and antenna effects are separated. Field intensity height gains for both horizontal and vertical polarizations and the effective length and impedance of applicable antenna models are given.
Geothermal convection in South Atlantic subsalt lacustrine carbonates: Developing diagenesis and reservoir quality predictive concepts with reactive transport models

Prolific hydrocarbon discoveries in the subsalt, commonly known as the “presalt,” section of Brazil and the conjugate African margin have created a business imperative to predict reservoir quality in lacustrine carbonates. Geothermal convection is a style of groundwater flow known to occur in rift settings, which is capable of diagenetic modification of reservoir quality. We simulated variable density groundwater flow coupled with chemical reactions to evaluate the potential for diagenesis driven by convection in subsalt carbonates. Rates of calcite diagenesis are critically controlled by temperature gradient and fluid flux following the principles of retrograde solubility. Simulations predict that convection could operate in rift carbonates prior to salt deposition, but with rates of dissolution in the reservoir interval only on the order of 0.01 vol. %/m.y., which is too low to significantly modify reservoir quality. The exception is around permeable fault zones and/or unconformities where flow is focused and dissolution rates are amplified to 1 to 10 vol. %/m.y. and could locally modify reservoir quality. After salt deposition, simulations also predict convection with a critical function for salt rugosity. The greatest potential for dissolution at rates of 0.1 to 1 vol. %/m.y. occurs where salt welds, overlying permeable carbonates thin to 500 m (1640 ft) or less. With tens of million years residence times feasible, convection under these conditions could locally result in reservoir sweet spots with porosity modification of 1% to 10% and potentially an order of magnitude or more in reservoir permeability. Integrating quantitative model–derived predictive diagenetic concepts with traditional subsurface data sets refines exploration to production scale risking of carbonate reservoir presence and quality.
Simultaneous Current-Temperature Profiles in the Equatorial Counter Current

Abstract Serial current and temperature measurements were made during the Global Atmospheric Research Program Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE) with unattended autonomous profilers (Cyclesondes) in the North Equatorial Counter Current between 0 and 200 m depth near 9°N, 23°W during September 1974. The data show a rich vertical structure in which internal semidiurnal tides are prominent and inertial waves are seen propagating downward. Patches of isothermal water in the extremely sharp thermocline are advected past the mooring site, suggesting intense vertical mixing in this area.
Suppression of growth of human malignant B cells by naked monoclonal antibodies that target ectoepitopes of the Igα/Igβ (CD79) component of the human B cell antigen receptor complex

4107 The disulfide linked heterodimer of Igα (mb1, CD79a) and Igβ (B29, CD79b) is noncovalently associated with the cell membrane Ig on B cells and play the pivotal role in the antigen-dependent signal transduction. Previously we reported a novel heterodimeric cell membrane antigen that was strongly expressed on some malignant B cells including prolymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells (1989, 1993). This antigen was found by use of three newly generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) termed SN8, SN8a and SN8b. Subsequently we determined that this antigen was the human homologue of murine Igα/Igβ (1993, 1994). These mAbs were the first proven mAbs defining ectoepitopes of Igα/Igβ. SN8 and SN8a defined ectoepitopes of Igβ (1993), whereas SN8b defined an ectoepitope of Igα (A.G. Polson et al. 2006). In the present study, we tested our hypothesis that naked (unconjugated) mAbs targeting the ectoepitopes of Igβ and/or Igα may be valuable for treating patients with B cell malignancies. SN8 showed dose-dependent growth suppression of malignant B cells while an isotype-matched control IgG and an isotype-matched control mAb SN2 showed no significant suppression. Cross-linking of the mAb and antigen using anti-mouse IgG antibodies or human CD32-transfected murine L cells enhanced the growth suppression by SN8. SN8b also suppressed growth of malignant B cells. The suppressive activities of these mAbs were further evaluated in SCID mice bearing BALL-1a B-cell tumors. A preliminary experiment suggested that SN8 and SN8b defining Igβ and Igα, respectively, synergize in suppression of the tumor growth. This conclusion was supported by the subsequent experiment. Systemic administration of SN8 improved survival of the tumor-bearing mice when the mice were followed for 180 days. SN8b was less effective than SN8. Combined use of SN8 and SN8b showed supraadditive antitumor efficacy and suggested therapeutic synergy. The results appear to support our hypothesis that naked SN8 may be useful for treating B cell malignancies and this potential will be enhanced by combined use of SN8 with SN8b.
Phases of Modern American Psychiatry

In this paper I will present a dialectic description of twentieth century American Psychiatry. We can distinguish four phases: 1. The Custodial Phase, (from 1900 to the late 1930’s). 2. The phase of emergence of psychiatric treatment (from the 30’s to the late 1950’s). 3. The expansive phase (from the 50’s to the mid-1970’s). 4. The current phase. Obviously, the deliniation of these phases is not sharp or concise. In discussing these phases, I will follow a simple scheme of who (the therapist) does what (diagnostic and therapeutic methods) to whom (the patient).
Reflections on the Use of Microtomy for Materials Science Specimen Preparation

Abstract: Since 1972 the author and colleagues at Ford Motor Company have been publishing results of materials analyses which were obtained using ambient temperature or cryomicrotomy as one of the sample preparation techniques. Generally two types of sectioning, thin and ultrathin, were pursued for light-optical and electron-optical microscopy, respectively. These papers include the study of the following materials, which have been separated into nine classes: polymer composites, polymer blends, reverse osmosis membranes, carbon fibers, elastomers, automotive exhaust catalysts, aluminum surface coatings, aluminum alloy automotive wheels, and rapidly solidified aluminum alloys. This review is not intended to reiterate the conclusions of these prior publications but will provide the reader with an insight into the many ways microtomy can be used for materials studies.
Prostaglandin E2 that triggers fever is synthesized through an endocannabinoid- dependent pathway

Comment on: Sanchez-Alavez M, et al. Monoacylglycerol lipase regulates fever response. PloS One 2015; 10:e0134437; http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134437; Kita Y, et al. Fever is mediated b...
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Novel Amoeba-Resistant Intranuclear Bacteria, “Candidatus Berkiella cookevillensis” and “Candidatus Berkiella aquae”

ABSTRACT “Candidatus Berkiella cookevillensis” and “Candidatus Berkiella aquae” are obligate intranuclear endosymbionts of freshwater amoebae. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of these two bacteria, with total sizes of 2,990,361 bp and 3,626,027 bp, respectively.
Interpretive reliability of two common MMPI-2 profiles

AbstractUsers of multi-scale tests like the MMPI-2 tend not to interpret scales one at a time in a way that would correspond to standard scale-level reliability information. Instead, clinicians integrate inferences from a multitude of scales simultaneously, producing a descriptive narrative that is thought to characterize the examinee. This study was an attempt to measure the reliability of such integrated interpretations using a q-sort research methodology. Participants were 20 MMPI-2 users who responded to E-mail solicitations on professional listservs and in personal emails. Each participant interpreted one of two common MMPI-2 profiles using a q-set of 100 statements designed for MMPI-2 interpretation. To measure the “interpretive reliability” of the MMPI-2 profile interpretations, q-sort descriptions were intercorrelated. Mean pairwise interpretive reliability was .39, lower than expected, and there was no significant difference in reliability between profiles. There was also not a significant differ...
SNP markers identify widely distributed clonal lineages of Phytophthora colocasiae in Vietnam, Hawaii and Hainan Island, China

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is an important food crop, and taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae can significantly affect production. Our objectives were to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for P. colocasiae and characterize populations in Hawaii (HI), Vietnam (VN) and Hainan Island, China (HIC). In total, 379 isolates were analyzed for mating type and multilocus SNP profiles including 214 from HI, 97 from VN and 68 from HIC. A total of 1152 single nucleotide variant (SNV) sites were identified via restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing of two field isolates. Genotyping with 27 SNPs revealed 41 multilocus SNP genotypes grouped into seven clonal lineages containing 2-232 members. Three clonal lineages were shared among countries. In addition, five SNP markers had a low incidence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) during asexual laboratory growth. For HI and VN, >95% of isolates were the A2 mating type. On HIC, isolates within single clonal lineages had A1, A2 and A0 (neuter) isolates. The implications for the wide dispersal of clonal lineages are discussed.
Reductive dehalogenation of disinfection byproducts by an activated carbon-based electrode system

Low molecular weight, uncharged, halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are poorly removed by the reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation process treatment units often applied for further treatment of municipal wastewater for potable reuse. Granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment effectively sorbed 22 halogenated DBPs. Conversion of the GAC to a cathode within an electrolysis cell resulted in significant degradation of the 22 halogenated DBPs by reductive electrolysis at −1 V vs. Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE). The lowest removal efficiency over 6 h electrolysis was for trichloromethane (chloroform; 47%) but removal efficiencies were >90% for 13 of the 22 DBPs. In all cases, DBP degradation was higher than in electrolysis-free controls, and degradation was verified by the production of halides as reduction products. Activated carbons and charcoal were more effective than graphite for electrolysis, with graphite featuring poor sorption for the DBPs. A subset of halogenated DBPs (e.g., haloacetonitriles, chloropicrin) were degraded upon sorption to the GAC, even without electrolysis. Using chloropicrin as a model, experiments indicated that this loss was attributable to the partial reduction of sorbed chloropicrin from reducing equivalents in the GAC. Reducing equivalents depleted by these reactions could be restored when the GAC was treated by reductive electrolysis. GAC treatment of an advanced treatment train effluent for potable reuse effectively reduced the concentrations of chloroform, bromodichloromethane and dichloroacetonitrile measured in the column influent to below the method detection limits. Treatment of the GAC by reductive electrolysis at −1 V vs. SHE over 12 h resulted in significant degradation of the chloroform (63%), bromodichloromethane (96%) and dichloroacetonitrile (99%) accumulated on the GAC. The results suggest that DBPs in advanced treatment train effluents could be captured and degraded continuously by reductive electrolysis using a GAC-based cathode.
Four-year's Operation of Bird's Nest after Games:Current Status,Problems and Paths

The literature data method,data statistics,expert interviews and logic analysis method were used to summarize the recent four-year's operation status of Bird's Nest after games.Through concluding the operation status of Bird's Nest from aspect of operation orientation,organizational structure and operation benefit,the pressure and problem faced to Bird's Nest were discussed.Accordingly,the optimized paths of operation for Bird's Nest were presented.Firstly,Bird's Nest should rely on the establishment of strategy alliance based on Olympic domain.Secondly,the value compensation mechanism of public sport service should be set up.Finally,Bird's Nest should make the core competition itself,and develop the advantage in competition.
Geometry-enhanced ultra-long TiO2 nanobelts in an all-vanadium photoelectrochemical cell for efficient storage of solar energy

Abstract Direct capture and storage of abundant but intermittent solar energy using storage devices are of paramount importance in development of sustainable energy, yet the daunting challenge is to enhance the conversion efficiency. Here we report an all-vanadium (all-V) photoelectrochemical storage cell (PESC) using geometry-enhanced ultra-long TiO 2 nanobelts (TNBs) to significantly improve solar energy storage efficiency. The TNBs are synthesized using a simple stirring-assisted hydrothermal method, where the stirring speed is adopted to effectively tune the geometry and structure of the TNBs. We demonstrate that highly efficient solar energy storage is realized by ultra-quick oxidization and reduction reaction of vanadium ions with, respectively, holes and electrons produced on the TNB surface. The obtained incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) is ~22% at 350 nm without any external bias, double that of commercial P25 TiO 2 (~11%). The observed improved efficiency results from enhanced photoactivity and charge separation in the semiconductor, and mass transport of vanadium ions in the photoelectrode.
Fast nonlinear model predictive control via partial enumeration

In this work, we consider the problem of fast, accurate control of a robot with constrained dynamics. We present a new nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) technique, Nonlinear Partial Enumeration (NPE), that combines online and offline computation in a nonlinear version of the partial enumeration method for MPC, thereby dramatically decreasing the compute time per control iteration. We apply NPE to the problem of MAV flight and demonstrate through a set of simulation trials that NPE outperforms other fast control methodologies during aggressive motion and enables the system to learn a reusable set of local feedback controllers that enable more efficient operation over time.
Administrative Problems in Special Education

An attempt was made to identify and isolate specific problems peculiar to administrators and supervisors of special education when grouped under the following criteria: type of program, size of program, and years of experience in current position. The results of this study did not support the hypothesis that these three criteria may influence the mean ratings given to the problems identified in this study. Because of the selective process used in identifying the 60 problems used in this study, they should be considered representative of the types of problems directors and supervisors of special education encounter in the field. They appear to be of value as guides in developing future programs for educating leadership personnel.
INFECTIONS OF THE FINGERTIP: Paronychias and Felons

Paronychias and felons are the most commonly encountered hand infections. Successful management of an uncomplicated infection involves an accurate diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment, consisting of the judicious use of an appropriate incision, wound drainage, local wound care, antistaphylococcal antibiotics, and early rehabilitation. Complicated infections occur in immunosuppressed patients or those whose infection has been neglected or mistreated. Treatment of such infections is individualized.
Compression after impact characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced aluminum laminates

Abstract The influence of layer structure and resin rich (polyester veil cloth) layers which were used for enhancement of interfacial bond adhesion on the compression after impact response of carbon fiber reinforced aluminum laminates (CARALL) was investigated in this research study. The addition of resin rich layers at interfaces of CFRP and aluminum layers shows significant reduction in delaminated area (40–50%) due to crack bridging effect. The residual compressive strength of CARALL laminates was increased by 30–35% as a result of reduction in delamination area. Excessive damage was found in CARALL-B FMLs during impact events as compared to CARALL-A FMLs. Thus, the Compressive residual strength of these laminates was lower as compared to standard CARALL-A laminates having aluminum layers placed exterior to CFRP layers. Numerical simulations were performed by utilizing commercially available finite element (FE) code, LS-DYNA to predict the CAI response of these laminates. Compressive residual strength vs. delamination area results showed good correlation between experimental and FEA results for CARALL-A and CARALL-B FMLs at lower energy levels (14–21 J) but diverged at high impact energy level (31 J). Numerical simulation was found to successfully capture the location and initiation of compressive buckling in specimens.
Update in Women's Health: Evidence Published in 2013

This Update summarizes studies published in 2013 that the authors consider highly relevant to the practice of women's health.
Stabilizing multiple solitons in Kerr microresonator frequency combs

We explore highly ordered configurations of up to 27 Kerr-cavity solitons in a silica disk microresonator. Our work relaxes thermal stability requirements for Kerr-soliton generation, and suggests a mechanism that mediates soliton interactions.
Visual Hallucinations and Myoclonus: Previously Unreported Neurotoxic Effects of Blinatumomab (P2.250)

Objective: To describe two unreported neurotoxic effects of blinatumomab. Background: Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell-engager that was granted accelerated approval by the FDA for use in Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). During clinical trials, 225 patients underwent treatment with blinatumomab. Neurotoxicity was reported in about 50[percnt], with severe neurotoxicity in 13[percnt]. The cause of blinatumomab-induced neurotoxicity is not understood and was not predicted by pre-clinical studies. The most common neurological adverse effects were headache, tremor and dizziness. Other rare reactions included encephalopathy, paresthesia, aphasia/speech disorder, seizures, memory impairment and cognitive disorder. Hallucinations and myoclonus have not yet been reported. Methods: Case Report. Results: A 22-year-old male with a history of refractory B-cell precursor ALL initiated treatment with blinatumomab. He completed 7 days of the 9 mcg dose, given as a continuous infusion over 24 hours, after which the dose was increased to 28 mcg. Eight days into treatment, neurology was consulted for evaluation of possible neurotoxicity. On exam, the patient was found to be severely encephalopathic, had a coarse hand tremor, myoclonic jerking, as well as visual hallucinations. Labs and imaging were reviewed and were unremarkable. The blinatumomab infusion was discontinued. Treatment with dexamethasone and primidone was initiated, the latter agent primarily for the tremor. The patient’s clinical findings resolved within 72 hours. Conclusions: Novel anti-neoplastic agents may cause unexpected neurotoxicity. A significant proportion of blinatumomab-treated patients experience neurotoxicity. In addition to previously reported effects, visual hallucinations and myoclonus may be observed. With discontinuation of therapy and initiation of steroids, these neurotoxic effects are reversible. Disclosure: Dr. Bhangav has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schmalstieg has nothing to disclose.
New monetarism with endogenous product variety and monopolistic competition

Abstract I examine the role played by endogenous variety and monopolistic competition in the long-run transmission of monetary policy. I integrate free entry, product variety and monopolistic competition into a New Monetarist framework, considering preferences that give rise to either constant or variable markups. I find that inflation generally reduces variety. Under CES preferences, firms are inefficiently small, with the inefficiency increasing with product differentiation and the extent of search frictions. The Friedman rule is the best policy under CES preferences. In contrast, with variable elasticity of demand, inflation can increase firm size, reduce markups, and raise welfare, even though output is lower. Under CES preferences, the welfare cost of inflation is high; moreover, this cost increases monotonically with the markup and is higher with endogenous variety than with a fixed product space.
Cofilin Mediates LPS-Induced Microglial Cell Activation and Associated Neurotoxicity Through Activation of NF-κB and JAK–STAT Pathway

Microglial cells are activated in response to different types of injuries or stress in the CNS. Such activation is necessary to get rid of the injurious agents and restore tissue homeostasis. However, excessive activation of microglial cells is harmful and contributes to secondary injury. Pertinently, microglial cell activity was targeted in many preclinical and clinical studies but such strategy failed in clinical trials. The main reason behind the failed attempts is the complexity of the injury mechanisms which needs either a combination therapy or targeting a process that is involved in multiple pathways. Cofilin is a cytoskeleton-associated protein involved in actin dynamics. In our previous study, we demonstrated the role of cofilin in mediating neuronal apoptosis during OGD conditions. Previous studies on microglia have shown the involvement of cofilin in ROS formation and phagocytosis. However, additional studies are needed to delineate the role of cofilin in microglial cell activation. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the role of cofilin in LPS-induced microglial cell activation using cofilin siRNA knockdown paradigms. The viability of differentiated PC12 cells was used as a measure of the neurotoxic potential of conditioned medium derived from cofilin siRNA-transfected and LPS-activated microglial cells. Cofilin knockdown significantly inhibited LPS-induced microglial cell activation through NF-κB and JAK-STAT pathways. The release of proinflammatory mediators (NO, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX2) as well as microglial proliferation and migration rates were significantly reduced by cofilin knockdown. Furthermore, differentiated PC12 cells were protected from the neurotoxicity induced by conditioned medium derived from cofilin-transfected and LPS-activated microglial cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that cofilin is involved in the cascade of microglial cell activation and further validates our previous study on cofilin's role in mediating neuronal apoptosis. Together, our results suggest that cofilin could present a common target in neurons and microglial cells and might prove to be a promising therapy for different brain injury mechanisms including stroke.
Effect of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium VNP20009 and VNP20009 with restored chemotaxis on 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma progression.

// Sheryl L. Coutermarsh-Ott 1, * , Katherine M. Broadway 2, * , Birgit E. Scharf 2 , Irving C. Allen 1 1 Virginia Tech, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Blacksburg, VA, USA 2 Virginia Tech, Department of Biological Sciences, Blacksburg, VA, USA * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Irving C. Allen, email: icallen@vt.edu Birgit E. Scharf, email: bscharf@vt.edu Keywords: bacterial therapeutic, breast cancer, chemotaxis, CheY, metastasis Received: October 12, 2016 Accepted: March 27, 2017 Published: April 04, 2017 ABSTRACT A variety of bacterial strains have been evaluated as bio-therapeutic and immunomodulatory agents to treat cancer. One such strain, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium VNP20009, which is attenuated by a purine auxotrophic mutation and modified lipid A, is characterized in previous models as a safely administered, tumor colonizing agent. However, earlier work tended to use less aggressive cancer cell lines and immunocompromised animal models. Here, we investigated the safety and efficacy of VNP20009 in a highly malignant murine model of human breast cancer. Additionally, as VNP20009 has recently been found to have a defective chemotaxis system, we tested whether restoring chemotaxis would improve anti-cancer properties in this model system. Exposure to VNP20009 had no significant effect on primary mammary tumor size or pulmonary metastasis, and the tumor colonizing process appeared chemotaxis independent. Moreover, tumor-bearing mice exposed to Salmonella exhibited increased morbidity that was associated with significant liver disease. Our results suggest that VNP20009 may not be safe or efficacious when used in aggressive, metastatic breast cancer models utilizing immunocompetent animals.
Penetrative convection in slender containers

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the penetration of a convective mixed layer into an overlying stably (solutally) stratified layer contained in a narrow, tall vessel when the fluid is subjected to a destabilizing heat flux from below. The interest was the evolution of the bottom mixed-layer height ( $$h$$ ) with time ( $$t$$ ) in the presence of side-wall effects, but without the formation of conventional double-diffusive layers. The side-wall effects are expected at small mixed-layer aspect ratios, $$\varGamma_{h} = (W/h)$$ , where $$W$$ is the container width. This case has not been studied hitherto, although there are important environmental and industrial applications. The mixed-layer growth laws for low aspect ratio convection were formulated by assuming a balance between the vertical kinetic energy flux at the interface and the rate of change of potential energy of the fluid system due to turbulent entrainment. The effects of sidewalls were considered using similarity arguments, by taking characteristic rms velocities to be a function of $$\varGamma_{h}$$ , in addition to buoyancy flux ( $$q_{0}$$ ) and $$h$$ . In all stages of evolution, the similarity variables $$\xi = h/W$$ and $$t^{\prime } = Nt/A$$ , where $$A = N^{3} W^{2} /4q_{0}$$ and $$N$$ is the buoyancy frequency, scaled the mixed-layer evolution data remarkably well. Significant wall effects were noted when $$\varGamma_{h} < 1$$ , and for this case the interfacial vertical turbulent velocity and length scales were identified via scaling arguments and experimental data.
Representing and predicting student navigational pathways in online college courses

Representation and prediction of student navigational pathways, typically based on neural network (NN) methods, have seen their potential of improving instruction and learning under insufficient human knowledge about learner behavior. However, they are prominently studied in MOOCs and less probed within more institutionalized higher education scenarios. This work extends such research to the context of online college courses. Comparing student navigational sequences through course pages to documents in natural language processing, we apply a skip-gram model to learn vector embedding of course pages, and visualize the learnt vectors to understand the extent to which students' learning pathways align with pre-designed course structure. We find that students who get different letter grades in the end exhibit different levels of adherence to designed sequence. Next, we fit the embedded sequences into a long short-term memory architecture and test its ability to predict next page that a student visits given her prior sequence. The highest accuracy reaches 50.8% and largely outperforms the frequency-based baseline of 41.3%. These results show that neural network methods have the potential to help instructors understand students' learning behaviors and facilitate automated instructional support.
Modeling Rough Surfaces

Many surfaces in nature are rough. A rough surface can be defined as a surface that has a fractal dimension. In fact, one measure of roughness is the fractal dimension [1, 14]. Rough surfaces are observed at all scales independent of their origin; for example, a microscopic view of metal substrate, a cauliflower, ice, and mountains are all rough at some level. Additionally, rough surfaces are frequently generated by various technical processes, such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
A Passivity-Based Approach to Group Coordination in Multi-agent Networks

Surveillance and convoy tracking applications often require groups of networked agents for redundancy and better coverage. Important goals upon deployment include the establishment of a formation around a target and synchronization of the output (e.g., velocity). Although there exist distributed algorithms using only local communication that achieve these goals, they typically ignore destabilizing effects resulting from implementation uncertainties, such as network delays and data loss. This paper resolves these issues by introducing a discrete-time distributed design framework that uses a compositional, passivity-based approach to ensure \(l_2^m\)-stability regardless of overlay network topology, in the presence of network delays and data loss. For the restricted case of a regular overlay network topology, this work shows that asymptotic formation establishment and output synchronization can be achieved. Finally, simulations of velocity-limited quadrotor unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are presented to show the performance in the presence of time-varying network delays and varying amounts of data loss.
Sol-gel processing of silica. II: The role of the catalyst

In the sol-gel synthesis of silica, a silicon-containing raw material, a solvent, water, and a catalyst are utilized. By varying the catalyst, dramatic effects on gelation time, porosity, bulk and apparent density, and volume shrinkage on drying were observed. For example, porosities ranging from two to sixty-eight per cent can be obtained for dried and fired gels. Mechanisms for catalysis have been proposed for the catalysts considered.
Integrated geologic, geophysical, and petrophysical data to construct full field geologic model of Cambrian-Ordovician and Upper Cretaceous reservoir formations, Central Western Sirte Basin, Libya

AbstractThe Cambrian-Ordovician and Upper Cretaceous formations, which are the main oil-producing formations in the central Sirte Basin, are structurally complex. The lateral and vertical heterogen...
Workplace Incivility and Organizational Trust

Over the past few decades, U.S. organizations have consistently moved toward models that have created market-like, distant, and transactional relationships and further away from values that help steward employee well-being (Cappelli, 1999). Indeed, it appears that organizations have taken great pains to limit their obligations to members and to focus on factors thought to increase productivity and market shares. Not surprisingly, there are a number of negative consequences associated with employee neglect including high turnover, low commitment and loyalty, and questionable levels of efficiency, not to mention decreased morale, alienated employees, and competitive and uncooperative workers engaged in uncivil and destructive communication practices. According to Pfeffer (Chapter 17 this volume) and others, the adoption of more communal forms of organizing characterized by civil discourse and high levels of employee and organizational trust could reverse such downward spirals and enhance organizational potential.
Fracture Mechanics for Fibrous Composites

In the present paper, a combined theoretical and experimental research effort for investigating the application of fracture mechanics to composite systems is carried out. Preliminary results are presented which include the development of two fiber reinforced composite crack models, one with a low-fiber-volume fraction and the other a high-fiber-volume fraction, and corresponding experimental data. The qualitative features of the theoretical prediction are in agreement with the experimental data indicating that there exists an optimum fiber volume fraction for which the composite achieves maximum fracture toughness. Tests were performed on unidirectional fiber reinforced composites with the crack running parallel to the fibers. For this arrangement, the current theory of fracture mechanics is shown to apply with good accuracy for glass fiber composites. This is accomplished by performing two independent fracture tests, the results of which are checked by an analysis of the crack system. A more elaborate analytical model is required for studying the graphite fiber composite.
ACB-PCR Quantification of Low-Frequency Hotspot Cancer-Driver Mutations.

Allele-specific competitive blocker PCR (ACB-PCR) is a sensitive and quantitative approach for the selective amplification of a specific base substitution. Using the ACB-PCR technique, hotspot cancer-driver mutations (tumor-relevant mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which confer a selective growth advantage) are being developed as quantitative biomarkers of cancer risk. ACB-PCR employs a mutant-specific primer (with a 3'-penultimate mismatch relative to the mutant DNA sequence, but a double 3'-terminal mismatch relative to the wild-type DNA sequence) to selectively amplify rare mutant DNA molecules. A blocker primer having a non-extendable 3'-end and a 3'-penultimate mismatch relative to the wild-type DNA sequence, but a double 3'-terminal mismatch relative to the mutant DNA sequence is included in ACB-PCR to selectively repress amplification from abundant wild-type molecules. Consequently, ACB-PCR can quantify the level of a single base pair substitution mutation in a DNA population when present at a mutant:wild-type ratio of 1 × 10-5 or greater. Quantification of rare mutant alleles is achieved by parallel analysis of unknown samples and mutant fraction (MF) standards (defined mixtures of mutant and wild-type DNA sequences). The ability to quantify specific mutations with known association to cancer has several important applications in evaluating the carcinogenic potential of chemical exposures in rodent models. Further, the measurement of cancer-driver mutant subpopulations is important for precision cancer treatment (selecting the most appropriate targeted therapy and predicting the development of therapeutic resistance). This chapter provides a step-by-step description of the ACB-PCR methodology as it has been used to measure human PIK3CA codon 1047, CAT→CGT (H1047R) mutation.
Introduction to Photonic and Phononic Crystals and Metamaterials

Introduction to Photonic and Phononic Crystals and Metamaterials, by Arthur R. McGurn, presents a study of the fundamental properties of optical and acoustic materials which have been of recent interest in nanoscience and device technology. The level of the presentations is appropriate for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, and researchers not directly involved in the field. References are given to guide the reader to more advanced study in these fields. Discussions of the physics of photonic and phononic crystals focus on the transmission properties of optical and acoustic radiation arising from their diffractive interaction in these engineered materials. The frequency transmission and non-transmission bands of radiation are explained in terms of the symmetry properties of the photonic and phononic artificial crystal structures. Basic applications of these properties to a variety of their technological applications are examined. The physics of metamaterials is discussed along with their relationships to the ideas of resonance. Properties of negative index of refraction, perfect lens, and unusual optical effects the new optics of metamaterial media makes available are examined. Related effects in acoustics are also covered. Basic principles of surface acoustic and electromagnetic waves are explained. These form an introduction to the fundamental ideas of the recently developing fields of plasmonics and surface acoustics.
Development of the Atlas and Its Variations

The atlas usually forms from three primary ossification centers and no secondary ossification centers. The posterior arch arises from the lateral dense zone of the first cervical sclerotome. In contrast, the anterior arch is formed from the hypochordal bow of the first cervical sclerotome. Interestingly, this is the only area of the spine where the hypochordal bow or cells similar to it are involved in formation of the vertebral column.
Aquatic Humic Substances

This chapter discusses the amount and nature of aquatic humic substances in all types of natural waters. The chapter contains thirteen major divisions and is the largest chapter. The major divisions include: early studies of aquatic humus, overview of isolation procedures, amount of humic substances in water, elemental composition of aquatic humus, functional group analysis, molecular weight, characterization by spectroscopy, trace components of humic substances, characterization by chromatography, chemical degradation of humic substances, structure of aquatic humic substances, and theories of formation of soil and aquatic humic substances.
Investigating the use of aquatic weeds as biopesticides towards promoting sustainable agriculture

Aquatic weeds such as muskgrass (Chara spp.), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillate), filamentous algae (Lyngbya wollei), and duckweed (Lemna minor) thrive in farm canals within the Everglades Agricultural Area of South Florida. Their presence, particularly during the summer months is an environmental concern with regards to water quality, in addition to being a nuisance because of their ability to multiply and spread rapidly in open waters causing restricted drainage/irrigation flow and low dissolved oxygen levels. Chemical control is effective but can have undesirable off-target effects, so reduced herbicide use is desirable. Hence, need exists to discover ways in which these weeds could be best managed or utilized. The objective of this research was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of these weeds to determine their use as potential biopesticides. Six aqueous extracts were tested against 100 bacterial strains isolated from plants and soil to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. These extracts were also used to determine their insecticidal and antifeedant effects on fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda). Both extracts and powder form of the aquatic weeds were tested for their herbicidal activity towards seed germination and growth of three common terrestrial weed species. At a dilution of 1:100 and 1:1,000, none of the aquatic weeds inhibited in-vitro growth of the bacterial strains, with one exception (filamentous algae extract at 1:100 reduced growth of one bacterial isolate by 54%). Water lettuce reduced the survival rate of FAW by 14% while hydrilla and duckweed caused 11% and 9% reduction of FAW growth, respectively. Powdered duckweed inhibited the growth of nutsedge by 41%, whereas filamentous algae powder and extract reduced germination of amaranth by 20% and 28%, respectively. Harvesting these weeds and converting them into useable compounds could not only eliminate the in situ farm canal and water quality problems but also result in development of new soil amendments or biopesticides.
Family stress and coping among african americans in the age of covid-19

The Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 has wrecked havoc on the world’s economy, health, industry, education, and social systems. While the impact of the Coronavirus is being felt by millions of i...
Comprehensive mutational scanning of kinase in vivo reveals context dependent fitness landscapes

Deep mutational scanning has emerged as a promising tool for mapping sequence-activity relationships in proteins, RNA and DNA. In this approach, diverse variants of a sequence of interest are first ranked according to their activities in a relevant pooled assay, and this ranking is then used to infer the shape of the fitness landscape around the wild-type sequence. Little is currently know, however, about the degree to which such fitness landscapes are dependent on the specific assay conditions from which they are inferred. To explore this issue, we performed deep mutational scanning of APH(3)II, a Tn5 transposon-derived kinase that confers resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics, in E. coli under selection with each of six structurally diverse antibiotics at a range of inhibitory concentrations. We found that the resulting fitness landscapes showed significant dependence on both antibiotic structure and concentration. This shows that the notion of essential amino acid residues is context-dependent, but also that this dependence can be exploited to guide protein engineering. Specifically, we found that differential analysis of fitness landscapes allowed us to generate synthetic APH(3)II variants with orthogonal substrate specificities.
Comment on “A Tuning-Free Robust and Efficient Approach to High-Dimensional Regression”

Consider the linear model (1) y = X β 0 + e , where y = ( y 1 , … , y n ) ⊤ ∈ R n is a response vector, X = ( x 1 , … , x n ) ⊤ ∈ R n × p is a design matrix, β 0 ∈ R p is an unknown coefficient vec...
Design and Evaluation of a Perching Hexacopter Drone for Energy Harvesting from Power Lines

With a growing number of applications in the world for UAVs, there is a clear limitation regarding the need for extended battery life. With the current flight times, many users would benefit greatly with an innovative option of field charging these devices. The objective of this project is to investigate feasibility of inductively harvesting energy from a power line cable for applications such as charging a UAV drone. Research investigates a dual hook perching device that securely attaches to a power cable and aligns an inductive core with the cable for harvesting energy from its electro-magnetic field. Modeling and analysis of the core highlights critical design parameters, leading to evaluation of circular, semi-cylindrical, and u-shaped prototypes designed to interface with a 1" power cable. Underactuated two jaw manipulators at each end of the coil are proposed for grasping the cable and aligning it with the charging coil, ultimately providing a firm grasp and perch. An open source hexacopter drone was used in this study to integrate with the charging novelty. The results provided can be used as a starting point to study the reliability of this method of charging and to further investigate perching abilities of UAVs.
The association of sleep duration and feeling rested with health in U.S. Hispanic women.

Abstract This study aims to understand the health correlates of sleep deficiencies in non-elderly U.S. Hispanic 1 women. Data from a sample of U.S. Hispanic women (n = 1531; ages 18–65 [M = 39.98; SD = 12.85]) who completed the 2017 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed to understand (1) sleep duration and quality; (2) the association of sleep patterns with key health indicators; and (3) whether these relationships are mediated by health behaviors (ie, healthy eating and physical activity). Shorter sleep duration was associated with a higher likelihood of often feeling anxious and having hypertension. Worse sleep quality was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight, having fair or poor health status, often feeling depressed, often feeling anxious, having high cholesterol, and having asthma. Doctor's recommendation to engage in physical activity and to decrease calorie intake served as mediators in some of these relationships. Results indicate that among Hispanic women: (1) sleep is an important determinant of a variety of health outcomes and (2) the association of sleep and many health outcomes are mediated by healthy eating and physical activity. Further research on the association of sleep and risk of chronic disease among Hispanic women is needed.
Learning the affordances of tools using a behavior-grounded approach

This paper introduces a behavior-grounded approach to representing and learning the affordances of tools by a robot. The affordance representation is learned during a behavioral babbling stage in which the robot randomly chooses different exploratory behaviors, applies them to the tool, and observes their effects on environmental objects. As a result of this exploratory procedure, the tool representation is grounded in the behavioral and perceptual repertoire of the robot. Furthermore, the representation is autonomously testable and verifiable by the robot as it is expressed in concrete terms (i.e., behaviors) that are directly available to the robot's controller. The tool representation described here can also be used to solve tool-using tasks by dynamically sequencing the exploratory behaviors which were used to explore the tool based on their expected outcomes. The quality of the learned representation was tested on extension-of-reach tasks with rigid tools.
Fine Local Tuning

Genetic algorithms display inherent difficulties in performing local search for numerical applications. Holland suggested [142] that the genetic algorithm should be used as a preprocessor to perform the initial search, before turning the search process over to a system that can employ domain knowledge to guide the local search. As observed in [129]: “Like natural genetic systems, GAs progress by virtue of changing the distribution of high performance substructures in the overall population; individual structures are not the focus of attention. Once the high performance regions of the search space are identified by a GA, it may be useful to invoke a local search routine to optimize the members of the final population.”
The Economic Regulation of Broadcasting Markets: Regulation of television advertising

Regulation of television advertising typically covers both the time devoted to commercials and restrictions on the commodities or services that can be publicized to various audiences (stricter laws often apply to children’s programming). Time restrictions (advertising caps) may improve welfare when advertising is overprovided in the market system. Even then, such caps may reduce the diversity of programming by curtailing revenues from programs. They may also decrease program net quality (including the direct benefit to viewers). Restricting advertising of particular products (such as cigarettes) likely reflects paternalistic altruism, but restrictions may be less efficient than appropriate taxes.
A comparison of human skin strain fields of the elbow joint for mechanical counter pressure space suit development

A comparison of high-resolution human skin strain field data at the elbow joint measured using three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) is presented. Developing skin-tight space suits requires detailed understanding of human skin deformation at joints in order to fit and create mechanical counter pressure without restricting human mobility. Previously, skin strain has been measured at 1 cm2 resolution for one or two subjects to demonstrate the measurement technology. Now using 3D-DIC, skin strain is measured at 1 mm2. Methodology to take these measurements and the data analysis is explained in detail. This paper goes beyond the measurement technology and presents data from four subjects and compares skin strain fields of the elbow joint, which gives insight into patterns and differences between varying anthropometrics and other factors that affect skin strain. These results are important to develop mechanical counter pressure space suits that are sized correctly for each astronaut and do not inhibit locomotion. These results are discussed in the context of realizing a mechanical counter pressure space suit designed for planetary exploration.