cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL OF VORTEX SHEDDING IN A SEPARATED DIFFUSER USING AN INVERSE METHOD

We propose a closed-loop control algorithm for vortex shedding in a separated difiuser. We introduce pulses of zero-net-mass injection (consecutive blowing and suction) together with an inverse vortex imaging method. This method estimates the circulation of a vortex in the separated region based on pressure at a limited number of observer points at the wall. The closed-loop algorithm determines when to start the pulse so that the vortex is pinched ofi with a size which minimizes the stagnation pressure loss. We examine the proposed method in a simplifled ∞ow by performing direct numerical simulations of two-dimensional difiusers. In order to investigate the robustness of the closed-loop control algorithm, we impose high frequency acoustic disturbance upstream of the separation point. The disturbances signiflcantly reduce the efiectiveness of open-loop control compared to the case where no external disturbances are added. By using closed-loop control, however, performance is once again substantially recovered in the presence of disturbances.
IR investigation of density changes of silica glass and soda-lime silicate glass caused by microhardness indentation

Density changes of silica glass and soda-lime silicate glass caused by ball indentation and Vickers indentation were investigated. The IR reflection peak shift of the silica structural band was monitored to determine the extent of the fictive temperature change and the corresponding density change. Under the central portion of the ball indentation, the density of silica glass increased while a change in the soda-lime silicate glass structure was not clear. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the Vickers indentation, the opposite trend was observed. Namely, soda-lime silicate glass exhibited the structural change corresponding to the density decrease, while the structural change of the silica glass was uncertain. The initial density of the silica glass influenced the change of density under ball indentation in such a way that the initial density difference of the glass samples was reduced.
Shorter Field Life in Power Cycling for Organic Packages

The importance of power cycling as a mean of reliability assessment was revisited for flip chip plastic ball grid array (FC-PBGA) packages. Conventionally, reliability was addressed empirically through accelerated thermal cycling (ATC) because of its simplicity and conservative nature of life prediction. It was well accepted and served its role effectively for ceramic packages. In reality, an assembly is subjected to a power cycling, i.e., nonuniform temperature distribution with a chip as the only heat source and other components as heat dissipaters. This non-uniform temperature distribution and different coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of each component make the package deform differently than the case of uniform temperature in ATC. Higher substrate CTE in a plastic package generates double curvature in the package deformation and transfers higher stresses to the solder interconnects at the end of die. This mechanism makes the solder interconnects near the end of die edge fail earlier than those of the highest distance to neutral point. This phenomenon makes the interconnect fail earlier in power cycling than ATC. Apparently, we do not see this effect (the die shadow effect) in ceramic packages. In this work, a proper power cycling analysis procedure was proposed and conducted to predict solder fatigue life. An effort was made for FC-PBGA to show the possibility of shorter fatigue life in power cycling than the one of ATC. The procedure involves computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analyses (FEA). CFD analysis was used to extract transient heat transfer coefficients while subsequent FEA–thermal and FEA–structural analyses were used to calculate temperature distribution and strain energy density, respectively.
The Reversibility of Anabolic Steroid-Induced Azoospermia

AbstractAnabolic steroid associated male infertility is a little known but potentially treatable form of drug related infertility. We report on a bodybuilder with a 5-year history of steroid use who was azoospermic. He underwent successful gonadotropin replacement and conception was achieved 3 months after therapy was initiated. Important diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in steroid-induced infertility are discussed.
Anuran Habitat Associations in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert, USA

Abstract Understanding amphibian habitat associations allows us to assess the impacts of environmental change on amphibian populations. We studied the habitat associations of five anurans in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, USA. We used amphibian call surveys at 36 ephemeral water bodies and recorded an index of abundance for each species. We used GIS to identify vegetation communities (e.g., creosote bush, grassland, mesquite) within a buffer zone around each water site. We used ordinal logistic regression, Akaike's information criterion (AICc), and canonical correspondence analysis to elucidate relationships between an index of anuran abundance and habitat variables. Creosote bush, mesquite, and grasses dominate the landscape in our study region. We detected Anaxyrus debilis (Green Toad) and Spea multiplicata (New Mexico Spadefoot Toad) most frequently (>70% of water bodies observed). Anaxyrus cognatus (Great Plains Toad), Scaphiopus couchii (Couch's Spadefoot Toad), and Spea bombifrons (Pl...
The oriented growth of anatase in thin films of amorphous titania

The growth of an oriented anatase grain structure from the post-deposition annealing of amorphous reactive ion-beam-deposited thin films of titanium oxide has been demonstrated. The transformation has been observed directly by electron microscopy and the crystallization of the films occurs only when their thicknesses are greater than about 50 nm. Substrate effects were not found to be significant to the crystallization, which could also be induced by annealing freestanding films. The transformation processes can be described in terms of existing theories of crystal growth where the amorphous film is described as a supercooled liquid.
Apparent metabolizable energy needs of male and female broilers from 36 to 47 days of age

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to examine AMEn responses of Ross × Ross 708 male and female broilers from 36 to 47 d of age. In each experiment, 1,440 male and female broilers were randomly distributed into 96 floor pens (15 birds/pen; 8 replicate pens/treatment) sexed separately and were fed 6 levels of AMEn ranging from 3,140 to 3,240 kcal/kg in increments of 20 kcal of AMEn/kg, resulting in a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, AMEn intake, AMEn intake per BW gain, plasma 5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, mortality, and meat yields were evaluated during experimentation. Average temperature and RH were 20.3°C and 49.0% for experiment 1 and 26.1°C and 66.6% for experiment 2. In experiment 1, broilers fed progressive additions of AMEn had lower (P ≤ 0.02) feed intake, feed conversion, and caloric conversion. Progressive increments of AMEn did not influence plasma 5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, carcass yield, or breast meat yield. No AMEn × sex interactions were observed in experiment 1. In experiment 2, AMEn × sex linear interactions (P ≤ 0.04) were observed for BW gain, caloric conversion, carcass weight, and total breast weight. Male broilers responded more to higher AMEn levels than did female broilers. These data indicate that AMEn needed for growth performance of broilers from 36 to 47 d of age differed between experiments.
High-throughput assays for promiscuous inhibitors

High-throughput screening (HTS) searches large libraries of chemical compounds for those that can modulate the activity of a particular biological target; it is the dominant technique used in early-stage drug discovery. A key problem in HTS is the prevalence of nonspecific or 'promiscuous' inhibitors. These molecules have peculiar properties, act on unrelated targets and can dominate the results from screening campaigns. Several explanations have been proposed to account for promiscuous inhibitors, including chemical reactivity, interference in assay read-out, high molecular flexibility and hydrophobicity. The diversity of these models reflects the apparently unrelated molecules whose behaviors they seek to explain. However, a single mechanism may explain the effects of many promiscuous inhibitors: some organic molecules form large colloid-like aggregates that sequester and thereby inhibit enzymes. Hits from HTS, leads for drug discovery and even several drugs appear to act through this mechanism at micromolar concentrations. Here, we report two rapid assays for detecting promiscuous aggregates that we tested against 1,030 'drug-like' molecules. The results from these assays were used to test two preliminary computational models of this phenomenon and as benchmarks to develop new models.
Butein Suppresses Constitutive and Inducible Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) 3 Activation and STAT3-Regulated Gene Products through the Induction of a Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-1

The aim of the current study is to determine whether butein (3,4,2′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone) exhibits antiproliferative effects against tumor cells through suppression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation pathway. We investigated the effects of butein on constitutive and inducible STAT3 activation, role of tyrosine kinases and phosphatases in STAT3 activation, STAT3-regulated gene products, and growth modulation of tumor cells. We found that this chalcone inhibited both constitutive and interleukin-6-inducible STAT3 activation in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. The suppression was mediated through the inhibition of activation of the upstream kinases c-Src, Janus-like kinase (JAK) 1, and JAK2. Vanadate treatment reversed the butein-induced down-regulation of STAT3 activation, suggesting the involvement of a tyrosine phosphatase. Indeed, we found that butein induced the expression of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 and deletion of SHP-1 gene by small interfering RNA abolished the ability of butein to inhibit STAT3 activation, suggesting the critical role of SHP-1 in the action of this chalcone. Butein down-regulated the expression of STAT3-regulated gene products such as Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, and Mcl-1, and this led to the suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Consistent with these results, overexpression of constitutive active STAT3 significantly reduced the butein-induced apoptosis. Moreover, we found that butein significantly potentiated the apoptotic effects of thalidomide and Velcade in MM cells. Overall, these results suggest that butein is a novel blocker of STAT3 activation and thus may have potential in suppression of tumor cell proliferation and reversal of chemoresistance in MM cells.
Cyclosporin-A in Vivo Produces Severe Osteopenia in the Rat: Effect of Dose and Duration of Administration

Cyclosporin-A (CsA) inhibits the in vitro boneresorbing effects of cytokines. We investigated the in vivo effects of CsA on rat bone mineral metabolism. Three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered vehicle or low dose (7.5 mg/kg) or high dose (15 mg/kg) CsA for 14 and 28 days. Ionized calcium, PTH, serum bone Gla protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, magnesium, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were determined serially. No significant changes in calciotropic hormones or renal function were noted. Significant bone resorption and trabecular bone loss occurred in the high dose group by day 14 and in both groups by day 28. Bone Gla protein was significantly increased within 2 weeks in both dosage groups (P < 0.005), reflecting increased bone remodeling. CsA in vivo resulted in an unexpected and significant increase in bone remodeling, with striking bone loss. These effects are dependent on the duration and dose of CsA and appear to be mediated at a local level. (Endocrinology 123: 2571–2577,1988)
Dependence of the Fictive Temperature of Glass on Cooling Rate

An equation derived by Ritland relating the cooling rate and fictive temperature for glasses without memory is extended to those with memory, i.e. those which exhibit a spectrum of relaxation times. Provided that the spectrum of relaxation times is temperature-independent, the limiting fictive temperature, T′f, obtained when a glass is cooled through the transition region, is shown to be related to the cooling rate, q, by d In |q|/d(1/T'f)=-Δh★/R where R is the ideal gas constant and Δh★ the activation enthalpy for the relaxation times controlling the structural relaxation. Values of T′f vs q obtained from enthalpy measurements by differential scanning calorimetry are presented for B2O3, 0.4Ca(NO3)2—0.6KNO3, and borosilicate crown glasses; Δh★ is equal, within experimental error, to the activation enthalpy for shear viscosity. Values of T′f from volume and enthalpy measurements obtained at the same cooling rate for the borosilicate crown glass are equal.
Caregiver Quality of Life in Pediatric Asthma Associations With Beliefs and Concerns About Medications and Emergency Department Use

Objective. To examine caregiver quality of life (QOL) related to pediatric asthma among families from Latino, African American, and non-Latino white (NLW) backgrounds. Methods. In all, 94 children with persistent asthma (6-15 years) and their primary caregivers completed interview-administered questionnaires. Results. Overall QOL and subscale scores differed across race/ethnicity, with NLW caregivers reporting higher QOL. Caregivers who expressed more concerns about their child’s medications and more beliefs in the necessity of asthma medications had lower QOL. In African American and Latino families, caregiver QOL mediated the association between beliefs about the necessity of asthma medications and child emergency department (ED) use. Conclusions. Caregiver beliefs and concerns related to child asthma medications may begin to explain differences in caregiver QOL across NLW, Latino, and African American caregivers. Caregiver QOL may be a mechanism by which caregiver beliefs and concerns about asthma medi...
Deep vein thrombosis screening and risk factors in a high-risk trauma population

Abstract Background Trauma patients requiring acute inpatient rehabilitation are significantly injured, with increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We evaluated routine screening for occult DVT in such patients, and analyzed DVT risk factors. Materials and methods Data from level I trauma center patients discharged to a single acute rehabilitation center (ARC) from 2007–2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Routine lower extremity duplex was performed on ARC admission. Follow-up data were collected for patients with occult DVT (ARC DVT). DVT predictors were evaluated using logistic regression. Results Of 622 patients, 534 (86%) had screening duplex; 26 (4.8%) had an ARC DVT. A majority of 442 patients (71%) received enoxaparin prophylaxis in hospital, for a median 64% of hospital days. Of ARC DVT patients, 17 received full anticoagulation and 16 received vena cava filters. Thirty-seven patients had DVT diagnosed in the hospital (hospital DVT) before discharge to ARC. Hospital DVT and ARC DVT groups were comparable except shorter median hospital length of stay and lower head abbreviated injury scale in ARC DVT patients. On multivariate analysis, increased intensive care unit length of stay, age >65 y, a lower percentage of hospital days receiving chemoprophylaxis, and delayed initiation of chemoprophylaxis were significantly predictive of DVT after adjustment for sex, mechanism, injury severity score, and admission systolic blood pressure. Presence of pelvic fractures and ages 50–65 y also posed an increased risk. Conclusions The incidence of occult DVT on ARC admission is low in trauma patients. Several risk factors for DVT in the trauma ARC population were identified. Nonselective screening of all trauma patients on admission to ARC is not supported by this analysis.
Investigations on the surface structure and properties of silica‐polyamine composites on the nanoscales and microscales

The structure and properties of silica polyamine composites (SPC) made from microparticles of amorphous silica gel (300–600 microns) and silica nanoparticles (10–20 nm) modified with aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), poly(allylamine) (PAA) or poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) have been studied. The APTMS nano-hybrids showed batch capacities for copper equal to or better than the corresponding polymer-based micro-hybrids. Loading of the PEI on the nanoparticles was independent of molecular weight of the polymer. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the SiO2 nanoparticles and the composites made from them aggregate in water and the degree of aggregation is dependent on the surface modification. All of the amine-modified materials were catalysts for the Knoevenagel reaction but interestingly, the microparticles modified with APTMS were better catalysts than the corresponding nanoparticles or the polyamine modified composites. Solid-state 19Si NMR has been used to elucidate the surface structure of the various composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42271.
Function and Receptor Specificity of a Minimal 20 Kilodalton Cell Adhesive Fragment of Fibronectin

Previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions about the minimal size and sequences of the fibronectin cell-adhesive domain necessary for retention of high cell adhesive activity. We have expressed a recombinant 20 kDa cell-binding fragment of human fibronectin consisting of the ninth and tenth type III modules, which includes the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) cell recognition site and a second cell adhesive domain that acts synergistically with the RGD site. This polypeptide retained a similar activity as a larger 110 kDa fibronectin fragment when used in soluble form in inhibition assays, but it displayed low cell adhesive activity if assayed after direct adsorption to a plastic substrate. However, adhesive function was restored if the fragment was bound to a non-inhibitory anti-fibronectin antibody pre-adsorbed to the plastic substrate. The antibody-bound fragment also promoted cell migration. Both cell spreading and migration were specifically mediated by the α5β1 integrin. Affinity columns containing immo...
Spherical parameterization for 3D surface analysis in volumetric images

We propose a new spherical parameterization algorithm for general genus-zero surfaces that aims to control the area and length distortions at the same time. Prior work either considers only the length distortion or applies only to volumetric surfaces. Our algorithm starts from an initial parameterization, performs local and global smoothing steps alternately to improve the mapping quality, and converges to the solution. The local method minimizes the area distortion at a local submesh by solving a linear system as well as controls the length distortion. The global method attempts to reduce the area distortion by equalizing its distribution over the whole sphere. We perform experimental studies showing the effectiveness of the technique. Our new algorithm has many applications in medical image analysis, computer vision, graphics and multimedia databases.
A taxonomy of broadband integrated switching architectures

A nomenclature describing a set of essential dimensions or characteristics germane to integrated broadband switching architectures is presented. Using this vocabulary, a classification of switching architectures is proposed. The classification is intended to afford the switch designer an ordered and reasoned approach to deciding among the numerous choices in the design of broadband switches. >
An Initial Model for Control of a Tandem Hot Metal Strip Rolling Process

The tandem rolling of hot metal strip presents a significant control challenge because of nonlinearities and process complexities. The challenge is heightened by an extremely hostile environment that precludes the location of sensors to measure process variables that are important for control. In addition, it is essential that the controller structure allows for a high degree of physical intuition in the design process and provides for simplicity of tuning during commissioning. Based on our previous work using a state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique for control of the tandem cold rolling process, it is considered that a similar method might also be useful as a basis for the development of a control technique for tandem hot strip rolling. For the hot rolling process, the development of a process model in a form that is suitable for use with a SDRE-based method is a significant and challenging task. This paper describes our work to develop an initial model for this process. Based on simulation results, it is determined that this initial model has the potential to be the basis for the development of the complete nonlinear model that can be used for development of a viable control method which offers the likelihood for improvement in the control of the hot metal rolling process.
Privacy in Online Social Networking at Workplace

Employees using social network sites (SNS) at workplace is a fact. As companies are further embracing social media, how if at all does this practice affect the work dynamics? While privacy has been a hot topic in online social network research in general, there is little work investigating the privacy aspect of this practice at workplace. This paper aims at starting the groundwork towards filling the gap. Based on a review of existing literature in social networks and workplace studies, we hypothesize a number of potential privacy issues in this work practice and suggest future research directions in this area.
A robust and efficient method for steady state patterns in reaction-diffusion systems

An inhomogeneous steady state pattern of nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations with no-flux boundary conditions is usually computed by solving the corresponding time-dependent reaction-diffusion equations using temporal schemes. Nonlinear solvers (e.g., Newton's method) take less CPU time in direct computation for the steady state; however, their convergence is sensitive to the initial guess, often leading to divergence or convergence to spatially homogeneous solution. Systematically numerical exploration of spatial patterns of reaction-diffusion equations under different parameter regimes requires that the numerical method be efficient and robust to initial condition or initial guess, with better likelihood of convergence to an inhomogeneous pattern. Here, a new approach that combines the advantages of temporal schemes in robustness and Newton's method in fast convergence in solving steady states of reaction-diffusion equations is proposed. In particular, an adaptive implicit Euler with inexact solver (AIIE) method is found to be much more efficient than temporal schemes and more robust in convergence than typical nonlinear solvers (e.g., Newton's method) in finding the inhomogeneous pattern. Application of this new approach to two reaction-diffusion equations in one, two, and three spatial dimensions, along with direct comparisons to several other existing methods, demonstrates that AIIE is a more desirable method for searching inhomogeneous spatial patterns of reaction-diffusion equations in a large parameter space.
Cracking an Open Safe: HAZUS Vulnerability Functions in Terms of Structure-Independent Spectral Acceleration

The HAZUS-MH Technical Manual provides a method and data for calculating earthquake loss to ordinary buildings using in part the capacity spectrum method (CSM) of structural analysis, but it does not provide tabular results relating loss to structure-independent intensity measures such as Sa0.3 sec, 5 % or Sa1.0 sec, 5 %, and no procedure for doing so is offered. It is a minor challenge to perform HAZUS-MH loss calculations outside of HAZUS-MH, owing to the sometimes iterative nature of CSM. A technique to calculate mean loss (here, casualty rates in ordinary buildings) as a function of site-soil-adjusted Sa0.3 sec, 5 % and Sa1.0 sec, 5 % is presented that honors all HAZUS-MH methods and data. The resulting seismic vulnerability functions are available at www.risk-agora.org as a resource for open risk modeling. Such vulnerability functions facilitate loss analyses by de-coupling the calculation of hazard from that of loss given hazard. DOI: 10.1193/1.3106680
Perfused fresh cadavers: method for application to surgical simulation

Abstract Background Cadaveric dissection is the gold standard for surgical simulation because it demonstrates authentic anatomy and tissue handling. We present a perfusion technique that restores blood flow and pressure in the fresh human cadaveric model. Methods The femoral vessels were cannulated and perfused using a vortex centrifugal pump and a novel perfusate. The trachea was intubated and mechanically ventilated. Tissue perfusion was evaluated by direct inspection, intravascular pressure monitoring, and indocyanine green angiography. A cost analysis and survey results for 969 trainees is presented. Results A mean arterial pressure of 80 mm Hg and venous pressure of 15 mm Hg were established, resulting in dermal and microvascular perfusion. Successful pulmonary ventilation was achieved. This model has been applied to 122 cadaveric specimens over 12 months in a variety of surgical subspecialties and training levels. Total cost for establishing the perfused model was $1,262.55. Trainee confidence after use of the model increased from 2.85 to 4.20 (P Conclusions Perfusion of fresh cadavers replicates human tissue handling, vascular anatomy, and dissection. The perfused human cadaver increases the authenticity of surgical simulation and is applicable to procedure-based specialties.
A Clinically Based Discrete-Event Simulation of End-Stage Liver Disease and the Organ Allocation Process

Background. The optimal allocation of scarce donor livers is a contentious health care issue requiring careful analysis. The objective of this article was to design a biologically based discrete-event simulation to test proposed changes in allocation policies.Methods. The authors used data from multiple sources to simulate end-stage liver disease and the complex allocation system. To validate the model, they compared simulation output with historical data.Results. Simulation outcomes were within 1% to 2% of actual results for measures such as new candidates, donated livers, and transplants by year. The model overestimated the yearly size of the waiting list by 5% in the last year of the simulation and the total number of pretransplant deaths by 10%.Conclusion. The authors created a discrete-event simulation model that represents the biology of end-stage liver disease and the health care organization of transplantation in the United States.
Current Concepts on the Effects of Nicotine on Neurotransmitter Release in the Central Nervous System

In this overview, the present knowledge about the effects of nicotine on neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system has been evaluated. Five characteristics relating to nicotine mechanisms and sites of action in the brain are presented. These are the following: the site of action of nicotine at the neuronal level; the areas of the brain in which nicotine has been shown to affect neurotransmitter release; the neurotransmitter affected by nicotine; the mechanistic characteristics of release such as receptor mediation, calcium dependence, and subcellular pools affected; and, the pharmacological characteristics of nicotine such as potency, efficacy, time course, stereoselectivity, and structure-activity relationships. Experimental information is presented concerning the effects of nicotine on [3H] dopamine release from rat striatal synaptosomes and tissue punches from mesolimbic nuclei. These include concentration-response relationships, the effects of agonists and antagonists, and the time-course and efficacy of nicotine on the stimulation of [3H]dopamine release.
Sliding Mode Control of Turbofan Engines

This chapter introduces the concept of sliding mode control and elaborates in its robustness properties and commonly-used tuning approaches. This chapter also presents MIMO versions of the sliding mode regulator and setpoint tracker, as well as a simplified SISO design. Linear and nonlinear engine simulations using CMAPSS are included.
Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support for Cardiogenic Shock

The use of percutaneous, non-durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for cardiogenic shock (CS) is growing; however, large, randomized clinical trials confirming benefit in this population do not exist. Guidelines and recommendations regarding optimal timing for MCS implementation, patient selection, device selection, and post-implantation management are beginning to emerge. A better understanding of (1) the distinct hemodynamic effects of each device option, (2) the need for early implementation of the appropriate device option for a particular clinical scenario, (3) the definition of non-salvageable CS to help clinicians know when to say “no” to non-durable MCS, and (4) best practices to monitor, wean, and optimize metabolic parameters while using non-durable MCS are required to continue improving clinical outcomes for patients with CS.
Intestinal macrophages arising from CCR2 + monocytes control pathogen infection by activating innate lymphoid cells

Monocytes play a crucial role in antimicrobial host defence, but the mechanisms by which they protect the host during intestinal infection remains poorly understood. Here we show that depletion of CCR2(+) monocytes results in impaired clearance of the intestinal pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. After infection, the de novo recruited CCR2(+) monocytes give rise to CD11c(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+)CD103(-) intestinal macrophages (MPs) within the lamina propria. Unlike resident intestinal MPs, de novo differentiated MPs are phenotypically pro-inflammatory and produce robust amounts of IL-1β (interleukin-1β) through the non-canonical caspase-11 inflammasome. Intestinal MPs from infected mice elicit the activation of RORγt(+) group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in an IL-1β-dependent manner. Deletion of IL-1β in blood monocytes blunts the production of IL-22 by ILC3 and increases the susceptibility to infection. Collectively, these studies highlight a critical role of de novo differentiated monocyte-derived intestinal MPs in ILC3-mediated host defence against intestinal infection.
Results of coherent backscatter radar imaging using Capon's method and measurements made by the Sao Luis radar interferometer

Interferometric radar imaging of F-region spread F irregularities is used to determine the distribution of scatterers within the radar field of view. In this study, we investigate the use of the Capon's spectral method for estimating the distribution of equatorial spread F (ESF) irregularity structures observed by a small, low power coherent backscatter radar interferometer located at the equatorial site of Sao Luis (2.59°S, 44.21°W, −2.35° dip.), Brazil. To evaluate the performance of the method, we show numerical simulations for typical F-region measurement conditions. Results for the Fourier imaging method are also shown for comparison. The simulation shows that, despite the short baselines of the Sao Luis radar, the Capon technique is capable of distinguishing features with km scale sizes (in the zonal direction) at F-region heights. We also investigated the application of the Capon algorithm to actual measurements made by the Sao Luis radar, and obtained high resolution images of equatorial spread F (ESF) scattering structures. In this presentation, we will show results of the Capon images during different types of equatorial spread F events, and will compare the results with images obtained using the conventional Fourier method. As predicted by the numerical simulations, we are able to distinguish features of the scattering structures with resolution of a few km in the zonal direction. We have been able, in particular, to identify the morphology of scattering structures during bottom-type layers. Signatures of underlying deca-kilometric waves, similar to those observed by [3] and [7] were detected. The observations suggest the action of the so-called collisional shear instability.
Study of high quality modes in fully chaotic microcavities

We report a numerical study of the high-Q modes in two-dimensional dielectric stadium cavities. We identified several types of high Q modes and associated them with unstable periodic orbits of ray trajectories.
Magnesium Deficiency and Cardiac Dysrhythmia

In the early subacute magnesium-deficiency study of Kruse et al. (1932), convulsions were produced in 86% of the rats by the 18th day, with death occurring after one or more convulsions in 93%. Tachycardia was manifest during the preconvulsive period, and bradycardia with marked arrhythmia just before the convulsions started. Greenberg and Tufts (1938) confirmed these findings, and showed additionally that ECGs, taken while the rats were unconscious from the convulsive seizures, revealed a sinoauricular block, with occasional skipped and ventricular beats. Of 10 rats with less severe magnesium deficiency, such that despite manifest nervousness only one developed convulsions, seven survived long enough to have ECGs recorded the day before sacrifice on day 62. These rats exhibited little change in heart rates (which were slightly slower than were those of control rats on the same diet to which magnesium had been added) but had lengthened P-R intervals. Five of the seven surviving deficient rats had additional ECG abnormalities: Three had numerous extrasystoles, two had abnormally high takeoff of the ST segment in lead III, one with partial heart block and one with auricular extrasystoles.
Increasing surgical experience with off-pump coronary surgery does not mitigate the morbidity of emergency conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass.

ObjectiveEmergency conversion during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) confers significant morbidity. We sought to determine whether the outcomes in these patients have changed as our experie...
Changes in Visual Function in the Elderly Population in the United States: 1995–2010

ABSTRACTPurpose: To document recent trends in visual function among the United States population aged 70+ years and investigate how the trends can be explained by inter-temporal changes in: (1) population sociodemographic characteristics, and chronic disease prevalence, including eye diseases (compositional changes); and (2) effects of the above factors on visual function (structural changes).Methods: Data from the 1995 Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) and the 2010 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were merged with Medicare Part B claims in the interview years and the 2 previous years. Decomposition analysis was performed. Respondents from both studies were aged 70+ years. The outcome measure was respondent self-reported visual function on a 6-point scale (from 6 = blind to 1 = excellent).Results: Overall, visual function improved from slightly worse than good (3.14) in 1995 to slightly better than good (2.98) in 2010. A decline in adverse effects of aging on vision was found. Among ...
Evaluation the ability of management of patients with hepatitis B virus infection by township level hospitals in Jiangsu Province

Objective To study the status of the ability of prevention and control hepatitis B by township level hospitals in Jiangsu Province,and formulate appropriate hepatitis B control strategy.Methods By a questionnaire survey,hepatitis B related prevention and control in 90 township health services were investigated.Results The health workers' quantity and quality,equipment configuration and ability level can basically satisfy the current need of the prevention and control of hepatitis B.Conclusion In order to deal with a large number of patients with chronic hepatitis B management and follow-up work,measures such as on-the-job training,establishing incentive measures and playing the mesh-bottom role of township health services need to be strengthened.
25 Gbps low-voltage waveguide Si–Ge avalanche photodiode

Silicon-germanium (Si–Ge)-based avalanche photodiodes (APDs) have shown a significant improvement in receiver sensitivity compared to their III–V counterparts due to the superior impact ionization property of silicon. However, conventional Si–Ge APDs typically operate at high voltages and low speed, limiting the application of this technology to data communication. In this paper, we present a waveguide Si–Ge avalanche photodiode using a thin silicon multiplication region with a breakdown voltage of −10 V, a speed of 25 GHz, and a gain-bandwidth product (GBP) of 276 GHz. At 1550 nm, sensitivities of −25 dBm and −16 dBm are achieved at 12.5 Gbps and 25 Gbps, respectively. This design will enable implementation of Si–Ge APDs for optical interconnects in data centers and high-performance computers, allowing significant reductions in aggregate system laser power (and therefore cost).
Radiation by Moving Charges

Preceding chapters discussed properties of electromagnetic radiation in vacuum and dielectrics, without considering the sources of the radiation. In this chapter, we show accelerating electric charge to be the source of electromagnetic waves, by finding solutions to the inhomogeneous wave equations. Although exact solutions are often difficult, they are possible in a few important cases. For example, we express the radiation fields of a single particle undergoing arbitrary acceleration as a Green function integral. Often it is useful to apply approximation methods, such as multipole and Fourier series solutions. Not only do these mathematically powerful methods provide numerical solutions to specific radiation problems, but provide much physical insight as well. For example, the Fourier solution gives the frequency distribution of the radiation. Finally, we apply the methods to some important examples, including radiation from various sources.
The Role of Learning in Arbitration: An Exploratory Experiment

Having an arbitrator decide the outcome of a negotiation avoids the losses associated with a bargaining impasse. For example, in the public sector of the USA, arbitration is commonly mandated for failed labour negotiations to save the public the costs associated with, say, a police or firefighters’ strike.1 By definition, arbitration involves an outside party, the arbitrator, with the authority to impose a binding settlement on the disputing parties. (In contrast, a mediator is someone who can suggest, but not impose, a settlement.) We say that there is a ‘dispute’ when bargaining ends without a voluntary agreement. When we say ‘bargaining with arbitration’, we mean a negotiation in which arbitration is required in case of dispute. We shall focus here on repeated bargaining relationships, which is a common context for binding arbitration.
Impairment of Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux by Cholesterol Hydroperoxide Trafficking Implications for Atherogenesis Under Oxidative Stress

Objective—Oxidative stress associated with cardiovascular disease can produce various oxidized lipids, including cholesterol oxides, such as 7-hydroperoxide (7-OOH), 7-hydroxide (7-OH), and 7-ketone (7=O). Unlike 7=O and 7-OH, 7-OOH is redox active, giving rise to the others via potentially toxic-free radical reactions. We tested the novel hypothesis that under oxidative stress conditions, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) family proteins not only deliver cholesterol to/into mitochondria of vascular macrophages, but also 7-OOH, which induces peroxidative damage that impairs early stage reverse cholesterol transport. Approach and Results—Stimulation of human monocyte-derived THP-1 macrophages with dibutyryl-cAMP resulted in substantial upregulation of StarD1 and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, ABCA1. Small interfering RNA–induced StarD1 knockdown before stimulation had no effect on StarD4, but reduced ABCA1 upregulation, linking the latter to StarD1 functionality. Mitochondria in stimulated Sta...
Flight-To-Earnings: The Role of Earnings in Periods of Capital Scarcity

We examine the link between the scarcity of arbitrage capital and investors’ response to firms’ earnings information. The cost of financing levered investment strategies (i.e., investing with borrowed funds) increases in the risk profile of the securities being traded. As a result, when capital is scarce, levered traders face heightened incentives to tilt their portfolios in the direction of firms’ earnings information as an indicator of lesser risk because doing so mitigates financing constraints. Our results suggest these investors become more responsive to firms’ earnings announcements when capital is scarce. Moreover, market prices display a stronger reaction to firms’ announcements and less post-earnings announcement drift. Together, our findings suggest the scarcity of arbitrage capital spurs both the use of, and responsiveness of market prices to, firms’ earnings news.
Conflict in Comments: Learning but Lowering Perceptions, with Limits

Prior work and perception theory suggests that when exposed to discussion related to a particular piece of crowdsourced text content, readers generally perceive that content to be of lower quality than readers who do not see those comments, and that the effect is stronger if the comments display conflict. This paper presents a controlled experiment with over 1000 participants testing to see if this effect carries over to other documents from the same platform, including those with similar content or by the same author. Although we do generally find that perceived quality of the commented-on document is affected, effects do not carry over to the second item and readers are able to judge the second in isolation from the comment on the first. We confirm a prior finding about the negative effects conflict can have on perceived quality but note that readers report learning more from constructive conflict comments.
A Simulator for Socio-Economic Development and Planning

Abstract Preliminary research has been conducted on the feasibility of constructing a “simulator” for anticipating possible consequences of alternative development policies (1). Since positive conclusions were reached at the end of 1971, fragmentary experiments have been carried out on setting up an integrated system of models with man/computer interactive techniques. The philosophy of the approach, some results, and preliminary conclusions are outlined below.
Optogenetic control of Drosophila cardiac function with red-shifted opsins (Conference Presentation)

In cardiac optogenetics, cardiac functions of animals such as rat, zebrafish, and fruit fly, are controlled through optical excitation of opsin expressed cardiac tissues. In the last few years, this non-invasive cardiac control method has been developed rapidly as an alternative to the traditional technique of electrical stimulation. However, the strong absorption and scattering of the excitation light needed for commonly used opsins limit the optical penetration depth in tissue, which hampers the development of cardiac optogenetics. In this work, we express red-shifted opsins (ReaChR and halorhodopsin) in the heart of the established Drosophila melanogaster model,and use red-light stimulation for deep penetration of excitation light into the myocardial structures. Mmode images acquired through optical coherence microscopy (OCM) imaging demonstrate controlled heart function in vivo and in real time throughout the life cycle of Drosophila. Fast kinetics, high safety and high heart-rate adjustability were shown with short pulse width, low excitation power density, and wide frequency tuning range, respectively, in the pacing study. Stimulation power was also tuned to characterize the optimal excitation power densities for reliable cardiac function inactivation, which were proved safe for each developmental stage. Both groups of flies exhibited high cardiac stimulation efficiencies. This study demonstrates non-invasive cardiac control through activating and inhibiting heart functions of an intact animal, which is promising for scientific study and clinical treatment of cardiac diseases, such as congenital or posteriority bradycardia, tachycardia, and regional mechanical dys-synchrony.
Investigating Hispanic disparities in supportive medication use among Medicare beneficiaries with breast cancer.

154Background: Compared to their White counterparts, Hispanic women with breast cancer are more likely to report pain, depression, and other mental health concerns. As such, this group may benefit ...
Intellectual Humility and Incentivized Belief

Despite disagreement about what is fundamental or necessary to intellectual humility, there is broad agreement that intellectual humility will bear on the higher-order epistemic attitudes one takes...
Electronic cleansing in CT colonography using a generative adversarial network

We developed a novel 3D electronic cleansing (EC) method for CT colonography (CTC) based on a generative adversarial network (GAN). GANs are machine-learning algorithms that can be trained to translate an input image directly into a desired output image without using explicit manual annotations. A 3D-GAN EC scheme was developed by extending a 2D-pix2pix GAN model to volumetric CTC datasets based on 3D-convolutional kernels. To overcome the usual need for paired input-output training data, the 3D-GAN model was trained by use of a self-supervised learning scheme where the training data were constructed iteratively as a combination of volumes of interest (VOIs) from paired anthropomorphic colon phantom CTC datasets and input VOIs from the unseen clinical input CTC dataset where the virtually cleansed output sample pairs were self-generated by use of a progressive cleansing method. Our preliminary evaluation with a clinical fecal-tagging CTC case showed that the 3D-GAN EC scheme can substantially reduce the processing time and EC image artifacts in comparison to our previous deep-learning EC scheme.
Imidacloprid Poisoning of Songbirds Following a Drench Application of Trees in a Residential Neighborhood in California, USA.

In March 2017, 26 American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) were found dead following a drench application of imidacloprid in California (USA). Identical seed fragments were present in the digestive tracts. Imidacloprid was detected in 4 separate pooled samples from 18 birds, in crop/gizzard contents (4.8 ± 1.3 ppm; range 2.2-8.5 ppm) and liver tissues (3.9 ± 0.6 ppm; range 2.1-4.8 ppm). We suspect that fallen elm (Ulmus sp.) seeds were contaminated with imidacloprid during the drench application and subsequently ingested, resulting in acute toxicity and death. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1724-1727. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Simulation Software for Assessment of Nonlinear and Adaptive Multivariable Control Algorithms: Glucose - Insulin Dynamics in Type 1 Diabetes.

Abstract A simulator for testing automatic control algorithms for nonlinear systems with time-varying parameters, variable time delays, and uncertainties is developed. It is based on simulation of virtual patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Nonlinear models are developed to describe glucose concentration (GC) variations based on user-defined scenarios for meal consumption, insulin administration, and physical activity. They compute GC values and physiological variables, such as heart rate, skin temperature, accelerometer, and energy expenditure, that are indicative of physical activities affecting GC dynamics. This is the first simulator designed for assessment of multivariable controllers that consider supplemental physiological variables in addition to GC measurements to improve glycemic control. Virtual patients are generated from distributions of identified model parameters using clinical data. The simulator will enable testing and evaluation of new control algorithms proposed for automated insulin delivery as well as various control algorithms for nonlinear systems with uncertainties, time-varying parameters and delays.