cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rock Property Inversion in Organic-Rich Shale: Uncertainties, Ambiguities, and Pitfalls

Geophysical characterization of organic-rich shales involves remote estimation of the geological and geomechanical properties. Important geological properties are porosity, clay content (Vclay), and the total organic carbon (TOC). Important geomechanical properties are natural fractures and fracability (ease of hydraulically fracturing the rock). Apart from various engineering factors, the fracability depends on the following geological factors: in-situ stress (the vertical effective stress and the minimum and maximum horizontal effective stresses), pore pressure, brittleness, and rock strength. At well locations, we sometimes have the luxury of having enough measurements to completely characterize the shale properties of interest. However, we do not normally have enough measurements away from wells, and as a result the estimation of rock properties remains under-determined. On the other hand, the seismic measurements typically can be used to provide an estimate of the acoustic impedance (AI) and Vp/Vs ratio of the rock. Occasionally we may estimate density if seismic data have sufficient quality and enough offset coverage, and the anisotropic elastic properties with varying degrees of measurement errors. Due to the complexity of shale reservoirs, the relatively large number of rock properties, and the limited amount of independent information that we can measure at the field, the inversion for the rock properties often remains nonunique.
More Than Just “Blowing off Steam”: The Roles of Anger and Advocacy in Promoting Positive Outcomes at Work

Employee anger can be suppressed or quieted so that angry individuals only vent frustrations to supportive colleagues, rather than approach those responsible or in an organizational position to help remedy the problematic situation. The Dual Threshold Model (Geddes & Callister, 2007) argues that although these “muted anger” venting episodes may increase unfavorable organizational outcomes, they also may prompt participants or observers of these displays to engage in advocacy or surrogacy on behalf of an angry colleague. The research reported here empirically tests this proposition and reports that advocating on behalf of one's angry colleague can enhance individual relationships at work as well as organizational functioning. Findings also show that observer felt anger intensity is a primary motivator for prompting anger advocacy and, surprisingly, advocacy is less likely on behalf of close colleagues.
Predicting outcome in aged and severely ill patients with prolonged respiratory failure.

Objectives: Consultations for tracheotomy are often sought on aged and severely ill patients with respiratory insufficiency. This patient population has high short-term mortality rates and is difficult to stratify on the basis of expected outcome. We examined whether APACHE III (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III) scores or neurologic status assessment (NSA) scores in sedated individuals are predictive of outcome. Methods: We performed a retrospective study examining aged patients who underwent tracheotomy for respiratory insufficiency and prolonged intubation. The APACHE III scores (n = 30) and NSA (based on a modified Glasgow Coma Scale) scores (n = 37) were calculated before tracheotomy. All patients were mildly sedated. Using APACHE III and NSA scores as predictor variables and using death and ability to be weaned from the ventilator as outcome variables, we performed a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: The APACHE III was not significantly predictive of either outcome. Higher NSA scores were associated with increased survival rates (log rank = 19.7, p <.0001) and longer median survival (88 days versus 16 days for lower scorers). Higher NSA scores also predicted a higher rate of ventilator independence. Conclusions: Neurologic function in sedated patients (and not APACHE III scores) can be used to stratify aged individuals with respiratory insufficiency on the basis of expected outcome.
Dietary Fats and Inflammation

The immune system is responsible for warding off infection by pathogens, cleaning up debris from dying cells and aiding in repair of damaged tissue. Inflammation occurs when the immune system becomes activated and eventually the immune system needs to be deactivated for resolution of the inflammatory response. Numerous lipid molecules derived from fatty acids are involved in activating the immune system to initiate inflammation and later signaling the system to resolve inflammation. The fatty acid derivatives involved belong to a wide range of substances known as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, lipoxins, endocannabinoids, resolvins, protectins, and acyl ethanolamides. Low-grade systemic inflammation associated with obesity causes metabolic disturbances that lead to insulin resistance, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Intestinal microbiota plays a role in systemic inflammation and influence obesity and its metabolic consequences through lipid mediators. This chapter describes metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), their conversion to bioactive metabolites and their role in initiating, as well as resolving inflammation. There is also discussion of whether saturated fatty acids promote inflammation and the relative potencies of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs, as well as saturated fatty acids, in the inflammatory response.
Investigation of knowledge Level on AIDS Prevention and Treatment and the Infection Prevalorce of Exotic Rural Women in Shexian of Anhui Province

Objective To understand knowledge level on AIDS prevention and treatment and the infection status of exotic rural women in Shexian of Anhui province and to provide the basis for the prevention and control of the AIDS.Methods Exotic rural women since 2002 were investigate with anonymous questionnaire.Then 3ml venous blood of every woman were collected for HIV antibody detection according the "National detection technology standard of AIDS"(2004 edition).Results The total rate of awareness on AIDS knowledge was 46.1% and that of exotic rural women from Yunan and Guizhou province was only 38.7%,which was significantly lower than that of exotic rural women from other provinces(63.5%,χ2=21.84,P0.05.The total rate of awareness on AIDS the transmission route was 31.9% and that of exotic women from Yunan and Guizhou was only 25.6%,which was significantly lower than that of exotic women from other provinces(46.8%,χ2=18.36,P0.05).One rural woman was positive for HIV antibodies.Conclusion The cultural levels of the exotic rural women were generally low and they were lack of the prevention and treatment knowledge of the AIDS.They should be one of the key propaganda and prevention popnlations of the AIDS control in the future.
Recognition and Management of Testicular Failure

Except for unequivocal pituitary deficiency or abnormal sex chromosome patterns, the pathogenesis of testicular disorders is still relatively obscure. Advances in endocrinology are, however, clarifying the relationship of the gonadotropins to the development and regulation of testicular function. For some patients, particularly hypogonadotropic eunuchoids, this has opened the way to specific, if complex, therapy.
BiSb and spin-related thermoelectric phenomena

This article reviews the factors limiting the figure of merit zT of conventional thermoelectrics especially at cryogenic temperatures and then highlights modern approaches used to increase zT below 200 K. Two type of materials are discussed. The first are BiSb alloys, relatively conventional thermoelectrics in which the zT is enhanced by using resonant levels. The second is the spin- Seebeck effect (SSE), a new solid-state energy conversion technology. Classical thermoelectric and SSE physics are combined to provide new concepts, like magnon-drag, in which we hope to increase the performance of solid-state coolers by exploiting the spin degree of freedom.
Few-body collective excitations beyond Kohn's theorem in quantum Hall systems

A relative coordinate breathing mode in the quantum Hall system is predicted to exist with different behavior under either Coulomb or dipole-dipole interactions. While Kohn's theorem [W. Kohn, Phys. Rev. 123, 1242 (1961)] predicts that any relative coordinate interaction will fail to alter the center-of-mass energy spectrum, it can affect excitations in the relative coordinates. One such collective excitation, which we call the hyperradial breathing mode, emerges naturally from a few-body, hyperspherical representation of the problem and depends on the interparticle interactions, the ground state wave function, and the number of particles participating in the excitation. Possible observations of this excitation will be discussed in the context of both conventional quantum Hall experiments and cold, rotating atomic simulations.
Eisenmenger syndrome and other types of pulmonary arterial hypertension related to adult congenital heart disease

Introduction: Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is the most advanced form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). It is characterised by a severe rise in pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in shunt reversal and cyanosis. Areas covered: In this paper, an overview of ES and other types of PAH related to CHD (PAH-CHD) in adults is provided. The modern management of PAH-CHD in tertiary centers is described, with an emphasis on co-morbidities and complications. Expert opinion: PAH-CHD describes a wide spectrum of conditions, of which ES is the archetype. The size and location of the shunt, the degree of adaptation of the right ventricle to the increased afterload and other compensatory mechanisms, such as secondary erythrocytosis, define the clinical presentation and natural history of these patients. PAH therapies have improved the quality of life and outcome of many patients with PAH-CHD, but expert multidisciplinary management remains essential in optimising the care of this rare and complex group of patients.
Spectral separability analysis of five soybean cultivars with different ozone tolerance using hyperspectral field spectroscopy

In this contribution, we examine the potential of using field spectroscopy to discriminate the responses of five soybean cultivars to background ozone concentration. Statistical analysis of hyperspectral data including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and spectral instability analysis (ISI) were used to identify the most effective wavelengths in mapping and differentiating the five cultivars with different tolerance to ozone damage. Our results show several distinctive spectral regions that can be used for effective crop type mapping within species level, and quantifying the effects of ozone damage at leaf and canopy scales. This work demonstrates that hyperspectral remote sensors soon become available from government and private sector satellites offer a new set of high-resolution spectral data that will help to quantify impacts background ozone concentrations due to climate change on food security.
Impact of preoperative pulmonary function on outcomes after open repair of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of preoperative pulmonary function on outcomes after open repair of descending thoracic (DTA) and thoracoabdominal aortic (TAAA) aneurysms. Methods The outcomes of patients undergoing open repair of DTA or TAAA were analyzed in relation to the results of preoperative pulmonary function tests. Receiver operating characteristic was adopted to assess the effect of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) on the incidence of mortality. Logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching were used. Results Between 1997 and 2015, 726 patients underwent open DTA or TAAA repair. Pulmonary function tests were available in 711 (97.9%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the cutoff value of FEV1 to be 50%. Propensity score matching led to 149 pairs of patients with FEV1 below and above 50% with only limited residual imbalance. In the matched population operative mortality was 11.4% and 6.0% in patients with FEV1 ≤ 50% and FEV1 ≥ 51%, respectively ( P = .10). The incidence of major adverse events was 33.1% in cases with FEV1 ≤ 50% and 19.5% in those with FEV1 ≥ 51% ( P = .008). FEV1 ≤ 50% was associated with a 6.99× increase in the risk of major postoperative adverse events at logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Preoperative FEV1
Role of Calcium in Desensitization at the Motor End-Plate of Skeletal Muscle

When acetylcholine or other depolarizing compounds are applied to the motor end-plate region of skeletal muscle fibers, the post-junctional membrane undergoes a rapid increase in ionic conductance as the cholinergic receptors are activated. This agonist-induced increase in ionic conductance remains for a short period and then reverses even though the agonist application is continued. Thesleff (1955) initially studied this phenomenon using intracellular recordings of the drug-induced depolarization-repolarization sequence produced in individual muscle fibers during sustained application of depolarizing drugs. As repolarization occurred, nerve evoked end-plate potentials were reduced progressively and subsequent application of agonist produced no additional depolarization (Thesleff, 1955). Under these conditions, the end-plate membrane receptors gradually became refractory to agonist action and were said to be “desensitized” (Thesleff, 1955).
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act dependent coverage expansion: Disparities in impact among young adult oncology patients

BACKGROUND Private health insurance is associated with improved outcomes in patients with cancer. However, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Dependent Coverage Expansion (ACA-DCE), which extended private insurance to young adults (to age 26 years) beginning in 2010, on the insurance status of young adults with cancer. METHODS The current study was a retrospective, population-based analysis of hospitalized young adult oncology patients (aged 22-30 years) in California during 2006 through 2014 (11,062 patients). Multivariable regression analyses examined factors associated with having private insurance. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A difference-in-difference analysis examined the influence of the ACA-DCE on insurance coverage by race/ethnicity and federal poverty level. RESULTS Multivariable regression demonstrated that patients of black and Hispanic race/ethnicity were less likely to have private insurance before and after the ACA-DCE, compared with white patients. Younger age (22-25 years) was associated with having private insurance after implementation of the ACA-DCE (odds ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.35). In the difference-in-difference analysis, private insurance increased among white patients aged 22 to 25 years who were living in medium-income (2006-2009: 64.6% vs 2011-2014: 69.1%; P = .003) and high-income (80.4% vs 82%; P = .043) zip codes and among Asians aged 22 to 25 years living in high-income zip codes (73.2 vs 85.7%; P = .022). Private insurance decreased for all Hispanic patients aged 22 to 25 years between the 2 time periods. CONCLUSIONS The ACA-DCE provision increased insurance coverage, but not among all patients. Private insurance increased for white and Asian patients in higher income neighborhoods, potentially widening social disparities in private insurance coverage among young adults with cancer. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Inhibiting Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons Reduces the Initiation and Maintenance of Instrumental Responding.

Abstract Mesolimbic dopamine perturbations modulate performance of reward-seeking behavior, with tasks requiring high effort being especially vulnerable to disruption of dopamine signaling. Previous work primarily investigated long-term perturbations such as receptor antagonism and dopamine depletion, which constrain the ability to assess dopamine contributions to effort expenditure in isolation from other behavior events, such as reward consumption. Also unclear is if dopamine is required for both initiation and maintenance when a sequence of multiple instrumental responses is required. Here we used optogenetic inhibition of midbrain TH+ neurons to probe the role of dopamine neuron activity during instrumental responding for reward by varying the time epoch of neural inhibition relative to the time of response initiation. Within a fixed-ratio procedure, requiring eight nosepoke responses per reinforcer delivery, or a progressive ratio (PR) procedure, in which within-session response requirements increased exponentially, inhibiting dopamine neurons while mice were engaged in response bouts decreased the probability of continued responding. If inhibition occurred during each attempted bout, the effect was to decrease total responses, and thus amount of rewards earned, over a session. In contrast, if inhibition was applied only during some bouts, mice increased the number of bouts initiated to earn control levels of reward. Inhibiting dopamine neurons while mice were not responding decreased the probability of initiating an instrumental response but had no effect on the amount of effort exerted over the entire session. We conclude that midbrain dopamine signaling promotes initiation of instrumental responding and maintains motivation to continue ongoing bouts of effortful responses.
Economic sustainability assessment of residential buildings: A dedicated assessment framework and implications for BIM

Abstract Tools for economic sustainability analyses are crucial for residential sector which is associated with high energy use. Along with the development of such tools, their effective implementation in building projects depend on their uptake by holistic design and modelling approaches, with BIM standing out as an exemplary case. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to develop a fully representative economic sustainability assessment framework for residential buildings, with implications for BIM. A serious lag in research within the area of residential building economic sustainability assessment and use of BIM is realized from a systematic review of published studies. Through literature, a taxonomy of economic sustainability indicators, parameters and sub-parameters is developed, which helped design an economic sustainability assessment framework. An international survey and structured interviews are conducted to find the importance weights for the economic sustainability dimension as well as different framework constituents. The functionality of framework is validated through a case study, providing a conclusive value of 48.25% for economic performance of subject building, which is representative of the effectiveness of assessment for decision-makings. An extension within BIM environment is suggested to help foresee a futuristic integration of BIM with economic sustainability assessment.
Complete Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Plesiomonas shigelloides Strain MS-17-188.

ABSTRACT Plesiomonas shigelloides is a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from diverse environments. Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of the multidrug-resistant P. shigelloides strain MS-17-188, isolated from a diseased catfish. Availability of this genome will be beneficial for characterizing the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this strain.
Linear Algebra Problem Book. By Paul R. Halmos

(1998). Linear Algebra Problem Book. By Paul R. Halmos. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 105, No. 6, pp. 577-579.
Training-based joint channel and antenna impedance estimation

We consider joint channel and antenna impedance estimation based on training data for single-input, single-output channels. The aim is to leverage the resources available in wireless systems for channel estimation to estimate antenna impedance as well. We assume the transmitter sends a known training sequence, during which the receiver varies its impedance in a known way. Based on this observation, we derive maximum-likelihood estimators for the channel and impedance. We show these estimators generally exhibit heavy tails, and explore estimator performance through numerical examples. Our results suggest that antenna impedance can be accurately estimated, in exchange for a small, controlled increase in channel estimation error.
Self-heating measurement methodologies and their assessment on bulk FinFET devices

This paper describes three different measurement methodologies for the electrical characterization of FinFET self-heating at wafer-level. The different sensor types were designed to use the threshold voltage (V T ) of an adjacent FET, the forward bias (V D ) of an adjacent pn-junction or the gate resistance (R G ) of the device itself. We report that self-heating is underestimated by 35% when sensed at a neighboring device. We also confirm that heat from local and surrounding sources are additive.
Minimally Invasive Versus Open Primary Resection for Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Propensity-Matched Study From the National Cancer Database

Although well described for gastrointestinal and pelvic cancers, use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the management of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma (RPS) remains unknown. The current study aimed to describe patterns of MIS use and assess the association between MIS and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing surgery for RPS. Patients undergoing a primary resection for RPS between 2010 and 2014 were identified using the National Cancer Database. Multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between use of MIS and clinical outcomes. Sensitivity analysis was performed using propensity score-matching (PSM). This study identified 3844 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 89.3% (n = 3432) underwent an open surgery, whereas 10.7% (n = 412) underwent MIS. The patients undergoing MIS were more likely to present with smaller tumors (open vs MIS: median tumor size, 17 cm; interquartile range [IQR, 9.8–26.0] vs 10.5 cm [IQR, 6.5–18.0]) and to undergo surgery at community hospitals (26.8% vs 36.1%; both P 0.05). These findings were confirmed using PSM. MIS was associated with a shorter LOS, however, postoperative mortality and overall survival were comparable by operative approach. Future research is required to evaluate the use of MIS for the management of RPS. Policies are required to ensure that patients receive care in accordance with best practices and recommended guidelines.
Adaptive Feature Extraction Algorithm using Mixed Transforms for Facial Recognition

An essential first step in facial recognition is the extraction of unique and reliable features that can identify faces from images. Feature extraction algorithms have evolved in recent years, with Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) in particular showing good results. This paper utilizes the DWT and the DCT in sequence and iteratively to best find the features that represent the facial image. The proposed facial recognition system will use the ORL, Yale and the Ferret-Fc databases to compare the proposed system to different published results as well as a simplified version of the proposed system. Each of the feature extraction matrix for each image will be compared using the ${L}\text{l}$ norm classifier, and the best recognition rate will be determined.
Tetrafluorosilane is a mild and very selective reagent for the cleavage of silyl-protected alcohols

Abstract Silyl ethers are cleaved by SiF4 in CH2cl2 or CH3CN at a rate which depends strongly on the steric screening of the ether oxygen, providing a promising method for selective desilylation under mild conditions.
Recurrent herpes labialis in the pediatric population: Prevalence, therapeutic studies, and associated complications

Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is an incredibly common condition, though the medical literature evaluating pediatric aspects is limited. This paper assesses prevalence and therapeutic studies of pediatric RHL as well as disease complications. A comprehensive literature search of English-language citations based on PubMed queries of selected terms was performed, with exclusion if methodology was not discussed, or if studies had 10 or fewer patients. RHL prevalence in pediatrics has been assessed by measures of point and periodic prevalence, though methodologic limitations may under- or over-estimate the true prevalence of RHL. Studies have been conducted to evaluate therapeutic safety, tolerability, and efficacy of antivirals in the pediatric population. Pediatric RHL point prevalence ranges from 0.72% to 5.2% depending on the population study and the methodologies used. Pediatric RHL carries a significant public health burden and is often implicated in patients with eczema herpeticum, erythema multiforme, reactive infectious mucositis eruptions, and hypersensitivity reactions. There are few studies that evaluate the rates of occurrence of these sequelae associated with pediatric RHL.
Impact of imaging modality, age, and gender on craniocervical junction angles in adults without structural pathology.

Context Multiple angles of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) are associated with pathological conditions and surgical outcomes, including the clivo-axial angle (CXA), clival slope (CS), and sagittal axis (XS). However, there are varying normative ranges reported and a paucity of data analyzing the effects of imaging modality, age, and gender on these angles. Setting and Design A retrospective review of computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in fifty adults without CCJ pathology from 2014 to 2019. Methods Age, gender, indication, and hours between scans were recorded. Two-blinded observers measured all angles. Analysis between angles from the same patient was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Multivariable linear regression was used to test for associations between average angles and age or gender. Results Average age and time between scans were 41.3 and 14.3 h, respectively, with 94% performed due to trauma. On CT, average CXA, CS, and XS were 162.1°, 118.4°, and 81.3°, respectively. On MRI, they were 159.8°, 117.2°, 85.3°, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between CXA and XS (P < 0.01) based on imaging modality. On CT, there was a significant increase in XS by 1.93°° and decrease in CS by 1.88°° and on MRI, there was a significant increase in CXA by 1.93°° and decrease in CS by 2.75°° corresponding with a 10-year advancement of age. Gender did not have an effect. Conclusion There are significant differences in angular measurements of the CCJ between CT and MRI from the same patient, as well as changes in normative values based on age.
Exogenous L-lactate promotes astrocyte plasticity but is not sufficient for enhancing striatal synaptogenesis or motor learning in mice

L-lactate is an energetic and signaling molecule that is key to the metabolic and neuroplastic connection between astrocytes and neurons and may be involved in exercise-induced neuroplasticity. This study sought to explore the role of L-lactate in astrocyte reactivity and neuroplasticity. Using in vitro cultures of primary astrocytes, we show L-lactate increased expression of plasticity-related genes, including neurotrophic factors, Bdnf, Gdnf, Cntf and the immediate early gene cFos. L-lactate9s promotion of neurotrophic factor expression may be mediated in part by the lactate receptor HCAR1 since application of the HCAR1 agonist 3,5-DHBA also increased expression of Bdnf in primary astrocytes. In vivo L-lactate administration to healthy mice caused a similar increase in the expression of plasticity-related genes as well as increased astrocyte morphological complexity in a region-specific manner, with increased astrocytic response found in the striatum but not the ectorhinal cortex, regions of the brain where increases in regional cerebral blood flow are increased or unaltered, respectively, with motor behavior. Additionally, L-lactate administration did not cause synaptogenesis or improve motor behavior based on the latency to fall on the accelerating rotarod, suggesting that L-lactate administration can initiate astrocyte-specific gene expression, but the activation of motor circuits is necessary to initiate striatal neuroplasticity. These results suggest that peripheral L-lactate is likely an important molecular component of exercise-induced neuroplasticity by acting in an astrocyte-specific manner to prime the brain for neuroplasticity.
TMS-evoked oscillations in human cortical circuits: A search for natural frequencies

Previous evidence suggests different cortical areas naturally oscillate at distinct frequencies, reflecting tuning properties of each region. The concurrent use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG) has been used to perturb cortical regions, resulting in an observed post-stimulation response that is maximal at the natural frequency (Rosanova et al., 2009; Ferrarelli et al., 2012). These frequencies were reported to progress from high-to-low in a rostro-caudal gradient across the cortex, such that a consistently evoked dominant alpha-band oscillations (8-12 Hz) occurred in the occipital cortex (BA 19), beta-band oscillations (13-20 Hz) in the parietal cortex (BA 7), and fast beta/gamma-band oscillations (21-50 Hz) in the frontal cortex (BA 6). Thus far, literature investigating natural frequencies in cortical circuits with TMS-EEG have only been demonstrated in the left hemisphere. Here, we attempted to replicate these previous findings in the right hemisphere by employing TMS-EEG to directly perturb approximately homologous cortical areas in human subjects during a passive state (N=12) and during an active task (N=12) in both sexes. Contrary to previous reports, we found limited evidence of differences in fundamental frequency between stimulation sites; while frequency-specific responses differed between sites, the same features displayed in previous studies were not replicated, such as the rostro-caudal gradient. Instead, each site possessed its own complex pattern of global and local changes in response to stimulation, with the pattern differing per subject. These findings suggest that cortical regions exhibit complex frequency-specific profiles that cannot be described by a hierarchical progression alone.
The Virtue of Dialogue

If one major driver of the polarization that shuts down discourse is constructing negative stories around and privileging distinct rather than shared social identities, then we need to take a closer look at the social and epistemic power dynamics at play in such discourse. We need to scrutinize the social and epistemic factors that lead to the silencing of groups marginalized specifically due to their social identities. This chapter begins by considering Miranda Fricker’s claim that epistemic injustice is a central vice that implicitly functions to silence marginalized groups, as well as her claim that the way to counter this vice is through the epistemic virtues of testimonial and hermeneutic justice. Drawing on critiques of Fricker’s work (like those by Elizabeth Anderson) as well as Gadamer’s account of openness, I defend openness as a key virtue for promoting discursive equality, one that applies to the individual but that has repercussions for attenuating structural inequalities. I end the chapter appealing to Dewey’s account of democracy to demonstrate the central role civic dialogue can play in cultivating the civic habits and virtues necessary for fostering a more just democracy.
An update of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase as a target for cardiac diseases.

Cyclic nucleotides, cAMP, and cGMP, are important second messengers of intracellular signaling and play crucial roles in cardiovascular biology and diseases. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (P...
Design of a Rapid, Reliable Urban Mobility System for the DC Region

The Washington D.C. region is ranked 5th in the U.S. by GDP per capita and 3rd worst for traffic congestion causing friction in the local economy. A confluence of technological advances enables Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transportation systems to bypass road congestion and transport passengers in electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicles. Analysis of travel demand profiles have identified the initial phase of a Rapid, Reliable Urban Mobility System (RRUMS) for the D.C. Region servicing private jet owners and first-class passengers from local airports to and from central business districts, assuming relaxed aerial vehicle and FAA restrictions. A stochastic simulation with random variables for vehicle speed, boarding times, vertiport operation times, and passenger inter-arrival times identified the need for a 5 node network with 70 vehicles, 3 landing pads, and 2 UAM vehicle parking space at the business Vertiports, servicing 369 flights per day. A Return on Investment of 122% can be achieved with a break-even in 2 years on an investment of $160M.
Stress Effects on Nanocrystal Formation by Ni-Induced Crystallization of Amorphous Si

Metal-induced crystallization (MIC) of amorphous Si is gaining increased interest because of its potential use for low-temperature fabrication of integrated circuits. In this work, the MIC technique was used to make Si nanocrystals and the effects of stress on the crystallization were studied. Amorphous Si films were deposited onto the Si substrate with thermal oxides on top by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and then patterned into nanoscale pillars by electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching. A conformal low-temperature oxide (LTO) layer was deposited to cover the pillars, followed by an anisotropic etch back to form a spacer, leaving only the top surface of the pillars exposed to the 5 nm Ni sputtering deposition afterwards. An HF dip was used to partially remove the LTO spacers on the pillars, leading to different LTO thicknesses on different samples. These samples were then annealed to crystallize the amorphous Si pillars, forming Si nanocrystals. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations after anneal found a clear dependence of the crystallization rate on the pillar size as well as the LTO thickness. The crystallization rate was lower for pillars with thicker LTO spacers, while for the same LTO thickness the crystallization rate was lower for pillars with narrower width. A model based on the stress in the pillars is proposed to explain this dependence. This model suggests some methods to control the nickel-induced crystallization process and achieve higher quality Si nanocrystals.
A 2020 Observational Perspective of Io

Jupiter's Galilean satellite Io is one of the most remarkable objects in our Solar System. The tidal heating Io undergoes through its orbital resonance with Europa and Ganymede has resulted in a bo...
Implementing Mandatory Testing and a Public Health Commitment to Control COVID-19 on a College Campus

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted US colleges and universities. As The George Washington University (GWU), a large urban university, prepared to reopen for the Fall 2020 semester, GWU established protocols to protect the health and wellness of all members of campus community. Reopening efforts included a cadre of COVID-19 surveillance systems including development of a public health COVID-19 laboratory, weekly and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 testing and daily risk screening and symptom monitoring. Other activities included completion of a mandatory COVID-19 training and influenza vaccination for the on-campus population, quarantining of students returning to campus, campus-focused case investigations and quarantining of suspected close contacts, clinical follow-up of infected persons, and regular communication and monitoring. A smaller on-campus population of 4,435 students, faculty and staff returned to campus with later expansion of testing to accommodate GWU students living in the surrounding area. Between August 17 and December 4, 2020, 38,288 tests were performed; 220 were positive. The surveillance program demonstrated a relatively low positivity rate, with temporal clustering of infected persons mirroring community spread, and little evidence for transmission among the GWU on-campus population. These efforts demonstrate the feasibility of safely partially reopening a large urban college campus by applying core principles of public health surveillance, infectious disease epidemiology, behavioral measures, and increased testing capacity, while continuing to promote educational and research opportunities. GWU will continue to monitor the program as the pandemic evolves and periodically reassess to determine if these strategies will be successful upon a full return to in-person learning. Summary BoxO_LIWhat is the current understanding of this subject? When the COVID-19 pandemic began, generally universities were not prepared and it was unclear how to safely reopen colleges and universities given the uncertain risks of transmission among students, faculty and staff. C_LIO_LIWhat does this report add to the literature? This case report highlights the successful approaches employed, including applying the core principles of public health surveillance and increasing testing capacity, to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 on a densely populated urban college campus resulting in a safe reopening. C_LIO_LIWhat are the implications for public health practice? This experience can provide a roadmap for other universities to consider as they plan for the safe reopening of their campuses. C_LI
Monte Carlo Dose Calculation Using MRI Based Synthetic CT Generated by Fully Convolutional Neural Network for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

The aim of this work is to study the dosimetric effect from generated synthetic computed tomography (sCT) from magnetic resonance (MR) images using a deep learning algorithm for Gamma Knife (GK) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The Monte Carlo (MC) method is used for dose calculations. Thirty patients were retrospectively selected with our institution IRB's approval. All patients were treated with GK SRS based on T1-weighted MR images and also underwent conventional external beam treatment with a CT scan. Image datasets were preprocessed with registration and were normalized to obtain similar intensity for the pairs of MR and CT images. A deep convolutional neural network arranged in an encoder-decoder fashion was used to learn the direct mapping from MR to the corresponding CT. A number of metrics including the voxel-wise mean error (ME) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used for evaluating the difference between generated sCT and the true CT. To study the dosimetric accuracy, MC simulations were performed based on the true CT and sCT using the same treatment parameters. The method produced an MAE of 86.6 ± 34.1 Hundsfield units (HU) and a mean squared error (MSE) of 160.9 ± 32.8. The mean Dice similarity coefficient was 0.82 ± 0.05 for HU > 200. The difference for dose-volume parameter D95 between the ground true dose and the dose calculated with sCT was 1.1% if a synthetic CT-to-density table was used, and 4.9% compared with the calculations based on the water-brain phantom.
Suppression of Nonlinear Caustic Formation in Polarization-Structured Beams

A self-focusing nonlinearity can generate caustics in beams that would not dis- play rogue intensity peaks under linear propagation. We show that polarization-structured beams are more resistant to developing caustics after nonlinear propagation.
Development of an immersive game-based virtual reality training program to teach fire safety skills to children

Injuries from residential fires are often overlooked as a dangerous safety concern for children. While lectures and classroom learning techniques can be effective in mitigating this risk, studies have shown that kids retain information better if they are allowed to practice escape techniques. Virtual Reality (VR) has been used both to simulate situations that are too dangerous to practice in real life and as a tool to help children learn. This thesis presents the two stage development of the Fire Safety Project, a game-based VR training environment to increase children’s understanding of fire safety. In the first iteration students help firefighters to identify home fire hazards and then practice escaping from a simulated fire in a virtual environment. Surveys administered show that participants felt that they had learned something during training. Many young participants also wanted to have active control over the virtual environment. In response, the second iteration is more game-based and allows children to explore the environment independently and “zap” fire hazards with the help of a tracked 6DOF wand. A user study was carried out and results indicate that students enjoyed the program; however there were no concrete learning gains from the use of the VR
Dispersion—Mississippi River Below Baton Rouge, La.

Measurements of longitudinal dispersion and lateral and vertical mixing were made in the Mississippi River at a flow of 795,000 cfs (22,511 m³/s). The results show that the longitudinal dispersion coefficient for the 179-mile (287.8-km) reach from Baton Rouge to Point a la Hache, La., was approx 7,500 sq ft/sec (697 m²/s) or about 900 U*R, in which U* is the shear velocity and R is the hydraulic radius. Vertical mixing was accomplished in about 50 miles (80.4 km). A numerical model based on a particular solution of the convection equation was used to aid in data collection. The model provides an accurate simulation of the dispersion process over the entire length of the study reach.
A Characterization of Emissions from an Early Model Flexible-Fuel Vehicle

An emission study was conducted on a 1987 Ford Crown Victoria flexible-fuel vehicle, an early prototype which had been driven about 25,000 miles. The vehicle was run on both gasoline and a blend of 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline. Emission rates of regulated pollutants (hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, and methanol) and nonregulated pollutants (speciated organic materials) were determined for both exhaust and evaporative emissions. Tests were run varying the driving cycle, ambient temperature and catalytic converter. In general, hydrocarbon composition of exhaust emissions was significantly affected by catalyst replacement and cold starts, slightly affected by driving schedule, and unaffected by ambient temperature and test fuel. Hydrocarbon composition of evaporative emissions was only sensitive to the type of evaporative test being performed: diurnal tests typically had larger fractions of lower molecular weight paraffins than hot soak tests. 11 refs., 4 figs., 7 tabs.
Fabrication of metal/high-temperature superconductor composites by shock compression

By combining techniques of explosive welding and cladding and shock wave compaction and consolidation of powders, a fabrication technology has been developed for consolidating, bonding, and encapsulating reactive and temperamental copper oxide-based high-Tc superconducting powders in a supporting metal matrix. These ceramic superconductor/metal matrix composites have unique features as precursors to a range of superconductor devices and applications. The fabrication strategy utilizes a concept of prototype manufacturing where processed superconductors are characterized and tested to optimize the process variables and reliable behavior. This strategy, may lead to early commercialization and applications for the new high-Tc oxide superconductors.
Chapter 23 Differential games — Economic applications*

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the differential games economic applications. Much of the application of N-person, general-sum differential games is in economics, where observed regularities are rarely invariant as in natural sciences. Thus, expenditure patterns in America offer little insights upon the consumption habits in Papua-New Guinea. Out of those differential games that depend on specific function forms (e.g., the linear-quadratic game), useful theoretic examples may be constructed but not the basis for robust predictions. In the case of optimal control, broad conclusions are often obtained by means of the globally analytic phase diagram for those problems with a low-dimension state space. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of economics, there are two distinct types of contributions that differential games can offer. First is regarding the multiplicity of solutions: differential game can yield broad conceptual contributions that do not require the detailed solution(s) of a particular game. Second, there remains an unsatisfied need that differential games may meet. For situations where a single decision maker faces an impersonal environment, the system dynamics can be studied fruitfully with optimal control models. There are analogous situations where the system dynamics is decided by the interactions of a few players. Differential games seem to be the natural tool. What economists wish to predict is not only the details about a single time profile, such as existence and stability of any long run configuration and the monotonicity and speed of convergence toward that limit, but also the findings from the sensitivity analysis: how such a configuration responds to parametric variations.
The structure and function of mouse thrombomodulin. Phorbol myristate acetate stimulates degradation and synthesis of thrombomodulin without affecting mRNA levels in hemangioma cells.

Thrombomodulin is an endothelial membrane anticoagulant protein that is a cofactor for protein C activation. We have evaluated the expression of thrombomodulin in cultured mouse hemangioma cells before and after treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), an agent that stimulates protein kinase C. We also isolated a cDNA encoding 481 amino acids of mouse thrombomodulin and the entire 3'-untranslated portion of its mRNA. The deduced amino acid sequence of mouse thrombomodulin is similar to those determined for human and bovine thrombomodulin. An S1 nuclease protection assay was used to measure thrombomodulin mRNA in hemangioma cells. The half-life for thrombomodulin mRNA was 8.9 +/- 1.8 h (S.D.) in cells treated with actinomycin D. Treatment with PMA had no effect on thrombomodulin mRNA levels. Thrombomodulin turnover was evaluated by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled thrombomodulin. The t1/2 was 19.8 +/- 3.9 h (S.D.); PMA treatment decreased the t1/2 to 10.9 +/- 1.1 h (S.D.) while increasing the rate of synthesis to a maximum of 190% of control. Protein C cofactor activity on hemangioma cells was reduced 35 +/- 4% by treatment with PMA within 30 min. This decrease was associated with a parallel decline in cell surface thrombomodulin antigen and with enhanced phosphorylation of thrombomodulin on serine residues. We conclude that thrombomodulin is phosphorylated in response to treatment of hemangioma cells with PMA which leads to decreased protein C cofactor activity and both increased degradation and synthesis of thrombomodulin.
Desorption of Al, Au, and Ag using surface plasmon excitation

This paper describes a promising method of photodesorption which greatly amplifies electric field strength in the surface region through the excitation of surface plasmons. We present data on the yield of desorbed Al, Au, and Ag atoms as a function of incident angle in the attenuated total reflection (ATR) geometry. We also present data on the kinetic energy distribution of the desorbed atoms. Finally, the mechanism responsible for the desorption will be discussed briefly. 6 figs.
A 1.2-V CMOS four-quadrant analog multiplier

A 1.2 V CMOS four-quadrant analog multiplier is presented. Using both the gate and bulk terminals of the MOSFET to achieve modulation, a simple 4-transistor multiplier core is obtained. Experimental results are given for a 0.5-/spl mu/m prototype with V/sub Tn/=0.7 V and V/sub Tp/=-0.9 V.