cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoluminescence imaging of solitary dopant sites in covalently doped single-wall carbon nanotubes

Covalent dopants in semiconducting single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are becoming important as routes for introducing new photoluminescent emitting states with potential for enhanced quantum yields, new functionality, and as species capable of near-IR room-temperature single photon emission. The origin and behavior of the dopant-induced emission is thus important to understand as a key requirement for successful room-T photonics and optoelectronics applications. Here, we use direct correlated two-color photoluminescence imaging to probe how the interplay between the SWCNT bright E11 exciton and solitary dopant sites yields the dopant-induced emission for three different dopant species: oxygen, 4-methoxybenzene, and 4-bromobenzene. We introduce a route to control dopant functionalization to a low level as a means for introducing spatially well-separated solitary dopant sites. Resolution of emission from solitary dopant sites and correlation to their impact on E11 emission allows confirmation of dopants as trapping sites for localization of E11 excitons following their diffusive transport to the dopant site. Imaging of the dopant emission also reveals photoluminescence intermittency (blinking), with blinking dynamics being dependent on the specific dopant. Density functional theory calculations were performed to evaluate the stability of dopants and delineate the possible mechanisms of blinking. Theoretical modeling suggests that the trapping of free charges in the potential well created by permanent dipoles introduced by dopant atoms/groups is likely responsible for the blinking, with the strongest effects being predicted and observed for oxygen-doped SWCNTs.
A resilient replication method in distributed database systems

A scheme is presented for maintaining consistency and improving resiliency of replicated data in distributed systems. A multiversion technique is used to increase the degree of concurrency. To reduce storage requirement and communication overhead, multiple versions are maintained only at read-only sites. Recovery methods for replicated data in distributed systems are also discussed. >
Coordination and control experiments on a multi-vehicle testbed

This paper introduces two unique testbeds that have recently been developed to demonstrate the cooperative control of teams of UAVs. The first testbed uses eight rovers and four blimps operated indoors to emulate a team of heterogeneous vehicles performing a combined reconnaissance and strike mission. The second testbed uses eight small aircraft that are flown autonomously using a commercially available autopilot. This combination of testbeds provides platforms for both advanced research and realistic demonstrations. Numerous trajectory optimization and team coordination algorithms have recently been developed to execute these UAV missions. This paper highlights several of these coordination and control algorithms and presents typical results for representative experiments. These demonstrations of the high-level planning algorithms on scaled vehicles operating in uncertain and dynamic environments represent key steps towards transitioning them to future UAV missions.
The Mi-2 homolog Mit1 actively positions nucleosomes within heterochromatin to suppress transcription

Mit1 is the putative chromatin remodeling subunit of the fission yeast Snf2/histone deacetylase (HDAC) repressor complex (SHREC) and is known to repress transcription at regions of heterochromatin. However, how Mit1 modifies chromatin to silence transcription is largely unknown. Here we report that Mit1 mobilizes histone octamers in vitro and requires ATP hydrolysis and conserved chromatin tethering domains, including a previously unrecognized chromodomain, to remodel nucleosomes and silence transcription. Loss of Mit1 remodeling activity results in nucleosome depletion at specific DNA sequences that display low intrinsic affinity for the histone octamer, but its contribution to antagonizing RNA polymerase II (Pol II) access and transcription is not restricted to these sites. Genetic epistasis analyses demonstrate that SHREC subunits and the transcription-coupled Set2 histone methyltransferase, which is involved in suppression of cryptic transcription at actively transcribed regions, cooperate to silence heterochromatic transcripts. In addition, we have demonstrated that Mit1's remodeling activity contributes to SHREC function independently of Clr3's histone deacetylase activity on histone H3 K14. We propose that Mit1 is a chromatin remodeling factor that cooperates with the Clr3 histone deacetylase of SHREC and other chromatin modifiers to stabilize heterochromatin structure and to prevent access to the transcriptional machinery.
Effects of Advancing Age on Hypothalamic-Hypophysial-Testicular Functions in the Male White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)

The effects of advancing age on the hypothalamic-hypophysial-testicular axis of the whitefooted mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. was investigated because of its relatively long lifespan and reproductive period as compared with the laboratory mouse, Mus musculus. Peromyscus, with an average lifespan of 48 months, showed similar levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and hypothalamic catecholamines from 12 to 42 months of age, but hypothalamic LU-releasing hormone (LHRH) levels decreased between 36 and 42 months. Although not statistically significant, testicular weight and serum testosterone levels decreased progressively after 20 months and were lower at 42 months than at any other age tested. The lack of significant change in these end points is in marked contrast to the aging laboratory rat, but parallels observations in the shorter-lived laboratory mouse.
Effects of sampling strategy on image quality in noncontact panoramic fluorescence diffuse optical tomography for small animal imaging

Fluorescence diffuse optical tomography is an emerging technology for molecular imaging with recent technological advances in biomarkers and photonics. The introduction of noncontact imaging methods enables very large-scale data acquisition that is orders of magnitude larger than that from earlier systems. In this study, the effects of sampling strategy on image quality were investigated using an imaging phantom mimicking small animals and further analyzed using singular value analysis (SVA). The sampling strategy was represented in terms of a number of key acquisition parameters, namely the numbers of sources, detectors, and imaging angles. A number of metrics were defined to quantitatively evaluate image quality. The effects of acquisition parameters on image quality were subsequently studied by varying each of the parameters within a reasonable range while maintaining the other parameters constant, a method analogue to partial derivative in mathematical analysis. It was found that image quality improves at a much slower rate if the acquisition parameters are above certain critical values (approximately 5 sources, approximately 15 detectors, and approximately 20 angles for our system). These critical values remain virtually the same even if other acquisition parameters are doubled. It was also found that increasing different acquisition parameters improves image quality with different efficiencies in terms of the number of measurements: for a system characterized by a smaller threshold in SVA (less than 10(-5) in our study), the number of sources is the most efficient, followed by the number of detectors and subsequently the number of imaging angles. However, for systems characterized by a larger threshold, the numbers of sources and angles are equally more efficient than the number of detectors.
Effects of saturated, ω-6 and ω-3 lipids on activities of enzymes involved in antioxidant defense in normal rats

Questions remain as to what types of dietary lipids are most beneficial in enhancing activities of antioxidant defense enzymes and whether changes in unsaturation index of dietary lipids affects the efficiency of antioxidant defense system. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the protective action of ω-3 lipids is through their influence on the antioxidant defense system. Weanling male Sprague Dawley rats were fed semi-purified diets containing 14% fat of either beef fat (BF), safflower oil (SFO) or fish oil (FO) for 7 wks. The effects of dietary lipids on the activities of key enzymes involved in antioxidant defense, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in rat hepatic cytosolic fractions were examined. Results showed that dietary lipids had a significant effect (p<0.014) on the activity of GSH-Px. GSH-Px activity was significantly higher in SFO compared to the BF group (p < 0.005) and the FO group (p <0.04). SOD activity was significantly higher in SFO compared to BF (SFO Vs BF: p <0.028) and FO group (SFO Vs FO: p <0.04). Feeding ω-3 fatty acids resulted in higher catalase activity in the FO group though this effect was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that dietary lipids have an impact on the activity of cytosolic antioxidant defense enzymes in rats providing more evidence for one of the mechanisms through which lipids may modulate disease involving antioxidant defense system.
Impact of elevated nitrate on sulfate-reducing bacteria: a comparative study of Desulfovibrio vulgaris.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria have been extensively studied for their potential in heavy-metal bioremediation. However, the occurrence of elevated nitrate in contaminated environments has been shown to inhibit sulfate reduction activity. Although the inhibition has been suggested to result from the competition with nitrate-reducing bacteria, the possibility of direct inhibition of sulfate reducers by elevated nitrate needs to be explored. Using Desulfovibrio vulgaris as a model sulfate-reducing bacterium, functional genomics analysis reveals that osmotic stress contributed to growth inhibition by nitrate as shown by the upregulation of the glycine/betaine transporter genes and the relief of nitrate inhibition by osmoprotectants. The observation that significant growth inhibition was effected by 70 mM NaNO3 but not by 70 mM NaCl suggests the presence of inhibitory mechanisms in addition to osmotic stress. The differential expression of genes characteristic of nitrite stress responses, such as the hybrid cluster protein gene, under nitrate stress condition further indicates that nitrate stress response by D. vulgaris was linked to components of both osmotic and nitrite stress responses. The involvement of the oxidative stress response pathway, however, might be the result of a more general stress response. Given the low similarities between the response profiles to nitrate and other stresses, less-defined stress response pathways could also be important in nitrate stress, which might involve the shift in energy metabolism. The involvement of nitrite stress response upon exposure to nitrate may provide detoxification mechanisms for nitrite, which is inhibitory to sulfate-reducing bacteria, produced by microbial nitrate reduction as a metabolic intermediate and may enhance the survival of sulfate-reducing bacteria in environments with elevated nitrate level.
STUDIES ON NUCLEOLAR RNA SYNTHESIS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER I. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUMBER OF NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZERS AND RATE OF SYNTHESIS

SUMMARY Nucleolar RNA synthesis in salivary glands from XX, XY, and XO larvae having different numbers of nucleolus organizers was examined autoradiographically following incubation of the tissues in [ 3 H]uridine. In addition, the presence or absence of secondary constrictions was monitored in neuroblast preparations using acridine orange staining. It was observed that: (1) The rate of nucleolar [ 3 H]uridine incorporation is independent of the number of nucleolus organizers in the cell; (2) nucleolar incorporation in XO tissues is elevated relative to that observed in XX or XY material; and (3) where the number of organizers is in excess of the wild type (2), secondary constrictions form at only 2 of the nucleolus organizer sites. From these and related observations we suggest that there are 2 forms of transcriptional control for nucleolar RNA synthesis. One acts as an on-off control, influencing the formation of secondary constrictions at the nucleolus organizers. The other form modulates rates of transcription at organizers where constrictions have been formed.
Changes in rat mesentery interstitial matrix due to superfusate

Animal preparations for microscopy often require a superfusate solution to cover surgically exposed tissue. There are few, if any, data concerning the effects of this solution on extravascular protein concentration and hydration. The effect of superfusion on mesenteric tissue in anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats was studied. Tissue samples were taken from nonsuperfused and superfused tissue and analyzed for hydration, albumin, and transferrin content. The mesenteric tissue interstitial matrix was rapidly altered by normal saline superfusate. After superfusion, there was a decrease (P < 0.01) in tissue albumin concentration from 1.17 +/- 0.27 to 0.10 +/- 0.08 g/dl (n = 9). Tissue hydration increased from 4.98 +/- 0.8 micrograms water/microgram dry wt in controls to 7.38 +/- 1.2 micrograms water/micrograms dry wt after superfusion. When a range of superfusate albumin concentrations was used (0, 1, 2, and 3 g/dl), tissue albumin concentration changed 0.59 +/- 0.09 g/dl for each gram per deciliter change in superfusate concentration (P < 0.0001). The large changes in interstitial matrix protein content and hydration suggest that superfusate solution effects need to be considered in microvascular protein transport experiments.
Optimal sustainable fault tolerant control of five-phase permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motor

This paper presents the optimal sustainable fault tolerant control of a five-phase permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor (PMa-SynRM). Advanced fault tolerant control system has been required for applications where high reliability and safety is required including hybrid/electric vehicles and aerospace industry. The proposed fault tolerant control strategy is based on advanced vector control of multiphase machine which provide safe machine operation under various phase loss fault conditions. To achieve effective and sustainable fault tolerant operation of PMa-SynRM which utilizes reluctance torque through large saliency ratio, the optimum torque angle has been derived to deliver the maximum output torque while reducing the phase currents to lessen saturation effect in the machine. The optimal set of currents during the fault has been found to provide sufficiently smooth and long-time fault tolerant operation under fault condition. Extensive theoretical analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), and MATLAB simulation has been carried out to derive proposed method. The experimental result has been found by utilizing the 5hp dynamo system controlled by TI DSP F28335.
The Case for the 20MT Rocket

The recently-announced exploration of the Moon and Mars requires an unprecedented mass to be lifted to Low Earth Orbit, in the range of 300 to 1000 Metric Tons (MT) per mission. This issue could be resolved either through the construction of a new launch vehicle with a payload in the range of 40 to 200MT, or through an increased launch rate of any of the already operative vehicles with a payload of 20 MT. The analysis in this paper is based on economic, innovation, policy robustness, and technical considerations. The first and most important conclusion is that establishing a standard payload system with a fixed size is a better alternative. The payload size is based on market demand for the already operative 20MT payload vehicles, which combined with an increased but flexible launch rate of up to twice per week can provide multiple benefits besides the exploration ones. In addition, the system modularization result of standardized interfaces between the launcher and payload will cause the commoditization of the launcher, with advantages on reduced risk and cost and an increased pace of innovation. Finally, the commoditization, and increased production rate of the launchers, will help to establish, with a most realistic base, what the market for vehicles with bigger payload sizes is.
Photodynamic Therapy: A Bridge between Technology and Medicine

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an interventional treatment modality for the destruction of cancerous and non-neoplastic pathologies. An overview of PDT and its impact on therapy and diagnostics will be presented.
How Individual Differences and Task Load May Affect Feedback Use When Learning a New Task

The literature shows mixed findings regarding how much feedback is best for learning a task (cf. van Merrienboer & Sweller, 2005; Schmidt & Bjork, 1992). One model describes feedback specificity as resource dependent (McLaughlin, 2006). The current study provided a test of that model by including learners with high and low working memory on a managerial decision making task. The full study is ongoing, but pilot data indicate those with lower working memory capacity may not be able to fully utilize feedback they are given. Results are discussed and implications for future research provided.
The relationship between plasma beta-endorphin, opioid receptor activity, and silent myocardial ischemia.

Objective To investigate the role of the opioid system in the pathophysiology of silent ischemia through opiate antagonism with naloxone, and to determine the reproducibility of resting and postexercise beta-endorphin levels in predominantly asymptomatic patients with coronary artery disease. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Setting A University hospital referral center. Patients Ten patients with prior evidence of silent exercise-induced ischemia were studied. Intervention An infusion of saline placebo or naloxone at two dose regimens of 0.015 mg/kg or 0.15 mg/kg before supine exercise testing during three separate occasions for each patient. Outcome measures Plasma beta-endorphin was measured at rest, immediately after exercise, and 5 min poststress. Timing and severity of angina and exercise hemodynamics were also determined. Results Seven of 10 patients reported no angina, whereas the other three experienced angina with placebo and after administration of naloxone at both doses. The severity and duration of angina was consistently noted to decrease in these patients after naloxone administration, especially after low-dose naloxone relative to placebo. There were no apparent correlations between beta-endorphin levels and the characteristics of angina in these three patients, nor between beta-endorphin and hemodynamic responses in all patients in the study. Conclusions (a) naloxone failed to precipitate angina in this population of patients with silent ischemia; (b) naloxone appears to exert an analgesic effect at low doses; and (c) a variability of 5 pM at rest and 13 pM after exercise might be expected in predominantly asymptomatic patients due to random variation, which is comparable with results found in normal subjects.
A new unified architecture of thermal/structural dynamic algorithms - Applications to coupled thermoelasticity

A new unified architecture of robust thermal-structural dynamic algorithms is presented with emphasis on applications to coupled thermoelasticity. The proposed formulations are based on Lax-Wendroff/Taylor-Galerkin explicit time integration methodology. The applicability of the proposed unified architecture to interdisciplinary problems relevant to coupled dynamic thermoelasticity is demonstrated. The basic concepts and characteristic features of the unified formulations are discussed.
Reproduction in Cotton Rats: A Response to Hellgren and Lochmiller

Hellgren and Lochmiller (1997, Journal of Mammalogy , 78:691–694) refined the calculations in Randolph et al. (1995, Journal of Mammalogy , 76:1113–1126) to raise minimum protein requirements for Sigmodon hispidus from 7.5 to 10.7%. This recomputed value strengthens our conclusion that reproduction in this species is limited by availability of protein.
Evaluation of Exposure Concentrations Used in Assessing Manufactured Nanomaterial Environmental Hazards: Are They Relevant?

Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) are increasingly produced and used in consumer goods, yet our knowledge regarding their environmental risks is limited. Environmental risks are assessed by characterizing exposure levels and biological receptor effects. As MNMs have rarely been quantified in environmental samples, our understanding of exposure level is limited. Absent direct measurements, environmental MNM concentrations are estimated from exposure modeling. Hazard, the potential for effects on biological receptors, is measured in the laboratory using a range of administered MNM concentrations. Yet concerns have been raised regarding the “relevancy” of hazard assessments, particularly when the administered MNM concentrations exceed those predicted to occur in the environment. What MNM concentrations are administered in hazard assessments and which are “environmentally relevant”? This review regards MNM concentrations in hazard assessments, from over 600 peer-reviewed articles published between 2008 and 20...
Live Cell Imaging Using Riboswitch–Spinach tRNA Fusions as Metabolite-Sensing Fluorescent Biosensors

The development of fluorescent biosensors is motivated by the desire to monitor cellular metabolite levels in real time. Most genetically encodable fluorescent biosensors are based on receptor proteins fused to fluorescent protein domains. More recently, small molecule-binding riboswitches have been adapted for use as fluorescent biosensors through fusion to the in vitro selected Spinach aptamer, which binds a pro-fluorescent, cell-permeable small molecule mimic of the GFP chromophore, DFHBI. Here we describe methods to prepare and analyze riboswitch-Spinach tRNA fusions for ligand-dependent activation of fluorescence in vivo. Example procedures describe the use of the Vc2-Spinach tRNA biosensor to monitor perturbations in cellular levels of cyclic di-GMP using either fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry. The relative ease of cloning and imaging of these biosensors, as well as their modular nature, should make this method appealing to other researchers interested in utilizing riboswitch-based biosensors for metabolite sensing.
Effect of maturational changes in myosin content and morphometry on airway smooth muscle contraction.

We studied the relationship of airway morphometry, the content of myosin heavy-chain and isoform stoichiometry, and the distribution of bronchoconstrictor responses in the airways of maturing swine...
Reconciling neg-raising and NPIs in Korean

Gajewski (2007) argues that neg-raising predicates (NRPs) introduce a set of alternatives that includes their internal negation, and trigger an excluded middle (EM) presupposition that projects through negation; he also shows that negated NRPs support anti-additive inferences, thus licensing strict NPIs. Since Korean exhibits neg-raising, we might expect licensing of strict NPIs such as amu-(N)-to, contrary to fact (Boskovic, 2008). To capture this unavailability while preserving a unified account of NRPs, we propose that an even-like presupposition triggered by the emphatic particle 'to' (An, 2007) is crucially incompatible with the EM presupposition triggered by the NRPs.
Introduction to ARENA Software

This chapter introduces a software package used widely for instruction and real-world decision-support often referred to as ARENA software. ARENA is effectively a suite of software which includes the ARENA simulator, the Input Analyzer (for input analysis), and the Process Analyzer (PAN) (for output analysis). All of these are produced by Rockwell International which is also a major manufacturer. This situation permits the ARENA team to constantly apply their software to real-world problems. ARENA software and the related suite do not have the full range of graphics and visualization capabilities of software such as AutoMod, MODSIM, PROMODEL, SIMIO, and many others. Also, the Input Analyzer and the PAN lack statistical analysis features in more powerful software such as SAS. Yet, ARENA is comparatively easy-to-learn, of moderate cost (around $20K per a professional license), and can be successfully used for even large projects.
The Phases of ERP Software Implementation and Maintenance: A Model for Predicting Preferred ERP Use

Nearly all information technology educators and practitioners are familiar with the concept of a systems development life cycle (SDLC). The SDLC model is mainly based on new software development. The stages vary based on methodology, but mostly include planning and requirements definition, analysis, design of the new system, implementation, and post-implementation support such as maintenance and security. Less explored and known are the stages involved in commercial off the shelf installation. The actual implementation of commercial off the shelf software ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems is an area that is suggested to have a life cycle of its own. The importance of specific phases of this ERP implementation life cycle is the subject of this study. By surveying SAP enterprise resource planning implementations at two divisions of a major manufacturing company, a confirmatory factor analysis confirms the existence of four distinct phases of ERP implementation — preparation and training, transition...
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Have We Finally Found the Perfect Noninvasive Biomarker?

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a diverse syndrome marked by myocyte hypertrophy, concentric left ventricular remodeling, and end-diastolic stiffness.1 HFpEF is seen predominantly in the elderly and hypertensive and is associated with several comorbidities such as obesity, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and lung and kidney disease.2–4 These comorbidities contribute both to the diastolic stiffness directly, as well as result in systemic inflammatory derangements that lead to cardiac morbidity and mortality.5–7 This systemic inflammation may also cause adverse myocardial remodeling in HFpEF by disrupting coronary endothelial and microvascular function, inducing differentiation of myofibroblasts, and altering paracrine communication between cardiomyocytes.8 See Article by Duca et al Analysis of hypertensive patients with and without HFpEF has revealed elevated serum markers of collagen production and turnover in patients with higher degrees of HF symptoms.9 Endomyocardial biopsy of patients with HFpEF demonstrated more collagen type I and collagen cross-linking, which correlated to higher degrees of diastolic dysfunction by tissue Doppler.10,11 Stimulation of cardiac fibroblasts in HFpEF patients with transforming growth factor-β resulted in differentiation into myofibroblasts, which increased type I collagen and reduced matrix metalloproteinase-1 increasing diastolic stiffness through collagen deposition in the extracellular membrane induced by inflammation.12 Taken together, these data indicate that myocardial fibrosis may play a major role in the development of HFpEF, making it an attractive marker of disease progression and prognosis. Myocardial fibrosis …
Performance of a Machine Learning Classifier of Knee MRI Reports in Two Large Academic Radiology Practices: A Tool to Estimate Diagnostic Yield

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of a natural language processing (NLP) system in classifying a database of free-text knee MRI reports at two separate academic radiology practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS. An NLP system that uses terms and patterns in manually classified narrative knee MRI reports was constructed. The NLP system was trained and tested on expert-classified knee MRI reports from two major health care organizations. Radiology reports were modeled in the training set as vectors, and a support vector machine framework was used to train the classifier. A separate test set from each organization was used to evaluate the performance of the system. We evaluated the performance of the system both within and across organizations. Standard evaluation metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score (i.e., the weighted average of the precision and recall), and their respective 95% CIs were used to measure the efficacy of our classification system. RESULTS. Th...
Geographic Disparities in Cytomegalovirus Infection During Pregnancy.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common infectious cause of fetal malformations and childhood hearing loss. CMV is more common among socially disadvantaged groups, and it clusters geographically in poor communities. We conducted a geospatial analysis of chronic and primary CMV infection among pregnant women around Durham, NC. Methods We performed a geospatial analysis of subjects from an ongoing study of CMV infection among pregnant women using geographic information systems and spatial statistics. Subjects were categorized on the basis of results of their CMV immunoglobulin G avidity testing as seronegative, seropositive, or primary infection. We used generalized additive models to analyze the spatial distributions of individuals who fell into each category and to control for confounders such as race and age. We used a generalized estimating equation to correlate community-level variables with CMV status. Results Of 3527 pregnant women aged 15 to 59 years, 93.4% were either white or black. CMV seropositivity was significantly more common among non-Hispanic white subjects than among minority subjects (odds ratio, 3.76 [95% confidence interval, 3.25-4.34]). We identified a cluster in which women had elevated odds of CMV seropositivity in the urban neighborhoods of Durham. Cases of primary CMV infection were more common in areas with higher-than-average CMV seroprevalence. Neighborhood median family income was associated inversely with the prevalence of chronic CMV. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of CMV seropositivity in urban low-income neighborhoods among pregnant women, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. Seronegative pregnant women from these communities might be at heightened risk for primary CMV infection.
A nickel-foam@carbon-shell with a pie-like architecture as an efficient polysulfide trap for high-energy Li–S batteries

A high-loading sulfur cathode is critical for establishing rechargeable lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with the anticipated high energy density. However, its fabrication as well as realizing high electrochemical utilization and stability with high-loading sulfur cathodes is a daunting challenge. We present here a new pie-like electrode that consists of an electrocatalytic nickel-foam as a “filling” to adsorb and store polysulfide catholytes and an outer carbon shell as a “crust” for facilitating high-loading sulfur cathodes with superior electrochemical and structural stabilities. The inner electrocatalytic nickel-foam is configured to adsorb polysulfides and facilitate their redox reactions. The intertwined carbon shell assists to shield the polysulfides within the cathode region of the cell. Both the nickel-foam and the carbon shell have high conductivity and porous space, which serve simultaneously as interconnected current collectors to enhance the redox kinetics and as polysulfide reservoirs to confine the active material. The effectiveness of such a pie-like structure in improving the electrochemical efficiency enables the cathode to host an ultrahigh sulfur loading of 40 mg cm−2 and attain a high areal capacity of over 40 mA h cm−2 at a low electrolyte/sulfur (E/S) ratio of 7. The enhanced cyclability is reflected in a high reversible areal capacity approaching 30 mA h cm−2 at C/5 rate after 100 cycles and excellent rate capability up to 2C rate.
The Archaeology of Aquatic Adaptations: Paradigms for a New Millennium

Although aquatic resources are often seen as central to the development of post-Pleistocene cultural complexity, most models of human evolution have all but ignored the role of aquatic or maritime adaptations during the earlier stages of human history. When did aquatic resources, maritime adaptations, and seafaring first play a significant role in human evolution? I explore this fundamental question by (1) reviewing various theories on the subject; (2) discussing a variety of problems that prevent archaeologists from providing a clear answer; and (3) examining the archaeological record for evidence of early aquatic resource use or seafaring. I conclude that aquatic resources, wherever they were both abundant and relatively accessible, have probably always been used opportunistically by our ancestors. Evidence suggests, however, that aquatic and maritime adaptations (including seafaring) played a significantly greater role in the demographic and geographic expansion of anatomically modern humans after about 150,000 years ago. Another significant expansion occurred somewhat later in time, with the development of more sophisticated seafaring, fishing, and marine hunting technologies.
Negative curvature fibers

We describe the history, guiding mechanism, recent advances, applications, and future prospects for hollow-core negative curvature fibers. We first review one-dimensional slab waveguides, two-dimensional annular core fibers, and negative curvature tube lattice fibers to illustrate the inhibited coupling guiding mechanism. Antiresonance in the glass at the core boundary and a wavenumber mismatch between the core and cladding modes inhibit coupling between the modes and have led to remarkably low loss in negative curvature fibers. We also summarize recent advances in negative curvature fibers that improve the performance of the fibers, including negative curvature that increases confinement, gaps between tubes that increase confinement and bandwidth, additional tubes that decrease mode coupling, tube structures that suppress higher-order modes, nested tubes that increase guidance, and tube parameters that decrease bend loss. Recent applications of negative curvature fibers are also presented, including mid-infrared fiber lasers, micromachining, and surgical procedures. At the end, we discuss the future prospects for negative curvature fibers.
The Axial Moment and Its Critics: Jaspers, Bellah, and Voegelin

Axial theory locates the turning point in history in the Axial Age, the first millennium BCE prior to Christ, in which Hebrew prophets and scripture, Greek tragedians and philosophers, Indian Brahmins and the Buddha, and Chinese sages and teachers of worldly ethics began the process of desacralizing nature and the human world. Karl Jaspers’ later American disciple, the sociologist Robert Bellah, presents the Axial Age in epic spread in his most important work on the subject. Later, we will bring to bear Jaspers’ student and critic Eric Voegelin, who turned the notion on its head. We conclude by showing how Girard’s idea of history brings a closure to this cycle, by showing the apocalyptic implications of the concept of humanity in purely secular terms.
Mechanisms of Regulation of Cell Growth by Cytokines of the Immune System

The growth of cells in culture is regulated in part by a balance between growth stimulatory and growth inhibitory polypeptide molecules. Unrestrained proliferation of cancer cells may result from abnormal production and release of certain polypeptide growth factors or from their failure to express or respond to growth inhibitory polypeptides. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT), secreted products of activated monocytes and lymphocytes, respectively, inhibit the growth of wide variety of tumor cells while stimulating the growth of certain normal cells. The mechanism by which these cytokines transduce the signal is not understood. Depending on the cell type, early signal transduction mechanisms involve the role of transcriptional factors, kinases, phosphatases, phospholipases, sphingomyelinase, superoxide radical, nitric oxide, and proteases. However, at later stages the antiproliferative effects of these cytokines appear to involve damage to subcellular organelles such as the plasma membrane, mitochondria, and lysosomes.
RUBBER CITY GIRL: THE PATH TO THE GOODYEAR MEDAL

ABSTRACT An overview of my 40-year career will be provided, spanning both industry and academe, and two continents. During my industrial years at LANXESS (formerly the Rubber Division of Bayer), I solved long-standing (10-yr) major manufacturing problems related to Taktene-55 and developed on-line and off-line process control tools that are still in operation. I also developed new technologies (bimodal butyl, one-step halobutyl, branched butyl, liquid carbon dioxide process) that resulted in patents. After transferring to academe, I continued the development of new polyisobutylene-based materials. I have held the Bayer (LANXESS) Industrial Research Chair for 12 yr, working closely with the rubber industry. My most important accomplishments include developing advanced elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers for health care, enzyme-catalyzed polymer functionalization, a “green” synthesis of disulfide polymers and gels, and research into natural rubber biosynthesis. Poly(styrene-isobutylene-polystyrene) is u...
Rationality and Wonder: From Scientific Cosmology to Philosophy and Theology

Through astronomy, physics, cosmology, biology and the other sciences we have come to understand a great deal about nature and our amazing universe. We can sketch their main features in very broad strokes – evolution, relationality, nested levels of organization, complexity and potentiality for life and consciousness, contingency, transience and fragility, and order with some directionality. The universe itself has developed from a very simple, homogeneous system into one of incredible complexity – through the efficacy of the interactions which dominate it, and the emerging, highly differentiated relationships which operate within the macroscopic and microscopic systems and subsystems which form within it. But the universe, life and we ourselves are sources of wonder and inspiration – there is an enormous surplus of understanding, meaning, and significance which is nourished by scientific understanding but transcends it. They present themselves as inexhaustibly rich and deep – ultimately as Mystery. Though scientific rationality encounters limits to its capabilities to probe this Mystery more deeply, its incredible success within its competencies points to and validates our rational and personal quest for understanding and meaning beyond the cosmological limit – through the arts, philosophy, theology and the personal engagement from which they arise.
Network Service Management with Constraint Technology

Performant network management platforms have a distributed architecture of diverse agents, which are highly specialized in monitoring connection nodes, communication links, computing systems, and business applications along with their supporting services. However, managing enterprise networks is mainly characterized by "thresholding" solutions, where device or application events are monitored, logged, and filtered through predefined threshold levels. It seems that the challenge raised by Marshall Rose, author of the Internet management protocol, a few years ago, remains actual (Rose 1993), and that there is still a tremendous need for "thinkers", or management tools that can turn "data into information".
Community Hospital Decreases Narcotic Usage in Postoperative Bariatric Patients

Abstract Background Opioids have long been used as an effective form of analgesia for pain in the postoperative setting; however, their addictive potential and associated complications have become a detriment. There has been an increasing movement to decrease opioid prescribing. Objective The aim of this study was to look at common bariatric surgery procedures at a single institution and compare opioid usage before and after the implementation of a multimodal pain regimen. Setting Community program, hospital-employed, and private practice, United States. Methods Six hundred twelve laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients were included in this single-institution retrospective cohort study. Data were obtained from chart review. Comparison was made between patients from 2016 and patients from a 3-month period in 2017 when the new pain management protocol had been instituted. Results The postoperative opioid usage of 516 patients from 2016 was compared with that of 96 patients from a 3-month period in 2017 after initiating the new pain management protocol. The mean intravenous hydromorphone usage of the control group, 16.0 ± 14.6 morphine milligram equivalent (or 4.0 mg ± .2), over the postoperative inpatient stay decreased to 7.3 ± 6.7 morphine milligram equivalent (or 1.8 mg ± .2) in the study group. This represents a 55% decrease. The study group did show less 30-day postoperative complications compared with the control, 1.04% and 2.13%, respectively, although this was not statistically significant. Conclusion A multimodal pain regimen is an effective way to cut opioid usage with no statistical difference in overall 30-day complications.
A pilot study of fecal bile acid and microbiota profiles in inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is thought to arise from an abnormal immune response to the gut microbiota. IBD is associated with altered intestinal microbial community structure and functionality, which may contribute to inflammation and complications such as colon cancer and liver disease. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with IBD and markedly increases the risk of colon cancer. We hypothesized that secondary bile acids, which are products of microbial metabolism, are increased in PSC patients. Aim Here, we profiled the fecal bile acid composition and gut microbiota of participants with IBD and PSC, as well as healthy participants. Additionally, we tested the effects of vancomycin, a proposed treatment for PSC, on gut microbiota and fecal bile acid composition in participants with IBD and PSC. Methods Fecal samples were collected from patients with IBD, IBD/PSC and healthy controls and fecal bile acids and DNA for microbiota analysis were extracted. Fecal bile acids were averaged over a seven-day period. For subjects with IBD/PSC, oral vancomycin 500mg twice a day was administered and fecal samples were collected for up to eleven weeks. Results Participants with IBD and PSC had less fecal microbial diversity at baseline relative to controls. While there was some evidence of altered conversion of cholic acid to deoxycholic acid, no substantial differences were found in the fecal bile acid profiles of patients with IBD and PSC (n=7) compared to IBD alone (n=8) or healthy controls (n=8). Oral vancomycin was a potent inhibitor of secondary bile acid production in participants with IBD and PSC, particularly deoxycholic acid, although no changes in liver biochemistry patterns were noted over a two week period. Conclusion In this pilot study, bile acid profiles were overall similar among patients with IBD and PSC, IBD alone, and healthy controls. Microbiota diversity was reduced in those with PSC and IBD compared to IBD alone or healthy controls.
On the comparative performance of information provision policies in network routing games

We study information design for network routing games in the presence of vagaries. We prove strong competitive bounds for various information provision policies, in the spirit of Roughgarden’s Price of Anarchy (PoA). In contrast with the classical framework, we show that the PoA may cease to be bounded in the presence of vagaries, unless information is provided to the decision-makers. We also investigate randomized public signaling policies and personalized recommendation, beyond no-and full-information revelation.
Who Understands Consent? A Latent Profile Analysis of College Students' Attitudes Toward Consent.

Sexual assault occurs at high rates on college campuses today. This problem persists despite the many educational programs that seek to educate college students about sexual assault and consent. Th...
Effect of Situational Interest and Social Support on College Students’ Physical Activity Motivation: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Given the low levels of engagement in physical activity among young adults, this mixed methods study was designed to increase our understanding of the factors that influence their participation. Interest motivation theory provided the framework for examining the multi­dimensionality of situational interest as a component that is predictive of engagement in physical activity. College students enrolled in tennis classes at a large research university were recruited to participate in the research. A survey assessing the sources of situational interest was administered to 82 students, and eight students were interviewed so that we could obtain a deeper understanding of the quantitative results. A stepwise multiple regression model revealed four sources (enjoyment, novelty, exploration, and attention demand) that operated as predictors of total situational interest (r 2 = .93). From the interpretive analysis of the interview data, three themes emerged (autonomy, competence, and social support). Given these findings, recommendations for modifying physical activity classes are provided. Subscribe to TPE
Dynamic Pricing in a Dual Market Environment

This paper is concerned with the determination of pricing strategies for a firm that in each period of a finite horizon receives replenishment quantities of a single product which it sells in two markets, e.g., a long-distance market and an on-site market. The key difference between the two markets is that the long-distance market provides for a one period delay in demand fulfillment. In contrast, on-site orders must be filled immediately as the customer is at the physical on-site location. We model the demands in consecutive periods as independent random variables and their distributions depend on the item's price in accordance with two general stochastic demand functions: additive or multiplicative. The firm uses a single pool of inventory to fulfill demands from both markets. We investigate properties of the structure of the dynamic pricing strategy that maximizes the total expected discounted profit over the finite time horizon, under fixed or controlled replenishment conditions. Further, we provide conditions under which one market may be the preferred outlet to sale over the other.
Case Sequence Analysis of the Robotic Colorectal Resection Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND:Robotic surgery for colorectal cancer offers many potential benefits, but as with any new technology, there is a learning curve.OBJECTIVE:We sought to identify trends in the uptake of robotic resection and associated complication rates.DESIGN:This was a case sequence analysis of robotic s
Investigating the US biomedical workforce: Gender, field of training, and retention.

The biomedical research workforce plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth and improving public health through discoveries and innovations. This study fills a knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive portrait of this workforce and retention within it. A distinguishing feature is that we use an occupation-based definition which allows us to look 'backward' to field of training and assess the extent to which it has grown more interdisciplinary, and how this differs by gender. The analysis is conducted using restricted-use SESTAT data, the most comprehensive dataset on the scientific workforce in the USA, for the years 1993, 2003, and 2010. Among the findings, we identify differences in interdisciplinarity in training by gender, and these differences have widened. In the retention analysis, which focuses on the 7-year period, 2003-10, we find that retention is negatively and significantly associated with interdisciplinary training for women, but not for men.