cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The dynamics of a viscoelastic fluid which displays thixotropic yield stress behavior

Abstract We present a new mathematical perspective to study the dynamics of constitutive models with non-monotonic curves that naturally explains thixotropic yield stress behavior. To illustrate, a viscoelastic constitutive model, which generates a non-monotone shear stress as a function of shear rate in a steady homogeneous parallel shear flow, is investigated for the dynamics initiated by a step-up or step-down in prescribed shear stress. The stress tensor for the model is a combination of the partially extending strand convection model modified to allow the shear stress to approach a non-negative limit for large shear rates, and a Newtonian solvent contribution. We address the case where the relaxation time is large. In this limit, the first maximum in the non-monotone curve occurs at a small shear rate, characterized by a parameter ϵ ≪ 1 . There is no presumption of a yield stress, but nevertheless, we obtain yield stress behavior in this limit. Complex behaviors such as yield stress hysteresis, dependence of yield stress on time scales, thixotropy, apparent unyielding at a small non-negative shear stress, and an apparent viscosity which evolves on a slow time scale, are explained by this model. The direct numerical simulation of the full governing equations is performed in conjunction with a perturbation analysis with multiple time scales, in order to characterize yielded states. A novel time-periodic fracture-heal solution, with each period composed of a short yielded flow and a long unyielded state is found. Oscillations of this nature have been reported for a soft-glassy material which fractures on a fast time scale and reheals on a slow time scale.
Memory for recent actions in the bottlenosed dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ): Repetition of arbitrary behaviors using an abstract rule

Little is known about how animals represent their own actions in working memory. We investigated whether bottlenosed dolphins could recall actions they had recently performed and reveal those recollections using an abstract rule. Two dolphins were trained to respond to a specific gestural command by repeating the last behavior performed. Both dolphins proved to be able to repeat a wide variety of behaviors on command and were able to generalize the repeating rule to novel behaviors and situations. One dolphin was able to repeat all 36 behaviors she was tested on, including behaviors involving multiple simultaneous actions and self-selected behaviors. These results suggest that dolphins can flexibly access memories of their recent actions and that these memories are of sufficient detail to allow for reenactments. The repeating task can potentially be used to investigate short-term action and event representations in a variety of species.
Phylogenetic relationships, host affinity, and geographic structure of boreal and arctic endophytes from three major plant lineages.

Although associated with all plants, fungal endophytes (microfungi that live within healthy plant tissues) represent an unknown pro- portion of fungal diversity. While there is a growing appreciation of their ecological importance and human uses, little is known about their host specificity, geographic structure, or phylogenetic relationships. We surveyed endophytic Ascomycota from healthy photosyn- thetic tissues of three plant species (Huperzia selago, Picea mariana, and Dryas integrifolia, representing lycophytes, conifers, and angio- sperms, respectively) in northern and southern boreal forest (Quebec, Canada) and arctic tundra (Nunavut, Canada). Endophytes were recovered from all plant species surveyed, and were present in <1-41% of 2 mm 2 tissue segments examined per host species. Sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) were obtained for 280 of 558 isolates. Species-accumulation curves based on ITS genotypes remained non-asymptotic, and bootstrap analyses indicated that a large number of genotypes remain to be found. The majority of genotypes were recovered from only a single host species, and only 6% of genotypes were shared between boreal and arctic communities. Two independent Bayesian analyses and a neighbor-joining bootstrapping analysis of combined data from the nuclear large and small ribosomal subunits (LSUrDNA, SSUrDNA; 2.4 kb) showed that boreal and arctic endophytes repre- sent Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Chaetothyriomycetidae, Leotiomycetes, and Pezizomycetes. Many well-supported phylotypes contained only endophytes despite exhaustive sampling of available sequences of Ascomycota. Together, these data demonstrate greater than expected diversity of endophytes at high-latitude sites and provide a framework for assessing the evolution of these poorly known but ubiquitous symbionts of living plants.
Initial application of a geometric QA tool for integrated MV and kV imaging systems on Trilogy, Synergy, and Vero

Introduction: Several linacs with integrated kV imaging have been developed for delivery of image-guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). High geometric accuracy and coincidence of kilovoltage (kV) imaging systems and MV beam delivery are essential for successful image guidance. A geometric QA tool is available of evaluating and characterizing geometric accuracy of kV and MV cone beam imaging systems.
Joining of Yttria‐Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal with an Aluminum‐Zirconium Alloy

Des ceramiques de Y-TZP ont ete brasees avec un alliage Al-5,8%Zr a plus de 9OO°C. L'alliage de brasage contenait des precipites aciculaires de la phase Al 3 Zr, qui contribuent a renforcer le joint.
Death on the brain: effects of mortality salience on the neural correlates of ingroup and outgroup categorization

Research has shown that thoughts of one’s own death (i.e. mortality salience; MS) increase aspects of intergroup bias. However, the extent to which MS influences neural activity underlying basic person perception processes has not been examined. In the current study, event-related brain potentials were used as measures of online attentional and evaluative processes as White participants categorized ingroup (White) and outgroup (Black) faces according to expression (happy vs angry) following either MS or a control induction. Results showed that MS affected the amplitude of the P2 and N2 components elicited by ingroup faces but had no effect on the processing of outgroup faces. Processing of angry ingroup relative to angry outgroup faces was pronounced in the MS condition, reflected both in N2 amplitude and in longer latency of the P3 component, suggesting heightened sensitivity to threats to positive ingroup. Overall, findings suggest that MS intensifies perception of social category features, primarily by enhancing processing of ingroup cues.
Life Cycle Neighborhood Changes in Chicago Suburbs 1960–80

The number of households in Chicago's suburbs grew rapidly between 1960 and 1980, and the spatial distribution of households of various income groups changed greatly. Nonetheless, at the conclusion of the 20-year period, the differences among the distributions of the income groups had changed little. Only in a few areas did invasion and succession play a role in neighborhood economic change, since few poor blacks or Hispanics have migrated to suburban Chicago, and there was little European ethnic concentration there. In several areas there is evidence of filtering of older expensive housing to lower income households. In other places it appears that real income of many households has decreased over time sufficiently to cause them to enter a lower income category.
Elevated Physiologic Tumor Pressure Promotes Proliferation and Chemosensitivity in Human Osteosarcoma

Purpose: This study investigates the effect of constitutively raised interstitial fluid pressure on osteosarcoma physiology and chemosensitivity. Experimental Design: We did pressure and blood flow assessments at the time of open biopsy in patients with the diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma and correlated this to survival and chemotherapy-associated tumor necrosis. Osteosarcoma cell lines were then evaluated for proliferative and therapeutic indices in a replicated high-pressure environment. Results: Sixteen osteosarcomas in vivo were assessed and exhibited elevated interstitial fluid pressures (mean 35.2 ± SD, 18.6 mmHg). This was not associated with significantly impeded blood flow as measured by a Doppler probe at a single site ( P P In vitro , cells undergo significant physiologic changes under pressure. Osteosarcoma cell lines grown in a novel hydrostatically pressurized system had variable cell line–specific growth proportional to the level of pressure. They were more proliferative as indicated by cell cycle analysis with more cells in S phase after 48 hours of pressurization ( P E2F-1 ( P E2F-4 ( P P P Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that cells in the in vivo pressurized environment are at a higher state of regenerative activity than is demonstrable in conventional cell culture systems. Variations in tumor interstitial fluid pressure have the potential to alter chemotherapeutic effects.
Fragestellungen, theoretische Ansätze und Methoden

Die Psychologie beschaftigt sich mit Fragen, die uns Menschen schon immer bewegt haben: Was ist der menschliche Geist? Wie denken, lernen, erinnern wir? Woher kommen unsere Gefuhle? Warum tun wir, was wir tun und warum machen wir es so, wie wir es tun? Wie werden wir, wer oder was wir sind, wie sollen wir unser Zusammenleben mit anderen gestalten? Wie konnen wir beurteilen, welche Verhaltensweisen normal, welche ungewohnlich und welche schadlich oder krank sind, und wie konnen wir psychisches Leiden heilen?
Impacts of a Flood on Small Mammal Populations of Lower Missouri River Floodplain Forests

Abstract Small mammal responses to flooding in the lower Missouri River floodplain are poorly understood. Our study examined the survival of marked populations of small mammals in mature and regenerating forest seral stages in response to a brief flood. Peromyscus spp. were the most abundant species captured before (94% of individuals captured) and after (98%) the flood and survival in inundated mature forest sites did not significantly differ from unflooded reference sites. However, the lowest number (n = 14) and percentage (29%) of Peromyscus spp. recaptures occurred in a young regenerating forest site. Elliot's short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga), which are less adapted for arboreal habitats, declined in abundance after the flood.
Product Uncertainty in Online Markets: Conceptualization, Antecedents, and Consequences

The Internet interface poses a difficulty for buyers in evaluating products online, particularly experience goods, such as used cars. This increases product uncertainty, the buyer’s estimate of the variance in product quality. However, the literature has ignored product uncertainty and focused on seller uncertainty. To address this void, this study examines the nature, effects, and antecedents of product uncertainty in online auctions for used cars. Extending the literature on markets with asymmetric information, we first conceptualize the construct of product uncertainty and show that is distinct from, yet related to, seller uncertainty. Second, we propose product uncertainty to negatively affect two key success outcomes of online marketplaces - price premiums and transaction activity - beyond seller uncertainty. Third, we propose a set of product information signals to mitigate product uncertainty: (1) the diagnosticity of online product descriptions (textual, visual, multimedia), (2) the level of auction posted prices (reserve, starting, buy-it-now), (3) the existence of third-party product certifications (inspection, history report, warranty), plus intrinsic product characteristics (book value, usage). The proposed model is supported by a unique dataset comprised of a combination of primary (survey) data drawn from 331 buyers who bid upon a used car on eBay Motors, matched with secondary transaction data from the corresponding online auctions. The results distinguish between product and seller uncertainty, show that product uncertainty has a stronger effect on price premiums and transaction activity than seller uncertainty, identify the most influential product information signals, and validate the mediating role of product uncertainty. The study contributes to and has implications for understanding the nature and role of product uncertainty, and identifying how product uncertainty can be mitigated in online environments with the aid of IT.
ABERRANT SPLICING OF A BRAIN-ENRICHED ALTERNATIVE EXON ELIMINATES TUMOR SUPPRESSOR FUNCTION AND PROMOTES ONCOGENE FUNCTION DURING BRAIN TUMORIGENESIS

BACKGROUND: Tissue-specific alternative splicing is known to be critical to emergence of tissue identity during development, yet its role in malignant transformation is undefined. Tissue-specific splicing involves evolutionary-conserved, alternative exons, which represent only a minority of total alternative exons. Many, however, have functional features that influence activity in signaling pathways to profound biological effect. Given that tissue-specific splicing has a determinative role in brain development and the enrichment of genes containing tissue-specific exons for proteins with roles in signaling and development, it is thus plausible that changes in such exons could rewire normal neurogenesis towards malignant transformation. METHODS: We used integrated molecular genetic and cell biology analyses, computational biology, animal modeling, and clinical patient profiles to characterize the effect of aberrant splicing of a brain-enriched alternative exon in the membrane-binding tumor suppressor Annexin A7 (ANXA7) on oncogene regulation and brain tumorigenesis. RESULTS: We show that aberrant splicing of a tissue-specific cassette exon in ANXA7 diminishes endosomal targeting and consequent termination of the signal of the EGFR oncoprotein during brain tumorigenesis. Splicing of this exon is mediated by the ribonucleoprotein Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein 1 (PTBP1), which is normally repressed during brain development but, we find, is excessively expressed in glioblastomas through either gene amplification or loss of a neuron-specific microRNA, miR-124. Silencing of PTBP1 attenuates both malignancy and angiogenesis in a stem cell-derived glioblastoma animal model characterized by a high native propensity to generate tumor endothelium or vascular pericytes to support tumor growth. We show that EGFR amplification and PTBP1 overexpression portend a similarly poor clinical outcome, further highlighting the importance of PTBP1-mediated activation of EGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Our data illustrate how anomalous splicing of a tissue-regulated exon in a constituent of an oncogenic signaling pathway eliminates its tumor suppressor function and promotes tumorigenesis. This paradigm of malignant glial transformation as a consequence of tissue-specific alternative exon splicing in a tumor suppressor, may have widespread applicability in explaining how changes in critical tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms reprogram normal development to oncogenesis. SECONDARY CATEGORY: n/a.
Liked Characters Get a Moral Pass Young Viewers’ Evaluations of Social and Physical Aggression in Tween Sitcoms

This study examined young viewers’ evaluations of the social and physical aggression that is endemic in tween sitcoms. Preadolescents (N = 176) were randomly assigned to watch a tween sitcom that featured a protagonist or antagonist committing social or physical aggression (two exemplars at each level). As suggested by recent work on disposition theory and moral development, participants’ moral evaluations of the depicted aggression were related to their liking of the perpetrator, not their perceptions of the severity of the aggression. Furthermore, there was support for the causal chain proposed by Raney’s formulation of disposition theory, whereby protagonist liking predicted moral indifference, which further predicted self-reported likelihood of imitating the aggression. This path was stronger at higher ratings of funniness. When aggressors were perceived as likable and their actions as funny, viewers reported more indifference and greater likelihood of imitation.
Symbolic Loss, Memory, and Modernization in the Reception of Gnosticism

Social scientist of religion Peter Homans has demonstrated that symbolic loss, cultural memory, and modernization are tightly intertwined. As a consequence of modernization, Western culture has lost a shared relationship to the symbols of its Christian past, leading to religious mourning. This article demonstrates that the category gnosticism opened up an imaginative possibility for individuals to reinterpret the cultural memory of the Christian past and achieve rapprochement with the tradition. The argument proceeds through case studies of psychologist Carl Jung, visionary artist Laurence Caruana, and public speaker Jonathan Talat Phillips. Each case exhibits how symbolic loss of the Christian tradition throws the individual into a period of inner turmoil. When each of them read ancient gnostic texts, they do so to reinterpret the symbols of Christianity, specifically Christ, in ways that respond to forces of modernization. The article concludes that popular and religious interpretations of the ancient gnostics should be recognized as attempts by those who lost Christianity in the West to re-envision its cultural memory and reimagine Christianity in the present.
Playing with Fire: Countertransference and Clinical Epistemology

This article explores both theoretical and practical concepts related to the therapist's use of the self in psychotherapy. Particular emphasis is placed on the potential clinical value of countertransference. It is argued that awareness and resolution of personal issues are required for therapists to draw profitably from their own experiences in working with clients. Specific steps in translating the concept of the wounded healer into clinical practice are offered, along with examples from the author's own practice.
3D hybrid CMOS/memristor circuits: Basic principle and prospective applications

This paper is a brief overview of hybrid CMOS/memristor circuits and their applications for digital memories, programmable logic, and artificial neuromorphic networks.
Effectiveness of three alternative strategies in reducing the degrading impact of respiratory motion on the detection of small pulmonary nodules in SPECT imaging

The objective of this investigation is to determine the effectiveness of three methods in reducing the impact of respiratory motion on the detection of small solitary pulmonary nodules in single photon emission computed tomographic imaging. Based on our previous work, 32 NCAT normal torso phantoms were generated over the entire respiratory cycle to create source and attenuation maps for the normal background distribution of Tc-99m NeoTect. Similarly, 32 NCAT sphere phantoms of 1.0 cm diameter were generated over the entire respiratory cycle for each of 150 uniquely located points within the lungs. The SIMIND Monte Carlo program was used to produce SPECT projection data for the normal background and separately for each of 150 lesions for all 32 frames and for a time-averaged case. Normal and tumor SPECT projection sets each containing one lesion were combined with a clinically realistic noise level and counts as follows: 1) end-expiration with all counts (frame 1), 2) time-averaged with all counts (frame av), and 3) each of the 32 frames containing 1/32 of the total counts. Projection data of the 32 frames was combined to form ten different bins. The first eight bins each consisted of 4 frames. The 9th bin, centered about end-expiration, consisted of 8 frames (quarter binning). The 10th bin, also centered about end-expiration, consisted of 16 frames (half binning). Each of the twelve sets of combined projection data was reconstructed with RBI-EM with RC. Based on known motion for each of the 150 different lesions, the reconstructed volumes of the first eight bins were shifted to superimpose the reconstructions over each of the 150 lesions. Comparison of lesion detection by human-observer LROC studies reveals that quarter binning results in the lowest rate of detection and that the reconstruct and shift method results in the greatest rate of detection. Additionally, the rate of detection by superimposing the reconstructions over the lesion is even superior to frame 1.
Editing genetics, stem cells are prophetic, what’s the best way to model cells of diabetics?

The pancreas is composed of many different cell types, including the endocrine beta cells that are lost or dysfunctional in those afflicted with diabetes. Beta cells normally sense the level of glucose in the blood and secrete an appropriate amount of insulin in response, which binds to receptors on peripheral tissues like muscle and fat to induce glucose uptake. Current treatments for diabetics hinge on constant injections of external insulin, leaving large fluctuations in blood glucose levels and devastating consequences such as kidney failure and retinopathy.
Toxicity and quality of life report of a phase II study of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer

Clinical data indicates that delivery of larger daily doses of radiation may improve the therapeutic ratio for prostate cancer compared to conventional fractionation. A phase II study of stereotactic body radiotherapy with real-time motion management and daily plan re-optimization for low to intermediate risk prostate cancer was undertaken to evaluate this hypothesis. This report details the toxicity and quality of life following treatment. From 2009 to 2013, 60 patients with T1–T2c prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 6 and PSA ≤ 15 or Gleason score of 7 and PSA ≤ 10 were enrolled. Patients with nodal metastases, an American Urological Association symptom score > 18, or gland size > 100 g were not eligible. Patients were treated to 37 Gy in 5 fractions. Early and late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity were graded based on NCI CTCAE v4.0 and quality of life was assessed by the American Urological Association symptom score, International Index of Erectile Function, and Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite Short Form up to 36 months after treatment. After a median follow-up of 27.6 months, no grade 3 or greater genitourinary toxicity was observed. Four patients (6.7%) reported a late grade 2 genitourinary toxicity. One patient (1.7%) reported a late grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity. Five patients (8.3%) developed a late grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity. The median American Urological Association symptom score increased from 4.5 prior to treatment to 11 while on treatment (p < 0.01), but was 5 at 36 months post-treatment (p = 0.65). Median International Index of Erectile Function scores decreased from 19 to 17 over the course of follow-up (p < 0.01). Only median scores within the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite Short Form sexual domain were significantly decreased at 36 months post-treatment (67.9 vs 45.2, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in median score within the urinary, bowel, or hormonal domains at 36 months of follow-up. Stereotactic body radiotherapy for low to intermediate risk prostate cancer is well tolerated with limited toxicity or decrease in quality of life. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess the efficacy of treatment. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00941915 Registered 17 June 2009.
Suppression of flow separation of power-law fluids flow around a confined circular cylinder by superimposed thermal buoyancy

This paper presents a comprehensive computational work on hydrodynamic and thermal phenomena of flow separation around a confined circular cylinder by superimposed thermal buoyancy. For that purpose, let us consider a confined flow of Non-Newtonian power-law fluid around a heated circular cylinder in a two-dimensional vertical channel. The effects of thermal buoyancy and power-Law index on the flow separation and the average Nusselt number are studied for the conditions: (10 ≤ Re ≤ 40), (0.4≤ n ≤ 1.2), (0 ≤ Ri ≤ 0.8), Pr = 50 and blockage ratio β = 0.2. The Reynolds numbers of flow are chosen in low range such that the flow remains steady and separated without imposition of the thermal buoyancy. In the steady flow regime the results show that the augmentation of the power-law index in the absence of thermal buoyancy causes a separation to grow. The thermal buoyancy delays the separation in different power-law indexes gradually and at some critical value of the buoyancy parameter it completely disappears resulting a stuck flow around a cylinder. Moreover, the recirculation length and skin friction are calculated to support the above finding. The decrease in the power-Law index increases the heat transfer rate. The Nusselt numbers are computed to predict the heat transfer rates of power-law fluids under the superimposed thermal buoyancy condition.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.2.14342
Partial-autonomous Frenzy: Driving a Level-2 Vehicle on the Open Road

Partial-autonomous vehicles are among us and represent a prominent testing ground for assessing the human interaction with autonomous vehicles. One main limitation of the studies investigating would-be users’ attitude toward partial to full autonomous driving stems from their indirect experience with such technology. In this study, participants drove a partial-autonomous vehicle on the open road and interacted with both Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS) systems. Preliminary results show participants rating level-2 autonomous features as possible sources of stress. Participants had issues engaging these systems with denser traffic and thought these systems to be more beneficial in traffic-free driving. Compared to ACC, engaging LKAS and monitoring its functioning represented a more challenging task and participants’ ratings of stress toward this system increased over time. Findings obtained in this study are of importance for exploring user interaction with future highly-autonomous vehicles and designing effective countermeasures to make the human-machine interface of these systems more informative and easier to use.
Role of Fas Ligand and Receptor in the Mechanism of T-Cell Depletion in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: Effect on CD4+ Lymphocyte Depletion and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication

Direct killing of CD4+ lymphocytes by human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) probably cannot account for the magnitude of the loss of these cells during the course of HIV-1 infection. Experimental evidence supports a pathophysiologic role of the apoptotic process in depletion of CD4 cells in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The Fas-receptor/Fas-ligand (Fas-R/Fas-L) system mediates signals for apoptosis of susceptible lymphocytes and lympoblastoid cell lines. A number of investigators have recently reported increased expression of the Fas receptor in individuals with HIV infection, along with increased sensitivity of their lymphocytes to anti-Fas antibody mimicking Fas ligand. We attempted to determine the role of Fas-mediated apoptosis in disease progression and viral replication. Increased Fas-receptor (CD95) expression on CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was found in a large group of HIV-1–infected patients compared with normal controls; individuals with a diagnosis of AIDS and a history of opportunistic infection had significantly more Fas receptor expression than did asymptomatic HIV-infected persons and normal blood donor controls ( P < .01). Triggering of the Fas-R by agonistic anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, CH11, was preferentially associated with apoptosis in the CD4+ cells; this effect was more pronounced in lymphocytes derived from HIV+ individuals. Soluble and membrane-bound forms of Fas-L were produced in greater amounts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures and in plasma obtained from HIV-1–infected persons than from normal controls. Furthermore, triggering of lymphocytes from HIV-infected persons by CH11 increased levels of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE), a protein associated with apoptosis. When PBMC were cultured in the presence of CH11, p24 production per number of viable cells was decreased as compared with the same PBMC without CH11 ( P < .01). These findings suggest that multiple mechanisms, including increased production of Fas-L by infected PBMC, increased Fas-R expression, and induction of a protease of ICE family, may play roles in the apoptotic depletion of CD4+ cells in HIV infection.
Purposes, Priorities, and Accountability Under Social Business Structures: Resolving Ambiguities and Enhancing Adoption

Abstract This chapter demonstrates that social business models do not meaningfully prioritize or impose accountability to “social good” over other purposes in ways that (a) best protect against owners changing their minds or entry of new owners with different priorities and (b) enable reliable accountability over time and across circumstances. This chapter further suggests a model – a “social primacy company” – that actually prioritizes “social good” and meaningful accountability to it. This chapter thus clarifies circumstances under which existing models might be most useful and are not particularly useful, especially as investors, entrepreneurs, employees, regulators, and others pursue shared, common understandings about purposes, priorities, and accountability.
New Ways to Explore the Relationship–Emotion–Health Connection:

The commentaries by Rime (2018) and Scherer (2018) underscore and extend many of the central themes discussed in our target article (Sbarra & Coan, 2018). This response filters the commentaries thr...
Spatiotemporal patterns of phytoplankton composition and abundance in the Maryland Coastal Bays: The influence of freshwater discharge and anthropogenic activities

Abstract The spatial and temporal variations in phytoplankton abundance and community structure in the northern and southern parts of the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs) that differ in anthropogenic activities and hydrological characteristics were studied in 2012 and 2013 using photosynthetic pigments as biomarkers. Phytoplankton pigment biomass and diversity were generally higher in the northern bays that receive high nutrient input from St. Martin River, than in the southern bays where nutrient levels were comparatively low. Sites close to the mouths of tributaries in northern and southern bays had higher nutrient levels, which favored the development of dinoflagellates, and nano- and picophytoplankton, than sites closer to the inlets. The microplankton dominated the phytoplankton community in spring (>90%) and decreased in relative abundance into fall (
A novel soft switching ZVS, sinusoidal input boundary current mode control of 6-switch three phase 2-level boost rectifier for active and active + reactive power generation

Recent advancements in semiconductor technology and the commercial availability of low on resistance and parasitic capacitors wide bandgap devices (SiC & GaN) has led power electronics systems to achieve efficiency as high as 99% for three phase boost PFC rectifier systems. However, this high efficiency is attainable only for rectifiers running at low switching frequencies ( 1 MHz). However, conventional boundary conduction mode (BCM)/CRM for three phase rectifier systems, does not generate sinusoidal average input current. A Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) BCM control with sinusoidal input current for three phase 2-level converter is presented in this paper. This paper covers unity power factor (u.p.f.) operation, active + reactive power and also purely reactive power generation cases. The control scheme is presented in detail and ZVS turn-on operation is also discussed. The simulation and experimental results are discussed in the end. For a 1.2 KW converter, power density achieved by >500 kHz switching frequency operation is ∼80 W/in3 and with soft switching, 99 % efficiency is maintained.
Context effects in modulation masking

Neal Viemeister is especially known for his contributions to our understanding of perception of amplitude modulation. Modulation masking and signal-to-noise ratio in the modulation domain have been shown to be strong predictors of speech intelligibility in noise. This study uses 40-ms amplitude-modulated tones embedded in a simultaneous 100-ms noise masker to show that for a given type of simultaneous masker, modulation masking can vary significantly depending on the type of stimulus that precedes the masked target. Three types of precursor were used to investigate these context effects, a 2-octave noise centered on the signal frequency (the same as the masker), a 7-component inharmonic complex tone, and a pure tone with a frequency equal to that of the target. All precursors had a duration of 400 ms and were presented in close temporal proximity at levels equal to those of the noise masker. The noise precursor produced on average a 7-8 dB [20log(m)] release from modulation masking. In contrast no change in the amount of masking and a small release of masking were observed for the pure-tone and complex-tone precursors, respectively. Mechanisms that may underlie the observed context effects will be discussed. [Work supported by NIH grant R01 DC015462.]
Interventional Radiology and Interventional Endoscopy in Treatment of Nephroureteral Disease in the Dog and Cat

Interventional endoscopy and interventional radiology have led to the development of minimally invasive techniques for management of kidney and ureteral diseases in the dog and cat including idiopathic renal hematuria, ureteral obstruction, and ectopic ureters. Sclerotherapy is a renal-sparing chemical cauterization technique used in cases of idiopathic renal hematuria. Diagnosis of ureteral obstruction is challenging in some cases based on ultrasound alone and antegrade pyelography should be considered. Treatment options for obstructions include nephrostomy tubes, ureteral stents, and subcutaneous ureteral bypass devices. Treatment with cystoscopic-guided laser ablation provides similar outcomes to surgery in dogs with intramural ectopic ureters.
Consensus in Small and Large Audiences

We consider the dynamics of a population in which individuals select a color from a finite set of colors. Each individual in the population has a “neighborhood” and the choices made by the neighbors influence the selection process of that individual. We are interested in the dynamics of the evolution of such a system to the monochromatic state of unison. We consider how the mean time to unison varies with the sizes of the population and the neighborhood, the geometry of the neighborhoods and the initial number of colors. Some analytical results are presented for the case where the size of the neighborhood is the entire population. Results of computer experiments for a variety of scenarios are presented and discussed.
Friendly Takeover Offers for Public Corporations: Interim Uncertainty, Reserve Prices, and Bustup Fees

Legal restrictions create a material delay between the announcement of a friendly acquisition of a public firm and the deal’s final approval by target shareholders: a month for a takeover with a first step cash tender offer, longer for a merger. During this time target values may change, perhaps dramatically. While a target can accept new bids if its value rises, bidders usually cannot back out if the target’s value falls. We also observe that most takeovers occur at a significant premium to the target’s prior market price. Prior models of takeover bidding ignore the law-induced delay and resulting asymmetry between bidder and target, and generally assume that targets (if for sale) will accept zero-premium offers. We develop a model that incorporates delay-induced asymmetry and reserve prices. Principal new predictions include: targets often optimally set reserve prices higher than the current market price; first bidders may value the target for more than the target’s reserve price, yet be unwilling to bid because they expect a loss after accounting for the implied put option they provide the seller; the likelihood of a bidder making a bid is generally decreasing in the reserve price, the interim uncertainty, and the number of potential competing bidders; optimal reserve prices are decreasing in the interim uncertainty and number of potential new bidders, and can be below the target’s current price in extreme cases; (if the target offers a bustup fee to the first bidder, this increases the (conditional on the bustup fee) optimal reserve price, but reduces the target’s expected profit. Our predictions on the effect of bustup fees provide theoretical support for legal limits on bustup fees and other deal protections.
A Primer for the Logic

This chapter presents the Ground Zero logic as a programming language. The logic presented contains two extension principles under which the user can add new axioms to the system with the guarantee that the model for logic can be extended to accommodate the new axioms. The principles permit the axiomatization of new data types and the definition of new recursive functions. Because of these extension principles, it is not meaningful to speak of the logic in the traditional sense that implies the choice of some fixed set of axioms. Almost all of the functions axiomatized in the logic are total recursive. That is, given an application of a function to explicit values, one can determine algorithmically the explicit value that is provably equal, under the axioms, to the given application. The exceptions to the totality claim all have to do with the provision in the logic of an interpreter for the partial recursive functions. The mechanization of the logic includes commands for evaluating functions on explicit values. Thus, the logic and its mechanization provide an applicative programming language and execution environment.
Race and Socioeconomic Status Differences in Multiple Myeloma Survival

A study was conducted to investigate black/white differences in the relationship of income and education to survival among patients with multiple myeloma. Five-year relative survival rates were examined for 435 black cases and 1,078 white cases, from three metropolitan areas of the U.S., diagnosed between 1978–1982. In general, survival rates increased as income level increased with blacks experiencing better survival than whites. However, for blacks living in census tracts with the lowest median education level, the survival rates were poorer than the rates for whites. Statistically significant differences in the five-year relative survival rates between blacks and whites were found only in census tracts where the median education level was completion of high school and the median income was at least $15,000 (33.9 and 23.1, respectively, p=.l), and for total income (32.3 and 23.3, respectively, p=.l).
Data and Interoperability Standards

Data and interoperability standards are the virtually ubiquitous plumbing that underlie most contemporary health informatics systems and tools. We’ve already gotten a glimpse of that when we encountered LOINC codes in the lab test HL7 V2 message.
Determining the effects of CCL21 nanomedicine therapeutic modalities in cancer

Solid tumors demonstrate varying levels of immunogenic potential as well as the proficiency to undergo immune evasion, thus there is a need for novel therapies capable of augmenting the patient’s anti-tumor immune response in a concentrated and durable manner. We hypothesized that therapeutic modalities utilizing the chemoattractant C-C motif chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) in a novel alginate nanoformulation will provide prolonged release of CCL21 and subsequent steady infiltration of immune cells into the tumor, which will abrogate disease progression and delay tumor growth significantly better than CCL21 alone. Nanoformulations of CCL21 were first analyzed for rates of release in vitro . We found that intratumoral administration of nanoformulation CCL21 significantly prolonged the survival of A/J mice with subcutaneous neuroblastoma tumors, compared to controls. Furthermore, we also determined that the tumor growth rate for nanoformulation CCL21-treated mice was significantly lower in comparison to the tumor growth rates of mice treated with buffer control, empty nanoparticles, or CCL21 alone. Notably, four out of nine nanoformulation CCL21-treated mice demonstrated complete tumor regression. When rechallenged, these four mice failed to produce tumors within a two-week period, therefore suggesting that a protective memory immune response had been induced by the nanoformulation CCL21 treatment. These results indicate that nanoformulation CCL21 therapy may be clinically relevant for the treatment of children and adolescents diagnosed with neuroblastoma. In addition, this novel nanoformulation may also have potential for future development as a means for slow-release delivery of other immunotherapies besides CCL21.
Abdominal and pelvic imaging findings associated with sex hormone abnormalities

Hormones are substances that serve as chemical communication between cells. They are unique biological molecules that affect multiple organ systems and play a key role in maintaining homoeostasis. In this role, they are usually produced from a single organ and have defined target organs. However, hormones can affect non-target organs as well. As such, biochemical and hormonal abnormalities can be associated with anatomic changes in multiple target as well as non-target organs. Hormone-related changes may take the form of an organ parenchymal abnormality, benign neoplasm, or even malignancy. Given the multifocal action of hormones, the observed imaging findings may be remote from the site of production, and may actually be multi-organ in nature. Anatomic findings related to hormone level abnormalities and/or laboratory biomarker changes may be identified with imaging. The purpose of this image-rich review is to sensitize radiologists to imaging findings in the abdomen and pelvis that may occur in the context of hormone abnormalities, focusing primarily on sex hormones and their influence on these organs.
Introduction to this special issue: urban analytics and mobility (part 2)

According to a US Census report [2], the daytime population of cities like Washington D.C. nearly doubles the nighttime population, coining the notion of "Mega Commuting". To understand, explain, and predict urban mobility, our current data-centered era provides a plethora of rich data sources. These data sources capture mobility on the road, including GPS trajectories, metro, bus and taxi origin-destination data, indoor navigation data and many more types and sources of data.
Fe(III) Oxide Reduction by Anaerobic Biofilm Formation-DeficientS-Ribosylhomocysteine Lyase (LuxS) Mutant of Shewanella oneidensis

Shewanella oneidensis respires a variety of terminal electron acceptors, including solid phase Fe(III) oxides. S. oneidensis transfers electrons to Fe(III) oxides via direct (outer membrane- or nan...
ON GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN STATISTICS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the issues and solutions in development of the graduate programs in statistics. The programs must have certain fundamental things. Problems regarding the concept of maximum freedom can range from very theoretical ones to those that deal directly with applications in the social, biological, health, or physical sciences. Today's students must have a choice, and they should be made aware of the various alternatives early in their careers. Teachers must make every effort to attract few of the bright young people to the profession. To attract bright students to the statistical profession, programs must not be left to fossilize and become sterile, but the most exciting aspects of probability, statistics, and data analysis must be presented to the students. To prevent this fossilization, changes need to be made continuously.
Spatial Pattern, Analysis of

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by B. Boots, volume 22, pp. 14818–14822, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
The MEK1/2 inhibitor AZD6244 (ARRY-142886) interacts synergistically with the novel Chk1 inhibitor AZD7762 to induce apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells

LB-103 Chk1 represents a key component in the DNA damage checkpoint machinery triggered by endogenous or environmental genotoxic insults. This has prompted the development of Chk1 inhibitors to improve the anti-cancer efficacy of DNA-damaging agents or radiation. An alternative strategy is based on the notion that tumor cells are ill-equipped to survive simultaneous interruption of both pro-survival Ras/MEK/ERK signaling and checkpoint pathways. To determine whether such a strategy is operative in the case of newer generation agents targeting these pathways, interactions between inhibitors of MEK1/2 (AZD6244) and Chk1 (AZD7762; both from Astra Zeneca and currently undergoing clinical evaluation) were examined in human multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Exposure of H929 cells to minimally toxic concentrations of AZD7762 resulted in increased phosphorylation/activation of Raf-1, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. Co-administration of nontoxic concentrations of either AZD6244 or PD184352 largely blocked AZD7762-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, accompanied by markedly enhanced cdc2 activation and gammaH2A.X expression, as well as apoptosis. AZD6244/AZD7762 also dramatically diminished clonogenicity in H929 cells. Moreover, exposure of H929 cells to AZD7762 also led to an increase in Bim phosphorylation and subsequent degradation. This event was diminished in cells co-exposed to AZD6244, resulting in marked accumulation of Bim accompanied by Bax translocation and mitochondrial injury. Isobologram analysis revealed Combination Index values
Deviant Workplace Behavior as Emotional Action: Discriminant and Interactive Roles for Work-Related Emotional Intelligence

ABSTRACTEmployees are thought to engage in deviant workplace behaviors (e.g., sabotage, theft) when they are stressed, frustrated, or angry. Given the emotional nature of these actions, individual ...
PNAS and prejudice.

On April 10, 2020, only about 2 months ago in this terrible year, PNAS published my editorial addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis (1), which, at that point, had killed more than 100,000 people around the world and more than 18,500 in the United States. The escalating spread, for which the United States was tragically unprepared, prompted a transformation in scientific publishing, undertaken in order to ensure “rapid communication of critically important scientific findings relating to the pandemic” that, in theory, could be applied to slow the spread of the virus and save lives. PNAS implemented several changes for COVID-related submissions, including expediting manuscript review and publishing COVID papers with a Creative Commons attribution (CC BY) license to allow widespread distribution. We weren’t alone in this effort; by May 13, Brainard (2) reported that an estimated 23,000 papers on COVID-19 had been published since January, to create “among the biggest explosions of scientific literature ever.” The social science community has successfully mounted an enormous effort to generate research on which recommendations for behaviors to minimize infection risk and spread could be based. Of the PNAS papers published or accepted on COVID-19 to date, for example, just over half (17 of 33) are in the social science arena. May R. Berenbaum. The year 2020, however, had more death in store. On June 5, a video surfaced of the killing of George Floyd, an African American resident of Minneapolis, MN, by a law enforcement officer. In the wake of several other deaths of African Americans in 2020 caused by current or former law enforcement officers without provocation or due process, the death of George Floyd ignited protests across the country and ultimately the world, with demonstrations in more than 700 cities and towns across all 50 states and on all continents …
Gaps in Knowledge About COVID-19 Among US Residents Early in the Outbreak.

ObjectivesThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 began to affect the United States in early 2020. This study aimed to assess th...