cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Thermal Properties of PCM Based Nanofluid for Solar Thermal Energy Storage

Nanofluids are synthesized by doping solvents with nano-particles at minute concentrations (typically less than 1 percentage by volume). Experimental studies have shown that nano-particles can dramatically enhance thermal conductivity of various liquid solvents. This is also associated with enhancement of other transport properties (e.g., viscosity, specific heat, diffusivity, etc.). Hence, nanofluids are attractive materials for solar thermal applications. The objective of this study is to investigate the optimum performance of various nanofluids for solar thermal storage applications. Dimensional analyses and similitude techniques will be used to theoretically estimate the enhancement of transport properties of various nanofluids to predict their efficacy for solar thermal storage applications.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Implicit Multigrid Solution of the Preconditioned Multi-Dimensional Euler Equations

A new local preconditioning method based on the concept of artificial compressibility has been developed to accelerate the convergence to steady state solutions of the Euler equations of inviscid, compressible flow at low Mach numbers. An extension of the method to a matrix preconditioning which is effective over the range of Mach numbers from subsonic through low supersonic is also presented. The numerical results demonstrate that convergence rate is independent of Mach number in the range 10~5 < M < 0.6 while a significant improvement in convergence rate is also achieved in the transonic regime. In addition to the convergence benefits, the results also indicate that the preconditioning significantly reduces the numerical dissipation leading to more accurate solutions. The improvement in solution accuracy is more pronounced in the incompressible limit where the conventional algorithms are known to be inaccurate.
CODEHOP-mediated PCR – A powerful technique for the identification and characterization of viral genomes

Consensus-Degenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primer (CODEHOP) PCR primers derived from amino acid sequence motifs which are highly conserved between members of a protein family have proven to be highly effective in the identification and characterization of distantly related family members. Here, the use of the CODEHOP strategy to identify novel viruses and obtain sequence information for phylogenetic characterization, gene structure determination and genome analysis is reviewed. While this review describes techniques for the identification of members of the herpesvirus family of DNA viruses, the same methodology and approach is applicable to other virus families.
Suppressors, Screens, and Genes: An Educational Primer for Use with “A Network of Genes Antagonistic to the LIN-35 Retinoblastoma Protein of Caenorhabditis elegans”

An article by Polley and Fay in this issue of GENETICS provides an excellent opportunity to introduce or reinforce concepts of reverse genetics and RNA interference, suppressor screens, synthetic phenotypes, and phenocopy. Necessary background, explanations of these concepts, and a sample approach to classroom use of the original article, including discussion questions, are provided.
Some properties of media defined by constitutive equations in implicit form

Abstract Studied in this paper are some classes of ideal materials defined by constitutive equations in implicit form; e.g. F (A, Б) = 0 , where F is tensor-valued, A and Б are symmetric tensors of rank two, and 0 is the zero tensor. Assumptions are introduced which make it possible to invert this equation for A (or Б). The properties of these solutions are studied. Special cases of such materials are isotropic-fluids and -elastic solids. Several new and interesting phenomena, not occurring in these previously investigated special cases, are predicted. In particular, certain types of the media studied are shown to possess characteristic surfaces in the principal stress space. With reference to plasticity theory, one of these is identified as a yield-like surface. Of importance is then the fact that the existence of such a surface is not hypothesized, but, rather, it is a deduced consequence within our framework. Also predicted is the shift of the yield-like surface as influenced by the (not necessarily “small”) deformation of the medium.
A Computational Model of the Mark-IV Electrorefiner: Phase I — Fuel Basket/Salt Interface

Spent driver fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) is currently being treated in the Mk-IV electrorefiner (ER) in the Fuel Conditioning Facility at Idaho National Laboratory. The new modeling approach is developed to help understand the dynamics of different parameters in the system. The first phase of this new modeling approach is focused on the fuel basket/salt interface and involves the transport of various species in the driver fuels (e.g. uranium and zirconium). This new approach minimizes the guessed parameters from three down to one, the exchange current density (i0 ). This new method should allow a rapid, accurate understanding of the ER process permitting predictions of different system designs. U3+ and Zr4+ were the only species used for the current study. The result reveals that potential for each species is the fixed variable, it is a function of weight percent (wt%) of uranium in molten salts and is independent of i0 . The dimensionless approach shows that the total potential is a strong function of i0 and a weak function of wt% of uranium in the salt system.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Impact of clinical decision support preventing the use of QT-prolonging medications for patients at risk for torsade de pointes

We developed and implemented a 'CPOE-QT Alert' system, that is, clinical decision support integrated in the computerized physician order entry system (CPOE), in 2011. The system identifies any attempts to order medications with risk of torsade de pointes (TdP) for patients with a history of significant QT prolongation (QTc ≥500 ms) and alerts the provider entering the order. We assessed its impact by comparing orders and subsequent medication administration before and after activation of the system. We found a significant decrease in the proportion of completed order per ordering attempt after system activation (94% (1293/1379) vs 77% (1888/2453), difference 16.8%; p<0.001). This resulted in a 13.9% reduction in the administration of those medications to patients. A significant decrease was observed across all provider types, educational levels, and specialties. The CPOE-QT Alert system successfully reduced exposure to QT-prolonging medications in high risk patients.
Skeletal growth of the rat.

SummaryThe applicability of a graphical presentation of skeletal weight data as a function of body weight on log-log graph paper to the Rochester strain of rat and to individual components of the skeleton has been demonstrated. It has also been shown that the function relating the two variables is the same as for a previously described colony. Further, the variations demonstrated among the components of the skeleton preclude the use of any one bone as quantitatively representative of the skeleton as a whole. However, an equation for comparing the growth rates of the different bones, which require only the weights at two ages, has been proposed.
The Search for the Optimum Individual Monetary Incentive Pay System

ABSTRACT This study continued the search for the optimum individual monetary incentive pay system by investigating the effects of a fiat pay system and three individual incentive pay systems (linear, positively accelerating and negatively accelerating) on worker productivity. Four experiments were conducted using a within-subject, multiple-baseline design. Experiment 1 was a systematic replication of the earlier work of Oah and Dickinson (1992) and Experiments 2, 3 and 4 were systematic replications of each other with different questions being asked about the efficacy of the three incentive pay systems. In each experiment, the subjects worked in groups, ranging in size from four to six members, and were exposed to the flat pay system and to one of the incentive pay systems while engaged in a simple production task. Subjects participated in twenty (Experiment 1 and 2) to twenty-five (Experiment 3 and 4) fifteen-minute sessions. The production task consisted of constructing “widgets” from pop beads. The pri...
The incidence and significance of calcifications within operative breast specimens.

During an 11-month period, 1,484 consecutive breast specimens were studied radiographically and microscopically to determine the incidence and location of clusters of calcification. Of 450 malignant tumors, 277 (62%) contained evidence of calcification found in the roentgenograms and gross specimens. Among the 450 malignant tumors were 32 lobular carcinomas in situ . Twenty-five (78%) of these 32 specimens contained clusters of calcification. Of the 1,034 benign lesions, 238 (23%) contained clusters of calcification. The characteristics and microscopic locations of the calcifications in the benign and malignant lesions have been characterized. During this study of routine radiography of all breast specimens, four unsuspected carcinomas were detected in biopsies that otherwise would have been diagnosed as benign; four more unsuspected intraductal carcinomas were found in specimens that were already known to contain primary cancers. Finally, an area of infiltrating lobular carcinoma was located in a specimen in which only in situ lobular carcinoma had previously been found on routine pathologic examination.
Subject Analysis on the Implementation Results of World Bank Loaned/DFID Granted Tuberculosis Control Project in Shijiazhuang

[Objective]To evaluate the implement effect of World Bank loaned/DFID granted China tuberculosis control project in Shijiazhuang.[Methods]According to the requirements of China Tuberculosis Program Implementation Guide,all works were implemented seriously.The routine monitoring data and various reports of 23 conuties and districts of this city from 2002 to 2008 were collected and analyzed.[Results]25 316 cases of smear-positive TB were detected in 7 years.The registration rate of smear-positive patients increased from 24.52/100 000 in 2002 to 41.67/100 000 in 2009,increased by 16.85/100 000.There were 22 210 cases of smear-positive TB in the initial treatment.The male peak age was 35～55 years old,and female peak age was 15～35 years old.The cure rate was 96.9%.The patients visited hospital actively accounted for 60.59% of suspicious patients.The tracing rate in 2005 and 2008 was 65.56% and 71.26%,respectively.[Conclusion]The rich experiences were accumulated in the implementation of the project,all works achieved remarkable progress.This project provides powerful support for the effective development of tuberculosis control in Shijiazhuang in further.
Analysis on infection rate of hepatitis C virus and risk factors in population of Fujian

Objective To explore infection rate of hepatitis C virus(HCV) and risk factors by sero-epidemiology investigation in Fujian.Methods With multi-stage sampling method,the basic information of epidemic situation and risk factors of HCV were investigated by cross-sectional study.The antibody was detected by indirect-ELISA test and anti-HCV positive rate and its development tendency in population were analyzed.Results Anti-HCV positive rate of population in Fujian was 0.70%.There was no significant difference of positive rates between male and female,coastal and mountainous area.The positive rates were increasing with age growth,especially the rate in above 50 years(1.81%) was far higher than that of below 50 years(0.54%).The factors of liver disease history,needle sharing and pedicure in foot bath shop were related to HCV infection.Conclusion Comparing with 1992,anti-HCV positive rate has decreased in Fujian,but the infection situation is still not optimistic at present.
Rapid optimization: strategies for optimal care of decompensated congestive heart-failure patients in the emergency department.

Sooner or later all heart failure patients will present to the emergency department for medical attention. The American demographic trend of a skyrocketing elderly population coupled with the current heart-failure epidemic means that strategies optimizing emergency department care of heart failure are needed. Safe and effective management has the potential to decrease hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, prevent readmissions, and improve the quality of life in the heart-failure patient, as well as relieving some of the economic burden of heart-failure management from the U.S. medical care system. The emergency department observation unit provides a successful venue for the management of decompensated heart failure, and nesiritide offers the promise of shorter hospitalizations, improved quality of life, and better symptom resolution than standard therapy.
Gastric Secretion in the Chronic Fistula Ferret

Gastric secretion was studied in the chronic fistula, young adult ferret in order to evaluate the potential of this carnivorous laboratory animal as a model for peptic ulcer and other gastric diseases. During basal, fasting conditions the ferret was a secretor of gastric hydrochloric acid and proteolytic enzymes. Fluid output averaged 1.7 ml per hr per ferret (2.9 ml per kg per hr) with an acid output of 68 μEq per hr, and a total protease output of 757 μg per 15 min. The histamine response was evaluated in conscious, innervated ferrets, and single intraperitoneal doses from 4.3 to 1080 μg of histamine base per kg were used. Doses of 33.5 and 67.3 μg per kg were potent stimulants of acid. Larger doses greatly stimulated acid secretion after an initial dose-dependent inhibition of secretion, which was presumed to be a toxic manifestation rather than a sign of dehydration. The maximal acid output following the optimal dose (67.3 μg of histamine base per kg) was 0.29 mEq per kg per 15 min, which compares with 0.46 and 0.35 mEq per kg per 15 min previously reported for the dog and cat, respectively. Total protease output increased a maximum of 124% after histamine administration. The laboratory ferret appears to be well suited for gastroenterological research since (1) it is a basal secretor, as are man and the rat; (2) it is quite sensitive to histamine, like man and unlike the rat; (3) its gastric and intestinal gross morphology is similar to that in man but unlike the rodent; and (4) it is readily available as a mild tempered, inbred laboratory species.
Gastric Varices Bleed at Lower Portosystemic Pressure Gradients than Esophageal Varices.

Abstract Purpose To quantify and compare portosystemic pressure gradients (PSGs) between bleeding esophageal varices (EV) and gastric varices (GV). Materials and Methods In a single-center, retrospective study, 149 patients with variceal bleeding (90 men, 59 women, mean age 52 y) with EV (n = 69; 46%) or GV (n = 80; 54%) were selected from 320 consecutive patients who underwent successful transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation from 1998 to 2016. GV were subcategorized using the Sarin classification as gastroesophageal varices (GEV) (n = 57) or isolated gastric varices (IGV) (n = 23). PSG before TIPS was measured from the main portal vein to the right atrium. PSGs were compared across EV, GEV, and IGV groups using 1-way analysis of variance. Results Overall mean baseline PSG was 21 mm Hg ± 6. PSG was significantly higher in patients with EV versus GV (23 mm Hg vs 19 mm Hg; P P P P = .169). Mean final PSG after TIPS was 8 mm Hg (IGV 6 mm Hg vs EV and GEV 8 mm Hg; P = .005). Conclusions GV bleed at lower PSGs than EV. EV, GEV, and IGV bleeding is associated with successively lower PSGs. These findings highlight distinct physiology, anatomy, and behavior of GV compared with EV.
MyD88-dependent dendritic and epithelial cell crosstalk orchestrates immune responses to allergens

Sensitization to inhaled allergens is dependent on activation of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and on the adaptor molecule, MyD88. However, many cell types in the lung express Myd88, and it is unclear how signaling in these different cell types reprograms cDCs and leads to allergic inflammation of the airway. By combining ATAC-seq with RNA profiling, we found that MyD88 signaling in cDCs maintained open chromatin at select loci even at steady state, allowing genes to be rapidly induced during allergic sensitization. A distinct set of genes related to metabolism was indirectly controlled in cDCs through MyD88 signaling in airway epithelial cells (ECs). In mouse models of asthma, Myd88 expression in ECs was critical for eosinophilic inflammation, whereas Myd88 expression in cDCs was required for Th17 cell differentiation and consequent airway neutrophilia. Thus, both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic MyD88 signaling controls gene expression in cDCs and orchestrates immune responses to inhaled allergens.
Differentiating between Borderline and Narcissistic Personalities

This article describes and contrasts the disorders, adding psychodynamic and developmental theory as presented by Kohut, Kernberg, Mahler, Masterson, and others. Treatment techniques are presented ...
The IT Specialist

The changing role and skill sets of the IT professional in educational organizations is discussed. The IT specialist is confronted with rising expectations for support by students, instructors, and administrators while in many instances funding levels for IT are static or decreasing. The growing demand for IT workers in all sectors of society is making it more difficult for educational organizations to retain their IT professional staff. New strategies are needed to recruit and retain the IT specialist in the educational organization such as broadbanding IT job categories to provide more competitive and flexible compensation. The need for the IT professional to move from enterprise specialist to enterprise generalist is also discussed.
Language Development in Children with Special Needs

Children identified as special needs have many characteristics similar to those identified in typically developing children. These children may take longer to develop their speech, while others may have disabilities that are not recognized at birth but may become more apparent over time, and still others may experience difficulties in school, ranging from problems with concentration, learning, language, and perception to problems with behavior. This article provides a framework for understanding terms/concepts concerning normal speech and language development, communication, language disorders, and language differences. In addition, it expresses ways in which professionals may collaborate with families/primary caregivers to provide adequate services for students experiencing language difficulties in school programs.
Vaccinia generalisata progressiva in a case of alymphocytosis

Die zum Tode fuhrende Vaccinia generalisata progressiva bei einem einjahrigen Madchen wird beschrieben.
Using Differentials to Differentiate Trigonometric and Exponential Functions

Starting from geometric definitions, we show how differentials can be used to differentiate trigonometric and exponential functions without limits, numerical estimates, solutions of differential eq...
Use of a 1.0 Tesla open scanner for cardiovascular magnetic resonance evaluation of pediatric and congenital heart disease

Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study included all patients ≤18 years old or with congenital heart disease who underwent CMR on a Panorama High Field Open scanner (Philips, Best, The Netherlands) at two centers from 2012-2014. Indications for CMR, clinical questions and demographic data were extracted from the medical record and requisitions. A single experienced observer graded image quality (4-excellent, 3-adequate, 2-poor, 1-nondiagnostic), and ability to answer the clinical question (4-answer with confidence, 3-answer adequately, 2-low certainty, 1-nondiagnostic).
Trends in Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime

This chapter examines the trends in drug trafficking and organized crime. It begins with an analysis of the case of drug trafficking and organized crime in Colombia, which has played a crucial role in the drug trafficking supply-chain. Colombia also has been a critical ally of the United States in its war on drugs. The US government, for example, invested billions of dollars trying to increase security in this country and combat organized crime through an initiative known as Plan Colombia. What have been the results of such efforts? The chapter then turns to drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico, focusing on the militarization of the war on drugs. It examines the nature of drug cartels and organized crime in Mexico, focusing on how such organizations have evolved over time. The chapter then explores the relationship between Mexico and the United States and evaluates the role of strategies such as the Merida Initiative. Next, the chapter turns to the issue of human trafficking and examines the role that organized crime groups play in this enterprise. The chapter concludes with an analysis of what constitutes success as well as some potential future challenges.
Parameter Estimation with Quantum Inspired Techniques and Adaptive Multiple-Model Filters

Multiple-model filters have been used in literature to estimate unknown parameters; typically the estimate converges to the best value amongst the assumed values. However, the best value may not be the true value. A promising solution is proposed in this paper through the concept of an adaptive multiple-model filter. The adaptive multiple-model filter changes the models adaptively according to the model performance after the posterior probabilities corresponding to the models converge. The models may need to be changed several times before arriving at the true value of the parameter. Time for convergence time to the best value is critical to fast parameter estimation and the performance of the estimator itself. A novel quantum-inspired scheme based on the extended Grover's algorithm is presented that accelerates parameter convergence. Newton's method is used in the outer loop to find the true parameter value. It is proved that the quantum-inspired scheme can give an exponential boost to the convergence of the posterior probabilities corresponding to different models. Simulation results are provided that show the potential of the adaptive multiple-model filter in achieving accurate parameter estimation.
Architecture Considerations for Stochastic Computing Accelerators

Stochastic computing (SC) is an alternative computing technique for embedded systems which offers lower area and power, and better error resilience compared to binary-encoded (BE) computation. However, the potential of and general design methodologies for SC in accelerator architectures are not well-understood. In this paper, we evaluate individual SC operations, and end-to-end accelerator architectures to understand when and why SC accelerators can achieve compelling energy efficiency gains. Based on these results, we present general design guidelines that should be considered when building energy-optimal SC accelerator architectures. We also evaluate a fully fabricated ASIC prototype—the first of its kind—to empirically evaluate the error tolerance limits of voltage overscaling (VOS) in SC. Our results show that energy efficiency gains from SC primarily stem from SC’s simpler datapaths which require fewer sequential elements compared to BE equivalents. This allows them to achieve energy efficiency gains as high as $2.4 \times $ and $30 \times $ at 8-bit and 4-bit fixed-point precision, respectively. We also find that VOS can improve the energy efficiency further by up to $1.9\times $ by exploiting SC’s error tolerant encoding.
NIMBY, not, in siting community wind farms

Abstract Public opinion polls show that many Americans support wind energy development while wind-farm projects often face local opposition. This dichotomy between general support for wind energy and local opposition is often attributed to the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. In this study, we employ a discrete-choice experiment to investigate public preferences for different characteristics of a local wind farm. We investigate NIMBY by first controlling for characteristics that might cause local opposition, such as seeing or hearing a wind farm from home. We find people who favor wind energy do not display NIMBY, they favor wind energy and wind-farm development. We estimate compensation requirements for siting a wind farm within sight or sound of someone’s home; most people (79%) who are favorable toward wind energy (85% of respondents) would support the wind farm without compensation. Their concerns could be addressed through compensation payments or adjusting wind-farm placement and design considerations. Those who oppose wind energy (7% of respondents) may continue to oppose a wind-farm even in the face of compensation payments. Overall, our results do not support that NIMBY exists and applying this label to those who favor wind energy is not helpful to affirmative discussions to facilitate wind-farm permitting and development.
Improving Job Quality for Direct Care Workers

The prevalence of low wage work is a major challenge for American labor markets and health care is an industry in which many of these low wage workers are found. This paper provides data documentin...
Cosmological Parameter Extraction from the First Season of Observations with DASI

The Degree Angular Scale Interferometer (\dasi) has measured the power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropy over the range of spherical harmonic multipoles 100 0.45 and 0.0<=tau_c<=0.4, we find that the total density of the Universe Omega_tot=1.04+/-0.06, and the spectral index of the initial scalar fluctuations n_s=1.01+0.08-0.06, in accordance with the predictions of inflationary theory. In addition we find that the physical density of baryons Omega_b.h^2=0.022+0.004-0.003, and the physical density of cold dark matter Omega_cdm.h^2=0.14+/-0.04. This value of Omega_b.h^2 is consistent with that derived from measurements of the primordial abundance ratios of the light elements combined with big bang nucleosynthesis theory. Using the result of the HST Key Project h=0.72+/-0.08 we find that Omega_t=1.00+/-0.04, the matter density Omega_m=0.40+/-0.15, and the vacuum energy density Omega_lambda=0.60+/-0.15. (All 68% confidence limits.)
Implantable microchip containing oxygen-sensing paramagnetic crystals for long-term, repeated, and multisite in vivo oximetry

EPR oximetry is established as a viable method for measuring the tissue oxygen level (partial pressure of oxygen, pO2) in animal models; however, it has not yet been established for measurements in humans. EPR oximetry requires an oxygen-sensing paramagnetic probe (molecular or particulate) to be placed at the site/organ of measurement, which may pose logistical and safety concerns, including invasiveness of the probe-placement procedure as well as lack of temporal stability and sensitivity for long-term (repeated) measurements, and possible toxicity in the short- and long-term. In the past, we have developed an implantable oxygen-sensing probe, called OxyChip, which we have successfully established for oximetry in pre-clinical animal models (Hou et al. Biomed. Microdevices 20, 29, 2018). Currently, OxyChip is being evaluated in a limited clinical trial in cancer patients. A major limitation of OxyChip is that it is a large (1.4 mm3) implant and hence not suitable for measuring oxygen heterogeneity that may be present in solid tumors, chronic wounds, etc. In this report, we describe the development of a substantially smaller version of OxyChip (0.07 mm3 or 70 cubic micron), called mChip, that can be placed in the tissue of interest using a 23G syringe-needle with minimal invasiveness. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we have shown that the microchip provides adequate EPR sensitivity, stability, and biocompatibility and thus enables robust, repeated, and simultaneous measurement from multiple implants providing mean and median pO2 values in the implanted region. The mChips will be particularly useful for those applications that require repeated measurements of mean/median pO2 in superficial tissues and malignancies.
Children, In-Laws, and “Doing Gender” of Couples

Chapter 7 illuminates the current literature of household divisions of labor by introducing explanations beyond the dyadic interaction between the couple. It examines how children and in-laws encourage the doing gender process of couples in everyday life. While past research portrayed children as “childcare responsibility,” “helpers” in the family, or at best passive beings molded by parents into appropriate gender roles, this research shows that in sharing a gendered cultural backdrop, children actively make gendered choices and employ various strategies that encourage their parents to “do gender.” The in-laws are also significant members in Chinese families where filial piety is emphasized. Their manifest, hidden and latent power enable them to play an active role in scrutinizing couples’ character and behavior in day-to-day interaction.
Formation of a High Pressure Staircase Pedestal with Suppressed Edge Localized Modes in the DIII-D Tokamak.

We observe the formation of a high-pressure staircase pedestal ($\ensuremath{\approx}16--20\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{kPa}$) in the DIII-D tokamak when large amplitude edge localized modes are suppressed using resonant magnetic perturbations. The staircase pedestal is characterized by a flattening of the density and temperature profiles in midpedestal creating a two-step staircase pedestal structure correlated with the appearance of midpedestal broadband fluctuations. The pedestal oscillates between the staircase and single-step structure every 40--60 ms, correlated with oscillations in the heat and particle flux to the divertor. Gyrokinetic analysis using the cgyro code shows that when the heat and particle flux to the divertor decreases, the pedestal broadens and the $E\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}B$ shear at the midpedestal decreases, triggering a transport bifurcation from the kinetic ballooning mode (KBM) to trapped electron mode (TEM) limited transport that flattens the density and temperature profiles at midpedestal and results in the formation of the staircase pedestal. As the heat flux to the divertor increases, the pedestal narrows and the $E\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}B$ shear at the midpedestal increases, triggering a back transition from TEM to KBM limited transport. The pedestal pressure increases during the staircase phase, indicating that enhanced midpedestal turbulence can be beneficial for confinement.
Two component model oils for interfacial shear characterization

Abstract The impact of interfacial properties on the processing of crude oil/water emulsions has led to increased studies examining films of asphaltene, the most surface active components of crude oil. However, crude has other surface active components. Although asphaltenes create a strong viscoelastic interfacial film at concentrations found in crude, the study of asphaltene films is limited in utility due to differences between their behavior and films composed from crude. However, crude oils are difficult to work with and characterize and are too complex to allow systematic studies. There is a need for more accurate but simple models of crude that could be used in various types of interfacial deformation. In this work, a simple two component model oil comprised asphaltenes, and resins dissolved in toluene’s are compared to both crude and single component interfaces undergoing interfacial shear. The two component model interface creates a response qualitatively like crude in both aggregation kinetics and strain sweep, whereas pure resin and asphaltene interfaces behave completely different. By adjusting the relative concentration of resin and asphaltene in the model oil, different types of oil are made that correspond to medium and heavy crudes.
Air Pollution, Clustering of Particulate Matter Components, and Breast Cancer in the Sister Study: A U.S.-Wide Cohort.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture. Geographic variations in PM may explain the lack of consistent associations with breast cancer. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relatio...
Tractable ADMM schemes for computing KKT points and local minimizers for $$\ell _0$$ ℓ 0 -minimization problems

We consider an $$\ell _0$$ -minimization problem where $$f(x) + \gamma \Vert x\Vert _0$$ is minimized over a polyhedral set and the $$\ell _0$$ -norm regularizer implicitly emphasizes the sparsity of the solution. Such a setting captures a range of problems in image processing and statistical learning. Given the nonconvex and discontinuous nature of this norm, convex regularizers as substitutes are often employed and studied, but less is known about directly solving the $$\ell _0$$ -minimization problem. Inspired by Feng et al. (Pac J Optim 14:273–305, 2018), we consider resolving an equivalent formulation of the $$\ell _0$$ -minimization problem as a mathematical program with complementarity constraints (MPCC) and make the following contributions towards the characterization and computation of its KKT points: (i) First, we show that feasible points of this formulation satisfy the relatively weak Guignard constraint qualification. Furthermore, if f is convex, an equivalence is derived between first-order KKT points and local minimizers of the MPCC formulation. (ii) Next, we apply two alternating direction method of multiplier (ADMM) algorithms, named (ADMM $$_{\mathrm{cf}}^{\mu , \alpha , \rho }$$ ) and (ADMM $$_{\mathrm{cf}}$$ ), to exploit the special structure of the MPCC formulation. Both schemes feature tractable subproblems. Specifically, in spite of the overall nonconvexity, it is shown that the first update can be effectively reduced to a closed-form expression by recognizing a hidden convexity property while the second necessitates solving a tractable convex program. In (ADMM $$_{\mathrm{cf}}^{\mu , \alpha , \rho }$$ ), subsequential convergence to a perturbed KKT point under mild assumptions is proved. Preliminary numerical experiments suggest that the proposed tractable ADMM schemes are more scalable than their standard counterpart while (ADMM $$_{\mathrm{cf}}$$ ) compares well with its competitors in solving the $$\ell _0$$ -minimization problem.
Asian Upper Eyelid Complications

Complications of upper eyelid surgery in the Asian patient can often be avoided with careful preoperative assessment of several distinctive eyelid differences. Suboptimal results after cosmetic upper eyelid surgery most often include asymmetric eyelid creases, high eyelid crease deformity which results in a Westernized eyelid appearance, bifid or multiple creases, poor eyelid crease definition, lagophthalmos, deep superior sulcus, and hypertrophic or epicanthal scarring.
TaxAss: Leveraging Custom Databases Achieves Fine-Scale Taxonomic Resolution

Taxonomy assignment for microbial community composition studies can be limited by a lack of relevant reference organisms in large taxonomy databases. TaxAss is a taxonomy assignment workflow to classify 16S rRNA gene amplicon data using two taxonomy reference databases: a large comprehensive database such as Greengenes or SILVA, and a small ecosystem-specific database curated by scientists within a field. To test TaxAss performance, we classified five different freshwater datasets using the comprehensive Greengenes database and the freshwater-specific FreshTrain database. TaxAss increased the percent of the dataset classified compared to using only Greengenes. The increase in classifications was highest at fine-resolution taxa levels, where across the freshwater test-datasets the classifications at species-level increased by 24-40 percent reads. A similar increase in classifications was not observed in a control mouse gut dataset, which was not expected to contain freshwater bacteria. TaxAss maintained taxonomic richness compared to using only the FreshTrain. Richness was maintained across all taxa-levels from phylum to species. Without TaxAss, the majority of organisms not represented in the FreshTrain were unclassified, but at finer taxa levels incorrect classifications were also significant. TaxAss splits a dataset's sequences into two groups based on their percent identity to reference sequences in the ecosystem-specific database. Highly similar sequences are classified using the ecosystem-specific database and the others are classified using the comprehensive database. TaxAss metrics help users choose a percent identity cutoff appropriate for their data. TaxAss is free and open source, and available at www.github.com/McMahonLab/TaxAss.
Disclosure and Competition for Capital

We study the relation between disclosure and competition for capital, using Moody's 2010 recalibration of the municipal rating scale. On a relative basis, the recalibration advantaged highly upgraded issuers and disadvantaged lowly upgraded issuers. We develop a model to show that for disadvantaged issuers, the recalibration exacerbates a potential conflict between social welfare and government officials' personal preferences. Higher quality disclosures can mitigate this conflict. Empirically, we find that the disadvantaged issuers provide timelier and more frequent financial statements after the recalibration, particularly when those issuers face relatively intense competition for capital. This evidence supports the idea that a competitive disadvantage in raising capital can motivate issuers to improve disclosure quality.
COVID-19 Machine Learning Based Survival Analysis and Discharge Time Likelihood Prediction Using Clinical Data

As a highly contagious respiratory disease, Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has yielded high mortality rates around the globe since its emergence in December of 2019. As the number of COVID-19 cases soars in epicenters, health officials are warning about the possibility of the designated treatment centers being overwhelmed by severely ill coronavirus patients. In this study, several computational techniques are implemented to analyze the survival characteristics of more than 1182 patients. In particular, two features of gender and age are used as modeling parameters. The computational results agree with the data reported in early clinical reports released for a sample group of patients from China that confirmed a higher mortality rate in men compared to women. The discharge time of COVID-19 patients was also evaluated using different machine learning and statistical analysis methods. The results indicate that the Gradient Boosting survival analysis model outperforms other techniques. This research study is aimed to help health officials make more educated decisions during the outbreak. Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Reducing Crime through Environmental Design: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment of Street Lighting in New York City

This paper offers experimental evidence that crime can be successfully reduced by changing the situational environment that potential victims and offenders face. We focus on a ubiquitous but surprisingly understudied feature of the urban landscape – street lighting – and report the first experimental evidence on the effect of street lighting on crime. Through a unique public partnership in New York City, temporary streetlights were randomly allocated to public housing developments from March through August 2016. We find evidence that communities that were assigned more lighting experienced sizable reductions in crime. After accounting for potential spatial spillovers, we find that the provision of street lights led, at a minimum, to a 36 percent reduction in nighttime outdoor index crimes.
Rheological characterization of poly-dimethyl siloxane formulations with tunable viscoelastic properties

Studies from the past two decades have demonstrated convincingly that cells are able to sense the mechanical properties of their surroundings. Cells make major decisions in response to this mechanosensation, including decisions regarding cell migration, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. The vast majority of these studies have focused on the cellular mechanoresponse to changing substrate stiffness (or elastic modulus) and have been conducted on purely elastic substrates. In contrast, most soft tissues in the human body exhibit viscoelastic behavior; that is, they generate responsive force proportional to both the magnitude and rate of strain. While several recent studies have demonstrated that viscous effects of an underlying substrate affect cellular mechanoresponse, there is not a straightforward experimental method to probe this, particularly for investigators with little background in biomaterial fabrication. In the current work, we demonstrate that polymers comprised of differing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) formulations can be generated that allow for control over both the strain-dependent storage modulus and the strain rate-dependent loss modulus. These substrates requires no background in biomaterial fabrication to fabricate, are shelf-stable, and exhibit repeatable mechanical properties. Here we demonstrate that these substrates are biocompatible and exhibit similar protein adsorption characteristics regardless of mechanical properties. Finally, we develop a set of empirical equations that predicts the storage and loss modulus for a given blend of PDMS formulations, allowing users to tailor substrate mechanical properties to their specific needs.
Sugar Transport in Neurospora crassa II. A SECOND GLUCOSE TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract Cells of Neurospora crassa grown in media containing low levels of glucose produce a transport system which catalyzes the accumulation of l-sorbose against a considerable concentration gradient. This system is physiologically a glucose active transport system which operates maximally at extremely low glucose concentrations (Km for glucose, approximately 10 µm). The active glucose transport system is distinct from a previously described facilitated diffusion glucose transport system which functions at high glucose concentrations (Km for glucose, approximately 8 mm). Only the facilitated diffusion system is present in cells grown on high levels of glucose, whereas the active transport system appears when cells are grown on low levels of glucose. Repression of the high affinity active transport system at high glucose concentrations and derepression of this system at low glucose concentrations provides the organism with an efficient mechanism for maintaining adequate intracellular glucose concentrations regardless of extreme fluctuations in the glucose content of the external environment.
The Benefits of Design for Postponement

Delayed product differentiation and Quick Response rank among the most beneficial strategic mechanisms to manage the risks associated with product variety and uncertain sales.
Asymptomatic transmission and the resurgence of Bordetella pertussis

The recent increase in whooping cough incidence (primarily caused by Bordetella pertussis) presents a challenge to both public health practitioners and scientists trying to understand the mechanisms behind its resurgence. Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the resurgence: 1) waning of protective immunity from vaccination or natural infection over time, 2) evolution of B. pertussis to escape protective immunity, and 3) low vaccine coverage. Recent studies have suggested a fourth mechanism: asymptomatic transmission from individuals vaccinated with the currently used acellular B. pertussis vaccines. Using wavelet analyses of B. pertussis incidence in the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) and a phylodynamic analysis of 36 clinical B. pertussis isolates from the US, we find evidence in support of asymptomatic transmission of B. pertussis. Next, we examine the clinical, public health, and epidemiological consequences of asymptomatic B. pertussis transmission using a mathematical model. We find that: 1) the timing of changes in age-specific attack rates observed in the US and UK are consistent with asymptomatic transmission; 2) the phylodynamic analysis of the US sequences indicates more genetic diversity in the overall bacterial population than would be suggested by the observed number of infections, a pattern expected with asymptomatic transmission; 3) asymptomatic infections can bias assessments of vaccine efficacy based on observations of B. pertussis-free weeks; 4) asymptomatic transmission can account for the observed increase in B. pertussis incidence; and 5) vaccinating individuals in close contact with infants too young to receive the vaccine (“cocooning” unvaccinated children) may be ineffective. Although a clear role for the previously suggested mechanisms still exists, asymptomatic transmission is the most parsimonious explanation for many of the observations surrounding the resurgence of B. pertussis in the US and UK. These results have important implications for B. pertussis vaccination policy and present a complicated scenario for achieving herd immunity and B. pertussis eradication.
Voltage-clamped class E amplifier with a Zener diode across the choke coil

A class E amplifier with a clamped switch peak voltage with a Zener diode across the choke inductor is proposed and analyzed. Power loss in the Zener diode is reduced to 2/3 of that in the amplifier with a Zener diode across the switch. The effect of the Zener diode on the switch voltage waveform, output power, and efficiency are examined and experimentally verified.
Intelligent multimedia tutoring for manufacturing education

The paper describes current work on the design and implementation of intelligent multimedia tutoring modules which are intended to supplement short training courses in nondestructive inspection for the Boeing Defense and Space group.
Western Juniper Management: Assessing Strategies for Improving Greater Sage-grouse Habitat and Rangeland Productivity

Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis subsp. occidentalis) range expansion into sagebrush steppe ecosystems has affected both native wildlife and economic livelihoods across western North America. The potential listing of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) under the U.S. Endangered Species Act has spurred a decade of juniper removal efforts, yet limited research has evaluated program effectiveness. We used a multi-objective spatially explicit model to identify optimal juniper removal sites in Northeastern California across weighted goals for ecological (sage-grouse habitat) and economic (cattle forage production) benefits. We also extended the analysis through alternative case scenarios that tested the effects of coordination among federal agencies, budgetary constraints, and the use of fire as a juniper treatment method. We found that sage-grouse conservation and forage production goals are somewhat complementary, but the extent of complementary benefits strongly depends on spatial factors and management approaches. Certain management actions substantially increase achievable benefits, including agency coordination and the use of prescribed burns to remove juniper. Critically, our results indicate that juniper management strategies designed to increase cattle forage do not necessarily achieve measurable sage-grouse benefits, underscoring the need for program evaluation and monitoring.
Manipulating Your Recordset

In chapter 6, I discussed how, when, and why to construct a Recordset. Once you decide to create a Recordset to handle the rowset generated by your query, you will want to manipulate it. You’ll think about binding it to data-aware controls (I suggest you don’t), and about sorting, filtering, and finding rows in the rowset (I suggest you do). When you paid seven some-odd megabytes of RAM for ADO, you mostly bought sophisticated Recordset management routines. Knowing how to use these routines efficiently and effectively will go a long way toward making your application a success.