cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plate Tomography with Dry Contact Lamb Wave Transducers

Ultrasonic Lamb wave techniques are widely used in a number of NDE applications. To excite Lamb waves, mode conversion of bulk waves or photo acoustic excitation are often used. Both of these approaches suffer from the need for liquid couplant or ablation of materials to reach good signal to noise ratio. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that utilizes point source excitation and detection of Lamb waves through dry, elastic contacts to monitor velocity changes. We demonstrate the power of this approach in ultrasonic pipe erosion/corrosion monitoring and its potential application in aircraft skin defect imaging. We present results of measurements of plate thickness, and erosion/corrosion in a section of pipe that was removed from service, as well as imaging of defects in an aluminum thin plate.
How to Design a Cardiovascular Proteomics Experiment

Proteomics provides the opportunity for the large-scale examination of proteins in fluids or tissue samples, which has significant implications for cardiovascular experimental, translational, and clinical research. Proteomic strategies are useful as a means to provide catalogues of proteins that are present in a sample at the time of evaluation, as a way to quantify complex mixtures and identify proteins differentially expressed among groups (whether it is total amounts or differences in post-translational modifications), and to analyze protein complexes and protein-protein interactions. A crucial component of a successful proteomics examination is the experimental design. In this book chapter, we will discuss how to design a cardiovascular proteomics experiment for optimal success and provide example workflows for different types of experiments with strategies to minimize potential pitfalls.
Physiological and Biomechanical Responses to Prolonged Heavy Load Carriage during Level Treadmill Walking in Females

Heavy load carriage has been identified as a main contributing factor to the high incidence of overuse injuries in soldiers. Peak vertical ground reaction force (VGRFMAX) and maximal vertical loading rates (VLRMAX) may increase during heavy prolonged load carriage with the development of muscular fatigue and reduced shock attenuation capabilities. The objectives of the current study were (1) to examine physiological and biomechanical changes that occur during a prolonged heavy load carriage task, and (2) to examine if this task induces neuromuscular fatigue and changes in muscle architecture. Eight inexperienced female participants walked on an instrumented treadmill carrying operational loads for 60min at 5.4 km·h-1. Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), trunk lean angle, and ground reaction forces were recorded continuously during task. Maximal force and in-vivo muscle architecture were assessed pre and post task. Significant increases were observed for VGRFMAX, VLRM...
Microsatellite instability in diverse populations

CN06-04 Colorectal cancer is a molecularly heterogeneous diagnosis. Broadly speaking, tumors can be categorized as having proficient or deficient DNA mismatch repair gene function. This is determined by tumor testing for "microsatellite instability" (MSI) and/or immunohistochemistry for the DNA mismatch repair gene products. Tumors that manifest high levels of MSI are strongly associated with right sided tumor location, female gender, older ages, or with HNPCC-Lynch Syndrome. Emerging evidence suggests that tumors with MSI have different prognosis and different response to chemotherapy agents. The incidence, site, stage, mortality of CRC have been described in many different populations and significant differences have been consistently identified. While originally attributed to societal factors such as access to health care, newer information suggests true biological differences. Available data on MSI in CRC diverse populations will be examined. In light of the emerging therapeutic implications of MSI, there is urgent need to more fully characterize CRC for MSI within all populations.
African Literature as Celebration of (LGBO) Culture and Philosophy: Reading Chinua Achebe's Works and Reflecting on His Enduring Legacy

This paper is a close textual study and interpretive analysis of selected works by Chinua Achebe, and is designed to highlight his subtle and subversive approach to creative writing about Africa and teaching literature. Achebe, as an African nationalist and a philosopher of (LGBO) culture, took to writing African literature as a form of "restoration of celebration" based on the urgent historical "need to alter things" and confront white racism or the European false sense of cultural superiority.
Subspace-based background subtraction applied to aeroacoustic wind tunnel testing:

A subspace-based form of background subtraction is presented and applied to aeroacoustic wind tunnel data. A variant of this method has seen use in other fields such as climatology and medical imag...
INDUCTION OF CONTINUOUS CYTOTOXIC T CELL LINES TO SYNGENEIC PLASMACYTOMA ANTIGENS

ABSTRACT A variety of tumor associated antigens have been detected on plasma cell tumors (PCTs). In an attempt to obtain homogeneous populations of cytotoxic T cells which are specific for individual PCT antigens, several continuous cytotoxic T lymphocyte lines (CTLLs) have been generated. These lines show a substantial enrichment of cytotoxic activity against the tumor cell line against which they were generated as compared to cytotoxic T cells generated in a primary in vitro induction. In addition, these lines show different patterns of reactivity from one another when tested against a range of tumor cell targets which are known to share antigens in common with the stimulating PCT. These CTL lines may be of considerable value in further studies on major histocompatibility restriction of cytotoxic T cell responses to individual PCT antigens.
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover-style trial of buspirone in functional dysphagia and ineffective esophageal motility.

Background Studies suggest that Ineffective Esophageal Motility (IEM) is the manometric correlate of Functional Dysphagia (FD). Currently, there is no accepted therapy for either condition. Buspirone is a serotonin modulating medication and has been shown to augment esophageal peristaltic amplitude in healthy volunteers. We aimed to determine if buspirone improves manometric parameters and symptoms in patients with overlapping IEM/FD. Methods We performed a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-style trial of 10 patients with IEM/FD. The study consisted of two 2-week treatment arms with a 2-week washout period. Outcomes measured at baseline, end of week 2, and week 6 include high resolution esophageal manometry (HREM), the Mayo Dysphagia Questionnaire-14 (MDQ-14), and the GERD-HRQL. Results The mean age of our 10 patients was 53 ± 9 years and 70% were female. After treatment with buspirone, 30% of patients had normalization of IEM on manometry; however, there was 30% normalization in the placebo group as well. Comparing buspirone to placebo, there was no statistically significant difference in the HREM parameters measured. There was also no statistically significant difference in symptom outcomes for buspirone compared to placebo. Of note, patients had a statistically significant decrease in the total GERD-HRQL total score when treated with placebo compared to baseline levels. Discussion Despite previous data demonstrating improved esophageal motility in healthy volunteers, our study shows no difference in terms of HREM parameters or symptom scores in IEM/FD patients treated with buspirone compared to placebo. Further research is necessary to identify novel agents for this condition.
Bounds on the Smallest Eigenvalue of a Pinned Laplacian Matrix

In this note, we study a networked system with single/multiple pinning. Given a weighted and undirected network, we derive lower and upper bounds on its algebraic connectivity with respect to the reference signal. The bounds are derived by partitioning the network in terms of distance of each node from the pinning set. Upper and lower bounds for two networks with differing topologies are computed to demonstrate the tightness of the derived results. It is shown, using the derived bounds, how requirements on the number of pinning nodes and pinning gain required for achieving stability or a specified convergence rate for the network can be easily obtained.
Measuring the inter-sample heterogeneity by dynamic PCA biplot

In microarray/RNAseq experiments, different samples used in the same experiment may have significant levels of heterogeneity. Here, heterogeneity refers to the unique temporospatial composition of various cells in different samples. Consequently, the experimental results and subsequent data analysis may be seriously biased. To minimize the influence of heterogeneous samples in data analysis, the first step is to identify heterogeneous samples by measuring the inter-sample heterogeneity. Principal component analysis (PCA) biplot is often used for this purpose. However, the PCA-biplot is normally obtained from one set of differentially expressed genes, indicating the biplot is static and may not represent the heterogeneity dynamically. Therefore, a novel dynamic PCA biplot was developed in this project, and the advantage of this new method was exemplified in two GEO datasets.
Macromolecule-Network Electrostatics Controlling Delivery of the Biotherapeutic Cell Modulator TIMP-2.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) is an endogenous 22 kDa proteinase inhibitor, demonstrating antitumorigenic, antimetastatic and antiangiogenic activities in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant TIMP-2 is currently undergoing preclinical testing in multiple, murine tumor models. Here we report the development of an inert, injectable peptide hydrogel matrix enabling encapsulation and sustained release of TIMP-2. We studied the TIMP-2 release profile from four β-hairpin peptide gels of varying net electrostatic charge. A negatively charged peptide gel (designated AcVES3) enabling encapsulation of 4 mg/mL of TIMP-2, without effects on rheological properties, facilitated the slow sustained release (0.9%/d) of TIMP-2 over 28 d. Released TIMP-2 is structurally intact and maintains the ability to inhibit MMP activity, as well as suppress lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro. These findings suggest that the AcVES3 hydrogel will be useful as an injectable vehicle for systemic delivery of TIMP-2 in viv...
Optimized complementary waveform subsets within an FM noise radar CPI

Complementary codes are known to provide theoretically zero sidelobes under the conditions of zero Doppler and an ideal (distortion-free) transmitter. In contrast, the design of complementary FM (Comp-FM) waveforms is demonstrated here using gradient-based optimization of polyphase-coded FM (PCFM). It is shown that these waveforms are inherently more robust to Doppler than codes and, being FM, are also naturally amenable to high-power transmitters. Further, distinct subsets of complementary waveforms are used in the coherent processing interval (CPI) of FM noise radar where they can be pre-summed on receive to reduce the overall sidelobe level. Because each subset is different, the presence of non-zero Doppler and/or transmitter distortion cause the rate of sidelobe reduction to revert to that achieved by FM noise radar, which is still linear with the number of pulses. The performance of these complementary waveforms is demonstrated in simulation and through free-space experimental measurements.
Progress Towards the Application of Laser-Ultrasonics in Industry

Ultrasonic techniques are widely used in industry for thickness gauging, flaw detection and materials characterization [1]. The ultrasonic waves are usually generated and detected by piezoelectric transducers and coupled to the inspected part either by direct contact or through a water bath or a water jet. Although widespread and generally cost effective, these conventional ultrasonic techniques suffer from essentially two severe limitations, which impact upon their use for on-line process control and the inspection of advanced materials.
Residual Currents in the Peconic Bays Estuary

Observations of low frequency currents and sea level in the Peconic Bays Estuary are analyzed to establish forcing and response relationships using simple spectral techniques. Results suggest that for periods shorter than approximately five days currents at all moorings respond to coastal sea level fluctuations which are presumably meteorologically forced. Analysis of current fluctuations at longer periods suggest that tidal rectification contributes to the residual circulation in the vicinity of certain moorings.
Interleukin-10 in cerebral ischemia and stroke

Ischemic neuronal cell death induced by transient ischemic attacks, cardiopulmonary arrest followed by resuscitation and acute stroke are leading causes of death and disability in industrialized countries. Early (< 3 h) treatment with tissue plasminogin activator (t-PA) was approved in 1996 for the treatment of acute stroke [1]. Nevertheless, the therapeutic challenge remains to determine what specific pharmacologic or nonpharmagologic interventions can be developed to reduce neuronal cell death and functional abnormalities from strokes or ischemic injury. In this regard, inflammatory processes are thought to participate in neuronal cell death following cerebral ischemia.
The Positive Psychology of Adult Generativity: Caring for the Next Generation and Constructing a Redemptive Life

Nearly 75 years ago, Erik Erikson defined generativity as an adult’s concern for, and commitment to promoting the well-being of future generations, as evidenced in parenting, teaching, mentoring, leadership, and engaging in a wide range of activities aimed at leaving a positive legacy of the self for the future. Over the past two decades, empirical psychologists have developed measures for assessing individual differences in generativity, resulting in an impressive corpus of research findings. In this chapter, I spotlight research that expresses the flavor of positive psychology, showing how generativity relates to effective parenting and family life, civic engagement and societal integration, prosocial features of personality, and mental health and well-being. Studies of the life narratives of highly generative American adults suggest an intimate link between conceiving of one’s own life as a redemptive story and committing oneself to the well-being of future generations.
The Preservation of Human Red Blood Cell Agglutinogens in Liquid Nitrogen: Study of a Technic Suitable for Routine Blood Banking

A simple method for the preservation of red blood cells in liquid nitrogen suitable for routine laboratory use is described. With this method, erythrocyte antigens retain their integrity for at least six months and, after thawing, remain active for at least two weeks in Alsever’s Solution. A panel of cells preserved in liquid nitrogen is as satisfactory as fresh cells in defining irregular antibodies encountered in patient sera. The advantages of this technic over other methods of red blood cell preservation is discussed.
Adaptive Artificial Neural Network-Based Models for Instantaneous Power Estimation Enhancement in Electric Vehicles’ Li-Ion Batteries

This paper investigates the role of artificial neural networks in enhancing the accuracy of instantaneous power estimation of electric vehicles’ batteries. In electric vehicles, a battery is used as a main or complementary bidirectional power source. To optimize the energy management of the vehicle, the power sourced or sinked by the battery must be estimated in real time under any condition. The power of the battery is a function of many variables including the current, the state of charge, the ambient temperature, and the state of health. This paper evaluates some existing equivalent circuit models for estimating the instantaneous power of electric vehicles' batteries and proposes new artificial neural network-based models to enhance the power estimation accuracy. The experimental data obtained by performing standardized electric vehicle tests using a 3.6-V/16.5-Ah lithium-ion battery cell and a 12.8-V/150-Ah lithium-ion battery pack are presented and used for models' evaluation.
Evaluating Mild Cognitive Impairment in Essential Tremor: How Many and Which Neuropsychological Tests?

Objectives Essential tremor (ET) confers an increased risk for developing both amnestic and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Yet, the optimal measures for detecting mild cognitive changes in individuals with this movement disorder have not been established. We sought to identify the cognitive domains and specific motor-free neuropsychological tests that are most sensitive to mild deficits in cognition as defined by a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) of 0.5, which is generally associated with a clinical diagnosis of MCI. Methods A total of 196 ET subjects enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal, clinical-pathological study underwent an extensive motor-free neuropsychological test battery and were assigned a CDR score. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the neuropsychological tests which best identified individuals with CDR of 0.5 (mild deficits in cognition) versus 0 (normal cognition). Results In regression models, we identified five tests in the domains of Memory and Executive Function which best discriminated subjects with CDR of 0.5 versus 0 (86.9% model classification accuracy). These tests were the California Verbal Learning Test II Total Recall, Logical Memory II, Verbal-Paired Associates I, Category Switching Fluency, and Color-Word Inhibition. Conclusions Mild cognitive difficulty among ET subjects is best predicted by combined performance on five measures of memory and executive function. These results inform the nature of cognitive dysfunction in ET and the creation of a brief cognitive battery to assess patients with ET for cognitively driven dysfunction in life that could indicate the presence of MCI. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1084-1098).
Substantial Increase in Anesthesia Assistance for Outpatient Colonoscopy and Associated Cost Nationwide.

Background and Aims The use of anesthesia assistance (AA) for outpatient colonoscopy has been increasing over the past decade, raising concern over its effects on procedure safety, quality, and cost. We performed a nationwide claims-based study to determine regional, patient-related, and facility-related patterns of anesthesia use as well as cost implications of AA for payers. Methods We analyzed the Premier Perspective database to identify patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy at over 600 acute-care hospitals throughout the United States from 2006 through 2015, with or without AA. We used multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with AA and cost. Results We identified 4,623,218 patients who underwent outpatient colonoscopy. Of these, 1,671,755 (36.2%) had AA; the proportion increased from 16.7% in 2006 to 58.1% in 2015 (P Conclusions In an analysis of a database of patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy throughout the United States, we found that the use of AA during outpatient colonoscopy increased significantly from 2006 through 2015, associated with increased cost for all payers. The increase in anesthesia use mandates evaluation of its safety and effectiveness in colorectal cancer screening programs.
The Chemical Syntheses of Nannocystins

The broad and potent anticancer activity of the nannocystin family of natural products has attracted significant efforts toward their total syntheses. Currently, seven total syntheses of different members of the nannocystins have been reported. In this Short Review, different synthetic approaches are highlighted. The reported structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies will also be highlighted.
Modeling Risk and Achieving Algorithmic Fairness Using Potential Outcomes

Predictive models and algorithms are increasingly used to support human decision makers, raising concerns about how to ensure that these algorithms are fair. Additionally, these tools are generally designed to predict observable outcomes, but this is problematic when the treatment or exposure is confounded with the outcome. I argue that in most cases, what is actually of interest are potential outcomes. I contrast modeling approaches built around observable vs. potential outcomes, and I recharacterize error rate-based algorithmic fairness metrics in terms of potential outcomes. I also aim to formally model the consequences of using confounded observable predictions to drive interventions.
Colloidal CuZnInS3 nanocrystals as the sensitizer in photovoltaic solar cells

Abstract This research article is presenting photovoltaic performance of a sensitized solar cell with CuZnInS3 as the sensitizer. The as-prepared nanocrystals were tested for the Cu:Zn composition dependent performance of photovoltaic solar cells. Out of all the tested nanocrystals with various compositions, a power conversion efficiency as high as 1.1% was observed with Cu:Zn 1:2 composition. A simple, low temperature method was employed to synthesize highly luminescent CuZnInS3 quaternary nanocrystals using chloride salts of metal precursors. The synthesis was done by heating metal precursors followed by injection of elemental sulfur. The size and the elemental composition of the nanocrystals were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) The nanocrystals showed a uniform size distribution with average particle size of 5 nm with the exception of Cu:Zn 1:1 sample. The findings showed that the optical properties of these nanocrystals can be tuned by varying Cu:Zn metal precursor ratio. The as-synthesized nanocrystals showed photoluminescence quantum yield as high as 68%.
Leisure behavior and sense of coherence in the context of depression.

Aims Improved sense of coherence (SOC) can protect health among individuals with depression. Literature suggests that leisure behavior can improve SOC, yet empirical studies are lacking. The current study aimed to examine whether leisure behavior was associated with SOC and depression. Methods A cross-sectional online survey method was used with a sample of community-living adults (62% female, age 18-75 years) with a self-reported current or historical diagnosis of depression recruited from four different depression-related populations. Results The results of structural equation modeling found that leisure behavior predicted greater SOC as well as lower depressive symptoms. Greater SOC was associated with lower perceived stress and lower depressive symptoms. The total effect size, including both direct and indirect association between leisure behavior and depressive symptoms was 0.452. Conclusion The findings suggested the potential benefits of leisure behavior on SOC and depressive symptoms.
Association Between High Perceived Stress Over Time and Incident Hypertension in Black Adults: Findings From the Jackson Heart Study

Background Chronic psychological stress has been associated with hypertension, but few studies have examined this relationship in blacks. We examined the association between perceived stress levels...
Does Corporate Access Facilitate Informed Trading? Evidence from Trading in Advance of Internal Control Disclosures

We examine institutional investors’ trading activity during the period preceding firms’ annual disclosures regarding the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) required under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). We find consistent evidence suggesting that some institutional investors (i.e., transient institutions with large overweighted positions) possess pre-announcement private information regarding forthcoming disclosures of material weakness in ICFR. In subsequent tests, we find that informed traders’ pre-announcement private information varies with the suspected level of corporate access (i.e., access to firm managers via investor conferences) provided to investors by our sample firms. Collectively, our evidence suggests that corporate access plays a major role in institutional investors’ development of pre-announcement private information in the post-Reg FD period.
A QUANTUM ALGORITHM FOR AUTOMATA ENCODING

Encoding of ﬁnite automata or state machines is critical to modern digital logic design methods for sequential circuits. Encoding is the process of assigning to every state, input value, and output value of a state machine a binary string, which is used to represent that state, input value, or output value in digital logic. Usually, one wishes to choose an encoding that, when the state machine is implemented as a digital logic circuit, will optimize some aspect of that circuit. For instance, one might wish to encode in such a way as to minimize power dissipation or silicon area. For most such optimization objectives, no method to ﬁnd the exact solution, other than a straightforward exhaustive search, is known. Recent progress towards producing a quantum computer of large enough scale to surpass modern supercomputers has made it increasingly relevant to consider how quantum computers may be used to solve problems of practical interest. A quantum computer using Grover’s well-known search algorithm can perform exhaustive searches that would be impractical on a classical computer, due to the speedup provided by Grover’s algorithm. Therefore, we propose to use Grover’s algorithm to ﬁnd optimal encodings for ﬁnite state machines via exhaustive search. We demonstrate the design of quantum circuits that allow Grover’s algorithm to be used for this purpose. The quantum circuit design methods that we introduce are potentially applicable to other problems as well.
Cosmological Lithium Problems

We briefly describe the cosmological lithium problems followed by a summary of our recent theoretical work on the magnitude of the effects of electron screening, thepossible existence of dark matter parallel universes and the use of non-extensive (Tsal-lis) statistics during big bang nucleosynthesis. Solutions within nuclear physics are also discussed and recent measurements of cross-sections based on indirect experimental techniques are summarized.
Aging and Engaging: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Conversational Skills Coach for Older Adults.

ABSTRACT Objective Communication difficulties negatively impact relationship quality and are associated with social isolation and loneliness in later life. There is a need for accessible communication interventions offered outside specialty mental health settings. Design Pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting Assessments in the laboratory and intervention completed in-home. Participants Twenty adults age 60 and older from the community and a geriatric psychiatry clinic. Intervention A web-based communication coach that provides automated feedback on eye contact, facial expressivity, speaking volume, and negative content (Aging and Engaging Program, AEP), delivered with minimal assistance in the home (eight brief sessions over 4–6 weeks) or control (education and videos on communication). Measurements System Usability Scale and Social Skills Performance Assessment, an observer-rated assessment of social communication elicited through standardized role-plays. Results Ninety percent of participants completed all AEP sessions and the System Usability Scale score of 68 was above the cut-off for acceptable usability. Participants randomized to AEP demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement in eye contact and facial expressivity. Conclusion The AEP is acceptable and feasible for older adults with communication difficulties to complete at home and may improve eye contact and facial expressivity, warranting a larger RCT to confirm efficacy and explore potential applications to other populations, including individuals with autism and social anxiety.
Eye movements reflect expertise development in hybrid search

Domain-specific expertise changes the way people perceive, process, and remember information from that domain. This is often observed in visual domains involving skilled searches, such as athletics referees, or professional visual searchers (e.g., security and medical screeners). Although existing research has compared expert to novice performance in visual search, little work has directly documented how accumulating experiences change behavior. A longitudinal approach to studying visual search performance may permit a finer-grained understanding of experience-dependent changes in visual scanning, and the extent to which various cognitive processes are affected by experience. In this study, participants acquired experience by taking part in many experimental sessions over the course of an academic semester. Searchers looked for 20 categories of targets simultaneously (which appeared with unequal frequency), in displays with 0–3 targets present, while having their eye movements recorded. With experience, accuracy increased and response times decreased. Fixation probabilities and durations decreased with increasing experience, but saccade amplitudes and visual span increased. These findings suggest that the behavioral benefits endowed by expertise emerge from oculomotor behaviors that reflect enhanced reliance on memory to guide attention and the ability to process more of the visual field within individual fixations.
Comparative Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Hypertension Remission and Relapse: The ENGAGE CVD Study.

Weight loss is an effective strategy for the management of hypertension, and bariatric surgery is the most effective weight loss and maintenance strategy for obesity. The importance of bariatric surgery in the long-term management of hypertension and which operation is most effective is less clear. We compared the effectiveness of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for remission and relapse of hypertension after surgery in the ENGAGE CVD cohort study (Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass Versus Gastric Sleeve for Cardiovascular Disease). Operations were done by 23 surgeons across 9 surgical practices. Hypertension remission and relapse were assessed in each year of follow-up beginning 30 days and up to 5 years postsurgery. We used a local instrumental variable approach to account for selection bias in the choice of VSG or RYGB. The study population included 4964 patients with hypertension at the time of surgery (n=3186 VSG and n=1778 RYGB). At 1 year, 27% of patients with RYGB and 28% of patients with VSG achieved remission. After 5 years, without accounting for relapse, 42% of RYGB and 43% of VSG patients had experienced hypertension remission. After accounting for relapse, only 17% of RYGB and 18% of VSG patients remained in remission 5 years after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences between VSG and RYGB for hypertension remission, relapse, or mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure at any time during follow-up.
In vivo reprogramming of murine host immune response genes following Leishmania major infection.

Leishmania parasites cause cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a pathologic disease characterized by disfiguring, ulcerative skin lesions. Both parasite and host gene expression following infection with various Leishmania species has been investigated in vitro, but global transcriptional analysis following L. major infection in vivo is lacking. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic profiling study combining bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) to identify global changes in gene expression in vivo following L. major infection. Bulk RNA-Seq analysis revealed that host immune response pathways like the antigen processing and presentation pathway were significantly enriched amongst differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upon infection, while ribosomal pathways were significantly downregulated in infected mice compared to naive controls. scRNA-Seq analyses revealed cellular heterogeneity including distinct resident and recruited cell types in the skin following murine L. major infection. Within the individual immune cell types, several DEGs indicative of many interferon induced GTPases and antigen presentation molecules were significantly enhanced in the infected ears including macrophages (Gbp2, H2-K1, H2-Aa, H2-Ab1), resident macrophages (H2-K1, H2-D1, Gbp4, Gbp8, Gbp2), and inflammatory monocytes (Gbp2, Gbp5, Gbp7, Gbp3). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of scRNA-Seq data indicated the antigen presentation pathway was increased with infection, while EIF2 signaling is the top downregulated pathway followed by eIF4/p70S6k and mTOR signaling in multiple cell types including macrophages, BECs, and LECs. Altogether, this transcriptomic profile highlights known recruitment of myeloid cells to lesions and recognizes a previously undefined role for EIF2 signaling in murine L. major infection in vivo. Significance statementLeishmania major cause cutaneous leishmaniasis, which is characterized by disfiguring, ulcerative skin lesions. Here, we show murine L. major-directed reprogramming of the host transcriptome in vivo. Our bulk RNA-Seq analyses revealed upregulation of antigen processing and presentation pathway, while the host ribosomal pathway was downregulated following L. major infection. Similarly, scRNA-Seq analyses revealed the upregulation of transcripts responsible for antigen presentation and host defense proteins like guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) alongside the downregulation of EIF2 signalling at the site of L. major infection. Overall, our transcriptomic dataset not only provides the comprehensive list of gene expression at the single-cell resolution, and highlights a previously undefined role for EIF2 signalling during murine L. major infection in vivo.
Benchmarking Airport Efficiency: An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis

This article presents a benchmarking methodology designed to help in evaluating the performance of airport operations. It describes how Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to achieve an efficiency criterion by benchmarking 35 airports based on the percent of on-time gate arrivals. Regression analysis was then used to assess the impact of selected input variables on the likelihood of airport is efficiency. Results show that airport efficiency in terms of operations for the largest 35 airports has continued to decline from 2003 while airport delays and congestion have returned to the levels seen in 2000, when delays were at an all time high.
China's Swing from a Planned Soviet-Type Economy to an Ingenious Socialist Market Economy: An Account of 50 Years

Preserving the direction of the Chinese Communist Party after the death of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiao Ping has lead a process of economic and structural reforms that led China to open to the outside world and become one of the impelling forces of globalization. China's admission to the WTO, in 2001, has been a dynamo for the additional domestic adjustments that the market socialist economy of China has been subjected to in the first five years of the 21st century. Is Chinese "socialism" surviving in a world of the economic standardization or is China condemned to move into a market capitalist economy like the others we may question. Or putting in another way are Chinese leaders trying to define a 'sui generis' trajectory between socialism and capitalism? In this case could it be successful? This article analyses the impressive changes that were engrated into the Chinese Economy under the claw of the Third Generatio'n of leaders of the People's Republic of China. The article assay the twenty years since the approval of Deng Xiao Ping's policy of "opening to the outside world" aproved in December 1978, during the Eleventh Central Committee of the CPC convened in its Third Plenary Session.
Numerical methods based on polynomial spline interpolation

Polynomial spline interpolation has been used to develop a variety of higher-order collocation methods. Only those polynomials resulting in tridiagonal, or at worst 3×3 block- tridiagonal, matrix systems have been evaluated.It is- shown that the Pade or Hermite formulation is a hybrid method resulting from two different poly nomial splines.An extension to sixth-order is presented in this paper. Of the fourth-order methods, Spline 4(5,6 has the smallest truncation error. The sixth-order Hermite formulation leads to extraordinary accuracy even with very coarse grids.
Magnetostructural transition in Ho 5 Ge 4

First-principles calculations predict that, in the antiferromagnetic state, ${\text{Ho}}_{5}{\text{Ge}}_{4}$ should adopt a unique monoclinic structure with an unusual distortion in the $ac$ plane, making it a unique member of a broadly researched ${R}_{5}{T}_{4}$ family of compounds that are best known for their giant magnetocaloric, magnetoresistive, and magnetostrictive effects. Experiments prove that, in ${\text{Ho}}_{5}{\text{Ge}}_{4}$, the magnetic transition from the paramagnetic to the antiferromagnetic state is indeed accompanied by a structural transformation from the ${\text{Sm}}_{5}{\text{Ge}}_{4}$-type orthorhombic to the predicted monoclinic structure. Surprisingly, a magnetic field can partially reconstruct the high-temperature paramagnetic ${\text{Sm}}_{5}{\text{Ge}}_{4}$-type structure of ${\text{Ho}}_{5}{\text{Ge}}_{4}$ when applied to the magnetically ordered compound.
Spectroscopy with Tunable Lasers

The vigorous development of various types of broadly tunable lasers in the past few years has led to remarkable progress. Organic dye lasers, semiconductor diode lasers, spin-flip Raman lasers and parametric oscillators together with nonlinear mixing devices now cover the entire wavelength range from the near ultraviolet (2600A) to the middle infrared (34µm). The tuning range will certainly be extended in the near future. Single mode operation and very narrow linewidths have been achieved with each of these devices in the laboratory. Intensive efforts are underway and already partly successful to make the wavelength of such lasers very stable and reliably tunable over any given small spectral region of interest. Tunable lasers will undoubtedly have a large impact on the future of atomic and molecular spectroscopy.
A survey of ab-initio calculations shows that segregation-induced grain boundary embrittlement is predicted by bond-breaking arguments

Abstract The segregation of solute atoms to grain boundaries can have a large influence on the mechanical behavior of polycrystals, particularly in metallic alloys. An overview of 400 calculations of solute-induced changes in grain boundary cohesion from 81 separate studies quantitatively demonstrates that the majority of the variation in solute-induced changes in boundary cohesion is explained by simple bond-breaking arguments. This trend is robust to changes in crystal structure and computational methods. The secondary contributions to embrittlement from other mechanisms, such as atomic size effects and charge transfer, are quantified and discussed as well.
The Impact of Race‐Based Performance Differences on Perceptions of Test Legitimacy

This paper examines if perceptions of test legitimacy increase when racial differences on test performance match the racial status quo or when a perceiver's in-group performs better than expected, relative to other groups. Study 1 assesses expected performance difference for various racial groups on a GRE-like test. Study 2 assesses White and Asian participants' perceptions of legitimacy of a test that either favors the in-group or an out-group. Study 3 replicates Study 2 using individuals from high- and low-status groups (Asians and Latinos, respectively). The findings suggest that the desire to benefit the in-group trumps the desire to justify the status quo in accounting for the impact of race-based performance differences on perceptions of test legitimacy.
Congressional Cybersecurity Oversight: Who's Who and How it Works

Cybersecurity remains perhaps the greatest challenge to the economic and physical well being of governments, individuals, and business worldwide. During recent months the United States has witnessed many disruptive and expensive cyber breaches. No single U.S. governmental agency or congressional committee maintains primary responsibility for the numerous issues related to cybersecurity. Good oversight stands at the core of good government. Oversight is Congress’s way of making sure that the administration is carrying out federal law in the way Congress intended. So many aspects of cybersecurity have the potential for use by: terrorists; by foreign entities as a tool to conduct industrial espionage against U.S. business; and by nation state adversaries, or others intent upon creating serious disruption. These various threats mean that cybersecurity policy in many ways must be treated just like the strategic and operational plans of a country at war. The purpose of this article is to provide a road map of the various congressional committees exercising jurisdiction over matters relating to cybersecurity. First, a few thoughts are offered about the role of Congressional oversight. Second, for perspective, a brief outline of how the executive branch, in the absence of legislation between 2002 and December 2014, handled responsibility for all things cyber. Next, a discussion of Congressional cybersecurity oversight for the 114 th Congress is provided, including an analysis of committee jurisdiction, leadership, membership, and key staff. Finally, the important role contributed by professional congressional staff, the Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office, and the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service (CRS) is covered. My hope is that this article will add to
Infrared Emission from Reflection Nebulae

Observations of 1–25 µm continuum emission and the interstellar infrared emission features in reflection nebulae are reviewed. These observations place important constraints on models of very small grains or large molecules such as PAHs, which these models must address in order to understand this fundamental component of interstellar dust.
Laboratory and Field Testing of Surface-Film Forming Chemicals for Use as Oil Collecting Agents

ABSTRACT Since it is desirable to minimize the area covered by oil spilled on water, and since all oil recovery devices operate more efficiently on thicker oil layers, there is much interest in chemicals which can slow the spreading of oil or even drive the oil back into a thicker layer after it has already spread. Forty-seven commercially available chemicals capable of controlling oil were examined in the laboratory during 1971 to determine which were practical oil collecting agents. A series of screening tests was developed, based upon physical properties and surface-chemical properties. The materials judged to be most useful by these tests are presently being evaluated in multicomponent field tests of oil recovery equipment. Both laboratory and field tests have indicated that such materials can aid in cleaning up spilled oil.
The effect of lead and polychlorinated biphenyl exposure on rat natural killer cell cytotoxicity

Abstract Splenic natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity was assessed in rats chronically exposed to lead (Pb) as lead acetate in the drinking water or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) as Aroclor 1254 in the feed. Rats treated with cyclophosphamide were included as positive immunosuppressed controls. Weanling, male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 50 and 500 ppm PCB in the feed for ten weeks exhibited significantly suppressed (P
Single run optimization of a SIMAN model for closed loop flexible assembly systems

We are interested in maximizing the throughput of a closed loop flexible assembly system by distributing the total cycle time across workstations in an optimal way. The algorithm we present optimizes the system in a single simulation run and is a multi-dimensional extension of the single run optimization algorithm proposed recently. A complete implementation, of both the assembly system simulation and the algorithm, is given in the SIMAN language. Numerical examples show that the algorithm converges very quickly.
Surgical Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in 2007: What is New?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has a variable clinical presentation and penetrance. Many patients will have a benign course, but others will become symptomatic and develop left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Echocardiograph remains the standard for diagnosis and assessment of obstruction, but gains are being made in the our understanding of the genetic basis of this condition. Pharmacologic therapy remains the first-line therapy in the majority of patients, but alcohol septal ablation and surgical septal myectomy may be considered in many patients. Patients should assess both the benefits and risks of each procedure based on the best available current evidence. This paper summarizes important recent developments in HCM diagnosis and therapy.
Biaxial Crystal Optics

Biaxial crystals, as their name indicates, have two optic axes along which light is propagated with the same velocity. In every other wave propagation direction there are two plane polarized components at right angles to each other and to the propagation direction; these have unequal velocities. The angle between the optic axes is a useful variable related to the optic sign.
Effects of a variable parameter controller on the dynamic performance of an HVDC transmission system

Abstract To transfer bulk electrical power over long distances, high voltage direct current transmission is increasingly being considered because of its superior stability compared with AC lines whose stability is limited by their line inductances. The transients in an HVDC system can temporarily change the line current substantially from the reference value, and the behavior of the system depends to a great extent upon the parameters of the current controller. A controller which has a good steady-state performance may not have a sufficiently good performance under transient operating conditions, or vice versa. The performance of the current controller also depends on the impedance at the rectifier and the inverter bus, which may vary according to the operating conditions. An improved controller, the variable parameter controller, is suggested here, where the controller gain and parameters are varied depending upon the rate of change of the direct current and the voltage. A mathematical model based on the linearized equations is also developed by which the controller parameters can be estimated. To demonstrate the improved performance of the variable parameter controller, a parallel AC-DC system was simulated in the computer by using the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) of Bonneville Power Administration. Various transient studies have been performed with both the fixed and the variable parameter controller.
Further evidence for seasonal breeding cycles in deep sea.

INDICATION of cyclic reproductive activity in abyssal benthic organisms was revealed in an analysis of data on isopod crustaceans from the Scotia Sea near Antarctica1. Recent studies2 of deep-sea echinoderms have provided further information about seasonal breeding in the uniform climate of the deep-sea environment. It might be possible that some abyssal species propagate throughout the year; however, Orton's view3 of continuous breeding as a general rule for all animals inhabiting stenothermal regions such as the polar seas and tropics, as well as the deep sea, is not true in the light of present findings. Hult4, basing his ideas on his collections of Skagerrak isopods, argued that a rich population sample containing reasonably equal proportions of all stages of female in any given locality suggests that there is breeding throughout the year. Such samples are seldom seen in deep-sea collections and, as pointed out earlier, females in reproductive stages are usually very rare in abyssal collections1.