cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis for Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping

Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) is a semi-quantitative system modeling technique that is used in technology management to capture, synthesize and analyze expert and stakeholder knowledge for the purpose of technology assessment, product planning, and scenario studies. The resulting FCM models are generated in interviews, focus groups, or workshops and represent complex and dynamic systems as elements (so-called concepts) and cause-and-effect relationships. Researchers often compare FCM to investigate cognitive differences between individuals or groups, identify unique perspectives on a specific topic, or track changes in knowledge (i.e. learning). Using a variety of metrics, comparison studies investigate diverse characteristics of FCMs, such as structure, cognitive complexity, and similarity. To date, no consensus on metrics and their interpretation has emerged. To strengthen the scientific value of FCM as a research tool, this study systematically reviews existing metrics for content, structure, and dynamic behavior and applies them to the comparison of two FCM models. It illustrates how these three types of metrics are used for comparison and reveals limitations. In particular, content metrics are needed that are generalizable for all possible weights of causal relationships. Also structural metrics that are suitable for directed and weighted FCMs still need to be developed.
City Building Energy Efficiency Programs: Hindering Real Energy Efficiency? ...One Practitioner's Real World Marketplace Observations

ABSTRACTAlthough created with best intentions, several city-run energy efficiency programs actually hinder energy efficiency. The two programs we are familiar with (San Francisco's Energy Performance Ordinance and New York City's Local Law 87) require energy audits on larger commercial buildings. The intent of the programs is to save energy, but the result is instead that energy audits are performed, reports filed, but energy efficiency does not necessarily result. Instead many building owners have told us that they view the ordinance as a tax, and are motivated to pay as little as possible for the audit while fulfilling the ordinance requirements. This has led to a “race to the bottom” on pricing and quality of the resulting energy audits. Audit prices have dropped by over 50% in both markets. Lower costs generally mean less time is devoted to the audit, and the work is done by less experienced and lower cost personnel. This article presents a side-by-side comparison of the differences between a traditio...
Fatty acid synthase inhibits the O- GlcNAcase during oxidative stress

The dynamic post-translational modification O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) regulates thousands of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and mitochondrial proteins. Cellular stress, including oxidative stress, results in increased O-GlcNAcylation of numerous proteins, and this increase is thought to promote cell survival. The mechanisms by which the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and the O-GlcNAcase (OGA), the enzymes that add and remove O-GlcNAc, respectively, are regulated during oxidative stress to alter O-GlcNAcylation are not fully characterized. Here, we demonstrate that oxidative stress leads to elevated O-GlcNAc levels in U2OS cells but has little impact on the activity of OGT. In contrast, the expression and activity of OGA are enhanced. We hypothesized that this seeming paradox could be explained by proteins that bind to and control the local activity or substrate targeting of OGA, thereby resulting in the observed stress-induced elevations of O-GlcNAc. To identify potential protein partners, we utilized BioID proximity biotinylation in combination with stable isotopic labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC). This analysis revealed 90 OGA-interacting partners, many of which exhibited increased binding to OGA upon stress. The associations of OGA with fatty acid synthase (FAS), filamin-A, heat shock cognate 70-kDa protein, and OGT were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. The pool of OGA bound to FAS demonstrated a substantial (∼85%) reduction in specific activity, suggesting that FAS inhibits OGA. Consistent with this observation, FAS overexpression augmented stress-induced O-GlcNAcylation. Although the mechanism by which FAS sequesters OGA remains unknown, these data suggest that FAS fine-tunes the cell's response to stress and injury by remodeling cellular O-GlcNAcylation.
Broadband, ultralow reflectance surface structures on silica windows for high-energy laser applications (Conference Presentation)

The characteristics of broadband transmission, environmental durability, and laser damage resistance are critical for silica glass exit aperture windows for their use in kW-level, high energy laser systems. The use of conventional antireflective (AR) coatings on windows for high energy lasers operating in the near infrared is impacted by laser induced damage that occurs under high power irradiation as well as the potential for delamination in operational environments. Novel methods for fabricating antireflective surface structures (ARSS) directly on optics have resulted not only in reduced reflection loss, but also in other advantages to AR coatings as well. The ARSS approach involves sub-wavelength surface structures fabricated directly into the actual surface of the window, eliminating the need for a coating of extraneous materials. We will report on results for ARSS fabricated on silica glass windows. Recently we have reported broadband, low reflectance (< 0.02% at 1 µm) for silica glass windows with random ARSS, fabricated using reactive ion etching. These windows have shown remarkably high laser damage thresholds of 100 J/cm2 at 1.06 µm, which is 5x the threshold measured for a conventional AR coating. We will also present results for MILSPEC durability tests on silica windows, both with and without ARSS, for rain and sand erosion as well as salt fog testing, conducted at a government facility. We will also report on scale up of ARSS on silica windows of large sizes (33 cm), making them practical for system implementation.
Effects of Co-Insults of Methyl Mercury and Gamma Radiation on the Open-Field, Sexual, and Conditioned-Avoidance Behavior of the Albino Rat

Rats were assigned to six treatment groups in which they received 4.5 or 9 kR total body radiation, 4 or 8 mg methyl mercuric chloride (MMC) per kg body weight, co-insults of 4.5 kR radiation with 4 mg MMC/kg or 9 kR with 8 mg MMC/kg, and a control group receiving neither radiation nor MMC. MMC insult preceded the radiation insult by 7 days. Treatment effects were determined by examining open-field, sexual, and conditioned-avoidance behavior, beginning 60 to 105 min. after irradiation or sham irradiation. The open-field tests showed no effects of mercury alone, but a significant reduction of activity was produced by both levels of radiation administered as single insults. The sexual performance of animals receiving MMC and radiation as single insults was disrupted by low and high levels of both treatments. In the open-field and sexual-behavior tests, there was a consistent though statistically insignificant tendency for the co-insult treatment groups to show fewer disruptive effects than were shown by the radiation-alone groups. The controls exhibited more correct conditioned-avoidance responses than all experimental conditions except for 8 mg MMC/kg treatment, but the test did not distinguish between other treatment levels.
Subcellular localization of MC4R with ADCY3 at neuronal primary cilia underlies a common pathway for genetic predisposition to obesity.

Most monogenic cases of obesity in humans have been linked to mutations in genes encoding members of the leptin-melanocortin pathway. Specifically, mutations in MC4R, the melanocortin-4 receptor gene, account for 3-5% of all severe obesity cases in humans1-3. Recently, ADCY3 (adenylyl cyclase 3) gene mutations have been implicated in obesity4,5. ADCY3 localizes to the primary cilia of neurons 6 , organelles that function as hubs for select signaling pathways. Mutations that disrupt the functions of primary cilia cause ciliopathies, rare recessive pleiotropic diseases in which obesity is a cardinal manifestation 7 . We demonstrate that MC4R colocalizes with ADCY3 at the primary cilia of a subset of hypothalamic neurons, that obesity-associated MC4R mutations impair ciliary localization and that inhibition of adenylyl cyclase signaling at the primary cilia of these neurons increases body weight. These data suggest that impaired signaling from the primary cilia of MC4R neurons is a common pathway underlying genetic causes of obesity in humans.
Heritage tourism and New Western history: a narrative analysis of six Colorado museums

Museums are important in heritage tourism, often presenting interconnected national, regional, and local histories. This article explores how six Colorado museums present state and regional identit...
ASSOCIATION OF CORTACTIN WITH DEVELOPING NEUROMUSCULAR SPECIALIZATIONS

During the development of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), motoneurons grow to the muscle cell and the nerve–muscle contact triggers the development of both presynaptic specialization, consisting of clusters of synaptic vesicles (SVs), and postsynaptic specialization, consisting of clusters of synaptic vesicles (SVs), and postsynaptic specialization, consisting of clusters of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Previous studies have shown that the activation of tyrosine kinases and the local assembly of an actin-based cytoskeletal specialization are involved in the development of both types of specializations. To understand the link between tyrosine phosphorylation and the assembly of the cytoskeleton, we examined the localization of cortactin in relationship to synaptic development. Cortactin is a 80/85 kD F-actin binding protein and is a substrate for tyrosine kinases. It contains a proline-rich motif and an SH3 domain and is localized at sites of active F-actin assembly. Using a monoclonal antibody against cortactin, its localization at developing NMJs in culture was observed. To understand the spatial and temporal relationship between cortactin and developing synaptic structures, cultured muscle cells and spinal neurons from Xenopus embryos were treated with beads coated with heparin-binding growth-associated molecule to induce the formation of AChR clusters and SV clusters and the localization of cortactin was followed by immunofluorescence. In untreated muscle cells, cortactin is often co-localized with spontaneously formed AChR clusters. After cells were treated with beads, cortactin became localized at bead-induced AChR clusters at their earliest appearance (1 h after the addition of beads). This association was most reliably detected at the early stage of the clustering process. On the presynaptic side, cortactin localization could be detected as early as 10 min after the bead-neurite contact was established. Cortactin-enriched contacts later showed concentration of F-actin (at 1 h) and clusters of SVs (at 24 h). These data suggest that cortactin mediates the local assembly of the cytoskeletal specialization triggered by the synaptogenic signal on both nerve and muscle.
Localization of TIMP-3 mRNA expression to the retinal pigment epithelium.

Purpose To evaluate ocular sites of expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene (TIMP-3). Methods In situ hybridization was performed on frozen sections of albino mouse eyes using riboprobes generated to the 3' untranslated region of TIMP-3. Results TIMP-3 mRNA expression was detected strongly in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and to a minor extent in the ciliary epithelium, but not at any other site within the eye. Conclusions Expression of TIMP-3 in the RPE is consistent with the recent demonstration of TIMP-3 mutations in patients with Sorsby's fundus dystrophy, a condition marked by the early onset of choroidal neovascularization in the macula. Unlike many of the recently described genes that cause human retinal disease, TIMP-3 is preferentially expressed in the RPE of the normal eye, as opposed to the photoreceptors.
Parametric analysis of pumping station with parallel-configured centrifugal pumps towards self-learning applications

Abstract Increasing accessibility to advanced sensors and meters, wide implementation of variable speed drives and intensive development of optimization methods open new ways to control energy conversion processes. Complex pumping stations working at wide ranges of flow conditions can be controlled various ways to meet requirements. In recent years researchers focused their interests on energy efficiency of such systems. The main goal of this research is to establish fundamental knowledge leading towards smart, self-learning control applications of multi-pump systems in parallel configuration. This goal is achieved by finding an answer for the following research questions (RQ). RQ1. Which control methods are the most energy-efficient? RQ2. What regularities in system operation could be the objective of self-learning systems? RQ3. Which measurements and control equipment are necessary for effective self-learning control methods? Addressing these questions, a set of optimization tasks by genetic algorithm (GENOCOP) have been performed for a pumping station with four parallel connected pumps having various characteristics. Each pump can be individually controlled by a combination of three methods: (i) variable speed drive, (ii) discharge valve, and (iii) by-pass flow. A real experimental pumping station provided input characteristics as well as reference measurements for verification of obtained numerical results. Both numerical simulations and verifying experiments have been performed for a combination of a wide range of flow rate requirements (10–90% of pumping station nominal flow) and five various load resistance characteristics. Completed work demonstrated that the most energy efficient control of a complex pumping station can be achieved by a set of variable speed drives powering pumps individually. Clear regularities have been shown across a range of flow rate requirements and load resistances. The most energy efficient operations can be obtained by pumps working at their maximum count and lowest possible frequencies. In the case of pumps that have identical characteristics, all variable speed drives should operate at the same level. However, for pumps with various characteristics, more energy efficient operation can be achieved by additional tuning of individual frequencies. With current computing capacity, the methodology used in presented research is impractical to integrate into a real-time control loop. Therefore individual tuning can be an object for further research towards determining hardware and software structure supporting self-learning algorithms to control complex pumping stations.
Building an Exoskeleton Glove on Virtual Reality Platform

Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR) technologies allow users to experience virtual environment in lifelike fidelity. But users still have a very limited level of interactivity with virtual objects in these virtual environments. Current generation input/output devices are not sophisticated enough to emulate physical interactivity between the user and the virtual environment. In this paper, the construction method of building a new type of input output (I/O) device, a VR glove, that allows users to physically interact with the constituent virtual objects in the virtual environment, is presented. The VR glove tracks the user's physical finger movement and translates the movement to virtual fingers in a game environment, and if the virtual finger touches a virtual object, the motors attached at finger joints of the VR gloves spin up or down to generate haptic feedback to emulate the physical interactivity with the virtual object. The prototype glove covers a single finger. To test the glove, two different test environments, where the virtual finger interacts with soft and hard virtual object, were built.
Abstract 108: Molecular and Electrophysiologic Characterization of Obesity Mediated Atrial Fibrillation in Mc4r-KO Mice

Background: Although a causal relationship between obesity and atrial fibrillation (AF) has recently been established, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Emerging evidence...
Running biomechanics as measured by wearable sensors: effects of speed and surface

Running biomechanics research has traditionally occurred in the laboratory, but with the advent of wearable sensors measurement of running biomechanics may shift outside the laboratory. The purpose...
Parent mind-mindedness, sensitivity, and infant affect: Implications for attachment with mothers and fathers

Abstract Previous research examining links between parenting and attachment has focused on behavioral aspects of parenting such as sensitivity. However, by assessing how parents reflect on infants’ mental states (mind-mindedness) we gain a broader understanding of parenting and how it impacts attachment. Mothers, fathers, and their infants (N = 135) participated in the Still Face Paradigm (SFP) at 3-, 5-, and 7- months of age, and the Strange Situation with mothers at 12 months and fathers at 14 months. Parent sensitivity and infant affect were coded from the SFP and all videos were transcribed and later coded for parents’ use of appropriate and non-attuned mind-mindedness toward their infants. Attachment with each parent was coded from the Strange Situation. Mixed effects models examined trajectories of parents’ mind-mindedness in relation to parent sensitivity and infant affect across attachment groups. Significant differences between parent gender and attachment category were detected. Specifically, parents who were less sensitive were also less mind-minded toward insecure-avoidant infants; parents used more non-attuned mind-mindedness when infants had higher negative affect. Findings suggest that, in addition to parent sensitivity, parents’ use of appropriate and non-attuned mind-mindedness during a parent-infant interaction provides insight into the developing attachment relationship for mothers and fathers.
The Hepatic Central Vein: Structure, Fibrosis, and Role in Liver Biology.

The hepatic central vein is a primary source of Wnt2, Wnt9b, and R-spondin3. These angiocrines activate s-catenin signaling to regulate hepatic metabolic zonation and perivenous gene expression in mice. Little is known about the central vein ultrastructure. Here, we describe the morphological-functional correlates of the central vein and its draining and branching patterns. Central vein fibrosis occurs in liver disease and is often accompanied by perivenous perisinusoidal fibrosis, which may affect perivenous gene expression. We review the biological properties of perivenous hepatocytes and glutamine synthetase that serve as a biomarker of perivenous hepatocytes. Glutamine synthetase and P4502E1 are indicators of s-catenin activity in centrilobular liver injury and regeneration. The Wnt/s-catenin pathway is the master regulator of hepatic metabolic zonation and perivenous gene expression and is modulated by the R-spondin-LGR4/5-ZNRF3/RNF43 module. We examined the structures of the molecules of these pathways and their involvements in liver biology. Central vein-derived Wnts and R-spondin3 participate in the cellular-molecular circuitry of the Wnt/s-catenin and R-spondin-LGR4/5-ZNRF3/RNF43 module. The transport and secretion of lipidated Wnts in Wnt-producing cells require Wntless protein. Secreted Wnts are carried on exosomes in the extracellular matrix to responder cells. The modes of release of Wnts and R-spondin3 from central veins and their transit in the venular wall toward perivenous hepatocytes are unknown. We hypothesize that central vein fibrosis may impact perivenous gene expression. The proposal that the central vein constitutes an anatomical niche of perivenous stem cells that subserve homeostatic hepatic renewal still needs studies using additional mouse models for validation. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1747-1767, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.
A synthesis and meta-analysis of the Fe chemistry of serpentinites and serpentine minerals

The iron chemistry of serpentinites and serpentine group minerals is often invoked as a record of the setting and conditions of serpentinization because Fe behaviour is influenced by reaction condi...
Can helping others strengthen teens? Character strengths as mediators between prosocial behavior and adolescents’ internalizing symptoms.

Abstract Introduction Identifying protective factors against internalizing behaviors during adolescence is a public health priority, as rates of depression and anxiety are rising. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine whether prosocial engagement toward strangers and family members is protective against depressive and anxiety symptoms, and whether this link is mediated by character strengths (i.e., hope, persistence, gratitude, and self-esteem). Method The sample consisted of 500 US adolescents (52% female; 66% European American; 33% from single-parent families). Data across three consecutive yearly waves were utilized in the current study (Mage Time 1 = 13.32). Results Results of a longitudinal structural equation model revealed prosocial behavior toward strangers and family members were differentially related to character strengths, and that prosocial behavior toward strangers was indirectly associated with depressive symptoms via self-esteem. Conclusion Taken together, findings extend the Developmental Cascades model and suggest that prosocial behavior and character strengths protect against depressive symptoms during the adolescent period. Findings are discussed in the context of relevant research and theory, and implications for future research and intervention programs are presented.
Development and implementation of a novel child life protocol to enhance psychosocial support for pediatric awake craniotomies: technical note

Awake craniotomies are a crucial tool for identifying eloquent cortex, but significant limitations frequently related to patient tolerance have limited their applicability in pediatric cases. The authors describe a comprehensive, longitudinal protocol developed in collaboration with a certified child life specialist (CCLS) in order to enhance patient experiences and develop resiliency related to the intraoperative portion of cases. This protocol includes preoperative conditioning, intraoperative support, and postoperative positive reinforcement and debriefing. A unique coping plan is developed for each prospective patient. With appropriate support, awake craniotomy may be applicable in a wider array of preadolescent and adolescent patients than has previously been possible. Future prospective studies are needed to validate this approach.
Current-Fed Full-Bridge Series LC Resonance Impulse ZCS Commutated DC-DC Converter

This paper proposes a novel zero-current switching (ZCS) variable frequency controlled resonance pulse based current-fed full-bridge DC-DC converter for energy storage applications. The proposed converter enables soft-commutation at device turn-off by utilizing resonance between transformer leakage inductance and a series capacitor. Existing current-fed converters experience turn-off voltage spikes and uses several methods to achieve soft switching which further increases circulating current and limit soft commutation at light-loads. To address these limitations, series LC resonance pulse structure has been proposed where variable frequency control with variable duty is employed to achieve ZCS operation over wide range of load and input variations. Operation of the proposed converter is presented and validated with simulation and experimental results.
Improving The Accuracy Of Hospital Quality Ratings By Focusing On The Association Between Volume And Outcome.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses hierarchical modeling to stabilize its hospital quality star ratings by shrinking the performance of low-volume hospitals toward the perfor...
On graded primitive Leavitt path algebras

Graded primitive Leavitt path algebras of arbitrary directed graphs over a field K are completely characterized by means of graphical conditions. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given under...
Sustained Lower Incidence of Diabetes-Related End-Stage Kidney Disease Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, Blacks, and Hispanics in the U.S., 2000-2016.

OBJECTIVE Diabetes-related end-stage kidney disease (ESKD-D) disproportionately affects U.S. racial/ethnic minority populations compared with whites. However, from 1996 to 2013, ESKD-D incidence among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) and blacks declined. We assessed recent ESKD-D incidence data to determine whether trends by race/ethnicity have changed since 2013. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS U.S. Renal Data System data from 2000 to 2016 were used to determine the number of whites, blacks, AIANs, Asians, and Hispanics aged ≥18 years with newly treated ESKD-D (with diabetes listed as primary cause). Using census population estimates as denominators, annual ESKD-D incidence rates were calculated and age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends and estimate an average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence rates. RESULTS For adults overall, from 2000 to 2016, age-adjusted ESKD-D incidence rates decreased by 53% for AIANs (66.7–31.2 per 100,000, AAPC −4.5%, P CONCLUSIONS ESKD-D incidence declined for AIANs, Hispanics, and blacks and increased for whites. Continued efforts might be considered to reverse the trend in whites and sustain and lower ESKD-D incidence in the other populations.
The different elements of the Urinary Tract Dilation (UTD) Classification System and their capacity to predict findings on mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) diuretic renography.

Summary Introduction The UTD Classification System risk stratifies postnatal UTD into three groups: low risk (UTD P1), intermediate risk (UTD P2), and high risk (UTD P3). In the original consensus document, a functional scan is not recommended for UTD P1 and is left to the discretion of the clinician for UTD P2 and P3. Objective This study aims to understand which patients with postnatal urinary tract dilation would benefit from a functional study. We investigated how different elements of the UTD classification system predict differential renal function (DRF) and diuretic half-life (T½) on MAG3 scan in infants undergoing evaluation for prenatally detected UTD. Study design This is a multicenter retrospective chart review of infants 6 months of age or younger evaluated for prenatal UTD, correlating their first MAG3 scan and first postnatal renal ultrasound (RUS). Multivariable logistic regression was used to find UTD elements predictive of DRF 20 min. Results A total of 517 patients met study criteria. Median age at time of RUS and MAG3 renal scan was 48 days (IGR 31–81) and 63 days (IQR 45–98), respectively. DRF 20 min was found in 31% of kidneys with UTD P2 and 79% of kidneys with UTD P3. An abnormal ureter (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.0) and parenchymal thinning (OR 16, 95% CI 5.8–41.4) were significant at predicting DRF 20 min, as did each cm increase in the anterior-posterior renal pelvic diameter (APRPD) (OR 4.8, 95% CI 3.0–7.7). Discussion The UTD system discriminates well and correlates with the likelihood of finding adverse features on diuretic renography. Patients in the UTD P3 high-risk category had a significantly higher incidence of decreased differential renal function and delayed drainage than those in UTD P1 and P2. Of the individual components of the UTD Classification system, the presence of parenchymal thinning was the most important factor in predicting both decreased differential renal function and delayed drainage. Conclusion Given the high incidence of poor function and delayed drainage seen in the UTD P3 group, we believe a functional study should be recommended in the evaluation of these patients. Our findings support leaving the performance of a functional study at the discretion of the physician for UTD P2. Download : Download high-res image (83KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure . Percentage of patients with DRF 20 min across the different UTD Classification Risk Groups.
A Dual-Output Single-Stage Regulating Rectifier With PWM and Dual-Mode PFM Control for Wireless Powering of Biomedical Implants

This paper presents a reconfigurable, dual-output, regulating rectifier featuring pulse width modulation (PWM) and dual-mode pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control schemes for single-stage ac-to-dc conversion to provide two independently regulated supply voltages (each in 1.5–3 V) from an input ac voltage. The dual-mode PFM controllers feature event-driven regulation as well as frequency division. The former incorporates stable, fast, digital feedback loops to adaptively adjust the driving frequency of four power transistors, M P 1∼4, based on the desired output power level to perform voltage regulation and deliver fast, transient, load currents. The latter sets the driving frequency of M P 1∼4 to a user-defined fraction (1/1 ∼ 1/32) of the input frequency (1–10 MHz). The PWM controllers incorporate stable, analog, feedback loops to accurately adjust the conduction duration of M P 1∼4 for voltage regulation and can be combined with PFM frequency division for an extended operation dynamic range. Fabricated in 0.18 μm 1P/6M CMOS, the regulating rectifier features power conversion efficiency (PCE) of >83.8% at 2 and 5 MHz, with the first output channel delivering ∼1 mW from VDD of 1.5 V and the second output channel delivering variable power from VDDH of 2.5 V to a load in the range of 0.1 to 1 kΩ. Peak PCE values of 90.75% (2 MHz, 100 Ω) and 90.7% (5 MHz, 200 Ω) are also measured. The regulating rectifier is suitable for the emerging modality of capacitive wireless power transfer to biomedical implants.
Highly filled resins for DLP-based printing of low density, high modulus materials

Abstract Digital Light Processing (DLP)-based 3D printing enables the fabrication of complex structures from a broad range of neat and filled resin formulations, yet mass sensitive applications in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries are hindered by the lack of low-density resins. This paper investigates the formulation of a resin suitable for DLP-based fabrication of low density, high modulus structures with fine resolution of negative and positive features. An acrylate-based resin is loaded with a high-volume fraction (50 vol%) of hollow glass microspheres achieving adequate cured depth to fabricate 25 µm layer thicknesses. The suspension stability over typical multi-hour DLP print durations is verified. The filled resin exhibited a viscosity less than 5 Pa-s, which is below the upper limit of viscosity to recoat the Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) window between layers. The printed material possesses a uniform density distribution of 0.81 g cm−3 investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) imaging. The minimum feature sizes for the formulation are demonstrated as 400 µm for internal cavities (negative features) and 250 µm for protruding features (positive features). An example of a structure with an intricate geometry is created by printing a repeating mechanical metamaterial unit cell.
Comparison of Semi-Cylindrical Recession Trochleoplasty and Trochlear Block Recession for the Treatment of Canine Medial Patellar Luxation: A Pilot Study.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe an alternative method for trochleoplasty, semi-cylindrical recession trochleoplasty (SCRT), and compare it to trochlear block recession (TBR) in regard to recessed trochlear depth, patellar depth, patellar articular contact with the trochlea, recessed trochlear surface area, procedure time, complications and functional outcome. Study Design Ten dogs with bilateral grade II-III medial patellar luxations underwent bilateral simultaneous correction surgery including tibial tuberosity transposition, lateral imbrication and trochleoplasty with one stifle each undergoing TBR and SCRT. Patients received pre-and postoperative stifle computed tomography scans and pre- and 8-week postoperative pressure platform analysis and physical examinations. Recessed trochlear depth, patellar depth, trochlear surface area, patellar articular contact, procedure time, complications and functional outcomes as measured by gait analysis were compared between the two techniques. Results There was no significant difference in measured outcome variables between techniques at any time point. At the time of the 8-week reassessment, no patella had reluxated. Conclusion Short-term follow-up shows similar functional outcomes between both techniques regarding rate of reluxation and limb function. The SCRT was subjectively easier to perform than TBR, particularly in small patients. The SCRT is an acceptable method of trochleoplasty for the treatment of medial patellar luxation in dogs and further studies evaluating long-term outcomes are justified.
PV Based Three Switch Isolated DC-DC Boost Converter

This paper presents the simulation analysis of PV based three switch isolated DC-DC boost converter which consists of the following features 1) Continuous input current, 2) Removal of snubber circuit, 3) reduced one active switch, one additional diode, one additional capacitor, 4) unchanged primary and secondary voltage waveforms of the transformer when the duty cycle is changed. This paper presents the proposed converter advantages, operation, modes of operation and detailed simulation analysis with the PV system. The simulation model of the proposed converter for 95W PV system has been developed for 20V dc input using MATLAB Simulink. The theoretical predictions and the performance of the PV based proposed converter has been successfully validated with the help of simulation results.
E2EWatch: An End-to-End Anomaly Diagnosis Framework for Production HPC Systems.

In today’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, application performance variations are among the most vital challenges as they adversely affect system efficiency, application performance, and cost. System administrators need to identify the anomalies that are responsible for performance variation and take mitigating actions. One can perform manual root-cause analysis on telemetry data collected by HPC monitoring infrastructures to analyze performance variations. However, manual analysis methods are time-intensive and limited in impact due to the increasing complexity of HPC systems and terabyte/day-sized telemetry data. State-of-the-art approaches use machine learning-based methods to diagnose performance anomalies automatically. This paper deploys an end-to-end machine learning framework that diagnoses performance anomalies on compute nodes on a 1488-node production HPC system. We demonstrate job and node-level anomaly diagnosis results with the Grafana frontend interface at runtime. Furthermore, we discuss challenges and design decisions for the deployment.
Social entrepreneurship and digital platforms: Crowdfunding in the sharing-economy era

Abstract Though crowdfunding is no longer an atypical fundraising mechanism, its practical use remains limited, particularly when it comes to social entrepreneurship, owing to the numerous challenges unique to social-entrepreneurial ventures. By combining existing research on social entrepreneurship, value cocreation, the sharing economy, and digital platforms, this work offers practical insights into how existing platforms can be used for crowdfunding financial resources, sourcing creative ideas, collaborating, and gathering an array of nonfinancial resources. Additionally, this article discusses the ideal digital platform solution and explains how a multifaceted, multiuse digital platform can be created and utilized by new social ventures for meeting a multitude of needs. By focusing on a mission of social change and by understanding how digital platforms can avail crowdfunding, social entrepreneurs can overcome legitimacy issues and lack of traditional funding avenues. This taps into many of the typical aspects of the sharing economy: the benevolence of the actors, use of the internet for facilitation, and the motivation to engage in a new way of doing things. Thus, this article adopts a multidisciplinary view in exploring how crowdfunding can be coupled with the remobilization of idling resources using digital platforms to support social-entrepreneurial ventures in a myriad of ways.
Distinct influenza surveillance networks and their agreement in recording regional influenza circulation: Experience from Southeast Michigan.

Introduction In Southeast Michigan, active surveillance studies monitor influenza activity in hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and community households. Across five respiratory seasons, we assessed the contribution of data from each of the three networks towards improving our overall understanding of regional influenza circulation. Methods All three networks used case definitions for acute respiratory illness (ARI) and molecularly tested for influenza from research-collected respiratory specimens. Age- and network-stratified epidemic curves were created for influenza A and B. We compared stratified epidemic curves visually and by centering at seasonal midpoints. Results Across all seasons (from 2014/2015 through 2018/2019), epidemic curves from each of the three networks were comparable in terms of both timing and magnitude. Small discrepancies in epidemics recorded by each network support previous conclusions about broader characteristics of particular influenza seasons. Conclusion Influenza surveillance systems based in hospital, ambulatory clinic, and community household settings appear to provide largely similar information regarding regional epidemic activity. Together, multiple levels of influenza surveillance provide a detailed view of regional influenza epidemics, but a single surveillance system-regardless of population subgroup monitored-appears to be sufficient in providing vital information regarding community influenza epidemics.
Why Are Children Who Exhibit Psychopathology at High Risk for Psychopathology and Dysfunction in Adulthood

There is now strong and often replicated evidence from prospective longitudinal studies that psychopathology in childhood and adolescence robustly predicts psychopathology in adulthood.1-4 This evidence suggests a degree of specificity over time, such as childhood conduct disorder predicting adult antisocial personality, but also a considerable degree of heterotypic continuity. That is, one disorder in childhood often predicts other disorders in adulthood. In particular, childhood conduct disorder5 and oppositional defiant disorder nonspecifically predict a broad range of mental disorders in adulthood.6 The study by Copeland et al7 in this issue of JAMA Psychiatry adds to this literature by suggesting that exhibiting a subthreshold or threshold mental disorder at some time from late childhood through adolescence predicts lower levels of adaptive functioning in early adulthood, even when adult mental disorders are controlled. This suggests that even subthreshold child and adolescent disorders predict dysfunction in early adulthood, and do so even beyond the dysfunction associated with mental disorders in adulthood. When considered together, these longitudinal studies1-7 provide cogent information for those who design studies of the causes of psychopathology, make decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources to fund such studies, and make policy decisions regarding funding for the prevention and treatment of psychopathology. After reading these studies, it is very tempting to conclude that the mental health problems that affect adults often arise in childhood and should be treated early to prevent a lifetime of mental health problems and dysfunction. Helping children with impairing and distressing mental health problems is an unquestionable good, but to make the best data-based decisions about the amelioration of mental health problems across the life span, it is important to consider what the findings of these longitudinal studies actually do and do not mean. The theoretical and clinical implications of the strong predictive correlation between child and adult psychopathology are actually not at all clear.4 These findings could mean 1 or more things about the causal links between psychopathology in childhood and psychopathology in adulthood:
Dynamic hydrogen bonding and DNA flexibility in minor groove binders: molecular dynamics simulation of the polyamide f-ImPyIm bound to the Mlu1 (MCB) sequence 5'-ACGCGT-3' in 2:1 motif.

Molecular dynamics simulations of the DNA 10-mer 5′-CCACGCGTGG-3′ alone and complexed with the formamido-imidazole-pyrrole-imidazole (f-ImPyIm) polyamide minor groove binder in a 2:1 fashion were conducted for 50 ns using the pbsc0 parameters within the AMBER 12 software package. The change in DNA structure upon binding of f-ImPyIm was evaluated via minor groove width and depth, base pair parameters of Slide, Twist, Roll, Stretch, Stagger, Opening, Propeller, and x-displacement, dihedral angle distributions of ζ, e, α, and γ determined using the Curves+ software program, and hydrogen bond formation. The dynamic hydrogen bonding between the f-ImPyIm and its cognate DNA sequence was compared to the static image used to predict sequence recognition by polyamide minor groove binders. Many of the predicted hydrogen bonds were present in less than 50% of the simulation; however, persistent hydrogen bonds between G5/15 and the formamido group of f-ImPyIm were observed. It was determined that the DNA is wider in the Complex than without the polyamide binder; however, there is flexibility in this particular sequence, even in the presence of the f-ImPyIm as evidenced by the range of minor groove widths the DNA exhibits and the dynamics of the hydrogen bonding that binds the two f-ImPyIm ions to the minor groove. The Complex consisting of the DNA and the 2 f-ImPyIm binders shows slight fraying of the 5′ end of the 10-mer at the end of the simulation, but the portion of the oligomer responsible for recognition and binding is stable throughout the simulation. Several structural changes in the Complex indicate that minor groove binders may have a more active role in inhibiting transcription than just preventing binding of important transcription factors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring Particle Density Effects on Partial Mobility of Steelhead Spawning Gravels

Yellowbank Creek is a small stream in coastal central California being assessed for salmonid habitat limiting factors and restoration potential. Yellowbank flows through low-density marine mudstone bedrock, which is the gravel source for the stream. To assess the potential effects of the low-density substrate on spawning gravels, a tracer stone study comparing the incipient motion of low-density mudstone particles and typical density granitic particles was used to populate a logistic regression particle entrainment model. A model comparison approach was used to test the strength of the model. Results demonstrate partial mobility of both mudstone and granitic particles under boundary shear conditions ranging from 6.9 to 42.2 N m-2. The modelling results quantify the strong negative correlation between particle entrainment and particle density. Mudstone gravel was three times more likely to be entrained than granitic gravel, within the context of the experimental conditions. The effect of density difference on partial mobility was greater in smaller grain size fractions. This work has implications for salmonid spawning success in atypical geologic settings and may assist in prioritization of restoration efforts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Committed Objectivity in Race-Class-Gender Research

This article argues that objectivity and commitment are different but that they are articulated rather than being separate issues in social research. This article challenges those who believe that objectivity is impossible or undesirable as well as those who believe that commitment is undesirable in social science. This approach is close to the call by Sandra Harding (1991, 1993) that the methods of science should be applied to science itself by raising the women question in science and the science question in women's studies. Here, she develops her earlier analysis of feminist research agenda in science in terms of empiricism, standpoint epistemology and post-modern feminism. In this paper, a slightly different formulation will be advanced to resolve what could be said to be a false dichotomy between objectivity and commitment. Committed objectivity or objective commitment could be used to capture the inextricability of the articulation of the processes of commitment and objectivity. The article concludes that both objectivity and commitment are necessary elements of good research by all researchers irrespective of (or even because of) race-class-gender differences.
Upper Limit on the Higgs Particle Mass

It is shown that the effective Standard Model theory with the physical Higgs mass lighter than ∼ 200 GeV takes the form of an unbroken electroweak theory already at moderately high, O(1 TeV), energy scales. No such transitional scale exists for the heavier Higgses. This result is independently obtained by two standard regularization methods.
Clinical Experience with An Artificial Spermatocele

Artificial spermatoceles were implanted into three patients with congenital absence of the vas. In each case, the testicular biopsy demonstrated normal spermatogenesis, and the dilated epididymal tubule was packed with spermatozoa. The ciliated epididymal mucosa appeared normal despite the tubular dilatation. The spermatoceles were constructed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and they were microsurgically implanted over the cut end of the epididymis. The grafts were aspirated monthly for up to six months, and the aspirates containing spermatozoa were used for artificial insemination. Spermatozoa were consistently retrieved from each patient, but no pregnancies have resulted. The most obvious finding was that the spermatozoa lacked motility. In the discussion, other problems related to artificial spermatoceles are reviewed, including epididymal development and sperm maturation, aspiration techniques, and sperm storage.
The Health Benefits of Selected Culinary Herbs and Spices Found in the Traditional Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest diets in the world. This is often attributed to low saturated fat consumption, moderate wine consumption, and high vegetable consumption. However, herbs and spices associated with these diets may also play an important role in the quality of this diet. This review summarizes the most recent research regarding the anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hypertensive properties of this collection of culinary species. Additionally, this review briefly summarizes studies performed on lesser known herbs from around the world, with the goal of identifying new culinary species that may be useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases.
Predicting the Persistence of Organic Compounds

Over 30000 chemicals are used in commercial quantities and very few of these chemicals have experimental data on their environmental degradability/persistence. This chapter reviews databases which can be searched for persistence information and what to do when the chemical of interest does not have any data. Two general approaches are suggested: (1) identify chemicals that are similar in structure and have persistence data or (2) use general quantitative structure-degradation relationships (QSDR) models. It is concluded that estimation methods are available for the most important degradation processes: atmospheric oxidation, biodegradation, and hydrolysis.