cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Fuel Burnup and Dispersed Water Intrusion on the Criticality of Spent High-Level Nuclear Fuel in a Geologic Repository

Studies of the spent fuel waste package have been conducted through the use of a Monte-Carlo neutron simulation program to determine the ability of the fuel to sustain a chain reaction. These studies have included fuel burnup and the effect of water mists on criticality. Results were compared with previous studies. In many criticality studies of spent fuel waste packages, fresh fuel with an enrichment as high as 4.5% is used as the conservative (worst) case. The actual spent fuel has a certain amount of “burnup” that decreases the concentration of fissile uranium and increases the amount of radionuclides present. The LWR Radiological Data Base from OCRWM has been used to determine the relative radionuclide ratios and KENO 5.a was used to calculate values of the effective multiplication factor, keff.1 Spent fuel is not capable of sustaining a chain reaction unless a suitable moderator, such as water, is present. A completely flooded container has been treated as the worst case for criticality. Results of a previous report that demonstrated that keff actually peaked at a water-to-mixture ratio of 13% were analyzed for validity. In the present study, these results did not occur in the SCP waste package container.
Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Xiangzhou district of Zhuhai city from 2007 to 2010

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Xiangzhou and investigate the controlling measure for the future.Methods Measles cases data were collected from Xiangzhou measles surveillance system.Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemic characteristics of Measles form 2007 to 2011 in Xiangzhou.Results 610 measles cases were detected in the whole district,which floating people onset 355 cases and local residence population onset 255 cases.The rate of measles incidence was between 1.28 to 40.65 per 100000 populations.The children aged below 4 years as well as the patients more than 20 years old were the main suffering population,which accounted for 49.02%(299/610) and 16.39(100/610) of the total,respectively.Seasonal peak appeared from April to August,which accounted for 73.28%(447/610) of the total.The patients having no or having unclear measles vaccination history accounted for 91.48%(558/610).Conclusion They are very important to enhance the management of primary immune plan and improve the rate of vaccination against measles,especially for migrant workers and women of child-bearing age,in control and elimination of measles.
Applications of "Frequency-Matching" Method to Ensemble Precipitation Forecasts

Following the "frequency matching" concept,two approaches have been tested to improve ensemble-based precipitation forecasts for the case of Beijing "7.21"(21 July 2012) severe rainstorm and the period of rainy season from 1 May to 31 July 2010 in China.One approach is "probability-matched ensemble mean(PM)",which uses ensemble member-based precipitation frequency to calibrate the frequency of simple ensemble mean to correct smoothing effect caused by ensemble averaging;another is "bias correction",which uses observed precipitation frequency to calibrate the precipitation frequency of each ensemble member to remove systematic forecast bias caused by model deficiency.The results show that(1) PM can effectively correct the problem of "too-wide-spread light precipitation and too-much-reduced heavy precipitation" in a simple ensemble mean,especially so for extremely heavy rains.The larger ensemble spread is,the more improvement will be achieved.However,PM can barely improve total precipitation amount forecasts and has no ability to correct the systematic bias of the model.(2) Although bias correction is not effective in correcting precipitation position errors,it can effectively remove systematic bias in precipitation amount forecasts and,consequently,improve ensemble spread and probabilistic forecasts significantly.Bias correction of ensemble mean forecast needs to be done independently rather than through bias-corrected ensemble members via simple averaging.(3) PM approach also works well even after each ensemble member's bias has been removed in advance.Therefore,both PM and bias correction need to be done jointly to maximize benefit through model forecast post-processing in an operational environment.
A quality system for transfusion medicine ... and beyond.

When more than 500 serious blood banking problems arose in a recent 12-month period, the FDA and AABB knew it was time for a change. The quality system they developed can help the staff of any lab section stand up to the toughest inspection.
Paraurethral Cysts in Women

Abstract Paraurethral cysts in female patients have distinctive histologic characteristics based upon their etiopathogenesis, which may be acquired or congenital. Three representative patients are presented with discussion of the pertinent embryology of the lower genitourinary tract in the female subject. Important differential diagnostic considerations in infants and adults, relevant diagnostic studies and plans for the management of these lesions are proposed.
Redistribución, Desigualdad Y Crecimiento (Redistribution, Inequality, and Growth)

Spanish Abstract: Este articulo emplea un conjunto de datos reciente que distingue entre desigualdad neta y de mercado, y permite calcular las transferencias redistributivas anuales de un gran numero de paises. Las principales conclusiones son: 1. Sociedades mas desiguales tienden a redistribuir mas. 2. Una menor desigualdad neta se correlaciona robustamente con un crecimiento mas rapido y mas durable, dado un nivel de redistribucion. 3. El impacto de la redistribucion sobre el crecimiento parece ser benigno en general, y hay evidencia de que solo en casos extremos puede tener efectos negativos. Por tanto, sus efectos conjuntos, directos e indirectos – incluidos los efectos de la menor desigualdad resultante, son favorables al crecimiento. Pese a las limitaciones inherentes al conjunto de datos y al analisis de regresion, no se puede suponer que hay un gran trade-off entre redistribucion y crecimiento; los mejores datos macroeconomicos disponibles no respaldan esa hipotesis.English Abstract: This paper takes advantage of a recently-compiled cross-country dataset that distinguishes market inequality from net inequality and allows us to calculate redistributive transfers for a large number of country-year observations. Our main findings are: 1. More unequal societies tend to redistribute more. 2. Lower net inequality is robustly correlated with faster and more durable growth, for a given level of redistribution. 3. Redistribution appears generally benign in terms of its impact on growth; only in extreme cases is there some evidence that it may have direct negative effects on growth. Thus the combined direct and indirect effects of redistribution – including the growth effects of the resulting lower inequality – are on average pro-growth. While we should be cognizant of the inherent limitations of the data set and of cross-country regression analysis more generally, we should be careful not to assume that there is a big tradeoff between redistribution and growth. The best available macroeconomic data do not support that conclusion.
Ocean acidification influences host DNA methylation and phenotypic plasticity in environmentally susceptible corals

As climate change challenges organismal fitness by creating a phenotype–environment mismatch, phenotypic plasticity generated by epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation) can provide a temporal buffer for genetic adaptation. Epigenetic mechanisms may be crucial for sessile benthic marine organisms, such as reef-building corals, where ocean acidification (OA) and warming reflect in strong negative responses. We tested the potential for scleractinian corals to exhibit phenotypic plasticity associated with a change in DNA methylation in response to OA. Clonal coral fragments of the environmentally sensitive Pocillopora damicornis and more environmentally robust Montipora capitata were exposed to fluctuating ambient pH (7.9–7.65) and low pH (7.6–7.35) conditions in common garden tanks for ~6 weeks. M. capitata responded weakly, or acclimated more quickly, to OA, with no difference in calcification, minimal separation of metabolomic profiles, and no change in DNA methylation between treatments. Conversely, P. damicornis exhibited diminished calcification at low pH, stronger separation in metabolomic profiles, and responsiveness of DNA methylation to treatment. Our data suggest corals differ in their temporal dynamics and sensitivity for environmentally triggered real-time epigenetic reprogramming. The generation of potentially heritable plasticity via environmental induction of DNA methylation provides an avenue for assisted evolution applications in corals under rapid climate change.
Demonstration of effective global optimization techniques via comparative analysis on a large analytical problem set

Many modern global optimization algorithms are inspired by natural phenomena rather than classes of mathematical functions. Theorems such as No Free Lunch imply that an algorithm's performance on an objective function is determined by the compatibility between the function and its structure. Grouping by inspiration blurs the distinction between algorithms, making it harder to study compatibility. Therefore, this work treats algorithms as sequential sampling algorithms, and groups them by sampling scheme: 1. perturb every design (e.g., Particle Swarm), 2. perturb a subset of designs (e.g., rand/1/bin Differential Evolution), 3. perturb a single design (e.g., best/2/bin Differential Evolution), 4. deterministically modify and then perturb the design (e.g., Quantum Particle Swarm). Using 295 analytical test cases, the structure and performance of 38 biologically inspired algorithms (major and minor variations of 5 algorithms) are compared by group. The groups are evaluated by 1. how performance scales with dimensionality, and 2. trends in mean convergence rates and accuracy. Controlling for sample size, number of algorithms/group, convergence criteria, and tuning parameters, Groups 2 and 3 demonstrate superior accuracy and convergence rates on 80 % of test cases combined, implying greater overall compatibility than other groups, and scale much better than other groups on 2nd and 4th order polynomials up to 100-dimensions, converging to minima 3---6 orders of magnitude lower. Statistical significance testing reveals overlap in the behavior of certain Group 2 and 3 algorithms on 52 test cases. Group 3 is a special case of Group 2, further implying structural compatibility with certain test cases.
Unusual Case of Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis with Florid Squamous Metaplasia

Squamous metaplasia of the upper urinary tract is an uncommon occurrence with only approximately 100 reported cases of it occurring in the renal pelvis. Chronic inflammation …
Multi-technique investigation of metakaolin and slag blended portland cement pastes

Abstract Increasing incorporation of metakaolin (MK) into field concrete mixtures necessitates careful study of the portland cement/MK hydrating systems. While a number of studies have been conducted on MK blends with cement, the current knowledge on its effect on hydration products and paste microstructure remains incomplete. This study evaluated the effect of MK on the nature of hydration products through X-ray diffraction, while the effect on microstructure was assessed by measuring porosity with nitrogen adsorption and determining nanoindentation modulus as well as volume fractions of CSH with varying packing densities. The 10MK paste hydrated for 7 days was compared to the plain ordinary portland cement (OPC) paste as well as to paste containing 52% slag (52SL). No significant effect was observed on the nature of hydration products with MK or SL addition. However, nitrogen-accessible porosity increased with MK and SL addition, the increase being larger with SL. The average indentation modulus for hydration products decreased with addition of MK and SL which corresponded to increasing nitrogen accessible pores.
Enhanced anaerobic digestion performance via combined solids- and leachate-based hydrolysis reactor inoculation

Abstract Suboptimal conditions in anaerobic digesters (e.g., presence of common inhibitors ammonia and salinity) limit waste hydrolysis and lead to unstable performance and process failures. Application of inhibitor-tolerant inocula improves hydrolysis, but approaches are needed to establish and maintain these desired waste-hydrolyzing bacteria in high-solids reactors. Herein, performance was compared for leach bed reactors (LBRs) seeded with unacclimated or acclimated inoculum (0–60% by mass) at start-up and over long-term operation. High quantities of inoculum (∼60%) increase waste hydrolysis and are beneficial at start-up or when inhibitors are increasing. After start-up (∼112 days) with high inoculum quantities, leachate recirculation leads to accumulation of inhibitor-tolerant hydrolyzing bacteria in leachate. During long-term operation, low inoculum quantities (∼10%) effectively increase waste hydrolysis relative to without solids-derived inoculum. Molecular analyses indicated that combining digested solids with leachate-based inoculum doubles quantities of Bacteria contacting waste over a batch and supplies additional desirable phylotypes Bacteriodes and Clostridia.
Complexity Management for Engineered Systems Using System Value Definition

Quantitative and objective management of complexity is essential for effective design of engineered complex systems. In this paper, we develop a quantitative framework for complexity management. This includes a measure of system value that explicitly considers system complexity. The system design goal is to maximize the system value. Using a simple, representative mathematical model linking performance to system complexity, we show analytically that there exists a regime where we have an optimal level of complexity that leads to maximization of system value. Existence of this regime is dependent on two rate parameters that link the complexity-performance-development cost triad for engineered systems. Outside of this regime one has to always aim for reducing system complexity in order to maximize system value. The framework is subsequently applied to a case study involving a set of aircraft engine architectures.
Has China been exporting less particulate air pollution over the past decade

Particulate matter (PM) pollution from China is transported eastward to Korea and Japan and has been suggested to influence surface air quality on the West Coast of the United States. However, remote sensing studies have been inconclusive as to recent trends in Chinese emissions and transport. We reconciled different passive remote sensing points of view and found that while aerosol optical thickness (AOT) as an indicator of particulate pollution has increased from the start of the observation period (2000) to 2006–2007 from the main Chinese coastal outflow regions, since then there has been a 10–20% decrease in AOT (with respect to 2007). Reductions were observed in spring, summer, and fall seasons. No improvement in exported PM pollution is found for the winter season.
Endocannabinoid and Opioid System Interactions in Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between the endogenous opioid and endocannabinoid (eCB) systems in a pain modulatory process known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Clinical research unit in a hospital. Subjects Fifty-eight healthy men and women (mean age = 21 ± 3 years) participated in this study. Methods Participants were administered (randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced procedure) an opioid antagonist (i.e., naltrexone) and a placebo prior to performing pain testing and isometric exercise. Results Results indicated that 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG) increased significantly (P 0.05) differences in palmitolethanolamine (PEA) between the placebo and naltrexone conditions. Conclusions As reductions in pain (i.e., EIH) were observed following both conditions, these results suggest that the opioid system may not be the primary system involved in exercise-induced hypoalgesia and that 2-AG and 2-OG could contribute to nonopioid exercise-induced hypoalgesia. Moreover, as exercise-induced increases in AEA and OEA were blocked by naltrexone pretreatment, this suggests that the opioid system may be involved in the increase of AEA and OEA following exercise.
Inter-annotator Agreement

This chapter touches upon several issues in the calculation and assessment of inter-annotator agreement. It gives an introduction to the theory behind agreement coefficients and examples of their application to linguistic annotation tasks. Specific examples explore variation in annotator performance due to heterogeneous data, complex labels, item difficulty, and annotator differences, showing how global agreement coefficients may mask these sources of variation, and how detailed agreement studies can give insight into both the annotation process and the nature of the underlying data. The chapter also reviews recent work on using machine learning to exploit the variation among annotators and learn detailed models from which accurate labels can be inferred. I therefore advocate an approach where agreement studies are not used merely as a means to accept or reject a particular annotation scheme, but as a tool for exploring patterns in the data that are being annotated.
Quantitative response characteristics of thermoreceptive and nociceptive lamina I spinothalamic neurons in the cat.

The physiological characteristics of antidromically identified lamina I spinothalamic (STT) neurons in the lumbosacral spinal cord were examined using quantitative thermal and mechanical stimuli in...
Two Siblings With Interstitial Lung Disease

A 52-year-old white woman and her 61-year-old white brother separately presented with gradually worsening dyspnea on exertion and cough, and evidence of interstitial lung disease on chest imaging.
DEWATERING PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL SLUDGES

Wastewater treatment plants upgrading their existing solids removal processes by polymer or chemical addition, and plants precipitating phosphorous increase the amount of sludge to be handled. The increased amount of sludge may be approximated by referring to pilot plant and field data and by a calucational approach. The characteristics of the sludge have an impact on the method selected for dewatering although physical-chemical processes produce sludges whose dewatering properties are not yet well understood. The cost of dewatering these sludges may be estimated by referring to the costs of sludge dewatering at conventional activated sludge plants and making appropriate adjustments for scale economies brought about by the greater amounts of sludge to be handled.
Limiting the Immediate and Subsequent Hazards Associated with Wildfires

Wildfire is a unique natural hazard because it poses immediate threats to life and property as well as creating conditions that can lead to subsequent debris flows. In recent years, the immediate destructive force of wildfires has been decreased through better understanding of fire behavior. Lightning detection networks now identify the number and locations of this common ignition source. Measurements of wind speed, temperature, slope, fuel types and fire boundaries are routinely incorporated into models for fire spread, permitting real-time adjustments to fire-fighting strategies, thus increasing fire-fighting effectiveness.
$sup 243$Am $alpha$ DECAY: MULTIPOLARITY OF $gamma$ TRANSITIONS.

Conversion coefficients and probable multipolarities were measured for seven $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from levels of $^{239}\mathrm{Np}$ populated by the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{243}\mathrm{Am}$. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies in keV and their multipolarities are 43.1 keV ($M1+E2$), 55.4 keV ($M1+E2$), 74.7 keV ($E1$), 86.7 keV ($E1$), 98.5 keV ($E2$), 117.8 keV ($E1$), and 142.0 keV ($E1$). The multipolarities of the 74.7- and 117.8-keV $\ensuremath{\gamma}'\mathrm{s}$ have been previously reported. The 98.5-keV transition was seen only in ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ spectra and has not been noted before. These multipolarities are in agreement with level-spin assignments. Gamma branching ratios from the 74.7-, 117.8-, and 173.2-keV levels have been calculated. Coincidences with $\ensuremath{\alpha}'\mathrm{s}$ were required in order to eliminate radiations from the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay of the $^{239}\mathrm{Np}$ daughter. The 100-${\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3-mm-deep Si(Li) detector gave an ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ resolution of 2.0 keV over the energy range studied. Both the detector and the field-effect transistor input stage were cooled to -150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C.
Central and Peripheral Actions of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide on Gastric Secretory and Motor Function

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) was one of the first examples of a biologically active peptide to be identified by recombinant DNA and molecular biological approach (Rosenfeld et al., 1983; Amara et al., 1985). It was also the first demonstration of tissue-specific alternative processing of a gene. In 1983, Rosenfeld et al. initially reported that the RNA transcript from the calcitonin gene is processed in rat central and peripheral neural tissues to a mRNA encoding the precursor to a previously unknown 37-residue peptide called CGRP or α-CGRP (Rosenfeld et al., 1983). In thyroidal cells, the calcitonin gene generates a mRNA which encodes a calcitonin precursor protein expressing the calcium-regulating hormone, calcitonin (Rosenfeld et al., 1983). Subsequently, both intra- and interspecies variants have been discovered. A second calcitonin gene generating a mRNA expressing β-CGRP or CGRP II was identified in rats (Amara et al., 1985). Rat β and α forms differ in only one amino acid residue at position 35. The same mechanism of specific alternate RNA processing was described in human tissue.
EFFECT OF WATERSHED MODIFICATION ON A SMALL COASTAL PLAIN ESTUARY

Abstract A four-year study of physical, chemical, and biological properties of South River, a lateral estuary of the Neuse River estuary, N.C., characterized the mean conditions and the degree of variability during conversion of South River's watershed from swamp/forest to farm. Salinity, turbidity PO 4 , NO 3 , and chlorophyll-α concentrations were determined at 10 stations in the South River during (1) clearing and draining of the land and (2) farm operation; the results from three stations are discussed in this paper. There was little change in the variability of these parameters (as measured by coefficients of variation) over the two periods, but there were significant increases in mean turbidity, NO 3 and PO 4 attributed to farm runoff. There was no significant change in the mean salinity or chlorophyll concentration.
Skill Moderators of the Effects of a Reading Comprehension Intervention

This study utilized secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial and investigated the extent to which prestest word identification efficiency, reading fluency, and vocabulary knowledge moder...
The Observer Effect

The observer effect is the fact that observing a situation or phenomenon necessarily changes it. Observer effects are especially prominent in physics where observation and uncertainty are fundamental aspects of modern quantum mechanics. Observer effects are well known in fields other than physics, such as sociology, psychology, linguistics and computer science, but none of these other fields have experienced the same level of publicity and controversy as physics. This may be responsible for the widely held implicit assumption that “real” observer effects are exhibited only by quantum objects and not by classical objects. This misunderstanding may be due, to some extent, to confusing the observer effect with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and with other quantum uncertainty principles. In fact, observer effects occur in both classical and quantum systems. This article presents a number of examples of observer effects in purely classical processes. It also introduces a framework for understanding and analyzing many of such effects for classical systems. Ignoring observer effects can cause errors in experiments at a macroscopic level where no quantum effects would be discernible. Consequently, there are practical reasons for being careful to address observer effects.
The Ion Delivery Manner Influences the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Silver Oligodynamic Iontophoresis

Electrical activation of silver ions, known as oligodynamic iontophoresis, has shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. However, it is not clear how the ion delivery manner, which is controlled by the electrical activation, influences the iontophoresis process. This paper focuses on this knowledge gap, aiming to characterize the interactive effects of electric current intensity and activation duration on the antimicrobial efficacy of a silver-based iontophoresis prototype against Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) strains respectively. The modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method was adopted to quantify the antimicrobial efficacy. A linear regression model was established and validated by empirical data. This study revealed that the antimicrobial activities of the device was more sensitive to current duration than current intensity, and the marginal antimicrobial efficacy of the device decreased as the current intensity increased. In addition, a sustained release of Ag + had superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to a fast release. These findings will contribute to the performance optimization of silver oligodynamic iontophoresis devices for antimicrobial applications.
A favor no es en contra; en contra es a favor. Poesía y comunicación en la actualidad

El presente articulo aborda las implicaciones que ha tenido el modelo comunicacional como rasgo definitorio y exclusivo de la poesia espanola reciente. En estas paginas se traza una genesis de la construccion de categorias dicotomicas en el acercamiento al panorama literario en lengua espanola y los problemas asociados a esta forma de analisis. De igual modo, se pretende poner de manifiesto la complejidad de la comunicacion poetica y mostrar algunas practicas discursivas que aprovechan sus posibilidades. Asi, entendiendo la comunicacion como una caracteristica mas de las que podemos encontrar en el poema, buscamos desde el analisis de cuatro poeticas actuales (Maria Salgado, Lucia Bosca, Su Xiaoxiao, Ruth Llana) presentar los diferentes cambios que se estan produciendo en la creacion y la critica de poesia.
Outcome of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) requiring intensive care unit: Single center experience.

e19570 Background: Therapeutic advances have positively impacted outcome in pts suffering from MM. Hospital mortality has decreased over past 15 years in MM pts admitted to intensive care unit (ICU...
13 Child Maltreatment

In this chapter, we provide an overview of the historical issues accompanying the study of child maltreatment and address advances, as well as challenges, that have emerged over decades of research in this area. A developmental psychopathology perspective provides a framework for discussing etiological models, psychological and biological sequelae, and methodological considerations, as well as for highlighting implications for intervention and social policy. The utilization of a multilevel perspective that integrates socioemotional, cognitive, psychophysiological, neurobiological, and genetic perspectives is infused throughout our discussion of research. We conclude by proffering recommendations for research initiatives that will continue to advance the field and ultimately improve the lives of children who have been victimized by abuse and neglect. Keywords: abuse and neglect; child maltreatment; developmental psychopathology; intervention; multilevel perspective; social policy
Strong upward neighborhood mobility and preterm birth: a matched-sibling design approach.

Abstract Background Much cross-sectional work reports an association between neighborhood disadvantage and adverse birth outcomes. Limitations of this work include that mothers with pre-existing unmeasured morbidity may “select” into, or out of, certain neighborhoods. This selection issue remains a key rival explanation for work concerned with place-based disparities in birth outcomes. We move beyond a cross-sectional approach and exploit a sibling-linked dataset in California to test whether upwardly mobile mothers, who move from a very high to a very low disadvantaged neighborhood, exhibit a lower than expected risk of preterm birth (i.e., delivery Methods We used a matched-sibling design for 461,061 sibling pairs (i.e., 922,122 births total) to mothers in urban areas in who gave birth in California from 2005 to 2010. We linked mother’s address at two time points (i.e., two sibling birth dates) to a census-derived composite indicator of neighborhood disadvantage. Conditional logistic regression methods controlled for mother’s risk of preterm birth in the sibling delivered before the move when estimating the relation between strong upward mobility and preterm of the subsequent birth after the move. Results As hypothesized, strong upward mobility (relative to no mobility) varies inversely with the odds of PTB of the second sibling (odds ratio [OR] for PTB = 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.74, 0.93). Conclusions Mothers moving from very high to very low disadvantaged neighborhoods show a reduced odds of PTB. Our findings, if replicated, raise the possibility that improvements in neighborhood quality may improve perinatal health in a relatively short time span.
Designing Perfect Simulation Algorithms using Local Correctness.

Consider a randomized algorithm that draws samples exactly from a distribution using recursion. Such an algorithm is called a perfect simulation, and here a variety of methods for building this type of algorithm are shown to derive from the same result: the Fundamental Theorem of Perfect Simulation (FTPS). The FTPS gives two necessary and sufficient conditions for the output of a recursive probabilistic algorithm to come exactly from the desired distribution. First, the algorithm must terminate with probability 1. Second, the algorithm must be locally correct, which means that if the recursive calls in the original algorithm are replaced by oracles that draw from the desired distribution, then this new algorithm can be proven to be correct. While it is usually straightforward to verify these conditions, they are surprisingly powerful, giving the correctness of Acceptance/Rejection, Coupling from the Past, the Randomness Recycler, Read-once CFTP, Partial Rejection Sampling, Partially Recursive Acceptance Rejection, and various Bernoulli Factories. We illustrate the use of this algorithm by building a new Bernoulli Factory for linear functions that is 41\% faster than the previous method.
Dual-Beam Transmit from Shared Aperture with Constant Envelope Constraint

An element-digital array aperture is to be shared between a primary radar mission and secondary communications mission, but the inputs to the amplifiers must be constant envelope to avoid distortion. An approximation is constructed that gives lower peak-to-average power ratio than the simple combination of the two desired signals. This approximation allows us to make a quantitative comparison of simultaneous sharing of the aperture to alternative concepts for supporting both missions.
The impact of medical student interest in surgery on clerkship performance and career choice

Abstract Background Interest in surgery has declined for two decades. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of one’s interest in surgery on career choice. Methods Students who completed the surgical clerkship (2016–2017) were invited to complete surveys assessing rotation experience, learning style, burnout, and grit. Students were grouped according to interest or no interest in surgery after the clerkship. Results Surveys were completed by 62 students of whom 51.6% reported an interest in surgery. No minority students expressed interest compared with Caucasian (51.1%) and Asian (71.4%) students (p = 0.02). Disinterested students had higher emotional exhaustion (EE, 20 vs 25, p = 0.03). There was no difference in clerkship grade between groups (86.3% vs 85.3%, p = 0.56). Students who matched into surgery had lower EE and higher grit. Conclusions Interest in surgery was not associated with improved clerkship performance. Disinterested students had higher EE, suggesting interest may play a role in adapting to clerkship challenges.
Chapter 5 – Smoldering phenomena

Smoldering is flameless combustion. Under certain favorable conditions, combustible dust deposits can undergo smoldering. This is a very important hazard scenario to understand, because smoldering is oftentimes difficult to detect and may not reveal itself until it leads to a catastrophic event: exposure to a toxic atmosphere, a dust fire, or a dust explosion. Smoldering presents a hazard scenario that can progress without warning from a low hazard level to a high hazard level. Similar to a deflagration, smoldering propagates through a fuel bed as a combustion wave with a finite speed. Smoldering causes charring of the solid fuel and usually creates a glowing ember or coal; it is frequently accompanied by the generation of smoke. Smoldering can be initiated by an external ignition source or, for certain materials, by self-heating and spontaneous ignition. Fundamentally, smoldering requires that the fuel forms a porous char during combustion. Agricultural grain dusts, food ingredient dusts, wood dust, and coal dust have all demonstrated the ability to sustain smoldering combustion.
Toxicological and Anti-Rheumatic Potential of Trachyspermum ammi Derived Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles in Arthritic Balb/c Mice

Purpose The existing treatment modalities for rheumatoid arthritis are less effective and safe, therefore it is essential to develop new treatments that particularly target the inflamed joints with decreased off-target side-effects. The current study proposes a nanoparticle-based therapeutic approach to target the anti-oxidant defense system of arthritic Balb/c mice. Methods ﻿Biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized by using Trachyspermum ammi seed extract and were evaluated for their toxicological, as well as their therapeutic potential in collagen-induced arthritic mice. Results The tested doses of SeNPs had no significant toxic effects on liver, kidney, spleen, and serum biochemical parameters in comparison to healthy mice. The SeNPs treatment reduced the disease severity, as demonstrated by decreased paw edema along with reduced lymphocytic cellular infiltration in the histopathological findings. SeNPs also revealed dose-independent improvement in the redox state of inflamed synovium by significantly improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes in comparison to the arthritic controls. Conclusion It is therefore concluded that nano-selenium in combination with TAE extract showed enhanced therapeutic efficacy as compared to their individual effects.
Atomically Dispersed Iron–Nitrogen Sites on Hierarchically Mesoporous Carbon Nanotube and Graphene Nanoribbon Networks for CO2 Reduction

Atomically dispersed metal and nitrogen co-doped carbon (M-N/C) catalysts hold great promise for electrochemical CO2 conversion. However, there is a lack of cost-effective synthesis approaches to meet the goal of economic mass production of single-atom M-N/C with desirable carbon support architecture for efficient CO2 reduction. Herein, we report facile transformation of commercial carbon nanotube (CNT) into isolated Fe-N4 sites anchored on carbon nanotube and graphene nanoribbon (GNR) networks (Fe-N/CNT@GNR). The oxidization-induced partial unzipping of CNT results in the generation of GNR nanolayers attached to the remaining fibrous CNT frameworks, which reticulates a hierarchically mesoporous complex and thus enables a high electrochemical active surface area and smooth mass transport. The Fe residues originating from CNT growth seeds serve as Fe sources to form isolated Fe-N4 moieties located at the CNT and GNR basal plane and edges with high intrinsic capability of activating CO2 and suppressing hydrogen evolution. The Fe-N/CNT@GNR delivers a stable CO Faradaic efficiency of 96% with a partial current density of 22.6 mA cm-2 at a low overpotential of 650 mV, making it one of the most active M-N/C catalysts reported. This work presents an effective strategy to fabricate advanced atomistic catalysts and highlights the key roles of support architecture in single-atom electrocatalysis.
New-onset super-refractory status epilepticus: A case series of 26 patients.

Objective: To better understand the heterogeneous population of patients with new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), we studied the most severe cases who presented with new-onset super refractory status epilepticus (NOSRSE). Methods: We report a retrospective case series of 26 adults admitted to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 2/2009-2/2016 with NOSRSE. We evaluated demographics, diagnostic studies, and treatment course. Outcomes were modified Rankin Score (mRS) at hospital discharge and most recent follow-up visit (minimum of 2 months post discharge), NICU and hospital length of stay, and long-term anti-epileptic drug (AED) use. Results: Of the 252 patients with refractory status epilepticus, 27/252 had NORSE and 26/27 of those had NOSRSE. Age was bimodally distributed with peaks at 27 and 63 years. The vast majority (96%) had an infectious and/or psychiatric prodrome. Etiology was cryptogenic in 73%, autoimmune in 19%, and infectious in 8%. Seven patients (27%) underwent brain biopsy, autopsy or both; 3 (12%) were diagnostic (herpes simplex encephalitis, candida encephalitis, and acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis). On discharge, 6 patients (23%) had good or fair outcome (mRS 0-3). Of the patients with long-term follow-up data (median 9 months, interquartile range 2-22 months), 12 patients (71%) had mRS 0-3. Conclusion: Among our cohort, nearly all patients with NORSE had NOSRSE. The majority were cryptogenic with few antibody-positive cases identified. Neuropathology was diagnostic in 12% of cases. Although only 23% of patients had good or fair outcome on discharge, 71% met these criteria at follow-up.
Design of resonant cavity thin film structures with complex active layers

A systematic approach to designing resonant cavity distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structures with complex-index active regions is developed in this paper. The technique is based on the effective reflectance index of multilayer thin films. While the design of DBR structures with real refractive index films is quite straightforward, the use of a complex refractive index in the cavity requires a different approach. In this paper, we show that a complex active region requires an asymmetric reflector geometry along with a separate phase compensator. This technique is illustrated using phase change materials and metals in the resonant cavity.
Comparison of negative-muscle-work energy harvesters from the human ankle: Different designs and trade-offs

Abstract Harvesting negative work from human walking (similar to a regenerative brake in a vehicle) has the potential to maintain the same metabolic cost as during normal walking while harvesting enough energy to power electronic devices. It is challenging to harvest power from the human ankle while only having a small influence on the human body, for which the motion of the energy harvester has to be carefully synchronized to the human body according to the human body kinematics. In order to address those challenges, we designed four different versions of ankle energy harvesters, with the same function to harvest negative muscle work in the ankle joint during walking. The performance metrics are analyzed and compared between designs. Different design parameters and their contributions to energy-harvesting performance are analyzed and discussed, and the following conclusions are provided: The spring term is the best term to minimize the influence on the human body while harvesting energy; there is a trade-off between energy harvesting performance and influence on the human body, but better designs can improve the overall performance. Design iteration in this study results in a high power design and a lightweight design, harvesting energy from the negative muscle phase of human walking with high power density over 3 W/kg and high power ratio over 50 % respectively.”
Conservation of isolate substrate preferences in mixed communities revealed through ribosomal marker protein profiling

Assessment of structure-function relationships is a central theme in microbial ecology. However, the degree that isolate metabolic activities are conserved in communities remains unclear. This is because tracking population dynamics and substrate partitioning in microbial communities remains technically challenging. Here, we describe the application of a mass spectrometry-based ribosomal marker protein profiling with stable isotope probing approach that allows for concurrent monitoring of community structure dynamics and resource assimilation within a five-member synthetic soil bacterial community. Using this approach, we find that isolate substrate preferences for glutamine and phenylalanine are largely conserved in the community and can be predicted using a weighted-sum model. However, time-series monitoring revealed a significant delay in phenylalanine incorporation by two of the strains, as well as enhanced growth for Variovorax paradoxus presumably due to interspecies interactions. The unique utility of this approach to temporally probe resource incorporation and community structure enables deciphering the dynamic interactions occurring within the community. Extension of this approach to other communities under various environmental perturbations is needed to reveal the generality of microbial conservation of substrate preferences.
How Does a Theoretical Term Refer

This paper deals with the question of what the most appropriate semantic theory for theoretical terms would be. Traditionally, in the contemporary literature of philosophy of language, there have been two widely held semantic theories: the descriptivist theory and the causal theory. Comparing theoretical terms with natural kind terms, I attempt to show that the causal theory of reference applies to natural kinds owing to certain ontological and epistemological assumptions of natural kinds realism. I argue that there is no reason to keep these assumptions with respect to theoretical entities. Consequently, the causal theory of reference cannot be applied to theoretical terms. Instead, because of certain ontological and epistemological features of theoretical entities, the rival semantic theory, i.e., the descriptivist theory of reference, properly explains how the referents of these terms get fixed and how these terms find their referents. The paper is structured as follows: the first part deals with the question of how a theoretical entity/kind should be distinguished from non-theoretical ones. The second part facilitates a comparison between theoretical kinds and natural kinds to reveal the ontological and epistemological features of each category. In the third part, I argue why the causal theory of reference fails to be a plausible semantic for theoretical terms, and why its rival theory, i.e., the descriptivist theory, provides an appropriate semantic for such terms. Finally, I raise two potential objections regarding my proposed view and try to show how these objections can be overcome.
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Soil Temperature model of Highly Plastic Clay

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are one of the popular methods of artificial intelligence that seek to follow the human mind function and nervous system with its successful application increased ...
PHACOMP revisited

We have attempted to review the physical basis for PHACOMP, and to explain techniques for general application of the system. Obviously, PHACOMP is a computation tool in the developmental stages, and its use requires knowledge and judgment. Since PHACOMP attempts to simulate phase diagram information, it is important to note that iso-PHACOMP lines are not, in all cases, parallel to nor conservative with respect to γ vs. (γ + TCP) boundaries. Complete solution to the problem will require more exact information on the composition and amounts of precipitating phases and matrix; more or better information is required on individual element Nv values and their compositional variation. Nevertheless, in its present form with the techniques described above, PHACOMP can be used to maintain long-time micro-structural stability in nickel and cobalt-base super-alloys.
Death-related anxiety associated with riskier decision-making irrespective of framing: A Bayesian model comparison

Abstract A commonly reported finding is that anxious individuals are less likely to make risky decisions. However, no studies have examined whether this association extends to death-related anxiety. The present study examined how groups low, moderate, and high in death-related anxiety make decisions with varying levels of risk. Participants completed a series of hypothetical bets in which the probability of a win was systematically manipulated. High-anxiety individuals displayed the greatest risk-taking behavior, followed by the moderate-anxiety group, with the low-anxiety group being most risk-averse. Experiment 2 tested this association further by framing outcomes in terms of losses, rather than gains. A similar pattern was observed with both positive and negative framing. In contrast to findings with trait anxiety, the present results suggest that death-related anxiety is positively associated with risky decision-making – an effect that holds regardless of how options are framed. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that Bayesian modeling can provide very accurate predictions for economic decision-making behavior.
Skill-Based Training and Transfer of Learning

There have been great strides in attending to skill-based training and transfer of learning over the past 15 years in the field of child welfare. We know that classroom training builds a foundation that must be reinforced in the field in order to be practiced in day-to-day work with clients. When skills are reinforced through additional practice exercises, coaching, mentoring, and specific feedback on key practice behaviors, both client outcomes and organizational outcomes can be affected and improved. We know that training must go hand in hand with supervision to be effective and that these two areas of the organization must be in concert. Further research is needed to better understand how to engage the practice sector of child welfare agencies in embracing this important role of supervisors and senior frontline workers. In addition, more research is needed on what aspects of classroom training and its reinforcement lead to the changes in behavior that are necessary to impact child and family outcomes. Extending this work to refine our understanding of the transfer process will help to make certain that all families entering the child welfare system throughout the country will find a skilled workforce that is equipped to meet their needs and help them ensure that their children are safe, in permanent homes, and successful in life.