cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Talk of the city: engaging urbanites on climate change

Climate change requires societal engagement on both mitigation and adaptation. With a growing majority of people living in cities, urban dwellers and municipal decision-makers will need to reduce their emissions and other impacts on the regional and global climate while dealing with the unavoidable near-term and potential longer-term impacts of climate change. To facilitate effective societal response to climate change, a busy, distracted, and so far only marginally interested public needs to be engaged on the topic. This poses significant challenges to communication and sustained outreach efforts. This letter draws on critical insights from a three-year multi-disciplinary project that involved academics and practitioners from various disciplines and sectors of (mostly US) society and explored how to communicate climate change in ways that facilitate societal response. The letter raises questions about key audiences, appropriate messengers, framings and messages, reception of climate change information, and the choice of communication mediums and formats to achieve different communication and engagement goals.
Amino acids in arterial and hepatic venous blood of patients with Laennec's cirrhosis.

Summary Simultaneous hepatic venous and femoral arterial blood specimens were obtained in 14 patients with Laennec's cirrhosis and in 2 subjects with normal liver function. The amino acid patterns of the blood specimens were compared by means of paper chromatography. The most consistent differences between the arterial and hepatic venous blood specimens were a posthepatic fall in a-alanine and a rise in glutamic acid. The pre- and posthepatic blood amino acid differences varied considerably among subj ects in the fasting state, but were not appreciably changed by decreases in liver blood flow induced by injections of Pitressin. In 2 subjects the differences between arterial and hepatic venous blood were greatly changed by an amino acid infusion and by milk ingestion, respectively. The 1 patient with a much greater hepatic venous glutamic acid concentration than any of the other subjects had Korsakoff's psychosis.
The murine MHC class I genes, H-2Dq and H-2Lq, are strikingly homologous to each other, H-2Ld, and two genes reported to encode tumor-specific antigens.

Two phenomena appear to distinguish the D region class I genes from those in the K region in the murine MHC: (a) haplotype disparity in the number of expressed D region class I molecules has been observed; and (b) clines of closely related D region class I molecules among and within mice of different H-2 haplotypes can be defined. Both of these observations have been based on serological and peptide mapping analyses of these molecules. Recent reports using molecular biological approaches have corroborated these findings. Since the mouse strain B10.AKM expresses multiple D region class I antigens, all of which are closely related to the prototypic Ld molecule, we investigated the Dq region of B10.AKM using molecular approaches. Three D region class I genes were isolated from genomic B10.AKM bacteriophage and cosmid libraries. Based on alignment of those genes with the BALB/c D region class I genes by analogous restriction endonuclease sites and by hybridization of one of those genes with a D4d gene-derived oligonucleotide probe, we have designated these genes as Dq, Lq, and D4q. As determined by DNA-mediated gene transfer to mouse L cells followed by serological analyses, the Dq and Lq genes encode previously characterized Dq region class I antigens. The nucleic acid sequence comparisons of the Dq and Lq genes demonstrated a higher level of homology with the Ld and Db genes than with other D region class I genes. In addition, CTL stimulated with a Dq, Lq, or Ld gene transfectant showed strong crossreactions with the other transfectants as targets, suggesting that the products of these genes are also functionally related. Thus, these studies suggest that the L molecule represents a prototypic structure shared by several D region gene products, and furthermore, the duplication of an Ld-like progenitor gene resulted in two Dq region class I genes, Dq and Lq. Unexpectedly, the sequences determined for the Dq and Lq genes are nearly identical to the sequences of two genes, A166 and A149, respectively, which were reported to encode the tumor-specific antigens; these novel class I genes were isolated from an H-2k fibrosarcoma, 1591. This raises the distinct possibility that these purported tumor-specific class I genes were introduced into this tumor by contamination.
Effective Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells Lack an Easily Detectable, Shared Characteristic

The immune correlates of human/simian immunodeficiency virus control remain elusive. While CD8+ T lymphocytes likely play a major role in reducing peak viremia and maintaining viral control in the chronic phase, the relative antiviral efficacy of individual virus-specific effector populations is unknown. Conventional assays measure cytokine secretion of virus-specific CD8+ T cells after cognate peptide recognition. Cytokine secretion, however, does not always directly translate into antiviral efficacy. Recently developed suppression assays assess the efficiency of virus-specific CD8+ T cells to control viral replication, but these assays often use cell lines or clones. We therefore designed a novel virus production assay to test the ability of freshly ex vivo-sorted simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific CD8+ T cells to suppress viral replication from SIVmac239-infected CD4+ T cells. Using this assay, we established an antiviral hierarchy when we compared CD8+ T cells specific for 12 different epitopes. Antiviral efficacy was unrelated to the disease status of each animal, the protein from which the tested epitopes were derived, or the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I restriction of the tested epitopes. Additionally, there was no correlation with the ability to suppress viral replication and epitope avidity, epitope affinity, CD8+ T-cell cytokine multifunctionality, the percentage of central and effector memory cell populations, or the expression of PD-1. The ability of virus-specific CD8+ T cells to suppress viral replication therefore cannot be determined using conventional assays. Our results suggest that a single definitive correlate of immune control may not exist; rather, a successful CD8+ T-cell response may be comprised of several factors.
Integrating a research component into a web development introductory course

Exposing students to research topics enhances their learning experience. It is therefore desirable for instructors to include a research component into their courses. The courses most prone for incorporating research components are the upper level undergraduate and graduate courses. However, this becomes challenging in the case of introductory courses, where learning new programming skills is the focus. In this case, the research component needs to satisfy two key conditions: to be easy enough to implement, and to have a fast learning curve. In this paper we describe the introduction of a research component into an introductory Web development course (upper undergraduate and lower graduate) for software engineering students. In this context we present a Web security research application that is successful at keeping unwanted malicious attacks from happening on Web services. It can be implemented using basic Web development skills and fast to learn and rationale. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the research problem, the students have been exposed to techniques and research topics in several other fields. The projects outcome including student experiences conducting user studies and human surveys are discussed in the paper.
Earnings inequality in transition economies of Central Europetrends and patterns during the 1990s

This paper documents trends in earnings distribution during the transition in Central Europe, and examines changes in relative wages that have underlined the rise in earnings inequality. The paper finds that the widening of earnings distribution was concentrated in the early phase of transition, and the trend towards greater inequality in most countries tapered off during the late 1990s. This suggests that a new equilibrium has been reached, or at least approached. This equilibrium is characterized by high but not exorbitant earnings dispersion. In most transitional economies of Central Europe earnings inequality is in the upper part of the OECD range, rarely beyond that range. The widening of earnings distribution has occurred at its both ends. The relative position of low-paid workers has deteriorated while the position of top paid workers has improved. At the same time the incidence of both low- and high-pay has considerably increased. High earnings dispersion is particularly pronounced in the private sector. The main observable factor behind the increase in earnings inequality during the transition has been the increase in the premium to university education. Education is currently the single most important variable explaining the attained level of inequality, whereas inter-industry wage differentials are second in importance. The contribution of other factors, such as gender, labor market experience, location, is small or insignificant.
Automated Global Feature Analyzer - A Driver for Tier-Scalable Reconnaissance

For the purposes of space flight, reconnaissance field geologists have trained to become astronauts. However, the initial forays to Mars and other planetary bodies have been done by purely robotic craft. Therefore, training and equipping a robotic craft with the sensory and cognitive capabilities of a field geologist to form a science craft is a necessary prerequisite. Numerous steps are necessary in order for a science craft to be able to map, analyze, and characterize a geologic field site, as well as effectively formulate working hypotheses. We report on the continued development of the integrated software system AGFA: automated global feature analyzerreg, originated by Fink at Caltech and his collaborators in 2001. AGFA is an automatic and feature-driven target characterization system that operates in an imaged operational area, such as a geologic field site on a remote planetary surface. AGFA performs automated target identification and detection through segmentation, providing for feature extraction, classification, and prioritization within mapped or imaged operational areas at different length scales and resolutions, depending on the vantage point (e.g., spaceborne, airborne, or ground). AGFA extracts features such as target size, color, albedo, vesicularity, and angularity. Based on the extracted features, AGFA summarizes the mapped operational area numerically and flags targets of "interest", i.e., targets that exhibit sufficient anomaly within the feature space. AGFA enables automated science analysis aboard robotic spacecraft, and, embedded in tier-scalable reconnaissance mission architectures, is a driver of future intelligent and autonomous robotic planetary exploration.
Early Return to Surgery for Evacuation of a Postoperative Hematoma After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Development of a postoperative hematoma is a reported complication after primary total knee arthroplasty. However, little is known about the clinical outcomes in patients who require surgical evacuation of an acute hematoma. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and long-term sequelae of postoperative hematomas requiring surgical evacuation. Methods: From 1981 to 2004, 17,784 primary total knee arthroplasties were performed at our institution. Forty-two patients (forty-two knees) returned to the operating room within thirty days of the index arthroplasty for evacuation of a postoperative hematoma. A case-control study, with forty-two patients matched one-to-one with forty-two control subjects, was performed to attempt to identify risk factors for the development of postoperative hematoma requiring surgical evacuation. Results: The rate of return to surgery within thirty days for evacuation of a postoperative hematoma was 0.24% (95% confidence interval, 0.17% to 0.32%). For patients undergoing postoperative hematoma evacuation, the two-year cumulative probabilities of undergoing subsequent major surgery (component resection, muscle flap coverage, or amputation) or having a deep infection develop were 12.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.6% to 22.4%) and 10.5% (95% confidence interval, 0.2% to 20.2%), respectively. In contrast, for knees without early hematoma evacuation, the two-year cumulative probabilities were 0.6% (95% confidence interval, 0.5% to 0.7%) and 0.8% (95% confidence interval, 0.6% to 0.9%), respectively (p < 0.001 for both outcomes). A history of a bleeding disorder was identified as having a significant association with the development of a hematoma requiring surgical evacuation (p = 0.046). Conclusions: Patients who return to the operating room within thirty days after the index total knee arthroplasty for evacuation of a postoperative hematoma are at significantly increased risk for the development of deep infection and/or undergoing subsequent major surgery. These results support all efforts to minimize the risk of postoperative hematoma formation. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Integrated Optics and All-Optical Waveguide Switching

Nonlinear optics to be efficient, and hence useful, requires a number of parameters to be optimized. All of nonlinear optics is driven by high intensities, i.e. large power per unit area. Any sample geometry which has a small cross-section (to minimize the required power) and which allows high intensities to be maintained over long distances offers a distinct advantage. An optical waveguide meets the above requirements. It can have a cylindrical geometry known as a fiber, and nonlinear optics in fibers is treated elsewhere in this book. Waveguides which derive from planar geometries belong to the field of integrated optics and will be discussed here.
Using an FPGA Processor Core and Embedded Linux for Senior Design Projects

This paper describes our experiences using a low-cost SoPC FPGA board and an open source RTOS for senior design projects. The Altera DE2 is a small low- cost FPGA-based SoPC system designed for educational use. It has many of the VO features typically found in a standard PC and can support a Nios soft processor core. Students developed a custom Nios processor design for the board and customized a muClinux OS to support their senior design projects.
Alcian blue method for attaching glycol methacrylate bone marrow sections to glass slides.

Detachment of glycol methacrylate sections from glass slides is a common problem during histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures, particularly when large or hard tissue sections are stained and when using caustic solutions, alcohols, or proteases.
Critical dynamics of superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ films

We report on a systematic investigation of the critical fluctuations in the complex conductivity of epitaxially grown ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ films for $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{c}$ using a two-coil inductive technique at zero applied field. We observe the static three-dimensional (3D) $\mathrm{XY}$ critical exponent in the superfluid density near ${T}_{c}.$ Linear scaling analysis close to the critical temperature yields a dynamic critical exponent of $z\ensuremath{\approx}2.0$ for small drive currents, but nonlinear effects are seen to be important. At ${T}_{c},$ a nonlinear scaling analysis also yields a 3D dynamic exponent of $z=2.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1.$
The Extraordinary Effects of Ordinary Politics: Constitutional Rights During War

For decades, war time constitutionalism has been characterized by a misleading dichotomy between "ordinary" and "extraordinary" politics. This article, however, argues that the ordinary/extraordinary distinction surrounding analyses of war and crisis is potentially misleading in very important ways, the most important of which is the extent to which the persistence of important political and constitutional questions from preceding periods of "ordinary" politics continues to shape the politics of periods of war and crisis. Analyzing the preceding development of two salient Constitutional questions during war or crisis - the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the current question of the indefinite detainment of terrorists suspects in the continuing "War on Terror" - I argue that we should understand the political development of these issues as processes that had already been unfolding, instead of ones that have been characterized as somehow different and "extraordinary" from "ordinary" politics.ovided by author.
Deposition of a-Si:H Films with a Remote Hydrogen Plasma

Results are presented on the properties of a-Si:H thin films deposited with a remote hydrogen plasma. An essential feature of the reactor design is the use of an alumina (rather than quartz) tube to contain the hydrogen plasma for low oxygen contamination of the films. High doping efficiency is demonstrated for both P-and B-doped amorphous films, and the effects of high silane dilution and deposition temperature are illustrated with P-doped amorphous and microcrystalline silicon films.
Medicaid Consent to Sterilization Forms: Historical, Practical, Ethical, and Advocacy Considerations

The US government developed a Medicaid Consent to Sterilization form in the mid-1970s to protect vulnerable populations from coerced sterilization. US health care practices have evolved significantly since that time. The form, however, has not changed, and may be preventing access to desired services for the same vulnerable populations it was originally created to protect. This paper discusses the relevant historical, practical use, ethical, and advocacy considerations of the Medicaid sterilization consent form and proposes changes to make the form more pertinent to today's medical environment.
High order inverse polynomial predistortion for memoryless RF power amplifiers

The digital predistortion (DPD) technique is widely used for compensation of the nonlinearity of RF power amplifiers (PAs). Nonlinearity and memory effect are two main considerations in predistortion designs. In some applications, there are advantages in using predistorters to linearize PAs before compensating for the memory effect. In this short paper, we present a polynomial predistortion method based on pth-order inverse method to compensate the memoryless nonlinearity of PAs. The coefficients of the polynomial predistorters up to the arbitrarily high orders can be identified directly from coefficients of the simple polynomial PA model up to arbitrarily high orders, which makes the compensation process much simpler than using complex algorithms computations. Furthermore, the proposed method can be adapted to the predistortion of PAs with memory effect, and can be implemented to field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
Ex-vivo tumor imaging with a VEGFR-2 selective two-photon absorbing (2PA) bioconjugate

Ex-vivo imaging of tumors has been successfully achieved by using a two-photon absorbing (2PA) fluorescent bioconjugate that selectively binds the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2).
The analysis of adverse drug reaction reports in our hospital in 2006

Objective:To fathom the occurrences of adverse drug reaction (ADR) in our hospital and to promote rational clinical drug use. Methods:100 children's ADR reports collected in our hospital in 2006 were analyzed with the method of retrospective study.Results:Of the total 100 ADR cases,most were induced by intravenous administration,which accounted for 98%;most were induced by antibiotic drugs,which accounted for 44%;the most common clinical manifestations were the damage of skin and adnexa,which accounted for 50%.Conclusions: Supervision of the ADR should be strengthened to improve the rational administration of drugs and avoid or reduce ADR incidences.
Analysis of 87 Strains of Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria from Respiratory Tract of Infants

Objective To explore the distribution and characteristics of multi-drug resistant bacteria in respiratory tract of infants. Methods Clinical data of 83 respiratory tract infection children treated in Shenzhen Children's Hospital between January 2014 and April 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The distribution and drug sensitivity of 87 strains of multi-drug resistant bacteria( MDRB) isolated from 33 sputum samples( 37 strains),48 throat swab samples( 48 strains) and 2 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples( 2 strains) were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 87 strains of MDRB were isolated from the83 children,including 54 strains of Gram-positive bacteria( 62. 07%,24 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,14 strains of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and 16 strains of streptococcus pneumoniae),and 33 strains of Gram-negative bacteria( 37. 93%,11 strains of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli,8 strains of non-extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli,12 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 2 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The isolated Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycin,linezolid,ofloxacin and other severe adverse reaction-causing drugs,but resistant to penicillin,erythromycin,ampicillin and other common drugs. The isolated Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to ceftazidime,meropenem,imipenem and other valuable drugs,but resistant to ampicillin,cefuroxime,cefazolin and other common drugs. Sixty-nine strains( 79.31%) of bacteria were isolated from 66 children who were cured after treatment without antibiotics,and were considered as colonized strains. The other 18 strains( 20. 69%) of bacteria were isolated from 17 children who were cured after treatment with antibiotics according to the drug sensitive test,and were considered as infectious strains. The incidence of infection was 20. 48%. Conclusion Stains of Gram-positive MDRB are mainly found in respiratory tract of infants,and most of them are colonized strains( only a small part of them are infectious strains). The abuse of antibiotics should be avoided when strains are considered colonized.
Language Dynamics: Sound Categorization

Speech perception depends largely on information in an acoustic stream that is inherently dynamic: it changes constantly and fades rapidly. Transitions occur on many levels, from those between sound segments to syntactic adjustments. The present paper describes a program of research that is based on the idea that speech sound categorization occurs via transitions between attractors in a dynamical system. The dynamical system is structured by the native phonological system, as it is instantiated in the individual listener. Phonological learning is conceptualized as the emergence of attractors in the existing dynamical system. Nonlinear dynamic models, constrained by empirical data, are used to inform further research.
Outbreak of H7N8 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Commercial Turkeys with Spontaneous Mutation to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

ABSTRACT Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H7N8 was detected in commercial turkeys in January 2016. Control zone surveillance discovered a progenitor low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus in surrounding turkey flocks. Data analysis supports a single LPAI virus introduction followed by spontaneous mutation to HPAI on a single premises.
Properties of Discrete Choice Models

Overview This chapter describes the features that are common to all discrete choice models. We start by discussing the choice set, which is the set of options that are available to the decision maker. We then define choice probabilities and derive them from utility-maximizing behavior. The most prominent types of discrete choice models, namely logit, generalized extreme value (GEV), probit, and mixed logit, are introduced and compared within the context of this general derivation. Utility, as a constructed measure of well-being, has no natural level or scale. This fact has important implications for the specification and normalization of discrete choice models, which we explore. We then show how individual-level models are aggregated to obtain market-level predictions, and how the models are used for forecasting over time. The Choice Set Discrete choice models describe decision makers' choices among alternatives. The decision makers can be people, households, firms, or any other decision-making unit, and the alternatives might represent competing products, courses of action, or any other options or items over which choices must be made. To fit within a discrete choice framework, the set of alternatives, called the choice set , needs to exhibit three characteristics. First, the alternatives must be mutually exclusive from the decision maker's perspective. Choosing one alternative necessarily implies not choosing any of the other alternatives. The decision maker chooses only one alternative from the choice set. Second, the choice set must be exhaustive , in that all possible alternatives are included.
Pivotal Role for Gsk3 in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homeostasis

Abstract 1292 Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into all lineages of the blood. The signaling pathways regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) self-renewal and differentiation are not well understood. We are very interested in understanding the roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3 ( Gsk3 ) and the signaling pathways regulated by Gsk3 in HSCs. In our recent study (Journal of Clinical Investigation, December 2009) using loss of function approaches (inhibitors, RNAi, and knockout) in mice, we found that Gsk3 plays a pivotal role in controlling the decision between self-renewal and differentiation of HSCs. Disruption of Gsk3 in bone marrow transiently expands HSCs in a μ-catenin dependent manner, consistent with a role for Wnt signaling. However, in long-term repopulation assays, disruption of Gsk3 progressively depletes HSCs through activation of mTOR. This long-term HSC depletion is prevented by mTOR inhibition and exacerbated by μ-catenin knockout. Thus GSK3 regulates both Wnt and mTOR signaling in HSCs, with opposing effects on HSC self-renewal such that inhibition of Gsk3 in the presence of rapamycin expands the HSC pool in vivo. These findings identify unexpected functions for GSK3 in HSC homeostasis, suggest a therapeutic approach to expand HSCs in vivo using currently available medications that target GSK3 and mTOR, and provide a compelling explanation for the clinically prevalent hematopoietic effects of lithium, a widely prescribed GSK3 inhibitor. In the following study, we found that the combination of Gsk3 inhibitor and mTOR inhibitor can expand phenotypic HSCs in vivo and maintain functional HSC in ex vivo culture. This study will provide the basis for a new clinical approach to improve the efficiency of bone marrow transplantation. Disclosures: Klein: Follica: Consultancy.
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Solvability of Non-Solvable Linear Partial Differential Equations

We consider conditions one should impose on a distribution f for existence of a local solution of the equation Pu=f, where P is a non-solvable linear partial differential operator (e.g. the Hans Lewy operator).
PSO-Based Multidisciplinary Design of A Hybrid Power Generation System With Statistical Models of Wind Speed and Solar Insolation

With the increasing concerns on air pollution and global warming, the clean green renewable sources of energy are expected to be playing more significant role in the global energy future. Multi-source hybrid power generation systems are representative applications of the renewables' technology. In this investigation, wind turbine generators, photovoltaic panels, and storage batteries are used to build a grid-linked generation system which is optimal in terms of multiple criteria including cost, reliability, and emissions. Multidisciplinary design facilitates the decision maker to make more rational evaluations. A set of tradeoff solutions can be obtained using the multidisciplinary approach, which offers many design alternatives to the decision-maker. A customized particle swarm optimization algorithm is developed to derive these non-dominated solutions. A grid-linked hybrid power system is designed based on the proposed approach. Furthermore, due to the unpredictability of wind speed and solar insolation, autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models are adopted to reflect the stochastic characteristics of wind speed and solar insolation. Sensitivity studies are also carried out to examine the impacts of different weather conditions and economic rates.
Transfer of Firmly Attached 32P- Salmonella typhimurium from Raw Poultry Skin to Other Surfaces.

Salmonellae adhere firmly to poultry skin during processing. Loosely attached bacteria cross-contaminate work surfaces. This study was undertaken to determine if firmly attached bacteria present a health hazard through transfer to work surfaces. Attached 32P-labeled S. typhimurium cells were serially rinsed with 2 to 4 L of Salmonella -free potable tap water or with sterile 0.85% NaCl. Rinsing removed 61 to 89% of attached labeled cells. However, after rinsing, 11 to 39% of cells remained attached, and of these, 3 to 10% were able to detach and transfer from skin to stainless steel surfaces. It was concluded that large rinse volumes may not remove all attached salmonellae from poultry skin surfaces and the potential for cross-contamination does exist.
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS): A New National Capability

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Space Launch System (SLS) will contribute a new national capability for human space flight and scientific missions to low- Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond. Exploration beyond Earth orbit will be an enduring legacy to future generations, confirming America s desire to explore, learn, and progress. The SLS Program, managed at NASA s Marshall Space Fight Center, will develop the heavy lift vehicle that will launch the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV), equipment, supplies, and science experiments for missions beyond Earth s orbit. This paper gives an overview of the SLS design and management approach against a backdrop of the missions it will empower. It will detail the plan to move from the computerized drawing board to the launch pad in the near term, as well as summarize the innovative approaches the SLS team is applying to deliver a safe, affordable, and sustainable long-range national capability.
Odd-Even Effect of Junction Functionality on the Topology and Elasticity of Polymer Networks

The junction functionality of polymer networks is a key design variable to tune the material properties through changing the network connectivity. Here, we perform a Monte Carlo simulation to study the topology and elasticity of end-linked polymer networks constructed by junctions with different functionalities. The effect of junction functionality on the topological structure of the network displays both universal features and odd–even effects. For all junction functionalities, the primary loop fraction shows a linear dependence on the dimensionless product of concentration with single chain pervaded volume. The slopes of the lines exhibit strong odd–even alternation: primary loops are formed more frequently for junctions with an odd number of functional groups. The secondary loop fraction has a maximum when plotted against the normalized primary loop fraction, where the value of the maximum also shows odd–even alternation. The topological information obtained through Monte Carlo simulation is then incor...
Coupled Multielectrode Investigation of Crevice Corrosion of AISI 316 Stainless Steel

Close packed coupled multielectrode arrays simulating a planar electrode were used to measure the current evolution as a function of position during initiation and propagation of crevice corrosion of AISI 316 stainless steel. Scaling laws derived from polarization data guided the implementation of rescaled crevices providing spatial resolution. Crevice corrosion of AISI 316 stainless steel in 0.6 M NaCI at 50°C was found to initiate close to the crevice mouth and to spread inward and outward with time. The local crevice current density increased dramatically over a short period to reach a limiting value.
Geology of the Lavon Area, Collin County, Texas

The Lavon area, in southeastern Collin County, Texas, includes approximately 35 square miles. The rocks are of Cretaceous and Cenozoic age. Cretaceous rocks are represented by the marine Taylor Formation, here divided on the basis of chemical and physical characteristics into four members: siltstone, lower marl, glauconitic limestone, and upper marl, named in ascending order. The siltswne consists mostly of dark gray silt, and averages approximately 20 per cent solubles. The lower marl, the base of which is marked by a thin zone of irregular phosphatic nodules, is a pale brown, calcareous clay averaging about 55 per cent solubles. A disconformity separating the siltstone and lower marl is interpreted as a minor stratigraphic break of submarine origin. The glauconitic limest0ne is a very pale brown, sandy, and glauconitic fragmental rock that averages approximately 65 per cent solubles. The upper marl is similar in lithology to the lower marl but averages 47 per cent solubles. A hard, light gray layer of limest0ne occurs in the upper portion. Tentatively, the siltstone is correlated with the Wolfe City member of the Taylor Marl. The overlying lower marl and glauconitic limestone members presumably are the equivalent of the Pecan Gap Chalk though radically different in lithology. The Cenozoic strata are fluvial deposits in terraces and floodplains. The alluvium is composed mostly of clay and silt with subordinate amounts of pebble gravel. In the Cretaceous sequence the attitude of bedding can be determined at only a few localities. The siltstone and glauconitic limestone members strike NNE, and even though slight steepenings occur locally, the average dip probably is less than one degree toward the east. Joints are abundant in the Cretaceous rocks, especially in the lower marl. Several sandstone dikes, similar to those near Rockwall, Texas, cut the upper marl.
Other Separation Processes

Separation processes are a main operation in food processing, where different components of an intermediate product must be separated based on some physicochemical principle. For example, evaporation technology (Chapter 7) is a separation process, where vapors are separated from liquid by inducing vaporization. Likewise, ultrafiltration (Chapter 7) is a separation technology that separates components of a food product based on molecular size. Other separations covered in previous chapters include drying (Chapter 8) and freeze concentration (Chapter 7).
Random responses inflate statistical estimates in heavily skewed addictions data.

Abstract Background Some respondents may respond at random to self-report surveys, rather than responding conscientiously (Meade and Craig, 2012), and this has only recently come to the attention of researchers in the addictions field (Godinho et al., 2016). Almost no research in the published addictions literature has reported screening for random responses. We illustrate how random responses can bias statistical estimates using simulated and real data, and how this is especially problematic in skewed data, as is common with substance use outcomes. Method We first tested the effects of varying amounts and types of random responses on covariance-based statistical estimates in distributions with varying amounts of skew. We replicated these findings in correlations from a real dataset (Add Health) by replacing varying amounts of real data with simulated random responses. Results Skew and the proportion of random responses influenced the amount and direction of bias. When the data were not skewed, uniformly random responses deflated estimates, while long-string random responses inflated estimates. As the distributions became more skewed, all types of random responses began to inflate estimates, even at very small proportions. We observed similar effects in the Add Health data. Conclusions Failing to screen for random responses in survey data produces biased statistical estimates, and data with only 2.5% random responses can inflate covariance-based estimates (i.e., correlations, Cronbach’s alpha, regression coefficients, factor loadings, etc.) when data are heavily skewed. Screening for random responses can substantially improve data quality, reliability and validity.
Unilateral F-18 FDG Uptake in the Neck, in Patients With Sympathetic Denervation

Abstract:There is great interest in the study of brown fat and its importance in human metabolism. Since the routine use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) F-18 positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, it has been recognized that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is often visualized in a
Acute Trauma Response

The acute trauma response consists of multiple biological components reacting to various signals from local wounded tissue and systemic alterations. In severe injury, exaggerated and unchecked release of mediators result in detrimental systemic effects and may lead to multiple organ failure. In addition to host endogenous modulation of these mediators, timely therapeutic interventions may modify local inflammation, neuroendocrine signals, and systemic alterations. Recovery from trauma ultimately depends upon the coordination of the neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic systems toward restoring homeostasis and survival. Future research in this area may elucidate new therapeutic options for the critically injured trauma patient.
Using a 3D Computer Vision System for Inspection of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures need to be frequently inspected. The visual inspection is the practice in the structural engineering field. In the case where the structures are not accessible, using RealSense Camera mounted on a robot plays a vital role to detect external defects of RC members. In this paper, a RealSense Camera is used to inspect two different reinforced concrete beams built with specified surface defects. The First set is control beams by having mostly smooth surface with a small honeycombing area. The second set is RC beams that have excessive honeycombing defects in almost throughout the RC beam’s side. Intel RealSense D435 Depth Camera is employed to scan the side of beams and record the data in X, Y and Z (depth) directions while camera is moving on a robot. Also, the MATLAB toolbox is used to convert the matrix data into image processing technique and the Mesh Plot is exploited to capture the images. The results show that the camera’s images accurately depict the surface damaged areas and provide accurate representation of depths of the surface indentations.
Thermodynamic and economic analysis of different cogeneration and trigeneration systems based on carbon dioxide vapor compression refrigeration systems

Abstract Carbon dioxide vapor compression refrigeration cycles operating at low evaporator temperatures represent a substantial waste energy recovery potential to generate useful products using the high-temperature carbon dioxide leaving the compressor. Despite this remarkable potential, there are limited investigations about waste energy recovery from these cycles for different applications. Using this as a motivation, in this work, different novel integrated cogeneration and trigeneration configurations are proposed based on a carbon dioxide parallel compression economization-vapor compression refrigeration cycle with a 1000 kW capacity and evaporator temperatures of −35 °C to −45 °C. The major originality of this work is the proposal and detailed techno-economic evaluation of several feasible cogeneration and trigeneration configurations for different practical applications. Different cycles and components are integrated into the carbon dioxide cycle including single and double stages water-lithium bromide absorption chillers, a single stage ammonia-water absorption refrigeration, a carbon dioxide-water heat exchanger and an organic Rankine cycle. The thermo-economic findings demonstrate that recovering the available thermal energy of carbon dioxide exiting the compressor would be very attractive both thermodynamically and economically to produce several useful outputs. More than 478 kW and 147 kW cooling (air conditioning) and refrigeration effects can be generated using the cogeneration configurations. Also, between 59.52 kW and 185.8 kW power can be generated depending on the configurations and organic fluid used, improving the coefficient of performance up to 18.0%. Moreover, 7763–9360 m3/year of domestic hot water can be generated by the trigeneration configurations, reducing the levelized cost of cooling up to 13%.
A homogenous, high through-put luminescent cAMP assay to monitor modulation of Gs and Gi protein coupled receptors

1109 G Protein Coupled Receptors represent a large validated target for Drug discovery research. They are classified into three, main groups based on the G protein associated with the receptor. The Gs is coupled to activation of adenylate cyclase and Gi is coupled to inhibition of adenylate cyclase while Gq is coupled to activation of phospholipase beta. There are two main strategies to monitor the activation of GPCR, a reporter based assays and cAMP accumulation based assays. We report here on a new assay for monitoring modulation of GPCR that are linked to activation or inhibition of adenylate cyclase (Gs or Gi). The assay can be used to monitor cAMP accumulation or depletion in the cell upon treatment with agonists or antagonists of Gs or Gi coupled receptors. The assay is homogenous, and amenable to high through screening of modulators of GPCR. A value of Z’ higher than 0.7 attests to the robustness of the assay and is carried out in 96-, and 384-, well plates and potentially adaptable to 1536-well format. The assay is based on luminescence and thus it does not suffer from fluorescence interference of library compounds. We have successfully generated EC50 values for agonists and IC50 values for antagonists of Gs coupled receptors that are similar to those reported in the literature. The assay is easy to use, and can be carried out in less than 60 minutes and does not require antibodies or expensive instrumentation for signal detection. The signal output is relatively stable for few hours and thus can be used for screening large number of plates. This luminescent assay is fast, homogenous, and reliable as indicated by high Z’ values, making it an attractive screening tool for identifying agonist or antagonists that modulate Gs and Gi coupled receptors.
Fascia lata attachment at the iliac crest: refining our diagnostic criteria of injury on magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of pathology of the fascia lata attachment at the iliac crest (FLAIC) on MRI in asymptomatic patients in order to ...
Runtime Task Scheduling Using Imitation Learning for Heterogeneous Many-Core Systems

Domain-specific systems-on-chip, a class of heterogeneous many-core systems, is recognized as a key approach to narrow down the performance and energy-efficiency gap between custom hardware accelerators and programmable processors. Reaching the full potential of these architectures depends critically on optimally scheduling the applications to available resources at runtime. Existing optimization-based techniques cannot achieve this objective at runtime due to the combinatorial nature of the task scheduling problem. As the main theoretical contribution, this article poses scheduling as a classification problem and proposes a hierarchical imitation learning (IL)-based scheduler that learns from an Oracle to maximize the performance of multiple domain-specific applications. Extensive evaluations with six streaming applications from wireless communications and radar domains show that the proposed IL-based scheduler approximates an offline Oracle policy with more than 99% accuracy for performance- and energy-based optimization objectives. Furthermore, it achieves almost identical performance to the Oracle with a low runtime overhead and successfully adapts to new applications, many-core system configurations, and runtime variations in application characteristics.
Can private media contribute to fighting political corruption in sub-Saharan Africa? Lessons from Ghana

In sub-Saharan Africa, the private media are often considered corrupt and thus incapable of performing critical watchdog functions. Using the Ghanaian case, the objective of this study is to examin...
A Seat at the Table: Centering the Voices of Gun Violence Survivors.

The following is the winning submission from the Fourth Annual Section on Pediatric Trainees Essay Competition. This year’s competition was informed by the 2019–2020 Section on Pediatric Trainees Advocacy Campaign: Protect Kids – Trainees for Firearm Safety. We asked writers to share their experiences as pediatric trainee advocates for gun violence prevention and were impressed by the breadth of entries we received from around the country. The winning essay by Dr Kamaal Jones was focused on amplifying the voice of gun violence survivors. Dr Jones eloquently implores us to offer gun violence survivors “A Seat at the Table,” so that our policies may be shaped by survivors’ lived experiences and calls for change. This inspiring piece reminds us that listening to the community is a critical first step in our advocacy efforts and that doing so can empower us to make the greatest impact. Names and minor identifying details have been altered to protect the privacy of group members.
Treating persons at the intersection of poverty and substance use: an interview with Dr. Dan Lustig, Ph.D., CEO of the Haymarket Center, Chicago, Illinois

Of the over 70,000 overdose deaths in the US in 2018, More than 46,000 involved heroin and other synthetic opioids (Wilson et al., 2020). The explosion in opioid use and opioid deaths has drawn the...
Substitution of a Surface-Exposed Residue Involved in an Allosteric Network Enhances Tryptophan Synthase Function in Cells.

Networks of noncovalent amino acid interactions propagate allosteric signals throughout proteins. Tryptophan synthase (TS) is an allosterically controlled bienzyme in which the indole product of the alpha subunit (aTS) is transferred through a 25 angstrom hydrophobic tunnel to the active site of the beta subunit (bTS). Previous nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations identified allosteric networks in aTS important for its function. We show here that substitution of a distant, surface-exposed network residue in aTS enhances tryptophan production, not by activating aTS function, but through dynamically controlling the opening of the indole channel and stimulating bTS activity. While stimulation is modest, the substitution also enhances cell growth in a tryptophan-auxotrophic strain of Escherichia coli compared to complementation with wild-type aTS, emphasizing the biological importance of the network. Surface-exposed networks provide new opportunities in allosteric drug design and protein engineering, and hint at potential information conduits through which the functions of a metabolon or even larger proteome might be coordinated and regulated.