cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Rigid Inclusions on the Densification and Constitutive Parameters of Liquid-Phase-Sintered YBa2Cu3O6+x Powder Compacts

The presence of rigid inclusions in a powder compact leads to a reduction in the densification rate of the compact and may also lead to processing defects. In this paper, the densification rate and the constitutive parameters of both homogeneous YBa2Cu3O6+x and composite powder compacts (YBa2Cu3O6+x powder with 10 vol% dense inclusions of YBa2Cu3O6+x) are reported. A small amount of liquid phase, which formed during sintering, was present in the samples. However, even with the presence of a liquid phase, the addition of inclusions still reduces the densification rate of the composite and increases its viscosity. The results have been compared with a published analysis of the problem using measured values of the constitutive parameters. Both the viscosity and viscous Poisson's ratio of the porous body have been measured.
Tackling co-existence and fairness challenges in autonomous Demand Side Management

Consider a smart grid system in which every user may or may not choose to participate in Demand Side Management (DSM). This will lead to a general co-existence problem between participant and non-participant users. To gain insights, first, we show that some existing electricity billing mechanisms suffer from severe fairness and co-existence defects. Next, we propose an alternative billing mechanism that can tackle the coexistence and fairness problems by taking into account not only the users' total load, but also the exact shape of their load profiles. Our analytical results provide mild sufficient conditions on the choice of system parameters to assure fairness. Furthermore, our simulation results confirm that the proposed billing mechanism significantly improves the fairness index of the DSM system.
Prenatal diagnosis of spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membranes in complicated monochorionic diamniotic multiple gestations.

Objective The purpose of this series is to describe the prenatal diagnostic and management challenges of spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane (SSDM) in complicated monochorionic diamniotic (MoDi) pregnancies. Methods A retrospective review of all MoDi multiple gestations referred for fetal therapy was conducted. Spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane was suspected if a prior invasive procedure had not been performed and the following sonographic hallmarks were identified: twins occupying the same side of the dividing membrane, twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with polyhydramnios in the donor's sac despite a collapsed donor bladder, and umbilical cord entanglement. Spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane was confirmed in all cases at the time of surgical fetoscopy, which was performed to treat an underlying condition of TTTS, selective intrauterine growth restriction (SIUGR), or the twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence. Results Of 217 complicated MoDi multiple gestations without prior invasive procedures referred for possible fetal therapy, 4 (1.8%) were identified with SSDM. The mean (range) gestational age at diagnosis was 19.7 (18-20.9) weeks. Two cases were diagnosed with TTTS complicated by SSDM after both fetuses were identified on the same side of the dividing membranes (1 case) or polyhydramnios was noted in the donor's sac despite a collapsed donor bladder (1 case). Both cases had substantial preoperative fetal deterioration because of a delay in diagnosis and treatment of TTTS. The remaining 2 SSDM cases, 1 with SIUGR and 1 with the TRAP sequence, were diagnosed after umbilical cord entanglement was recognized. Conclusions Spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane in MoDi gestations is a rare condition that poses diagnostic and management challenges.
Development of Texture Measurement System Based on Continuous Profiles from Three-Dimensional Scanning System

Pavement texture is an important indicator of road serviceability. Pavement texture is directly linked to pavement and tire skid resistance and to traffic safety for the public. Therefore, most transportation agencies require texture data for their pavement management information systems. Current methods for measuring pavement texture that use high-speed distance sensors or three-dimensional line scan devices have shown limitations for data stability. Problems caused by vehicle vibration, bad data from optical sensors, and, most important, speed dependency related to the sensor sampling time or exposure time either make the texture results unreliable or reveal noticeable errors. The influence of speed on network-level texture data collection was studied, and a high-speed, high-precision three-dimensional texture system was developed. The experiment confirmed that improper selection of a sensor with large exposure time would result in speed dependency on measured texture data. Because the system developed ...
Carbon: Inorganic Chemistry

The article provides a brief and general overview of the chemical and physical properties of carbon, as it relates to inorganic chemistry. Several allotropic forms of carbon are described, with general properties discussed. The characteristics and synthetic methods for the preparation of simple compounds involving carbon or carbon and hydrogen with halogens, oxygen, sulfur, as well as nitrogen, are provided. In addition, recent developments in supramolecular chemistry to construct ladder-like carbon frameworks are outlined. Keywords: supramolecular chemistry; carbon compounds; carbon isotopes; carbon allotropic modifications; ladderanes
Tense in Temporal Adjunct Clauses

The behaviour of tense in subordinate clauses is not uniform across languages and theories that deal with the interpretation of tense try to explain this. The interpretation of past and present tense in complement clauses is one of the well known puzzles. Languages differ on this respect, and have been classified accordingly as sequence of tense languages (e.g. English) and non-sequence of tense languages (e.g. Japanese). In this paper we will be concerned mainly with the interpretation of tenses in temporal adjunct clauses (TACs). We will discuss the analysis proposed by Ogihara [1994, 1996] and argue that the differences in tense distribution that we observe between English and Japanese TACs are not to be explained as a case of sequence of tense.
Towards accurate and practical predictive models of active-vision-based visual search

Being able to predict the performance of interface designs using models of human cognition and performance is a long-standing goal of HCI research. This paper presents recent advances in cognitive modeling which permit increasingly realistic and accurate predictions for visual human-computer interaction tasks such as icon search by incorporating an "active vision" approach which emphasizes eye movements to visual features based on the availability of features in relationship to the point of gaze. A high fidelity model of a classic visual search task demonstrates the value of incorporating visual acuity functions into models of visual performance. The features captured by the high-fidelity model are then used to formulate a model simple enough for practical use, which is then implemented in an easy-to-use GLEAN modeling tool. Easy-to-use predictive models for complex visual search are thus feasible and should be further developed.
Multilevel Variable Length Shifter Design for an Iterated Shift-and-Add Product Operation

We investigate various designs for a variable length left-shifter component for implementing a proposed iterated shift-and-add product operation Pin-1 i=1(bi2i+1)x where bn-1bn-2...b0 and x are n-bit arguments. This iterated product operation has application in a new fast integer exponentiation algorithm replacing a sequence of O(n) dependent square-and-multiply operations. This paper presents the resulting area and time requirements realized by synthesizing alternative variable length shifter designs.
The bond energy algorithm revisited

The bond energy algorithm of W.T. McCormick, P.J. Schweitzer, and T.W. White (Oper. Res., vol.20, p.993-1009, 1972) is examined in the context of related strategies of data analysis that seek to solve problems in production research, imaging, and related engineering problems. A taxonomy of types of input data and forms of matrix structure, adopted from other areas of data analysis, serves to clarify some distinctions that have been at most implicit in published alternatives to the bond energy approach. The objective function initially proposed for this approach is considered, and some of its properties and resulting limitations are deduced. Some extensions of the original technique are offered, and one alternative is criticized. >
Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer after External Beam Radiation Therapy: Diagnostic Performance of 1.5-T Endorectal MR Imaging and MR Spectroscopic Imaging for Detection

Results of the current and prior studies suggest that use of an approach in which all MR techniques (T2-weighted MR, MR spectroscopic, dynamic contrast material–enhanced MR, and diffusion-weighted MR imaging) are incorporated, commonly known as multiparametric MR imaging, has the potential to improve the detection of recurrent cancer to clinically relevant levels.
In vitro cytokine release profile: predictive value for metastatic potential in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) have devastating morbidity rates with mortality mainly because of metastasis. Methods Multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assay a variety of cytokine levels secreted by a panel of stage-specific and anatomic site-specific primary, and recurrent and metastatic University of Michigan-HNSCC cell lines over a 72-hour time course. Results Conditioned medium from metastatic or recurrent HNSCC showed significantly higher amounts of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-6 receptor, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than nonmetastatic cells or normal oral keratinocytes. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was only secreted by stage IV, metastatic, or recurrence-derived cell lines. Conclusion The cytokine profile of cultured HNSCC cells suggests that high levels of IL-6 and IL-6R, TGF-β, and VEGF are significantly related with their metastatogenic potential and provide rationale for determining if serum testing for a combination of these 4 soluble factors could be of predictive value for the HNSCC tumor progression and clinical outcome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 35: 1542–1550, 2013
Gestational Age-Dependent Changes in Gene Expression of Metabolic Enzymes and Transporters in Pregnant Mice

Pregnancy-induced changes in drug pharmacokinetics can be explained by changes in expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters and/or normal physiology. In this study, we determined gestational age-dependent expression profiles for all metabolic enzyme and transporter genes in the maternal liver, kidney, small intestine, and placenta of pregnant mice by microarray analysis. We specifically examined the expression of genes important for xenobiotic, bile acid, and steroid hormone metabolism and disposition, namely, cytochrome P450s (Cyp), UDP-glucuronosyltranserases (Ugt), sulfotransferases (Sult), and ATP-binding cassette (Abc), solute carrier (Slc), and solute carrier organic anion (Slco) transporters. Few Ugt and Sult genes were affected by pregnancy. Cyp17a1 expression in the maternal liver increased 3- to 10-fold during pregnancy, which was the largest observed change in the maternal tissues. Cyp1a2, most Cyp2 isoforms, Cyp3a11, and Cyp3a13 expression in the liver decreased on gestation days (gd) 15 and 19 compared with nonpregnant controls (gd 0). In contrast, Cyp2d40, Cyp3a16, Cyp3a41a, Cyp3a41b, and Cyp3a44 in the liver were induced throughout pregnancy. In the placenta, Cyp expression on gd 10 and 15 was upregulated compared with gd 19. Notable changes were also observed in Abc and Slc transporters. Abcc3 expression in the liver and Abcb1a, Abcc4, and Slco4c1 expression in the kidney were downregulated on gd 15 and 19. In the placenta, Slc22a3 (Oct3) expression on gd 10 was 90% lower than that on gd 15 and 19. This study demonstrates important gestational age-dependent expression of metabolic enzyme and transporter genes, which may have mechanistic relevance to drug disposition in human pregnancy.
Enhancer dysfunction: how the main regulators of gene expression contribute to cancer

A genome-wide epigenetic analysis of enhancer elements in colon cancer has implicated distal gene regulatory DNA sequences in the establishment of an oncogenic transcriptional program.
ZnO nanobridge devices fabricated using carbonized photoresist

Despite high interest for novel device applications, alignment and electrical integration of nanowires to lithographically defined features remains a challenge. In this work, ZnO nanowire devices were fabricated using a novel carbonized photoresist method in which photoresist is lithographically patterned, carbonized at elevated temperature, and then used to selectively seed growth of ZnO nanobridges between opposing carbonized photoresist electrodes. The pick and place method is avoided and selective growth of nanobridge structures is achieved without the use of metal catalysts or inorganic seed layers. Growth and electrical connection take place simultaneously. Electrical characterization of the electrical contact between the carbonized photoresist electrodes and the ZnO nanobridges is performed and operation of nanobridge devices as bottom gate three terminal field effect devices is demonstrated.
Development and Validation of an Automotive Axle Power Loss Model

ABSTRACTThis study proposes a methodology to predict power losses of automotive axle units, including both load-dependent (mechanical) and load-independent (spin) loss components. This methodology combines a mechanical hypoid gear mesh power loss model, a new tapered roller bearing mechanical power loss model, a gear drag loss model, and empirical viscous bearing power loss formulae to determine the total power loss of an axle unit. The proposed methodology captures the effects of operating conditions (speed and torque and oil temperature and level), contact surface roughness amplitudes, as well as bearing preload on power loss. The model is employed to simulate published axle efficiency experiments. Direct comparisons between measured and predicted power losses are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed modeling methodology.
On the Emergence of the Payne Effect in Polymer Melts Reinforced with Nanoparticles

This study presents a molecular model for the amplitude-dependent dynamic moduli of polymer melts reinforced with nanoparticles. This study shows that intense strain-thinning reported in experimental studies of polymer nanocomposites can be attributed to disentanglement of bulk polymer chains from those strongly adsorbed to the surface of nanoparticles. This flow-induced relaxation is what is frequently termed as convective constraint release and is similar to the cohesive slip of polymer melt at solid interfaces.
Application of Communication Middleware to Data Sharing in Three Gorges Automatic Hydrologic Tele-metering System

Considering the characteristics of the complex communication channel,diverse platform,and wide range of communication existing in the Three Gorges Pingshan-Cuntan District automatic hydrologic tele-metering system,this paper introduces the schematic design and realization of the data sharing system by implementing the independent communication middleware ComIc developed by NARI.This system can achieve the aims of cross-platform operation,convenient human-computer interface,stable and reliable data transmission,and provide a scientific and reliable scheme for complex data sharing in reservoir dispatching systems.
In the Shadow of Wagner: Plebiscitary Politics in New York City

Mayors since Wagner have labored in his shadow. The decline in party government and the centralization of administrative power in city hall that Wagner shaped is the environment in which all mayors must labor. Events such as the fiscal crisis in the 1970s, the elimination of the remaining check on the mayor—the Board of Estimate in the 1990s, and the continued erosion of party government have sharpened the contours of the new order. Democratic mayors since Wagner have with great difficulty sought to stake individual claims to power while using the remnants of the old party system to build grassroots support. Republican mayors have sought to build alternative, candidate-centered political machines. Mayors of both parties have been successful implementing reforms through administrative fiat, but less successful when reform required mobilization of political coalitions. The new mayoral-centered plebiscitary politics discourages citizen participation in local governance. While administrative centralization can create efficiencies and block corruption, civic disengagement threatens the legitimacy of city government.
172. B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Gene Therapy as a Novel Early Treatment for Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common familial cardiomyopathy, with the prevalence between 0.2 to 0.5%. HCM presents as an increase in left ventricular mass with thickening of the interventricular septum (IVS), myocellular disarray, interstitial fibrosis, heart rhythm abnormalities, and sudden death, necessitating therapeutic intervention. HCM is commonly caused by mutations in genes MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNT2, and TNNI3.The cardiac hormone, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a guanylyl cyclase A (GC-A) agonist. Physiological effects of BNP include natriuresis, vasodilation and blood pressure-lowering action. Additionally, BNP shows direct cardioprotective properties including anti-hypertrophic and anti-fibrotic effects, independently of its anti-hypertensive effects. We have recently found that genetic BNP ablation results in progressive cardiac hypertrophy with upregulation in HCM-associated genes in rats. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that sustained BNP treatment with novel gene delivery of BNP may preserve cardiac function and structure in HCM in a mouse model of HCM.We used transgenic HCM mice expressing a mutated α-myosin heavy chain. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors were utilized to exploit their natural myocardial tropism. Three groups of mice were treated via tail-vein injections at four weeks of age (week one of study); Group 1, No HCM control (C57bl/6, no transgenic α-myosin heavy chain, n=6); Group 2, Untreated HCM mice with transgenic α-myosin heavy chain (PBS treated, n=10); Group 3, AAV9-BNP vector-treated HCM mice (n=6). To observe therapeutic benefit we assayed non-invasive blood pressure, myocardial architecture and remodeling (echocardiography), exercise capacity (treadmills), and any cardiorenal interplay through renal parameters. At 6, 9, 12, 15 and 25 weeks after AAV vector administration, left ventricular mass by echo was significantly higher in the untreated HCM group than the AAV-BNP-treated HCM and wildtype C57bl/6 mice. Significant increases in IVS and posterior wall thickness were also observed in control HCM group. At 11, 19, and 25 weeks after AAV vector administration, exercise capacity, monitored by treadmill tolerance, was significantly lower in the control HCM group than the AAV-BNP-treated HCM mice. No significant changes were seen in urine outputs. HCMAAV9-BNP treated mice showed a trend towards a lower blood pressure than both C57bl/6 and HCM mice.Our data demonstrate that AAV9-mediated BNP over-expression blocks progressive left ventricular enlargement and improves exercise capacity in a mouse model of HCM. The present study supports the BNP/GC-A/cGMP axis as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of HCM.
Anatomical structure overrides temperature controls on magnesium uptake – calcification in the Arctic/subarctic coralline algae Leptophytum laeve and Kvaleya epilaeve (Rhodophyta; Corallinales)

Abstract. Calcified coralline red algae are ecologically key organisms in photic benthic environments. In recent decades they have become important climate proxies, especially in the Arctic and subarctic. It has been widely accepted that magnesium content in coralline tissues is directly a function of ambient temperature, and this is a primary basis for their value as a climate archive. In this paper we show for two genera of Arctic/subarctic corallines, Leptophytum laeve and Kvaleya epilaeve, that previously unrecognised complex tissue and cell wall anatomy bears a variety of basal signatures for Mg content, with the accepted temperature relationship being secondary. The interfilament carbonate has lower Mg than adjacent cell walls and the hypothallial cell walls have the highest Mg content. The internal structure of the hypothallial cell walls can differ substantially from the perithallial radial cell wall structure. Using high-magnification scanning electron microscopy and etching we expose the nanometre-scale structures within the cell walls and interfilament. Fibrils concentrate at the internal and external edges of the cell walls. Fibrils ∼ 10 nm thick appear to thread through the radial Mg-calcite grains and form concentric bands within the cell wall. This banding may control Mg distribution within the cell. Similar fibril banding is present in the hypothallial cell walls but not the interfilament. Climate archiving with corallines can achieve greater precision with recognition of these parameters.
Analysis of dual-transmit beams

The increasingly crowded RF spectrum has led to a flurry of research on the coexistence of radar and communications systems. In this work, we present a concept for simultaneous use of a single phased array for both communications and radar tasks, by constructing a composite wavefront that is designed to perform both missions. We define performance metrics to compute the impact to a primary radar task and the ability to complete a secondary communications task, and discuss their trends. We formulate an idealized version of the combined wavefront, as well as a constant-envelope variant that is more applicable to realized radar systems, and compare their performance.
Impact of Gender Disparities on Short-Term and Long-Term Patient Reported Outcomes and Satisfaction Measures After Elective Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Single Institutional Study of 384 Patients.

Background There is a paucity of data determining the impact that gender disparities have on spine outcomes, particularly perception of health and satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in 3-month and 1-year patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction after elective lumbar spine surgery. Methods This was a retrospectively analyzed study from a maintained prospective database of 384 patients who underwent elective lumbar spine surgery. Patients were categorized by gender (men, n = 199; women, n = 185). Patient-reported outcome instruments (Oswestry disability index, visual analogue scale-back pain/leg pain, EuroQol visual analogue scale, and EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire) were completed before surgery, then at 3 and 12 months after surgery along with patient satisfaction measures. Results Baseline patient demographics, comorbidities, and operative variables were similar between both cohorts. The female cohort had a slightly longer hospital stay than male cohort (P = 0.007). Baseline patient-reported outcome measures were different between both cohorts, with female patients having more Oswestry disability index (23.8 vs. 20.4; P ≤ 0.0001) and visual analogue scale-back pain (7.2 vs. 6.2; P = 0.0004), and a lower EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire (0.34 vs. 0.49; P = 0.0001) compared with the male cohort. At 1-year follow-up, the male cohort had a significantly more mean change in visual analogue scale-leg pain (−3.9 vs. −2.8; P = 0.04) and trended to have more mean change in visual analogue scale-back pain (−3.4 vs. −2.5; P = 0.06) and EuroQol visual analogue scale (8.6 vs. 3.4; P = 0.054) scores compared with the female cohort. At 1-year a significantly more portion in the male cohort found that surgery met their expectations compared with the female cohort (65.0% vs. 49.5%; P = 0.02). Conclusions Our study suggests that there may be differences in perception of health, pain, and disability between men and women at baseline, short-term and long-term follow-up that may influence overall patient satisfaction.
Feldenkrais movement lessons improve older adults’ awareness, comfort, and function

This prospective controlled intervention study assessed Feldenkrais Moving Forward movement lessons for older adults. Participants (N = 87 returning from original sample of 124; median age = 76 years) were assigned to movement (n = 51) or waitlist control (n = 36) groups. The movement groups took twelve 60-min lessons across either 6 or 12 weeks, to compare lesson density. Pretests and posttests included Base of Support, Timed Up and Go, Tandem Stance, Functional Reach, modified OPTIMAL, and questions about individual priorities and outcomes. Results included significant correlations between lessons attended and both improved Functional Reach and improved OPTIMAL score. A significantly higher proportion of the movement (vs. control) group reported positive changes at the posttest in both prioritized and newly identified activities. These results show that Feldenkrais lessons are helpful to older adults for promoting balance, mobility, and confidence.
PhD forum: Heterogeneous interconnection of ICs using stitch-chips

In this paper, a heterogeneous interconnect stitching technology (HIST) is presented. Stitch chips with high-density fine pitch wires are used to connect active dice of various functions in a manner that mimics system-on-chip (SoC) like performance. Microbumps and compressible microinterconnects (CMIs) are used to provide die-to-die and die-to-package interconnection. A testbed containing two dummy dice and one stitch chip is fabricated and tested. The average measured post-assembly resistance of the microbumps and the CMIs is 116.5 μΩ and 195.9 mμ, respectively. Using an electrical model for HIST signal channels, a 50%–50% delay as small as 140 ps with an energy efficiency of 0.24 pJ/bit may be achieved for a 1mm channel. In addition, some power delivery challenges and opportunities of HIST are highlighted through simulations. The results show that compared to interposer based 2.5-D integration, HIST may reduce the IRdrop by approximately 18.4%.
Enhanced photoluminescence from CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots: Organic superacid passivation

Abstract Improvements in CuInS2 photoluminescence is necessary before it can replace cadmium- or lead-based quantum dots. We demonstrate that organic superacid passivation of CuInS2 quantum dots significantly improves photoluminescence, with no significant changes in particle size, composition, or structure. We propose organic superacid passivation reduces surface promoted non-radiative decay.
RNA Interference to Knock Down Gene Expression

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process by which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) induces sequence-specific gene silencing by targeting mRNA for degradation. As a tool for knocking down the expression of individual genes posttranscriptionally, RNAi has been widely used to study the cellular function of genes. In this chapter, I describe procedures for using gene-specific, synthetic, short interfering RNA (siRNA) to induce gene silencing in mammalian cells. Protocols for using lipid-based transfection reagents and electroporation techniques are provided. Potential challenges and problems associated with the siRNA technology are also discussed.
Reconstruction of Fluid Vorticity by Acoustic Tomography

A new procedure for reconstructing fluid vorticity by acoustic tomography is developed. We consider a hypothetical experiment where a cross-section of moving fluid is probed by acoustic waves. The measured propagation times are then related to the fluid vorticity by means of a new Projection-Slice Theorem. The theorem shows that by probing the cross-section over all possible directions it is possible to determine uniquely the transverse component of fluid vorticity. The result is exact to within the validity of the straight-ray acoustic propagation assumption. The theory is generalized to consider more experimentally feasible geometries such as would be required in small-scale oceanographic applications. A discrete reconstruction algorithm is developed and evaluated by numerical simulation.
Accuracy of Acid-Base Diagnoses Using the Central Venous Blood Gas in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Acid-base disturbances are frequent in critically ill patients. Arterial blood gas (ABG) is the gold standard in the diagnosis of these disturbances, but it is invasive with potential hazards. For patients with a central venous catheter, venous blood gas (VBG) sampling may be an alternative, less-invasive diagnostic tool. However, the accuracy of a central VBG-based acid-base disorder diagnosis compared to an ABG is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of a central VBG-based acid-base disorder diagnosis compared to the “gold standard” ABG in critically ill patients. Methods: This was a study of adult patients in a medical intensive care unit that had simultaneously drawn ABG and central VBG samples. Expert acid-base diagnosticians, all nephrologists, diagnosed the acid-base disorder(s) in each blood gas sample. The central VBG diagnostic accuracy was assessed with percent agreement, sensitivity, and specificity compared to the ABG-based diagnosis. Results: The study involved 23 participants. Overall, the central VBG had 100% sensitivity for metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, and respiratory acidosis, and lower sensitivity (71%) for respiratory alkalosis, and high percent agreement, ranging from 75 to 94%. VBG-based diagnoses in vasopressor-dependent patients ( n = 13, 56.5%) performed similarly to the entire sample. Conclusions: In critically ill adult patients, central VBG may be used to detect and diagnose acid-base disturbances with reasonable diagnostic accuracy, even in shock states, compared to the ABG. This study supports the use of central VBG for diagnosis of acid-base disturbances in critically ill patients.
Induction of CD70 is essential for TGF-β-mediated inhibition of T cells (P1019)

Although extensively studied, the exact mechanism by which TGF-β mediates T-cell inhibition is not entirely clear. When we examined the effect of TGF-β on the phenotype and function of T cells, we noted that CD70 was significantly up-regulated by TGF-β. This surprising finding led us to explore the underlying mechanism by which TGF-β upregulates CD70 expression on T cells and to define the function of CD70+ cells in B-cell NHL. Interestingly, we observed that TGF-β preferentially induced CD70 expression on effector memory T cells while it predominantly up-regulated Foxp3 on naive T cells. CD70 induction is Smad3-dependent and involves Stat5 signaling. CD70+ T cells were highly susceptible to TGF-β-mediated apoptosis and that transfection of Jurkat cells with the CD70 gene led to a significantly reduced survival. TGF-β-induced CD70+ T cells had a diminished response to immune stimulation associated with downregulation of co-stimulatory molecules CD27 and CD28. CD70-expressing T cells from biopsy specimens of patients with B-cell NHL failed to produce cytokines and displayed no signal transduction when stimulated. CD70-expressing T cells were highly represented in follicular NHL biopsy specimens and increased numbers of CD70+ cells correlated with an inferior patient outcome. These novel findings not only revealed a biological role for a TGF-β/CD70 axis in mediating immune inhibition, but also may lead to therapeutic approaches in patients with B-cell NHL.
Atomic layer deposition enabled MgO surface coating on porous TiO2 for improved CO2 photoreduction

Abstract In this work, we have prepared porous TiO2 with mixed anatase-rutile phases from a metal-organic framework MIL-125 and employed atomic layer deposition (ALD) method to coat an ultrathin MgO overlayer on porous-TiO2. The CO2 photoreduction performance of porous-TiO2 was more than 4 times higher than that of commercial Degussa P25. The MgO coating on porous-TiO2 by ALD in the range of 1 to 100 atomic layers all improved CO2 photoreduction performance, with 5 layers of MgO being the optimal, delivering 4 times higher CO production than that by pristine porous-TiO2 and 21 times higher than P25. It is demonstrated that the uniform dispersion of MgO on TiO2 surface led to increased concentration of surface Ti3+ species and Mg bonded hydroxyl groups, which are active sites for CO2 adsorption and photoreduction. The ALD layer also served to passivate the TiO2 surface states and hinder surface electron-hole recombination. In addition, a conventional wet-impregnation (WI) method was applied to incorporate MgO on porous-TiO2 to serve as a comparison. The WI modified MgO/TiO2 samples were more active than pristine porous-TiO2 but less active than ALD modified MgO/TiO2, because the ALD samples presented significantly higher amounts of surface Ti3+ than WI samples due to higher and more uniform MgO surface coverage by ALD coating. Findings from this original work on ALD modification to enhance photocatalytic performance may be extended to other photocatalyst systems and other catalytic reactions.
Konklusion: Entgrenzung durch Digitalisierung und Onlinekommunikation

Die vorliegende Studie hat die Onlinekommunikation von Interessenorganisationen zum Thema. Das Erkenntnisinteresse der Arbeit lag darin, zu beschreiben, wie Interessenorganisationen langfristig auf die Verbreitung von Onlinekommunikation als Bestandteil der Digitalisierung reagieren. Die langfristige Reaktion wurde auf Basis neoinstitutionalistischer Theorie als Institutionalisierung von Onlinekommunikation verstanden.
The Impact of Social Media in Military Recruiting

Given the growing success and user base of Social Media websites and, specifically, Social Networks, over the last decade, businesses have transitioned from traditional advertising to digital platforms. Specifically, their audience targeting features make it very easy to promote products and services to defined groups of individuals with specific characteristics. As a result, in addition to standard advertising, organizations, including educational institutions, started using personal and professional Social Networks (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) as a recruiting tool for reaching potential candidates and interacting with them in a quick informal fashion.
Nitrogen modified titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) promotes carbon monoxide oxidation over copper catalysts

Copper supported on nitrogen modified titanium dioxide (Cu–N-TiO2) was studied for the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide. The interstitial nitrogen is identified as the dominant nitrogen species, which facilitates copper dispersion on the surface. Therefore, the reaction rate is improved comparatively to that of Cu–TiO2. Cu+ is beneficial to the carbon monoxide oxidation reaction. Importantly, the value of ([Cu+]/[O]sur) is positively proportional to the reaction rates.
Fertility sparing surgery for patients with FIGO stage I clear cell ovarian carcinoma: a database analysis and systematic review of the literature

Objective Fertility sparing surgery for patients with early stage ovarian clear cell carcinoma is controversial. We aimed to investigate the impact of fertility sparing surgery on the oncologic outcomes of young patients with stage I ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Methods The National Cancer Database was accessed and patients with pathological stage IA or IC ovarian clear cell carcinoma, aged Results A total of 57 (35.8%) and 102 (64.2%) patients underwent fertility sparing and radical surgery. There was no difference in overall survival between patients who had fertility sparing and radical surgery (p=0.92); 5 year overall survival rates were 89% and 87.9%, respectively. After controlling for the performance of lymphadenectomy and disease substage, fertility sparing surgery was not associated with worse survival (hazard ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.30 to 2.32). A systematic review of the literature identified 132 patients with stage I disease who underwent fertility sparing surgery; a total of 20 patients (15.2%) experienced a relapse at a median of 18 months from surgery. Conclusions In a large cohort of young patients with stage I ovarian clear cell carcinoma, fertility sparing surgery was not associated with worse survival.
Bacteriophage-Mediated Reduction of Bacterial Speck on Tomato Seedlings.

Background: One crucial first step in bacteriophage therapy is choosing a phage to apply, which involves screening for effectiveness in a meaningful way. Increasingly, research suggests that in vitro tests of phage-mediated bacterial lysis poorly translate to in planta effectiveness. Materials and Methods: We tested a seedling-based method for rapidly screening phage effectiveness in vivo. In three trials, phages were prophylactically applied to tomato seedlings in sterile conical tubes before flooding with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. We recorded seedling disease progression and quantified endpoint bacteria and phage densities. Results: Phages replicated in all trials, but reduction of disease symptoms and endpoint P. syringae density varied across trials with different application densities. Conclusions: This resource-efficient method rapidly identified an effective phage and application density to mitigate disease on seedlings. We propose that this method could be used to screen candidate phages before testing in agricultural conditions.
The ABCs of mutual funds: On the introduction of multiple share classes☆

Abstract We study a significant innovation with widespread consequences for the mutual fund industry: the introduction of multiple-class funds that give investors a choice among alternative load and fee structures. The transition to a multiple-class structure represents an important step in the evolution of the mutual fund industry. It also provides a well-controlled setting for research on the structure of funds, on investor clienteles and their impact on fund performance and, more generally, about the manner in which financial innovations tend to be adopted. We develop a simple model of a fund's decision on whether and when to introduce new classes and empirically investigate the model's predictions that: (a) Funds with more skilled management, less sensitivity of flows to performance, smaller size, higher existing loads and membership in larger families are better positioned to benefit and, therefore, more likely to switch to a multiple-class structure earlier; (b) The new classes increase the level and volatility of fund inflow by attracting investors with short and uncertain investment horizons – which, in turn, can negatively impact fund performance. Our empirical results are generally supportive of the model's predictions.
Estimating the impact of COVID-19 on air travel in the medium and long term using neural network and Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the airline industry. Air travel in the United States declined in 2020 with significantly lower domestic and international flights. The dynamic change and uncertainty in the trend of COVID-19 have made it difficult to predict future air travel. This paper aims at developing and testing neural network models that predict domestic and international air travel in the medium and long term based on residents' daily trips by distance, economic condition, COVID-19 severity, and travel restrictions. Data in the United States from various sources were used to train and validate the neural network models, and Monte Carlo simulations were constructed to predict air travel under uncertainty of the pandemic and economic growth. The results show that weekly economic index (WEI) is the most important predictor for air travel. Additionally, daily trips by distance play a more important role in the prediction of domestic air travel than the international one, while travel restrictions seem to have an impact on both. Sensitivity analysis results for four different scenarios indicate that air travel in the future is more sensitive to the change in WEI than the changes in COVID-19 variables. Additionally, even in the best-case scenario, when the pandemic is over and the economy is back to normal, it still takes several years for air travel to return to normal, as before the pandemic. The findings have significant contributions to the literature in COVID-19's impact on air transportation and air travel prediction.
Care of children with home mechanical ventilation in the healthcare continuum: Care of Children with HMV

Introduction:The care of children with invasive home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is challenging and insufficiently described in the literature. Objectives:Our objective regarding this unique and growing population is to describe our institution's pediatric chronic HMV program and discuss our current understanding of best care practices. Methods: In addition to characterizing the clinical landscape of our program, we describe demographics for our roughly 223 current HMV patients with comparisons to available national data. We discuss evidence and expert opinion regarding various elements of care including initiation of HMV, caregiver education, equipment concerns, inpatient care, and longitudinal care.Results: Data was collected but not statistically analyzed for our roughly 223 current patients and historical cohort. Descriptive data included demographic information, patient medical characteristics and complexity, and reasons for rehospitalizations.Conclusions:While we have provided institutional expertise regarding the care of this complex population, the evidence base remains insufficient and there are many areas which need future research to develop standardized care practice guidelines for children with HMV.
New Tendencies in the Design of the Modern Aerospace Transmissions

The modern aerospace transmissions require an increased power density while their weight, fabrication and maintenance costs should be as low as possible. In addition, the future helicopter transmissions should generate less noise and vibration then the actual transmissions. The fluid film bearings, and particularly the wave bearings, could help approaching these goals. In this paper, the aspects implied by using these bearings to support transmission rotating parts are discussed from two points of view: (1) the capacity of the wave bearings to support the bearing sleeve distortions under similar loads as rolling element bearings: and (2) the capacity of the wave bearings to attenuate the noise/vibration generated by the gear mesh compared to the rolling element bearings due to the increased damping properties of the wave bearings.
Anorexia nervosa: A group case conference

Four patients with primary anorexia nervosa were interviewed in order to demonstrate some of the characteristic features of this disorder. Although this disorder occurs only rarely in males, one of these four patients was a young man. Primary anorexia nervosa is discussed from a variety of perspectives, including descriptive, psychodynamic, and hormonal. A brief review of the theoretical rationale underlying a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches is offered, and reports of their effectiveness are considered. Primary anorexia nervosa is probably best conceptualized as a complicated disorder with an admixture of serious psychological and somatic components, including the characteristic approach-avoidance conflict over eating. The authors speculate on the possibility of an underlying disorder of central catecholamine metabolism, particularly in relationship to dopamine transmission.
Building Larger YACs by Recombination

Despite the relatively large cloning capacity of YACs, many genomic regions or individual genes are not cloned intact, but are represented as a collection of overlapping clones or contigs. Fortunately, the relatively high frequency and fidelity of homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used to reconstruct intact genes within a single clone by splicing together overlapping DNA segments. This unit describes two protocols for carrying out such homologous recombination; one relies on the meiotic phase of the yeast cycle, while the other utilizes the mitotic phase of the yeast life cycle. Despite the relatively large cloning capacity of YACs, many genomic regions or individual genes are not cloned intact.
Getting an executive education relationship off to a great start … don't forget the memorandum of understanding

Purpose – This paper is intended to convey the importance of, and a framework for, crafting a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between an executive education (EE) provider and a client. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents general experience and case examples. Findings – Through experience and over time, the authors have found certain potentially problematic issues that can be prudently and positively dealt with in an MOU, crafted early in an EE/client relationship. Those important issues constitute the framework presented in the article. Practical implications – The framework presented in this article can be immediately and effectively used by practitioners in crafting useful MOUs. Originality/value – The authors are not aware of any prior papers on the role of, and framework for, MOUs. This paper addresses the value of an MOU in fostering great EE provider/client relationships.
Identification of E2/E3 Ubiquitinating Enzymes and Caspase Activity Regulating Drosophila Sensory Neuron Dendrite Pruning

Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a multistep protein degradation machinery implicated in many diseases. In the nervous system, UPS regulates remodeling and degradation of neuronal processes and is linked to Wallerian axonal degeneration, though the ubiquitin ligases that confer substrate specificity remain unknown. Having shown previously that class IV dendritic arborization (C4da) sensory neurons in Drosophila undergo UPS-mediated dendritic pruning during metamorphosis, we conducted an E2/E3 ubiquitinating enzyme mutant screen, revealing that mutation in ubcD1, an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, resulted in retention of C4da neuron dendrites during metamorphosis. Further, we found that UPS activation likely leads to UbcD1-mediated degradation of DIAP1, a caspase-antagonizing E3 ligase. This allows for local activation of the Dronc caspase, thereby preserving C4da neurons while severing their dendrites. Thus, in addition to uncovering E2/E3 ubiquitinating enzymes for dendrite pruning, this study provides a mechanistic link between UPS and the apoptotic machinery in regulating neuronal process remodeling.