cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome Exchange in Human Oocytes

Exchange of the oocyte genome with the genome of a somatic cell from a patient might allow the generation of stem cells and replacement cell types for incurable diseases, such as Parkinson disease or type 1 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, nuclear transfer might allow the prevention of mitochondrial disease transmission. Realizing these promises requires the availability of human oocytes for research and their use consistent with appropriate and balanced guidelines that allow scientific progress while addressing ethical considerations.
Continuous tracking in Free Space Optical balloon mesh networks

This research investigates the broad use of state estimation for tracking purposes in free space optical balloon mesh networks. The Object tracking approaches have been studied extensively due to their wide range of applications in different fields. One of the methods to track an object is by estimating the object's state through observers and object's motion model. We propose a novel approach employing Kalman filter to implement an autonomous tracking system. The targets being tracked also act as sources of measurement input to track other non-stationary objects. The purpose is to find an efficient way to localize the mobile objects in free space through cooperative measurements input from neighbouring balloons in a free space balloon mesh network. We use Doppler effect to sense the Doppler shift at the receiver. We do extensive simulations to evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithms. Sensor data fusion is used for Extended Kalman Filter input from on-board sensors and remote sensors under two different scenarios. Simulation results show that the estimation and tracking algorithm proposed in this paper converges quickly.
Mathematical Models in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe and complex mental disorder that causes an enormous societal and financial burden. Our current understanding of schizophrenia is very fragmented, and the disease is still regarded as an enigma even though its main features have been recognized for centuries. When the post-genomic era arrived, high-throughput instruments and methods ushered in an explosion in the generation of large datasets. This rich information began to facilitate the development of mathematical models, and these models are beginning to show the potential of propelling schizophrenia research onto a new, quantitative level. As schizophrenia is a complex disease that involves uncounted biological processes, there is no complete model which covers even the majority of aspects pertaining to schizophrenia. Instead, every currently available model focuses on a certain aspect of the disease. In this chapter, we review mathematical models of schizophrenia according to their mathematical foundation and structure, as well as the phenomenon they represent. Thus, an outline of mathematical modeling practices in schizophrenia is presented for biologists, psychiatrists, and clinicians. In the future, mathematical models may be expected to provide valuable guidance in the long-term investigation of complex diseases like schizophrenia.
General Guidelines for Quality Assurance of Immunohistochemistry in a Mohs Lab.

Background The adoption of recently created protocols introduces Mohs laboratories to the principles of immunohistochemistry (IHC) performance validation and clinical laboratory regulations that are unique to these evolving technologies. Objective To review Food and Drug Administration (FDA) IHC reagent classifications, IHC validation protocols, and quality assurance (QA) procedures and documentation needed in conjunction with IHC test guidelines. Methods A focused review of IHC reagent classifications and guidelines in clinical testing laboratories was conducted using PubMed and FDA source documents. Results The IHC regulation requirements are determined by the 3 FDA classifications of reagents: in vitro diagnostic reagents, analyte-specific reagents, and research use only reagents. To account for performance variability, IHC reagents benefit from routine validation and QA programs. We present our IHC adoption procedures for QA and documentation of IHC tests in a Mohs laboratory. Conclusion Incorporating a well-organized IHC validation and QA program into Mohs laboratories can increase regulatory compliance and reagent performance.
Overviewing the State of the Transactions: An Editorial by the Outgoing Editor-in-Chief

I Would like to take this opportunity as I step down as EIC after three years to review the state of the Transactions. I believe that the Transactions should be an ever-evolving institution that always strives for a higher level of excellence across multiple dimensions such as quality, impact, timeliness, and efficiency.
The fate of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair after 5 years monitored with duplex ultrasound imaging.

Abstract Background Interventions for aortic aneurysm sac growth have been reported across multiple time points after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). We report the long-term outcomes of patients after EVAR monitored with duplex ultrasound (DUS) imaging with respect to the need for and type of intervention after 5 years. Methods We report a series of patients who were monitored with DUS imaging for a minimum of 5 years after EVAR. DUS imaging was performed in an accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory, and computed tomography angiography was only performed for abnormal DUS findings. Results There were 156 patients who underwent EVAR with follow-up >5 years (mean, 7.5 years; range, 5.1-14.5 years). Interventions for endoleak, graft limb stenosis, or thrombosis were performed in 44 patients (28%) at some time during follow-up. Of the 156 patients, 34 (22%) underwent their first intervention during the first 5 years (25 endoleaks, 9 limb stenoses, or occlusions). Four ruptures occurred, all in patients with their first intervention before 5 years. The remaining 10 patients (6%) underwent a first intervention >5 years after implantation: 3 for type I endoleak, 2 for type II endoleak with sac expansion, 2 for combined type I and II endoleaks 2 for type III endoleak, and 1 unknown type. Conclusions Long-term follow-up of EVAR (mean, 7.5 years) revealed that approximately one in four patients will require intervention at some point during follow-up. First-time interventions were necessary in 22% of all patients in the first 5 years and in 6% of patients after 5 years, highlighting the need for continued graft surveillance beyond 5 years. All patients who had a first-time intervention after 5 years underwent an endoleak repair; none of these patients had a thrombosed limb or a rupture as a result of the endoleak.
Hepatic intra-arterial injection of irinotecan drug eluting beads (DEBIRI) for patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review.

Abstract Purpose To systematically review the safety and efficacy of transarterial drug-eluting beads, irinotecan (DEBIRI) for the treatment of pretreated patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Methods A systematic search of the current literature was conducted to extract publications reporting on the use of DEBIRI for CRLM. Data on the safety and efficacy was extracted and tabulated. Weighted average values (WAV) were calculated for each variable to provide a single value representing the pooled safety and efficacy data. Results 13 studies (15 treatment arms) were evaluated, comprising a total of 850 patients. There were 6 prospective phase I/II trials, 5 retrospective trials and 2 randomized control trials. All papers involved patients previously treated with systemic chemotherapy. The weighted average all-grade toxicity rate was 35.2% (range; 6–100%). The high-grade WAV toxicity rate was 10.1% (range; 0–32%). Weighted average response rates were 56.2% and 51.1% according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) and modified RECIST/EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver) response criteria respectively. The weighted average progression-free survival and overall survival were 8.1 months and 16.8 months, respectively. Conclusion Transarterial DEBIRI is safe and effective in the treatment of unresectable CRLM to the liver. Further studies are warranted to better define its role in the treatment algorithm of this patient subset.
108 Young men’s alcohol consumption profiles: personality, expectancies, and friends’ pressure

Statement of Purpose Half of male young adults drink heavily and these episodes can lead to interpersonal problems and physical injury (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014). Males in young adulthood have the most alcohol-related emergency room visits (WHO, 2007). According to Problem-Behaviour Theory (Jessor, 1987), heavy alcohol consumption develops based on risk factors associated with personality, environment, and drinking experiences. The goals of this study were to determine (1) patterns in young adult males’ alcohol consumption and (2) how these patterns predicted differences in psychopathy-related traits, alcohol expectancies, and friends’ pressure to drink. Methods/Approach Secondary data analyses were conducted with two samples of young, single, men between the ages of 18 and 29. The first study used random digit dialling to recruit a community sample (n=350) in a large metropolitan area that completed a computer-assisted self-interview. The second study used ads, fliers, and emails to recruit a sample comprised primarily of college students (n=556) who completed an online survey. Alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, psychopathy-related traits, alcohol expectancies, and friends’ pressure to drink were measured in both surveys. Results Latent class analysis was used to create drinking profiles based on alcohol consumption and problems. In both studies, three classes of drinkers emerged: low-use drinkers with few problems, average-use drinkers with few problems, and heavy-use drinkers with more problems. MANOVA and follow-up tests indicated the heavier use group scored higher on risk factors such as psychopathy-related traits, alcohol expectancies, and friends’ pressure to drink. Conclusions In two independent samples, risk factors related differentially to drinking patterns with heavy, problematic drinkers scoring higher on these risk factors. More research is needed to investigate protective factors for young adults that can be integrated into prevention and treatment programs with the goal of reducing injury in young men.
Identifying the m 6 A Methylome by Affinity Purification and Sequencing

N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic mRNA, and is newly emerging as a key posttranscriptional mRNA regulator. Recent research has uncovered insight into the location and function of m6A sites on a large scale, in part due to the transcriptome-wide identification of m6A sites by high-throughput sequencing (m6A-seq). Here, we present a protocol for m6A-seq, which maps the m6A methylome by affinity purification and sequencing.
Weight thresholding on complex networks

Weight thresholding is a simple technique that aims at reducing the number of edges in weighted networks that are otherwise too dense for the application of standard graph-theoretical methods. We show that the group structure of real weighted networks is very robust under weight thresholding, as it is maintained even when most of the edges are removed. This appears to be related to the correlation between topology and weight that characterizes real networks. On the other hand, the behavior of other properties is generally system dependent.
General Principles of Cell Fine Structure

The remarkable range in morphology and magnitude of size among microbial organisms, varying from viruses (ca 20 nm) to large free-living protozoa (ca 2 mm), spans nearly five orders of magnitude (105). Some basic knowledge of cellular microstructure pertinent to further discussions of protozoan microanatomy and physiology is presented. A more thorough treatment of the subject can be found in standard textbooks of cell biology or cellular ultrastructure.
Advanced Organic Materials for Optoelectronic Integrated Devices, Interconnects, and Packaging

Organic materials complement many commonly used inorganic materials in optical devices due to their improved linear and nonlinear optical properties. Research has progressed on several fronts, investigating the electrooptic, photorefractive, and light-emitting properties of organic materials, and their mechanical and chemical stability for commercial applications. We present some of our achievements which demonstrate the attractive performance of the organic materials, and show that practical optical devices using organic materials are closer to commercial development.
Hypoxia Signaling in Vascular Homeostasis.

Hypoxia signaling in the vasculature controls vascular permeability, inflammation, vascular growth, and repair of vascular injury. In this review, we summarize recent insights in this burgeoning fi...
Relativistic lattice gas hydrodynamics

Non-relativistic cellular automata can model non-relativistic hydrodynamical flows. In this article we show that if the hopping occurs on a space-time lattice which is generated by discrete subgroups of the Poincare group and if the collision rules embody the relativistic conservation laws, we can modelrelativistic flows. The simplest version of the relativistic model is formally isomorphic with the non-relativistic Hardy, de Pazzis and Pomeau (HPP) lattice model, provided we reinterpret the various quantities that appear there. This observation explains the non-Galilean invariant results of HPP.
The case for strangulation in low-mass hosts: DDO 113

We investigate the case for environmental quenching of the Fornax-mass satellite DDO 113, which lies only 9 kpc in projection from its host, the Large-Magellanic-Cloud-mass galaxy NGC 4214. DDO 113 was quenched about 1 Gyr ago and is virtually gas-free, while analogs in the field are predominantly star-forming and gas-rich. We use deep imaging obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope to show that DDO 113 exhibits no evidence of tidal disruption to a surface brightness of $\mu_V\sim29$ mag $\text{arcsec}^{-2}$, based on both unresolved emission and resolved stars. Mass-analogs of DDO 113 in Illustris-1 with similar hosts, small projected separations, and no significant tidal stripping first fell into their host halo 2--6 Gyr ago, showing that tidal features (or lack thereof) can be used to constrain infall times in systems where there are few other constraints on the orbit of the satellite. With the infall time setting the clock for environmental quenching mechanisms, we investigate the plausibility of several such mechanisms. We find that strangulation, the cessation of cold gas inflows, is likely the dominant quenching mechanism for DDO 113, requiring a time-averaged mass-loading factor of $\eta=6-11$ for star-formation-driven outflows that is consistent with theoretical and observational constraints. Motivated by recent numerical work, we connect DDO 113's strangulation to the presence of a cool circumgalactic medium (CGM) around NGC 4214. This discovery shows that the CGM of low-mass galaxies can affect their satellites significantly and motivates further work on understanding the baryon cycle in low-mass galaxies.
Goal-directed aiming under restricted viewing conditions with confirmatory sensory feedback

Abstract A substantial body of research has examined the speed-accuracy tradeoff captured by Fitts’ law, demonstrating increases in movement time that occur as aiming tasks are made more difficult by decreasing target width and/or increasing the distance between targets. Yet, serial aiming movements guided by internal spatial representations, rather than by visual views of targets have not been examined in this manner, and the value of confirmatory feedback via different sensory modalities within this paradigm is unknown. Here we examined goal-directed serial aiming movements (tapping back and forth between two targets), wherein targets were visually unavailable during the task. However, confirmatory feedback (auditory, haptic, visual, and bimodal combinations of each) was delivered upon each target acquisition, in a counterbalanced, within-subjects design. Each participant performed the aiming task with their pointer finger, represented within an immersive virtual environment as a 1 cm white sphere, while wearing a head-mounted display. Despite visual target occlusion, movement times increased in accordance with Fitts’ law. Though Fitts’ law captured performance for each of the sensory feedback conditions, the slopes differed. The effect of increasing difficulty on movement times was least influential in the haptic condition, suggesting more efficient processing of confirmatory haptic feedback during aiming movements guided by internal spatial representations.
Iglesia Autóctona: An Indigenous Response to Colonial Christianity

This chapter briefly tells the story of the emergence of an iglesia autoctona, a local church with Indigenous face and heart in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, told from an historical perspective through an outsider’s eyes. It’s a story about how this local church has been facing its colonial reality and trying to transform itself over the past few decades in response to the resurgence of the Indigenous peoples. The chapter argues that the emergent iglesia autoctona and teologia india are manifestations of resistance to colonization that open decolonial spaces in the same religious structures that have historically been used as the main instruments and force of colonization and where la colonialidad del poder is still pervasive today.
Vegetation change as related to terrain factors at two glacier forefronts, Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A.

Glacier recession is a globally occurring trend. Although a rich body of work has documented glacial response to climate warming, few studies have assessed vegetation cover change in recently deglaciated areas, especially using geospatial technologies. Here, vegetation change at two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A. was quantified through remote sensing analysis, fieldwork validation, and statistical modeling. Specifically, we assessed the spatial and temporal patterns of landcover change at the two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park and determined the role of selected biophysical terrain factors (elevation, slope, aspect, solar radiation, flow accumulation, topographic wetness index, and surficial geology) on vegetation change (from non-vegetated to vegetated cover) at the deglaciated areas. Landsat imagery of the study locations in 1991, 2003, and 2015 were classified and validated using visual interpretation. Model results revealed geographic differences in biophysical correlates of vegetation change between the study areas, suggesting that terrain variation is a key factor affecting spatial-temporal patterns of vegetation change. At Jackson Glacier forefront, increases in vegetation over some portion or all of the study period were negatively associated with elevation, slope angle, and consolidated bedrock. At Grinnell Glacier forefront, increases in vegetation associated negatively with elevation and positively with solar radiation. Integrated geospatial and field approaches to the study of vegetation change in recently deglaciated terrain are recommended to understand and monitor processes and patterns of ongoing habitat change in rapidly changing mountain environments.
Abstract WP349: Sex-Based Claims Models for the Prediction of 1-Year Mortality After Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke

Background: Claims-based models have been developed to predict 30-day mortality after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, yet few models are available for predicting 1-year post-stroke mortality among...
Parallel Hex Meshing from Volume Fractions

In this work, we introduce a new method for generating Lagrangian computational meshes from Eulerian-based data. We focus specifically on shock physics problems that are relevant to Eulerian-based codes that generate volume fraction data on a Cartesian grid. A step-by-step procedure for generating an all-hexahedral mesh is presented. We focus specifically on the challenges of developing a parallel implementation using the message passing interface (MPI) to ensure a continuous, conformal and good quality hex mesh.
The physical effects of exercise in lactating women: A review

This review was conducted to better understand the physical effects of exercise in lactating, postpartum women—specifically on weight loss, changes in body composition, and bone mineral density. Prior research indicates that despite high motivation, many women struggle to lose the weight gained during the gestation period. There has been limited research on physical activity in the lactating women largely due to concerns about reduced milk supply and infant health. Female competitive athletes, in particular, seek to understand postpartum physical changes and factors affecting their return to pre pregnancy fitness. A review of the literature was conducted by searching PubMed and Medline for human studies related to weight loss, body composition, and/or bone mineral density in exercising, lactating postpartum females. Of 179 studies identified, 36 full-text articles were screened, and 12 met the inclusion criteria. Exercise with caloric restriction was associated with weight loss in lactating females. Exercise was positively correlated with decelerated trabecular bone loss and improved body composition due to preservation of fat free mass. Mothers should be encouraged to exercise during the postpartum period, as benefits to both mother and child outweigh the risks. However, medical professionals should counsel on reasonable expectations, particularly regarding weight loss.
Religiosity, Spirituality, Mindfulness, and Mental Health in Social Work Students

Social work education is a disequilibrating experience that is stressful. The literature identifies religiosity, spirituality, and mindfulness as potential resources for coping in the general population. The current study examines their relationship with depressive and anxiety symptoms in social work students. A total of 65 MSW students participated in a paper-pencil survey. Only half claimed a membership in an organized religion. On average, students endorsed spirituality and mindfulness more strongly than religiosity. While religiosity and spirituality were highly correlated, mindfulness was not. Using multivariate analysis, it was discovered that mindfulness significantly reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms while religious strain increased anxiety symptoms. Implications of study findings for social work education are discussed.
Reactive molecular dynamics simulation of transformer oil pyrolysis

Transformer oil pyrolysis is one of the main forms of degradation when internal insulation defects happen in transformers. In this paper, for revealing the microscopic reaction dynamic mechanism in the atomic level, hydrocarbon molecules with the same C atoms number 16 are taken as transformer oil examples, and ReaxFF (reactive force field) is introduced to carry out reactive molecular dynamics simulation for transformer oil pyrolysis at high temperature. By recording the distribution of reactants and products in the whole process of pyrolysis, the initial pyrolysis mechanism of transformer oil molecules was comprehensively described. According to the statistics of the cracking positions, the locations where C-C bond fracture occurs in C 16 H 34 , C 16 H 30 and C 16 H 18 are increasingly concentrated. The calculation of chemical bond dissociation energy (change of reaction enthalpy) in the process of pyrolysis shows that the initial position and frequency of pyrolysis are closely related to the chemical bond dissociation energy. The lower of the dissociation energy, the higher frequency of bond broken.
Uniform Convergence and the Free Central Limit Theorem

We prove results about uniform convergence of densities in the free central limit theorem without assumptions of boundedness on the support.
First-principles exploration of oxygen vacancy impact on electronic and optical properties of ABO3-δ (A = La, Sr; B = Cr, Mn) perovskites.

ABO3-δ perovskites are utilized in many applications including optical gas sensing for energy systems. Understanding the opto-electronic properties allows rational selection of the perovskite-based sensors from a diverse family of ABO3-δ perovskites, associated with the choices of A and B cations and range of oxygen concentrations. Herein, we assess the impact of oxygen vacancies on the electronic structure and optical response of pristine and oxygen-vacant ABO3-δ (A = La, Sr; B = Cr, Mn) perovskites via first-principles calculations. The endothermic formation energy for oxygen vacancies shows that the generation of ABO3-δ defect structures is thermodynamically possible. LaCrO3 and LaMnO3 have direct and indirect ground-state band gaps, respectively, whereas SrCrO3 and SrMnO3 are metallic. In the presence of an oxygen mono-vacancy, however, the band gap decreases in LaCrO3-δ and vanishes in LaMnO3-δ. In contrast to the decrease in the band gaps, the oxygen vacancies in ABO3-δ are found to increase optical absorption in the visible to near-infrared wavelength regime, and thus lower the onset energy of absorption compared with the pristine materials. Our assessments emphasize the role of the oxygen vacancy, or other possible oxygen non-stoichiometry defects, in perovskite oxides with respect to the opto-electronic performance parameters that are of interest for optical gas sensors for energy generation process environments.
208 Sleep Disturbances During the COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Worries and Fears About Possible Infection

Introduction: The sudden COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding the virus has led to increased worry and fear. How this fear is associated with sleep remains unknown. Methods: 419 US adults completed online surveys about sleep and COVID-19 experiences. Participants were asked about agreement with statements endorsing beliefs that they were currently infected, that they would someday be infected, that they fear testing, and that they are worried about a family member becoming infected. They were asked to rate agreement with statements regarding changes to sleep during the pandemic. Ordinal logistic regressions with degree of agreement with statements about sleep changes were outcomes, agreement with statements about COVID infection beliefs as predictor, and age, sex, and race/ethnicity as covariates were examined. Results: Those who believed they were infected were 65% less likely to be keeping a regular schedule (p=0.001), 61% less likely to report improved sleep (p=0.009), 2.9 times as likely to report worse sleep (p=0.001), 2.7 times as likely to report difficulty falling asleep (p=0.002), 2.1 times as likely to report sleep maintenance problems (p=0.03), 2.9 times as likely to report sleepiness (p=0.001). Those who believed they would be infected in the future were 83% less likely to report improved sleep (p=0.005), 7.49 times as likely to report worse sleep (p=0.001), 5.3 times as likely to report difficulty falling asleep (p=0.003), 4.1 times as likely to report sleep maintenance problems (p=0.01), and 5.7 times as likely to report sleepiness (0.003). Those that feared testing were 5.7 times as likely to report more sleepiness (p=0.03). Those that worried about family were 80% less likely to be keeping a regular schedule (p=0.01), 75% less likely to report improved sleep (p=0.02), 4.5 times as likely to report worse sleep (p=0.02), 4.5 times as likely to report sleep maintenance problems (p=0.01), and 8.3 times as likely to report sleepiness (p=0.001). Conclusion: Those who believed they were infected reported worsening sleep, though the degree was even greater among those who anticipated infection for themselves or a family member. Worries about COVID-19 may result in more adverse impact on sleep than potential infection itself.
Processing of tungsten through electron beam melting

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) presents a new design paradigm for the manufacture of engineering materials through the layer-by-layer approach combined with welding theory. In the instance of difficult to process materials such as tungsten and other refractory metals, AM offers an opportunity for radical redesign of critical components for next-generation energy technologies including fusion. In this work, electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) is applied to process pure tungsten to study the influence of process parameters on the defect density of the material. An in-situ image analysis algorithm is applied to pure tungsten for the first time, and is used to visualize the defect structure in AM tungsten. Finally, a cracking mechanism for AM tungsten is proposed, and suggestions for suppression of cracks in pure tungsten are offered.
Causes, Predictors, and Costs of Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions in Patients with Right Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study was to describe the frequency, causes, factors, and costs associated with right heart failure encounters. BACKGROUNDMultiple studies have looked into heart failure readmissions but there is no study to our knowledge specifically analyzing patients with right heart failure. METHODSPatients with right heart failure diagnosis were identified using the 2017 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) and were evaluated for the rates, predictors, and costs of unplanned 30 days readmission. Weighted analysis was performed to obtain nationally representative data. RESULTSWe identified 7142 patients with right heart failure of whom 21% had an unplanned readmission within 30 days of the index discharge. Patients with history of Coronary artery bypass grafting (p=0.033; OR 2.359; 95% CI 1.071 - 5.197), Chronic kidney disease (p<0.001; OR 1.607; 95% CI 1.402 - 1.843), atrial fibrillation (p=0.014; OR 1.417; 95% CI 1.072-1.873) had high odds of unplanned 30 day readmissions while obesity (p<0.001; OR 0.686; 95% CI 0.594 - 0.792) had negative odds of such readmissions. CONCLUSIONSThirty-day unplanned readmissions remain a significant issue affecting over 1 in 5 patients with right heart failure. Early unplanned readmissions are associated with significant mortality and financial burden in these patients.
Piezoelectrically Actuated Fast Mechanical Switch for MVDC Protection

Medium voltage direct current (MVDC) power systems are in their early phase of development, but the lack of efficient and reliable DC circuit breakers is currently one of the most significant bottlenecks for widespread adoption of MVDC applications. Compared to protection devices in high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, MVDC circuit breakers are expected to interrupt fault currents with higher rates of rise in more power-dense and more controllable structures. A hybrid approach with a piezoelectrically actuated fast mechanical switch in parallel to a solid-state circuit breaker is expected to meet the above requirements. A prototype of a 15 kV-class piezoelectrically actuated fast mechanical switch is presented in this paper. The prototype demonstrates an actuator opening time of 1 ms, a breakdown voltage of over 20 kV, and a continuous current rating of 500 A. After integrating the fast mechanical switch into a hybrid circuit breaker testbed, the fast mechanical switch was able to open within 1.5 ms and the fault was cleared within 5 ms. Therefore, piezoelectrically actuated fast mechanical switches can enable fast, reliable and controllable protection for various MVDC systems like electric ships, electric aircraft and microgrids that integrate distributed energy resources.
Identification of Potent Small Molecule Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Entry

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 responsible for COVID-19 remains a persistent threat to mankind, especially for the immunocompromised and elderly for which the vaccine may have limited effectiveness. Entry of SARS-CoV-2 requires a high affinity interaction of the viral spike protein with the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Novel mutations on the spike protein correlate with the high transmissibility of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the need for small molecule inhibitors of virus entry into target cells. We report the identification of such inhibitors through a robust high-throughput screen testing 15,000 small molecules from unique libraries. Several leads were validated in a suite of mechanistic assays, including whole cell SARS-CoV-2 infectivity assays. The main lead compound, Calpeptin, was further characterized using SARS-CoV-1 and the novel SARS-CoV-2 variant entry assays, SARS-CoV-2 protease assays and molecular docking. This study reveals Calpeptin as a potent and specific inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 and some variants.
Neural density estimation and uncertainty quantification for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy spectra

Constructing probability densities for inference in high-dimensional spectral data is often intractable. In this work, we use normalizing flows on structured spectral latent spaces to estimate such densities, enabling downstream inference tasks. In addition, we evaluate a method for uncertainty quantification when predicting unobserved state vectors associated with each spectrum. We demonstrate the capability of this approach on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy data collected by the ChemCam instrument on the Mars rover Curiosity. Using our approach, we are able to generate realistic spectral samples and to accurately predict state vectors with associated well-calibrated uncertainties. We anticipate that this methodology will enable efficient probabilistic modeling of spectral data, leading to potential advances in several areas, including out-of-distribution detection and sensitivity analysis.
British Buckeyes: The English, Scots, and Welsh in Ohio, 1700–1900

Review of: "British Buckeyes: The English, Scots, and Welsh in Ohio, 1700–1900," by Wiliam E. Van Vugt.
Numerical Methods for Computing Stationary Distributions of Finite Irreducible Markov Chains

In this chapter our attention will be devoted to computational methods for computing stationary distributions of finite irreducible Markov chains. We let q ij denote the rate at which an n-state Markov chain moves from state i to state j. The n × n matrix Q whose off-diagonal elements are q ij and whose i th diagonal element is given by \( - \sum\limits_{j = 1}^n , j \ne i\) q ij is called the infinitesimal generator of the Markov chain. It may be shown that the stationary probability vector π, a row vector whose k-th element denotes the stationary probability of being in state k, can be obtained by solving the homogeneous system of equations πQ = 0. Alternatively, the problem may be formulated as an eigenvalue problem πP = π, where P = QΔt+I is the stochastic matrix of transition probabilities, (Δt must be chosen sufficiently small so that the probability of two or more transitions occurring in time Δt is small, i.e., of order o(t)). Mathematically, the problem is therefore quite simple. Unfortunately, problems arise from the computational point of view because of the large number of states which many systems may occupy. As indicated in Chapters 1 and 2, it is not uncommon for thousands of states to be generated even for simple applications.
Many leptons at the LHC from the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model

We present a benchmark in the parameter space of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM) that provides for a dramatic multilepton signal and no jets containing 5 or more leptons resulting from the cascade decays of the third lightest neutralino, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{3}^{0}$, and the lightest chargino, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{1}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, via light charged sleptons. This is a very clean signal with almost no standard model (SM) background. In some cases, a total signal of $\ensuremath{\ge}3\text{ }\mathrm{\text{leptons}}+0\text{ }\mathrm{\text{jets}}$ can be detected at the $5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level at the LHC running at $\sqrt{s}=7\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$ with approximately $3\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of data and with less than $1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ when running at $\sqrt{s}=14\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$. In addition, kinematic edges in the invariant mass distributions of 2, 3, and 4 leptons are easily detectable with large integrated luminosities ($\ensuremath{\sim}600\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) which can lead to simple measurements of the mass differences of heavy particles in the decay chains, including all combinations of the three lightest neutralinos.
Mineral Status of Mice Suckling Early-, Mid- and Late-Lactating Foster Dams

We have demonstrated that the zinc (Zn) concentration of mouse milk declines significantly over the lactation period. Pups radiolabeled in utero with 65Zn were forward-fostered (FF) to nonradiolabeled dams at a later stage of lactation to study the effects of early milk deprivation. Other groups of radiolabeled pups were back-fostered at 5, 10 and 15 days of age to a nonradiolabeled dam who had just given birth; this provided additional colostrum during the suckling period. Litters fostered at birth to an unlabeled dam at d 0 of lactation were used as controls. Weight gain of FF litters decreased and signs of Zn deficiency increased as the foster dam's days of lactation increased. The Zn concentration of kidney, brain and plasma tended to decrease with increasing lactation days of the foster dam. Tibia Zn concentration declined progressively as the lactation days of the foster dam increased, and the concentration of calcium also was lower in all three groups of FF litters than in controls, indicating that bone calcification may have been impaired. Kinetic data proved to be a more sensitive index of Zn status than tissue Zn concentration. The biological half-life of whole-body 65Zn for FF suckling mice increased in a linear fashion with increasing lactation days of the foster dam; whole-body retention of 65Zn for back-fostered litters did not differ from that for controls. Brain, small intestine, kidney muscle, plasma and tibia of pups FF to late-lactating dams seemed to have greater retention of Zn than did controls. Thus, deprivation of early milk impaired growth and development of the mouse neonate despite some ability to conserve Zn.
Across the Boundaries of Belief: Contemporary Issues in the Anthropology of Religion; Religion and Magic: Approaches and Theories

Across the Boundaries of Belief: Contemporary Issues in the Anthropology of Religion. Morton Klass and Maxine K. Weisgrau. eds. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1999. 416 pp. Religion and Magic: Approaches and Theories. Graham Cunningham. New York: New York University Press, 1999. 126 pp.
Social support from friends and family in a Tibetan village

Friendships are prevalent in human societies. However, it is unclear whether people rely on the same strategy to derive support from friends and relatives. In the present study, I conducted a survey to elicit the egocentric support networks of 40 village residents in a Tibetan village in Qinghai province in China. The study showed that the participants reported equal amounts of support from friends and from relatives, and they preferred a shallow strategy over a deep strategy to derive support from friends; they equally preferred the two strategies to derive support from relatives. My study suggests that even if friends compensate for the variation of kin support in quantity, friendship should not be considered as one-for-one substitute for kinship.
Increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor in lumbar dorsal root ganglia contributes to the exaggerated exercise pressor reflex in heart failure (1165.7)

An exaggerated exercise pressor reflex (EPR) causes excessive sympatho-excitation and exercise intolerance during physical activity in the chronic heart failure (CHF) state. Evidence showed that th...
Risk and Return: An Equilibrium Approach

This paper develops a regime switching, pure exchange economy which duplicates many of the empirical features of the relation between the expectation and volatility of stock returns. The key features of the model are heteroscedasticity in inflation, regimes which mimic the expansionary and contractionary phases of the economy, and transitions between regimes which depend on the level of inflation. These features result in time-varying and asymmetric cross serial correlations between the conditional moments of returns.
Biochemical effects of the vinca alkaloids—IV: Studies with Vinleurosine

Abstract Exposure of sarcoma 180 cells to vinleurosine in vitro inhibited the uptake of uridine- 3 H by the cells, as well as incorporation of this nucleoside into RNA, of 2'-deoxycytidine- 3 H into DNA, of glutamic acid- 14 C into proteins and of acetate- 14 C into lipids. Incorporation of acetate into phospholipids was the parameter most sensitive to the inhibitory effect of the alkaloid. Similar effects were obtained when mice bearing the ascitic tumor were treated with vinleurosine and the incorporation of precursors was studied in vivo .
Representation and Probability Issues in the Simulation of Multi-Site Damage

The types of multi-site damage which are observed in fuselage skins preclude use of common simplifications employed in simulating crack growth. Interaction of cracks with each other and with structural features causes arbitrary growth patterns. Representation of a number of arbitrarily growing cracks in a finite element model is a problem which can be addressed with new codes built on a topological data structure and employing automatic remeshing. Examples of such codes applied to problems of interacting cracks, crack interaction with rivet holes, and cracking beneath a boron/epoxy patch are presented. A technique for incorporating probability methods into simulations of arbitrary crack growth is also presented and discussed via an example problem.
Asymptomatic right circumflex aortic arch associated with ventricular septal defect and biscuspid aortic valve.

Anomalies of the aortic arch are frequent congenital malformations, which rarely form partial or complete vascular rings. A rare form of vascular ring is the encircling, or circumflex, aortic arch.
Normal Potassium in the Presence of Gross Hemolysis

A 15-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with acute development of fever and chills. Physical exam revealed a blood pressure of 86/61, jaundice with scleral icterus, and dark urine. Laboratory tests (increased free hemoglobin, increased lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased haptoglobin) revealed a direct antiglobulin test (DAT)-negative hemolytic anemia. Sequential serum potassium measurements remained …
Repair of Facial Defects with Periosteal Flaps in Two Horses

Facial defects that extended into the sinuses of two horses were repaired by using adjacent periosteum to cover the defects, using either a single flap or double flap technique. Acceptable cosmetic appearance was restored in both horses. Resistance to penetration of a needle and ultrasonic scanning demonstrated bony bridging in one horse.
Paleoenvironmental interpretation of lake-margin deposits using δ13C and δ18O results from early Pleistocene carbonate rhizoliths, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

Isotope analyses of lake-margin rhizoliths from paleo–Lake Olduvai (ca. 1.75 Ma) form the basis of a new model proposed here for interpreting stable isotope values of phreatic rhizolith carbonates. Average δ18O and δ13C values from rhizoliths formed in transgressive lacustrine (waxy) claystones are relatively low. Low δ18O averages (−5.5‰) reflect meteoric water values consistent with increased precipitation during wet periods that would increase the outflow of fresh water from subsurface seeps and shift a brackish groundwater zone lakeward. Low δ13C averages (−4.1‰) could indicate little atmospheric exchange, high plant decay, and/or increased groundwater (low δ13C) flow. Higher averages in δ18O (−3.6‰) and δ13C (−2.0‰) occur during dry periods and lake regressions (earthy claystones), when hydraulic head is reduced, the lake recedes, and water within the wetlands is subjected to intense evaporation and gas exchange with the atmosphere. The isotope ratios of the rhizoliths from lowermost Bed II change in response to groundwater hydrology on Milankovitch time scales, but the isotopes also provide evidence of shorter-term (decadal to centennial scale) climate fluctuations. The orbitally driven climate changes are recorded faithfully by lithologic variations and stable isotope patterns.
Preparation and Characterization of Drug-Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogels

Hydrogels are the promising classes of polymeric drug delivery systems with the controlled release rates. Among them, injectable thermosensitive hydrogels with transition temperature around the body temperature have been wildly considered. Chitosan is one of the most abundant natural polymers, and its biocompatibility and biodegradability makes it a favorable thermosensitive hydrogel that has been attracted much attention in biomedical field worldwide. In this work, a thermosensitive and injectable hydrogel was prepared using chitosan and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) incorporated with an antibacterial drug (gentamycin). This drug loaded hydrogel is liquid at room temperature, and becomes more solidified gel when heated to the body temperature. Adding β-GP into chitosan and drug molecules and heating the overall solution makes the whole homogenous liquid into gel through a 3D network formation. The gelation time was found to be a function of temperature and concentration of β-GP. This thermosensitive chitosan based hydrogel system was characterized using FTIR and visual observation to determine the chemical structure and morphology. The results confirmed that chitosan/(β-GP) hydrogels could be a promising controlled-release drug delivery system for many deadly diseases.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Neutron Capture in Fluorine Below 1500 keV

Neutron time-of-flight radiative capture data taken at the Oak Ridge electron linear accelerator have been analyzed for single-level resonance parameters. Eleven resonances were found, with parameters as indicated, listing ${E}_{0}$ (keV), $J$ value assumed, and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ (eV) in order: 27.07 (2) 1.4 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.3, 48.7 (1) 1.7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.4, 97.0 (1) \ensuremath{\le}6.0 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.8, 269 (2) 3.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.8, 270 (1) \ensuremath{\le} 4.4, 386 (1) \ensuremath{\ge} 7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2, 490.5 (0) \ensuremath{\ge} 10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3, 595 (2) \ensuremath{\ge} 7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2, 1460 (1) \ensuremath{\ge} 11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3. Values of total width were also found for these resonances. Two resonances are very narrow and their capture areas yield estimates of $g{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}$. At 43.5 keV, $g{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}=0.086\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ eV if $J\ensuremath{\ge}1$ or ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}=0.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ eV if $J=a$, and, at 173.5 keV, $g{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}=0.35\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10$ eV. The increase of nearly an order of magnitude in radiative width with increasing energy up to 600 keV is notable. Twelve large resonances between 1600 and 5000 keV were not analyzed for capture because of detector sensitivity to the inelastic scattering channels which open in that energy region.