cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Errata to "Process Variation-Aware Nonuniform Cache Management in a 3D Die--Stacked Multicore Processor"

Process variations in integrated circuits have significant impact on their performance, leakage, and stability. This is particularly evident in large, regular, and dense structures such as DRAMs. DRAMs are built using minimized transistors with presumably uniform speed in an organized array structure. Process variation can introduce latency disparity among different memory arrays. With the proliferation of 3D stacking technology, DRAMs become a favorable choice for stacking on top of a multicore processor as a last level cache for large capacity, high bandwidth, and low power. Hence, variations in bank speed create a unique problem of nonuniform cache accesses in 3D space. In this paper, we investigate cache management techniques for tolerating process variation in a 3D DRAM stacked onto a multicore processor. We modeled the process variation in a four-layer DRAM memory, including cell transistor, capacitor trench, and peripheral circuit, to characterize the latency and retention time variations among different banks. As a result, the notion of fast and slow banks from the core's standpoint is no longer associated with their physical distances with the banks. They are determined by the different bank latencies due to process variation. We develop cache migration schemes that utilize fast banks while limiting the cost due to migration. Our experiments show that there is a great performance benefit in exploiting fast memory banks through migration. On average, a variation-aware management can improve the performance of a workload over the baseline (where one of the slowest bank speed is assumed for all banks) by 16.5 percent. We are also only 0.8 percent away in performance from an ideal memory where no process variation is present.
Growth of Common Brackish Marsh Macrophytes Under Altered Hydrologic and Salinity Regimes

Coastal marsh plants are increasingly subject to physicochemical stressors under rising sea levels, and the maintenance of marsh ecological functions can depend on the ability of individual species and communities to tolerate or adapt to altered conditions. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to identify hydrology and salinity effects on growth of three common brackish marsh macrophytes of coastal Florida, USA: Distichlis spicata, Juncus roemerianus, and Spartina bakeri. The species were potted as monocultures and exposed to three salinities (0, 15, or 28 psu) and two hydrologic conditions (saturated, tidal) over 22 months. Final stem density of J. roemerianus and S. bakeri did not differ among treatments. In D. spicata, however, stem density was lowest at 28 psu and lower in tidal compared to saturated conditions. Mean stem height of all species was lowest at 28 psu. Aboveground biomass of J. roemerianus was not affected by the treatments, but in D. spicata and S. bakeri it was lowest at 28 psu. Results indicated that J. roemerianus was the most adaptable species and may, therefore, be more resilient to climate-change driven stressors. However, plant-plant interactions such as interspecific competition and facilitation can alter the response of individual species to environmental factors.
Alzheimer disease: Solanezumab-prospects for meaningful interventions in AD?

A treatment trial of the monoclonal anti-amyloid antibody solanezumab showed slight benefits in people with dementia due to mild Alzheimer disease. Drug effects on several neuropsychological testing outcomes were statistically significant, but the effect sizes were unlikely to manifest as meaningful functional benefits. Here, we discuss the implications and possible molecular underpinnings.
Mother–child interaction quality in shared book reading: Relation to child vocabulary and readiness to read

Abstract Past research has indicated that parent–child book reading interaction quality, not just quantity, is a relevant consideration in children's vocabulary acquisition. In particular, children's active participation is considered key. This study investigated links between maternal beliefs about shared reading strategies and children's readiness to learn to read, mothers' observed shared reading behaviors, and children's vocabulary sizes. Participants were 62 mothers and their preschool children attending Head Start. Mother–child book reading was observed, and mothers' beliefs were measured via self-report and ratings of videotaped vignettes portraying reading strategies. Children's expressive and receptive vocabularies were assessed. Results revealed that dyadic shared reading quality mediated the link between mothers' beliefs and children's expressive, but not receptive, vocabulary. Further, mothers' perceptions of children's readiness to learn to read moderated the link between mother's beliefs and shared reading quality. This evidence highlights the importance of maternal beliefs in guiding behaviors that facilitate preschoolers' vocabulary development.
Paradigms in Developmental Health Psychology — From Theory to Application: Introduction to a Special Issue

This brief introduction sets the background for, describes, and reviews the eight manuscripts that comprise this special issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences. Given the topic of health, behavior, and aging it is noteworthy that these papers speak to concerns shared by all members of The Gerontological Society of America--from the very definition of aging itself to how older persons live their lives.
Liquid holdup profiles in structured packing determined via neutron radiography

Neutron scans of an operating air–water contactor were performed at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). Averaged radiographs were used to determine local and average liquid holdup profiles...
FIXATION PROBABILITIES AND FIXATION TIMES IN A SUBDIVIDED POPULATION.

The rate of genetic evolution depends in part on the probabilities of fixation and times to fixation of alleles of different types. Using a diffusion approximation to the Wright-Fisher model of selection and genetic drift in a single panmictic population, Kimura (1962) found a general formula for the probability of fixation at a diallelic locus with arbitrary selection coefficients. That greatly extended the results obtained for haploid models or for diploid models with no dominance which were solved using branching processes (Fisher, 1922) and by the direct analysis of a Markov chain (Moran, 1962). Kimura and Ohta (1969) used the same type of diffusion approximation to find the expected time to fixation in a diallelic system. These results are all for models of a single population. Since many natural populations are widely distributed in space, the assumption of panmixis may not be valid. It is important, then, to investigate the effects of geographic subdivision of the probabilites of fixation and times to fixation in a subdivided population. Pollak (1966) and Maruyama (1970a, 1972, 1974) have obtained several results for the case of a diallelic locus with no dominance. Pollak used the theory of multi-type branching processes to find the fixation probabilities of mutants subject to different selection pressures in different local populations. Maruyama showed that if the same selection pressure is acting in each local population and if the migration process has the property that the average allele frequencies do not change during the migration stage, then the fixation probabilities are the same as in a single panmictic population of the same total size. Maruyama's results were obtained using both a diffusion approximation and a direct analysis of a Markov chain. The same result could be obtained by using one of Pollak's formulae but he did not note that fact. None of these results are applicable to the case with other degrees of dominance and no information is obtained on fixation times. More recently Lande (1979) found the fixation probability of an underdominant mutant with equal homozygote fitnesses in the limit of low migration rates. Maruyama (1980) has independently obtained the same results as presented below for the fixation probabilities of mutants with different degrees of dominance. The only attempt at determining fixation times in a subdivided population that I am aware of is my heuristic analysis of a linear stepping stone model (Slatkin, 1976). The approach taken in this paper to the problem of finding the probabilities of fixation and times to fixation in a subdivided population is necessarily indirect. There is no way to solve the complete multi-dimensional diffusion equation and obtain the required quantities. Instead, I will obtain bounds on these quantities by considering certain limiting cases for which approximate analytic results can be found. This indirect approach will be complemented by computer simulations.
THE HYPOMAGNESEMIA OF VITAMIN D ADMINISTRATION.

SummaryThe hypomagnesemia consequent to administration of large doses of vit D2 to rats was studied. Two groups of animals were pair-fed a magnesium-deficient diet, and one was then given injections of vit D2. Hypomagnesemia resulted in the vit D2-treated group. During the period of vitamin administration there was no significant difference between the urinary or fecal magnesium excretion of the 2 groups. Nor were the differences significant between the levels of magnesium in the total carcass and muscle. The level of serum proteins also was not different in the 2 groups. It is suggested that the hypomagnesemia is due to a redistribution of magnesium from the extracellular phase to some other depot, which may well be bone. One mechanism might involve a reduced binding of magnesium by serum proteins due to some specific effect of vit D2 (or perhaps to the resultant hypercalcemia). An alternative hypothesis is that vit D2 has some other specific influence that promotes a deposition of magnesium in bone or s...
Keeping Up With Which Joneses: Spatial Diffusion of Rule of Law Through Economic International Organizations

I develop a theory of spatial diffusion of the rule of law, where “space” is conceptualized as shared memberships in economic international organizations (IOs). I argue that the rule of law diffuses as a result of economic competition and socialization. Outside evaluators, such as international leaders, activists, and most importantly, international firms and investors, often assess states’ attractiveness as a business venue by comparing them to similar states. The natural reference group for such comparisons is not just geographical neighbors, but also states with shared memberships in economic IOs. Responding to this evaluation, states identify members of their own reference groups and view them as competition for investment. As a result, states within the same reference groups converge on issues related to lowering domestic economic risks, which are referred to by the umbrella term “domestic rule of law.” The resulting process of policy convergence is further aided by socialization. Socialization may involve emulation of policies of similar states or “active” learning through norm entrepreneurs, who use the reference groups for both evaluation and access to their target audiences. I capture the theorized spatial processes using a multiparametric spatiotemporal autoregressive model (m-STAR) and find support for the prediction.
Energetics and Predissociation Dynamics of Small Water, HCl, and Mixed HCl-Water Clusters.

This Review summarizes recent research on vibrational predissociation (VP) of hydrogen-bonded clusters. Specifically, the focus is on breaking of hydrogen bonds following excitation of an intramolecular vibration of the cluster. VP of the water dimer and trimer, HCl clusters, and mixed HCl–water clusters are the major topics, but related work on hydrogen halide dimers and trimers, ammonia clusters, and mixed dimers with polyatomic units are reviewed for completion and comparison. The theoretical focus is on generating accurate potential energy surfaces (PESs) that can be used in detailed dynamical calculations, mainly using the quasiclassical trajectory approach. These PESs have to extend from the region describing large amplitude motion around the minimum to regions where fragments are formed. The experimental methodology exploits velocity map imaging to generate pair-correlated product translational energy distributions from which accurate bond dissociation energies of dimers and trimers and energy disp...
Artistic Practice As Research in Music: Theory, Criticism, Practice, edited by Mine Doğantan-Dack

By drawing together the experiences and reflections of thirteen musician-researchers, this anthology fills a small, yet significant, niche in musical inquiry. In this small, dense text, Artistic Pr...
Rehabilitation in the patient after myocardial infarction with or without surgical management.

Abstract Cardiac rehabilitation has evolved into a composite therapy of exercise training, psychosocial support, and education with major goals of returning patients to normalcy after an acute coronary event such as myocardial infarction or coronary bypass surgery. This process seems especially important in patients with significant levels of deconditioning before entering therapy. Survival is improved with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality after myocardial infarction of as much as 20% to 30%. Cardiac rehabilitation for the surgical patient today is additionally important with shortening length of stay, and with regard to the prevention of recurrent disease. Modification of risk factors in patients with known coronary disease has especially meaningful implications for the bypass patient. The percentage of patients returning for second, and even third coronary bypass operations continues to increase. Recent studies suggest the possibility of slowing, and in some cases actual arrest or regression of coronary atherosclerosis, in addition to the reduction of subsequent acute coronary events and the need for future revascularization. Other issues of potential importance include quality of life, return to work after bypass surgery, and noncardiac complications of surgery.
Training in the Care of Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

The growing population of patients with congenital heart lesions surviving to adulthood necessitates a fresh look at the clinical training required to care for these patients. Physicians in pediatric and medical cardiology, general pediatrics, general medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology and other specialties will all have a role in the care of these patients. Most likely, training will need to be incorporated into existing pathways with a clear delineation of a body of knowledge necessary to assimilate to complete the training program. The authors favor a certificate of added qualification for the treatment and management of adults with congenital heart disease to encourage excellence in preparation of physicians to care for this complex patient population.
Refractoriness of Urethral Striated Sphincter During Voiding: Studies with Afferent Pudendal Reflex Arc Stimulation in Male Subjects

AbstractTo assess the excitability of the striated sphincter under normal and abnormal conditions, electrostimulation of the periurethral striated sphincter via the dorsal nerve of the penis was done with the patient at rest and during voiding. Monitoring of simultaneous intravesical and intramem-branous urethral pressures, and electromyographic responses of the striated sphincter was performed under fluoroscopic guidance in 14 male subjects. The urethral striated sphincter attained a state of relative refractoriness during detrusor contraction (voiding phase) and greater amounts of afferent stimulation were required to elicit sphincter contractile activity compared to the amounts required during resting states. Under conditions of a hyperactive detrusor with synergic voiding, the amounts of stimulation required to elicit striated sphincter responses were higher than those required in normal subjects. On the other hand, under conditions of striated sphincter dyssynergia, minute amounts of afferent stimula...
Communicating Safe Pesticide Use

Publisher Summary This chapter argues that risk communication is essential to the direct users of pesticide technology and they should improve the effectiveness of such communication. The pest management technology enterprise needs to communicate more effectively what it is doing and engage the public honestly about technological risks. Such need is strongly suggested by the hundreds of articles written each year about risk communication, most likely with an objective of improving the process. Risk communication research points to common problems when conveying information about technological hazards. General factors involving risk perceptions of the layperson include subject complexity, innumeracy, loss of control, decline of deference in experts and institutions, and lack of seeing benefits. Tendencies to blame the media should be dropped in favor of the understanding that the public is seeking information rather than a source for how to feel about a hazard. Given that the precautionary principle is fast becoming the model that should substitute for risk assessment, one overall strategy to communicate safe pesticide use is to recognize that the technology as well as its regulation is very dynamic and proactive, taking action to reduce uncertainty.
RhoGDIs in Cancer

The dynamics of Rho GTPase action are regulated by both an activity cycle and a cytosol-to-membrane cycle (Fig. 3.1). Rho GTPases are activated by the exchange of bound GDP for ambient GTP, which is stimulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and are inactivated by hydrolysis of bound GTP to GDP catalyzed by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). This activity cycle is regulated by guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs), which act to sterically shield the Rho GTPases from the action of GEFs and GAPs. Thus for Rho GTPases to become active, it is thought that they must first be released from GDIs in order for membrane-associated GEFs to catalyze activation. Superimposed on this activity cycle is a cytosol/membrane cycle that is directly controlled by Rho GDIs (see below).
Wavelength-Dependent Second Harmonic Generation Circular Dichroism for Differentiation of Col I and Col III Isoforms in Stromal Models of Ovarian Cancer Based on Intrinsic Chirality Differences

Extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occurs in many epithelial cancers. For example, in ovarian cancer, upregulation of collagen isoform type III has been linked to invasive forms of the disease, and this change may be a potential biomarker. To examine this possibility, we implemented wavelength-dependent second harmonic generation circular dichroism (SHG-CD) imaging microscopy to quantitatively determine changes in chirality in ECM models comprised of different Col I/Col III composition. In these models, Col III was varied between 0 and 40%, and we found increasing Col III results in reduced net chirality, consistent with structural biology studies of Col I and III in tissues where the isoforms comingle in the same fibrils. We further examined the wavelength dependence of the SHG-CD to both optimize the response and gain insight into the underlying mechanism. We found using shorter SHG excitation wavelengths resulted in increased SHG-CD sensitivity, where this is consistent with the electric-dipole-coupled oscillator model suggested previously for the nonlinear chirality response from thin films. Moreover, the sensitivity is further consistent with the wavelength dependency of SHG intensity fit to a two-state model of the two-photon absorption in collagen. We also provide experimental calibration protocols to implement the SHG-CD modality on a laser scanning microscope. We last suggest that the technique has broad applicability in probing a wide range of diseased states with changes in collagen molecular structure.
Fractional Transport of Photons in Deterministic Aperiodic Structures

The propagation of optical pulses through primary types of deterministic aperiodic structures is numerically studied in time domain using the rigorous transfer matrix method in combination with analytical fractional transport models. We demonstrate tunable anomalous photon transport, including the elusive logarithmic Sinai sub-diffusion in photonic systems for the first time. Our results are in excellent agreement with the scaling theory of transport in aperiodic media with fractal spectra, and additionally demonstrate logarithmic sub-diffusion in the presence of multifractality. Moreover, we establish a fruitful connection between tunable photon diffusion and fractional dynamics, which provides analytical insights into the asymptotic transport regime of optical media with deterministic aperiodic order. The demonstration of tunable sub-diffusion and logarithmic photon transport in deterministic aperiodic structures can open novel and fascinating scenarios for the engineering of wave propagation and light-matter interaction phenomena beyond the conventional diffusive regime.
Remote Thoracic Myelopathy From a Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula at the Craniocervical Junction: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background The craniocervical junction is a rare location for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). Typically, fistulas at this location present with findings related to intracranial cortical venous reflux or cervical myelopathy. We present a case of craniocervical junction dAVF with isolated clinical and radiographic findings of thoracolumbar myelopathy. Case Description A 54-year-old man presented with subacute onset of lower extremity weakness, paresthesias, and gait dysfunction. Routine spine magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated edema of the conus medullaris and distal thoracic spinal cord and prominent dorsal venous flow voids, suggestive of a thoracolumbar dAVF. Spinal angiography performed at an outside institution failed to demonstrate a fistula. Noninvasive spinal angiographic imaging with time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (TR-MRA) performed at our institution was able to demonstrate presence of the fistula at the craniocervical junction. Subsequent cerebral angiography identified feeding vessels arising from the posterior meningeal artery and ascending pharyngeal artery on the right side. The fistula was successfully embolized with onyx embolic material, with rapid resolution of his clinical symptoms. Conclusions Isolated lower extremity myelopathic symptoms are a rarely reported finding in patients harboring craniocervical junction dAVFs. At our institution, noninvasive imaging with TR-MRA is routinely used to aid localization of dAVFs. This results in decreased contrast dose and radiation exposure, and inclusion of the cervical spine should be performed when thoracolumbar imaging fails to identify a dAVF prior to proceeding to invasive angiography.
A spatial decomposition parallel algorithm for a concurrent atomistic-continuum simulator and its preliminary applications

Abstract This paper presents the development of a spatial decomposition parallel algorithm and its implementation into a concurrent atomistic-continuum (CAC) method simulator for multiscale modeling of dislocations in metallic materials. The scalability and parallel efficiency of the parallelized CAC are tested using up to 512 processors. With a modest computational resource, a single crystalline f.c.c. sample containing 10.6 billion atoms is modeled using only 4 , 809 , 108 finite elements in a CAC model at a fraction of the cost of full molecular dynamics (MD). The simulation demonstrates a nearly ideal scalability of the newly parallelized CAC simulator. The parallel efficiency of the newly parallelized CAC is shown to be higher than 90 % when using 512 processors in the high performance computing cluster at Iowa State University. This parallel efficiency is comparable to the state-of-the-art atomistic simulator. Moreover, the newly parallelized CAC simulator employing a uniform coarse mesh is capable of capturing important atomistic features of dislocations, including dislocation nucleation, migration, stacking faults as well as the formation of Lomer-Cottrell locks, in a billion-atom system. The spatial decomposition-based parallelization algorithm developed in this work is general and can be transferable to many other existing concurrent multiscale simulation tools.
Earthquake early Warning ShakeAlert system: West coast wide production prototype

Earthquake early warning (EEW) is an application of seismological science that can give people, as well as mechanical and electrical systems, up to tens of seconds to take protective actions before peak earthquake shaking arrives at a location. Since 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey has been working in collaboration with several partners to develop EEW for the United States. The goal is to create and operate an EEW system, called ShakeAlert, for the highest risk areas of the United States, starting with the West Coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington. In early 2016, the Production Prototype v.1.0 was established for California; then, in early 2017, v.1.2 was established for the West Coast, with earthquake notifications being distributed to a group of beta users in California, Oregon, and Washington. The new ShakeAlert Production Prototype was an outgrowth from an earlier demonstration EEW system that began sending test notifications to selected users in California in January 2012. ShakeAlert leverages the considerable physical, technical, and organizational earthquake monitoring infrastructure of the Advanced National Seismic System, a nationwide federation of cooperating seismic networks. When fully implemented, the ShakeAlert system may reduce damage and injury caused by large earthquakes, improve the nation’s resilience, and speed recovery.
Background and Experiential Factors

The previous chapters have marshaled much evidence for the negative impact of crowding in prisons. Even though the findings are consistent, it is evident that not all inmates react negatively to living in crowded conditions. A small number actually prefer living in open dormitories rather than single cells. The same applies for other settings as well. Some people adjust better to crowded dormitories or to crowded cities than others. Many people, in fact, prefer living in crowded cities compared to small towns. What is the basis for such differences in preferences for and reactions to crowded environments? Past research has given us very few leads. There is some evidence that growing up in a large city or in a crowded home reduces the negative reactions to crowded environments (Baron et al., 1976; Wohlwill & Kohn, 1973). Yet no clear theoretical or empirical base exists to aid one’s search for factors that might influence reactivity to crowding.
Generalized Estimating Equation Model Based Recursive Partitioning: Application to Distracted Driving

Traditional statistical methods have used a coarse aggregation of data across subjects that may not be representative of any single individual. Even though Generalized Estimating Equations procedure extends generalized linear model to allow for analysis of repeated measurements or other correlated observations, the nonlinear relationship between independent variables and dependent variable could significantly hinder the model’s performance. In this study, we propose Generalized Estimating Equation based tree model that combines the advantages of both models by separating the data set recursively into subsets with significantly different parameter estimates. For the best application of the proposed model, distracted driving on intersection is analyzed in this study. Previous studies have focused on evaluating the singular effect of individual geometry and human characteristic variables on driving behaviors. Interactions between variables associated with red-light running (e.g., cell phone usage, cell phone interface, and driver age groups) present different levels of distraction on red-light running. As an indicator of the sensitivity to distractions (referring to the distance being an impairment due to a secondary task), the drivers’ distance to the intersection onset of yellow interval is partitioned into two groups (i.e., close and far distance) that maximally differentiate the distraction behavior. Proposed cell phone impact zones produce more significant impacts of distraction on red-light running, compared against dilemma zone. We identify interactions that are sensitive to red-light running and different as a function of the level of the speed and yellow interval duration. Drivers are more vulnerable to cell phone distractions when their location is near the stop line of the intersection at onset of yellow interval.
On Edge-zone Solutions and Error Bounds in the Asymptotic Theory of Shells

Summary Existing upper and lower bounds for the stiffness coefficients of circular cylindrical shells subject to prescribed edge displacements are supplemented with improved lower-bound calculations. The present lower bounds incorporate the effect of edge-zone solutions whereas only the previously known upper bounds and not the lower bounds accounted for this effect. The new bounds show that the upper as well as the lower bounds now contain additive terms of relative order corresponding to certain boundary conditions in contrast to the absence of these terms in the previous lower bounds. Here e represents the thickness-to-diameter ratio of the shell. Relating these bound results to the L2-norm of the error in two-dimensional asymptotic shell theory the effect of the edge-zone solution is estimated in certain specific cases of displacement edge conditions.
And Now for Something Completely Different

Wolpe has not minced words in his critique of cognitive trends in contemporary behavior therapy. My response to him will be similarly blunt. Differences of opinion are, to my mind, the essence of our scientific enterprise, and Wolpe provides a good opportunity to examine important theoretical developments by the unambiguous way he sets forth his case.
Simple Experiments to Validate Modal Substructure Models

While significant strides have been made in recent years, experimental/analytical substructuring methods can be quite sensitive to seemingly small measurement errors, to modal truncation (for modal methods), small residual terms (for frequency based methods), etc… As a result, one tends to have less confidence in a substructuring prediction than, for example, a finite element model, even though both may have similar accuracy in some situations. This work explores ways of estimating the uncertainty in modal substructure models, seeking to provide the experimentalist with an approach that could be used to evaluate the fidelity of a substructure model. This would allow one to detect cases where the substructuring problem is very sensitive to uncertainty, so a remedy can be sought, and perhaps even provide a measure of the expected scatter in the predictions. Simple experiments are proposed, for example obtaining the natural frequencies of the subcomponent after attaching a well characterized subcomponent at a point, in order to verify the subcomponent model and to estimate the sensitivity of the substructuring predictions to uncertainties. Special attention is paid to the adequacy of the modal basis of the substructure.
Paleophytochemistry; implications concerning plant evolution

Chemical analyses of fossil plants and their associated sediments are currently providing the paleobotanist with biochemical information relevant to the reconstruction of taxonomic relationships. The isolation and chemical identification of various plant pigments from fossils, such as flavonoids and carotenoids (compounds that give flowers their characteristic colors), steroids, fatty acids, and a host of plant phenolic acids, provide the opportunity to characterize the specific paleophytochemical profiles of fossil species.
Chromosomal microarray and whole exome sequencing identify genetic causes of congenital hypothyroidism with extra-thyroidal congenital malformations.

Abstract Background Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common neonatal endocrine disorder. Although most patients present with isolated CH, some patients present with CH and extra-thyroidal congenital malformations (ECMs), for which less is known about the underlying genetics. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic mechanisms in patients with CH and ECMs using chromosomal microarray (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES). Methods Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 16 patients with CH and ECMs. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. CMA and WES were performed to detect copy number and single nucleotide variants. Results CMA identified clinically significant copy number variants in 7 patients consistent with their phenotypes. For 6 of them, the genotype and phenotype suggested a syndromic diagnosis, and the remaining patient carried a pathogenic microdeletion and microduplication including GLIS3. WES analysis identified 9 different variants in 7 additional patients. The variants included 2 known mutations (c.1096C>T (p.Arg366Trp) in KCNQ1 and c.848C>A (p.Pro283Gln) in NKX2-5) and 7 novel variants: one nonsense mutation (c.4330C>T (p.Arg1444*) in ASXL3), one frameshift mutation (c.1253_1259delACTCTGG (p.Asp418fs) in TG), three missense variants (c.1472C>T (p.Thr491Ile) in TG, c.4604A>G (p.Asp1535Gly) in TG, and c.2139G>T (p.Glu713Asp) in DUOX2, and two splice site variants (c.944-1G>C and c.3693 + 1G>T) in DUOX2. Conclusions We report the first genetic study of CH patients with ECMs using CMA and WES. Overall, our detection rate for pathogenic and possibly pathogenic variants was 87.5% (14/16). We report 7 novel variants, expanding the mutational spectrum of TG, DUOX2, and ASXL3.
Chip sealing macro texture performance evaluation using split-plot repeated measures

Chip seal is a pavement preservation technique that is preferred by agencies to defer future rehabilitation activities. The objective of this paper is to provide a very beneficial yet simple way to...
Simulation of hurricane IRMA evacuation process

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (grant 1652448).
Small-scale spatial heterogeneity of soil properties in undisturbed and reclaimed sagebrush steppe

Abstract The sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) steppe is inherently heterogeneous, both above- and belowground disturbances that manipulate vegetation and soil may result in homogenization of soil properties. Our objective was to examine the spatial distributions of soil properties in a sagebrush steppe of south-central Wyoming following disturbance and reclamation. We predicted that soil properties in undisturbed sagebrush steppe would display patchiness, while reclaimed soils would be more uniform. At the experimental scale ( 2 ), we examined the spatial correlation structure and patterns of soil properties in a recently disturbed and reclaimed pipeline scar and adjacent undisturbed sagebrush steppe in 2009. In each treatment, we sampled soil (0–0.05 m depth, calcareous fine sand Regosol) using a spatially explicit design, and used geostatistics to quantify, interpolate, and visualize spatial patterns of soil chemical and biological properties. Soil nitrogen and organic carbon in the undisturbed plot showed spatial associations with the vegetation, which were not apparent in the reclaimed plot. Our predictions about homogenization were true for soil properties that are known to have strong spatial associations with shrubs. Soil organic carbon concentration, total nitrogen concentration, and microbial abundance experienced homogenization, while soil salinity and alkalinity became patchier after disturbance. In addition to changes in spatial patterns, most soil properties were elevated in the reclaimed soil, compared with the undisturbed soil. This case study illustrates that the degree of soil heterogeneity in this patchy system may change with disturbance. Belowground spatial patterns should be considered when restoring characteristically heterogeneous shrub lands.
Effects of NBI-98782, a selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, on neurotransmitter efflux and phencyclidine-induced locomotor activity: Relevance to tardive dyskinesia and antipsychotic action.

Abstract Valbenazine, a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2, SLC18A2) inhibitor, is a newly approved treatment for tardive dyskinesia. VMAT2 is present in the membrane of secretory vesicles and transports dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), histamine, glutamate (Glu), and GABA into vesicles for presynaptic release. We utilized microdialysis in awake, freely moving mice to determine the effect of NBI-98782, the active metabolite of valbenazine, alone, or in combination with several antipsychotic drugs (APDs), to influence neurotransmitter efflux in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal striatum (dSTR), hippocampus and nucleus accumbens (NAC); we also compared it with tetrabenazine, the prototypical VMAT2 inhibitor. Acute NBI-98782 and tetrabenazine decreased mPFC, dSTR, hippocampus, and NAC DA, 5-HT, and NE efflux, while increasing that of DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA. Sub-chronic NBI-98782 (7 days) decreased baseline DA and 5-HT efflux in both mPFC and dSTR. NBI-98782 elicited similar effects on neurotransmitter efflux in sub-chronic NBI-98782-treated mice but also enhanced ACh and GABA; the decrease in DA efflux in mPFC and dSTR was not significant in the sc-treated animals. NBI-98782 suppressed clozapine-, olanzapine- and risperidone-induced DA efflux in both mPFC and dSTR, and ACh efflux in mPFC. NBI-98782 suppressed the haloperidol-induced DA efflux in dSTR, with minimal effect on GABA efflux. NBI-98782 attenuated PCP-induced DA, 5-HT, NE and Glu efflux, and AMPH-induced DA and NE efflux, in both mPFC and dSTR, as well as PCP- and AMPH-induced hyperlocomotion, suggesting possible beneficial antipsychotic effects.
Leading Between the Lines

Literature is a helpful lens for leadership studies and C.S. Lewis’ literature is especially helpful. Lewis’ continued impact on popular culture in addition to continued scholarly engagement with his work makes his literature especially valuable. While there might be concerns about drawing from Lewis as an example, readers are still encouraged to learn from the stories he has provided. Yet even so, Lewis presents insights from his own knowledge and life that are beneficial to the leader. By playing with Lewis’ stories, the reader can apply wisdom that may not have been conscious to Lewis but that still fits contemporary questions and concerns. Such play does not refuse to take the stories seriously, but to take them seriously without ignoring their nature as stories. In this study, readers will, hopefully, see the value of stories for leadership content and formation; see the storied nature of the self and the world; lead with fresh energy in their personal lives.
Gamma-radiated biochar carbon for improved supercapacitor performance

Biochar carbon YP-50 exposed to gamma radiation at 50 kGy, 100 kGy, and 150 kGy was used as an electrode for an electric double-layer capacitor. The gamma radiation affected the pore structure and pore volume of the biochar electrodes. The optimized surface morphology, pore structure, and pore volume of the biochar with an irradiation dose of 100 kGy showed outstanding specific capacitance of 246.2 F g−1 compared to the untreated biochar (115.3 F g−1). The irradiation dose of 100 kGy exhibited higher specific power and specific energy of 0.1 kW kg−1 and 34.2 W h kg−1 respectively, with a capacity retention of above 96% after 10 000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1. This improvement can be attributed to the decrease in average particle size, an increase in the porosity of biochar carbon. Besides, the charge transfer resistance of supercapacitor is significantly reduced from 21.7 Ω to 7.4 Ω after treating the biochar carbon with 100 kGy gamma radiation, which implies an increase in conductivity. This gamma radiation strategy to pretreat the carbon material for improving the properties of carbon materials can be promising for the development of high-performance supercapacitors for large-scale applications.
Comment on "Colossal Pressure-Induced Softening in Scandium Fluoride".

The results reported by Wei et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 255502 (2020)] can be confronted with predictive, quantitative theories of negative thermal expansion (NTE) and pressure-induced softening, allowing to corroborate, or invalidate certain approaches. Motivated to corroborate the quantitative predictions of the recent Coulomb Floppy Network (CFN) microscopic theory of vibrational and thermomechanical properties of empty perovskite crystals [Tkachenko and Zaliznyak, arXiv:1908.11643 (2019)], we compared theory prediction for the mean-squared transverse displacement of the F atoms, U$_{perp}$, with that reported in Fig. 5 of Wei et al. and observed a marked discrepancy (an order-of-magnitude larger than the error bar). We then compared these results with the previously published Xray diffraction data of Greve, et al. [JACS 132, 15496 (2010)] and the neutron diffraction data of Wendt, et al. [Science Advances 5 (2019), 10.1126/sciadv.aay2748]. We found the latter two data sets to be in a good agreement with each other, as well as with the prediction of CFN theory. We thus conclude that U$_{perp}$ values reported in Fig. 5 of Wei et al. are substantially incorrect. The purpose of this Comment is twofold: (i) to caution the researchers against using the U$_{perp}$ data of Wei et al. for quantitative comparisons with theory, and (ii) to encourage Wei et al. to reconsider their analysis and obtain a reliable U$_{perp}$ data by better accounting for the beam transmission and attenuation effects.
Regulating the growth of aluminum electrodeposits: towards anode-free Al batteries

The high earth abundance and large specific capacity of aluminum on either a volume (8040 mA h cm−3) or mass (2980 mA h g−1) basis continues to drive interest in electrochemical cells that utilize metallic Al as the anode. At practical anode capacities, uneven and non-planar deposition of Al during battery recharge combined with the high Young's modulus (EAl = 70 Ga) of the metal limits the electrode lifetime in all known electrolytes. Here we study the effect of a thin, textured coating composed of two-dimensional gold nanosheets with strong diffraction from (111) facets and low lattice mismatch for Al, as a substrate for regulating the Al electrodeposit morphology. We report that these coatings are not only effective in preventing Al deposition in non-planar morphologies, but have a large beneficial effect on the reversibility of Al electrodes. In Al plating/stripping studies, the textured Au coatings sustain stable cell operations for 500 cycles or more with a high coulombic efficiency of over 99%. Full cell Al batteries composed of the Au nanosheets as the anode substrate and graphene as the cathode are reported to exhibit capacity retention of 80% after 1000 charge–discharge cycles, and 74% at the 2000th cycle, exceeding the lifetimes (∼200 cycles) of comparable Al batteries in which a standard stainless steel material is used as the anode substrate. Our results demonstrate that through rational design of the substrate for Al deposition, both the electrodeposit morphology and cycle life of Al-based batteries can be markedly improved.
Renal vascular TRP channels

Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that are expressed in the kidney have gained prominence in recent years following discoveries of their role in maintaining the integrity of the filtration barrier, regulating tubular reabsorption of Ca2+ and Mg2+, and sensing osmotic stimuli. Furthermore, evidence has linked mutations in TRP channels to kidney disease pathophysiological mechanisms, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, disturbances in Mg2+ homeostasis, and polycystic kidney disease. Several subtypes of TRP channels are expressed in the renal vasculature, from preglomerular arteries and arterioles to the descending vasa recta. Although investigations on the physiological and pathological significance of renal vascular TRP channels are sparse, studies on isolated vessels and cells have suggested their involvement in renal vasoregulation. Renal blood flow (RBF) is an essential determinant of kidney function, including glomerular filtration, water and solute reabsorption, and waste product excretion. Functional alterations in ion channels that are expressed in the endothelium and smooth muscle of renal vessels can modulate renal vascular resistance, arterial pressure, and RBF. Hence, renal vascular TRP channels are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of kidney disease. This review summarizes the current knowledge of TRP channel expression in renal vasculature and their role in controlling kidney function in health and disease.
Delay Doppler SAR Focusing and Quantitative Quality Control of the Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-Surface (REASON) Sounding Data Product

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) focusing will be a fundamental step in the analysis of the radar sounding datasets collected by the Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) instrument as part of NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission. Due to the flyby trajectory of the mission, REASON data acquisition will be distinct compared to other space-borne radar sounders, and therefore, require a tailored SAR focusing strategy. Here, we present a SAR focusing architecture based on the delay Doppler approach employed in US SHAllow RADar (SHARAD) data analysis with the following modifications for REASON data idiosyncrasies; an interpolation to a constant ground track interval to account for REASON's variable PRF; and an adaptive Doppler centroid estimation to account for the flyby geometry. The ability of our modified delay Doppler SAR focusing approach to focus space-borne datasets as well as its specific feasibility for REASON are demonstrated using both SHARAD and MARSIS datasets. In addition, we present a quantitative quality control framework based on pixel power probabilities and demonstrate how it can be leveraged to quantify the effects of SAR focusing and differentiate focused results generated with different processing parameters. Finally, we revisit and discuss the assumption of depth-independent SAR focusing implicit in the choice to construct a REASON SAR focusing approach based on the delay Doppler method and provide a comparison with depth-dependent SAR focusing for a simplified acquisition geometry.
A CRISPR interference screen reveals a role for cell wall teichoic acids in conjugation in Bacillus subtilis

Conjugative elements are widespread in bacteria and include plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). They transfer from donor to recipient cells via an element-encoded type IV secretion system. These elements interact with and utilize host functions for their lifecycles. We sought to identify essential host genes involved in the lifecycle of the integrative and conjugative element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. We constructed a library of strains for inducible knockdown of essential B. subtilis genes using CRISPR interference. Each strain expressed one guide RNA in ICEBs1. We induced partial interference of essential genes and identified those that caused an acute defect in acquisition of ICEBs1 by recipient cells. This screen revealed that reducing expression of genes needed for synthesis of cell wall teichoic acids caused a decrease in conjugation. Using three different ways to reduce their synthesis, we found that wall teichoic acids were necessary in both donors and recipients for efficient conjugative transfer of ICEBs1. Further, we found that depletion of wall teichoic acids caused cells involved in ICEBs1 conjugation to die, most likely from damage to the cell envelope. Our results indicate that wall teichoic acids help protect against envelope stress caused by an active conjugation machinery.