cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Techniques for evaluating electrolytes for metal recovery

Abstract One of the major concerns of almost all aqueous electrowinning or electro-refining processes is the ability to control the metal deposition. The items of greatest interest are usually cathode purity, smoothness, and coulombic efficiency. Optimizing these three features is accomplished by maintaining good control of both the physical and electrochemical parameters of importance to the process. In the electrolytic deposition of many non-ferrous metals such as copper, zinc, and manganese, the processing parameters such as current density, temperature, and electrolyte composition must be maintained within a relatively narrow range. It is common to make additions of both organic and inorganic chemicals to assist in overcoming any inherent shortcomings of the system, particularly those relating to the polarization and growth of the metal. Maintaining the optimum concentration of the additives then becomes essential, but it is difficult, because of the low concentrations involved and the complexity of chemically analyzing for some species, particularly the organics. Some of the techniques that have been useful in evaluating electrolyte quality involve interpreting polarization curves and their changes upon varying the solution chemistry of the electrolyte. The advantages and disadvantages of these voltammetric tests for metal deposition and some future needs are discussed.
Groundwater extraction, land subsidence, and sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Groundwater exploitation is a major cause of land subsidence, which in coastal areas poses a flood inundation hazard that is compounded by the threat of sea-level rise (SLR). In the lower Mekong Delta, most of which lies <2 m above sea level, over-exploitation is inducing widespread hydraulic head (i.e., groundwater level) declines. The average rate of head decline is ~0.3 m yr−1, based on time-series data from 79 nested monitoring wells at 18 locations. The consequent compaction of sedimentary layers at these locations is calculated to be causing land subsidence at an average rate of 1.6 cm yr−1. We further measure recent subsidence rates (annual average, 2006–10) throughout the Delta, by analysis of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), using 78 ALOS PALSAR interferograms. InSAR-based subsidence rates are 1) consistent with compaction-based rates calculated at monitoring wells, and 2) ~1–4 cm yr−1 over large (1000s of km2) regions. Ours are the first mapped estimates of Delta-wide land subsidence due to groundwater pumping. If pumping continues at present rates, ~0.88 m (0.35–1.4 m) of land subsidence is expected by 2050. Anticipated SLR of ~0.10 m (0.07–0.14 m) by 2050 will compound flood inundation potential. Our results suggest that by mid-century portions of the Mekong Delta will likely experience ~1 m (0.42–1.54 m) of additional inundation hazard.
An Energy-Based Axial Isothermal-Mechanical Fatigue Lifing Method

An energy-based fatigue lifing method for the determination of the full-life and critical-life of in-service structures subjected to axial isothermal-mechanical fatigue (IMF) has been developed. The foundation of this procedure is the energy-based axial room-temperature lifing model, which states: the total strain energy dissipated during both a quasi-static process and a dynamic (fatigue) process is the same material property. The axial IMF lifing framework is composed of the following entities: (1) the development of an axial IMF testing capability; (2) the creation of a testing procedure capable of assessing the strain energy dissipated during both a quasi-static process and a dynamic process at elevated temperatures; and (3), the incorporation of the effect of thermal loading into the axial fatigue lifing model. Both an axial IMF capability and a detailed testing procedure were created. The axial IMF capability was employed to produce full-life and critical-life predictions as functions of temperature, which were shown to have excellent correlation with experimental fatigue data. For the highest operating temperature, the axial IMF full-life prediction was compared to lifing predictions made by both the Universal Slopes and the Uniform Material Law prediction and was found to be more accurate at elevated temperature.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Positive Solutions of Semipositone Singular Dirichlet Dynamic Boundary Value Problems

We obtain a sufficient condition for the existence of a positive solution for a second-order superlinear semipositone singular Dirichlet dynamic boundary value problem by constructing a special cone. As a special case when T = R, this result includes those of Zhang and Liu (9). This result is new in a general time scale setting and can be applied to q-difference equations. Two examples are given at the end of this paper to demonstrate the result.
Changes in Zinc Transporter 8 Autoantibodies Following Type 1 Diabetes Onset: The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium Autoantibody Workshop

Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) were analyzed in sera from 1,504 subjects as part of the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) Autoantibody Workshop. For these participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D), samples were collected within 3 years of T1D diagnosis. ZnT8A were detected in 862 subjects (57.3%), with the highest frequencies and median titers being associated with the shortest duration of disease. ZnT8A were present at similar frequencies in non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics, but significantly less prevalent in those of Asian ancestry. Sera containing ZnT8A selectively recognizing at least one of the SLC30A8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (encoding ZnT8A) were detected in all populations; however, Trp-specific sera were much less frequent in non-Hispanic blacks, consistent with the anticipated lower frequency of the SLC30A8 rs13266634 T allele in African American populations. ZnT8A positivity was associated with HLA-DQ8, but this was primarily due to the DRB1*0404-DQ8 haplotype. This was in contrast to autoantibodies to IA-2 that were strongly associated with DRB1*0401-DQ8. These effects appeared essentially independent of racial or ethnic background. The DRB1*0401-DQ8 and DRB1*0404-DQ8 haplotypes were associated with T1D subjects positive for GAD65, IA-2, and ZnT8A. In contrast to DRB1*0401-DQ8, there was no significant association of DRB1*0404-DQ8 with single or dual autoantibody positivity. The DRB1*0404-DQ8 haplotype was also associated with T1D subjects whose sera recognized both polymorphic variants of zinc transporter 8, an effect not seen for DRB1*0401-DQ8.
VMSMULTI Enhancement

VMSMULTI is a general purpose data analysis program which runs under VAX/VMS and is used for the analysis of data previously logged onto magnetic tape. This paper describes the enhancements to the latest version of Fermilab VMSMULTI. The existing analysis features were extended and the new ones - like storing and loading the histograms - were added. The graphics library was exchanged for the new one which uses DI-3000 graphics from Precision Visuals. Modifications were made to run VMSMULTI in a batch mode, in VMS subprocess or detached process.
Childhood Psychosocial Determinants of Cardiovascular Health

Understanding risk and protective factors that impact cardiovascular health is of utmost importance. There is ample evidence that cardiovascular health begins in childhood, tracks over time, and is subject to adverse social influences. This paper reviews key studies examining the relations of psychosocial factors in childhood to cardiovascular health in adulthood. The existing literature provides evidence for both individual and cumulative effects of childhood psychosocial factors on adult cardiovascular health across the population, although the specific mechanisms underlying these relationships are not yet fully understood. This paper also includes a discussion of evidence-based strategies for prevention and treatment of childhood psychosocial problems. The extent to which these programs lead to improved cardiovascular health in high-risk groups or across the population by impacting psychosocial factors has not yet been studied, but is a clear future direction for research and policy.
Analysis of positive results of screening test for HIV antibody in Hengyang area

Objective:To study the method of screening test for anti-HIV in Hengyang area in Sept,2007-Dec,2008 to improve the methods of detecting anti-HIV.Methods:According to "National Guideline for Detection of HIV/AIDS",screening test by ELISA and confirming test by WB.Results:19 were confirmed by WB negative or unconfirmed in 561 screening positive samples,the rate is 3.39%.Conclusion:Screening positive samples must be confirmed by WB in anti-HIV test.
Analysis of Differential Protection Maloperation Caused by Magnetizing Inrush Current of Current Transformer

The internal mechanism and characteristics of magnetizing inrush current of current transformer is analyzed.Based on theoretical analysis and simulation verification,the reason of differential protection maloperation caused by magnetizing inrush current is analyzed,and the mechanism that split phase principle based bus and line differential protection can't totally blocked magnetizing inrush current of current transformer is pointed out,and corresponding preventive measures are proposed.
Li Intercalation into Graphite: Direct Optical Imaging and Cahn–Hilliard Reaction Dynamics

Lithium intercalation into graphite is a critical process in energy storage technology. Studies of Li intercalation kinetics have proved challenging due to structural and phase complexity, and sample heterogeneity. Here we report direct time- and space-resolved, all-optical measurement of Li intercalation. We use a single crystal graphite electrode with lithographically defined disc geometry. All-optical, Raman and reflectance measurements distinguish the intrinsic intercalation process from side reactions, and provide new insight into the microscopic intercalation process. The recently proposed Cahn–Hilliard reaction (CHR) theory quantitatively captures the observed phase front spatial patterns and dynamics, using a two-layer free-energy model with novel, generalized Butler–Volmer kinetics. This approach unites Cahn–Hilliard and electrochemical kinetics, using a thermodynamically consistent description of the Li injection reaction at the crystal edge that involves a cooperative opening of graphene planes...
Management of risk factors

The development of atherosclerotic disease and stroke has been related to a number of host and environmental factors delineated in recent years. The relative impact of each of these risk factors is becoming clearer, and controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of risk factor modification in stroke prevention. This article reviews the incidence of stroke, various risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and race, and stroke prevention through risk factor management.
Coupling Spatiotemporal Community Assembly Processes to Changes in Microbial Metabolism.

Community assembly processes generate shifts in species abundances that influence ecosystem cycling of carbon and nutrients, yet our understanding of assembly remains largely separate from ecosystem-level functioning. Here, we investigate relationships between assembly and changes in microbial metabolism across space and time in hyporheic microbial communities. We pair sampling of two habitat types (i.e., attached and planktonic) through seasonal and sub-hourly hydrologic fluctuation with null modeling and temporally-explicit multivariate statistics. We demonstrate that multiple selective pressures—imposed by sediment and porewater physicochemistry—integrate to generate changes in microbial community composition at distinct timescales among habitat types. These changes in composition are reflective of contrasting associations of Betaproteobacteria and Thaumarchaeota with ecological selection and with seasonal changes in microbial metabolism. We present a conceptual model based on our results in which metabolism increases when oscillating selective pressures oppose temporally-stable selective pressures. Our conceptual model is pertinent to both macrobial and microbial systems experiencing multiple selective pressures and presents an avenue for assimilating community assembly processes into predictions of ecosystem-level functioning.
The Physician’s Role with the Terminally Ill Patient

The physician encounters many issues and problems when working with the terminally ill. It is important to remember that the most important aspect of care for the dying is to maintain open and honest communication among the doctor, the patient, and the family. In brief, the physician should play a major role in helping the dying patient. Open communication and support must be continually provided by the physician, both to the dying patient and to the family. All it takes, basically, is common sense and human compassion. No matter how often the physician treats dying patients, he or she should never be casual or matter-of-fact about death. Death should always command respect and awe, but it need never terrorize us or cause us to turn away from providing help to the dying patient. Those who care for the terminally ill may find, to their surprise, that great satisfaction can be derived from this work. One becomes enriched by observing the courage of many dying patients. Therein lies the challenge and the reward.
Control of Mitral/Tufted Cell Output by Selective Inhibition among Olfactory Bulb Glomeruli

Inhibition is fundamental to information processing by neural circuits. In the olfactory bulb (OB), glomeruli are the functional units for odor information coding, but inhibition among glomeruli is poorly characterized. We used two-photon calcium imaging in anesthetized and awake mice to visualize both odorant-evoked excitation and suppression in OB output neurons (mitral and tufted, MT cells). MT cell response polarity mapped uniformly to discrete OB glomeruli, allowing us to analyze how inhibition shapes OB output relative to the glomerular map. Odorants elicited unique patterns of suppression in only a subset of glomeruli in which such suppression could be detected, and excited and suppressed glomeruli were spatially intermingled. Binary mixture experiments revealed that interglomerular inhibition could suppress excitatory mitral cell responses to odorants. These results reveal that inhibitory OB circuits nonlinearly transform odor representations and support a model of selective and nonrandom inhibition among glomerular ensembles.
Growing by Getting Their Hands Dirty: Meaningful Research Transforms Students.

ABSTRACTDespite extensive evidence supporting the benefits of undergraduate research, the economics profession has been slow to incorporate such experiences into the curriculum. Where such experiences have been developed, they are often targeted toward high-achieving students. In this article, the author reports on a transformative capstone experience that effectively involved average undergraduate students in meaningful economic research by utilizing community interaction to motivate deep engagement. The author argues that by making community interaction and concrete economic analysis central elements of the capstone course, the benefits of undergraduate research can be extended to all students (not just the elite) and that doing so is critical to our students’ mastery of higher-order proficiencies.
2.11 – Interactions between Estuaries and Coasts: River Plumes – Their Formation, Transport, and Dispersal

Freshwater debouching from rivers and estuaries onto continental shelves is subject to a variety of forces that define structure and the ultimate dispersion and mixing of the plume into the coastal ocean and beyond. Since these discharges represent a major link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, it is critical to characterize their structure and the rate that these buoyant outflows mix into the coastal ocean. Buoyant outflows are among the most complex oceanographic physical phenomena.
CHAPTER 339 – Cell–Cell and Cell–Matrix Interactions in Bone

Far from being the static, hard skeleton hanging in the anatomy classroom, the skeleton within the body is dynamic and constantly responding to internal and external forces. The internal forces include cytokines, growth factors, and hormones, and the external force is response to muscle and to strain placed on the skeleton. In fact, the adult skeleton undergoes greater remodeling than other organs in the body. Several hormones have been shown to play important roles in the skeleton such as the estrogens and androgens, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin vitamin D 3 (1,25-D 3 ). The three major bone cell types, the osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes, are in constant communication with each other and with cells of the immune and hemopoietic systems. Not only are bone cells in constant communication with cells of other systems but also with the extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of osteoid, nonmineralized bone tissue and the mineralized bone matrix. Although previously viewed as mainly a support structure for bone cells, it is now clear that the bone ECM controls and directs bone cell function.
Fannie Barrier Williams: Crossing the Borders of Region and Race Wanda A. Hendricks. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2014.

Fannie Barrier Williams: Crossing the Borders of Region and Race Wanda A. Hendricks. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2014.This compelling biography of a long-neglected historical figure meets the challenge of fulfilling the interdisciplinary and intersectional mandates of our time. In restoring Fannie Barrier Williams (1855-1944) to her rightful place as one of the leading black women activists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Wanda Hendricks enriches our knowledge of the period in myriad ways, useful to scholars in the study of women, African Americans, religion, and history.Barrier Williams was born in Brockport, New York to parents who were themselves of mixed race, so her very existence challenged rigid racial categories. After graduating from normal school, she went south to teach blacks in postwar Missouri. Here she was shocked by the painful "contradictions" that created "such warmth of welcome on the one hand and so many repelling prejudices on the other" (30). She left the region in a few years for Washington, DC, where she became part of the black elite, recommencing an association with family friend Frederick Douglass.She married black lawyer S. Laing Williams in 1887. They relocated to Chicago, where Barrier Williams's involvement in women's clubs and conventions brought her to national prominence. Hendricks's feminist understanding of Barrier Williams runs through her book like an unseen aquifer. She focuses on Barrier Williams's cultivation of professionalism, both for herself (through teaching, music, and her public career) and by creating professional opportunities for other black women. Conversely, Hendricks gives little direct attention to her marriage or to the fact that they remained childless. It is refreshing to read a biography of a woman that does not dwell on personal details which do not affect the story that has to be told.Hendricks highlights Barrier Williams's wideranging geographic experiences, which impart a cosmopolitan air to her life, but also reveal class differences within the black community. Barrier Williams stood staunchly for middle-class values. From literary societies to a stated preference for decorous forms of religious worship, members of the black elite positioned themselves as exemplars to their benighted brethren - a situation exacerbated with mass migration of blacks from the South in the early twentieth century. Hendricks does not shy away from the tensions created by Barrier Williams's sense of superiority, but neither does she refrain from underscoring how many of Barrier Williams's projects sought to provide aid while also promoting skills. …
Abstract 2886: Epigenetic regulation of MUC1 in NF-kB target gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colon cancer

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein normally expressed at low levels in a fully glycosylated form on the apical surface of epithelial cells but it is found overexpressed and hypoglycosylated in human adenocarcinomas as well as sites of chronic epithelial inflammations. Aberrant glycosylation of MUC1 in cancer cells alters its normal function and affects the behavior of cancer cells. The MUC1 extracellular domain also participates in activation of the NF-kB family members such as phospho-IkBa and phospho-p65. Our data showed that the tumor form of MUC1, in association with p65, regulates the transcriptional activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-alpha, by binding to their promoter regions in both mouse and human cancer cells. Because proteomic analysis showed that MUC1 is able to interact directly with histone proteins, we hypothesized that MUC1 might influence the transcriptional activity of cytokines by inducing epigenetic modification. Here, we explored MUC1/p65-regulated transcription of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in colon cancer cells and discovered that MUC1/p65 complex modulated the expression and interaction of histone methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste protein-2 (EZH2) with pro-inflammatory cytokine promoters. Interestingly, the contribution of EzH2 in controlling the MUC1/p65-modulated cytokines expression was independent of its histone H3K27 methyltransferase activity but it shows novel properties in regulating chromatin remodeling that are currently under detailed investigation To investigate the in vivo significance of MUC1/p65-induced cytokines expression in the tumor microenvironment, we used human MUC1 transgenic mice that express MUC1 on the colonic epithelial cells, treated with azoxymethane to initiate and dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) to promote colorectal carcinogenesis. MUC1.Tg mice showed higher tumor incidence and decreased survival when compared with wild-type mice. Consistent with the in vitro data, NF-kB family members and EzH2 expression were higher in MUC1.Tg mice when compared to wild-type mice. In addition, the number of infiltrating macrophages strongly increased in AOM/DSS-treated colon tissues of MUC1.Tg mice. These are important findings that may explain the mechanism by which MUC1 and NF-kB regulate cancer progression. Citation Format: Sandra Cascio, Joshua Sciurba, Olivera Finn. Epigenetic regulation of MUC1 in NF-kB target gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colon cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2886. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2886
Presentation of the Mineralogical Society of America Award for 1972 to Arthur L. Boettcher

It is a real privilege for me to introduce a friend and colleague for the Mineralogical Society of America Award. Dr. Arthur L. Boettcher earned this award at least in part because he has developed the art of hard work and long hours to a high degree. This is well known to his students. Because he moves so rapidly between office and laboratory, they have christened him "Art the Dart." I shall try to give you some idea of how he acquired such a distinguished title without being born into the ruling class.
The Role of Ethical Beliefs, Perceptions of Taxation, and Knowledge of Tax Laws on Restaurant Servers’ Tip Reporting Intentions

Tax evasion is a serious and growing problem in the United States. From 2008 through 2010, the Internal Revenue Service estimated underreported taxes at $264 billion. Servers, who receive a large portion of their income through tips, do not always comply with tax laws when reporting their tip income. In some cases, this is intentional and in others, unintentional with servers lacking a proper understanding of tip reporting laws. This study examines the role of the servers’ ethical beliefs, perceptions of underreporting income, overall perceptions of taxation, perceptions of taxation of tips, and knowledge of tax laws in relation to their tip reporting intent. Additionally, the relation of the type of tip, cash or credit card is examined. Using hierarchical regression, these variables are evaluated in a predictive model of tip reporting intent. The study found that the type of tips, the servers’ perception of taxation of tips, knowledge of tax laws, positive perceptions of underreporting, and negative perceptions of overall taxation were significant predictors of tip reporting compliance. This study adds to the existing literature with information that can be used to create better training programs geared to increase compliance with tip reporting tax laws.
Avian and Habitat Characteristics Influence Tick Infestation Among Birds in Illinois

Avian movements are an important mechanism by which ticks and associated pathogens can colonize new locations. The temporal and geographic extent of tick and pathogen dispersal is dependent on tick phenology and host movements across a landscape. We evaluated bird-host traits and habitat characteristics that may influence tick infestation and subsequent dispersal in Illinois. To determine which characteristics of host species and habitats influence infestation, we examined captured birds in 22 forest patches across east-central Illinois during migratory periods in fall of 2012 and 2013, and spring of 2013 and 2014. We examined 1,028 birds of 78 species; 136 (13.2%) individuals representing 33 (42.3%) species were infested with at least one tick. We determined that infestation prevalence was greatest among birds that 1) forage primarily in the forest understory; 2) use large forest patches; 3) use patches with less invasive shrub cover. Furthermore, infestation intensity was greatest among birds captured during fall migration. These findings highlight the importance of avian and habitat traits that may influence tick infestation among passerine birds.
Normal Human Thyrocytes in Culture

In order to study functions of normal human thyrocytes, we developed a protocol to obtain these cells in primary culture. Thyrocytes are obtained from normal tissue obtained at surgery for removal of thyroid neoplasms. Under sterile conditions, specimens are minced into small pieces, mono-dispersed cells are generated by digestion with collagenase type IV and the cells plated in tissue culture grade dishes in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). After 24 h of incubation at 37 °C in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator, the supernatant containing non-adherent cells is removed and the adherent cells are propagated in DMEM with 10% FBS, 100 IU/mL penicillin, and 10 μg/mL streptomycin. Cells proliferate with a doubling time of 72-94 h and retain functional characteristics for 9-12 doublings. We have used them successfully in studies to elucidate the signaling by thyrotropin (TSH) and insulin-like growth factor 1.
Breast Cancer Outcomes

Although breast cancer incidence and mortality in the United States have declined in recent years, the number of survivors continues to grow and identifying factors that may modify survival is thus increasingly important (Espey et al. 2007). The twenty-first century has brought a continued decrease in breast cancer mortality in developed countries. Specifically, in the United States the death rate is now 25.5 per 100,000 women and survival rates at 5 years (86%), 10 years (78%), 15 years (71%), and 20 years (65%) have all improved (SEER; Espey et al. 2007) (Brenner 2002). Improved survival presents new questions and considerations for patients, clinicians, and researchers.
Cyberspace: The Human Dimension

From the Publisher: Whittle draws on his experience in the computer field as well as his knowledge of philosophy, sociology, business, economics, law, and ethics to make solid connections between practice and theory. He paints a fascinating portrait of cyberspace as a realm of vast possibilities, particularly in providing a means for building meaningful online communities. However, because cyberspace allows users of online communications new freedoms, such as the ability to disguise their identity, we must take care in establishing some guidelines in this emerging terrain. In Cyberspace, Whittle offers valuable suggestions to this end, all the while making the myriad issues at stake understandable and intriguing to both newcomers and veterans of online communication.
Dyadic power shifts and alliance credibility: analysis of gap of the threat perception

x Chapter 1 : Introduction 1 1.1 The purpose of study 4 1. 2 Statement of the problem 7 1. 3 Methodology 10 1. 4 Organization of the Study 13 Chapter 2 : Review of Literature and Theory 14 2.1 Power changes and alliance credibility 15 2.2 The Theory Based on Dyadic Power Shifts 18 2.2.1 Demand of Contributing Role 19 2.2.2 Gap of Threat Perception 25 Chapter 3 : Research Design 27 3.1 Overall methodology 28 3.2 Independent variable 28 3.3 Dependent variable 30 3.3.1 Alternative Dependent Variables for Robustness Tests 31 3.4 Control variables 34 3.4.1 Variables from Existing Theories 34 3.4.2 Other Control Variables on My Own Theory 40 Chapter 4: Empirical Results and Discussion 43 4.1 The Reduced and Full Model by Partial and All Control Variables ........44 4.2 Comparison between Pre-1991 and Post-1990 Periods 46 4.3 Robustness Tests 48 4.4. Discussion 49 4.4.1 My Hypothesis and Application of Control Variables 50 4.4.2 The Cold War Environment 52 4.4.3 Three Alternative Dependent Variables 52 Chapter 5: Conclusion and Future Research 54 Bibliography 58 Appendix 1 Independent Variable 61 Appendix 2 Dependent Variable 62
Sexuality and Intimacy Following Stroke: Perspectives of Partners

Intimacy and sexuality can make vital contributions to quality of life but may become complicated or problematic for stroke survivors and their partners/spouses. Several studies have focused on survivor feelings and perceptions of post-stroke sexuality, but partners are generally neglected. The purpose of this project is to identify partner perspectives and experiences related to intimacy and sexuality following a stroke. Nine participants were interviewed in person or by phone about relationship changes and their information, supports or resources regarding intimacy and sexuality. Transcripts were analyzed using techniques of thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: (1) maintaining closeness and togetherness, (2) redefining sexuality and intimacy after stroke, (3) coping with lack of resources, and (4) wishing health professionals would discuss these topics. Results of this study indicated that partners are very concerned about intimacy and sexuality but feel unprepared to address these personal concerns post-stroke. Clinicians can open the lines of communication about sexuality and intimacy to support couples’ quality of life. Further resources and training as well as policies need to be developed to address sexuality and intimacy effectively with stroke survivors and their partners.
Recent insights into mammalian ER-PM junctions

ER-PM junctions are subcellular sites where the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane (PM) are kept in close appositions, providing a platform for inter-organelle contact. These membrane contact sites are important for many physiological functions in mammalian cells, including excitation-contraction coupling, store-operated Ca2+ entry, and non-vesicular transfer of lipids between the ER and the PM. Here we review recent insights into the 3D structure and spatial organization of ER-PM junctions in mammalian cells as well as molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and functions of mammalian ER-PM junctions.
17.2 A 142nW Voice and Acoustic Activity Detection Chip for mm-Scale Sensor Nodes Using Time-Interleaved Mixer-Based Frequency Scanning

Acoustic sensing is one of the most widely used sensing modalities to intelligently assess the environment. In particular, ultra-low power (ULP) always-on voice activity detection (VAD) is gaining attention as an enabling technology for IoT platforms. In many practical applications, acoustic events-of-interest occur infrequently. Therefore, the system power consumption is typically dominated by the always-on acoustic wakeup detector, while the remainder of the system is power-gated the vast majority of the time. A previous acoustic wakeup detector [1] consumed just 12nW but could not process voice signals (up to 4kHz bandwidth) or handle non-stationary events, which are essential qualities for a VAD. Prior VAD ICs [2], [3] demonstrated reliable performance but consumed significant power $(\gt 20 \mu \mathrm {W})$ and lacked an analog frontend (AFE), which further increases power. Recent analog-domain feature extraction-based VADs [4], [5] also reported $\mu \mathrm {W}-$ level power consumption, and their simple decision tree [4] or fixed neural network-based approach [5] limited broader use for various acoustic event targets. In summary, no sub $-\mu \mathrm {W}$ VAD has been reported to date, preventing the use of VADs in unobtrusive mm-scale sensor nodes.
A review on ultrasonic neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system: enhanced or suppressed activities?

Ultrasonic (US) neuromodulation has emerged as a promising therapeutic means by delivering focused energy deep into the nervous tissue. Low-intensity ultrasound (US) directly activates and/or inhibits neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). US neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is less developed and rarely used clinically. The literature on the neuromodulatory effects of US on the PNS is controversial, with some studies documenting enhanced neural activities, some showing suppressed activities, and others reporting mixed effects. US, with different ranges of intensity and strength, is likely to generate distinct physical effects in the stimulated neuronal tissues, which underlies different experimental outcomes in the literature. In this review, we summarize all the major reports that document the effects of US on peripheral nerve endings, axons, and/or somata in the dorsal root ganglion. In particular, we thoroughly discuss the potential impacts of the following key parameters on the study outcomes of PNS neuromodulation by US: frequency, pulse repetition frequency, duty cycle, intensity, metrics for peripheral neural activities, and type of biological preparations used in the studies. Potential mechanisms of peripheral US neuromodulation are summarized to provide a plausible interpretation of the seemly contradictory effects of enhanced and suppressed neural activities of US neuromodulation.
Health disparities in tuberculosis incidence, prevalence, and mortality in China (1990 to 2016) using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016: a longitudinal analysis

Abstract Background China has made substantial progress in controlling the epidemic of tuberculosis over the past three decades, although it still ranks second in terms of tuberculosis burden globally. Tuberculosis has been known as a disease associated with poverty, and understanding the trends in wealth-related disparities in tuberculosis outcomes in recent years is essential for developing evidence-based polices to achieve the End TB and Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This study aims to analyse the disparities of tuberculosis incidence, prevalence, and mortality across all Chinese provinces from 1990 to 2016. Methods We collected the estimated numbers and rates of incidence, prevalence, and mortality of tuberculosis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 in all 34 Chinese provinces from 1990 to 2016, at 5-year intervals. We also collected the population size and gross domestic product (GDP) of all provinces from public accredited sources. We measured the absolute and relative inequality by slope index and concentration index and curve, respectively, where we ranked the provinces by GDP per capita. The indices were compared throughout years for analysing the trend. Findings In general, health disparities in tuberculosis widened between 1990 and 2016 in China. For the absolute inequality, the slope index of tuberculosis incidence and prevalence decreased from −27·09 to −239·92 and from −117·35 to −239·18, respectively. Only the absolute difference of mortality improved: the slope index for death rate increased from −27·46 to −7·08. For the relative inequality, the concentration indices for incidence (–0·02 to −0·23), prevalence (–0·06 to −0·20), and death rate (–0·08 to −0·23) all decreased. All concentration curves for incidence, prevalence, and death increasingly deviated from the line of equality since 1990. Interpretation The absolute and relative health disparities across provinces increased from 1990 to 2016 in China, with the only exception being the absolute difference of tuberculosis mortality. Polices and strategies need to be developed and adjusted for the economically disadvantaged provinces and patients to decrease the inequalities and end tuberculosis nationally. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Opportunities in the Physics of Sequence-Defined Polymers

Polymer science has been driven by ever-increasing molecular complexity, as polymer synthesis expands an already-vast palette of chemical and architectural parameter space. Copolymers represent a k...
Ooid Cortical Stratigraphy Reveals Common Histories of Individual Co-occurring Sedimentary Grains

Ooids are a common type of carbonate sand grain that form through a combination of constructive and destructive mechanisms: growth via precipitation and diminution via physical abrasion. Because growth and abrasion obey distinct morphometric rules, we developed an approach to quantitatively constrain the history of growth and abrasion of individual ooid grains using the record of evolving particle shape preserved by their cortical layers. We designed a model to simulate >10⁶ possible growth‐abrasion histories for each pair of cortical layer bounding surfaces in an individual ooid. Estimates for the durations of growth and abrasion of each cortical layer were obtained by identifying the simulated history that best fit the observed particle shape. We applied this approach to thin sections of “modern” lacustrine ooids collected from several locations in the Great Salt Lake (GSL), UT, to assess the spatial and temporal variability of environmental conditions from the perspective of individual grains within a single deposit. We found that GSL ooids do not all share the same histories: Clustering ooid histories by a Frechet distance metric revealed commonalities between grains found together locally within a deposit but distinct differences between subpopulations shared among localities across the GSL. These results support the tacit view that carbonate sedimentary grains found together in the environment do reflect a common history of sediment transport. This general approach to invert ooid cortical stratigraphy can be applied to characterize environmental variability over <1,000 year timescales in both marine and lacustrine ooid grainstones of any geologic age.
General solution for rapid scan EPR deconvolution problem.

Abstract A general solution for the RS EPR deconvolution problem has been derived. This solution permits the use of arbitrary magnetic field scans. As a result, constraints on the current experimental designs can be lifted. For example, a trapezoidal waveform can be used to accelerate the scan rate without affecting the signal bandwidth. The assumptions made to develop the previous algorithms are mathematically validated.
A Multi-Gene Synaptic Plasticity Array Identifies Candidate Molecular Underpinnings of Cognitive and Mood Deficits in Rats with Heart Failure

ABSTRACT Chronic heart failure (HF) is a serious disorder that afflicts more than 26 million patients worldwide. HF is comorbid with depression, anxiety and memory deficits that have serious implications for quality of life and self-care in patients who have HF. Despite evidence that cognitive performance is worse in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction than in HF patients with preserved cardiac function, there are few studies that have assessed the effects of severely reduced ejection fraction (≤40%) on cognition in non-human animal models. Moreover, very limited information is available regarding the effects of HF on genetic markers of synaptic plasticity in brain areas critical for memory and mood regulation. We induced HF in male rats and tested mood and anxiety (sucrose preference and elevated plus maze) and memory (spontaneous alternation and inhibitory avoidance) and measured the simultaneous expression of 84 synaptic plasticity-associated genes in dorsal (DH) and ventral hippocampus (VH), basolateral (BLA) and central amygdala (CeA,) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). We also included the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which has been implicated in neurohumoral activation in HF. Our results show that rats with severely reduced ejection fraction displayed signs of polydipsia, anhedonia, increased anxiety, and impaired memory in both tasks. HF also produced a drastic downregulation of synaptic-plasticity genes in PFC and PVN, moderate decreases in DH and CeA and minimal effects in BLA and VH. Collectively, these findings identify candidate brain areas and molecular mechanisms underlying HF-induced disturbances in mood and memory.
Thromboembolic Disease in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially recognized in late December 2019 and has quickly spread globally with over 114 million reported cases worldwide at the time of this publication. For the majority of patients infected with COVID-19, the clinical manifestations are absent or mild. In more advanced cases, severe respiratory dysfunction is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, increasingly, there have been reports of increased thrombotic complications including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis seen in these patients. We present herein a series of cases of concomitant COVID-19 pneumonia and venous thromboembolism. These cases highlight the importance of clinical and radiologic vigilance to ensure this often clinically silent complication is not missed.
Transfer of the cloned Salmonella SPI-1 type III secretion system and characterization of its expression mechanisms in Gram negative bacteria in comparison with cloned SPI-2

Cloned type III secretion systems have much potential to be used for bacterial engineering purposes involving protein secretion and substrate translocation directly into eukaryotic cells. We have previously cloned the SPI-1 and SPI-2 type III systems from the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium genome using plasmid R995 which can conveniently capture large genomic segments for transfer between bacterial strains. However, though expressed and functional in Salmonella strains, cloned SPI-1 was previously observed to have a serious expression defect in other Gram negative bacteria including Escherichia coli. Here we show that cloned SPI-1 expression and secretion can be detected in the secretion preps from E. coli and Citrobacter indicating the first observation of non-Salmonella SPI-1 expression. We describe a compatible plasmid system to introduce engineered SPI-1 substrates into cloned SPI-1 strains. However, a SPI-1 translocation defect is still observed in E. coli, and we show that this is likely due to a defect in SipB expression/secretion in this species. In addition, we also examined the requirement for the hilA and ssrAB regulators in the expression of cloned SPI-1 and SPI-2, respectively. We found a strict requirement for hilA for full cloned SPI-1 expression and secretion. However, though we found that ssrAB is required for full cloned SPI-2 expression in a range of media across different bacteria, it is not required for cloned SPI-2 expression in MgM8 inducing media in S. Typhimurium. This suggests that under SPI-2 inducing conditions in S. Typhimurium, other factors can substitute for loss of ssrAB in cloned SPI-2 expression. The results provide key foundational information for the future use of these cloned systems in bacteria.
Lipid labeling from acetate or glycerol in cultured embryos of Camelina sativa seeds: A tale of two substrates

Studies on the metabolism of lipids in seeds frequently use radiolabeled acetate and glycerol supplied to excised developing seeds to track the biosynthesis of acyl and lipid head groups, respectively. Such experiments are generally restricted to shorter time periods and the results may not quantitatively reflect in planta rates. These limitations can be removed by using cultured embryos, provided they mimic growth and lipid deposition observed for embryos in planta. Mid-maturation embryos from Camelina sativa were cultured in vitro to assess the use of sufficient acetate or glycerol concentrations and labeling periods for stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometric detection. Maximum incorporation of exogenous acetate into fatty acids occurred at 1mM and above. This provides about 5% of the total carbon flux entering fatty acids, enough for (13)C isotopomer analysis while maintaining normal biosynthetic rates for over 24h. Labeling analysis indicates that acetate reports lipid metabolism uniformly across the embryo. At higher acetate concentrations with longer incubations, the rate of fatty acid synthesis is reduced and the composition of newly synthesized fatty acids changes. While the mole fractions of oleate that undergo Δ12-desaturation or elongation are independent of biosynthetic flux, Δ15-desaturation shows a bimodal dependence. These observations are consistent with changes occurring in planta over seed development. Incorporation rates of the glyceryl moiety into lipids saturates at about 0.5mM exogenous glycerol. At saturation, the exogenous glycerol almost completely replaces the endogenous supply of glycerol-3-phosphate without affecting net lipid accumulation or fatty acid composition. It is concluded that acetate and glycerol labeling of cultured C. sativa embryos can provide an accurate representation of lipid metabolism in embryos in vivo, and that in Camelina embryos glycerol-3-phosphate levels do not co-limit triacylglycerol synthesis.
Atom-interferometric gravitational-wave detection using heterodyne laser links

We propose a gravitational-wave detection method based on heterodyne laser links and light-pulse atom interferometry that enables high sensitivity gravitational-wave detection in the 0.1-mHz to 1-Hz frequency band using a single, long ($g{10}^{8}$ m), detector baseline. The detection baseline in previous atom-based proposals was constrained by the need for a reference laser to remain collimated over the optical propagation path between two satellites. Here we circumvent this requirement by employing a strong local oscillator laser near each atom ensemble that is phase referenced or phase locked to the reference laser beam. Longer baselines offer a number of potential advantages, including enhanced sensitivity, simplified atom optics, and reduced atomic source flux requirements.
Research and Application of Distributed Fusion System Based on Grid Computing

Grid computing is used to realize the connection of distributed, heterogeneous computing resources through grid, assist in accomplishing computing task. Focusing on the weakness of centralized information fusion, put forward the disturbed fusion model utilizing grid computing node to realize local decision fusion on the basis of distributing information fusion architecture, and transform the decision to global fusion center to make global decision, and achieve more exact situation assessment and trend estimate, and utilize this model to equipment fault diagnosis system as an attempt of grid computing.