cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Determination of e/m from the Zeeman Effect

Values of e/m have been determined from the Zeeman separations of the Cd line 6439 and the Zn line 6362. For these lines the g-factors can be accurately determined from the theory. A magnetic field of 7300 gauss was produced by an air core solenoid in which the variation of field strength over a length of 6 cm at the center was less than 0.1 percent. The field to current ratio, K, of this solenoid was determined in terms of the calculated ratios of three single layer standard solenoids. The field strength during an exposure was then given by the product of this constant and the current flowing. Evaporation of Zn and Cd in the short (6 cm) positive column of a helium discharge tube gave the desired lines. The Zeeman patterns were photographed with a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The result is e/m = 1.7579 ± 0.0025 × 10^7 e.m.u. per gram.
Finite difference methods for approximating Heaviside functions

We present a finite difference method for discretizing a Heaviside function H(u(x->)), where u is a level set function u:R^[email protected]?R that is positive on a bounded region @[email protected]?R^n. There are two variants of our algorithm, both of which are adapted from finite difference methods that we proposed for discretizing delta functions in [J.D. Towers, Two methods for discretizing a delta function supported on a level set, J. Comput. Phys. 220 (2007) 915-931; J.D. Towers, Discretizing delta functions via finite differences and gradient normalization, Preprint at http://www.miracosta.edu/home/jtowers/; J.D. Towers, A convergence rate theorem for finite difference approximations to delta functions, J. Comput. Phys. 227 (2008) 6591-6597]. We consider our approximate Heaviside functions as they are used to approximate integrals over @W. We prove that our first approximate Heaviside function leads to second order accurate quadrature algorithms. Numerical experiments verify this second order accuracy. For our second algorithm, numerical experiments indicate at least third order accuracy if the integrand f and @[email protected] are sufficiently smooth. Numerical experiments also indicate that our approximations are effective when used to discretize certain singular source terms in partial differential equations. We mostly focus on smooth f and u. By this we mean that f is smooth in a neighborhood of @W, u is smooth in a neighborhood of @[email protected], and the level set u(x)=0 is a manifold of codimension one. However, our algorithms still give reasonable results if either f or u has jumps in its derivatives. Numerical experiments indicate approximately second order accuracy for both algorithms if the regularity of the data is reduced in this way, assuming that the level set u(x)=0 is a manifold. Numerical experiments indicate that dependence on the placement of @W with respect to the grid is quite small for our algorithms. Specifically, a grid shift results in an O(h^p) change in the computed solution, where p is the observed rate of convergence.
Osteocalcin Promotes β-Cell Proliferation During Development and Adulthood Through Gprc6a

Expanding β-cell mass through β-cell proliferation is considered a potential therapeutic approach to treat β-cell failure in diabetic patients. A necessary step toward achieving this goal is to identify signaling pathways that regulate β-cell proliferation in vivo. Here we show that osteocalcin, a bone-derived hormone, regulates β-cell replication in a cyclin D1–dependent manner by signaling through the Gprc6a receptor expressed in these cells. Accordingly, mice lacking Gprc6a in the β-cell lineage only are glucose intolerant due to an impaired ability to produce insulin. Remarkably, this regulation occurs during both the perinatal peak of β-cell proliferation and in adulthood. Hence, the loss of osteocalcin/Gprc6a signaling has a profound effect on β-cell mass accrual during late pancreas morphogenesis. This study extends the endocrine role of osteocalcin to the developmental period and establishes osteocalcin/Gprc6a signaling as a major regulator of β-cell endowment that can become a potential target for β-cell proliferative therapies.
High-frequency transformer-link three-level inverter drive with common-mode voltage elimination

This paper proposes a novel topology along with a switching strategy for AC/AC conversion with a high frequency transformer link. The input side converter is a three phase to single phase direct link matrix converter switched with a simple triangle comparison based novel PWM strategy and provides input power factor correction. This PWM technique also helps to eliminate the effect of the pulsating DC bus seen by the output inverter. The high frequency transformer provides flexible voltage transfer ratio along with galvanic isolation and has much reduced size compared to the bulky line frequency transformer. The centre tapped secondary of the transformer along with a single phase rectifier provide the required voltage levels for a three level inverter. This inverter is operated as a two level inverter in order to eliminate common mode voltages at its output. A novel variable slope carrier is used for this inverter in order to nullify the effect of fluctuating DC bus. The major advantages of this scheme are a) elimination of DC bus capacitor, b) low neutral point fluctuation, c) isolation, d) input power factor correction e) flexible voltage transfer ratio and f) high power density. The proposed configuration is simulated and simulation results are presented, which verifies the operation.
Increased urinary levels of podocyte glycoproteins, matrix metallopeptidases, inflammatory cytokines, and kidney injury biomarkers in women with preeclampsia.

To investigate kidney injury in preeclampsia, we analyzed 14 biomarkers in urine specimen from 4 groups of pregnant women (normotensive pregnant women and those with pregnancy complicated with chro...
Articulating Cyber-History: Method-Based Historical Analysis and Problem-Solving

George Santayana's adage, "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeatit” indicates a hinge between history and problem-solving, or the use of existing material and to create new solutions to contemporary problems. This paper articulates this aspect of applied history as "cyber-history” through analysis of research on historiography's emergence in Ancient Greece, finding correspondence with Michel de Certeau's concepts of productive consumption and tactical agency, and ending with possibilities for application to architecture curricula, rigorously fusing historical research, critical theory, and the projective work of the design studio. The use of history as a guide for contemporary, projective activity has been apparent since its beginnings in the writings Herodotus and Thucydides documenting and seeking an understand of the events of the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War of the 5th century BCE. It is the nature of this productive aspect ofhistory that cyber-history examines, specifically the production of new methods. The work of Michel de Certeau provides us with a guide toward a creative/inventive history of practices, found in his distinction between strategy and tactics. Strategy is possible when the subject can be isolated from its environment and assume a proper place defined as its own. A tactic is activity that cannot utilize apropre, where there is no clear borderline to use in distinguishing an exterior party, or when the activity must take place in the territory of the other. Tactical discourse is suited for studying the production of design methods; if a project requires establishment of new ways of operating, then the designer has no propre from which to start. Cyber-history accesses the productive and inventive content of history, founded in a rereading of Herodotus' movements and writings as fundamentally tactical, and continuing with adaptation of historical materials to similar method-generating experiments.
The role of transfusion medicine physicians. A vanishing breed

Physicians with interest or expertise in transfusion medicine must apply their clinical consultation and laboratory management skills to be accorded support for their activities. To establish credibility, efforts must initially be directed where patient benefit and financial gain can be documented. Focusing efforts on practice improvements and sharing the results of those efforts with physician colleagues and administrators can help ensure continued support. Transfusion medicine continues to play an important role in health care, particularly in an era of managed care and reduced resources. Investment in the activities of this discipline will pay off for patients, clinicians, and hospitals.
Complexity of Illustrations in PISA 2009 Science Items and Its Relationship to the Performance of Students from Shanghai-China, the United States, and Mexico

BackgroundWhile illustrations are widely used in international test comparisons, very scant research has been conducted on their design and on their influence on student performance. It is not clea...
The Effects of Slot Film Cooling on Deposition on a Nozzle Guide Vane

The effects of slot film cooling on deposition in a high pressure nozzle guide vane passage were investigated experimentally and computationally. Experiments were conducted in Ohio State’s Turbine Reaction Flow Rig, using a four-vane cascade, operating at temperatures up to 1353 K. Film cooling was achieved on one of the vanes using a span-wise slot, located at approximately 30% chord on the pressure surface. The coolant’s effect on vane surface temperature was characterized by taking infrared images at various cooling levels. Deposition was produced by injecting sub-bituminous ash particles with a median diameter of 6.48 μm upstream of the vane passage. Several deposition tests were conducted with varying coolant levels. Results exhibit a strong relationship between the coolant flow rate and the amount of ash that deposits on the cooled vane. Capture efficiency was reduced by 70% at the highest coolant flow rate (1.27% of the mass flow rate in the passage). Capture efficiency reduction was compared to that achieved using discrete hole film cooling in other studies. The slot scheme showed similar or larger reductions in capture efficiency at lower coolant mass flow rates. Deposit distribution patterns are affected by regions of cooler temperature, both downstream of the slot where film effects dominate, and slightly upstream of the slot which is cooled by conduction. A computational simulation was conducted to model both the flow and deposition. The solid vane was also discretized to allow for conjugate heat transfer calculations, which produced results that were qualitatively similar to IR measurements, but over predicted the effectiveness of the coolant. An Eulerian-Lagrangian particle tracking model was utilized to track the ash particles through the flow. A sticking model was implemented to determine whether particles stick upon impacting the vane surface, from which deposition rates and distributions are obtained. The computational model under predicted the baseline capture efficiency and the capture efficiency reduction factors for each cooling level, suggesting that the model is not sufficiently sensitive to the temperature changes between tests. Inclusion of surface temperature and local shear dependencies was suggested as an improvement to the sticking model.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Tape drive track following using cascade control

Abstract Ultra-precise positioning of the recording head over the data tracks is required to achieve the aggressive track density scaling envisioned for future tape storage systems. The track-follow control system is responsible for reducing the misalignment between the tape and the head created primarily by lateral motion of the flexible medium. The challenge of improving the track-following accuracy becomes even more difficult in the presence of external vibration disturbances. Typically, position error signal (PES) information is measured at the tape head using pre-formatted servo information and is used in a feedback controller during track-following to maintain the position of the read/write elements at the desired position during tape transport. In this paper, a track-follow scheme is introduced in which a high-bandwidth low-noise position sensor is used in conjunction with the position information read back by the head from preformatted servo patterns on the tape. A cascade control configuration is proposed, in which first an inner loop is designed based on the actuator position information provided by the sensor. The high-bandwidth and low-noise characteristics of the sensor enable a high closed-loop bandwidth of the inner system that effectively compensates for external vibration disturbances. Subsequently, using a cascade structure, a PES-based controller is designed that compensates for the lateral tape motion disturbances. Simulation and experimental results are presented that illustrate the performance of the proposed scheme compared to a conventional PES-based track-follow control system.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory: Solar Array Performance after Three Years in Orbit

There are two identifiable patterns associated with solar array degradation; a gradual decrease in performance due to near-Earth space weather and an instantaneous decrease in performance due to solar events. It is extremely important to analyze and characterize the solar array degradation in order to provide a reliable prediction of the expected life of the spacecraft. Three years of solar array power data will be analyzed and a model of the projected useful life of the solar arrays will be produced. This model will then be compared to the solar array data from two other solar science satellites and a conclusion for the life expectancy of Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will then be drawn based on power requirements.
Dielectric Relaxation in Composite Systems

Dielectric relaxation phenomena have contributions from both the internal reorientation modes of the molecules comprising a material as well as the details of how those modes couple together to form the material. This behavior can change quite sensitively with changes in the composition of material. For a composite material that has more than one phase, the presence of phase boundaries and even shape can play an additional and large role in the observed relaxation behavior. Analysis of the relaxation spectra can be used to study these effects. Examples are shown, primarily of polymeric materials, ranging from liquid solutions to phase separated mixtures to show how dielectric relaxation over a wide frequency range can be used to characterize and study composite materials.
Probing the Highly Correlated Mixed-Valent State via Charge Transfer with Atoms Moving Out from a Surface.

We present physical arguments and quantitative calculations which indicate that under certain conditions atoms moving near metal surfaces exhibit a dramatic temperature and velocity dependence caused by a collective (mixed-valent) state. Charge transfer experiments are proposed to observe this phenomenon.
Future manufacturing techniques for stacked MCM interconnections

As multichip modules (MCMs) grow in chip count and complexity, increasingly large numbers of input/output (I/O) channels will be required for connection to other MCMs or printed wiring boards. In applications such as digital signal processing, large increases in processing density (number of operations in a given volume) can be obtained in stacked MCM arrangements. The potential pin counts and required I/O densities in these stacked architectures will push beyond the limits of present interlevel coupling techniques. This problem is particularly acute if easy separation of layers is needed to meet MCM testing and yield requirements. Solutions to this problem include the use of laser-drilled, metal-filled electrical vias in the MCM substrate and also optoelectronic data channels that operate in large arrays. These arrays will emit and detect signals traveling perpendicular to the surface of the MCM. All of these approaches will require packaging and alignment that makes use of advanced MCM manufacturing techniques.
The Big Event: Using This Day of Service to Teach Management Students About Corporate Social Responsibility

The Big Event is a nationally recognized, student-run day of service where students, faculty, and staff give back to their university’s surrounding community by performing volunteer work. The Big Event can also be used as a resource to teach and reinforce corporate social responsibility (CSR) theories to management students. Students participating in the Big Event see firsthand application of the many CSR concepts they learn in the classroom. By utilizing the Big Event as a service project, students also gain a better appreciation of the real-world issues and problems that modern organizations often encounter. The service project can be used in a business law or ethics course, in an introductory management course, or in an organizational behavior course, among others. The Big Event is therefore an excellent resource for management educators to use when teaching CSR theories, and it is a wonderful way for students, faculty, and staff to give back to the community.
How Rankings Came to Determine World Class

A direct correlation exists between the emergence of international rankings of universities and the pervasive rhetoric and obsession with World Class University (WCU) status. Building on a model first ventured by commercial rankings of colleges and universities in the United States as consumer guides for prospective students—notably the US News and World Report ranking of American colleges and universities—international rankings based on similar formulas made their appearance around 2003.1 As government ministries focused increasingly on research-intensive universities as a path for national economic development, they quickly embraced rankings as a quantifiable source for assessing the place of their universities in the global marketplace.
Self-projection in younger and older adults: a study of episodic memory, prospection, and theory of mind

Self-projection is the ability to orient the self in different places in time and space. Episodic memory, prospection, and theory of mind (ToM) are all cognitive abilities that share an element of self-projection. Previous research has posited that each of these abilities stems from the same neural network. The current study compared performance of cognitively healthy older adults and younger adults on several self-projection tasks to examine the relatedness of these constructs behaviorally. Episodic memory and prospection were measured using an episodic interview task where the participants were asked to remember or imagine events that either had happened in the past or could happen in the future and then gave ratings describing the extent to which they were mentally experiencing the event and from what perspective they viewed it. ToM was measured by asking participants to make judgments regarding the intentions of characters described in stories that involved cognitive, affective, or ironic components. Our results demonstrate that aging influences episodic memory, prospection, and ToM similarly: older adult participants showed declines on each of these measures compared to younger adults. Further, we observed correlations between performance on the measures of episodic memory and prospection as well as between episodic memory and ToM, although no correlation between prospection and ToM was observed after controlling for chronological age. We discuss these results in the light of theories suggesting that each of these abilities is governed by a common brain system.
Cytogenetic patterns in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Analysis of chromosomal banding patterns in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) reveals that approximately 50% of patients have an abnormal karyotype. Although there is substantial variability, certain nonrandom abnormalities occur, e.g., +8, −7, and the 8;21 translocation (often accompanied by loss of an X or Y chromosome). The 15;17 translocation appears to be highly specific for acute promyelocytic leukemia. These abnormalities usually are not seen in remission, but reappear in relapse, sometimes exhibiting further clonal evolution; a +8 is the most frequently observed evolutionary change. Patients with ANLL following treatment of a malignant lymphoma tend to have hypodiploid modal numbers and frequently show loss of a chromosome No. 5 or No. 7.
Early Events in the Clonal Evolution in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Carrying TP53 Mutations and 17p Deletion

Abstract The leukemia cells of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may experience clonal evolution of TP53 mutations and/or deletions in the short arm of chromosome 17 (del(17p)). Such changes are associated with poor prognosis and resistance to standard chemotherapy. We evaluated for TP53 mutations and p53 protein expression before and after irradiation in leukemia cells with del(17p) of 14 patients at various times prior to therapy. The proportion of leukemia cells harboring del(17p) ranged from 3% to 99.5%, as assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Four cases had less than 5% CLL cells with del(17p) at the initial sample date. Ten out of 14 patients had leukemia cells that used unmutated IGHV (71%), and 9 (64%) or 6 (43%) had CLL cells with high-level expression of ZAP-70 or CD38, respectively. The median time from diagnosis to sample collection was 2.6 years and the median follow up was 3.8 years. We found 10 of 14 (71%) had proportions of CLL cells with del(17p) ranging from 3% to 55%, but no detectable TP53 mutations in exons 5 through 8, where cancer-related mutations in TP53 are most common. These cases also had functional TP53, as assessed by leukemia-cell induction of p53 and p53-target genes in response to ionizing radiation. Four cases of 14 (28.6%) had TP53 mutation within one of the exons studied and constitutive p53 protein expression both before and after irradiation. In particular, 2 patients with del(17p) detected in 83.5% and 93% of the CLL cells, had leukemia-cell somatic mutations in exon 7 of TP53 at codon 244 and codon 242, respectively. A third patient with 99.5% of the CLL cells with del(17p) had a mutation in exon 5 codon 174. We identified heterozygosity in exon 5 at codon 179 associated with constitutive expression of dysfunctional p53 protein in a fourth patient in which only 14% of the CLL cells had del(17p). The mutation observed at codon 179 of exon 5 resulted in an amino acid change from histidine to leucine. Collectively, even though located in the DNA-binding domain of p53, none of the mutations identified were common to hot spot p53 mutations identified in other types of cancer. However similar mutations (histidine to arginine or histidine to tyrosine) at codon 179 were observed in 3 CLL cases recently published (Zenz T. et al. prepublished Blood 2008) on samples collected at 0, 5, 9 months from diagnosis, respectively. This study reveals early events in the clonal evolution of CLL leading to loss of p53 function, which can be found even in cases that have less than 20% leukemia cells harboring del(17p), as assessed by FISH. It also suggests that mutations at codon 179 might be a common hot spot in CLL, which potentially could provide for another means with which to evaluate for cases at risk for developing drug-resistant disease either spontaneously or following standard chemotherapy.
Design of a microstrip patch antenna for microwave sensing of petroleum production lines

In this paper, the design of a microstrip patch antenna for microwave sensing of sand production in petroleum pipelines is presented. Two antennas are designed in order to cover the entire sensing regime (gas to liquid including large percentages of brine) common to petroleum production lines. The antennas are designed to operate at ∼5GHz. The antenna intended for sensing with low-loss fluids (gas or oil) is capable of ∼4% bandwidth (|S 11 |<−10 dB), and the antenna intended for sensing with high loss fluids (brine) is capable of ∼7% bandwidth.
Gluten‐free muffins: effects of sugar reduction and health benefit information on consumer liking, emotion, and purchase intent

Summary Availability of reduced sugar gluten-free (GF) muffins remains commercially limited. In this study, selected physical properties, consumer perception and effects of health benefit information (HBI) were investigated for three GF muffins made with different amounts of sucrose (0%, 50%, 100%), with stevia used as a sucrose replacement. Sucrose reduction by 50%, unlike 100% with stevia, did not significantly decrease consumer acceptability (colour, odour, taste, sweetness, moistness, softness, stickiness, overall liking), positive emotions (calm, good, happy, healthy, pleasant, pleased, satisfied) and purchase intent (PI) before HBI was displayed. HBI had a positive effect on overall liking, PI and intensities of calm, good, happy, healthy and pleased emotions for both 50% and/or 100% sucrose reduction. The emotions happy and wellness became significant predictors of PI after HBI was provided. Overall, consumer acceptability and emotional responses of the GF muffin with 50% sucrose reduction were comparable to those with 100% sucrose.
Experience of Imagined Stressor

As people vary in the way that they manifest their tension, i.e., how they physically respond to stressors, they also vary in the manner in which they subjectively experience the stressor. In this lab you will look at how you experience an imagined stressor, the relationship between your physical response and your reported subjective experience, and which imagined stressor elicits the most intense response1
Creating Havens of Westernization in Nigerian Higher Education

From 1999 to 2012 Nigeria experienced an upsurge in the establishment of private universities. In 1999, 39 years since independence, there were only 3 accredited private universities; by 2012 Nigeria’s University Commission listed 50 private universities as accredited or provisionally accredited. What was the catalyst for this surge? Was it an increased demand for access to higher education? It is not inconsequential that the majority of these private universities are Christian based, as these are not new to Anglophone West Africa. With a western K-12 education system founded largely by missionary societies, it might seem surprising that higher education has experienced a comparatively secular existence in this region. The timing ensured Anglophone West Africa of a predominately secular university system. In 1948 the first fully accredited western universities, the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and the College of the Gold Coast in Legon, Ghana, were established in Anglophone West Africa. Because the colonial government by this time was well established and with sufficient resources for the task, there was no reason to contract higher education to religious institutions. From the beginning higher education institutions were overseen by the British government through the Inter-Universities Council for British colonies and the University of London. This chapter provides insights into why and when these private universities developed. It also raises these questions: Is Nigeria unique in its proliferation of Christian based universities? What roles do Christian based universities play in Nigeria or in West Africa? Is it one of maintaining and strengthening Christian religion or do they also act as havens for the promotion of neo-colonial Westernization?
Race, Unemployment, and Mental Health in the USA: What Can We Infer About the Psychological Cost of the Great Recession Across Racial Groups?

Social scientists from a range of disciplines have provided evidence of a connection between unemployment and mental health. However, researchers recognize that poor mental health can lead to joblessness, highlighting the challenge of generating an accurate estimate of the impact of unemployment on mental health. In addition, virtually all of these studies use either self-reported measures of mental health or broad measures of emotional well-being such as self-esteem or constructs of general emotional health which are less than ideal. A shortcoming in the literature is that scholars have yet to examine whether race effects the extent of the effect of unemployment on psychological distress. Unemployment might have a smaller impact on blacks, because they have a higher degree of resilience due to encountering a greater and more intense array of life challenges, or a larger impact because of the fear of the consequences of unemployment due to structural discrimination and fewer buffers such as wealth. This paper uses measures of mental health based on the DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnostic manuals to offer estimates of the link between unemployment and psychological distress for whites and blacks. We directly consider the prior mental health background of individuals to address the problem of reverse causality bias that mars virtually all existing estimates of the link between mental health and unemployment. This also allows us to offer convincing evidence on the relative effect of unemployment on mental health across racial groups. The analysis uses data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication. We construct two subsamples, one composed of those with no previous identified bouts of poor mental health (resilient) and a second group containing individuals with a history of psychological distress (vulnerable). Resilient persons, relative to those with a history of suffering from psychological distress, should be less likely to suffer a bout of poor mental health leading to unemployment. In addition, the influence of other covariates is likely different for resilient versus vulnerable individuals. Thus, our contention is that estimates generated using the resilient subsample will be less prone to suffer from reverse causality bias, measurement error, and specification bias. Hence, these estimates will provide the most accurate gauge of the mental costs of unemployment across racial groups. Our findings reveal that among resilient persons the pernicious effect of short-term unemployment on psychological distress is significantly greater for blacks. Our findings, based on data from the recession that began in 2001, allow us to infer that the Great Recession had a more intense adverse mental health effect on members of the black community. Our results imply that policymakers should consider both the monetary and psychological costs of unemployment, as well as their racial implications, when formulating policy to address the effects of economic downturns.
Antithrombotic drugs in cardiovascular medicine: a year in review.

Purpose of reviewTo provide an up to date review of the most recent randomized clinical trials in the field of antithrombotic drugs for cardiovascular diseases.Recent findingsIn 2017, low-dose anti-Xa treatment added to aspirin proved to be more efficacious than either treatment alone in patients wi
Deep data analytics for genetic engineering of diatoms linking genotype to phenotype via machine learning

Genome engineering for materials synthesis is a promising avenue for manufacturing materials with unique properties under ambient conditions. Biomineralization in diatoms, unicellular algae that use silica to construct micron-scale cell walls with nanoscale features, is an attractive candidate for functional synthesis of materials for applications including photonics, sensing, filtration, and drug delivery. Therefore, controllably modifying diatom structure through targeted genetic modifications for these applications is a very promising field. In this work, we used gene knockdown in Thalassiosira pseudonana diatoms to create modified strains with changes to structural morphology and linked genotype to phenotype using supervised machine learning. An artificial neural network (NN) was developed to distinguish wild and modified diatoms based on the SEM images of frustules exhibiting phenotypic changes caused by a specific protein (Thaps3_21880), resulting in 94% detection accuracy. Class activation maps visualized physical changes that allowed the NNs to separate diatom strains, subsequently establishing a specific gene that controls pores. A further NN was created to batch process image data, automatically recognize pores, and extract pore-related parameters. Class interrelationship of the extracted paraments was visualized using a multivariate data visualization tool, called CrossVis, and allowed to directly link changes in morphological diatom phenotype of pore size and distribution with changes in the genotype.
Discovery of Biomarkers Using Aptamers Evolved in Cell-SELEX Method

The knowledge of biomarkers relevant to diseases has a significant impact on the diagnosis, the prognosis, and the fundamental understanding of the disease. In the context of biomarker discovery in cell-SELEX, the definition of a biomarker referred to a molecular entity overly expressed in an immortalized cell line in which the origin of this cell is a diseased patient. This chapter focuses on an extensive discussion on how biomarkers can be discovered using aptamers evolved from cell-SELEX technology, with a particular emphasis on the systematic steps needs to follow to discover a biomarker. A comparison is made underlining current challenges of existing “omic”-based technologies of biomarker discovery. The utility of chemical versatility of aptamers in transforming aptamers evolved from cell-SELEX as a proteomic tool is discussed. Feasibility of post-proteomic target validation studies employing variety of biochemical techniques is highlighted with selected examples. The significant progress of aptamer-aided biomarker discovery is emphasized with six examples of aptamer-based biomarker discovery leading to the identification of novel marker or already established biomarker molecules. Chapter concludes with a discussion on current challenges that hinders the success of the field of aptamer-based biomarker discovery, and a discussion with potential solutions that could accelerate the progress of the field.
Is Vascularized Composite Allograft Transplantation Experimental or an Accepted Surgical Procedure: Results from a National Survey.

Background More than 85 patients have received over 100 hand/arm transplants and more than 35 patients have received full or partial face transplants at institutions around the world. Given over two decades of experience in the field and in the light of successful outcomes with up to 17 years follow up time, should we still consider vascularized composite allograft (VCA) as a research/clinical investigation? We present the results of a nationwide electronic survey whose intent was to gather institutional bias with regard to this question. Methods An 11 question survey that was developed by VCA advisory committee of American Society of Transplantation was sent to all identified Internal Review Board chairs or directors in the United States. Results We received a total of 54 responses (25.3%) to the survey. The majority (78%) of responses came from either the chairperson, director, or someone who is administratively responsible for an IRB. Conclusion Though certainly not an exhaustive investigation into each institution's preference, we present a representative sampling. The results of which favor VCA as an accepted clinical procedure given the appropriate setting. Further research is needed to fully ascertain practices at each individual institution.
Takotsubo Syndrome: Clinical Manifestations, Etiology and Pathogenesis.

The purpose of the review is the analysis of clinical and experimental data on the etiology and pathogenesis of takotsubo syndrome (TS). TS is characterized by contractile dysfunction, which usually affects the apical region of the heart, lack of coronary artery obstruction, moderate increase in myocardial necrosis markers, prolonged QTc interval (in 50% of patients), sometimes elevation of ST segment (in 19% of patients), increase N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide level, microvascular dysfunction, sometimes spasm of the epicardial coronary arteries (in 10% of patients), myocardial edema, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (in 11% of patients). Stress cardiomyopathy is a rare disease, it is observed in 0.6 - 2.5% of patients with acute coronary syndrome. The occurrence of takotsubo syndrome is 9 times higher in women, who are aged 60-70 years old , than in men. The hospital mortality among patients with TS corresponds to 3.5% - 12%. In many patients with TS, but not in all, physical or emotional stress precedes the disease. Many patients with TS, but not all, have neurological or mental illnesses. The level of catecholamines is increased in patients with TS, therefore, the occurrence of TS is associated with the excessive activation of the adrenergic system. The negative inotropic effect of catecholamines is associated with the activation of β2 adrenergic receptors. An important role of the adrenergic system in the pathogenesis of TS is confirmed by studies which were performed using 125I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (125I -MIBG). TS causes edema and inflammation of the myocardium. The inflammatory response in TS is systemic. TS causes impaired coronary microcirculation and reduces coronary reserve. There is reason to believe that an increase in blood viscosity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of microcirculatory dysfunction in patients with TS. Epicardial coronary artery spasm is not obligatory for the occurrence of TS. Cortisol, endothelin-1 and microRNAs are challengers for the role of TS triggers. A decrease in estrogen levels is a factor contributing to the onset of TS. The central nervous system appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of TS.
The California Wine Region

An overview of the California wine region, including information on popular varietals, AVA's, geography, and the impacts of Covid-19 on the industry.
Using composite behavior to improve the blast resistance of columns in buildings

Abstract: The focus of this investigation is a load bearing column subjected to a near-proximity vehicle-borne explosive threat. The design of ground floor columns of high rise buildings has to fulfill architectural demands, such as to support long-spanned framing, which often result in a non-redundant structure. Additionally, standoff distances from the street curb line to the building’s ground floor column may be insufficient and no restrictions on vehicle access within short distances to the column may be possible. This hazard requires the local resistance design approach to protect the structure of progressive collapse. This chapter investigates the response of a representative steel column when subjected to a nearby explosive event. It discusses how composite construction technology can improve the blast response of the steel column. Additionally, structure-specific and load-dependent design parameters are derived to provide a high level of security.
Reflecting on the ‘Community’ in Community Music School after a transition to all-online instruction

As of February 2020, 2119 people of all ages attended early childhood music or music therapy, played and sang in ensembles, or took lessons at two Community Music Schools. On March 13, both facilit...
Therapeutic Riding or Mindfulness: Comparative Effectiveness of Two Recreational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents with Autism

Therapeutic riding (THR) and HeartMath (HM) mindfulness-based interventions have promise for reducing stress in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. In three 10-week periods, this study compared THR, HM, and control on salivary cortisol, self-reported stress, parent-reported social responsiveness, and heart-rate variability. This crossover design included 27 participants (12–21 years) randomly assigned to order of intervention. Findings suggest that HM and THR manualized protocols are equally beneficial in decreasing cortisol levels immediately following a session, but HM sessions had more impact on heart-rate variability. There was no significant effect on follow-up cortisol levels within a week after either intervention, but THR had more impact on decreasing some self-reported stressors.
Timing of Martian Core Formation from Models of Hf–W Evolution Coupled with N-body Simulations

Abstract Determining how and when Mars formed has been a long-standing challenge for planetary scientists. The size and orbit of Mars are difficult to reproduce in classical simulations of planetary accretion, and this has inspired models of inner solar system evolution that are tuned to produce Mars-like planets. However, such models are not always coupled to geochemical constraints. Analyses of Martian meteorites using the extinct hafnium–tungsten (Hf–W) radioisotopic system, which is sensitive to the timing of core formation, have indicated that the Martian core formed within a few million years of the start of the solar system itself. This has been interpreted to suggest that, unlike Earth’s protracted accretion, Mars grew to its modern size very rapidly. These arguments, however, generally rely on simplified growth histories for Mars. Here, we combine likely accretionary histories from a large number of N-body simulations with calculations of metal–silicate partitioning and Hf–W isotopic evolution during core formation to constrain the range of conditions that could have produced Mars. We find that there is no strong correlation between the final masses or orbits of simulated Martian analogs and their 182W anomalies, and that it is readily possible to produce Mars-like Hf–W isotopic compositions for a variety of accretionary conditions. The Hf–W signature of Mars is very sensitive to the oxygen fugacity (fO2) of accreted material because the metal–silicate partitioning behavior of W is strongly dependent on redox conditions. The average fO2 of Martian building blocks must fall in the range of 1.3–1.6 log units below the iron–wustite buffer to produce a Martian mantle with the observed Hf/W ratio. Other geochemical properties (such as sulfur content) also influence Martian 182W signatures, but the timing of accretion is a more important control. We find that while Mars must have accreted most of its mass within ∼5 million years of solar system formation to reproduce the Hf–W isotopic constraints, it may have continued growing afterwards for over 50 million years. There is a high probability of simultaneously matching the orbit, mass, and Hf–W signature of Mars even in cases of prolonged accretion if giant impactor cores were poorly equilibrated and merged directly with the proto-Martian core.
Chemostratigraphy and its application in integrated reservoir correlation

Abstract The present chapter aims to provide an overview of the technique of chemostratigraphy, including information on methodologies that are generally poorly documented. This may seem surprising given the popularity of the technique, but is probably best explained by the existence of only two textbooks on the subject. Academic papers may explain the details of correlation schemes, but rarely provide comprehensive information on analytical techniques, processes by which element:mineral links were established, how key/index elements and ratios were chosen, and on what basis the boundaries were placed. Such information is often lacking because editors of scientific journals generally expect authors to concentrate on “the final result” rather than providing detailed information on methodologies.
Predictors of indoor radon levels in the Midwest United States.

Radon (Rn) is a natural and toxic radioactive gas that accumulates indoors, mainly in low-ventilated underground floors and basements. Several factors make prediction of indoor Rn exposure in enclosed spaces challenging. In this study, we investigated the influence of soil, geology, topography, atmospheric variables, radiation, urbanization, community economic well-being, and monthly and yearly variations on indoor Rn concentrations. We analyzed 7,515 monthly indoor Rn measurements in 623 zip codes from two U.S. States (Michigan and Minnesota) during 2005-2018 using a random forest model. Using Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values we investigated the contribution of each factor using variable importance and partial dependence plots. Factors that predict indoor Rn differed between states, with topographical, geological and soil composition being most influential. Cross-validated Pearson correlation between predictions and measurements was 0.68 (RMSE = 47.8 Bq/m3) in Minnesota, and 0.67 (RMSE = 52.5 Bq/m3) in Michigan. Our results underline the importance of soil structure for radon exposure, presumably due to strapped Rn in soil. The differences across states also suggest that Rn studies performing model development should consider geographical variables, along with other factors. As indoor Rn levels are multifactorial, an understanding of the factors that influence its emanation and build up indoors will help better assess spatial and temporal variations, which will be useful to improve prevention and mitigation control strategies.Implications: Radon exposure has become a year-round problem as people spend most of their time indoors. In North America, radon exposure is increasing over time and awareness related to its health effects remains low in the general population. Several factors make prediction of indoor radon exposure in enclosed spaces challenging. In this study, we used random forest to investigate the influence of factors on indoor radon in the Midwest United States. We found that topography, geology, and soil composition were the most influential factors on indoor radon levels. These results will help better assess spatial and temporal variations, which will further help better prevention and mitigation control strategies.
High-impact educational practices: leveling the playing field or perpetuating inequity?

While most of the discourse surrounding high-impact educational practices is laudatory, the current manifestation of these practices is not above scrutiny. The benefits of integrating high-impact e...
Effect of Pores on Microstructure Development

The progress that has been made over the last decade in the understanding and control of microstructure development in porous ceramic systems has been briefly reviewed. Significant advances have been made through the development and use of simultaneous models of densification and grain growth. Microstructural maps have emerged as an effective means for displaying the effects of pore distribution and additives on microstructure development. The optimum conditions for densifying systems containing a mixture of small and large pores have been analyzed and this has lead to the development of a new type of ceramic processing map.
Immigration and Politics in the New Europe: Reinventing Borders

With almost a quarter of the world's migrants, Europe has been attempting to regulate migration and harmonize immigration policy at the European level. The central dilemma exposed is how liberal democracies can reconcile the need to control the movement of people with the desire to promote open borders, free markets and liberal standards. Gallya Lahav's book traces ten years of public opinion and elite attitudes toward immigration cross-nationally to show how and why increasing EU integration may not necessarily lead to more open immigration outcomes. Empirical evidence reveals that support from both elite and public opinion has led to the adoption of restrictive immigration policies despite the requirements of open borders. Unique in bringing together original data on European legislators and national elites, longitudinal data on public opinion and institutional and policy analyses, this 2004 study provides an important insight into the processes of European integration, and globalization more broadly.