cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quest for Diastolic Prognostic Indicators of Clinical Outcome After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Immediately after acute infarction, the region of the myocardium ceases to contract, and over the next 72 hours, the infarct zone stretches and thins, a process known as infarct expansion. This regional left ventricular wall thinning and failure to contract perturb the normally uniform distribution of the stress/strain relationship that preserves cardiac architecture and function. Simultaneous with these early biomechanical changes, myocyte necrosis releases a number of cytokines that, together with the local increase in the regional myocardial deformation, cause stretch activation of a portfolio of matrix metalloproteinases that initiate myocardial repair. Article p 2591 The stability of myocardial repair after acute myocardial infarction is determined by the balance between the distending forces from ventricular dilatation resulting from infarct expansion and the restraining forces from deposition of a viscoelastic collagen scaffold by the extracellular matrix that increases the tensile strength of the scar. The dynamic equilibrium between collagen degradation and collagen deposition is modulated by a number of activated cytokines and neurohormones that normally result in buttressing the infarct and adjacent border zones, preventing progressive remodeling to heart failure. Changes in the composition of the myocardium in terms of increased collagen content during and after repair of the infarct zone in forming a fibrous tissue scar alter the material properties of the myocardium after myocardial infarction and confer on the heart increased myocardial and chamber stiffness. These alterations in left ventricular composition, architecture, and chamber/myocardial stiffness affect left ventricular filling dynamics, the rate of detachment of cross-linking, and sequestration of cytosolic calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, all of which affect diastolic function as much as systolic function. However, most studies of the predictors of clinical outcome after myocardial infarction have focused almost exclusively on ejection-phase indexes of systolic contraction. Factors shown to be powerful predictors of clinical outcome after myocardial …
A wake-up call to advance women's health☆

O omen’s health has recently become a major clinical field, as well as a relevant public issue Kasper, 2002). Providing health care to women is omplex and challenging, and requires the coordiated effort of a multidisciplinary team of health care rofessionals. To succeed in this effort health care rofessionals need to practice good communication kills, have access to evidence-based information and e able to translate scientific evidence into their clinial practice. As patients, women should have easy ccess to the latest evidence-based information deigned to help them make the right decisions about heir care and the care of their family members. Recently, there has been a significant increase in epresentation of women in clinical trials (Department f Health and Human Services National Institutes of ealth, June 2003), including the Women’s Health nitiative. These trials have yielded abundant findings ith high clinical relevance to women (Cauley, et al., 003; Hays, et al., 2003; Manson, et al., 2003). Health ervices research has also shown that although omen seek more medical care, use more health care ervices, and spend more on medications than men Roe, McNamara, & Motheral, 2002), inequalities in are still limit women’s access to certain diagnostic rocedures and therapies proven to be effective for pecific conditions (Weisman, 1999; Bierman & lancy, 2001; Grady, Chaput, & Kristof, 2003). Much, herefore, still needs to be done to improve access, eceipt, and quality of care for this priority population. he challenge remains to go beyond research findings o ensure that research is used to eliminate inequalities
Structure and function of the ESCRT II-III interface in multivesicular body biogenesis

Summary The ESCRT-II-ESCRT-III interaction coordinates the sorting of ubiquitinated cargo with the budding and scission of intralumenal vesicles into multivesicular bodies. The interacting regions of these complexes were mapped to the second winged helix domain of human ESCRT-II subunit VPS25 and the first helix of ESCRT-III subunit VPS20. The crystal structure of this complex was determined at 2.0 A resolution. Residues involved in structural interactions explain the specificity of ESCRT-II for Vps20, and are critical for cargo sorting in vivo. ESCRT-II directly activates ESCRT-III-driven vesicle budding and scission in vitro via these structural interactions. VPS20 and ESCRT-II bind membranes with nanomolar affinity, explaining why binding to ESCRT-II is dispensable for the recruitment of Vps20 to membranes. Docking of the ESCRT-II-VPS20 2 supercomplex reveals a convex membrane-binding surface, suggesting a hypothesis for negative membrane curvature induction in the nascent intralumenal vesicle.
The asymptotic numbers of certain kinds of regular toroidal maps

Abstract The asymptotic number (of isomorphism classes) of toroidal maps of type (3,6) with at most n vertices is found, together with the fraction of those with multiplicity 1. Accurate lower and upper asymptotic estimates are provided for the number of toroidal maps of type (3,6) with a Hamiltonian normal cycle and with at most n vertices. The case of type (6,3) toroidal maps follows by duality. Similar results are obtained for toroidal maps of type (4,4). (Type ( p , q )= partition into p-gons, q edges incident to each vertex; normal cycle in a map of type (3,6)=a cycle that leaves, at each of its vertices, exactly two edges on the right; multiplicity of a toroidal map of type (3,6)=the greatest common divisor of the numbers of the three kinds of normal cycles.)
Simultaneous spatial and spectral selective excitation.

Using a k-space interpretation of small-tip excitation, a single excitation pulse has been designed that is simultaneously selective in space and resonant frequency. An analytic expression for the response of this pulse has been derived. The pulse has been implemented on a 1.5-T imaging system. The pulse has been applied to a rapid gradient-echo imaging sequence that forms both water and fat images within a breath-holding interval. These rapid images are free of the chemical shift artifacts at organ boundaries that typically afflict conventional rapid images. The pulse can be applied to a variety of other sequences, such as multislice water/fat sequences and rapid k-space scanning. © 1990 Academic Press, Inc.
How to Analyze the Results of Linear Programs-Part 3: Infeasibility Diagnosis

One problem in debugging a linear program is finding a way to diagnose an infeasible instance. The sources of error could be structural, such as inadvertent omission of activities, or data related, such as insufficient supply to meet demand. I present techniques that LP experts have used in practice for a variety of applications. It is important, however, to distinguish a diagnosis from an isolation. An isolation is a portion of the linear program obtained in some purposeful way to contain a probable cause. A diagnosis additionally requires an explanation of an isolation, which can require complex reasoning.
Live Oral Cholera Vaccine: Evaluation of the Clinical Effectiveness of Two Strains in Humans

El Tor Ogawa C14-S5 and EW-6, two live vaccine candidate strains, were given to volunteers in varying doses with and without bicarbonate. Vibrios were found in the stool of one of 32 men given the vaccine strain, and only three men developed a significant titer rise (fourfold or greater) at 2 weeks of vibriocidal or antitoxic antibody. Five men who had previously received 109 organisms of the C14-S5 strain were challenged subsequently with virulent Ogawa 395 Vibrio cholerae. The rate of clinical infection in these men was no different than in unvaccinated controls. It was demonstrated that the live oral cholera vaccines did not remain viable in the intestine long enough to act antigenically.
Rationalizing the Design Process

There is a strong sympathy between the literature on organizational design and that for product design, as one would expect. Product design is just one manifestation of the general organizational problem: how to divide up a complex of tasks into well defined subtasks, and then coordinate the divided whole to pursue a focussed objective. This paper outlines the sympathies between these two literatures, and shows how product design techniques such as conjoint analysis, quality function deployment, Taguchi methods, design for assembly, value engineering, failure modes and effects analysis, empirical guidelines, team building, and organizational initiatives address various facets of the general coordination problem.
Analysis of selected properties of measurement channels used in hazardous areas of ships

The paper raises selected problems connected with non-electrical quantity measurements in hazardous areas of ships. The main topic of presented paper is concentrated on simplified analysis of restrictions concerning load characteristics of measurement channels and identification of additional errors occurring the current signal transmission under considered conditions. Mathematical description of above mentioned limitations and also simple and communicative graphical method of determination of an admissible area of operation. Additional errors are based on concrete examples such as temperature measurement on liquid gas tankers.
Relativistic quantum walks

By pursuing the deep relation between the one-dimensional Dirac equation and quantum walks, the physical role of quantum interference in the latter is explained. It is shown that the time evolution of the probability density of a quantum walker, initially localized on a lattice, is directly analogous to relativistic wave-packet spreading. Analytic wave-packet solutions reveal a striking connection between the discrete and continuous-time quantum walks.
Treatment of drug‐eluting stent restenosis with the same versus different drug‐eluting stent

Objective: The authors aimed to compare the clinical outcomes with repeat drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation utilizing the same type versus an alternate DES type for in-stent restenosis (ISR) of DES. Background: DES are proven as an effective treatment for bare metal ISR. Methods: A cohort of 116 patients previously treated with a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) or a paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) who presented with angiographic ISR were treated with repeat DES. Of these, 62 (53.4%) were treated with different DES and 54 (46.6%) were treated with the same DES. This cohort was followed for clinical events at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar except for more diabetes among patients receiving the different type of DES. Of the 116, overall 16.4% of the DES were implanted for previous ISR and 2.6% had previously received brachytherapy. At 6 months, the overall target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate was 12.2% for the entire cohort. The TVR-major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate for the patients treated with different DES was 14.5% and 16.7% for the same DES (P = 0.750). Overall TVR rate at 1 year was 28.8%. The TVR-MACE was 32.6% for different DES and 35.0% for the same DES (P = 0.814). Conclusions: Reimplantation of DES for the treatment of DES ISR (same or different) is safe but associated with a high rate of recurrences at 1 year regardless of the initial DES type. Other treatment modalities for ISR of DES should be considered to further improve the overall TVR-MACE. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reclaiming self-determination from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975

This paper examines the way the term “self-determination” is used in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975. Its main thesis is that the Act does not in fact offer tribal governments self-determination, but instead reaffirms old power configurations that go back to the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
Intraperitoneal administration of tetanus toxoid elicits a specific response of antibody-secreting cells in the peritoneal cavity.

Anatomical studies suggested that the mammalian peritoneum plays an important role in immunological processes. Attention has primarily focussed on the greater omentum where “milky spots” cells play a role in the immunological defense of the peritoneal cavity.1,2,3,4,5 The peritoneal route of immunization has been used in experimental animals as an effective site for induction of both systemic and mucosal immune responses. 6,7,8 Kroese et al.9 showed that B cells from the murine peritoneal cavity repopulated the intestinal lamina propria of recipient mice with IgA-secreting cells. It was estimated that up to 50% of murine intestinal IgA-secreting cells were derived from surface IgA-negative precursor in the peritoneal cavity. Recently, Solvason et al.10 have demonstrated that human fetal omentum may serve as an additional site of B cell generation. These findings prompted us to study the potential of human peritoneal B cells to differentiate into antibody-secreting cells (AbSC). Patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) represent a group of human subjects with a permanent access to the peritoneal cavity through an indwelling catheter.11 We immunized patients on CAPD intraperitoneally (i.p.) with tetanus toxid (TT), a well established protein antigen, to examine whether it can elicit specific antibody production by peritoneal B cells.
The Frege-Wittgenstein Correspondence: Interpretive Themes

Twenty-one cards and letters from Frege to Wittgenstein—the totality of the correspondence between them presently known to exist—were discovered in 1988, long after elaborate and far-reaching interpretive traditions had grown up around each philosopher.1 It is unlikely that these missives will of themselves radically reshape our understanding of either. But for historians of logic and analytic philosophy, as well as for anyone interested in German and Austrian intellectual history at the time of the First World War—and especially Wittgenstein’s and Frege’s places within it—these are significant and interesting documents.
Investigating Supreme Court Impact on Agency Small Business Goaling: The Case of Public Procurement and Contracting

In this paper, I investigate the possible impact of judicial decisions on bureaucratic behavior, in the case of public procurement and contracting, which, as one of the three major categories of affirmative action programs in the U.S., remains largely unexplored in the political science literature. Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena (1995) mandates that federal agencies fully explore race-neutral policy alternatives, so as to ensure that the race-conscious portions are narrowly-tailored. I search for evidence that the proportions of dollars federal bureaucracy spends on small minority contractors decrease in response to the Adarand decision. My findings suggest that the Supreme Court ideologies and decisions have very limited, if any, impact on agency decision-making. I address some of the possible reasons for agency noncompliance or ill-translation of judicial policies.
High thermoelectric performance of fullerene doped Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 alloys

Abstract In this paper, we report our recent experimental findings on the enhancement of thermoelectric performance of C 60 doped Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 3 bulk alloys. Incorporation of a small amount of C 60 significantly reduces the crystalline particle size and leads to closely packed nanostructure, whilst slightly improve the electric conductivity in the measured temperature range. In addition, a minimum thermal conductivity of 0.4 W/(mK) at 358 K was observed, which is identified to be caused by the strong lattice phonon scattering at grain boundaries, yielding a high figure-of-merit ZT = 1.47 ± 0.07 at 358 K. Our results demonstrate that the materials can be used for the development of advanced thermoelectrics.
The Perfect Storm: Examining User Experience and Conducting a Usability Test to Investigate a Disruptive Academic Library Web Site Redevelopment

AbstractThe researchers conducted a task-based usability test of the effectiveness of online research beginning on the library Web site homepage. The participants included five university faculty members, six graduate students, and six undergraduate students. All participants reported feeling satisfied with their overall research experience, though most were unable to effectively complete all the research tasks of the test. The researchers identified weaknesses in the approach and process of many participants, and overall usability issues of the library discovery tool and other library Web site pages and research interfaces. Findings indicate the need to strategically incorporate self-service information literacy and research skills help into the library Web site, and to implement navigation and design changes to the library homepage, discovery tool interface, online catalog, and across all the library's Web services.
The influence of progesterone on adrenocortical function in the rat.

SummaryProgesterone treatment in vivo caused decreased corticosterone and corticosteroid production by homogenates from intact and ovariectomized female rats. Uterine weight, adrenal weight, and plasma corticosterone levels were also reduced by progesterone treatment of intact females. The effect of progesterone in ovariectomized rats indicates that the action of this hormone on in vitro adrenal function may be independent of any modulation of estrogen secretion. Progesterone, in contrast to estradiol and testosterone, has no significant effect on adrenal 5α-reductase activity.
A Unified Approach to the Analysis of Unidirectional and Bi-Directional Parallel Flow Heat Exchangers:

Virtually all sources devoted to heat exchanger theory, (in particular the heat transfer textbooks), start the analyses of the main thermal features of various heat exchangers by emphasizing the di...
What Does This Have to Do with Psychology?: Challenges and Possibilities of Civic Engagement in Introduction to Psychology

This chapter, written primarily as a letter to colleagues, grapples with one psychology instructor’s attempts to understand why incorporating a civically engaged curriculum into an introductory psychology course initially appeared like an easy and intuitively obvious endeavor, but was ultimately very difficult to achieve in a way that felt meaningful and authentic. I begin by reflecting on my previous attempts to bring “the civic” into psychology, as well as on students’ struggles to build that critical bridge between the psychological concepts discussed in class and the community-based endeavors grounding the civic engagement component of the course. Following, I propose a curricular revision, which draws on narrative methodologies to assist students in using core psychological concepts as a vehicle for thinking about persons-in-context and working towards social change. Key features of this curricular revision include writing one’s life story, interviewing an activist or community leader, and attempting to understand this activist’s commitments via core psychological concepts such as “generativity,” “identity,” “observational learning,” and “prejudice.” Ultimately, I call for further reflection on what it means to “do civic engagement” both within our particular disciplines and within the context of teaching and learning at a community college.
Expression of MICA mRNA and Protein in Human Endothelial Cells

MHC class I related Chain A(MICA)is a polymorphic gene that expresses glycoproteins on the cellular membrane.It may play a role in organ transplant rejection.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were isolated from umbilical cord veins and cultured within 4~6 passages.RT-PCR was used to analyze MICA mRNA that expressed on 11 HUEVCs and 7 culture cell lines.Surface MICA expression was examined by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibody staining.Total MICA proteins were accessed by Western blot.The results show that all of tested cells were found to have MICA mRNA expression.HUEVCs have surface MICA expressed in high level,but MICA protein expression in T and B lymphocytes was not detected.The difference of MICA expression by human endothelial cells and lymphocytes may indicate that the levels of surface MICA are differentially regulated in different cells.Moreover,the expression of MICA on the surface of endothelial cells makes this polymorphic molecule a possible target during the immune response of graft rejection in organ transplantation.
New Compatible Estimators for Survivor Growth and Ingrowth from Remeasured Horizontal Point Samples

Forest volume growth between two measurements is often decomposed into the components of survivor growth (S), ingrowth (Z), mortality (M), and cut (C) (for example, Beers 1962 or Van Deusen et al. 1986). Net change between volumes at times 1 and 2 (V, V,) is then represented by the equation
Imagining the borderlands: managing (to prolong) conflict in Tibet†

The current phase of political conflict in Tibet began with pro-independence protests in the late 1980s and saw a significant surge of unrest in 2008. But that unrest was not continuous and for much of the last 25 years was at a low level of intensity. Yet the Chinese authorities have categorised the situation in Tibet as a ‘life-and-death struggle’ against pro-independence forces throughout this period. This paper notes earlier debates in Chinese history about political strategies for managing borderland peoples, including late imperial era attempts by Chinese officials to forcibly change Tibetan culture that provoked rather than assuaged conflict. It suggests that this happened again in the 1990s when a group of Chinese officials proposed policies that sought directly to change core cultural practices among Tibetans. These policies of selective cultural intervention, unprecedented in the post-Mao era in Tibet, fuelled long-term resentment, leading to the violence and unrest of 2008. The paper argues that these policies were inseparable from the institutional interests of the agency within the Chinese Communist Party, the United Front, which had promoted them, to the extent that its status and influence within the state bureaucracy depended on it preventing them from being challenged or reversed. It made cultural intervention in Tibet seem normative to the Chinese policy elite by invoking three interlocked imaginings about ways of managing borderland peoples – the perception of perpetual war, Han expertise at borderland management, and latent threat within borderland cultures. That these have led to the prolonging of conflict in Tibet for over a quarter-century is a reminder of the importance of considering institutional dynamics in the analysis of ethnic conflict.
Exposure to medium and high ambient levels of ozone causes adverse systemic inflammatory and cardiac autonomic effects.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to ozone increases cardiovascular morbidity. However, the specific biological mechanisms mediating ozone-associated cardiovascular effects are unknow...
Optimal pH Control in Sequential Biochemical Reaction Systems via Generating a pH Gradient Across an Immobilized Enzyme Film

Multistep synthesis reactions form the basis for the manufacture of a variety of important biochemicals. However, in many cases, the optimal operating pH is much different for each individual step of these reactions. Even so, conducting all or some of these reaction steps in the same reactor often may have technical (and/or economic) benefits, as when one of the intermediate steps has a very low product to reactant ratio at equilibrium. When it is required to perform these sequential reaction steps in the same vessel, the usual method is to use a compromise pH. However, this approach is neither satisfactory nor feasible always because the rates of most enzyme-catalyzed reactions decay exponentially as one drifts away from the enzyme’s optimal pH. Thus, a technique which permits one to conduct the individual steps at their respective optimal pH and, yet, in close proximity to one another is extremely desirable. We recently proposed such a technique: a method for conducting, in a single reactor, the sequential reaction A ⇔ B → C. The first step is an enzyme-catalyzed reaction that takes place in a basic environment and the second step is either an enzyme-catalyzed reaction or a fermentation that occurs in an acidic environment. The approach suggested was to coat the pellets, within which the enzyme catalyzing the A ⇔ B step was immobilized, with a very thin (< lµm) layer of urease, before suspending the pellets in an acidic bulk solution in which the step B → C takes place. Now, adding a small concentration of urea to the bulk solution allows one to sustain the necessary pH difference between the bulk solution and the interior of the pellets, thereby enabling the two steps to take place in close proximity and also at their respective optimal pH.
The GNSS Reflectometry Response to the Ocean Surface Winds and Waves

This paper investigates the global navigation satellite system-reflectometry (GNSS-R) measurements collected by the space GNSS receiver-remote sensing instrument (SGR-ReSI) on board the TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) satellite. The sensitivity of the SGR-ReSI measurements to the ocean surface winds and waves is characterized. The correlation with sea surface temperature (SST), wind direction, and rain is also investigated. The SGR-ReSI measurements exhibit clear sensitivity to wind speeds up to 20 m/s. There is also apparent sensitivity to 35 m/s wind speeds although the collocation dataset becomes sparser. A dependence on the swell is also observed for winds 5 m/s. A weak wind direction signal was also observed, and an investigation of rain impacts did not conclusively confirm any influence on the data. These results are shown through an analysis of global statistics as well as an analysis of several case studies. This publicly released SGR-ReSI dataset provided a first opportunity to comprehensively investigate the sensitivity of GNSS-R measurements to various ocean surface parameters. The upcoming NASA cyclone global navigation satellite system will utilize a similar receiver to the SGI-ReSI; therefore, this data provides a valuable prelaunch insight.
Using Multiorder Time-Correlation Functions (TCFs) To Elucidate Biomolecular Reaction Pathways from Microsecond Single-Molecule Fluorescence Experiments.

Recent advances in single-molecule fluorescence imaging have made it possible to perform measurements on microsecond time scales. Such experiments have the potential to reveal detailed information about the conformational changes in biological macromolecules, including the reaction pathways and dynamics of the rearrangements involved in processes, such as sequence-specific DNA “breathing” and the assembly of protein–nucleic acid complexes. Because microsecond-resolved single-molecule trajectories often involve “sparse” data, that is, they contain relatively few data points per unit time, they cannot be easily analyzed using the standard protocols that were developed for single-molecule experiments carried out with tens-of-millisecond time resolution and high “data density.” Here, we describe a generalized approach, based on time-correlation functions, to obtain kinetic information from microsecond-resolved single-molecule fluorescence measurements. This approach can be used to identify short-lived interme...
RF Coupler Technology for Fusion Applications

Radio frequency (rf) oscillations at critical frequencies have successfully provided a means to convey power to fusion plasmas due to the electrical-magnetic properties of the plasma. While large rf systems to couple power to the plasma have been designed, built, and tested, the main link to the plasma, the coupler, is still in an evolutionary stage of development. Design and fabrication of optimal antennas for fusion applications are complicated by incomplete characterizations of the harsh plasma environment and of coupling mechanisms. A brief description of rf coupler technology required for plasma conditions is presented along with an assessment of the status and goals of coupler development.
Young Children in Military Families

Young children in military families face some distinctive family supports and risks due to one or more parents’ military service. These features of military life offer unique opportunities to promote resilience or create stress for young children. Repeated parental absence and risk of a parent’s injury or death are central challenges in military families and can create chronic disruptions in parent-child relationships. These early family experiences can affect the development of secure and healthy attachment relationships and, in turn school readiness. The purpose of this chapter is to convey typical and extraordinary family and community contexts that influence the development and school readiness of young military-connected children in the United States. Early childhood professionals can play important roles in the lives of young military children. This includes becoming an important and observant caregiver, creating a safe and supportive environment for a child to explore and learn, and becoming a skilled communicator and advocate. Additional recommendations and implications are provided for early childhood teachers and related professionals who work with children living in military families.
Cargo on the sixth mode: overview of satellite industry and its trends

This paper examines the satellite industry and its subsectors as one of the key commodities transported on the sixth mode of transportation. This industry has a significant role in the commercial aerospace industry. We review the trends of the industry in the 21st century and provide a model for estimating the future economic state of the global satellite industry.
Fast Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy with Low-Cost Microcontroller

We describe and demonstrate acquisition of Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy data at up to 70 Hz measurement rates, using a low-cost embedded Arduino Due Board.
Hypoxia-induced alterations in the lung ubiquitin proteasome system during pulmonary hypertension pathogenesis.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinical disorder characterized by sustained increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure that can lead to right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy and ultimat...
Self-Absorption Mössbauer Investigation of Neutron-Activated Krypton

The Debye-Waller factor F is related to the intensity of x-rays and cold neutrons recoillessly or elastically scattered from crystals. Similarly, the Mossbauer factor, f, gives the fraction of gamma rays emitted or absorbed with no recoil in a Mossbauer experiment. Here, the term recoilless interaction means that recoil energy does not go to the degrees of freedom of the lattice system but only to the recoil of the affected aggregate of atoms or crystal as a stiff, rigid unit. In the study presented here, the recoilless fraction, f, is investigated for solid krypton at 4.2° K. Specifically, f is determined by measuring the degree of self-abosrption of 9.3 KeV resonant and non-resonant radiation in a solid disk of neutron activated krypton as a function of disk thickness. Recoilless fraction (f) dependent resonance and non-resonance source photons within the Kr source disk are affected by high cross section f-dependent absorption and f2-dependent scattering interactions within the source. This strong f-dependence of source strength and interaction probability thus manifests itself in the measurement of non-resonant and resonant photon self-absorption. Self-absorption is determined by measuring the radiation intensity of 9.3 KeV photons escaping the source disk.
Stage-Frequency Curves for Flooding Due to Wave Overtopping of Seawalls

Curves relating flood levels With their frequency of occurrence are established for a coastal area just north of Boston. The principal cause of flooding is the overtopping of seawalls by storm waves. The project procedure involves the use of five modeling systems, including numerical storm surge, numerical spectral wave, physical wave overtopping, flood routing, and probability models. The main focus is on the probability model with the other four models only briefly described.
A Directive Antenna Based on Conducting Disks for Detecting Unintentional EM Emissions at Large Distances

This paper proposes a novel high-gain planar antenna design that consists of conducting metallic disks suspended on air and operates at 1 GHz. The antenna is designed for receiving the unintentional electromagnetic emanations generated by one or multiple embedded, “smart” electronic systems. The antenna consists of two layers of slotted conducting metal disks suspended on air and placed above the ground plane using teflon screws. The circular disks are designed to operate in higher order ${TM}_{12}$ mode. The screws’ location is the electric field nulls along the disk radius. The upper layer is $2 \times 2$ array of slotted circular disks electromagnetically coupled by the lower identical disk which is fed directly by a single coaxial feed. The complete fabrication of the antenna is done using aluminum metal sheets and involves no use of the dielectric substrate. The antenna has a peak gain of 19 dBi with impedance bandwidth ( $S_{11}\le -6$ dB) of 6.7%. The simple and cost-effective design can be easily scaled to higher frequencies.
Comparative early outcomes of tricuspid Valve repair versus replacement for secondary tricuspid regurgitation

Background Comparative outcome data on tricuspid valve repair (TVr) versus tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) for severe secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are limited. Methods We used a national inpatient sample to assess in-hospital morbidity and mortality, length of stay and cost in patients with severe secondary TR undergoing isolated TVr versus TVR. Results A total of 1364 patients (national estimate=6757) underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery during the study period, of whom 569 (41.7%) had TVr and 795 (58.3%) had TVR. There was no difference in the prevalence of major morbidities between the two groups, except for liver disease and hepatic cirrhosis, which were more common in the TVR group. Before propensity matching, in-hospital mortality was similar between patients who underwent isolated TVr and TVR (8.1% vs 10.8%, p=0.093), but the incidence of postoperative morbidities differed: TVR was associated with higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantation and blood transfusion, while TVr was associated with more acute kidney injury. After rigorous propensity score matching, TVR was associated with significantly higher rates of in-hospital death (12% vs 6.9%, p=0.009) and permanent pacemaker implantation (33.7% vs 11.2%, p Conclusions In patients undergoing isolated surgery for secondary TR, TVR is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and need for permanent pacemaker compared with TVr. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of the type of surgery on the short-term and long-term mortality in this complex undertreated population.
A global parameters extraction technique to model organic field effect transistors output characteristics

Abstract After an impressive improvement observed in organic field effect transistors (OFETs) technology, there is a need to have a comprehensive model, which can predict output characteristics of OFETs to facilitate device-to-system integration in an efficient manner. In this paper, a global technique is developed to extract parameters of various OFETs models by evaluating their output characteristics. By involving respective model’s expression, a simulator has been developed wherein the model variables have been extracted by using particle swarm optimization technique. Relative performance of a model is determined by assessing root mean square errors between the experimental and the modeled characteristics. Swarm optimization showed that the accuracy of a model is dependent upon the device dimensions. Thus, by employing the developed swarm optimization technique on devices of various dimensions, a preferred model is identified, which can be employed by the device modeling software. Swarm optimization showed that models, which are more physics based have a wider applicability than those which involved relatively higher number of fitting variables.
Semi-global exponential stability of augmented primal–dual gradient dynamics for constrained convex optimization

Abstract Primal–dual gradient dynamics that find saddle points of a Lagrangian have been widely employed for handling constrained optimization problems. Building on existing methods, we extend the augmented primal–dual gradient dynamics (Aug-PDGD) to incorporate general convex and nonlinear inequality constraints, and we establish its semi-global exponential stability when the objective function is strongly convex. We also provide an example of a strongly convex quadratic program of which the Aug-PDGD fails to achieve global exponential stability. Numerical simulation also suggests that the exponential convergence rate could depend on the initial distance to the KKT point.
Efficiency enhancement by phase focusing and collector depression

Nonlinear calculations [1], [2], [3] of the el ectron-wave interaction process in TWA’ s, klystrons and BWo’ S have permitted the calculation of interaction efficiencies along with information about the energy state of the spent beam. These calculations have been primarily concerned with the r. f. interaction process and have not considered the effects of collector depression on the overall efficiency of the particular device. In this paper the effect of collector depression on device efficiency is studied theoretically and calculations are presented for the TWA and the BWO under a variety of operating conditions.
Sigmoido-rectal intussusception

Rectal prolapse is usually of benign etiology. Rarely, sigmoido-rectal intussusception results from a malignant lead-point. We report the case of a patient with a partially obstructing sigmoid canc...
Nonfatal Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy as a Late Complication of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common weight loss procedure performed in the US. Gastric bypass–related hyperammonemia (GaBHA) is a potentially fatal entity, characterized by encephalopathy associated with hyperammonemia and various nutritional deficiencies, which can present at variable time intervals after RYGB. Twenty-five cases of hyperammonemic encephalopathy after bariatric surgery have been previously reported in the literature. We describe the case of a 48-year-old Hispanic woman with no prior history of liver disease, presenting with nonfatal hyperammonemic encephalopathy as a late postoperative complication 20 years after undergoing a RYGB. Hyperammonemic encephalopathy in the absence of known hepatic dysfunction presents a diagnostic dilemma. An early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to decrease morbidity and mortality.
A primer for cancer research programs on defining and evaluating the catchment area and evaluating minority clinical trials recruitment

National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers are charged with reducing disparities, improving cancer-related health outcomes, and increasing clinical trial participation for the catchment area population. Succeeding in this endeavor requires a clear definition of each cancer center's geographic catchment area as well as the demographic characteristics of the populations residing in the catchment area. For this reason, the definition of the catchment area is now a required element of NCI grant applications. This primer provides detailed information related to the definition of cancer centers' catchment areas and provides a case example from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to highlight best practice strategies for compiling and interpreting cancer health statistics for the catchment area.
Better integrating summative and formative goals in the design of next generation teacher evaluation systems

In current teacher evaluation systems, the two main purposes of evaluation—accountability/goal accomplishment (summative) and professional growth/improvement (formative)—are often at odds with one another. However, they are not only compatible, but linking them within a unified teacher evaluation system may, in fact, be desirable. The challenge of the next generation of teacher evaluation systems will be to better integrate these two purposes in policy and practice. In this paper, we integrate the frameworks of Self-determination theory and Stronge’s Improvement-Oriented Model for Performance Evaluation. We use this integrated framework to critically examine teacher evaluation policy in Hawaii and Washington, D.C.—two distinctly different approaches to teacher evaluation—for the purposes of identifying a set of clear recommendations for improving the design and implementation of teacher evaluation policy moving forward.
The Pursuit of [Un]happiness: A Study of Critical Perspectives of Living and Constraints of Social Stratification

This paper presents the pursuit of [un]happiness from a critical standpoint, and it examines how [un]happiness is influenced by social, political, historical, and economic systems. A mix-methods pilot study was conducted to find out how U.S. southwestern borderland community feel about happiness. The research participants included students and persons from the local border region. [Un]happiness is a byproduct of social justice or lack thereof; hence, this theoretical study analyzes the implications of sustainable socioeconomic and unequal structures that produce it. It inquires how the fulfillment of basic existential needs and access to quality education can guarantee critical, authentic, and hopeful opportunities for a happier and healthier life. We question whether social justice opportunities for happiness and how the constitutional pursuit of happiness guarantee its effectiveness and applicability. How should education promote curricular and pedagogical programs that facilitate the foundational means of happiness and how to live healthier lives? The overall findings indicate that countries that distribute resources more equitably have fewer social problems. The paper discusses eastern and western paradigms and recommends educational programs that can influence happiness.
Understanding the interactions between interstitial and substitutional solutes in refractory alloys: The case of Ti-Al-O

Abstract Refractory metals such as titanium can dissolve significant quantities of interstitial oxygen. The interactions between dissolved interstitial species and substitutional alloying elements remain poorly understood in refractory metals, but are increasingly recognized as being of importance, especially in high entropy refractory alloys. We performed a first-principles statistical mechanics study of the interactions between substitutionally dissolved Al and interstitial O in hcp Ti. A systematic analysis of phase stability in the Ti-Al-O composition space predicts the low temperature stability of a new ternary Ti6Al2O compound. In spite of a well-known affinity between Al and O, extensive first-principles calculations using density functional theory predict a strong nearest-neighbor repulsion between Al and O when both are dissolved in hcp Ti. The repulsion has its origin in the unique electronic structure of the Ti host. The combination of a cluster expansion Hamiltonian and Monte Carlo simulations shows that the strong short-range interaction between dissolved Al and O has important consequences for phase stability and the degree of order at elevated temperature in Ti-Al-O alloys. Monte Carlo simulations predict that an increase in the dissolved oxygen concentration leads to a reduction of the order-disorder transition temperature of α-Ti3Al. The results of this study provide guidance as to how the solubility and degree of ordering of interstitial species in refractory metals can be tailored by different alloying strategies.
Stochastic inversion of Gaussian random media using transverse coherence functions for reflected waves

The transverse coherence functions (TCFs) of phase and amplitude fluctuations of a seismic wave are powerful to estimate the spatial distribution, length scales, and strength of random heterogeneities. However, TCFs have been formulated for transmitted waves only, not for reflected waves. In this paper, we derive reflection TCFs for Gaussian random media. Furthermore, we propose to invert for Gaussian random media using the reflection TCFs based on the grid search. We validate the new reflection TCF formulas using 2D finite-difference numerical experiments. The numerical example also illustrates the feasibility and efficiency of the inversion. The stochastic inversion using reflected waves can be used in both exploration and global seismology.
Hot melt extrusion paired fused deposition modeling 3D printing to develop hydroxypropyl cellulose based floating tablets of cinnarizine

Three-dimensional printing could serve as a platform to fabricate individualized medicines and complex-structured solid dosage forms. Herein, hot melt extrusion was coupled with 3D printing to develop a unique gastro retentive dosage form to personalize treatment of cinnarizine or other narrow absorption window drugs. The mechanical strength of the extruded strands was optimized for printing by combining two polymers, hydroxypropyl cellulose and vinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer. The unit dose, floating force, and release profile were controlled by the printing parameters and object design. The tablets floated immediately within the FaSSGF, and floating force was relatively constant up to 12 h. Drug release followed zero-order kinetics and could be controlled from 6 h to ≥ 12 h. Input variables had a good correlation (R > 0.95) with unit dose, floating force, and dissolution profile (p < 0.05). Authors successfully proposed and tested a new paradigm of individualized medicine fabrication to meet individual patient needs.
MicroBVS: Dirichlet-tree multinomial regression models with Bayesian variable selection - an R package

Understanding the relation between the human microbiome and modulating factors, such as diet, may help researchers design intervention strategies that promote and maintain healthy microbial communities. Numerous analytical tools are available to help identify these relations, oftentimes via automated variable selection methods. However, available tools frequently ignore evolutionary relations among microbial taxa, potential relations between modulating factors, as well as model selection uncertainty. We present MicroBVS, an R package for Dirichlet-tree multinomial models with Bayesian variable selection, for the identification of covariates associated with microbial taxa abundance data. The underlying Bayesian model accommodates phylogenetic structure in the abundance data and various parameterizations of covariates’ prior probabilities of inclusion. While developed to study the human microbiome, our software can be employed in various research applications, where the aim is to generate insights into the relations between a set of covariates and compositional data with or without a known tree-like structure.
Novel case of an adult with toxic shock syndrome following COVID-19 infection

Abstract Purpose To report a case of an adult who developed toxic shock syndrome following COVID-19 infection. Observations A 28-year-old female tested positive for COVID-19. 19 days later, she developed a fever, rash and a burning sensation in both eyes. Her examination revealed mild ocular inflammation with bilateral eyelid and conjunctival involvement. Skin biopsy favored a diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome. She was initiated on corticosteroid eye drops and her ocular symptoms resolved three days later. Conclusion and importance Toxic shock syndrome is almost always associated with conjunctival inflammation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an adult patient with toxic shock syndrome following COVID-19 infection. The association between toxic shock syndrome and COVID-19 is unclear; however, patients should be vigilant for symptoms as toxic shock syndrome can progress rapidly and cause multi-organ failure.