cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Control of the Pollution of Water Resources Systems via Multilevel Approach

. The problem of modeling and control of water pollution is considered. A general mathematical model, where the pollution effluent is discharged directly into the river, into the lake, or into a bypass pipe leading to an advanced Waste Water Treatment (AWT) plant, is developed. The Water Resource System (WRS) under consideration is decomposed into N subsystems. The pollution effluent input vector to each subsystem includes the water quantity and different water characteristics such as BOD, DO, pH, conductivity, temperature, algae, phosphates, nitrates, etc. Treatment cost functions and quality transition functions as well as system model constraints are introduced, where all functions can be nonlinear. A system Lagrangian is formed to incorporate the system constraints and coupling. The Lagrangian is decomposed into N independent subsystems, and a two level optimization methodology is introduced. Each subsystem is independently and separately minimized at the first level assuming known Lagrange multipliers. At the second level, the total Lagrangian is maximized with respect to the Lagrange multipliers using optimal values for effluent inputs from all subsystems obtained from the first level. Economic interpretation on the Lagrange multipliers reveals that they are merely prices imposed by the central authority (second level) for the pollution caused by the subsystems. Advantages of the multilevel approach are discussed.
From botnets to MobiBots: a novel malicious communication paradigm for mobile botnets

Cyber security is moving from traditional infrastructure to sophisticated mobile infrastructureless threats. A major concern is that such imminent transition is happening at a rate far exceeding the evolution of security solutions. In fact, the transformation of mobile devices into highly capable computing platforms makes the possibility of security attacks originating from within the mobile network a reality. Today, mobile devices are capable of initiating sophisticated cyberattacks, especially when they coordinate together to form what we call a MobiBot. MobiBots differ from classical botnets in that they exploit mobile operating system vulnerabilities and the advantages of device-to-device communication to mask malicious code propagation.
Shared developmental programme strongly constrains beak shape diversity in songbirds

The striking diversity of bird beak shapes is an outcome of natural selection, yet the relative importance of the limitations imposed by the process of beak development on generating such variation is unclear. Untangling these factors requires mapping developmental mechanisms over a phylogeny far exceeding model systems studied thus far. We address this issue with a comparative morphometric analysis of beak shape in a diverse group of songbirds. Here we show that the dynamics of the proliferative growth zone must follow restrictive rules to explain the observed variation, with beak diversity constrained to a three parameter family of shapes, parameterized by length, depth and the degree of shear. We experimentally verify these predictions by analysing cell proliferation in the developing embryonic beaks of the zebra finch. Our findings indicate that beak shape variability in many songbirds is strongly constrained by shared properties of the developmental programme controlling the growth zone.
Redistribution of 99mTc-sestamibi and 201Tl in the presence of a severe coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND99mTc-labeled methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (99mTc-sestamibi) is a myocardial perfusion agent that clears slowly from the myocardium. This study evaluates the early and late myocardial distributions of 99mTc-sestamibi and 201Tl in the presence of low-flow ischemia to determine whether 99mTc-sestamibi demonstrates rest "redistribution."METHODS AND RESULTSLow-flow ischemia was produced in 18 anesthetized, open-chest dogs by partial occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Dogs were injected intravenously with 99mTc-sestamibi, 301Tl, and radiolabeled microspheres during sustained low-flow ischemia. The hearts were excised either 20 minutes (group 1, 10 dogs) or 2.5 hours (group 2, 8 dogs) after injection for gamma well counting to evaluate the early and late myocardial distributions of these radiotracers, relative to microsphere flow. The early myocardial distributions of 99mTc-sestamibi and 201Tl were comparable and correlated with the flow deficit (group 1). We observed a significa...
The effects of performance separability and contract type on agent effort

Abstract We report the results of an experiment on the influence of performance separability and contract type on the effort levels of subjects working in an environment characterized by team effects. We demonstrate that the principal can achieve improvements in productivity through the choice of incentive scheme and/or by increasing the degree of performance separability through monitoring activities. We consider competitive, individual, and cooperative incentive schemes and two levels of performance separability. Under both the competitive and individual schemes, effort levels increase as the degree of performance separability increases. Under the cooperative scheme, effort levels are not affected by changes in the degree of performance separability.
Design Data for Ortho-Parahydrogen Converters

Of the many parameters which must be considered in the design of an efficient ortho-parahydrogen converter, the most obvious is choice of an effective catalyst. After this choice there remain as variables the conditions of temperature, pressure, feed composition, and space velocity (or contact time) under which the conversion proceeds. The effect of these variables constitutes the kinetics of the conversion. Studies of conversion catalyzed by unsupported hydrous ferric oxide granules have resulted in sufficient data for reasonably good converter design and have also made possible a first approach to the kinetics problem.
The COP9 signalosome: an alternative lid for the 26S proteasome?

Abstract Two groups have recently reported ubiquitin-deconjugating activities associated with the COP9 signalosome (CSN). Together with a previously identified deneddylation activity, CSN now appears to possess biochemical activities towards the cullin-containing ubiquitin ligases (e.g. deneddylation) and ubiquitinated protein substrates in the proteasome-mediated degradation processes (e.g. deubiquitination). Here, we discuss how these findings support a central role for CSN in ubiquitination of substrate proteins and their proteolysis.
The application of in situ formed mixed iron oxides in the removal of strontium and actinides from nuclear tank waste

This article discusses the experimental program conducted at Argonne National Laboratory to study the performance of in situ formed mixed iron oxides (IS-MIO) for the removal of strontium (Sr), plutonium (Pu), neptunium (Np), uranium (U), and americium (Am) from the Savannah River Site (SRS) radioactive tank waste. The boundaries for the experimental work were defined in collaboration with SRS. IS-MIO was actually found to be a mixture of Fe(II) and Fe(III) oxides and hydroxides, including magnetite. Decontamination factor (DF) values were measured for both IS-MIO and monosodium titanate (MST), the baseline sorbent used by SRS. DF values for IS-MIO were found to be superior to MST for all isotopes studied. DF values for Pu, Np, and Sr, achieved within 30 min of IS-MIO formation were orders of magnitude larger than the needed values. DF values for U and Am were less than the former three but still acceptable, and greater than MST. V C 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 56: 3012–3020, 2010
Survivors of Political Violence: Conceptualizations, Empirical Findings, and Ecological Interventions

There is a vast body of literature on survivors of political violence that has emerged over the past several decades. Most studies focus on the psychological effects of political violence on survivors, as understood within the Western framework of mental health. Studies that conceptualize and examine models that account for the complexity of the ecology of political violence are scarce. This paper synthesizes current conceptual and empirical findings about survivors of political violence. Interventions stemming from an ecological framework are also reviewed.
Clinical Outcomes after Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis with an Interference Screw

Background:Subpectoral biceps tenodesis with an interference screw has been shown to be an effective procedure from both an anatomic and biomechanical perspective. There have been no clinical outcome data on this procedure to date.Hypothesis:Subpectoral biceps tenodesis is an effective procedure in eliminating biceps tendinosis symptoms.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Patients who underwent subpectoral biceps tenodesis with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were evaluated using a battery of clinical outcome measures, biceps apex difference, and pain scores. A diagnosis of biceps tendinosis was made using a specific diagnostic protocol coupled with observation of biceps tendon fraying and increased erythema on dry arthroscopy.Results:Between November 2002 and August 2005, 50 patients underwent subpectoral biceps tenodesis. Complete follow-up examinations were performed in 41 of 50 (82%). There were 16 women and 25 men (mean age, 50 years). Follow-up averaged 29 months (range, 12–49 month...
Refining Fitts' law models for bivariate pointing

We investigate bivariate pointing in light of the recent progress in the modeling of univariate pointing. Unlike previous studies, we focus on the effect of target shape (width and height ratio) on pointing performance, particularly when such a ratio is between 1 and 2. Results showed unequal impact of amplitude and directional constraints, with the former dominating the latter. Investigating models based on the notion of weighted Lp norm, we found that our empirical findings were best captured by an Euclidean model with one free weight. This model significantly outperforms the best model to date.
Full two-port on-wafer vector network analysis to 120 GHz using active probes

A millimeter-wave full two-port on-wafer vector network analyzer (VNA) is implemented with monolithic GaAs directional time-domain reflectometer integrated circuits mounted directly on low-loss microwave wafer probes. The VNA performs S-parameter measurements to 120 GHz with +or- 0.2 dB repeatability using a line-reflect-match calibration method. >
Environmental Influences on Claw Horn Lesions Associated with Laminitis and Subacute Ruminal Acidosis in Dairy Cows

Abstract The environment may influence the onset of laminitis and associated claw horn lesions of dairy cows by exacerbating changes in the hoof triggered by events at parturition, onset of subacute ruminal acidosis, or claw horn growth and wear and ground reaction forces on different walking surfaces. Environmental risk factors for laminitis and associated claw horn lesions include feed bunk space and design, pen layout, overstocking, heat stress, stall use behavior, and exposure to concrete and other types of walking surfaces. New evidence suggests that cow environment may be the final determinant of the degree of laminitis and lameness observed on dairy farms.
The Retired Fly: Detecting Life History Transition in Individual Drosophila melanogaster Females

Life history observations at the level of individual model organisms are relatively scarce, but highly informative. Here I analyze published data on the survival and lifetime fecundity of 3,971 individually housed, mated Drosophila melanogaster females from nine experimental populations. Data were collected from four laboratories and include counts of over 4.6 million eggs. Individual fecundity records are dominated by zero-egg-days (ZEDs). I show that the timing of ZEDs is informative about the survival and reproduction of individual flies. The first postmaturation ZED divides adult life into two functional stages: working and retired. The working stage is characterized by relatively high levels of oviposition and survival, while the retired stage is characterized by low levels of oviposition and reduced survival. The retired stage typically lasts one quarter of the total adult life span. The age of transition varies between flies; consequently age-synchronized cohorts will generally contain a mixture of working and retired flies, possibly influencing responses to experimental treatments. ZED can be used as a nonintrusive, real-time biomarker to distinguish live flies in the prime of life from those in a terminal state.
Accommodating Self-Report Methods to a Low-Delinquency Culture: A Longitudinal Study from New Zealand

In 1984 I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand for two years to collect data for a program of research into predictors of delinquent behavior. I had proposed to investigate in particular the relationship between self-report delinquency and neuro-psychological variables, and had identified an ongoing longitudinal study of the health and social development of a birth cohort of 1037 New Zealand children that would be the ideal context for my investigation. Prospective data were to be made available to me concerning the subjects’ perinatal, medical and neurological health, their educational achievement, and childhood behavior disorders. The subjects would become 13 years old soon after I arrived, a suitable age to measure both emerging delinquency and neuropsychological status.
Effects of atherosclerosis on the coronary microcirculation.

We tested the hypothesis that atherosclerosis potentiates coronary vasoconstriction to serotonin and ergonovine. Coronary microvascular pressures and diameters were measured in the beating left ven...
Thirty-day mortality after elective colorectal surgery can reasonably be predicted

Background The aim of the present study was to develop a clinically relevant, accurate and usable risk assessment scoring system solely for colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective resection.
Intraobserver variability in the MR determination of tumor volume in squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: If tumor volumes are to be used for evaluating responses to treatment and long-term outcomes of patients with primary pharyngeal carcinomas, the reproducibility of these measurements must be established. We determined the intraobserver variability of MR imaging–based volume measurements of these cancers and their regional metastases. METHODS: We used an interactive computer program (IDL) that enables the extraction of tumor volumes from 3D MR data to obtain 202 volume measurements in 17 patients with pharyngeal carcinoma (two to five time points each). The primary cancer and largest nodal mass were manually outlined on every T2-weighted image of each MR study. The same neuroradiologist reanalyzed this MR dataset 2–41 weeks later. Measurement error and percentage measurement error (intraobserver variability) were determined. Differences in intraobserver variability between primary lesions and nodes, as well as between stages of treatment were tested with a Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The mean and median percentage measurement errors, respectively, were 13% and 12% (range, 0–53%; 95% CI: 10%, 16%) for primary tumors and 9% and 7% (range, 0–37%; 95% CI: 7%, 12%) for nodal metastases. The difference in the percentage measurement error between primary lesions and cervical nodes approached statistical significance ( P = .07). Differences in the variation of volume measurements based on the stage of therapy were significant ( P = .01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MR imaging–based tumor volumes are reliably reproducible. Such measurements may be important in predicting patient outcome, determining appropriate therapy, and conducting patient follow-up.
Lanthanum aluminum oxide thin-film dielectrics from aqueous solution.

Amorphous LaAlO3 dielectric thin films were fabricated via solution processing from inorganic nitrate precursors. Precursor solutions contained soluble oligomeric metal-hydroxyl and/or -oxo species as evidenced by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Raman spectroscopy. Thin-film formation was characterized as a function of annealing temperature using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and an array of electrical measurements. Annealing temperatures ≥500 °C result in thin films with low leakage-current densities (∼1 × 10–8 A·cm–2) and dielectric constants ranging from 11.0 to 11.5. When incorporated as the gate dielectric layer in a-IGZO thin-film transistors (TFTs), LaAlO3 thin films annealed at 600 °C in air yielded TFTs with relatively low average mobilities (∼4.5 cm2·V–1·s–1) and high turn-on voltages (∼26 V). Interestingly, reannealing the LaAlO3 in 5%H2/95%N2 at 300 °C before deposition of a-IGZO channel layers resul...
Solid-Phase Bioconjugation of Heterobifunctional Adaptors for Versatile Assembly of Bispecific Targeting Ligands

High-throughput generation of bispecific molecules promises to expedite the discovery of new molecular therapeutics and guide engineering of novel multifunctional constructs. However, high synthesis complexity and cost have hampered the discovery of bispecific molecules in drug development and biomedical research. Herein we describe a simple solid-phase bioconjugation procedure for preparation of Protein A(G,L)-PEG-Streptavidin heterobifunctional adaptors (with 1:1:1 stoichiometry), which enable self-assembly of unmodified antibodies and biotinylated molecules into bispecific targeting ligands in a versatile mix-and-use manner. Utility of such adaptors is demonstrated by assembly of anti-CD3 and anti-Her2 antibodies into bispecific CD3xHer2 targeting ligands, which efficiently drive T-cell-mediated lysis of Her2-positive cancer cells. In comparison to bioconjugation in solution, the solid-phase procedure described here offers precise stoichiometry control, ease of purification, and high yield of functional conjugates. Simplicity and versatility should prove this methodology instrumental for preparation of bispecific ligands, as well as for high-throughput screening of bispecific combinations, before proceeding to synthesis of lead candidates via recombinant engineering or chemical cross-linking.
Fracture Behavior of Pressurized Defective Pipes Subjected to Large Tensile Strains

In this work the tensile capacity of circumferentially pressurized cracked pipes with varying crack parameters and pipe dimensions are numerically investigated. The biaxial loading mode includes internal pressure and tensile load, which are applied in sequence. The present physics-inspired fracture model based upon the original Mohr-Coulomb criterion enables not only the computation of global fracture response of pipe subjected to complex loading condition but also a thorough determination of the local evolving stress state around the growing cracks.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Design of Variable Flow Energy-saving Control System for the Central Air Conditioning

The problem about energy consumed by central air-conditioner is paid attention by people.Variable flow hydraulic system is an effective energy-saving measure,which could adjust the flux to the load of central air condition.The article discusses the control variable flow energy-saving ideas with central air conditioning variable flow energy control system as the research object.We use STC microcontroller as control kernel and use fussy-PID arithmetic in this system.The article introduces the overall design scheme and the main function of the system.The anti-interference ability of the control system is strong.It can satisfy completely the need of variable-flux equip.
Indoor formaldehyde pollution in Fuyang city of Zhejiang province

ObjectiveTo understand the status quo of indoor formaldehyde pollution in Fuyang city of Zhejiang province.Methods28 newly decorated houses in Fuyang city were chosen and the formaldehyde concentrations in indoor air in respective rooms were determined.Result The formaldehyde concentration in indoor air in 25% of the tested 28 houses exceeded the State Standard.And the highest concentration was 0.81mg/m3 which was 8.1 times of the limit in the State Standard.Child's bedroom and guests'bedrooms were most seriously polluted.Conclusion The states of indoor formaldehyde pollution in the newly decorated houses in Fuyang city is serious,which needs to be paid more attention to.
The North End Is a State of Mind Surrounded by Water

This chapter1 presents a historical and cultural investigation of the manner in which the Italian Americans of Boston’s North End have negotiated identities by manipulating symbols in their religious festivals.
Testicular Blood Flow in Peripubertal and Older Rats with Unilateral Experimental Varicocele and Investigation into the Mechanism of the Bilateral Response to the Unilateral Lesion

Abstract Testicular and reference organ blood flows and testicular temperatures were determined in peripubertal and mature rats with and without experimental left varicocele (ELV). Testicular blood flow and temperature were significantly increased bilaterally 30 days after surgery to induce unilateral varicocele, and this was the case in both the younger and older animals. It has not previously been known that the pathophysiological effects of ELV extended to the peripubertal testis. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the left testis is not necessary for the right testicular response to varicocele. In the present paper, animals were subjected to left orchiectomy simultaneously with the surgery to induce ELV. Thirty days later, the animals were divided into those with and those without the left spermatic vein varicosity. Testicular blood flow was determined in all these animals as well as in a separate group of control and experimental varicocele animals. The group of ELV animals with left spermatic varicosity demonstrated a significant increase in contralateral testicular blood flow while the ELV group without left spermatic varicosity did not. We speculate that left venous distention is involved in the mechanism for the contralateral response to unilateral varicocele. ( J. Urol., 144: 1018–1021, 1990 )
1981: Company Total Factor Productivity: Refinements, Production Functions, and Certain Effects of Regulation

Recently there has been much concern and discussion over the performance of overall productivity in the US economy. One important aspect of this productivity issue is the development of an understanding of the total productivity characteristics of individual economic units. To generate this understanding it is necessary that these units have techniques for measuring productive results. Furthermore, such measurements may be useful in assessing part of the impact of public policy on the individual economic unit.
Knowledge Translation in Right Brain Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Study of Prism Treatment After Acute Stroke (P6.210)

Objective: This translational project piloted evidence-based processes for therapist neglect assessment and treatment in acute stroke care. Background: Post-stroke spatial neglect is common and very costly, impeding functional recovery, and increasing fall risk and caregiver burden. We advocate for early spatial neglect treatment, because of its adverse impact on stroke outcomes. However, most acute-care clinicians are not trained to recognize and address neglect. Methods: At Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, internists oversee care of medically-underserved stroke patients with neurology consultation. After meeting with stroke administrators (planning phase), a researcher-clinician occupational therapy liaison (Hreha) trained and supervised 8 acute-care therapists for 6 months (dissemination phase). Therapists became proficient in the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP)and Prism Adaptation Treatment (KF-PAT) with right stroke patients. We 1)compared stroke outcomes during dissemination and implementation to the previous year 2)collected a self-reported survey from therapists 3) tracked neglect assessment and treatment over the next 6 months (implementation phase). Results: During the dissemination and implementation phases, overall stroke patients’ length of stay, 30-day readmissions and in hospital falls/mo declined. During implementation, of 75 patients with right brain stroke, 65 (86.7[percnt]) were assessed with the KF-NAP. Eight (12.3[percnt]) had spatial neglect, and 5 (62.5[percnt]) received 1 or more KF-PAT session: the first US patients, we believe, to receive prism therapy during acute stroke care. After dissemination, therapists were confident (38[percnt]) or somewhat confident (72[percnt]) in spatial neglect assessment. All reported that they would recommend training to colleagues, and agreed that acute neglect assessment and treatment enhances stroke recovery. Conclusions: Fewer patients had spatial neglect than expected, but we demonstrated feasible knowledge translation for spatial neglect care in an underserved setting. An active-learning approach may be key to clinician engagement. Future research in stroke centers will help clarify the impact of neglect assessment and treatment on quality outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Barrett has received personal compensation for activities with Kessler Foundation as an employee. Dr. Barrett has received research support from SPR therapeutics. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hreha has received personal compensation for activities with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. Dr. Alban has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gocon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Santos has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lawless has nothing to disclose. Dr. LaRosa has nothing to disclose.
Interventions and Adaptations for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Inclusive Early Childhood Settings

The inclusive education of children with disabilities is considered best practice, yet many early childhood educators feel unprepared to deliver appropriate instruction for children with disabilities and often require supports to successfully meet the children’s unique needs. Young children experiencing autism spectrum disorder are being diagnosed at a young age and they are commonly receiving their education within inclusive early childhood settings. This article presents two methods to meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder. First, early childhood educators can provide interventions tailored to the children’s learning needs. Second, educators can adapt the environment, materials, activity, instruction, and assistance they provide so that each child is appropriately supported, while still being encouraged to succeed as independently as possible. This article summarizes research-based interventions and adaptations that early childhood educators can implement within inclusive settings to meet the diverse needs of young children with autism spectrum disorder and presents a case study to describe how these practices can support young children with autism spectrum disorder within inclusive settings.
Commutation relations in quantum mechanics

So far, commutators of the form AB − BA = − iC have occurred in which A and B are self-adjoint and C was either bounded and arbitrary or semi-definite. In this chapter the special case, important in quantum mechanics, in which C is the identity operator will be considered.
Once upon a (slow) time in the land of recurrent neuronal networks

The brain must both react quickly to new inputs as well as store a memory of past activity. This requires biology that operates over a vast range of time scales. Fast time scales are determined by the kinetics of synaptic conductances and ionic channels; however, the mechanics of slow time scales are more complicated. In this opinion article we review two distinct network-based mechanisms that impart slow time scales in recurrently coupled neuronal networks. The first is in strongly coupled networks where the time scale of the internally generated fluctuations diverges at the transition between stable and chaotic firing rate activity. The second is in networks with finitely many members where noise-induced transitions between metastable states appear as a slow time scale in the ongoing network firing activity. We discuss these mechanisms with an emphasis on their similarities and differences.
The impact of systematic changes in weather on the supply and demand of beverages

Abstract Weather, especially temperature, plays an important role in determining the supply and demand for a vast variety of goods and services. Though the economic impact of extreme weather is often measured and reported, the impact of systematic changes in weather, such as long-term temperature trends or short-term heat and cold waves are seldom quantified. In this research, we posit that such systematic changes in temperature impact the profitability of firms, and we develop a two-step econometric model to quantify the impact. The proposed two-step model estimates the impact that temperature has on the profitability of firms and partitions this impact into a long-term and a short-term component. We take up the case of six liquid refreshment beverages (LRBs) for illustrating the impact that systematic change in temperature has on demand. The results indicate that (a) the demand for LRBs is increasing by about 0.21% (63 million gallons) from year to year on account of the rising temperature trend, and (b) there is an asymmetry in the effect of a heat wave versus a cold wave on beverage demand (i.e., the weekly demand for beverages increases by about 2.1% per degree on account of a heat wave while the weekly demand decreases by only 0.4% per degree on account of a cold wave). We also illustrate how these estimates of the impact of the long-term temperature trends could be linked to strategic decisions, such as facility location, and the estimates of the impact of the short-term temperature aberrations could be linked to operational decisions such as the inventory order quantity in a week when there is a temperature aberration.
Differentiation-dependent antiviral capacities of amphibian (Xenopus laevis) macrophages.

Infections by ranaviruses such as Frog virus 3 (Fv3), are significantly contributing to worldwide amphibian population declines. Notably, amphibian macrophages (Mϕs) are important to both the Fv3 infection strategies and the immune defense against this pathogen. However, the mechanisms underlying amphibian Mϕ Fv3 susceptibility and resistance remain unknown. Mϕ differentiation is mediated by signaling through the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) which is now known to be bound not only by CSF-1, but also by the unrelated interleukin-34 (IL-34) cytokine. Pertinently, amphibian (Xenopus laevis) Mϕs differentiated by CSF-1 and IL-34 are highly susceptible and resistant to Fv3, respectively. Accordingly, in the present work, we elucidate the facets of this Mϕ Fv3 susceptibility and resistance. Because cellular resistance to viral replication is marked by expression of antiviral restriction factors, it was intuitive to find that IL-34-Mϕs possess significantly greater mRNA levels of select restriction factor genes than CSF-1-Mϕs. Xenopodinae amphibians have highly expanded repertoires of antiviral interferon (IFN) cytokine gene families, and our results indicated that in comparison with the X. laevis CSF-1-Mϕs, the IL-34-Mϕs express substantially greater transcripts of representative IFN genes, belonging to distinct gene family clades, as well as their cognate receptor genes. Finally, we demonstrate that IL-34-Mϕ–conditioned supernatants confer IFN-mediated anti-Fv3 protection to the virally susceptible X. laevis kidney (A6) cell line. Together, this work underlines the differentiation pathways leading to Fv3-susceptible and -resistant amphibian Mϕ populations and defines the molecular mechanisms responsible for these differences.
A comparison of the agreement, internal consistency, and 2-day test stability of the InBody 720, GE iDXA, and BOD POD® gold standard for assessing body composition

ABSTRACTThe study compared the agreement, internal consistency, and measurement stability of the GE iDXA, BOD POD, and InBody 720. Body composition of 43 men and 37 women (31.4 ± 10.7 years; 90% Caucasian and 10% other) was assessed in triplicate using each method over two different days. Mean percent body fat (% BF) of the participants was different for all three machines (27.6 ± 10.0% [GE iDXA)] 25.6 ± 10.4% [BOD POD], and 21.3 ± 10.6% [InBody 720]; p < .05). The coefficient of variation for same day repeated measures was 1.06% (GE iDXA), 3.29% (BOD POD), and 2.97% (InBody 720). The coefficient of variation for 2-day repeated measures was 1.81% (GE iDXA), 4.61% (BOD POD), and 4.24% (InBody 720). The difference between the GE iDXA and BOD POD was within acceptable variability, while the InBody 720 significantly underestimated % BF. The internal consistency was highest for the GE iDXA, followed by the InBody 720, and then the BOD POD.
Metabolite regulates differentiation

Cellular differentiation involves dynamic epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic remodeling as cells transition to a new identity. Evidence is mounting that metabolism and gene regulation are intimately linked, with changes in metabolite availability modulating or even triggering gene transcription. One way that metabolites regulate gene expression is as substrates of enzymes that carry out posttranslational modification of transcription factors and histones. Such metabolites likely have distinct biological roles in different compartments of the cell, and in particular within the nucleus ( 1 , 2 ). Yet, the extent to which the nucleus is a separate metabolic compartment from the cytosol and the mechanisms by which nuclear metabolite levels affect expression of specific genes have remained largely unknown. On page 618 of this issue, Ryu et al. ( 3 ) demonstrate that compartmentalized synthesis of the metabolite oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), regulates adipocyte differentiation, a process that is essential for metabolic health, through transcriptional control.
Stein Predictors and Prediction Regions

Consider the problem of predicting a q-random vector Y on the basis of observing a q-random vector X.Here X and Y are independent random vectors, whose distributions are \(N\left( {\xi ,\sigma _X^2I} \right)\) and \(N\left( {\xi ,\sigma _Y^2I} \right)\) respectively. The two variances \(\sigma _X^2\) and \(\sigma _Y^2\) are assumed known, while the mean vector ξ is unknown. This paper studies the Stein predictor \( {{\hat{Y}}_{S}} = [1 - (q - 2)\sigma _{X}^{2}/|X{{|}^{2}}] \) X for Y and associated Stein prediction regions.
Soil Zinc Fractions Determine Inhibition of Nitrification

The thresholds for heavy metal loading of soils that do not impair microbially mediated processes need to be determined. This study assessed the limits for Zn in relation to the inhibition of nitrification. Different Zn concentrations in soil were achieved by spiking with ZnCl2 or from the long-term application of biosolids. Potentially available Zn was evaluated by fractionation using sequential extractions with water, 0.05 M CaCl2, and 0.11 M CH3COOH solutions at a soil:liquid ratio 1:40. pH (0.01 M CaCl2) and electrical conductivity were measured in all treatments. It was not possible to obtain very clear cutoffs of Zn concentrations based on nitrification inhibition, which could apply to different soils. However, water-extractable Zn fraction was best related to nitrification inhibition limits when soils were considered together. Three approximate ranges of nitrification inhibition were identified: 0 to 0.125 mg Zn L-1 (no inhibition); 0.125to 0.5 mg Zn L-1 (partial inhibition); and over 0.5 mg Zn L-1 (complete inhibition). For the same Zn loading, the water-soluble fraction was much lower in biosolid-amended soils than in the spiked ones. Consequently, biosolid-amended soils were more resilient toward Zn contamination. Weakly bounded Zn was a more reliable index than stronger bound fractions to determine common thresholds with respect to nitrification inhibition in the soils studied. Therefore, we suggest maximum Zn loadings based on the amounts in the soil solution rather than on total inputs or total content.
Post-operative Wound Care and Dressings

The number of surgical procedures executed in United States during the course of 1 year is on the rise due to the increasing aging population. Consequently, a morbidity associated with infection of the surgical site is estimated to lead to medical costs between $1–10 billion annually. Therefore a good post- surgical management of wounds plays a significant role in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with improper wound management.
The Evryscopes: observing the entire sky at high cadence (Conference Presentation)

The Evryscope is a new type of array telescope which monitors the entire accessible sky in each exposure. One Evryscope has covered the Southern hemisphere from Chile since 2015, and we will soon deploy another Evryscope to cover the North from Mount Laguna Observatory in California. Each telescope, with 692 MPix covering an 8000-square-degree field of view, builds many-year-length, high-cadence light curves for every accessible object brighter than ~16th magnitude. An overlapping 4000-square-degree region between each system will give simultaneous multicolor observations with a 8,500km baseline. Every night, we add more than a billion object detections to our databases, enabling the detection of exoplanet transits, microlensing events, nearby extragalactic transients, gravitational wave electromagnetic counterparts, and a wide range of other short timescale events. The Evryscopes are designed to complement surveys such as TESS, providing multi-color context, longer-term observations and higher cadence across the sky. Although the Evryscope telescopes are small, they integrate for more than 6 hours on each part of the sky each night, enabling the system to form high-cadence counterparts to surveys such as LSST. All data, over 600Gb per night, is recorded for realtime analysis. Co-adding achieves depths of g>17 each hour across the entire accessible sky, and our on-site pipelines add all object detections to our databases in realtime. I will discuss the system design, including building the telescopes for fully-robotic operation, actuating our lens-camera interface at few-micron precisions to optimize our image quality, and the big-data analysis required to explore the petabyte-scale dataset we are collecting over the next few years. I will also present the first results from the Southern Evryscope.
Dominated and pointwise ergodic theorems with “weighted” averages for bounded Lamperti representations of amenable groups

Abstract Group representations by bounded Lamperti operators in the spaces L α ( 1 ≤ α ∞ ) form a wide class of representations, including representations by bounded positive operators and (when α ≠ 2 ) representations by isometric operators. The Dominated and the Pointwise Ergodic Theorems (DET and PET) for Cesaro averages for the bounded Lamperti representations of amenable σ-compact locally compact groups in L α ( 1 α ∞ ) were proved by A. Tempelman in Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 143 (2015) 4989–5004. By using a completely different, functional-analytical method, developed by A. Shulman in his PhD thesis in 1988, we generalize this result to “weighted” averages of such representations and discuss various conditions on the “weights” under which the DET and the PET hold. We conclude with applications of the general results to the bounded Lamperti representations of groups of polynomial growth and of the groups R m and Z m .
Development of garment design strategies for women with visual impairments

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify clothing design requirements of women with visual impairments (VI). It was also to interpret these values into design strategies and to apply t...
Complex Hessian Equation on Kähler Manifold

In this paper, complex Hessian equation over Kahler manifold was studied. Under the condition that the underline Kahler manifold has non-negative holomorphic bisectional curvature, the existence and regularity of the solution was proved.
Effects of room acoustics on talkers: A use case for speech-acoustic signal processing in architectural acoustics

In the past, several room-acoustic parameters, recommendations, and standards have been developed with emphasis on accommodating the listener. Recent research has shown that talkers also respond to room acoustics via vocal adaptations. In fact, room acoustics may influence the development of voice disorders in occupational speech users. To evaluate the relationships between room acoustics and vocal parameters of healthy talkers, the authors of this presentation analyzed speech-acoustic signals under a variety of acoustical conditions. Vocal parameters were derived from recordings, and statistically significant effects of room acoustics were verified using mixed-model analysis of variance tests. Changes in reverberation time (T20), early decay time (EDT), clarity index (C50), speech transmission index (STI), and room gain (GRG) all showed highly correlated effects on certain vocal parameters, including speaking level standard deviation, speaking rate, and acoustic vocal quality index. The results show that as T20, EDT, and GRG increased, and as C50 and STI decreased, vocal parameters tended toward dysphonic phonation. These findings increase our understanding of the impact of room acoustics on vocal production, informing room design to help mitigate unhealthy vocal exertion and, by extension, voice problems. The study provides examples of how signal processing of speech signals benefits architectural-acoustics knowledge.
The Emerging Promise of Restorative Practices to Reduce Discipline Disparities Affecting Youth with Disabilities and Youth of Color: Addressing Access and Equity

In this article, Kervick and colleagues posit that restorative practices (RP) implementation promises to mitigate educational inequities resulting from discipline disparities for youth with disabil...
Modification of the MML turbulence model for adverse pressure gradient flows

Computational fluid dynamics is being used increasingly to predict flows for aerospace propulsion applications, yet there is still a need for an easy to use, computationally inexpensive turbulence model capable of accurately predicting a wide range of turbulent flows. The Baldwin-Lomax model is the most widely used algebraic model, even though it has known difficulties calculating flows with strong adverse pressure gradients and large regions of separation. The modified mixing length model (MML) was developed specifically to handle the separation which occurs on airfoils and has given significantly better results than the Baldwin-Lomax model. The success of these calculations warrants further evaluation and development of MML. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of MML for zero and adverse pressure gradient flows, and modify it as needed. The Proteus Navier-Stokes code was used for this study and all results were compared with experimental data and with calculations made using the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model, which is currently available in Proteus. The MML model was first evaluated for zero pressure gradient flow over a flat plate, then modified to produce the proper boundary layer growth. Additional modifications, based on experimental data for three adverse pressure gradient flows, were also implemented. The adapted model, called MMLPG (modified mixing length model for pressure gradient flows), was then evaluated for a typical propulsion flow problem, flow through a transonic diffuser. Three cases were examined: flow with no shock, a weak shock and a strong shock. The results of these calculations indicate that the objectives of this study have been met. Overall, MMLPG is capable of accurately predicting the adverse pressure gradient flows examined in this study, giving generally better agreement with experimental data than the Baldwin-Lomax model.
Abstract P153: Multiple Vulnerabilities to Health Disparities and Incident Heart Failure in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study

Background: Multiple socially determined vulnerabilities (SDV) to health disparities often cluster within the same individual. Previous studies have shown that SDV are separately associated with in...
The Future of STEM Teaching and Learning

The twenty-first century has been described as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the emerging science and technology of our present century is described and compared with earlier industrial revolutions. In each case, transformative technologies have sparked revolutions that have shaped not only the economy, but also higher education and STEM education. The history of each of these revolutions is explored and the detailed ways that higher education and STEM education has evolved is reviewed in the past and present centuries. The main technologies of the current industrial revolution, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and the Internet of Things are described in separate sections. The role of these emergent technologies in a new kind of STEM curriculum is described, along with examples of new courses based on these technologies at Stanford, MIT and Harvard. These new exponential technologies and the emerging realities they will bring challenge the sustainability of our planet and our notions of humanity, and how this may shape our STEM education and our universities in the coming century is described.
Low cost GaAs solar cells grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy and the development of GaInP cladding layers

The high cost of high-efficiency III–V photovoltaic devices has limited them to niche markets. Hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) growth of III–V materials has recently reemerged as a low-cost, high-throughput alternative to conventional metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) growth of high-efficiency solar cells. Previously we demonstrated unpassivated HVPE GaAs p-n junctions with excellent carrier collection and high open-circuit voltage (Voc). In this work, we demonstrate the growth of GaInP by HVPE for use as a high-quality interface passivation layer to GaAs solar cells. Solar cells grown with GaInP window layers show significantly improved carrier collection compared to unpassivated cells, improving the performance of these low-cost devices. These results show the viability of HVPE for the growth of high quality III–V devices at significantly lower costs.