cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limit state function identification using Support Vector Machines for discontinuous responses and disjoint failure domains

This article presents a method for the explicit construction of limit state functions using Support Vector Machines (SVM). Specifically, the approach aims at handling the difficulties associated with the reliability assessment of problems exhibiting discontinuous responses and disjoint failure domains. The SVM-based explicit construction of limit state functions allows for an easy calculation of a probability of failure and enables the association of a specific system behavior with a region of the design space. The explicit limit state function can then be used within a reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) problem. Two problems are presented to demonstrate the successful application of the developed method for explicit construction of limit state function and reliability-based optimum design.
Theories of Policy Diffusion: Social Sector Reform in Brazil

Brazil's democratic constitution granted municipalities responsibility to design and implement social policies, allowing for tailored programs to meet local constituent demands. Yet instead of pursuing local diversity, many governments chose to emulate programs made famous elsewhere. What explains the diffusion of social programs across Brazil? This article investigates whether policy makers are motivated by political self-interest, ideology, or socialized norms. It draws on an event history analysis of two innovative programs that have diffused throughout Brazil's largest cities: Bolsa Escola, an education program, and Programa Saude da Familia, a family health program. The author argues that political incentives, such as electoral competition, cannot explain diffusion. Rather, diffusion occurs when left-of-center mayors are ideologically compelled to enact these programs and when public officials with connections to professional networks are socialized to follow professional norms.
Mixing Biomimetic Heterodimers of Nucleopeptides to Generate Biocompatible and Biostable Supramolecular Hydrogels

As a new class of biomaterials, most supramolecular hydrogels formed by small peptides require the attachment of long alkyl chains, multiple aromatic groups, or strong electrostatic interactions. Based on the fact that the most abundant protein assemblies in nature are dimeric, we select short peptide sequences from the interface of a heterodimer of proteins with known crystal structure to conjugate with nucleobases to form nucleopeptides. Being driven mainly by hydrogen bonds, the nucleopeptides self-assemble to form nanofibers, which results in supramolecular hydrogels upon simple mixing of two distinct nucleopeptides in water. Moreover, besides being biocompatible to mammalian cells, the heterodimer of the nucleopeptides exhibit excellent proteolytic resistance against proteinase K. This work illustrates a new and rational approach to create soft biomaterials by a supramolecular hydrogelation triggered by mixing heterodimeric nucleopeptides.
Initial-interval driven biasing of nodal concentration along a fixed curve

Abstract Element size transitioning in the construction of spatial meshes for finite element models is often controlled by biasing the concentration of nodes, towards one end or the other, along each of a set of curves in the model. A simple, common and efficient scheme to implement such nodal concentration biasing along a given curve is to require that the nodal spacings δi be (sequence) terms biδ0 of a geometric series. Current practice takes the parameter value b, or its equivalent, as an independent input, so that the initial nodal spacing δ0 must be a computed output. This is the most straightforward approach, but the lack of direct control over the value δ0 is a significant shortcoming. In an element size transitioning scenario, δ0 is often a parameter for which the model builder/analyst has independent quantitative information. It may represent the a priori known thickness of a thin bond or weld, for example. A more rational choice for these cases, proposed by this paper, is a scheme for which δ0 is an independent input parameter instead of b. The parameter b is computed by a convergence-guaranteed algorithm for which the existence of b as a single-valued function of its input is proven.
A microfluidic device for a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) model on a chip

Drug discovery is often impeded by the poor predictability of in vitro assays for drug toxicity. One primary reason for this observation is the inability to reproduce the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs in vitro. Mathematical models to predict the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of drugs are available, but have several limitations, preventing broader application. A microscale cell culture analog (microCCA) is a microfluidic device based on a PK-PD model, where multiple cell culture chambers are connected with fluidic channels to mimic multi-organ interactions and test drug toxicity in a pharmacokinetic-based manner. One critical issue with microfluidics, including the microCCA, is that specialized techniques are required for assembly and operation, limiting its usability to non-experts. Here, we describe a novel design, with enhanced usability while allowing hydrogel-cell cultures of multiple types. Gravity-induced flow enables pumpless operation and prevents bubble formation. Three cell lines representing the liver, tumor and marrow were cultured in the three-chamber microCCA to test the toxicity of an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil. The result was analyzed with a PK-PD model of the device, and compared with the result in static conditions. Each cell type exhibited differential responses to 5-FU, and the responses in the microfluidic environment were different from those in static environment. Combination of a mathematical modeling approach (PK-PD modeling) and an in vitro experimental approach (microCCA) provides a novel platform with improved predictability for testing drug toxicity and can help researchers gain a better insight into the drug's mechanism of action.
A template for engineering based K-12 math and science curriculum units

The urgent need to increase the number of engineering students, including female and minority students, has brought about numerous K-12 engineering outreach efforts. Many of these efforts involve extracurricular competitions while others entail infusing engineering based activities into K-12 math and science classrooms. The latter efforts require effective activities that provide a positive engineering experience and facilitate learning of math and science principles. Adventure Engineering is an NSF funded program developing curriculum for middle grade (5-9) classrooms. Curriculum units are designed to facilitate student learning and application of concepts and skills consistent with national math and science standards. The units are adventure theme or scenario-based (e.g., Engineering the Congo, Asteroid Impact, Surviving the Biosphere) and are designed to replace one to three weeks of existing traditional curriculum. Student teams learn and apply the relevant math and science concepts as they engineer their way through the scenario. The one to three week curriculum units are self-contained such that teachers can download the units from the Internet, gather the required materials, and implement with little extra effort. This paper presents a curriculum unit template that has been developed during the course of Adventure Engineering curriculum development.
Identifying the targets of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors by primer extension inhibition

Aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases (RS) are essential components of the cellular translation machinery and can be exploited for antibiotic discovery. Because cells have many different RS, usually one for each amino acid, identification of the specific enzyme targeted by a new natural or synthetic inhibitor can be cumbersome. We describe the use of the primer extension technique in conjunction with specifically designed synthetic genes to identify the RS targeted by an inhibitor. Suppression of a synthetase activity reduces the amount of the cognate aminoacyl-tRNA in a cellfree translation system resulting in arrest of translation when the corresponding codon enters the decoding center of the ribosome. The utility of the technique is demonstrated by identifying a switch in target specificity of some synthetic inhibitors of threonyl-tRNA synthetase.
How Do Firms Address Multiple Taxonomy Issues

As a matter of course in international business, multinational firms produce reports according to different taxonomies for the same entity. However, the relation between US and IFRS taxonomies is nontrivial. There are some exact correspondences of accounts and some accounts which lack congruence. This issue is complicated by the need to have different industry taxonomies applicable to different reporting needs in different countries. The source of the differences is the different regulatory accounting approaches to economic events. This paper addresses these taxonomy issues, both generally and with a case example of a specific firm. Investors, companies, and regulators have the need to reconcile statements produced under alternative taxonomies. This problem is not restricted to this one issue. For example government authorities create XBRL taxonomies for banking purposes and then need to reconcile with generally used Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) taxonomies from different jurisdictions.
Nurse exposure to physical and nonphysical violence, bullying, and sexual harassment: A quantitative review

Abstract Objectives This paper provides a quantitative review that estimates exposure rates by type of violence, setting, source, and world region. Design A quantitative review of the nursing violence literature was summarized. Data sources A literature search was conducted using the CINAHL, Medline and PsycInfo data bases. Studies included had to report empirical results using a nursing sample, and include data on bullying, sexual harassment, and/or violence exposure rates. A total of 136 articles provided data on 151,347 nurses from 160 samples. Procedure Articles were identified through a database search and by consulting reference lists of review articles that were located. Relevant data were coded by the three authors. Categories depended on the availability of at least five studies. Exposure rates were coded as percentages of nurses in the sample who reported a given type of violence. Five types of violence were physical, nonphysical, bullying, sexual harassment, and combined (type of violence was not indicated). Setting, timeframe, country, and source of violence were coded. Results Overall violence exposure rates were 36.4% for physical violence, 66.9% for nonphysical violence, 39.7% for bullying, and 25% for sexual harassment, with 32.7% of nurses reporting having been physically injured in an assault. Rates of exposure varied by world region (Anglo, Asia, Europe and Middle East), with the highest rates for physical violence and sexual harassment in the Anglo region, and the highest rates of nonphysical violence and bullying in the Middle East. Regions also varied in the source of violence, with patients accounting for most of it in Anglo and European regions, whereas patents' families/friends were the most common source in the Middle East. Conclusions About a third of nurses worldwide indicated exposure to physical violence and bullying, about a third reported injury, about a quarter experienced sexual harassment, and about two-thirds indicated nonphysical violence. Physical violence was most prevalent in emergency departments, geriatric, and psychiatric facilities. Physical violence and sexual harassment were most prevalent in Anglo countries, and nonphysical violence and bullying were most prevalent in the Middle East. Patients accounted for most physical violence in the Anglo region and Europe, and patient family and friends accounted for the most in the Middle East.
Comparison of converging and diverging radial flow for measuring cell adhesion

Radial flow between parallel surfaces produces a spatially dependent wall shear stress that permits investigation of cell adhesion for a range of shear simultaneously. The maximum for this range is limited by accurate prediction of fluid mechanics at small radial positions. Numerical and analytical models for predicting fluid mechanics demonstrate that corner and inertial effects at small radial positions are not only significant but differ with the direction of flow (i.e., converging vs. diverging). For diverging flow from an axially oriented inlet, the recirculation zone downstream of the corner disturbs streamlines at small radial positions. With converging flow this recirculation zone is confined to the axially oriented outlet. Also, inertia contributes positively for converging flow, enhancing the magnitude of shear stress, but negatively for diverging flow. Experiments with cells support the validity of this analysis: the strength of cell adhesion does not vary with direction or magnitude of flow.
Where does the carbon go?—Plant carbon allocation under climate change

The ability of terrestrial vegetation to both take up and release carbon and water makes understanding climate change effects on plant function critical. These effects could alter the impacts and feedbacks of vegetation on climate and either slow down or accelerate climatic warming (Bonan 2008). In conclusion, studies on plant responses to increased atmospheric CO2 concentration and elevated temperatures have become abundant in the last 20 years (for reviews, see Way and Oren 2010, Franks et al. 2013).
Monochromatic beam characterization for Auger electron dosimetry and radiotherapy.

Abstract Dosimetry for Auger electron radiotherapy using monochromatic photon beams requires knowledge of beam characteristics. This study characterized a 35-keV photon beam generated at the LSU/CAMD synchrotron. Beam energy was measured by Compton spectroscopy and Si640c powder diffraction. Photon spatial distribution and virtual source position were measured using radiochromic film. Central-axis fluence was determined from Compton scattering measurements and application of the Klein–Nishina cross-section with percent polarization fit to results at 2–4 scattering angles. Broad-beam fluence was combined with MCNP5 Monte Carlo dose per fluence calculations to generate dose versus depth in a polymethylmethacrylate phantom, which was compared to ionization chamber and radiochromic film depth–dose measurements. For 22–41 keV beams, diffraction-based and Compton-based energy measurements agreed to within −0.1 ± 0.3 and 0.6 ± 0.3 keV, respectively, of monochromator calibrated energies. At 35 keV and 0.66 cm depth, dose uniformity over 80% of the 2.8 cm × 2.5 cm beam varied from 105 to 78% of the central-axis value horizontally and from 90 to 100% vertically. Narrow-beam divergence yielded vertical and horizontal virtual source-to-surface distances of 3.8 ± 0.2 and 15.7 ± 1.0 m, respectively. Incident fluence rates for a 35-keV beam (100 mA ring current) ranged from 1.181 ± 0.011 × 10 11 to 3.053 ± 0.004 × 10 11 photons cm −2 s −1 with ≈100% polarization in the horizontal plane. Ion chamber and film dose measurements underestimated MCNP5-based dose by an average of 6.4 ± 0.8 and 9.1 ± 0.8%, respectively, over measured depths. These practical beam characterization methods should allow subsequent Monte Carlo dose calculations needed for planning future radiotherapy studies. Although simulated and measured depth–dose curves agree well in shape, improvement in absolute dose is desirable.
Potential for using Lecanicillium lecanii for suppression of strawberry powdery mildew

Augmenting native populations of the hyperparasite Lecanicillium lecanii suppressed powdery mildew of strawberry, caused by Sphaerotheca macularis f. sp. fragariae in California field trials. Repeated sprays significantly reduced disease compared to the untreated controls for periods of the fruit production season, suggesting possible use as a partial, but not total disease control strategy.
Research Advisory Boards to Facilitate Organizational Research

The authors argue that the currently dominant paradigm for the design, conduct, and evaluation of organizational research is limited. Those limitations hamper the generation and accumulation of significant research and may result in a variety of other dysfunctional consequences. Collaborative approaches to the research process are presented and one, termed the research advisory board (RAB), is discussed in detail. The RAB, a group of scholars who provide guidance with a research project from its early stages, is seen as a mechanism to counter some limitations of the current process. As such, it would complement current procedures to yield a new, more constructive paradigm. We believe RABs would generally improve the quality of research, sharply increase the number of problems that are identified at research stages where they are correctable, lead to early recognition of fatal flaws, potentially increase research creativity, and provide a more level playing field for organizational researchers who do not h...
Exposing rats to a predator impairs spatial working memory in the radial arm water maze

This series of studies investigated the effects of predator exposure on working memory in rats trained on the radial arm water maze (RAWM). The RAWM is a modified Morris water maze that contains four or six swim paths (arms) radiating out of an open central area, with a hidden platform located at the end of one of the arms. The hidden platform was located in the same arm on each trial within a day and was in a different arm across days. Each day rats learned the location of the hidden platform during acquisition trials, and then the rats were removed from the maze for a 30-min delay period. During the delay period, the rats were placed either in their home cage (nonstress condition) or in close proximity to a cat (stress condition). At the end of the delay period, the rats were run on a retention trial, which tested their ability to remember which arm contained the platform that day. The first experiment confirmed that the RAWM is a hippocampal-dependent task. Rats with hippocampal damage were impaired at learning the location of the hidden platform in the easiest RAWM under control (non-stress) conditions. The next three experiments showed that stress had no effect on memory in the easiest RAWM, but stress did impair memory in more difficult versions of the RAWM. These findings indicate that the capacity for stress to impair memory is influenced not only by the brain memory system involved in solving the task (hippocampal versus nonhippocampal), but also by the difficulty of the task. This work should help to resolve some of the confusion in the literature regarding the heterogeneous effects of stress on hippocampal-dependent learning and memory.
A new estimator for directional properties of nearshore waves

[1] The infragravity wave (periods between roughly 20 and 200 s) energy balance in shallow, nearshore waters is believed to be effected by generation by groups of sea and swell, dissipation, shoreline reflection, and refractive trapping. Observations obtained with alongshore oriented arrays of current meters or pressure gauges have been previously used to identify concentrations of energy at the frequency-alongshore wavenumbers of refractively trapped edge waves, but seaward and shoreward propagating waves were not differentiated. Surfzone dissipation theoretically limits edge wave growth, and a different analysis (using the approximation of shore-normal propagation) shows that the energy flux of shoreward propagating infragravity waves decreases owing to surfzone dissipation. Here an estimator is developed that yields the alongshore wavenumber-frequency spectra of seaward and shoreward propagating waves, using the WKB approximation and observations from an alongshore-oriented array of pressure and velocity sensors. Example spectra, estimated using data from the spatially sparse and relatively short SandyDuck arrays, suggests that strong dissipation of shoreward propagating infragravity waves occurs over a wide range of alongshore wavenumbers, effectively suppressing the excitation of edge wave modes.
Systems for Rainfall and Runoff Use, Tucson, Arizona

Summary Rainfall and runoff in the Tucson, Arizona, urban area can be used to augment residential and municipal water supplies. Residential rainfall-harvesting systems include a catchment surface, collection and concentration components, separation and treatment units, storage capacity and distribution capability. A system to control runoff can divert water from urban washes for use in parks or other landscaped areas or can be used to enhance recharge to groundwater reservoirs. A reduction in flood hazards or peaks is a concurrent benefit of controlling and diverting runoff.
A Unique Group I Intron in Coxiella burnetii Is a Natural Splice Mutant

Cbu.L1917, a group I intron present in the 23S rRNA gene of Coxiella burnetii, possesses a unique 3'-terminal adenine in place of a conserved guanine. Here, we show that, unlike all other group I introns, Cbu.L1917 utilizes a different cofactor for each splicing step and has a decreased self-splicing rate in vitro.
Thymic Development of Autoreactive T Cells in NOD Mice Is Regulated in an Age-Dependent Manner

Inefficient thymic negative selection of self-specific T cells is associated with several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. The factors that influence the efficacy of thymic negative selection, as well as the kinetics of thymic output of autoreactive T cells remain ill-defined. We investigated thymic production of β cell–specific T cells using a thymus-transplantation model. Thymi from different aged NOD mice, representing distinct stages of type 1 diabetes, were implanted into NOD.scid recipients, and the diabetogenicity of the resulting T cell pool was examined. Strikingly, the development of diabetes-inducing β cell–specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was regulated in an age-dependent manner. NOD.scid recipients of newborn NOD thymi developed diabetes. However, recipients of thymi from 7- and 10-d-old NOD donor mice remained diabetes-free and exhibited a progressive decline in islet infiltration and β cell–specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. A similar temporal decrease in autoimmune infiltration was detected in some, but not all, tissues of recipient mice implanted with thymi from NOD mice lacking expression of the autoimmune regulator transcription factor, which develop multiorgan T cell–mediated autoimmunity. In contrast, recipients of 10 d or older thymi lacked diabetogenic T cells but developed severe colitis marked by increased effector T cells reactive to intestinal microbiota. These results demonstrate that thymic development of autoreactive T cells is limited to a narrow time window and occurs in a reciprocal manner compared with colonic microbiota–responsive T cells in NOD mice.
Cell Therapy for Angiogenesis Embracing Diversity

“ Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — —Helen Keller Therapeutic angiogenesis remains a worthy but somewhat elusive clinical goal. Attempts to increase blood flow to ischemic tissue have included a variety of physical and biological approaches. A growing understanding of the cells and proteins involved in vessel sprouting and maturation led to a number of genetic approaches aimed at promoting angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium and skeletal muscle. In spite of several strategies undergoing testing in clinical trials, the delivery of vectors encoding for single growth factors has not yet shown clinical efficacy. In response to these challenges, a number of groups have aimed to provide multiple angiogenic factors for ischemic tissue. These approaches include gene transfer of transcription factors that regulate multiple angiogenic peptides (such as hypoxia inducible factor-1α) or transplantation of cells capable of providing a regulated source of secreted growth factors and cytokines. A potential advantage of delivered cells is that they may also directly participate in new vessel formation. The article by Yoon and Hur1 in this issue of Circulation extends this approach by testing the synergistic effects of delivering 2 types of circulation-derived cells capable of participating in the angiogenic process. As such, this article reflects the potential of coordinated combination biological approaches for angiogenesis. See p 1618 The angiogenic effects of cell delivery were originally demonstrated by Asahara et al2,3 using circulation-derived cells that were capable of assuming features of endothelial cells after brief periods of in vitro culture. These cells were referred to as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). This approach has been tested by Assmus and colleagues in the Transplantation of Progenitor Cells and Regeneration Enhancement in Acute Myocardial Infarction (TOPCARE-AMI) study with intracoronary delivery of EPCs into the infarct-related coronary artery of patients after …
Diurnal Rhythm in Plasma Corticosterone and Lack of Diurnal Rhythm in Plasma Compound F-like Material in the Rat.

SummaryConcentration of corticosterone in blood of the rat varied as a function of time of day. Highest levels of corticosterone were found between 2 and 3 p.m., and 9 and 10 p.m. There was no diurnal variation in concentration of an unknown component of adrenal origin found in blood. These data supply additional evidence for presence of a diurnal rhythm in secretory activity of the adrenal cortex and support the concept that corticosterone is the glucocorticoid of physiological significance in the rat.Samples of corticosterone and 17-hydroxycorti-costerone were supplied through courtesy of Merck, Rahway, N. J., and Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Examination of the Effects of Dimensionality on Cognitive Processing in Science: A Computational Modeling Experiment Comparing Online Laboratory Simulations and Serious Educational Games

Within the last 10 years, new tools for assisting in the teaching and learning of academic skills and content within the context of science have arisen. These new tools include multiple types of computer software and hardware to include (video) games. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effect of computer learning games in the form of three-dimensional serious educational games, two-dimensional online laboratories, and traditional lecture-based instruction in the context of student content learning in science. In particular, this study examines the impact of dimensionality, or the ability to move along the X-, Y-, and Z-axis in the games. Study subjects (N = 551) were randomly selected using a stratified sampling technique. Independent strata subsamples were developed based upon the conditions of serious educational games, online laboratories, and lecture. The study also computationally models a potential mechanism of action and compares two- and three-dimensional learning environments. F test results suggest a significant difference for the main effect of condition across the factor of content gain score with large effect. Overall, comparisons using computational models suggest that three-dimensional serious educational games increase the level of success in learning as measured with content examinations through greater recruitment and attributional retraining of cognitive systems. The study supports assertions in the literature that the use of games in higher dimensions (i.e., three-dimensional versus two-dimensional) helps to increase student understanding of science concepts.
Unsupervised modeling of patient-level disease dynamics

To provide insight into patient-level disease dynamics from data collected at irregular time intervals, this work extends applications of semi-parametric clustering for temporal mining. In the semi-parametric clustering framework, Markovian models provide useful parametric assumptions for modeling temporal dynamics, and a non-parametric method is used to cluster the temporal abstractions instead of operating on the original data. Our contribution extends abstraction to continuous-time Markov models and the clustering component to the non-parametric Bayesian setting, which does not require the number of clusters to be indicated a priori.
Limits on the Hardness of Lattice Problems in \ell _p Norms

We show that several recent "positive" results for lattice problems in the l2 norm also hold in lp norms, for p>2. In particular, for lattices of dimension n: (i) approximating the shortest and closest vector in the lp norm to within O macr(radicn) factors is contained in coNP, (ii) approximating the length of the shortest vector in the lp norm to within O breve(n) factors reduces to the average-case problems studied in related works (Ajtai, STOC 1996; Micciancio and Regev, FOCS 2004; Regev, STOC 2005). These results improve upon prior understanding of lp norms by up to radicn factors. Taken together, they can be viewed as a partial converse to recent reductions from the l2 norm to lp norms (Regev and Rosen, STOC 2006). One of our main technical contributions is a very general analysis of Gaussian distributions over lattices, which may be of independent interest. Our proofs employ analytical techniques of Banaszczyk which, to our knowledge, have yet to be exploited in computer science.
Fluid transition layer between rigid solute and liquid solvent: is there depletion or enrichment?

The fluid layer between solute and liquid solvent is studied by combining the density functional theory with the probabilistic hydrogen bond model. This combination allows one to obtain the equilibrium distribution of fluid molecules, taking into account the hydrogen bond contribution to the external potential whereto they are subjected near the solute. One can find the effective width of the fluid solvent–solute transition layer and fluid average density in that layer, and determine their dependence on temperature, solvent–solute affinity, vicinal hydrogen bond (hb) energy alteration ratio, and solute radius. Numerical calculations are performed for the solvation of a plate and spherical solutes of four different radii in two model solvents (associated liquid and non-associated one) in the temperature range from 293 K to 333 K for various solvent–solute affinities and hydrogen bond energy alteration ratios. The predictions of our model for the effective width and average density of the transition layer are consistent with experiments and simulations. The small-to-large crossover lengthscale for hydrophobic hydration is expected to be about 3–5 nm. Remarkably, characterizing the transition layer with the average density, one can observe that for small hydrophobes, the transition layer becomes enriched with rather than depleted of fluid when the solvent–solute affinity and hb-energy alteration ratio become large enough. The boundary values of solvent–solute affinity and hb-energy alteration ratio, needed for the “depletion-to-enrichment” crossover (in the smoothed density sense), are predicted to decrease with increasing temperature.
Organization Structures of Multinational Corporations

This paper is concerned with an analysis of similarities and differences in the organization structure of multinational corporations based in the United States and four European countries. The empi...
Smart Pipes in Fixed-Mobile Converged Networks

In this paper,we suggest that smart pipes should have unified business platform,comprehensive awareness,and end-to-end service capacity. We introduce the application of smart pipes,taking a wireless traffic offload solution as an example. This solution involves increasing bandwidth resources,reducing expenditure,and creating a unified business platform. This solution involves scheduling data traffic between the mobile and fixed network,and making full use of 2G,3G,Wi-Fi,and cable networks. It also involves collecting information about the user's location,determining the available network for this location,determining the business of the user,and meet the requirements of different users of wireless Internet.
Divergence of Anaplasma isolates from domestic animals in Yili region of Xinjiang Province,China

The objective of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological situation of A.phagocytophilum in health population and animals including goats,oxen,horses,marmotas,red deer and Citellus undulatus in Yili regions,Xinjiang Province.Using micro indirect immunofluoresce assay(mIFA),IgM and IgG antibody against A.phagocytophilum were detected for sera from local healthy people and animals.Nested PCR targeted for 16SrRNA gene of A.phagocytophilum were used to test blood DNA from human and animals.Divergence of sequences of A.phagocytophilum 16SrRNA genes from domestic animals was analyzed.The positive rates of IgG antibody against to A.phagocytophilum in healthy population and goats,oxen and horses were 5.3%,6.9%,6.3% and 9.1% respectively.For PCR test,the potential infection rates of goats,oxen and horses were 38.9%,37.5% and 36.4% respectively.There were significant divergence of A.phogocytophilum isolates in this study and homology analysis showed that they were broadly distributed in other regions of China and other countries around China.Results indicated that infection of A.phagocytophilum in domestic animals and human exited in Yili area of Xinjiang Province.Differential diagnoses of unknown febrile patients should be emphasized in clinics and further investigation of ecological characterization of Anaplasmoses including its vectors and hosts should be practiced.
Genetic differences in the aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible n-hydroxylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene and acetaminophen-produced hepatotoxicity in mice.

The genetically mediated presence or absence of induction, as well as the magnitude of induction, of aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[ a ]pyrene) hydroxylase activity is highly correlated ( p N -hydroxylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene in the livers of C57BL/6N and DBA/2N inbred mice treated with the microsomal enzyme inducers 3-methylcholanthrene, β-naphthoflavone, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin, and sodium phenobarbital. The extent of hepatotoxicity caused by acetaminophen ( p -hydroxyacetanilide) administered intraperitoneally to these two strains of mice is also highly associated with both aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible monooxygenase "activities": aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and acetylarylamine N -hydroxylase. We suggest that cytochrome P 1 450 is involved with the aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible N -hydroxylase activity and that these genetic differences among inbred strains of mice offer a valuable experimental model system for studying the mechanism of hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity among siblings of a defined genotype.
Effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile coronary perfusion on performance of the canine left ventricle

This study compares the effect of pulsatile (Group C, Fib/P) and nonpulsatile (Group B, Fib/NP) coronary perfusion on myocardial performance during 2 hours of normothermic ventricular fibrillation. Group A (BH/NP), used as a base-line observation, consisted of 2 hours of nonpulsatile coronary perfusion in beating hearts. The assessment of ventricular performance included diastolic ventricular compliance, myocardial oxygen consumption and lactate extraction, regional myocardial blood flow, and histology. After 120 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, Group C showed normal ventricular diastolic compliance as compared to a 50 per cent decrease in Group B (p
Metabolic effects of epinephrine in the perfused rat heart. I. Comparison of intracellular redox states, tissue pO2 and force of contraction.

A direct fluorometric technique for recording the intracellular oxidation-reduction state has been applied to the perfused rat heart. The fluorescence changes were calibrated in terms of the content of analytically determined NADH and NADPH. Simultaneous measurements of the contractile force and tissue oxygen tension were also made. The kinetics of the fluorescence response to epinephrine were determined under a variety of conditions which allowed an initial oxidation of pyridine nucleotide to be distinguished from the subsequent predominant increase of reduced pyridine nucleotide. The change of the pyridine nucleotide toward the more oxidized state coincided with increased respiratory activity and an increased force of contraction. This effect is interpreted as a mitochondrial response to the increased ADP formed by the increased work of the heart. The increased formation of reduced pyridine nucleotides was transient, and completely inhibited by iodoacetate. This response is interpreted as being due to the rapid formation of NADH at the glyceraldehyde-P dehydrogenase step as glycogenolysis is initiated. Log dose-response curves for the contractile force and increase of fluorescence are reported together with data showing inhibition of both these effects by the β-receptor blocking agent, Nethalide. A comparison of the tissue oxygen tension changes in hearts subjected to anoxia and epinephrine suggests that respiratory linked reduction of pyridine nucleotide does not occur during the cycle of pyridine nucleotide reduction following epinephrine administration. The results demonstrate a temporal separation between the positive inotropic action of epinephrine and its glycogenolytic effect.
Transmission of bovine mucosal disease using virus recovered from urine.

Summary Two colostrum-deprived calves were experimentally infected intranasally with mucosal disease virus recovered in bovine kidney tissue culture from urine of another experimentally infected calf. A third calf in the same pen served as a contact control animal. All 3 animals developed the experimental mucosal disease syndrome and were necropsied at 25, 39, and 56 days post-inoculation (p.i.). The animal killed 25 days p.i. (Hi 533) had, in addition to lesions of chronic experimental bovine mucosal disease, an arteritis, affecting most vessels in the body, but particularly those in smooth and striated muscle, especially cardiac muscle. Milder arterial and periarterial lesions were found in the other 2 calves. Calf No. Hi533 also had numerous Anitschkow cells in the cardiac musculature.
Burden of elective early-term births in rural Appalachia.

OBJECTIVES Infants delivered at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation are considered full term, but research has demonstrated those born at 37 to 38 weeks (early term) have a higher risk for poor birth outcomes than deliveries at 39 to 41 weeks (full term). Despite this, many deliveries occur electively (scheduled, no medical indication) before 39 weeks. This study examined the risks of elective early-term delivery in a disadvantaged, rural sample and compared these results with national findings. METHODS Data were available for 638 rural women, recruited prenatally from three counties in rural southern Appalachia, who delivered electively at ≥ 37 weeks. RESULTS Compared with electively delivered full-term infants, those delivered electively at early term were 7.7 times more likely to be low birth weight, 4.4 times more likely to have a neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 2.5 times more likely to develop jaundice. Those living furthest from the hospital were most likely to deliver electively at <39 weeks. Although rates of elective deliveries <39 weeks were no higher than national rates, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of associated admission to a neonatal intensive care unit doubled (aOR 4.4 vs aOR 2.2). CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrate that initiatives targeting early-term elective deliveries are needed in rural, disadvantaged regions.
Mendota: Life and Times of an Emerging Latino Community, 1891–2012 . By Manuel G. Gonzales.

Mendota: Life and Times of an Emerging Latino Community, 1891–2012 . By Manuel G. Gonzales. Foreword by Gerald Haslam. (Walnut Creek, CA: Hardscratch Press, 2015. xvi + 344 pp. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $24.00, paper.) Romanticizing a bygone era of one’s youth is a major theme in local history. This frequently fuels researchers to spend countless hours combing through dusty documents and yellowed newspapers, tracking down tidbits of information, and interviewing elderly residents. One of the hallmarks of local history (and perhaps its greatest limitation) is the tendency to accentuate the positive aspects of a beloved hometown. Critical analysis is often suspended for the greater good of presenting a tribute honoring hometown, family, and friends. Manuel G. Gonzales, who holds a … bandres{at}uncc.edu
Tribological issues in cam–tappet contacts

Abstract: This chapter deals with the general case of finite line contact under elastohydrodynamic regime of lubrication. This condition occurs in many concentrated non-conforming contacting pairs, such as roller-to-raceways’ contacts in rolling element bearings, meshing gear teeth pairs for spur and some helical gears as well as for cam-tappets. The chapter deals specifically with the case of cam-tappet contact in automotive valve trains. It shows that the regime of lubrication is elastohydrodynamic in the contacting pair through the event angle; from valve opening to its closure. The finite length nature of the very narrow width contact gives rise to high pressure peaks at contact edges, which inhibit flow of lubricant, thus lead to very thin films. This can lead to wear in practice. Additionally, the high pressure spikes can promote fatigue spalling.
Decolonial archaeologies: from ethnoarchaeology to archaeological ethnography

A dialogue is always a good thing; and the dialogue on the origins, the problems, the current state and the potential future of ethnoarchaeology as a relic or as a still viable intellectual endeavo...
Bio-inspired 3D Nanoarchitectures

Nature designs a variety of peculiar structures and materials for plants and animals with unique functionalities, which have inspired many scientists and researchers to study the structure–property relationship and mimic their structures and functions. The surprisingly precise functionality control of creatures, such as sensing, self-cleaning, self-healing, and flying, has always been igniting human’s curiosities and intriguing us to steal ideas from nature [1–5]. In contrast to all manufacturing techniques developed by mankind, nature uses gene, a unique self-assembled way, to design and fabricate structures and tools, to control properties, and, more importantly, to reproduce. The scale of nature products ranges from nanometer to millimeter.
Comparative study of efficacy of modified continuous smead-jones versus interrupted method of midline laparotomy fascial closure for contaminated cases -

Background: Mass closure of midline laparotomy fascial wound is undoubtedly superior to layered closure technique. For elective surgeries continuous method is recommended over interrupted to avoid wound dehiscence, but controversy exists in the literature about the best method of midline fascial suturing in contaminated cases. Thus this is the study to compare two techniques of closure. Methods: Prospective non-randomised study. Two groups are study group who underwent modified smead-Jones method of fascia closure and control group who underwent interrupted closure. Outcome parameters studied were time required for closure, length of suture material needed, postoperative wound infection and wound dehiscence. Data was analysed statistically using Chi-square test. Results: Time required for study group was significantly lesser than control and the length of suture required was also significantly less. Wound infection rate in study group was lesser than control but the difference was statistically insignificant (p >0.05). Wound dehiscence rate was significantly less in the study group (p < 0.05) compared to control group. Conclusions: In Smead-Jones method of closure tension between two loops is distributed in such a way that the fascial edges are well approximated. Originally described method was interrupted. Continuous method has advantage of being faster and has less risk of wound dehiscence due to dynamic distribution of increased tension in postoperative period due to see-saw effect. We proposed modification of original Smead-Jones technique by doing it in continuous manner to increase the benefits and found this method to be fast, cost-effective, equally effective in controlling wound infection and better than interrupted technique to prevent wound dehiscence.
Interrelationships of child appetite, weight and snacking among Hispanic preschoolers.

SummaryBackground Snacking among US preschoolers has increased in recent decades, raising questions about whether snacking contributes to dietary excess. Objectives This research aimed to characterize snacking contributions to dietary excess and to evaluate associations with appetite and weight among preschool-aged children. Methods This study is a cross-sectional, observational study of 187 Hispanic low-income preschoolers. Three 24-h dietary recalls were used to assess snacking frequency and parameters of dietary excess including energy, saturated fat, trans fats and added sugars. Parental reports of child satiety responsiveness, food responsiveness, and enjoyment of food were obtained. Child height and weight were measured. Results Children consumed 28% (395 kcal) of daily energy from snacks eaten at 2.3 ± 1.0 occasions per day. Greater snacking frequency was associated with greater daily intakes of energy (p < 0.05) and added sugars (p < 0.001). Among overweight/obese children, higher enjoyment of food was associated with more frequent snacking and greater energy intake from snacks (p = 0.01). Inverse associations of enjoyment of food with snacking frequency and energy intake were seen among normal weight children (p < 0.05). Conclusions More frequent snacking among low-income Hispanic preschoolers may contribute to excessive intakes of energy and added sugars, particularly among overweight/obese children with greater motivation to eat.
A fuzzy genetic algorithm approach to generate and assess meta-architectures for non-line of site fires battlefield capability

This paper presents a fuzzy genetic algorithm approach to generate, assess, and select a System of Systems (SoS) meta-architecture through coupled executable models. A type-1 fuzzy assessor is used to transform crisp performance attribute inputs into a meta-architecture assessment for use as part of the fitness function of a genetic algorithm. This algorithm is applied to the generation, assessment, and selection of a meta-architecture for a hypothetical lethal, non-line of sight fires SoS for which the key performance attributes are affordability, flexibility, performance, robustness, and reliability. Combinations of existing systems that have nonlinear interactions are assessed and compared to the United States Military Future Combat System. Results show that this approach produces architectures that provide the same performance without requiring the purchase of any new systems, potentially saving billions of dollars.