cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microscopic gass puff design for Rayleigh Taylor instability mitigation

Summary form only given: Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability is a well-know limitation to the performance of imploding wire arrays. To reduce or suppress the RT drive, it is necessary to lower the density gradient. One possible solution is to use a low density foam inside the array. Another possible solution uses a fast gas puff, which is particularly efficient when used in small geometries. Cylindrical foil implosions on the COBRA pulsed-power generator (IMA/ 100 ns current rise time) necessitate foils 1- 3 mm in diameter and 1 cm high. As a direct consequence, the gas jet used to prefill the inner cavity of the cylindrical foil needs to have a similar size. To achieve the required specifications, a fast gas puff using a microscopic nozzle has been adapted on a fast gas puff valve1. Preliminary results show that the characteristics and properties of the gas jet are compatible with the geometry of the cylindrical foil experiment.
Mechanisms for the coordination of intercellular calcium signaling in insulin-secreting cells

Insulin-mediated increases in cytosolic calcium are synchronized among the cells in a pancreatic islet, and result in pulsatile secretion of insulin. Pancreatic beta cells express the gap junction protein connexin43 and are functionally coupled, making gap junctional communication a likely mechanism for the synchronization of calcium transients among islet cells. To define the mechanism by which pancreatic islet cells coordinate calcium responses, we studied mechanically-induced intercellular calcium waves in the communication-deficient rat insulinoma cell line RINm5f, and in RINm5f cells transfected with the gap junction protein connexin43. Both RINm5f and RINm5f cells transfected with connexin43 propagated calcium waves that required release of calcium from intracellular stores, did not involve gap junctional communication, and appeared to be mediated by autocrine activity of secreted ATP acting on P2U purinergic receptors. Connexin43 transfectants also propagated calcium waves that required gap junctional communication and influx of extracellular calcium through voltage-gated calcium channels. Gap junction-dependent intercellular calcium waves were inhibited by preventing plasma membrane depolarization. These studies demonstrate two distinct pathways by which insulin-secreting cells can coordinate cytosolic calcium rises, and show that it is by ionic traffic that gap junctions synchronize calcium-dependent events in these cells.
Effects of man on the Mississippi River

Concern over the negative effects of the enhancement of the Mississippi River continues to rise, and scientists speaking at the Geological Society of America meeting held in St. Louis, Mo., November 6–9, addressed some of those concerns. “Enhancement” covers engineered changes to the river, such as channel alignment, meander cutoff, and levee construction. Changes in the Lower Mississippi River are of particular interest because the river supplies water and transportation. Problems include water pollution, loss of wetlands, decrease in fish population, and the erosion of protective barrier islands. Robert E. Rentschler of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Miss., discussed the response of the river to 200 years of engineering activities. However, Roger T. Saucier, alsc with the Corps of Engineers, noted that humans have been altering the river for their own use for at least 12,000 years, passively by burning, land clearing, and selective exploitation, which caused surface erosion and vegetation changes; and actively, by stream diversions and structural constructions.
International Regimes for Human Rights

This article provides a roadmap for understanding the points of agreement and contention that characterize contemporary empirical scholarship on international human rights legal regimes. It explores what the statistical research teaches us about why states participate in these regimes; knowledge of how these regimes operate; and their relationship to actual human rights behavior. It also describes the central shortcomings of this research tradition and suggests a few areas especially promising for future research.
Integrating Traffic Estimation and Routing Optimization for Multi-Radio Multi-Channel Wireless Mesh Networks

Traffic routing plays a critical role in determining the performance of a wireless mesh network. To investigate the best solution, existing work proposes to formulate the mesh network routing problem as an optimization problem. In this problem formulation, traffic demand is usually implicitly assumed as static and known a priori. Contradictorily, recent studies of wireless network traces show that the traffic demand, even being aggregated at access points, is highly dynamic and hard to estimate. Thus, in order to apply the optimization-based routing solution into practice, one must take into account the dynamic and unpredictable nature of wireless traffic demand. This paper presents an integrated framework for network routing in multi-radio multi-channel wireless mesh networks under dynamic traffic demand. This framework consists of two important components: traffic estimation and routing optimization. By analyzing the traces collected at wireless access points, the traffic estimation component predicts future traffic demand based on its historical value using time-series analysis, and represents the prediction result in two forms - mean value and statistical distribution. The optimal mesh network routing strategies then take these two forms of traffic demand estimations as inputs. In particular, two routing algorithms are proposed based on linear programming which consider the mean value and the statistical distribution of the predicted traffic demands, respectively. The trace-driven simulation study demonstrates that our integrated traffic estimation and routing optimization framework can effectively incorporate traffic dynamics in mesh network routing, where both algorithms outperform the shortest path algorithm in about 80% of the test cases.
How money got its tail (not too light; not too heavy; but “just so”)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical basis for heavy‐tailed asset‐return distributions.Design/methodology/approach – Through a simple model of asset‐price formation, one can formulate the asset‐return random variable, ln (Pt/Pt−1), as a constant plus the natural log of a ratio of Bernoulli proportions. This random variable admits of different approximations, whose distributions may be studied analytically.Findings – The paper finds that for two reasonable approximations to the asset‐return random variable, the tails are approximately exponential. This suggests that the Gaussian assumption provides a poor “starting point” for asset‐pricing models, and empirically validated heavy‐tailed behavior is likely the result of time‐dependent components in the tail parameters.Originality/value – The editorial offers a theoretical analysis of asset‐return distributions using parsimonious modeling assumptions.
Characterization and mapping of RNase III cleavage sites in VSV genome RNA

Abstract Ribonuclease III cleaves the genome RNA of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to yield an array of fragments which range in size from 3.5 to 0.1 x 10(6) daltons under partial digestion conditions. The locations of the RNase III cleavage sites which give rise to these fragments have been ordered relative to the 3' end of the virion RNA by digestion of 3' end-labeled RNA. Based on a map of the cleavage sites we predicted that fragments having the same size could be generated which contain information from each gene. Annealing of individual VSV mRNA probes to Northern blots of the separated RNase III-generated fragments confirmed that fragments having the same size are, in fact, generated which contain information from each coding region of the VSV genome. Analysis of maps of partial digestion products indicates that fragments having the same size arise repeatedly along the 3' half of the genome. The cleavage of VSV RNA by RNase III can be detected only if the nuclease treated molecules are denatured. This suggest that the structure features in VSV RNA which signal cleavage involve areas of higher order RNA structure.
Camera for thermal imaging of semiconductor devices based on thermoreflectance

A thermal imaging camera suitable for use on micron-sized active semiconductor devices has been developed. Based on a visible light thermoreflectance technique, this camera achieves 50mK temperature sensitivity and sub-micron spatial resolution when imaging the top metal contact layer. By using a photodiode array, sensitivity is improved over what is possible with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) based system. Thermal imaging results of an ultra small 10 micron diameter SiGe micro-cooler is also presented.
Large-system performance of iterative multiuser decision-feedback detection

The large-system performance of iterative multiuser decision-feedback detectors (DFDs) is studied for synchronous coded direct-sequence code-division multiple access. Both successive and parallel demodulation of users are considered. The filters are optimized according to the minimum mean-squared error criteria, assuming perfect feedback. We first consider Viterbi decoding with hard decision feedback, and compute union bounds on the large-system error rate. We then consider maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoding with soft decision feedback, and evaluate the error rate semianalytically by assuming the log-likelihood ratios computed by the MAP decoder are Gaussian random variables. Performance is studied numerically as a function of noise level, spectral efficiency, and code rate. Results show that soft decision feedback gives substantial gains relative to hard decision feedback. At moderate spectral efficiencies (users divided by bandwidth expansion less than 0.9), the iterative DFDs with soft decision feedback based on a posteriori probabilities can achieve near-single-user performance at an E/sub b//N/sub 0/ close to the large-system capacity bound.
Surface-wave group-delay and attenuation kernels

SUMMARY We derive both 3-D and 2-D Frechet sensitivity kernels for surface-wave group-delay and anelastic attenuation measurements. A finite-frequency group-delay exhibits 2-D off-ray sen- sitivity either to the local phase-velocity perturbation δc/c or to its dispersion ω(∂/∂ω)(δc/c) as well as to the local group-velocity perturbation δC/C. This dual dependence makes the ray- theoretical inversion of measured group delays for 2-D maps of δC/C a dubious procedure, unless the lateral variations in group velocity are extremely smooth.
Spinal-cord injury

More than a decade ago, spinal-cord injury meant confinement to a wheelchair and a lifetime of medical comorbidity. The physician's armamentarium of treatments was very limited, and provision of care for individuals with spinal-cord injury was usually met with frustration. Advances in the neurosciences have drawn attention to research into spinal-cord injury. Nowadays, advanced interventions provide high hope for regeneration and functional restoration. As scientific advances become more frequent, scepticism is giving way to the ideas that spinal-cord injury will eventually be repairable and that strategies to restore function are within our grasp. We address the present understanding of spinal-cord injury, its cause, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment, and look at promising research avenues. We also discuss new treatment options, including functional electric stimulation and part-weight-supported walking.
Phase Shift Formulas for Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering

An explicit formula for the scattering spin matrix in terms of phase shifts and mixing parameters is derived for the case of nucleon-nucleon scattering. The treatment is nonrelativistic and assumes that charge independence is valid.
Supporting stakeholder needs by ceding control: The benefits of listening to end-users

This paper reports on the progressive design process and actual use and evaluation in situ of an informatics system — the Home Care Informatics System — that transmits information obtained by home based pervasive health care systems to caregivers and clients in a timely manner and easily usable format. Since 2006, three versions of the system have been tested in a series of studies with care provision organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Findings from the studies have driven the development of the different iterations with the result being a customized model of pervasive health care that relies on the needs of the end-users, rather than the goals of the developers. Barriers encountered during the testing, that appear to be generalizable to the successful adoption of pervasive health care systems in general, are discussed and possible solutions suggested.
COPI Activity Coupled with Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Is Required for Viral Replication

During infection by diverse viral families, RNA replication occurs on the surface of virally induced cytoplasmic membranes of cellular origin. How this process is regulated, and which cellular factors are required, has been unclear. Moreover, the host–pathogen interactions that facilitate the formation of this new compartment might represent critical determinants of viral pathogenesis, and their elucidation may lead to novel insights into the coordination of vesicular trafficking events during infection. Here we show that in Drosophila cells, Drosophila C virus remodels the Golgi apparatus and forms a novel vesicular compartment, on the surface of which viral RNA replication takes place. Using genome-wide RNA interference screening, we found that this step in the viral lifecycle requires at least two host encoded pathways: the coat protein complex I (COPI) coatamer and fatty acid biosynthesis. Our results integrate, clarify, and extend numerous observations concerning the cell biology of viral replication, allowing us to conclude that the coupling of new cellular membrane formation with the budding of these vesicles from the Golgi apparatus allows for the regulated generation of this new virogenic organelle, which is essential for viral replication. Additionally, because these pathways are also limiting in flies and in human cells infected with the related RNA virus poliovirus, they may represent novel targets for antiviral therapies.
Cardiac RNA Induces Inflammatory Responses in Cardiomyocytes and Immune Cells via Toll-like Receptor 7 Signaling

We have recently reported that extracellular RNA (exRNA) released from necrotic cells induces cytokine production in cardiomyocytes and immune cells and contributes to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the signaling mechanism by which exRNA exhibits its pro-inflammatory effect is unknown. Here we hypothesize that exRNA directly induces inflammation through specific Toll-like receptors (TLRs). To test the hypothesis, we treated rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), or mouse neutrophils with RNA (2.5–10 μg/ml) isolated from rat cardiomyocytes or the hearts from mouse, rat, and human. We found that cellular RNA induced production of several cytokines such as macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), ILs, TNFα, and the effect was completely diminished by RNase, but not DNase. The RNA-induced cytokine production was partially inhibited in cells treated with TLR7 antagonist or genetically deficient in TLR7. Deletion of myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88), a downstream adapter of TLRs including TLR7, abolished the RNA-induced MIP-2 production. Surprisingly, genetic deletion of TLR3 had no impact on the RNA-induced MIP-2 response. Importantly, extracellular RNA released from damaged cardiomyocytes also induced cytokine production. Finally, mice treated with 50 μg of RNA intraperitoneal injection exhibited acute peritonitis as evidenced by marked neutrophil and monocyte migration into the peritoneal space. Together, these data demonstrate that exRNA of cardiac origin exhibits a potent pro-inflammatory property in vitro and in vivo and that exRNA induces cytokine production through TLR7-MyD88 signaling.
9.1 A 45nm CMOS RF-to-Bits LTE/WCDMA FDD/TDD 2×2 MIMO base-station transceiver SoC with 200MHz RF bandwidth

Increasing mobile data demands are pushing cellular network capacity. Massive MIMO base stations with large antenna arrays and smaller cell sizes demand higher integration in radio transceivers than what is available [1].
Contrasting avoidance - tolerance in heat stress response from thermally contrasting climates in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants ameliorate heat stress by avoiding heat loading, reducing tissue temperature through evaporative cooling, and/or through tolerance, i.e. maintaining function at high temperature. Here Arabidopsis thaliana natural populations from two ends of an elevation gradient in NE Spain were used to ask: do plants from contrasting climates 1) show genetically based differences in heat stress damage and 2) adopt different avoidance-tolerance patterns? Four low- and four high-elevation populations were repeatedly exposed to high temperature (45oC) in a growth chamber at bolting stage. High temperature induced 23% more inflorescence branches, 25% longer total reproductive branch length, and 12% less root dry mass, compared with control. However summed fruit length, hence fitness, decreased by 15%, populations did not differ significantly in fitness reduction. High elevation populations showed more avoidance, i.e. lower rosette temperature at 45oC. Low elevation populations showed more tolerance, maintaining relatively higher photosynthetic rate at 45oC. Avoidance was associated with high transpiration rate and flat rosette leaf angle. Tolerance was negatively associated with heat shock protein 101 (Hsp101) and salicylic acid (SA) accumulation. The divergent avoidance tolerance patterns for populations from thermally contrasting climates may indicate both constraints on the evolution and contrasting adaptive divergence regulated by local climates.
Research Article: The vascular flora of Corson's Woods, Staten Island, New York

Abstract The vascular plant species at Corson's Woods, comprising 8.1 hectares, in Staten Island, New York, were sampled at monthly intervals from May 2008 to October 2011. The flora consists of 159 species in 124 genera and 57 families. The Poaceae, 10 taxa, was the largest family in the flora. Quercus, the largest genus, was represented by 5 taxa. Thirty four taxa, 21% of the flora, are not native to the region. Eight vascular plant species, rare in New York City, were identified including log fern, Dryopteris celsa, a species not observed on Staten Island since 1907. The woods are dominated by yellow poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera, sugar maple, Acer saccharum and sweet gum, Liquidambar styraciflua.
Development of Incipient Formosan Subterranean Termite Colonies in the Field

Development of incipient Coptotermes formasanus Shiraki colonies from paired, lst-form reproductives was studied in field cages. Eggs occurred in 13 to 109-day-old colonies and in 1 colony 278 days old. No oviposition occurred during the winter of the 1st year of colony development. Four larval stages occurred during the 1st oviposition period and no 5th stage larvae occurred during the study period (313 days). The appearance of soldiers coincided with development of 3rd stage larvae. Soldiers constisurtuted ca. 10% of colonies containing 48–138 individuals (138 to 313-day-old colonies). There was only 23–30 cm of gallerying from the nursery area during 313 days of colony development, and once a copularium was formed no further gallerying occurred until some of the young reached the 3rd larval stage. Vertical movement from colder to warmer galleries occurred during winter and spring months. Soil moisture and temperature in field cages did not differ greatly from that in adjacent uncaged areas.
Using the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance of Gold Nanoparticles To Monitor Lipid Membrane Assembly and Protein Binding

Gold nanoparticles provide a template for preparing supported lipid layers with well-defined curvature. Here, we utilize the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold nanoparticles as a se...
UV Fluorescence Lifetime Modification by Aluminum Nanoapertures

We report excited-state lifetime modification of diffusing molecules by Al nanoapertures in the UV. Lifetime reductions of ∼3.5× have been observed for the high quantum yield laser dye p-terphenyl in a 60 nm diameter aperture. The lifetime reduction is smaller for the low quantum yield molecule tryptophan, for which a maximum reduction of ∼1.7 is observed. Lifetime reduction as a function of aperture size and native quantum yield is accurately predicted by simulation. Simulation further predicts greater net fluorescence enhancement for tryptophan compared to p-terphenyl, which is consistent with the expectation that low quantum yield emitters experience greater enhancement in the effective quantum yield.
Reactions of conjugated fatty acids. VI. Selenium catalysis, a method for preparing diels-alder adducts from cis,trans-octadecadienoic acid

Adducts of dienophiles and alkali-conjugated safflower fatty acids containing conjugated linoleic acid in thecis,trans form were prepared by heating the reactants in the presence of selenium as a catalyst. The products appeared to be identical to those prepared fromtrans,trans conjugated linoleic acid so that isomerization ofcis-trans totrans,trans acids is eliminated as a separate step. Although yields of pure product were lower than desired because of difficulties in removing selenium, yields of crude adducts ranged from 64–82%. The adducts obtained could be epoxidized with hydrogen peroxide and an ion-exchange resin as catalyst in 80–93% yield or with peracetic acid in 89–98% yield.
Nephroscopy in Chronic Unilateral Hematuria

AbstractThirteen patients underwent renal exploration with nephroscopy to localize and to treat chronic unilateral gross hematuria. Recurrent episodes of clot colic were noted in 6 patients, 1 required multiple transfusions and persistent fears of cancer or problems with insurability prompted several patients to seek referral. All patients had undergone bleeding studies, urine culture, cytology, excretory urograms, retrograde pyelograms and selective renal angiography. These studies either were normal or failed to identify the bleeding source. Nephroscopy was recommended after failure of conservative treatments.At operative nephroscopy, done after preliminary cystoscopy to confirm active bleeding, the bleeding sites were identified in all our patients. Discrete submucosal hemangiomas were found in 5 patients and the bleeding could be localized to 1 calix in 7 others. Of our patients 12 underwent partial nephrectomy and 1 had a nephrectomy. To date there has been no recurrence of bleeding in any of these p...
The choice of intravenous fluid in shock resuscitation.

Shock in the pediatric patient is usually the result of severe trauma and concomitant blood loss. The cornerstone of treatment remains quick replacement of lost volume but controversy still persists regarding the ideal solution. This article discusses current concepts and recent advances in the treatment of shock with balanced salt solution (Ringer’s lactate) and colloid-containing infusions (5 per cent albumin), or plasma as they apply to the pediatric patient.
Theoretical Simulation and Experimental Investigation for the Identification and Analysis of Biphasic Surface Plasmon Resonance Data

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a label-free widely used biophysical technique to investigate biochemical processes, including protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-small molecule interactions. SPR data are not always governed by the simplest 1:1 interaction mechanism. In many cases biphasic mechanisms are employed for the interpretation of the SPR data. An accurate identification of the underlying biphasic mechanism is therefore crucial for the correct interpretation. Unlike traditional method of model identification based on the comparison of errors of SPR data fitting to different biphasic models, our method can help uniquely identify and analyze the underlying biphasic mechanism. The same biphasic SPR data can actually be fitted with two different biphasic models with comparable fitting errors. We have performed theoretical simulation and experimental investigation in order to support our method.
Patient perception at disclosure of t2dm and suggestions to providers

T purpose of this qualitative study was to a) elicit patient suggestions that healthcare providers can use to enhance the experience of patients receiving the new diagnosis of T2DM and b) explore patient perception of his/her family’s response to the diagnosis. Six themes emerged to delineate family responses across a spectrum of potentially positive and negative influence: supportive, panicked, scolding, sabotaged, worried, and challenged. Five themes emerged regarding suggestions to providers: timing, education, tools, training, and action. Fourteen adult and geriatric patients newly diagnosed with T2DM at a rural family practice clinic shared their perceptions about family responses to their new diagnosis and gave suggestions for providers who are disclosing this diagnosis to patients. Patient suggestions to providers were varied and underscored many learning styles and education needs. As a family comes to terms with the lifestyle changes required in T2DM, they may also experience adjustments and challenges in their own environment that providers should help them address. Patient perception and response to his/her family reaction was also pivotal to diabetic management. Content and approaches suggested by patients with T2DM have the potential to assist other patients as they attempt to make the many changes necessary to manage a new diagnosis of T2DM and as they go home to disclose the diagnosis to family members. Patient needs assessment will help tailor interventions to each patient’s particular set of circumstances. Individualization through such approaches and interventions could be incorporated without great burden to healthcare providers.
Rapid Diagnostic Assay for Intact Influenza Virus Using a High Affinity Hemagglutinin Binding Protein.

Influenza is a ubiquitous and recurring infection that results in approximately 500 000 deaths globally each year. Commercially available rapid diagnostic tests are based upon detection of the influenza nucleoprotein, which are limited in that they are unable to differentiate by species and require an additional viral lysis step. Sample preprocessing can be minimized or eliminated by targeting the intact influenza virus, thereby reducing assay complexity and leveraging the large number of hemagglutinin proteins on the surface of each virus. Here, we report the development of a paper-based influenza assay that targets the hemagglutinin protein; the assay employs a combination of antibodies and novel computationally designed, recombinant affinity proteins as the capture and detection agents. This system leverages the customizability of recombinant protein design to target the conserved receptor-binding pocket of the hemagglutinin protein and to match the trimeric nature of hemagglutinin for improved avidity...
Recovery after Nulliparous Birth: A Detailed Analysis of Pain Analgesia and Recovery of Function.

Background The majority of parturients in the United States first return for evaluation by their obstetric practitioner 6 weeks after delivery. As such, there is little granular data on the pain experience, analgesic requirements, and functional recovery during the postpartum period. This prospective observational study was performed to evaluate these factors to provide expectations for patients. Methods A total of 213 nulliparous women were enrolled and assessed daily until they completed 3 outcomes: (1) pain resolution; (2) opioid cessation; and (3) self-assessed functional recovery from delivery. The primary endpoint, pain- and opioid-free functional recovery, was the time required to reach all three of the endpoints. Pain burden was assessed as the area under the curve created by plotting the daily numerical pain rating scale against the days required to attain pain resolution. Times to attain study endpoints after cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery were compared using survival analysis. Results After vaginal delivery, days required for pain and opioid-free functional recovery (median [interquartile range (IQR)]) were 19 [11 to 26], for opioid cessation 0 [0 to 2], termination of all analgesic (including nonsteroidal antiinflammatories and acetaminophen) 11 [5 to 17], and pain resolution 14 [7 to 24]. Achievement of these endpoints after cesarean delivery required 27 [19 to 40], 9 [5 to 12], 16 [11 to 24], and 21 [14 to 27] days, respectively. Conclusions There is clinically significant variability between healthy nulliparous parturients in the pain experience, opioid use, and functional recovery after childbirth following vaginal and cesarean delivery. Recovery to predelivery function is similar after vaginal and cesarean delivery, and approximately half of the variance was explained by pain burden.
Influence of meta- and para-phosphonated diphenylanthracene on photon upconversion in self-assembled bilayers

It is well known that the rate and efficiency of photon upconversion via triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) are strongly dependent on the energetics of the sensitizer and acceptor molecules. In rigid scaffoldings, where the dyes are fixed in position, the structure and orientation of the molecules also presumably play an important role. We investigate how the variation in the position of the phosphonate surface binding group on 9,10-diphenylanthracene influences TTA-UC in self-assembled bilayers on ZrO2. Interestingly, meta- or para-substitution of the anthracene dye with phosphonate groups had minimal influence on their energetics, surface loadings, or sensitizer to acceptor triplet energy transfer efficiency. However, the TTA-UC efficiency is three times lower with the meta-substituted dye, which is attributed to its threefold decrease in its triplet excited state lifetime relative to the para-substituted dye.
Fluids of the Lower Crust: Deep Is Different

Deep fluids are important for the evolution and properties of the lower continental and arc crust in tectonically active settings. They comprise four components: H2O, nonpolar gases, salts, and roc...
Validation of a clinical rotation evaluation for physician assistant students.

We conducted a prospective validation study to develop a physician assistant (PA) clinical rotation evaluation (PACRE) instrument. The specific aims of this study were to 1) develop a tool to evaluate PA clinical rotations, and 2) explore associations between validated rotation evaluation scores and characteristics of the students and rotations. The PACRE was administered to rotating PA students at our institution in 2016. Factor analysis, internal consistency reliability, and associations between PACRE scores and student or rotation characteristics were determined. Of 206 PACRE instruments sent, 124 were returned (60.2% response). Factor analysis supported a unidimensional model with a mean (SD) score of 4.31 (0.57) on a 5-point scale. Internal consistency reliability was excellent (Cronbach α=0.95). PACRE scores were associated with students’ gender (P = .01) and rotation specialty (P = .006) and correlated with students’ perception of being prepared (r = 0.32; P < .001) and value of the rotation (r = 0.57; P < .001). This is the first validated instrument to evaluate PA rotation experiences. Application of the PACRE questionnaire could inform rotation directors about ways to improve clinical experiences. The findings of this study suggest that PA students must be adequately prepared to have a successful experience on their rotations. PA programs should consider offering transition courses like those offered in many medical schools to prepare their students for clinical experiences. Future research should explore whether additional rotation characteristics and educational outcomes are associated with PACRE scores.
Redefining and Reclaiming Korean Adoptee Identity: Grassroots Internet Communities and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption

My parents told me that summer of my arrival I would sing and talk in Korean. Of course they never knew what I was saying. They also told me that in those first weeks I would run up to the front door, throw my body up against it and cry and cry and say in Korean, “Jip e ka le!” My sister, born to my parents and age 9 at the time, thought it might be some strange Korean game. So she would run up to the door, throw her body against it and say, “Jip e ka le!” I can imagine my sister doing this over and over—and turning my tears into laughter. Years later my parents learned what my Korean words meant: I want to go home.
Indurated Plaques on the Arms of a 52-Year-Old Man

A 52-year-old man presented with a 3-week history of progressive, persistent, pruritic plaques that began on the posterior aspect of his right arm and subsequently developed on his left arm. Treatment with cephalexin and cetirizine was ineffective. Two weeks prior to the development of the plaques, the patient was hospitalized with a 3-month history of abdominal pain. Admission laboratory findings revealed elevated alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels as well as increased prothrombin time. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Because of the increase in liver enzyme levels and abdominal pain, he received 7 subcutaneous injections (10 mg each) of phytonadione in the forearm and deltoid muscle as well as intramuscular injections of meperidine. His family history was significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Physical examination revealed indurated, welldemarcated red plaques with a dusky center and yellow hue, spanning 10 cm on the posterior aspect of the upper part of the left arm, extending to the elbow. The plaques on the right arm showed less induration and central exfoliation (Figure 1 and Figure 2). No axillary lymphadenopathy was noted. A punch biopsy of a plaque was performed (Figure 3 and Figure 4). What is your diagnosis?
Molecular engineering of poly(HEMA-co-PEGMA)-based hydrogels: Role of minor AEMA and DMAEMA inclusion.

Abstract Hydrogel membranes of in-dwelling pH-responsive devices are of interest for the development of biomedical sensors that must measure small changes in pH associated with tissue acidosis. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based hydrogels possessing minor amounts of the cationogenic N-(2-aminoethyl) methacrylamide (AEMA) (4 mol%) or a tertiary amine moiety, N,N-(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylamide (DMAEMA) (4 mol%) or AEMA-DMAEMA (2 mol% each) were UV cross-linked with 1 mol% tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (TEGDA) and the degree of hydration, free and bound water distribution, glass transition temperature, elastic modulus, membrane resistance and protein adsorption were studied. Correlation analysis reveals that each of these biotechnical properties is strongly anti-correlated with total hydration (−0.92) and that the bound water content dominates this anti-correlation (~−0.83). However, free water shows a direct, though only weak correlation with these properties (~+0.5). Thus, minor changes in the hydrogel composition (~4 mol%) can significantly influence biomaterials properties and may be useful in tailoring hydrogel properties for application in biosensors and engineered tissue scaffolds.
Subjective social status and inflammatory gene expression.

Objective There exists a well-established link between low perceived social status and poorer health outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with this link remain unclear. This study begins to fill this gap by investigating the effects of low perceived subjective social status on health-related gene expression. Method Participants were 47 healthy heterosexual women (mean age 20.5 years) from a large American university. Participants gave 10 mL of peripheral blood and completed questionnaires assessing subjective social status (SSS), perceived childhood socioeconomic status (SES), health, and relevant demographics. Putatively associated genes were subject to TELiS promoter-based bioinformatic analysis to assess activity of proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral transcription factors. Results In analyses controlling for perceived childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and other covariates, 84 transcripts showed >1.5-fold difference in average expression across the range of SSS. TELiS bioinformatics analyses implicated the proinflammatory transcription factors, NF-κB and AP-1, in driving expression of genes that were up-regulated in low-SSS individuals. Results also indicated increased activity of CREB family transcription factors but no differential activity of the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid receptor of interferon response factors. Transcript origin analysis implicated monocytes and dendritic cells as cellular mediators. Conclusion In this first study examining the molecular correlates of SSS, experiences of low social status are associated with transcriptional effects similar to those previously observed for objective adversity conditions such as low SES, social isolation, and chronic stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
A computational approach to model dynamic contact and fracture mode transitions in rock

Abstract We propose an interfacial contact and fracture model based on Riemann solutions. Instead of penalty method and Lagrange multiplier approach we propose a regularization scheme—based on the interface displacement and separation velocity jumps—that smoothens contact-separation mode transitions. An aperture-based regularization approach smoothens the transfer of hydraulic load to in-situ cracks. A discontinuous Galerkin implementation is used to solve dynamic fracture problems for uniaxial compression and explosive examples. Moreover, we investigate contact–separation mode transitions and hydraulic load transfer in several hydraulic refracture problems and study the effect of loading rate and in-situ cracks in the number and orientation of activated perforations.
Additively Manufactured Reactive Material Architectures as a Programmable Heat Source

Abstract Until recently, the reactive properties of energetic materials have traditionally been tuned through chemical composition. However, with the emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) techno...
The Marian Apocalyptic of a Visionary Preacher: The Conorte of Juana de la Cruz, 1481–1534

Mother Juana de la Cruz (1481–1534), abbess of a Clarisan convent outside Toledo, Spain, preached publically for thirteen years, putatively channeling Jesus’ voice through her raptured body. This chapter argues that Juana’s blend of apocalyptic genres was a forerunner of the “Marian apocalyptic” described by E. Ann Matter for the twentieth century. This genre of private Marian apparitions designated the seer, Juana, as authoritative, yet disseminated apocalyptic material through publically preached visions of the otherworld. Not only did these visions interweave interpretations of apocalyptic symbols with discussions of the fate of individual souls, but Mary herself was presented as an active agent in the otherworld, not simply interceding with Jesus but engaging the devil in battle. I argue that Mary as apocalyptic figure rather than apparitional message-bearer would have resonated strongly with Juana’s Iberian audience, as not only had Mary long been a focal point of devotion during reconquest on the peninsula, but Castilian leaders attempting to establish an empire in the New World also frequently justified their endeavors through apocalyptic rhetoric.
Demonstration of SpeakQL: Speech-driven Multimodal Querying of Structured Data

In this demonstration, we present SpeakQL, a speech-driven query system and interface for structured data. SpeakQL supports a tractable and practically useful subset of regular SQL, allowing users to query in any domain with unbounded vocabulary with the help of speech/touch based user-in-the-loop mechanisms for correction. When querying in such domains, automatic speech recognition introduces countless forms of errors in transcriptions, presenting us with a technical challenge. We characterize such errors and leverage our observations along with SQL's unambiguous context-free grammar to first correct the query structure. We then exploit phonetic representation of the queried database to identify the correct Literals, hence delivering the corrected transcribed query. In this demo, we show that SpeakQL helps users reduce time and effort in specifying SQL queries significantly. In addition, we show that SpeakQL, unlike Natural Language Interfaces and conversational assistants, allows users to query over any arbitrary database schema. We allow the audience to explore SpeakQL using an easy-to-use web-based interface to compose SQL queries.
Risk-based life-cycle optimal dry-docking inspection of corroding ship hull tankers

Abstract The performance of the ship hull deteriorates randomly over time under corrosion attacks. To ensure the safe operation of a ship, dry-docking inspections are carried out on a regular basis to inspect, recoat, and renew structural members. The convention “at least two inspections every five years”, implemented in the shipping industry, is empirically determined without much numerical evidence. Considering the expensive cost of dry-docking inspections, it is crucial to study the optimal inspection interval in the presence of uncertainty. This paper proposes a risk-based maintenance decision-making framework for ships to address the optimal dry-docking inspection. The minimum expected cost rule is used to explore the economically optimal inspection interval. Monte Carlo simulations are employed to obtain the probability distribution of the life-cycle cost. The costs considered include the cost of dry-docking and member renewal as well as monetary consequences of hull failure. A ship hull is utilized to illustrate the application of the proposed framework.
"I was their worst nightmare": the identity challenges of military widows

Bereaved spouses reconstruct their identities to make sense of changes in how they understand themselves after loss. For military spouses, identity reconstruction might be particularly challenging ...
An empirical study of moving horizon closed-loop demand response scheduling

Abstract The potential of electricity-intensive chemical plants to engage in demand response (DR) initiatives in support of power grid operations has been the subject of many conceptual studies. In this work, using an industrially-relevant model of an air separation unit, we undertake an extensive simulation study of moving horizon (MH) scheduling approaches, where we “close the scheduling loop” based on updated information regarding disturbances such as changes in electricity prices, ambient conditions and chemical product demand. Our study produces several unexpected findings regarding the non-periodic nature of rescheduling solutions, the impact of the accuracy of disturbance forecasts on the economics of DR scheduling, and the interplay of simultaneously dealing with fluctuations on both the supply side (i.e., electricity prices) and the product demand side of the plant. We posit that the latter fluctuations pose significant limitations to the potential of a chemical plant to engage in DR.
Sporadic anovulation is not an important determinant of becoming pregnant and time to pregnancy among eumenorrheic women: A simulation study.

Background Attaining pregnancy is conditional upon a series of complex processes, including adequately timed intercourse, ovulation, fertilisation, and implantation. Anovulation is a first-line treatment target for couples with difficulty conceiving and is frequently examined in studies of fecundability. Objectives To identify whether sporadic anovulation is an important determinant of cumulative pregnancy rates and time to pregnancy among fertile women with regular menstrual cycles. Methods We simulated cumulative pregnancy rates and time to pregnancy for 12 consecutive menstrual cycles among 100 000 women based on data-driven probabilities of implantation, fertilisation, ovulation, and intercourse occurring in the fertile window. We assumed anovulation probabilities of 1%, 8%, or 14.5% and intercourse averaging once per week, every other day, or daily. The model incorporated reductions in implantation and fertilisation rates for successive cycles of non-pregnancy. Results After 12 cycles, a reduction in the per cycle incidence of anovulation from 14.5% to 1% resulted in a 4.0% higher cumulative pregnancy rate (86.7% vs 90.7%) and similar time to pregnancy (1-cycle median difference). In contrast, increasing mean unscheduled sexual intercourse frequency from weekly to every other day was associated with a 5-cycle median reduction in time to pregnancy (weekly: 7 cycles; every other day or daily: 2 cycles) and a 28.9% increase in the cumulative pregnancy rate (weekly: 59.9%, every other day: 88.8%; daily: 91.6%). Conclusions In presumed fertile women with regular menstrual cycles, routine investigation of anovulation may not be an informative outcome in studies of fecundability, and routine testing to ensure ovulation and treatment of anovulation are unlikely to be medically necessary. While biomarkers or cervical fluid may help time intercourse to the fertile window, time to pregnancy can also be improved through increasing the frequency of unscheduled intercourse. These findings need corroboration in large preconception time to pregnancy studies.
PHENIX Studies of the Scaling Properties of Elliptic Flow at RHIC

Recent PHENIX elliptic flow ($v_2$) measurements for identified particles produced in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV are presented and compared to other RHIC measurements. They indicate universal scaling of $v_2$ compatible with partonic collectivity leading to the flow of light, strange and heavy quarks with a common expansion velocity field.
The impact of health education on physical activity correlates in college students.

To examine the effects of a 15-week, conceptually based university health/wellness course on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels, psychosocial factors, and health-related fitness k...
Pain and Intolerance of Uncertainty among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors commonly experience worry about new or recurrent pain as a potential sign of cancer recurrence. Those with higher intolerance of uncertainty (IU) may be more likely to interpret bodily sensations as threatening, thus amplifying their pain experience and interference with regular activities. This study examined the relationship between IU and pain among AYA cancer survivors. AYA cancer survivors (N=89, aged 11-25 years, Mage=18, 53.8% female) who completed cancer treatment for a range of childhood cancer diagnoses completed self-report assessments of pain, IU, and perceived threat of bodily sensations (Bodily Threat Inventory; BTI). Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize pain prevalence, and Pearson correlations assessed associations between IU and pain variables. Mediation analyses assessed whether IU and average pain were associated through BTI. Analyses were performed in SPSS. Pain was common, with 81.8% reporting some pain in the previous three months (23.5% for >3 months) and 69.7% reporting pain interference. Higher IU was associated with higher average pain intensity (r=.327, p=.002), pain interference (r=.272, p=.010), and BTI (r=.513, p