cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling relative frost weathering rates at geomorphic scales

Abstract Frost damage is a powerful agent of geomorphic change. Cracks can grow when the ice pressure in pores reaches a threshold that depends on matrix properties and crack geometry. Mineral surfaces that are preferentially wetted by liquid water rather than ice are coated by premelted liquid at a pressure that is lower than the ice pressure. Because this pressure difference increases as the temperature cools, when the ice pressure is effectively pinned at the cracking threshold, temperature gradients induce gradients in liquid pressure that draw water towards colder temperatures. Porosity increases and frost damage accumulates in regions where water supplies crack growth. To apply this understanding over the large spatial and temporal scales that are relevant to evolving landscapes, we develop a simple model that tracks porosity changes. Our central assumption is that frost damage is correlated with porosity increases under conditions where frost cracking takes place. Accordingly, we account for the permeability reductions with decreased temperature that accompany ice growth along porous pathways and derive general expressions for the porosity change through time at particular depths, as well as the total porosity increase through all depths beneath a point at the ground surface over the time during which cracking occurs each year. To illustrate the resulting patterns of frost weathering, we consider a general case in which the permeability has a power law dependence on temperature and the annual surface-temperature variation is sinusoidal. We find that the degree of frost damage generally decreases with depth, except at localized depths where damage is elevated because the rock spends longer times near the threshold for cracking, leading to enhanced water supply in comparison with neighboring regions. The magnitude of the net expansion that results from porosity changes at all depths beneath the ground surface is increased for seasonal thermal cycles with larger amplitudes, with a broad maximum centered on a mean annual temperature near the threshold required for crack growth. Warmer mean annual temperatures lead to less damage because of the reduction in time during which it is cold enough for cracking, whereas colder mean annual temperatures are accompanied by reduced water supply due to the temperature dependence of permeability. All of the controlling parameters in our model are tied explicitly to physical properties that can in principle be measured independently, which suggests promise for informing geomorphic interpretations of the role of frost weathering in evolving landforms and determining erosion rates.
Endogenous co-agonists of the NMDA receptor modulate contextual fear in trace conditioning

Abstract We have used mutant mice to probe the roles of the endogenous co-agonists of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), D -serine and glycine, in fear learning and memory. Serine racemase knockout (SR−/−) mice have less than 15% of wild type forebrain levels of D -serine, whereas glycine transporter 1 heterozygous knockout (GlyT1+/−) mice have elevated synaptic glycine. While cued fear was normal in both delay and trace conditioned mice of both mutant genotypes, contextual fear was affected in trace conditioned subjects: SR−/− mice showed decreased contextual freezing, whereas GlyT1+/− mice showed elevated contextual freezing. These results indicate that endogenous co-agonists of the NMDAR modulate the conditioning of contextual fear responses, particularly in trace conditioning. They further suggest that endogenous glycine can compensate for the D -serine deficiency in cued and contextual fear following delay conditioning.
How does banking sector globalization affect economic growth

Abstract The present study examines the impact of banking sector globalization on economic growth for a panel of 138 nations spanning 1995–2013. Employing different econometric models, the study finds greater banking sector openness to reduce economic growth. Such finding holds in both emerging markets and low income countries, and in nations with more than 10 percent foreign banks, but not in advanced economies. The paper also finds foreign banks reduce private credit flows in host nations. This implies foreign banks face informational bottlenecks that hinder them from lending to a large majority of potential client-base in host markets.
Effects of different duration exercise programs in children with severe burns

Introduction Burns lead to persistent and detrimental muscle breakdown and weakness. Standard treatment at our institution includes a voluntary 12-week rehabilitative exercise program to limit and reverse the effects of increased muscle catabolism. In the present work, we investigated if different durations of exercise, 6 or 12 weeks, produce comparable improvements in muscle strength, body composition, and cardiopulmonary fitness. Methods We prospectively enrolled and randomized patients with ≥30% total body surface area (TBSA) burned to receive 6 or 12 weeks of exercise rehabilitation. Patients were evaluated for muscle strength, oxygen consumption capacity, and lean body mass at discharge (n = 42) and after exercise. After 6 weeks (n = 18) or 12 weeks (n = 24) of exercise training, leg muscle strength was assessed as peak torque per body weight using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Oxygen consumption capacity, measured as peak VO2, was studied using a standard treadmill-based test, and lean body mass was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results Significant improvements in muscle strength, peak VO2, and lean body mass were seen after 6 weeks of exercise training (p < 0.001), with only significant improvements in peak VO2 being seen after 6 weeks more of training. Conclusion These data suggest that a 6-week rehabilitative exercise program is sufficient for improving muscle strength, body composition, and cardiopulmonary fitness in pediatric burn patients. However, continuation of at- or near-home cardiopulmonary training following the 6 weeks of at-hospital rehabilitation may be useful.
Effect of Staining and Storage Times on Reticulocyte Counts

The effect of decreased staining time on reticulocyte counts was studied using new methylene blue N. A room temperature stability study was also performed. Forty-three EDTA specimens were obtained, and reticulocyte counts were done after one, three, five, and ten minutes of staining. To test stability of reticulocytes in blood stored at room temperature, ten-minute staining times were repeated after two, four, six, eight, 12, and 24 hours. A significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was found in reticulocyte counts at one minute of staining, as compared with three, five , and ten minutes of staining. There was no significant difference in reticulocyte counts done two, four, six, eight, 12, and 24 hours after being drawn. This study demonstrates that staining time for reticulocyte counts can be reduced to three or five minutes without a significant change in results and that reticulocyte counts can be done on EDTA blood stored at room temperature up to 24 hours after collection.
Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) versus MRI in the high-risk screening setting: patient preferences and attitudes

Abstract Purpose Our study evaluates patient preferences toward screening CESM versus MRI. Materials and methods As part of a prospective study, high-risk patients had breast MRI and CESM. Patients completed an anonymous survey to evaluate preferences regarding the two modalities. Results 88% of participants completed the survey. 79% preferred CESM over MRI if the exams had equal sensitivity. 89% would be comfortable receiving contrast as part of an annual screening test. Conclusion High-risk populations may accept CESM as a screening exam and may prefer it over screening MRI if ongoing trials demonstrate screening CESM to be clinically non-inferior MRI.
Cyber physical systems for predictive production systems

As disruptive technologies like Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things advance at a breakneck speed, modern manufacturing is ready to embrace the systematic deployment of predictive production systems. The predictive production system is an intelligent manufacturing system where networked assets are equipped with self-awareness to predict, root cause, and reconfigure faulty events automatically. Cyber physical systems are one of the core enabling technologies within which information from all the related perspectives are analyzed and interconnected between physical factory floor and the cyber computational space. It intertwines with smart analytics to comprehend invisible issues for rapid decision making. In this paper, a systematic approach is proposed on how cyber physical systems can be applied to predictive production systems to inject resilience and interoperability so that the productivity of manufacturing can be optimized.
A causal model for using collaborative technologies to facilitate student team projects

Colleges of business are particularly known for using team projects as a means of enhancing student learning. Though students may assemble in one location for traditional, classroom-based learning,...
The Technical Services departmental webpage: A new wave management tool for serialists

The departmental homepage has become one of the tools used by organizations to establish a presence in the Web environment, aid in its navigation, and contribute to its information content. This workshop presented the results of a survey of Technical Services Webpages. The researchers discovered that some institutions use their Webpage like a business card, stating who they are and what they do, while others go beyond such basic offerings and instead include content-rich resources to assist staff in performing their jobs and promote departmental efficiency.
Characterization of Vaccination Policies for Attendance and Employment at Day/Summer Camps in New York State.

Introduction:New York state requires day/summer camps to keep immunization records for all enrolled campers and strongly recommends requiring vaccination for all campers and staff. The objective of...
Discrete-Time Signals and Systems

Continuous-time or analog signals are processed using analog devices such as amplifiers, filters, etc. It is impossible to process signals multiplexed from various sources using a single hardware system in the analog domain. On the other hand, digital signals can be processed using both special-purpose hardware and software systems. Worldwide use of Internet, mobile communications, etc. demands all kinds of data such as video, audio, graphics, etc. In order to receive this information on a single device, computer, for instance, it is impossible to use analog signals and techniques. In order to be able to design and implement digitally based systems, it is absolutely necessary to have an understanding of digital signals and systems. Digital signals are discrete in time and amplitude. However, we will assume discrete-time signals to have a continuum of amplitude in order to be able to analyze such signals and systems mathematically. In this chapter we will describe typical discrete-time signals mathematically and then use them to describe and analyze linear time-invariant discrete-time systems. To help the readers understand the mathematical details, we will work out examples followed by MATLAB-based examples. Since digital signals are obtained from analog sources, we will also discuss the conversion of continuous-time signals into digital signals using analog-to-digital converters (ADC).
The nature of the cofactor requirements of the hydrogenase system from Clostridium kluyveri.

SUMMARY Cofactor requirements for the reduction of diphosphopyridine nucleotide with molecular hydrogen by enzyme preparations of Clostridium kluyveri were reinvestigated. The results confirmed previous conclusions that flavin adenine dinucleotide and a factor in boiled extracts (“Magnesol co- factor”), separable from FAD by chromatography on Magnesol, were involved. Whereas the FAD requirement is absolute at all concentrations of reactants tested, activation by the Magnesol cofactor is observed only at relatively low concentrat,ions of FAD. In the absence of Magnesol cofactor, hydrogen-linked DPN reduction is a bimolecular function of the FAD concentration. However, when Magnesol cofactor is present, DPN reduction follows normal Michaelis-Menten saturation kinetics with re- spect to FAD, and the affinity of enzyme for FAD is much higher than when Magnesol cofactor is absent. Similar activa- tion of the hydrogenase system is obtained when the Magnesol cofactor is replaced by high concentrations of flavin mononu- cleotide, adenosine triphosphate, diphosphate, or any of a large number of other nucleoside di- or triphosphates. The results suggest the presence two binding sites on hydro- genase, namely, a catalytic site capable of binding FAD and an allosteric site capable of binding factors present in the Magnesol cofactor preparation and also nucleotides including FAD, flavin mononucleotide, adenosine triphosphate, and adenosine diphos- phate when these are present at high concentrations. The Magnesol preparation was resolved by diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography into two active fractions, neither of which contained a sufficient concentration of any of the common nucleotides to account for its activity. Previous suggestions that the Magnesol cofactor activity is due to flavin mononucleotide or ferredoxin were shown be incorrect. REFERENCES
Structural Optimization of a Direct-Drive Wind Turbine Generator Inspired by Additive Manufacturing

Abstract This study explores the structural freedom and design opportunities of additive manufacturing for a 5-MW direct-drive generator for a wind turbine and compares it to more traditional spoke-arm designs using NREL’s GeneratorSE. The work focuses on light-weighting the stator within the generator, complementing previous rotor work. The light-weighting approach uses complex geometries and lattice structures made possible by additive manufacturing to realize increased strength with reduced mass. By reducing the mass at the top of the tower, wind turbines face lower loading along with decreased cost and improved structural stability. Furthermore, an altered bedplate support location facilitates lighter stator designs by better load transfer. Design optimization suggests additive manufacturing has the potential to transform generator designs to realize light-weighting. Since these machines are large, simulation and modeling are essential first steps before future experimental validation.
Thermoresponsive Supramolecular Hydrogels with High Fracture Toughness

Supramolecular hydrogels formed from random copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2-(N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)ethyl acrylate (FOSA) exhibit a volume phase transition due to a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The LCST can be tuned between 32 and 5 °C by incorporating up to 14 mol % FOSA in the copolymer. The tensile modulus and strength of the hydrogels increased above the LCST as a consequence of an increase in the effective cross-link density due to the phase separation of water from the hydrogel. Below the LCST, the hydrogels exhibited extraordinary fracture toughness and crack blunting capability. Fracture energies of ∼8000 J/m2 were achieved, which is comparable or greater than that of cartilage and what has been previously achieved with synthetic supramolecular hydrogels. These gels exhibited large hysteresis behavior, though unlike tough double network hydrogels, the NIPAM/FOSA hydrogels can fully recover their dimensions (i.e., no permanent set) and properties after te...
Genome-Wide Analysis of Transcriptional Changes and Genes That Contribute to Fitness during Degradation of the Anthropogenic Pollutant Pentachlorophenol by Sphingobium chlorophenolicum

ABSTRACT Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a highly toxic pesticide that was first introduced in the 1930s. The alphaproteobacterium Sphingobium chlorophenolicum, which was isolated from PCP-contaminated sediment, has assembled a metabolic pathway capable of completely degrading PCP. This pathway produces four toxic intermediates, including a chlorinated benzoquinone that is a potent alkylating agent and three chlorinated hydroquinones that react with O2 to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). RNA-seq analysis revealed that PCP causes a global stress response that resembles responses to proton motive force uncoupling and membrane disruption, while surprisingly, little of the response resembles the responses expected to be produced by the PCP degradation intermediates. Tn-seq was used to identify genes important for fitness in the presence of PCP. By comparing the genes that are important for fitness in wild-type S. chlorophenolicum and a non-PCP-degrading mutant, we identified genes that are important only when the PCP degradation intermediates are produced. These include genes encoding two enzymes that are likely to be involved in protection against ROS. In addition to these enzymes, the endogenous levels of other enzymes that protect cells from oxidative stress appear to mitigate the toxic effects of the chlorinated benzoquinone and hydroquinone metabolites of PCP. The combination of RNA-seq and Tn-seq results identify important mechanisms for defense against the toxicity of PCP. IMPORTANCE Phenolic compounds such as pentachlorophenol (PCP), triclosan, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) represent a common class of anthropogenic biocides. Despite the novelty of these compounds, many can be degraded by microbes isolated from contaminated sites. However, degradation of this class of chemicals often generates toxic intermediates, which may contribute to their recalcitrance to biodegradation. We have addressed the stresses associated with degradation of PCP by Sphingobium chlorophenolicum by examining the transcriptional response after PCP exposure and identifying genes necessary for growth during both exposure to and degradation of PCP. This work identifies some of the mechanisms that protect cells from this toxic compound and facilitate its degradation. This information could be used to engineer strains capable of improved biodegradation of PCP or similar phenolic pollutants.
A Mixed-Signal Successive Approximation Architecture for Energy-Efficient Fixed-Point Arithmetic in 16nm FinFET

In this work, a mixed-signal architecture, inspired from the widely-popular successive approximation analog-to-digital converter, is presented as an energy-efficient alternative to conventional digital signal processors for fixed-point arithmetic. Using a capacitor array, this architecture computes multiply-add operations as charge at the thermal noise limits. Then, using this same array along with a comparator and a successive approximation register (SAR), this charge is efficiently decoded into a digital value using a binary search. This architecture was designed in a 16nm FinFET process, and is capable of computing 8-bit multiply-add operations averagely at 6.85fJ with an efficiency of 146TOPs/W. Compared to a conventional digital implementation performing the same operation in the same process, the proposed design used 37% less energy.
Long-term oncologic outcomes of positive surgical margins following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.

Background: Previous reports on positive surgical margin (PSM) after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) have reached inconsistent conclusions as to the impact of a PSM on oncologic outcomes. We sought to determine the effect of PSM on long-term cancer recurrence and survival outcomes. Methods: We queried our renal oncology database for patients having undergone RAPN and compared recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients with PSM and negative surgical margin (NSM). Kaplan-Meier analysis was also performed for RFS and OS for PSM versus NSM. Results: Of the 432 patients who underwent RAPN we identified 29 (6.7%) patients with PSM and 403 (93.3%) patients with NSM. Median follow-up for the overall cohort was 45.1 months. Three of the 29 patients with PSM and fourteen of the 403 patients with NSM had disease recurrence (P=0.09). RFS at 24, 48, and 72 months was 95.8%, 90%, and 85.5% for patients with NSM and 96.6%, 86.6%, and 80.4% for patients with PSM, respectively (log-rank P value =0.382). OS at 24, 48, and 72 months was 98%, 93.1%, and 89.7% for patients with NSM and 96.3%, 91.2%, and 85.2% for patients with PSM, respectively (log-rank P value =0.584). Conclusions: While PSM are relatively uncommon, their presence still serves as a potential risk factor for worse oncologic outcomes. In instances of PSM, immediate secondary intervention is most likely unnecessary and more attentive long-term clinical follow-up, especially in patients with high-risk features, may be more advisable.
Iatrogenic chylous collection post laparoscopic nephrectomy

With the increasing number of laparoscopic nephrectomies, trauma to lymphatic channels has become an increasingly recognised complication. Early diagnosis and prompt management are key to avoid hig...
Minimal effect sizes do not imply minimal effects for differences in long-tailed distributions

Long-tailed distributions can distort findings, influence statistical tests, and result in small effect sizes. This research note proposed a definition of long-tailed distributions (i.e., SD/M ≥ 1)...
The Influence of Chronotype and Grit on Lifestyle and Physical Activity

Background: The chronotype of a person refers to an individual's natural sleep-wake cycle and whether that individual prefers morning or evening activities, and grit is an individual's perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between grit, chronotype, physical activity, and leading a healthy lifestyle in college-age students. Methods: Health and fitness data (i.e., chronotype, grit, lifestyle assessment score, and daily steps) from 431 first-semester university students at a private college were collected and analyzed. Results: This study found that grit and chronotype both have significant correlations with living a healthy lifestyle and with physical activity. Grit more accurately predicts a person's lifestyle (β = -13.712, r = 0.39, p < 0.0001) while chronotype more accurately predicts the physical activity, or steps, of a person (β = 66.48, r = .19, p = .0001). Chronotype can also accurately predict the grit of a person ( r = .25, p < .0001), and it was found that morning people tend to have more grit. Conclusions: This study concluded that grit, chronotype, steps, and a healthy lifestyle are all significantly correlated with each other. Knowing the relationship between endogenous chronotype, grit, and living a physically active and healthy lifestyle can help inform policy decisions related to the goal of strengthening an institution's inclusive and healthy academic community.
Accounting for cognitive costs: can scientists be creative?: The Spider’s Thread

The Spider’s Thread: Metaphor in Mind, Brain, and Poetry recently won an award by CHOICE as one of the year’s “Outstanding Academic Titles,” “awarding outstanding works for their excellence in pres...
Reconstruction and refinement of crossing muscle fibers in the human tongue

The human tongue muscles plays an important role in multiple vital human functions. Most tongue regions are extensively interdigitated with two orthogonal muscle fibers. Reconstruction of the tongue muscle fiber orientations can help understand the deformation of each muscle group and its function. High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI), one of the diffusion weighted imaging techniques, has been used to resolve the crossing muscle fibers in the tongue. Most existing fiber reconstruction methods use HARDI data to estimate the fiber orientation distribution function (fODF), from which the distinct fiber orientations can be identified by a peak finding algorithm. The assignment of the primary and second fiber orientations can be inconsistent with neighboring voxels. In this paper, we propose a fiber matching algorithm to refine the display of the fiber orientations, which can be used as a post-processing step for fiber reconstruction. The fiber matching algorithm takes the fiber orientations that are reconstructed by a deep convolutional neural network as input, and computes the similarity between neighboring fibers under different assignments. The optimal assignments are achieved by solving a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization model. The proposed method was shown to greatly improve the fiber assignments on synthetic tongue fiber orientations. Application to post-mortem human tongue indicated that the proposed method can reconstruct the complex muscle fibers of the human tongue and improve the visualization of the fiber orientations.
On African-American Rhetoric: by Keith Gilyard and Adam Banks, Routledge, 2018, 154 pp., $34.36 (paper), ISBN: 978-1138090446

Keith Gilyard and Adam Banks’s book On African-American Rhetoric provides a roadmap for rhetoric scholars to engage, explore, and expand the study of African American rhetoric, a research field tha...
Study of converging-diverging channel induced convective mass transport in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract The flow channel design in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is critical for transporting reactant gases and removing product water efficiently. Herein, we proposed and performed a comprehensive study of four flow channel designs: straight, wavy, 2D-Nozzle, and the novel 3D-Nozzle. Using the limiting current method, we discovered that the oxygen transport resistance of straight, wavy, and 2D-Nozzle designs are similar confirming the diffusive transport mechanism. In contrast, the oxygen transport resistance of the 3D-Nozzle design is significantly less than that of the other three designs due to the channel-induced convective flux in the gas diffusion layer. As a result, the peak power density of the 3D-Nozzle design is 25% higher than all other designs. The in situ neutron images confirm that the 3D-Nozzle design has less and more evenly distributed water than the straight channel design. Lastly, the simulation results using a three-dimensional finite element COMSOL model show notable in-plane and through-plane convective flux in the gas diffusion layer promoting oxygen and liquid water transfer. The combined experimental and simulation results validate that the novel three-dimensional converging–diverging channel design provides superior water management capability, which in turn improve the performance and robustness of a fuel cell.
Characterization and Mitigation of Relaxation Effects on Multi-level RRAM based In-Memory Computing

In this paper, we investigate the relaxation effects on multi-level resistive random access memory (RRAM) based in-memory computing (IMC) for deep neural network (DNN) inference. We characterized 2-bit-per-cell RRAM IMC prototypes and measured the relaxation effects over 100 hours on multiple 8 kb test chips, where the relaxation is found to be most severe in the two intermediate states. We incorporated the experimental data into SPICE simulation and software DNN inference, showing DNN accuracy for CIFAR-10 dataset could degrade from 87.35% to 11.58% after 144 hours. To recover the largely degraded accuracy, mitigation schemes are proposed: 1) at the circuit level, the reference voltage for RRAM IMC could be calibrated after 80 hours when the relaxation is saturated. 2) At the algorithm level, the weights are trained with lower percentages to be quantized to the two intermediate states. With both schemes applied, the accuracy could be recovered to 87.32 % for long-term stability.
Exploring the need of social change leadership concerning health communication and health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic

In March of 2020, the United States activated nationwide pandemic response protocols due to the swift spread of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019, also known as COVID-19. Amidst the domestic response, urgency surrounded the need to build collective awareness of the signs, symptoms, and preventive measures of the virus. As the virus spread and historically marginalized communities were disproportionately impacted with rates of infection, the need to explore the presence of disparities in health communication, health education, and personal health literacy surfaced. The research contained within this study examines the root cause of the gap in health literacy for communities of color and presents actionable next steps to increase positive healthcare outcomes for all. Copyright © 2022, IGI Global.
COVID-19 and Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Our understanding of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its implications for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is rapidly evolving. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes in IBD patients with COVID-19. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Clinicaltrials.gov, Web of Science, MedRxiv, and Google Scholar from inception through October 2020. We included studies with IBD patients and confirmed COVID-19. Data were collected on the prevalence, patient characteristics, pre-infection treatments for IBD, comorbidities, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU), admission, and death. Results Twenty-three studies with 51,643 IBD patients and 1449 with COVID-19 met our inclusion criteria. In 14 studies (n = 50,706) that included IBD patients with and without COVID-19, the prevalence of infection was 1.01% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-1.10). Of IBD patients with COVID-19, 52.7% had Crohn's disease, 42.2% had ulcerative colitis, and 5.1% had indeterminate colitis. Nine studies (n = 687) reported outcomes according to IBD therapy received. Compared with patients on corticosteroids, those on antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy had a lower risk of hospitalization (risk ratio [RR], 0.24; 95% CI, 0.16-0.35; P Conclusions The prevalence of COVID-19 in IBD patients was low. Use of corticosteroids or mesalamine was significantly associated with worse outcomes, whereas use of anti-TNFs was associated with more favorable outcomes. Further investigation clarifying the mechanisms of these disparate observations could help identify risk and adverse outcome-mitigating strategies for patients with IBD.
Nanosecond-Pulsed DBD in Atmospheric Air: Time-Resolved Measurements of Electric Fields and ROS Delivery into Liquid

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are non-equilibrium low-temperature discharges. Uniform dielectric barrier discharges have many potentially trans formative industrial applications, including uniform thin-film deposition, surface modification of polymers, sterilization of biological samples, treatment of living tissues and cells for their advantages of low gas temperature, moderate power density, uniform energy distribution, controllability of chemical composition and so on. Uniform DBDs are traditionally generated at special conditions (e.g., low pressure, rare gases), and in atmospheric air are of filamentary nature. Recent developments in pulsed power generation technology allowed controllable application of fast-rising short (nanosecond) high voltage pulses for generation of pulsed discharges. In our preliminary studies we have been able to perform fast imaging of the discharge development on nanosecond time scales in atmospheric air, and show transition of DBD from filamentary to uniform mode. We show that the discharge uniformity may be achieved in the case of strong overvoltage (provided by fast rise times), when anode-directed streamers are formed. Here we present our results on fast ICCD imaging of DBD in atmospheric air for uniformity analysis, as well as time- and space-resolved temperature and local electric filed measurements using OES. We also report on measurements of ROS delivery into liquid.
Interspecific competition reduces the performance of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar: implications for restoration programs

Competition from non-native salmonids is potentially impairing efforts to restore Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to parts of their historical range. In three separate meta-analyses, we collected 104...
Simulation of 2D Model of Dielectric Barrier Discharge for Flexible Hybrid Electronics

Recent advances in atmospheric pressure plasma research have resulted in applications for many fields such as plasma medicine [1] , flexible hybrid electronics [2] , agriculture, and plasma processing. Recently, a group from NASA showcased a novel application of atmospheric pressure plasma in flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) [3] , [4] . In [3] , [4] , a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is used to deposit ink on the flexible substrate and achieves self-sintering. The system also known as plasma jet printer has shown considerable advantages over conventional aerosol-based printing in form of higher conductivity and packing density [3] . The DBD plasma geometry is similar to those used in plasma medicine but has the opposite functionality. The plasma medicine is used for etching and sterilization and the same plasma in FHE is used for deposition and sintering. This paper will demonstrate a 2D model using ESI software CFD-ACE+ for the dielectric barrier discharge and showcase the difference in DBD for use in plasma deposition. The 2D model is simulated under varying input parameters such as applied voltage, pressure, gas flow, and frequency of applied waveform.
Abstract 2451: Increased Myocardial Sensitivity to IKr Inhibition in Patients With Heart Failure Due to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

Introduction: Patients with heart failure (HF) are at increased risk of drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP). Hypothesis: Myocardial sensitivity to I Kr inhibition is enhanced in patients with HF due to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction Methods: Patients (n=15) with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter requiring conversion to sinus rhythm; n=6 with NYHA class II–III HF [mean LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 30±9%], and n=9 controls [mean LVEF 54±5%]. Patients with electrolyte abnormalities or receiving other QT-prolonging drugs were excluded. Patients were administered intravenous ibutilide 1mg over 10 minutes. Blood samples and three 12-lead ECGs were obtained prior to and post-infusion and at 5, 15, 30, 45 minutes, and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 48 hours post-infusion. Serum ibutilide concentrations were determined and Fridericia-corrected QT (QT F ) intervals were measured from leads II, V1, and V5. The majority of (77%) post-infusion QT intervals were obtained in sinus rhythm. Sensitivity to I Kr inhibition was expressed as ibutilide concentration at 50% maximum effect on QT F (EC 50 ). Exposure to QT F interval prolongation was assessed by area under the QT F interval-time curves (AUEC). Results: Ibutilide pharmacokinetics in the two groups were not significantly different. Ibutilide concentration- QT F effect relationships were best described by a sigmoidal E max model with a hypothetical effect compartment. The predictive power of the model for concentration-effect relationships was best using the maximum QT F measured across the three leads vs the corresponding ibutilide concentration (R 2 =0.82). AUEC from 0 – 4 hours was larger in the HF group (Table). EC 50 was lower in the HF group, indicating that a lower serum ibutilide concentration was required to prolong QT F interval to 50% maximum. Conclusions: Myocardial sensitivity to I Kr inhibition is enhanced in patients with systolic HF, which may contribute to the increased risk of drug-induced TdP. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota & Wisconsin).
Raman sensing in microresonators

High-quality whispering-gallery-mode optical resonators have garnered interest in particle sensing for a variety of applications. Here, we further explore the idea of using microresonators to enhance single-particle detection and identification by monitoring the Raman scattering from a particle adhered to a silica micro-sphere. A tunable diode laser is critically coupled into a resonant mode of the micro-sphere resonator, allowing circulating power to build up within the cavity for enhanced interaction with the attached particle. Experimental results of single particle Raman scattering in microsphere resonators are presented.
Equity in economic relationships: Towards a positive theory

Abstract A new theory of ‘equity’ in economic relationships has begun to develop. The theory is consistent with conventional assumptions such as rationality and self-interest, but it explains phenomena that have baffled orthodox microeconomics. Productivity variation by workers in response to perceived inequity can cause wage stickiness and the persistence of inefficient wage structures. Studies by economists and social psychologists provide empirical support. Potentially, the theory is a rich one, having implications for areas such a welfare economics and the microfoundations of macroeconomics.
Examiner differences in the mini-CEX.

The objective of this study was to gather preliminary data on examiner differences when using the mini-CEX. Each mini-CEX encounter consists of a single faculty member observing a resident conducting a focused history and physical examination in an inpatient, outpatient, or emergency room setting. After asking the resident for a diagnosis and treatment plan, the faculty member rates the resident and provides educational feedback. The encounters are intended to be short (e.g., 20 minutes) and occur as a routine part of the training, so each resident can be evaluated on a number of occasions by different faculty. In this study, sixty-four faculty evaluated residents from five internal medicine training programs; data were analysed for 355 mini-CEX encounters involving 88 residents.
Epigenetic reprogramming by tumor-derived EZH2 gain-of-function mutations promotes aggressive 3D cell morphologies and enhances melanoma tumor growth

In addition to genetic alterations, cancer cells are characterized by myriad epigenetic changes. EZH2 is a histone methyltransferase that is over-expressed and mutated in cancer. The EZH2 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations first identified in lymphomas have recently been reported in melanoma (~2%) but remain uncharacterized. We expressed multiple EZH2 GOF mutations in the A375 metastatic skin melanoma cell line and observed both increased H3K27me3 and dramatic changes in 3D culture morphology. In these cells, prominent morphological changes were accompanied by a decrease in cell contractility and an increase in collective cell migration. At the molecular level, we observed significant alteration of the axonal guidance pathway, a pathway intricately involved in the regulation of cell shape and motility. Furthermore, the aggressive 3D morphology of EZH2 GOF-expressing melanoma cells (both endogenous and ectopic) was attenuated by EZH2 catalytic inhibition. Finally, A375 cells expressing exogenous EZH2 GOF mutants formed larger tumors than control cells in mouse xenograft studies. This study not only demonstrates the first functional characterization of EZH2 GOF mutants in non-hematopoietic cells, but also provides a rationale for EZH2 catalytic inhibition in melanoma.
Tunable second order dispersion compensator using fiber Bragg grating with double ring structure

Tunable second order dispersion compensator is realized utilizing linear chirped FBG with double ring structure. Tunable range from -100 to 100 ps/nm/sup 2/ is achieved in keeping center wavelength and first order dispersion constant.
Ectopic Adrenocorticotropin Syndrome Associated with Carcinoma of the Colon

A 60-year-old man, with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon, presented with hypokalemic alkalosis, proximal myopathy, edema, glucose intolerance, and anemia. Elevated concentrations of plasma cortisol and radioimmunoassayable corticotropin (RIA-ACTH) and urinary 17-ketogenic steroids and 17-ketosteroids were not suppressed following the oral administration of dexamethasone, 8 mg per day for 2 days. The concentration of bioassayable ACTH in the colonic tumor was elevated, and a positive arteriovenous difference in radioimmunoassayable ACTH was demonstrated across the primary tumor. These data are interpreted as indicating that the tumor was the source of production and secretion of excessive ACTH and the resulting severe hyperadrenocorticism. The association of the ectopic ACTH syndrome with this nonchromaffin colonic neoplasm is extremely rare.
Gender differences in reported stress response to the loma prieta earthquake

Previous research has consistently demonstrated that men and women differ in the expression of emotions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. However, little research has investigated the question of whether men and women differ in their stress response to a cataclysmic event. The present study investigated gender differences in stress response to the Loma Prieta earthquake. Two hundred and eleven subjects participated in this study. The sample was composed of 108 men and 103 women; the racial composition of the sample was approximately 73% Caucasian, 15% Asian-American, 9% Hispanic, 2% African-American, and 1% Native American. All subjects completed two standardized stress measures (the Impact of Events scale and the Symptom checklist-90R) and answered open-ended questions regarding their experience of the earthquake. Results showed that women clearly reported experiencing greater amounts of stress in response to the earthquake. Women also estimated that the earthquake lasted significantly longer than did men. These results are explained by the greater acceptance in our society for women to express emotions, particularly stress-related emotions.
Analysis of Class 8 Hybrid-Electric Truck Technologies Using Diesel, LNG, Electricity, and Hydrogen, as the Fuel for Various Applications

Research Report – UCD-ITS-RR-13-25 Analysis of Class 8 Hybrid-Electric Truck Technologies Using Diesel, LNG, Electricity, and Hydrogen, as the Fuel for Various Applications November 2013 Hengbing Zhao Andrew Burke Lin Zhu Institute of Transportation Studies ◦ University of California, Davis 1605 Tilia Street ◦ Davis, California 95616 PHONE (530) 752-6548 ◦ FAX (530) 752-6572 www.its.ucdavis.edu
Medical decision making in patients with chest pain.

Medical decision making in patients who present with chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of acute coronary disease continues to evolve amid new forms of technology and treatment, limitations on resources, and substantial local variation in the number and types of intensive care unit beds. Recent work has ranged from the development of predictive instruments to assist in decisions about hospital admission to the development and testing of consensus guidelines for use in decisions about admission and transfer for patients in advanced care units. The principles underlying these instruments and guidelines are based on information traditionally used by doctors in . . .
Indirect signals from dark matter in split supersymmetry

We study the possibilities for the indirect detection of dark matter in split supersymmetry from $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays, positrons, and antiprotons. The most promising signal is the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray line, which may be observable at the next generation of detectors. For certain halo profiles and a high mass neutralino, the line can even be visible in current experiments. The continuous $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray signal may be observable, if there is a central spike in the galactic halo density. The signals are found to be similar to those in the minimal supersymmetric standard models. These indirect signals complement other experiments, being most easily observable for regions of parameter space, such as heavy $W$-ino and Higgsino dominated neutralinos, which are least accessible with direct detection and accelerator searches.
Experimental maturation or ageing of collagen in rabbits' ears.

IN the course of a study of direct connective tissue changes, observations were made which have a bearing on the problem of ageing of collagen.
Cardiovascular responses and differential changes in mitogen-activated protein kinases following repeated episodes of binge drinking.

Aims: Excessive alcohol use in the form of binge drinking is associated with many adverse medical outcomes. Using an animal model, the primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of repeated episodes of binge drinking on myocardial structure, blood pressure (BP) and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The effects of carvedilol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, were also examined in this animal model of binge drinking. Methods: Rats were randomized into three groups: control, binge and binge + carvedilol (20 mg/kg). Animals received intragastric administration of 5 g ethanol/kg in the morning × 4 days (Monday–Thursday) followed by no ethanol on Friday–Sunday. Animals were maintained on the protocol for 5 weeks. BP was measured using radiotelemetry methods. Animals underwent echocardiography at baseline, 2.5 and 5 weeks. Myocardial MAPKs were analyzed at 5 weeks using western blot techniques. Results: Over the course of 5 weeks, binge drinking was associated with significant transient increases in BP that were greater at 4 and 5 weeks compared with earlier time points. Carvedilol treatment significantly attenuated the binge-induced transient increases in BP at 4 and 5 weeks. No significant changes were found in echocardiographic parameters at any time period; however, binge drinking was associated with increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, which was blocked by carvedilol treatment. Conclusion: Repeated episodes of binge drinking result in progressive and transient increases in BP, no change in myocardial structure and differential regulation of MAPK activation.
Reef framework diagenesis across wave-flushed oxic-suboxic-anoxic transition zones

The temporal and spatial variability of inorganic nutrient concentrations in overlying- and interstitial-seawater in Checker Reef, Oahu was examined for response to incident wave magnitude and direction. Well-point samplers were used to profile interstitial nutrient concentrations across oxic-suboxic-anoxic transition zones in the upper meter of the reef framework at four sites aligned across the patch reef. Samples were acquired over February, 1992, during which time dominant E-NE trade winds directed waves across the reef from the fore-reef to back-reef. However, W-SW “Kona” winds periodically interrupted this pattern and directed waves in the reverse direction. The interstitial microbial habitats of fore- and back-reef framework were distinct from those within the mid-reef framework. Maximum concentrations of PO4, Si, and NH4 in interstitial waters occurred at framework depths of 1–2 m, with the highest concentrations occuring within the mid-reef framework. Maximum concentrations of NO3 and NO2, which were used to delineate the core of the suboxic zone, occurred at framework depths of 5–10 cm at all stations and attained 2–4 fold higher peak concentrations within the mid-reef and back-reef than within the fore-reef. Variability in interstitial nutrient concentrations was greatest within the back-reef and is consistent with reversals of wave-direction, with the resultant increases in mixing between interstitial and overlying seawater due to flushing caused by the S-SW Kona wind events. The ratio of molar concentrations of total inorganic nitrogen to phosphate (TIN : PO4) for the fore-reef was 5 : 1; while ratios for the mid- and back-reef were 13–15 : 1, reflecting that the dominant source of particulate organic matter to the fore-reef framework is plankton, while that of the mid- and back-reef is benthic reef plants.