cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unstart of a Supersonic Model Inlet/Isolator Flow Induced by Mass Injection

*A transverse jet is injected into a supersonic model inlet/isolator flow to induce unstart. Planar Laser Rayleigh Scattering (PLRS) from condensed CO2 particles is used to visualize the unsteady flow during unstart. Pressure traces are recorded using high speed pressure sensors located in the bottom wall of the tunnel. A series of time sequence PLRS images reveals that an unstart shock originates near the jet injection nozzle and propagates upstream, unstarting the inlet flow upon its arrival at the inlet lip. Studies conducted over a range of model configurations indicate that the presence of turbulent wall boundary layers strongly affect the unstart dynamics. It is found that relatively thick turbulent boundary layers in asymmetric wall boundary layer configurations prompt the formation of unstart shocks whereas symmetric boundary layer conditions lead to the formation of pseudoshocks. Both cases facilitate fast inlet unstart when compared to cases in which there are initially relatively thin laminar boundary layers.
Antibody Enrichment and Mass Spectrometry of Albumin-Cys34 Adducts

Untargeted analyses of tryptic peptides of human serum albumin (HSA) have been used to investigate unknown exposures to reactive electrophiles (adductomics). To reduce the complexity of the analytical matrix and thereby enhance identification of adducts by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), a polyclonal anti-T3 antibody was designed to capture Cys34 adducts in tryptic digests of HSA (T3 is the third largest tryptic peptide). Epitopes were selected from sequences at both C- and N-termini based on the three-dimensional structure of the T3 peptide to minimize the influence of modified Cys34 residues. The assay was simplified by attaching magnetic beads to the anti-T3 antibody. When applied to commercial HSA and to plasma samples from healthy humans and analyzed by LC-HRMS, antibody treatment greatly reduced the background of non-T3 peptides in the sample matrix. Although other lipophilic HSA peptides were still present, presumably due to nonspecific binding to the antibody-magnetic-bead surfaces, their concentrations in antibody-treated samples were reduced about 6-fold compared to the same samples that had not been treated with the antibody. Analysis of antibody-enriched HSA digests from human plasma samples revealed 10 modified T3 peptides of which 8 were identified from accurate masses. Identified peptides included Cys34 oxidation and cysteinylation products and modifications representing losses of water and Lys and transpeptidation of Arg.
Structure of the He-4 nucleus from elastic electron scattering

We have measured the cross section for elastic electron scattering from ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ at values of ${q}^{2}$, the four-momentum transfer squared, ranging from 0.5 to 20.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Previous Stanford measurements extended up to ${q}^{2}=6.2$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ and were consistent with a Gaussian shape for the charge distribution of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ nucleus. Our results confirm the earlier data but show a deviation from the Gaussian model for ${q}^{2}g6$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. At ${q}^{2}=10$ we observe a diffraction minimum of the scattering cross section. Among the models which have been found to fit the new data is the Fermi three-parameter charge distribution. The rms radius ${〈{r}^{2}〉}^{\frac{1}{2}}$, the half-density radius ${r}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, and the 90% to 10% skin thickness $t$ of the charge distribution have been calculated for the models which adequately fit the data. The results indicate that the surface of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ charge distribution is less diffuse than implied by the nuclear harmonic-oscillator model.
Adaptive Fault Tolerant Control of Cooperative Heterogeneous Systems With Actuator Faults and Unreliable Interconnections

This paper studies the active fault-tolerant control (FTC) problem for nonidentical high-order multi-agent systems, in the presence of actuator faults and network disconnections. The follower agents are enabled to track the output of a leader agent in faulty cases, by performing output feedback actuator fault compensations and distributed accommodations of network disconnections. In view of nonidentical nonlinearities, a high-gain observer like-protocol and a cooperative FTC controller are presented, with a synchronization condition to govern the global behavior in undirected/directed graphs. To distributively achieve the synchronization condition by updating local controller parameters, two broadcast mechanisms are presented on a spanning tree (for undirected graphs) and a cycle containing all nodes (for directed graphs). To ensure the tolerance to disconnections, the proposed broadcast mechanisms are redesigned by adding redundant information flows on spanning trees (for undirected graphs) and cycles containing all nodes (for directed graphs).
Satellite estimates of net community production based on O2/Ar observations and comparison to other estimates

We present two statistical algorithms for predicting global oceanic net community production (NCP) from satellite observations. To calibrate these two algorithms, we compiled a large data set of in situ O2/Ar-NCP and remotely sensed observations, including sea surface temperature (SST), net primary production (NPP), phytoplankton size composition, and inherent optical properties. The first algorithm is based on genetic programming (GP) which simultaneously searches for the optimal form and coefficients of NCP equations. We find that several GP solutions are consistent with NPP and SST being strong predictors of NCP. The second algorithm uses support vector regression (SVR) to optimize a numerical relationship between O2/Ar-NCP measurements and satellite observations. Both statistical algorithms can predict NCP relatively well, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.68 for GP and 0.72 for SVR, which is comparable to other algorithms in the literature. However, our new algorithms predict more spatially uniform annual NCP distribution for the world's oceans and higher annual NCP values in the Southern Ocean and the five oligotrophic gyres.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of health education intervention on rational medication among residents in Zhejiang

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education intervention on rational usage of drugs among residents in Zhejiang,and to provide evidence for making effective public health policies.Methods Health education intervention was conducted among residents aged 18-60 years from 12 communities or villages in 3 counties of Zhejiang province.The effect of intervention was evaluated by questionnaire survey.Results The awareness rate of knowledge related to drug usage among residents was 66.00%,and 55.38% of subjects could recognize the misusage of drugs.There were 8.03%,18.62%,34.83% and 35.15% of residents who knew how to store drugs,checked up on drugs regularly,could handle out-of-date medicine and treat side effects properly.After intervention,the above percentages all went up dramatically.Conclusions Health education intervention can effectively improve the awareness of rational usage of drugs among residents in Zhejiang.
Interaction between adenosine and flow-induced dilation in coronary microvascular network

Previous studies have demonstrated that coronary microvessels are regulated by at least three possible means: metabolite-induced, shear-induced, and pressure-induced (myogenic) mechanisms. Adenosin...
Small Rockets for Research and Weather Observation

The US Navy has long been active in the field of small sounding rockets and has participated in many development programs. After the Viking, which was a large liquid fuel rocket over a meter in diameter, 13 meters long and which weighed nearly 7500 kg, the general trend has been toward smaller more efficient and lower cost rockets. These systems are used both for the investigation of the atmosphere of the earth and to place instruments above the earth’s atmosphere in order to study the sun and other planets. The Aerobee and Aerobee-Hi represent the continuation of the liquid fuel rocket development and the DEACON, ASP and ARCAS are the result of efforts to produce small solid fuel sounding rockets. Efforts to make use of rocket motors borrowed from weapon systems have resulted in the HASP or LOKIDART and MIRAL or 2.75 in. air launched sounding rockets. Combining sounding rockets with larger weapon type boosters has yielded such well known and much used research vehicles as the NIKE-DEACON, NIKE-CAJUN and NIKE-ASP. The latter system (NIKE-ASP) is capable of lifting scientific payloads of 1/10 the weight of those carried by Viking to the same altitude reached by the Viking but at 1/50th of the cost.
MODEL REFERENCE ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF A CIRCULATORY MODEL FOR COMBINED NITROPRUSSIDE-DOPAMINE THERAPY1

A direct model reference adaptive control (MRAC) algorithm is used to compute the infusion of two drugs in order to control blood pressure and cardiac output in a realistic physiological nonlinear multiple-input multiple-output representation. Consideration is given to the effects of digitization, unequal output sampling rates, and to a modification to alleviate the nonsatisfaction of a positive real condition.
Striatal Activity and Reward Relativity: Neural Signals Encoding Dynamic Outcome Valuation

Abstract The striatum is a key brain region involved in reward processing. Striatal activity has been linked to encoding reward magnitude and integrating diverse reward outcome information. Recent work has supported the involvement of striatum in the valuation of outcomes. The present work extends this idea by examining striatal activity during dynamic shifts in value that include different levels and directions of magnitude disparity. A novel task was used to produce diverse relative reward effects on a chain of instrumental action. Rats (Rattus norvegicus) were trained to respond to cues associated with specific outcomes varying by food pellet magnitude. Animals were exposed to single-outcome sessions followed by mixed-outcome sessions, and neural activity was compared among identical outcome trials from the different behavioral contexts. Results recording striatal activity show that neural responses to different task elements reflect incentive contrast as well as other relative effects that involve generalization between outcomes or possible influences of outcome variety. The activity that was most prevalent was linked to food consumption and post-food consumption periods. Relative encoding was sensitive to magnitude disparity. A within-session analysis showed strong contrast effects that were dependent upon the outcome received in the immediately preceding trial. Significantly higher numbers of responses were found in ventral striatum linked to relative outcome effects. Our results support the idea that relative value can incorporate diverse relationships, including comparisons from specific individual outcomes to general behavioral contexts. The striatum contains these diverse relative processes, possibly enabling both a higher information yield concerning value shifts and a greater behavioral flexibility.
Stabilizing Ir (001) epitaxy on yttria-stabilized zirconia using a thin Ir seed layer grown by pulsed laser deposition

We demonstrate the reproducible epitaxial growth of 100 nm thick Ir(001) films on a heteroepitaxial stack consisting of 5 nm Ir and 100 nm yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) grown on Si(001) substrat...
Deformation of the Philippine Sea Plate under the Coastal Range, Taiwan: Results from an Offshore-Onshore Seismic Experiment

The aims of this research are to understand the deformation of theshallow structures(＜6km depth),the crustal velocity variation of the westernPhilippine Sea Plate(PSP)and their relation to the arc-continent collisionusing Ocean Bottom Seismometers(OBS)and a multi-channel seismic(MCS)survey(together known as TAICRUST)offshore southeastern Taiwan.A seismic line,Line 23 which covers the Luzon Arc,the Huatung Basin,the Taitung Canyon and the western edge of the Gagua Ridge,is investigated.Prominent reflected and refracted arrivals from the sediment,theoceanic basement and the Moho can be seen in the OBS data.By applyingthe travel-time inversion of the stacked MCS data and the OBS data,thevelocity-depth model is built sequentially from the shallow to the deep structures.Low RMS travel-time error and numerous travel-time picks demonstratethe accuracy and the high resolution of the model,respectively.A deep basement beneath OBS stations 30 and 31,a narrow basementtrough beneath the Taitung Canyon,and the long-wavelength bending ofthe oceanic crust near the western edge of the Gagua Ridge are found in thevelocity model.Anomalously low velocity in the upper crust is also identifiedbeneath the Taitung Canyon and near the Gagua Ridge.The formermay result from the strike-slip fault while the latter may be generated fromthe uplift of the Gagua Ridge.According to the variation of the crustalthickness,the velocity model is divided into three portions with the distancelarger than 74km,between 23 and 74km,and less than 23km fromits northwest end.The crustal thickness in the southeast portion(＞74km)is almost uniform at about 12km.Similarly,the thickness of the uppercrust in the central model(23～74km)and the thickness of the lower crustin the northwest portion(＜23km)remain uniform at about 4km and 8km,respectively.However,the lower crust in the central portion and the uppercrust in the northwest portion gradually thicken northwestward.The maximumcrustal thickness is about 24km at the northwest end of the velocitymodel.The variations of the crustal thickness and the lateral velocity at adistance of 23km from the northwest end of the model imply the easternedge of the Luzon Arc.Furthermore,northwestward dipping of the Mohoin the velocity model is consistent with other studies.The mechanism ofcrustal thickening in the western PSP is probably related to intra-plate deformation,thrust faulting and/or future subduction of the western PSPbeneath the Luzon Arc.
Integer Ratio Priors on Musical Rhythm Revealed Cross-culturally by Iterated Reproduction

Probability distributions over external states (priors) are essential to the interpretation of sensory signals. Priors for cultural artifacts such as music and language remain largely uncharacterized, but likely constrain cultural transmission, because only those signals with high probability under the prior can be reliably reproduced and communicated. We developed a method to estimate priors for simple rhythms via iterated reproduction of random temporal sequences. Listeners were asked to reproduce random "seed" rhythms; their reproductions were fed back as the stimulus and over time became dominated by internal biases, such that the prior could be estimated by applying the procedure multiple times. We validated that the measured prior was consistent across the modality of reproduction and that it correctly predicted perceptual discrimination. We then measured listeners' priors over the entire space of two- and three-interval rhythms. Priors in US participants showed peaks at rhythms with simple integer ratios and were similar for musicians and non-musicians. An analogous procedure produced qualitatively different results for spoken phrases, indicating some specificity to music. Priors measured in members of a native Amazonian society were distinct from those in US participants but also featured integer ratio peaks. The results do not preclude biological constraints favoring integer ratios, but they suggest that priors on musical rhythm are substantially modulated by experience and may simply reflect the empirical distribution of rhythm that listeners encounter. The proposed method can efficiently map out a high-resolution view of biases that shape transmission and stability of simple reproducible patterns within a culture.
Carbon Dots' Antiviral Functions Against Noroviruses

This study reported the first assessment of carbon dots’ (CDots) antiviral activity to human norovirus virus-like-particles (VLPs), GI.1 and GII.4 VLPs. CDots with different surface passivation molecules, 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine) (EDA)-CDots and 3-ethoxypropylamine (EPA)-CDots, were synthesized and evaluated. The results indicated both EDA- and EPA- CDots were highly effective to inhibit both strains of VLPs’ bindings to histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) receptors on human cells at CDots concentration of 5 µg/mL, with EDA-CDots achieving 100% inhibition and EPA CDots achieving 85–99% inhibition. At low CDots concentration (2 µg/mL), positively charged EDA-CDots exhibited higher inhibitory effect (~82%) than non-charged EPA-CDots (~60%), suggesting the surface charge status of CDots played a role in the interactions between CDots and the negatively charged VLPs. Both types of CDots also exhibited inhibitory effect on VLP’s binding to their respective antibodies, but much less effective than those to HBGA binding. After CDots treatments, VLPs remained intact, and no degradation was observed on VLPs’ capsid proteins. Taken together, the observed antiviral effects of CDots on noroviruses were mainly through the effective inhibition of VLPs’ binding to HBGA receptors and moderate inhibition of VLPs’ binding to their antibodies, without affecting the integrity of viral capsid protein and the viral particle.
Evaluating path planning in human-robot teams: Quantifying path agreement and mental model congruency

The integration of robotic systems into daily life is increasing, as technological advancements facilitate independent and interdependent decision-making by autonomous agents. Highly collaborative human-robot teams promise to maximize the capabilities of humans and machines. While a great deal of progress has been made toward developing efficient spatial path planning algorithms for robots, comparatively less attention has been paid to developing reliable means by which to assess the similarities and differences in path planning decisions and associated behaviors of humans and robots in these teams. This paper discusses a tool, the Algorithm for finding the Least Cost Areal Mapping between Paths (ALCAMP), which can be used to compare paths planned by humans and algorithms in order to quantify the differences between them, and understand the user's mental models underlying those decisions. In addition, this paper discusses prior and proposed future research related to human-robot collaborative teams. Prior studies using ALCAMP have measured path divergence in order to quantify error, infer decision-making processes, assess path memory, and assess team communication performance. Future research related to human-robot teaming includes measuring formation and path adherence, testing the repeatability of navigation algorithms and the clarity of communicated navigation instructions, inferring shared mental models for navigation among members of a group, and detecting anomalous movement.
Choosing wisely: RUNX1 alternate promoter use.

In this issue of Blood , Draper et al demonstrate that 2 isoforms of the transcription factor RUNX1, which are generated by alternate promoter usage, play distinct functional roles during megakaryopoiesis. 1
Obligations concerning negotiations relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race and to nuclear disarmament

In this trio of decisions, the International Court of Justice (ICJ or Court) rejected applications in which a small island state claimed that three larger states known to possess nuclear weapons had breached their international obligations to undertake and conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament. The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Court acknowledged, had been the location of repeated nuclear weapons testing from 1946 to 1958, when the United States administered the archipelagic nation under the trusteeship system of the United Nations. The Court further recognized that the applicant, “by virtue of the suffering which its people endured as a result of it being used as a site for extensive nuclear testing programs, has special reasons for concern about nuclear disarmament” (para. 44). Nevertheless, it ruled that the cases could not go forward because the requisite legal dispute was absent at the time that the Marshall Islands filed its applications against India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
Abstract 407: Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus May Have Distinct High Density Lipoprotein Function

There is growing evidence suggesting that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function is more important than the HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. HDL particles are highly heterogeneous and their function may also differ among different patient populations. There are two populations that are recognized tohave significant residual cardiovascular risk despite intensive statin therapy: atherogenic dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus. Atherogenic dyslipidemia and diabetes have significant homology with regards to lipid profiles. However, systemic epidemiological studies that describes the overlapping profiles between atherogenic dyslipidemia and diabetes is lacking. The function and types of HDL in these two populations needs to be carefully elucidated. HDL has many functions includingreverse cholesterol transport, anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity. HDL may also exert “antiplatelet effects”but the mechanism is unclear.We assessed the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survery (NHANES) and data from Yale New Haven Health (YNHH). We found that atherogenic dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitushave overlapping lipid profiles but are clearly two distinct conditions. In our preliminary studies, we found that HDL inhibits platelet aggregation and activation. Very interestingly, we found HDL can induce mitochondria dependent platelet apoptosis. The antiplatelet effect of HDL, as observed by others in the past, may arise fromapoptotic platelets that do not aggregate, and thus the inhibition of platelet aggregation. Whether HDL subtypes from atherogenic dyslipidemia and diabetes patient have differential effects on platelet apoptosis are currently being investigated.
E-cigarette use and asthma in a multiethnic sample of adolescents

There is minimal evidence from epidemiological studies on how e-cigarette use is related to health indices in adolescence. We hypothesized that e-cigarette use would be associated with asthma, controlling for demographics and cigarette smoking. The hypothesis was tested with cross-sectional data from a statewide sample of school students. Surveys were administered in classrooms in 2015 to adolescents in 33 high schools throughout the State of Hawaii. The sample (N=6089) was 50% female and mean age was 15.8years. Data were obtained on demographics; ever use and current (past 30days) use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes, and marijuana; ever being diagnosed with asthma; and currently having asthma. Multinomial regression examined the association between e-cigarette use and asthma controlling for cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and six demographic covariates. Current e-cigarette use was associated with currently having (vs. never having) asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.48, CI 1.26-1.74) and with previously having (vs. never having) asthma (aOR=1.22, CI 1.07-1.40). This was independent of cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and other covariates. Smoking and marijuana were nonsignificant in the multivariate analysis. Blacks, Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos had higher rates of asthma compared with Asian Americans and Caucasians. We conclude that e-cigarette use by adolescents is independently associated with asthma. This finding is consistent with recent laboratory research on pulmonary effects from e-cigarette vapor. Implications for public health should be considered.
Spontaneous and Flow-Driven Interfacial Phase Change: Dynamics of Microemulsion Formation at the Pore Scale

The dynamic behavior of microemulsion-forming water–oil–amphiphiles mixtures is investigated in a 2.5D micromodel. The equilibrium phase behavior of such mixtures is well-understood in terms of macroscopic phase transitions. However, what is less understood and where experimental data are lacking is the coupling between the phase change and the bulk flow. Herein, we study the flow of an aqueous surfactant solution–oil mixture in porous media and analyze the dependence of phase formation and spatial phase configurations on the bulk flow rate. We find that a microemulsion forms instantaneously as a boundary layer at the initial surface of contact between the surfactant solution and oil. The boundary layer is temporally continuous because of the imposed convection. In addition to the imposed flow, we observe spontaneous pulsed Marangoni flows that drag the microemulsion and surfactant solution into the oil stream, forming large (macro)emulsion droplets. The formation of the microemulsion phase at the interfa...
Structural certification of human-rated inflatable space structures

This paper details the results of an initial study to develop a certification plan for human-rated inflatable space structures, including guidelines for qualification testing. Habitable softgoods inflatables are multi-layered shell structures that use high-strength webbing, cordage and broadcloth fabric to carry the skin loads of a variety of volumetric shapes and structural architectures. The primary objectives of this study are to define the key parameters that affect these structures and propose a statistically robust approach to defining safety and knockdown factors based on test and analysis. Current NASA standards for habitable inflatable space structures use a factor of safety of 4, which was inherited from airship design criteria. An updated approach to defining a design factor, taking into account material strength variability, load variability in the article, number of test samples, and damage and degradation effects is specified. Accurate analytical modeling of these structures is hindered by the difficulty of obtaining accurate and consistent material data due to load-history-dependent, nonlinear load versus strain behavior. A building block approach to certification is detailed that uses stochastic modeling, and statistical test design and analysis to address the unique challenges these high-strength softgoods structures present. Human-rated inflatable modules are a transformative capability for launching much larger habitable volumes into space than is possible with rigid shell structures. This research aims to provide the framework for certifying these structures for future human space exploration missions.
Temperature, Pressure and Metamorphic Fluid Regimes in the Amphibolite Facies to Granulite Facies Transition Zones

Regional metamorphic progressions from amphibolite facies to granulite facies may be fossil profiles of the lower crust or may outline ancient “hot-spots” or collision zones. Paleotemperatures in different transition zones range from 650°C to 800°C, with pressures of below 5 to nearly 8 kbar, based on the most reliable geothermometry-geobarometry. Water activities were 0.35 and lower, based on calculations of orthopyroxene stability, fluid inclusions, and volatiles in cordierite. Oxygen fugacities were remarkably variable. High activities of F, CO2 and SO2 are recorded in fluorbiotite and scapolite.
Investigation of Micellar Behavior by Pulse Radiolysis

With pulse radiolysis techniques it is possible, on the nanosecond time scale, to generate a non-equilibrium distribution of transient species whose interactions with micellar media may be characterized in kinetic terms. Because of the wide variety of species that can be produced in this manner, such investigations have been shown useful in the study of (a) counterion-surface interactions, (b) monomer-micelle dynamics (c) substrate-micelle distributions. Further the effects of a heterogeneous environment on processes involving biologically important compounds have also been studied by pulse radiolysis in micelles. A brief review of this approach to micelle kinetics is given here.
Chromatin regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities in cancer

Research over the past several decades has unmasked a major contribution of disrupted chromatin regulatory processes to human disease, particularly cancer. Advances in genome-wide technologies have highlighted frequent mutations in genes encoding chromatin-associated proteins, identified unexpected synthetic lethal opportunities and enabled increasingly comprehensive structural and functional dissection. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of oncogenic mechanisms at each level of chromatin organization and regulation, and discuss new strategies towards therapeutic intervention.
Trends and Indications of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Population below Two Year Old: Insight from Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is a well-established therapeutic modality for hematological and non-hematological diseases among different age groups. However, the characteristics, causes and trends of HSCT in pediatric population below 2 years are not well identified. We aimed to evaluate the most important features of HSCT in this age group Methods We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) 1997-2014 to identify patients with HSCT by using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ICD-9 codes. We excluded patients >2 years. Through using ICD-9 codes, patients were grouped to autologous bone marrow transplant, allogenic bone marrow transplant, and cord blood transplant. In-patient all-cause mortality and trends over years were identified. Results A total of 958 Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant HSCT patients were identified through Nationwide Inpatient Sampling NIS database from 1997 – 2014. Among HSCT recipients 60.6% were male, 39.4% were female, and 58.6% were white race. Allogenic transplant was the most common 515 /958 (53.7%), autologous transplant 289/958 (30.2%), and cord blood transplant 154/958 (16.1%). The most common indications for transplant were Combined Immunodeficiency (n = 180), Acute myeloid leukemia (n = 106), Brain neoplasm (n = 116), Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 82), Neuroblastoma (n = 92), Mucopolysaccharidosis MPS (n = 52), Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome WAS (n = 32) and Myelodysplastic syndrome MDS (n = 6), figure 1. Sixty-three HSCT recipients had in-patient graft versus host disease GvHD post-transplant (6.6%); 18 cases were detected in cord blood transplant, 44 cases in allogenic transplant and one case was detected with autologous transplant in acute myeloid leukemia patient. Overall hospital mortality of the whole cohort was 8.9% (85/958), of which 9.4% (8/85) occurred among GvHD patients. Trends over years are shown in figure 2. Conclusion Leukemia, combined immunodeficiency, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, and MPS are the top five indications for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in the first two years of life. Inpatient hospital mortality burden in this group was 8.9% and it is trending down over the years. Graft versus host disease wasn't associated with high percentage of in-hospital mortality and it is interesting that no cases of in-patient Graft versus host disease post-transplant were identified before 2008.
Durable clinical benefit from combination ipilimumab (IPI) and nivolumab (NIVO) in anti-PD-1 therapy resistant, platinum resistant metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).

481Background: Overcoming resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy in UC patients (pts) is of major interest given the modest single agent response rates for pts with mUC. Herein we report the outcome of co...
A Humanistic Ontology for Responsible Management

Why has responsible management been so difficult and why is the chorus of stakeholders demanding responsibility getting louder? We argue that management has been framed within the structural confines of corporate governance. Corporate governance in turn has been developed within the frame of agency theory (Blair, 1995; Eisenhardt, 1989). Agency theory in turn is based on ontological assumptions that do not provide for responsible actions on behalf of management (Jensen, 2001; Jensen & Meckling, 1976; Jensen & Meckling, 1994). As such, we argue that managers need to be aware of the paradigmatic frame of the dominant economistic ontology and learn to transcend it in order to become truly response-able.
The valosin-containing protein protects the heart against pathological Ca2+ overload by modulating Ca2+ uptake proteins.

Stress-induced mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) overload is a key cellular toxic effectors and a trigger of cardiomyocyte death during cardiac ischemic injury through the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). We previously found that the valosin-containing protein (VCP), an ATPase-associated protein, protects cardiomyocytes against stress-induced death and also inhibits mPTP opening in vitro. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we tested our hypothesis that VCP acts as a novel regulator of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake proteins and resists cardiac mitochondrial Ca2+ overload by modulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis. By using a cardiac-specific transgenic (TG) mouse model in which VCP is overexpressed by 3.5 folds in the heart compared to the wild type (WT) mouse, we found that, under the pathological extra-mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, Ca2+ entry into cardiac mitochondria was reduced in VCP TG mice compared to their little-matched WT mice, subsequently preventing mPTP opening and ATP depletion under the Ca2+ challenge. Mechanistically, overexpression of VCP in the heart resulted in post-translational protein degradation of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake protein 1 (MICU1), an activator of the mitochondria Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) that is responsible for mitochondrial calcium uptake. Together, our results reveal a new regulatory role of VCP in cardiac mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and unlock the potential mechanism by which VCP confers its cardioprotection.
Functional recovery and blood pressure on acute post-stroke setting.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the effects of blood pressure (BP) on functional recovery and length of stay (LOS) in post-stroke patients in an acute rehabilitation facility (ARF). Patients and methods A total of 116 ischemic stroke patients (60 males, 56 females; mean age 70.0±12.8 years; range, 37 to 93 years) who were admitted to the ARF between January 2012 and September 2012 were included. Daily BP measurements with mean systolic and diastolic BP values and Functional Independent Measure (FIM) scores at the time of admission and discharge were measured. The LOS and systolic and diastolic BP ranges were also recorded. Results There was no significant correlation between the BP and FIM scores. The mean diastolic BP was positively correlated with admission (rs=0.316, p=0.01) and discharge (rs=0.287, p=0.002), FIM scores, and FIM effectiveness (rs=0.185, p=0.047) and negatively correlated with age (r=-0.449, p<0.001) and LOS (rs=-0.189, p=0.042). The LOS in hospital was negatively correlated with FIM scores at admission (rs=-0.585, p<0.001) and discharge (rs=-0.352, p<0.001) and positively correlated with FIM score changes (rs=0.414, p<0.001). Conclusion Our study results show that diastolic BP in the subacute phase of stroke does not have a major impact on the functional recovery and LOS in post-stroke patients. However, there is a significant correlation between diastolic BP values and FIM efficiency.
Rebel resource strategies in civil war: Revisiting diamonds in Sierra Leone

Abstract In the past decade a wealth of research has examined the relationship between natural resources and violent conflict. Cross-national evidence demonstrates that remote resource endowments and weak economies can increase the likelihood of civil war, yet relatively little is known about how armed groups actually extract, manage, and utilize mineral revenues inside a warzone. Drawing on extensive fieldwork with a paradigmatic “resource rebellion” – the former Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone – this paper identifies six key strategies and tactics armed groups can employ to manage resource wealth: resource rhetoric; destruction; looting; extraction/production; mortgaging; and taxation. Disaggregating these strategies reveals how the dynamic conflict context determines rebel resource strategies, which change over time in relation to their relative military capacity. Using archival documents and interviews, I also show how the pre-existing political economy constrains governance options if insurgents do control resources. This can lead to a rebel resource curse and weak institutions similar to what befalls state regimes.
Testing an Integrated Team Effectiveness Framework in League of Legends

Objective: This paper investigates factors impacting team performance in the Multi-player Online Battle Arena gaming environment, League of Legends™, by testing an integrated Input Mediator-Outcome...
Convolutional Neural Networks for Optical Performance Monitoring

We demonstrate accurate OSNR estimation using convolutional neural networks based on the constellation image of a QAM signal. Simulation and experiment results demonstrate estimation error within 0.1 dB. Neural network training on simulated and successful testing on experimental data was also demonstrated.
Oxidation and anion lattice defect signatures of hypostoichiometric lanthanide-doped UO2

Abstract A series of sintered UO2 pellets doped with lanthanide (Ce, Nd, Yb) elements were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses and differential scanning calorimetry. A combination of electron microprobe and thermogravimetric analyses, for oxygen content, enabled precise determination of the hypostoichiometry for lanthanide-doped samples at 1 and 5 atom percent. Two Raman laser wavelengths (785 and 455 nm) have afforded greater sensitivity to spectroscopic signatures of the phonon bands (1LO and 2LO) associated with oxidation of (U1-yMy)O2-x and the anion defects introduced by lanthanide substitution. Oxygen hypostoichiometry forces a reduction in the average coordination number surrounding (U,M) sites, which is compensated by a decrease in U–O bond length, and concomitantly the lattice parameter, consistent with the obtained Raman spectra. The evolution of O/M ratio up to (U1-yMy)O2 after oxidation was also examined using Raman spectroscopy, revealing that the ‘defect band’, including a component attributed to oxygen vacancies (∼540 cm−1) and the 1LO phonon (∼575 cm−1) increased in intensity with increasing dopant concentration and upon oxidation. The lanthanide dopants inhibited oxidation to U3O8, most prominently for Yb 5 at%, having been delayed by ∼180 °C. Thermogravimetric analyses reveal an early oxidation feature that may be related to influx of O to satisfy hypostoichiometry up to (U1-yMy)O2, possibly stabilizing a U4O9 or U3O7 intermediate, delaying oxidation to U3O8.
Dynamic Spectrum Access Network Scaling with Multiple Users: A Market-based Analysis

Sharing of hitherto licensed spectrum will be an increasing reality for future (next-gen) wireless broadband networks. In prior work, the authors introduced a novel method to quantify the opportunity cost of spectrum sharing between a single licensee (primary) - unlicensed (secondary) user pair that allowed meaningful comparison of various market mechanisms at equilibrium when applied to sharing. In this submission, we explore an important extension: how the opportunity costs and market equilibrium (prices and per-user rate) is influenced as a function of system scaling, i.e., N,M primary and secondary network users, respectively, under the assumption of ‘symmetric’ physical layer for each user.
Spiral Wave Propagation in Communities with Spatially Correlated Heterogeneity

Many multicellular communities propagate signals in a directed manner via excitable waves. Cell-to-cell heterogeneity is a ubiquitous feature of multicellular communities, but the effects of heterogeneity on wave propagation are still unclear. Here, we use a minimal FitzHugh-Nagumo-type model to investigate excitable wave propagation in a two-dimensional heterogeneous community. The model shows three dynamic regimes in which waves either propagate directionally, die out, or spiral indefinitely, and we characterize how these regimes depend on the heterogeneity parameters. We find that in some parameter regimes, spatial correlations in the heterogeneity enhance directional propagation and suppress spiraling. However, in other regimes, spatial correlations promote spiraling, a surprising feature that we explain by demonstrating that these spirals form by a second, distinct mechanism. Finally, we characterize the dynamics using techniques from percolation theory. Despite the fact that percolation theory does not completely describe the dynamics quantitatively because it neglects the details of the excitable propagation, we find that it accounts for the transitions between the dynamic regimes and the general dependency of the spiral period on the heterogeneity and thus provides important insights. Our results reveal that the spatial structure of cell-to-cell heterogeneity can have important consequences for signal propagation in cellular communities.
Attritional Rupture of Peroneus Brevis and Peroneus Longus Tendons: Allograft Reconstruction

Tearing of the peroneus brevis and/or peroneus longus can be a cause of lateral ankle pain and dysfunction. In cases of chronic, attritional injuries where nonoperative management has failed, intercalary allograft reconstruction is a viable option. Cadaveric and clinical investigations, along with anecdotal experience, have resulted in restoration of the muscle-tendon unit and patient function. Utilization of allograft reconstruction is safe and effective, while limiting donor site morbidity and decreased functionality that may accompany other treatment options, such as tenodesis and autograft tendon transfers. The authors provide step-by-step instruction of their preferred allograft reconstruction technique using peroneal or semitendinosus allograft.
Astrophysical ionizing radiation and Earth: a brief review and census of intermittent intense sources.

Abstract Cosmic radiation backgrounds are a constraint on life, and their distribution will affect the Galactic Habitable Zone. Life on Earth has developed in the context of these backgrounds, and characterizing event rates will elaborate the important influences. This in turn can be a base for comparison with other potential life-bearing planets. In this review, we estimate the intensities and rates of occurrence of many kinds of strong radiation bursts by astrophysical entities, ranging from gamma-ray bursts at cosmological distances to the Sun itself. Many of these present potential hazards to the biosphere; on timescales long compared with human history, the probability of an event intense enough to disrupt life on the land surface or in the oceans becomes large. Both photons (e.g., X-rays) and high-energy protons and other nuclei (often called “cosmic rays”) constitute hazards. For either species, one of the mechanisms that comes into play even at moderate intensities is the ionization of Earth's atm...
First steps toward predicting corrosion behavior of structural materials in molten salts

Abstract To address the need for physics-based models to predict corrosion behavior of materials in molten salts, the current work proposes potential methods to aid in selection of optimum materials for structural components in molten salt powered technologies. In the present work, the role of alloy thermodynamics and kinetics on governing corrosion rates of Ni-based alloys will be discussed combining experimental and computational methods. A few strategies are presented to quantify corrosion rates of Ni-based materials isothermally exposed in purified KCl-Mg Cl 2 salts at 600 ∘ C-800 ∘ C. The influence of capsule material, potential corrosion products and role of alloy composition on the observed corrosion rates was discussed with coupled thermodynamic-kinetic models. Larger depths of corrosion attack were observed in alloy 230 specimens compared to other alloys under similar conditions was attributed to the much higher chemical activity of Cr in the alloy that results in a larger Cr chemical potential gradient.
Role of phonon softening induced by anisotropic fluctuations in the enhanced mobility at free glassy surfaces

The surface of a glassy material exhibits enhanced mobility compared to the bulk counterpart, however the underlying mechanism for this remains elusive. Herein, we present studies of the dynamical properties of a prototypical glass-forming metallic liquid ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{50}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{50}$ as a function of the distance from both the free surface and pinned surface using molecular dynamics simulations. We found that the surface mobility increases gradually on approaching the free surface, with a concomitant increase of the non-Gaussianity. The phonon density of states at the free surface exhibits lower characteristic frequencies than in the bulk and pinned surface. These results suggest phonon softening caused by anisotropic fluctuations at free surfaces as an alternative physical mechanism leading to the enhanced dynamics at free glassy surfaces from the perspective of collective excitations.
A combined assay for quantifying remdesivir and its metabolite, along with dexamethasone, in serum.

BACKGROUND: As global confirmed cases and deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surpass 100 and 2.2 million, respectively, quantifying the effects of the widespread treatment of remdesivir (GS-5734, Veklury) and the steroid dexamethasone is becoming increasingly important. Limited pharmacokinetic studies indicate that remdesivir concentrations in serum decrease quickly after dosing, so its primary serum metabolite GS-441524 may have more analytical utility. OBJECTIVES: We developed and validated a method to quantify remdesivir, its metabolite GS-441524 and dexamethasone in human serum. METHODS: We used LC-MS/MS and applied the method to 23 serum samples from seven patients with severe COVID-19. RESULTS: The method has limits of detection of 0.0375 ng/mL for remdesivir, 0.375 ng/mL for GS-441524 and 3.75 ng/mL for dexamethasone. We found low intra-patient variability, but significant inter-patient variability, in remdesivir, GS-441524 and dexamethasone levels. CONCLUSIONS: The significant inter-patient variability highlights the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring of COVID-19 patients and possible dose adjustment to achieve efficacy.
Impact of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants on mRNA vaccine-induced immunity.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in major neutralizing antibody-binding sites can affect humoral immunity induced by infection or vaccination1–6. We analysed the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody and T cell responses in previously infected (recovered) or uninfected (naive) individuals that received mRNA vaccines to SARS-CoV-2. While previously infected individuals sustained higher antibody titres than uninfected individuals post-vaccination, the latter reached comparable levels of neutralization responses to the ancestral strain after the second vaccine dose. T cell activation markers measured upon spike or nucleocapsid peptide in vitro stimulation showed a progressive increase after vaccination. Comprehensive analysis of plasma neutralization using 16 authentic isolates of distinct locally circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants revealed a range of reduction in the neutralization capacity associated with specific mutations in the spike gene: lineages with E484K and N501Y/T (e.g., B.1.351 and P.1) had the greatest reduction, followed by lineages with L452R (e.g., B.1.617.2). While both groups retained neutralization capacity against all variants, plasma from previously infected vaccinated individuals displayed overall better neutralization capacity when compared to plasma from uninfected individuals that also received two vaccine doses, pointing to vaccine boosters as a relevant future strategy to alleviate the impact of emerging variants on antibody neutralizing activity.