cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of carbon gasification kinetics using an edge recession model

An edge recession modeling method is proposed as a new approach to the prediction of carbon gasification kinetics. Using this method, the variations in reactive surface area (RSA) and specific reactivity (R) with conversion were simulated for several polynuclear aromatic molecules adopted as models of carbon crystallites. The effects of crystallite size and shape, edge site reactivity and vacancies on the changes in RSA and R with conversion were investigated. As a result, RSA and R were found to be essentially independent of crystallite shape, but to depend on crystallite size and the presence of vacancies. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and experimental data for several kinds of model carbon crystallites. In the case of structurally disordered carbons (such as chars), simultaneous gasification of model crystallites of two different sizes gave better predictions than that of single-size crystallites. The edge recession model is proposed as an alternative, or at least complementary, approach to the more conventional (and, arguably, less physically meaningful) pore structure development models.
Monitoring and fault detection in shop floor using time Petri nets

The authors present a solution to compute the maximum bounds on token holding times of different places in different states of a time Petri net. Some background information on time Petri nets is given. This solution may also be used to identify invalid states. The approach is based on backfiring of transitions in the time Petri net. The application of these results is in the areas of monitoring system state and fault detection. >
Ocular phenotype in a mouse gene knockout model for infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

Mutations in the human protein palmitoyl thioesterase-1 (PPT-1) gene result in an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder designated neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), type CLN1, or infantile NCL. Among the symptoms of the CLN1 disease are accumulation of autofluorescent lysosomal storage bodies in neurons and other cell types, seizures, motor and cognitive decline, blindness, and premature death. Development of an effective therapy for this disorder will be greatly assisted by the availability of suitable animal models. A mouse PPT-1 gene knockout model has recently been generated. Studies were performed to determine whether the mouse model exhibits ocular features of the human CLN1 disorder. A progressive accumulation of autofluorescent storage material in all layers of the retina was observed in the PPT-1 knockout mice. Accompanying the storage body accumulation was a modest loss of cells with nuclei in the outer and inner nuclear layers. As indicated by electroretinogram (ERG) responses, retinal function was only mildly impaired at 4 months of age but was severely impaired by 8 months, despite only modest changes in retinal morphology. The pupillary light reflex (PLR), on the other hand, was exaggerated in the knockout mice. The apparent anomaly between the ERG and the PLR findings suggests that disease-related PLR changes may be due to changes in extraocular signal processing. The pronounced ocular phenotype in the PPT-1 knockout mice makes these animals a good model for testing therapeutic interventions for treatment of the human CLN1 disorder.
Water Sources and Hydrodynamics of Closed-Basin Depressions, Cook Inlet Region, Alaska

Among the most prevalent wetland and deep-water habitats in Alaska are ponds, many of which are subarctic ponds occurring as moraine, ice-scour, or dead-ice depressions. Many are closed-basin depressions, where surface-water inflows and outflows are negligible. The objective of this study was to quantify the water sources and hydrodynamics of these subarctic ponds, particularly with respect to the role they play in groundwater recharge. There are two types of ponds on the study site. Perched-precipitation ponds have inflows by melt water and direct precipitation, outflows by evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge, and are seasonally inundated because surface water is perched above the water table and infiltration through the low-permeability surficial deposits to the water table is slow. Flow-through ponds have inflows by melt water, direct precipitation, and groundwater discharge, outflows by evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge, and are perennially inundated because of groundwater throughflow. Both are groundwater recharge focal points. This is particularly true for perched-precipitation ponds, where net groundwater recharge rates were 215% larger than in flow-through ponds, and 332% larger than in the broader landscape. Most of the additional groundwater recharge occurs immediately following breakup, as aeolian-transported snow trapped in the depressions melts which results in enhanced groundwater recharge rates.
Genetic testing in congenital heart disease: ethical considerations.

On March 16, 2012, the Ethics of the Heart 2012: Ethical and Policy Challenges in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Conference took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first session focused on the ethics surrounding genetic testing in patients with congenital heart disease. Summarized here is the introductory presentation given by Dr Elizabeth Goldmuntz entitled “The Role of Genetic Testing in Congenital Heart Disease,” followed by a case presentation given by Dr Lisa D’Alessandro. The case and the panel discussion that ensued highlight several ethical principles and challenges in this unique patient population.
Families Learn Together: Reconceptualizing Linguistic Diversity as a Resource

While a growing number of diverse children are entering U.S. schools, misconceptions remain regarding language acquisition. Analysis of weekly interactions in an urban children’s playgroup in the South reveals how the concept of language diversity as a deficit is still widespread. Mothers of young children still believed that efforts to learn multiple languages diminish a child’s ability to learn other things. Conversely, research points to multilingualism as a resource rather than a deficit. Findings indicate that interactions among mothers and children, mediated by the researcher, combined with observations of one child’s bilingual development allowed mothers and young children to rethink their beliefs regarding linguistic diversity. They began recognizing that bilingualism/multilingualism adds to the lives of all children.
A LONG CONTINENT ILEOVESICOSTOMY USING A SINGLE PIECE OF BOWEL

Purpose: In 1981 Mitrofanoff presented a procedure to create a continent urinary stoma for intermittent catheterization. Since then, several other methods have been introduced, including the Yang-Monti ileovesicostomy. The length of these ileovesicostomies is limited by the circumference of the bowel segment used, which is inadequate in some cases. We developed a procedure to double the length of the Yang-Monti ileovesicostomy using a single section of bowel. Materials and Methods: A 3.5 cm. section of ileum is isolated on its mesentery. The bowel is divided into 2 segments for 80% of its circumference, leaving the bowel intact over the mesentery. Each ring of bowel is then divided adjacent to the mesentery but on opposite sides, allowing the bowel to be unfolded and reconfigured in a single long strip that may then be tubularized. The blood supply to the tube is excellent and it is in the center of the reconfigured ileum. The ends may be trimmed or widely spatulated as necessary. Results: We have performed this procedure in 8 patients. The resulting ileovesicostomy created from a 3.5 cm. section of ileum is 10 to 14 cm. long and accepts a 12F catheter. A larger tube may be created from a longer piece of ileum. All patients are dry and they perform catheterization easily. Conclusions: This form of ileovesicostomy allows the creation of a long bowel tube that is easily catheterized. The longer length of the tube increases application of the continent stoma principle to more patients and enables reconstruction to be performed with optimal placement and without tension.
Data Set---Choice-Based Revenue Management: Data from a Major Hotel Chain

In this paper, we describe data collected from five U.S. properties of a major hotel chain that can be used to benchmark the performance of choice-based revenue management (RM) algorithms. The process used to collect this data illustrates subtle complexities involved in extracting product availability information from current RM systems and sheds new light on practical issues that need to be addressed to successfully implement choice-based RM systems. The data described in this paper is publicly available at the journal's website at http://msom.pubs.informs.org .
In-Service Performance Evaluation of Bullnose Median Barriers in Iowa

This paper presents results of an in-service performance evaluation of the bullnose median barrier used in the state of Iowa. The data were collected in a four-county portion of Iowa during a 24-month data collection effort from 1997 to 1999. The bullnose barriers in the data collection area were usually installed consistent with Iowa DOT policy and represent good quality installations. Their collision performance was assessed in terms of collision characteristics, occupant injury, and barrier damage. While the data set for this study was small, examination of the collisions indicates that impacts at and near the nose often resulted in unacceptable vehicle behavior and severe occupant injuries. The data suggest that there is a need to develop median treatments that prevent vehicles from penetrating the system and contributing to injuries of vehicle occupants.
Using Music to Support the Literacy Development of Young English Language Learners

Integrating experiences with music in the early childhood classroom supports English language learners’ literacy development (Peregoy and Boyle, Reading, writing, and learning in ESL. Pearson, Boston, 2008; Saricoban and Metin, Songs, verse and games for teaching grammar. Internet TESL J, 2000). This article describes the benefits of incorporating musical experiences into daily instruction and provides practical activities for classroom implementation, e.g., reading, writing, and singing songs for language skill development, reading fluency, and writing progress. Despite a teacher’s level of aesthetic appreciation and musical training, the value of fostering creativity and enhancing literacy instruction through music is vital in today’s diverse early childhood classrooms. Music can transform classrooms into positive learning environments where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Providing children with structured and open-ended musical activities, creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, and sharing the joy of creativity with each other all are foundational to bases for the growth and development of the early childhood learner.
Order statistic CFAR detectors for speckled area targets in SAR

The authors have extended the standard Goldstein's two-parameter detector, the log T-test (LTT), and developed a robust-LTT (RLTT), using order-statistic estimators for the background moments. The LTT uses maximum likelihood estimates of the local mean and variance, which are replaced by the sample median and a reduced range. In both tests, a pixel-under-test is compared to an adaptive threshold composed of these estimators. The test can be designed to detect both point and area targets. For use with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and because of the interest in speckled area targets, the authors have developed a block test, which uses the median of a block of pixels-under-test. To evaluate performance, simulation on a clutter-only SAR image is used. The method is also evaluated in a quantitative way, using a receiver operating characteristics. Results show that the RLTT successfully discriminates area targets against the point targets in clutter background. >
Enhancing technical communication skills of engineering students: an experiment in multidisciplinary design

A multidisciplinary team of chemical engineering and computer science students collaborated to design a plant capable of producing commercial quantities of citric acid. This project required the students to produce a bench-scale chemical engineering facility and a computer system to monitor production in accordance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. A previous attempt at student collaboration on a similar project produced less than stellar results. An evaluation of that experience revealed the most significant challenge to project success was establishing effective teamwork and appropriate technical communication across the two disciplines. This paper describes the results of the most recent multidisciplinary team experiment, in which emphasis was placed on developing communication between student teams. A description of the synchronization of project development methodologies between the participating disciplines is discussed as well as how this contributed to enhancing technical communication between the teams and enabled the latest project to progress to a successful conclusion.
Elitism and Reform in School Mathematics

In this position paper, the recommendations contained in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) Curriculum Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics are reviewed with respect to the needs of diverse learners. Based on the history of previous education reforms and the nature of the ‘standards,’ the special educator is urged to exercise caution in using the standards as comprehensive criteria for developing and selecting programs for learners who are at risk for school failure. The need to transpose the standards into valid, replicable, instructional programs is stressed.
Antipsychotic treatment of adolescent dual diagnosis patients.

BACKGROUND A diagnosis of schizophrenia requires development of a pharmacotherapy regimen that balances many factors in the therapeutic decision-making process. Patient age and the presence or absence of comorbid chemical dependency represent two factors. Comorbid chemical dependency can have a profound impact on the successful treatment of schizophrenia, making patients with dual diagnoses of schizophrenia and chemical dependence a uniquely challenging population. There is little information regarding treatment of schizophrenia and chemical dependence in the pediatric population. Existing data from pediatric and adult populations may facilitate a well-guided and knowledgeable approach to treating pediatric dual diagnosis patients. METHODS A review of the literature for medication trials evaluating antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia in childhood and adolescence as well as antipsychotic use in the treatment of the dual diagnoses of schizophrenia and chemical dependence was done. Databas...
Arabic Dialectology: In Honour of Clive Holes on the Occasion of His Sixtieth Birthday

There is no need to present here Clive Holes, the dedicatee of this Festschrift, offered on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. After a poem written by Said Abu Athera, Holes' friend and associa...
Accounting Quality, Auditing and Corporate Governance

This commentary provides an analysis of past and present dimensions of accounting, auditing and corporate governance that have led to the currently troubling state of affairs in the financial reporting environment. It offers specific recommendations for addressing the current problems designed to enhance the quality and integrity of the financial reporting environment. It argues that substantive changes in corporate governance are necessary before meaningful improvements can occur in accounting and auditing. Until corporate boards are truly independent of corporate management and are knowledgeable enough to act as effective shareholder advocates, changes in accounting and auditing will be of limited impact. The commentary hopes to stimulate meaningful debate and change related to improving accounting quality, auditing and corporate governance.
The Future of Adult Cardiac Assist Devices: Novel Systems and Mechanical Circulatory Support Strategies

The recent, widespread success of mechanical circulatory support has prompted the development of numerous implantable devices to treat advanced heart failure. It is important to raise awareness of novel device systems, the mechanisms by which they function, and implications for patient management. This article discusses devices that are being developed or are in clinical trials. Devices are categorized as standard full support, less-invasive full support, partial support: rotary pumps, partial support: counterpulsation devices, right ventricular assist device, and total artificial heart. Implantation strategy, mechanism of action, durability, efficacy, hemocompatibility, and human factors are considered. The feasibility of novel strategies for unloading the failing heart is examined.
Nuclear-localized focal adhesion kinase regulates inflammatory VCAM-1 expression

Vascular cell adhesion molecule–1 (VCAM-1) plays important roles in development and inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are key regulators of inflammatory and integrin–matrix signaling, respectively. Integrin costimulatory signals modulate inflammatory gene expression, but the important control points between these pathways remain unresolved. We report that pharmacological FAK inhibition prevented TNF-α–induced VCAM-1 expression within heart vessel–associated endothelial cells in vivo, and genetic or pharmacological FAK inhibition blocked VCAM-1 expression during development. FAK signaling facilitated TNF-α–induced, mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, and, surprisingly, FAK inhibition resulted in the loss of the GATA4 transcription factor required for TNF-α–induced VCAM-1 production. FAK inhibition also triggered FAK nuclear localization. In the nucleus, the FAK-FERM (band 4.1, ezrin, radixin, moesin homology) domain bound directly to GATA4 and enhanced its CHIP (C terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein) E3 ligase–dependent polyubiquitination and degradation. These studies reveal new developmental and anti-inflammatory roles for kinase-inhibited FAK in limiting VCAM-1 production via nuclear localization and promotion of GATA4 turnover.
Homocysteine Lowering in End-Stage Renal Disease Is There Any Cardiovascular Benefit?

In 1969, McCully reported an association between homocystinuria, a rare metabolic disorder characterized by high blood levels (>100 μmol/L) of the amino acid homocysteine (Hcy), and severe atherosclerosis among postmortem subjects.1 His report is widely recognized as the basis for the “homocysteine hypothesis,” namely, that elevated blood Hcy is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since then, a wealth of supporting observational epidemiological evidence has accumulated. In a 2002 meta-analysis of 11 prospective cohort studies of individuals without a history of CVD, a 25% (3 μmol/L) reduction in Hcy was associated with an 11% lower risk of coronary heart disease events and a 19% lower risk of stroke after adjustment for smoking, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and regression dilution.2 Surprisingly, these findings were not confirmed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two meta-analyses of RCTs that used folic acid and B vitamins to lower blood Hcy found almost no effects on fatal and nonfatal CVD events.3,4 Thus, many have concluded that the relationship between Hcy and CVD events is simply due to confounding in the observational studies. One potentially important confounder is chronic kidney disease. Hcy levels are inversely associated with glomerular filtration rate, which is itself inversely associated with CVD and its related phenotypes (eg, carotid intimal medial thickness).5,6 Therefore, the relationship between Hcy and CVD events among observational studies could have been due in part to unmeasured chronic kidney disease. Nevertheless, the question of whether Hcy is a CVD risk factor persists for several reasons. Article see p 1432 First, laboratory investigations point to the role of Hcy in activating pathways attributed to atherogenesis and thrombosis, such as endothelial …
AMPA Antagonist LY293558 Does Not Affect the Severity of Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury in Newborn Pigs

Background and Purpose LY293558 is a systemically active α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) excitatory amino acid antagonist. AMPA antagonists have shown promise in several adult hypoxic-ischemic brain injury models, and we wanted to see if this work could be extended to a newborn animal. Methods Seventy-six (β error <.10) 0- to 3-day-old piglets under 1.5% isoflurane anesthesia underwent placement of carotid snares and arterial and venous catheters. While paralyzed with succinylcholine under 0.5% isoflurane, 50% nitrous oxide, piglets were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg of [LY293558][1] or saline at time −10 minutes and again 10 hours later. At time 0, both carotid arteries were clamped, and blood was withdrawn to reduce the blood pressure to two thirds of normal. At time 15 minutes, inspired oxygen was reduced to 6%. At time 30 minutes, the carotid snares were released, the withdrawn blood was reinfused, and the oxygen was switched to 100%. On the third day after the hypoxic-ischemic injury, the animals were killed by perfusion of the brain with 10% formalin. Brain pathology was scored by a blinded observer. Results There were no significant differences between the drug-treated and control groups. Conclusions The systemically active AMPA antagonist [LY293558][1], when given at a dose of 5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg before injury and 10 hours later, does not affect the severity of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in newborn piglets. Neither AMPA receptor activity nor NMDA receptor activity are important in brain injury in this model. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=LY293558&atom=%2Fstrokeaha%2F26%2F10%2F1908.atom
Soy Isoflavones for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction—Response

We thank Dr. Wu and colleagues for their careful reading of our manuscript and regret that they find our results difficult to understand. We have addressed each of their concerns below. Wu and colleagues point out that the median baseline nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) estradiol levels we reported in
Mechanical behavior of a continuous fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite subjected to transverse and thermal loading

The transverse properties of an aluminum alloy metal matrix composite reinforced by continuous alumina fibers were investigated. The composite is subjected to both mechanical and cyclic thermal loading. The results of an experimental program indicate that the shakedown concept of structural mechanics provides a means of describing the material behavior. When the loading conditions are within the shakedown region, the material finally responds in an elastic manner after initial plastic response, and for loading conditions outside the shakedown region, the material exhibits a rapid incremental plastic strain accumulation. The failure strain varies by an order of magnitude according to the operating conditions. Hence, for high mechanical and low thermal loading, the failure strains is small; for low mechanical and high thermal loading, the failure strain is large.
Mechanism of metabolic control. Target of rapamycin signaling links nitrogen quality to the activity of the Rtg1 and Rtg3 transcription factors.

De novo biosynthesis of amino acids uses intermediates provided by the TCA cycle that must be replenished by anaplerotic reactions to maintain the respiratory competency of the cell. Genome-wide expression analyses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveal that many of the genes involved in these reactions are repressed in the presence of the preferred nitrogen sources glutamine or glutamate. Expression of these genes in media containing urea or ammonia as a sole nitrogen source requires the heterodimeric bZip transcription factors Rtg1 and Rtg3 and correlates with a redistribution of the Rtg1p/Rtg3 complex from a predominantly cytoplasmic to a predominantly nuclear location. Nuclear import of the complex requires the cytoplasmic protein Rtg2, a previously identified upstream regulator of Rtg1 and Rtg3, whereas export requires the importin-β-family member Msn5. Remarkably, nuclear accumulation of Rtg1/Rtg3, as well as expression of their target genes, is induced by addition of rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinases. We demonstrate further that Rtg3 is a phosphoprotein and that its phosphorylation state changes after rapamycin treatment. Taken together, these results demonstrate that target of rapamycin signaling regulates specific anaplerotic reactions by coupling nitrogen quality to the activity and subcellular localization of distinct transcription factors.
Micromechanics of the Damage Processes

The presented study focuses on the formulation of the damage models based on the actual mesostructural geometry and the kinetics of its irreversible changes. Assuming that the process is sufficiently well defined by the volume averages of the state and internal variables, the overall compliance tensor is derived using both Taylor’s and self-consistent approximations. The kinetic equations are derived from the hierarchy of toughnesses at the mesoscale in conjunction with the Griffith’s criterion.
Human-Centered Design of Wearable Neuroprostheses and Exoskeletons

Human-centered design of wearable robots involves the development of innovative science and technologies that minimize the mismatch between humans’ and machines’ capabilities, leading to their intuitive integration and confluent interaction. Here, we summarize our human-centered approach to the design of closed-loop brain-machine interfaces (BMI) to powered prostheses and exoskeletons that allow people to act beyond their impaired or diminished physical or sensory-motor capabilities. The goal is to develop multifunctional human-machine interfaces with integrated diagnostic, assistive and therapeutic functions. Moreover, these complex human-machine systems should be effective, reliable, safe and engaging and support the patient in performing intended actions with minimal effort and errors with adequate interaction time. To illustrate our approach, we review an example of a user-in-the-loop, patient-centered, non-invasive BMI system to a powered exoskeleton for persons with paraplegia. We conclude with a summary of challenges to the translation of these complex human-machine systems to the end-user.
Democracy and the Distribution of NGOs Promoting Renewable Energy in Africa

Roughly 60 percent of Africans lack access to electricity, negatively impacting development opportunities. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have started promoting distributed generation, small-scale, localized electricity generation – to change this situation. Despite widespread need, however, the dispersion of these distributed generation NGOs (DG-NGOs) is uneven, with high concentrations in a few African countries. Drawing on an original database and field research, we analyze location variation among DG-NGOs across the continent. We find that DG-NGOs are likely to operate in democratic settings with large populations that lack access to electricity. International DG-NGOs are also likely to operate where aid allocation levels are relatively high.
COMPONENTS OF HYBRID DYSGENESIS IN A WILD POPULATION OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Hybrid dysgenesis is a condition found in certain interstrain hybrids of Drosophila melanogaster caused by the interaction of chromosomal and cytoplasmic factors. Germ-line abnormalities, including sterility, high mutability and male recombination, appear in the affected individuals. There are at least two distinct systems of hybrid dysgenesis. We examined a Wisconsin wild population in two consecutive years to determine the distribution of the chromosomal P factor and the extrachromosomal M cytotype that together cause one kind of hybrid dysgenic sterility. The P factor was found to be very common in the population, with all three major chromosomes being polymorphic for it. This polymorphism was strongly correlated with variability for male recombination elements, suggesting that these two traits are part of the same system of hybrid dysgenesis. There was a slight tendency for the P factor to be lost in lines taken from this population and inbred in the laboratory for many generations. A large-scale search for the M cytotype, which causes susceptibility to the P factor, showed that it is present in the population at only very low frequencies. Further evidence that the population is mostly immune to the action of the P factor was our finding of a general lack of dysgenic sterility in the wild flies themselves. However, we were able to isolate several wild strains that consistently showed the M cytotype. In some cases, the frequency of the M cytotype could be maintained in these lines, but it could not usually be increased by artificial selection. Some possible consequences of hybrid dysgenesis for the evolutionary biology of Drosophila are suggested.
Evaluating Cladding Creep during Dry Storage and Repository Emplacement

Creep strain has been identified as the dominant failure mode for commercial spent nuclear fuel cladding during dry storage, including the vacuum drying phase. It could also be important during the early period of repository closure. A statistical analysis of creep failure during these three phases was performed. Statistical analysis is an important tool for predicting fuel behavior and the distributions can be modified for specific applications. A burnup distribution (rod average = 44 MWd/kgU, range = 2 to 75 MWd/kgU) was assumed and a distribution of rod properties, including stress was developed. The Murty creep correlation was selected after comparing six different correlations with results from five different experiments. It was then modified to better predict irradiated cladding creep data. Creep failure criteria is a Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF) based on 52 failure tests. The fuel rods are exposed to three consecutive temperature histories that are typical of what is to be expected: 24 hours of vacuum drying, 20 years dry storage, and 1000 years of repository thermal history. Each phase has a peak temperature, treated as an independent variable, and temperature history taken from the literature. Uncertainties in the temperatures and strain rate are included. The radial temperature distribution across the waste package is also modeled. For the first phase, vacuum drying, rod failures start to occur at about 550°C and exceed 1% failure at 600°C. With a peak vacuum drying temperature of 430°C, rods begin to fail during dry storage when the peak temperature reaches 400°C and approached a 1% failure level at 450°C. With representative peak temperatures of 430°C for drying and 350°C for dry storage, rod failures start to occur during repository closure at a peak cladding temperature of 390°C. They reached 1% at about 430°C. In the current repository design, the cladding temperatures are below 210°C and rod failures from creep are not expected
New Details about Bacteriophage T7-Host Interactions: Researchers are showing renewed interest in learning how phages interact with bacterial hosts, adapting to and overcoming their defenses

The abundance of phages and their importance to evolution and to ecology provide an incentive to study them. The golden era for studying phages stretched from the 1920s through the late 1980s, when the relative simplicity of their replication cycle proved critical for learning fundamental biology, including identifying the hereditary role of DNA and uncovering the nature of the genetic code.
Improving comfort level of females in the first computer programming course: suggestions for CS faculty

This paper presents several studies and offers suggestions in applying computer-related gender research to the CS classroom. Building confidence and comfort levels and eliminating attribution to luck are discussed. Offering choices for assignments that includes real-world applications (and possibly even mathematical problems) for females and games for males and including these in classroom discussions can be used to spark interest for both male and females. A first assignment, intended to boost comfort level in novices, allows the student to tell about herself and any anxiety about the course and allows for immediate feedback (within the first week of the semester) from faculty. Females prefer collaborative work but not for out-of-class/lab activities because they feel intimidated by the higher percentage of male students in the class. Other suggestions are given to improve participation, retention and comfort level for females.
Results of allograft aortic root replacement in children

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with its complex pathology remains a challenge for pediatric cardiac surgeons. Isolated aortic valve replacement performed for simple valvar aortic stenosis or insufficiency, often is inadequate due to associated multilevel aortic obstruction or hypoplastic annulus. Cryopreserved aortic valve allografts offer a promising alternative to bioprosthetic or mechanical valve replacements that suffer degeneration or thromboembolic complications and require anticoagulation.
Advanced Technology Testbeds for Distributed, Survivable Command, Control and Communications (C 3 )

Two testbeds have been established to transfer emerging technology from the research community to the military thereby providing a basis for developing new military concepts for force effectiveness and survivability. Although still emerging, these technologies are now being presented to the user to make it possible to investigate (today) command, control and communications (C3) concepts that might otherwise not be considered for another decade. The technologies being transferred include: automated tactical reporting systems, advanced packet-switched communication, automated man-machine interfaces, communication network and internetwork environments, automated display and analysis of data, and techniques for automatically disseminating information into redundant/distributed data bases. Expectations are that the testbeds will ultimately lead to the definition of military distributed C3 architectures that will permit a commander to execute his mission in the "battlefield of the future" more effectively.
LAMEN: Towards orchestrating the growing intelligence on the edge

Exploiting the network's edge is trending nowadays due to the evolution end devices, e.g., IoTs and smartphones. In this work, we present LAMEN1, an initial attempt to execute services at the network's edge closer to data sources. Unlike crowdsensing approaches, which use end devices as data collectors wasting the bandwidth in transmission to cloud servers for processing. LAMEN proposes a layered architecture where devices are grouped by their location. Each group elects a head node, i.e., mediator, to control service delivery and execution. Further, mediators names and organizes devices within a group in terms of resources they hold, this enables efficiently locating the right resources for service execution. We envision pushing light weight services that end devices can execute over their generated data to have the following benefits: First, avoid sharing user data with cloud server, which is a privacy concern for many of them; Second, introduce mediators as local cloud closer to the edge; Third, hide the user's identity behind mediators; and Finally, minimize communication overhead from sending raw data for processing to transmitting processed information. Our evaluation shows LAMEN to have an optimized resource lookup and service assignment techniques. Moreover, scalability in handling networks with large number of devices.
Coalition Congruence in India’s Federal System

This paper will analyse coalition politics in India over the period of coalition and/or minority governments from 1989 to the present, from the points of view of institutionalization, congruence and decentralization. India’s federal, bicameral parliamentary democracy, which uses a single-member, simple-plurality (SMSP) or first-past-the-post electoral system, has seen since 1989, a series of coalition and/or minority governments, mainly minority coalitions until the present surplus majority coalition since 2014. A large number of Indian states—in a federal system that has become increasingly decentralized since the mid-1990s—have also experienced coalition politics. Three questions naturally arise: (1) have coalitions become institutionalized at the federal and state levels, as least as far as the core formateur parties are concerned, or do they keep varying with changes of partners? This is the institutionalization question. The paper will argue that some practices have become institutionlised at the federal level and to a lesser extent at the state level. (2) What is the degree of congruence between coalitions at the federal level and those in various states, given the major role played by single-state regional parties in India’s system? This is the congruence question. The paper will argue that congruence is very limited and partial given the role of regional parties but that two broad coalitions are emerging, one led by the BJP, the other by the Congress. (3) How has coalition politics interacted with Indian federalism’s degree of decentralization? This is the decentralization question. The paper will argue that coalition politics has contributed to the further decentralization of power due to the fact that the two major national parties need regional parties as coalition partners to be able to form governments at the federal level and to pass legislation in both houses of parliament.
Sulphur in the mix

The precursor of the gas dimethylsulphide (DMS) is produced by phytoplankton. Oceanic emissions of this compound put sulphur into the atmosphere, where it is thought to exert a cooling effect on climate. A new study shows that the depth of surface-layer ocean mixing, which itself depends on climatic factors such as wind and temperature, seems to be a determinant of the level of DMS production.
Determination of Monocyclic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fish Tissue

An analytical method is presented in which fish tissue is analyzed for neutral monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) and aromatic sulfur heterocycles (ASHs) by capillary column gas chromatography (CGC) with photoionization detection. The sample enrichment procedure includes saponification with aqueous KOH, acidification of the digestates, and extraction of the aromatic compounds into cyclopentane-dichloromethane. Adsorption chromatography on tandem segments of potassium silicate and silica gel removes 99% of the coextracted lipid. Final enrichment by gel permeation chromatography eliminates residual biogenic material and potentially interfering alkanes. Relatively volatile monoaromatics are included among the analytes by virtue of the efficiency of the complementary enrichment steps, the use of small quantities of only low-boiling solvents, and the selectivity of the detector. Most targeted compounds (AHs ranging in size from C3-alkylbenzenes through benzo[g,h,l]perylene and ASHs within the same size range) can be determined in 5 g (wet weight) samples of fish tissue at concentrations as low as 20 ng/g. Comparisons are made of recoveries of selected AHs under ordinary and gold fluorescent lighting conditions.
Neuropathogenesis of Lentiviral Infection in Macaques : Roles of CXCR4 and CCR5 Viruses and Interleukin-4 in Enhancing Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Production in Macrophages

Neurological disease associated with lentiviral infection occurs mainly as a consequence of primary replication of the virus or a combination of the virus infection and replication of opportunistic pathogens in the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that whereas the disease can be caused by CCR5 tropic viruses alone, its induction by CXCR4 (X4) tropic viruses occurred usually in association with infections caused by opportunistic pathogens and in the presence of a Th2 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-4. 1,2 Further, X4-mediated neurological disease developed preferentially in rhesus compared to pig-tailed macaques. Because macrophages are the target cells for lentiviral infection in the brain and because macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 is one of the major chemokines that is closely associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia, we tested for correlations between MCP-1 production and virus tropism in macrophages from the two species of macaques. The studies showed that the higher susceptibility of rhesus macaques to X4 virus-mediated encephalitis correlated with heightened production of virus and MCP-1 in cultured macrophages from this species and that these effects were further enhanced with treatment with IL-4. However, the latter effect was restricted to macrophages infected with X4 viruses. IL-4 may therefore be a basic requirement for X4 viruses to cause central nervous system disease.
Metals, Metal Complexes, and Radiation

An important modality in cancer treatment is that of radiotherapy, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Indeed, the first treatment of cancer by X-rays followed within a year of their discovery by Rontgen [1] and it is estimated that today approximately half of all cancer patients receive radiation in some form. Conventional sources such as X-rays and 60Co-γ rays are now supplemented with particles such as protons, neutrons and π− mesons [2] and also by internal delivery (brachytherapy) using various implanted isotopes [3].
Complement inhibition ameliorates blast-induced acute lung injury in rats: Potential role of complement in intracellular HMGB1-mediated inflammation.

Background and objective Complement activation as an early and important inflammatory process contributes to multiple organ dysfunction after trauma. We have recently shown that complement inhibition by decay-accelerating factor (DAF) protects brain from blast-overpressure (BOP)-induced damage. This study was conducted to determine the effect of DAF on acute lung injury induced by BOP exposure and to elucidate its possible mechanisms of action. Methods Anesthetized adult male Sprague-Daley rats were exposed to BOP (120 kPa) from a compressed air-driven shock tube. Rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: 1) Control (no BOP and no DAF treatment), 2) BOP (120 kPa BOP exposure), and 3) BOP followed by treatment with rhDAF (500μg/kg, i.v) at 30 minutes after blast. After a recovery period of 3, 24, or 48 hours, animals were euthanized followed by the collection of blood and tissues at each time point. Samples were subjected to the assessment of cytokines and histopathology as well as for the interaction of high-mobility-group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, NF-κB, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), C3a, and C3aR. Results BOP exposure significantly increased in the production of systemic pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and obvious pathological changes as characterized by pulmonary edema, inflammation, endothelial damage and hemorrhage in the lungs. These alterations were ameliorated by early administration of rhDAF. The rhDAF treatment not only significantly reduced the expression levels of HMGB1, RAGE, NF-κB, C3a, and C3aR, but also reversed the interaction of C3a-C3aR and nuclear translocation of HMGB1 in the lungs. Conclusions Our findings indicate that early administration of DAF efficiently inhibits systemic and local inflammation, and mitigates blast-induced lung injury. The underlying mechanism might be attributed to its potential modulation of C3a-C3aR-HMGB1-transcriptional factor axis. Therefore, complement and/or HMGB1 may be potential therapeutic targets in amelioration of acute lung injury after blast injury.
Perceptions of Collective Efficacy Among Single Mothers: Insights for Conceptualization and Measurement:

Neighborhoods with higher levels of collective efficacy are associated with more favorable family outcomes such as lower teen pregnancy rates and less antisocial behavior among children. Collective...
Recycle.io: An IoT-Enabled Framework for Urban Waste Management

Addressing environmentally safe management of waste is becoming increasingly a challenging task. The predicament of the rate at which waste is generated due to increasing populations is also contributing to this challenge. One possible approach for effectively handling waste can be achieved by source reduction and recycling. The problem, however, improving the collection of waste can be costly particularly during the source separation process after waste is collected. It would be desirable if there exists a mechanism that can help municipalities, local governments or waste management companies to monitor in real-time sources of violations prior to the waste collection process. In this paper, we introduce recycle.io, an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled waste management system that is based on a serverless architecture that can identify these sources of violations. Using recycle.io, it is then possible to track the violations geographically which can help local governments, for example, to improve or enforce tighter regulations for waste disposal. Our recycle.io system uses Microsoft Azure IoT Hub for device management. Throughout the paper, we demonstrate usefulness of using our approach for urban waste management in smart cities.
Impact of Time-Varying Passenger Loading on Conventional and Electrified Transit Bus Energy Consumption:

Transit bus passenger loading changes significantly over the course of a workday. Therefore, time-varying vehicle mass as a result of passenger load becomes an important factor in instantaneous ene...
Monitoring standards in sedation and analgesia: the odyssey of capnography in sedation for gastroenterology procedures.

Purpose of review Capnography is an excellent tool for early detection of hypoxemia and apnea in patients undergoing sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy. The current American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) guidelines recommend the use of capnography in any patient undergoing moderate sedation. The purpose of this review was to compile the most recent data available on capnography use in gastrointestinal endoscopy with the focus primarily on the use of capnography in moderate sedation cases. Recent findings Recent high-quality studies have evaluated the utility of capnography in low risk patients undergoing moderate sedation and have found no benefit with addition of capnography. Summary Capnography is beneficial when used for patients who are at a higher risk for sedation-related complications. There is no benefit when capnography is used in low risk patients undergoing routine upper endoscopy and colonoscopy under moderate sedation but there is benefit when used in advanced endoscopic procedures that require deeper sedation and have longer procedure times.
Poverty and Puberty: A Neurocognitive Study of Inhibitory Control in the Transition to Adolescence:

Pubertal development during early adolescence is modestly associated with individual differences in slowly developing inhibitory control of impulses-an aspect of self-regulation associated with reward-seeking behaviors such as the onset and frequency of sexual activity. However, this effect may be much stronger in resource-poor environments. On the basis of life-history and r/K-selection theories, we tested the hypothesis that early pubertal timing would be more strongly associated with less mature neurocognitive inhibitory control in lower-income environments. In an economically diverse Appalachian sample (N = 157; 138 with complete neuroimaging data) of 14-year-olds (52% male), inhibitory control was measured using the multisource-interference task during functional MRI. Results showed that among poor youths only, more advanced puberty for one's age was linked with lower inhibitory control for the neural but not the behavioral measure. This finding has implications regarding poverty, neurocognitive development, and health-risk behaviors in adolescence.