cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Glycemic Consequences of Antihypertensive Medications

Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics are among the oldest and most widely used medications for the treatment of hypertension. They are effective in lowering blood pressure and for preventing cardiovascular disease. The use of these agents has been questioned owing to their metabolic side effects, chief among which are rise in glucose levels and incident diabetes mellitus. Newer antihypertensive agents are preferred by many medical societies since they are considered metabolically neutral or advantageous. In this chapter, we examine the effects of the thiazide-like diuretic, chlorthalidone, on glucose levels through our experience with its use in the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT). We show that hyperglycemia develops in people treated with chlorthalidone, but elevated glucose levels also occur in people treated with amlodipine and lisinopril. After several years of use, there is no statistically significant difference in glucose levels between them. We further show that incident diabetes mellitus associated with diuretic use has a less severe effect on coronary artery disease than does diabetes mellitus which develops with calcium channel blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use.
Advances and Challenges in Recapitulating Human Pulmonary Systems: At the Cusp of Biology and Materials

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of physiologically relevant microengineered lung-on-a-chip (LoC) platforms for a variety of different biomedical applications with emphasis on drug screening. First, a brief outline of lung anatomy and physiology is presented followed by discussion of the lung parenchyma and its extracellular matrix. Next, we point out the technical challenges in recapitulating the complexity of lung in conventional static two-dimensional microenvironments and the need for alternate lung platforms. The importance of scaling laws is also emphasized in designing these in vitro microengineered lung platforms. The review then discusses current LoC platforms that have been used for testing the efficacy of drugs or as model systems for investigating disorders of the lung parenchyma. Finally, the design parameters in developing an ideal physiologically relevant LoC platform are presented. As this emerging field of organ-on-a-chip can serve an alternative platform for animal testin...
Hybrid Evolutionary — Tabu Search Algorithm for Scheduling Multiple-Variant Tasks

There exist numerous situations where performing repeatedly a task or executing a number of its multiple redundant variants, increases chances for a successful task completion. The paper investigates the problem Pl|r i,m−v|R (see [1] for details), of scheduling multiple-variant (m−v) tasks with a view to maximizing schedule reliability. Variants of each task are independent and can be run in parallel or in sequence.
Replication of rubella, Newcastle disease, and vesicular stomatitis viruses in cultured rheumatoid synovial cells.

SummaryRubella virus, VSV, and NDV replicate as well in rheumatoid as in nonrheumatoid derived synovial cells, in culture. Interference to VSV challenge is produced in both cell types following treatment with poly I:C. Extracellular fluids from both rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid cells inactivate the three viruses to approximately the same degree.
Unusual Landau level pinning and correlated ν = 1 quantum Hall effect in hole systems confined to wide GaAs quantum wells

In two-dimensional hole systems confined to wide GaAs quantum wells, where the heavy- and light-hole states are close in energy, we observe a very unusual crossing of the lowest two Landau levels as the sample is tilted in a magnetic field. At a magic tilt angle $\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\simeq}{34}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$, which surprisingly is independent of the well width or hole density, in a large filling factor range near $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$, the lowest two levels are nearly degenerate as evidenced by the presence of two-component quantum Hall states. Remarkably, a quantum Hall state is seen at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$, consistent with a correlated ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Psi}}}_{111}$ state.
Pressure-induced anomalies in the c -axis resistivity of potassium—intercalated graphite

Sharp anomalies are observed in the 300-K pressure-dependent $c$-axis resistance of stage 1-4 potassium---intercalated graphite. Extrapolating from previous x-ray-diffraction results, we speculate that the anomalies are dominated by transitions to higher pure stage with denser K packing, and that mixed-stage behavior accounts for precursor effects which we observe at pressures below the anomalies.
Pharmacologic rationale for the NK1R antagonist, aprepitant as adjunctive therapy in HIV

Many HIV infected individuals with suppressed viral loads experience chronic immune activation frequently developing neurological impairment designated as HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Adjunctive therapies may reduce HIV associated inflammation and therefore decrease the occurrence of HAND. We have conducted in vitro, animal and clinical studies of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) antagonist aprepitant in HIV/SIV infection. Aprepitant inhibits HIV infection of human macrophages ex vivo with an ED50 ~ 5 µM. When administered at 125 mg once daily for 12 months to SIV-infected rhesus macaques, aprepitant reduced viral load by approximately tenfold and produced anti-anxiolytic effects. The anti-viral and anti-anxiolytic effects occur at approximately the third month of dosing; and the effects are sustained throughout the duration of drug administration. Protein binding experiments in culture media and animal and human plasma indicate that the free fraction of aprepitant is lower than previously reported supporting usage of higher doses in vivo. The analysis of blood samples from HIV positive individuals treated for 2 weeks with aprepitant at doses up to 375 mg demonstrated reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα. Decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines may reduce HIV comorbidities associated with chronic inflammation. Our results provide evidence for a unique combination of antiretroviral, anti-inflammatory and behavioral modulation properties of aprepitant in vitro and in vivo. These results provide robust support for a clinical exposure target above that recommended for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Doses up to 375 mg once daily in HIV-infected patients still elicit sub-therapeutic exposure of aprepitant though effective plasma concentrations can be achievable by proper dose modulation.
Effects of p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate upon ultrastructure of canine gastric surface cells.

Exposure of the mucosal surface of exteriorized chambered fundic segments of dog stomach to p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) resulted in predictable gross and microscopic structural changes. The first visible response after PCMBS (10 m m ) in isosmotic HCI was an intense release of periodic acid-Schiff-stainable mucus. Within 2 min, radioactive PCMBS was found within cells along the entire depth of the gastric glands. Surface cells at 15 min revealed vacuolization of the cell cytoplasm, dilation of the perinuclear and intercellular spaces, mitochondrial swelling, loss of microvilli, and plasmalemma irregularities. Tight junctions, Golgi, and mucous granules appeared unaltered. However, in advanced injury, mucous granules became less dense and their membranes, which were usually smooth, became fragmented and convoluted at this point. Necrotic parietal cells were extruded into the lumen. Damage, however, only rarely extended into the deeper glandular and connective tissue areas.
Player modeling in the interactive drama architecture

The field of interactive drama attempts to provide a player of a virtual system with a rich dramatic experience that provides him with a large set of consequential actions that directly affect how that experience progresses. As the player makes decisions, the system incorporates those decisions and adapts the environment to continue the ongoing narrative. The amount of content possibly written for such experiences, however, is finite. In a highly interactive world, the player's capabilities may easily exceed the story experiences covered by the authored content (called the story space). A major problem in interactive drama is how to create a large story space and how to believably manage the player's experience so it remains within the boundaries of that story space. I present here the Interactive Drama Architecture (IDA) which addresses this problem. IDA employs a real-time story management agent, called the director , which attempts to subtly guide the player's experience to stay within the boundaries of an authored story space. A key approach to this story management is the use of a model of player behavior and knowledge, which is used to intelligently anticipate problematic situations before they occur. This dissertation describes the functions of the director agent, the story representation, the definition of synthetic characters and how they relate to the director, and an experimental design and results for evaluating the use of prediction for story management in an interactive drama.
Humoral and cellular responses to casein in patients with food protein-induced enterocolitis to cow's milk.

Background Food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non–IgE-mediated food allergy manifesting within 1 to 4 hours of food ingestion with repetitive emesis and lethargy. Objective We sought to characterize immune responses to casein in children with FPIES caused by cow's milk (CM). Methods Total IgE and IgM, CM-specific IgG, and casein-specific IgE, IgG, IgG 4 , and IgM levels, as well as immunoglobulin free light chains, were measured in both patients with active and those with resolved CM-FPIES. Proliferating casein/T-effector cell counts were measured in children with CM-FPIES, children with IgE-mediated CM allergy, and those tolerating CM. Cytokine concentrations in the supernatants were quantified. Serum cytokine and tryptase levels were measured before and after a positive oral food challenge (OFC) result and compared with levels in those with a negative OFC result. Results We found low levels of CM and casein-specific IgG and casein-specific IgG 4 in patients with CM-FPIES versus those tolerating CM ( P + T cell–proliferative response and T H 2 cytokines production after casein stimulation in children with CM-FPIES, results were similar to those in control subjects. Significantly lower secretion of IL-10 and higher secretion of IL-9 by casein-stimulated T cells were found in patients with CM-FPIES versus those with IgE-mediated CM allergy. Lower baseline serum levels of IL-10 and higher tryptase levels were found in active CM-FPIES versus resolved CM-FPIES. We found a significant increase in serum IL-10 and IL-8 levels after a positive OFC result. Conclusions We confirm the paucity of humoral response in patients with CM-FPIES. IL-10 might play a key role in acquisition of tolerance in patients with CM-FPIES. Increased serum IL-8 levels in patients with active FPIES suggest neutrophil involvement. Elevated baseline serum tryptase levels in patients with active FPIES suggest low-grade intestinal mast cell activation or increased mast cell load.
105 – A History of Old Age in America

This chapter analyzes America's past for its traditions and approaches to aging. The history of the elderly poor, long-term care, health care financing, and the regulatory environment have great relevance to current old age concerns and can inform discussions on the future of aging. In early America, few survived until an old age, but age was not the defining factor for work or social life in early America. The American Revolution and subsequent rise of industries was accompanied by a cultural shift favoring the young, and age divisions grew in importance. Notably, the elderly lost value as their numbers increased. Old age has long been a serious problem for all but the wealthy. In America's first 150 years, the prospect of old age frequently evoked fears of financial ruin, the poorhouse, and dependency. Until the latter half of the 19th century, most individuals were able to save little in a lifetime of work. In early American life, wages and income for most people were merely sufficient to meet daily expenses for food and shelter. Consequently, most elderly could not afford to retire; they either moved in with children or worked until they could no longer work or were fired.
Acute transforming feline retroviruses.

The study of retroviruses associated with the domestic cat (Felis catus) has been of interest mainly because of the infective nature of these viruses in the domestic cat population and their association with neoplasms of an outbred mammalian species. The feline retroviruses can be divided into three groups: (a) the feline leukemia viruses (FeLVs), (b) the endogenous, xenotropic feline retroviruses, and (c) the acute transforming feline retroviruses (ATVs).
Chirplet parameter estimator based on ellipse fitting in time-frequency distributions for ultrasonic NDE applications

Estimating the parameters of chirp signals is essential in several important applications such as radar, sonar and ultrasonic imaging. Chirp pulses characterize dispersive media, and they are also very effective for pulse compression and improved echo detection. Furthermore, in Doppler ultrasound velocimetry, frequency-change associated with moving object can be characterized by chirp rate estimation. Time-Frequency Distributions (TFDs) of signals with chirplet components result in elliptical contours. In this study, a chirplet parameter estimator by means of ellipse fitting in time-frequency plane is developed. This estimator performs robustly in presence of the noise and offer much lower computation complexity compared to conventional methods.
The effect of ZSM-5 catalyst support in catalytic pyrolysis of biomass and compounds abundant in pyrolysis bio-oils

Abstract Supported ZSM-5 is commonly used for in-situ biomass pyrolysis vapor upgrading in fluidized bed reactors. In this work, we investigate the effects of catalyst support on the pyrolysis product distribution by studying pyrolysis of woody biomass and bio-oil derived model compounds. Specifically, miscanthus, toluene and furan are catalytically pyrolyzed over bulk ZSM-5, supported ZSM-5 and a commercial Al 2 O 3 support. The pyrolysis product distributions of biomass and each model compound are presented and discussed. The coke formed on the catalysts and support, which is also responsible for catalyst deactivation, is analyzed using temperature programmed oxidation (TPO). It is shown that pyrolysis of miscanthus, toluene and furan over supported ZSM-5 produces less liquid products, particularly mono-aromatic hydrocarbons, than over bulk ZSM-5, mainly due to the dilution of Bronsted acid sites by the catalyst support. The Lewis acidity of the Al 2 O 3 support promotes alkylation and cyclization of propylene leading to enhanced benzene production. The Lewis acidity of the support also enhances coke production with a less condensed structure, while selectivity to poly-aromatics is deteriorated.
TripAdvisor and hotel consumer brand loyalty

Electronic Word-of-Mouth and Consumer Generated Media (CGM) have become important aspects of the hospitality and tourism marketing mix. This research looked at hotel reviews on the CGM review-site TripAdvisor to determine the influence loyalty to a hotel brand has upon postings. From the literature, one would expect brand loyalty to have a positive impact upon a poster's reviews. The findings, however, do not support this relationship. Brand loyalists were found to be neither more or less generous, nor volatile, than were other posters. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Beginning Teachers Improve With Attentive and Targeted Mentoring

AbstractIn the attentive, targeted mentoring framework, mentors shift their focus from helping beginning teachers merely survive the first year to empowering them to thrive and impact student learning.
How to acquire aerial photos

There are basically three methods for acquiring aerial photos — purchase existing photos, contract to have the photography flown, and take one’s own photos. The first is probably the cheapest of the three methods but one is limited to the photography available. Frequently it is impossible to obtain photos of the exact season, or film type, or scale needed. In addition, just finding what photography is available can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. These problems can largely be overcome by contracting with an aerial survey firm to have the photography flown, but there is a trade-off. While the photos obtained in this manner will undoubtedly meet the desired specifications, they will also be much more expensive than those produced from existing negatives. In a few instances, taking one’s own aerial photos may provide a third alternative. Usually such instances involve the need for very up-to-date oblique or vertical photos of a rather limited local area.
Preservice Teachers Reconfiguring Teaching Young Children in a High-Stakes Early Education Context Through the Use of iPads:A Case Study

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Having practicing or preservice early educators employing iPads and their apps as part of their practices with young children in high-stakes teaching contexts is a challenging process. The case study examined in this article further unpacks this complexity by investigating how incorporating iPads into their high-stakes field placements might have affected a sample of preservice teachers’ figuring of how to instruct and document the learning of young children. Although these preservice teachers seemed to struggle with using iPads to instruct children in their field placements, these teachers did appear to generate improvised responses to documenting student learning. Practice or Policy: Such findings offer teacher educators the chance to consider how to assist teachers in moving beyond the dominant practices found in high-stakes teaching contexts. They also offer teacher educators the chance to aid their teachers in reconfiguring the politics and policy of high-stakes early educa...
Contrasting complexity of adjacent habitats influences the strength of cascading predatory effects.

Although cascading effects of top predators can help structure communities, their influence may vary across habitats that differentially protect prey. Therefore, to understand how and to what degree habitat complexity can affect trophic interactions in adjacent habitats, we used a combination of a broad regional-scale survey, manipulative field trials, and an outdoor mesocosm experiment to quantify predator–prey interaction strengths across four trophic levels. Within estuaries of the southeastern USA, bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo) hunt blue crabs on mudflats and adjacent oyster reefs, two habitats with vastly different aboveground structure. Using 12-h tethering trials of blue crabs we quantified habitat-dependent loss rates of 37% on reefs and 78% on mudflats. We hypothesized that the sharks’ predatory effects on blue crabs would cascade down to release a lower-level mud crab predator, which subsequently would increase juvenile oyster mortality, but that the cascade strength would be habitat-dependent. We experimentally manipulated predator combinations in split-plot mesocosms containing reef and mudflat habitats, and quantified oyster mortality. Bonnetheads exerted strong consumptive and non-consumptive effects on blue crabs, which ceased eating oysters in the sharks’ presence. However, mud crabs, regardless of shark and blue crab presence, continued to consume oysters, especially within the structural refuge of the reef where they kept oyster mortality high. Thus, bonnetheads indirectly boosted oyster survival, but only on the mudflat where mud crabs were less active. Our work demonstrates how structural differences in adjacent habitats can moderate trophic cascades, particularly when mesopredators exhibit differential use of structure and different sensitivities to top predators.
Targeted Drug Carriers: Biological Activity of the N-Acetylcysteine-Liposome System

Targeted drug carriers are designed to selectively deliver a pharmacological agent to the site of action in order to increase efficacy and minimize side-effects. Several different types of carriers ranging from antibodies to cellular systems are used to deliver drugs. Examples of the various types of carrier are discussed, with emphasis on the delivery of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to the liver in the treatment of acetaminophen intoxication. In order to increase the efficacy of NAC as an antidote, a liposome drug-delivery system was developed which carries the compound directly to the liver. Positively charged NAC-liposomes, prepared by the chloroform film method, were highly effective in reversing acetaminophen-induced lethality in mice. This study provides excellent evidence that hepatic parenchymal cells take up liposomes rapidly, and it identifies the liver as a natural target organ for liposome drug delivery.
On Dual-Band Amplifications Using Dual Two-Tones: Clarifications and Discussion

A significant development of recent research in nonlinear distortion is the expansion of the conventional two-tone test for power amplifiers to the concurrent dual-band transmitters, by Amin et al . A general framework using dual two-tones is developed, which shows that the output signal is affected not only by intermodulation (IM) products but also by cross-modulation (CM) products. In this paper, we will make a number of clarifications to Amin et al. ’s paper. The effects of IM and CM in passband will be discussed, IM represents a reduction for compressive devices, and CM reflects an interference caused by the signal from the other band, and followed by the analysis of out-of-band IM. It was concluded that out-of-band IM needs to be taken into consideration for the design of power amplifiers when two bands are very close.
Oral Bone Loss and Systemic Osteoporosis: Weighing the Risk Benefit Ratio of Treatment

Oral bone loss is most often the result of a complex interplay between the pathogenic plaque colonizing the periodontal pocket and the protective and destructive host responses. Progressive oral bone loss, termed “residual ridge resorption,” occurs in the absence of teeth. Treatment of bone loss focuses on maintaining teeth by removing the bacterial etiologic factors and enhancing the host response to permit the regeneration of lost bone wherever possible. Future advances in diagnostic and measurement techniques may facilitate a greater understanding of the etiology, prevention, and treatment of oral bone loss. Drugs used to treat osteoporosis, in particular bisphosphonates, have been shown to decrease bone loss in the jaws. No significant risk for osteonecrosis of the jaws was found in several large studies when drug naive patients (incidence 0.2/1000 patients) were compared to patients who received oral bisphosphonates (incidence 0.2/1000 patients, adjusted odds ratio 1.03).
A Non-Foster matched dipole for a low-vhf mobile transmitter system

A major bottleneck of low frequency communication applications is relatively low-data-rate transmissions due to narrow bandwidth with miniaturized antennas. To increase the bandwidth of small antennas, we propose a non-Foster matched antenna designed for a low-VHF transmitter system. A non-Foster element realized by a single negative impedance converter is applied to a passive-matched miniature dipole at 40 MHz. A rigorous stability analysis based on system sensitivity is performed via circuit simulation and measurement. A power transmission coefficient with a reference antenna in an indoor setting along with impedance bandwidth of the non-Foster matched dipole is measured and compared with those of the passive-matched one. The results show 3dB power bandwidth is improved by a factor of two with active matching and more than 80 % of the bandwidth has a power efficiency advantage, compared to passive matching.
All-carbon interconnect scheme integrating graphene-wires and carbon-nanotube-vias

Performance and reliability of Cu interconnects degrade continuously with scaling of technology nodes down to sub-10 nm. To address such challenge, in this work, we demonstrate an “all-carbon” interconnect scheme for the first time, with full integration of multilayer graphene (MLG) wires and carbon nanotube (CNT) vias, enabled by a unique carbon-nickel alloy contact technology. The electrical properties are measured and analyzed using a realistic via-chain test structure. Owing to the extremely high current carrying capacity, thermal conductivity and large carrier scattering length of carbon nanomaterials, the reliability of the all-carbon interconnect technology is demonstrated to surpass that of Cu. Furthermore, scaling analysis is performed to establish the superiority of the all-carbon interconnect scheme over Cu in terms of performance, energy efficiency and reliability at 5-nm node at both local and intermediate levels.
Enhancer Logic and Mechanics in Development and Disease

Enhancers are distally located genomic cis-regulatory elements that integrate spatiotemporal cues to coordinate gene expression in a tissue-specific manner during metazoan development. Enhancer function depends on a combination of bound transcription factors and cofactors that regulate local chromatin structure, as well as on the topological interactions that are necessary for their activity. Numerous genome-wide studies concur that the vast majority of disease-associated variations occur within non-coding genomic sequences, in other words the 'cis-regulome', and this underscores their relevance for human health. Advances in DNA sequencing and genome-editing technologies have dramatically expanded our ability to identify enhancers and investigate their properties in vivo, revealing an extraordinary level of interconnectivity underlying cis-regulatory networks. We discuss here these recently developed methodologies, as well as emerging trends and remaining questions in the field of enhancer biology, and how perturbation of enhancer activities/functions results in enhanceropathies.
2,3-Difluoro-benzoic acid.

2,3-Difluoro­benzoic acid, C7H4F2O2, forms dimers that are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The dimers are stacked and the stacks are held together by weak C—H⋯F and C—H⋯O inter­actions.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a sphingolipid metabolite, is a naturally occurring phospholipid. Although it has been proposed to act as both an extracellular mediator and an intracellular messenger, the intracellular sites of action are not known. As an extracellular mediator, S1P is an agonist at the S1P subtypes of the …
Raman investigation of the air stability of 2H polytype HfSe2 thin films

Hafnium diselenide (HfSe2) has a high theoretical carrier mobility but is among the most reactive transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Herein, we have investigated the air stability of 2H polytype HfSe2 single-crystal thin films by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Raman spectroscopy measurements in conjunction with atomic force microscopy reveal the formation of selenium-rich blisters on the surface of the crystals upon air exposure. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicates that 2H-HfSe2 undergoes a spontaneous phase change to 1T-HfSe2. These results offer Raman spectroscopy as a fast, convenient, non-destructive technique to reliably monitor the surface degradation of TMDs and present an opportunity for further study of phase changes in this material.
Comparison of the parasite community of two notothens, Notothenia rossii and N. coriiceps (Pisces: Nototheniidae), from King George Island, Antarctica

In this study, we analysed and compared the whole parasite community from the fish Notothenia rossii and Notothenia coriiceps collected from Fildes Bay at King George Island, Antarctica, during January–February 2017 in a field campaign supported by the Chilean Antarctic Institute. The fish samples collected were 45 specimens of N. rossii and 22 of N. coriiceps, with total lengths averaging 29.7 ± 5.3 cm and 32.5 ± 3.2 cm, respectively. Fish were dissected to collect their internal and external parasites. All the fish were parasitized; 13 taxa were found in N. rossii and 12 taxa in N. coriiceps. Acanthocephalans, mainly Metacanthocephalus johnstoni and Aspersentis megarhynchus, were the most abundant and prevalent parasites in both fish species. The abundance and richness of the parasite infracommunity increased with the host body length only in N. rossii. Twelve parasitic taxa were shared by both notothen species. Abundance and prevalence of parasitic taxa, as well as the average richness and abundance of the parasite infracommunities were mostly similar between the two fish species. Parasite compositions of N. coriiceps reported in published studies from King George Island were relatively comparable to our sample. We concluded that the two congeneric and sympatric fish species had highly similar parasite communities, which indicates that they use resources in a similar way, thus allowing them to become parasitized with the same parasitic species and in the same abundances. All parasites recorded in this study have been found in several other fish species; therefore, parasites from notothens are considered to be generalists.
Beyond Information Asymmetry: Underpricing of IPOs in the Management Literature

Underpricing has often been viewed as an undesirable outcome with “money left on the table.” However, we propose that underpricing can be a strategic decision. We review all prior underpricing stud...
7 – FLOW IN FRACTURED POROUS MEDIA

This chapter discusses flow in fractured porous media. Discrete features, such as fractures and macropores, have a profound impact on subsurface flow and transport in porous media. In fractured porous media, the flow predominantly occurs in an interconnected network of fractures, while most of the fluid storage takes place in a relatively lower permeability matrix blocks. Discrete fracture network models are largely motivated by the fact that some fractures are identified and mapped in underground openings, boreholes, and surface outcrops. Such models attempt to delineate the geometry of the subsurface flow system explicitly. A double-permeability model is used to describe single-phase flow in a fractured medium. The chapter focuses on the continuum representation of fractured flow with a dual-porosity/double-permeability model. The derivation of moment equations for unsaturated flow in fractured porous media is also presented in the chapter.
Leisure Studies in America and the Quandary of the “Experience Economy”

This study set out to explore the origins of leisure studies in the United States largely from the perspectives of eighteen veteran scholars in the field. Leisure studies, much like other fields of inquiry, is one that was born from parent disciplines in a somewhat haphazard manner when considered retrospectively. It is generally assumed that fields of study come into being to serve some specific problem or issue and do so in a multior interdisciplinary fashion. Because of the multiple, intertwining roots in parent disciplines, including anthropology, geography, history, political science, and sociology, coupled with the marriage of those schools of thought, issues of identity and purpose for fields of study remain in flux and contentious. Our primary purpose in undertaking this research was to better understand the original intents of a field that studied leisure. We sought to add clarity to an otherwise tumultuous and ambiguous understanding of the purpose of leisure studies from an historical context resulting in a stronger foundation for the future of the study of leisure. This is a strictly North American investigation. As each author and participant’s education and professional experience in leisure studies has taken place in the United States, we thought it best to keep our focus close to home. Secondly, we understand that much history exists in regard to the study of leisure; parent disciplines like sociology and anthropology had been studying the phenomena for decades before the field of leisure studies came into being. This is an investigation into origins and original intents, and from that starting point we hope to add some substance to the current state of the field and its items of inquiry, service, and education. To dismiss the history of the field or to evaluate it too critically would be a disservice to the future of the field and not allow for the potential to make greater impacts in the present and in the future. By showcasing how the idealized, values-laden visions of the classic texts served as guidelines for action in the field for early leisure scholars, we establish that the American field’s current drift towards the experience industry model not only adds to the issues of fragmentation in the field, but moves further away from its goals as a service industry intended to affect issues of civil, social, and environmental justice, to one that emphasizes bottom lines and ephemeral experiences. This paper serves as a “red flag” waving to those either aloof, apathetic, or encouraging of the sea change of the field in the United States.
On the persistence of ambiguous linguistic contexts over time: Implications for corpus research on micro-changes

Most instances of grammaticalization have been shown to arise in restrictive contexts (cf. Bybee et al. 1994). The persistence (Hopper 1991) of linguistic contexts raises theoretical and methodological issues for historical corpus research. What is the appropriate unit of linguistic context? How long do contexts remain relevant in the history of specific constructions? In quantitative work should “bridging contexts” (Heine 2002) and “critical contexts” (Diewald 2002) that enable grammaticalization be counted after grammaticalization has set in? I argue that ambiguous contexts (‘co-texts’ broadly defined to include prior and following discourse), if attested, should be counted (contra Eckardt 2006), because they persist as part of the ecology of a newly grammaticalizing construction and should therefore be considered an integral component of diachronic corpus research. Data discussed involve the development of motion-with-a-purpose BE going to V into an auxiliary of the future as evidenced by the Early Modern English part of Helsinki Corpus, and by the first fifty years of Proceedings of the Old Bailey.
New and extended data processing of Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer data

Abstract The Los Alamos National Laboratory designed and built Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS) has been operating and collecting data from February 2002 to the present. MONS measures the neutron leakage albedo from galactic cosmic ray bombardment of Mars. These signals can indicate the presence of near-surface water deposits on Mars, and can also be used to study properties of the seasonal polar CO2 ice caps. This work outlines a new analysis of the MONS data that results in new and extended time-series maps of MONS thermal and epithermal neutron data. The new data are compared to previous publications on the MONS instrument. We then present preliminary results studying the inter-annual variability in the polar regions of Mars based on 8 Mars-Years of MONS data from the new dataset.
Delay and acceleration of breaking diapause of Antheraea pernyi and Laspeyresia pomonella by photoperiod manipulation.

Abstract Diapause of pupae of a silkworm, Antheraea pernyi Guerin-Meneville, was invariably terminated by exposure to cycles of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. When 15 minute light breaks were introduced during each 8 hour dark period at 21 hours after the beginning of the 16 hour photophase, 33 percent of the pupae did not break diapause. Diapause was broken in 67 percent of the pupae maintained in complete darkness. A similar light break introduced during a 12 hour dark period and a light break of one hour during a 14 hour dark period were not effective. Larvae of the codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) had a similar pattern of response, but the percentage breaking diapause was always less. A biochemical mechanism which provides a possible explanation of the results with the oak silkworm is presented.
A Standardized Checklist Improves the Transfer of Stroke Patients from the Neurocritical Care Unit to Hospital Ward

Background and Purpose:The transfer of patients with ischemic stroke from the intensive care unit (ICU) to noncritical care inpatient wards involves detailed information sharing between care teams....
Inhibition of TOR in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Leads to Rapid Cysteine Oxidation Reflecting Sustained Physiological Changes

The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase is a master metabolic regulator with roles in nutritional sensing, protein translation, and autophagy. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga, TOR has been linked to the regulation of increased triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation, suggesting that TOR or a downstream target(s) is responsible for the elusive “lipid switch” in control of increasing TAG accumulation under nutrient limitation. However, while TOR has been well characterized in mammalian systems, it is still poorly understood in photosynthetic systems, and little work has been done to show the role of oxidative signaling in TOR regulation. In this study, the TOR inhibitor AZD8055 was used to relate reversible thiol oxidation to the physiological changes seen under TOR inhibition, including increased TAG content. Using oxidized cysteine resin-assisted capture enrichment coupled with label-free quantitative proteomics, 401 proteins were determined to have significant changes in oxidation following TOR inhibition. These oxidative changes mirrored characterized physiological modifications, supporting the role of reversible thiol oxidation in TOR regulation of TAG production, protein translation, carbohydrate catabolism, and photosynthesis through the use of reversible thiol oxidation. The delineation of redox-controlled proteins under TOR inhibition provides a framework for further characterization of the TOR pathway in photosynthetic eukaryotes.
Rituximab® and High Dose Methylprednisolone (HDMP) as a First Line Treatment for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Abstract High-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) and the anti-CD20 mAb Rituximab® each can effect partial responses in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Previously, we noted that these two agents used in combination were highly effective in treating CLL patients with relapse/refractory disease. We examined whether patients with CLL could respond to these agents when used in combination as a first line therapy. To mitigate the toxicity associated with HDMP, the dose of methylprednisolone was reduced to 60% of that used in salvage regimens. Sixteen patients with CLL were treated with three four-week cycles of methylprednisolone at 1 gm/m2 daily for 3 days and weekly Rituximab® at 375 mg/m2 for four weeks. All patients satisfied NCI-working group criteria for requiring treatment. The median age of the patients was 60 years, the male to female ratio was 4:1, the ECOG performance status was ? 2. Eighty-six percent of the patients had high-risk disease prior to therapy, as per the modified Rai classification. Fifty-six percent of the patients had CLL cells that expressed ZAP-70 and/or unmutated immunoglobulin variable region genes. Response assessment was performed at the end of each cycle, two months after completion of treatment, and each 3–6 months thereafter until the patient experienced disease progression and/or required further treatment. Objective responses were observed in 14 out of 16 patients (Overall response rate 93%), with 1 patient achieving a complete response (CR) without disease detectable in the marrow, 1 patient achieving a nodular PR, 12 patients obtaining an excellent PR only with minimal residual disease in the bone marrow, and 1 patient having stable disease, as per the NCI-working group criteria. We observed significant reductions in the white blood cell (WBC) counts, increases in hemoglobin, elevations in platelet counts, and dramatic reduction and resolution in lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. The median time to progression (TTP) after 12 months of follow up has not been reached. Overall, the treatment was well tolerated and all but one patient completed 3 cycles of therapy. Most adverse events were Grade I-II (fluid retention, cough, transient hyperglycemia, fatigue). We also observed 2 transient episodes of grade III–IV toxicity secondary to infection, resulting in pneumonia or sinusitis that resolved completely after antibiotic treatment. Pharmacodynamic studies showed that leukemia cells from patients responding to this combination regimen were induced to express pro-apoptotic molecules, such as Bid, Apaf-1, Smac-Diablo, and to downregulate expression of anti-apoptotic molecules, such as XIAP and Mcl-1. These data indicate that modified-dose HDMP/Rituximab® may be an effective and well-tolerated first line treatment for patients with CLL.
Design Features when Using an Effective Microturbine as a Range Extending Engine

The rapid development of electric vehicles stimulates the development of structures related to their operation. Including the use of the range extending engine for electric vehicles. The use of gas turbine engines for vehicles has always been of interest. The microturbine in the range extending engine is relevant today. However, the possibility of using a microturbine as part of a range extending engine is possible under several conditions. Microturbine should be successfully mated with a high-speed generator, and the whole structure should have a high efficiency and be economically advantageous. To create such a design, it is necessary to develop a simple microturbine with a design, equipped with a highly efficient heat exchanger, which allows to obtain high fuel and operational efficiency. Microturbine should have low temperatures on the turbine wheel to maintain high environmental parameters. The use of composite materials is necessary. The results of the development and technical characteristics of a single shaft microturbine of this class for use with a high-boring generator are presented, and its applicability as a range extending engine is justified. The main problems solved in the design of microturbines are shown: issues of thermal conditions, optimization of blade machines, flow in gas-air pipes. Power plants, based on the microturbine and high-speed generator, can be widely adopted on the basis of their simple and high operating characteristics, including the range extending engine as a range extending engine.
Multicomponent molecular memory

Multicomponent reactions enable the synthesis of large molecular libraries from relatively few inputs. This scalability has led to the broad adoption of these reactions by the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we employ the four-component Ugi reaction to demonstrate that multicomponent reactions can provide a basis for large-scale molecular data storage. Using this combinatorial chemistry we encode more than 1.8 million bits of art historical images, including a Cubist drawing by Picasso. Digital data is written using robotically synthesized libraries of Ugi products, and the files are read back using mass spectrometry. We combine sparse mixture mapping with supervised learning to achieve bit error rates as low as 0.11% for single reads, without library purification. In addition to improved scaling of non-biological molecular data storage, these demonstrations offer an information-centric perspective on the high-throughput synthesis and screening of small-molecule libraries. Small non-polymeric molecules have tremendous structural diversity that can be used to represent information. Here the authors encode data in synthesized libraries of Ugi products.
Partisan Polarization And Resistance To Elite Messages: Results From Survey Experiments On Social Distancing

COVID-19 compelled government officials in the U.S. and elsewhere to institute social distancing policies, shuttering much of the economy. At a time of low trust and high polarization, Americans may only support such disruptive policies when recommended by same-party politicians. A related concern is that some may resist advice from “elite” sources such as government officials or public health experts. We test these possibilities using novel data from two online surveys with embedded experiments conducted with approximately 2,000 Pennsylvania residents each, in spring 2020 (Study 1 in April and Study 2 in May-June). We uncover partisan differences in views on several coronavirus-related policies, which grew larger between surveys. Yet overall, Study 1 respondents report strong support for social distancing policies and high trust in medical experts. Moreover, an experiment in Study 1 finds no evidence of reduced support for social distancing policies when advocated by elites, broadly defined. A second experiment in Study 2 finds no backlash for a policy described as being backed by public health experts, but a cross-party decline in support for the same policy when backed by government officials. This suggests that, in polarized times, public health experts might be better advocates for collectively beneficial public policies during public health crises than government officials.
Magnetic Ionic Liquids as Solvents for RNA Extraction and Preservation

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is particularly sensitive to enzymatic degradation by endonucleases prior to sample analysis. In-field preservation has been a challenge for RNA sample preparation. Very rece...
Reissner-Nordström perturbation framework with gravitational wave applications

We present a new convenient framework for modeling Reissner-Nordstrom black hole perturbations from charged distributions of matter. Using this framework, we quantify how gravitational wave observations of compact binary systems would be affected if one or both components were charged. Our approach streamlines the (linearized) Einstein-Maxwell equations through convenient master functions that we designed to ameliorate certain disadvantages of prior strategies. By solving our improved master equations with a point source, we are able to quantify the rate of orbital energy dissipation via electromagnetic and gravitational radiation. Through adiabatic and quasicircular approximations, we apply our dissipative calculations to determine trajectories for intermediate and extreme mass-ratio inspirals. By comparing trajectories and waveforms with varied charges to those with neutral components, we explore the potential effect of electric charge on gravitational wave signals. We observe that the case of opposite charge-to-mass-ratios has the most dramatic impact. Our findings are largely interpreted through the lens of the upcoming laser interferometer space antenna mission.