cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overlapping Schwarz preconditioner for the mixed formulation of plane elasticity

Recently a stable pair of finite element spaces for the mixed formulation of the plane elasticity system has been developed by Arnold and Winther. Here we construct a two-level overlapping Schwarz preconditioner for the resulting discrete system. Essentially, this reduces to finding an efficient preconditioner for the form (ċ,ċ) + (divċ, divċ) in the symmetric tensor space H(div,Ω). The main difficulty comes from the well known complexity of building preconditioners for the div operator. We solve it by taking a decomposition similar to the Helmholz decomposition. Both additive and multiplicative preconditioners are studied, and the conditioner numbers are shown to be uniform with respect to the mesh size.
Inactivation of norovirus by chlorine disinfection of water

In an effort to validate previous research suggesting remarkable resistance of norovirus to free chlorine disinfection, we characterized the disinfection response of purified and dispersed Norwalk virus (NV) by bench-scale free chlorine disinfection using RT-PCR for virus assays. The inactivation of NV by two doses of free chlorine (1 and 5mg/L) at pH 6 and 5 degrees C based on two RT-PCR assays was similar to that of coliphage MS2, but much faster than that of poliovirus 1. Despite the underestimation of virus inactivation by RT-PCR assays, the predicted CT values for NV based on RT-PCR assays are lower than the ones for most other important waterborne viruses and the CT guidelines for chlorine disinfection of viruses under the Surface Water Treatment Rule by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, the results of this study indicate that NV is not highly resistant to free chlorine disinfection as suggested by previous research and it is likely that NV contamination of drinking water can be controlled by adequate free chlorine disinfection practices with provision of proper pre-treatment processes before chlorination.
Explicit Ziv-Zakai bound for DOA estimation with sparse linear arrays

Sparse linear arrays provide similar performance to filled linear arrays in terms of angular accuracy and resolution with reduced size, weight, power consumption, and cost. However, they are subject to significant ambiguities due to high sidelobes in the array beampattern, which give rise to large estimation errors. In this paper, we develop an explicit closed-form expression for the Ziv-Zakai bound (ZZB) on the mean square estimation error in order to quantify the degradation in estimation performance due to the sidelobe ambiguities. The bound consists of three terms which correspond to the three types of estimation errors: small mainlobe errors, errors due to sidelobe ambiguities, and random errors. The explicit bound is shown to be nearly identical to the exact numerically evaluated ZZB and to closely characterize the performance of the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator.
2009 Special Issue: The KIV model of intentional dynamics and decision making

Human cognition performs granulation of the seemingly homogeneous temporal sequences of perceptual experiences into meaningful and comprehensible chunks of fuzzy concepts and behaviors. These knowledge granules are stored and consequently accessed during action selection and decisions. A dynamical approach is presented here to interpret experimental findings using K (Katchalsky) models. In the K model, meaningful knowledge is repetitiously created and processed in the form of sequences of oscillatory patterns of neural activity distributed across space and time. These patterns are not rigid but flexible and intermittent; soon after they arise through phase transitions, they dissipate. Computational implementations demonstrate the operation of the model based on the principles of intentional brain dynamics.
Understanding Identity Theft Offenders’ Accounts of Their Lives and Crimes

Researchers typically label acts as “white-collar” based on the respectable status of the offender (populist perspective) or on the characteristics of the offense (patrician perspective). However, some crimes, such as identity theft are not easily classified into either of these categories. The current study is designed to contextualize previous research and to situate the crime of identity theft within these two broad perspectives of white-collar crime. To do this, 59 identity thieves incarcerated in federal prisons were interviewed to offer the offenders’ perspectives on existing research describing characteristics of thieves and the techniques they employ to complete their crimes. Results show that identity thieves are a diverse group in terms of demographic characteristics (age, race, gender, and social class), employment, and criminal histories. They employed a variety of methods to both acquire information and convert it to cash. The most common methods of acquiring information were to buy it from o...
Long-Period Magnetotelluric Measurements Near the Central California Coast: A Land-Locked View of the Conductivity Structure Under the Pacific Ocean

SUMMARY Telluric data from Hollister, California were combined with magnetic data from the Fresno, California magnetic observatory to determine the MT response at long periods. The shifted eigenstate analysis of LaTorraca et al. (1986) was used to determine the maximum apparent resistivities and corresponding EIH phases for periods from 1 to 30 h. The apparent resistivity and phase at Hollister are greatly influenced by the ocean, with the mantle branch beginning at a period of about 12 h. In typical continental areas, the mantle branch usually begins at periods of 10s or less. A maximum likelihood inversion algorithm was used to invert the observed data and to determine the sensitivity of the model parameters. The data required a resistivity-thickness product of approximately 1 x lo9 Q-m2 (1 x lo6 Q-m-km) for the oceanic lower crust and upper mantle. The oceanic mantle shows a rather small gradient of conductivity from approximately 200 to 640 km in depth, and a rapid conductivity increase below 640km. The sensitivity analysis shows the data are most sensitive to the oceanic parameters, except for the electric field amplitudes which are also sensitive to the resistivities under the observation site.
Pragmatic effects on reference resolution in a collaborative task: evidence from eye movements

In order to investigate whether addressees can make immediate use of speaker-based constraints during reference resolution, participant addressees' eye movements were monitored as they helped a confederate cook follow a recipe. Objects were located in the helper's area, which the cook could not reach, and the cook's area, which both could reach. Critical referring expressions matched one object (helper's area) or two objects (helper's and cook's areas), and were produced when the cook's hands were empty or full, which defined the cook's reaching ability constraints. Helper's first and total fixations showed that they restricted their domain of interpretation to their own objects when the cook's hands were empty, and widened it to include the cook's objects only when the cook's hands were full. These results demonstrate that addressees can quickly take into account task-relevant constraints to restrict their referential domain to referents that are plausible given the speaker's goals and constraints.
An Embodied/Grounded Cognition Perspective on Educational Technology

This chapter applies perceptually grounded or embodied cognition to the design and use of educational technology to increase student learning and understanding. This approach uses various kinds of educational technology to create mental perceptual simulations of topics being learned in addition to the usual symbolic mental representations. The goal is to have students have a “feel” (the perceptual simulation) for the topics in addition to “knowing” (the symbolic representation) about them. Educational technologies covered include interactive graphic computer simulations using movement and animation, graphic simulations that involve force feedback in addition to interaction, video game playing and creation, and robot creation and programming. Research results have indicated that these embodied ways of using educational technologies increases student learning and understanding as shown by memory and problem solving tests.
How the eastern US National Forests were formed

As a landscape ecologist conducting research on eastern forests for the US Forest Service (e.g., www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas), I was eager to learn about how the eastern National Forests came to be, as these forests now play such an important part of the natural world and provide a large carbon sink. The book did not disappoint and I'm confident that it will be informative and interesting to a large swath of people with interests in the eastern US landscape or environmental history.
"Stranger Among Fellow Strangers": Religion, Intersectionality, and the Creation of a Sense of Home in Russell Leong's "Bodhi Tree"

Most notable about Russell Leong's first publication "Rough Notes For Mantos" may be the fact that few people knew the actual author's name.1 Neither could anyone know that the story was supposed to function as a coming out piece. We have, then, in Leong's inaugural work a verbal curiosity that expresses a classic double movement of gay identity: an articulation of a sexual coming into being undercut by a process of signification that enacts its own erasure. Put another way, "Rough Notes for Mantos" is a footprint in the sand that is the signature of nobody, deftly erased as its non-author traverses the verbal landscape. If we were to survey Leong's career, though, we would see that this erasure does not persist, that sexuality would come to emerge as a persistent theme, reflected in his work as editor, writer, activist, and filmmaker.
Anatomic and functional testing for coronary artery disease in symptomatic patients yield similar cardiovascular outcomes

Commentary on : Douglas PS, Hoffmann U, Patel MR, et al., PROMISE Investigators. Outcomes of anatomical versus functional testing for coronary artery disease. New Engl J Med 2015;372:1291–300.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] For patients with symptoms suggestive of cardiac ischaemia and without known coronary artery disease (CAD), a variety of non-invasive testing options are available. Evidence of which option might be superior is lacking. The primary objective of the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) trial was to compare functional versus anatomic testing in symptomatic patients; investigators hypothesised that visualisation of coronary anatomy would lead to superior cardiovascular outcomes. This randomised, pragmatic, comparative effectiveness study was sponsored with government funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Symptomatic patients were randomly assigned to the functional … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNew%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D372%26rft.spage%253D1291%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1415516%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25773919%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1415516&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25773919&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F20%2F4%2F145.atom
Decrease of myofiber branching via muscle-specific expression of the olfactory receptor mOR23 in dystrophic muscle leads to protection against mechanical stress

Abnormal branched myofibers within skeletal muscles are commonly found in diverse animal models of muscular dystrophy as well as in patients. Branched myofibers from dystrophic mice are more susceptible to break than unbranched myofibers suggesting that muscles containing a high percentage of these myofibers are more prone to injury. Previous studies showed ubiquitous over-expression of mouse olfactory receptor 23 (mOR23), a G protein-coupled receptor, in wild type mice decreased myofiber branching. Whether mOR23 over-expression specifically in skeletal muscle cells is sufficient to mitigate myofiber branching in dystrophic muscle is unknown. We created a novel transgenic mouse over-expressing mOR23 specifically in muscle cells and then bred with dystrophic (mdx) mice. Myofiber branching was analyzed in these two transgenic mice and membrane integrity was assessed by Evans blue dye fluorescence. mOR23 over-expression in muscle led to a decrease of myofiber branching after muscle regeneration in non-dystrophic mouse muscles and reduced the severity of myofiber branching in mdx mouse muscles. Muscles from mdx mouse over-expressing mOR23 significantly exhibited less damage to eccentric contractions than control mdx muscles. The decrease of myofiber branching in mdx mouse muscles over-expressing mOR23 reduced the amount of membrane damage induced by mechanical stress. These results suggest that modifying myofiber branching in dystrophic patients, while not preventing degeneration, could be beneficial for mitigating some of the effects of the disease process.
Visual Analytics: Leveraging Cognitive Principles to Accelerate Biomedical Discoveries

The exponential growth of biomedical information far exceeds our cognitive abilities to comprehend it for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complex diseases. This chapter discusses the cognitive and task-based reasons for why methods from visual analytics can help in analyzing such large and complex data, and demonstrates how one such approach called network visualization and analysis can be used to reveal important translational insights. The demonstration of the method helps to identify the strengths and limitations of network analysis, in addition to areas for future research that can enhance the use of networks to analyze vast and complex biomedical datasets related to complex diseases.
Mobility and Resource Management in Smart Home Environments

Rapid advances in wireless access technologies and a wide range of mobile devices including low-cost sensors, have set the stage for the development of smart environments. This is broadly the ubiquitous computing vision, originally due to Weiser [10]. This vision aims at creating environments that are saturated with computing and communication capabilities, yet gracefully integrated with human users.
Detection of common alpha-thalassemia mutations in Dai,Shui and Gelao ethnic groups in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces,China

Objective:To investigate frequency and distribution of the common alpha-thalassemia mutations in Dai,Shui and Gelao people in China. Methods:Genomic DNA were isolated from peripheral blood samples from 483 Dai ethnic individuals in Yunnan province,and from 180 Shui and 177 Gelao ethnic individuals in Guizhou province,China. Three common alphathalassemia mutations,-α3.7,-α4.2 and--SEA,were detected by using multiplex Gap-PCR. Results:The carrier rates of alpha thalassemia mutation were 34.16%,12.22% and 5.08% in Dai,Shui and Gelao people,respectively. Dai had the highest carrier rate among them. The allele frequencies of-α3.7,-α4.2 and--SEA were 14.18%,0.31% and 4.14% in Dai people,2.50%, 0.28% and 3.33% in Shui people,and 1.41%,0.56% and 0.56% in Gelao people,respectively. Alpha-thalassemia-α3.7 was the most common mutation in the Dai people in Yunnan,though--SEA was more frequent than the others in Shui people in Guizhou. Conclusion:Alpha-thalassemia is an major health problem with high prevalence in Dai,Shui and Gelao ethnic groups in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces,the frequency and distribution of the alpha-thalassemia mutations are significantly different among regions and among ethnic groups in south of China.
Determination of 6 food additives in preserved fruits by liquid chromatography with accelerated solvent extraction

Objective:A method for determination of 6 food additives in preserved fruits was established by liquid chromatography with accelerated solvent extraction for sample pretreatment.Methods:The main factors which affect the extraction of additives in preserved fruits,such as the temperature,pressure,static time and cycle times were discussed.Results:The results showed that the optimum parameters for food additives extraction from preserved fruits were:temperature of 80℃,pressure of 10.3 MPa,static time of 6min.The linear range of the method was 0 μg/ml～50 μg/ml for food additives,the correlation coefficients were more than 0.999,the limits of detection were between 4.7 μg/L and 7.8 μg/L.The recoveries were between 89%～99% for six food additives,The RSDs were less than 5.0%.Conclusion:The experimental results showed that this method had high sensitivity,good reproducibility,better determination capacity and shorter analysis time.The method can be used for the multi-residue analysis of food additives in preserved fruits.
Disorders in Molecular Assemblies for Na Transport in Essential Hypertension

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses disorders in molecular assemblies for Na transport in essential hypertension. Three different transport systems translocate Na in human red cells: the phloretin sensitive Na-Na exchange, the furosemide-sensitive Na-K cotransport, and the ouabain-sensitive Na pump. The three systems may have increasing levels of complexity in their molecular assemblies to function as Na translocators. In the Na/K ATP-dependent pump, the coupling of Na transport to ATP hydrolysis may require the assembly of another subunit(s) to catalyze the chemical reactions. Several properties of Na counter transport and cotransport permit their operational characterization as two different Na transport proteins. The systems differ in their affinity for Na and Li as well as in their sensitivity to several inhibitors, to changes in cell volume, and to replacement of chloride by nitrate. Based on these experimental findings, the chapter mentions that countertransport and cotransport are two different Na transport proteins. Na countertransport and Na-K cotransport can be simultaneously or independently altered in patients with essential hypertension and in members of their families.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues lead to pro-inflammatory changes in T lymphocytes.

PROBLEM We aimed to investigate the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues on T-cell immunity. METHOD OF STUDY TNF-α(+) -, INF-ɣ(+) -, IL-10(+) -, and IL-17(+) -expressing T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with various concentrations (0.1, 1, 5, and 10 μm) of GnRH agonist (buserelin acetate) and antagonist (cetrorelix acetate) for 4 hours in vitro and they were analyzed with flow cytometry. RESULTS TNF-α(+) /IL-10(+) T helper (TH) cell ratios were increased in PBMCs treated with 1, 5, and 10 μm GnRH agonist when compared to controls (P=.006, P=.014 and P=.030, respectively). IFN-ɣ(+) /IL-10(+) TH cell ratios were significantly increased with 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 μm GnRH agonist as compared with controls (P=.046, P=.004, P=.013, and P=.011, respectively). TNF-α(+) TH cell levels, and IFN-γ(+) /IL-10(+) TH cell ratios were significantly different (P<.001 and P<.004, respectively) between GnRH agonist- and antagonist-treated cells. CONCLUSION GnRH analogues induce pro-inflammatory TH1 shift in T-cell immunity, in vitro. GnRH treatment during assisted reproductive technology cycle might explain a possible cause of inflammatory flare in women with inflammatory conditions.
Cognitive and Perceptual Impairments in Parkinson’s Disease Arising from Dysfunction of the Cortex and Basal Ganglia

Cognitive and perceptual impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD) contribute substantially to reduced quality of life and implicate the dysfunction of multiple systems including widespread cortical regions and the basal ganglia. Common impairments in attention, executive function, and visuospatial function reflect a disruption of neuronal circuits between the striatum and prefrontal and parietal cortices. In this chapter, we focus mainly on visuospatial cognition and perception, areas of recent growth in research. We include discussion of disparities in visuospatial and perceptual performance by PD subgroups, defined by characteristics of motor symptom onset: body side of initial symptom (left, right) and type of initial symptom (tremor, non-tremor). We describe how some of the visuocognitive impairments seen in PD may be related to changes in basic visual abilities and in visual perception, and how basal ganglia-mediated motor dysfunction, and cortical dysfunction affecting visual perception, may be associated with changes in action observation (perception–action coupling). Cognitive and perceptual impairments directly affect quality of life in PD and contribute to disability by exacerbating the tendency toward gait dysfunction and falls, especially under dual-task (cognitive–motor) conditions. Interventions are being developed that target the cognitive symptoms of PD, including cognitive and attentional training and the use of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques. Understanding the etiology and course of cognitive and perceptual symptoms will inform the further rational development of interventions to ease the burden experienced by those with PD.
Acceptability and Impact of a Required Palliative Care Rotation with Prerotation and Postrotation Observed Simulated Clinical Experience during Internal Medicine Residency Training on Primary Palliative Communication Skills.

Abstract Background: Improving communication training for primary palliative care using a required palliative care rotation for internal medicine (IM) residents has not been assessed. Objective: To assess skills acquisition and acceptability for IM residents not selecting an elective. Design: A consecutive, single-arm cohort underwent preobjective structured clinical examination (OSCE) with learner-centric feedback, two weeks of clinical experience, and finally a post-OSCE to crystallize learner-centric take home points. Setting/Subjects: IM second year residents from Dartmouth-Hitchcock were exposed to a required experiential palliative care rotation. Measurements: Pre- and post-OSCE using a standardized score card for behavioral skills, including patient-centered interviewing, discussing goals of care/code status, and responding to emotion, as well as a confidential mixed qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the experience. Results: Twelve residents were included in the educational program (two we...
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ as a Novel Target for Prostate Cancer

Peroxisome proliferator activatedreceptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a memberof the nuclear receptor superfamily ofligand-activated transcription factors. PPARγ is expressed at high levels inadipose tissue and plays a central role inadipocyte differentiation. Recent studieshave implicated PPARγ in thepathogenesis of several human malignancies.Here we review the evidence thatPPARγ contributes to prostatecarcinogenesis and the potential forPPARγ as a novel therapeutic targetfor prostate cancer.
Direct observations of nonintegral hydrous ferric oxide solubility products

Previous studies have indicated that hydrous ferric oxide precipitates, formed and aged at low temperatures, exhibit solubility products of the form K∗S0 = [Fe3+][H+]−m, where m < 3 ([ ]  free ion concentration). Although previous observations have either been obtained over a very narrow pH range or have involved phase separations and solution chemical modeling, the present work involves direct potentiometric observations of log [Fe3+] and log [H+] over a wide range of Fe3+ concentrations and pH. Our observations obtained at 25°C in 0.7 molar NaClO4 provide substantial evidence for log [Fe3+] vs. pH relationships with slopes (m) smaller than three but larger than those obtained in previous works (m = 2.70 and m = 2.35). Over a four unit range in pH and a nearly 12 order of magnitude range in [Fe3+] the observed relationship between pH and log [Fe3+] in this work is log [Fe3+] = 4.28 ± 0.05 − (2.86 ± 0.009) pH. This solubility behavior has substantial implications for the behavior of FeIII in natural waters.
Long-term aging behaviors in a model soft colloidal system.

Colloidal and molecular systems share similar behaviors near to the glass transition volume fraction or temperature. Here, aging behaviors after volume fraction up-jump (induced by performing temperature down-jumps) conditions for a PS-PNIPAM/AA soft colloidal system were investigated using light scattering (diffusing wave spectroscopy, DWS). Both aging responses and equilibrium dynamics were investigated. For the aging responses, long-term experiments (100 000 s) were performed, and both equilibrium and non-equilibrium behaviors of the system were obtained. In the equilibrium state, as effective volume fraction increases (or temperature decreases), the colloidal dispersion displays a transition from the liquid to a glassy state. The equilibrium α-relaxation dynamics strongly depend on both the effective volume fraction and the initial mass concentration for the studied colloidal systems. Compared with prior results from our lab [X. Di, X. Peng and G. B. McKenna, J. Chem. Phys., 2014, 140, 054903], the effective volume fractions investigated spanned a wider range, to deeper into the glassy domain. The results show that the α-relaxation time τα of the samples aged into equilibrium deviate from the classical Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT)-type expectations and the super-Arrhenius signature disappears above the glass transition volume fraction. The non-equilibrium aging response shows that the time for the structural evolution into equilibrium and the α-relaxation time are decoupled. The DWS investigation of the aging behavior after different volume fraction jumps reveals a different non-equilibrium or aging behavior for the considered colloidal systems compared with either molecular glasses or the macroscopic rheology of a similar colloidal dispersions.
Prognostic Value of the Serum Free Light Chain Ratio in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Myeloma: Proposed Incorporation into the International Staging System.

Background: The serum free light chain (FLC) ratio is a readily available laboratory test that has independent prognostic significance in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (Blood2005;106:812–17) and solitary plasmacytoma (Blood2006;108:1979–83). The purpose of this study was to determine if the FLC ratio will be of prognostic value in multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: We used a well characterized cohort of 1027 newly diagnosed MM patients seen at Mayo Clinic from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 1998 (Mayo Clin Proc2003;78:21–33) to ensure adequate follow up. Archived serum samples from blood drawn within 30 days of initial diagnosis were available on 790 of the 1027 patients. Quantitation of serum free κ and λ concentrations was performed on the archived sera by immunonephelometry, using specific antibodies on a BNII nephelometer. FLC ratio was calculated as κ /λ, i.e., free κ concentration divided by free λ, reference range 0.26–1.65. If the FLC ratio is >1.65, κ is considered to be the “involved” FLC and λ the “uninvolved” FLC, and vice versa if the ratio is less than 0.26. Incorporation of FLC into the International Staging System (ISS) was assessed in 576 of 790 patients (73%), in whom samples or data were available to estimate the ISS. Results: 790 patients (median age 66 years) were studied. The FLC ratio was outside the reference range in 95.1% of patients. The median involved κ and λ concentrations were 37.1 and 71.3 mg/dL, respectively. A cut-point κ /λ FLC ratio of 32 was chosen for further modeling analysis on the basis of its separation of the cohort into two roughly comparable parts. Overall survival was significantly inferior in patients with an FLC ratio 32 (n=479 patients) compared to those with an FLC ratio that was 0.03–32 (n=311 patients), with median survival of 30 versus 39 months, respectively, P 32) retained independent significance after adjusting for the International Staging System (ISS) (P=0.03). The FLC ratio made the most significant contribution to predicting prognosis in patients with ISS Stage 2 (n=265 pts), separating this category of patients into those with 5 year survival rates of 20.5% (FLC ratio 32; n=152 pts) versus 35.2% (FLC ratio 0.03–32; n=113 pts), P=0.02. We studied the additional prognostic value of the serum FLC to the variables used in the ISS by defining FLC ratio 32, Sβ 2 M ≥3.5 g/L, and serum albumin Conclusions: The serum FLC ratio at initial diagnosis is an important predictor of prognosis in myeloma. We show that the serum FLC ratio can be incorporated into the ISS, providing the greatest prognostic value in ISS Stage 2 patients, as well as providing a new risk-stratification model.
Isobar production in π-p→π+π-n near threshold

An isobar-model partial-wave analysis of 4140 ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}n$ bubble-chamber events at total center-of-mass energies between 1330 and 1380 MeV is reported. Included in the analysis is a chiral-symmetry background calculated from the phenomenological Lagrangian. Significant results of the analysis are that production is dominated by the initial $P11$ wave and that, in this wave, final-state $\ensuremath{\epsilon}N$ production is more important than $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ production. We show that the recent single-arm-spectrometer data confirm the bubble-chamber data, where the two overlap. We discuss the determination of the chiral-symmetry-breaking parameter $\ensuremath{\xi}$. The analysis establishes that the present data is consistent with several models of the symmetry breaking, although it favors the vector breaking model of Weinberg, $\ensuremath{\xi}=0$. Using a dispersion relation we show that $\ensuremath{\epsilon}N$ production in the tail of the Roper ($P11$) resonance significantly affects the extraction of $\ensuremath{\xi}$ from total-cross-section data; hence in pion production $\ensuremath{\xi}$ cannot be determined independently of the isobar amplitudes. As a further application of the results of the analysis we determine the value of the $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ coupling constant. Our result depends on the value taken for the $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ mass and what assumptions one makes to determine the large $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ amplitudes; but, in any case, it is considerably less than the theoretical predictions which follow from SU(6), U(12), the quark model, and superconvergence relations. We also perform, in this paper, a Goldberger-Treiman-MIT-bag-model calculation which agrees with the other theoretical predictions. We further show that by attributing all $P33$ inelasticity to $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ production the results of a recent elastic-phase-shift analysis imply upper bounds on the $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ coupling constant which are consistent with the value implied by the isobar analysis.
Abstract 218: Expanding a Learning Collaborative Model in Chicago to Improve Door to Needle for Stroke Thrombolysis: Raising the Bar

Background: There remains significant opportunities to reduce door-to-needle (DTN) times for stroke despite regional and national efforts. In Chicago, Quality Enhancement for the Speedy Thrombolysis for Stroke (QUESTS) was a one year learning collaborative (LC) which aimed to reduce DTN times at 15 Chicago Primary Stroke Centers. Identification of barriers and sharing of best practices resulted in achieving DTN Methods: All 24 hospitals participate in the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke registry and benchmark group to track DTN performance improvement in 2016. Hospitals implement American Heart Association’s Target Stroke program and share best practices uniquely implemented at sites to reduce DTN times. The LC included a quality and performance improvement leader, a stroke content expert, site visits and quarterly meetings and learning sessions, and reporting of experiences and data. Results: In 2015, the year prior to QUESTS 2.0, the proportion of patients treated with tPA within 45 minutes of hospital arrival increased from 21.6% in Q1 to 31.4% in Q2. During the 2016 funded year, this proportion changed from 31.6% in Q1 to 48.3% in Q2. Conclusions: Using a learning collaborative model to implement strategies to reduce DTN times among 24 Chicago area hospitals continues to impact times. Regional collaboration, data sharing, and best practice sharing should be a model for rapid and sustainable system-wide quality improvement.
Theory of First Order Chemical Kinetics at the Critical Point of Solution.

Liquid mixtures, which have a phase diagram exhibiting a miscibility gap ending in a critical point of solution, have been used as solvents for chemical reactions. The reaction rate in the forward direction has often been observed to slow down as a function of temperature in the critical region. Theories based upon the Gibbs free energy of reaction as the driving force for chemical change have been invoked to explain this behavior. With the assumption that the reaction is proceeding under relaxation conditions, these theories expand the free energy in a Taylor series about the position of equilibrium. Since the free energy is zero at equilibrium, the leading term in the Taylor series is proportional to the first derivative of the free energy with respect to the extent of reaction. To analyze the critical behavior of this derivative, the theories exploit the principle of critical point isomorphism, which is thought to govern all critical phenomena. They find that the derivative goes to zero in the critical...
Youth Baseball Pitching Mechanics: A Systematic Review.

Context:Pitching injuries in youth baseball are increasing in incidence. Poor pitching mechanics in young throwers have not been sufficiently evaluated due to the lack of a basic biomechanical unde...
Novice Health and Wellness Coaches: Implication for Professional Preparation:

Higher education programs are increasingly involved in the preparation of health and wellness coaches. The preparation of entry-level coaches in undergraduate programs presents unique challenges an...
Understanding the Lipid Droplet Proteome and Protein Targeting

Reporting in this issue of Developmental Cell, Bersuker et al. (2018) adapt APEX technology to lipid droplets for a more accurate view of the droplet proteome and Prevost et al. (2018) provide important insights into the basis of droplet protein targeting that altogether extend the understanding of this organelle.
The vitamin D paradox in Black Americans: a systems-based approach to investigating clinical practice, research, and public health - expert panel meeting report

The Office of Dietary Supplements, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, all components of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, co-sponsored an expert panel meeting to discuss the vitamin D paradox in Black Americans. The paradox is that despite markedly low (or “deficient”) measures of vitamin D status in Black Americans, the incidence of falls, fractures, or osteopenia are significantly lower compared to White American counterparts with similar vitamin D status. Six panelists were invited to engage in guided discussions on the state of the science with respect to key knowledge gaps impacting vitamin D status and bone health. They were also asked to reflect on best approaches for advancing the science. A central theme throughout the discussions was that there may be many factors that impact Vitamin D levels in Black Americans and understanding these factors may be key to understanding mechanisms for improving bone health in all populations. Data presented showed that although adiposity, skin pigmentation, vitamin D binding protein polymorphisms, and genetics all contributed to differences in 25(OH)D levels in Black vs. White Americans, no one factor alone could fully explain the vitamin D paradox in Black Americans. However, the panelists did agree that the paradox is significant and warrants further investigation. There was consensus that Black Americans gained no skeletal benefits from high doses of vitamin D supplementation, and that high levels of the biomarker of vitamin D status, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D, in this population are almost certain to result in adverse effects. Some panelists proposed that additional studies are needed so that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) can better define the safe upper limits of vitamin D intake in this and other subpopulations. Others suggested a need for better, more generalizable biomarkers of bone health to advance the science.
Naps Do Not Change Delay Discounting Behavior in Young Adults.

When offered a choice of $40 today or $50 later, many would choose the immediate reward over the greater delayed reward. Such behavior is a result of future gains being discounted such that their value is rendered less than that of the immediate gain. Extreme discounting behaviors are associated with impulsivity and addiction. Given recent evidence of sleep's role in decision making, we tested the hypothesis that sleep would reduce delayed discounting behavior. Twenty young adults (M = 20.19 yrs, SD = 0.98 yrs; 6 males) performed a hypothetical delay discounting task, making a series of choices between an immediate reward (from $0 to $50) or a larger reward ($50) available at a delay of 2, 4, 8, 14 or 22 weeks. Participants performed the task before and after a mid-day nap, and before and after an equivalent interval of wake (within subject, order counterbalanced, wake and sleep conditions separated by 1 week). As expected, indifference points decreased with longer delays both prior to and following the nap/wake interval. However, the impact of a nap interval on discounting did not differ from the impact of a wake interval. Thus, while sleep has been shown to play an active role in some financial decision-making tasks, a nap is not sufficient to change delay discounting behavior.
Contraindicated Drug Courts

Over the past two decades, drug treatment courts have gained traction as popular alternatives to the conventional war on drugs (and to its one-dimensional focus on incarceration). Specifically, the courts are meant to divert addicts from jails and prisons and into coerced treatment. Under the typical model, a drug offender enters a plea of guilty and is enrolled in a long-term outpatient treatment program that is closely supervised by the drug court. If the offender completes treatment, his plea is withdrawn and the underlying charges are dismissed. But, if he fails, he receives an alternative termination sentence. My premise is that drug courts provide particularly poor results for the very defendants that they are intended to help most. Specifically, the most likely participants to graduate are volitional drug users, who strategically game exit from undesired conventional punishment and game entry into treatment that they, in fact, do not need. By contrast, the most likely treatment failures are genuine addicts and members of historically disadvantaged groups, who thereafter receive harsh termination sentences that often outstrip conventional plea prices. In short, drug courts are contraindicated for target populations and may thereby lead to longer sentences for the very defendants who traditionally have filled prisons under the conventional war on drugs.
Social dilemmas in computational ecosystems

Computational ecosystems are large distributed systems in which autonomous agents make choices asynchronously based on locally available information which can be uncertain and delayed. They share these characteristics with biological ecosystems, human societies and market economies. We show that, even when designed with a single overall goal in mind as in the case of distributed problem solving, computational ecosystems can face well-known social dilemmas of sustaining cooperative behavior among selfish agents. Specifically, public-goods problems, where a common good is available to all regardless of individual contribution, can arise due to information limitations as well as the commonly recognized incentive conflicts. Some techniques for mitigating the impact of these problems are also presented.
Somatic Embryo Polarity in Dactylis Glomerata as Determined by Electron Microscopy

Somatic embryos initiate and develop from single mesophyll cells in cultured leaf segments of orchardgrass (Dactyiis glomerata L.) genotype “Embryogen-P” (Conger et al. 1983, Conger, Manning 1991; Trigiano et al. 1989). Experiments can be designed in which segments from one half leaf can be used for a specified treatment and the corresponding “sister” or “mirror” segments from the other half of the same leaf can serve as a control. This paired half-leaf system was in a space shuttle experiment (STS-64) that flew from 9–20 September 1994. No significant differences in somatic embryogenesis were observed in leaf segments plated 21 d and 14 d prior to launch whereas, a 70% reduction was observed for segments plated 21 h before liftoff (Conger et al. 1995).
Sustainability for Individual Success

While individual sustainability is an important consideration, research examining individual sustainability, and how sustainability initiatives provide personal meaning or fulfillment at the individual level is limited. The focus of this chapter is the examination of how sustainability contributes to individual and career success. Contemporary movements influencing individual sustainability, including simple living or voluntary simplicity, and the tiny house movement will be explored. Career theory will be examined as a lens through which to examine the relationship between sustainability and individual success. Responsible careers, boundaryless careers, and the differentiation between job, career, and calling will be discussed. Various sustainable career opportunities will be explored, and the chapter concludes with a discussion about sustainability leadership and management.
The development and evaluation of numerical algorithms for MIMD computers

Two activities were pursued under this grant. The first was a visitor program to conduct research on numerical algorithms for MIMD computers. The program is summarized in the following attachments. Attachment A - List of Researchers Supported; Attachment B - List of Reports Completed; and Attachment C - Reports. The second activity was a workshop on the Control of fluid Dynamic Systems held on March 28 to 29, 1989. The workshop is summarized in attachments. Attachment D - Workshop Summary; and Attachment E - List of Workshop Participants.
Cryopreserved Allograft in the Management of Native and Prosthetic Aortic Infections.

Background The management of patients with aortic native and prosthetic infections is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We describe a single-center experience with the use of cryopreserved allografts for the treatment of aortic infections, and compare outcomes with rifampin-soaked grafts and extra-anatomic bypass. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent an operative intervention for aortic infection at our tertiary care center from August 2007 to August 2017. Demographic data, preoperative work-up, procedural details, and outcomes were collected for each treatment modality. Results Thirty-two patients had aortic revascularization for aortic infection. Seventeen patients had cryopreserved allografts, 10 had rifampin-soaked grafts, and 5 had extra-anatomic bypass. Sixteen patients (50%) had native aortic infection and 16 patients (50%) had prosthetic aortic infection. Eighteen had involvement of the infrarenal abdominal aorta, 12 of the paravisceral aorta, and 2 of the descending thoracic aorta. Early mortality was 5.9% (1/17) for the cryopreserved group, 10% (1/10) for the rifampin-soaked group, and 40% (2/5) for the extra-anatomic bypass group. Early graft-related complications occurred in 1 patient (cryopreserved group). Mean follow-up was 34.8 months. Late death occurred in 4 patients with cryopreserved allografts, 2 with rifampin-soaked grafts and none with extra-anatomic bypass. Late graft-related complications occurred in 4 patients (cryopreserved group). Only 1 patient had recurrence of aortic infection (cryopreserved group) and 2 patients had limb loss (1 from the cryopreserved group and 1 from the rifampin-soaked group). At 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years, estimated survival for patients with cryopreserved allografts was 94%, 82%, 75%, and 64%, respectively. Conclusions The management of aortic infections is challenging. In patients who do not need immediate intervention, in situ aortic reconstruction with cryopreserved allografts is a viable treatment modality with relatively low morbidity and mortality.
Quantum Confinement Effect in the Absorption Spectra of Graphene Quantum Dots

Our preliminary investigation of the absorption and the photoluminescence response of selectively separated graphene quantum dots using centrifugation indicate that the photoluminescence is more sensitive to the size of the quantum dot than the absorption. We observed ∼143nm blueshift from 623nm to 480nm in the visible region of the photoluminescence with increasing successive centrifugation (decreasing size) and not in the corresponding absorption spectra in the visible region. However, for the first time, we observed a blueshift in the absorption spectra in the UV regions that is tentatively attributed to quantum confinement. Further detailed work is underway to confirm the blueshift in the absorption and correlate with deep UV photoluminescence and morphological quantification of the quantum dots size distribution using high resolution transmission electron microscope.
Exceptional points enhance wireless readout

In vivo sensors can be interrogated using a wireless system locked to an exceptional point, providing a sensitivity beyond the capabilities of standard wireless readout schemes.
Optimizing selection of candidates for lung cancer screening: role of comorbidity, frailty and life expectancy.

Lung cancer accounts for nearly 27% of incident cancers in the United States and is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality (1). The overall five-year survival in lung cancer patients is 17% but ranges from 55% for local tumors to 4% for distant tumors (1).
Infection of respiratory syncytial virus in BALB/c mice and nude mice

Objective To compare respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)infection and inflammatory responses between immunocompetent BALB/c mice and immanodeficient nude mice.Methods At various time points after BSV infection of BALB/c mice and nude mice,pulmonary viral titers were assayed.Leukocvtes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and pulmonary histology were identified.F4/80+cells and CD49b+cells in lung tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry,and the cytokines of TNF-α,IL-12,IFN-r and IL-10 in BALF were assayed by ELISA.Results RSV titers in infected BALB/c mice and nude mice peaked on the 3rd day postinoculation,and nude mice had higher-level and more durative viral replication than BALB/c mice.RSV infection induced more severe pulmonary histopathology and larger number of leukocytes in airway in nude mice than in BALB/c mice.RSV infection enhanced more pulmonary F4/80+macrophages,CD49b+ NK cells in both mice.Furthermore infected nude mice had larger amount of pulmonary macrophages and NK cells than infected BALB/c mice.RSV infected BALB/c mice secreted more TNF-α,IL-12,IFN-r and IL-10 as compared with control BALB/c mice,and infected nude mice had hisher level of TNF-α.IL-12 and IL-10 than infected BALB/c mice.Conclusion Nude mice are good model for severe and pemistent RSV infection in immunocomprised hosts.The inflammation induced by RSV infection is not parallel with the immune response of T cells,and macrophages and NK cells are potent immunocytes and inflammatory cells in RSV infection especially when T lymphocytes are absent. Key words: Respiratory syncytial virus; Inflammation; Immunity