cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atlantic surfclam connectivity within the Middle Atlantic Bight: Mechanisms underlying variation in larval transport and settlement

Abstract Larval transport and settlement have been shown in various studies to be essential in determining population abundance and connectivity for benthic invertebrates. This transport is influenced by both the physical environment and biological behavior. The Atlantic surfclam, Spisula solidissima , is a commercially important benthic invertebrate fishery species along the U.S northeastern coast. In this study, a physical circulation model is coupled to a surfclam larval model to investigate the dynamics of larval transport and settlement within the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) shelf in 2006. The main physical mechanisms causing variability in larval transport and settlement are also examined. Model results show that surfclam larvae released from July to early October experience relatively larger settlement rates, due to higher average temperatures experienced by larvae. Larval along-shore transport exhibits a mean down-coast pattern following the coastal current from the northeast to the southwest, with most high-frequency (period of 2–10 days) variations caused by fluctuations in the along-shore surface wind stress, and with seasonal variations speculated to be driven mainly by changes in the across-shelf density gradient. Larval across-shelf movement is highly correlated with the along-shore surface wind stress mediated by coastal upwelling and downwelling episodes, but the correlation is further dependent on the vertical distribution of the larvae, particularly their position relative to the thermocline. Most surfclam larvae released from the Middle Atlantic shelf stay below the thermocline and experience a net onshore transport during the summer-stratified season when upwelling-favorable wind forcing dominates. A proposed critical value of water temperature at the thermocline successfully regulates the observed patterns of vertical distribution of surfclam larvae and their across-shelf movement off the New Jersey and South Virginia shelves; that is, when the water temperature at the thermocline is above the critical value (19.0 °C), surfclam larvae tend to escape the warm surface layer to concentrate below the thermocline and follow the across-shelf movement of bottom water, and vice versa . These results provide an important insight into the general mechanism of how physical environmental factors interact with biological behavior of the larvae to influence larval transport, connectivity and population dynamics, and also indicate the potential impact of large-scale climate change on benthic species and coastal ecosystems.
The role of brain monoamines and pineal indoles in the secretion of gonadotrophins and gonadotrophin-releasing factors.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of brain monoamines and pineal indoles in the secretion of gonadotrophins and gonadotrophin-releasing factors. Hypothalamic hypophysiotrophic hormones (HHH) constitute the final signals that mediate hypothalamic control of the anterior pituitary gland. A role for catecholaminergic and serotoninergic neurons in the hypothalamus in control of gonadotrophin secretion is suggested by the alterations in their content of dopamine in situations associated with altered gonadotrophin secretion. The activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) was measured in the entire hypothalamus (Ht) and different Ht regions, in the amygdala (Am), brain cortex of male and female rats using radioisotopic methods. Female rats in estrus (E), metestrus (M) and diestrus (D) and male rats were autopsied at 10 a.m. (El, M1, D1) and 3 p.m. (M2, D2). Cyclic changes were found when the various hypothalamic zones were dissected and measured individually. While MAO activities vary with the zone of brain tissue, there are no significant differences between males and cycling females of any particular zone.
The Division of Labor: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

While Durkheim's The Division of Labor has generated a considerable body of empirical research, the multidimensional concept division of labor lacks both definitional clarity and adequate operational measures. In an attempt to rectify these problems, an open-ended definition approach for specification of the concept and a set of criteria to evaluate the validity of division of labor measures are suggested. The focus is on functional differentiation and current attempts to measure this dimension are evaluated. Theoretical distributions are employed to evaluate the adequacy of division of labor measures. Several shortcomings of the presently employed measures are noted and a statistic based on relative variation is suggested for the functional differentiation dimension of the division of labor. The division of labor is a concept that has been viewed as a chief dimension of societal complexity, a principal source of societal integration, and a critical consequence of industrialization. Durkheim saw population growth creating density, density heightening social interaction, and social interaction in turn leading to the avoidance of conflict through social diversification and the division of labor. The same variables are often used in contemporary research on urbanization and social change (for example, see Clemente and Sturgis; Gibbs and Martin; Webb). The complexity of the division of labor concept has resulted in substantial measurement problems (Clemente).
Chemistry, histochemistry and microscopy of the organic matrix of spicules from a gorgonian coral. Relationship to alcian blue staining and calcium binding.

Alcian blue dye normally binds to polyanionic, polymeric substances. Such structures are often associated with calcium binding portions of the organic matrix in calcifying tissues. The organic matrix of spicules prepared from the gorgonian Pseudoplexaura flagellosa (Houttuyn) is alcianophilic. The dye is very tightly bound to the lipoid portion of the insoluble spicule matrix. No acidic substances (sulfated or acidic polysaccharides or phospholipids) were demonstrable in this material, suggesting an unustial but unknown interaction between dye and substrate. On a microscopical basis, inclusion of Alcian blue (or Ruthenium red) is an essential co-requisite to glutaraldehyde fixation. Without the dye the morphological integrity of the spicule is lost on decalcification. The fragmented matrix is still alcianophilic suggesting that the dye may substitute for material solubilized by the decalcifying agents. Examination of post-decalcification supernatants demonstrate that approximately 13% of the matrix is solubilized on demineralization, releasing 93% of the carbohydrate but <20% of the protein. Liberated protein takes the form of peptides ranging from 1100–1500 daltons. The composition of these peptides is a function of the demineralizing agent. Acidic demineralizers produce peptides proportionately high in acidic amino acids, that do not bind calcium. Peptides produced by chelator decalcification appear to bind calcium but other evidence strongly suggests that the binding is due to adsorbed chelator rather than by soluble matrix.
PROPOS SUR LA MEDIOLOGIE - ENTRETIEN AVEC RÉGIS DEBRAY

Cet interview est l'occasion, pour Regis Debray, de revenir sur son parcours intellectuel, et sur la mediologie et ses fondements theoriques et pratiques. R. Debray decrit la maniere dont la theorie s'est construite, et traite des rapports de la mediologie aux autres theories de la communication avant de revenir sur la methode meme de sa theorie
Characteristics and Mathematical Models for Hot-air-dried Rapeseed(Brassica napus)

Drying and storage of rapeseed directly affects its physiological characteristics, potential for breeding, as well as processing characteristics and quality of rapeseed oil produced. In order to provide a technical basis for designing equipment and optimization of process control for hot-air drying of rapeseed, the characteristics of hot-air-dried rapeseed(Brassica napus) under different conditions of moisture content, hot air temperature, and air velocities were investigated, and the applicability of 10 mathematical models for the process of hot air-drying rapeseed was compared. The results showed that there was no apparent constant-rate drying period in the hot-air-drying process, and moisture removal mainly occurred in the falling-rate drying period. Of the various models tested, the page model was found to be the best mathematical model for describing the drying characteristics of rapeseed and the predicted drying characteristic curves fitted well with results obtained. Hot air temperature was the main factor that affected the drying process of rapeseed. With the increase of temperature, the effective moisture diffusion coefficient of rapeseed increased. When the hot air temperature increased from 45 ℃ to 65 ℃, the coefficient increased from 3.835 × 10-10 m2/s to 7.666×10-10 m2/s and the activation energy for rapeseed drying was 29.26 kJ/mol.
High-temperature turn-on behavior of an nBn infrared detector

High-temperature characteristics of a mid-wavelength infrared detector based on the Maimon-Wicks InAsSb/AlAsSb nBn design indicates that the quantum efficiency does not degrade when the operating temperature increases to above room temperature. However, it was also found that the turn-on bias becomes larger at higher temperatures. This counter-intuitive behavior was originally attributed to the change in the band alignment between the absorber and top contact layers due to Fermi level temperature dependence. Recent analysis shows that this is more likely due to temperature-dependent band bending effects. Dark current mechanism is analyzed based on minority carrier lifetime measurements. The difference between the responsivity and absorption quantum efficiencies is clarified.
Translating University Biosensor Research to a High School Laboratory Experience

The need to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates is great. To interest more students into STEM degrees, we made our graphene biosensor research portable, inexpensive and safe to demonstrate technology development to high school students. The students increased their knowledge of biosensors and proteins, and also enjoyed the lab. By exposing the students to socially relevant and technologically advanced science, we can increase the number of students that attain STEM degrees.
Chapter House: A Vision for a Sustainable Future

Since the Long Walks of the 1860s Navajo people have wrestled with the problems of acculturation and assimilation, while simultaneously trying to preserve their spiritual and cultural foundations. Though history has negatively affected Navajo wellbeing (happiness), sustainable Navajo principles and practices act as a positive counterweight. Aspiring to build the most socially and environmentally sustainable chapter house possible, the Navajo Nation’s Tonalea Chapter approached our research team for insight and advice on replacement of their existing chapter house. Two visioning sessions were held, with an ASU team facilitating a wide ranging discussion of project context and history as well as some cultural background. During two roundtable discussion with Chapter elders and members, the team began creating a vision that embodies physical, functional and environmental conditions, as well as cultural and spiritual beliefs and values. Initially, Houde’s (2007) Six Faces of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) were used to sort commentary. Analysis and review led to expanding the framework from six to eight traditional ecological knowledge categories (TEK8): Culture, Spirituality, Ecosystem, Time, Land, Design, Social Justice and Equity, and Economics. Sorted narratives and discussions revealed traditional ways of life, beliefs, and values as popular topics, along with suggestions about whom to design for, and what functions are most needed. Based on the TEK8 categorized comments, design recommendations were offered. Additional work is needed, but a strong foundation for a framework mapping TEK to sustainable design for indigenous people has been developed. By using the TEK8 to address social justices issues through participatory visioning, culturally appropriate design and broader opportunities for happiness may result.
Poster: Charge My Phone As I Instruct

Charging mobile devices fast alleviates users' impatience in waiting for their devices to be charged. So, fast charging has been the focus of both industry and academia, developing and deploying various technologies, such as Quick Charge by Qualcomm, TurboPower by Motorola, Flash Charge by OPPO, etc. Fast charging, unfortunately, accelerates the capacity fading of device battery because it follows the Constant Current, Constant Voltage (CCCV) charge principle without considering the behavior of how users charge their devices. CCCV charging principle is a two-phase charging process consisting of (i) Constant-Current Charge (CC-Chg) and (ii) Constant-Voltage Charge (CV-Chg) [2] where CV-Chg is usually triggered at the end of charging (e.g., 80-100%) to stabilize the battery condition. However, fast charging technologies are agnostic of users' available charging time, resulting in premature termination of the planned charging if users only have limited time. This, in turn, leads to an incomplete CV-Chg phase or even skipping it completely. From our empirical measurements, we discovered that CV-Chg relaxes the batteries and slows down their capacity fading by up to 80% [1] incomplete CV-Chg shortens the battery life significantly over time!
Kernel-Regularized ICA for Computing Functional Topography from Resting-State fMRI

Topographic regularity is a fundamental property in brain connectivity. In this work, we present a novel method for studying topographic regularity of functional connectivity with resting-state fMRI (rfMRI). Our main idea is to incorporate topographically regular structural connectivity in independent component analysis (ICA), and our method is motivated by the recent development of novel tractography and fiber filtering algorithms that can generate highly organized fiber bundles connecting different brain regions. By leveraging these cutting-edge fiber tracking and filtering algorithms, here we develop a novel kernel-regularized ICA method for extracting functional topography with rfMRI signals. In our experiments, we use rfMRI scans of 35 unrelated, right-handed subjects from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to study the functional topography of the motor cortex. We first demonstrate that our method can generate functional connectivity maps with more regular topography than conventional group ICA. We also show that the components extracted by our algorithm are able to capture co-activation patterns that represent the organized topography of the motor cortex across the hemispheres. Finally, we show that our method achieves improved reproducibility as compared to conventional group ICA.
Orthodox Observers at the Second Vatican Council and Intra-Orthodox Dynamics:

Since Vatican II was convened as an ecumenical council, most Orthodox autocephalous churches initially refused to send observers without full voting rights. For non-theological reasons, Russia was ...
Recent advances in adjuvant therapy for patients with melanoma

Click here to listen to the Podcast [esmoopen-2018-000337.mp3] In this podcast, Teresa Amaral, member of the ESMO Young Oncologists Committee (YOC), talks with Professor Jeffrey Weber, Professor of Oncology and Deputy Director of the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, about the recent developments in adjuvant therapies for patients with melanoma. In the last decade, we have seen a significant change in the therapeutic landscape for advanced melanoma. Recently, the results from two trials evaluating immunotherapy and targeted …
The Market Price of Credit Risk: The Impact of Asymmetric Information

Risk-averse investors in credit sensitive securities such as equity and bonds require compensation for bearing exposure to non-diversifiable corporate default risk. One component of this compensation is an event premium for the abrupt changes in security prices that occur at default. While empirical research points to the significance of event premia in corporate bond and credit swap markets, the economic nature of the event premium is not fully understood. This paper uses a structural model of corporate default risk to show that informational asymmetries can induce an event premium. If public investors are unable to observe the threshold asset value at which firm management liquidates the firm, then they face instantaneous default risk as they cannot discern the firm's distance to default. Investors are taken by surprise when the firm reaches the default threshold, causing a sudden downward jump in the prices of securities issued by or referenced on the firm. The resulting event premium is governed by the degree of investors' aversion to the randomness in the location of the unobserved default threshold. Firm management has an incentive to improve the threshold transparency in order to reduce the credit premium required by investors, and therefore the cost to the firm of equity and debt financing.
Introduction to Random Tug-of-War Games and PDEs

The fundamental contributions of Kolmogorov, Ito, Kakutani, Doob, Hunt, Levy, and many others have shown the profound and powerful connection between classical linear potential theory and probability theory. The idea behind the classical interplay is that harmonic functions and martingales share a common cancelation property that can be expressed by using mean value properties. In these lectures, we will see how this approach turns out to very useful in the nonlinear theory as well.
Incivility in Online Political Discourse and Anti-Deliberative Attitudes: An Experimental Analysis

With the advances in interpersonal communication of the “Web 2.0” era, questions about the importance of civility are perhaps more important than ever. Mass digital interaction between strangers has become an everyday occurrence, bound by few behavioral norms. I argue that the widespread presence of incivility in online political communication limits the deliberative potential of online interactions. To test this hypothesis, I manipulate exposure to uncivil political discourse in an online discussion forum, I find that exposure to disagreeable uncivil political talk induces feelings of anger and aversion, which in turn lead to anti-deliberative attitudes - including reduced satisfaction and willingness to compromise. On the other hand, exposure to like-minded incivility increases the use of uncivil behavior in political comments by message board posters. I discuss why like-minded and disagreeable incivility have different effects, and reflect on what the presence of incivility means for online political discourse.
The U.S.–China trade imbalance and the theory of free trade: debunking the currency manipulation argument

The U.S.–China trade imbalance is commonly attributed to a Chinese policy of currency manipulation. However, empirical studies failed to reach consensus on the RMB misalignment. We argue that this ...
Longitudinal assessment of hand function in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Objective Little is known about the frequency and severity of hand dysfunction in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Hence, we sought to determine the extent that quantitative tests of hand function detect changes over time, evaluate their relationship to global disability measures, and identify predictors of hand function. Methods One-hundred and forty-seven individuals with MS were included (96 women, 84 relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS]) along with 35 age-and-sex matched controls. Quantitative tests of hand function (grip strength, pinch strength, 9 hole peg test [9HPT], finger tapping) and leg strength were acquired and normalized to age and sex. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and timed 25 foot walk were also obtained. Spearman correlations, multivariate regression models and mixed effects linear regression were used for analysis. Results Our cohort had an EDSS of 3.6 ± 2.2 (median ± SD) and age 44.6 ± 11.9 years. Follow up time was up to 5 years. At baseline, 14/63 individuals with progressive MS (PMS) required more than twice as much time to complete the 9HPT using their dominant hand, compared to controls. Similarly, 11 individuals with PMS had less than 50% of grip strength and 6 had less than 50% of pinch strength, compared to controls. Additionally, 7 individuals with PMS were found to be at least 50% slower than controls in finger tapping. Over two years, 27/85 individuals with MS had more than 20% worsening in their 9HPT results from baseline (17 RRMS, 10 PMS) and 37/74 (20 RRMS, 17 PMS) had more than 20% worsening in their grip strength compared to baseline. Conclusions Hand function is commonly impaired in individuals with MS. Assessing hand dysfunction with dynamometry and the 9HPT could help improve the precision of detecting changes in hand function over time in MS, and may be more sensitive in detecting changes in PMS. These quantitative tests may be useful as outcome measures in clinical trials using neuroprotective or reparative therapies and rehabilitative interventions.
Comparison of discharge pulses in temperate and tropical rainforest headwater stream networks

Abstract We use sub-daily gage records from montane headwater channels in the Luquillo Experimental Forest of Puerto Rico (tropical rainforest) and the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest of Oregon (temperate rainforest) to characterize differences in discharge pulses (rapid, high-magnitude discharge fluctuations) and determine whether the characteristics of discharge pulses differ with respect to drainage area between these two regions. The study sites have different precipitation regimes and runoff generation mechanisms, and we quantify differences in discharge pulses between sites. The assessment of discharge pulses, which are defined as flows that are higher than one standard deviation above the historical mean flow at each site, represents a novel approach to characterizing flashy discharge events in headwater streams using high temporal resolution datasets. Our analyses indicate a clear difference between regions, with discharge in the Luquillo streams pulsing more frequently, for shorter periods of time, and at higher magnitudes than discharge in the Andrews streams. We also quantify how discharge pulses change with increasing drainage area at each of the sites. Differences in discharge pulse metrics with respect to drainage area include an increase in the number of pulses, an increase in the normalized magnitude of pulses, an increase in the standard deviation in normalized magnitude, and a decrease in kurtosis with increasing drainage area at the Luquillo site. These results indicate that there is no attenuation of discharge pulses with increasing drainage area at Luquillo. In contrast, there is a decrease in the normalized magnitude with increasing drainage area at the Andrews site, indicating some attenuation of discharge pulses with increasing drainage area. The characteristics of these pulsed events have implications for ecological processes by transporting sediment, biota, and organic matter, likely altering stream substrates, biotic communities, and organic matter retention times.
GPR110 (ADGRF1) mediates anti-inflammatory effects of N -docosahexaenoylethanolamine

Neuroinflammation is a widely accepted underlying condition for various pathological processes in the brain. In a recent study, synaptamide, an endogenous metabolite derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), was identified as a specific ligand to orphan adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor 110 (GPR110, ADGRF1). Synaptamide has been shown to suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in mice, but involvement of GPR110 in this process has not been established. In this study, we investigated the possible immune regulatory role of GPR110 in mediating the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of synaptamide under a systemic inflammatory condition. For in vitro studies, we assessed the role of GPR110 in synaptamide effects on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in adult primary mouse microglia, immortalized murine microglial cells (BV2), primary neutrophil, and peritoneal macrophage by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as neutrophil migration and ROS production assays. To evaluate in vivo effects, wild-type (WT) and GPR110 knock-out (KO) mice were injected with LPS intraperitoneally (i.p.) or TNF intravenously (i.v.) followed by synaptamide (i.p.), and expression of proinflammatory mediators was measured by qPCR, ELISA, and western blot analysis. Activated microglia in the brain and NF-kB activation in cells were examined microscopically after immunostaining for Iba-1 and RelA, respectively. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of LPS increased TNF and IL-1β in the blood and induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the brain. Subsequent i.p. injection of the GPR110 ligand synaptamide significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses in wild-type (WT) but not in GPR110 knock-out (KO) mice. In cultured microglia, synaptamide increased cAMP and inhibited LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression by inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB subunit RelA into the nucleus. These effects were abolished by blocking synaptamide binding to GPR110 using an N-terminal targeting antibody. GPR110 expression was found to be high in neutrophils and macrophages where synaptamide also caused a GPR110-dependent increase in cAMP and inhibition of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediator expression. Intravenous injection of TNF, a pro-inflammatory cytokine that increases in the circulation after LPS treatment, elicited inflammatory responses in the brain which were dampened by the subsequent injection (i.p.) of synaptamide in a GPR110-dependent manner. Our study demonstrates the immune-regulatory function of GPR110 in both brain and periphery, collectively contributing to the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of synaptamide under a systemic inflammatory condition. We suggest GPR110 activation as a novel therapeutic strategy to ameliorate inflammation in the brain as well as periphery.
Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors associated with diabetes screening in Asian Americans

Asian Americans have high levels of undiagnosed diabetes, but little is known about what influences diabetes screening in this group. We determined which sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors were associated with diabetes screening in the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) recommended screening groups for Asian Americans. We included Asian Americans from the 2015 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System who fit the ADA’s diabetes screening guidelines and responded to a diabetes screening question. Logistic regression models were created to examine associations between sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors and diabetes screening in Asian Americans. Being a college graduate and having high blood pressure were associated with higher levels of diabetes screening for the two screening groups. A trend of decreased diabetes screening with less educational attainment was observed in both screening groups. Diabetes screening in Asian Americans is influenced by socioeconomic and clinical factors. Additional work is needed to identify other Asian American-specific cultural factors that may have an impact on the decision to seek diabetes screening.
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Timing of Compartment Syndrome in Pediatric Patients with Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus

Purpose: Compartment Syndrome (CS) is one of the most feared consequences of supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. The exact incidence, the factors contributing to its development and the time of onset subsequent to injury remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the incidence of compartment syndrome in children with supracondylar fractures of the elbow, 2) when the diagnosis of CS was made, and 3) identify associated …
Dosimetric correlations with urinary quality of life in patients receiving post-prostatectomy radiation therapy

Acute urinary toxicity is well-documented in individuals receiving post-prostatectomy radiation. However, dosimetric correlations between bladder dose and acute urinary symptoms in the post-prostatectomy setting have not been well-studied. We examined the relationship between bladder dosimetry and acute changes in individual urinary symptoms among men receiving post-prostatectomy radiation therapy. Patient-reported urinary symptoms were prospectively collected for 90 consecutive prostate cancer patients receiving post-prostatectomy radiation using the validated quality of life instrument Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices. Data were collected prior to treatment and weekly during treatment. Individual symptom scores were examined and a change in severity of an individual symptom (from baseline) of ≥ 2 points was considered clinically significant. DVHs were generated for all the patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the ability of different dose-volume metrics to identify patients who developed individual urinary symptoms during radiation treatment from those who did not. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between dose-volume parameters and worsening of individual urinary symptoms. Worsening of individual urinary symptoms during radiation treatment was reported by 7% (urinary flow) to 29% (urgency) of patients. The relative bladder volume receiving moderate doses of radiation was associated with urgency (AUC 0.67 for V30 Gy). Dose-volume parameters were not significantly associated with flow, frequency, nocturia, or dysuria. There is an acute worsening of urinary symptoms among men receiving modern post-prostatectomy radiation. Worsening of urgency is associated with bladder dosimetry while flow, frequency, nocturia, and dysuria are not. This data can be used during treatment planning to reduce acute urinary toxicity during post-prostatectomy radiation.
Inherent Length Scales of Periodic Mesoscale Density Structures in the Solar Wind Over Two Solar Cycles

It is now well-established through multiple event and statistical studies that the solar wind at 1 AU contains contains periodic, mesoscale (L~100-1000 Mm) structures in the proton density. Composi...
How might endotyping guide chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment? Current understanding, knowledge gaps and future research needs.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review discusses emerging therapies directed at chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) endotypes and pathobiological processes that manifest as the disease. RECENT FINDINGS Specific endotypes have been targeted in COPD. These include eosinophilic inflammation, overproduction of interleukin-17, chronic bronchitis and altered nature of mucous, and chronic infection. Therapies exactly directed at the cause of these endotypes or their resultant clinical findings have been assessed. Although some intermediate outcomes have seemed promising, there have been no findings that shift the paradigm of COPD therapy. SUMMARY Basic and clinical scientists continue to define endotypes that may be directly addressed with therapeutics. As of the time of this up-to-date review, there is yet to be an endotype-directed therapy to demonstrate great clinical effect.
Gaussian Control Barrier Functions: Safe Learning and Control

Safety is a critical component in today’s autonomous and robotic systems. Many modern controllers endowed with notions of guaranteed safety properties rely on accurate mathematical models of these nonlinear dynamical systems. However, model uncertainty is always a persistent challenge weakening theoretical guarantees and compromising safety. For safety-critical systems, this is an even bigger challenge. Typically, safety is ensured by constraining the system states within a safe constraint set defined a priori by relying on the model of the system. A popular approach is to use Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) that encode safety using a smooth function. However, CBFs fail in the presence of model uncertainties. Moreover, an inaccurate model can either lead to incorrect notions of safety or worse, incur system critical failures. Addressing these drawbacks, we present a novel safety formulation that leverages properties of CBFs and positive definite kernels to design Gaussian CBFs. The underlying kernels are updated online by learning the unmodeled dynamics using Gaussian Processes (GPs). While CBFs guarantee forward invariance, the hyperparameters estimated using GPs update the kernel online and thereby adjust the relative notion of safety. We demonstrate our proposed technique on a safety-critical quadrotor on SO(3) in the presence of model uncertainty in simulation. With the kernel update performed online, safety is preserved for the system.
Chapter 12: Environmental Valuation: Constructed Markets

This is chapter 12 of Environmental Economics: An Integrated Approach and it deals with constructed markets (contingent valuation, conjoint analysis) and their pros and cons in the environmental context.
The relative influence of dune aspect ratio and beach width on dune erosion as a function of storm duration and surge level

Abstract. Dune height is an important predictor of impact during a storm event given that taller dunes have a lower likelihood of being overtopped than shorter dunes. However, the temporal dominance of the wave collision regime, wherein volume loss (erosion) from the dune occurs through dune retreat without overtopping, suggests that dune width must also be considered when evaluating the vulnerability of dunes to erosion. We use XBeach, a numerical model that simulates hydrodynamic processes, sediment transport, and morphologic change, to analyze storm-induced dune erosion as a function of dune aspect ratio (i.e., dune height versus dune width) for storms of varying intensity and duration. We find that low aspect ratio (low and wide) dunes lose less volume than high aspect ratio (tall and narrow) dunes during longer and more intense storms when the beach width is controlled for. In managed dune scenarios, where sand fences are used to construct a “fenced” dune seaward of the existing “natural” dune, we find that fenced dunes effectively prevent the natural dune behind them from experiencing any volume loss until the fenced dune is sufficiently eroded, reducing the magnitude of erosion of the natural dune by up to 50 %. We then control for dune morphology to assess volume loss as a function of beach width and confirm that beach width exerts a significant influence on dune erosion; a wide beach offers the greatest protection from erosion in all circumstances while the width of the dune determines how long the dune will last under persistent scarping. These findings suggest that efforts to maintain a wide beach may be effective at protecting coastal communities from dune loss. However, a trade-off may exist in maintaining wide beaches and dunes in that the protection offered in the short-term must be considered in concert with potentially long-term detrimental effects of limiting overwash, a process which is critical to maintaining island elevation as sea level rises.
“Los Programadores Debieron Pensarse Como Dos Veces”: Exploring the Intersections of Language, Power, and Technology with Bi/Multilingual Students

Critical computing approaches to K-12 computer science education aim to promote justice in computing and the wider world. Despite being intertwined with inequitable power dynamics in computing, iss...
Thermal analysis of electrical transmission cables in space

The electrical transmission lines from an electrical power source to a remote space station must be designed to transmit the required power without overheating. The power losses in the conductors are conducted through the insulation to the surface and at the surface radiated to space. A steady-state analysis is made which considers the line to be continually exposed to the sun's rays. This results in a two dimensional analysis with nonlinear equations. Finite difference equations are used to approximate the equations in a computer program named THERM. The program considers the resistance of the conductor to be a function of the conductor temperature. The general equations used in the program are included. >
Charactfxization of Functionally Gradient Materials in the Ti‐B‐Cu System

Various compositions in the Ti-B-Cu system were processed by the combustion synthesis process. Cu reduces the exothermicity of the reaction Ti + 2B yield TiB2 and also forms intermetallics with Ti which settle to the bottom. Hence, 'functionally gradient materials' can be obtained in the system. The resulting materials and their microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The presence of the intermetallics may adversely affect the properties. 14 refs.
DOPAMINE AND SCHIZOPHRENIA: A Theory Revisited and Revised

Evidence is presented for a modulatory role for dopamine in the C.N.S. and for an indirect rather than a direct involvement of dopaminergic systems in the production of schizophrenic symptoms. The fine structure of dopaminergic fibres indicates that a majority of presynaptic boutons are not in close juxtaposition with postsynaptic neuronal membranes. This points to a wider distribution of receptors than localisation to dense postsynaptic membrane. Preliminary studies of receptor localisation support this conclusion, providing indirect evidence for autoreceptors and evidence for localisation, in the glia, of a substantial number of receptors.
Narratives on Longing, Being, and Knowing: Envisioning a Writing Epistemology.

This is one story about writing. This is also many stories about writing. It contains stories of loss and recovery, of forebodings and longings, of love and tears. This is a story about writing, about the experiences of one person who discovered what the words style, rhythm, and form meant long after she discovered the performance of self in writing.
The Transport of Mass, Energy, and Entropy in Cryogenic Support Struts for Engineering Design

Engineers working to understand and reduce cryogenic boil-off must solve a. variety of transport problems. An important class of nonlinear problems involves the thermal and mechanical design of cryogenic struts. These classic problems are scattered about the literature and typically require too many resources to obtain. So, to save time for practicing engineers, the author presents this essay. Herein, a variety of new, old, and revisited analytical and finite difference solutions of the thermal problem are covered in this essay, along with commentary on approach and assumptions, This includes a few thermal radiation and conduction combined mode solution with a discussion on insulation, optimum emissivity, and geometrical phenomenon. Solutions to cooling and heat interception problems are also presented, including a discussion of the entropy generation. And the literature on the combined mechanical and thermal design of cryogenic support struts is reviewed with an introduction to the associated numerical methods.
Structure and algorithm for implementing OpenMP workshares

Although OpenMP has become the leading standard in parallel programming languages, the implementation of its runtime environment is not well discussed in the literature. In this paper, we introduce some of the key data structures required to implement OpenMP workshares in our runtime library and also discuss considerations on how to improve its performance. This includes items such as how to set up a workshare control block queue, how to initialize the data within a control block, how to improve barrier performance and how to handle implicit barrier and nowait situations. Finally, we discuss the performance of this implementation focusing on the EPCC benchmark.
Examining a crisis communication void: The role of context to mitigate issues

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of information context in crisis communication. Previous studies have examined the effectiveness of types of message strategies used during different periods of a crisis. The crisis presented in this case is unusual in that there were no crisis communication strategies used to mitigate it. There was a void where a crisis communication strategy should have been, allowing for critique of what happens when crisis communication is not proactive and strategic.Design/methodology/approach – This is a case study of crisis response developed through participant observation and interviews with key informants, verified through quantitative content analysis of newspaper coverage.Findings – The study found that when issues reported by the media are not tempered by explanation of context from the organization, increasingly negative media frames result, therefore elevating the salience of the issues and the perceived severity of the crisis. When issues are not p...
Landsliding in partially saturated materials

[1] Rainfall-induced landslides are pervasive in hillslope environments around the world and among the most costly and deadly natural hazards. However, capturing their occurrence with scientific instrumentation in a natural setting is extremely rare. The prevailing thinking on landslide initiation, particularly for those landslides that occur under intense precipitation, is that the failure surface is saturated and has positive pore-water pressures acting on it. Most analytic methods used for landslide hazard assessment are based on the above perception and assume that the failure surface is located beneath a water table. By monitoring the pore water and soil suction response to rainfall, we observed shallow landslide occurrence under partially saturated conditions for the first time in a natural setting. We show that the partially saturated shallow landslide at this site is predictable using measured soil suction and water content and a novel unified effective stress concept for partially saturated earth materials.
A subspace-based coil combination method for phased-array magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose Coil-by-coil reconstruction methods are followed by coil combination to obtain a single image representing a spin density map. Typical coil combination methods, such as square-root sum-of-squares and adaptive coil combining, yield images that exhibit spatially varying modulation of image intensity. Existing practice is to first combine coils according to a signal-to-noise criterion, then postprocess to correct intensity inhomogeneity. If inhomogeneity is severe, however, intensity correction methods can yield poor results. The purpose of this article is to present an alternative optimality criterion for coil combination; the resulting procedure yields reduced intensity inhomogeneity while preserving contrast. Theory and Methods A minimum mean squared error criterion is adopted for combining coils via a subspace decomposition. Techniques are compared using both simulated and in vivo data. Results Experimental results for simulated and in vivo data demonstrate lower bias, higher signal-to-noise ratio (about 7×) and contrast-to-noise ratio (about 2×), compared to existing coil combination techniques. Conclusion The proposed coil combination method is noniterative and does not require estimation of coil sensitivity maps or image mask; the method is particularly suited to cases where intensity inhomogeneity is too severe for existing approaches. Magn Reson Med 75:762–774, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatiotemporal variations of the slow slip event between 2008 and 2013 in the southcentral Alaska subduction zone

We apply a Kalman filter-based time-dependent slip inversion method to model a long-term Slow Slip Event (SSE) in the southcentral Alaska subduction zone from 2008 to 2013. This event occurred downdip of the asperity that ruptured in the 1964 earthquake, the same part of plate interface that slipped during a previous SSE between 1998 and 2001. Most of the slip deficit that accumulated during the steady period between 2001 and 2008 (8 years total) in the SSE source region was released by this SSE. Our results indicate both lateral and downdip propagation during this event. The SSE started at the end of 2008 at the upper section of the slip patch, and gradually propagated to the east and to the deeper part of the interface. Our results indicate no connection between this SSE in Upper Cook Inlet and another SSE in Lower Cook Inlet that started in 2010. Analysis of the earthquake catalog in the southcentral Alaska subduction zone shows a clear increase in seismicity associated with the 2008–2013 SSE. With the data from a newly available continuous GPS site, we now can better constrain the start time of the 1998–2001 SSE as ∼1998.58.
Interchange motion as a transport mechanism for formation of cold‐dense plasma sheet

To evaluate whether interchange motion can provide the transport for the formation of the cold-dense plasma sheet in the near-Earth region, we present an event of cold-dense plasma sheet observed by five THEMIS probes after the interplanetary magnetic field turned northward, as well as their comparisons with the simulation results from the Rice Convection Model (RCM) combined with a modified Dungey force-balanced magnetic field solver. The observations of cold-dense plasma at different locations show quite different characteristics: (1) closer to the flank, the appearance is more periodic and exhibits larger fluctuations in plasma moments and magnetic field; (2) further away from the flank, the cold plasma appears later; (3) in the mixture with the cold plasma, the decrease in high-energy particle fluxes becomes less significant further away from the flank; (4) there is energy-dispersion in the cold particles at some locations; and (5) near the magnetopause, the fluctuations have the characteristics of the Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) vortices and the colder-denser plasma is likely to have lower entropy. In the RCM simulations, lower entropy plasma consisting of colder-denser ions and electrons was periodically released locally at the outer boundary to represent the plasma created within a K-H vortex. This lower entropy perturbation is interchange unstable and the resulting interchange motion through the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling pushes the colder-denser plasma radially inward. The simulated particle energy spectrums at different locations qualitatively reproduce the observations, strongly suggesting that the seemingly different characteristics of cold-dense plasma observed by different probes are all a result of the same interchange-related transport mechanism.
Metromex: A Review and Summary

As stated in the title, this book reviews the Metropolitan Meteorological Experiment (Metromex) and summarizes the results obtained from an effort conducted over a 6-year period by several institutions. Five authors, including J . Changnon, a well-recognized expert in the field, as an editor, contributed to this monograph. The experiment was designed to know how a large metropolitan area (St. Louis) in the humid continental climate zone of the central United States affects the summer atmosphere and how these alterations change the weather and influence man. The authors can be credited in writing a complete and detailed book in which the results are presented in a very deductive manner. Each chapter begins with an abstract that summarizes the main results.