cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of a Compressible Turbulent Mixing Layer Using a Hybrid RANS/LES Method

A turbulent mixing layer formed by two supersonic streams is investigated using a new hybrid computational method. The hybrid method uses a Reynolds-averaged NavierStokes (RANS) approach for wall bounded regions and a large-eddy simulation (LES) approach for the turbulent mixing region. Mean flow axial velocities and turbulence intensities from the hybrid RANS-LES simulations are compared to data from a benchmark compressible mixing layer experiment. Parametric studies of LES subgrid modeling settings, variations in the spanwise computational domain, and wall temperature settings in the RANS region were conducted. The subgrid model cases, which used a baseline computational grid with small spanwise computational domain, all overpredicted the mixing layer turbulence levels. The subgrid model settings producing the largest eddy viscosities resulted in the lowest axial and vertical turbulence intensities. The next set of cases examining wider spanwise domains enabled more of the turbulent energy to be released in the spanwise direction, which in turn reduced axial and vertical turbulence levels. Finally, prescribing the wall temperatures in the RANS regions instead of using the more traditional adiabatic wall boundary conditions further reduced turbulence levels, and enabled the best agreement with experimental data.
All-CMOS low supply voltage scattered thermal monitoring front-end

Presented is a low-voltage all-CMOS scattered thermal monitoring architecture front-end designed in a 0.5 μm process. To support low-voltage operation for scaled CMOS technologies, MOSFETs operating in the subthreshold region and an amplifier with a bulk-driven technique are used. To reduce the offset error caused by device mismatches, gain boosting, dynamic offset cancellation and dynamic element matching methods are adopted. The sensor node occupies an area of 90 × 70 μm 2 . The measured minimum supply voltage was 1.1 V over a -55 to 125°C temperature range. The front-end was chamber tested and the performances are reported. Experiments demonstrated the multi-corner thermal monitor detecting on-chip temperature gradients from 1.2 to 26°C/mm.
Testing the ONIOM G2R3 model against donor-acceptor dissociation energies of group 13-15 complexes: accuracy comparable to CCSD(T)/aug-CC-pVTZ at a fraction of the resource cost.

The ability of the composite three-layer ONIOM G2R3 (OG2R3) method to match experimental dissociation energies for group 13–15 donor–acceptor complexes was examined for a database of 34 complexes. The composite approach provides energies that agree reasonably with experiment, performing nearly as well as both the CCSD(T)/aug-CC-pVTZ and CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2df, 2p) models for small molecules and nearly as well as the latter for slightly larger ones. Broadly, all three models exhibit average absolute errors of ∼3 kcal mol−1, and root mean square errors of ∼4 kcal mol−1. The average signed error suggest that the OG2R3 approach systematically underbinds by ∼2.3 kcal mol−1; if this is used as a general correction, the approach performs as well or better than the pure CCSD(T) models. However, the OG2R3 model can be applied to molecules too large to be studied by the other CCSD(T) methods, as it requires only a fraction of the time and computer resources. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
HYDROLOGIC REGIME AND HERBIVORY STABILIZE AN ALTERNATIVE STATE IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

A decline in the stature and abundance of willows during the 20th century occurred throughout the northern range of Yellowstone National Park, where riparian woody-plant communities are key components in multiple-trophic-level interactions. The potential causes of willow decline include climate change, increased elk browsing coincident with the loss of an apex predator, the gray wolf, and an absence of habitat engineering by beavers. The goal of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal patterns of willow establishment through the 20th century and to identify causal processes. Sampled willows established from 1917 to 1999 and contained far fewer young individuals than was predicted from a modeled stable willow population, indicating reduced establishment during recent decades. Two hydrologically distinct willow establishment environments were identified: fine- grained beaver pond sediments and coarse-grained alluvium. Willows established on beaver pond sediment earlier in time, higher on floodplain surfaces, and farther from the current stream channel than did willows on alluvial sediment. Significant linear declines from the 1940s to the 1990s in alluvial willow establishment elevation and lateral distance from the stream channel resulted in a much reduced area of alluvial willow establishment. Willow establishment was not well correlated with climate-driven hydrologic variables, but the trends were consistent with the effects of stream channel incision initiated in ca. 1950, 20-30 years after beaver dam abandonment. Radiocarbon dates and floodplain stratigraphy indicate that stream incision of the present magnitude may be unprecedented in the past two millennia. We propose that hydrologic changes, stemming from competitive exclusion of beaver by elk overbrowsing, caused the landscape to transition from a historical beaver-pond and willow- mosaic state to its current alternative stable state where active beaver dams and many willow stands are absent. Because of hydrologic changes in streams, a rapid return to the historical state may not occur by reduction of elk browsing alone. Management intervention to restore the historical hydrologic regime may be necessary to recover willows and beavers across the landscape.
Immunohistochemical studies of the "X cell" in the human placenta with anti-human chorionic gonadotropin and anti-human placental lactogen.

Abstract The indirect immunofluorescent staining method with the use of anti-human chorionic gonadotropin and anti-human placental lactogen was applied to segments of term placenta containing various areas of placental tissue, especially the “X cell” areas. No fluorescent localization was demonstrated in the “X cells” of the term placenta, while syncytial trophoblast invariably showed the localization of these antibodies. This study is further evidence that the “X cell” in the human placenta is of maternal origin and devoid of protein hormonal activity.
Noninvasive Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections in Free-Ranging Primates

Recent evidence of emerging human diseases with origins or likely transmission to humans, or both, that involve primates and a greater recognition of the risk of human pathogen transmission to free-ranging primates have raised awareness of the potential impact of zoonotic pathogen transmission on primate conservation and nonhuman primate and human health. As human population density continues to increase exponentially, speeding the reduction and fragmentation of primate habitats, greater human-primate contact is inevitable and even higher rates of pathogen transmission are likely. Thus interest has grown in collecting baseline data on patterns of parasitic infections in wild primate populations to provide an index of population health and to begin to assess and, to manage disease risks. Primatologists traditionally have been involved with such surveys through noninvasive assessment of gastrointestinal parasites. Unfortunately, previous studies have tended toward divergent methodologies, compromising the potential for longitudinal and comparative work. Here, I provide practical guidelines and standardized methodologies for the noninvasive assessment of gastrointestinal parasites of primates.
Thyroplasty revisions: frequency and predictive factors

Abstract Summary: Thyroplasty is the most commonly performed type of laryngeal framework surgery, and the surgical indications are gradually being expanded. Although many reports have described thyroplasty results and rates of success, no study has attempted to determine predictors of the need for revisions or other secondary surgical procedures. Methods: Retrospective review of 118 primary thyroplasty procedures performed on 96 patients. Secondary surgical procedures were divided into planned second-stage procedures (all fat implantation due to scarring), touchup procedures (primarily fat or collagen injections to close localized glottic gaps), and thyroplasty revisions (for implant extrusion or slippage). Statistical analysis was performed via the chi-squared technique with p Results: 96 patients underwent thyroplasty, 58 for vocal fold paresis or paralysis and 38 for other indications. Thirty-two (33%) patients underwent secondary surgical procedures, including 4 planned second stage procedures, and 6 patients with progression of their underlying disease. Thirty-two secondary procedures were performed in the other 22 patients. Professional singers were found to be more likely to require touchup or planned second-stage procedures ( p =0.029). Patients with abnormal preoperative noise-to-harmonic ratios were more likely to undergo secondary surgeries ( p =0.039). Maximum phonation time was not associated with need for secondary surgery. Implant material did not influence revision rates. Conclusions: Professional singers and those patients with severe voice disorders (as measured by more abnormal noise-to-harmonic ratios) are more likely to undergo secondary surgical procedures. The choice of implant material does not affect need for secondary surgical procedures.
“Let Us Care for Everyone’s Home”: The Catholic Church's role in keeping gold mining out of El Salvador

El Salvador’s refusal to allow industrial gold mining within its borders sets it apart from most other Latin American countries. Since 2007, three successive presidents from opposing parties have maintained a de facto moratorium that prevents all mining firms – international and Salvadoran, public and private – from accessing El Salvador’s estimated 1.4 million ounces of gold deposits. A majority of Salvadoran citizens and political leaders alike are opposed to mining, citing the country’s environmental degradation, population density, and limited water resources. Yet opposition to industrial gold mining has not always been the majority position in El Salvador. As recently as the early 2000s, the Salvadoran government, with support from international donors and creditors, pursued metals mining as an opportunity for economic growth. The story of how El Salvador diverged from this extractivist path is multi-faceted. A key element has been the strategic involvement of the Salvadoran Catholic Church. This working paper explores the Church’s influence on the Salvadoran government’s decision to suspend all metals mining. The analysis examines the theological and practical motivations for the Church’s stance on mining. It also describes the strategic actions taken by the Church to promote its position. Ultimately, the involvement of the Catholic Church served to strengthen the grassroots anti-mining movement, to shape the public debate, and to sway the electorate, which proved decisive in the suspension of all industrial metals mining in this country.
Big data: Mathematical topology video data analytics using superimposed learning

The amount of data being processed and the relational context associated with it are crucial to understand and complex to handle. The type of data is not also confined to traditional text or pictures. Data and its needs have transformed it into different categories. One category under the lime light these days is video analytics. There are many techniques for solving issues related to storing; retrieving and processing. Video content is the growing market for both big data analysis and for business intelligence. The business analytics are using video content and information to generate new specifics for marketing and sales. The research is however mainly focused on analyzing algorithm for deciding the relation between texts associated with video, the content a video holds and how this unstructured data of videos can be used for managing as well as storing videos in an efficient and cost effective manner. Topological analysis and learning on top of topology can help improve storage, retrieval and other aspects of extracting information from the constructed data shape. The paper proposes an analytical solution to analysis and storage of big data of you tube videos based on content and associated tags, text and relevance.
Sulindac inhibits colon tumor cell proliferation in xenograft mice

3215 Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduces the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. The NSAID, sulindac, prevents development of human adenomatous polyps and inhibits colon tumor formation in animal models. The mechanisms by which sulindac prevents colon tumor growth in vivo are complex and poorly understood. Inhibition of COX-1 and -2, the classical targets of NSAIDs, does not adequately explain sulindac9s growth inhibitory effects in vitro or in vivo. Several COX-independent mechanisms have been described for sulindac, including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. Sulindac metabolites inhibit ERK1/2 activation, and this inhibition is both necessary and sufficient for apoptosis of human colon cancer cells in vitro. The goal of this study was to determine if sulindac treatment inhibits ERK1/2 activity and stimulates apoptotic cell death in vivo, using the xenograft mouse model. Athymic mice were injected s.c. with HT29 human CRC cells and tumors allowed to grow to a palpable size. Mice were then placed on diets containing 0 or 320 ppm sulindac for 15 days. Tumors were measured with calipers, harvested and prepared for immunohistochemistry using KI67 (a marker of proliferation), cleaved caspase-3 (a marker of apoptosis) and phospho-ERK1/2 antibodies. Sulindac treatment inhibited tumor growth, and this inhibition was associated with a significant decrease in Ki67 staining. Sulindac-induced growth inhibition was also associated with increased cleaved caspase-3 staining and decreased phospho-ERK1/2 staining, however these results were not statistically significant. Together these results suggest that inhibition of tumor cell proliferation - and not induction of apoptosis - is the biological mechanism by which sulindac prevents tumor formation in vivo.
Single-Center Experience With the Senning Procedure in the Current Era

The Senning procedure is an operative technique for atrial inversion in congenital heart anomalies. We sought to evaluate our contemporary outcomes employing this technique. A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent the Senning procedure at our institution was performed. Hospital records were reviewed, and follow-up data were obtained to evaluate outcomes. Overall, a total of 19 patients underwent a Senning procedure between August 2005 and July 2014. Median age at repair was 594 days (range: 5 days to 15 years). Of those, 7 patients underwent a combined Senning-Rastelli operation and 10 patients underwent a double switch operation (arterial switch or atrial switch). Primary diagnosis was congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (cc-TGA) in 17 patients. Associated lesions included ventricular septal defect (n = 10), pulmonary stenosis or atresia (n = 7), and Ebstein׳s anomaly of the tricuspid valve (n = 4). There was an operative death (5%). In all, 2 patients required superior vena cava baffle revision in the operating room. No new pulmonary venous or systemic venous baffle obstruction was observed during follow-up. A total of 5 (26%) patients developed heart block requiring pacemaker implantation. Actuarial survival was 81% at 5 years with a median follow-up of 38 months. The 2 patients in the cc-TGA group were subsequently transplanted. Surviving patients (n = 15) are all well at the last clinical follow-up, most with normal biventricular function. In conclusion, the Senning procedure offers excellent outcomes with regard to systemic and pulmonary venous baffle patency. Results in patients with cc-TGA, however, are affected by significant early mortality after Senning-Rastelli and incidence of left ventricular dysfunction after double switch; which should be considered during patient selection and surgical planning.
Pseudo-deterministic Algorithms (Invited Talk)

In this talk we describe a new type of probabilistic algorithm which we call "Bellagio" Algorithms: a randomized algorithm which is guaranteed to run in expected polynomial time, and to produce a correct and unique solution with high probability. These algorithms are pseudo-deterministic: they can not be distinguished from deterministic algorithms in polynomial time by a probabilistic polynomial time observer with black box access to the algorithm. We show a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a Bellagio Algorithm for an NP relation R: R has a Bellagio algorithm if and only if it is deterministically reducible to some decision problem in BPP. Several examples of Bellagio algorithms, for well known problems in algebra and graph theory which improve on deterministic solutions, follow. The notion of pseudo-deterministic algorithms (or more generally computations) is interesting beyond just sequential algorithms. In particular, it has long been known that it is impossible to solve deterministically tasks such as "consensus" in a faulty distributed systems, whereas randomized protocols can achieve consensus in expected constant time. We thus explore the notion of pseudo-deterministic fault tolerant distributed protocols: randomized protocols which are polynomial time indistinguishable from deterministic protocols in presence of faults.
Prospect and progress of oncolytic viruses for treating peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are an assorted group of neoplasms originating from the neuroectoderm and growing in peripheral nerves. Malignant transformation leads to a poor prognosis and is often lethal. The current treatment of PNSTs is predominantly surgical, which is often incomplete or accompanied by significant loss of function, in conjunction with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, for which the benefits are inconclusive. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) efficiently kill tumor cells while remaining safe for normal tissues, and are a novel antitumor therapy for patients with PNSTs.Areas covered: Because of the low efficacy of current treatments, new therapies for PNSTs are needed. Preclinically, OVs have demonstrated efficacy in treating PNSTs and perineural tumor invasion, as well as safety. We will discuss the various PNSTs and their preclinical models, and the OVs being tested for their treatment, including oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV), adenovirus (Ad), and measles v...
Microstructures of XD™ MoSi2+SiCp Composites

The microstructure of MoSi2 composite materials reinforced with 30vol% SiC particulate were investigated by TEM. These materials were initially produced by the XD™ process followed by either HIPing or forging. The microstructural study revealed no significant differences between the HIPed and forged materials. In both materials, the size of the SiC particulate was found to vary from submicron to 30μm and twins and stacking faults were observed in the SiC. No orientation relationships between the SiC and MoSi2 were found and dislocations emitted from the SiC/MoSi2 interfaces were noticed. The distribution of dislocations in the MoSi2 matrix was nonuniform. The morphology of the dislocation structures may be categorized into three groups: 1) individual; 2) array; and 3) networks. [100]/[010] prismatic loops and (110) twins also were observed in some grains.
Dielectric nanocomposite with high dielectric permittivity and low dielectric loss

Dielectric flexible nanocomposites featuring ferroelectric barium titanate nanoparticles embedded in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix were fabricated by a miscible-immiscible coagulation method followed by hot pressing. The SEM images showed good distribution of nanoparticles with very little particle agglomeration. This microstructure was achievable with or without surface functionalization of the nanoparticles and resulted in high dielectric permittivity and low dielectric loss over a wide range of frequency (10 Hz to 1 MHz). Dielectric permittivity of the composite increased as the filler content increased from 0 to 47 vol % with only a small increase in dielectric loss. At a filler content of 47 vol %, the dielectric permittivity can reach 76 at 1 kHz which is more than 10 times higher than the PVDF matrix while the dielectric loss can remain at < 0.1 at 1 kHz. Due to the simplicity of the processing method, reliable dielectric properties and flexibility, this composite may be useful in many electronic applications such as capacitors and flexible high-k dielectrics components.
Laminar slip flow of an electrically conducting incompressible rarefied gas in a channel with a transverse magnetic field

The effects of a constant external magnetic field on the laminar, fully developed flow of an electrically conducting incompressible rarefied gas in a nonconducting parallel-plate channel are studied. Consideration is given to the slip-flow regime, wherein a gas velocity discontinuity occurs at the channel walls. It is found that the magnitude of the slip velocity is unaffected by the magnetic-field strength for a given pressure drop, but that the mean gas velocity and wall friction coefficient are functions of both the velocity slip coefficient and the magnetic-field strength. The effect of a second-order slip-flow boundary condition is briefly discussed.
Umweltindikatoren für Immissionswirkungen

“Im Gegensatz zu anderen Politikbereichen fehlt es der Umweltpolitik an einigen wenigen Messgrosen (Indikatoren), die die Beurteilung der Umweltsituation ermoglichen und damit eine Leitfunktion fur die politische Diskussion ubernehmen konnen” (BMU 1998). Es gibt eine Vielzahl von Vorschlagen fur solche Umweltindikatoren auf nationaler und internationaler Ebene. Darunter sind jedoch bisher keine, mit denen die okologische Wirkung von Stoffeintragen in die Biosphare beurteilt werden kann.
Experimental Study of a Magnetohydrodynamic Plasma Actuator in Quiescent Atmospheric Air

An experimental study was conducted on a magnetohydrodynamic plasma actuator called the rail plasma actuator (RailPAc). The actuator consists of two parallel, six inch long, copper rails flush mounted on an insulating ceramic plate. When a current pulse (~1kA) at ~100V is supplied, an electrical arc (armature) is generated and driven along the rails by a Lorentz force. The motion of the plasma armature induces flow in the surrounding air through compression and entrainment. Experiments were performed on a prototype RailPAc in quiescent atmospheric air to characterize the plasma armature and the momentum transferred to the surrounding air. Measurements included dynamic force and total impulse generated by the RailPAc, armature voltage and current, as well as temperature and species composition of the plasma armature. The plasma armature shape and transit velocity were determined by high speed imaging. A peak force of 0.6 N imparting an impulse of 0.68 mN-s was measured for a peak current of 1.3 kA. The armature temperature was measured as approximately 10,000 K. The armature was found to comprise of copper, aluminum, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen species. These results indicate the feasibility of the RailPAc concept for atmospheric flow control and offer considerable insight into the dynamics of transient arcs.
Supporting Ideation by Integrating Exploratory Search, Browsing, and Curation

This research integrates exploratory search, browsing, and curation in information-based ideation (IBI) environments, to support users finding, discovering, and combining web content. Information-based ideation refers to open-ended activities in which humans work to imagine, generate, and develop new problems and solutions. We use web semantics as a basis for summarizing and representing heterogeneous content from diverge sources involved in ideation tasks. To enable working with web semantics, we develop a novel type system that brings together data models, dynamic extraction, and presentation of semantic information. Based on the web semantics type system, we build interfaces that preserve contexts during exploratory browsing, and plan to build integrated interactive environments to address exploratory search, curation, and ideation. We will investigate how integrated environments affect people's practices with finding and combining information, and derive new principles for supporting exploratory search, browsing, curation, and ideation. Methods, techniques, and findings developed through this research have the potential to transform infrastructures and human experiences of the web.
Nonlinear electroelastic deformations of dielectric elastomer composites: I-Ideal elastic dielectrics

Abstract This paper puts forth homogenization solutions for the macroscopic elastic dielectric response—under finite deformations and finite electric fields—of ideal elastic dielectric composites with two-phase isotropic particulate microstructures. Specifically, solutions are presented for three classes of microstructures: (i) an isotropic iterative microstructure wherein the particles are infinitely polydisperse in size, (ii) an isotropic distribution of polydisperse spherical particles of a finite number of different sizes, and (iii) an isotropic distribution of monodisperse spherical particles. The solution for the iterative microstructure, which corresponds to the viscosity solution of a Hamilton–Jacobi equation in five “space” variables, is constructed by means of a novel high-order WENO finite-difference scheme. On the other hand, the solutions for the microstructures with spherical particles are constructed by means of hybrid finite elements. Prompted by the functional features shared by all three obtained solutions, a simple closed-form approximation is proposed for the macroscopic elastic dielectric response of ideal elastic dielectric composites with any type of (non-percolative) isotropic particulate microstructure. As elaborated in a companion paper, the proposed approximate solution proves particularly useful as a fundamental building block to generate approximate solutions for the macroscopic elastic dielectric response of dielectric elastomer composites made up of non-Gaussian dielectric elastomers filled with nonlinear elastic dielectric particles.
Prototyping a façade-mounted, dynamic, dual-axis daylight redirection system:

Various emerging technologies encourage the embedding of intelligent and climate responsive behaviour into architectural elements. Light-shelves have been used for decades to enhance natural light ...
Schizophrenia: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, Course and Outcome

Schizophrenia represents a brain disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, impairments in cognitive functioning, and blunted emotional relatedness. The combination of an onset in adolescence or early adulthood and the lack of fully effective treatments contributes greatly to the global burden of this disease. Incidence rates of schizophrenia across studies range from 0.07 to 7.1 per 1000 per year, with no difference in lifetime risk between men and women. The single greatest risk factor for developing schizophrenia is a family history of the illness. The majority of individuals experience a relapsing course, which may include sustained periods of remission; however, this clinical course is highly variable, as a smaller, but significant, number of individuals have a more chronic course with few, if any, symptom-free periods. Although pharmacotherapy represents the main first-line treatment for schizophrenia, evidence has demonstrated that the best long-term outcomes are achieved in this illness through a multimodality approach that includes psychosocial interventions such as family therapy, individual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, and employment training or supported employment, in addition to pharmacotherapy.
Optimal sizing of inverters and energy storage for power oscillation limiting in grid connected large scale Electric Vehicle park with renewable energy

Power oscillations can result from the expansion of large-scale grid-connected Electric Vehicles (EV) parks fed from photovoltaic (PV) arrays which raising concerns about grid stability. This paper addresses the optimal sizing for the energy storage battery, its corresponding DC-DC power converter and the grid tie inverter to satisfy grid requirements and maximize the profit of a EV park owner under the utility constraints. This was achieved through two stages: probabilistic forecasting of the EV load pattern and optimal sizing of the battery and power converters by the aid of linear programming (LP). Three types of batteries were studied to support the EV park: Sodium Sulfur (NaS), Lead Acid (LA) and Vanadium-Redox (VR). Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was done by investigating the effect of changing the number of grid tie inverters. Results showed the effectiveness of the proposed solution in limiting the power oscillations at the point of common coupling with the grid and maximizing the EV park's owner profit. Results also revealed the superiority of the VR battery for a low number of grid tie inverters while LA was preferable for implementing higher numbers of grid tie inverters on the host grid while limiting the power fluctuations at the grid side.
Engineering Advanced Models of the Glioblastoma Microenvironment Using Biomaterials

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain cancer. Patients diagnosed with GBM have a mean survival time of only 21 months, despite an intense push over the past several decades to dissect underlying mechanisms and develop new therapies. Whereas discovery efforts related to GBM have traditionally focused on cell-intrinsic factors, such as genetic and epigenetic lesions, it has more recently become clear that cell-extrinsic factors within the tumor microenvironment play important pathogenic roles as well. More surprisingly, physical aspects of the microenvironment, including tissue structure and mechanics, can regulate signaling events that contribute to dysplasia, invasion, and metastasis. This chapter will describe the basic biology of physical microenvironmental regulation of the GBM, with a focus on the extracellular matrix. We will also describe how components of the physical microenvironment can be recapitulated using biomaterials technology and how these new platforms can contribute to next-generation culture systems for discovery and screening.
Fast data acquisition in cost-sensitive learning

Data acquisition is the first and one of the most important steps in many data mining applications. It is a time consuming and costly task. Acquiring an insufficient number of examples makes the learned model and future prediction inaccurate, while acquiring more examples than necessary wastes time and money. Thus it is very important to estimate the number examples needed for learning algorithms in machine learning. However, most previous learning algorithms learn from a given and fixed set of examples. To our knowledge, little previous work in machine learning can dynamically acquire examples as it learns, and decide the ideal number of examples needed. In this paper, we propose a simple on-line framework for fast data acquisition (FDA). FDA is an extrapolation method that estimates the number of examples needed in each acquisition and acquire them simultaneously. Comparing to the naive step-by-step data acquisition strategy, FDA reduces significantly the number of times of data acquisition and model building. This would significantly reduce the total cost of misclassification, data acquisition arrangement, computation, and examples acquired costs.
A Saul Alinsky primer for the 21st century: The roles of cultural competence and cultural brokerage in fostering mobilization in support of change

Abstract How can a proponent of change mobilize groups and organizations in support of a common project? Building on an extensive review of social movement theorizing and action, we argue that shared interests, network connections, the availability of resources, and the emergence of political, market and corporate opportunities (the standard topics discussed in extant literature) may be necessary, but are often insufficient for spurring mobilization. Conversely, cultural factors such as frames, identities, or practices are essential. Their presence can facilitate coordinated action even among unlikely allies, and their absence can prevent such action. Inspired by the work of Saul Alinsky (1909–1972), along with contemporary illustrations, we construct a two-step model of the role of culture in mobilizing for change. We bring attention to a change proponent’s cultural competence – skill in appreciating the different cultural meanings and values of those involved in a particular project of change – and cultural brokerage – skill in bridging and negotiating among actors with different cultural repertoires, to reach a temporary truce or covenant. We focus on two types of activities that define cultural brokerage, integration and redefinition, and apply them to the cultural factors of frames, identities, and/or practices. Our paper contributes to contemporary research on social movements, institutional theory, and cultural sociology.
Determination of elastic properties of polycrystalline U3Si2 using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Abstract The elastic properties of U3Si2 at room temperature have been measured via resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. Results show that the average value of Young's and the bulk modulus for U3Si2 are 130.4 ± 0.5 and 68.3 ± 0.5 GPa, respectively. Further, a numerical model to assess thermal stress in an operating fuel is evaluated. The thermal stress evolved in U3Si2 is compared to UO2 to facilitate an estimation of the probability of crack formation in U3Si2 under representative light water reactor operating conditions.
In Close Proximity: The Lipid Droplet Proteome and Crosstalk With the Endoplasmic Reticulum:

Lipid droplets (LDs) are conserved, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived organelles that act as a dynamic cellular repository for neutral lipids. Numerous studies have examined the composition of LD proteomes by using mass spectrometry to identify proteins present in biochemically isolated buoyant fractions that are enriched in LDs. Although many bona fide LD proteins were identified, high levels of non-LD proteins that contaminate buoyant fractions complicate the detection of true LD proteins. To overcome this problem, we recently developed a proximity-labeling proteomic method to define high-confidence LD proteomes. Moreover, employing this approach, we discovered that ER-associated degradation impacts the composition of LD proteomes by targeting select LD proteins for clearance by the 26S proteasome as they transit between the ER and LDs. These findings implicate the ER as a site of LD protein degradation and underscore the high degree of crosstalk between ER and LDs.
The Effect of Short Experiences on the Incorporation of Radioactive Phosphate into Acid-Extractable Nuclear Proteins of Rat Brain

It is generally accepted that the associative processes that go on in the brain during learning involve the formation of functionally new neuronal pathways or networks, the nature of which encode the memory. It is not known how the pathways or networks are selected, or what the relationship of the pathway or network is to the encoded information. This process of changing interneur-onal communication and information flow in the brain must involve molecular changes that produce new properties in these neurons. It should be clear from the onset that the molecules themselves do not encode memory within their chemical structures, but act only to affect the neurons so new pathways and networks of interneuronal communication can form. Many hypotheses have been proposed concerning these molecular changes. In general these involve chemical changes that affect the efficiency of synaptic transmission or the connectivity between neurons. This could happen, for example, if there were changes in the amount of transmitter released, changes in the rate of transmitter destruction, changes in the size of the synapse, or alterations in the number or activity of receptor sites for the transmitter. Thus the possible number of theoretical models is very large. The major problem is the generation of data that will have bearing on the molecular events associated with changes in neuronal connectivity.
Narrative and Pain: Towards an Integrative Model

Doctors and health-care professionals have recently developed a vigorous new interest in narrative. The new medical interest (obvious in the titles and subtitles of research studies) follows the success of a so-called narrative turn in psychology, education, social sciences, political thought, policy analysis, law, theology, and cognitive science (The travelling concept of narrative, 2006, pp 20–41). A narrative turn has even supplied the framework for an entire rethinking of medical education and practice, as described in an important JAMA article on “narrative medicine” (Journal of the American Medical Association 286: 1897–1902, 2001). This new medical attention to narrative is international and cross-cultural. The British Medical Journal published a series of articles on “narrative-based medicine,” subsequently collected as a book (Narrative based medicine: Dialogue and discourse in clinical practice, 1998). It is now accurate, as awareness deepens, to speak of narrative-based medicines, plural, indigenous as well as postindustrial (The Permanente Journal 12: 88–96, 2008). Pain medicine too has begun to explore narrative. In 2005, the International Association for the Study of Pain published Narrative, Pain and Suffering (Narrative, pain, and suffering, 2005), and medical journals regularly include studies that employ narrative as an instrument for understanding pain and pain-related states. The traditional medical landscape—where narrative was barely tolerated as a sign of high culture—has changed forever.
Embedding and Approximation Theorems

The purpose of this chapter is to address two fundamental questions about smooth manifolds. The questions may seem unrelated at first, but their solutions are closely related.
Aircraft Disturbance to Common Murres (Uria aalge) at a Breeding Colony in Central California, USA

Devil's Slide Rock, a rock sea stack on the central California coast near San Francisco, USA, hosts a Common Murre (Uria aalge) colony that was recently restored after it was extirpated in the mid-1980s. Since the late 1990s, low-flying aircraft have threatened the colony at Devil's Slide Rock. To assess variables contributing to Common Murre disturbance, multinomial log-linear models were constructed and evaluated using reproductive timing and aircraft characteristics for 7 years (2008–2014). The top model included seven variables (year, reproductive timing, time of day, aircraft type, aircraft category, aircraft altitude and aircraft lateral distance from Devil's Slide Rock) and the interaction effects between aircraft type and aircraft category, and between altitude and distance. The odds of disturbance varied temporally, with 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 exhibiting greater odds of disturbance than 2008. Disturbance response was more likely during the pre-egg lay period and post-chick hatch period than during incubation; 47%, 51%, and 40% of over-flights, respectively, resulted in agitation or flushing. Helicopters were more likely to cause disturbance than fixed-wing aircraft; 72% of helicopter over-flights and 39% of fixed-wing aircraft resulted in agitation or flushing. Flushing was more likely to occur at lower aircraft altitudes and closer lateral distances; all flushing from over-flights occurred below 305 m, and 91% of agitation events occurred below 305 m. These results support the need for measures to reduce over-flight disturbance of the Devil's Slide Rock colony.
Emerging Ergonomics Issues and Opportunities in Mining

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline that investigates the interactions between humans and systems to optimize both human and system performance for worker safety, health, and productivity. Ergonomics is frequently involved either in the design of emerging technologies or in strategies to alleviate unanticipated human performance problems with emerging technologies. This manuscript explores several such emerging issues and opportunities in the context of the mining sector. In mining, the equipment, tools, and procedures have changed considerably and continue to change. Body-worn technology provides a number of opportunities to advance the safety and health of miners, while teleoperation and autonomous mining equipment stand to benefit significantly from ergonomics applications in other sectors. This manuscript focuses on those issues and opportunities that can impact the safety and health of miners in the near term.
Use of Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies as a Moderator of the Alcohol Use-Consequences Relationship: Evidence from Multiple Replications.

AbstractBackground: The use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) has been found to attenuate the relationship between alcohol use and related consequences. Objectives: The current study examined PBS use as a moderator of the association between alcohol use and consequences in multiple samples (N = 9) of college students with different sample sizes (e.g., ns 125–736). We also examined sex as a moderator of the PBS moderation analyses. Across all samples, we predicted that the use of more PBS would attenuate the use–consequences relation. Methods: In total, 3,524 college students completed online measures of alcohol use, consequences, and PBS use (i.e., PBSS) across two sites. Conclusions/importance: In the analyses, 3 two-way interactions were consistent with the literature (i.e., use–consequences relation weakest among those with high PBS use), 6 were opposite of what was reported in the literature (i.e., use–consequences relation strongest among those with high PBS use), and 39 were not statistical...
African American English, Race and Language: ‘You don’t believe fat meat is greasy’

Virtually every aspect of African American English (AAE) is surrounded by disagreement, discord, dissent and debate. In many ways, AAE is the most powerful example of the process of linguistic delegitimation imaginable, and this is the case in large part because of the extent to which the social, educational and linguistic issues involved all reflect and overlap the deep racial divides in US society. In this chapter, the case of AAE will be examined in considerable detail.
Expression of microRNAs targeting heat shock protein B8 during in vitro expansion of dental pulp stem cells in regulating osteogenic differentiation

Abstract Objective The objectives of this study were (a) to determine the differentially expressed microRNAs that can target heat shock protein B8 (HspB8) during in vitro expansion of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs); (b) to identify microRNAs involved in posttranscriptional regulation of HspB8 expression; and (c) to determine if HspB8-targeting microRNAs play roles on osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Design DPSCs were established from rat first molars and expanded in vitro until the passage that cells lost osteogenic potential. TargetScan was used to predict the microRNAs that target HspB8 mRNA. Stem-loop quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to identify the HspB8-targeting microRNAs that were upregulated in late passages. The microRNAs mimics were transfected into DPSCs to assess their effects on HspB8 expression and on osteogenic differentiation. Results let-7b-5p, miR-98-5p, miR-215, miR-219a-1-3p and miR-295-5p were found to consistently increase expression in DPSCs after expansion. HspB8 mRNA and/or protein were significantly decreased in the DPSCs after transfection of miR-215 and miR-219a-1-3p mimics; whereas no significant reduction was seen after transfecting let-7b-5p, miR-98-5p and miR-295-5p mimics. When subjecting the transfected DPSCs to osteogenic induction, reduction of calcium deposition or osteogenic marker expression were observed with miR-215, miR-219a-1-3p and miR-295-5p transfection. Conclusions Increased expression of miR-215 and miR-219a-1-3p downregulates HspB8 expression, which contributes to the reduction of osteogenic capability of DPSCs. Increased expression of miR295-5p also causes a reduction of osteogenic differentiation, but not involved in HspB8.
A model for geographic and sociodemographic access to care disparities for adults with congenital heart disease.

Background Follow-up at a regional adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) center is recommended for all ACHD patients at least once per the 2018 ACC/AHA guidelines. Other specialties have demonstrated poorer follow-up and outcomes correlating with increased distance from health care providers, but driving time to regional ACHD centers has not been examined in the US population. Objective To identify and characterize potential disparities in access to ACHD care in the US based on drive time to ACHD centers and compounding sociodemographic factors. Methods Mid- to high-volume ACHD centers with ≥500 outpatient ACHD visits and ≥20 ACHD surgeries annually were included based on self-reported, public data. Geographic Information System mapping was used to delineate drive times to ACHD centers. Sociodemographic data from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey (US Census) and the Environmental Systems Research Institute were analyzed based on drive time to nearest ACHD center. Previously established CHD prevalence estimates were used to estimate the similarly located US ACHD population. Results Nearly half of the continental US population (45.1%) lives >1 hour drive to an ACHD center. Overall, 39.7% live 1-4 hours away, 3.4% live 4-6 hours away, and 2.0% live >6 hours away. Hispanics were disproportionately likely to live a >6 hour drive to a center (p 6 hours away have higher proportions of uninsured adults (29% vs. 18%; p Conclusions We estimate that ~45% of the continental US population lives >1 hour to an ACHD center, with 5.4% living >4 hours away. Compounding barriers exist for Hispanic, uninsured, lower socioeconomic status, and less-educated patients. These results may help drive future policy changes to improve access to ACHD care.
The ASA24-Kids-2014 versus Traditional 24-hour Diet Recall for Assessing Dietary Intake of Adolescents

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare a self-administered, web-based 24-hour diet recall, the ASA24-Kids-2014 (ASA24), to a traditional interviewer-administered (IA) recall on method pr...
Anal squamous cell carcinoma with metastasis to duodenum causing duodenal stricture and gastric outlet obstruction

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal is a rare entity encompassing only 2–4 percent of all colon, rectal, and anal cancers. SCC of the anal canal tends to be loco-regional, and in the event of distant metastasis, a most common site of spread is to liver and lung. We report an unusual case of SCC of the anal canal with duodenal metastases in a 49-year-old female who had presented with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting eight months after the primary diagnosis of SCC of the anal canal. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed duodenal stricture with subsequent biopsy revealing duodenal mucosa with scattered malignant cell clusters within lymphatic spaces, consistent with metastatic carcinoma. Immunohistological staining demonstrated malignant cells positive for CK7, p16, p63 favoring a metastatic SCC.
A Review of Molecular Biological Techniques for Systematic Studies of Aspergillus and Penicillium

Over the last several years various molecular taxonomic techniques have been utilized for defining evolutionary relationships and for identifying species. A review of the different techniques, their limitations, and their impact to date on Aspergillus and Penicillium systematics are presented. Comparisons of results obtained from molecular techniques and conventional taxonomic methods, present trends in each technique’s application, and possible application of recently developed molecular techniques are discussed.