cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty Characterization of the TWC_Fail Through-Wall Circumferential Crack Stability Module for xLPR

The US NRC/EPRI xLPR (eXtremely Low Probability of Rupture) probabilistic pipe fracture analysis program uses deterministic modules as the foundation for the calculation of the probability of pipe leak or rupture as a consequence of active degradation mechanisms, vibration or seismic loading. The circumferential through-wall crack stability module, TWC_Fail, evaluates through-wall circumferential crack stability based on the minimum crack size from the Net-Section Collapse or an EPFM J-estimation scheme analysis. Beyond the uncertainty of xLPR data inputs, each module has an uncertainty. This paper documents the module uncertainty for TWC_Fail.Using 32 pipe fracture experiments, including: base metal, similar metal weld, and dissimilar metal weld experiments; bend only and pressure and bend loading; pipe diameters from 2-inch nominal diameter to 42-inch diameter, cracks that range from short to long, the uncertainty of the TWC_Fail methodology is characterized. Results show that TWC_Fail predictions are sensitive to the choice of J-R curve input (J-D or J-M from C(T) specimen tests) and the fit of the stress-strain data. Module uncertainty is characterized in terms mean fit and standard deviation between predictions and experimental values.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Non-surgical Options for SUI—Is Any One Optimal?

There are many options for nonsurgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). With the growing aging population, there is increased incontinence and need for less invasive options for SUI treatment. Conservative strategies have long been a fundamental part of treatment and may be the only management required or only management possible in some patients. Lifestyle modification, anti-incontinence devices, and pelvic floor muscle exercises benefit a significant number of patients. This may be performed, with or without the addition of vaginal weighted cones or biofeedback. Pharmacological treatment exists, yet is not considered a standard of care. This is a comprehensive review of the non-surgical treatment options for SUI.
Improved Methods for the Measurement of Extension- Twist Coupling in Composite Laminates

Coupling of deformation modes in composite structures has been shown to improve the efficiency of tilt-rotor aircraft. Through aeroelastic tailoring, the twist profile of the rotor blades can be varied between forward flight and hover modes. This is achieved through the use of extension-twist coupled laminate structures. A closedform solution exists for the prediction of extension-twist coupling. This analytical method must be validated by experimental data. In order to obtain accurate measurements, the extension-twist relationship of the test specimen must be isolated. A testing method that used the centrifugal force of a mass to apply a tensile load to a test specimen was developed previously. This rotating frame apparatus was further refined to completely isolate the extension-twist behavior as well as improve the accuracy of twist measurement. Another testing method that uses structural symmetry was developed to provide a simple alternative to the rotating frame apparatus. The results of both of these methods are presented and compared with predictions from a geometrically nonlinear closed-form analysis and a finite element simulation.
Multiobjective Optimization of Modular Systems that Traverse Dynamic s-Pareto Frontiers

The use of multiobjective optimization in identifying systems that account for changes in needs/preferences, operating environments, concepts, and analysis models over time is not commonly explored. In terms of identifying sets of non-dominated designs, these changes result in the concept of dynamic Pareto frontiers, or dynamic s-Pareto frontiers in cases where sets of system concepts are being evaluated simultaneously over time. In a previous work by the authors, a 6-step optimization-based method was presented to identify systems that account for predicted changes in needs/preferences by moving from one s-Pareto design to another through module addition. Addressing some of the limitations of this method, this paper presents an improved 5-step optimization-based method that builds on recent developments in multiobjective problem formulations of dynamic s-Pareto frontiers. In addition, recognizing the inherent uncertainty associated with predicting future needs/preferences and dynamic s-Pareto frontiers, the incorporation of uncertainty analysis in this improved method is also presented as an additional method improvement. Application of the the presented method is illustrated through a simple truss example.
First-Principles and Quantum Transport Studies of Metal-Graphene End Contacts

Metal-graphene contact is of critical significance in graphene-based nanoelectronics. There are two possible metal-graphene contact geometries: side-contact and end-contact. In this paper, we apply first-principles calculations to study metal-graphene end-contact for these three commonly used electrode metals (Ni, Pd and Ti) and find that they have distinctive stable end-contact geometries with graphene. Transport properties of these metal-graphene-metal (M-G-M) end-contact structures are investigated by density functional theory non-equilibrium Green’s function (DFT-NEGF) algorithm. The Transmission as a function of chemical potential (E-EF) shows asymmetric curves relative to the Fermi level. Transmission curves of Ni-G-Ni and Ti-G-Ti contact structures indicate that bulk graphene sheet is n-doped by Ni and Ti electrodes, but that of Pd-G-Pd shows p-doping of graphene by Pd electrode. The contact behaviors of these electrodes are consistent with experimental observations.
A Power Formula for the SIBTEST Procedure for Differential Item Functioning

A power formula for the SIBTEST procedure for differential item functioning (DIF) is derived. The power of SIBTEST is related to the item response function (IRF) for the studied item, the latent tr...
Clinical Observation of Electrocardiogram Changes in Patients With 2 Type Diabetes Mellitus

Objective To observe the electrocardiogram changes and significance of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus0.Methods We summaried the electrocardiogram of 150 patients with type 2 diabetes(observation group),and selected those of the controls without diabetes mellitus.Results The observation group had significantly higher incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram than the control group,P0.05,the sinus,conduction block,the atrial,ST-t ischemic change and other indicators of two groups had statistically significant difference(P0.05).Conclusion Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are prone to abnormal electrocardiograms and it can be used as important basis monitoring of cardiac function.
Unscented Kalman Filter and Its Aplication to Target Tracking

According to some regulations, the unscented Kalman filter algorithm acquired points in the origin state distribution; the mean and the covariance of the points were equal to the mean and the covariance of the origin state distribution. Those points were used in nonlinear function to acquire the corresponding nonlinear function value point set; and the transformed mean and the covariance were acquired through point set. Its application process includes calculating and transmitting the mean and the covariance; making use of the forecast sample points and weighing calculation to forecast the mean and the covariance; forecasting measurement value and covariance; at last, calculating the UKF plus, renewing state vector and variance. The simulation showed that this method is more practical than EKF method.
Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations with Concussion

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH evaluated 12 children, ages 11 to 15 years, following sports-related concussion (SRC), employing ImPACT neurocognitive testing, T1 and susceptibility weighted MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, proton MR spectroscopy, and phase contrast angiography at <72 hours, 14 days, and 30 days or greater.
Predictive Control over Charge Density in the Two-Dimensional Electron Gas at the Polar-Nonpolar NdTiO 3 / SrTiO 3 Interface

Through systematic control of the Nd concentration, we show that the carrier density of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}/{\mathrm{NdTiO}}_{3}/{\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}(001)$ can be modulated over a wide range. We also demonstrate that the ${\mathrm{NdTiO}}_{3}$ in heterojunctions without a ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ cap is degraded by oxygen absorption from air, resulting in the immobilization of donor electrons that could otherwise contribute to the 2DEG. This system is, thus, an ideal model to understand and control the insulator-to-metal transition in a 2DEG based on both environmental conditions and film-growth processing parameters.
Transfer learning in spatial reasoning puzzles

Transfer learning is the process of using knowledge gained while solving one problem to solve a new, previously unencountered problem. Current research has concentrated on analogical transfer – a mechanic is able to fix a type of car he has never seen before by comparing it to cars he has fixed before. This approach is typical of case-based reasoning systems and has been successful on a wide variety of problems [Watson, 1997]. When a new problem is encountered, a database of previously solved problems is searched for a problem with similar features. The solution to the most similar problem is selected, adapted and then applied to the new problem. Similar methods exist for adapting reinforcement learning policies [Taylor and Stone, 2009]. We refer to the above approaches as solution adaptation algorithms – a pair of problems are matched on similarity and the solution to the first problem, after some adaptation, is applied to the second problem. The solution adaptation approach requires three things. First, the two problems must be substantially similar in surface or structural features. Second, there must exist a clear method of adapting one solution to another. This is typically done through manually-authored feature mappings or adaptation rules. Third, problem similarity must imply solution similarity. The “similar feature, similar solution” assumption does not hold for all domains. One such domain is tower defense. Tower defense (TD) is a broad category of spatial reasoning puzzles that share a common theme – a set of agents follow a path through a maze (the map) and the player must prevent them from making it to the exit by placing “defense towers” at strategic locations. There are many different tower defense games, each with their own set of towers. The majority of these games have pieces that fit into one of five archetypes: slow but strong, fast but weak, area of effect (AoE), damage over time (DoT) and slowing. The specific traits of each tower and their relative strengths vary from game to game. There are hundreds of TD games, most with multiple maps, making it a good domain for investigating multiple levels of transfer learning. It is not, however, a good candidate for solution-adaptation algorithms. Problem (maze) similarity does not imply solution (piece placement) similarity. Small differences in mazes can lead to qualitatively different solutions and there is no clear way to adapt one maze’s solution to another. Figure 1: Training map in GopherTD. Yellow objects are agents trying to move from Start to End. Circles show range of three towers in three qualitatively different positions.
Bounds tightening based on optimality conditions for nonconvex box-constrained optimization

First-order optimality conditions have been extensively studied for the development of algorithms for identifying locally optimal solutions. In this work, we propose two novel methods that directly exploit these conditions to expedite the solution of box-constrained global optimization problems. These methods carry out domain reduction by application of bounds tightening methods on optimality conditions. This scheme is implicit and avoids explicit generation of optimality conditions through symbolic differentation, which can be memory and time intensive. The proposed bounds tightening methods are implemented in the global solver BARON. Computational results on a test library of 327 problems demonstrate the value of our proposed approach in reducing the computational time and number of nodes required to solve these problems to global optimality.
Energy decomposition analysis in an adiabatic picture

Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) of electronic structure calculations has facilitated quantitative understanding of diverse intermolecular interactions. Nevertheless, such analyses are usually performed at a single geometry and thus decompose a “single-point” interaction energy. As a result, the influence of the physically meaningful EDA components on the molecular structure and other properties are not directly obtained. To address this gap, the absolutely localized molecular orbital (ALMO)-EDA is reformulated in an adiabatic picture, where the frozen, polarization, and charge transfer energy contributions are defined as energy differences between the stationary points on different potential energy surfaces (PESs), which are accessed by geometry optimizations at the frozen, polarized and fully relaxed levels of density functional theory (DFT). Other molecular properties such as vibrational frequencies can thus be obtained at the stationary points on each PES. We apply the adiabatic ALMO-EDA to different configurations of the water dimer, the water–Cl− and water–Mg2+/Ca2+ complexes, metallocenes (Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+), and the ammonia–borane complex. This method appears to be very useful for unraveling how physical effects such as polarization and charge transfer modulate changes in molecular properties induced by intermolecular interactions. As an example of the insight obtained, we find that a linear hydrogen bond geometry for the water dimer is preferred even without the presence of polarization and charge transfer, while the red shift in the OH stretch frequency is primarily a charge transfer effect; by contrast, a near-linear geometry for the water–chloride hydrogen bond is achieved only when charge transfer is allowed.
Logic of natural language: Through the eyes of ontological semantics

The meat of the paper is a small innovation in Ontological Semantic Technology describing how to calculate weights in text meaning representations. It is reset here as a component of a complex and apparently unprecedented global logic of natural language, a topic that was abortively entertained in the 1960–70s and since then mostly abandoned.
Spectroscopic Properties and Potential Energy Curves for 30 Electronic States of ReH

Abstract Spectroscopic constants and potential energy curves of 30 electronic states of the diatomic ReH are computed using complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field followed by first-order configuration interaction (CI) and multireference singles + doubles CI calculations. The second-order CI calculations are made on four low-lying electronic states (Te ≤ 10 000 cm−1). We also carry out relativistic Cl calculations including spin-orbit coupling to compute spin-orbit effects on the low-lying states of ReH. The ground state of ReH is found to be of 7Σ+ symmetry (Re = 1.82 A, ωe = 1611 cm−1, De = 1.3 eV) with a very low-lying excited state of 5Σ+ symmetry (Te ∼ 3000 cm−1) in the absence of spin-orbit effects. The analysis of the wavefunctions and Mulliken populations reveals that all the low-lying electronic states of ReH are very ionic (Re+H−). The Re atom has an effective configuration of 6s1.156p0.405d5.01 and 6s1.756p0.065d5.09 in the 7Σ+ and 5Σ+ states, respectively. The ReH σ bond in the 7Σ+ ground state has 45% Re(s), 16% Re(p), and 39% Re(d) character while in the 5Σ+ state, it has 60% Re(s), 2% Re(p), and 38% Re(d) character.
Information Services to Diverse Populations: Developing Culturally Competent Library Professionals: Nicole A. Cooke, Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2017.

Diversity is often mentioned in the field of Library and Information Science, but what does it mean? In Information Services to Diverse Populations: Developing Culturally Competent Library Professi...
TCT-502 Transapical Transcatheter Mitral Valve-in-Valve Implantation in a Patient Population with a High Proportion of Cardiogenic Shock

Transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation (TA-MVIVR) for degraded bioprostheses is an alternative to re-operation in high risk patients. We report our outcomes in a patient population with a high proportion of cardiogenic shock. Retrospective review was performed of all patients
Social inequality, scientific inequality, and the future of mental illness

Despite five decades of increasingly elegant studies aimed at advancing the pathophysiology and treatment of mental illness, the results have not met expectations. Diagnoses are still based on observation, the clinical history, and an outmoded diagnostic system that stresses the historic goal of disease specificity. Psychotropic drugs are still based on molecular targets developed decades ago, with no increase in efficacy. Numerous biomarkers have been proposed, but none have the requisite degree of sensitivity and specificity, and therefore have no usefulness in the clinic. The obvious lack of progress in psychiatry needs exploration. The historical goals of psychiatry are reviewed, including parity with medicine, a focus on diagnostic reliability rather than validity, and an emphasis on reductionism at the expense of socioeconomic issues. Data are used from Thomas Picketty and others to argue that our failure to advance clinical care may rest in part on the rise in social and economic inequality that began in the 1970s, and in part on our inability to move beyond the medical model of specificity of disease and treatment. It is demonstrated herein that the historical goal of specificity of disease and treatment has not only impeded the advance of diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, but, in combination with a rapid increase in socioeconomic inequality, has led to poorer outcomes and rising mortality rates in a number of disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. It is proposed that Psychiatry should recognize the fact of socioeconomic inequality and its effects on mental disorders. The medical model, with its emphasis on diagnostic and treatment specificity, may not be appropriate for investigation of the brain, given its complexity. The rise of scientific inequality, with billions allocated to connectomics and genetics, may shift attention away from the need for improvements in clinical care. Unfortunately, the future prospects of those suffering from mental illness appear dim.
Perspectives on the Affordability of Precision Medicine.

This commentary highlights the article by Hsiao et al, who explore the recent migration of Current Procedural Terminology codes for reimbursement of genomic tests.
A phase 1 study of p53MVA vaccine in combination with pembrolizumab.

206Background: Mutations in the p53 gene are present in a majority of solid tumors, resulting in the accumulation of oncogenic and potentially immunogenic p53 protein within tumor cells. We have developed a genetically engineered Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus to express wild type p53 transgene (p53MVA) as an immunotherapeutic strategy. We observed robust p53-specific CD8+ T cell responses which were further enhanced by anti-PD-1 treatment. This phase 1 study evaluates the safety and tolerability of the p53MVA vaccine in combination with pembrolizumab. Methods: Patients with non-small cell lung, head and neck squamous cell (HNSCC), hepatocellular (HCC), renal cell, melanoma, bladder, soft tissue sarcoma, triple-negative breast (TNBC), pancreatic (PDAC) and MSI high colorectal cancer failing or intolerant to standard treatment were eligible. Confirmation of p53 involvement by immunohistochemistry or mutational analysis was required for eligibility. A 3-at-risk rolling design was employed and patients...
Effect of chip size on thermal fatigue of flip-chip bump

Due to miniaturization and high density of integrated circuits, bump solders are widely used in electronic industry for assembling electronic components on the connection of chip to substrate. Under the various operation conditions, solder bumps are subjected to cyclic stress and failed by thermal fatigue. To ensure the reliability of electronic products, it is becoming important to predict the fatigue failure of the solder bumps. In this study, effects of chip size on thermal fatigue life of the solder bumps were investigated by experiments and elastic-plastic finite element analysis, comparing four sizes of flip-chip devices to summarize the effect of chip sizes on temperature and stress/strain distribution, it turns out that strain/stress of corner bump was increasing with the chip size, at the end, we proposed a method to enhance the thermal fatigue life of solder bumps by using Parylene to protect the solder bump, results showed that Parylene layer could improve the strain and stress distribution significantly.
Internationalization of Work Content and Professional Networks

American academics seem no more likely now than they were 15 years ago to bring international perspectives into their teaching and research or to collaborate with international colleagues in research and publication. In both 1992 and 2007, American professors emerged near the bottom of the distribution of professors from 19 nations in both of these areas—in 1992 sharing the bottom with Russia and Brazil and in 2007 sharing the bottom with China, Brazil, and Japan. Beyond their continued overall insularity, our analyses suggest that internationalization is more likely a multidimensional than a unidimensional construct. Integrating an international perspective in one’s teaching seems to be largely independent of doing so in one’s research. Moreover, the attitudinal integration of an international perspective seems independent of its behavioral expression, that is, faculty may collaborate with foreign colleagues in research and publication, but may not report that they integrate international perspectives into their teaching and/or research.
Diagnostic Nomenclatures in the Mental Health Professions as Public Policy

Commentary on Standards and Guidelines for the Development of Diagnostic Nomenclatures and Alternatives in Mental Health Research and Practice.
Utilization of single-image normalized difference vegetation index (SI-NDVI) for early plant stress detection

Premise of the study An imaging system was refined to monitor the health of vegetation grown in controlled conditions using spectral reflectance patterns. To measure plant health, the single-image normalized difference vegetation index (SI-NDVI) compares leaf reflectance in visible and near-infrared light spectrums. Methods and results The SI-NDVI imaging system was characterized to assess plant responses to stress before visual detection during controlled stress assays. Images were analyzed using Fiji image processing software and Microsoft Excel to create qualitative false color images and quantitative graphs to detect plant stress. Conclusions Stress was detected in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings within 15 min of salinity application using SI-NDVI analysis, before stress was visible. Stress was also observed during ammonium nitrate treatment of Eruca sativa plants before visual detection. Early detection of plant stress is possible using SI-NDVI imaging, which is both simpler to use and more cost efficient than traditional dual-image NDVI or hyper-spectral imaging.
IL-1 and TNFα Contribute to the Inflammatory Niche to Enhance Alveolar Regeneration.

Summary Inflammatory responses are known to facilitate tissue recovery following injury. However, the precise mechanisms that enhance lung alveolar regeneration remain unclear. Here, using an organoid-based screening assay, we find that interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) enhance the proliferation of AEC2s while maintaining their differentiation capacity. Furthermore, we find that expression of IL-1β and TNFα are induced in the AEC2 niche following influenza-induced injury in vivo, and lineage tracing analysis revealed that surviving AEC2s around the damaged area contribute to alveolar regeneration. Through genetic and pharmacological modulation of multiple components of the IL-1-nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling axis, we show that cell-intrinsic as well as stromal mediated IL-1 signaling are essential for AEC2 mediated lung regeneration. Taken together, we propose that the IL-1/TNFα-NF-κB signaling axis functions as a component of an inflammation-associated niche to regulate proliferation of surviving AEC2s and promote lung regeneration.
Using Transition-Metal Complexes as Catalysts for Radical Addition Reactions: A Laboratory Experiment Demonstrating the Important Role of Catalysts in an Organic Transformation Reaction.

This laboratory experiment demonstrates the important utility of transition-metal complexes as catalysts in the addition reaction of carbon tetrabromide (CBr4) to select alkenes. This application offers students the opportunity to understand why transition-metal complexes are worth synthesizing. The experiment builds on fundamental theories presented during first-year general chemistry courses and integrates concepts taught in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organometallics, and instrumental analysis. It incorporates some advanced laboratory practices for students to assimilate with, such as literature searches and interpretation; organometallic compound analysis; catalysis experiment design; reaction mechanisms; NMR spectroscopy with comprehensive spectra interpretation; and X-ray crystallography.
Value propositions in a digitally transformed world

Abstract Business-to-Business and broader marketing are increasingly influenced by the digital transformation of business, leading to the evolution of new central marketing concepts (e.g., value propositions, value co-creation, customer experiences/journeys, customer centricity, etc.). Therefore, it is not surprising that important emerging marketing concepts, such as value propositions remain ill-defined. We argue herein for the evolution/expansion of the theoretical boundaries of value propositions from largely a firm-centric communication marketing tool toward a concept representing a significant step in an actor's judgment & decision-making processes. A framework emphasizing marketing interactions is developed that reconciles much of the emerging evidence related to goal theory, perceived value, resource sharing, value propositions and their communication, marketing ecosystems, and the value co-creation process. In the proposed framework, value propositions are re-conceptualized as a central within-subject belief about resource-sharing vis-a-vis marketing interactions within the larger process of value co-creation over time. The managerial and research implications of the proposed framework are presented and discussed.
Professional Ethics in Three Professions during the Holocaust

Modern scholars and bioethicists continue to learn from the Holocaust. Scholarship and history show that the authoritarian Nazi state limited and steered the development and power of professions and professional ethics during the Holocaust. Eliminationist anti-Semitism drove German professions and many professionals to join in policies and programs of mass deportation and ultimately genocidal mass murder, while also excluding many professionals (including most Jewish professionals) from paid work. For many physicians and other medical professionals, humane and truly ethical practices were limited by constrained professional autonomy and coercive state laws. Education and research in natural sciences were distorted by applications of racist eugenic policies and practices. In law schools and legal professions, professionals were rewarded as judgmental enforcers of state policies, often working with limited independent agency and in the public sphere. Mass harm and mass crimes were therefore perpetrated in accordance with Nazi laws and policies, incorporating professions and professionals into destructive practices, along with other occupational groups.
Design and Evaluation of Human-Friendly Hand-Held Gaming Interface for Robot-Assisted Intuitive Telerehabilitation

A testbed gaming interface operated through a hand-held mobile device is designed and developed for robot-assisted telerehabilitation. In the developed gaming interface, a patient needs to wear sensors (position and force/pressure sensors) at different body parts that measure kinematics and kinetics data during rehabilitation practices through some game-like activities. The extent of rehabilitation progress is reflected through the magnitudes, patterns and expressions (such as the graphical expressions) of the kinematics and kinetics data. To do so, the kinematics and kinetics raw data are processed in real-time, expressed in different ways and displayed through the interface (e.g., mobile phone) held in the patient’s hand. The patient can monitor the rehabilitation progress through the graphical data expressions via the interface, interact with the display device and the rehabilitation results, and communicate the results to the healthcare providers and the patient community. To make the gaming interface human-friendly, prior knowledge of human factors involved in the interface is considered when the interface is designed. The assessment method for each human factor is developed, and the interface is implemented and evaluated in a pilot study. The evaluation results show that the hand-held gaming interface designed and developed through addressing the human factors is effective to satisfy the human factor requirements in the human-device interaction, and to make the interaction more human-friendly. The results can be used to optimize and benchmark the performance of the interface and of the rehabilitation system.
Total removal of Hg (II) from wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles coated with nanometric Ag and functionalized with sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate

Divalent mercury (Hg (II)) is the predominant mercury species in aquatic environments. Hg (II) combines easily with human enzymes, thus causing acute diseases, even at very low concentrations. Among existing procedures to remove Hg (II) from water, adsorption is widely used, achieving high removal efficiencies. However, most actual adsorption techniques require high temperatures, long times or tedious procedures. Here we present a novel, simple and fast method to remove Hg (II) from wastewater by using magnetic-core nanoparticles coated with metallic silver and functionalized with sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate. This adsorbent was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, which showed a contact surface area of the adsorbent equal to 116.476 m2/g. The equilibrium isotherm is characterized by the Langmuir model. Results show that 100% adsorption efficiency is achieved in 30 seconds of contact time, at pH 6.2 and room temperature, employing a low dose of adsorbent. The adsorbent can be recovered and recycled, keeping 100% adsorption efficiency for two additional cycles. The presence of other ions commonly found in aqueous media does not interfere with Hg (II) adsorption.
Long-term evaluation of retinal morphology and function in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Purpose Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a condition of aberrant retinal vascularization in premature infants in response to high levels of oxygen used for critical care that can potentially cause blindness. Although therapies to mitigate vascular abnormalities are being evaluated, functional deficits often remain in patients with treated or regressed ROP. This study investigated long-term outcomes of hyperoxia on retinal morphology and function using a mouse model of oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy (OIR). Methods Twenty-two mice were exposed to 77% oxygen to induce OIR, while 23 age-matched control mice were raised in room air (RA). In vivo fluorescein angiography (FA), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and focal electroretinography (fERG) were performed at P19, P24, P32, and P47, followed by histological assessments of retinal morphology, gliosis, microglia activation, and apoptosis. Results FA in OIR mice showed capillary attrition despite peripheral revascularization. Inner retina thinning was detected with SD-OCT; outer and inner retinal dysfunction were demonstrated with fERG. Histology of the OIR mice exhibited a thin, disorganized structure. Immunohistochemistry showed increased gliosis, microglial activation, and apoptosis with increasing age from P19 to P47. The synapses between rod photoreceptor cells and rod bipolar cells were ectopically localized in the OIR mice. Conclusions We demonstrated histological evidence of persistent ectopic synapses, prolonged cellular apoptosis, and gliosis in the OIR retina that corresponded with long-term in vivo evidence of capillary attrition, inner retinal thinning, and dysfunction despite full peripheral revascularization. Further studies on the mechanisms underlying these persistent phenotypes could enhance our understanding of ROP pathogenesis and lead to new therapeutic targets to preserve visual function in premature infants.
The Impact of Political Ideology on Concern and Behavior During COVID-19

Beliefs about objective matters of fact are caused in no small part by political identity. This includes beliefs regarding the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, which tend to align with ideological commitments. These linkages between beliefs and political identity matter for behavior, and not just in the voting booth. Decisions about whether (and how) to adopt measures like social distancing rely in part upon how one evaluates the seriousness of the risk posed by the virus. In this paper we investigate the relationship between one’s political ideology, sources of information and news consumption, and COVID-19 oriented behavioral changes. We find that liberals and moderates make fewer trips than conservatives and are more likely to change their behavior in ways suggested by government recommendations and guidelines. The results further show little effect of state-level orders, but we do find some indication that concern about COVID-19, and beliefs about the behavior of others can predict behavior changes.
The Impact of the UV Upturn on the Color Evolution of E Galaxies

The UV upturn in giant elliptical galaxies (gEs) implies significant corrections to the model-predicted optical colors of distant galaxies. However, since the origin of the UV upturn is still not clear, observers often use models that may not be acceptable. We show that "the HB hypothesis" of Yi et al. (1997) that explains most of the empirical constrains predicts a significantly different optical color evolution from some popular models. We can test this model against others using modern data. Meanwhile, it seems dangerous to draw serious conclusions on cosmology when the analysis is based on oversimplified models, such as k-correction-only models or k+e correction models that do not explain the UV upturn.
Antithymocyte globulin induction therapy and myocardial complement deposition in pediatric heart transplantation

BACKGROUND Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) consists of polyclonal antibodies directed primarily against human T lymphocytes but may contain antibodies with affinity for other tissues in the transplanted organ, resulting in complement (C4d) deposition. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) of adult cardiac transplants. We examined the relationship of induction immunosuppression with ATG and C4d deposition in EMB of pediatric cardiac transplants. METHODS Results of C4d immunohistochemistry were available from all EMB of patients transplanted at our center between June 2012 and April 2018 (n = 48) who received induction immunosuppression with either ATG (n = 20) or basiliximab (n = 28) as the standard of care. RESULTS C4d deposition in the first year post-heart transplant was more commonly seen among patients who received ATG induction (20% of EMBs in ATG group vs 1% of EMBs in basiliximab group; p < .0001). C4d deposition related to ATG was observed early post-transplant (50% ATG vs 0% basiliximab on first EMB; p < .0001 and 35% ATG vs 0% basiliximab on the second EMB; p = .0012). While this difference waned by the third EMB (5% ATG vs 0% basiliximab; p = .41), positive C4d staining persisted to the sixth EMB in the ATG group only (6%). CONCLUSION C4d deposition is common on EMB up to 1 year post-pediatric cardiac transplant following ATG induction. This high rate of positive C4d staining in the absence of histologic AMR after ATG induction therapy must be accounted for in making clinical decisions regarding cardiac allograft rejection diagnosis and treatment.
The Significance of Chiasm as a Structuring Device in the Hebrew Bible

The meaning of the biblical texts is not only to be found in the words them-selves, but often in the way the biblical authors and editors structure these words. This idea of structural meaning is explored by means of two case studies: Genesis 1 and 6, and Deuteronomy 7.
Books at the Borders of Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon

This paper proposes that Picasso’s landmark 1907 painting, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, is full of images of books and pages, especially at the borders of the canvas. The curving shapes which are traditionally seen as “curtains” can alternatively be interpreted as the white pages and brown paper wrappers of open books, rotated 90 degrees. This “visual marginalia” supports the interpretation of Picasso’s famous brothel scene as a semiotic construction, befitting the painting’s early title (devised by Picasso’s writer friends), “The Philosophical Brothel”. The painting also contains iconographic representations of textuality. A slightly open book can be perceived in the middle of the painting, and along the bottom border, an open envelope and writing paper can be seen laid atop the tipped-up table, under the fruit. I claim that Picasso’s images of texts derive from his acquaintance with the text-driven, monumental novel, Don Quixote. I give special attention to the narrative Author’s Preface to the Spanish literary classic, in which the author describes assembling quotations from diverse sources to compose the first and last pages of his book. Picasso visually represents this allusion by depicting pages at the left and right “ends” of his canvas. Other texts and images are considered as sources for the bibliographic imagery, which generally reframes this canvas as a fictive tissue of quotations, akin to the overabundance of texts that Don Quixote is reading in Cervantes’s novel. Picasso’s painted image of a blank leaf of writing paper and its envelope, finally, encourages viewers to see the painting as a letter of communication, for which we ourselves must provide the writing that would represent our interpretations.
β-Thymosins Are Not Simple Actin Monomer Buffering Proteins: INSIGHTS FROM OVEREXPRESSION STUDIES (*)

β-Thymosins are the currently favored candidates for maintaining the large actin monomer (G-actin) pool in living cells. To determine if β-thymosin behaves like a simple G-actin buffering agent in the complex environment of a cell, we overexpressed thymosin β10 (Tβ10) in NIH3T3 cells and determined the effect on the monomer/polymer equilibrium. Tβ10 is the predominant β-thymosin isoform in the NIH3T3 cell line, and it is present in approximately equal molar ratio to profilin and cofilin/actin depolymerizing factor, two other well characterized actin monomer binding proteins. Clonal cell lines that overexpressed three times more Tβ10 had 23-33% more polymerized actin than control cells, and the filaments appeared thicker after staining with fluorescent phalloidin. There was no change in total actin, profilin, and cofilin/actin depolymerizing factor content. The overexpressing cells were more motile; they spread faster and had higher chemotactic and wound healing activity. Assuming that there is no compensatory inactivation of the other classes of monomer binding proteins, our paradoxical observation can be accounted for quantitatively by a parallel in vitro study (Carlier, M.-F., Didry, D., Erk, I., Lepault, J., Van Troys, L., Vanderkekove, J., Perelroizen, I., Yin, H. L., Doi, Y., and Pantaloni, D.,(1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 9231-9239). β-Thymosin at levels comparable with that found in the overexpressing cells binds actin filaments and decreases the critical concentration (Cc) for actin polymerization. This reduces the monomer buffering ability of β-thymosin, so that above a certain threshold an incremental increase in thymosin does not lead to a corresponding increase in G-actin. Furthermore, the decrease in Cc reduces the buffering capacity of the other actin monomer binding proteins. As a consequence, an increase in β-thymosin does not necessarily result in a proportionate increase in actin monomer content in a complex environment containing other actin monomer binding proteins. The outcome depends on the level of β-thymosin expression relative to the composition of the other actin monomer binding protien. Our results suggest that β-Thymosins are not simple actin buffering proteins and that their biphasic action may have physiological significance.
The influence of negative affectivity on depressive symptoms, perceived social support and marital satisfaction among African American women

This study examined whether the relationship between depressive symptoms and relational outcomes such as marital satisfaction and perceived spousal social support reflect the influence of a third variable, negative affectivity. Specifically, the study addressed whether the effects of negative affectivity on these other self report measures extend over time. Negative affectivity, marital satisfaction, and perceived spousal social support were tested as predictors of depression. The sample included 178 married African American women participating in the FACHS study. Both perceived spousal support and marital satisfaction continued to significantly predict depression after controlling for negative affectivity at a previous time point. These findings suggest that the effects of negative affectivity appear to weaken over time.
Cost-Free Resorts for the Elderly?

In an era of limited resources, Hong Kong has developed a bold, innovative and controversial program which offers virtually cost-free two-day resort vacations to all elderly Hong Kong residents. The program is designed to improve the relationships between older adults and the members of their family support systems and to provide temporary respite for caregivers. It is the only program of its kind in Asia Pacific and, perhaps, the world.
Alternatives to Antimicrobials

The emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens has stimulated a need to find alternatives to antimicrobials. Currently, no single treatment is available that can eliminate the need for antimicrobials; particularly for immunocompromised individuals. Prudent use to protocols have been called for to decrease the consumption of antimicrobials. This includes the use to antimicrobials for individuals clinically diagnosed with bacterial infections and excludes antimicrobial treatment for viral infections, disease prophylaxis, and growth promotion ( 1). Most clinicians and scientists agree that unnecessary use of antimicrobials should be eliminated; few agree on what constitutes unnecessary use. Modern medicine and modern food animal production practices have contributed to the current problem, and more than the cessation of antimicrobial use for prophylaxis and growth promotion is necessary to reduce the incidence of multidrug resistant pathogens in hospitals and the environment.
Detection of Provasopressin in Invasive and Non-invasive (DCIS) Human Breast Cancer Using a Monoclonal Antibody Directed Against the C-terminus (MAG1)

The provasopressin protein (proAVP) is expressed by invasive breast cancer and non-invasive breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Here we demonstrate the ability of the monoclonal antibody MAG1 directed against the C-terminal end of proAVP to identify proAVP in all cases examined of human invasive cancer and DCIS (35 and 26, respectively). Tissues were chosen to represent a relevant variation in tumor type, grade, patient age, and menopausal status. By comparison, there was 65% positive staining for estrogen receptor, 61% for progesterone receptor, 67% for nuclear p53, and 39% for c-Erb-B2 with the invasive breast cancer sections. Reaction with the normal tissue types examined (67) was restricted to the vasopressinergic magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamus, where provasopressin is normally produced, and the posterior pituitary, where these neurons terminate. The breast epithelial tissue sections on the tissue microarray did not react with MAG1. Previously, we demonstrated that polyclonal antibodies to proAVP detected that protein in all breast cancer samples examined, but there was no reaction with breast tissue containing fibrocystic disease. The results presented here not only expand upon those earlier results, but they also demonstrate the specificity and effectiveness of what may be considered a more clinically-relevant agent. Thus, proAVP appears to be an attractive target for the detection of invasive breast cancer and DCIS, and these results suggest that MAG1 may be a beneficial tool for use in the development of such strategies.
Breaking into Locked Rooms to Access Computer Source Code: Does the DMCA Violate a Constitutional Mandate When Technological Barriers of Access are Applied to Software?

Breaking into Locked Rooms reexamines the challenge to the application of traditional copyright doctrine to computer software in light of the enactment of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The author urges that by authorizing civil and criminal liability against content and software users, who attempt to access "locked up" source code by "reverse engineering" one form of computer code to reproduce another, more readable form of computer code, the DMCA pushes copyright directly out of step with promoting the progress of science and useful arts, which, of course, is the fundamental purpose of copyright. Ostensibly, the DMCA not only sanctions locking software ideas in a technological room, but, in most circumstances, prohibits breaking into the room or circumventing the "door locks" to access the hidden ideas. In this manner, the DMCA's reverse engineering provision is uncharacteristic of a copyright law because it undercuts the public's access to ideas: ideas embedded in source code. Oddly enough, the DMCA could be used by copyright holders as an apparent cover for content-based speech restrictions directed toward the activities of some libertarian-oriented Internet-based computer hackers and the open source movement, whose activities are focused upon unleashing the locked up ideas of software, not hiding them. Indeed, it is the open source movement that best demonstrates, both that a wide-ranging network of programmers can develop robust, popular, and reliable software, where source code is open and freely available to the public, not hidden by access controls or technological barriers of any sort, and that some of the prior assumptions about the relationship between copyright and software are no longer well-founded. At a minimum, the future will require active support by courts and Congress for the vigilant support of fair use and reverse engineering of copyright-protected works to reverse the trend toward the over-protection of software by copyright.
Corrosion Considerations for Nuclear Waste Isolation Canisters

Disposal in stable geologic formations is presently the most viable method for ensuring the isolation of radionuclides contained in nuclear wastes. The migration or dispersal of the radionuclides into the biosphere is blocked by many barriers which include the waste form, the encapsulating metal canister, and the geologic formation itself.