cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of troponin T versus creatine kinase-MB in suspected acute coronary syndromes

Limitations of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) have led to alternative biochemical markers, including troponin T (TnT), to detect myocardial necrosis. Limited data are available regarding the predictive value of this new marker in patients with chest pain of uncertain etiology. Therefore, we prospectively compared CK-MB and TnT in a broad population with suspected acute coronary syndromes, including those admitted to a short-stay chest pain unit. CK-MB, quantitative TnT levels, and a rapid bedside assay were performed at 0, 4, 8, and 16 hours. Adverse events, including infarction, recurrent ischemia, coronary surgery, need for catheterization and/or intervention, stroke, congestive heart failure, or death, were identified by chart review and by follow-up phone call at 6 months. Of 707 patients, 104 were excluded for creatinine >2 mg/dl or incomplete data, leaving a total cohort of 603 patients. Coronary Care Unit admissions were 18%, intermediate care admissions were 14%, telemetry admissions is 21%, and admissions to 24-hour short-stay area were 47%. TnT (at 0.1 ng/ml) and CK-MB were positive in a similar proportion of patients (20.4% and 19.7%, respectively); however, the patients identified by TnT and CK-MB were not identical. In-hospital adverse events occurred in 37.1% with no differences in positive predictive value for the markers (p = NS). If CK-MB and TnT were negative, the early adverse event rate was 27%. No cardiac marker was positive by 16 hours in 54.9% of patients with an adverse event. Six-month follow-up was obtained in 576 of the 603 patients (95.5%). One hundred fifty-five late adverse events occurred in 134 patients (23.3%) at an average of 3.3+/-2.5 months after discharge. If both markers were negative, the late event rate was 20.2% and did not increase in patients with positive CK-MB or TnT >0.2 ng/ml. However, the late event rate was substantially higher (52.9%) in those with intermediate TnT levels of 0.1 to 0.2 ng/ml (p = 0.002). Thus, TnT is a suitable alternative to CK-MB in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes. The rapid bedside assay is comparable to quantitative TnT and may enable early diagnosis and triage. A negative cardiac marker value (TnT or CK-MB) does not necessarily confer a low risk of complication in patients presenting with acute chest pain to an emergency department.
On the advanced lapping process in the precision finishing of thin-film magnetic recording heads for rigid disc drives

Precision abrasive finishing is a key technology in the manufacture of thin-film magnetic heads (TFH) for rigid disc drives. The read and write microdevices of the recording heads are fabricated on ceramic substrates (“wafers”) using thin-film processing technology. After wafer processing, the substrates are sliced to individual bars (containing 46 heads per bar) using a diamond dicing wheel. They are then finished using an advanced lapping process with individual head close-loop control (sensor height control for the control of the material removal as well as for the end point detection). Finally, the bars are diced into individual heads (called “sliders”) using a diamond dicing wheel. The slider abrasive finishing process critically affects the magnetic, electrical and mechanical performance of the recording heads. This paper presents the results of some experimental studies based on the state-of-the-art abrasive finishing of recording heads, taking into account the critical challenges involved, namely the sensor height control, pole-tip recession (PTR) (metal dishing), alumina recession (AluR) (oxide erosion), trailing-edge profile, polishing uniformity, smearing, surface roughness (scratches) and air-bearing surface (ABS) flatness. The relative advantages of the fixed- versus free-abrasive processes are also discussed. The results of chemical-mechanical fixed-abrasive lapping/nanogrinding to achieve near-zero PTR (to minimize magnetic space loss) and low AluR (to reduce flying height variation) to meet the high areal density head requirements are also presented.
Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) Thresholds for Cotton Before Bloom in the Midsouth of the United States

Insecticide applications to control tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), during cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., bud formation are common throughout the Midsouth of the United States. Cultivation practices and the pest complex have changed since action thresholds were established for this pest. A trial was conducted at 33 locations over 3 yr throughout the Midsouth to evaluate tarnished plant bug damage to cotton during the prebloom period. There was no consistent yield response to action thresholds, but average tarnished plant bug density and average square loss were both significant factors impacting lint yield. Based on the yield responses and application frequency of the various action thresholds, the best economic scenario occurred when tarnished plant bug density during the prebloom period averaged eight per 100 sweeps and square retention averaged 90%. The action thresholds required to achieve these averages are expected to be higher than these levels because pest pressure is not normally constant during the prebloom period. When insecticides are required, an application interval shorter than one week may be needed to obtain satisfactory control.
A novel sirtuin-3 inhibitor, LC-0296, inhibits cell survival and proliferation, and promotes apoptosis of head and neck cancer cells

Background: The survival rate of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) stands at approximately 50% and this has not improved in decades. This study developed a novel sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) inhibitor (LC-0296) and examined its role in altering HNSCC tumorigenesis. Materials and Methods: The effect of the SIRT3 inhibitor, LC-0296, on cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species levels in HNSCC cells were studied. Results: LC-0296 reduces cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of HNSCC cells but not of normal human oral keratinocytes. This inhibitory effect is mediated, in part, via modulation of reactive oxygen species levels. Additionally, LC-0296 works synergistically to increase the sensitivity of HNSCC cells to radiation and cisplatin treatment. Conclusion: Development of novel SIRT3 inhibitors, such as LC-0296, might enable the development of new targeted therapies to treat and improve the survival rate of patients with head and neck cancer.
Progesterone Will Maintain Adrenalectomized Rats.

ConclusionsProgesterone is "cortin-like" in that it will maintain life and weight gain in immature adrenalectomized male rats.
Online Gaming for Understanding Folding, Interactions, and Structure

Foldit is a multiplayer online game that utilizes fundamental bonding concepts instead of computing power to resolve protein structures that have eluded researchers. Reported herein is the use of Foldit as a problem-based learning assignment for the understanding of protein folding, interactions, and structure. The program offers tutorial puzzles to introduce the student to both biochemistry and gaming concepts followed by scientific puzzles that allow the students to contribute to significant research. This assignment is ideal for biochemistry as well as general, organic, and biochemistry (GOB) courses.
Staining Myelin Sheaths of Optic Nerve Fibers with Osmium Tetroxide Vapor

OsO4 solution in water, long regarded as the best fixing and staining agent for myelin sheaths, has poor penetrating power. This peculiarity has limited its use to very small pieces of tissue. The vapor from an aqueous solution is known to have a much greater penetrating power for non-neural tissues than the solution itself but nothing has been recorded about its advantages for fixing and staining myelin sheaths of nerve fibers. Difficulties in securing adequate staining of the myelin sheaths in vertebrate optic nerves were overcome largely by the use of the vapor of OsO4. The technic is carried out as follows: 1) suspend a portion of the nerve above a 2% solution of OsO4 for 12-24 hours in an air-tight container at room temperature; 2) wash 4-6 hours in distilled water, dehydrate in ethyl alcohol (50% for 2 hours, 70% for 2 hours, and finally 95% overnight), and transfer to n butyl alcohol (2 changes of 2 hours each); 3) embed in paraffin, section, mount and cover in balsam in the customary manner.
Ion Intercalation Induced Capacitance Improvement for Graphene-Based Supercapacitor Electrodes

Here we demonstrate a facile electrochemical method that can substantially improve the capacitance of graphene-based electrodes while still retaining their excellent rate capability. This method involves two ion-intercalation steps (lithium-ion intercalation and perchlorate-ion intercalation), followed by hydrolysis of perchlorate ion intercalation compounds. Lithium ion intercalation mainly leads to surface exfoliation, whilst the hydrolysis of perchlorate ion intercalation compounds functionalizes the graphene surface with oxygen moieties. Electrochemically treated graphitic paper electrode shows 1000 times enhancement in areal capacitance. Without the need of post-treatment annealing, the treated graphitic paper maintains an outstanding rate capability of 84 % (0.5 mA cm−2 to 5 mA cm−2). The same strategy can also be extended to boost the gravimetric capacitance of lightweight 3D printed graphene aerogels. The treated graphene aerogel achieved an outstanding gravimetric capacitance of 101.7 F g−1 (10 A g−1) with an excellent rate capability of 81.6 % (0.5 A g−1 to 10 A g−1).
The presidents' mental health.

Calvin Coolidge had a successful run in politics for over twenty years before ultimately becoming president of the United States in 1923. Throughout Coolidge's first term as president, he worked long, hard hours, was active in Congress, and maintained a strong relationship with the media. This changed, however, during the second term of his presidency. Less than a month after his second-term election, Coolidge's son died of blood poisoning. This traumatic event caused the President to enter into a deep depression. In his autobiography, Coolidge admitted that when his son died, the power and glory of the presidency went with him. His grief, which has since been coined pathological grief, had an effect on the President's mind, body and spirit. President Coolidge lost interest in his job and began sleeping fourteen hours a day, ultimately earning a reputation as one of the most ineffectual presidents ever to hold office. His depression rendered him incapable of making decisions, and as a result most of his duties were delegated to members of his Cabinet. Though the White House knew for four years that Coolidge's depression rendered him incompetent, he remained in office until the end of his second term.
Cadherin-6 type 2, K-cadherin (CDH6) is regulated by mutant p53 in the fallopian tube but is not expressed in the ovarian surface

// Subbulakshmi Karthikeyan 1 , Daniel D. Lantvit 1 , Dam Hee Chae 1 , Joanna E. Burdette 1 1 Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA Correspondence to: Joanna E. Burdette, email: joannab@uic.edu Keywords: high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, p53 mutation, fallopian tube, tissue specific mutant p53 transgenic mouse model, cadherins Received: March 24, 2016 Accepted: August 09, 2016 Published: August 22, 2016 ABSTRACT High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and may arise in either the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) or ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). A mutation in p53 is reported in 96% of HGSOC, most frequently at R273 and R248. The goal of this study was to identify specific gene targets in the FTE that are altered by mutant p53, but not in the OSE. Gene analysis revealed that both R273 and R248 mutant p53 reduces CDH6 expression in the oviduct, but CDH6 was not detected in murine OSE cells. p53 R273H induced SLUG and FOXM1 while p53 R248W did not induce SLUG and only modestly increased FOXM1, which correlated with less migration as compared to p53 R273H . An oviduct specific PAX8 Cre/+ /p53 R270H/+ mouse model was created and confirmed that in vivo mutant p53 repressed CDH6 but was not sufficient to stabilize p53 expression alone. Overexpression of mutant p53 in the p53 null OVCAR5 cells decreased CDH6 levels indicating this was a gain-of-function. SLUG knockdown in murine oviductal cells with p53 R273H restored CDH6 repression and a ChIP analysis revealed direct binding of mutant p53 on the CDH6 promoter. NSC59984, a small molecule that degrades mutant p53 R273H , rescued CDH6 expression. In summary, CDH6 is expressed in the oviduct, but not the ovary, and is repressed by mutant p53. CDH6 expression with further validations may aide in establishing markers that inform upon the cell of origin of high grade serous tumors.
The Use of Response to Intervention in Early Childhood

This chapter provides a discussion of the use of response to intervention (RTI) frameworks during the early childhood period. It describes the components of tiered intervention, including specific information regarding each tier of the model. Practical information regarding screening, progress monitoring, and types of supports is also provided to guide the reader in understanding and conducting RTI with young children. In addition, the chapter includes discussion of specific models that are applied in preschool and other early childhood settings. Research and practical considerations for these models are covered. The chapter concludes with a description of practice guidelines for professionals who wish to implement RTI and the provision of additional resources that can be used to guide the application of RTI models.
Effectiveness of Vaginal Delivery Simulation in Novice Trainees.

Objective Simulation training has been demonstrated to increase medical student confidence with vaginal deliveries; however, effect on skill performance is still lacking. To determine if integration of simulation training into the OB/GYN clerkship improves performance of vaginal deliveries, we assessed the effectiveness of simulation in third-year medical students. Methods During the OB/GYN clerkship, third-year students were assigned to receive vaginal delivery simulation (n=54) or cervical exam simulation (n=56), with each group serving as a simulation naive control for the other skill. As a final assessment of their skill, students performed a simulated vaginal delivery scored by a blinded observer using a procedural checklist (score 0-30). A satisfactory score was considered 26 or greater. The individual scores and percentage of satisfactory scores were compared between both groups using a Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test, respectively. Results Vaginal delivery students had a significantly higher mean score (27 +/- 3.2) and percentage of students achieving a passing score (85%) than the cervical exam students (22 +/- 3.5 and 15%). There were no differences in vaginal delivery performance based on gender, nor was there any difference in the number of real-life deliveries performed between vaginal delivery and cervical exam students. Conclusions Even though medical students had an equivalent clinical rotation experience, a short period of simulation training had a marked effect on their end-of-rotation performance. During initial resident or midwife training more than 5 hours of simulation will likely be required to properly prepare 100% of trainees.
On the impact of social network information diversity on end-user programming productivity: a foraging-theoretic study

Social network information (SNI) plays an important role in providing hints to help facilitate daily software engineering tasks, especially for end-user programmers. Social information foraging theory quantitatively predicts the effect of diversity of hints on productivity. In this paper, we explore how to best leverage this theoretical prediction to support software change tasks. Specifically, we analyze the data from an observational study involving 20 bioinformatics researchers using SNI to solve software change tasks. We further classify the SNI support by using 5 diversity categories: social network type (e.g., wiki, Q&A, etc.), contributor role (e.g., core, marginal, etc.), number of contributors, information needs concerning software architecture, and information needs organized by complexity. Our results show that the contributor role best manifests the hint diversity, and its incorporation with architectural considerations could further improve productivity. Our research offers principled guidelines for supporting better use of SNI in end-user programming.
High performance queueing and scheduling in support of multicasting in input-queued switches

Due to its mild requirement on the bandwidth of switching fabric and internal memory, the input-queued architecture is a practical solution for today's very high-speed switches. One of the notoriously difficult problems in the design of input-queued switches with very high link rates is the high performance queueing and scheduling of multicast traffic. This dissertation focuses on proposing novel solutions for this problem. The design challenge stems from the nature of multicast traffic, i.e., a multicast packet typically has multiple destinations. On the one hand, this nature makes queueing and scheduling of multicast traffic much more difficult than that of unicast traffic. For example, virtual output queueing is widely used to completely avoid the head-of-line blocking and achieve 100% throughput for unicast traffic. Nevertheless, the exhaustive, multicast virtual output queueing is impractical and results in out-of-order delivery. On the other hand, in spite of extensive studies in the context of either pure unicast traffic or pure multicast traffic, the results from a study in one context are not applicable to the other context due to the difference between the natures of unicast and multicast traffic. The design of integrated scheduling for both types of traffic remains an open issue. The main contribution of this dissertation is twofold: firstly, the performance of an interesting approach to efficiently mitigate head-of-line blocking for multicast traffic is theoretically analyzed; secondly, two novel algorithms are proposed to efficiently integrate unicast and multicast scheduling within one switching fabric. The research work presented in this dissertation concludes that (1) a small number of queues are sufficient to maximize the saturation throughput and delay performances of a large multicast switch with multiple first-in-first-out queues per input port; (2) the theoretical analysis results are indeed valid for practical large-sized switches; (3) for a large M × N multicast switch, the final achievable saturation throughput decreases as the ratio of M/N decreases; (4) and the two proposed integration algorithms exhibit promising performances in terms of saturation throughput, delay, and packet loss ratio under both uniform Bernoulli and uniform bursty traffic.
Characterization and comparison of latest generation 900-V and 1.2-kV SiC MOSFETs

This paper performs static and dynamic performance characterization of latest generation 900-V and 1.2-kV discrete Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs from four well-known manufacturers: CREE, ROHM, General Electric (GE) and Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI). The static characterization performed includes acquisition of output characteristics, transfer characteristics, specific on-state resistances, threshold voltages and junction capacitances of the devices under test (DUTs). The static characterizations are done from 25°C up to 150°C to investigate variation of parameters versus temperature. At the other hand and for dynamic characterization, following a double-pulse tester design the tests are done at four different temperatures on all devices: 25°C, 100°C, 150°C and 200°C. In dynamic test, recommended gate voltages are applied to all devices and the switching speeds are matched. The switching losses are computed from double-pulse test (DPT) results.
P4.100 Adolescents’ qualitative descriptions of their attitudinal changes regarding hypothetical clinical trial participation

Introduction Little is known about how adolescents’ attitudes about willingness to participate (WTP) in clinical trials change over time. Methods Adolescents (14–17 years) were asked two times about WTP for a hypothetical microbicide safety trial a year apart. After rating their WTP at follow-up, the adolescents were asked how their thoughts about the study had changed. They were not reminded of their previous WTP response; qualitative coding of responses was blinded to their WTP. Results The adolescents (n=294) were 69% Hispanic, 63% female, and had a mean age at baseline of 15.5 years. Most (60%) adolescents reported that their thoughts had stayed the same, 33% reported a change, which might or might not be associated with a perceived change in WTP, and 7% stated that they did not remember. Some adolescents reported understanding the study information better; either it had been explained better or they paid greater attention. This was not always associated with a perceived change in WTP. Others reported a change in the weight of the information, either for non-specific reasons or because of new experiences ( I had a yeast infection and they did the whole exam thing and it wasn’t that bad) or new information ( in high school I’ve learned about it ). Others attributed changes to maturation/age (I think I’m older and I can focus more) or to a personality change (e.g. less shy). Parental impact included a few who reported an influential conversation with a parent (I know more because my parents have been talking about it ) or the ability to make an independent decision. Conclusion Most adolescents did not report a change in thinking. Some did not feel they had all the information the first time; for others, their attitudes about the information changed. For a few, independence from parents led to a change. Adolescents should be given continued opportunities to participate in clinical research over time. Future research should explore ways to ensure that adolescents understand key information to make the best decision, and to balance parental guidance with autonomy. Support: National Institutes of Health (R01HD067287); National Centre for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health (UL1 TR000040, UL1 TR000457)
Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure

In this paper we draw on recent progress in the theory of (1) property rights, (2) agency, and (3) finance to develop a theory of ownership structure for the firm.1 In addition to tying together elements of the theory of each of these three areas, our analysis casts new light on and has implications for a variety of issues in the professional and popular literature, such as the definition of the firm, the “separation of ownership and control,” the “social responsibility” of business, the definition of a “corporate objective function,” the determination of an optimal capital structure, the specification of the content of credit agreements, the theory of organizations, and the supply side of the completeness-of-markets problem.
STEROL METABOLISM IN ASPERGILLUS SPECIES

The functional complexity of the eukaryotic membrane requires a similar structural complexity. One of the major components of the membrane is the sterol molecule, such as cholesterol (in animals), sitosterol (in plants), and ergosterol (in fungi). These neutral lipid molecules act not only as a bulk lipid, but also act to stabilize the fluidity of the membrane structure, thus allowing for protein function under conditions such as high or low temperature under which the phospholipid hydrocarbon chains might either gel or become too fluid for proper physiological functioning.
NaSi⇌CaAl exchange equilibrium between plagioclase and amphibole

The exchange equilibrium between plagioclase and amphibole, 2 albite+tschermakite=2 anorthite+glaucophane, has been calibrated empirically using data from natural amphibolites. The partition coefficient, KD, for the exchange reaction is (Xan/Xab)plag ·(Na, M4/Ca, M4)amph.. Partitioning is systematic between plagioclase and amphibole in suites collected from single exposures, but the solid solutions are highly non-ideal: values of In KD range from −3.0 at Xan=0.30 to −1.0 at Xan=0.90 in samples from a single roadcut. Changes in both KD and the topology of the ternary reciprocal exchange diagram occur with increasing metamorphic grade. Temperature dependence of In KD is moderate with Δ¯H≃35 to 47 kcal at Xan=0.25; pressure dependence is small with Δ¯V≃ −0.24 cal/bar. Usefulness of this exchange equilibrium as a geothermometer is restricted by uncertainties in the calculation of the amphibole formula from a microprobe analysis, especially with regard to Na, M4 in amphibole, to approximately ±50 ° C.
Effects of exposure to sublethal concentrations of methoxyfenozide on honey bee colony activity and thermoregulation

Abstract Methoxyfenozide is an insect growth regulator (IGR) commonly used in agricultural to simultaneously control pests and preserve beneficial insect populations; however, its impact on honey bees in not fully understood. We conducted field and laboratory experiments to investigate bee health in response to field-relevant doses of this pesticide. Significant effects were observed in honey bee colony flight activity and thermoregulation after being treated with methoxyfenozide. Data collected indicated that hives fed 500 ppb methoxyfenozide treated pollen patty had: 1) a significantly reduced rate of daily hive weight loss due to forager departure at the start of the colony’s daily activity; 2) the end of the colony’s daily activity delayed by 17-21 minutes compared to Control; and 3) higher temperature variability during the winter. Colonies in the 125 ppb treatment group had fewer differences with the Control group, but did show a delay in the foraging end time by 30-46 minutes compared to the Control. Bee colony metrics of adult bee mass and brood surface area, and individual bee measurements of head weight, newly-emerged bee weight, and hypopharyngeal gland size were not significantly affected by the methoxyfenozide exposure levels of our experiments. An experiment conducted using the same treatment groups in the spring resulted in fewer differences among groups than did the experiments conducted in the fall. Analyses of methoxyfenozide concentrations in the treatment patty, wax, and bee bread showed that: 1) observed methoxyfenozide concentrations were about 18-60% lower than the calculated concentrations; 2) no residues were observed in wax in any treatment; and 3) methoxyfenozide was detected in stored bee bread in the 500 ppb treatment, at concentrations about 1-2.5% of the observed concentration for that treatment. These results suggest that there may be significant effects on honey bee colony behavior (and possibly health) in the field that are difficult to detect through traditional hive inspections and individual metrics.
Using timbre to improve performance of larger auditory alarm sets

Identifiability and perceived urgency were compared for two sets of alarms in a healthcare inpatient setting. One contained currently used alarms where possible, with new sounds added as needed. The other was designed together, was more heterogenous, used timbre to encode intended similarities and explicitly encoded intended urgency across the set. Twenty nurses reported the identity and perceived urgency of the sounds in each set. Participants correctly identified the sound (0.89 vs. 0.77) and alarm category (0.93 vs. 0.82) more often in the new set than in the baseline set. In addition, multiple sounds in the new set were more identifiable. The new sounds also had a larger range of perceived urgency and better urgency match. The results indicate that timbre is well-suited to encode alarm groupings in larger alarm sets and that this, along with increased heterogeneity and explicit urgency mapping, improves alarm set performance. Practitioner summary: Clinical alarms are frequently misidentified. We found that making alarms more acoustically rich, using timbre to convey alarm groups, and explicitly encoding intended urgency improved identifiability and urgency match. These findings can be used to improve alarm performance across all safety-critical industries.
Dendrimeric DNA-Based Nanoscaffolded BRET-FRET Optical Encryption Keys

New types of unconventional encryption keys based on physically unclonable functions are critically needed for information security. Here we prototype such a key based on the (bio)photonic interact...
Off Scaffolding and into the Deep End

The practice of multicultural scaffolding, offering more information about an author’s marginalized identity, is frequently offered as the solution to challenging social justice discussions in the classroom. However, this type of scaffolding presupposes that intricate knowledge of another person's subjectivity is required for ethical classroom behavior. I argue, instead, that students are able to handle difficult topics with care if we train them to better work with the unintelligibility of others’ experiences. In an effort to reorient my classroom towards this engagement with unintelligibility, I have developed a framework called deep-end teaching, which encourages students to engage sensitive topics with a delicate balance of confidence and humility.
Ethical Dimensions of Male Infertility

Ethical dilemmas are commonplace in male infertility and reproductive medicine. Core bioethical principles frame the way health providers think about and address such ethical dilemmas in male fertility issues and across the spectrum of medicine. This chapter serves to define the bioethical principles that should guide our decision-making. Furthermore, these ethical principles are applied to some of the most common ethical issues encountered in male infertility today.
Singularity Design for RRSS Mechanisms

This paper explores the design of RRSS mechanisms with specified singular positions. The ultimate goal is to find an SS chain to couple a previously synthesized RR chain and to force the mechanism to become singular at intended positions. To this end, a system of equations including the closure equation and its derivative with respect to the joint values as well as a constraint imposing the prior design poses are utilized. This system acts as constraints for the optimization of an objective function to minimized the lengths of the links. The solution yields an SS chain that allows the mechanism to go through the task positions and to be singular at the selected positions.
Composite sandwich repair using through-thickness reinforcement with robotic hand micro-drilling

Abstract The novel through-thickness reinforcement and repair (TTR) method of composite sandwich structures with delamination or disbond damage is proposed. The technique allows to restore the load-carrying capacity of composite sandwich structures with delamination and disbond damage and after complete facesheet laminate failure. The developed TTR repair technique was investigated using 4-point bending configuration. The conducted digital image correlation analysis showed that TTR allowed to suppress buckling in disjointed laminate. The TTR method offers the potential way for reinforcing and repair of composite sandwich structures, providing improvement of maximum load-carrying capacity. The high level of reconfigurability of the present TTR technique was achieved by incorporating the robotic hand micro-drilling setup, which uses a force-controlled drilling process with safe human-robot collaboration features. The effectiveness of the method was shown to strongly depend on the aspect ratio of the embedded TTR carbon fiber pin.
Robert C. Merton: The First Financial Engineer

This is an edited version of a talk given at the Robert C. Merton 75th Birthday Celebration Conference held at MIT on August 5 and 6, 2019. A video of the talk is available at https://bit.ly/2nvITM...
Conversion and removal strategies for microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and landfills

Abstract Although wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as important collection points and environmental sources for now omnipresent waste in waterways, the contribution of landfills of microplastics (MPs) to environmental pollution has been overlooked. Due to high complexity and large quantity of contaminants in WWTPs and landfills, MPs discharged from these sites may pose greater risks to human and animal health through adsorbed small molecules or microbial biofilms. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current knowledge about the composition and life cycle of MPs in both WWTPs and landfills. We also discuss technologies that could be implemented in WWTPs or landfill leachate treatment facilities to capture MPs and potentially upcycle the polymers to value-added products. Likewise, we examine the challenges of implementing the different technologies given current practices and infrastructure. Finally, we highlight the areas where additional investigation is needed to devise comprehensive strategies for ameliorating the ubiquitous issue of plastic wastes in waterways: (1) the fragmentation process of plastic debris in landfills and occurrence of MPs in leachate; (2) the relationship among complex chemicals, biofilms and MPs, and their effects on wastewater treatment facilities’ performance; (3) the development of hybrid processes that leverage current wastewater treatment infrastructure for effective degrading or upcycling MPs and/or nanoplastics.
High-frequency magnetoacoustic resonance through strain-spin coupling in perpendicular magnetic multilayers.

It is desirable to experimentally demonstrate an extremely high resonant frequency, assisted by strain-spin coupling, in technologically important perpendicular magnetic materials for device applications. Here, we directly observe the coupling of magnons and phonons in both time and frequency domains upon femtosecond laser excitation. This strain-spin coupling leads to a magnetoacoustic resonance in perpendicular magnetic [Co/Pd] n multilayers, reaching frequencies in the extremely high frequency (EHF) band, e.g., 60 GHz. We propose a theoretical model to explain the physical mechanism underlying the strain-spin interaction. Our model explains the amplitude increase of the magnetoacoustic resonance state with time and quantitatively predicts the composition of the combined strain-spin state near the resonance. We also detail its precise dependence on the magnetostriction. The results of this work offer a potential pathway to manipulating both the magnitude and timing of EHF and strongly coupled magnon-phonon excitations.
Introduction: Constructing a New Field of Inquiry: Latin America in Asian Literary and Cultural Studies

While defining the objectives of the critical investigations and studies in this anthology, this introduction argues that Asian literary and cultural studies should expand its approaches, perspectives and frames of reference from different and diversified locations of knowledge production, and proposes to incorporate Latin America into Asian Studies. This call for horizontal alliances and studies is made in the broad context of the Global South and in the theoretical frameworks developed in comparative literature, world literature, and area studies. The volume is part of the concerted efforts by scholars from multiple fields to challenge the dominant role of the West in the “politics of comparison” and the hierarchical production of knowledge, and aims at promoting the Global South as both a geopolitical and epistemological concept.
GDP Transforms to Well-Being! Results in the USA and China

There has been no research on the internal consistency of GDP’s three component indicators: household consumption, business and household investment, and government spending. This chapter establishes 1) the internal consistency of these indicators in the world’s two largest economies and 2) their near-perfect prediction of the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI). Thus, HDI computation can be carried out from American and Chinese GDPs alone without survey sampling, questionnaire interrogation, probabilistic inference, or significance testing.
Structural insights into the cause of human RSPH4A primary ciliary dyskinesia.

A growing number of ciliopathy-associated genes have been identified, but how they cause ciliary dysfunction is often unclear. Using cryo-electron tomography, we characterize the structural defects...
Improved Random Forest Algorithm Based on Attribute Comprehensive Weighting Used in Identification of Missing Data in Power Grid

With the rapid development of power grids, data fusion between systems has become a trend. Aiming at the problem of missing data that often occurs in system fusion, this paper proposes an improved random forest algorithm based on attribute comprehensive weighting IRFNNIS (Improved Random Forest-Assisted Nearest Neighbor Interpolation Strategy)’s method of identifying missing grid data. Based on the error expectation, this method firstly proposes an attribute comprehensive weighting strategy based on the error expectation, performs comprehensive attribute calculation on the initial missing set, and generates a complete set of examples; secondly, obtains the similar set according to the attribute comprehensive weighting strategy, and trains the random forest model; Finally, an improved random forest algorithm based on attribute comprehensive weighting can identify missing data and improve the identification accuracy of missing data. The calculation example uses real power grid data to analyze and the results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper.
Cement—The Material of Grandeur

This chapter begins with a description of Portland cement, a complex material that hardens when wet and which resembles an English seaside rock and ends with our quest for approaches to reduce the carbon footprint of cement and its more widely used form concrete. Building structures enabled by the durability of concrete has been an inspiration for architects ancient and modern to create structures that could last forever. The Pantheon, the Empire State Building, and the Burj Khalifa are all grand reflections of a country’s economic importance.
Emergency Department Visits for Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm in Rural and Urban Youths.

Objectives To compare emergency department (ED) visit rates for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm among youth by urban-rural location of residence. Study design This is a retrospective analysis of ED visits for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm by youths aged 5-19 years (n = 297 640) in the 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, a representative sample of all US ED visits. We used weighted Poisson generalized linear models to compare population-based visit rates by urban–rural location of patient residence, adjusted for age, sex, and US Census region. For self-harm visits, we compared injury mechanisms by urban-rural location. Results Among patients with ED visits for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, the median age was 16 years, 65.9% were female, 15.9% had a rural location of patient residence, and 0.1% resulted in mortality. The adjusted ED visit rate for suicidal ideation/or and self-harm did not differ significantly by urban-rural location. For the subset of visits for self-harm, the adjusted visit rate was significantly higher in small metropolitan (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.01-1.90), micropolitan (aIRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.10-1.93), and noncore areas (aIRR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.03-1.87) compared with large metropolitan areas. When stratified by injury mechanism, ED visit rates for self-inflicted firearm injuries were higher among youths living in rural areas compared with those in urban areas (aIRR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.32-6.74). Conclusions Compared with youths living in urban areas, youths living in rural areas had higher ED visit rates for self-harm, including self-inflicted firearm injuries. Preventive approaches for self-harm based in community and ED settings might help address these differences.
Bayesian Detection of Solid Subpixel Targets

We implement and evaluate a Bayesian detector for opaque subpixel hyperspectral targets of unknown abundance. Using both simulated and real hyperspectral backgrounds, we compare this detector to the more conventional generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) approach, identifying theoretical differences and observing numerical similarities. Among the theoretical advantages provided by the Bayesian detector is admissibility, which means that no detector can be uniformly superior to it. Potential disadvantages include the need to choose a prior distribution, and the computation required to integrate that distribution. For solid subpixel targets, the uniform prior is a natural choice, and we find that adequately-accurate numerical integration can be achieved with only a few evaluations of the likelihood function. We show results for targets implanted in both simulated and real data.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF OPTIMAL STATIC TRAFFIC ASSIGNMENT IN A FREEWAY CORRIDOR SYSTEM

The sensitivity analysis of a traffic assignment in a special class of transportation networks is considered. The traffic is assigned according to a nonlinear programming problem and the network consists of a freeway, one or more parallel roads, and connecting entrance and exit ramps. Dynamic programming is shown to be an appropriate tool for this problem, and the solution has a particularly compact form. It is shown that the mathematical statement of this problem may be transformed into that of a discrete time linear system by eliminating redundant equations and variables. It is also shown that there is an important physical meaning to the controllability of this system: if the reduced system is controllable, then the effect of a traffic incident is local, and does not affect the traffic distribution far from the incident. Numerical examples are discussed.
Immediate Aims of Acoustical Imaging in Medical Practice

A number of those attending the Third International Symposium on Acoustical Holography in Los Angeles, California, July 31, 1970, have indicated an interest in the application of acoustical imaging to the solution of medical problems. This paper addresses itself to what the acoustographer should try to produce to be of use to a physician.
FVA Explained: Is There a Solution?

One issue that has received a lot attention in derivative valuation recently is funding valuation adjustment (FVA), which as the name suggests is intended to reflect the funding cost/benefit of a derivative contract. However, there continues to be some confusion in the market place as to what FVA is. Further, there is an active debate around whether FVA should even be included in the definition of fair market value both for trade quotation and financial reporting. In this note, we would try to clarify the calculation of FVA and how it should be included in the reported fair market value and the reason behind it.
Structural Learning Theory: Current Status and New Perspectives.

This article presents the current status andnew perspectives on the Structural LearningTheory (SLT). Special consideration is given tohow SLT has been influenced by recent researchin software engineering, and the range ofpossibilities it opens for instructionalresearch and practice in the twenty-firstcentury. Starting with fundamental precepts ofthe instructional process, a generalization ofthe SLT is proposed that offers an integrated,parsimonious, operational and predictive (aswell as explanatory) account of competence,cognition and behavior potentially from birthonward, and their implications for instruction.Supporting examples and experimental researchare cited in context.
Local anesthetic resistance in a pregnant patient with lumbosacral plexopathy

Background We report a case of a patient with apparent resistance to local anesthetics. While similar cases of failure of regional anesthetics are often attributed to technical failure, the overall clinical presentation and history of this patient suggests a true resistance to local anesthetics.
Inhibition of viral and cellular promoters by human wild-type p53.

Abstract Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is a recurring event in a variety of human cancers. Wild-type p53 may regulate cell proliferation and has recently been shown to repress transcription from several cellular promoters. We studied the effects of wild-type and mutant human p53 on the human proliferating-cell nuclear antigen promoter and on several viral promoters including the simian virus 40 early promoter-enhancer, the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase and UL9 promoters, the human cytomegalovirus major immediate-early promoter-enhancer, and the long terminal repeat promoters of Rous sarcoma virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I. HeLa cells were cotransfected with a wild-type or mutant p53 expression vector and plasmids containing a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene under viral (or cellular) promoter control. Expression of wild-type p53 correlated with a consistent and significant (6- to 76-fold) reduction of reporter enzyme activity. A mutation at amino acid 143 of p53 releases this inhibition significantly with all the promoters studied. Expression of a p53 mutated at any one of the five amino acid positions 143, 175, 248, 273, and 281 also correlated with a much smaller (one- to sixfold) reduction of reporter enzyme activity from the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase promoter. These mutant forms of p53 are found in various cancer cells. Thus, failure of tumor suppression correlates with loss of the promoter inhibitory effect of p53.
Measured and predicted temperatures of automotive brakes under heavy or continuous braking

Automotive disk brake systems can generate extremely high temperatures under high intensity short time braking or under relatively light but continuous braking. This paper describes an experiment in which fluid and braking system temperatures, pressures, and operating conditions (vehicle speed, braking energy dissipation, etc) were measured in three different classes of operating vehicles during brake application and subsequent brake release. Temperature histories predicted using a finite element analysis agreed well with the measured temperatures and the method can be used to estimate peak system and brake fluid temperatures.
The Ubiquitous H + 3

Although it took many years from the discovery of the laboratory spectrum of H+ 3 (Oka 1980) and its first astronomical search (Oka 1981) to its detection in interstellar space (Geballe & Oka 1996), subsequent observations have revealed ubiquity of this fundamental molecular ion in a wide variety of astronomical objects. H+ 3 with column densities on the order of ∼ 1014 cm-2 has been detected not only in many dense clouds (McCall et al. 1998a, 1999, Geballe et al. 2002, Kulesa et al. 2002), where its presence had been anticipated from chemical model calculations (Herbst & Klemperer 1973, Watson, 1973), but also in many diffuse clouds (McCall et al. 1998b, Geballe et al. 1999, McCall et al. 2002) where its abundance was not anticipated and introduced an enigma in the chemistry of the diffuse interstellar medium. Many astronomers, physicists and chemists are currently attempting to understand this problem (Oka 2000, McCall & Oka, 2000).