cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tendon mineralization is progressive and associated with deterioration of tendon biomechanical properties, and requires BMP-Smad signaling in the mouse Achilles tendon injury model

Ectopic tendon mineralization can develop following tendon rupture or trauma surgery. The pathogenesis of ectopic tendon mineralization and its clinical impact have not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, we utilized a mouse Achilles tendon injury model to determine whether ectopic tendon mineralization alters the biomechanical properties of the tendon and whether BMP signaling is involved in this condition. A complete transverse incision was made at the midpoint of the right Achilles tendon in 8-week-old CD1 mice and the gap was left open. Ectopic cartilaginous mass formation was found in the injured tendon by 4weeks post-surgery and ectopic mineralization was detected at 8 to 10weeks post-surgery. Ectopic mineralization grew over time and volume of the mineralized materials of 25-weeks samples was about 2.5 fold bigger than that of 10-weeks samples, indicating that injury-induced ectopic tendon mineralization is progressive. In vitro mechanical testing showed that max force, max stress and mid-substance modulus in the 25-weeks samples were significantly lower than the 10-weeks samples. We observed substantial increases in expression of bone morphogenetic protein family genes in injured tendons 1week post-surgery. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that phosphorylation of both Smad1 and Smad3 was highly increased in injured tendons as early as 1week post-injury and remained high in ectopic chondrogenic lesions 4-weeks post-injury. Treatment with the BMP receptor kinase inhibitor (LDN193189) significantly inhibited injury-induced tendon mineralization. These findings indicate that injury-induced ectopic tendon mineralization is progressive, involves BMP signaling and associated with deterioration of tendon biomechanical properties.
Adaptive surrogate-based algorithm for integrated scheduling and dynamic optimization of sequential batch processes

We propose a novel solution algorithm for the integrated scheduling and dynamic optimization for sequential batch processes in this work. The integrated problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, which could be large scale and challenging to solve. To address this computational challenge, we propose an efficient and adaptive surrogate-based algorithm for solving the integrated MINLP problem. Based on the bilevel structure of the integrated problem, we first decompose the dynamic optimization problems from the scheduling problem and replace them with a set of surrogate models. We then update the surrogate models adaptively, either by adding a new sampling point to the current surrogate model, or by doubling the upper bound of the current surrogate model's total processing time. Our proposed method is demonstrated through a case study involving a multi-product sequential batch process. The results show that the proposed algorithm leads to a 31% higher profit than the conventional method. The full space simultaneous method increases the computational time by more than four orders of magnitude compared with the proposed method but returns an 8.7% lower profit than the proposed method.
The Use of Microfluidics and Dielectrophoresis for Separation, Concentration, and Identification of Bacteria

Traditional bacterial identification methods take one to two days to complete, relying on large bacteria colonies for visual identification. In order to decrease this analysis time in a cost-effective manner, a method to sort and concentrate bacteria based on the bacteria’s characteristics itself is needed. One example of such a method is dielectrophoresis, which has been used by researchers to separate bacteria from sample debris and sort bacteria according to species. This work presents variations in which dielectrophoresis can be performed and their associated drawbacks and benefits specifically to bacterial identification. In addition, a potential microfluidic design will be discussed.
Age at Sexual Maturity in Female Flour Beetles, Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum

The ages at which female flour beetles may be fertilized and produce fertile eggs were determined for stocks maintained under laboratory conditions (29°C, 70% r.h.), on whole-wheat flour medium. Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) females are capable of being fertilized within 3 hours after eclosion and begin to lay fertile eggs at 96 to 108 hours of age. The corresponding ages for T. confusum (Jacquelin du Val) are 17 to 20, and 114 to 126 hours, respectively. The differences between the two species are more pronounced when the ages at which 50% of females reach sexual maturity are considered. The relationship of the results to the outcome of previous experiments on interspecific competition is discussed. This study indicates that collection of virgin females of T. castaneum for use in genetic linkage studies should be restricted to the pupal stage.
Effects of Salt Extraction on the Quantitation of Nuclear Estrogen Receptors: Interference by Secondary Estrogen Binding Sites

AbstractThe effects of salt-extraction on type I and type II estrogen binding sites were examined in uterine nuclei. Injection (10 ug) of estradiol or estriol in adult ovariectomized rats induced maximum numbers (80–100%, ~ 1 pmole/uterus) of 0.4 M KCL resistant type I estrogen complexes at 1 hour. Only estradiol, which sustained these levels for long periods of time (4–24 hours) stimulated true uterine growth.Likewise, a single injection of estradiol, but not estriol, also elevated nuclear type II sites throughout the entire uterine growth period (1–48 hours). However extraction of these nuclei from estradiol injected rats with 0.4 M KCL increased the numbers of type II sites from ~ 1 pmole/uterus (non-extracted nuclei) to ~ 8 pmoles/uterus (salt resistant plus salt-extractable fractions). Sixty percent of these sites were resistant to salt-extraction. Continuous exposure to either estradiol or estriol by beeswax implants stimulated nuclear type II sites which were highly resistant (80%) to KCL-extractio...
Breeding and Application of Bitter Gourd More Female Line Q03

The more female line Q03 of bitter gourd was bred by directional selection of the middle materials of backcross breeding,and its female flower rate was stable and over 90%.Chuanku 77,which took Q03 as female parent,possessed higher early yield and total yield,and its heterosis was obvious.The results showed that,combined with appropriate parents,F1 hybrids of Q03 had positive heterosis of subgynoecious,and it was convenient for the production of hybrid seeds.
The Timing of Exertional Heat Stroke Survival Starts prior to Collapse

Adams et al. (1) reported that secondary school football coaches lacked a fundamental understanding of the causes and symptoms of exertional heat stroke (EHS). This lack of understanding was supported by the coaches’ inability to identify prevention strategies to minimize the risk of EHS and the symptoms they would look for in an athlete suspected of having EHS (1). This evidence helps support reasons for strong educational programs for on-site personnel and for employing athletic trainers (AT) at secondary schools to oversee the health and safety of the student athletes competing in school athletics programs.
Intracerebral inoculatior of mice with Newcastle disease virus.

The results of intracerebral inoculation of 25 strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) into weanling mice were reported in a previous communication.1 Some of the strains produced rapidly fatal involvement of the nervous system, while others had little effect upon the mice. The growth of strictly egg-adapted or chicken-adapted strains of NDV in weanling mice has not been detected,2,3 with a possible exception.4 Kilham5 was successful in serially passaging the 11914 and Vict strains of NDV in 3-day-old suckling mice. The finding of such differences in the response to NDV of young and mature mice prompted the present study in which the effect of strains of NDV of
Annulative Methods Enable a Total Synthesis of the Complex Meroterpene Berkeleyone A

Synthetic pathways to complex meroterpenes derived from 3,5-dimethylorsellinic acid (DMOA) and farnesyl pyrophosphate have not been reported despite heavy biosynthetic and medicinal interest. Herein we report the first total synthesis of berkeleyone A, a potential gateway compound to a plethora of fungal-derived meroterpenes, in 13 steps. In addition, we have further developed a novel annulation reaction for the synthesis of hydroxylated 1,3-cyclohexadiones in a single step.
War-gaming application for future space systems acquisition part 1: program and technical baseline war-gaming modeling and simulation approaches

This paper describes static Bayesian game models with “Pure” and “Mixed” games for the development of an optimum Program and Technical Baseline (PTB) solution for affordable acquisition of future space systems. The paper discusses System Engineering (SE) frameworks and analytical and simulation modeling approaches for developing the optimum PTB solutions from both the government and contractor perspectives.
Die Bedeutung des Risikostrukturausgleichs für den Kassenwettbewerb und die solidarische Wettbewerbsordnung

In diesem Beitrag wird auf die Ziele, die Methodik sowie auf die Auswirkungen des Risikostrukturausgleichs (RSA) insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund eines intensivierten Wettbewerbs zwischen den Kassen der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung (GKV) eingegangen.
Atmospheric Turbulence Observations in the Vicinity of Surface Fires in Forested Environments

AbstractAmbient and fire-induced atmospheric turbulence in the vicinity of wildland fires can affect the behavior of those fires and the dispersion of smoke. The presence of forest overstory vegetation can further complicate the evolution of local turbulence regimes and their interaction with spreading fires and smoke plumes. Previous observational studies of wildland fire events in forested environments have shown that turbulence energy and anisotropy in the vicinity of spreading line fires exhibit temporal and spatial variability influenced by the presence of overstory vegetation. This study builds on those previous observational studies to further examine turbulence regimes during two wildland fires in forested environments, with an emphasis on the effects of forest canopies on turbulence energy budgets, the skewness in turbulent velocity distributions, and stability–anisotropy variations before, during, and after fire-front-passage periods. Analyses indicate that turbulence anisotropy tends to persist...
Improving patient access to hepatitis C virus treatment.

Abstract Objectives To discuss the current barriers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment; to provide information and resources to assist health care providers with the prior authorization process; to provide resources for potential access to medications if a patient's third-party payer may not be an option; and to discuss the pharmacist's vital role as a patient advocate and considerations once medications are approved. Summary Access to HCV medications is often restricted by third-party payers. Pharmacists are poised to fill an immediate need and assist with providing the necessary clinical evidence to gain access to HCV medications and advocate on the patient's behalf. Once approval for HCV treatment has been obtained, considerations must be given to procurement of therapy, refills, monitoring, and avoid interruptions in therapy. Conclusion The assistance of a pharmacist should be sought to overcome barriers related to medication access. Once therapy has been obtained, the pharmacist can assist the entire patient care team to ensure timely refills, appropriate monitoring, tolerability of therapy, and continued medication access.
Evaluation of genes associated with human myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs with familial myxomatous mitral valve degeneration

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in the dog. It is believed to be heritable in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS) and Dachshunds. Myxomatous mitral valve disease is a familial disease in human beings as well and genetic mutations have been associated with its development. We hypothesized that a genetic mutation associated with the development of the human form of MMVD was associated with the development of canine MMVD. DNA was isolated from blood samples from 10 CKCS and 10 Dachshunds diagnosed with MMVD, and whole genome sequences from each animal were obtained. Variant calling from whole genome sequencing data was performed using a standardized bioinformatics pipeline for all samples. After filtering, the canine genes orthologous to the human genes known to be associated with MMVD were identified and variants were assessed for likely pathogenic implications. No variant was found in any of the genes evaluated that was present in least eight of 10 affected CKCS or Dachshunds. Although mitral valve disease in the CKCS and Dachshund is a familial disease, we did not identify genetic cause in the genes responsible for the human disease in the dogs studied here.
Distribution, variability, and predictors of urinary bisphenol A levels in 50 North Carolina adults over a six-week monitoring period

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly manufactured to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins for use in consumer products and packaged goods. BPA has been found in several different types of environmental media (e.g., food, dust, and air). Many cross-sectional studies have frequently detected BPA concentrations in adult urine samples. However, limited data are available on the temporal variability and important predictors of urinary BPA concentrations in adults. In this work, the major objectives were to: 1) quantify BPA levels in duplicate-diet solid food, drinking water, hard floor surface wipe, and urine samples (first-morning void [FMV], bedtime, and 24-h) collected from adults over a six-week monitoring period; 2) determine the temporal variability of urinary BPA levels using concentration, specific gravity (SG) adjusted, creatinine (CR) adjusted, and excretion rate values, and; 3) examine associations between available study factors and urinary BPA concentrations. In 2009-2011, a convenience sample of 50 adults was recruited from residential settings in North Carolina. The participants completed diaries and collected samples during weeks 1, 2, and/or 6 of a six-week monitoring period. BPA was detected in 38%, 4%, and 99% of the solid food (n=775), drinking water (n=50), and surface wipe samples (n=138), respectively. Total BPA (free plus conjugated) was detected in 98% of the 2477 urine samples. Median urinary BPA levels were 2.07ng/mL, 2.20ng/mL-SG, 2.29ng/mg, and 2.31ng/min for concentration, SG-adjusted, CR-adjusted, and excretion rate values, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates for BPA showed poor reproducibility (≤0.35) for all urine sample types and methods over a day, week, and six weeks. CR-adjusted bedtime voids collected over six-weeks required the fewest, realistic number of samples (n=11) to obtain a reliable biomarker estimate (ICC=0.80). Results of linear mixed-effects models showed that sex, race, season, and CR-level were all significant predictors (p<0.05) of the adults' urinary BPA concentrations. BPA levels in the solid food and surface wipe samples did not contribute significantly to the participants' urinary BPA concentrations. However, a significant positive relationship was observed between solid food intake and urine-based estimates of BPA dose, when aggregated over 24-h periods. Ingestion of BPA via solid food explained only about 20% of the total dose (at the median of the dose distribution), suggesting that these adults were likely exposed to other major unknown (non-dietary) sources of BPA in their everyday environments.
Charge-Carrier Dynamics and Crystalline Texture of Layered Ruddlesden–Popper Hybrid Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Films

Solution-processable organic metal halide Ruddlesden–Popper phases have shown promise in optoelectronics because of their efficiencies in solar cells along with increased material stability relative to their three-dimensional counterparts (CH3NH3PbI3). Here, we study the layered material butylammonium methylammonium lead iodide (C4H9NH3)2(CH3NH3)n−1PbnI3n+1 for values of n ranging from 1 to 4. Thin films cast from solution show a gradual change in the crystalline texture of the two-dimensional lead iodide layers from being parallel to the substrate to perpendicular with increasing n. Contactless time-resolved microwave conductivity measurements show that the average recombination rate order increases with n and that the yield–mobility products and carrier lifetimes of these thin films are much lower than that of CH3NH3PbI3, along with increased higher-order recombination rate constants.
Building Data-Aware and Energy-Efficient Smart Spaces

With the increase in the dependency of our life on technology and data, smart spaces have become integral in providing an environment for data collection, analysis, and machine responses. This paper discusses the current research in this field and the challenges that arise in the execution of these smart spaces. We address the major challenges of hardware design, data analysis, and energy efficiency in a new data aware smart environment that collects time-stamped data for position, movement, temperature, and vibration sensors. Data collected from these sensors is used to achieve energy efficiency, for real time localization in conjunction with machine learning mechanisms to analyze human activities. We evaluate six different machine learning algorithms for human activity detection task, on a data set collected in our laboratory. Results show high classification performance for all methods giving up to 99.95% classification accuracy. We also implemented energy-efficiency measures, leading to up to 30% energy efficiency improvement on top of our initial design. This ambient environment, along with data analytics and improved energy efficiency, provides information regarding the occupancy and behavior of people within its range. Spaces such as conference rooms, common areas such as libraries, classrooms, and even public spaces such as public transport can benefit from our design. Our system avoids privacy issues by using no audio/visual devices. This system thus provides an insight into smart spaces, their current trends, and what future direction research such as ours would lead them to.
Domains and Boundaries in Chromosomes

Current models to explain regulatory mechanisms underlying eukaryotic gene expression rely heavily on ideas derived from prokaryotic systems. These models assume that transcriptional enhancers account for the temporal and spatial specificity of eukaryotic gene expression by serving as binding sites for transcription factors that can then activate transcription by looping out intervening sequences and contacting components of the promoter-bound transcription complex (see, for example, Thompson and McKnight 1992; Franklin, Chap. 8, this vol.); but many phenomena, observed in a variety of systems, suggest that this picture is too simplistic to realistically explain the complexity of the eukaryotic genome and the variety of patterns of gene expression that are required for proper development of higher eukaryotes. DNA in the eukaryotic nucleus wraps around histone complexes to form nucleosomes, and the resulting primary chromatin fiber is organized into higher-order domains that arise from further compaction and attachment to specific subnuclear structures. This complex organization of the DNA within the nucleus would appear to preclude the type of interactions necessary to activate transcription, which require contacts among proteins bound to enhancers and promoters. Some of the regulatory input that controls eukaryotic gene expression must thus be directed to the establishment and maintenance of this higher-order domain organization, and transcriptional activation might involve the alteration of this organization in a manner that permits enhancer-promoter interactions.
Thermal Diffusivity Measurements on Composite Porosity Samples

Porosity is a defect which can arise from moisture or gases being introduced to the resin system before cure and also during the curing process when poor bagging techniques are used. The effect of porosity results in a degradation in compressive, transverse tensile, and interlaminar shear strengths. For example, for a 1% porosity level there is approximately a 7% decrease in the interlaminar shear strength [1]. Ultrasonics is the current state of the art NDE method for the characterization of porosity in composites using the back scatter and frequency dependent attenuation measurements. In this work a thermal diffusivity technique is investigated for the characterization of porosity in graphite composite parts. The advantages of using thermal techniques is the noncontacting nature of the measurements and the ability to capture large areas using a thermal imager.
Image Reconstruction for Acoustic Tomography Using Hexagonal Arrays

Planar acoustic tomography is designed to perform microscopic non-destructive evaluation for objects with planar structure such as integrated-circuit chips and biomedical tissue specimens. In this paper, a simplified version of the algorithm is presented for high-resolution real time tomographic imaging. This algorithm is capable of producing images with uniform resolution in both directions without the tedious signal interpolation because of the utilization of hexagonal arrays.
Early sexual experience fails to enhance sexual performance in male goats

We studied the effects of early sexual experience on the adult sexual performance of male dairy goats. Seven postpubertal males were exposed to an estrous female on four occasions during their 1st yr of life. These males were housed with six additional males (controls) that received no early sexual experience. As yearlings, the 13 males were individually exposed to two estrous does for 30 min on three occasions at weekly intervals. Mounts with and without ejaculation were recorded. Sexually experienced and inexperienced males did not differ for either of these variables or a measure of mating efficiency (mounts per ejaculation). Mating efficiency improved for the experimental males during their four initial exposures to estrous females (P < .05). We conclude that male goats, in contrast to male sheep, are not likely to exhibit substandard sexual performance if denied heterosexual experience in their 1st yr.
Multiple Case Studies of Global Enterprise System Implementation in China

This study examines and compares multiple global enterprise operations in China. Business ownership arrangement, business products and services, and IT support for those agreements and products are considered. Findings indicate business ownership as a moderator impacts the relationship between business processes and IT support choices. All global enterprises in the study were found to use the SAP enterprise software for their transaction processing and reporting. Furthermore, enterprises also use proprietary software in the creation or delivery of their primary product or service. Wholly-owned businesses are more likely to use proprietary software for their key businesses or specialty.
Integrated Histotripsy and Bubble Coalescence Transducer for Rapid Tissue Ablation

Residual bubbles produced after collapse of a cavitation cloud provide cavitation nuclei for subsequent cavitation events, causing cavitation to occur repeatedly at the same discrete set of sites. This effect, referred to as cavitation memory, limits the efficiency of histotripsy soft tissue fractionation. Besides passively mitigating cavitation memory by using a low pulse repetition frequency (~1 Hz), an active strategy was developed by our group. In this strategy, low-amplitude ultrasound sequences were used to stimulate coalescence of residual bubbles. The goal of this work is to remove cavitation memory and achieve rapid, homogeneous lesion formation using a single phased array transducer. A 1-MHz integrated histotripsy and bubble coalescing (BC) transducer system with a specialized electronic driving system was built in house. High-amplitude ( $P- >= 30$ MPa) histotripsy pulses and subsequent low-amplitude (~1–2 MPa) BC sequences were applied to a red blood cell tissue-mimicking phantom at a single focal site. Significant reduction of the cavitation memory effect and increase in the fractionation rate were observed by introducing BC sequence. Effects of BC pulsing parameters were further studied. The optimal BC parameters were then utilized to homogenize a $10 \times 10$ mm2 region at high rate.
Spatially Explicit Analytical Models for Social–Ecological Systems

Designing conservation strategies that address global change requires quantification of the role of humans, their institutions, and their environment in producing conservation action. We provide a framework to extend social–ecological systems analysis into spatially explicit, probabilistic models of conservation action that integrate theoretically supported indicators of social willingness, institutional capacity, and environmental value to aid conservation planning. We contend that explaining where conservation has occurred previously, identifying opportunities for future conservation, evaluating potential contributions of those opportunities, and designing evaluations of causality necessitates explicit consideration of these dimensions. We demonstrate the utility of our approach for conservation practitioners and researchers by evaluating conservation easement activity along the Pacific Coast of the United States. In this case, models including combinations of social and institutional factors and those including all dimensions better explained easement occurrence than did simpler models and illustrate the importance of models that capture each dimension of our framework.
Food insecurity and intimate partner violence among married women in Nepal

Author(s): Diamond-Smith, Nadia; Conroy, Amy A; Tsai, Alexander C; Nekkanti, Manali; Weiser, Sheri D | Abstract: BackgroundIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an important public health concern globally, including in Nepal. Food insecurity (being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food) has been associated with IPV, but no known studies have explored this relationship in South Asia, or Nepal specifically. Women's level of empowerment is an important factor to consider when understanding the relationship between food insecurity and IPV.MethodsUsing data from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, we explore the relationship between different levels of food insecurity (none, mild, moderate, severe) and three types of IPV: physical, sexual and emotional. In a second set of models we adjust for indicators of women's empowerment. We use multi-variable logistic regression to test for an association between these factors, adjusting for individual and household level demographic variables.FindingsAbout half of married women in our sample experience food insecurity and approximately 10% of women experienced each of the three different types of IPV in the past 12 months: emotional, sexual and physical. Food insecurity is significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing emotional (odds ratio OR = 1.75 95% confidence interval CI = 1.06-2.77 for severe food insecurity) or physical (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.52-4.04 for severe food insecurity) IPV, but not sexual IPV, after adjusting for individual and household level demographic variables. After adjusting for empowerment related factors, this relationship still holds, although it is somewhat attenuated. Women's level of household decision-making power is significantly associated with higher odds of emotional, sexual and physical IPV, and whether she lives with her in-laws is protective against emotional IPV.ConclusionsAmong married women in Nepal, being food insecure is associated with higher odds of some types of IPV, specifically emotional and physical IPV. Accounting for women's level of empowerment explains some of the relationship between food insecurity and IPV. It is essential that interventions to prevent IPV address household stressors such as food insecurity among married, Nepalese women, perhaps through cross-sectoral approaches. Such structural interventions are likely to reduce IPV for married women across South Asia who live in a similar levels of gender discrimination and food insecurity.
Lessons Learned in Global Videoconference Training: Action Research at a Community-based Organization

The U.S. videoconferencing market is expected to reach $3.1 Billion dollars in 2008, a 121% increase from its 2003 level. As videoconferencing moves from the high priced ISDN-based services to the low-cost IP-based services it may make videoconferencing a competitive alternative for global training. In this research lessons learned in the first nine months of a three-year longitudinal study are discussed in four areas: trainthe-trainer model for countries with developing economies, infrastructure challenges in countries with developing economies, cultural barriers, and the role of community-based organizations. The results indicate that factors like Internet infrastructure, time zone differences, and cultural differences as inhibitors for global distance learning. In addition, preliminary findings show technology-use mediating activities including establishment, reinforcement, adjustment, and episodic change as enablers of video-based training. The study also assesses the key role community-based organizations play.
Underwater: Resilience, racialized housing, and the national flood insurance program in Canarsie, Brooklyn

Abstract Resilience is a pervasive discourse for adapting to environmental risks, and one which the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) uses frequently, yet limited attention has been paid to the operationalization of resilience through environmental governance. This study uses the case of the NFIP's impacts on Canarsie, Brooklyn to ground resilience in the policy mechanisms and programs through which different visions of a resilient coast are enacted, the histories of uneven racial development in which these programs operate, and the impacts these programs have on coastal residents. Proposed expansions of New York City's flood risk maps combined with cuts to NFIP subsidies mean thousands of Canarsie residents who have never previously been required to purchase flood insurance will soon face mandatory premiums of $3000–$6000 per year. The 85% black neighborhood of Canarsie was targeted by more subprime loans in the 2000s than any other neighborhood in New York City, robbing many residents of housing wealth they might have otherwise used to shoulder flood insurance costs. Drawing on ethnographic research, I show that Canarsie residents have subsidized their plundered housing wealth with social reproduction strategies such as renting out their basements, setting up a contradictory situation in which Canarsians' financial resilience relies on spaces the NFIP deems a threat to physical and environmental resilience. The Canarsie case study ultimately demonstrates that the NFIP, by governing through the mechanism of household finances, stands to reproduce and accelerate existing racial inequalities in the housing market.
Implementation of a Urology E-Consult Service at a Safety Net County Hospital

AbstractIntroduction:We assess the implementation of an e-consult service at a urology clinic in a safety net county hospital.Methods:An e-consult system was introduced in 2018 at our institution. ...
Cryogenic Characterization of Antiferroelectric Zirconia down to 50 mK

Cryogenic operation of classical memory devices is becoming increasingly important in the context of quantum information processing1,2. In existing lab scale solid state quantum computers (QCs), quantum bits (qubits) are placed inside a dilution-refrigerator at a few mK connected to the control processor at room temperature (300 K) through control cables. However, such approach is not scalable to large number of qubits due to (1) the large thermal leakage because of the large thermal gradient across the control wires, and (2) bandwidth restrictions imposed limited number and long lengths of the wires. On the other hand, QCs require significant classical memory capacity (10–100 GB) and bandwidth to (1) store the arbitrary rotations in quantum algorithms and (2) handle error syndromes that are continuously generated and measured to compensate for the extreme noise sensitivity of the qubits. As such, the existing superconducting memory technologies (such as the Josephson-junction (JJ) based memories and hybrid JJ-CMOS memories) operating at mK cannot be used as the sole memory technology due to their limited memory density and energy efficiency. Cryogenic control architectures of QCs are being actively investigated where the processing and control systems and the memory are organized at different temperatures in a cryogenic refrigerator and the latency of room temperature classical memory is amortized by designing multi-temperature memory hierarchies constrained by the refrigerator cooling power at different temperatures and the bandwidth available from the control wires (Fig 1)1,2. Towards that end, we study the cryogenic properties of zirconia stabilized in the tetragonal phase-the work-horse material of commodity DRAM. Antiferroelectricity was recently discovered in tetragonal zirconia and its alloyed variants3,4 for which this material system can serve as a high endurance, non-volatile memory element through work function engineering.5
Dosimetric assessment of patient-specific breath-hold reproducibility on liver motion for SBRT planning

PURPOSE To investigate the impact of breath-hold reproducibility on liver motion using a respiratory motion management device. METHODS Forty-four patients with hepatic tumors, treated with SBRT with breath-hold, were randomly selected for this study. All patients underwent three consecutive computed tomography (CT) scans using active breath-hold coordinator (ABC) with three repeated single breath-hold during simulation. The three CT scans were labeled as ABC1-CT, ABC2-CT, and ABC3-CT. Displacements of centroids of the entire livers among the three ABC-CTs were measured as a surrogate for intrafractional motion. For each patient, two different treatment plans were prepared: (a) a clinical plan using a 5-mm expansion of an ITV that encompassed all three GTVs from each of the three ABC-CTs, and (b) a research plan using a 5-mm expansion of the GTV from only ABC1-CT to create PTV. The clinical plan acceptance criteria were that 95% of the PTV and 99% of the GTV received 100% of the prescription dose. Dosimetric endpoints were analyzed and compared for the two plans. RESULTS All shifts in the medial-lateral direction (range: -3.9 to 2.0 mm) were within 5 mm while 7% of shifts in the anterior-posterior direction (range: -10.5 to 16.7 mm) and 11% of shifts in the superior-inferior direction (range: -17.0 to 8.7 mm) exceeded 5 mm. Six patients (14%) had an intrafraction motion greater than 5 mm in any direction. For these six patients, if a plan was created based on a PTV from a single CT (ex. ABC1-CT), 5 of 12 GTVs captured from other ABC-CTs would fail to meet the clinical acceptance criteria due to poor breath-hold reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS Non-negligible intrafractional motion occurs in patients with poor breath-hold reproducibility. To identify this subgroup of patients, acquiring three CTs with active breath-hold during simulation is a feasible practical method.
Influence of Side Chain Hydrolysis on the Evolution of Nanoscale Roughness and Porosity in Amine-Reactive Polymer Multilayers

We report the influence of side chain hydrolysis on the evolution of nanoscale structure in thin films fabricated by the reactive layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) ...
A correction scheme for wall-bounded two-way coupled point-particle simulations

Abstract The accuracy of Euler-Lagrange point-particle models employed in particle-laden fluid flow simulations depends on accurate estimation of the particle force through closure models. Typical force closure models require computation of the slip velocity at the particle location, which in turn requires accurate estimation of the undisturbed fluid velocity. Such an undisturbed velocity is not readily available when the fluid and particle phases are two-way coupled, due to the disturbance created by the particle's force in the nearby fluid velocity field. A common practice is to use the disturbed velocity to compute the particle force which can result in errors as much as 100% in predicting the particle dynamics. In this work, a correction scheme is developed that facilitates accurate estimation of the undisturbed fluid velocity in particle-laden fluid flows with and without no-slip walls. The model is generic and can handle particles of different size and density, arbitrary interpolation and projection functions, anisotropic grids with large aspect ratios, and wall-bounded flows. The present correction scheme is motivated by the recent work of Esmaily & Horwitz (JCP, 2018) on unbounded particle-laden flows. Modifications necessary for wall-bounded flows are developed such that the undisturbed fluid velocity at any wall distance is accurately recovered, asymptotically approaching the result of unbounded schemes for particles far away from walls. A detailed series of verification tests was conducted on settling velocity of a particle in parallel and perpendicular motions to a no-slip wall. A range of flow parameters and grid configurations; involving anisotropic rectilinear grids with aspect ratios typically encountered in particle-laden turbulent channel flows was considered in detail. When the wall effects are accounted for, the present correction scheme reduces the errors in predicting the near-wall particle motion by one order of magnitude smaller values compared to the unbounded correction schemes.
Determining the primary sources of fecal pollution using microbial source tracking assays combined with land-use information in the Edwards Aquifer.

Abstract The Edwards Aquifer serves as a primary source of drinking water to more than 2 million people in south-central Texas, and as a karst aquifer, is vulnerable to human and animal fecal contamination which poses a serious risk to human and environmental health. A one-year study (Jan 2018 – Feb 2019) was conducted to determine the primary sources of fecal pollution along the Balcones and Leon Creek within the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones using general (E. coli, enterococci, and universal Bacteriodales) and host-associated (human-, dog-, cow- and chicken/duck-associated Bacteriodales) microbial source tracking (MST) assays. Additionally, sites were classified based on surrounding land use as a potential source predictor and marker levels were correlated with rain events and water quality parameters. Levels for the three general indicators were highest and exhibited similar trends across the sampling sites, suggesting that the sole use of these markers is not sufficient for specific fecal source identification. Among the host-associated markers, highest concentrations were observed for the dog marker (BacCan) in the Leon Creek area and the cow marker (BacCow) in the Balcones Creek area. Additionally, Chicken/Duck-Bac, BacCan and BacCow all exhibited higher concentrations during the spring season and the end of fall/early winter. Relatively lower concentrations were observed for the human-associated markers (HF183 and BacHum), however, levels were higher in the Leon Creek area and highest following rainfall events. Additionally, relatively higher levels in HF183 and BacHum were observed at sites having greater human population and septic tank density and may be attributed to leaks or breaks in these infrastructures. This study is the first to examine and compare fecal contamination at rural and urban areas in the recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer using a molecular MST approach targeting Bacteroidales 16S rRNA gene-based assays. The Bacteroidales marker assays, when combined with land use and weather information, can allow for a better understanding of the sources and fluxes of fecal contamination, which can help devise effective mitigation measures to protect water quality.
Evolution of obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Abstract Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is defined as chronic hypercapnia during wakefulness in obese subjects not attributable to underlying respiratory disease. This syndrome is associated with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction that occurs on a background of the central circulatory congestion described in obesity. The role of sleep-disordered breathing in OHS was not recognized initially since the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was not described until many years after initial recognition of OHS. Nevertheless, it has since been demonstrated that resolution of obstructive apnea and hypopnea and/or central hypoventilation with positive airway pressure therapy corrects the cardiorespiratory failure with normalization of acid-base balance. From a conceptual point of view, even transient reductions of ventilation from individual sleep-disordered breathing events must produce acute hypercapnia during the period of low ventilation. What is less clear, however, is the link between these transient episodes of acute hypercapnia and the development of chronic sustained hypercapnia persisting into wakefulness. A unifying view for the evolution of OHS integrating whole-body CO2 kinetics, respiratory-renal interaction, and alterations in respiratory control is presented in the following review.
Consensus-Based Protocol for Distributed Exploration and Mapping

Distributed exploration in multi-agent systems requires agents to retain a consistent view of the environment, even under limited communication ranges. We propose a consensus-based protocol for distributed exploration that enables agents to synchronize their local maps so that their collective global views are consistent. With the proposed protocol, agents can dynamically form communication networks and synchronize their local environment maps. In contrast to the existing consensus-based solutions, our work is computationally efficient and provides a convergence guarantee under communication loss. Through our extensive experiments, we show that the proposed protocol enables agents to build consistent environment maps collaboratively and efficiently. We also show that agents can significantly save their communication bandwidth and reach optimal solutions in the presence of communication loss.
Diagnostic Reboot: A Proposal to Improve Diagnostic Reasoning.

Background Diagnostic errors contribute to the morbidity and mortality of patients. We created and utilized a novel diagnostic tool (Diagnostic Reboot) and assessed its practical efficacy in the inpatient setting for improving diagnostic outcomes. Design This was a prospective sequential controlled study that involved University Hospitalist Adult Teaching Service (UHATS) teams. Senior residents were instructed to use the Diagnostic Reboot (DxR) tool whenever a patient aged 19-99 years was identified who had an uncertain diagnosis 24 hours into their admission. Results Participating residents identified a total of 32 patients as meeting the criteria of uncertain diagnosis after at least 24 hours of hospitalization during the six months of the study period. Of these, seven were during the intervention (DxR) period. The leading diagnosis was excluded in 3/7 (43%) patients in the DxR period and 13/25 (52%) in the control period. A new leading diagnosis was made in 6/7 (86%) cases in the DxR period and in 13/25 (52%) people in the control period. A new diagnostic plan was made in 100% of the patients in the DxR group and in 80% of patients in the control group. A new consultation was requested in 4/7 (57%) patients in the DxR group and in 9/25 (36%) patients in the control group. The Residents spent an average of 20 minutes on the DxR tool. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the use of DxR may help to improve analytical thinking in residents. It may also play a role in improving outcomes in medically challenging cases, but the use of the tool during the study period was not sufficient to draw concrete conclusions. The primary barrier to the use of such a diagnostic aid was identified as time pressure on a busy hospitalist service.
Imperialism and Colonialism in the Qing Context

Dieser Aufsatz entwirft einen Rahmen fur die Verwendung der Begriffe „Imperialismus“ und „Kolonialismus“ zur Analyse des Qing-Reiches, indem die politischen Ziele des Qing-Staates auf die wirtschaftliche und demographische Zentralstellung der chinesischen Kernprovinzen innerhalb des Imperiums bezogen werden. In Innerasien begrenzte der staatlich gelenkte Imperialismus zumeist das Eindringen han-chinesischer Migranten und ihrer wirtschaftlichen Netzwerke. In den uberwiegend nicht han-chinesischen Regionen Sudchinas hingegen forderten staatliche Masnahmen vielfach die Ansiedlung von Migranten und Formen kulturellen Wandels, die eine koloniale Dynamik aufwiesen. Sudostasien wurde ebenfalls stark durch das Wirtschaftswachstum und die Abwanderung aus den chinesischen Kernprovinzen beeinflusst, aber hier verhinderte das mangelnde Interesse des Qing-Staates die Entstehung einer Dynamik, die jener des europaischen Kolonialismus geahnelt hatte. Nach 1860 gab der Qing-Staat zunehmend die Bemuhungen auf, die Interessen verschiedener Bevolkerungsgruppen auszugleichen, und ging zu einer Kolonialpolitik uber, die alle Teile des Reiches so eng wie moglich an die Kernprovinzen zu binden versuchte.
HI-Light: A Glass Waveguide Based 'Shell-and-Tube' Photothermal Reactor Platform for Converting CO 2 to Fuels

In this work, we introduce HI-Light, a surface-engineered glass waveguide based “shell-and-tube” type photothermal reactor which is both scalable in diameter and length. We examine the effect of temperature, light irradiation, and residence time on its photo-thermocatalytic performance for CO2 hydrogenation to form CO, with a cubic phase defect-laden indium oxide, In2O3-x(OH)y catalyst. We demonstrate the light enhancement effect under a variety of reaction conditions. Notably, the light-on performance for the cubic nanocrystal photocatalyst exhibits a CO evolution rate at 15.40 mmol gcat−1 h−1 at 300°C and atmospheric pressure. This is 20 times higher conversion rate beyond previously reported In2O3-x(OH)y catalyst in the cubic form under comparable operation conditions, and more than 5 times higher than that of its rhombohedral polymorph. This result underscores that improvement in photo-thermocatalytic reactor design enables uniform light distribution and better reactant/catalyst mixing, thus significantly improving catalyst utilization.
Abstract WMP74: Cofilin-Actin Rod Formation in Experimental Stroke is Attenuated by Therapeutic Hypothermia and Overexpression of the Inducible 70-kDa Heat Shock Protein (Hsp70)

Background and Purpose: Cofilin-actin rods are covalently linked aggregates of cofilin -1 and actin. Under ischemic conditions, these rods have been observed in neuronal processes, but their signif...