cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid Environmental Changes in the Nature Conservancy Wetland at Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas: A Review 2002–2015

Cheyenne Bottoms is the premier wetland of Kansas; it consists of marshes, meadows, mud flats, channels, and pools within an oval-shaped closed depression. Cheyenne Bottoms has suffered a series of droughts and floods during the past century. During extended droughts, the bottoms may dry up completely. Conversely flooding may fill much of the basin with shallow, ephemeral lakes. Since 2002, we have conducted annual surveys during the growing season using various forms of remote sensing and ground observations. In particular, we have utilized low-height kite and blimp aerial photography to document changing conditions in The Nature Conservancy (TNC) marsh-complex environments. During the early twenty-first century, a series of drought-flood cycles took place; dry intervals culminated in late 2006 and early 2013 and were followed soon after by major floods. Wet intervals are characterized by abundant surface water, influx of sediment and nutrients, numerous migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, expansion of e...
Metallogels through glyme coordination.

Glyme intercalation in copper–thiolate polymers is studied. The amorphous polymer network observed is significantly stronger than previously reported coinage metal–thiolate supramolecular hydrogels synthesized without glyme. Glyme chain length and water content strongly influence mechanical and optical behavior.
Measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentration using Indo-1 during simultaneous flash photolysis to release Ca2+ from DM-nitrophen.

We have constructed a modular instrument to measure intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in single isolated cells while simultaneously imposing step changes in [Ca2+]i using “caged Ca2+”. By combining the outputs of a xenon arc lamp with a frequency-tripled (Nd: YAG) laser, the instrument can operate with low maintained illumination to measure [Ca2+]i using a ratiometric Ca2+-sensitive fluorophore and also activate the release of Ca2+ from a caged-Ca2+ compound with a high energy pulse of ultraviolet light. This instrument is simple to assemble, introduces little electrical noise, provides a wide range of illumination power, produces only moderate photobleaching of the Ca2+ indicator and can be readily adapted to diverse cellular preparations. We demonstrate the use of this system to measure step changes in [Ca2+]i in adult rat ventricular myocytes and a human embryonic kidney cell line (293 cells) in culture.
Raman and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Studies of P-Doped Poly-Si

Phosphorus-doped poly-Si films were studied with Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. We determine strain and grain size and compare with a structural analysis using plan-view transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We analyze the derivatives of our ellipsometry data (peak shifts and broadenings) using analytical lineshapes, which are affected by grain size, film thickness, doping, and inhomogeneity, but only minimally by macroscopic biaxial strain.
A Test of Paleomagnetism as a Correlation and Dating Technique in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

In order to assess the use of paleomagnetic directions of liquefied sands for correlating and dating paleoseismic events, I studied historic liquefaction deposits in the New Madrid seismic zone to verify their ability to record the ambient geomagnetic field direction at the time of liquefaction. Erupted sand from the 1811–1812 New Madrid events are shown to have a remanent magnetic direction in agreement with the field direction recorded in St. Louis in 1819. There is a large variation in the magnetic quality between two adjacent erupted sand layers. These beds show identical magnetic composition and sand grain-size. Lacking a magnetic explanation for their differing behavior, turbulent forces or deformation causing signal degradation during reliquefaction are the preferred explanation. A similar explanation is also suggested for the poor magnetic quality of an injected dike that is coarser-grained, but magnetically identical to the erupted sands.
A quantum algorithm for uniform sampling of models of propositional logic based on quantum probability

We describe a class of quantum algorithms to generate models of propositional logic with equal probability. We consider quantum stochastic flows that are the quantum analogues of classical Markov chains and establish a relation between fixed points on the two flows. We construct chains inspired by von Neumann algorithms using uniform measures as fixed points to construct the corresponding irreversible quantum stochastic flows. We formulate sampling models of propositions in the framework of adiabatic quantum computing and solve the underlying satisfiability instances. Satisfiability formulation is an important and successful technique in modeling the decision theoretic problems in a classical context. We discuss some features of the proposed algorithms tested on an existing quantum annealer D-Wave II extending the simulation of decision theoretic problems to a quantum context.
A review of contemporary archwires: Their properties and characteristics

The materials used by orthodontists have changed rapidly in recent years and will continue to do so in the future. As esthetic composite archwires are introduced, metallic archwires will likely be replaced for most orthodontic applications in the same way that metals have been replaced by composites in the aerospace industry. Archwires are reviewed in the order of their development, with emphasis on specific properties and characteristics, such as strength, stiffness, range, formability, and weldability. Because an ideal material has not yet been found, archwires should be selected within the context of their intended use during treatment.
The Colonic Crypt Protects Stem Cells from Microbiota-Derived Metabolites

Summary In the mammalian intestine, crypts of Leiberkuhn house intestinal epithelial stem/progenitor cells at their base. The mammalian intestine also harbors a diverse array of microbial metabolite compounds that potentially modulate stem/progenitor cell activity. Unbiased screening identified butyrate, a prominent bacterial metabolite, as a potent inhibitor of intestinal stem/progenitor proliferation at physiologic concentrations. During homeostasis, differentiated colonocytes metabolized butyrate likely preventing it from reaching proliferating epithelial stem/progenitor cells within the crypt. Exposure of stem/progenitor cells in vivo to butyrate through either mucosal injury or application to a naturally crypt-less host organism led to inhibition of proliferation and delayed wound repair. The mechanism of butyrate action depended on the transcription factor Foxo3. Our findings indicate that mammalian crypt architecture protects stem/progenitor cell proliferation in part through a metabolic barrier formed by differentiated colonocytes that consume butyrate and stimulate future studies on the interplay of host anatomy and microbiome metabolism.
Newcastle disease virus in man; results of studies in five cases.

Abstract 1.1. The history and clinical course of illness of 5 patients who were exposed accidentally to Newcastle disease virus is presented. 2.2. The principal clinical manifestations were malaise, conjunctivitis, ulceration of the buccal mucosa, and preauricular lymphadenopathy. The onset followed exposure within eighteen to twenty-four hours. 3.3. Newcastle disease virus was isolated from conjunctival sac washings, nasal discharges, saliva, and blood cells of Case 1, from saliva only in Case 2, from conjunctival sac washings, saliva, and urine in Case 3, and from eye washings of a patient whose contact occurred while preparing vaccine to Newcastle disease. 4.4. As far as known, Newcastle disease virus was isolated for the first time from urine of a human patient. 5.5. The virus was isolated from one patient whose illness was almost inapparent. 6.6. It is suggested that Newcastle disease may have greater significance for man than is generally recognized.
Emptying and absorption of caffeine from the human stomach

The emptying and absorption of caffeine from the stomach were studied using test meals of 350 ml containing phenol red and caffeine (500 mg per liter) instilled into the stomach of 6 healthy subjects. Emptying was allowed to proceed normally and the gastric contents were aspirated at different time intervals on separate days. Emptying and acid output were compared to that for water meals of equal volume containing no caffeine. Absorption was calculated by the method of Hunt [Hunt JN: The simultaneous estimation of the absorption of water and sulphaguanidine from the stomach of man. J Physiol (London) 109:134-141, 1949]. Formulas were derived for calculating maximal and minimal limits of absorption. Emptying of caffeine meals and water meals proceeded at the same rate up to 20 min at which time about 86% of the meal had left the stomach. Absorption of caffeine was directly related to the time present in the stomach and at 20 min reached a peak of (mean ± se ) 16.3 ± 1.1% of the ingested dose. The values for absorption were found to lie midway between the calculated maximal and minimal limits of absorption. Gastric acid output at 15 min in response to the caffeine meals was significantly greater than that to the water meals. In further studies in 6 other subjects gastric emptying was delayed by glucose (100 g per liter). The test meals were buffered to pH 1.0, 2.1, 3.5, 7.0, and 9.0, and the gastric contents aspirated completely at 20 min. Absorption of caffeine at pH 1.0 was negligible and increased significantly with increased pH up to a peak of 21.5% of the ingested dose at pH 7.0. These findings were generally consistent with the pH partition hypothesis of the gastric absorption of drugs.
Golden Algae and Diatoms

The division Chrysophyta (chryso = golden; phyton = plant) includes unicellular and colonial planktonic algae of marine or fresh water. They play an important role in the economy of nature both as photosynthesizers and as the beginning of many food chains.
Immigration and Citizenship in Japan: Citizenship as Political Strategy

In July 2000, the New Komeito Party, a member of the ruling coalition, drafted a bill to grant foreign residents the right to vote in local elections. Although the local voting rights bill gained support from the ruling coalition and opposition parties, conservative members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) argued that the bill was unconstitutional and that granting voting rights to foreign residents would reduce the already low naturalization rates among Korean residents. Such a move, they claimed, would provide further incentive for Koreans to maintain their “privileged status” without declaring allegiance to Japan. As a countermeasure, the LDP drafted legislation in 2001 aimed at easing naturalization requirements for special permanent residents. The proposed legislation would allow special permanent residents to acquire Japanese citizenship by declaration alone and would involve a simple registration process. Proponents of the bill argue that Koreans in Japan have already assimilated into Japanese society and that easing naturalization procedures would give them greater freedom to choose their nationalities. Both bills, which as of this publication have remained under debate in the Diet since their introduction, appear to benefit the Korean-resident community in Japan; nevertheless, Korean reactions have been mixed. Most Korean activists support the voting rights bill, for which a wide section of the Korean community has lobbied since the mid-1980s. In contrast, Korean activists have been among the most vocal opponents of the naturalization bill.
Runtime-bounded tunable motion planning for autonomous driving

Trajectory planning methods for on-road autonomous driving are commonly formulated to optimize a Single Objective calculated by accumulating Multiple Weighted Feature terms (SOMWF). Such formulation typically suffers from the lack of planning tunability. Two main causes are the lack of physical intuition and relative feature prioritization due to the complexity of SOMWF, especially when the number of features is big. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a framework with multiple tunable phases of planning, along with two novel techniques: • Optimization-free trajectory smoothing/nudging. • Sampling-based trajectory search with cascaded ranking.
Potential of big visual data and building information modeling for construction performance analytics: An exploratory study

Abstract The ever increasing volume of visual data due to recent advances in smart devices and camera-equipped platforms provides an unprecedented opportunity to visually capture actual status of construction sites at a fraction of cost compared to other alternatives methods. Most efforts on documenting as-built status, however, stay at collecting visual data and updating BIM. Hundreds of images and videos are captured but most of them soon become useless without properly being localized with plan document and time. To take full advantage of visual data for construction performance analytics, three aspects (reliability, relevance, and speed) of capturing, analyzing, and reporting visual data are critical. This paper 1) investigates current strategies for leveraging emerging big visual data and BIM in construction performance monitoring from these three aspects, 2) characterizes gaps in knowledge via case studies and structures a road map for research in visual sensing and analytics.
“Any Sacrifice Is Worthwhile Doing”: Latina Au Pairs Migrating to the United States for Opportunities

ABSTRACTA study of 20 highly educated Latin American women who entered the United States on au pair visas showed that they struggled to improve their opportunity structures. The study draws on skilled female migration theory to focus on the participants' ambitions, work experiences, and their trajectories in the United States. The findings focused on the contradictions between the participants' aspirations and the realities of their work lives, legal status, and prospects in the United States that impacted their advancement. They exercised their agency despite difficult circumstances.
Ichthyoses and hyperkeratotic disorders

Many of the ichthyotic disorders have characteristic ocular findings. These disorders include X-linked ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, Sjogren-Larsson syndrome, KID syndrome, Refsum's disease, neutral lipid storage disease, chondrodysplasia punctata, and Richner-Hanhart syndrome. A knowledge of the ocular manifestations may provide a valuable aid to diagnosis in difficult cases. In some cases, knowledge of the ocular complications results in early referral for optimal ophthalmologic care.
The Right Ventricle: Reemergence of the Forgotten Ventricle

The status of the right ventricle (RV) largely determines the functional state and prognosis of patients with many forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Some PH patients are adaptive remodelers and develop concentric RV hypertrophy (RVH) that is associated with retained RV function; others are maladaptive remodelers and rapidly develop right ventricular failure (RVF). RVF is the leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although inotropic support may be of transient benefit in the intensive care unit, the subsequent prognosis of such patients is poor. Here we review the embryology of the RV, with an emphasis on its early divergence from the left ventricle. Emerging concepts that suggest future therapies for RVF are considered, including excessive autonomic activation, chamber-specific dysregulation of key enzymes (e.g. phosphodiesterase 5 and pyruvate dehydrogenase), and an ischemia-induced metabolic shift to glycolysis. The hypertrophied RV has features of hibernating myocardium and these can be noninvasively measured using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Several diseases affecting the RV are reviewed, including congenital heart diseases, arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy, RV infarction, and transthyretin-related amyloidosis. Effective therapies for RV failure are needed.
Probing the internal structures of Kevlar® fibers and their impacts on mechanical performance

Abstract Advancements in processing techniques have facilitated the development of a series of unique high-performance DuPont™ Kevlar® fibers. Directly characterizing interior structures of these fibers is vital for connecting processing variations with resulting mechanical properties. Here we report detailed investigations of processing-internal structure-property relationships among four distinct classes of Kevlar® fibers (K119, K29, KM2+, and K49). We employ a novel focused ion beam (FIB) notch technique to obtain pristine interior fiber planes and measure morphology and transverse stiffness across these surfaces via multifrequency atomic force microscopy (AFM) maps. Combining these observations with tensile tests of single fibers drawn from the same tows, we acquire remarkable insights into structural motifs that strongly correlate with measured mechanical properties. Most notably, we uncover alternating stiffness bands that are especially apparent in low-modulus, non-heat-treated fibers, revealing a unique manifestation of internal structural variations that helps explain the observed trends in material response.
Genome-wide Scan for Seed Composition Provides Insights into Soybean Quality Improvement and the Impacts of Domestication and Breeding

The complex genetic architecture of quality traits has hindered efforts to modify seed nutrients in soybean. Genome-wide association studies were conducted for seed composition, including protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids, using 313 diverse soybean germplasm accessions genotyped with a high-density SNP array. A total of 87 chromosomal regions were identified to be associated with seed composition, explaining 8%-89% of genetic variances. The candidate genes GmSAT1, AK-HSDH, SACPD-C, and FAD3A of known function, and putative MtN21 nodulin, FATB, and steroid-5-α-reductase involved in N2 fixation, amino acid biosynthesis, and fatty acid metabolism were found at the major-effect loci. Further analysis of additional germplasm accessions indicated that these major-effect loci had been subjected to domestication or modern breeding selection, and the allelic variants and distributions were relevant to geographic regions. We also revealed that amino acid concentrations related to seed weight and to total protein had a different genetic basis. This helps uncover the in-depth genetic mechanism of the intricate relationships among the seed compounds. Thus, our study not only provides valuable genes and markers for soybean nutrient improvement, both quantitatively and qualitatively, but also offers insights into the alteration of soybean quality during domestication and breeding.
PTTG promotes lymph node metastasis in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

350 Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) is widely up-regulated and often related to metastasis in multiple human tumors. Also it was identified as one of the key "signature genes" to predict metastasis in several tumor types, but little is known about the mechanisms involved. We detected PTTG overexpression in 65.7% (111/169) of 169 human ESCC primary tumors compared with matched normal tissues by in situ hybridization and found a significant correlation to lymph node metastasis ( P in vitro. ; Knockdown of this overexpression by SiRNA inhibited both effects ( P P
Long-term trends in submicron particle concentrations in a metropolitan area of the northeastern United States

Abstract Significant changes in emission sources have occurred in the northeastern United States over the past decade, due in part to the implementation of emissions standards, the introduction and addition of abatement technologies for road transport, changes in fuel sulfur content for road and non-road transport, as well as economic impacts of a major recession and differential fuel prices. These changes in emission scenarios likely affected the concentrations of airborne submicron particles. This study investigated the characteristics of 11–500 nm particle number concentrations and their size spectra in Rochester, NY during the past 15 years (2002 to 2016). The modal structure, diurnal, weekly and monthly patterns of particle number concentrations are analyzed. Long-term trends are quantified using seasonal-trend decomposition procedures based on “Loess”, Mann-Kendall regression with Theil-Sen slope and piecewise regression. Particle concentrations underwent significant (p
Optimization of Sine-Wave Clocking for High-Frequency AC–DC Conversion

Wireless energy harvesting devices convert received ac energy into dc voltages suitable to power the back-end functionality of the devices. The low energy available to the devices require high ac–dc conversion efficiency in order for enough power to be delivered to the load. This paper presents a model to characterize loss through charge pump cells in wireless energy harvesting devices. The proposed model includes the time-domain effects of the input radio-frequency energy wave and provides additional insight into how clock and switch parameters along with architecture considerations can be used to improve the efficiency of ac–dc conversion. Results are verified using simulation in a 0.18- $\mu$ m CMOS technology. We show the impact of threshold voltage on reverse conduction and the limitations on increasing transistor switch sizes to support high current loads. Design examples use the presented model to optimize design parameters to decrease loss in the charge pump. We compare the performance between sine-wave and square-wave clocked charge pumps to show the tradeoff between charge pump loss and clock generation power consumption. Furthermore, the benefits of easily computing architectural changes is demonstrated using the proposed model showing how the calculated equivalent resistance can be used to determine the benefits of mixed-mode clocking.
Impact of Training Videos on Attitudes About Parenting After Divorce

ABSTRACTMany U.S. states require divorcing parents to take education classes about the impact of divorce on parents and children. As educators, psychiatrists, social workers, and others create thes...
Strategies for the Specification of Tissue Engineering Biomaterials

This chapter attempts to explain and rationalize the author’s current position on the design and specification for tissue engineering templates. The conventional approach of using simple synthetic materials that have prior regulatory approval for medical device-oriented devices as tissue engineering “scaffolds” cannot be expected to meet the specifications for the complex templates that should provide the optimal environment in which target cells, including stem cells, express new tissue. In discussing the requirements and specifications for these templates, the need to use materials that are biologically active, capable of participating in processes that persuade cells to generate new tissue is strongly emphasized. It is of no surprise here that the outcome of the process of exploring these specifications results in structures that tend to recapitulate the overall architecture of solid organs that constitute the basis for viable organ transplantation, emphasizing the conceptual similarity between transplantation and regenerative approaches to major diseases.
Focal-plane analog image processing

In this chapter, three systems for imaging and visual information processing at the focal plane are described: current-mode, voltage-mode and mixed-mode image processing. It is demonstrated how spatiotemporal image processing can be implemented in the current and voltage modes. A computation-on-readout (COR) scheme is highlighted; this scheme maximizes pixel density but still allows multiple processed images to be produced in parallel. COR requires little additional area and access time compared to a simple imager, and the ratio of imager to processor area increases drastically with scaling to smaller-feature-size CMOS technologies. In some cases, it is necessary to perform computations in a pixel-parallel manner while still retaining the imaging density and low-noise properties of an APS imager. Hence, an imager that uses both current-mode and voltage-mode imaging and processing is presented. The mixed-mode approach has some limitations, however, and these are described in detail. Three case studies are used to show the relative merits of the different approaches for focal-plane analog image processing.
Introduction to Chlamydomonas

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas has found widespread use as a model experimental system for diverse studies in cell and molecular biology. The ability of C. reinhardtii to grow heterotrophically with acetate as its sole carbon source has made this species especially useful for investigation of chloroplast biogenesis and function, since mutants unable to carry out photosynthesis are viable. The simple vegetative and sexual cycles are easily manipulated in the laboratory, making this organism a powerful tool for genetic analysis of photosynthesis as well as many other cellular functions. The usual laboratory strain of C. reinhardtii is the descendant ofan isolate made in Massachusetts in 1945. Several additional strains interfertile with this one have been isolated from nature, all from North America, and are providing a useful source of molecular diversity. More than 300 genetic and molecular loci have now been identified in seventeen linkage groups in the nuclear genome. Maps, references, cultures and other resources for Chlamydomonas research are available from the Chlamydomonas Genetics Center and other collections.
Abstract WP53: Is There Clinicial Equipoise for a Randomized Trial of Anesthesia (Sedation vs. General) During Endovascular Therapy?

Background and Objectives: Retrospective case-control studies found general anesthesia (GA), compared with conscious sedation (CS), was independently associated with poor clinical outcome in acute ...
Splicing Control in Normal and Aberrant Erythropoiesis

Abstract Alternative splicing is employed by all eukaryotic cells to increase proteome diversity and to regulate gene expression. RNA sequencing analysis of purified populations of erythroblasts at different stages of maturation has led to the identification of a dynamic alternative splicing program that directly modulates the protein isoform expression of cytoskeletal proteins and genes involved in RNA processing, heme biosynthesis, and iron transport. Regulated interactions of multiple RNA-binding proteins and cis-regulatory sequences located within exons or their flanking introns promote or inhibit functional spliceosome assembly at splice junctions, leading to altered exon inclusion or intron retention. Exon skipping regulates tissue and stage specific isoform expression of red cell membrane cytoskeletal proteins including EPB41, ankyrin, and band 3. Intron retention can lead to a frame shift during translation and introduction of a premature termination codon (PTC), that marks the transcript for degradation via the nonsense mediated decay pathway (NMD) upon export from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Intron retention leading to posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression during terminal erythroid maturation has been identified in genes involved in RNA processing and iron transport including SF3B1, SNRNP70, SLC25A37 and SLC25A28. Mutations that alter mRNA splice sites or introduce PTCs lead to a variety of congenital anemias including beta thalassemia, hereditary pyropoikilocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis, and hereditary spherocytosis. Aberrant mRNA splicing has subsequently been shown to lead to acquired anemias in subsets of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Somatic missense mutations in components of the spliceosome are the most common category of mutations in MDS. These point mutations lead to changes in the RNA binding specificity of the involved proteins and aberrant splicing of a subset of transcripts. Mutant SF3B1, the most commonly mutated splicing factor in MDS, has been shown to cause aberrant pre-mRNA splicing and an increase in transcripts predicted to undergo NMD due to use of upstream, cryptic 3‘ splice sites. Our group and others evaluating the strong genotype-phenotype association between SF3B1 point mutations and subtypes of MDS with ring sideroblasts have shown that the expression of the mitochondrial iron transporter, ABCB7, is decreased in samples from SF3B1-mutant MDS patients due to cryptic 3‘ splice site selection and introduction of a PTC between exons 8 and 9. The identification and functional validation of additional aberrantly spliced mutant-SF3B1 target genes is ongoing, with the goal of understanding how point mutations in a core component of the mRNA splicing machinery can lead to such specific effects on erythroid maturation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Benefits of Equitable Relationships: The Impact of Sense of Fairness, Household Division of Labor, and Decision Making Power on Perceived Social Support

We examine the impact of equity in intimate relationships on perceived social support among married and cohabiting individuals. We found performing an inequitable portion of the housework or feeling one's portion of the housework is unfair corresponds with lower perceived social support for both individuals in advantaged and disadvantaged positions of power. The highest level of social support results when partners contribute equally to household decisions. In contrast to earlier studies, women do not perceive inequitable household responsibilities as more fair than do men. We argue perceived social support is based in part on the structural conditions of marital arrangements. Five percent of the participants identified as Black, 89% as White, and 6% as members of other racial groups. The average participant had just over a high school education, with a median family income of $42,427.
On singular quasilinear problems with sign- changing coefficients

We prove the existence and nonexistence of positive solutions to the p-Laplacian problem −Δpu=λm(x)f(u) in Ω,u=0 on ∂Ω, where Ω is a bounded domain in Rn with smooth boundary ∂Ω, f(u)∼uq at ∞ for s...
Soft computing for softgoods supply chain analysis and decision support

Research on soft computing techniques for decision support for the design and management of the softgoods supply chain are presented. In particular, this work has been directed to creating and demonstrating a fuzzyneural soft computing framework for supply chain modeling and optimization and creating and demonstrating soft computing based approaches to capacity allocation and delivery date assignment. The former has required the development of fuzzy system identification procedures, a method for constructing membership functions for fuzzy sets, and a flexible supply chain simulation capability. The paper gives an overview of this work and the prototype tools we have developed.
Street Network Generation with Adjustable Complexity Using k-Means Clustering

The transportation system is an important part of the daily lives of a major portion of the world’s population. Therefore, innovative applications are designed to improve the experience of drivers and pedestrians in this system as technological advances allow. These applications analyze street networks to come up with suggestions such as fastest route or optimal ride-sharing route. Graph theory has been used frequently for these analyses, where each junction is represented by a vertex and each road segment is represented by an edge. However, applications also require grouping of these vertices so that they can run optimization methods in a larger scale.In this paper, we propose a method for creating street networks with adjustable complexity. By using k-Means clustering, our mechanism allows for the increase or decrease of the gradient of a street network. The implementation results demonstrate the proposed method’s efficiency and flexibility for providing street network graphs with adjustable complexity.
Deep Reinforcement Learning based Wireless Network Optimization: A Comparative Study

There is a growing interest in applying deep reinforcement learning (DRL) methods to optimizing the operation of wireless networks. In this paper, we compare three state of the art DRL methods, Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), Neural Episodic Control (NEC), and Variance Based Control (VBC), for the application of wireless network optimization. We describe how the general network optimization problem is formulated as RL and give details of the three methods in the context of wireless networking. Extensive experiments using a real-world network operation dataset are carried out, and the performance in terms of improving rate and convergence speed for these popular DRL methods is compared. We note that while DDPG and VBC demonstrate good potential in automating wireless network optimization, NEC has a much improved convergence rate but suffers from the limited action space and does not perform competitively in its current form.
Precision Spectroscopy of N 2 O with a Cross-Dispersed Spectrometer and Mid-Infrared Frequency Comb

A two-dimensional dispersive spectrometer achieves single element noise equivalent absorbance of 2.2 × 10−5 Hz−1/2 and resolves rovibrational lines for all singly-substituted stable isotopic variants of nitrous oxide near 4.5 μm.
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta vs Pre-Peritoneal Packing in Patients with Pelvic Fracture

Background Pelvic hemorrhage is potentially lethal despite homeostatic interventions such as pre-peritoneal packing (PP), resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), surgery, and/or angioembolization. REBOA may be used as an alternative/adjunct to PP for temporizing bleeding in patients with pelvic fractures. Our study aimed to compare the outcomes of REBOA and/or PP, as temporizing measures, in blunt pelvic fracture patients. We hypothesized that REBOA is associated with worsened outcomes. Study design We performed a 2017 review of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) and identified trauma patients with blunt pelvic fractures who underwent REBOA placement and/or PP before laparotomy and/or angioembolization. Propensity score matching was performed, adjusting for demographics, vitals, mechanism of injury, ISS, each body region-AIS, and pelvic fracture type. Outcomes were complication rates and mortality. Results A total of 156 patients (PP: 52; REBOA: 52; REBOA+PP: 52) were matched and included. Mean age was 43 ± 18 years, Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 28 (range 17–32), and 74% were males. Overall mortality was 42%. The 24-hour mortality (25% vs 14% vs 35%; p = 0.042), in-hospital mortality (44% vs 29% vs 54%; p = 0.034), and 4-hour pRBC units transfused (15 [9–23] vs 10 [4–19] vs 16 [9–27]; p = 0.017) were lower in the REBOA group. The REBOA group had faster times to both laparotomy (p = 0.040) and/or angioembolization (p = 0.012). There was no difference between the groups in acute kidney injury, lower limb amputations, or hospital and ICU length of stay among survivors. Conclusions REBOA is a less invasive procedure compared with PP and is associated with improved outcomes. Further clinical trials are needed to define the optimal patient who will benefit from REBOA.
Tacna y Arica: visualizaciones, plebiscito y nueva frontera en La Unión de Valparaíso, 1922

espanolLa presente investigacion tiene como proposito indagar ciertos aspectos relacionados con el discurso nacional de principios del siglo XX, centrando nuestra atencion en un amplio reportaje acerca de Arica y Tacna publicado por entregas en el diario La Union de Valparaiso en diciembre de 1922, momento de tension diplomatica entre Peru y Chile cuyo entorno era una posible definicion plebiscitaria de los limites de la nueva frontera norte. Este tipo de reportajes -que basaban su efectividad en la conjuncion entre imagenes fotograficas y textos- fueron utilizados como una postura periodistica que se correspondia con la alianza practicada entre las politicas de chilenizacion del Estado y las empresas editoriales para crear y fomentar un imaginario nacionalista postguerra del Pacifico. En este sentido, la intencionalidad estrategica del reportaje de La Union consistio en replicar una idea general pre concebida, estereotipada, que daba a entender la conveniencia de que los territorios ocupados y aun en disputa continuaran bajo el dominio de Chile, debido a que el pais era el mas apto para ejercer el progreso y la modernizacion. Estos intereses se habian tornado esenciales para la elite portena, que fue la tribuna hacia donde apunto en especial el diario. EnglishThis investigation aims to look at certain issues related to Chile's national discourse at the beginning of the twentieth century, focusing our attention on a wide-ranging report about Arica and Tacna published in installments in the newspaper La Union in December 1922. A moment of diplomatic tension between Peru and Chile whose backdrop was the possible definition of the new northern border's boundaries through a plebiscite. This kind of report - whose effectiveness was based on bringing photographic images and text- was used as a journalistic position that corresponded with the alliance between the State and the press over the policies of "Chilenisation" to create and encourage nationalist sentiment after the War of the Pacific. In this sense, the report's strategic intention in La Union consisted in replicating a preconceived and stereotypical general idea that held that it was con venient for the occupied territories still in dispute to continue under Chilean rule since the country was better suited to bringing progress and modernization. These interests had become essential for Valparaiso's elite, the audience at which the newspaper was aiming in particular.
Organization of Bacteriophage Tail-Like Particles in Cells of Chromobacterium violaceum

A strain of Chromobacterium violaceum has been isolated which produces bacteriophage tail-like particles in high numbers. The extracellular morphology and the intracellular arrangement of these particles are described. Images
Separation of river network–scale nitrogen removal among the main channel and two transient storage compartments

[1] Transient storage (TS) zones are important areas of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) processing in rivers. We assessed sensitivities regarding the relative impact that the main channel (MC), surface TS (STS), and hyporheic TS (HTS) have on network denitrification using a model applied to the Ipswich River in Massachusetts, United States. STS and HTS connectivity and size were parameterized using the results of in situ solute tracer studies in first- through fifth-order reaches. DIN removal was simulated in all compartments for every river grid cell using reactivity derived from Lotic Intersite Nitrogen Experiment (LINX2) studies, hydraulic characteristics, and simulated discharge. Model results suggest that although MC-to-STS connectivity is greater than MC-to-HTS connectivity at the reach scale, at basin scales, there is a high probability of water entering the HTS at some point along its flow path through the river network. Assuming our best empirical estimates of hydraulic parameters and reactivity, the MC, HTS, and STS removed approximately 38%, 21%, and 14% of total DIN inputs during a typical base flow period, respectively. There is considerable uncertainty in many of the parameters, particularly the estimates of reaction rates in the different compartments. Using sensitivity analyses, we found that the size of TS is more important for DIN removal processes than its connectivity with the MC when reactivity is low to moderate, whereas TS connectivity is more important when reaction rates are rapid. Our work suggests a network perspective is needed to understand how connectivity, residence times, and reactivity interact to influence DIN processing in hierarchical river systems.
Plato on Metaphysical Explanation: Does 'Participating' Mean Nothing?

According to Aristotle, Plato's efforts at metaphysical explanation not only fail, they are nonsensical. In particular, Plato's appeals to Forms as metaphysically explanatory of the sensibles that participate in them is "empty talk" since "'participating' means nothing" ( Met . 992a28-9). I defend Plato against Aristotle's charge by identifying a particular, substantive model of metaphysical predication as the favored model of Plato's late ontology. The model posits two basic metaphysical predication relations: self-predication and participation. In order to understand the participation relation, it is important first to understand how Plato's Forms are self-predicative paradigms. According to the favored model, Forms are self-predicative paradigms insofar as they are ideal, abstract encoders of structural essences. Sensibles participate in Forms by exemplifying the structures encoded in the Forms. Given plausible conditions on metaphysical explanation, Plato's appeals to abstract Forms as metaphysically explanatory of sensibles is a reasonable competitor for Aristotle's appeals to natural, substantial forms. At the very least, Plato's appeals to a participation relation are not empty.
Vertical, fully-depleted, surrounding gate MOSFETs on sub-0.1 /spl mu/m thick silicon pillars

Fabrication of MOSFETs on the sidewall of ultra-thin silicon pillars has been shown. The structures employ a self-aligned drain to enable the use of minimum definable pillar widths. Additionally by moving to a vertical structure, the high current density of surrounding gate MOSFETs can be achieved on conventional bulk substrates, and self-aligned gates can be maintained. These devices exhibit near ideal subthreshold slopes and low DIBL values, making them ideal for low power applications.
Histamine-induced lipid mobilization in humans and dogs.

The effect of histamine on serum free fatty acid (FFA) and glycerol levels was examined in humans and dogs in vivo. By the end of a 15-minute infusion of histamine diphosphate (11 mug of histamine per min i.v.), FFA levels in six male human volunteers had risen from basal values of 424 +/- 41 (mean +/- S.E.M.) to 909 +/- 45 muEq/1, and glycerol levels had risen from 66 +/- 5.5 to 124 +/- 9.3 mumol/1. These effects in man were not blocked by diphenhydramine, an H1-receptor antagonist, but were entirely blocked by propranolol, a beta adrenergic antagonist. Similar infusions of histamine (11 mug/min i.v.) in six anesthetized dogs caused FFA levels to rise from 189 +/- 13 to 461 +/- 92 muEq/1 and glycerol levels to rise from 58 +/- 3.7 to 157 +/- 22.4 mumol/1. These effects in the dog were not blocked by diphenhydramine or by propranolol but were entirely blocked by metiamide, an H2-receptor antagonist. These observations illustrate that low levels of histamine in vivo can produce significant elevations of serum FFA and glycerol levels in both humans and dogs. These results further suggest that the action of histamine in humans is indirect whereas the effect in dogs may be due to a direct action of histamine at the H2-receptor in canine adipose tissue.
The development of the velocity field in polymer melts in a reservoir approaching a capillary die

Color motion pictures have been made of the flow of low-density polyethylene, polystyrene, and isotactic polypropylene at 180°C in the reservoir approach to a capillary extrusion rheometer. Detailed observations of the variation of flow patterns with extrusion rate were made. At low flow rates, essentially radial flow into the capillary entrance was observed in all polymers. With increasing flow rate, the included entrance angle α for the polyethylene and polystyrene decreased from 180°C and a “wine glass” structured velocity field was observed with stagnant circulating regions in the corners and the melt channeling in through the wine glass to the capillary entrance. The angle α was related to entrance pressure drop Δpe and capillary wall shear stress σw data through the semilogarithmic equation where α is in degrees; Δpe/σw is interpreted as a Weissenberg number. The breakdown of stable laminar flow of the melts in the reservoir and the distortion of extrudates was observed. These phenomena seemed to be initiated by the formation of a spiralling motion in the reservoir.
The tensile properties of hot-rolled (Al2O3)p-Al composites

Abstract Hot rolling was carried out on the extruded Al alloy 6061 composite reinforced with Al 2 O 3 particulates ((Al 2 O 3 ) p -Al composite) along a direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction of the composite. Room-temperature tensile tests of the hot-rolled composites showed a significant increase in strength and fracture strain along the transverse (rolling) direction with increasing reduction in rolling. However, the same properties along the longitudinal (extrusion) direction were relatively unaffected by hot rolling. Such behaviors of rolled composites are compared with those of the cold-rolled composites and analyzed on the basis of the microstructural changes such as redistribution of the particulate clusters, disappearance of the particulate-free zones, particulate damage and smaller matrix grain size of the rolled composites.
In defense of "lineal causality".

It has often been said that ideas about lineal and circular causality may be theoretically profound, but that the reputed impossibility of lineal causality seems to fly in the face of our experience and our common sense. The above humorous jibe at theory goes straight to the heart of the matter. Bateson's epistemology of lineal and circular causality does not describe our everyday experience. Batesoh's epistemology explains our experience.
SimPL: an algorithm for placing VLSI circuits

VLSI placement optimizes locations of circuit components so as to reduce interconnect. Formulated in terms of (hyper) graphs, it is NP-hard, and yet must be solved for challenging million-node instances within several hours. We propose an algorithm for large-scale placement that outperforms prior art both in runtime and solution quality on standard benchmarks. The algorithm is more straightforward than existing placers and easier to integrate into timing-closure flows. Our C++ implementation is compact, self-contained and exploits instruction-level and thread-level parallelism. Due to its simplicity and superior performance, the algorithm has been adopted in the industry and was extended by several university groups to multi-objective optimization.
Quantum imponderables having parallels in nonlinear dynamics: indications of nonlinearities at the heart of quantum mechanics?

Several of the imponderables associated with the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics have alternative, parallel explanations in terms of nonlinear dynamics and chaos. For example, an exponential law for processes such as radioactive decay can be obtained by iterating unimodal maps operating in chaotic domains, utilizing their extreme sensitivity to initial conditions. Such alternative explanations raise the question of the possibility of underlying nonlinearities in quantum mechanics. This is a 'from the bottom up', empirical approach to the question and will be compared with other, more theoretical, 'from the top down' investigations into the possibility of nonlinear extensions to quantum mechanics. Nonlinear dynamics, although deterministic, in its chaotic extreme provides only statistical information about the outcomes of state-space orbits. Thus in principle it provides the determinism so dear to Einstein; yet in practice it exhibits the probabilistic behaviour of Bohr. Perhaps Einstein and Bohr could both have been right.