cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Draft Genome Sequence of Kerstersia gyiorum CG1, Isolated from a Leg Ulcer

ABSTRACT We report the first draft genome sequence of Kerstersia gyiorum from a leg ulcer of a patient with diabetes and osteomyelitis. The 3.94-Mb genome assembly included 3,428 annotated coding sequences with an N50 of 223,310 bp and a plasmid encoding a type IV secretion system gene and two antitoxin genes.
A study on sintering aids for Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 electrolyte

Abstract In this study, an addition of Co oxide or Cu oxide to Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) was studied to improve the sinterability of SDC. It has been found that both Co and Cu oxide are very effective as sintering aids, and the SDC sintering temperature can be reduced from 1400 °C without aids to below 1000 °C with only 1 at.% of either Cu oxide or Co oxide. As compared to the pure SDC, a slight decrease of ionic conductivity was observed in SDC with Cu sintering aid. There is no obvious effect on electrochemical property of SDC with Co sintering aid under 2.5 at.%.
Type I IFNs Act upon Hematopoietic Progenitors To Protect and Maintain Hematopoiesis during Pneumocystis Lung Infection in Mice

Although acquired bone marrow failure (BMF) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, few studies have considered contributing roles of innate immune deviations following otherwise innocuous infections as a cause underlying the immune defects that lead to BMF. Type I IFN signaling plays an important role in protecting hematopoiesis during systemic stress responses to the opportunistic fungal pathogen Pneumocystis. During Pneumocystis lung infection, mice deficient in both lymphocytes and type I IFN receptor (IFrag(-/-)) develop rapidly progressing BMF associated with accelerated hematopoietic cell apoptosis. However, the communication pathway eliciting the induction of BMF in response to this strictly pulmonary infection has been unclear. We developed a conditional-null allele of Ifnar1 and used tissue-specific induction of the IFrag(-/-) state and found that, following Pneumocystis lung infection, type I IFNs act not only in the lung to prevent systemic immune deviations, but also within the progenitor compartment of the bone marrow to protect hematopoiesis. In addition, transfer of sterile-filtered serum from Pneumocystis-infected mice as well as i.p. injection of Pneumocystis into uninfected IFrag(-/-) mice induced BMF. Although specific cytokine deviations contribute to induction of BMF, immune-suppressive treatment of infected IFrag(-/-) mice ameliorated its progression but did not prevent loss of hematopoietic progenitor functions. This suggested that additional, noncytokine factors also target and impair progenitor functions; and interestingly, fungal β-glucans were also detected in serum. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that type 1 IFN signaling protects hematopoiesis within the bone marrow compartment from the damaging effects of proinflammatory cytokines elicited by Pneumocystis in the lung and possibly at extrapulmonary sites via circulating fungal components.
Chronic Recurrent Pseudophakic Endophthalmitis.

An immunocompetentwoman in her 80s underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery in her righteye4monthspriorwithbest-correctedvisualacuity (BCVA)of20/25OD.Twoweeks prior topresentation, shereportedagradual increase inblurredvisionwith intermittent floaters in the right eyebut deniedpain or inciting events.HerBCVAwas20/50OD. Therewere large keratic precipitates, 1+ anterior chamber cell and flare, and no hypopyon. Numerous white precipitates were noted on the anterior and posterior surface of a 3-piece posterior chamber intraocular lens (Figure, A). Therewere 2+ to 3+ anterior vitreous cells and a 2–disc area chorioretinal scar along the superior retinal arcadeswith extramacular drusen, but no areasof chorioretinitis (Figure, B). B-scanultrasonography showedaposterior vitreousdetachmentandmoderatevitreousopacities.Thecontralateralphakiceyeshowedsimilardrusen but was otherwise unremarkable. The patient underwent a vitreous tap,whichwas negative for organisms, aswell as injection of intravitreal vancomycin hydrochloride and ceftazidime in the right eye. Topical prednisolone acetate and ofloxacin were started 4 times daily, and steroids were increased toevery2hourswhile awakeat follow-up.HerBCVA improved to20/30OD4days later. TheBCVAremainedexcellent andkeraticprecipitatesdissipatedby 1monthof followup, with stable findings in the posterior pole. Topical antibiotics were stopped and topical steroidswere gradually tapered. At 2months’ follow-up, however, she had recurrent anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation with mild cystoid macular edema. Quiz at jamaophthalmology.com Fundus photograph B Slitlamp photograph A
Glucocorticoid Regulation of Food-Choice Behavior in Humans: Evidence from Cushing's Syndrome

The mechanisms by which glucocorticoids regulate food intake and resulting body mass in humans are not well-understood. One potential mechanism could involve modulation of reward processing, but human stress models examining effects of glucocorticoids on behavior contain important confounds. Here, we studied individuals with Cushing's syndrome, a rare endocrine disorder characterized by chronic excess endogenous glucocorticoids. Twenty-three patients with Cushing's syndrome (13 with active disease; 10 with disease in remission) and 15 controls with a comparably high body mass index (BMI) completed two simulated food-choice tasks (one with "explicit" task contingencies and one with "probabilistic" task contingencies), during which they indicated their objective preference for viewing high calorie food images vs. standardized pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images. All participants also completed measures of food craving, and approximately half of the participants provided 24-h urine samples for assessment of cortisol and cortisone concentrations. Results showed that on the explicit task (but not the probabilistic task), participants with active Cushing's syndrome made fewer food-related choices than participants with Cushing's syndrome in remission, who in turn made fewer food-related choices than overweight controls. Corroborating this group effect, higher urine cortisone was negatively correlated with food-related choice in the subsample of all participants for whom these data were available. On the probabilistic task, despite a lack of group differences, higher food-related choice correlated with higher state and trait food craving in active Cushing's patients. Taken together, relative to overweight controls, Cushing's patients, particularly those with active disease, displayed a reduced vigor of responding for food rewards that was presumably attributable to glucocorticoid abnormalities. Beyond Cushing's, these results may have relevance for elucidating glucocorticoid contributions to food-seeking behavior, enhancing mechanistic understanding of weight fluctuations associated with oral glucocorticoid therapy and/or chronic stress, and informing the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric conditions marked by abnormal cortisol dynamics (e.g., major depression, Alzheimer's disease).
Self-Integrating Polynomials

3x By happy accident this student found a correct answer, but we know this trick won't always work or we wouldn't devote so much time learning to integrate! Let's call polynomials like the one in the example self-integrating. A questio naturally arises; how many self-integrating polynomials are there over the interval [0, 1]? We will answer that questio in this capsule. A quick check of the definition of a self-integrating polynomial indicates that the only constant polynomial satisfing the conditon is po(x) O. We next check to see if there are any self-integrating linear polynomials. Solving the linear equation
A Different Interpretation of Einstein’s Viscosity Equation Provides Accurate Representations of the Behavior of Hydrophilic Solutes to High Concentrations

Viscosities of aqueous solutions of many highly soluble hydrophilic solutes with hydroxyl and amino groups are examined with a focus on improving the concentration range over which Einstein’s relationship between solution viscosity and solute volume, V, is applicable accurately. V is the hydrodynamic effective volume of the solute, including any water strongly bound to it and acting as a single entity with it. The widespread practice is to relate the relative viscosity of solute to solvent, η/η0, to V/Vtot, where Vtot is the total volume of the solution. For solutions that are not infinitely dilute, it is shown that the volume ratio must be expressed as V/V0, where V0 = Vtot – V. V0 is the volume of water not bound to the solute, the “free” water solvent. At infinite dilution, V/V0 = V/Vtot. For the solutions examined, the proportionality constant between the relative viscosity and volume ratio is shown to be 2.9, rather than the 2.5 commonly used. To understand the phenomena relating to viscosity, the hy...
Protein and Bacterial Antifouling Behavior of Melt-Coextruded Nanofiber Mats

Antifouling surfaces are important for biomedical devices to prevent secondary infections and mitigate the effects of the foreign body response. Herein, we describe melt-coextruded poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber mats grafted with antifouling polymers. Nonwoven PCL fiber mats are produced using a multilayered melt coextrusion process followed by high-pressure hydroentanglement to yield porous patches. The resulting fiber mats show submicrometer cross-sectional fiber dimensions and yield pore sizes that were nearly uniform, with a mean pore size of 1.6 ± 0.9 μm. Several antifouling polymers, including hydrophilic, zwitterionic, and amphipathic molecules, are grafted to the surface of the mats using a two-step procedure that includes photochemistry followed by the copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction. Fiber mats are evaluated using separate adsorption tests for serum proteins and E. coli. The results indicate that poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-co-(trifluoroethyl...
Integrated calculator programs for pharmacokinetic calculations

A package of integrated programs for calculating pharmacokinetic variables and drug-dosing regimens using a hand-held programmable calculator is described. Twelve pharmacokinetic programs, which were based on previously published pharmacokinetic equations, were developed for use in a HP-41C hand-held calculator (Hewlett-Packard). The programs perform, pharmacokinetic calculations for many drugs, including digoxin, theophylline, phenytoin, nd the aminoglycosides. Also programs for ideal body weight, body surface area, and creatinine clearance calculations are included. Eleven of the 12 programs can be stored in the calculator at any time. Values generated in one program are stored in memory registers and can be recalled directly for use in other programs. The calculator has a continuous memory; therefore, all stored data, programs, and functions are maintained when the calculator is turned off. The integrated calculator programs provide a quick and reliable means of applying pharmacokinetic principles to everyday hospital pharmacy practice.
Identification and phylogeny of putative PEPC genes in three toxin-producing Karenia (Dinophyta) species.

Dense blooms of toxin-producing Karenia brevis increase local surface ocean pH through CO2 uptake. To identify genes that may contribute to bloom-related environmental pH and pCO2 changes, transcriptomes with RNA from K. brevis Wilson cultures that had been acclimated to low CO2 (250 ppm) or recent CO2 (350 ppm) pCO2 levels were assembled. Among the annotated transcripts were PEPC, PPDK, and PEPCK enzymes found in the model C4 carbon fixation pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that the enzymatic activity of PEPC, PPDK, and/or PEPCK in some algae species, including marine diatoms, is influenced by variations in dissolved inorganic carbon. We found significantly similar PEPC, PPDK, and PEPCK enzymes in the transcriptomes of K. brevis and two sister species Karenia papilionacea, and Karenia mikimotoi. One or more isoforms of PEPC were also identified in the transcriptomes of thirty additional photosynthetic phytoplankton species from nine phyla. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with neighbor joining and maximum likelihood techniques to characterize the evolutionary relationship among phytoplankton, terrestrial plant C4, and terrestrial plant C3 PEPC sequences. Based on the nucleotide trees constructed during this study, the Karenia PEPC transcripts were more closely related to the terrestrial C4 genes than the terrestrial C3 genes. Furthermore, PEPC phylogeny among phytoplankton closely resembles phylogenetic trees constructed with ribosomal RNA. This study confirmed that the toxin-producing dinoflagellates K. brevis, K. mikimotoi, and K. papilionacea express putative PEPC, PEPCK, and PPDK transcripts.
Mechanism of Convective Heat Transfer and its Role in Gas Turbines

The fundamental dependence of convective heat transfer on the pattern of fluid flow is first stated, and this is followed by an elementary presentation, illustrated by examples of the behaviour of models, of the governing principles of fluid dynamics, particularly those concerning the boundary layer. The resultant relative levels of heat transfer from various surfaces are then discussed, together with the effect of different types of fluid. With these fundamental considerations established, an analysis is made of the economics of different types and arrangements of heat exchanger. Finally, methods of turbine-blade cooling are considered from estimates of the heat-transfer pattern round the surface of the blade.
Flow-related dynamics in suspended algal biomass and its contribution to suspended particulate matter in an agricultural river network of the Minnesota River Basin, USA

Factors controlling phytoplankton dynamics in lotic systems remain poorly understood relative to those in standing waters, especially in smaller and mid-size streams. Here, we evaluate relationships between stream flow, suspended algal biomass, and particulate organic carbon over multiple years for a mid-size river network draining an intensively managed agricultural landscape in the Midwestern USA. As expected, we found that mid-size reaches (4th–6th order) yielded higher chlorophyll concentrations than smaller reaches (1st–3rd order); however, all reach types exhibited chlorophyll concentrations that could be considered eutrophic. Suspended algae accounted for approximately 20% of total suspended carbon in the river network, on average. Over time, the highest levels of suspended algal biomass across all sites were associated with intermediate–high flow conditions (above median discharge but below ~25% exceedance probabilities). Lakes and wetlands were also sources of suspended algal biomass to the stream network, although substantial phytoplankton production appeared to occur in-channel apart from lentic inputs. Our findings highlight the importance of flow as a regulator of suspended algal biomass, and suggest that moderate flow events act to mobilize algae from benthic habitats or other refugia.
Higher Education Shaping the Unscripted Future: The Imperative to Affirm Human Values in Transformative Times

This chapter employs micro-and macro levels of analyses to provide a broad overview of the foundational role of higher education in shaping the future of nations, societies, and individuals, reinforcing values and strengthening the social fabric. The function of scripts as pathways for an individual’s future is detailed, as is how higher education may be used to change the script of one’s life. The discussion of individual scripts is applied to the shaping of societies and nations. Key values that provide a common grounding for decisions in uncertain times are also discussed.
γ-Aminobutyric Acid Is Synthesized and Released by the Endothelium Potential Implications

Rationale:Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, is found in the systemic circulation of humans at a concentration between 0.5 and 3 μmol/L. However, the potential source of circulating GABA and its significance on the vascular system remains unknown. We hypothesized that endothelial cells (ECs) may synthesize and release GABA to modulate some functions in the EC and after its release into the circulation. Objective:To assess whether GABA is synthesized and released by the EC and its potential functions. Methods and Results:Utilizing the human umbilical vein ECs and aortic ECs, we demonstrated for the first time that ECs synthesize and release GABA from [1-14C]glutamate. Localization of GABA and the presence of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase in EC were confirmed by immunostaining and immunoblot analysis, respectively. The presence of GABA was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry in the EC lining the human coronary vessel. EC-derive...
Tracing New Urbanism’s Suburban Intervention in Minneapolis–St. Paul:

New Urbanism (NU) is an urban planning movement that aims to curtail suburban sprawl. Critics argue that NU actually contributes to sprawl. However, such claims overlook the diverse ways in which N...
An Examination of Disparities in Pediatric Pain Management Centered on Socioeconomic Factors and Hospital Characteristics.

Very little is known about pediatric pain management resource differences. In contrast, disparities in pain management within the adult population are known to exist. This research examined whether significant differences exist between hospitals in the state of New York and what factors impact these pain resources. The study was approved by the institutional review board. A questionnaire was sent to the anesthesia/pediatric/pain directors of every hospital in the state of New York via SurveyMonkey. Poverty-enriched areas were identified based on the Census Bureau definition of poverty-enriched areas. The Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used. Analyses were conducted to compare hospitals with and without a pediatric pain service (PPS) on several hospital characteristics. All analyses were in SAS-V9.4. Of 160 physicians contacted, 40 completed the survey. Twenty-five percent reported that their hospital had a PPS. In these hospitals, 60% were separate from the adult pain service and 90% performed neuraxial but 30% did not offer more specialized nerve blocks. Socioeconomic status in which the hospital is situated did not impact the likelihood of having a PPS. PPSs were significantly more likely to be present in academic centers (p = 0.05) and children’s hospitals (p = 0.01). Rural hospitals were least likely to have a PPS (0%). A minority of hospitals have a PPS and disparity exists. The results indicate to us that targeting rural areas and community hospitals for enhancement of PPS would be valuable. Additional teaching of peripheral nerve blocks would also be valuable.
Variation in neoadjuvant chemotherapy utilization for epithelial ovarian cancer at high volume hospitals in the United States and associated survival

Abstract Objective To estimate variation in the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy by high volume hospitals and to determine the association between hospital utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival. Methods We identified incident cases of stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer in the National Cancer Database from 2006 to 2012. Inclusion criteria were treatment at a high volume hospital (> 20 cases/year) and treatment with both chemotherapy and surgery. A logistic regression model was used to predict receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on case-mix predictors (age, comorbidities, stage etc). Hospitals were categorized by the observed-to-expected ratio for neoadjuvant chemotherapy use as low, average, or high utilization hospitals. Survival analysis was performed. Results We identified 11,574 patients treated at 55 high volume hospitals. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was used for 21.6% (n = 2494) of patients and use varied widely by hospital, from 5%–55%. High utilization hospitals (n = 1910, 10 hospitals) had a median neoadjuvant chemotherapy rate of 39% (range 23–55%), while low utilization hospitals (n = 2671, 14 hospitals) had a median rate of 10% (range 5–17%). For all ovarian cancer patients adjusting for clinical and socio-demographic factors, treatment at a hospital with average or high neoadjuvant chemotherapy utilization was associated with a decreased rate of death compared to treatment at a low utilization hospital (HR 0.90 95% CI 0.83–0.97 and HR 0.85 95% CI 0.75–0.95). Conclusions Wide variation exists in the utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to treat stage IIIC and IV epithelial ovarian cancer even among high volume hospitals. Patients treated at hospitals with low rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy utilization experience decreased survival.
A new LMS based algorithm to suppress dead-time effects in PMSM V/f drives

This paper presents a new least-mean-square (LMS) based algorithm to suppress dead-time distortion in permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) V/f control schemes. The PMSM V/f control schemes are merited for their simple structure compared with sensorless field-oriented control (FOC) schemes. However, among the proposed ones, there isn't any method developed specifically for dead-time compensation in V/f control schemes. In the proposed method, the LMS dead-time compensator can directly reduce the current harmonics induced by the dead time without depending on precise current sampling especially in the zero-crossing region. Unlike disturbance observer methods which are designed for FOC schemes, it can be applied to both FOC and V/f control schemes. It is also robust to parameter variations because of LMS algorithm's online adaptation capability. This method is tested on a 2.5 kW PMSM drive controlled by a V/f scheme and requires negligible extra CPU bandwidth. The fidelity is validated by experimental results and spectrum analysis.
Human-in-the-Loop Thermal Management for Smart Buildings

While the primary purpose of most buildings is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for its occupants, most of the current studies and solutions developed for building thermal control have been designed independent of the occupant feedback. An acceptable temperature range for the occupancy level is estimated, and control input is designed to maintain temperature within that range during occupancy hours. Consider office floors, conference rooms, student dorms, homes, and other multi-occupant spaces where temperature is chosen irrespective of the number of occupants and their individual preferences. This existing approach is not only non- user-centric but also suboptimal from both energy consumption and occupant satisfaction/productivity perspectives. It is thus highly desirable for such multi-occupant spaces to have a mechanism that would take into account each occupant’s individual comfort preference and the energy cost, to come up with optimal thermal setting. Individual occupant’s feedback and preference can be obtained through wearable sensors or smart phone applications. In this chapter, we propose algorithms that take into account each occupant’s preferences along with the thermal correlations between different zones in a building, to arrive at optimal thermal settings for all zones of the building in a coordinated manner. First, we present a control algorithm that uses binary occupant feedback based on singular perturbation theory to minimize aggregate user discomfort and total energy cost. A consensus algorithm for attaining a common temperature setpoint in a typical multi-occupant space is presented next that uses Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) to solve the consensus problem. We use our Watervliet, NY-based test facility to demonstrate the performance of our algorithms.
The Role of Zonal Asymmetry in the Enhancement and Suppression of Sudden Stratospheric Warming Variability by the Madden–Julian Oscillation

AbstractSudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) events influence the Arctic Oscillation and mid-latitude extreme weather. Previous work showed the Arctic stratosphere to be influenced by the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and that the SSW frequency increases with an increase of the MJO amplitude, expected in a warmer climate. It is shown here that the zonal asymmetry in both the background state and forcing plays a dominant role, leading to either enhancement or suppression of SSW events by MJO-like forcing. When applying a circumglobal MJO-like forcing in a dry dynamic core model, the MJOforced waves can change the general circulation in three ways that affect the total vertical Eliassen-Palm flux in the Arctic stratosphere. First, weakening the zonal asymmetry of the tropospheric mid-latitude jet, and therefore preventing the MJO-forced waves from propagating past the jet. Second, weakening the jet amplitude, reducing the waves generated in the mid-latitudes, especially stationary waves, and therefore the u...
Topical 3% tranexamic acid enhances the efficacy of 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of melasma.

ABSTRACTBackground: A QS-NdYAG laser (QSNYL) and topical tranexamic acid (TA) have been widely used. However, no study has yet reported the efficacy of using both QSNYL and TA as a combined treatme...
Relation of Perceived Health Competence to Physical Activity in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Physical inactivity is highly associated with mortality, especially in patients with coronary heart disease. We evaluated the effect of perceived health competence, a patient's belief in his or her ability to achieve health-related goals, on cumulative physical activity levels in the Mid-South Coronary Heart Disease Cohort Study. The Mid-South Coronary Heart Disease Cohort Study consists of 2,587 outpatients (32% were female) with coronary heart disease at an academic medical center network in the United States. Cumulative physical activity was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes per week with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. We investigated associations between the 2-item Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS-2) and MET-minutes/week after adjusting for co-morbidities and psychosocial factors with linear regression. Nearly half of participants (47%) exhibited low physical activity levels (
Does English proficiency affect academic performance

Abstract Based on data from international transfer students in a dual degree undergraduate economics program in the U.S., this research asks whether English proficiency impacts academic performance measured as the overall U.S. GPA upon graduation and the grade obtained in a writing-intensive capstone course. The results indicate that English proficiency positively impacts academic performance, but at a declining rate. This non-linear relationship is sensitive to whether students placed into an English as a Second Language program are included in the sample or not and the type of achievement variable considered, thus highlighting a more nuanced result than expected.
Perceived Product Sizes in Visually Complex Environments

Abstract Although prior scholarship has demonstrated important effects of visual complexity on product perceptions, the relationship between the visual complexity of a product’s environment and that product’s perceived size remains unexplored. Because size is such an important product characteristic in many consumer contexts, the lack of exploration of this relationship leaves a significant gap in the literature on size perceptions, especially in relation to the retailing domain. The present investigation seeks to document the relationship between environmental visual complexity and the perceived size of a product. Namely, five studies show that high visual complexity decreases consumer size perceptions of a focal product through a serial mediation process in which high complexity pulls consumer attention away from the focal product. This shifted attention decreases processing fluency and leads consumers to perceptually minimize size to avoid information overload in the processing of a display. Even after ruling out potential influences of referent information (study 5) and alternative explanations of affective processing and perceived depth (study 4), these effects hold. The findings have implications for both theory and practice, shedding light on the relationship between size perceptions of a focal object and its environment.
Composition and Inverse Mappings

LetU, V, Wbe sets. LetF:U→VandG:V→Wbe mappings. Then we can form the composite mapping fromUintoWdenoted byG○F. It is by definition the mapping such that (G○F)(u) =G(F(u)) for alluinU.
Intracellular Dissipative Structures (IDSs)

According to I. Prigogine (1917–2003) (1977, 1980), there are two fundamental classes of structures in nature – equilibrium structures that can exist without any dissipation of free energy (e.g., crystals, a stick of candle, purified proteins) and dissipative structures whose maintenance requires free energy dissipation ( Sect. 3.1) (Kondepudi and Prigogine 1998; Babloyantz 1986; Kondepudi 2008). For convenience, the former has been referred to as equilibrons and the latter as dissipatons ( Sect. 3.1.5). The Bhopalator model of the living cell (Ji 1985a, b, 2002b) (to be discussed in Sect. 10.1) postulates that the dissipative structures present inside the living cell (hence called IDSs, or Intracellular Dissipative Structures) play a fundamental role in determining cell functions. The first direct evidence supporting this postulate was provided by the intracellular calcium ion waves observed in chemotaxing human neutrophils using a calcium ion-sensitive fluorescent dye (Sawyer et al. 1985) (see Fig. 3.2 in Sect. 3.1.2).
Effects of Water Wave Kinematics Uncertainty on Design Criteria for Offshore Structures

The effects of water wave kinematics on design criteria for offshore structures is examined in the framework of a comprehensive reliability analysis. The major components contributing to uncertainties in kinematics and hydrodynamic forces are discussed. Basic engineering approaches to evaluations of uncertainties in the components are discussed and illustrated with development of design criteria for an offshore oil and gas drilling and production platform located in a tropical cyclone region.
Effect of Pore Blockage on Transpiration Cooling With Additive Manufacturable Perforate Holes

Transpiration Cooling is an effective cooling technology to protect hot section components such as gas turbine airfoils, rocket heads and space craft. This external cooling method has much higher efficiency than film cooling with holes when consuming the same amount of coolant, due to the uniformity of coolant distribution. However, pore blockage, which frequently occur during the operation of transpiration cooled components, prevented its application in turbine components which require long term stability. Dust deposition was one the main reasons causing blockage of pores for transpiration cooling. A lot of effort was devoted into dust deposition and erosion while optimization for the components themselves were generally difficult as the blockage caused by dusts was unpredictable for traditional sintered porous media. Additive manufacturing, with capability to precisely construct structures in small scales, is a considerable tool to enhance the controllability of porous media, and furthermore, to find a good solution to minimize the blockage disadvantage. Present study selected a cooling configurations containing perforate straight holes with an additive manufacturable diameter of 0.4 mm. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods were utilized to model the pore blockage and its effect on heat transfer. A scripting code in addition to the ANSYS CFX solver was utilized to simulate the random blockage conditions of the holes. Two hundred numerical cases with four different blockage probabilities were calculated and statistically evaluated to quantify the disadvantage of pore blockage on the cooling effectiveness. Results obtained from the numerical analysis indicated that the overall blockage ratio was a dominating parameter for the cooling effectiveness. Upstream regions of the cooled surface were more sensitive to local blockage compared to downstream regions. Randomness of the cooling effectiveness increased with the increase of blockage probability. Present study provided a quantitative understanding of the random blockage disadvantage on the specific transpiration cooling configuration, and could benefit further optimization effort to reduce the blockage disadvantage of transpiration cooling using additive manufacturing.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
Chapter 14 – Bioavailability and Bioequivalence*

Bioavailability (BA) and bioequivalence (BE) studies are essential in oral dosage form development. This chapter provides readers an overview of general concept of BA and BE. Details on typical BA/BE study designs, study conducts, bioassays, and data analyses are discussed, with a primary focus on orally administered drugs. Special topics on BE for narrow therapeutic drugs and highly variable drugs, together with application of partial areas under the curve for BE testing are also presented. In addition, issues related to biowaiver are discussed in details.
Analysis of point mutations and copy number variation in Grade II and III meningioma

Meningiomas are among the most common tumors of the adult central nervous system (CNS). They are classified by the World Health Organization into three pathologic grades with increasing severity: grade I are benign with favorable treatment outcomes and low recurrence rates while grade III display malignant behavior and poor progression-free survival. Previous studies have shown that inactivation of NF-2 is the most common genetic event in high-grade meningioma; however, there is dearth of molecular data to distinguish grade II (AM-II) from the even more aggressive grade III (AM-III). As part of a routine diagnostic workup, 19 AM-II and 5 AM-III were submitted for targeted sequencing on a panel of twenty-four genes relevant to CNS tumors. The data generated during the course of clinical care was collected and re-analyzed with the aim of identifying molecular features to distinguish AM-II and AM-III. Our cases contained several well-characterized, potentially actionable mutations, but we did not find any novel, recurrent sequence variants. Copy number variations were common in both AM-II and AM-III; chr22q loss was the most prevalent followed in decreasing frequency by losses of chr1p, chr14q, and chr10. In particular, chr10 loss was noted in 4 of 5 AM-III cases but none of the AM-II cases. This suggests that chr10 loss may serve as a diagnostic and perhaps a prognostic marker to differentiate AM-II from AM-III. If confirmed in larger studies, our finding could further aid the classification of meningioma.
Learner Autonomy: CSRE Approach-the Launching Pad

There has been a marked shift within the field of language learning and teaching over the past two decades with greater emphasis being put on learners and learning rather than on teachers and teaching. This shift requires redefining the role of teachers, teaching methods and the learning materials. Learning doesn’t occur in vacuum and learner autonomy doesn’t happen automatically. Teachers play a major interactive role with both the learners and learning environment. They use effective strategies and suitable materials to enhance the learning process but at times with little success. What is required: the proper groundwork, the platform, the launching pad which will encourage the students to open up, act freely and autonomously? CSRE approach might help in preparing and fostering the students’ motivational level. This is an all-inclusive approach that not only serves the average learners but also encourages the slow learners to participate in the classroom activities. Teachers are ever learners. This paper evaluates the prevalent teaching learning process based on the extensive interaction with the learners and teachers spanning around thirty years’ of tryst within the theoretical framework.
HACCP and other programs to ensure safe products and for sustainable fish farming

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the status and importance of aquaculture to the worlds' fishery supplies. It addresses the importance of international trade and that it is incumbent upon aquaculture-producing countries to ensure that all fishery products are safe and wholesome. Exporting countries must understand the regulatory requirements of importing countries and use appropriate risk management tools such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point [“HACCP”] and Good Aquacultural Practices [“GAqPs”] to ensure safe/wholesome products. The chapter describes the use of HACCP principles as a risk management tool to control shrimp viruses in aquaculture ponds and to control parasites in freshwater aquacultured catfish. A specific example on the use of HACCP principles as a risk management tool to protect the environment from possible disease, parasites, and germplasm introduction from an oyster hatchery used to hold and breed non-native oyster species is also presented.
Significant and Distinctive n-Grams in Oncology Notes: A Text-Mining Method to Analyze the Effect of OpenNotes on Clinical Documentation

PURPOSEOpenNotes is a national movement established in 2010 that gives patients access to their visit notes through online patient portals, and its goal is to improve transparency and communication...
How to use satellites to monitor harmful algal blooms

The use of satellites for the monitoring of forests is common and well-known practice. However, the remotely monitoring of water quality from space is still scarce. In the United States of America, the use of this type of data is just now being applied to operationally monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs). This powerful tool can be used to generate temporal and spatial assessments of HABs, however the lack of information regarding its accuracy is still a challenge - especially in tropical and equatorial countries. The purpose of this commentary is to discuss the current challenges for the operational use of this technology for the assessment and forecast of HABs. The discussion was based on the current initiatives which use Earth Observation datasets for managing HABs. Additionally, a discussion about the application of this technology in Brazilian inland waters was included.
Background and Design of the Community Awareness Resources and Education (CARE) Project: Reducing Cervical Cancer in Appalachia

Abstract Objective The Community Awareness Resources and Education (CARE) project: Reducing Cervical Cancer in Appalachia is part of the NIH Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities initiative. It aims to increase screening rates for cervical cancer, to assist in tobacco cessation, and to determine the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in contributing to the increased risk of cervical cancer. Methods Eligible subjects were recruited from 14 clinics in Appalachian Ohio. CARE’s cross sectional survey (CS) (571 participants) characterized social, behavioral, and environmental factors of Pap smear screening and smoking. The intervention projects tested programs to increase Pap smear screening (280 participants) or aid in smoking cessation (300 participants). A case control study (1360 participants) assessed social, behavioral, and biologic predictors of abnormal Pap tests. Results The CS participants tended to be younger, more educated, and were more likely to be employed than the general population of Appalachian women 18 and over. They were similar to the other samples in terms of race, marital status, income level and smoking status. Conclusions CARE will provide valuable information about the multi-level barriers to obtaining regular Pap smears and quitting smoking, as well as help to identify important biological and social risk factors related to abnormal Pap smears.
Rates of Co-infection Between SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Pathogens.

This study describes the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with noncoronavirus respiratory pathogens in a sample of symptomatic patients undergoing PCR testing in March 2020.
Chapter 15 – Polypeptides

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses methods for polypeptides synthesis. Racemization-free syntheses of polypeptides are of significant importance from the standpoint of obtaining model antigenic biopolymers. Such polymers are required for physical measurements. The chapter describes the preparation of poly-(β-Asp) for an ORD study. In this study, the OSU coupling technique gave a polymer shown to be optically pure. Analogous syntheses of poly-(γ-OMe-Glu) and poly-(γ-OBzl-Glu) were completed. An NCA method was utilized to prepare a poly-(β-Asp), but the extent of racemization was not indicated. A similar method was used to obtain poly-His. The thermal preparation of polypeptides from amino acids of the type so far identified in meteor and lunar material has suggested that protein-like polymers could exist extraterrestrially. A series of physiochemical measurements of polypeptides, particularly by CD and ORD for conformational reasons, have been undertaken with copper (II) complexes of poly-His, poly-(Ne-Bzl-Lys), random copolymers of Glu-Asp benzyl ester with D-Glu-Asp benzyl ester, poly-β-(7-Glu)-Asp, and poly-(cis-5-Me-Pro).
(Invited) In Vitro and In Vivo Near-Infrared Imaging with Biocompatible Bottom-up and Top-Down-Synthesized Graphene Quantum Dots

Carbon nanomaterials offer remarkable properties including high durability, conductivity, and versatility in modification. Carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide also exhibit fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) making those attractive for bioimaging and drug delivery applications due to the high tissue penetration depth of the NIR emission. However, despite these remarkable properties, the biocompatibility and degradability of carbon-based platforms still rise some unfortunate controversy that hampers their clinical utilization. In order to address this, we specifically develop NIR-emissive graphene-based quantum dots with high biocompatibility. We explore both the bottom-up and the top-down synthetic approaches together with a variety of doping strategies that yield 2 – 5 nm quasi-spherical quantum dots with graphitic lattice structure observable in TEM. In the bottom-up glucosamine-based synthesis the most prominent NIR emission is observed from graphene quantum dots doped by nitrogen, sulfur or rare-earth metals exhibiting transitions in that spectral region. These GQDs decorated with oxygen-containing functional groups identified with the FTIR have high water solubility and offer efficient cell internalization in HeLa and MCF-7 cells maximized at 12 h. Few percent doping with rare earth metals or nitrogen/sulfur heteroatoms as verified by the EDX does not substantially contribute to the toxic profile of the formulation: doped GQDs exhibit high biocompatibility up to 1 – 2 mg/mL concentrations and degradation in cell culture at 36 h. Finally, these GQDs exhibit emission in the visible with quantum yields up to 60% and also in the NIR, which is utilized for in vitro fluorescence imaging in both spectral regions.Top-down synthesized GQDs are derived from graphitic materials via UV-assisted radical-based oxidation. Unlike their parent material, these few-layered GQDs containing oxygen addends are water-soluble and exhibit fluorescence in the visible and a wavelength-independent emission in the NIR with NIR quantum yields ranging from 1 to 8%. They are also biocompatible with cell viability over 80% with up to 1 mg/mL GQD concentrations and exhibit cellular internalization within several hours tracked with their NIR fluorescence excited by the 808 nm diode laser. The NIR imaging capabilities of both bottom-up and top-down synthesized GQDs are verified in vivo in live mouse models showing detectable fluorescence in spleen with some liver and kidney signal observed with 808 laser excitation through the tissues of live animals. Excised organs show NIR GQD emission from kidneys, liver, spleen and intestine with GQDs also detected in single organ slices indicating their location within the particular organ. As a result, we suggest that NIR-emissive biocompatible GQDs synthesized both via bottom-up and top-down approaches can be developed and utilized as imaging and, potentially, drug delivery agents both in vitro and in vivo in small animal models.
Adsorption and Removal of Thymol from Water Using a Zeolite Imidazolate Framework-8 Nanomaterial

The purpose of this work is to address the limitations in the adsorption capacity of existing materials for the removal of thymol from water. A porous zeolite imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoma...
Extracting User Behavior at Electric Vehicle Charging Stations with Transformer Deep Learning Models

Mobile applications have become widely popular for their ability to access real-time information. In electric vehicle (EV) mobility, these applications are used by drivers to locate charging stations in public spaces, pay for charging transactions, and engage with other users. This activity generates a rich source of data about charging infrastructure and behavior. However, an increasing share of this data is stored as unstructured text—inhibiting our ability to interpret behavior in real-time. In this article, we implement recent transformer-based deep learning algorithms, BERT and XLnet, that have been tailored to automatically classify short user reviews about EV charging experiences. We achieve classification results with a mean accuracy of over 91% and a mean F1 score of over 0.81 allowing for more precise detection of topic categories, even in the presence of highly imbalanced data. Using these classification algorithms as a pre-processing step, we analyze a U.S. national dataset with econometric methods to discover the dominant topics of discourse in charging infrastructure. After adjusting for station characteristics and other factors, we find that the functionality of a charging station is the dominant topic among EV drivers and is more likely to be discussed at points-of-interest with negative user experiences.
The Wootton center for astrophysical plasma properties: First results for helium

The Wootton Center for Astrophysical Plasma Properties (WCAPP) is a new center focusing on the spectroscopic properties of stars and accretion disks using “at-parameter” experiments. Currently, these experiments use the X-ray output of the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories — the largest X-ray source in the world — to heat plasmas to the same conditions (temperature, density, and radiation environment) as those observed in astronomical objects. The experiments include measuring (1) density-dependent opacities of iron-peak elements at solar interior conditions, (2) spectral lines of low-Z elements at white dwarf photospheric conditions, (3) atomic population kinetics of neon in a radiation-dominated environment, and (4) resonant Auger destruction (RAD) of silicon at conditions found in accretion disks around supermassive black holes. In particular, we report on recent results of our experiments involving helium at white dwarf photospheric conditions. We present results showing disagreement between inferred electron densities using the Hβ line and the He I 5876 A line, most likely indicating incompleteness in our modeling of this helium line.