cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The COSMOS Virtual Data Center: A Web Portal for Strong Motion Data Dissemination

The Constorium of Organizations for Strong-Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS) Virtual Data Center (VDC) is an unrestricted Web portal to strong-motion seismic data records of the United States and 14 contributing countries for use by the engineering and scientific communities (http://db.cosmos-eq.org). As of January 2006, the VDC contains the searchable metadata for 514 earthquakes, 3,052 stations, and 26,708 acceleration traces. A flexible, full range of search methods, including map-based, parameter-entry, and earthquake- and station-based searches, enables the user to quickly find records of interest. A range of display and download options allows users to view data in multiple contexts, extract and download metadata, and download time history and spectra files. Although the portal provides the user a consistent set of tools for discovery and retrieval, the data files continue to be acquired, processed, managed, and for most of the larger providers, archived by the data providers to ensure currency and integrity of the data. COSMOS oversees the development of the VDC through a working group of representatives from both data providers and users, including government agencies, engineering firms, and academic institutions. This article summarizes the VDC content, provides some statistics on its usage, and describes some of its basic search capabilities. The COSMOS Virtual Data Center began as the Strong-Motion Data Base (SMDB) in 1992 at the Institute for Crustal Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with support from the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). The initial goal of the SMDB was to organize the distribution of strong-motion data in a single “one-stop” shop that provides open access to the data. The global strong-motion dataset was no longer small enough for an individual to know which records were relevant for his/her project. The SMDB was designed so that the strong-motion data could be accessed according to the needs …
Multifocal colitis associated with an epidemic of chronic diarrhea.

Abstract An outbreak of a chronic diarrheal syndrome was detected between May and August 1987 in rural Henderson County, Illinois. Seventy-two individuals were affected. Epidemiological studies performed by the Center for Disease Control implicated the water of a local restaurant as the source of the outbreak. Five patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation. Their mean age was 51 years, and they had a mean of 12 watery stools daily (range, 6–40). Detailed microbiological evaluations failed to identify a pathological organism. Stool studies showed a mean stool weight of 392 g/24 h with a normal fat content. Results of all biochemical studies of serum were normal. Chemical analysis of stool water suggested a secretory diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed patchy erythema, and light microscopic examination of colonic biopsy specimens revealed multifocal areas of acute inflammation in the superficial mucosa in 4 of 5 patients. Electron microscopy of the affected areas revealed no viral particles. After 2 years, all of our patients continued to experience chronic diarrhea. One patient agreed to a follow-up colonoscopy; histological abnormalities of the colonic mucosa persisted after 2 years. We speculate that an infectious process arising from a contaminated water system induced a chronic, secretory diarrhea characterized by multifocal colitis. This histological abnormality may serve as a marker of an infectious, chronic diarrhea.
Glyphosate efficacy, absorption, and translocation in pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa)

Abstract Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to examine the effects of site of plant exposure to glyphosate spray on efficacy, absorption, and translocation in pitted morningglory. Absorption of 14C-glyphosate in four-leaf pitted morningglory gradually increased with time from 19% at 1 h after treatment (HAT) to 44% at 192 HAT. The amount of 14C translocated with time ranged from 0.4% at 1 HAT to 25% at 192 HAT. Vining 1-m tall plants were controlled 75 to 100% when the top-, middle-, bottom one-third, or entire plant was treated with 1.38 or 2.76 kg ha−1 glyphosate, with control affected more by glyphosate rate than plant section exposed to glyphosate spray. Absorption of 14C-glyphosate at 96 HAT was similar whether it was applied to the top-, middle-, bottom one-third, or entire plant of 1‐m tall pitted morningglory. The amount of 14C translocated out of the treated area (5 to 6%) did not differ whether it was applied to top-, middle-, or bottom one-third plant section. Results indicate tha...
EVERYWHERE UNRAMIFIED AUTOMORPHIC COHOMOLOGY FOR SL3(ℤ)

We conjecture that the only irreducible cuspidal automorphic representations for GL3/ℚ of cohomological type and level 1 are (up to twisting) the symmetric square lifts of classical cuspforms on GL2/ℚ of level 1. We present computational evidence for this conjecture.
Shock-induced epicardial and endocardial virtual electrodes leading to ventricular fibrillation via reentry, graded responses, and transmural activation.

Introduction: The mechanism of ventricular fibrillation (VF) induction by T wave shocks has been attributed to reentry, propagated graded responses (PGR), and triggered activity. The limitation of recording transmembrane potential (Vm) from only a single surface has hampered efforts to elucidate the relative role of these phenomena and their relationship to shock-induced virtual electrodes. Methods and Results:Vm patterns from epicardial and endocardial surfaces of isolated sheep right ventricles were recorded with two CCD cameras for monophasic (M) and biphasic (B) shocks delivered at various coupling intervals (CI) from a unipolar mesh electrode on the epicardium. VF was induced via (1) the formation of reentry following make or break excitation; (2) propagated graded responses during apparent isoelectric window; and (3) breakthrough activation patterns coincident with endocardial-to-epicardial gradients in Vm. M shocks depolarized both surfaces at long CIs and polarized epicardial and endocardial surfaces oppositely at short CIs. At intermediate CIs, postshock Vm patterns could lead to reentry on one surface or endocardial-to-epicardial gradients resulting in breakthrough. B induced VF less than M for short and intermediate CIs due to more homogeneous end-shock Vm patterns. However, at long CIs these homogeneous patterns resulted in more VF induction because B left the tissue closer to the Vm threshold for propagation. Conclusion: Postshock activity occurred either immediately via epicardial or endocardial reentry, or after a delay caused by transmural propagation or propagated graded responses. These findings could explain the isoelectric window and focal activation patterns observed on the epicardium following VF induction shocks. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 79-87, January 2004)
Easily prepared ruthenium-complex nanomicelle probes for two-photon quantitative imaging of oxygen in aqueous media

We present a simple and inexpensive technique to enable 3D, high-resolution, and quantitative imaging of dissolved oxygen in aqueous media using a commercially available hydrophobic dye, [Ru(dpp)3]2+. The dye is encapsulated in nanomicelles formed by a poloxamer (a biocompatible surfactant), allowing for uniform dispersion in aqueous media without long, complex, and expensive chemical synthesis procedures. The nanomicelle probes are tested and found to remain stable for several months in water and for several hours in biological media. The probes are sufficiently large in size for vasculature retention and enable intravenous oxygen imaging in vivo. The two-photon cross-section of the [Ru(dpp)3]2+ nanomicelle probes surpass that of the well-established and widely used oxygen-sensitive probes in multiphoton microscopy. We also characterize the oxygen-sensitivity of the probes as a proof of their viability as low cost and easily prepared markers for multiphoton quantitative oxygen imaging in vivo and for other applications in aqueous media.
Particulate emissions from tailpipe during idling of public transit buses fueled with alternative fuels

Engine exhaust in public transit buses has been associated with health effects. This pilot study examines the toxic nature of these engine exhausts under different idling conditions. The emission tests on public buses were performed with two different fuels: the ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD: Bus 536) and 20% Biodiesel (BD) mixed with ULSD (B20: Bus 506). Particulate matter (PM) was collected from the tailpipe emissions and then analyzed for elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Cold and hot-idle-engine testing was conducted. The results of the PM emission analysis showed that the PM mean value of emission is dependent on the engine operation conditions and fuel type. The PM emissions in cold idling were lower than the hot idling condition. However, the absence of 16-EPA PAH in the samples suggests that the tested public buses are using clean fuel. It was found that lubricant oil, PM ash content, and storage tanks were the major sources of elemental concentrations in the PM. However, heavy metals are primary reasons in catalyzing the oxidation reactions that results in reduced PM and PAH emissions. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1134–1142, 2013
Desvenlafaxine succinate for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains one of the most common psychiatric disorders with high morbidity and mortality. Effective treatment is limited and response/remission to antidepressant pharmacotherapy remains poor and unpredictable. The development of new antidepressants is thus of great importance to the field. Desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS) is the active metabolite of the serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor venlafaxine and was recently FDA approved for the treatment of MDD. DVS showed efficacy in clinical trials in MDD with doses ranging from 50 – 400 mg. Advantages compared to other antidepressants include once daily dosing at effective doses, no CYP450 metabolism and low drug–drug interactions. Concerns include side effect profile and moderate efficacy. DVS might be a useful addition to the arsenal of antidepressants available to the clinician. Additional studies, in particular head-to-head comparison to other antidepressants and long-term treatment studies, will be necessary to com...
Three scenes of sovereignty and power.

The concepts of sovereignty and power provide a leitmotif in Krasner’s contributions to international relations. The incisive and original insights of sovereignty as “organized hypocrisy” have helped illuminate important dilemmas in world politics. But how states manage dilemmas of sovereignty also hold important implications for power. Power, in turn, influences the repertoire of responses to dilemmas of sovereignty. I explore the reciprocal relationship between sovereignty compromises and power by zooming in and out of three different scenes of contemporary international relations: the ascent of China as a great power, variants of regionalism, and the evolving non-proliferation regime. These three realms are particularly suitable for a volume addressing Krasner’s contributions: they offer fruitful arenas for investigating two master variables in Krasner’s work; they have attracted considerable attention in the study and praxis of international relations, both of which have been weaved in his own work; and they address various levels of analysis -- domestic structures, rulers, states, entire regions, and international regimes -- relevant to his contributions.1 Scene 1 focuses on a single state, China’s shifting sovereignty compromises in tandem with its ascent to power. Scene 2 turns to the regional level to illuminate divergent sovereignty compromises in the Middle East and East Asia, with attendant consequences for aggregate regional power. Scene 3 explores how both vastly compromised sovereignty and power relations influenced the evolution of the international non-proliferation regime.
Estimating the parameters of a non-homogeneous Poisson-process model for software reliability

A stochastic model (G-O) for the software failure phenomenon based on a nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) was suggested by Goel and Okumoto (1979). This model has been widely used but some important work remains undone on estimating the parameters. The authors present a necessary and sufficient condition for the likelihood estimates to be finite, positive, and unique. A modification of the G-O model is suggested. The performance measures and parametric inferences of the new model are discussed. The results of the new model are applied to real software failure data and compared with G-O and Jelinski-Moranda models. >
Design of a compact, low complexity scalable phased array antenna

A new approach for designing scalable phased array architectures with the main goal of reducing their complexity is proposed. This goal has been accomplished by devising a new technique, based on a vector summation method, to achieve beam steering. In this technique, the number of phase shifters, required in the phased array, are significantly reduced. As a proof of concept, a Ku band eight-element phased array with 40 degrees of scan range is presented. The designed phased array employs only two phase shifters.
Assessment of Multimode Spacecraft Micropropulsion Systems

Multimode spacecraft micropropulsion systems that include a high-thrust chemical mode and high-specific impulse electric mode are assessed with specific reference to CubeSat-sized satellite applica...
Analysis of three variable number terminal repeat loci is sufficient to characterize the deoxyribonucleic acid fingerprints of a panel of human tumor cell lines.

Using primers for the MCT118, YNZ22, and COL2A1 loci in polymerase chain reaction analysis we could distinguish among the ∼20 cell lines routinely maintained in our laboratory. We also demonstrated that the cell line NB-1691 (a neuroblastoma) and its xenograft had an identical number of repeats at two loci. Rh30 (a rhabdomyosarcoma) made resistant to rapamycin was identical to its parent line and to a subline that had reverted to sensitivity after it was cultured without rapamycin in the medium.
Effects of socioeconomic and clinical factors on survival in multiple myeloma.

It was recently reported that low socioeconomic status (SES) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients is associated with a poorer prognosis. To reassess this finding in another group of MM patients, we used data from interviews of 153 MM patients seen at Duke University Medical Center over a 6-year period. Medical records were also reviewed for data on traditional clinical prognostic factors. Using proportional hazard survival analysis, no SES variables were associated with survival. Current income, highest income, occupation, type of dwelling, years of education, and crowding did not enter the stepwise regression model at alpha = .10. In contrast, many clinical factors predicted prognosis (calcium, P = .019; percent plasma cells on initial bone marrow, P = .019; history of transfusions, P = .015; WBC count, P = .007; pathologic fractures, P = .001; and urate, P less than .001). Thus, we do not confirm the previously reported association between social class and myeloma survival.
Decisions and Disasters: Modeling Decisions that Contribute to Mishaps

Ever since the decision to launch the Challenger -- and the deadly explosion that followed -- it has been widely known that "decision failure" can lead to disaster. But despite this awareness and the availability of a wide variety of decision models, we found no single model that adequately describes all the ways that decisions can fail and how flawed decisions contribute to mishaps. In this paper, we present our model of decision failure. Then we show how we used this model to gain insight into that decisions that have contributed to NASA mishaps (including the Challenger). This work presents both the model and the insights from its application. The theoretical contribution is a new way to encode and analyze the decision data found in mishap reports, providing insight into the causes of decision failure. The practical contribution is the potential for using this to improve decision-making at NASA and other high-reliability organizations.
Maternal Tissue Repartitioning in Pregnant Primiparous Swine in Response to Restriction of Calories or Feed

Crossbred (Chester White x Landrace x Large White x Yorkshire) primiparous gilts were fed daily a corn-soybean meal-based gestation diet at 1.8 kg (C) or 0.6 kg (R) (6000 or 2000 kcal calculated digestible energy, DE) or a high-protein diet (RCal) at 0.6 kg (2000 kcal calculated DE) from day of mating to slaughter at 100 to 106 days of gestation. The RCal diet contained three times the concentrations of protein and of mineral and vitamin supplement present in the C diet. Body weight and ultrasonically estimated backfat depth were recorded at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postcoitum. The results showed differential effects of form of diet restriction (R vs RCal) on body weight, backfat depth, relative and absolute uterine weight, and on relative kidney, stomach, and trimmed wholesale cut weights of the dam. Maternal and fetal plasma glucose and urea-N concentrations were higher in RCal than in R groups. Total uterus plus gastrointestinal tract relative weight, with or without fetuses, was lower in RCal than in R and C gilts. The ratio of uterus (with or without fetuses) weight to gastrointestinal tract weight was greater in R than in C or RCal gilts. The data are interpreted to indicate that restriction of carbohydrate-fat calories only compared with restriction of a standard diet throughout gestation in swine had a negative effect on uterine growth associated with repartitioning of nutrients to visceral organ and lean tissue growth at the expense of maternal uterine tissue and body fat conservation.
Changes in single-molecule integrin dynamics linked to local cellular behavior

Recent advances in light microscopy permit visualization of the behavior of individual molecules within dense macromolecular ensembles in live cells. It is now conceptually possible to relate the dynamic organization of molecular machinery to cellular function. However, inherent heterogeneities, as well as disparities between spatial and temporal scales, pose substantial challenges in deriving such a relationship. New approaches are required to link discrete single-molecule behavior with continuous cellular-level processes. Here we combined intercalated molecular and cellular imaging with a computational framework to detect reproducible transient changes in the behavior of individual molecules that are linked to cellular behaviors. Applying our approach to integrin transmembrane receptors revealed a spatial density gradient underlying characteristic molecular density increases and mobility decreases, indicating the subsequent onset of local protrusive activity. Integrin mutants further revealed that these density and mobility transients are separable and depend on different binding domains within the integrin cytoplasmic tail. Our approach provides a generalizable paradigm for dissecting dynamic spatiotemporal molecular behaviors linked to local cellular events.
Opportunities and Constraints in Developing Post-Soviet Political Science

in some countries the study of politics has been considered so highly sensitive or potentially subversive that central authority essentially prohibited it or, at best, kept it under tight control. Until recently a paradoxical situation obtained in the former Soviet Union. Political science was authorized to function at one level: the Soviet Political Science Association was established in 1960 specifically to play an external role in international political science. At another the discipline as such never became a field of legitimate study and research in Soviet universities and institutes even though the major political changes of the late 1980s finally made it possible to create several departments devoted to the study of politics (Malcom 1984; Mills 1990). But what to name those departments became problematical because language, the basic vehicle for conceptualization, acted as a constraint. There was no entry for politologiya, the Russian word for political science, in the latest definitive fourvolume dictionary published in Moscow (Evgen'eva, ed. 1983). The word existed, but the discipline had not been legitimized. By 1990 the now freer media had quickly turned politologiya into a term of common use-but its substantive meaning remained unclear to most who heard it, including many professional students of politics. Earlier both Soviet and foreign scholars who studied politics were unfailingly called sotsiologi, sociologists. Now at last they were politologi, political scientists.
Ionic Liquid-Tethered Nanoparticle Suspensions: A Novel Class of Ionogels

We report a novel class of silica ionogels created by dispersing silica nanoparticles densely grafted with the ionic liquid (IL) 1-trimethoxysilyl propyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (SpmImTSFI) in a 1-butyl-3-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (BmpyrTFSI) IL host. We find that over the entire range of nanoparticle volume fractions studied the systems exist as stable suspensions of SiO2-SpmImTFSI in the BmpyrTFSI host. Remarkably, we also find that addition of even minute quantities of SiO2-SpmImTFSI to the BmpyrTFSI IL suppresses crystallization of the host. The resulting disordered hybrid fluids exhibit liquid-like transport properties over a vastly extended temperature range; they open the way for facile synthesis of ILs with extended operating temperature windows. These observations are explained in terms of ionic coupling of the nanoparticle-tethered and free TFSI anions, which is thought to suppress crystallization of BmpyrTFSI.
Effect of thymosin on cellular immune function in children with viral myocarditis

Objective:To investigate the effects of thymosin on cellular immune function in children with viral myocarditis(VM).Methods:A total of 80children with VM were randomly divided into thymosin group and conventional group.Children in the conventional group received treatment with antiviral and nutritional myocardial,thymosin group received thymosin treatment.Another 30healthy children were randomly selected as the control group.T lymphocyte subsets and clinical efficacy were compared. Results:Before the treatment,the serum CD3+、CD4+,CD4+/CD8+was significantly lower in VM children compared with control group(P0.05).After treatment,the serum thymosin group CD3+,CD4+, CD4+/CD8+was significantly increased in thymosin group,and it was significantly higher than conventional group(P0.05);After treatment,therapeutical efficiency was 90.00%in thymosin group,significantly higher than conventional group which was 75.00%(P0.05).Conclusions:VM Children have immune dysfunction.Thymosin treatment on the basis of conventional therapy can enhance the immunity function,regulate the immune balance,and improve the clinical efficacy,
Microsoft touch develop and the BBC micro:bit

The chance to influence the lives of a million children does not come often. Through a partnership between the BBC and several technology companies, a small instructional computing device called the BBC micro:bit will be given to a million children in the UK in 2016. Moreover, using the micro:bit will be part of the CS curriculum. We describe how Microsoft's Touch Develop programming platform works with the BBC micro:bit. We describe the design and architecture of the micro:bit and the software engineering hurdles that had to be overcome to ensure it was as accessible as possible to children and teachers. The combined hardware/software platform is evaluated and early anecdotal evidence is presented. A video about the micro:bit is available at http://aka.ms/bbcmicrobit.
Personally Meaningful Rituals: A Way to Increase Compassion and Decrease Burnout among Hospice Staff and Volunteers

Abstract Background: Rituals can increase a sense of connectedness, meaning, and support, especially after the death of those for whom we care. Hospice staff may benefit from the use of personal rituals as they cope with the frequent deaths of their patients, ultimately aiming to provide compassionate care while minimizing burnout. Objective: This study investigated the role of personally meaningful rituals in increasing compassion and decreasing burnout among hospice staff and volunteers. Design and Measurements: An online survey was completed by members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) which inquired about personal ritual practices, and included the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale to measure current levels of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress. Setting/Subjects: Three hundred ninety hospice staff and volunteers from across 38 states completed the online survey. The majority of participants were Caucasian and female, with an averag...
Adult Issues in Policing

State and federal law enforcement personnel investigate crimes that are committed by troubled individuals. This has led to the criminal profiling of offenders. The profiling is defined as a technique, which serves to identify the major personality and behavioral characteristics of an offender based on an analysis of the crime the offender committed. This process generally involves seven steps: (1) evaluation of the criminal act itself, (2) comprehensive evaluation of the specifics of the crime scene(s), (3) comprehensive analysis of the victim, (4) evaluation of preliminary reports, (5) evaluation of the medical examiner's autopsy protocol, (6) development of a profile with critical offender characteristics, and (7) investigative suggestions predicated upon construction of the profile. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has done a great deal of research in the area of criminal profiling. Special agents in the FBI have developed, through archival and current case information, typical characteristics likely to be found in particular types of offenders. More common techniques of profiling offenders come from acquiring detailed information from a criminal population convicted of committing the same or similar crimes.
Dominant Role for SDF-1 in the Vasculo-Angiogenesis Phenotype in Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

BACKGROUND: Vasculogenesis is critically important to restoring and maintaining vascular homeostasis in patients who have sickle cell disease. Emerging evidence indicates vasculo-angiogenesis is a complex process involving recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the bone marrow and homing of EPCs to sites of vascular injury. Both recruitment and homing of EPCs are intimately regulated by cytokines and growth factors that are released in response to vascular insult. Hitherto, the phenotype of growth factors and cytokines intimately involved in EPC recruitment and homing in patients who have sickle cell disease remains poorly understood. METHODS: A total of 50 children aged 6–18 years were studied, 30 with Hemoglobin SS, including 11 on chronic red blood cell transfusions, and 20 with normal hemoglobin. We measured plasma concentrations of angiogenesis growth factors/cytokines using a multiplex assay, which permitted analysis of nine factors concurrently, and determined the number and phenotype of EPC colonies derived from peripheral blood samples. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of stromal derived growth factor (SDF-1, 1.7-fold), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2, 2-fold) and erythropoietin (7-fold) were significantly elevated (p CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate for the first time enhanced vasculogenic potential in patients with sickle cell disease at steady-state. SDF-1 enhances the homing of EPCs and is highly expressed in ischemic tissues. The association of elevated SDF-1 and Ang-2 levels with EPC colony number is consistent with the hypothesis that sickle cell disease causes ongoing ischemic vascular injury. SDF-1 may be potentially used as a marker for vascular injury and a therapeutic target that can be developed to augment vascular repair in sickle cell disease.
Esophagitis: Causes Other Than Reflux

Inflammatory processes in the pediatric esophagus have received a disproportionately small amount of attention until recently, when appreciation of their pathophysiology and concordant clinical importance has been highlighted. This increase in interest and exposure is probably a phenomenon secondary to a number of important factors, which include improved diagnostic yield from relatively recent technical advances in areas such as infant and pediatric endoscopy; advances in fields such as mucosal immunology, allowing for the realization that etiopathologic mechanisms for esophagitis are more complex than simple luminal chemical damage; and a shift in clinical opinion recognizing esophageal pathology as a major cause of nonspecific ubiquitous symptoms such as infant colic, feeding disorders, and recurrent abdominal pain among others. A state of knowledge such as this has made pediatric esophagitis, until recently, a relatively underdeveloped area of research and clinical understanding, but this is rapidly changing [1].
Elevated interleukin-6 levels correlation with anemia, symptom burden, and neurocognitive deficit in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: Effects of darbepoetin-alfa administered once per cycle for prevention of anemia

19505 Background: Chemo-naive sarcoma pts experience severe anemia during chemotherapy (CT) with adriamycin and ifosfamide (AI) resulting in PRBC transfusions (Tx) in >90% of pts. Anemia has a nega...
Pathogenesis of thrombosis: cellular and pharmacogenetic contributions

Our understanding of thrombosis formation has evolved significantly ever since physician Rudolf Virchow proposed his "triad" theory in 1856. Modern science has elucidated the mechanisms of stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial dysfunction. Today, we have a firm understanding of the key molecular factors involved in the coagulation cascade and fibrinolytic system, as well as the underlying genetic influences. This knowledge of cellular and genetic contributors has been translated into diverse pharmaceutical interventions. Here, we examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms of thrombosis and its associated pathologies. We also review the current state of pharmacologic interventions, including pro- and anti-thrombotics, direct oral anticoagulants, and anti-platelet therapies. The pharmacogenetic factors that guide clinical decision making and prognosis are described in detail. Finally, we explore new approaches to thrombosis drug discovery, repurposing, and diagnostics. We argue that network biology tools will enable a systems pharmacology revolution in the next generation of interventions, facilitating precision medicine applications and ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
INHIBITION AGAINST WEAR-CORROSION

The simultaneous action of wear and corrosion may result in accelerated material losses due to their synergistic effect. Wear-corrosion is a complex phenomenon involving the interplay of a number of electrochemo-mechanical parameters. The author discusses how inhibition of corrosion processes can be attained by the formation on metal surfaces of either thin adsorption layers or phase layers developing a passive state. Proper selection of inhibitors possesses the potential of preventing or decelerating the corrosion action and consequently improving a material's wear-corrosion behavior.
Carcinoma of the Anal Canal

After three decades of phase III clinical trials, radiation with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin-based chemotherapy remains the standard of care in the definitive management of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Despite the favorable disease-free survival with this organ-preserving approach, chemoradiation is associated with significant acute and late side effects. Moreover, local and distant failure remains a challenge in patients with large tumors or node-positive disease. Refinements in radiation planning and delivery with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have reduced the acute toxicity of chemoradiation, which allows for more patients to complete treatment without significant radiation breaks and for potential intensification of therapy in high-risk disease. This chapter will provide a detailed description of modern radio-chemotherapy delivery approaches for the treatment of anal canal cancer with an emphasis on practical considerations for the clinician.
The Arctic's sea ice cover: trends, variability, predictability, and comparisons to the Antarctic.

As assessed over the period of satellite observations, October 1978 to present, there are downward linear trends in Arctic sea ice extent for all months, largest at the end of the melt season in September. The ice cover is also thinning. Downward trends in extent and thickness have been accompanied by pronounced interannual and multiyear variability, forced by both the atmosphere and ocean. As the ice thins, its response to atmospheric and oceanic forcing may be changing. In support of a busier Arctic, there is a growing need to predict ice conditions on a variety of time and space scales. A major challenge to providing seasonal scale predictions is the 7-10 days limit of numerical weather prediction. While a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean is likely well within this century, there is much uncertainty in the timing. This reflects differences in climate model structure, the unknown evolution of anthropogenic forcing, and natural climate variability. In sharp contrast to the Arctic, Antarctic sea ice extent, while highly variable, has increased slightly over the period of satellite observations. The reasons for this different behavior remain to be resolved, but responses to changing atmospheric circulation patterns appear to play a strong role.
The Genetic Epidemiology of Growth and Development

This chapter provides an overview of the genetic epidemiology of normal human growth and development describing how auxologists can most profitably approach the study of the genetics of growth and development. It also describes the most important quantitative genetic terms and the concepts that are used in understanding genetic epidemiology of normal growth and development. A number of different study designs can be used to examine the genetics of complex traits. Each study design has certain advantages and disadvantages. This chapter discusses major types of study designs used by genetic epidemiologists to study complex quantitative traits. It also provides an overview of studies on genetic factors in growth and development that have been conducted over the last century. These reviews focus on studies of height, birth weight, menarche, and skeletal development. Finally the author highlights the topics discussed in the chapter through examples of genetic analyses conducted over the years in the Fels Longitudinal Study and those currently underway in the recently established Jiri Growth Study.
In Vitro Strategies for Tropical Fruit Tree Improvement

Vegetatively propagated tropical fruit trees can be highly sensitive to plant disease epidemics. These trees are usually very heterozygous and have long generation cycles (e.g., 7–20 years). Some tropical fruit species such as mangosteen, which is obligately apomictic (nucellar embryony), are recalcitrant to conventional plant breeding approaches. Strategies for the recovery of horticulturally useful plants from cell and tissue cultures have great potential for the improvement of tropical fruit species. De novo regeneration pathways have been described from explants of selected mature trees of perennial tropical fruit species in Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Oxalidaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae and Sterculiaceae. The regeneration of tropical fruit trees and the application of the approaches for cultivar improvement are the subjects of this discussion.
Prognostic value of fasting versus nonfasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels on long-term mortality: insight from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES-III)

Background—National and international guidelines recommend fasting lipid panel measurement for risk stratification of patients for prevention of cardiovascular events. However, the prognostic value of fasting versus nonfasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is uncertain. Methods and Results—Patients enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES-III), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey performed from 1988 to 1994, were stratified on the basis of fasting status (≥8 or <8 hours) and followed for a mean of 14.0 (±0.22) years. Propensity score matching was used to assemble fasting and nonfasting cohorts with similar baseline characteristics. The risk of outcomes as a function of LDL-C and fasting status was assessed with the use of receiver operating characteristic curves and bootstrapping methods. The interaction between fasting status and LDL-C was assessed with Cox proportional hazards modeling. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary ou...
The impact of new natural gas pipelines on emissions and fuel consumption in China

Abstract We examine the impact of constructing a new, large scale natural gas pipeline on environmental outcomes and fuel consumption patterns in China. We use the construction of three natural gas pipelines in China, constructed at different times but operated by the same state-owned enterprise, as a quasi-experiment to estimate the impact of pipeline projects as a driver of changes in air quality. We then estimate the impact of the pipeline on firm and household energy choices providing a mechanism to explain the reductions in air pollution we find. The difference-in-differences estimates indicate that placing the pipeline into operation significantly reduced emission intensity and led to an increase in natural gas intensity and decrease in coal intensity in industrial sectors with more limited impacts on residential energy consumption.
Bringing Order to Neural Word Embeddings with Embeddings Augmented by Random Permutations (EARP).

Word order is clearly a vital part of human language, but it has been used comparatively lightly in distributional vector models. This paper presents a new method for incorporating word order information into word vector embedding models by combining the benefits of permutation-based order encoding with the more recent method of skip-gram with negative sampling. The new method introduced here is called Embeddings Augmented by Random Permutations (EARP). It operates by applying permutations to the coordinates of context vector representations during the process of training. Results show an 8% improvement in accuracy on the challenging Bigger Analogy Test Set, and smaller but consistent improvements on other analogy reference sets. These findings demonstrate the importance of order-based information in analogical retrieval tasks, and the utility of random permutations as a means to augment neural embeddings.
Early results of displaced femoral neck fragility fractures treated with supercapsular percutaneous-assisted total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the preferred treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in select patients, although dislocation remains a concern. In some studies, the supercapsular percutaneously assisted (SuperPATH) approach has demonstrated early mobilization, short hospital stay, and low dislocation rates in primary THA, but there are little data on its use for fractures. This study describes the perioperative outcomes and early dislocation rate of SuperPATH THA for displaced femoral neck fragility fractures. Methods A retrospective review was performed of previous ambulatory patients with a displaced femoral neck fragility fracture treated with THA using the SuperPATH approach. Demographic data, time to ambulation, length of stay, and in-hospital complications during the hospital stay and follow-up period were recorded. Phone interviews were conducted to check for dislocations 1 year after surgery. Results Thirty-seven consecutive patients were included with an average age of 75.0 years. Hospital stay averaged 5.5 days, and patients were discharged on average postoperative day 3.6. About 83.8% of patients were ambulatory by postoperative day 1, and 94.6% ambulatory before discharge. Twenty-seven percent of patients were discharged home, 46% to inpatient rehabilitation, 24% to skilled nursing facility, and 1 patient to hospice. At follow-up, there was no symptomatic heterotopic ossification and no infections. Thirty-two patients were available for telephone interviews at 1 year, with no dislocations reported. Conclusions In this small cohort, the SuperPATH approach for THA appears to be safe and effective for use in femoral neck fragility fractures, resulting in early ambulation and a low dislocation rate.
CMOS Power Drivers for Digital Transmitters: Challenges and Architectures

This paper presents two CMOS power drivers for interfacing low-voltage CMOS processing circuits to off-chip GaN switched-mode power amplifiers. The drivers employ stacked transistor configurations in a 45nm CMOS SOI technology to achieve 5V output voltage swing from 50MHz to 2GHz switching frequencies, with 20% to 80% pulse width dynamic range. The two driver architectures are compared with respect to design complexity, transient performance, silicon area, and power dissipation. Additionally, this work analyzes the implementation challenges and performance limitations when driving off-chip power devices using integrated silicon drivers.
Flipping the grant application review process

The return on research investment resulting from new breakthrough scientific discoveries may be decreasing over time due to the law of diminishing returns, the relative decrease of research funding...
Modeling human cognitive behavior for system design

Abstract The use of models of human cognition to help in system design has been a targeted use case nearly since these models were created. These models can be represented as a combination of fixed mechanisms (the architecture) and task knowledge (the learned subtasks) that uses these mechanisms to generate behavior. I first describe how these models might be used in system design and their useful features. I then describe the types of models and architectures and their uses and then conclude with what appears to be necessary to use these models more routinely.
Review of Popularity and Quality Standards of Opioid-Related Smartphone Apps

Opioid misuse, addiction, and related harm are a global crisis that affects public health and social and economic welfare. Many of the strategies being used to combat the opioid crisis could benefit from improved access and dissemination, such as that afforded by smartphone apps. The goal of this study was to characterize the purpose, audience, quality, and popularity of opioid-related smartphone apps. Using web scraping, available information from 619 opioid-related apps (e.g., popularity metrics) was downloaded from Google Play, and 59 apps met criteria for review. The apps were additionally coded for quality by two raters using an 8-item screener for the American Psychiatric Association App Evaluation Model. Sixty-one percent of apps targeted patients, 29% providers, 8% the general community, and 2% healthcare trainees. Regarding app purpose, 49% addressed treatment, 27% prevention, and 24% overdose. Only one app met all criteria on the screener for quality, and there was no association between a total score calculated for the screener and measures of app popularity (e.g., star ratings; R2 = 0.11, p = 0.19). Opioid-related apps available for consumers addressed key stakeholders (patients, providers, community) and were consistent with strategies to address the opioid crisis (prevention, treatment, overdose). However, there was little evidence that available opioid-related apps meet basic quality standards, and no relationship was found between app quality and popularity. This review was conducted at the level of consumer decision-making (i.e., the app store), where only a handful of opioid-related apps met quality standards enough to warrant a more detailed evaluation of the app before recommendation for use. Because smartphone apps could be a critical tool to increase access to and utilization of opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery services, further development and testing is sorely needed.
Long-Lived Double-Barred Galaxies From Pseudo-Bulges

A large fraction of barred galaxies host secondary bars that are embedded in their large-scale primary counterparts. These are common also in gas poor early-type barred galaxies. The evolution of such double-barred galaxies is still not well understood, partly because of a lack of realistic $N$-body models with which to study them. Here we report a new mechanism for generating such systems, namely the presence of rotating pseudo-bulges. We demonstate with high mass and force resolution collisionless $N$-body simulations that long-lived secondary bars can form spontaneously without requiring gas, contrary to previous claims. We find that secondary bars rotate faster than primary ones. The rotation is not, however, rigid: the secondary bars pulsate, with their amplitude and pattern speed oscillating as they rotate through the primary bars. This self-consistent study supports previous work based on orbital analysis in the potential of two rigidly rotating bars. The pulsating nature of secondary bars may have important implications for understanding the central region of double-barred galaxies.
Fourier Transform Infrared Characterization of Construction Joint Sealants

This paper presents the results of the FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) spectroscopy study of commercially available silicone-based sealant materials commonly used for sealing voids, cracks, and joints in non-structural building components of commercial and residential buildings. The sealants prevent moisture leakage through the parts, making the building envelope air and water-tight, sustainable, and energy-efficient. FTIR spectroscopy is a widely used technique in characterizing pharmaceutical products, mineralogical compositions, forensic analysis, food, chemical, semiconductor, petroleum, and agro-industries. This work demonstrates the application of FTIR analysis in the study of construction materials. It reports the IR (Infrared) spectral signatures of the selected building joint sealants used in the construction industry. It is found that several IR bands are common to most of the samples, suggesting that there is a reasonable similarity in the molecular composition of the three different manufacturer brands, including DAP (Dicks-Armstrong-Pontius), GE (General Electric), and HDX (Home Depot Product). Despite the multiple similarities in the IR bands of the samples studied, the FTIR techniques provided enough evidence to distinguish the samples and suggest that the composition and molecular structures of most of the silicone brands possess unique IR signatures.