cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New V/f-Based Sensorless MTPA Control for IPMSM Drives

This paper presents a new closed-loop V / f control scheme for sensorless interior permanent-magnet synchronous motor drives. The proposed control scheme combines the merits of conventional V / f and field-oriented control strategies to achieve simple and high-performance motor drive. Two feedback stabilizing loops are designed to correct the V / f voltage vector reference and improve overall system stability. The voltage vector phase angle reference can rapidly be corrected instead of using indirect frequency modulation, which makes it more robust against transient disturbances. In addition, a maximum torque per ampere plug-in block is implemented to optimize torque generation efficiency without intensive power or power factor angle calculations. The proposed scheme is ideal for applications which require good control performance over the wide operating speed range. It also shows robustness to parameter variations caused by temperature increase or flux saturation. Theoretical analysis along with comparative simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Der variköse Symptomenkomplex

Unter diesem Namen versteht man grundsatzlich alle Venenerweiterungen an den abhangigen Korperpartien, also Varizen an den unteren Extremitaten, Hamorrhoiden und Varicocelen. Ursachlich werden im allgemeinen neben einer meist angeborenen Bindegewebsschwache der Venenwande mit Klappeninsuffizienz die aufrechte Korperhaltung — hohe Blutsaule —, eine innersekretorische Dysfunktion und mechanische Momente verantwortlich gemacht, ohne das letzten Endes daruber Klarheit herrscht.
Catalytic iridium-based Janus micromotors powered by ultralow levels of chemical fuels.

We describe catalytic micromotors powered by remarkably low concentrations of chemical fuel, down to the 0.0000001% level. These Janus micromotors rely on an iridium hemispheric layer for the catalytic decomposition of hydrazine in connection to SiO2 spherical particles. The micromotors are self-propelled at a very high speed (of ∼20 body lengths s–1) in a 0.001% hydrazine solution due to osmotic effects. Such a low fuel concentration represents a 10 000-fold decrease in the level required for common catalytic nanomotors. The attractive propulsion performance, efficient catalytic energy-harvesting, environmentally triggered swarming behavior, and magnetic control of the new Janus micromotors hold considerable promise for diverse practical applications.
ERRATUM: “A TWO-DIMENSIONAL MAP OF THE EXTRASOLAR PLANET HD 189733b” (2012, ApJ, 747, L20)

After the publication of this Letter, we discovered an important north-south degeneracy in the eclipse mapping technique. The planet's orbit is not perfectly edge-on, and we do not know whether its orbital angular momentum vector is tilted toward or away from us. We therefore do not know whether the planet's northern or southern regions are occulted first during ingress. Accounting for this degeneracy slightly strengthens our conclusion that the planet's hottest latitude is equatorial. We now find a hot spot latitude within 211 of the equator for the secondary eclipse inversion, albeit with a slight preference for off-equatorial locations, and within 101 of the equator for the eclipse plus phase-function inversion (68% confidence). Furthermore, one of the original figure captions confused ingress and egress. Following the standard convention that a planet's rotational angular momentum points north, the western regions of the planet are occulted first during ingress, and revealed first during egress.
Collaborating with Nonlibrary Faculty for Assessment and Improved Instruction

Collaboration with other entities and individuals has long been a standard practice of libraries. Typically, these collaborations seek to reduce redundancies, save money, and support educational and research efforts. However, a new model of collaboration exists that both assists discipline-specific research practices and informs library procedures. This article reviews two collaborations between an assessment librarian and a sociology class. The collaborations are unique because the library is the focus of the collaboration, with sociology students being able to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. Several suggestions are provided for best practices when endeavoring to use this type of collaboration to inform library practice and engage students in hands-on learning.
Durability of Alkali Activated Blast Furnace Slag

The alkali activation of blast furnace slag has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of cementitious materials and to be applied in geographic zones where weather is a factor that negatively affects performance of materials based on Ordinary Portland Cement. The scientific literature provides many examples of alkali activated slag with high compressive strengths; however research into the durability and resistance to aggressive environments is still necessary for applications in harsh weather conditions. In this study two design mixes of blast furnace slag with mine tailings were activated with a potassium based solution. The design mixes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, BET analysis and compressive strength testing. Freeze-thaw testing up to 100 freeze-thaw cycles was performed in 10% road salt solution. Our findings included compressive strength of up to 100 MPa after 28 days of curing and 120 MPa after freeze-thaw testing. The relationship between pore size, compressive strength, and compressive strength after freeze-thaw was explored.
The Gene for the P700-Chlorophyll a Protein in Euglena Gracilis is Interrupted by Three Introns

The photosystem I (PSI) reaction center polypeptide, designated the P 700 Chl a-apoprotein (subunit 1) binds the reaction center Chl a and about 40 molecules of light-harvesting Chl a and is directly involved in the photochemical reaction1. The Chl a-apoprotein is the largest of the core complex (CP1) subunits with an apparent molecular weight of 60–70 kDa and is composed of two homologous proteins of similar molecular weight2,3. The two genes for these P 700 Chl a-apoproteins are designated psaA and psaB4. The maize5, spinach6, tobacco7, and pea8 psaA mdpsaB genes have been completely sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of the first exon and a portion of the first intron of psaA from Euglena has been reported previously9. We have now completed the sequencing of the Euglena psaA gene. We find that, like most of the chloroplast protein genes of Euglena gracilis, the psaA gene contains multiple introns and that the amino acid sequence of the psaA gene product is highly conserved with respect to higher plants.
Assessing the factors influencing natural regeneration patterns in the diverse, multi-cohort, and managed forests of Maine, USA

Questions What are the primary biotic and abiotic factors driving composition and abundance of naturally regenerated tree seedlings across forest landscapes of Maine? Do seedling species richness (SR) and density (SD) decrease with improved growing conditions (climate and soil), but increase with increased diversity of overstorey composition and structure? Does partial harvesting disproportionately favour relative dominance of shade-intolerant hardwoods (PIHD) over shade-tolerant softwoods (PTSD)? Location Forest landscapes across the diverse eco-regions and forest types of Maine, USA. Methods This study used USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory Analysis permanent plots (n = 10 842), measured every 5 yr since 1999. The best models for each response variable (SR, SD, PIHD and PTSD) were developed based on AIC and biological interpretability, while considering 35 potential explanatory variables incorporating climate, soil, site productivity, overstorey structure and composition, and past harvesting. Results Mean annual temperature was the most important abiotic factor, whereas overstorey tree size diversity was the most important biotic factor for SR and SD. Both mean annual temperature and overstorey tree size diversity had a curvilinear relationship with SR and SD. Average overstorey shade tolerance and percentage tolerant softwood basal area in the overstorey were the top predictor variables of PIHD and PTSD, respectively. Partial harvesting favoured PIHD but not PTSD. Conclusions This is one of the first studies to comprehensively evaluate a number of factors influencing naturally established tree seedlings at a broad landscape scale in the Northern Forest region of the eastern USA and Canada. Despite limitations associated with relatively small plot size, large seedling size class and lack of direct measurements of light, water and nutrients, this study documents the influence of these factors amid high variability associated with patterns of natural regeneration. The curvilinear relationship between mean annual temperature with SR and SD supports the argument that species richness and abundance usually have unimodal relationships with productivity indicators, whereas the curvilinear relationship between overstorey tree size diversity and SR and SD suggest that moderate overstorey diversity incorporates multiple species as well as higher seedling individuals.
The Acontractile Bladder

The acontractile bladder is characterized by its ability to accept large volumes of fluid with little or no increase in intravesical pressure. Although the absence of detrusor contractions may be an unmistakable sign of normal detrusor control, large bladder volumes may be a sign of detrusor muscle decompensation. Retention of large volumes of urine may be a learned phenomenon in some women, taught by well-meaning mothers and grandmothers who tell their little girls not to void in an “unclean” place such as the toilet at school. The child learns to delay voiding for long periods of time. This may be carried over into adult years as a matter of habit reinforced by a lack of time at work for regular voiding. School teachers, nurses and other women with busy occupations characterize this type of patient. All is well until evidence of bladder decompensation occurs at which time detrusor contractile activity is lost. The patient may still be able to empty her bladder completely simply by relaxation of her urethra.
The relentless crumbling of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-blockade halo

In 1999 a thorough review article in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that “ Patients with diabetes mellitus may represent a special sub-group for whom calcium antagonist therapy increases the risks of cardiovascular complications (1).” This dictum was met with unanimous approval by the medical community since at that time it was clear beyond any doubt that diabetes was the sole domain of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In fact, in what they called a “consensus approach,” a rather distinguished group of nephrologists and endocrinologists concluded that “ in patients with diabetes… the preferred initial therapy is an ACE-inhibitor, with the dose titrated upward to the moderate or high dose range, as tolerated (2).” So powerful was the marketing machine of Big Pharma at that time that rather solid evidence of benefits of calcium channel blockers (CCB) in diabetes (3), showing that CCB based therapy reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality about twice as much in diabetic than in non-diabetic hypertensive patients ( Table 1 ) was completely ignored. The statement of Mancia et al . (4) pertaining to the diabetic subpopulation of the INSIGHT study “ that nifedipine could be considered as first-line therapy for hypertensive diabetics ,” was met with disbelief in the US and considered an aberration.
Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergence in the Copper-Catalyzed [2,3]- and [1,2]-Rearrangements of Iodonium Ylides

Despite the importance of allylic ylide rearrangements for the synthesis of complex molecules, the catalyst control of [2,3]- and [1,2]-rearrangements remains an unsolved problem. We developed the first regiodivergent [2,3]- and [1,2]-rearrangements of iodonium ylides that are controlled by copper catalysts bearing different ligands. In the presence of a 2,2′-dipyridyl ligand, diazoesters and allylic iodides react via a [2,3]-rearrangement pathway. Alternatively, a phosphine ligand favors the formation of the [1,2]-rearrangement product. A series of α-iodoesters containing a broad range of functional groups were obtained in high yields, regioselectivities, and diastereoselectivities. Deuterium-labeling studies suggest distinct mechanisms for the regioselective rearrangements.
Rapid Subtractive Patterning of Live Cell Layers with a Microfluidic Probe

The microfluidic probe (MFP) facilitates performing local chemistry on biological substrates by confining nanoliter volumes of liquids. Using one particular implementation of the MFP, the hierarchical hydrodynamic flow confinement (hHFC), multiple liquids are simultaneously brought in contact with a substrate. Local chemical action and liquid shaping using the hHFC, is exploited to create cell patterns by locally lysing and removing cells. By utilizing the scanning ability of the MFP, user-defined patterns of cell monolayers are created. This protocol enables rapid, real-time and spatially controlled cell patterning, which can allow selective cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction studies.
A simple dried blood spot-method for in vivo measurement of ureagenesis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry using stable isotopes

Abstract Background Clinical management of inherited or acquired hyperammonemia depends mainly on the plasma ammonia level which is not a reliable indicator of urea cycle function as its concentrations largely fluctuate. The gold standard to assess ureagenesis in vivo is the use of stable isotopes. Methods Here we developed and validated a simplified in vivo method with [ 15 N]ammonium chloride ([ 15 N]H 4 Cl) as a tracer. Non-labeled and [ 15 N]urea were quantified by GC–MS after extraction and silylation. Results Different matrices were evaluated for suitability of analysis. Ureagenesis was assessed in ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC)-deficient spf ash mice with compromised urea cycle function during fasted and non-fasted feeding states, and after rAAV2/8-vector delivery expressing the murine OTC-cDNA in liver. Blood (5 μL) was collected through tail vein puncture before and after [ 15 N]H 4 Cl intraperitoneal injections over a two hour period. The tested matrices, blood, plasma and dried blood spots, can be used to quantify ureagenesis. Upon [ 15 N]H 4 Cl challenge, urea production in spf ash mice was reduced compared to wild-type and normalized following rAAV2/8-mediated gene therapeutic correction. The most significant difference in ureagenesis was at 30 min after injection in untreated spf ash mice under fasting conditions (19% of wild-type). Five consecutive injections over a period of five weeks had no effect on body weight or ureagenesis. Conclusion This method is simple, robust and with no apparent risk, offering a sensitive, minimal-invasive, and fast measurement of ureagenesis capacity using dried blood spots. The stable isotope-based quantification of ureagenesis can be applied for the efficacy-testing of novel molecular therapies.
Justus Lipsius, Andrew Marvell, and Epistolary Style

While Marvell’s letters provide an invaluable resource for Marvell’s life and milieu, they also must be understood as carefully crafted artifacts in their own right, illuminating in their artistry as well as in the information they convey. This essay demonstrates the influence of the Epistolica Institutio (1591), by Belgian humanist Justus Lipsius, on Marvell’s approach to letter-writing, especially in the ways in which Marvell accommodates his stylistic choices to specific rhetorical occasions. Throughout his correspondence, Marvell adheres to the Lipsian definition of the familiar letter and employs various stylistic gambits to further his purposes. His May – June 1663 constituency correspondence, for example, reveals a high level of rhetorical strategizing, in keeping with Lipsian principles, as Marvell attempts to ease his Hull Corporation patrons into the prospect of his participation in the Carlisle embassy to Russia later in the year. Meanwhile, Marvell’s August 1667 letter of condolence to John Trott illustrates the close relationship between style and the Lipsian prescription that a letter can be simply a bearer of feeling as well as of news. In light of their often hidden artistry, letter-writing likely served as a source of pleasure for Marvell during his private moments, in much the same way that writing poems did.
Status and Trends of Hard Clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, Populations in a Coastal Lagoon Ecosystem, Barnegat Bay–Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

ABSTRACT Bricelj, V.M.; Kraeuter, J.N., and Flimlin, G., 2017. Status and trends of hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, populations in a coastal lagoon ecosystem, Barnegat Bay–Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. In: Buchanan, G.A.; Belton, T.J., and Paudel, B. (eds.), A Comprehensive Assessment of Barnegat Bay–Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. This review examines the historical and current status of hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, populations in the Barnegat Bay–Little Egg Harbor (BB-LEH) Estuary using New Jersey State stock assessments and published studies and evaluates their potential for rehabilitation under present environmental conditions. This estuary has experienced increasing urbanization, population growth, bulkheading, and changes in watershed use. Clam populations have decreased markedly since the 1960s, and in LEH, substantial areas are now devoid of clams. Landings of wild-caught hard clams, and commercial and recreational clam licenses have all declined. There is no evidence that eutrophication an...
Statistical Methods in Cancer Epidemiological Studies

In this chapter, we discuss statistical methods for various study designs that are commonly used in epidemiological research and particularly in cancer epidemiological research. After a brief review of basic concepts in epidemiological studies, statistical methods for case-control studies and cohort studies are discussed. Statistical methods for nested case-control and case-cohort studies, which have been increasingly used in cancer epidemiology, also are discussed. This chapter is designed for cancer epidemiologists who understand basic statistical methods for commonly used epidemiological study designs and are able to initiate power and sample size calculations. Therefore, this chapter emphasizes newly developed statistical methods for epidemiological studies as well as study planning.
Adaptive split/merge-based Gaussian mixture model approach for uncertainty propagation

This paper presents an adaptive splitting and merging scheme for dynamic selection of Gaussian kernels in a Gaussian mixture model. The Gaussian kernel in the Gaussian mixture model is split into m...
HEMODYNAMIC AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC COMPARISON AT 1 YEAR OF THE LOTUS AND COREVALVE TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVES IN HIGH AND EXTREME SURGICAL RISK PATIENTS: AN ANALYSIS FROM THE REPRISE III RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

REPRISE III is a multicenter, randomized comparison of the novel mechanically-expanded (Lotus) and self-expanding (CoreValve; CV) TAVI devices. Lotus was superior for primary effectiveness and non-inferior for primary safety endpoints. A detailed analysis of the hemodynamics and paravalvular leak (
Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2013

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by USDA-ARS personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, and southeastern states in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2013. Single uredinial isolates (490 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 20 lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes. In 2013, 79 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes MBTNB, TNBGJ, and MCTNB were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotypes MBTNB and MCTNB are both virulent to Lr11, and MCTNB is virulent to Lr26. MBTNB and MCTNB were most common in the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states and Ohio Valley. Phenotype TNBGJ is virulent to Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the hard red winter wheat region of the Great Plains. Isolates with virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 were common in the southeastern states and Ohio Valley region. Isolates with virulence to Lr21, Lr24, and Lr39/41 were frequent in the hard red wheat region of the southern and northern Great Plains.
New Frontiers for Computer Ethics: Cyberspace

This chapter discusses cyberspace as one of the new frontiers of ethics. In our discussion, we note that is a global artificial reality environment based on a global mesh of interconnected computer networks. This mesh allows and makes it possible for anyone using a point-of-entry device like a computer, smartphone, or any other Internet-enabled electronic device to reach anyone else, with the potential to access the mesh, through a one-on-one, one-to-many, and many-to-one communication capabilities or through broadcasting via the World Wide Web. Cyberspace, because of immerse and telepresence capabilities and global reach, is used either in real time or otherwise, simultaneously by millions if not billions of people around the world. We note that these notions give cyberspace and in fact makes cyberspace not only a virtual environment but also makes it a potentially dangerous environment where one can do anything with no elegance, no accountability and limited responsibility, and all in a cover. So personal privacy becomes the number one social and ethical issue of concern in our discussion. With the changing cyberspace technologies, we wonder whether cyberspace communities will see their etiquettes, if any, eventually amalgamate, mutate, and spread into global cyberethics. How about cyberspace lingua franca and a global cyber culture?
A Model-Constructing Satisfiability Calculus

We present a new calculus where recent model-based decision procedures and techniques can be justified and combined with the standard DPLLT approach to satisfiability modulo theories. The new calculus generalizes the ideas found in CDCL-style propositional SAT solvers to the first-order setting.
A Dissipative Particle Dynamics Study of Liquid Crystals Under Electric Field

We study the equilibrium and dynamic behavior of liquid crystals (LCs) under dc and ac electric field using a mesoscopic simulation technique, Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD). We quantify the reorientation of LC molecules and the change in their anisotropic character under external perturbation by an order parameter. We find that the electric field magnitude has to be above a critical value to initiate the reorientation of the director of the LC system along the applied electric field, which is consistent with the experimental observations. The response time of the reorientation process decreases as the magnitude of the electric increases for the dc fields. The effect of ac field frequency on the order parameter is correlated with the field amplitude. The cyclic variation in the order parameter follows the ac field when the oscillation period is greater than the response time of the system and the amplitude is greater than the critical value. Results suggest that the DPD technique can provide important insights in to the dynamic behavior of LC system under both dc and ac electric fields. This technique can further be applied to examine the properties of colloidal LCs which can be very useful for many practical applications.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Microbial respiratory quinones in the environment: I. A sensitive liquid chromatographic method

Abstract Bacterial respiratory quinones in environmental samples are proposed as sensitive indicators of the aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism of bacterial populations. A liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of respiratory quinones is presented, and the proportions of ubiquinone, menaquinone and desmethylmenaquinone in aerobic and anaerobic enrichments and several environmental samples are reported. These preliminary data support the utility of the method.
Reframing Violence Risk Assessment for Female Juvenile Offenders

The assessment of risk for future violence is a task that clinicians and criminal justice practitioners are faced with on a daily basis. Recent advances in risk assessment research have led to an increased understanding of the empirical relationships between risk factors and violent outcomes among adult male populations (see Borum, 1996; Douglas & Ogloff, 2003; Monahan & Steadman, 1994). Simultaneously, a plethora of risk assessment instruments, such as the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG; Harris, Rice, & Quinsey, 1993) Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991), Psychopathy Checklist-Screening Version (PCL-SV; Hart, Cox, & Hare, 1995) and Historical and Clinical Risk Guide (HCR-20; Webster, Douglas, Eaves, & Hart, 1997) have been developed and tested widely among adult male forensic populations.
Double Outlet Right Ventricle

Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare malformation that accounts for about 1–3% of all congenital heart disease. The reported incidence ranges from 3 to 14 per 100,000 live births [1]. For historical background, see Table 22.1.
Abstract A12: Identification of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade

Despite its enormous success in treating several types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, renal cancer, bladder cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, immunotherapy still only induces responses in a subset of patients. Understanding the response and resistance mechanisms are still open questions. Based on the reported heterogeneous response to targeted therapies in multiple cell lines, we hypothesize that significant heterogeneity might also exist regarding the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), which may manifest the mechanisms of response/resistance to ICB. To this end, we applied the ClonTracer barcoding system to assess the heterogeneity of response to anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 in CT26 colorectal cancer model. Surprisingly, whereas significant heterogeneity exists in the cell line’s ability to initiate cancer in vivo, ICB treatment did not lead to dramatic clonal enrichment compared to control treatment. Therefore, the tumor microenvironment and/or the epigenetic programs in cancer cells may dictate the response to ICB. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Shengqing Stanley Gu Gu, Ziyi Li, Xia Bu, Xiaofang Xing, Gordon Freeman, Myles Brown, Xiaole Shirley Liu. Identification of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2017 Oct 1-4; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2018;6(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A12.
Special Need Students in the Struggle for the Character of Schooling in America

One of the most contentious issues over American educational reform is government sponsorship of school vouchers and tax credits in elementary and secondary education. Voucher advocates have long b...
Acoustic emission monitoring of rate of damage growth in composite structures (Conference Presentation)

Damage development in composite structural members under quasi-statically load include distributed matrix cracks, delaminations, and random fiber breaks which start at relatively low loads and at these levels do not pose threat to the load carrying ability of the structure. But at higher load levels the damage growth accelerates and leads to final failure. The existence of undetected impact or other types of damage can severely accelerate this gradual damage growth. Acoustic emission technique can provide a real time assessment of the rate of damage growth. This paper examines the results from test specimens with and without impact damage for which acoustic emission data was collected using wide band sensors capable to recording signals in excess of 2 MHz. Characteristics of signals obtained at different load levels are compared. In these tests unidirectional, cross-ply, and quasi-isotropic carbon-epoxy composite tensile specimens were monitored while they were statically loaded to failure. Huge volume of AE data is obtained during these tests was analyzed in detail to understand the nature of damage growth and identify the source of acoustic emission signals. The difference in the acoustic behavior between undamaged specimens and impact damaged specimens are presented. In addition, the pattern of acoustic emission signals in which a sequence of near identical waveforms appearing in clusters were noted in both undamaged specimens as well as impact damaged specimens. The formation of clusters of such AE signals appears to indicate the approaching failure of the specimen. These clusters of AE signals seem to parallel the formation of clusters of fiber breaks that form near the ultimate failure of composite specimens in CT examinations.
Soil moisture regime and mound position effects on soil profile properties in a native tallgrass prairie in northwest Arkansas, USA

Abstract Prairie, or mima, mound topography often exists in once-abundant, native tallgrass prairie ecosystems throughout North America west of the Mississippi River. However, the abundance of undisturbed prairie mounds is decreasing in many areas due to urbanization and agricultural disturbance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variations in soil physical, chemical, and estimated hydraulic properties among mound positions (mound summit, backslope, toeslope, inter-mound), soil depths (10-cm intervals from 0 to 90 cm), and soil moisture regimes (udic and aquic) in a native tallgrass prairie in the Ozark Highlands region of northwest Arkansas. Soil samples were collected in mid-April 2017. Soil clay concentrations increased with depth (P
Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?

The metaphor in the title of Graham Allison’s 2017 book, Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? refers to Thucydides’s assertion that the Peloponnesian War was inevitable...
Google cloud platform security

In modern days, use of service-oriented architecture (SoA) is becoming popular due to the use of public cloud. A cloud can provide storage services, computing services and infrastructure without any capital or operational expenditure. From a single user to a multi-national million dollar business can easily receive several types of services from a public cloud. There are numerous cloud providers in the market. Among the prominent ones, such as Amazon AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure etc. GCP offers a wide array of services for many organizations and individuals around the world like other cloud providers. However, the question is, all those data, confidential information, intellectual property of individual or industries safe enough? Information has become the most expensive commodity in modern days. A government can be shutdown, a transport system can be disabled, annoying spam calls, phishing emails, cyber bullying and more security threats exist around us. Can we trust a public service provider? Hence, our initiative aims at investigating that GCP is secure from inside attackers. Why we chose inside attackers? Well the idea is to check if GCP can detect and ignore an attack launched internally. In this case, it should be secure enough to prevent from outsiders as well. The research investigation would involve Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against a local virtual machine (VM) launched from GCP. There is a broad spectrum of VMs available in GCP compute engine service.
Discovery of Influenza Polymerase PA–PB1 Interaction Inhibitors Using an In Vitro Split-Luciferase Complementation-Based Assay

The limited therapeutic options and increasing drug-resistance call for next-generation influenza antivirals. Due to the essential function in viral replication and high sequence conservation among influenza viruses, influenza polymerase PA-PB1 protein-protein interaction becomes an attractive drug target. Here, we developed an in vitro split luciferase complementation-based assay to speed up screening of PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors. By screening 10,000 compounds, we identified two PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors, R160792 and R151785, with potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a panel of influenza A and B viruses, including amantadine-, oseltamivir-, or dual resistant strains. Further mechanistic study reveals that R151785 inhibits PA nuclear localization, reduces the levels of viral RNAs and proteins, and inhibits viral replication at the intermediate stage, all of which are in line with its antiviral mechanism of action. Overall, we developed a robust high throughput-screening assay for screening broad-spectrum influenza antivirals targeting PA-PB1 interaction and identified R151785 as a promising antiviral drug candidate.
Blinatumomab Is Well Tolerated Maintenance Therapy Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background Patients (pts) with high-risk B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a high rate of relapse, even after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In an effort to reduce the risk for relapse, we investigated the role of blinatumomab (Blin), a bi-specific T cell immunotherapy targeting CD19, as maintenance therapy following allogeneic HCT. We rationalized that this is an ideal agent with little cytotoxicity, and the potential to provide immune protection against disease relapse during the first year post HCT when GVL is still maturing. Methods Adult pts with B-ALL deemed high risk for relapse defined as disease stage beyond CR1, active disease including MRD, or presence of high risk molecular mutations or karyotype at time of HCT, or patients with evidence of MRD post HCT, were eligible for study enrollment; prior Blin treatment was allowed. Pts with active disease or GVHD requiring steroid therapy post HCT were excluded. Pts were scheduled to receive 4 cycles of Blin at 28 μg/24 hours over 4 weeks, with the first cycle to be administered within the first 3 months post HCT after count recovery; subsequent cycles at 6, 9, 12 months following HCT. Results 12 pts with median age 30 years (range, 21-65 years) were treated to date with characteristics and outcomes reported in Table 1. The median days to start of therapy post HCT was 84 (range, 38-105 days). There was no reported CRS, GVHD, graft failure, or grade 5 adverse events (AE). A cumulative 26 cycles of Blin were administered with 7 Blin-related grade 3 or 4 AEs reported (leukopenia n=4, transaminitis n=2, rash n=1). Grade 2 neurotoxicity was noted in 1 pt. Median follow up was 8.5 months post HCT (range 2-35 months). None of the 8 pts who were MRD negative post HCT have relapsed. We performed multiparametric flow cytometry studies on serial peripheral blood patient samples collected prospectively at multiple time points to measure T cell subsets, T-cell function and cell surface expression of various checkpoint inhibitors including PD1, TIGIT, Tim3, 2B4 and CD160. Samples were studied on an X-20 Fortessa, and the data analyzed using Kaluza software. The 4 pts who progressed on Blin maintenance had lower CD8 to CD4 ratio compared to non-progressors (45.75:42.01 vs 16.53:59.72) (Figure 1). Furthermore, compared to healthy controls, we observed higher levels of checkpoint molecules as multiple checkpoints per cell. PD1 and TIGIT upregulation and co-expression were more common in progressing patients compared to non-progressors (Figure 2). Conclusion We observed that Blin maintenance following allogeneic HCT for B-ALL is well tolerated, and encouraging for pts who are MRD negative post HCT. More pts need to be treated to confirm the efficacy of this approach.Strategies to increase CD8 levels and blockade against checkpoint inhibitors may overcome resistance to therapy.
The origin and evolution of vertebrate neural crest cells

The neural crest is a vertebrate-specific migratory stem cell population that generates a remarkably diverse set of cell types and structures. Because many of the morphological, physiological and behavioural novelties of vertebrates are derived from neural crest cells, it is thought that the origin of this cell population was an important milestone in early vertebrate history. An outstanding question in the field of vertebrate evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo) is how this cell type evolved in ancestral vertebrates. In this review, we briefly summarize neural crest developmental genetics in vertebrates, focusing in particular on the gene regulatory interactions instructing their early formation within and migration from the dorsal neural tube. We then discuss how studies searching for homologues of neural crest cells in invertebrate chordates led to the discovery of neural crest-like cells in tunicates and the potential implications this has for tracing the pre-vertebrate origins of the neural crest population. Finally, we synthesize this information to propose a model to explain the origin of neural crest cells. We suggest that at least some of the regulatory components of early stages of neural crest development long pre-date vertebrate origins, perhaps dating back to the last common bilaterian ancestor. These components, originally directing neuroectodermal patterning and cell migration, served as a gene regulatory 'scaffold' upon which neural crest-like cells with limited migration and potency evolved in the last common ancestor of tunicates and vertebrates. Finally, the acquisition of regulatory programmes controlling multipotency and long-range, directed migration led to the transition from neural crest-like cells in invertebrate chordates to multipotent migratory neural crest in the first vertebrates.
Methods to Integrate Natural Language Processing Into Qualitative Research

Background:Qualitative methods analyze contextualized, unstructured data. These methods are time and cost intensive, often resulting in small sample sizes and yielding findings that are complicated...
Recovery and outcomes of patients denied early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Liver transplantation (LT) in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) remains controversial, in part because spontaneous recovery (SR) can occur. There is a paucity of data on SR in patients with severe AH who undergo LT evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with SR and survival in patients with severe AH who undergo LT evaluation. APPROACH AND RESULTS This is a retrospective study of ALD patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) >25 and <90 days abstinence who underwent LT evaluation at a single center between 2012 and 2018. One hundred forty-four patients (median age, 45.5 years; 68.1% male) were included. Forty-nine (34%) underwent LT and 95 (66%) patients did not undergo LT, and of those, 34 (23.6%) experienced SR. Factors associated with recovery were younger age (OR, 0.92; p = 0.004), lower index international normalized ratio (INR; 0.31; p = 0.03), and lower peak MELD (OR, 0.83; p = 0.02). Only 7 patients (20.6%) achieved a compensated state with a MELD <15 and absence of therapy for ascites or HE. Survival was improved in patients who underwent early LT when compared to SR. Survival was impaired in SR following relapse to alcohol use when compared to SR patients who abstained and LT recipients. Among all 6-month survivors of AH, alcohol use trended toward an association with mortality (HR, 2.05; p = 0.17), but only LT was associated with decreased mortality risk (HR, 0.20; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS SR from AH after LT evaluation is associated with age, index INR, and lower peak MELD. Most recovered patients continue to experience end-stage complications. LT is the only factor associated with lower mortality.
Power, politics and religion in Timurid Iran

Beatrice Forbes Manz uses the history of Iran under the Timurid ruler Shahrukh (1409–1447) to analyse the relationship between government and society in the medieval Middle East. She provides a rich portrait of Iranian society over an exceptionally broad spectrum - the dynasty and its servitors, city elite and provincial rulers, and the religious classes, both ulama' and Sufi. The work addresses two issues central to pre-modern Middle Eastern history: how a government without the monopoly of force controlled a heterogeneous society, and how a society with diffuse power structures remained stable over long periods. Written for an audience of students as well as scholars, this book provides a broad analysis of political dynamics in late medieval Iran and challenges much received wisdom about civil and military power, the relationship of government to society, and the interaction of religious figures with the ruling class.
Natural Host Resistance Mechanisms against Systemic Mycotic Agents

The different fungi responsible for diseases in man are quite diverse in their characteristics. Some fungi are “true” pathogens in that they appear to infect normal individuals, whereas others are opportunistic and establish an infection only in an altered or compromised host. The natural portal of entry into the host varies among the fungi, but they usually fall within two major groups—those that enter by introduction into the skin, and those that enter through the respiratory route. The disease-causing fungi differ in their tissue preferences as well as in their morphological characteristics and size. These various features are important factors and must be considered in a discussion of the effectiveness of the natural host resistance mechanisms in eliminating the mycotic agents.
Concomitant Oncoprotein Detection with Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (CODFISH): A Fluorescence-Based Assay Enabling Simultaneous Visualization of Gene Amplification and Encoded Protein Expression

We sought the validation of a three-color fluorescence-based system that simultaneously profiles Her-2/neu oncogene copy by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Her-2/neu encoded protein by the use of a versatile alkaline phosphatase chromogen fast red K in either fluorescence or bright-field mode. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. Nineteen infiltrating ductal carcinomas of breast were comprehensively evaluated for Her-2/neu amplification/overexpression by direct and indirect FISH using digoxigenin (DigFISH) and direct fluorescently labeled probes, autoradiographic RNA:RNA in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody CB11. CODFISH results correlated well with DigFISH, direct-label FISH, mRNA expression, and oncoprotein expression as assessed with CB11, and enabled simultaneous visualization of gene copy and protein. In addition, qualitative immunohistochemistry may be followed by CODFISH gene copy enumeration to clarify ambiguous cases.
Finite-Geometry Codes

In this article, the constructions of linear block codes based on finite geometries are introduced. These finite geometry codes are related to another class of codes, namely low density parity check (LDPC) codes. The decoding of finite geometry codes exploiting the structure of finite geometries as well as methods developed for LDPC codes is then described. Keywords: block codes; decoding; finite geometry; finite geometry codes; low density parity check codes; iterative decoding
Case-based process planning with hierarchical plan merging

This research focuses on the development of an object-oriented case-based process planner which combines the advantages of the variant and generative approaches to process planning. The case-based process planner operates on general 3D prismatic parts, represented by a collection of features (e.g.: slots, pockets, holes, etc.). Each feature subplan is developed by the case-based planner. Then the feature subplans are combined into the global process plan for the part via a hierarchical plan merging mechanism. Abstracted feature subplans correspond to cases, which are used in subsequent planning operations to solve new problems. The abstracting and storing of feature subplans as cases is the primary mechanism by which the planner learns from its previous experiments to become more effective and efficient. >
Operators with singular continuous spectrum, V. Sparse potentials

By presenting simple theorems for the absence of positive eigenvalues for certain one-dimensional Schrodinger operators, we are able to construct explicit potentials which yield purely singular continuous spectrum.
Maximum Acceptable Weights of Lift for Common Coal Mine Supply Items

A series of psychophysical lifting studies was conducted to establish maximum acceptable weights of lift (MAWL) for three supply items commonly handled in underground coal mines (rock dust bags, ventilation stopping blocks, and crib blocks). Each study utilized 12 subjects, all of whom had considerable experience working in underground coal mines. Effects of lifting in four postures (standing, stooping under a 1.5 m ceiling, stooping under a 1.2 m ceiling, and kneeling) were investigated together with four lifting conditions (combinations of lifting symmetry and lifting height). The frequency of lifting was set at 4 per minute, and the task duration was 15 minutes. Posture significantly affected the MAWL for the rock dust bag (standing MAWL was 7% greater than restricted postures and kneeling MAWL was 6.4% less than stooped); however, posture interacted with lifting conditions for both of the other materials. Physiological costs were found to be significantly greater in the stooped postures compared to kn...
Now, Pay Attention! The Effects of Instruction on Children's Attention

We investigated the effects of instructions to "stay on task" on preschoolers' attention and cognitive performance in the face of either incomprehensible or comprehensible distraction. Three- and 4-year-olds completed problem-solving tasks while a distracting event played continuously in the background, under conditions of (a) no instruction, (b) moderate instruction, or (c) frequent instruction to "stay on task." Under conditions where an incomprehensible distractor was present, any amount of instruction reduced looking to the distracting event. Under conditions where a comprehensible distractor was present, however, frequent instruction was the most effective in increasing looking to the task and decreasing looking to the distracting event.
Simple Criterion for Adsorbent Selection for Gas Purification by Pressure Swing Adsorption Processes

A simple criterion is derived for the selection of adsorbent as well as optimal bed layering for layered beds for the removal of a single trace impurity by pressure swing adsorption (PSA). The theory is based on equilibrium theory under the assumptions of isothermality and frozen solid approximation during pressure changing steps. A working capacity for the adsorbent, defined as the difference between the amount adsorbed under the feed condition and that at the impurity concentration just leaving the adsorber at the end of the purge step, is employed for selecting the best adsorbent and the optimal bed layering. This working capacity depends on the adsorption capacity, isotherm nonlinearity, and operating conditions such as the purge-to-feed ratio. Thus, in selecting the best adsorbent and determining the optimal bed layering, all these factors should be accounted for. The sorbent selection criterion is also applicable for more general bulk purification processes such as H2 PSA. However, care must be take...