cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of PLC to coal blending machine control

This paper describes key points of the PLC control system, hardware selection and software design according to the coal blending requirements. Through the application of PLC technology, the electrical control system can not only meet the requirements of the multi-step time sequence chain control, simulate the regulation of the production control process in order to be adaptive to the change of production process, but also greatly simplify the electrical control circuits. The PLC control technique improves the production automation level of the coal blending machines and the reliability of the electric control system.
Target discrimination in regenerating insect sensory nerve.

The paired abdominal cerci of the cricket Acheta domesticus are mechanosensory appendages which regenerate readily when amputated during larval life. Their peripherally-located sense cells form axons which project centrally as a purely sensory nerve to the terminal abdominal ganglion. In an attempt to analyze some of the factors which guide a regenerating sensory nerve to correct central terminations, implants of homologous, supernumerary terminal ganglia were made in cricket larvae and the host cerci amputated. The possibility that implants with multiple nerve stumps might release an attracting substance was considered. Surgical procedures used were (1) implant in posterior abdomen; (2) implant in posterior abdomen, ipsilateral to chronic cereal deprivation; (3) implant in mesothoracic leg socket, adjacent to heterotopically-transplanted regenerated cercus; (4) implant in posterior abdomen, ipsilateral host cereal motor nerve sectioned; (5) implant in posterior abdomen, ipsilateral margin of host terminal ganglion wounded. Results were determined after the adult molt, by conventional histology or by cobalt chloride filling of regenerated cereal nerves. In all procedures except (3) and (4), the regenerated afferent nerve bypassed the implant and terminated in the host terminal ganglion. In (3), the regenerated fibers from cereal grafts bypassed the implant; terminations were not found. In (4), some regenerated cereal axons connected with the implant and the majority terminated in the host ganglion. It is suggested that regenerating cereal afferents may depend in a facultative way on the cereal motor nerve as a pathway guide but there is as yet no clear evidence for a trophic influence from the central nervous system.
The Population Structure of Vegetation

It is a pleasure to be able to discuss some recent developments in American plant ecology before European phytosociologists. I have only one regret — that the long, partially separate developments of English-language ecology and Continental phytosociology have led to the depth of difference that we observe, with scientists on the two continents often approaching the same phenomena through different techniques, concepts, and perspectives. I think, though, that the development of ecology as a science may have been enriched by these differences (Whittaker 1962), and that mutual understanding is now more important than agreement.
Premorbid body mass index and mortality in patients with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Objectives We aimed to assess the association between premorbid obesity, measured using body mass index (BMI) and lung cancer-related mortality, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods Observational studies reporting statistical measures of association between premorbid BMI categories and lung cancer-related mortality were included in our study. We estimated hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), comparing lung cancer-related mortality across BMI categories. The main outcome measure was lung cancer-related mortality in obese (BMI≥30kg/m 2 ) and overweight participants (BMI 25.0–29.9kg/m 2 ), compared with normal BMI participants. Results We included 14 studies (including 2 pooled cohort studies) comprising 3,008,137 cancer-free participants at inception, reporting 28,592 lung cancer-related deaths. On meta-analysis, we observed a significantly lower lung cancer-related mortality in overweight (aHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68–0.85) and obese (aHR, 0.68, 95% CI; 0.57–0.81) participants as compared to participants with normal BMI, with considerable heterogeneity; after excluding one study with large effect size, a more conservative and consistent association was observed between BMI and lung cancer-related mortality (overweight vs. normal BMI: aHR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79–0.90; obese vs. normal BMI: aHR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75–0.87), with moderate heterogeneity. Were similar in men vs. women, non-smokers vs. smokers, and Western vs Asia-Pacific populations. Conclusions Based on meta-analysis, we observed an independent protective association between premorbid obesity and lung cancer-related mortality. This association was observed across sex, smoking status and geographic region. Further studies are needed to prospectively study this association.
OLR perspective on the Indian Ocean Dipole with application to East African precipitation

Inter-annual variability of precipitation over eastern Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya) is impacted by the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD), which has its maximum amplitude during autumn. During northern spring, sea surface temperature (SST) in the tropical Indian ocean is nearly always sufficiently high to sustain convection, but it exhibits no clear pattern of variability. Thus, precipitation variability over Eastern Africa during spring is not connected to any Indian Ocean inter-annual mode sustained by SST anomalies. Yet, seasonal variability in atmospheric convection might sustain interannual modes during spring independent from SST. We construct an index for the IOD based on outgoing longwave radiation anomaly (OLRA) instead of SST anomaly. During northern spring, analysis of this index shows that inter-annual precipitation over Eastern Africa is correlated with inter-annual variability similar to the IOD, as measured by OLR. The largest part of that relationship originates from western Indian Ocean, with smaller contributions from the Eastern Indian Ocean. Results indicate that atmospheric convection over the tropical Indian Ocean couples the atmospheric circulation over the eastern and western Indian basin irrespective of SST anomalies. Results from constructed analog analysis show that positive SST anomaly during northern winter caused by persistence of subsidence and Cloud-Radiation-SST negative feedback over the south eastern Indian Ocean from the previous positive IOD is associated with formation of negative IOD later during the following autumn.
Clinical Benefit of Capsule Endoscopy in Crohn's Disease: Impact on Patient Management and Prevalence of Proximal Small Bowel Involvement.

Background Ileocolonoscopy and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) enterography (CTE/MRE) are utilized to evaluate patients with small bowel (SB) Crohn's disease (CD). The purpose of our study was to estimate the impact of capsule endoscopy (CE) on patient management after clinical assessment, ileocolonoscopy, and CTE/MRE. Methods We prospectively analyzed 50 adult CD patients without strictures at clinically indicated ileocolonoscopy and CTE/MRE exams. Providers completed pre- and post-CE clinical management questionnaires. Pre-CE questionnaire assessed likelihood of active SBCD and management plan using a 5-point level of confidence (LOC) scales. Post-CE questionnaire assessed alteration in management plans and contribution of CE findings to these changes. A change of ≥2 on LOC scale was considered clinically meaningful. Results Of the 50 patients evaluated (60% females), median age was 38 years, median disease duration was 3 years, and median Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score was 238 points. All CTE/MRE studies were negative for proximal disease. CE detected proximal disease in 14 patients (28%) with a median Lewis score of 215 points. CE findings altered management in 17 cases (34%). The most frequent provider-perceived benefits of CE were addition of new medication (29%) and exclusion of active SB mucosal disease (24%). Conclusion CE is a safe imaging modality that alters clinical management in patients with established SBCD by adding incremental information not available at ileocolonoscopy and cross-sectional enterography.
Are Game Design and User Research Guidelines Specific to Virtual Reality Effective in Creating a More Optimal Player Experience? Yes, VR PLAY

Virtual reality (VR) presents new usability, human-computer interaction, and playability challenges for developers, user-experience researchers, and designers. In addition to facing the traditional challenges, developers and researchers of VR games and VR experiences must contend with issues of physicality (including physical activity and physical discomfort), spatiality, and new or intensified physiological, psychological, and social considerations. However, many existing resources intended to help designers and game-user researchers work through usability and playability issues do not address these VR-specific challenges. This paper introduces the Virtual Reality PLAY (VR PLAY) guidelines, a set of guidelines intended to help developers, designers, and user researchers create more usable and playable VR games and experiences by optimizing the user and player experience for virtual reality.
Management of high-risk gestational trophoblastic disease

Multimodality therapy with combination chemotherapy employing etoposide, high-dose methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA-CO), and adjuvant radiotherapy and surgery, when indicated, has resulted in cure rates of 80-90% in patients with high-risk metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors. However, approximately 25-30% of high-risk patients will have an incomplete response to first-time chemotherapy or will relapse from remission. Most of these patients will have a clinicopathologic diagnosis of choriocarcinoma, metastases to sites other than the lung and vagina, more than eight metastases and/or failed inappropriate previous chemotherapy, resulting in very high World Health Organization scores. Salvage chemotherapy with cisplatin/etoposide, usually in conjunction with bleomycin or ifosfamide, as well as surgical resection of sites of resistant disease in selected patients, will result in a cure in most patients. New technology, such as the use of colony-stimulating factors to prevent treatment delays and dose reductions or high-dose chemotherapy with or without autologous bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood stem cell support, may play an important role in the future management of patients who develop drug resistance.
C3L: an integrated computation, communication and control language for dynamically controlled heterogeneous devices

Innovations in computing and communications have enabled autonomous electromechanical devices that change their internal states in response to real time interactions with other devices, software agents, or smart sensors. A critical research challenge is to harness the electro-mechanical capabilities of these devices via ad-hoc wireless networks to actuate deliberate processes which adapt to the operational dynamics and perform collaborative missions cognitively. C3L is a language designed to capture the semantics of the dynamical architecture of such systems for conducting complex, time-critical operations. The alphabet at each level of C3L consists of atomic events and actions, controllable or uncontrollable. Using a common alphabet, independently developed heterogeneous devices can plug and play in ad hoc networked applications with individual or coordinated strategies. This language provides an integrated framework for computation, communications and situation-aware control for multi-level fusion of distributed information. It combines the reasoning properties of agent-oriented languages with discrete event control of physical devices so that operational dynamics of the system can be embedded in the higher level semantics of the language. It takes advantage of abstraction and reasoning to build multi-device systems with both situation and self awareness. The syntax and semantics of C3L are presented and discussed in detail. The power and flexibility of C3L in modeling distributed dynamic operations, as opposed to predefined protocols for agent interaction languages, is illustrated through Dynamic Space-time Clustering of spatial-temporal sensor information for tracking a mobile target in a sensor field.
Objectively False: French Cinema and the Algerian Question

This chapter discusses the double narrative of French modernization and the Algerian War. New Wave films Muriel, Cleo from 5 to 7, Adieu Philippine, Le Petit Soldat, and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg express the myths and anxieties of modernization while critiquing official representations of a prosperous France surging into American-style consumption patterns. References to the Algerian War are sporadic and indirect. Decolonization and accelerated modernization are deeply interrelated, with the war representing a sort of “political doppelganger” of the country’s newly omnipresent capitalist culture. Pontecorvo’s fictionalized documentary The Battle of Algiers applies the aesthetic strategies of Italian investigative cinema to Third World context. Through montage, musical motifs, and a metafictional sequence, he demonstrates that the essence of reality does not always lie on the surface.
Biomechanical Forces and Oxidative Stress: Implications for Pulmonary Vascular Disease.

Significance: Oxidative stress in the cell is characterized by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are the main ROS involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism. As our fundamental understanding of the underlying causes of lung disease has increased it has become evident that oxidative stress plays a critical role. Recent Advances: A number of cells in the lung both produce, and respond to, ROS. These include vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells as well as the cells involved in the inflammatory response, including macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils. The redox system is involved in multiple aspects of cell metabolism and cell homeostasis. Critical Issues: Dysregulation of the cellular redox system has consequential effects on cell signaling pathways that are intimately involved in disease progression. The lung is exposed to biomechanical forces (fluid shear stress, cyclic stretch, and pressure) due to the passage of blood through the pulmonary vessels and the distension of the lungs during the breathing cycle. Cells within the lung respond to these forces by activating signal transduction pathways that alter their redox state with both physiologic and pathologic consequences. Future Directions: Here, we will discuss the intimate relationship between biomechanical forces and redox signaling and its role in the development of pulmonary disease. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms induced by biomechanical forces in the pulmonary vasculature is necessary for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Impact of automated OCT in a high-volume eye urgent care setting.

Background/Aims Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become standard of care in the diagnosis and management of a myriad of retinal and optic nerve pathology. Access to diagnostic equipment and skilled imaging personnel in the after-hours setting is often limited. We examined the utility and diagnostic indications for automated OCT in a high-volume after-hours clinic within an eye institute. Methods OCT images obtained over a period of 15 months were reviewed in the context of electronic patient records. Residents and fellows were surveyed regarding their experience with the OCT and its value in emergency patient management. Results 202 patients and 359 eyes were examined. Complaints prompting imaging included flashes/floaters, metamorphopsia, decreased vision and scotomas. Diagnoses included vascular occlusion, retinal detachment, macular hole, cystoid macular oedema and central serous retinopathy. Of the 25 residents and fellows surveyed, most agreed that the OCT that facilitated delivery of optimal urgent management. OCT also aided in the triage of patients to specialty clinics. Conclusion Expanded access to automated OCT in the urgent care setting shows promise for improving the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis, which can be critical for optimising patient outcomes. OCT also provides clear, immediate documentation of pathology for substantiating medical decision-making.
Senescence in aging and disorders of the central nervous system

Abstract Aging can be defined as the natural process of accumulating time during the life of an organism. Advancing age correlates with tissue dysfunction, including frailty, malignancies, immobility, and cognitive loss. With increasing age, there is an accumulation of cells that have lost their ability to divide and yet do not undergo cell death, termed senescent cells. These cells, which are characterized by a distinctive proinflammatory phenotype, have been demonstrated to damage surrounding cells, which negatively impact health. Within the brain, senescent cells have been associated with a variety of diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and maladies where chronic inflammation drives tissue deterioration. Here, we describe the resident cells of the central nervous system (CNS), how they exhibit tendencies toward senescence with age and disease, and discuss tools that will be useful to aid in senescent cell identification and characterization in this tissue.
2013 Texas Estate Planning Legislative Update

This article reviews the highlights of the legislation enacted by the 2013 Texas Legislature relating to the Texas law of intestacy, wills, estate administration, trusts, and other estate planning matters.
A Case Study of Two Successful Social Marketing Interventions to Promote 1% Low-Fat Milk Consumption:

This article presents a case study of two effective interventions promoting 1% low-fat milk consumption. Developed after extensive formative research and use of the 4Ps marketing mix, the first int...
Neighborhood Food Environment and Physical Activity Among U.S. Adolescents

Introduction Few U.S. adolescents meet physical activity guidelines. Although several neighborhood characteristics influence physical activity, the role of food-related features as potential drivers of adolescent physical activity remains understudied. Using representative U.S. data, authors examined the effect of the neighborhood food environment on adolescents’ out-of-school physical activity. Methods The Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study was conducted in 2014. Secondary data analysis occurred in 2018. Multinomial logistic regression models examined associations between neighborhood availability of (1) convenience store; (2) supermarket; (3) farmer's market; (4) fast food; (5) non–fast food restaurant and adolescent out-of-school physical activity (tertile-based, low as referent). An additional association between a total aggregate neighborhood food environment score was assessed. Results Final analytic sample was 1,384 adolescents (mean age=14.5 years, SD=1.6). Controlling for free/reduced-price lunch, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood physical activity and social environments, the aggregate food environment score was significantly associated with high physical activity (versus low tertile; OR=1.2, 95% CI=1.1, 1.3). Most individual categories of food retail outlets were significantly and directly associated with out-of-school moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity in the single food environment variable models. However, when fully adjusting for all food retail outlet categories plus confounders, they were no longer significant. Conclusions The availability of a diverse combination of retail food destinations within walking distance from home may provide opportunities for adolescents to achieve more physical activity, likely because of transport-based physical activity. Pending future research, these findings suggest that the role of the food environment on health extends beyond its influence on dietary behaviors to other health behaviors like physical activity.
Abstract 4109: Functional profiling of 17,000 open reading frames identifies regulators of PDL1 expression in HNSCC

The interaction of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) with the PD-1 receptor serves as an immune checkpoint, dampening anti-tumor immunity. While immunotherapies targeting this pathway (Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab), were approved for use in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in 2016, overall response rates are low and few biomarkers have been identified to differentiate responders. We expect a more detailed understanding of PD-L1 checkpoint regulation in HNSCC to provide insight toward addressing these deficits. Thus, we developed a high- throughput screening protocol to discover signals modulating PD-L1 expression. We have employed a lentiviral open reading frame (ORF) library for overexpression of over 14,000 different genes in a pooled format. UM-SCC-49 cells transduced with this library were stained for cell surface PD-L1 and sorted by flow cytometry to select cells with enhanced PD-L1 expression. Sequencing of the selected sub-population was performed to determine ORFs enriched over an unsorted pool. To validate a role for individual target genes in modulating PD-L1 expression, monoclonal populations were expanded from the sorted pool and evaluated for PD-L1 expression. We confirmed increased PD-L1 expression in 7 of these cell lines over wild-type and LacZ overexpressing controls via western blotting and flow cytometry. Furthermore, we selected 5 ORFs of interest overrepresented in the sorted pool for further validation using stably expressed V5 tagged constructs. Target gene expression was confirmed by western blot, and enhanced cell surface PD-L1 expression was validated via flow cytometry for 4/5 cell lines. Thus, we provide evidence for successful identification of signals regulating PD-L1 using a novel high-throughput overexpression screen. Future experiments will aim to clarify the mechanism of PD-L1 induction in response to the signals identified here, and may ultimately provide a more thorough understanding of genetic factors modulating immunosuppression and response to immunotherapy in HNSCC patients. Citation Format: Jacqueline Mann, Samantha Devenport, Aditi Kulkarni, Rebecca Hoesli, Susan Foltin, Nicole Michmerhuizen, Alexey Nesvizhskii, Chad Brenner. Functional profiling of 17,000 open reading frames identifies regulators of PDL1 expression in HNSCC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4109.
Time, Death, Eternity: Imagining the Soul of Johann Sebastian Bach

This chapter is a speculative psychological study of the music and life of Johann Sebastian Bach. It is argued that a profound division opened up in Bach’s soul in consequence of a series of overwhelming losses during his early formative years. These losses included the deaths of his mother, his father, and many siblings and other close relatives. One side of this division appeared in lasting bonds to the beloved ones who had passed into Eternity, while the other side manifested as a passionate love of life and people in this world. I suggest that Bach’s musical compositions, uniting sacred and secular musical traditions, embody a theme of creatively bringing these conflicting sides of his nature into an embracing wholeness.
Performance Evaluation of STATCOM Equipment using Ambient and Disturbance Data

With increasing availability of synchrophasor technology, enabled by phasor measurement units (PMUs), applications based on this technology are being implemented as a practical approach for power systems monitoring and control. While synchrophasor data provides significant advantages over SCADA data it has limitations especially in the area of model validation and estimation. With the increasing complexity of the power system, the need for equipment monitoring and performance evaluation becomes more relevant. Traditionally model validation and estimation process can be used to look at control equipment performance. However, due to the challenges associated with these processes there are limitations on the performance evaluation. This work expands a previously introduced algorithm to monitor control system performance to allow the algorithm to work under power system ambient and disturbance conditions. Additionally the algorithm is demonstrated on data obtained from the interconnection point of a STATCOM device during ambient and disturbance operation.
Fighting PFAS with PFAS.

Charged and partially fluorinated hydrogels are demonstrated to be a promising new approach to selectively uptake PFAS contaminants in water.
Comparison and Evaluation of the Different Brushless Excitation Topologies for Synchronous Machines-A Literature Survey

Brushless exciter improves the reliability of the synchronous generator by eliminating the use of brushes and slip rings. However, compared to static excitation systems, conventional brushless exciter has very slow dynamic response of field current of the generator. This paper deals with the literature survey of various rotating brushless exciter systems which have been proposed to improve the dynamic response. It also discusses the merits and demerits of each topology. In addition, a comparison between the different brushless excitation systems was also done.
Inherited syndromes involving pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Inherited syndromes are important to recognize in the setting of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) as there are significant implications for the patient's medical management and opportunity for early detection of subsequent manifestations. Although most PNETs are sporadic, approximately 10% are due to an inherited syndrome, which include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4), von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The general hallmarks of a hereditary endocrine neoplasia predisposition syndrome include any one of the following: multiple primary tumors (in the same or different organs), rare tumors (prevalence of less than 1 in 1,000 people in the general population), earlier age of diagnosis (usually under the age of 40), characteristic pattern of disease in the individual or family (phenotype and inheritance pattern). These syndromes are monogenic (due to a single gene disorder), highly penetrant (with all carriers of the disease exhibiting at least part of the phenotype) and can display variable expressivity (where affected individuals may have different presentations and features of the disease). A thoughtful approach to management is required, even if the presenting symptom is resolved, as these syndromes often involve multi-organ disease with a lifelong risk for tumor development. Additionally, the natural history of tumors in the setting of a hereditary condition may be different than would be expected in a sporadic form of the disease. For example, in some circumstances the risk of metastatic disease is lower, and therefor longer observation is the preferred approach over early surgical intervention. The unique aspects to management, challenges in hereditary disease recognition and accurate diagnosis, and rarity of these syndromes are all reasons to support referral to high-volume centers with the experience and knowledge to treat patients with hereditary endocrine neoplasia syndromes.
Review of feedback in edutainment games for preschoolers in the USA

Feedback is an essential component of children’s learning; yet, how it is provided through the edutainment market for preschoolers is largely understudied. This study examined the prevalence and pa...
Optic Perineuritis Distinguishing Arteritic Ischaemic from Amiodarone-Associated Optic Neuropathy

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a common medium to large vessel vasculitis of the elderly that can lead to permanent vision loss. Neuroimaging in GCA may reveal optic nerve sheath enhancement, which is a cardinal finding of optic perineuritis (OPN). The clinical manifestations of GCA can mimic that of other ocular disorders including amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy (AAON). We report a case of biopsy-proven GCA in a patient initially suspected to have AAON. This patient presented with bilateral optic disc oedema in conjunction with subacute predominately monocular vision loss and enhancement of the corresponding optic nerve sheath on neuroimaging. Clinicians should recognise that clinical and neuroimaging findings of GCA can mimic a variety of ocular and orbital pathologies including idiopathic OPN and AAON.
The effect of retaliation costs on employee whistleblowing

Abstract We use large increases in unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to study the effects of expected retaliation costs on employee whistleblowing. Increases in UI benefits reduce the costs that arise from a job loss, one of the costliest forms of retaliation. We find that increases in UI benefits increase the number of facility-level employee workplace safety complaints filed with the regulator. Furthermore, UI benefit increases also result in more violations and more penalties. The effects are concentrated in firms where retaliation is more likely as measured by weaker employee relations, internal controls, and monitoring. Our findings show the importance of reducing retaliation costs to tap into employees’ knowledge of misconduct.
Identifying the Undeserving Poor: The Effect of Racial, Ethnic, and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment on State Medicaid Eligibility

In the United States, race and racism are woven into the very fabric of the welfare state. Racial antipathy has undermined public support for benefits perceived as favoring African Americans and ha...
Do we need an anti-oligarchic constitution?:

Camila Vergara’s Systemic Corruption is an extraordinarily rich, provocative and original work of political theory, which makes several compelling interventions in the normative literature. It deve...
Projecting the effects of land subsidence and sea level rise on storm surge flooding in Coastal North Carolina.

Much of the United States Atlantic coastline continues to undergo subsidence due to post glacial settlement and ground water depletion. Combined with eustatic sea level rise (SLR), this contributes to an increased rate of relative SLR. In this work, we utilize the ADvanced CIRCulation model to project storm surges across coastal North Carolina. Recent hurricanes Irene and Matthew are simulated considering SLR and subsidence estimates for 2100. Relative to present day conditions, storm surge susceptible regions increase by 27% (Irene) to 40% (Matthew) due to subsidence. Combined with SLR (+ 74 cm), results suggest more than a doubling of areal flood extent for Irene and more than a three-fold increase for Hurricane Matthew. Considering current regional population distributions, this translates to an increase in at-risk populations of 18% to 61% due to subsidence. Even further, exposed populations are projected to swell relative to Matthew and Irene baseline simulations (8200 and 28,500) by more than 70,000 in all SLR scenarios (79,400 to 133,600). While increases in surge inundation are driven primarily by SLR in the region, there remains a substantial contribution due to vertical land movement. This outlines the importance of exploring spatially variable land movement in surge prediction, independent of SLR.
Comparison of Ocean Currents Derived From Dispersive Shifts in SAR Subaperture Image Sequences to ATI-SAR Surface Velocities

We report the initial results of an experimental investigation into the measurement of ocean surface currents with an ultrahigh frequency synthetic aperture radar (UHF SAR) that supports an along-track interferometric (ATI) mode. We compare results from two different approaches to the current measurement: analysis of wave dispersion in a time-sequence of subaperture images and standard ATI-SAR processing. We find that while both methods clearly show a surface velocity front over the north wall of the Gulf Stream, the change in velocity indicated by the dispersion method is significantly less than that indicated by ATI-SAR processing. We offer methodological and geophysical reasons for the observed differences.
An empirical model of electron temperatures in the Mars ionosphere based on Langmuir probe measurements in the descending phase of solar cycle 24

Abstract Mars ionospheric temperatures exhibit profound variability based on, for example, changes in solar irradiance, solar local time, season, and latitude. The close coupling between ionospheric temperatures and neutral thermospheric density is of even greater importance. To evaluate these effects and to quantify their contributions to electron temperature, we developed the Temperature of electrons Specification for the Mars Ionosphere (TeSMI). After identifying the strongest correlations between the model inputs and the observed electron temperatures, several additional corrections were examined and implemented. The primary source of climatological variability was related to neutral pressure, local solar time, and 17-22 nm irradiance. In addition to this, changes due to seasonal effects and latitude each required 5–10% of additional corrections. Evaluating the electron temperatures on which TeSMI is based provided an opportunity to study several relevant ionospheric phenomena. One of these is the solar cycle dependence of electron temperature which is found to be relatively small compared with other sources of variability. Solar minimum temperatures are on average 7–12% lower than those at solar maximum during solar cycle 24. The solar cycle dependence also appears stronger at aphelion than at other times. Furthermore, at Mars perihelion, electron temperatures seem to increase in response to a possible source of heating from the lower atmosphere. Furthermore, we identify cold and warm regions with respect to the TeSMI model that occur in specific aerographic locations. These regions of warmer and colder temperatures appear organized with respect to the crustal magnetic field locations at altitudes above 170 km. This is the first time that the effect of the crustal field is identified in the statistical electron temperature data below 200 km. Lastly, at the lowest altitudes (160–180 km) analyzed here, the equatorial ionosphere is colder than the polar regions by 5–15% which is interpreted to be a result of the atmospheric circulation pattern.
Why do people discriminate against Jews?: by Jonathan Fox and Lev Topor, New York, Oxford University Press, 2021, iv+241, £19.99 (paperback), ISBN 9780197580356

For several decades and until recently, anti-Semitism was generally believed to be a declining atavistic prejudice found only in the most unenlightened quarters or among the most aggrieved members ...
Firearm ownership and violent crime in the U.S.: an ecologic study

Introduction: Although some view the ownership of firearms as a deterrent to crime, the relationship between population-level firearm ownership rates and violent criminal perpetration is unclear. The purpose of this study is to test the association between state-level firearm ownership and violent crime. Methods: State-level rates of household firearm ownership and annual rates of criminal acts from 2001, 2002, and 2004 were analyzed in 2014. Firearm ownership rates were taken from a national survey and crime data were taken from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports. Rates of criminal behavior were estimated as a function of household gun ownership using negative binomial regression models, controlling for several demographic factors. Results: Higher levels of firearm ownership were associated with higher levels of firearm assault and firearm robbery. There was also a significant association between firearm ownership and firearm homicide, as well as overall homicide. Conclusions: The findings do not support the hypothesis that higher population firearm ownership rates reduce firearm-associated criminal perpetration. On the contrary, evidence shows that states with higher levels of firearm ownership have an increased risk for violent crimes perpetrated with a firearm. Public health stakeholders should consider the outcomes associated with private firearm ownership.
Types of polyploids; their classification and significance.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the classification of polyploidy. The whole subject of polyploidy is too large thus, the chapter confined to those aspects in which the relation between the natural and the artificial polyploidy is of major theoretical and practical importance. On the tetraploid level there are autopolyploids, segmental allopolyploids, and true allopolyploids. Autopolyploids usually are characterized by the presence of multivalents at meiosis of tetrasomic ratios, and in the examples artificially produced of slower development and reduced fertility. They may be descended from the relatively homozygous diploids, or from hybrids between varieties or subspecies of a diploid species. The latter are more likely to be successful in nature; therefore, the differences between wild autopolyploids and their nearest diploid relatives may be genetic in nature as well as the result of chromosome doubling per se.
Learning by Observation and Practice: An Incremental Approach for Planning Operator Acquisition

Abstract This paper describes an approach to automatically learn planning operators by observing expert solution traces and to further refine the operators through practice in a learning-by-doing paradigm. This approach uses the knowledge naturally observable when experts solve problems, without need of explicit instruction or interrogation. The inputs to our learning system are: the description language for the domain, experts' problem solving traces, and practice problems to allow learning-by-doing operator refinement. Given these inputs, our system automatically acquires the preconditions and effects (including conditional effects and preconditions) of the operators. We present empirical results to demonstrate the validity of our approach in the process planning domain. These results show that the system learns operators in this domain well enough to solve problems as effectively as human-expert coded operators. Our approach differs from knowledge acquisition tools in that it does not require a considerable amount of direct interactions with domain experts. It differs from other work on automatically learning operators in that it does not require initial approximate planning operators or strong background knowledge.
THE ADENINE NUCLEOTIDE (AdN) TRANSLOCASE (T): A ROLE IN DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES

Although developmental changes occurring during the first days of extrauterine life have been well-characterized in terms of enzymatic activities, little attention has been given to overall cellular energy metabolism. Investigations of energy metabolism in guinea pig liver mitochondria (m) have shown that m from the newborn (N) have membrane pH gradients and membrane electrical potentials similar to those found in adults. During the first 24 hours after birth, State 3 rates of oxygen consumption (OC) increase 3 fold whereas the uncoupled rates of (OC) increase only 30%. The m AdN increases 3 fold with no change in the ATP/ADP ratio. Titrations with carboxyatractyloside (CAT), a stoichiometric inhibitor of the m AdNT show that the N has only 50% of the AdNT activity of the adult. Furthermore, it is possible to evaluate the role of the AdNT on the regulation of respiration using flux control theory (Eur. J. Biochem. 42:97-105). Briefly, the degree of control (control strength) exerted by a particular step in a pathway is defined as the fractional change in pathway flux produced by a fractional change in the activity of the enzyme comprising that step; the sum of all control strengths in a pathway being equal to 1.0. By applying this theory to inhibitor titrations of the AdNT, it has been shown that at any rate of OC the AdNT has greater control strength over respiration in the N than in the adult. At maximal rates of OC the AdNT has a control strength of 0.98 in the N and 0.56 in the adult. Since the AdNT plays a central role in cellular metabolism and the N period is a time of high energy demand, it seems probable that the AdNT plays a critical role in development.
Hydrogen-or-Fossil-Combustion Nuclear Combined-Cycle Systems for Base- and Peak-Load Electricity Production

A combined-cycle power plant is described that uses (1) heat from a high-temperature nuclear reactor to meet base-load electrical demands and (2) heat from the same high-temperature reactor and burning natural gas, jet fuel, or hydrogen to meet peak-load electrical demands. For base-load electricity production, fresh air is compressed; then flows through a heat exchanger, where it is heated to between 700 and 900 C by heat provided by a high-temperature nuclear reactor via an intermediate heat-transport loop; and finally exits through a high-temperature gas turbine to produce electricity. The hot exhaust from the Brayton-cycle gas turbine is then fed to a heat recovery steam generator that provides steam to a steam turbine for added electrical power production. To meet peak electricity demand, the air is first compressed and then heated with the heat from a high-temperature reactor. Natural gas, jet fuel, or hydrogen is then injected into the hot air in a combustion chamber, combusts, and heats the air to 1300 C-the operating conditions for a standard natural-gas-fired combined-cycle plant. The hot gas then flows through a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator before being sent to the exhaust stack. The higher temperatures increase the plant efficiencymore » and power output. If hydrogen is used, it can be produced at night using energy from the nuclear reactor and stored until needed. With hydrogen serving as the auxiliary fuel for peak power production, the electricity output to the electric grid can vary from zero (i.e., when hydrogen is being produced) to the maximum peak power while the nuclear reactor operates at constant load. Because nuclear heat raises air temperatures above the auto-ignition temperatures of the various fuels and powers the air compressor, the power output can be varied rapidly (compared with the capabilities of fossil-fired turbines) to meet spinning reserve requirements and stabilize the electric grid. This combined cycle uses the unique characteristics of high-temperature reactors (T>700 C) to produce electricity for premium electric markets whose demands can not be met by other types of nuclear reactors. It may also make the use of nuclear reactors economically feasible in smaller electrical grids, such as those found in many developing countries. The ability to rapidly vary power output can be used to stabilize electric grid performance-a particularly important need in small electrical grids.« less
Phosphorylation of Ceramide by Diglyceride Kinase Preparations from Escherichia coli

Abstract Escherichia coli diglyceride kinase has been purified approximately 600-fold by extraction of isolated membranes with Triton X-100, chromatography on phosphocellulose and hydroxylapatite, and sucrose gradient centrifugation. The purified enzyme catalyzes the phosphorylation of pure ceramide derived from beef heart sphingomyelin according to the following reaction: ceramide + ATP → ceramide 1-phosphate + ADP. It does not phosphorylate sphingosine at a detectable rate. The ratio of activity toward diglyceride and ceramide remained unaltered throughout the 600-fold purification and upon further polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Competition between diglyceride and ceramide has been demonstrated. Activity of the purified enzyme toward both substrates is greatly stimulated by cardiolipin or certain other glycerophosphatides.
Topological relationships between map geometries

The importance of topological relationships between spatial objects is recognized in many disciplines. In the field of spatial databases, topological relationships have played an important role, providing mechanisms for spatial constraint specification and spatial indexing techniques. The use of spatial data in a map form has become popular, resulting in spatial data models such as topologies or, more generally, map geometries, which model collections of spatial objects that satisfy certain topological constraints. However, the topological relationships between map geometries remain unexplored. In this paper, we identify the set of valid topological relationships between map geometries, and then provide a mechanism by which they can be directly implemented on top of existing systems by using topological relationships between regions.
Energy separation in the wake of a cylinder: Effect of Reynolds number and acoustic resonance

Abstract Energy separation is a spontaneous redistribution of total energy in a flowing fluid without external work or heat transfer. The energy separation mechanism in the vortex field behind an adiabatic circular cylinder in a cross flow of air is investigated. Time-averaged velocity and temperature measurements taken one diameter downstream of the cylinder (Re ∼ 10 5 , M ∞ ∼ 0.25) indicate flow reversal. The measured recovery temperature, expressed as distribution of energy separation factor indicates that energy separation is caused by the vortex flow in the wake, enhanced by acoustic excitation, and is insensitive to Reynolds number in the sub critical range studied.
Applications of the Yang-Lee-Ruelle theory to hard-core lattice gases

The grand-partition-function-zero method is applied to lattice systems of rigid molecules, based on the algebraic technique of Ruelle. Consideration of small collections of lattice molecules, through this approach, provides rigorous delineation of regions of the complex activity plane which are free of zeros of the grand partition function, and hence free of thermodynamic singularities. Two conjectures, as yet unproved, are offered, which greatly reduce the computational effort required in using the technique. A simple proof is provided for the absence of physical phase transitions in monomerdimer systems, and bounds are obtained on the locations of the transitions of other lattice gases.
The impact of fertilization and hydrology on nitrate fluxes from Mississippi watersheds

The watersheds of the Mississippi are some of the most intensively managed agricultural basins in the world. As such, they receive high loadings of nitrogen and export a large amount of nitrate to the drainage networks of the Mississippi River basin and coastal ocean. We find a positive correlation between fertilizer input and stream export of nitrogen. According to the correlation, ∼34% of applied fertilizer nitrogen is exported to streams and rivers of the Mississippi basin, a fraction that is greater than the global average. The relationship is partly causal, but also reflects indirect effects, as fertilizer application in the Mississippi basin also correlates with agricultural practices, such as row cropping and tile drainage. The overall impact of these agricultural practices is to increase water throughput and decrease water and nitrogen residence time and processing, which, in turn, increase nitrogen export and the percentage of fertilizer that is exported. This response, coupled with a general increase in precipitation in the Mid-West, is exacerbating the nitrogen problem and will decrease the efficacy of nitrogen-reduction management.