cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite element methods for the non‐linear mechanics of crystalline sheets and nanotubes

The formulation and finite element implementation of a finite deformation continuum theory for the mechanics of crystalline sheets is described. This theory generalizes standard crystal elasticity to curved monolayer lattices by means of the exponential Cauchy-Born rule. The constitutive model for a two-dimensional continuum deforming in three dimensions (a surface) is written explicitly in terms of the underlying atomistic model. The resulting hyper-elastic potential depends on the stretch and the curvature of the surface, as well as on internal elastic variables describing the rearrangements of the crystal within the unit cell. Coarse grained calculations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are performed by discretizing this continuum mechanics theory by finite elements. A smooth discrete representation of the surface is required, and subdivision finite elements, proposed for thin-shell analysis, are used. A detailed set of numerical experiments, in which the continuum/finite element solutions are compared to the corresponding full atomistic calculations of CNTs, involving very large deformations and geometric instabilities, demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed approach. Simulations for large multi-million systems illustrate the computational savings which can be achieved.
Nutrition and nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of hypertension

Macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies are very common in the general population, and may be even more common in patients with hypertension and cardiovascular disease due to genetic and environmental causes, and prescription drug use. Vascular biology assumes a pivotal role in the initiation and perpetuation of hypertension and target organ damage sequelae. Endothelial activation, oxidative stress and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction (hypertrophy, hyperplasia and remodeling) are initial events that initiate hypertension. Nutrient-gene interactions determine a broad array of phenotypic consequences such as vascular problems and hypertension. Optimal nutrition, nutraceuticals, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation, and moderate restriction of alcohol and caffeine, in addition to other lifestyle modifications, can prevent, delay the onset, reduce the severity, treat and control hypertension in many patients. An integrative approach combining these lifestyle suggestions with the correct pharmacologic treatment will best achieve new goal blood pressure levels, reduce cardiovascular risk factors, improve vascular health, reduce target organ damage, including coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and renal disease, and reduce healthcare expenditure. The expanded scientific roles for nutraceutical supplements will be discussed in relation to the prevention and treatment of essential hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Neutrophil depletion attenuates endotoxin-induced dysfunction of cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation

The effect of neutrophil depletion on endotoxin-induced dysfunction of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation was studied in rats. Two mechanisms of neutrophil depletion were used: vinblastine (0.75 mg/kg iv) and rabbit anti-rat neutrophil antiserum (0.15 ml iv). Concentration-response curves were generated (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) for acetylcholine (ACh), A-23187, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in isolated pulmonary arterial rings preconstricted with phenylephrine 6 h after endotoxin (20 mg/kg ip). Absolute neutrophil count was significantly lowered from 1,050 +/- 206 (neutrophils/ml; mean +/- SE) in controls to 100 +/- 41 by vinblastine and to 50 +/- 29 by antiserum. Endotoxin produced histological evidence of pulmonary vascular endothelial damage and significantly increased lung neutrophil accumulation (myeloperoxidase assay, 5.1 +/- 0 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.1 in controls; 0.1 +/- 0.1 and 0.8 +/- 0.0 U/g lung wt after endotoxin in neutrophil-depleted rats by vinblastine and antiserum, respectively). Endotoxin produced significant impairment of endothelium-dependent cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation by receptor-dependent (ACh) and -independent (A-23187) pathways as well as endothelium-independent relaxation (SNP). Neutrophil depletion significantly attenuated the endotoxin-induced impairment of all three of these mechanisms. We conclude that neutrophils contribute to endotoxin-induced impairment of GMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation.
Roman Wellbeing and the Economic Consequences of the 'Antonine Plague'

This paper responds to recent scholarship by Willem Jongman and Geoffrey Kron that has tried to make a case for elevated levels of prosperity and physical wellbeing in the first two centuries of the Roman imperial monarchy. The relevance of various putative indicators is critiqued. Demographic data as well as anthropometric evidence consistently point to high levels of morbidity and mortality and substantial developmental stress. This evidence is incompatible with an optimistic interpretation of living conditions in that period. The second part of the paper revisits previous arguments concerning the impact of the so-called ‘Antonine Plague’ of the late second century CE. Papyrological data from Roman Egypt indicate a shift in the ratio of land to labor that is logically consistent with a significant demographic contraction. At the same time, comparative evidence from other periods suggests that the scale of this contraction must not be overrated.
You Can Pay Me Now and You Can Pay Me Later: The Persistent Effects of Firm Performance on Executive Compensation

The results of this study are that important intertemporal effects exist in the compensation-performance relation. This finding is important to the design of empirical studies of compensation and performance. The results further support the idea that the future income implications of good performance are as important, if not more important, than the contemporaneous effect. This finding has interesting public policy implications. That is, attempting to strengthen the pay-performance sensitivity by monitoring the contemporaneous relation may be dysfunctional.
Melting Phenomena of Several Nickel Base Alloys in a Plasma Jet Operating at Low Pressure

The modeling of powders melting in a plasma jet has received increasing attention as the plasma spraying is being developed to produce high density, high performance materials. These models are being used to predict process capability for melting powders and to develop plasma processing parameters for complete particle melting. Most models assume splherical powder particles which heat and melt uniformly during their travel in the plasma jet. The results of this research indicate this assumption may be invalid. Several experiments conducted to evaluate the melting behavior of nickel and nickel alloy powders (Ni,Ni2OCu, Ni2OCr, Ni5O Cr, Rene’80) are presented.
HIPStR: Heterogeneous-ISA Program State Relocation

Heterogeneous Chip Multiprocessors have been shown to provide significant performance and energy efficiency gains over homogeneous designs. Recent research has expanded the dimensions of heterogeneity to include diverse Instruction Set Architectures, called Heterogeneous-ISA Chip Multiprocessors. This work leverages such an architecture to realize substantial new security benefits, and in particular, to thwart Return-Oriented Programming. This paper proposes a novel security defense called HIPStR -- Heterogeneous-ISA Program State Relocation -- that performs dynamic randomization of run-time program state, both within and across ISAs. This technique outperforms the state-of-the-art just-in-time code reuse (JIT-ROP) defense by an average of 15.6%, while simultaneously providing greater security guarantees against classic return-into-libc, ROP, JOP, brute force, JIT-ROP, and several evasive variants.
Adrenergic receptors mediating depolarization in brown adipose tissue

Adrenergic receptors mediating depolarization in in vitro neonatal rat brown adipose tissue (BAT) have been characterized by use of adrenergic agonists and antagonists. Releasable endogenous catecholamine was present in BAT as demonstrated by tyramine- and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide- (DMPP) induced depolarization in BAT from normal rats and its absence when BAT from reserpinized rats was used. In BAT from reserpinized rats l-norepinephrine, l-phenylephrine, and l-isoproterenol all similarly depolarized the bronw adipocytes over the concentration range of 10(-8) to 10(-6) M with a maximal depolarization of about 25 mV. Dopamine and d-norepinephrine were more than 100 times less potent. The beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol competitively inhibited isoproterenol-induced depolarization, whereas the alpha-adrenergic blackers, phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine, inhibited the phenylephrine-induced depolarization with much smaller inhibitory effects on the isoproterenol-induced depolarization. Both phenylephrine and isoproterenol elicited transient depolarizations when briefly added to the bathing medium while continuously recording from the same cell. Both the agonist and antagonist studies are interpreted as indicating the presence of both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors on BAT cells which mediate catecholamine-induced depolarization.
Technical note: stocking equivalents and stocking rate-gain relationships for steers and cow-calf pairs grazing oversown bermuda grass.

Grazing experiments may use steers or cow-calf pairs for measuring animal performance on pasture treatments, but the validity of extrapolation between these classes of cattle has not been verified. A grazing study was conducted in the spring and summer of both 1988 and 1989 to determine stocking equivalents and stocking rate-weight gain relationships for steers and cow-calf pairs grazing Coastal bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] pers.) oversown with rye (Secale cereale L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Average daily gain and stocking rate (SR; 3.2, 4.2, 6.2, and 7.4 animals per hectare for steers and 1.7, 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 pairs per hectare for cow-calf pairs) were both adjusted so that comparisons could be made on an equal BW basis. Disk meter height readings were used as measurements of forage accessibility. Disk meter height responses to SR did not differ (P greater than .10) between steer and cow-calf paddocks. There was a linear (P less than .001) decrease in ADG as SR increased, but this decline was steeper (P less than .001) for steers than for cows or suckling calves. Steers tended to be more productive than calves at low SR but less productive at high SR. Disk meter heights for the range of SR used in the study did not differ (P greater than .10) for steers and cow-calf pairs at equivalent BW per hectare. Our study suggests that live BW is a reasonable basis for determining forage requirements of steers and cow-calf pairs under grazing conditions, but extrapolation of production between classes of livestock will not be reliable.
Novel adaptive control system for ultrasound hyperthermia treatment of prostate disease

A novel model reference adaptive control (MRAC) method was proposed and tested with a transrectal intracavitary applicator for thermal treatment of prostate disease using ultrasound hyperthermia. Two significant advantages of this innovative adaptive control method are: 1) there is no need of a priori knowledge of the tissue properties; and 2) the controller could adaptively change the amplitudes and phases of the array's driving signal according to the perfusion rate or other dynamic tissue properties. Computer simulations, ex vivo and in vivo experimental results all showed that with this adaptive controller the tissue was heated up to 43 /spl plusmn/ 0.2/spl deg/C within 7 /spl plusmn/ 2 minutes, and adaptively maintained 43/spl deg/C with dynamic blood flow for the rest period of the hyperthermia.
Self-reported adherence in ALL: true or false?

In this issue of Blood, following their seminal report on the risk of relapse associated with nonadherence to oral 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) during maintenance therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Landier et al here investigate whether patient self-report is a reliable measure of 6MP adherence.1
Policy reforms to update chemical safety testing

Toxicological evaluation of chemicals and newly emerging substances, such as engineered nanomaterials, is essential to protect human health and the environment ( 1 ). Traditional approaches for chemical safety assessment often use high-dose animal studies, human exposure estimates, linear dose extrapolations, and uncertainty factors to determine the circumstances under which human exposure is safe. But in 2016, major bipartisan reform of the antiquated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the United States embraced a new paradigm emerging across the globe ( 2 ). This paradigm, relying largely on nonanimal, alternative testing strategies (ATS), uses mechanism-based in vitro assays and in silico predictive tools for testing chemicals at considerably less cost ( 3 ). We provide a cautious but hopeful assessment of this intersection of law and science. Although the law generally takes a sensible approach to using ATS for regulatory purposes, commitment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its partner agencies remains the key to successful integration of ATS in TSCA.
Shallow trapping vs. deep polarons in a hybrid lead halide perovskite, CH3NH3PbI3

There has been considerable speculation over the nature of charge carriers in organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, i.e., whether they are free and band-like, or they are prone to self-trapping via short range deformation potentials. Unusually long minority-carrier diffusion lengths and moderate-to-low mobilities, together with relatively few deep defects add to their intrigue. Here we implement density functional methods to investigate the room-temperature, tetragonal phase of CH3NH3PbI3. We compare charge localization behavior at shallow levels and associated lattice relaxation versus those at deep polaronic states. The shallow level originates from screened Coulomb interaction between the perturbed host and an excited electron or hole. The host lattice has a tendency towards forming these shallow traps where the electron or hole is localized not too far from the band edge. In contrast, there is a considerable potential barrier that must be overcome in order to initiate polaronic hole trapping. The formation of a hole polaron (I2− center) involves strong lattice relaxation, including large off-center displacement of the organic cation, CH3NH3+. This type of deep polaron is energetically unfavorable, and active shallow traps are expected to shape the carrier dynamics in this material.
Physical function metric over measure: An illustration with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT).

BACKGROUND Measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is becoming an integral component of quality improvement initiatives, clinical care, and research studies in cancer, including comparative effectiveness research. However, the number of PROs limits comparability across studies. Herein, the authors attempted to link the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Physical Well-Being (FACT-G PWB) subscale with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) calibrated item bank. The also sought to augment a subset of the conceptually most similar FACT-G PWB items with PROMIS PF items to improve the linking. METHODS Baseline data from 5506 participants in the Measuring Your Health (MY-Health) study were used to identify the optimal items for linking FACT-G PWB with PROMIS PF. A mixed methods approach identified the optimal items for creating the 5-item FACT/PROMIS-PF5 scale. Both the linked and augmented relationships were cross-validated using the follow-up MY-Health data. RESULTS A 5-item FACT-G PWB item subset was found to be optimal for linking with PROMIS PF. In addition, a 2-item subset, including only items that were conceptually very similar to the PROMIS item bank content, were augmented with 3 PROMIS PF items. This new FACT/PROMIS-PF5 provided superior score recovery. CONCLUSIONS The PROMIS PF metric allows for the evaluation of the extent to which similar questionnaires can be linked and therefore expressed on the same metric. These results allow for the aggregation of existing data and provide an optimal measure for future studies wishing to use the FACT yet also report on the PROMIS PF metric. Cancer 2018;124:153-60. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
A blinded, randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of lokivetmab compared to ciclosporin in client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Background Lokivetmab is an injectable anti-canine-IL-31 monoclonal antibody to treat clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives To characterize the efficacy and safety of lokivetmab, and to demonstrate its noninferiority to ciclosporin under field conditions. Animals Dogs with chronic AD (n = 274) were enrolled from 40 practices in Belgium, The Netherlands, France and Germany. Methods Animals were randomized (1:1) to oral ciclosporin (5 mg/kg/once daily) or monthly injectable lokivetmab (1–3.3 mg/kg) for three months. Eighty one animals that successfully completed the comparative phase were enrolled in a continuation phase receiving lokivetmab for an additional six months. Owners assessed pruritus on a Visual Analog Scale, skin lesions were assessed by veterinary investigators with a Canine AD Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03) scale. Results Lokivetmab was noninferior to ciclosporin for pruritus reduction on Day 28 (51.90% versus 43.72%). For Day 28 CADESI-03 percentage reduction, noninferiority of lokivetmab (54.17) versus ciclosporin (56.86%) was not achieved. At none of the time points were mean CADESI-03 scores significantly different between groups. Continued efficacy towards pruritus and lesions was demonstrated in the continuation phase where 76.3% of animals (n = 45) were assessed as ‘normal’ for pruritus at study end. No abnormal health events associated with lokivetmab were observed during the initial three month phase (142 dogs) or during the subsequent six month phase (81 dogs). Conclusions and clinical importance Lokivetmab at a minimum monthly dose of 1 mg/kg provided quick onset (within one day) of a lasting effect in reducing pruritus and skin lesions with a good safety profile.
Abstract TMP7: The Effect of Admission Systolic Blood Pressure on Mortality in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: It is unknown what significance different initial Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) values have for patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We investigated factors associated with admission SBP, including hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and discharge outcome. Methods: This is a retrospective study of consecutive AIS patients presenting from April 2014 to March 2015. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including admission SBP divided into three tiers: 165. Primary measure of outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 776 patients were included with mean age 64, 49.2% females and 36.5% Black Race. Most patients with Black Race, hypertension (HTN) and hyperlipidemia (HLD) had SBP between 140-165 and >165, whereas most patients with heart failure had lower SBP ( 165 group. A similar number of patients amongst the three groups were on BP medications (63.5% vs. 69.3% vs. 64.1%), and there were no differences in proportion of HT (15.7% vs. 18.7% vs.12.6%). Although the proportion of patients treated with IV TPA were evenly distributed among tiers (14.4% vs. 13.6% vs. 15.7%), more patients with blood pressure 165 was associated with lower odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.536, 95%CI 0.295-0.975, p=0.041). This was significant after adjusting for age and NIHSS (OR 0.431, 95%CI 0.193-0.962, p=0.0399). Conclusions: Normal presenting SBP in patients with AIS was associated with in-hospital mortality. This may be related to heart failure. Further research is needed to define the ideal range to maintain SBP after AIS.
The Persistence of Altruistic Work Efforts as a Function of PSM and Mission Match

While both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations are expected to drive work effort, advancements in public management and organization research identify “public service motivation” (PSM) as a common ...
How Teens with Visual Impairments Take, Edit, and Share Photos on Social Media

We contribute a qualitative investigation of how teens with visual impairments (VIP) access smartphone photography, from the time they take photos through editing and sharing them on social media. We observed that they largely want to engage with photos visually, similarly to their sighted peers, and have developed strategies around photo capture, editing, sharing, and consumption that attempt to mitigate usability limitations of current photography and social media apps. We demonstrate the need for more work examining how young people with low vision engage with smartphone photography and social media, as they are heavy users of such technologies and have challenges distinct from their totally blind counterparts. We conclude with design considerations to alleviate the usability barriers we uncovered and for making smartphone photography and social media more accessible and relevant for VIPs.
Inter-Institutional Partnerships Propel A Successful Collaborative Undergraduate Degree Program In Chemistry

Small private liberal arts colleges are increasingly tuition-dependent and mainly attract students by creating student-centered learning communities. On the other hand, larger universities tend to be trendsetters where its faculty tend to seek intellectual independence and are involved in career focused cutting-edge research. The Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) and Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) are federal-state-university partnerships that builds basic research infrastructure and coax the state-wide higher education institutions to collaborate with each other in order to enhance their competitiveness. As a result in Delaware, Wesley College instituted curricular and operational changes to launch an undergraduate program in biological chemistry where its students take three upper division chemistry courses and can choose to participate in annual summer undergraduate internships at nearby Delaware State University.
A SEC62P-RELATED COMPONENT OF THE SECRETORY PROTEIN TRANSLOCON FROM DROSOPHILA DISPLAYS DEVELOPMENTALLY COMPLEX BEHAVIOR

The isolation and characterization of a Drosophila melanogaster gene (Dtrp1) that encodes a protein displaying the properties of both a structural and functional homolog of the yeast endoplasmic reticulum membrane-bound translocation protein Sec62p is reported. We show that Dtrp1 can not only rescue the lethality associated with a SEC62 gene knockout in yeast, but also complement the sec62-associated defective transport of a precursor polypeptide from the cytoplasm into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Expression of the Dtrp1 gene throughout Drosophila development is characterized by peaks in mid-embryo-genesis and mid-pupation, followed by a sustained period of mRNA accumulation in adults. The examination of male reproductive tissues showed a very high level of preferential expression of a 1.6 kb message, while a 2.2 kb message was confined almost exclusively to the non-reproductive tissues. Within the reproductive tract itself the 1.6 kb message was expressed in testes, ejaculatory duct and particularly strongly in the paragonial glands. Since these latter organs are specialized secretory tissues we suggest that the 1.6 kb message may encode a protein isoform that performs a unique, tissue-specific role in the protein translocation pathway. Such observations may indicate a hitherto unexpected diversity in components of the protein translocation pathway in respect to stage, tissue and, potentially, substrate specificity.
Heterophile antibody interference affecting multiple Roche immunoassays: A case study

Abstract Background Analysis of many clinically important analytes is dependent on antibody-based assays. However, depending on the design, these assays are vulnerable to interference from endogenous molecules including circulating antibodies and free biotin. In this case report, we describe a patient whose laboratory findings from immunoassay based methodologies, are inconsistent with the clinical presentation. Case presentation A 14-year-old male was referred to Pediatric Endocrinology for suspected hyperthyroidism based on critically elevated free thyroxine (fT4) levels although clinical assessment was inconsistent with hyperthyroidism. Because repeat testing was discrepant, Endocrinology questioned the validity of the results prompting consultation with the laboratory to investigate the source of the inconsistent findings. Review of discordant results revealed that fT4 levels measured in laboratories utilizing Roche instrumentation were critically high, while results from laboratories using alternative platforms (i.e. Siemens Centaur) were within normal limits. Conclusion After a comprehensive evaluation which included testing of paired specimens on multiple platforms, measurement of serially diluted specimens and a formal evaluation for the presence of heterophile antibodies, it was determined that a heterophile antibody interference was the most likely cause of the aberrant results in this patient.
Liver fluke-induced choledocholithiasis with biliary ductal obstruction

Liver fluke-related biliary disease is rare in the United States, as locally-acquired liver fluke infection is uncommon. Presented here is a case of biliary obstruction secondary to fluke infection in a Burmese immigrant to the United States. Imaging findings are presented using computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and fluoroscopy which revealed severe biliary dilatation resulting from large obstructing stones. The offending parasite was identified via stone analysis following surgical extraction.
Personalized TMS: role of RNA genotyping.

Purpose Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) such a transcranial magnetic stimulation, intermittent theta burst stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy have emerged as an efficacious and well-tolerated therapy for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. While novel NIBS techniques are an exciting addition to the current repertoire of neuropsychiatric therapies, their success is somewhat limited by the wide range of treatment responses seen among treated patients. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the authors will review the studies on relevant genetic polymorphisms and discuss the role of RNA genotyping in personalizing NIBS. Findings Genome studies have revealed several genetic polymorphisms that may contribute for the heterogeneity of treatment response to NIBS where the presence of certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with responders versus nonresponders. Originality/value Historically, mental illnesses have been arguably some of the most challenging disorders to study and to treat because of the degree of biological variability across affected individuals, the role of genetic and epigenetic modifications, the diversity of clinical symptomatology and presentations and the interplay with environmental factors. In lieu of these challenges, there has been a push for personalized medicine in psychiatry that aims to optimize treatment response based on one's unique characteristics.
Association between strong patient-oncologist agreement regarding goals of care and aggressive care at end-of-life for patients with advanced cancer.

The ability of oncologists to understand patients’ goals of care is recognized as a key component of quality care. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of patient–oncologist agreement regarding goals of care upon aggressive care at end of life (EOL) for patients with advanced cancer. Patients with advanced cancer and their oncologists were interviewed at study enrollment and every 3 months thereafter until patient death or end of the study period (15 months). A 100-point visual analogue scale was used to represent goals of care, with quality of life (scored as 0) and survival (scored as 100) as anchors. Strong goal of care agreement for survival was defined as oncologist and patient dyadic goal of care scores that fell between 70 and 100 (100 = highest goal for survival) and for comfort, dyadic goal of care values that fell between 0 and 30 (0 = high goal for comfort). Two hundred and six patients and eleven oncologists provided data. At the last interview prior to death, 23.3% of dyads had strong goal of care agreement for either survival (8.3%) or comfort (15%) and 76.7% had no strong agreement. There was a significant association between aggressive care use and categories of dyadic agreement regarding goals of care (p = 0.024, Cramer’s V = 0.15). A large percentage of oncologists did not understand their patients’ EOL goals of care. While aggressive care aligned with categories of dyadic agreement for goals of care, high rates of aggressive care were reported.
Role of Ga and In adatoms in the epitaxial growth of β -Ga 2 O 3

The growth rate and crystal quality of $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ thin films are limited by suboxide (${\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$) desorption. It has been reported that the growth of $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ by molecular beam epitaxy and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition can be improved by an additional indium supply. In order to reveal the mechanism by which In impacts growth, we use density functional theory to explore the adsorption of Ga and In adatoms on the ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$(010) surface and the effect of In on the growth rate. We find that the most stable configuration under an extreme Ga-rich condition is the surface with four Ga adatoms per unit cell. In the presence of indium, Ga adatoms become more strongly bound to the surface. Coadsorption of In and Ga thus increases the stability of the metal-covered surface and suppresses suboxide desorption; this explains the higher growth rate under Ga and In flux in experiments.
Optimization of finite-build stellarator coils

Finding coil sets with desirable physics and engineering properties is a crucial step in the design of modern stellarator devices. Existing stellarator coil optimization codes ultimately produce zero-thickness filament coils. However, stellarator coils have finite depth and thickness, which can make the single-filament model a poor approximation, particularly when coil build dimensions are relatively large compared to the coil–plasma distance. In this paper, we present a new method for designing coils with finite builds and present a mechanism to optimize the orientation of the winding pack. We approximate finite-build coils with a multi-filament model. A numerical implementation has been developed, and applications to the Helically Symmetric eXperiment stellarator and a new UW-Madison quasihelically symmetric configuration are shown.
Tensile creep properties of a CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy

Abstract Tensile creep tests were performed on a CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy at temperatures from 1023 K to 1173 K. A uniform stress exponent 3.7 ± 0.1 was found across all temperatures. The apparent activation energies of creep under various applied stresses were determined to be around 230 kJ/mol and decrease with increasing stress, indicating a stress-assisted, thermally activated behavior. Steady-state creep microstructures feature no subgrain formation and high dislocation density within grains. Based on our results, the creep rate of CrMnFeCoNi is believed to be controlled by both dislocation-dislocation interactions and dislocation-lattice interactions.
Qualitative Evaluation of a Junior Faculty Team Mentoring Program.

Objective. To investigate the strengths and challenges of a structured junior faculty mentoring program at a public four-year school of pharmacy, identify areas of opportunity to improve the program, and describe mid-career mentoring faculty needs. Methods. Focus groups and interviews were conducted to elicit participants’ experiences, perceptions, and suggestions for opportunity. Stakeholder groups included junior faculty in the program, mid-career faculty who graduated from the program, mid-career faculty who did not participate in the program, internal mentors, external mentors, and division chairs. Thematic coding was used to identify semantic themes, and summaries of participant perceptions were generated. The program was mapped to the PAIRS checklist from the 2014 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Joint Council Task Force on Mentoring. Results. Participants described the structure of the program and mentee-mentor relationships as strengths of the program. Challenges included finding time to meet and ensuring mentee-mentor fit. Several areas of opportunity were identified, such as adjusting large mentee seminar topics, providing mentors with training, and mentoring for mid-career faculty. Needs for mid-career faculty were described as unique and requiring potentially different strategies than junior faculty mentoring. Conclusion. Mentoring is critical for faculty professional development, supporting retention and job satisfaction, and reducing burnout. Scholarly endeavors that explore faculty mentoring, specifically those utilizing qualitative methods, can help pharmacy education better understand and meet the needs of faculty. This study provides insight into the strengths and challenges of faculty mentoring and provides evidence for increasing mentoring among mid-career faculty within pharmacy education.
Social processing by the primate medial frontal cortex

The primate medial frontal cortex is comprised of several brain regions that are consistently implicated in regulating complex social behaviors. The medial frontal cortex is also critically involved in many non-social behaviors, such as those involved in reward, affective, and decision-making processes, broadly implicating the fundamental role of the medial frontal cortex in internally guided cognition. An essential question therefore is what unique contributions, if any, does the medial frontal cortex make to social behaviors? In this chapter, we outline several neural algorithms necessary for mediating adaptive social interactions and discuss selected evidence from behavioral neurophysiology experiments supporting the role of the medial frontal cortex in implementing these algorithms. By doing so, we primarily focus on research in nonhuman primates and examine several key attributes of the medial frontal cortex. Specifically, we review neuronal substrates in the medial frontal cortex uniquely suitable for enabling social monitoring, observational and vicarious learning, as well as predicting the behaviors of social partners. Moreover, by utilizing the three levels of organization in information processing systems proposed by Marr (1982) and recently adapted by Lockwood, Apps, and Chang (2020) for social information processing, we survey selected social functions of the medial frontal cortex through the lens of socially relevant algorithms and implementations. Overall, this chapter provides a broad overview of the behavioral neurophysiology literature endorsing the importance of socially relevant neural algorithms implemented by the primate medial frontal cortex for regulating social interactions.
Exploring the determinants of discipline and monitoring among non-resident African American fathers

Abstract Available research evidence suggests the importance of positive parental discipline and monitoring for the well-being of African American children and adolescents. Given the potential impact of these practices on child development, it is important to explore the ways in which non-resident African American fathers engage in the discipline and monitoring of their children. The objective of this study was to determine those factors that best predict discipline and monitoring among a sample of 98 non-resident African American fathers, from fatherhood programs in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Surveys were self-administered and included topics related to father factors (developmental history, parenting self-efficacy, and incarceration history), child factors (child age and child sex), and contextual factors (co-parenting alliance). Respondents ranged in age from 20 to 59 (Mean = 37, SD = 7.95) and had at least one non-resident child between the ages of 5 and 17. Bivariate correlation results revealed that higher levels of parenting self-efficacy were associated with having younger children, more positive co-parenting alliances, and increased frequency of engagement in discipline and monitoring of children. In addition, positive perceptions of the co-parenting alliance were associated with having younger children and higher levels of engagement in discipline and monitoring of children. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis results revealed two significant predictors of discipline and monitoring practices—level of education and parenting self-efficacy. Practitioners and service providers should consider implementing interventions that can improve educational outcomes and promote parenting self-efficacy among non-resident African American fathers, thereby enhancing their parenting skills and the well-being of African American children and adolescents.
Cluster Headache: A Review and Update in Treatment.

The treatment of cluster headache has evolved to include a handheld neuromodulation device and a monoclonal antibody in addition to more traditional agents. Galcanezumab is an approved treatment for episodic cluster headache. The non-invasive vagal nerve stimulator has been shown to be effective as a treatment for episodic cluster headache. Dedicated pituitary imaging may not be necessary with a normal MRI of the brain. Cluster headache is the most common trigeminal-autonomic cephalalgia, characterized by unilateral, frequent, debilitating attacks associated with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms. Attacks have a circadian and, often, seasonal pattern with periods of remission that can last months to years in episodic patients. Though a rare disease, an increasing number of studies have revealed novel targets for treatment. Treatment in cluster headache should focus on early intervention to reduce frequency of attacks and the length of the cycle, which improves outcomes and disability. Acute therapy is used to treat attacks, while bridging and preventive therapies are combined to reduce cycle length. Case 1: A 43-year-old man presents with the chief complaint of severe headaches. Upon general examination, he seems uncomfortable, agitated, and exhausted. He states that he hasn’t “slept in over a week because of debilitating headaches.” His headaches start around the same time every night: when he lays down to go to sleep. The pain is described as sharp, like a “hot poker” to his left eye. His partner has noticed that his eye droops and turns red when the pain starts. The attacks come on abruptly and prevent him from sleeping. The severe pain lasts 30 to 45 min, but he has mild-to-moderate pain that lingers for the rest of the night. He has seen his primary care physician, an allergist, and an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist before coming to see a neurologist. Similar headaches occurred last year during the month of October as well. On further questioning, he reports that these headache attacks have been occurring almost yearly for the past 7 years. Each year, these headaches come on as the weather is changing and occur on a nightly basis for about 3 to 4 weeks.
“The Liberty of Choice”; or, the Novels of Ann Radcliffe

Ann Radcliffe’s novels The Italian, A Sicilian Romance, and The Mysteries of Udolpho demonstrate their epigenetic subtexts primarily through the privileging of individual passion over parental control and through family resemblance. In addition, her work, while giving lip service to an almighty God, reinforces the epigenetic point of view through the scientific world she creates, a world that values scientific evidence over supernatural explanations. Radcliffe’s “explained supernatural” coupled with the favoring of organic love and identity created from within place her clearly in the epigenetic camp. While her novels are centered on a search for biological origins through various encounters with the “supernatural,” her fiction always has a clear conclusion and does not threaten “endless narration,” making her work an early example of the Gothic manifestation of epigenetic literature. It is, thus, less epigenetic than the novels treated in the next three chapters, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Charles Maturin’s Melmoth the Wanderer, and James Hogg’s Confessions of a Justified Sinner.
In vitro synthesis of molybdopterin from precursor Z using purified converting factor : role of protein-bound sulfur in formation of the dithiolene

The pterin component of the molybdenum cofactor, termed molybdopterin, is synthesized in Escherichia coli by enzymes encoded at the chl loci. A late step in the biosynthetic pathway, the conversion of a molybdopterin intermediate, precursor Z, to molybdopterin, requires the activity of a two-subunit protein, the converting factor. Precursor Z has many of the features of molybdopterin but lacks the dithiolene function essential for molybdenum ligation. Conversion of precursor Z to molybdopterin is accomplished by transfer of sulfur to produce the dithiolene. The present study describes an in vitro system for molybdopterin biosynthesis comprised of purified precursor Z and purified converting factor. It is established that these components are sufficient to yield molybdopterin, identified by conversion to its characteristic products, Form A, Form B, and dicarboxamidomethylmolybdopterin. Under conditions of precursor excess, the formation of molybdopterin was stoichiometric with converting factor, as would be expected in the absence of a sulfur-regenerating system. The labile product of the reaction, molybdopterin, remained associated with the converting factor large subunit. These results establish that the source of sulfur for molybdopterin biosynthesis is the converting factor and suggest that in vivo a novel sulfur cycle must function to resupply sulfur to the converting factor.
MRI Tissue Classification and Bias Field Estimation Based on Coherent Local Intensity Clustering: A Unified Energy Minimization Framework

This paper presents a new energy minimization method for simultaneous tissue classification and bias field estimation of magnetic resonance (MR) images. We first derive an important characteristic of local image intensities -- the intensities of different tissues within a neighborhood form separable clusters, and the center of each cluster can be well approximated by the product of the bias within the neighborhood and a tissue-dependent constant. We then introduce a coherent local intensity clustering (CLIC) criterion function as a metric to evaluate tissue classification and bias field estimation. An integration of this metric defines an energy on a bias field, membership functions of the tissues, and the parameters that approximate the true signal from the corresponding tissues. Thus, tissue classification and bias field estimation are simultaneously achieved by minimizing this energy. The smoothness of the derived optimal bias field is ensured by the spatially coherent nature of the CLIC criterion function. As a result, no extra effort is needed to smooth the bias field in our method. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is robust to the choice of initial conditions, thereby allowing fully automatic applications. Our algorithm has been applied to high field and ultra high field MR images with promising results.
Implementing an Electronic Notary Public

Many communication security problems admit both “physical” and “mathematical” solutions. For example sending a message from A to B without exposing it to C, can be accomplished physically by means of secure courier, or mathematically by means of encryption. With the advent of public key cryptography, many problems originally believed to be solvable only by physical means have been shown to have mathematical solutions (e.g. key distribution [DB], secret sharing [S], coin flipping [B], mental poker playing [SRA]), In this paper we describe a mathematical solution to a communication security problem, which arose in connection with the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and for which only physical solutions were known, The problem concerns the implementation of an electronic notary public - a device which can certify information for a group of mutually distrusting parties - among which may be builder of the device.
Price Dynamics and the Market for Access to Trading Partners

At each point in time, price dynamics in a market are determined by a market for access to trading partners, implemented by competitive profit-maximizing brokers. This mechanism is applied to a market in which the value of a good declines over time and buyers decide optimally when to reenter the market and buy a new unit. Price adjustment paths in response to increases and decreases in demand are then derived using the differential equations generated by the model.
Use of classroom presenter in engineering courses

Instructors of computer science, engineering, and technology courses often teach using prepared slides displayed with a computer and data projector. While this approach has advantages, disadvantages can be severe - including limited flexibility in delivery of material, which hinders instructors' spontaneous adaptation to students. This paper describes Classroom Presenter, a Tablet PC-based presentation system that (1) allows instructors to regain flexibility in presentation using Tablet PC-supported digital inking in an application specifically designed for lecturing use, (2) supports role-specific views and interaction mechanisms in class, and (3) introduces novel affordances including the use of wireless technology and student devices to support active learning in the classroom. As of spring 2005, Classroom Presenter has been used in over 200 courses at more than 13 institutions. Here we take advantage of our large use-base to discuss Classroom Presenter's impact on student learning and summarize best practices for lecturing with this technology
Cost-efficient high-performance internet-scale data analytics over multi-cloud environments

To analyze data distributed across the world, one can use distributed computing power to take advantage of data locality and achieve higher throughput. The multi-cloud model, a composition of multiple clouds, can provide cost-effective computing resources to process such distributed data. As multi-cloud becomes more and more accessible from cloud users, the use of MapReduce/Hadoop over multi-cloud is emerging; however, existing work has two issues in principle. First, it mainly focuses on maximizing throughput by improving data locality, but the perspective of cost optimization is missing. Second, conventional centralized optimization methods would not be able to scale well in multi-cloud environments due to its highly dynamic nature. We plan to solve the first issue by formalizing an optimization framework for MapReduce over multi-cloud including virtual machine and data transfer costs, and then the second issue by creating decentralized resource management middleware that considers multi-criteria (cost and performance) optimization. This paper reports progress we have made so far on these two directions.