cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Standard linear antennas, 30 to 1000 MHz

It is demonstrated that the insertion loss between pairs of thin, linear antennas may be calculated using fairly simple equations that are generally considered to be good engineering approximations. Although the insertion loss calculation does not involve antenna gain directly (some measurements are actually made in the near-field where gain is not defined), the result is precisely the quantity obtained using the antenna gains in Friis's transmission formula, assuming the mismatch losses are zero. Therefore, the antenna gain product is implicit in the more general insertion loss equations. The particular measurement of insertion loss used here yields a quantity called site attenuation by electromagnetic compatibility engineers. A close agreement between measured and calculated data provides confidence in the site attenuation calculations when the site is essentially perfect, and provides confidence in the gain product of the antenna pair calculated using basically the same equations as those used for insertion loss. It is assumed that one-half of the mean value of the difference between the calculated and measured data is a good estimate of individual antenna performance. For the antennas described here, this measure of performance is typically \lE0.05 dB and on the outside, \iE0.42 dB.
Economic effects of proposed changes in living conditions for laying hens under the National Organic Program

Abstract In this paper, we estimate the costs and benefits of implementing the proposed National Organic Program for laying hens compared with alternatives. For the regulatory proposals under option 2, the regulatory cost will be zero because most producers are already in compliance with the proposed regulation. The anticipated benefits of this regulation will be zero as well, because the current market prices already reflect consumers’ willingness to pay for the existing animal welfare conditions. For the regulatory proposals under option 3, before market adjustments, the average regulatory burden for the entire organic egg industry will amount to $0.09 per dozen eggs, with extreme variations between $0 for small operations and $2.30 per dozen for large operations. If we rely on the average price of organic eggs, $2.69 per dozen, and assume a maximum estimated benefit associated with improved animal welfare conditions, that consumers would be willing to pay of about 30% above the current market price, the estimated benefit of regulation amounts to $0.81 per dozen eggs. Based on the findings, we conclude that option 2 is welfare neutral and could be easily adopted because it already has been adopted by representative producers. For option 3, the benefit-cost ratio is larger than 1, which indicates that the proposal passes the benefit-cost ratio test. The obtained result, however, has to be interpreted with serious reservation because of the differential effect that the proposed regulation would have on different industry participants. Under option 3, the effect of the proposed changes on small organic egg producers is negligible because most small producers are operating under conditions similar to the proposed living standards. However, costs will increase substantially for large organic egg producers and likely cause a substantial number of producers to exit organic production and switch to conventional production, which would cause a substantial decline in the prices of conventional eggs and organic feed in the short run.
School Transitions and Students’ Achievement in the Fifth Grade

ABSTRACT Although separate schools that attend to the specific needs of students are generally considered to be beneficial, the school-to-school transitions they necessitate are often harmful. Drawing on cumulative stress theory, the author examined the relationship between school transitions and students’ Grade 5 achievement. Propensity score matching methods are used on data from 2 panel-waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study to test the hypothesis that these transitions result in adverse academic outcomes. Estimates from matched samples indicate that transitions between Grades 3 and 5 are not significantly associated with decreases in mathematics, reading, or science achievement. The results of this study directly challenge extant research and demonstrate a critical methodological perspective on the relationship between school transitions and students’ achievement.
A society of models for video and image libraries

The average person with a computer will soon have access to the world's collections of digital video and images. However, unlike text that can be alphabetized or numbers that can be ordered, image and video has no general language to aid in its organization. Tools that can "see" and "understand" the content of imagery are still in their infancy, but they are now at the point where they can provide substantial assistance to users in navigating through visual media. This paper describes new tools based on "vision texture" for modeling image and video. The focus of this research is the use of a society of low-level models for performing relatively high-level tasks, such as retrieval and annotation of image and video libraries. This paper surveys recent and present research in this fast-growing area.
The Influence of Representational Gaps on Team Processes and Performance

Despite the oft touted benefits of having differences in task-related cognition, teams often do not capitalize on their heterogeneity. We add a nuance to this literature by examining representational gaps — fundamental incompatibilities in the way that team members conceptualize the problem and solution space — and show that they have a unique effect on performance above and beyond mere differences in cognition. In a laboratory study of 50 teams, the authors find that representational gaps decreased information elaboration and increased relationship conflict. Relationship conflict, in turn, mediated the negative relationship between gaps and performance, satisfaction and intent to remain. We discuss the implications of this work in the context of designing multi-disciplinary teams.
Identifying ground fault location in High Resistance Grounded systems using Adjustable Speed Drive

One of the more difficult problems to solve in industrial plant is to locate and eliminate a ground fault in High Resistance Ground (HRG) system. This is because a ground fault conditions in these systems do not draw enough current to reliably trigger fault current sensors in the drive. This paper developed an approach to identify the ground fault location in HRG systems using voltage sensing, rather than current sensing techniques, inside an Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD). The approach consists of a simple analog circuit and digital signal processing technique to detect a fault condition, as well as to identify the fault location, be it on the load motor side, inside the ASD, or AC line side. The use of this ground fault identification method is also extended and discussed for application to multiple drive lineups.
Feasibility of Near Real‐Time Lesion Assessment During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Humans Using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging

Background: Visual confirmation of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) lesions during clinical cardiac ablation procedures could improve procedure efficacy, safety, and efficiency. It was previously shown that acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging can identify RFA lesions in vitro and in vivo in an animal model. This is the “first-in-human” feasibility demonstration of intracardiac ARFI imaging of RFA lesions in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial flutter (AFL) or atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results:Patients scheduled for right atrial (RA) ablation for AFL or left atrial (LA) ablation for drug refractory AF were eligible for imaging. Diastole-gated intracardiac ARFI images were acquired usingoneoftwoequipmentconfigurations:(1)aSiemensACUSONS2000 TM ultrasoundscannerand8/10Fr AcuNav TM ultrasound catheter, or (2) a CARTO 3 TM integrated Siemens SC2000 TM and 10Fr SoundStar TM ultrasound catheter. A total of 11 patients (AFL = 3; AF = 8) were imaged. ARFI images were acquired of ablation target regions, including the RA cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI), and the LA roof, pulmonary vein ostia, posterior wall, posterior mitral valve annulus, and the ridge between the pulmonary vein and LA appendage. ARFI images revealed increased relative myocardial stiffness at ablation catheter contact sites after RFA and at anatomical mapping-tagged RFA treatment sites. Conclusions: ARFI images from a pilot group of patients undergoing catheter ablation for AFL and AF demonstrate the ability of this technique to identify intra-procedure RFA lesion formation. The results encourage further refinement of ARFI imaging clinical tools and continued investigation in larger clinical trials. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 1-9)
Generating Statistically Correct Random Topologies for Testing Smart Grid Communication and Control Networks

In order to design an efficient communication scheme and examine the efficiency of any networked control architecture in smart grid applications, we need to characterize statistically its information source, namely the power grid itself. Investigating the statistical properties of power grids has the immediate benefit of providing a natural simulation platform, producing a large number of power grid test cases with realistic topologies, with scalable network size, and with realistic electrical parameter settings. The second benefit is that one can start analyzing the performance of decentralized control algorithms over information networks whose topology matches that of the underlying power network and use network scientific approaches to determine analytically if these architectures would scale well. With these motivations, in this paper we study both the topological and electrical characteristics of power grid networks based on a number of synthetic and real-world power systems. The most interesting discoveries include: the power grid is sparsely connected with obvious small-world properties; its nodal degree distribution can be well fitted by a mixture distribution coming from the sum of a truncated geometric random variable and an irregular discrete random variable; the power grid has very distinctive graph spectral density and its algebraic connectivity scales as a power function of the network size; the line impedance has a heavy-tailed distribution, which can be captured quite accurately by a clipped double Pareto lognormal distribution. Based on the discoveries mentioned above, we propose an algorithm that generates random topology power grids featuring the same topology and electrical characteristics found from the real data.
Worst-case arbitration time in S-100-type computer bus systems

The computer bus systems S-100 and Fastbus use a scheme consisting of extra logic circuits in each device and extra bus lines for arbitrating rapidly between two or more devices seeking to use the bus at the same time. The letter shows how to develop a table of priority numbers that make the arbitration time a maximum, and gives an expression for this maximum time in terms of logic-circuit and bus-propagation delays.
Misidentification of Neosartorya pseudofischeri as Aspergillus fumigatus in a Lung Transplant Patient

ABSTRACT We present a case of disseminated Neosartorya pseudofischeri infection in a bilateral lung transplant patient with cystic fibrosis. The organism was originally misidentified from respiratory specimens as Aspergillus fumigatus using colonial and microscopic morphology. DNA sequencing subsequently identified the organism correctly as N. pseudofischeri.
Epitopes of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein B that Bind Type-Common Neutralizing Antibodies Elicit Type-Specific Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

A panel of 45 well-characterized monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive to glycoprotein B (gB) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 was tested by ELISA and in antiviral functional assays (that included virus neutralization, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis), using type 1 or 2 virus strains. All MAbs were ELISA-reactive. Eleven of the MAbs mediated neutralization and 9 mediated ADCC. All of the ADCC epitopes were contained within the amino-terminal half of the extracellular portion of gB. The ADCC reactions were strictly type 1-specific, whereas 9 of 11 neutralizing MAbs exhibited type-common activity. There was some association between the ADCC and neutralization activities, since of 12 MAbs with functional activity, 8 were positive in both assays. These results suggest that differences in the presentation of gB, and perhaps HSV-1 gB versus HSV-2 gB, on free virus and virus-infected cells determine epitope availability.
Differential stabilization of reaction intermediates: specificity checkpoints for M.EcoRI revealed by transient fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime studies

M.EcoRI, a bacterial sequence-specific S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent DNA methyltransferase, relies on a complex conformational mechanism to achieve its remarkable specificity, including DNA bending, base flipping and intercalation into the DNA. Using transient fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime studies with cognate and noncognate DNA, we have characterized several reaction intermediates involving the WT enzyme. Similar studies with a bending-impaired, enhanced-specificity M.EcoRI mutant show minimal differences with the cognate DNA, but significant differences with noncognate DNA. These results provide a plausible explanation of the way in which destabilization of reaction intermediates can lead to changes in substrate specificity.
Expression of the transmembrane mucins, MUC1, MUC4 and MUC16, in normal endometrium and in endometriosis

STUDY QUESTION Are the transmembrane mucins, MUC1, MUC4 and MUC16, differentially expressed in endometriosis compared with normal endometrium?
Conservative synchronization in object-oriented parallel battlefield discrete event simulations

We present a conservative strategy for spatially decomposed parallel discrete event battlefield simulation. The traditional null message algorithm provides a foundation from which a mapping to generic simulation attributes can be made. We informally discuss preservation of logical correctness and freedom from deadlock. Experimental results demonstrate the potential execution time savings when load imbalance is not dominant; more importantly, they highlight improvement opportunities in spite of potential load imbalance. The net result is that a very reasonable performance gain can be delivered for little effort in a way that supports good simulation system design principles. The approach is straightforward and can be easily implemented as part of a more general sequential or parallel simulation support environment. While the approach is expressed in terms of battlefield simulation, its essence applies to many simulation applications.
Identification of pitfalls in PVT gas condensate modeling using modified black-oil formulations

A black-oil (BO) PVT model is a fluid characterization formulation that represents multi-component reservoir hydrocarbons as a binary mixture (i.e., two pseudo-components: “surface gas” and “stock tank oil”). The BO PVT model is widely used in the petroleum industry because it is relatively simple compared to fully compositional modeling in which all or most components are independently accounted for. Since computational complexity increases nearly exponentially with number of components used in the characterization, there always remains a strong incentive to embracing the simplified black oil (binary) characterization as long as the fluid phase behavior allows it. When representing a complex system with this simplified model, a number of limitations arising from its simplicity may exist. In this study, these limitations are highlighted by performing phase behavior simulations for a gas condensate fluid. Rigorous calculations of standard (BO) PVT properties (Bo, Bg, Rs, and Rv) of a the gas condensate reservoir of choice are performed through a series of flash calculations at the prescribed reservoir fluid depletion path. The study demonstrates that the BO PVT model violates the species material balance principle as reservoir pressure depletes while conserving overall mass. This violation can lead to significant errors when coupling the BO PVT model with tank material balance-based techniques. The simulation test case indicates that these models will significantly and consistently underestimate oil formation volume factor (Bo) and solution gas oil ratio (Rs) due to the shortcomings of the BO PVT model.
QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF CAPITAL STOCKS IN THE U.S. PRIVATE DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BY MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS*

This paper describes a study designed to provide quarterly estimates of the real capital stock of the United States by sector and industry, which is being undertaken by the Conference Board. It surveys the history of wealth estimation in the United States, and goes on to describe work now in progress both in the Bureau of Economic Analysis and by private researchers. It then continues with a description of the methodology being used in the Conference Board study.
Self-rated readiness for performance of needle decompression in combat lifesaver training.

ABSTRACTBackground: The Combat Lifesaver course taught to nonmedical personnel includes instruction on performing needle thoracostomy to decompress tension pneumothorax, the second leading cause of preventable combat death. Although the Tactical Combat Casualty Care curriculum is pushed to the lowest level of battlefield first responders, the instruction of this advanced procedure is routinely limited to a verbal block of instruction with a standardized presentation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the confidence of nonmedical personnel in their preparation to perform a needle thoracostomy before Combat Lifesaver training, after verbal instruction on the procedure, manikin training, and practice on a human cadaver. Methods: Confidence was assessed by Likert scale surveys, as well as free response remarks collected before and after training. Results: Self-rated preparedness scores improved significantly with each level of training. Maximal improvements followed cadaver training, from a m...
Models, validation, and applied geochemistry: Issues in science, communication, and philosophy

Models have become so fashionable that many scientists and engineers cannot imagine working without them. The predominant use of computer codes to execute model calculations has blurred the distinction between code and model. The recent controversy regarding model validation has brought into question what we mean by a ‘model’ and by ‘validation.’ It has become apparent that the usual meaning of validation may be common in engineering practice and seems useful in legal practice but it is contrary to scientific practice and brings into question our understanding of science and how it can best be applied to such problems as hazardous waste characterization, remediation, and aqueous geochemistry in general. This review summarizes arguments against using the phrase model validation and examines efforts to validate models for high-level radioactive waste management and for permitting and monitoring open-pit mines. Part of the controversy comes from a misunderstanding of ‘prediction’ and the need to distinguish logical from temporal prediction. Another problem stems from the difference in the engineering approach contrasted with the scientific approach. The reductionist influence on the way we approach environmental investigations also limits our ability to model the interconnected nature of reality. Guidelines are proposed to improve our perceptions and proper utilization of models. Use of the word ‘validation’ is strongly discouraged when discussing model reliability.
Sex differences in landmark learning by children aged 5 to 12 years.

Previous research has shown that men and boys learn routes faster and with fewer errors than do women and girls. Research with adults suggests that men use Euclidean cues when learning a route, whereas women use landmark-based strategies. The strategies used by children have received little study. In Exp. 1, 50 boys and girls, ages 5 to 12 years, were shown a map that contained only landmarks (no streets or roads) and were asked to learn a route consisting of 23 of the landmarks. The children used a pointer to trace the route on the map to a criterion of two successive trials without errors. The performance of boys and girls did not differ significantly on this route-learning task on three measures (number of trials to reach criterion, total time to reach criterion, and total number of errors). In Exp. 2, 52 boys and girls, ages 5 to 12 years, were shown the same map as in Exp. I and were asked to learn a route consisting of 12 landmarks. The children traced the route by picking pictures of landmarks in t...
Intravenous fish oil lipid emulsion promotes a shift toward anti-inflammatory proresolving lipid mediators

Parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated liver disease (PNALD) is a life-threatening complication of the administration of PN. The development of PNALD may be partly due to the composition of the lipid emulsion administered with PN: soybean oil-based lipid emulsions (SOLE) are associated with liver disease, while fish oil-based lipid emulsions (FOLE) are associated with prevention and improvement of liver disease. The objective of this study was to determine how the choice of lipid emulsion modified the production of bioactive lipid mediators (LMs). We utilized a mouse model of steatosis to study the differential effect of FOLE and SOLE. We subsequently validated these results in serum samples from a small cohort of human infants transitioning from SOLE to FOLE. In mice, FOLE was associated with production of anti-inflammatory, proresolving LMs; SOLE was associated with increased production of inflammatory LMs. In human infants, the transition from SOLE to FOLE was associated with a shift toward a proresolving lipidome. Together, these results demonstrate that the composition of the lipid emulsion directly modifies inflammatory homeostasis.
Attempt to control ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on deer on an isolated island using ivermectin-treated corn.

We report an attempt by an offshore island community to control the vector tick of Lyme disease by providing ivermectin-treated corn to an isolated herd of free-ranging white-tailed deer, 0docoileus virginianus Zimmerman. Medicated corn was supplied in troughs within the island village and from automatic feeders at remote sites during 5 consecutive fall and spring adult tick questing seasons. Acaricide consumption was monitored by assaying its presence in fresh deer pellets and its concentration in deer sera. Its effectiveness was evaluated by recording the number of adult ticks collected from the hides of deer, the number of females becoming sufficiently engorged to oviposit, and the success of subsequent oviposition and eclosion. Entomologic risk was monitored by collecting immature ticks from hosts and adult ticks from vegetation. Estimates based on a subsequent deer reduction program indicated that up to twice as many deer had been present during the project as originally presumed. For this and other reasons related to deer behavior, target levels of serum ivermectin were achieved in a minority of deer. Nevertheless, >90% control of female tick infestation, subsequent oviposition, and larval eclosion was obtained in those 8 of 16 sampled deer with serum ivermectin levels of ≥15 ng/ml. In addition, the ratio of females to males, the numbers of females engorging >10 mg body weight, and the numbers of those eventually hatching, were all significantly less among ticks from island deer in comparison with ticks from untreated deer. No consistent changes in the numbers of ticks found on immature-stage hosts or removed from vegetation were noted within 3 yr of the cessation of treatment.
Competing Neural Ensembles in Motor Cortex Gate Goal-Directed Motor Output

Unit recordings in behaving animals have revealed the transformation of sensory to motor representations in cortical neurons. However, we still lack basic insights into the mechanisms by which neurons interact to generate such transformations. Here, we study cortical circuits related to behavioral control in mice engaged in a sensory detection task. We recorded neural activity using extracellular and intracellular techniques and analyzed the task-related neural dynamics to reveal underlying circuit processes. Within motor cortex, we find two populations of neurons that have opposing spiking patterns in anticipation of movement. From correlation analyses and circuit modeling, we suggest that these dynamics reflect neural ensembles engaged in a competition. Furthermore, we demonstrate how this competitive circuit may convert a transient, sensory stimulus into a motor command. Together, these data reveal cellular and circuit processes underlying behavioral control and establish an essential framework for future studies linking cellular activity to behavior.
Wrapping Up in the Online World: Technology, Communication, Blogging, and Youth Today

In a world that has become rapidly infused with advancements in technology, ways of communicating and constructing meaning have evolved for a generation whose lives revolve around the screen. Being literate in today’s society means being able to construct and manipulate words and images through the innovative media of technology. In particular, writing in blogs through social networking sites has become very popular for today’s youth, ranging from elementary students to high school students. “Blogs” are identified as “websites that allow individuals to create personal WebPages of text, pictures, graphics, videos, and other multimedia with the same ease as creating a word processing document” (Boling et al. 504). At the same time, writing in blogs transforms the concept of traditional literacy to a type of literacy termed as multimodal literacy. The purpose of this essay is to reveal how blogging experiences outside of classrooms demonstrate an authentic, constructive, and motivational practice that can and should be integrated into classrooms. The ease of blogging has enabled students to write in an authentic voice and has also enhanced students’ motivation to read and write, not only on the screen, but also in the classroom. Similarly, the experiences of writing in blogs have enabled students to exploit their strengths in writing by engaging them in the writing process. In order to demonstrate these assertions, I will give an overview of the influence of technology, communication, and blogging with respect to youths. I will also provide examples from two young bloggers writing for nonacademic purposes to support the assertion that writing in blogs outside of the classroom serves an authentic purpose for students. Next, I will discuss two case studies from thirdand eighth-grade classrooms to prove how engagement in blog writing in the classroom reveals that classroom literacy practices can combine writing with online technology to enhance traditional literacy skills. Lastly, I will discuss the expansion of the concept of traditional literacy to a definition of multimodal literacy. My findings of student blogging experiences outside of the classroom will aid in drawing a connection between blogging inside of the classroom and literacy and enhance our overall understanding of literacy.
Ionic Liquid (IL) Cation and Anion Structural Effects on Metal Ion Extraction into Quaternary Ammonium-based ILs

ABSTRACTNumerous factors have previously been shown to influence the mode of extraction of alkali and alkaline earth cations from an acidic aqueous phase into 1, 3-dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) by a crown ether, among them the hydrophobicity of both the IL anion and cation. To determine if this observation is “generic” and thus, could provide the basis for guidelines for the rational design of ILs to be used as solvents in metal ion extraction, other families of ILs must be studied. A series of quaternary ammonium-based ILs have therefore been examined as solvents for the extraction of various metal ions from acidic nitrate- and chloride-containing aqueous phases by dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6). Although the overall metal ion extraction behavior in these systems is similar to that observed for 1, 3-dialkylimidazolium-based ILs, significant differences in metal ion separation factors (e.g., αSr/Na) are observed under certain conditions, differences that may be sufficient to influence t...
A parametric DOE study of various factors that influence the CD temperature in automotive radios

A continuous demand for added multimedia features in the automotive audio systems not only requires adequate cooling of the internal electronics, but also the media itself. Thermal engineers focus their efforts only on keeping the electronics below thresholds by conventional methods such as internal fans, heat sinks, etc., while overlooking the CD media. The environment within the instrument panel (IP) poses a challenge in maintaining the media at a temperature level that is comfortable to the human touch. This paper investigates the effectiveness of various factors that influence the CD temperature in a car player. These factors represent independent and interactive effects of the three modes of heat transfer. In this study, a design of experiment (DOE) technique is utilized to generate a response function that filters insignificant parameters and their interactions, in order to minimize the CD temperature. This investigation would then lead to a method that combines various factors at their optimum levels to achieve the maximum cooling effect on the media.
Joint attention revisited: Finding strengths among children with autism:

Differences in joint attention are prominent for some children with autism and are often used as an indicator of the disorder. This study examined the joint attention competencies of young children with autism who demonstrated joint attention ability and compared them to children with developmental delays. A total of 40 children with autism and developmental delays were matched pairwise based on mental and chronological age. Videos of children engaging in play were coded for the frequency and forms (eye contact, gestures, affect, etc.) of joint attention. Additionally, concurrent language was compared among children with autism (N = 32) by their joint attention ability. Children with autism spectrum disorder entered into joint attention significantly less often than children with developmental delays, but once engaged used the forms of joint attention similarly. For the matched pairs, there were no differences in language, but the children with autism who used joint attention had significantly better lang...
Why tensors should be taught at undergraduate levels

Many academic subjects that were taught previously in the framework of theoretical physics moved to engineering. These include courses in electromagnetics, statics and dynamics, heat and mass transfer, mechanics of solids, nuclear power, and courses that branch from these, like fiber optic communications thermodynamics. However, the mathematical foundation in engineering education has remained substantially unchanged during this transition period, typically peaking at the level of linear algebra, vector calculus and integral transforms. As a result many undergraduate engineering courses are built in such a way as to avoid tensor analysis and tensor calculus, as if such mathematical constructs are beyond the capacity of the undergraduate student to understand. We show that this not the case.
Ultimate Strength of Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs

A study was undertaken to investigate the ultimate strength of flat slab floors with regard to ultimate flexural strength and other design factors, such as shear strength and deflection. Three reinforced concrete slab models were built and tested. All models were 10 ft square, 2 in. thick, and supported by four interior columns producing an interior panel 5-1/2 ft square. Column supports were designed to rotate and translate freely, thus minimizing the influence of column restraint and membrane stresses. Variables included percentage of reinforcement and size of column capital. Uniform loads were applied by means of air pressure, and the models were loaded to failure, which was assumed to occur when large increments of deflection were produced by negligible increases in load. The results of the test program indicate close agreement between the predicted and the measured ultimate capacities of the three model slabs. The actual yield patterns that resulted from the tests conformed, in general, to the predicted patterns.
Abstract 2366: YB-1 an oncogenic transcription factor regulates macrophage polarization and tumor microenvironment

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in men in North America and many western countries. Solid tumors including PCa have been known to be strongly infiltrated by inflammatory leukocytes. Also, significant correlation between increased numbers and/or density of macrophages and poor prognosis has been found in PCa. Based on this, understanding both the recruitment and activation of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are considered important targets for therapeutic intervention. We observed that IL-4 (M2 type stimuli) treatment significantly induces YB-1 expression in murine macrophages when compared to LPS (M1 type stimuli). YB-1 is a well-established oncogenic transcription factor known to be expressed by major immune cells like monocytes, T cells and macrophages. However, its expression is found to be relatively lower in differentiated monocytes (i.e. macrophages). Studies have shown an involvement of YB-1 in orchestration of immune responses. In response to proper stimuli like LPS or TGFβ that are associated with inflammatory diseases YB-1 is post-transnationally modified which allows its secretion. This extracellular YB-1 binds to specific unknown receptors on the cell surface of monocytes and promotes activation of different kinases which phosphorylate YB-1 and help in its nuclear translocation. In the nucleus, YB-1 binds to specific gene promoters and activates transcription of target genes like CCL5/RANTES. We over expressed YB-1 in murine macrophages and observed activation of gene network which is representative of M2 phenotype. Macrophages are a fundamental part of the innate defense mechanisms, which can promote specific immunity by inducing T cell recruitment and activation. Despite this, their presence within the tumor microenvironment has been associated with enhanced tumor progression and shown to promote cancer cell growth, angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Further, gain and loss of function studies of YB-1 in murine (RAW264.7) and human (THP-1) macrophages suggested that stable YB-1 knockout in both types of macrophages fails to activate M2 marker genes such as Arg-1, Mrc1, Ass-1, ASL and Pparg. Overexpression of YB-1 in RAW 264.7 macrophages after 16 hours of stimulation with IL-4 (5 ng/ml) significantly decreased the expression of iNOS, an M1 type marker with tumoricidal activity. Our studies provide a novel role of YB-1 in macrophage polarization and provide mechanistic insights as to how YB-1 plays an important role in regulation of tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Mohammad Imran Khan, Abid Hamid, Vaqar M. Adhami, Hasan Mukhtar. YB-1 an oncogenic transcription factor regulates macrophage polarization and tumor microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2366. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2366
Hyperinsulinemia Associated With Acanthosis Nigricans, Finger Pebbles, Acrochordons, And The Sign Of Leser-Trélat

ABSTRACT Objective To review common skin manifestations associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and to discuss a potential underlying mechanism for these manifestations. Methods A PubMed literature search was conducted for articles describing the skin manifestations associated with hyperinsulinemia and type 2 DM. A case presentation describes a morbidly obese patient with type 2 DM treated with metformin who developed acanthosis nigricans, finger pebbles, scores of skin tags (acrochordons), and the sign of LeserTrelat (sudden onset shower of seborrheic keratoses) in the absence of internal malignancy. Results Acanthosis nigricans, acrochordons, and finger pebbles have been associated with type 2 DM and obesity. While the LeserTrelat sign is classically associated with internal malignancy, it can also be idiopathic. To our knowledge, this the first report of the occurrence of the LeserTrelat sign in a patient with DM absent internal malignancy. Conclusion Several skin manifestations can be seen in this patient with DM because of underlying insulin resistance and subsequent stimulation of insulinlike growth factor receptors. Management strategies could include weight loss, diet, and insulinsensitizing pharmacologic therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:522525)
Gln212, Asn270, and Arg301 are critical for catalysis by adenylosuccinate lyase from Bacillus subtilis.

In adenylosuccinate lyase from Bacillus subtilis, Gln212, Asn270, and Arg301 are conserved and located close to the succinyl moiety of docked adenylosuccinate. We constructed mutant enzymes with Gln212 replaced by Glu and Met, Asn270 by Asp and Leu, and Arg301 by Gln or Lys. The wild-type and mutant enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The specific activities of the Q212M and the 270 and 301 mutant enzymes were decreased more than 3000-fold as compared to the wild type. Only Q212E retained sufficient activity for determination of its kinetic parameters: Vmax was decreased ∼1000-fold, and Km was increased 6-fold, as compared to the wild-type enzyme. Adenylosuccinate binding studies of the other mutants revealed greatly weakened affinities that contributed to, but did not account entirely for, the loss of activity. These mutant enzymes did not differ greatly from the wild-type enzyme in secondary structure or subunit association state, as shown by circular dichroism spect...
General Introduction to Many-sided Utilization of Crop Straw in China

Crop straw is a precious biology resource.However,as a result of the traditional idea,the limited condition and the many-sided utilization degree is low.With the reduction of the petrified resources and the increased of the environment questions,people began to purse the sustainable development,environment protection and recycle economy.The using of crop straw has gradually played an important role on agriculture,economy,building materials, and chemical industry and so on.Comprehensive utilization technologies of the crop straw has gradually exploited and propertied.This article summarized the utilization condition on our straw resources.
Precise Determination of Brillouin Scattering Spectrum Using a Virtually Imaged Phase Array (VIPA) Spectrometer and Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) Camera.

Brillouin spectroscopy is an emerging tool for microscopic optical imaging as it allows noninvasive assessment of viscoelastic properties of materials. The use of atomic–molecular absorption cells as ultra-narrow notch filters allows acquisition of Brillouin spectra from turbid samples despite their strong elastic scattering. However, such systems alter the shapes of the Brillouin lines, making the precise determination of the Brillouin shift difficult. In this report, we propose a simple method for analyzing the Brillouin spectrum using a customized least-square fitting algorithm. The absorption spectrum induced by the atomic–molecular cell was taken into consideration. The capability of the method is confirmed by processing experimental spectroscopic data from the pure water at different temperatures. The accuracy of the measurements of ±1 MHz spectral line shift is experimentally demonstrated.
System Identification and Information Processing in Seismic Vulnerability Analysis of Structures

Seismic vulnerability analysis of structures generally involves processing many judgments which are based on experience and much data which is ill-defined or conjectural. A cascade model is presented for combining site hazard, design, architectural and building characteristics data that incor-porate both specific and vague information. The cascade model is Bayesian in approach in that new information is used to update prior estimates of vulnerability. The development of the seismic vulnerability evaluation model depends on rules encoded as a set of relations between linguistic variables (for example IF (antecedent 1, antecedent 2, . . .) THEN (conse-quence 1, consequence 2, . . .)). These statements are combined through a fuzzy set system identification model.
C-axis orientated AlN films deposited using deep oscillation magnetron sputtering

Abstract Highly c-axis orientated aluminum nitride (AlN) films were deposited on silicon (100) substrates by reactive deep oscillation magnetron sputtering (DOMS). No epitaxial favored bond layer and substrate heating were applied for assisting texture growth. The effects of the peak target current density (varied from 0.39 to 0.8 Acm −2 ) and film thickness (varied from 0.25 to 3.3 μm) on the c-axis orientation, microstructure, residual stress and mechanical properties of the AlN films were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction rocking curve methodology, transmission electron microscopy, optical profilometry, and nanoindentation. All AlN films exhibited a preferred orientation and compressive residual stresses. At similar film thicknesses, an increase in the peak target current density to 0.53 Acm −2 improved the orientation. Further increasing the peak target current density to above 0.53 Acm −2 showed limited contribution to the texture development. The study also showed that an increase in the thickness of the AlN films deposited by DOMS improved the c-axis alignment accompanied with a reduction in the residual stress.
Probabilistic Simulation for Reliable Solute Source Identification in Heterogeneous Porous Media

A probabilistic framework to identify solute sources in heterogeneous porous media is the theme of the present paper. Monte Carlo analyses of reversed time solute transport are conducted with the help of stochastically generated hydraulic conductivity fields, kriging, and the random walk particle tracking method. The methodology is capable of pinpointing the most probable solute source and assessing, in a rational manner, the relative liability of each source.
Promoting adherence to treatment for latent TB infection through mobile phone text messaging: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

An estimated two billion people, over one third of the world’s population, have latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (LTBI). Patient adherence to LTBI treatment is currently poor given that individuals show no symptoms of illness and may not feel that they are at risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB). Short text messages can serve as a simple reminder to take medications and address barriers to adherence such as forgetfulness and lack of social support. We aim to determine the feasibility and acceptability of text reminders for improving adherence in latent TB patients using a randomized controlled single-blinded trial, measuring adherence through an increase in treatment completion rates. Forty adult LTBI participants will be randomized to either text messages plus phone call reminders or phone call reminders only (usual care). Recruitment, retention, and study acceptability will be assessed as primary outcomes. This pilot study will examine the feasibility of using text messaging for increasing adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection. The study will allow for evaluation of process measures and challenges and development of a model for scaling up an effectiveness trial for increasing treatment adherence. NCT02690818 (Clinical Trials.gov)
Development of poloxamer gel formulations via hot-melt extrusion technology.

Abstract Poloxamer gels are conventionally prepared by the “hot” or the “cold” process. But these techniques have some disadvantages such as high energy consumption, requires expensive equipment and often have scale up issues. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop poloxamer gels by hot-melt extrusion technology. The model drug selected was ketoprofen. The formulations developed were 30% and 40% poloxamer gels. Of these formulations, the 30% poloxamer gels were selected as ideal gels. DSC and XRD studies showed an amorphous nature of the drug after extrusion. It was observed from the permeation studies that with increasing poloxamer concentration, a decrease in drug permeation was obtained. Other studies conducted for the formulations included in-vitro release studies, texture analysis, rheological studies and pH measurements. In conclusion, the hot-melt extrusion technology could be successfully employed to develop poloxamer gels by overcoming the drawbacks associated with the conventional techniques.
Privacy in Networks of Interacting Agents

Many applications involve networks of interacting agents, each of whom is interested in making an individual inference or decision, the performance of which can be enhanced by the exchange of information with other agents. Though such agents can clearly benefit from exchanging information, they may also wish to maintain a degree of privacy in that information exchange. Such situations give rise to a notion of competitive privacy, which can be explored through a combination of information theory and game theory. In particular, information theory can be used to characterize the trade-off between privacy of data and the usefulness of that data for an individual agent, while game theory can be used to model the interactions between multiple agents each of whom is mindful of that trade-off. These ideas are explored in this chapter, first in a general setting, and then particularly in the context of data exchange for distributed state estimation, in which specific solutions can be obtained. Interesting open issues and other potential applications will also be discussed. Much of this abstract was originally used as the abstract of the author’s academic keynote address to the Workshop on Advances in Network Localization and Navigation in London in 2015 (http://anln.spsc.tugraz.at/Program2015).
The Association between Ventilator Dyssynchrony, Delivered Tidal Volume, and Sedation using a Novel Automated Ventilator Dyssynchrony Detection Algorithm

Objective:Ventilator dyssynchrony is potentially harmful to patients with or at risk for the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Automated detection of ventilator dyssynchrony from ventilator waveforms has been difficult. It is unclear if certain types of ventilator dyssynchrony deliver large tidal
Scaling relationships for acoustic control of two-phase microstructures during direct-write printing

ABSTRACTAcoustic forces can align and consolidate particles in fluids, enabling microstructural control of two-phase materials at time-scales compatible with direct-write printing of composites. Th...
Two-Phase Eutectic Growth in Al-Cu and Al-Cu-Ag

The microstructure developed by two-phase lamellar eutectics $$(\alpha )$$ – $$(\theta {\text {-Al}}_{2}{\text {Cu}})$$ in Al-Cu and Al-Cu-Ag alloys is analyzed. A model of two-phase eutectic growth in multicomponent alloys is used to determine the scaling law of the eutectic microstructure using the alloy thermophysical properties. The application of the model to these alloys shows that the addition of Ag to Al-Cu alloys does not significantly change the length scale of the microstructure, which is in agreement with previous experimental studies. This is explained by the combined phenomena of the decrease in interface energies with the addition of Ag and the superheating of the $$(\alpha )$$ phase interface induced by the Ag composition profile.