cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay for mature C. albicans biofilms

Background: Fungal biofilms are more resistant to anti-fungal drugs than organisms in planktonic form. Traditionally, susceptibility of biofilms to anti-fungal agents has been measured using the 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide (XTT) assay, which measures the ability of metabolically active cells to convert tetrazolium dyes into colored formazan derivatives. However, this assay has limitations when applied to high C. albicans cell densities because substrate concentration and solubility are limiting factors in the reaction. Because mature biofilms are composed of high cell density populations we sought to develop a quantitative realtime RT-PCR assay (qRT-PCR) that could accurately assess mature biofilm changes in response to a wide variety of anti-fungal agents, including host immune cells. Results: The XTT and qRT-PCR assays were in good agreement when biofilm changes were measured in planktonic cultures or in early biofilms which contain lower cell densities. However, the real-time qRT-PCR assay could also accurately quantify small-medium size changes in mature biofilms caused by mechanical biomass reduction, antifungal drugs or immune effector cells, that were not accurately quantifiable with the XTT assay. Conclusions: We conclude that the qRT-PCR assay is more accurate than the XTT assay when measuring smallmedium size effects of anti-fungal agents against mature biofilms. This assay is also more appropriate when mature biofilm susceptibility to anti-fungal agents is tested on complex biological surfaces, such as organotypic cultures.
A model-based approach to modeling a hybrid simulation platform (work in progress)

The availability of large data and immense improvements in technology have extended the modeling capabilities. As the intricacy of the simulated systems has been increasing, challenges in the process of modeling also emerged due to complexities hidden in different levels of the system. The purpose of this paper is to initiate the design of a framework for extrapolating a hybrid simulation model, composed of agent-based and system dynamics models, from its model-based architecture designed using Systems Modeling Language (SysML). The process is recognized as complex adaptive and a software training management system (STMS) is selected to demonstrate the initial research findings. Furthermore, the ongoing efforts to develop the simulation model of STMS, which can support organizations in critical decision making, and requirements and risk management, using a modelbased systems engineering approach.
The Chemistry and Configuration of the Cyclitols

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemistry and configurations of the hexahydroxycyclohexanes or inositols as they are frequently called and touched on certain other closely related polyhydroxycarbocyclic substances. Theory predicts the possibility of the existence of nine stereoisomeric hexahydroxycyclohexanes. No completely satisfactory convention is devised for depicting these on a plane surface but custom and convenience at the present time justify the alteration of the bond angles to depict the inositols by the perspective formula. The action of phosphatase on meso-inositol hexaphosphoric acid ester led to the isolation of optically active di- and tetraphosphoric acid esters of meso-inositol. The resistance of meso-inositol toward condensation with ketones and aldehydes stands in sharp contrast to the behavior of its acyclic analogs, the sugar alcohols.
Is there Channeling of Intermediates in the Chloroplast

In experiments designed to examine the relationship between light activation of reductive pentose phosphate cycle enzymes and induction we were surprised to find that the active site concentrations of NADP-1inked glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase and aldolase exceed substrate concentrations. The potential activity of these enzymes is then not sufficient to support observed rates of photosynthetic CO2 fixation. Since photosynthetic CO2 fixation does occur either our estimates are in error or some mechanism exists for channeling metabolites between enzymes in the chloroplast. Experiments with broken chloroplast extracts are consistent with transfer of P2-glycerate between P-glycerate kinase and glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase without diffusion into the surrounding medium.
Vitamin D, leptin and impact on immune response to seasonal influenza A/H1N1 vaccine in older persons.

ABSTRACTBackground: Influenza-related complications are highest in the elderly. Vaccine efficacy is lower due to immunosenescence. Vitamin D's immunomodulatory role was studied in the context of vaccine response.Methods: We evaluated the effect of baseline 25-(OH) D on vaccine-induced immunological response in a cohort of 159 healthy subjects ages 50–74 in Rochester, MN, who received one dose of seasonal trivalent 2010–2011 influenza vaccine, containing A/California/H1N1- like virus. We examined correlations between 25-(OH) D, leptin, and leptin-related gene SNPs to understand the role of leptin and vitamin D's effects.Results: The median (IQR) baseline for total 25-(OH) D was 44.4 ng/mL (36.6–52.2 ng/mL). No correlation was observed with age. No correlation between 25-(OH) D levels and humoral immune outcomes existed at any timepoint. There was a weak positive correlation between 25-(OH) D levels and change (Day 75-Day 0) in influenza-specific granzyme-B response (r=0.16, p=0.04). We found significant as...
Assessing the provenance of Poverty Point copper through LA-ICP-MS compositional analysis

Abstract The Poverty Point site is the largest and most complex Archaic period earthwork site in eastern North America and the type site of the Poverty Point culture. Poverty Point holds a prominent position in eastern North American prehistory in part due to the extensive exchange system—the first of such scale—that brought exotic materials to this site from the Appalachians, Ohio Valley, and Upper Mississippi Valley. Among these exotic materials, copper was introduced into the Poverty Point exchange system from sources often posited to reside in the upper Great Lakes region, an idea reinforced by the identification of Upper Mississippi Valley sources for galena found at the site. This study tests such an assumption by using laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis of six copper artifacts from the Poverty Point site and comparing the results to source samples from the Lake Superior region, central and southern Appalachian Mountains, and Canadian Maritimes. Results indicate that these copper artifacts most likely originated in the eastern sources of the Maritimes or Appalachian Mountains, rather than the Lake Superior region as long proposed.
The Changing Culture of the City

and not that sensory experience is confined exclusively to natural science and conceptual imagery is confined exclusively to social science. Physical science differs from social science in several ways, but particularly in the facility with which its generalizations may be made from sensory experience. Social science differs from physical science in several ways, but particularly in the difficulty with which its generalizations are drawn from sensory experience. Both fields of learning rely heavily on conceptual imagery; -and at present social science uses conceptual imagery in larger proportion. This paper shows, therefore, that even such a complex entity as an institution, when defined as we have done, may be described in quantitative terms that are subject to verification by other competent-observers.
Abstract 4297: Morphology of MCF-7 colonies formed in agarose cell culture

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Previously, we demonstrated that the MCF-7 cell line grows in a permissive 3-D agarose culture (Kinder and Aulthouse, Cancer Letters., 2004, 205(1), 49-53). Single cells form colonies over time; thus, mitotic activity can be monitored in response to various agents. We studied the morphology of the colonies that formed following growth from single cells at 3 time points: 1.5, 2, 2.5 weeks. The MCF-7 cells grew into clusters (solid) and hollow tube-like structures. These structures were confirmed by H&E stained serial sections of paraffin embedded cultures. H&E staining also revealed abundant mitotic figures. Because calcium foci are common in breast cancers, we also evaluated the cultures for calcium expression using the von Kossa reaction. Placenta was used as a control. At all time points, calcium was detected, but no particular pattern was noted in the calcium distribution between the clusters and the hollow tube-like structures. With morphology and calcium expression described, we further examined cell growth inhibition and cytotoxicity of estradiol and tamoxifen on the MCF-7 cells. Added estradiol enhanced the growth of the cells, while tamoxifen was cytostatic at concentrations below 1.3 × 10-4 nM. At high tamoxifen concentrations (>2 × 10-4 nM) cytotoxicity was noted. This was likely due to sigma-2 receptor binding rather than estrogen receptor blocking. Combination of estradiol with tamoxifen had a more pronounced effect on the cytotoxicity caused by tamoxifen. These morphological and mechanistic findings support the use of this model for studying the MCF-7 cell line in agarose culture. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4297. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4297
The Acquisition of L2 Mandarin Prosody: From experimental studies to pedagogical practice

This book examines the acquisition of L2 Mandarin prosody, a less explored area in SLA. While acknowledging that tone acquisition is one of the most important aspects in acquiring L2 Mandarin phonology, the book demonstrates that phrase- and utterance-level prosody is equally important. Specifically, this book discusses the acquisition of Mandarin lexical tones and utterance-level prosody, the interaction of tones and intonation, the acquisition of Tone 3 sandhis, the temporal differences between L1 and L2 Mandarin discourse, and the relationship between intelligibility, comprehensibility and foreign accent perception in L2 Chinese. In addition, a whole chapter is exclusively devoted to the pedagogy of L2 Mandarin prosody. Studies in this book further our understanding of speech prosody in L1 and L2 and showcase the interesting interaction of phonetics, phonology, and pedagogy in SLA. This book will be of great interest to SLA researchers and graduate students, applied linguists, Chinese linguists, and Chinese practitioners.
Genome divergence and gene flow between Drosophila simulans and D. mauritiana

The fruit fly Drosophila simulans and its sister species D. mauritiana are a model system for studying the genetic basis of reproductive isolation, primarily because interspecific crosses produce sterile hybrid males and their phylogenetic proximity to D. melanogaster. We present an analysis of whole-genome patterns of polymorphism and divergence that shows, on average, the genomes of the two species differ at slightly more than 1% of nucleotide positions and an estimated 40% of autosomal and 60% of X linked loci are reciprocally monophyletic. However, the analysis also identifies 21 major genomic regions, comprising ~1% of the genome, in which one species is segregating for haplotypes that are more similar to haplotypes from the other species than expected, given the levels of sequence divergence in that genomic region. This disjoint distribution of interspecific coalescence times is consistent with recent introgression between the cosmopolitan D. simulans and the island endemic D. mauritiana. We find that the putatively introgressed regions are more likely to have significantly higher rates of crossing-over and are enriched for genes with significantly slower rates of protein evolution. We also uncover instances in which genes experiencing lineage-specific positive selection closely interact with genes experiencing introgression. Finally, we find that a large introgressing region on the X chromosome has experienced a strong selective sweep in D. mauritiana and also has high levels of homozygosity in D. simulans. A detailed analysis reveals that the introgressing X chromosome haplotypes are closely associated with the presence of the MDox locus, which is the progenitor of the Winters sex-ratio meiotic drive genes. These results highlight how genetic systems that evolve rapidly in allopatry, including selfish meiotic drive elements, remain robust in natural hybrid genotypes and do not systematically promote reproductive isolation.
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Features in Patients with a History of Head and Neck Radiation.

Objectives/Hypothesis Radiation plays a prominent role in advanced stage head and neck tumors. Often, the radiated area includes adjacent nonmalignant mesenchymal tissue, which contains a mixture of cells that has been shown to accelerate wound healing. The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term effect of radiation on the expansion potential of adipose-derived stromal/stem cell (ADSC) tissue and on the ability of resident stem cells in this fraction to undergo phenotypic differentiation. Study Design/Methods: After institutional review board approval, 12 patients with a history of head and neck radiation and pending surgery were enrolled. Adipose tissue was collected from irradiated tissue (XRT) and nonirradiated tissue (NRT) sites. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from these populations, with subsequent assessment of cellular kinetics and differentiation potential between harvest sites. Results Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells could not be isolated from XRT in six patients due to lack of in vitro cell proliferation. For the remaining six patients, overall cumulative population-doubling time was longer for XRT relative to NRT (29.3 vs. 11.5 days; P = 0.02). However, no significant differences were observed in cell generation time or viability. When XRT and NRT ADSC fractions were grown to standardized concentrations and incubated under conditions that induce phenotypic differentiation of resident stem cells, no significant changes in chondrogenic, adipogenic, or osteogenic differentiation were observed. Conclusion These preliminary observations suggest that irradiated ADSCs close to the surgical site undergo long-term changes in proliferative capacity. The potential for phenotypic differentiation is retained, however, in ADSCs that survive the irradiation process. Level of Evidence 2b.
Hyperbolicity of pressure-velocity equations for computational hydro acoustics

A set of model equations is proposed to simulate waves generated by unsteady, low-speed, nearly incompressible air and water flows. The equations include the continuity and momentum equations with pressure and velocity as the unknowns. Compressibility effect associated with waves motion is directly tracked by time-accurate calculation of pressure fluctuations. The corresponding density changes are modeled by using the bulk modulus of the medium. The three-dimensional equations are shown to be hyperbolic by analyzing eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the composite Jacobian matrix of the equations. Specifically, the matrix is shown to be diagonalizable and have a real spectrum. Moreover, an analytical form of the Riemann invariants of the one-dimensional equations is derived. To validate the model equations, the space-time Conservation Element and Solution Element (CESE) method and the SOLVCON code are employed to solve the two-dimensional equations. Aeolian tones generated by air and water flows passing a cylinder and over an open cavity are simulated. Numerical results compare well with previously reported data.
Carbon Kerma factor for 18- and 20-MeV neutrons

Earlier measurements of the kerma factor of carbon have been extended to neutron energies of 18 and 20 MeV. The measured values are lower than published values based on estimated microscopic cross sections.
Natriuretic peptides and peripheral autonomic neurotransmission: back to the A, B, and C's.

This editorial refers to ‘C-type natriuretic peptide and natriuretic peptide receptor NPR-B signalling inhibits cardiac sympathetic neurotransmission and autonomic function’ by J. Buttgereit et al. , pp. 637–644. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are a family of secretory peptides that have in common a ringed amino-acid structure linked by disulphide bonds1 which signal via NP receptors (NPRs). Three primary members have been identified: atrial NP (ANP), brain-derived NP (BNP), and C-type NP (CNP), but there is a closely related forth peptide Dendroaspis NP (DNP). ANP and BNP are elevated by atrial stretch; ventricular stretch or stress elevates BNP levels; and all NPs are increased in heart failure (HF). The NPRs are particulate guanylyl-cyclase-coupled receptors which stimulate production of cGMP. Of the seven NPR isoforms known to exist, the majority of NP physiological actions are mediated via NPR-A and -B, while NPR-C mediates NP degradation. ANP, BNP, and DNP activate NP receptor A (NPR-A), which increases natriuresis and vasodilation. In contrast, CNP specifically activates NPR-B and does not possess the potent diuretic actions of the other NPs. Although extensive studies have been performed on BNP in the context of HF, where it has been utilized both as a diagnostic and as a potential therapeutic tool,2 newer data implicate the peptide in modulating peripheral autonomic neurotransmission. BNP activation of NPR-A inhibits neurotransmission from sympathetic neurons by decreasing …
Evaluating the Impact of a Multistrategy Inference Intervention for Middle-Grade Struggling Readers.

Purpose We examined the effectiveness of a multistrategy inference intervention designed to increase inference making and reading comprehension for middle-grade struggling readers. Method A total o...
A poetics of abundance: some adventures in the low-residency format

ABSTRACTIn this pedagogy article, I use my own experience building a brand-new MFA as a test case for thinking seriously about why we grow our apprentice writers how we do, whom we hope to reach by growing writers this way, and how to do it better. My article offers some insight into what it means to grow whole writers with healthy writing lives and why more of us should be engaging in that mission. What we might just end up with – or, at least, what we’ve been able to grow in Central Oregon – is a culture of celebration and difference (as opposed to a culture of competition and comparison) in which together we learn to love this world through art; get messy and make some mistakes; and fly, with our own wings.
Reward processing and mood-related symptoms: An RDoC and translational neuroscience perspective

Abstract Background Two objectives of the NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative are to identify (a) mechanisms that are common to multiple psychiatric disorders, and (b) mechanisms that are unique to specific psychiatric symptoms, and that reflect markers of differential risk for these symptoms. With respect to these objectives, a brain-behavior dimension that has received considerable attention and that is directly relevant to the Positive Valence Systems domain of the RDoC initiative involves reward processing. Methods The present review paper first examines the relationship between reward processing and mood-related symptoms from an RDoC perspective. We then place this work in a larger context by examining the relationship between reward processing abnormalities and psychiatric symptoms defined broadly, including mood-related symptoms, schizophrenia, and addiction. Results Our review suggests that reward hyposensitivity relates to a subtype of anhedonia characterized by motivational deficits in unipolar depression, and reward hypersensitivity relates to a cluster of hypo/manic symptoms characterized by excessive approach motivation in the context of bipolar disorder. Integrating this perspective with research on reward processing abnormalities in schizophrenia and addiction, we further argue that the principles of equifinality and multifinality may be preferable to a transdiagnostic perspective for conceptualizing the relationship between reward processing and psychiatric symptoms defined broadly. Conclusion We propose that vulnerability to either motivational anhedonia or approach-related hypo/manic symptoms involve extreme and opposite profiles of reward processing. We further propose that an equifinality and multifinality perspective may serve as a useful framework for future research on reward processing abnormalities and psychiatric symptoms.
Uncertainty quantification of two-phase flow problems via measure theory and the generalized multiscale finite element method

The problem of multiphase phase flow in heterogeneous subsurface porous media is one involving many uncertainties. In particular, the permeability of the medium is an important aspect of the model that is inherently uncertain. Properly quantifying these uncertainties is essential in order to make reliable probabilistic-based predictions and future decisions. In this work, a measure-theoretic framework is employed to quantify uncertainties in a two-phase subsurface flow model in high-contrast media. Given uncertain saturation data from observation wells, the stochastic inverse problem is solved numerically in order to obtain a probability measure on the space of unknown permeability parameters characterizing the two-phase flow. As solving the stochastic inverse problem requires a number of forward model solves, we also incorporate the use of a conservative version of the generalized multiscale finite element method for added efficiency. The parameter-space probability measure is used in order to make predictions of saturation values where measurements are not available, and to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in the context of fine and coarse model solves. A number of numerical examples are offered to illustrate the measure-theoretic methodology for solving the stochastic inverse problem using both fine and coarse solution schemes.
Aortic valve perforation following Amplatzer vascular plug device closure of ‘pulsatile’ Fontan

Abstract Persistent antegrade pulmonary blood flow can interfere with optimal functioning of a Fontan circulation in patients with single ventricle physiology. Typically this is addressed surgically at the time of the Fontan procedure with oversewing of the main pulmonary artery, however different variations to this approach have been described. In patients with residual antegrade pulmonary blood flow after a Fontan procedure, "pulsatile" flow into the Fontan system can cause unfavorable hemodynamics leading to various complications. Successful transcatheter device closure of the pulmonary valve in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients has been described. We report a patient where inadvertent residual antegrade pulmonary blood flow was closed with Amplatzer vascular plug II device with resultant aortic valve perforation noted later in the course requiring surgical removal of the device, aortic valve repair and transection of the main pulmonary artery.
Covariate adjustment using propensity scores for dependent censoring problems in the accelerated failure time model

In many medical studies, estimation of the association between treatment and outcome of interest is often of primary scientific interest. Standard methods for its evaluation in survival analysis typically require the assumption of independent censoring. This assumption might be invalid in many medical studies, where the presence of dependent censoring leads to difficulties in analyzing covariate effects on disease outcomes. This data structure is called "semicompeting risks data," for which many authors have proposed an artificial censoring technique. However, confounders with large variability may lead to excessive artificial censoring, which subsequently results in numerically unstable estimation. In this paper, we propose a strategy for weighted estimation of the associations in the accelerated failure time model. Weights are based on propensity score modeling of the treatment conditional on confounder variables. This novel application of propensity scores avoids excess artificial censoring caused by the confounders and simplifies computation. Monte Carlo simulation studies and application to AIDS and cancer research are used to illustrate the methodology.
Central pattern generators in the turtle spinal cord: selection among the forms of motor behaviors.

The concept of the Central Pattern Generator (CPG) is a major tenet in motor neuroethology that has influenced the design and interpretations of experiments for over a half century. This review con...
Factors Associated with Significant Reduction in Migraine Headache Days: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Phase II Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients Treated with Galcanezumab (P2.177)

Objective: To determine if there are clinical predictors of response to galcanezumab in patients with episodic migraine. Background: Migraine remains undertreated with few preventive medications available. Design/Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of a Phase II clinical trial in which patients 18–65 years of age with 4–14 migraine headache days (MHD) per month were randomized 2:1:1:1:1 to placebo or 1 of 4 galcanezumab dose groups(5, 50, 120, and 300 mg) given subcutaneously once monthly for 3 months. The objective of this post hoc analysis was to determine if there were any clinical predictors with differential treatment effects for reduction in MHD at 3months. Candidate baseline subgroup variables pre-specified before study un blinding included: number of MHD, migraine with or without aura, or triptan use, history of failure to preventive treatments, duration of migraine history, gender. To assess treatment by subgroup interaction at Month 3 for the primary efficacy measure of change from baseline in MHD, a mixed model repeated measures analysis was conducted with terms of treatment, baseline, month, subgroup, pooled investigative sites, treatment-by-month, baseline-by-month, subgroup-by-treatment, subgroup-by-month, subgroup-by-treatment-by-month interactions. Significant interaction would have a p-value Results: Compared with its respective counterpart, subgroups with statistically significantly greater treatment effect (galcanezumab vs placebo difference) at Month 3 included patients previously treated with triptans in the 300 mg dose group; duration of migraine history of >20 years in the 120 mg group; and history of failure to preventive treatments in the 300 mg dose group. Conclusions: In this posthoc analysis there is preliminary evidence that there may be some predictors of clinical response with greater treatment effects in episodic migraineurs. These include prior triptan use, migraine history >20 years, and history of failure to preventive treatments. Study Supported by: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN Disclosure: Dr. Aurora has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly and Company as an employee and Allergan as a consultant. Dr. Aurora hold stock and/or stock options in Lilly and Company. Dr. Oakes has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly and Company as an employee. Dr. Zhang has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly and Company as an employee. J. Ahl has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly and Company as an employee. Dr. Martinez has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly and Company as an employee. Dr. Martinez holds stock and/or stock options in Eli Lilly and Company.
The demographics and regeneration dynamic of hickory in second-growth temperate forest

Abstract Hickory (Carya spp.) is an economically and ecologically important genus to the eastern deciduous forest of North America. Yet, much of our knowledge about the genus comes from observational and anecdotal studies that examine the genus as a whole, or from research that examines only one species, in only one part of its range. Here, we use data sets from three different spatial scales to determine the demographics and regeneration patterns of the four most abundant hickory species in the Northeastern United States. These species were the shagbark (C. ovata), pignut (C. glabra), mockernut (C. tomentosa), and bitternut (C. cordiformis) hickories. We examine trends in hickory demographics, age class and structure at the regional scale (New England and New York), the landscape scale (a 3000 ha forest in northwestern Connecticut) and at the stand scale (0.25–5 ha). Our analysis at all three scales show that individual hickory species are site specific with clumped distribution patterns associated with climate and geology at regional scales; and with soil moisture and fertility at landscape scales. Although hickory represents a fairly small percent of the total basal area (2.5%) across a forest landscape, upland oak-hickory stands can have a much higher basal area of hickory (49%), especially in the larger height and diameter classes. Additionally, dendrochronological results show that hickory trees in mature, second growth forests originated or were released over a half-century long period of stand development; but patterns in seedling recruitment in the understory is continuous and builds up as advance regeneration over decades, with some surviving in a suppressed state for over forty years. This contrasts with oak where recruitment of regeneration is strongly pulsed in association with mast years.
Adsorption and Diffusion of Methane in Carbon Pores at Low Temperatures

Abstract We report a theoretical study of the adsorption behavior of methane in carbon pores at subcritical temperatures, using a combination of molecular simulation and nonlocal density functional theory. The multilayer adsorption isotherm and monolayer isosteric heat of adsorption for methane on a single carbon surface at 77.5 K are obtained from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations and compared with the experimental results. The GCMC method is then used to carry out the study of adsorption at temperatures between 60 and 135 K and pore widths from 19 to 76 A, and used to investigate freezing transitions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to study diffusion and to investigate the fluid structure near the wall of the pores, particularly in the neighborhood of the freezing transitions. A general picture of the adsorption behavior for a wide range of pore sizes and temperatures is obtained using the theory and compared with GCMC results. The development of a kinetic theory to calculate transport coefficients is also discussed.
Class, Race, and Educational Achievement

The relationship between class, race, and educational achievement has been a focus of considerable research attention and debate concerning educational policy and practice for most of the past century. The literature, however, has generally neglected to discuss how race, class, and educational achievement are intertwined. The related issues have been difficult to untwine and understand because of their embeddedness in the political economy; that is because of the classism and racism that are ubiquitous in the social order and, in part, because the issues themselves require multilevel analyses where unilateral analysis is more customary. In this chapter we focus on the “isms” that have come to be associated with these constructs – classism and racism – and discuss how these forms of oppression are at the root of the problem of providing opportunities for human development and educational achievement.
A non-learning approach to spelling correction in web queries

We describe an adverse environment spelling correction algorithm, known as Segments. Segments is language and domain independent and does not require any training data. We evaluate Segments' correction rate of transcription errors in web query logs with the state-of-the-art learning approach. We show that in environments where learning approaches are not applicable, such as multilingual documents, Segments has an F1-score within 0.005 of the learning approach.
Revisiting the use of globe thermometers to estimate radiant temperature in studies of heating and ventilation

Abstract The globe thermometer has been considered a reliable instrument to quantify mean radiant temperature (MRT) since Bedford & Warner isolated its readings from air movement in their 1934 paper so that radiation could be quantified. Recent expanded use of radiant heating and cooling systems has presented new challenges for the usage of globe thermometers in the built environment by causing additional radiant asymmetries and performance expectations. Therefore, we replicate the original Bedford & Warner work to reconsider and develop a more holistic understanding of black globe performance and the determination of MRT in buildings. We recreate the MRT and air temperature separation to investigate the accuracy of globe thermometers on measuring MRTs. A radiantly heated open-plan laboratory and a radiantly cooled conference room were selected and measured with multiple globe thermometers and non-contacting infrared sensors. The globe temperature results were then corrected with air movement to produce MRTs and compared against MRTs simulated from measured surface temperatures. We demonstrate a significant impact of air speed on the MRTs obtained from globe thermometers. We also illustrate a less-investigated non-graybody emissivity variation and spatial variation of MRTs of up to 5 °C at the same height. We believe the increasing temporal and spatial resolution of digital sensors may create new challenges for using globe thermometers to measure MRTs, since fluctuating readings may camouflage potential MRT changes. Through a validation of our spatial MRT distribution with experimental results, we believe there is a need for better sensors that could spatially resolve MRTs, and recognize issues with both air speed and emissivity.
Abstract TP308: Transitional Care in Stroke Certified and Non-certified Hospitals: The Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Study

Background: Greater than 50% of stroke patients are discharged home from the hospital, most with continuing care needs. In the absence of evidence-based transitional care interventions for stroke p...
Comparison of Female Athlete Triad Coalition and RED-S risk assessment tools

The Female Athlete Triad Coalition (Triad Coalition) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) consensus statements each include risk assessment tools to guide athlete eligibility decisions. ...
Path planning and navigation inside off-world lava tubes and caves

Detailed surface images of the Moon and Mars reveal hundreds of cave-like openings. These cave-like openings are theorized to be remnants of lava-tubes and their interior maybe in pristine conditions. These locations may have well preserved geological records of the Moon and Mars, including evidence of past water flow and habitability. Exploration of these caves using wheeled rovers remains a daunting challenge. These caves are likely to have entrances with caved-in ceilings much like the lava-tubes of Arizona and New Mexico. Thus, the entrances are nearly impossible to traverse even for experienced human hikers. Our approach is to utilize the SphereX robot, a 3 kg, 30 cm diameter robot with computer hardware and sensors of a smartphone attached to rocket thrusters. Each SphereX robot can hop, roll or fly short distances in low gravity, airless or low-pressure environments. Several SphereX robots maybe deployed to minimize single-point failure and exploit cooperative behaviors to traverse the cave. There are some important challenges for navigation and path planning in these cave environments. Localization systems such as GPS are not available nor are they easy to install due to the signal blockage from the rocks. These caves are too dark and too large for conventional sensor such as cameras and miniature laser sensors to perform detailed mapping and navigation. In this paper, we identify new techniques to map these caves by performing localized, cooperative mapping and navigation. In our approach, a team of SphereX robots much like a team of cave explorer will adopt specialized roles to perform navigation. For a minimal science mission, these robots need to obtain camera images and basic maps of the cave interior to be transmitted back to a lander or rover situated outside the cave. The teams of SphereX robots form a bucket brigade and partition the currently accessible volume of the cave. Then the teams of robots attempt to expand their reach deeper into the cave and sense their progress. Imaging the cave interior is expensive and require use of high-power strobe lights. The images would be compiled into a 3D point cloud and meshed by the lander or transmitted to ground. Using this conservative approach, we ensure the robots are always within communication reach of a lander/rover outside the cave. Once large segments of the cave are mapped, the rovers may lay down a network of mirrors to beam sunlight and laser light from a base station at the cave entrance to the far reaches of the cave. These mirrors also help the robots identify a pathway back to the cave entrance. Efforts are underway to perform field experiments to validate the feasibility our proposed approach to cave exploration.
Azure Machine Learning

In this chapter we will discuss using Azure Machine Learning studio (abbreviated as AML studio) as free resource to start with implementing the full end to end machine learning pipelines. We will learn how to access the AML studio, create a free account, import data and build the model. We will look into details of available options in AML studio and how to use them. To illustrate the process, we will use an example of IRIS data from UCI repository. We will use this data and AML studio to build machine learning model for performing the task of multiclass classification. We will build two models using the built in features of AML studio and compare the performance of the two model using metrics like accuracy and confusion matrix.
Revisiting the myth of disruptive innovation: An exploratory study of Chinese Learners’ Perception of Massive Open Online Courses

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are regarded as disruptive innovations for allowing open and free access to higher education resources for virtually unlimited populations. MOOCs have gained increasing prominence in China, especially since the government launched the nationwide initiative of building a lifelong learning society. In addition to the political support, innate advantages such as the enormous market potential for higher education and the mass of Internet users have been driving the rapid growth of MOOCs. However, the belief that MOOCs may be a disruptive innovation when opening up higher education seems to have abated. In order to lay the groundwork that guides the future MOOC initiatives, this qualitative study explored implications from the current situation of MOOCs in China via examining Chinese learner perceptions, given that learner perception is vital to reveal the effectiveness of MOOCs. From the perspective of Chinese learners, MOOCs merely interrupted their current epistemological value of learning and brought positive impacts to the landscape of the Chinese higher education system, rather than disrupting the current system. The research suggests embarking on several pertinent endeavors to maintain the effectiveness of MOOCs in China.
Technology-Use Mediation Revisited: A Symbolic Process Perspective

Successful adoption and use of new information technologies can be notoriously difficult to achieve. Various interventions aimed at fostering or modifying use practices are therefore common in IT implementation projects. Such interventions take various forms ranging from top management mandates to user-led support efforts, and have been collectively named technology-use mediation (TUM). Various types of TUM activities and conditions for their success have been investigated. How TUM activities unfold has received more limited attention. Accordingly, we focus on exploring the nature of mediation activities. Through an in-depth field study we demonstrate that there is a symbolic meta component to mediation activities by which they come to carry meaning for technology users. Specifically, both the technology artefact itself and the information (content and form) disseminated by managers send messages to users, helping them interpret TUM activities in particular ways. Managers who are aware of these symbolic processes are better equipped to plan and execute successful TUM efforts. Theoretically, the study draws attention to the fact that TUM efforts must mediate both the functional and the symbolic dimensions of technology use. The meta-communicative layer of managerial efforts can shape the often over-looked symbolic dimension in particular.
A Computationally Effecient Algorithm for Characterizing the Superposition of Multiple Heterogeneous Interrupted Bernoulli Processes

A computationally efficient algorithm for characterizing the superposition process of N heterogeneous and independent Interrupted Bernoulli Processes is introduced. The algorithm is then used to analyze a statistical multiplexer with finite buffer.Finally, numerical examples highlighting the algorithm accuracy are given.
Optimal Error Estimates for hp - Finite Element Approximations of Distributed Parameter LQR Control Problems.

In this paper we present an optimal error estimate for hp-C0 finite element approximations of distributed parameter LQR control problems. We show that if the control weighting operators are sufficiently smooth, then the solutions of the corresponding infinite dimensional Operator Riccati Equations that define optimal feedback gain operators retain the same order of smoothness. In this case, one can extend convergence results previously obtained for parabolic control problems to a general class of distributed parameter LQR control problems. Convergence and optimal error estimates are provided for a general class of control systems when the system operator generates a compact analytic semigroup In addition, these new results eliminates the "log" term appearing in previous papers and applies to parabolic PDE systems and hyperbolic problems with sufficient damping. The basic theory is presented in an abstract space framework and then applied to systems modeled by parabolic and damped hyperbolic PDEs. Examples are provided to illustrate the theory.
Does preoperative diagnosis impact patient outcomes following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty? A systematic review.

Background The indications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) have expanded to include the treatment of a wide variety of shoulder pathologies, and there may be significant differences in patient outcomes based on preoperative diagnosis. Methods A systematic review of the orthopedic literature contained in the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases was performed on November 14, 2019. Studies investigating rTSA indicated for 7 distinct preoperative diagnoses (massive rotator cuff tear [MCT] without glenohumeral osteoarthritis [GHOA], MCT with GHOA or cuff tear arthropathy, primary GHOA, inflammatory arthritis with MCT, failed shoulder arthroplasty, proximal humeral fracture [PHF], and sequelae following PHF) were included. The main outcomes of interest included functional outcomes (abduction, external rotation, and forward flexion) and patient-reported outcome measures (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score and Constant-Murley score). Because of significant variation in measurement and reporting, data on internal rotation were not extracted. In addition, radiographic outcomes and complication rates were extracted and recorded for each of the included studies. Results In total, 47 studies, comprising 2280 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Significant improvements in functional outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures were found across the preoperative diagnostic groups. There were no significant differences between the diagnostic groups regarding improvement between preoperative and postoperative values for the outcomes of interest, with the exception that the inflammatory arthropathy group had significantly less improvement in the Constant-Murley score than the primary GHOA and revision arthroplasty groups. Although there were few differences in improvement between groups, there were significant differences regarding the level of postoperative functional performance, which was not as consistent in the context of trauma or revision operations (ie, complex PHF, fracture sequela, and revision arthroplasty groups). Conclusion Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty can provide reliable improvement in clinical outcomes regardless of preoperative diagnosis, with few differences across diagnostic groups regarding preoperative to postoperative improvement. The groups with primary GHOA and MCTs with or without GHOA demonstrated the most reliable postoperative functional outcomes of the examined diagnostic groups. Postoperative outcomes were not as consistent in the context of trauma or revision operations, and these groups may benefit from a variety of modern advancements in rTSA, although further research into these modalities for these groups is needed. Finally, rTSA remains an important treatment option in the context of rheumatoid arthritis, with similar outcomes and complication rates compared with the 6 other operative indications.
Credit Ratings and Competition

I analyze a model of competition between credit rating agencies (CRAs). In equilibrium, investors only buy assets that received high ratings from multiple CRAs. This has two contrasting effects on the quality of certification. On the one hand, the issuer needs to pass the screening of multiple CRAs; other things being equal, this improves certification. On the other hand, it has the perverse effect of incentivizing dishonest ratings, by introducing a team dimension that dilutes the CRAs' reputational concerns. When the perverse effect dominates, competition reduces the quality of certification. However, mandating disclosure of indicative ratings can restore the first-best outcome.