cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Categorizing visual stimuli: specification of a neural network architecture

The problem of categorizing visual stimuli on the basis of a hierarchical structure of basic, superordinate, and subordinate categories is addressed. A specification for a simplified neural network architecture that uses a uniform linear measure to determine similarity of common features and dissimilarity of distinctive features is derived. The hierarchy is mapped onto a neural network structure in which input-level cells correspond to activities generated by exemplars and output cells correspond to basic level categories. The network can be used for visual categorization at all three levels of abstraction and for the particular case of recognition. Experimental results on the XOR problem and letter recognition have shown that by introducing similarity and dissimilarity in cell activation the network exhibits superior convergence behavior for the backpropagation algorithm. >
Recent Trends in Canadian Business and Economic History

Canadian history has traditionally received relatively little study outside Canada itself, despite the fact that the Canadian past is a fascinating and rich story indeed, one which has generated an admirable body of historical literature. And, as those interested in the history of business and the historical interaction of business and society would expect, within Canadian historiography there has traditionally been relatively little emphasis on business history The publication of the present collection of essays has a twofold purpose – to increase, however modestly, non-Canadians' knowledge of Canadian history, and to extend the body of scholarly work devoted to Canadian business and economic history.
Suzanne Schiff-Wertheimer, MD, as a Role Model

The recent increase in the number of women in ophthalmology has been accompanied by a historical interest in female physicians as role models. Important questions arise in this search: How did these women achieve their positions? What obstacles did they have to overcome? How did their families, colleagues, and patients perceive them? What were their contributions to the field? One means of understanding how these concerns have been resolved successfully is to examine the career of an individual who performed particluarly well.
A fingerprint method for variability and robustness analysis of stochastically controlled cellular actuator arrays

In this paper we present a 'fingerprint method' for modeling and subsequently characterizing stochastically controlled actuator arrays. The actuator arrays are built from small actuator cells with structural elasticity. These cells are controlled using a bistable stochastic process wherein all cells are given a common input probability control value which they use to determine whether to actuate or relax. Arranging the cells in different networks gives different actuator array properties, which must be found before the actuator arrays can be applied to manipulators. The fingerprint method is used to describe and automatically generate every possible stochastic actuator array topology for a given number of cells, and to calculate actuator array properties such as: travel, required actuator strength/displacement, force range, force variance, and robustness for any array topology. The properties of several illustrative examples are shown and a discussion covers the importance of the properties, and trends between actuator array layouts and their properties. Finally, results from a validation experiment using a stochastically controlled solenoid array are presented.
An Unusual Presentation of Nickel‐Associated “School Chair Sign”

Symmetric sources of exposure generally result in symmetric contact dermatitis, but patient habits may distort or modify exposures in ways that may obscure clinical relevance. We present a variant of "school chair sign" consistent with the child's usual habit of sitting obliquely with her right leg crossed over her left leg.
A reduced-scale brake dynamometer for friction characterization

Abstract Friction behavior is a critical factor in brake system design and performance. For up-front design and system modeling it is desirable to describe the frictional behavior of a brake lining as a function of the local conditions such as contact pressure, temperature, and sliding speed. Typically, frictional performance is assessed using brake dynamometer testing of full-scale hardware, and the average friction value is then used for the remaining brake system development. This traditional approach yields a hardware-dependent, average friction coefficient that is unavailable in advance of component testing, ruling out true up-front design and leading to redundant lining screening tests. To address this problem, a reduced-scale inertial brake dynamometer was developed to determine the frictional characteristics of lining materials. Design of a reduced-scale dynamometer began with the choice of a scaling relation. In this case, the energy input per unit contact area was held constant between full-scale and reduced-scale hardware. All linear variables were thereby scaled by the square root of the scaling factor, while the pressure, temperature, sliding velocity, and deceleration were kept constant. Experimental validation of the scaling relations and the reduced-scale dynamometer focused on comparisons with full-scale dynamometer data, particularly the friction coefficient. If similar trends are observed between reduced-scale and full-scale testing, the reduced-scale dynamometer will become an important tool in the up-front design and modeling of brake systems.
Catenoidal shape of the interventricular septum in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis: Two dimensional echocardiographic confirmation

A catenoid is a curved surface with the property of net zero curvature at all points. Morphologic observations have suggested that the interventricular septum in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis has a catenoid shape, (that is, concave to the left in the transverse plane and convex to the left in the sagittal plane). To determine if such a septal configuration is present in living patients, six patients with clinically diagnosed idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis were studied with phased array two dimensional echocardiography, and left ventricular wall segment curvature, thickness and motion were compared with values in six patients with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to long-standing systemic hypertension, and in six normal subjects. A curvature thickness index was determined from the echocardiographic image for systole and diastole as: curvature thickness index equals segment thickness times the sum of curvatures in the transverse and sagittal planes. In all six patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis the septum had a catenoidal configuration and showed significantly less (p < 0.05) septal change in the curvature thickness index during the cardiac cycle than it did in the control groups. In contrast, the left ventricular free wall had significantly greater (p < 0.05) change of curvature thickness index over the cardiac cycle in patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. The hyperkinetic free wall motion seemed to account in part for systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet as part of the displacement of the entire mitral apparatus. The catenoid shape of the septum observed in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis may account for asymmetric hypertrophy and septal immobility, because a ventricular segment with net zero curvature would develop internal tension but have isometric contraction.
Evolution of gene expression patterns in a model of branching morphogenesis

Branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud in response to unknown signals from the metanephric mesenchyme gives rise to the urinary collecting system and, via inductive signals from the ureteric bud, to recruitment of nephrons from undifferentiated mesenchyme. An established cell culture model for this process employs cells of ureteric bud origin (UB) cultured in extracellular matrix and stimulated with conditioned media (BSN-CM) from a metanephric mesenchymal cell line (H. Sakurai, E. J. Barros, T. Tsukamoto, J. Barasch, and S. K. Nigam. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 6279–6284, 1997.). In the presence of BSN-CM, the UB cells form branching tubular structures reminiscent of the branching ureteric bud. The pattern of gene regulation in this model of branching morphogenesis of the kidney collecting system was investigated using high-density cDNA arrays. Software and analytical methods were developed for the quantification and clustering of genes. With the use of a computational method termed “vector analy...
Discovery and bio‐optimization of human antibody therapeutics using the XenoMouse® transgenic mouse platform

Since the late 1990s, the use of transgenic animal platforms has transformed the discovery of fully human therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The first approved therapy derived from a transgenic platform--the epidermal growth factor receptor antagonist panitumumab to treat advanced colorectal cancer--was developed using XenoMouse(®) technology. Since its approval in 2006, the science of discovering and developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies derived from the XenoMouse(®) platform has advanced considerably. The emerging array of antibody therapeutics developed using transgenic technologies is expected to include antibodies and antibody fragments with novel mechanisms of action and extreme potencies. In addition to these impressive functional properties, these antibodies will be designed to have superior biophysical properties that enable highly efficient large-scale manufacturing methods. Achieving these new heights in antibody drug discovery will ultimately bring better medicines to patients. Here, we review best practices for the discovery and bio-optimization of monoclonal antibodies that fit functional design goals and meet high manufacturing standards.
The Nature of Childhood: An Environmental History of Growing Up in America since 1865

Review of: "The Nature of Childhood: An Environmental History of Growing Up in America since 1865," by Pamela Riney-Kehrberg
Analysis of Nearly Saturated Designs Using Composite Variance Estimators

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTLangsrud and Naes (1998) proposed forward-selection and backward-elimination strategies for the analysis of nearly saturated designs using composite variance estimators. Their variance estimators combine an estimator that is a function of the smaller sums of squares of the effect estimators (assuming effect sparsity) with an independent variance estimator based on the available error degrees of freedom. However, exact control of error rates for their stepwise methods remains an open problem. We investigate procedures that likewise use composite variance estimates but also provide exact control of error rates.
The dynamic nature of zinc availability from foods in vivo. Implications for in vitro methods.

This paper presents a review of data from animal experiments demonstrating that the relative availability of zinc from foods is affected by an interaction between the source and amount of zinc consumed. Zinc availability from foods was determined by whole body counting after feeding65Zn-labeled meals containing varying amounts of zinc. Relative to availability from zinc chloride, zinc availability from foods such as chicken, milk, and peanut butter was greater when determined using 98 rather than 16 Μg zinc in the meal. In rats fed the higher dose of zinc, there were greater differences in zinc availability among the 15 foods studied, and zinc availability was greater from some foods than from zinc chloride. After an in vitro enzymatic digestion, neither zinc solubility nor the partitioning of zinc between low and high molecular weight substances was useful for predicting zinc availability in vivo. These data indicate that zinc availability from food is not a constant proportion of availability from a zinc salt. In view of the dynamic nature of zinc availability in vivo, the inability to accurately simulate different physiological responses to varying quantities of certain foods may limit the usefulness of in vitro methods.
Bradykinin inhibition by serum from animals subjected to thermal injury.

SummaryA substance appears in postburn serum and edema fluid of animals (rats, rabbits) subjected to thermal burn that inhibits the action of bradykinin on smooth muscle. It has not been detected in normal serum. Evidence suggests that it is not enzymatic in nature, and not a kininase. Ultrafiltration studies indicate that the inhibitor has a molecular weight of over 50,000. The substance appears to be confined to two fractions of the serum, alpha2-globulin and albumin. Presumably the inhibitor acts by combining with bradykinin, therefore, antagonizing its action on the receptor site of the muscle.
A preliminary note upon experimental lobar pneumonia with a demonstration of specimens

Soon after the relationship of the pneumococcus to lobar pneumonia was established, a great many attempts were made to produce lobar pneumonia in animals. As early as 1888 Gamaleia claimed to have succeeded in producing pneumonia regularly in sheep and dogs by injecting pneumococci directly into the lung through the chest wall; but he failed when he made the injections into the trachea. From then until 1903 the attempts of all investigators have been successful in producing a pneumonia in only a relatively small number of experiments, and the inflammation has been usually of the lobular type. Wadsworth in 1903 was able to produce pneumonia with regularity by intratracheal injection only in immunized rabbits.Dogs were used in our experiments. Under anesthesia a small stomach tube (as used in the intra-tracheal method of artificial respiration by Meltzer and Auer) is introduced through the larnyx into a bronchus and from 5 to 10 c.c. of a broth culture of a very virulent pneumococcus injected through the tu...
Scalp Expansion for Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness may be effectively eliminated in most patients through the use of soft-tissue expansion. Expansion affords larger temporo-parieto-occipital flaps with a more easily closed donor defect. Differential expanders are used to eliminate hippocratic male pattern baldness through a massive scalp reduction and simultaneous reconstruction of an anterior hairline.
A Hybrid Human-computer Approach to the Extraction of Scientific Facts from the Literature

A wealth of valuable data is locked within the millions of research articles published each year. Reading and extracting pertinent information from those articles has become an unmanageable task for scientists. This problem hinders scientific progress by making it hard to build on results buried in literature. Moreover, these data are loosely structured, encoded in manuscripts of various formats, embedded in different content types, and are, in general, not machine accessible. We present a hybrid human-computer solution for semi-automatically extracting scientific facts from literature. This solution combines an automated discovery, download, and extraction phase with a semi-expert crowd assembled from students to extract specific scientific facts. To evaluate our approach we apply it to a challenging molecular engineering scenario, extraction of a polymer property: the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter. We demonstrate useful contributions to a comprehensive database of polymer properties.
Non-Fumigant Treatments and Their Combinations Affect Soil Pathogens and Strawberry Performance in Southern California

Finding effective non-fumigant solutions to soil disinfestation is an international priority for sustainable strawberry production. In these studies at Ventura, California, combinations of steam, s...
The autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid pathway emerges as a therapeutic target to prevent liver cancer

Using transcriptome meta-analysis, we recently identified the autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) pathway as a regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in human cirrhosis patients. Pharmacological targeting of this pathway reduced fibrosis progression and HCC development in animals, identifying ATX-LPA signaling as a novel chemoprevention strategy for cirrhosis and HCC.
Law Is Not Enough: The Importance of Ethics Consultation in Complex Cases.

The situation of the woman with anoxic brain injury and a pregnancy may not even make its way to ethics consultation in some institutions. A call to the legal department from the attending physicia...
Interdisciplinary Ugandan perspectives on computerized intervention implementation for child survivors of severe malaria: A qualitative analysis

Abstract Purpose Severe malaria (SM) is the leading cause of pediatric cognitive impairment in sub-Saharan Africa. Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CCRT), a promising intervention for children suffering from SM related cognitive delay, targets areas impacted by the disease (memory, attention, and executive function), but has yet to be implemented for daily use. This paper explores the perspectives of Ugandan professionals regarding CCRT implementation in the academic setting of Uganda. Methods A qualitative descriptive approach was taken to conduct interviews with Ugandan professionals directly or indirectly aware of an ongoing CCRT intervention trial. Eight individuals were consented and interviewed. Responses were analyzed thematically. Question topics included knowledge of malaria and CCRT, perspectives on implementation feasibility, and experience engaging in a global collaborative research endeavor. Results Facilitators included perceived value and environment. Potential barriers were geography and resource availability. Perceived value is seen, expected, and/or hoped for outcomes by adults involved in the child's development. Environment speaks to the internal environment of the CCRT program as well as the external environment of the school setting. Geography presents as a barrier due to the difficulty of accessing CCRT in rural settings. Resource availability was a consistently identified barrier to implementation including aspects of technological, financial, and understanding deficits leading to difficulties in CCRT dissemination. Conclusion Results demonstrate optimism and hope of Ugandan professionals for CCRT in children who have survived SM. Professionals identify and prioritize needs for implementation uniquely, pointing to the value in interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure effective implementation of CCRT.
Designing Simulations to Learn About Pre-service Teachers’ Capabilities with Eliciting and Interpreting Student Thinking

This chapter focuses on the design of simulation assessments to learn about pre-service teachers’ capabilities with eliciting and interpreting student thinking. We present a simulation assessment and show what a performance on that assessment can reveal about a pre-service teacher’s eliciting and interpreting skills, as well as their mathematical knowledge for teaching. We consider the specific design features that make it possible to appraise pre-service teachers’ capabilities.
Abstract 342: Comparison of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) and Cardiac Stress Testing in Prediction of Coronary Ischemia

Introduction: Clinical outcomes of FFR-guided PCI have been superior to those of angiographically guided PCI, with or without prior cardiac stress testing. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the accuracy of stress testing is inferior to that of FFR in determining the physiologic significance of angiographic coronary artery disease. Method: To that end, we studied 243 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography and FFR assessment between September 2010 and April 2013 at Mayo Clinic, Florida. Out of this group, we excluded 143 patients due to absence of stress testing in the preceding 6 months. We assessed demographics, coronary risk factors, symptoms, stress test variables, angiographic data, and FFR measurements. FFR values ≤0.80 were considered to be positive for ischemia. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of stress testing vs. FFR. Result: Out of the 100 patients included in the study, FFR was measured in the Left Main coronary artery in 3(3%), in the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD) in 67(67%), in the left circumflex territory in 11(11%), in the Right Coronary Artery (RCA) in 18(18%). The diagnostic performance of stress testing vs. FFR is summarized in the table, with regards to presence of ischemia in any vascular territory and with regards to a specific vascular territory. Conclusion: Compared to FFR, cardiac stress testing has reasonable NPV but poor PPV in determining the presence of absence of overall ischemia in a given patient. Most concerning, however, is that stress testing has poor PPV and NPV when used to determine the site of ischemia in a specific vascular territory.
TEACHING ETHICS AND VALUES IN AN AGE OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

Bribery, climate change, corporate ethics, corruption, diversity, drug addiction, free speech, LGTBQ rights, gender equality, globalization, impact of smart phones on youth (and former youth), innovation, lying, privacy, racism, sustainability, sexism and sexual harassment, and truth telling; these are all issues that require today’s businesses to provide leadership and successfully manage. Carnegie Mellon business school professor Leanne Meyer states, “Up until now, business leaders were largely responsible for delivering products. Now, shareholders are looking to corporate leaders to make statements on what would traditionally have been social justice or moral issues.” Ethics and examples of corporate bad behavior dominate the news and our culture during recent months, from the creation of fake accounts at Wells Fargo’s to sexual harassment in the entertainment and news industries, to the improprieties at Uber, or the deadly ignition switch issues at General Motors. Discovering, using, and refining your personal ethical framework is likely to be a lifelong process, influenced by various experiences. Presented here are introductory remarks to start building a foundation about how individuals might start to think about our ethics and values and examine those shown by the actions and behavior of others, particularly in a business or workplace setting. We contend that superior top-management-teams will successfully foster a culture promoting the virtues of organizational truth-telling. Bad news needs to be dealt with immediately and with full knowledge of all relevant considerations surrounding challenging situations. Any enterprise cannot be expected to produce superior results without understanding the source and magnitude of problems as they develop into even the most remote threat—long before materializing into an actual crisis. Decisions must be made based upon accurate information; and management of anything can’t be expected to chart a successful course when given false or intentionally deceptive information. We believe our Article contributes to the literature by providing a pedagogical resource to introduce the subject of business ethics to those interested, but it also provides an introduction and overview of many contemporary issues impacting the topic of business ethics.
Large energy density in three-plate nanocapacitors due to Coulomb blockade

The maximum energy density of a capacitor is comparatively small due to large leak currents that thermally degrade the system. We study a three-plate system with nanometer gaps between the plates. Two negatively charged plates (cathodes) sandwich a thin, positively charged inner plate (anode). The dynamics of the electrons, in gaps of such a capacitor, are quantized, even at room temperature, because the dimensions are so small. Under strong fields, eigenstates between the electrodes fill and reduce the leak current between the anode and cathode. We show that the self-discharge time for a three-plate nanocapacitor can be significantly longer than a comparable two-plate nanocapacitor, thus increasing maximum energy density of such a nanocapacitor.
Life-Cycle Analysis of Biofuels

Biofuels are being promoted for their energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction benefits. In general, they can be produced regionally and locally to provide fuels for motor vehicle use, thus reducing reliance on imported petroleum for many countries. Since the carbon in biofuels is taken from the air during biomass growth, biofuels can potentially reduce GHG emissions. It is well recognized that the life cycle of biofuel production and utilization is associated with fossil energy use and GHG emissions. Life-cycle analysis (LCA) of biofuels has become an integral part of a thorough evaluation of the energy and environmental effects of biofuels. While LCA results of biofuels have generally shown the energy and GHG benefits of biofuels relative to petroleum fuels, the magnitude of these benefits is determined by the types of feedstocks and production technologies used. In addition, LCA results are influenced heavily by decisions regarding the system boundary of a given analysis and the method of dealing with co-products of biofuels, among many other factors.
Advances in Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization

Acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) is the polycondensation reaction of a linear diolefin molecule that proceeds under mild conditions and is tolerant to a wide variety of functional groups. The method has been used to create a vast library of interesting functional polymers, model polymers, and exotic structures that are unobtainable via alternate methods. This chapter reviews the most recent advances and applications of ADMET over the past several years.
Strength Variation Along Failure Surfaces in Clay

Experimental studies have shown that the undrained strength of one-dimensionally consolidated clay may vary with orientation of the failure plane. Three of the types of variation found by trimming unconsolidated-undrained compression test specimens in different directions are shown in Fig. 1. Variations of undrained strength such as those shown in Fig. 1 may result from anisotropy with respect to the values of the effective stress strength parameters, or anisotropy with respect to development of changes in pore-water pressures, or both; they may also result from reorientation of the principal stress directions during sampling and testing.
Reliability Estimate Sensitivity to Multi-Peaked Random Seas

This study compares the reliability estimates of a flexible cylinder for seastates generated using singleand multi-peaked wave amplitude spectra. The horizontal response of a long, flexible cylinder that is representative of a riser or tendon was used for illustrative purposes. A method that characterizes the offshore loading environment independently of the structure, known as the environmental contour technique, was used to compute the reliability estimates for the cylinder. This technique allows one to identify the critical seastate for the structure being examined. The selection of this critical seastate for extreme response and reliability estimates is becoming a necessity as the offshore industry moves to probabilistic-based design codes. Two different simulation scenarios are examined that expand upon established procedures for single-peaked wave spectrum environmental contour. In the first scenario, the primary spectral peak is varied along the environmental contour while the secondary peak is held constant at the first harmonic of the flexible cylinder. For the second scenario, the most probable location of the secondary spectral peak given the significant wave height is used in the analysis. The environmental contour technique for investigation of the sensitivity of reliability estimates can easily be extended to address more complex behavior of a spar or tension leg platform. Conventional techniques for establishing a limit state function and estimating the system reliability could also be implemented. *ISOPE Member. Received July 30, 1997: revised manuscript received by the editors April 21, 1999. The original version (prior to the final revised manuscript) was presented at the Seventh International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference (ISOPE-97), Honolulu, USA, May 25-30, 1997.
Vitamin B12 Levels and Age

Vitamin B12 concentration was determined by radioassay in 179 healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 93 years in order to determine whether vitamin B12 levels decline with advancing age. The authors found no statistically significant decline in vitamin B12 levels in older individuals, nor a difference between males and females. A review of previous reports identifies potential reasons for controversy regarding the normal concentration of vitamin B12 in the elderly.
La estrella del melodrama como heroína noir: La huella de unos labios (1952) / The melodrama star as a noir film heroine: The Trace of Some Lips (1952)

Este trabajo reexamina La huella de unos labios (Juan Bustillo Oro, 1952), una poco conocida adaptacion mexicana del autor de historias de suspenso Cornell Woolrich, y considera la pelicula dentro de varios contextos: las heroinas de otras adaptaciones de Woolrich al cine, la mujer en el film noir mexicano y la imagen de estrella de la actriz Rosario Granados. La contextualizacion sostiene que Maria es una heroina noir inusitada dentro del cine mexicano cuya caracterizacion ilustra los discursos contradictorios sobre la mujer en el cine de la Epoca de Oro. El trabajo considera el efecto del casting de Rosario Granados, estrella de melodramas, en un film noir.
Residential Stability and Trust in the Police: an Understudied Area of Police Attitudinal Research

Residential in/stability has been observed to influence several behavioral outcomes such as mental health, child abuse, adolescent substance uses and crime/delinquency. Despite its record of predicting behavior, residential stability has barely been explored to explain citizens’ behavior and attitudes toward their local police departments. This lack deeply affects the extent to which we can formulate policies to strengthen police and community relationship. The purpose of the present study was to explore the predictive effects of three dimensions of residential stability on residents’ perception of police trustworthiness after accounting for the effects of individual, attitudinal, and contact variables. Using community survey data collected from several areas of Northwestern states, results from the analysis found statistically significant effects for years in the community, residence, level of education, political ideology, quality and frequency of contact on residents’ assessments of police trustworthy. The implications of these results are discussed.
Extraction of sub-pixel C3/C4 emissions of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) using artificial neural network

Abstract Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is a signal directly and functionally related to photosynthetic activity and thus holds great promise for large-scale agricultural monitoring. However, the coarse spatial resolution of existing satellite SIF observations usually consist of mixed SIF signals contributed by different crop types with distinct phenology (modulated by management practices) and varying SIF emission capacities, which impedes effective utilization of existing SIF records for large-scale agricultural applications. This study makes the first effort to overcome this challenge by developing a sub-pixel SIF extraction framework for corn and soybean in the US Corn Belt as a case study. Here we developed a machine learning (ML) based sub-pixel SIF extraction framework using Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2), whose high-resolution SIF acquired along orbits at nadir enables the identification of relatively pure pixels dominated by single corn or soybean crops, facilitating validation of the developed framework. To achieve this, we first generated artificially mixed SIF pixels from pure pixels randomly weighted by fractional area coverage. We then employed a standard feed forward artificial neural network (ANN) to estimate sub-pixel SIF for corn and soybean respectively, using the following predictors: total mixed SIF, spectral reflectance of corn/soybean (from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MODIS), and the fractional area coverage of corn/soybean (derived from CropScape-Cropland Data Layer). Our results demonstrated that the estimated sub-pixel SIF could successfully reproduce the original pure SIF values constituting the mixed pixel, with a normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) of
Divisible Loads and Parallel Processing

This chapter provides an in-depth look at the theory of scheduling computation and communication involving divisible (i.e., partitionable) loads being processed on networks of processors. This is a very useful methodology for understanding, designing, and analyzing load distribution scheduling. A literature survey begins the chapter. This is followed by a discussion of time optimal scheduling in single level tree (i.e., star) networks. Other sections cover equivalent processors, product form solutions, infinite size network performance, time-varying environments, and multi-installment scheduling. Applied scheduling problems involving monetary cost optimization and signature searching are presented. The chapter concludes by discussing mathematical programming solutions for divisible load scheduling.
Leading change for school improvement: a case study

This teaching case study is meant to help current and future school leaders become change agents who lead effectively and improve their schools. I discuss one case in a fictitious city and school that is representative of many other American schools. In particular, I examine adaptive challenges that educational leaders commonly face. This case encourages administrators to participate in meaningful conversations with stakeholders to solve complex issues around leading change. The hope is to better understand how school leaders can transform schools, embrace adaptive challenges, and use change as opportunities for growth. I also pose questions designed to make future and current educational leaders think how they would resolve similar issues.
The clinical effect of levofloxacin used on patients with hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)

Objective To explore the clinical effect of levofloxacin used on patients with HAP. Methods 134 cases of patients with HAP as studied object were randomly divided into observation group and control group,observation group were given therapy of levofloxacin,and control group were given therapy of azithromycin. Results The efficiency cases,effective cases,vain cases in observation group were 51,13 and 3,the efficiency rate and total effective rate were 75.0％ and 93.3％, the data in control group were 38,17,12,51.7 ％ and 81.7 ％. The efficiency rate ( x2 =4. 818, P ＜ 0.05 )and total effective rate( x2 =4. 804 ,P ＜ 0.05 ) of observation group was significantly better than that of control group. Conclusion Levofloxacin used on patients with HAP, could acquire good clinical effect,and the side-reactions were light. Key words: Cross infection; Pneumonia; Levofloxacin; Azithromycin
Are We Creating Opportunities for Homeless Children to Succeed in the Digital Age

As society becomes more dependent upon technological resources, to share information and provide education, it is imperative that we ensure inclusive information access and provide resources for di...
IGA-MPM: The Isogeometric Material Point Method

Abstract We propose the use of Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) within the context of the Material Point Method (MPM), and refer to the approach as IGA-MPM. We use the idea of IGA, and its instantiation based on Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), to build higher-order accurate and smooth approximation for MPM. Higher-order smoothness yields a continuous representation of the strain rate, and, as a result, prevents jumps in the stress and other history variables as the material points cross the element boundaries. Furthermore, NURBS can exactly represent all conic sections and the corresponding symmetries in the solution, which may be important in some applications. Several numerical examples of increasing complexity are presented, and show the ability of IGA-MPM to eliminate the well known cell-crossing instability of the conventional MPM. In addition, the examples presented demonstrate improved accuracy, convergence, and symmetry preservation of IGA-MPM compared to the conventional MPM, both for rectilinear and curved geometries.
The Role of Uncertainty in Jobless Recoveries

The three most recent downturns, in contrast with other post-war recessions, are characterized by slow recoveries in employment despite positive economic growth. I find that recent recoveries coincide with high uncertainty about economy-wide corporate profits at a time when output begins to rebound, a pattern that was not observed in the earlier recessions. To examine the role of uncertainty in jobless recoveries, I develop a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with search and matching frictions in the labor market and an intensive labor margin. The model is driven by productivity and time-varying volatility shocks. The uncertainty agents face is captured by time-varying volatility. Labor market search frictions generate costly labor adjustment. When an uncertainty shock hits the economy, firms reduce the number of vacancies posted because they are reluctant to make costly adjustments along the extensive margin. Instead, firms require more effort from their employees. This, along with positive productivity shocks, can result in jobless recoveries. I calibrate the model and show that, with the addition of uncertainty shocks, this model produces labor market dynamics that allows it to address recent episodes of jobless recoveries.
Initial review of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 infection.

Objectives Data regarding the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to emerge, however, there's limited data in regard to maternal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis of all pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within Nuvance Health system. Methods Data were abstracted from the medical records of each patient and descriptive analysis was performed. Variables included demographics, COVID testing results, symptoms, management, labor course, neonatal information, and complications. Results Total of 40 patients were identified. Average age was 29.6 years old, 35% were Hispanic, and approximately one in three patients had comorbidities. Of the patients who had repeated testing, the average number of days between first positive test and negative test was 36.8 days (± 19.9 days). Three out of four women reported symptoms. Of the 40 pregnant women who were positive for SARS-CoV-2, 25 of them delivered. About 84% of the women delivered after 37 weeks. Twelve percent of the women delivered under 33 and 6/7 weeks. Most patients had vaginal deliveries (68%) and the remaining had cesarean deliveries. Neonatal outcomes included: mean 1 and 5 min Apgar scores of 8 and 8.8, respectively and the mean birth weight was 3212 g. Twenty neonates were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and were all found to be negative. Conclusions Overall, with routine prenatal care and preventive measures, pregnant patients and neonates in our study had good outcomes. At this time, there appears to be no evidence of vertical transmission.
An online randomized trial of healthy default beverages and unhealthy beverage restrictions on children’s menus

Abstract Several U.S. jurisdictions have adopted policies requiring healthy beverage defaults on children’s menus, but it is unknown whether such policies or restrictions leads to fewer calories ordered. We recruited 479 caregivers of children for an online choice experiment and instructed participants to order dinner for their youngest child (2–6 years) from two restaurant menus. Participants were randomly assigned to one type of menu: 1) standard beverages on children’s menus (Control; n = 155); 2) healthy beverages on children’s menus (water, milk, or 100% juice), with unhealthy beverages available as substitutions (Default; n = 162); or 3) healthy beverages on children’s menus, with no unhealthy beverage substitutions (Restriction; n = 162). We used linear regression with bootstrapping to examine differences between conditions in calories ordered from beverages. Secondary outcomes included percent of participants ordering unhealthy beverages (full-calorie soda, diet soda, and/or sugar-sweetened fruit drinks) and calories from unhealthy beverages. Calories ordered from beverages did not differ across conditions at Chili’s [Default: 97.6 (SD = 69.8); p = 0.82; Restriction: 102.7 (SD = 71.5); p = 0.99; Control: 99.4 (SD = 72.7)] or McDonald’s [Default: 90.2 (SD = 89.1); p = 0.55; Restriction: 89.0 (SD = 81.0); p = 0.94; Control: 96.5 (SD = 95.2)]. There were no differences in the percent of orders or calories ordered from unhealthy beverages. Though Restriction participants ordered fewer calories from full-calorie soda [(3.0 (SD = 21.6)] relative to Control participants [13.4 (SD = 52.1); p = 0.04)] at Chili’s, we observed no such difference between Default and Control participants, or across McDonald’s conditions. Overall, there was no effect of healthy default beverages or restrictions in reducing total calories ordered from unhealthy beverages for children in our experiment.
Subterranean Properties: India's Political Ecology of Coal, 1870–1975

Scholars have long been attentive to the relationship between legal regimes and agrarian dispossession in the resource frontiers of the postcolonial world. The analytical problem of identifying how private firms use legal regimes to take control of land—whether for mining, plantations, or Special Economic Zones—now animates a new body of research seeking the historical antecedents for contemporary land grabs. In the case of colonial South Asia, existing scholarship has often tended to suggest that the law precedes processes of capital accumulation, and that colonial capital operated within the confines of definable, even if legally plural, institutional regimes, such as property rights and commercial law. This perspective suggests, if only implicitly, that capitalist firms prefer to work within formal frameworks of legality. In this article, I outline a different understanding of the place of law in colonial South Asia, which follows the formation of property law for coal at the end of the nineteenth century. I argue that the discursive framing of coal's status as property emerged out of, rather than preceded, social and ecological displacements caused by a coal commodity boom after 1894. Reconstructing conflicts over coal-bearing agrarian land through civil court records and mining company property deeds, I demonstrate how the absence of coal property within the colonial legal archive was reassembled through a recursive conception of legality. This genealogy of law recovers the historical context for contemporary struggles over mining claims in India's coal region today.
Homeowner perceptions and responses to buffelgrass invasion risk in the Tucson, Arizona Wildland-Urban Interface.

Abstract In this study, we aimed to analyze homeowners' level of awareness and perceived risk about buffelgrass invasion in the Tucson, Arizona Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), as well as the factors influencing their participation in buffelgrass control and fire risk mitigation efforts. Data for the study were generated through the administration of an online survey among 117 members of Home Owner Associations (HOAs) in the Tucson WUI. The results showed that the overwhelming majority of respondents were aware of buffelgrass, but their knowledge about buffelgrass control mechanisms appeared to be limited. Respondents also more frequently expressed concern about the risks posed by buffelgrass invasion to general targets, such as the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, native plants and wildlife than risks to their private property and neighborhoods. The results also showed that the level of involvement in HOAs, and leadership in HOAs had significant positive effects on homeowners' participation in buffelgrass control efforts. Homeowners' duration of residence also had a significant negative effect on participation in buffelgrass control efforts, suggesting that newcomers may be more involved than long-term residents. Similarly, the number of months respondents spent in Tucson per year had a negative effect on the number of hours spent on buffelgrass control efforts. Respondents’ perceived risk about buffelgrass invasion also had a positive effect on the hours spent on buffelgrass control as well as their level of involvement in fire risk mitigation efforts. These results highlight the importance of local institutions and community heterogeneity in social responses to threats in WUI communities. Policies aimed at building the resilience of WUI communities need to account for their complexity as coupled social-ecological systems.
Terrain Classification Based on Sensed Leg Compliance for Amphibious Crab Robot

Characterization of terrain in real time allows autonomous legged robots to modify their gait to better suit their environment and recognize hazardous conditions. We present a novel approach for terrain classification for legged robots with passively compliant components, in which terrain information is gathered by measuring component deflection during operation by means of low cost Hall effect magnetometers and embedded magnets. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated on a hexapod robot designed to operate in the surf zones of beaches. Datasets of sensor measurements corresponding to three types of granular terrain are collected in both a laboratory and outdoor beach environment, and are used to train support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. Results show that, using time domain features of measurements from each leg, a mean accuracy of 99.3% and 92.4% through 10-fold cross-validation can be achieved for the laboratory and beach datasets, respectively. For the beach dataset, this accuracy is found to be slightly greater than for a classifier trained on measurements from an on-board inertial measurement unit (IMU) (91.6%), while an accuracy of 95.1% can be achieved by combining the information from both sensor modalities as inputs to a single classifier. The effect of the Earth’s magnetic field on the measurements and considerations for data collection are also discussed.
The L33F darunavir resistance mutation acts as a molecular anchor reducing the flexibility of the HIV-1 protease 30s and 80s loops.

HIV-1 protease (PR) is a 99 amino acid protein responsible for proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein – an essential step in the HIV-1 life cycle. Drug resistance mutations in PR that are selected during antiretroviral therapy lead to reduced efficacy of protease inhibitors (PI) including darunavir (DRV). To identify the structural mechanisms associated with the DRV resistance mutation L33F, we performed X-ray crystallographic studies with a multi-drug resistant HIV-1 protease isolate that contains the L33F mutation (MDR769 L33F). In contrast to other PR L33F DRV complexes, the structure of MDR769 L33F complexed with DRV reported here displays the protease flaps in an open conformation. The L33F mutation increases noncovalent interactions in the hydrophobic pocket of the PR compared to the wild-type (WT) structure. As a result, L33F appears to act as a molecular anchor, reducing the flexibility of the 30s loop (residues 29–35) and the 80s loop (residues 79–84). Molecular anchoring of the 30s and 80s loops leaves an open S1/S1′ subsite and distorts the conserved hydrogen-bonding network of DRV. These findings are consistent with previous reports despite structural differences with regards to flap conformation.