cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Needle and Catheter Size on Commercially Available Ultrasound Contrast Agents

OBJECTIVES To investigate effects of needle and catheter size on in vitro ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) enhancement and concentrations using 4 commercially available UCAs. METHODS Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA), Optison (GE Healthcare, Princeton, NJ), SonoVue (Bracco SA, Geneva, Switzerland), and Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) were investigated. The UCA was injected via a 1-mL syringe (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) into a 3-way stopcock (Smith Medical, Dublin, OH) and flushed with 10 mL of saline through an 18-cm infusion extension tube connected to either a 16-, 18-, 20-, 22-, or 24-gauge catheter (BD) or an 18-, 20-, 21-, or 25-gauge needle (BD). In vitro enhancement was determined in a flow phantom (ATS Laboratories, Bridgeport, CT), and microbubble concentrations were determined using an LSRII flow cytometer (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA). RESULTS Significant decreases in enhancement and microbubble concentrations were observed for all 4 UCAs (P < .001) when administration was performed through a 25-gauge needle. No statistically significant differences in enhancement or concentrations were observed between all catheter sizes and 18- to 21-gauge needles for SonoVue and Sonazoid. Definity and Optison administration through a 24-gauge catheter resulted in a significant loss of enhancement (P < .02), although these differences were not significant on flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS Administration of commercial UCAs in a clinical scenario is possible with catheters or needles smaller than 20 gauge, although the minimal allowable size appears to be UCA specific.
Long-term treatment with dexamethasone induces senescence and progressive loss of proliferation potential in lung adenocarcinoma cells expressing high levels of the glucocorticoid receptor

We have previously demonstrated that in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsNSCLC) cells expressing relatively high levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), dexamethasone (Dex) induces reversible G1 arrest that is virtually complete by 72h of Dex treatment. We have also shown that this effect of Dex protects the cells from the cytotoxicity of pemetrexed, a mainstay chemotherapy in advanced nsNSCLC that entails co-administration of Dex. Further, induction of G1 arrest by Dex was confirmed by FLT-PET imaging of tumor lesions in patients treated with Dex for 24h. Here we report the effects of long-term treatment of nsNSCLC cells with Dex. The nsNSCLC cell line models included A549 (GR), H292 (GR), H1650 (GR) and H1299 (GR) cells as well as clonal recombinant H1299 cells overexpressing GR. In only the GRhi cells, Dex caused an increase in p21 peaking on Day 7 and declining by Day 14. The cells retained proliferation potential on Day 3 as measured by colony formation. By Day 7 of Dex treatment, the GRhi cells but not the GRlo cells exhibited a senescence phenotype, marked by cytosolic beta-galactosidase activity and increases in p16 and p15 at the mRNA and protein levels as well as significant increases in cell size. The GR cells displayed a progressively decreasing ability to form colonies until 6 weeks of Dex treatment. The extent of this loss of proliferation potential was related to relative GR expression levels among the Dex-sensitive cells. When mice bearing xenografts of H1299 (GR) or isogenic recombinant H1299-GR (GR) cells were implanted with slow release Dex pellets, tumor growth was inhibited only in the H1299-GR cells. Evaluation of a tissue microarray as well as a cDNA array from clinical nsNSCLC tumors showed that about 20 percent of the tumors showed uniform expression of GR that were comparable to the levels required for Dex to induce senescence in vitro or to inhibit tumor growth in vivo. The results suggest that long-term administration of Dex could serve as an additional treatment option for a small cohort of lung adenocarcinoma patients that harbor uniform high levels of GR in their tumor lesions.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RIGIDITY

In the early work on the authoritarian personality, two of the characteristics identified as components of the authoritarian mind were rigid cognitive style and rigid conception of sex roles (Robinson & Shaver, 1969, p. 214). Studies which have investigated rigidity of cognitive style using verbal tests (Robinson & Shaver, 1969, p. 218) have not considered sex differences. Since Feinman (1974) found less rigidity of sex-role conceptions among females, the hypothesis that females are less psychologically rigid in cognitive style was investigated. Since previous studies have each used only one measure of psychological rigidity (Robinson & Shaver, 1969), a second purpose was to determine intercorrelations of several scales of psychological rigidity. Ss were 112 males and 138 females who responded to a questionnaire distributed to a stratified sample of s~udents.~ All Ss responded to the Rigidity of Attitudes Regarding Personal Habits scale (Meresko, Rubin, Shontz, & Morrow, 1954), Budner's (1962) Intolerance of Ambiguity scale, and Martin and Westie's (1959) Intolerance of Ambiguity scale. These scales had 20, 16, and 8 items, respectively. Cronbach (1951) alpha coefficients were calculated to determine the test homogeneity of the three scales. For all Ss, the coefficients were .82 for the Meresko, et al. scale, .56 for the Budner scale and .68 for the Martin and Westie scale.' Sex of S did not significantly affect the coefficients. The homogeneity estimates were large enough to detect group differences of practical interest. For all Ss, both Pearsonian correlations of scores on the verbal scale of personal habits with the Budner scale and with the Martin and Westie scale were .51 (p < .001). The correlation of the two intolerance of ambiguity scales was .34 (p < .001) for all Ss. Sex of S did not significantly affect the correlations. For all three scales, the higher the score, the higher the rigidiry. On the rigidity of personal habits scale, females scored significantly lower on rigidity than males (Females: M = 43.24, SD = 15.08; Males: M = 48.73, SD = 16.67; 1 = 2.67, p < .005, onetailed test). A similar result was found for Martin and Westie's scale (Females: M =
Double‐Difference Location and Ground‐Truth Classification of the 2008 Mogul, Nevada, Very Shallow Earthquake Sequence

A long sequence of shallow earthquakes occurred west of Reno, Nevada during 2008 beneath a community called Mogul (Anderson et al. , 2009; Tibuleac et al. , 2011). This sequence began with a swarmlike series in early 2008 and was punctuated by an M w 5.0 earthquake on 26 April 2008. (06:40:10 UTC and 10:40:10 p.m. 25 April local time). The mainshock was followed by a fairly typical aftershock sequence through the remainder of 2008. The sequence consisted of over 2000 earthquakes with M L≥1.0, concentrated in depths between 1 and 4 km and ranging in magnitude up to M w 5.0 (mainshock). The swarmlike activity prior to the mainshock provided time to instrument the epicentral area with temporary broadband and strong‐motion stations, in advance of the occurrence of the largest events. These stations complemented the Nevada and California permanent seismic monitoring stations and the high‐quality broadband stations of the Earthscope Transportable Array network deployed in Nevada during 2008. The primary objective of this study was a detailed investigation of this sequence of earthquakes in terms of location and ground‐truth (GT) classification. Compared with earthquakes at typical depths, these shallow earthquakes have near‐field ground motions with uncharacteristically high amplitudes and rapid attenuation with distance (Anderson et al. , 2009). For our investigations, we used a unique broadband and strong‐motion recording database, obtained from stations as close as 1 km from the epicenter of the mainshock and most of the smaller events. These sensors recorded waveforms that we have organized into a database including near‐field and seismic‐network recordings of all the M L≥1.0 earthquakes of the sequence located by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL). We have relocated the Mogul earthquakes with hypoDD, incorporating P and S cross correlations. Location shifts as large as several hundred meters were observed when compared with the original catalog …
Cesarean section; current trends and perspectives.

Although it appears that an increased rate of cesarean sections is related to improved perinatal outcome, other factors may account for this trend. The authors anticipate that prior cesarean section will not continue to be an indication for the abdominal delivery of subsequent births. Indications for cesarean section are discussed, and the benefits and risks of this procedure are evaluated.
Evaluating the Impact of Response to Intervention in Reading at the Elementary Level Across the State of Pennsylvania

When schools implement a response-to-intervention (RTI) model, it is critically important that multiple perspectives of outcomes of the model need to be considered. Using the Shapiro and Clemens (Assessment for Effective Intervention 35:3–16, 2009) framework for evaluating an RTI model, the outcomes of implementation in 29 elementary schools in Pennsylvania are discussed. Overall, the results of the risk-level analysis for reading based on outcomes of oral reading fluency (ORF) and 4Sight Benchmark Assessment showed that the strongest outcomes occurred in kindergarten and grade 1, with less strong outcomes in the middle elementary grades (grades 2, 3, and 4). Data examining movement across tiers indicated that the largest amount of movement occurred in the earliest grades and from the beginning to middle of the year. Across grades, an increasing trend of percentage of students meeting their targeted and benchmark rate of improvement (ROI) for grade was evident across grade level. Although the number of schools with data regarding specific learning disability (SLD) determination was limited, analysis showed that between < 1 and 2.5 % of students across these schools were evaluated for special education as potential students with SLD. In general, this chapter provides a strong model for examining the key outcome measures in evaluating an RTI implementation process.
Usage of computer networking in the real time network laboratory

The quick advancement of systems administration innovation and the developing significance of systems administration in business situations make it fundamental for graduates to increase direct involvement in reasonable systems administration research facility. In this paper, we show a PC systems administration examination course in the reasonable environment. Not just improve comprehension of systems administration hypothetical learning in class, however they additionally obtain hands-on experience of systems administration arrangement and project. Besides, can figure out how to manufacture complex system reenacting business environment. We portray test environment, trial exercises and usage of examinations. The course is being offered for third-year students and first-year graduates.
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: the Role of Endovascular Therapy

Dural arteriovenous fistulas present with a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the location of the shunt and on the pattern of venous drainage. We have treated a total of 221 dural fistulas using a variety of endovascular and surgical techniques, sometimes in combination. Cavernous sinus fistulas, most often presenting with visual symptoms, can be treated by transvenous coil embolization, and cure has been achieved in 101 of 117 patients. Transverse-sigmoid sinus fistulas can present with pulsatile tinnitus or intracerebral hemorrhage depending on venous drainage pattern. Cure has been achieved in 42 of 66 patients. Fistulas in a variety of other locations, including superior sagittal sinus, inferior petrosal sinus, deep venous system, and anterior cranial fossa have also been encountered. As dural fistulas encompass a wide clinical spectrum from benign to dangerous, invasive therapy must be tailored to the risk of non-treatment in any specific case. Endovascular therapy provides a primary therapeutic option in these patients.
Chapter 1 – Basic Concepts and Control Architecture of Microgrids

This chapter discusses the basic concepts and control structures of microgrids. Nowadays, distributed generation technology is becoming increasingly mature, and is deployed as active distribution networks working cooperatively with conventional power grids. In addition, the issues of exhaustible natural resources, fluctuating fossil fuel prices and the security of electricity have encouraged governments around the world to hold positive attitudes toward the development of emerging microgrids. Future microgrids will allow high renewable penetration and become building blocks of smart grids thanks to advanced communication and information technology. As the underlying scientific and engineering research questions are being answered, there is no doubt that microgrids will play an extremely important role in future electric power and energy systems.
Improved Ascertainment of Pregnancy-Associated Suicides and Homicides in North Carolina.

Introduction Injuries, including those resulting from violence, are a leading cause of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period. North Carolina, along with other states, has implemented surveillance systems to improve reporting of maternal deaths, but their ability to capture violent deaths is unknown. The purpose of this study was to quantify the improvement in ascertainment of pregnancy-associated suicides and homicides by linking data from the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System (NC-VDRS) to traditional maternal mortality surveillance files. Methods Enhanced case ascertainment was used to identify suicides and homicides that occurred during or up to 1 year after pregnancy from 2005 to 2011 in North Carolina. NC-VDRS data were linked to traditional maternal mortality surveillance files (i.e., death certificates with any mention of pregnancy or matched to a live birth or fetal death record and hospital discharge records for women who died in the hospital with a pregnancy-related diagnosis). Mortality ratios were calculated by case ascertainment method. Analyses were conducted in 2015. Results A total of 29 suicides and 55 homicides were identified among pregnant and postpartum women through enhanced case ascertainment as compared with 20 and 34, respectively, from traditional case ascertainment. Linkage to NC-VDRS captured 55.6% more pregnancy-associated violent deaths than traditional surveillance alone, resulting in higher mortality ratios for suicide (2.3 vs 3.3 deaths per 100,000 live births) and homicide (3.9 vs 6.2 deaths per 100,000 live births). Conclusions Linking traditional maternal mortality files to NC-VDRS provided a notable improvement in ascertainment of pregnancy-associated violent deaths.
Polarization properties of scanning arrays

Some conceptual notions of "cross" polarization were formed from the point of view of mechanically-scanned aperture antennas, and attempts to apply them to electronically scanned arrays (ESAs) are not appropriate. This stems from the fact that it is not generally possible to define a direction of co-polarization in terms of an ESA's geometry alone, as it is with fixed-beam antennas. This paper presents several examples of array types, showing how their polarization states vary with scan direction. The following are the important conclusions: (1) An ESA's main beam polarization is the same as that of the embedded element pattern in the scan direction. It will have different polarization characteristics than an isolated element because the radiator structure can support current modes that are not excited equally by its own feed and coupling from nearby elements. (2) An ESA's polarization state almost always changes with scan. The amount of change depends on radiator type, array lattice, and scan plane. (3) The definition of cross polarization for an ESA must be made in terms of its function. The fact that its polarization state changes with scan does not automatically imply an increase in polarization loss.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated with Gait Changes among Firefighters after a Live Burn Training Evolution.

Abstract Background Recommendations have been proposed for minimum aerobic fitness among firefighters but it is unclear if those criteria relate to performance on the fireground. Less fit individuals fatigue more quickly than fit individuals when working at comparable intensity and may have gait changes, increasing risk of falls. We evaluated the effect of fatigue during a live burn evolution on gait parameters and functional balance comparing them to aerobic fitness levels. Methods A total of 24 firefighters had gait and balance tested before and after a live burn evolution. Data were stratified by aerobic fitness of greater/less than 14 metabolic equivalents (METs). Results Analysis of gait cycles measurements before and after the live burn evolution revealed that single leg stance, cycle, and swing time decreased (p Conclusion A 14-MET criterion failed to distinguish gait or balance characteristics in this group. However, less fit firefighters did require more time to complete the balance test (p = 0.003). Aerobic fitness alone does not predict gait changes among firefighters following a live burn evolution but does appear to influence functional balance.
Transaction Cost Analysis with Excel and MATLAB

In this paper, we present a pre-trade model and transaction cost functions that can be run from EXCEL and MATLAB. Currently, investors who utilize pre-trade transaction costs analytics do so by logging into a broker-dealer or third-party server. These systems require investors to load their trade data, portfolio holdings, and/or investment ideas into these systems for analysis. But in doing so, this process could potentially subject the fund to information leakage and result in higher trading costs and lower returns. Furthermore, these systems do not allow managers to incorporate their proprietary data suach as alpha estimates. Our pre-trade analysis functions provide investors with the ability to run analyses on their own desk-top independent of broker-dealer and third-party servers, and allows them to incorporate their own market expectations and alpha return estimates. Our process helps preserve the funds valuable proprietary research and helps eliminate information leakage.
Successful venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for prolonged hepatopulmonary syndrome following pediatric liver transplantation: A case report and review of the literature

HPS is a major complicating feature of end-stage liver disease. Diagnosis is clinical, and LT is the only definitive treatment. While the general impression is that HPS improves quickly after transplantation, it may not always be the case. We describe the smallest reported child with HPS prior to LT and requiring prolonged venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after LT; especially as it is a rare occurrence, physician managing such cases should be aware of the circumstances under which HPS may require specific treatment.
The Distributional Impact of Taxes and Social Spending in Croatia

This paper describes the impact of fiscal policy on inequality and poverty, and examines recent policy changes and whether there is room for an increased role for fiscal policy in improving the well-being of the poor. Taxes and social spending reduced inequality in Croatia; however, once the impacts of indirect taxes are considered, the system is unable to reduce poverty, especially for families with children and retirees. Beginning in the second decile, households are net payers to the treasury, as the share of taxes paid exceeded the cash benefits received for all but the poorest 10 percent of the population. Microsimulations of recent tax changes find that inequality after taxes and transfers is expected to increase slightly in 2017, as most of the benefits of the reform were concentrated at the top of the distribution. Although the impact of lower value-added taxes on electricity and utility bills is expected to be slightly poverty reducing, this effect is small relative to the relief that is needed. A reduction in the standard value-added tax rate from 25 to 24 percent would result in a small decline in poverty and inequality. However, the impact may be much smaller, depending on how this measure would be financed.
Computing the closed-loop characteristics of a generalized multi-threshold knock controller:

Most knock controllers respond to knock events which are defined according to some threshold knock intensity. Multi-threshold knock events offer more informative feedback since they encode not just...
A Systematic Approach to Documenting Teaching Effectiveness

Faculty in higher education are well-versed in their two primary job responsibilities of teaching and research with service often a distant third. Although the evaluation of research is reflected i...
A Computational Evaluation of the Original and the Revised AHP

As it was mentioned in Chapter 1, the typical problem examined by the AHP consists of a set of alternatives and a set of decision criteria. Since this problem is very common in many engineering, science, and economic applications, the AHP has been a very popular decision tool. Another reason which contributed to the wide use of the AHP in such applications, is the development of the Expert Choice software (http://www.expertchoice.com). Furthermore, many other computer packages have been developed and are based on the principles of the AHP. A prime example is the Criterium Decision Plus package by Info Harvest, Inc. (http://www. infoharvest.com). For an excellent description of this package the interested reader may want to read the review in [Haerer, 2000].
The CLUE test. A multiparameter coagulation and fibrinolysis screening test using the platelet aggregometer.

Optical density measurements of plasma clot formation and lysis were recorded using a platelet aggregometer and strip chart recorder. It was discovered that, by adding standard solutions of ellagic acid-activated partial thromboplastin, urokinase, and CaCl2, and monitoring the reaction via the recorder, characteristic curves would be generated by normal human plasma. The curve segments were labeled Tc (clotting time), which correlated with the activated partial thromboplastin time, Fc (maximum optical density change), which paralleled fibrinogen concentration, and TL (lysis time), which corresponded generally to plasminogen levels. Deviations from normal curve segments, observed in disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypo- and hyperfibrinogenemia, factor VIII deficiency, severe hepatocellular disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and neonates (normally low in plasminogen), indicated abnormalities which were substantiated by standard procedures. This new test, given the acronym “CLUE” for clotting and lysis, urokinase enzyme activated, appears to be sensitive, inexpensive, and easily performed on a sample of 0.2 ml. of plasma in only 15 minutes.
Extensions of Nonparametric Approach

Nonparametric efficiency analysis is one of the most active fields of current research on measuring productivity of public sector enterprises. Since this involves several disciplines such as economics, management science, statistics and operations research, it is quite natural that future generalizations would be forthcoming in all these disciplines. Although Farrell developed his efficiency concept in the context of a production frontier, his interest was mainly statistical. The DEA model on the other hand generalized the input-output ratio measure to multiple inputs and outputs, which is basically a technical measure for evaluating engineering components and plants, although this tool was widely applied in school systems, hospitals and other quasi-market organizations. The DEA model was basically designed to compare managerial efficiency of a set of relatively homogeneous DMUs. The economic theory of efficiency has sought to characterize efficiency in terms of certain implicit prices associated with certain subsets of the feasible production set. In case of single output and multiple inputs the inefficiency of a set of micro units may simply be measured as a deviation from the full capacity level of utilization. Such deviations or distortions are not so simple to measure in case of multiple outputs, since the detailed data on allocation of every input to all possible outputs are not at all available. Problems also remain in the dynamic framework, when efficiency variations over time have to be related to changes in inputs, in capacity and in the technology. Finally, there is the econometric problem of estimating the production frontier but in a nonparametric way.
It’s More the Exception Rather Than the Rule: African American Families’ Neighborhoods and Youth’s Academic Performance During Middle School:

Neighborhoods are an important part of the social milieu of adolescence and academic performance. Using experiential neighborhood profiles, this study examined risks and assets to determine how nei...
A case of vertebral artery dissection and cerebellar infarct in the setting of concussion in a collegiate football player

Case Report: An 18-year-old male with a history of sickle cell trait and two prior concussions presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) with blurred vision, leg numbness and falling to his left side. During football practice, he sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit resulting in transient blurry vision, but continued to practice. After a second, similar, hit he again experienced blurry vision, felt unsteady, and was noted to be falling to the right as he stumbled off the field. He later developed nausea, emesis, and transient right-sided neck pain …
Ytterbium-doped fibre femtosecond laser offers robust design with deep and precise microsurgery

Laser microsurgery is a powerful tool for neurobiology used to ablate cells and sever neurites in-vivo. We compare a relatively new laser source to two well-established designs. Rare-earth-doped mode-locked fibre laser that produce high power pulsed radiation recently gained popularity for industrial uses. Such systems are manufactured at high standards of robustness and low maintenance requirements typical of solid-state lasers. We demonstrate that an Ytterbium-doped fibre femtosecond laser is comparable in precision to other femtosecond lasers, but with added reliability. It is more precise and can lesion deeper in tissue than a solid-state nanosecond laser. These advantages are not specific to the model system ablated for our demonstration, namely neurites in the nematode C. elegans, but are applicable to other systems and transparent tissue where a precise submicron resolution dissection is required.
Free Education, Schooling Outcomes, and Wages: An Inequality Analysis in Benin after the 2006 Free Tuition Policy

This chapter analyzes changes in the determinants of enrollment and student performance in Benin after the 2006 Free Primary Education policy (FPE) and simulates the magnitude of the impact on future wage differentials. Using municipality and household-level data, in repeated cross-section regressions, I find that the policy reduced the inequality of access to primary school by increasing the enrollment probability for traditionally disadvantaged groups, including girls, low-income groups, and the northern region populations. Further analysis suggests that inequality in education may have moved from access to quality of learning. Finally, simulations using Mincerian wage equations show an increase in wages with no worsening inequality. Taken together, the results suggest welfare improvements that may have important policy implications for developing countries.
Spoiled food and spoiled surprises: Inspection anticipation and regulatory compliance

Periodic inspections, in which firms are punished for detected violations, are a popular means of enforcing environmental, health, and safety regulations. The effectiveness of these programs typically hinges on the timing of inspections being unannounced and difficult to anticipate, lest firms comply only when they believe inspections are likely. In Las Vegas, Nevada, many facilities—e.g., casinos, hotels, and shopping malls—house multiple food-service establishments, several of which are often inspected during the same inspector visit. Within such visits, all but the first establishment inspected likely anticipate their next inspection to a meaningful extent. Using data which record inspection starting times and span more than six years, I find that establishments in such facilities perform significantly and substantially worse when they receive the first inspection of a visit. Relative to their own performances on days when inspected later than first, establishments are assessed 21% more demerits and cited for 31% more critical violations in these surprise inspections.
Confinement size determines the architecture of Ran-induced microtubule networks

ABSTRACT The organization of microtubules (MTs) within cells is critical for its internal organization during interphase and mitosis. During mitotic spindle assembly, MTs are made and organized around chromosomes in a process regulated by RanGTP. The role of RanGTP has been explored in Xenopus egg extracts, which are not limited by a cell membrane. Here, we investigated whether cell-sized confinements affect the assembly of RanGTP-induced MT networks in Xenopus egg extracts. We used microfluidics to encapsulate extract within monodisperse extract-in-oil droplets. Importantly, we find that the architecture of Ran-induced MT networks depends on the droplet diameter and the Ran concentration, and differs from structures formed in bulk extract. Our results highlight that both MT nucleation and physical confinement play critical roles in determining the spatial organization of the MT cytoskeleton. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE During cell division, chromosomes are segregated by the mitotic spindle, whose framework consists of up to hundreds of thousands of microtubules (MTs). Spindle MTs are generated via several pathways, one of which is regulated by RanGTP. Yet, how Ran-induced MTs self-organize within cell-sized confinement remains unclear. This work reports unexpected architectures of Ran-induced MT networks confined in cell-sized droplets, which depend on the droplet diameter and the RanGTP concentration. Thus, MT nucleation and confinement together give rise to specific MT network architectures, which are otherwise not observed in unconfined assays. The findings provide a simple strategy to engineer the architectures of MT networks and could have direct implications in nucleation-controlled soft material processing.
Integration of data analytics with cloud services for safer process systems, application examples and implementation challenges

Abstract Emerging sensors, computers, network technologies, and connected platforms result potentially in an immeasurable collection of data within plant operations. This creates the possibility of solving problems innovatively. Because most of the data appear to be unstructured or semi-structured, organizations shall design and adopt new strategies. Further, workflow architectures with data analytics are needed including machine learning tools and artificial intelligence techniques before proto-type solutions can be developed. We shall discuss several prospects of using (big) data analytics integrated with cloud services to produce solutions for improving plant operations. The paper outlines the vision and a systematic framework highlighting the data analytics lifecycle in the area of plant operation, process safety, and environmental protection. Four rather diverse example case studies are demonstrated including (1) deep learning-based predictive maintenance monitoring modeling, (2) Natural Language Processing (NLP) for mining text, (3) barrier assessment for dynamic risk mapping (DRA), and (4) correlation development for sustainability indicators. It further discusses the challenges in both research and implementation of proposed solutions in the industry. It is concluded that a well-balanced integrated approach including machine supporting decisions integrated with expert knowledge and available information from various key resources is required to enable more informed policy, strategic, and operational risk decision-making leading to safer, reliable and more efficient operations.
College Student Meaning Making and Interest Maintenance During COVID-19: From Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) to Science Learning Being Off-Campus and Online

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 the national landscape of higher education changed quickly and dramatically to move “online” in the Spring semester of 2020 While distressing to both faculty and students, it presents a unique opportunity to explore how students responded to this unexpected and challenging learning situation In four undergraduate STEM courses that incorporated course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs)—which are often focused on discovery learning and laboratory research—we had an existing study in progress to track students' interest development at five time points over the Spring 2020 semester Via this ongoing study we were able to investigate how students stay engaged in their college science courses when facing unexpected challenges and obstacles to their learning Longitudinal survey data from 41 students in these CURE courses demonstrated that students' situational interest dropped significantly when their CURE courses unexpectedly shifted from hands-on, discovery-based, and laboratory-based instruction to online instruction Although we observed a dramatic decline in student interest in general after the CURE courses moved fully online, the decline rates varied across students Students who were able to make meaningful connections between the learning activities and their personal or career goals were more likely to maintain a higher level of interest in the course Implications for practice are discussed © Copyright © 2020 Wang, Bauer, Burmeister, Hanauer and Graham
Cross your heart? Collagen cross-links in cardiac health and disease.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling occurs in response to various cardiac insults including infarction, pressure overload and dilated myopathies. Each type of remodeling necessitates distinct types of ECM turnover and deposition yet an increase in myocardial fibrillar collagen content is appreciated as a contributing feature to cardiac dysfunction in each of these pathologies. In addition, aging, is also associated with increases in cardiac collagen content. The importance of characterizing differences in ECM composition and processes used by cardiac fibroblasts in the assembly of fibrotic collagen accumulation is critical for the design of strategies to reduce and ultimately regress cardiac fibrosis. Collagen cross-linking is one factor that influences collagen deposition and insolubility with direct implications for tissue properties such as stiffness. In this review, three different types of collagen cross-links shown to be important in cardiac fibrosis will be discussed; those catalyzed by lysyl oxidases, those catalyzed by transglutaminases, and those that result from non-enzymatic modification by the addition of advanced glycation end products. Insight into cellular mechanisms that govern collagen cross-linking in the myocardium will provide novel pathways for exploring new treatments to treat diseases associated with cardiac fibrosis.
Silence of a Pakistani Muslim woman: The influence of culture on the meaning of silence

Western feminist writers often associate voice with empowerment and treat silence as a manifestation of a woman’s powerlessness. Although the significance of voice cannot be minimized, the associat...
"If It Ever Really Hurts, I Try Not to Let Them Know:" The Use of Concealment as a Coping Strategy Among Adolescents With Chronic Pain.

Objective Despite considerable evidence of chronic pain in adolescents, and its adverse consequences for their health and well-being, less is known about pain-related stigma that these youth face, such as pain disbelief by others. Adolescents with chronic pain may conceal their symptoms as a coping strategy to avoid pain-related stigma, contributing to further social isolation and disruptions in medical treatment. In the current study, we used focus group methodology to examine adolescent motivations for using concealment and the possible benefits and harmful consequences of this form of coping. Materials and methods Five focus groups of 3-5 adolescents (ages 12-17) with chronic pain conditions (N = 18) were conducted as a part of a larger study to evaluate the impact of, and reaction to, pain-related stigma. Patients were recruited from an outpatient pediatric pain management clinic. Transcripts of focus group sessions were analyzed using directed content analysis for the main study, yielding anticipatory stigma and concealment categories. These categories were then explored using inductive content analysis for the current study. Results Adolescents described engaging in concealment of their pain symptoms. Our analysis revealed three social motivations for concealment: (1) avoidance of judgment; (2) avoidance of being a social burden; and (3) desire to be treated normally, and two harmful consequences of concealment: (1) social isolation and (2) cognitive burden. Conclusion Disbelief of pain symptoms may exacerbate the social isolation and disease-related burden in this population. Clinical implications of concealing pain symptoms are discussed, and points of intervention are proposed.
Cutaneous zygomycosis

The prevalence of cutaneous and soft tissue zygomycosis appears to have increased in recent years. We reviewed 78 case reports of cutaneous zygomycosis published from 2004 through 2008. Most patients with cutaneous zygomycosis have underlying conditions such as haematological malignancies, diabetes mellitus or solid organ transplantation, but a large proportion of them are immunocompetent. Trauma is the most common predisposing factor leading to zygomycosis in immunocompetent patients. If the patient is immunocompromised, the infection may disseminate. Cutaneous zygomycosis may be localized, may extend to deep underlying tissues, or may be disseminated. The most common clinical presentation is induration of the skin with surrounding erythema, rapidly progressing to necrosis. Histological examination and culture of soft tissue are important for the diagnosis of cutaneous zygomycosis. Treatment consists of surgical debridement, administration of antifungal agents (amphotericin B formulations and/or posaconazole) and, occasionally, hyperbaric oxygen. Mortality rates are approximately 30%.
Convex /spl Lscr//sub 2/ synthesis for multidimensional systems

Deals with the design of control systems for multidimensional systems in the Roesser state space format with an /spl Lscr//sub 2/ induced gain performance criterion. The region of analyticity of the closed loop system can be pre-specified, corresponding to the relaxation of the standard causality requirement (or equivalently, stability requirement) found in /spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// optimization. These techniques may be used for designing spatially distributed controllers for spatially distributed systems. The main technical contribution of the paper is the extension of the synthesis results of Packard (1994) and of Apkarian and Gahinet (1995) to non-definite scalings. The solution to the problem takes the form of a linear matrix inequality.
Barophiles and Piezophiles

Barophiles are defined as bacteria that metabolize or function better at high pressure than they do at atmospheric pressure. Piezophiles are bacteria that have their maximum growth rate, over all permissible temperatures, at high pressure. Keywords: pressure; bacteria; adaptation; extreme environment
Wind Profilers to Aid with Monitoring and Forecasting of High-Impact Weather in the Southeastern and Western United States

AbstractWith funding provided by the 2012 Disaster Relief Act (Sandy Supplemental), NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory Physical Sciences Division has installed three Doppler wind-profiling radars and surface meteorology towers along the U.S. Gulf and southeast coasts to help detect and monitor landfalling tropical storms and other high-impact weather events. This same combination of instruments has been used to monitor landfalling atmospheric rivers on the U.S. West Coast. For this reason, we refer to the whole collection of instruments at each site as an Atmospheric River Observatory (ARO). These three new AROs supported by the Sandy Supplemental complement a fourth ARO deployed in coastal North Carolina as part of NOAA’s Hydrometeorology Testbed Southeast Pilot Study. These four AROs were installed in time to capture the 2014 hurricane season and will be operated through the 2015 hurricane season.
Development of an Adherence Energy Test via Force-Displacement Atomic Force Microscopy (FD-AFM)

Significant progress has been made in regard to scientific and engineering investigations to understand the influence of material composition and mechanical properties of bituminous binder on damage and self-healing behavior associated with pavement fracture. It is well known that visco-elastic materials tend to exhibit rate and temperature dependant behavior in terms of fracture energy. As a representative of this class of materials, rate-dependant fracture should be expected for bituminous binders. Preliminary results are reported regarding a study using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique developed to determine if rate dependence is a factor in micro-scale adhesive fracture of bitumen thin-films. The technique involves creating then fracturing a standardized adhesive contact between bitumen and glass by application of a direct tensile force to the contact at various rates. The work required to fracture the standard contact is measured and recorded as a function of temperature and separation rate. The results of this study show that bitumen fracture energy is indeed rate and temperature dependant. The study also shows that bitumen derived from different crude sources exhibit differing fracture rate (and temperature) dependencies.
New solutions for two integrable cases of a generalized fifth-order nonlinear equation

Multiple-complexiton solutions for a new generalized fifth-order nonlinear integrable equation are constructed with the help of the Hirota's method and the simplified Hirota's method. By extending the real parameters into complex parameters, nonsingular complexiton solutions are obtained for two specific coefficients of the new generalized equation.
Potential of Voice Recording Tools in Language Instruction

One of the most prevailing difficulties I have faced as an English instructor is students’ dependence on teachers even though many language classes have been shifting from teachercentered to student-centered influenced by the communicative language teaching (CLT) approach. Class evaluations and needs analyses often reveal that many students expect every single one of their errors to be corrected by teachers. Some students even attribute their lack of improvement to not being corrected promptly. Prompt error correction or individualized feedback from teachers may be beneficial for students, but it is unlikely to be feasible for teachers to listen and respond to students individually all the time, especially given constraints such as large numbers of students and limited class time.
Construction of chimaeric gardens through fungal intercropping: a symbiont choice experiment in the leafcutter ant Atta texana (Attini, Formicidae)

Interspecies or intraspecies cooperation can be stabilized evolutionarily if choosing partners favor beneficial partners and discriminate against non-beneficial partners. We quantified such partner choice (symbiont choice) in the leafcutter ant Atta texana (Attini, Formicidae) by presenting the ants in a cafeteria-style preference assay with genotypically distinct fungal cultivars from A. texana and Acromyrmex versicolor. Symbiont choice was measured as the ants' tendency to choose one or more cultivar(s) from several pure (axenic) cultivar fragments and convert a given fungal fragment into a garden. Microsatellite DNA fingerprinting enabled us to identify the cultivars chosen by the ants for their gardens. In 91% of the choice tests, A. texana workers combined multiple cultivars into a single intercropped, chimaeric garden, and the cultivars coexisted in such chimaeric gardens for as long as 4 months. Coexistence of distinct fungal genotypes in chimaeric gardens appears to contradict a recent model of cultivar competition postulating that each cultivar secretes incompatibility compounds harming other cultivars, which presumably would preclude the intercropped polyculture observed in our experiments. Although we found no clear evidence of novel, recombinant genotypes in the experimental chimaeric gardens, the intercropping of cultivar genotypes may occasionally lead under natural conditions to exchange of genetic material between coexisting cultivars, thus introducing novel cultivar genotypes into the leafcutter symbiosis. Symbiont choice by ants and any competition between coexisting cultivar strains in chimaeric gardens do not appear to operate fast enough in our laboratory assay to convert chimaeric gardens into the monocultures observed for A. texana under natural conditions.
Systemic inflammation after drug-eluting stent placement.

Background: Systemic inflammation after coronary intervention identifies patients at increased risk of subsequent cardiac events. Cardiac events are less frequent after use of drug eluting stents (DES) compared with bare metal stents (BMS). Thus, we sought to determine whether attenuation of the systemic inflammatory response was contributing to the improved outcomes.
Passive Structural Health Monitoring of Connecticut's Bridge Infrastructure

This paper reports on a long-term bridge monitoring program in Connecticut. Monitoring systems have been designed and installed on a series of different bridges, beginning in 1999. Ambient data are collected from normal traffic, using strain gauges, accelerometers, tiltmeters, and thermocouples. This paper discusses three of the monitored bridges, demonstrating the benefits of using long-term monitoring systems to provide information on the structural performance that is useful both to those responsible for the bridge infrastructure and to researchers interested in bridge monitoring. The extensive data developed from multiyear monitoring have been used to create benchmarks for passive structural health monitoring for each of the three bridges. Relationships and trends discovered for each of the bridges, used for the creation of the benchmarks, and stored in a database, are discussed.