cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrokinetic concentration, patterning, and sorting of colloids with thin film heaters

Reliable and simple techniques for rapid assembly and patterning of colloid architectures advance the discovery and implementation of such nanomaterials. This work demonstrates rapid electrokinetic two-dimensional assembly of colloidal structures guided by the geometry of thin film heaters within a parallel-plate device. This system is designed to enable either independently addressable or massively parallel colloidal assembly. A combination of electrothermal hydrodynamics, particle-electrode, and particle-particle electrokinetic interactions governs their assembly. Concentration and patterning of structures are shown with 1.0 μm polystyrene particles and sorting between 1.0 μm and 2.0 μm particles is demonstrated.
Clustering Billions of Images with Large Scale Nearest Neighbor Search

The proliferation of the Web and digital photography have made large scale image collections containing billions of images a reality. Image collections on this scale make performing even the most common and simple computer vision, image processing, and machine learning tasks nontrivial. An example is nearest neighbor search, which not only serves as a fundamental subproblem in many more sophisticated algorithms, but also has direct applications, such as image retrieval and image clustering. In this paper, we address the nearest neighbor problem as the first step towards scalable image processing. We describe a scalable version of an approximate nearest neighbor search algorithm and discuss how it can be used to find near duplicates among over a billion images
Assessment of aquatic animal communities in the vicinity of the palmerton, Pennsylvania, zinc smelters

Emissions from zinc smelters in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, deposited large quantities of heavy metals, predominantly Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd, on the surrounding landscape from 1898 to 1980. From 1986 to 1987 the authors studied four small headwater streams that were about 8 to 25 km downwind of the smelters to determine if long-term deposition of heavy metals had any pronounced effects on aquatic communities. Although metal concentrations in soils tended to decrease with increasing distance from the smelters, this trend was not particularly evident in stream sediments, insects, or fish. Diversities of macroinvertebrates and fish were similar among sites. Densities and growth of trout varied among streams, but no in relation to distance from the smelters. They concluded that long-term deposition of heavy metals has not had pronounced effects on aquatic animal communities six to seven years after cessation of primary smelting.
Influence of a compatibilizing agent on the phase morphology of a polyethylene-polyamide 6 blend in a modular intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder

A study of the influence of a compatibilizing agent on phase morphology development in a 75/25 polyethylene/polyamide-6 blend in a modular co-rotating twin screw extruder is presented. The development of phase morphology along the axis of the modular screw was observed by cooling the extruder and removing the polymer from the screw channels. Changes in phase morphology due to the addition of a compatibilizer have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Sufficient quantities of compatibilizing agent produce significant increases in the rate of mixing and also reduce the scale of the phase morphology. Much larger quantities (5%) than actually required for interface coverage are needed for rapid mixing. This seems to be due to the high viscosity of the matrix.
Cord blood carbohydrate-deficient transferrin levels are markedly higher than maternal.

Regular, heavy alcohol intake results in transferrin that is deficient in carbohydrate moieties. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been used as a biologic marker of heavy alcohol exposure in nonpregnant humans. There have been no reports of CDT levels in pregnancy. Our objective was to determine maternal and cord blood levels of CDT. Parturients were recruited at delivery based on graded representative alcohol consumption, from abstainers to heavy drinkers, as determined by screeners skilled at eliciting drug and alcohol histories. Maternal and cord blood serum samples were obtained at delivery. A double antibody radioimmunoassay was used to determine CDT in each sample. There were 83 paired specimens analyzed by paired t tests and stepwise regression analysis. Cord blood CDT units/liter (44.0 ± 29.5) were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than maternal (18.4 ± 7.0). Maternal and cord CDT did not correlate with race, perinatal risk score, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores,...
Social Regulation of the Electrical Properties of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in a Cichlid Fish (Astatotilapia burtoni)

Variation in reproductive capacity is common across the lives of all animals. In vertebrates, hypothalamic neurons that secrete GnRH are a primary mediator of such reproductive plasticity. Since social interactions suppress gonadal maturity in the African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia (Haplochromis) burtoni, we investigated whether the electrical properties of GnRH neurons were also socially regulated. Adult A. burtoni males are either territorial (T) and reproductively active or nonterritorial (NT) and reproductively regressed, depending upon their social environment. We compared the basic electrical properties of hypothalamic GnRH neurons from T and NT males using whole-cell electrophysiology in vitro. GnRH neurons were spontaneously active and exhibited several different activity patterns. A small fraction of neurons exhibited episodic activity patterns, which have been described in GnRH neurons from mammals. The type of activity pattern and spontaneous firing rate did not vary with reproductive capacity; however, several basic electrical properties were different. Neurons from T males were larger than those from NT males and had higher membrane capacitance and lower input resistance. In neurons from NT males, action potential duration was significantly longer and after-hyperpolarization characteristics were diminished, which led to a tendency for neurons from NT males to fire less rapidly in response to current injection. We predict this could serve to decrease GnRH release in NT males. These data are the first electrophysiological characterization of hypothalamic GnRH neurons in a nonmammalian species and provide evidence for several changes in electrical properties with reproductive state.
On robust stability with structured time-variant perturbations

Abstract We consider the problem of robust stability for uncertain systems described in terms of multiple scalar structured time-invariant perturbations, which are norm-bounded. The issue we address is the role that the type of perturbation norm plays in the robust stability conditions. To this end, the L p -induced norm (for 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞) on the perturbations is considered, and it is shown that the structured singular value is the necessary and sufficient condition for robust stability for all these norms. We conclude that for time-invariant perturbations, in contrast to the time-varying case, robust stability conditions are independent of the type of perturbation norms.
The bacterial microbiota in inflammatory lung diseases

Numerous lines of evidence, ranging from recent studies back to those in the 1920s, have demonstrated that the lungs are NOT bacteria-free during health. We have recently proposed that the entire respiratory tract should be considered a single ecosystem extending from the nasal and oral cavities to the alveoli, which includes gradients and niches that modulate microbiome dispersion, retention, survival and proliferation. Bacterial exposure and colonization of the lungs during health is most likely constant and transient, respectively. Host microanatomy, cell biology and innate defenses are altered during chronic lung disease, which in turn, alters the dynamics of bacterial turnover in the lungs and can lead to longer term bacterial colonization, as well as blooms of well-recognized respiratory bacterial pathogens. A few new respiratory colonizers have been identified by culture-independent methods, such as Pseudomonas fluorescens; however, the role of these bacteria in respiratory disease remains to be determined.
Transparency in the food aisle: the influence of procedural justice on views about labeling GM foods

Issues of transparency lay at the center of the debate surrounding the labeling of genetically modified (GM) food products in the USA. These issues include not only the argument that consumers should be allowed to make purchasing choices based on full disclosure of product ingredients but also that they should have access to the process that makes decisions about labeling. This study examines the influence of procedural justice on perceived decision legitimacy and decision support regarding GM food labeling decisions. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, participants recruited from an online Qualtrics panel (N = 450) were randomly assigned to read a fictitious news article about an agricultural company’s decision about whether to label their food products as having GM ingredients. Articles varied by the company’s labeling decision (label versus no label) and whether the company listened to public input prior to making the decision (public input versus no public input). The results showed significant main effec...
The Concept of Braunerde (Brown Forest Soil) in Europe and the United States

Publisher Summary The term “Braunerde” was introduced in 1905 by Ramann in the second edition of his textbook Bodenkunde . Since then the term has been used in many countries. It has become more and more evident that the name has been applied to a number of soils, often very different both in genesis and properties. This study of Braunerde has been limited to Europe and the United States. Generally, within the past few years, there has been a close correspondence between the soil classifications in the United States and in Western Europe, but the correspondence has not always been reflected in the names used. The names “Braunerde” or “Brown Forest soils'’ have, during the past fifty years, been defined and used quite differently by various authors. Because the same names have been used for unlike soils the literature is confusing, and the results of experience reported have been misinterpreted. The current American concept of the Brown Forest soil is very narrow and is different from the European. Usage is not the same in all European countries, but in general the concept of Brown Forest soil or Braunerde is much broader than the American and includes the American concept.
Bleomycin pharmacokinetics in man. II. Intracavitary administration.

Disposition of bleomycin was studied in plasma and urine (14 patients) and ascites fluid (2 patients) after intraperitoneal (IP) and intrapleural (IPl) administration, by radioimmunoassay. Peak plasma bleomycin concentrations after 60 U/m2 in 12 patients ranged between 0.4 and 5.0 mU/ml. For those patients with creatinine clearances greater than 50 ml/min the composite terminal phase bleomycin plasma half-lives (±SD) for three ‘IPl’ and six ‘IP’ patients were 3.4±0.3 and 5.3±0.4 h, respectively. The composite IP plasma half-life was significantly longer than the IPl hal-life (P<0.001) and previously reported IV half-life (t1/2=4.0 ±0.6 h) (P<0.01). In patients with normal renal function, bleomycin excretion during the first 24 h was in most cases lower following intracavitary (IC) than following IV administration (21.7%±8.6% vs. 44.8%±12.6%, respectively) (P<0.005). Comparison of bleomycin plasma concentration time products normalized for dose and half-life for IV and IC administration allowed an estimate that about 45% of the IC bleomycin dosage is absorbed into the systemic circulation. When calculating the total systemic exposure to bleomycin for a patient we suggest using the sum of the IV dose and one-half of the IC dose.
Effect of Calcium and Potassium on Action of Ephedrine.

Summary1. Small amounts of ephedrine in normal Ringer either increase cardiac activity moderately or are without effect, but a concentration of 1-5,000 always depresses the heart.2. The depression produced by ephedrine is antagonized by adding stifficient amounts of calcium and aided by reducing the calcium content to about 50%. In still smaller amounts of calcium elphedrine is inactive.3. Ephedrine stimulates the heart when both ions are omitted.4. Ephedrine in excess potassium depresses the heart but this is TT iuch less than in deficient calcium.
Congenital and Acquired Disorders of Ureteral Course

A wide variety of entities can alter the course of the ureter in the abdomen and pelvis. These include conditions both intrinsic and extrinsic to the ureter leading to a number of different ureteral abnormalities including thickening, displacement, dilatation, etc. An understanding of ureteral pathology, as with any organ, first requires understanding of the normal anatomic appearance. The ureter can be evaluated in a number of ways, including radiographs, such as intravenous pyelogram and retrograde pyelogram, as well as computed tomography or magnetic resonance urography. The unopacified ureter can also be evaluated on examinations tailored for evaluation of other pathologic entities. Although the full spectrum of ureteral pathology is rather broad, this article serves as a review of the normal embryology and anatomy of the ureter, methods of evaluating the ureter at imaging, and entities that can alter the course of the ureter. These potential disorders of ureteral course include embryologic causes; surgical procedures; and displacement by inflammatory, neoplastic, and anatomic abnormalities.
Natal dispersal in a social landscape: Considering individual behavioral phenotypes and social environment in dispersal ecology

Natal dispersal, the movement of an organism from its birthplace to the site of first reproduction, is fundamental to many ecological and evolutionary processes. Mechanistically, individual dispersal decisions can depend on both individual phe- notype and environmental cues. In particular, many established evolutionary theories of dispersal highlight the importance of the social environment. More recent research in behavioral ecology has focused on the importance of individual behavioral pheno- types. We reviewed the literature on individual behavioral phenotypes and dispersal and suggest that how individual behavioral phenotypes interact with the immediate social environment experienced by individuals in influencing dispersal is still poorly un- derstood, despite growing interest. We found that very few studies had examined the interaction of individual behavioral pheno- types and social factors, and behavioral phenotypes related to social tendencies were less commonly measured than were beha- vioral phenotypes related to exploration or response to risk. Further, and unsurprisingly, studies on social behavioral phenotypes and dispersal behaviors during the transience stage of dispersal were underrepresented compared to the departure or settlement stages. Future studies in this area should aim to: a) make explicit links between behavioral traits and their proposed effects on dispersal decisions throughout multiple stages of dispersal, b) integrate more continuous dispersal variables, and c) consider the effects of the spatial distribution and phenotypes of conspecifics (i.e., the social landscape) encountered by individual dispersers (Current Zoology 61 (3): 543-556, 2015). Keywords Animal dispersal, Animal personality, Behavioral syndromes, Individual differences, Social landscape
Analysis of AEFI monitoring in 2011 of Gaozhou City

Objective To analyze the adverse events following immunization which were reported by AEFI monitoring system in Gaozhou City in 2011,evaluate the safety of the prophylactic biological products and explore the efficiency of AEFI monitoring.Methods The information on China immunization monitoring information management system were evaluated,collated and analyzed.Results 692 640 inoculations involving 23 types of preventive biological products were reported in 2011.AEFI occurred in 9 patients involving 9 products.The incidence of AEFI was 1.299/100,000.AEFI incidence among the types of vaccines had no significant difference.AEFI often occurred in children younger than 1 year in 24 hours.Adverse reaction was the main type of AEFI,which followed by coupling.The clinical manifestations included fever and rash.Conclusion Selecting vaccine with good effects and high safety,enhancing the training of medical staff,strengthening the publicity and education for Vaccinated subjects and their guardians can reduce the occurrence of AEFI.It should improve the network between urban and rural,and increase the sensitivity of AEFI reports.AEFE should be reported immediately and controlled when it was discovered.
239 : Dynamic nuclear trafficking of STAT5 regulated by an unconventional nuclear localization signal

As a regulated transcription factor, precise cellular localization of STAT5 is essential for physiological processes that include hematopoiesis, liver metabolism, and mammary gland development. Conventional nuclear localization signals consist of short stretches of basic amino acids. We provide evidence that STAT5 nuclear import is dependent on an unconventional nuclear localization signal that functions within the conformation of an extensive coiled-coil domain. Both in vitro binding and in vivo functional assays reveal that STAT5 nuclear import is mediated by the importin- α 3/ β 1 system independent of STAT5 activation by tyrosine phosphorylation. The integrity of the coiled-coil domain is essential for STAT5 transcriptional induction of the β -casein gene following prolactin stimulation, as well as its ability to synergize with the glucocorticoid receptor. The glucocorticoid receptor accumulates in the nucleus in response to prolactin, and this nuclear import is dependent on STAT5 nuclear import. STAT5 continually shuttles in and out of the nucleus, and live cell imaging demonstrates STAT5 nuclear export is mediated by both Crm1-dependent and Crm1-independent pathways. A Crm1-dependent nuclear export signal was identified within the STAT5 amino terminus. These findings provide insight to fundamental mechanisms that regulate STAT5 nuclear trafficking and cooperation with the glucocorticoid receptor, and provide a basis for clinical intervention of STAT5 function in disease.
Mechanism of Emesis Following X-Irradiation

It has been observed that normal dogs exposed to lethal doses of total- body x irradiation exhibited emesis during the remaining period of survival. However, neither acute nor delayed emesis due to irradiation was observed in dogs with chronic destruction of the chemoceptive emetic trigger zone and abdominal deafferentation. Studies of the effects of various visceral deafferentation procedures on postirradiation emesis indicate that delayed vomiting was mediated through the centrally located trigger zone and the peripheral visceral afferent receptors of the vagus and sympathetic trunks. (R.V.J.)
Experiences With and Perceptions of Workplace Bullying Among Athletic Trainers in the Secondary School Setting.

Context: Workplace bullying (WPB) has recently received much attention in society. Research on WPB in athletic training practice settings is limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of WPB i...
Pituitary Variations, Artifacts, Primary Empty Sella, and Incidentalomas

The pituitary gland arises from the ectoderm but has two separate components both embryologically and functionally: the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis). The adenohypophysis arises from the Rathke pouch, which represents an upward invagination of the oral ectoderm; the adenohypophysis is also called the anterior lobe and secretes a number of important endocrine hormones (under direction from the hypothalamus) for growth, fertility, lactation, and to respond to biological stress. The neurohypophysis represents a downward protrusion of the neural ectoderm from the diencephalon/hypothalamus; the neurohypophysis is also called the posterior lobe, which secretes hormones (also under direction from the hypothalamus) that regulate water absorption/resorption and uterine contractions. Between the anterior and posterior lobes lies the pars intermedia (the intermediate lobe), which is rudimentary and only vestigial in humans. Occasionally, Rathke cleft cysts (also known as pars intermedia cysts) form in this site as a result of incomplete regression of this lobe.
Exercise's effect on mobility disability in older adults with and without obesity: The LIFE study randomized clinical trial

Objective Some data suggest that obesity blunts the benefits of exercise on mobility in older adults. This study tested the homogeneity of the effect of a physical activity intervention on major mobility disability (MMD) across baseline obesity classifications in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study. LIFE randomized 1,635 sedentary men and women aged 70 to 89 years to a moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) or health education program. Methods MMD, defined as the inability to walk 400 m, was determined over an average follow-up of 2.6 years. Participants were divided into four subgroups: (1) nonobese (BMI 102 cm [men], > 88 cm [women]; n = 434); (3) class 1 obesity (30 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 35 kg/m2; n = 430); and (4) class 2 + obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2; n = 312). Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to test an obesity by intervention interaction. Results The PA intervention had the largest benefit in participants with class 2 + obesity (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.48, 0.98). However, there was no statistically significant difference in benefit across obesity categories. Conclusions A structured PA program reduced the risk of MMD even in older adults with extreme obesity.
Advances in the Management of Melanoma

Stage IV melanoma is an aggressive malignancy with the median survival historically being less than 1 year. Approximately 50% of melanomas contain an activating mutation in a targetable component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway called BRAF. Melanoma growth is modulated by activating and inhibitory immune checkpoints. Advances in the management of distantly metastatic and stage III melanoma are reviewed. Targeting BRAF signaling in patients with metastatic V600 BRAF mutated melanoma and modulation of immune checkpoints confer survival benefit to patients with distantly metastatic melanoma. CTLA-4 blockade confers survival benefit as adjuvant therapy in patients with stage III melanoma. The efficacy of systemic therapy to treat stage IV melanoma is improving. Advances are being made to improve efficacy of adjuvant therapy for high-risk stage III melanoma patients and to determine optimal surgical management of patients with sentinel lymph node-positive melanoma.
A Robust Approach to Inorganic Aerogels: The Use of Epoxides in Sol–Gel Synthesis

Over the last decade, the diversity of metal oxide materials prepared using sol–gel techniques has increased significantly. This transformation can be attributed, in part, to the development of the technique known as epoxide-initiated gelation. The process utilizes organic epoxides as initiators for the sol–gel polymerization of simple inorganic metal salts in aqueous or alcoholic media. In this approach, the epoxide acts as an acid scavenger in the sol–gel reaction, driving the hydrolysis and condensation of hydrated metal species. This process is general and applicable to the synthesis of a wide range of metal oxide aerogels, xerogels, and nanocomposites. In addition, modification of synthetic parameters allows for control over the structure and properties of the sol–gel product. This method is particularly amenable to the synthesis of multi-component or composite sol–gel systems with intimately mixed nanostructures. This chapter describes both the reaction mechanisms associated with epoxide-initiated gelation as well as the variety of materials that have been prepared using this technique.
Mixtures and Psychrometrics

To this point, our discussion has been limited to working fluids that are pure substances (homogeneous and unchanging in chemical composition). In fact, we have loosely included air as a pure substance, although it is not. This limitation, of course, precludes any sort of chemical reaction (oxidation). As an engineer, however, you may have to make thermodynamic calculations involving a mixture of different homogeneous gases and/or vapors. Because an infinite number of mixtures are possible, tabulations like the steam tables are virtually impossible. The usual procedure is to determine the thermodynamic properties of a mixture of ideal gases in terms of the properties of the individual components. It is then a natural step to psychrometrics—the science involving thermodynamic properties of moist air and the effects of this moist air on materials and humans—and then to the combustion (burning or oxidation) process. This chapter not only introduces psychrometrics but also demonstrates the application of psychrometrics to air conditioning systems.
Abstract 10281: Frequency, Temporal Onset, and Risk Factors Associated With Acquired Long Qt Syndrome in a Critical Care Population

Background: An adverse event associated with medication administration is prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram known as acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS). aLQTS increases the risk of developing Torsades de Pointe, a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia. Prevention of adverse outcomes from aLQTS is challenging because of the multiple classes of medications associated with this condition. Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at a particularly high risk for developing aLQTS because of multiple medications received; however, frequency of aLQTS in ICUs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe in an ICU population, 1) frequency of aLQTS; 2) average time period for the onset of aLQTS; 3) medications and host risk factors associated with aLQTS. Methods: QT intervals were collected hourly for 72 hours on 88 consecutive subjects. QT intervals were corrected for heart rate (QTc) using Bazett9s formula. Data points included: baseline (admission), first long, longest, and final QTc measures. Positive aLQTS was defined as a QTc ≥ 500 ms or QTc ≥ 60 ms increase from baseline. Medications and host risk factors were collected. Results: aLQTS occurred in 52.3% of the sample. All subjects positive for aLQTS (n=46) had a mean onset of 7.4 + 9.4 hours from ICU admission. Subjects who developed aLQTS after ICU admission (n=32) had a mean onset of 10.6 + 9.5 hours; 14 were positive for aLQTS upon ICU admission. A significant difference was noted between subjects positive and negative for aLQTS who received a QT prolonging medication (p = .012). Thirteen subjects (28.3%) developed aLQTS in the absence of a known QT prolonging medication. Five medications but no other host risk factors were found to be statistically significant predictors for the development of aLQTS. Conclusions: aLQTS was present in more than one-half of the sample. Approximately a quarter of the subjects developed aLQTS in the absence of an offending medication, indicating the importance of frequent QTc monitoring in all patients in ICUs. Larger studies to determine host risk factors associated with aLQTS in ICU populations are warranted.
First Reported Case of Intussusception Caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 in an Adult: Literature Review and Case Report.

Abstract Background: Intussusception is the process by which one segment of intestine “telescopes” into another segment. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a rare cause of intussusception that uncommonly ...
Evaluate the physical, chemical and sensory parameters of probiotic yoghurt during storage

Dairy foods like yoghurt are the main types of food matrices supplemented with probiotic bacteria and they have a beneficial health effects among consumers. In this study, to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters and sensory attributers of probiotic added yoghurts using different concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%) of probiotic (Bifidobacterium spp). The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensorial properties at a week interval during storage of four weeks. The results showed that, the quality parameters such as total solids, ash, fat, reducing sugar, total sugar, pH and titratable acidity did not show any significant difference (P>0.05) for all types of yoghurt at during the first day of storage . Syneresis was high in 0.4% probiotic added yoghurt (40.73±2.05%) and was lower in without probiotic yoghurt (37.70±1.32%). During the storage period, total solids, total sugar, reducing sugar, pH, and titratable acidity were (p < 0.05) varied among the different types of yoghurt sample. At the end of storage 0.4% probiotic added yoghurt showed higher average value of total solids (21.87±1.40%) and titratable acidity (0.67±0.04%), while yoghurt without probiotic showed higher values of reducing sugar (2.17±0.02%), total sugar (10.72±0.21%) and pH (4.38±0.01). At the end of storage, yoghurt without probiotic showed low value of total solids (15.80±1.93%) and yoghurt with 0.1% probiotic showed low value (0.62±0.02%) of titratable acidity yoghurt with 0.4 % probiotic showed low value of reducing sugar, total sugar and pH. During the storage period, dry matter, ash and titratable acidity increased with increasing concentration of probiotic in the yoghurt. Reducing sugar, total sugar and pH decreased with increasing concentration of probiotic. The high numbers of bacterial colony forming unit was showed during second of weeks of storage than fourth week of storage, which is lower than those without probiotic yoghurt. The sensory evaluation of the produced yogurts revealed the superiority of yogurts with 0.3% probiotic was highly preferred by consumers for their taste and overall acceptability comparison with the other types of yogurt. Finally, yogurts with 0.3% probiotic were more suitable for the consumption.
The phenomenon of conglomerate crystallization. XX. Spontaneous resolution in coordination compounds. XVIII.

The title compound, [cis-Co(en)2(NO2)2](NO2) (1), crystallizes in the polar, nonenantiomorphic, monoclinic space group, Cc, with lattice constants:a=9.198(2) A,b=12.444(2),c=9.963(3), andβ=96.76(2)°;V=1132.39 A3 andd(calc;Z=4) =1.860 g cm−3. Thus, with NO2− as the counteranion, [cis-Co(en)2(NO2)2] crystallizes in a heterochiral lattice containing racemic pairs of cations. A total of 2699 data were collected over the range of 4°≤2θ≤70°; of these, 1859 (independent and withI≥3σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. Data were corrected for absorption (μ=15.465 cm−1) and the relative transmission coefficients ranged from 0.9934 to 0.7112. Refinement was carried out for both lattice polarities and the finalR(F) andR w (F) residuals were, respectively, 0.0242 and 0.0202 for (−−−) and 0.0264 and 0.0243 for (+++). Thus, the former was selected as correct for our specimen. Unlike all previous X-ray diffraction studies of the structural properties of the cation [cis-Co(en)2(NO2)2]+, which are found to have a pair of oppositely configured en rings [i.e., Δ(λδ) or Λ(λδ)], we find that in1 the cations are in the lowest energy conformation and configuration; i.e., Δ(λλ) or Λ(δδ). We attribute this change in configuration to the formation of strong interionic hydrogen bonds between nitrite anion oxygens and the axial—NH2 hydrogens, which markedly weaken the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds between ligand—NO2 oxygens and the hydrogens of those same amine moieties. Thus, the nitrite anions behave exactly as nitrate anions, except that the hydrogen bonds found here are stronger than those formed by the latter. This is as expected since the negative charge is delocalized over two, instead of three, oxygens.
Martensia incipiens (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta), a newly recognized species of red algae from the Sultanate of Oman

Martensia incipiens sp. nov. is described from the Sultanate of Oman, based upon collections made in the Governate of Dhofar, Northern Arabian Sea. The type locality is Sadah. The delicate blades display a dazzling iridescence with pink to lilac colors in the living condition. The distinguishing morphological feature of this novel species is that the latticework is confined to a very narrow marginal fringe, consisting of vertical files of only six to nine cells in length and without any cross-links between the vertical files. Putative young tetrasporangial sori have a scattered arrangement over the blades.
Editing for Concision

This article from the Michigan Bar Journal Plain Language column offers 14 techniques that can help legal writers retain necessary content but communicate more concisely in writing: assess passive voice, don't fear possessives, remove redundancy, omit needless details, cut throat-clearing phrases, diminish sesquipedalian vocabulary, edit for wordiness, revise unnecessary nominalizations, eliminate excessive prepositions, and more.
Modest benefit of frenotomy for infants with ankyloglossia and breastfeeding difficulties.

Introduction With nationwide effort to increase breastfeeding rates in newborns and infants in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of ankyloglossia, and the resultant otolaryngology referral for frenotomy. Overall, there is a paucity of data on the expected benefit of frenotomy in this population and the subsequent breastfeeding rate. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of office-based frenotomy on improving breastfeeding difficulties among infants with ankyloglossia from a patient-centered perspective and examine associated effects of frenotomy and ankyloglossia type on breastfeeding. Methods Maternal-infant dyads were referred to a tertiary care otolaryngology practice for assessment of ankyloglossia. A prospective cohort study was conducted in this population from January 2017 to September 2018. Mothers completed questionnaires regarding the quality of breastfeeding before the frenotomy procedure in the office and were subsequently contacted by phone to complete the same questionnaires 1 week and 3 months after the initial encounter. Treating physicians reported ankyloglossia type and expected improvement at the time of the procedure. Descriptive statistics and paired analyses were used to analyze post-frenotomy breastfeeding outcomes and ascertain likelihood of improvement. Results During the study period, the mothers of 343 infants agreed to participate in the study by completing the initial questionnaire. Of these infants, 314 (91.5%) underwent frenotomy. Most infants were classified as having either type I (35.3%) or type II (45.2%) ankyloglossia with 16.9% having posterior ankyloglossia and 2.6% with no ankyloglossia. At 1-week post-frenotomy the largest group of patients (35%) had mild improvement in breastfeeding abilities compared to baseline with 14% and 7% reporting moderate or marked improvement respectively. At 3 months after the initial consultation, significantly more patients reported moderate (27%) or marked (17%) improvement when compared to baseline although the exclusively breastfeeding rate at 3 months was low at 20.3% for this cohort. Conclusions This prospective study demonstrated that frenotomy had a modestly positive effect on breastfeeding ability from the mother's perspective in infants referred for ankyloglossia. It is important to educate patients on the multi-factorial nature of breastfeeding and to set realistic expectations prior to recommending the procedure.
Continent Cutaneous Catheterizable Channels in Pediatric Patients: A Decade of Experience with Open and Robotic Approaches in a Single Center

Abstract Background To allow patients with bladder and bowel dysfunctions to achieve social continence, continent catheterizable channels (CCCs) are effective alternatives to intermittent self-catheterization and enema. Objective We aimed to describe our progressive advancement from open to robotic construction of CCCs, reporting outcomes and comparing the two approaches. Design, setting, and participants We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of pediatric patients who underwent construction of CCCs between 2008 and 2019. The inclusion criteria were age ≤18 yr, and CCCs with or without bladder augmentation or bladder neck surgery. We compared open versus robotic approaches for demographics, and intra- and postoperative outcomes; operative time was calculated as incision-to-closure time. Surgical procedure Channels performed were appendicovesicostomy (APV), Monti with tapered ileum, and antegrade colonic enema (ACE). A Monti channel with tapered ileum was preferred to a spiral Monti or double Monti, as it has more robust blood supply and it was performed only with an open approach. Measurements The primary outcome was success rate, defined as postoperative stomal continence. Stomal incontinence was defined as the presence of urine leakage noted by caregivers or patients and confirmed by the surgeon. Secondary outcomes were stomal stenosis (supra- and subfascial), incontinence, need for surgical revision, and surgical site infection. Results and limitations A total of 69 patients were included in the study, with 35 open and 34 robotic procedures. The robotic approach showed a significant decrease in length of hospital stay (LOS) compared with the open approach. Six primary subfascial revisions were performed in five patients––three Monti, two ACE, and one APV. Continence rates were 91.4% and 91.2% for open and robotic approaches, respectively. Conclusions Robotic surgery for CCCs showed acceptable postoperative functional outcomes and complication rates, which are comparable with those of the traditional open approach. Additionally, due to its minimally invasive nature, it offers advantages such as decreased postoperative pain, LOS, and time to full diet, and better cosmesis. Patient summary Robotic surgery for continent catheterizable channels showed acceptable postoperative functional outcomes and complication rates, which are comparable with those of the traditional open approach.
The relationship between neighborhood poverty and COVID-19 mortality within racial/ethnic groups (Cook County, Illinois)

Abstract Background Prior research has identified higher rates of COVID-19 mortality among people of color (relative to non-Hispanic whites) and populations in high-poverty neighborhoods (relative to wealthier neighborhoods). It is unclear, however, whether non-Hispanic whites in high-poverty neighborhoods experience elevated mortality, or whether people of color living in wealthy areas are relatively protected. Exploring socioeconomic position in combination with race/ethnicity can lead to a more detailed understanding of the specific processes that result in COVID-19 inequities. Methods and Findings We used census and individual-level mortality data for the non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic/Latinx populations of Cook County, Illinois, USA. We excluded deaths related to nursing homes and other institutions. We calculated age and gender-adjusted mortality rates by race/ethnicity, census tract poverty quartile, and age group (0-64 and ≥65 years). Within all racial/ethnic groups, COVID-19 mortality rates were greatest in the highest-poverty quartile and lowest in the lowest-poverty quartile. The mortality rate for younger non-Hispanic whites in the highest-poverty quartile was 13.5 times that of younger non-Hispanic whites in the lowest-poverty quartile (95% CI: 8.5, 21.4). For young people in the highest-poverty quartile, the non-Hispanic white and Black mortality rates were similar. Among younger people in the lowest-poverty quartile, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latinx people had mortality rates nearly three times that of non-Hispanic whites. For the older population, the mortality rate among non-Hispanic whites in the highest-poverty quartile was less than that of lowest-poverty non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations. Conclusions Our findings suggest racial/ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 mortality are partly, but not entirely, attributable to the higher average socioeconomic position of non-Hispanic whites relative to the non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations. Future research on health equity in COVID-19 outcomes should collect and analyze individual-level data on the potential mechanisms driving population distributions of exposure, severe illness, and death.
Alkene-Chelated Ruthenium Alkylidenes: A Missing Link to New Catalysts

A variety of heteroatom-chelated ruthenium alkylidenes have been developed as metathesis-active catalysts. Alkene-chelated ruthenium alkylidenes, however, have not been considered as a viable alter...
Real-time location fingerprinting for mobile devices in an indoor prison setting

Many correctional facilities suffer from the smuggling of cell phones and other wireless devices into prison walls. In order to locate these devices for confiscation, we must be able to map intercepted signals to indoor locations within a few meter radius. We chose to use cell phones of varying models and multiple low-cost software-defined radios for this task. The different types of cell phones provide us with a more robust dataset for location fingerprinting due to the different transmitter hardware in each. Furthermore, the SDRs allow us to easily receive the raw IQ data from WiFi signals while being more cost-efficient for smaller facilities. This raw data is collected from a harsh prison-like environment in a grid pattern and associated with the location they were captured. An advanced machine learning network uses the raw signals as input and locations as labels in order to map the signals to their respective locations. The accuracy of our system is then compared and discussed against prior works in this field. These studies often use values other than the raw IQ data such as channel state information and received signal strength indicator. Therefore, we augment our original input with each of these values and measure their effect on the system’s overall performance. The end result provides prisons with a tool capable of locating devices used in unauthorized zones for confiscation.
Compensation of Shallow Donors by Gallium Vacancies in Monoclinic β - Ga 2 O 3

Knowledge of the origin of deep levels and their impact on electrical properties is critical for device applications of \ensuremath{\beta}-${\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. By annealing under an oxygen (${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$) atmosphere, the resistivity in shallow-donor (zirconium) doped \ensuremath{\beta}-${\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$:$\mathrm{Zr}$ single crystals is found to increase by more than 10 orders of magnitude to (7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 4) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 10 \ensuremath{\Omega} cm, which is comparable to the resistivity achieved by iron ($\mathrm{Fe}$) acceptor doping of (5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 10 \ensuremath{\Omega} cm. We combine thermoelectric effect spectroscopy and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), which are sensitive to deep levels and concentration of open-volume defects, with modeling of the electrical properties, to study these strongly compensated crystals. We find the compensating level in the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$-annealed \ensuremath{\beta}-${\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$:$\mathrm{Zr}$ sample to be located at (0.727 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.021) eV (E2*) below the conduction band, which correlates with a vacancy signal from PAS data. The defect is most likely the relaxed split $\mathrm{Ga}$ vacancy ${V}_{\mathrm{Ga}}^{i}$, rather than a simple gallium vacancy, considering theoretical predictions of a small energy barrier to relax. We observe that, due to the unique nature of these vacancies and anisotropy in the monoclinic lattice, the Doppler-broadening parameter is rather small compared with other wide-gap compounds, and in such a case the positron diffusion length is a suitable parameter to estimate the open-volume defect concentration.
Track-following system optimization for future magnetic tape data storage

Abstract Recently, the increase of track density has been shown to be one of the most effective methods to increase the areal bit density and thus the cartridge capacity of future magnetic tape data storage systems. Increasing the track density poses stringent positioning requirements to the tape track-following control system. In this work, we investigate four novel timing-based servo patterns, and the impact of their geometrical properties, i.e. azimuthal angle and subframe length, on the position estimation resolution, the system delay and track-following performance. First, the resolution of the patterns versus reader width is assessed by analyzing the noise floor in the power spectrum of the lateral position estimation. This methodology is used to determine the optimal reader width for each pattern. Second, the system delay for each of the new patterns is identified by measuring the frequency response of the track-following actuator. An analytical model of the delay is derived and verified with experimental data. Finally, the impact of resolution and delay on the track-following performance is investigated. The best track-following performance, characterized by a standard deviation of the position-error signal of 4.2 nm, was achieved using a pattern with a 36°azimuthal angle. The performance could be further improved down to 4.0 nm by time averaging the position estimates.
Point Cloud Resampling via Hypergraph Signal Processing

Three-dimensional (3D) point clouds are important data representations in visualization applications. The rapidly growing utility and popularity of point cloud processing strongly motivate a plethora of research activities on large-scale point cloud processing and feature extraction. In this work, we investigate point cloud resampling based on hypergraph signal processing (HGSP). We develop a novel method to extract sharp object features and reduce the data size of point cloud representation. By directly estimating hypergraph spectrum based on hypergraph stationary processing, we design a spectral kernel-based filter to capture high-dimensional interactions among point signal nodes and to better preserve object surface outlines. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of hypergraph in representing point clouds, and demonstrate the robustness of the proposed algorithm under noise.
Racial Bias in Customer Service: Evidence from Twitter

Detecting and reporting systemic racial bias is an essential step toward the eradication of racial discrimination in our society. Doing so not only requires society members to voice and share their...