cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of dielectric loaded antenna for 5.8 GHz wireless applications with interference cancellation capability

A dielectric loaded antenna is proposed in this paper for wireless communication applications. The proposed antenna has been optimized by using the covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy (CMA-ES) optimization method to achieve the impedance bandwidth requirement of the upper band of wireless local area network (WLAN) band systems, and to introduce nulls in the radiation pattern at the undesired directions for interference cancellation purposes. The antenna has a compact size of 40 × 40 mm2. 3D electromagnetic simulation software, CST STUDIO SUITE is used to simulate the proposed antenna. To validate the performance of the proposed antenna, the antenna is fabricated and tested. A good agreement between simulation and measurement is obtained.
Awareness survey of health knowledge among residents in Shunyi District of Beijing City

[Objective]To understand the health knowledge level in Shunyi District of Beijing,to identify the weak links and influencing factors,and provide scientific evidence for developing health education strategies and measures.[Methods]Multi stage stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted to randomly selected 80-100 households from 6 villages.A total of 801 residents aged 18-79 years were surveyed by questionnaire.[Results]The residents' health knowledge awareness was 72.26%,the maximum of awareness was safety and first aid knowledge,reaching 77.53%,and the minimum was chronic disease prevention knowledge(66.02%).For the age aspect,30-39 years age group had the highest knowledge level,while knowledge level after the age of 40 years declined,60 years age group had the lowest awareness rate.Along with increasing of education background and income,health knowledge awareness was gradually increased.[Conclusion]The general knowledge level about the health among residents is not high in Shunyi District,far from 85% of the indicator.Therefore,in future health education,the effect of educational level,economic conditions and factors such as age on health knowledge reception of community residents should be given full consideration to develop practical implementations of health education program for different groups so as to improve the health literacy of community residents,and to achieve the goals of national health knowledge awareness reaching up to 85% in 2018.
Study on Digital AGC Technology and Its FPGA Implementation

For the burst wireless communication requires that the capture bandwidth of DAGC(Digital Automatic Gain Control) should be large while the capture time be short,so it is necessary to increase the loop gain K or the loop filter bandwidth,and thus to raise DAGC's capture bandwidth.However,this would usually reduce the tracking and anti-noise performance of DAGC.For these a FPGA implemention-based DAGC circuit with fast capture capability and fairly good anti-noise and filtering performance is proposed and designed.This method is experimentally verified and could be applied to practical system.
Abstract 132: Comparing Time in Therapeutic Range between Point of Care and Tele-Management Patients

Introduction: A strong relationship exists between the Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR), bleeding and thromboembolic events. The TTR percentage can be calculated by the following three methods. The Rosendaal method assumes a linear relationship between two INR values, the Cross Section method uses INR values that are within a specified range and at a specific point in time, and the Fraction of INR Results method measures the number of INRs in a specified range over the total number of INRs. Objectives: Compare the TTR between Point of Care (POC) and Tele-Management (TELE) Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) patients calculated by the Rosendaal, Cross Section, and Fraction of INR Results methods. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively during the 2014 calendar year for 100 randomly selected patients ≥ 18 years, received warfarin without interruption, and were monitored by the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Anticoagulation Clinic. INR lab values were obtained 14 days after initiating warfarin therapy and the interval between 2 consecutive INR lab values was ≤ 56 days. All patients in this study had a target INR range of (2.0-3.0). There was a total number of 1,889 INR lab values collected for the POC (n=826) and TELE (n=1,063) cohort groups respectively. The mean TTR value was calculated for each patient. When comparing TTR between the POC and TELE cohorts, the two-sample t-test was used for both the Rosendaal and Fraction of INR Results methods and the Chi-Square test was used for the Cross Section method. Results: Illustrated in Table 1, the mean TTR for the entire study sample (n=100) was (72.4%, 70.0%, and 67.6%) for the Rosendaal, Cross Section, and Fraction of INR Results methods respectively. When comparing between the POC and TELE cohorts, the TTR was 72.8% for the POC cohort and 72.0% for the TELE cohort by the Rosendaal method (p=0.81); the TTR was 64.0% for the POC cohort and 76.0% for the TELE cohort by the Cross Section method (p=0.19); and the TTR was 68.3% for the POC cohort and 67.0% for the TELE cohort by the Fraction of INR Results method (p=0.69). Conclusion: The mean TTR percentage did not provide a consistent pattern among the different TTR calculation methods or between the POC and TELE cohort groups. The differences observed between the POC and TELE cohort groups were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Learning to categorize word problems: effects of practice schedules

Participants learned to categorize and solve probability word problems by studying worked examples and solving practice problems. The examples and problems were ordered according to either a blocked (sequential examples of the same problem category) or mixed (intermixed examples of different problem categories) schedule. Preliminary results suggest that when categorizing problems the blocked schedule might facilitate immediate performance, whereas the mixed schedule might facilitate delayed performance.
Rotating machine fault detection using principal component analysis of vibration signal

Current vibration based maintenance methods can be improved by using principle component analysis to identify fault patterns in rotating machinery. The intent of this paper is to study the effects of using principle component analysis in a vibration based fault detection process and to understand the capability of this method of maintenance. Because vibration-based maintenance practices are capable of identifying motor faults based on their respective vibration patterns, principle component analysis observed in frequency domain can be used to automate the fault detection process. To test this theory, an experiment was set up to compare health conditions of a motor and determine if their patterns could be grouped using principle component analysis. The result from this study demonstrated that the proposed method successfully identified healthy, unbalance and parallel misalignments of rotary rotor. Therefore, it is capable of detecting faults in early stages and reducing maintenance costs.
A lift-off process to build edge junction MIM active device arrays (LCD application)

A novel fabrication process is presented for tantalum pentoxide MIM displays that allows edge junctions to be used without the parasitic elements required in previous processes. This process has large tolerance to photolithographic alignment error because the junction area is determined by the thickness of a thin-film deposition. Experimental devices show that the process can produce devices with the same junction parameters as previous fabrication procedures, and that it can be scaled to produce high-resolution displays. >
Real-time diagnostic data in multi-user virtual reality post-stroke therapy

We present a novel multi-user virtual reality (VR) environment for post-stroke rehabilitation that can be used independently in the home to improve upper extremity motor function. This project represents a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to upper extremity therapy that reinvents engagement with health, social communication and well-being for stroke survivors. This work is in the pre-clinical phase of an ongoing interdisciplinary research effort at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago which involves a team of artists, engineers, researchers and occupational therapists. This work bridges art, science and healthcare research. Our project attempts to extend traditional occupational therapy and make virtual reality art accessible for all people. It inspires a playful and natural social interaction in the comfort of the home setting for stroke survivors with hemiparesis by furthering social engagement through the rehabilitation exercises. It fosters interaction and collaboration between individual users and encourages the exchange of user-generated content. At the same time, the system captures continuous kinematic data, which can be used to better tailor therapy to the individual.
Mechanical Stretch Triggers Rapid Epithelial Cell Division Through the Stretch-Activated Channel Piezo1

Despite acting as a barrier for the organs they encase, epithelial cells turnover at some of the fastest rates in the body. In order to maintain barrier function, cell division must be linked to cell death. How do the number of dying cells match those dividing to maintain constant numbers? We previously found that when epithelial cells become too crowded, they activate the stretch-activated channel Piezo1 to trigger extrusion of cells that later die. Conversely, what controls epithelial cell division to balance cell death at steady state? Here, we find that cell division occurs in regions of low cell density, where epithelial cells are stretched. Stretching epithelia either mechanically or by wounding causes cells to rapidly enter mitosis and this response also requires Piezo1. Stretch-activation of Piezo1 triggers a population of epithelial cells in early G2 that are poised for repair to produce cyclin B and enter mitosis following stretch. We find that Piezo1 localization varies depending upon epithelial cell density. In sparse regions, Piezo1 localizes to the plasma membrane, where it can mechanically sense stretch tensions to activate calcium currents. In cell dense regions, Piezo1 localizes to large cytoplasmic aggregates where it may better sense crowding to induce extrusion. Because Piezo1 senses both mechanical crowding and stretch, it may act as a homeostatic sensor to control epithelial cell numbers by driving extrusion and apoptosis when cells are too crowded and cell division when they are too sparse.
Coagulopathies and Ischemic Stroke

In ischemic stroke coagulopathies are characterized by a condition in which blood is too quick to clot. Such coagulation abnormalities may be genetic or acquired. Coagulation abnormalities are identified as the cause of ischemic stroke in less than 1% of unselected series. Accordingly, in the vast majority of patients with ischemic stroke an extensive evaluation to identify a coagulopathy is not warranted. In few specific setting, testing for a coagulopathy may provide diagnostic evidence for an otherwise unexplained stroke.
Bessel Potential Spaces and Generalized Lipschitz Spaces on Local Fields

In this paper we prove an embedding theorem for Bessel potential spaces and generalized Lipschitz spaces in Lr (K), 2 < r < ∞, where K is a local field. This theorem complements a result of the second author who has proved a similar embedding theorem for such spaces in Lr (K) when 1 < r ≤ 2.
Media Darlings and Media Demons: The Effect of Media Reputation on Firms’ Post-Scandal Recovery

In this paper, we investigate the role of pre-scandal media reputation on firms’ post-scandal reputational recovery. Building on the concept of media reputation as a strategic resource, we evaluate...
Replacing Mechanized Oxyfuel Cutting Sensors With Ion Current Sensing

This paper describes a method using electrical characteristics of the torch, flame, and work piece to replace active sensing elements most commonly used for mechanized oxyfuel cutting applications; height, fuel/oxygen ratio, work temperature, and preheat flow rate. Calibrations are given for the torch under test for standoff accurate to ±1/32 in (0.8 mm) and F/O ratio accurate to ±.008. Methods are proposed for balancing flow across multi-torch systems, and detecting the work kindling temperature. Additional work is needed if calibrated flow and work temperatures are to be measured electrically.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
Emerging Role of Three-Dimensional Printing in Simulation in Otolaryngology

Simulation is rapidly expanding across medicine as a valuable component of trainee education. For procedural simulation, development of low-cost simulators that allow a realistic, haptic experience for learners to practice maneuvers while appreciating anatomy has become highly valuable. Otolaryngology has seen significant advancements in development of improved, specialty-specific simulators with the expansion of three-dimensional (3D) printing. This article highlights the fundamental components of 3D printing and the multitude of subspecialty simulators that have been developed with the assistance of 3D printing. It briefly discusses important considerations such as cost, fidelity, and validation where available in the literature.
The Reach of Congressional Power

Whether the trigger is an extreme weather event, a contagious disease outbreak or armed conflict, when an emergency occurs that affects the United States, we look to the President and the Executive Branch for a swift response. In the inevitable drama of such an event, the President is almost always the lead actor. Over time, however, the role of the legislature has grown in importance in the field of emergency law. So while the President may command center stage, it is most often Congress that has written the script.
Adaptive Recontextualisations: Hamlet for the Here and Now, or Reappropriating the Canon

Addressing the reappropriation of Shakespeare as cultural capital, this chapter centres on recontextualisation through adaptation, and considers adaptive processes and practices by examining the identity and role of the adapter alongside matters of audience reception. The case studies, directed by Alexandru Tocilescu and Thomas Ostermeier, show that revisiting Shakespeare is highly compatible with the subversive, and resulting adaptations can have mass appeal as long as productions resonate with identifiable contemporary concerns. For theatres in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Iron Curtain there was a sense of urgency in undermining the system from within, while in the increasingly globalized post-unification Germany there has emerged a need for interrogating neoliberal attitudes and revisiting the legacy of the theatrical left wing.
Who has more walkable routes to parks? An environmental justice study of Safe Routes to Parks in neighborhoods of Los Angeles

The walkability of streets located near parks matters for public health and environmental justice. Urban parks could help address increasing health concerns in the United States; however, parks ten...
Alloying effects on superionic conductivity in lithium indium halides for all-solid-state batteries

Alloying of anions is a promising engineering strategy for tuning ionic conductivity in halide-based inorganic solid electrolytes. We explain the alloying effects in Li3InBr6−xClx, in terms of strain, chemistry, and microstructure, using first-principles molecular dynamics simulations and electronic structure analysis. We find that strain and bond chemistry can be tuned through alloying and affect the activation energy and maximum diffusivity coefficient. The similar conductivities of the x = 3 and x = 6 compositions can be understood by assuming that the alloy separates into Br-rich and Cl-rich regions. Phase-separation increases diffusivity at the interface and in the expanded Cl-region, suggesting microstructure effects are critical. Similarities with other halide superionic conductors are highlighted.
Veteran-centred content in medical education.

Background Veterans have unique experiences that warrant special consideration in health care. Unfortunately, training in veteran-centred care has not been a clear focus of medical education, and only a very small proportion of medical schools include military cultural competency in their curricula. Methods We conducted an 80-minute focus group with six US veterans. Open-ended questions were used to elicit their perceptions of the health care that they receive, and how it can be improved. The audio-recording was transcribed verbatim and coded for thematic content. A phenomenological analytic approach was used to analyse the 31-page transcript and arrive at the final themes. Results Former service members from various periods of conflict (e.g. World War II, Vietnam, Persian Gulf) offered key insights about how to improve veterans' health care experiences. Veterans suggested that consideration of their previous military service would improve care. They lamented that the lack of military consciousness is a barrier to care. Finally, they suggested that clinicians pay close attention to the transition from service member to civilian, as reintegration to civilian life is a critical life experience. Training in veteran-centred care has not been a clear focus of medical education DISCUSSION: Veteran-centred care ensures optimal health care through ease of access to services, and through positive patient-provider interactions. Being aware of military culture can help providers to contextualise veterans' experiences and beliefs about health care seeking and illness management, particularly for invisible wounds of war, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Assessment of students' knowledge and perception of pain and anti-inflammatory drug therapy in dental schools in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Objective Comprehensive knowledge in medication therapy and safety is an important skill for healthcare providers to master. Effective and safe use of pain and anti-inflammatory medications in teaching dental clinics requires a comprehensive knowledge base of the various drug agents. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and perception of student dentists in various dental schools in Saudi Arabia in the use of pain and anti-inflammatory drug therapies. This study could help identify common areas for collaboration and improvement in healthcare delivery between pharmacy and dental medicine in Saudi Arabia. Methods 328 student dentists enrolled in traditional six-year dental program in Saudi Arabia were invited to participate in a voluntary online survey. The brief survey consisted of 21 multiple choice questions and was delivered as a secure link through email and private social media messaging services. The survey permitted only 1 attempt per user. In order to reach out and capture non-respondents, 2 follow-up reminders - 10 days apart - were sent through the same channels of communication. The data collection and statistical analysis of this study is conducted using the online survey platform, Qualtrics. Results The response rate was 22.6% (74 out of 328). Approximately 77% (n = 58) of participants were third, fourth, fifth and sixth year students. Nearly 50% (n = 38) of respondents indicated that they have treated patients with pain and inflammation before, and nearly 94% (n = 70) of respondents indicated that they counsel patients to take medications as prescribed. However, 66% (n = 49) reported not knowing how non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy is discontinued. Approximately 70% (n = 51) of respondents prefer to approach a pharmacist with drug therapy questions. Nearly 31% (n = 18) of third, fourth, fifth and sixth year students indicated that they use paracetamol as an anti-inflammatory agent. Conclusion Among data reported in this survey, evidence of gaps in knowledge in pain and anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy is shown. There is need for inter-professional collaboration between pharmacy and dental medicine in Saudi Arabia to help close gaps in knowledge for students. More research is needed among a larger sample of student dentists to develop a better understanding of the type of collaboration effort required.
Polar targeting and assembly of the Legionella Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) by T6SS-related components

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires′ disease, survives and replicates inside amoebae and macrophages by injecting a large number of protein effectors into the host cells′ cytoplasm via the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS). Previously, we showed that the Dot/Icm T4BSS is localized to both poles of the bacterium and that polar secretion is necessary for the proper targeting of the Legionella containing vacuole (LCV). Here we show that polar targeting of the Dot/Icm core-transmembrane subcomplex (DotC, DotD, DotF, DotG and DotH) is mediated by two Dot/Icm proteins, DotU and IcmF, which are able to localize to the poles of L. pneumophila by themselves. Interestingly, DotU and IcmF are homologs of the T6SS components TssL and TssM, which are part of the T6SS membrane complex (MC). We propose that Legionella co-opted these T6SS components to a novel function that mediates subcellular localization and assembly of this T4SS. Finally, in depth examination of the biogenesis pathway revealed that polar targeting and assembly of the Legionella T4BSS apparatus is mediated by an innovative ″outside-inside″ mechanism.
Effect of Social Media Product Reviews on Buying Decision When Presented in Augmented Reality

Consumers are becoming dependent on online product reviews for making purchasing decisions. Although reviews are available directly on e-commerce websites. For better quality reviews consumers are using extensive resources like Google and Amazon. Social media could be a great resource for looking up product reviews as people post about their latest purchases on social media. However, it is hard to lookup reviews on social media and consolidate them. For in-store purchasing looking up reviews becomes challenging as there are very few reviews on in-store products. Consumers need to visit several websites while standing in front of the product to get reviews and consolidate all the information themselves to make a decision. Our proposed app will scan the product packaging, lookup reviews over different social media platforms, consolidate it and display reviews in augmented reality. Our results show that social media reviews are helpful in making buying decisions. Although augmented reality didn’t make a big difference in improving the usability of the app, consumers still showed a positive inclination towards it.
Interval Global Optimization in Solvent Design

This paper discusses the use of an interval analysis based global optimization approach for the systematic design of ink cleaning solvent (commonly referred to as blanket washes) for lithographic printing. Very often the end-user (for example the printing press operator) has available to them blanket washes from different manufacturers. These blanket washes have to be mixed in different proportions (often by trial and error) until a blend is obtained that is suited to a particular cleaning operation. The trial and error approaches are costly, time-consuming and may not necessarily yield the solvent blend with the desired performance attributes. For example, the solvent blend may have a drying time that is too slow for the intended use. Another major performance objective is minimizing the effect of the solvent blend on the surface characteristics of the blanket. Surface characteristics of the blanket are affected through the swelling of the rubber blanket, which supports the printing paper. It should be noted that depending on the performance criteria and process constraints, a different solvent blend would be obtained. These criteria may vary according to the printer, the blanket wash sources, and whether or not the blanket wash blend would be dispensed by an automated process or by a manual process. Another thing to note is that in newspaper printing, the ink residue on the blanket has to be removed (using blanket wash) after the morning newspaper edition, in time for the afternoon or evening edition. The simultaneous consideration of associated process constraints, property requirements, and environmental restrictions makes the blanket wash design a rather difficult problem. To address this, we present a framework for designing cleaning solvent blends that meet thermo-physical property requirements and environmental restrictions. The resulting mathematical program is a mixed-integer optimization problem involving (a) the selection of solvents from a set of pure component solvents (the discrete problem) and (b) finding the blend composition (the continuous problem). The framework has been used to solve an industrially relevant problem of designing optimal blends for blanket wash applications in the printing industry taking into account solvent power, viscosity and surface tension.
Modularity maps reveal community structure in the resting human brain

The brain is a complex network of interconnecting neurons that combines regional specificity with distributed processing. Recent advances in the field of network theory have facilitated ground-breaking analyses demonstrating that brain connectivity exhibits small-world properties similar to other self-organized networks such as the internet, the genome, or even social organizations. Brain connectivity supports local and global processing through high clustering and short connectivity paths, respectively. While these comprehensive network indices highlight the global organization of the network, the regional specificity is related to the interconnectivity of local neighborhoods within the global system. The work presented here evaluated the community structure of resting human brain networks to identify the local neighborhoods and map those interconnected areas back to the brain. The study identified predictable clustering in unisensory cortices. However, the unexpected community structure in the default-mode network (DMN) revealed three separate modules and included the lateral frontal cortices in addition to traditional DMN regions. These results are the first to map modularity across the entire brain without restricting analyses to predefined anatomical structures. Such analyses provide an unbiased view of network communities and promise to provide new insights into organization of the brain. Evaluation of modular brain structure across states, during demanding tasks, or in disease populations will reveal dynamic connectivity changes in whole-brain networks.
Neuroimaging and Sleep

Neuroimaging techniques continue to help typify sleep patterns during both non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. They aid in the study of some of the more complex sleep conditions.
MetaSoundex Phonetic Matching for English and Spanish

Researchers confront major problems while searching for various kinds of data in large imprecise databases, as they are not spelled correctly or in the way they were expected to be spelled. As a result, they cannot find the word they sought. Over the years of struggle, pronunciation of words was considered as one of the practices to solve the problem effectively. The technique used to acquire words based on sounds is known as “Phonetic Matching”. Soundex was the first algorithm developed and other algorithms such as Metaphone, Caverphone, DMetaphone, Phonex etc., are also used for information retrieval in different environments. The main contribution of this paper is to analyze and implement the newly proposed MetaSoundex algorithm for fixing ill-defined data in English and Spanish languages. The newly developed MetaSoundex algorithm addresses the limitations of well-known phonetic matching techniques, Metaphone and Soundex. Specifically, the new algorithm provided results that are more accurate compared to both Soundex and Metaphone algorithms and has higher precision compared to Soundex, thus reducing the noise in the considered arena.
How Much Will Gallium Oxide Power Electronics Cost

Samantha Bench Reese is a senior engineer at the Strategic Energy Analysis Center at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). As an analyst, Samantha helps put early-stage research problems in context of technoeconomic tradeoffs and analytically shows technology potential through supply-chain analysis, trade-flow mapping, market research, and building bottom-up cost models. Prior to joining NREL, she helped transition products from R&D to volume manufacturing. Samantha's background is in mechanical and electrical engineering. She received an M.S. in Engineering and Applied Science from Yale University and a B.S. in Engineering and Applied Science from California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Timothy Remo is a manufacturing analyst in the Techno-Economic Analysis Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center at NREL. Tim’s areas of expertise include cost analysis of semiconductor manufacturing, process development and process optimization, and design of experiments. His research interests include cost-competitive renewable energy alternatives, economics of changing energy costs and demand, and challenges associated with smarter grid technology. Prior to joining NREL, Tim was a process and product engineer in the semiconductor and photovoltaics industry. Tim received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of South Florida and B.A. in Physics from University of Florida. Johney Green Jr. is an Associate Laboratory Director for Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences (MTES) at NREL. He oversees NREL's transportation, buildings, wind, water, geothermal, advanced manufacturing, and concentrating solar power research programs. Prior to joining NREL, Johney held a number of leadership roles at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), served as technical coordinator at the U.S. Department of Energy, and worked with Ford Motor Company. Green has received several awards during his career and served on numerous advisory boards. Dr. Green received his Mechanical Engineering degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology (Ph.D., M.S.) and The University of Memphis (B.S.). Andriy Zakutayev is a scientist at Materials Science Center at NREL, leading a team working on new materials for advanced energy technologies. His research interests include discovery and development of materials for solar cells, Li-ion batteries, fuel cells, power electronics, and other renewable energy technologies. Andriy is an author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and a reviewer for more than 50 scientific journals. He has received an EMRS Young Scientist Award along with many other professional recognitions. Dr. Zakutayev received his Ph.D. in Physics from Oregon State University and B.S. in Electronics from Lviv Polytechnic National University (Ukraine).
Synthetic biology strategies for microbial biosynthesis of plant natural products

Metabolic engineers endeavor to create a bio-based manufacturing industry using microbes to produce fuels, chemicals, and medicines. Plant natural products (PNPs) are historically challenging to produce and are ubiquitous in medicines, flavors, and fragrances. Engineering PNP pathways into new hosts requires finding or modifying a suitable host to accommodate the pathway, planning and implementing a biosynthetic route to the compound, and discovering or engineering enzymes for missing steps. In this review, we describe recent developments in metabolic engineering at the level of host, pathway, and enzyme, and discuss how the field is approaching ever more complex biosynthetic opportunities.
Can Haptic Feedback Improve STEM Learning for Young Children?: Lessons from an Experiment and Teacher Focus Groups

The purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate whether young children playing a digital STEM application (app) designed to explore the concepts of weight and balance learn better from this experience when it is presented on a haptic tablet vs. the traditional medium (Study 1). I also explore how early childhood educators might consider using these haptic devices in their classroom to support STEM learning (Study 2). Results from these studies will contribute to the literature on the effectiveness of haptic feedback for preschool STEM learning and present the contexts in which educators think these devices could be most useful in the classroom to support this important area of learning.
Germline BLM mutations and metastatic prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Biallelic loss-of-function BLM mutations result in Bloom syndrome: a genetic disorder characterized by growth deficiencies, photosensitivity, and multiple cancer susceptibilities. There are conflicting reports about whether or not heterozygous BLM carriers are at a higher risk of various cancers. Without BLM protein functionality, there is evidence of increased sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal instability. METHODS Metastatic prostate cancer patients (N = 796) underwent germline genetic testing as part of routine care at three academic centers. Patients with heterozygous BLM mutations were identified. Tumor tissue was analyzed for somatic alterations in those patients who had a germline pathogenic mutation. Control data using a population sample were extracted from the Genome Aggregation Database. RESULTS Heterozygous BLM germline mutations in 5 of 796 patients (prevalence, 0.63%). All mutations were loss-of-function truncating alterations. None of the mutations were BLMAsh . The control population (gnomAD) frequency of pathogenic or likely pathogenic BLM mutations was 0.18% (212 of 116 653). The relative risk (RR) of BLM mutations in metastatic prostate cancer patients was 3.4 (95% CI, 1.42-8.33; P < .0062) compared to gnomAD controls. Tumor DNA sequencing in the BLM carriers showed no evidence of somatic BLM mutations. Interestingly, 3 of 5 BLM germline carriers had bi-allelic BRCA2 inactivation evident on tumor sequencing. One patient had both germline and somatic mutations in BRCA2. Excluding the patient with the germline BRCA2 mutation (BLM prevalence, 4 of 796: 0.50%) still yielded a statistically significant finding vs the gnomAD controls (RR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.02-7.39; P < .04). CONCLUSION Truncating BLM germline mutations occur at a higher frequency in patients with advanced prostate cancer as compared to control populations. Though no biallelic loss of BLM was no noted in cancers, a surprising number of the BLM germline heterozygotes had pathogenic BRCA2 mutations in their tumor.
Distributed Community Detection in Large Networks using An Information-Theoretic Approach

Network (Graph) is a powerful abstraction for representing structures in large complex socio-technological systems. Community detection reveals important patterns and structural organizations in a network. This has numerous applications in the fields of social networking, computer security, bioinformatics, business, marketing, etc. An information-theoretic approach for community detection, named as Infomap method, is a sequential algorithm capable of providing high-quality solutions. However, the emergence of massive networks, often with millions of edges and beyond, makes the problem of discovering communities technically challenging. The sequential algorithm has very high execution time to process such networks. Therefore, a scalable parallel execution model of Infomap algorithm is needed. In this paper, we design a distributed-memory parallel algorithm for community detection based on Infomap method. We balance the workload among the processing units carefully and keep communication among processes minimal. We empirically show that our distributed solution produces excellent quality of communities similar to that of sequential Infomap. In terms of minimum description length (MDL), our distributed results are over 99.5% in alignment with that of the sequential version. Our algorithm also demonstrates good scalability with hundreds of processors while processing large-scale social and information networks.
Physeal sparing reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature prepubescent children and adolescents. Surgical technique.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature patients is controversial. Conventional adult reconstruction techniques risk potential iatrogenic growth disturbance due to physeal damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a physea
Chapter 66 – The Porphyrias

The porphyrias comprise eight genetic diseases, each corresponding to a specific defect in the pathway of heme synthesis. Four are termed hepatic, because their clinical manifestations are caused by overproduction of heme precursors, mainly, if not entirely, in the liver. In all four, the initial presentation is dominated by abdominal pain and nausea, which may have a neurological basis. Generalized seizures and mental changes also occur. The neurological manifestations may be aggravated by hyponatremia, which is present in many attacks and ranges from moderate to severe. As attacks progress, motor neuropathy becomes prominent. The challenge to the neurologist is to consider the possibility of acute porphyria and obtain appropriate tests before instituting therapy with drugs, such as anticonvulsants, which can intensify the attack with potentially a devastating outcome. With appropriate management, the outlook for an acute attack is good, in most cases with full recovery of neurological function.
Mechanism for Unipolar Reset in Negative Thermophoresis Resistive Memory Devices

Resistive switching behavior has been experimentally observed in Hafnia-based unipolar memory devices with negative thermophoresis. The traditional mechanism of RESET where the vacancy moves away from the filament fails to explain the reset behavior in these devices. We propose a model for RESET that involves diffusion of oxygen interstitials to break the vacancy-based filament in a region close to the top electrode as opposed to the center of the filament. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we establish the validity of the mechanism and show that it can model SET and retention.
Driver Rehabilitation Utilization and Need Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Importance Driving is one of the most important instrumental activities of daily living. As adults age, many face challenges with maintaining independent driving, leading to risk for decreased occupational engagement and quality of life. The extent to which occupational therapy services meet the driver rehabilitation needs of older adults is unknown. Objective To characterize driver rehabilitation service utilization among a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults. Design Exploratory, descriptive cross-sectional study using the National Health and Aging Trends Study 2016 wave. Participants Community-dwelling adults age 65 and older who received rehabilitation services in the past year (N = 1,173). Outcomes and measures Sociodemographic information, comorbidities, rehabilitation use, community mobility, and participation restrictions were collected using self-report and performance-based measures. Results Of this sample of older adults, 63.0% reported driving as their primary mode of transportation, 25.8% reported limitations in community participation related to transportation, and 9.2% reported having received rehabilitation focused on driving or other transportation goals in the past year. Findings from this study suggest a discrepancy between utilization of driver rehabilitation and self-reported need. Conclusions and relevance Many older adults reported limitations in community participation for transportation-related reasons, yet driver rehabilitation represented only a small proportion of services used. As experts in driver rehabilitation, occupational therapy practitioners should lead the way in advocating for increased utilization of driver rehabilitation and development of innovative, accessible transportation options to promote community mobility and participation among older adults. What this article adds The results of this study illustrate an important discrepancy between self-reported need for and utilization of driver rehabilitation services. Occupational therapy practitioners can play an important role in meeting older adults' driving and transportation needs to enable them to fully participate in their community and daily routines.
Measuring fiscal interactions in local federalism: Evidence from Florida

Local governments react to one another in expenditure. However, the existing literature concerning these reactions suffer from one of three problems: timing dynamics, county behaviour, or over aggregation. City‐to‐city interaction estimates are shown to shrink up to 50% when appropriately dealing with dynamics and county behaviour using a dynamic spatial Durbin model with a maximum likelihood estimator. Expenditure disaggregation shows that the majority of categories have no spillover. One category, general government expenditure, is responsible for nearly all of the variation. This finding does not fit well with the existing theories for spatial interaction. Los gobiernos locales reaccionan entre si con respecto al gasto. Sin embargo, la bibliografia existente sobre estas reacciones adolece de uno de estos tres problemas: la dinamica temporal, el comportamiento del condado o la sobreagregacion. Se demuestra que las estimaciones de la interaccion entre ciudades se reducen hasta un 50% cuando la dinamica y el comportamiento de los condados se tratan adecuadamente mediante el empleo de un modelo espacial dinamico de Durbin con un estimador de maxima verosimilitud. El desglose de los gastos muestra que la mayoria de las categorias no tienen efectos de spillover. Una categoria, la de los gastos de las administraciones publicas, es responsable de casi toda la variacion. Este hallazgo no se ajusta bien a las teorias existentes sobre la interaccion espacial. 地方自治体は支出に関して相互に反応する。しかし、この反応に関する既存研究は、タイミングの動態、郡の挙動、または過剰凝集のうちのいずれかの問題が障害となっている。都市間相互作用推定値は、最尤推定法を用いた動的空間Durbinモデルを用いて動態と郡の挙動を適切に処理すると、50%まで縮小することを示した。支出の内訳からは、大半の項目には波及効果がないことが示される。項目の1つである一般政府支出は、ほとんどすべての変動に関与している。この知見は、空間的相互作用に関する既存の理論とは一致しないものである。
Incidence of first trimester pregnancy loss in the infertile population during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in New York City

Objective To describe the incidence of first trimester clinical pregnancy loss in the infertile population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Design Web-based cross-sectional survey. Setting New York City-based academic reproductive medicine practice. Patient(s) A total of 305 infertile patients with a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy in their first trimester between December 1, 2019, and April 1, 2020, were matched by age and treatment type to pregnant patients from the year prior. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) First trimester clinical pregnancy loss rate. Result(s) In total, the first trimester pregnancy loss rate was lower in the COVID-19 era cohort compared with that in the pre-COVID-19 era cohort (11.9% vs. 20.1%). There was no difference between cohorts in the pregnancy loss rate of women conceiving via fresh embryo transfer (19.6% vs. 24.4%) or via frozen embryo transfer with preimplantation genetic testing (5.4% vs. 9.5%,). In women conceiving via frozen embryo transfer without preimplantation genetic testing, the pregnancy loss rate was statistically lower in the COVID-19 group (12.5% vs. 24.5%). There was no difference in the pregnancy loss rate by treatment type when stratifying by COVID-19 testing or symptom status. Of the 40 (13.1%) patients with a pregnancy loss, there was no difference in self-reported COVID-19 symptoms or symptom type compared with results in those who did not experience a pregnancy loss. Conclusion Despite patients expressing significant worry about COVID-19 and pregnancy, our data provides reassuring information that the first trimester pregnancy loss rate is not elevated for women conceiving via assisted reproductive technology during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Plant-soil feedbacks help explain biodiversity-productivity relationships

Species-rich plant communities can produce twice as much aboveground biomass as monocultures, but the mechanisms remain unresolved. We tested whether plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) can help explain these biodiversity-productivity relationships. Using a 16-species, factorial field experiment we found that plants created soils that changed subsequent plant growth by 27% and that this effect increased over time. When incorporated into simulation models, these PSFs improved predictions of plant community growth and explained 14% of overyielding. Here we show quantitative, field-based evidence that diversity maintains productivity by suppressing plant disease. Though this effect alone was modest, it helps constrain the role of factors, such as niche partitioning, that have been difficult to quantify. This improved understanding of biodiversity-productivity relationships has implications for agriculture, biofuel production and conservation.
Cultural entrepreneurship: stories, legitimacy, and the acquisition of resources

We define cultural entrepreneurship as the process of storytelling that mediates between extant stocks of entrepreneurial resources and subsequent capital acquisition and wealth creation. We propose a framework that focuses on how entrepreneurial stories facilitate the crafting of a new venture identity that serves as a touchstone upon which legitimacy may be conferred by investors, competitors, and consumers, opening up access to new capital and market opportunities. Stories help create competitive advantage for entrepreneurs through focal content shaped by two key forms of entrepreneurial capital: firm-specific resource capital and industry-level institutional capital. We illustrate our ideas with anecdotal entrepreneurial stories that range from contemporary high-technology accounts to the evolution of the mutual fund industry. Propositions are offered to guide future empirical research based on our framework. Theoretically, we aim to extend recent efforts to synthesize strategic and institutional perspectives by incorporating insights from contemporary approaches to culture and organizational identity. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.