cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of risk factors for length of stay and readmission following lower extremity bypass surgery.

Objective Recent initiatives to improve health care quality have focused attention on length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates for surgical patients, yet these two outcomes may be inversely related. This study was designed to elucidate the risk factors for both outcomes and to clarify the relationship between them in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass (LEB). Methods Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients who underwent LEB were identified from the 2007-2010 California State Inpatient Database. LOS and risk factors were analyzed using Poisson regression. Risk factors for 30-day readmission were analyzed using logistic regression. Results There were 6307 patients who underwent LEB, and 1291 (20%) were readmitted. The average index LOS was 8.3 days for those who were readmitted and 5.5 days for those who were not ( P Conclusions In patients undergoing LEB, LOS is primarily associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications, whereas 30-day readmission is largely explained by underlying patient illness. Additionally, increased LOS is an independent risk factor for readmission. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce both LOS and readmission will be complementary. Furthermore, they support the notion that both LOS and 30-day readmission rates should be risk-adjusted.
Co-opting everyday objects

AUDIO AURA Ironically, this first project1 does not involve augmenting an object, but augmenting the auditory ambiance that “surrounds” a physical space, in this case the office spaces in Xerox PARC. Briefly, the intent was that users would hear information in the background audio associated with different spaces, e.g. the past presence of a colleague in their empty office. This design suffered from the lack of a strong ethnography voice. Although informed by an insider’s knowledge of PARC practices, the effort was consumed by creating a working system and designing the auditory landscape. Although significant contributions were made on both of those fronts [6], the lack of a strong connection between the designers and the user community allowed the design to quickly follow its own path making deployment and evaluation difficult.
Fictional Landscapes And Social Relations In Nineteenth-Century Broadside Ballads

The broadside ballad constitutes one of the oldest forms of popular culture in Europe and America. Even though our understanding of the genre, especially in North America, has been shaped by texts drawn from oral tradition, many of its thematic and stylistic traits reveal its origins in the modern popular press. The article examines the fictional landscapes of “whiteletter” ballads as represented in G. Malcom Laws catalog, especially categories “M” through “P.” These ballads all have love relationships as their central theme, and yet the spaces occupied by the principal characters and the manner in which the relationships unfold show a marked concern for larger social issues, such as separation through emigration, interclass tensions, and the influence of bureaucratic institutions.
Service social des groupes en contexte d’autorité

Face a l'augmentation troublante de l'hostilite dans notre monde contemporain, qui se traduit par la desorganisation sociale, l'escalade de la violence et l'augmentation des injustices, on peut se demander si le service social des groupes peut etre adapte a notre milieu actuel sans que l'essence de ses valeurs et de ses habiletes soit sacrifiee. Les auteures analysent le travail de groupe en contexte d'autorite. C'est precisement dans de tels cadres que les praticiens du groupe sont confrontes aux realites sociales les plus ameres et les plus nocives de notre societe et que leur methode est directement mise en cause.
Paternity assessment in wild groups of toque macaques Macaca sinica at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka using molecular markers

Genetic variation at four microsatellite loci in conjunction with that at a highly variable allozyme locus was used to analyse paternity over a 12-year period in 13 social groups of toque macaques Macaca sinica inhabiting a natural forest in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. Paternity exclusion analysis revealed that the set of offspring produced by a female usually consists of half-siblings because few males father more than one offspring with a particular female. No evidence of offspring produced by matings between first degree relatives was found. The social unit in toque macaques was not identical to the reproductive unit and the possibility of paternity by males outside the social group should be considered when estimating male reproductive output. Although it was common for multiple males to father offspring in a social group each year, reproduction within a group during a breeding season tended to be limited to a few males. The mean number of males reproducing per group per year was independent of the number of males in a group. The paternity data suggests that many males may father relatively few offspring during their entire lives and that the effective population size for toque macaques may be much smaller than indicated by demographic data.
Crosslinking of Ribosomal Proteins to RNA in Maize Ribosomes by UV-B and Its Effects on Translation

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) photons can cause substantial cellular damage in biomolecules, as is well established for DNA. Because RNA has the same absorption spectrum for UV as DNA, we have investigated damage to this cellular constituent. In maize (Zea mays) leaves, UV-B radiation damages ribosomes by crosslinking cytosolic ribosomal proteins S14, L23a, and L32, and chloroplast ribosomal protein L29 to RNA. Ribosomal damage accumulated during a day of UV-B exposure correlated with a progressive decrease in new protein production; however, de novo synthesis of some ribosomal proteins is increased after 6 h of UV-B exposure. After 16 h without UV-B, damaged ribosomes were eliminated and translation was restored to normal levels. Ribosomal protein S6 and an S6 kinase are phosphorylated during UV-B exposure; these modifications are associated with selective translation of some ribosomal proteins after ribosome damage in mammalian fibroblast cells and may be an adaptation in maize. Neither photosynthesis nor pigment levels were affected significantly by UV-B, demonstrating that the treatment applied is not lethal and that maize leaf physiology readily recovers.
Numerical Studies of Fast Crack Growth in Elastic-Plastic Solids

Dynamic crack growth is analyzed numerically for a plane strain block with an initial central crack. The material on each side of the bond line is characterized as an isotropically hardening elastic-viscoplastic solid. A cohesive surface constitutive relation is also specified that relates the tractions and displacement jumps across the crack plane. Crack initiation, crack growth and crack arrest emerge naturally as outcomes of the imposed loading, without any ad hoc assumptions concerning crack growth criteria.
Plastic surgery telehealth consultation expedites Emergency Department treatment.

Plastic surgery is a field that is particularly amenable to a telehealth milieu, as visual exam and radiographs guide proper diagnosis and management. The goals of this study were to evaluate teleh...
Decay Schemes of the 119 Te Isomers

The decays of the 4.7-day $^{119m}\mathrm{Te}$ and the 16-h $^{119g}\mathrm{Te}$ have been investigated with the use of Ge(Li) and NaI(Tl) $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray detectors, and Si(Li) electron detectors. Coincidence relationships among the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were determined in $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence experiments. It was established that the decay of the 4.7-day $^{119m}\mathrm{Te}$ populates levels at 270.6, 1048.3, 1212.7, 1249.6, 1365.8, 1406.7, 2129.3, 2226.0, 2277.8, 2283.6, and 2360.4 keV in $^{119}\mathrm{Sb}$; and the decay of the 16-h $^{119g}\mathrm{Te}$ populates levels at 270.6, 644.3, 700.0, 1338.5, 1413.2, 1487.4, 1749.5, and 1821.0 keV in $^{119}\mathrm{Sb}$. Many spin assignments have been made from present and previously reported internal-conversion-electron data, from $log\mathrm{ft}$ values, and from $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ directional correlation measurements. Trends of the low-lying levels of odd-$A$ antimony isotopes from mass 119 to 125 are discussed and compared with the pairing-plus-quadrupole model for nuclei.
Use of Atom Beama Scattering to Study Structures of and Phase Transitions in Ultra-Thin Films

We have used neutral helium beam scattering to probe structural and thermodynamic properties of in-situ deposited ultra-thin films of metals on well characterized substrates. We show the capabilities of this technique by presenting some recent results of our studies of Hg adsorption of Cu(001) and on monolayer phases of Pb on Cu(001).
Parents' and providers' attitudes toward school-located provision and school-entry requirements for HPV vaccines

Objective: To determine parents' and providers' attitudes toward school-located provision and school-entry requirements for HPV vaccination. Methods: Parents/guardians of 11–17 y old girls and pedi...
Estradiol and progesterone replacement regimens for the induction of endometrial receptivity

Initiation of pregnancy in premature ovarian failure patients by use of donated oocytes fertilized in vitro requires establishment of a normal endometrial environment. We compared administration of estradiol (E 2 ) and progesterone (P) by polysiloxane vaginal rings versus oral micronized E 2 and P vaginal suppositories in 10 such patients. Serum E 2 levels were similar between groups and similar to normally-cycling controls. With vaginal administration of E 2 , a burst effect was noted, with marked elevation 1hour after insertion. The pattern with oral administration was more consistent, although marked conversion to estrone occurred. The P cylinder and suppositories delivered similar levels, with diminution of P in some patients with the cylinder. Despite apparent limitations, endometrial histology was normal after each cycle; both groups achieved pregnancies. Administration of E 2 and P by polysiloxane vaginal rings achieved hormonal levels similar to oral micronized E 2 and P vaginal suppositories. Endometrial biopsies after the stimulated cycle were appropriately mature.
High-resolution spectroscopy of the atmosphere from the Space Shuttle: the ATMOS experiment

Later this year, as part of the Spacelab 3 mission, a high-resolution infrared spectrometer will be flown in near-earth orbit. The experiment–Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy–involves a series of flights over the next 15 years and is designed to obtain fundamental information related to the chemistry and physics of the upper atmosphere (i.e., the 15-120-km altitude range). There are two major aspects to the experiment: the first is the determination of the detailed compositional structure of the stratosphere and mesosphere and its global, seasonal, and long-term variability; the second is the study of the partitioning of absorbed solar energy at levels in the atmosphere characterized by dissociation of many of the constituents and by the breakdown of thermodynamic equilibrium.
Cardiopulmonary bypass during reperfusion after coronary occlusion attenuates the "no reflow" phenomenon in ischemic myocardium.

There is increasing interest in providing reperfusion after coronary occlusion to preserve myocardium and to decrease infarct size. This study was conducted to assess the protective effect of normothermic coronary bypass on myocardial salvage during reperfusion, to evaluate the redistribution of regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF), and to study the extent of the “no reflow” phenomenon. Twelve dogs were subjected to 3 hours of left anterior descending (LAD) occlusion. After release of the occlusion, Group I had 3 hours' reperfusion without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and Group II had 90 minutes' reperfusion with CPB followed by 90 minutes' reperfusion without CPB. The area at risk was determined by monastryl blue injection into the left atrium; the area of necrosis was determined planimetrically from left ventricular areas unstained by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TCC). The endocardial/epicardial blood flow (ml/min/100 gm LV) of the central ischemic area was determined before LAD occlusion, 20 minutes after reperfusion, and 170 minutes after reperfusion with 8 to 10 μ radionuclide-labeled microspheres. The mean area at risk, expressed as a percent of the left ventricle, and the mean area of necrosis, expressed as a percent of the area at risk, did not differ significantly in either group (Group I, 68.7%; Group II, 62.1%). The RMBF before coronary occlusion and 20 and 170 minutes after release of the LAD occlusion showed that the control zones for LAD occlusion were similar in both groups of dogs that the endocardial/epicardial ratio in the central ischemic zone was significantly higher in Group II (CPB) than in Group I (no CPB). In Group I the endocardial/epicardial ratio was 48/131 ml/min/100 gm LV at 20 minutes and decreased to 11.9/96.4 at 170 minutes. In Group II, after CPB, this ratio went from 47.4/90.8 ml/min/100 gm LV at 20 minutes to 35.4/95.9 at 170 minutes. The difference in the endocardial/epicardial ratios in the central ischemic zone between the two groups at 20 and 170 minutes was significant to the 0.001 level. Thus CPB during reperfusion does not increase myocardial injury. In fact, the reduction of endocardial blood flow in the central ischemic zone, progressive during reperfusion in the working heart, is attenuated following reperfusion in the beating, nonworking heart on CPB.
Faces, voices and the shadow of catastrophe

The subject of this chapter is the effacement of war in the twentieth century. In painting, sculpture and installation art in many parts of the world today, war is no longer configured through the human face. In part this is a reflection of internal changes in the arts, but in part it is a reflection of the changing nature of war. In 1914, war had a human face - the face of the generation of soldiers who fought and died on the battlefields of the Great War. But over time, the faces of those who have fought war and at times of those who have become its victims have faded slowly from view. The way many of us see war today, I believe, is very different from the way the men and women of 1914–18 saw it. And since what we see matters much more than what we read, it is of some importance to trace the nature and consequences of this flight from figuration, this occlusion of the human face and form, in representations of war in the twentieth century and beyond.
Fast demodulation of pattern images by spiral phase transform in structured-illumination reflectance imaging for detection of bruises in apples

Structured-illumination reflectance imaging (SIRI) was used to detect apple bruises.Spiral phase transform (SPT) was proposed for amplitude demodulation in SIRI.SPT showed improved performance compared to conventional demodulation methods.The use of SPT can increase the imaging speed of SIRI by fewer pattern images. A structured-illumination reflectance imaging (SIRI) system was recently developed in our laboratory for enhanced quality evaluation of horticultural products. It was implemented using a digital camera to acquire reflectance images from food products subjected to sinusoidal patterns of illumination, instead of conventional diffuse or uniform illumination. The reconstruction of amplitude images is a key step in implementing SIRI technique. Conventional methods require acquisition and subsequent demodulation of three phase-shifted pattern images, which limits the speed of image acquisition. This study proposed the use of spiral phase transform (SPT) for demodulation of pattern images acquired by SIRI. Three SPT-based methods involving only one or two images were investigated through numerical simulation, followed with experiments on the detection of fresh bruises in apples. Compared to conventional three-phase based and two-phase based Gram-Schmidt (GS) orthonormalization demodulation methods, the two-phase SPT method achieved the same or even higher demodulation accuracy, which applies to two pattern images that can be arbitrarily phase-shifted. SPT also allowed single-image based demodulation, although its performance still needs to be improved. This study demonstrated that SPT for amplitude demodulation can increase the imaging speed of SIRI by using one or two pattern images, which is a significant step towards real-time implementation of the technique.
Association of peripartum synthetic oxytocin administration and depressive and anxiety disorders within the first postpartum year.

Background Due to its potent effects on social behavior, including maternal behavior, oxytocin has been identified as a potential mediator of postpartum depression and anxiety. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between peripartum synthetic oxytocin administration and the development of depressive and anxiety disorders within the first year postpartum. We hypothesized that women exposed to peripartum synthetic oxytocin would have a reduced risk of postpartum depressive and anxiety disorders compared with those without any exposure. Methods Population-based data available through the Massachusetts Integrated Clinical Academic Research Database (MiCARD) were used to retrospectively (2005–2014) examine this relationship and calculate the relative risk of peripartum synthetic oxytocin for the development of postpartum depressive and anxiety disorders in exposed (n = 9,684) compared to unexposed (n = 37,048) deliveries. Results Among deliveries to women with a history of prepregnancy depressive or anxiety disorder, exposure to peripartum oxytocin increased the risk of postpartum depressive or anxiety disorder by 36% (relative risk (RR): 1.36; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.20–1.55). In deliveries to women with no history of prepregnancy depressive or anxiety disorder, exposure to peripartum oxytocin increased the risk of postpartum depressive or anxiety disorder by 32% compared to those not exposed (RR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.23-1.42). Conclusions Contrary to our hypothesis, results indicate that women with peripartum exposure to synthetic oxytocin had a higher relative risk of receiving a documented depressive or anxiety disorder diagnosis or antidepressant/anxiolytic prescription within the first year postpartum than women without synthetic oxytocin exposure.
The Theory of Planned Behavior as a Predictor of HIV Testing Intention.

Objectives This investigation tests the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a predictor of HIV testing intention among Nigerian university undergraduate students. Methods A cross-sectional study of 392 students was conducted using a self-administered structured questionnaire that measured socio-demographics, perceived risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and TPB constructs. Analysis was based on 273 students who had never been tested for HIV. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed the applicability of the TPB in predicting HIV testing intention and additional predictive value of perceived risk of HIV infection. Results The prediction model containing TPB constructs explained 35% of the variance in HIV testing intention, with attitude and perceived behavioral control making significant and unique contributions to intention. Perceived risk of HIV infection contributed marginally (2%) but significantly to the final prediction model. Conclusions Findings supported the TPB in predicting HIV testing intention. Although future studies must determine the generalizability of these results, the findings highlight the importance of perceived behavioral control, attitude, and perceived risk of HIV infection in the prediction of HIV testing intention among students who have not previously tested for HIV.
“Down to the Very Roots”: The Indonesian Army’s Role in the Mass Killings of 1965–66

This article makes the case that the anticommunist violence of 1965–66 in Indonesia was neither inevitable nor spontaneous, but was encouraged, facilitated, directed and shaped by the Indonesian ar...
Assessment of Wildlife Habitat Attributes at Restoration Projects on Northern Wisconsin Lakeshores

Abstract Housing development along lakeshores typically results in the loss of native shoreline vegetation, which can negatively impact habitat structure and associated wildlife populations. We evaluated vegetation restoration efforts on 2 lakeshores in Vilas County, WI, and contrasted them with undeveloped reference lakeshores. The primary goal of the restoration activities was to restore native understory vegetation and habitat structure. Initial measurements made at reference lakeshores showed greater visual obstruction density, greater sapling and shrub densities, greater abundance of downed woody material, and higher canopy coverage relative to initial measurements made at developed lakeshore sites. Three years post-restoration we observed significant increases in visual obstruction density and increased shrub and sapling density at restoration sites. While restoration of complex understory habitats is a slow and uncertain process, a nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling ordination of wildlife habitat ...
Function, Shoulder Motion, Pain, and Lymphedema in Breast Cancer With and Without Axillary Web Syndrome: An 18-Month Follow-Up.

Background Axillary web syndrome (AWS) can develop following breast cancer surgery and presents as a tight band of tissue in the axilla with shoulder abduction. Objective The objectives were to determine the prevalence and natural history of AWS and the association between AWS and function, range of motion, pain, lymphedema, and body mass index (BMI). Design This study was a longitudinal prospective cohort study utilizing a repeated measures design. Methods Axillary web syndrome, function, shoulder range of motion, pain, and lymphedema (using circumference, bioimpedance spectroscopy, tissue dielectric constant) were assessed in women at 2, 4, and 12 weeks and 18 months following breast cancer surgery. Prevalence of AWS and the association with the measured outcomes were analyzed. Results Thirty-six women agreed to participate in the study. The cumulative prevalence of AWS was 50% (18/36) at 18 months following breast cancer surgery. AWS was identified as a risk factor for reduced function. Women with AWS had statistically reduced range of motion, lower BMI, and higher number of lymph nodes removed compared to the non-AWS group. Forty-one percent (13/32) of women had AWS at 18 months. AWS reoccurred in 6 women following resolution, and a new case developed beyond the early postoperative period. The overall prevalence of physical impairments ranged from 66% to 97% within the first 18 months following surgery regardless of AWS. Limitations Limitations include a small sample size and potential treatment effect. Conclusion AWS occurs in approximately 50% of women following breast cancer surgery. It can persist for 18 months and potentially longer, develop beyond the early postoperative time period, and reoccur after resolution. Clinicians need to be aware of the chronicity of AWS and its association with reduced range of motion and function.
A dependency graph formalism for the dynamic defense of cyber networks

We present ongoing work related to the development of a security model for the dynamic defense of cyber networks. The model is based on a graphical object termed a dependency graph, which models the interactions between security conditions and exploits. By embedding a state-space on the dependency graph, we are able to reason about the security of the system and prescribe effective defense decision in order to mitigate the progression of an attacker. The resulting defense problem is a partially observable Markov decision process. The application of an existing online solver allows for one to obtain defense policies in realistically-sized systems.
Exciton-Phonon Spectroscopy of Quantum Dots Below the Single-Particle Homogeneous Line Width.

We demonstrate that high-dimensionality coherent spectroscopy yields “super-resolved” spectra whereby peaks may be localized far below their homogeneous line width by resolving them across multiple, coherently coupled dimensions. We implement this technique using a fifth-order photon-echo spectroscopy called Gradient-Assisted Multidimensional Electronic–Raman Spectroscopy (GAMERS) that combines resonant and nonresonant excitation to disperse the optical response across three spectral dimensions: two involving excitonic transitions and one that encodes phonon energies. In analogy to super-resolution localization microscopies, which separate spatially overlapping signals in time, GAMERS isolates signals spectrally using combined electronic and nuclear resolution. Optical phonon lines in a colloidal solution of CdSe quantum dots at room temperature separated by less than 150 μeV are resolved despite the homogeneous line width of these transitions being nearly an order of magnitude broader. The frequency diff...
"Urethrolithotomy": an ingenious approach of the ancients.

AbstractA major postoperative complication of the surgical removal of urethral calculi is formation of a fistula. Celsus, a Roman medical author living around the turn of the millennium, discussed a procedure for removing such stones that all but eliminated this complication. Preoperatively, the flaccid skin of the penis is pulled distally and bound in an advanced position with a ligature, as the penis itself is pushed proximally. Incisions are made ventrally into the penis and urethra. The stone can then be removed and the ligature cut, allowing the penile skin to assume its natural position. The effect of this procedure is to avoid 2 overlying incisions, greatly reducing the chance for fistula formation. Today the 2 incisions mentioned by Celsus would be closed with sutures, although in his time the wounds were left open and allowed to heal spontaneously.
Committed to the Causes? Identification, Commitment, and Behavior in a Hybrid Identity Organization

Hybrid organizations have multiple, often conflicting, identity elements with which members may identify. Research suggests organizational identification is positively associated with commitment in single identity organizations, and that commitment in turn motivates behavior. Yet we know little about the relationships between identification, commitment, and behavior in hybrid organizations. Using multi-method data from a socially responsible retail company, I find members’ identification with the social and business elements of the organization has a positive interactive effect on commitment and also influences how such commitment manifests behaviorally. I discuss implications for commitment, identification, and hybrid organizations.
Isaiah 14: The Birth of a Zombie Apocalypse?:

Isaiah 14, a text about the infamous fall into the netherworld of a proud celestial being, has played a key role in the history of biblical understanding. In particular, the netherworld eschatology...
Beyond the Fear of Deportation: Understanding Unauthorized Immigrants’ Ambivalence Toward the Police:

This article draws on in-depth interviews and ethnography to examine unauthorized Mexican immigrants’ perceptions of and experiences with police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Most existing resea...
Survival Disparities in Male Patients With Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM We evaluated factors associated with mortality among men with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used the National Cancer Database to identify men with breast cancer and evaluated factors associated with mortality, using a Cox regression model. RESULTS Black patients experienced an increased risk of death from any cause compared to white patients [hazard ratio (HR)=1.19, 95%CI=1.05-1.37]. Patients with government insurance had a greater risk of death compared to privately insured patients (HR=1.57, 95%CI=1.41-1.75). When compared to patients with an income of >$46,000, those with an income <$30,000 presented an increased risk of death (HR=1.35, 95%CI=1.14-1.60). Finally, patients treated at a comprehensive community cancer program (HR=1.129, 95%CI=1.021-1.248), community cancer program (HR=1.164, 95%CI=1.010-1.343), or integrated network cancer program (HR=1.216; 95%CI=1.056-1.401) experienced elevated risk of death compared to those treated at academic/research-programs. CONCLUSION Race, insurance, income, education, and facility type are associated with the risk of mortality in male patients with breast cancer.
Learning Complex Spectral Mapping With Gated Convolutional Recurrent Networks for Monaural Speech Enhancement

Phase is important for perceptual quality of speech. However, it seems intractable to directly estimate phase spectra through supervised learning due to their lack of spectrotemporal structure in it. Complex spectral mapping aims to estimate the real and imaginary spectrograms of clean speech from those of noisy speech, which simultaneously enhances magnitude and phase responses of speech. Inspired by multi-task learning, we propose a gated convolutional recurrent network (GCRN) for complex spectral mapping, which amounts to a causal system for monaural speech enhancement. Our experimental results suggest that the proposed GCRN substantially outperforms an existing convolutional neural network (CNN) for complex spectral mapping in terms of both objective speech intelligibility and quality. Moreover, the proposed approach yields significantly higher STOI and PESQ than magnitude spectral mapping and complex ratio masking. We also find that complex spectral mapping with the proposed GCRN provides an effective phase estimate.
A Systematic Survey on Deep Generative Models for Graph Generation

Graphs are important data representations for describing objects and their relationships, which appear in a wide diversity of real-world scenarios. As one of a critical problem in this area, graph generation considers learning the distributions of given graphs and generating more novel graphs. Owing to its wide range of applications, generative models for graphs have a rich history, which, however, are traditionally hand-crafted and only capable of modeling a few statistical properties of graphs. Recent advances in deep generative models for graph generation is an important step towards improving the fidelity of generated graphs and paves the way for new kinds of applications. This article provides an extensive overview of the literature in the field of deep generative models for graph generation. Firstly, the formal definition of deep generative models for the graph generation as well as preliminary knowledge is provided. Secondly, two taxonomies of deep generative models for unconditional, and conditional graph generation respectively are proposed; the existing works of each are compared and analyzed. After that, an overview of the evaluation metrics in this specific domain is provided. Finally, the applications that deep graph generation enables are summarized and five promising future research directions are highlighted.
Bioclimatic modeling of potential vegetation types as an alternative to species distribution models for projecting plant species shifts under changing climates

Abstract Land managers need new tools for planning novel futures due to climate change. Species distribution modeling (SDM) has been used extensively to predict future distributions of species under different climates, but their map products are often too coarse for fine-scale operational use. In this study we developed a flexible, efficient, and robust method for mapping current and future distributions and abundances of vegetation species and communities at the fine spatial resolutions that are germane to land management. First, we mapped Potential Vegetation Types (PVTs) using conventional statistical modeling techniques (Random Forests) that used bioclimatic ecosystem process and climate variables as predictors. We obtained over 50% accuracy across 13 mapped PVTs for our study area. We then applied future climate projections as climate input to the Random Forest model to generate future PVT maps, and used field data describing the occurrence of tree and non-tree species in each PVT category to model and map species distribution for current and future climate. These maps were then compared to two previous SDM mapping efforts with over 80% agreement and equivalent accuracy. Because PVTs represent the biophysical potential of the landscape to support vegetation communities as opposed to the vegetation that currently exists, they can be readily linked to climate forecasts and correlated with other, climate-sensitive ecological processes significant in land management, such as fire regimes and site productivity.
Effects of the Spread of COVID-19 on Public Health of Polluted Cities: Results of the First Wave for Explaining the Dejà Vu in the Second Wave of COVID-19

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is generating a high number of deaths worldwide. One of the current questions in the field of environmental science is to explain how air pollution can affect the impact of COVID-19 on public health. The research here focuses on a case study of Italy. Results suggest that the diffusion of COVID-19 in cities with high levels of air pollution is generating higher numbers of COVID-19 related infected individuals and deaths. In particular, results reveal that, among Italian cities, the number of infected people was higher in cities with more than 100 days per year exceeding limits set for PM10 or ozone, cities located in hinterland zones (i.e. away from the coast), cities having a low average speed of wind and cities with a lower average temperature. In hinterland cities (mostly those bordering large urban conurbations) having a high level of air pollution, coupled with low wind speed, the average number of infected people in April 2020during the first wave of the COVID-19 is more than tripled compared to cities that low levels of air pollution. In addition, results show that more than 75% of infected individuals and about 81% of deaths of the first wave of COVID-19 in Italy are in industrialized regions with high levels of air pollution. Although these vital results of the first wave of the COVID-19 from February to August 2020, policymakers have had a low organizational capacity to plan effective policy responses for crisis management to cope with recurring COVID-19 pandemic that is generating a new wave with again negative effects, deja vu, on public health and of course economic systems.
Mixed Membership Graph Clustering via Systematic Edge Query

This work considers clustering nodes of a largely incomplete graph. Under the problem setting, only a small amount of queries about the edges can be made, but the entire graph is not observable. This problem finds applications in large-scale data clustering using limited annotations, community detection under restricted survey resources, and graph topology inference under hidden/removed node interactions. Prior works tackled this problem from various perspectives, e.g., convex programming-based low-rank matrix completion and active query-based clique finding. Nonetheless, many existing methods are designed for estimating the single-cluster membership of the nodes, but nodes may often have mixed (i.e., multi-cluster) membership in practice. Some query and computational paradigms, e.g., the random query patterns and nuclear norm-based optimization advocated in the convex approaches, may give rise to scalability and implementation challenges. This work aims at learning mixed membership of nodes using queried edges. The proposed method is developed together with a systematic query principle that can be controlled and adjusted by the system designers to accommodate implementation challenges—e.g., to avoid querying edges that are physically hard to acquire. Our framework also features a lightweight and scalable algorithm with membership learning guarantees. Real-data experiments on crowdclustering and community detection are used to showcase the effectiveness of our method.
Molluscan Community Recovery in a New England Back‐Barrier Salt Marsh Lagoon 10 Years after Partial Restoration

Like many Eastern U.S. salt marshes, East Harbor salt marsh lagoon on Cape Cod was isolated from tidal flow in the 1800s, resulting in near-freshwater conditions and loss of native salt marsh species. After its partial restoration in 2002, a variety of marine and estuarine fauna recolonized East Harbor, and soft shell clam (Mya arenaria) recolonization was particularly prolific. The goal of our study was to evaluate molluscan community composition, density, and distribution at regular intervals for 10 years following restoration, and to relate molluscan community recovery to various physical properties at the site. In 2007, 2008, and 2011, we sampled mollusks at several points across East Harbor, and we also recorded water salinity and temperature, particle size distribution, and submerged aquatic vegetation density. In 2007 and 2008, we encountered 12 and 11 mollusk species, respectively; M. arenaria was the most abundant species in 2007 and the second most abundant species in 2008. In 2011, we encountered eight mollusk species and M. arenaria was the most abundant species. Mollusk species richness declined from 12 to 8 species between 2008 and 2011. Our results show that mollusk species richness and density have declined significantly since the first few years following restoration; related studies attribute this to high summer water temperatures in the Main Lagoon and severe macroalgal blooms during 2005–2006. This suggests that East Harbor is still equilibrating to baseline conditions and that full tidal restoration may be necessary to sustain a diverse mollusk community at East Harbor.
Partial Formalization: An Approach for Critical Analysis of Definitions and Methods Used in Bulk Extraction-Based Molecular Microbial Ecology

Partial formalization, which involves the development of deductive connections among statements, can be used to examine assumptions, definitions and related methodologies that are used in science. This approach has been applied to the study of nucleic acids recovered from natural microbial assemblages (NMA) by the use of bulk extraction. Six pools of bulk-extractable nucleic acids (BENA) are suggested to be present in a NMA: (pool 1) inactive microbes (abiotic-limited); (pool 2) inactive microbes (abiotic permissive, biotic-limited); (pool 3) dormant microbes (abiotic permissive, biotic-limited, but can become biotic permissive); (pool 4) in situ active microbes (the microbial community); (pool 5) viruses (virocells/virions/cryptic viral genomes); and (pool 6) extracellular nucleic acids including extracellular DNA (eDNA). Definitions for cells, the microbial community (in situ active cells), the rare biosphere, dormant cells (the microbial seed bank), viruses (virocells/virions/cryptic viral genomic), and diversity are presented, together with methodology suggested to allow their study. The word diversity will require at least 4 definitions, each involving a different methodology. These suggested definitions and methodologies should make it possible to make further advances in bulk extraction-based molecular microbial ecology.
A reappraisal of copper depletion from cytochrome c oxidase.

Results of analyses and assays are presented which show that the bathocuproinedisulfonate method of Nair and Mason removes little, if any, constituent copper from cytochrome c oxidase. Unforeseen difficulties in the assay of copper produced erroneous and misleading results. The relevant assay procedures are described and discussed.
The cyclic AMP control system in the development of Dictyostelium discoideum. I. Cellular dynamics.

Abstract A model for the synthesis and release of cyclic AMP in aggregating cells of Dictyostelium discoideum is developed. The model shows transitions from low level steady release of cAMP to excitable pulsatile release and then to autonomous periodic pulsatile release of cAMP as starvation proceeds. Finally, there is a transition to high level continuous release of cAMP. A detailed correspondence is drawn between these transitions and the phenomena that are observed to appear sequentially during the aggregation phase, specifically: cloud formation, relaying competence, autonomous competence, and tip activity. The only assumptions necessary to the model are that there is a autocatalytic mechanism for cAMP synthesis, a negative feedback regulation of cAMP through another variable C , and a source term for C that declines with starvation. By analogy with other systems across the phylogenetic scale, in which cAMP activates catabolic pathways and catabolites depress cAMP levels, C is tentatively identified as some measure of the level of energy-yielding catabolites in the cell and the source term for C , as a measure of the cells stored reserves. Starvation for C induces catabolism of stored reserves S through a rise in cAMP. As S , the source term for C declines, the feedback regulation through C can no longer maintain homeostosis and the control loop may be destabilised by small perturbations, i.e. it becomes excitable. A further decline in S can produce limit cycle oscillations in the catabolite-cAMP feedback loop. As S declines even further, continuous steady release of cAMP may ensue. In addition to incorporating the four developmental transitions observed during the aggregation phase as direct consequences of starvation, the model features a super-exponential emergence of relaying competence, phase shifts and acceleration of development by cAMP pulses, and a decreasing refractory period that becomes less than the period of an autonomous cell. All these features closely parallel experimental findings. Finally, the model suggests further experiments critical to an understanding of the dynamics underlying aggregation.
Micromechanics of the Lung

The sections in this article are: 1 Configuration of Terminal Air Spaces 1.1 Macroscopic Isotropy and Symmetry of Expansion 1.2 Alveolus–Alveolar Duct Interactions 1.3 Air-Space Morphometry—Light Microscopy 1.4 Air-Space Morphometry—Electron Microscopy 2 Mechanical Interactions of Tissue and Surface 2.1 Mechanical Models 2.2 Morphology in Presence and Absence of Surface Tension 2.3 Effects on Capillaries and Interstitial Fluid 3 Closure 3.1 Airways 3.2 Alveoli 3.3 Sequence of Closure 4 Opening 4.1 Airways 4.2 Alveoli 4.3 Mechanics of Opening 4.4 Septal Pleats 5 Gas Trapping 5.1 Foam 5.2 Mechanism 5.3 Trapping in Vivo 6 Instability 6.1 Negative Pressure- Volume Compliance 6.2 Configurational Stability 6.3 Surface Tension Elastance 6.4 Positive Tissue Elastance 6.5 Network Behavior (Interdependence)
Effect of Correlated Noise on Source Shape Parameters and Weak Lensing Measurements

The measurement of shape parameters of sources in astronomical images is usually performed by assuming that the underlying noise is uncorrelated. Spatial noise correlation is however present in practice due to various observational effects and can affect source shape parameters. This effect is particularly important for measurements of weak gravitational lensing, for which the sought image distortions are typically of the order of only 1%. We compute the effect of correlated noise on two-dimensional gaussian fits in full generality. The noise properties are naturally quantified by the noise autocorrelation function (ACF), which is easily measured in practice. We compute the resulting bias on the mean, variance and covariance of the source parameters, and the induced correlation between the shapes of neighboring sources. We show that these biases are of second order in the inverse signal-to-noise ratio of the source, and could thus be overlooked if bright stars are used to monitor systematic distortions. Radio interferometric surveys are particularly prone to this effect because of the long-range pixel correlations produced by the Fourier inversion involved in their image construction. As a concrete application, we consider the search for weak lensing by large-scale structure with the FIRST radio survey. We measure the noise ACF for a FIRST coadded field, and compute the resulting ellipticity correlation function induced by the noise. In comparison with the weak-lensing signal expected in CDM models, the noise correlation effect is important on small angular scales, but is negligible for source separations greater than about 1 arcmin. We also discuss how noise correlation can affect weak-lensing studies with optical surveys.
On the Fracture Response of Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

In this paper, the effect of global thermo-mechanically-induced phase transformation on the driving force for crack growth in polycrystalline shape memory alloys is analyzed in an infinite center-cracked plate subjected to thermal actuation under isobaric, plane strain, mode I loading. Finite element calculations are carried out to determine the mechanical fields near the static crack and the crack-tip energy release rate using the virtual crack closure technique. Analysis of the static crack shows that, as compared to constant mechanical loading, the energy release rate during cooling increases by approximately an order of magnitude. This increase is attributed to the stress redistribution at the crack-tip induced by global phase transformation during cooling. Crack growth during actuation is assumed to occur when the crack-tip energy release rate reaches a material specific critical value. Fracture toughening behavior is observed during crack growth and is mainly associated with the energy dissipated by the progressively occurring phase transformation close to the moving crack tip. Lastly, the effect of crack configuration on fracture toughness enhancement in the large-scale transformation problem is studied. Numerical results for static cracks in compact tensile and three-point bending SMA specimens are reported and a comparison of fracture toughening during thermal actuation in the semi-infinite crack configuration with the compact tensile and three-point bending geometries is presented.
Long‐period prompt‐penetration electric fields derived from CHAMP satellite magnetic measurements

[1] The prompt penetration of the interplanetary electric field to the equatorial ionosphere is conveniently modeled with a frequency-dependent transfer function. However, long-period responses (>3 h) of previously estimated transfer functions differ considerably due to insufficient ionospheric eastward electric field (EEF) data useful for spectral analysis. The EEF derived from the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) satellite provides a new opportunity to reliably estimate the long-period transfer function for the first time. Our objectives in this paper are twofold: first, we analyze the frequency spectra of the equatorial ionospheric eastward electric field for periods greater than 6 h; second, we test the hypothesis that the average prompt-penetration effect lasts less than 3 h after an initial perturbation in the interplanetary electric field (IEF). We find that atmospheric sources dominate the EEF at diurnal frequencies, and its subharmonics and magnetospheric sources dominate the EEF for other frequencies. The CHAMP-derived transfer function has smaller errors than the previous estimates, and we confirm that the average prompt-penetration response of the equatorial ionospheric electric field to a 1 mV/m change in the IEF is negligible after 3 h and up to the maximum analysis period of 32 h. We update our transfer function model with the new data sets and make the filter coefficients available to the scientific community. The transfer function prediction matched reasonably well with the EEF observation in both the South American and Indian sectors. A transfer function model of the prompt-penetration effects, driven by the interplanetary electric field, can be highly beneficial to the real-time specification of the ionosphere.