cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological, Histological, and Histochemical Studies of the Alimentary Canal and Malpighian Tubes of the Adult Boll Weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The alimentary canal of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), begins in the head-capsule proper. The frontal ganglion is situated ventral to the frontal fovea, which is approached by the anterior tentorial arms. The dorsal surface of the snout is composed principally of the clypeus. Studlike projections on the anterior, saclike portion of the ventriculus are “diverticula,” which probably regenerate epithelial cells. Caeca, arranged in 2 opposed rows, are found on the posterior, tubular portion of the ventriculus. The peritrophic membrane appears to be secreted in this portion of the ventriculus. The malpighian tubes enter into a cryptonephridial arrangement. There is an abundance of PA/S-positive materials in the alimentary canal. Glycogen is present mainly in the muscles associated with the alimentary canal and in the epithelium of the hindgut. Certain structures in the alimentary canal (e.g., the Stutzlamelle and the peritrophic membrane) give both PA/S- and alcian blue-positive reactions. This may be due to the location of PA/S- and alcian blue-positive substances in the same sites, or, in part, to a reaction of alcian blue with nonacidic, PA/S-positive materials. Chitinous structures in the alimentary canal did not react or reacted very little with alcian blue.
“I’m not sure I trust the system yet”: Lesbian Service Member Experiences with Mental Health Care.

The purpose of this research was to understand lesbian service member experiences with mental health care. Individual and organizational factors were explored, including the influence of military p...
The North American Species of Trigonura (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae)

Males and females of six species are keyed out, and each species is described and its known distribution reported. All are parasites on wood-boring Coleoptera. T. algerti (Texas to California), T. ulmi (Quebec to North Carolina, also Illinois and Iowa), and T. pini (California to British Columbia) are new species; T. elegans (Prov.) (= T. hicoriae Roh.), new synonymy.
New Datums By the End of the Next Decade For the United States of America

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is the lead federal agency on the Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS), which is a part of the broader Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). While the FGDC focuses on broader collaboration involving geospatial data, the FGCS focuses on maintaining the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) to ensure maximum accuracy and consistency when referencing the geospatial data. NGS is a responsible for maintaining the NSRS and access to it. The NSRS is composed of a number of elements including the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). Both of these show significant problems when viewed in the context of global observing systems such as GNSS and data from the GRACE gravity satellite mission (Tapley et al. 2005). Meter level biases and slopes are seen in NAD 83, while NAVD 88 shows similar problems with 30-50 cm regional variations. Both of these are problematic given expectation by users for centimeter-level of accuracy. NGS is moving to adopt new datums to replace NAD 83 and NAVD 88 by the end of the next decade. These changes will impact not only federal agencies but all those who rely upon the products of those agencies. Examples would include map products from the USGS, flood plain maps (FIRMettes), cadastral information at the county level, and numerous GIS applications. This also will impact commercial and engineering operations that rely upon precise positioning and the local gravity field variations including shipping and port operations, pipelines, and surveys. NGS intends to replace NAD 83 with a new ellipsoidal datum more consistent with more recent reference frameworks (e.g., ITRF05). More significantly, NAVD 88 will be replaced by a gravimetric geoid height model. This model will work in conjunction with the new ellipsoidal datum to provide consistent, cm-level accurate, GNSS-derived orthometric heights. These heights will be capable of being transformed to express geopotential numbers to provide dynamic or other types of heights. The new vertical datum will be developed through the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) project (Smith 2007). This project will collect gravity field information from numerous sources and spectrally meld them into a seamless whole.
Colonic myoelectrical activity in irritable-bowel syndrome. Effect of eating and anticholinergics.

Abstract To determine the effect of a standard meal on colonic myoelectrical and motor activity in the irritable-bowel syndrome and to determine the effect of a single dose of an oral anticholinergic drug (clidinium bromide) on this response, we studied 10 patients. These patients showed a prolonged increase in both colonic spike (P<0.05) and motor activity (P<0.05) after eating as compared to normal subjects. Clidinium did not affect the frequency of colonic slow waves or the basal colonic spike and motor activity. However, the anticholinergic reduced the prolonged postprandial colonic spike and motor response in the patients and also reduced the postprandial increase in colonic contractions at 3 cycles per minute (P<0.05). These studies indicate that patients with the irritable-bowel syndrome show an abnormally prolonged postprandial increase in colonie spike and motor activity. An anticholinergic drug reduces the duration and the magnitude of this abnormal colonic response. (N Engl J Med 298:878–883, 1978)
Disk-locality in datacenter computing considered irrelevant

Data center computing is becoming pervasive in many organizations. Computing frameworks such as MapReduce [17], Hadoop [6] and Dryad [25], split jobs into small tasks that are run on the cluster’s compute nodes. Through these frameworks, computation can be performed on large datasets in a fault-tolerant way, while hiding the complexities of the distributed nature of the cluster. For these reasons, a considerable work has been done to improve the efficiency of these frameworks.
Early weaning and postweaning nutritional management affect feedlot performance of Angus x Simmental heifers and the relationship of 12th rib fat and marbling score to feed efficiency

Early-weaned Angus x Simmental heifers were used to evaluate the effects of postweaning nutritional management on feedlot performance, carcass merit, and the relationship of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat deposition to the feed efficiency among heifers fed for a high-quality market. Sixteen heifers were weaned at 73+/-5.5 d of age and grazed on endophyte-infected tall fescue for 18 mo before entering the feedlot (early-weaned-P). Eighty heifers from the following year's calf crop were weaned at 71+/-5.5 d of age and allowed either ad libitum access to a 25% concentrate diet (early-weaned-25C) or limit-fed a 90% concentrate diet (early-weaned-90C) to achieve a similar ADG. Following a 119-d growing period, 16 early-weaned-90C and 16 early-weaned-25C calves were paired based on BW and growth rate and individually fed during the finishing period along with the early-weaned-P heifers. Ultrasound measurements of s.c. and i.m. fat were recorded at approximately 60-d intervals throughout the finishing period. Feed efficiency was regressed against s.c. and i.m. fat, and i.m. fat was regressed on s.c. fat. Despite a similar ADG, early-weaned-90C calves gained more efficiently (P < or = 0.05) in the feedlot than early-weaned-25C calves. Heifers finished as yearlings tended (P < or = 0.10) to gain faster but gained less efficiently (P < or = 0.01) than early-weaned-90C heifers finished as calves. The rate of s.c. and i.m. fat deposition was similar between early-weaned-90C and early-weaned-25C heifer calves. The calves were grouped together for comparison to yearlings. Feed efficiency decreased quadratically (P < or = 0.01) as s.c. fat cover increased. The rate at which feed efficiency decreased relative to increasing s.c. fat cover was similar regardless of age at feedlot entry. However, heifers finished as calves gained more efficiently (P < or = 0.01) than yearlings at any given fat thickness. Feed efficiency decreased linearly (P < or = 0.01) as i.m. fat increased among heifers finished as calves. Additionally, heifers finished as calves deposited i.m. fat at a faster rate relative to s.c. fat (P < or = 0.01) than yearlings. These data suggest that heifers finished as calves produce high-quality carcasses with less s.c. fat cover while gaining more efficiently than heifers finished as yearlings.
Exercise after Stroke: Patient Adherence and Beliefs after Discharge from Rehabilitation.

Background: Most people complete post-stroke rehabilitation within the first 6 months after stroke even though benefits from exercise are believed to persist well beyond 6 months. Physical and Occupational therapists provide home exercise programs (HEP) to instruct patients on exercises to continue after discharge from rehabilitation. Unfortunately, there is little known about HEP adherence rates in adults with stroke.Objectives: The objectives of this project were to (1) determine the adherence rate with post-rehabilitation HEP and reasons for non-adherence, (2) assess for interactions between HEP adherence and self-report of depression and fatigue, and (3) determine patient beliefs about the benefit of exercise during stroke recovery.Design: This was a cross-sectional, survey study.Methods: A survey was developed and distributed during stroke support group meetings to determine adherence rates with post rehabilitation HEP, reasons for non-adherence, and patient beliefs about the benefit of exercise.Resu...
The Four Dimensions of the Spreading Axis

Even though Matthew Fontaine Maury had revealed the existence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge a hundred years before, it was well past the mid-point of the present century before the reality and great extent of the global mid-ocean ridge system became impressed upon the collective consciousness of marine geoscientists, largely due to the efforts of Bruce C. Heezen (e.g., Ewing and Heezen, 1956), and later H.W. Menard (1958). Not until the late 1950’s did the globe-girdling ridge evolve into a major oceanographic issue. Its image, however, remained rather two-dimensional, based as it was upon widely spaced ocean traverses; a broad, rather gentle rise, usually cleft longitudinally and deeply along its crest.
Single-Sensor, Cue-Counting Population Density Estimation: Average Probability of Detection of Broadband Clicks

Odontocete echolocation clicks have been used as a preferred cue for density estimation using single-sensor data sets, requiring estimation of detection probability as a function of range. Many such clicks can be very broadband in nature, with 10-dB bandwidths of 20–40 kHz or more. Detection distances are not readily obtained from single-sensor data. Here, the average detection probability is estimated in a Monte Carlo simulation using the passive sonar equation along with transmission loss calculations to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of tens of thousands of click realizations. Continuous-wave (CW) analysis, i.e., single-frequency analysis, is inherent to basic forms of the passive sonar equation. Using CW analysis with the click's center frequency while disregarding its bandwidth has been shown to introduce bias into detection probabilities and hence to density estimates. In this study, the effects of highly broadband clicks on density estimates are further examined. The usage of transmission loss as an appropriate measure for calculating click SNR is also discussed. The main contributions from this research are (1) an alternative approach to estimate the average probability of detection of broadband clicks, and (2) understanding the effects of multipath clicks on population density estimates.
Isothermal Amplification Strategies for Detection in Microfluidic Devices.

Isothermal rolling circle amplification (RCA) is used to detect nucleic and non-nucleic acid biomarkers with high sensitivity. Immuno-RCA, the specific detection of proteins via antigen–antibody recognition, has been miniaturized for microfluidic platforms to reduce reagent and sample consumption, accelerate reaction kinetics, and enhance the sensitivity and specificity of detection.
Geriatric Orthopedic Surgery

Among older adults, musculoskeletal disorders are very common and often interfere with function and quality of life. These conditions include arthritic joints, fragility fractures, musculoskeletal infections, degeneration and tearing of tendons, tendinitis, and compressive disorders of the spine and peripheral nerves. Because patients are living longer, healthier lives and have higher expectations for the quality of their lives than previous generations, many older patients will seek musculoskeletal care to improve their function and quality of life. Older adults have tremendous variability in their health status and physiologic state, both of which must be carefully considered when providing musculoskeletal care. Simply stated, the older adult orthopedic patient is very different from younger adults, and this chapter will focus on specific considerations, techniques, and approaches to care required by the older adult.
Characterizing cell subsets using marker enrichment modeling

Learning cell identity from high-content single-cell data presently relies on human experts. We present marker enrichment modeling (MEM), an algorithm that objectively describes cells by quantifying contextual feature enrichment and reporting a human- and machine-readable text label. MEM outperforms traditional metrics in describing immune and cancer cell subsets from fluorescence and mass cytometry. MEM provides a quantitative language to communicate characteristics of new and established cytotypes observed in complex tissues.
SERS-based inverse molecular sentinel (iMS) nanoprobes for multiplexed detection of microRNA cancer biomarkers in biological samples

The development of sensitive and selective biosensing techniques is of great interest for clinical diagnostics. Here, we describe the development and application of a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing technology, referred to as "inverse Molecular Sentinel (iMS)" nanoprobes, for the detection of nucleic acid biomarkers in biological samples. This iMS nanoprobe involves the use of plasmonic-active nanostars as the sensing platform for a homogenous assay for multiplexed detection of nucleic acid biomarkers, including DNA, RNA and microRNA (miRNA). The "OFF-to-ON" signal switch is based on a non-enzymatic strand-displacement process and the conformational change of stem-loop (hairpin) oligonucleotide probes upon target binding. Here, we demonstrate the development of iMS nanoprobes for the detection of DNA sequences as well as a modified design of the nanoprobe for the detection of short (22-nt) microRNA sequences. The application of iMS nanoprobes to detect miRNAs in real biological samples was performed with total small RNA extracted from breast cancer cell lines. The multiplex capability of the iMS technique was demonstrated using a mixture of the two differently labeled nanoprobes to detect miR-21 and miR-34a miRNA biomarkers for breast cancer. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of applying the iMS technique for multiplexed detection of nucleic acid biomarkers, including short miRNAs molecules.
Identification of a Gravitropism-Deficient Mutant in Rice

Abstract A gravitropism-deficient mutant M96 was isolated from a mutant bank, generated by ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis of indica rice accession ZJ100. The mutant was characterized as prostrate growth at the beginning of germination, and the prostrate growth phenotype ran through the whole life duration. Tiller angle and tiller number of M96 increased significantly in comparison with the wild type. Tissue section observation analysis indicated that asymmetric stem growth around the second node occurred in M96 . Genetic analysis and gene mapping showed that M96 was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene, tentatively termed as gravitropism-deficient M96 ( gdM96 ), which was mapped to a region of 506 kb flanked by markers RM5960 and InDel8 on the long arm of chromosome 11. Sequencing analysis of the open reading frames in this region revealed a nucleotide substitution from G to T in the third exon of LOC_Os11g29840 . Additionally, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression level of LOC_Os11g29840 in the stems was much higher than in the roots and leaves in M96 . Furthermore, the expression level was more than four times in M96 stem than in the wild type stem. Our results suggested that the mutant gene was likely a new allele to the reported gene LAZY1 . Isolation of this new allele would facilitate the further characterization of LAZY1 .
A transition program to help student-athletes move on to lifetime physical activity

ABSTRACTMaintaining healthy levels of physical activity after competitive sports careers end can be challenging. Evidence-based programs are needed to prepare athletes for the transition from highly structured, competitive athletics to lifetime physical activity. In this article, we describe the development of our Moving On! program, which is designed to help student-athletes make healthy transitions to life after college sports. By outlining our experiences with this program, we offer a blueprint that may serve as a useful guide for sport and exercise psychology practitioners who wish to implement sport transition programs that foster the long-term health and well-being of student-athletes.
Integrative Analysis of ChIP-Chip and ChIP-Seq Dataset

Epigenetic regulation and interactions between transcription factors and regulatory genomic regions play crucial roles in controlling transcriptional regulatory networks that drive development, environmental responses, and disease. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) and ChIP followed by genomic tiling microarray hybridization (ChIP-chip) are the two of the most widely used technologies for genome-wide identification of DNA protein interactions and histone modification in vivo. Many algorithms and tools have been developed and evaluated that allow identification of transcription factor binding sites from ChIP-seq or ChIP-chip datasets. However, binding site identification is only the first step; the ultimate goal is to discover the regulatory network of the transcription factor (TF). Here, we present a common workflow for downstream analysis of ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq with an emphasis on annotating binding sites and integration with gene expression data to identify direct and indirect targets of the TF. These tools will help with the overall goal of unraveling transcriptional regulatory networks using datasets publicly available in GEO.
Chemical and Photo Oxidation

In the aquatic and atmospheric environments, oxidation by free radicals, singlet oxygen (1O2) or ozone (O3) can be an important fate process for many organic chemicals. An understanding of how these oxidants behave toward organic structures and their probable average concentrations in water or air is essential for predicting the rates and products of chemical oxidation reactions.
Microbial separation from a complex matrix by a hand-held microfluidic device

Through a simple chemical activation of biomolecules present in the outer structures of microbial cells, microorganisms can be rapidly isolated on gold-coated surfaces in a microfluidic device with over 99% capture efficiency. Bacterial and fungal cells can be selectively captured, concentrated and retrieved for further analysis.
Smaller size-at-age menhaden with coastal warming and fishing intensity

The size-at-age of one million Brevoortia tyrannus and B. patronus, harvested from Maine to Texas over 65 years, were analysed to determine if there was evidence of changes consistent with the well documented temperature size rules. The average annual weight and length for age 3-, 4- and 5-year-old fish declined on both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (GOM) coasts. For example, the average size of a 4-year-old fish captured in 2010 from the Atlantic and GOM, relative to an average 4-year-old fish captured in 1987, is 15 per cent and 11 per cent lighter, respectively. Small changes in the year-to-year size of same-aged fish were closely related to variations in the annual air temperature (used as a proxy for water temperature) for fish on both coasts. The size-at-age of GOM fish are also smaller during overfished periods compared with underfished periods by 10–24 per cent, and decrease by about the same proportion as indicated by temperature changes. The most plausible explanation for these size changes is that they are a consequence of recent coastal and oceanic warming. These reductions in size-at-age by temperature and fishing pressure affect egg production, oil yield and prey community for one-half of the US Atlantic and GOM fish harvest. The future of menhaden fish size-at-age will be, it seems, smaller as oceanic temperatures rise.
Four-Node “Locking-Free” Elements: Capturing Analytical Stresses in Pure Bending: For Two Orthogonal Directions

We can exactly reproduce linear axial stresses without shear (To satisfy equilibrium point-wise, the (u, v) components of a typical displacement vector must be coupled through the Poisson’s ratio ν. ), in four-node (plane) elements. Neither their geometrical shapes—including concavity—nor the Poisson’s ratio ν pose any impediment. This locking-free condition can only be achieved when the neutral axis, under pure bending, is aligned along one of the two pre-selected directions.
Operaciones sling para incontinencia urinaria por estrés

Las cintas mediouretrales se han convertido en el tratamiento de eleccion de pacientes con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo. Para conseguir mejores resultados y minimizar las complicaciones, es fundamental la seleccion cuidadosa de pacientes para recibir el tratamiento. Las cintas mediouretrales transobturadoras son efectivas en pacientes con incontinencia de esfuerzo leve a moderada, mientras que las cintas retropubicas lo son para los casos de incontinencia mas severa. Las complicaciones originadas por las cintas transobturadoras son relativamente leves (dolor en las ingles), pero pueden ser mas graves con las cintas retropubicas, pues las agujas se pasan de forma ciega. En Estados Unidos se han difundido recientes acciones legales en contra de la colocacion de mallas para prolapso hasta cintas suburetrales antiincontinencia. Los datos de efectividad y seguridad a largo plazo con las cintas mediouretrales en pacientes con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo apoyan ampliamente esta tecnica
Reaching Latino families through pediatric primary care: Outcomes of the CANNE parent training program

The lack of culturally adapted parenting programs for Latinos contributes to low engagement in effective parenting programs. Criando a Nuestros Ninos Hacio el Exito (CANNE), a culturally adapted pr...
Thiopurine Optimization Through Combination With Allopurinol in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

ABSTRACTObjectives:Thiopurines are commonly used in the maintenance of remission for children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Variation in drug metabolism may affect hepatotoxicity or therapeutic effect. We aimed to describe our center's experience with thiopurine optimization through the u
Morality and Evolution

We address the evolutionary roots of our moral sense from a comparative perspective. We argue that, like humans, animals have a rudimentary sense of fairness, distinguish between intentional and accidental outcomes, and respond aversely to inequities, and individuals with uncooperative reputations. Unlike humans, animals lack the ability to spontaneously maintain prosocial and reciprocal behavior with unrelated others, do not punish individuals who fail to cooperate and, critically, are not guided by a psychology that perceives a difference between what is and what ought to be.
Diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A: active-site structure and enzymic mechanism.

Diphtheria toxin (DT), secreted by lysogenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae carrying the phage-encoded DT gene, was the first ADP-ribosylating toxin for which the molecular mechanism of action was elucidated (Collier 1975; Pappenheimer 1977), and for many years DT has served as an important model system for studying the pathogenesis of bacterial exotoxins (Collier 1982; Jacobson and Jacobson 1989; Moss and Vaughan 1990). DT and the closely related exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa(ETA) both catalyze the ADP-ribosylation of a post-translationally modified histidine (diphthamide) on elongation factor 2 (EF-2) (Honjo et al. 1968, 1969; Gill et al. 1969; Iglewski and Kabat 1975; Iglewski et al. 1977). EF-2 is a GTP-binding protein involved in protein biosynthesis by eukaryotic cells. ADP-ribosylated EF-2 is no longer able to mediate polypeptide chain elongation, and consequently, toxin-treated cells lose the ability to synthesize protein and ultimately die. Although toxins have not yet been described in detail, recent studies have yielded relevant information. This chapter will focus on some of the more recent studies and what the findings tell us about the structure of the active site and’the nature of the reaction catalyzed by these toxins.
CD44 and β1 integrins mediate ovarian carcinoma cell migration toward extracellular matrix proteins

Epithelial cancer of the ovary spreads by implantation of tumor cells onto the mesothelial cells that line the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this study was to identify the cell–matrix interactions that mediate ovarian carcinoma cell migration toward components of the mesothelial cell-associated extracellular matrix. The human ovarian carcinoma cell lines NIH:OVCAR5 and SKOV3 were analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of cell surface receptors. The ability of those receptors to mediate ovarian carcinoma cell migration toward fibronectin, type IV collagen, and laminin was determined. A monoclonal antibody against the β1 integrin subunit abrogated the migration of both cell lines toward the extracellular matrix proteins. Blocking antibodies against alpha integrin subunits suggest that ovarian carcinoma cell migration toward fibronectin is primarily mediated by the ∝5β1 integrin, type IV collagen by the ∝2β1 integrin, and laminin by the ∝6β1 integrin. These results suggest that ovarian carcinoma cell migration is regulated by multiple β1 integrin–matrix interactions. Significant reduction of cell migration was observed with a monoclonal antibody against CD44 that blocks the hyaluronan-binding site of CD44, but not with an antibody that binds at an alternate site on CD44. Intact hyaluronan and/or hyaluronan oligomers also inhibited cell migration, suggesting that the CD44–hyaluronan interaction provides an integrin-independent mechanism of control for ovarian carcinoma cell migration. These results suggest that ovarian carcinoma cell migration is regulated by both integrin-dependent mechanisms, involving the interaction of β1 integrins with extracellular matrix proteins, and an integrin-independent mechanism that involves the interaction of CD44 and hyaluronan.
Dieting in the Long Sixties: Constructing the Identity of the Modern American Dieter

The gender narrative of the 1960s frequently focuses on the reemergence of feminism, yet a growing diet culture provides an alternate entry point for investigating the era and its gendered foodways. The growth of both movements also provides a new perspective on the consumer landscape and ideals regarding female dieting behaviors. To that end, this article interrogates advertisements for the popular appetite suppressant Ayds, the first to use before-and-after photography and a first-person narrative to detail a woman9s weight-loss journey. Using Erving Goffman9s frame analysis theory to examine gender while applying a feminist-inspired lens to the text, a female identity emerges. Called the Modern American Dieter, she was a woman trapped between a traditional past and the promise of a new, feminist-inspired future. Both worlds were shaped by the era9s marketers, who created a modern dieting narrative (using commodity scientism and female empowerment) that still exists today to sell weight loss.
Reducing interactive refactoring effort via clustering-based multi-objective search

Refactoring is nowadays widely adopted in the industry because bad design decisions can be very costly and extremely risky. On the one hand, automated refactoring does not always lead to the desired design. On the other hand, manual refactoring is error-prone, time-consuming and not practical for radical changes. Thus, recent research trends in the field focused on integrating developers feedback into automated refactoring recommendations because developers understand the problem domain intuitively and may have a clear target design in mind. However, this interactive process can be repetitive, expensive, and tedious since developers must evaluate recommended refactorings, and adapt them to the targeted design especially in large systems where the number of possible strategies can grow exponentially. In this paper, we propose an interactive approach combining the use of multi-objective and unsupervised learning to reduce the developer's interaction effort when refactoring systems. We generate, first, using multi-objective search different possible refactoring strategies by finding a trade-off between several conflicting quality attributes. Then, an unsupervised learning algorithm clusters the different trade-off solutions, called the Pareto front, to guide the developers in selecting their region of interests and reduce the number of refactoring options to explore. The feedback from the developer, both at the cluster and solution levels, are used to automatically generate constraints to reduce the search space in the next iterations and focus on the region of developer preferences. We selected 14 active developers to manually evaluate the effectiveness our tool on 5 open source projects and one industrial system. The results show that the participants found their desired refactorings faster and more accurate than the current state of the art.
Average Reward Criterion

This chapter discusses the methods to maximize the long-run average return. In the chapter, it is supposed that a bounded reward R( i , a ) is earned whenever action a is chosen in state i and that the objective was to maximize the long-run expected average reward per unit time. For any policy, there is a stationary policy that does at least as well as an optimal policy. If this were always to be the case, then it would suffice to restrict attention to the class of stationary policies; however, this is not true. By constantly switching from one stationary policy to a better one, a nonstationary policy can be obtained that attains the limiting average return of these stationary policies. This raises the question of whether nonstationary policies may be needed only because they sometimes allow obtaining the limit of the returns from a sequence of stationary policies. If this were to be true, then for any nonstationary policy, a stationary policy can be found whose average return is arbitrarily close. However, the chapter presents counterexample that presents a situation in which no stationary policy has a return within ∈ of a given nonstationary policy.
Hell’s Bells: Delight in Transatlantic Jinglings

Although seemingly insignificant due to its diminutive size and soft resonance, the jingle bell has a rich archival history evident in surviving physical specimens and in travel narratives, as Wood discusses in “Hell’s Bells: Transatlantic Jinglings.” Trunks of these so-called “trifles” were brought to the New World as cheap trading items exchanged with native peoples. This chapter traces the motion of these small bells as they jingle throughout early modern travel narratives and onto the stage; their sound became so closely aligned with the New World that bells accompany music performed by a New World Indian figure in The Maske of Flowers. Though touted as “trifles” improperly overvalued by native peoples, these bells were also immensely popular in England and on the continent.
Effects of Preinjury and Postinjury Exposure to Caffeine in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Lethal apnea is a significant cause of acute mortality following a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is associated with a surge of adenosine, which also suppresses respiratory function in the brainstem. Methods and Materials: This study examined the acute and chronic effects of caffeine, an adenosine receptor antagonist, on acute mortality and morbidity after fluid percussion injury. Results: We demonstrate that, regardless of preinjury caffeine exposure, an acute bolus of caffeine given immediately following the injury dosedependently prevented lethal apnea and has no detrimental effects on motor performance following sublethal injuries. Finally, we demonstrate that chronic caffeine treatment after injury, but not caffeine withdrawal, impairs recovery of motor function. Conclusions: Preexposure of the injured brain to caffeine does not have a major impact on acute and delayed outcome parameters; more importantly, a single acute dose of caffeine after the injury can prevent lethal apnea regardless of chronic caffeine preexposure.
Linking Knowledge Discovery In Clinical Notes And Massive Biomedical Literature Repositories

With the increase of adopting Electronic Health Records (EHR) in clinical practice, a promising venue where patient histories are analyzed to conduct clinical research has emerged. In the same time, the sheer number of biomedical literature introduced novel text mining methods that are able to analyze, structure, and summarize information and integrate it into various domain-specific databases and ontologies. However, novel approaches that complement and go beyond clinical and biomedical research are required in the domain of evidence-based medicine where the link between the two areas of research is established. In this research, we utilized NLP, text mining, and data mining methods to extract, analyze, and discover knowledge of clinical entities' associations from clinical notes in EHR and link them with the biomedical literature to optimize the evidence-based medicine utilization.
The Smooth Forcing Extension Method: A High-Order Technique for Solving Elliptic Equations on Complex Domains

Abstract High-order numerical methods for solving elliptic equations over arbitrary domains typically require specialized machinery, such as high-quality conforming grids for finite elements method, and quadrature rules for boundary integral methods. These tools make it difficult to apply these techniques to higher dimensions. In contrast, fixed Cartesian grid methods, such as the immersed boundary (IB) method, are easy to apply and generalize, but typically are low-order accurate. In this study, we introduce the Smooth Forcing Extension (SFE) method, a fixed Cartesian grid technique that builds on the insights of the IB method, and allows one to obtain arbitrary orders of accuracy. Our approach relies on a novel Fourier continuation method to compute extensions of the inhomogeneous terms to any desired regularity. This is combined with the highly accurate Non-Uniform Fast Fourier Transform for interpolation operations to yield a fast and robust method. Numerical tests confirm that the technique performs precisely as expected on one-dimensional test problems. In higher dimensions, the performance is even better, in some cases yielding sub-geometric convergence. We also demonstrate how this technique can be applied to solving parabolic problems and for computing the eigenvalues of elliptic operators on general domains, in the process illustrating its stability and amenability to generalization.
Prioritizing debt conversion opportunities for marine conservation

Incentivized debt conversion is a financing mechanism that can assist countries with a heavy debt burden to bolster their long-term domestic investment in nature conservation. The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation-based nongovernmental organization, is adapting debt conversions to support marine conservation efforts by small island developing states and coastal countries. Prioritizing debt conversion opportunities according to their potential return on investment can increase the impact and effectiveness of this finance mechanism. We developed guidance on how to do so with a decision-support approach that relies on a novel threat-based adaptation of cost-effectiveness analysis. We constructed scenarios by varying parameters of the approach, including enabling conditions, expected benefits, and threat classifications. Incorporating both abatable and unabatable threats affected priorities across planning scenarios. Similarly, differences in scenario construction resulted in unique solution sets for top priorities. We show how environmental organizations, private entities, and investment banks can adopt structured prioritization frameworks for making decisions about conservation finance investments, such as debt conversions. Our guidance can accommodate a suite of social, ecological, and economic considerations, making the approach broadly applicable to other conservation finance mechanisms or investment strategies that seek to establish a transparent process for return-on-investment decision-making.
Black Water Protection Bundle for First Responders and the Healthcare Environment

Background Black water flooding and other biological spills occur not too infrequently in the healthcare setting. Our first responders from engineering and environmental services teams often do not have immediate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other environmental supplies to prevent bodily exposures and contain the spread of contamination to the rest of the facility. Methods The Infection Prevention, Engineering, and Environmental Services Teams met to create a GRAB-AND-GO SPILL KIT BUNDLE. The team looked at existing resources at the Supply Chain Department that will meet PPE needs, namely: masks with eye protection, long nitrile gloves, long boot covers, waterproof and disposable coveralls, and tubs of bleach wipes. To contain the fluid spill, the following were purchased: three wet high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuums, capable of trapping 99.7 percent of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns when suctioning contaminated fluid, marine-grade fluid containment booms, and large absorbent pads. The last two replaced towels and linens for containing the spread of contaminated fluid. A cleanable rubber walk-off mat was added to serve as a neutral zone between the clean and contaminated areas of the flood or spill site. A list of supply inventory was included to the kit to establish maintenance par levels. Results Three units of the GRAB-AND-GO SPILL KIT were created to address the following: speedy and efficient response to the black water flooding or spills, protection of first responders from biological contamination and exposures, and containment of contaminated fluid and wastes from spreading to the rest of the facility. Conclusions First responders need immediate access to supplies to contain black water flooding and spills in the healthcare setting. This was achieved through a bundled approach, the handy GRAB-AND-GO KITS made it possible to protect both the first responders and the healthcare environment from biological exposures and contamination, respectively.
Measurement of induced-emission cross section and line broadening of copper laser lines 4 p P 3 2 2 − 4 S D 5 2 2 and 4 p P 1 2 2 − 4 S D 3 2 2

The induced-emission cross section of the copper laser lines $4p^{2}P_{\frac{3}{2}}\ensuremath{-}4S^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}$ (5106 \AA{}) and $4p^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}4S^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ (5782 \AA{}) have been measured for He and Ne as buffer gases at different pressures by using an amplification-gain technique. The line broadenings are deduced from the experimental data and compared to the values predicted by a pressure-broadening impact theory.
A thermally engineered polydopamine and bacterial nanocellulose bilayer membrane for photothermal membrane distillation with bactericidal capability

Abstract Solar energy holds great promise for sustainable desalination to alleviate global water scarcity. Recently developed solar steam generation relying on interfacial evaporators has high solar energy-to-steam efficiency (60–90%), but its vapor collection efficiency is low, typically ~30%. Here, we present a solar-driven photothermal membrane distillation (PMD) system that offers easy and highly efficient clean vapor generation, condensation, and collection. The new photothermal membrane is thermally-engineered to incorporate a bilayer structure composed of two environmentally-sustainable materials, polydopamine (PDA) particles and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), and it achieved a permeate flux of 1.0 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation and a high solar energy-to-collected water efficiency of 68%. The thermally-engineered strategy of using a bilayer structure ensures superb optical/photothermal activities, maximized membrane porosity (~93%), and reduced conductive heat transfer, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of the membrane. The strong chemically-bonded fluorosilane functional groups on the membrane surface provide stable hydrophobicity and high salt rejection (>99.9%). Moreover, under solar irradiation, the membrane shows effective interfacial photothermal disinfection to kill bacteria, enabling easy cleaning and increasing its lifespan. Using solar energy, the PMD system presented here can provide advantageous decentralized desalination for remote areas, and can support resilient community development.
Association of Study Methods and Industry Sponsorship With Inconsistent Performance of Molecular Assays for Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules.

This meta-analysis examines the association of methodologic differences in study design with observed performance of molecular assays for indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Comparison of potential plant-pollinator network structure for 3 seed mixes (lawn, roadside, and pollinator-planting) in western NY, USA

There is growing concern, locally and globally, about the health of pollinating insects and their decreasing abundance and diversity. While roads may also be contributing to insect pollinator declines (roads can contribute to habitat fragmentation and habitat destruction), roadsides may provide opportunities for pollinating insect conservation. Yet to use these areas to support local pollinating insects, we need to understand which plants will support wild pollinators, especially of conservation concern. To that end, we researched the potential plant-pollinator networks of three existing seed mixes in western New York (USA)- a roadside seed mix, a pollinator-friendly planting mix, and a lawn seed mix. We used publicly available information and built bipartite graphs to show the resulting networks. The pollinator-friendly seed mix supported the most pollinating insects overall and taxa of conservation concern. Yet the roadside mix, with the same species richness as the lawn seed mix, supported a different network based on the plants in the mix. Our results inform which particular plant species in existing seed mixes in western New York can support wild pollinating insect species of concern in the region. Additionally, our results show potentially how roadside and lawn plantings may be altered to support a broader network of pollinating insects.
Employment and income support policies during the early phases of COVID-19: Lessons from the U.S., Denmark, and Taiwan

As COVID-19 spread across the world in 2020, health and economic activities have been impacted, and unemployment has risen across many countries. The consequences have been particularly harmful to vulnerable populations such as women, racial minorities, or part-time workers. While many governments enacted employment and income support policies as a response to this economic and health crisis, there has been a lack of comparative and evaluative reviews of how policies have addressed unemployment and inequality during the pandemic. In this study, we draw on Esping-Andersen’s (1990) frame of a liberal versus social-democratic welfare state to contextualize some employment and income support polices during the early phases of COVID-19 from the U.S., Denmark, and Taiwan, aiming to enhance the understanding of such policies. We found that the U.S., being more aligned with a liberal welfare state regime, relied on more market mechanisms to address labor and employment issues. Denmark and Taiwan, being more aligned with a social-democratic welfare state, enacted more interventions in and redistributions outside of the market to address employment problems. The human costs of unemployment and unemployment and labor market hysteresis are addressed in light of these two different approaches and outcomes.
Weight management counseling experiences of first year medical students before starting medical school and their self-perceived impact on treating patients with obesity

Abstract Physicians can play a vital role in counseling patients on overweight and obesity. This secondary analysis examined whether experiences in patient care specific to weight management before starting medical school were associated with students’ intentions and confidence to provide weight management counseling (WMC) to patients who have overweight or obesity, and perceived impact as future physicians on patients’ motivation to manage weight. First-year medical students (n = 1305) in the entering class of 2020 at eight medical schools nationwide completed questions relating to their prior experiences in patient care and WMC using the 5As. Also assessed were their intentions to treat patients with overweight or obesity, and confidence in counseling patients to help manage their weight. Over half the students (58.3%) who completed the survey had prior experience in patient care and nearly half (47.4%) began medical school with prior WMC experiences. Prior experiences correlated positively with higher confidence in performing WMC and students’ intentions to treat patients with overweight or obesity. Given the relatively high rates of exposure to some type of weight management or lifestyle counseling among students before enrolling in medical school, the curriculum could build on established student interest and experience by offering treatment strategies including counseling for patients with overweight and obesity. By making prior experiences advantageous for admission, medical schools could gravitate towards admitting students who have brief but valuable insights about weight management in health care, thus increasing the possibility of filling important gaps.
On the Possibility of Semantic Corruption

This chapter develops a metasemantic view on which political struggles around racism and gender concepts are metasemantic struggles for control over the meanings of words. Here I introduce the basic framework of a social externalist metasemantics and the role of deference for establishing the meanings of words in use. The semantic corruption model is developed here as an example of the kind of metasemantics I want to argue against, plausible as it may seem. It sets the stage for the arguments given in Chap. 4.
From Luminosity to Love: Metaphysics and Empathy in Hearer of the Word:

Can a metaphysical argument for God’s existence warrant affirming not only that God is but that God is, and creates out of, love? In Hearer of the Word, Karl Rahner makes such an argument. After re...