cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerating the Convergence of Lattice Methods by Importance Sampling-Based Transformations

Importance sampling is a powerful technique for improving the stochastic solution of quadrature problems as well as problems associated with the solution of integral equations, and a generalization of importance sampling, called weighted importance sampling, provides even more potential for error reduction. Additionally, lattice methods are particularly effective for integrating sufficiently smooth periodic functions. We will discuss the advantage of combining these ideas to transform non-periodic to periodic integrands over the unit hypercube to improve the convergence rates of lattice-based quadrature formulas. We provide a pair of examples that show that with the proper choice of importance transformation, the order in the rate of convergence of a quadrature formula can be increased significantly. This technique becomes even more effective when implemented using a family of multidimensional dyadic sequences generally called extensible lattices. Based on an extension of an idea of Soboĺ [17] extensible lattices are both infinite and at the same time return to lattice-based methods with the appropriate choice of sample size. The effectiveness of these sequences, both theoretically and with numerical results, is discussed. Also, there is an interesting parallel with low discrepancy sequences generated by the fractional parts of integer multiples of irrationals which may point the way to a useful construction method for extensible lattices.
RhoGAP: The Next Big Thing for Small Mice?

The size of an organism is determined by the number and size of its constituent cells. The insulin/IGF-1 signaling systems have been long recognized to play a critical role in the determination of body size. Now the generation of mice deficient for a RhoGAP suggests that this small G protein might also regulate the growth of animals.
The State of the States: American College of Cardiology Chapter Successes, Challenges, and Future Focus

![Figure][1] It is difficult to find a more concrete example for how the American College of Cardiology (ACC) provides value to its members than in the success of its chapters. The ACC has more than 80 chapters around the globe, all of which provide a localized professional home for
The Embedded Librarian: Innovative Strategies for Taking Knowledge Where It's Needed by David Shumaker

The Embedded Librarian: Innovative Strategies for Taking Knowledge Where It's Needed is a valuable handbook for those embarking on an embedded librarian program or those who have embraced embedded ...
Collaborative implementation of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment within the medical community of Blair County, PA

Background This report provides an overview on the planning and implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training programs in one community healthcare system so that it can be a model for other systems who wish to implement similar programs. The goal was to reduce the impact of substance use disorders (SUD) on the criminal justice system and community by implementing SBIRT in local medical clinics to improve the early identification of and evidence-based intervention on SUD by the medical community.
Prodrugs for transdermal drug delivery – trends and challenges

Prodrugs continue to attract significant interest in the transdermal drug delivery field. These moieties can confer favorable physicochemical properties on transdermal drug delivery candidates. Alkyl chain lengthening, pegylation are some of the strategies used for prodrug synthesis. It is usually important to optimize partition coefficient, water and oil solubilities of drugs. In this review, progress made in the field of prodrugs for percutaneous penetration is highlighted and the challenges discussed.
Evaluation of the indices of retinol and alpha-tocopherol status in free-living elderly.

The relationship between plasma vitamins and lipids was determined in volunteers (N = 131; age = 73.1 +/- 6.1 y). The 24-hour food intake data and fasting plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol (HPLC), cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined three times in one year; 30 and 37% of elderly subjects had retinol and tocopherol intakes below two-thirds RDA, respectively; 35% used vitamin supplements. Plasma levels were: retinol = 1.76 +/- 0.41 mumol/L and tocopherol = 22.61 +/- 0.68 mumol/L; cholesterol = 5.15 +/- 0.77 mmol/L; triglycerides = 1.63 +/- 0.87 mmol/L. Plasma vitamin levels were adjusted to average plasma cholesterol (5.6 mmol/L) and triglyceride (1.24 mmol/L). Diet plus supplemental tocopherol intake correlated with plasma tocopherol (p less than .003). Using plasma vitamin levels, retinol status was normal, whereas 70% had low tocopherol status. Ratio of plasma alpha-tocopherol to lipids indicated that only 1-2% had low tocopherol status, while that of lipid-adjusted alpha-tocopherol to plasma lipids showed that 12% had low status. The latter ratio may be a better index of status.
Dominant Black Body Mutant in Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Transfer to Heliothis subflexa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) through Hybridization

A black body mutant in Heliothis virescens (F.) was shown to be dominant to wild type, inherited as a simple Mendelian trait, and lethal when homozygous. This trait was transferred to H. subflexa (Guenee), apparently by chromosome displacement. The genetic expression was similar in both species but the mutant in H. subflexa did not appear as fit as in H. virescens . We were unable to maintain a mutant H. subflexa line by crossing mutant females with mutant males beyond one generation because of low fertility and survival.
0113 Occupational risk factors for endometriosis among flight attendants

Objectives Previous studies suggest that flight attendants could have a higher risk for endometriosis than women in other occupations. Our objectives were to compare the rate of endometriosis among flight attendants to the rate in a comparison group of teachers, and to investigate occupational risk factors for endometriosis among flight attendants. Method We included 1780 flight attendants and 240 teachers aged 18–45 at enrollment. Endometriosis diagnosis was self-reported via telephone interview, and records of individual flights were retrieved from airlines to obtain work schedules and assess exposures for flight attendants. Cox regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between exposures and endometriosis, adjusting for body mass index at interview and using age as time scale. Results Flight attendants were no more likely to report endometriosis than teachers (adjusted OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.7–2.3). Among flight attendants, there were no clear trends between yearly cosmic radiation exposure, hours worked during normal sleeping hours, or ergonomic factors and endometriosis. A greater number of flights per day (adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.3 for 3+ versus 1 flights/day, p trend = 0.007) and fewer time zones crossed per flight (adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.7 for 0 vs. 2+ time zones/flight, p trend = 0.04) were associated with a higher rate of endometriosis. Conclusions The rate of endometriosis increased with number of flights and decreased with time zones crossed, which might be surrogates for exposures specific to flying a series of short flights during the workday.
The evil of banality: Arendt revisited

The banality of evil (Arendt) remains controversial and useful. Ironically, the concept is now itself a banality. To revisit and extend it, we consider the evil of banality, the profound dangers of...
An Operationally Simple and Scalable Approach to Functionalized Ionic Liquids from Phosphonium and N-Heterocyclic Halide Salts

An approach toward the synthesis of N-heterocyclic anionic ionic liquids is described. The ionic liquids are readily obtained by the treatment of the sodium salt of the parent N-heterocycle with the halide salt of the desired cation. Good to excellent yields (62–99%) of the corresponding ionic liquids are obtained without the use of excessive materials and time associated with conventional methods for synthesizing heterocyclic based ionic liquids.
Political Investment Cycles in Democracies and Autocracies

ABSTRACTExtant research has shown considerable interest in whether host countries’ political uncertainty impedes foreign direct investment (FDI). Building upon the scholarly consensus on the adverse impact of political uncertainty on FDI, this article demonstrates that the extent to which investment climates are unpredictable varies cyclically, on the basis of election timing in democracies and leadership turnover in autocracies. The empirical results show that in presidential democracies, FDI tends to slowly increase after an executive election and then decline as the next executive election nears. However, I find that an electoral investment cycle is not found in parliamentary democracies where election timing is irregular, less predictable, and endogenous to domestic economic conditions. I also find that a similar political investment cycle exists in autocracies not through electoral cycle but through leadership tenure cycle. The level of FDI inflows tends to be relatively low early in autocrats’ tenur...
The Ontology and Contemporary Significance of Confucianism

The pivot of human cultural innovation is to develop the most fundamental ontology of human nature and principle of the life world.Confucianism can make a contribution to the fulfillment of the task.In order to innovate and revive Confucianism,we need to have a profound understanding of the ontology of Confucianism.From the origin of Chinese culture,we can infer a creation theory which is different from the Western tradition.That is the level development of the Ultimate of Non-being and also the Great Ultimate,which is the basis and origination of Confucianism.The development of Confucianism is based on the creative thinking of Zhouyi philosophy and human consciousness.It is a learning of both knowledge ontology and ontological function.
Flow Characteristic Test for Large Steam Turbines

Setting steam distribution function of steam turbine by flow characteristic test can improve its control precision.To exactly calculate the main steam flow,not only the first stage temperature but also the first stage pressure should be considered.The concept of comprehensive opening of regulating valve is put forward.Taking the whole steam distribution structure as an object,a flow characteristic test method is designed,of which the effectiveness is proved by a 600 MW sub-critical unit.
Boiler Pipe Blowing Technique Analysis of a 600 MW Supercritical Unit

In this paper,the facilities of 2×600 MW supercritical power unit boiler in Guodian Changzhou electric power Co.,Ltd are introduced,in which the pipe blowing technique,flow path and key parameters for supercritical unit boiler with circulating pump are elaborated.Parameters control for boiler and turbine in the procedures of pipe blowing are analyzed.Some useful suggestions and conclusions for supercritical unit boiler pipe blowing are put forward which is good guidance for operation and commissioning in other power plant of the same type.
Role of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in the Management of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

To date, there have been several systematic reviews with meta-analysis that have shown no reduction in mortality with the use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Importantly, these reports fail to make a distinction between the pediatric and adult patient. The number of adult patients in these reviews are far greater than the number of pediatric patients which makes it difficult to interpret the data regarding the role of iNO on the pediatric population. Extrapolating data from the adult population to the pediatric population is complicated, as we know that physiology and the body’s response to disease can be different between adult and pediatric patients. iNO has been demonstrated to improve outcomes in term and near-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension. Recently, Bronicki et al. published a prospective randomized control trial investigating the impact of iNO on the pediatric patient population with acute respiratory failure. In this study, a benefit of decreased duration of mechanical ventilation and an increased rate of ECMO-free survival was demonstrated in patients who were randomized to receiving iNO, suggesting that there may be benefit to the use of iNO in pediatric ARDS (PARDS) that has not been demonstrated in adults. iNO has repeatedly been shown to transiently improve oxygenation in all age groups, and yet neonates and pediatric patients have shown improvement in other outcomes that have not been seen in adults. The mechanism that explains improvement with the use of iNO in these patient populations are not well understood but does not appear to be solely a result of sustained improvement in oxygenation. There are physiologic studies that suggest alternative mechanisms for explaining the positive effects of iNO, such as platelet aggregation inhibition and reduction in systemic inflammation. Hence the role of iNO by various mechanisms and in various age groups warrants further investigation.
Frailty and Sarcopenia as Predictors of Adverse Health Outcomes in Persons With Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Objectives Diabetes mellitus is associated with premature aging, and chronic diabetes is associated with significant physical and cognitive complications. We aimed to examine frailty and sarcopenia rates and 6-month health outcomes in a clinic-based sample of patients with diabetes. Design This study was an observational study. Participants were recruited from June 2014 to August 2014, and follow-up was conducted 6 months after day of screening. Setting Participants were recruited at outpatient endocrinology, geriatric, and internal medicine clinics affiliated with Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Participants Participants were persons with diabetes mellitus ages 50 to 90. Measurements Frailty and sarcopenia were identified using the FRAIL and SARC-F screens, respectively. A chart review of the patient's health record was performed on day of screening and at follow-up. A 6-month phone questionnaire was performed to evaluate health outcomes. Logistic regressions were used to evaluate health outcomes. Results A total of 198 persons with diabetes were recruited. Of the sample, 32.3% of the sample was nonfrail, 38.9% was prefrail, and 28.8% was frail; 29.3% of the sample was identified to have sarcopenia. Prefrail [odds ratio (OR) 2.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-7.42; P = .025] and frail (OR 4.70, 95% CI 1.67-13.19; P = .003) participants were more likely to be hospitalized overnight at 6-month follow-up. Frail (OR 3.57 95% CI 1.27-10.04; P = .016) participants were more likely to have a new activities of daily living (ADL) disability at follow-up; this association was not present for prefrail participants (OR 1.30, 95% CI .50-3.37; P = .59). Participants with sarcopenia were more likely to be hospitalized (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.67-8.61; P = .001) and to have a new ADL disability (OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.76-10.18; P = .001) at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions Among clinic patients with diabetes mellitus ages 50–90 years old, frailty and sarcopenia prevalence is high, and both syndromes are predictors of being hospitalized overnight and new ADL disability after 6 months.
Association of sugary beverages with survival among patients with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract

The role of consumption of added sugars in cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) is unclear. We examined associations between sugary beverages and susceptibility to UADT cancer as well as overall survival among UADT cancer patients. The association between dietary added sugar and susceptibility to UADT cancers or overall survival among 601 UADT cancer cases was evaluated using data from a population-based case–control study conducted in Los Angeles County. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for cancer susceptibility, and Cox regression was used to estimate hazards ratios (HRs) with 95 % CIs for survival, adjusting for relevant confounders. A total of 248 deaths were observed during follow-up (median 12.1 years). A positive association was observed with consumption of grams of sugar from beverages, including soft drinks and fruit juices, and poorer survival among UADT cancer cases (aHR, Q4 vs. Q1:1.88; 95 % CI 1.29, 2.72; p for trend = 0.002), as well as servings of sugary beverages (aHR, Q4 vs. Q1: 95 % CI 1.97, 95 % CI 1.32–2.93). This was due largely to consumption of sugars from soft drinks. Particularly, high consumption of sugary beverages was associated with poorer survival among esophageal cancer cases, driven by squamous cancers. No association was observed between sugary beverages and cancer susceptibility. These findings suggest that consumption of sugary beverages may decrease survival associated with UADT cancers. Additional studies should be conducted to examine survival among cancer patients consuming high amounts of added or refined sugars. Such studies may highlight prognostic factors for UADT cancers.
Asthma control and obesity in urban African American children

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI), gender, age, controller medication use, household smoke exposure, season, and allergic rhinitis status with asthma control in a group of lower income, African American children. We hypothesized that non-obese children would have better asthma control. Methods: Baseline data from a longitudinal study of children in a school-based asthma program in a Midwest urban area were analyzed. 360 children, ages 4–15 years, who were enrolled in either the 2012–2013 or 2013–2014 program were included. Asthma control was classified using criteria from the 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Multiple ordinal regression was performed. Results: The median age was 9 years, 61% had well-controlled asthma, and 29% were obese. The model included all main effects plus two interaction terms and was significant (χ2(7) = 22.17, p =.002). Females who were normal weight (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.38–5.60, p =.004) or overweight (OR, 3.12; 95%...
Structure and Expression of c-myb Protooncogene mRNA in Murine B-Cells

The c-myb proto-oncogene, which encodes a nuclear DNA binding protein (Boyle 1984, Kempnauer 1984) has been reported to be expressed predominantly in normal tissue and tumor cells of hematopoietic origin (Westin 1982; Gonda 1982). Moreover, for each hematopoietic lineage examined, the steady state levels of c-myb mRNA expression are highest in immature cells. These properties of the c-myb gene and its products are consistent with the idea that c-myb regulates hematopoietic maturation by controlling the expression of other genes. We have begun to examine this hypothesis using B-cell tumor lines.
The Generalizability of Social Pressure Effects on Turnout Across High-Salience Electoral Contexts: Field Experimental Evidence From 1.96 Million Citizens in 17 States:

Prior experiments show that campaign communications revealing subjects’ past turnout and applying social pressure to vote (the “Self” treatment) increase turnout. However, nearly all existing studi...
Established and emerging strategies for polymer chain-end modification

The development of “controlled” and “living” polymerization processes with high end-group fidelity has enabled an unprecedented range of polymeric materials with specific chain-end functionality to be prepared. This highlight provides an overview of available strategies and evaluation of recent approaches for the chain-end functionalization of polymers prepared through controlled chain-growth polymerizations. As a tribute to Professor Robert B. Grubbs on the occasion of his 75th birthday, we also take this opportunity to highlight methods for the chain-end modification of polymers prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization within the broader context of functional group tolerant, living polymerizations. Finally, we focus attention toward new directions in polymer chain-end modifications, describing existing gaps in current strategies, and detailing recently reported protocols that show significant improvements over traditional methods. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2903–2914
Testing the sensitivity of past climates to the indirect effects of dust

Mineral dust particles are important ice nuclei (IN), and as such indirectly impact Earth's radiative balance via the properties of cold clouds. Using CESM1.0.6, CAM5.1 and a new empirical parameterization for ice nucleation on dust particles, we investigate the radiative forcing induced by dust IN for different dust loadings. Dust emissions are representative of global conditions for the Last Glacial Maximum and the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period. Increased dust leads to smaller and more numerous ice crystals in mixed phase clouds, impacting cloud opacity, lifetime and precipitation. This increases the shortwave cloud radiative forcing, resulting in significant surface temperature cooling and polar amplification – which is underestimated in existing studies relative to paleoclimate archives. Large hydrological changes occur and are linked to an enhanced dynamical response. We conclude that dust indirect effects could potentially have a significant impact on the model-data mismatch that exists for paleoclimates.
Prediction of a mobile two-dimensional electron gas at the LaSc O 3 / BaSn O 3 (001) interface

Two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG) at oxide interfaces, such as $\mathrm{LaAl}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}/\mathrm{SrTi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (001), have aroused significant interest due to their high carrier density $(\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{14}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}2})$ and strong lateral confinement (\ensuremath{\sim}1 nm). However, these 2DEGs are normally hosted by the weakly dispersive and degenerate $d$ bands (e.g., $\mathrm{Ti}\text{\ensuremath{-}}3d$ bands), which are strongly coupled to the lattice, causing mobility of such 2DEGs to be relatively low at room temperature $(\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{2}/\mathrm{Vs})$. Here, we propose using oxide host materials with the conduction bands formed from $s$ electrons to increase carrier mobility and soften its temperature dependence. Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we investigate $\mathrm{LaSc}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}/\mathrm{BaSn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (001) heterostructure and as a model system, where the conduction band hosts the $s$-like carriers. We find that the polar discontinuity at this interface leads to electronic reconstruction resulting in the formation of the 2DEG at this interface. The conduction electrons reside in the highly dispersive $\mathrm{Sn}\text{\ensuremath{-}}5s$ bands, which have a large band width and a low effective mass. The predicted 2DEG is expected to be highly mobile even at room temperature due to the reduced electron-phonon scattering via the inter-band scattering channel. A qualitatively similar behavior is predicted for a doped $\mathrm{BaSn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, where a monolayer of BaO is replaced with LaO. We anticipate that the quantum phenomena associated with these 2DEGs to be more pronounced owing to the high mobility of the carriers.
Dermatomyositis Clinical and Pathological Phenotypes Associated with Myositis-Specific Autoantibodies

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with a variety of systemic and cutaneous manifestations. The myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) are associated with phenotypic features and provide a tool for sub-classification of dermatomyositis patients. This review focuses on recent work characterizing the clinical features that accompany the MSAs in dermatomyositis. There is increasing recognition of the distinct clinical and pathological phenotypes associated with each MSA. Most of these features display considerable overlap between MSA groups. Despite this, there are notable differences between the typical combinations of cutaneous and systemic manifestations, response to therapy, prognosis, and disease sequelae that define each dermatomyositis MSA group. The MSAs may ultimately improve diagnosis and sub-classification of dermatomyositis patients. However, more work is needed to understand the pathologic basis for much of the heterogeneity found within these subgroups.
Evaluation of SynPhase Lanterns for capturing Ac-225 from bulk thorium

Proton irradiation of a thorium (Th) target can produce Actinium-225 (Ac-225), but the irradiated thorium fissions results in the production of 100’s of other isotopes. SynPhase Lanterns containing sulfonic acid groups were evaluated for the purification of Ac-225 from Th and other fission metals. The SynPhase Lanterns were able to quantitatively and selectively capture Ac-225 and lanthanum (La) over Th. A second purification step would be needed to purify Ac-225 from trace amounts of Th and other fission products. The results from these studies were compared to similar studies performed with cation exchange resins, and the resins were superior at removing impurities.
Solicitation, HMOs, and Employee Choices

While the medical profession struggles with the possibility that medicine is really part “business,” and necessarily entails subtle or even overt competition for patients, health maintenance organizations are forging ahead with a direct marketing approach. Competition among alternative delivery systems is the watchword of the “HMO strategy”; solicitation of members is a sine qua non.
What is a Seat on the ECOSOC NGO Committee Worth? Exploring the State Motivations and Benefits of Granting UN Access to NGOs

The hallways of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) are no longer just occupied by state delegations, but instead, a majority of IGOs in existence today grant access or participatory rights to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) too. Many NGOs can therefore attend IGO conferences, participate in day-to-day IGO working groups, implement the projects sponsored by IGOs, push items onto the agendas of IGO meetings, and provide background research for contentious topics. Existing explanations privilege the idea that NGOs help IGOs accommodate a growing democratic deficit or the legitimacy of the IGO, ignoring states as the central actors in international politics. But why would states want to bring NGOs into the already complex coordination problems that exist within IGOs? I argue that states primarily employ NGOs to help monitor and enforce their own positions in international politics. This chapter looks specifically at one IGO - the UN ECOSOC - to test this theory. I analyze the rotating 19 member ECOSOC NGO committee which helps to eliminate some of the predominant research challenges in IGO-NGO research. I show that (1) when a state is represented in the ECOSOC NGO committee, they are more likely to grant access to NGOs whose preferences align with the state’s and (2) the more pro-US the ECOSOC NGO committee, the more likely it is that pro-US NGOs are granted access. These relationships emphasize that state-level motivations and benefits are at the heart of explaining IGO-NGO access.
A Machine Learning Test Data Set for Continuous Security Monitoring of Industrial Control Systems

Continuous security monitoring provides an effective proactive defense against devastating attacks on critical infrastructures such as those operated by industrial control systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. An essential component of a continuous security monitoring system is an intelligent backend that is built and trained to handle real-time data analytics. A plethora of data sets for intrusion detection systems and network usage facilitated numerous research works on intrusion detection systhems and network usage analytics. Although the need for test data sets for ICS security is quite pronounced, there is a discernible deficiency of the availability of such data sets. The contribution of this research is to close that identified gap by generating a test data set using an ICS testbed and to utilize machine learning algorithms for its evaluation.
Animal Models of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB), an ancient disease that has evolved with humans for more than 4,000 years still continues in the 21st century as a leading infectious disease of mankind with about 10.4 million new TB cases and 1.7 million deaths reported globally in 2016. Tuberculosis is caused by exposure to the bacteria of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex. Following exposure to aerosols containing Mtb, about 5% of individuals develop symptomatic pulmonary TB (primary TB); however, more than 90% of individuals exposed to Mtb (about a third of world population) are believed to develop latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), without any clinical symptoms of the disease. Importantly, LTBI cases can progress to symptomatic, active TB disease (reactivation TB or post-primary TB) upon host immune-compromising conditions; thus, LTBI serves as potential reservoir for future active TB cases. Several animal models, ranging from zebrafish to nonhuman primates, have been explored to understand the pathophysiology of acute/chronic active TB, LTBI, and reactivation. Knowledge gained from such studies can aid in developing more effective intervention strategies to combat TB in humans. In this chapter, we discuss the salient features of various animal models of Mtb infection and their implications in TB research.
Determinants of success of restaurant crowdfunding

Abstract This study explores the determinants of restaurant crowdfunding success, inspired by success determinants found in independent restaurant literature. The results indicate that community orientation, images that show elements of the restaurant concept, and frequent communication with funders are key drivers for success. We conclude that restaurant entrepreneurs who show that their project benefits the community where they operate, provide constant updates that maintain project interest, and are responsive to funders’ comments are more likely to succeed in reward-based crowdfunding.
OBOR: A New Hope for Future Indonesian or a New Trap? Case Study in Indonesia

One Belt One Road (OBOR) first declared by the China’s President is believed by some to be a new hope and a new horizon for a number of developing countries. OBOR has been viewed as a new challenging proposal and as an ice breaking for the decades-long stagnant infrastructure in Indonesia, the largest economic region in Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This chapter is an update on OBOR’s recent development in Indonesian which also coincidentally was declared as a new maritime-axis when new reform government has taken into power since 2014. Many views have been released, pro-contra has been severely dispatched into two separate blocks of Indonesian experts in two standpoints, one to support and the other to challenge involving Indonesia in the OBOR. This chapter has been thoroughly analyzed by mining information and data from big data sources, combined with semi-structured interviews of various executives and contractors.
A Threshold-Based Min-Sum Algorithm to Lower the Error Floors of Quantized LDPC Decoders

For decoding low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, the attenuated min-sum algorithm (AMSA) and the offset min-sum algorithm (OMSA) can outperform the conventional min-sum algorithm (MSA) at low signal-to-noise-ratios (SNRs), i.e. , in the “waterfall region” of the bit error rate curve. This paper demonstrates that, for quantized decoders, MSA actually outperforms AMSA and OMSA in the “error floor” region, and that all three algorithms suffer from a relatively high error floor. This motivates the introduction of a modified MSA that is designed to outperform MSA, AMSA, and OMSA across all SNRs. The new algorithm is based on the assumption that trapping sets are the major cause of the error floor for quantized LDPC decoders. A performance estimation tool based on trapping sets is used to verify the effectiveness of the new algorithm and also to guide parameter selection. We also show that the implementation complexity of the new algorithm is only slightly higher than that of AMSA or OMSA. Finally, the simulated performance of the new algorithm, using several classes of LDPC codes (including spatially coupled LDPC codes), is shown to outperform MSA, AMSA, and OMSA across all SNRs.
Increased Use of Intra-Articular Steroid Injection to Treat Osteoarthritis is Associated With Chronic Opioid Dependence After Later Total Knee Arthroplasty But Not Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Intra-articular (IA) injections of corticosteroid (CO) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are commonly used for osteoarthritis. The efficacy of these interventions is controversial. Furthermore, research regarding the potential association of IA injection with later postoperative pain trajectories is lacking. Methods We performed analysis on Truven Health MarketScan database (2012-2016) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Trends over time were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were executed to evaluate the impact of IA injections on postoperative chronic opioid use. Results Preoperative CO and HA injections decreased throughout the study period in both THA and TKA. Preoperative CO and HA injections, regardless of frequency, had no significant impact on the odds of THA patients becoming chronic opioid users postoperatively. TKA patients who had 1 CO injection in the year before surgery experienced lower odds of postoperative chronic opioid use (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.82-0.97), whereas patients who had 2 or more CO injections experienced significantly greater odds (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.24). TKA patients who received 2 or more HA injections before surgery had significantly lower odds of chronic opioid use (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-0.99). Conclusion The utilization of IA injections in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis appears to be decreasing over time. TKA patients who received 2 or more preoperative CO injections experienced greater odds of chronic opioid utilization, whereas TKA patients with 2 or more HA injections in the year before surgery had decreased odds of chronic opioid use.
What Is the Stanford Education Data Archive Teaching Us About National Educational Achievement

The Stanford Education Data Archive (SEDA) launched in 2016 to provide nationally comparable, publicly available test score data for U.S. public school districts. I introduce a special collection o...
Test-statistic correlation and data-row correlation

When a statistical test is repeatedly applied to rows of a data matrix, correlations among data rows will give rise to correlations among corresponding test statistics. We investigate the relationship between test-statistic correlation and data-row correlation and discuss its implications.
How can instructors strengthen students’ motivation to learn complex 3D concepts in an engineering classroom?

The effect of Virtual Reality (VR)-based lectures on student motivation to learn complex 3D materials science concepts is discussed in this Research Full Paper. With the growing classroom size and less personalized attention to students, STEM instructors are challenged with finding ways to strengthen student motivation and sustainably transform the educational experience of current and future learners. Students' ability to visualize and imagine complex 3D concepts in multiple engineering disciplines can be a barrier to learning for diverse learners. This research uses VR technology to study the impact on student motivation to learn materials science concepts based on John Keller's ARCS model of motivation. As a benchmark, student participants (n=26) were given a slides-based lecture, and the initial motivation level was assessed using the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) and reflection questions. Next, the VR intervention was given using low-cost and scalable Cardboard Viewers fitted with personal smartphones, followed by IMMS survey and reflection questions. A mixed-methods approach including the use of a t-test to analyze quantitative data, and Chi’s (1997) verbal data analysis to identify emergent themes among qualitative data was applied in this study. Overall student participants’ motivation was found to increase due to VR intervention. Among the four components of the ARCS motivation model of instruction, attention and satisfaction components showed a significant increase after the VR intervention, while relevance and confidence components remained unchanged. This finding suggests the use of scalable VR technology as a suitable option for capturing students’ attention in order to facilitate learning about complex 3D concepts in engineering classrooms.
Changes to summative skills-based assessments within the Big Ten Academic Alliance Performance-Based Assessment Collaborative (BTAA-PBAC) due to COVID-19.

Background: In Spring 2020 many academic institutions transitioned to remote learning in response to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. These changes affected skills-based training, as schools of pharmacy were forced to transition traditionally in-person assessments to a remote setting. The purpose of this article is to describe the experience of pharmacy skills lab coordinators when transitioning summative skills-based assessments (SSBA). Methods: A web-based survey instrument administered through QualtricsXM was sent to all institutions in the Big Ten Academic Alliance-Performance Based Assessment Collaborative. Only one member from each institution completed the survey on behalf of the institution. The survey consisted of four sections: changes made to skills evaluated; changes made to the delivery of those evaluations; challenges to and strategies used by the skills lab program when switching to remote learning; and recommendations for incorporating remote learning within future SSBAs. Survey respondents were invited to participate in an optional unstructured interview regarding survey answers. Results: Nine of ten invited institutions responded to the survey. Of the nine respondents, three participated in the post-survey interview. Overall, 79.5% (93/117) of skills planned to be assessed were assessed with or without modification, with 8.5% (93/117) of skills canceled and 10.3% (12/117) of skills assessments postponed. The most common challenges mentioned were the lack of preparation time, inability to assess certain skills virtually, and student barriers. The most common recommendations made were to prioritize lab components and incorporate flexibility in planning and scheduling. Discussion: The results indicate that most skills were still assessed during the Spring 2020 semester. Though the transition to remote learning was challenging and unique for each institution, common strategies and recommendations identified here provide opportunities for academics to analyze and prioritize learning objectives and to rethink how to develop and deliver SSBAs as remote assessments.
Enhancing the Stability of COVID-19 Serological Assay through Metal-Organic Framework Encapsulation.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is widely utilized in serologic assays, including COVID-19, for the detection and quantification of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. However, due to the limited stability of the diagnostic reagents (e.g., antigens serving as biorecognition elements) and biospecimens, temperature-controlled storage and handling conditions are critical. This limitation among others makes biodiagnostics in resource-limited settings, where refrigeration and electricity are inaccessible or unreliable, particularly challenging. In this work, metal-organic framework encapsulation is demonstrated as a simple and effective method to preserve the conformational epitopes of antigens immobilized on microtiter plate under non-refrigerated storage conditions. It is demonstrated that in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) renders excellent stability to surface-bound SARS-CoV-2 antigens, thereby maintaining the assay performance under elevated temperature (40 °C) for up to 4 weeks. As a complementary method, the preservation of plasma samples from COVID-19 patients using ZIF-90 encapsulation is also demonstrated. The energy-efficient approach demonstrated here will not only alleviate the financial burden associated with cold-chain transportation, but also improve the disease surveillance in resource-limited settings with more reliable clinical data.
Cu Recrystallization and the Formation of Epitaxial and Non-Epitaxial Cu/Cu/Cu Interfaces in Stacked Blind Micro Via Structures

A key factor in achieving high electrical reliability in multilayer HDI PCBs is the integrity of the target pad - electroless Cu - electrolytic Cu interface (Cu/Cu/Cu-interface), especially in stacked blind micro via interconnections (BMVs). In the present paper it is shown, that aside from a low density of nanovoids, the formation of epitaxial Cu/Cu/Cu interfaces is important in satisfying the highest reliability requirements. Using example microstructures that are typical to stacked BMVs, the post-plating formation of epitaxial and non-epitaxial interfaces are described through the concept and mechanisms of “bottom-up” and “top-down” recrystallization. Epitaxial Cu/Cu/Cu interfaces typically form through unhindered “bottom-up” recrystallization across both interfaces and penetrate deep into the electrolytically deposited Cu layer (ECD Cu). The ability of thin electroless Cu layers ( $1\ \mu\mathrm{m}$ of plated ECD Cu, greatly reduces the ability for “bottom-up” recrystallization to occur, and typically gives rise to an alignment of grain boundaries in this region. Failure analysis carried out after reliability testing has shown that such alignment of grain boundaries can be causative for a premature crack formation, and based on these findings, a fatigue-like crack formation mechanism is proposed, and recommendations given to improve the epitaxy of Cu/Cu/Cu interconnections.
Template Variation within a Common Frame: Supporting Mission Cohesion in Dispersed Organizations

Research on strategy replication shows that strategy templates can advance an organization’s mission across geographies by helping create strategic alignment with local conditions. However, local a...
Opportunities to improve behavioral health crisis response: Results of a large urban county's community status assessment.

A comprehensive community status assessment of an Ohio urban county's crisis response (CR) system explored the experiences of its behavioral health services' clients and providers to surface themes characterizing the system's responsiveness and identifying opportunities for improvements. Forty-eight focus groups and two online surveys were conducted. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. The greatest areas of needed improvement ascertained by this effort are in increased CR system resources, more efficient use of resources, and capacity enhancements in nine areas: the mobile crisis team, CR protocols, psychiatric inpatient and crisis stabilization beds, stabilization admission for eligible persons, stabilization services for in-crisis but admission-ineligible persons, continuity of care, research into child versus adult CR systems, Provider Emergency Support Program, and first responder crisis intervention training. The assessment provides a foundation for the county to identify further opportunities for system scale-up.
The Value of Wild Nature: Comments on Kyle Johannsen’s Wild Animal Ethics

In his book Wild Animal Ethics, Kyle Johannsen argues that our duties of beneficence to help suffering wild animals require significant interventions into wild nature. In particular, he claims that the majority of wild animals lead miserable lives and that naturalness, or wildness, is not an intrinsically valuable property. In these comments, I question both these claims. First, I argue that a lot more evidence is needed than Johannsen provides to support the claim that most wild animal lives are terrible. Then I suggest that Johannsen both mischaracterizes and fails to recognize the importance of wildness value, meaning that he doesn’t discuss some significant ethical worries about the kind of large-scale interventions into wild nature he proposes. While I don’t argue that wildness value necessarily trumps the disvalue of wild animal suffering. I maintain that there are genuine value conflicts here, and also that wildness value is just one example of such a conflict. If, as Johannsen claims, he wants to gain democratic legitimacy for large scale interventions to assist suffering wild animals, he needs to take such value conflicts much more seriously.
Real-world experience on the tolerability and safety of emicizumab prophylaxis in paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A with and without FVIII inhibitors.

BACKGROUND Emicizumab is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that bridges activated factor (F) IX and FX, and maintains haemostasis in patients with haemophilia A (PwHA). As a novel agent, many questions remain unanswered about the loss of emicizumab efficacy due to anti-drug antibody (ADA) development, the incidence of inhibitor recurrence in previously tolerized patients, and the risk of de novo inhibitor development. AIM To present real-world experience regarding tolerability, side effects, and outcomes of adverse events of emicizumab prophylaxis in paediatric PwHA. METHODS Data on tolerability, compliance, adverse events, and laboratory results of paediatric patients receiving emicizumab prophylaxis, treated at the Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre, at Birmingham Children's Hospital between March 2018 and June 2021, were collected. RESULTS Our results showed that out of 52 patients, four experienced minor adverse events, two developed headaches, one developed abdominal pain and nausea, and one developed injection site reactions. Moreover, four patients experienced major adverse events, including severe headaches, major bleeding events, development of ADAs, and recurrence of inhibitors. Emicizumab prophylaxis was discontinued in three patients (5.7% of the cohort) due to adverse events. In addition, emicizumab was discontinued in one patient because of poor compliance. No adverse events were reported in previously untreated/minimally treated patients, represented by four patients in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS The real-world experience of emicizumab prophylaxis in our cohort showed that emicizumab was safe and well tolerated in paediatric PwHA with and without inhibitors. Long-term assessment is crucial to monitor major adverse events, recurrence of inhibitors, and development of ADAs.