cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncoverning Groups via Heterogeneous Interaction Analysis

With the pervasive availability of Web 2.0 and social networking sites, people can interact with each other easily through various social media. For instance, popular sites like Del.icio.us, Flickr, and YouTube allow users to comment shared content (bookmark, photos, videos), and users can tag their own favorite content. Users can also connect to each other, and subscribe to or become a fan or a follower of others. These diverse individual activities result in a multi-dimensional network among actors, forming cross-dimension group structures with group members sharing certain similarities. It is challenging to effectively integrate the network information of multiple dimensions in order to discover cross-dimension group structures. In this work, we propose a two-phase strategy to identify the hidden structures shared across dimensions in multi-dimensional networks. We extract structural features from each dimension of the network via modularity analysis, and then integrate them all to find out a robust community structure among actors. Experiments on synthetic and real-world data validate the superiority of our strategy, enabling the analysis of collective behavior underneath diverse individual activities in a large scale.
Upstream Stimulatory Factor Induces Nr5a1 and Shbg Gene Expression During the Onset of Rat Sertoli Cell Differentiation

Within the testis, each Sertoli cell can support a finite number of developing germ cells. During development, the cessation of Sertoli cell proliferation and the onset of differentiation establish the final number of Sertoli cells and, thus, the total number of sperm that can be produced. The upstream stimulatory factors 1 and 2 (USF1 and USF2, respectively) differentially regulate numerous Sertoli cell genes during differentiation. To identify genes that are activated by USF proteins during differentiation, studies were conducted in Sertoli cells isolated from 5- and 11-day-old rats, representing proliferating and differentiating cells, respectively. Usf1 mRNA and USF1 protein levels were increased between 5 and 11 days after birth. In vitro studies revealed that USF1 and USF2 DNA-binding activity also increased at 11 days for the promoters of four potential target genes, Fshr, Gata4, Nr5a1, and Shbg. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that USF recruitment increased in vivo between 5 and 11 days after birth at the Fshr, Gata4, and Nr5a1 promoters. Expression of Nr5a1 and Shbg, but not of Fshr or Gata4, mRNAs was elevated in 11-day-old Sertoli cells compared with 5-day-old Sertoli cells. Transient transfection of USF1 and USF2 expression vectors up-regulated Nr5a1 and Shbg promoter activity. RNA interference assays demonstrated that USF1 and USF2 contribute to Nr5a1 and Shbg expression in differentiating cells. Together, these data indicate that increased USF levels induce the expression of Nr5a1 and Shbg during the differentiation of Sertoli cells, whereas Fshr and Gata4 expression is not altered by USF proteins during differentiation.
The effects of input rate and synchrony on a coincidence detector: analytical solution

We derive analytically the solution for the output rate of the ideal coincidence detector. The solution is for an arbitrary number of input spike trains with identical binomial count distributions (which includes Poisson statistics as a special case) and identical arbitrary pairwise crosscorrelations, from zero correlation (independent processes) to complete correlation (identical processes).
Using Electoral Cycles in Police Hiring to Estimate the Effect of Police on Crime

Previous empirical studies have typically uncovered little evidence that police reduce crime. One problem with those studies is a failure to adequately deal with the simultaneity between police and crime: while police may or may not reduce crime, there is little doubt that expenditures on police forces are an increasing function of the crime rate. In this study, the timing of mayoral and gubernatorial elections is used to identify the effect of police on crime. This paper first demonstrates that increases in the size of police forces disproportionately occur in mayoral and gubernatorial election years, a relationship that had previously gone undocumented. After controlling for changes in government spending on other social programs, there is little reason to think that elections will be otherwise correlated with crime, making elections ideal instruments. Using a panel of large U.S. cities from 1970-1992, police are shown to reduce crime for six of the seven crime categories examined. Each additional police officer is estimated to eliminate eight to ten serious crimes. Existing estimates of the costs of crime suggest that the social benefit of reduced crime is approximately $100,000 per officer per year, implying that the current number of police is below the optimal level.
An adaptive bit allocation scheme for coding of speech signals using partial sets of orthogonal functions

A least squares pole-zero algorithm in the transform domain which fits each of the retained subsets of the complex transform components accurately is presented. The pole-zero function, while characterized by real coefficients about twice the number of the retained complex transform components, carries enough location, magnitude, and phase information for accurate signal reconstruction. The algorithm is applied for the coding of the mixed DFT-WHT parameters. Results are given for 8 kb/s and 6.4 kb/s. >
Controller design for wings/store flutter suppression of an airfoil in incompressible flow

This paper presents a controller design technique for wing/store flutter suppression of an aircraft with an underwing decoupler pylon mounted store. A finite dimensional model consisting of a two degree of freedom typical section of an airfoil with an external store in an incompressible flow is used for analysis. A state space representation is obtained by using a second order rational approximation of the complex Theodorsen function. Based on the classical decoupler pylon technique, an active approach is proposed which consists of using a piezoceraniic actuator as an active device for decoupling the influence of store pitch inertia on wing torsion modes. Optimal control laws such as LQR, LQG and LQG/LTR are used for the controller design. An input mult ipl icative uncertainty model is assumed to test for the stability robustness of the controlled system. Some typical simulations are presented to evaluate the nominal performance of the compensated closed loop system. Nomenclature L = distance between top of strut to elastic axis /, = natural frequency of plunging motion wa = natural frequency of pitching motion of airfoil uig = natural frequency of pitching motion of store U = free stream velocity a = distance between elastic axis and mid-chord 6 = semichord length u = actuator input w = disturbance pitching angles h = plunging displacement a = pitching angle of airfoil 0 = pitching angle of store Xi,x? = aerodynamic lag states s = reduced frequency s = Laplace variable W = maximum singular value <7 = minimum singular value ( )s = structural components ( )nc = non circulatory components ( )c = circulatory components mu, = mass of the wing m, = mass of the store mp = mass of the piezoceramic wafer actuator ra = radius of gyration of airfoil rg = radius of gyration of pylon/store xa = distance between elastic axis and eg of wing x$ = distance between eg of store to pivot point £ = distance between pivot point to elastic axis *Student Member, AIAA t Associate Fellow, AIAA Copyright ©1996 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction A topic of current interest in the aeronautical community is the flutter suppression of high performance combat aircraft carrying underwing stores. Fighter aircraft are required to carry several combinations of external stores and perform maneuvers in variety of flight conditions. The increase in weight due to the addition of store decreases the frequency of the first torsional mode of the wing thereby bringing it closer to the fundamental bending frequency. This coupling between bending and torsional modes results in a substantial decrease in flutter speed. Although passive methods such as structural and mass balance techniques have
Poly(pyrrole adenosine S/sup +/-triphosphate) (PP-ATP) and conducting polynw bilayers for transport of biologically active ions

Abstract The electrochemically stimulated adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) release from poly(pyrrole adenosine 5′-triphosphate) (PP-ATP) films was examined relative to slow spontaneous ATP release at open circuit. ATP ions were inert towards hydrolytic cleavage during both synthesis and potential driven release. This concept was combined with electrochemically controllable dual ion transport behavior of bilayers consisting of poly(styrene sulfonate)( PP PSS ) as inner layers and poly(N-methylpyrrole) (PNMP) or poly(vinyl ferrocene) (PVFc) as outer layers. When PP-ATP was utilized as an inner layer in bilayers, the presence of outer films on top of the PP-ATP allowed surface property modification, as well as the control of the rate of ATP release while electrochemically stimulated ATP release from PP-ATP inner films was not substantially hampered.
Adaptive scanning in atomic force microscopy

In this paper, we present an adaptive scanning approach for atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. Our simulation results demonstrate that this new approach can achieve approximately one order of magnitude better scanning efficiency over current scanning method. The basic idea of our new approach is two-fold: the scan speed along the fast-scan axis is adaptive to the local curvature and slope in the fast-scan direction; the scan-line interval along the slow-scan axis is adaptive to curvature along the slow-scan direction.
ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: Implications for Institutional Research

For institutional researchers, the choice to use a quantitative or qualitative approach to research is dictated by time, money, resources, and staff. Frequently, the choice to use one or the other approach is made at the method level. Choices made at this level generally have rigor, but ignore the underlying philosophical assumptions structuring beliefs about methodology, knowledge, and reality. When choosing a method, institutional researchers also choose what they believe to be knowledge, reality, and the correct method to measure both. The purpose of this paper is to clarify and explore the assumptions underlying quantitative and qualitative research. The reason for highlighting the assumptions is to increase the general level of understanding and appreciation of epistemological issues in institutional research. Articulation of these assumptions should foster greater awareness of the appropriateness of different kinds of knowledge for different purposes.
Improving complete EMR of colorectal neoplasia: a randomized trial comparing snares and injectate in the resection of large sessile colon polyps.

Background There are few randomized studies examining efficacy of snares and agents in EMR. Objective To compare the use of a combined needle and snare unit with injectate versus a spiral wire and injectate (primary); saline solution versus hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (secondary). Design Prospective, randomized, factorial, single center. Setting Tertiary-care academic medical center. Patients A total of 140 patients with large (>15 mm), sessile, colorectal polyps. Interventions Polyps randomized to either 1 of 2 snare types and 1 of 2 injectates. Main Outcome Measurements Primary—the Sydney resection quotient (SRQ), defined as the size of the polyp divided by the number of pieces resected and the amount of tissue per snare attempt. Secondary—procedure time, adverse events, residual neoplasia at follow-up. Results The SRQ was higher with the combined unit (median 13.8 mm vs 7.1 mm; P = .019); additionally, procedure time was less (median 6 vs 11 minutes; P P = .22) with the spiral wire. Rates of adverse events were similar. Residual neoplasia was found at follow-up in 22% (10/46) with the combined needle and snare unit versus 21% (10/48; P = .89) with the spiral wire. There was no evidence of differences in outcomes by lifting agent. Limitations The SRQ is only a surrogate marker. Conclusion This study provides evidence that the integrated needle-snare may be superior to the snare alone for the removal of large, flat polyps. Additionally, the type of injectate appears to have no impact on outcome.
RECRUITMENT EVALUATION: THE CASE FOR ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF APPLICANTS ATTRACTED

We argue that assessing attraction outcomes is critical to systematic improvement of recruitment effectiveness and offer a new assessment framework that can be adapted by all organizations for any position in any staffing scheme. These methods (a) permit outcomes of different recruitment processes–attraction, status maintenance, and gaining job acceptance–to be evaluated independently, (b) support concurrent evaluations of attraction outcomes, (c) enable cost-benefit analyses of alternative recruitment processes, (d) allow meaningful comparisons of applicants from different recruitment events, and (e) support more aggressive management of the recruitment function than is otherwise possible. An illustrative example demonstrates these methods using attraction outcome data from 5 organizations' recruitment of associate engineers and shows that not only do attraction outcomes differ, the value of those differences can be substantial.
Minimizing DC capacitance requirement of cascadeded H-bridge multilevel inverters for photovoltaic systems by 3 rd harmonic injection

The 2ω harmonic component on the dc link side of the H-bridge inverters has long been a thorny problem, which requires a huge dc link capacitor bank to absorb this 2ω low frequency current ripple in order to maintain the dc link voltage ripple under a tolerable value. Till now, very few papers have discussed about this topic. This paper presents a simple 3rd harmonic injection method for the cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverters for photovoltaic systems. This approach achieves a 50% to 75% reduction of the dc link capacitance, without adding any extra components or increasing the control complexity. Theoretical analysis and simulation results are demonstrated to prove the effectiveness.
Exploiting Space-Time Correlations in an RFID Tag Field for Localization and Tracking

We consider exploiting space-time correlations of passive RFID tags for localization and tracking. Consider tags with storage memory distributed densely in space. Users move through the field, scanning the tags. Subsets of these tags are space-time correlated with respect to the user's trajectory. For example, if two adjacent tags are scanned close together in time, they are highly correlated. We can represent this correlation value as a weighted virtual arrow pointing from the earlier scanned tag to the later scanned tag. A user continuously calculates these arrows, and stores them locally in the tags, forming a digital path, for localization and tracking of herself by other users. We specify several of these correlation functions and evaluate them experimentally. We provide statistical measures of performance, as well as visualizations of the resulting arrow fields created by users.
Hepatitis B virus vaccine response in hemodialysis: baseline patient characteristics.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is recommended for all individuals with renal failure. Nevertheless, the response rate for this vaccine in hemodialysis (HD) patients is low, ranging from 50% to 80%. The goal of this study was to determine patient characteristics at the initiation of HD that influence HBV vaccine response. Methods: Patients new to HD in an urban population in the United States were retrospectively examined. Analyzed patients were HBV antibody and antigen negative and hepatitis C virus antibody negative at the start of HD, who received HBV recombinant vaccine. Nonresponse was defined as failure to seroconvert (>10 UI/L) after six deltoid intramuscular injections of vaccine. Response was defined as a lasting seroconversion (at least two consecutive positive titers) with ≤6 injections. Demographic, laboratory, and kinetic modeling data were examined. Results: A total of 33 nonresponders and 64 responders were identified. Univariate analysis demonstrated that nonresponders were older (59 vs. 51 years), had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (70 vs. 39%), had lower serum albumin levels (3.2 vs. 3.3 g/dL), and had higher dry weights (84 vs. 71 kg) than responders at HD start. In addition, nonresponders had lower normalized protein catabolic rates (0.74 vs. 0.85 g/kg/day) and lower (single-pool) spKt/Vureavalues (0.95 vs. 1.19). Nonresponders had lower serum creatinine levels than responders, despite the greater dry weights. In a multiple logistic analysis model, the presence of DM, age ≥ 55 years, body weight ≥80 kg, and normalized protein catabolic rate ≤0.75 g/kg/day were associated with HBV vaccination nonresponse. At the end of the vaccination period, nonresponders versus responders continued to have lower serum albumin (3.5 vs. 3.8 g/dL) and creatinine levels (7.8 vs. 10.0 mg/dL) and spKt/Vurea(1.27 vs. 1.39). Conclusion: Hepatitis B vaccine nonresponders on HD are older, are more likely to have DM, are more malnourished, and have lower spKt/Vurea than responders. Nonresponders may also have a different body composition with a lower ratio of lean to total body mass.
Camera Motion Quantification and Alignment

We propose a method to synchronize video sequences of distinct scenes captured by cameras undergoing similar motions. For the general camera motion and 3D scene, the camera ego-motions are featured by fundamental ratios obtained from the fundamental matrices. In the case of pure translation, translational magnitude features is used. These extracted features are invariant to the camera internal parameters, and therefore can be computed without recovering camera trajectories along the image sequences. Consequently, the alignment problem reduces to matching sets of feature vectors, obtained without any knowledge of other sequences. Experimental results demonstrate the accuracy and applications of the proposed method.
A BRIEF REVISION OF THE NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICAN SPECIES OF MEGASOMA (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE)

The genus Megasoma Kirby as it occurs in North and Central America is discussed, and the taxonomic history of this group in this area is reviewed. A key is presented to aid in the separation of the 10 forms currently known from these areas, as well as one species that may be taken in the future. Each species is illustrated and discussed. Three new species, Megasoma sleeperi from Southern California, Megasoma cedrosa from Central Baja California, and Megasoma lecontei from Southern Baja California, are described.
Asymmetries in soft-error rates in a large cluster system

Early in the deployment of the ASC Q cluster supercomputer system, an unexpectedly high rate of soft errors were observed in the board-level cache subsystems of the constituent AlphaServer ES45 systems that make up the compute component of this large cluster. A series of tests and experiments was undertaken to validate the hypothesis that this frequency was consistent with the high level of terrestrial secondary cosmic-ray neutron flux resulting from the high elevation of its installation site. The overall success of this effort is reported elsewhere in this issue. This paper reports on three secondary phenomena that were observed during these tests and experiments: Error logs were collected from all servers during a representative period and examined for nonrandom event rates, which would indicate a systematic cause. The only significant result of this exploration was the discovery of a latent soft-error discovery effect, and a self-shielding effect, whereby the servers positioned physically higher in their racks suffered disproportionately higher soft-error rates. This excess was examined and found to be consistent with established shielding effect of the high-Z composition of the constituents of the overlying systems. Experiments with individual ES45 systems in an artificial neutron beam at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center facility have established that the soft-error rates observed in the SRAM parts is significantly dependent on the incident direction of the neutrons in the beam. These asymmetries could be exploited as part of a strategy for mitigating the frequency of soft errors in future computer systems.
RNA binding specificity of a Drosophila snRNP protein that shares sequence homology with mammalian U1-A and U2-B’ proteins

Abstract We have characterized a recombinant Drosophila melanogaster RNA binding protein, D25, by virtue of its antigenic relationship to mammalian U1 and U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U snRNP) proteins. Sequence analysis revealed that D25 bears strong similarity to both the human U1 snRNP-A (U1-A) and U2 snRNP-B" (U2-B") proteins. However, at residues known to be critical for the RNA binding specificities of U1-A and U2-B" D25 sequence is more similar to U2-B". Using direct RNA binding assays D25 selected U1 RNA from either HeLa or Drosophila Kc cell total RNA. Furthermore, D25 bound U1 RNA when transfected into mammalian cells. Thus, D25 appears to be a Drosophila homolog of the mammalian U1-A protein, despite its sequence similarity to U2-B".
Establishing Credibility in Southeast Asia: Foreign Investment and Corruption Reform in the Philippines

The Sandiganbayan is a specialized anti-corruption court in the Philippines. This paper provides an account of its establishment in the late 1970s, as well as a description of the political and economic climate under which it was created. I argue that the creation of this specialized court -- which still exists today -- was largely a response to a corruption scandal that implicated the government and that jeopardized the flow of foreign direct investment into the country.
Do kidney stone formers have a kidney disease

Nephrolithiasis is a highly prevalent disorder affecting approximately one in eleven people and is associated with multiple complications including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Significant epidemiologic associations with chronic kidney disease and ESRD have been noted and are reviewed herein, but debate persists in the literature as to whether kidney stone formation is a pathogenic process contributing to kidney disease. Corroborating evidence supporting the presence of kidney disease in stone formers includes the variability of renal function by stone type, the positive association of stone size with renal dysfunction, the presence of markers of renal injury in the urine of even asymptomatic stone formers, and direct evidence of renal tissue injury on histopathology. Proposed pathogenic mechanisms include recurrent obstruction and comorbid conditions such as recurrent urinary tract infections and structural abnormalities. Recent work evaluating the renal histopathology of different groups of stone formers adds further granularity, suggesting variability in mechanisms of renal injury by stone type and confirming the pathogenic effects of crystal formation. Genetic abnormalities leading to stone formation including cystinuria and primary hyperoxaluria, among others, contribute to the burden of disease in the stone-forming population.
The German Period in Dutch Surgery

In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, anaesthesia, antisepsis and asepsis revolutionized surgery to an unprecedented extent.
Examination of copper electrowinning smoothing agents. Part IV: Nucleation and growth of copper on stainless steel

Nucleation and growth of copper on 316L stainless steel from synthetic acidified copper sulfate was studied in the absence and presence of chloride ions and/or organic additives–HydroStar® 4208, DXG-F7® and Cyquest® N-900–using a potentiostatic technique. The current–time data obtained at 0.16V versus the SHE were analyzed using nucleation and growth models. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of deposits produced at 300 A/m2 show that the addition of 20 mg/L chloride ions increased the size and reduced the number of copper nuclei. Potentiostatic current–time data from the electrolyte without organic additives, and confirmed by SEM images, indicate progressive nucleation with two-dimensional growth under diffusion control. None of the organic additives studied at a concentration of 2.5 mg/L with 20 mg/L chloride changed the nucleation and growth mechanism, but the additives increased the number and reduced the size of copper nuclei, leading to more uniform coverage of the stainless steel substrate.
Glaucoma Surgery Calculator: Limited Additive Effect of Phacoemulsification on Intraocular Pressure in Ab Interno Trabeculectomy.

Author(s): Neiweem, Ashley E; Bussel, Igor I; Schuman, Joel S; Brown, Eric N; Loewen, Nils A | Abstract: PurposeTo compare intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and to develop a predictive surgery calculator based on the results between trabectome-mediated ab interno trabeculectomy in pseudophakic patients versus phacoemulsification combined with trabectome-mediated ab interno trabeculectomy in phakic patients.MethodsThis observational surgical cohort study analyzed pseudophakic patients who received trabectome-mediated ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT) or phacoemulsification combined with AIT (phaco-AIT). Follow up for less than 12 months or neovascular glaucoma led to exclusion. Missing data was imputed by generating 5 similar but non-identical datasets. Groups were matched using Coarsened Exact Matching based on age, gender, type of glaucoma, race, preoperative number of glaucoma medications and baseline intraocular pressure (IOP). Linear regression was used to examine the outcome measures consisting of IOP and medications.ResultsOf 949 cases, 587 were included consisting of 235 AIT and 352 phaco-AIT. Baseline IOP between groups was statistically significant (p≤0.01) in linear regression models and was minimized after Coarsened Exact Matching. An increment of 1 mmHg in baseline IOP was associated with a 0.73±0.03 mmHg IOP reduction. Phaco-AIT had an IOP reduction that was only 0.73±0.32 mmHg greater than that of AIT. The resulting calculator to determine IOP reduction consisted of the formula -13.54+0.73 × (phacoemulsification yes:1, no:0) + 0.73 × (baseline IOP) + 0.59 × (secondary open angle glaucoma yes:1, no:0) + 0.03 × (age) + 0.09 × (medications).ConclusionsThis predictive calculator for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery can assist clinical decision making. Only a small additional IOP reduction was observed when phacoemulsification was added to AIT. Patients with a higher baseline IOP had a greater IOP reduction.
Gas Tank Management Program and the Design of the Safe Reader Based on RFID

Analyzing the problems existing in gas tanks circulation management, the paper introduces RFID technologies into gas tanks management field, designs a management program, carries out a safe design for the readers of gas tanks, which can meet with the safety needs of each link of dangerous chemical gas tanks in the circulation and management.
Role of compensatory gain in Eimeria acervulina-induced liver copper accumulation in chicks

An investigation was conducted to determine whether the Eimeria acervulina-induced increase in liver Cu accumulation in chicks is the result of compensatory gain that accompanies the recovery phase of infection. In experiment 1, chicks inoculated one time with 1 X 10(6) sporulated E. acervulina oocysts had a faster rate of compensatory gain than chicks inoculated serially on three occasions with 4 X 10(5) oocysts. However, liver Cu accumulation was nearly identical for the two infection regimes. In experiment 2, rate of compensatory gain and liver Cu accumulation was compared in 1) ad libitum-fed chicks; 2) restricted-fed chicks fed 40% of ad libitum intake followed by ad libitum intake; 3) coccidiosis-infected chicks, 1 X 10(6) oocysts on d 2 of the experiment; and 4)-6) the same as 1)-3), respectively, but fed 500 mg Cu/kg diet. Restricted-fed chicks had a higher rate of compensatory gain than coccidiosis-infected chicks. Liver Cu accumulation was sixfold higher in coccidiosis-infected chicks than in restricted-fed chicks, however. In addition, liver Cu accumulation of the control (uninfected) chicks and the 40% restricted-fed chicks was identical. Thus compensatory gain during the recovery phase of coccidiosis is not responsible for the coccidiosis-induced increase in liver Cu accumulation.
Nonintegrated Pointwise Refinement Guides

Purpose of Lesson To develop and demonstrate high-resolution pointwise refinement guides that are functions of the differences between the nodal values of the finite element stresses and the smoothed stresses extracted from the augmented finite difference result using nine-node central difference templates.
Control of Rubrene Polymorphs via Polymer Binders: Applications in Organic Field-Effect Transistors

In this report, the crystallization mechanisms in solution-processed, annealed thin films of semiconducting small molecule 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (rubrene) blended with three different amorphous polymers (polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP)) are investigated. The results show that the degree of phase separation, the exact crystal structure, and the electronic properties of the blend films depend strongly on the choice of polymer binder. While rubrene films crystallized from blends with PS and P4VP consist of crystalline spherulites in a mostly orthorhombic crystal structure, rubrene in PMMA blends contains a significant fraction of triclinic phase and is generally more disordered. Structural characterizations also reveal a high degree of vertical phase separation in PS and P4VP films, which is attributed to residual solvent effects in the case of rubrene/PS films and a preferential hydrophilic interaction with the Si/SiO2 interface for rubrene/P4V...
Effects of the learning assistant model on teacher practice

K-12 teachers who served as undergraduate learning assistants during during their preservice preparation use higher levels of reformed teaching than their peers.
Energy‐efficient Wireless OFDMA Networks

This chapter focuses on energy‐efficient (EE) transmission and resource‐allocation techniques for OFDMA networks. The origin of EE wireless networks is first reviewed, and some interesting open problems in the area are also discussed. Then, the fundamental principles of EE design for OFDMA networks are discussed. As the first step, the fundamental interrelationship between EE and spectral efficiency (SE) in downlink OFDMA networks is investigated and the impacts of channel gain and circuit power on the EE–SE relationship are analyzed. Next, a general EE–SE optimization framework is proposed, where the overall EE, SE and per‐user quality‐of‐service are all considered. Under this framework, EE proves to be quasiconcave in SE and decreases with SE when SE is large enough. Finally, the tradeoff between EE and delay for delay‐sensitive traffic in downlink OFDMA networks is analyzed by integrating information theory with the concept of effective capacity. The relationship between spectrum‐efficient and energy‐efficient designs, and the impact of system parameters, including circuit power and delay exponents, on the overall performance are also discussed.
Neurohormonal Axis and Natriuretic Peptides in Heart Failure

Abstract Heart failure is accompanied by both adaptive and maladaptive processes that occur due to activation of the neurohormonal axis, the sympathetic nervous system, and the production of cardiac peptides. While this activation can increase cardiac output through increases in heart rate and contractility, chronic stimulation of these pathways leads to maladaptive downregulation of certain receptors, myocyte hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Natriuretic peptides have beneficial effects that counteract some of the detrimental effects through inhibition of vasoconstrictor peptides and sympathetic activation, assisting with vascular relaxation, and mitigating adverse remodeling. While there are limited data regarding specific adaptive and maladaptive effects of the sympathetic and renin–angiotensin pathways in pediatric heart failure, the data thus far would suggest that differences do exist between adult and pediatric heart failure. These differences are summarized in this chapter.
Assessing electronic cigarette emissions: linking physico-chemical properties to product brand, e-liquid flavoring additives, operational voltage and user puffing patterns.

Users of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are exposed to particles and other gaseous pollutants. However, major knowledge gaps on the physico-chemical properties of such exposures and contradictory d...
Clinical Reasoning: A 22-year-old postpartum woman with new-onset seizures and headache.

A 22-year-old right-handed woman with no relevant medical history presented 7 days after delivery of her first child with new-onset seizures. Her pregnancy was unremarkable and she received standard prenatal care. During spontaneous vaginal delivery of her healthy full-term baby, she developed fever (39.6°), tachycardia, and cough. Influenza B antigen was detected on nasopharyngeal swab consistent with respiratory influenza and she was started on a 5-day course of oseltamivir. She was discharged home after 2 days and her respiratory symptoms resolved. On postpartum day 7, she had 2 generalized convulsions lasting 1–2 minutes each. Her family noticed right elbow flexion and head version to the left at onset, but did not recall any movements of her left upper extremity. Afterwards she was confused and somnolent for several hours and did not recall either event. Review of systems was notable for a new-onset headache which was moderate intensity, bifrontal, nonpositional, with a pressure/throbbing quality starting 1 day prior to presentation. Family history was unremarkable. She had normal development, completed high school, and worked full-time as a cashier.
Modeling Reverse Middle Ear Transmission of Acoustic Distortion Signals

In modeling the propagation of signals produced in the cochlea, the effects of the middle ear must be included. We present a linear two-port network model of the middle ear of cat with air cavities open. Effects of the eardrum, ossicular chain, oval and round windows, and fluid in the vestibule are included. The two ports represented are: 1) the ear canal; and 2) the basal end of the cochlear spiral. The model parameters were selected to fit experimental data measuring various aspects of forward transmission only. However, we have used the model to reproduce acoustic distortion signals observed in the ear canal. Three significant findings are that: 1) The design of an acoustic coupler can have a large effect on signals measured in the ear canal; 2) The middle ear and acoustic coupler affect the reflection of distortion signals back into the cochlea and therefore affect distortion signals observed within the cochlea as well as in the ear canal; 3) The reverse transmission properties of the middle ear circuit model are highly frequency dependent.
Community Structure and Information Flow in Usenet: Improving Analysis with a Thread Ownership Model

Studying Usenet provides unique insight into online communities, since there is often a pre-defined space for community interaction. Here, we examine a large set of posts in nearly 200 politically-oriented newsgroups over a period of 4 years, using a unique and novel approach to the analysis. Our study is multi-scale: not only do we examine the newsgroups individually and compare measurements of different groups, but we also examine the relationships between the groups. Since users often post to multiple groups, shared participating authors or cross posts may be a way to assess how closely related, content-wise, two groups may be. However, this also causes some confusion of relevance. To combat this effect, we develop an “ownership” measure of an article to the set of cross-posted groups, based on the posting activity of the author. We show that this ownership measure can greatly improve assessment of information diffusion within and between groups, and suggest using it to improve analysis in other problems.
Molecular Phylogenetics of the Callitrichidae with an Emphasis on the Marmosets and Callimico

In the last two decades analyses of DNA sequence data have significantly increased our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among callitrichid primates. The current taxonomic synthesis includes seven genera within the family Callitrichidae: Saguinus, Leontopithecus, Callimico, Mico, Cebuella, Callibella and Callithrix. The relationships among genera are relatively well defined by molecular data and can be described as follows: (Saguinus (Leontopithecus (Callimico (Callithrix (Callibella (Cebuella/Mico)))))). Nonetheless, relationships among Leontopithecus, Callimico, and Saguinus are less clear and show different patterns depending on the data utilized to infer these relationships; this could reflect the relatively rapid divergence of these lineages. The sister relationship of Callimico to the marmosets (Callithrix, Callibella, Cebuella, and Mico) is highly supported by molecular and cytogenetic studies. Within this clade (Callimico/marmosets), only a few studies have focused on determining relationships at the intrageneric level, with only two genera analyzed to date. These studies have produced uncertain results concerning the taxonomic distinctiveness of the putative species and their phylogenetic relationships. In this chapter I review, synthesize, and analyze the molecular evidence that has been used to elucidate the taxonomy within the Callitrichidae.
Thinking "Out-of-the-Box" with Board Games

This study demonstrates the user experience measurement technique of Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) with a commercially available board game. This method of study has yet to be tested on board games ...
Striving to Meet Healthy People 2020 Objectives: Trend Analysis of Maternal Smoking

Objectives:We examined trends in prevalence rates of smoking and smoking cessation during pregnancy among women in the United States to assess achievement of Healthy People 2020 prevention targets....
Delineating the Asphondylia prosopidis Complex (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): Possible Biological Control Agents of Honey Mesquite

The Asphondylia prosopidis Cockrell complex with its fungal associate produces four distinct bud galls on honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). They are considered as potential biological control agents to reduce seed production of invasive mesquites. Previous studies suggest that the complex may consist of more than one gall midge species or biotype. Therefore, before conducting host specificity tests, it is essential to understand the relationships among the gall midges in the complex. Each gall type was collected from sympatric regions in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas for four years. Here we show that midges producing each gall type were clearly separated based on phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences in the cytochrome oxidase subunit I region. Furthermore, we confirmed that morphological differences between pupae from each gall type were discernible, although variable, using a scanning electron microscope. Based on these differences, we suggest that the A. prosopidis complex consists of four different gall midge species, three of which are cryptic species. Among them, Asphondylia species producing a barrel gall type and A. prosopidis producing the original gall type are potential biological control agents of P. glandulosa because they are multivoltine species with four to five generations per year that complete their annual life cycle exclusively on flower buds of mesquite.
Bicultural negotiation of South Asian immigrant female faculty in the US academy

This study acknowledges and contextualizes the work of first-generation immigrant South Asian women faculty by examining how their bicultural negotiation impacts their experience in the U.S. Academ...
Chapter 7 – AMTEC†

Publisher Summary AMTEC stands for Alkali Metal Thermal Electric Converter and is an example of a class of devices known as Concentration-Differential Cells. It takes advantage of the special properties of β alumina, which is an excellent conductor of alkali metal ions but a bad conductor of electrons. A slab of this material constitutes β alumina solid electrolyte or BASE, a somewhat unfortunate acronym because it may suggest the “base” electrode of some semiconductor devices. An AMTEC can be built in the manner so that the heat source raises the temperature and, consequently, the pressure of the sodium vapor in contact with the anode of the cell, while a heat sink causes the condensation of the metal into a liquid, which is circulated back to the heat source by means of a pump. Wires are attached to the electrodes in contact with the BASE.
Associations between sleep duration and dietary quality: Results from a nationally-representative survey of US adults.

Abstract Insufficient sleep duration is a recognized determinant of cardiometabolic disease, with poor diet quality as a likely intermediate. Yet, inconsistencies in findings on sleep duration and diet quality among adult populations remain, particularly regarding a potential non-linear relationship. Thus, within a nationally representative survey of US adults (2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey), we evaluated cross-sectional associations between sleep duration and diet quality. Self-reported typical sleep duration was categorized into four groups (≤5 h per night, 6 h, 7–8 h, and ≥9 h per night). Diet was assessed with two 24-h recalls (averaged), and diet quality was measured with the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (score range 0–100), which is comprised of 13 dietary components. Regression analyses that accounted for complex survey weights were used to compute multivariable-adjusted models of sleep duration categories and HEI-2015 overall scores, and individual HEI components. Within this nationally-representative sample of adults ≥18 years, 10% reported 5 or fewer hours of sleep, and 20% reported 6 h, while 12% obtained ≥9 h (long sleep duration). Compared to adults with 7–8 h of sleep, those with ≤5 h had 1.7 lower multivariable-adjusted HEI-2015 score (95% CI 0.6, 2.7), and those with ≥9 h had 1.2 lower adjusted HEI-2015 score (95% CI 0.2, 2.2). Upon examination of individual HEI-2015 components, short sleepers had lower consumption of healthier components (total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, greens and bean, whole grains, dairy, total protein, and seafood), while long sleepers had higher consumption of some unhealthier components (refined grains and added sugar) as well as some healthier components (dairy and total protein). In conclusion, within a nationally-representative US survey, a reverse U-shaped association was observed between sleep duration and dietary quality.
Healthcare Professional Students Knowledge of Sleep at a Faith Based Institution

Background: In the general population, sleep awareness and knowledge is minimal containing many myths, misconceptions, erroneous facts, and fallacies. It follows that students entering a healthcare program or professional healthcare education would also not have an optimal level of sleep awareness or knowledge of sleep hygiene. In addition, sleep education is also an often overlooked subject in professional healthcare education programs. The purpose of this study is to measure the perceptions of students views on sleep awareness while enrolled in a faith-based healthcare education institution.. Methods: Participants were students who are currently enrolled in a healthcare profession program. A survey was designed to collect data on demographic variables, sleep hygiene, myths, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and a comment section where students share any cultural or religious beliefs regarding sleep. Results: A total of 317 students participated in this study, male n= 50 (16.9%) female n=246 (83. 1%) from 40 different professions within 8 different schools. 72.6% of the respondents were graduate students. The mean age was 28 ± 7.5 years old with a mean GPA of 3.65 ± 0.38. Only 9% of participants received a formal sleep course. In addition, 13% of the respondent received sleep information from seminar/workshop, and media. 25.3% believe that daytime sleepiness is not symptom of sleep disorder, 35.9% believe they should wake up someone who is sleepwalking, and 21.8% agree that drinking a glass of wine before bedtime can help them go to sleep. The mean ESS for the participants was 8.0 ± 3.73.59.4% had poor to fair sleep quality, and 50.9% agree that catching up sleep over the weekend is ok. The respondent9s comments were reviewed, categorized, and classified according to cultural, religious, beliefs, or beliefs in general regarding sleep awareness. Cultural beliefs, customs, or traditions ranged from early to bed, early to rise, to the afternoon siesta or riposo or nap time. Religious beliefs or traditions ranged from being at peace with God and man, you will have a good sleep to God9s laws of health ensure a less stressful life and therefore better sleep. Conclusions: The results of this ongoing study show the need for more and better opportunities for sleep knowledge, some with intentionality to accommodate better sleep habits, and those who understood that school and a busy lifestyle were stressors affecting their sleep in general.
Retroactive COVID-19 'Immunity': Useless for Patients, Devastating for Plaintiffs

This Note argues that the retroactivity provision of Iowa’s COVID-19 Response and Back-to-Business Limited Liability Act violates the due-process protections belonging to Iowans under both the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions. Passed in response to the challenges faced by Iowa businesses in reopening following the advent of the novel coronavirus, the Act expressly extinguishes civil causes of action already accrued under the common law. Generally, the rule against retroactivity prohibits legislatures from extinguishing rights in such a retroactive fashion. Moreover, despite Iowa jurisprudence contemplating that emergency conditions might validate retroactive laws that would otherwise be unconstitutional, the effects of COVID-19 in Iowa do not rise to a level that would warrant such a dramatic relaxation of the judicial check on legislative power. The Iowa Supreme Court should hold the retroactivity provision of the Act unconstitutional and eliminate the emergency exception to the ordinary rule against retroactivity both to bolster the constitutional protections for the rights of individual Iowans and to maintain the separation of powers that is integral to limited government.