cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The difficult part of capstone design courses

The capstone design course allows students to synthesize solutions to open ended problems. However without some urging, the students tend to focus on the easy part of the project-a single technical solution. The paper deals with some experience in bringing the more demanding aspects of technical projects into the design course. These include: (1) defining the real project with your customer "how will we know when we're done?". (2) Planning for success. Resource analysis-time, money knowledge, equipment and all of their interactions. (3) What is the best solution? Holding design reviews and comparing alternatives. (4) Communication skills. How do you keep the design team, the boss, and the customer up to date? (5) Presentation of project information in written and verbal forms. (6) Team dynamics. How to support the development of high performance teams? (7) Social skills. Why do I have to deal differently with Mary than with Anne to get their commitment and support? (8) Conflict. Why you need it and how to manage it. Each of the above topics could be a course in itself, but the capstone design course is an ideal place to discuss and exhibit the interaction of these complex issues. These discussions sow the seeds that will allow our graduates to perform at a higher level in all of their future project activities.
Reverse engineering: resolving conflicts between expected and actual software designs

A real-time embedded system was the subject of a series of experiments in reverse engineering. These experiments used a method of reverse engineering, called synchronized refinement, that analyzes a program, describing its behavior in the vocabulary of the application domain and its structure in terms of design decisions. The results provide insight into the role of domain knowledge in this type of analysis, together with the tools used in the detailed analysis of code. The experiments, which included the redesign of a component and the diagnosis of a critical software failure, showed that the real work of a software maintenance is in resolving apparent inconsistencies between the expectations that have been derived from domain knowledge and the facts that have been uncovered by applying reverse engineering tools to the software. >
Time-resolved wavefront measurements and analyses for a pulsed, nuclear-reactor-pumped laser gain region

The wavefront error across a laser aperture is often the limitingfactor in laser resonator design and performance. For long-pulse, side-pumped lasers, such as some nuclear-reactor-pumped or flashlamp-pumpedlasers, significant transverse index gradients can develop and couple tothe laser resonator modes. To design a laser resonator for efficient powerextraction, a spatially and temporally resolved determination of the index variation is required. High-speed photography using a fastframing camera with a modification of the Hartmann technique is applied to measure the index field and the resulting wave front error in the gain region of a pulsed,nuclear-reactor-pumped laser. With moderate initial gas pressures, the index fields and the wavefront errors are found to have roughly parabolicshapes except near the side walls. These results are in reasonable agree-ment with the predictions of a gasdynamic model, which describes thegas motion induced by the spatial nonuniformity of the pumping.
Challenges of refactoring C programs

Refactoring has become a well-known technique for transforming code in a way that preserves behavior. Refactorings may be applied manually, although manual code manipulation is error prone and cumbersome, so maintainers need tools to make automatic refactorings. There is currently extensive literature on refactoring object-oriented programs and some very good tools for refactoring Smalltalk and Java code. Although there is more code written in C or C++ than in any other language, refactoring tools for C with full support for preprocessor directives have not yet appeared.The C programming language, especially the preprocessor directives that coexist with it, complicates refactorings in different ways as directives are not legal C code and may violate otherwise correct refactorings.Refactoring C poses two major research challenges. On the one hand, as preprocessor directives may violate correctness, new precondition and execution rules must be defined for existing refactorings to preserve behavior. On the other hand, the automated execution of refactorings requires specialized program analysis tools to represent and manipulate preprocessor directives. After studying the area we have found some results to overcome these challenges and make a correct tool for the C language attainable.This paper first discusses the difficulties in refactoring C code with preprocessor directives. It then defines preconditions and execution rules to maintain correctness of refactoring in the presence of macros and conditional directives. Moreover, new refactorings are proposed for macro definitions and conditionals. Lastly, the paper suggests enhancements to program analysis and program representation tools to correctly manipulate preprocessor directives.
Acute-Phase Deaths from Murine Polymicrobial Sepsis Are Characterized by Innate Immune Suppression Rather Than Exhaustion

Sepsis, a leading cause of death in the United States, has poorly understood mechanisms of mortality. To address this, our model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis stratifies mice as predicted to Live (Live-P) or Die (Die-P) based on plasma IL-6. Six hours post-CLP, both Live-P and Die-P groups have equivalent peritoneal bacterial colony forming units and recruitment of phagocytes. By 24 h, however, Die-P mice have increased bacterial burden, despite increased neutrophil recruitment, suggesting Die-P phagocytes have impaired bacterial killing. Peritoneal cells were used to study multiple bactericidal processes: bacterial killing, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and phagocytosis. Total phagocytosis and intraphagosomal processes were determined with triple-labeled Escherichia coli, covalently labeled with ROS- and pH-sensitive probes, and an ROS/pH-insensitive probe for normalization. Although similar proportions of Live-P and Die-P phagocytes responded to exogenous stimuli, Die-P phagocytes showed marked deficits in all parameters measured, thus suggesting immunosuppression rather than exhaustion. This contradicts the prevailing sepsis paradigm that acute-phase sepsis deaths ( 5 d) are characterized by insufficient inflammation and immunosuppression. These data suggest that suppression of cellular innate immunity in sepsis occurs within the first 6 h.
The Role of Cytokines and Adhesion Molecules in Lung Inflammation

The roles of cytokines in the development of inflammatory reactions and subsequent tissue injury have been the topic of many different studies. In the context of the acute inflammatory reaction triggered by intrapulmonary deposition of IgG immune complexes, it is now clear that cytokine elaboration is necessary for the full development of the inflammatory reaction which leads to acute damage of vascular endothelial cells and alveolar lining epithelial cells. In contrast, lung injury that follows deposition of IgA immune complexes is neither associated with elaboration of cytokines nor is it related to a requirement for cytokines. In this report we will examine our current understanding of the events leading to acute pulmonary injury following deposition of IgG or IgA immune complexes. The findings underscore the different requirements for cytokines and the implications for these differences.
Abstract 35: 2-deoxy Adenosine Triphosphate Improves Contraction In Human End-stage Heart Failure

We are developing a novel approach to treat heart failure that involves adeno-associated virus vectors to elevate intracellular 2 deoxy-ATP (dATP) via increased expression of the enzyme Ribonucleotide Reductase. Our studies in rodents have shown that substitution of dATP for ATP as the energy substrate increases contraction in striated muscle. Here we report for the first time the effect of dATP on human cardiac muscle contraction. We measured the contractile properties of demembranated multicellular ventricular wall preparations and isolated myofibrils from adult human heart tissue obtained from twelve patients undergoing surgery for cardiac transplantation or placement of left ventricular-assist device for end-stage heart failure. Isometric force at saturating calcium concentration was increased by about ten percent from 38.6±3.8 mN/mm2 to 42.8±4.2 mN/mm2 when dATP was substituted for ATP (P<0.001). The effect was even greater at physiologic calcium concentrations with an approximate increase of thirty ...
Abstract T MP62: Acute Infarct Volume in Perinatal Stroke Can Be Accurately Estimated by Measuring Residual Uninfarcted Tissue on Follow-up MRI

Introduction: Developing accurate measurements of infarct volume is vital to studying outcomes in Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke (PAS). Methods for measuring Acute Infarct Volumes (aIV) are well established in PAS. However, techniques for measuring chronic infarct volume (cIV) in order to estimate aIV have not been validated and must account for changes in Total Brain Volume (TBV) over time, as well as contraction of the infarct. We compared two methods of measuring cIV, hypothesizing that cIV extrapolated from residual uninfarcted brain tissue volume would better estimate aIV than direct measurement of cIV. Methods: Using modified manual segmentation techniques, two pediatric neuroradiologists independently measured the brain and infarct volumes of 10 PAS patients both on the acute (0-7 days old) and chronic (>3 months) MRIs. Volume measurements were averaged after high inter-rater reliability was established (ICC>0.9). We evaluated acute and chronic scans for changes in infarct anatomy, and excluded patients with bilateral infarctions. Method 1 for estimating cIV used a direct measurement of the infarct (figure). Method 2 extrapolated infarct volume from residual uninfarcted brain tissue (figure). The cIV for each method was then compared to the aIV. Results: 3 patients with bilateral infarcts were excluded. Infarct anatomy between acute and chronic scans did not change for the 7 unilateral infarcts evaluated. In these 7 cases, the ICC comparing aIV and cIV from Method 1 was 0.507 (CI -0.120, 0.891), while the ICC comparing aIV and cIV from Method 2 was 0.964 (CI 0.821, 0.994). cIV’s from Method 1 were smaller than the aIV’s in all cases, despite stability of infarct anatomy. Conclusions: In this pilot study measuring cIV in PAS, direct measurement of cIV likely underestimates volume because of contraction of infarcted tissue. In conclusion, extrapolation of cIV from measurement of residual uninfarcted tissue appears to accurately estimate aIV. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Transport Properties of Superlattice Nanowires and Their Potential for Thermoelectric Applications

A theoretical model for the electronic structure and transport properties of superlattice (SL) nanowires is presented, based on the electronic tunneling between quantum dots. Due to the periodic potential perturbation, SL nanowires exhibit unusual features in the electronic density of states that are absent in homogeneous nanowires. Transport property calculations of PbSe/PbS SL nanowires are presented, showing improved thermoelectric performance compared to homogeneous nanowires because of a lower lattice thermal conductivity and an enhanced Seebeck coefficient, indicating that SL nanowires are promising systems for thermoelectric applications.
Cytologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis of neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma in cerebrospinal fluid.

Neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the skin is a rare entity. Often locally aggressive, this lesion may also metastasize to organ systems, including bone, liver, and brain. The authors report a case of a 64-year-old male who presented with hoarseness and dysphagia 17 months after resection of a primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the nose. Additional studies revealed bi-lateral vocal cord paralysis secondary to central nervous system dysfunction. Cytologic evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed malignant tumor cells consistent with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Presented are the cytologic and immunohistochemical findings in a case of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma involving the central nervous system.
Microwave-assisted green synthesis of silver nanostructures.

Over the past 25 years, microwave (MW) chemistry has moved from a laboratory curiosity to a well-established synthetic technique used in many academic and industrial laboratories around the world. Although the overwhelming number of MW-assisted applications today are still performed on a laboratory (mL) scale, we expect that this enabling technology may be used on a larger, perhaps even production, scale in conjunction with radio frequency or conventional heating.Microwave chemistry is based on two main principles, the dipolar mechanism and the electrical conductor mechanism. The dipolar mechanism occurs when, under a very high frequency electric field, a polar molecule attempts to follow the field in the same alignment. When this happens, the molecules release enough heat to drive the reaction forward. In the second mechanism, the irradiated sample is an electrical conductor and the charge carriers, ions and electrons, move through the material under the influence of the electric field and lead to polari...
Thermal and Flow Visualization of Submerged Jet Impingement Boiling With FC-72

Dielectric fluids like FC-72 have been popularly used as electronic coolants owing to their chemical inertness and low saturation temperatures at atmospheric pressure. This work visualizes the heat transfer characteristics of FC-72 during submerged jet impingement boiling on a silicon surface heated by means of a thin film serpentine heater. Infrared thermography is used to obtain quantitative thermal maps of the boiling process from beneath the surface. Simultaneous high-speed visualization is used to record the corresponding bubble dynamics on the top surface. Experiments for two jet Reynolds numbers are compared with pool boiling under saturated conditions at a fixed surface to nozzle diameter ratio. Area-averaged temperatures evaluated from the thermal maps are used to describe the boiling trends for increasing and decreasing heat flux. Wall superheat required for phase-change varies randomly with increasing jet Reynolds numbers. Incipience overshoot as high as ∼21°C is observed and visually documented for the lower jet flow rate. Radial temperature profiles along the surface indicate that locally overshoots may vary significantly (∼8–21°C) for conditions with extremely high incipient superheats.© 2012 ASME
Species investigation of Culicidae (Diptera) in Baoji city

Objective To grasp the species of Culicidae(Diptera) of Baoji city,Shannxi Province,China.Methods Trapping with tent and person,luring with livestock and lamp,capturing with net were applied.Results There were 6 genera and a total of 29 species,5 species of Anopheles Meigen,7 species of Aedes Meigen,1 species of Armigeres Theobald,14 species of Culex Linnaeus,1 species of Culiseta Felt and 1 species of Mansonia Blanchard belonging to 2 subfamilies of Culicidae in Baoji city,Shannxi Province.Conclusion This investigation is helpful for further study on mosquitoes of Baoji city,Shannxi Province.
Design and analysis of metamaterial antenna based on plane microstrip structure

A microstrip patch antenna with multi-frequency in S,C frequency bands was designed by slots cutting technology.Besides,a novel left-handed Metamaterial(MTM) with plane microstrip structure was also proposed,which was based on deformation geometry of traditional left-handed material.When the designed antenna was filled with the MTM cover,its operating frequencies were shifted downwards.Moreover,the radiation pattern was improved well.Simulation results by HFSS and Matlab show that this MTM has double frequency bands(2.7-4.9 GHz and 5.0-5.5 GHz) with characteristics of negative permittivity and negative permeability.When the MTM is loaded into the microstrip patch antenna operating at 2.66,3.67,4.66 and 5.49 GHz,the operating frequencies decrease by 140,140,210 and 270 MHz,respectively.With so many good characteristics,this novel MTM antenna can be applied in practical WLAN or WIMAX communication.
On the significance and path about the construction of campus culture

under the guidance of the scientific development concept,the article made in-depth(analysis) the significance and path about the construction of campus culture.According to the geographical cultural and academic characteristics,it proposed an important choice of university development and form of "agricultural features" of the campus culture brand.Using soft power in the culture to create university 's new advantages,In order to achieve positive guidance and positive role model on Hebei cultural development and cultural building of local colleges and universities.
Natural history of perianal Crohn's disease after fecal diversion.

Background Temporary fecal diversion has been used to allow severe perianal Crohn's disease (CD) to heal. Most data on intestinal reconnection rates precede the biological era with limited patient follow-up after reconnection. We, therefore, sought to evaluate the natural history of perianal CD after fecal diversion. Methods We identified 49 patients with CD and perianal involvement who underwent fecal diversion between 1991 and 2011 at a tertiary referral care center. Demographics, medication use, onset and extent of disease, and surgical interventions were abstracted. We determined the percentage of patients who were able to restore intestinal continuity and assessed the sustainability of this reversal. Time to intestinal reconnection and subsequent procedures were determined. We also examined temporal trends in the proportion of patients with perianal CD undergoing diversion or management with seton/EUA/fistulotomy between 2000 and 2011. Results Fifteen of 49 patients (31%) reestablished intestinal continuity during the study follow-up period. Ten of 15 patients (67%) who had reestablished intestinal continuity required an additional procedure to divert the fecal stream. Of the 5 patients who remained reconnected, 3 patients required further procedures to control sepsis. The proportion of patients with CD requiring perianal surgical interventions declined between 2000 and 2011. Conclusions Severe perianal CD remains a challenging problem. In patients with CD with perianal disease requiring fecal diversion, the likelihood of sustained intestinal continuity remains low, despite greater biological use. However, there has been a temporal decline in the rate of surgical interventions required for perianal CD from 2000 to 2011.
THE MECHANISM OF R-FACTOR MEDIATED ARSENATE RESISTANCE IS AN INDUCIBLE ATP-DRIVEN ARSENATE EFFLUX SYSTEM

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the mechanism of arsenate resistance mediated by the resistance factor R773. The energy source for arsenate efflux is phosphate bond energy, most likely in the form of ATP, and not the electrochemical proton gradient. Vanadate, which inhibits ion-translocating ATPases, is a potent inhibitor of arsenate efflux. The energetics of the efflux reaction suggests that the transport system is an arsenate-translocating ATPase. In contrast, the proton motive force rather than ATP is the energy source for calcium extrusion, and secondary calcium/proton exchange rather than a calcium-translocating ATPase has been found to be the mechanism of calcium extrusion in most bacteria.
Photonic devices properties of zinc nitride film produced by reactive magnetron sputtering

Zinc nitride films were prepared by the rf-magnetron sputtering using Zn target in Ar-N 2 plasma for 30 min at 300 W and annealed for 1 h in O 2 at 300 °C. The XRD measurement indicated that the as-deposited film had polycrystalline structure with five peaks corresponding to the cubic anti-bixbyite Zn 3 N 2 and exhibited preferred orientation (400). The annealing weakened the crystallinity and generated ZnO texture. The AFM images revealed that no significant change was generated in the grain size and surface roughness. Direct band gaps of 1.15 eV and 1.4 eV were obtained for the as-deposited and annealed films respectively. The photoconductivity measurements indicated that the as-deposited film did not have any response whereas the annealed film was photoconductive.
Academic Librarian Research: An Update to a Survey of Attitudes, Involvement, and Perceived Capabilities

This article reports the results of a 2015 survey that updates and extends the authors’ 2010 survey of academic librarians, to learn of the current state of their attitudes, involvement, and perceived capabilities in the research process. A key change in the 2015 survey is the use of an expanded research confidence scale, designed by the authors. They also added questions on research training and institutional support for research. The results of this survey add to the growing body of research examining the success factors for librarian-researchers. Research self-efficacy continues to be a predictor of research success. Institutional support for research, including both formal and informal mentorship, is increasing and associated with research success.
The changing face of petrous apicitis-a 40-year experience.

Objectives/Hypothesis Petrous apicitis (PA) is a rare complication of otitis media. Gradenigo syndrome, with the classic triad of otitis, deep pain, and abducens paralysis, is rarer still. The objective of this study was to determine if clinical presentation and management has changed over time. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Forty-four patients with PA over a 40-year period were studied. Symptoms, signs, and management outcomes were studied. Historical review, surgical anatomy and approaches, pathology, and microbiology, and an illustrative case are included as appendices. Results The classical Gradenigo triad of retro-orbital pain, otitis, and abducens palsy occurred in only six of 44 patients (13.6%). Over the 40-year observation period, those needing surgery has decreased. Conclusions Antibiotics remain the primary treatment modality. Surgery is reserved for cases failing to respond to antibiotics. One of the 44 patients in this series died of his disease. Diagnosis and management algorithms based on these observations are suggested. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 128:195–201, 2018
Fuzzy attitude control of solar sail via linear matrix inequalities

Abstract This study presents a fuzzy tracking controller based on the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model of the solar sail. First, the T-S fuzzy model is constructed by linearizing the existing nonlinear equations of motion of the solar sail. Then, the T-S fuzzy model is used to derive the state feedback controller gains for the Twin Parallel Distributed Compensation (TPDC) technique. The TPDC tracks and stabilizes the attitude of the solar sail to any desired state in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances while satisfying actuator constraints. The performance of the TPDC is compared to a PID controller that is tuned using the Ziegler-Nichols method. Numerical simulation shows the TPDC outperforms the PID controller when stabilizing the solar sail to a desired state.
Role of oral and gut microbiome in nitric oxide mediated colon motility

Periodontal disease (PD), a severe form of gum disease, is among the most prevalent chronic infection in humans and is associated with complex microbial synergistic dysbiosis in the subgingival cavity. The immune system of the body interacts with the microbes as the plaque extends and propagates below the gingival sulcus. Once bacteria reach the gingival sulcus, it can enter the blood stream and affect various areas of the human body. The polymicrobial nature of periodontal disease, if left untreated, promotes chronic inflammation, not only within the oral cavity, but also throughout the human body. Alterations seen in the concentrations of healthy gut microbiota may lead to systemic alterations, such as gut motility disorders, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. Although gut microbiome has been shown to play a vital role in intestinal motility functions, the role of oral bacteria in this setting remains to be investigated. It is unclear whether oral microbial DNA is present in the large intestine and, if so, whether it alters the gut microbiome. In addition, polybacterial infection induced PD reduced nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and antioxidant enzymes in rodent colon. In this review, we will discuss the interactions between oral and gut microbiome, specifics of how the oral microbiome may modulate the activities of the gut microbiome, and possible ramifications of these alterations.
Alcohol-Based Sensitizer–Semiconductor Linkages Towards Improved Interfacial Electron Transfer Kinetics

A series of four ruthenium complexes with alcohol binding groups of the general form [Ru(dtb)2(LL)](PF6)2 (where dtb is 4,4′-(tert-butyl)2-2,2′-bipyridine and LL is an alcohol-containing ligand) were anchored to mesoporous TiO2 thin films. The complexes were found to sensitize light-driven electron-transfer reactivity of TiO2 to the visible region and the complexes were hence termed sensitizers. The kinetics and yields of interfacial electron transfer were quantified on the nanosecond and longer timescales. The stability under oxidizing and light excitation conditions was assessed by spectroscopic methods. Comparative analysis with the more commonly utilized dicarboxylic acid containing ligand revealed that the sensitizer bearing two terminal CH2OH groups was found to have more efficient electron injection and slower back electron transfer.
The IAEA CRP on HTGR uncertainties: Sensitivity study of PHISICS/RELAP5-3D MHTGR-350 core calculations using various SCALE/NEWT cross-section sets for Ex. II-1a

Abstract Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis is an indispensable element of any substantial attempt in reactor simulation validation. A Coordinated Research Program (CRP) supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency was started to investigate the various uncertainty quantification methodologies for High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors. The first phase of the CRP is dedicated to the estimation of cell and lattice model uncertainties due to the neutron cross sections. Phase II is oriented towards the investigation of propagated uncertainties from the lattice to the coupled neutronics/thermal hydraulics core calculations. Best-estimate results for the prismatic single block (Ex. I-2a) and super cell models (Ex. I-2c) were obtained using the SCALE 6.2.0 two-dimensional lattice code NEWT. A reference spectrum was obtained with Serpent 2.1.27 for the single block, super cell and core models. The flux spectrum in the system of interest plays a primary role in the quantification of uncertainties caused by cross sections. In this work, the TRITON/NEWT-flux-weighted cross sections obtained for Ex. I-2a and various models of Ex.I-2c are utilized to perform a sensitivity analysis of the MHTGR-350 core power densities and eigenvalues. The core solutions are obtained with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) coupled code PHISICS/RELAP5-3D. It is observed that axial shape of the core power density does not vary significantly with the various lattice cell libraries utilized. The use of cross section libraries originating from super cells induces changes of the core power density by 1–10% radially as compared to the Ex.I-2a cross sections. The magnitude of these variations increases as the moderator-to-fuel ratio increases in the super cell lattice models. A lattice flux spectrum resembling the core spectrum is hence necessary for correct predictions in nodal core calculations.
Changes in the Sarcoplasmic Proteome of Beef Muscles with Differential Color Stability during Postmortem Aging

Beef color is a muscle-specific trait, and sarcoplasmic proteome influences muscle-specific variations in beef color stability. Postmortem aging influences the color and sarcoplasmic proteome of beef muscles. Nonetheless, muscle-specific changes in sarcoplasmic proteome of beef muscles with differential color stability during aging have not been characterized yet. Therefore, our objective was to examine the changes in the sarcoplasmic proteome of 3 differentially color stable muscles from beef hindquarters during postmortem aging. Longissimus lumborum (LL), psoas major (PM), and semitendinosus (ST) separated from 8 (n = 8) beef carcasses (24 h postmortem) were subjected to aging in vacuum packaging (2°C) for 0, 7, 14, and 21 d. On each aging day, steaks were fabricated, and allotted to refrigerated storage (2°C) under aerobic packaging. Samples for proteome analysis obtained during fabrication were frozen at –80°C. Instrumental color and metmyoglobin reducing activity were evaluated on d 0, 3, and 6 of storage. Sarcoplasmic proteome was analyzed, and differentially abundant proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. Color attributes and biochemical parameters were influenced by muscle source and aging (P < 0.05); LL and ST had greater (P < 0.05) surface redness than PM. Aging also influenced surface redness, with 7-d aged steaks demonstrating greatest values (P < 0.05). Proteome analysis identified 135 protein spots differentially abundant (P < 0.05) between the muscles and aging time points indicating muscle-specific changes during aging. The identified proteins included glycolytic enzymes, proteins associated with energy metabolism, antioxidant proteins, chaperones, and transport proteins. Overall, the glycolytic enzymes were more abundant (P < 0.05) in color-stable muscles and at aging times with greater color stability, indicating that these proteins could be used as potential biomarkers for beef color.
Adapting Your Style to Emails, Instructions, and Proposals

So far, this book has focused on scientific papers and reports. What about other types of documents? In engineering and science, a host of different documents exists with a wide range of lengths―from one-page letters applying for jobs to multivolume tomes assessing contamination for a site’s air, water, and soil. In addition, documents in scientific writing vary widely in the style—from the cohesive paragraphs of a white paper to the itemized lists in a set of specifications. In the end, though, how you write each document depends on your analysis of the audience, purpose, and occasion.
Virus-like particles occurring in cultures of stable pig kidney cell lines. Brief report.

Virus-like particles resembling those seen in baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cell cultures and in mouse leukemia have been found in two stable pig kidney cell lines, PK-13 and IB-RS-2. The particle's average outer diameter is c. 90 mμ, while the core is c. 60 mμ.
A Multi-Objective Evolutionary Action Rule Mining Method

Action rules are rules that describe how to transition a decision attribute from an undesired state to a desired state, with the understanding that some attributes are stable and others are flexible. Stable attributes, such as “age”, may not be changed, whereas flexible attributes, such as “interest rate”, may be changed. Action rules have great potential in data mining, as they output easily interpretable rules which can immediately be useful to a decision maker. However, at present, the methods to generate all valid action rules are computationally expensive. To address this, methods have been proposed that prune swaths of the search space as rules are generated; this results in computational efficiency, at the expense of potentially not discovering many useful rules. In this work, a method, called Multi-Objective Evolutionary Action Rule (MOEAR) mining, is introduced. MOEAR optimizes the discovery of action rules using standard evolutionary algorithm principles. Experimental results show that MOEAR is able to generate a large number of potentially interesting action rules, including those rules that could be categorized as “rare”, while achieving good computational performance.
The Capstone ePortfolio in an Undergraduate Public Health Program: Accreditation, Assessment, and Audience.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) degree program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) was launched in 2007, and was initially accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health in 2009. We admit approximately 40-45 students each fall to the upper division major, through a competitive admissions process. During the junior and senior years, BSPH majors complete a core set of required courses including internship; 18 credit hours of restricted electives; and any minor offered by the university (except public health). During 2014-2015, the Department of Public Health Sciences was one of five campus units supported by UNC General Administration to pilot the use of ePortfolios as a tool to help students integrate learning across the courses that make up the major. The pilot program continued for 2 additional years, to promote enduring faculty efforts. We subsequently outline the development and implementation of ePortfolio pedagogy in the BSPH program at UNC Charlotte, including preliminary assessment of outcomes the past 3 years. The adoption of ePortfolios has been instrumental in students' educational experiences for over 2 decades. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU preserve the variety of forms in which their learning occurs; and reflect upon their learning." We have learned that effective student ePortfolios do not arise in a vacuum. In collaboration with like-minded campus colleagues including those associated with the university's Communication Across the Curriculum program, we have encountered contributing forces related to the process of "collection, selection, and reflection" including intentional assignments that yield effective student artifacts; and authentic feedback to students through adoption and modification of the AACU students embrace opportunities to document learning when those opportunities are structured; the development of the ePortfolio is relational-consistent with student attributes; and ePortfolios enable evidence-based approaches to meet accreditation demands, assessment needs, and workforce expectations.
Deficiencies in reproductive health counseling in liver transplant recipients

Background In liver transplant (LT) recipients of childbearing age, there is often rapid return of fertility post-transplant. Our aim was to determine whether healthcare providers are documenting reproductive health counseling in LT recipients. Methods We performed a review of 365 LT recipients (164 female, 201 male) of childbearing age transplanted between 1994 and 2015 at a single center. We evaluated documentation of reproductive health counseling, content of the counseling and its provider. Results Reproductive health counseling was documented in 7% of LT recipients (14% of females, 0.5% of males). The transplant team provided the counseling in 56%, obstetrics/gynecology in 35%, and primary care in 9%. Twenty-four post-LT pregnancies occurred; these were unplanned in 13%. Miscarriage/stillbirth occurred in 7/24 pregnancies (29%). Mycophenolic acid was used by 20% of female recipients at conception. Only age at transplant (P = 0.001) and post-LT pregnancy was associated with documentation of reproductive health counseling in female recipients (P = 0.0001). Conclusion Despite rapid return of fertility in reproductive-aged LT recipients, documentation of reproductive health counseling in this population is rare in men and women. This increases the potential for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in this high-risk population.
Developing the Spirituality in Recovery Framework: The Function of Spirituality in 12-Step Substance Use Disorder Recovery:

A large portion of substance use disorder recovery research has incorporated the study of mutual-aid 12-Step programs and faith-based programs. However, spirituality as a centerpiece of substance u...
2395. Analysis of Countywide Clostridium difficile Infection using Descriptive Statistics and Geographic Information Systems Mapping

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is now the most common pathogen causing nosocomial infectious diarrhea in the United States, and more than 500,000 people are estimated to have either healthcare-associated (HA) or community acquired (CA) CDI. The epidemiology of CDI is incompletely understood with more than 50% of all CDI cases occurring in the outpatient community and growing at a pace that is greater than HA-CDI.
Brushed Aside: African American Women's Narratives of Hair Bias in School.

For African American women, hair is a key site of identity formation and self-esteem that has been largely ignored by education researchers. Fifty-six African American women shared memories of nega...
Using Deep Learning to Automate Goldmann Applanation Tonometry Readings.

Purpose To develop an objective and automated method for measuring intraocular pressure using deep learning and fixed-force Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) techniques. Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Participants Patients from an academic glaucoma practice. Methods Intraocular pressure was estimated by analyzing videos recorded using a standard slit-lamp microscope and fixed-force GAT. Video frames were labeled to identify the outline of the reference tonometer and the applanation mires. A deep learning model was trained to localize and segment the tonometer and mires. Intraocular pressure values were calculated from the deep learning-predicted tonometer and mire diameters using the Imbert-Fick formula. A separate test set was collected prospectively in which standard and automated GAT measurements were collected in random order by 2 independent masked observers to assess the deep learning model as well as interobserver variability. Main Outcome Measures Intraocular pressure measurements between standard and automated methods were compared. Results Two hundred sixty-three eyes of 135 patients were included in the training and validation videos. For the test set, 50 eyes from 25 participants were included. Each eye was measured by 2 observers, resulting in 100 videos. Within the test set, the mean difference between automated and standard GAT results was –0.9 mmHg (95% limits of agreement [LoA], –5.4 to 3.6 mmHg). Mean difference between the 2 observers using standard GAT was 0.09 mmHg (LoA,–3.8 to 4.0 mmHg). Mean difference between the 2 observers using automated GAT videos was –0.3 mmHg (LoA, –4.1 to 3.5 mmHg). The coefficients of repeatability for automated and standard GAT were 3.8 and 3.9 mmHg, respectively. The bias for even-numbered measurements was reduced when using automated GAT. Conclusions Preliminary measurements using deep learning to automate GAT demonstrate results comparable with those of standard GAT. Automated GAT has the potential to improve on our current GAT measurement standards significantly by reducing bias and improving repeatability. In addition, ocular pulse amplitudes could be observed using this technique.
Hemostatic agent use during partial nephrectomy: trends, outcomes, and associated costs

To evaluate the ability of hemostatic agents (HA) to limit bleeding complications following partial nephrectomy (PN) and determine HA usage and costs as well as factors associated with post-operative bleeding complications. The records of 429 PN performed for kidney cancers were reviewed for clinical, pathologic, and perioperative variables. Surgical approach, HA use, and HA expenditure were determined. Bleeding complications and management to 90 days after PN were annotated. Wilcoxon rank-sum and two-sample t tests identified factors associated with HA use. Univariate and limited multivariate logistic regression determined variables associated with bleeding complications. Use of HA was associated with longer OR duration, longer ischemia time, higher EBL, and method of PN (OPN and LPN > RPN) (all p values < 0.001). On bivariate analysis, while multiple factors were associated with bleeding complications, neither HA use (p = 0.924) nor the number of HA used (two agents vs one p = 0.712; three agents vs. one p = 0.606) were. A multivariable model noted that increasing RENAL score (p = 0.013) and surgical approach (OPN vs. RPN [p = 0.009] and LPN vs. RPN (p = 0.002]) were independently associated with bleeding complications, while HA use was not (p = 0.294). During the 16 years of analysis, a total of $77,687 USD was spent on HA. Average annual HA expenditure was $4855 USD with the peak being in 2010 where expense was $14,086. Mean annual costs for HA use were greater for OPN vs RAPN starting in 2013 (p = 0.02) The use of HA during PN was not associated with lower rates of bleeding complications. Therefore, judicious use in a case-specific manner is requisite to limit potentially unnecessary operative cost.
Commentary on “Cues to Care: future directions for ecological landscapes”

This commentary responds to “Cues to Care: future directions for ecological landscapes” (Hostetler 2020), which states that “research on cues to care has been sparse”. In a series of papers between 1988-1997, I introduced Cues to Care (CTC) and developed related theories about how CTC function to introduce and sustain environmentally beneficial landscape elements in human-dominated landscapes, and we recently published a systematic analytical review of CTC, which included 212 scholarly papers (excluding my own work). I write this commentary to address errors and apparent misunderstanding of CTC in Hostetler (2020), and to offer insight and direction for those seeking a deeper understanding of CTC.
MANTRA AS MEDIUM: CULTIVATING NECESSARY WISDOM IN AESTHETIC INQUIRY

My quest for necessary wisdom about mothering, teaching, researching—coalescing here as art and research—comes by way of a mantra enacted between mother and daughter onto the world: milk, heat, time. An awareness of mantra as methodologically potent occurred through the artistic practice of drawing with mother’s milk, heat, and time. Traveling through the twists and overlaps of my complicated existence as a mother, artist, teacher, and researcher this paper offers three imaginable potencies for arts-based research: mantra unfolds myth, mantra intensifies listening, and mantra generates reciprocity. This contemplatively and performatively crafted text brings to light these three potencies through multiple modes of data-creation: mantra, time, drawing, sensation, song, memory, connection, affect, photographs, writing, and materiality. Linger with me in the place where unconsumed mother’s milk—fat and water separating in plastic sleeves and bound for the trash in a university childcare setting— coalesced with cultural myths of breastfeeding, embodied memories of labor and returning to work after childbirth, grassy-scented infant’s breath, lullabies, milk scorching on a hot iron, cotton clothing, silver salts embedded in light-sensitive paper, and more. Linger and listen—water, bodies, stories, hidden, unhidden.
Psychiatric aspects of gastroparesis

Abstract The term “gastroparesis” implies a partial or complete paralysis of the stomach as a result of muscle or nerve dysfunction. As this book will attest, gastroparesis is far more complex than this simple definition. Gastric emptying time may be normal and yet the patient may respond to the same treatments that work for other patients with study proven delayed gastric emptying. Is gastroparesis caused by dysbiosis, is it an autonomic neuropathic disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a problem of behavioral conditioning, or a central nervous system disorder? Patients may experience overlapping symptoms of nausea, vomiting, distension, abdominal pain, dysmotility, weight loss, early satiety, reflux, and others. This may generate a complex differential diagnosis that includes other conditions such as rumination, functional dyspepsia, somatization, eating disorder, and even Munchausen’s syndrome, to name but a few. Psychiatric conditions can occur as a result of gastroparesis, may be a causative or exacerbating factor in gastroparesis, and may confound the diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis.
Challenges and solutions for fast remote persistent memory access

Non-volatile main memory DIMMs (NVMMs), such as Intel's Optane DC Persistent Memory modules, provide data durability with orders of magnitude higher performance than prior durable technologies. This paper explores the unique challenges that arise when building high-performance networked systems for NVMM. Compared to DRAM, we find that NVMMs have distinctive fundamental properties that pose unique challenges for networked access to NVMM, both from the NIC and the CPU. We show that much of the challenges in efficient access to remote NVMM arises from the fact that CPU caches are not optimized for NVMM. To address these challenges, we propose a menu of solutions for current hardware and evaluate their benefits.
Modeling Strategy Switches in Multi-attribute Decision Making

We develop and demonstrate a method for inferring changes in strategy use, applicable to decision making in multi-attribute choice. The method is an extension of one developed by Lee, Gluck, and Walsh (Decision 6:335–368, 2019) and continues to rely on a Bayesian approach for inferring strategy switches based on spike-and-slab priors. The extensions improve the existing method in two ways. The first is by using a hierarchical approach to make inferences about the underlying propensity to switch strategies simultaneously at both the individual and group levels. The second is by making inferences about the probability different strategies are used, including the transition probabilities between strategies when switches are made. We demonstrate the method by applying it to data sets from five previous experiments, involving a range of experimental designs and sets of strategies of interest. We conclude by discussing the potential of the method to contribute to addressing basic questions in human decision making involving the nature of adaptation, learning, and self-regulation.
This Land is Our Land: Protesting to Protect Places on the Margin

In 2008 Tim DeChristopher illegally bid on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parcels offered for energy exploration leases near National Parks in Utah. DeChristopher and his supporters founded Peacef...