cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Passive robots and haptic displays based on nonholonomic elements

Describes a new architecture for passive robots and haptic displays, which the authors call a programmable constraint machine (PCM). An n-DOF PCM can, under computer control, exhibit constraints (smooth, impenetrable virtual surfaces of dimensionality <n), or it can allow free n-DOF motion. At the heart of the PCM is a nonholonomic element, which is used as a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A rolling wheel, for instance, can be used as a CVT. A prototype 2-DOF cartesian PCM has been built, using a single rolling wheel. The authors sketch PCMs of higher dimensionality. A rolling wheel may be thought of as a translational CVT, coupling the x and y velocities of its center by a transmission ratio which is the tangent of its steering angle, Its utility in a cartesian PCM motivates interest in a rotational analog for revolute architectures. The authors develop a novel rotational CVT which couples two angular velocities by an adjustable ratio.
The luxury of vegetation and the legacy of tree biodiversity in Los Angeles, CA

Urban vegetation cover and biodiversity provide ecosystem services to city residents, though the mechanisms affecting managed vegetation cover and biodiversity across varying urban land uses are not well understood. To evaluate competing mechanisms influencing urban vegetation cover and tree biodiversity, we collected data from 350 plots in the City of Los Angeles, CA. Alpha (α) and beta (β) tree biodiversity were quantified using sample based rarefaction curves. Hypotheses of independent climate, land use, luxury and legacy effects were evaluated with residual regression analysis and best models were chosen using AIC. Residential land use had the highest α biodiversity at all sampling scales, but the lowest β diversity, possibly indicating a limited plant pool for managers. Increased median household income was independently related to each type of vegetation cover, supporting a luxury effect. Regression models explaining the most variation in cover also included population density. In contrast, tree species richness was only positively related to housing age, supporting the legacy effect. Median income had no independent effect on tree biodiversity, which contrasts with patterns in other arid cities. However, age and income had an interactive effect. The highest α and β tree diversity were found in old, high-income locations. Managing for ecosystem services provided by vegetation should prioritize low income neighborhoods for increasing cover, while managing for biodiversity should maintain existing diversity in older neighborhoods and encourage new species in newer neighborhoods.
Incidence of Meatal Stenosis following Neonatal Circumcision in a Primary Care Setting

The objective of this study was to prospectively document the incidence of meatal stenosis in boys. The study included a consecutive sample of boys whose visit with the physician included a genital examination in a private primary care pediatric practice in rural northern Wisconsin. Meatal stenosis was diagnosed in boys from 1.94 to 12.34 years of age. The diagnosis was made in 24 of 329 circumcised boys who were Tanner I development and older than 3 years of age (7.29%, 95%CI=4.48-10.10%). Nearly all required meatotomy to resolve their symptoms. All of the boys with meatal stenosis were circumcised neonatally (exact OR=3.54, 95%CI=0.62-∞). The ratio of circumcised boys to noncircumcised boys in this study provided 80% power to demonstrate a 21.4% difference in the incidence of meatal stenosis between circumcised and noncircumcised Tanner I boys 3 years and older. Meatal stenosis may be the most common complication following neonatal circumcision. The frequency of this complication and the need for surgic...
The Information That Drivers Use: Is it Indeed 90% Visual?:

The literature contains numerous claims that 90% of all the information used in driving is visual. This article presents a theoretical discussion, a citation search, and a review of evidence concerning such claims. The findings indicate that not only do we lack data from which to derive an accurate numerical estimate, but we lack a measurement system within which any numerical estimate would be meaningful. Consequently, although the information relevant to driving is likely to be predominantly visual, any claims about the precise percentage attributable to vision are premature. The proliferation of such claims in the absence of direct evidence is a reminder that researchers should be careful about assuring the validity of the claims they are passing on.
Using Participant Data to Improve Target Date Fund Allocations

Economic theory says that participants in 401(k) plans should gradually rebalance their portfolios away from stocks and toward less risky bonds as they approach retirement. Conventional target date funds attempt to do so by automatically rebalancing the household’s portfolio periodically, but they take account of only one aspect of the individual: his expected retirement age. This paper investigates whether plan providers could improve on this “one-size-fits-all” approach by making use of information that is known to the employer, namely each employee’s income, 401(k) balance, and saving rate. Using a stochastic dynamic optimization model, incorporating both labor- and financial-market risk, it calculates the compensation a household following an optimal portfolio allocation would require for adopting three alternatives: a typical, a “one-size-fits-all,” or a “semi-personalized” portfolio allocation.
A controlled trial of reduced meal frequency without caloric restriction in healthy, normal-weight, middle-aged adults

Background Although consumption of 3 meals/d is the most common pattern of eating in industrialized countries, a scientific rationale for this meal frequency with respect to optimal health is lacking. A diet with less meal frequency can improve the health and extend the lifespan of laboratory animals, but its effect on humans has never been tested.
Ergonomic assessment of patient barrow lifting technique using digital human modeling

Healthcare personnel involved in patient handling activities are often exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Barrow lifting technique using digital human modeling (DHM). This study investigates the effects of patient weight and height (PWH), clinical staff weight and height (CSWH), clinical staff position (CSP) during lift, and clinical staff gender (CSG) on the clinical staff's low back compression force (LBCF). In addition, the impact of specific postural variables was evaluated using Comfort Assessment (CA). The results of this research showed that clinical staff in the larger weight and height percentiles that are male experienced higher LBCF. While the trunk of the clinical staff member was exposed to higher flexion angles that are still in the comfort range, the ratings associated with the trunk thigh and elbow were outside the comfort range. The results of this research are of paramount importance in designing lifting protocols and training programs with the ultimate goal being a reduction in the risk of developing low back injuries.
Adaptive prediction for speech encoding

An overview of adaptive prediction in differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) systems used for speech encoding at 16 to 32 kilobits/sec.(kbps) is presented. Features of the paper include a discussion of both infinite impulse response and finite impulse response predictors and a development of the various predictor implementation structures, such as the direct or transversal form, the lattice form, and the cascade of second order sections form. Differences between forward and backward adaptation are described, and comparative performances results of several backward adaptive algorithms and predictor structures are discussed.
A Finite Element based State Model of Solid Rotor Synchronous Machines

In this work, a state model which portrays the dynamic electromagnetic characteristics of a synchronous machine is derived based upon the first order finite element method. The method of finite elements is used to determine the axial component of magnetic vector potential throughout the cross section of the machine. Algebraic relationships between the winding voltages and the magnetic vector potentials are derived. These are used to establish a state model which admits winding voltages as inputs. The resulting model consists of a set of first order, ordinary differential equations which predict vector potentials at grid nodes along with the winding currents as time proceeds following arbitrary disturbances in stator or rotor voltages. As an initial verification step, this method has been applied in two linear examples. The first involves a simplified geometric representation of the synchronous machine for which an analytical solution of the defining field equations can be obtained. The second involves a more detailed geometry which includes stator and rotor slots. Numerical solutions are shown to be in excellent agreement with analytical solutions for the simplified structure. In the detailed geometry, numerical solutions are shown to compare favorably with the classical equivalent circuit representation.
An In Vitro Comparison of the Antimicrobial Effects of Various Endodontic Medicaments on Enterococcus faecalis

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial action of Dermacyn (Oculus Innovative Sciences, Petaluma, CA), BioPure MTAD (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Johnson City, TN), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX; Ultradent, West Jordan, UT), and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Enterococcus faecalis (American Type Culture Collection 4082). Eighteen Petri dishes of BHI agar were inoculated with E faecalis. Each Petri dish had five saturated paper disks placed. Four of the disks were saturated with a different test solution, and the last paper disk served as the control and was saturated with sterile distilled water. The plates were randomly distributed into two groups. Group one (n=9) was incubated aerobically and group 2 (n=9) was incubated anaerobically for 48 hours at 37 degrees C. The largest diameter of the zones of microbial inhibition was measured in millimeters and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with repeated-measures analysis of variance. BioPure MTAD showed significantly (p 0.05). The control group showed no microbial inhibition.
A software system for spatial data analysis and modeling

Advances in geographical information systems (GIS) and supporting data collection technology has resulted in the rapid collection of a huge amount of spatial data. However, known data mining techniques are unable to fully extract knowledge from high dimensional data in large spatial databases, while data analysis in typical knowledge discovery software is limited to non-spatial data. Therefore, the aim of the software system for spatial data analysis and modeling (SDAM) presented in this article was to provide flexible machine learning tools for supporting an interactive knowledge discovery process in large centralized or distributed spatial databases. SDAM offers an integrated tool for rapid software development for data analysis professionals as well as systematic experimentation by spatial domain experts without prior training in machine learning or statistics. When the data are physically dispersed over multiple geographic locations, the SDAM system allows data analysis and modeling operations to be conducted at distributed sites by exchanging control and knowledge rather than raw data through slow network connections.
The effect of ultraviolet light on the establishment of lysogeny.

Abstract The resistance to ultraviolet light (UV) of cells of Shigella dysenteriae, infected with the temperate phage P2 or with various temperate and virulent mutants of P2, was measured at various times in the course of the latent period. The resistance of cells infected with the virulent phages or of the lysing fraction of cells infected with the temperate phages (lytic complexes) was measured as the survival of the ability to form plaques, while the resistance of the lysogenizing fraction of cells infected with the temperate phages was measured as the survival of the ability to give origin to lysogenic colonies. All lytic complexes go through a stage during which their resistance to UV increases rapidly, although those infected with the virulent phages do so much earlier in the latent period than those infected with the temperate phages. The apparent UV resistance of lysogenizing complexes increases soon after infection, but decreases again toward the end of the latent period. If cells, infected with a temperate mutant that has a greatly reduced ability to lysogenize as compared to the wild type P2, are irradiated early in the latent period, shortly before the resistance of the lytic complexes begins to change, the absolute number of lysogenizing complexes increases rather than decreases as a result of the irradiation. These facts suggest that the frequency of lysogenization with phage P2 can be increased by irradiation of the infected cells with ultraviolet light at a critical time in the early part of the latent period. For 1 to 2 hours after the end of the latent period, cells that survive infection and give rise to lysogenic progeny have a lower UV resistance than established lysogenic strains. Possible interpretations of this observation are discussed.
Semi-supervised truth discovery

Accessing online information from various data sources has become a necessary part of our everyday life. Unfortunately such information is not always trustworthy, as different sources are of very different qualities and often provide inaccurate and conflicting information. Existing approaches attack this problem using unsupervised learning methods, and try to infer the confidence of the data value and trustworthiness of each source from each other by assuming values provided by more sources are more accurate. However, because false values can be widespread through copying among different sources and out-of-date data often overwhelm up-to-date data, such bootstrapping methods are often ineffective.In this paper we propose a semi-supervised approach that finds true values with the help of ground truth data. Such ground truth data, even in very small amount, can greatly help us identify trustworthy data sources. Unlike existing studies that only provide iterative algorithms, we derive the optimal solution to our problem and provide an iterative algorithm that converges to it. Experiments show our method achieves higher accuracy than existing approaches, and it can be applied on very huge data sets when implemented with MapReduce.
Prevention research for alcohol and other drugs : A look ahead to what is needed

The misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is a problem with serious health and social consequences worldwide. The causes of this misuse are complex and multifaceted. For an examination of these complex issues we must look to a variety of risk factors, from those that are biological, to those that are psychological, social, and familial, and on to those that encompass the environment. Prevention research has shown that successful prevention interventions are those which appropriately target these factors in individuals at risk and overcome them by enhancing individuals' resiliency and providing them with protective factors. While several important and successful preventive interventions have been identified, research is needed to refine these strategies and identify how they achieve their effects, which are most appropriate for youngsters at different developmental stages, and which are most likely to sustain their effects over time.
Comparison of Diabetes Risk Following Smoking Cessation Treatment Using Varenicline Versus Bupropion Among Obese Smokers

Background: Recent literature suggests an initial increased risk of diabetes following smoking cessation. Objectives: To compare the risk of developing diabetes among obese smokers who tried to quit smoking using bupropion versus varenicline. Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the General Electric (GE) electronic medical record database (2006–2011). The cohort consisted of obese adult smokers without a diabetes diagnosis at baseline and newly initiating use of either bupropion or varenicline. This cohort was then followed for 1 year to observe the risk of developing diabetes. The relative risk of bupropion versus varenicline on developing diabetes was assessed using Cox Proportional Hazards regression model after controlling for covariates. Results: The sample comprised of 78,002 obese smokers of which 1,937 (2.36%) developed diabetes during 1 year follow-up. Diabetes incidence rate was relatively comparable who used varenicline and bupropion (23.50 versus 25.80 per...
Endogenous Aspergillus Endophthalmitis

A 27-year-old man with a history of intravenous-narcotic abuse presented with signs and symptoms suggesting fungal endophthalmitis. He underwent core vitrectomy with intravitreal injection of amphotericin B. Aspergillus flavus grew from cultures of the vitreous aspirate. There was no evidence of extraocular infection, and the patient was treated postoperatively with subconjunctival amphotericin B and oral flucytosine. Unlike previously reported cases of endogenous aspergillus endophthalmitis in drug abusers, the patient described here recovered normal visual acuity.
Characteristics of maternal-infant interaction during treatment for opioid withdrawal

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe the interactions between mothers in a methadone treatment program and their infants during a bottle feeding and compare the findings with normed data. DESIGN A comparative-descriptive design was used. SAMPLE Data from 12 opiate-exposed mother-infant dyads were compared with normed data. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE Nursing Child Assessment Satellite-Training Scale scores. RESULTS The opiate-exposed dyads scored significantly lower than the normed dyads in the infant subscales of clarity of cues (p < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-4.08) and responsiveness to caregiver (p < .01, 95% CI, 0.27-2.5), as well as the total score (p < .001, 95% CI, 2.42-6.15). Parent sensitivity to infant cues subscale (p < .01, 95% CI, 0.42-2.37) and parent contingency score (p < .01, 95% CI, 0.55-3.81) were also significantly lower. The cognitive growth fostering subscale scores were significantly higher in the neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) group (p < .01, 95% CI,- 2.94 to- 0.7).
Two-Dimensional Protein Micropatterning for Sensor Applications Through Chemical Selectivity Technique

Two-dimensional protein micropatterning with immobil-ization of IgG and poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) on patterned Au and Si surfaces was performed through a new technique. The technique for micropatterning is based on a chemical selectivity method by creating chemical bonding between protein, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and substrates rather than physical means. The substrates used in this study are pre-fabricated with silicon wafer patterned with arrays of gold squares. The silicon regions of the substrate are modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to resist protein adsorption and cell adhesion. The gold regions on the substrate are first immobilized with bifunctional SAM layers that can covalently bound adhesion proteins for individual cell attachment against a PEG background. The surface coatings are characterized by contact angle measurement, ellips-ometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The patterns of fluorescence-labeled proteins are examined using fluorescence microscopy. Our study demonstrated that the PEG modified silicon region showed an effective protein reduction while the gold regions were successfully covalently bonded with proteins. This technique also demonstrated a combined feature of ensuring the activity, selectivity, and stability of the immobilized proteins. A simple lift-off microfabrication process was introduced in this study to pattern metal on silicon substrates without using expensive metal etching.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me": verbal sexual harassment among middle school students

Research has recently found that sexual harassment occurs throughout our education system. Although the focus of these studies has been on both verbal and physical sexual harassment, the literature is scant when examining just verbal sexual harassment. Using self-report data from 30 New York City middle schools, the current study adds to the literature by examining the prevalence of verbal sexual harassment victimization and perpetration through the lens of gender and dating experiences. The study highlights that boys are verbally sexually harassed more than girls and students with dating experience are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of verbal sexual harassment. Additional findings, limitations, and policy implications are discussed.
Businesswomen’s choice of professional dress: Model development for dress perception

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between businesswomen’s choice of professional dress and four dress perception variables (ie comfort, employment orientation, appearance l...
Epilogue: A new paradigm for the science and practice of engaging young people

A hope of this Yearbook is to illuminate not only what promotes engagement but also how it can be fostered. In this epilogue, first we provide a short history of research on motivation. We then review the contributions of this Yearbook in providing a fuller, multidimensional, contextualized picture of human motivation, one that we believe is relevant and helpful to educational policy and practice. Last, we discuss where this research may head in order to engender conditions in which engagement in schooling becomes more universal.
Common ground control system (CGCS) to support autonomous object observation, collection, and response in multi-domain environments

The use of Unmanned Systems (UxS) for multi­domain environments is both appropriate and desirable. In such an environment, a diverse set of space, air, surface, subsurface, and cyber-based assets need to collaborate to maximize the chance of a mission being successful. Present solutions require one-to-one control segment and vehicle pairing, thereby creating issues for size constrained environments. These solutions also lack single operator mission situational awareness and require that the operator focus on single vehicle performance versus mission execution. An integrated solution is required to allow for effective collaboration. This paper presents a new Common Ground Control System (CGCS) approach to fill the above technology gap in order to support multiple mission goals (e.g., object observation, collection, and response). This capability includes a new process through which a single user can orchestrate a fleet of diverse multi-domain assets using goal based missions. This novel approach reduces the user's cognitive workload removing the one-to-one bottleneck, which in turn significantly reduces the overall cost for mission execution.
Effect of aging on intestinal absorption of aromatic amino acids in vitro in the rat.

Whole-thickness everted jejunal rings were used to measure uptake of L-tyrosine (L-Tyr), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), and L-tryptophan (L-Trp) in 6-, 12-, and 24-mo-old rats. The rate of uptake of all three amino acids (1 mM) was significantly reduced after 20 min of incubation in 24-mo-old compared with 6-mo-old rats. Results of influx (2 min) of 0.5-40.0 mM L-Phe and L-Trp suggested an increased affinity but decreased capacity for the transporter with age; these differences were significant for L-Trp (P less than 0.05). Respective values for apparent Kt and Vmax were the following: L-Phe 6-mo-old rats, 5.46 mM and 1.03 mumol.g-1.2 min-1; 24-mo-old rats, 2.54 mM and 0.51 mumol.g-1.2 min-1; L-Trp 6-mo-old rats, 5.09 mM and 0.38 mumol.g-1.2 min-1; 24-mo-old rats, 3.20 mM and 0.25 mumol.g-1.2 min-1. Values for 12-mo-old rats fell in between the other two age groups.
Spin Trapping in Vivo: Facts and Artifacts

EPR spectroscopy is a powerful technique for the detection, identification and quantification of free radical species, and, as can be seen from other chapters in this work, has been widely used both to study biological systems in vitro and in vivo. However, many of the free radicals that one would wish to study are short-lived, especially in biological systems in which efficient antioxidative mechanisms to control both free radical formation and concentrations once formed (usually) exist. Therefore, the steady-state concentrations of many free radical species will be below the limits of EPR detection and their direct detection by EPR spectroscopy is not feasible. Although specialised techniques exist for free radical generation to allow direct EPR spectroscopy, such as rapid or stopped flow, flash photolysis, and pulsed radiolysis, these have limited applications to biological systems and so other approaches are required.
Addressing children's handwriting and visual perceptual difficulties using iPad applications in occupational therapy practice

In this paper, the author will describe ways in which a pediatric occupational therapist incorporates iPad educational and therapeutic apps into a treatment session. The benefits of the iPad use in therapy will also be discussed. The audience will identify the iPad apps that can be used to address handwriting and visual perception difficulties.
Determination of polymer melts flow-activation energy a function of wide range shear rate

The majority of the processing of thermoplastic polymers is in melt condition. For example, extrusion, or injection moulding, which are the two biggest plastic processing technologies. Nowadays, there is a need to simulate these processes. The simulations are helpful for the plastic product and mold designers. In these simulations one of the most important internal parameters is the shear viscosity, which depends on the temperature, pressure, molecular weight or structure. So easy to see how important is the top priority precise knowledge of the shear viscosity of plastic melts. The importance of polymer melt flow properties during processing has required continuous research of polymer melt rheology. In a previous article, we described how to measure shear viscosity of polycarbonate from 100 to 105 shear-rate regions with standard and non-standard equipments. In this paper a method is shown to calculate the activation energy of flow of high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS) and polycarbonate (PC). It was shown that shear viscosity and activation energy of flow of the polymers depend on the chemical structure. It was found that more rigid molecular structure results higher values.
Child welfare workers’ knowledge of risk factors for child maltreatment fatalities: a second multi-state assessment

This paper reports results from a second study which examines the knowledge and training of child welfare professionals with regard to risk factors for fatal child maltreatment. This multi-state, o...
Progressive embedding

Tutte embedding is one of the most common building blocks in geometry processing algorithms due to its simplicity and provable guarantees. Although provably correct in infinite precision arithmetic, it fails in challenging cases when implemented using floating point arithmetic, largely due to the induced exponential area changes. We propose Progressive Embedding, with similar theoretical guarantees to Tutte embedding, but more resilient to the rounding error of floating point arithmetic. Inspired by progressive meshes, we collapse edges on an invalid embedding to a valid, simplified mesh, then insert points back while maintaining validity. We demonstrate the robustness of our method by computing embeddings for a large collection of disk topology meshes. By combining our robust embedding with a variant of the matchmaker algorithm, we propose a general algorithm for the problem of mapping multiply connected domains with arbitrary hard constraints to the plane, with applications in texture mapping and remeshing.
Standards and Certifications (Part 2 of 2): Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)

This chapter presents the GFSI food fraud compliance requirements that build on the basics presented in other chapters. This more detailed chapter includes the assessments, prevention strategies, and the overall scope of the certification. The GFSI requirements build ISO 22000 Food Safety Management and require a Food Safety Management System (FSMS). GFSI is a benchmark that is endorsed by food safety standards such as FSSC 22000, SQF, BRC, and IFS, and others. As of January 2018, the GFSI requirement now includes specific and separate activities to address food safety, food defense, and food fraud. These requirements are an essential consideration for food fraud prevention.
Asymptotics and Ramanujan's mock theta functions: then and now

This article is in commemoration of Ramanujan's election as Fellow of The Royal Society 100 years ago, as celebrated at the October 2018 scientific meeting at the Royal Society in London. Ramanujan's last letter to Hardy, written shortly after his election, surrounds his mock theta functions. While these functions have been of great importance and interest in the decades following Ramanujan's death in 1920, it was unclear how exactly they fit into the theory of modular forms-Dyson called this 'a challenge for the future' at another centenary conference in Illinois in 1987, honouring the 100th anniversary of Ramanujan's birth. In the early 2000s, Zwegers finally recognized that Ramanujan had discovered glimpses of special families of non-holomorphic modular forms, which we now know to be Bruinier and Funke's harmonic Maass forms from 2004, the holomorphic parts of which are called mock modular forms. As of a few years ago, a fundamental question from Ramanujan's last letter remained, on a certain asymptotic relationship between mock theta functions and ordinary modular forms. The author, with Ono and Rhoades, revisited Ramanujan's asymptotic claim, and established a connection between mock theta functions and quantum modular forms, which were not defined until 90 years later in 2010 by Zagier. Here, we bring together past and present, and study the relationships between mock modular forms and quantum modular forms, with Ramanujan's mock theta functions as motivation. In particular, we highlight recent work of Bringmann-Rolen, Choi-Lim-Rhoades and Griffin-Ono-Rolen in our discussion. This article is largely expository, but not exclusively: we also establish a new interpretation of Ramanujan's radial asymptotic limits in the subject of topology. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Srinivasa Ramanujan: in celebration of the centenary of his election as FRS'.
From Silk Spinning to 3D Printing: Polymer Manufacturing using Directed Hierarchical Molecular Assembly

Silk spinning offers an evolution-based manufacturing strategy for industrial polymer manufacturing, yet remains largely inaccessible as the manufacturing mechanisms in biological and synthetic systems, especially at the molecular level, are fundamentally different. The appealing characteristics of silk spinning include the sustainable sourcing of the protein material, the all-aqueous processing into fibers, and the unique material properties of silks in various formats. Substantial progress has been made to mimic silk spinning in artificial manufacturing processes, despite the gap between natural and artificial systems. This report emphasizes the universal spinning conditions utilized by both spiders and silkworms to generate silk fibers in nature, as a scientific and technical framework for directing molecular assembly into high-performance structures. The preparation of regenerated silk feedstocks and mimicking native spinning conditions in artificial manufacturing are discussed, as is progress and challenges in fiber spinning and 3D printing of silk-composites. Silk spinning is a biomimetic model for advanced and sustainable artificial polymer manufacturing, offering benefits in biomedical applications for tissue scaffolds and implantable devices.
mTOR-driven widespread exon skipping renders multifaceted gene regulation and proteome complexity

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is crucial in cell proliferation. Many have associated its dysregulation with numerous human pathogenic processes. Previously, we reported 3-untranslated region (UTR) length dynamics by alternative polyadenylation in the mTOR-activated transcriptome and its impact on the proteome. Here, we further explored the mTOR-activated transcriptome with regard to alternative splicing (AS) events and their functional relevance. We employed cellular models with genetic or pharmacological manipulation of mTOR activity and investigated the changes of transcriptome profile using RNA-Seq experiments and a custom-developed AS-Quant pipeline. Strikingly, we found that hyperactivation of mTOR in cells promotes transcriptome-wide exon skipping/exclusion. These AS events multifariously regulate the proteome: exon-skipping in the coding regions widely affects functional domains in the proteome; exon-skipping in the 5-UTR can control translation efficiency. Moreover, a number of these exon-skipping events affects potential ubiquitination and phosphorylation sites and produces protein isoforms with varying stabilities. Furthermore, some of these exon-skipping events can switch transcripts from being coding to non-coding or vice versa, suggesting AS as a built-in post-transcriptional molecular switch for gene expression and/or functional regulation. Notably, we found that mTOR-activated widespread exon skipping is in part facilitated by splicing factor Srsf3. Our study reveals previously unappreciated mTOR-coordinated post-transcriptional pathways that regulate cellular proteome. These findings also highlight multifaceted mechanisms of AS in controlling functional proteome.
Selective Extraction of Cannabinoid Compounds from Cannabis Seed Using Pressurized Hot Water Extraction.

Phytochemicals of Cannabis sativa mainly for the use in the different industries are that of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) is seen as an efficient, fast, green extraction technique for the removal of polar and semi-polar compounds from plant materials. The PHWE technique was applied to extract cannabinoid compounds from Cannabis sativa seed. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the influence of extraction time (5–60 min), extraction temperature (50–200 °C) and collector vessel temperature (25–200 °C) on the recovery of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBG) and cannabigerol (CBC) from Cannabis sativa seed by PHWE. The identification and semi quantification of cannabinoid compounds were determined using GCXGC-TOFMS. The results obtained from different extractions show that the amount of THC and CBN was drastically decreasing in the liquid extract when the temperature rose from 140 to 160 °C in the extraction cell and the collector′s vessel. The optimal conditions to extract more CBD, CBC, and CBG than THC and CBN were set at 150 °C, 160 °C and 45 min as extraction temperature, the temperature at collector vessel, and the extraction time, respectively. At this condition, the predicted and experimental ratio of THCt (THC + CBN)/CBDt (CBD + CBC+ CBG) was found to be 0.17 and 0.18, respectively. Therefore, PHWE can be seen as an alternative to the classic extraction approach as the efficiency is higher and it is environmentally friendly.
Youth's Sibling Relationships Across the Course of a Parent's Military Deployment: Trajectories and Implications.

The present exploratory study explored the trajectories and implications of at-home (military unaffiliated) parents' perceptions of youth's sibling relationships across the course of a parent's military deployment. Participants included 109 families with at least two siblings (older sibling and younger siblings age: M = 10.85, SD = 3.92 and M = 7.89, SD = 3.58, respectively) and one parent serving in the National Guard. Data were collected via in-home interviews, at six time points across the deployment cycle. A series of multilevel models revealed increases in sibling disharmony during the months a deployed parent was away, but showed signs of recovery in the year after they returned. Increases in sibling disharmony were positively associated with increases in youth's externalizing behaviors above and beyond the effects of parenting.
Pandemics and Other Health Emergencies

This chapter presents a critical analysis of the international law and institutions responsible for ensuring global health security In 2005, the members of the
American Students' Cultural Adjustment in China: Experiences and Coping Strategies.

Employing critical incident technique and the constructivist grounded approach, this study conducted individual in-depth interviews with 13 undergraduate students who had experiences studying abroad in China to find out how American college students perceived their new learning environment in China, and to examine the strategies students employed to adjust to the new culture. The results provided practical suggestions for the design and implementation of study abroad programs in China, including the compatibility between the program structure and individual student’s learning needs and aspirations, the use of service-based community-building activities to foster the mutual engagement in interactions between American students and host nationals, and the inclusiveness of local perspectives in American students’ reflection of their cultural immersion experiences.
Mid-term outcomes with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiopulmonary failure secondary to massive pulmonary embolism

Objectives There has been increasing interest in using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to rescue patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) in the advanced stages of respiratory or haemodynamic decompensation. We examined mid-term outcomes and risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 36 patients who required ECMO placement (32 veno-arterial ECMO, 4 veno-venous) following acute PE. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Functional status and quality of life were assessed by phone questionnaire. Results Overall survival to hospital discharge was 44.4% (16/36). Two-year survival conditional to discharge was 94% (15/16). Two-year survival after veno-arterial ECMO was 39% (13/32). In patients supported with veno-venous ECMO, survival to discharge was 50%, and both patients were alive at follow-up. In univariable analysis, a history of recent surgery (P = 0.064), low left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.029), right ventricular dysfunction ≥ moderate at weaning (P = 0.083), on-going cardiopulmonary resuscitation at ECMO placement (P = 0.053) and elevated lactate at weaning (P = 0.002) were risk factors for in-hospital mortality. In multivariable analysis, recent surgery (P = 0.018) and low left ventricular ejection fraction at weaning (P = 0.013) were independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality. At a median follow-up of 23 months, 10 patients responded to our phone survey; all had acceptable functional status and quality of life. Conclusions Massive acute PE requiring ECMO support is associated with high early mortality, but patients surviving to hospital discharge have excellent mid-term outcomes with acceptable functional status and quality of life. ECMO can provide a stable platform to administer other intervention with the potential to improve outcomes. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality after PE and veno-arterial ECMO support were identified.
The Severity of Preoperative HbA1c and Predicting Postoperative Complications in Spine Surgery

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with higher perioperative complications. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has not routinely utilized in preoperative assessment for spine surgeries. Methods: In this single institution prospective study, HbA1c testing was included in preoperative laboratory examination of spinal surgeries from 2016 through 2018. HbA1c levels were categorized using guidelines of the American Diabetes Association as normal (HbA1c 6.5%). HbA1c > 8% was separated as poorly controlled DM for analysis. Perioperative complications and comorbidity data were collected to assess for associations with DM using logistic regression models. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals were determined. Results: 440 patients (238 male, mean age 56.43 + 13.28, mean BMI 30.80 + 6.65.) met the study’s criteria. HbA1c was 8.0 in 23 (5.22%). Bivariate logistic modeling showed that patients with poorly controlled DM demonstrated a higher risk of complications (OR = 2.92) than the diabetes patients (OR = 2.13). Malignancy (OR= 2.62), and hypertension (OR 1.86) were also significant risk factors for complications. However, smoking (OR = 0.83) was not significant. Poorly controlled DM remained associated with complications in multivariable logistic regression modeling (OR=2.72). Conclusions: Poorly control DM defined by preoperative HbA1c was significantly associated with postoperative complications. Smoking, however, was not significant. Preoperative HbA1c can be used to assess risk of post-operative spine surgery complications. Funding Statement: North American Spine Society research grant award of 2016 Declaration of Interests: Dr. Tanaka reports grants from NASS, during the conduct of the study; all other authors have nothing to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: The Institutional Review Board at the University of Missouri Health Care (IRB # 2005429) approved this prospective cohort study.
Relationship between alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and obstructive sleep apnea

This study aimed to identify if individuals with mild to severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are at higher risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than the general population. A seven-question sleep apnea risk assessment questionnaire, STOP-BAG, was applied to 2338 participant responses from the Alpha-1 Coded Testing Study (ACT) and 4638 participant responses from the Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (KyBRFS). Propensity scores were generated from a logistic regression model using continuous variables of age and body mass index (BMI). STOP-BAG scores were analyzed using chi-square analysis on this matched cohort to assess OSA risk in AATD. Self-reported OSA was higher in the KyBRFS cohort (14.5%) than in individuals with mild or severe AATD (11.2%) (p = 0.012). However, a higher percentage of the AATD cohort met clinically meaningful thresholds for STOP-BAG scores ≥ 5 (22.7%) than the KyBRFS cohort (13.0%) (p = 0.001). These differences persisted despite 1:1 propensity score matching on age and BMI to account for differences in baseline characteristics. No statistically significant difference in OSA risk between AATD genotypes was found. AATD appears to have higher risk for OSA than the general population. The 11.2% prevalence of diagnosed OSA in the AATD population is much lower than symptom scores would predict. Further studies are needed to validate the possibility that elastin loss is involved in OSA pathogenesis.
Fatigue crack detection in welded structural components of steel bridges using artificial neural network

Under the cyclic traffic loads, welded structural components of steel bridges may encounter fatigue, which can cause a shorter service life and lead to fracture. A precise fatigue life prediction of structural components requires an accurate collection of stress cycles of the respective component. The density of sensors installed for monitoring the component and the distance to the concentrated stress areas are the features, which impact the efficacy of the estimated fatigue life. In this study, a platform is developed for the data-driven fatigue assessment of welded structural components of steel bridges, using artificial neural networks (ANN). The proposed algorithm is implemented for a case study, vertical lift truss bridge, the Memorial Bridge, Portsmouth, NH. A 12-month data collection period is utilized for the algorithm, from the long-term SHM program of the bridge. The stress cycles are used to estimate fatigue responses of an instrumented structural component of the bridge and determine the correlation between the estimated fatigue responses at the instrumentation plan. Additionally, a validated finite element model of the bridge is utilized to investigate fatigue responses in the unhealthy condition of the objective component. Therefore, multiple physical damage cases are simulated to compute the damage-induced stresses and the resulting fatigue life. The healthy and damaged fatigue responses are the ANN inputs, to detect crack-induced variation in the estimated fatigue responses at the instrumented locations. It is demonstrated that the proposed damage detection method can effectively detect possible fatigue cracks using a detailed database of damaged and healthy fatigue damage indices for training ANNs.
Deciphering Small Business Community Disaster Support using Machine Learning

Small businesses that have demonstrated high levels of pre-disaster local involvement are more likely to take an active role in community resilience during a disaster, regardless of their own financial security. Our investigation of small business survey responses about COVID-19 impacts finds that they are conduits of national support to their local communities. In addition, businesses with natural hazard experience before or during COVID-19 gave to more community groups than hazard inexperienced businesses. While community resilience models often characterize small businesses as passive actors using variables such as employment or financial security, this research suggests that small businesses take an active role in community resilience by providing critical local support. The pandemic presented an opportunity to consider small business’ role in community resilience nationally, which was utilized here to identify the multi-dimensional factors that predict small business operators’ Community Disaster Support. This study improves upon previous research by studying the small business-community resilience interface at both regional (n=197) and national (n=6,121) scales. We predict small business’ active involvement in community resilience using random forest machine learning, and find that adding social capital predictors greatly increases model performance (F-score of 0.88, MCC of 0.67).
The Social Aftershocks of Voice: An Investigation of Employees’ Affective and Interpersonal Reactions After Speaking Up

We draw on cognitive-motivational-relational theory to build a theoretical model outlining how speaking up affects voicers’ emotions and subsequent social behavior. Across three studies—an experime...