cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of an Attractant for the Nine-Banded Armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is considered by many to be one of the greatest nuisance wildlife species in the Southeastern United States. Management is difficult because no repellents, toxicants, or fumigants are currently registered for this species; exclusion is laborious because armadillos are adept burrowers; and no effective trapping attractants have been identified. If a suitable lure were discovered, trap capture success could increase and the frequency of nuisance complaints could decrease. We compared the behavioral attractiveness to captive armadillos of 15 commercially available food materials, as well as scents collected from conspecifics, in Florida, USA, 2008-2009. According to 3 distinct behavioral measures, 4 materials consistently elicited the most attraction responses from armadillos: pond worms (Lumbricus terrestris), crickets (Acheta domesticus), red worms (Eisenia fetida), and wigglers (Pheretima hawayanus). Recognizing that all of these materials were live prey, we devised a second series of experiments to evaluate the relative importance of olfactory cues versus auditory-vibrational cues in evoking a response from armadillos. Results suggested auditory-vibrational cues were meaningful. Finally, we measured sound pressure and vibration levels produced by the most preferred and less preferred prey items. Sound and vibrational cues decreased rapidly below background noise levels within 10-30 cm from baits. Because of this, and because the perceptual range of armadillos to the olfactory cues from these baits appears limited, traps baited with any worm or cricket are unlikely to lure armadillos from great distances. Development of an effective baiting system will require further investigation into the possibility of enhancing the ability of stimuli to travel over long distances. 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Neurobiologic responses to speech in noise in children with learning problems: deficits and strategies for improvement

Objectives: Some children with learning problems (LP) experience speech-sound perception deficits that worsen in background noise. The first goal was to determine whether these impairments are associated with abnormal neurophysiologic representation of speech features in noise reflected at brain-stem and cortical levels. The second goal was to examine the perceptual and neurophysiological benefits provided to an impaired system by acoustic cue enhancements. Methods: Behavioral speech perception measures (just noticeable difference scores), auditory brain-stem responses, frequency-following responses and cortical-evoked potentials (P1, N1, P1 0 ,N 1 0 ) were studied in a group of LP children and compared to responses in normal children. Results: We report abnormalities in the fundamental sensory representation of sound at brain-stem and cortical levels in the LP children when speech sounds were presented in noise, but not in quiet. Specifically, the neurophysiologic responses from these LP children displayed a different spectral pattern and lacked precision in the neural representation of key stimulus features. Cue enhancement benefited both behavioral and neurophysiological responses. Conclusions: Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of the preconscious biological processes underlying perception deficits and may assist in the design of effective intervention strategies. q 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
EFFECTS OF CHANGING CLIMATE ON ZOOPLANKTON AND JUVENILE SOCKEYE SALMON GROWTH IN SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA

Detecting and forecasting the effects of changing climate on natural and exploited populations represent a major challenge to ecologists and resource managers. These efforts are complicated by underlying density-dependent processes and the differ- ential responses of predators and their prey to changing climate. We explored the effects of density-dependence and changing climate on growth of juvenile sockeye salmon and the densities of their zooplankton prey in the Wood River system of southwestern Alaska. We fit dynamic time-series models to data collected between 1962 and 2002 describing growth of juvenile sockeye, timing of spring ice breakup, and summer zooplankton densities. The timing of spring breakup has moved about seven days earlier now than it was in the early 1960s. Our analyses suggest that most of this shift has been a response to the warm phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation that persisted from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s. This progression toward earlier spring breakup dates was associated with warmer summer water temperatures and increased zooplankton (especially Daphnia) densities, which translated into increased sockeye growth during their first year of life. The number of spawning adults that produced each year class of sockeye had a strong negative effect on juvenile sockeye growth rates, so that the size of the density-dependent effect was, on average, twice as large as the effect of spring breakup date. These results highlight the complexity of eco- logical responses to changing climate and suggest that climate warming may enhance growing conditions for juvenile salmonids in large lakes of Alaska.
Body Mass Index and the Use of the Internet for Health Information.

Objective:Individuals who experience or anticipate negative interactions from medical providers related to conditions such as obesity may preferentially use the Internet for health information. Our objectives in this study were to (1) examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and Internet health information–seeking and (2) examine whether the association between patient-centred communication and Internet health information–seeking differed by BMI category.Method:We used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 3 (n = 7,674), a cross-sectional nationally representative survey of US adults. Using weighted data, we determined associations between BMI category and Internet health information–seeking, adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related variables. We then determined the adjusted associations between patient-centred communication and Internet health information–seeking stratified by BMI category.Results:Most (78.7%) sought health information from the Internet. The odds o...
Designing Academic Audit: Lessons learned in Europe and Asia

As growing numbers of countries adopt market-oriented policies for steering higher education, there is increasing interest in accountability mechanisms that improve the capacity of colleges and universities to independently assure the quality of their academic degrees and student learning. Academic audit, first developed in the UK and subsequently adapted to countries such as Sweden, New Zealand and Hong Kong, offers such an approach. What problems have these countries encountered in implementing academic audits with regard to: the focus of audits; the selection and training of audit teams; the nature of audit self-studies; the conduct of audit visits; audit reports; and audit follow-up and enhancement activities? This paper reviews the lessons learned from these early experiments with academic audit and suggests guidelines for the design and implementation of effective audit processes.
Convexity and Naturality

The importance of polynomial convexity, or ℘-convexity, in ℂn is well-known for the theory of analytic functions of several complex variables. The analogous concept is also of central importance in the study of arbitrary pairs. We begin with a precise definition of the general concept and some of its properties.
Pedagogy as View Sequence: Popular Culture, Education, and Travel.

This article examines the economic and cultural construction of Latin America as an educational site, using analysis of brochures advertising educational tours, fieldwork in an educational tour organization, and interviews with educational travelers in the United States and Mexico. Representations are manipulated to define Latin America as colorful, exotic, and pristine and U.S. travelers as omniscient, sophisticated, and invisible.
Improved Wall Shear Stress Measurements on a Supersonic Microjet Impingement Surface

Oil film interferometry was used to obtain the skin-friction distributions of a flat plate exposed to a normally impinging supersonic micro-jet at multiple test conditions. Impinging micro-jets are of interest for applications such as spot cooling of electronics and clean room processes. The scales and complexity of the structures generated by the impinging micro-jet make it a challenging flow to measure, and also present an opportunity to demonstrate instrumentation effectiveness. Previous studies have shown that oil film interferometry is capable of capturing the major features of the skin-friction distribution on the impingement plate, but were unable to obtain results suitable for adequately characterizing the distribution. The current oil film interferometry investigation applies recent advances in the technique, such as photogrammetry to correct for image perspective effects and oil viscosity temperature compensation, to improve the quality of skin-friction measurements for this flow. This investigation demonstrates high consistency between run-to-run skinfriction measurements at the same test conditions (nozzle pressure ratio and nozzle height to diameter ratio). Furthermore, the results reveal that the skin-friction coefficients for impinging micro-jets spacially extend well beyond the radius at which the surface pressures are significant. These results suggest, that when implemented properly, oil film interferometry is capable of measuring the skin-friction in challenging environments, such as the impinging micro-jet, and that the skin-friction coefficient could be used as the parameter by which impinging micro-jets are characterized (instead of surface pressure) for potential applications such as spot-cooling, heating, or cleaning.
An alternative perspective on common property resource allocation decisions in the coastal zone

Abstract This article argues that using the public sector and the private market in the historically delineated and traditional ways offers only the bluntest of tools with which to approach the complex problem of coastal zone management. It therefore seeks to provide a basis for reformulating our understanding of sectoral responsibility with regard to resources management. First, it conceptually analyzes the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two sectors. Second, it examines three examples of coastal resources management—beaches and shorelands, artificial reefs, and coastal wetlands—in analyzing the complexities of the coastal management challenge and the limitations of our current approaches. Finally, we provide an alternative perspective on how these common property resource allocation decisions can be made.
Biotin absorption by distal rat intestine

We used the in vivo intestinal loop approach, with short (10-min) and long (3-h) incubations, to examine biotin absorption in proximal jejunum, distal ileum, cecum and proximal colon. In short-term studies, luminal biotin disappearance from rat ileum was about half that observed in the jejunum, whereas absorption by proximal colon was about 12% of that in the jejunum. In 3-h closed-loop studies, the absorption of 1.0 microM biotin varied regionally. Biotin absorption was nearly complete in the small intestine after 3 h; however, only about 15% of the dose had been absorbed in the cecum and 27% in the proximal colon after 3 h. Independent of site of administration, the major fraction of absorbed biotin was recovered in the liver; measurable amounts of radioactive biotin were also present in kidney and plasma. The results support the potential nutritional significance for the rat of biotin synthesized by bacteria in the distal intestine, by demonstrating directly an absorptive capability of mammalian large bowel for this vitamin.
Secure and Energy Aware Routing (SEAR) in Wireless Sensor Networks

Lifetime optimization and security are two important design issues for multi-hop wireless sensor networks with non-replenishable energy resources. In this research, we propose a novel secure and energy aware (SEAR) routing protocol to address these two issues concurrently through balanced energy consumption and probabilistic random walking. SEAR is designed with two configurable parameters, energy balance control (EBC) and security level. EBC is used to enforce energy balance and increase the lifetime. Security level is designed to determine the probabilistic distribution of the random walking that provides routing security. The security level can be defined by the message source on a message level, or on a system level. Theoretical analysis and OPNET simulation results show that the proposed SEAR can provide excellent balance between routing efficiency and energy consumption while preventing routing traceback attacks.
Poly- L -lysine amplification of protamine immobilization and heparin adsorption

We previously reported the development of a cellulose fiber based blood filter device containing immobilized protamine (termed protamine filter) that could be used to control both heparin- and protamine-induced complications during extracorporeal therapy. To achieve enhanced heparin adsorption on the fibers, we examined the possibility of utilizing the poly-L-lysine based amplification method to augment protamine loading on the fiber, as well as to create multiple layers of immobilized protamine for heparin interaction. Results show that such a method yielded about a threefold increase in protamine loading and, consequently, about a fourfold enhancement in heparin adsorption when compared with the control without poly-L-lysine amplification. This technological improvement may facilitate development of a new generation of protamine filters with capacity and efficacy suitable for various clinical applications in extracorporeal heparin removal.
The Kinematically Linear Contact Problem

Having established a basic theoretical and implementational framework from which to view problems in nonlinear mechanics, we begin now with our specific study of contact problems. The problems discussed in the past chapter, while widely representative of issues arising in nonlinear solid mechanics, are also noteworthy in that the boundary conditions required to pose them are in some sense rather idealized. In the framework established thusfar, displacements and tractions that are to be posed on material boundaries are known a priori, as are the areas over which they act. Effectively, when we wish to extend such a framework to encompass potential contact between multiple bodies, we must introduce a new notational framework in which contact areas, contact forces, and motions of associated boundaries are unknown beforehand, and must be determined as part of the solution.
Brain gliomas: reporting essentials and treatment response

The diagnosis of brain glioma can challenging, particularly when the masses are very large. While the majority of gliomas are astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas, enough are of other types that awareness of these others is critical. This course will begin with a review of some of the distinctive features of common and less common brain tumours, with particular focus on the distinctions that make a difference in approach. Once a tumour is diagnosed and therapy instituted, clinicians will appreciate it greatly if you interpret the images with a mind to how they measure therapy response. This requires an awareness of the treatment regimen the patient is on, and changes in agents like steroid dose. RECIST is applied throughout most of the body, but recently, the Response Assessment in NeuroOncology (RANO) criteria were published, to address some of the specifics of neurooncology [1]. These are still largely visually based, and some are retrospective, designed for clinical trials, not well-suited for patient management. If the patient is on trial, the referring physician may wish to have RANO-based assessments, but in cases where they are not on protocol, other styles of reporting are likely to be more valuable. RANO is largely focused on conventional anatomic imaging methods, but new quantitative methods reflecting water diffusion and tumour perfusion appear to improve response assessment. Diffusion restriction typically reflects higher cell density seen in viable tumour as well as higher grade tumour [2]. Changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (sometimes referred to as functional diffusion mapping) can be very helpful in understanding an imaging examination [3]. Higher cerebral blood volume is also seen in viable tumour and higher grade tumours. When conventional, diffusion and perfusion all agree, the confidence in one's assessment can be high and some have proposed mathematical combinations to further improve diagnostic performance [4,5]. However, they often do not agree, and it is critical to be aware of the limitations and pitfalls in these methods that might lead to a contradiction and an error in assessment. The combination of temozolomide and radiation has been shown to improve survival but also has a high rate of pseudoprogression, which is present in 1/3 to 1/2 of subjects, particularly when the tumour is MGMT methylated [6]. It is important to distinguish pseudoprogression from true progression so that patients can be maintained on effective therapy. Patients with true progression are often switched to anti-angiogenic agents that can dramatically reduce enhancement and cerebral blood volume, suggesting response, when the tumour is still growing (pseudoresponse). Imaging findings that can help to diagnose pseudoresponse will also be discussed. Newer agents like measles vaccine can also produce imaging findings that can be confusing and confounding, and examples will be presented.
Development of a Demand Sensitive Drought Index and its application for agriculture over the conterminous United States

Summary A new drought index is introduced that explicitly considers both water supply and demand. It can be applied to aggregate demand over a geographical region, or for disaggregated demand related to a specific crop or use. Consequently, it is more directly related than existing indices, to potential drought impacts on different segments of society, and is also suitable to use as an index for drought insurance programs targeted at farmers growing specific crops. An application of the index is presented for the drought characterization at the county level for the aggregate demand of eight major field crops in the conterminous United States. Two resiliency metrics are developed and applied with the drought index time series. In addition, a clustering algorithm is applied to the onset times and severity of the worst historical droughts in each county, to identify the spatial structure of drought, relative to the cropping patterns in each county. The geographic relationship of drought severity, drought recovery relative to duration, and resilience to drought is identified, and related to attributes of precipitation and also cropping intensity, thus distinguishing the relative importance of water supply and demand in determining potential drought outcomes.
Effects of Neuropeptides and TSH on Thyroid Blood Flow and Hormone Secretion

The thyroid gland of the rat is now known to receive nerve fibers containing a variety of neuropeptides (NP’s) including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (1), peptide HI (PHI) (2), neuropeptide Y (NPY) (3), and substance P (SP) (4). There is also evidence to indicate that some of these NP’s can affect thyroid hormone secretion, particularly TSH-induced secretion. For example, VIP enhances thyroid colloid droplet formation and cyclic AMP production in vitro (1,5,6), and it increases the release of radioactive iodine from the thyroid in vivo (1). Using the latter index, NPY has been shown to modulate thyroid responsiveness to TSH (3). In contrast, SP is reported to increase thyroid hormone release in vitro (7), but apparently has no effect in vivo (4). Since the nerve fibers containing these NP’s are distributed to both follicles and blood vessels (2), we have initiated some studies of the effects of NP’s on thyroid blood flow and on plasma thyroid hormone concentrations in the presence and the absence of exogenous TSH. In our preliminary communications (8,9), we have reported increases in total thyroidal blood flow in response to some of these NP’s. However, since flow is a function of both pressure and resistance (either of which may vary), we were not able to determine with certainty whether the NP’s had a direct effect on the vascular smooth muscle of the thyroid vessels. We address this issue in the present communication, and we also consider the route by which the NP-containing fibers might reach the thyroid by measuring blood flow and hormone secretion in superior cervical ganglionectomized (SCGX) rats.
Observations on the Behavior of Dasycercus cristicauda and Dasyuroides byrnei in Captivity

Adult and juvenile Dasycercus cristicauda and Dasyuroides byrnei were observed in captivity during a 10-month period. Animals were housed as social groups. Observations were made through a one-way glass window. Basic variables of investigative, ingestive, eliminative, aggressive, sexual, and maternal behavior were recorded. Individuals of D. cristicauda and D. byrnei were active day and night. Both species preferred freshly-killed or frozen mice to other foods. Aggression between conspecifics was minimal. Sexual behavior was seldom observed among specimens of D. byrnei, whereas individuals of D. cristicauda were noted to copulate on five occasions. One litter of each species was born and reared in captivity.
Zero voltage switching multi resonant converter using 0.6µm technology

Technology used for high performance DC-DC voltage regulator based Integrated Circuits is evolving. Zero voltage switching buck converter is one such DC-DC regulation schemes integrated in the power conversion circuitry and is designed such that power density is maximized and the switching losses are reduced. This paper discusses the design of AMI06 technology based zero voltage switching buck converter operating at 1 MHz switching frequency. A design example accommodating input voltage range from 5V–8V DC at a constant DC output voltage of 3V was considered. The simulations were performed on Cadence tool to verify the feasibility of the proposed converter. Finally this zero voltage switching buck converter is compared to the conventional buck converter in terms of switching losses and efficiency.
Seismic identification technique and its application of collapse column

This paper analyzes and summarizes the identification technique and its application of the seismic exploration of collapse column in Carbon-Permian strata,northern China,using the interpretation and practice of seismic data.It has guiding significance to distinguish and delimit collape colnmn section.Seismic section,horizontal time section,amplitude horizontal slice,acoustic impedance inversion and coherence cubetechnology etc. have their individual special result in locating collapse column and their spatial relationships.A coal mine in Shanxi has numerous collapse columns,the use of seismic identification technique has achieved distinct results.
Differences and Correlations in Grain Yield,N Uptake and Utilization between Medium-Maturing Indica and Japonica Rice under Different N Fertilizer Levels

Nitrogen(N) is a very important nutrition element in improving rice yield.Study on the relationship between N absorption and grain yield is necessary to optimize their productivity and reduce environment pollution risk.In this research,a field experiment with 10 medium-maturing medium indica rice(138–143 d) cultivars and 10 medium-maturing medium japonica rice(136–145 d) cultivars was carried out in 2006 and 2007 on the farm of Yangzhou University,Jiangsu province,China.The effects of different N levels including 0,150,225,and 300 kg ha-1 N on rice grain yield and the N absorption and utilization of plant at different growth stages were analyzed.Results showed that,with the increase of N application,grain yield of Japonica rice in-creased continuously while yield of indica rice get the highest under the N level of 225 kg ha-1 and then declined under the N level of 300 kg ha-1.Grain yield of indica rice was higher than that of Japonica rice under four N levels,which was resulting from the large number of panicles and 1000-grain weight in indica rice with 22.45% and 7.514% higher than those in Japonica rice respectively.N accumulations of indica rice in elongation,heading and maturing stages were 24.26%,3.14%,and 6.45% higher than those of japonica rice,respectively.And N uptake rates of indica rice from transplanting to elongation,from elongation to heading and from heading to maturing were 38.07%,16.05%,and 23.22% higher than those of japonica rice respectively.Correlation analysis indicated that there existed significant or highly significant positive correlations between yield and indices of N uptake and utilization,which also illustrated that the higher yield of Indica rice was from the intensive N absorption of its plant.
Teaching Sales Through Experiential Learning: Professional Selling at Purdue University

The purpose of this paper is to describe how experiential learning can be used to supplement traditional lectures when teaching undergraduate sales. A program focusing on the development of professional selling strategies and skills along with business communications and social skills through experiential projects has been developed at Purdue University. This paper presents a justification for this approach and a detailed description of the four core projects that make up the program's backbone.
Unaware Observers: The Impact of Inattentional Blindness on Walkers, Drivers, and Eyewitnesses ☆

Inattentional blindness is a failure to become aware of an object or event that should be completely obvious due to focused attention. Inattentional blindness has important ramifications for the legal system. First, inattentional blindness may contribute to accidents. People often engage in divided attention tasks and perform tasks that require tracking multiple sets of information. In these situations, people may cause accidents because they become selectively focused and fail to notice objects, signals, and events. Second, inattentional blindness may result in eyewitnesses failing to notice a crime. One crucial feature of inattentional blindness is that people are surprised that they or someone else can fail to notice things that seem obvious. People expect to notice unusual events, warning signals, and crimes. For this reason, expert testimony may aid jurors and courts attempting to understand the role of attention in many legal cases.
Analysis of CCN Protein Expression and Activities in Vasoproliferative Retinopathies

The retina is a complex neurovascular structure that conveys light/visual image through the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain. Neuronal and vascular activities in the retina are physically and functionally intertwined, and vascular alterations are consequential to the proper function of the entire visual system. In particular, alteration of the structure and barrier function of the retinal vasculature is commonly associated with the development of vasoproliferative ischemic retinopathy, a set of clinically well-defined chronic ocular microvascular complications causing blindness in all age groups. Experimentally, the retinal tissue provides researchers with a convenient, easily accessible, and directly observable model suitable to investigate whether and how newly identified genes regulate vascular development and regeneration. The six mammalian CCN gene-encoded proteins are part of an extracellular network of bioactive molecules that regulate various aspects of organ system development and diseases. Whether and how these molecules regulate the fundamental aspects of blood vessel development and pathology and subsequently the neurovascular link in the retina are open-ended questions. Sophisticated methods have been developed to gain insight into the pathogenesis of retinal vasculopathy. This chapter describes several useful methodologies and animal models to investigate the regulation and potential relevance of the CCN proteins in vasoproliferative diseases of the retina.
Philosophy and the Academy

Philosophy is an awkward discipline, set among departments of humanities like some kangaroo among the cattle, like some odd and ugly double-headed duckling. The awkwardness does not result entirely from social contrivance; it is a real and essential consequence of how well the philosophical tradition has met the demands that philosophical questions impose.
Estimating the multivariable human ankle impedance in dorsi-plantarflexion and inversion-eversion directions using EMG signals and artificial neural networks

The use of a suitably designed ankle-foot prosthesis is essential for transtibial amputees to regain lost mobility. A desired ankle–foot prosthesis must be able to replicate the function of a healthy human ankle by transferring the ground reaction forces to the body, absorbing shock during contact, and providing propulsion. During the swing phase of walking, the human ankle is soft and relaxed; however, it hardens as it bears the body weight and provides force for push-off. The stiffness is one of the components of the mechanical impedance, and it varies with muscle activation (Stochastic estimation of human ankle mechanical impedance in medial-lateral direction, 2014, Stochastic estimation of the multivariable mechanical impedance of the human ankle with active muscles, 2010). This study defines the relationship between ankle impedance and the lower extremity muscle activations using artificial neural networks (ANN). We used the Anklebot, a highly backdrivable, safe, and therapeutic robot to apply stochastic position perturbations to the human ankle in the sagittal and frontal planes. A previously proposed system identification method was used to estimate the target ankle impedance to train the ANN. The ankle impedance was estimated with relaxed muscles and with lower leg muscle activations at 10 and 20% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of each individual subject. Given the root mean squared (rms) of the electromyography (EMG) signals, the proposed ANN effectively predicted the ankle impedance with mean accuracy of 89.8 ± 6.1% in DP and mean accuracy of 88.3 ± 5.7% in IE, averaged across three muscle activation levels and all subjects.
Optimal and Scalable Caching for 5G Using Reinforcement Learning of Space-Time Popularities

Small basestations (SBs) equipped with caching units have potential to handle the unprecedented demand growth in heterogeneous networks. Through low-rate, backhaul connections with the backbone, SBs can prefetch popular files during off-peak traffic hours, and service them to the edge at peak periods. To intelligently prefetch, each SB must learn what and when to cache, while taking into account SB memory limitations, the massive number of available contents, the unknown popularity profiles, as well as the space-time popularity dynamics of user file requests. In this paper, local and global Markov processes model user requests, and a reinforcement learning (RL) framework is put forth for finding the optimal caching policy when the transition probabilities involved are unknown. Joint consideration of global and local popularity demands along with cache-refreshing costs allow for a simple, yet practical asynchronous caching approach. The novel RL-based caching relies on a Q-learning algorithm to implement the optimal policy in an online fashion, thus, enabling the cache control unit at the SB to learn, track, and possibly adapt to the underlying dynamics. To endow the algorithm with scalability, a linear function approximation of the proposed Q-learning scheme is introduced, offering faster convergence as well as reduced complexity and memory requirements. Numerical tests corroborate the merits of the proposed approach in various realistic settings.
Network approach to patterns in stratocumulus clouds

Stratocumulus clouds (Sc) have a significant impact on the amount of sunlight reflected back to space, with important implications for Earth's climate. Representing Sc and their radiative impact is one of the largest challenges for global climate models. Sc fields self-organize into cellular patterns and thus lend themselves to analysis and quantification in terms of natural cellular networks. Based on large-eddy simulations of Sc fields, we present a first analysis of the geometric structure and self-organization of Sc patterns from this network perspective. Our network analysis shows that the Sc pattern is scale-invariant as a consequence of entropy maximization that is known as Lewis's Law (scaling parameter: 0.16) and is largely independent of the Sc regime (cloud-free vs. cloudy cell centers). Cells are, on average, hexagonal with a neighbor number variance of about 2, and larger cells tend to be surrounded by smaller cells, as described by an Aboav-Weaire parameter of 0.9. The network structure is neither completely random nor characteristic of natural convection. Instead, it emerges from Sc-specific versions of cell division and cell merging that are shaped by cell expansion. This is shown with a heuristic model of network dynamics that incorporates our physical understanding of cloud processes.
Universal Design for Learning: Guidelines for Accessible Online Instruction:

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for the teaching–learning transaction that conceptualizes knowledge through learner-centered foci emphasizing accessibility, collaboration, and co...
Convex and nonconvex geometries of symmetric tensor factorization

Tensors provide natural representations for massive multi-mode datasets and tensor methods also form the backbone of many machine learning, signal processing, and statistical algorithms. This work develops theories and computational methods for guaranteed overcomplete, non-orthogonal symmetric tensor factorization using convex and nonconvex optimizations. In particular, we show when the symmetric tensor factors are uniformly sampled from the unit sphere, they are provably recoverable using convex atomic norm minimization. To design scalable polynomial-time algorithms, we apply low-rank parameterization to reformulate the atomic norm regularized tensor optimization as a nonconvex program. We analyze the optimization landscape of this nonconvex program to ensure (local) convergence of gradient descent algorithms.
Compressive high-speed imaging in fluorescence microscopy and 3D photography

We present the recent progress in compressive high-speed imaging systems based on spatiotemporal encoding. Specifically, the development in algorithms and new applications in fluorescence microscopy and 3D photography will be discussed.
Friction and Wear in Micro- and Nanomachines

The prediction and characterization of multilength-scale tribological phenomena is challenging, yet essential for the advancement of micro- and nanomachine technology. Here, we consider theoretical underpinnings of multiasperity friction, review various approaches to measure micro- and nanoscale friction and discuss the effect of monolayer coatings to reduce friction and wear. We then overview a theoretical framework known as rate-and-state friction (RSF ), in which friction is considered to be a continuous function of velocity and interface state. A microscale test platform that is used to measure friction over multiple decades of velocity and normal load is presented and results are reported. Using the RSF framework, we quantitatively predict and validate the transition from stick-slip to steady sliding, enabling the creation of a microscale kinetic phase diagram. Next, we take a brief look at continued progress in spinning micromachine motor technology. Finally, we discuss wear- and tribopolymer-related phenomena in micro- and nanoswitches, which are promising devices to complement transistors due to their low on resistance and steep subthreshold swing. We anticipate great progress towards reliable, contacting micro- and nanomachines by linking theory and experiment to nano- and microscale tribological phenomena and by improving the testing, materials and processing methods used to characterize these phenomena.
Neuropeptides and renal function: The potential for interaction between the gastro-intestinal tract and kidney

Within the last 10 years, the rapid growth in identification and isolation of “new” gastrointestinal peptides, and the realisation that many, if not all, are in some way related to the central and peripheral nervous systems, have given a new impetus to the field of neuroendocrinology (7, 20, 32); several specialist journals are now devoted almost exclusively to the study of their structure, distribution, pharmacology, and possible physiological functions.
Knowledge-based Methods

As discussed in Chapter , the analytical approach requires a detailed quantitative mathematical model in order to be effective. For large-scale systems, such information may not be available or may be too costly and timeconsuming to obtain. An alternative method for process monitoring is to use knowledge-based methods such as causal analysis, expert systems, and pattern recognition. These techniques are based on qualitative models, which can be obtained through causal modeling of the system, expert knowledge, a detailed description of the system, or fault-symptom examples. Causal analysis techniques are based on the causal modeling of fault-symptom relationships. Qualitative and semi-quantitative relationships in these causal models can be obtained without using first principles. Causal analysis techniques including signed directed graphs and symptom trees are primarily used for diagnosing faults. These techniques are described in Section 12.2.
Precise predictions for m t , V cb , and tan β

The fermion mass and mixing angle predictions of a recently proposed framework are investigated for large [ital b] and [tau] Yukawa couplings. A new allowed region of parameters is found for this large tan[beta] case. The two predictions that are substantially altered, [ital m][sub [ital t]] and tan[beta], are displayed, including the dependence on the input [vert bar][ital V][sub [ital c][ital b]][vert bar], [ital m][sub [ital c]], [ital m][sub [ital b]], and [alpha][sub [ital s]]. A simple restriction on this framework yields an additional prediction for [vert bar][ital V][sub [ital c][ital b]][vert bar]. If the [ital b], [ital t], and [tau] Yukawa couplings are equal at the GUT scale then [vert bar][ital V][sub [ital c][ital b]][vert bar] is predicted and the top quark mass is constrained to lie in the range [ital m][sub [ital t]]=179[plus minus]4 GeV.
Towards understanding the effects of irradiation on quenching heat transfer

Abstract Quench and rewet characteristics at low pressure depends on the heated sample surface characteristics. The rate of decrease in the maximum temperature during the quench of heated specimen depends on its surface, material, and the quenching environment. The effect of irradiation on the quench heat transfer, particularly gamma irradiation has been investigated previously for metallic rodlet specimens. Some of the previous studies demonstrated an improvement in wettability and Leidenfrost temperature in oxide surfaces as a result of exposure to gamma irradiation. However, the mechanism behind such improvements has not been studied in detail. The present work reports the experiments carried out to understand the wettability and quench performance of Zircaloy-4, the nominal fuel cladding material for nuclear energy, and chrome-coated Zircaloy rodlets, proposed coating material to increase Zircaloy’s accident tolerance in response to Fukushima disaster, under gamma irradiation. The goals of the experiments were to delineate the effect of radiation on the transient pool boiling behavior during the quenching of the surfaces and assist the development of a mechanistic model. The results of water quenching and contact angle studies showed a higher Leidenfrost temperature and wettability in both samples exposed to gamma irradiation. Further, to understand the effects of gamma irradiation, independent studies with ultraviolet ozone treatment were performed and microscopic images of the gamma irradiated samples were analyzed. It was found that formation of oxide micropores in the samples exposed to gamma irradiation was the primary mechanism for enhanced wettability as well as higher Leidenfrost temperature.
Rapid Repeat Exposure to Subthreshold Trauma Causes Synergistic Axonal Damage and Functional Deficits in the Visual Pathway in a Mouse Model.

Abstract We examined the effect of repeat exposure to a non-damaging insult on central nervous system axons using the optic projection as a model. The optic projection is attractive because its axo...
trans-Bis(acetyl­acetonato)diaqua­chromium(III) perchlorate monohydrate

Two crystallographically independent cations of the title complex, [Cr(C5H7O2)2(H2O)2](ClO4)·H2O, are present in the asymmetric unit. Both cations are situated on centres of symmetry and share similar structural features. The geometry of the Cr3+ center is octa­hedral. The solvent water mol­ecule and the perchlorate anion are involved in moderately strong hydrogen-bond inter­actions with the cations. In addition, neighboring cations are hydrogen-bonded together, resulting in a three-dimensional network.
Effect of Surgeon and Hospital Volume on Complications After Operative Tarsal Fracture Repair.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether increased surgeon and hospital volume is associated with lower rates of complications after tarsal fractures. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of the State Inpatient Databases. SETTING Two hundred ninety-nine hospitals in Florida (2005-2012) and New York (2006-2008). PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Four thousand one hundred thirty-two tarsal fractures that underwent fixation by 1223 surgeons. INTERVENTION Surgical repair of tarsal fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Composite of readmission for infection requiring operative treatment, wound dehiscence, nonunion, avascular necrosis, or amputation within 2 years of the index procedure. RESULTS The mean age was 44 (±15) years, a majority were men (70%) and white (69%), and the mean number of Charlson comorbidities was 0.21 (±0.58). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated a reduction in the likelihood of complications by 9% for each 5 additional surgeries performed by the operating surgeon [odds ratio (OR), 0.91 per 5 surgeries; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82-0.99]. Other factors associated with complications included increased age (OR, 1.23 per 10 years; 95% CI, 1.10-1.36), male sex (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.12-2.17), open fractures (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.92-4.19), number of Charlson comorbidities (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.48), income quartile (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.00-2.17), uninsured (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.39-4.39), and other government program insurance (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06-2.18). CONCLUSIONS We observed a significant inverse relationship between surgeon volume and complication rates when controlling for patient and injury characteristics. In contrast to previous research, a volume-outcome relationship was not observed at the hospital level. These results suggest that such complex injuries should be triaged to the most experienced providers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Dynamics of millicharged dark matter in supernova remnants

Dark matter could have a small electromagnetic charge, provided the charge-to-mass ratio is much less than that of electrons or protons. This candidate, commonly known as millicharged dark matter (mDM), would form a plasma and interact with the interstellar medium and electromagnetic fields within galaxies. In general, understanding the dynamics of mDM requires consideration of collective plasma effects. It has been proposed that mDM can be accelerated in supernova remnants, forming a dark cosmic ray population that would leave distinct experimental signatures. In this work, we study a microphysical model where mDM is shocked by a supernova remnant and isotropized in the frame of the expanding fluid. We find that for $|{q}_{\ensuremath{\chi}}/{m}_{\ensuremath{\chi}}|\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}e/\mathrm{MeV}$, the isotropization length for electromagnetic plasma instabilities is much shorter than the size of the supernova remnant. This is a necessary, though not sufficient, first step for formation of a Fermi-accelerated mDM component, and determining the size of this component requires further study. We discuss additional implications of mDM interactions in supernova remnants.
The Structure of ASFV Advances the Fight against the Disease

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative pathogen of the recent African swine fever epidemic, with devastating impacts on economy. A recent study by Wang et al. reveals the multilayer structural details of ASFV at near-atomic resolution, which provides interesting insights about giant virus assembly and paves the way for vaccine development.
COVID-19: Peer Support and Crisis Communication Strategies to Promote Institutional Resilience.

Caring for patients with COVID-19 is placing great stress on health care systems and health care workers. The authors summarize lessons learned from responding to other pandemics and offer best pra...
Out of the Ivy and into the Arctic: Imitation Coral Reconstruction in Cross-Cultural Contexts.

This essay discusses imitation coral reconstruction workshops based on a recipe from a sixteenth-century "book of secrets" that took place in three different educational contexts: Columbia University, Nunavut Arctic College, and Universitat Hamburg. It reflects on the utility of reconstruction and material literacy as present-day history of science methodologies in which scholarly textual interpretation meets physical research. It also considers the nature of cultural heritage in shaping material practice through an Inuit cultural context, in which the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge is not rooted in textual traditions, but bodily embedded in oral histories, craft technology, and land stewardship. The essay also presents suggestions for new collaborative practices between humanists, artisans, and scientists that can be facilitated by reconstruction methodology.
Maximizing photosynthetic efficiencies and hydrogen production in microalga cultures

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates that photosynthetic efficiencies and hydrogen production by microalgal cultures may be increased upon minimizing the number of the light-harvesting chlorophyll (Chl) antenna pigments of photosynthesis. This research employs a mutagenesis approach, based on the random insertion of tagged DNA into C. reinhardtii cells, by which to impair the Chl antenna size regulation mechanism. This procedure, along with the stringent screening employed may help to unlock the “black box” of the developmental regulation of the Chl antenna size in microalgae. Thus, it is expected that mutants with a permanently truncated Chl antenna size, as well as mutants with a permanently large Chl antenna, are isolated. The advantage of this molecular genetic approach is that it leads to the identification of genes responsible for the operation of this highly conserved regulatory mechanism.