cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semi-analytical finite element analysis of acceleration-induced frequency change in SAW resonators

A quantitative analysis tool has been developed which determines the acceleration induced frequency change for surface acoustic waves (SAW) traveling in an arbitrary piezoelectric crystal resonator. This analysis tool uses a finite element approach to solve the static bias problem and Sinha and Tiersten's analytical technique to determine the SAW mode shape. Combining this data with the spatially varying effective elastic constants, the numerical perturbation integral derived by Tiersten determines the acceleration sensitivity of the SAW resonator. The unique aspect of this software is the determination of the spatially varying effective elastic constants using finite element shape functions. The versatility of the tool will be demonstrated by modeling three mounting structures that have been experimentally verified. These mounting structures include two plane stress problems and a plane strain problem.
Microelectromechanical devices for multimode communication systems

Several new microelectromechanical (MEM) devices are being applied in the development of a 20 MHz to 40 GHz, multimode digital programmable software radio known as Ultra Comm. Utilization of these MEM devices, along with numerous other miniaturization technologies, has allowed the Ultra Comm program to achieve unprecedented advances in size, weight, power and performance. MEM devices are used extensively for tunable filters, radio frequency (RF) switches, and tunable matching networks. These devices have the characteristic of extremely high-Q operation (filters, resonators) and/or low insertion loss/high isolation (switches), while drawing negligible quiescent current because of the electrostatic principles upon which they operate. In addition to a detailed description of the MEM devices being developed and utilized by Ultra Comm, this paper will describe the overall radio architecture used and highlight some of the other advanced technologies being employed.
Electromyographic Analysis of Hip and Knee Musculature During Running

The purpose of this study was to describe the firing pattern of 11 hip and knee muscles during running. Thirty recreational runners volunteered to run at 3 different paces with indwelling electromyographic electrodes while being filmed at 100 frames per second. Results demonstrated that medial and lateral vasti muscles acted together for knee extension during terminal swing and loading response, possibly providing a patella stabilizing role. The vastus intermedius muscle functioned with the other vasti, plus eccentrically controlled knee flexion during swing phase. The rectus femoris muscle fired with the vastus intermedius muscle and assisted the iliacus muscle with hip flexion. The hamstrings fired primarily to eccentrically control hip flexion. The adductor magnus, tensor fascia lata, and gluteus maximus muscles afforded pelvic stabilization while assisting with hip flexion and extension. Forward propulsion was provided mainly by hip flexion and knee extension, which is contrary to the view that posterior calf muscles provide propulsion during toe off. Faster running paces lead to increased activity in the muscles. This may lead to more injuries, primarily in the muscles that were contracting eccentrically.
A novel case of pediatric thoracic malignant ectomesenchymoma in an infant

Abstract This case describes a 5-month-old male who presented with respiratory distress and superior vena cava syndrome due to malignant ectomesenchymoma (MEM). Surgical treatment was limited to biopsy because of the extensive tumor involvement of the heart and great vessels. The patient was treated with sarcoma-directed chemotherapy. This is the first reported case of a primary MEM in the chest as well as the first case of MEM with cardiac invasion. The work up, differential diagnosis, and treatment of this extremely rare entity are presented.
On-line intermittent connector anomaly detection

This paper investigates a non-traditional use of differential current sensor and current sensor to detect intermittent disconnection problems in connectors. An intermittent disconnect, often resulting in an arc, creates an imbalance which is manifested in the current. The traveling wave generated due to the perturbation can be detected using current sensors. This paper shows the feasibility to detect disconnection based on this principle.
Interferon Regulatory Factors Regulate Interleukin-1β–Converting Enzyme Expression and Apoptosis in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract —Apoptosis has been reported to play a pivotal role in vascular remodeling. However, cellular mechanisms of apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have not been well defined. In this study, we focused on interleukin-1β–converting enzyme (ICE), a key protease in the induction of apoptosis in lymphocytes and fibroblasts. We observed an increase in ICE mRNA expression in rat aortic VSMCs after serum depletion, with a peak at 12 hours and then a gradual decline. This was associated with DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis and morphological changes of apoptosis. Treatment of these VSMCs with the ICE inhibitor N -( N -acetyl-tyrosinyl-valinyl-alaninyl)-3-amino-4-oxobutanoic acid (YVAD-CHO) attenuated DNA fragmentation. The increased ICE mRNA expression was preceded by an increase in the mRNA expression of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1, peaking at 6 hours after serum removal, and a rapid but transient decrease in IRF-2 mRNA expression, reaching a nadir at 3 hours after serum depletion. To demonstrate that these reciprocal changes in IRF-1 and IRF-2 regulated ICE expression and induced apoptosis, we transfected antisense oligonucleotides for IRF-1 and IRF-2 into VSMCs and examined ICE mRNA expression and apoptotic changes. IRF-1 antisense pretreatment attenuated the increase in ICE expression and reduced apoptotic changes, whereas IRF-2 antisense treatment increased ICE mRNA expression and enhanced apoptotic changes. Taken together, our results suggest that serum growth factor depletion in VSMCs upregulates IRF-1 and downregulates IRF-2, thereby increasing ICE expression and inducing apoptosis.
A mono isocentric technique for breast and regional nodal therapy using dual asymmetric jaws.

Abstract Purpose: Definitive radiation therapy for breast cancer with regional nodal involvement often introduces treatment of adjacent abutted regions. Many methods describe techniques to achieve an effective transverse plane match. Our facility recently adopted a matching technique using asymmetric jaws to beam-split all portals along the central axis plane. Our technique uses one isocenter to treat the opposed tangential breast fields, the supraclavicular port and the posterior axillary field. Methods and Materials: Our linear accelerator has four collimator jaws capable of being set independently. The longitudinal (Y) jaws beam-split all the portals at the match plane, namely the upper border of the tangential beams and the bottom border of the nodal fields. The transverse (X) jaws define the lateral borders of the nodal fields, and in a near beam-split fashion in conjunction with customized Cerrobend, block the lung for the tangential beams. The unique isocenter is chosen along the mid-bridge through the tangential match plane. Dosimetric qualities and calculational techniques of the asymmetric beams were analyzed with ionimetric water scans, ion chamber studies, and film. The match-line is clinically confirmed with composite port films. Results: Our dosimetric studies show asymmetric jaws provide nearly equivalent field edge definition and superior absorption in comparison with Cerrobend blocks. The use of one isocenter results in a reduction of in-room treatment time by a factor of two. The burden of lifting heavy Cerrobend blocks has been removed. A composite port film, which includes the medial tangential and supraclavicular ports, shows a perfect match-line in all cases. Similar composite port films taken with our previous technique of geometric matching with collimator and table angulation exhibit slight overlap or underdose regions in many cases. Conclusion: Our treatment technique takes full advantage of dual asymmetric jaws to achieve a perfect match-line, necessitates only one isocenter and set-up point, and supplies more absorption in reference to lung and contralateral breast dose. The pure match-line is accompanied by the fact that the patient does not have to move in any direction.
Automatic 3D registration for interventional MRI-guided treatment of prostate cancer.

The goal of this research is to register real-time interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) slice images with a previously obtained high-resolution MRI image volume, which in turn can be registered with functional images such as those Urom SPECT. The immediate application is in iMRI-guided treatment of prostate cancer, where additional images are desired to improve tumor targeting. In this article, simulation experiments are performed to demonstrate the feasibility of slice-to-volume registration for this application. We acquired 3D volume images from a 1.5-T MRI system and simulated low-field iMRI image slices by creating thick slices and adding noise. We created a slice-to-volume mutual information registration algorithm with special features to improve robustness. Features included a multiresolution approach, two similarity measures, and automatic restarting to avoid local minima. To assess the quality of registration, we calculated 3D displacements on a voxel-by-voxel basis over a volume of in...
Observations of Strange-tailed Tyrants (Alectrurus risora) and other grassland birds following army ants and armadillos

Birds in Neotropical forests frequently follow army ants to forage for insects. Here we report the first record of several species of Neotropical grassland birds following army ants (Labidus praedator) and yellow armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus). We observed Strange-tailed Tyrants (Alectrurus risora) following army ants in El Bagual Ecological Reserve in Argentina. Other species also observed following army ants included Pampas Finches (Embernagra platensis), Wedge-tailed Grass-finches (Emberizoides herbicola), Long-tailed Reed- finches (Donacospiza albifrons), Great Kiskadees (Pitangus sulphuratus), Rufous Horneros (Furnarius rufus), Gray Monjitas (Xolmis cinerea), and Pale-breasted Spinetails (Synallaxis albescens). Strange-tailed Tyrants and Wedge-tailed Grass-finches were also observed following armadillos. Because birds were observed capturing insects flushed by the army ants and armadillos, our observations indicate that birds that opportunistically follow army ants and armadillos benefit from the association. SINOPSIS. Observaciones del Yetapde Collar (Alectrurus risora) y otras aves de pastizal siguiendo hormigas legionarias y armadillos en el Chaco H´ umedo, Argentina Las aves de selva del Neotra menudo siguen a las hormigas legionarias para alimentarse. Aqureportamos por primera vez algunas especies de aves del pastizal Neotropical siguiendo a las hormigas legionarias (Labidus praedator )y a los armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus). En la Reserva Ecol´ ogica El Bagual, provincia de Formosa, Argentina (26 ◦ 11 � S- 58 ◦ 57 � W) registramos mayormente al Yetapde Collar (Alectrurus risora). Otras especies registradas realizando el mismo comportamiento fueron Verd´ on (Embernagra platensis), Coludo Grande (Emberizoides herbicola), Cachilo Canela (Donacospiza albifrons), Benteveo Com´ (Pitangus sulphuratus), Hornero (Furnarius rufus), Monjita Gris (Xolmis cinerea) y Piju´ i Cola Parda (Synallaxis albescens). Tambiregistramos al Yetapde Collar y al Coludo Grande siguiendo armadillos. Debido a que las aves fueron observadas capturando insectos espantados por las hormigas y los armadillos, nuestras observaciones indican que las aves de pastizal podr´ ian beneficiarse de dicha asociaci´ on.
Quasilinearization for some nonlocal problems

study semilinear parabolic equation ut-Lu = f(t,z,u) with nonlocal boundary conditions u(t, x) = f(x, y)u(t, y)dy in this paper. The convexity of f in u is relaxed by requiring f(t,x,u)+Mu 2 to be convex for some M > 0. The quadratic convergence of monotone sequence is obtained.
The Effects of Automatic Gain Control Performance on the Tracking Accuracy of Monopulse Radar Systems

Finite size targets with complex structure such as aircraft present to a radar several reflecting surfaces distributed in space, and these surfaces will move randomly in respect to the radar with the normal yaw, roll and pitch of the aircraft. The resulting random wander of the apparent source of the target echo causes a corresponding fluctuation called target noise in the output of the radar angle-error detectors and a wander of the radar antenna during closed-loop tracking of the target. This wander is called tracking noise. The tracking noise, caused by a finite size target, internal noise and other noise sources, can be minimized by choice of the parameters of the radar AGC (automatic gain control) circuitry and servo-system. Previous papers published on this subject were restricted to open-loop analysis and with assumption of negligible tracking error; however, the analysis in this paper includes actual closed-loop tracking data of a practical tracking radar and shows that under practical tracking conditions a short-time-constant fast-acting AGC will minimize tracking noise. Furthermore, it is shown that the servobandwidth should be kept at the minimum value that is consistent with tactical requirements.
Response Latencies of Cells in the Cat's Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Are Less Variable During Burst Than Tonic Firing

We measured the variability in latency of the first spike seen in cells of the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus following the onset of a visual stimulus. We found that, in each of the 11 cells tested, this variability was significantly lower during burst than during tonic firing. We suggest that this difference confers an advantage in signal detection during burst compared to tonic firing. This complements other reported advantages of burst firing for signal detection seen in signal-to-noise ratios and in the ability to efficiently drive postsynaptic cells.
Soil Conservation and Carbon Dynamics

The subject of soil conservation is traditionally discussed in relation to erosion processes and factors, and measures of erosion control. Because of the environmental concerns related to the enhanced enrichment of atmospheric greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, N2O, CH4), potential of trading of C credits, and continued depletion of soil organic C pool in agricultural and non-agricultural soils with its attendant adverse consequences in soil productivity, the theme of terrestrial C dynamics is also an important global issue. The topic of soil and water conservation is closely related to the dynamics of above- and below-ground biomass C. Improved land use and management systems (e.g., reduced tillage, no-till) used for soil and water conservation are being scrutinized for their potential to influence global C cycle and the ecosystem C budget.
Topoisomerases Inhibitors: A Paradigm for Interfacial Inhibition

Interfacial inhibition is a general mode of inhibition for natural toxins and synthetic molecules to alter the dynamics of biological complexes. Interfacial inhibitors bind at the interface of two or more macromolecules while the multimeric complex undergoes conformational transition. The complex is therefore stabilized and locked in an intermediate conformational state. In this chapter, we describe the interfacial inhibition concept and how it was discovered from studies with DNA topoisomerase inhibitors.
Atmospheric CO2 and Surface Temperature: A Note

Deseasonalized and detrended correlation analysis of mean monthly atmospheric CO2 concentrations and mean monthly surface temperature anomalies in the sample period 1958-2015 shows a statistically significant correlation that peaks when surface temperature lags atmospheric CO2 by four months. The correlation falls monotonically when CO2 lags temperature. The results are consistent with the theoretical two-way causal relationship between these variables. The effect of surface temperature on atmospheric CO2 appears to be stronger and it operates at a greater lag than the greenhouse effect of atmospheric CO2 on surface temperature.
Acetylcholinesterase and the Maintenance of Neuromuscular Structure and Function

The structural and functional integrity of skeletal muscle depends on the presence and normal function of neuromuscular transmission. Problems may arise from pharmacologic manipulation of neuromuscular transmission and may lead to changes in the development, maintenance, and integrity of the end-plate and muscle fiber. The physiology of neuromuscular transmission can be affected in several ways. The amount of the transmitter acetylcholine (ACh) which is released may be increased or reduced by a wide variety of drugs (2, 6, 7, 11, 28, 29). Post-synaptic sensitivity may be changed by altering either the number of or the affinity of the ACh receptors. Drug induced changes of the input resistance of the muscle fiber membrane can alter the threshold for the generation of muscle action potentials. Variation in one of these factors or in combination with one another can be contributing causes of neuromuscular degeneration (4, 10, 16, 36, 39).
Abstract B58: Differences in cervical cancer knowledge among minority women in Miami

Background: Minority women suffer disproportionately from cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Education initiatives aimed at improving cervical cancer knowledge may lead to increased appropriate screening and reductions in morbidity. Baseline data describing the variable levels of knowledge among specific minority and underserved communities will aid the design of such programs. Methods: The South Florida Center for Reducing Cancer Disparities is a comprehensive NCI initiative focused on the reduction and ultimate elimination of cervical cancer disparities in Miami-Dade County. As part of an ongoing randomized intervention study, we collected baseline data on cervical cancer knowledge among three minority communities: Little Haiti, Hialeah (90% Latino), and West Perrine (mixed community). Eligibility criteria included women aged 30-65 years and not having had a Pap smear in the past three years. Knowledge was assessed using questions from the NCI9s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), which we translated and back translated into Haitian Kreyol and Spanish. We used Fisher9s exact test to examine differences in knowledge across minority subgroups. We then used univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to control for additional sociodemographic correlates of higher cervical cancer knowledge. Results: Among the 334 women enrolled to date, 53% are Latina, 39% Haitian, and 8% African American (AA). We found 44% of Latinas, 25% of AAs and 7% of Haitians answered >50% of questions correctly (P 50% of questions correctly compared to Latinas. In a subgroup analysis of Latinas, we found 49% of Cubans (n=101) answered >50% of questions correctly versus 37% of non-Cubans (n=76), however there was no significant difference in knowledge between groups, including when adjusting for potential confounders (OR =1.41; 95%CI: 0.74-2.69; P=0.2957). Conclusions: Among minority women in Miami who had not been adequately screened for cervical cancer, Haitians had the lowest levels of cervical cancer knowledge, even after correcting for sociodemographic differences. Among Latinas, Cubans had a higher level of knowledge but this result was not statistically significant. As more women are enrolled in our study (target 600) we will have greater power to detect potential differences among AAs. We have developed and are now testing culturally tailored educational interventions aimed at decreasing the cervical cancer knowledge gap in these vulnerable groups. Citation Format: Kumar Ilangovan, Tulay Koru-Sengul, Erin Kobetz-Kerman, Olveen Carrasquillo. Differences in cervical cancer knowledge among minority women in Miami. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B58. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-B58
Contrast of Maturational, Structural, and Strength Characteristics of Athletes and Nonathletes 10 to 15 Years of Age

Abstract This study contrasted maturational, structural, strength, and motor traits of upper elementary and junior high school boys with different levels of athletic ability and contrasted the same traits of boys in these athletic groups with nonparticipants. Levels of athletic ability were differentiated according to success as participants on interschool competitive teams. Such results as the following were obtained: The outstanding athletes at both school levels had significantly higher mean skeletal ages than did the other groups; in studying maturity relative to chronological age, the outstanding elementary school athletes only were found to be advanced. In general, the size of athletes as compared with nonparticipants was more significant at the junior high school than at the elementary school level; this was particularly true for the outstanding athletes. A higher proportion of mesomorphs was also found among the junior high school athletes. Strength was a consistent differentiator of athletic abil...
Reduction of Experimental Renal Hypertension by Pexis of Spleen or Omentum to the Kidney

The effect of the pexis between kidney and the spleen or omentum upon the blood pressure of dogs rendered hypertensive by Goldblatt's1 method of renal constriction has been studied in this laboratory since 1936. Sixty-five dogs have been employed in the development of 2 suitable technics for establishing organ pexis to such ischemic kidneys. Seven animals survived the various surgical procedures for producing carotid loop,2 hypertension1 and the union of the organs.Only 2 died as the result of the latter operation. Fifty-six dogs died or were discarded because of hemorrhage from the carotid loop employed for blood pressure determination, anesthetic deaths, uremia from infarction of the kidneys, distemper, and operative infection. Postoperative shock was insignificant following the pexis which was performed one to 3 months after the hypertension was established. Control operations in which the omentum and spleen were manipulated did not result in a significant prolonged fall in blood pressure.The blood pre...
Coupled internal-state and center-of-mass dynamics of Rydberg atoms in a magnetic guide

We study cold rubidium Rydberg atoms, initially prepared in state 59D5/2, guided along a two-wire magnetic atom guide. The evolution of the atoms is driven by the combined effects of internal-state transitions and dipole forces acting on the center-of-mass degree of freedom. State-selective field ionization, applied at a variable delay time, is used to investigate the evolution of the internal-state distribution. We observe a broadening of the field ionization spectrum caused by population transfer between Rydberg states. At late times, the distribution of the remaining Rydberg atoms becomes biased toward states with high principal quantum numbers. The population transfer is attributed to thermal transitions and, to a lesser extent, initial state mixing due to Rydberg-Rydberg collisions. Characteristic components in spatially and temporally resolved distributions of the ion signal are interpreted in the context of the underlying physics. The system is simulated with a model in which the centerof-mass dynamics are treated classically, while the internal-state dynamics are treated quantum mechanically. The simulation qualitatively reproduces most experimental findings and provides experimentally inaccessible information.
Model Style Guidelines for Flight Code Generation

This paper describes model style guidelines and best practices for the automatic generation of flight code that is optimized for efficiency, traceability, and clarity. Although the focus is on flight code generation, developers using Model-Based Design with automatic code generation for other applications such as real-time simulation, rapid prototyping, and hardware-in-the-loop testing will benefit from the guidelines provided.
The Biology of Compsomyiops Wheeleri (Hough) and Description of the Larva

Although Compsomyiops wheeleri (Hough) has not been found to be of economic importance, information concerning the species is of interest to workers studying blowfly populations. C. wheeleri was described from specimens taken in California and has since been found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. The distribution probably extends into other of the western mountainous States.
The Changing Landscape of Tuition and Enrollment in American Public Higher Education

The costs of public higher education have risen dramatically in recent years, causing anger among students and concern among policymakers worried about falling college completion rates. In this paper, we explore how public tuition costs affect postsecondary enrollment choices. We examine changes over time in the enrollment decisions of students in states where tuition and fees at public four-year institutions increased rapidly, compared with changes for observationally similar students in states with more modest tuition increases. Using student-level data on twelfth graders in 1992 and 2004 linked to institution-level data, we find a relative decline in the likelihood of attending an in-state public four-year institution among high school graduates from states where public tuition costs increased substantially over this period. Students in states where public tuition increased the most were considerably more likely to enroll in a public two-year college than their counterparts in states that adopted more modest increases. We explore heterogeneity in this pattern of substitution between institutions of varying selectivity and control and for students in policy-relevant socio-demographic subgroups, including those in different parts of the twelfth-grade achievement distribution. Generally, large tuition increases at public four-year colleges have weakened the propensity of high school graduates to enroll in such institutions in their state, and increased their likelihood of enrollment in less prestigious in-state public colleges, out-of-state public institutions, or private universities. These effects are most pronounced among students from families of low socioeconomic status, and nonelite students who perform below the 90th percentile on twelfth-grade math tests.
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Survival Analyses of 6908 Cases From the National Cancer Data Base.

BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) has a high risk of recurrence after initial surgical therapy. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy may be used to reduce the risk of locoregional and systemic recurrence, respectively, but there are conflicting data regarding their impact on survival. We performed a retrospective analysis of MCC cases from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to assess whether adjuvant therapy was associated with differences in survival. METHODS Six thousand nine hundred and eight MCC patients with staging, treatment, and survival data were included. Multivariable analyses were conducted for overall survival (OS) with various treatment modalities while adjusting for prognostic variables including age, sex, comorbidities (Charlson/Deyo score), margin status, primary tumor site and size, and lymph node status. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS For localized MCC (stage I: n = 3369, stage II: n = 1474 ), surgery plus adjuvant RT was associated with statistically significantly better OS than with surgery alone in multivariable analyses (stage I: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64 to 0.80, P < .001; stage II: HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.66 to 0.89, P < .001). In patients with regional nodal metastases (stage III: n = 2065 ), neither adjuvant RT nor chemotherapy was associated with statistically significantly improved or worsened OS. CONCLUSIONS In this study of the largest MCC cohort reported to date, adjuvant RT was associated with improved OS in stages I-II MCC. Neither adjuvant RT nor chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in stage III MCC. These results, with the limitations of retrospective analyses, are consistent with earlier studies suggesting benefit with adjuvant RT but do not support the routine use of adjuvant chemotherapy in MCC.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Vanadium Pentoxides–Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Electrodes for Enhanced Electrochemical Energy Storage

Graphene-based nanomaterials (graphene nanosheets/graphene nanoribbons) decorated with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanobelts (i.e. GVNBs) were synthesized via one-step low-temperature facile hydrothermal/solvothermal method as high-performance electrochemical composite electrodes. VNBs were formed in the presence of graphene oxide (GO), a mild oxidant, which transforms into reduced GO (rGOHT) assisted in enhancing the electronic conductivity with mechanical strength for GVNBs. From surface sensitive electron microscopy and spectroscopy structural characterization techniques and analyses, rGOHT nanosheets/ nanoribbons appear to be inserted into and coated with the layered crystal structure of VNBs, which further confirmed the enhanced electrical conductivity of VNBs. The electrochemical energy storage capacity of GVNBs is investigated using electrochemistry and the specific capacitance Cs are determined from both the cyclic voltammetry (CV) with scan rate and galvanostatic charge/discharge V-t profiles with varying current density. The GVNBs having rGO-rich composite V1G3 (V2O5/GO = 1:3) showed superior performance followed by V2O5-rich V3G1 (V2O5/GO = 3:1) as compared with V1G1 (V2O5/GO = 1:1) composites besides pure component (rGOHT and V2O5) materials. Moreover, V1G3 and V3G1 composites showed excellent cyclic stability and the capacitance retention of > 80% after 200 cycles. Furthermore, by performing extensive simulations and modeling of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data, we determined various circuit parameters (charge transfer and solution resistance, double layer and low frequency capacitance). These findings highlight the comparative performance of nanocomposite hybrid electrode materials.
To Be PC or Not to Be PC, That Is the Question

This chapter responds to the issues of institutional language outlined in Chap. 5 by looking at the questions of “political correctness,” language, and “dogma,” and respect in patriarchal environments. Mayock makes recommendations about how to employ institutional language without gender bias.
“But Christ’s Not Real, and Hindenburg and Harmsworth Are!”

On 7 December 1915, Georg Sauter was arrested and interned at a camp for enemy aliens at Wakefield.1 He was not charged with any specific crime or disloyalty, although in almost thirty years of living in England he had never become a British subject. Aside from his earlier youthful iconoclasm and scepticism about all governments, part of his dedication to his own concept of art, he seems never to have had any political or national allegiances at all. Yet his German accent and manners, apparently little transformed over the thirty years, were sufficient for the rumours and suspicion that led to incarceration in the increasing xenophobia of the second winter of the war, the winter in which, according to D. H. Lawrence, the gentle spirit of old England changed into the militant and insensitive John Bull. Sauter was never given a trial or a hearing. Galsworthy tried to resurrect his 1910 connections with Asquith and Churchill in order to obtain his brother-in-law’s freedom. But Churchill was temporarily out of power and Asquith took no notice of the issue. Galsworthy enlisted the help of Murray, more continuously and solidly connected with government than he, requesting a letter of reintroduction to revoke “a most needless incarceration”.2
Adolescent intermittent ethanol reduces serotonin expression in the adult raphe nucleus and upregulates innate immune expression that is prevented by exercise.

Abstract Serotonergic neurons of the raphe nucleus regulate sleep, mood, endocrine function, and other processes that mature during adolescence. Alcohol abuse and binge drinking are common during human adolescence. We tested the novel hypothesis that adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure would alter the serotonergic system that would persist into adulthood. Using a Wistar rat model of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE; 5.0 g/kg, i.g., 2-day on/2-day off from postnatal day [P]25 to P55), we found a loss of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT)-immunoreactive (+IR) neurons that persisted from late adolescence (P56) into adulthood (P220). Hypothalamic and amygdalar DRN serotonergic projections were reduced following AIE. Tryptophan hydroxylase 2, the rate-limiting 5-HT synthesizing enzyme, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2, which packages 5-HT into synaptic vesicles, were also reduced in the young adult midbrain following AIE treatment. Adolescent intermittent ethanol treatment increased expression of phosphorylated (activated) NF-κB p65 as well as markers of microglial activation (i.e., Iba-1 and CD11b) in the adult DRN. Administration of lipopolysaccharide to mimic AIE-induced innate immune activation reduced 5-HT+IR and increased phosphorylated NF-κB p65+IR similar to AIE treatment. Voluntary exercise during adolescence through young adulthood blunted microglial marker and phosphorylated NF-κB p65+IR, and prevented the AIE-induced loss of 5-HT+IR neurons in the DRN. Together, these novel data reveal that AIE reduces 5-HT+IR neurons in the adult DRN, possibly through an innate immune mechanism, which might impact adult cognition, arousal, or reward sensitivity. Further, exercise prevents the deleterious effects of AIE on the serotonergic system.
Development of simulation tools for small animal SPECT/MRI reconstruction study

The goal of this study is to develop simulation tools for a proposed simultaneous SPECT/MRI system. The proposed SPECT/MRI system is based on a clinical 3T MRI scanner and a ring-type SPECT subsystem using cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors and pinhole or multi-pinhole collimators. Geant4 applications for emission tomography (GATE) was used to simulate the gamma-ray photon transportation process in SPECT Monte-Carlo simulation. Analytical modeling of the electron-hole drifting was used to simulate CZT detector response in the magnetic field. Object-oriented development interface for NMR (ODIN) was introduced to simulate MR imaging sequences. The digital mouse whole body (MOBY) phantom was extended for MRI simulation by specifying the spin-physics properties for each organ in the mouse phantom. The data generated from the above simulation tools was then employed to study how to improve SPECT reconstruction using anatomical information based on MRI images. The noise and lesion contrast properties of reconstructed SPECT images were discussed. We conclude that the simulation tools are useful for investigating how to improve SPECT reconstruction using MRI images in the simultaneous SPECT/MRI imaging systems under construction or investigation.
Changing understandings of local knowledge in island environments

Island ecosystems have rich marine biodiversity and high levels of terrestrial endemism, but are potentially the most vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic stressors. To effectively manage environments, scholars and conservation practitioners have increasingly turned their attention to local islander knowledge (LK) and practices. To date, much of the literature treats LK definitionally rather than examining its theoretical underpinnings. This review focuses explicitly on the concept of LK and it describes three discernible phases of research marked by conceptual shifts. Over the 20th century, LK underwent a dramatic reversal from something understood as inferior and deficient to something that is valuable and empirically sound. This shift ushered in widespread acceptance of local islander knowledge as a unique, rich corpus of information that could be tapped by Western science to enhance community-based resource management. Over the last several decades, a third phase of LK research has emerged in which a more dynamic framing has developed, emphasizing LK's hybrid and adaptive dimensions, as well as its constitutive entanglements with other social–ecological processes. This has expanded the scope of inquiry into the strategies islanders employ as they adapt to changing social and environmental milieus, and as they attempt to co-produce knowledge with scientists and conservation practitioners.
Scrumage: A Method for Incorporating Multiple, Simultaneous Pedagogical Styles in the Classroom

Pedagogical approaches abound in computer science. Common approaches include flipped classrooms, active learning, gamification, and the traditional lecture-based approach. There are also a wide variety of computer science learning materials including videos, interactive tutorials, and textbooks (whether presented online or on paper). Instructor choices of approach and materials present a series of trade-offs and may favor some groups of students over others. We propose a method, Scrumage, (SCRUM for AGile Education) in an attempt to overcome the necessity of making trade-offs. We allow each student in a course to select among several pedagogical approaches and sets of materials to fit each individual student's learning needs and desires. Scrumage adapts concepts from the Scrum project management technique. In Scrum, project teams are developing a product for a client. In Scrumage, student teams are developing knowledge with support from the instructor. We define and motivate Scrumage and discuss the implementation and outcomes of the technique in a class at our undergraduate institution.
Clinical Differences in COPD Patients with Variable Patterns of Hypoxemia.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients enrolled into the Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial had hypoxemia at rest, hypoxemia on exertion, or hypoxemia both at rest and on exertion. We hypothesized that patients with different patterns of hypoxemia may have significant differences in clinical features. Methods: All patients had COPD and oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (blood oxygenation [SpO2]) at rest and during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Hypoxemia at rest was defined as resting SpO2 between 89-93%. SpO2 1 minute) was exclusionary. Results: Of 738 patients studied, 133 (18.0%) had mild-moderate hypoxemia at rest only, 319 (43.2%) had hypoxemia on exertion only, and 286 (38.8%) had hypoxemia at both rest and exertion. Patients with hypoxemia at rest only were more likely to be current smokers, had higher body mass index (BMI) and a higher incidence of self-reported diabetes. Patients with hypoxemia on exertion only were more severely obstructed compared to the other groups. General and disease-specific quality of life scores were similarly impaired in all groups. Quality of well-being scores were more impaired in those with hypoxemia at rest only. Conclusions: COPD patients with mild-moderate hypoxemia have distinct clinical characteristics based on the pattern of oxygen desaturation at rest and with exertion.
From order-to-cash to wall-to-wall: Four SAP implementations at Smithfield Foods:

This case examines a transformation journey at Smithfield Foods, a global pork processing company. In 2005, Mansour Zadeh, a company’s CIO, initiated a replacement of the old order management legac...
Reproducing elder male power through ritual performance in Japan.

Most research by gerontologists into the relationshipbetween religion and aging has focused upon thepotential health benefits of religious participationamong Americans who follow Judeo-Christian orientedforms of worship and belief. This research has shownthat both as a social institution and source ofexistential meaning, religion provides an importantresource for older people in terms of fellowship andas a means of coping and adapting to social change andpersonal loss. Other religious traditions and otheraspects of salience of religious participation forolder people have been less thoroughly considered. This article investigates a religious ritual in Japan,that, rather than being a source of consolation, is anexpression of symbolic capital associated with elderstatus and, thus, gerontocratic power. The ritualcontributes to representing and reproducing the powerof older residents in a rural Japanese community,partly due to its being administratively situatedwithin an age-grade system that is a part ofneighborhood political organization. Through itsperformance, the ritual visually reproduces andrepresents stratified social structures thatconcentrate power in the hands of male members of thesenior age grade.
The Sexual Harassment of Faculty Members by Students.

We investigated sexual harassment by college students toward faculty members using modified versions of the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ) developed by Fitzgerald and colleagues. The SEQ measures three major constructs of sexual harassment: gender harassment, sexual coercion (bribery), and unwanted sexual attention. The student version of the SEQ was completed by 359 college students (85% White); 102 faculty members (92% White) completed the faculty version. Although we did not ask about their social class, they are typically middle class. Female faculty reported experiencing significantly more unwanted sexual attention from students and were more bothered by it than male faculty. While the frequency of gender harassment did not differ significantly between male and female faculty, the latter were significantly more bothered by it than the former. Concerning students' responses to the SEQ, there were no significant gender differences. Sexual harassment as both a tool and a result of male dominance in society is discussed.
Using Ethnomathematics Perspective to Widen the Vision of Mathematics Teacher Education Curriculum

In this chapter, we draw upon our collective professional and practical knowledge bases to describe our efforts in fostering connections between ethnomathematics theory and practice. The theoretical field of ethnomathematics empowered us to envision a dynamic and equity-oriented teacher education curriculum. The enactment of this curriculum enabled us to create spaces wherein prospective teachers came to bear on the significance of teaching mathematics to promote a more just and democratic agenda. Prospective teachers explored and promoted meaningful connections between mathematics content, context, culture, and society in order to promote the development of empathy, consideration, and the skills necessary to appreciate and educate all learners, in particular those that are marginalized because of their social, cultural, economic, and political backgrounds.
Sensitivity to the Evaluation of Others Emerges by 24 Months.

Although the human proclivity to engage in impression management and care for reputation is ubiquitous, the question of its developmental outset remains open. In 4 studies, we demonstrate that the sensitivity to the evaluation of others (i.e., evaluative audience perception) is manifest by 24 months. In a first study, 14- to 24-month-old children (N = 49) were tested in situations in which the attention of an audience was systematically manipulated. Results showed that when the experimenter was inattentive, as opposed to attentive, children were more likely to explore an attractive toy. A second study (N = 31) explored whether same-aged children would consider not only the attention of the experimenter but also the values the experimenter expressed for two different outcomes when exploring a toy. We found that children reproduced outcomes that were positively valued by the experimenter significantly more when the experimenter was attentive but were more likely to reproduce negatively valued outcomes when the experimenter was inattentive. A third control study (N = 30) showed that the significant effect of Study 2 disappeared in the absence of different values. Lastly, Study 4 (N = 34) replicated and extended the phenomenon by showing toddler's propensity to modify their behavior in the presence of 2 different experimenters, depending on both the experimenter's evaluation of an outcome and their attention. Overall, these data provide the first convergent demonstration of evaluative audience perception in young children that precedes the full-fledged normative, mentalizing, and strong conformity psychology documented in 4- to 5-year-old children. (PsycINFO Database Record
Premarital Sexual Permissiveness of College Students in Hong Kong

This research compares the premarital sexual permissiveness of 264 American college students in the midwest, 26 students from Hong Kong who are studying in the United States, and 153 students atten...
Subnormality and the Chermak–Delgado lattice

The Chermak–Delgado lattice of a finite group G is a sublattice of the subgroup lattice of G that has attracted interest since its discovery. In this paper, we show that every subgroup of G in the ...
ChildMaltreatment and Technology

Technology may seem like a friend one day, a foe another depending on how and why it is being used. In today’s world, we are inundated with social media, smart phones, tvs, and cars. Our ability to harness technology to make our lives a better place is a noble goal, however our ability to harness technology to enhance our research skills is absolutely necessary. The current paper explores the ways in which technology has been used and can be used to better understand child maltreatment and domestic violence. Overall, the message is clear, integrating technology-based research methods and practical approaches to helping vulnerable populations is one of this generations’ paradigm shifts. Technology coupled with sound research methodologies can help move us forward in our exploration and understanding of social problems and interventions.
Comparison of a laboratory-developed test targeting the envelope gene with three nucleic acid amplification tests for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Background Numerous nucleic acid amplification tests, including real-time, reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) and isothermal amplification methods, have been developed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including many that have received emergency use authorization (EUA). There is a need to assess their test performance relative to one another. Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the test performance of a high complexity laboratory-developed rRT-PCR EUA from Stanford Health Care (SHC) targeting the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) gene with other tests: the Atila isothermal amplification assay targeting the nucleocapsid (N) gene and open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab), the Altona E and spike (S) multiplex, real-time RT-PCR, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) N1 and N2 rRT-PCRs. Study design A diagnostic comparison study was performed by testing nasopharyngeal samples from persons under investigation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Assay performance was assessed by percent agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficient. Results Positive percent agreement with the SHC EUA reference assay was 82.8 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 65.0 to 92.9) for Atila, 86.7 % (95 % CI 69.7 to 95.3) for the Altona E and S targets, and 86.7 % (95 % CI 69.7 to 95.3) and 90.0 % (95 % CI 73.6 to 97.3), for the CDC N1 and N2 targets, respectively. All assays demonstrated 100 % negative percent agreement. Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.86 to 0.92, indicating excellent agreement. Conclusions Performance was comparable among the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification methods tested, with a limited number of discrepancies observed in specimens with low viral loads.