cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Follicular development and parity in phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Ovaries of laboratory-reared Phlebotomus papatasi, Lutiomyia longipalpis , and L. anthophora were examined to determine rates of autogenous or anautogenous oocyte development and to describe morphological changes in ovarioles before and after ovulation. Females of P. papatasi , having origins in India and Israel, produced eggs autogenously within 6 days after eclosion. If suitable hosts were available, these insects would also ingest blood during the 1st gonotrophic cycle. Females of both Lutzomyia species developed eggs 3–6 days after a blood meal. Dissections of 491 P. papatasi females, collected from human dwellings and animal shelters in Iran, revealed predominantly nulliparous specimens (94%) with oocytes at or beyond stage III in 161 individuals (33%). Of these, 87 (54%) had vertebrate blood in their midguts. Follicular relics were observed in both colonized and field-collected females.
Intervention Effectiveness of AIDS Awareness and Behavior among Female Sex Works in Qingpu District of Shanghai City

[Objective]To understand the awareness and high-risk behaviors of AIDS knowledge and HIV infection among female sex workers(FSWs) in Qingpu District,and evaluate the intervention effects. [Methods]Totally 370 FSWs and 426 pregnant women(control group) were investigated with the unified questionnaire,and serological testing. [Results]Knowledge about AIDS among FSWs was higher than that of pregnant women;the awareness of knowledge about AIDS was not different between FSWs with different education levels;with the higher the education level,the awareness was higher in pregnant women;the rate of condom use had reached 91.6% during the recent sex in FSWs;the rate of accepting AIDS service among FSWs was high;two groups had no significant difference of HIV test results,the positive rate of syphilis in FSWs was higher than that of the pregnant women. [Conclusion]In recent years the AIDS prevention and control project have made good progress among FSWs in Qingpu District.The AIDS interventions should be strengthened among the general population in the future.
Epidemic trend of viral hepatitis in Wuxi City from 1997-2010

[Objective]To analyze the epidemic trend of viral hepatitis in Wuxi City from 1997-2010,provide the basis for making the control strategies of viral hepatitis. [Methods]By using the descriptive epidemiology method,the reports of viral hepatitis in Wuxi City from 1997-2010 were analyzed. [Results]During 1997-2010,a total of 31 006 viral hepatitis cases were reported in Wuxi City,and the average incidence rate was 40.14/lakh.The incidence rate in 1997 was the highest(76.65/lakh),and that in 2010 was the lowest(21.34/lakh).The incidence rate of hepatitis A,hepatitis B,hepatitis C,hepatitis E and untypied hepatitis was 4.70/lakh,20.49/lakh,1.73/lakh,0.92/lakh and 12.29/lakh,respectively.The male-to-female ratio was 2.19∶1.Most of cases were people aged 20-39 years old. [Conclusion]The annual incidence of viral hepatitis shows a downward trend year by year,and controlling incidence of viral hepatitis is the key of prevention.
Study on Workpiece Antirust in the Metalworking Industry under Paralic Environment

In order to improve the workpiece corrosion capacity under paralic environment,combined with practical production situation of Qingdao power train,the paper study on workpiece antirust in the metalworking industry in the coastal region,It begins with the corrosion mechanism of metal surface,researches on the methods of corrosion,analyses the main reason of workpiece corrosion,according to the characteristics of metal corrosion in Qingdao power train,combined with the daily production experience,so comes to a conclusion that how to prevent metal rust,and it offers significant support for the quality improvement and cost control of the engine.
Effect of pertechnetate source and age on the radiochemical purity of technetium Tc 99m exametazime

The radiochemical purity of technetium Tc 99m exametazime preparations was evaluated by comparing pertechnetate sources and sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m ages. Vials of exametazime were prepared using sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m that was obtained from two brands of generators and up to five hours after elution. Radiochemical purity was determined by using instant thin-layer chromatography. Substantial variability in radiochemical purity existed within and between lots of exametazime. There was little difference in radiochemical purity between the two brands of generator and among the various ages of eluant. The radiochemical purity was not significantly affected by the source or age of sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m used in this study.
Penn State University Department of Statistics

If this chapter were being written by a writer for the New York Times, the headline might well have proclaimed “New Department of Statistics Created by Non-Statisticians at Penn State University” and it could easily have been defended as the truth. The writer would have elaborated as follows: “The Department of Statistics was created on July 1, 1968, with James B. Bartoo as its first head. Questions have been asked about how it came about and why. Who were the moving forces leading to its creation? What was their motivation? In this story answers to these questions are provided!” Our story may be typical of how other statistics departments were created. Regardless, these are the facts the writer could have cited to back up our story.
Protein and amino acids

Protein occurs in all living things. Formed of amino acids bonded together in peptide linkage, proteins have a far greater potential for variability than do either carbohydrates or lipids. The combinations and permutations of the approximately twenty amino acids occurring in protein are legion, and the unique sequence and length of each protein gives it its conformation and makes it suitable for its particular function. Because of the many different proteins, the functions of protein are numerous: structural components, catalysts of chemical reactions (i.e. enzymes), transporting agents, hormonal messengers (e.g. insulin), osomotic regulators (e.g. albumin), buffers, etc.
Abstract 3780: Activity of the BET inhibitor INCB054329 in models of lymphoma

Inhibitors of the BET family of Bromodomain proteins have been shown to be growth inhibitory across a spectrum of tumor types due to their ability to regulate expression of key survival and cell fate determining genes such as c-myc. Among the various tumor histologies, hematologic malignancies are among the most sensitive cancers to BET inhibition. INCB054329 is a novel, non-benzodiazepine, selective BET inhibitor that is undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials and that has shown encouraging in vitro and in vivo preclinical activity in several models of hematologic malignancy. In the current study, the activity of INCB054329 was evaluated in models of B cell malignancy. INCB54329 effectively inhibited the in vitro growth of a panel of cell lines representing both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Treated cells arrested primarily in G1 with sensitive lines also exhibiting dose and time-dependent apoptosis. Within a panel of double-hit lymphoma cell lines, which have activating chromosomal rearrangements in both c-myc and bcl-2, INCB054329 potently inhibited cell growth and was more effective than antagonists of BTK, bcl-2, PIM and PI3Kδ. INCB054329 also showed in vivo efficacy in models of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). As a single agent, oral administration of INCB054329 inhibited tumor growth in Pfeiffer (GBC) and WILL-2 (GCB, double-hit) subcutaneous xenograft models. The in vivo combination of bendamustine with INCB054329 enhanced anti-tumor efficacy compared with either agent alone in the Pfeiffer model, and the combination was well tolerated. A rational, targeted combination strategy was evaluated involving INCB054329 and a selective, orally active PI3Kδ inhibitor, INCB050465, which is currently in clinical trials in B cell malignancies. Combining INCB054329 with PI3Kδ inhibition markedly enhanced anti-tumor efficacy, increasing the incidence of partial tumor regressions in vivo. In this model, both INCB054329 and INCB050465 treatment led to a reduction in c-Myc protein levels, suggesting a convergence between modulation of BET transcriptional regulation and the PI3Kδ pathway. These data suggest that clinical investigation of INCB054329, both as monotherapy and in combination with standard of care or novel targeted therapies, in several classes of B cell lymphoma, including high risk double hit lymphoma, is warranted. Citation Format: Matthew Stubbs, Robert Collins, Alla Volgina, Mike Liu, Margaret Favata, Mark Rupar, Xiaomng Wen, Richard Sparks, Thomas Maduskuie, Maryanne Covington, Timothy Burn, Bruce Ruggeri, Andrew P. Combs, Wenqing Yao, Reid Huber, Gregory Hollis, Peggy Scherle, Phillip CC Liu. Activity of the BET inhibitor INCB054329 in models of lymphoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3780.
Uninational Homes: Right-Wing Nationalism

There are forms of nationalism that are not centered on the project of transforming a homeland into a state. They focus instead on the task of transforming the homeland itself. Homeland is approached as the abode of a particular nation, the titular nation, and no one else. Such nationalism is reactionary, fundamentalist, and right-wing because it invokes a mythical nation residing in a mythical home untouched by migration of peoples — a process that is as old as human history. The type of nationalism that assigns homeland to the titular nation — the insiders — is, ironically, espoused today by outsiders, those located on the periphery of their societies. Such nationalism attacks the modern state principally because it does not provide for an exclusive religious or spiritual home. The radical right proposes a fundamentalist, primordial, purist, uninational version of the state in place of the modern secular, democratic, multicultural state. It therefore undertakes militant action and organizes movements in opposition to what is seen as a hegemonic state.
Treatment of Dupuytren’s Contracture with Dermofasciectomy

The use of a full thickness skin graft to cover a palmar defect remaining after surgical excision of diseased Dupuytren’s tissue, also known as dermofasciectomy, has been employed for both management of diffuse and recurrent disease. Heuston was one of the first authors to describe management of recurrent Dupuytren’s in the 1960s (Hueston, PlasReconstr Surg 31:66–69, 1963). His classic article notes a clear distinction between recurrence at the primary surgical location and extension into the surrounding tissue. This chapter offers the example of a 59-year-old right hand dominant male as an illustrative case of management with dermofasciectomy of recurrent Dupuytren’s disease following previous fasciectomy. A full thickness skin graft was harvested from the hairless surface of the medial brachium of the ipsilateral arm and sutured in place in the distal left palm where the recurrent disease had been excised. Three-month follow-up demonstrated improved strength, motion, and return to recreational golf. Final follow-up was 3 years post skin graft with no evidence of disease recurrence in the distal left palm.
Extracellular ATP Signaling and Cell Death in Plants

The role of ATP in Plant Cell Death (PCD) where a cell through signaling or detection, starts Apoptosis (planned cell death) of the cell and signals to other cells to start Apoptosis as well. PCD with its signaling role in the extracellular matrix is a topic of study that many people have taken up and researched. What effect ATP has on cell death and whether it can be triggered with ATP products, have been tested to see if they caused PCD. Also how ATP can affect the cell death it triggers and whether it can reverse this death with the use of FB1 which is a cell death pathway which is induced through mycotoxins. This leads to more study in the field of PCD and its link to ATP as how ATP reverses the death caused by pathways like that of FB1 or how ATP could be applied to plants in the throes of PCD and how and when is the best chance of reversal. This leads to applications that would help growers and humanity based on these studies.
The flagellar motor adapts, optimizing bacterial behavior

A short review is given of recent work showing that the flagellar rotary motor of the bacterium Escherichia coli remodels to match its operating point (the fraction of time that it spins clockwise) to the requirements of the chemotaxis signaling network, and to provide the torque necessary to operate at different viscous loads.
Caregiver status and outcomes after durable left ventricular assist device implantation.

Abstract Objectives To determine the relationship between caregiver status and outcomes after durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Background The absence of a caregiver is a relative contraindication to durable LVAD support. Methods Forty-three patients that underwent primary LVAD implantation were divided into three groups: those with caregivers that retained their roles for the duration of LVAD support (CG group), those with caregivers that resigned their roles (CG-QUIT group), and those implanted without an assigned caregiver (No-CG group). Group-specific characteristics and post-implant outcomes were compared. Results In the CG-QUIT group, caregivers did not live in the same home (0.0% vs. 80.6% of CG group) and none were spouses (0.0% vs. 64.5% for CG group). Thirty-day readmission rate was highest in the CG-QUIT group (83.3% vs. 25.8% in CG group and 16.7% in No-CG group). Conclusions Caregiver relationships were more likely to be maintained for the duration of LVAD support when the caregiver was a spouse and resided in the same home as the patient. Carefully selected patients implanted without a designated caregiver had comparable outcomes to those who retained their original caregiver.
Clusters: An Embryonic Form of Crystals and Nanostructures

Abstract The nature of bonding in crystals is traditionally classified in terms of the strength of their bonds: van der Waals, metallic, ionic, and covalent. A bond between a given pair of atoms in fact may have several of these contributions with varying strengths. As the size of a crystal is reduced down to a few nanometers, one wonders if the relative strengths of these contributions remain the same or the dominance of the surface fundamentally changes these and therefore the physical properties of these nanosystems. This understanding is critical not only because one can make use of the unique properties of nanoparticles in the synthesis of novel materials, but also because it provides information whether clusters can be used to model crystals. The latter is particularly useful for studying the properties of crystals with defects where standard techniques based on the Bloch's theorem may not be convenient. This chapter examines the extent to which clusters can be used to model bulk properties and how the critical cluster size to mimic bulk depends upon the nature of bonding. We review the evolution of the structure, stability, and properties of clusters of metallic elements and clusters of metal oxides, halides, and tellurides with different strengths of covalent and ionic bonding. We also provide examples where clusters have played a significant role in illustrating complex issues associated with spintronics and hydrogen storage.
Swanson, John C. 2017. Tangible Belonging: Negotiating Germanness in Twentieth-Century Hungary - Pitt Series in Russian and East European Studies. Pittsburgh, PA: U of Pittsburgh P. 456 pp. Illus.

Swanson, John C. 2017. Tangible Belonging: Negotiating Germanness in Twentieth-Century Hungary - Pitt Series in Russian and East European Studies . Pittsburgh, PA: U of Pittsburgh P. 456 pp. Illus.
Gateway Political Behaviors: The Frequency and Consequences of Low-Cost Political Engagement on Social Media:

The purpose of this article is to determine to what extent engagement in easy political behaviors on social media occurs across the range of political interest, what predicts such engagement, and w...
CAPD in Infants

Aggressive treatment of the young infant with renal insufficiency may stimulate as many emotional, moral, and economic issues as it does questions pertinent to medical therapy. Until recently, the approach to such infants was to provide nondialactic therapy of variable aggressiveness until the patient survived to a certain age or size, when dialysis and/or transplantation was felt to be tenable. However, this approach has not been ideal. During the first two years of life, normal infants will achieve 30% of their growth potential. Betts and McGrath [1] have demonstrated that those infants born with renal insufficiency have very poor growth during this period of time. Once this growth potential is lost, it is difficult or impossible to regain, since ‘catch-up’ growth during dialysis or following renal transplantation is rarely seen [2–4]. Therefore, short stature will almost surely result if early intervention is not undertaken.
Welcome to Golgonooza, Joel Stephen Kovel (27 August 1936–30 April 2018)*

Losing a dear friend is scarring and leaves an unfillable void. Joel was (or, rather, is, for he will live among us in other ways) an open, thorough, and independent thinker; an ecosocialist lumina...
Integration of strategic and operational decision-making for continuous power-intensive processes

Abstract In the presence of fluctuating electricity prices, the smart grid provides optimization opportunities for power-intensive processes. We present an MILP model that integrates operational and strategic decision-making for power-intensive processes. Strategic decisions involve installing additional equipment, upgrading existing equipment, or increasing storage capacity that potentially facilitate cost savings at the operational level. We provide a case study for an air separation plant based on industrial data, which demonstrates the impact of investments in terms of annual cost savings.
The Two Faces of Insanity

One of the great debates surrounding insanity is whether it is an excuse for criminal defendants designed to exculpate otherwise guilty people or whether it is a device used by the government to inculpate otherwise innocent people. The short answer is both. Sometimes, insanity is used to exculpate someone who is otherwise guilty, while other times, the state successfully chooses to punish those who, because of their insane delusions, lack criminal intent. In my view, insanity should rarely exculpate and never implicate. Thus, on the one hand, when insanity is invoked as a defense by one who has been proven guilty of the requisite mens rea and actus reus for the crime, insanity should rarely, if ever, exculpate. On the other hand, when the defendant lacks the requisite mens rea to commit the crime, whether because of insanity or any other non-self-induced reason, the defendant should not be guilty.
Prolactin: the forgotten hormone of human breast cancer.

Abstract Prolactin (PRL) is both a mitogen and a differentiating agent in the mammary gland. It has been shown to be involved in mammary cancer development in rodents, but in human breast cancer, its role has long been overlooked. Three criteria are applied to demonstrate PRL’s involvement in this disease: (1) PRL receptors are present in human breast cancer cells, (2) human breast cancer cells in culture respond to PRL as a mitogen, and (3) PRL is synthesized by human breast cancer cells and inhibition of the binding of PRL to its receptors inhibits cell growth.
Advanced Membrane Technology for Wastewater Treatment

The chapter discusses a new membrane filtration system technology based on using a formed-in-place hyper-filtration membrane. The technology is used to treat creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) contaminated groundwater. The membrane technology described can be used as an integral part of a remediation system to significantly reduce the volume and toxicity of contaminated wastewater. The technology is particularly suitable for the treatment of contaminated groundwater as part of a pump and treat system. The technology reduces risks to human health and the environment by transferring the contaminants to a smaller volume facilitating destruction or detoxification by other technologies. The technology is particularly applicable to the treatment of dilute waste streams, where the concentration of contaminants into a reduced volume would result in significant cost savings as well as minimize off-site treatment. The reduced-volume concentrated residual could further be treated on-site or transported off-site for treatment and disposal. The system is simple to operate, reliable, and requires a minimum of operator attention or maintenance once the membrane is formed. The stability of the system makes it particularly suitable for the long-term use as is necessary for extended pump and treat remedial programs.
Personality: Autonomy and Independence

There is a strong association between creative personality and creative behavior, with the latter being a distinctive indicator of the former. Autonomy represents one clear example of how personality can be associated with creative behavior. It can function either as a motivation that leads to creative behavior, eventually strengthening creative personality, or as a trait that nurtures creative personality, leading to a variety of creative behavior. Expanding upon the article by Gregory J. Feist on autonomy and independence in the previous edition of the Encyclopedia of Creativity , this article discusses the relationships among personality, autonomy, independence. The first part focuses on several factors that may affect the development of autonomy and independence in individuals throughout the lifespan. The second part covers different personality traits, including introversion, internal locus of control, motivation, self-confidence, nonconformity, and solitude, which have been considered to be associated with autonomy and independence and play key roles in the creative personality.
The Infant Formula Controversy at Center Stage

It was 8:00 A.M. on Thursday morning, October 4, 1984, in Washington, D.C. Nestle and the International Nestle Boycott Committee (INBC) had scheduled a joint press conference for 9 A.M. at the Mayflower Hotel. Both Nestle and INBC were to announce the termination of the latter’s worldwide boycott of Nestle products. It had all started almost ten years ago, in 1974, when the infant formula controversy first entered the public consciousness in a major way with the publication of Mike Muller’s The Baby Killer. 1In the interim decade, a coalition of activist groups, Third World governments, and religious organizations had succeeded in having the World Health Organization (WHO), an agency of the United Nations, to enact for the first time an International Code of Breast-Milk Substitutes (the WHO Code) in 1981.2 The coalition had also launched a worldwide boycott against Nestle’s products and engaged in a host of other pressure tactics, to influence public opinion against Nestle and other infant formula manufacturers, to implement the provisions of the WHO Code in their marketing of infant formula products, and to accept INBC as a legitimate and important spokesperson for the affected people of the Third World.
Database Administration at the Crossroads: The Era of End-User-Oriented, Decentralized Data Processing

Database administration has traditionally been a function that has been internal to the data processing organization. Contact with corporate personnel outside of data processing has always been limited. But, at this point in the evolution of data processing, end-users, with a variety of new tools at their disposal, are showing a great deal of interest in direct data access. This report describes the results of a survey of 36 companies in the Chicago, New York City, and South Florida regions, with two goals. One was to examine database administration functions today, in terms of their organizations, reporting structures, and responsibilities, as they stand on the brink of this exciting, new era of end-user data access. The other was to learn from the database administration managers the directions in which their organizations are heading, in this context.
Consumer responses toward green advertising: The effects of gender, advertising skepticism, and green motive attribution

This research examined the effects of gender and skepticism toward advertising in general (SKEP) on consumer responses toward green advertising at two levels, generalized green advertising skeptici...
Combining Landau–Zener theory and kinetic Monte Carlo sampling for small polaron mobility of doped BiVO4 from first-principles

Transition metal oxides such as BiVO4 are promising photoelectrode materials for solar-to-fuel conversion applications. However, their performance is limited by the low carrier mobility (especially electron mobility) due to the formation of small polarons. Recent experimental studies have shown improved carrier mobility and conductivity by atomic doping; however the underlying mechanism is not understood. A fundamental atomistic-level understanding of the effects on small polaron transport is critical to future material design with high conductivity. We studied the small polaron hopping mobility in pristine and doped BiVO4 by combining Landau–Zener theory and kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulation fully from first-principles, and investigated the effect of dopant–polaron interactions on the mobility. We found that polarons are spontaneously formed at V in both pristine and Mo/W doped BiVO4, which can only be described correctly by density functional theory (DFT) with the Hubbard correction (DFT+U) or hybrid exchange-correlation functional but not local or semi-local functionals. We found that DFT+U and dielectric dependant hybrid (DDH) functionals give similar electron hopping barriers, which are also similar between the room temperature monoclinic phase and the tetragonal phase. The calculated electron mobility agrees well with experimental values, which is around 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1. We found that the electron polaron transport in BiVO4 is neither fully adiabatic nor nonadiabatic, and the first and second nearest neighbor hoppings have significantly different electronic couplings between two hopping centers that lead to different adiabaticity and prefactors in the charge transfer rate, although they have similar hopping barriers. Without considering the detailed adiabaticity through Landau–Zener theory, one may get qualitatively wrong carrier mobility. We further computed polaron mobility in the presence of different dopants and showed that Cr substitution of V is an electron trap while Mo and W are “repulsive” centers, mainly due to the minimization of local lattice expansion by dopants and electron polarons. The dopants with “repulsive” interactions to polarons are promising for mobility improvement due to larger wavefunction overlap and delocalization of locally concentrated polarons.
lncRNA Neat1 drives neuronal histone methylation and age-related memory impairments

Abstract Histone methylation is critical for the formation and maintenance of long-term memories. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulators of histone methyltransferases and other chromatin modifying enzymes (CMEs). We investigated how lncRNA Neat1-mediated histone methylation contributes to hippocampus-dependent long-term memory formation, using a combination of transcriptomics, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation, CRISPR mediated gene activation, and behavioral approaches. Suppression of the lncRNA Neat1 revealed widespread changes in gene transcription as well as perturbations of histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), a repressive histone modification mark that is dysregulated in the aging hippocampus. We identified a Neat1-dependent mechanism of transcriptional repression via H3K9me2 at the c-Fos promoter corresponding with observed changes in c-Fos mRNA levels. Overexpression of hippocampal Neat1 via CRISPRa is sufficient to impair memory formation in young adults, recapitulating observed memory deficits in old adults, while Neat1 suppression in both young and old adult mice improves memory. These results suggest that lncRNA Neat1 is a potent epigenetic regulator of hippocampus-dependent long-term memory formation.
The influence of cytokinins and ionic strength of Anderson's medium on shoot establishment and proliferation of evergreen azalea

Shoot-tip explants of evergreen azalea cv. Fuchsia grown on Anderson's medium and containing different cytokinins produced the highest proliferation rate on a medium containing thidiazuron (TDZ). TDZ concentrations ranging from 0.23 to 2.3 μM resulted in both good bud-break rate (4 to 5) and shoot quality (> 0.5 cm in length). Adding 2.3 μM zeatin to Anderson's medium containing 0.23 or 2.3 μM TDZ increased the number of axillary shoots/explant. However, increasing the zeatin concentration to 4.6 μM resulted in a reduced shoot proliferation rate. A medium containing 1.15 μM TDZ and 2.3 μM zeatin resulted in an 18-fold increase for 'Fuchsia' and a 9-fold increase for 'Hino Crimson' after 6 weeks of culture. It was found that explants grown on a half-strength Anderson's medium with 87.6 mM sucrose generally had better shoot proliferation rate and shoot quality than at higher ionic strength.
A 19-GHz Pulsed-Coherent ToF Receiver With 40- $\mu$ m Precision for Laser Ranging Systems

This letter presents a pulsed-coherent time-of-flight (ToF) receiver for a laser ranging system implemented in 28-nm CMOS process. The prototype is designed at 19-GHz carrier frequency with 6.8-ns pulsed modulation. A segmented coarse-fine ToF measurement is adopted to achieve high resolution and fast acquisition. The coarse ToF is recorded by detecting the pulse’s edge whereas the fine measurement is measured by coherent detection. The proposed post-edge detection with automatic gain control loop provides better suppression of walk error from 600 to 26 ps as compared to the rising-edge detection. Also, phase-invariant variable-gain amplifiers provide a low phase error of <± 1° across gain settings with 60-dB dynamic range. This letter can, based on the timing accuracy, achieve 40-µm precision with 1-MHz sampling rate.
Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Evaluations of Partisan Fairness in District-Based Democracies

We clarify the theoretical foundations of partisan fairness standards for district-based democratic electoral systems, including essential assumptions and definitions not previously recognized, formalized, or in some cases even discussed. We also offer extensive empirical evidence for assumptions with observable implications. We cover partisan symmetry, the most commonly accepted fairness standard, and other perspectives. Throughout, we follow a fundamental principle of statistical inference too often ignored in this literature—defining the quantity of interest separately so its measures can be proven wrong, evaluated, and improved. This enables us to prove which of the many newly proposed fairness measures are statistically appropriate and which are biased, limited, or not measures of the theoretical quantity they seek to estimate at all. Because real-world redistricting and gerrymandering involve complicated politics with numerous participants and conflicting goals, measures biased for partisan fairness sometimes still provide useful descriptions of other aspects of electoral systems.
Crystal Growth Inhibition by Mobile Randomly Distributed Stoppers

Crystal growth is inhibited by the presence of impurities. Cabrera and Vermilyea introduced a model in 1958, in which the impurities are modeled as immobile stoppers. The quantitative consequences of this model have mainly been explored for the special case where the stoppers are immobile and arranged in a periodic array. Here we use numerical simulation to explore what happens when the stopper locations are randomly distributed and the stoppers have finite lifetimes. As this problem has just two nondimensional parameters, namely, nondimensionalized versions of the mean stopper distance and the mean stopper lifetime, we are able to explore a large region of the parameter space using simulation. The stopper density is measured by the percolation parameter, a nondimensionalized inverse distance between stoppers, ζ. Our results show that when the stopper density is relatively small (ζ below about 0.8), the macroscopic velocity of the step is roughly the same for randomly located stoppers as for a periodic ar...
The Role of Body Shame in Sexual, Relationship, and Life Satisfaction in Women

The purpose of this study was to measure how body shame, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction predicted life satisfaction for female participants who have been in committed relationsh...
EEG Signal Compression using Wavelet Packet Transform

A compression algorithm based on wavelet packet transform (WPT) is presented in this paper for electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. WPT is a tree algorithm, which is an expansion of wavelet transform (WT). WPT offers the advantage of selecting the best tree from a number of bases in order to provide a better signal representation by preserving integrity and removing redundancy to achieve higher compression with minimal degradation in signal fidelity. For the selection of the best tree from the full tree of WPT, Shannon entropy is employed to get an exact representation of the signal. The compression is achieved by the use of the threshold on the best tree coefficients, and finally the signal reconstruction by the use of the thresholded coefficients. The presented method, which is assessed using different EEG signals, achieves good compression ratios (CR) with minimum distortion.
Biology of phosphatidylserine (PS): basic physiology and implications in immunology, infectious disease, and cancer

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an anionic phospholipid found on the membranes of a variety of organelles throughout the cell, most notably the plasma membrane. Under homeostatic conditions, PS is typically restricted to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. However, during cellular activation and/or induction of cell death, PS is externalized on the outer surface via the activation of phospholipid scramblases. Externalized PS not only changes the biochemical and biophysical properties of the plasma membrane but also initiates a series of interactions between endogenous extracellular proteins as well as receptors on neighboring cells to stimulate engulfment (efferocytosis) that influence the surrounding immune milieu. In this thematic series published in Cell Communication and Signaling, we feature review articles that highlight recent work in the field of PS biology, including the biochemistry and physiological significance of PS externalization, therapeutic applications and efforts to target PS, as well as posit open questions that remain in the field.
Incidence of Dysphagia and Associated Morbidity in Lung Transplanted Adults

Purpose 1) Determine the incidence of postoperative swallowing impairment in patients undergoing lung transplantation, 2) identify potential demographic or surgical dysphagia risk factors, and 3) examine associated outcomes with aspiration. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted in 122 consecutive individuals undergoing lung transplantation (LT) and a routine postoperative modified barium swallowing (MBS) exam. Demographic and health-related outcome data were extracted and MBS films assessed using the validated Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) by an expert rater. Results Dysphagia Incidence: 27.3% of LT patients demonstrated safe swallowing (PAS:1-2), 43.8% had laryngeal penetration during swallowing (PAS:3-5), while tracheal aspiration occurred in 28.7% (n=35) of patients (PAS:6-8). Thus, 72.5% (n=87) of LT patients demonstrated unsafe swallowing. Of the aspirators, 51% demonstrated no cough response to tracheal aspirate. Risk Factors: Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly lower in aspirators versus non-aspirators (p=0.03) with a negative correlation noted between PAS score and BMI (r=-0.23, p=0.01). A linear by linear association for prevalence of aspiration by weight class was also noted (p=0.04). No relationships were noted for age, race, gender, or operative time with aspiration status (p>0.05). Outcomes Associated with Dysphagia: Compared to non-aspirators, LT patients who aspirated waited 138 hours longer to resume an oral diet (249 vs. 111, p=0.05), spent 192 hours longer in the intensive care unit (359 vs. 167, p Conclusion Dysphagia is highly prevalent in LT patients and associated with significant morbidity. These data highlight the need for close monitoring of the LT patient and further suggest a key role for implementation of instrumental assessment techniques for accurate and timely detection of dysphagia.
Community Demand, Academic Partnership, and the Birth ofthe Bachelor of Social Work Program Distance Education Option

Social Work in Action is a solicited column from the social work community in Hawai'i. It is edited by HJMPH Contributing Editor Sophia Kim PhD, of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Turbulence statistics in a negatively buoyant multiphase plume

We investigate the turbulence statistics in a multiphase plume made of heavy particles (particle Reynolds number at terminal velocity is 450). Using refractive-index-matched stereoscopic particle image velocimetry, we measure the locations of particles whose buoyancy drives the formation of a multiphase plume, together with the local velocity of the induced flow in the ambient salt–water. Measurements of the mean axial flow in the plume centreplane follow Gaussian profiles and that of the mean radial flow is consistent with integral plume theory. The turbulence characteristics resemble those measured in a bubble plume, including strong anisotropy in the normal Reynolds stresses. However, we observe structural differences between the two multiphase plumes. First, the skewness of the probability density function of the axial velocity fluctuations is not that which would be predicted by simply reversing the direction of a bubble plume. Second, in contrast to a bubble plume, the particle plume has a non-negligible fluid-shear production term in the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget. Third, the radial decay of all measured terms in the TKE budget is slower than those in a bubble plume. Despite these dissimilarities, a bigger picture emerges that applies to both flows. The TKE production by particles (or bubbles) roughly balances the viscous dissipation, except near the plume centreline. The one-dimensional power spectra of the velocity fluctuations show a power law that puts both the particle and bubble plume in a category different from single-phase shear-flow turbulence.
BEACON: Using Diversity as an Evolutionary Tool for a High-Performing Science and Technology Center

The BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action is a multisite, interdisciplinary science and technology center funded by the National Science Foundation. BEACON effectively institutionalized its two overarching diversity goals of 1) ensuring that diversity is represented as an inclusive and connecting thread throughout the consortium, and 2) exceeded national norms for diversity at all levels across the consortium. As BEACON approaches its sunsetting 10th year, there is great pride in our sustained diversity outcomes and accomplishments. It was very important for us to capture our shared core values, implementation strategies, administrative infrastructure, and programmatic outcomes so that subsequent multisite partnership can use our strategies and tools as a blueprint.
Neurogenic Bowel in the Pediatric Patient—Management from Childhood to Adulthood

The current literature on neurogenic bowel will be addressed with a specific focus on spina bifida population. Topics will include bowel management, clinical care pathways, variation in care, quantification of dysfunction, and quality of life outcomes. There have been several recent studies that retrospectively review the outcomes from a national spina bifida registry as well as ongoing work regarding the development and validation of quality of life (QOL) instruments for the neurogenic populations. These studies have highlighted the significance of any fecal incontinence and its negative effect on QOL. Although there has been a recent increase in publications regarding this neurogenic population, a significant amount of further work is required. Through multi-institutional collaboration and standardization of care pathways, there can be significant advances in the care of these patients.
Autistic Input in Social Skills Interventions for Young Adults: a Systematic Review of the Literature

There has been a recent increase in research on social skills interventions for young adults on the autism spectrum. However, little is known about how autistic adults inform the design and measurement of these interventions. In this systematic literature review, 26 studies published over the past 20 + years were examined following a comprehensive search. The relative effectiveness of these interventions was mixed. Less than half of the studies described an intentional process for collecting feedback from participants, and only four sought input when designing the intervention. Implications for the lack of autistic input are discussed, as well as the potential consequences of heavily relying on parent/caregiver reports for an adult population. Recommendations are made for future research and practice related to enhancing the social validity of social skills interventions for autistic adults by including them in developing and evaluating interventions.
Dispositional characteristics in firearm ownership and purchasing behavior during the 2020 purchasing surge.

Abstract Rationale In 2020 the U.S. saw a firearm purchasing surge that was synchronous with the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and notable community unrest. Extant literature has highlighted a potential cohort effect among 2020 firearm purchasers and the importance of characterizing these individuals to inform policy and interventions. Dispositional traits have received minimal attention in the firearm literature overall, despite research that indicates dispositional traits impact intervention interest, access, and effectiveness. Objective The current study examined two dispositional traits indicated as important in firearm research – threat sensitivity (THT) and disinhibition (DIS). We hypothesized that 1) firearm owners overall would have lower THT and higher DIS relative to non-firearm owners, 2) mean levels of DIS (but not THT) would be higher among firearm owners who purchased during the 2020 purchasing surge relative to firearm owners who did not and non-firearm owners, and 3) DIS (but not THT) would be related to future plans for purchasing such that mean levels of DIS would be highest amongst those who have plans. Methods This study used an online-recruited sample (N = 3500) matched to 2010 US Census data. Results Firearm owners demonstrated lower THT and higher DIS than non-firearm owners. 2020 firearm purchasers had higher DIS compared to non-firearm owners and non-purchasing firearm owners, while firearm owners who did not purchase had lower THT compared to non-owners and 2020 purchasers. Plans to purchase in the next 12 months was associated with higher DIS relative to those undecided or without plans. Conclusions In combination with prior research, findings suggest elevated DIS may drive purchasing as a danger and distress management strategy, while low THT may protect against emotion-based firearm purchasing. Further research is needed to clarify the directionality of these relationships and to identify other dispositional characteristics of those purchasing firearms in 2020.
Planar Common-Mode EMI Filter Design and optimization in a 100-kW SiC-based Generator-Rectifier System for High-Altitude Operation

Silicon-Carbide (SiC) devices are receiving popularity for high-power converter systems in aircrafts due to many advantages over silicon counterparts. However, the electro-magnetic interference (EMI) problems are more serious with the SiC devices operating at higher switching speed and higher switching frequency. The common-mode (CM) EMI filter design of the high-power SiC converter is especially challenging for high-altitude application due to the harsher requirements of insulation and heat dissipation. The optimization of the CM EMI filter design in a 100-kW SiC generator-rectifier system operating at 50,000 ft is conducted in this paper to obtain the highest power density of the EMI filter and the rectifier system. A PCB-based planar CM choke is designed with the consideration of partial discharge (PD) and heat dissipation at the altitude of 50,000 ft. The structure of the CM choke is optimized with embedded electric-field shielding plates, which controls E-field stress in air below 300 V/mm by considering the Paschen’s effect. The large surface area of PCB windings improves the efficiency of heat dissipation at high altitudes and reduce the profile of the CM choke. A Pareto optimization is conducted to minimize the size of the choke and the volume of the final design is only 155 cm3. The experimental results show that the CM noise is reduced effectively with the CM EMI filter. PD is not observed even at the altitude of 50,000 ft and the thermal performance is excellent with a current of 190 A.
Hope, Hype, and Genotype: Genetic Testing in Dermatological Diseases

The discovery of hundreds of gene mutations responsible for skin diseases has led to an explosion of genetic tests. The benefits abound, including increased molecular understanding of disease, additional prenatal counseling information for families, and in some cases knowledge that may guide treatment. At the same time, these genetic tests raise a multitude of ethical, social, and legal challenges, including the proper use of pre-test and post-test genetic counseling, privacy concerns, insurance barriers, stigmatization, and unexpected or confounding test results. As we enter the era of personalized dermatological genomic medicine, the hope is that genetic testing will empower clinicians and families to tailor and improve patient care. The concern is that this billion dollar industry offers little more than hype. Through the use of illustrative hypothetical case scenarios from dermatology clinic, we explore the ethics of genetic testing and consider a systematic approach for determining when the benefit of a given genetic test outweighs the risk.
Turgor Pressure of Bacterial Cells

Osmotic pressure depends on the number of particles and is independent of their molecular weight or the mass concentration. Presumably, therefore, a ribosome subunit contributes as much to the osmotic pressure as a molecule of glucose. This statement is accurate when it is applied to more or less rigid particles, and rigid particles, no matter how big or how small, contribute equally to the colligative properties of the solution. For example, a random coil, like the linear chain of glucose residues as found in amylose, would contribute something between I and the number of glucosyl residues in the chain to the particle count. This variation is because the real criterion has to do with the number of independent particles, and the remote parts of a portion of a flexible chain are essentially independent of each other. On the other hand, a polysome containing many 70s ribosomes behaves as if it were one enormous particle because it is inflexible. In fact, there are not very many long flexible molecules within cells. The low molecular weight cellular solutes control the colligative properties, and in particular the osmotic pressure. The small solutes of the cell include the molecules of intermediary metabolism, largely organic acids and phosphate derivatives, and magnesium and potassium ions needed as cofactors as well as for balancing the charge of nucleic acids. It also includes the counter ions needed to match the charges on the macromolecules.