cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A resonator impedance de-embedding procedure

In many contemporary high-frequency circuits, a dielectric resonator is coupled to a microstrip line section, the ends of which constitute a two-port. A detailed procedure is presented for recovery of impedance values associated with the resonator from S-parameter measurements on the two-port with a vector network analyzer. The procedure is suitable for computer-assisted numerical processing, takes into account lossy propagation and moderate impedance vagaries along the microstrip line, and includes discontinuities in the coax-to-microstrip transitions. Resonant frequency, unloaded Q, and effective coupling coefficient can be determined subsequently from the de-embedded impedance values. >
Methanol promotes atmospheric methane oxidation by methanotrophic cultures and soils

Two methanotrophic bacteria, Methylobacter albus BG8 and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, oxidized atmospheric methane during batch growth on methanol. Methane consumption was rapidly and substantially diminished (95% over 9 days) when washed cell suspensions were incubated without methanol in the presence of atmospheric methane (1.7 ppm). Methanotrophic activity was stimulated after methanol (10 mM) but not methane (1,000 ppm) addition. M. albus BG8 grown in continuous culture for 80 days with methanol retained the ability to oxidize atmospheric methane and oxidized methane in a chemostat air supply. Methane oxidation during growth on methanol was not affected by methane deprivation. Differences in the kinetics of methane uptake (apparent K(m) and V(max)) were observed between batch- and chemostat-grown cultures. The V(max) and apparent K(m) values (means +/- standard errors) for methanol-limited chemostat cultures were 133 +/- 46 nmol of methane 10 cells h and 916 +/- 235 ppm of methane (1.2 muM), respectively. These values were significantly lower than those determined with batch-grown cultures (V(max) of 648 +/- 195 nmol of methane 10 cells h and apparent K(m) of 5,025 +/- 1,234 ppm of methane [6.3 muM]). Methane consumption by soils was stimulated by the addition of methanol. These results suggest that methanol or other nonmethane substrates may promote atmospheric methane oxidation in situ.
Investigating Decision Making Processes in Distributed Development Teams: Findings of a Comparative Empirical Study

In this paper, we report the findings of an empirical investigation into decision making processes (DMPes) in distributed teams. We conducted the study in a Fortune 500 organization with a total of sixteen respondents who participated in an hour-long interview. Our analysis of the DMP reported by our respondents suggests that there is a strong organizational culture that supersedes local and individual culture. We also found that while decisions are predominately made in consultation with team members, the leader is usually the decision maker regardless of team distribution or size. The role the leader plays in the DMP implies that greater consideration should be given to assigning a team leader and also the DMP in place. It is also significant that we did not find any evidence of support mechanisms to the DMP leading us to conclude that this possibility needs to be explored by the organization. Our data also suggests that the DMP is chosen ad-hoc and is not explicitly articulated in this organization, which may benefit from documentation.
Towards Monitoring of Long-term Trends in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Ecological monitoring is the purposeful observation, over time, of ecological processes in relation to stress. It differs from biological monitoring in that ecological monitoring does not consider the biota to be a surrogate filter to be analysed for contaminants, but rather has changes in the biotic processes as its focal point for observation of response to stress. Ecological monitoring methods aimed at detecting subtle or slow changes in ecological structure or function usually cannot be based on simple repetition of an arbitrarily chosen field measurement. An optimum method should be deliberately designed to be ecologically appropriate, statistically credible, and cost-efficient.Ecologically appropriate methods should consider the ecological processes that are most likely to respond to the stress of concern, so that relatively simple and well-defined measurements can be used. Statistical credibility requires that both Type I and Type II errors be addressed; Type I error (a false declaration of impact when none exists) and Type II error (a false declaration that no change has taken place or that an observed change is random) are about equally important in a monitoring context. Therefore, these error rates should probably be equal. Furthermore, the error rates should reflect the large inherent variability in undomesticated situations; the optimum may be 10%, rather than the traditional 5% or 1% for controlled experiments and observations.
Examining Observational Measures of Emotional Support and Cognitive Stimulation in Black and White Mothers of Preschoolers

In this study we drew on the Infant Health and Development Program to examine two sets of observational measures of parenting behavior. First, correlations between the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Warmth subscale and a Supportive Presence scale, and between the HOME Learning subscale and a Quality of Assistance scale were examined. There were moderate correlations between the two emotional support scales and between the two cognitive stimulation scales. Second, the individual and collective predictive strengths of each parenting behavior measure were examined vis-a-vis two child outcomes: children's behavior problems and children's receptive language abilities. White and Black children were examined separately in all analyses. Analyses indicated some degree of association between the parenting behavior measures and the childhood outcomes. Some unanticipated racial differences in the regression models also emerged.
A Cannibal in the National Museum: The Early Career of Franz Boas in America

Franz Boas spent several weeks at Fort Rupert, British Columbia, at the end of 1894, when he saw the Kwakiutl hamatsa ritual in situ for the first time. Soon after his return east Boas posed for a series of photographs in the U.S. National Museum for a diorama of the hamatsa dance. These photographs, now published for the first time, are a sharp reminder of Boas' constant (and sometimes forced) collaboration with the limited number of anthropological institutions in America at the end of the century, and of his personal difficulties in establishing himself professionally in America.
Reliability analysis of the FDDI token ring

The paper develops reliability models and derives closed-form results for network reliability and network mean time to failure, including both node and link failures, for a very popular high speed LAN, the FDDI (fiber distributed data interface). It then extends the results to composite measures of performance and reliability. >
A new record of an endemic Cuban tiger beetle, Cicindela (Brasiella) viridicollis (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae), from the Florida keys.

An endemic Cuban tiger beetle, Cicindela (Brasiella) viridicollis Dejean, is reported from Florida, based on a specimen in the Mississippi Entomological Museum. It is the first record of this species in the United States. A description and an illustration of the species are provided.
The Medical Management of the Rheumatology Patient During Pregnancy

Decisions regarding medication use during pregnancy are amongst the most challenging clinicians will face. The health of both the mother and the developing fetus must be taken into account when designing a treatment plan. Limited data on an individual drug’s risk for use during pregnancy and conflicting recommendations regarding drug safety contribute to uncertainty in therapy choices. Clinicians and patients individually have their own risk tolerance for prescribing and taking medications. Finally, pregnancy itself can impact an individual patient’s disease activity rendering typical treatment approaches invalid. This chapter will discuss the treatment of the pregnant and nursing woman with a rheumatic disease. It will review the literature on commonly used medications for rheumatic disease management including aspirin, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and COX-2 inhibitors; the glucocorticoids; the antimalarials; sulfasalazine; the immunosuppressive agents azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus; the anti-metabolite methotrexate; leflunomide; cylophosphamide; intravenous immunoglobulin; the biologics including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blockers, rituximab, belimumab, actemra, anakinra, abatacept, and tocilizumab; the anti-coagulants warfarin and unfractionated and fractionated heparin and colchicine. Wherever possible, specific recommendations will be made.
High-efficiency inverted MSM photodetectors

MSM photodetectors are attractive for applications in optical communication and interconnection because of their simple fabrication and low capacitance. Low responsivity (0.2 to 0.4 A/W), however, which is primarily due to finger electrode shadowing, is also one of their characteristics. To design MSMs suitable for low incident power and high bit rates, we report herein a thin-film inverted (fingers on the bottom) MSM photodetector (I-MSM) that has been separated from the growth substrate and bonded to a host substrate. We compare its characteristics to those of conventional thin-film MSMs (C-MSMs) and MSMs with indium-tin-oxide transparent electrodes (ITO-MSMs) reported in the literature.1
A Rapid Evaluation Method to Assess Organic Film Uniformity in Roll-to-Roll Manufactured OLEDs.

In order to enable low cost roll-to-roll or sheet-processing of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices, completely new deposition methods for both polymer and smallmolecule layers are being developed in place of the classic semiconductor manufacturing methods. In evaluating the utility of such methods, it is advantageous to have a robust and fast method to measure the thickness uniformity of the deposited organic layers. Non-uniformities at all spatial length scales from sub-mm to several cm can occur and so need to be understood as a function of the relevant parameters for each deposition method. Here we demonstrate a simple and fast method to quantify non-uniformities in thin films over arbitrarily large length scales. Our method utilizes the color of light reflected from the coated substrate and its variation with polymer layer thickness. This concept of color change is well known, and is due to constructive interference of light of particular wavelengths related to polymer layer thickness and optical constants. In our modification, a digital camera is used to capture images of the coated substrates, and hue is extracted from the image data files. We show that hue can be linearly correlated with polymer thickness. We demonstrate this for polymer based OLEDs using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and a light-emitting polymer (LEP) deposited on transparent substrate. The correlations were successfully used for 40-140nm PEDOT:PSS layers and 20-110nm LEP layers over length scales greater than 1 inch. The method sensitivity is estimated to be better than 5 nm. We show examples of non-uniformity analysis and how it relates to OLED performance.
ABCA1-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux Capacity to Cerebrospinal Fluid Is Reduced in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Background Animal and human studies indicate that ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol transport is important in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We hypothesized that the efficiency of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to facilitate ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol efflux would be reduced in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD compared with cognitively healthy participants. Methods and Results CSF was collected from a cross‐sectional study of cognitively healthy participants (n=47) and participants with MCI (n=35) or probable AD (n=26).The capacity of CSF to mediate cholesterol transport was assessed using a BHK cell line that can be induced to express the ABCA1 transporter. ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol efflux capacity was 30% less in participants with MCI or AD compared with cognitively healthy participants ( P <0.001 for both). Cholesterol efflux capacity correlated with CSF cholesterol content ( r =0.37, P <0.001). CSF phosphatidylcholine decreased in participants with MCI and AD compared with cognitively healthy participants (9% less in MCI and 27% less in AD compared with cognitively healthy participants, P =0.01) and correlated with CSF efflux capacity ( r =0.3, P =0.001). CSF sphingomyelin also correlated with the efflux capacity ( r =0.24, P =0.02). Concentrations of CSF apoA‐I and apoE did not significantly correlate with measures of efflux capacity. Conclusions In people with MCI and AD, the capacity of CSF to facilitate ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol efflux is impaired. This lesser cholesterol efflux in MCI supports a pathophysiological role for ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol transport in early neurodegeneration.
Influence of castration and level of intake of a commercial concentrate (0, 2% BW, or ad libitum) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing Boer-cross meat goats1

ABSTRACT This trial evaluated growth of 22 bucks and 22 wethers (at least 3/4 Boer) through weaning (at 75 d of age), after which 18 bucks and 18 wethers were fed for 84 d to examine the effect of castration and nutritional plane (hay only; 2% BW as concentrate pellets with ad libitum hay; or ad libitum concentrate pellets with 0.75% BW as hay) on growth and carcass characteristics (with age at slaughter 188 d). Bucks tended to gain more rapidly than wethers before weaning (ADG = 167 vs. 147 g/d for bucks and wethers, respectively; P = 0.082). During finishing carcass-adjusted ADG was greater (P
Examination of prior experience with telehealth and comfort with telehealth technology as a moderator of treatment response for PTSD and depression in veterans.

Objective:Telehealth is a method to expand the reach of clinical care for PTSD treatment. However, those with limited prior exposure to telehealth or limited confidence using telehealth may have po...
Normal Uterine Contractility

Contrary to the classically held concept that the uterus is at rest during pregnancy, Alvarez and Caldeyro-Barcia demonstrated early in their work that the uterus is never completely relaxed and that it is constantly having small contractions periodically interrupted by stronger ones. Much later in gestation (at about the sixth month) these contractions may be palpated. Described by John Braxton Hicks in 1872, they are now named after him. In Chapter 2 (Figure 2-2) it was shown that the nonpregnant uterus is never at rest during the reproductive age of the patient. In fact it is never quiescent, not even around implantation time (Figure 5-1) or in the early weeks of gestation (Figure 5-2). Later in pregnancy the periods of apparent quiescence may be longer, but with intrauterine catheters it is possible to record clear activity in early and middle second trimester of gestation (Figures 5-3 and 5-4). These contractions are not palpable and their function and significance are not known.
Protein kinase C and dopamine release--I. Measurement by thiophosphorylation.

Abstract To examine the hypothesis that protein kinase C (PKC) plays a role in the release of dopamine (DA) in the nigrostriatal pathway, a new thiophosphorylation procedure was developed to monitor PKC activity. In this method, tissues were incubated with adenosine 5'-[γ-thio 35 S]triphosphate, and the transfer of the γ-thiophosphoryl group to histones or endogenous substrate proteins was measured. The thiophosphorylation showed a marked dependency on both calcium and lipids, and the endogenous substrate proteins being thiophosphorylated were similar to those reported as being specific substrates of PKC using [ 32 P]ATP. Furthermore, the thiophosphorylation activity measured in the presence of calcium and lipids did not reflect cAMP-dependent or calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activities. Besides providing an accurate measure of PKC activity, thiophosphorylation has the advantage that it measures a phosphorylating activity that is independent of phosphatase activity because the thio-phosphorylated substrates are resistant to the action of phosphatases.
Analysis of drinking water quality monitoring results in Wusu from 2008 to 2011

Objective:To investigate and understand the sanitary condition of drinking water in Wusu,so as to provide the basis for improving water quality to protect the health of the general public.Methods: 16 water-improving projects and 3 decentralized water supply were monitored each year,and tested according to "Standard test method for drinking water"(GB5750-2006) and evaluated in line with GB5749-2006.Results: In 4 years,280 water samples were tested,the total qualified rate was 61.1%.The unqualified rate of arsenic was the highest(25.2%),followed by the total number of colonies(19.9%),total coliforms(19.4%),Heat-resistant Coliform group(11.2%),PH(10.7%).Microbiological indicators had the widest distribution area among the unqualified items.Arsenic and fluoride were mainly in the northern part of Wusu.Conclusion: In Wusu,water sanitation was not optimistic,water quality should be further improved and synchronization of small centralized and decentralized water supply projects should be strengthened.
The Troubled Future of Global Banking

It seems clear, based on what we have seen in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008, that all of the large banks will have to change to survive as viable financial service enterprises. The new regulatory regime has brought the era of banks as growth stocks to a close. A different business model will have to be discovered, one that can satisfy investors with a lesser growth rate, but more efficiency, fewer trading losses and litigation settlements, and greater predictability and dividend growth. The banks will also have to recognize that increasingly the function of financial intermediaries is to process transactions efficiently for clients, an activity that depends much more on technology and organizational management than on star-power deal making. Reorienting banks to such an axis will reduce compensation demands, free up capital from trading books and enable banks to enjoy more breathing room for marketing, product development and automation. In so reorienting, banks will realize that the requirement of transaction processing are very different from those of capital market new issues and proprietary trading and investing thus justifying a sale or spin off of these more traditional investment banking activities. Regulators must also realize that their extraordinary intervention after 2008 has affected free markets for capital services, raising the cost of, and diminishing access to capital by those who need it for economic activity. The regulatory intervention was very imperfect – coming quickly, without cost-benefit analysis or a full understanding of the consequences to financial markets. Regulators should recognize that they will need to repeal some of the more costly and less useful parts of the tough new regulatory regime to preserve the good health of the financial services industry.
Quantitative electroencephalographic correlates of psychosis in Alzheimer disease.

Objective We hypothesized that the distinctive neurobiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) with psychosis would be reflected in more severe abnormalities in frontal and temporal regions on quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). Background Patients with AD and psychosis have more rapid cognitive decline and greater pathologic involvement of frontal and temporal cortex than AD patients without psychotic features. Method We evaluated brain function using QEEG in a group of 44 patients who had a diagnosis of probable or possible AD. All patients were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory to assess psychiatric symptoms, including the presence of hallucinations and delusions. Absolute and relative power in patients with and without psychosis were compared to determine if there were regional or global QEEG differences in these two groups. Results Patients with psychosis showed greater overall absolute and relative delta power but no regional predominance of slowing compared with those without psychosis. Those with psychosis had a concomitant decrease in relative alpha power. These differences remained after adjustment for different dementia severity in the two groups. Conclusions This finding suggests more severe brain dysfunction in patients with psychosis than in those with similar levels of cognitive impairment but without psychosis. The QEEG abnormalities were not regionally specific and involved all areas assessed.
A quantitative morphological assessment of the effect of lidoflazine and deferoxamine therapy on global brain ischaemia.

The effect of the combination of two drugs, i.e. lidoflazine (a calcium antagonist), and deferoxamine (an iron chelator) was evaluated following 15 min global brain ischaemia (GBI) and reperfusion in dogs in a randomized blind study. GBI was produced by complete cardiac arrest of 15 min duration. Histopathological analysis performed on in situ fixed brains 40 h post-resuscitation revealed diffuse microhaemorrhages in the control group. These were noted rarely in the treatment group, the mean value of foci of microhaemorrhages/20 low power fields (LPF) being 5.2 in the treatment group versus 28 in the control group (p > 0.001). Diffuse coagulative necrosis of neurons (ischaemic cell change) in the cerebral cortex, especially lamina 3, hippocampus, striatum, brain stem and cerebellum was present in all cases. Quantitation of the degree of cellular damage obtained by counting the number of anoxic neurons (in consistent regions of the brain) with the use of an image analysis system, revealed no significant di...
Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease and Associated Medical Comorbidities: A National Cross-Sectional Study of US Veterans.

Objective: Calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (CPDD) is a common cause of acute and chronic arthritis, yet there are few large epidemiologic studies of CPDD. We sought to characterize CPDD in the national Veterans Affairs (VA) population. Methods: Patients with International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9) codes for CPDD seen at any VA medical center from 2010 through 2014 were matched by age and gender with control patients without CPDD, using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse. We used multivariate analysis to compare the prevalence and odds ratios (OR; 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of various co-morbidities, substance use, medication exposures, and arthroplasties among patients with and without CPDD. Results: We identified 25,157 patients with CPDD yielding a point prevalence of 5.2 per 1000. The average age was 68.1 ±12.3 years old and 95% were male. The strongest positive associations with CPDD were hyperparathyroidism (OR 3.35; 95% CI 2.96, 3.79), gout (2.82; 2.69, 2.95), osteoarthritis (2.26; 2.15, 2.37), rheumatoid arthritis (1.88; 1.74, 2.03), and hemochromatosis (1.87; 1.57, 2.24). Positive associations were also seen with higher odds for osteoporosis (1.26; 1.16, 1.36), hypomagnesemia (1.23; 1.16, 1.30), chronic kidney disease (1.12; 1.07, 1.18), and calcium supplementation (1.15; 1.06, 1.24). Negative associations were seen with proton pump inhibitors (0.58; 0.55, 0.60) and loop diuretics (0.80; 0.76, 0.84). Conclusion: Using a large national dataset, we confirmed known CPDD associations, provided support for positive associations with rheumatoid arthritis, hypomagnesemia, and osteoporosis, and suggest potential novel negative associations with commonly used medications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Clinical Experience With Penile Traction Therapy Among Men Undergoing Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum for Peyronie Disease.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes in men undergoing collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) with concurrent penile traction therapy (PTT) for the treatment of Peyronie disease (PD). Materials and Methods We identified patients treated with CCH between March 2014 and July 2016. Patients were recommended to perform modeling and PTT between injection series. A final curve assessment was performed after patients completed CCH. A prospective database was maintained, including patient-reported frequency and duration of PTT. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate outcomes based on use and duration of PTT. Results A total of 51 patients completed CCH and had complete objective data available for analysis. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) baseline curvature was 66.7 (25.0) degrees, and mean (SD) improvement post CCH was 20.9 (17.3) degrees (P < .0001). Thirty-five (69%) men reported daily PTT for a mean (SD) of 9.8 (6.3) hours per week. No significant difference was identified in the degree of curve improvement based on frequency or duration of PTT (P = .40). Similarly, no associations between PTT and functional outcomes including intercourse restoration and surgery prevention were identified. Stretched penile length increased nonsignificantly by a mean (SD) of +0.4 (1.5) cm in the PTT group, compared with −0.35 (1.5) in the non-PTT group (P = .21). Conclusion The current series represents a “true-to-life” experience, wherein utilization patterns, attrition, and compliance issues are relevant factors impacting efficacy. PTT use with the Andropenis declined in both frequency and duration with subsequent injection series, and there was no significant difference in curve improvement or stretched penile length with a mean 10 hours of weekly concurrent PTT.
Mechanics I: Kinematics

It is shown here how to use Finite Differences to calculate displacement, velocity, and acceleration using a discretized approximation, that in a general undergraduate Physics course would be obtained by using derivatives and integrals. Both ways are illustrated (i) the calculation of the kinematic quantities from a known trajectory, and (ii) the calculation of the trajectory by knowing the acceleration field in the space. The possible errors that can be made are illustrated in detail, in particular how a small error in calculating a trajectory can amplify when solving for a long trajectory.
NCAA football television viewership: Product quality and consumer preference relative to market expectations

Abstract The authors estimate the determinants of college football television viewership across the full quality spectrum of contests and test whether consumer preferences vary based on changes in the attributes of the core product. They utilize national television viewership data at the individual game level over a three season period and estimate numerous consumer demand models using zero-truncated negative binomial regression. The results indicate a lack of support for anticipated outcome uncertainty, but support for contests where actual outcomes are closer than market expectations. Consumer preferences are not consistent across game qualities, which may indicate that game type is linked to variation in the consumer base and reference-dependent preferences. The findings may also explain why the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis is supported in some contexts, but not others. Preference for absolute quality also dominates preference for relative quality. This finding has important implications for contest scheduling. Given the common practice of advance scheduling creates sub-optimal conference and network television schedules, stakeholders could be leaving television revenues on the table.
Slavery, the South, and Ethical Remembrancing

This chapter probes the ethics of historical memory by considering two contemporary developments having to do with Southern race hatred, slavery, and the complex dynamics of remembering/commemorating problematic histories: the killings by Dylann Roof at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina; and the recent revelations about Georgetown University’s slaveholding past (having to do with Irish Jesuit priests) and the University’s current attempts to come to terms with that past.
Fractal Measures (Their Infinite Moment Sequences and Dimensions) and Multiplicative Chaos: Early Works and Open Problems

An infinite sequence of moments is needed to describe a fractal measure. This fact is widely known today, largely thanks to several speakers at this conference, who either refer to it, or push well beyond. Here, I propose to sketch the extensive early background in my work (before 1968) on the theory of turbulent intermittency. This old story matters, because my general procedure also brings forward a number of topics that have not been duplicated, and calls attention to interesting open issues.
Erratum to: The R-completion of a space

In this chapter we define, for every space X and (commutative) ring R, a functorial R-completion of X and prove some of its basic properties. We also show that there is a corresponding notion of fibre-wise R-completion.
Reliably Arranging Objects in Uncertain Domains

A crucial challenge in robotics is achieving reliable results in spite of sensing and control uncertainty. In this work, we explore the conformant planning approach to robot manipulation. In particular, we tackle the problem of pushing multiple planar objects simultaneously to achieve a specified arrangement without external sensing. Conformant planning is a belief-state planning problem. A belief state is the set of all possible states of the world, and the goal is to find a sequence of actions that will bring an initial belief state to a goal belief state. To do forward belief-state planning, we created a deterministic belief-state transition model from supervised learning based on off-line physics simulations. We compare our method with an on-line physics-based manipulation approach and show significantly reduced planning times and increased robustness in simulated experiments. Finally, we demonstrate the success of this approach in simulations and physical robot experiments.
Success of reiterative instruction: Looking at faculty-librarian collaboration to improve information literacy in political science education

AbstractThe purpose of this case study was to ascertain if college students’ information literacy improves through a faculty-librarian collaboration involving a session of library instruction as pa...
Quantification of Energy Saving Potential for A Passenger Train Based on Inter-Run Variability in Speed Trajectories:

Passenger train energy consumption is dependent on speed trajectories. The variability of passenger train energy consumption owing to the variability in speed trajectories can help identify ways to...
Beamforming Oriented Topology Control for mmWave Networks

The millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band is a promising candidate for next generation cellular and wireless networks. To compensate the significantly higher path loss due to the higher frequency, the mmWave band usually uses the beamforming technology. However, this makes the network topology control a great challenge. In this paper, we propose a novel framework for network topology control in mmWave networks, termed Beamforming Oriented tOpology coNtrol (BOON). The objective is to reduce total transmit power of base stations and interference between beams. BOON smartly groups nearby user equipment into clusters, constructs sets from user equipment clusters, and associates user equipment to base stations and beams. We compare BOON with three existing topology control schemes in terms of transmit power, network sum rate, signal to interference and noise ratio, and computation complexity. The results indicate that overall BOON significantly outperforms them. In particular, on average BOON uses only 10, 32, and 25 percent transmit power of other three schemes, respectively, to achieve the same network sum rate.
TRIPLET STATE PROPERTIES OF 7-AZATRYPTOPHAN AND 5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN : ANALYSIS OF DELAYED SLOW-PASSAGE ODMR RESPONSES

The triplet state properties of 7-azatryptophan (7AW), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HW), and the 5HW anion (pH = 12.3) have been investigated by optically detected magnetic resonance, ODMR, in zero applied field. Also the triplet state properties of tryptophan (Trp) have been reexamined. Analysis of “slow-passage” ODMR responses during phosphorescence decay (delayed ODMR) that contain the effects of fast passage is introduced using Marquardt−Levenberg nonlinear least-squares fitting. The parameters determined by the analysis of delayed ODMR are the band center frequency (ν0) and bandwidth (ν1/2) of the inhomogeneously broadened ODMR band, the apparent decay constants of the triplet sublevels, and their relative radiative rate constants. The values of ν0 and ν1/2 are obtained with greater accuracy than is possible with analysis that does not account for fast passage effects on the band shape. The kinetic parameters are influenced somewhat by residual spin−lattice relaxation (SLR) effects, however. The zero-field ...
From a Distance: Geographic Proximity, Partisanship, and Public Attitudes toward the U.S.–Mexico Border Wall:

The wall along the U.S.–Mexico border has become one of the most controversial issues in the immigration debate. Although the American public is often aligned with partisan predispositions, often i...
Cationic shield mediated electrodeposition stability in metal electrodes

High-energy-density rechargeable batteries, comprising metal electrodes, such as lithium metal anodes, are desirable to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy storage. Metallic dendrite formation, however, poses a critical challenge leading to inferior cycling performance and safety concerns. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the electrochemical–transport complexation underlying the cationic shield mechanism, attributed to the presence of additive cations which holds promise toward mitigating dendritic electrodeposition. It is found that the dendrite growth is significantly alleviated by the electrostatic shield in the reaction-kinetics-limited regime, while this effect relies on the concentration of additive cations physically adsorbed to dendrite tips. Furthermore, the competition between the reaction rate and transport rate of additive cations plays a pivotal role in dendrite suppression. In the transport-limited regime, the cationic shield mechanism assists in relatively uniform growth of the otherwise dendritic features. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the cationic shield mechanism and demonstrates its potential toward stable electrodeposition.
Shallow Genome Sequencing for Phylogenomics of Mycorrhizal Fungi from Endangered Orchids

Author(s): Unruh, Sarah; Pires, Chris; Zettler, Lawrence; Erba, Luigi; Grigoriev, Igor; Barry, Kerrie; Daum, Christopher; Lipzen, Anna; Stajich, Jason | Abstract: ABSTRACT Most plant species form symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi and this relationship is especially important for orchids. Fungi in the genera Tulasnella, Ceratobasidium, and Serendipita are critically important for orchid germination, growth and development. The goals of this study are to understand the phylogenetic relationships of mycorrhizal fungi and to improve the taxonomic resources for these groups. We identified 32 fungal isolates with the internal transcribed spacer region and used shallow genome sequencing to functionally annotate these isolates. We constructed phylogenetic trees from 408 orthologous nuclear genes for 50 taxa representing 14 genera, 11 families, and five orders in Agaricomycotina. While confirming relationships among the orders Cantharellales, Sebacinales, and Auriculariales, our results suggest novel relationships between families in the Cantharellales. Consistent with previous studies, we found the genera Ceratobasidium and Thanatephorus of Cerabotasidiaceae to not be monophyletic. Within the monophyletic genus Tulasnella , we found strong phylogenetic signals that suggest a potentially new species and a revision of current species boundaries (e.g. Tulasnella calospora ); however it is premature to make taxonomic revisions without further sampling and morphological descriptions. There is low resolution of Serendipita isolates collected. More sampling is needed from areas around the world before making evolutionary-informed changes in taxonomy. Our study adds value to an important living collection of fungi isolated from endangered orchid species, but also informs future investigations of the evolution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi.
Modified Radical Mastectomy

This chapter discusses technical aspects of modified radical mastectomy including instrumentation and equipment, patient positioning, incision, anterior chest wall and axillary dissection, hemostasis, irrigation and drainage, and wound dressing. The authors also offer pearls and pitfalls.
Chapter 3 – Characterization of Nonideal Solutions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the characterization of nonideal solutions. It describes the proper characterization of the chemical potentials of the constituents. Once this quantity is known, all thermodynamic properties of the system may be determined. Particular emphasis is placed on the many alternative concentration units that may be adopted. It ensures that the final mathematical formulations uniquely describe a given experimental situation.
Software-Illustrated Explanations of Econometrics Contributions by CR Rao for his 100-th Birthday

Since the vast array of scientific contributions by Dr. C. R. Rao are difficult to summarize in a short paper, we focus on (1) concepts relevant for applied statisticians including econometricians, (2) using the R software to explain the concepts to be better understood by Economics students who may lack sufficient background in mathematical statistics, (3) topics that are covered in publicly and freely available R packages. The range of R packages influenced by Rao’s research is impressive. Dr. Rao will be 100 years old in 2020, and it is high time the Economics profession recognizes and honors his foundational contributions to econometrics.
Short-term sleep deprivation immediately after contextual conditioning inhibits BDNF signaling and disrupts memory consolidation in predator odor trauma mice model of PTSD.

Abstract Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric illness affecting > 7 million people every year in the US. Recently, we have shown that the mouse model of predator odor trauma (POT) displayed contextual conditioning and core features of PTSD including sleep disturbances (hyperarousal) and retrieval of traumatic memories following exposure to objective reminders (re-experiencing). PTSD is a disorder of memory function. Since memory consolidation requires the expression of BDNF along with an activation of MAPK/pERK signaling pathway in limbic brain structures (hippocampus and amygdala) and sleep favors memory consolidation, we hypothesized that short-term sleep deprivation (SD, 3 h), immediately after contextual conditioning will attenuate molecular correlates of memory consolidation, sleep disturbances, and memory consolidation. We performed two experiments in adult male C57BL/6J mice to test our hypothesis. Experiment 1 determined the effects of SD on contextual conditioning and changes in sleep wakefulness. Experiment 2 determined the effects of SD on contextual conditioning-induced changes in the expression of BDNF and pERK in hippocampus and amygdala. SD immediately after contextual conditioning (POT + SD group) significantly attenuated sleep disturbances, memory retrieval, and expression of pERK and BDNF in the hippocampus and amygdala as compared to POT-SD group (no SD after contextual conditioning). No significant differences were observed between POT + SD, NOC-SD (no contextual conditioning + no SD), and NOC + SD (no contextual conditioning + SD) groups. Memory consolidation requires sleep and the expression of pERK and BDNF in hippocampus and amygdala immediately after contextual conditioning in POT model of PTSD in mice.
Position-based multi-agent dynamics for real-time crowd simulation

Exploiting the efficiency and stability of Position-Based Dynamics (PBD), we introduce a novel crowd simulation method that runs at interactive rates for hundreds of thousands of agents. Our method enables the detailed modeling of per-agent behavior in a Lagrangian formulation. We model short-range and long-range collision avoidance to simulate both sparse and dense crowds. On the particles representing agents, we formulate a set of positional constraints that can be readily integrated into a standard PBD solver. We augment the tentative particle motions with planning velocities to determine the preferred velocities of agents, and project the positions onto the constraint manifold to eliminate colliding configurations. The local short-range interaction is represented with collision and frictional contact between agents, as in the discrete simulation of granular materials. We incorporate a cohesion model for modeling collective behaviors and propose a new constraint for dealing with potential future collisions. Our new method is suitable for use in interactive games.
Framework to field: preparing preservice teachers to engage diverse families through science

The instructional congruence framework has been used to enhance congruence between students’ non-dominant backgrounds and science instruction in upper grades. The purpose of this paper is to propos...
Addressing Spirituality in Its Clinical Complexities: Its Potential for Healing, Its Potential for Harm

The decade of the 1990s brought increasing acknowledgment by mental health clinicians of the importance of spirituality in many clients' and patients' lives. This acknowledgment has opened therapy to healing resources that spirituality can offer. However, it also means that a clinician must address how spirituality can be expressed destructively. We illustrate a clinical approach towards elucidating this complexity, supporting healing roles for spirituality while countering harmful ones, through the telling of one mother and son's journey in search of treatment for a disabling psychiatric disorder. These clinical principles characterize a collaborative, dialogical approach for engaging a person's spiritual life in therapy, both its potential for healing and potential for harm.
An Absorbing Study of Cholesterol

We obtain sterols from the animal and plant food that we eat. How these plant and animal sterols are absorbed, transported around the body, and excreted has been the subject of much investigation. In a Perspective, [Allayee and colleagues][1] discuss a new study ([ Berge et al. ][2]) that implicates two new ABC transporter proteins in the efflux of plant and animal sterols from gut epithelial cells into the gut lumen. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/290/5497/1709 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/290/5497/1771
The Cosmochemical Record of Carbonaceous Meteorites: An Evolutionary Story

Esta resena resume una conferencia impartida en marzo pasado en El Colegio Nacional en el Simposio "Sobre el origen de la vida en la Tierra" organizado para la celebracion del Bicentenario del nacimiento de Darwin. Se informa sobre los materiales organicos extraterrestres encontrados en meteoritos que contienen carbono, su composicion, origen probable y su posible contribucion prebiotica al ambiente terrestre incial. Esta quimica abiotica incluye estructuras diversas, tales como macromoleculas querogenicas y compuestos solubles simples, como amino acidos, aminas y polioles, y muestran una composicion isotopica que confirma su origen extraterrestre y su linaje sintetico cosmoquimico. Algunos compuestos meteoriticos tienen contrapartes identicas en la biosfera y apoyan la propuesta referente a que su envio exogeno a la Tierra primitiva podria haber favorecido la evolucion molecular. Particularmente sugerente en este aspecto es la asimetria L exclusiva como su rica y casi exclusiva composicion soluble en agua tambien descubierta en otros tipos de meteoritos
Measuring the Flow through the Kerama Gap

Abstract : The principal flows in and out of the East China Sea (ECS) are through gaps in the Ryukyu Ridge. Since about 20 Sverdrups (Sv) of Kuroshio mean flow enters and exits through two of them, those two are especially well known: the East Taiwan Channel (sill depth 775 m) at the ridge's southwestern end, and the Tokara Strait (sill depth 690 m) near its northeastern end. But the deepest channel connecting the ECS to the surrounding ocean is near the mid-point of the ridge. This is the Kerama Gap, about 50 km wide with sill depth 1050 m. Little is reliably known about the flow through the Kerama Gap. Mean-flow estimates from measurements and models range from 0.9 Sv out of the East China Sea to 7.2 Sv into it. Knowledge of the flow variability is even more uncertain, but there is evidence of transport variations with magnitude of a few Sv caused by impingement of Philippine Sea eddies from the east at intervals of a few months. Our main purpose in this project is to make a reliable determination of the varying flow through the Kerama Gap. On time scales ranging from two days to two years, our main objectives are to test the following three hypotheses: (1) increase in transport through the Kerama Gap is associated with (a) an increase in ECS-Kuroshio transport across the PN-line, north of Okinawa, and (b) a decrease in Ryukyu Current transport east of Okinawa about two months earlier; (2) the arrival of anticyclonic (cyclonic) eddies at the eastern side of the Kerama Gap is associated with an increase (decrease) of transport through the Gap; and (3) variations in wind stress over the local region cause variation in the flow through the Kerama Gap.
Scaffolding learner motivation through a virtual peer

It is well-documented that advanced technology can scaffold learning and cognitive development and also that human-peer models in classrooms positively influence learner motivation, in particular, self-efficacy in specific tasks. This paper describes three exploratory studies that investigated the potential of virtual peers (VP, animated digital characters designed as peer-like) to scaffold college students' motivation towards lesson-planning tasks. The studies examined how differing characteristics of the VPs motivated learners, as measured by learners' task-related self-efficacy beliefs and learner interest in the task and in working with the VPs. Study 1 examined the competency and interaction type of a VP; Study 2 examined the gender and emotional expression of VPs; and Study 3 examined the gender and emotional response of VPs. Results indicated the close relationships between learner motivation and VP characteristics. These findings support for the instructional utility of the virtual peers as motivational scaffolds.