cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Loud Surgeon Behind the Console: Understanding Team Activities During Robot-Assisted Surgery.

Objectives To design a data collection methodology to capture team activities during robot-assisted surgery (RAS) (team communications, surgical flow, and procedural interruptions), and use relevant disciplines of Industrial Engineering and Human Factors Engineering to uncover key issues impeding surgical flow and guide evidence-based strategic changes to enhance surgical performance and improve outcomes. Design Field study, to determine the feasibility of the proposed methodology. Setting Recording the operating room (OR) environment during robot-assisted surgeries (RAS). The data collection system included recordings from the console and 3 aerial cameras, in addition to 8 lapel microphones (1 for each OR team member). Questionnaires on team familiarity and cognitive load were collected. Participants In all, 37 patients and 89 OR staff members have consented to participate in the study. Results Overall, 37 RAS procedures were recorded (130 console hours). A pilot procedure was evaluated in detail. We were able to characterize team communications in terms of flow, mode, topic, and form. Surgical flow was evaluated in terms of duration, location, personnel involved, purpose, and if movements were avoidable or not. Procedural interruptions were characterized according to their duration, cause, mode of communication, and personnel involved. Conclusion This methodology allowed for the capture of a wide variety of team activities during RAS that would serve as a solid platform to improve nontechnical aspects of RAS.
Verification & Analysis of No.3 Generator Unit PSS Performance in Ankang Hydropower Station Through System Disturbance Test

With the expansion of network construction scale,large network with weak connection presents weak damping.Low frequency oscillation often occurs when system is disturbed.PSS(Power System Stabilizer)is an effective measure to improve system damping,calm down system oscillation.In the light of No.3 generator unit PSS in Ankang Hydropower Station,through on-load tripping disturbance test on loop 2 of An-Nan transmission line,the effectiveness of theoretical calc, ulation data setting measuring data setting is compared and analyzed,the actual performance of PSS its effect upon system stability are verified.
Production Rule of By-products in Different Disinfection Processes of Tap Water

Taking four WTPs using different disinfection processes and the same water source in a city as research object,the production rule of by-products in conventional liquid chlorine disinfection process and the combined process of chlorine dioxide and liquid chlorine was investigated.The results show that the content of by-products in the finished water from four WTPs is inferior to the national standard.The production of chlorination by-products can be effectively controlled by pre-chlorination with chlorine dioxide.The effect of the combined process on chlorination by-products is related to the mixture ratio of two disinfectors and the formation of precursors in source water.The effective action time of chlorine dioxide is shorter.WTPs with a large water supply area should apply the combined process to control chlorination by-products and ensure water quality in water distribution system.
246 FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY IN HISPANIC TYPE II DIABETICS.

Some chronic diseases are thought to be positively correlated with early developmental stressors. Fluctuating asymmetry is a composite of several bilateral morphological trait differences. It serves as a useful index of developmental instability. This study tested whether there is a relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and type II diabetics and was part of a larger study of relationships between early life events and chronic diseases. Patients, visitors, and staff of five southern California hospitals participated. Six lower arm and hand traits were compared bilaterally. An electronic caliper was used to measure the length of the lower arm, ulna, hand, and third proximal phalange. The width of the hand and wrist was also recorded. Type II diabetics demonstrated significantly more fluctuating asymmetry than their control counterparts (Mann-Whitney p = .015). Greater fluctuating asymmetry was found only in Hispanics. The Hispanic subsample consists of 73 type II diabetics and 33 controls. The mean age of the experimental group was 46.9 and included 38 males and 35 females. The control group was somewhat younger (mean 38.3 years) and comprised 10 males and 23 females. No significant correlation was found between fluctuating asymmetry and age or gender. The results of this study imply that Hispanic type II diabetics are exposed to increased levels of stress early in development.
Evolution of Structural Empowerment: Moving From Shared to Professional Governance.

Objective The aim of this study is to describe the maturation of the concept of shared governance to professional governance as a framework for structural empowerment. Background An analysis of the literature and concept clarification of structural empowerment and shared governance demonstrate that the concept and attributes of shared governance have evolved toward professional governance. Methods A comprehensive, deductive literature review and concept clarification of structural empowerment, shared governance, and related constructs was completed. Results The concept and practice of shared governance has matured to a concept of professional governance with the attributes of accountability, professional obligation, collateral relationships, and effective decision-making.
"Missing Tooth" Multidomain Peptide Nanofibers for Delivery of Small Molecule Drugs.

The clinical administration of many small molecule hydrophobic drugs is challenged by the insolubility of these drugs under physiological conditions. Because of this, the development of biocompatible scaffolds capable of effectively delivering hydrophobic drug molecules is of particular interest. Multidomain peptides (MDPs) provide biocompatible hydrogel scaffolds that are injectable and space-conforming, allowing for in situ delivery of a variety of drugs. Here we demonstrate that through manipulation of peptide primary sequence, a molecular cavity can be incorporated into the hydrophobic core of these peptide nanofibers allowing for encapsulation and delivery of small molecule drugs with poor water solubility. Using SN-38, daunorubicin, diflunisal, etodolac, levofloxacin, and norfloxacin, we demonstrate drug encapsulation and release from multidomain peptide fibers. Steady-state fluorescence and drug release studies show that hydrogels loaded with SN-38, diflunisal, and etodolac exhibit prolonged drug r...
Accuracy of endoscopists' estimate of polyp size: A continuous dilemma.

AIM: To examine the discrepancy, if any, between the endoscopist’s estimate and pathologist’s measurement of colonic polyp size. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 88 patients who underwent colonoscopy with a clear unequivocal documentation of polyp size by both endoscopist and pathologist. Endoscopist measurements were based on the visual estimate of polyp size seen on high definition screens. The measurement was done by our pathologists after formalin fixation. We compared the endoscopist estimate of the polyp size to the pathologist measurement in order to explore the discordance between the two readings. Data regarding demographics and method of polypectomy (snare polypectomy vs excisional biopsy) was collected, as well. Statistical analysis software (SAS) was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Our cohort included 88 patients from which 111 polyps were removed. Fifty-two (46.8%) of the 111 polyps were excised using biopsy forceps and fifty-nine (53.2%) were removed by snare. In the biopsy forceps group, the mean polyp size documented by the pathologist was 0.38 ± 0.19 cm and the mean polyp size documented by the endoscopist was 0.54 ± 0.16 cm. The mean difference was 0.16 cm (P < 0.001). In the snare group, the mean polyp size documented by the pathologist was 0.54 ± 0.24 cm and the mean polyp size documented by the endoscopist 0.97 ± 0.34 cm. The mean difference was 0.43 cm (P < 0.001). Combining both groups, the mean size documented by pathologist was 0.46 ± 0.23 cm compared to 0.76 ± 0.35 cm documented by the endoscopist. The mean difference was 0.3 cm (95%CI: 0.23-0.36). CONCLUSION: Post polypectomy measurement by the pathologist are generally smaller than the endoscopist’s estimate.
Surface Formation Study Using a 3-D Explicit Finite Element Model of Machining of Gray Cast Iron☆

Abstract Gray cast iron is the material of choice for machine tool structural components. However, since cast iron is a multiphase, anisotropic material it is difficult to machine to a high quality surface finish. To gain insight into the surface formation mechanisms during the machining of gray cast iron an explicit 3-D finite element cutting simulation was developed. To capture the anisotropic nature of gray cast iron flakes were modelled using zero thickness cohesive elements embedded in a pearlite matrix modelled using solid elements. The simulated cutting forces, surface formation, and finished surfaces were examined.
Leukokinins-clinical entities of neoplasia?

Leukokinins are high molecular weight polypeptides which our laboratory first described. They are potent pharmacological mediators released by an acid protease found in white cells and neoplastic cells. The name leukokinin is derived from leuko — or white cells, the initial source of the enzyme. However, they were also found in L-1210 cells, a human leukemia-derived tumor as well as other tumor cells. Since these polypeptides resembled brady-kinin in their pharmacological properties the class of peptides were named leukokinins.
Moving toward silent MRI acquisitions: Increasing patient comfort by reducing the acoustic noise

James H. Holmes has completed his M.S. in Physics at the University of Iowa and Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies at the University of WisconsinMadison in functional lung imaging including hyperpolarized gas MRI. He is currently an MR scientist with the Global Applied Science Laboratory in the advanced applications and workflow team of GE Healthcare, a premier worldwide healthcare manufacturer and developer. He holds an honorary fellowship appointment with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has published 19 papers in reputed journals and was a Young Investigator Award finalist during the 2009 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Moving toward silent MRI acquisitions: Increasing patient comfort by reducing the acoustic noise
The Psychophysical Relationship Between Color and Sodium Chloride Concentrations in Model Systems.

A 10-member taste panel evaluated the effect of color on salt perception using magnitude estimation. Samples, colored to simulate commercial chicken broth were formulated by addition of increasing amounts (0.00 - 4.10%) of 0.05% FD&C Red 40 to a constant volume of 0.10% FD&C Yellow 5 in double-distilled deionized water. In each of four experiments, five color intensities were evaluated at five NaCl concentrations over a range of 0.14 - 1.06% (w/v). The Gardner XL - 23 colorimeter was used to obtain L, a and b values from which the objective color parameter log cot-1 (a/b) was calculated. Log cot-1 (a/b) correlated well with log color intensity and was therefore, suitable as a predictor. In all experiments, panelists were able to detect differences among the NaCl concentrations (P<0.001) regardless of color. The perception of saltiness increased with increasing salt concentration as a linear power function with slopes greater than one. Although color tended to confuse the perception of saltiness, this effect was not significant.
Eat What You Hear: Gustasonic Discourses and the Material Culture of Commercial Sound Recording

This article analyzes discursive linkages between acts of listening and eating within a combined multisensory regime that the authors label the gustasonic. Including both marketing discourses mobil...
Re-Collecting Black Hawk: Landscape, Memory, and Power in the American Midwest

Review of: "Re-Collecting Black Hawk: Landscape, Memory, and Power in the American Midwest," by Nicholas A. Brown and Sarah E. Kanouse.
An Achievable Rate Region Based on Coset Codes for Multiple Access Channel With States

We prove that the ensemble of the nested coset codes built on finite fields achieves the capacity of arbitrary discrete memoryless point-to-point channels. Exploiting its algebraic structure, we develop a coding technique for communication over general discrete multiple access channel with channel state information distributed noncausally at the transmitters. We build an algebraic coding framework for this problem using the ensemble of Abelian group codes and, thereby, derive a new achievable rate region. We identify non-additive and non-symmetric examples for which the proposed achievable rate region is strictly larger than the one achievable using random unstructured codes.
Increase in Interleukin-6 in the First Hour after Coronary Stenting: An Early Marker of the Inflammatory Response

Background: Inflammation after coronary stenting presages adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While changes in inflammatory markers have been defined 24–72 hours after PCI, potential changes during the first few hours have not. This study was designed to determine if a systemic inflammatory response could be measured within the first hour after stenting.
Towards unsupervised learning of thermal comfort using infrared thermography

Abstract Maintaining thermal comfort in built environments is important for occupant health, well-being, and productivity, and also for efficient HVAC system operations. Most of the existing personal thermal comfort learning methods require occupants to provide feedback via a survey to label the monitored environmental or physiological conditions in order to train the prediction models. Accuracy of these models usually drops after the training process as personal thermal comfort is dynamic and changes over time due to climatic variations and/or acclimation. In this paper, we present a hidden Markov model (HMM) based learning method to capture personal thermal comfort using infrared thermography of the human face. We chose human face since its blood vessels has a higher density and it is not covered while performing regular activities in built environments. The learning algorithm has 3 hidden states (i.e., uncomfortably warm, comfortable, uncomfortably cool) and uses discretization for forming the observed states from the continuous infrared measurements. The approach can potentially be used for continuous monitoring of thermal comfort to capture the variations over time. We tested and validated the method in a four-day long experiment with 10 subjects and demonstrated an accuracy of 82.8% for predicting uncomfortable conditions.
Making Strategic Alliances Work

(1990). Making Strategic Alliances Work. Research-Technology Management: Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 12-15.
From Band To Tribe On The Plains11

Cultural ecologists, such as Steward and Shirnkin, hold that the core features of a culture, namely socio-political systems, are closely related to subsistence activities and economic arrangements ...
Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive beams

The quest to comprehend how nuclear processes inuence astrophysical phenomena is driving experimental and theoretical research programs worldwide. One of the main goals in nuclear astrophysics is to understand how energy is generated in stars, how elements are synthesized in stellar events and what the nature of neutron stars is. New experimental capabilities, the availability of radioactive beams and increased computational power paired with new astronomical observations have advanced the present knowledge. This review summarizes the progress in the eld of nuclear astrophysics with a focus on the role of indirect methods and reactions involving beams of rare isotopes.
Programmable In Situ System for Iterative Workflows

We describe an in situ system for solving iterative problems. We specifically target inverse problems, where expensive simulations are approximated using a surrogate model. The model explores the parameter space of the simulation through iterative trials, each of which becomes a job managed by a parallel scheduler. Our work extends Henson [1], a cooperative multi-tasking system for in situ execution of loosely coupled codes.
Ex vivo synthetic immune tissues with T cell signals for differentiating antigen-specific, high affinity germinal center B cells.

Most antigen discovery and vaccine development aimed at driving functional B cell responses rely on mouse immunizations studies. To date, there is no 3D ex vivo immune tissues, which are capable of driving antigen-specific B cell responses to rapidly determine the humoral immunogenicity of antigens, understand the role of extracellular matrix in humoral immunity, and generate high affinity antibody responses. This can be attributed to the complexity of B cell differentiation and affinity maturation process in the germinal center (GC) reaction, which makes these highly specialized cells susceptible to rapid apoptosis ex vivo. We have previously reported immune tissues that show ex vivo GC-like response, however in a non-antigen specific manner. Here, we report a maleimide (MAL)-functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based designer immune tissues that modulate B cell differentiation and enriches antigen-specific GC B cells in the presence of T-cell like signals. With the 3D synthetic immune tissue platform, we assessed various hydrogel design parameters to control ex vivo GC reaction. Using an Ezh2fl/fl Cγ1-cre transgenic mouse model, we demonstrated ex vivo IgG1 antibody class switching. Using immune tissues developed from a B1-8hi mutant mouse that represents a recombined antibody variable region derived from a 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl (NP) hapten binding antibody (B1-8), we demonstrate antigen specificity and selective enrichment of antigen-specific B cells with high affinity at both cell surface and secreted levels in integrin ligand-dependent manner. The ex vivo antigen-specific platform technology offers use in scientific understanding of immunobiology, matrix immunology, and in biotechnology applications, ranging from the antigen testing, vaccine development, and generation of antibodies against diseases.
Local Structure of Feasible Sets in Nonlinear Programming - Part II. Nondegeneracy

In this paper we examine the local structure of the feasible set of a nonlinear programming problem under the condition of nondegeneracy. We introduce this condition, examine its relationships to known properties of optimization problems, and show that when it holds at a given point the portion of the feasible set near that point is diffeomorphic to a simple convex set (often polyhedral). Moreover, this diffeomorphic relation is stable under small changes in the problem functions.
Micro/nanotribological studies of materials using Atomic force microscopy

In this research study we focused on studying the tribological properties of materials using atomic force microscopy techniques (AFM). Especially the tribological properties of fiber materials like natural silks (spider and silkworm) and synthetic materials (Kevlar and Nylon) were studied at micro/nanoscales. It was found that the natural silks (spider silks, silkworm silks) exhibit lower coefficient of friction and work of adhesion values that the synthetic fibers (Kevlar, Nylon). While the natural silks exhibit comparable scratch resistance to the synthetic fibers at low loads, the synthetic fibers tend to exhibit significantly better scratch resistance at higher loads. Durability of AFM tips were also studied by measuring the change in tip radius of the AFM tips and also utilized the atom probe tomographic (APT) techniques to examine the AFM tips. The measure of change in tip radius indicates the wear resistance of the tips. It was founded that coated tips (silicon nitride and DLC) has good wear resistance compared to pure Si tips and is also confirmed in APT studies.
Efficient Interval Query of Genome Alignment and Interval Databases in Cloud Environment

Interval overlap query has become a fundamental tool for biomedical researches. However, existing methods are either not efficient or hardly to extend. In this paper, cloud computing is applied to solving the limited speed and scalability problems of interval overlap query. First, the NCList algorithm based on centralized environment is applied to cloud computing in order to improve the query efficiency, and the CNCList algorithm is presented. Second, two optimization strategies are proposed to further enhance the query efficiency of CNCList and an advanced algorithm named CNCList + is formed. Third, detailed comparison experiments between CNCList + and CNCList prove the better performance of CNCList + both on query time and scalability, thus demonstrating the excellent capability of CNCList + on solving the limited query speed and scalability problems of interval overlap query.
Pathways for the amplification of agroecology

A transition to an agriculture based on agroecological principles would provide rural families with significant socioeconomic and environmental benefits. If agroecology has such great potential to ...
Measurement and Characterization of a High-Temperature, Coke-Resistant Bi-functional Ni/BZY15 Water-Gas-Shift Catalyst Under Steam-Reforming Conditions

This paper characterizes the bi-functional behavior of a unique, nano-dispersed Ni/BZY15 water-gas-shift catalyst under steam-reforming conditions. The catalyst is highly active above 500 $$^\circ$$ C and has been found to be exceptionally stable in a hydrocarbon steam reforming environment. The performance can be attributed to two features: (1) well dispersed, nano-sized Ni particles with high surface area, and (2) the ability of the redox-active BZY15 support to remove carbon from the Ni. The bi-functionality is demonstrated through a comparison of WGS activity with BZY15 alone and with a traditional $$\text {Al}_2\text {O}_3$$ support. The WGS activity is measured under a range of operating temperatures, steam-to-carbon ratios, and feed-gas flow rates. A series of elementary reaction steps are proposed to explain the bi-functionality and to provide a basis for development of a detailed reaction mechanism.
Potential for Relocation to Alter the Incubation Environment and Productivity of Sea Turtle Nests in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Sea turtle nest relocation is a management strategy commonly used to mitigate hatchling mortality, particularly that due to wave wash-over and tidal groundwater inundation. Relocation can alter the incubation environment, so there is concern regarding potential modifications to embryonic development. Several studies have explored the effects of relocation on nest productivity; however, these studies often only compare reproductive output and incubation environments between relocated and in situ nests without accounting for the incubating environment of the original nest location. We assessed the differences in sand temperature, inundation exposure, grain size, and moisture content between the original and final locations of relocated nests at a loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nesting beach in Fort Morgan, Alabama, as well as differences in nest productivity between in situ and relocated nests. Differences in mean sand temperature, likelihood of inundation, and sand moisture between original–relocated locations and in situ–relocated nests were not significant. Emergence success was significantly lower in relocated vs. in situ nests, and sand grain distributions were significantly different between original and relocated nest locations. Given that relocation did not improve nest productivity nor reduce the likelihood of inundation, this practice conferred minimal net benefit to sea turtle nests on dissipative-to-intermediate beach conditions typical of the northern Gulf of Mexico. To improve the justification for nest relocation under these beach conditions, a better understanding of embryonic tolerance to inundation and clarification of relocation criteria and guidelines is required.
Developing civic competence through action civics: A longitudinal look at the data

Abstract This paper describes student outcomes from participating in a week-long out-of-school action civics program designed to increase students’ civic and political competence and engagement. Using analysis from four years of survey data, this paper presents findings related to changes in students’ civic competence as a result of participating in the program, including findings related to both first time and repeat campers. Data revealed that participants experienced gains in half of the civic competence construct variables, with first-time campers experiencing significant gains in five of the civic competence construct variables. Data analysis suggests that iEngage, an action civics summer experience, was effective in increasing elements of students’ civic competence, including their ability to get people to care about a problem, organize and run a meeting, write an opinion letter or contact a media outlet to express their views, and contact an elected official or community leader to address an issue.
Assessing the Impact of a Game-Centered Mobile App on Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Health Activation.

Background: Older adults’ experience normative age-graded declines in physical and cognitive performance and many must manage one or more chronic conditions. Exercise programs can help to improve both their physical health and their knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing aspects of their own healthcare, yet a significant barrier is motivating them to adhere to such programs. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of a game-centered mobile app (Bingocize®) on older adults’ knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing aspects of their healthcare. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults (N=84) with mobility and not engaged in any structured exercise program were recruited from rural community senior centers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Participants were randomly assigned to (a) a version that included health education, or (b) health education and an exercise component. Participants used the app in a group setting for 10 weeks, twice per week, for one hour. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-10) was used to assess group changes in knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing aspects of their healthcare. The design was a two (Group: Exercise + Health Education vs. Health Education-only) x two (Time: Pre- vs. Post-intervention) and an analyses of variance, with significance p93% in both groups. Conclusion: Bingocize® engendered high attendance and improved health activation of older adults; however, additional research is needed to examine whether changes in activation result in long-term changes in health behavior. The Bingocize® mobile app is an enjoyable and effective way to increase health activation in community-dwelling older adults.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided creation of an enterocolostomy to relieve malignant bowel obstruction.

Background and study aim Malignant bowel obstruction can cause significantly distressing symptoms in patients with end stage cancers, often requiring invasive surgical intervention. With such procedures, risks often outweigh the benefit. We report a novel application of the AXIOS stent and electrocautery-enhanced delivery system to create an enterocolostomy to bypass a small bowel obstruction in the setting of recurrent malignant bowel obstruction. A 72-year-old patient presented with recurrent malignant bowel obstruction and was deemed unfit for surgery. Endoscopic ultrasound was used to deploy an AXIOS stent, creating an enterocolostomy resolving the obstruction.
Classification of Injurious Fall Severity in Hospitalized Adults

Background Many hospital systems in the United States report injurious inpatient falls using the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators categories: None, Minor, Moderate, Major, and Death. The Major category is imprecise, including injuries ranging from a wrist fracture to potentially fatal subdural hematoma. The purpose of this project was to refine the Major injury classification to derive a valid and reliable categorization of the types and severities of Major inpatient fall-related injuries. Methods Based on published literature and ranking of injurious fall incident reports (n = 85) from a large Academic Medical Center, we divided the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators Major category into three subcategories: Major A-injuries that caused temporary functional impairment (eg, wrist fracture), major facial injury without internal injury (eg, nasal bone fracture), or disruption of a surgical wound; Major B-injuries that caused long-term functional impairment or had the potential risk of increased mortality (eg, multiple rib fractures); and Major C-injuries that had a well-established risk of mortality (eg, hip fracture). Based on the literature and expert opinion, our research team reached consensus on an administration manual to promote accurate classification of Major injuries into one of the three subcategories. Results The team tested and validated each of the categories which resulted in excellent interrater reliability (kappa = .96). Of the Major injuries, the distribution of Major A, B, and C was 40.3%, 16.1%, and 43.6%, respectively. Conclusions These subcategories enhance the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators categorization. Using the administration manual, trained personnel can classify injurious fall severity with excellent reliability.
DNA-Templated Synthesis of Fluorescent Silver Nanoclusters

Communicating the flow of genetic information (DNA → RNA → protein) is not only a basis of biochemical education, but also is the essential foundation for understanding the complexity of biological...
Synthesis and Characterization of 3,5-Bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)pyridine Pincer Complexes

The synthesis of some “reverse pyridine” bis(phosphinite) pincer complexes of nickel and rhodium is reported. N-Functionalization of a POCOP ligand with a borane Lewis acid was found to permit cycl...
Large eddy breakup devices as low Reynolds number airfoils

Turbulent drag reduction downstream of large-eddy breakup (LEBU) devices is analyzed from the viewpoint of low-Reynolds number airfoil aerodynamics. It is argued that the variability of results between different research labs is primarily due to low Reynolds number 'phenomena' associated with unsteady separation/transition of the LEBU device boundary layer. LEBU drag reduction is shown to be an extremely sensitive function of device microgeometry at the low Reynolds numbers of all current investigations, and by analogy with conventional low-Reynolds number airfoil testing, the conclusion is drawn that the full potential for LEBU drag reduction must be explored at chord Reynolds numbers of 300,000 and above.
Whistleblowing Motivation and Gender: Vignette-Based Study in a Local Government:

Public administration literature has been building more evidence about whistleblowing and gender, and whistleblowing and public service motivation. Yet, despite the well-developed theoretical argum...
Talking to the brain in its own language: a new approach to treating blindness

Neuroscience research has focused largely on listening to the brain - on taking recordings, analyzing responses, and trying to extract meaning from them. But now we’re entering a new phase where we can go beyond listening and can start talking back to the brain, and we have developed the ability to do it in the brain’s own language. This opens the door to new technologies for treating disease. Here we present the development of one such technology: a new kind of optogenetic prosthetic for treating blindness.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together: But do Humans and Robots? A Meta-Analysis of Human and Robot Personality Matching

Collaborative work between humans and robots holds great potential but, such potential is diminished should humans fail to accept robots as collaborators. One solution is to design robots to have a similar personality to their human collaborators. Typically, this is done by matching the human’s and robot’s personality using one or more of the Big Five Personality (BFI) traits. The results of this matching, however, have been mixed. This makes it difficult to know whether personality similarity promotes robot acceptance. To address this shortcoming, we conducted a systematic quantitative meta- analysis of 13 studies. Overall, the results support the assertion that matching personalities between humans and robots promotes robot acceptance.
Petrous bone lesions: surgical implementation and outcomes of extradural subtemporal approach.

Petrous bone lesions (PBLs) are rare with few reports in the neurosurgical literature. In this study, the authors describe our current technique of extradural subtemporal approach (ESTA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the role and efficacy of ESTA for treatment of the PBLs. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported clinical series of using an ESTA-treated PBLs in which the clinical outcomes were evaluated. Between 1994 and 2019, 67 patients with PBLs treated by ESTA were retrospectively reviewed. Extent of resection, neurological outcomes, recurrence rate, and surgical complications were evaluated and compared with previous studies. The indications, advantages, limitations, and outcomes of ESTA were analyzed according to pathology. This series included 7 facial nerve schwannomas (10.4%), 16 cholesterol granulomas (23.9%), 16 chordomas (23.9%), 6 chondrosarcomas (9%), 5 trigeminal schwannomas (7.5%), 9 epidermoids/dermoids (13.4%), and 8 other pathologies (11.9%). The most common location of PBLs operated with ESTA was at the petrous apex and rhomboid areas (68.7%). Gross total resection was achieved in 35 (55.6%). Symptomatic improvement occurred in 56 patients (83.6%). Complications occurred in 7 (10.4%) of cases including one mortality. Nine patients (17%) had recurrence within the mean follow-up 71 months. Compared to previous literature, our results demonstrated comparable outcomes but with higher rates of hearing and facial nerve preservation as well as minimal morbidity. From our results, ESTA is an effective therapeutic option for lesions located at the rhomboid and petrous apex, particularly when patients presented with intact facial and hearing function. Our series demonstrated that ESTA provided satisfactory outcomes with excellent benefits of hearing and facial function preservation for patients with petrous bone lesions. ESTA should be considered as a safe and effective therapeutic option for selected patients with PBLs.
Composite-Based Nonlinear Transmisison Line as a Complete High Power Microwave System *

Nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) provide high power RF production and solid state construction, which eliminates many auxiliary systems required by conventional HPM systems 1 . NLTLs use field dependent permittivity and/or permeability to achieve pulse sharpening and RF production. Hybrid NLTLs, which combine both nonlinear permittivity and permeability, have only been implemented previously as lumped element NLTLs 2 . We examine the feasibility of constructing hybrid distributed lines containing nonlinear magnetic and dielectric inclusions, which can tune both the linear permittivity and permeability 3 , 4 and the nonlinear permeability 5 .
Photovoltaic response in pristine WSe2 layers modulated by metal-induced surface-charge-transfer doping

We obtained photovoltaic response in pristine multilayer WSe2 by sandwiching WSe2 between top and bottom metals. In this structure, the work-function difference between the top metal and WSe2 plays a critical role in generating built-in potentials and photovoltaic responses. Our devices with Zn as top metal exhibit photo-conversion efficiencies up to 6.7% under 532 nm illumination and external quantum efficiencies in the range of 40%–83% for visible light. This work provides a method for generating photovoltaic responses in layered semiconductors without detrimental doping or exquisite heterostructures, and also advances the physics for modulating the band structures of such emerging semiconductors.
Customized placement for high performance embedded processor caches

In this paper, we propose the use of compiler controlled customized placement policies for embedded processor data caches. Profile driven customized placement improves the sharing of cache resources across memory lines thereby reducing conflict misses and lowering the average memory access time (AMAT) and consequently execution time. Alternatively, customized placement policies can be used to reduce the cache size and associativity for a fixed AMAT with an attendant reduction in power and area. These advantages are achieved with a small increase in complexity of the address translation in indexing the cache. The consequent increase in critical path length is offset by lowered miss rates. Simulation experiments with embedded benchmark kernels show that caches with customized placement provide miss rates comparable to traditional caches with larger sizes and higher associativities.
On the system identification for an optical quality membrane mirrors

In 2001, the Directed Energy Directorate demonstrated the feasibility of an optical quality polymer membrane mirror. This technology has created new set challenges in the area of structures, controls, wavefront correctors, and wavefront sensors. When comparing a membrane mirror to a conventional glass, the optical figure and dynamic stability of a conventional optic is maintained using a structurally stiff mirror, where the aspect ratio of the diameter to thickness is on the order of 10:1. The aspect ratio of a membrane mirror might be on the order of 10/sup 6/:1. The benefit of the membrane is less weight at the cost of significantly more optical aberrations, both static and dynamic. New advanced wavefront control technologies will provide the capability to correct for a significant static aberration but membrane dynamics will prove to be a substantial challenge for the advanced wavefront controller. Thus controlling membrane dynamics is a critical enabling technology. A system identification of the membrane mirror will provide a plant model for the development of the system control architecture. This research will show how one motion sensor can do a reasonably good job of tracking the free response of a planar membrane.
Real Options and Modern Capital Investment Decisions

It has long been recognized that many capital investments feature options. For instance, an assembly plant may be expanded if product demand warrants, a warehouse may be abandoned, and a construction project may be deferred until market conditions are better. It has also been recognized that traditional capital budgeting tools such as net present value and internal rate of return ignore these features. To fill this void, modern option pricing theory has now found its way into the field of capital investment decision making and is referred to as the real options approach to capital budgeting. Keywords: real options; capital budgeting; net present value (NPV); investment timing; capital expansion; project abandonment
Realspace Sovereigns in Cyberspace: Problems with the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA)

This article seeks to fill a critical gap in the current literature relating to the international ordering of cyberspace: the link between jurisdictional assertions by realspace sovereigns and their effects on the global effort to administer the Internet. We analyze the United States' response to disputes over domain names, the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA), which permits a trademark owner to seek cancellation or transfer of the domain name by proceeding in rem against the domain name itself, thereby expanding the scope of the ACPA to encompass disputes with little direct connection to the United States. Congress appears to have developed 15 U.S.C. s. 1125(d)(2) based on a misunderstanding of the constitutional requirements for adjudicative jurisdiction in the U.S. courts; and early court decisions interpreting the provision have perpetuated the misunderstanding. We argue that there exist no cases of foreign cybersquatting (aside from certain cases involving anonymous registrants) as to which the in rem provision will be both applicable and constitutional. In short, the ACPA is notable mainly for its aggressive approach to jurisdiction. This expansive view of jurisdiction reveals the extent to which realspace sovereigns have a critical, and yet overlooked, role in the continued viability of a global unsegmented domain name system. By mapping the logical control over the domain name system - the distributed hierarchy that is the basis of the system's design - onto realspace territory, the potential for sovereign regulation of the system becomes apparent, either under the recognized principles of prescriptive jurisdiction in international law or as a de facto result of the geographic facts of the domain name system. We contend that the ACPA exemplifies uncoordinated actions that are likely to result in segmentation of the domain name system and thus a decline in social welfare.
Scheduling divisible workloads using the adaptive time factoring algorithm

In the past years a vast amount of work has been done in order to improve the basic scheduling algorithms for master/slave computations. One of the main results from this is that the workload of the tasks may be adapted during the execution, using either a fixed increment or decrement (e.g. based on an arithmetical or geometrical ratio) or a more sophisticated function to adapt the workload. Currently, the most efficient solutions are all based on some kind of evaluation of the slaves’ capacities done exclusively by the master. We propose in this paper the Adaptive Time Factoring scheduling algorithm, which uses a different approach distributing the scheduling between slaves and master. The master computes, using the Factoring algorithm, a time slice to be used by each slave for processing, and the slave predicts the correct workload size it should receive in order to accomplish this time slice. The prediction is based on a performance model located on each slave which is refined during the execution of the application in order to provide better predictions. We evaluated the proposed algorithm using a synthetic testbed and compared the obtained results with other scheduling algorithms.
Analysis of nuclear transport in vivo.

Publisher Summary The availability of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria has revolutionized in vivo studies of dynamic processes. A simple combination of genetic engineering and cell biology has already allowed the determination of the intracellular location of a range of proteins, in many cases opening up new avenues of investigation following unexpected results. This chapter describes the approaches to address this problem and focuses on studies in baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), because this model system has shown itself to be particularly amenable to in vivo studies. It is clear that the nuclear export question remains to be addressed, and that GFP fusions may well provide the key. The import of proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus has been shown to be a rate-limiting step in many processes, such as T-cell activation, lending support to the idea that the acquisition of the nuclear membrane was a crucial step in the evolution of eukaryotic cells. Nuclear import is generally thought to comprise three distinct steps: recognition in the cytosol of the protein to be imported by the nuclear localization signal receptor, targeting of this complex to the nuclear pore, and translocation through the pore.
Recent advances in optimal design of thermochemical conversion of biomass to chemicals and liquid fuels

The main objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the methods for optimal design of thermochemical-based biorefineries. Generally speaking, heuristics/knowledge based, steady-state simulation based and mathematical programming are three main approaches. Following a general introduction of thermochemical biomass transformations and brief highlights of main achievements in optimal design of thermochemical-based biorefineries, the associated future opportunities and challenges are presented. An attempt is made with this paper to trigger further efforts to systematically synthesize and design thermochemical biorefineries to accelerate the commercialization of biorefinery technology and further reduce the reliance on petroleum-derived fuels.
Distributed resource discovery in large scale computing systems

There has been significant effort to build high throughput delivering computing systems out of distributed workstations. These systems are growing to accommodate larger number of workstations with growing demand. Discovery of available resources in such environments is a challenging problem. We present a completely distributed resource discovery solution, which utilizes P2P design to provide a scalable service. Our design allows jobs to search for desired workstations, as well as, workstations to search for jobs that may run on them.
Compromised Glutamate Transport in Human Glioma Cells: Reduction–Mislocalization of Sodium-Dependent Glutamate Transporters and Enhanced Activity of Cystine–Glutamate Exchange

Elevated levels of extracellular glutamate ([Glu] o ) can induce seizures and cause excitotoxic neuronal cell death. This is normally prevented by astrocytic glutamate uptake. Neoplastic transformation of human astrocytes causes malignant gliomas, which are often associated with seizures and neuronal necrosis. Here, we show that Na + -dependent glutamate uptake in glioma cell lines derived from human tumors (STTG-1, D-54MG, D-65MG, U-373MG, U-251MG, U-138MG, and CH-235MG) is up to 100-fold lower than in astrocytes. Immunohistochemistry and subcellular fractionation show very low expression levels of the astrocytic glutamate transporter GLT-1 but normal expression levels of another glial glutamate transporter, GLAST. However, in glioma cells, essentially all GLAST protein was found in cell nuclei rather than the plasma membrane. Similarly, brain tissues from glioblastoma patients also display reduction of GLT-1 and mislocalization of GLAST. In glioma cell lines, over 50% of glutamate transport was Na + -independent and mediated by a cystine–glutamate exchanger (system x c − ). Extracellularl-cystine dose-dependently induced glutamate release from glioma cells. Glutamate release was enhanced by extracellular glutamine and inhibited by ( S )-4-carboxyphenylglycine, which blocked cystine–glutamate exchange. These data suggest that the unusual release of glutamate from glioma cells is caused by reduction–mislocalization of Na + -dependent glutamate transporters in conjunction with upregulation of cystine–glutamate exchange. The resulting glutamate release from glioma cells may contribute to tumor-associated necrosis and possibly to seizures in peritumoral brain tissue.
A classification of closure concepts

: Closure has been used in various ways. I propose a classification based on the specification hierarchy formalism, wherein ideas are represented as subclasses, or restrictions, of other ideas, beginning with the most generally applicable concept and working inward to more particular applications. This exercise is part of a revival of nineteenth century natural philosophy. The classification also represents a self-referential developmental system in which the classification itself emerges from the evolutionary process it describes. Since one form of closure builds upon a previously attained form, development traces a loss of evolutionary potential even as each closure gives access into a new, emergent, realm.