cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An abstraction-based approach to 3-D pose determination from range images

An abstraction-based paradigm that makes explicit the process of imposing assumptions on data is discussed. The units of abstraction are models in which levels of abstraction are determined by the degree of assumption necessary for their application. A general-to-specific refinement process provides a mechanism to proceed gracefully through the abstraction hierarchy. This strategy was applied to the recognition and pose determination of objects comprising simple and compound cylindrical and planar surfaces in dense range data. A method of computing reliable Gaussian and mean curvature sign-map descriptors from the polynomial approximations of surfaces is demonstrated. A means for determining the pose of constructed geometric forms whose algebraic surface descriptions are nonlinear in terms of their orienting parameters is developed. It is shown that biquadratic surfaces are suitable companion-linear forms for cylinder approximation and parameter estimation. The estimates provide the initial parametric approximations necessary for a nonlinear regression stage to fine tune the estimates by fitting the actual nonlinear form to the data. >
p53 protein aggregation promotes platinum resistance in ovarian cancer

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the most lethal gynecological cancer, often leads to chemoresistant diseases. The p53 protein is a key transcriptional factor regulating cellular homeostasis. A majority of HGSOCs have inactive p53 because of genetic mutations. However, genetic mutation is not the only cause of p53 inactivation. The aggregation of p53 protein has been discovered in different types of cancers and may be responsible for impairing the normal transcriptional activation and pro-apoptotic functions of p53. We demonstrated that in a unique population of HGSOC cancer cells with cancer stem cell properties, p53 protein aggregation is associated with p53 inactivation and platinum resistance. When these cancer stem cells differentiated into their chemosensitive progeny, they lost tumor-initiating capacity and p53 aggregates. In addition to the association of p53 aggregation and chemoresistance in HGSOC cells, we further demonstrated that the overexpression of a p53-positive regulator, p14ARF, inhibited MDM2-mediated p53 degradation and led to the imbalance of p53 turnover that promoted the formation of p53 aggregates. With in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrated that the inhibition of p14ARF could suppress p53 aggregation and sensitize cancer cells to platinum treatment. Moreover, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry we discovered that the aggregated p53 may function uniquely by interacting with proteins that are critical for cancer cell survival and tumor progression. Our findings help us understand the poor chemoresponse of a subset of HGSOC patients and suggest p53 aggregation as a new marker for chemoresistance. Our findings also suggest that inhibiting p53 aggregation can reactivate p53 pro-apoptotic function. Therefore, p53 aggregation is a potential therapeutic target for reversing chemoresistance. This is paramount for improving ovarian cancer patients' responses to chemotherapy, and thus increasing their survival rate.
Introduction to the Special Issue: ATM Systems and Networks: Basics, Issues, and Performance Modeling and Simulation

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is one of the major enabling technologies of high-speed networking. It is the first technology that allows a corporation to use a common enterprise protocol and infrastructure for voice, data, and video communications. ATM excels when applications require specific quality of service (QoS) and reserved bandwidth. It offers economies of scale in network infrastructure by integrating different traffic types. ATM offers a tighter coupling between the user application and network protocol. It places intelligence into the Wide Area Network (WAN), making the network smarter and allowing the network to become more like a computer and less like a dump transport medium. ATM is the ideal technology when it is desirable for applications with different performance, QoS, and business requirements to be performed on the same computer multiplexer, router, switch, and/or network. It enables network managers to flexibly adapt to changing enterprise communications requirements, evolving busi...
HER2 testing: a review of detection methodologies and their clinical performance.

The ERBB2 proto-oncogene, commonly referred to as the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) gene, encodes a 185 kd receptor tyrosine kinase. Overexpression of the protein leads to constitutive activity of the HER2 receptor and breast tumor development through enhanced cell proliferation, survival, motility and adhesion. Overabundance of the HER2 receptor, typically caused by amplification of the HER2 gene, is present in approximately 10–30% of invasive breast cancers, and is associated with an aggressive disease course and decreased disease-free and overall survival in node-positive patients. Tratuzumab, a humanized murine monoclonal antibody, offers a targeted treatment modality for tumors that over express the HER2 protein. Tratuzumab, shown to be effective and initially approved for treatment of metastatic breast cancer, has recently been shown to be very effective in the adjuvant setting . Thus, to offer prognostic information and to direct appropriate treatment it is important to provide ac...
Changes in salt intake alter the release of multiple renin species in a nonuniform manner

Six distinct forms of renin were found to be released from rat renal cortical slices incubated in vitro. The multiple renin forms were demonstrated using shallow gradient isoelectric focusing, and focused at pH 5.7, 5.55, 5.3, 5.15, 4.9 and 4.8. Before renal cortical slices were prepared, rats were given free access to both high- and low-salt diets containing, respectively, 0.2 or 0.005 mEq Na+/g food. Renal cortical slices prepared from rats maintained on the high-salt diet for 8 days (group I) released significantly different proportions of the six renin forms as well as less total renin when compared to rats first maintained on the high-salt diet for 8 days followed by the low-salt diet for 8 additional days (group II). In a second series of experiments, renal cortical slices prepared from rats maintained on the low-salt diet for 19 days (group III) secreted significantly different proportions of the six renin forms, as well as more total renin when compared to rats first maintained on the low-salt diet for 10 days, followed by the high-salt diet for 4 additional days (group IV). These studies demonstrate that the relative proportions of released multiple renin forms change when the kidney alters its renin secretory rate in response to changes in Na+ intake.
Was muss der Intensivmediziner über den implantierbaren Kardioverter/Defibrillator wissen

Der erste implantierbare Kardioverter/Defibrillator (ICD) wurde im Jahr 1980 in den USA implantiert. Nach Publikation der Multicenter-automatic-defibrillator-implantation(MADIT)-Studie-I und der Antiarrhythmics-versus-implantable-defibrillators(AVID)–Studie zur Primarprophylaxe bei Hochrisikopatienten und Sekundarprophylaxe nach uberlebtem plotzlichen Herztod explodierten weltweit die Implantationszahlen. Nachdem immer altere Patienten ICD erhalten, werden auch haufiger ICD-Patienten auf Intensivstationen und in Notfalleinheiten behandelt. Deshalb mussen Notfall- und Intensivmediziner mit diesen Geraten gut vertraut sein. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Literaturuberblick und behandelt insbesondere ICD-Fehlfunktionen und Notfalle im Zusammenhang mit ICD.
The Classroom Password: A Class-Wide Intervention to Increase Academic Engagement.

The present study investigated the effectiveness of a novel class-wide intervention, the Classroom Password, for increasing the academic engaged behavior of middle school students. The effectiveness of an independent group contingency was evaluated using a concurrent multiple baseline design across three seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms. Results indicated that the intervention was effective across all three classrooms in increasing students’ academic engagement, or on-task behavior, as evidenced by visual analysis and moderate to large effect sizes. Decreases in disruptive behavior were also observed across all three classrooms. Off-task behavior was not substantially affected in any of the three classrooms. The intervention received mixed ratings by the classroom teachers regarding its social validity. Results of the present study suggest that the Classroom Password may be an effective class-wide intervention for increasing the academically engaged behavior and decreasing the disruptive behavior of middle school students during instructional time.
"Pastoral crisis intervention": toward a definition.

The pastoral community represents a large and often untapped resource in times of crisis. It possesses a unique aggregation of characteristics that makes it uniquely valuable amidst the turmoil of a psychological crisis. In critical incidents such as terrorism, mass disasters, violence, the loss of loved ones, and any events wherein human actions result in injury, destruction, and/or death, the pastoral community may possess especially powerful restorative attributes. Unfortunately, heretofore, there has existed no generally recognized and accepted manner in which the healing factors inherent in pastoral care have been functionally integrated with the well-formulated principles of crisis intervention. This paper represents an initial effort to elucidate how the principles of pastoral care may be functionally integrated with those of crisis intervention. The amalgam shall heretofore be referred to as "pastoral crisis intervention" and is defined herein.
Regulating Opium in British Burma, 1852–1885: Addiction, Ethnicity and Revenue

This chapter examines opium policy in British-ruled Lower Burma in the interim between the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852 and the Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885. Imperial opium policy changed in this period, as the increased bureaucratisation of colonial rule brought colonial officials an increased knowledge of the extent of opium consumption and addiction in British-ruled Lower Burma. It became clear to colonial officials and Burmese elders that young Burmese men were particularly vulnerable to opium addiction. The paternalism evident in Maingy’s views on opium policy outlasted Maingy’s tenure in Tenasserim, and Chief Commissioner Charles Aitchison’s 1881 memorandum formally articulated this paternalist rationale for Burmese opium policy, complicating it with a racial differentiation that would be made into law within a decade. This interwar period also saw the foundation of the London-based Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade in 1874, at the forefront of the second wave of the British anti-opium movement. The Society’s campaign against opium sales in Burma was one dimension of its larger transnational campaign against the global opium industry.
Saturation control for suppressing helicopter blade flapping vibrations - A feasibility study

The feasibility of using saturation control for the suppression of helicopter rotor blade flapping vibrations was investigated. In order to simplify the equations of motion, the flapping equation for a rigid blade in hover was used for the plant. A perturbation analysis was performed to obtain an analytical result, and numerical simulations of various configurations were run. The principal characteristics of vibration control using saturation that are discussed herein are sensitivity to plant frequency and plant damping. For the range of rotating natural frequencies typical of modern helicopters, saturation control could be effective as a means for suppressing blade flapping vibration. However, the levels of flap damping present are much too high for saturation control to be effective.
Abstract P4-15-03: Patterns of relapse following re-irradiation of the breast using partial breast brachytherapy (PBB)

Purpose: This study is undertaken to evaluate the patterns of relapse among patients with a prior history of irradiation where the RT field included the breast, and who received re-irradiation using PBB for a localized second cancer event in the breast using partial breast. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in an IRB approved study. Nineteen patients had prior history of breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and external beam therapy (ERT), and 8 patients had prior history of mantle RT. All patients underwent lumpectomy with negative margins and received a median dose of 45Gy PBB. The median time interval between the primary breast cancer diagnosis and the second cancer event in the ipsilateral breast is 94-months (range 28-months to 211-months). The median time between mantle RT and the breast cancer is 245 months. Results: At a median follow up of 73 months following lumpectomy and PBB 14.8 % (4/27) patients developed a local recurrence and were salvaged by mastectomy. The 5-year Kaplan Meier local disease-free survival and mastectomy-free survival is 100% and 81%, respectively. Remarkably, one third of patients with prior history of mantle RT developed third primary cancers (pancreas, lung and renal). All patients with the third primary cancers died free of any relapse from the breast cancer. None of the patients with prior history of breast cancer developed a second malignancy, and 3/21 developed distant metastases. Conclusions: In appropriately selected patients with prior history of lumpectomy and ERT for breast cancer we observed a high rate of local control and freedom from mastectomy. Patterns of relapse among patients with prior mantle RT suggest that breast conservation and PBB was appropriate for treating early stage disease. Breast conservation therapy did not have a detrimental effect on breast cancer specific outcome and eventual patient survival. Patients motivated for breast conservation may have an alternative to mastectomy at initial diagnosis. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-15-03.
Effects of molecular polarity on nanofluidic behavior in a silicalite

Abstract While “like attracts like” is common sense for large surfaces, here we show that in a nanopore the effective solid–liquid interfacial tension can be quite independent of the liquid polartiy. Moreover, as the liquid molecules and ions are confined, their behavior can be either reversible or irreversible, depending on the liquid composition. These unique phenomena can be attributed to the confinement effects and the absence of bulk liquid phase in the nanoenvironment.
Psychiatric treatment of children and adolescents in rural communities. Myths and realities.

Because of the relatively low number of child psychiatrists in rural settings, the child psychiatrist’s presence in the community is vastly different from that of his or her urban colleagues. Although this setting has innumerable advantages for one’s ability to understand the patient’s ecology, it also can be an obstacle to the provision of appropriate treatment. Long distances, uneven resources, and rural culture can be special problems to overcome. The authors describe the challenges and pleasures of psychiatric practice in rural American communities, and reveal the reality of rural practice.
Current Operative Management of Urinary Calculi after Renal Transplantation

AbstractWe examined the medical records of renal transplantation patients at our institution to determine the incidence and etiology of renal calculi after renal transplantation. Of 7 patients identified calculi formed on the basis of congenital hyperoxaluria in 2, secondary to chronic urinary infection in 1 and from iatrogenic causes in 4. We review the various surgical and radiological procedures used to treat these renal transplant patients. We also discuss the role of the new treatment modalities in managing urolithiasis in transplant recipients.
Boundary layer flow of Maxwell fluid in rotating frame with binary chemical reaction and activation energy

Abstract Here we study the heat/mass transfer effects on revolving flow of Maxwell fluid due to unidirectional stretching surface. Mass transfer process is modeled in terms of binary chemical reaction and activation energy. Modified Arrhenius function for activation energy is invoked. Traditional boundary layer approximations are utilized to simplify the governing equations. Using similarity method, self-similar form of boundary layer equations are derived which are solved numerically. The solutions depend on dimensionless numbers such as the rotation parameter λ , the Deborah number β , the Prandtl number Pr , the Schmidt number Sc , activation energy E , fitted rate constant n and temperature difference parameter δ . We found that the solute concentration in binary mixture is proportional to both rotation parameter λ and activation energy E . The reaction rate σ and fitted rate n both provide reduction in the solute concentration. Thermal boundary layer becomes thicker and heat transfer rate diminishes when fluid is subjected to a larger rotation rate.
Sulfur deactivation and regeneration of mono- and bimetallic Pd-Pt methane oxidation catalysts

Complete CH4 oxidation (combustion) studies were conducted with Pt/Pd mono- and bimetallic, γ-Al2O3 supported catalysts before and after exposure to SO2. CO and SO2 adsorption DRIFTS studies were used to identify sites that adsorbed SO2 and evaluate the Pd:Pt mole ratio effect on sulfur surface species formation. Temperature-programmed oxidation, desorption, and reduction as models for possible catalyst regeneration were evaluated in terms of sulfur release and CH4 oxidation performance recovery. At low temperatures, Pd-rich catalysts, i.e. with little to no Pt substitution, tended to form aluminum sulfate species, which could be removed at high temperatures to recover catalytic activity. In contrast, catalysts with higher Pt content were less effective at sulfate formation at low temperatures. In this case, molecular SO2 and aluminum surface sulfite species inhibited the CH4 oxidation reaction over a broader temperature range. In general, for the bimetallic samples the effectiveness of SO2 regeneration methods decreased with increasing Pt content. Also, for bimetallic catalysts with higher Pt content, the associated sintering effects from the temperature programmed regeneration methods were more significant.
Development of a small molecule drug for EBV-associated gastric cancers.

63Background: Worldwide, EBV is associated with ~10% of gastric cancer. Currently, no pharmaceutical-based therapies exist that selectively target EBV associated gastric cancers. EBV, in its latent oncogenic form, is dependent on the continuous expression of Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1), a multifunctional dimeric protein critical for viral replication, genome maintenance and viral gene expression. Methods: The aim of this program is to advance the development of a New Chemical Entity (NCE) for latent infection of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) to treat EBV-associated gastric cancer. We have used structure-based drug design and medicinal chemistry methods to identify and develop a small molecule clinical candidate that selectively inhibits the DNA-binding activity of EBNA1. Results: The clinical candidate inhibits EBNA1 function with nanomolar potency in biochemical assays and low micromolecular activity in several cell-based assays. We demonstrate that our clinical candidate provides protection in 4 d...
Study of Lithium Silicide Nanoparticles as Anode Materials for Advanced Lithium Ion Batteries

The development of high-performance silicon anodes for the next generation of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) evokes increasing interest in studying its lithiated counterpart—lithium silicide (LixSi). In this paper we report a systematic study of three thermodynamically stable phases of LixSi (x = 4.4, 3.75, and 2.33) plus nitride-protected Li4.4Si, which are synthesized via the high-energy ball-milling technique. All three LixSi phases show improved performance over that of unmodified Si, where Li4.4Si demonstrates optimum performance with a discharging capacity of 3306 (mA h)/g initially and maintains above 2100 (mA h)/g for over 30 cycles and above 1200 (mA h)/g for over 60 cycles at the current density of 358 mA/g of Si. A fundamental question studied is whether different electrochemical paradigms, that is, delithiation first or lithiation first, influence the electrode performance. No significant difference in electrode performance is observed. When a nitride layer (LixNySiz) is created on the surface o...
Evaluation of Two Different Stocking Rates of Small Walleye Fingerlings in Minnesota Lakes

AbstractWe compared the performance of two differing stocking densities of small (mean TL = 72 mm) fingerling Walleyes Sander vitreus in 19 Minnesota lakes. Fingerlings were stocked annually from 2008 to 2011 in June at densities of either 30 (low) or 60 (high) per littoral hectare. Although gill nets yielded low sample sizes, we found no significant difference between gill-net catch rates at age 3 between treatments or years. On average, small Walleye fingerlings contributed 15% (0–72%) to the overall gill-net catches in stocked lakes. In lakes where small fingerlings have had a record of success, we recommend managers stocking this life stage use the lower treatment density (30/littoral hectare) and consider it a maximum rate when seeking stocking efficiencies. Due to low sample sizes, we also recommend following stocking events more closely with other sampling methods, such as fall electrofishing.Received April 26, 2017; accepted August 2, 2017Published online October 20, 2017
Frequency of Type-2 diabetes mellitus in Nephropathic patients and comparison of mean magnesium levels in Nephropathic patients with and without Type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with nephropathy (i.e. Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 1 to 3) and to compare the mean magnesium levels in diabetic nephropathic patients and non-diabetic nephropathic patients. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in department of Medicine, Mayo Hospital Lahore from August 2014 to February 2015. Using non-probability purposive sampling 200 nephropathic (Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 1 to 3) patients were selected. Patients were assessed for T2DM and divided in two groups on the basis of presence or absence of DM. Magnesium levels were recorded in both groups. Percentages, mean, standard deviation and unpaired t-test was used to assess the data. SPSS was used for analysis of information. Results Total number of cases were 200, 43.5% (n=87) out of them were between 25-50 years of age while 56.5% (n=113) patients were between 51-70 years. The Mean+SD was calculated to be 51.38+11.51 years. The male patients were 48.5 %(n=109) while 51.5 %(n=91) were females. The frequency of DM in patients with nephropathy was 25.5% (n=51). Comparison of mean magnesium levels in nephropathic patients with and without diabetes was done. The results showed nephropathic patients having diabetes had 1.54+0.301 mg/dL magnesium levels while cases without diabetes had 1.92+0.313 mg/dL levels of magnesium, p value was calculated as 0.001 showing a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion The frequency of diabetes mellitus is higher among patients with nephropathy while on comparison of mean magnesium levels, nephropathic patients with diabetes had significant lower levels of magnesium as compared to without diabetes.
Diagnostic performance dashboards: tracking diagnostic errors using big data

In their 2015 report, Improving Diagnosis in Health Care , the National Academy of Medicine asserted that most individuals ‘will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, sometimes with devastating consequences’1 and ‘improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, but it also represents a moral, professional, and public health imperative.’1 A key barrier to eliminating diagnostic errors is the lack of operational measures to track diagnostic performance.2 3 Novel approaches using ‘big data’ to identify statistically meaningful patterns offer unique opportunities to operationalise measurement of diagnostic errors and misdiagnosis-related harms.4 In a study of ~190 000 US inpatient stroke admissions, the authors found missed opportunities to diagnose stroke early were often linked to clinical presentations with dizziness or vertigo.5 A graphical temporal profile analysis of treat-and-release emergency department (ED) visits showed an exponential increase in visit frequency in the days before stroke admission, establishing these as likely misdiagnoses.5 We operationalised this approach by constructing a diagnostic performance dashboard to monitor diagnostic quality and safety. Kaiser Permanente-Mid Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (KP) and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHM) partnered to build a learning ecosystem using visual analytics tools. Visual analytics combines expert knowledge with machine computational power for smart data exploration.6 Visual representations allow users to see the big picture and visually explore relevant data. Interactive data discovery supports ‘slice-and-dice’ operations with data drill-through capabilities, enabling exploratory data mining, hypothesis testing and decision making. Leveraging the exploratory data …
Vortex Shedding Characteristics of the Wake of a Thin Flat Plate with a Circular Trailing Edge

The near and very near wake of a thin flat plate with a circular trailing edge are investigated with direct numerical simulations (DNS). Data obtained for two different Reynolds numbers (based on plate thickness, D) are the main focus of this study. The separating boundary layers are turbulent in both cases. An earlier investigation of one of the cases (Case F) showed shed vortices in the wake that were about 1.0 D to 4.0 D in spanwise length. Considerable variation in both the strength and frequency of these shed vortices was observed. One objective of the present investigation is to determine the important contributors to this variability in strength and frequency of shed vortices and their finite spanwise extent. Analysis of the data shows that streamwise vortices in the separating boundary layer play an important role in strengthening/weakening of the shed vortices and that high/low-speed streaks in the boundary layer are important contributors to variability in shedding frequency. Both these features of the boundary layer contribute to the finite extent of the vortices in the spanwise direction. The second plate DNS (Case G, with 40 percent of the plate thickness of Case F) shows that while shedding intensity is weaker than obtained in Case F, many of the wake features are similar to that of Case F. This is important in understanding the path to the wake of the thin plate with a sharp trailing edge where shedding is absent. Here we also test the efficacy of a functional relationship between the shedding frequency and the Reynolds numbers based on the boundary layer momentum thickness (Re (sub theta) and D (Re (sub D)); data for developing this behavioral model is from Cases F & G and five earlier DNSs of the flat plate wake.
Genetic Engineering -Tool for Mankind

This study was conveyed to send a driven research of Genetic Engineering its Tools, Applications, as well as Ethics which are some of the areas of Genetic Engineering which has impact on human life. Some people think Genetic Engineering as a boon where as some people think genetic engineering are way to interrupt the natural process. The motivation behind this paper is to show a review to discuss some of factors in Genetic Engineering that makes Genetic Engineering a need for mankind. The main goal of the study was to inspect various Tools, Application along with Ethics in Genetic Engineering as a tool for mankind.
Dementia Prevalence in the United States in 2000 and 2012: Estimates Based on a Nationally Representative Study.

Objectives Age- and sex-specific rates of dementia are estimated in the U.S. population aged 65 or older in 2000 and 2012 using a large nationally representative dataset, the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and accounting for mortality selection and specificities of the interview protocol. Method A latent cognitive ability model is estimated by maximum simulated likelihood. Prevalence of dementia is identified using HRS cognition measures and the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study (ADAMS), a subset of the HRS (n = 856) with clinical assessment for dementia. Different cognitive measures are collected in self and proxy interviews. From 2006 onward, the HRS collected fewer interviews by proxy. Selection into proxy interviews is modeled as well as survival into the ADAMS sample from the previous HRS interview. Results The prevalence of dementia decreased from 12.0% (SE = 0.48%) in 2000 to 10.5% (SE = 0.49%) in 2012 in the 65+ population, a statistically significant decline of 12.6% (p < .01). The percentage change in prevalence was larger among males (16.6% vs 9.5%), and younger individuals. Discussion The prevalence of dementia among those 65 or older decreased between 2000 and 2012, although less rapidly than reported in other studies. The difference is primarily due to our modeling selection into proxy interviews.
A study of peer-assisted learning in introductory programming courses

In this paper, we explore how incorporating an implementation of peer-assisted learning (PAL) techniques into the computer science classroom affects student learning and enjoyment. PAL is a learning practice that enables students to work together to learn a topic, fostering interaction among students. For this implementation, PAL groups consist of two students who help each other learn a topic. The groups use supplied materials and have instructor support as needed. The students alternate the roles of "coach" and "learner" allowing each student to participate in both roles. Equivalent lessons are provided using a non-PAL practice. These lessons consist of lecture, demonstration and individual hands-on practice. Student performance is assessed after each lesson, and an opinion survey is collected after both types of lessons. The goal of the research is to collect and compare data from both PAL and non-PAL teaching styles to compare the efficacy of peer-assisted learning to a non-PAL teaching style for introductory computer science instruction in a controlled setting.
Conversing With Kalamazoo Promise Scholars: An Inquiry Into the Beliefs, Motivations, and Experiences of Tuition-Free College Students:

This qualitative inquiry explores students’ (N=20) perceptions of Kalamazoo Promise (KPromise), how perceptions influence student motivation, and by what means students are covering remaining costs...
The Human Voice

It is often said that the human voice is the most complex and sophisticated instrument. This is true, but not for the reasons some people might like to imply. These people would suggest that the human voice is the most “natural,” most “direct” instrument; that it is the only “human” instrument; that it is most completely and directly under our control; and hence that it must be the greatest. In fact, however, all instruments are humanly activated, and as we shall see, most other instruments are much more under the conscious control of the player than is the human voice.
Nanostructures in Thin Films from Nanostructured Polymeric Templates: Self-Assembly

The microphase segregation of copolymers leads to interesting ordered morphologies at nanoscales, which form by a self-assembly process during the preparation procedure. Utilizing thin copolymer films on a solid substrate highly ordered polymeric templates may be formed, which contain nanoscopic cylindrical holes in hexagonal arrangement. The preparation procedure of the ordered nanotemplates is discussed and the filling of the nanoreactors for nanoparticle production is described.
Monitoring communication skills progress of medical students: Establishing a baseline has value, predicting the future is difficult.

Abstract Objective To provide evidence for the validity of an Introductory Clinical Experience (ICE) that was implemented as a baseline assessment of medical students’ clinical communication skills to support progression of skills over time. Methods In this longitudinal study of communication skills, medical students completed the ICE, then a Practice of Medicine (POM) Objective Structured Clinical Exam 8 months later, and the Comprehensive Clinical Skills Exam (CCSE) 25 months later. At each experience, trained Standardized Patients assessed students, using the same behaviorally anchored checklist in 3 domains: Information Gathering, Relationship Development, and Patient Education and Counseling (PEC) with good internal reliability (.70–.87). Skills development patterns were described. ICE as a predictor of later performance was explored. Students’ perspectives were elicited. Results 140 (80%) medical students consented to include their data in this study. Overall communication scores increased over time (eta2 = .17, medium effect) mostly attributable to increase in PEC skills (eta2 = .48, large effect), in 4 patterns. ICE and POM scores predicted future communication skills. Most students recognized the educational value of ICE. Conclusion Entering medical students’ clinical communication skills increase over time on average and may predict future performance. Practice implications Implementing an ICE is likely a valid strategy for monitoring progress and facilitating communication skills development.
Identity, Visibility & Measurement: How University LGBTQ Centers Engage and Advocate for Today’s LGBTQ Student

For many of today’s LGBTQ college students, college exists at the epicenter of their identity development, and these students have new questions and expectations of their institutions. This study, through in-depth interviews with LGTBQ center directors at 11 major public universities in 10 U.S. states, investigates who these students are and how universities engage and advocate for them. Centers’ missions remain focused on support, education, and advocacy, but they are addressing new dynamics regarding identity, visibility, and measurement. Centers must move beyond the explicit LGBTQ categories and address students’ intersections of identity. Centers also must balance visibility that protects student privacy in a social media age while serving as a public source of support. Finally, programs need data to drive support for resources, but gathering these data has unique challenges for the LGBTQ community.
Development of lightweight engineered cementitious composite for durability enhancement of tall concrete wind towers

Abstract Recently, concrete (especially high strength concrete) is considered the most suitable material for building tall wind turbine towers. However, concrete is prone to cracking and the durability of tall concrete towers can be compromised when large cracks (>300 μm) occur on their exterior surfaces. In this study, a lightweight engineered cementitious composite (ECC), reinforced by high tenacity polypropylene fiber, was developed based on performance driven design approach to serve as protective coatings on the tall concrete towers. By using fly ash cenospheres as lightweight filler material, a lightweight ECC with a density of 1810 kg/m3 can be achieved. Guided by micromechanics-based design theory, this newly developed ECC can achieve a tensile strength above 2 MPa, tensile ductility above 2%, and maximum crack width of 100 μm in both direct tension and flexural fatigue tests. The high ductility and excellent crack control of ECC coating can improve the cracking resistance of the hybrid tall ECC/concrete towers, therefore enhancing their durability and extending their service life.
Mitigation of atmospheric turbulence with random light carrying OAM

Abstract The results of the laboratory experiments are presented for synthesis of the I m -Bessel correlated beams by a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) and a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) as well as for their interactions with atmospheric turbulence simulated by either an SLM or a mixed-air turbulent chamber. The synthesis procedure of these beams relies on the incoherent superposition of their coherent modes being Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) functions having a variable radial mode and a fixed azimuthal mode carrying the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM). As a result of such construction the correlation functions of these random beams have separable phase carrying the OAM with the index inherited from the coherent modes. The coherence states of these beams are controlled by the distribution of weights of the coherent modes in superposition, varying from perfectly coherent to nearly incoherent. We explore the effects of the cycling rates of the SLM and the DMD used for source synthesis on the average intensity and the scintillation index of the generated beams having different OAM indices and coherence states after propagation in atmospheric turbulence. Our analysis indicates that for fairly incoherent beams with sufficiently large OAM index and high cycling rates the atmospheric turbulence can be efficiently mitigated.
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and determination of the solution association energy of the dimer [Co{N(SiMe3)2}2]2: magnetic studies of low-coordinate Co(II) silylamides [Co{N(SiMe3)2}2L] (L = PMe3, pyridine, and THF) and related species that reveal evidence of very large zero-field splittings.

The synthesis, magnetic, and spectroscopic characteristics of the synthetically useful dimeric cobalt(II) silylamide complex [Co{N(SiMe3)2}2]2 (1) and several of its Lewis base complexes have been investigated. Variable-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of 1 showed that it exists in a monomer–dimer equilibrium in benzene solution and has an association energy (ΔGreacn) of −0.30(20) kcal mol–1 at 300 K. Magnetic data for the polycrystalline, red-brown [Co{N(SiMe3)2}2]2 (1) showed that it displays strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, expressed as −2JexS1S2, between the two S = 3/2 cobalt(II) centers with a Jex value of −215(5) cm–1, which is consistent with its bridged dimeric structure in the solid state. The electronic spectrum of 1 in solution is reported for the first time, and it is shown that earlier reports of the melting point, synthesis, electronic spectrum, and magnetic studies of the monomer “Co{N(SiMe3)2}2” are consistent with those of the bright green-colored tetr...
Diverticulitis in the immunocompromised patient

Abstract Diverticulitis in immunocompromised patients is of special clinical importance because these patients experience a higher rate of morbidity and mortality than the general population due to diverticulitis. Immunocompromised patients tend to present later than the general population and may have less impressive findings on physical exam and CT scan. They are more likely to fail non-operative management and have more complications after emergent surgery. Just like in immunocompetent patients, the decision to pursue elective colectomy after diverticulitis is individualized to the patient's risk of surgery, co-morbidities, effect on lifestyle, chronic symptoms, or severity of attacks.
An AI Enabled System for Distributed System Characterization

Determining the constituent components of a distributed system and how they are interacting is in general a very difficult problem. It requires the accumulation of evidence bearing on alternative propositions and decision functions for each of the set of attributes that characterize the elements of the system and their operation. In general, the outcome depends not only on the state of the accumulated evidence but also on the cost of acquiring this evidence; and, the accuracy of the decision functions and the process for combining their outputs. In this paper we describe a characterization system that was developed for identifying IoT devices present in an IP environment based on interpretations of the network traffic that is being generated. We argue that the architecture can be applied to address many kinds of similar problems by changing the analytics and the manners in which they are interconnected.
Opioid Prescribing Patterns of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents

Objective The aim of this study was to report on the opioid prescribing patterns of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents for routine office-based procedures. Study Design A survey was sent to current resident members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). The survey asked questions related to the quantity and duration of opioids prescribed and if such factors as type of procedure, education, and prior opioid abuse by patients influenced prescription behavior. Results There was a positive relationship between the prescribing culture of residency and prescribing pattern (P value Conclusions Creating a culture in residency programs aimed at reducing factors that promote addiction may be the best method to reduce overprescription of opioids during training.
Socioeconomic status, fundamental cause theory, and prescription opioid use behaviors: a theoretical examination

I applied Phelan et al.'s fundamental cause theory (FCT) framework to examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and prescription opioid use behaviors among a nationally representat...
Social Influence, Sociology of

Social influence involves intentional and unintentional efforts to change another person's beliefs, attitudes, or behavior. Unlike persuasion, which is typically intentional and requires some degree of awareness on the part of the target, social influence may be inadvertent or accidental. Social influence often operates via peripheral processing. Hence, the target may be unaware of the influence attempt. Unlike compliance gaining, which is usually goal directed, social influence is often nongoal directed and the outcomes may be inconsistent with, or unrelated to, a communicator's goals. Social influence encompasses such strategies as indebtedness or reciprocity, commitment, social proof, liking and attractiveness, authority, and scarcity.
Exploration of Hazardous Material Truck Crashes on Wyoming’s Interstate Roads using a Novel Hamiltonian Monte Carlo Markov Chain Bayesian Inference:

Crash severity of a hazardous material (HAZMAT) transporting truck increases manyfold compared with normal truck crash because of the possible exposure to dangerous substances. Crashes which involv...
IN DEFENCE OF EMPIRES1

This article argues the case for empires. They provided global order in the nineteenth century. Their dissolution in the twentieth century resulted in global disorder. A blind spot in the classical liberal tradition was its assumption that international order would be a spontaneous by-product of limited government and unilateral free trade practised at home. This denial of power politics flowed into twentieth-century Wilsonianism. Now, there is no alternative to US imperial power to supply the global Pax. Whether the USA is willing to fulfil this role is open to question.
Models and documents: Artifacts of international legal knowledge

It is a common observation that the theory and practice of international law are far apart. Richard Falk, for example, begins his 1970 book by chastising international legal theorists for failing to “provide adequate guidelines for evaluating particular decisions”.2 Likewise, Louis Henkin asserts that, “Lawyer and diplomat are engaged in a dialogue de sourds. Indeed, they are not even attempting to talk to each other, turning away in silent disregard.”3
Analysis of Factors Influencing Simulations of the 1993 Hokkaido Nansei-Oki and 1964 Alaska Tsunamis

The purpose of this paper is to examine factorsinfluencing numerical simulations of tsunamis, andtheir implications for hazard mitigation. We focus ona specific finite element hydrodynamic model, chosenfor its role in the systematic development ofinundation maps for regions threatened primarily byCascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) tsunamis. However, inpart for generality and in part because of poorhistorical records for CSZ events, we discuss here theperformance of the model in the context of betterdocumented past events with epicenters locatedelsewhere: the July 12, 1993 Hokkaido Nansei-Oki andthe March 28, 1964 Alaska tsunamis. Our analysisincludes the influence of grid refinement,interactions between tides and tsunamis, artificialenergy loss, and numerical parameterization. We showthat while the ability exists to reproduce pastevents, limitations remain in the modeling processthat should be accounted for in translating modelingresults into information for tsunami mitigation andresponse.
Neuro-Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Neurodegenerative Disease in Childhood

Neurodegenerative disorders in children pose a unique diagnostic challenge. Unlike many genetic syndromes, the clinical manifestations of childhood neurodegenerative diseases are often nonspecific and show considerable overlap. Pathognomonic clinical signs are rare. Many of these conditions are uncommon, and extensive clinical experience is generally lacking, even in tertiary referral centers. To further complicate matters, these children often present in the early stages of their illness, when evidence of progression is questionable and motor or cognitive impairment is relatively mild. It is only with extended observation that both clinical and neuroimaging abnormalities evolve to suggest a limited set of diagnostic possibilities. These children usually require repeated observation by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neuroimaging specialists, neuro-ophthalmologists, and geneticists before a specific diagnosis is established.
Electrochemical chromic acid regeneration process with fuel-cell electrode assistance. Part I: Removal of contaminants

This paper presents the results of work carried out on a laboratory cell for regeneration of spent hard chrome plating solution. The electrolysis cell consists of a rectangular tank divided into two compartments with an ion exchange membrane (Nafion-117), and uses a lead anode and a gas diffusion electrode as the cathode. The laboratory scale cell was used as a simulated plating bath containing Cu2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, and Cr3+ as contaminants, for different experimental conditions at room temperature. The separation performance of the process was assessed by operating the cell under three constant current conditions. The cell was also tested under different initial concentrations and catholyte-to-anolyte volume ratios. The results indicate the possibility of decreased energy consumption and better removal rates over traditional methods.
Modelling Immiscible Organic Chemical Transport in Soils and Groundwater

Contamination of groundwater by organic chemicals has become a serious threat to subsurface water resources. Among the most widespread and hazardous contaminants are organic liquids of low water solubility introduced into the subsurface environment via surface spills, leaks from underground storage facilities, or seepage from improperly designed or managed landfills or land disposal operations. Numerous contamination incidents have been documented resulting from petroleum hydrocarbons, industrial solvents, and other organic liquids (e.g., Abriola, 1984). Such contamination problems generally involve complex mixtures of multiple organic constituents which may move in aqueous and nonaqueous liquid phases and in the gas phase. Modelling of these systems generally requires consideration of multiphase fluid flow and multicomponent transport.