cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Affective Reaction during User Interaction with Colors and Shapes

Abstract The interactive structure of software applications involves multiple facets of graphic design and information architecture. A user's affective reaction can be influenced while interacting with these applications. From a user's experience (UX) point of view, the affective reaction generated from users in some cases can be considered of an equal or even higher importance than the design and architecture of a software application. When describing affective reaction within the context of user experience, a change in the users’ attitude could also influence a change in their behavior while interacting with certain applications. More importantly, this behavior change could impact the users’ quality of decision-making during interaction. Affective reactions can be invoked and influenced through the incorporation of visual emotional stimuli. Example visual emotional stimuli include colors, facial expressions, movie scenes, and shapes of objects. Amongst these particular stimuli, colors and shapes can be considered of a lower level design than facial expressions and movie scenes. Previous studies have provided mixed findings regarding an individual's affective reaction when exposed to colors and shapes. However, this article investigates the potential of employing such elements as viable alternatives to higher level stimuli such as facial expression and movie scenes. A study was conducted to explore affective reaction using colors, shapes, and their combinations to serve as visual emotional stimuli. The objective was to understand the possibility of using lower level design alternatives for manipulating users’ affective reactions by comparing colors and shapes in the form of textual properties, abstract polygonal shapes, and the combination of both respectively. The study consisted of thirteen participants who were exposed to these design elements in their variety while interacting with a simple computer application. For measurement and analysis, one-way repeated measure ANOVAs were employed to determine the effectiveness of these design elements and their mood induction capabilities during user interaction. The results from this study indicated that the presence of colors, shapes, and their combinations were able to invoke certain affective reactions without the participants even noticing their presence. More specifically, this study revealed that certain colors and shapes generated a more positive affective reaction while others induced either a more neutral or less positive emotion from the participants. This study also demonstrated that these particular design elements have high visceral effects that could be used as potential alternatives to more traditional and higher level visual emotional stimuli in order to influence a user's affective reaction.
Electron scattering from excited states of hydrogen: Implications for the ionization threshold law

The elastic scattering wave function for electrons scattered from the $N$th excited state of hydrogen is the final state of the matrix element for excitation of that state. This paper deals with the solution of that problem primarily in the context of the Temkin-Poet (TP) model [A. Temkin, Phys. Rev. 126, 130 (1962); R. Poet, J. Phys. B 11, 3081 (1978)], wherein only the radial parts of the interaction are included. The relevant potential for the outer electron is dominated by the Hartree potential, ${V}_{N}^{\mathrm{H}}(r)$. In the first part of the paper, ${V}_{N}^{\mathrm{H}}(r)$ is approximated by a potential ${W}_{N}^{}(r)$, for which the scattering equation can be analytically solved. The results allow formal analytical continuation of $N$ into the continuum, so that the ionization threshold law can be deduced. Because the analytic continuation involves going from $N$ to an imaginary function of the momentum of the inner electron, the threshold law turns out to be an exponentially damped function of the available energy $E$, in qualitative accord with the result of Macek and Ihra [J. H. Macek and W. Ihra, Phys. Rev. A 55, 2024 (1997)] for the TP model. Thereafter, the scattering equation for the Hartree potential ${V}_{N}^{\mathrm{H}}(r)$ is solved numerically. The numerical aspects of these calculations have proven to be challenging and required several developments for the difficulties to be overcome. The results for ${V}_{N}^{\mathrm{H}}(r)$ show only a simple energy-dependent shift from the approximate potential ${W}_{N}^{}(r)$, which therefore does not change the analytic continuation and the form of the threshold law. It is concluded that the relevant optical potential must be included in order to compare directly with the analytic result of Macek and Ihra. The paper concludes with discussions of (a) a quantum mechanical interpretation of the result, and (b) the outlook of this approach for the complete problem.
James L. Baughman, The Republic of Mass Culture: Journalism, Filmmaking, and Broadcasting in America since 1941. Baltimore, Md.: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992. 257 pages. Cloth, $38.95; paper, $11.95.

(1993). James L. Baughman, The Republic of Mass Culture: Journalism, Filmmaking, and Broadcasting in America since 1941. Baltimore, Md.: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992. 257 pages. Cloth, $38.95; paper, $11.95. American Journalism: Vol. 10, No. 3-4, pp. 99-100.
The role of industrial diversity in economic resilience: An empirical examination across 35 years

As recovery from the Great Recession continues, economic development scholars and practitioners are again focused on the pace and the sustainability of recovery, as well as on efforts to minimise t...
Exploring specialized near-memory processing for data intensive operations

Emerging 3D stacked memory systems provide significantly more bandwidth than current DDR modules. However, general purpose processors do not take full advantage of these resources offered by the memory modules. Taking advantage of the increased bandwidth requires the use of specialized processing units. In this paper, we evaluate the benefits of placing hardware accelerators at the bottom layer of a 3D stacked memory system compared to accelerators that are placed external to the memory stack. Our evaluation of the design using cycle-accurate simulation and RTL synthesis shows that, for important data intensive kernels, near-memory accelerators inside a single 3D memory package provide 3x-13x speedup over a Quad-core Xeon processor. Most of the benefits are from the application of accelerators, as the near-memory configurations provide marginal benefits compared to the same number of accelerators placed on a die external to the memory package. This comparable performance for external accelerators is due to the high bandwidth afforded by the high-speed off-chip links. On the other hand, near-memory accelerators consume 7%–39% less energy than the external accelerators.
Design of Two-way Interaction Function Based on Electricity Information Acquisition System and Its Key Technology

The electricity information acquisition system is the physical foundation of smart grid development,as well as a bridge between power supply enterprises and customers.The realization of two-way interaction will directly affect their communication efficiency.Based on an analysis of the demand for smart electricity interaction technology of electric power customers,power grid enterprises and social development,a function design scheme is proposed with respect to information acquisition,integrated monitoring,energy efficiency analysis,information dissemination,safety certification,device control and electricity strategy for the two-way interaction system.By discussing the characteristics of specified transformer users,common industrial and commercial users,and residential users themselves,a scientific and rational interactive demand model is created.Crucial supportive techniques such as data storage,data retrieval,information model creation,communication,and safety protection are enunciated,providing an effective channel for the energy flow,information flow and business flow between power supply enterprises and users.
Hypsarrhythmia Variant Patterns

The frequency of hypsarrhythmia variant or atypical patterns was determined by analysis of pre-ACTH EEG records of 53 consecutive patients with infantile spasms at Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
A novel floor plate boundary defined by adjacent En1 and Dbx1 microdomains distinguishes midbrain dopamine and hypothalamic neurons.

The mesodiencephalic floor plate (mdFP) is the source of diverse neuron types. Yet, how this structure is compartmentalized has not been clearly elucidated. Here, we identify a novel boundary subdividing the mdFP into two microdomains, defined by engrailed 1 (En1) and developing brain homeobox 1 (Dbx1). Utilizing simultaneous dual and intersectional fate mapping, we demonstrate that this boundary is precisely formed with minimal overlap between En1 and Dbx1 microdomains, unlike many other boundaries. We show that the En1 microdomain gives rise to dopaminergic (DA) neurons, whereas the Dbx1 microdomain gives rise to subthalamic (STN), premammillary (PM) and posterior hypothalamic (PH) populations. To determine whether En1 is sufficient to induce DA neuron production beyond its normal limit, we generated a mouse strain that expresses En1 in the Dbx1 microdomain. In mutants, we observed ectopic production of DA neurons derived from the Dbx1 microdomain, at the expense of STN and PM populations. Our findings provide new insights into subdivisions in the mdFP, and will impact current strategies for the conversion of stem cells into DA neurons.
Owner Contributions and Equity

Given that persons starting new ventures often share ownership with one or more persons (Ruef, Aldrich, & Carter, 2003), determining the distribution of ownership among team members and how members contribute various sources to their startups has become more complicated. Teams are recognized as having larger pools of potential resources, including time, money, ideas, and social connections. For teams to be effective, members must synthesize their shared assets enough to compensate for the extra time and effort that coordination, delegation, and consensus making can take (Aubert & Kelsey, 2003; Erez & Somech, 1996; Faraj & Sproull, 2000). Startup teams differ from top management teams, classroom teams, and work teams because they are typically self-selected, self-directed, and composed of individuals sharing close relationships (such as kinship ties). Prior to the PSED I and PSED II, researchers had little empirical information regarding how startup team members activated their pooled resources to pursue business formation. Now that the two studies are publicly available, information on equity and contributions can be used to address at least four important concerns regarding startup processes in teams: access to resources, helpfulness (willingness to contribute), equality, and role differentiation.
MITRAL ANNULAR DISJUNCTION PREVALENCE AND PHYSIOLOGIC CONSEQUENCES IN DEGENERATIVE MITRAL REGURGITATION: A DYNAMIC 3-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDY

Background: Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is a localized detachment of annulus supporting the posterior leaflet from ventricular wall, described in myxomatous valve disease (MMVD). Whether this localized detachment causes physiologic consequences for annular and valvular dynamics is unknown.
Physiological and Pathological Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Immune Cells

Production of reactive oxygen, chlorine, and nitrogen species is a pivotal and effective mechanism utilized by different immune cells to respond to invading pathogens. During the last decades the molecular pathways involved in the production of reactive species and their intersection with the cellular molecular sensors (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase, inflammasomes, Toll-like receptor) have been elucidated. At the same time, it has also been recognized that excessive or chronic production of reactive species, as occurred in chronic inflammatory, degenerative, and autoimmune diseases, is detrimental to the immune system. This integrated view of both the physiological and pathological role of reactive species in maintaining the cellular redox balance is coming to light.
Low cost smart phone diagnostics for food using paper-based colorimetric sensor arrays

Abstract There is a need for an accurate end-of-life indicator for packaged food (meat, seafood, dairy food etc.) beyond a simple “best use by” date on the food package. In this work, we propose a low cost solution by repurposing the food’s barcode as a colorimetric sensor array to monitor food condition. A smart phone camera is used to read color information from the sensor barcode for quantitative estimate of the food aging and quality. The sensor is based on cross-reactive vapor sensitive dyes encapsulated in resin microbeads, which are impregnated onto a low cost paper substrate in a barcode pattern. The entire sensor platform is validated by accurately monitoring chicken aging and eventual spoilage under different temperature conditions. The proposed food diagnostics platform has the potential to reduce food waste and eliminate food-borne illness.
An Examination of Pre- and Posttreatment Acoustic Versus Auditory Perceptual Analyses of Voice Across Four Common Voice Disorders.

Summary Objective The objective, instrumental acoustic measure of Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID) correlates with audio-perceptual measures, is sensitive in detecting voice abnormalities, and tracks change following treatment. The goals of the current study were to (1) test the agreement between CSID versus auditory perceptual measures of pre- versus posttreatment voice change, and (2) investigate whether change in scores is based on voice disorder or phonemic structure of sentence stimuli. Methods Forty patients with benign voice disorders produced sentences and a sustained /a/ vowel from the Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice protocol before and after treatment. CSID was calculated, and overall audio-perceptual voice severity was judged by 7 blinded, trained raters using a 100-mm visual analog scale. Differences between CSID and audio-perceptual measures of voice change across voice disorder and stimuli, and correlation between change in CSID and perceptual rating scores were assessed pre- and postintervention. Results Across all subjects, there were significant correlations between CSID and perceptual ratings change scores ( P Conclusion CSID provides an accurate objective correlate to auditory-perceptual posttreatment change in overall voice severity ratings. Implications for outcomes testing and disorder-specific findings are discussed.
Review: Metabolic Control of Immune System Activation in Rheumatic Diseases.

Metabolic pathways mediate lineage specification within the immune system through the regulation of glucose utilization, a process that generates energy in the form of ATP and synthesis of amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids to enable cell growth, proliferation, and survival. CD4+ T cells, a proinflammatory cell subset, preferentially produce ATP through glycolysis, whereas cells with an antiinflammatory lineage, such as memory and regulatory T cells, favor mitochondrial ATP generation. In conditions of metabolic stress or a shortage of nutrients, cells rely on autophagy to secure amino acids and other substrates, while survival depends on the sparing of mitochondria and maintenance of a reducing environment. The pentose phosphate pathway acts as a key gatekeeper of inflammation by supplying ribose-5-phosphate for cell proliferation and NADPH for antioxidant defenses. Increased lysosomal catabolism, accumulation of branched amino acids, glutamine, kynurenine, and histidine, and depletion of glutathione and cysteine activate the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), an arbiter of lineage development within the innate and adaptive immune systems. Mapping the impact of susceptibility genes to metabolic pathways allows for better understanding and therapeutic targeting of disease-specific expansion of proinflammatory cells. Therapeutic approaches aimed at glutathione depletion and mTOR pathway activation appear to be safe and effective for treating lupus, while an opposing intervention may be of benefit in rheumatoid arthritis. Environmental sources of origin for metabolites within immune cells may include microbiota and plants. Thus, a better understanding of the pathways of immunometabolism could provide new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of the rheumatic diseases.
Fast, Ring-Based Design of 3D Stacked DRAM

As computer memory increases in size and processors continue to get faster, the memory subsystem becomes an increasing bottleneck to system performance. To mitigate the relatively slow DRAM memory chip speeds, a new generation of 3D stacked DRAM is being developed, with lower power consumption and higher bandwidth. This paper proposes the use of 3D ring-based data fabrics for fast data transfer between these chips. The ring-based data fabric uses a fast standing wave oscillator to clock its transactions. With a fast clocking scheme, and multiple channels sharing the same bus, more channels are utilized while significantly reducing the number of through-silicon vias (TSVs). Experimental results show that our ring-based data fabric can reduce read latencies by almost 4X compared to traditional stacked memory chips. Variations of our scheme can also reduce power consumption compared to traditional memory stacks. Our Memory Architecture using a Ring-based Scheme (MARS) can effectively trade off power, throughput, and latency to improve system performance for different application spaces. We show that our MARS variants can deliver better latency (up to ~4X), power (up to ~8X), and performance per watt (up to ~4X) over HBM, when averaged over 11 SPEC CPU 2006 benchmarks. Other MARS variants provide higher throughput with similar power consumption compared to Wide I/O memory.
Rapid sea level rise in the aftermath of a Neoproterozoic snowball Earth

Earth’s most severe climate changes occurred during global-scale “snowball Earth” glaciations, which profoundly altered the planet’s atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere. Extreme rates of glacioeustatic sea level rise are predicted by the snowball Earth hypothesis, but supporting geologic evidence has been lacking. We use paleohydraulic analysis of wave ripples and tidal laminae in the Elatina Formation, Australia—deposited after the Marinoan glaciation ~635 million years ago—to show that water depths of 9 to 16 meters remained nearly constant for ~100 years throughout 27 meters of sediment accumulation. This accumulation rate was too great to have been accommodated by subsidence and instead indicates an extraordinarily rapid rate of sea level rise (0.2 to 0.27 meters per year). Our results substantiate a fundamental prediction of snowball Earth models of rapid deglaciation during the early transition to a supergreenhouse climate.
Pregnancy, Hormonal Contraception, and Postmenopausal Estrogen Replacement Therapy

This chapter reviews the available data on the risk of stroke related to ovarian steroids, both endogenous (pregnancy) and exogenous (hormonal contraception and postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy). Special diagnostic and therapeutic issues related to stroke and pregnancy are also discussed. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT or unopposed estrogen) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is widely used by postmenopausal women to control vasomotor symptoms and to prevent osteoporosis and coronary heart disease. In general, the natural conjugated estrogens used in ERT and HRT are taken at doses which are 10 to 25% of the potency of the synthetic estrogens in low-dose oral contraceptions. Also the progestins used most commonly in HRT (medroxyprogesterone acetate, micronized progesterone) are thought to be less potent than the 19-norprogestins used in most OCs. Population-based reports indicate that up to 50% of women in the United States may be exposed to ERT or HRT during their lifetime. As stroke is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women, any association between ERT and/or HRT and stroke risk would have an immense public health importance.
Bilateral amygdala stimulation reduces avoidance behavior in a predator scent posttraumatic stress disorder model

OBJECTIVE The predator scent model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) produces prolonged abnormal anxiety and avoidance-like behaviors. Increased basolateral amygdala activity has been shown to correlate with severity of PTSD symptoms in human studies. Modulation of this increased amygdala activity by deep brain stimulation led to improved symptoms in prior studies that used a foot shock model of inducing PTSD. The predator scent model is a different technique that induces long-lasting avoidance behavioral responses by exposing the animal to an inescapable scent of one of its predators. The authors hypothesize that high-frequency stimulation of the bilateral basolateral amygdala will decrease avoidance and anxiety-like behaviors in a predator scent rodent model of PTSD. METHODS Rodents underwent cat urine exposure in a place preference protocol. Avoidance in the place preference paradigm and anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze were measured before and after high-frequency stimulation. RESULTS Predator scent exposure resulted in long-term significant avoidance behavior in rodents. Bilateral stimulation significantly decreased avoidance behavior in rodents compared to no stimulation following predator scent exposure. There were no significant differences in anxiety behaviors on the elevated plus maze between stimulated and unstimulated cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Bilateral stimulation of the basolateral amygdala leads to decreased avoidance behavior compared to controls in a predator scent model of PTSD.
Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy Versus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Node-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is often recommended for patients with node-positive invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) despite unclear benefit in this largely hormone receptor-positive (HR+) group. We sought to compare overall survival (OS) between patients with node-positive ILC who received neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) and those who received NACT. Women with cT1–4c, cN1–3 HR+ ILC in the National Cancer Data Base (2004–2014) who underwent surgery following neoadjuvant therapy were identified. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted overall survival (OS), respectively. Of the 5942 patients in the cohort, 855 received NET and 5087 received NACT. NET recipients were older (70 vs. 54 years) and had more comorbidities (Charlson–Deyo score ≥ 1: 21.1% vs. 11.5%), lower cT classification (cT3–4: 44.2% vs. 51.0%), lower rates of mastectomy (72.5% vs. 82.2%), lower rates of pathologic complete response (0% vs. 2.5%), and lower rates of postlumpectomy (73.2% vs. 91.0%) and postmastectomy (60.0% vs. 80.8%) radiation versus NACT recipients (all p < 0.001). NACT recipients had higher unadjusted 10-year OS versus NET recipients (57.9% vs. 36.0%), but after adjustment, there was no significant difference in OS between the two groups (p = 0.10). Patients with node-positive ILC who received NET presented with smaller tumors, older age, and greater burden of comorbidities versus NACT recipients but had similar adjusted OS. While there is evidence from clinical trials supporting efficacy of NET in HR+ breast cancer, our findings suggest the need for further, histology-specific investigation regarding the optimal inclusion and sequence of endocrine therapy and chemotherapy in ILC.
Structure and Dynamics of an Ionic Liquid Mixture Film Confined by Mica

In a recent article ( J. Phys. Chem. C 2019, 123, 4914−4925) we studied using molecular dynamics simulations the structure of an ionic liquid (IL) mixture comprised of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium octylsulfate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate confined by vacuum interfaces. At these interfaces, the mixture formed an apolar blocking layer concealing the smaller and more polar ions to the interior of the liquid phase. In the current work, and for the same IL mixture, we study the case of confinement between (001) mica surfaces, where the solid provides a flat and polar ionic interface. Our focus is twofold; first, we want to understand the structural and dynamical behaviors of the IL mixture at the boundary where the confining interface is highly polar, and second we want to establish how far away from the interface liquid behavior is recovered. This last point is particularly important in light of puzzling recent experimental results regarding the behavior of ILs and solutes dissolved in them und...
Dual Inductor Hybrid Converter for Point-of-Load Voltage Regulator Modules

Achieving high-efficiency power conversion with high power density for a large conversion ratio is crucially needed yet challenging in point-of-load applications because of increasing demands of loads. This article presents a new hybrid converter to address this need. The converter uses two interleaved inductors for complete soft charging of flying capacitors to provide high output currents with no capacitor hard-charge loss. This dual inductor hybrid (DIH) converter features a smaller number of switches and more effective switch utilization than a recently reported hybrid Dickson converter, yielding substantially less switch losses represented by smaller volt–ampere products and smaller equivalent output resistance. Converter operation principle is analyzed in detail to confirm the feasibility and benefits, and design considerations are provided to identify a practical design process. Experimental results verify the converter's operation principles and advantages with a 300-kHz 20-W prototype achieving 95.02% peak efficiency and 225-W/in3 power density. The converter's advantages and performance make the point-of-load converter architecture a good candidate for demanding applications, such as in data centers, telecommunications, and high-performance digital systems.
Possible selves, psychological well-being, and substance use in young men within 12 months post-incarceration.

Objective Community reentry post-incarceration is fraught with challenges. The investigators examined the influence of highly personalized goals (possible selves) on psychological well-being, drug use, and hazardous drinking in recently incarcerated young men returning to the community. Design and sample In this cross-sectional study, 52 young men released from jail or prison within the past 12 months were recruited from community-based organizations and reentry events. Measurements Participants completed open-ended possible selves measure and psychological well-being and substance use questionnaires. Results Possible selves accounted for 19%-31% of the variance in sense of purpose, environmental mastery, and personal growth. Having a feared delinquent possible self was associated with lower sense of purpose. Having many feared possible selves was associated with lower environmental mastery. Having an expected possible self related to interpersonal relationships was associated with higher personal growth and environmental mastery. Men having a feared delinquent possible self or an expected possible self related to material/lifestyle were more likely to use marijuana than men who did not. Conclusion The content and number of possible selves may be an important focus for assessment by public health nurses in correctional and community settings serving young men post-incarceration. Longitudinal studies with larger samples are needed.
Low-Income Parents' Use of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels in a Virtual Supermarket.

Abstract Objective To examine the impact front-of-package nutrition labels (FOPLs) have on decision-making abilities among low-income parents in a virtual supermarket. Design A 4-by-2 experimental design with 3 FOPLs (summary, nutrient-specific, hybrid) and a no-FOPL comparison. Within the FOPL condition, participants either shopped with a time limit (10 minutes) or with no time limit. Setting A web-based, 3-dimensional virtual supermarket. Participants Parents (n = 1,452) from low-income households with at least 1 child aged 4–12 years. Main Outcomes Measured Index derived from the United Kingdom's Nutrient Profiling Model that summarized the overall nutrient profile of the participant's shopping basket. Analysis Analysis of covariance with post hoc estimations (pairwise) of condition means adjusted for multiple comparisons. Results All FOPLs led to healthier nutrient profiles than the no-FOPL condition (P Conclusions and Implications Front-of-package nutrition labels can aid parents in selecting healthier products. Simple FOPLs provide greater utility for selecting healthier products than FOPLs that present an array of nutrient information. Time pressure can influence how parents interact with different types of label information.
Epidemiological study of brucellosis in Yingkou City of Liaoning Province from 2005 to 2014

Objective To investigate the epidemic situation of brucellosis in Yingkou City of Liaoning Province, and to provide a basis for making prevention and control measures. Methods Surveillance data of human brucellosis in Yingkou City from 2005 to 2014 were collected throng the China information system for disease control and prevention. The method of retrospective data analysis was used to analyze the distributions of region, time, age, sex, and occupation distribution of brucellosis. Results A total of 348 cases were infected with brucellosis in Yingkou City from 2005 to 2014, 268 males and 80 females, and the sex ratio was 3.35∶1.00. The age was mainly concentrated in 35-< 65 years old, a total of 251 cases, accounting for 72.13% (251/348) of the total number of cases. Farmer was the main occupation of the patients, 295 cases, accounting for 84.77% (295/348) of the total number of cases. The city's lowest incidence was in 2011, 0.340/100 000, the highest in 2014, 3.343/100 000. All counties(districts or cities) had reported the epidemic, Gaizhou was the highest, a total of 225 cases, accounting for 64.66% (225/348) of the total number of cases. The onset time focused on April-September each year, 249 cases, accounting for 71.55% (249/348) of the total number of cases. Conclusions The epidemic of brucellosis in Yingkou City is in a spreading trend. Health education and inter-departments cooperation are in need in order to control the spreading of the epidemic. Key words: Brucellosis; Epidemiology; Research
Women in Otolaryngology: Experiences of Being Female in the Specialty.

Objectives A broad survey of women otolaryngologists on the current state of the field, including opportunities for advancement, support of family leave, and prevalence of harassment, has not been performed since 1998. An update on the experiences of female otolaryngologists is vital to continue to advance the specialty. Study design Anonymous web-based survey. Methods Survey of members of the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) section of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (all members of the AAO-HNS that identify as female are automatically members of this section). Distributed via AAO-HNS. Results Five hundred thirty-five responses out of 2303 total WIO members (response rate of 23.2%). Respondents ranged in age from 25 to >65 years. Respondents reported that in the residency programs they attended, 29% of residents, 13% of faculty, and 7% of department leaders were women. Forty-four percent disagreed that their department leaders and 39% disagreed that their male co-residents were supportive of women starting families in training. Younger respondents were more likely to feel that their department leaders were supportive of female residents, maternity leave, etc. Harassment in the current work environment did not differ by age; 53% reported harassment-free, 31% subtle undertones, 8% noticeable tones, 2% significant harassment. Harassment in the workplace varied by region; the greatest level of harassment was in the Midwest. Conclusions Women otolaryngologists continue to experience harassment in the workplace. It is encouraging that younger otolaryngologists feel more supported by their departments in both their careers and their personal lives. This survey highlights critical areas for continued growth within our specialty. Level of evidence IV Laryngoscope, 131:E380-E387, 2021.
Scaling Properties of Azimuthal Anisotropy of Mesons and Baryons at RHIC

Detailed measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy (v 2) for identified charged particles are reported as a function of transverse momentum (pT) and centrality for Au+Au collisions at $$\sqrt {s_{NN} } = 200$$ GeV. The measurements indicate clear evidence for eccentricity and particle flavor scaling over a broad range of centralities and transverse rapidity yT, indicating a hydrodynamical origin of the fine structure of azimuthal anisotropy at RHIC. The observed scaling supports the picture of a suddenly hadronizing (recombining) fluid of quarks. An apparent breaking of flavor scaling at relatively large values of yT points to an important change in the mechanism for particle emission.
A Novel Approach in Treating Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: 治療兒童專注力失調及過度活躍症的新領域

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.The study addressed drug dependence and reliance in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD). It offered alternative, which was natural (no chemicals were involved), cost effective, substituting the conventional/traditional medical prescription with exercise program and sequential processing intervention. The effect of the study on the method was moving from a quick short-term fix, touching the surface of the symptoms and ignoring the long-term abuse, to a healthier approach, allowing better outcomes at the behavioral, cognitive, and physical levels, with no side effects. The conceptual framework of this study served two main objectives: (a) minimizing medication intake, abuse/addiction, and (b) maximizing the child active role in managing classroom/home functioning. Students with ADHD from Israel, Mexico, and the United States, ages 11-13 (N=103) were assessed on the ADHD checklist (Reif, 1997) 4 times during 3 months. Analysis of the teachers' assessments revealed that incidents of behavioral misconduct decreased and academic achievements increased.本文嘗試以另一角度去處理和治療兒童專注力失調及過度活躍症，構思目的以少用藥物，多讓兒童主動參與為主，結果顯示了正面的治療作用。
Multi-class Bayesian support vector data description with anomalies

Support vector data description (SVDD) procedure fits a spherically shaped boundary around the normal data by minimizing the volume of the description. However, the SVDD may not find an efficient boundary if the normal data consist of multiple classes. In addition to the multi-class normal data, some anomaly observations can be available. We propose a generalized SVDD procedure which finds multiple spheres around the multi-class data by incorporating the anomaly observations into the training procedure. Thus, descriptions for each class include as many as their corresponding class observations by keeping the other class and anomaly observations as far as possible. Moreover, we introduce a generalized Bayesian framework which utilizes the relationships among the classes by not only considering the prior information from normal classes but also the anomaly class. Experiments with various simulation studies and real-life applications demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively identify the anomalies in multi-class data.
Postscript to Birth Order and Intellectual Development

Since this symposium is concerned with priorities and paradigms, some remarks about these matters are in order. We should also, in conclusion, return to smoking and praying.
Beyond adolescence: Problem behavior in young adulthood

There is a paucity of information about the extent, the patterning, and the structure of problem behavior in the life stage of young adulthood. In this chapter, we examine a number of different forms of young adult problem behavior and the linkages among them. As defined in Chapter 2, the concept of problem behavior includes those behaviors that are considered a problem, a source of concern, or undesirable by the social or legal norms of conventional society, behaviors that usually elicit negative social sanctions when they occur. Five different areas of young adult problem behavior are described in this chapter; they include problem drinking, marijuana use, the use of other illicit drugs, general deviant behavior, and cigarette smoking. Problem behavior in young adulthood Before considering the structure of interrelations among the five problem behaviors, it is useful to describe their assessment and prevalence based on the 1979 and 1981 young adult questionnaires. Involvement in problem drinking Our concept of “problem” drinking has consistently focused on alcohol consumption to the point of drunkenness and on the negative social and interpersonal consequences associated with drinking. This perspective echoes Cahalan's (1970) emphasis on drinking-related problems rather than on the amount of drinking per se. Young adult drinkers were classified as problem drinkers if they reported being drunk more than six times in the past six months, or if they reported three or more (out of eight) negative consequences due to their drinking in the past six months.
Three methods for refining estimates of invariant subspaces

We compare three methods for refining estimates of invariant subspaces, due to Chatelin, Dongarra/Moler/Wilkinson, and Stewart. Even though these methods all apparently solve different equations, we show by changing variables that they all solve the same equation, the Riccati equation. The benefit of this point of view is threefold. First, the same convergence theory applies to all three methods, yielding a single criterion under which the last two methods converge linearly, and a slightly stronger criterion under which the first algorithm converges quadratically. Second, it suggest a hybrid algorithm combining advantages of all three. Third, it leads to algorithms (and convergence criteria) for the generalized eigenvalue problem. These techniques are compared to techniques used in the control systems community.
Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of lime-treated biomass

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was performed on lime-treated switchgrass and corn stover, and oxidatively lime-treated poplar wood to determine their compatibility with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cellulose-derived glucose was extensively utilized by the yeast during SSF. The ethanol yields from pretreated switchgrass, pretreated corn stover, and pretreated-and-washed poplar wood were 72%, 62% and 73% of theoretical, respectively, whereas those from α-cellulose were 67 to 91% of theoretical. The lower ethanol yields from treated biomass resulted from lower cellulose digestibilities rather than inhibitors produced by the pretreatment. Oxidative lime pretreatment of poplar wood increased the ethanol yield by a factor of 5.6, from 13% (untreated) to 73% (pretreated-and-washed).
A Pseudo-Global Optimization Approach with Application to the Design of Containerships

In this paper, we present a new class of pseudo-global optimization procedures for solving formidable optimization problems in which the objective and/or constraints might be analytically complex and expensive to evaluate, or available only as black-box functions. The proposed approach employs a sequence of polynomial programming approximations that are constructed using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and embeds these within a branch-and-bound framework in concert with a suitable global optimization technique. The lower bounds constructed in this process might only be heuristic in nature, and hence, this is called a pseudo-global optimization approach. We develop two such procedures, each employing two alternative branching techniques, and apply these methods to the problem of designing containerships. The model involves five design variables given by the design draft, the depth at side, the speed, the overall length, and the maximum beam. The constraints imposed enforce the balance between the weight and the displacement, a required acceptable length to depth ratio, a restriction on the metacentric height to ensure that the design satisfies the Coast Guard wind heel criterion, a minimum freeboard level as governed by the code of federal regulations (46 CFR 42), and a lower bound on the rolling period to ensure sea-worthiness. The objective function seeks to minimize the required freight rate that is induced by the design in order to recover capital and operating costs, expressed in dollars per metric ton per nautical mile. The model formulation also accommodates various practical issues in improving the representation of the foregoing considerations, and turns out to be highly nonlinear and nonconvex. A practical test case is solved using the proposed methodology, and the results obtained are compared with those derived using a contemporary commercialized design optimization tool. The prescribed solution yields an improved design that translates to an estimated increase in profits of about d18.45 million, and an estimated 27% increase in the return on investment, over the life of the ship.
Harmonic Analysis Techniques for Second Order Elliptic Boundary Value Problems

Introduction Divergence form elliptic equations Some classes of examples and their perturbation theory Epilogue: Some further results and open problems References.
Spanish‐language immigrant media in Miami‐Dade County, Florida: Discursive arenas for transnational civil societies

New discursive arenas among transnational communities are transforming communication processes both within and beyond national boundaries. Focusing on one of the most diverse and populous Spanish-speaking populations in the United States, we explore five community media publications in Miami-Dade County, Florida, created by and for several distinct Latin American immigrant communities. Through content analysis, we explore articulations of immigration and the environment, issues that are global in nature, but experienced locally. By asking how immigrant media cover environment and immigration, whether or not coverage reflects transnational dimensions, and what this implies for new forms of civic engagement and governance, the results provide insight into the new discursive arenas flowing across borders, critical implications for notions of citizenship, as well as conceptualizations of public opinion legitimacy and efficacy.
Wear testing under high load conditions

Abstract There is a need to eliminate the sudden onset of severe adhesive wear (“scuffing”) in high performance hardened steels (e.g. AISI 9310) under arduous load conditions. We have investigated the friction and wear behavior of three ion implanted and ion beam mixed steels under simulated scuffing conditions using a Falex friction and wear tester. This machine enabled tests to be carried out at a load of 700 lb (318 kg), corresponding to a mean contact pressure of approximately 20 000 psi (i.e., 1×108 N/m2) which was sufficient to induce scuffing. A series of lower load tests at 200 lb (91 kg) load (5.2 × 107 N/m2) enabled the longer term wear performance of various ion/substrate combinations to be measured. The frictional force experienced during wear testing was used to assess the degree of scuffing, and the amount of material worn away was measured on the Falex tester or by subsequent weight loss determinations, depending on the type of test. The following ions were implanted: C+, N+, P+, Ti+, Cr+, Mo+, and Ta+, chosen in order to evaluate the effects of intermetallic additions (C, N, P), alloys elements (Ti, Cr), and anti-scuff elements (Mo, Ta). In addition some thin ( ∼1000 A ) vacuum evaporated layers of Si, V, Ni, Nb, Sn, Mo, Ta and W were prepared, and in some cases intermixed with N+ ions at a fluence of typically 2×1017/cm2, to compare with the effects of ion implantation. Under the low load conditions the wear rate of AISI 3135 steel (1.5% Ni, 0.65% Cr alloy tool steel) was found to be reduced by a factor 3 as a result of N+ implantation under low load, in agreement with previous work reported elsewhere, whereas other ions gave inconclusive results. The 52100 steel (a through-hardened martensitic bearing steel) showed marked improvements after Ti+ implantation, revealing a sensitivity to fluence which correlated with known dry sliding behaviour of this steel modified by titanium implantations. Ta+ and Mo+ implantations into 9310 steel (a case-hardened gear steel with 3.0% Ni, 1.4% Cr and 0.55% Mn) reduced the wear rate (in μg per second) under the low load parameters from 4.2 to 0.15 and 0.26 respectively. Under simulated scuffing, Ta+ was effective whereas Mo+ was not. SEM examination of the implanted AISI-9310 steel wear pins tested to 200 lb (91 kg) showed extensive smoothing in the implanted worn zones, implying a different wear process. On all the steels, mixed overlayers showed improved friction and wear behavior compared to unmixed layers. The results are discussed in terms of the probable influence of the various added elements on the metallurgical wear mechanisms of the respective steels.
"Life…in the midst of death": Notes on the Relationship Between Slave Insurance, Life Insurance and Disability

This article examines the way post-bellum genres of disability, race, and credit-debt shaped the emergence of US slave insurance and life insurance industries. After all, the same period which witnessed the demise of formal enslavement saw the debut of structures that protected the privilege of people whose wealth and power threatened to come undone: this would include sharecropping and convict leasing. Despite a similar emphasis on institutionalizing credit-debt relations, insurance appears benign by comparison. Even though insurance agencies assign differential value to human lives, the birth of insurance is seen, along with the triumph of capitalism and democracy, as part of the birth of freedom . In what follows, I explore a discourse on debility that was likewise a discourse on debt—one with enduring resonance for social movement politics. Keywords: disability, civil rights, social movement politics, slavery, capitalism
Spectral methods for stationary harmonizable alpha-stable processes

We address the problem of estimation of the fractional-power spectrum of certain classes of symmetric, alpha-stable (SαS) processes. We start with a summary of the key definitions and results from the theory of stationary, harmonizable SαS processes and proceed to discuss the performance of fractional-power periodograms. Next, we present a high resolution fractional-power spectrum estimation algorithm that we term "the minimum dispersion distortionless response." The algorithm is a generalization of the classical Maximum Likelihood Method of Capon. Preliminary tests of the algorithms are run on simulated data.
Transcriptionally active genome regions are preferred targets for retrovirus integration.

Abstract We have analyzed the transcriptional activity of cellular target sequences for Moloney murine leukemia virus integration in mouse fibroblasts. At least five of the nine random, unselected integration target sequences studied showed direct evidence for transcriptional activity by hybridization to nuclear run-on transcripts prepared from uninfected cells. At least four of the sequences contained multiple recognition sites for several restriction enzymes that cut preferentially in CpG-rich islands, indicating integration into 5' or 3' ends or flanking regions of genes. Assuming that only a minor fraction (less than 20%) of the genome is transcribed in mammalian cells, we calculated the probability that this association of retroviral integration sites with transcribed sequences is due to chance to be very low (1.6 x 10(-2]. Thus, our results strongly suggest that transcriptionally active genome regions are preferred targets for retrovirus integration.