cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On maximally flat low-pass filters with ripple in the stopband

Maximally flat (MF) low-pass filters of order n with exactly n , or n - 1 finite zeros are investigated and are compared with the same order Butterworth filter, i.e., the MF filter with no finite zeros. It is seen that the MF filter with finite imaginary zeros exhibits sharper cutoff at the edge of the passband and ripple in the stopband. It is shown that the MF filter that maximizes the magnitude of the slope at cutoff is characterized by equal ripple in the stopband. This filter is shown to be the Inverse Chebyshev. Expressions for cutoff slope and for transition bandwidth are derived and are compared with those of the Butterworth filter. The step responses of the Inverse Chebyshev and of the Butterworth are also compared.
Defective nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells and extracellular signal-regulated kinase underlies deficient IL-2 gene expression in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Background Proliferation and IL-2 production in response to T-cell receptor ligation are impaired in patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). The transcription factors nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT), and activating protein-1 (AP-1) play a critical role in IL-2 gene expression. Objective To investigate the mechanisms of impaired IL-2 production after T-cell receptor ligation in T cells deficient in WAS protein (WASP). Methods T cells from WASP −/− mice were stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. Nuclear NF-κB, NF-AT, and AP-1 DNA-binding activity was examined by electroshift mobility assay. NF-ATp dephosphorylation and nuclear localization were examined by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence. Phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk and Jnk, and of their nuclear substrates Elk-1 and c-Jun, was examined by Western blot. Expression of mRNA for IL-2 and the NF-κB–dependent gene A20 and of the AP-1 components c-fos and c-Jun was examined by quantitative RT-PCR. Results Nuclear translocation and activity of NF-κB were normal in T cells from WASP −/− mice. In contrast, NF-ATp dephosphorylation and nuclear localization, nuclear AP-1 binding activity, and expression of c-fos, but not c-Jun, were all impaired. Phosphorylation of Jnk, c-Jun, and Erk were normal. However, nuclear translocation of phosphorylated Erk and phosphorylation of its nuclear substrate Elk1, which activates the c-fos promoter, were impaired. Conclusion These results suggest that WASP is essential for NF-ATp activation, and for nuclear translocation of p-Erk, Elk1 phosphorylation, and c-fos gene expression in T cells. These defects underlie defective IL-2 expression and T-cell proliferation in WAS.
X-ray crystal structures of Moorella thermoacetica FprA. Novel diiron site structure and mechanistic insights into a scavenging nitric oxide reductase.

Several members of a widespread class of bacterial and archaeal metalloflavoproteins, called FprA, likely function as scavenging nitric oxide reductases (S-NORs). However, the only published X-ray crystal structure of an FprA is for a protein characterized as a rubredoxin:dioxygen oxidoreductase (ROO) from Desulfovibrio gigas. Therefore, the crystal structure of Moorella thermoacetica FprA, which has been established to function as an S-NOR, was solved in three different states: as isolated, reduced, and reduced, NO-reacted. As is the case for D. gigas ROO, the M. thermoacetica FprA contains a solvent-bridged non-heme, non-sulfur diiron site with five-coordinate iron centers bridged by an aspartate, and terminal glutamate, aspartate, and histidine ligands. However, the M. thermoacetica FprA diiron site showed four His ligands, two to each iron, in all three states, whereas the D. gigas ROO diiron site was reported to contain only three His ligands, even though the fourth His residue is conserved. The Fe1...
Laparoscopic Repair of High Imperforate Anus

Numerous laparoscopic operations have replaced the traditional open procedure in both adults and children. These new procedures have allowed access to body cavities without significantly traumatizing intervening tissue. The laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) for high anorectal malformations (ARM) uses fundamental concepts learned from decades of high ARM repair and incorporates modern technologic advancements in surgical instrumentation and techniques. This laparoscopic approach offers good visualization of an infant's deep pelvis with a reconstruction technique that minimizes trauma to important surrounding structures. The laparoscopic repair can be completed in one stage, 2 stages, or 3 stages. Currently, either the 2-stage or 3-stage operation is recommended. With the 3-stage approach, a temporary colostomy is created initially followed by LAARP in several weeks to months. The colostomy then is closed several months later.
The Power Struggle Stage

SUMMARY The third stage of marriage presents the couple with one of the most difficult, and least understood, issues in the relation-ship-the issue of power. The author examines the dynamics of power and the therapeutic tools that have proven useful in defusing the intensity of the power struggles, thus freeing the couple to re-experience empathy and love for each other.
An intradermal environment promotes a protective type-1 response against lethal systemic monocytotropic ehrlichial infection.

Immune responses against monocytotropic ehrlichiosis during infection with a strain of Ehrlichia from Ixodes ovatus (IOE) were evaluated using a model that closely reproduces the pathology and immunity associated with tick-transmitted human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated intradermally or intraperitoneally with high-dose highly virulent IOE or intraperitoneally with mildly virulent Ehrlichia muris. Intradermal (i.d.) infection with IOE established mild, self-limited disease associated with minimal hepatic apoptosis, and all mice survived past 30 days. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) infection with IOE resulted in acute, severe toxic shock-like syndrome and severe multifocal hepatic apoptosis and necrosis, and all mice succumbed to disease. Compared to i.p. infection with IOE, intradermally infected mice had a 100- to 1,000-fold lower bacterial load in the spleen with limited dissemination. Compared to mice infected intraperitoneally with IOE, i.d. infection stimulated a stronger protective type-1 cell-mediated response on day 7 of infection, characterized by increased percentages of both CD4 and CD8 splenic T cells, generation of a greater number of IOE-specific, gamma interferon-producing CD4 Th1 cells, and higher levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) in the spleen but lower concentrations of serum TNF- and interleukin-10. These data suggest that under the conditions of natural route of challenge (i.e., i.d. inoculation), the immune response has the capacity to confer complete protection against monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, which is associated with a strong cellmediated type-1 response and decreased systemic production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Electrical characterization of bell-type electrostatic painting systems

A numerical model that determines the electrical characteristics of a bell-type electrostatic painting system is presented. The model is capable of handling the complex geometries of practical sprayers and accounts for the space charge effect of charged paint droplets. The influence of aerodynamic forces is also considered in tracing individual droplet trajectories. As a test of tile simulation, the restricted case of a sprayer emitting ions, rather than charged paint droplets, was modeled. The simulation results were compared with experimental data and showed good agreement. For the more general case, maps of equipotential contours and the paint droplet trajectories are generated for a bell-type sprayer. It was found that the space charge tends to increase the deposition field, although not as strongly as increased bell potential or decreased bell-to-target spacing. However, the space charge also caused the spray pattern to expand, possibly leading to increased overspray. >
A novel maximum likelihood estimator for GPS signal angle of arrival

A method is presented to recast the maximum likelihood equation for a GPS signal angle of arrival as a dynamical system. This map possesses a global attractor at the solution of the maximum likelihood equation, and therefore converges to the true AOA MLE regardless of the starting estimate used. A performance analysis shows the RMSE of its estimates are typically below the CRLB.
Conjugated linoleic acid does not impair fat regain but alters IGF-1 levels in weight-reduced rats

It has been previously reported that in rats undergoing repeated weight gain/loss cycles, more fat is regained than that was lost. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a collective name for a mixture of positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid, is known to regulate body composition by decreasing body fat. The present study was designed to examine the effects of CLA on body fat regain in weight-reduced obese rats. Female Wistar rats (n=52), 6 mo old, were divided into 4 groups: 1) HFRF rats (n=10) were fed a high fat diet (40% ww) diet for 9 weeks to an obese state and were then food restricted (50% ad-lib) with a modified high fat diet for 3 weeks to induce a 20% body weight loss. They were then refed the high fat diet ad-lib for 8 weeks; 2) HFCL rats (n=22) were treated in the same manner as rats in HFRF except were refed a high fat diet with 1% CLA (ww); 3) LFCN rats (n=10) were fed regular rodent diet ad-lib; 4) HFCN rats (n=10) were fed a high fat diet ad-lib. Ten HFCL rats were sacrificed after 4 weeks of refeeding while body composition and plasma glucose and insulin assessed for the other groups as a comparison. All remaining rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks of refeeding. After 4 weeks of refeeding, HFCL rats were similar in both body weight and body fat %. At the end of the study, HFCL rats weighed the same as high fat fed rats while HFRF rats weighed the same as rats of the other groups. All high fat fed groups had significantly higher % body fat than low fat fed rats but were not different from each other (HFCL: 22 ± 2%; HFRF: 23 ± 2%; HFCN: 27 ± 2%; LFCN: 15 ± 2%). HFCL and HFCN rats had significantly higher retroperitoneal lipoprotein lipase activity levels than that of HFRF rats (p<0.05). HFRF and HFCL rats had similar plasma insulin, leptin, and estradiol levels at sacrifice. HFCL rats had significantly lower IGF-1 levels (p<0.05) than that of HFRF and HFCN rats, while LFCN rats had levels similar to all groups (nmol/L, HFCL: 10 ± 0.7; HFRF: 13 ± 0.8; HFCN: 13 ± 0.8; LFCN: 11 ± 1.7). We conclude that a 40% high fat diet with 1% CLA fed to weight-reduced obese rats did not prevent the fat regain during the refeeding phase. The previously reported anticarcinogenic effect of CLA reported by other investigators may be partially due to lowered IGF-1 levels without the alteration of other hormone levels.
Preliminary Observations on the Effects of Water Hardness on Free Taurine and Other Amino Acids in Plasma and Muscle of Channel Catfish

Abstract An interesting metabolic adjustment that fish make in their adaptation to a particular environment concerns the maintenance of the proper osmotic balance in their tissues. Free amino acids can be important isosmotic regulators; they contribute to intra- and extracellular fluid osmolality and are important in cell volume regulation. For this reason, a laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of water ionic composition on the level of free amino acids in the plasma and muscles of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Duplicate groups of fish were fed a commercial diet (40% crude protein) twice daily to apparent satiation. Fish were held under two different regimes of water hardness, 17.9 and 407 mg/L as CaCO3, which were considered soft and hard water, respectively. Blood and muscle samples were obtained from fish at the start and termination of the 4-week experiment. Mean plasma osmolarity was 294 and 273 mmol/kg for fish reared in hard and soft water, respectively. Anal...
Detection and prognostic impact of micrometastasis in colorectal cancer

Review of literature was performed on studies with prognostic impact of micrometastasis in colorectal cancer. Among 16 studies included, micrometastasis was detected in 26.5% of patients. Most analysis revealed that micrometastasis carries a poorer prognosis compared to node negative disease (NND). The results of those studies were compared with our pilot study of 109 patients with colon cancer, showing improved prognosis of micrometastasis after being upstaged and treated with chemotherapy when compared with NND.
A Study of Ground-Plane-Level and Vehicle-Level Radiation Patterns of GPS Antenna in Telematics Applications

This paper studies the impact of antenna placement on the radiation pattern of a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna in telematics applications. The radiation pattern of a GPS antenna is first measured on 1 m ground-plane. Then the radiation pattern of the same antenna is measured at three distinct locations on a sedan vehicle. Results are presented to show the impact of GPS antenna placement on its radiation pattern and to compare the ground-plane and vehicle-level radiation patterns
Predictors of antiretroviral adherence as measured by self-report, electronic monitoring, and medication diaries.

This study reports on the prevalence and predictors of adherence as measured by self-report, medication diaries, and electronic monitoring. A sample of 180 patients receiving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antiretroviral therapy were randomized to one of three adherence surveillance methods (electronic monitoring caps, patient medication diaries, no surveillance control group) for 4 weeks, with adherence measured by self-report at study end point; 173 (96%) participants completed the study. Most participants were male (82%), non-white (68%), and unemployed (84%); mean self-reported CD4 count was 406 cells/mm3, and 31% reported having undetectable viral load. The three methods of adherence measurement revealed moderate (electronic monitoring: 80.6%) to high (self-report: 93.7%; diaries: 92.6%) rates of adherence. Although there were differences across adherence measures, variables that were identified as correlates of lower adherence by all three methods included living with others or having a larger h...
Legal Education Reform, Diversity, and Access to Justice

This paper focuses on the current legal education reform dialogue. It argues that the dialogue fails to address the disproportionate exclusion of diverse students from the profession and the resultant lack of justice in underserved communities. The justice gap between impoverished and affluent communities in this country leaves the poor with inadequate legal representation. This gap is tied to the lack of diversity in the profession. Attorneys of color are more likely to serve clients of color and engage in public interest and public service practice. As the primary gatekeepers to the practice of law, law schools should address the disproportionate whiteness of the legal profession. If we reform legal education without reconsidering who law schools educate and who our graduates serve, we will have missed an opportunity to transform the academy and to make legal education and the legal profession more relevant and its practices more just.
Putin's macho personality cult☆

Abstract Masculinity has long been Russian President Vladimir Putin's calling card. At the center of Putin's macho aura is his image as a tough leader who will not allow Western countries to weaken Russia or dictate what Russia's domestic and foreign policies should look like. This article draws attention to the role of masculinity in the Putin regime's legitimation strategy, and how it became more obvious during the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2014 and the Russian annexation of Crimea. To the extent that there is a “personality cult” in contemporary Russia, the personality at the center of it is defined in highly gendered terms, shaping the tenor of both domestic and foreign policy.
Incorporating BODIPY Fluorophores into Tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzenes

Six structural isomers of a tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzene (TAEB) chromophore functionalized with dibutylamine and BODIPY moieties as the corresponding donor and acceptor units were prepared. To evaluate the effectiveness of the donor group, two TAEB molecules and three structurally related bis(arylethynyl)benzene (BAEB) isomers containing only acceptors were also synthesized. The electronic absorption and emission spectra of each series were examined. Additionally, computational studies were employed to corroborate the relative energy levels and gaps present in each series.
Antiviral activity of an extract of Brucella abortus: induction of interferon and immunopotentiation of host resistance.

SummaryThese data provide evidence that (i) the peak level and duration of the serum interferon response induced in mice by Bru-Pel is similar to that induced by some viruses and poly(I:C); (ii) the induction of interferon is markedly reduced after multiple injections of Bru-Pel; (iii) when administered as an interferon inducer, Bru-Pel does not appear to be as effective as poly(I:C) in protecting mice infected with either encephalomyocarditis virus or Herpesvirus hominis type 2; and (iv) when given 10-14 days prior to virus inoculation, Bru-Pel is effective as a nonspecific enhancer of host resistance to viral infection. These data suggest that Bru-Pel, in addition to its use as an interferon inducer, may have a role as a nonspecific potentiator of host resistance similar to that which has been reported for other bacterial agents such as C. parvum and BCG.The authors would like to thank James T. Richards for excellent technical assistance.
Numerical Investigation of Transverse Forcing in a Multi-Element, Shear-Coaxial, High Pressure Combustor

Numerical investigation of transverse combustion instability is conducted in a rectangular combustion chamber using large eddy simulations. The combustion chamber is a multi-element, shear-coaxial, high pressure combustor, referred as transverse instability combustor (TIC) rig, which is experimentally studied at Purdue University. We consider a reduced geometrical representation of the rig, where we model three out of the seven injector elements in order to assess the capability to reproduce the first mode transverse instability observed within the TIC rig, at a reduced computational cost. The use of characteristic boundary conditions permits to study the same case with an imposed pressure oscillation. We analyze the results from both test cases to investigate similarities and differences in terms of thermo-acoustic quantities, and provide useful insights for future studies.
Rules of the Game in Britain: Can the Politicians Be Trusted?

Politicians do not endorse rules of the game as reliably as is implied by traditional constitutional commentaries or by modern democratic theory. Interviews with Members of Parliament and candidates demonstrate that their views are deeply and systematically divided between alternative constitutional interpretations constructed upon foundations of party-political bias. Thus, attitudes towards nearly all rules of the game are powerfully shaped by political values such as authority and equality, values that differentiate views within as well as between the Conservative and labour parties. Similarly, patterns of support seem much affected by a disposition to boost norms that aid one's own party, depending on whether it is in Government or Opposition, and to downgrade norms that might aid political opponents. The article considers implications of these results for the viability of Britain's unwritten Constitution and for theories about the foundations of representative government.
Adjustment of Adaptive Gain with Bounded Linear Stability Analysis to Improve Time-Delay Margin for Metrics-Driven Adaptive Control

This paper presents the application of Bounded Linear Stability Analysis (BLSA) method for metrics driven adaptive control. The bounded linear stability analysis method is used for analyzing stability of adaptive control models, without linearizing the adaptive laws. Metrics-driven adaptive control introduces a notion that adaptation should be driven by some stability metrics to achieve robustness. By the application of bounded linear stability analysis method the adaptive gain is adjusted during the adaptation in order to meet certain phase margin requirements. Analysis of metrics-driven adaptive control is evaluated for a linear damaged twin-engine generic transport model of aircraft. The analysis shows that the system with the adjusted adaptive gain becomes more robust to unmodeled dynamics or time delay.
Immunotyping and Pyocin Typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Clinical Specimens

Two hundred sixty-seven strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens were immunotyped using seven anti-Pseudomonas rabbit sera, and pyocin typed using eight indicator strains. Of the 230 consecutive isolates tested, 83% were immunotypable and 90% were pyocin typable. When both typing methods were used concurrently, 261 strains were typed, giving a 98% overall typability. An attempt was made to correlate sensitivity to carbenicillin and gentamicin with various immunotypes. Using growth from sensitivity plates directly for immunotyping as an added advantage for early surveillance and treatment is discussed.
Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics

The sensation of nausea is a common occurrence with diverse causes and a significant disease burden. Nausea is considered to function as a protective mechanism, warning the organism to avoid potential toxic ingestion. Less adaptive circumstances are also associated with nausea, including post-operative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and motion sickness. A common definition of nausea identifies the symptom as a precursor to the act of vomiting. The interaction, though present, does not appear to be a simple relationship. Nausea is unfortunately the 'neglected symptom', with current accepted therapy generally directed at improving gastrointestinal motility or acting to relieve emesis. Improved understanding of the pathophysiological basis of nausea has important implications for exploiting novel mechanisms or developing novel therapies for nausea relief.
Glutathione concentration in the erythrocytes of normal infants and infants suffering from erythroblastosis fetalis

Abstract In further pursuit of the reason for the variation in severity of erythroblastosis fetalis secondary to an Rh blood group incompatibility in infants of similar gestational age born to women with identical serologic findings, erythrocyte glutathione levels were determined on normal and erythroblastotic infants. The results obtained are presented. No significant differenc was observed between the mean values found in normal and erythroblastotic infants.
HYDRAULIC CONVEYANCE OF SOLIDS IN PIPES

SUMMARY A study was made of the flow of solid-water mixtures through horizontal pipes. Six series of tests are reported using separate mixtures of three different solids in 1- and 2-in. diameter pipes. Measurements of hydraulic gradient, solids concentration, and discharge were made. Particle behavior was observed for flow with a stationary bed, saltation flow, and heterogeneous flow in order to study the mechanics of particle movement. The data have been correlated with the results of previous investigators.
Septo-Optic Dysplasia and Diabetes Insipidus

The clinical and endocrinological findings in 24 children with septo-optic dysplasia and/or agenesis of the corpus callosum are described with reference to posterior pituitary function in a report from the Institute of Child Health and The Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK.
Early infection risk with primary versus staged Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft implantation

Abstract Objective This study evaluated whether the use of a staged Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO; Merit Medical, South Jordan, Utah) implantation strategy incurs increased early infection risk compared with conventional primary HeRO implantation. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 192 hemodialysis patients who underwent HeRO graft implantation: 105 patients underwent primary HeRO implantation in the operating room, and 87 underwent a staged implantation where a previously inserted tunneled central venous catheter was used for guidewire access for the venous outflow component. Within the staged implantation group, 32 were performed via an existing tunneled hemodialysis catheter (incidentally staged), and 55 were performed via a tunneled catheter inserted across a central venous occlusion in an interventional radiology suite specifically for HeRO implantation (intentionally staged). Early infection was defined as episodes of bacteremia or HeRO infection requiring resection ≤30 days of HeRO implantation. Results For staged HeRO implantations, the median interval between tunneled catheter insertion and conversion to a HeRO graft was 42 days. The overall HeRO-related infection rate ≤30 days of implantation was 8.6% for primary HeRO implantation and 2.3% for staged implantations ( P = .12). The rates of early bacteremia and HeRO resection requiring surgical resection were not significantly different between groups ( P = .19 and P = .065, respectively), nor were age, gender, laterality, anastomosis to an existing arteriovenous access, human immunodeficiency virus status, diabetes, steroids, chemotherapy, body mass index, or graft location. None of the patient variables, techniques, or graft-related variables correlated significantly with the early infection rate. Conclusions The staged HeRO implantation strategy did not result in an increased early infection risk compared with conventional primary implantation and is thus a reasonable strategy for HeRO insertion in hemodialysis patients with complex central venous disease.
Population dynamic human behavioral models for smart grid demand side management

Demand side management (DSM) plays a critical role in scheduling and optimizing the energy consumption in the smart grid. Considering the critical yet complex human behavior issue, we develop new population dynamic models to describe the behavior of DSM users and use them to analyze the performance of DSM. We first introduce an accurate Markov model for the DSM population. We show that this model can be converted into a form similar to the popular SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered) model in mathematical biology. Then, we formulate a composite model that integrates the new DSM user behavioral model with a game theoretic DSM scheme. The convergence and the equilibrium of the composite model are studied both analytically and numerically. Experiments are conducted to determine the important model parameters.
Black Mold Infections: What We Know and What We Need to Know

Dematiaceous, or black fungi, are distinguished from other fungal species by the presence of melanin. They are ubiquitous and commonly found in soil, though rarely cause infection in humans. As a result, randomized clinical trials are impractical and reliable data regarding management is not available. Our aim is to summarize what is known and what needs to be studied in the future. These fungi can cause superficial and disseminated infection in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals and are often difficult to treat, requiring both surgical intervention and prolonged medical therapy. No specific diagnostic tests are available. Combination antifungal therapy may provide better outcomes than traditional approaches to treatment. Black fungi are increasingly recognized as causing disease, though high clinical suspicion is needed to establish the diagnosis. Standard therapies are lacking; management is based on in vitro data, animal studies, and clinical experience with expert opinions derived primarily from descriptive case studies. Further studies focused on diagnostic and management strategies are needed.
Six-week retention after postplacental copper intrauterine device placement.

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate the 6-week clinical outcomes (intrauterine device [IUD] retention, recognized expulsions, ability to visualize or palpate strings, and need for ultrasound evaluation) in women who received a TCu380A postplacental IUD (PPIUD) after vaginal (VD) or cesarean delivery (CD). Study design We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the 6-week retention of TCu380A IUDs placed within 10 min of placental delivery in VD (n=137) and CD (n=73). We used Student's t test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous data and Pearson χ2 test and Fisher's Exact Test for categorical data. Results Of the 169 women who had follow-up, 151 (89.3%) retained their IUD at 6 weeks (95% CI 84.7%–93.9%). All women who underwent CD retained their IUD at 6 weeks postpartum (56/56), whereas 95/113 (84% [95% CI 76.0%–90.3%]) who underwent VD retained their original IUD (p Conclusion Women are more likely to retain a PPIUD after CD compared to a VD (p
Relating motivation and student outcomes in general organic chemistry

A central tenet of self-regulated learning theories is that students are motivated towards learning in order to self-regulate. It is thus important to identify student motivations in order to inform efforts to improve instructional strategies that encourage self-regulation. Here we describe a study aimed at characterizing the important motivation factors for students taking general organic chemistry, and how they connect to, and correlate with student performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 2648 undergraduate student participants at two institutions over five semesters and four instructors. Motivation was measured using the Organic Chemistry Motivation Survey (OCMS), a modified form of Glynn et al. (2011)'s Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQ-II). The results suggest that the students were highly motivated towards earning a high grade, but that this grade motivation correlated only weakly with performance. Other intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors were found to be low, suggesting that the students perceived organic chemistry to have little relevance to their interests and careers. However, student performance was strongly correlated with self-efficacy, and, to a lesser extent, self-determination. This finding implies that high-performing students tended to be self-regulated learners who are not motivated primarily by the relevance of the course content. Alternate sources of motivation that can drive self-regulation are discussed.
Missing-Tag Detection with Presence of Unknown Tags

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been proliferating in recent years, especially with its wide usage in retail, warehouse and supply chain management. One of its most popular applications is to automatically detect missing products (attached with RFID tags) in a large storage place. However, most existing protocols assume that the IDs of all tags within a reader's coverage are known, while ignoring practical scenarios where the IDs of some tags may be unknown. The existence of these unknown tags will introduce false positives in those protocols, degrading their performance. Some prior art studies this problem, but their time efficiency is low, especially when the number of unknown tags is large. In this paper, we propose a missing tag detection protocol based on compressed filters, which not only reduces the filter size for better time-efficiency but also helps dampen the interference of unknown tags for high missing-tag detection accuracy. To further improve the performance, we propose a new way for tags to report their presence, greatly reducing collisions and thus improving the detection probability. Extensive simulations demonstrate that our compressed filter and collision-reduction method reduce the protocol execution time by 83\% to 92\% under the same missing-tag detection probability, when comparing with the best prior work.
A Cognitive-Behavioral Framework of User Password Management Lifecycle

Passwords are the most commonly used mechanism in controlling users' access to information systems. Little research has been established on the entire user password management lifecycle from the start of generating a password, maintaining the password, using the password to authenticate, then to the end of the lifespan of the password when it needs to be changed. We develop a cognitive-behavioral framework depicting the cognitive activities that users perform within each stage, and how the stages interact with the human information processor, i.e. memory and attention resources. Individual factors are also represented in the framework such as attitudes, motivations, and emotions that can affect users' behaviors during the password management lifecycle. The paper discusses cognitive and behavioral activities throughout the lifecycle as well as the associated economics. We show the importance of a holistic approach in understanding users' password behaviors and the framework provides guidance on future research directions.
Hematological effects of certain 2,4-diaminopyrimidines, antagonists of folic acid metabolism.

1 . The administration of 2,4-diamino-5-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-6-methylpyrimidine (50-197) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl) pyrimidine (50-11) to mice and rats produced delayed effects characteristic of folic acid deficiency; 50-197 amid 2,4-diamino-5-p-chlorophenyl-6-ethylpyrimidine (50-63) produced similar effects in dogs. LD50 values have been calculated. 2. The diaminopyrimidines caused ileitis amid colitis with diarrhea in mice, rats, and dogs, and stomatitis in dogs; animals lost weight and became dehydrated. Microscopic changes found in gastrointestinal tract, lymphatic tissue, and bone marrow have been described. 3. The hematologic manifestations observed were (a) granulocytopenia and reticulocytopenia in rats and dogs; there was a relatively less severe lymphocytopenia, (b) alterations in dog marrow which included an appreciable proportion of erythroid development via the megaloblast series, numerous and varied mitotic abnormalities, nuclear fragments, giant metamyelocytes, hypersegmented polymorphonuclear cells and a change its nuclear chromatin of myeloid series corresponding to megaloblastosis in erythroid development. 4. Doses of the diaminopyrimidines in excess of the LD50 produced convulsions in mice and rats (50-197 and 50-11); acute convulsant effects were also produced in cats given 50-197 and in dogs given 50-63. This acute convulsant actions could be prevented by means of anesthetic barbiturates. It is a property of alkyl substituted 2,4-diaminopyrimidines and 2-methyl-4-aminopyrimidines and is not specifically related to anti-folic activity. 5. The delayed death of some, but not all, mice following the diaminopyrimidines could be prevented by the simultaneous administration of citrovorum factor. This suggests, on the analogy of 4-amino-PGA and PGA, that there might be another factor or factors its the folic-folinic acid reaction chain as yet unidentified in cells.
Emergency Department Visits due to Scabies in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis of a Nationally Representative Emergency Department Sample

Background Limited information exists regarding the burden of emergency department (ED) visits due to scabies in the United States. The goal of this study was to provide population-level estimates regarding scabies visits to American EDs. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of the nationally representative National Emergency Department Sample from 2013 to 2015. Outcomes included adjusted odds for scabies ED visits, adjusted odds for inpatient admission due to scabies in the ED scabies population, predictors for cost of care, and seasonal/regional variation in cost and prevalence of scabies ED visits. Results Our patient population included 416 017 218 ED visits from 2013 to 2015, of which 356 267 were due to scabies (prevalence = 85.7 per 100 000 ED visits). The average annual expenditure for scabies ED visits was $67 125 780.36. The average cost of care for a scabies ED visit was $750.91 (±17.41). Patients visiting the ED for scabies were most likely to be male children from lower income quartiles and were most likely to present to the ED on weekdays in the fall, controlling for all other factors. Scabies ED patients that were male, older, insured by Medicare, from the highest income quartile, and from the Midwest/West were most likely to be admitted as inpatients. Older, higher income, Medicare patients in large Northeastern metropolitan cities had the greatest cost of care. Conclusion This study provides comprehensive nationally representative estimates of the burden of scabies ED visits on the American healthcare system. These findings are important for developing targeted interventions to decrease the incidence and burden of scabies in American EDs.
Chapter 13 – Synthetic Biology

From the genetic viewpoint, the production of a small molecule such as ethanol may well be more complex than production of a protein such as somatotropin. Although proteins are macromolecules, single genes encode them, whereas small molecules must be made by biochemical pathways that require several steps, each catalyzed by a separate enzyme. Thus, multiple genes are involved, together with their regulatory systems. Pathway engineering is the assembly of a new or improved biochemical pathway, using genes from one or more organisms. Most efforts to date have consisted of modification and improvement of existing pathways, rather than the assembly of completely new synthetic schemes. However, totally novel pathways will no doubt begin to appear over the next few years. This brings us to the concept of synthetic biology. This emerging area is constantly changing and is impossible to define precisely. The overall idea is the design of novel biological pathways, devices, or systems. It overlaps with pathway engineering but is more fashionable! Perhaps one key difference is that pathway engineering takes an existing pathway and improves it, whereas in synthetic biology the pathway or device is designed first and then assembled from available components.
Optimized material selection for subsea valves to prevent failure and improve reliability

The offshore oil and gas industry began in 1947 when Kerr-McGee completed the first “out of the land” well successfully in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana in just 4.6 m of water. Offshore exploration and production technology have been gradually expanded in the decades since, and the venture for finding oil has moved to deep water areas. Subsea valves are mainly located on the wellhead and manifolds and could be ball, through conduit gate and axial check valves. This paper introduces the main types of subsea valves as well as their main components. The suitable materials for different components have been proposed to increase the reliability through mitigating the corrosion risk, improving the mechanical strength, compatibility with the fluid, maintaining the safe operation of the valve over the design life, etc. The proposed materials are used for critical components of the valves such as body, bonnet, disk, seats, pup piece, etc. and the best choices have been summarized at the end of the table. A chart has been developed introducing the key parameters in selecting the optimized material choice for subsea valves such as erosion, corrosion, HSE, process compatibility, etc.
Cognitive Load and the Effectiveness of Distraction for Acute Pain in Children.

BACKGROUND Distraction tasks that place continuous, high demand on executive resources have been shown to reduce pain intensity and pain unpleasantness ratings in some healthy adult samples. We examined the effects of a high-demand 'working memory' 1-back task compared to a low-demand 'motor control' task on pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings in healthy children. Additionally, dispositional mindfulness was examined to explore the mechanisms of distraction on the affective processing of pain. METHODS Fifty-seven children (9-13 years old) experienced three randomly presented heat levels (not painful, slightly painful, moderately painful) during two distraction conditions involving different levels of cognitive load (a high load 'working memory' task and a low load 'motor' control task) in counter-balanced order. Children completed measures of dispositional mindfulness, and attentional control and emotional control. RESULTS As predicted, children's pain intensity and pain unpleasantness ratings were lower in the high load condition compared to the low load condition. These differences were amplified in the moderately painful heat trials. In contrast with predictions, dispositional mindfulness did not significantly predict the effectiveness of distraction. Dispositional mindfulness was significantly related to measures of children's attentional and emotional control abilities; however, an exploratory serial mediation model did not produce significant indirect or overall effects to suggest a strong influence of mindfulness on the effectiveness of distraction. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrate that distraction that places higher demand on executive resources is more effective for acute pain management for children. Further research is needed to explore cognitive and affective moderators of the effectiveness of distraction for children. SIGNIFICANCE This study is one of the first to demonstrate that working-memory engagement can attenuate pain intensity and pain unpleasantness in children aged 9-13. The findings suggest that distraction tasks used in clinical settings for moderately painful medical procedures may benefit more children if they are adequately demanding of cognitive resources.
Penetrating deep pelvic injury due to “less-lethal” beanbag munitions: a case report and policy implications

"Less-lethal" munitions are designed to cause incapacitation and are often used by law enforcement officers. Although these munitions are not designed to cause severe injury, recent reports have demonstrated that they can cause severe injury, permanent disability, and death. The long-term consequences of injury due to less-lethal munitions are not well understood. We present a case of osteomyelitis and pelvic abscess secondary to a retained beanbag munition following penetrating injury in the setting of a patient with delayed presentation for care. The patient underwent surgical removal of the retained beanbag munition and irrigation and debridement of the osteomyelitis and pelvic abscess with an excellent functional outcome. We discuss the public health and policy implications of serious injury due to less-lethal munitions.
Explaining the Gamma-Ray Burst E_peak Distribution

The characteristic photon energy for Gamma Ray Bursts, E_peak, has a remarkably narrow distribution for bursts of similar peak flux, with values between 150 and 600 keV for most faint bursts. This result is surprising within the framework of internal shock models, since spectral shifts associated with the jet's blue shift (by a Lorentz factor of Gamma) and the cosmological red shift (by a factor of 1+z) should cause substantial smearing in the distribution of the spectral peak in the jet's co-moving frame, E_rest. For the general case where the luminosity (L) varies as Gamma^N and E_rest varies as Gamma^M, then the observed E_peak will vary as L^{(M+1)/N}(1+z)^{-1}. For two independent set of 20 and 84 bursts, E_peak(1+z) varies as a power law of the luminosity with an index of (M+1)/N=0.36+-0.03. With this measured value, the above functional dependence of E_peak on L and z results in E_peak being roughly constant for bursts of similar peak flux, P_256. Thus, the kinematic smearing will be small, hence allowing the E_peak distribution to be narrow. This model also predicts that bright bursts will have high E_peak values because they all have some combination of high luminosity (and hence a large blue shift Gamma) and a nearby distance (and hence a small cosmological red shift). Quantitatively, E_peak should vary roughly as P_256^0.36, and this model prediction is strikingly confirmed with BATSE data by Mallozzi et al. A prediction of this model is that GRBs at very high red shift z~10 should all appear with E_peak at ~200 keV. A further prediction of this model is that normal bursts with P_256 below the BATSE trigger threshold will appear as x-ray flashes with E_peak~70 keV; just as is reported by Kippen et al. and Heise et al.
An environment for security protocol intrusion detection

Secure electronic communication relies on cryptography. Even with perfect encryption, communication may be compromised without effective security protocols for key exchange, authentication, etc. We are now seeing proliferation of large secure environments characterized by high volume, encrypted traffic between principals, facilitated by Public Key Infrastructures (PKI). PKIs are dependent on security protocols. Unfortunately, security protocols are susceptible to subtle errors. To date, we have relied on formal methods to tell us if security protocols are effective. These methods do not provide complete or measurable protocol security. Security protocols are also subject to the same implementation and administrative vulnerabilities as communication protocols. As a result, we will continue to operate security protocols that have flaws. In this paper, we describe a method and architecture to detect intrusions in security protocol environments such as Public Key Infrastructures. Our method is based on classic intrusion detection techniques of knowledge-based and behavior-based techniques detection. 2 Section
The role of intolerance of uncertainty in terms of alcohol use motives among college students.

INTRODUCTION: Hazardous drinking rates among college students are exceedingly high. Despite the link between worry and alcohol use problems, there has been a dearth of empirical work examining worry-related risk factors in terms of motivations for alcohol use. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to examine the unique predictive ability of intolerance of uncertainty in terms of alcohol use motives. METHODS: Participants were 389 college students (72.2% female, Mage=19.92, SD=3.87, Range=18-58 years) who completed self-report measures for course credit. RESULTS: As hypothesized, after controlling for the effects of gender, smoking status, marijuana use status, alcohol consumption, negative affect, and anxiety sensitivity, greater levels of intolerance of uncertainty were significantly predictive of greater coping (1.5% unique variance) and conformity (4.7% unique variance) drinking motives, but not social or enhancement drinking motives. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that intolerance of uncertainty is associated with drinking to manage or avoid negative emotions, and interventions aimed at reducing intolerance of uncertainty may be helpful in reducing problematic alcohol consumption among college students. Language: en
A generic mobile agent framework for ambient intelligence

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an innovative framework for implementation of ambient intelligence (AmI) environments. Compared to the existing state-of-the-art approaches, this framework creates a more decentralized and distributed AmI environment. In addition, the proposed approach is not limited to one specific domain, unlike many others. The openness of the presented architecture allows it to support a variety of devices ranged from small-embedded sensors to complex computing facilities. Finally, given that this approach is formulated based on multi-agent standard concepts, it can be easily implemented as add-on for existing software agent platforms to achieve rapid deployment. Implications for the development of this framework and future directions are discussed.