cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toluene-Degrading Bacteria Are Chemotactic towards the Environmental Pollutants Benzene, Toluene, and Trichloroethylene

The bioremediation of polluted groundwater and toxic waste sites requires that bacteria come into close physical contact with pollutants. This can be accomplished by chemotaxis. Five motile strains of bacteria that use five different pathways to degrade toluene were tested for their ability to detect and swim towards this pollutant. Three of the five strains (Pseudomonas putida F1, Ralstonia pickettii PKO1, and Burkholderia cepacia G4) were attracted to toluene. In each case, the response was dependent on induction by growth with toluene. Pseudomonas mendocina KR1 and P. putida PaW15 did not show a convincing response. The chemotactic responses of P. putida F1 to a variety of toxic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated aliphatic compounds were examined. Compounds that are growth substrates for P. putida F1, including benzene and ethylbenzene, were chemoattractants. P. putida F1 was also attracted to trichloroethylene (TCE), which is not a growth substrate but is dechlorinated and detoxified by P. putida F1. Mutant strains of P. putida F1 that do not oxidize toluene were attracted to toluene, indicating that toluene itself and not a metabolite was the compound detected. The two-component response regulator pair TodS and TodT, which control expression of the toluene degradation genes in P. putida F1, were required for the response. This demonstration that soil bacteria can sense and swim towards the toxic compounds toluene, benzene, TCE, and related chemicals suggests that the introduction of chemotactic bacteria into selected polluted sites may accelerate bioremediation processes.
The dependence of the kinetics of some simple outer-sphere electrode reactions on the nature of the electrode material

Abstract The kinetics of a number of simple inorganic electrode reactions that are known or expected to follow outer-sphere pathways have been examined at mercury, silver, platinum, and gold-aqueous interfaces in order to explore the effects of varying the electrode material on outer-sphere reactivity. The electroreduction kinetics of Co(III) ammine complexes exhibited only mild dependences on the nature of the electrode material which were compatible with the expected variations in double-layer effects. However, the electrooxidation of Cr 2+ proceeded at strikingly higher overpotentials on the solid surfaces compared with mercury electrodes. Similar effects were also seen for the electrooxidation of V 2+ , Eu 2+ and Ru 2+ in the presence of Cr 2+ . Much larger rate constants were observed for these aquo reactions at solid surfaces in the absence of Cr 2+ , although Cr 2+ had no influence on Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ electroreduction, or any reaction at mercury electrodes. It is speculated that the very large substrate effects upon the electrode kinetics of aquo couples arise from the influence of the inner-layer water structure on the reactant-solvent interactions experienced by these “structure-making” reactants at their plane of closest approach. The inhibiting influence of Cr 2+ may be due to its ability to efficiently remove adsorbed catalytic contaminants by incorporation into a substitutionally inert Cr(III) electrooxidation product by means of a ligand-bridge mechanism.
Shirking in Major League Baseball Revisited

A number of studies in sports economics looked at the shirking problem inherent in long-term contracts. Shirking is inferred if the player's actual performance falls below expected performance in t...
Adjunctive use of lithium carbonate for the management of neutropenia in clozapine-treated children.

Objective Clozapine, a dibenzodiazepine antipsychotic, is the most effective medication for treatment resistant schizophrenia. However, its use has been limited by the high risk of neutropenia. In children, the rate of neutropenia is higher when compared to adults. We decided to explore the use of lithium to manage neutropenia in childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) through a systematic audit of COS cases.
A SYMMETRY REDUCTION METHOD FOR CONTINUUM STRUCTURAL TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION

Abstract It is considered that asymmetrical material layout design solutions are caused by numerical roundoff and the convexity characteristics of alternative topology design formulations. Emphasis is placed here not on analyzing potential instabilities that lead to asymmetrical designs, but on a method to stabilize topology design formulations. A novel symmetry reduction method is proposed, implemented and studied. While enforcing symmetry and significantly reducing the size of the optimization problem, the symmetry reduction method is shown to have the added benefit of greatly simplified design sensitivity analysis of non-simple repeated vibrational eigenvalues which occur in many symmetrical structures.
Visualization and mechanical manipulations of individual fibrin fibers suggest that fiber cross section has fractal dimension 1.3

We report protocols and techniques to image and mechanically manipulate individual fibrin fibers, which are key structural components of blood clots. Using atomic force microscopy-based lateral force manipulations we determined the rupture force, FR, of fibrin fibers as a function of their diameter, D, in ambient conditions. As expected, the rupture force increases with increasing diameter; however, somewhat unexpectedly, it increases as FR ; D 1.3060.06 . Moreover, using a combined atomic force microscopy-fluorescence microscopy instrument, we determined the light intensity, I, of single fibers, that were formed with fluorescently labeled fibrinogen, as a function of their diameter, D. Similar to the force data, we found that the light intensity, and thus the number of molecules per cross section, increases as I ; D 1.2560.11 . Based on these findings we propose that fibrin fibers are fractals for which the number of molecules per cross section increases as about D 1.3 . This implies that the molecule density varies as r(D) ; D � 0.7 , i.e., thinner fibers are denser than thicker fibers. Such a model would be consistent with the observation that fibrin fibers consist of 70-80% water and only 20-30% protein, which also suggests that fibrin fibers are very porous.
A renaissance of color: New structures and building blocks for organic electronics

Natural dyes and pigments like indigo and its derivatives valued for their bright colors and photochemical stability has been used since antiquity. Recently, the need for better performing materials in the organic electronics field has inspired a resurgence of these historical molecules and their subsequent transformation into new families of π-conjugated building blocks used to construct new (macro)molecular semiconductors. This Highlight will explore the renaissance of notable building blocks including diketopyrrolopyrrole, (iso)indigo, benzodipyrrolidone, and benzodifuranone, as well as nonfullerene acceptor structures 9,9′-bifluorenylidene and quinacridone. In addition, as the organic electronics field continues to evolve, the design of molecules with precise structure and function embodies a new paradigm for the next generation of materials. Representative examples will be described that embrace this new model and point the direction for advanced technologies. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Understanding high voltage vacuum insulators for microsecond pulses

High voltage insulation is one of the main areas of pulsed power research and development since the surface of an insulator exposed to vacuum can fail electrically at an applied field more than an order or magnitude below the bulk dielectric strength of the insulator. This is troublesome for applications where high voltage conditioning of the insulator and electrodes is not practical and where relatively long pulses, on the order of several microseconds, are required. Here we give a summary of our approach to modeling and simulation efforts and experimental investigations for understanding flashover mechanism. The computational work is comprised of both filed and particle-in-cell modeling with state-of-the-art commercial codes. Experiments were performed in using an available 100-kV, 10-μs pulse generator and vacuum chamber. The initial experiments were done with polyethylene insulator material in the shape of a truncated cone cut at +45° angle between flat electrodes with a gap of 1.0 cm. The insulator was sized so there were no flashovers or breakdowns under nominal operating conditions. Insulator flashover or gap closure was induced by introducing a plasma source, a tuft of velvet, in proximity to the insulator or electrode.
Tensile Transformation‐Mismatch Plasticity of Bismuth Sesquioxide

This study reports on experiments where bismuth sesquioxide (Bi2O3) was cycled between its high-temperature δ-phase and one or more of its low-temperature phases (α-, β-, or γ-Bi2O3) while being subjected to uniaxial tensile stresses in the range of 0.11–0.55 MPa. Reproducible strain increments of 0.4%–3.9% have been measured after each thermal cycle, and total tensile fracture strains of 10%–28% have been obtained using a combination of isothermal creep and transformation-mismatch plasticity. The strain due to transformation mismatch plasticity has been determined by two different methods and is proportional to the applied stress, which is quantitatively consistent with theoretical predictions for transformation superplasticity.
A Small System—High-Resolution Study of Metabolic Adaptation in the Central Metabolic Pathway to Temperate Climates in Drosophila melanogaster

In this article, we couple the geographic variation in 127 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies in genes of 46 enzymes of central metabolism with their associated cis-expression variation to predict latitudinal or climatic-driven gene expression changes in the metabolic architecture of Drosophila melanogaster. Forty-two percent of the SNPs in 65% of the genes show statistically significant clines in frequency with latitude across the 20 local population samples collected from southern Florida to Ontario. A number of SNPs in the screened genes are also associated with significant expression variation within the Raleigh population from North Carolina. A principal component analysis of the full variance-covariance matrix of latitudinal changes in SNP-associated standardized gene expression allows us to identify those major genes in the pathway and its associated branches that are likely targets of natural selection. When embedded in a central metabolic context, we show that these apparent targets are concentrated in the genes of the upper glycolytic pathway and pentose shunt, those controlling glycerol shuttle activity, and finally those enzymes associated with the utilization of glutamate and pyruvate. These metabolites possess high connectivity and thus may be the points where flux balance can be best shifted. We also propose that these points are conserved points associated with coupling energy homeostasis and energy sensing in mammals. We speculate that the modulation of gene expression at specific points in central metabolism that are associated with shifting flux balance or possibly energy-state sensing plays a role in adaptation to climatic variation.
SCFDE with space-time coding for IM/DD optical wireless communication

Recently, we proposed a novel transmission scheme termed decomposed-quadrature optical single carrier frequency domain equalization (DQO-SCFDE) suitable for intensity-modulated direct-detection (IM/DD) diffuse optical wireless (DOW) communication. DQO-SCFDE has been shown to perform better than the conventional asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM (ACO-OFDM) when the non-linearity characteristics of the light emitting diodes (LED) are considered. In this paper we present a detail comparison of DQO-SCFDE and ACO-OFDM. We then propose a space-time coding scheme for DQO-SCFDE using two LED's at the transmitter to improve the bit-error rate performance.
Exploring Program Theory to Enhance Monitoring and Evaluation in Ecosystem‐Based Adaptation Projects

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) projects is in its infancy. Specific M&E challenges lend EbA projects to the use of program theory. In this article, we will examine how two theory-based tools—theory-of-change models and evidence synthesis—can be used to instruct informative EbA M&E through characterizing pathways to impact, identifying causal mechanisms, distinguishing relevant indicators, and recognizing areas of uncertainty, particularly in data-poor environments where intuition and anecdote often substitute for evidence. It will be framed in the context of two EbA case studies, implemented by our organization, in which we will bring together elements from the development of theory-of-change models and provide examples of evidence synthesis underpinning a causal linkage. We argue that such an approach is essential for EbA projects to enable rapid learning and foster a culture of adaptive management.
Mechanisms of Glucocorticoid-mediated Apoptosis in Hematological Malignancies

Although glucocorticoids (GCs) have been used for their immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects for many years, their precise mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Evidence indicates that GCs induce apoptosis in hematological cells, thus supporting their use as chemotherapeutic agents for leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma. Although much research has been focused on investigating the mechanism of action responsible for GC-mediated cell death, the signaling pathways remain unclear. Two schools of thought have developed to account for GC-induced apoptosis. One supports the hypothesis that apoptosis is achieved via activation of death-inducing genes. The second theory states that GCs induce apoptosis via repression of transcription factor activity, thereby inhibiting the transcription of growth/survival genes. This review will attempt to clarify the complex signaling pathway responsible for mediating GC-induced apoptosis of hematological cells and to summarize the most current research in this field.
Electrical burns to the hand from lawn-mowers

Fifteen cases of electrical burns to the hand are described resulting from the use of electric lawn-mowers. These injuries caused significant morbidity and time off work, and one death. Most of the burns appear to have been preventable, and ways of averting these injuries are discussed.
Age, Education, Job Tenure, Salary, Job Characteristics, and Job Satisfaction: A Multivariate Analysis

The relationship of age to job satisfaction was investigated. Subjects were 1707 public employees in the United States who responded to questionnaires. The results showed that job satisfaction increased with age. Younger employees were less satisfied overall with their jobs, but especially with the intrinsic characteristics of the work. Older employees were more satisfied with the extrinsic characteristics than were the two younger groups of employees. When the effects of salary, job tenure, and education were removed independently as well as simultaneously, the same differences were found. However, when the effect of job characteristics was added to the combination and partialled out, the intrinsic characteristics factor was no longer significant.
We Get What We Organize For: Linking Central Bureaucracies to Local Organizations

The vast web of ecosystems that constitutes the Great Plains region is complex, dynamic, and theory-defying. It is approached with disconnected slices of knowledge, pieces of human experience representing little historical depth, tentative hypotheses, best available estimates, and the desire to get things done at the least possible cost and greatest dispatch. It is a given that errors will be made in the formulation and implementation of policies that are intended to enhance ecosystem sustainability. The question is: how will policymakers organize to minimize and correct these errors in the most timely way so that whatever damage done to humans and other living things does not fundamentally threaten the sustainability of Great Plains society and the biotic pyramids upon which our social order depends? This chapter briefly addresses the twin problems of sources of policy error and organizational response to error in policymaking and implementation of policy for sustainable ecosystem management.
One Server, Constant Service (M/D/1)

This chapter concerns a one-server system with infinite capacity where the inter-arrival times are exponential and the service times are constant. An example is the cars arriving to a carwash where the service time is always the same. The probability on n units in the system, and the related performance measures are developed. Examples are presented.
SOLVING A HEAVY-ATOM SUBSTRUCTURE BY DIRECT METHODS

Strategies for solving a new, unknown crystallographic phase problem can generally be divided into two categories. Statistical coupling between structure factors within a single dataset can be used to refine phases from random starting phase sets or from a partial structure obtained, for instance by Patterson methods. Success with this “direct” approach requires high redundancy in the data. The requisite redundancy can arise either from atomic resolution datasets or from very high noncrystallographic symmetry (Rossmann, 1972), and is necessary to sufficiently “over determine” the structure.
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O Films at 248 nm

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a technique commonly used to deposit high quality thin films of high temperature superconductors. We discuss the results when this technique is applied to the deposition of Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O thin films using an excimer laser operating at 248 nm. We will discuss the effects of laser fluence and background oxygen pressure on the as-deposited film composition, where it will be shown that higher fluences and background pressures lead to more stoichiometric as-deposited films. Films with zero resistance temperatures between 105 and 110 K deposited on (100) oriented LaAlO3 have been obtained after appropriate annealing.
Application of hp Adaptivity to the Multigroup Diffusion Equations

- This paper presents fully automated hp-mesh refinement strategies applied to diffusion equations. In hp strategies, both the mesh size and the polynomial order can vary locally. Numerical results show that exponential convergence rates are achieved for a fraction of the number of unknowns needed with uniform refinement and h-adaptive strategies. The treatment ofadaptivity in the multigroup case and the derivation of goal-oriented estimators for neutronics calculations are described. The smoothness of the multigroup components can vary greatly as a function of the energy group; this fact called for the development of group-dependent adapted spatial meshes. The goal-oriented process combines the standard hp adaptation technique with a goal-oriented adaptivity based on the simultaneous solution of an adjoint problem in order to compute quantities of interest, such as reaction rates in subdomains and pointwise fluxes or currents. These algorithms are tested for various multigroup one-dimensional and two-dimensional diffusion problems, and the numerical results confirm the exponential convergence rates predicted theoretically.
Predictive Analyses with Random Variables in a Bolted Helicopter Tailcone Substructure

This paper presents results from an ongoing investigation to understand and quantify the limitations of traditional industry methods for vibration prediction in rotorcraft airframes. Examples are included of probabilistic analyses to predict both static and modal behavior of a scaled helicopter tailcone. One set of analyses evaluated the effect of two random, static vertical loads in numerical models of the tailcone. Vertical displacement at the tip of the structure and stress at the root were observed as output responses to the random loads. A second set of analyses was conducted on the boundary condition of the tailcone. The bolted connection at the boundary was shown to have an unexpected impact on the fundamental frequencies of the tailcone. Experimental data is included for comparison with the modal analysis. Generalized Polynomial Chaos Expansion (GPCE) was the technique utilized for uncertainty propagation. The analysis incorporates uncertainty propagation with Gaussian and non-Gaussian probability distributions. Contributions to the literature include use of the polynomial chaos technique on a complex structure with experimental data for validation. Additionally, demonstration of a mixed probability distribution GPCE extends the utility of this method beyond homogeneous probability distributions. These outcomes are promising for a wide range of efforts to update complex models in general and helicopter structures in particular.
Treaties—Warsaw Convention—international air transportation—recovery of damages—loss of society—death in air crash—Death on the High Seas Act—maritime and admiralty law: Zicherman v. Korean Air Lines. 116 S.Ct. 629

Petitioners Marjorie Zicherman and Muriel Mahalek sought damages from respondent Korean Air Lines (KAL) under the Warsaw Convention governing international air transport, for loss of society of a family member killed aboard a commercial airliner downed by a Soviet warplane. In a cross-petition, KAL requested a determination that the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) prescribed damages recoverable under the Convention and did not allow damages to be recovered for loss of society. The Supreme Court (per Scalia, J.) affirmed in part and remanded in part and held unanimously that the Convention did not permit family members to recover loss-of-society damages because (1) Article 17 of the Convention provides for carrier liability in passenger deaths or injuries but leaves the crucial definition of legally cognizable harm to be determined by domestic courts; (2) in the United States, DOHSA prescribes the substantive law covering air crashes on the high seas; and (3) DOHSA permits only pecuniary damages.
Study on the History and Protection of Eagle-Claw Boxing

The paper made use of methods of people-interviewing,documentation,site inspection,self-practice and real experience,conclusion and conclusion to study the forming and evolving of Eagle-Claw boxing and analyzed the boxing's modern values. The study revealed that,after a long time of evolving and developing from Song dynasty to Qing dynasty,the boxing finally completed it's whole technical and theoretical systems in the20 s of last century,that the boxing was in the stage of forming in the time of Liu Shijun,Liu Chengyou and Liu Dekuan,Chen Zizheng and his students greatly enriched the technical and theoretical systems of the boxing and the boxing was in its glory time in the time of Chinwoo Athletic Federation,which geatly fastened its development and spread its popularization,and that the boxing prides itself with high fighting value,cultural value,commercial value and artistic value. The paper offers suggestions such as unifying the name of the boxing,writing more books,preserving traditions and developing its individuality to protect the precious cultural relic,to promote its spreading and inheriting and to enforce its role of serving the national cultural strategy.
Contamination of aflatoxins in peanuts and peanut products from Fujian

Objective:To investigate the contamination of Aflatoxins(AFs) in peanuts and peanut products in Fujian.Methods:The samples were collected from 9 regions in Fujian.The levels of Aflatoxins were determined by high performance liquid chromatography.Results:62 peanut samples,40 peanut butter samples and 20 peanut oil samples were determined.According to the limit of Aflatoxin B1,the over-limit rates of peanut,peanut butter and peanut oil were 17.7%,37.5%,0.AFB1 was detected more frequently with higher levels than the other three AFs.The positive rates and average concentrations of AFB2,AFG1 amd AFG2 in these samples decreased in turn.Conclusion:Peanuts and peanut products were contaminated with Aflatoxins widely.AFB1 is the major pollution factor among the four AFs.
Reducing mTOR Augments Parietal Epithelial Cell Density in a Model of Acute Podocyte Depletion and in Aged Kidneys

Parietal epithelial cell (PEC) response to glomerular injury may underlie a common pathway driving fibrogenesis following podocyte loss that typifies several glomerular disorders. Although the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is important in cell homeostasis, little is known of the biological role or impact of reducing mTOR activity on PEC response following podocyte depletion, nor in the aging kidney. The purpose of these studies was to determine the impact on PECs of reducing mTOR activity following abrupt experimental depletion in podocyte number, as well as in a model of chronic podocyte loss and sclerosis associated with aging. Podocyte depletion was induced by an anti-podocyte antibody and rapamycin started at day 5 until death at day 14 Reducing mTOR did not lead to a greater reduction in podocyte density, despite greater glomerulosclerosis. However, mTOR inhibition lead to an increase in PEC density and PEC-derived crescent formation. Additionally, markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β, α-smooth muscle actin, Notch-3) and PEC activation (CD44, collagen IV) were further increased by mTOR reduction. Aged mice treated with rapamycin for 1, 2, and 10 wk before death at 26.5 mo (≈75-yr-old human age) had increased the number of glomeruli with a crescentic appearance. mTOR inhibition at either a high or low level lead to changes in PEC phenotype, indicating PEC morphology is sensitive to changes mediated by global mTOR inhibition.
Measurement of biphoton wigner function using a lenslet array

We measure the Wigner distribution function of an entangled photon pair using a lenslet array. We experimentally characterize its second-order coherence properties and discuss issues of entanglement and commutation of variables in phase space.
Demonstration of Pulmonary Fat Emboli in Paraffin-Blocked Tissue

A method of demonstrating pulmonary fat emboli by means of a modified osmium tetroxide fixation and stain is reported. The stain can be used on formalin-fixed tissue and circumvents various problems associated with the performance of fat stains on frozen-section tissues.
Linking atmospheric synoptic transport, cloud phase, surface energy fluxes, and sea-ice growth: observations of midwinter SHEBA conditions

Observations from the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) project are used to describe a sequence of events linking midwinter long-range advection of atmospheric heat and moisture into the Arctic Basin, formation of supercooled liquid water clouds, enhancement of net surface energy fluxes through increased downwelling longwave radiation, and reduction in near-surface conductive heat flux loss due to a warming of the surface, thereby leading to a reduction in sea-ice bottom growth. The analyses provide details of two events during Jan. 1–12, 1998, one entering the Arctic through Fram Strait and the other from northeast Siberia; winter statistics extend the results. Both deep, precipitating frontal clouds and post-frontal stratocumulus clouds impact the surface radiation and energy budget. Cloud liquid water, occurring preferentially in stratocumulus clouds extending into the base of the inversion, provides the strongest impact on surface radiation and hence modulates the surface forcing, as found previously. The observations suggest a minimum water vapor threshold, likely case dependent, for producing liquid water clouds. Through responses to the radiative forcing and surface warming, this cloud liquid water also modulates the turbulent and conductive heat fluxes, and produces a thermal wave penetrating into the sea ice. About 20–33 % of the observed variations of bottom ice growth can be directly linked to variations in surface conductive heat flux, with retarded ice growth occurring several days after these moisture plumes reduce the surface conductive heat flux. This sequence of events modulate pack-ice wintertime environmental conditions and total ice growth, and has implications for the annual sea-ice evolution, especially for the current conditions of extensive thinner ice.
Minimum average deviance estimation for sufficient dimension reduction

ABSTRACTSufficient dimension reduction methods aim to reduce the dimensionality of predictors while preserving regression information relevant to the response. In this article, we develop Minimum Average Deviance Estimation (MADE) methodology for sufficient dimension reduction. The purpose of MADE is to generalize Minimum Average Variance Estimation (MAVE) beyond its assumption of additive errors to settings where the outcome follows an exponential family distribution. As in MAVE, a local likelihood approach is used to learn the form of the regression function from the data and the main parameter of interest is a dimension reduction subspace. To estimate this parameter within its natural space, we propose an iterative algorithm where one step utilizes optimization on the Stiefel manifold. MAVE is seen to be a special case of MADE in the case of Gaussian outcomes with a common variance. Several procedures are considered to estimate the reduced dimension and to predict the outcome for an arbitrary covariate...
Nonprofit-Driven Community Capacity-Building Efforts in Community Food Systems

This paper explores how community-based nonprofit organizations (NPOs) build community capacity through their programs and initiatives while responding to community issues such as food insecurity and vulnerability. Based on an original survey, interviews, field observations, and spatial network analysis, the paper examines Philadelphia-based NPO-driven community capacity-building programs by using the community capitals framework, which includes human, physical, financial, social, and organizational capitals. The findings suggest that NPOs are making an important effort to build community capacity, while facing significant challenges related to administration, budget, collaboration, longevity, financial return, spatial mismatch, and community engagement. Concluding remarks include policy suggestions for NPOs that are working on community issues. See the press release for this article.
Context-aware QoE-price equilibrium for wireless multimedia relay communications using stackelberg game

With the tremendous volume explosion of big data video contents in future wireless networks, ensuring Quality of Experience (QoE) of the End User (EU) by leveraging communication context becomes an important issue. In this paper, we propose a context-aware wireless multimedia relay solution to incentivize user devices participating in wireless relay services. In this proposed approach, QoE and price are jointly considered in a Stackelberg game model, providing economic rewards to the Relay Device (RD) which helps transmitting video contents between the Base Station (BS) and EU. The revenue of RD is numerically associated to the communication resource consumed by relaying video from the BS to the EU, while the utility of BS is quantitatively determined by the video QoE provided to the EU. We mathematically prove the existence of equilibrium state in the proposed Stackelberg game model. The simulation results show that players of EU, RD and BS in the system get desirable utilities in the QoE-Price equilibrium state.
The Structure of Efficacy

In some recent publications1 I argued that Austin’s intuitive classification of illocutionary verbs2 can be justified on grammatical grounds: verbs belonging to the various classes require verb objects with different structures. There is only one group, Austin’s ‘exercitives’, that needs to be split in two on this new basis.
Analgesic efficacy of continuous intravenous magnesium infusion as an adjuvant to morphine for postoperative analgesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of perioperative intravenous magnesium administration on postoperative opioid use, opioid-related side effects (e.g., nausea and vomiting) and pain are uncertain, as randomized controlled trials on this topic have reported disparate results. The objective of this systematic review is to determine if perioperative magnesium reduces opioid use, opioid-related side effects, and postoperative pain. METHODS An electronic search was conducted using the Library of Medicine's PubMed and EMBASE databases. Included studies consisted of randomized controlled trials in an adult population with a clearly defined comparison of perioperative intravenous magnesium administration to a control with a documented assessment of opioid usage and postoperative pain. Relevant data was abstracted from included studies. Pooled estimates for weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained for our primary outcome (opioid usage) using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan version 4.2.7 (Cochrane Collaboration; Oxford, United Kingdom). WMD and odds ratios (OR) were calculated using a random effects model. RESULTS The literature search ultimately yielded 22 trials, enrolling 1177 (599 magnesium, 578 control) patients, who were included in the analysis. A significant decrease in morphine usage by those patients who received magnesium was noted (WMD = -7.40; 95% CI: -9.40 to -5.41, p < 0.00001). Perioperative magnesium administration was not associated with a difference in postoperative nausea or vomiting (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.09, p = 0.14). The pooled visual analog scores for pain at 4-6 hours after surgery were significantly less in those patients who received magnesium surgery (WMD = -0.67; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.23, p = 0.003); however, there was no difference in pain scores at 20-24 hours after surgery (WMD = -0.25; 95% CI: -0.62 to 0.71, p = 0.17). CONCLUSION Based on the results of this systematic review, perioperative intravenous magnesium may be a useful adjuvant for the management of postoperative pain providing analgesia through a different mechanism of action than that of opioids and would make a potential addition to a multimodal anlgesic treatment plan; however, the decrease in opioid use with perioperative magnesium infusion does not appear to be associated with a decresea in opioid-related side effects.
Teaching the Craft of Archaeology: Theory, Practice, and the Field School

Field schools are a rite of passage for archaeologists, the first experience of what for many is the defining activity of the discipline: fieldwork. While teaching competence in practical techniques is the minimum goal of any field school, this technical training must be situated within the broader goals that drive the fieldwork. The University of Denver Archaeological Field School provides the fieldwork for the Colorado Coal Field War Archaeological Project. This project is an experiment in archaeology as political action in the present. It explores the possibility of an emancipatory archaeology through engagement with contemporary audiences and struggles. In this paper we discuss some of the ways we try to link technical training with the admittedly unusual theoretical and political goals of the project, teaching not only skills but an awareness of the responsibilities these skills should bring.
Nitrous oxide does not affect automated air tonometry in children.

Purpose To evaluate the effects of nitrous oxide on automated air tonometry in the clinical setting.
Signal Transduction Processes in Sensorimotor Neurons of the Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system is comprised of two distinct neural networks arranged in layers, or plexuses, along the length of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The largest neural network is the myenteric plexus whose major function is to control movements of the visceral smooth muscle of the GI tract; the myenteric plexus is situated within the thin longitudinal smooth muscle on the outer surface of the gut. The submucosal plexus lies within a thin connective tissue sheath between the thick circular smooth muscle of the gut and the underlying intestinal mucosa; the submucosal plexus sheath also contains the submucosal arteriolar network (Figure 1). These arterioles supply the muscle and mucosa of the GI tract. Submucosal neurons subserve two primary functions: they act to modulate water and electrolyte transport in the intestinal mucosa and they provide vasodilator innervation to the submucosal arterioles. Informative and intellectually stimulating details of the structure and function of the enteric nervous system can be found in the elegant literary style of Furness and Costa7 with updates available in recent reviews.12,24 This chapter will summarise evidence that suggests a population of submucosal neurons can be considered “sensorimotor” neurons in that they appear to subserve either or both an afferent as well as an efferent role. The inhibitory innervation to these sensorimotor neurons and the signal transduction processes underlying this inhibition have been studied in detail; these signal transduction mechanisms also will be reviewed.
Behavioral search drivers and the role of elitism in soft robotics

Behavioral search drivers allow more information about the behavior of individuals in an environment to be used during selection. In this paper, we examine several selection methods based on de-agg...
Global antimicrobial resistance: a complex and dire threat with few definite answers

Alors que divers organismes internationaux ont recemment propose des plans pour la creation de systemes de surveillance de la resistance antimicrobienne (RAM), la plupart des PRMF ne disposent pas des infrastructures et des ressources pour le faire efficacement. La RAM est donc un probleme majeur d’equite en matiere de sante, mais aussi un exemple de la connexion dans notre monde unique: les populations les plus a risque disposent des mecanismes de surveillance et de confinement les plus mediocres; dans le meme temps, la migration mondiale, les voyages et le commerce nous rendent tous vulnerables. Les mesures que nous utilisons actuellement ne capturent pas de maniere significative l'impact potentiel de la RAM aux niveaux sanitaire, economique et societal plus large. La surveillance mondiale de la RAM devrait inclure une surveillance etroite de l'utilisation d'antibiotiques chez les animaux, ainsi que les concentrations de divers produits chimiques liberes dans l'environnement. En fin de compte, les efforts coordonnes de divers scientifiques et parties prenantes, dans diverses disciplines et dans le monde, sont essentiels pour relever les defis pressants de la RAM mondiale croissante.
MyoTrack: Realtime Estimation of Subject Participation in Robotic Rehabilitation Using sEMG and IMU

In this paper, we present MyoTrack, a realtime classification procedure that identifies levels of subject participation during robot-assisted rehabilitation using a wearable surface electromyography (sEMG) Myo armband. We hypothesize, test, and prove that high sEMG correlates with high participation and vice versa. We then use Myo's inertial measurement unit to extract the subject's hand trajectory during the rehabilitation task. Comparing this hand trajectory with the ground-truth robot trajectory enables us to identify whether any high muscle activity corresponds to the active participation of the subject in robotic therapy or not (random gestures and motions). Since the robotic assistance implemented in this paper can autonomously complete the therapy task without any subject participation; it is crucial to identify the patient's participation level in realtime and develop a suitable intervention strategy. Using 15 healthy subjects, we demonstrate that the proposed methodology of combining sEMG activation and robot-hand trajectory matching is a reliable indicator of subject participation with a realtime accuracy of 91.45%. We also present a realtime application that uses MyoTrack in the back-end to identify the realtime participation of a subject and intervene accordingly.
Three-dimensional structure of α-conotoxin EI determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy H resonance assignments of α -conotoxin EI

α-Conotoxin EI is an 18-residue peptide (RDOCCYHPTCNMSNPQIC; 4–10, 5–18) isolated from the venom of Conus ermineus, the only fish-hunting cone snail of the Atlantic Ocean. This peptide targets specifically the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) found in mammalian skeletal muscle and the electric organ Torpedo, showing a novel selectivity profile when compared to other α-conotoxins. The 3D structure of EI has been determined by 2D-NMR methods in combination with dynamical simulated annealing protocols. A total of 133 NOE-derived distances were used to produce 13 structures with minimum energy that complied with the NOE restraints. The structure of EI is characterized by a helical loop between Thr9 and Met12 that is stabilized by the Cys4-Cys10 disulfide bond and turns involving Cys4-Cys5 and Asn14-Pro15. Other regions of the peptide appear to be flexible. The overall fold of EI is similar to that of other α4/7-conotoxins (PnIA/B, MII, EpI). However, unlike these other α4/7-conotoxins, EI targets the muscular type nAChR. The differences in selectivity can be attributed to differences in the surface charge distribution among these α4/7-conotoxins. The implications for binding of EI to the muscular nAChR are discussed with respect to the current NMR structure of EI.
“You Have to Sign Here:” A Hermeneutic Reading of Young Children’s Politeness Play

There are multiple understandings of researcher position ranging from the positivist researcher-subject relationship to studies where participants and the researcher co-construct research design and analysis. It is important to be flexible with these relationships while working with young children. Objectivity is an illusion in any research relationship, but a hermeneutic conversation can provide shared understandings about a topic that builds on the experiences of the researcher and participants. The processes of informed consent and assent require an openness to conversations about access to space, specifically who receives what access and under what conditions. This chapter grapples with the tensions between children’s understandings of polite behavior and the ethical implications of the process of informed assent. Philosophical hermeneutics provides insights into the informed consent and assent processes that incorporate meaningful play into an otherwise officious document.
Use of mepolizumab in adult patients with cystic fibrosis and an eosinophilic phenotype: case series

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by inflammation, progressive lung disease, and respiratory failure. Although the relationship is not well understood, patients with CF are thought to have a higher prevalence of asthma than the general population. CF Foundation (CFF) annual registry data in 2017 reported a prevalence of asthma in CF of 32%. It is difficult to differentiate asthma from CF given similarities in symptoms and reversible obstructive lung function in both diseases. However, a specific asthma phenotype (type 2 inflammatory signature), is often identified in CF patients and this would suggest potential responsiveness to biologics targeting this asthma phenotype. A type 2 inflammatory condition is defined by the presence of an interleukin (IL)-4high, IL-5high, IL-13high state and is suggested by the presence of an elevated total IgE, specific IgE sensitization, or an elevated absolute eosinophil count (AEC). In this manuscript we report the effects of using mepolizumab in patients with CF and type 2 inflammation. We present three patients with CF (63, 34 and 24 year of age) and personal history of asthma, who displayed significant eosinophilic inflammation and high total serum IgE concentrations (type 2 inflammation) who were treated with mepolizumab. All three patients were colonized with multiple organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus and tested positive for specific IgE to multiple allergens. We examined the effect of mepolizumab on patients’ lung function (FEV1), blood markers of type 2 inflammation, systemic corticosteroid use and frequency of CF exacerbations. One patient had a substantial increase in lung function after starting mepolizumab and all three patients had a substantial benefit in regards to reduced oral CCS use. While none of the patients showed significant changes in the exacerbation rates there was markedly reduced requirements for oral CCS with exacerbations. In addition, mepolizumab had a positive effect on type 2 inflammatory markers, reducing markers of allergic inflammation in all 3 patients. Mepolizumab appears to have a positive effect on clinical course in patients with CF presenting with a type 2 phenotype characterized by allergic sensitization and hyper-eosinophilia.
Kienböck's disease in an 11-year-old girl: a case report

Kienbock disease is a pathology that remains uncommon in children, therefore the number of published cases of Kienbock's disease before skeletal maturity is limited. The etiology of Kienbock's disease is still controversial. Although many therapeutic methods are described in the literature. There is no consensus treatment for this pathology. We describe a case of Kienbock's disease of an 11-year-old girl who presented with avascular necrosis of the lunate bone confirmed by the radiologic pattern. And who was treated with 10 weeks of splinting with satisfying clinical outcome. Wrist pain and other symptoms resolved after 2 months. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed partial revascularization of the lunate. After 18 months of follow-up the patient remains asymptomatic.
Measuring Sleep Orthopnea using the Angle of Bed in Heart Failure to Assess Readiness for Discharge

Background Few reliable, non-invasive clinical markers have been identified for evaluating readiness for discharge in patients with heart failure. Worsening sleep orthopnea, including the use of additional pillows, has long been considered a sign of worsening heart failure symptoms, however in the hospital the adjusted angle of the bed could be another way to assess sleep orthopnea. This study examined variation in the angle of the bed, whether the angle of bed the night prior to discharge could be useful as a non-invasive clinical indicator and whether there is a relationship between the angle of bed while patients are sleeping the night prior to discharge and 30-day readmission. Objectives It was hypothesized that the angle of the head of bed the night prior to discharge from the index admission would be higher in patients who are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. In addition, it was hypothesized that the correlation between angle of bed and amount of diuresis would allow for use of angle of bed as a clinical indicator. Methods In this prospective observational study, nurses measured the angle at which patients self-adjusted the bed for nighttime sleeping. Patients from a progressive cardiac care unit were included if the primary admitting diagnosis was volume overload related to heart failure. Results Patients (n = 145) were 46.2% female, 46.2% African American with a mean age of 63.4 ± 14.7 years. Mean length of stay was 12.5 ± 10.5 days, and 22.8% were readmitted within 30 days. The average angle of bed prior to discharge was 29.1 ± 18.7 degrees and only 13% were able to lay flat while sleeping on the night prior to discharge. There was a significant difference between the highest and lowest angle of HOB (p Conclusions We did not demonstrate the utility of angle of bed the night prior to discharge as a marker of readiness for discharge in patients with heart failure. However, this innovative, nurse-led project did demonstrate that angle of bed is non-invasive and easy to capture. Further studies should consider the role of angle of bed as an indication of orthopnea and in evaluating readiness for discharge during a heart failure admission.