cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ensemble of Bayesian Predictors for Autonomic Failure Management in Cloud Computing

In modern cloud computing systems, hundreds and even thousands of cloud servers are interconnected by multi-layer networks. In such large-scale and complex systems, failures are common. Proactive failure management is a crucial technology to characterize system behaviors and forecast failure dynamics in the cloud. To make failure predictions, we need to monitor the system execution and collect health-related runtime performance data. However, in newly deployed or managed cloud systems, these data are usually unlabeled. Supervised learning based approaches are not suitable in this case. In this paper, we present an unsupervised failure detection method using an ensemble of Bayesian models. It estimates the probability distribution of runtime performance data collected by health monitoring tools when cloud servers perform normally. It characterizes normal execution states of the system and detects anomalous behaviors. Experimental results in an institute-wide cloud computing system show that our methods can achieve high true positive rate and low false positive rate for proactive failure management.
Tremor on the Electrocardiogram

The ECG of a 41-year-old man is shown (Figure 1⇓). The patient has a history of C6 quadriplegia requiring a chronic indwelling urinary catheter. He presented with a temperature of 40.2°C, pyuria, hyperkalemia, and pronounced generalized tremor. Confusion over the patient’s cardiac rhythm was resolving by 3 cardiac electrodes …
A Quantitative Study of the Division Cycle of Caulobacter crescentus Stalked Cells

Progression of a cell through the division cycle is tightly controlled at different steps to ensure the integrity of genome replication and partitioning to daughter cells. From published experimental evidence, we propose a molecular mechanism for control of the cell division cycle in Caulobacter crescentus. The mechanism, which is based on the synthesis and degradation of three “master regulator” proteins (CtrA, GcrA, and DnaA), is converted into a quantitative model, in order to study the temporal dynamics of these and other cell cycle proteins. The model accounts for important details of the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of cell cycle control in stalked C. crescentus cell. It reproduces protein time courses in wild-type cells, mimics correctly the phenotypes of many mutant strains, and predicts the phenotypes of currently uncharacterized mutants. Since many of the proteins involved in regulating the cell cycle of C. crescentus are conserved among many genera of α-proteobacteria, the proposed mechanism may be applicable to other species of importance in agriculture and medicine.
Ambulatory Measurement of Knee Motion and Physical Activity: Preliminary Evaluation of a Smart Activity Monitor

There is currently a paucity of devices available for continuous, long-term monitoring of human joint motion. Non-invasive, inexpensive devices capable of recording human activity and joint motion have many applications for medical research. Such a device could be used to quantify range of motion outside the gait laboratory. The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of the modified Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA) in measuring knee flexion angles, to detect different physical activities, and to quantify how often healthy subjects use deep knee flexion in the ambulatory setting. We compared Biomotion Laboratory (BML) "gold standard" data to simultaneous IDEEA measures of knee motion and gait, step up/down, and stair descent in 5 healthy subjects. In addition, we used a series of choreographed physical activities outside the BML to confirm the IDEEA's ability to accurately measure 7 commonly-performed physical activities. Subjects then continued data collection during ordinary activities outside the gait laboratory. Pooled correlations between the BML and IDEEA knee flexion angles were .97 +/- .03 for step up/down, .98 +/- .02 for stair descent, and .98 +/- .01 for gait. In the BML protocol, the IDEEA accurately identified gait, but was less accurate in identifying step up/down and stair descent. During sampling outside the BML, the IDEEA accurately detected walking, running, stair ascent, stair descent, standing, lying, and sitting. On average, subjects flexed their knees >120° for 0.17% of their data collection periods outside the BML. The modified IDEEA system is a useful clinical tool for evaluating knee motion and multiple physical activities in the ambulatory setting. These five healthy subjects rarely flexed their knees >120°.
Gene therapy in a murine model for clinical application to multiple sclerosis

Female SJL/J mice, suffering from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), were injected with 1 x 10(7) cells from a syngeneic fibroblast line transduced with a retroviral vector designed to encode proteolipid protein (101-157) targeted for secretion. A striking abrogation of both clinical and histological signs of disease resulted. The treatment was efficacious when given after the first or the third relapses, protected naive mice from challenge with spinal cord homogenate, and was dose dependent. This strategy was devised to provide a systemic, antigen-specific signal to pathogenic T cells in the absence of costimulation and, hence, render them anergic. Cytokine analyses of brain and spinal cord lymphocytes demonstrate that the treatment induces an antiinflammatory Th2 profile, indicating that this antigen-specific therapy acts by a cytokine-induced pathway. This study was designed for translation to the clinic. We envision using allogeneic transduced fibroblasts, encapsulated in a chamber, to deliver the antigen-specific signal. This will enable us to use one therapeutic cell line for all patients and to remove the device should the therapy exacerbate disease.
Face-gender discrimination is possible in the near-absence of attention

The attentional cost associated with the visual discrimination of the gender of a face was investigated. Participants performed a face-gender discrimination task either alone (single-task) or concurrently (dual-task) with a known attentional demanding task (5-letter T/L discrimination). Overall performance on face-gender discrimination suffered remarkably little under the dual-task condition compared to the single-task condition. Similar results were obtained in experiments that controlled for potential training effects or the use of low-level cues in this discrimination task. Our results provide further evidence against the notion that only low-level representations can be accessed outside the focus of attention.
Unfolding consumer impulsivity: An existential-phenomenological study of consumers with attention deficit disorder

This article attempts to unfold consumer impulsivity by gathering in-depth stories from persons whose impulsivity is a lifetime trait because of their attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD). The manuscript provides overviews of impulsivity, ADD, and impulsive consumer behavior. Insights into possible consumer-behavior challenges are offered from an information-processing perspective. Through thematic analysis of the respondents’ lifetime stories, this study helps illuminate the black box of the consumer’s mind with respect to impulsive consumption, by relating impulsive consumer behavior to specific problems in information processing. As such, it not only contributes to understanding of the consumer behavior of those with ADD, but also presents a kinder and gentler picture of consumers who are dealing with information overload and frustration, rather than what might be a more common stereotype of consumers who are simply out of control. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroendocrine Findings in Patients with Fibromyalgia

SUMMARYObjectives. Fibromyalgia [FMS] remains a poorly understood disorder characterized by a number of symptoms [pain, fatigues, sleep disturbance and psychological distress], but few physical findings and normal routine laboratory tests. Many of the most important symptoms of FMS are shared by other syndromes such as chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, pelvic pain syndromes, and temporomandibular disorders. These syndromes fall into the spectrum of “stress-related illnesses” by virtue of the clinical observation that the onset of the disorder often coincides with physical or psychological stress, and because the course of the symptoms is strongly influenced by the perceived level of life stress. The physiologic stress response systems interact with other neuroendocrine axes, particularly those that affect growth and reproduction. We will review research supporting an association between FMS and perturbed function of stress response systems and other neuroendocrine axes...
De-Biasing for Intrinsic Dimension Estimation

Many algorithms have been proposed for estimating the intrinsic dimension of high dimensional data. A phenomenon common to all of them is a negative bias, perceived to be the result of under-sampling. We propose improved methods for estimating intrinsic dimension, taking manifold boundaries into consideration. By estimating dimension locally, we are able to analyze and reduce the effect that sample data depth has on the negative bias. Additionally, we offer improvements to an existing algorithm for dimension estimation, based on k-nearest neighbor graphs, and offer an algorithm for adapting any dimension estimation algorithm to operate locally. Finally, we illustrate the uses of local dimension estimation with data sets consisting of multiple manifolds, including applications such as diagnosing anomalies in router networks and image segmentation.
Appearance and prognosis of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a change in the lining of the distal esophagus from normal squamous epithelium to intestinal metaplasia. The inclusion of intestinal metaplasia as part of the definition of BE over the past 2 decades is the result of the recognition of its malignant potential. 3 The risk for malignancy has been highlighted by the continuing rise in the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in North America and Western Europe. 2, 6 Dysplasia is the first step in the neoplastic process. As such, its appearance and progression assume a central role in the clinical management of BE. To date, dysplasia remains the most widely used and bestvalidated marker of cancer risk in patients who have BE. Documentation of dysplasia is the key to surveillance endoscopy and biopsy. The grading of dysplasia determines the intervals of surveillance endoscopy and the threshold for therapeutic intervention in clinical practice. This article updates the risk for dysplasia progressing to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and the recommendations for surveillance and therapy of differing grades of dysplasia in patients who have BE.
Earliest record of the genus Tylosaurus (Squamata; Mosasauridae) from the Fort Hays Limestone (Lower Coniacian) of western Kansas

Abstract Fossil vertebrates are extremely rare in the Fort Hays Limestone member of the Niobrara Chalk in comparison to the rich variety of well-preserved fish, turtles, mosasaurs, pteranodons, and toothed birds collected from the overlying Smoky Hill Chalk, and to a lesser extent, the underlying Carlile Shale. Although mosasaurs are well documented from the Smoky Hill Chalk (Upper Coniacian – Lower Campanian), and occur rarely in the Carlile Shale (Middle Turonian), they had not been previously reported from the intervening Fort Hays Limestone (Lower Coniacian). Here we report the remains of a mosasaur (FHSM VP-2297) preserving 14 articulated vertebrae, the left coracoid, ribs, and fragments of sternal cartilage collected by M.V. Walker in 1967 from Ellis County, Kansas. Serrated bite marks on several of the ribs are attributable to the anacoracid shark, Squalicorax falcatus, and suggest postmortem scavenging of the remains. The specimen is identified as Tylosaurus sp. on the basis of the characteristic ...
On the Frequency Choice for the eRHIC SRF Linac

eRHIC , a future electron -hadron collider proposed at BNL, will collide high -intensity hadron beams from one of the existing rings of RHIC with a n electron beam from a multi -pass 21.2 GeV superconducting RF (SRF) Energy Recovery Linac (ERL). A novel approach to the multi pass ERL , utilizing a non -scaling FFAG , was recently proposed [1]. It has many advantages over the previous designs including significant cost sa vings. The current design has up to 16 passes in two FFAG rings. To mitigate various beam dynamics effects, it was prop osed to lower RF frequency of the SRF linac from 704 MHz used in the previous design. In this paper we consider different effects driving the frequency choice of t he SRF ERL and present our arguments for choosing a lower RF frequency .
Solar control of F region radar backscatter: Further insights from observations in the southern polar cap

The role of solar wind and illumination in production of small-scale F region plasma irregularities is investigated using a 4-year data set collected by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) facility at the McMurdo station, Antarctica (MCM). Statistical analysis of ionospheric echoes detected by MCM shows that radar backscatter from the polar F region occurs in wide and persistent bands in range that exhibit systematic changes with local time, season, and solar cycle. It is demonstrated that all variations considered together form a distinct pattern. A comparison with the F region model densities and raytracing simulations shows that this pattern is largely controlled by the F region solar-produced ionization during the day. During the night, however, MCM observations reveal a significant additional source of plasma density in the polar cap as compared with the model. An example of conjugate radar observations is presented that supports the idea of polar patches being this additional source of ionization on the nightside. Echo occurrence exhibits a clear peak near the solar terminator, which suggests that small-scale irregularities form in turbulent cascade from large scales. Further, echo occurrence is enhanced for particular IMF orientations during the night. Observations indicate that solar illumination control of irregularity production is strong and not restricted to the nightside. Indirect solar wind control is also exerted by the IMF-dependent convection pattern, since the gradient-drift instability favors certain orientations between the plasma density gradients and convection velocity.
Russia and Regional Trade Integration in a Historical Perspective: A Response to William E. Butler

This essay responds to Professor William E. Butler’s lecture titled 'Russia and the WTO System: Law, Regionalism, Politics' delivered at the University of Memphis, School of Law on September 27, 2013. The essay makes several observations, each of which is meant to be a tentative sketch of arguments and suggestions for further research. The first is a "macro"-level exercise in historicizing patterns of regionalism in the post-Soviet space. The second is an observation about a shift away from traditional models of positivist international law in the study of regional trade integration towards new hybrid models of interdisciplinarity.
Artificial worlds and real experience

The debate about the potential impact of computers on children's learning and development rages. In this article I take up one set of issues in this debate having to do with the role of experience, computational and otherwise, in learning. Are computational learning environments doomed to failure because of their impoverished sensory properties? Do computers impose rigid and mechanical thinking on their users? My answer to these and related questions is a straightforward no. But in thinking through the issues one can learn a good deal about what “experience” can and should mean, and in what ways we can most profitably use computers in education.
The classification of psychoses by quantitative EEG measures.

In a review of EEG abnormalities in mental disorders, Ellingson [1] concluded: “Beyond differentiating the few organic cases which will be found, the EEG is of no value in the differential diagnosis of mental disorders or in personality assessment at the present time...” Reports of a relationship between EEG variables and psychiatric diagnosis or mental state continue to appear, however [2–12]. Ellingson [1] ascribed the major sources of error in earlier studies to such factors as differences in patient populations and difficulties in the classification of subjects by psychopathological criteria alone, variability in the criteria of EEG abnormality, lack of controls, and a lack of statistical evaluation.
Violence in Literature: An Evolutionary Perspective

People read literature because they want to understand their own experience and the experience of others. Literature contains much violence because violence reveals the underlying conflicts in all social relationships. Evolutionary psychology offers the best explanatory framework for understanding social conflicts, but evolutionary psychology is still in the process of formulating theories about the way core motives interact with specific cultural constructs . To explain the significance of violence in particular works of literature, critics must analyze the interactions between human life history, specific cultural values, individual differences in authorial vision, and relations between the minds of authors and readers in response to characters. This chapter offers examples of that kind of analysis for three works of literature: Grimms’ “Little Red Riding Hood,” Angela Carter’s “The Werewolf,” and Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” The analysis of “Little Red Riding Hood” identifies fear of predation and fear of strangers as core concerns in the story and examines the way symbolic images affect the emotions of child readers. The analysis of “The Werewolf” contrasts the author’s relations with characters and audience in that story with the authors’ relations with characters and audience in the other two works. The analysis of King Lear contrasts the emotional effects of tragedy with the emotional effects of action movies, identifies normative human universals as the basis for audience response, examines the way characters in the play and critics of the play seek meaning through religious ideas, contrasts religious ideas with Shakespeare’s naturalistic worldview, and argues that intuitive insights into human life history form the moral core of the play.
Abstract 224: TOPK phosphorylation of MKP1 prevents solar ultraviolet irradiation-induced inflammation by inhibiting p38 signaling

Solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a major environmental factor that causes DNA damage, inflammation, and skin cancer. T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) is widely expressed in both normal and cancer cells and functions to inhibit apoptosis and promote carcinogenesis. However, its function in inflammation is not known. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in solar UV light-induced inflammation. The phosphorylation level of p38 was reported to be up-regulated after transfection of the TOPK gene into COS-7 cells. We found that the phosphorylation level of p38α was increased in TOPK-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) compared with TOPK+/+ MEFs after stimulation with solar UV light. Our observations unveil a novel role for TOPK. We found that TOPK negatively regulated the activity of p38α by phosphorylating the p38α-specific phosphatase MKP1 and enhancing the stability of MPK1. Notably, the absence of TOPK in mice resulted in a striking increase in skin inflammation. Therefore, we conclude that TOPK has a protective function in solar UV light-induced inflammation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 224. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-224
Retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid in microincision 23-gauge versus traditional 20-gauge vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair

Purpose: To assess the rate of retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) in patients undergoing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy versus traditional 20-gauge vitrectomy. Methods: A retrospective, consecutive, interventional comparative case series. All patients with a diagnosis of RRD who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with PFCL for RRD repair from November 1, 2005 through October 31, 2008 were included. Results: A total of 234 RRD repairs were performed during the study period by one surgeon. Subretinal PFCL occurred in 4 of 176 eyes (2.3%) who underwent sutured 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and in 6 of 58 eyes (10.3%) who underwent sutureless 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for repair of retinal detachment (P = 0.0167, Fisher exact test, 2-tailed). Conclusion: There is a statistically significant 4.5-fold increased incidence of retained subretinal PFCL in patients undergoing RRD repair with sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy versus traditional 20-gauge vitrectomy. This may be because of higher fluid flow through open 23-gauge cannulas, which causes disruption of the PFCL surface tension resulting in formation of small PFCL bubbles that can enter the subretinal space. Reduction of fluid flow may help prevent this complication.
Epidemiological and etiology analysis on hand-foot-mouth disease clustered cases in Jining City, 2010-2013

Objective To study the epidemiological and etiology characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease clustered cases in Jining city from 2010 to 2013, and provide guides for resisting the HFMD. Methods The case-related information was collected and descriptive epidemiological and etiology analysis was used to analyze the HFMD data on reporting, patterns and distribution.Results 105 outbreak cases of HFMD clustered occurred in Jining with a total cases of 313, which were mild, with no severe cases.10.48% of clustered cases occurred in kindergarten. The peak of outbreaks concentrated in the months from April to June. Children under 3 years old composed the high risk group. The death rate in males is higher than that in females. The major pathogens for HFMD were viruses of EV71 and Cox A16, and different types of strains predominated alternatively. Clusters were reported by the local center for disease control and prevention via actively search for disease surveillance information and management system, and no kindergarten initiative report. Conclusion The critical period was from April to June. It is important to increase the sensitivity and timeliness of report, and to adopt control measures in time to prevent continuous diseases.
Imaging G protein-coupled receptor islands.

Near-field scanning optical microscopy has been used to study the organization of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors in cardiac cells. The fluorescently labeled receptors organize into distinct clusters, which may represent localization in microdomains such as lipid rafts and caveolae.
Reducing the Risk of Health Care–Associated Infections by Complying with CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines

Article-at-a-Glance Background The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has made the reduction of health care–associated infections one of its National Patient Safety Goals for 2005. Case Study A 57-year-old man who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery was discharged from the hospital without any complications. During his routine follow-up surgery clinic visit two weeks later, his sternal wound was found to be infected. Wound and blood cultures were positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Implementing Solutions Health care workers at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH), St. Louis, attended a mandatory educational session that reviewed hand hygiene guidelines and the hospital policy related to hand hygiene and infection control. In addition, posters and flyers were posted. An increase in the use of alcohol hand rubs was found. In a later effort, a multidisciplinary hand hygiene campaign was launched at one of the BJC community hospitals. All physicians were sent hand hygiene materials and supplies, and signs were posted in key areas such as the hospital cafeteria. After a six-month period, the compliance rate increased from 35% to 53%. Conclusion Hospital-related infections will never be completely eradicated, but many can be prevented.
Tutorial, Group 1: Nature of Information

The proceedings of the 1972 NATO Advanced Study Institute in Information Science reported that there is a great need to create, develop and strengthen a theoretical foundation for information science. This theoretical foundation was seen to focus on a “solid, consistent, theoretical explication of the notion of information”. Thus, the task at hand is to study the fundamental principles underlying the structure and use of information. The first pay-off in studying the nature of information, as seen in the 1972 proceedings, is in terms of developing a “true” science of information. A second, and equally important, pay-off is in the practical domain of information system design, implementation, management, and usage. Thus, the task of studying the nature of information is to facilitate information science’s becoming a science and to facilitate information science’s contributing to society in terms of better designed information systems.
Newcastle disease vaccines-A solved problem or a continuous challenge?

Newcastle disease (ND) has been defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health as infection of poultry with virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Lesions affecting the neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive systems are most often observed. The control of ND must include strict biosecurity that prevents virulent NDV from contacting poultry, and also proper administration of efficacious vaccines. When administered correctly to healthy birds, ND vaccines formulated with NDV of low virulence or viral-vectored vaccines that express the NDV fusion protein are able to prevent clinical disease and mortality in chickens upon infection with virulent NDV. Live and inactivated vaccines have been widely used since the 1950’s. Recombinant and antigenically matched vaccines have been adopted recently in some countries, and many other vaccine approaches have been only evaluated experimentally. Despite decades of research and development towards formulation of an optimal ND vaccine, improvements are still needed. Impediments to prevent outbreaks include uneven vaccine application when using mass administration techniques in larger commercial settings, the difficulties associated with vaccinating free-roaming, multi-age birds of village flocks, and difficulties maintaining the cold chain to preserve the thermo-labile antigens in the vaccines. Incomplete or improper immunization often results in the disease and death of poultry after infection with virulent NDV. Another cause of decreased vaccine efficacy is the existence of antibodies (including maternal) in birds, which can neutralize the vaccine and thereby reduce the effectiveness of ND vaccines. In this review, a historical perspective, summary of the current situation for ND and NDV strains, and a review of traditional and experimental ND vaccines are presented.
Setaria viridis: A Model for Understanding Panicoid Grass Root Systems

Roots are essential for plant survival on land. Understanding how root traits relate to overall crop yield will be key to sustainably supporting an ever-expanding population. For global food and biomass production, members of the grass family (Poaceae) contribute the lion’s share; however, our understanding of grass root biology remains rather poor. Among grasses, Panicoideae subfamily grasses are among the most agronomically important groups of plants. Recently, Setaria viridis (Setaria) has emerged as a new genetic model system for Panicoideae grasses. Setaria characteristics such as a relatively small genome, fast life cycle, ease of growing under controlled conditions, and remarkable drought tolerance make it an excellent plant model system to study various aspects of grass biology. Setaria has a typical grass root system architecture composed of a primary, crown and lateral roots, making it feasible to conduct systematic analyses that elucidate general physiological mechanisms of broad relevance. In this chapter, we give an overview of root systems in grasses and Panicoideae grasses and provide a detailed description of the Setaria viridis root system highlighting different root types and their internal cellular organization.
Comparing antenna and beam selection for different selection strategies over measured indoor MIMO-OFDM channels at 6 GHz

Selection of a subset of receiver antennas for a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless link has been studied by many as a way to reduce cost and complexity in a spatial multiplexing MIMO system, while providing diversity gain. However, most of these studies have been over simulated channels. In this paper, we use measured indoor channels. We compare three selection criteria to be implemented at the access point in an indoor wireless LAN: minimum symbol error rate (SER), maximum capacity, and the maximum of the minimum singular value of the MIMO channel. The comparison is based on SER which is computed for 802.11a OFDM waveforms, where the same selection is made for every subcarrier. The dual-user scenario is considered, and the access point comprises two RF beamformers that are separated by at least 5 m, such that the beam selection is done jointly for the two beamformers.
A comparison of human natural monoclonal antibodies and aptamer conjugates for promotion of CNS remyelination: where are we now and what comes next?

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory demyelinating disease of the human central nervous system (CNS) and is the most common disabling neurological conditi...
An IR Sounding-Based Analysis of the Saharan Air Layer in North Africa

Intense daytime surface heating over barren-to-sparsely vegetated surfaces results in dry convective mixing. In the absence of external forcing such as mountain waves, the dry convection can produce a deep, well-mixed, nearly isentropic boundary layer that becomes a well-mixed residual layer in the evening. These well-mixed layers (WML) retain their unique mid-tropospheric thermal and humidity structure for several days. To detect the SAL and characterize its properties, AIRS Level 2 Ver. 6 temperature and humidity products (2003-Present) are evaluated against rawinsondes and compared to model analysis at each of the 55 rawinsonde stations in northern Africa. To distinguish WML from Saharan air layers (WMLs of Saharan origin), the detection involved a two-step process: 1) algorithm-based detection of WMLs in dry environments (less than 7 g per kilogram mixing ratio) 2) identification of Sahara air layers (SAL) by applying Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) back trajectories to determine the history of each WML. WML occurrence rates from AIRS closely resemble that from rawinsondes, yet rates from model analysis were up to 30% higher than observations in the Sahara due to model errors. Despite the overly frequent occurrence of WMLs from model analysis, HYSPLIT trajectory analysis showed that SAL occurrence rates (given a WML exists) from rawinsondes, AIRS, and model analysis were nearly identical. Although the number of WMLs varied among the data sources, the proportion of WMLs which were classified as SAL was nearly the same. The analysis of SAL bulk properties showed that AIRS and model analysis exhibited a slight warm and moist bias relative to rawinsondes in non-Saharan locations, but model analysis was notably warmer than rawinsondes and AIRS within the Sahara. The latter result is likely associated with the dearth of available data assimilated by model analysis in the Sahara. The variability of SAL thicknesses was reasonably captured by both AIRS and model analysis, but the former favor layers than are thinner than observations. Finally, further analysis of HYSPLIT trajectories revealed that fewer than 10% and 33% of all SAL back trajectories passed through regions with notable precipitation (>100 mm accumulated along the trajectory path) or Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD greater than 0.4, 75th percentile of AOD) on average, respectively. Trajectory analysis indicated that only 57% of Saharan and 24% of non-Saharan WMLs are definitively of Saharan origin (Saharan requirement: Two consecutive days in Sahara and 24 or more of those hours within 72 hours of detection). Non-SAL WMLs either originate from local-to-regionally generated residual layers or from mid-latitude air streams that do not linger over the Sahara for a sufficient time period. Initial analysis shows these non-SAL WMLs tend to be both notably cooler and slightly moister than their SAL counter parts. Continuing analysis will address what role Saharan and non-Saharan air masses characteristics may play on local and regional environmental conditions.
Ferric Chloride Coagulation for Removal of Dissolved Organic Matter and Trihalomethane Precursors

Ferric chloride coagulation of two types of natural dissolved organic matter was studied. The molecular weight distribution of Suwannee River humic substances currently used as an international standard was characterized using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS). The molecular weight distributions were characterized before and after coagulation. Ferric chloride dosage and pH domains on the iron coaglation diagrams were developed for removal of these humic substances and for determination of the resulting trihalomethane formation potentials (THMFP) of the treated water. The results indicate that it is possible to maximize the removal of dissolved organic matter and minimize trihalomethanes by coagulation only under very specific conditions of pH and ferric chloride dosage.
Deconstructing the LDL receptor--a rhapsody in pieces.

The LDL receptor plays a central role in the control of plasma cholesterol levels and the prevention of coronary artery disease. Recent studies now shed light on the structural organization of several independently folded modules and domains from which the receptor is assembled, providing substantial insights into the mechanics of receptor function and the consequences of disease causing mutations.
Risky decisions despite counter evidence: modeling a culture of safer sexual practices.

To create a culture of safe practices, we need to understand how and under what conditions the public makes risky decisions about their health. Because risky sexual behaviors are known to be common in young adults, we investigated their decision making regarding sexual activities that could incur a high risk of HIV infection. Sixty young urban adults maintained journals for two weeks and were interviewed regarding condom use and sexual history. We characterized four patterns of condom use behavior: consistent (35.0%), inconsistent (16.7%), consistent to inconsistent (35.0%), and inconsistent to consistent (13.3%). Directionality of reasoning was analyzed in the explanations provided for condom use decisions. The consistent and inconsistent patterns were associated with data-driven heuristic reasoning, where behavior becomes automated and is associated with a high level of confidence in one’s judgment. In the other two patterns, the shift in behavior was due to a significant event that influenced a change in directionality to explanation-based reasoning. We discuss these results within the framework of identifying potentially high-risk groups for whom customized intervention strategies (such as computer-based educational programs) can be used to reduce risk, thereby creating a culture of safer sexual practices.
Visual reasoning in geometry theorem proving

We study the role of visual reasoning as a computationally feasible heuristic tool in geometry problem solving. We use an algebraic notation to represent geometric objects and to manipulate them. We show that this representation captures powerful heuristics for proving geometry theorems, and that it allows a systematic manipulation of geometric features in a manner similar to what may occur in human visual reasoning.
Three Heterocyclic Rings Fused (6-5-6)

This review includes 129 fused heterocyclic systems (6:5:6) with at least one ring junction nitrogen atom. Crystallographic and spectroscopic data have been surveyed, reactivity has been described with differentiation of fully conjugated and nonconjugated rings, and synthetic methods have been classified by the number of atoms in each reacting component. Biologically active compounds have been reviewed.
Evaluation of yield and seedling vigour related traits of Swarna/ Oryza nivara backcross introgression lines under three environment conditions

Abstract Wild species are valuable resources in prebreeding programmes for broadening the genetic base and to identify novel genetic variants. In this study we used advanced backcross introgression lines (BILs) generated from Swarna/Oryza nivara cross. Fifteen BILs were evaluated for three seasons (kharif 2014, rabi 2015 and kharif 2015) for seedling vigour and yield related traits. Among these, seven BILs showed significantly higher yield over Swarna. G × E interaction analysis for yield traits in three environments showed that BILs 166-2-9S, 166-2-3S, 166-23S, 166-9S, 166S and 166-32S were stable with high means for different yield traits. BIL166-9S showed high seedling vigour and thousand grain weight (TGW) and BIL166-30S had high grain number in all three environments. BIL248S (DRR Dhan40) showed high single plant yield (SPY) and spikelet fertility (SPF) in both kharif seasons. Trait correlation showed significant positive correlation of panicle length with SPY and TGW. Days to fifty percent flowering (DFF) was significantly associated with thousand grain weight (TGW). Significant correlation was also observed between vigour traits and yield. In addition, seed germination percentage showed significant correlation with plant height and tiller number. Root length was associated with SPY and TGW. Molecular screening to detect the presence of yield related QTLs revealed that high yielding BILs 166-2-9S, 166-9S and 166-21S showed O. nivara alleles for two yield enhancing QTLs qyldp2.1 (RM250-RM535) and qyldp9.1 (RM434-RM257) reported previously. These stable BILs are useful in rice improvement and to fine map QTL/genes for seedling vigour and yield.
Redundancy Scheduling in Systems with Bi-Modal Job Service Time Distribution

Queuing systems with redundant requests have drawn great attention because of their promise to reduce the job completion time and variability. Despite a large body of work on the topic, we are still far from fully understanding the benefits of redundancy in practice. We here take one step towards practical systems by studying queuing systems with bi-modal job service time distribution. Such distributions have been observed in practice, as can be seen in, e.g., Google cluster traces. We develop an analogy to a classical urns and balls problem, and use it to study the queuing time performance of two non-adaptive classical scheduling policies: random and round-robin. We introduce new performance indicators in the analogous model, and argue that they are good predictors of the queuing time in non-adaptive scheduling policies. We then propose a non-adaptive scheduling policy that is based on combinatorial designs, and show that it has better performance indicators. Simulations confirm that the proposed scheduling policy, as the performance indicators suggest, reduces the queuing times compared to random and round-robin scheduling.
“The Goals Remain Elusive”: Using Drawings to Examine Shifts in Teachers’ Mental Models Before and After an NGSS Professional Learning Experience

Teachers’ ability to effectively enact the ambitious vision of the NGSS depends on their understanding of the conceptual and instructional shifts required, and their interpretation of how to implem...
Laparoscopic and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

There have been significant advances in laparoscopic skills and instrumentation since Schuessler and colleagues performed the first laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in 1991 (1). Only nine LRPs were performed between 1991 and 1995. However, the surgery was difficult, with long operating times, and the laparoscopic approach for the treatment of prostate cancer was believed to offer no advantage over open surgery. In 1998, Guillonneau and colleagues reported their initial experience with the surgery with early results of the transperitoneal approach comparable to contemporary series of open radical prostatectomy (2 ). Since then, a number of centers have performed the LRP in increasing numbers with early results comparable to open surgery. However, LRP has not gained widespread popularity among urologists, owing to its technical demands, long operating times, and long learning curves.
A comparative study of the effectiveness of empirical potentials for molecular dynamics simulations of borosilicate glasses

Abstract Despite their practical importance, atomistic modeling of B2O3 containing glasses have been challenging due to the lack of reliable empirical potentials. Fortunately, a few recent developments have shown promises to simulate these glasses where the boron coordination has complex and non-linear dependence on glass composition. This work aims to provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of three recently developed potentials by a systematic study of a series (~20) of sodium borosilicate glasses with constant K (ratio of [SiO2]/[B2O3]) =2 and varying R (ratio of [Na2O]/[B2O3] ranging from 0.1 to 4) values and several sodium boroaluminosilicate glasses. A comparative assessment was established on the basis of the short- and medium-range structure features, such as boron N4 values, total correlation functions, bond angle distribution, oxygen speciation, and mechanical properties using experimental or well-established models as criteria. This work provides insights on the choices of empirical potentials for MD simulations of borosilicate glasses and gives directions of future potential development and refining.
Fatigue and the Fast-Pitch Softball Pitcher: a Scoping Review

Required repetition and intensity of the windmill pitch motion are associated with many fatigue-related pitching injuries due to the large stresses placed on ligaments, muscles, and joints. Few studies have investigated the effects of fatigue on fast-pitch softball pitching. To advance this research, gaps in knowledge must be identified. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review is to determine what has been studied in the area of fatigue and injury risk in the female softball pitcher. A systematic literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases along with hand-searching was conducted between December 29, 2020, and February 11, 2021, to identify original research conducted with female fast-pitch softball or windmill pitchers that reported either an outcome measure that addresses mental or physical fatigue or a measure of musculoskeletal or movement pattern changes over a prolonged period of pitching, such as a simulated game. Article search and data extraction was performed by the first author and reviewed by co-authors to account for reader bias. Eight journal articles met inclusion criteria. All articles included reported measures of tendon volume, muscle strength, joint range of motion, or pitching mechanics from fast-pitch softball pitchers before and after one or several games. Research analyzed in this review demonstrated that changes in muscle strength occur due to pitching fatigue. While this work provides evidence that fatigue may influence the windmill pitch, further work is necessary to determine the relationship between fatigue, injury risk, and pitching.
Refugee settlements in transition: Energy access and development challenges in Northern Uganda

Abstract Energy security and development in refugee settlements is hampered by limited data on the existing energy ecosystem, which is necessary to understand current energy needs and plan short- and long-term energy transitions to self-sustainment. This study addresses the knowledge gap by acquiring primary data from two neighboring refugee settlements, Ayilo I and Ayilo II, in Northern Uganda. A mixed-methods approach obtained data on energy supply and use for households, small- to medium-sized enterprises, and public services. Reduced fuelwood availability in one settlement decreased household wood use by 23.4% relative to the adjacent settlement, and led to households spending an average of 121.8% and 33.5% more per month to purchase wood and charcoal, respectively. Findings indicate current short-term energy decisions are unsustainable and that a move towards using alternative thermal energy sources is needed to reduce the deforestation and lessen tensions with host populations. The study also identifies electricity use in households that primarily consists of cellphones, lighting, and radios, that are best served by solar home systems or charging stations. Electricity demand from small- to medium-sized enterprises is rising to follow aspirations of business owners to expand services offered, whereas energy demand from public services is high with some issues in the reliability of existing power infrastructure. Findings also suggest that hybrid mini-grids can meet the growing demand of small- to medium-sized enterprises, provide reliable power to critical public services, and accommodate for the growth in electricity demand for refugee settings transitioning from temporary, semi-permanent, to permanent settlements.
Classes of quaternion ideals

Having investigated the structure of lattices and ideals in Chapter 16, we now turn to the study of their isomorphism classes.
La democratización mediante la lucha

Resumen es: Por medio del presente articulo se intenta interpretar los cambios en la contencion y la democratizacion en Europa desde 1650. Se trata de un trabajo que...
Roentgenographical Aspects of the Differential Diagnosis of Disease of the Gall Bladder

Excerpt There is no more fertile field for the roentgenological study of pathological conditions than that presented by the upper right abdominal quadrant. It is the uncertainty which attends the d...
Advances in Benchmarking Techniques: New Standards and Quantitative Metrics

Abstract Comparing computer system performance is difficult. Techniques for benchmarking computers have evolved from small test programs into extensive specifications of workloads. Over the last several years, competing vendors in several major computer markets have banded together to form consortia to develop standard benchmark sets. In addition to system evaluation, benchmarking is increasingly being used for system design. Characterizing the benchmarks in terms of system design requirements aids both of these activities. This chapter discusses new advances in benchmarking, including quantitative benchmark characterization. An overview of several popular, contemporary benchmark suites is presented, along with a discussion of the different philosophies of each suite. A detailed characterization is presented for a popular workstation benchmark suite—SPECint92. These characteristics focus on memory system and processor microarchitecture design, since these two subsystems largely determine the performance for workstation class machines. Although comprehensive in its hardware considerations, software interactions are not covered by these characteristics. Suggestions for software characteristics are discussed at the close of the chapter.
Enhancement of JPEG-Compressed Images by Re-application of JPEG

A novel method is proposed for post-processing of JPEG-encoded images, in order to reduce coding artifacts and enhance visual quality. Our method simply re-applies JPEG to the shifted versions of the already-compressed image, and forms an average. This approach, despite its simplicity, offers better performance than other known methods, including those based on nonlinear filtering, POCS, and redundant wavelets.