cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adventures in Language Learning

ALINEAL descendant of M. Jourdain, who came to life in 1670 in Molibre's Le bourgeois gentilhomme and whose great-grandson came to America in 1730, was Lorn in New York in the year 1910. Like his famous ancestor, the American Mr. Jourdain is now quite rich. He happened to own some Kansas wheat-land and he inherited some shares of stock in a Philadelphia firm that started making munitions for England and France in 1940. Before the war, he never wanted to visit the country where his distinguished forefather had been so heartily laughed at. But his friends persuaded him that he should go to Paris after the war. "You will see," his friends assured him, "a lot of amusing things. You will be able to laugh at the Parisians just as they laughed at your ancestor. But, of course, if you want to enjoy your trip, you must learn French." Convinced, Mr. Jourdain looked around for the best teachers. The first M. Jourdain, as we all know, engaged four masters-for music, dancing, fencing and philosophy. It must have been the mysterious influence of fate that impelled the American Mr. Jourdain likewise to engage four teachersa linguist, a phonetician, a direct methodist and an eclecticist. The seventeenth century M. Jourdain made the mistake of assembling his four masters in his house at the same time with disastrous results. They had a furious and hilarious quarrel. His American descendant wisely engaged his teachers in succession.
A natural experiment on the condition-dependence of achromatic plumage reflectance in black-capped chickadees

Honest advertisement models posit that only individuals in good health can produce and/or maintain ornamental traits. Even though disease has profound effects on condition, few studies have experimentally tested its effects on trait expression and even fewer have identified a mechanistic basis for these effects. Recent evidence suggests that black and white, but not grey, plumage colors of black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are sexually selected. We therefore hypothesized that birds afflicted with avian keratin disorder, a condition that affects the beak and other keratinized tissues, would show reduced expression of black and white, but not grey, color. UV-vis spectrometry of black-capped chickadees affected and unaffected by avian keratin disorder revealed spectral differences between them consistent with this hypothesis. To elucidate the mechanistic bases of these differences, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and a feather cleaning experiment. SEM showed extreme feather soiling in affected birds, and EDX revealed that this was most likely from external sources. Experimentally cleaning the feathers increased color expression of ornamental feathers of affected, but not unaffected, birds. These data provide strong evidence that black and white color is an honest indicator in chickadees, and that variation in feather dirtiness, likely due to differences in preening behavior is a mechanism for this association.
Modeling of a small distribution grid with intermittent energy resources using MATLAB/SIMULINK

Renewable Energy resources are growing exponentially, demanding for more studies in the field of integration. The penetration of these resources has grown to a level which demands structural and functional changes to the grid system to accommodate variable energy resources resulting in smart grid topology. Behavior of the grid depends upon the type of intermittent energy resources being added, point of coupling impedance and the load distribution along the system. As most of these integration activities take place on the distribution side of power network, it is desired to conduct a comprehensive analysis at the low voltage level. This paper presents the results on modeling and dynamic analysis of a distribution grid system with different levels and types of renewable energy resources using IEEE 34 bus system as a candidate testbed. The complete system is modeled and analyzed using Matlab/Simulink.
Novel cellular microarray assay for profiling T-cell peptide antigen specificities

We present a novel cellular microarray assay using soluble peptide-loaded HLA A2-Ig dimer complexes that optimizes the avidity of peptide-HLA binding by preserving the molecular flexibility of the dimer complex while attaining much higher concentrations of the complex relative to cognate T-cell receptors. A seminal advance in assay development is made by separating the molecular T-cell receptor recognition event from the binding interactions that lead to antigen-specific cell capture on the microarray. This advance enables the quantitative determination of antigen-specific frequencies in heterogeneous T-cell populations without enumerating the number of cells captured on the microarray. The specificity of cell capture, sensitivity to low antigen-specific frequencies, and quantitation of antigenic T-cell specificities are established using CD8 T-cell populations with prepared antigen-specific CTL frequencies and heterogeneous T cells isolated from peripheral blood. The results demonstrate several advantage...
X-ray spectrographs using radial groove gratings.

A high efficiency spectrograph design for the EUV and soft X rays is presented. This grazing incidence system uses a plane surface reflection grating with rulings that are radial, like the spokes of a wheel. The grating is placed in a beam of light that is converging to a focus. The single reflection off the grating is in the conical diffraction mount ensuring maximum performance from the system. Aberrations and performance levels are discussed. The gratings can be manufactured with existing ruling engines. Sample applications to an X-ray monochromator and an EUV stellar spectrograph are discussed.
The multifaceted role of the renal microvasculature during acute kidney injury

Pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a complex disease process for clinicians as it is multifactorial in cause and only limited treatment or preventatives are available. The renal microvasculature has recently been implicated in AKI as a strong therapeutic candidate involved in both injury and recovery. Significant progress has been made in the ability to study the renal microvasculature following ischemic AKI and its role in repair. Advances have also been made in elucidating cell–cell interactions and the molecular mechanisms involved in these interactions. The ability of the kidney to repair post AKI is closely linked to alterations in hypoxia, and these studies are elucidated in this review. Injury to the microvasculature following AKI plays an integral role in mediating the inflammatory response, thereby complicating potential therapeutics. However, recent work with experimental animal models suggests that the endothelium and its cellular and molecular interactions are attractive targets to prevent injury or hasten repair following AKI. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the renal endothelium in AKI, as well as repair and recovery, and potential therapeutics to prevent or ameliorate injury and hasten repair.
Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms A Worthwhile Target for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Since its inception in the 1990s, catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been a continuously evolving procedure. Ablation strategies have adapted to advances in technology including new catheter designs, innovations in mapping systems, and alternative energy sources. Moreover, catheter ablation has stimulated and responded to an improved understanding of the mechanisms of initiation and perpetuation of AF. Over the past 15 years, many centers have spent considerable effort in defining optimal ablation strategies for elimination of paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal AF. Article see p 143 The pulmonary veins were recognized early by Haissaguerre et al1,2 as a frequent source of triggers for AF. Pulmonary vein isolation quickly became the cornerstone of catheter ablation of AF and sparked its rise as a promising tool to eliminate symptomatic and drug-refractory AF.3,4 This was first performed by ostial ablation, but, because of the risk of pulmonary vein stenosis and recognition of vital antral drivers, an antral pulmonary vein isolation (APVI) strategy evolved.3,5 Adjuvants to APVI have been proposed, including ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE). Initial experience suggested that CFAE ablation is a viable stand-alone strategy,6 but this experience has not been reproducible.7 …
Dispersion Penalty Mitigation Using Polarization Mode Multiplexing in Phase Diverse Analog Optical Links

Polarization mode multiplexing of phase diverse Mach-Zehnder modulator outputs to mitigate dispersion penalty in band limited analog optical links and related systems is demonstrated. Link SNR is also improved by up to 3 dB.
Massive Retro-Pneumoperitoneum and Lower Limb Subcutaneous Emphysema After Pediatric Heart Transplantation: A Case Report

An emphysema in a lower limb is usually a clinical sign of a severe and life-threatening infection. We report a rare case of subcutaneous emphysema of the left lower limb associated with a massive retro-pneumoperitoneum and pneumatosis intestinalis after cardiac transplantation in a 4-year-old girl. The child was nearly asymptomatic beside an abdominal distension. A benign pneumoperitoneum associated with an extensive pneumatosis intestinalis is a rare complication after organ transplantation and should be treated conservatively. The association with an emphysema in a lower limb in a child has not been previously reported to our knowledge in the literature.
Partial and Generalized Lipodystrophy: Comparison of Baseline Characteristics and Response to Metreleptin

Context: Lipodystrophies are extreme forms of metabolic syndrome. Metreleptin was approved in the United States for generalized lipodystrophy (GLD) but not partial lipodystrophy (PLD). Objective: The objective of the study was to test metreleptin's efficacy in PLD vs GLD and find predictors for treatment response. Design: This was a prospective, single-arm, open-label study since 2000 with continuous enrollment. Current analysis included metreleptin treatment for 6 months or longer as of January 2014. Setting: The study was conducted at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, Maryland). Participants: Patients clinically diagnosed with lipodystrophy, leptin less than 8 ng/mL (males) or less than 12 (females), age older than 6 months, and one or more metabolic abnormalities (diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypertriglyceridemia) participated in the study. Intervention: The interventions included sc metreleptin injections (0.06–0.24 mg/kg · d). Main Outcomes and Measures: Changes in glycated hemoglobin ...
The Fight for Water

Since 2007, the state of Texas has filed lawsuits against its neighboring states New Mexico and Oklahoma as well as the country of Mexico in an attempt to divert to Texas some of the water flowing through those areas. In January 2013, despite spending over six million dollars on the lawsuit against Oklahoma, Texas lost its right to Oklahoma’s water when the Texas Supreme Court ruled in Oklahoma’s favor (Galbraith, 2013).
Addressing Pedagogy on Textual Borrowing: Focus on Instructional Resources

Over the past few decades, researchers interested in composition and second-language (L2) writing have increasingly begun to examine issues related to intentional and unintentional plagiarism, factors influencing plagiarism such as culture and language proficiency, and L2 writers’ textual borrowing practices. However, less attention has been paid to the instructional issues surrounding plagiarism. This article aims to add to the research on pedagogy specific to writing from sources by reporting on a survey conducted with 113 writing instructors working at universities, colleges, and intensive English language institutes in the Western United States. These instructors evaluated existing resources for teaching how to avoid plagiarism and shared ideas about the types of instructional materials they use or would like to use. Additionally, the article examines a case of one writing instructor utilizing resources related to textual borrowing when teaching a unit on summarizing as part of an academic writing course for L2 writers, and explores the decisions made in the process of implementing various resources in the class. Based on the results of the survey and the case study, recommendations are made for writing instructors and materials developers, along with suggestions for future research.
The Legend of ʿAbdallāh ibn Sabaʾ and the Date of Umm al-Kitāb

ʿAbdallāh ibn Sabaʾ is a figure generally regarded as Islam's first heretic by Sunnī scholars and also vilified by Shīʿī scholars. In this article an anonymous, esoteric work known as Umm al-Kitāb is examined as it contains an exceptional narrative that adopts a strikingly sympathetic approach to Ibn Sabaʾ. It is also argued that the work's unique take on the Ibn Sabaʾ legend sheds considerable light on the date and elusive provenance of this early Shīʿī text.
Underwater Study of Ripples in Eastern Lake Michigan: ABSTRACT

Underwater study of oscillation ripples in nearshore sediments of Lake Michigan indicates grain size and subaqueous topography to be dominant controlling factors in ripple magnitude and development. Depth of water is not a primary factor in the formation of ripples in this environment. With the use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), ripples were measured at 389 stations in eastern and southeastern Lake Michigan. Measurements of water depth, distance from shore, and of amplitude, wave length, and orientation of the ripples were made at each station. The ripples range in size from 2.5 to 38 inches from crest to crest. Those larger than 9 inches are found only in very coarse sand in the topographic lows. The smaller ripples are always present on highs and may also be found in deeper water. Although only the nearshore shallow environment (up to 20 feet of water) was investigated, ripples are present in 36 feet of water more than one mile from the shore. Ripple crests are normal to the general wind direction, although variation of as much as 60° in wind direction does not have noticeable effect on their trend. Great change in wind direction causes formation of interference ripples and subsequent change in ripple orientation. The trend of ripple crests approaches that of the shoreline as the strand line is approached. Heavy-mineral concentrations are common on ripple crests, generally on the landward side of the crests. Flat-topped ripples, heretofore described as being formed by planning off during falling tides or water level, are present in 8.6 feet of water. Incomplete ripples are common where till crops out on the lake bottom. Secondary ripples are common in many ripple troughs, particularly in the large ripples. End_of_Article - Last_Page 523------------
SHORT-TERM ADAPTATION OF HIGHER PLANTS TO CHANGING LIGHT INTENSITIES AND EVIDENCE FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF PHOSPHORYLATION OF THE LIGHT HARVESTING CHLOROPHYLL alb PROTEIN COMPLEX OF PHOTOSYSTEM II

— The short-term adaptation of intact leaves to an increase in light intensity was studied by an analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen evolution monitored by photoacoustics. An increase in light intensity led to an oxygen “gush”. This “gush” was followed by a large (up to 120%) biphasic increase in the yield of oxygen evolution characterized by a fast phase (T = 0.5–2 min) and a slow phase (T = 4–20 min). The fast phase of the increase in oxygen yield was coupled to a decrease of fluorescence, whereas the slow phase was accompanied by a parallel fluorescence increase. A comparison of fluorescence parameters with oxygen yield indicates that the slow phase of the increase in oxygen yield was coupled to an increase in the antenna size of photosystem II. The slow phase was not inhibited by the uncoupler Nigericin but it was absent in chlorophyll-b-less barley mutants dencient in the light harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex of photosystem II (LHC II). These experiments indicate that changes in the LHC II mediated energy distribution, which occur in the time-range of several minutes, are involved in the adaptation to changing light intensities. Moreover, electrophoretic analysis of 32P orthophosphate labeled leaf discs adapted to low and high light intensities suggests that the slow phase of the increase in oxygen evolution involves dephosphorylation of the 25 kDa polypeptide of LHC II, by a small extent of 12%. The trigger for the slow phase of the increase in oxygen yield does not involve the oxidation of the plastoquinone pool. It was found that in response to the increased light intensity, the plastoquinone pool became more reduced as judged by model calculations. Experiments with the uncoupler Nigericin suggest that the control of the slow phase of adaptation to increased light intensity was also not exerted by the pH gradient across the thylakoid membrane. The similarities between the adaptation to increased light intensity and the state II to state I transition suggest that both adaptation phenomena involve LHC II dephosphorylation possibly triggered by the cytochrome b6/f complex.
Topical Neutralization of Interleukin-17 during Experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa Corneal Infection Promotes Bacterial Clearance and Reduces Pathology

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) is involved in neutrophilic tissue infiltration, contributing to both microbial clearance as well as inflammation-associated tissue damage. Its role during bacterial corneal infections is unknown. We hypothesized that IL-17 responses would be detrimental in this setting and tested the impact of IL-17 receptor deficiency or antibody-mediated neutralization of IL-17 in a murine model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ulcerative keratitis after scratch injury. We found that, compared with infected corneas from wild-type mice, those from IL-17 receptor (IL-17R)-deficient mice had significantly lower corneal pathology scores, neutrophil influx, and intracellular bacterial levels. Infected IL-17R-deficient corneas had low intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression, and ICAM-1-deficient mice were similarly resistant to infection. Topical treatment with polyclonal antibodies to IL-17 resulted in significant reductions in corneal pathology and also lowered bacterial counts after infection with six different laboratory or clinical P. aeruginosa strains, including both invasive and cytotoxic strains. Thus, neutralization of IL-17 during P. aeruginosa corneal infection reduces neutrophil influx and pathology without compromising bacterial clearance and offers a promising new avenue for therapy of these potentially sight-threatening infections.
Enhancing self-control in consumer decisions

Researchers from many disciplines have studied the underlying processes of self-control in which one must override an immediate desire or urge to reach longer-term goals. Within consumer behavior, such decisions often involve the domains of spending and eating. In this review, I discuss recent research on strategies and interventions that have been tested to help enhance self-control, organizing these around their primary temporal perspective (i.e. future-, present-, or past-focused). I suggest possibilities for future research and emphasize that situational and individual differences (particularly in self-control) can interact to determine the effectiveness of consumer self-control strategies.
The Effect of Individual Differences and Manipulated Life Expectancies on the Willingness to Engage in Sexual Coercion

The role of the individual difference variables of mate value, short-term and long-term mating preferences, and life history strategy along with the manipulated variable of life expectancy were used to predict differences in the willingness to engage in sexually coercive behaviors. Short-term preferences and long-term preferences were correlated with the willingness to engage in sexual coercion at all life expectancies. Life history strategy was correlated with the willingness to engage in sexual coercion at only the shortest and longest life expectancies. Most importantly short-term and long-term mating preferences interacted with life expectancy to predict the willingness to engage in sexually coercive behaviors. Short life expectancies increased willingness in individuals with high short-term and low long-term preferences. The results are discussed in terms of the varying theories of sexual coercion with emphasis put on a life history approach.
Changing Trends in Wisconsin Physical Education

(1981). Changing Trends in Wisconsin Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 52, No. 9, pp. 29-34.
Hemodynamic response to vasopressin during V1-receptor antagonism in baroreflex-deficient subjects

Six quadriplegic subjects and 6 control subjects received high-dose arginine vasopressin (AVP) infusions at rates of 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 microU.kg-1.min-1 in consecutive 10-min intervals. Six additional quadriplegic subjects received low-dose AVP infusions at rates of 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 microU.kg-1.min-1. All subjects were studied once with and once without administration of a selective V1-receptor antagonist. During high-dose AVP infusions without V1-receptor blockade, mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased from 80 +/- 4 to 87 +/- 5 mmHg (P < 0.05) in quadriplegic subjects but was unchanged in control subjects. In the presence of V1-receptor blockade, MAP decreased from 75 +/- 4 to 58 +/- 4 mmHg (P < 0.001), and heart rate (HR) increased from 61 +/- 5 to 80 +/- 5 beats/min (P < 0.001) in quadriplegic subjects. In the studies on control subjects, MAP decreased only from 75 +/- 3 to 72 +/- 5 mmHg (P < 0.05), whereas HR increased from 64 +/- 4 to 87 +/- 4 beats/min (P < 0.001). Plasma renin activity (PRA) increased in both quadriplegic and control subjects. The effects of low-dose AVP infusions on MAP, HR, and PRA in quadriplegic subjects were similar to those observed during high-dose infusions. Thus, in the absence of baroreceptor-mediated sympathetic nervous system responses, a vasodilatory effect of AVP that is capable of producing marked reductions in MAP can be demonstrated in the presence of V1-receptor blockade.
The descent of the solar Cycle 24 and future space weather

Abstract We study the development of the Cycle 24 using the recently revised sunspot number (SSN) time series proposed by Clette et al. (2014) labeled SSN (V2). The smooth SSN for the cycle increased since its onset in December 2008, developing a shoulder in 2012, a plateau in 2013 and a peak in 2014, a behavior similar to the Cycle 15 that reached a plateau and rose to a much higher peak. Present status of the Cycle 24 is described in terms of SSN (V2) and 10.7 cm (2800 MHz) microwave flux (F10.7) from the sun and its activity is compared to some prior cycles of the nineteenth and twentieth century. SSNs declined at a faster rate than F10.7 starting near the Cycle 21 minimum reaching the peak 2 months after the SSN peak. The physical cause(s) for these differences is not known. The decay phase for both indices has set in. The historic evidence suggests that the Cycle 25 may be less than half as active as the Cycle 24 with a longer duration leading to a reduced in size heliosphere and a significant decrease in the phenomena that track SSNs at 1 AU, such as: the intensity ( B ) of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the frequency of the fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs), the storm sudden commencements and the large Forbush decreases accompanied by a significant increase in the low energy galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and reduced disturbances in the ionosphere; even so one cannot rule out the occurrence of an extreme CME in future.
Concurrent Validity of a Self-Reported Physical Activity “Vital Sign” Questionnaire With Adult Primary Care Patients

INTRODUCTION No tool currently used by primary health care providers to assess physical activity has been evaluated for its ability to determine whether or not patients achieve recommended levels of activity. The purpose of this study was to assess concurrent validity of physical activity self-reported to the brief (<30 sec) Physical Activity "Vital Sign" questionnaire (PAVS) compared with responses to the lengthier (3-5 min), validated Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ). METHODS Agreement between activity reported to the PAVS and MAQ by primary care patients at 2 clinics in 2014 was assessed by using percentages and κ coefficients. Agreement consisted of meeting or not meeting the 2008 Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PA Guidelines) of the US Department of Health and Human Services. We compared self-reported usual minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among patients at a primary care clinic in 2014 who reported to PAVS and to MAQ by using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots of agreement. RESULTS Among 269 consenting patients who reported physical activity, PAVS results agreed with those of MAQ 89.6% of the time and demonstrated good agreement in identifying patients who did not meet PA Guidelines recommendations (κ = 0.55, ρ = 0.57; P < .001). Usual minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reported to PAVS had a high positive correlation with the same reported to MAQ (r = 0.71; P < .001). CONCLUSION PAVS may be a valid tool for identifying primary care patients who need counseling about physical activity. PAVS should be assessed further for agreement with repeated objective measures of physical activity in the patient population.
Age-Structure and Stability in Multiple-Age Spawning Populations

Fishery models which are based upon stock-recruitment relationships in which the total number of recruits decreases at large stock size (e.g., the Ricker model) are well-known to show very complicated dynamic behavior for some parameter values; in particular, the potential for the population to maintain stable constant population size is strongly influenced by the growth rate at low densities, as measured by the parameter a, the density-independent egg replacement ratio. For multiple age-spawning populations, the situation is much more complicated: increase in year to year survival for a given lifetime replacement value a both spreads reproduction over more age-classes (which is stabilizing) and introduces a delay into the system response (which is potentially destabilizing) by increasing the mean age of reproduction. In this paper, the interplay of these two effects is explored.
Magnetic resonance angiography and evaluation of cervical arteries.

Summary:Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of endarterectomy in selected groups of patients based primarily on percent diameter stenosis. Although measurement of stenosis in the clinical trials was established by conventional angiography, there is considerable interest in noninv
Perioperative outcomes of robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery versus conventional laparoscopy surgery for advanced-stage endometriosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To determine perioperative outcome differences in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) versus conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for advanced-stage endometriosis. METHODS This retrospective cohort study at a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery center at 2 academically affiliated, urban, nonprofit hospitals included all patients treated by either robotic-assisted or conventional laparoscopic surgery for stage III or IV endometriosis (American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria) between July 2009 and October 2012 by 1 surgeon experienced in both techniques. The main outcome measures were extent of surgery, estimated blood loss, operating room time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and length of stay, with medians for continuous measures and distributions for categorical measures, stratified by body mass index values. Robotically assisted laparoscopy and conventional laparoscopy were then compared by use of the Wilcoxon rank sum, χ(2), or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. RESULTS Among 86 conventional laparoscopic and 32 robotically assisted cases, the latter had a higher body mass index (27.36 kg/m(2) [range, 23.90-34.09 kg/m(2)] versus 24.53 kg/m(2) [range, 22.27-26.96 kg/m(2)]; P < .0079) and operating room time (250.50 minutes [range, 176-328.50 minutes] versus 173.50 minutes [range, 123-237 minutes]; P < .0005) than did conventional laparoscopy patients. After body mass index stratification, obese patients varied in operating room time (282.5 minutes [range, 224-342 minutes] for robotic-assisted laparoscopy versus 174 minutes [range, 130-270 minutes] for conventional laparoscopy; P < .05). No other significant differences were noted between the robotic-assisted and conventional laparoscopy groups. CONCLUSION Despite a higher operating room time, robotic-assisted laparoscopy appears to be a safe minimally invasive approach for patients, with all other perioperative outcomes, including intraoperative and postoperative complications, comparable with those in patients undergoing conventional laparoscopy.
Study of spark plasma sintered nanostructured ferritic steel alloy with silicon carbide addition

Abstract Pure nanostructured ferritic steel alloy (NFA) and NFA–silicon carbide (SiC) composites with different compositions (97.5 vol% NFA-2.5 vol% SiC and 95 vol% NFA-5 vol% SiC) have been sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and systematically investigated based on XRD, SEM, density, Vickers hardness, and nano-hardness. Minor γ-Fe phase formation from the main α-Fe matrix occurs in pure NFA between the sintering temperature of 950 °C and 1000 °C. However, this is hindered in the NFA-SiC composite sintering. Densities for both the pure NFA and the NFA-SiC composites increase with the sintering temperature but decrease with the SiC content. The NFA-SiC composites have higher porosity than pure NFA under the same sintering condition. All the samples have the average grain sizes between 6 µm and 8 µm. Vickers hardness of the pure NFA and NFA-SiC composites is related to density and phase composition. By estimation, the 97.5 vol% NFA-2.5 vol% SiC composite sample has the maximum yield strength of 3.14±0.18 GPa. Nano-hardness of the NFA-SiC composite is degraded by diffusion and reaction between NFA and SiC. The addition of SiC decreases the elastic modulus of the NFA-SiC composites.
The Story of Source Reliability: Practicing Research and Evaluation Skills Using “The Story of Stuff” Video

Recent increases in reliance on simple Internet searches for quick access to information and the general expectation that reliable information can be easily acquired have confounded student development of skills in determining source credibility. This is of particular concern within environmental science and sustainability studies because the polarizing nature of many related topics has yielded a plethora of inaccurate, biased, and even falsified web sources that students may find confusing. “The Story of Stuff,” a popular web-based video, provides an exemplary case study for students to practice assessing source reliability and differentiating between informative and persuasive sources. In this lesson, students watch, critique, and discuss the “Story of Stuff.” In an optional activity, students investigate the validity of a claim in the video, analyze their research sources, and present their findings to the class. After completing the lesson, students should be able to (1) determine the reliability of a potential source of information, (2) distinguish between persuasive and informative sources, and (3) be able to express the importance of using credible sources to inform one’s opinions.
Analysis of Vitamin D Send-out Testing at an Academic Medical Center: Understanding Test Utilization and Result Patterns Through Data Mining and Visualization

Vitamin D testing has increased dramatically in recent years. Laboratories face challenges in managing this increased volume, including the logistics of send-out testing, determining whether to bring assays in house, and providing clinicians with decision support for proper test selection. Understanding test utilization and result patterns can help laboratories decide how to manage vitamin D testing in the future. At the time of this study, all vitamin D– related test orders from our hospital and …
Formal modeling of biological systems

As biomedical research advances into more complicated systems, there is an increasing need to model and analyze these systems to better understand them. For decades, biologists have been using diagrammatic models to describe and understand the mechanisms and dynamics behind their experimental observations. Although these models are simple to be built and understood, they can only offer a rather static picture of the corresponding biological systems, and scalability is limited. Thus, there is an increasing need to develop formalism into more dynamic forms that can capture time-dependent processes, together with increases in the models scale and complexity. In this invited review paper, we argue that the formal modeling formalisms can be applied fruitfully to biological systems, and can be complementary to the traditional mathematical descriptive modeling approaches used in systems biology. We also discuss one example: a stochastic hybrid model of the effect of estrogen at different levels in species' population in a freshwater ecosystem.
Process-Structure-Property Relationships for 316L Stainless Steel Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing and Its Implication for Component Engineering

We investigate the process-structure-property relationships for 316L stainless steel prototyping utilizing 3-D laser engineered net shaping (LENS), a commercial direct energy deposition additive manufacturing process. The study concluded that the resultant physical metallurgy of 3-D LENS 316L prototypes is dictated by the interactive metallurgical reactions, during instantaneous powder feeding/melting, molten metal flow and liquid metal solidification. The study also showed 3-D LENS manufacturing is capable of building high strength and ductile 316L prototypes due to its fine cellular spacing from fast solidification cooling, and the well-fused epitaxial interfaces at metal flow trails and interpass boundaries. However, without further LENS process control and optimization, the deposits are vulnerable to localized hardness variation attributed to heterogeneous microstructure, i.e., the interpass heat-affected zone (HAZ) from repetitive thermal heating during successive layer depositions. Most significantly, the current deposits exhibit anisotropic tensile behavior, i.e., lower strain and/or premature interpass delamination parallel to build direction (axial). This anisotropic behavior is attributed to the presence of interpass HAZ, which coexists with flying feedstock inclusions and porosity from incomplete molten metal fusion. The current observations and findings contribute to the scientific basis for future process control and optimization necessary for material property control and defect mitigation.
Characterizing a first occurrence of bison deposits in southeastern Nevada

Late Holocene bison bones eroding from the badlands topography of Cathedral Gorge State Park in southeastern Nevada have been identified as the remains of Bison and date between approximately 400 and 850 years old. The bones were originally thought to be turn-of-the-century cattle and then early bison, so park personnel had need to solve this interpretive problem. A multidisciplinary team sought information on archaeology, geomorphology, paleontology, and paleoenvironment to document the 1st established occurrence of bison in this part of Nevada and to develop a hypothesis explaining their demise.
Adolescents’ Experience and Knowledge of, and Attitudes toward, Bees: Implications and Recommendations for Conservation

ABSTRACTInvertebrates are generally regarded with apathy, distaste, and fear in Western society. These negative sentiments likely contribute to the disparity in wildlife conservation efforts, which largely favor vertebrate organisms. Bees represent one of the most ecologically and economically important invertebrate groups, yet bee diversity and abundance is declining worldwide, mirroring the general decline of invertebrate biodiversity. Developing and implementing successful conservation efforts requires interdisciplinary research that considers the ecological and social realities of today’s world. To better inform conservation efforts related to bees, we examined adolescents’ experiences and knowledge of, and attitudes toward, bees and investigated how these dimensions related to one another. A total of 794 eighth-grade science students from the suburbs of Chicago, USA completed a 48-item, paper questionnaire. The results indicated that adolescents were only somewhat knowledgeable about bee biology and ...
Planning the process parameters for the direct metal deposition of functionally graded parts based on mathematical models

Abstract During the past few years, the need for functionally graded material (FGM) parts has surfaced with the development of material science and additive manufacturing techniques. The Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) process, a metal based additive manufacturing technique, can locally deposit dissimilar metal powders to produce FGM parts. Yet inappropriate mixing ratio of materials without considering the influence of dilution and overlapping effects among layers and tracks and the variation of material properties can result in inaccurate material composition in the fabricated parts when compared to the desired compositions. Within such a context, this paper proposes a design method that links the process parameters to the desired composition of the part based on mathematical models. The proposed scheme is illustrated through a case study of fabricating an iron-nickel FGM part with three-dimensional composition variation. Using the proposed method, the process parameters can be planned prior to the manufacturing process, and the material distribution deviation from the desired one can be reduced.
Formation of Satisfactory and Dissatisfactory Experiences with Augmented Reality: An Abstract

Augmented reality technology is intended to enhance user’s experience in shopping or seeking entertainment. If enhancement is low or nonexistent, it may not be because augmented reality (AR) is faulty; it may be because AR did not provide sufficient attributes to satisfy customers. Based on a study with adult consumers, this study examines the level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction achieved by some users of AR in shopping and entertainment. The results show a significant discrepancy between what consumers expected to be offered when engaging augmented reality in shopping or entertainment and what they actually experienced. Consumers expected high levels of interactivity, high quality of augmentation (realistic view and telepresence), high levels of information, and the availability of crucial utilities (search features, narration, quick response, and need for touch). Consumers experienced fun, pleasure, and connectivity, but they also encountered low levels of interactivity and low levels of information. Important implications for researchers and managers are drawn from this discrepancy.
Isolectin IB4-Mediated Cytotoxic Targeting of Sensory Neurons

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that recognize distinct oligosaccharide moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids. In vertebrates, endogenous lectins serve a variety of functions, including cell adhesion, cell recognition, signal transduction, and endocytosis, in both neuronal and nonneuronal cells (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). A role for cell surface carbohydrate recognition has been described in processes, such as fertilization, development, leukocyte homing, and the innate immune response (1,2). Among the known classes of vertebrate carbohydrate-binding proteins are some cytokines (e.g., interleukin 1β [IL-1β]) and growth factors, which possess a receptor-binding domain and a carbohydrate recognition domain (4,5).
Pediatric Infection Control -- An Historical Perspective

The recent publication of a history of the Children’s Hospital, Boston (1), coupled with the approach of my fifteenth anniversary as hospital epidemiologist at that venerable institution, has prompted me to search for lessons in the Hospital’s past, to critically examine the present situation, and to set priorities for the future.
An analysis of two classes of phase field models for void growth and coarsening in irradiated crystalline solids

A formal asymptotic analysis of two classes of phase field models for void growth and coarsening in irradiated solids has been performed to assess their sharp-interface kinetics. It was found that the sharp interface limit of type B models, which include only point defect concentrations as order parameters governed by Cahn-Hilliard equations, captures diffusion-controlled kinetics. It was also found that a type B model reduces to a generalized one-sided classical Stefan problem in the case of a high driving thermodynamic force associated with the void growth stage, while it reduces to a generalized one-sided Mullins-Sekerka problem when the driving force is low in the case of void coarsening. The latter case corresponds to the famous rate theory description of void growth. Type C models, which include point defect concentrations and a non-conserved order parameter to distinguish between the void and solid phases and employ coupled Cahn-Hilliard and Allen-Cahn equations, are shown to represent mixed diffusion and interfacial kinetics. In particular, the Allen-Cahn equation of model C reduces to an interfacial constitutive law representing the attachment and emission kinetics of point defects at the void surface. In the limit of a high driving force associated with the void growth stage, a type C model reduces to a generalized one-sided Stefan problem with kinetic drag. In the limit of low driving forces characterizing the void coarsening stage, however, the model reduces to a generalized one-sided Mullins-Sekerka problem with kinetic drag. The analysis presented here paves the way for constructing quantitative phase field models for the irradiation-driven nucleation and growth of voids in crystalline solids by matching these models to a recently developed sharp interface theory.
GH Therapy in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background GH deficiency (GHD) is common among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) with history of tumors, surgery, and/or radiotherapy involving the hypothalamus-pituitary region. We aimed to evaluate the effects of GH therapy (GHT) in CCSs on adult height, risk of diabetes mellitus, abnormal lipids, metabolic syndrome, quality of life, secondary tumors, and disease recurrence. Methods We searched multiple databases for randomized and observational studies. Pairs of reviewers independently selected studies and collected data. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool outcomes across the studies. Results We included 29 observational studies at moderate to high risk of bias. Sixteen studies compared CCSs on GHT with those not on GHT (512 patients, GH dose: 0.3 to 0.9 IU/kg/week). GHT was significantly associated with height gain [standard deviation score, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.13] and was not significantly associated with the occurrence of secondary tumors [odds ratio (OR), 1.10; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.67] or tumor recurrence (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.02). Thirteen studies compared CCSs on GHT with normal age- or sex-matched controls or controls with idiopathic GHD or short stature. GHT was associated with either improved or unchanged risk of diabetes, lipid profiles, and metabolic syndrome. GHT was associated with improvements in quality of life. Conclusion CCSs treated with GHT gain height compared with the untreated controls. GHT may improve lipid profiles and quality of life and does not appear to increase the risk of diabetes or the development of secondary tumors, although close monitoring for such complications remains warranted due to uncertainty in the current evidence.
Photography without lenses

Good photographic records fo brittle coating, photoelasticity and moire patterns can be obtained in certain cases by direct contact of the specimen and the photographic film. No lenses are required. Several examples of application of the technique are given. The method is particularly useful when brittle coating or moire are applied to transparent curved developable surfaces.
Global Behavior: The Wave Packet Structural Vacillation

In this chapter we further study the evolution of wave packet discussed in Chapter 3. In order to illustrate the global behavior of the evolution of the wave packet, we employ phase space and phase space diagrams The phase space considered here is the space consisting of local wave numbers. This phase space has been called the WKB phase space (Yang, 1988a,b,c).
A Game Theoretic Approach to Computation Offloading Strategy Optimization for Non-cooperative Users in Mobile Edge Computing

Computation offloading from a user equipment (UE, also called mobile user, mobile subscriber, or mobile device) to a mobile edge cloud (MEC) provides an effective way to virtualize an ordinary smart mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, handheld computer, wearable device, and personal digital assistant) into a formidable equipment, which is able to provide more and stronger functionalities than that of a laptop or a desktop computer. It is conceivable that there can be several MECs with different processing capabilities in a geographic area, and each MEC many serve many UEs with endless sequences of computation tasks, various application characteristics, and diversified communication requirements and bandwidths. Furthermore, the mobile users are competitive and selfish, which means that computation offloading strategy optimization needs to be carried out for each individual mobile user to optimize the performance of only his applications. In this paper, we conduct a mathematical study of computation offloading strategy optimization for non-cooperative users in mobile edge computing by using a game theoretic approach. The main contributions of this paper can be summarized as follows. We establish an M/G/1 queueing model to characterize multiple heterogeneous UEs and MECs, so that the average response time of all offloadable and non-offloadable tasks generated on a UE can be calculated analytically and the optimal computation offloading strategy of a UE can be defined rigorously. We construct a non-cooperative game framework for a mobile edge computing environment, in which each player (i.e., a UE) can selfishly minimize his payoff by choosing an appropriate strategy in his strategy space. We prove the existence of the Nash equilibrium of the above game. We develop algorithms to find the Nash equilibrium, including an algorithm to find the best response of a mobile user and an iterative algorithm to find the Nash equilibrium. We demonstrate numerical examples and data of our game, including numerical data for the Nash equilibrium and numerical data for the convergence of the Nash equilibrium. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first paper that effectively investigates computation offloading strategy optimization for multiple, heterogeneous, and competitive mobile users and multiple heterogeneous mobile edge clouds by using a non-cooperative game approach. Hence, the paper makes noticeable contributions towards the understanding of a competing mobile edge computing environment and its stabilization.