cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responses of Stable Bay-Margin and Barrier-Island Systems to Holocene Sea-Level Highstands, Western Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT The microtidal, wave-dominated coast of the western Gulf of Mexico displays a variety of Holocene geomorphic features indicating higher-than-present water levels that were previously attributed to storm processes while geoidal sea level was at its present position. Field and aerial-photograph examinations of bay margins, barrier islands, and beach-ridge plains following major hurricanes show that the elevated features are inundated periodically by high storm surge. Despite their inundation, these highstand features are not modified by modern storm processes. Instead, storm-related erosion and deposition are always seaward of and lower than the highstand features and are always limited to the extant shorezone, where elevations typically are less than 1.5 m above present sea level. Bay-margin and lagoonal highstand indicators include raised marshes and subtidal flats, wave-cut benches, abandoned wave-cut scarps with fringing marshes and/or beach ridges, and accretionary islands and recurved spits. Other emergent marine features include abandoned compound flood-tidal delta and washover fan complexes attached to barrier islands and anomalously high beach ridges within both the barrier-island complexes and beach-ridge plains. The highest beach ridges, raised marshes and flats, and erosional scarps and benches are manifestations of one or more rising phases and highstands in sea level, whereas the lower marshes and accretionary topography are mainly products of the falling phases and shoreface adjustment to present sea level. Different elevations of beach-ridge sets, discordant truncation of beach ridges, and elevated marine- and brackish-water faunal assemblages preserved in beach ridges, raised marshes and flats, and natural levees are compelling evidence of sea-level fluctuations of ±1 to 1.5 m from about 5500 to 1200 cal yr BP. Independent evidence from studies of geodynamic, climatic, and glacio-eustatic processes can explain the mid-Holocene highstands and late Holocene lowering of sea level that is observed in tectonically stable coastal regions far from former centers of glaciation.
A note on the societal benefits of illiquid bonds

Kocherlakota (2003) provides an example of a monetary economy where efficiency is enhanced with the introduction of a nominally risk-free bond that is specifically designed to be illiquid. The societal benefit of an illiquid bond in his example, however, is transitory, and he does not characterize an optimal policy. I use an analytically tractable framework to characterize an optimal intervention and to show that the purported benefits of an illiquid bond market persist in a steady state. Kocherlakota (2003) a donne un exemple d'une economie monetaire ou l'efficacite est accrue par l'introduction d'une debenture nominalement sans risque destinee specifiquement aetre illiquide. L'avantage societal d'une debenture illiquide, dans son exemple, est cependant transitoire, et l'auteur ne definit pas une politique optimale. On utilise un cadre de reference analytiquement soluble pour caracteriser une intervention optimale, et pour montrer que les avantages attendus d'une debenture illiquide persistent en regime permanent.
Distributed stopping criteria for the power iteration applied to virus mitigation

This paper proposes a novel distributed stopping criterion for the well-known Power Iteration method for symmetric Metzler matrices. We provide a bound on the accuracy of the approximations for the maximum eigenvalue of the matrix and its corresponding eigenvector. We apply our result to mitigate virus spreading over a complex network by interconnecting the Power Iteration algorithm together with our recently developed ROBUST BOX-CONSTRAINED GRADIENT FAIRNESS algorithm. This distributed algorithm allows an interconnected group of agents to collectively minimize a global cost function subject to equality and inequality constraints. The Power Iteration and the distributed stopping criterion provides an approximation of the cost functions gradient for each iteration. We show that the interconnection between the two methods is convergent and preserves the convergence properties of the ROBUST BOX-CONSTRAINED GRADIENT FAIRNESS algorithm.
Directly laser-written integrated photonics devices including diffractive optical elements

Abstract Femtosecond laser-written integrated devices involving Fresnel Zone Plates (FZPs) and waveguide arrays are demonstrated as built-in optical couplers. These structures were fabricated in borosilicate glass using a direct laser writing technique. The optical properties of these integrated photonic structures were investigated using CW lasers and high-resolution CCDs. For a single FZP coupled to a single waveguide, the overall coupling efficiency was 9%. A multiplexed optical coupler composed of three FZP layers was demonstrated to couple three waveguides simultaneously in a waveguide array. Structures of this type can be used as platforms for multichannel waveguide coupling elements or as microfluidic sensors that require higher light collecting efficiency.
Microbiology of intracranial abscesses associated with sinusitis of odontogenic origin.

Objectives:The unique microbiology of sinusitis of dental origin that is associated with intracranial abscesses (IAs) and the correlation between the organisms at the Two sites has not been reporte...
Enhanced detection of respiratory pathogens with nanotrap particles

The Influenza virus is a leading cause of respiratory disease in the United States each year. While the virus normally causes mild to moderate disease, hospitalization and death can occur in many cases. There are several methodologies that are used for detection; however problems such as decreased sensitivity and high rates of false-negative results may arise. There is a crucial need for an effective sample preparation technology that concentrates viruses at low abundance while excluding resident analytes that may interfere with detection. Nanotrap particles are hydrogel particles that are coupled to chemical dye affinity baits that bind a broad range of proteins and virions. Within minutes (<30 minutes), Nanotrap particles concentrate low abundant proteins and viruses from clinically complex matrices. Nanotrap particles with reactive red baits concentrated numerous respiratory viruses including various strains and subtypes of Influenza virus, Coronavirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus from saliva, nasal fluid swab specimens, and nasal aspirates. Detection was enhanced more than 10-fold when coupled to plaque assays and qRT-PCR. Importantly, Nanotrap particle can efficiently capture and concentrate multiple viral pathogens during a coinfection scenario. These results collectively demonstrate that Nanotrap particles are an important tool that can easily be integrated into various detection methodologies.
201 DISCORDANT EFFCTS OF LEUKOTRIENE ANTAGONIST ON AIRWAY HYPERACTIVITY AND SPUTUM LEUKOTRIENE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF).

Introduction Previous research has demonstrated the role that leukotrienes play in the processes of bronchial hyperactivity and inflammation. Since patients with CF display increased levels of leukotrienes in their lungs, reducing the production of leukotrienes should provide CF patients with some symptomatic relief through a decrease in bronchial hyperactivity and inflammation. Our study uses zileuton, a 5-lipooxygenase inhibitor, to block the formation of leukotrienes from arachidonic acid. It has been shown that zileuton is effective in reducing bronchial hyperactivity and inflammation in asthma patients, but there have been no studies measuring the effect of zileuton on CF patients. We hypothesize that upon treatment of zileuton, patients will show a decrease in sputum and urine leukotriene levels along with symptomatic and clinical improvement. Methods A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was performed on 10 CF patients. For 4 weeks either placebo or zileuton (Zyflo) 600 mg qid was taken with a 2 week wash-out period between trials. Before and after each trial a methacholine challenge was performed and sputum and urine samples obtained and frozen before levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and cysteinyl leukotrienes LTC4 and LTD4 (CLs) were measured by ELISA (R&D). Results There was no difference in the PC20 during the zileuton-treated period although a subpopulation of patients (n=4) did show a significantly decreased value (20.0 6 3.3 to 13.8 6 2.9, p≤0.01) compared with no effect with placebo (18.3 6 2.1 to 26.6 6 10.0). In all patients, there were significant decreases in both LTB4 (7888 6 2739 [mean+sem] to 3475 6 1522 pg/mL, p≤0.01) and CLs concentrations (1408+177 to 699+134 pg/mL, p≤.005). However, there was no difference in the mean percentage of decrease between placebo (63.6 6 29.6%) and drug (50.1 6 21.1%) groups. Conclusions Despite the decrease in leukotriene levels in the sputum, there was no change in bronchial hyperactivity in CF patients. Indeed, there was an increase in hyperactivity in some patients with zileuton. This would indicate that leukotrienes do not play a major role in the bronchial hyperactivity in patients with CF. Whether there is a clinical effect is not known and was not directly measured in this study. However, since zileuton only has marginal effectiveness in some asthma patients it may only be marginally efficacious in CF patients.
An Integrative Analytical Method for Free Flight Trajectory of Ballistic Missile

In order to reduce the effects of launch azimuth on traditional analytical methods for free flight trajectory of ballistic missile,an integrative analytical method based on average elements method,contour warp method and non-orthogonal decomposition method is put forward,which is suitable for arbitrary launch azimuth.The analysis process of this method and the computational case prove that the speed of integrative analytical method is fast and more precise than traditional analytical methods at any launch azimuth.
Litigating Climate Change Adaptation: Theory Practice, and Corrective(Climate) Justice

The Supreme Court's decision in American Electric Power v. Connecticut appeared to affirm what many legal scholars have argued: that tort law is not a suitable or effective means to address climate change. While it did close a valuable door for plaintiffs seeking to advance the "carbon tort," it did not represent the end of tort law's role in providing relief for those whom climate change impacts now and into the future. Tort law can address climate impacts directly, by spurring compensation for harms incurred, and indirectly, by galvanizing both mitigation and adaptation measures to avoid the threat of liability. The key is finding the appropriate defendants - ones with whom the common law is quite familiar. Particularly for the most vulnerable, the virtues of corrective justice and civil recourse - core goals of tort law - are especially meaningful and are key first steps in more transformative legal approaches to the climate crisis.
A case of iloperidone overdose in a 27-year-old man with cocaine abuse

Introduction:Iloperidone is a recently introduced antipsychotic medication. It is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia. There are no published reports of iloperidone overdosage, but there ar...
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Norovirus Strain GII.P7-GII.6 Detected in a Patient in the United States in 2014.

ABSTRACT Homologous recombination is one of the driving forces contributing to the genetic variation of human norovirus, which is an important cause of sporadic and epidemic acute gastroenteritis globally. We report the near-complete genome of the novel recombinant norovirus strain GII.P7-GII.6, detected in an adult with norovirus gastroenteritis in the United States.
Low-Cd CIGS Solar Cells Made With a Hybrid CdS/Zn(O,S) Buffer Layer

In Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells, CdS and Zn(O,S) buffer layers were compared with a hybrid buffer layer consisting of thin CdS followed Zn(O,S). We explore the physics of this hybrid layer that combines the standard (Cd) approach with the alternative (Zn) approach in the pursuit to unlock further potential for CIGS technology. CdS buffer development has shown optimal interface properties, whereas Zn(O,S) buffer development has shown increased photocurrent. Although a totally Cd-free solar module is more marketable, the retention of a small amount of Cd can be beneficial to achieve optimum junction properties. As long as the amount of Cd is reduced to less than 0.01% by weight, the presence of Cd does not violate the hazardous substance restrictions of the European Union (EU). We estimate the amount of Cd allowed in the EU for CIGS on both glass and stainless steel substrates, and we show that reducing Cd becomes increasingly important as substrate weights decrease. This hybrid buffer layer had reduced Cd content and a wider space charge region, while achieving equal or better solar cell performance than buffer layers of either CdS or Zn(O,S) alone.
Clinical Criteria To Distinguish Vascular Myelopathy from Transverse Myelitis (P02.117)

OBJECTIVE: To develop a set of clinical criteria that distinguishes inflammatory and vascular myelopathies. BACKGROUND: Inflammatory and vascular myelopathies can be difficult to distinguish as they often present with similar clinical and neuroimaging features. After reviewing 400 cases referred to the Johns Hopkins Transverse Myelitis Center (JHTMC) from 2010 to 2012, we excluded those with identifiable myelopathies to focus on the presentation of idiopathic inflammatory and vascular myelopathies. DESIGN/METHODS: We developed a set of criteria that calculated vascular and inflammatory scores based on MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) data, vascular risk factors, clinical profile, and response to acute treatment in a set of patients previously diagnosed with idiopathic TM. Patients were included if they had MRI, CSF, and clinical data for review. Patients were excluded if their diagnosis was less likely an idiopathic inflammatory myelopathy or vascular myelopathy. The above criteria were used to produce five versions of a weighted scale, which were applied to 50 patients who fulfilled inclusion/exclusion criteria. Three independent neuroimmunologists from the JHTMC evaluated records of patients to determine if they came to a consensus regarding the diagnosis. Disagreements in diagnoses between raters were discussed by the entire clinical faculty of the JHTMC, where consensus diagnoses were established. The consensus diagnoses were compared to the inflammatory and vascular scores to refine the most accurate scoring system. RESULTS: The scoring criteria that most accurately captured the expert opinions have been refined for best fit to distinguish the diagnosis of inflammatory versus vascular myelopathy. Preliminary data indicates high inter-rater reliability. CONCLUSIONS: A classification scale that includes clinical as well as MRI and CSF data may provide a better clinical tool to determine the likelihood of a diagnosis of inflammatory vs. vascular myelopathies. These criteria will be tested prospectively to confirm validity on a larger number of patients. Disclosure: Dr. Mealy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jimenez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gailloud has received personall compensation for activities with Codman Neurovascular as a consultant. Dr. Gailloud has received research support from Siemens Medical. Dr. Becker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Newsome has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Novartis, and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Levy has received personal compensation for activities with ApoPharma Inc. Dr. Levy has received research support from ApoPharma Inc. Dr. Pardo-Villamizar has nothing to disclose.
High-Risk Geographic Mobility Patterns among Young Urban and Suburban Persons who Inject Drugs and their Injection Network Members

Young people in the USA who inject drugs, particularly those at a risk of residence instability, experience the highest incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infections. This study examined associations between geographic mobility patterns and sociodemographic, behavioral, and social network characteristics of 164 young (ages 18-30) persons who inject drugs (PWID). We identified a potential bridge sub-population who reported residence in both urban and suburban areas in the past year (crossover transients) and higher-risk behaviors (receptive syringe sharing, multiple sex partners) compared to their residentially localized counterparts. Because they link suburban and urban networks, crossover transients may facilitate transmission of HIV and HCV between higher and lower prevalence areas. Interventions should address risk associated with residential instability, particularly among PWID who travel between urban and suburban areas.
Toxicity and efficacy of intravitreal injection of spartanamicin B in the treatment of Candida endophthalmitis.

Aims/Background: We evaluated the retinal toxicity of spartanamicin B and its efficacy in a rabbit model of Candidal endophthalmitis. Methods: Toxicity. Fourteen albino rabbit eyes were injected intravitreally with spartanamicin B (1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μg) ; 2 eyes received the vehicle alone. Efficacy. Ten rabbit eyes were inoculated with 3000 Candida organisms which caused endophthalmitis in 24 hours. Eight eyes were treated with intravitreal spartanamicin B in doses of 1, 2, 5, or 10 μg/0.1 ml; 2 untreated eyes served as controls. Results: Toxicity. The eyes injected with ≤ 10 μg and the control group eyes exhibited no clinical, histological, or electroretinographic evidence of retinal toxicity. Doses > 10 μg caused vitritis. Efficacy. Clinical examination of the treated eyes showed a gradual improvement over 3–6 days; mild opacities remained until day 14. Results of cultures performed 15 days after infection were negative in all treated eyes. Conclusions: Intravitreally injected spartanamicin B (10 μg) is nontoxic to the retina, effective against C. albicans in the endophthalmitis model in the rabbit eye and caused no discernible histological changes in the retina.
A robust state estimator for power systems with HVDC components

This paper presents a robust state estimator for power systems with a multi-terminal DC system overlay. The proposed AC/DC state estimator uses the least absolute value estimation formulation whose details and associated equations are presented in the paper. The robustness of the estimation algorithm against gross errors in the measurements is validated through simulations, by creating a large combination of scenarios containing gross errors and Gaussian noise using a modified version of the IEEE 14 bus test system.
The Cross-Cultural Assessment of Coping Skills

Prior to the 1950’s, psychological theory dealt almost exclusively with maladaptive behaviour. Since then, considerable effort has gone into defining what constitutes adaptive behaviour, or competence. The present study undertook to develop an improved conceptual system for explaining effective behaviour; to develop and apply the measures internationally; and to validate the measures and concepts against objective criteria of school achievement. The results provide empirical support for the coping-style model of competence that was developed and tested in the study.
Pharmacokinetics II: Distribution and Multiple Dosing

This chapter puts in vitro pharmacokinetic data on absorption and metabolism into the context of the in vivo environment. Discussion is focused on in vivo clearance (the removal of drug from the body) and volume of distribution, and how these factors control all of pharmacokinetics. Through the observation of the decay, with time, of drug levels from a single intravenously (i.v.) dose come estimates of clearance, volume of distribution and t ½ . In addition, a single oral dose can yield values for oral absorption ( F ). It will be seen how data from a limited number of in vivo experiments can yield a great deal of data that can be used to describe the pharmacokinetics of any drug. These data can also be used to predict pharmacokinetics in other species to further predict dosing in humans for clinical study. In vivo experiments can also detect complex mechanisms of drug–drug interactions and nonlinear pharmacokinetics. In general, it will be seen that the rate of drug clearance is the dominant factor in determining frequency of dosing needed to attain adequate C ss . Finally, allometric scaling, a procedure whereby the pharmacokinetic data obtained in a range of animal species and used as a predictor of pharmacokinetics in humans, is discussed.
Surface chemistry of Cu in the presence of CO2 and H2O.

The chemical nature of copper and copper oxide (Cu2O) surfaces in the presence of CO2 and H2O at room temperature was investigated using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The studies reveal that in the presence of 0.1 torr CO2 several species form on the initially clean Cu, including carbonate CO32−, CO2δ− and C0, while no modifications occur on an oxidized surface. The addition of 0.1 ML Zn to the Cu results in the complete conversion of CO2δ− to carbonate. In a mixture of 0.1 torr H2O and 0.1 torr CO2, new species are formed, including hydroxyl, formate and methoxy, with H2O providing the hydrogen needed for the formation of hydrogenated species.
Classical Multipole Models: Comparison with Ab Initio and Experimental Results

Classical multipole models for collision-induced dipoles and polarizabilities often prove useful in analyzing interaction induced light scattering and absorption spectra. In this review, the utility and limitations of the classical multipole model are illustrated by comparing results from the model with ab initio results for the dipole of Ne…HF, the polarizabilities of inert-gas atom pairs and the polarizability of N2…N2; predictions from the model are also compared with experimental results for collision-induced far IR absorption and rotational Raman scattering by CH4, CD4, CF4, and SF6. When single-center multipole models break down, estimates of collision-induced properties can be based on distributed multipole and distributed polarizability models, the electron-gas model and exchange-perturbation theories.
The use of robots in stroke rehabilitation: A narrative review.

Background Stroke is among the leading causes of acquired disability in the United States, affecting nearly 800,000 Americans annually. The identification of more effective treatments for hemiparesis has been recognized as a top research priority. Intelligent, motor-driven devices for rehabilitation, or rehabilitation robotics, represent an exciting frontier with considerable potential to address these concerns. Purpose This article presents a state of the science review regarding selected robotic technologies that are representative of current robot-aided rehabilitation strategies, the evidence surrounding their efficacy, barriers to widespread dissemination, and technologies in development. Methods Narrative Review. Conclusions Based on this synthesis, we suggest that robotic rehabilitation tools are neither the standard of care, nor entirely experimental, but rather a clinically innovative therapy of some utility.
Opioid-prescribing patterns, storage, handling, and disposal in postoperative pediatric urology patients

Summary Background Emerging research on surgeons and the opioid epidemic have focused on the adult population. Consequently, little is known regarding opioid-prescribing practices in the pediatric population. The goal of this study is to examine postoperative opioid-prescribing and consumption patterns, as well as storage and disposal trends for specific pediatric urologic procedures. Study design Patients undergoing surgery associated with specified Current Procedural Terminology codes were retrospectively identified, and details regarding opioid medications were obtained through our pharmacy database. Patients' guardians were contacted two weeks postoperatively to determine opioid usage. Opioids were prescribed at a standard dosing of 0.1 mg/kg per dose or the equivalent. Results Of the 171 identified patients, 117 patients were successfully contacted, with 67 (39%) completing telephone surveys. The 3 most common pediatric urology procedures were inguinal hernia repair (N = 39), circumcision (N = 27), and cystoscopy (N = 16). Across all procedures, there was an average excess of 9.8 doses prescribed, corresponding to an overprescription rate of 64%. Of the patients prescribed opioids, 41 (62%) had leftover opioid medication two weeks postoperatively. Thirty-two of 41 (78%) patients did not dispose of their leftover medication. Only 13 patients received perioperative counseling on appropriate storage and disposal of opiates. Discussion Prescribing practices for an array of pediatric urologic procedures are non-standardized and often generously excessive. We show universal overprescribing for all our reviewed urologic procedures. Sixty-two percent of pediatric urology patients did not use their entire prescribed opiate, leaving a significant pool of medicine within the pediatric family home. Given the low incidence of perioperative education, unsurprisingly a majority of our patients improperly handled and disposed off excess opioid medication. Conclusion There is general overprescription of postoperative opioids and poor perioperative opioid education in the pediatric urology population. Download : Download high-res image (327KB) Download : Download full-size image
Intensification of Midwestern Agriculture as a Regional Climate Modifier and Atmospheric Boundary Layer Moisture Source

Agricultural land use changes have likely played an important role in modifying local and regional climate factors. According to a recent study, summers in the Midwest were significantly cooler and...
Propensity and impact of autologous platelet rich plasma use in acute type A dissection.

Abstract Background Coagulopathy in patients undergoing open repair of acute type A aortic dissection using cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest is a common complication. Autologous platelet rich plasma is an intraoperative blood conservation technique, which has been shown in previous studies to promote hemostasis, leading to a reduction of blood product transfusions during elective aortic surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet rich plasma as a blood conservation technique during open surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection. Methods We reviewed all acute type A aortic dissection cases using hypothermic circulatory arrest, excluding patients presenting in extremis. Perioperative transfusion requirements and clinical outcomes were analyzed. The end points analyzed included early mortality, postoperative stroke, renal dysfunction, prolonged ventilation, coagulopathy, and length of postoperative intensive care unit stay. Parsimonious and saturated propensity scores were calculated for platelet rich plasma use, and all outcomes were propensity adjusted. Results Between 2003 and 2014, 85 of 391 acute type A aortic dissection repairs used autologous platelet rich plasma. Mean age of patients was 58 ± 15 years, and 70% were male. Obstructive sleep apnea (22% vs 13%, P = .04) and baseline ejection fraction (57% ± 6.7% vs 55% ± 10%; P = .014) were higher in the autologous platelet rich plasma group. Intraoperative propensity-adjusted blood products, 2 units fewer packed red blood cells (P = .001), 4 units fewer fresh-frozen plasma (P = .001), 6 units fewer platelets (P = .001), 1.3 units fewer cell-savers (P = .002), and 5 units fewer cryoprecipitate (P = .001) were significantly reduced by autologous platelet rich plasma use. Significant unadjusted reduction in postoperative reoperation for bleeding (8% vs 17%, P = .046) after autologous platelet rich plasma was reported, although propensity adjustment eliminated significance (P = .079). No difference in stroke, cardiac, or renal complications was observed. Postoperative transfusion needed during the first 3 days was significantly reduced in the autologous platelet rich plasma group: 2 units fewer packed red blood cells (P = .13), 2 units fewer fresh-frozen plasma (P = .018), and 5 units fewer platelets (P = .001), when compared with those without autologous platelet rich plasma. Ventilation time was reduced by 3 days (P = .002), and intensive care length of stay was reduced by 3 days (P = .063) after intraoperative autologous platelet rich plasma use. Conclusions The use of autologous platelet rich plasma in patients undergoing open repair of acute type A aortic dissection was associated with a reduction in intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusions, as well as decreased early postoperative morbidity.
Conditionally stable unique continuation and applications to thermoacoustic tomography

We prove a conditional Holder stability estimate for the Cauchy problem on the lateral boundary for the wave equation under a strictly convex foliation condition. We apply this estimate for the problem in multiwave tomography with partial data.
Imagining relationally crafted justice: a pluralist stance

How is justice communally constructed? Justice is often viewed through the lenses of fairness, rights, and equality. How might we expand our understanding and practices of justice as processual and...
Impact of metal ions and EDTA on photofermentative hydrogen production by Rhodobacter sphaeroides using a mixture of pre-treated brewery and restaurant effluents

Abstract The influence of different concentrations of iron, Fe (30–110 μM), molybdenum, Mo (8–20 μM), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA (0.1–0.5 g L−1) on the photofermentative hydrogen production and bacterial growth by Rhodobacter sphaeroides 158 DSM was investigated and discussed. A blend of pre-treated brewery (30%) and restaurant (70%) effluents was used successfully as sole medium (without using the standard medium) for the photofermentative hydrogen production, producing a cumulative biohydrogen of 83 mL. The results show that sole-additions of Fe at 70 μM, Mo at 14 μM, and co-addition of Fe:Mo at 70 μM:8 μM to the mixture of pre-treated brewery and restaurant effluents, could enhance the cumulative biohydrogen production to 140 mL (69% increased), 105 mL (27% increased), and 160 mL (93% increased), respectively. The results also revealed that the addition of EDTA should be optimized to avoid the chelation of the added metal ions (Fe, Mo). The biohydrogen production was further enhanced to 192 mL, which represent 131% increase compared to control, when the optimized EDTA of 0.2 g L−1 was added the blended effluents at Fe:Mo concentrations of 70 μM:8 μM. Furthermore, the study shows that the addition of Fe, Mo and EDTA to the blended effluent enhances the biomass growth as well. Utilizing the wastewater for biohydrogen production as a sole medium could open new era for renewable energy production.
Female Genital Mutilation: Authority, Fact and Fiction

Female genital mutilation (FGM), a twenty-first century scourge, thrives on authority wielded by fathers, husbands and mothers-in-law. This chapter analyses four fictional chefs-oeuvres and one documentary that feature, account for, and, with nuance and diplomacy, disapprove the cut: esteemed prosecutor Linda Weil-Curiel’s fifteen-minute short film Bintou in Paris (1994); Uschi Madeisky’s ethnographic documentary Die Drei Wunsche der Sharifa. Bei den Kunama in Eritrea (2000); the first full-length film on FGM, Ousmane Sembene’s Moolaade (2004); possibly the first play by a transgender Kenyan author on FGM, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko’s WAAFRIKA 123 (2016), and prize-winning author Jeanie Kortum’s novel Stones (2017). In all works, social consensus authorizes genital ablation where a specific conservative demographic is convinced that fracturing tradition will entail disaster. What emerges as primary author of the custom is fear instilled by deeply held beliefs whose grip may be loosened only by a reframed cultural narrative.
Constructing an Agent Taxonomy from a Simulation Through Topological Data Analysis

We investigate the use of topological data analysis (TDA) for automatically generating an agent taxonomy from the results of a multiagent simulation. This helps to simplify the results of a complex multiagent simulation and make it comprehensible in terms of the large-scale structure and emergent behavior induced by the dynamics of interaction in the simulation. We first do a toy evacuation simulation and show how TDA can be extended to apply to trajectory data. The results show that the extracted types of agents conform to the designed agent behavior and also to emergent structure due to agent interactions. We then apply the method to a sample of data from a large-scale disaster simulation and demonstrate the existence of multiple emergent types of agents.
Kingdom of Nauvoo: The Rise and Fall of a Religious Empire on the American Frontier: by Benjamin E. Park, New York: Liveright, 2020, Pp. 336, $28.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781631494864

Recent years have been a boon for Mormon studies. With publications from top university presses, the establishment of university chairs across the country, and the development of Mormon studies as ...
Entrepreneurial Action and Intention: The Role of Entrepreneurial Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, and Grit:

Increasing students’ entrepreneurial mindset (EM) is one of the main goals of entrepreneurship education, which is increasingly taught across multiple disciplines. One challenge in EM education is ...
Easy-to-Assemble NMR Tube Cleaner Made from Common Laboratory Equipment

An NMR tube cleaner that is quickly and easily constructed from everyday laboratory equipment is described. This cost-effective option removes the need to purchase a fragile, more expensive model. The small footprint of the device lends itself to being given a permanent place in the laboratory, but it is also simple enough to disassemble and reassemble if that is not a viable option.
On-die Interconnect Innovations for Future Technology Nodes

Rapidly evolving requirements for on-die interconnects resulting from scaling and performance needs of current and future products is bringing about an exciting acceleration of the rate of innovations. In this paper, we will link evolutionary technology node needs and disruptive trends to interconnect requirements and to the key technologies needed to address future challenges, which include the introduction of new materials, as well as new geometries and structures.
Exploiting Appearance Transfer and Multi-scale Context for Efficient Person Image Generation

Abstract Pose guided person image generation means to generate a photo-realistic person image conditioned on an input person image and a desired pose. This task requires spatial manipulation of the source image according to the target pose. However, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are inherently limited to geometric transformations due to the fixed geometric structures in their building modules, i.e., convolution, pooling and unpooling, which cannot handle large motion and occlusions caused by large pose transform. This paper introduces a novel two-stream context-aware appearance transfer network to address these challenges. It is a three-stage architecture consisting of a source stream and a target stream. Each stage features an appearance transfer module, a multi-scale context module and two-stream feature fusion modules. The appearance transfer module handles large motion by finding the dense correspondence between the two-stream feature maps and then transferring the appearance information from the source stream to the target stream. The multi-scale context module handles occlusion via contextual modeling, which is achieved by atrous convolutions of different sampling rates. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicate the proposed network can effectively handle challenging cases of large pose transform while retaining the appearance details. Compared with state-of-the-art approaches, it achieves comparable or superior performance using much fewer parameters while being significantly faster.
The Trayvon Martin Trial - Two Comments and an Observation

The following article on the Trayvon Martin trial suggests that, together, doctrinal and critical analysis can often be more powerful than either alone. Written for a symposium issue on Critical Latino ("Lat-Crit") scholarship, the article posits that jury nullification can operate to reduce the impact of a defense in which the jury does not really believe, such as self defense or stand-your-ground. And in the Martin case, felony murder coupled with felony stalking was an avenue that the Florida prosecutor left unexplored.
Use of Tetrazolium Salts for Electron Transport Studies in Meningopneumonitis II. Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate System

Allen, Emma G. (Downstate Medical School, State University of New York, Brooklyn). Use of tetrazolium salts for electron transport studies in meningopneumonitis. II. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate system. J. Bacteriol. 92:1041–1046. 1966.—The conditions of electron transfer from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in meningopneumonitis (MP) are described and compared with electron transfer from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by this organism. The observations suggest that, in either system, there may be more than one pathway of electron flow, and that these pathways differ from those in normal membrane particulates. It was also found that after trypsin treatment, particulates from pools of normal allantoic fluids and membranes retain the normal characteristics, whereas those from pools of MP-infected fluids and membranes assume the characteristics of MP particles from fluids.
Determination of the Carbon-Bound Electron Composition of Microbial Cells and Metabolites by Dichromate Oxidation

The applicability of the silver sulfate-acid dichromate oxidation (chemical oxygen demand) method for determining the carbon-bound electron compositions of microbial cells, substrates, and metabolic by-products was evaluated. An approach for approximating the carbon-bound electron composition of microbial cells from CHN data is also presented. Ten aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids, 17 amino acids, and 8 sugars generally gave 96 to 101% (mainly >/=98%) recovery with 0.0625 N dichromate (digestion mixture of 10 ml of sample-10 ml of 0.25 N dichromate-20 ml of Ag(2)SO(4)-amended concentrated H(2)SO(4)). Recoveries of nicotinic acid (5%) and methionine (65%) were incomplete; arginine (125%) and two purine and three pyrimidine bases (105 to 120%) were overestimated. The validity of 0.0625 N dichromate for determining the carbon-bound electron composition of bacterial cells was supported by theoretical analysis of the carbon-bound electron composition of hypothetical bacterial cell material (defined monomer composition) and by the compatibility of elemental and dichromate oxidation-derived carbon-bound electron compositions of typical bacterial cells.
Detecting Enzyme Activity: A Case Study of Polygalacturonase

Chemical and physical approaches to monitoring enzyme activity are illustrated using polygalacturonase as the focus enzyme. Polygalacturonase is a depolymerase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-glycosidic linkages in linear homogalacturonan regions of pectic polymers. Activity measurements of this enzyme may be based on the generation of new product, such as the generation of reducing sugars, or changes in the rheological properties of the polymer that result as a consequence of catalysis. Two basic assay protocols, reducing sugar- and viscosity-based assays, are presented here. Discussions of approaches to enzyme extraction and critical parameters for maintaining assay specificity are included. Keywords: polygalacturonase; polygalacturonic acid; viscosity; reducing sugar; depolymerase; enzyme; extraction
Improved laboratory resource utilization and patient care with the use of rapid on‐site evaluation for endobronchial ultrasound fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

BACKGROUND Endobronchial ultrasound guided (EBUS) fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy has become widely used to evaluate patients with thoracic abnormalities. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) can provide the bronchoscopist with immediate evaluation findings during the procedure. This study examines EBUS FNA biopsy procedures with and without ROSE, and investigates the impact of ROSE service on the EBUS procedure and laboratory resource utilization. METHODS The cytopathology database at Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, was searched for EBUS FNA biopsy cases before and after introduction of ROSE service, and a matched cohort was collected. Reports were reviewed and pertinent data was collected, such as sites biopsied, ROSE performance, slide smears, cell blocks, and diagnostic categories. Statistical analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS A matched case-controlled EBUS FNA cohort of 340 patients (680 total) for each category of non-ROSE and ROSE service were identified. There was a 33% reduction in the number of sites biopsied with ROSE. A total of 68% of patients with ROSE had just one biopsy site compared to only 36% of non-ROSE patients. There was a 30% decrease in total slides (mean, 5.27 slides) after the introduction of ROSE. All of these improvements were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS EBUS FNA biopsy ROSE service benefits patients by contributing to significantly fewer biopsies and improved utilization of health care resources. ROSE service results in substantially fewer total slides, which has a significant impact on the cytopathology laboratory work effort. The use of ROSE for EBUS FNA biopsy provides significant improvements in patient care and laboratory resource utilization. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:544–551. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Seeing/Believing/Seeing: Perception-Correcting and Cognitive Skills

Some people believe only what they can see with their own eyes. For them, seeing is believing. But often people are deceived by their eyes into seeing one thing when something else actually is there. In these instances, believing is seeing. They see what they expect to see, have learned to see, or want to see. After a theoretical discussion of perception and cognition, 10 skills are identified for correcting perceptual and cognitive processes involved in dealing with incoming stimuli. The authors propose that these skills will increase social workers' accuracy in making observations and interpretations.
Chimeric HTH motifs based on EF-hands.

The design of a new peptide construct from two structurally equivalent basis motifs is reported. A chimera was designed from the helical regions of a helix-turn-helix (HTH) domain, incorporating the consensus EF-hand Ca-binding loop at the turn. Two 33-residue peptides were constructed: one (P3, designed) includes the 12-residue consensus EF-hand loop, while the other (P2, control) contains the reversed EF-hand loop sequence. The Eu(III) and Ca(II) binding properties of P2 and P3 were investigated by circular dichroism and NMR. The designed peptide (P3) is 25% helical in its Eu(III)-saturated form, and 14% helical with excess Ca(II). Both the free and Eu-bound peptides have inherent solution structure, as demonstrated by the helicity induced by the addition of trifluoroethanol solvent. While Eu(III) binding stabilizes the structure of P3, it destabilizes the structure of P2. The NMR titration of P3 with Eu(III) resulted in new resonances characteristic of Ca-bound EF-hand loops. As observed for isolated EF-hands, the resonances appear within the first 0.5 equivalents of Eu(III) added, suggesting that one metal ion organizes two equivalents of peptide to fold into the back-to-back dimer structure of native EF-hands. The EuP3 chimera, but not EuP2, has significant affinity for supercoiled plasmid DNA, causing a gel shift at concentrations as low as 10 µM EuP3 (50 µM base pairs). These results show our chimeric peptide combines the characteristics of the parent motifs, maintaining both metal binding and DNA affinity.
Structural investigations of poly(amido amine) dendrimers in methanol using molecular dynamics

The molecular structure of poly(amido amine) dendrimers is investigated with molecular dynamics simulations using the Amber 7 modeling package. A method for defining residues for complex molecules is developed, and it enables the study of the effects of protonation of the primary and tertiary amines. The effects of implicit solvents versus explicit solvents as well as the pH of the solution on the molecular structure are calculated. Good agreement with experimental results for the radius of gyration measured in methanol by X-ray scattering is observed for simulations with an explicit solvent and protonation of the primary amines. Calculations of the intramolecular atomistic pair correlation function show a dense core, as well as the presence of voids filled with the solvent inside the molecule. The primary amines (end groups) are shown to access the molecular interior by backfolding. Comparisons with experiments and other reported simulation results highlight the advantages of the approach developed here. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3062–3077, 2006
Solution Strategy for Three-Dimensional Configurations at Hypersonic Speeds

A procedure that reduces the memory requirements for computing the viscous flow over a modified Orbiter geometry at a hypersonic flight condition is presented. The Langley aerothermodynamic upwind relaxation algorithm (LAURA) code, that which incorporates a thermochemical nonequilibrium chemistry model, a finite rate catalytic wall boundary condition, and wall temperature distribution based on radiation equilibrium, is used in this study. In addition, the effect of choice of second-order flux formulations, eigenvalue limiter, and grid density on surface heating is investigated. The surface heating from a flowfield calculation at Mach number 22, altitude of 230,000 ft, and 40-deg angle of attack is compared with flight data from three Orbiter flights.
Correlation of the ac and dc polarization resistances of a platinum electrode/zirconia solid oxide electrolytre interface

Abstract The ac series resistance measured at 50 Hz has been compared with the dc resistance determined from the slope of the polarization curves for platinum on zirconia in air at 1000°C. The resistances varied with potential and the direction of potential change. The differences in the ac and dc values were caused by variation in the current and interfacial impedance with time.