cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Four-Antigen Mixture for Rapid Assessment of Onchocerca volvulus Infection

Background Onchocerciasis, an infection caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is a major public health concern. Given the debilitating symptoms associated with onchocerciasis and concerns about recrudescence in areas of previous onchocerciasis control, more efficient tools are needed for diagnosis and monitoring of control measures. We investigated whether luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (LIPS) may be used as a more rapid, specific, and standardized diagnostic assay for Onchocerca volvulus infection. Methods Four recombinantly produced Onchocerca volvulus antigens (Ov-FAR-1, Ov-API-1, Ov-MSA-1 and Ov-CPI-1) were tested by LIPS on a large cohort of blinded sera comprised of both uninfected controls and patients with a proven parasitic infection including Onchocerca volvulus (Ov), Wuchereria bancrofti (Wb), Loa loa (Ll), Strongyloides stercoralis (Ss), and with other potentially cross-reactive infections. In addition to testing all four Ov antigens separately, a mixture that tested all four antigens simultaneously was evaluated in the standard 2-hour incubation format as well as in a 15-minute rapid LIPS format. Findings Antibody responses to the four different Ov antigens allowed for unequivocal differentiation between Ov-infected and uninfected control sera with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Analysis of the antibody titers to each of these four antigens in individual Ov-infected sera revealed that they were markedly different and did not correlate (rS = –0.11 to 0.58; P = 0.001 to 0.89) to each other. Compared to Ov-infected sera, patients infected with Wb, Ll, Ss, and other conditions had markedly lower geometric mean antibody titers to each of the Ov 4 antigens (P<0.0002 for each antigen). The simplified method of using a mixture of the 4 Ov antigens simultaneously in the standard format or a quick 15-minute format (QLIPS) showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in distinguishing the Ov-infected sera from the uninfected control sera. Finally, the QLIPS format had the best performance with 100% sensitivity and specificity values of 76%, 84% and 93% for distinguishing Ov from Wb, Ll and Ss-infected sera. Conclusions The multi-antigen LIPS assay can be used as a rapid, high throughput, and specific tool to not only to diagnose individual Ov infections but also as a sensitive and potentially point-of-care method for early detection of recrudescent infections in areas under control and for mapping new areas of transmission of Ov infection.
Electrode design for high frequency block: Effect of bipolar separation on block thresholds and the onset response

The delivery of high frequency alternating currents (HFAC) to peripheral nerves has been shown to produce a rapid and reversible nerve conduction block at the site of the electrode, and holds therapeutic promise for diseases associated with undesired or pathological neural activity. It has been known since 1939 that the configuration of an electrode used for nerve block can impact the quality of the block, but to date no formal study of the impact of electrode design on high frequency nerve block has been performed. Using a mammalian small animal model, it is demonstrated that the contact separation distance for a bipolar nerve cuff electrode can impact two important factors related to high frequency nerve block: the amplitude of HFAC required to block the nerve (block threshold), and the degree to which the transient “onset response” which always occurs when HFAC is first applied to peripheral nerves, is present. This study suggests that a bipolar electrode with a separation distance of 1.0 mm minimizes current delivery while producing high frequency block with a minimal onset response in the rat sciatic nerve.
Reaction time variability in ADHD: A meta-analytic review of 319 studies

Individuals with ADHD are characterized as ubiquitously slower and more variable than their unaffected peers, and increased reaction time (RT) variability is considered by many to reflect an etiologically important characteristic of ADHD. The present review critically evaluates these claims through meta-analysis of 319 studies of RT variability in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD relative to typically developing (TD) groups, clinical control groups, and themselves (subtype comparisons, treatment and motivation effects). Random effects models corrected for measurement unreliability and publication bias revealed that children/adolescents (Hedges' g=0.76) and adults (g=0.46) with ADHD demonstrated greater RT variability relative to TD groups. This increased variability was attenuated by psychostimulant treatment (g=-0.74), but unaffected by non-stimulant medical and psychosocial interventions. Individuals with ADHD did not evince slower processing speed (mean RT) after accounting for RT variability, whereas large magnitude RT variability deficits remained after accounting for mean RT. Adolescents and adults with ADHD were indistinguishable from clinical control groups, and children with ADHD were only minimally more variable than clinical control children (g=0.25). Collectively, results of the meta-analysis indicate that RT variability reflects a stable feature of ADHD and other clinical disorders that is robust to systematic differences across studies.
Analysis of the early rise in aortic transvalvular gradient after aortic valvuloplasty.

Abstract The relationship between dynamic changes in aortic valve gradient and left ventricular ejection performance in the early period after successful percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty has not been described in detail. Accordingly 20 adult patients with severe symptomatic calcific aortic stenosis underwent first-pass radionuclide angiography and Doppler echocardiography before, immediately after, and 2 to 4 days after the valvuloplasty procedure. A significant ( p 2 to 0.8 ± 0.2 cm 2 ) were measured by high-fidelity micromanometer catheters immediately after aortic valvuloplasty. Results of Doppler echocardiography showed a significant ( p p 2 to 0.6 ± 0.2 cm 2 immediately after the procedure ( p 2 ; p
Efficient algorithm for FPGA board routing

A simple and fast algorithm for solving the two-terminal board level routing problem in FPGA-based logic emulation systems is presented. The method is based on the net scan selection process. Experimental results are the first implemented results for an algorithm presented previously. The comparison results show that the current approach achieves better effectiveness and uses less CPU time.
Altered Ovarian Steroids in Xenopus Laevis Exposed to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Nitrate

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems with anthropogenic sources of nitrate is of increasing concern. Anurans are especially at risk for overexposure to nitrate because they occupy aquatic environments during embryonic, larval, and adult stages. Whereas there have been numerous studies examining the effect of nitrate on frog eggs and tadpoles, the effects of nitrate on adult frogs have been largely neglected. In this study, we examined whether brief exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of aquatic nitrate influenced ovarian steroid synthesis and ovarian follicle size in adult African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis). We exposed frogs for seven days to nitrate at concentrations of 24.8 or 49.5 mg/l in order to simulate a pulse of nitrate exposure. Relative to controls, nitrate-exposed frogs exhibited suppressed ex vivo synthesis of testosterone and estrogen. Follicles from nitrate-exposed frogs also exhibited an increased stage-4 diameter at both nitrate concentrations and a decreased stage-5 and -6 diameter at the highest nitrate concentration. These results indicate that anuran ovarian steroidogenesis and follicle size are modified by even a brief exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of nitrate.
Probing Surface Sites of TiO2: Reactions with [HRe(CO)5] and [CH3Re(CO)5]

Two carbonyl complexes of rhenium, [HRe(CO)5] and [CH3Re(CO)5], were used to probe surface sites of TiO2 (anatase). These complexes were adsorbed from the gas phase onto anatase powder that had been treated in flowing O2 or under vacuum to vary the density of surface OH sites. Infrared (IR) spectra demonstrate the variation in the number of sites, including Ti+3OH and Ti+4OH. IR and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra show that chemisorption of the rhenium complexes led to their decarbonylation, with formation of surface-bound rhenium tricarbonyls, when [HRe(CO)5] was adsorbed, or rhenium tetracarbonyls, when [CH3Re(CO)5] was adsorbed. These reactions were accompanied by the formation of water and surface carbonates and removal of terminal hydroxyl groups associated with Ti+3 and Ti+4 ions on the anatase. Data characterizing the samples after adsorption of [HRe(CO)5] or [CH3Re(CO)5] determined a ranking of the reactivity of the surface OH sites, with the Ti+3OH groups being the more reactive towards the rhenium complexes but the less likely to be dehydroxylated. The two rhenium pentacarbonyl probes provided complementary information, suggesting that the carbonate species originate from carbonyl ligands initially bonded to the rhenium and from hydroxyl groups of the titania surface, with the reaction leading to the formation of water and bridging hydroxyl groups on the titania. The results illustrate the value of using a family of organometallic complexes as probes of oxide surface sites.
An Essay on the Art and Science of Teaching

The primary purpose of this essay is to identify instructional practices that can serve to enhance teaching effectiveness. There is both an art and a science dimension to effective teaching. The science dimension entails a comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, both historical foundations and research on the frontiers. The art dimension, which is likely to be the more elusive of the two, involves presenting complex material to students in terms that are readily understandable. Organized around twelve principles, this essay delineates various techniques that may be employed to enhance overall teaching effectiveness, even among those individuals who may not be “natural teachers.” Selected lessons from Charles Franklin Kettering, one of America's most prolific inventors, are integrated throughout the essay to bring these teaching principles to life. A secondary purpose of this essay is to offer a critical, albeit constructive, assessment of the teaching profession at the university level.
Ensuring Stable Operation with Grid Codes: A Look at Canadian Wind Farm Interconnections

This article discusses windfarm electrical power system issues in grid codes. Grid codes are published by utilities and system operators to define the requirements for the interconnection of generation and other facilities to the grid. The purpose of the grid code requirements is to ensure reliability, stability, power quality, protection of equipment, and worker safety. These requirements are given at the point of interconnection (POI) with the transmission or distribution system and are different depending on the sizes and types of generation. Grid codes can cover a broad range of requirements, from continuous operational constraints to behavior during contingencies such as faults, and they vary considerably based on the issuer, their country or region, and the type of transmission or distribution system. Manufacturer specifications for wind turbines are generally given on a per-turbine basis at the collector system voltage. When a wind farm is proposed, an initial assessment is made of the suitability of the wind turbines to the system. Studies that evaluate system performance and conformance with the grid code are performed of the grid and wind farm(s) being considered. Finally, tests and measurements during and after commissioning verify conformance of the wind farm to the applicable grid code.
Prolactin-Secreting Adenomas in the Male

Prolactin-secreting tumors are the most common hormone-secreting pituitary tumors in women and may be the most common hormone-secreting tumors in men as well. It is only within the last five years, with the advent of sensitive radioimmunoassays for prolactin, that the often subtle and varied clinical presentations of these tumors have become apparent. Women with prolactin-secreting tumors (also called prolactinomas) usually present with amenorrhea or galactorrhea, or both, in association with a modestly elevated serum prolactin level in the 50–200 ng/ml range. Plain skull X-rays are often normal, and abnormalities such as focal erosion or enlargement of the sella turcica are detectable only with pleuridirectional tomography. In women with galactorrhea and amenorrhea, the incidence of verified pituitary adenomas has been reported to be as high as 30–50%1,2 (Chapter 4).
Dynamic Pricing and Minimum Length of Stay Controls as a Hotel Management Practice: Are There Customer Perception, Ethical, and Legal Questions?

Length of stay controls and dynamic pricing are components of revenue management tools widely used in the lodging industry. Length of stay controls require guests to stay for a minimum number of nights, even if they might wish to stay for only one night. Dynamic pricing characterized by high room rates and length of stay controls are common when hotel demand is strong for a specific event, such as a college graduation, natural disasters and emergencies, New Year's Eve festivities, July 4 fireworks and concerts, or a major sporting event. While implemented to boost revenue, the combination of dynamic pricing and length of stay controls can raise ethical, legal, and fairness questions that can lead to adverse impacts on hotels. Dynamic pricing may be legal or illegal, depending on state law and the circumstances. Length of stay controls may also be legal or prohibited depending on the state. The authors suggest some alternatives that will allow hoteliers to comply with existing statutes and case law and nav...
Preparing Students to Practice Law: A Global Problem in Need of Global Solutions

Preparing students to practice law is the shared objective of legal education systems around the world. Collectively, legal educators everywhere aspire to produce good lawyers and judges who will perform their jobs competently and uphold the highest ideals of the legal profession. To accomplish this result, a system of legal education must impart the knowledge, skills, and values that enable lawyers and judges to participate effectively in the legal profession. Unfortunately, with limited exceptions, the average new lawyer is not adequately prepared to practice law, or at least is not prepared to undertake primary responsibility for resolving clients' problems. The inadequate preparation of lawyers in the United States has been extensively documented. Although the effectiveness of legal education in other countries has not been examined as closely as in the United States, it is unlikely that any system of legal education in the world is adequately preparing students for the practice of law. This article describes the current state of legal education globally. It then explains why legal education is inadequate and what needs to be done to improve it. It concludes with a call for legal educators in all countries to participate in creating a better future for legal education and the legal profession.
?שיח הזכויות ואיכות הסביבה: הילכו שניים יחדיו

בשנים האחרונות, במסגרת הפעילות המבורכת, ההולכת ומתרחבת, בתחום הגנת הסביבה בארץ, אנו עדים לעלייה בשימוש בכלים משפטיים, תוך הנמקה המשתמשת בשיח הזכויות. שימוש זה נשען יותר ויותר על התפיסה כי הזכות לאיכות סביבה ראויה היא זכות אדם בסיסית שיש לעגנה, בין אם כזכות עצמאית ובין אם כזכות הנגזרת מחוקי היסוד. שיח זכויות הוא צורת דיון והנמקה בין שני צדדים המקיימים דיאלוג, אלא שאין זה דיאלוג סימטרי ושוויוני. זהו שיח מתעמת המתקיים בין צד אחד התובע זכויות למען סיפוק האינטרסים שלו, לבין צד אחר הנדרש לספק לו את הזכויות הנתבעות. במאמר זה נטען כי שיח הזכויות בהקשר הסביבתי עוסק בעיקר באיכות החיים ולא באיכות הסביבה, ובכך משקף את הבלבול המושגי בין השניים. במאמר מובאים נימוקים לכך ששיח הזכויות הסביבתיות אינו מתאים ואינו יעיל להתמודדות אמיתית ויסודית עם בעיות של איכות הסביבה. התמודדות כזו מצריכה בראש ובראשונה את שינוי ה”משקפיים” הערכיים שדרכם אנו רואים ומבינים את בעיות איכות הסביבה, ומעבר לשיח של אחריות, סולידריות חברתית וחובות מוסריים. שינוי כזה של השיח יכין את הקרקע לבניית מוסדות ומנגנונים פוליטיים, כלכליים, חברתיים ומשפטיים שיוכלו להביא ליישומם של עקרונות אלה.
Erythropoietic effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine.

SummarySerotonin (5 -hydroxytrypta-mine) was found to produce a significant increase in radioiron incorporation in red cells of polycythemic mice. A linear dose-response relationship is reported. Anti-ESF produced a significant inhibition of the erythropoietic effects of 5-HT in polycythemic mice. However, residual erythropoietic activity was still seen even in the presence of antiserum to erythropoietin suggesting a secondary erythropoietic effect which is not erythropoietin dependent. Intrarenal infusions of 5-HT into dogs was found to produce a significant elevation in plasma erythropoietic activity.
High Numerical Aperture Reflection Mode Coherent Diffractive Imaging of Nano-Patterned Surfaces using a Tabletop Extreme Ultraviolet Source

Using an extreme-ultraviolet tabletop diffraction microscope, we demonstrate unprecedented resolution by imaging structures in an extended reflection mode. Titanium nano-patterns are reconstructed with a 40nm transverse resolution; surface variations are imaged with sub-nanometer axial resolution.
On the Elements of Formal Beauty in Commercial Exhibition Design

It analyzed that promoting the form beauty of business exhibition design was the necessary way to make design awareness into aesthetic forms,showing the content and presence to achieve highly unified carrier.Combined with modern commercial exhibition design,it addressed the elements and design features of color,shape,materials of formal beauty in commercial display design.On this basis,it proposed the designers should ensure the quality of commercial exhibition design,taste,artistry,must be in accordance with the formal beauty,to meet the time aesthetic of audiences.
Health Care Expenditures for the Elderly: Who Pays for Them?

The degree to which Medicare and Medicaid programs provide health coverage for the elderly still leaves a large financial burden on this population. Although the sale of supplementary health insurance to the elderly has been fraught with abuse, a policy purchased from a reputable organization can be advantageous. Knowledge of the large amount spent on personal health care will hopefully stimulate the search for alternative, less expensive ways to provide health care.
Four Themes to Enhanced Interprofessional Education Integration: Lessons Learned from Early Implementation and Curricular Redesign

With the release of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards 2016, interprofessional education (IPE) has become more formalized and needs to be embedded into the curricula of colleges and schools of pharmacy. While IPE is not new to the practice and training of pharmacists, the call for IPE has become more robust over the last several years creating challenges to widespread implementation. The purpose of this Case Study Report is to describe a twelve-year progression of IPE implementation at a college of pharmacy without an academic medical center. Focused strategies for the development, integration, and expansion of IPE are provided through the context of four themes: working through program differences; collaborators and effective collaboration; attention to implementation planning; and prebriefing and debriefing. Each theme is defined and reviewed using specific examples and lessons learned. Finally, in consideration of the ACPE Standards 2016, potential next steps are discussed. Type: Case Study
Ictus Emeticus and Nondominant Temporal Lobe

Two patients, aged 18 and 47 years, with ictal vomiting during temporal lobe seizures documented with bilateral depth electrodes are reported from the Department of Neurology, New York School of Medicine, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York.
From L2 to L

In this chapter a number of auxiliary results are obtained which enable us to deduce L∞-estimates from the L2 theory of Chapter 10.
Structure and Interpretation of Dual-Feasible Functions

Abstract We study two techniques to obtain new families of classical and general Dual-Feasible Functions: a conversion from minimal Gomory–Johnson functions; and computer-based search using polyhedral computation and an automatic maximality and extremality test.
Summer and fall microhabitat utilization of juvenile bull trout and cutthroat trout in a wilderness stream, Idaho

Microhabitat use and availability were evaluated and compared between different size classes of juvenile resident bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) in a small wilderness stream within the South Fork Clearwater River basin, Idaho. The objective was to determine if utilization of measured habitat characteristics changed from summer to late fall. Sampling of fish was conducted with night snorkeling. During the summer, smaller juvenile bull trout (<66 mm) total length (TL) were associated with shallow stream margins over coarse substrates. In the fall, they moved to significantly deeper, lower velocity water, and closer to cover (p<0.05), but maintained their association with coarse substrates. During the summer, larger juvenile bull trout and larger juvenile cutthroat trout (66–130 mm TL) occupied significantly deeper water than smaller juvenile bull trout (p<0.05). Generally, larger juvenile bull trout were found closer to the bottom and in lower velocity water than larger juvenile cutthroat trout (p<0.05). In the fall, larger juvenile bull trout and larger juvenile cutthroat trout were associated with significantly deeper, lower velocity water located closer to cover than in summer (p<0.05). However, cutthroat trout occupied slightly deeper water over finer substrates than bull trout. Deep water with low velocities evidently provide important rearing areas for large bull trout and large cutthroat trout in the fall. Land management practices that maintain such environments will benefit these species.
Importance of team height to winning games in the National Basketball Association

A recent trend in the National Basketball Association, so-called “small-ball,” questions the importance of height in basketball. The present study examined the association of team height, defined a...
Posture, Relationship, and Discourse Structure

We present an empirical investigation of nonverbal behavior in long-term interaction spanning multiple conversations, in the context of a developing interpersonal relationship. Based on a longitudinal video corpus of human-human counseling conversation, we develop a model of the occurrence of posture shifts which incorporates changes that occur both within a single conversation and over multiple conversations. Implications for the design and implementation of virtual agents are discussed, with a particular focus on agents designed for long-term interaction.
Inflammatory cytokine IL-8/CXCL8 promotes tumour escape from hepatocyte-induced dormancy

Breast cancers can recur after a long latency period following ‘successful’ primary treatments. Chronic inflammation significantly correlates with reduced diseased-free survival in breast cancer patients and could be a point of intervention to prevent recurrence. Liver is among the main sites of breast cancer recurrence. Thus, we hypothesise that inflammatory signals from hepatic stellate cells, the major inflammatory regulators in the sinusoid, could stimulate dormant cancer cells to emerge. We utilise in vitro co-culture of breast cancer cells with stellate cells and an ex vivo 3D human liver micro-physiologic system to identify stellate cells-derived factors that mediate tumour emergence. Activated, but not quiescent, hepatic stellate cells secreted soluble factors to induce the proliferation of MCF7 and MDA-MB231 cancer cells. IL-8 and MCP-1 were highly secreted by the activated stellate cells and primary human non-parenchymal cells. IL-8 significantly reduced serum-starvation growth arrest on MDA-MB231 cells in vitro and increased cancer proliferation ex vivo. Blocking IL-8Rb/CXCR2 reduced IL-8-induced cancer growth and proliferation. Activated stellate cells can induce breast cancer emergence from dormancy in the liver by secreting inflammatory cytokines. Preventing liver inflammation or disrupting the subsequent key cytokines may prevent metastatic outgrowth.
Shedding light on the neonatal brain: probing cerebral hemodynamics by diffuse optical spectroscopic methods.

Investigating the cerebral physiology of healthy term newborns’ brains is important for better understanding perinatal brain injuries, of which the most common etiologies are hypoxia and ischemia. Hence, cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation are important biomarkers of brain health. In this study, we employed a hybrid diffuse optical system consisting of diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and frequency-domain near infrared spectroscopy (FDNIRS) to measure hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation, and indices of cerebral blood flow and metabolism. We measured 30 term infants to assess the optical and physiological characteristics of the healthy neonatal brain in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. We observed higher metabolism in the right hemisphere compared to the left and a positive correlation between gestational age and the level of cerebral hemoglobin concentration, blood volume, and oxygen saturation. Moreover, we observed higher cerebral blood flow and lower oxygen saturation in females compared to males. The delayed maturation in males and the sexual dimorphism in cerebral hemodynamics may explain why males are more vulnerable to perinatal brain injuries than females.
Thermoacoustic Taconis Oscillations in Helium-4 Liquid Level Sensors

Publisher Summary Heat-induced sound has received attention by glass blowers at high temperatures, and at low temperature (T) in liquid helium vessels. Once thermoacoustic oscillations are triggered, fast evaporation of the liquid is among undesirable consequences. Guidelines for liquid helium users have included precautions preventing oscillations. In contrast, the thermoacoustic oscillations have been used in liquid level finders. More recently, a re-inspection of low frequency thermoacoustics has taken place in conjunction with pulse tube coolers and similar equipment. The purpose of this chapter is to help in understanding the details of the oscillations. In contrast to pulse tube coolers, operated at low frequency in forced oscillation regimes, dipstick liquid level finders have been operated in "free oscillation" conditions. Dipstick operation is characterized by simplicity, ruggedness and low heat input when thin-walled tubes of low thermal conductivity are used.
Modeling of wave propagation in northern Los Angeles basin

Abstract The Los Angeles basin is characterized by deep structural complexity and is the site of numerous earthquakes. We analyze the amplitude and waveform data of earthquakes recorded in the Los Angeles basin in order to identify the structurally controlled path effects. This has been done in order to determine which features of the structure affect the observations and to generate improved models in different parts of the basin increasing our capabilities of predicting seismic hazard. Several structural models of the L.A. basin that are based on regional subsurface studies, exposed sections, scattered oil wells, and other limited geophysical data have recently become available. In this study, we have used seismic modeling techniques together with geologic models to attempt to explain site variations in some important data bases. We have modeled waveforms of (1) the 19 January 1989 Malibu earthquake data recorded in Pasadena, (2) an M = 2.8 earthquake recorded by the USC downhole array in the Baldwin Hills, southern California, and (3) two aftershocks of the Whittier Narrows earthquake recorded at five stations along a profile. The modeling of the Malibu earthquake results in a layered one-dimensional model representing 6.5 km of layered sediment underlain by a high-velocity basement. Direct arrivals, basin reflected phases, and multiple reverberations are modeled fairly well by this one-dimensional model. The downhole array data in the Baldwin Hills show a significant near-surface amplification that can be modeled by very low-velocity near-surface materials. A series of aftershocks of the Whittier Narrows earthquake recorded at close distances at temporary recording sites shows a wide variation in peak accelerations due both to radiation pattern and propagation effects. The effect of lateral heterogeneity is evident in the travel time, where stations within the basin show later arrival times than those away from the basin for the same epicentral distance. Seismograms recorded at different sites show variation in waveforms due to multi-pathing of rays. We use such triplicated arrivals to constrain the structure of different interfaces. Using these criteria and the synthetic seismograms calculated by ray theory and finite difference methods, we have been able to model the tangential seismograms due to two of these events recorded at five stations along a two-dimensional profile. All three modeling exercises helped us understand wave propagation in the basin environment. A basin-reflected phase was identified in the seismogram from the Malibu earthquake, which was used to derive an effective depth of the basement. Near-surface amplification of the waves observed in the downhole data could be explained by constructive interference of the multiply reflected waves through the thin near-surface low-velocity layer. Similarly, site-dependent variation of waveform and travel time shown by the seismograms from the aftershocks of the Whittier Narrows, California, earthquake could be accounted for when a laterally varying structure was used.
Structural Iron Oxidation During Mica Expansion

Abstract Determinations were made of the Fe ++ oxidation that occurred while lepidomelane samples were progressively K depleted and the expanded products were exposed to different redox conditions for specified periods. Fe++ oxidation occurred in NaTPB-treated mica but not as rapidly as the structural Fe ++ was exposed by an expansion of the mineral — 19% being oxidized during the week required for full expansion and 52% in the next 4 years. Changes in the mica expansion-oxidation relationship occurred when H2O2, Na2S2O4 or O2 were added, the particle size or reaction temperature were varied and successive NaCl extractions were used. Fully expanded mica samples with only 7% oxidation were prepared.
SCENE UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of scene understanding systems. For a number of years, M.I.T.'s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has been investigating the problems surrounding computer vision and computer manipulation. This has been a large effort, involving a great deal of engineering as well as basic research. The problems fully justify the attention because the design and implementation of a system that perceives and manipulates structures is a way of approaching the serious problems inherently involved in designing big image understanding systems with lots of knowledge. The machine became capable of handling scenes consisting of blocks of any manipulable size arrayed together in front of and on top of one another. A straightforward system using a set of good modules for each of the listed tasks cannot be expected to work very well. The system must not only have good modules, it must also have an understanding of how those modules fail, it must have tests for developing suspicion, and it must be able to back away from errors by repealing some previous decision and examining alternatives.
Data Representations and Analysis

Many different methods have been developed to represent and analyze the data obtained in the three-dimensional atom probe [1–4]. The mass spectrum and the plots of the number of ions collected as a function of the applied voltage have been discussed in previous chapters. Other diagnostic displays are available during the experiment to ensure that the instrument is operating correctly, as discussed in Chapter 4. In this chapter, the standard methods of representing and analyzing the three-dimensional data are presented. These methods are usually performed in a high performance workstation after the experiment has been completed. Some of the simpler representations may be used on line to monitor the progress of an analysis with respect to the microstructural features present.
Evaluating an OpenCL FPGA Platform for HPC: a Case Study with the HACCmk Kernel

Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a promising choice as a heterogeneous computing component for energy-aware applications in high-performance computing. Emerging high-level synthesis tools such as Intel OpenCL SDK offer a streamlined design flow to facilitate the use of FPGAs for scientists and researchers. Focused on the HACCmk kernel routine as a case study, we explore the kernel optimization space and their performance implications. We describe the resource usage, performance, and performance per watt of the kernel implementations in OpenCL. Using directives for accelerator programming, the performance per watt on an Intel Arria10-based FPGA platform can achieve 2.5X improvement over that on an Intel Xeon 16-core CPU, and 2.1X improvement over that on an Nvidia K80 GPU, while trading off 50% of performance.
Experimental determination of phonon thermal conductivity and Lorenz ratio of single-crystal bismuth telluride

We use a magnetothermal resistance method to measure the lattice thermal conductivity of single-crystal Bi2Te3 from 5 to 60 K. Lattice thermal conductivity is calculated by extrapolating the thermal conductivity versus electrical conductivity curve to a zero electrical conductivity value. Our results show that the measured phonon thermal conductivity follows the e΄min/T temperature dependence and the Lorenz ratio corresponds to the modified Sommerfeld value in the intermediate temperature range. Our low-temperature experimental data and analysis on Bi2Te3 are a complement to previous measurements of Goldsmid (Ref. 17) and theoretical calculations by Hellman et al. (Ref. 18) at higher temperature 100-300 K.
Radiative decays of (QQ)mesons

Radiative decays of mesons are formulated in the framework of a collective stringlike model using a spectrum generating algebra (SGA). The SGA $\mathcal{G}$ generates both the internal and geometric excitations of mesons. Using a simple physical ansatz for $\mathcal{G}$, we obtain analytic results for the decay widths and masses of ($Q\overline{Q}$) mesons. We present a detailed study of the electromagnetic decays of light mesons.
The neural, behavioral, and epidemiological underpinnings of comorbid alcohol use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Abstract Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and (PTSD) frequently co-occur and individuals suffering from this dual diagnosis often exhibit increased symptom severity and poorer treatment outcomes than those with only one of these diseases. Although there have been significant advances in our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying each of these disorders, the neural underpinnings of the comorbid condition remain poorly understood. This chapter summarizes recent epidemiological findings on comorbid AUD and PTSD, with a focus on vulnerable populations, the temporal relationship between these disorders, and the clinical consequences associated with the dual diagnosis. We then review animal models of the comorbid condition and emerging human and non-human animal research that is beginning to identify maladaptive neural changes common to both disorders, primarily involving functional changes in brain reward and stress networks. We end by proposing a neural framework, based on the emerging field of affective valence encoding, that may better explain the epidemiological and neural findings on AUD and PTSD.
Management of Enteral Nutrition in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Prokinetic Effects of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate in Real Life Conditions.

Purpose Malnutrition is a common feature in critically ill children. Enteral nutrition (EN) is the main strategy to nutritionally support critical ill children, but its use can be hindered by the development of intolerance. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of amoxicillin/clavulanate (A/C) to treat EN intolerance. Methods We retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit from October 2018 to October 2019. We conducted a case-control study: in the first 6 months (October 2018-April 2019) we implemented the nutritional protocol of our Institution with no drug, whereas in the second half (May 2019-October 2019) we employed A/C for 1 week at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice daily. Results Twelve cases were compared with 12 controls. At the final evaluation, enteral intake was significantly higher than that at baseline in the cases (from 2.1±3.7 to 66.1±27.4% of requirement, p=0.0001 by Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test) but not in the controls (from 0.2±0.8 to 6.0±14.1% of the requirement, p=NS). Final gastric residual volume at the end of the observation was significantly lower in the cases than in the controls (p=0.0398). The drug was well tolerated as shown by the similar safety outcomes in both cases and controls. Conclusion Malnutrition exposes critically ill children to several complications that affect the severity of disease course, length of stay, and mortality; all may be prevented by early EN. The development of intolerance to EN could be addressed with the use of A/C. Future prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm these conclusions.
Evangelicals: Who They Have Been, Are Now, and Could Be: edited by Mark A. Noll, David W. Bebbington, and George M. Marsden, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2019, 336 pp., US$28.99 (pb), ISBN 978–0–8028–7695–9

It is now over three years since the exit polls following the US presidential election suggested that 81% of White evangelicals had voted for Donald Trump and constituted a crucial block vote seali...
A Fiduciary Judge's Guide to Awarding Fees In Class Actions

It is often said that judges act as fiduciaries for the absent class members in class action litigation. If we take this seriously, how then should judges award fees to the lawyers who represent these class members? The answer is to award fees the same way rational class members would want if they could do it on their own. In this Essay, I draw on economic models and data from the market for legal representation of sophisticated clients to describe what these fee practices should look like. Although more data from sophisticated clients is no doubt needed, what we do know calls into question several fee practices that are in common use today: (1) presuming that class counsel should earn only 25 percent of any recovery, (2) reducing that percentage further if class counsel recovers more than $100 million, and (3) reducing that percentage even further if it exceeds class counsel’s lodestar by some multiple.
The Criminal Law -- Table of Contents & Excerpt

Suitable for a first-year course in the American law school curriculum or self-study, this book examines the core doctrines of the criminal law, including its ‘general part’ consisting of the justifications of punishment, the requirements of criminality, the criminal defenses, inchoate crime, and vicarious liability. It also examines a small portion of the criminal law’s ‘special part’ via criminal homicide and the crime of theft. American criminal law is a complicated subject that has evolved from the common law to statutes in a non-uniform and often messy manner, but the issues addressed are some of the most fundamental in any civilized society. Our government inflicts—in our name—pain, stigma, and even death. This book will equip anyone to understand the substance, though not the procedure, of these decisions. For further information, including what makes this book very unique among law school texts (a 'workbook' format), please see the book’s Preface. The excerpt here (best viewed in Adobe--View--Page Display--2 Page View) includes the front matter, a sample chapter, and the index.
Examining the Role of Cultural Values and Semantic Priming in Elite Cognition and Utility Assessment of Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing is a highly technical method for accessing unconventional sources of oil and gas. Despite being perceived by some as promising and innovative, the technique remains highly controversial in the U.S. Uncertainties regarding the consequences of its use and contested issue frames support entrenched policy debates around this issue. This research investigates local policy elites’ perception of the utility of hydraulic fracturing using original survey data (n=322). The study examines how culturally-biased values and aspects of issue frames are used by policy elites to think about and assess this issue.
Should businesses take a stand? Effects of perceived psychological distance on consumers’ expectation and evaluation of corporate social advocacy

Nowadays companies are increasingly engaging in social-political issues. In light of the Construal Level Theory, this study examined the polarizing/depolarizing effects of perceived psychological d...
Prevalence, Biomechanics, and Pathologies of the Meniscofemoral Ligaments: A Systematic Review

Purpose To systematically review the literature to examine current understanding of the meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs), their function, their importance in clinical management, and known anatomical variants. Methods A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Studies were included if they reported on the biomechanical, radiographic, or arthroscopic evaluation of human MFLs, or if they reported on an anatomical variant. These were then categorized as cadaveric, radiographic, or clinical. Biomechanical, radiographic, patient-reported, and functional outcomes data were recorded. Results Forty-seven studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and 26 of them were included in the quantitative analysis. Of these, there were 15 cadaveric, 3 arthroscopic, and 9 radiographic studies that reported on the prevalence of MFLs. Overall, when looking at all modalities, the presence of either the anterior or posterior MFL (aMFL, pMFL) has been noted to be 70.8%, with it being the aMFL 17.4% and the pMFL 40.6%. The presence of both ligaments occurs in approximately 17.6% of individuals. Eleven reported on mean MFL length and thickness. When evaluating mean length in both men and women, the aMFL has been reported between 21.6 and 28.3 mm and the pMFL length in this population is between 23.4 and 31.2 mm. Five reported on cross-sectional area. Nine additional papers report anatomical variants. Conclusions This review shows that there continues to be a variable incidence of MFLs reported in the literature, but our understanding of their function continues to broaden. A growing number of anatomic and biomechanical studies have demonstrated the importance of the MFLs in supporting knee stability. Specifically, the MFLs serve an important role in protecting the lateral meniscus and augmenting the function of the posterior cruciate ligament. Clinical Relevance Our findings will aid the clinician in both identifying and treating pathologies of the meniscofemoral ligaments.
Desastres naturales en América Latina: Introducción al dossier .

Studies on natural disasters in Latin America are increasing in number and quality for good and bad reasons. First, the bad, or unpleasant. The hemisphere continues to bear the brunt of earthquakes, floods, droughts, hurricanes, and other maladies. The Chilean and Haitian earthquakes are the best known of recent catastrophes but other nations and regions have been plagued as well. The media in Latin America pays growing attention to these. Disaster and distressing aftermath pictures sell newspapers and keep people watching the TV. In fact, in North, Central, and South America, disasters are sometimes the only times that the national media focuses, although briefly, on the poor and make disasters and their coverage ever more common. Key topics addressed in these essays--how people understand nature and the built environment as well as how societies react to catastrophes--are increasingly relevant topics in the twenty-first century.
Propulsion and Power Technologies for the NASA Exploration Vision: A Research Perspective

Future propulsion and power technologies for deep space missions are profiled in this viewgraph presentation. The presentation includes diagrams illustrating possible future travel times to other planets in the solar system. The propulsion technologies researched at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) include: 1) Chemical Propulsion; 2) Nuclear Propulsion; 3) Electric and Plasma Propulsion; 4) Energetics. The presentation contains additional information about these technologies, as well as space reactors, reactor simulation, and the Propulsion Research Laboratory (PRL) at MSFC.
Influence of Specimen-Absorbed Energy in Lox Mechanical-Impact Tests

In mechanical-impact tests, the potential energy of the plummet is divided between energy absorbed by the specimen, the plummet's kinetic energy of rebound, and various losses in the test machine. Thus, all of the potential (or drop height) energy is not transferred to the specimen. The fracture and deformation characteristics and the reactability of metal specimens are dependent on the amount of energy that the specimen absorbs. The absorbed energy may be calculated either from knowledge of the potential energy and rebound height (assuming losses are negligible), or from the depth of striker-pin penetration into the specimen. The depth measurement gives an estimate of specimen strain; an estimate of force exerted on the specimen during deformation allows calculation of the work of deformation. The effects of the absorbed energy on fracture and deformation characteristics and on reactions in Al-Li alloys and alloy 2219 are discussed.
Regulation and Functions of Sterols in Yeast

Since our earliest work on sterols in fungi, we have obtained evidence that sterols more than simply modulate the physical properties of membranes. Initially, we proposed dual physiological functions [1], but subsequent experiments identified multiple roles for ergosterol [2]. While we have evidence for distinct functions, we are challenged to attach to the features of ergosterol the distinct biochemical activities that are regulated by them or have required sterol involvement. This is the subject of our continuing work in this field. Mutants defective in sterol synthesis have been of enormous benefit in the work on physiological functions of sterols. In this brief article, I shall describe the consequences of two mutations in ergosterol biosynthesis on the cell biology of these organisms.
Interrupted inferior vena cava and persistent left superior vena cava without heterotaxia in a fetus

Presence of systemic venous anomalies including a persistent left superior vena cava to a dilated coronary and interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation are extremely rare in absence of heterotaxia or cardiospleni c syndrome. For this reason, the diagnosis of extracardiac venous anomalies can often be missed in absence of a heterotaxia as was the case in our patient whose prior fetal echocardiogram and the first po stnatal echocardiogram read by other pediatric cardiologists failed to detect these anomalies. We report these systemic venous anomalies in a fetus in the absence of heterotaxia and further describe the echocardiographic findings helpful in their detection i n-utero.