cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atomic Resolution Structure of the Oncolytic Parvovirus LuIII by Electron Microscopy and 3D Image Reconstruction.

LuIII, a protoparvovirus pathogenic to rodents, replicates in human mitotic cells, making it applicable for use to kill cancer cells. This virus group includes H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV) and minute virus of mice (MVM). However, LuIII displays enhanced oncolysis compared to H-1PV and MVM, a phenotype mapped to the major capsid viral protein 2 (VP2). This suggests that within LuIII VP2 are determinants for improved tumor lysis. To investigate this, the structure of the LuIII virus-like-particle was determined using single particle cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction to 3.17 A resolution, and compared to the H-1PV and MVM structures. The LuIII VP2 structure, ordered from residue 37 to 587 (C-terminal), had the conserved VP topology and capsid morphology previously reported for other protoparvoviruses. This includes a core β-barrel and α-helix A, a depression at the icosahedral 2-fold and surrounding the 5-fold axes, and a single protrusion at the 3-fold axes. Comparative analysis identified surface loop differences among LuIII, H-1PV, and MVM at or close to the capsid 2- and 5-fold symmetry axes, and the shoulder of the 3-fold protrusions. The 2-fold differences cluster near the previously identified MVM sialic acid receptor binding pocket, and revealed potential determinants of protoparvovirus tumor tropism.
Comparison of Modes of Administration of Screens to Identify a History of Childhood Physical Abuse in an Adolescent and Young Adult Population

Background Childhood physical abuse is a major public health issue with negative consequences to health and well-being manifested in childhood and adolescence, and persisting into adulthood. Yet much childhood physical abuse is not identified when it occurs and little is known about how to screen for it. Methods To address this gap, the effectiveness of 4 modes of administration of screens to identify childhood physical abuse were compared in a sample of 506 adolescents and young adults aged 12-24 years seeking general health services at a primary care clinic. Comparisons were made between paper and pencil screen, audio computer-assisted self-interview screen, face-to-face structured screen (all 3 using the same measure), and face-to-face unstructured interview. Findings Overall, 44.5% of the sample disclosed that they had been physically abused. Compared to paper and pencil screen, the odds of reporting physical abuse were 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92, 2.58) and 4.3 (95% CI: 2.49, 7.43) higher among participants using face-to-face structured screen and face-to-face unstructured interview methods, respectively. The face-to-face unstructured interview identified significantly more reports than the paper and pencil screen. Conclusions Although the unstructured interview was the most effective mode for screening for childhood physical abuse, additional research is needed to confirm whether this holds true in other health care settings. Further research should examine how a health provider's training, experience, and comfort level might influence the identification of physical abuse disclosure in primary care settings using face-to-face unstructured interview.
Preparing to interact with the on-site program evaluation team

Abstract This article discusses how to prepare faculty for the accreditation on-site program evaluation visit and interviews with the evaluation team. A brief overview of the purpose and goals of the on-site visit is provided along with strategies that can be used to prepare faculty, students and others for their interactions with the team.
The Protein Character of Beer is Defined in the Brewhouse

The behavior of proteins during mashing was examined using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to separate protein subunits. Proteins dissolved at somewhat differen...
PROBLEM SOLVING ON A CENTRALIZED INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS SYSTEM

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a centralized interactive computer graphics system for general purpose problem solving. The fast developing field of interactive computer graphics offers excellent production tools in the areas of education, design, production, distribution, and management. These tools are sufficiently powerful to counteract the increasing pressures exerted on industry by the constraints of limited resources. The power and flexibility of the interactive computer graphics system at Princeton University have been developed with the prime objective of providing the undergraduate students with new ways of thinking productively about the kinds of problems they will encounter in the industrial and business market place after graduation. However, they have also helped them to cope with an ever increasing curricular load. Computer technology is developing as a powerful tool for problem solving in engineering, science, and management. The methodology of interactive computer graphics has to develop in the direction of a general purpose tool for problem solving, to be used by professionals who are experts in disciplines other than the computer, which does not require the help of a computer expert to use it.
The Medicine and Medicinal Plants of C. S. Rafinesque

This paper pursues the lead of Bart K. Holland in utilizing classic literature as a guide to the pharmacologic potentialities of natural products. Instead of focusing on European texts, however, American medicinal plants are examined through the work of the influential naturalist Constantine S. Rafinesque (1783-1840). Rafinesque is discussed with special attention to his activities as a medical botanist. In particular, the plant species monographed in the main section of hisMedical Flora of the United States (1828-1830) are studied for their historical and current use as medicinal agents. The results are tabulated and presented in a bar graph. The study concludes that Rafinesque was a progressive therapist whoseMedical Flora is a promising guide for phytopharmacuetical prospecting with North American plants.
Accessing External Technological Knowledge

This paper argues that the nature of a firm’s external knowledge acquisition activities will vary depending upon the evolutionary stage of an industry. During periods of incremental innovation informal exchange relationships are more appropriate; stability facilitates communication and long-term relationships. In contrast, during eras of ferment informal relationships are less effective given both a lack of absorptive capacity and uncertainty regarding the ability of firms to make future contributions. Formal alliances or even acquisitions provide a more effective window on emerging technologies. Finally, this paper proposes that there is path dependency in the development of external acquisition capabilities. Firms must look outside their boundaries during periods of incremental change in order to do so effectively during periods of ferment.
Improved Precipitation Forecast Skill from the Use of Physical Initialization

This study explores the impact of physical initialization on the numerical weather prediction of tropical rainfall An important finding of this study is related to the point correlations of the model-based rainfall at the initial time and at the end of a one day forecast which are significantly improved with the use of physical initialization within the tropics. Physical initialization refers to the use of a number of ‘reverse’ algorithms during an assimilation phase of the model forecast. The goal is to improve the definition of the initial state by the assimilation of proposed or currently available surface and satellite-based observations during a pre-integration phase of a forecast using a global spectral model.
Sequence Analysis of Polypeptides by Direct Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The identification and structural elucidation of small, biologically active peptides is a challenging analytical problem. These compounds are often not amenable to classical protein sequencing methods because of the presence of N-terminal blocking groups, carbohydrate side chains, or covalently modified amino acids. The low volatility and thermal lability of most polypeptides requires that they be derivatized prior to conventional electron impact (EI) or chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry for complete structural evaluation (1). Unfortunately, peptides of biological origin are often obtainable only in sub-nanomole amounts which makes sample consuming derivatization highly undesirable. Furthermore, chemical treatment may modify or destroy sensitive functional groups present in the peptide.
Hawks and Allies

The hawk is the quintessential raptor. A hawk’s appearance, as a ferocious predator, is accentuated by adaptations for visual foraging that include a bony shelf over the eyes and, in many, black feathers about the eyes, reminiscent of, perhaps, a bandit’s mask. The bony shelf may shade the eyes from the sun and wind, or serve as a dust deflector (Johnsgard 1990). Black feathers, in front of and below the eye, reduce glare, like the black smudges that football players (both North American football and “soccer”) apply to their faces (R. Guthrie, personal communication).
War is coming: between past and future violence in Lebanon

In War is Coming, anthropologist Sami Hermez writes against the Orientalist idea of Lebanon as the ‘“Switzerland of the Middle East”’ and the Lebanese as a people remarkably resilient to war. Going...
Is deep brain stimulation therapy underutilized for movement disorders

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a powerful therapy for management of many movement disorders that are deemed refractory to pharmacological treatments. The therapeutic benefits of DBS have been well...
Contemporary results after repair of partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects

Abstract Objective The exact incidence and risk factors for reoperation in partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects are unclear. The goal of this study was to assess risk factors for left atrioventricular valve and left ventricular outflow tract reoperation in partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects. Methods All patients undergoing partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects repair between 1995 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients were classified as infants ( Results Overall, 265 patients underwent partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects repair (partial: 177 [67%]). Median age was 2 years. The cohort included 73 infants (28%), 85 toddlers (32%), 94 children (35%), and 13 adults (5%). Trisomy 21 was present in 76 patients (29%), and in 216 patients (83%), the zone of apposition was completely closed. Perioperative mortality was 0.8%. Complete heart block did not develop in any patients. Ten-year survival and freedom from reoperation were 98% and 81%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, trisomy 21 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.16) and older age compared with infants (toddlers: HR, 0.35; children: HR, 0.25) were protective for any reoperation, whereas heterotaxy (HR, 3.43) was a risk factor. For left atrioventricular valve reoperation, toddlers (HR, 0.35), children (HR, 0.25), and trisomy 21 (HR, 0.16) remained protective, whereas left atrioventricular valve anomaly was a risk factor (HR, 2.61). Likewise, for left ventricular outflow tract reoperation, toddlers (HR, 0.24) and children (HR, 0.06) were protective. Conclusions Mortality after partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects repair is minimal, yet reoperation for left atrioventricular valve disease and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction remains significant. Patients requiring repair during infancy are at higher risk of reoperation.
Bilateral Superior Ophthalmic Vein Dilatation as an Early Indicator of Increased Cranial Pressure (P4.007)

Objective: NA Background: Bilateral superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) dilatation has been associated with graves ophthalmopathy, diffuse cerebral swelling detected on computerized tomography (CT), orbital pseudotumor, carotid-cavernous fistulas, and septic and aseptic cavernous sinus thrombosis. The mechanism of SOV enlargement is unclear with decreased venous emptying or increased mechanical compression on valve-less ophthalmic veins as possible etiologies. We present here the first reported case of isolated bilateral SOV enlargement, in the absence of structural abnormalities and papilledema that resolved with lumbar puncture. Design/Methods: A 70 year old male with history of hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and strokes presented to emergency department after a recent fall. The patient underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery ten days prior at the level of C3–C4 and had worn a cervical collar since. Neck CT without contrast and left shoulder X-ray were unremarkable. Head CT showed bilateral SOV dilatation at 9 millimeters (mm). The patient denied any eye symptoms. Results: Ophthalmologic exam showed no papilledema, smooth pursuit without nystagmus, no afferent pupillary defect, normal visual acuity and visual fields, and no increased intra-ocular pressure. Brain and orbit magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and brain magnetic resonance venogram (MRV) were unremarkable. Brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a 2 mm aneurysm in the cavernous internal carotid artery. Lumbar puncture (LP) revealed a borderline elevated opening pressure of 20.5 cm H2O with clear fluid, no erythrocytes or leukocytes, slightly elevated glucose (79) and normal protein, with 18 cc of cerebrospinal fluid removed. Head CT after lumbar puncture showed resolution of SOV enlargement. Conclusions: This is the first case of bilateral SOV enlargement, in the absence of any brain or ophthalmologic findings, associated with borderline elevated opening presenting that resolved after LP. Isolated bilateral SOV enlargement may present as the initial sign of increased intracranial pressure and further investigation is warranted. Disclosure: Dr. Flynn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Suri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stevens has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kataria has nothing to disclose.
The Mirage of Kantian Human Rights

Contrary to a widespread view, I argue that the contemporary notion of “human rights” does not have a comfortable home in Kant’s legal philosophy. Even the one “innate right of humanity,” that many consider the pre-institutional Archimedian starting point of Kant’ s argument, is a normative conception that is “juridified all the way down.” In the state of nature, all private rights (innate and acquired) are present only in the form of the consequents of conditional claims about legal rights of the form, “ If and only if in a juridified realm, then X,” with “X” referring to the specificities of positive law within a juridified realm. One objection claims that this proposal undermines the idea that there are powerful individual rights (universal and inalienable) on a par with legal rights but pre-institutional. By means of responding to worries regarding stateless individuals and migrants, I show that even though human rights are foreign to a Kantian conception of legality, other resources in Kant’s practical philosophy stand ready to assuage the objection.
Colon polypectomy report card improves polypectomy competency: results of a prospective quality improvement study (with video).

Background and Aims Polypectomy competency varies significantly among providers. Poor polypectomy technique may lead to interval cancer and/or adverse events. Our aim was to determine the effect of a polypectomy skills report card on subsequent polypectomy performance. Methods We conducted a 3-phase, prospective, single-blinded study. In phase 1 (“baseline”), we graded 10 polypectomies per endoscopist using the Direct Observation of Polypectomy Skills (DOPyS) tool (scores 1-4); mean overall scores ≥3 are competent. In phase 2 (“pre–report card”), we selected 10 additional polypectomies per endoscopist. We subsequently gave endoscopists a report card with baseline scores and instructional videos demonstrating optimal polypectomy technique. In phase 3 (“post–report card”), 10 additional polypectomies per endoscopist were selected. Raters, blinded to study phase, graded 10 pre– and 10 post–report card polypectomies per endoscopist. We compared mean DOPyS scores and rate of competent polypectomy in the pre– and post–report card phases. Results We graded 110 pre– and 110 post–report card polypectomies performed by 11 endoscopists. The mean DOPyS score increased between the pre– and post–report card phases (2.7 ± .9 vs 3.0 ± .8, P = .01); this improvement was seen for diminutive (P Conclusions Report cards with educational videos effectively improved polypectomy technique, primarily because of improvements in resecting diminutive polyps. The improved competency and decreased piecemeal resection may reduce the risk of polyp recurrence. Further education is needed to improve larger polyp resection.
Cell Yell!: Health Risks in Telehealth

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of visual feedback can overcome the absence of side tone to control for vocal quality changes, specifically loudness, with speakerphone...
Legal Issues in Oncofertility Treatment

This chapter highlights the unique legal issues surrounding fertility preservation, including legal issues of informed consent and autonomy for individual and coupled adults as well as minors; embryo disputes and related embryo legislation; legal distinctions between informed consent and contract law and related documentation; current, relevant legislation and case law surrounding mandatory access to insurance coverage for fertility preservation; posthumous reproduction including access to genetic material and resulting parent-child status; and third-party reproduction, including surrogacy and egg and sperm donation.
Dual-rotation C-arm cone-beam tomographic acquisition and reconstruction frameworks for low-contrast detection in brain soft-tissue imaging

L'arceau interventionnel est un systeme d'imagerie rayons X temps reel. Il dispose d'une option tomographique qui, grâce a une rotation de l'arceau autour du patient, permet d'acquerir des images en coupes dont la resolution en contraste est plus faible que celle des tomodensitometres diagnostiques, rendant l'information clinique des tissus mous du cerveau inexploitable. Nous proposons un nouveau mode d'acquisition et de reconstruction tomographiques sur arceau interventionnel pour l'amelioration de la detection des faibles contrastes en imagerie interventionnelle des tissus mous de la tete. Afin d'emuler un filtre "bow-tie" (en noeud papillon), une double acquisition est envisagee. Les specificites de la double acquisition imposent la conception d'un algorithme de reconstruction iterative dedie, incluant le filtre rampe dans l'energie de minimisation. En bifurquant des approches par retro-projection filtree vers celles par filtration des retro-projections, une methode de reconstruction directe, alternative a la precedente, est proposee pour les acquisitions doubles. Pour une acquisition simple, la methode est assuree de faire aussi bien que l'algorithme de retro-projection filtree quel que soit l'echantillonnage angulaire en geometrie planaire, et offre une approximation alternative a l'algorithme de Feldkamp-Davis-Kress en geometrie conique. Nous montrons qu'avec peu ou pas de modifications aux schemas precedents, les deux methodes de reconstruction (iterative et directe) s'adaptent bien a la reconstruction de regions d'interet, a laquelle l'acquisition double reste etroitement liee a travers son acquisition tronquee.
A randomized phase II study of tremelimumab and durvalumab with or without radiation for patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

8515Background: The combination of PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibition has demonstrated activity in the second line therapy setting for SCLC. Radiotherapy enhanced the effectiveness of immunotherapy in NSCL...
Developments in Carbohydrate-Based Cancer Therapeutics

Cancer cells of diverse origins express extracellular tumor-specific carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) because of aberrant glycosylation. Overexpressed TACAs on the surface of tumor cells are considered biomarkers for cancer detection and have always been prioritized for the development of novel carbohydrate-based anti-cancer vaccines. In recent years, progress has been made in developing synthetic, carbohydrate-based antitumor vaccines to improve immune responses associated with targeting these specific antigens. Tumor cells also exhaust more energy for proliferation than normal cells, by consuming excessive amounts of glucose via overexpressed sugar binding or transporting receptors located in the cellular membrane. Furthermore, inspired by the Warburg effect, glycoconjugation strategies of anticancer drugs have gained considerable attention from the scientific community. This review highlights a small cohort of recent efforts which have been made in carbohydrate-based cancer treatments, including vaccine design and the development of glycoconjugate prodrugs, glycosidase inhibiting iminosugars, and early cancer diagnosis.
Mechanical Properties and Process Improvement of Tungsten Carbide Additively Manufactured with Renewable Biopolymers

Abstract The following study presents ongoing work on the mechanical behavior and process improvement of tungsten carbide that is prepared using additive manufacturing of a sustainable polymeric precursor paste. The Taguchi method was implemented to develop a design-of-experiments and analyze the effect of individual honeycomb geometry design parameters on the compressive moduli of samples fabricated via 3D printing of the sustainable paste. The printing gel was known to provide porosity to tungsten carbide samples, which were hypothesized to increase specific strength given the reduction in density that porosity provides. Mechanical properties were of strong interest in this study, but the emergence of deformations during additive manufacturing appeared to result in significant variability during mechanical testing. Consequently, this study also sought to improve the additive process by aiming to achieve a known constant flowrate of the printing gel and adjusting printing nozzle speed to reflect this. Ongoing work includes utilizing the process improvement investigated in this study to refabricate designed honeycomb geometries of tungsten carbide so that they can be reviewed for mechanical properties. Further studies will then compare mechanical properties to tungsten carbide that was not additively manufactured with the sustainable paste and therefore does not exhibit considerable porosity.
Emergency department patient experience: Same location, same provider, different scores by different survey methods.

BACKGROUND Recent findings on emergency department (ED) patient experience surveys and concerns for the low response rates challenge the quality and reliability of the survey reports. We assessed the consistency of an ED patient experience survey report and identified the effects of patient demographics on ED patient experiences. METHODS We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study at a university-based ED from July to December 2017. We obtained ED patient experience scores from an institutional version (IS) survey and the Press Ganey Associates-distributed survey (PGA). We compared top box scores from the two reports using frequency analysis and performed multivariable logistic regressions to identify associations between IS patient demographics and scores. RESULTS We obtained 289 PGA and 234 IS responses. The IS reported significant, higher top box scores in doctor-specific patient questions compared to PGA (all four P-values < 0.01). Female, Christian and White patients were more likely to give top box scores (OR 3.07, OR 2.22 and OR 2.41, P-value < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION We found significant differences in ED patient experience scores between the IS and PGA surveys. We recommend that healthcare providers consider patient demographic variables when interpreting ED experience score reports. Multiple survey techniques and distribution methods may be adopted to best capture ED patient experiences.
Estimating accuracy of the MCMC variance estimator: a central limit theorem for batch means estimators

The batch means estimator of the MCMC variance is a simple and effective measure of accuracy for MCMC based ergodic averages. Under various regularity conditions, the estimator has been shown to be consistent for the true variance. However, the estimator can be unstable in practice as it depends directly on the raw MCMC output. A measure of accuracy of the batch means estimator itself, ideally in the form of a confidence interval, is therefore desirable. The asymptotic variance of the batch means estimator is known; however, without any knowledge of asymptotic distribution, asymptotic variances are in general insufficient to describe variability. In this article we prove a central limit theorem for the batch means estimator that allows for the construction of asymptotically accurate confidence intervals for the batch means estimator. Additionally, our results provide a Markov chain analogue of the classical CLT for the sample variance parameter for i.i.d. observations. Our result assumes standard regularity conditions similar to the ones assumed in the literature for proving consistency. Simulated and real data examples are included as illustrations and applications of the CLT.
Mechanistic Aspects of a Surface Organovanadium(III) Catalyst for Hydrocarbon Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation

Understanding the mechanisms of action for base metal catalysis of transformations typically associated with precious metals is essential for the design of technologies for a sustainable energy eco...
Evaluation of ICD codes and phecodes for the identification of pancreatic cancer in a large genomic database.

642Background: Large genomic databases linked to electronic health records promise to shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying rare diseases, such as pancreatic cancer. However, accurately ide...
SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ANTICOAGULANT MONO-THERAPY IN STABLE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: A META-ANALYSIS

The combined therapy [oral anticoagulant (OAC) plus antiplatelet therapy (APT)] in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) comes at the cost of severe bleeding. An extensive literature search revealed data on combined therapy versus OAC monotherapy. The
Multiscale variations of the crustal stress field throughout North America.

The Earth’s crustal stress field controls active deformation and reflects the processes driving plate tectonics. Here we present the first quantitative synthesis of relative principal stress magnitudes throughout North America together with hundreds of new horizontal stress orientations, revealing coherent stress fields at various scales. A continent-scale transition from compression (strike-slip and/or reverse faulting) in eastern North America to strike-slip faulting in the mid-continent to predominantly extension in western intraplate North America is likely due (at least in part) to drag at the base of the lithosphere. Published geodynamic models, incorporating gravitational potential energy and tractions from plate motions or relative mantle flow, successfully predict most large-wavelength stress rotations but not the shorter-wavelength (<~200 km) rotations observed in the western USA. The stresses resulting from glacial isostatic adjustment appear to be much smaller than the magnitude of ambient tectonic stresses in the crust at depth. The authors here present a stress map of the North American crust that gives a new view of dynamics of the continent. The results can be applied to probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and resource development as well as to provide constraints for theoretical models of crustal dynamics.
Role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with pathological stage I NSCLC with high-risk features.

9022Background: Lobectomy is the current standard of care for patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There is a lack of prospective data on the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (...
Kinematic Synthesis of a Modified Jansen Leg Mechanism.

This paper modifies Jansen’s leg mechanism so that it is formed by an RR serial chain with hip and knee joints driven by separate four-bar function generators with one input. Kinematic synthesis of the two function generators programs the joint movement of the RR leg to achieve a desired foot trajectory. The two input cranks can be connected by gears to form a one degree-of-freedom system that generalizes the Jansen leg mechanism. An example design is presented.
Use of DREADD Technology to Identify Novel Targets for Antidiabetic Drugs.

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a superfamily of plasma membrane receptors that couple to four major families of heterotrimeric G proteins, Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12. GPCRs represent excellent t...
An Interdisciplinary Collaboration Enhances Education in Both Disciplines and Generates Future Opportunities

Information technology (IT) is an application-oriented discipline. In this paper, we report a successful interdisciplinary collaboration that resulted in improved efficiency of the learning assessment of a chemistry class and helped the participating IT students grow professionally. The success encouraged us to seek more collaborations in the future. During the time when new technologies, such as AI and data mining, become more widely used in businesses and industry, the IT discipline is uniquely positioned to help solve problems that might arise in teaching and learning. The project provides a model based on which we will continue our collaboration through undergraduate research.
Long-term Outcomes in Children Treated via Transcatheter Approach for Mild Congenital Heart Defects

Abstract Background: Transcatheter interventions in children with mild congenital heart defects (CHD), such as isolated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and atrial septal defect (ASD), have become a common practice in the US in contrast to surgical procedures. Such patients may be exposed to unique risks such as late tissue erosion and arrhythmias. However, data regarding the long term outcomes of patients treated by transcatheter approach compared to those treated surgically for similar lesions are …
The perils of succor: The European Union's financial role in the Western Balkans during COVID-19

Abstract The Western Balkans' response to the first wave of COVID-19 was efficient and swift The countries? capacity to mitigate the crisis has been vastly facilitated by EU fiscal disbursements The funds have enabled governments to implement health and economic policies that counteract the crisis' socioeconomic repercussions In this article, I examine the temporal effects of EU conditionality on the health outcomes and democratic governance of Balkan states Identifying three features of the domestic political context?government accountability, the strength of opposition parties, and judicial system effectiveness?I assess the likelihood of divergent effects of the funds on health and democratic outcomes I argue that while beneficial in the short term, in the long run, the EU funds risk enabling state capture and inadvertently jeopardizing the Western Balkans' post-pandemic democratic prospects I empirically substantiate my argument by examining the relationship between prior EU allocations (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) and clientelism in WB states during 2007?2017
Trail camera networks provide insights into satellite-derived phenology for ecological studies

Abstract Repeat digital photography at or near ground-level is a proven and efficient approach for tracking plant phenology. Here, we explored the potential to monitor phenology using the Snapshot Wisconsin (SW) trail camera network, a citizen science program. Using three curve-fitting methods for characterizing phenological transition dates, we assessed the phenological offset between understory vegetation and the overstory canopy in the trailcam observations and compared variations in derived phenology over the different spatial scales represented by trailcams (~20–50 m), Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS, 30 m), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS, 500 m). Our results showed that the apparent phenological offset between understory and overstory vegetation differed among forest types: in broadleaf deciduous forests, understory vegetation had an earlier start-of-spring (SOS) and later end-of-autumn (EOA) than the overstory canopy; in mixed forests, the understory showed an earlier SOS than the overstory, but no significant difference in EOA; in evergreen conifer forests, neither SOS nor EOA differed significantly between the understory and overstory. We found moderate correlations (0.25 ≤ r ≤ 0.57) between trailcam- and satellite-derived phenological dates. Moreover, those derived dates varied significantly among the applied curve-fitting methods: total growing season length (from SOS to EOA) could be 19 days longer for a threshold-based method than for a logistic curve-fitting method (our reference model), but 17 days shorter than the logistic method when using a piecewise-continuous method based on fitted sine curves. Despite the spatial limitations of trailcams for characterizing phenology on landscape and regional scales, trailcam networks have considerable potential for informing local phenological studies and disentangling the many drivers of phenology that can remain undetected from the satellite perspective.
Secondary Arc Current in 1 000 kV Double-Circuit Long-Distance AC Transmission Lines on the Same Tower Under Heavy Power Flow and Its Restrictive Measures

It is an issue to be resolved urgently how to restrict secondary arc current in 1 000 kV double-circuit long-distance transmission lines on the same tower under heavy load flow to raise the success rates of single-phase auto-reclosure. Considering six possible phase arrangements, the computational analysis on the secondary arc current in 1 000 kV double-circuit long-distance transmission lines on the same tower under heavy load flow is performed. Research results show that from the viewpoint of restricting secondary arc current and voltage recovery, the reverse phase sequence arrangement is the best choice for double circuit transposed transmission lines on the same tower with HV shunt reactors; however, under lines with longer lengths and heavier load flow, it is not recommended to adopt the phase sequence arrangement of ABC/BCA and ABC/CAB for the lines on the same tower. When the conditions of conductor type, types of transmission towers, load flow and capacity of HV shunt reactors are determined, selecting appropriate neutral grounding reactor for HV shunt reactors and proper phase sequence arrangement can be regarded as two basic measures to restrict the secondary-arc current. When the demand of restricting secondary-arc current is not yet satisfied by using above-mentioned two measures, there are still two selectable measures: A) adopting two times of complete cycle transposition along the full length of transmission line and B) adopting controllable neutral grounding reactor for HV shunt reactors.
E-commerce Customer Segmentation via Unsupervised Machine Learning

Customer segmentation through data mining could help companies conduct customer-oriented marketing and build differentiated strategies targeted at diverse customers. However, there has not been a guideline for systematic implementation of customer segmentation given the raw transaction data. This study focuses on a real-world database from an online transaction platform with the purpose to develop a guideline for customer segmentation for the business. Since the raw data are unlabeled, unsupervised machine learning methods are utilized. This study firstly employs the RFM model to create behavioral features; next, the TF-IDF method is applied to the product descriptions to generate product categories; then, K-means clustering algorithm is used to group customers. After customers are grouped, association rules mining by Apriori Algorithm is used to analyze purchased products. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and T-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (T-sne) methods are utilized to reduce the dimension of data in order to create visualizations. Finally, some concrete recommendations for the business based on the results are provided accordingly.
Quevedo y la Inmaculada, entre burlas y veras

This article offers a survey of Quevedo’s writings in support of the Immaculate Conception. The length and place of these writings, both scarce and not very original, within Quevedo’s oeuvre: are at odds with the hagiographic words of his first biographer, Tarsia, who portrays Quevedo as a great devout and defender of the Inmaculate Conception. Quevedo’s writings contrast as well with the more engaged attitude of contemporaries such as Lope de Vega and Calderon de la Barca. All of them are writing in the first half of the 17th century, a moment of great fervor in Spain, in an eventually unsuccessful push towards a declaration of the Immaculate Conception as Church dogma.
Into the unknown – my time in Zimbabwe with the African Painted Dogs

Veterinary nursing can take you anywhere. In September 2019, I was lucky enough to work with Wildlife Vets International (WVI) and Painted Dog Conservation to provide a neutering and vaccination se...
Design Considerations in Radial Head Arthroplasty

Radial head arthroplasty design must consider that the implant needs to bear load, articulate correctly, and/or compensate for incorrect articulation. The radial head is elliptical, with a circular articular dish that is offset from the axis of rotation of the forearm, and angled in two planes. Design considerations can be grouped as to whether they relate to the head, the stem, or the head-stem connection. The head has an asymmetrical shape that bears load differently in different degrees of elbow flexion and forearm rotation. Importantly among these is the crescent-shaped rim posteromedially which has a variable radius of curvature that articulates with the lateral trochlear ridge of the humerus. This is the main load-bearing region in pronation/extension. A nonanatomic monoblock prosthesis is at risk of edge loading or failing to bear adequate load in this region. Stems are either fixed or loose-fitting. Fixed stems can be either cemented or press-fitted for bone ingrowth. Getting the height correct is one of the two most important technical variables. Getting the stem direct diameter correct is essential to prevent loosening of a porous ingrowth stem. Broaches and the final stem must be hammered into the canal to ensure reliable ingrowth. Current concerns include symptomatic loosening and osteolysis around ingrowth stems, cartilage and bone erosion due to nonanatomic radial head shapes on press-fitted stems, failure of head-stem coupling mechanisms, and the question of whether or not a loose-fitting stem in the canal truly functions as a load-bearing prosthetic replacement in the long term.
House price forecasting with neural networks

Abstract The house market has been rapidly growing for the past decade in China, making price forecasting an important issue to the people and policy makers. We approach this problem by exploring neural networks for forecasting of house prices from one hundred major cities for the period of June 2010–May 2019, serving as the first study with such wide coverage for the emerging Chinese market through a machine learning technique. We aim at constructing simple and accurate neural networks as a contribution to pure technical forecasting of house prices. To facilitate the analysis, we investigate different model settings over the algorithm (the Levenberg-Marquardt, scaled conjugate gradient, and Bayesian regularization), delay (from two to six), hidden neuron (two, three, five, and eight), and data spitting ratio (70%–15%–15%, 60%–20%–20%, and 80%–10%–10% for trainingvalidationtesting), and arrive at a rather simple neural network with only four delays and three hidden neurons that leads to stable performance of 1% average relative root mean square error across the one hundred cities for the training, validation, and testing phases. We demonstrate the usefulness of the machine learning approach to the house price forecasting problem in the Chinese market. Our results could be used on a standalone basis or combined with fundamental forecasting in forming perspectives of house price trends and conducting policy analysis. Our empirical framework should not be difficult to deploy, which is an important consideration to many decision makers, and has potential to be generalized for house price forecasting of other cities in China.
Teaching Ethnic Cultures: Fiction and Fact

(1993). Teaching Ethnic Cultures: Fiction and Fact. Teaching Education: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 23-31.
Fast maintenance of semantic integrity assertions using redundant aggregate data

Semantic integrity assertions are predicates that define consistent database states. To enforce such assertions, a database system must prevent any update from mapping a consistent state to an inconsistent one. In this paper, we describe an enforcement method that is efficient for a large class of relational calculus assertions. The method automatically selects minima and maxima of certain sets to maintain as redundant data in the database. This redundant data is sufficient for enforcing all of the assertions in the class, yet it can be easily maintained. Correctness proofs are expressed in Hoare's program logic.
Carbon cycle: Inside the black box

In a world in which atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide are rising, what will happen to the extra carbon after being taken up by plants during photosynthesis? Experiments in northern California have been carried out to address this question. They involve grassland growing under conditions of ambient and twice-ambient levels of carbon dioxide, and show that the additional carbon is not sequestered in organic matter but cycles through the system more rapidly. This is a highly complicated issue, however, and the situation in forests may well be different.
Scaling Properties of Photospheric Magnetic Fields

We illustrate the self-similarity of solar magnetic fields by means of the multifractal formalism, using a signed measure associated with the line-of-sight magnetic flux. This approach permits the effect of image noise to be modelled analytically and removed. Singular points in the measure are interpreted in terms of unresolved field structures. We locate these points in an image by taking advantage of the scaling properties of wavelet transforms of a singular measure.
Topological Bloch bands in graphene superlattices

We outline a designer approach to endow widely available plain materials with topological properties by stacking them atop other nontopological materials. The approach is illustrated with a model system comprising graphene stacked atop hexagonal boron nitride. In this case, the Berry curvature of the electron Bloch bands is highly sensitive to the stacking configuration. As a result, electron topology can be controlled by crystal axes alignment, granting a practical route to designer topological materials. Berry curvature manifests itself in transport via the valley Hall effect and long-range chargeless valley currents. The nonlocal electrical response mediated by such currents provides diagnostics for band topology.
HYDRODYNAMICS AND MASS TRANSFER IN DOWNFLOW BUBBLE COLUMN

Abstract Gas holdup, effective interfacial area and volumetric mass transfer coefficient were measured in two and three phase downflow bubble columns. The mass transfer data were obtained using the chemical method of sulfite oxidation, and the gas holdup was measured using the hydrostatic technique. Glass beads and Triton 114 were used to study the effects of solids and liquid surface tension on the gas holdup and the mass transfer parameters a and kL a . The gas holdup in three phase systems was measured for non-wettable (glass bead) and wettable (coal and shale particles) solids. The mass transfer data obtained in the downflow bubble column were compared with the values published for upflow bubble columns. The results indicate that in the range of superficial gas velocities (0.002-0.025) m/s investigated, the values of the mass transfer coefficient were of the same order of magnitude as those observed in upflow systems, but the values of interfacial area were at least two fold greater. Also, the results...
Regional myocardial blood flow in the dog studied with radioactive microspheres.

Regional myocardial blood flow was studied in the anaesthetized dog by determining the distribution of 15 and 50μ radioactive microspheres after left atrial injection. Doses of the 15μ spheres below 4 × 106 did not significantly alter coronary or systemic haemodynamics. Larger doses produced a significant increase in mean aortic pressure. Less than 1% of the 15μ spheres delivered to the heart passed into the coronary sinus. The myocardial distribution of 15 and 50μ spheres was not significantly different except for the ratio of left ventricular endocardium to epicardium (1·12 for 15μ and 1·45 for 50μ, P<0.001). Using 15μ spheres, it was found that the ratio of endocardial to epicardial radioactivity in the left ventricular wall was increased by propranolol, decreased by isoprenaline, and unchanged by nitroglycerin.
Subsuns and Low Reynolds Number Flow.

Abstract The phenomenon called the subsun is the specular reflection of sunlight by horizontally oriented plates of ice. Although well known in meteorological optics, the hydrodynamics of the orientation is not quantitatively understood. The theory of torques on objects at low Reynolds numbers is reviewed; coefficients Co, Cp, and Cψ that describe the orienting torques on discs, rods, and hexagonal prisms are defined; and the results of experiments to measure Co and Cp are reported.
Dental arch form in the cercopithecidae

The dental arches of the major genera of Old World monkeys (superfamily Cercopithecoidea) were studied by morphometric techniques. Bicanine and bimolar breadths and arch lengths were ascertained for maxillary and mandibular arches. This data was then subjected to a variety of statistical tests. Corresponding arch dimensions of the upper and lower dentition showed the highest correlations, while the lowest correlations were generally observed between comparisons of arch dimensions and body size. A new expression was developed, relative male palate size (RMPS), which quantified the degree of sexual dimorphism while correcting for body size. The four hierarchies examined using RMPS values were sexual dimorphism, modes of sexual selection and predator defense and diet. Maxillary bicanine breadth was the only parameter that exhibited sexual dimorphism consistently in each of the four hierarchies, although differences in arch size were identified for diet and predator defense. Species grouped by predator defense showed the most sexual dimorphism in arch parameters.
What can modern statistics offer imaging neuroscience

This paper presents a mixed-effects model, region-of-interest analysis of a longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of drug effects on human memory function. A key region of interest is the human hippocampus, affected by brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. A brief section on human hippocampal cell microscopy complements the discussion of the macroscopic fMRI study. Statistical issues confronted in these two applications are then placed in a broader context for further discussion of the future roles of biostatisticians and our methods in the fertile intersection of applied mathematical abstraction and imaging neuroscience. Neuroscientific and fMRI background is provided for readers new to either area.