cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Results of Salmonella Isolation from Poultry Products, Poultry, Poultry Environment, and Other Characteristics

Five hundred sixty-nine Salmonella were isolated out of 4745 samples from poultry products, poultry, and poultry environment in 1999 and 2000 from the Pacific northwest. These Salmonella were identified to their exact source, and some were serogrouped, serotyped, phage typed, and tested for antibiotic sensitivity. Food product samples tested included rinse water of spent hens and broilers and chicken ground meat. Poultry environment samples were hatchery fluff from the hatcheries where eggs of grandparent broiler breeders or parent broiler breeder eggs were hatched and drag swabs from poultry houses. Diagnostic samples were of liver or yolk sac contents collected at necropsy from the young chicks received in the laboratory. Of these samples tested, 569 were Salmonella positive (11.99%). Ninety-two Salmonella were serogrouped with polyvalent somatic antisera A-I and the polymerase chain reaction. Somatic serogroups B and C comprised 95.25% of all the Salmonella. Out of a total of 569 positive samples, 97 isolates of Salmonella were serotyped. A total of 16 serotypes and an unnamed Salmonella belonging to serogroup C1 were identified. The Salmonella serotypes were heidelberg (25.77%); kentucky (21.64%); montevideo (11.34%); hadar and enteritidis (5.15% each); infantis, typhimurium, ohio, and thompson (4.12% each); mbandaka and cerro (3.09% each); senftenberg (2.06%); berta, istanbul, indiana, and saintpaul (1.03% each); and an unnamed monomorphic Salmonella (2.06%). Ninety-two Salmonella were tested for drug sensitivity with nine different antimicrobials. All of the 92 Salmonella were resistant to erythromycin, lincomycin, and penicillin except one sample (S. berta), which was moderately sensitive to penicillin. All of the tested Salmonella were susceptible to sarafloxacin and ceftiofur. The percentages of Salmonella susceptible to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, gentamicin, triple sulfa, and tetracycline were 97.83%, 92.39%, 86.96%, and 82.61%, respectively.
Generalized Parity Checking

The usual definition given for the parity check is unwieldy and not particularly suited for the analysis or the study of the arithmetic properties of parity checking. The definition of parity by means of congruences provides a convenient mathematical basis for the concepts of the parity check. In this paper congruence notation is used to generalize the concepts of parity to include nonbase two number systems. Consideration is given to the cases where the check base is equal to the number base, and where it is not equal to the number base. The arithmetic properties of each case are considered by means of congruences.
Frontline providers harbor misconceptions about the bedside evaluation of dizzy patients

Sir, We report herein the results of a preliminary study examining misconceptions among frontline healthcare providers regarding the diagnostic assessment of dizzy patients. We sought to determine ...
Antiarrhythmic Drug Management

This chapter focuses on the electrophysiologic principles of antiarrhythmic drug treatment of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias in critically ill patients. Here we do not present a comprehensive review of individual antiarrhythmic agents but instead provide a framework for clinical approaches to antiarrhythmic drug selection based on the mechanisms of the target arrhythmia. Antiarrhythmic drugs are agents that exert their effects either directly or indirectly on cellular impulse generation or conduction. They alter cellular membrane potential by interactions with membrane receptors or ionic channels. This chapter presents an overview of antiarrhythmic drug management, including (1) a review of cellular electrophysiology, (2) a general classification of antiarrhythmic drugs, (3) a survey of arrhythmia mechanisms, and (4) clinical correlation of antiarrhythmic drug effects on the heart.
1,2‐Di‐2‐thienyl‐2‐hydroxy­ethanone (2,2′‐thenoin)

The title compound, C10H8O2S2, is the 2-thienyl symmetric analog of benzoin. 2,2′–Thenoin can be synthesized in good yield utilizing the benzoin condensation reaction (starting with 2-thio­phene­carbox­aldehyde). The crystal structure of 2,2′-thenoin has been determined at room temperature.
Phytochemical variation within a single plant species influences foraging behavior of deer

To determine how black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus respond to phytochemical cues while browsing in heterogeneous phytochemical environments, we offered captive and free-range deer cloned rooted cuttings and seedlings of western redcedar Thuja plicata selected for varying monoterpene content. Black-tailed deer were thus allowed to browse among a controlled array of phytochemical cues in a series of experiments designed to evaluate foraging behavior at fine (within plot) and coarse (plot selection) scales. Within-plot diet selection experiments demonstrated that browse preference for individual western redcedar plants was a function of foliar monoterpene concentration. Individual plant palatability combined with momentary maximization foraging strategy promoted survival of heavily defended plants. Among-plot foraging experiments demonstrated that coarse-scale foraging preferences were strongly influenced by distributions of high monoterpene-containing western redcedar in available plots. Olfaction may play a significant role in both fine and coarsescale browse behaviors of deer as they employ a risk-averse foraging strategy.
Guide to the draft human genome

There are a number of ways to investigate the structure, function and evolution of the human genome. These include examining the morphology of normal and abnormal chromosomes, constructing maps of genomic landmarks, following the genetic transmission of phenotypes and DNA sequence variations, and characterizing thousands of individual genes. To this list we can now add the elucidation of the genomic DNA sequence, albeit at 'working draft' accuracy. The current challenge is to weave together these disparate types of data to produce the information infrastructure needed to support the next generation of biomedical research. Here we provide an overview of the different sources of information about the human genome and how modern information technology, in particular the internet, allows us to link them together.
Pollination and breeding system of a neotropical palm Astrocaryum vulgare in Guyana: a test of the predictability of syndromes

A pollination and breeding system study was conducted on a neotropical palm, Astrocaryum vulgare, in Guyana, South America, to better understand its reproductive character evolution, and test the predictability of pollination syndromes. The pollination syndrome approach was used because it integrates characteristics of flowers and their pollinators into an evolutionary framework that allowed experimental testing of predictions. The flowers of A. vulgare displayed traits that were typical of both beetle and wind pollination syndromes. The protogynous inflorescences produced heat and odour during nocturnal anthesis, had numerous stamens with copious, light pollen, and were visited by hordes of beetles that used the inflorescences as feeding, mating and oviposition sites. In contrast, some of these features, such as numerous stamens with copious, light pollen, a high pollen to ovule ratio, and no obvious production of visitor rewards, were also typical of the wind pollination syndrome. However, floral rewards appeared to be tissues of the fleshy staminate petals and pollen that were readily devoured by the beetles. In addition to the Coleoptera, insect visitors to A. vulgare inflorescences included several species of Hymenoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera. However, only Nitidulidae and Curculionidae beetles were effective insect pollinators. Pollination treatments showed that wind pollination was possible, but fruit set was significantly higher for female flowers visited by beetles. Although a pollen/ovule ratio of 50 000:1 and outcrossing index confirmed an outcrossing breeding system, pollination experiments suggested that A. vulgare had the potential for self pollination. Therefore, the breeding system might be best classified as facultatively xenogamous (cross fertilizing). The predictive value of potential pollinator agents for A. vulgare was inadequate because its floral traits were indicative of both cantharophilous and anemophilous pollination syndromes.
Fold classification based on secondary structure--how much is gained by including loop topology?

Background It has been proposed that secondary structure information can be used to classify (to some extend) protein folds. Since this method utilizes very limited information about the protein structure, it is not surprising that it has a higher error rate than the approaches that use full 3D fold description. On the other hand, the comparing of 3D protein structures is computing intensive. This raises the question to what extend the error rate can be decreased with each new source of information, especially if the new information can still be used with simple alignment algorithms. We consider the question whether the information about closed loops can improve the accuracy of this approach. While the answer appears to be obvious, we had to overcome two challenges. First, how to code and to compare topological information in such a way that local alignment of strings will properly identify similar structures. Second, how to properly measure the effect of new information in a large data sample. We investigate alternative ways of computing and presenting this information.
Nucleic Acid Homology as Applied to Investigations on the Relationship of Viruses to Neoplastic Diseases

It is of both fundamental and practical importance to determine whether the Lucke renal carcinoma of the frog is induced by a herpes-like virus. Definitive evidence that a member of the herpesvirus group induces a tumor in any species would spur efforts to determine whether human neoplasms such as Burkitt’s lymphoma and cervical cancer are induced by similar viral agents. An evaluation of the evidence required to indict a virus as a causative agent of neoplastic disease is appropriate at this time. For this purpose I will review the recent results of studies on adenovirus transformed cells and adenovirus induced tumors of hamsters, rats, and mice in which the concepts and methodology of molecular biology have been successfully employed to detect viral gene activity in adenovirus tumor and transformed cells, to investigate the mechanism of viral oncogenesis, and to analyze human tumors for adenovirus genetic information.
A framework of knowledge-based assembly planning

A framework of knowledge-based assembly planning for the automatic generation of assembly plans from the CAD model of an assembly is presented. The knowledge about assembly structure, precedence constraints, and resource constraints is represented using predicate calculus, and it forms the static knowledge database. Production rules are used to generate assembly plans. A graph search mechanism is used to search for the optimal assembly plan. To test the proposed approach, a prototype system has been developed. It can read in the CAD data of a product and the resource information of an assembly cell and automatically generate an optimal assembly plan based on the selection criteria specified by the user of the system. >
Functional Resuscitation of Hearts Preserved in Somah at Subnormothermia: A Comparative Study

Purpose: Hearts procured for transplantation and preserved at extreme hypothermia (4°C), undergo time-dependent irreversible injury. Our studies using a rationally designed Somah solution, suggest that hearts can be preserved in robustly viable state at subnormothermia (21°C), and prevent hypothermiarelated damage. Present study evaluated the relative efficacy of Somah for preserving hearts at 21°C, compared to Celsior and UW solutions used in clinical practice. We hypothesized that hearts stored at subnormothermia in Somah display robust metabolism, homeostasis and functional revival unlike those stored in the comparator solutions. Methods: Porcine hearts arrested by cardioplegia at 21°C using Somah, Celsior or UW solution were stored in the respective solutions at 21°C (n= 4). After 5-hrs, biopsies were obtained for tissue high energy phosphates (HEP); hearts were reanimated and functionally evaluated with trans-esophageal echo. Creatinine kinase (CK) and troponin-I (cTnI) release was assessed during storage and upon reanimation. Results: Heart weights were unaltered during 5-hour storage in all groups. After storage, HEP levels were 28.33±5.51, 10.20±2.78 and 5.92±1.46 nM/mg tissue (P < 0.001) in Somah, Celsior and UW group hearts respectively; Upon reanimation, release of CK and cTnI were 1090.25±323.62, 880.33±175.46 and 4938.5±625.73 U/L and 15.3±2.26, 6.12±1.06, 112.46±67.05 U/L respectively; Ratios (in vitro vs intraoperative) of mean thickness of LV anterior and septal walls were 1.06, 1.07; 1.08, 1.23; and 1.41, 1.56 respectively. Reanimation of Celsior and UW hearts to a functionally viable state was virtually impossible. At peak performance, % fractional area change in Somah, Celsior and UW group hearts were respectively, 50.78±4.28, 8.5±0.5 and 6.5±3.5(p< 0.001); ejection fractions 65.88±4.51, 21.5±4.5 and 8.0±4.0 (p< 0.001); stroke volumes, 23.24±3.2, 4.0±1.1 and 0.5±0.1 (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Robust metabolism, superior functional revival upon reanimation, lesser IRI-dependent damage and requirements for stimulatory interventions confirm our hypothesis that, hearts stored in Somah at subnormothermia were more likely to rapidly revert to robust functionality than those in comparators. Use of Somah for the subnormothermic preservation of hearts could pave the way for a paradigm shift in heart transplants.
Theory of Switched RF Resonators

Transient characteristics of switched resonators have been studied. The resonators exhibit controllable impedance and energy storage behaviors during an alternating charging and discharging process. It is discovered that these unique characteristics of switched resonators can lead to novel RF envelope signal processing functions. The paper discusses the basic theory of switched resonators and the designing methodology of relevant RF signal processing applications. Two applications are presented as examples. The first example is a variable, reflective attenuator which uses the controllable impedance of the switched resonators to achieve different attenuation/reflection levels. In the second example, a simple, compact and efficient RF pulse compression technique based on the switched resonator concept is introduced. It utilizes the charging/discharging characteristics of the circuit resonator by varying the resonator's Q-factor. The approach compresses the duration of the modulated pulse without changing the phase characteristics of the RF carrier. The pulse compression technique can also be implemented with other type of resonators including distributed resonators, as demonstrated through the experiments
RNA Silencing of Dengue Virus Type 2 Replication in Transformed C6/36 Mosquito Cells Transcribing an Inverted-Repeat RNA Derived from the Virus Genome

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) initiates cellular posttranscriptional responses that are collectively called RNA silencing in a number of different organisms, including plants, nematodes, and fruit flies. In plants, RNA silencing has been associated with protection from virus infection. In this study, we demonstrate that dsRNA-mediated interference also can act as a viral defense mechanism in mosquito cells. C6/36 (Aedes albopictus) cells were stably transformed with a plasmid designed to transcribe an inverted-repeat RNA (irRNA) derived from the genome of dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2) capable of forming dsRNA. Clonal cell lines were selected with an antibiotic resistance marker and challenged with DEN-2. The cell lines were classified as either susceptible or resistant to virus replication, based on the percentage of cells expressing DEN-2 envelope (E) antigen 7 days after challenge. Eight out of 18 (44%) cell lines designed to express irRNA were resistant to DEN-2 challenge, with more than 95% of the cells showing no DEN-2 antigen accumulation. One of the DEN-2-resistant cell lines, FB 9.1, was further characterized. DEN-2 genome RNA failed to accumulate in FB 9.1 cells after challenge. Northern blot hybridization detected transcripts containing transgene sequences of both sense and antisense polarity, suggesting that DEN-2-specific dsRNA was present in the cells. In addition, a class of small RNAs 21 to 25 nucleotides in length was detected that specifically hybridized to labeled sense or antisense DEN-2 RNA derived from the target region of the genome. These observations were consistent with RNA silencing as the mechanism of resistance to DEN-2 in transformed mosquito cells.
Comings and Goings: The Multiple Faces of Latin American Diasporas

– Displacements and Diasporas: Asians in the Americas, edited by Wanni W. Anderson and Robert G. Lee. New Brunswick, NJ and London: Rutgers University Press, 2005. – Indigenous Mexican Migrants in the United States, edited by Jonathan Fox and Gaspar Rivera-Salgado. Distributed by Lynn Rienner Publishers for the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, UCSD, and the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies, UCSD, 2004. – Diaspora michoacana, edited by Gustavo Lopez Castro. Zamora: El Colegio de Michoacan y el Gobierno del Estado de Michoacan, 2003. – The Japanese in Latin America, by Daniel M. Masterson (with Sayaka FunadaClassen). Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2004. – Jewish Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean: Fragments of Memory, edited by Kristin Ruggiero. Brighton, East Sussex: Sussex Academic Press, 2005.
Identification of the battery state-of-health parameter from input–output pairs of time series data

Abstract As a paradigm of dynamic data-driven application systems (DDDAS), this paper addresses real-time identification of the State of Health (SOH) parameter over the life span of a battery that is subjected to approximately repeated cycles of discharging/recharging current. In the proposed method, finite-length data of interest are selected via wavelet-based segmentation from the time series of synchronized input–output (i.e., current–voltage) pairs in the respective two-dimensional space. Then, symbol strings are generated by partitioning the selected segments of the input–output time series to construct a special class of probabilistic finite state automata (PFSA), called D-Markov machines. Pertinent features of the statistics of battery dynamics are extracted as the state emission matrices of these PFSA. This real-time method of SOH parameter identification relies on the divergence between extracted features. The underlying concept has been validated on (approximately periodic) experimental data, generated from a commercial-scale lead-acid battery. It is demonstrated by real-time analysis of the acquired current–voltage data on in-situ computational platforms that the proposed method is capable of distinguishing battery current–voltage dynamics at different aging stages, as an alternative to computation-intensive and electrochemistry-dependent analysis via physics-based modeling.
Properties of the Lateral Electromagnetic Field of a Vertical Dipole and Their Applications

The Formullas For The Electromagnetic Field In Region 1 (Z ? 0, K1) Due To A Vertical Electric Dipole Also In Region 1 Near Its Plane Boundary With Region 2 (Z ? 0, K2; |K2|2 << |K1|2) Are Reviewed. The Corresponding Formulas For The Field In Region 2 Are Then Determined. Use Is Made Of This Field To Determine The Locus Of The Poynting Vector And The Maximum Depth Of Penetration Into Region 2 Of The Lateral-Wave Part Of The Field. Application Is Made To The Use Of The Vertical Antenna In The Sea For The Measurement Of The Conductivity Of The Oceanic Crust.
Optimal axes of Siberian snakes for polarized proton acceleration

Accelerating polarized proton beams and storing them for many turns can lead to a loss of polarization when accelerating through energies where a spin rotation frequency is in resonance with orbit oscillation frequencies. First-order resonance effects can be avoided by installing Siberian Snakes in the ring, devices which rotate the spin by 180 degrees around the snake axis while not changing the beam's orbit significantly. For large rings, several Siberian Snakes are required. Here a criterion will be derived that allows to find an optimal choice of the snake axes. Rings with super-period four are analyzed in detail, and the HERA proton ring is used as an example for approximate four-fold symmetry. The proposed arrangement of Siberian Snakes matches their effects so that all spin-orbit coupling integrals vanish at all energies and therefore there is no first-order spin-orbit coupling at all for this choice, which I call snakes matching. It will be shown that in general at least eight Siberian Snakes are needed and that there are exactly four possibilities to arrange their axes. When the betatron phase advance between snakes is chosen suitably, four Siberian Snakes can be sufficient. To show that favorable choice of snakes have been found, polarized protons are tracked for part of HERA-p's acceleration cycle which shows that polarization is preserved best for the here proposed arrangement of Siberian Snakes.
Bedside Ultrasonography to Identify Hip Effusions in Pediatric Patients

Study objective We determine whether pediatric emergency physicians can use bedside ultrasonography to accurately identify hip effusions in pediatric patients. Methods This was a prospective study conducted in the emergency department (ED) of an urban tertiary care freestanding pediatric hospital. A convenience sample of children younger than 18 years and who required hip ultrasonography as part of their ED evaluation was enrolled. Pediatric emergency physicians with focused ultrasonographic training performed bedside ultrasonography on patients' symptomatic and contralateral hips and categorized the findings as "effusion" or "no effusion," according to a priori definitions. Physicians rated their confidence for each bedside ultrasonographic result on a scale of 1 (not confident) to 5 (very confident). Bedside ultrasonographic results were compared with the radiology department's ultrasonographic results, which were considered the criterion standard. Standard performance metrics (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values) were calculated. Results Three physicians enrolled patients. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled, and 55 hips were studied. In all hips (both symptomatic and contralateral), bedside ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 51% to 95%), a specificity of 98% (95% CI 85% to 99%), a positive predictive value of 92% (95% CI 62% to 99%), and a negative predictive value of 93% (95% CI 79% to 98%). In the 28 symptomatic hips, bedside ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 85% (95% CI 54% to 97%), a specificity of 93% (95% CI 66% to 99%), a positive predictive value of 92% (95% CI 60% to 99%), and negative predictive value of 88% (95% CI 60% to 98%). When physician self-rated confidence was high, the sensitivity of bedside ultrasonography in symptomatic hips was 90% (95% CI 54% to 99%), the specificity was 100% (95% CI 70% to 100%), the positive predictive value was 100% (95% CI 63% to 100%), and the negative predictive value was 92% (95% CI 62% to 99%). Conclusion With focused training, pediatric emergency physicians were able to use bedside ultrasonography to identify hip effusions in pediatric ED patients.
Progress and prospects for blood-stage malaria vaccines

ABSTRACTThere have been significant decreases in malaria mortality and morbidity in the last 10-15 years, and the most advanced pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine, RTS,S, received a positive opinion from European regulators in July 2015. However, no blood-stage vaccine has reached a phase III trial. The first part of this review summarizes the pros and cons of various assays and models that have been and will be used to predict the efficacy of blood-stage vaccines. In the second part, blood-stage vaccine candidates that showed some efficacy in human clinical trials or controlled human malaria infection models are discussed. Then, candidates under clinical investigation are described in the third part, and other novel candidates and strategies are reviewed in the last part.
Financial Reporting and Municipal Bond Rating Changes

Municipal bond rating changes can have significant consequences for both borrowers and investors. Multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA) was used to examine whether financial ratios could discriminate between cities that had their ratings upgraded or downgraded from an A rating. In addition, both the upgraded and the downgraded groups of cities were matched, using a paired sample design with a control group to examine the predictive ability of fiscal information. Fiscal variables do appear to be associated with rating revisions. In addition, it appears that rating revisions are more closely associated with operating working capital flow than the "total flow of resources" statement generated by current generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Improved Extended Depth-of-Field Microscopy through PSF Engineering and Robust Processing

Performance investigation of improved extended depth-of-field microscopy achieved with point-spread function engineering to reduce image artifacts due to depth-induced aberrations and processing that is robust to system noise.
Parallel photon mapping computations to enable fast approximate solutions to the art gallery and watchman route problems

The art gallery and watchman route problems (AGP and WRP) are NP-hard constrained optimization problems concerned with providing static and dynamic sensing, respectively, to environments such that the maximum amount of information is sensed at a minimal cost. What being an NP-hard problem means, practically, is that when an AGP or WRP solution is calculated for a particular time step t, any small change in the environment requires that an entirely new solution must be computed. Extending 3D AGP- and WRP-solving computations into 4D (i.e. considering time's effects on the solutions generated) means that a large number of computational resources would be consumed if the updates to the AGP and WRP solutions are performed serially - since each time step's solution would be computed sequentially. Our particular AGP- and WRP-solving algorithms are built upon the photon mapping algorithm in order to model the information obtainable in the sensed environment. The photon mapping algorithm models the propagation of multispectral photons through an environment and stores the result of the photons' interaction with their environment in a k-d tree data structure called a photon map. Since each virtual photon can operate independently of every other virtual photon, a photon map generated at a particular time step t can be generated independently of every other photon map populated at every other time step using a graphics processing unit (GPU). Thus given an n-sized time sequence, a photon map can be populated by each member of an n-core GPU. Once the photon map is updated, our AGP/WRP-solving algorithms can be executed in parallel over the time sequence using the particular core assigned to a photon map's population. We present the results of our computations and compare both serial- and GPU-based performance.
Doctoral dissertations on hypnosis: 1923-1980.

The growing number of hypnosis-related dissertations accepted by American universities represents an index of the recognition of hypnosis as a legitimate subject of scientific inquiry. In recent ye...
Racial Disparities in Hypertension Control, but Not Treatment Intensification

BACKGROUND Racial disparities in hypertension control are well documented, yet the contribution of providers to these disparities remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine whether provider management of uncontrolled hypertension differed by patient race. METHODS In a retrospective cohort of 16,881 hypertensive adults in six academic primary care practices from 1/2004 to 12/2006, we evaluated hypertension control in black vs. white patients according to expert guidelines and, among those with uncontrolled hypertension, whether antihypertensive drugs were intensified by providers. Generalized estimating equations accounted for clustering and adjusted sequentially and additively for patient, provider, and practice characteristics, as well as health-care utilization and antihypertensive medication potency. RESULTS Black patients' visits (55.5% of 132,730 visits) had a higher unadjusted odds (1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-1.69) of uncontrolled hypertension than white patients' visits; the fully adjusted odds ratio remained significant (1.40, CI 1.33-1.48, P < 0.001). Among 66,327 visits with uncontrolled hypertension, no intensification of antihypertensive drugs was less likely for blacks' visits before adjustment (0.80, CI 0.76-0.83, P < 0.001) but moderated in the fully adjusted model (adjusted odds ratio 0.93, CI 0.87-0.99, P < 0.05) compared with whites' visits. Accounting for provider race, intensification was more likely at black patients' visits compared with white patients' visits. CONCLUSIONS In our study, black patients had poorer hypertension control, and providers were more likely to intensify antihypertensive drugs at visits of black compared with white patients as appropriate. These data suggest that more research is needed to understand racial disparities in hypertension control.
Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics: A multiple network system dynamics model

Purpose – Complementing the importance of adequate relief supplies and transportation capacity in the first two weeks of post-disaster logistics, efficient communication, information sharing, and informed decision making play a crucial yet often underestimated role in reducing wasted material resources and loss of human life. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method of quantifying these effects. Design/methodology/approach – A mathematical discrete dynamical system is used to model transportation of different commodities from multiple relief suppliers to disaster sites across a network of limited capacity. The physical network is overlaid with the communication network to model information delays and communication breakdowns between agents. The cost in human lives and the monetary cost are measured separately. Findings – Simulations results highlight quantitatively how communication deficiencies and indiscriminate shipping of resources result in material convergence and shortage of urgent supplies...
Virtual(ly) Athletes: Where eSports Fit Within the Definition of “Sport”

ABSTRACTElectronic sports, cybersports, gaming, competitive computer gaming, and virtual sports are all synonyms for the term eSports. Regardless of the term used, eSports is now becoming more accepted as a sport and gamers are being identified as athletes within society today. eSports has even infiltrated higher education in the form of an intercollegiate athletic sport, as two university athletic departments have made eSports an official varsity sport where scholarships are provided to collegiate eSports athletes. Thus, the intertwining of eSports and university athletics brings into question whether eSports should be considered sport by broader society. This article provides a brief history of eSports, a further developed definition of eSports, and a comparison of eSports to traditional philosophical and sociological definitions of sport. The purpose of this article is to provoke thought on the academically accepted definitions of sport and debate whether eSports should be considered a sport. Attention...
ConfChem Conference on Interactive Visualizations for Chemistry Teaching and Learning: An Introduction

The chemistry education community has a strong history of using visualizations in teaching and learning chemistry. The spring 2015 online ConfChem conference, Interactive Visualizations for Teaching and Learning Chemistry, presented work in the areas of design, evaluation, and frontiers of interactive visualizations. The conference was held from May 8 to June 4, 2015 and was organized by Emily B. Moore, Director of Research and Accessibility for PhET Interactive Simulations at the University of Colorado Boulder and hosted by the ACS Committee on Computers in Chemical Education. This Communication introduces the topics presented during the ConfChem and provides context for the conference and an overview of the eight papers presented.
AutoTutor 2013: Conversation-Based Online Intelligent Tutoring System with Rich Media (Interactive Event)

AutoTuto 2013 is an advanced version of the intelligent tutoring system, proven to be effective in empirical tests. AutoTutor 2013 is an agent-based online system with rich media among multiple agents and learners. AutoTutor delivers knowledge by means of multi-turns of conversions with the assist of the comprehensive media technology, including images, diagrams, audios, videos and other interactive presentations developed by Media Semantics Character Builder program.
Dietary intakes of Title III meal program recipients and nonrecipients

Nutrient intakes, dietary habits, and the nutrition knowledge and attitudes of elderly recipients and nonrecipients of a Title III meal program were examined. Mean intakes of energy and all nutrients except niacin and vitamin C were higher for recipients, although no statistically significant differences were found. High average intakes of protein, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C were shown among all groups. Low individual intakes were found for energy, calcium, vitamin A, and thiamin. Men consumed significantly more protein, fat, and riboflavin than women. As age increased, intakes of fat, protein, iron, thiamin, and niacin decreased. More than 75% of all subjects had diets rated "fair" or "good." Percentages of kilocalories from protein were above the recommended levels for all groups, and percentages of kilocalories from fat were above recommended levels for all groups except recipient women. Neither the number of meals eaten alone nor living arrangements had a significant effect on the patterns of intake of the nutrients studied. Most of the subjects interviewed did not regularly take vitamin/mineral supplements. Of those who took supplements, most consumed adequate diets. No significant differences were found in the nutrition knowledge or attitudes of recipients and nonrecipients, although recipients had slightly higher scores. Nutrition knowledge scores were above 60% for all groups. Educational attainment was positively correlated with nutrition knowledge.
Pilot study of sources and concentrations of size-resolved airborne particles in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract Infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are vulnerable to environmental stressors. Few studies have reported on airborne particles in the NICU environment. During a four-day pilot study in a private-style NICU, we measured size-resolved particle number (PN) concentrations with 1-min resolution. The investigation included simultaneous sampling in an unoccupied baby room and in an incubator of an otherwise normally functioning NICU. Background submicron (0.3–1 μm) particle levels in the room were 3–4 orders of magnitude lower than outdoors, owing to high-efficiency particulate filtration of supply air. Airborne supermicron particles were detected in the room; their presence was attributed primarily to emissions from occupant movements. The fraction of in-room PN detected within an infant incubator ranged from 0.2 for particles >10 μm to 0.6 for particles with diameter 0.3–0.5 μm. The incubator humidifier was a strong additional source of particles smaller than 5 μm. Activities by researchers, designed to simulate caregiver visits, were associated with elevated particle concentrations across all measured size ranges, and were particularly discernible among larger particles. Concentrations increased with the number of occupants and with the duration and vigor of activities. The highest levels were observed when fabrics were handled. Against the low background in this environment, even small occupancy-associated perturbations – such as from a brief entry – were discernible. Measurements from a second NICU in a different US region were found to be broadly similar. A notable difference was higher submicron particle levels in the second NICU, attributed to elevated outdoor pollution.
Land-use choices: the case of conservation reserve program (CRP) re-enrollment in Kansas, USA

ABSTRACTAmong the important alternatives for land conservation is the US Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2015. This paper explores how landowners decide on alternative land-use choices made available by the expiration of CRP contracts in Kansas. The study uses survey data and multinomial Logit models to predict land-use choices. Two models were tested. The first model does not incorporate variables concerning farmer perceptions and attitudes about land-use choices, while the second model does. The results show that CRP re-enrollment depends on factors, such as years of experience in cropping and percent of cropland irrigated. However, when perception variables are added, the models become more robust in explaining other land choice alternatives. The results suggest that as the perception of unfairness of more inflexible environmental policy rises, these farmers may be more likely to re-enroll their marginal land in the CRP program.
Extreme science: Exploring the use of extreme-terrain rovers in Mars sample return

The NASA Mars Exploration Program is developing mission concepts for the capture and return of diverse geological and atmospheric samples from Mars to Earth. The first phase of a hypothetical multi-year sample-return campaign is the collection and caching of the samples; the second phase would center on the retrieval of the cached samples and launch of the cache into Mars' orbit, with the third phase being responsible for the capture of the orbiting sample(s) and their return to Earth. The second phase is known as the Sample Retrieval and Launch (SRL) concept, which would require a dedicated rover to retrieve the previously-cached samples for launch into Martian orbit, and subsequent return to Earth. Our contribution assesses the feasibility of conducting an extreme-terrain exploration mission in the extended-phase, following the launch of the cache into orbit. Our study leverages prior development of the MobileMAV concept, which uses Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)-based mobility to carry the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV)[1]. Our proposal is driven by the scientific value of exploring various challenging topographies such as recurring slope lineae (RSLs), craters, fissures, canyons, gullies, caves, and stratified terrain. These geologic features are expected to contain a wealth of scientific information that would greatly advance scientific understanding of dynamic processes in the Martian environment. The ability to operate on (and in) these challenging areas (and their environs) would also aid in the search for habitable environments, and significantly shorten the path to human-driven Martian exploration. The core contribution is an investigation of a trade space that would integrate a two-wheel, tethered rappelling rover (based on the Axel extreme-terrain rover [2]) into the mobileMAV concept, capturing the key benefits and risks to the overall mission. Although introducing new rover designs reduces our ability to leverage flight-tested heritage hardware, the possibility of dramatically extending the science capabilities — while simultaneously achieving the primary mission goal of delivering the MAV to the launch site — would be compelling. We present a conceptual design that is, to first-order, compatible with the existing MSL launch, cruise, and entry, descent and landing (EDL) baseline. We require minimal changes to the existing architecture to accommodate the rover and MAV payload. Although some challenges exist with respect to flown weight (greater than MSL) and available avionics payload (smaller than MSL), the required technological advances appear well within the projected arc of technology development, given the proposed mission concept timeline.
Rye cover crop effects on maize: A system-level analysis

Abstract Inclusion of a rye cover crop into maize-based systems can offer environmental benefits, but adoption of the practice in the US Midwest is still low. This is related to the possible risk of reduced maize yields following rye. We hypothesized that the magnitude of rye effects on maize yields and drainage water and nitrate (NO3)-N losses would be proportionally related to rye biomass. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing data from continuous maize treatments (with and without cover crop) in Iowa, US, that were fertilized following recommendations from late spring nitrate tests. Dataset included measurements (2009–2014) of soil water and temperature, drainage water and NO3-N losses, soil NO3, rye shoot and root biomass and C:N, and maize yields. We supplemented our analysis with a literature review and the use of a cropping systems model (APSIM) to calculate trade-offs in system performance characteristics. Experimentally, rye cover crop reduced drainage by 12% and NO3-N losses by 20% (or 31% per unit of N applied), and maize yields by 6%. We also found minimal effects on soil temperature, water deficits that reduced yields only during drought years (2012 and 2013), and lower NO3-N losses that were related to reduced NO3-N concentrations in drainage. Results also revealed a linear relationship between drainage and precipitation (r2 = 0.96), and rye transpiration and shoot biomass (r2 = 0.84). Model scenario analysis (4 termination dates × 30 years) indicated that rye cover crop decreases NO3-N losses (-25.5 ± 26%) but does not always reduce drainage water (-3.9 ± 13%) or grain yields (-1.84 ± 6%), which is consistent with experimental and literature results. However, analysis of the synthesized measured and simulated dataset do not support a strong relationship between these variables and rye biomass. These results are valuable for decision-making and add new fundamental knowledge on rye water and nitrogen use.
Experimental study of LiNbO3 memristors for use in neuromorphic computing

Abstract This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) memristor devices that have the ability to be tuned to a specific resistance state within a continuous resistance range. This is essential for programming neuromorphic systems based on memristor crossbars in order to achieve best deep learning capability. The memristor devices were formed using a 42 nm layer of LiNbO3 sandwiched between two metal electrodes. I-V curves demonstrate a typical and repeatable memristor characteristic from − 3 V to 3 V. Such devices have a continuous resistance range that has a maximum to minimum resistance ratio of about 100, and the ability to program intermediate resistance states. The results also show the ability to read the device symmetrically with a positive or negative voltage, and strong data retention after the programming phase.
Does the emergency surgery score accurately predict outcomes in emergent laparotomies

Background The emergency surgery score is a mortality-risk calculator for emergency general operation patients. We sought to examine whether the emergency surgery score predicts 30-day morbidity and mortality in a high-risk group of patients undergoing emergent laparotomy. Methods Using the 2011–2012 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified all patients who underwent emergent laparotomy using (1) the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program definition of “emergent,” and (2) all Current Procedural Terminology codes denoting a laparotomy, excluding aortic aneurysm rupture. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to measure the correlation (c-statistic) between the emergency surgery score and (1) 30-day mortality, and (2) 30-day morbidity after emergent laparotomy. As sensitivity analyses, the correlation between the emergency surgery score and 30-day mortality was also evaluated in prespecified subgroups based on Current Procedural Terminology codes. Results A total of 26,410 emergent laparotomy patients were included. Thirty-day mortality and morbidity were 10.2% and 43.8%, respectively. The emergency surgery score correlated well with mortality (c-statistic = 0.84); scores of 1, 11, and 22 correlated with mortalities of 0.4%, 39%, and 100%, respectively. Similarly, the emergency surgery score correlated well with morbidity (c-statistic = 0.74); scores of 0, 7, and 11 correlated with complication rates of 13%, 58%, and 79%, respectively. The morbidity rates plateaued for scores higher than 11. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the emergency surgery score effectively predicts mortality in patients undergoing emergent (1) splenic, (2) gastroduodenal, (3) intestinal, (4) hepatobiliary, or (5) incarcerated ventral hernia operation. Conclusion The emergency surgery score accurately predicts outcomes in all types of emergent laparotomy patients and may prove valuable as a bedside decision-making tool for patient and family counseling, as well as for adequate risk-adjustment in emergent laparotomy quality benchmarking efforts.
Polyion Covalency: Exotic Species from the Unexplored World of Electrostatically Shielded Molecular Ion Chemistry

Standard quantum chemical methods have been employed to describe a variety of kinetically stable polyionic molecular species that are trapped in appreciable potential wells by chemical bonding forces, despite powerful electrostatic opposition that challenges conventional chemical detection and characterization. The studied species are covalent or dative analogs of "anti-electrostatic" hydrogen-bonded (AEHB) species, all illustrating how short-range quantum covalency can overcome the powerful "shielding" opposition of long-range electrostatic forces to form highly charged molecular species, analogous to known neutral or singly ionic counterparts. Computational predictions of representative structural, spectroscopic, and NBO-based electronic signatures of multiply charged analogs of common neutral species (CH3 CH3 , CO2 , FeCO) are provided to suggest the unique material properties characteristic of this shielded domain of polyionic chemical phenomena.
Laminar boundary-layer analyses for parallel streams with interfacial mass transfer

To obtain the solution, Eq. (28) is integrated numerically using Simpson's rule. The limit of integration, which varies from 0 to 1, is divided into 100 equal parts, each part being equal to 0.01. This has yielded accurate results. The surface temperature time history 0(r) , and the melting distance time history, 77(7) , are plotted in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, for different values of/5. It is found that for any 0, both the surface temperature and melting distance increase with increase in time and that they decrease at any time with increase in 0. This type of behavior also was obtained in aerodynamic ablation.
Femtosecond Filament-Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry (F2-LAMIS) for Remote Isotope Analysis

LAMIS is an all-optical laser-ablation technique for isotope analysis at atmospheric ambient conditions. In this presentation, the theoretical principles of F2-LAMIS will be overviewed and its application for remote isotopic analysis will be discussed.
The intestinal microbiome influences checkpoint blockade

Studies in metastatic melanoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma indicate certain bacteria within the gut microbiota enhance clinical responses to checkpoint blockade.