cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Does Lesson Study Improve Mathematics Instruction

This article presents a theoretical model of lesson study’s impact on instruction, through intervening impact on teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and dispositions, teachers’ learning community, and curriculum. It also describes four different types of lesson study in Japan, pointing out their synergies in producing a system where local teachers “demand” knowledge for their lesson study work and lesson study provides a collaborative, practice-based venue to try out recent innovations in curriculum and instruction. Description of lesson study in Japan provides background for considering the articles of this issue, which highlight four strategies to develop lesson study outside Japan: (1) incorporation of high-quality tasks and materials; (2) attention to processes that illuminate student thinking; (3) attention to system features; and (4) models for scale-up.
Crossing Boundaries in Literacy Research: Challenges and Opportunities

The concept of boundaries, as borders that separate two entities, can be problematic in that those who “belong” within a boundary in a given social world or entity are separated from those who do n...
High-speed nano-imaging using dynamic mode AFM: A MAP detection approach

Nano-imaging has played a vital role in biology, chemistry and physics as it enables interrogation of material with sub-nanometer resolution. Primary means of achieving such atomic scale interrogation of matter are based on the principles of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). However, current nano-imaging techniques are too slow to be useful in the high speed applications of interest such as studying the evolution of certain biological processes over time that involve very small time scales. In this work, we present a high speed one-bit imaging technique using dynamic mode AFM with a high quality factor cantilever. We model the high quality factor cantilever system using a Markovian model which incorporates the inherent system memory due to the inter-symbol interference and the cantilever state. Next, we pose the imaging problem as one of finding the maximum a posteriori (MAP) symbol detector for this model. This is solved by adapting the BCJR algorithm for our channel model. Furthermore, we propose an improved MAP symbol detector that incorporates a learned prior from the previous scan line while detecting the features on the current scan line. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm provides significantly better image resolution compared to current nano-imaging techniques at high scanning speed.
Recruiting and Retaining Individuals with Serious Mental Illness and Diabetes in Clinical Research: Lessons Learned from a Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Recruitment and retention of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) in research studies can be challenging with major impediments being difficulties reaching participants via telephone contact, logistic difficulties due to lack of transportation, ongoing psychiatric symptoms, and significant medical complications. Research staff directly involved in recruitment and retention processes of this study reviewed their experiences. The largest barriers at the macro, mediator, and micro levels identified in this study were inclement weather, transportation difficulties, and intermittent and inaccessible telephone contact. Barrier work-around practices included using the health system’s EHR to obtain current phone numbers, providing transportation assistance (bus passes or parking reimbursement), and flexible scheduling of appointments. Suggestions are intended to assist in planning for recruitment and retention strategies.
Synthesis of Narrow-Distribution, High-Molecular-Weight ROMP Polycyclopentene via Suppression of Acyclic Metathesis Side Reactions

Methods for the preparation of narrow-distribution ROMP polycyclopentene are developed to suppress the rate of acyclic metathesis: reaction between the active metal-carbene chain end and an acyclic olefin in the reaction medium. In particular, we investigate interchain metathesis, which generates linear polymers with “scrambled” chain lengths, and we demonstrate the formation of ring polymers by intrachain backbiting and quantify their content in the reaction product. By controlling the relative rates of propagation versus these side reactions, we prepare ROMP polycyclopentene with low dispersity to substantially higher molecular weights than have been reported previously. Polymerization kinetics are quantitatively described by a kinetic model, which accounts for the reversible binding of added trimethylphosphine to the active chain end.
Survival Advantage of Kidney-Pancreas vs. Kidney Alone Transplant in the Modern Era

Purpose of Review There is a well-defined knowledge of relative benefits of pancreas transplants to patients with respect to specific diabetic complications; however, the degree of survival advantage of a simultaneous pancreas and kidney versus kidney transplant alone in the type I diabetes mellitus patient population remains controversial.
Rural land use and the balance of payments.

Balance of payment restrictions have long been recognized as important factors limiting Irish economic growth. It is germane then for agriculturalists and foresters to assess the impact on the bahmce of payments when change in land use is being contemplated. A study recently completed (Convery, 1972) compared forestry and agriculture as uses on the lowland drumlin soils of County Leitrim for a number of variables, including the likely effect of the two uses on the nation's balance of payments. The discussion which foIIows treats this latter topic.
Architectural Support for Server-Side PHP Processing

PHP is the dominant server-side scripting language used to implement dynamic web content. Just-in-time compilation, as implemented in Facebook's state-of-the-art HipHopVM, helps mitigate the poor performance of PHP, but substantial overheads remain, especially for realistic, large-scale PHP applications. This paper analyzes such applications and shows that there is little opportunity for conventional microarchitectural enhancements. Furthermore, prior approaches for function-level hardware acceleration present many challenges due to the extremely flat distribution of execution time across a large number of functions in these complex applications. In-depth analysis reveals a more promising alternative: targeted acceleration of four fine-grained PHP activities: hash table accesses, heap management, string manipulation, and regular expression handling. We highlight a set of guiding principles and then propose and evaluate inexpensive hardware accelerators for these activities that accrue substantial performance and energy gains across dozens of functions. Our results reflect an average 17.93% improvement in performance and 21.01% reduction in energy while executing these complex PHP workloads on a state-of-the-art software and hardware platform.
A Survey on Topology Maintenance Techniques to Extend the Lifetime of Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a well known technology due to its applications in diverse fields including both civil and military domain. However, being battery powered, the network lifetime of WSN is hugely dependent on how efficiently this battery power is utilized. Topology Control consisting of Topology Construction and Topology Maintenance, is a popular technique to conserve energy and extend the lifetime of WSN by building and maintaining a reduced topology that offers both connectivity and coverage. Topology Maintenance rebuilds a new topology once the current topology is no longer optimal. In this survey, our focus is on the issue of energy efficiency and we have presented a thorough analysis of current topology maintenance techniques for prolonging the battery lifetime of wireless sensor nodes. We have classified Topology Maintenance according to the energy conservation technique adopted by each algorithm, and have evaluated them on the basis of trade-offs offered by each approach to guide designers in opting for a technique that fulfills their application needs. In addition, we also provide insight with the help of simulation results.
Role of Admission Troponin‐T and Serial Troponin‐T Testing in Predicting Outcomes in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

BackgroundTroponin‐T elevation is seen commonly in sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We sought to evaluate the role of admission and serial troponin‐T testing in...
Simulating laminar neuroimaging data for a visual delayed match-to-sample task.

Abstract Invasive electrophysiological and neuroanatomical studies in nonhuman mammalian experimental preparations have helped elucidate the lamina (layer) dependence of neural computations and interregional connections. Noninvasive functional neuroimaging can, in principle, resolve cortical laminae (layers), and thus provide insight into human neural computations and interregional connections. However human neuroimaging data are noisy and difficult to interpret; biologically realistic simulations can aid experimental interpretation by relating the neuroimaging data to simulated neural activity. We illustrate the potential of laminar neuroimaging by upgrading an existing large-scale, multiregion neural model that simulates a visual delayed match-to-sample (DMS) task. The new laminar-based neural unit incorporates spiny stellate, pyramidal, and inhibitory neural populations which are divided among supragranular, granular, and infragranular laminae (layers). We simulated neural activity which is translated into local field potential-like data used to simulate conventional and laminar fMRI activity. We implemented the laminar connectivity schemes proposed by Felleman and Van Essen (Cerebral Cortex, 1991) for interregional connections. The hemodynamic model that we employ is a modified version of one due to Heinzle et al. (Neuroimage, 2016) that incorporates the effects of draining veins. We show that the laminar version of the model replicates the findings of the existing model. The laminar model shows the finer structure in fMRI activity and functional connectivity. Laminar differences in the magnitude of neural activities are a prominent finding; these are also visible in the simulated fMRI. We illustrate differences between task and control conditions in the fMRI signal, and demonstrate differences in interregional laminar functional connectivity that reflect the underlying connectivity scheme. These results indicate that multi-layer computational models can aid in interpreting layer-specific fMRI, and suggest that increased use of laminar fMRI could provide unique and fundamental insights to human neuroscience.
Langmuir-Blodgett Films of a Pyrrole and Ferrocene Mixed Surfactant System

The Langmuir-Blodgett technique was used to study the molecular organization of a mixed 3-hexadecyl pyrrole (3HDP) and ferrocene-derivatized pyrrole (Fc-Py) surfactant system. It has been determined that stable monolayer films of the mixed system could be formed at the air-water interface. The growth and assembly process led to polypyrrole 2-D lattices with heretofore unsurpassed order. In fact, the process of template polymerization, it appears, leads to a new crystal phase for the polypyrrole component of the thin film structure. Various monolayer and multilayer films were prepared on platinum-coated substrates for surface spectroscopic characterization. Near Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) studies revealed that highly ordered multilayer structures are being formed. Electrochemical studies have been initiated to determine the feasibility of these films in molecular electronic device applications.
The Nature of Automatic Computation

This chapter reviews the simplicity of the concepts involved in the design of a general purpose arithmetic digital computer. A computer cannot perform any mathematical or logical operation beyond the capability of a suitably trained human being. Its great utility is derived from the high speed capability of the electronic circuits used to perform arithmetic and logical operations and other functions. An important point to remember is that the function of performing arithmetic and logical operations comprises only part of a computing system. Another important function is the transfer of information from one locality to another. To increase the speed of a complete computational process, it is necessary to increase the speed of the transfer operations as well as that of the arithmetic operations. This implies the elimination of the human operator once the computation is begun, for he is the bottleneck. A method for solution of a given problem can be stated in terms of a relatively short program that lists all the elemental arithmetic, logical, and transfer operations that are to be performed in the course of solving a problem. The control unit of the computer causes the individual steps of a computation to be carried out as directed in the program. The computer can execute conditional transfer instructions. This permits the operations in a subsequent iterative section of a program to be initiated without human intervention upon the successful completion of a preceding iterative section of a program.
Resistance and Clinical Behavior Therapy

The concept of resistance rarely if ever arose in the early literature on behavior therapy. Most of the original descriptions of behavior therapy conveyed an underlying assumption that, apart from their presenting problems, clients were totally “rational” beings who readily complied with the intervention procedures set forth. As behavior therapists began applying their procedures to unselected cases and were confronted with a wide variety of complex clinical problems, it became strikingly evident that the simple application of the appropriate technique was not always successful. Although the therapist might have been clear about the determinants associated with any problem behaviors, and may also have felt confident that certain therapeutic techniques had a good chance of bringing about the needed change, the clarity of the clinician’s thinking was not always matched by the client’s desire or ability to comply with the intervention procedures. It has been in the face of such instances of therapeutic noncompliance that the topic of resistance has come to the fore in behavior therapy.
Hospital-acquired conditions after surgery for gynecologic cancer - An analysis of 82,304 patients.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the hospital-acquired condition (HAC) following oophorectomy and/or hysterectomy for gynecologic cancer patients based on clinical outcomes and costs. Materials and methods Data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2005 to 2011. Chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank sum two-sample tests and multivariate logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis. Results Of 82,304 women (median age: 60 years, range: 1–101), 49,386 (60.0%) had endometrial, 23,510 (28.6%) had ovarian, and 9408 (11.4%) had cervical cancers. Of 135 HAC events, these involved catheter-associated urinary tract infections (n = 47), vascular catheter-associated infection (n = 41), foreign object retained after surgery (n = 19), pressure ulcers (n = 16), manifestation of poor glycemic control (n = 10), and air embolism (n = 2). Older patients (≥60 years) experienced more HACs relative to younger (0.23% vs. 0.09%; OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.30–3.50; p = 0.003), and patients with Medicaid experienced more HACs compared to those with private insurance (0.35% vs. 0.10%; OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.70–5.62; p Conclusion The odds of hospital-acquired conditions were higher in older patients, open surgery, Medicaid insured with higher associated hospital charges.
St. Louis Encephalitis Virus Disease in the United States, 2003–2017

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), an arthropod-borne flavivirus, can cause disease presentations ranging from mild febrile illness through severe encephalitis. We reviewed U.S. national SLEV surveillance data for 2003 through 2017, including human disease cases and nonhuman infections. Over the 15-year period, 198 counties from 33 states and the District of Columbia reported SLEV activity; 94 (47%) of those counties reported SLEV activity only in nonhuman species. A total of 193 human cases of SLEV disease were reported, including 148 cases of neuroinvasive disease. A median of 10 cases were reported per year. The national average annual incidence of reported neuroinvasive disease cases was 0.03 per million. States with the highest average annual incidence of reported neuroinvasive disease cases were Arkansas, Arizona, and Mississippi. No large outbreaks occurred during the reporting period. The most commonly reported clinical syndromes were encephalitis (N = 116, 60%), febrile illness (N = 35, 18%), and meningitis (N = 25, 13%). Median age of cases was 57 years (range 2-89 years). The case fatality rate was 6% (11/193) and all deaths were among patients aged > 45 years with neuroinvasive disease. Nonhuman surveillance data indicated wider SLEV activity in California, Nevada, and Florida than the human data alone suggested. Prevention depends on community efforts to reduce mosquito populations and personal protective measures to decrease exposure to mosquitoes.
Form Finding and Evaluating Through Machine Learning: The Prediction of Personal Design Preference in Polyhedral Structures

3D Graphic Statics (3DGS) is a geometry-based structural design and analysis method, helping designers to generate 3D polyhedral forms by manipulating force diagrams with given boundary conditions. By subdividing 3D force diagrams with different rules, a variety of forms can be generated, resulting in more members with shorter lengths and richer overall complexity in forms. However, it is hard to evaluate the preference toward different forms from the aspect of aesthetics, especially for a specific architect with his own scene of beauty and taste of forms. Therefore, this article proposes a method to quantify the design preference of forms using machine learning and find the form with the highest score based on the result of the preference test from the architect. A dataset of forms was firstly generated, then the architect was asked to keep picking a favorite form from a set of forms several times in order to record the preference. After being trained with the test result, the neural network can evaluate a new inputted form with a score from 0 to 1, indicating the predicted preference of the architect, showing the possibility of using machine learning to quantitatively evaluate personal design taste.
The Krüppel-Like Factor 4 (KLF4) Modulates Survival and Tissue Distribution of Natural Killer Cells.

Abstract Abstract 282 Natural Killer (NK) cells are important mediators of the innate immune system that could be targeted therapeutically to treat hematologic malignancies and to prevent graft-versus-host disease. Hence, a better understanding of NK cell survival and tissue trafficking at steady state is vital to develop cell-based therapies. Genes that control proliferation are often involved in tissue distribution of lymphocytes, such as KLF2 in T cells. KLF4, another member of the Kruppel-like factor family, can activate and repress genes involved in diverse cellular processes. We recently reported that KLF4 is part of a novel inhibitory pathway that prevents proliferation of naive T cells during homeostasis and retain memory T cells in lymph nodes (Yamada et al., Nature Immunology, 2009). In this work, we studied the role of KLF4 in the development and maintenance of NK cells by deleting Klf4-floxed gene (fl/fl) using the Mx1-Cre system. The percentage of NK1.1+TCR- cells is significantly reduced in peripheral blood of Klf4-deficient (▪/▪) mice (fl/fl: 3.4±1.1 versus ▪/▪: 1.2±0.1, n=9) and also absolute numbers in spleen (▪/▪: 1.1±1.3 ×106, n=6) due to increased percentage of Annexin V positive cells (fl/fl: 9.2±3.2 versus ▪/▪: 22.9±15.5, n=15). The number of CD49d+TCR- cells was also significantly reduced in peripheral blood and spleen of Klf4-deficient mice. In contrast, the number of NK cells in bone marrow and lymph nodes of Klf4-deficient mice was similar to controls. Deletion of Klf4 gene led to reduced numbers of NK1.1+TCR-CD27+CD11b+ and NK1.1+TCR-CD27-CD11b+ cells, which correlated with increasing apoptosis of these subsets. Yet, the percentages of these NK cell subsets were normal in bone marrow ruling out a developmental defect in this tissue. Transplant of wild type and Klf4-deficient bone marrow cells into wild type mice suggested environmental rather than cell intrinsic defects. NK cells (NK1.1+TCR-) isolated from spleen of Klf4-deficient mice showed to be functional in a cytotoxicity assay using a mixture of differentially CFSE-labeled RMA-S (target) and EL4 (control). In summary, KLF4 plays a key role in the maintenance of mature NK cells in peripheral blood and spleen. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
An integration-free iPSC line SDQLCHi025-A from a girl with multiminicore disease carrying compound heterozygote mutations in RYR1 gene.

Abstract Peripheral blood mononuclear cells for reprogramming in this work were donated by a girl with clinically and genetically diagnosed multiminicore disease harboring compound heterozygote mutations of RYR1 gene. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were obtained by non-integrating episomal vectors containing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, BCL-XL and c-MYC. The iPSC line (SDQLCHi025-A) presented pluripotent cell morphology, high mRNA levels of pluripotency markers, differentiation potential in vitro, a normal karyotype, and carrying RYR1 gene mutations.
Flat-Smacked! Converting to Flat Eartherism

The Flat Earth movement appears to have emerged from a combination of Biblical literalism (e.g., young Earth creationism, geocentrism) and conspiracy theorizing (e.g., belief that NASA faked the mo...
Topical lambda-cyhalothrin in reducing eye oscillations in a canine model of infantile nystagmus syndrome.

Purpose: To determine the ocular and systemic safety of using topical Lambda-Cyhalothrin (LCL) in a canine model of infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS). The rationale for this proposal is based on a case study of a patient whose INS improved after inadvertent ocular exposure to a pyrethroid pesticide containing LCL. Methods: After in-vitro safety testing and IUCAC approval, we studied increasing concentrations of topical LCL drops (0.002% to 0.07%) in canines with a purposely bred defect in the RPE65 gene resulting in both retinal degeneration and INS. We collected data on ocular and systemic effects and performed eye-movement recordings (EMR). Results: At the 0.07% concentration dose of LCL, there was minimal, reversible, conjunctival hyperemia. There was no other ocular or systemic toxicity. At the 0.06% dose, there was a visible decrease in the INS and EMR showed a 153%–240% increase in the nystagmus acuity function and a 30%–70% decrease in amplitude across gaze. There was also a 40%–60% decrease in intraocular pressure while on the drop in both eyes. Conclusion: This animal study suggests this new pharmacological agent has potential for topical treatment of both INS and diseases with raised intraocular pressure. Further, this new treatment approach confirms the importance of extraocular muscle proprioception in ocular motor diseases and their treatment.
Bounds on Compactness for Low-Mass X-Ray Binary Neutron Stars from X-Ray Burst Oscillations

We have modeled X-ray burst oscillations observed with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer from two low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB): 4U 1636-53 with a frequency of 580 Hz and 4U 1728-34 at a frequency of 363 Hz. We have computed least-squares fits to the oscillations observed during the rising phase of bursts using a model that includes emission from either a single circular hot spot or a pair of circular antipodal hot spots on the surface of a neutron star. We model the spreading of the thermonuclear hot spots by assuming that the hot spot angular size grows linearly with time. We calculate the flux as a function of rotational phase from the hot spots and take into account photon deflection in the relativistic gravitational field of the neutron star, assuming the exterior spacetime is the Schwarzschild metric. We find acceptable fits with our model in a χ2 sense and use these to place constraints on the compactness of the neutron stars in these sources. For 4U 1636-53, in which detection of a 290 Hz subharmonic supports the two-spot model, we find that the compactness (i.e., mass/radius ratio) is constrained to be M/R < 0.163 at 90% confidence (G = c = 1). This requires a relatively stiff equation of state (EOS) for the stellar interior. For example, if the neutron star has a mass of 1.4 M☉, then its radius must be greater than 12.8 km. Fits using a single hot spot model are not as highly constraining. We discuss the implications of our findings for recent efforts to calculate the EOS of dense nucleon matter and the structure of neutron stars.
Ethnicity-based name partitioning for author name disambiguation using supervised machine learning.

Abstract In several author name disambiguation studies, some ethnic name groups such as East Asian names are reported to be more difficult to disambiguate than others. This implies that disambiguat...
STING condensates on ER limit IFN response

STING is a key player in the IFN response to cytosolic DNA, and its multimerization is commonly associated with activation of the pathway. A new study now shows that STING forms ‘puzzle’-like condensates to limit the IFN response and constrain antiviral immune activation.
Reconsidering Federal and State Obstacles to Human Trafficking Victim Status and Entitlements

Federal and state anti-trafficking laws describe the victim in the process of criminalizing the act of human trafficking. Nearly half of all states adopt the federal definition of victim, which requires proof of forced, defrauded or coerced labor, whereas the other half narrow this definition thereby limiting the number of victims qualifying for state victims services. Using this definition, victims must prove their status before they can access victim entitlements. Even when victims prove their status, they may be denied traditional crime victim benefits like restitution and Crime Victim Compensation funds. In this way, their victim status may be rendered meaningless.This article explores the obstacles placed before human trafficking victim status and its entitlements. It examines the justifications for these barriers. For example, governments have voiced concerns about the number of victims who have committed criminal acts in the course of their victimization and the challenges that come with offering extraordinary protections to this population, like criminal immunity and pathways to citizenship. The article suggests governments assess the differences between traditional crime victims and human trafficking victims, to parse benefits into categories of those traditionally offered and those specifically granted to trafficked persons, and to re-examine proof requirements, given the fact that actual victims do not resemble those imagined when the federal definition was drafted fifteen years ago. In the end, the article asks legislators to create victim-centered human trafficking legislation which thoughtfully re-considers the justifications of the proof requirement and the obstacles placed before crime victim entitlements.
Learning in Repeated Public Goods Games - A Meta Analysis

I examine the generalizability of a broad range of prominent learning models in explaining contribution patterns in repeated linear public goods games. Experimental data from twelve previously published papers are considered in testing several learning models in terms of how accurately they describe individuals’ round-by-round choices. The experimental data are split into 18 datasets. Each of these datasets is different from the remaining in at least one of the following aspects: the marginal per capita return, group size, matching protocol, number of rounds, and endowment that determines the number of stage game strategies. Both ex-post descriptive fit of learning models and their ex-ante predictive accuracy are examined. The following learning models are included in the study: reinforcement learning, normalized reinforcement learning, reinforcement average model with loss aversion strategy (REL), stochastic fictitious play, normalized stochastic fictitious play, experience weighted attraction learning (EWA), self-tuning EWA, and Impulse matching learning. REL outperforms all other learning models in both within dataset descriptive fit and out-of-sample dataset predictive accuracy. While all the learning models out-perform the random choice benchmark, only REL performs at least as well as the model that reflects dataset level overall empirical frequencies. The results suggest that learning in repeated linear public goods games is more in line with reinforcement learning than that of belief learning or regret-based learning. Finally, REL also outperforms individual evolutionary learning (IEL) in predicting the full distribution of contributions. Average reinforcement learning that is sensitive to the observed payoff variability and insensitive to the payoff magnitude underlie the success of REL in explaining contributions in repeated public goods games over a broad spectrum of game parameters.
SARS-CoV-2 human T cell epitopes: Adaptive immune response against COVID-19.

Over the past year, numerous studies in the peer reviewed and preprint literature have reported on the virological, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. To date, 25 studies have investigated and identified SARS-CoV-2-derived T cell epitopes in humans. Here, we review these recent studies, how they were performed, and their findings. We review how epitopes identified throughout the SARS-CoV2 proteome reveal significant correlation between number of epitopes defined and size of the antigen provenance. We also report additional analysis of SARS-CoV-2 human CD4 and CD8 T cell epitope data compiled from these studies, identifying 1,400 different reported SARS-CoV-2 epitopes and revealing discrete immunodominant regions of the virus and epitopes that are more prevalently recognized. This remarkable breadth of epitope repertoire has implications for vaccine design, cross-reactivity, and immune escape by SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The clinical utility of inpatient MRI following an abdominopelvic CT.

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield of abdomen magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the inpatient setting following a computed tomography (CT). All inpatient abdominopelvic MRIs performed on patients for a 1-year period were identified and medical records were retrospectively reviewed for the following information. Only MRIs with a preceding CT were included in the study. A total of 221 MRIs were included. Forty exams were deemed technically inadequate due to motion, while 9 more patients did not tolerate a full examination. The most common indications were focal liver lesion (n = 101), pancreaticobiliary ductal dilatation (n = 39), abnormal liver function tests (n = 26), acute pancreatitis (n = 14), abdominal pain (n = 10), and fever/sepsis (n = 10). 83 MRIs were recommended on CT and 138 were requests from the care team. In 63 cases, MRI offered new information over CT. Thirty-two MRIs recommended by radiologists affected patient management, while only 31 MRIs recommended by the care team affected management. Of these 63 MRIs, 29 cases changed immediate inpatient management, requiring further intervention. In these cases, MRI identified abscesses, choledocholithiasis, or made other diagnoses such as cholecystitis, which were not diagnosed on CT. Patient LOS increased in 24 patients in order to receive an MRI. Average costs of outpatient CTs and MRIs are typically 20% less than inpatient costs. Inpatient abdomen MRIs have limited impact on patient care following a CECT and entail higher cost, utilize more resources, scanner time, and increase patient LOS. Therefore, it should be reserved for select clinical indications.
DEM Super-Resolution with EfficientNetV2.

Efficient climate change monitoring and modeling rely on high-quality geospatial and environmental datasets. Due to limitations in technical capabilities or resources, the acquisition of high-quality data for many environmental disciplines is costly. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) datasets are such examples whereas their low-resolution versions are widely available, high-resolution ones are scarce. In an effort to rectify this problem, we propose and assess an EfficientNetV2 based model. The proposed model increases the spatial resolution of DEMs up to 16times without additional information.
Two-degree-of-freedom damping control of driveline oscillations caused by pedal tip-in maneuver

Driveline oscillations caused by pedal tip-in maneuvers are uncomfortable for the passenger and stressing for the mechanical parts of the powertrain. In a drive-bywire vehicle, the engine torque can be used as a control input signal to reduce driveline oscillations. Approaches based on feedback control alone are often insufficient to provide tracking performance in the presence of measurement delays. We design a feedforward controller using differential flatness that complements the feedback controller to improve tracking performance. For generality, our proposed feedforward control design is for an n-th order powertrain model. We show that the phase difference between the last two inertias is a flat output when the powertrain is undamped. Using this flat output, we design a feedforward control law to prevent oscillation during pedal tip-in. Simulation results show the improved tracking performance of our proposed approach in comparison to a feedback controller with a static prefilter.
Blood transfusion transmission of the tick‐borne relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in mice

Background Borrelia miyamotoi, a recently discovered relapsing fever spirochete, occurs in hard-bodied ticks wherever Lyme disease is endemic. Human infection is associated with relapsing fever and can cause meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. A few cases of transfusion transmission of other relapsing fever spirochete species have been reported but none for B. miyamotoi. Our objective was to determine whether B. miyamotoi transfusion transmission could occur in a murine transfusion model. Herein, we report transfusion transmission of B. miyamotoi through fresh or stored red blood cells (RBCs) in a mouse model. Study Design and Methods Inbred mice were transfused with B. miyamotoi–infected murine blood that was either freshly collected or stored for 7 days before transfusion. Recipient blood was then longitudinally examined after transfusion by smear and wet mount for evidence of spirochetemia. Results Motile spirochetes were observed in immunocompromised (SCID) mouse recipients for 28 days after transfusion of both fresh and stored murine B. miyamotoi–infected RBCs. Transient spirochetemia was observed in immunocompetent DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mice, with spirochete clearance occurring within 5 days after transfusion. Conclusion These data demonstrate that transfusion transmission of B. miyamotoi can occur in mice and suggest that it also may occur in humans.
Unruly Complexity: Ecology, Interpretation, Engagement

Ambitiously identifying fresh issues in the study of complex systems, Peter J. Taylor, in a model of interdisciplinary exploration, makes these concerns accessible to scholars in the fields of ecology, environmental science, and science studies. Unruly Complexity explores concepts used to deal with complexity in three realms: ecology and socio-environmental change; the collective constitution of knowledge; and interpretations of science as they influence subsequent research. For each realm Taylor shows that unruly complexity - situations that lack definite boundaries, where what goes on "outside" continually restructures what is "inside," and where diverse processes come together to produce change - should not be suppressed by partitioning complexity into well-bounded systems that can be studied or managed from an outside vantage point. Using case studies from Australia, North America, and Africa, he encourages readers to be troubled by conventional boundaries - especially between science and the interpretation of science - and to reflect more self-consciously on the conceptual and practical choices researchers make.
Climate targets: Values and uncertainty

Policymakers know that the risks associated with climate change mean they need to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. But uncertainty surrounding the likelihood of different scenarios makes choosing specific policies difficult.
Heterosexuals' attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: Correlates and gender differences

This paper discusses the basis for differences among heterosexuals in their reactions to gay people, with special emphasis on the issue of gender differences. Three studies conducted with students at six different universities revealed a consistent tendency for heterosexual males to express more hostile attitudes than heterosexual females, especially toward gay men. The same social psychological variables appear to underlie both males’ and females’ attitudes toward both gay men and lesbians: religiosity, adherence to traditional ideologies of family and gender, perception of friends’ agreement with one's own attitudes, and past interactions with lesbians and gay men. The role of these variables in shaping attitudes is discussed and areas for future research are proposed. Construction and validation of the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) scale are also described.
Sexual risk reduction behaviors among young heterosexual adults.

Although young, sexually-active heterosexuals have always been at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, the recent appearance of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has increased the possible peril of sexual experimentation. Currently, behaviors to reduce the risk of contracting AIDS are being widely advocated. The present study examines predictors of self-reported risk reduction behaviors in a sample of 188 young, sexually-active heterosexuals. Three factors (perceptions of personal vulnerability, sexual behavior history, and homophobia) were hypothesized to predict levels of worry about contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Worry, in turn, was hypothesized to predict behavior change. Structural equation modeling provided support for these predictions, but found somewhat different patterns for women and men. For both sexes, higher levels of worry were a significant predictor of risk reduction behavior implementation. For women only, more extensive sexual behavior histories significantly predicted levels of worry. In contrast, for men only, perceptions of personal vulnerability and homophobia were significant predictors of worry. Results suggest that gender plays an important role in understanding cognitive predictors of sexual risk reduction behaviors.
A Dynamic Photovoltaic Model Incorporating Capacitive and Reverse-Bias Characteristics

Photovoltaics (PVs) are typically modeled only for their forward-biased dc characteristics, as in the commonly used single-diode model. While this approach accurately models the I-V curve under steady forward bias, it lacks dynamic and reverse-bias characteristics. The dynamic characteristics, primarily parallel capacitance and series inductance, affect operation when a PV cell or string interacts with switching converters or experiences sudden transients. Reverse-bias characteristics are often ignored because PV devices are not intended to operate in the reverse-biased region. However, when partial shading occurs on a string of PVs, the shaded cell can become reverse biased and develop into a hot spot that permanently degrades the cell. To fully examine PV behavior under hot spots and various other faults, reverse-bias characteristics must also be modeled. This study develops a comprehensive mathematical PV model based on circuit components that accounts for forward bias, reverse bias, and dynamic characteristics. Using a series of three experimental tests on an unilluminated PV cell, all required model parameters are determined. The model is implemented in MATLAB Simulink and accurately models the measured data.
Schwann cells: Dynamic roles at the neuromuscular junction

Abstract Recent work shows that the non-myelinating ‘terminal' Schwann cells that cap neuromuscular junctions play an important role in synaptic maintenance and repair.
Dublin and its vicinity in 1797

This paper presents an hitherto unnoticed travel journal, describing Dublin and its vicinity in the summer and autumn of 1797. Its anonymous author, P.S., had a keen eye for architecture and describes many public buildings in the metropolis, such as the newly built Custom House and the Four Courts. In and outside of the city, he gives an account of private mansions, such as Leinster House, Charlemont House, Castletown House, Carton, and Lord Charlemont's Casino at Marino. The travel journal also focuses on landscape scenery and presents descriptions of demesnes, waterfalls and garden cottages and temples, many features of which have been since lost.
ELECTRICAL TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBE BUNDLES TREATED WITH BORIC ACID

Electric-arc-synthesized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles were sonicated in boric acid, dried and sintered under vacuum at 1200°C using a spark plasma sintering process. The nominal boric acid concentrations were 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 12.5% and 15%. This resulted in a nonmonotonic variation of carrier concentration in the resulting samples. The 7.5% boric acid treated sample showed the least magnitude and weakest temperature-dependence for the thermopower with a distinct phonon-drag peak that was absent in the other samples. These results are discussed within the framework of the doping-induced shift of the Fermi level and changes in the electron–phonon coupling.
Product definition of pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary glands

Thirteen cases of pleomorphic adenoma were studied by both immunohistochemical and other histochemical methods. The exocrine cells and myoepithelial cells appear to produce similar cell products as their normal salivary gland counterparts. Keratin was found in both exocrine cells and myoepithelial cells. CEA, secretory component, and lactoferrin were detected only in the tumor exocrine cells with adenoid differentiation. S-100 protein, ferritin, fibronectin, laminin and elastin were detected only in the myoepithelial cells. The residual sugars glucosyl, mannosyl, galactosyl and fucosyl were identified in both cell types, in variably detectable amounts.
A methodology for test selection

Software creation requires not only testing during the development cycle by the development staff, but also independent testing following the completion of the implementation. However in the latter case, the amount of testing that can be carried out is often limited by time and resources. At the very most, independent testing can be expected to provide 100% test coverage of the test requirements (or specifications) associated with the software element with the minimum of effort. This paper describes a methodology employing integer programming by which the amount of testing required to provide the maximum possible test coverage of the test requirements (for the given test set) is assured while at the same time minimizing the total number of tests to be included in a test suite. A collateral procedure provides recommendations on which tests might be eliminated if less than 100% test coverage of the test requirements is permitted. This latter procedure will be useful in determining the risk of not running the minimum set of tests for 100% test coverage. A third process selects from the test matrix the set of tests to be applied to the system following maintenance modification of any test requirements-- that is, to provide a submatrix for regression testing. The potential benefits for applying the integer programming technique in test data selection is also discussed.
Coronal Expansion and Particle Propagation through the Planetary Space

This paper has been published as "Coronal Expansion and Solar Corpuscular Radiation," Planetary and Space Science, Vol. 12, pp. 451-461, 1964 (Pergamon Press). Significant information about the corpuscular radiation from the sun was deduced from studies of the aurora, magnetic storm phenomena, variation of intensity of galactic cosmic rays, etc. before satellite observations were available. In the '40's and '50's for example, it was established that the steady outward corpuscular flux, rather than radiation pressure, pushed the gaseous tails of comets away from the sun. From the direction of the tail and velocity of the comet, the velocity of the protons was qualitatively estimated. Direct measurements near the earth's orbit show a velocity of 300-600 km/sec and a density of 2-20 protons/cm3 . It now appears that the temperature of the sun is high enough so that an appreciable fraction of the protons escape from the gravitational field and continue travelling outward at supersonic velocities, ultimately being slowed down by collisions in interstellar space. Of great importance are the thermal conductivity of the corona and the electrical conductivity of the expanding plasma. Due to the latter condition, expansion of the solar corona pulls with it the general solar magnetic field, the magnetic lines are pulled out by the expanding plasma. Measurements of proton density, velocity and the sun's magnetic field as a function of solar activity give additional information on the source and behavior of the solar wind. (W.A.H.)
A comparison of the growth performance and blood composition of twin and singleton calves

1. The growth rate, feed-conversion ratio and blood composition of 14 twin calves were compared with those of 14 contemporary singletons. 2. The growth rate and feed-conversion ratio from weaning to 3 months were similar for twin and singleton calves. 3. The twin calves weighed significantly less at birth, weaning and 3 months of age but differences in weight were not significant at 1 year of age. 4. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) and the mean concentrations of blood glucose and haemoglobin, serum albumin, urea nitrogen, calcium, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron and total iron binding capacity, at 11, 12 and 13 weeks of age were similar in the two groups. Concentrations of globulin were significantly lower in the serum of twin calves than those in the serum of singletons. 5. There was significantly less variation between twin calves than among offspring from different dams for PCV and concentrations of blood haemoglobin and serum potassium and calcium. 6. The results did not reveal any overall disadvantage in twins as compared with singletons.