cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of modest improvements in pellet quality and experiment pen size on broiler chicken performance

SUMMARY Improving the crumble/pellet percentage of feed has been argued to be difficult to obtain in the commercial industry due to the necessity of feed mills producing adequate feed volume within a time constraint. Broiler performance research often utilizes small numbers of birds per pen or experimental unit that may affect the estimation of variance components, potentially producing pen performance metrics that are less valuable for industry guidance. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of straight run Hubbard × Cobb broiler chickens receiving a standard crumble/pellet percentage (50%) vs a modestly improved crumble/pellet percentage (70%), in either large pen (46 birds) or small pen (23 birds) experimental units. All diets were batched, mixed, steam conditioned to approximately 82°C, extruded through a 4.8 × 38.1 mm pellet die, and crumbled at the West Virginia University pilot feed mill. Crumble/pellet percentage differences were obtained by grinding a portion of the complete feed then remixing. Treatments were replicated 10 times and fed for 1 to 38 d using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design to measure growth performance. Bird density and feeder space access was 0.06 m2/bird and 1.2 cm/bird, respectfully for both experimental units. Crumble/pellet percentage and pen size main effects did not interact for any growth performance metric. Broilers consuming improved crumble/pellet percentage had a tendency towards decreased feed intake (P = 0.07) and feed conversion ratio by 3 points (P = 0.1), but maintained a similar weight gain (P = 0.3). Large pens decreased live weight gain (P = 0.03). Improved crumble/pellet percentage increased pen coefficient of variation for ending weight (P = 0.05), likely due to competitive feeding behavior. These data suggest that modest improvements in crumble/pellet percentage may provide performance benefits, and feed quality variation effects on growth performance can be satisfactorily evaluated utilizing a small pen experimental unit.
Dating Behaviors of Women with Physical Disabilities

According to societal stereotypes, women with physical disabilities are asexual and therefore do not date. Another stereotype, and a fear of many women with disabilities, is that no one will want to date them because they have a disability. Consequently, little is known about their dating behaviors. Qualitative research methods were used to code and analyze 31 in-depth interviews of women with a variety of disabling conditions. Themes emerging from their stories indicated that the timing of onset of disability, and the response to disability of family, friends, and society in general, were critical in establishing patterns of dating behavior for women with physical disabilities.
On the Ecology of a Smoke Fly, Microsania imperfecta

Microsania imperfecta (Loew) (Diptera: Platypezidae) was observed to exhibit a positive response to a stimulus of smoke. Smoke appears to affect mating behavior, serving as a mating swarm marker. Higher populations occurred during winter than in summer. Swarms of males and mating pairs were observed during October and the cool spring months.
A Micro Helico-Kinematic Platform via Spherical Crank Sliders

A novel surface micromachined mechanism, the Micro Helico-Kinematic Platform (MHKP), is presented. The MHKP achieves a combination of vertical out-of-plane translation and in-plane rotation (helical motion) of a platform with an in-plane rotational input. The motion achieved requires specialized analysis techniques in spherical kinematics and introduces the micro spherical crank-slider. Spherical kinematic concepts are reviewed to aid in describing the motion and conveying the scope of the device’s design freedom. The force and displacement relations for the mechanism are derived using virtual work techniques. A surface micromachined prototype was fabricated and tested. Testing indicates that the sliding interface between the spherical crank sliders and the platform results in some stick-slip friction and that the mechanism is able to achieve its full range of motion. The vertical motion of the platform can be advantageous in micro manipulation applications such as the positioning of micro-optical components.© 2004 ASME
Characterizing Dynamic Flow Conditions on Oscillating Airfoils

The proper characterization of pitching airfoils, for such applications as rotorcraft and wind turbine blade aerodynamics, often requires quantification of both the surface pressure and flow field. Dynamic surface pressure distributions were measured by a remotely mounted scanning pressure transducer, and corrected for pneumatic distortion using the Weiner deconvolution method. The pressure distributions were coupled to flow field measurements from a conventional PIV system taken at the same angle of attack. The deconvolution results in pressure and lift coefficients that demonstrate high frequency content not present without the correction. The coupling of the measurement techniques allows for identification of processes often not evident from either measurement alone. These results suggest that, when appropriately implemented, pitching airfoils can be characterized without high speed pressure and flow field measurements, and that these characterizations could be used for formulation of aerodynamic performance curves as well validation of computational models.
New Thienothiadiazole-Based Conjugated Copolymers for Electronics and Optoelectronics

Four new donor–acceptor conjugated copolymers incorporating thieno[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazole as the acceptor moiety and various electron donor moieties were synthesized and their electronic structures and properties were investigated. The new thienothiadiazole copolymers obtained by Stille coupling polymerizations had weight-average molecular weights of 10–46 kDa. Their broad absorption bands and optical band gaps of 0.9–1.2 eV demonstrate strong intramolecular charge transfer and potential for extending light harvesting deep into the near-infrared. The HOMO/LUMO energy levels were 4.9–5.1/3.4–3.6 eV (below vacuum). As p-channel semiconductors in field-effect transistors, the thienothiadiazole copolymers had a carrier mobility of up to 4.6 × 10–3 cm2/(Vs). Bulk heterojunction solar cells made from blends of the thienothiadiazole copolymers with fullerenes gave a photovoltaic efficiency of 0.4%.
The Influence of Time of Dietary Calcium Intake on Shell Quality

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of time of dietary calcium intake on shell quality. Hens in Experiments 1 to 3 were fed one or more diets containing the following calcium levels: 3.4% (daily); 6.4 and .4% (on consecutive days, in a 2-day feeding cycle); and 9.4, .4, .4% (on consecutive days, in a 3-day feeding cycle) such that each group received essentially 3.4% calcium over a 1-, 2-, or 3-day period, respectively. In Experiment 2, hens were also fed a 3.4 and .4% calcium diet on consecutive days in a 2-day feeding cycle. Three treatment groups were used in Experiment 4; the control group was fed a 3.4% calcium diet from 6 am to 8 pm; the other two groups were fed a .4% calcium diet over the same time period except that they were dosed with 3.0 g calcium at 8 am or 4 pm daily. Hens receiving diets containing an average of 3.4% calcium or approximately 3.4 g calcium per day over 2- or 3-day periods could not maintain shell weight, egg specific gravity, or serum calcium at levels comparable to that of control hens fed 3.4 g calcium daily. Hens fed the calcium-deficient diet also tended to overconsume feed when compared to controls. Hens dosed with 3.0 g calcium at 8 am consumed significantly less feed and had significantly lower shell weight and egg specific gravity than control hens, whereas dosing hens with 3.0 g calcium at 4 pm had no significant adverse effect on feed consumption or shell weight. It was concluded that time of dietary calcium intake had a significant effect on the ability of the hen to maintain shell quality.
Development of the phytophagous arthropod community on apple as affected by orchard management

The phytophagous arthropod community in three apple orchards was sampled for the first 5 yr (1984–1988) after planting. One orchard was unmanaged, one was partially managed with pruning and weed control, and one was under full commercial management. For the first 2 yr there were no significant differences in arthropod diversity among the three orchards. In the third and subsequent years, diversity, as measured by species richness and Williams' index, was significantly lower in the commercially managed orchard than in the two reduced management orchards. In the fifth year, the commercially managed orchard had the most uneven distribution of species abundances and the partially managed orchard the most even. Within-year evenness values were more variable in the commercially managed orchard than in either of the reduced management orchards. Mean annual diversity in both reduced management orchards increased in the first 4 yr of community development and remained constant in the fifth year. In the commercially managed orchard, diversity increased in the second year, then declined and remained low. Within each year, diversity generally peaked in all orchards in middle to late summer. There were subtle differences between communities in the unmanaged and partially managed orchards. In the partially managed orchard, trees were larger and more vigorous than trees in the unmanaged orchard. The community in this orchard was dominated by species that were able to exploit the abundant succulent branch terminals, such as aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Lyonetia speculella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae).
Implementation of Improved WENO Scheme to Higher Dimensions in Relation to Shock-Turbulence Interaction

In the previous efforts, the capability of the WENO scheme of Jiang and Shu was increased by decreasing its numerical diffusion so that it performs better for shockturbulence applications. The WENO scheme after modifications was applied to scalar and vector equations in one dimension and found the results quite promising. In the present effort, continuing in the same spirit, the scheme is extended to two dimensions. The WENO scheme due to Jiang and Shu and its modified version are investigated and implemented to the system of Euler equations in two dimensions. Both versions of order five with consistent and conservative non-monotone or monotone flux method are used to discretize the spatial derivatives in both directions. The numerical flux at the cell interface in each direction is achieved by the one dimensional WENO reconstruction by keeping the variation in the other direction fixed. The system of equations is solved by characteristic field decomposition. The time integration is performed by the optimal third-order TVD Runge-Kutta scheme. The results of several crucial bench-mark problems in relation to applications which require low dissipation of the numerical schemes are produced and discussed.
Advance in oral anticoagulant

The coagulation responce is a common physiological process in human.Any inhibition of the coagulation pathway will give rise to anticoagulation.Oral anticoagulants take effect by inhibiting the pathway of coagulation.The traditional oral anticoagulant used commonly in clinic is warfarin,which is used restrictedly because of the dosing complexity,adverse reactions and the drug-drug interactions.Therefore there is an urgent need for new oral anticoagulant that deed not monitor closely and can be taken conveniently.The paper reviewed the development of oral anticoagulants by the documents at home and abroad.
Forensic Medicine: Impartial Medical Testimony, Part 2

In part 1 of this discussion, which appeared in this department last month, the need for impartial medical testimony was discussed from the viewpoint of the physician, the insurance carrier and the industrialist. Several states have instituted plans to improve the role of the medical witness and to expedite the outcome of personal injury cases. The following outlines of two of these plans were presented at the Conference on Costs of Personal Injuries, sponsored by the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry and the Medical Directors Club in Chicago.
Legitimacy, boundary objects & participation in transnational DIY biology

Prior research has stipulated that DIY making appeals to many of the concerns central to participatory design: democratization of technology production, individual empowerment and inclusivity. In this paper, we take this stipulation as the starting point of our inquiry, exploring how it happened that making came to be seen as enabler of participatory values and practices. We draw from ethnographic research that followed a transnational collaboration between DIY biologists, scientists, makers, and artists from Indonesia, Europe and India. The paper focuses on the production of three artifacts, tracing their enactment as boundary objects and experimentation in DIY biology. The artifacts did not only help legitimize DIYbio, but also positioned Indonesia itself as a legitimate participant in international networks of knowledge production. The paper contributes to prior research that has challenged stable frames like West/the rest. It draws out a positionality for PD that opens up making by recognizing its multiplicity crucial to the making of alternative and never stable futures.
Schooling and Achievement: Additive versus Interactive Models

By examining the effects of classroom instruction on student achievement, this paper contributes to the growing literature on the effects of schooling. The paper compares two models of the connection between teaching and learning. One is an additive model, in which instruction is viewed as the technological process that produces achievement. According to this view, the greater the quantity and quality of instruction, the more students learn. The other approach suggests an interactive model, in which opportunities for learning do not raise achievement per se, but increase the benefits of having better skills to begin with and exerting greater effort. Both perspectives call for multilevel modeling but until now have only been examined with single-level methods. Two data sources are used to compare the additive and interactive models: a nation-wide U.S. sample of 218 eighth grade math classes, and a midwestem U.S. sample of 58 eighth grade English classes. The results provide strong support for the additive model and mixed support for the interactive model.
Miscellaneous Tumors and Tumor-Like Proliferations of the Lung

This chapter discusses endometriosis, tumors, and tumorlike conditions putatively derived from ectopic tissues in the lung. These include thymomas, melanomas, bronchial nevi, meningothelial-like bodies, meningiomas, ependymomas, germ cell tumors (teratomas and choriocarcinomas), and synovial sarcomas. In addition, this chapter discusses other miscellaneous tumors and tumor-like proliferations of the lung such as sclerosing hemangiomas, alveolar and papillary adenomas, inflammatory bronchial polyps, clear cell (sugar) tumors/PEComas, granular cell tumors, paragangliomas and uncommon surface neoplasms of the airways.
Interior and sparse-view image reconstruction using a mixed region and voxel based ML-EM algorithm

We propose a new interior region-of-interest (ROI) image reconstruction method for emission tomography. The additional information to make the interior problem uniquely solvable is that a specific region inside the interior ROI is known to have uniform intensity level, but the constant level is unknown. The uniqueness of solution in this situation is analyzed by combining two existing approaches, namely (1) when the full knowledge of a small region inside the interior ROI is known, and (2) when the complete interior ROI is piecewise constant. The image reconstruction is provided by a mixed region and voxel based Poisson likelihood ML-EM algorithm that takes care of the photon statistics and the uniform attenuation effect in emission tomography. This algorithm reconstructs the unknown constant (region-model) and the rest of the interior ROI (voxel-model) simultaneously. The uniqueness result assumes that all line integrals through the interior ROI are acquired. When only a finite number of projection views are available, the mixed region and voxel based ML-EM algorithm can also reduce image artifacts from sparse-view and interior data acquisition in stationary multipinhole SPECT.
Workshop on Tracking Quality of Experience in the Internet: Summary and Outcomes

This is a report on the Workshop on Tracking Quality of Experience in the Internet, held at Princeton, October 21--22, 2015, jointly sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Federal Communication Commission. The term Quality of Experience (QoE) describes a user's subjective assessment of their experience when using a particular application. In the past, network engineers have typically focused on Quality of Service (QoS): performance metrics such as throughput, delay and jitter, packet loss, and the like. Yet, performance as measured by QoS parameters only matters if it affects the experience of users, as they attempt to use a particular application. Ultimately, the user's experience is determined by QoE impairments (e.g., rebuffering). Although QoE and QoS are related---for example, a video rebuffering event may be caused by high packet-loss rate---QoE metrics ultimately affect a user's experience. Identifying the causes of QoE impairments is complex, since the impairments may arise in one or another region of the network, in the home network, on the user's device, in servers that are part of the application, or in supporting services such as the DNS. Additionally, metrics for QoE continue to evolve, as do the methods for relating QoE impairments to underlying causes that could be measurable using standard network measurement techniques. Finally, as the capabilities of the underlying network infrastructure continues to evolve, researchers should also consider how to design infrastructure and tools can best support measurements that can better identify the locations and causes of QoE impairments. The workshop's aim was to understand the current state of QoE research and to contemplate a community agenda to integrate ongoing threads of QoE research into a collaboration. This summary report describes the topics discussed and summarize the key points of the discussion. Materials related to the workshop are available at http://aqualab.cs.northwestern.edu/NSFWorkshop-InternetQoE.
The dye-sensitized photooxidation of imidazoles: Trapping of intermediates by nucleophiles

Abstract The reactions of a series of imidazoles with singlet oxygen have been investigated. While there is evidence that 2,5-endoperoxides or zwitterionic intermediates may be initially formed, the isolated products appear to arise from the decomposition of hydroperoxides or dioxetanes. Nucleophiles such as methanol and diphenyl sulfide serve to intercept unstable intermediates. Based on the photooxidation of model 5-substituted imidazoles, a rationale is presented for the destruction of histidine residues by two equivalents of oxygen in the “photodynamic” process.
A continuum damage and discrete crack-based approach for fatigue response and residual strength prediction of notched laminated composites

This paper presents a combined continuum damage and discrete crack (CDDC) modelling approach for fatigue damage characterization and post-fatigue residual strength prediction of laminated composite components with a hole. In order to capture both the fatigue cycle-driven material degradation and discrete damage-induced stress concentration and redistribution, an overlapped element approach is developed based on a combined user-defined material (UMAT) and user-defined element (UEL). An Abaqus element coupled with UMAT for fatigue damage characterization is used to detect the location of failure initiation, while the discrete crack network-based (DCN) UEL is applied to insert a crack without remeshing. The intensified stress field induced by the newly inserted matrix crack is used for the evaluation of failure initiation and stiffness degradation. The UMAT for the fatigue analysis has incorporated the stress-cycle (S-N) curves for the damage evolution characterization associated with matrix and fiber based ...
Patterns of Coarse Woody Debris in Hardwood Forests across a Chronosequence of Ash Mortality Due to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

ABSTRACT: The invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) is causing widespread ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality in 25 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. We investigated the impact of EAB on coarse woody debris (CWD) volume across 24 sites in western and central Ohio, USA, representing a chronosequence of ash mortality, quantified by the year ash mortality reached 25% (Year25%Dead). CWD volume averaged 60.36 m3/ha, and was positively associated with total (live plus dead) ash basal area (BA), but was not greater in sites where ash death occurred earlier. For the volume of CWD in the first, least-rotted, decay class, stepwise regression revealed that both ash BA and Year25%Dead were significant predictors; sites with more ash BA and where ash mortality had occurred earlier had more class 1 CWD. Additionally, class 1 CWD in those early mortality sites was primarily (87%) ash, compared to 40% ash in sites with more recent ash mortality. This large influx of CWD, particularly ash CWD, combined wi...
Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches. By Marcia A. Zug. New York: New York University Press, 2016.

Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches. By Marcia A. Zug. New York: New York University Press, 2016.A book title with the phrase "buying a bride" implies that men still purchase women, as if the latter were commodities. Buying a Bride challenges this conventional wisdom by explaining why marriage, for immigration purposes, has always been contingent upon multiple factors far beyond the control of the participants. In doing so, this book articulates the logic of such marriage, particularly from the standpoint of a female marital immigrant, who believes that she has more to gain than lose from entering such a legal relationship.Buying a Bride is about why popular attitudes toward the practice, ranging from extremely positive to extremely negative, and our laws and policies towards it, have changed over time. Marcia Zug organizes her narrative to reflect the fact that initially, mail order brides were not looked down upon the way that they too often are today. From the very beginning, such women were not passive. Rather, they used such marriage to improve their lives, despite the uncertainty of moving to a new land and the risks of marrying a stranger. In describing different cases in considerable detail, the author focuses on something that has been neglected: the benefits of being a female marital immigrant. In the Jamestown Colony, such brides could escape the tyranny of coverture in England (p. 23). Around the same time, in other colonies, they had more wealth and power than women in England (p. 28). For others, marital immigration enabled them to leave an unhappy marriage when divorce was not an option (p. 39). In a marriage market characterized by a low supply and high demand for female marital immigrants, women had considerably more bargaining power and used it to their advantage. Some of the women who left France for Quebec to marry decided to remain single after their arrival (p. 42). Much later, California induced women from the East Coast to come West by liberalizing its property and divorce laws (p. 80).The first Part of the book, then, is told as a story of female empowerment. Mail order brides used the opportunity as a means of enhancing their freedom and equality in a male-dominated world. The second Part of the book reveals how public opinion turned against the practice, not out of concern for the well-being of the women, but primarily as a consequence of racist beliefs about the dangers of miscegenation. Early on, as part of their colonization schemes in North America, Great Britain and France recruited women to address the so-called gender imbalance. However, the gender imbalance was an imbalance of too many white male settlers and too few white women, not an imbalance between men and women per se, given the presence of Indigenous women. …
What Price the Information Age: A Model for Fair Payment for the Use of Information

As the flow of information becomes more intensive as well as more important to production and work in general, its economic properties come under closer scrutiny. Although produced, traded, and used like other commodities, information differs in significant respects from most goods. The development of more flexible man-machine interfaces heightens the relevance of questions such as what is being purchased, how is its value determined, how can it be priced, which are discussed in this paper in some detail.
Some DNA Is Born Great, Some Never Achieves Its Greatness, and Some Has Its Greatness Poisoned before It Can Be Recognized

The common male fruit fly, an insect with the formidable scientific name of Drosophila melanogaster, is a sexual stud.
The Use of Mucosal Biopsy Markers to Predict Colon Cancer Risk

Studies to date indicate that markers of epithelial proliferation measured by tritiated thymidine or bromodeoxyuridine incorporation may be sensitive indicators of increased risk for hereditary and sporadic colonic neoplasia. In addition, several glycoconjugate antigens, cytostructural alterations, and abnormalities of DNA content and methylation have potential for identifying high-risk mucosa. Studies may show mucosal biopsy markers effective in identifying populations for whom intensive screening and chemopreventive measures can be initiated.
Little Cigars, Filtered Cigars, and their Carbonyl Delivery Relative to Cigarettes.

Introduction Little cigars and filtered cigars are currently growing in popularity due to their low cost and wide variety of flavors while retaining an appearance similar to cigarettes. Given the health consequences associated with cigarette use, it is important to understand the potential harm associated with these similar products. This includes the potential harm associated with carbonyls (eg, acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, etc.), an important class of toxicants and carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Our objective was to determine the carbonyl levels in mainstream smoke from little and filtered cigars compared to cigarettes. Methods We examined two brands each of little cigars and filtered cigars, as well as two research cigarettes for carbonyl delivery using the International Organization of Standards (ISO) and the Health Canada Intense (HCI) machine-smoking protocols. Results On a per puff basis, the levels of five of the seven carbonyls were higher from little cigars than filtered cigars and cigarettes (ISO: 56-116%; HCI: 39-85%; p < .05). On a per unit basis, most carbonyl levels were higher from both cigar types than cigarettes using the ISO method (ISO: 51-313%; p < .05) whereas only filtered cigars were higher using the HCI method (HCI: 53-99%; p < .05). Conclusion These findings suggest that cigar smokers can be exposed to higher levels of carbonyls per cigar than cigarette smokers per cigarette. Implications These data will increase our understanding of the relative harm from carbonyl exposure from little and filtered cigars both for cigar-only smokers and the cumulative harm among the growing population of cigarette-cigar multi-product smokers.
Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect

Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect, Fourth Edition stands alone among screenwriting books by emphasizing that human connection, though often overlooked, is as essential to writing effective screenplays as conflict. This groundbreaking book will show you how to advance and deepen your screenwriting skills, increasing your ability to write richer, more resonant short screenplays that will connect with your audience. With her candid, conversational style, award-winning writer and director Claudia Hunter Johnson teaches you the all-important basics of dramatic technique and guides you through the challenging craft of writing short screenplays with carefully focused exercises of increasing length and complexity. In completing these exercises and applying Claudia’s techniques and insights to your own work, you will learn how to think more deeply about the screenwriter’s purpose, craft effective patterns of human change, and strengthen your storytelling skills. This new edition has been expanded and updated to include: A companion website (www.focalpress.com/cw/johnson) with ten award-winning short films featured in the book, including two outstanding, all-new short films—Intercambios and the Student-Emmy-Award-winning Underground A new chapter on scene and structure that will help you find the right structure for your short screenplay A new chapter on crafting effective dialogue and subtext that will teach you to make the most of every word and add further depth to your script
Patient education and engagement in postoperative pain management decreases opioid use following knee replacement surgery.

Abstract Objective Effects of patient education on perioperative analgesic utilization are not well defined. We designed a simple pain management educational card for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients and retrospectively reviewed clinical data before and after implementation to test the hypothesis that more informed patients will use less opioid. Methods With IRB approval, we analyzed clinical data collected perioperatively on all TKA patients one month before (PRE) and one month after (POST) card implementation. The card was designed using a modified Delphi method; the front explained all analgesic medications and the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale was on the back. The primary outcome was total opioid dosage in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for the first two postoperative days. Secondary outcomes included daily opioid usage, pain scores, ambulation distance, hospital length of stay and use of antiemetics. Results There were 20 patients in each group with no differences in baseline characteristics. Total two-day MME [median (10th–90th percentiles)] was 71 (32–285) for PRE and 38 (1–117) for POST (p = 0.001). There were no other differences. Conclusion Educating TKA patients in multimodal pain management using a simple tool decreases opioid usage. Practice implications Empowering TKA patients with education can reduce opioid use perioperatively.
Forecasting of Wind Power Generation with the Use of Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Regression Models

Abstract The stochastic character of wind power generation suggests limitations on the increased shares of wind energy in electricity systems and challenges market integration of wind power, mainly due to the fact that nowadays, new wind parks are set to cope with more dynamic pricing mechanisms. In this new environment, where advanced bidding strategies need to be adopted from wind power actors, the introduction of novel elements to support wind power generation and address the inherent impact of variability is thought to be a prerequisite. To this end, the current study expands the work of previous studies by examining different methods of prediction with regards to wind power forecasting. More specifically, both Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models are trained and tested on the basis of different prediction horizons, using as case study real wind speed and wind power generation measurements from a wind park operating in the Greek territory. Models are trained using an in-house forecasting tool, with results obtained reflecting the better fit of the SVR method overall, especially for time horizons longer than 6 hours ahead. At the same time, an effort is made in order to optimize prediction of wind power generation through the combination of both prediction approaches via clustering of prediction areas. This novel approach results in an improvement of the predictions obtained, despite the fact that the SVR method already performs sufficiently even for 24 hours ahead.
The Constitutionality of Kansas Laws Targeting Sex Offenders

Kansas, like many States, has enacted various laws in the past several years responding to concerns about sex offenders and public safety. Most prominent are state laws that substantially increase the criminal punishment for sex offenses, the so-called “Megan’s Laws” that provide for sex offender registration and some form of community notification or access to offender information, and perhaps most dramatically the sexual “predator” statutes that provide for the civil commitment of certain sex offenders upon their release from prison. This article discusses the constitutionality of these measures, all of which Kansas has enacted in some form.
Occupational noise exposure: a review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden

Exposure to hazardous noise is one of the most common occupational risks, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Repeated overexposure to noise at or above 85 dBA can cause permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and difficulty understanding speech in noise. It is also associated with cardiovascular disease, depression, balance problems, and lower income. About 22 million U.S. workers are currently exposed to hazardous occupational noise. Approximately 33% of working-age adults with a history of occupational noise exposure have audiometric evidence of noise-induced hearing damage, and 16% of noise-exposed workers have material hearing impairment. While the Mining, Construction, and Manufacturing sectors typically have the highest prevalence of noise exposure and hearing loss, there are noise-exposed workers in every sector and every sector has workers with hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Increased understanding of the biological processes underlying noise damage may lead to protective pharmacologic or genetic therapies. For now, an integrated public health approach that (1) emphasizes noise control over reliance on hearing protection, (2) illustrates the full impact of hearing loss on quality of life, and (3) challenges the cultural acceptance of loud noise can substantially reduce the impact of noise on worker health.
IRON OVERLOAD CARDIOMYOPATHY PRESENTING AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC) describes different forms of cardiac dysfunction secondary to myocardial iron deposition. A 49 year old female with end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis was referred for transplant evaluation. Pre-operatively, her LVEF was 60-65% and her myocardial perfusion stress test
Stability and triviality of the transverse invariant from Khovanov homology

Abstract We explore properties of braids such as their fractional Dehn twist coefficients, right-veeringness, and quasipositivity, in relation to the transverse invariant from Khovanov homology defined by Plamenevskaya for their closures, which are naturally transverse links in the standard contact 3-sphere. For any 3-braid β, we show that the transverse invariant of its closure does not vanish whenever the fractional Dehn twist coefficient of β is strictly greater than one. We show that Plamenevskaya's transverse invariant is stable under adding full twists on n or fewer strands to any n-braid, and use this to detect families of braids that are not quasipositive. Motivated by the question of understanding the relationship between the smooth isotopy class of a knot and its transverse isotopy class, we also exhibit an infinite family of pretzel knots for which the transverse invariant vanishes for every transverse representative, and conclude that these knots are not quasipositive.
Parathyroidectomy for Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Outcomes.

Abstract Background Patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) often experience delays between diagnosis and referral for surgical treatment. We hypothesized that patients with tertiary HPT experience similarly high cure rates and low complication rates after parathyroidectomy compared with patients with primary HPT. Methods We retrospectively identified patients undergoing parathyroidectomy from the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program for primary or tertiary HPT from January 2014 to April 2019. Patients were categorized according to their primary diagnosis and compared for cure rates and surgical complications. Results The study included 9030 patients, with 334 (3.7%) being treated for tertiary HPT. Parathyroidectomy provided a high cure rate (93.7%) in patients with tertiary HPT. However, adjusting for age, sex, and prior thyroid or parathyroid surgery, tertiary HPT was associated with a greater chance of persistent disease than was primary HPT (odds ratio: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-4.0). Overall, complications were low for patients across both groups. However, patients with tertiary HPT were more likely to present to the emergency department (7.5% versus 3.3%; P Conclusions Patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for tertiary HPT experience high cure rates and low complication rates. However, tertiary HPT is associated with a greater chance of persistent disease and select complications. Nevertheless, the low rates of persistent disease and complications should not deter early referral for the treatment of tertiary HPT.
Pharmacotherapy of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: a review of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) often arises in infants born to mothers who used opioids during pregnancy. Morphine, methadone, and buprenorphine are the most common first-line treatment...
Percutaneous deep vein arterialization: An emerging technique for no‐option chronic limb‐threatening ischemia patients

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), with characteristic ischemic rest pain, non-healing ulcers, or gangrene attributable to arterial occlusive disease, requires successful revascularization to minimize tissue loss. End-stage CLTI in particular, with occlusion of the pedal arteries, results in a lack of suitable targets for bypass and can result in failure of endovascular revascularization procedures, leaving no option for treatment other than amputation. With limb salvage as the primary goal, nontraditional revascularization techniques such as percutaneous deep vein arterialization (pDVA) may help minimize incidence of amputation. We present a case of a patient with no-option CLTI, at high risk of amputation who failed conventional endovascular revascularization attempts facing imminent major amputation. The limb was salvaged with a successful pDVA procedure.
The relationship between released soluble FceRI-alpha and its cell surface density on human basophils

Background The IgE-mediated activation of mast cells and basophils results in the secretion of many substances, including the release of FceRI-alpha subunit. This released alpha subunit can bind IgE and it may act as a down-regulator of subsequent IgE-dependent reactions. However, previous studies do not observe loss of the mass of FceRI-alpha associated with the cells, at least not for human basophils. This study was designed to understand the basis for the discordant observations. Methods Purified human basophils were stimulated with multiple activating secretagogues and supernatants were examined for histamine and released FceRI-alpha. In addition, cell surface IgE densities (occupied and unoccupied) were measured by flow cytometry and total cellular content of mature and immature FceRI-alpha determined with Western blots. Results Released FceRI-alpha, on average, represented 7% of the total surface FceRI before the reaction. The molecular weight of the soluble FceRI-alpha was approximately 54 kD, larger than immature subunit and somewhat smaller than surface subunit. In addition, 1) release ceased long before internalized FceRI-alpha was processed, 2) release was insensitive to Bafilomycin A, 3) release was independent of the starting density of FceRI and 4) release occurred more effectively with non-IgE-dependent stimuli, FMLP or C5a. Conclusions There appears to be relatively constant amount of nearly mature FceRI-alpha that is susceptible to secretion events induced by any form of stimulation. The amount, on average, represents about 7% of the mature form of FceRI-alpha.
Latent cause inference during extinction learning in trauma-exposed individuals with and without PTSD.

BACKGROUND Problems in learning that sights, sounds, or situations that were once associated with danger have become safe (extinction learning) may explain why some individuals suffer prolonged psychological distress following traumatic experiences. Although simple learning models have been unable to provide a convincing account of why this learning fails, it has recently been proposed that this may be explained by individual differences in beliefs about the causal structure of the environment. METHODS Here, we tested two competing hypotheses as to how differences in causal inference might be related to trauma-related psychopathology, using extinction learning data collected from clinically well-characterised individuals with varying degrees of post-traumatic stress (N = 56). Model parameters describing individual differences in causal inference were related to multiple post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom dimensions via network analysis. RESULTS Individuals with more severe PTSD were more likely to assign observations from conditioning and extinction stages to a single underlying cause. Specifically, greater re-experiencing symptom severity was associated with a lower likelihood of inferring that multiple causes were active in the environment. CONCLUSIONS We interpret these results as providing evidence of a primary deficit in discriminative learning in participants with more severe PTSD. Specifically, a tendency to attribute a greater diversity of stimulus configurations to the same underlying cause resulted in greater uncertainty about stimulus-outcome associations, impeding learning both that certain stimuli were safe, and that certain stimuli were no longer dangerous. In the future, better understanding of the role of causal inference in trauma-related psychopathology may help refine cognitive therapies for these disorders.
Gender Differences in Older Adults’ Perceptions of Falls and Fall Prevention:

AimTo explore gender differences in older adults’ perceptions about preventing falls.BackgroundFalls are a major problem for older adults and health care systems and a challenge to the aging popula...
Closed-Incision and Surrounding Soft Tissue Negative Pressure Dressings in Post-Mastectomy Pre-Pectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction: A Pilot Study:

Background:Closed-incision and surrounding soft tissue negative pressure therapy (cistNPT) is theorized to decrease infection, reduce tissue edema, and promote healing of the mastectomy skin flap. ...
Trends in Robotics in Information Systems: A Brief Review and Future Directions

This paper collates current business and research trends on robotics with logistical, medical, and domestic applications which are highly relevant to information systems. The main purpose of this study is to briefly help readers sort out the business and research trends on robotics in information systems. Three main directions are provided for reference. It is expected that the systematic review would provide a clear view on the research potentials and thus help readers have a great possibility to catch the robot-related trends.
Technical choices significantly alter the adaptive immune response against immunocompetent murine gliomas in a model-dependent manner.

Due to the recent rise in immunotherapy research to treat glioblastoma (GBM), immunocompetent mouse models have become increasingly crucial. However, the character and kinetics of the immune response against the most prevalent immunocompetent GBM models, GL261 and CT2A, have not been well studied, nor has the impact of commonly-used marker proteins and foreign antigens. In this study, we compared the immune response in these models using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry as well as investigated several factors that influence the immune response, including kinetics, tumor size, and expression of commonly-used marker proteins and foreign antigens. We hypothesize that these factors influence the immune response enough to warrant consideration when studying new immunotherapeutic approaches for GBM. CT2A-Luc, but not GL261-Luc2, drastically increased the number of T cells in the brain compared with wild-type controls, and significantly altered CT2A’s responsiveness to anti-PD-1 antibody therapy. Additionally, a larger cell inoculum size in the GL261 model increased the T cell response’s magnitude at day 28 post-injection. CT2A and GL261 models both stimulate a peak T cell immune response at day 21 post-injection. Our results suggest that the impact of foreign proteins like luciferase on the intracranial immune response is dependent upon the model, with CT2A being more sensitive to added markers. In particular, luciferase expression in CT2A could lead to meaningful misinterpretations of results from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) studies.
Isolated Multifocal Superior Mesenteric Artery Vasculitis With Coexisting Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis: A Unique Coincidence

Vasculitis involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract typically occurs in association with multisystem disease. Isolated superior mesenteric artery (SMA) vasculitis is a rare disorder that has a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Patients often present with nonspecific symptoms, and this condition can lead to varying degrees of intestinal ischemia, significant gastrointestinal bleeding, and bowel infarction, leading to perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis from bacterial translocation. Diagnosing this condition can be very challenging. High clinical suspicion and early diagnosis using both laboratory workup and appropriate vascular imaging are pivotal in improving outcomes in such patients. Herein, we describe the case of isolated yet multifocal SMA vasculitis with coexisting superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis. Medical therapy alone resulted in clinical and radiographic improvements. To our knowledge, there have not been any previous reports of this unique coexistence.
Firm Partisan Positioning, Polarization, and Risk Communication: Examining Voluntary Disclosures on COVID-19

Abstract Research summary The COVID-19 pandemic will rank among the greatest challenges many executives will have faced and not only due to the operational challenges it posed. Upon entering the U.S. context, the disease was immediately politically polarized, with clear partisan splits forming in risk perceptions of the disease unrelated to science. We exploit this context to examine whether firms? partisan positioning affects whether and how they communicate risk to their investors on a polarized public policy issue. To do so, we examine the covariation between firms? disclosure of COVID-19 risks and the partisanship of their political giving. Our analysis of earnings call and campaign contribution data for the S&P 500 reveals a positive association between a firm's contributions to Democrats and its disclosure of COVID-19 risks. Managerial summary From its onset in the U.S., attitudes toward and discourse around the COVID-19 pandemic was heavily politicized and perceptions of the disease's risks were seen as more serious by Democratic-identifying individuals than Republican identifiers. In this study, we examine whether this pattern also holds for U.S. publicly traded firms, who can also stake out a political position through their corporate political action committee campaign contributions. In analyses of earnings call transcripts from the first quarter of 2020, we show that the more Republican-leaning (Democrat-leaning) a firm's campaign contributions are, the less (more) likely it was to voluntarily disclose risks related to COVID-19. We argue that these findings hold implications for parties interested in interpreting firm's risk disclosures on politically polarized issues.