cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Framing and Re-Framing through Computer-Mediated Communication: Providing Pre-Service Teachers with Alternate Support Structures

In this article we suggest that online environments can function as alternate “organizations” for pre-service and beginning teachers who may find themselves struggling in schools. Building on prior work on framing and reframing in organizations and schools, the authors present a new frame of analysis specifically geared for web-based learning/support communities. Data consist of transcripts from two forms of online discourse—an e-mail listserv and an electronic discussion board—from two groups of student teachers located in two US states. The development of the new frame and its potential use is relevant for teachers, teacher educators, and school administrators.
Decomposition of Logic Networks into Silicon

This paper describes a module compiler for decomposing arbitrary functional units of any complexity into abstract cells for customized VLSI layouts. The compiler takes the description of a functional unit as input and builds a dependence graph representation. The graph is then partitioned and the nodes are packed into abstract cell output descriptions. The algorithm will tailor the design to a given area and aspect ratio. Routing is done automatically through the cells.
Personalized Search: Reconsidering the Value of Open User Models

Open user modeling has been perceived as an important mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of personalization. However, several studies have reported that open and editable user models can harm the performance of personalized search systems. This paper re-examines the value of open and editable user models in the context of personalized search. We implemented a personalized search system with 2D user manipulatable visualization and concept-based user model components. A user study result suggests that the proposed visualization-based open user modeling approach can be beneficial for adaptive search.
Image tuning techniques for enhancing the performance of pure permanent magnet undulators with small gap/period ratios

Abstract The on-axis field of a small-gap undulator constructed out of pure permanent magnet (PM) blocks arranged in an alternating-dipole (i.e., 2 dipoles/period) array can be substantially varied by positioning monolithic permeable plates above and below the undulator jaws. This simple technique, which can be used to control the fundamental photon energy in conventional synchrotron radiation (SR) or Free Electron Laser (FEL) applications requiring sub-octave tuning, can also be shown to suppress magnetic inhomogeneities that can contribute to the undulator's on-axis field errors. If a standard (4 vector rotations/period) Halbach undulator, composed of PM blocks with square cross sections, is rearranged into an alternating-dipole array with the same period, the peak field that can be generated with superimposed image plates can, for a certain range of magnet dimensions, exceed that of the pure-PM Halbach array. This design technique, which can be viewed as intermediate between the “pure-PM” and standard “hybrid/PM” configurations, provides a potentially cost-effective method of enhancing the performance of small-gap, pure-PM insertion devices. In this paper we report on the analysis and recent characterization of pure-PM undulator with superimposed image plates, and discuss possible applications to FEL research.
Popular Reading Collections in Public University Libraries: A Survey of Three Southeastern States

Offering a separate, popular reading collection can be a valuable public service in academic libraries. Popular reading is also known as leisure reading, recreational reading, and reading for pleasure. These phrases are synonyms for an interest in reading bestsellers, mysteries, romance novels, biographies, graphic novels, humor, self-help, or popular nonfiction, among other literature categories. This article examines the survey data of popular reading collections in the public universities of three southeastern states. It also discusses the popular reading collection at the author’s library, also located at a southeastern public university, and analyzes the data from both circulation records and a survey of more than 100 patrons who used the collection during the fall 2008 semester.
Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion as an Adjunct to Prolonged Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest

Study objective This study was designed to evaluate the use of retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) combined with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in the treatment of complex congenital and adult cardiac disease. Design Retrospective chart review of 52 cardiac surgery patients (34 male and 18 female; age range, 3 weeks to 89 years old; mean age, 60 years old) who received RCP in conjunction with DHCA from July 1991 through August 1998. Results Surgical procedures consisted of the following: (1) repair of ascending aortic aneurysms (n = 16); (2) repair of type A aortic dissection (n = 16); (3) repair of arch aneurysms (n = 10); (4) renal cell carcinoma with tumor extension to the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (n = 5); (6) coronary artery bypass grafting and concomitant aortic valve replacement with calcified aorta (n = 2); (7) Norwood procedure and take down of a Pott's shunt (n = 2); and (8) massive air embolism treatment (n = 1). Mean RCP time was 39 min (range, 3 to 88 min). Thirteen patients had RCP times > 60 min. Mean core temperature (rectal or bladder) was 19°C (range, 15° to 28°C). There were six early deaths, four of which were related to persistent low-output cardiac failure, and two resulted from perioperative stroke. All remaining patients recovered fully without neurologic deficits. Conclusion RCP is a reliable and technically appealing tool that does the following: (1) it improves DHCA safety and is applicable in a variety of clinical settings with relative ease; (2) it potentially provides oxygen and nutritional support to the brain during DHCA; (3) it helps remove air and other debris from the cerebral vessels; and (4) it is useful in dealing with congenital heart disease and tumor extension into the IVC.
Variations in Maternal Behavior in C57BL/6J Mice: Behavioral Comparisons between Adult Offspring of High and Low Pup-Licking Mothers

The amount of maternal licking received by newborn rats affects their adult stress reactivity and maternal behavior. Mouse studies in which litters were cross-fostered between strains that exhibit high vs. low amounts of maternal behavior also suggest that rearing conditions affect adult outcomes. The current study is the first to compare within a single mouse strain (C57BL/6J) behavioral responses between adult animals reared by mothers that exhibited frequencies of pup-licking (PL) at the high end and the low end of the normal distribution within the strain. Maternal behaviors were coded during 10-sec intervals every 3 min during five 1-h periods (2 light, 3 dark cycle) on postpartum days 2, 4, 6 and 8 in 36 unrelated C57BL/6J mothers. The distribution of mean frequencies/h for PL, still crouched nursing, hovering over pups, self-grooming and no contact with pups were determined. Offspring (6-12 wks of age) from the 8 mothers who exhibited the highest mean frequencies of PL and the 7 mothers who exhibited the lowest PL frequencies underwent the following tests over 3 consecutive wks: 1) elevated plus maze (EPM) and 1-h open field on 3 successive days, 2) 3-h open field with an acute stressor (IP saline injection) at the 1-h time point, and 3) acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition. Females reared by low PL mothers exhibited significantly more time in the closed arms of the EPM, less locomotion, center time and rearing during the first test in the open field, greater reactivity to an acute stressor, and reduced prepulse inhibition, an index of sensorimotor gating. Male offspring from low PL dams had reduced reactivity to an acute stressor, but no other altered performance in the behavioral tests. PL frequencies of C57BL/6J mothers appear to selectively alter behavior outcomes, primarily in female offspring.
Modeling and simulation for crosstalk aggravated by weak-bridge defects between on-chip interconnects

This paper presents comprehensive analytic models that consider both the case of a weak bridge, and the combination of a weak bridge and crosstalk between two interconnects. Our models capture the induced signal delay and pulse as a function of the parameters of the circuit and input signals. Our results are compared with HSPICE and shown to be accurate. A simulator is developed that implements our models and accurately captures timing (delay) characteristics of a circuit. We contrast our results with others, and show the benefits of this new model as well as the ability to predict the range of resistance that leads to delay errors.
Central and local limit theorems for the coefficients of polynomials of binomial type

Abstract We introduce the problem of establishing a central limit theorem for the coefficients of a sequence of polynomials Pn(x) of binomial type; that is, a sequence Pn(x) satisfying exp (xg(u)) = ∑ n=0 ∞ P n (x)( u n n! ) for some (formal) power series g(u) lacking constant term. We give a complete answer in the case when g(u) is a polynomial, and point out the widest known class of nonpolynomial power series g(u) for which the corresponding central limit theorem is known true. We also give the least restrictive conditions known for the coefficients of Pn(x) which permit passage from a central to a local limit theorem, as well as a simple criterion for the generating function g(u) which assures these conditions on the coefficients of Pn(x). The latter criterion is a new and general result concerning log concavity of doubly indexed sequences of numbers with combinatorial significance. Asymptotic formulas for the coefficients of Pn(x) are developed.
New Cardiac Abnormalities Following Radiation Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Trastuzumab

Materials/Methods: The study cohort included a total of 235 Pts who presented with ILRR from Jan 2005 to Nov 2013. The ITR is defined as the length of time from the date of mastectomy until local and/or regional recurrence occurred. ER, PR, HER2 status, and tumor grade were used to construct the following 5 biologic subtypes: i) luminal A: ER+ or PR+, HER2-, and grade 1 or 2, ii) luminal B: ER+ or PR+, HER2-, and grade 3, iii) luminal HER2: ER+ or PR+, and HER2+, iv) HER2: ERand PRand HER2+, and v) triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): ERand PR-, and HER2-. To account for uncertainties caused by limited numbers of Pts in some subtypes, node-negative Pts were reclassified into two subgroups based on hormone receptor (HR) status, i.e., HR-positive (luminal A, B and luminal HER2) and HR-negative (HER2 and TNBC). The association between subgroup, e.g., constructed biologic subtype, and ITR was evaluated using independent-Samples T test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The median ITR for the entire cohort was 33.2 (range, 4.5-236) months (Mos.). Overall, biologic subtype specific median ITR were 43.3 (7.9-236.0) Mos. for luminal A (nZ83), 42.2 (6.1-143.3) Mos. for luminal B (nZ58), 23.8 (6.9-47.3) Mos. for luminal HER2 (nZ23), 18.2 (6.6-117.5) Mos. for HER2 (nZ22), and 21.8 (4.5-138.2) Mos. for TNBC (nZ49), and the difference among them was statistically significant (FZ7.9, pZ0.001). For Pts with positive nodes (nZ108), the median ITR was 30.7 (4.9-236.0) Mos., compared to 35.2 (4.5-186.0) Mos. for nodenegative Pts (nZ129) (FZ10.5, pZ0.02). Among node-negative Pts (nZ129), biologic subtype specific median ITR were 56.8 (9.3-186.5) Mos. for luminal A (nZ38), 36.1 (10.5-143.3) Mos. for luminal B (nZ38), 31.8 (10.9-47.3) Mos. for luminal HER2 (nZ14), 15.2 (8.1-117.5) Mos. for HER2 (nZ11), and 21.6 (4.5-138.2) Mos. for TNBC (nZ28), and their difference was statistically significant as well (FZ7.1, pZ0.001). Further, the subgroup of node-negative, HR-positive (nZ90) Pts had a median ITR of 39.1 (9.3-186.5) Mos., which is longer than that in the subgroup of node-negative, HR-negative (nZ39) Pts (21.4 (4.5-138.2) Mos.) (FZ10.2, pZ0.003). Conclusion: Constructed biologic subtype is demonstrated to be associated with interval to recurrence in Pts who developed ILRR after initial treatment with mastectomy and adjuvant systemic therapies but without PMRT. Recurrence may be delayed in Pts with node-negative, HR-positive disease who received adjuvant endocrine therapy. Author Disclosure: R. Jiang: None. J. Ma: None.
Abstract A82: Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and its receptors: A comparison study between African American and Caucasian women in normal and malignant breast tissues samples

Introduction: Health disparities among African American (AA) and Caucasian (CA) populations in the US constitute a major health problem that encompasses leading causes of morbidity and mortality such as breast cancer. AA women are more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis, higher risk of recurrence and poorer prognosis than CA females. IGF-II is a potent mitogen that induces cell proliferation and survival signals through activation of the IGF-I (IGF-IR) and insulin (INSR) receptors, while the IGF2 receptor mediates IGF-II internalization for subsequent degradation. We hypothesize that differential expression of IGF-II and its associated receptors (INSR, IGFIR and IGF2R) between AA and CA women contributes to the health disparity observed between AA and CA women with breast cancer. Methods: We examined IGF-II, INSR, IGF-IR and IGF2R mRNA and protein expression in paired breast tissue samples from AA and CA women by Real Time-PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results and Discussion: Our results showed significantly increased levels of INSR (isoforms A and B) mRNA in normal breast tissues from AA females than in normal tissues from CA women. IGFIR and IGF2R expression was higher in normal CA women. Furthermore, AA tumor samples expressed higher levels of INSR-A than CA tumor samples which showed higher levels of IGFIR, IGF2R and INSR-B. INSR protein expression was significantly higher in AA as compared to CA tissue samples. Conclusion: We conclude that the differential expression of IGFIR, INSR and IGF2R between AA and CA females may contribute to the increased risk of breast fibrocystic disease and malignant transformation seen in young AA females, and the more aggressive breast cancer phenotype observed among AA breast cancer patients and represent, along with IGF-II, potential therapeutic targets against health disparities in breast cancer.
Manifold-Following Approximate Solution of Completely Hypersensitive Optimal Control Problems

The solution to a completely hypersensitive optimal control problem may shadow trajectories on the stable and unstable manifolds of an equilibrium point in the state---costate phase space. If such shadowing occurs, the solution of the Hamiltonian boundary value problem, that constitutes the first-order necessary conditions for optimality, can be approximated as a composite of an initial segment on the stable manifold leading to the equilibrium point and a final segment on the unstable manifold departing from the equilibrium point. Using a dichotomic basis, the Hamiltonian vector field can be decomposed into stable and unstable components, and the unspecified boundary conditions for the initial and terminal segments can be determined such that the initial and final conditions are, respectively, on the stable and unstable manifolds of the equilibrium point. In this paper, we propose and justify the use of finite-time Lyapunov vectors to construct an approximate dichotomic basis and develop a corresponding manifold-following solution approximation method. The method is illustrated on two examples and shown to be more accurate than a similar method that uses eigenvectors of the frozen-time linearized dynamics.
Analysis of After-Hours Patient Telephone Calls in Two Academic Radiation Oncology Departments: An Opportunity for Improvement in Patient Safety and Quality of Care

Purpose:Patient care within radiation oncology extends beyond the clinic or treatment hours. The on-call radiation oncologist is often not a patient’s primary radiation oncologist, introducing the possibility of communication breakdowns and medical errors. This study analyzed after-hours telephone calls to identify opportunities for improved patient safety and quality of care.Methods and Materials:Patient calls received outside of business hours between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, at two academic radiation oncology departments were retrospectively reviewed. All calls were analyzed using content analysis, and descriptive analyses were performed.Results:During this time, 5,557 courses of radiotherapy (RT) were delivered. A total of 454 calls were received from 369 unique patients (81%), averaging 4.4 calls per week per department. Phone encounters were documented for 223 calls (49%). The calls were categorized by disease site (No., %): central nervous system (91, 20%), head and neck (78, 17%), genitour...
High-Throughput Screening of Na(V)1.7 Modulators Using a Giga-Seal Automated Patch Clamp Instrument.

Abstract Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels have an essential role in the initiation and propagation of action potentials in excitable cells, such as neurons. Of these channels, NaV1.7 has been indicated as a key channel for pain sensation. While extensive efforts have gone into discovering novel NaV1.7 modulating compounds for the treatment of pain, none has reached the market yet. In the last two years, new compound screening technologies have been introduced, which may speed up the discovery of such compounds. The Sophion Qube® is a next-generation 384-well giga-seal automated patch clamp (APC) screening instrument, capable of testing thousands of compounds per day. By combining high-throughput screening and follow-up compound testing on the same APC platform, it should be possible to accelerate the hit-to-lead stage of ion channel drug discovery and help identify the most interesting compounds faster. Following a period of instrument beta-testing, a NaV1.7 high-throughput screen was run with two Pfiz...
Varying the Lewis base coordination of the Y2N2 core in the reduced dinitrogen complexes {[(Me3Si)2N]2(L)Y}2(μ-η2:η2-N2) (L = benzonitrile, pyridines, triphenylphosphine oxide, and trimethylamine N-oxide).

The effect of the neutral donor ligand, L, on the Ln2N2 core in the (N═N)2– complexes, [A2(L)Ln]2(μ-η2:η2-N2) (Ln = Sc, Y, lanthanide; A = monoanion; L = neutral ligand), is unknown since all of the crystallographically characterized examples were obtained with L = tetrahydrofuran (THF). To explore variation in L, displacement reactions between {[(Me3Si)2N]2(THF)Y}2(μ-η2:η2-N2), 1, and benzonitrile, pyridine (py), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), triphenylphosphine oxide, and trimethylamine N-oxide were investigated. THF is displaced by all of these ligands to form {[(Me3Si)2N]2(L)Y}2(μ-η2:η2-N2) complexes (L = PhCN, 2; py, 3; DMAP, 4; Ph3PO, 5; Me3NO, 6) that were fully characterized by analytical, spectroscopic, density functional theory, and X-ray crystallographic methods. The crystal structures of the Y2N2 cores in 2–5 are similar to that in 1 with N–N bond distances between 1.255(3) A and 1.274(3) A, but X-ray analysis of the N–N distance in 6 shows it to be shorter: 1.198(3) A.
Simple, Efficient, and Nondestructive DNA Extraction Protocol for Arthropods

We present a DNA extraction technique that does not require the destruction of the insect exoskeleton. This technique is, therefore, of great utility for extracting from museum specimens DNA suitable for the polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA sequencing.
Technology: Student Animation Projects: An Avenue to Promote Creativity and Learning

Using readily available technology, students of all ages can easily create impressive animated products. Animation allows educators to capitalize on the natural desire that students of all ages hol...
Precursors to the Photo-Ablation of Sodium Trisilicate Glass Due to Uv Excimer Irradiation

On polished sodium trisilicate glass surfaces, a fairly distinct threshold in laser fluence is observed to commence ablative etching. An incubation or induction effect is also seen where a series of laser pulses is required to induce etching. In this paper we examine features of the charged particle emission over a broader range of fluences (in particular, at lower fluences) to identify those factors which control the onset of etching. Laser--free electron heating is proposed as a dominant mechanism.
The On-site Commissioning and Analysis of Islanding Operation of Yunnan-Guangdong UHVDC Transmission System Supplied by Xiaowan and Jinanqiao Power Plants

Islanding operation at the sending terminal of Yunnan-Guangdong 800 kV UHVDC power transmission project can significantly increase the total transmission capability from Yunnan to Guangdong through the existing AC and DC links.The paper introduces the stages of testing plan and the arranged testing items for islanding operation on-site commissioning of the UHVDC project supplied by Xiaowan and Jinanqiao power plants.Based on the completed commissioning tests,the testing results and the actual system features of the islanding operation have been analyzed.Both the on-side commissioning and analysis results verify the feasibility of the islanding system,and thus provide a technical basis for the real system operation using the islanding modes.
Measurement of Multiple Vitamin K Forms in Processed and Fresh-Cut Pork Products in the U.S. Food Supply.

Vitamin K food composition data have historically been limited to plant-based phylloquinone (vitamin K1). The purpose of this study was to expand analysis of vitamin K to animal products and to measure phylloquinone and 10 forms of menaquinones (vitamin K2) in processed and fresh-cut pork products. Nationally representative samples of processed pork products (n = 28) were obtained through USDA’s National Food and Nutrition Analysis Program, and fresh pork (six cuts; n = 5 per cut) and bacon (n = 4) were purchased from local retail outlets. All samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (phylloquinone and menaquinone-4) and atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (menaquinone-5 to menaquinone-13). Although low in phylloquinone (<2.1 ± 0.5 μg of phylloquinone per 100 g), all processed pork products and fresh pork cuts contained menaquinone-4, menaquinone-10, and menaquinone-11 (range: [35.1 ± 11.0]–[534 ± 89.0] μg of menaquinones per 100 g). The ...
A self-instruction nutrition program for pregnant women

Future research in nutrition education should include effective ways to influence dietary behavior with self-instruction programs.
Convergence of the Many-Body Expansion for Energy and Forces for Classical Polarizable Models in the Condensed Phase.

We analyze convergence of energies and forces for the AMOEBA classical polarizable model when evaluated as a many-body expansion (MBE) against the corresponding N-body parent potential in the context of a condensed-phase water simulation. This is in contrast to most MBE formulations based on quantum mechanics, which focus only on convergence of energies for gas-phase clusters. Using a single water molecule as a definition of a body, we find that truncation of the MBE at third order, 3-AMOEBA, captures direct polarization exactly and yields apparent good convergence of the mutual polarization energy. However, it renders large errors in the magnitude of polarization forces and requires at least fourth-order terms in the MBE to converge toward the parent potential gradient values. We can improve the convergence of polarization forces for 3-AMOEBA by embedding the polarization response of dimers and trimers within a complete representation of the fixed electrostatics of the entire system. We show that the ele...
Silicon, Parylene, and Silicon/Parylene Micro-Needles for Strength and Toughness

Strength and toughness are the primary issues in the development of micro-needles. To this end, two new processes have been developed that are capable of fabricating silicon needles, silicon and parylene laminated needles, parylene needles, and parylene needles with silicon tips. The fabricated silicon needles are strong enough to withstand bending moments up to 1.56 mNm, and, with a Parylene coating, they will not fail catastrophically. In addition, Parylene and silicon/Parylene hybrid needles can undergo 180° rotations without fracturing.
A Guided Wave Sensor Enabling Simultaneous Wavenumber-Frequency Analysis for Both Lamb and Shear-Horizontal Waves

Guided waves in plate-like structures have been widely investigated for structural health monitoring. Lamb waves and shear horizontal (SH) waves, two commonly used types of waves in plates, provide different benefits for the detection of various types of defects and material degradation. However, there are few sensors that can detect both Lamb and SH waves and also resolve their modal content, namely the wavenumber-frequency spectrum. A sensor that can detect both waves is desirable to take full advantage of both types of waves in order to improve sensitivity to different discontinuity geometries. We demonstrate that polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) film provides the basis for a multi-element array sensor that detects both Lamb and SH waves and also measures their modal content, i.e., the wavenumber-frequency spectrum.
Numerical study of the substitutional diesel fuel energy in a dual fuel diesel-LPG engine with two direct injectors per cylinder

Abstract The paper proposes a numerical study of the operation of a dual fuel diesel-Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) engine featuring direct injection (DI) of both the diesel and the LPG with two separate injectors per cylinder. Aim of the study is the determination of the pilot/pre diesel fuel energy needed to operate the engine diesel-like in terms of combustion with a main injection of LPG. Computational results are proposed over the full range of speeds and loads for a 1.6 l high speed direct injection (HSDI) diesel engine. The engine is modified to accept the direct injection of the LPG fuel through the adoption of a second direct injector per cylinder. Only the opportunity of injecting the main LPG after the pilot/pre diesel injections is considered in the study. However, more complex strategies are certainly possible. The results demonstrate the opportunity to achieve diesel-like fuel conversion efficiency and torque and power outputs while replacing the most part of the diesel energy – up to 95% at medium – high loads - with the more environmentally friendly LPG. This replacement reduces the pollutants' emissions and improves the energy mix of transportation fuels.
Outcomes After Decompression of the Right Ventricle in Infants With Pulmonary Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum Are Associated With Degree of Tricuspid Regurgitation: Results From the Congenital Catheterization Research Collaborative.

Background—Outcomes after right ventricle (RV) decompression in infants with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum vary widely. Descriptions of outcomes are limited to small single-cente...
Modal-Space Theory: A Study of the Mineralogical Expression of Tholeiitic Compositions At T > 850 °C In the Lithosphere and Mantle

Abstract Modal-space illustrates changes in the volumes and compositions of minerals in a rock (Thompson 1991), for example, in response to P - T -sensitive, high-variance reactions. The method is applied to retrograded eclogite (Pl + Cpx + Grt + Qz + Hbl + Ep) in the Cuaba Unit of the Rio San Juan Complex in the Dominican Republic (Abbott & Draper 2007), where the issue is characterizing the highest-grade mineral assemblage (Omp + Grt + Coe ± Ky). For the purpose of comparing volumes, additive mineral components are normalized to one oxygen atom, such that grt = M 1/4 A 1/6 Si 1/4 O, px = M 1/3 Si 1/3 O, where M = Fe 2+ + Mg + Mn, A = Al + Fe 3+ ; an = Ca 1/8 Al 1/4 Si 1/4 O(anorthite), qz (quartz) = coe (coesite) = Si 1/2 O, and ky (kyanite) = Al 2/5 Si 1/5 O. A mole of each has approximately the same volume for all phases (10.6 ± 1.1 cm 3 /mole “O”). The error in the approximation is acceptable, given the error in estimating modal proportions, and especially given normal heterogeneity in a rock. Sodium in the form of an 1/3 ab 2/3 = csk 1/2 jd 1/2 ( an = 1 / 8 CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 , ab = 1 / 8 NaAlSi 3 O 8 , csk = 1 / 6 Ca 1/2 □ 1/2 AlSi 2 O 6 , jd = 1 / 6 NaAlSi 2 O 6 ) is subtracted from the bulk composition. This works because the composition of any plagioclase can be expressed as a linear combination of an 1/3 ab 2/3 and an . The residual bulk-rock chemistry (after subtracting an 1/3 ab 2/3 = csk 1/2 jd 1/2 ) is in the CMAS system (M = Fe 2+ + Mg + Mn, A = Al + Fe 3+ ). Two CMAS exchange components are included, tk = A 2 M –1 Si –1 (tschermak) and cm = CaM –1 . The modal space is then defined by three independent vectors in CMAS: For a particular bulk composition, accessible parts of the modal space define a polyhedron. A point within the polyhedron is defined by a linear combination of V 1 , V 2 , and V 3 , and in CMAS relates to the modal proportions of the minerals and their compositions. The composition and total volume of plagioclase or pyroxene are easily corrected for the amounts of non-CMAS an 1/3 ab 2/3 or csk 1/2 jd 1/2 , respectively. For mafic compositions, different parts of the polyhedron correspond to basalt/gabbro, pyroxene granulite, garnet granulite, eclogite, and extremely high- P assemblages with majoritic garnet. The modal polyhedron can be calculated in two ways: (1) from the bulk composition, or (2) from mineral chemistry and observed modal proportions. When the description of the system is internally consistent, the two approaches converge on the same polyhedron.
Current and Emerging Therapies in Pancreatic Cancer: Do They Provide Value?

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst treatment outcomes in human malignancies, with a significant impact on the economy. Various diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are currently employed in the treatment of affected patients, who unfortunately present with advanced stages of the disease due to late appearance of symptoms. With the current discussions regarding the rising costs of healthcare, it is important to continuously assess the value provided by these treatment modalities. Resected pancreatic cancer has the best outcome, emphasizing the need to adequately select patients who would benefit from surgical treatment. It is imperative to achieve this goal with the most cost-effective treatment strategies. There has been a lot of interest in converting unresectable, nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer into resectable disease in attempts at improving outcomes. Treatment options continue to expand for metastatic disease, and their costs should be carefully weighed against their benefits and side effects.
Longitudinal Data on Flipped Class Effects on Performance in CS1 and Retention after CS1

We present results of a college wide undergraduate retention study tracking student retention in computing, comparing students who experience a flipped, active learning version of CS1 against those who experience a traditional lecture and lab version of CS1. We examine demographic subgroups to understand retention differences between sexes and racial/ethnic groups. Specifically, we examine which students exit computing majors in the semester immediately after taking CS1, and those who leave following one academic year. This allows us to focus on how the immediate experience of the CS1 teaching approach impacts desire to continue in computer science during the critical first year in CS. Our dataset includes 698 CS majors who took CS1 in either the flipped or traditional style, between Fall 2013 and Fall 2016, at a large, comprehensive, urban research university in the US. Our results show that women were less likely to switch majors after taking the flipped version than after taking the traditional version. Conversely, male students were more likely to be retained following the traditional course, and less likely to be retained following the flipped course. Performance of CS majors in CS1, as measured by DFW rates, is statistically higher in the flipped classes than performance in the traditional classes. One-year retention in the major for under-represented groups (women and racial minorities) was higher in the flipped classes for new freshmen taking CS1, but not for transfer students.
Incorporating fermented by-products of Lactobacillus diolivorans in food grade coatings designed for inhibition of Tyrophagus putrescentiae on dry-cured hams

Abstract Distillate solutions that were derived from concentrated ferment of Lactobacillus diolivorans were incorporated into either a carrageenan (CG) and propylene glycol alginate (PGA) gum blend or into a CG, PGA, and xanthan gum (XG) blend. Fermented distillate was produced in a model system to mimic fermentation in food grade coatings to produce 1, 3 propanediol, acetic acid, and lactic acid. Distillate treatments were compared against a 10% propylene glycol treatment, a gum only control, and negative control on 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm cubes (n = 50) that were dipped into solutions prior to conducting mite bioassays. Coated and control ham cubes were inoculated with 20 adult T. putrescentiae (Schrank), and incubated for 2 and 3 weeks. The distilled treatments with CG + PGA + XG had a 20 fold or greater reduction (P
Investigation of Sequence Clipping and Structural Heterogeneity of an HIV Broadly Neutralizing Antibody by a Comprehensive LC-MS Analysis.

CAP256 is one of the highly potent, broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAb) designed for HIV-1 therapy. During the process development of one of the constructs, an unexpected product-related impurity was observed via microfluidics gel electrophoresis. A panel of complementary LC-MS analyses was applied for the comprehensive characterization of CAP256 which included the analysis of the intact and reduced protein, the middle-up approach, and a set of complementary peptide mapping techniques and verification of the disulfide bonds. The designed workflow allowed to identify a clip within a protruding acidic loop in the CDR-H3 region of the heavy chain, which can lead to the decrease of bNAb potency. This characterization explained the origin of the additional species reflected by the reducing gel profile. An intra-loop disulfide bond linking the two fragments was identified, which explained why the non-reducing capillary electrophoresis (CE) profile was not affected. The extensive characterization of CAP256 post-translational modifications was performed to investigate a possible cause of CE profile complexity and to illustrate other structural details related to this molecule’s biological function. Two sites of the engineered Tyr sulfation were verified in the antigen-binding loop, and pyroglutamate formation was used as a tool for monitoring the extent of antibody clipping. Overall, the comprehensive LC-MS study was crucial to (1) identify the impurity as sequence clipping, (2) pinpoint the clipping location and justify its susceptibility relative to the molecular structure, (3) lead to an upstream process optimization to mitigate product quality risk, and (4) ultimately re-engineer the sequence to be clip-resistant.
Electrochemically mediated CO 2 reduction for bio-methane production: a review

A number of methods for carbon capture, more specifically, CO2 capture have been researched in the past few years. One such method is electrochemical CO2 reduction to biomethane which also serves the purpose of biogas upgradation using microbial electrosynthesis systems. This technology is also known as Power to Gas technology and the review starts with the importance and requirement of PtG in the modern world by studying energy production and consumption patterns in Europe, with a focus on Norway. The paper summarises the recent works and concepts in the field of bioelectrochemical systems with a focus on electron transfer mechanisms, biocatalysts and reactor designs. Works and gaps in the studies of direct interspecies electron transfer and biocathode developments are discussed in detail. This is followed by a discussion explaining various reactor designs, the advantages of single chambered microbial reactors and the importance of reactors that combine anaerobic digestion with microbial electrolysis cells.
A CUSUM Chart for Monitoring a Proportion When Inspecting Continuously

A control chart is considered for the problem of monitoring a process when all items from the process are inspected and classified into one of two categories. The objective is to detect changes in the proportion, p, of items in the first category. The c..
Exploring Alcohol Use and IPV Among Couples Presenting to Couple Therapy: A Brief Note.

Prior research has indicated the significant overlap between risky alcohol use and intimate partner violence (IPV) among couples. However, few studies have explicitly examined the intersection of alcohol use and IPV among distressed couples (e.g., couples seeking couples therapy). The current study aimed to (a) examine how couples presenting to couple therapy experience alcohol use, IPV, and the co-occurrence of both alcohol use and IPV and (b) the effect of the intersection of alcohol use and IPV in couples on relational functioning. Archival data collected from 71 couples presenting to couple therapy at a University training clinic were used to explore the research aims. Data analysis procedures included univariate statistics to characterize the sample and bivariate statistics to examine the research aims. Findings indicated that 16.9% of couples screened positive for both alcohol use and IPV and that there were significant group differences in relational functioning among females in the sample. These f...
Threshold responses of grassland and sagebrush birds to patterns of disturbance created by an ecosystem engineer

Burrowing mammals play a role in rangeland disturbance worldwide, enhancing habitat for certain species while negatively affecting others. However, little is known concerning effects of disturbance spatial pattern on co-occuring fauna. In the North American Great Plains, colonial black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) may enhance habitat for one suite of birds while degrading habitat for others. We examined the influence of prairie dogs on birds in a mosaic grassland–shrubland landscape. We evaluated how birds associated with shortgrass, midgrass, and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) plant communities respond to spatial pattern of prairie dog disturbance and identified thresholds where abundance changes. We surveyed bird abundance on prairie dog colonies of varying sizes and shapes, across colony edges into undisturbed habitat, and within undisturbed sagebrush in northeastern Wyoming. We modeled species responses to colony presence, distance to colony edge, and total area and edge density of colonies at four spatial scales (100 m, 225 m, 500 m, 1000 m). Sagebrush specialists like Brewer’s sparrow (Spizella breweri) and sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) were 4.5 times more abundant in undisturbed shrublands. Conversely, the shortgrass-specialist mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) was abundant on colonies but showed a non-linear response to colony edge, increasing in abundance up to 600 m from edges then declining further towards colony cores. While some species may be broadly intolerant to disturbance, disturbance-dependent birds can display a “goldilocks syndrome” relative to disturbance size. As such, management for multiple species of conservation concern can be optimized relative to other goals by identifying thresholds associated with the effect of disturbance.
The congressional mandate: standardised post-acute care quality measures

Background/Aims This study describes the relationships between rehabilitation services intensity, post-acute care measures of Functional Performance Change, and length of stay for episodes of care ...
Engaging constructivist oriented learners with Python

Historically, the use of simple spreadsheets and a web browser have been advocated as advanced learning technologies to be used in a constructivist oriented learning environment. An argument can be made that there are better and more robust tools that are still accessible to a general audience. These tools can be used to enhance the learning technologies feature of a project-based learning classroom. Specifically, this paper argues for the general use of Python programming to explore large data sets and perform basic data analytics. In addition to the pedagogical argument, this paper also provides examples to illustrate the efficacy of using Python programming and various Python libraries to enhance the experience of using constructivist based learning.
Wide Potential Window Supercapacitors Using Open‐Shell Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers with Stable N‐Doped States

Author(s): Wang, Kaiping; Huang, Lifeng; Eedugurala, Naresh; Zhang, Song; Sabuj, Md Abdus; Rai, Neeraj; Gu, Xiaodan; Azoulay, Jason D; Ng, Tse Nga
Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Stone, Sand and Gravel Mine Workers and Associations with Sociodemographic and Job-Related Factors

Stone, sand and gravel mining (SSGM) constitutes the vast majority of mining operations in the United States. Despite musculoskeletal disorders being one of the most common occupational health problems across several industries, limited research has examined the extent of reported musculoskeletal symptoms or disorders among actively employed SSGM workers. To address this knowledge gap, cross sectional data were collected from 459 SSGM workers in the Midwestern United States to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Sociodemographic and job-related factors were examined to identify possible risk factors in SSGM. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the low back (57%), neck (38%), shoulder (38%) and knee (39%) were highly prevalent among SSGM employees. The results, among other findings, showed that working more than 60 h a week increased the likelihood of musculoskeletal symptoms at the low back (OR: 4.7 95% CI: 1.9–11.5), neck (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 2.2–11.8) and knee (OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 2.0–10.3). Working as a mechanic/maintenance worker increased the likelihood of low back (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2) and knee (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.6) musculoskeletal symptoms. Intervention measures aimed at improving ergonomic hazard identification for various job tasks as well as administrative controls limiting hours worked may help reduce the burden of musculoskeletal problems in the SSGM industry.
Geology and Historical Biogeography of the Olympic Peninsula

A brief introduction to the geologic and climatic history of the Olympic Peninsula is presented, focusing on the Middle Miocene to present (the past 20 million years). The period is marked by a general cooling and drying trend, with a corresponding loss of the mesic broadleaf forest and the rise of conifer-dominated forests. The causes of the regional climate changes are discussed with an eye on the relative roles of topographic uplift versus larger global-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and sea surface temperature. The patterns of endemism and disjunction on the peninsula are presented to emphasize insular aspects of its biogeography. A list of 29 endemic taxa is compiled from literature searches, though it is acknowledged the list will continue to grow. Mapped distributions of the endemic taxa suggest long-term persistence of certain habitat types, including dry meadows and wet riparian forests, through periods of glacial cycles.
Indocyanine-green for fluorescence-guided surgery of peripheral nerve sheath tumors – A case report

Abstract Functioning to detect selective fluorescence in areas of increased permeability, near infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has emerged as a powerful adjunct in the field of surgical oncology. Here we present the first reported case of successful NIR in vivo and ex vivo visualization of a common peroneal nerve (CPN) schwannoma - a proof of concept for the novel use of intraoperative NIR fluorescent dyes for peripheral nerve tumor resection.
Pharmaceutical Prescriptions and Reference Points: Using Default Rules to Incentivize the Use of Generic Drugs

Pharmaceutical spending is in many countries the second largest family expenditure, after food. No one questions that pharmaceutical companies invest large sums in research and the development of new and better pharmaceutical drugs. Originators are protected by patents and sold in monopolistic conditions. However, once generics enter the market, they provide people with an equally safe and effective alternative to protect their health. Nonetheless, some doctors keep on prescribing originators after the entry of generics. Some jurisdictions control this by mandating doctors to prescribe the generic drug; other countries mandate pharmacists to deliver the generic medicine. However, some countries merely rely on people’s freedom to choose, by allowing doctors to prescribe the originator product and letting patients substitute the prescribed medicine for a cheaper one at the pharmacy. This work tests whether people tend to stick to the medicine doctors prescribe, despite the availability of a cheaper generic. To this end, I ran a survey-experiment on Amazon Mechanical Turk, presenting a hypothetical scenario in which the respondents had to choose between an innovator medicine and its generic form to treat two different medical conditions. I used a between-subjects approach to compare the respondents’ self-reported purchase intention, manipulating what medicine was prescribed by the doctor, whether the doctor conveyed substituting the originator for the generic was fine, and whether the respondent had to treat a mild disease or a severe one. The results show that, at least for mild diseases, pro-originator defaults lead to stickiness (compared to pro-generic defaults). This is a prescriptive claim that casts doubt on the effectiveness of liberal policies that intend to encourage the use of generics by just allowing people to substitute the prescribed originator for a generic. On a normative level, it is hard to appraise the endogeneity of people’s preferences to the default. But by considering people’s purchase intention for a more expensive product over a cheaper substitute as a mistake, we can derive the normative basis to favor pro-generic defaults or even mandatory rules favoring generics.
Image Contrast: T1, T2, T2*, and Proton Density

We began our discussion in Chapter 1 with the concept of contrast resolution: The MRI acquisition must elicit a different signal from each of the tissues we wish to separate. If we do not meet this requirement, our images will be incapable of demonstrating a difference between normal and abnormal and will be essentially useless. We generate image contrast by exploiting differences between tissues in their behavior within the magnetic field. Specifically, differences in proton density, T1, T2, and T2* can be enhanced or minimized by our choice of the parameters used in generating and sampling the signal. In this chapter, we will examine the contrast modulation by the parameters TE and TR. Other means for modulating contrast include (but are certainly not limited to) flip angle and TI These will be presented later in Chapters 8 and 12.
Arts of Unconditioning: On Romantic Science and Poetry

Trop explores the romantic concept of a “new mythology” (Schlegel, Novalis, and Schelling) as a repository for semiotic and imaginative operations framing romantic poetry and science as two distinctive strategic sites in a common romantic project. This common project seeks to “uncondition” Kantian transcendental operations that normally seek to secure knowledge, morality, and judgment through finding and articulating their conditions of possibility. In some important texts of romantic poetry and science, the operations of an Absolute of nature beyond human intelligibility flow into human practices and allow romantic thinkers and poets to reposition aesthetic, epistemological, scientific, and political commitments. However, romantic poetry can also call into question the emancipatory potential of such operations, as in the work of Karoline von Gunderrode.