cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards Data Management of Web-Based Spatial Decision Support: The Case of Facility Network Transformation Analysis Services

Facility is the most important but costly channel for many enterprises to win in the customer-centric marketplace. How to optimize facility site network is part of the critical strategic nuts for executives. Many enterprises have adopted geographic information system (GIS) based solutions to support facility related business analysis, which, however, are usually based on desktop applications and are costly and need specialists' management. Thus in this paper, a light-weighted and easy-to-use Web-based spatial decision support system on facility transformation analysis, iFAO (intelligent facility network analytics & optimization), is introduced. Employing Web services technology, it could host facility related business analysis services for different enterprises in different industries. How to enable the information sharing and analysis collaboration, which we call data management, is one of the key issues in this service-hosting environment. After analyzing the characteristics of three types of data used in this kind of system, we introduce a common data management framework and three technologies to realize it. Besides, we present its detail implementations, a series of Web services, which is also an extension to the OGC service architecture. The framework has been validated by the applications of iFAO in real banking and retail projects and it is also applicable to other web GIS based decision support solutions.
Surface-wave array tomography in SE Tibet from ambient seismic noise and two-station analysis: I - Phase velocity maps

SUMMARY Empirical Green’s functions (EGFs) between pairs of seismographs can be estimated from the time derivative of the long-time cross-correlation of ambient seismic noise. These EGFs reveal velocity dispersion at relatively short periods, which can be used to resolve structures in the crust and uppermost mantle better than with traditional surface-wave tomography. We combine Rayleigh-wave dispersion estimates from EGFs and from traditional two-station (TS) analysis into a new approach to surface-wave array tomography with data from dense receiver arrays. We illustrate the methodology with continuous broad-band recordings from a temporary seismographic network on the southeastern part of the Tibetan plateau, in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, SW China. The EGFs are robust under temporal changes in regional seismicity and the use of either ambient noise (approximated by records without signal from events with magnitude mb ≥ 5 or 4) or surface wave coda produces similar results. The EGFs do not strongly depend on the presence of large earthquakes, but they are not reciprocal for stations aligned in the N‐S direction. This directionality reflects the paucity of seismicity to the north of the array. Using a far-field representation of the surface-wave Green’s function and an image transformation technique, we infer from the EGFs the Rayleigh-wave phase velocity dispersion in the period band from 10‐30 s. A classical TS approach is used to determine Rayleigh-wave phase velocity dispersion between 20‐120 s. Together, they constrain phase velocity variations for T = 10‐120 s, which can be used to study the structure from the crust to the upper mantle. Beneath SE Tibet, short and intermediate period (10‐80 s) phase velocities are prominently low, suggesting that the crust and upper mantle beneath SE Tibet is characterized by slow shear wave propagation.
Supporting Early Styling Design of Automobiles Using Sketch-based 3D Shape Construction

In the early stages of automotive design, designers produce a rich set of concept sketches to develop and communicate their ideas. These sketches convey useful information regarding the desired shape and style. However, creating a 3D digital model consistent with the sketch is a laborious process with existing CAD tools. This shortcoming limits most conceptual explorations to 2D, leaving the designer with little or no means to realize their ideas in 3D. To address this challenge, this work presents a new method that helps car designers transform their 2D concept sketches into 3D geometry using simple, interactive techniques. At the heart of our approach is an optimization-based shape deformation algorithm that takes as input a set of fiducial points marked by the user on the sketch. The proposed algorithm first aligns, and then deforms, an underlying template model until its fiducial nodes match those marked in the sketch. Next, the designer refines the template model by tracing the car’s key character lines on the sketch. Finally, using the newly shaped template model as a substrate, the designer can explore different styling ideas by sketching and modifying 3D curves directly on the template. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on several examples.
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice

sional ethics has received in creased attention. Professional orga nizations in the fields of social work, law, medicine, business, nursing, engineering, psychology, psychiatry, and journalism have drafted and re vised codes of ethics. Practitioners are more frequently held accountable for their actions. Interest in social work ethics began in earnest in the 1950s, although the subject had received some attention prior to then. As with all professions, most efforts during the earliest years
Methane hydrates in the Chilean continental margin

In the coming years the worldwide energetic resources based on hydrocarbons will diminish, and methane hydrates can become an alternative source, given its huge deposits. Chile does not have great amounts of energetic resources; however, during the cruise C-2901 on board the R/V CONRAD in 1998, seismic profiles that took place in the Chilean continental margin between 35o and 45oS show the presence of methane hydrates through BSR analysis. The following parameters for the hydrate layer can be assumed: Thickness = 100 m, Longitude E-W = 20 km, Latitude N-S = 1000 km, hydrate concentration in the sediments = 10%, and 160 m 3 of gas per m 3 of hydrate. With these figures, the volume of estimated gas is 3.2 x 10 13 m 3 .
Extracting Parallel Sub-Sentential Fragments from Non-Parallel Corpora

We present a novel method for extracting parallel sub-sentential fragments from comparable, non-parallel bilingual corpora. By analyzing potentially similar sentence pairs using a signal processing-inspired approach, we detect which segments of the source sentence are translated into segments in the target sentence, and which are not. This method enables us to extract useful machine translation training data even from very non-parallel corpora, which contain no parallel sentence pairs. We evaluate the quality of the extracted data by showing that it improves the performance of a state-of-the-art statistical machine translation system.
PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY OF MARINE PLANTS

In Vol. 38, No. 1, September 20, 1954, page 14, insert between equations (3) and (4) the words "In the compensating vessel:" On the same page in equation (6) pCO2 should read pcCO2.
Binary tree layouts with adequate I/O support

The binary tree-based parallel system is suitable for VLSI/WSI implementation due to its simple and regular interconnection pattern among processors. The support of adequate I/O bandwidth in a large parallel system is essential because, otherwise, the system speed gets limited eventually by the I/O operations. In a tree-based system, I/O operations are efficiently carried out through the root and the leaf nodes. A way is presented to systematically generate a tree layout with a sufficient number of leaf nodes on the boundary to support required I/O bandwidth, while maintaining a low area increase and moderate growth in maximum link length. This technique is particularly useful for large-sized binary tree layouts. >
Acute lysine supplementation does not improve hepatic or peripheral insulin sensitivity in older, overweight individuals.

Lysine supplementation may have a positive influence on the regulation of glucose metabolism but it has not been tested in the geriatric population. Objective: We evaluated the impact of acute lysine supplementation using three randomized experimental scenarios: 1) oral glucose alone (control), 2) oral glucose and low-dose lysine (2 grams), and oral glucose and high dose lysine (5 grams) lysine in 7 older (66 ± 1 years/age), overweight/obese (BMI = 28 ± 2 kg/m2) individuals. We utilized a dual tracer technique (i.e., [6,6-2H2] glucose primed constant infusion and 1-[13C] glucose oral ingestion) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to examine differences in hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity under all three scenarios. Post-absorptive plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were not different between the three trials. Similarly, the response of glucose and insulin concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) was similar in the three trials. The results of the Matsuda index (ISI/M) were also not different between the three trials. As an index of hepatic insulin sensitivity, there were no significant differences in the endogenous glucose rate of appearance (glucose Ra) for control, 2 g lysine and 5 g lysine (1.2 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.1, 1.3 ± 0.1 mg•kg-1•min-1), respectively. With respect to peripheral insulin sensitivity, there were no significant differences in the glucose rate of disappearance (glucose Rd) for control, 2 g lysine and 5 g lysine (4.2 ± 0.1, 4.3 ± 0.2, and 4.5 ± 0.4 mg•kg-1•min-1), respectively. Previous studies in younger participants have suggested that lysine may have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism. However, acute lysine supplementation in the older population does not facilitate beneficial changes in glucose Ra or glucose Rd.
Generalised Least-squares Determination of Triaxial Stress States by X-ray Diffraction and the Associated Errors.

The determination of residual stresses via X-ray diffraction is briefly reviewed, with particular emphasis on the triaxial stress state. A new method is proposed for determining the general stress tensor, which considerably reduces the variances of the stresses due to counting statistics and gradients. The procedure involves a generalised least-squares solution of strains measured at various tilts of the X-ray beam to the sample, and a new set of tilts is recommended to minimise these errors.
How to make spinal motor neurons

All muscle movements, including breathing, walking, and fine motor skills rely on the function of the spinal motor neuron to transmit signals from the brain to individual muscle groups. Loss of spinal motor neuron function underlies several neurological disorders for which treatment has been hampered by the inability to obtain sufficient quantities of primary motor neurons to perform mechanistic studies or drug screens. Progress towards overcoming this challenge has been achieved through the synthesis of developmental biology paradigms and advances in stem cell and reprogramming technology, which allow the production of motor neurons in vitro. In this Primer, we discuss how the logic of spinal motor neuron development has been applied to allow generation of motor neurons either from pluripotent stem cells by directed differentiation and transcriptional programming, or from somatic cells by direct lineage conversion. Finally, we discuss methods to evaluate the molecular and functional properties of motor neurons generated through each of these techniques.
Development and Validation of a Novel Fusion Algorithm for Continuous, Accurate and Automated R-wave Detection and Calculation of Signal-Derived Metrics

Abstract Purpose Previous studies have shown that heart rate complexity may be a useful indicator of patient status in the critical care environment but will require continuous, accurate, and automated R-wave detection (RWD) in the electrocardiogram (ECG). Although numerous RWD algorithms exist, accurate detection remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a novel fusion algorithm (Automated Electrocardiogram Selection of Peaks, or AESOP) that combines the strengths of several well-known algorithms to provide a more reliable real-time solution to the RWD problem. Materials and Methods This study involved the ECGs of 108 prehospital patient records and 32 ECGs from a conscious sedated porcine model of hemorrhagic shock. The criterion standard for validation was manual verification of R waves. Results For 108 human ECG records, the AESOP algorithm overall outperformed each of its component algorithms. In addition, for 32 swine ECG records, AESOP achieved an R-wave sensitivity of 97.9% and a positive predictive value of 97.5%, again outperforming its component algorithms. Conclusion By fusing several best algorithms, AESOP uses the strengths of each algorithm to perform more robustly and reliably in real time. The AESOP algorithm will be integrated into a real-time heart rate complexity software program for decision support and triage in critically ill patients.
From beverages to biofuels: the journeys of ethanol-producing microorganisms.

Microbial fermentation for bio-based products is quickly becoming an integral component of the world infrastructure, as the processes encompassing the synthesis of these natural products becomes more efficient and cost effective to compete with existing commodities. Bioethanol is currently one of the most desired fermentation products, as this constituent can be applied to multiple uses in not only contributing to the more traditional routes of beer brewing and winemaking, but also in the foundation for green fuel sources. By optimizing yields, the innovative processes could be applied towards engineering more rapid and productive biomanufacturing. In order to achieve these goals, we as researchers must understand the underlying principles and intricate networks that play a role within the microenvironment and also on the cellular level in key fermentative microbes such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis . In-depth pathway analysis could lead to the development of more favorable metabolic outcomes. This review focuses on the key metabolic networks and cellular frameworks in these model organisms, and how biosynthesis of ethanol yields can be optimized throughout the fermentation process.
A two-quadrant analog multiplier integrated circuit

A pulse-width-amplitude-modulation approach is used in an integrated-circuit design of a two-quadrant analog multiplier. The circuit described is a single-chip PWAM multiplier of comparable cost to monolithic transconductance multipliers. It requires an external capacitor and a low-pass filter and achieves accuracies better than 0.5 percent without trimming. Temperature stability is typically 0.005 percent per degree Celsius.
Infections Due to Dematiaceous Fungi in Organ Transplant Recipients: Case Report and Review

Dematiaceous fungi are being increasingly recognized as pathogens in organ transplant recipients. We describe a case of invasive esophagitis due to Cladophialophora bantiana in a small bowel transplant recipient and review a total of 34 cases of infections due to dematiaceous fungi in organ transplant recipients. The median time to the onset of fungal infection after transplantation was 22 months. Clinically, two distinct patterns of infections were observed: 79% of the patients had skin and/or soft-tissue infections or joint infections (predominantly due to Exophiala species), and 21% had systemic invasive infections (predominantly brain abscesses due to Ochroconis gallopavum [Dactylaria gallopava, Dactylaria constricta var. gallopava]). The overall mortality rate among the patients with skin and/or soft-tissue infections or joint infections and the patients with systemic invasive disease was 7% and 57%, respectively; two of five patients with brain abscesses were cured with antifungal therapy. Recognition of infections due to dematiaceous fungi is important since these infections, unlike invasive aspergillosis, may be more amenable to therapy.
How to Identify and Interpret Evolutionary Tree Diagrams

Evolutionary trees are key tools for modern biology and are commonly portrayed in textbooks to promote learning about biological evolution. However, many people have difficulty in understanding what evolutionary trees are meant to portray. In fact, some ideas that current professional biologists depict with evolutionary trees are neither clearly defined nor conveyed to students. To help biology teachers and students learn how to more deeply interpret, understand and gain knowledge from diagrams that represent ancestor–descendant relationships and evolutionary lineages, we describe the different rooted and unrooted evolutionary tree visualisations and explain how they are best read. Examples from a study of tree-shaped diagrams in the journal Science are used to illustrate how to distinguish evolutionary trees from other tree-shaped representations that are easily misunderstood as visualising evolutionary relationships. We end by making recommendations for how our findings may be implemented in teaching pr...
Examining Elementary Students' Development of Oral and Written Argumentation Practices through Argument-Based Inquiry.

Argumentation, and the production of scientific arguments are critical elements of inquiry that are necessary for helping students become scientifically literate through engaging them in constructing and critiquing ideas. This case study employed a mixed methods research design to examine the development in 5th grade students’ practices of oral and written argumentation from one unit to another over 16 weeks utilizing the science writing heuristic approach. Data sources included five rounds of whole-class discussion focused on group presentations of arguments that occurred over eleven class periods; students’ group writings; interviews with six target students and the teacher; and the researcher’s field notes. The results revealed five salient trends in students’ development of oral and written argumentative practices over time: (1) Students came to use more critique components as they participated in more rounds of whole-class discussion focused on group presentations of arguments; (2) by challenging each other’s arguments, students came to focus on the coherence of the argument and the quality of evidence; (3) students came to use evidence to defend, support, and reject arguments; (4) the quality of students’ writing continuously improved over time; and (5) students connected oral argument skills to written argument skills as they had opportunities to revise their writing after debating and developed awareness of the usefulness of critique from peers. Given the development in oral argumentative practices and the quality of written arguments over time, this study indicates that students’ development of oral and written argumentative practices is positively related to each other. This study suggests that argumentative practices should be framed through both a social and epistemic understanding of argument-utilizing talk and writing as vehicles to create norms of these complex practices.
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON CLUSTERS AS SOURCES OF INTERSTELLAR INFRARED EMISSION

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (or PAHs) have been the subject of astrochemical research for several decades as principal sources of the interstellar aromatic infrared emission bands. PAH clusters could possibly contribute to these emission bands, but a lack of data on their infrared properties has made this hypothesis difficult to evaluate. Here we investigate homogeneous neutral PAH clusters by measuring the mid-infrared absorption spectra of the five nonlinear PAH molecules phenanthrene, chrysene, pyrene, perylene, and benzo[ghi]perylene within solid argon ice at a fixed temperature of 5 K. We attribute observed spectral shifts in their principal absorption bands as a function of argon/PAH ratio to clustering of the PAH molecules within the argon matrix. These shifts are related to the cluster structures forming in the matrix and the topology of the monomer PAH molecule. We predict that interstellar PAH molecules that are relatively large (no fewer than 50 carbon atoms per molecule) and compact will have clusters that contribute to the asymmetrically red-shaded profile of the interstellar 11.2 μm emission band.
Fiber optics for analog telemetry

Analog data transmission is required in a variety of demanding applications where digitization is not practical due to environmental, cost, or bandwidth constraints. Two analog systems, designed for nuclear testing but applicable to a wide range of needs, will be discussed. One system is passive, utilizing a direct conversion of radiation to light, and the other is active, utilizing a more conventional ILD transmitter.
Evaluating the potential for secondary mass savings in vehicle lightweighting.

Secondary mass savings are mass reductions that may be achieved in supporting (load-bearing) vehicle parts when the gross vehicle mass (GVM) is reduced. Mass decompounding is the process by which it is possible to identify further reductions when secondary mass savings result in further reduction of GVM. Maximizing secondary mass savings (SMS) is a key tool for maximizing vehicle fuel economy. In today’s industry, the most complex parts, which require significant design detail (and cost), are designed first and frozen while the rest of the development process progresses. This paper presents a tool for estimating SMS potential early in the design process and shows how use of the tool to set SMS targets early, before subsystems become locked in, maximizes mass savings. The potential for SMS in current passenger vehicles is estimated with an empirical model using engineering analysis of vehicle components to determine mass-dependency. Identified mass-dependent components are grouped into subsystems, and line...
Cis-trans isomerization of chemically activated 1-methylallyl radical and fate of the resulting 2-buten-1-peroxy radical.

The cis–trans isomerization of chemically activated 1-methylallyl is investigated using RRKM/Master Equation methods for a range of pressures and temperatures. This system is a prototype for a large range of allylic radicals formed from highly exothermic (∼35 kcal/mol) OH + alkene reactions. Energies, vibrational frequencies, anharmonic constants, and the torsional potential of the methyl group are computed with density functional theory for both isomers and the transition state connecting them. Chemically activated radicals are found to undergo rapid cis–trans isomerization leading to stabilization of significant amounts of both isomers. In addition, the thermal rate constant for trans → cis isomerization of 1-methylallyl is computed to be high enough to dominate reaction with O2 in 10 atm of air at 700 K, so models of the chemistry of the (more abundant and more commonly studied) trans-alkenes may need to be modified to include the cis isomers of the corresponding allylic radicals. Addition of molecular...
Asymptomatic Interhypothalamic Adhesions in Children

We have several comments regarding the article “Asymptomatic Interhypothalamic Adhesions in Children.”[1][1] We agree with the main message of the article: Referable hypothalamic–pituitary axis symptoms are rare in patients with interhypothalamic adhesions. However, because symptoms can be
Nonsurgical palliation of jaundice in pancreatic cancer.

Surgery provides the only—albeit small—chance of cure for patients with pancreatic cancer and can provide good palliation for jaundice. The risk of operation is small in relatively fit patients. Endoscopic stenting is an effective and safer method for the relief of jaundice in high-risk patients who do not have duodenal involvement. A few patients have such extensive disease that any invasive intervention is meddlesome. Where stenting is clinically appropriate, the endoscopic approach should be tried first, because it is simpler and easier for the patient than the percutaneous approach. The latter or percutaneous assistance for endoscopic stenting is used when endoscopy alone fails. Choosing an appropriate option for an individual patient requires a team approach of gastroenterologists, surgeons, and radiologists.
Myocardial ultrastructure and function during progressive early ischemia in the intact heart

Regional contraction of ischemic anterior and normal lateral left ventricular myocardium was measured with isometric force gauges after 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of anterior descending coronary artery occlusion-each followed by 10 minutes of reperfusion. Multiple myocardial biopsies of both regions were taken at these same intervals and examined by electron microscopic techniques. Mean contraction of the ischemic area fell significantly in 15 to 30 seconds and returned to an average of 68, 51, 40, and 28 per cent, respectively, after 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of ischemia. Simultaneously, focal morphologic changes were detected after 5 and 10 minutes, were more clear and widespread at 15 minutes, and diffuse and unequivocal at 20 minutes, when return of local contraction was minimal. The changes of myocardial morphology in the ischemic area as seen by electron microscopy were: reduced content of glycogen granules and mitochondrial changes. The latter began to appear at 5 minutes and consisted of swelling, disruption of cristae, and reduction of matrix. This study indicates a qualitative correlation between ultrastructural changes in regionally ischemic myocardium and diminished regional function in the intact heart. At 5 and 10 minutes the mitochondrial changes were focal, requiring multiple samples, while at 15 and 20 minutes they became more widespread, making the occasional sample more representative.
Spatial and temporal dimensions of agricultural land use changes, 2001–2012, East-Central Iowa

Abstract In central regions of the U. S. Corn Belt, agricultural production since 2001 has changed in response to federal policies implemented to encourage production of biofuels. Such changes have influenced agricultural practices, land uses, and their spatial character. This study examines site-specific temporal and spatial patterns of agricultural land use dynamics from 2001 to 2012 in a nine-county region of East-Central Iowa using the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Cropland Data Layer. Results indicate that increases in corn production in response to US biofuel policies and high grain prices have been achieved mainly by altering crop rotation patterns. These changes may be correlated with market forces, although variations suggest a multiplicity of causes. This study also examines spatial relationships between cultivated fields and crop rotation practices with respect to underlying soils and terrain. Intensity of cultivated land use depends on topographic and pedologic properties, although motivations and constraints perceived by producers and managers as they plan their use of landscapes are important. The most intensively cultivated lands have shallower slopes and fewer pedologic limitations than others, and corn was planted in higher quality soil while soybeans were moved to lesser quality soils. Declining acreage in the Conservation Reserve Program since 2007 indicates that they may be used for other crops displaced by corn.
A dynamic LVRT solution for Doubly-Fed Induction Generator

Doubly-Fed Induction Generators (DFIG) have become the most common type of wind turbine generators. However, this type of generator is susceptible to grid side low voltage and short circuits, due to existence of a power electronics converter on the rotor side. When a short circuit or voltage sag happens on the grid side, the rotor current of the generator tends to rise, which could cause damage to the rotor converter. Design and implementation of a series converter on the stator side is presented in this paper to limit the current rise in the rotor. This system includes an active DC/AC inverter, three series transformers and a DC bus capacitor. To lower the rating of the components and make the system viable for practical solutions, an exponential decaying sinusoidal voltage instead of a pure sinusoidal voltage is applied by the converter during short circuit.
SEGAUTH: A segment-based approach to behavioral biometric authentication

Many studies have been conducted to apply behavioral biometric authentication on/with mobile devices and they have shown promising results. However, the concern about the verification accuracy of behavioral biometrics is still common given the dynamic nature of behavioral biometrics. In this paper, we address the accuracy concern from a new perspective— behavior segments, that is, segments of a gesture instead of the whole gesture as the basic building block for behavioral biometric authentication. With this unique perspective, we propose a new behavioral biometric authentication method called SEGAUTH, which can be applied to various gesture or motion based authentication scenarios. SEGAUTH can achieve high accuracy by focusing on each user's distinctive gesture segments that frequently appear across his or her gestures. In SEGAUTH, a time series derived from a gesture/motion is first partitioned into segments and then transformed into a set of string tokens in which the tokens representing distinctive, repetitive segments are associated with higher genuine probabilities than those tokens that are common across users. An overall genuine score calculated from all the tokens derived from a gesture is used to determine the user's authenticity. We have assessed the effectiveness of SEGAUTH using 4 different datasets. Our experimental results demonstrate that SEGAUTH can achieve higher accuracy consistently than existing popular methods on the evaluation datasets.
Applying Pattern Recognition to High-Resolution Images to Determine Cellular Signaling Status

Two frequently used tools to acquire high- resolution images of cells are scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The former provides a nanometer resolution view of cellular features rapidly and with high throughput, while the latter enables visualizing hydrated and living cells. In current practice, these images are viewed by eye to determine cellular status, e.g., activated versus resting. Automatic and quantitative data analysis is lacking. This paper develops an algorithm of pattern recognition that works very effectively for AFM and SEM images. Using rat basophilic leukemia cells, our approach creates a support vector machine to automatically classify resting and activated cells. Ten-fold cross-validation with cells that are known to be activated or resting gives a good estimate of the generalized classification results. The pattern recognition of AFM images achieves 100% accuracy, while SEM reaches 95.4% for our images as well as images published in prior literature. This outcome suggests that our methodology could become an important and frequently used tool for researchers utilizing AFM and SEM for structural characterization as well as determining cellular signaling status and function.
Comparing Occupation-Based and Repetitive Task Practice Interventions for Optimal Stroke Recovery: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Aims: This pilot randomized comparative study investigated changes in motor performance and indices of neuroplasticity associated with occupation-based intervention and repetitive task practice in ...
Homelessness and Emergency Medicine: A Review of the Literature.

Objectives We aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the demographics, prevalence, clinical characteristics, and evidence-based management of homeless persons in the emergency department (ED). Where appropriate, we highlight knowledge gaps and suggest directions for future research. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search following databases: PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2016. We supplemented this search by cross-referencing bibliographies of the retrieved publications. Peer-reviewed studies written in English and conducted in the United States that examined homelessness within the ED setting were included. We used a qualitative approach to synthesize the existing literature. Results Twenty-eight studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Based on our study objectives and the available literature, we grouped articles examining homeless populations in the ED into four broad categories: 1) prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of homeless ED visits, 2) ED utilization by homeless adults, 3) clinical characteristics of homeless ED visits, and 4) medical education and evidence-based management of homeless ED patients. Conclusion Homelessness may be underrecognized in the ED setting. Homeless ED patients have distinct care needs and patterns of ED utilization that are unmet by the current disease-oriented and episodic models of emergency medicine. More research is needed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of homelessness in the ED and to develop evidence-based treatment strategies in caring for this vulnerable population.
Reply: “Function of Cryopreserved Mesenchymal Stromal Cells With and Without Interferon-γ Prelicensing Is Context Dependent”

Freshly thawed mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) transiently display altered cell physiology and a recent report by Chinnadurai et al. [Stem Cells 2016;34:2429-2442] demonstrated that thawed allogeneic MSCs are also susceptible to T-cell mediated lysis in vitro and that this effect can be mitigated by activating MSCs with IFN-γ prior to freeze and thaw. In the letter to the editor by Ankrum et al., "Function of Cryopreserved MSCs with and without IFN-γ pre-licensing is Context Dependent," the author provide data that IFN-γ pretreatment of human MSCs before cryobanking fails to enhance their potency post thaw in a mouse model of retinal disease. Considering that the experimental set up involves the use of human MSCs in mice with normal immune systems, we propose that IFN-γ MSC activation enhances the immune incompatibility of xenogenic human cells in a manner which may confound the predictive value for human translational use. Stem Cells 2017;35:1440-1441.
Characterization of plasma metabolites at late gestation and lactation in early parity sows on production and post-weaning reproductive performance.

Lactation is a very energy demanding period for sows. The current study provides a better understanding of the biochemical response of first- (n = 246) or second-parity (n = 127) sows during late gestation through lactation and assesses relationships with piglet production and dam reproductive performance. Plasma samples were collected from first- or second-parity dams at late gestation (110 d gestation [d110G]), d 1 post-farrowing (d1PF), and weaning (WN) then analyzed for various stress and protein metabolism compounds, including; creatine, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity, creatinine, urea nitrogen, albumin, and lactate. Litter performance was measured as number of piglets nursed and piglet ADG. Post-weaning reproductive performance was assessed by measuring weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI) and subsequent ovulation rate collected at time of harvest. Plasma creatine and CPK activity increased (P 0.10) through WN in second-parity dams. First-parity dams had less (P < 0.05) plasma lactate at d110G than at d1PF or WN. However, second-parity dams had increased (P < 0.05) plasma lactate at d110G and d1PF, then decreased (P < 0.05) levels at WN. Plasma lactate at WN was positively (P < 0.05) associated with WEI in first-parity dams, but negatively (P < 0.05) related to WEI at d1PF in second-parity dams. Plasma lactate levels at all time points were positively (P < 0.05) associated with ovulation rate in second-parity dams. The biochemical profile of these dams differed by parity and merits further investigations into these differences to identify methods to improve physiological response to lactation for improved animal welfare, production, and reproductive performance.
Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition of N-polar InN quantum dots and thin films on vicinal GaN

N-polar InN layers were deposited using MOCVD on GaN-on-sapphire templates which were miscut 4° towards the GaN m-direction. For thin layers, quantum dot-like features were spontaneously formed to relieve the strain between the InN and GaN layers. As the thickness was increased, the dots elongated along the step direction before growing outward perpendicular to the step direction and coalescing to form a complete InN layer. XRD reciprocal space maps indicated that the InN films relaxed upon quantum dot formation after nominally 1 nm thick growth, resulting in 5–7 nm tall dots with diameters around 20–50 nm. For thicker layers above 10 nm, high electron mobilities of up to 706 cm2/V s were measured using Hall effect measurements indicating high quality layers.
Development and Characterization of Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Nanomachining Process for Three-Dimensional Nanofabrication

This paper develops and characterizes a three-dimensional (3-D) nanofabrication process using ultrasonic vibration assisted nanomachining based on an atomic force microscope (AFM). The superiorities of height control over force control in the process are explained and are demonstrated by the fabrication results. Three factors impacting actual feature depths are investigated, including the ultrasonic z -vibrational amplitude, the assigned base feature depth, and the machining speed. 3-D nanostructures with continuous height variations were successfully fabricated on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) films with the feature height manipulated through controlling the absolute height of the cantilever tip in AFM. By selecting machining parameters based on characterizations, feature dimensions can be controlled as desired values within small variances. The capability of transferring 3-D nanostructures from PMMA films to silicon substrates is further explored in this paper. After selecting recipes of the reactive ion etching process, 3-D nanostructures are successfully transferred to silicon substrates with controllable selectivity. The reported ultrasonic vibration assisted nanomachining process in height control provides a robust approach of fabricating 3-D nanostructures.
Trauma Metaphor Use After Hillary Clinton’s Loss in the 2016 Presidential Election

Hillary Rodham Clinton was expected to win the 2016 U.S. presidential election, so her loss was hard to articulate for her supporters. This study examined the metaphors her supporters used to talk ...
‘Veiled for Day’: Social Justice Experiments and Race Pedagogies

This chapter describes a social justice experiment, called “Veiled for a Day,” that aimed at challenging students’ assumptions about our so-called “post-racial” society. Invoking an iconic signifier of cultural differences, the veil or hijab, and its controversial cultural, religious, and political meanings in an increasingly Islamophobic public sphere, this experiment sought to foster in these students the need for critical reflection on and revaluation of their own cultural norms, identities, and values within the imbrication of individual identity (difference), intersubjective relations (privilege and inequality), and socio-cultural institutions (sites where privilege and inequality are reproduced). This experiment demonstrates that to be effective, race pedagogies in the twenty-first century must be able to encourage students to develop not only their moral imagination and empathy for the Other, but also their competency to examine the power differentials between Self and Other within existing geopolitical conflicts that implicate them as well.
Getting Employees to Go the Global Distance

While scholars regard MNEs as superior to markets due to their ability to effectively manage knowledge across geographical boundaries, how they accomplish this has not been examined. We develop and...
Global to Local for Path Decision using Neural Networks

In this paper, we present a project aiming to improve the path of an autonomous vehicle on a race track in terms of speed and amount of turning. In this part of the study, we use global information about the track to compute an optimized trajectory. This trajectory uses known turning strategies for cars in road curves minimizing the amount of turning. Then we use sample information from the computed path to train a neural network using only local information available to the driver in real-time as input. The goal is to study how well global information can be inferred from local information.
Haptic-Payment: Stimulating 'Pain' of Payment through Vibration Feedback in Mobile Devices

The proliferation of mobile payment applications in recent years has further decoupled the physical act of paying from the consumption experience. Prior research suggests that this decreases the psychological 'pain' that consumers feel when making a purchase, and leads them to spend more money than they otherwise would. The present research proposes a system that restores the physical sensation of paying to mobile payment apps. Drawing on a preliminary user study, as well as prior theories on prehensile grip types and haptic vibration feedback thresholds, we develop a device consisting of an array of vibration motors that can be attached to the back of a mobile phone and can be controlled through a custom application to provide vibration feedback of varying frequencies and durations at the time of mobile payment. Our preliminary findings suggest that a configuration of vibration motors located around the right and left edges of the phone, and which give high frequency, short duration vibrations upon payment is the most effective way inducing the pain of payment.
Intimate Partner Stalking among College Students: Examining Situational Contexts Related to Police Notification

A nontrivial percentage of men and women report being stalked in their lifetime, and many of these experiences were perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. This study seeks to better understand the situational contexts of this social phenomenon among a high-risk population - college students - and explores how elements of the situational context of intimate partner stalking relate to police notification.Using data from college students attending 24 universities in the United States, logistic regression analyses are supplemented with conjunctive analyses of case configurations (CACC), which allow for the construction of situational contexts of intimate partner stalking and a comparison of contexts that are and are not reported to the police.Overall, police notification for intimate partner stalking is low (6%). Logistic regression analyses revealed that multiple types of stalking victimization and interference with activities are related to an increased likelihood of police notification. CACC indicated that the relevance of interference with activities is dependent upon self-reporting that the victimization resulted in an intimidating environment. Furthermore, multiple types of stalking victimizations and co-occurring victimizations (i.e., physical violence, sexual violence, and coercive control) are related to police notification if the victim also reports interference with activities and an intimidating environment. These relationships are driven by White, non-Hispanic women who live off-campus.Our dual analytical approach highlights the complementary use of traditional regression methods and CACC. These results provide insight for efforts to assist victims of intimate partner stalking in order to encourage police notification.
Growth hormone response to a novel growth hormone-releasing tripeptide in horses: interaction with gonadotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and sulpiride.

A series of experiments was performed to determine the factor(s) responsible for an apparent inhibition of GH secretion in mares administered the GH secretagogue EP51389 in combination with GnRH, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and sulpiride. Experiment 1 tested the repeatability of the original observation: 10 mares received EP51389 at 10 microg/kg BW; five received TRH (10 microg/kg BW), GnRH (1 microg/kg BW), and sulpiride (100 microg/kg BW) immediately before EP51389, and five received saline. The mixture of TRH, GnRH, and sulpiride reduced (P = 0.0034) the GH response to EP51389, confirming the inhibitory effects. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that sulpiride, a dopamine antagonist, was the inhibitory agent. Twelve mares received EP51389 as in Exp. 1; six received sulpiride before EP51389 and six received saline. The GH responses in the two groups were similar (P > 0.1), indicating that sulpiride was not the inhibitory factor. Experiment 3 tested the effects of TRH and(or) GnRH in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Three mares each received saline, TRH, GnRH, or the combination before EP51389 injection. There was a reduction (P 0.1). Given those results, Exp. 4 was conducted to confirm that TRH was inhibitory in vivo as opposed to some unknown chemical interaction of the two compounds in the injection solution. Twenty mares received TRH or saline and(or) EP51389 or saline in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Injections were given separately so that the two secretagogues never came in contact before injection. Again, TRH reduced (P < 0.0001) the GH response to EP51389. In addition, TRH and EP51389 each resulted in a temporary increase in cortisol concentrations. Experiment 5 tested whether TRH would alter the GH response to GHRH itself. Twelve mares received porcine GHRH at 0.4 microg/kg BW; six received TRH prior to GHRH and six received saline. After adjustment for pretreatment differences between groups, the GHRH-induced GH response was completely inhibited (P = 0.068) by TRH. Exp. 6 was a repeat of Exp. 5, except geldings were used (five per group). Again, pretreatment with TRH inhibited (P < 0.0001) the GH response to GHRH. In conclusion, TRH inhibits the GH response not only to EP51389 but also to GHRH in horses, and in addition to its known secretagogue action on prolactin and TSH it may also stimulate ACTH at the dosage used in these experiments.