cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modular real-time resource management in the Rialto operating system

This paper describes ongoing investigations into algorithms for modular distributed real-time resource management. These investigations are being conducted in the context of the Rialto operating system-an object-based real-time kernel and programming environment currently being developed within Microsoft Research. Some of the goals of this research include developing appropriate real-time programming abstractions to allow multiple independent real-time programs to dynamically coexist and share resources on the same hardware platforms. Use of these abstractions is intended both to allow individual applications to reason about their own resource requirements and for per-machine system resource planner applications to reason about and control resource allocations between potentially competing applications. The set of resources being managed is dynamically extensible, and may include remote resources in distributed environments. The local planner conducts resource negotiations with individual applications on behalf of the user, with the goal of maximizing the user's perceived utility of the set of running applications with respect to resource allocations for those applications.
The Detection and Significance of Diurnal Pressure and Potential Vorticity Anomalies East of the Rockies

Abstract Harmonic analysis of pressure, temperature, and precipitation data from 1000 Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) stations reveals a mix of stationary and east–west moving disturbances east of the Rockies. Optimization of the pressure data using a “temperature-based tide assumption” separates a strong sun-following continentally enhanced tide from a smaller eastward-propagating wave (EPW). The latter signal moves at a similar speed to the previously discovered eastward-moving precipitation systems. Analysis of ASOS summer precipitation data confirms eastward propagation, but east of 90°W it shows nonpropagating diurnal convection at a fixed local time (i.e., 1800 LST). Analysis of winter days still finds the EPW, suggesting that it is the cause and not the result of the propagating precipitation. A possible mechanism for the EPW is developed from the linear Bousinesq equations with heating and wind shear. Solutions show eastward-moving diurnal pulses of potential vorticity (PV) generated by ...
Complement-fixation reaction of human neoplastic tissue with sera from hamsters bearing virus-induced tumors.

SummaryA total of 123 extracts of tissues from 111 cases of human cancer of diverse type and 22 extracts of tissues from 20 cases of non-neoplastic disease of man were examined for presence of antigens fixing complement with sera from hamsters bearing adenovirus 7, 12 and 18, SV40, or Rous sarcoma tumor. Thirteen tissues from cases of cancer and 4 tissues from non-neoplastic disease gave positive CF reactions with adenovirus type 12 and sometimes with type 7 tumor antisera but not with the other tumor antisera. Interpretation was complicated in some instances by apparent isoantigen-anti-body reactions between human and hamster tissues. No evidence for etiologic role of adenovirus 18, SV40 or Rous sarcoma virus in human tumor was obtained and if a virus related to 7 and 12 plays a role in human neoplasia, it would appear to be relatively infrequent. Without substantial improvement in specificity and sensitivity, tests for T antigen in human neoplastic tissues would not appear worthy of further emphasis.
The relative availabilities of complementary resources affect the feeding preferences of ant colonies

Theory predicts that consumers selecting among complementary resources will show stronger preferences for items that become relatively less available. I tested this hypothesis in a field study that compared the preferences of ant colonies given simultaneous access to experimental foods differing in carbohydrate and protein content. In the first part of the study, I examined the effect of nutrient supplementation on colony-level preference in the ant Dorymyrmex smithi. Colonies that had received a protein solution for 24 h consumed proportionally more carbohydrates than control colonies that had been given access to water, suggesting that colonies preferred nutrients when they became relatively rare. In the second part of the study, I compared colony-level preference among eight species of ants that differ in their relative access to carbohydrates and protein in the field. I found that species with relatively easy access to carbohydrates preferred protein, whereas species with greater access to protein preferred carbohydrates. These results suggest that the benefits of a nutritionally mixed diet coupled with differences in the relative availability of nutrients may explain variation in feeding decisions both within and among ant species. Key words: ants, complementary resources, foraging theory, preference. [Behav Ecol 15:63–70 (2004)]
Survival of composite chondrocutaneous grafts by vessel implantation: A study in the rabbit ear model

Composite chondrocutaneous graft reconstruction or reattachment has limited applicability, is traditionally restricted to small segmental losses, and is dependent on the status of the recipient bed and graft periphery for successful revascularization. Surgical enhancement of composite graft survival was experimentally investigated in the rabbit ear model through transposition and appositional placement of an adjacent vascular pedicle. Fluorescein-derived surface-survival determinations, microangiographic vessel-counting methods, and histologic analysis were used to study the effects of vascular augmentation, pedicle design variations, and angiogenic substance in sixty 8-cm 2 , full-thickness auricular grafts. A statistically significant survival advantage was demonstrated for the implanted grafts, without derived benefit from angiogenic substance, secondary to perivascular angiogenesis from the implanted pedicle.
A Deathly DNase Activity for Dicer

Recently reporting in Science , Nakagawa et al. describe an unexpected role for Dicer in chromosome fragmentation during apoptosis in C. elegans . They find that cleavage of DCR-1 by the caspase CED-3 redirects its regulatory activity, by destroying its dsRNase activity while activating an intrinsic DNase activity.
Introduction to linguistic geometry tools: selected topics

Linguistic geometry (LG) includes a mathematical model and a set of formal tools for knowledge representation and reasoning about multiagent discrete pursuit-evasion games. This paper is a brief survey of formal tools. It covers formal issues related to complex systems, languages of trajectories and networks. New issues of distance measurement in the state space essential for construction of winning strategies within the no-search approach in LG are also included. Trajectory generating techniques for the agents moving with a constant speed are considered at the end of this paper.
Child neglect: relation to child temperament and family context

Relationships among neglect and child and family characteristics were examined in a sample of 121 urban, low-income families with a child under 30 months. Maternal reports of more difficult child temperament predicted emotional neglect; family context was indirectly related, as mothers in well functioning families with more support reported their children as being less difficult. Neither child temperament nor family context was related to physical neglect.
Bronchiolitis obliterans in an animal feed worker

A nonsmoking animal feed worker developed severe irreversible airflow obstruction during a 2-year occupational exposure to organic matter, microorganisms, proteolytic enzymes, and both amorphous and synthetic silicates. Her pulmonary dysfunction failed to improve despite removal from the workplace and treatment with bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Open lung biopsy demonstrated peribronchiolar inflammation, scarring within the small airways, and neolumen formation, findings consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans. Energy dispersive analysis of both the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as the biopsy specimens revealed the presence of silicate particles, suggesting a potential link between the silica exposure and the pathologic findings. This case suggests bronchiolitis obliterans can occur as a consequence of occupational exposure in the animal feed industry. In addition, this entity should henceforth be considered when evaluating symptomatic patients with exposure to amorphous and synthetic silicates.
Issues in Bilingualism and Heritage Language Maintenance: Perspectives of Minority-Language Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Purpose The author investigated the language practices of 10 bilingual, Chinese/English-speaking, immigrant mothers with their children with autism spectrum disorders. The aim was to understand (a)...
The Calculation of Climatically Relevant Singular Vectors in the Presence of Weather Noise as Applied to the ENSO Problem

An efficient technique for the extraction of climatically relevant singular vectors in the presence of weather noise is presented. This technique is particularly relevant to the analysis of coupled general circulation models where the fastest growing modes are connected with weather and not climate. Climatic analysis, however, requires that the slow modes relevant to oceanic adjustment be extracted, and so effective techniques are required to essentially filter the stochastic part of the system. The method developed here relies on the basic properties of the evolution of first moments in stochastic systems. The methodology for the climatically important ENSO problem is tested using two different coupled models. First, the method using a stochastically forced intermediate coupled model for which exact singular vectors are known is tested. Here, highly accurate estimates for the first few singular vectors are produced for the associated dynamical system without stochastic forcing. Then the methodology is applied to a relatively complete coupled general circulation model, which has been shown to have skill in the prediction of ENSO. The method is shown to converge rapidly with respect to the expansion basis chosen and also with respect to ensemble size. The first climatic singular vector calculated shows some resemblance to that previously extracted by other authors using observational datasets. The promising results reported here should hopefully encourage further investigation of the methodology in a range of coupled models and for a range of physical problems where there exists a clear separation of timescales.
Pensamiento crítico y precisión de los diagnósticos de enfermería. I Parte: riesgo de diagnósticos de baja precisión y nuevas perspectivas del pensamiento crítico

La diversidad y complejidad en la interpretacion de los datos de los pacientes contribuyen al riesgo de que los diagnosticos de enfermeria sean menos precisos. Pese a que los hallazgos en investigacion confirmen este riesgo, debido a la enorme variacion en la precision, son esenciales diagnosticos exactos para orientar las intervenciones de enfermeria en el logro de resultados positivos en la asistencia a la salud. Desarrollar habilidades para el pensamiento critico es mejorar la precision de esos diagnosticos. Las nuevas perspectivas del pensamiento critico ofrecen una base para el alcance de este objetivo. Fueron identificadas siete habilidades cognitivas y diez formas de pensar como dimensiones del pensamiento critico en el uso del proceso de diagnostico.
Third-Generation Dismountable Assembled Pipelines from Composite-Made Pipes

The merits of composite-made structures and efficient methods for making third-generation dismountable assembled pipelines from fiberglass pipes are studied. The results of the studies for improving the design of bell-and-spigot type of joints are furnished, the major factors determining the reliability of the joint are identified, the mechanisms of the influence of geometric parameters on the strength characteristics of the joint are established, and a new design of the pipe joint is proposed.
Ventricular Arrhythmias from the Left Ventricular Summit: Critical Importance of Anatomy, Imaging, and Detailed Mapping to Allow Safe and Effective Ablation

Ventricular arrhythmias arising from the region of the left ventricular summit can be challenging for catheter-based percutaneous ablation. A detailed knowledge of the anatomy of this region and the need of high-density mapping of surrounding structures are critical in ensuring safe and effective ablation. This case-based review focuses on the particular challenges with ablation in this region.
Switching Around Two Axles: Controlling the Configuration and Conformation of a Hydrazone-Based Switch

A hydrazone-based rotary switch, having a quinolinyl stator and a pyridine ring as part of the rotor, can be induced using pH to undergo a four-step switching sequence. This process yields three stable isomers and a fourth “metastable” one that can all be addressed separately based on the sequence of acid and base added. The switching process proceeds via conformational and/or configurational changes, allowing the molecule to rotate around two different axles.
The problem with competencies in global health education.

The demand for global health educational opportunities among students and trainees in high-income countries (HICs) has led to a proliferation of available global health programs. In keeping with the drive towards competency-based medical education, many of these programs have been defining their own
Penile ulcers complicating systemic AL amyloidosis: a case report.

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that can be classified as localized, where the amyloidogenic precursor protein is produced close to the site of deposition of the amyloid fibrils, or systemic, wh...
Femtosecond Room Temperature Measurements of Transport over Nanometer Dimensions in Quantum-Confined Heterostructures

Tunneling and over-barrier hopping are measured over nm spatial dimensions, with 100-fsec temporal resolution, in GaAs/A1GaAs multiple quantum wells at room temperature.
Cryptorchidism in the Prader-Willi Syndrome

AbstractAmong 30 male children seen for the Prader-Willi syndrome 21 had at least 1 undescended testis (70 per cent). In 14 of the 30 patients both testes were undescended (45 per cent). Of 18 patients observed for a period 4 (22 per cent) had late spontaneous descent of 6 testes. Gonadotropin treatment facilitated descent in 3 of 4 patients. Testicular biopsy showed a Sertoli-cell-only appearance in 4 patients. The usual indications for orchiopexy of undescended testes may need to be modified in patients with the Prader-Willi syndrome.
The relationship between the Maria da Penha Law and intimate partner violence in two Brazilian states

Background Globally, inequality between men and women manifests in a variety of ways. In particular, gender inequality increases the risk of perpetration of violence against women (VAW), especially intimate partner violence (IPV), by males. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 35 % of women have experienced physical, psychological and/or sexual IPV at least once in their lives, making IPV unacceptably common. In 2006, the Maria da Penha Law on Domestic and Family Violence, became the first federal law to regulate VAW and punish perpetrators in Brazil. This study examines the relationship between Brazilian VAW legislation and male perpetration of VAW by comparing reported prevalence of IPV before and after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law.
Fluvial sediment supply and pioneer woody seedlings as a control on bar‐surface topography

Plants influence river channel topography, but our understanding of the interaction among plants, flow, and sediment is limited, especially when sediment supply is variable. Using laboratory experiments in a recirculating flume with live seedlings in a mobile sand bed, we demonstrate how varying the balance between sediment supply and transport capacity shifts the relationship between plants and bar-surface topography. Each experimental trial contrasted two sediment conditions, in which initially supply was maintained in equilibrium with transport via sediment recirculation, followed by sediment deficit, in which transport capacity exceeded supply, which was set to zero. For both sediment balances, the topographic response was sensitive to plant size, with larger plants inducing greater aggradation relative to a baseline condition. During sediment equilibrium, the positive relationship between plant size and topographic change also depended on species morphology (multi-stemmed shrubs versus single-stemmed plants). Plant morphology effects disappeared when the sediment balance shifted to a deficit, but the presence of plants had a greater impact on the magnitude of change compared to the topographic response under sediment equilibrium. Our results suggest that the interactions among sediment supply, plants, and topography may be strongest on rivers with a balance in sediment supply and transport capacity. Because of the large variability in fluvial sediment supply resulting from natural and anthropogenic influences, these interactions will differ spatially (e.g. longitudinally through a watershed) and at different temporal scales, from single flood events to longer time periods. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Not All Micro-Loans Were Created Equal: The Effect of Supply Chain Location on Micro-Lending:

The positive effects of micro-loans on the impoverished has become veritable gospel to economic development professionals. Pioneered by Muhammed Yunus in the 1970s, the concept of making small loan...
Improving student learning experience via extracurricular undergraduate research in near-space ballooning

This paper describes an on-going near-space, high-altitude ballooning program at Gannon, aimed for improving student learning experience via undergraduate research. Through team members' laboratory-based extracurricular activities in a complete cycle of an engineering design, our program is also intended to contribute to the development of the STEM workforce, particularly in electrical and computer engineering. Initially beginning with a high-altitude weather ballooning project with 10 senior undergraduate students in AY 2009–10, this program offered STEM students various opportunities to participate in payload design projects such as High Altitude Radiation Detector (HARD) Payloads #1, #2, and #3, as well as an Undergraduate Student Instrument Project (USIP) 2013 payload. The current student-faculty team is developing several high-altitude ballooning payloads for both the HASP 2017 campaign and the 2017 Eclipse Ballooning Project. We further present assessment results that demonstrate the programmatic success and the effectiveness of our program in improving the student learning experience and also in the development of the STEM workforce through high-altitude ballooning.
Quantifying pilot contribution to flight safety for normal and non-normal airline operations

Accident statistics cite the flight crew as a causal factor in over 60% of accidents involving transport category airplanes. Yet, a well-trained and well-qualified pilot is acknowledged as the critical center point of aircraft systems safety and an integral safety component of the entire commercial aviation system. No data currently exists that quantifies the contribution of the flight crew in this role. Neither does data exist for how often the flight crew handles non-normal procedures or system failures on a daily basis in the National Airspace System. A pilot-in-the-loop high fidelity motion simulation study was conducted by the NASA Langley Research Center in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to evaluate the pilot's contribution to flight safety during normal flight and in response to aircraft system failures. Eighteen crews flew various normal and non-normal procedures over a two-day period and their actions were recorded in response to failures. To quantify the human's contribution, crew complement was used as the experiment independent variable in a between-subjects design. Pilot actions and performance when one of the flight crew was impaired were also recorded for comparison against the nominal two-crew operations. This paper details a portion of the results of this study.
Use of application containers and workflows for genomic data analysis.

Background: The rapid acquisition of biological data and development of computationally intensive analyses has led to a need for novel approaches to software deployment. In particular, the complexity of common analytic tools for genomics makes them difficult to deploy and decreases the reproducibility of computational experiments. Methods: Recent technologies that allow for application virtualization, such as Docker, allow developers and bioinformaticians to isolate these applications and deploy secure, scalable platforms that have the potential to dramatically increase the efficiency of big data processing. Results: While limitations exist, this study demonstrates a successful implementation of a pipeline with several discrete software applications for the analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Conclusions: With this approach, we significantly reduced the amount of time needed to perform clonal analysis from NGS data in acute myeloid leukemia.
How does temperature affect forest "fungus breath"? Diurnal non-exponential temperature-respiration relationship, and possible longer-term acclimation in fungal sporocarps.

Abstract Fungal respiration contributes substantially to ecosystem respiration, yet its field temperature response is poorly characterized. I hypothesized that at diurnal time scales, temperature-respiration relationships would be better described by unimodal than exponential models, and at longer time scales both Q10 and mass-specific respiration at 10 °C (Rms10) would show signs of acclimation. I measured respiration on intact sporocarps over the course of several days, and modeled temperature-respiration relationships using exponential and unimodal Gaussian functions. Unimodal models provided a better fit than exponential models. Rms10 and Q10 also declined with increasing temperature, consistent with longer-term temperature acclimation. There was some evidence of diurnal hysteresis. When exponential models were appropriate, Q10 values averaged ∼3.5, and Rms10 averaged 0.02 μmol CO2 g−1 sec−1. The observed high mass-specific respiration rates, peaked temperature responses, decline in Rms10 and Q10 with increasing temperature, and hysteresis could contribute to observed non-exponential and hysteretic patterns in soil and ecosystem respiration.
Semi-Automatic Generation of Stream Surfaces via Sketching

We present a semi-automatic approach for stream surface generation. Our approach is based on the conjecture that good seeding curves can be inferred from a set of streamlines. Given a set of densely traced streamlines over the flow field, we design a sketch-based interface that allows users to describe their perceived flow patterns through drawing simple strokes directly on top of the streamline visualization results. Based on the 2D stroke, we identify a 3D seeding curve and generate a stream surface that captures the flow pattern of streamlines at the outermost layer. Then, we remove the streamlines whose patterns are covered by the stream surface. Repeating this process, users can peel the flow by replacing the streamlines with customized surfaces layer by layer. Furthermore, we propose an optimization scheme to identify the optimal seeding curve in the neighborhood of an original seeding curve based on surface quality measures. To support interactive optimization, we design a parallel surface quality estimation strategy that estimates the quality of a seeding curve without generating the surface. Our sketch-based interface leverages an intuitive painting metaphor which most users are familiar with. We present results using multiple data sets to show the effectiveness of our approach.
( Z )-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate

(Z)-9-Tetradecen-1-ol acetate [(Z)-9-TDA], identified originally as the sex pheromone of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), acted as a secondary sex pheromone when it was tested in sticky traps in field tests. Low-level synergism was obtained when 2 and 10% quantities of (Z)-9-TDA were added to 100 μg of (Z)-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate, which is now considered the primary sex pheromone.
Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea [Isoptera]: Rhinotermitidae), a Threat to the Southeastern Florida Urban Tree Canopy

In addition to being a structural pest, the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea [Isoptera]: Rhinotermitidae), appears to be a serious pest of the native urban tree canopy of southeastern Florida. Asian subterranean termite colonies have the ability to cause feeding damage to a wide range of trees comprising the urban canopy, some potentially to a lethal level. Slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm. (Pinaceae), appears to be particularly susceptible to C. gestroi feeding damage, as the termites feed primarily on the outer layers of the wood, immediately beneath the bark, wounding live tissues and ultimately girdling the tree. In comparison, hardwood trees such as live oak, Quercus virginiana Mill. (Fagaceae), sustain damage to the heartwood at the center of the tree, resulting in a central cavity, but leaving the live tissue intact. Our results suggest that C. gestroi has the potential to kill pine trees within the local urban canopy, which may irreversibly alter the urban forest composition. In addition, many large trees in our survey have been consumed partially by mature C. gestroi colonies, potentially compromising their structural integrity. Some large oak trees that were extensively hollowed out by C. gestroi collapsed in 2017 during hurricane Irma. We discuss different potential approaches for protecting susceptible trees, as a comprehensive IPM strategy is needed for this invasive termite pest species, especially in the complex and extensive urban forest of southeastern Florida.
Definitive hypofractionated radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer: Dosimetric feasibility of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and proton beam therapy for intact breast tumors.

Abstract Purpose Few definitive treatment options exist for elderly patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer who are medically inoperable or refuse surgery. Historical data suggest very poor local control with hormone therapy alone. We examined the dosimetric feasibility of hypofractionated radiation therapy using stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and proton beam therapy (PBT) as a means of definitive treatment for early stage breast cancer. Methods and Materials Fifteen patients with biopsy-proven early stage breast cancer with a clinically visible tumor on preoperative computed tomography scans were identified. Gross tumor volumes were contoured and correlated with known biopsy-proven malignancy on prior imaging. Treatment margins were created on the basis of set-up uncertainty and image guidance capabilities of the three radiation modalities analyzed (3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy [3D-CRT], SABR, and PBT) to deliver a total dose of 50 Gy in 5 fractions. Dose volume histograms were analyzed and compared between treatment techniques. Results The median planning target volume (PTV) for SABR, PBT, and 3-dimensional CRT was 11.91, 21.03, and 45.08 cm3, respectively, and were significantly different (P Conclusions Definitive hypofractionated radiation therapy using SABR and PBT appears to be dosimetrically feasible for the treatment of early stage breast cancer. The anatomical location of the tumor relative to the skin and chest wall appears to be the primary limiting dosimetric factor.
Gayborhoods: Economic Development and the Concentration of Same-Sex Couples in Neighborhoods Within Large American Cities

This paper uses census tract data from the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Censuses and the 2005–2009 American Community Survey to examine the locations of gay male and lesbian partnerships in 38 large U.S. cities. Gay men and lesbians are less segregated than African Americans and lesbians are less spatially concentrated than gay men. There is little evidence to support the common assertion that gays concentrate in more racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. We find evidence supporting the popular notion that concentrations of gay men lead to more rapid development of central city neighborhoods. Census tracts that start the decade with more gay men experience significantly greater growth in household incomes (and, therefore, presumably housing prices) and greater population growth over the next decade than those census tracts with fewer gay men. Census tracts with more lesbians at the start of the decade see no difference in population or income growth.
Abdominal Compartment Syndrome and Hypertension in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Intra-abdominal hypertension and its more dangerous manifestation, abdominal compartment syndrome, occur when the space available within the abdominal cavity is less than the combined total volume of the contents, leading to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which in turn causes systemic organ system dysfunction. Any patient undergoing complex abdominal wall reconstruction is prone to develop this complication. Careful preoperative preparation and modification of intraoperative technique can prevent the condition from occurring. Postoperative monitoring is critical in early detection and rapid therapy. Mild cases maybe treated with nonoperative therapy, but for more severe cases, operative decompression with or without subsequent reconstruction has to be performed to prevent poor outcomes.
Remotely-supervised transcranial direct current stimulation paired with cognitive training in Parkinson's disease: An open-label study.

Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been explored as a potential intervention in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and recent studies have shown promising results in cognitive, gait and motor function. However, evidence of efficacy is limited due to small size studies, short treatment periods, lack of standardization of methodologies and other study design limitations. Remotely supervised-tDCS (RS-tDCS) allows “at-home” study participation, potentially easing recruitment, compliance and overall feasibility for clinical studies. Objective Here, we aim to explore preliminary effects of RS-tDCS paired with cognitive training in PD by delivering RS-tDCS neuromodulation at participant’s home while still maintaining clinical trial standards. Methods This was a prospective, open-label study using RS-tDCS paired with cognitive training. Each PD participant completed 10 tDCS sessions (20-min, 1.5–2.0-mA, bi-hemispheric DLPFC montage, left anodal), over a span of two weeks. All tDCS sessions were supervised in real-time through videoconferencing. Outcomes included the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Grooved Pegboard Test. Results All RS-tDCS sessions were well tolerated and completed successfully. Total UPDRS and motor UPDRS-III scores decreased significantly. Pegboard completion time improved significantly for the non-dominant hand. There was a strong positive correlation between the time of the sessions, and motor improvements in UPDRS part-III. Conclusion RS-tDCS paradigm through a ‘telemedicine protocol’ holds therapeutic potential for motor symptoms in PD while maximizing compliance and ease of recruitment. Conducting afternoon sessions might be more effective than during the morning. Our paradigm may be influential in designing future studies and facilitating larger and longer duration clinical trials.
Food exchange and distribution by three functional worker groups of the imported fire antSolenopsis invicta Buren

The imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren has three main functional worker groups: foragers, reserves, and nurses. By using a specially designed nest we were able to separate these functional groups by location. The ants were presented with 125 Iodine mixed with egg yolk powder, soybean oil, or 50 % honey solution for 10 minutes. The number of ants per nest location and the quantity of radiolabelled food consumed per ant were then measured.
Reliable service systems design under the risk of network access failures

Abstract In service systems with natural or anthropogenic barriers (e.g., rivers, railroads), customers who intend to visit facilities for service must first pass through certain network access points (e.g., bridges, railway crossings). Possible blockage or disruptions of these access points could change the customer-facility assignments or even affect reachability of various facilities, and thus introduce facility reliability and correlation issues. This paper incorporates network access points and their probabilistic failures into a joint optimization framework. A layer of network access points are added and connected to facilities to imply the real-world connections between facilities and access points. The access points are assumed to be subject to disruptions with site-dependent probabilities. We then develop a compact mixed-integer mathematical model to optimize the facility location and customer assignment decisions for the service systems design. Lagrangian relaxation based algorithms are designed to effectively solve the proposed model. Multiple case studies are constructed to test the model and the algorithm, and to demonstrate their performance and applicability.
Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices (μPADs): Miniaturization and Enzyme Storage Studies

This paper describes the design and development of miniaturized microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for biological assays and enzyme storage instruments. Here, a glucose assay utilizing glucose oxidase (GOx), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and potassium iodide (KI) is used as the model system. The efficacy of the miniaturized devices is further examined by assessing the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Two types of μPADs were developed: one, "strip" chips of detection zones of area 0.5, 0.1 cm2 and, two, "grid" chips of detection zone 0.05 cm2. The devices are easily fabricated via a wax printing process whereby lines of wax are deposited onto chromatographic paper and heated to create rows of hydrophobic barriers. The "strip" chips were subjected to three different temperature environments (-20, 0, and 20°C) over 30 days and glucose assays conducted at intermittent times yielding a correlation between corrected average inverse yellow intensity, days, and glucose concentration. Calculated and experimentally derived color intensity values for 1, 4, and 9 mM glucose concentrations after a 7-day storage study showed a good correlation (0.89 - 15.76% error). Both types of μPADs are effective platforms as potential point-of-care (POC) diagnostic devices and display minimal enzyme denaturation. μPADs of this size show promise as alternative devices for resource-limited regions and especially those areas where materials and instrumentation are not always available.
Mixed cranial neuropathies due to occult perineural invasion of basal cell carcinoma

Abstract Purpose To report a diagnostically challenging case of cranial neuropathy due to perineural invasion by a basal cell carcinoma presenting 7.5 years after treatment of the primary tumor with Mohs micrographic surgery. Observations A 62-year-old male with a history of Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the left brow presented with insidious onset of diplopia and paresthesia localizing to the ipsilateral cranial nerves V1, V2, and VI. He had no evidence of recurrent cutaneous BCC. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits and skull base identified equivocal, subtle abnormalities in the ipsilateral superior orbital fissure and cavernous sinus, with normal appearance of the clinically involved nerve branches. A radiographically normal branch of cranial nerve V was biopsied and histopathology identified perineural invasion by recurrent basal cell carcinoma. Conclusions and importance The diagnosis of perineural invasion by BCC can pose several challenges, including subtle to absent imaging findings of clinically involved nerves and a lengthy latent period following primary tumor treatment. This case represents, to our knowledge, the longest reported interval between primary treatment and biopsy-proven recurrence with perineural invasion by BCC.
The Appearance of Power in Hobbes’ Leviathan

Power is widely acknowledged as central to Thomas Hobbes’ political philosophy. There is ongoing debate over whether singular human beings or, instead, plural relationships, are the true source of power. After tracing the debate between the individualist and relationist interpretations, I offer an alternative option which, I argue, can accommodate both the individual and the relation together. Hobbesian power, I contend, is an appearance of a human being as having a means to satisfy his desires and, hence, while power belongs to an individual, it only appears in relation to another who recognizes him as such. In closing, I reflect on the political implications of this notion of power in connection with desire.
Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Maternity Care Among Women With Employer-Based Insurance, 2008–15

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employer-based insurance plans to cover maternity services, but plans are allowed to impose cost sharing such as copayments and deductibles for these services. This study aimed to evaluate trends in cost sharing for maternity care among working women in employer-based plans, before and after the ACA. Our data indicate that between 2008 and 2015, average out-of-pocket spending for maternity care rose among women with employer-based insurance. This increase was largely driven by increased spending among women with deductibles. When we controlled for potential confounders, we found that out-of-pocket spending was higher for lower-income working women in 2008-13, but disparities disappeared in 2014-15 because of a continued rise in spending among higher-income working women. Policies that aim to lower out-of-pocket spending for maternity care could reduce a significant financial burden on families.
Sulfur heat transfer behavior for uniform and non-uniform thermal charging of horizontally-oriented isochoric thermal energy storage systems

Abstract Elemental sulfur is a low-cost, chemically stable thermal storage medium suitable for many medium to high temperature applications. In this study, we investigate the heat transfer behavior of sulfur, isochorically stored in a horizontally-oriented thermal storage element (steel tube) using experimental, analytical, and computational methods. The sulfur container was uniformly and non-uniformly heated along its axis from 50 to 600 °C to simulate the potential operating conditions for the full-scale thermal energy storage systems. The results of the study reveal distinct sulfur heat transfer mechanisms based on the temperature range and mode of thermal charging. For temperatures from 50 to 200 °C, the sulfur heat transfer behavior is governed by two primary mechanisms; 1) solid–liquid phase change, and 2) sulfur viscosity that varies strongly with temperature. From 200 to 600 °C, the buoyancy-driven natural convection is the dominant heat transfer mechanism and facilitates significantly high thermal charge rates. For axially non-uniform thermal charging, the axial temperature gradient induces natural convection along the axis that rapidly redistributes the thermal energy within the sulfur mass. Such axial convection has a strong impact on the thermal characteristics, including thermal charge/discharge rate and exergetic efficiency of the thermal storage systems. These observations and the high-fidelity computational model used in this study provide important means to identify the design parameters and operating conditions for which sulfur-based thermal energy storage (SulfurTES) systems will provide desirable thermal performance at a low thermal storage cost.
Government as Gardener: Cultivating the Environment for Private Sector Natural Disaster Response

Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of both the private sector and the intermediate institutions of civil society (houses of worship, community organizations, etc.) in responding to immediate and longer-run economic and social needs after a natural disaster. Given those results, and given the existing powers of government, what role should government play in disaster response? By clarifying and enforcing the rules of property and contract, governments can ensure that actors in the market and civil society are best able to lead the processes of response and recovery. In this way, governments should think of themselves as gardeners who cultivate an environment in which the private sector and civil society can be most effective.
The ketogenic diet is not effective in preclinical models of IDH1 wild-type and IDH1 mutant glioma

ABSTRACT Infiltrative gliomas are the most common neoplasms arising in the brain, and remain largely incurable despite decades of research. A subset of these gliomas contains mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1mut). This mutation disrupts cellular biochemistry, and IDH1mut gliomas are generally less aggressive than IDH1 wild-type (IDH1wt) gliomas. Some preclinical studies and clinical trials have suggested that a ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by low-carbohydrate and high-fat content, may be beneficial in slowing glioma progression. However, not all studies have shown promising results, and to date, no study has addressed whether IDH1mut gliomas might be more sensitive to KD. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of KD in preclinical models of IDH1wt versus IDH1mut gliomas. In vitro, simulating KD by treatment with the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate had no effect on the proliferation of patient-derived IDH1wt or IDH1mut glioma cells. Likewise, KD had no effect on the in vivo growth of these patient-derived gliomas. Furthermore, mice engrafted with Sleeping-Beauty transposase-engineered IDH1wt and IDH1mut glioma showed no difference in survival while on KD. These data suggest that IDH1mut gliomas are not more responsive to KD, and that clinical trials further exploring KD in this subset of glioma patients may not be warranted.
ACRL/STS Section Continuing Education Survey 2018 : STS Professional Development Committee

The ACRL Science and Technology Section (STS) Professional Development commitee members administers a survey approximately every two years to section members to learn what continuing education topics members are interested in. Surveys are sent to all section members as well as to members of the STS-L mailing list. This article reports on the results of the 2018 survey.
A multiwavelength survey of AGN in massive clusters: AGN detection and cluster AGN fraction

We aim to study the effect of environment on the presence and fuelling of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in massive galaxy clusters. We explore the use of different AGN detection techniques with the goal of selecting AGN across a broad range of luminosities, AGN/host galaxy flux ratios and obscuration levels. From a sample of 12 galaxy clusters at redshifts 0.5 < z < 0.9, we identify AGN candidates using optical variability from multi-epoch Hubble Space Telescope imaging, X-ray point sources in Chandra images and mid-infrared (IR) spectral energy distribution power-law fits through the Spitzer Infrared Array Camera channels. We find 178 optical variables, 74 X-ray point sources and 64 IR power-law sources, resulting in an average of ∼25 AGN per cluster. We find no significant difference between the fraction of AGN among galaxies in clusters and the percentage of similarly detected AGN in field galaxy studies (∼2.5 per cent). This result provides evidence that galaxies are still able to fuel accretion on to their supermassive black holes, even in dense environments. We also investigate correlations between the percentage of AGN and cluster physical properties such as mass, X-ray luminosity, size, morphology class and redshift. We find no significant correlations among cluster properties and the percentage of AGN detected.
A Qualitative Analysis of Ethical Perspectives on Recruitment and Consent for Human Intracranial Electrophysiology Studies

Intracranial electrophysiological research methods, including those applying electrodes on the cortical surface or in deep structures, have become increasingly important in human neuroscience. They also pose novel ethical concerns, as human studies require the participation of neurological patients undergoing surgery for conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Research participants in this setting may be vulnerable to conflicts of interest, therapeutic misconception, and other threats to valid recruitment and consent. We conducted semi-structured interviews with investigators from NIH-funded studies involving recording or stimulation inside the human skull. We elicited perspectives on study recruitment and consent procedures, and analyzed transcripts using a modified grounded theory approach. We interviewed 26 investigators from 19 separate intracranial electrophysiology studies, who described two study types: opportunity studies (n = 15) and experimental trials (n = 4). Respondents described significant heterogeneity in recruitment and consent procedures, even among studies employing similar techniques. In some studies, clinician-investigators were specifically barred from obtaining consent, while in other studies clinician-investigators were specifically required to obtain consent; regulatory guidance was inconsistent. Respondents also described various models for subject selection, the timing of consent, and continuing consent for temporally extended studies. Respondents expressed ethical concerns about participants' vulnerability and the communication of research-related risks. We found a lack of consensus among investigators regarding recruitment and consent methods in human intracranial electrophysiology. This likely reflects the novelty and complexity of such studies and indicates a need for further discussion and development of best practices in this research domain.
Emotion-Based Music Recommender System for Tinnitus Patients (EMOTIN)

The chapter presents a personalized recommender system (RS) for tinnitus therapy, called EMOTIN. It is based on the automatic indexing of music by emotions. A framework and an algorithm for emotion-based music recommendations for tinnitus patients are proposed. The contribution is expected to be novel, as nobody yet proposed a music RS specifically to target negative emotions associated with tinnitus. The chapter is organized as follows. First, the medical problem of tinnitus, a common but non-curable hearing disorder, is presented. An overview of existing therapies, based on tinnitus retraining and music interventions, is provided. The background information includes work done previously in this research, including RECTIN (Recommender for Tinnitus) system and its prototype GUI-based version—eTRT (electronic Tinnitus Retraining Therapy). Next, the methods used to enhance an existing prototype by adding the music recommendation functionality are presented. The high-level overview of the content-based approach for music recommendation is described. A formal definition of the music recommendation is given and a recommender algorithm based on neighborhood approach and similarity metrics is described in detail. The methods to build a user profile are proposed, including user input data and a dimensional model of emotions. For item content analysis, an approach based on music emotion recognition and audio notching is outlined. The preliminary results on music item content analysis include datasets preparation, audio feature extraction, and testing regression models for music emotion recognition. Discussion includes future directions for this research, including full implementation of the system and evaluating the system’s recommendations with tinnitus patients.