cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Rights and Social Policy in the United States: an educational agenda for the 21st century

Abstract Education in the human rights arena has tended to emphasise, at least in the United States, civil and political rights. Into the next century, this moral educational agenda should be expanded to include more emphasis upon economic, social, and solidarity rights and the notion of the interdependency of human rights, the official position of the UN Human Rights Commission. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reaffirmed at the recent World Conference on Human Rights, is the authoritative definition of human rights standards, and increasingly referred to as customary international law. That document should provide an adequate grounding for human rights education, which should facilitate a “human rights culture”. It is argued here that moral education should not seek “converts” to the principles of the Declaration, but rather emphasise open discussion and scholarship in order that students choose their values. This expansion in people's consciousness in regard to a comprehensive understanding o...
Efficacy of cone biopsy of the uterine cervix during frozen section for the evaluation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3

We retrospectively selected 22 cases in which patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 underwent cervical conization for frozen section (FS) evaluation followed by hysterectomy at the University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, during the August 1995 to September 9, 2001. All slides from FS and permanent section (PS) and hysterectomy specimens were reviewed. FS diagnoses were compared with those of previous biopsies, PS, and hysterectomy specimens. The PS correlated with FS in all cases but 1. Appropriate surgery was performed for all patients based on FS diagnosis. The McNemar test was used to compare the results of FS and PS, with a 2-sided P value of 1.0 and a κ coefficient of 0.7755 with a 95% confidence level, indicating that the 2 groups were not significantly different. FS evaluation of cervical conization is as efficacious and accurate as evaluation of regular specimens in providing information for the appropriateness of same-day surgery. We recommend that entire tissue be submitted for FS to avoid sampling errors and to increase diagnostic accuracy.
Growing Global: Learning Locations in the Life Sciences

This research explores the role of place in corporate location strategy by following the global footsteps of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company. Examining a life science company model whose acquisitions strongly affected industry strategy provides examples of place characteristics modifying high tech corporate strategy in four very different metropolitan areas: Indianapolis, Research Triangle, San Diego and Shanghai. Targeted interviews explore institutional, human, and place features. This case study illustrates why choosing the best learning location—where both structured and informal information exchange networks can nurture companies—is key to achieving competitive advantage through site selection.
The longitudinal transcriptomic response of the substantia nigra to intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine reveals significant upregulation of regeneration-associated genes

We hypothesized that the study of gene expression at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 16 weeks in the substantia nigra (SN) after intrastriatal 6-OHDA in the Sprague-Dawley rat (rattus norvegicus) would identify cellular responses during the degenerative process that could be axoprotective. Specifically, we hypothesized that genes expressed within the SN that followed a profile of being highly upregulated early after the lesion (during active axonal degeneration) and then progressively declined to baseline over 16 weeks as DA neurons died are indicative of potential protective responses to the striatal 6-OHDA insult. Utilizing a κ-means cluster analysis strategy, we demonstrated that one such cluster followed this hypothesized expression pattern over time, and that this cluster contained several interrelated transcripts that are classified as regeneration-associated genes (RAGs) including Atf3, Sprr1a, Ecel1, Gadd45a, Gpnmb, Sox11, Mmp19, Srgap1, Rab15,Lifr, Trib3, Tgfb1, and Sema3c. All exemplar transcripts tested from this cluster (Sprr1a, Ecel1, Gadd45a, Atf3 and Sox11) were validated by qPCR and a smaller subset (Sprr1a, Gadd45a and Sox11) were shown to be exclusively localized to SN DA neurons using a dual label approach with RNAScope in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Upregulation of RAGs is typically associated with the response to axonal injury in the peripheral nerves and was not previously reported as part of the axodegenerative process for DA neurons of the SN. Interestingly, as part of this cluster, other transcripts were identified based on their expression pattern but without a RAG provenance in the literature. These "RAG-like" transcripts need further characterization to determine if they possess similar functions to or interact with known RAG transcripts. Ultimately, it is hoped that some of the newly identified axodegeneration-reactive transcripts could be exploited as axoprotective therapies in PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Adding computing theory to a course on computer design and architecture

This paper describes the addition of four core concepts from computing theory to a course on computer design and architecture. According to the most recent Computer Science Curriculum, all computer science students should receive around 6 instructional hours on key concepts from computing theory covering areas such as finite automata, regular expressions, grammars and the halting problem. Computing theory has traditionally been a difficult subject for computer science students and as a result a key question is how and in what type of setting should computing theory be presented. Presented here is one approach which naturally ties the rather abstract computing theory concepts to ideas and tools presented in a computer design and architecture course. Each computing theory concept is presented through lecture slides, an associated video lecture, in-class activity and take home lab.
Spray-dried bovine blood: an effective laboratory diet for Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae).

Commercially available spray-dried protein sources were evaluated as replacement laboratory cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouche), larval diets for slaughterhouse-collected heat-dried blood. Percentage of adult emergence of fleas reared on adult flea feces (87.7%) and spray-dried bovine blood (79%) did not significantly differ, and yeast supplementation did not significantly increase adult emergence for spray-dried diets. However, yeast supplementation of heat-dried blood increased percentage adult emergence from 0 to 41.7%. Spray-dried bovine blood was found to be a satisfactory laboratory diet for cat flea larvae.
Analysis of Neurotransmitter Tissue Content of Drosophila melanogaster in Different Life Stages

Drosophila melanogaster is a widely used model organism for studying neurological diseases with similar neurotransmission to mammals. While both larva and adult Drosophila have central nervous systems, not much is known about how neurotransmitter tissue content changes through development. In this study, we quantified tyramine, serotonin, octopamine, and dopamine in larval, pupal, and adult fly brains using capillary electrophoresis coupled to fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Tyramine and octopamine content varied between life stages, with almost no octopamine being present in the pupa, while tyramine levels in the pupa were very high. Adult females had significantly higher dopamine content than males, but no other neurotransmitters were dependent on sex in the adult. Understanding the tissue content of different life stages will be beneficial for future work comparing the effects of diseases on tissue content throughout development.
Application of the model GM( 1,1) on prediction of syphilis

[Objective]To analyze the epidemic trends of syphilis in Nanchang City during 2008-2011,carry out the short-term prediction,provide the scientific basis for the reasonable distribution of health resource and the formulation of prevention and control measures.[Methods]According to the reported incidence rates of syphilis during 2008-2011,the back prediction,fitting precision evaluation and extrapolation forecast were conducted by fitting the prediction model of GM( 1,1).[Results]The established model was as following: Y t=-417. 640 1 e- 0. 0534( t- 1)+ 438. 380 1. The posteriori error ratio C of fitting precision in back prediction was0. 107 6,and the small error probability P was 100%,which the fitting precision reached the best level. Based on the established model,it is predicted that the annual reported incidence rate is respectively 18. 502 2 / lakh,17. 540 2 / lakh and 16. 628 1 / lakh from 2012-2014.[Conclusion]By model GM( 1,1),the prediction data of syphilis incidence rate are satisfactory,and it can be used in the short-term prediction of incidence rate of syphilis.
Intermittent Clean Catheterization: An Alternative to diversion in Continent Transplant Recipients with Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

A total of 3 renal transplant recipients who were candidates for urinary diversion underwent successful transplantation using a planned program of intermittent clean catheterization. The urinary tract dysfunction was caused by a lower motor neuron neurogenic bladder, prune belly syndrome and myelodysplasia. The patients remain dry between catheterizations and maintain serum creatinine levels of 1.1, 0.8 and 0.5 mg. per cent, respectively, with a followup of 6 to 25 months. There has been only 1 urinary tract infection during 42 patient-months at risk while on self-catheterization. Pre-transplant urologic evaluation and patient education are mandatory. The ideal candidate for intermittent clean catheterization is a patient with a low pressure bladder that fails to empty and who is continent between catheterizations. Intermittent clean catheterization is a safe and effective alternative to diversion in continent transplant recipients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.
A History of Nonpharmacological Treatments for Insomnia

The theoretical and clinical foundations of the nonpharmacological treatment of insomnia were for the most part laid down a generation ago, making this an opportune moment to recap the history of the field while still benefitting from the personal recollections of early participants in its growth. The treatment of insomnia is rendered problematic not only by the subjective nature of the disorder but also by the complex interactions between diverse factors that produce chronic sleeplessness. In the eight decades since progressive muscle relaxation first targeted insomnia’s somatic inputs, cadres of researchers and clinicians have approached the task of treating it a bit like the blind men treat their elephant, each finding a distinctive feature on which to obtain a grasp.
Network learning on the connection machine

Connectionist networks are powerful techniques, inspired by the parallel architecture of the brain, for discovering intrinsic structures in data. However, they are not well suited for implementation on serial computers. In this paper, we discuss the first implementation of a connectionist learning algorithm, error back-propagation, on a fine-grained parallel computer, the Connection Machine. As an example of how the system can be used, we present a parallel implementation of NETtalk, a connectionist network that learns the mapping from English text to the pronunciation of that text. Currently, networks containing up to 16 million links can be simulated on the Connection Machine at speeds nearly twice that of the Cray-2. We found the major impediment to further speed-up to be the communications between processors, and not processor speed per se. We believe that the advantage for parallel computers will become even clearer as developments in parallel computing continue.
Efficient gate oxide defect screen for VLSI reliability

We report the feasibility and effectiveness of short voltage stress for oxide defect screen in this paper. Wafer-level in-process voltage stress rather than post-process burn-in may be necessary for defect screening, so that all the thin oxides can be accessed and higher voltage may be used to accelerate the burn-in. Oxide breakdown theory has been successfully used to model this defect control method. >
Redox-Active Selenium in Health and Disease: A Conceptual Review

Although it is generally accepted that selenium (Se) is important for life, it is not well known which forms of organic and/or inorganic Se compound are the most biologically active. In nature Se exists mostly in two forms, namely as selenite with fourvalent and selenate with sixvalent cations, from which all other inorganic and organic species are derived. Despite a small difference in their electronic structure, these two inorganic parent compounds differ significantly in their redox properties. Hence, only selenite can act as an oxidant, particularly in the reaction with free and/or protein- bound sulhydryl (SH) groups. For example, selenite was shown to inhibit the hydroxyl radicalinduced reduction and scrambled reoxidation of disulfides in human fibrinogen thus preventing the formation of highly hydrophobic polymer, termed parafibrin. Such a polymer, when deposited within peripheral and/or cerebral circulation, may cause irreversible damage resulting in the development of cardiovascular, neurological and other degenerative diseases. In addition, parafibrin deposited around tumor cells produces a protease-resistant coat protecting them against immune recognition and elimination. On the other hand, parafibrin generated by Ebola's protein disulfide isomerase can form a hydrophobic 'spike' that facilitates virus attachment and entry to the host cell. In view of these specific properties of selenite this compound is a potential candidate as an inexpensive and readily available food supplement in the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular, neoplastic, neurological and infectious diseases.
Experimental Influences in the Accurate Measurement of Cartilage Thickness in MRI

ObjectiveTo study the experimental influences to the measurement of cartilage thickness by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).DesignThe complete thicknesses of healthy and trypsin-degraded cartilage ...
Phase-change RF switches with robust switching cycle endurance

We report on the first SbTe phase-change material RF switches with a refractory TiW heater in a planar configuration. With the planar layout and heater reliability, a record switching cycle endurance of >300K was demonstrated. With on-state resistance of 0.5 ohm∗mm and off-state capacitance of 75 fF/mm, the RF switch figure-of-merit (FOM) is 4.1 THz, which is 6–7 times better than state-of-the-art RF switches, including RF silicon-on-insulator technology. With further layout optimization, SbTe phase-change material RF switches could be a potential candidate for future RF switch technology.
Newborn Early-Onset Sepsis Guidelines: The Not So Simple Truth

> The truth is rarely pure and never simple. > —Oscar Wilde How can we criticize a guideline when the proof of its success is abundant and evidence-based? One truth is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for preventing perinatal Group B Streptococcal (GBS) disease have been exceptionally successful. Since the guidelines were first introduced 2 decades ago and have now been widely implemented, there has been a dramatic decline in the incidence of early-onset GBS disease in newborns.1,2 The cornerstones of the CDC guidelines are prenatal GBS screening and intrapartum maternal antibiotics.3 As the authors of the current CDC guideline state, early-onset GBS disease in newborns is now “relatively uncommon.”1 But there is 1 aspect of the CDC guideline that many frontline newborn clinicians find frustrating. Just say the 3 short syllables “chorio” and our blood pressures rise. Intra-amniotic infection (chorioamnionitis) is diagnosed clinically by obstetric clinicians …
Role of cutinolytic enzymes in infection of cucumber by Colletotrichum lagenarium.

Abstract The role of cutinolytic enzymes in infection of cucumber by Colletotrichum lagenarium was investigated. Microscopic and visual observations of C. lagenarium penetration and colonization in the presence of organophosphate cutinase inhibitors suggested that cutinolytic enzymes do not have a primary role in penetration. Use of mutants of C. lagenarium supported these observations since only a poor correlation between cutinase production and penetration and disease expression was found, whereas a very good correlation between penetration and disease development was found.
On the nomenclature of the genus name Ululodes (Neuroptera, ascalaphidae)

Ascalaphus macleayanus Guilding, 1823 is fixed as the type species of the Western Hemisphere owlfly genus Ululodes Smith, 1900 (ascalaphidae). Information clarifying the proper authorship, date of publication and nomenclatural gender of this name is presented.
Structure-Reactivity in the Hydrogenation of Alkenes. Comparisons with Reductions by Diimide and The Formation of a Ni(0) Complex

Abstract The effect of structure on the rates of hydrogenations catalyzed by Pt, Pd, and Ni is compared with the effects upon the rates of reduction by diimide (diazene) (Garbisch) and the association constants with a Ni(0) complex (Tolman). These later reactions serve as models for the effect of structure on certain of the elementary reactions of catalysis by metals. Some of the factors which determine the selectivity of a catalyst are reviewed including the kinetics, the metal, and the importance of isomerization as a competing reaction.
The Three Ethologies

This essay brings into conversation the remarkable fieldwork of Wyoming ethologist Joe Hutto with Felix Guattari’s critique of established ecological thinking in his 1989 The Three Ecologies, developing a broader and more complex understanding of ethological practice and its implications for our understanding of animal life, sociality, and the ethics of human-animal relations. Working with the three registers also employed by Guattari in his attempt at formulating a ‘generalized ecology’ or ‘ecosophy,’ the essay suggests a concept of ethology that encompasses a social, an environmental, and a mental dimension of ethological practice. These ‘three ethologies’ are developed in conversation with Hutto’s account of his experience of living with a pack of mule deer over a period of seven years, showing that, rather than an analytical framework imposed on Hutto’s experiences, such an expanded conception of ethology emerges from Hutto’s ethological practice itself. The transformative experiences documented in Touching the Wild (2014) not only give fascinating ethological insights into the behaviors and different personalities of the deer Hutto encountered and lived with, they also challenge us to think about forms and practices of living-with beyond the anthropocentric limitations of traditional concepts of society, community, and (inter)subjectivity.
Mycobacterium vaccae immunization protects aged rats from surgery-elicited neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction

Abstract Aging is a major risk factor for developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Neuroinflammatory processes, which can play a causal role in the etiology of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, are potentiated or primed as a function of aging. Here we explored whether exposure to a microorganism with immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, Mycobacterium vaccae NCTC 11659 (M. vaccae), could ameliorate age-associated neuroinflammatory priming. Aged (24 months) and adult (3 months) male F344XBN rats were immunized with heat-killed M. vaccae (3 injections, once per week) before undergoing a laparotomy or anesthesia control procedure. Aged, but not young rats, showed postoperative learning/memory deficits in a fear-conditioning paradigm. Importantly, M. vaccae immunization protected aged rats from these surgery-induced cognitive impairments. M. vaccae immunization also shifted the aged proinflammatory hippocampal microenvironment toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Furthermore, M. vaccae immunization reduced age-related hyperinflammatory responses in isolated hippocampal microglia. Overall, our novel data suggest that M. vaccae can induce an anti-inflammatory milieu in the aged brain and thus mitigate the neuroinflammatory and cognitive impairments induced by surgery.
The long-term impact of a comprehensive scholarly concentration program in biomedical ethics and medical humanities.

There is a strong and growing interest in biomedical ethics and medical humanities (BEMH) within medical education for facilitating key components of medical professionalism and ethics, clinical communication and observational skills, and self-care and reflective practices. Consequently, United States (US) medical institutions have begun to incorporate BEMH through formal Scholarly Concentrations (SCs). This is the first study to examine the impact of a US BEMH SC, from student experience in medical school to post-graduate development, as perceived by graduate physicians. Graduated students who participated in the BEMH SC or did extensive BEMH research prior to the BEMH SC’s establishment (n = 57) were sampled for maximum variation across graduating years. In telephone surveys and interviews, participants discussed the perceived impact of the BEMH SC on (a.) student experience during medical school and (b.) post-graduate development. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and de-identified. The authors iteratively generated a codebook; two raters coded independently, adjudicated codes, and completed inter-rater reliability (IRR) tests. The authors subsequently conducted a team-based thematic analysis, identifying emergent themes. Nineteen BEMH graduates were interviewed. Results were analyzed according to (a.) student experience and (b.) post-graduate development. Overall, respondents perceived impacts in reinforcing knowledge and skills in clinical ethics; solidifying self-care and reflective practices; refining a sense of professional identity and integrity for ethically challenging situations; and promoting student skills, productivity, and later careers involving BEMH. A comprehensive US BEMH SC achieved the purported aims of BEMH in medical education, with graduate physicians perceiving persisting effects into clinical practice. Furthermore, the structure and format of a SC may offer additional advantages in promoting student scholarly skill and productivity, career development, and professional identity formation—core competencies identified across clinical training and ethics programs. Our findings indicate that a BEMH SC is effective in achieving a range of desired immediate and post-graduate effects and represent a particularly promising venue for BEMH in medical education. We believe these findings to be of critical significance to medical educators and administrators when considering how best to incorporate BEMH into SCs and medical curricula.
Monitoring Vaccine Safety

Safety standards for vaccines are very high given they are used among healthy persons for prevention rather than treatment and it is often difficult to predict who will be exposed to and develop a particular disease, if they are not immune. There are a broad range of activities conducted by the federal government, the private sector and academic investigators to optimize the safety of vaccines and identify, characterize and minimize vaccine adverse reactions when they occur.
Closing the Gap and Exploring the Intersections between Internationalization and Multiculturalism.

Preparing students for twenty-first century leadership and citizenship requires deepening students' understanding of diversity and difference. U.S. higher education institutions must seek ways to bridge the historic gap between internationalization and multiculturalism as a means of addressing some of the moral imperatives of these times.
Law & Entrepreneurship in Global Clinical Education

As clinical legal education (CLE) continues to evolve and prepare practice-ready lawyers, and governments worldwide focus on the multilayered impact of technology, automation and artificial intelligence, there is a pressing need to examine law and entrepreneurship through the lens of global clinical legal education. The range of issues include: corporate social responsibility, disruptive technologies, microbusiness, social entrepreneurship, social impact investing, the creative economy, sustainable local economies, cooperatives and shared work, and inclusive entrepreneurship. Indeed, new legal entities like benefit corporations and low profit limited liability companies (L3Cs) have emerged to address contemporary legal needs and in the United States, the notion of an entrepreneurial mindset is prominent. Many of today’s law students are Millennial generation, ages 18-34, while others are digital natives who have not known a world without technology. Business law clinics (BLCs), also referred to as transactional clinics, representing for profit, nonprofit or nongovernmental (NGOs) organizations and social enterprises aim to support the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems while promoting social and economic justice. BLCs teach law students substantive law, practical skills and professional values. Indeed, BLCs with a social and economic justice perspective can help law students, the next generation of leaders, to develop critical analytic skills and insights into how entrepreneurship supports and sometimes hurts human rights and civil society efforts. Part one of this article examines the evolution of global CLE in western countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and in Georgia and Croatia. Part two discusses a more recent phenomenon in CLE, the emergence of BLCs, which expand the clinical experience beyond the courtroom to the boardroom, and the differences and similarities between litigation and transactional legal clinics. Part three examines the rise in BLCs globally, and contains case studies of the global experience in transactional CLE with perspectives from Georgia, Croatia, Australia, Canada and the U.K. Part four considers the unique pedagogical and programmatic aspects of BLCs, such as redefining “practice-ready,” teaching Millennials, and collaboration as a lawyering skill. Part five reflects on the significance of BLCs now. In Part six the article concludes by looking to the future of BLCs in a global context. The article also includes an Appendix 1 with BLC Lawyering Competencies and Learning Outcomes and Appendix 2 with a Checklist for Starting or Re-Imagining a BLC.
Decision Modeling in Service Science

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for innovative decision modeling in the field of service science. Each step of the service journey through a service ecosystem is initiated by a decision to integrate resources among actors and engage in a service activity. Consequently, engagement decisions are the driving force of any service journey and decision models are the foundation of service-system models. Each engagement decision must be modeled and executed as joint, adaptive, stochastic and perhaps fuzzy decisions among all actors who are involved in the associated service activity. However, such models are sparse in the research literature, and the current emphasis on predictive analytics and data science seems to distract attention from their development. Three examples of service systems are provided in this paper to illustrate this conclusion.
Prediction of Weather Impacts on Airport Arrival Meter Fix Capacity

This paper introduces a data driven model for predicting airport arrival capacity with a look-ahead time 2-8 hour forecast. The model is suitable for air traffic flow management by explicitly investigating the impact of convective weather on airport arrival meter fix throughput. Estimation of the arrival airport capacity under arrival meter fix flow constraints due to severe weather is an important part of Air Traffic Management (ATM). Airport arrival capacity can be reduced if one or more airport arrival meter fixes are partially or completely blocked by convective weather. When the predicted airport arrival demands exceed the predicted available airport's arrival capacity for a sustained period, Ground Delay Program (GDP) operations will be triggered by ATM system. Serious imbalances between demand and capacity occur most frequently when the airport capacity is severely degraded due to either bad airport terminal surface weather or inclement convective weather around airport arrival fixes. A model that predicts the weather-impacted airport arrival meter fix throughput may help ATM personnel to plan GDP operations more efficiently. This paper identifies the characteristics of air traffic flow across arrival meter fixes at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The proposed approach, based on machine-learning methods, is developed to predict the weather impacted EWR arrival Meter Fix (MF) throughput. Sector forecast coverage is used to envision the weather impact on airport arrival MF flow, and the validation is accomplished by using Convective Weather Avoidance Model (CWAM) 0.5 to 2-hour and Collaborative Convective Forecast Product (CCFP) 4 to 8-hour look-ahead forecast data for the period of April-September in 2014. Furthermore, the regression tree ensemble learning of random forests approach for translating a sector forecast coverage model to an EWR arrival meter fix throughput model is examined. The results suggest that ATM decision makers in charge of MF flow control and GDP planning may benefit from adopting the airport arrival meter capacity prediction models to estimate the inclement weather impacts.
Decision Making for Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: Executive Summary for the American Geriatrics Society Guiding Principles on the Care of Older Adults With Multimorbidity

Caring for older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) is challenging. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) previously developed The AGS Guiding Principles for the Care of Older Adults With Multimorbidity using a systematic review of the literature and consensus. The objective of the current work was to translate these principles into a framework of Actions and accompanying Action Steps for decision making for clinicians who provide both primary and specialty care to older people with MCCs. A work group of geriatricians, cardiologists, and generalists: (1) articulated the core MCC Actions and the Action Steps needed to carry out the Actions; (2) provided decisional tips and communication scripts for implementing the Actions and Action Steps, using commonly encountered situations: (3) performed a scoping review to identify evidence-based, validated tools for carrying out the MCC Actions and Action Steps; and (4) identified potential barriers to, and mitigating factors for, implementing the MCC Actions. The recommended MCC Actions include: (1) identify and communicate patients' health priorities and health trajectory; (2) stop, start, or continue care based on health priorities, potential benefit vs harm and burden, and health trajectory; and (3) align decisions and care among patients, caregivers, and other clinicians with patients' health priorities and health trajectory. The tips and scripts for carrying out these Actions are included in the full MCC Action Framework available in the supplement (www.GeriatricsCareOnline.org). J Am Geriatr Soc 67:665-673, 2019.
Taxon-specific physico-chemical change points for stream benthic invertebrates

Abstract Freshwater organisms face numerous stressors, such as nutrient enrichment, contaminant pollution, sedimentation and alterations in stream hydrology and habitat structure. One of the most significant and widespread stressors in European freshwaters is expected to be water pollution from intensive land use. However, the information on critical threshold concentrations at which taxa decline or increase in frequency and abundance is missing for the large majority of river benthic invertebrate taxa. The main aim was to determine ecological change points for benthic invertebrate taxa at which rapid alterations in species frequency and abundance occur as a consequence of relatively small changes in the environmental gradient. These change points can be interpreted as critical threshold concentrations. A total of 468 river benthic invertebrate taxa and nine physico-chemical variables describing the daytime dissolved oxygen, chloride, nutrient concentrations and organic load were analyzed. We selected 751 river sites from a nationwide range of locations in Germany for this investigation. Depending on the physico-chemical variable, between 20.6% and 48.8% of the total number of tested taxa were assigned with a valid change point. All taxa were assigned to negative or positive response groups depending on the response direction. Except for daytime dissolved oxygen, negative responding taxa are referred to as decreasers and positive responding taxa as increasers, respectively. In total, 25.8–100% of the decreasers’ change points were below (and above in the case of daytime dissolved oxygen) the background values defined as quality criteria for German rivers by the water authorities. This indicates that stricter quality criteria may need to be set to reach the good ecological status according to the European Water Framework Directive. The calculated daytime dissolved oxygen change points were essentially in line with the species saprobic values and taxon-specific change points for physico-chemical variables fit well with the data provided in other international studies. We deliver valuable knowledge about the sensitivities and response schemes of river benthic invertebrate species. This information is especially useful for the development of efficient management and policy tools to predict the likelihood of occurrence of individual species under different levels of anthropogenic impact.
Designing and Evaluating the Face of Lil’Flo: an Affordable Social Rehabilitation Robot

We introduce Lil’Flo, an affordable robot for pediatric upper extremity rehabilitation. We present the design and fabrication methodology of the head and face of the robot, the central design element for emotional expression. Through a guided interview with 10 subjects, a number of faces which have a clear sentiment associated with them are identified. The data suggest that a digital face, characterized by eyes and a mouth, can express sadness, happiness, surprise, and mischievousness well, but that finer emotions, e.g., differentiating between happy and very happy can be difficult. The data fail to show that a robot with a dynamic face is viewed more positively than one with a static face. The results of numerical sentiment analysis and open ended questions provide a design direction for our face and a general idea of simple face designs which have a clear sentiment.
A Survey on Cyber Security Threats and Challenges in Modem Society

With the advancement of new technologies, modern society is surrounded by devices and services with internet connectivity. It provides us the better lifestyle, convenience of services and easy communications. But it opens many security flaws if we can’t take proper security measures. Cybercrime might occur from any place at any time and the consequences are endless. Cybercrime is not limited to any specific area. It can be in any sectors like the financial institute, government institute, educational institute, health sectors and so on. We need a solution to protect us from any cyber crimes. Without knowing the possible cyber threats and challenges, it is very difficult to deal with cyber attacks. In this paper, the summary of major cybersecurity threats and challenges in modern society are presented and the solutions are proposed to protect from cyber threats.
Thrombocytopenia Is a Strong Adverse Feature in Transplant-Eligible Patients with Myelofibrosis: Utility for an Improved CBC-Based Scoring System.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is potentially curative in agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) but is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity that necessitates accurate identification of patients in whom benefit outweighs risk. The current single institutional study investigates prognostic variables in transplant-eligible patients with AMM with the main objective of improved discrimination between intermediate- and high-risk patient categories. Methods: Patients diagnosed with AMM before the age of 60 years and seen at Mayo Clinic were identified and the diagnosis confirmed. Relevant demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were abstracted and the impact of various parameters on overall survival was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A cohort of 159 patients (median age 52 years, range 18–60; 89 males) with AMM is described. Median follow-up from initial diagnosis was 63 months (range 0–300). During this period, 102 patients have died; overall median survival 79 months. Multivariate analysis of parameters measured in all study patients at diagnosis identified thrombocytopenia (platelet count 9 /L) as the strongest predictor of inferior survival (p=0.002). In addition, a hemoglobin level of 30 x 10 9 /L (p=0.03), and older age (p=0.02) were also found to be independent indicators of poor prognosis. However, when the analysis included parameters that were measured in variable proportion of the study population, the independent prognostic factors for poor survival were thrombocytopenia (p=0.0001), anemia (p=0.01), and the presence of unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities (0.001). Based on the above findings, we constructed a new complete blood count (CBC)-based prognostic scoring system (Figure 1) that performed better than the Dupriez scoring system in discriminating intermediate- from high-risk patient categories(Figure 2). Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia is a strong predictor of poor survival in transplant-eligible patients with AMM. The incorporation of platelet count into the Dupriez prognostic scoring system might allow the construction of an improved, CBC-based scoring system that can accurately identify high-risk as well as intermediate-risk patients with AMM.
Advening to Adynkrafields: Young Tableaux to Component Fields of the 10D, N = 1 Scalar Superfield

Starting from higher dimensional adinkras constructed with nodes referenced by Dynkin Labels, we define "adynkras." These suggest a computationally direct way to describe the component fields contained within supermultiplets in all superspaces. We explicitly discuss the cases of ten dimensional superspaces. We show this is possible by replacing conventional $\theta$-expansions by expansions over Young Tableaux and component fields by Dynkin Labels. Without the need to introduce $\sigma$-matrices, this permits rapid passages from Adynkras $\to$ Young Tableaux $\to$ Component Field Index Structures for both bosonic and fermionic fields while increasing computational efficiency compared to the starting point that uses superfields. In order to reach our goal, this work introduces a new graphical method, "tying rules," that provides an alternative to Littlewood's 1950 mathematical results which proved branching rules result from using a specific Schur function series. The ultimate point of this line of reasoning is the introduction of mathematical expansions based on Young Tableaux and that are algorithmically superior to superfields. The expansions are given the name of "adynkrafields" as they combine the concepts of adinkras and Dynkin Labels.
A platform for multiplexed colorimetric microRNA detection using shape-encoded hydrogel particles

We report a platform utilizing a reporter enzyme, which produces a chromogenic indigo precipitate that preferentially localizes within a hydrogel microparticle. The 3D network of the hydrogel maintains the rapid target binding kinetics found in solution, while multiplexed target detection is achieved through shape-encoding of the particles. Moreover, the precipitate-laden hydrogels can be imaged with a simple phone camera setup. We used this system to detect microRNA (miRNA) down to 0.22 fmol. We then showed the compatibility of this system with real samples by performing multiplexed miRNA measurements from total RNA from matched colon cancer and normal adjacent tissue.
U.S. Maternal Mortality Within a Global Context: Historical Trends, Current State, and Future Directions

In the United States, despite significant investment and the efforts of multiple maternal health stakeholders, maternal mortality (MM) has reemerged since 1987 and MM disparity has persisted since 1935. This article provides a review of the U.S. MM trajectory throughout its history up to its current state. From this longitudinal perspective, MM trends and themes are evaluated within a global context in an effort to understand the problems and contributing factors. This article describes domestic and worldwide strategies recommended by maternal health stakeholders to reduce MM.
New Records of Sand Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Albuneidae and Blepharipodidae) from the Western Pacific with Description of Two New Species of Paralbunea Serène, 1977.

Two new species belonging to the sand crab genus Paralbunea Serene, 1977 are described: one each from the Philippines and Taiwan. Both new species can be distinguished from each other, as well as the five other species of Paralbunea, by characters of the carapace, eyes, and pereopods. Additional new western Pacific locality records are given for two species of spiny sand crabs (Blepharipodidae) and six species of sand crabs (Albuneidae). A key to all seven species of Paralbunea is provided.
Studying Adversarial Attacks on Behavioral Cloning Dynamics

High-fidelity visual simulation-based environments and advanced learning algorithms can be used to train robots to carry out specific tasks. Behavior cloning is a fast and easy way to train robots to learn from experience by modeling their actions according to human actions. As we make use of these agents in our day-to-day life, the robustness of such system-of-systems trained on simulation environments are of great concern. In this paper, we explore adversarial attacks in simulation environments, specifically for behavioral cloning models that cause the adversary to be able to take control of the steering mechanism of an autonomous agent. We focus our attention on improving latency and noticeability, two fundamental issues with adversarial attacks, by reducing the number of iterations to a single step during a white-box adversarial attack within a noticeability threshold. More specifically, the gradients at the image input layer and the output layer of the neural network are utilized in the adversarial attack. We implement a hybridized version of the fast gradient sign and basic iterative methods to attack the input image and fool the agent. We've shown that our method reduces the attack time per frame to within 3 milliseconds.
Reducing wind farm power variance from wind direction using wind farm layout optimization

This paper investigates reducing power variance caused by different wind directions by using wind farm layout optimization. The problem was formulated as a multi-objective optimization. The e− cons...
Johne's Disease:

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) is a chronic, granulomatous infection of the intestinal tract of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). There is no approved treatment, no known way to eliminate the infection once established, nor is there an effective vaccine for the disease. Johne's disease (JD) has emerged as an important disease of cattle due to the economic impact and the potential link to human Crohn's disease. The recently introduced herd Risk Assessment (RA) and Herd Management Plan (HMP) developed by the National Johne's Working Group (NJWG) have been incorporated into the national program standards by USDA, APHIS. Increased state and federal funding for Johne's disease has increased the focus on ways to control the condition. Methods to control the spread and to reduce within herd transmission of Johne's disease (JD) are being adopted by both dairy and beef herds in many states through implementation of the national Johne's disease program. Implementation of best management practices (BMP) following a herd risk assessment (RA) designed to reduce the risk of transmission of JD remains the focal point of the national effort to reduce the prevalence of JD in cattle herds today. Although a vaccine for JD is available in many states, its use is closely regulated by individual state veterinarians and usage by the profession remains less than 2,000 herds nationally. Test and culling of culture-positive cattle seems a low priority if the infected animals are profitable. Reduction of the herd bioburden of MAP seems a lower priority for many producers. Brumbaugh et al1 demonstrated a reduction in the number of colony forming units (cfu) of MAP from the livers of experimentally MAP-infected mice treated with monensin compared to non-treated controls. More recently he showed monensin reduced the severity of histological lesions in cattle with clinical signs of Johne's disease, including weight loss and diarrhea.2 Initial infection with MAP is generally considered to occur in the neonatal calves. Our laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center has successfully induced experimental MAP infection in neonatal calves via oral gavage of MAP on two consecutive days.4 The current experiment was designed to assess the efficacy of monensina to reduce pass-through fecal shedding and to reduce tissue bacterial load (bioburden) of MAP in calves.
Diagnosis Issues with African Americans

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health and Mental Health America, African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. In the United States, the historical manifestation of racism has had a significant impact on psychological and mental health services. Three aspects of racism, the belief of inferiority directed toward persons of color, cultural bias, and racial trauma, permeate assessment, diagnostic, and treatment processes. Failure to acknowledge these historical events has resulted in racial-ethnic disparities in diagnosis and the long-standing skepticism, mistrust, and misuse of mental health services by African Americans. Institutional racism, along with the prevalence of the small percentage of African American mental health providers, speaks to the need for cultural competence training among white mental healthcare providers and the eradication of ethnocentric monoculturalism to reduce misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, and the disparity of mental health care in the African American community.
Haemorheological, profile and retinopathy in patients with diabetic foot ulcer

The Authors studied the haemorheological profile and retinopathy in a group of diabetic subjects affected by neuropathic plantar ulcer. The haemorheological evaluation demonstrated that whole blood viscosity (WBV) and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the diabetic subjects with plantar ulcer compared with diabetic patients without this complication. The progression to more severe grades of retinopathy was more frequently observed (p<0.005) in such patients than in the group without plantar ulceration.
Using surviving information in multiple access packet collisions

Packet segmentation which allows the recovery of partial information in the event of packet collisions on random-access channels is considered, and a systematic method for quantifying the performance analysis of such schemes is given. It is shown that the approach allows performance comparable to that of slotted schemes and offers the advantage that global timing is not required. This can be particularly useful for satellite channels where large propagation delay and guard times are significant features. >