cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health of Children and Women in the Farmworker Community in the Eastern United States

This chapter reviews research on health of women and children in farmworker communities in the eastern United States. Both women and children may be present in these communities as farmworkers themselves or as dependents. Both groups are at risk of health effects from farm work. Research indicates that children have limited access to care and significant unmet health needs. Obesity and food security are concerns. The environment poses significant risks, particularly from pesticides. Women lack access to reproductive health services. Exposure to pesticides is also a significant risk. Mental health and sexual harassment are important, but understudied problems. Overall, the research on health issues for women and children in farmworker communities in the eastern US is highly variable. Because access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services is limited, the needs of the population in this region and solutions to eliminate health disparities may be unique.
Assessing surface heat fluxes in atmospheric reanalyses with a decade of data from the NOAA Kuroshio Extension Observatory

Previous studies have found large biases and uncertainties in the air-sea fluxes from Numerical Weather Prediction model reanalyses, which must be identified and reduced in order to make progress on weather and climate predictions. Here, air-sea heat fluxes from NOAA Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO) measurements are used to assess two new reanalyses, NCEP's Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) and ECMWF Reanalysis-Interim (ERA-I), suggesting that these two new generation reanalyses have significantly improved. In both reanalyses, all four flux components (sensible and latent heat flux and net longwave and shortwave radiation) are highly correlated with observation, with the correlation of total net surface heat fluxes above 0.96. Although errors of the net surface heat flux have significantly reduced from previous reanalyses, the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) and biases remain high especially for CFSR: the RMSEs of CFSR and ERA-I are reduced by 25-30% to 64 and 61 W/m2 respectively, while biases are reduced by 40-60% to 28 and 20 W/m2. But CFSR overestimates the winter heat release by 90 W/m2. The main cause of biases is the latent heat flux, while RMS errors are primarily due to latent heat flux and shortwave radiation errors. Both reanalyses overestimate the wind speed associated with winter storms and underestimate specific humidity in summer. The ERA-I latent heat flux, and its total net surface heat flux, are however closer to observation. It is the bulk algorithm in CFSR that is found to be mainly responsible for overestimates of winter heat release in CFSR. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sodium citrate assisted facile synthesis of AuPd alloy networks for ethanol electrooxidation with high activity and durability

Abstract The direct ethanol fuel cell is an emerging energy conversion device for which palladium is considered as the one of the most effective components for anode catalyst, however, its widespread application has been still limited by the activity and durability of the anode catalyst. In this work, AuPd alloy networks (NWs) are synthesized using H2PdCl4 and HAuCl4 as precursors reduced by NaBH4 in the presence of sodium citrate (SC). The results reveal that SC plays significant role in network structure, resulting in the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst. This self-supported AuPd NWs catalyst exhibits much higher electrochemical catalytic activity than commercial Pd/C catalyst toward ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution. Significantly, AuPd NWs catalyst shows extremely high durability at the beginning of the chronoamperometry test, and as high as 49% of the mass current density (1.41 A/mgPd) remains after 4000 s current-time test at −0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in N2-saturated KOH-ethanol solution. This strategy provides a facile method for the preparation of alloy networks with high electrochemical activity, and can be potentially expanded to a variety of electrochemical applications.
Impact of electrolyte deposition technique on resistive Pt/Ta 2 O 5 /Cu switch performance

Resistive memory is being considered for next-generation non-volatile memory due to the inherent simplicity, scalability and low cost [1, 2]. Additionally, these devices show potential to replace static random access memory (SRAM) as high performance switches for reconfigurable devices [3, 4]. These devices operate by changing resistance from high (Roff) to low (Ron) values in response to applied voltage due to the formation and rupture of a metal filament as shown in Figure 1.
Trends of HIV-1 Subtypes Among Young People in Hangzhou, China.

Abstract To investigate the HIV-1 molecular epidemiology among young people (18 to 25 years old) in Hangzhou. Plasma samples from 262 newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected patients were collected between 2009 and 2013 from Hangzhou of Zhejiang province. HIV-1 nucleotide sequences of pol gene regions were amplified using a nested polymerase chain reaction method and sequenced. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses were used to determine the HIV-1 genotypes. Based on all sequences generated, the subtype/circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) distribution was as follows: CRF01_AE (68.70%), CRF07_BC (21.54%), subtype B (3.66%), CRF08_BC (2.44%), 01B (2.03%), BC (0.81%), and C (0.41%). We found that the percentage of CRF07_BC was increasing year by year among young people in Hangzhou. Novel CRFs such as CRF67_01B (HZ2011-15 CD4-4516) and CRF68_01B (HZ2011-20 CD4-4530 and HZ2011-29 CD4-4087) were first discovered in the area in this study. Our study presents a molecular epidemiology investigation describing the struct...
Treating Emotional Consequences of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence via Telehealth

Although many evidence-based treatments exist to address emotional and psychological difficulties emanating from sexual and physical violence, rural populations experience considerable difficulties accessing such services. The advent of distal technologies, such as secure, encrypted videoconferencing, now makes it possible to connect rural clients with specialized, evidence-based services. This chapter describes how a university-based mental healthcare clinic utilizes telehealth technologies to partner with rural domestic violence/rape crisis centers and provide empirically supported therapies to treat the emotional consequences of domestic violence and sexual assault. Minimal technology training is required for the therapists, clients, or staff at the distal domestic violence/rape crisis centers, though an information technology specialist is regularly consulted. All cases are staffed by master’s level therapists who are supervised by licensed doctoral level clinical psychologists and receive extensive training in trauma intervention theory and techniques. This arrangement allows for a symbiotic relationship that benefits both doctoral student trainees and assault survivors alike. Student therapists are allowed increased access to a specialized clinical population, and clients receive free, evidenced-based, trauma-focused therapy. Preliminary evidence examining the feasibility and efficacy of delivering empirically supported therapies for trauma survivors via videoconferencing shows that clients demonstrated large magnitude decrements in depression and PTSD symptoms and reported high satisfaction with services.
A Competency-Focused Commentary on the Special Section on Teaching, Training, and Supervision in Personality and Psychological Assessment.

The shift to a culture of competence called for over a decade ago within health service psychology (HSP; Roberts, Borden, Christiansen, & Lopez, 2005) has occurred. A key impetus for this shift was...
Reversal of molecular pathology by RNA-targeting Cas9 in a myotonic dystrophy mouse model

The dominantly inherited, multi-systemic disease myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1) is caused by triplet repeat CTG expansions in the DMPK gene and is the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. Elimination of the toxic, repetitive CUG RNA constitutes a therapeutic for this disease. We report an RNA-targeting Cas9 (RCas9) system that supports efficient reversal of DM1 phenotypes via delivery to adult poly(CUG) DM1 mouse muscle using adeno-associated virus (AAV). We observe elimination of CUG RNA, restoration of CUG foci-associated Mbnl1 protein to wild-type subcellular localization, correction of DM1-type alternative splicing patterns in candidate genes including the voltage-gated chloride channel 1 (Clcn1) responsible for characteristic myotonia, recovery of Clcn1 staining, and reduction in centralized myonuclei. Our results establish RCas9 as a potential long-term in vivo therapeutic for DM1.
Comparative Evaluation of Barbiturate and CA++Antagonist Attenuation of Brain Free Fatty Acid Liberation During Global Brain Ischemia

Whole brain fatty acids (FFA) increase rapidiy and continue to rise even after prolonged durations of complete global ischemia with a time course and magnitude unlike that of any other cerebral metabolite known thus far (4,5). Therefore, we hypothesized that brain FFA accumulation may reflect the evolution of ischemic brain injury at least during complete global ischemia. If so, drugs effective in improving the tolerance of the brain to ischemic anoxic insults such as the barbiturates (1,2) should attenuate the liberation of FFAs. Accordingly, pentobarbital anesthesia signficantly attenuated whole brain FFA liberation with more pronounced effects as the duration of ischemia was prolonged (4,5). This finding provided the first evidence of a metabolic basis for barbiturate-improved tolerance of the brain to complete global ischemia.
Male Syrian hamsters are more susceptible to intravenous infection with species C human adenoviruses than are females

Abstract Recently, increasing attention has been focused on the influence of sex on the course of infectious diseases. Thus far, the best-documented examples point toward an immune-mediated mechanism: the generally stronger immune response in females can result in a faster clearance of the pathogen or, conversely, a more severe immune-mediated pathology. Here, we report that human species C adenoviruses replicate more and cause more pathology in male Syrian hamsters than in females. We also show that this sex disparity is not caused by a stronger immune response to the infection by the female hamsters. Rather, the liver of male hamsters is more susceptible to adenovirus infection: after intravenous injection, more hepatocytes become infected in male animals than in females. We hypothesize that Kupffer cells (hepatic tissue macrophages) of female animals are more active in sequestering circulating virions, and thus protect hepatocytes more efficiently than those of males.
The effect of mineralogical parameters on the mechanical properties of granitic rocks

Abstract The mechanical properties of a given rock volume are dependent on its geological composition. Being able to predict these mechanical properties based on mineralogical parameters could prove useful in engineering and construction settings. The aim of this study is to propose relationships between mineralogical parameters and mechanical properties of granitic rocks. Furthermore, relevant correlations proposed previously in literature were analyzed within the context of a larger dataset. An extensive literature search was performed to compile a database of laboratory compression testing data for granitic rock. Mineralogical parameters and mechanical properties of 58 distinct granitic rock types from 12 countries were analyzed in order to obtain a more complete view of their interrelationships. The following geological properties were compiled: grain sizes (overall and mineral-specific), modal percentages of minerals (quartz, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, and micas), density, and average Mohs Hardness. The following mechanical properties were assessed: Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Brazilian Tensile Strength (BTS), crack initiation stress (CI), crack damage stress (CD), Young's Modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (ν), and the Hoek-Brown constant, mi. The modal percentage of mica minerals was found to have a strong negative correlation with crack initiation stress, crack damage stress, and tensile strength. Additionally, minimum overall grain size is strongly correlated with the CD/CI ratio. A multivariate regression analysis utilized various combinations of five independent variables (minimum overall grain size, average overall grain size, standard deviation of overall grain size, quartz modal percentage, and mica modal percentage) to predict CI, CD, and tensile strength. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of two geological predictor variables typically improved models for CI, CD, and BTS; however, the addition of further predictor variables produced minimal additional improvement. The most important finding of this analysis was that joint consideration of mica modal percentage and grain size parameters allows for improved predictions of CI, CD, and tensile strength to be made for granitic rock. Additionally, it was found that correlations proposed previously in literature appear to be spurious when considered in the context of the larger data set compiled in this research. This occurrence is most likely a consequence of unknown additional variables (confounding variables) that is correlated to both the independent and dependent variables used in forming the original correlations.
Abnormal lymphatic vessel development is associated with decreased decidual regulatory T cells in severe preeclampsia.

Problem The lymphatic vasculature controls leukocytes trafficking and limits the adaptive immune response. In previous models of preeclampsia (PE), defective immune function caused by disruption of lymphangiogenesis was shown to be involved in the disease pathophysiology. Especially, the dysfunction of regulatory T cells (Treg) at the maternal-fetal interface may be one of the causes of severe PE. In particular, activation of Tregs to obtain immune tolerance requires adequate antigen presentation through the lymphatic system. We hypothesized that impaired lymphangiogenesis and imbalanced Tregs at the maternal-fetal interface are associated with the pathophysiology of severe PE. However, the current research addressing this hypothesis is limited. Therefore, to compare differences in lymphangiogenesis in severe PE and normal conditions, we aimed to examine the location of lymphatics at the maternal-fetal interface and to investigate the association between lymphangiogenesis and Tregs in severe PE. Method of study We obtained entire uterus from normal pregnant mice. Placental and fetal membranes, including decidua, were obtained from 10 pregnant women with severe PE and 10 gestational age-matched controls. Immunohistochemistry for LYVE1 was used to localize the distribution of lymphatic vessels and CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 for Treg. Results LYVE1-positive vessels were present in the uterine wall of mice. LYVE1-positive lymphatic vessels were localized on the human decidua. Tubular lymphatics were abundant in the control decidua, but significantly reduced in severe PE. Furthermore, lymphatic vessel density correlated with the number of decidual Tregs. Conclusion Abnormal decidual lymphangiogenesis is associated with reduced numbers of decidual Tregs in severe PE.
Chee Yap: Computing Digits of π

This chapter presents Chee Yap’s solution to a problem that had been raised on the blog in 2009. Yap improved the computation of selected digits of pi—without having to compute all previous digits—to run in logarithmic space, and used Lipton’s suggestion about measures of how far an irrational number is from being rational to prove the correctness of his algorithm.
Multiple point blowup phenomenon in scalar curvature equations on spheres of dimension greater than three

Let (S n,g o) be the standard n—sphere. The following question was raised by L. Nirenberg. Which function K on S2 is the Gauss curvature of a metric g on S 2 conformally equivalent to g o? Naturally one may ask a similar question in higher dimensional case, namely, which function K on S n is the scalar curvature of a metric g on Sn conformally equivalent to g o?
CHAPTER 348 – Retrograde Signaling in the Nervous System: Dorsal Root Reflexes

Neurons are designed to communicate rapidly with other neurons and with effectors so that behavior can be adjusted quickly. Intercellular communication in the nervous system involves synaptic transmission between individual elements of a neural network. Propagation of information in such a network is generally unidirectional. However, instances are known of retrograde signaling. What may prove to be an important peripheral mechanism is the production of dorsal root reflexes triggered in primary afferent nociceptive neurons during inflammation. Dorsal root reflexes depend on a synaptic process known as primary afferent depolarization, which results from the release of y-aminobutyric acid onto the terminals of the afferent fibers in the spinal cord and an action on GABA A receptors. Normally, the depolarization is subthreshold, but when it is large enough to exceed threshold for the afferent endings, nerve impulses are triggered, and these propagate retrogradely to the periphery. Damage causes an increase in the probability of dorsal root reflexes. The peripheral terminals of the nociceptive afferents then release neurotransmitters, including substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, which cause vasodilation and neurogenic edema. Experiments in which dorsal root reflexes are blocked by spinal cord administration of drugs that prevent GABAergic transmission interfere with the development of inflammation in the knee joint and in the skin, supporting the hypothesis that the retrogradely transmitted dorsal root reflexes contribute to neurogenic inflammation.
Modular graph functions and odd cuspidal functions -- Fourier and Poincar\'e series

Modular graph functions are $SL(2,{\mathbb Z})$-invariant functions associated with Feynman graphs of a two-dimensional conformal field theory on a torus of modulus $\tau$. For one-loop graphs they reduce to real analytic Eisenstein series. We obtain the Fourier series, including the constant and non-constant Fourier modes, of all two-loop modular graph functions, as well as their Poincare series with respect to $\Gamma_\infty \backslash PSL(2,{\mathbb Z})$. The Fourier and Poincare series provide the tools to compute the Petersson inner product of two-loop modular graph functions using Rankin-Selberg-Zagier methods. Modular graph functions which are odd under $\tau \to - \bar \tau$ are cuspidal functions, with exponential decay near the cusp, and exist starting at two loops. Holomorphic subgraph reduction and the sieve algorithm, developed in earlier work, are used to give a lower bound on the dimension of the space $\mathfrak{A}_w$ of odd two-loop modular graph functions of weight $w$. For $w \leq 11$ the bound is saturated and we exhibit a basis for $\mathfrak{A}_w$.
Family weight teasing, ethnicity and acculturation: Associations with well-being among Latinx, Hmong, and Somali Adolescents.

Abstract Objective This study examines the prevalence of weight-based teasing by family members and associations with unhealthy weight control behaviors, body satisfaction, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms among adolescents from three immigrant communities (Latinx, Hmong, and Somali). Methods Data come from EAT 2010, a population-based study of weight and related behaviors (N = 1577, mean age = 14.5 years). Adjusted models tested associations between weight-based teasing and well-being, controlling for BMI and ethnic group; effect modification by ethnic group and acculturation were also explored. Results Family weight-based teasing was common (12.1%–42.9% reporting this experience across gender and ethnic groups) and was associated with all four measures of well-being in the expected direction. Associations were statistically equivalent in all ethnic groups and were not modified by acculturation. Conclusion Youth from immigrant communities experience family weight-based teasing and associated threats to well-being. Additional research is needed to further understand the cultural context of weight-based teasing and develop relevant prevention messages.
Outcomes in surgically resectable oropharynx cancer treated with transoral robotic surgery versus definitive chemoradiation.

Abstract Purpose Optimal treatment strategies for the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) remain unclear. The objective of this study is to examine the role of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) on functional and treatment outcomes. Materials and methods A retrospective review of patients with OPSCC (tonsil/base of tongue) who underwent TORS with neck dissection± adjuvant therapy between January 2011 to December 2016 were compared to a stage matched cohort of patients treated with primary chemoradiation. Demographic, treatment, and outcome data were collected. Results 54 patients received primary chemoradiation and 65 patients (surgical group) received TORS ± adjuvant therapy for clinically staged disease meeting study criteria. 25% (N = 17) were treated with surgery alone. The remainder of the surgical group received postoperative radiation (N = 48), half of which received adjuvant chemotherapy (N = 24) in addition to radiation. 63% (N = 41) of the patients did not have risk factors for chemotherapy. No differences in overall or disease free survival were observed with TORS compared to chemoradiation (p = 0.9), although Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was higher in the surgical group (p = 0.01). The strongest predictor of prolonged gastrostomy tube use was not treatment, but rather co-morbidity (p = 0.03), with no significant differences beyond 12 months. Conclusion Although no significant survival differences were observed across treatment groups, this was maintained despite increased comorbidity index in the surgical patients. Given the ability to de-escalate and/or eliminate adjuvant therapy, particularly in a less healthy population, TORS would appear to be the viable treatment option it has become.
Update on calciphylaxis etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Calciphylaxis is a rare painful skin condition classically seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), particularly those on chronic dialysis; however, it also has been increasingly reported in patients with normal renal function. Calciphylaxis is associated with high mortality rates, and excruciating pain and nonhealing ulcers often lead to recurrent hospitalizations and infectious complications. It is critical for dermatologists to recognize the clinical features of calciphylaxis to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis and proper management. In this article, we provide an update on calciphylaxis etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management, and we highlight the challenges faced in managing this potentially fatal condition.
Tie line framework to optimize non-enveloped virus recovery in aqueous two-phase systems.

Abstract Viral particle purification is a challenge due to the complexity of the broth, the particle size, and the need to maintain virus activity. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) are a viable alternative for the currently used and expensive downstream processes. This work investigated the purification of two non-enveloped viruses, porcine parvovirus (PPV), and human rhinovirus (HRV) at various ATPS tie lines. A polyethylene glycol (PEG) 12 kDa-citrate system at pH 7 was used to study the behavior of the partitioning on three different thermodynamic tie line lengths (TLLs). It was experimentally determined that increasing the TLL, and therefore increasing the hydrophobic and electrostatic driving forces within the ATPS, facilitated higher virus recoveries in the PEG-rich phase. A maximum of 79% recovery of infectious PPV was found at TLL 36 w/w% and tie line (TL) ratio 0.1. Increased loading of PPV was studied to observe the change in the partitioning behavior and similar trends were observed for all the TLs. Most contaminants remained in the citrate-rich phase at all the chosen TLLs, demonstrating purification of the virus from protein contaminants. Moderate DNA removal was also measured. Net neutral charged HRV was studied to demonstrate the effects of driving forces on neutrally charged viruses. HRV recovery trends remained similar to PPV on each TLL studied, but the values were lower than PPV. Recovery of viral particles in the PEG-rich phase of the PEG-citrate system utilized the difference in the surface hydrophobicity between virus and proteins and showed a direct dependence on the surface charge of each studied virus. The preferential partitioning of the relatively hydrophobic viral particles in the PEG-rich phase supports the hypothesis that both hydrophobic and electrostatic forces govern the purification of viruses in ATPS.
The Effect of Stereoscopic Three-Dimensional Images on Vocabulary Learning

Vocabulary is crucial for language learning. Therefore, searching for the most effective methods to master vocabulary is an important quest. This study investigated the effect of stereoscopic three-dimensional (S3D) images on recall and retention of foreign language vocabulary. S3D images, frequently used in virtual reality visualizations, are highly realistic and differ from non-stereoscopic three-dimensional (NS3D) images in that they provide an impression of depth. In this within-subject study, American subjects (N = 82) were exposed to 16 Polish words accompanied by corresponding images. Half of these images were in NS3D format, and half were in S3D format. The vocabulary was counterbalanced throughout four randomly distributed versions of the experiment. Quantitative data were drawn from immediately administered and one-week-delayed productive and receptive vocabulary tests. Qualitative data were gathered through background questionnaires and follow-up surveys, which included a mixture of open-ended and Likert scale questions. Two-tailed, paired t-tests showed no significant difference on vocabulary recall and retention of test scores for words represented with NS3D and S3D images. Post hoc tests revealed that lower performance on S3D images occurred only for those subgroups of subjects who exhibited discomfort or lack of experience with S3D technology, or both.
Building a Socio-Technological Innovation System for African-American Owned Enterprises: Calibrating the Agent-Based Model

Many surveys reported that African-American enterprises are underrepresented in high-tech innovations and ventures. Inequalities in personal wealth, relatively low levels of enrollment in science and engineering programs, and historically conditioned cultural factors affecting behavior contribute to a lack of African-American high-tech entrepreneurial identity. An agent-based model to simulate African-American high-tech enterprises was developed to identify patterns of successful innovation that could lead to new product development. The goal of this research is to calibrate the agent-based model using case studies. The model includes five types of interactive autonomous agents that comprise a complex innovation system. Through simulation, the causal relationship between elements of the model can be identified to determine factors that lead to the limited representation of African-Americans as owners of high-tech enterprises. By using case studies, the calibration of the model can recommend actions and policies to increase African-American representation in high-tech industries as well as validate the model.
Detecting Mood of Aesthetically Pleasing Videos Using Deep Learning

Human interaction and carrier of feelings among humans are accomplished mainly through five senses, such as touch, smell, taste, audio, and Visual. Considering Visual sense, images and videos are important gradients in day-to-day life. It can elevate/depress mood of a person. Video Aesthetics improves user satisfaction. In this study of mood detection, we are demonstrating an approach which is automatically assessed the aesthetics of videos, with emphasis on detecting the mood of videos. With the rising popularity of DSLR camera, Mobile dual camera, the amount of Visual data available on the internet is expanding exponentially. Some of the videos and pictures are aesthetically pleasing and beautiful to human eyes. But there are some videos as well as photos which are uninteresting and of low-quality. This paper demonstrates a simple but powerful method to classify videos into pleasing and non-pleasing categories. Further, our aesthetic quality assessment will find the mood of aesthetically pleasing video (i.e. video representing a happy video or sad or fear, etc), that reflect on a person’s mood.
Economic efficiency and carbon emissions in multi-energy systems with flexible buildings

Abstract Multi-energy systems (MES) offer an opportunity to leverage energy conversion processes and temporary energy storage mechanisms to reduce costs and emissions during operation of buildings, campuses, and cities. With increasing options for flexibility in demand-side resources, it is possible to temporarily defer thermal and electrical demand of (flexible) buildings without sacrificing comfort and convenience of its occupants, which can improve overall MES economic efficiency and reduce emissions. To that effect, this paper develops a linear optimization formulation of a MES with flexible (thermal and electric) building demands that capture nonlinearities in the efficiencies of energy conversion processes. The optimization formulation accounts for multiple time-steps to capture the (first-order) dynamics of large thermal building loads. The flexible buildings are parameterized, in part, based on historical data from a college campus in Vermont, USA. The idea of the MES model is to investigate the role that flexible building loads play in reducing costs and emissions for a small campus relative to that of a possible carbon tax. The operation of the MES is optimized to reduce costs based on representative seasons and carbon tax scenarios. Interestingly, it is found that when utilized optimally, flexible buildings can offer an effective method to improve economic efficiency while also reducing carbon emissions close to the levels that a carbon tax would realize, though without carbon price’s large cost increases. That is, we present evidence that flexible buildings in Vermont may offer another route to achieve the emission goals close to that of a carbon tax policy.
Remote Work in Library Technical Services: Connecting Historical Perspectives to Realities of the Developing COVID-19 Pandemic

The concept and practice of remote work in library technical services is not new, but the scale and speed of the transition to remote work for many libraries due to the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. This column provides an overview of pre-pandemic literature on remote work in library technical services and briefly examines the history, planning, case studies, technology and equity concerns, challenges, and potential benefits of remote work. Initial connections are drawn between existing literature and the impact of the pandemic on remote work, and future directions for research and discussion are offered.
Twinning in rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy under free-end torsion

Abstract The mechanical response and microstructure evolution in a rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy were experimentally characterized using companion thin-walled tubular specimens under free-end monotonic torsion. The tubular specimens were made with their axes along the normal direction of the rolled magnesium plate. The shear stress-shear strain response shows a subtle sigmodal shape that is composed of four distinctive stages of strain hardening. Basal slips and tension twinning are operated throughout the shear deformation. Both tension twinning and compressing twinning are favored. Growth and interaction of tension twins with multiple variants lead to formation of twin-twin boundaries (TTBs). The collective hardening effects by twin boundary (TB) and TTB result in a unique rise of the strain hardening rate in Stage II and III. In addition to primary twins, tension-compression double twins and tension-compression-tension tertiary twins with detectable sizes are observed in the tension-twin favorable grains whereas compression-tension double twins are detected in the tension-twin unfavorable grains; all of which become more observable with the increasing shear strain. During Stage IV deformation where TTB formation exhausts, non-basal prismatic slips become more significant and are responsible for the progressive decrease in strain hardening rate in this stage. Swift effect, which is commonly observed in textured materials, is evidenced under free-end torsion. The origin of Swift effect is confirmed to be dislocation slips at a shear strain less than 5% but is predominantly due to tension twinning at a larger plastic strain.
Rapid Analysis and Authentication of Meat Using the MasSpec Pen Technology

Food authenticity and safety are major public concerns due to the increasing number of food fraud cases. Meat fraud is an economically motivated practice of covertly replacing one type of meat with a cheaper alternative raising health, safety, and ethical concerns for consumers. In this study, we implement the MasSpec Pen technology for rapid and direct meat analysis and authentication. The MasSpec Pen is an easy-to-use handheld device connected to a mass spectrometer that employs a solvent droplet for gentle chemical analysis of samples. Here, MasSpec Pen analysis was performed directly on several meat and fish types including grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef, venison, cod, halibut, Atlantic salmon, sockeye salmon, and steelhead trout, with a total analysis time of 15 s per sample. Statistical models developed with the Lasso method using a training set of samples yielded per-sample accuracies of 95% for the beef model, 100% for the beef versus venison model, and 84% for the multiclass fish model. Predictors of meat type selected included several molecules previously reported in the skeletal muscles of animals, including carnosine, anserine, succinic acid, xanthine, and taurine. When testing the models on independent test sets of samples, per-sample accuracies of 100% were achieved for all models, demonstrating the robustness of our method for unadulterated meat authentication. MasSpec Pen feasibility testing for classifying venison and grass-fed beef samples adulterated with grain-fed beef achieved per-sample prediction accuracies of 100% for both classifiers using test sets of samples. Altogether, the results obtained in this study provide compelling evidence that the MasSpec Pen technology is a powerful alternative analytical method for meat analysis and investigation of meat fraud.
Conscientious objection and LGBTQ discrimination in the United States

Given recent legal developments in the United States, now is a critical time to draw attention to how 'conscientious objection' is sometimes used by health care providers to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. We review legal developments from 2019 and present several cases where health care providers used conscientious objection in ways that discriminate against the LGBTQ community, resulting in damaged trust by this underserved population. We then discuss two important conceptual points in this debate. The first involves the interpretation of discrimination (provider versus patient-centered views), and we argue for a patient-centered view; the second involves the use of the people versus procedure distinction to reach a compromise between LGBTQ individuals and the clinicians who do not want to treat them. We argue the distinction is problematic when applied to treatment of the LGBTQ population.
Poster: Towards Cloud-Based Software for Incorporating Time and Location into Access Control Decisions

The increasing dependency on cloud computing has drawn attention to the security weaknesses of cloud providers. Not only how information is accessed, but also where and when have become important considerations in cloud security. Certain situations exist where it is necessary to restrict access to cloud resources based on time and location. An example is a policy for a medical institution where doctors can only access patient records at hospitals during their shifts. The Generalized Spatio-Temporal Role-Based Access Control model (GSTRBAC) determines users' access to resources based on such information. This poster proposes a cloud-based software architecture and outlines it possible implementation of the GSTRBAC model.
The statistical basis for forecasting individual pharmacokinetics

To accurately forecast, or predict the pharmacokinetics of a drug in an individual patient implies that one can accurately forecast the plasma drug concentration (PDC) time course that one will see in response to an arbitrary dosage regimen. Why might one wish to do this? The reasons concern clinical management of patients as well as research.
Researching Disabled Children: Abundant Caution Does No Harm?

Objective: To describe the ethical challenges in research involving disabled children, and suggest that protections from potential harms of inclusion must be balanced by careful consideration of the potential harms of exclusion.Summary: Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the research ethics and pediatric medical research communities is the delicate balance between the need to include children in research and the countervailing need to protect them from its harms. The current paradigm for ethical research involving children rightly emphasizes the need for protecting these vulnerable subjects from harm. In the US, federal regulations delineate the kinds of research in which vulnerable persons – including both children and disabled persons - can be included. Importantly, the regulations require that potential risks to individual subjects must be reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits and the importance of the knowledge expected to be gained from the research. When children who are also disabled are research subjects, additional protections are required; since disabled children are in some sense "doubly vulnerable." However, it is also important to consider the extent to which measures intended to protect these subjects from potential harms may effectively preclude their participation in research that might benefit them or provide important information about their disabilities. Conclusion: The inclusion of disabled children in clinical research must be based on measured and careful evaluations of potential risks and benefits. However, equally important is consideration of the potential harms of protecting these "doubly vulnerable" subjects out of participation in potentially important and beneficial research.
Weaknesses in In-Service and Pre-Service Teacher Training

(1979). Weaknesses in In-Service and Pre-Service Teacher Training. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 52, No. 9, pp. 421-423.
Mechanical effects of attaching protein layers on nanoscale-thick cantilever beams for resonant detection of virus particles

The purpose of this paper is to present experimental results on the alteration of mechanical properties and stiffness constant of nanoscale thick cantilever beams upon attachment of protein layers to the top and bottom surfaces of silicon cantilever beams. Depending on the initial unloaded spring constant value of the cantilever beams, the resonant frequencies were observed to either increase or decrease upon attachment of the protein layers. This depends on whether the increase in spring constant outweighs the increase in the added mass or vice-versa. The spring constant demarcation value at which the resonant frequency will either increase or decrease is estimated to be around 0.01 N/m for the present study.
Old faithful: The venerable gravitational lens system 0957+561

I discuss the presently available collection of observations, recent modeling results and analysis of the gravitational lens system 0957+561. Recent analysis of optical and radio light-curves appears to have yielded reliable values for the time delay ΔτBA for the images A and B of Q0957+561. A similarly recent analysis of early X-ray observations yields a core-halo model consistent with models for the lens. The ultimate uncertainty achievable for point estimates of the Hubble constant Ho remains larger than initially hoped for.
Non-Equilibrium Emission from Small Particles

The idea of non-equilibrium thermal emission from very small particles, whether grains or molecules, has a growing interest for infrared astronomers as more and more examples of its potential applicability are found in the IRAS data set and other observations. This paper will review the observational development of these ideas, as well as discuss recent observations and suggest possible future directions for theory and observations of this phenomenon.
The use of irradiated corneal patch grafts in pediatric Ahmed drainage implant surgery.

Purpose To describe the use of irradiated cornea for scleral reinforcement in Ahmed glaucoma valve drainage implant (AGV) devices in children. Methods The medical records of patients Results A total of 25 procedures (20 patients) met inclusion criteria. Average patient age was 70 months (range, 2 months to 17 years). Mean follow-up was 24.8 months (range, 6 months to 6.2 years). One tube experienced conjunctival exposure through two separate corneal grafts (2/25 cases [8%]), sequentially in the same eye. The first event occurred at month 3.5 after primary implantation of the tube shunt; the second erosion occurred following revision of the existing implant at month 1.5 postoperatively. There were 2 cases of auto-explantation, 2 cases of wound dehiscence, and 1 case of persistent inflammation. There were no cases of endophthalmitis or other infections. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of corneal patch grafts in children. Irradiated cornea improves cosmesis and enhances visualization of the tube. The risk of tube exposure was found to be low and comparable to other materials used as a patch graft.
Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of biogenic amines in identified neurons and tissues of Hirudo medicinalis.

—Previous workers have reported that the colossal cells of Retzius in the segmental ganglia of the medicinal leech contain about 2.3 pmol of 5-hydroxytryptamme (5-HT)/cell body. We verify the identify of 5-HT in the Retzius cells by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and derive concentrations of 1.3–4.1 pmol/neuron by analyses of eight individually dissected Retzius cell bodies. The Retzius cell bodies contain about 30% of the 5-HT in each ganglion. An average of 25 pmol 5-HT/mg tissue, a concentration about 500 times lower than that in the Retzius cell, was found in the fibrous, pigmented tissue surrounding the leech nervous system. We could not detect γ-aminobutyric acid, octopamine, dopamine or norepinephrine in the Retzius cells, in the pigmented tissue, or, with the possible exception of dopamine (±0.4 pmol/ganglion), in whole ganglia. Furthermore, we could not detect 5-HT in pooled samples of 100 non-chromaffin control neurons.
Silane-based poly(ethylene glycol) as a primer for surface modification of nonhydrolytically synthesized nanoparticles using the Stöber method.

This paper describes the use of methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) silane (MPEG-sil) as a linker molecule for the synthesis of silica-coated nanoparticles by the Stober method. While short alkane chain-based siloxanes including (acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and 3-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane are popular molecules used in surface modification, they are not efficient for the silica coating of nanoparticles synthesized from organic solvents containing long carbon chain carboxylic acids or amines as capping agents. Here, we report the utilization of MPEG-sil to bridge this gap. Our approach is based on a two-phase system, in which ligand exchange takes place in a hydrophobic environment and the surface modification with silica is conducted in an ethanol−water mixture. Our results show that this two-phased approach was effective to coat monodisperse Fe2O3 nanoparticles capped with oleic acid and Ag nanoparticles capped with oleylamine with uniform SiO2 shells. The process was also demonstrated for double-...
Human–Elephant Conflict in Africa: The Legal and Political Viability of Translocations, Wildlife Corridors, and Transfrontier Parks for Large Mammal Conservation

African elephants and humans occupy the same land. Due to elephants’ vast ranges and demanding metabolic needs, encounters between them and humans are inevitable. While some encounters between the ...
Laparoscopic Removal of a Retained Intra-abdominal Ribbon Malleable Retractor After 14 Years

We report a case of the laparoscopic removal of a 33 × 5 cm ribbon malleable retractor retained intra-abdominally for 14 years. Plain films revealed a radiopaque object in the midline abdomen consistent with a metallic device. This was a ribbon malleable retractor which was subsequently removed laparoscopically without complication. Laparoscopic surgery should be considered in the removal of foreign bodies from the abdominal cavity.
A Reply to Williamson's “Outsourcing …”

A recent article by Oliver Williamson essentially comprises a critique of supply chain management (SCM) from the perspective of his own field, transaction-cost economics. Here is one reader's response. SCM can indeed be faulted for inflated rhetoric, among other sins. I believe, however, that the two fields have much to learn from each other.
Talc injury: changes in glucosamine and leucine incorporation into liver and plasma proteins.

Abstract Injury was induced in mice by sterile subcutaneous injection of talc. The host response to this injury was studied by measuring the incorporation of radioactive leucine and glucosamine into liver and plasma proteins, and the talc granuloma at various intervals between 2 and 528 hr following talc injection. Incorporation into liver proteins showed a marked transient increase at 21–45 hr following injury. Incorporation into plasma proteins indicated a biphasic response: a marked increase incorporation into the PCA-insoluble fraction at 21 hr with a return to normal values at 45 hr, and a similar marked increase into the PCA-soluble fraction at 45 hr with a gradual return towards normal values. This response was dependent upon the amount of talc injected. A biphasic pattern of incorporation was observed in the talc granuloma also, but this may have been related to the local healing processes.
Optimal control computation for integro-differential aerodynamic equations

In order to maintain spectrally accurate solutions, the grids on which a non-linear physical problem is to be solved must also be obtained by spectrally accurate techniques. The purpose of this paper is to describe a pseudospectral computational method of solving integro-differential systems with quadratic performance index. The proposed method is based on the idea of relating grid points to the structure of orthogonal interpolating polynomials. The optimal control and the trajectory are approximated by the mth degree interpolating polynomial. This interpolating polynomial is spectrally constructed using Legendre Gauss-Lobatto grid points as the collocation points, and Lagrange polynomials as trial functions. The integrals involved in the formulation of the problem are calculated by Gauss-Lobatto integration rule, thereby reducing the problem to a mathematical programming one to which existing well-developed algorithms may be applied. The method is easy to implement and yields very accurate results. An illustrative example is included to confirm the convergence of the pseudospectral Legendre method, and a comparison is made with an existing result in the literature.