cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Difference” in the Police Department: Women, Policing, and “Doing Gender”

In this article, the author reviews the concept of gender “difference” in relation to the criminal justice system. The author argues that the acceptance of women as different and the practice of doing gender, although initially allowing women entrance into the police organization, has continued to keep women police in subordinate positions and, thus, creates conflict. To illustrate, the author analyzes research on the history of the entrance of women into the police organization as well as their experiences and conflicts. The research reveals that without the acceptance of the doctrine that women are different and more humanistic than men, the police organization might not have accepted the issues of women and children (issues of social service) as police responsibility. However, the continual practice of women police as different has created conflict within the police organization and worked to keep women police within the lower ranks of the organization.
Effect of Wind on Dispersal of Trichogramma semifumatum

The effect of wind on the dispersal of T. semifumatum (Perkins) was studied by releasing these parasitic wasps and then after 24 hours, recovering them at 4 heights on sticky posterboard panels circumscribing release points at 8 cardinal compass directions at 3 radii, 2, 4, and 8 ft. Recovery was recorded for 2 experiments with different wind conditions. Percentages of released wasps recovered in windward directions were compared with percentages recovered in directions perpendicular to the wind. Results indicated that wind influenced dispersal of T. semifumatum . Also, vertical and directional distribution data showed that the height of the plant canopy is the most favorable level for release if a perimetrical distribution pattern is desired.
345 Patterns of S.aureus and MRSA colonization and infection in US swine veterinarians

Objectives Determine the incidence and prevalence of nasal colonisation of swine veterinarians with S. aureus in the USA, and quantify associations between risks of S. aureus colonisation and infection and exposure to pigs. Methods 1) Cross-sectional survey of swine veterinarians regarding general occupational health and safety. 2) Longitudinal bacteriological testing (nasal swabs) of 68 veterinarians sampled monthly for 18 months for S. aureus and MRSA carriage. Isolates are characterised of using spa typing (eGenomics and Ridom spa servers) and multilocus sequence typing. The veterinarians work in most major pig producing states of across the USA. Concurrent assessment of intensity of pig exposure, occurrence of skin and soft injuries, occurrence of S. aureus infections, and use of PPE is made monthly via survey. Results Across the first 4 months of bacteriological testing, prevalence of both S. aureus (60–70%) and MRSA (7–10%) were above expected levels in the USA population (30%, 3% respectively). Prevalence is significantly higher in veterinarians sampled within 48 hours of pig contact than after longer periods. Three spa types (539/t034 - ST398; 2/t_unknown - ST 5; 1435/t337 - ST9 comprised 65% of all S. aureus isolates from swine veterinarians. The 3 spa/sequence types have been reported as ‘livestock associated’ MRSA in Europe (ST398), Asia (ST9) and North America (ST5), but the majority of isolates from US veterinarians were methicillin sensitive (MSSA). Although minor skin injuries have been a frequent occurrence (5% cumulative incidence monthly), clinical infections with MRSA or MSSA have not yet been reported. Conclusions Swine veterinarians in the USA are frequently culture positive for S. aureus variants that are common in swine. Many exposure events appear to result in only transient colonisation. To date, risk of clinical S.aureus infection in this group appears to be modest, despite widespread exposure to the organisms and a high incidence of opportunity for infection via skin wounds.
A spectral-domain optical coherence tomography device provides reliable corneal pachymetry measurements in canine eyes

The objective of this study was to determine central corneal thickness (CCT) and the intra- and interuser reliability using a portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) device in canine eyes. Twenty clinically normal dogs were examined. CCT measurements were obtained from both eyes of each animal three times by two operators in succession. The CCT was automatically calculated using the pachymetry software generated from eight radial scans, 6 mm in length. Mean canine CCT was 606.83±39.45 μm for all eyes examined. There was no significant difference in CCT based on the eye examined (OD vs OS), age or gender of the animal. There was no significant difference in CCT between replicates performed by the same operator; however, a small but significant difference was noted in CCT between operators. The mean difference in CCT between operators was 1.9 μm (P=0.03). The coefficient of variation for each user and between users was very low (range 0.64-1.7 per cent). The intraclass correlation coefficient comparing operators was 0.975. Based on these results, the SD-OCT device evaluated is capable of obtaining precise CCT measurements with excellent intra- and interoperator reliability in canine eyes.
Uptake and Oxidative Degradation of the Systemic Acaricide Aldicarb in Hops, Humulus lupulus L.

Uptake of 14C-Iabeled aldicarb by potted hop plants, Humulus lupulus L., began within 6 h of application and continued for 18-48 h, depending on the application rate; higher rates took more time. Accumulation was greatest in the leaves, with relatively little in stems and roots. Leaf and cone residues were determined at 5-d intervals for 60 d following an application. In leaves, aldicarb residues peaked in 10 d (36.5 parts per million [ppm]), and peak accumulations of aldicarb sulfoxide and sulfone occurred at 25 d (89.9 ppm) and 45 d (14.9 ppm), respectively. Aldicarb residues were much lower in cones than in leaves. In cones, the peak (1.3 ppm) occurred 60 d after an application. Aldicarb sulfoxide and sulfone residues were low throughout the test period and reached peak levels (11.6 and 3.1 ppm, respectively) at 60 d. Residue levels were higher in dried hop leaves and cones. Drying increased the concentration of residues approximately three-fold in leaves and fourfold in cones.
HIV Treatment in African American Women-Care That Makes a Difference.

African American women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV disease. Socioeconomic and psycho-social factors while adding to the vulnerability of this population also contribute to non-adherence and consequently poor outcomes. The provider-patient relationship has the potential to enhance HIV medication adherence in this population. Using in-depth interviews, patient and provider perspectives are explored to identify specific elements of the provider-patient interaction that enhance patient satisfaction with care and consequently improve HIV medication adherence. Themes associated with provider attitudes and actions perceived as positively impacting care in this patient group include (1) physical touch, (2) treating (the patient) “as a person”, (3) actively listening to the patient, (4) showing empathy, (5) being non-judgmental, and (6) being readily accessible. These findings suggest that the demonstration of care and commitment from the provider as perceived by the patient is important to African American women living with HIV and may significantly influence adherence behavior and enhance treatment outcomes in this population.
The Application of Matrix Decomposition in Detecting Transient Power Quality Disturbance

According to the real situation of transient power quality problems which become increasingly prominent,this paper introduces a new method to detect transient power quality disturbance based on matrix decomposition technique.First the one-dimensional power quality disturbance signal is structured into a Hankel matrix and according to the singular vector decomposition,the linear separation of the disturbance signal is completed.Then the information contained in each layer of component signal is analyzed,and the abrupt information in the third layer of the component signal is used to detect the initial and cutoff time.The simulation results show that the method is effective and easy performed.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Japanese Encephalitis During Past 40 Years in Chenzhou City

Objective To study the variation trend of incidence and epidemic characteristics of Japanese encephalitis during 1966-2005.Method The data of epidemic situation of Japanese encephalitis during 1966-2005 in Chenzhou was analyzed by using SPSS 10.0. Results The annual reported incidence decreased year by year and the annual average incidence was 5.87/105 during 1966-2005 in Chenzhou. Children aged 1-5 years old were major subjects attacked by Japanese encephalitis,accounting for 76.65%. There was obvious seasonal variation and 93.31% cases occurred during July-August. Conclusion The inoculation of Japanese encephalitis vaccine is an effective prophylaxis. The programmed immunization in children aged 1-5 years old should be strengthened.
Hypoxia-Responsive Polymersomes for Drug Delivery to Hypoxic Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Hypoxia in tumors contributes to overall tumor progression by assisting in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer. In this study, we have synthesized a hypoxia-responsive, diblock copolymer poly(lactic acid)–azobenzene–poly(ethylene glycol), which self-assembles to form polymersomes in an aqueous medium. The polymersomes did not release any encapsulated contents for 50 min under normoxic conditions. However, under hypoxia, 90% of the encapsulated dye was released in 50 min. The polymersomes encapsulated the combination of anticancer drugs gemcitabine and erlotinib with entrapment efficiency of 40% and 28%, respectively. We used three-dimensional spheroid cultures of pancreatic cancer cells BxPC-3 to demonstrate hypoxia-mediated release of the drugs from the polymersomes. The vesicles were nontoxic. However, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed in hypoxic spheroidal cultures of BxPC-3 cells in the presence of drug encapsulated polymersomes. These polym...
International organizations (IOs), epistemic tools of influence, and the colonial geopolitics of knowledge production in higher education policy

AbstractWhile other scholars have analyzed the way that international organizations (IOs) in higher education policy may contribute to neocolonial domination, this paper illuminates not only on how IOs’ epistemic activities promulgate one-size fit all solutions, but centers the colonial structures of knowledge/power that inform the why (or logic) of these IOs’ epistemic activities and their effects. A decolonial analysis of discursive artifacts and tools such as policy reports, performance indicators, and technical assistance, of the OECD and World Bank, suggests that standardized IO policy processes and practices reproduce global inequities. In collusion with other policy actors, these IOs constitute and perpetuate coloniality in global higher education, through enacting a god-eye point of view, colonial difference, and the geopolitics of knowledge. This article proposes a set of questions that may open the possibility of ‘delinking’ from modern/colonial world systems and pushes us to decolonize our imag...
History of Gamed Simulation in Social Science Research

Gamed simulations have been used by social scientists in two major ways. First, they have been used to investigate the operation of social systems through the study of the behavior of players within them, and second, they have been used to teach students about the characteristics of the social systems that are modeled by the games.
Arrhythmias Following Repair of Congenital Heart Disease

When a child is born with congenital heart disease and requires surgical repair of the heart defect, most of the focus of the surgeon, cardiologist and parents is on obtaining as good a hemodynamic result as possible. For many defects, such as atrial or ventricular septal defects, atrioventricular canal defects, and tetralogy of Fallot, surgical results are excellent and one can expect to have a perfect or nearly perfect hemodynamic result, with complete closure of all septal defects, normal ventricular function, and normal valve function. With somewhat more complex defects, such as truncus arteriosus, double outlet right ventricle, and transposition of the great arteries, a modern surgical approach can also be expected to produce a normal or nearly normal hemodynamic situation, with an excellent long-term prognosis for the child. In even the most complex defects, including the single ventricle lesions, good results can also be obtained, prolonging life into adulthood and further. It is in this setting that one must consider the impact of late post-operative arrhythmias, both on the child who has undergone repair as well as on the parents of that child. It is extremely disappointing for the patient and the family to have an otherwise excellent hemodynamic result complicated by the occurrence of tachyarrhythmias, which can be annoying, debilitating, or even life threatening. Indeed, for many such patients, the late-appearing tachyarrhythmia is their only active cardiac problem.
Synthesis of Monodisperse Single Crystalline Ag Microcubes via Seed-Mediated Growth

A multitude of complex-shaped nano- and microparticles have been synthesized due to their interesting size- and shape-dependent properties. However, a number of applications require reliable methods for making nonspherical particles from the nanoscale up to the microscale. Shape control of metal nanoparticles has been studied extensively by utilizing their preferred growth normal to low-surface-energy planes, but their size is typically limited to less than a few hundred nanometers. Here, we report a method to control the size of cubic Ag single crystals in a broad range from 100 nm to 2 μm while maintaining flat faces and sharp edges and vertices. To our knowledge, this is the first report on synthesis of monodisperse nonspherical single crystals from the nano- to micrometer scale, which enables an exploration of size- and shape-dependent behaviors of materials.
The Impact of Cumulative Minority Stress on Cognitive Behavioral Treatment With Gender Minority Individuals: Case Study and Clinical Recommendations ☆ ☆☆

Abstract For sexual minority individuals (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual [LGB] persons), minority stress includes experiences of discrimination, expectations of rejection, internalized negativity, and concealment of identity. Sexual minority stress has been linked to various negative mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety), and levels of psychiatric comorbidity are high among LGB people. However, little is known about the extension of minority stress models to gender minority individuals (i.e., transgender and gender nonconforming persons) and its impact on mental health in this particular group. Further, the influence of gender minority stress on the delivery and outcome of traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches is unclear. A case study of CBT for chronic depression with a young, transgender individual is presented. This case study highlights potential barriers that may arise with gender minority clients when implementing evidence-based clinical interventions in the context of an individual’s minority stress history. Implications for cognitive-behavioral treatments with gender minority individuals and recommendations for clinicians and researchers are discussed.
TGF-β1 stimulates HDAC4 nucleus-to-cytoplasm translocation and NADPH oxidase 4-derived reactive oxygen species in normal human lung fibroblasts.

Myofibroblasts are important mediators of fibrogenesis; thus blocking fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation (FMD) may be an effective strategy to treat pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Previously, we...
Water and Agriculture in Nineteenth-century Tamilnad

With a focus by scholars on states and classes, the environment of India and its impact on agriculture has been neglected, except to provide a context—which was largely unchanging—in which states extracted and classes struggled. One example of environment as the backdrop is the distinction between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ areas in Tamilnad and South India more widely. This distinction is based on the availability of water and on the local categorization of agricultural activity (nanjai versus punjai). There are two problems with this approach, however. First, it is a narrow treatment of the environment as it neglects other features of the land such as forests, grasslands, scrublands, and other so-called wasteland. Second, it sees the environment as a fixed entity, but the landscape has changed dramatically in the past, especially in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. If changes in the environment are included in the mix, the development of agriculture in nineteenth-century Tamilnad may be seen in some new ways. Agricultural production existed in symbiosis with the complex and varied environment of the region. In the early nineteenth century Tamilnad contained extensive tracts of forests, widespread wastelands, and abundant surface water. This diverse environment made it possible to maintain high levels of agricultural productivity as it provided the resources to maintain the fertility of the soil and the supplies of water that were critical for agricultural enterprise, as well as the well-being of the rural population. The consequences of changing regimes of water is the focus of this article.
MAPK signaling has stage-dependent osteogenic effects on human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro.

ABSTRACTOverview: The use of pro-osteogenic growth factors, such as BMP2, in human adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) osteogenesis is well described. Because these growth factors work via signal transduction pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, a study of the relationship between MAPK signaling and ASC osteogenesis was conducted. Materials and Methods: ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK activation were measured in ASCs osteo-induced using either dexamethasone or vitamin D3 and correlated with mineralization. Activation and mineralization were also measured without dexamethasone or using the glucocorticoid, cortisone. The expression of the MAPK phosphatase, MKP1, and its relationship to mineralization was also assessed. The effect of decreasing MAPK activation on mineralization through the use of exogenous inhibitors was examined along with siRNA-knockdown and adenoviral overexpression of ERK1/2. Finally, the effect of ERK1/2 overexpression on ASCs induced on PLGA scaffolds was assessed. ...
The absorption, magnetic circular dichroism and emission of Eu2+ in cubic elpasolites

Abstract The absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and emission/excitation spectra of some 4ƒ 7 →4ƒ 6 5d transitions in Eu2+ in several hexachloro and hexabromoelpasolites have been measured. Data were collected between 5 and 300 K and up to energies of 42,000 cm−1. The absorption and MCD were satisfactorily interpreted using a coupling scheme that treats the d-electron crystal field as being much greater than the f-electron spin orbit coupling and essentially ignores other interactions.
Informatics Support for Basic Research in Biomedicine

Informatics methodologies exploit computer-assisted techniques to help biomedical researchers manage large amounts of information. In this paper, we focus on the biomedical research literature (MEDLINE). We first provide an overview of some text mining techniques that offer assistance in research by identifying biomedical entities (e.g., genes, substances, and diseases) and relations between them in text.We then discuss Semantic MEDLINE, an application that integrates PubMed document retrieval, concept and relation identification, and visualization, thus enabling a user to explore concepts and relations from within a set of retrieved citations. Semantic MEDLINE provides a roadmap through content and helps users discern patterns in large numbers of retrieved citations. We illustrate its use with an informatics method we call "discovery browsing," which provides a principled way of navigating through selected aspects of some biomedical research area. The method supports an iterative process that accommodates learning and hypothesis formation in which a user is provided with high level connections before delving into details.As a use case, we examine current developments in basic research on mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. Out of the nearly 90 000 citations returned by the PubMed query "Alzheimer's disease," discovery browsing led us to 73 citations on sortilin and that disorder. We provide a synopsis of the basic research reported in 15 of these. There is wide-spread consensus among researchers working with a range of animal models and human cells that increased sortilin expression and decreased receptor expression are associated with amyloid beta and/or amyloid precursor protein.
A genotype–phenotype correlation for quantitative autistic trait burden in neurofibromatosis 1

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with approximately 13% of individuals displaying severe-range elevations in quantitative autistic trait (QAT) burden measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2).1 While there are no established risk factors for ASD in children with NF1, recent studies have revealed that first-degree family members with NF1 are concordant for QAT severity.1,2 These findings suggest a high degree of mutational specificity for ASD symptomatology in NF1, and raise the intriguing possibility that the germline NF1 gene mutation is one potential risk factor.1,2 In this report, we explore the correlation between the type and location of the NF1 gene mutation and QAT burden in individuals with NF1.
Ablation approach for primary liver tumors: Peri-operative outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Ablation is a common treatment modality for malignant primary liver tumors(PLTs), outcomes following laparoscopic (LA) versus open ablation (OA) are ill-defined. This project compares peri-procedural outcomes of LA versus OA for PLTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with PLTs undergoing radiofrequency ablation were queried from ACS NSQIP Database (2005-2013) using CPT codes. Patients undergoing percutaneous ablation or hepatic resection were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression analyses determined the association of ablation approach with 30-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS Of 5747 with PLTs, 655 (11.4%) ablations were identified: 177 (27.0%) underwent OA, 478 (73.0%) underwent LA. Patients undergoing LA had lower mortality (1.9% vs 5.1%, P = 0.026), lower minor morbidity (2.3% vs 5.7%, P = 0.031), and lower major morbidity (4.2% vs 17.0%, P < 0.001). Adjusting for demographics, disease-specific variables (preoperative ascites, total bilirubin, platelet count, albumin, and INR), 30-day mortality (OR 3.85, 95%CI: 1.38-10.80, P = 0.010), minor morbidity (OR 2.98, 95%CI: 1.16-7.67, P = 0.024), and major morbidity (OR 4.59 95%CI: 2.41-8.76, P < 0.001) were statistically lower in LA. OA demonstrated increased length of stay(LOS) (5 vs 2 days, P < 0.001), and longer operative time (152 vs 112 min, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION LA offers decreased peri-procedural morbidity, mortality, and reduced LOS. LA should be the preferred method for hepatic ablation.
Basic Statistics and Numerical Analysis with Fortran

Statistical and numerical analysis are among the most important applications of Fortran. In this chapter, algorithms are presented for calculating basic descriptive statistics and some typical problems in numerical analysis, including differentiation and integration, solving systems of linear equations, finding roots of equations, and numerical solutions to differential equations. The code for many of the algorithms is incorporated into a MODULE that you can use in your own programs. Each of the sections includes a typical application and is independent of the other sections.
High-risk high-reward investments to mitigate climate change

Some technologies, such as solar or wind power, create certain but relatively small reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Others, such as carbon sequestration devices, have larger potential upsides, but a greater possibility of failure. Here we show using economic games that people will invest in high-risk high-reward technologies when more certain options will not be sufficient. Groups of players had to contribute enough to avoid a simulated climate change disaster. Players could defect, make a certain contribution or make a risky contribution with a high potential gain. Across four studies using both laboratory (n = 296 and n = 297) and online (n = 501 and n = 499) samples, we found that more players made riskier contributions when necessary targets could not be met otherwise, regardless of the magnitude of potential losses. These results suggest that individuals are willing to invest in risky technology when it is necessary to mitigate climate change. In economic games, players shift to riskier contributions when targets that prevent catastrophic losses cannot be met otherwise, suggesting people are willing to invest in riskier technology when more certain options will not be sufficient to mitigate climate change.
Influence of Non-solvent Chemistry on Polybenzimidazole Hollow Fiber Membrane Preparation

Abstract Polybenzimidazole membrane materials have attractive H2/CO2 separation characteristics and high thermo-chemical stability for elevated temperature synthesis (syn) gas separations. The development of PBI membranes with a thin defect-free selective layer and porous support morphology is vital to achieving industrially attractive separation performance. This work is focused on developing a fundamental understanding of the liquid-liquid demixing-based phase inversion process for asymmetric PBI hollow fiber membrane (HFM) formation. The development of industrially attractive HFMs is a challenging process due to the complex interplay between phase equilibria, phase inversion kinetics, and interfacial mass transfer that exist during the liquid-liquid demixing process. Numerous parameters including the dope, bore, and outer coagulant chemistries and compositions significantly influence the HFM morphologies produced. Here, a systematic study is conducted to investigate the phase inversion process parameters including the roles of the non-solvent solubility and diffusivity parameters with respect to the solvent and PBI on the phase inversion process. Furthermore, the influence of dope, bore and coagulant chemistries and compositions on PBI HFM morphology are investigated. The fabricated PBI HFMs are evaluated for their ideal H2 and CO2 permeance and H2/CO2 selectivity at 250 °C to benchmark their separation performance.
Comparison and optimization of three commercial methods with an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of sulfites in food and beverages.

Abstract Sulfites are food additives found in a large variety of food products to help reduce oxidation and browning. A small subset of the population has “allergic-like” symptoms upon consumption of sulfite containing foods. There are several sulfite detection methods available in the literature that vary in analysis time and required instrumentation. There are also rapid screening tests available that have not been tested extensively for accuracy and precision. In this study, four different methods (an LC–MS/MS method, a spectrophotometric method, a test strip method and a spot test method) were used to determine the sulfite concentration of 10 different commercially sulfited products. Of these methods, the LC–MS/MS and the spectrophotometric method had the most comparable results. The test strips were only accurate at concentrations greater than 50 mg/kg (ppm) SO2. The spot test method was found to be inaccurate with both standard solutions and samples.
Are Discrepancies Among Child, Mother, and Father Reports on Children's Behavior Related to Parents' Psychological Symptoms and Aspects of Parent–Child Relationships?

Examined whether parents' symptoms and qualitative and quantitative aspects of parent-child relationships make unique contributions to mothers' and fathers' reports of, and mother-child, father-child, and father-mother discrepancies on, children's behavior. Participants were 100 children, aged 10-12, and their mothers and fathers. Parents' symptoms and parent-child relationships made unique contributions to both parents' ratings of externalizing behavior. Although parent-child relationship variables were related to both parents' ratings of internalizing behavior, only parents' symptoms made unique contributions. On mother-child and father-child discrepancies, differences emerged between mother and father, and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Both fathers' and mothers' symptoms contributed to father-mother discrepancies on both behavior types, with parent-child relationships contributing unique variance to discrepancies on internalizing behavior. Results highlight the importance of each informant's symptoms and relationship variables in understanding informant discrepancies.
Validation of a preoperative prediction model for mortality within 1 year after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair of intact aneurysms

Abstract Objective Most would agree that at least 1-year survival is necessary after intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair to appropriately justify the cost and risk of the procedure. No validated clinical decision instruments exist to predict survival after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) beyond the perioperative period. The purpose of this analysis was to create a preoperative prediction model for 1-year mortality after EVAR for intact AAA in the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative. Methods All intact EVARs in the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative from 2011 to 2015 were randomly divided into training (n = 17,836) and validation (n = 2500) data sets, and 31 preoperative candidate predictors were identified. A logistic regression model for 1-year mortality was created, and bootstrapped stepwise variable elimination was used to reduce this model to a best subset of predictors. Penalized maximum likelihood estimation was used to correct for potential overfitting. The final model was internally validated by bootstrapping the area under the curve (AUC) and the calibration slope and intercept, and its performance when applied to the training and validation data sets was compared. Results After elective and nonelective (symptomatic, intact) EVAR, 1-year mortality was 5.5% (n = 900/16,411) and 11.4% (n = 162/1425), respectively. The mean probability of 1-year mortality was 6.0% (n = 1062) in the training set and 5.7% (n = 143) in the validation cohort (P = .12). Significant preoperative predictors of 1-year mortality included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, age, preoperative renal insufficiency (creatinine concentration ≥1.8 mg/dL or on hemodialysis), ejection fraction Conclusions This validated preoperative prediction model for 1-year mortality identifies patients less likely to benefit from EVAR. Appropriateness of intact AAA EVAR care delivery can be improved by use of this clinical decision aid to determine which high-risk patients have lower probability of mortality within the first postoperative year relative to their predicted annualized rupture risk.
Local injection of NaCN into the nucleus locus ceruleus of the rat brain induces respiratory depression.

The central inhibitory effect of systemic hypoxia on respiration can be explained by different mechanisms including withdrawal of excitatory inputs to respiratory related neurons. It has been shown that several groups of catecholamine containing neurons, including the locus ceruleus (LC), express chemosensitive properties. Different stimuli like hypercapnia, hypoxia or electrical stimulation of carotid sinus nerve, induce c-fos protein expression in the LC neurons.1,2 Furthermore, their activation by increased hydrogen ions causes elevation of respiratory drive.3
Ultrastructure of Septa in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Abstract. An electron microscope study has been done on the structure of septum and its associations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. This septum consists of a cross-wall containing two electron-dense layers separated by an electron-transparent central lamella. The central pore in the cross-wall is partially to completely blocked by cell inclusions called Woronin bodies, which are electron-dense and membrane-bound. Ringkasan. Pengamatan jamur penyebab penyakit tumbuhan, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary dengan menggunakan mikroskop elektron telah dikerjakan dalam laporan ini, terutama sekali mengenai dinding melintang dari pada hypha dan benda-benda sel lainnya yang selalu berhubungan erat sekali dengan celah di antara dinding melintang, yang disebut “Woronin bodies”. Dinding melintang, tediri dari tiga lapis, yaitu dua lapis yang banyak menerima electron (electron-dense layers) dan dibagian tengahnya dipisahkan oleh selapis bagian yang tembus cahaya (electron-transparent central lamella). Celah pada dinding melintang sering sekali disumbat oleh “Waronin bodies”.
The Utility of High-Resolution Pharyngeal Manometry in Dysphagia Treatment

Purpose High-resolution pharyngeal manometry (HRPM) is an emerging technology that shows promise as both an adjuvant diagnostic and therapeutic tool in oropharyngeal dysphagia management. Advances ...
USB-Watch: A Dynamic Hardware-Assisted USB Threat Detection Framework

The USB protocol is among the most widely adopted protocols today thanks to its plug-and-play capabilities and the vast number of devices which support the protocol. However, this same adaptability leaves unwitting computing devices prone to attacks. Malicious USB devices can disguise themselves as benign devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.) to insert malicious commands on end devices. These malicious USB devices can mimic an actual device or a human typing pattern and appear as a real device to the operating system. Typically, advanced software-based detection schemes are used to identify the malicious nature of such devices. However, a powerful adversary (e.g., as rootkits or advanced persistent threats) can still subvert those software-based detection schemes. To address these concerns, in this work, we introduce a novel hardware-assisted, dynamic USB-threat detection framework called USB-Watch. Specifically, USB-Watch utilizes hardware placed between a USB device and the host machine to hook into the USB communication, collect USB data, and provides the capability to view unaltered USB protocol communications. This unfettered data is then fed into a machine learning-based classifier which dynamically determines the true nature of the USB device. Using real malicious USB devices (i.e., Rubber-Ducky) mimicking as a keyboard, we perform a thorough analysis of typing dynamic features (e.g., typing time differentials, key press durations, etc.) to effectively classify malicious USB devices from normal human typing behaviors. In this work, we show that USB-Watch provides a lightweight, OS-independent framework which effectively distinguishes differences between normal and malicious USB behaviors with a ROC curve of 0.89. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first hardware-based detection mechanism to dynamically detect threats coming from USB devices.
Surface functionalization strategies of extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-protein bilayer vesicular constructs secreted to the extracellular spaces by cells. All cells secrete EVs as a regular biological process that appears to be conserved throughout the evolution. Owing to the rich molecular cargo of EVs with specific lipid and protein content and documented role in cellular communication, EVs have been exploited as a versatile agent in the biomedical arena, including as diagnostic, drug delivery, immunomodulatory, and therapeutic agents. With these multifaceted applications in the biomedical field, the functionalization of EVs to add diverse functionality has garnered rapid attention. EVs can be functionalized with an exogenous imaging and targeting moiety that allows for the target specificity and the real-time tracking of EVs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Importantly, such added functionalities can be used to explore EVs' biogenesis pathway and their role in cellular communication, which can lead to a better understanding of EVs' cellular mechanisms and processes. In this report, we have reviewed the existing surface functionalization strategies of EVs and broadly classified them into three major approaches: physical, biological, and chemical approaches. The physical approach of EV functionalization includes methods like sonication, extrusion, and freeze-thaw that can change the surface properties of EVs via membrane rearrangements. The biological approach includes genetically and metabolically engineering cells to express protein or cargo molecules of interest in secreted EVs. The chemical approach includes different facile click type chemistries that can be used to covalently conjugate the EV lipid or protein construct with different linker groups for diverse functionality. Different chemistries like thiol-maleimide, EDC/NHS, azide-alkyne cycloaddition, and amidation chemistry have been discussed to functionalize EVs. Finally, a comparative discussion of all approaches has been done focusing on the significance of each approach. The collective knowledge of the major approach of surface functionalization can be used to improve the limitation of one technique by combining it with another. An optimized surface functionalization approach developed accordingly can efficiently add required functionality to EVs while maintaining their natural integrity.
Bonds in Every Color

Our time together as physicians of color laid bare the ubiquity of trauma in our profession.
The effect of the level of mixer-added water and mash conditioning temperature on parameters monitored during pelleting and phytase and xylanase thermostability

Abstract Exogenous enzymes have been used in broiler and swine rations to improve nutrient utilization and reduce feed costs, both of which improved the efficiencies of live production. Feed manufacturers have also utilized practices, such as warm mash conditioning temperatures (CT) and the addition of moisture at the mixer or mash conditioning chamber, to maintain adequate physical feed quality. While the impact of warm conditioning practices on enzyme thermostability had been well described, the impact of mixer-added water (MAW) on enzyme thermostability was scarcely investigated in previous literature. The present experiment intended to investigate the interaction of three mash CT and three levels of MAW on the thermostability of a phytase and xylanase mixer-added enzyme within a swine gestation diet in a 3 × 3 factorial randomized complete block design. The mash CT included 80, 86, and 92 °C and the levels of MAW included 0, 10, and 20 g/kg. Parameters monitored during the pelleting process included pellet durability index (PDI), pellet mill energy consumption (PMEC), and the change in temperature between hot pellets and conditioned mash ( Δ T). Conditioning mash at 92 °C resulted in a 22.5 percentage-point reduction in phytase recovery in conditioned mash and a 70.1 percentage-point reduction in phytase recovery in pellets when compared to diets pelleted at 80 °C (P Δ T increased, phytase recovery in pellets relative to unconditioned mash increased (P
The Catholic Church

Studies of Christian antisemitism and anti-Judaism have often been focused on texts to demonstrate continuity and transformation of anti-Jewish sentiments. This chapter explores the tension between the theological Jew, encountered in the theology and theological texts, and historical Jews, encountered in daily life. These historical encounters challenge common assumptions of distinctions between premodern and modern periods, and between anti-Judaism and antisemitism. Reading the classical texts and laws along with evidence of historical relations between Jews and Christians reveals complex historical reality. On the one hand, premodern Jewish–Christian relations offer a more complex view of premodern anti-Jewish sentiments, on the other, they reveal the continuity of the religious dimension of Christian attitudes toward Jews in the modern period.
A Self-Reconfigurable Variable-Stiffness Soft Robot Based on Boundary-Constrained Modular Units

This article describes a soft robot based on boundary constrained modular subunits. The loop-shaped robot consists of a granule-filled elastic toroidal membrane with a series of modular subunit robots attached to its exterior. The robot can operate both as a soft robot to conform to external objects or navigate through narrow corridors and as a rigid robot by jamming its internal granules using a vacuum. The jammed state is useful for exerting forces on the environment in object manipulation or locomotion tasks. This article describes the robot’s design, object handling capabilities, locomotion, shape formation, and ability to navigate narrow corridors. We also present computationally efficient control methodologies used for self-reconfiguration and target tracking, which enable scaling the number of subunits to create larger systems. The robot’s scalability and the control methodologies are verified through simulation with ProjectChrono, a multibody dynamic simulation platform. All other results are obtained experimentally.
A communicative interdependence perspective of close relationships: The connections between mediated and unmediated interactions matter

In response to calls to recognize that both face-to-face (FtF) interaction and technologically mediated communication (TMC) often occur in the same relationships, we introduce a communicative interdependence perspective with a central tenet that relational closeness is associated with interconnections among modes of communication. We examined this perspective with a focus group study (N = 17) and a more extensive survey (N = 317). Consistent with the communicative interdependence predictions, relational closeness was associated positively with integration between FtF and TMC and negatively to difficulties transitioning between modes. Also, discussing topics only via technologically mediated channels was inversely associated with closeness and satisfaction, whereas discussing topics only in person was positively related to closeness and satisfaction.
The Application of Strict Criminal Liability to Maritime Oil Pollution Incidents: Is There OPA for the Accidental Spiller?

This article suggests that the use of strict criminal liability in response to unintended petroleum discharges undermines long-established and well-reasoned common law notions of justice and conflicts with the principles of statutory construction. The author argues that DOJ's continued use of strict liability statutes in response to maritime oil pollution incidents is both unwarranted and counterproductive.
A finite element method for determining structural displacements resulting from electrostatic forces

A finite element approach has been developed to help solve the problem of structural displacement due to forces from electrostatic attraction. The method can be applied to typical MEMS structures such as diaphragms, beams, etc. where the charge carrying surfaces can be approximated as nearly parallel. The user subroutine capability of the commercially available ABAQUS finite element code is used. This capability allows a non-uniform, position dependent, load to be applied at each integration point during the stress/displacement analysis. The load value is determined by a user written FORTRAN subroutine. >
Cost constrained reliability maximization of software systems

Architecture-based techniques have been largely used for the reliability assessment of software systems. However, these techniques also enable the exploration of cost/reliability tradeoffs and evaluation of a set of competing architectural alternatives. This paper presents an optimization framework based on an evolutionary algorithm (EA) which can be used to explore cost/reliability tradeoffs based on software architecture. Evolutionary algorithm was used as an optimization technique because of the discontinuous search space, usually nonlinear but monotonic relation between the cost and reliability of individual modules comprising the software, and complex software architectures giving rise to nonlinear dependencies between individual module reliabilities and the overall application reliability. We illustrate the use of the EA using a case study, where the results of the EA are compared with those obtained from exhaustive enumeration. A comparison of the time taken by the EA to generate an optimal solution with the time taken by exhaustive search to generate an optimal solution indicates that the EA can be used to obtain optimal designs with much greater efficiency than exhaustive search.
On the Path-Dependency of the J-Integral in a Pseudoelastic Shape Memory Alloy

Detailed finite-element calculations are carried out to examine the path-dependence of the J-integral in a pseudoelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) for mode I loading under the approximation of linear kinematics. The evolution equation for the transformation strain is consistent with the classical rate-independent J2 flow theory. The small-scale nonlinearity assumption is employed using a boundary layer approach, wherein the actual boundary conditions have been replaced by the requirement of an asymptotic approach to the linear elastic inverse-square-root stress/strain distribution at large distances from the crack tip. The J-integral is found to be path-dependent inside the transformation zone, close to the crack tip.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Photometric Measurements with an Image Converter Streak Camera

The response of a fast streak camera to 400 psec.laser radiation passing through a stepped neutral density filter on the slits is used to determine the linearity and dynamic range of the combined camera, film and microdensitometer system. An input intensity range of two decades resulted in a dynamic range of less than one decade with a single 5 nsec. streak of a 400 psec. Nd+3 laser pulse. The range is limited on the low side by a background signal produced by flare in the camera from the brighter regions. Over several shots a total range of almost two decades is covered, where each segment is linear on a D—log E plot. However, the slope(γ) varies from 1.3 at high in—intensity to 2.3 at low intensity.
Earth resources observation with the Shuttle imaging radar

In order to fully understand the radar signature of different surface features and covers, observations must be acquired with a variety of sensor parameters (i.e., frequency, polarization, and incidence angle). This allows the selection of an appropriate set of sensors parameters which will provide the most information about the surface. The Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR), which is planned by NASA for a series of flights in the 1984-86 time frame, will have the capability to obtain surface images at two frequencies (L-band and C-band), at multiple polarizations, and all incidence angles from near vertical to near grazing. The SIR will operate in the synthetic aperture imaging mode and provide digital images of the surfaces with a resolution of about 20 meters. As part of the SIR flights, a number of planned large-scale experiments will be conducted in the fields of geologic mapping, vegetation classification, land cover mapping, surface moisture measurements, and ocean surface observation.