cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accurate Performance Modeling and Guidance to the Adoption of an Inconsistency Detection Framework

With the increased popularity of replica-based services in distributed systems such as the Grid, consistency control among replicas becomes more and more important. To this end, IDF (inconsistency detection framework), a two-layered overlay-based architecture, has been proposed as a new way to solve this problem-instead of enforcing a predefined consistency control protocol, IDF detects inconsistency in a timely manner when it occurs and resolves it based on applicationspsila semantics.This paper presents a comprehensive analytical study of the two-layer detection mechanism. We develop an analytical model to characterize IDF and, based on this model, evaluating the successful rate of inconsistency detection within the top layer, which directly impacts the performance of IDF. We also derive a unified formula to model the performance of IDF with regard to a wide range of applications. Based on the modeling results, we illustrate how practitioners can use these quantitative insights to tune the IDF parameters for specific applications.
Recurrent Lumbar Ependymoma Presenting as Headache and Communicating Hydrocephalus

We describe a patient with a recurrent spinal cord ependymoma who initially presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure rather than symptoms directly relating to involvement of the conus medullaris. Brain magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium showed communicating hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the entire spinal cord with gadolinium revealed recurrent tumor. Postoperatively, a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. Recognition of the association between spinal cord ependymoma and hydrocephalus is important in the evaluation of patients with headache.
Assessing the Clinical Significance of Botanical Supplementation on Human Cytochrome P450 3A Activity: Comparison of a Milk Thistle and Black Cohosh Product to Rifampin and Clarithromycin

Phytochemical-mediated modulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) may underlie many herb-drug interactions. This study's purpose was to assess the effects of milk thistle and black cohosh supplementation on CYP3A activity and compare them to a clinically recognized inducer, rifampin, and inhibitor, clarithromycin. Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a standardized milk thistle (900 mg) or black cohosh (80 mg) supplement for 14 days. Subjects also received rifampin (600 mg) and clarithromycin (1000 mg) for 7 days as positive controls for CYP3A induction and inhibition, respectively. Midazolam was administered orally before and after each supplementation and control period. The effects of milk thistle, black cohosh, rifampin, and clarithromycin on midazolam pharmacokinetics were determined using noncompartmental techniques. Unlike those observed for rifampin and clarithromycin, midazolam pharmacokinetics was unaffected by milk thistle or black cohosh. Milk thistle and black cohosh appear to have no clinically relevant effect on CYP3A activity in vivo.
Polygonal chain simplification with small angle constraints

We consider the problem of simplifying an n-vertex polygonal chain with small angle constraints in R 2 and R 3 , thus closing the gap on the range of angles left in previous work on the problem. Speciflcally, we show that the min-# version of the polygonal chain simpliflcation problem with small angle constraints can be solved in O(n 2 ) time and space in R 2 , and in O(n 2 log 2 n) time, O(n 2 ) space in R 3 .
Blackbody Radiation and the Loss of Universality: Implications for Planck’s Formulation and Boltzmann’s Constant

Through the reevaluation of Kirchho ’s law (Robitaille P. M. L. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 2003, v. 31(6), 1263‐1267), Planck’s blackbody equation (Planck M. Ann. der Physik, 1901, v. 4, 553‐356) loses its universal significance and becomes restricted to perfect absorbers. Consequently, the proper application of Planck’s radiation law involves the study of solid opaque objects, typically made from graphite, soot, and carbon black. The extension of this equation to other materials may yield apparent temperatures, which do not have any physical meaning relative to the usual temperature scales. Real temperatures are exclusively obtained from objects which are known solids, or which are enclosed within, or in equilibrium with, a perfect absorber. For this reason, the currently accepted temperature of the microwave background must be viewed as an apparent temperature. Rectifying this situation, while respecting real temperatures, involves a reexamination of Boltzman’s constant. In so doing, the latter is deprived of its universal nature and, in fact, acts as a temperature dependent variable. In its revised form, Planck’s equation becomes temperature insensitive near 300 K, when applied to the microwave background. With the formulation of his law of thermal emission [1], Planck brought to science a long sought physical order. Though individual materials varied widely in their radiative behaviors, Kirchho ’s law of thermal emission [2, 3] had enabled him to advance dramatic simplifications in an otherwise chaotic world [1]. Given thermal equilibrium and enclosure, the blackbody cavity seemed to impart upon nature a universal property, far removed from the confusion prevailing outside its walls [4]. Universality produced conceptual order and brought rapid and dramatic progress in mathematical physics. In his “Theory of Heat Radiation” [4], Planck outlines the prize: the existence of the universal constants, and . Moreover, he is able to introduce natural units of length, mass, time, and temperature [4;x164]. He writes: “In contrast with this it might be of interest to note that, with the aid of the two constants and which appear in the universal law of radiation, we have the means of establishing units of length, mass, time, and temperature, which are independent of special bodies or substances, which necessarily retain their significance for all time and for all environments, terrestrial and human or otherwise, and which may, therefore, be described as ‘natural units’ ” [4;x164]. Planck then presents the values of the four fundamental constants [4;x164]:
Multi-Temporal SAR Change Detection and Monitoring

Multitemporal SAR images are a very useful source of information for a large amount of applications, especially for change detection and monitoring. In this paper, a new SAR change detection and monitoring approach is proposed through the analysis of a time series of SAR images covering the same region. The first step of the method is the SAR filtering preprocessing step using an extension of the spatial NL-means filter to the temporal domain. Then, the Rayleigh Kullback Leibler and the Rayleigh Distribution Ratio measures are combined to detect the changes between a reference image and each SAR image of the time series at both local and global scale. These measures are combined using the Dezert-Smarandache theory which takes into account conflicts between sources and thus enhances the dual change detection results. Finally, a pixel based temporal classification is applied starting from the obtained change maps in order to describe the temporal behaviour of the covered regions.
Multiple Forms of Learning Yield Temporally Distinct Electrophysiological Repetition Effects

Prior experience with a stimulus leads to multiple forms of learning that facilitate subsequent behavior (repetition priming) and neural processing (repetition suppression). Learning can occur at the level of stimulus-specific features (stimulus learning), associations between stimuli and selected decisions (stimulus--decision learning), and associations between stimuli and selected responses (stimulus--response learning). Although recent functional magnetic resonance imaging results suggest that these distinct forms of learning are associated with repetition suppression (neural priming) in dissociable regions of frontal and temporal cortex, a critical question is how these different forms of learning influence cortical response dynamics. Here, electroencephalography (EEG) measured the temporal structure of neural responses when participants classified novel and repeated stimuli, using a design that isolated the effects of distinct levels of learning. Event-related potential and spectral EEG analyses revealed electrophysiological effects due to stimulus, stimulus--decision, and stimulus--response learning, demonstrating experience-dependent cortical modulation at multiple levels of representation. Stimulus-level learning modulated cortical dynamics earlier in the temporal-processing stream relative to stimulus--decision and stimulus--response learning. These findings indicate that repeated stimulus processing, including the mapping of stimuli to decisions and actions, is influenced by stimulus-level and associative learning mechanisms that yield multiple forms of experience-dependent cortical plasticity.
Empire through Diasporic Eyes: A View from the Other Boat

In 1982, Eric Wolf published Europe and the People Without History to identify and begin rectifying large gaps in anthropological knowledge. That project remains unfinished. In the past year,This essay was substantially completed in September 2002. Revisions in preparation for publication a year later were kept to a minimum, in order to preserve for the reader a sense of temporal location and orientation. since September 11, 2001, the necessity of filling in some of these gaps has become urgent. The history of relations between Western powers and transnational Muslim societies in the Indian Ocean is one of them.Of the European traditions, Dutch scholarship has retained the greatest awareness of this issue over the past century, and a number of individual Dutch scholars continue to be proficient in the regional languages, such as both Arabic and Malay, today (van den Berg 1886; Hurgronje 1906; 1931; van der Meulen and von Wissman 1932; van Leur 1955; Schrieke 1960; Meilink-Roelofsz 1962; van Bruinessen 1995; Kaptein 1997). An anthropologically nuanced understanding of such societies as diasporas, thought in tandem with their continued relations with Western empires over five hundred years, lends a useful perspective on a set of conflicts which is massively unfolding. Threatening to become a self-fulfilling prophecy of a clash of civilizations (Huntington 1993) in popular discourse and political decision-making, a phenomenon on this horrendous scale remains within the purview of anthropologists if one sees it as an instance of culture contact under conditions of global imperialism, unmitigated by colonial administration.In his book which elaborated on the provocative thesis of his original 1993 essay, Huntington noted that the question mark in the essay title had been generally ignored (1997:13).
Free-space input and output coupling to an embedded fiber optic strain sensor: dual-ended interrogation via transmission

In this paper, we report a novel method of free-space passive optical coupling to completely embedded, transmission-based fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. Fiber optic sensors (FOS's) have attracted intense research and commercial interest. A major challenge in implementing embedded FOS's, however, is improving upon the cumbersome and fragile ingress/egress techniques commonly used for bringing the sensing light into and out of the structures. In this paper, we successfully couple free-space light into and out of an embedded FBG sensor, without the use of physical connectorization. This coupling is enabled by splicing a multimode fiber (MMF) to a single mode fiber Bragg grating (SMFBG), and using hand polishing to integrate 45° mirrors onto the ingress and egress points of the MMF and SMFBG, respectively. We determine the total loss of the system to be 23 dB, which is considerably better than previous studies that did not use this hand polishing technique. We also demonstrate the application of this free-space coupling technique to strain measurement with a maximum strain of about 2000 µV. With this approach, no "pigtailing" of optical fibers is needed, and the FBG sensors can be completely embedded inside the structures, greatly increasing system simplicity and robustness.
Core data elements tracking elder sexual abuse

Sexual abuse in the older adult population is an understudied vector of violent crimes with significant physical and psychological consequences for victims and families. Research requires a theoretical framework that delineates core elements using a standardized instrument. To develop a conceptual framework and identify core data elements specific to the older adult population, clinical, administrative, and criminal experts were consulted using a nominal group method to revise an existing sexual assault instrument. The revised instrument could be used to establish a national database of elder sexual abuse. The database could become a standard reference to guide the detection, assessment, and prosecution of elder sexual abuse crimes as well as build a base from which policy makers could plan and evaluate interventions that targeted risk factors.
The Need for Displacement-Based Design and Analysis

A brief description of current force-based design is given. The historical basis for current seismic design philosophy is mentioned. Conceptual problems for force-based design using initial stiffness to represent structural response, which are often not recognized by designers are discussed.
Jury Sentencing as Democratic Practice

After a century of reform and experimentation, sentencing remains a highly contested area of the criminal justice system. Scholars as well as the public at large disagree about the proper purposes and functions of punishment, and dissatisfaction with the sentencing status quo is high. Most recent critiques of the sentencing process have focused on the amount of discretion tolerated by the system. This Article goes further in arguing that the source of sentencing discretion is also very important to the legitimacy and integrity of the sentencing process. In the absence of wide consensus on sentencing goals, it is best to leave the sentencing decision with a deliberative democratic institution - the jury. This Article makes the case for jury sentencing from three perspectives: the historical, the theoretical, and the practical. Part I of this Article surveys the history of jury sentencing from colonial times to the present. This history reveals that jury sentencing - a uniquely American innovation - was a valued democratic institution in the early republic, but was gradually abandoned in the twentieth century as scientific approaches to punishment came into favor. The most recent developments from the Supreme Court suggest, however, that jury sentencing may be on the rise again. Part II enlists the insights of modern political theory, and particularly, the ideas of deliberative democratic theory, to show that the movement away from jury sentencing has not been entirely healthy for either the sentencing process or our democracy as a whole. Part III addresses the practical objections that have been leveled against jury sentencing, and suggests that the vast majority of these are either exaggerated or equally present in alternative sentencing regimes. The jury, therefore, emerges as an equally competent, yet more legitimate sentencing institution. Finally, Part IV outlines the actual contours of a possible jury sentencing regime that balances the democratic virtues of jury involvement with efficiency, uniformity, and other values important to the sentencing process.
Microcomputer-Assisted Interpretative Reporting of Sequential Cardiac Profile Data

The authors have developed a microcomputer-based system for interpretative reporting of sequential cardiac profile data, which consists of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme levels. Patient demographic data and test results (total creatine kinase [CK], MB isoenzyme of CK [CK-MB], lactate dehydro-genase isoenzyme 1 [LD-1], and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 2 [LD-2]) are entered manually through the keyboard. Percent MB and LD ratio are calculated. The test results are compared with normal range values, and an interpretative report is generated, including all pertinent demographic information and graphic display of up to 36 previous CK and LD isoenzyme determinations. Interpretative statements are printed beneath the graphic display after analysis of previous test results. The combination of graphic data display and interpretations based on prior data provides useful and accurate information to the cardiologist. Significant discrepancies between computer-assisted and pathologist interpretation were not encountered.
The ultrastructure of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion of the cat

The structure of the ganglion cell processes in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat has been studied by means of serial sections. The structural pattern of the cell processes is characterized by a tight packing of thick filaments. The cell processes in addition contain α-cytomembranes and RNA particles in varying numbers. Other structural components are mitochondria, vesicular structures, and opaque granules. A large filamentous corpuscle has been observed in some of the cell processes. A satellite cell sheath appears around the cell processes, separated from a relatively large extracellular space by a basement membrane. The majority of the cell processes observed in this study are assumed to be dendrites. The dendrites show an extensive branching system by means of which they come into direct contact with each other and with the ganglion cell bodies. The dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contact zones are of two types. One type consists of a simple close packing of the plasma membranes of the dendrites without any interposed satellite cell cytoplasm. In the second type of contact, which usually has a length of about 800–2000 A, the cytoplasmic surfaces of the plasma membranes are associated with opaque material in the neuronal cytoplasm. A space about 60–80 A wide separates the plasma membranes and contains some slightly stained material. The contact zones may consist of either one of the two types or may show both types alternating with each other. A great number of synaptic contacts between preganglionic fibers and the dendrites are found throughout the ganglion.
“Really Just Lip Service”: Talking About Diversity in Suburban Schools

Suburban school districts are in the midst of rapid racial/ethnic and socioeconomic diversification, although the teaching force remains much more homogenous. This article examines how educators in increasingly more diverse suburban schools conceptualize diversity. Qualitative data comes from interviews of 40 teachers, 23 principals and assistant principals, and 16 other school staff in six suburban school districts across the country. Using critical discourse analysis (van Dijk, 1993), I identify three primary discourses: an aspirational commitment to preparing students for a diverse society; color-muteness and insistence on individuality; and a deficit perspective on students from diverse racial/ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In particular, educators perceived cultural deficits in students’ families and communities (Valencia, 2010). Finally, a small number of participants recognized structural forces that impeded the achievement of students of color. The discussion analyzes how such ...
Occupational Physical Activity and Weight-Related Outcomes in Immigrant Mothers.

Introduction New immigrants are likely to be employed in occupations that provide physical activity; however, these positions may place workers at risk for adverse health outcomes. Relationships between occupational physical activity (OPA); weight-related behaviors; obesity; and depression remain underexplored among recent immigrants. Methods Participants (N=385) were Brazilian, Haitian, and Latino mothers enrolled in a community-based participatory research lifestyle intervention among immigrant mothers ( Results Employed participants (49%) primarily worked as domestic workers, nursing assistants, and food service staff. In adjusted models, women in the highest OPA quartile versus lowest had 65% lower obesity odds (95% CI=0.16, 0.76) and approximately twice the odds of presenting high depressive symptoms (2.01, 95% CI=1.02, 4.27) and purchasing takeout food (1.85, 95% CI=0.90, 3.90), which was attenuated after adjusting for income and education (unadjusted OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.10, 3.52). Conclusions OPA contributes to energy expenditure and may protect against obesity among new immigrant mothers; however, it is also associated with high depressive symptoms. Implications for physical and psychosocial well-being are mixed.
The use of cobaltous chloride in the anemia associated with chronic renal disease

Abstract Seventeen patients with anemia associated with renal disease were treated four or more weeks with oral cobaltous chloride. During the period of treatment increased erythropoiesis was observed. No significant changes were noted in other circulatory blood elements. The increased blood values declined to pretreatment levels when the drug was discontinued. No mechanism is known to explain the erythropoiesis associated with cobalt therapy. The drug should be used with full recognition of the possible toxic complications.
Jordanian editorial cartoons: A multimodal approach to the cartoons of Emad Hajjaj

Abstract This paper investigates Jordanian editorial cartoons drawn by the eminent Jordanian cartoonist Emad Hajjaj. It aims at analyzing Hajjaj's cartoons within a multimodal approach to context with a consideration of three types of sub-contexts essential to the understanding of the cartoon's message: (1) macro-context, (2) microcontext and (3) dynamic context. The data is based on a corpus of 300 cartoons analyzed within a general linguistic framework inspired by Van Dijk's (2008) theory of context models. Two main results emerge: First, Hajjaj's cartoons take into full consideration the verbal, visual, and socio-cultural modes to create visually stimulating images and socioculturally relevant issues. Second, the study presents an inventory of Hajjaj's lexical devices and innovative techniques.
Environmental Iodine Uptake Inhibitors

The anions perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate are competitive inhibitors of the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). When present in sufficiently high concentrations, these substances decrease the transport of iodine into the thyroid gland, therefore decreasing thyroid hormone synthesis. High intakes of thiocyanate-containing foods may exacerbate the effects of iodine deficiency in endemic goiter regions. Recent studies have examined whether environmental exposure to perchlorate and nitrate might also pose a public health risk by inducing or aggravating underlying thyroid dysfunction. Because of the importance of adequate thyroid hormone for normal development in utero and in early life, exposure to NIS inhibitors is of particular concern for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Because of concern about thyroidal effects in vulnerable populations, agencies in some regions are currently considering new limits on allowable amounts of perchlorate in food or drinking water. Ensuring adequate iodine intakes is another strategy for mitigating the effects of environmental NIS inhibitor exposures.
Using Standardized Student Evaluation Instruments To Measure Teaching Effectiveness In Lecture/Recitation Mode Classes

This paper investigates the variability of student teaching effectiveness survey evaluations among the various recitation sections when lecture/recitation instruction is utilized with the same instructor both delivering the lecture and teaching all of the corresponding recitation sections. The research results indicate that when an instructor teaches multiple sections using lecture/recitation instruction, then the meaningful measure of the instructor’s teaching is the average of the student ratings for the various recitation sections. This study focuses on the variability of the students’ responses to each item in the survey instrument as measured by its standard deviation.
To engage or not to engage? That is the question. Students' Perceptions of Engagement at a West Midlands University

As part of the REACT research team, students from Newman University embarked on a two-year research project which set out to explore and compare how the concept of student engagement was perceived by students who were involved in a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The rationale for undertaking the study was with a view to developing a shared understanding of student engagement across the institution, making student engagement more visible across the institution and ensuring that strategies implemented to encourage student engagement were fit for purpose, particularly for the ‘non-traditional’ student at Newman. Questionnaires were designed by students and staff to facilitate both quantitative and qualitative responses around the comparing and contrasting definitions of engagement from students. Student perspectives considered engagement usually at an academic level, with little knowledge and understanding of the wider opportunities for engagement. Data collected also identified that working with others was a key aspect of student engagement, but barriers were identified as to why students did not perceive social engagement as important.
Pancreas Resection and Pancreatitis Hemorrhage: Taking Years Off Your Life

A 54-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis (chronic pain, biliary and duodenal obstruction) is undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure. During the dissection of the portal vein off of the inflamed and scarred pancreatic head/uncinate, the vein is torn. The tear is propagated into a larger hole with further attempts at dissection. You are called to help.
Management of Isolated Atlas Fractures: A Retrospective Study of 65 Patients.

Background Jefferson fractures, or burst fractures of the C1 vertebra, can be managed surgically or conservatively, depending on their stability. Methods We identified all patients who were treated for a C1 fracture at our institution between 1999 and 2016 for retrospective analysis. Patients with any other concurrent cervical fractures or nontraumatic etiology of fracture were excluded. Stability was defined as either lateral mass displacement ≥7 mm on computed tomography or presence of transverse atlantal ligament disruption on magnetic resonance imaging. We collected data on patients' demographic, clinical, and radiographic presentation and identified variables independently associated with instability at presentation and failure to achieve fusion at follow-up. Results We identified 65 patients. On multivariable regression, instability at presentation was independently associated with atlantodens interval (odds ratio [OR] 2.357, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.0629–1.271], P = 0.099) and type 3 fracture (OR 6.081, 95% CI [1.068–34.612], P = 0.042). Failure to achieve fusion was independently associated with age (OR 1.226, 95% CI [1.007–1.495], P = 0.043), motor vehicle collision as mechanism of injury (OR 22834.3, 95% CI [3.135–1.66e8], P = 0.027), and type 2 fracture (OR 168.537, 95% CI [1.743–16292.92], P = 0.028). Type 3 fracture was positively associated with halo vest for management (OR 17.171, 95% CI [2.882–102.289], P = 0.002) and negatively associated with a rigid cervical collar for management (OR 0.0616, 95% CI [0.0104–0.3653], P = 0.002). All 4 patients who underwent surgery presented with unstable fracture (P = 0.0187). Conclusions Atlantodens interval, mechanism of injury, and fracture type affect Jefferson fracture management decisions and outcomes, including instability at presentation and fusion at follow-up. Most fractures were managed nonsurgically regardless of stability.
Adsorption of Carbonaceous Species on Platinum Metals

It is generally recognized [1–16] now that chemisorbed carbonaceous species are formed during the anodic oxidation of many organic fuels. These species play an important role in our understanding of electrocatalysis. The techniques for their study, their properties and coverage of the surface under different conditions are discussed in this chapter. The role of adsorbed species in the oxidation of various fuels is dealt with in chapter X.
Several Levels of Theory for Description of Isotope Effects in Ozone: Symmetry Effect and Mass Effect

The essential components of theory for the description of isotope effects in recombination reaction that forms ozone are presented, including the introduction of three reaction pathways for symmetric and asymmetric isotopomers, a brief review of relevant experimental data for singly- and doubly substituted isotopologues, the definitions of ζ-effect and η-effect, and the introduction of isotopic enrichment δ. Two levels of theory are developed to elucidate the role of molecular symmetry, atomic masses, vibrational zero-point energies, and rotational excitations in the recombination process. The issue of symmetry is not trivial, since the important factors, such as 1/2 and 2, appear in seven different places in the formalism. It is demonstrated that if all these effects are taken into account properly, then no anomalous isotope effects emerge. At the next level of theory, a model is considered in which one scattering resonance (sitting right at the top of centrifugal barrier) is introduced per ro-vibrationa...
Core Training Competencies for PCIT and ASD

Rooted deeply in behavioral theory and knowledge of Patterson’s coercive cycle, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) works with both caregivers and children to restore balance and positivity to family dynamics. PCIT uniquely implements live coaching to change maladaptive interactional patterns within caregiver-child dyads, with therapists collecting observational data to inform the progress of therapy. Due to the specialized skillset necessary to delivery this highly specified therapy, standardized training requirements and a certification process guide the practice of PCIT internationally. This chapter reviews the prerequisite education, basic training, clinical competencies, and case consultation required to become a PCIT Therapist. Additional recommendations are provided for supplemental training in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including knowledge of diagnostic methods, connection with available ASD resources, and identifying ongoing educational outlets. Considerations for PCIT-ASD training are suggested.
Matrotrophic viviparity constrains microbiome acquisition during gestation in a live-bearing cockroach, Diploptera punctata.

The vertical transmission of microbes from mother to offspring is critical to the survival, development, and health of animals. Invertebrate systems offer unique opportunities to conduct studies on microbiome-development-reproduction dynamics since reproductive modes ranging from oviparity to multiple types of viviparity are found in these animals. One such invertebrate is the live-bearing cockroach, Diploptera punctata. Females carry embryos in their brood sac, which acts as the functional equivalent of the uterus and placenta. In our study, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to characterize maternal and embryonic microbiomes as well as the development of the whole-body microbiome across nymphal development. We identified 50 phyla and 121 classes overall and found that mothers and their developing embryos had significantly different microbial communities. Of particular interest is the notable lack of diversity in the embryonic microbiome, which is comprised exclusively of Blattabacteria, indicating microbial transmission of only this symbiont during gestation. Our analysis of postnatal development reveals that significant amounts of non-Blattabacteria species are not able to colonize newborn D. punctata until melanization, after which the microbial community rapidly and dynamically diversifies. While the role of these microbes during development has not been characterized, Blattabacteria must serve a critical role providing specific micronutrients lacking in milk secretions to the embryos during gestation. This research provides insight into the microbiome development, specifically with relation to viviparity, provisioning of milk-like secretions, and mother-offspring interactions during pregnancy.
Exposing GAPS, exploring legacies: paradoxes of writing use in computing education

The authors conducted a survey of computing educators to better understand their objectives for assigning writing in computing courses, as well as to assess the impact of the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) movement on the field. Three general categories of writing are assessed: writing to learn, academic, and professional writing. The present survey's results, though limited, address the lack of any such data in the literature. The results point to a "gap" between types of writing---particularly between "writing-to-learn" and professional writing tasks. Filling this perceived gap is what the authors define as "legacy" writing. Results futher suggest that the WAC movement has had marginal influence on writing in computing education.
Overview of Parasitic Pathogens

This chapter focuses mainly on parasites that cause serious diseases in humans. Among the parasitic protists, there are two major pathogenic groups, the apicomplexans, named for the anterior complex of organelles involved in host cell invasion, and the flagellated kinetoplastids, named for the large mass of DNA contained within their single, elaborate mitochondrion. Parasitic helminths belong to one of two major phyla, Nematoda or Platyhelminthes. Well-known, free-living members of these phyla are Caenorhabditis elegans and the planaria, respectively. A theme that has emerged from the study of parasitic diseases is that the decision by the host to make the wrong type of immune response can have disastrous consequences. Intestinal nematodes are the most prevalent helminth parasites. Species such as Ascaris lumbricoides, the hookworms (Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenales), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), and Strongyloides stercoralis-together referred to as soil-transmitted helminths since they are acquired through contact with earth that has been contaminated with feces from infected humans infect billions of people worldwide. Most parasitic infections are chronic in nature; presumably chronicity provides the selection advantage of increasing the potential for transmission in many cases.
A Self-Interference-Tolerant, Multipath Rake Receiver With More Than 40-dB Rejection and 9-dB SNR Multipath Gain in a Fading Channel

This paper presents a 3-finger rake receiver (RX) that exploits multipath characteristics in PN-modulated received signals to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in full-duplex (FD) links. Orthogonality between PN codes allows up to 41.2 dB of TX self-interference (TX-SI) rejection and autocorrelation between delayed versions of received PN code improves the SNR by 9 dB. The receiver is implemented in 45-nm SOI CMOS and is tunable from 0.4 to 1.4 GHz with 30.5 dB of gain and an in-band/out-of-band baseband IIP3 of -6.5/14.2 dBm while consuming 45.8 mW per finger.
Association of Race/Ethnicity with Surgical Route and Perioperative Outcomes of Hysterectomy for Leiomyomas.

ABSTRACT Study Objective To evaluate the associations among race/ethnicity, route of surgery, and perioperative outcomes for women undergoing hysterectomy for uterine leiomyomas. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Multistate. Patients Women who underwent hysterectomies for leiomyomas from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, 2014 to 2017. Interventions None. Exposures of interest were race/ethnicity and route of surgery. Measurements and Main Results Racial/ethnic variation in route of surgery and perioperative outcomes. Propensity score matching was employed to control for possible confounders. We identified 20 133 women who underwent nonemergent abdominal hysterectomy (AH), laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH), or vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for leiomyomas. We defined minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH) as LH or VH. Black women were more likely to have open surgery (AH vs MIH adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.07–2.38; AH vs VH aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.54–2.08; AH vs LH aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 2.13–2.44) than white women. Likewise, Hispanic women were more likely to have open surgery (AH vs MIH aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.58–1.96; AH vs LH aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.61–2.00) than white women. Black women were more likely to experience any complication after hysterectomy (AH aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.31–1.80; VH aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.02–2.68; LH aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13–1.66) than white women. Hispanic women were less likely than white women to experience major complications after VH (aOR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08–0.98). Compared with white women, the mean length of stay was longer for black women who underwent AH or LH. The mean total operation time was higher for all minority groups (except for Asian/other undergoing AH) regardless of surgical approach. Conclusion Women of minority race/ethnicity were more likely to undergo abdominal rather than MIH for leiomyomas. Even when controlling for route of surgery, they were more likely to experience perioperative complications.
Confidence-Driven Hierarchical Classification of Cultivated Plant Stresses

The application of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and deep learning to different domains has become increasingly popular in the last several years. In particular, such models have been used in the agriculture domain to identify plant species, identify plant stresses, and estimate crop yields. Although there has been much success in applying these techniques to the agriculture domain, these works contain many shortcomings that are hindering their chance for adoption in practice (e.g., lack of domain knowledge, predicting only specific stress types, etc.). We address issues of previous works for the task of plant stress identification by applying a hierarchical classification approach employing confidence as a means to determine the specificity of a classification. This work is a collaboration between computer science and agricultural engineering experts.
Employment Shocks and Demand for Pain Medication

Declining economic opportunity is often portrayed as one of the drivers of the opioid epidemic. Better employment conditions can, however, affect opioid use through two channels: increasing physical pain from working or reducing mental distress that can contribute to substance abuse. I use a large dataset of opioid and over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller sales to measure the effect of employment shocks on demand for pain medication. To separate the channels, I contrast the effect of labor demand shocks on the use of opioids with the effect on the use of OTC painkillers---which address pain but not mental health---allowing for the effects to depend on the injury rate of local industries. I find that a 1 percent increase in the employment-to-population ratio decreases the per-capita demand for opioids by 0.20 percent, while it increases the per-capita demand for OTC painkillers by 0.14 percent. To decompose the effect of employment on opioid use in the two channels, I calculate the substitution between these pain medications, exploring the introduction of a policy that increased requirements to prescribe opioids. My findings show that during local economic expansions, the decline in opioid abuse is 40 percent larger than the total effect on use while, at the same time, the demand for pain relief medication increases and is related to jobs in high injury industries.
Stage One of the Aristotelian Proof: A Critical Appraisal

What explains change? Edward Feser argues in his ‘Aristotelian proof’ that the only adequate answer to these questions is ultimately in terms of an unchangeable, purely actual being. In this paper, I target the cogency of Feser’s reasoning to such an answer. In particular, I present novel paths of criticism—both undercutting and rebutting—against one of Feser’s central premises. I then argue that Feser’s inference that the unactualized actualizer lacks any potentialities contains a number of non-sequiturs.
Why Jorge Luis Borges Matters

Jorge Luis Borges died 35 years ago. Yet, he remains as popular today as he ever was in life. In this essay, I attempt to explain why. I explore how Borges is, on one hand, heralded as a genius in literary circles, but on the other hand he is virtually unknown to the general public. I then discuss the enormous impact Borges has had on modern literature and film, including recent popular books and movies. I conclude that Borges's impact on art is what keeps him relevant and admired decades after his passing.
Megakaryocyte-specific knockout of the Mir-99b/let7e/125a cluster lowers platelet count without altering platelet function.

Abstract The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of a microRNA (miRNA) cluster on platelet production. Human chromosome 19q13.41 harbors an evolutionarily conserved cluster of three miRNA genes (MIR99B, MIRLET7E, MIR125A) within 727 base-pairs. We now report that levels of miR-99b-5p, miR-let7e-5p and miR-125a-5p are strongly correlated in human platelets, and all are positively associated with platelet count, but not white blood count or hemoglobin level. Although the cluster regulates hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, the function of this genomic locus in megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and platelet production is unknown. Furthermore, studies of individual miRNAs do not represent broader effects in the context of a cluster. To address this possibility, MK/platelet lineage-specific Mir-99b/let7e/125a knockout mice were generated. Compared to wild type littermates, cluster knockout mice had significantly lower platelet counts and reduced MK proplatelet formation, but no differences in MK numbers, ploidy, maturation or ultra-structural morphology, and no differences in platelet function. Compared to wild type littermates, knockout mice showed similar survival after pulmonary embolism. The major conclusions are that the effect of the Mir-99b/let7e/125a cluster is confined to a late stage of thrombopoiesis, and this effect on platelet number is uncoupled from platelet function.
Aging and Diversity

For obvious reasons, as the population is becoming more diverse, some of the unique psychological, health, and social challenges and issues like successful aging and death are emerging gradually as matters of concern. Most of these are particularly critical for different minority populations and ultimately aid in shaping their long-term care experiences. The impact of early disadvantages as a negative risk factor across the stages of life and the differences generated from the initial disadvantages are intensified over time. Aging is now considered not just a segregated process; instead, it also is a continuous process that starts from even before birth. The factors associated with health, i.e., physical, psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual well-being, influence people to maintain their intraindividual variability. The association between socioeconomic inequality and health is bidirectional and cumulative, both affecting and being affected at the individual, societal, and country levels. Everyone needs to be a change agent to minimize the existing gap in this bidirectional relationship toward equality. This chapter highlights how population diversity challenges different psychological, health, and social issues of older adults globally.
Scalable and adaptive multicast video streaming for heterogeneous and mobile users

To provide scalable multicast video streaming services for heterogeneous and mobile users, we design a protocol called SAMP. It is based on a multicast service overlay model. By employing layered encoding, aggregated multicast, and user clustering, SAMP can handle heterogeneity, scalability and mobility very effectively. We conduct simulations and the results show the promising performance of SAMP.
Solitary hyperpigmented island in a sea of elastosis (anelastosis).

A 77-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our clinic for skin screening with a history of multiple, cutaneous, actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinomas treated in the past. She has had prolonged and intense exposure to the sun throughout her life. On physical examination, a tanned, leathery skin was present on her face, neck, V-area of the chest, and upper extremities. Multiple scars of previously treated areas were present. As an incidental finding, a solitary, 2 cm × 2 cm, square-shaped, hyperpigmented, well-demarcated, depressed, soft plaque with a “skin-graft” appearance was noted on her right anterior neck ( Fig. 1). This area was surrounded by leathery skin, but unaffected by it. On further questioning, she denied any surgery of the area, including skin-grafting (there was no donor scar anywhere on her body). She could not recall precisely how long it had been there, or if it had grown in size, as it was asymptomatic. She did state that it had been there for many years, and possibly since childhood. She was asked to bring any old photographs that might picture this area, but could not find any. With her permission, a skin biopsy was performed of the edge of the lesion to include the hyperpigmented area and the surrounding skin. Figure 1. Well-circumscribed patch surrounded by severely sun-damaged skin on the neck Histologically, the shave biopsy taken from the edge of the lesion on the right neck revealed marked elastosis in the papillary dermis of the surrounding skin ( Fig. 2). The lesional skin did not demonstrate any elastosis in the papillary dermis, and had a thin epidermis with relatively increased pigmentation of the basal layer. No melanophages were seen. The elastic stain enhances the demarcation between the surrounding elastosis and the anelastotic lesion. There was no elastic tissue, normal or damaged, in the papillary dermis of the affected skin ( Fig. 3). Figure 2. Demarcation between the lesion (left) and the elastotic skin (right). No solar elastosis is present in the papillary dermis of the lesion (right or left) (hematoxylin and eosin, ×4) Figure 3. Elastic stain. No solar elastosis in the lesional papillary dermis (left) (×10)
Numerical Comparison of Negative Damping Bounds in a Specified Domain when the Wave Speed Varies

The energy decay of a self-excited wave equation u tt - c2 ? u - P(x)u t = 0 is studied where the wave speed c is greater than one, P(x) ? 0, and P(x) L?(?), ? ? ? Rn. Moreover, the relationship between two bounds for negative daming P(x) is a determined domain is shown (n=1,2). Finally some numerical experiences for different P(x) and c are presented for domain ? with energy absorbing boundary.
Mitochondrial particles resolved for ion translocation. I. Preparation and properties of a particle coupled only at phosphorylation site 3 of the electron transfer chain.

Abstract Particles derived from mitochondria by prolonged swelling at 0 °, followed by repeated freezing and thawing, were capable of accumulating massive amounts of alkaline earth phosphates at high rates. A brief preincubation with ATP and substrate was required to attain maximal rates of translocation. The fact that the Ca O and P O ratios were nearly the same whether the substrate being oxidized was DPNH, succinate, or ascorbate, indicated that translocation and phosphorylation were coupled to electron transfer at the third site only. Oxidation of DPNH by coenzyme Q1, a system providing electron transfer through the first site only, was not coupled to ion translocation in these particles. The ion translocation was energized by the same pathways as are operative in fresh mitochondria. Addition of either ATP or succinate can lead to generation of the high energy intermediates required for translocation; energizing of translocation by hydrolysis of ATP is blocked by oligomycin, and energizing by oxidation of succinate is blocked by antimycin A.