cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Identification of Vaginal Lactobacillus Species and the Demographic and Microbiologic Characteristics of Women Colonized by These Species

Lactobacillus acidophilus has been reported to be the predominant vaginal species. Vaginal lactobacilli isolated from 215 sexually active women were identified using whole-chromosomal DNA probes to 20 American Type Culture Collection Lactobacillus strains. Most women were colonized by L. crispatus (32%), followed by L. jensenii (23%), a previously undescribed species designated L. 1086V (15%), L. gasseri (5%), L. fermentum (0.3%), L. oris (0.3%), L. reuteri (0.3%), L. ruminis (0.3%), and L. vaginalis (0.3%). H2O2 was produced by 95% of L. crispatus and 94% of L. jensenii isolates, compared with only 9% of L. 1086V. Colonization by L. crispatus or L. jensenii was positively associated with being white (P /=20 years (P=.05), barrier contraceptive usage (P=.008), and lower frequency of bacterial vaginosis (P<.001) and gonorrhea (P=.03). L. crispatus and L. jensenii, not L. acidophilus, are the most common species of vaginal lactobacilli.
Novel multiwavelength and ultralow-noise modelocked semiconductor lasers for networking, instrumentation, and signal processing

Modelocked semiconductor diode lasers are used as compact sources for multiwavelength generation. The generation of multiple wavelengths can be grouped into 2 general categories: 1) multiple continuous wave, phase locked optical frequencies, or 2) multiple, synchronized modelocked wavelength channels. Applications of these sources are demonstrated in areas of optical sampling, access networks, and arbitrary waveform generation.
Effects of cow parity on voluntary hay intake and performance responses to early weaning of beef calves

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of early calf weaning from both primiparous and multiparous beef cows on hay intake and measures of performance. Over two consecutive years, 96 Brahman×British cows (48 cows/year) and their calves were stratified by parity and calving date and randomly assigned to one of two weaning treatments (n=24 cows/weaning treatment; 12 primiparous and 12 multiparous). Weaning treatments consisted of normal-weaned (calf remaining with cow throughout the study) or early weaned (calves removed from cow at 86±5 days of age). An estrus synchronization and fixed-timed artificial insemination protocol (CO-Synch+CIDR) was applied to all cows at 21 days after early weaning. Following fixed-timed artificial insemination, cows were put onto bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures (3 pastures/treatment; 4 cows/pasture) for a 60-day period to evaluate voluntary hay intake. During this time, cows were provided free-choice access to grass hay (‘Florona’ stargrass; Cynodon nlemfuensis) and 2.3 kg per head daily of a urea-fortified molasses supplement. Hay intake was determined by subtracting the dried weight of residual hay from the amount offered over the 60-day evaluation period. Cow body weight and body condition score were measured on day 0 and 60. Immediately following the hay intake determinationperiod,allcowsweregroupedbyweaningtreatmentandexposedtomatureAngusbullsfor21days.Pregnancydetermination toartificialinseminationandnaturalservicewasdeterminedbytransrectalutrasonographyontwooccasionsconducted60daysafterartificial insemination and again 40 days after bull removal. Multiparous cows had greater hay dry matter intake (Pb0.001), body weight (Pb0.001), and body condition score (Pb0.001) than primiparous cows throughout the study. Overall, early weaning resulted in greater than a 16% decrease(Pb0.01)inhaydrymatterintake,irrespectiveofparity.Early-weanedcowshadgreater(Pb0.01) bodyweight andbodycondition score than normal-weaned cows on day 60, but not day 0. Pregnancy rate to artificial insemination was greater (Pb0.01) for multiparous compared to primiparous cows. There was a weaning treatment×parity interaction for overall pregnancy rate, whereas early-weaned primiparous, but not multiparous, cows had a greater (Pb0.05) overall pregnancy rate compared to their normal-weaned contemporaries. These data imply that early calf weaning (90 days of age) will increase body weight and body condition in both multiparous and primiparous cows; however, early-weaning provides a greater advantage to overall pregnancy ratewhen applied to primiparous versus multiparous cows.
Methodological and Ethical Issues Related to Studying Child Maltreatment

Research about child abuse and neglect is very complex methodologically and ethically. There are not yet uniform research definitions of the problem and the lack of prospective population-based research limits the ability to make progress. To date researchers have been reluctant to ask children directly about their maltreatment experiences because of perceptions of ethical and legal responsibilities. This article begins with a brief review of existing research about the scope and consequences of child abuse and neglect. We address methodological considerations that are especially pertinent to research about child maltreatment, including the definition of the problem, study design, and issues of causality and bias. We conclude with a discussion of ethical and legal issues that arise in the course of carrying out such research, including issues related to subject recruitment, informed consent, confidentiality, and reporting.
The Uses and Limitations of ESDIAD for Determining the Structure of Surface Molecules

The principles and mechanisms of electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) and photon-stimulated desorption (PSD), as well as the utility of the electron-stimulated desorption ion angular distributions (ESDIAD) method as a tool for determining the structure of surface molecules, have been described in a recent book [41.1] and several review articles [41.2-6]. The present short paper is intended to provide a guide to the relevant literature, and to describe briefly some recent work related to the uses and limitations of ESDIAD for determining the structure of surface molecules.
A Simple Test for Thermomechanical Evaluation of Ceramic Fibers

A simple bend stress relaxation (BSR) test was developed to measure the creep related properties of ceramic fibers and whiskers. The test was applied to a variety of commercial and developmental Si based fibers to demonstrate capabilities and to evaluate the relative creep resistance of the fibers at 1200 to 1400 C. The implications of these results and the advantages of the BSR test over typical tensile creep tests are discussed.
Pyrolysis-induced P-wave velocity anisotropy in organic-rich shales

ABSTRACTThe sources of elastic anisotropy in organic-rich shale and their relative contribution therein remain poorly understood in the rock-physics literature. Given the importance of organic-rich shale as source rocks and unconventional reservoirs, it is imperative that a thorough understanding of shale rock physics is developed. We made a first attempt at establishing cause-and-effect relationships between geochemical parameters and microstructure/rock physics as organic-rich shales thermally mature. To minimize auxiliary effects, e.g., mineralogical variations among samples, we studied the induced evolution of three pairs of vertical and horizontal shale plugs through dry pyrolysis experiments in lieu of traditional samples from a range of in situ thermal maturities. The sensitivity of P-wave velocity to pressure showed a significant increase post-pyrolysis indicating the development of considerable soft porosity, e.g., microcracks. Time-lapse, high-resolution backscattered electron-scanning electron ...
The hardness of decoding linear codes with preprocessing

The problem of maximum-likelihood decoding of linear block codes is known to be hard. The fact that the problem remains hard even if the code is known in advance, and can be preprocessed for as long as desired in order to device a decoding algorithm, is shown. The hardness is based on the fact that existence of a polynomial-time algorithm implies that the polynomial hierarchy collapses. Thus, some linear block codes probably do not have an efficient decoder. The proof is based on results in complexity theory that relate uniform and nonuniform complexity classes. >
Pharmacological characterization of muscarinic responses in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells

Intracellular recording from hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells was used to characterize the pharmacological properties of muscarinic responses. Results obtained with the M1 antagonist pirenzepine and the M2 antagonist gallamine suggest that an M1 muscarinic receptor is involved in the muscarinic-induced membrane depolarization and blockade of the afterhyperpolarization (AHP). On the other hand, an M2 receptor may be involved in the cholinergic depression of the EPSP and the blockade of the potassium current termed the M-current. Pretreatment of hippocampi with pertussis toxin did not prevent any of the muscarinic responses suggesting that a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein is not involved. The M-current, in contrast to the other muscarinic actions, was unaffected by muscarinic agonists which are weak at increasing phosphoinositide (PI) turnover and actually blocked the action of full agonists. This finding suggests that stimulation of PI turnover may be involved in the blockade of the M-current. Although activation of protein kinase C with phorbol esters has little effect on the M-current, intracellular application of inositol trisphosphate did reduce the M-current. We were unable to establish any clear relationship between biochemical effector systems and the muscarinic receptor subtypes.
An ABC analog for arithmetical functions

In this paper we state and prove an analog of the abc conjec- ture in the ring Ar (K ) of arithmetical functions in r variables over a field K of characteristic zero.
A shifting paradigm in strengthening laboratory health systems for global health: acting now, acting collectively, but acting differently.

Improving clinical and public health laboratories should be one of the main goals of strengthening health systems, rather than a desirable afterthought. In this respect, in July 2009, several African countries, donors, the World Health Organization (WHO), and implementing partners met in Kigali, Rwanda, to launch a program for strengthening laboratory management, with the aim to accelerate national laboratory services toward accreditation in the African region. Before the 2009 meeting in Kigali, the need to strengthen laboratory networks, systems, and services in developing countries was highlighted in 2008 by several landmark events, including in January 2008, issuance of the Maputo Declaration for strengthening laboratory health systems; in April 2008, the Lyon statement on the need for developing countries to establish practical quality management systems; and in September 2008, the Yaounde resolution issued by the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) that recognized the dilapidated state of the laboratory health systems and the need to strengthen them, as a priority, to fight multiple diseases. The recent focus on strengthening health systems and …
Price and Waiting Time Dispersion Among Service Firms

This paper presents a model of price and waiting-time dispersion among a finite number of competitive service firms with free entry and endogenous determination of prices, waiting time, output and market structure. Heterogeneous preferences over waiting times result in an asymmetric Nash equilibrium with demand segmented by customer time values and firms differentiated by price and service-time combinations. In both short- and long-run equilibrium, mass-market firms charge lower prices than smaller niche firms. While customers impose a congestion externality on one another, competitive equilibrium prices, waiting times, output rates, profits and welfare are nearly identical to the socially optimal levels. Competition results in somewhat more (less) product variety than optimal when cost per service unit is low (high) and demand density is high (low).
Assessing the 24/5 Library: A Case Study in Data and Perspectives

The 24-hour/5-days-per-week (24/5) model at Belk Library & Information Commons has experienced multiple changes since first implemented in 2006. First the library started small, then expanded, then reduced, and finally expanded again. This article tells the story of a library's 24/5 evolution within the assessment cycle framework, describes how data and perspective played a role in decisions, provides data on overnight head counts, offers a glimpse into the types of activities engaged in by students during overnight hours, describes student led advocacy efforts to reinstate library hours, and provides an overview of operations and security officer protocol.
Spatial part-set cuing facilitation.

Cole, Reysen, and Kelley [2013. Part-set cuing facilitation for spatial information. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition, 39, 1615–1620] reported robust part-set cuing facilitation for spatial information using snap circuits (a colour-coded electronics kit designed for children to create rudimentary circuit boards). In contrast, Drinkwater, Dagnall, and Parker [2006. Effects of part-set cuing on experienced and novice chess players’ reconstruction of a typical chess midgame position. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 102(3), 645–653] and Watkins, Schwartz, and Lane [1984. Does part-set cuing test for memory organization? Evidence from reconstructions of chess positions. Canadian Journal of Psychology/Revue Canadienne de Psychologie, 38(3), 498–503] showed no influence of part-set cuing for spatial information when using chess boards. One key difference between the two procedures was that the snap circuit stimuli were explicitly connected to one another, whereas chess pieces were n...
A Semi-Active Damper Design for Use in a Terrain Adaptive Ankle Prosthesis

State-of-the-art commercial ankle prostheses enable amputees to walk on level ground replicating the passive biomechanics of able-bodied persons reasonably well. However, when navigating uneven terrains (such as slopes and stairs) these devices do not allow the ankle to adjust to the ground at each step in order to maintain stable contact. At these instances, the probability of falling is greatly increased. In contrast, the natural ankle adapts passively (i.e. no net positive power is required) just after heel strike allowing the foot to conform to the ground. This paper focuses on developing a continuously variable damper that can be paired with a carbon fiber foot in order to replicate the passive adaption dynamics of the human ankle. Presented in this paper are the performance specifications, the mathematical model, and the resulting device design for the semi-active damping system. The design consists of a hydraulic actuator, coupled to a servo control valve which modulates the damping. The system is designed to replicate the dynamic damping range of an able-bodied ankle joint by achieving flow rates as high as 2.0 liters per minute at 1.0 MPa, and operate at up to 20 MPa.© 2011 ASME
Ribonuclease Activity of the Mouse Pancreas

SummaryTwenty-four and 30 hours fasting reduces ribonuclease activity of the pancreas of mice. One hour after the administration of pilocarpine a significant drop of enzymic activity takes place, with recovery dn less than 12 hours.
The Limits of Politicization in the American Revolution: The Experience of Westchester County, New York

American historical literature, Michael Kammen has said, lacks "a sense of the tragic." Kammen was moved to this striking reflection by his work on the American revolutionary war, and the historiography of American wars bears him out. Historians of the United States have rarely dealt with the destructive effects of war on ordinary people. In this they have insulated themselves from much twentiethcentury philosophical and historical writing. Among Europeans the tragic experiences of the world wars contributed to the popularity of existentialism, which articulated a profound despair, insecurity, and alienation and dwelt on the absurd and paradoxical nature of human beings. Twentieth-century historians of the European past have cataloged the devastation of war in the immediate loss of wealth and lives and the subsequent disintegration of economic stability and social cohesion.1 The tendency to ignore the tragic side of war is particularly notable in the literature on the Revolution. Historians have often focused their attention on the war's positive outcome. The war has usually been seen either as a contest of ideas -active loyalism versus active whiggism or as a vehicle for the development of republican, democratic, and individualistic ideology or of social radicalism.2 John Shy went one step further by emphasizing positive aspects of the American War of Independence. Writing in the early 1970s, he may have been impressed by the way the Vietnamese antagonists of the United States stimulated, and drew sustenance from, an increasing nationalistic fervor. Seemingly politicized by the war
Relationship between Nitricoxide Synthase and Cell Apoptosis in Epilepsy

Objective To explore the relationship of nitricoxide synthase(NOS)and cell apoptosis in epilepsy.Methods Pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)was used to build models of epilepsy.Cell apoptosis in each group were detected by flow cytometer,level of NOS was detected by colorimetric method.Results Levels of NOS increased obviously 1 hour after epilepsy and decreased;but at the 6th hour,NOS increased again and peaked at the 24th hour.Cell apotosis begin to increase at 6th hour and peaked at 24th hour after epilepsy,and decreased at 48th hour after epilepsy,there were significance differences compared with control group(Pa0.05).Conclusions NOS may participate in the generation of seizures and brain protection in early stage.It has an antiepileptic function in the latter period.
Multi-sensor Magnetic Flux Leakage Testing Signal Segmentation Algorithmbased on Region-growth

Based on the signal feature analysis of the main components and flaw measured by the sensors in the process of magnetic flux leakage testing,a image segmentation algorithm based on the rule of region-growth is presented to applying multi-sensor magnetic flux leakage testing signal segmentation,which provides the basis for magnetic flux leakage signal analysis and recognition.
Contact tracing HIV cases reported in 2008 in Jianshui County

Objective To understand the infection routes,origins and second-generation transmission of HIV cases reported from Aug.to Oct.in 2008 and provide basis of preventive countermeasures.Methods Trace the origin of HIV cases living in Jianshui who are reported directly by reporting network system from Aug.2008 to Apri.2008.Results 37 study objects were traced the origin and 9 new HIV cases were found.Conclusions contact tracing is important to finding New HIV.
Endorectal MRI for risk classification of localized prostate cancer: Radiographic findings and influence on treatment decisions.

Abstract Purpose To report the results of endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) in patients with localized prostate cancer, and how these images influenced radiotherapeutic management. Materials and methods A total of 122 men with localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate referred to radiation oncology underwent 3-T eMRI between 2010 and 2014, to evaluate candidacy for active surveillance (n = 26) and brachytherapy as monotherapy (n = 47), or to further risk stratify intermediate-risk (n = 29) or high-risk (n = 20) men before external beam radiation therapy. By National Comprehensive Cancer Network classification, men had low-risk (28%), intermediate-risk (55%), or high-risk (17%) disease. Multiparametric MRI sequences included T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Radiographic extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion (rSVI), and pelvic lymph node involvement (LNI) were graded as negative, indeterminate, or positive. A dominant nodule was defined as a nodule≥1.5 cm. Changes in management were identified comparing pre-MRI and post-MRI plan of care. Results The rates of radiographic extracapsular extension, radiographic seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node involvement, and dominant nodule were 39%, 7%, 12%, and 28%, respectively. The eMRI identified measurable disease in most patients with an increasing burden of disease (sextants involved, median nodule size) according to risk category (P Conclusion The eMRI influenced management in a risk-dependent fashion. Further study is required to determine the clinical importance of eMRI findings and to determine whether changes in management can lead to improved clinical outcome.
Myocardial infarction and angina pectoris in the history of Polish medicine. Part 2. Diagnosis and early attempts at treatment: the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the second part of the article, developments following the "discovery" of ischemic heart disease and gaining understanding of its nature have been presented starting from the first intravital diagnoses of myocardial infarction in the history of the world medicine established by Adam Hammer in Austria (1878) and Edward Korczynski in Krakow (1887). The contribution of Polish clinicians at the turn of the XX century to the first modern attempts at elucidating the nature of myocardial infarction based on the knowledge of anatomopathology and physiology prevalent at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century has been described. A special role in understanding pathological mechanisms of myocardial infarction was played by such Polish researchers as Wladyslaw Bieganski, Jozef Pawinski, Zdzislaw Dmochowski, Wladyslaw Antoni Gluzinski and Marian Franke. The author has described the beginnings of introducing electrocardiography to the diagnostic evaluation of cardiovascular diseases advocated by Napoleon Cybulski and Jozef Latkowski. The discovery of adrenaline by Cybulski and Szymonowicz, an event of great importance in the history of cardiology, as well as the introduction of nitroglycerine to clinical practice by Korczynski soon after the preparation was employed for the first time in the world has been presented. The paper further discusses the rapid development of medical knowledge and therapeutic progress in symptomatic treatment of myocardial infarction within the past fifty years--pharmacotherapy and also early attempts at interventions aiming at restoring blood flow in the occluded infarct-related artery. While presenting the role of Polish physicians in the history of cardiology, the author recalls the most important world discoveries associated with understanding the nature of myocardial infarction, initial diagnostic and therapeutic attempts.
Lizard Microhabitat and Microclimate Relationships in Southeastern Pine-Hardwood Forests Managed With Prescribed Burning and Thinning

Understanding the impacts of disturbances in forest ecosystems is essential for long-term biodiversity conservation. Many studies have evaluated wildlife responses to various disturbances but most generally do not use changes in microclimate features or microhabitat structure to explain these responses. We examined lizard responses to two common forest management practices (prescribed burning and thinning) in pine-hardwood forests of the Bankhead National Forest, Alabama, USA. Over 4 years, we captured 719 individual lizards representing seven species. Lizards exhibited species-specific responses to forest management: eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) captures were positively associated with an increasing forest disturbance gradient and were greatest in thin with burn treatments, whereas little brown skink (Scincella lateralis) captures were positively associated with increasing litter depth and were greatest in control sites during the first year posttreatment. Green anole (Anolis carolinensis) captures increased in forest stands with concomitant increases in air temperature, whereas common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) captures were related to coarse woody debris cover during posttreatment sampling. We were unable to detect a treatment response or microhabitat/microclimate associations for broad-headed skinks (Plestiodon laticeps). Through an information-theoretic approach, we were able to identify treatment effects along with changes in microclimate and microhabitat features potentially responsible for driving responses of southeastern lizard species to forest management.
Radiation optic neuropathy and retinopathy with low dose (20 Gy) radiation treatment.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of optic neuropathy and retinopathy from a dose of radiation traditionally thought to be safe to the visual system and discuss strategies for preventing vision loss when using radiation to treat intraocular tumors. Observations A 44-year-old woman presented with new, painless vision loss in the left eye eighteen months after receiving proton beam radiotherapy (20 Gy dose delivered in two 10 Gy fractions) for a uveal metastasis of lung cancer. The dilated funduscopic examination revealed optic disc swelling and retinal hemorrhages and an MRI of the brain and orbits demonstrated enhancement of the left optic nerve head, findings consistent with radiation optic neuropathy (RON) and retinopathy. Risk factors for developing RON included coincident use of oral chemotherapy and relatively large fractionated doses of radiation. Conclusions and importance Though cumulative radiation doses to the anterior visual pathway of less than 50 Gy are traditionally felt to be safe, it is important to consider not just the total exposure but also the size of individual fractions. The single-dose threshold for RON in proton beam treatment has yet to be defined. Our case suggests that fractions of less than 10 Gy should be delivered to minimize the risk of optic nerve injury.
Be the Change You Want to See Discovering Principles of Nonviolent Social Movements in Intimate Relationships

Although principles of nonviolence have been applied in sociopolitical arenas, they can also be helpful in understanding intimate partner relationships. This is because couples who handle conflict ...
The diet of Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) nestlings and adult nest provisioning behaviors in southern Indiana

ABSTRACT We studied the diet of nestling Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea) and the provisioning behaviors of parents in southern Indiana. The Cerulean Warbler, a small insectivorous passerine breeding in eastern North American deciduous forests, is one of the fastest declining Neotropical wood warblers. Our primary objectives were to determine the importance of specific prey items in the diet of nestling Cerulean Warblers, and to assess whether the proportion of lepidopteran larvae (caterpillars) in the diet changed during the breeding season. We also describe general nest provisioning behavior, including differences between females and males, and assess breeding success across years. We video-taped provisioning behavior to determine the prey types (insects and arachnids) that parent Cerulean Warblers fed their young during the breeding season in 2013 and compared the proportions of lepidopteran larvae in the diet to that in the environment. The proportion of lepidopteran larvae in the nestling diet w...
The anticancer drug sunitinib promotes autophagyand protects from neurotoxicity in an HIV-1 Tat model of neurodegeneration

Despite the success of antiretroviral therapies to control systemic HIV-1 infection, the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) has not decreased among aging patients with HIV. Autophagy pathway alterations, triggered by HIV-1 proteins including gp120, Tat, and Nef, might contribute to the neurodegenerative process in aging patients with HAND. Although no treatments are currently available to manage HAND, we have previously shown that sunitinib, an anticancer drug that blocks receptor tyrosine-kinase and cyclin kinase pathways, might be of interest. Studies in cancer models suggest that sunitinib might also modulate autophagy, which is dysregulated in our models of Tat-induced neurotoxicity. We evaluated the efficacy of sunitinib to promote autophagy in the CNS and ameliorate neurodegeneration using LC3-GFP-expressing neuronal cells challenged with low concentrations of Tat and using inducible Tat transgenic mice. In neuronal cultures challenged with low levels of Tat, sunitinib increased markers of autophagy such as LC3-II and reduced p62 accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, sunitinib treatment restored LC3-II, p62, and endophilin B1 (EndoB1) levels in doxycycline-induced Tat transgenic mice. Moreover, in these animals, sunitinib reduced the hyperactivation of CDK5, tau hyperphosphorylation, and p35 cleavage to p25. Restoration of CDK5 and autophagy were associated with reduced neurodegeneration and behavioral alterations. Alterations in autophagy in the Tat tg mice were associated with reduced levels of a CDK5 substrate, EndoB1, and levels of total EndoB1 were normalized by sunitinib treatment. We conclude that sunitinib might ameliorate Tat-mediated autophagy alterations and may decrease neurodegeneration in aging patients with HAND.
Free to Fly in Public Spaces: Drone Controllers' Privacy Perceptions and Practices

Prior research has discovered various privacy concerns that bystanders have about drones. However, little is known about drone controllers' privacy perceptions and practices of drones. Understanding controllers' perspective is important because it will inform whether controllers' current practices protect or infringe on bystanders' privacy and what mechanisms could be designed to better address the potential privacy issues of drones. In this paper, we report results from interviews of 12 drone controllers in the US. Our interviewees treated safety as their top priority but considered privacy issues of drones exaggerated. Our results also highlight many significant differences in how controllers and bystanders think about drone privacy, for instance, how they determine public vs. private spaces and whether notice and consent of bystanders are needed.
Is Disgust Proneness Associated With Anxiety and Related Disorders? A Qualitative Review and Meta-Analysis of Group Comparison and Correlational Studies.

Research suggests that disgust may be linked to the etiology of some anxiety-related disorders. The present investigation reviews this literature and employs separate meta-analyses of clinical grou...
Literature and the Canonical Values of Capitalism

The canonical texts of capitalism come from political theory, military theory, biology, and, of course, economics. A canon signifies and shapes human values and practices, but notably, the capitalist canon is not typically perceived to include works of the arts and humanities. This paper explores how attention to aesthetic values in the canon, particular through works of narrative literature, might influence ethical practices of capitalism.
Development of a Data-Driven Approach for Human-Based Environmental Control

Abstract The conventional HVAC industry control method has relied on the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model [1]. However, the PMV model has frequently met a technical drawback in satisfying a building occupant’s thermal comfort requirements since there are several limitations and assumptions inherent in the PMV model. That model cannot be considered because of differences in individual occupant’s non-linear features, such as age, gender, and race, as well as the Body Mass Index (BMI), that adversely impact the thermal comfort in PMV model-based control. Artificial intelligence algorithm was applied to the thermal comfort control, which captured each individual occupant’s thermal preference. Human thermal comfort experiments were conducted to collect thermal comfort preference data on each occupant, and validation experiments tested the performance of the artificial intelligence algorithm. The study results indicated that the artificial intelligent algorithm based model had up to 45% more energy savings and 44.3% better thermal comfort performance than the PMV based model.
Some advances on optical interconnects

We discuss the advances of several optical interconnect options, including the VCSEL based, the Si-photonics based, and the monolithically integrated approaches. In addition, we discuss the possibility of using optical method to power and connect smartdust type of devices.
Influenza Infection in Humans Induces Broadly Cross-Reactive and Protective Neuraminidase-Reactive Antibodies

Antibodies to the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins are the major mediators of protection against influenza virus infection. Here, we report that current influenza vaccines poorly display key NA epitopes and rarely induce NA-reactive B cells. Conversely, influenza virus infection induces NA-reactive B cells at a frequency that approaches (H1N1) or exceeds (H3N2) that of HA-reactive B cells. NA-reactive antibodies display broad binding activity spanning the entire history of influenza A virus circulation in humans, including the original pandemic strains of both H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. The antibodies robustly inhibit the enzymatic activity of NA, including oseltamivir-resistant variants, and provide robust prophylactic protection, including against avian H5N1 viruses, in vivo. When used therapeutically, NA-reactive antibodies protected mice from lethal influenza virus challenge even 48 hr post infection. These findings strongly suggest that influenza vaccines should be optimized to improve targeting of NA for durable and broad protection against divergent influenza strains.
Russian grain production: too much of a good thing?

AbstractRussian grain production has increased substantially in recent years, reaching a record harvest of 135 million tons post-cleaning during the 2017–2018 agricultural year. By 2025, the Minist...
‘Seeking Alpha’: The Performance of Funds of Hedge Funds

As for other active investment portfolios, hedge fund performance is typically measured by alpha and beta coefficients. Roughly, the beta and alpha terms measure the passive and active components of the return, respectively. Presumably, it is the ability to deliver high alphas that is responsible for the rise of the hedge fund industry. Our goal is to test this hypothesis for funds of hedge funds (FoHFs) and determine whether we can confirm statistically significant positive alphas. By using monthly returns from November 2002 to February 2012 for a sample of 5509 FoHFs combining both active and inactive (defunct) funds in the Bloomberg database, we estimate a linear ‘risk’ multifactor model to provide a decomposition of fund return between a passive portfolio of indices, and manager-specific alpha. We perform a time-series regression by ordinary least squares (OLS) for each fund in our sample, regressing monthly returns against eight indices. We can confirm statistically significant positive alphas for only 506 out of 5509 funds in our sample, which is not even 10% of them. This would suggest that investors should not automatically assume that all FoHFs are able to select the best-performing hedge funds, but instead should carefully pick those funds that will create manager-specific alpha.
Disclosure of serostatus among youth living with HIV.

Disclosure of serostatus and predictors of disclosure were examined among youth living with HIV (YLH). Disclosure patterns, sociodemographic characteristics, sexual and substance-use risk history, and current health status were examined among 350 youth living with HIV aged 13–23 years (27% African-American, 38% Latino; 72% male) who had AIDS (n = 35), were symptomatic (n = 108), or asymptomatic (n = 201). Most youth disclosed their serostatus to family (87%); unexpectedly, young men (93%) were more likely to disclose to friends than were young women (79%). Being younger at diagnosis was significantly associated with disclosure to family; young men disclosed more often to friends. Most youth disclosed to all their sexual partners (69%); higher rates of disclosure to sexual partners were associated with having fewer partners and being African-American. Condom use was significantly associated with disclosure for young women, and tended to be related for young men. Although many YLH disclose their serostatus to their partners, condom use is not increased. Interventions are needed to increase condom use among YLH, as well as to encourage disclosure to partners by the 30% of YLH who do not disclose.
A Novel Submicron Polymer Re-Distribution Layer Technology for Advanced InFO Packaging

From high-performance computing (HPC) applications such as Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) rising, advanced multi-chip packaging to integrate different functions could be a fast time-to-market and cost effective solution instead of SOC. Accordingly, more I/O die to die communications for advanced packaging is a need. To fulfill this demand, large number in registered routing lines between dies lead a constant drive for miniaturization for die to die Redistributed Layer (RDL) among industry. In this article, InFO Ultra-High-Density (UHD) RDL technology [1] is demonstrated, with RDL line-width down to submicron range ( 99% yields from via-chain continuity, RDL Comb/Meander Rs and leakage current. Initial reliability testing shows good performance from EM, SM, Vbd, TDDB, etc. Package-level reliability test and results will also be addressed in this article. The potential challenges ahead will be discussed in terms of fundamental technical confinements as further scaling-down in RDL line-width and via, based on simulated and theoretical predictions, and possible approaches to resolve them.
An Optimization-Based Approach to Design a Complex Loading Pattern Using a Modified Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar

The split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique is used to characterize the mechanical response of a material during impact loading when a single stress wave pulse passes through that material [1]. The SHPB setup consists of two long bars: an incident bar and a transmission bar. The specimen, which needs to be characterized, is placed between these two bars. A striker propelled from a gas gun hits the incident bar generating a stress wave that propagates through the incident bar. A part of this wave is transmitted to the specimen and the transmission bar while the remaining part of the wave reflects back into the incident bar. By measuring the incident, transmitted, and reflected waves, the mechanical properties of the specimen are determined for high-strain-rate deformations.
Scalable FPGA Accelerator for Deep Convolutional Neural Networks with Stochastic Streaming

FPGA-based heterogeneous computing platform, due to its extreme logic reconfigurability, emerges to be a strong contender as computing fabric in modern AI. As a result, various FPGA-based accelerators for deep CNN—the key driver of modern AI—have been proposed due to their advantages of high performance, reconfigurability, and fast development round, etc. In general, the consensus among researchers is that, although FPGA-based accelerator can achieve much higher energy efficiency, its raw computing performance lags behind when compared with GPUs with similar logic density. In this paper, we develop an alternative methodology to efficiently implement CNNs with FPGAs that outperform GPUs in terms of both power consumption and performance. Our key idea is to design a scalable hardware architecture and circuit design for large-scale CNNs that leverages a stochastic-based computing principle. Specifically, there are three major performance advantages. First, all key components of our deep learning CNN are designed and implemented to compute stochastically, thus achieving excellent computing performance and energy efficiency. Second, because our proposed CNN architecture enables a stream-mode computing, all of its stages can process even the partial results from preceding stages, therefore not incurring unnecessary latency due to data dependency. Finally, our FPGA-based deep CNN also provides a superior hardware scalability when compared with conventional FPGA implementations by reducing the bandwidth requirement between layers. The results show that our proposed CNN architecture significantly outperforms all previous FPGA-based deep CNN implementation approaches. It achieves 1.58x more GOPS, 6.42x more GOPS/Slice, and 10.92x more GOPS/W when compared with state-of-the-art CNN architecture. The top-5 accuracy of stochastic VGG-16 CNN is 86.77 percent with 18.91 fps frame rate.
Focus on . . . Section 411(d)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code

This article explains in detail the requirements of Code Section 411(d)(6), which protects accrued benefits under retirement plans, and discusses the treasury regulations which interpret the statutory provisions.
Tracking Social Interaction via Time Varying Path Loss Estimation from Wireless Transmissions

Social networking services, websites and mobile apps have become increasingly popular over the past years. As these services and applications become more sophisticated and encompassing, they are constantly looking for new methods of inferring social connections between peers. Some methods currently being used rely on identifying simultaneous geographical location of peers by means of the Global Positioning System and Internet Protocol addresses. These methods have limited accuracy and in most cases require actions by the peers. In this work, we consider utilizing estimations of the time-varying path loss of wireless transmissions from peers to infer their social interactions. Using a set of experiments, we demonstrate that the proposed method can be used to detect periods of social interactions by a monitoring receiver that is not coordinated with the peers.
2', 3', 4'-Trihydroxychalcone is an Estrogen Receptor Ligand which Modulates the Activity of 17-β Estradiol

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) reduces the risk of osteoporosis, fractures, obesity and diabetes, but long-term MHT increases risk of other diseases. Safe long-term MHT that exploits its benefits and abrogates its adverse effects requires a new approach. Here we demonstrate that a trihydroxychalcone (CC7) acts as an estrogen receptor alpha ligand that may improve the safety profile of MHT. CC7 reprograms the actions of estradiol (E2) to regulate unique genes in bone-derived U2OS cells, with 824/1358 genes not regulated by E2. The proliferative action of E2 on human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and mouse uterus is blocked when combined with CC7. Thermostability and molecular dynamics simulation studies suggest that CC7 binds concurrently with E2 in the estrogen receptor alpha ligand binding pocket to produce a unique coliganded conformation to modulate estrogen receptor alpha. Compounds such as CC7 that act as coligands represent a new class of estrogen receptor alpha reprograming drugs that potentially can be combined with existing estrogens to produce a safer MHT regimen for long-term therapy.
Renewable energy injustice: The socio-environmental implications of renewable energy consumption

Abstract We explore how national income inequality moderates the relationship between renewable energy consumption and CO 2 emissions per capita for a sample of 175 nations from 1990 to 2014. We find that, independent of income inequality and other drivers of emissions, increases in renewable energy consumption reduce emissions. However, when national income inequality is considered, we find that as inequality increases renewable energy consumption is associated with a much larger decrease in emissions. We also find that when fossil fuel energy is controlled for, inequality does not significantly moderate the association between renewable energy and emissions. These results suggest that fossil fuel consumption is the main vector through which inequality moderates the relationship between renewable energy and emissions. Drawing on previous work from energy poverty scholars, we theorize that national inequality influences the way renewables are deployed. Specifically, our findings suggest that renewable energy displaces more fossil fuel energy sources when inequality is increasing, while– conversely– fewer existing fossil fuel energy sources are displaced when inequality is decreasing. In additional analyses, we find that as the top 20 percent of income earners’ share of income grows, the association between renewable energy consumption and emissions decreases in magnitude. We conclude by arguing that efforts aimed at increasing renewable energy consumption should adopt policies that ensure the effective displacement of fossil fuels and reduce inequality.
Synthesis of Oligonucleotides Containing the N 6 -(2-Deoxy-α,β-d-erythropentofuranosyl)-2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (Fapy⋅dG) Oxidative Damage Product Derived from 2'-Deoxyguanosine.

N6 -(2-Deoxy-α,β-d-erythropentofuranosyl)-2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine (Fapy⋅dG) is a major DNA lesion produced from 2'-deoxyguanosine under oxidizing conditions. Fapy⋅dG is produced from a common intermediate that leads to 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OxodGuo), and in greater quantities in cells. The impact of Fapy⋅dG on DNA structure and function is much less well understood than that of 8-OxodGuo. This is largely due to the significantly greater difficulty in synthesizing oligonucleotides containing Fapy⋅dG than 8-OxodGuo. We describe a synthetic approach for preparing oligonucleotides containing Fapy⋅dG that will facilitate intensive studies of this lesion in DNA. A variety of oligonucleotides as long as 30 nucleotides are synthesized. We anticipate that the chemistry described herein will provide an impetus for a wide range of studies involving Fapy⋅dG.
Liquid Metals for Aerospace Electric-Power Systems

Liquid metals and their properties, as applied to space electric-power systems, are discussed as possible heat-transfer and thermodynamic working fluids. Representative liquid metals—lithium, sodium, potassium, NaK-78, lead, and bismuth — tare discussed and compared. Space power requirements are listed and used as a basis for evaluating the potentialities of the liquid metals.
A locally optimal rank revealing product decomposition

Abstract This paper describes the structure and computation of an optimal orthogonal product decomposition of a pair of matrices ( A , B ) . The decomposition reveals blocks of small elements that correspond to locally minimal perturbations ( E , F ) for which the product ( A − E ) ( B − F ) T has a prescribed degree of rank deficiency. The problem can be formulated as a minimization of the norm of specific projections of the rows and columns of ( A , B ) using projectors defined in terms of two subspaces. The optimization problem can be solved using a descent algorithm on a product of Grassmann manifolds. Numerical results are shown for gradient descent and an approximate Gauss-Newton method.
Assisting with Calvings

The veterinary technician can be of valuable assistance in difficult calving situations. First, the technician can advise the producer when veterinary care may be needed by knowing predisposing factors to dystocia in the dam and calf and recognizing the signs that indicate a need for birthing assistance. Second, technicians familiar with the uses of obstetric equipment can be prepared to help the veterinarian use them efficiently. Third, technicians with knowledge of common dystocia scenarios and aftercare can help assure an efficient delivery and increase the probability for a successful outcome. Finally, the technician can play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of the people and animals by remaining vigilant for hazards and maintaining sanitation and hygiene.