cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) in 2012: a foundation for food safety in the United States.

Foodborne disease is an important public health problem in the United States, with an estimated 9.4 million domestically acquired illnesses and 1351 deaths from known pathogens each year [1]. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) tracks important foodborne illnesses, generating information that provides a foundation for food safety policy and prevention efforts. FoodNet has provided information that contributes to food safety efforts by estimating numbers of foodborne illnesses, monitoring trends in incidence of specific foodborne illnesses over time, attributing illnesses to specific foods and settings, and disseminating information [2, 3]. Since it started in 1996, FoodNet has been an excellent example of partnership among federal and state agencies (Figure 1). This Clinical Infectious Diseases supplement contains a variety of articles that provide new information on current issues; together, they highlight FoodNet’s central role in US surveillance and investigation of foodborne disease.
Mortality among chrome leather tannery workers: an update.

Background Employees engaged in the tanning and finishing of leather are potentially exposed to numerous carcinogens. Methods A previous mortality study among 9,352 workers from two chrome tanneries has been updated with the addition of 11 years of vital status and work history follow-up and 1,153 new deaths. Ninety-two different causes of death were analyzed using a modified life-table approach. Death rates from both the United States and the states in which the tanneries were located were used as the comparison populations in calculating cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). Results The mortality risks from all causes and from all cancers were lower than the expected for the combined cohort. Analyzing the two tanneries separately, no a priori cause of death (i.e., cancer of the lung, pancreas, bladder, kidney, testes, nasal cavity, lymphoma, or soft-tissue sarcoma) was shown to be significantly elevated. An exception was lung cancer at one tannery when state death rates were used (SMR = 130, P < 0.01). Analyzing by duration of employment, no significant trend in any cause of death at either tannery was revealed. Conclusions Some studies have shown elevated risks for various site-specific causes of cancer; however, sites in excess are not consistent between studies. The differences may have been due to distinct processes used by the tanneries resulting in varying levels, as well as different types, of exposures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:197–206, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alpha-CaMKII plays a critical role in determining the aggressive behavior of human osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is among the most frequently occurring primary bone tumors, primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. Despite improvements in osteosarcoma treatment, more specific molecular targets are needed as potential therapeutic options. One target of interest is alpha-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (α-CaMKII), a ubiquitous mediator of Ca2+-linked signaling, which has been shown to regulate tumor cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, we investigate the role of α-CaMKII in the growth and tumorigenicity of human osteosarcoma. We show that α-CaMKII is highly expressed in primary osteosarcoma tissue derived from 114 patients and is expressed in varying levels in different human osteosarcoma cell lines (HOS, MG-63, MNNG/HOS and 143B). To examine whether α-CaMKII regulates osteosarcoma tumorigenic properties, we genetically inhibited α-CaMKII in two osteosarcoma cell lines using two different α-CaMKII shRNAs delivered by lentiviral vectors and overexpressed α-CaMKII by retrovirus. The genetic deletion of α-CaMKII by shRNA in MG-63 and 143B cells resulted in decreased proliferation (50 and 41%), migration (22 and 25%) and invasion (95 and 90%), respectively. The overexpression of α-CaMKII in HOS cells resulted in increased proliferation (240%), migration (640%) and invasion (10,000%). Furthermore, α-CaMKII deletion in MG-63 cells significantly reduced tumor burden in vivo (65%), while α-CaMKII overexpression resulted in tumor formation in a previously non-tumor forming osteosarcoma cell line (HOS). Our results suggest that α-CaMKII plays a critical role in determining the aggressive phenotype of osteosarcoma, and its inhibition could be an attractive therapeutic target to combat this devastating adolescent disease.
Metallization Systems on Cvd-Diamond Substrates for Application in Multichip Modules

Because of its high thermal conductivity, free-standing CVD-diamond is an extremely attractive material for application as the substrate in multichip modules (MCMs). However, this material does present some technological challenges, one being the development of reliable metallization systems. In this work, adherent metallization systems, such as Au/Ti, Au/Ti-W, Au/Ni-Cr, Au/Cr and Cu/Cr have been produced at low temperatures. Thin adhesion/seed metal layers were deposited using sputtering and evaporation techniques. Gold and copper metallization of several microns thickness was accomplished by electroplating over the thin metal layer. Post-deposition annealing of both the adhesion/seed layer and plated metallization systems were performed at temperatures up to 500°C in an effort to enhance adhesion and determine the impact of subsequent high temperature operations on reliability issues such as intermetallic diffusion, delamination, and the impact of surface microcavities. Extremely adherent Au/Cr and Cu/Cr metallization systems appropriate for use in MCM technology were developed.
Clinical Symptoms and Adverse Effects Associated with Energy Drink Consumption in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of energy drink consumption by adolescents, to identify associated clinical symptoms and adverse effects, and to gain an understanding to the motivation behind its consumption. METHODS: A prospective, questionnaire-based study was conducted at 2 emergency departments from June 2011 to June 2013. The questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. Stratification was performed on the basis of frequency of consumption: frequent consumption (at least once a month) and infrequent consumption (less frequent than once a month). RESULTS: Data analysis was performed on 612 completed questionnaires. Two hundred two responders (33%) were considered frequent energy drink consumers. Frequent consumers were more likely to be involved in high-risk behaviors and more likely to consume other caffeinated drinks. In the previous 6 months, frequent energy drink consumers were more likely to report headache (76%), anger (47%), and increased urination (24%) and were more likely to require medical evaluation for headache (41%) and difficulty breathing (22%). Frequent energy drink consumers were more likely to believe that energy drinks "help me do better in school" (12%), "help me do better in sports" (35%), "are just for fun" (46%), "help me stay up at night" (67%), and "make me concentrate/focus better" (34%). CONCLUSIONS: Clarifying common misconceptions associated with energy drink consumption, especially in high-risk adolescents and frequent energy drink consumers, may decrease the frequency of symptoms experienced by adolescents, such as headache and difficulty breathing, requiring medical evaluation. Language: en
IMAGE FEATURES OF LOCALIZED DEFORMATION OF LIMESTONE

The digital features of localized deformation of limestone are analyzed by using video images of uniaxial compression test.The original videos were record during the laboratory uniaxial compression test.The video images at loading stage were obtained by using load-time relation curves and converted into the video formats that can be recognized easily by computer.A particle image velocimetry(PIV) technique was used to compute the displacements of surface of limestone specimen in any time and in any location.The change history of tip displacement of the existing fissure was investigated;the processes of initiation and propagation of new fissures were also analyzed.The textural parameters of a single frame were selected as the digital features reflecting the deformation status of limestone.The change processes of these parameters with time were further investigated based on the grayscale histogram and grayscale co-occurrence matrix from video images.The results show that the phenomena of localized deformations of existing and new fissures are much obvious;the dividing point between stable and rapid deformation stages may be used to determinate the start point and to establish the initiate conditions for localized deformations;the textural parameters can reasonably reflect the change in the deformation status of the limestone under different loading stages and may be used to predict the initial time of localized deformations.Due to the reflection of image features on deformation/failure process of intact rocks or rock masses,the methods presented herein may provide a new research way of meso-scale mechanisms of the localized deformation and geological hazards in rock areas.
Down-regulation of Drosophila Egf-r mRNA levels following hyperactivated receptor signaling

Internalization of ligand-receptor complexes is a well-documented mechanism for limiting the duration and magnitude of a signaling event. In the case of the EGF-Receptor (EGF-R), exposure to EGF or TGF-alpha results in internalization of up to 95% of the surface receptor pool within 5 minutes of exposure to ligand. In this report, we show that levels of Drosophila Egf-r mRNA are strongly down-regulated in epidermal cells likely to have recently undergone high levels of EGF-R signaling. The cells in which Egf-r mRNA levels are down-regulated express the rhomboid gene, which is thought to locally amplify EGF-R signaling. Widespread Egf-r mRNA down-regulation can be induced by ubiquitous expression of rhomboid or by eliminating the Gap1 gene. These results suggest that cells engaged in intense EGF-R/RAS signaling limit the duration of the signal through a combination of short-acting negative feedback mechanisms such as receptor internalization followed by a longer lasting reduction in receptor transcript levels. Control of Egf-r mRNA levels by altering transcription or mRNA stability is a new tier of regulation to be considered in analysis of EGF-R signaling during development.
Interpretation of phenotype in genetically engineered mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In mice, genetic engineering involves two general approaches-addition of an exogenous gene, resulting in transgenic mice, and use of knockout mice, which have a targeted mutation of an endogenous gene. The advantages of these approaches is that questions can be asked about the function of a particular gene in a living mammalian organism, taking into account interactions among cells, tissues, and organs under normal, disease, injury, and stress situations. METHODS: Review of the literature concentrating principally on knockout mice and questions of unexpected phenotypes, lack of phenotype, redundancy, and effect of genetic background on phenotype will be discussed. CONCLUSION: There is little gene redundancy in mammals; knockout phenotypes exist even if none are immediately apparent; and investigating phenotypes in colonies of mixed genetic background may reveal not only more phenotypes, but also may lead to better understanding of the molecular or cellular mechanism underlying the phenotype and to discovery of modifier gene(s).
As memórias “arrumam-se em quadros fixos”: a experiência traumática de Solange Matos, narradora de A Noite das Mulheres Cantoras

Em A Noite das Mulheres Cantoras (2011), Lidia Jorge apresenta-nos uma interessante reflexao sobre os perversos meandros do mundo do show business e da fama conseguida a qualquer preco. Esta reflexao enquadra-se numa macroestrutura narrativa que proble­matiza a organizacao da sociedade portuguesa pos-colonial, uma sociedade que recebeu “os restos humanos” de um imperio de varios seculos. Conjugando aspetos da critica pos-colonial e dos estudos de trauma e memoria, pretende-se analisar neste trabalho o percurso de perda de inocencia de Solange Matos (a narradora e personagem principal da narrativa), explorando de que maneira o trauma da experiencia colonial se entrelaca com as memorias e os afetos, acabando por interferir na construcao da identidade individual.
Visible metasurfaces and ruled diffraction gratings: a comparison

Metasurface based and physical ruling based diffraction gratings function by controlling the phase of light, but the origin of the phase control is different. Here we compare the simulated optical response of a 1800 lines/mm ruled diffraction grating blazed for 650 nm light to the response of a 1800 lines/mm phase grating meta-surface designed for efficiency in the visible. The efficiencies are comparable; the transverse electric polarized efficiency of the meta-surface based grating is similar to the transverse magnetic polarized efficiency of the ruled-grating. However, due to the different mechanisms of phase accrual, the meta-surface based grating does not exhibit grating anomalies and has low efficiency for transverse magnetic polarized light.
Resonance assignment of 13C/15N labeled solid proteins by two- and three-dimensional magic-angle-spinning NMR.

The comprehensive structure determination of isotopically labeled proteins by solid-state NMR requires sequence-specific assignment of 13C and 15 N spectra. We describe several 2D and 3D MAS correlation techniques for resonance assignment and apply them, at 7.0 Tesla, to 13C and 15N labeled ubiquitin to examine the extent of resonance assignments in the solid state. Both interresidue and intraresidue assignments of the 13C and 15N resonances are addressed. The interresidue assignment was carried out by an N(CO)CA technique, which yields Ni-Cαi−1 connectivities in protein backbones via two steps of dipolar-mediated coherence transfer. The intraresidue connectivities were obtained from a new 3D NCACB technique, which utilizes the well resolved Cβ chemical shift to distinguish the different amino acids. Additional amino acid type assignment was provided by a 13C spin diffusion experiment, which exhibits 13C spin pairs as off-diagonal intensities in the 2D spectrum. To better resolve carbons with similar chemical shifts, we also performed a dipolar-mediated INADEQUATE experiment. By cross-referencing these spectra and exploiting the selective and extensive 13 C labeling approach, we assigned 25% of the amino acids in ubiquitin sequence-specifically and 47% of the residues to the amino acid types. The sensitivity and resolution of these experiments are evaluated, especially in the context of the selective and extensive 13C labeling approach.
Perceptions of MBA Students on Business Process Modeling as a Learning Tool: An Empirical Investigation

Based upon a survey of 95 MBA students in a Business Process Management (BPM) course at a university in New England, this study reports the perceptions of students concerning the efficacy of process modeling as a learning tool. Depending on their majors, students were classified as (a) Information Technology (IT) majors and (b) Business majors. The fifteen variables explored in the survey were classified into three categories: (a) Process Analysis issues, (b) Course related issues, and (c) Organizational issues. Statistically significant differences are found on the value of simulation exercises as perceived by MBA students on five dimensions: (1) Analyzing Business Process Performance, (2) Modeling Business Processes, (3) High-level Process Mapping, (4) Understanding BPM Concepts, and (5) Grasping Process Control Issues. Implications of these differences for designing graduate level BPM courses in colleges of business administration are discussed in the paper.
Fabrication of a W/CuxO/Cu memristor with sub-micron holes for passive sensing of oxygen

Memristive devices were fabricated and investigated for passive sensing of oxygen. The device design involved deposition of Cu bottom electrodes, oxygen-deficient copper oxide (CuxO) switching layers, and W top electrodes in a crossbar array structure. Two groups of holes that were 300nm and 700nm in diameter were etched in the top W electrodes to reveal the oxide surface. The devices were subjected to ambient air at 180°C to induce sensing in minutes. Measurements of atomic composition, which were determined via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), show an increase in oxygen atoms in the layer after exposure to ambient air. For the 300-nm holes, low and high resistance states demonstrated increased values (up to 25.0% and 74.8%, respectively) upon exposure to ambient air at 180°C. The larger 700-nm holes became capacitor-like after exposure. This work demonstrates a step towards the use of the memristor as a passive gas sensor, which we have named "memsensors", by taking advantage of the device's ability to memorize (or record) historical information. Schematic of adsorption and vacancy filling. (a) Oxygen molecules from the ambient air result in adsorbed oxygen ions and holes near the CuxO surface. (b) Over time, the adsorbed ions fill oxygen vacancies within the layer. (c) The memristor now has higher resistance states due to fewer vacancies.Display Omitted A memristor array with sub-micron holes was fabricated to allow exposure of the switching layer.The feasibility of using this perforated memristor structure for oxygen sensing is demonstrated.The mechanism by which this sensing occurred is believed to be the filling of vacancy sites within the switching layer by adsorbed oxygen.
Finite Element Model for Brittle Fracture and Fragmentation

A new computational model for brittle fracture and fragmentation has been developed based on finite element analysis of non-linear elasticity equations. The proposed model propagates the cracks by splitting the mesh nodes alongside the most over-strained edges based on the principal direction of strain tensor. To prevent elements from overlapping and folding under large deformations, robust geometrical constraints using the method of Lagrange multipliers have been incorporated. The model has been applied to 2D simulations of the formation and propagation of cracks in brittle materials, and the fracture and fragmentation of stretched and compressed materials.
The Powerful Role of Faith in Family Ministry

The author asserts that marriage can be a much more joyful experience than it is for most people. The chapter lays out a narrative that explains how faith can have a vital role to play in family ministry and help the joys of marriage become restored in many relationships. Individual faith tends to spawn many of the qualities necessary to make it possible for a thriving marriage to emerge. The chapter examines how counseling that is largely devoid of religious considerations, as well as similar emphases within broader society, have stifled many expressions and advantages of faith that were once deeply rooted in marriage and society. The author suggests that acknowledging that strength that faith can provide can help create an atmosphere of love in a marriage such that there are far fewer fights and a spirit of thankfulness rather than one of entitlement. The chapter delineates truths that will help counselors and families increase the chances of helping couples disagree rather than fight, be thankful rather than feel entitled, love rather than hold back, and enter in to the full joy of marriage.
Quantum Dot Photonic Crystals

An early goal of research in semiconductor quantum dots was to utilize the finite size of these materials to modify the electronic properties of the semiconductor. In particular, researchers wished to modify its electronic density of states, defined as the number of electronic states per unit energy per unit volume. In a bulk semiconductor the density of states, p e , can be described as a smooth function near the valence and conduction band edges, as depicted in Fig. 7.1a.1 However, in a quantum dot, where the continuous bands of the bulk crystal evolve into a series of atomic-like levels due to quantum confinement, p e is dramatically altered.2–4 Indeed, p e can be concentrated into a series of individual features, as shown in Fig. 7.1b.5
Overview and Comments

Since in the space available I cannot truly summarize a meeting of this sort which covers such a broad area of immunology, I would like instead to share with you some of the thoughts and reactions I had while listening to the presentations.
DNA hypermethylation phenotypes and one carbon metabolism genetic variants in breast tissues from normal healthy women

1 Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes promoter region may have important implications in understanding breast cancer etiology. In this study, we examined potential determinants of DNA hypermethylation in normal breast tissue, including genetic variants for genes important to one-carbon metabolism in relation to hypermethylation. We recruited 141 women without a history of breast or other cancers, who were undergoing reduction mammoplasty. These women underwent a structured interview and donated breast tissue and blood. Hypermethylation phenotypes for p16 INK4 , BRCA1, ERα and RAR-β from the normal breast tissues were determined by MSP and Pyrosequencing assays. Genetic variants of MTHFR and MTR genes were determined by TaqMan assays. Chi-square, t tests and logistic regression model were used to determine the association between promoter hypermethylation of these genes and genotypes and other characteristics of these women. The mean age of women was 35+/-12 years. p16 INK4 , BRCA1, ERα and RAR-β promoter hypermethylation was identified in 31%, 16% 9% and 0% of women respectively. Race was significantly associated with the methylation status (p-value=0.03). When we stratified these women by race we observed that p16 INK4 hypermethylation was associated with family history of cancer, with the variant allele of the MTR A2756G polymorphism and marginally associated with alcohol consumption (p-value=0.01; 0.02 and 0.05) only in Caucasian women. There were no significant associations for African-American women. BRCA1 hypermethylation was significantly associated with family history of cancer (p-value=0.03) for African-American women. Family history of cancer in Caucasians and family history of breast cancer for African-American women were weakly associated with BRCA1 methylation (p-value=0.09; 0.06 respectively). ERα methylation phenotype was significantly correlated with the age of both Caucasian and African-American women (p MTR 2756G were also weakly associated with ERα hypermethylation in African-American women (p-value=0.08; 0.08 and 0.09 respectively). The presence of hypermethylation of important tumor suppressor genes was a common finding in apparently healthy women without history of breast cancer. Several known risk factors for breast cancer were associated with increased risk of hypermethylation, as were genetic variants for MTR gene. There were important differences in these associations by race. Understanding the determinants of hypermethylation in normal breast tissues can provide insight into a potentially significant mechanism for breast carcinogenesis. Supported by: DOD BC022346
Intergroup Dialogue and Social Justice Group Work: A Call for Increased Research Attention.

The intergroup dialogue (IGD) process involves individuals and facilitators with diverse social identities intentionally coming together to explore divergent and shared values and experiences. It is widely accepted that IGD serves as a meaningful and transformative process for individuals with diverse social identities; yet, professional understanding of the various applications of IGD remains minimal. This article summarizes existing IGD literature, and calls for specific research efforts which hold promise for deepening the understanding of IGD in the field of counseling.
Safety and Feasibility of Lung Resection After Immunotherapy for Metastatic or Unresectable Tumors.

Background Surgeons are increasingly asked to operate on patients with residual disease after immunotherapy. The safety and utility of lung resection in this setting are unknown. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent lung resection within 6 months of treatment with checkpoint blockade agents for metastatic or unresectable cancer. Survival was estimated from the first resection using the Kaplan-Meier approach. Results Database query identified 19 patients who underwent 22 resections for suspected residual disease with therapeutic intent after immunotherapy between 2012 and 2016. Lung cancer was the most common diagnosis (47%), followed by metastatic melanoma (37%). The most frequently used agents were nivolumab (32%), pembrolizumab (32%), and ipilimumab (16%). Patients received a mean of 21 doses (range, 1 to 70 doses). The final dose was administered at an average of 75 days (range, 7 to 183 days) before the operation. Anatomic resection (lobectomy or greater) was performed in 11 patients (50%). Four lobectomies were attempted minimally invasively, and one required conversion to thoracotomy. Of the resected patients, 68% had viable tumor remaining. R0 resection was achieved in 95%. Mean operative time for lobectomy was 227 minutes (range, 150 to 394 minutes). Complications occurred in 32% of patients; all but 1 were minor (grade 1/2). The 2-year overall and disease-free survival were 77% and 42%, respectively. Conclusions In patients with previously metastatic or unresectable cancer, lung resection for suspected residual disease after immunotherapy is feasible, with high rates of R0 resection. Operations can be technically challenging, but significant morbidity appears to be rare. Outcomes are encouraging, with reasonable survivals during short-interval follow-up.
Enterprise oriented services

We describe a service-oriented framework that supports how distributed enterprises can collaborate on doing work. Our model separates the concerns of doing from managing work. Work is modeled as a capability and can be provided as a service by some organization. A desired business outcome can then be described by its required capabilities. The framework enables dynamic composition of capabilities into just-in-time service plans that can be executed collaboratively by distributed organizations. A Hub is used to manage and coordinate the overall work. It comprises stakeholders from the collaborating organizations. The Hub's infrastructure enables them to see the big picture, detect issues early, decide on the best response, and quickly enact their decision. Executing service plans can then be modified in real-time, providing the enterprise with agility and flexibility.
Leadless pacemaker placement in a patient with chronic kidney disease: A strategy to preserve central veins

Cardiac rhythm disorder is frequently encountered in hemodialysis patients and is often treated with a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED). The conventional CIED requires placement of transvenous leads resulting in subclinical central venous stenosis, which can adversely affect the successful creation of a permanent dialysis vascular access. The technological advancement of a leadless pacemaker provides an opportunity to implement a strategy to preserve central veins in patients with chronic kidney disease. We report a case of successful placement of a leadless pacemaker in a dialysis patient to preserve the central veins for future vascular access creation.
Can endosymbiotic microbes modulate natural selection in plant populations? An example with Lolium perenne and its fungal endophyte

Many plant species are symbiotic with systemic microbes. For example, many grasses are inhabited by fungal endophytes that affect aspects of their host’s physiology, morphology, and reproduction. However, there have not been any analyses of the potential effect of endophytes on the strength of phenotypic selection on quantitative traits. Here, a previously published data set on several life history traits measured for two years in a field population of 12–13 Lolium perenne genotypes, each replicated as symbiotic and non-symbiotic plants, was analyzed using the standard Lande-Arnold method of selection analysis. In one year, endophytic symbionts reduced the strength of selection on the number of reproductive tillers when relative fitness was expressed as seed yield. Also, symbionts selected for reduced tiller production when fitness was expressed as mean seed mass. These changes in the strength of selection only occurred when fitness of genotypes when symbiotic was unrelated to fitness of the same genotypes when non-symbiotic. In a second year, when fitness of symbiotic and non-symbiotic groups were significantly correlated, there was no detectable selection on reproductive tiller production. Because the effects of microbial endosymbionts were only shown for one year in a single host population, additional research is needed to better assess how endosymbionts might mediate selective pressures in other natural plant populations.
Bayesian Models of Motor Control

Motor control is fundamental to the nervous system: only through our movements do we interact with the world. Successful motor control requires the integration of a myriad of pieces of information. Yet all this information is of an uncertain nature because we only obtain noisy information in a changing world. We are thus faced with the problem of integrating many uncertain pieces of information into a relatively precise estimate of the properties of our bodies and the surrounding world. Bayesian models of motor control formalize the problem of how uncertain information should be integrated and make predictions that often well describe human movement behavior.
Implantation of a leadless pacemaker in a pediatric patient with congenital heart disease.

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and significant postoperative atrioventricular (AV) nodal injury frequently require lifelong backup pacing. However, lifelong pacing in this population is complicated primarily by lead-related issues. Pacing leads in pediatric patients with CHD fail earlier and at higher rates than leads in adults with structurally normal hearts for both epicardial and endocardial leads.1 Somatic growth and the vigorous activity of pediatric patients lead to higher rates of fracture and dislodgment. Surgical repair requiring exogenous materials, including bioprosthetic valves and patches, places transvenous pacing leads in patients with CHD at higher risk for infection; this necessitates extraction procedures for lead removal, which carry up to 2% risk of serious complications, including death.2, 3 Transvenous leads carry significant risk of venous thrombosis and occlusion over the life of pediatric patients and thus have a profound effect in CHD patients who may require frequent venous access for interventional cardiac catheterization procedures, including balloon angioplasty of pulmonary arteries (PAs) and transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. For these reasons, leadless pacing can be a valuable intervention to minimize the lifelong complications of epicardial or transvenous pacing in pediatric patients with CHD.
Efficient Model-Free Learning to Overcome Hardware Nonidealities in Analog-to-Information Converters

This paper considers compressed sensing (CS) in the context of RF spectrum sensing and presents an efficient approach for learning hardware nonidealities in an analog-to-information converter (A2IC). The proposed methodology is based on the learned iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (LISTA), which enables co-optimization of the hardware and the reconstruction algorithm and leads to a model-free recovery approach that is optimally tuned for the unique computational constraints and hardware nonidealities present in the RF frontend. To achieve this, we devise a training protocol that employs a dataset and neural network of minimal sizes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our methodology on simulated data from a model of a well-established CS A2IC in the presence of linear impairments and noise. The recovery process extrapolates from training on 1-sparse signals to recovering the support of signals whose sparsity runs up to the theoretical optimum for $\ell^{1}$ -based algorithms across a range of typical operating SNRs.
On the Conjunction of Possibility Measures

In this paper, we review the idea of fuzzy measures and look at some properties of these measures. We describe a procedure for aggregating multiple fuzzy measures. We discuss the use of fuzzy measures for modeling information about uncertain variables. We carefully look at the properties of possibility measures. We look at the issue of conjuncting possibility measures.
Correction to: Corporate governance and employee treatment: Evidence from takeover defenses

This study investigates if antitakeover provisions are a value-enhancing indicator of corporate governance by estimating the effect of takeover susceptibility to labor litigations. Using a unique hand-collected dataset of employee lawsuits, we find a positive relationship between employee litigation and takeover protection. We document that employee lawsuits increase a firm’s susceptibility to a hostile takeover. In addition, we document that higher costs of litigation, measured by fees and case duration, increase the firms’ suitability to takeover. Our results indicate that takeover protections may decrease corporate attention to employees. This effect may be because entrenched managers may avoid long-term investment in stakeholders and enjoy “the quiet life” following the reduced threat of a hostile takeover.
Neuroprotection by Dietary Isoflavones and Their Role in Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract Dietary isoflavones derived from soybeans and other legumes have long been part of the Asian diet and are considered a safe, healthy protein source. More recently, the estrogenic nature of isoflavones has been explored for postmenopausal symptoms in women with equivocal results. However, the beneficial effects of dietary isoflavones in the brain have received new attention with the recognition that these compounds can be neuroprotective in experimental cerebral ischemia and other models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Several overlapping mechanisms likely underlie these protective mechanisms, including transcriptional activation by estrogen receptors and multiple antioxidant effects on the mitochondria. These generalized mechanisms support all members of the neurovascular unit and may provide both prophylactic and acute neuroprotection. Human studies support a role for soy isoflavones in cardiovascular health, but the neuroprotective properties of isoflavones in humans are yet to be elucidated.
Imagining nature and nobility in law and literature: Siete partidas (Alfonso X), Libro de la montería (Alfonso XI), and Libro de la caza (Juan Manuel)

AbstractThe medieval hunt and hunting manuals have been studied by historians as sources for the history of medieval science and geography, and for their insights into the daily lives of the elite ...
A rhetorical perspective on conspiracies: The Stamina case

Abstract In this paper, we analyze the persuasive effects of conspiracy theories from a rhetorical and argumentative perspective. In particular, we scrutinize a case-study – the story of the “Stamina cure” in Italy –, interpreting it as a particular instance of conspiracy theory. First, we explain what conspiracy theories are, and why they are relevant within the contemporary health debate. Second, we situate our analysis in relation to other theoretical accounts, explaining why a discursive approach may be required to study conspiracies. Third, we investigate our case-study through the lenses of the three “entechnic” proofs of rhetoric: logos, ethos, and pathos. We conclude that a rhetorical approach can shed significant light on how conspiracies achieve their persuasive effect and it provides a first step toward the elaboration of a more comprehensive model to better address the practical and political implications of conspiracy argumentations.
Entitled Due to Deprivation vs. Superiority: Evidence that Unidimensional Entitlement Scales Blend Distinct Entitlement Rationales Across Psychological Dimensions

We aimed to corroborate the notion that the Psychological Entitlement Scale (PES), a popular unidimensional index of psychological entitlement, resembles a blend of vulnerable- and grandiose-based ...
Utilizing Philippine Cupped Oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) Shell Powder and Waterborne Acrylic Resin as a Fire Retardant Coating for Marine Wood

In the Philippines, fire outbreaks are one of the pre-eminent types of disaster that are involved in multiple human casualties annually. Velasco (2013) reports that fires are the most costly preventable emergencies in the Philippines but are relatively unstudied. The study seeks to alleviate the occurrence of fire-related disasters by evaluating the capacity of the local aquatic species, Crassostrea iredalei (Philippine Cupped Oyster Shells) as composites in the fabrication of a fire retardant coating. The use of oyster shell was taken into consideration, because the material contains approximately 95–98% of calcium carbonate - a material that is recognized to be incombustible (Shah et al., 2014). The research was conducted through the UL 94 vertical flame testing procedure (Ul Standards, 2013). The effectiveness of the synthesized coating was established in terms of their time of burning. The fire retardant coating was fabricated by forming a mixture of the oyster shell powder and the waterborne acrylic resin of different percent mass/volume composition. Brushing method of application was used in applying the coating samples to the wood surface. The gathered mean burning time of the experimental set-ups were 22.67 minutes (25% m/v), 25.00 (50% m/v) and 29.67 minutes (75% m/v); while the wood applied with the resin was recorded in 18.00 minutes. The obtained Pearson value of the experimental set-ups of different percent composition was 0.980306. Using the statistical tests: T-test for two sample means, ANOVA Single Factor, and Pearson Correlation, it was revealed that there was a significant difference in the burning time of the oyster shell-based coating and the waterborne acrylic resin. Furthermore, it was discovered that there may have been a direct correlation between the percent composition of the oyster shell composite and the time of burning of the material. The findings of this study suggest that the material may be potentially used for fireproofing due to the improved thermal degradation of the samples. The researchers further recommend that other factors such as: air moisture, surface material and the angle of ignition that may affect the proliferation of fire be considered to obtain optimum efficiency.
Learning from other minds: An optimistic critique of reinforcement learning models of social learning

Reinforcement learning models have been productively applied to identify neural correlates of the value of social information. However, by operationalizing social information as a lean, reward-predictive cue, this literature underestimates the richness of human social learning: Humans readily go beyond action-outcome mappings and can draw flexible inferences from a single observation. We argue that computational models of social learning need minds, that is, a generative model of how others’ unobservable mental states cause their observable actions. Recent advances in inferential social learning suggest that even young children learn from others by using an intuitive, generative model of other minds. Bridging developmental, Bayesian, and reinforcement learning perspectives can enrich our understanding of the neural bases of distinctively human social learning.
Sea Ice and Weather Systems

The part of the Earth covered by ice and snow is called the cryosphere. The unique nature of water, with increasing density as temperature decreases to 4°C, and then decreasing density from 4°C to freezing, with and abrupt decrease in density upon freezing and increasing density once again as the water cools below freezing, causes distinctive oceanic circulation features. Sea ice, which does not easily incorporate salt into its crystalline structure when it freezes, forms slowly because the salt in the ocean water causes the density of water to increase as it cools to near the freezing point. This salty water in the ocean then sinks away from the cold surface before it cools enough to freeze. The freshwater ice dominates the surface. Both seasonal and multi-year sea ice are largely composed of fresh water. Seasonal sea ice is projected to decrease in extent even more, especially in the Arctic, as Arctic amplification accelerates the temperature increase in the high latitudes. The melting of the mostly freshwater sea ice adds fresh water to the water body, diluting the salt content of the water and decreasing its salinity. Changes in salinity and temperature alter circulation in the ocean and change the amount and location where heat, nutrients, and other matter are moved. The three-dimensional, globally connected conveyor belt-like circulation throughout the world’s oceans—the thermohaline circulation—is affected by numerous, complicated feedbacks. The melting of sea ice contributes to further warming.
A deep-learning toolkit for visualization and interpretation of segmented medical images

Summary Generalizability of deep-learning (DL) model performance is not well understood and uses anecdotal assumptions for increasing training data to improve segmentation of medical images. We report statistical methods for visual interpretation of DL models trained using ImageNet initialization with natural-world (TII) and supervised learning with medical images (LMI) for binary segmentation of skin cancer, prostate tumors, and kidneys. An algorithm for computation of Dice scores from union and intersections of individual output masks was developed for synergistic segmentation by TII and LMI models. Stress testing with non-Gaussian distributions of infrequent clinical labels and images showed that sparsity of natural-world and domain medical images can counterintuitively reduce type I and type II errors of DL models. A toolkit of 30 TII and LMI models, code, and visual outputs of 59,967 images is shared to identify the target and non-target medical image pixels and clinical labels to explain the performance of DL models.
Coda: Any Given Moment Has Its Value

This chapter concludes the book with a sampling of mini-studies of prefaces written by Robert Frost, Arna Bontemps, Mary Karr, William Styron, William Faulkner, Philip Roth, Dave Eggers, and Katherine Anne Porter. With so many writers and so many books, the final chapter shows where we can take detailed research into prefaces, introductions, and forewords if we are open to the concept.
Oxidation kinetics of magnesium particles determined by isothermal and non-isothermal methods of thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract Knowledge of the oxidation kinetics of magnesium (Mg) particles is important for the development of advanced propulsion and power systems based on combustion of metals. However, reports on the high-temperature oxidation of Mg powders in oxygen are contradictory. In the present work, the oxidation of spherical and non-spherical (flakes) Mg particles in O2 flow was investigated using isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetry. Three fractions of the spherical powder were tested, with average sizes about 30, 60, and 300 μm. The oxidation of all powders was complete at temperatures lower than the melting point of Mg, 650 °C. The Friedman analysis of non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetric (TG) data has shown that the activation energy exhibits only small fluctuations during a large part of the oxidation process, which indicates that the process can be modeled as a single-step reaction. Model-based analysis has shown that the Avrami-Erofeev model of simultaneous nucleation and growth provides the best fit with the experimental isothermal and non-isothermal TG curves. Scanning electron microscopy of the oxidized spherical particles has shown submicron grains, which is consistent with the Avrami-Erofeev model. The Mampel-Delmon analysis of the isothermal TG data has shown that for the 30 and 60 μm particles, the nucleation is relatively slow, leading to the sigmoidal TG curve, described by the three-dimensional Avrami-Erofeev equation. An increase in the particle size decreases the dimension of this equation, and for the 300 μm particles and flakes, the entire process can be considered as a growth of a non-protective oxide layer. The apparent activation energy of Mg oxidation is likely in the range of 200 – 230 kJ/mol, independently of the particle size and shape.
Metabolites as Intercellular Signals for Regulation of Community-Level Traits

This chapter describes work on new and emerging systems that describe roles for excreted cellular metabolites as intercellular signals. The therapeutic value of antibiotics is unquestionable; however, understanding the biological role of these compounds in natural settings may not be as intuitive as the definition of antibiotics would suggest. Increases in biofilm formation were correlated with a 10-fold increase in expression of the ica operon upon treatment with antibiotic. The internal concentration of polyamines is tightly regulated through a combination of biosynthesis, transport, and excretion. In Escherichia coli, putrescine is synthesized either by decarboxylation of L-ornithine or decarboxylation of Larginine followed by removal of a urea molecule. P. aeruginosa is known to make and excrete both monorhamnolipids (mono-RHLs) and dirhamnolipids (di-RHLs), which have either one or two attached rhamnose groups, respectively. In E. coli, indole is imported from the extracellular environment predominantly by the Mtr permease whereas efflux of indole out of the cell is performed by the AcrEF pump. The chapter provides evidence that supports the role of various metabolites in the regulation of community-level traits, such as biofilm formation, swarming, and filamentation.
Can't we all just get along? Weaponry standardization and sharing at the Agate Basin site

This study explores weaponry design as it relates to the organization of technology at the Agate Basin site. Specifically, I explore potential sharing of weaponry elements during communal hunts, and the implications of such sharing as they pertain to overall technological organization of Agate Basin hunting groups. K-means cluster analysis is utilized to determine whether hafted-area morphologies on Agate Basin points are standardized and consistent with expectations we might have if sharing of weaponry elements was planned for in the preparation for a communal hunt. I argue that standardization and sharing of weapons was a reliable organizational technique potentially employed by Paleoindian hunters during seasonal aggregations that served to secure critical resources during a time when failure during a hunt would prove catastrophic.
Assessment of the Impact of Service Learning on Academic Growth of College Students.

Research studies on service learning and teacher education have concluded that one of the major challenges is the lack of assessment studies that document the impact of service learning on students’ academic development. In this research study, the perceptions of 65 preservice teachers on service learning were assessed. The major goals of the study were (1) to assess the perceptions of preservice teachers on service learning, and (2) to analyze the impact of service learning on preservice teachers’ academic growth and achievement. The results from the analysis showed that participation in service learning activities resulted in students’ gain in the area of diversity, fairness, strong work ethics, and patience. The result on the impact of service learning on achievement was inconclusive.