cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extended resection of sarcomas involving the mediastinum: a 15-year experience†.

Objectives Sarcomas involving the mediastinum are rare and aggressive tumours with a poor prognosis. We reviewed our experience to evaluate outcomes and survival for patients who undergo surgical resection. Methods A retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent resection of sarcomas that involved the mediastinum at a single institution over a 15-year period was conducted. Results Fifteen patients (43%) had sarcomas originating from the great vessels, 15 (43%) the heart and 5 (15%) the chest wall. The most common subtype was leiomyosarcoma (n = 10, 29%). Twenty patients (57%) underwent resection of primary tumours, 11 (31%) of metastases and 4 (11%) of recurrences. Sixteen patients (46%) had Stage IV disease. An R0 resection was achieved in 17 patients (49%). Fourteen (40%) had an R1 resection and 4 (11%) an R2. Thirty cases (85%) were performed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty-three patients (65%) required resection of adjacent structures. Eight cases (23%) were performed on an urgent basis. Morbidity and mortality were 37 and 6%, respectively. Overall median survival was 33 months (range 7-171 months). Median overall survival for Stage IV disease was 5 months compared with 27 months for all others (P = 0.26). Two-, 5- and 10-year survivals for the cohort were 50, 35 and 25%, respectively. Incomplete resection was associated with poor long-term survival. Median survival was 101 months for R0, 21 months for R1 and 9 months for R2 resection. Conclusions CPB and concomitant resection of intrathoracic structures may be required for local tumour control in sarcomas that involve the mediastinum, and should not be considered contraindications to resection as they may offer the best opportunity for prolonged survival in selected cases.
Stargazing: The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals and Future Tax Reform

The article uses the provisions of the Alternative Minimum Tax in an attempt to predict the course of future tax reform.
Gender and local soil knowledge: Linking farmers' perceptions with soil fertility in two villages in the Philippines

Scientists often turn to farmers to understand soil management. This process reveals differences and overlaps between local and scientific soil knowledge but rarely considers women and gender issues. This paper examines men's and women's local knowledge of soils in upland, smallholder farms in two villages in Mindanao, the Philippines, using focus group discussions, semi-structured household interviews, field visits, GIS and soil testing. Farmers' field areas were calculated and delineated based on their perceptions of the different types of soils on their land. Men and women chose the same plots for what they considered their best soil but differed on what they felt were their worst. The fertility of the soils that women considered to be the best and worst was not significantly different from that of the men's respective choices. There was a difference in fertility, however, between the best and worst soils regardless of gender. Although soil fertility analyses showed that the women's chosen soils were similar to men's, analyses of qualitative data showed that their knowledge of soils was different and was based in part on a gendered division of labour. A multidisciplinary approach helped bridge the gap between sociocultural and physical research.
Domain Structure and Hysteresis of Ferroelectric Perovskites

チタン酸バリウムBaTiO3(BT)やチタン酸ジルコン酸鉛Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT)に見られるドメイン構造は古くから観察されてはいるが,いわゆるメゾスコピックなスケールでの秩序構造であり,理論的な理解が困難な対象でもある。この解説では,ペロブスカイト強誘電体のドメイン構造の起源と,その外部電場に対する応答としてのヒステリシスについて,平易な解説を試みる。BTやPZTに見られるドメイン構造は結晶の弾性的性質を強く反映したものであり,この観点から多結晶バルクと多結晶薄膜との誘電特性の相違を議論したい。また2次元正方相モデルに対するシミュレーション結果を紹介し,分極反転を伴うヒステリシスとそれに対応するドメイン構造の時間変化を可視化した結果を示す。
Importance of adrenal gland in diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

Several types of hypertension have been identified as treatable or curable. This discussion concerns mainly hypertension associated with hypersecretion of aldosterone. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is reviewed briefly. The juxtaglomerular apparatus releases renin, which acts on globulin to produce angiotensin, which stimulates the production and release of aldosterone.
Interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (Conference Presentation)

We introduce and implement interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (iNIRS), which simultaneously extracts the optical and dynamic properties of turbid media from the analysis of the spectral interference fringe pattern. The spectral interference fringe pattern is measured using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a frequency swept narrow bandwidth light source such that the temporal intensity autocorrelations can be determined for all photon path lengths. This approach enables time-of-flight (TOF) resolved measurement of scatterer motion, which is a feature inaccessible in well-established diffuse correlation spectroscopy techniques. We prove this by analyzing intensity correlations of the light transmitted through diffusive fluid phantoms with photon random walks of up to 55 (approximately 110 scattering events) using laser sweep rates on the order of 100kHz. Thus, the results we present here advance diffuse optical methods by enabling simultaneous determination of depth-resolved optical properties and dynamics in highly scattering samples.
Simultaneous Bilateral Hypertrophies of the Parotid Gland and Masseter Muscle: Case Report

Increased salivary demand can lead to enlarged parotid salivary glands, and increased activity of the masseter muscles can cause masseter hypertrophy. This report describes a most unusual case of simultaneous bilateral hypertrophies of the parotid gland and masseter muscle originating from the very extensive habit of chewing gum. An extensive literature review uncovered many cases of the independent existence of masseteric or parotid hypertrophy, but no example of the simultaneous occurrence of these 2 conditions.
Co-existence of distinct Ostreococcus ecotypes at an oceanic front

Western boundary currents support high primary production and carbon export. Here, we performed a survey of photosynthetic picoeukaryotes in the North Pacific Ocean in four transects crossing the Kuroshio Front. Prasinophyte algae comprised 85% of 18S rRNA gene sequences for photosynthetic taxa in the <5 μm size fraction. The picoplanktonic (<2 μm) genera Micromonas and Ostreococcus comprised 30% and 51% of the total photosynthetic 18S rDNA sequences from five stations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that two Ostreococcus ecotypes, until now rarely found to co-occur, were both present in the majority of samples. Ostreococcus ecotype OI reached 6,830 ± 343 gene copies mL−1, while Ostreococcus ecotype OII reached 50,190 ± 971 gene copies mL−1 based on qPCR analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. These values are higher than in studies of other oceanographic regions by a factor of 10 for OII. The data suggest that meso- and finer-scale physical dynamics had a significant impact on the populations at the front, either by mingling ecotypes from different source regions at fine scales (∼10s km) or by stimulating their growth through vertical nutrient injections. We investigate this hypothesis with an idealized diffusion-reaction model, and find that only a combination of mixing and positive net growth can explain the observed distributions and overlap of the two Ostreococcus ecotypes. Our field observations support larger-scale numerical ocean simulations that predict enhanced biodiversity at western boundary current fronts, and suggest a strategy for systematically testing that hypothesis.
EEG-based single-trial detection of errors from multiple error-related brain activity

A key ability of the human brain is to monitor erroneous events and adjust behaviors accordingly. Electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies have demonstrated different brain activities related to errors. Meanwhile, the recognition of error-related brain activity as one aspect of performance monitoring has been reported for potential applications in clinical neuroscience and brain-machine interface, where single-trial analysis and classification would provide novel insights on dynamic brain responses to errors. However, procedures of selecting features, as well as procedures of single-trial classification, are not fully investigated for optimal performance. In the present study, we investigated the performance of different configurations of feature extractions in both temporal and frequency domains, for discriminating response errors in a color-word matching Stroop task. Motivated by our previous investigations, we evaluated both temporal and frequency features with component signals, which were obtained from EEG signals via an independent component analysis (ICA). Five component signals (independent components, ICs), originated from the frontal, motor, parietal, and occipital areas, were included in detecting error-related brain activity from single-trial EEG data. The results showed that better performance can be achieved by optimizing time window and frequency range of selected features, sampling scheme of feature-related data, and training of classifiers. However, a simple combination of features from multiple component signals can only slightly improve the detection performance of errors in single-trial data as compared to the frontal IC only. More importantly, it is indicated that four ICs other than the frontal one also carry similar discriminative information about errors in both temporal and frequency domains. The fact suggests flexible means in detecting errors from EEG beyond the frontal brain areas, which might be very valuable in practical applications such that the frontal area is not accessible.
Physiologically realistic LV models to produce normal and pathological image and phantom data

The cardiac model of the 4D NCAT phantom was enhanced by incorporating a physiological basis from which to realistically model left ventricular (LV) motion defects. A finite element mechanical model of the LV was developed to simulate deficits in contractile function and to study the effect of ischemia on LV function. The model geometry was based on high resolution CT and MRI data sets of a healthy male subject. The myocardial wall was represented as a transversely isotropic material with the fiber angle varying from -90 degrees at the epicardial surface, through 0 degrees at the mid-wall, to 90 degrees at the endocardial surface. An elastance active contraction model was used to provide fiber contraction. Physiological intraventricular systolic pressure-time curves were used to load the ventricle. These features were incorporated into the 4D NCAT cardiac model through the control points, which are set to move according to the principles that govern the mechanical model. A normal model and two pathologic models were created in order to study the effects of ischemia on cardiac function. In the first pathologic model, a sub-endocardial anterior ischemic region was defined and an NCAT image data set was subsequently produced. A second ischemic model was created with a transmural ischemic region defined in the same location as the sub-endocardial ischemia model. These models were able to demonstrate differences in contractile function between subendocardial and transmural infarcts and how these differences in function are documented in the SPECT images that were produced by the NCAT phantom. As demonstrated in this study the 4D NCAT cardiac model provides a valuable tool for the evaluation of imaging methods that assess cardiac function through measurements of myocardial deformation
The Neurointerventional Toolkit

There is a wide variety of commercially available products on the market. This chapter categorizes the “toolkit” of specialized products commonly used for neurointerventional procedures. Understanding the basic differences in the uses and actions of these products is intended to assist providers in evaluating and choosing the appropriate agent or device.
Geografía, política y economía del reparto liberal en la meseta purépecha, 1851-1914

This article critically examines the way the historiography has approached the study of communal land privatizations in Mexico in the second half of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. It contends that, despite its many achievements and with few exceptions, the bulk of the literature in the past three and a half decades has tended to adopt a distinctly piecemeal perspective. As a result, careful examination of the causes, the general context, and the unfolding of land privatization has been neglected. The article thus offers a general analytical framework based on five key factors. This framework, together with evidence from notary archives and sources from local, state and federal actors, are used to analyze the history of communal land privatizations in a region known as meseta purepecha or Tarascan Plateau—a highland region of the state of Michoacan, Mexico, with a high percentage of indigenous population and where communal land tenure has long-standing roots. The central argument is that land privatizations were not the predictable result of systematic and coherent liberal land policies, as it is often assumed, but the result of two very particular historical junctures, the first one of which (1868-1875) revolved around the privatization of agricultural lands, while the second one (1885-1914) revolved around the privatization of communal forests.
Total hip arthroplasty with shortening subtrochanteric osteotomy in Crowe type-IV developmental dysplasia: surgical technique.

BACKGROUND:When surgeons perform total hip arthroplasty for hips with a high dislocation related to developmental dysplasia of the hip, obtaining long-term stable implant fixation and optimizing patient function remain challenges. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the results of cementless a
Cerium oxide nanoparticles alter the salt stress tolerance of Brassica napus L. by modifying the formation of root apoplastic barriers

Rapidly growing global population adds significant strains on the fresh water resources. Consequently, saline water is increasingly tapped for crop irrigation. Meanwhile, rapid advancement of nanotechnology is introducing more and more engineered nanoparticles into the environment and in agricultural soils. While some negative effects of ENPs on plant health at very high concentrations have been reported, more beneficial effects of ENPs at relatively low concentrations are increasingly noticed, opening doors for potential applications of nanotechnology in agriculture. In particular, we found that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) improved plant photosynthesis in salt stressed plants. Due to the close connections between salt stress tolerance and the root anatomical structures, we postulated that CeO2NPs could modify plant root anatomy and improve plant salt stress tolerance. This study aimed at testing the hypothesis with Brassica napus in the presence of CeO2NPs (0, 500 mg kg−1 dry sand) and/or NaCl (0, 50 mM) in a growth chamber. Free hand sections of fresh roots were taken every seven days for three weeks and the suberin lamellae development was examined under a fluorescence microscope. The results confirmed the hypothesis that CeO2NPs modified the formation of the apoplastic barriers in Brassica roots. In salt stressed plants, CeO2NPs shortened the root apoplastic barriers which allowed more Na+ transport to shoots and less accumulation of Na+ in plant roots. The altered Na+ fluxes and transport led to better physiological performance of Brassica and may lead to new applications of nanotechnology in agriculture.
Evolution of sunspot number timeline for next several cycles beyond 2016

Abstract We explore the evolution of solar activity for next several sunspot cycles beyond 2016 using data for the geomagnetic indices aa/Ap and the solar polar magnetic field intensity for shorter time intervals; the indices are related to the solar wind and do not depend on Earth's climate. We find that the baseline of the geomagnetic indices increases monotonically from 1900 to 1986 and declines afterwards. We speculate that a cycle with a period ∼86 × 2 = 172y may exist in aa/Ap. If one assumes that solar wind will exhibit the same periodicity for the rest of the twenty-first century, one should expect the next uptick of the aa/Ap timeline to occur in the seventies. In the mean time, the indices Ap/aa may continue to undergo three-cycle-quasi-periodicity (TCQP) to a value lower than in early 1900s, due to a steeper slope during the last few solar cycles compared to that of the period before 1900; it may reach the grand minimum level. Solar polar magnetic field intensity is decreasing systematically for the last three cycles (22–24) as are the sunspot numbers at the cycle peak. Livingston and Penn (2009) note a long term weakening of maximum sunspot magnetic field since 1992. North-South (N-S) asymmetry in the polar field strength is most pronounced for the decay phase of cycles 23, 24; it seems to change sign after cycle 21. These trends have great implications for solar physics and future space weather/climate. We are unable to anticipate the degree and future change of sign of the N-S asymmetry of the solar polar field at present time.
Nucleon form factors in dispersively improved chiral effective field theory: Scalar form factor

We propose a method for calculating the nucleon form factors (FFs) of $G$-parity-even operators by combining chiral effective field theory ($\ensuremath{\chi}\mathrm{EFT}$) and dispersion analysis. The FFs are expressed as dispersive integrals over the two-pion cut at $tg4{M}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}$. The spectral functions are obtained from the elastic unitarity condition and expressed as products of the complex $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N\overline{N}$ partial-wave amplitudes and the timelike pion FF. $\ensuremath{\chi}\mathrm{EFT}$ is used to calculate the ratio of the partial-wave amplitudes and the pion FF, which is real and free of $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ rescattering in the $t$ channel ($N/D$ method). The rescattering effects are then incorporated by multiplying with the squared modulus of the empirical pion FF. The procedure results in a marked improvement compared to conventional $\ensuremath{\chi}\mathrm{EFT}$ calculations of the spectral functions. We apply the method to the nucleon scalar FF and compute the scalar spectral function, the scalar radius, the $t$-dependent FF, and the Cheng-Dashen discrepancy. Higher-order chiral corrections are estimated through the $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ low-energy constants. Results are in excellent agreement with dispersion-theoretical calculations. We elaborate several other interesting aspects of our method. The results show proper scaling behavior in the large-${N}_{c}$ limit of QCD because the $\ensuremath{\chi}\mathrm{EFT}$ calculation includes $N$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$ intermediate states. The squared modulus of the timelike pion FF required by our method can be extracted from lattice QCD calculations of vacuum correlation functions of the operator at large Euclidean distances. Our method can be applied to the nucleon FFs of other operators of interest, such as the isovector-vector current, the energy-momentum tensor, and twist-2 QCD operators (moments of generalized parton distributions).
Anodic Electrochemistry: Recent Advances in the Total Synthesis of Complex Organic Molecules

Anodic electrochemistry holds great promise as a tool for organic synthesis. Recently, four new observations have opened the door for a variety of total synthesis efforts in areas ranging from the development of conformationally constrained peptidomimetics to the synthesis of complex organic molecules with central quaternary carbons. These four new observations are highlighted here.
A warmer and drier climate in the northern sagebrush biome does not promote cheatgrass invasion or change its response to fire

Dryland shrub communities have been degraded by a range of disturbances and now face additional stress from global climate change. The spring/summer growing season of the North American sagebrush biome is projected to become warmer and drier, which is expected to facilitate the expansion of the invasive annual grass Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) and alter its response to fire in the northern extent of the biome. We tested these predictions with a factorial experiment with two levels of burning (spring burn and none) and three climate treatments (warming, warming + drying, and control) that was repeated over 3 years in a Montana sagebrush steppe. We expected the climate treatments to make B. tectorum more competitive with the native perennial grass community, especially Pseudoroegneria spicata, and alter its response to fire. Experimental warming and warming + drying reduced B. tectorum cover, biomass, and fecundity, but there was no response to fire except for fecundity, which increased; the native grass community was the most significant factor that affected B. tectorum metrics. The experimental climate treatments also negatively affected P. spicata, total native grass cover, and community biodiversity, while fire negatively affected total native grass cover, particularly when climate conditions were warmer and drier. Our short-term results indicate that without sufficient antecedent moisture and a significant disruption to the native perennial grass community, a change in climate to a warmer and drier spring/summer growing season in the northern sagebrush biome will not facilitate B. tectorum invasion or alter its response to fire.
Enhanced di-Higgs boson production in the complex Higgs singlet model

We consider the standard model (SM) extended by the addition of a complex scalar singlet, with no assumptions about additional symmetries of the potential. This model provides for resonant di-Higgs production of Higgs particles with different masses. We demonstrate that regions of parameter space allowed by precision electroweak measurements, experimental limits on single Higgs production, and perturbative unitarity allow for large di-Higgs production rates relative to the SM rates. In this scenario, the dominant production mechanism of the new scalar states is di-Higgs production. Results are presented for $\sqrt{S}=13$, 27 and 100 TeV.
Screening for glycosuria during pregnancy.

It is currently recommended that every pregnant woman have a blood glucose screening test for gestational diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks' gestation. Random urine samples are also tested for glucose at each prenatal visit. In 500 consecutive pregnant women, random urine glucose screening values from each prenatal visit were compared with a serum glucose test done at 28 weeks' gestation after ingestion of a 50 gm glucose-containing beverage. Twenty-two patients (4.4%) subsequently were identified as having gestational diabetes. Eighty-five (17%) had some degree of glycosuria, and 19 (3.8%) had severe glycosuria. Only six (27%) of the 22 women with gestational diabetes had any glycosuria. As a screening test for gestational diabetes, glycosuria had a 27% sensitivity and a positive predictive value of only 7.1%. Severe glycosuria, although increased in women with gestational diabetes (P = .0071), occurred in only 18% of cases. Detection of severe glycosuria before 24 weeks' gestation is an indication to do earlier blood glucose screening. After blood glucose screening is done, routinely screening the urine for glycosuria at each prenatal visit does not appear to be clinically useful.
An Overview of Risk Stratification in the Elderly Orthopaedic Population

Orthopaedic surgeries are occurring at an increasing frequency in the elderly patient. The goal of this review was to provide exposure to risk stratification scores to help identify high-risk elderly orthopaedic patients. New guidelines have been developed to assess the risk of cardiopulmonary and other perioperative complications. Older scoring systems, such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and revised cardiac index, are still of importance as they have strong correlation with risks of cardiac and other complications. Other scoring systems, such as the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) score and Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) score, have recently been shown to stratify high-risk elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery and other orthopaedic surgeries. The elderly orthopaedic patient has higher risks of perioperative complications than the younger patient. Scoring systems have been developed to help identify those patients at higher risk. Familiarity with these scoring systems will help the practitioner to appropriately select patients for surgery and guide patient counseling on risks on complications and protocols to optimize preoperative care.
Effects of resonant-laser excitation on the emission properties in a single quantum dot

While many solid-state emitters can be optically excited non-resonantly, resonant excitation is necessary for many quantum information protocols as it often maximizes the non-classicality of the emitted light. Here, we study the resonance fluorescence in a solid-state system—a quantum dot—with the addition of weak, non-resonant light. In the inelastic scattering regime, changes in the resonance fluorescence intensity and linewidth are linked to both the non-resonant and resonant laser powers. Details of the intensity change indicate that charge-carrier loss from the quantum dot is resonant laser. As we enter the Mollow triplet regime, this resonant laser loss term rate is approximately 1/50 ns−1. This work further clarifies resonance fluorescence in solid-state systems and will aid in the further improvement of solid-state non-classical light sources.
Human papillomavirus genotypes in Pacific Islander cervical cancer patients

Abstract Objective The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of invasive cervical cancers is widely known. Few HPV studies have targeted geographically isolated regions. The objective of this study was to determine the HPV genotypes in cervical cancer patients from the Pacific Islands referred to Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC). Methods All cases of invasive cervical cancer treated at TAMC through the Pacific Island Health Care Project between January 2004 and October 2014 were identified through a review of pathology specimens. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. PCR was performed using PLEX-ID plates to isolate and amplify HPV-specific DNA. Mass spectrometry was subsequently performed to identify specific HPV genotypes. Results Thirty-five patients had their pathology specimens analyzed. Ten patients had localized disease (Stage 1); 21 had regional disease (Stages 2 and 3); and 4 had distant disease (Stage 4). Thirty-three squamous cell carcinomas and 3 adenocarcinomas were identified. The most common HPV subtypes found were 16 (6, 24%), 45 (6, 24%), and 52 (6, 24%). Other HPV subtypes isolated included 18 (1, 4%), 33 (3, 12%), 39 (2, 8%), 54 (1, 4%), and 67 (1, 4%). In 10 samples, HPV was not isolated. Conclusion Pacific Islanders referred to TAMC present with a disproportionally higher rate of regional and advanced disease. Significantly, only 28% of invasive cervical cancers in the Pacific Island population sampled could have been potentially be prevented using the available quadrivalent vaccine targeting HPV 16/18; however, 88% could be covered by the recently licensed nonavalent vaccine.
Characterization of Layered Cylindrical Structures Using Cylindrical Waves

A major problem for the oil, gas and petro-chemical industries is corrosion in pipelines. Wall thinning and corrosion pits can occur both from the inside and the outside of pipe walls. A large proportion of these pipelines are usually insulated, that makes the detection and evaluation more difficult by conventional NDE techniques. Great progress is being made on the use of ultrasonic guided waves in pipelines for detection and classification [1–7]. Excellent propagation for a long distance under insulation and sensitivity to certain defects make guided waves possible for practical usefulness. However, ultrasonic guided wave propagation and reflection in pipelines are still not completely understood. To quantitatively evaluate thin layered pipelines, especially with small radius, those technique may lose accuracy. An incident wave interacting with a curved structure may give rise to a complicated wave pattern because of mode coupling among possibly generated waves, that may give difficulties for interpreting the results both experimentally and analytically.
Ex-vivo tumor resection and auto-transplantation: A single-institutional long-term experience.

e15705Background: Conventionally unresectable tumors involving mesenteric vasculature or critical areas of the liver may be amenable for resection using novel techniques developed from organ transp...
Evaluation of Steady-State Gaseous Chlorine Dioxide Treatment for the Inactivation of Tulane virus on Berry Fruits.

The effectiveness of steady-state levels of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) against Tulane virus (TV), a human norovirus surrogate, on berries was determined. The generated ClO2 was maintained at 1 mg/L inside a 269 L glove box to treat two 50 g batches of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and two 100 g batches of strawberries that were immersion coated with TV. The standardized/normalized treatment concentrations of ClO2 ranging from 0.63 to 4.40 ppm-h/g berry were evaluated. When compared to untreated TV contaminated berries, log reductions of TV were in excess of 2.9 log PFU/g for all berry types and conditions tested, indicating that ClO2 was highly effective. In general, the efficacy of all ClO2 treatments on log reductions of TV on all berries was not significantly different (p < 0.05). The average log reduction with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, treated with the lowest ClO2 concentration, 0.63 ppm-h/g, were 2.98, 3.40, 3.82, and 4.17 log PFU/g, respectively. Overall results suggest that constant levels of ClO2 could be quite effective against foodborne viruses.
Meaningful action gives satisfaction: Stakeholder perspectives on participation in the management of marine recreational fisheries

Abstract Fisheries management is increasingly turning to participatory approaches as a way to improve stakeholder satisfaction with management institutions and policies, reduce conflicts, enhance compliance, and achieve various other benefits. However, how these efforts are perceived by participants and their impact on actual stakeholder attitudes is rarely evaluated. A quantitative survey was used to explore attitudes toward management and perceptions of participation opportunities in Florida's marine recreational fisheries management. Though most (89%) respondents agreed that public input should be included in decision-making, few agreed it is (19%) or that managers listen to public input (13%), and only 15% agreed there are opportunities for them to participate. Almost half (42%) were on average dissatisfied with management outcomes and processes. A significant correlation was found between respondent's perception that they could take meaningful action to influence management and their overall satisfaction with management (r = 0.58, p
Bone Quality and Fracture-Healing in Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type-1 or type-2 diabetes have an increased risk of fracture, which is secondary to early bone loss in type-1 diabetes whereas, in type 2, the development of abnormal osseous architecture results in paradoxically increased or normal bone mineral density.Diabetic patients diagnosed with
Surgical Technique for 2-Stage Revision Arthroplasty for Chronic Periprosthetic Total Joint Infections

Prosthetic joint infection should be considered as a possible diagnosis in any painful prosthetic joint at any time after the index procedure. Establishing a diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection can be challenging. Once the diagnosis is established, eradication of infection generally requires coordinated surgical and medical care. For a well-established infection, 2 stage revision arthroplasty is generally preferred by the authors. Static or articulating spacers can be used for the first stage.
A Novel Approximate Model Based Fault Diagnosis Technique for a Photovoltaic DC/AC Grid Tied Inverter

The recent popularity in the utilization of photovoltaic (PV) systems over conventional power generation has placed focus onto the reliability of support equipment, such as DC-AC inverters. With prolonged use, short-circuit (SC) or open-circuit (OC) faults can develop in the semiconductor devices. This work is proposing a novel fault diagnosis algorithm. The method makes use of the H-bridge inverter approximated as a synchronous switching buck converter while assuming that the grid frequency is much lower than the inverter switching frequency. The proposed algorithm allows detection and identification of SC and OC faults by combining a comparison between the estimated and actual inductor current and the incremental change in the output voltage. To allow continuous functioning of the inverter post fault, a redundant leg is added to the PV inverter. In this PV inverter topology, a fuse is allocated for each switch to prevent overcurrent and a triode for alternating current (TRIAC) is added for each leg to allow isolation of the faulty leg and connection of the redundant leg.
Bridge modal identification using acceleration measurements within moving vehicles

Abstract Vehicles commuting over bridge structures respond dynamically to the bridge’s vibrations. An acceleration signal collected within a moving vehicle contains a trace of the bridge’s structural response, but also includes other sources such as the vehicle suspension system and surface roughness-induced vibrations. This paper introduces two general methods for the bridge system identification using data exclusively collected by a network of moving vehicles. The contributions of the vehicle suspension system are removed by deconvolving the vehicle response in frequency domain. The first approach utilizes the vehicle transfer function, and the second uses ensemble empirical modal decomposition (EEMD). Next, roughness-induced vibrations are extracted through a novel application of second-order blind identification (SOBI) method. After these two processes, the resulting signal is equivalent to the readings of mobile sensors that scan the bridge’s dynamic response. Structural modal identification using mobile sensor data has been recently made possible with the extended structural modal identification using expectation maximization (STRIDEX) algorithm. The processed mobile sensor data is analyzed using STRIDEX to identify the modal properties of the bridge. The performance of the methods are validated on numerical case studies of a long single-span bridge with a network of moving vehicles collecting data while in motion. The analyses consider three road surface roughness patterns. Results show that for long-span bridges with medium- to high-ongoing traffic volume, the proposed algorithms are successful in extracting pure bridge vibrations, and produce accurate and comprehensive modal properties of the bridge. The study shows that the proposed transfer function method can efficiently deconvolve the linear dynamics of a moving vehicle. EEMD method is able to extract vehicle dynamic response without a priori information about the vehicle. In addition, proposed identification methods provide secondary information about the roughness pattern and the vehicle. This study is the first proposed methodology for complete bridge modal identification, including operational natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios using moving vehicles sensor data.
Settling Data Protection Law: Multistate Actions and National Policymaking

Data privacy and cybersecurity law in the United States is as unsettled as it is unsettling. By failing to pass comprehensive data protection legislation, Congress has settled for uncertainty. And the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce and seek remedies in this area has been challenged by litigants, including a case currently pending in the U.S. Supreme Court. Nevertheless, FTC enforcement settlements play a vital role in data regulation. These settlements include corporate structural reforms that become de facto regulations by shaping corporate practices nationwide. State attorneys general (AGs) have become increasingly prominent data policymakers through enforcement settlements. AGs have instigated a series of high-profile multistate actions in response to data breaches. Like FTC settlements, multistate settlements also regulate data practices nationwide by requiring corporations to undergo structural reforms. FTC and multistate settlements have distinct differences that are outgrowths of their institutional attributes and enforcement authority that give them each comparative data enforcement advantages. The FTC and AGs may also engage in “borrowing” one another’s enforcement strengths to augment their power to regulate by settlement. As a result, the future of data protection regulation will likely be shaped by more aggressive federal and multistate settlements, rather than by comprehensive legislation or agency rulemaking. And that is unsettling. Courts and commentators have raised concerns about regulation by settlement. But those concerns have not been considered in light of the rise of multistate enforcement actions. Unique attributes of multistate enforcement exacerbate existing concerns about regulation by settlement, and at the same time, raise entirely new ones. This Article explores how AGs can continue to play an important role in data protection policymaking while reducing concerns about regulation via multistate settlement.
Exploring Factors associated with the implementation of student-centered instructional practices in U.S. classrooms

Abstract This study explored school- and teacher-level factors associated with a higher probability of teachers’ implementation of student-centered instructional practices. These practices include adaptive instruction and active teaching strategies that support learning enhanced by information communication technology (ICT), collaborative small-group learning, and project-based learning. We used data from the U.S. sample in the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013, which consisted of 1112 teachers from 89 public schools. Results showed that teacher participating in professional development (PD) in ICT and approaches to individualized learning, receiving student feedback, and student assessments were related to a higher level of implementing student-centered instruction.
Cultural Stereotyping, Convergent Expectations, and Performance in Cross-Cultural Collaborations:

A laboratory experiment tested the hypothesis that under certain conditions, convergent expectations based on cultural stereotypes may have coordination and performance benefits in cross-cultural collaborations. One hundred and fourteen participants (58 of White European and 56 of Asian descent) worked on a collaborative learning task in same-sex dyads. The independent variables were the dyad’s cultural composition (similar vs. diverse) and whether members could communicate using instant messaging (yes or no). The results showed that (a) when members could not communicate, culturally diverse dyads used cultural stereotypes for task assignments, which resulted in fewer coordination errors and better collective performance when compared to culturally similar dyads; (b) when members could communicate, culturally similar dyads performed as well as culturally diverse dyads; and (c) the influence of cultural stereotypes on task assignments persisted for culturally diverse dyads. There was no support for the hyp...
Short-term air pollution exposure and COVID-19 infection in the United States☆

The Sars-CoV-2 disease (known as COVID-19) has become a global public health emergency. Researchers have been unveiling the transmission mechanisms and disclosing possible contributing factors. Studies have theorized plausible linkage mechanisms between air pollution exposure and COVID-19 infection and have divided the air pollution exposure into two types: long-term exposure and short-term exposure. However, present studies on impacts of short-term exposure have not reached a conclusive result and are mostly focusing on Asian and European countries. In this study, we conduct a nationwide analysis to examine the association between short-term air pollution exposure and COVID-19 infection in the United States. Daily confirmed cases, air pollution information, and meteorological factors at the county level were collected between March 1st and June 30th, 2020. A total of 806 (out of 3143) counties were included in this study, with 554 counties for PM2.5, 670 counties for ozone (O3), and 418 counties for both, accounting for around 2.1 million cumulative confirmed cases. This accounts for about 80% of all confirmed cases in the U.S. over the study period. A generalized additive model was applied to investigate the relationship between short-term exposure to PM2.5/O3 and COVID-19 confirmed cases. The statistically significant results indicate that, with every 10 μg/m3 increase in mean pollutant concentration, the number of daily confirmed cases increases by 9.41% (CI: 8.77%-10.04%) for PM2.5 and by 2.42% (CI: 1.56%-3.28%) for O3. The relative risks associated with short-term PM2.5 exposure remain positive after isolating the impacts of long-term exposure. The findings of this study suggest that short-term exposure to air pollution, especially to PM2.5, is likely contributing to the spread and course of the pandemic. This finding has important implications for policymakers and the public to take preventive measures such as staying at home on polluted days while improving ventilation indoors to lower the probability of infection.
Out in the Cold: The Failure of Tenant Enforcement of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

This Article seeks to start a conversation about the rights of the people who reside in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units and how the law can be changed to better protect them; about their right not only to long-term housing at affordable rents, but to housing that is suitable for occupancy according to local or federal standards; about how they may enforce those rights; and about what policy makers can do to strengthen that enforcement.
Genetic heterogeneity, modes of inheritance, and risk estimates for a joint study of caucasians with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

From 11 studies, a total of 1,792 Caucasian probands with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) are analyzed. Antigen genotype frequencies in patients, transmission from affected parents to affected children, and the relative frequencies of HLA-DR3 and -DR4 homozygous patients all indicate that DR3 predisposes in a "recessive"-like and DR4 in a "dominant"-like or "intermediate" fashion, after allowing for the DR3/DR4 synergistic effect. Removal of DR3 and DR4 reveals an overall protective effect of DR2, predisposing effects of DR1 and DRw8, and a slight protective effect of DR5 and a predisposing effect of DRw6. Analysis of affected-parent-to-affected-child data indicates that a subset of DR2 may predispose. The non-DR3, non-DR4 antigens are not independently associated with DR3 and DR4; the largest effect is a deficiency of DR2, followed by excesses of DR1, DRw8, and DRw6, in DR4 individuals, as compared with DR3 individuals. HLA-B locus distributions on patient haplotypes indicate that only subsets of both DR3 and DR4 are predisposing. The presence or absence of Asp at position 57 of the DQ beta gene, recently implicated in IDDM predisposition, is not by itself sufficient to explain the inheritance of IDDM. At a minimum, the distinguishing features of the DR3-associated and DR4-associated predisposition remain to be identified at the molecular level. Risk estimates for sibs of probands are calculated based on an overall sibling risk of 6%; estimates for those sharing two, one, or zero haplotypes are 12.9%, 4.5%, and 1.8%, respectively. Risk estimates subdivided by the DR type of the proband are also calculated, the highest being 19.2% for sibs sharing two haplotypes with a DR3/DR4 proband.
Phenomena related to the propagation of ultrasound in polymers (a paradigm for disordered materials)

The author studies the propagation of ultrasonic waves in polymers in relation to their state of structural organization in the transformation range from solid to liquid. Because of the disordered nature of the structure, the equation of state for polymers is determined by pressure (p), volume (V), temperature (T), and time (t), leading to the concept of thermodynamic history (p, V, T, t). A novel technique is presented that measures the velocity and attenuation and controls thermodynamic history from T=-150 degrees C to 400 degrees C, and up to p=200 MPa, and which incorporates simultaneous measurement of specific volume to characterize the thermodynamic state. The author investigates amorphous polymers with respect to anharmonicity, the glass transition phenomenon at the glass transition temperature evidencing irreversible structural rearrangements, and linear viscoelasticity associated with free-volume and configurational entropy. Semicrystalline polymers where collapse of the modulus correlates to melting of the crystalline phase and critical transformation to the liquid state are examined. >
A fission gas release model for high-burnup lwr ThO2-UO2 fuel

Fission gas release in thoria-urania fuel has been investigated by creating a specially modified FRAPCON-3 code. Because of the reduced buildup of 239Pu and a flatter distribution of 233U, the new ...
Use of Low-Temperature Techniques to Measure Gravitational Forces on Charged Particles

Direct measurements of the force of gravity on charged elementary particles have never been made because of the difficulty of isolating the particles from electric and magnetic fields. Furthermore, no direct measurements have been made of the gravitational force on antimatter. Use of superconducting persistent magnets, cryogenic pumping, and a number of other techniques has enabled us to reduce all vertical forces on a free electron to values comparable to that of gravity, even though the electric force from one electron 5 m away is equal to the gravitational force from the whole earth. An experiment is under way to measure the force of gravity on a free electron and eventually on a free positron. Electrons have already been observed to take 80 msec to travel 15 cm, which indicates that their average kinetic energy is 10-11 eV.
Survival and recovery of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat meats inoculated with a desiccated and nutritionally depleted dustlike vector.

Dust from construction was theorized to serve as a vector for L. monocytogenes transmission to ready-to-eat (RTE) meats after heat processing but before packaging. A five-strain Listeria monocytogenes culture including serotype 4b was continually stressed on a sand vector under four sets of nutritionally depleted and dry conditions to simulate postprocessing contamination by dustlike particulates. The stresses included that associated with sand stored at different temperatures (10 and 22°C) and levels of humidity (40% relative humidity [RH], 88% RH, or complete desiccation). Irradiated RTE meats, including frankfurters, bologna, chopped ham, and deli-style roast beef, were inoculated with the L. monocytogenes–contaminated sand every 2 to 3 days over a period of 1½ months. After inoculation, the RTE meats were vacuum packed and stored at 4°C for 24 h. Populations of L. monocytogenes were enumerated by surface plating on nonselective and selective media to recover cells on the basis of the different stresse...