cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heated Friction Stir Welding: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation into How Preheating Influences Process Forces

As friction stir welding (FSW) has expanded to welding higher strength materials, large process forces and extreme tool wear have become issues. One possible solution is introducing an additional heating source in front of the FSW tool which softens the material and reduces the tool loads. We investigate the advantages of elevating temperature. Bead on plate welds were performed with a Trivex tool in aluminum alloy (AA 6061) heated to initial material temperatures up to 300°C. Macrograph cross-sections of the welds revealed a slight increase in material flow with increasing temperatures. More significant, the welding forces were analyzed to reveal up to a 43% reduction in the axial force with even moderate heating. An intriguing trend is observed that the process forces do not decrease steadily with increasing initial temperature, as might be expected, but exhibit a more complex polynomial shape, which actually increases for some heating intervals.
A multi-Gb/s optoelectronic packet switching network

An optical distributed interconnect architecture is described. The system is a multihop, high-capacity network transporting short, compressed packets optically from source to destination. The geographical scale is primarily from backplane to campus-scale environments, although continental scales are not hard to accommodate. The short packets result in maximal flexibility for the network users with packet sizes equal to their natural word size. In addition, optical packet time compression/decompression techniques are used to raise the point-to-point fiber bandwidth above 10 Gb/s, overwhelming contention and other network problems with bandwidth, without requiring high-speed electronics or precision synchronization. The packet compression/decompression techniques are described in some detail. >
Importance of Photoperiodic Signal Quality to Entrainment of the Circannual Reproductive Rhythm of the Ewe

An endogenous circannual rhythm drives the seasonal reproductive cycle of a broad spectrum of species. This rhythm is synchronized to the seasons (i.e., entrained) by photoperiod, which acts by regulating the circadian pattern of melatonin secretion from the pineal gland. Prior work has revealed that melatonin patterns secreted in spring/summer entrain the circannual rhythm of reproductive neuroendocrine activity in sheep, whereas secretions in winter do not. The goal of this study was to determine if inability of the winter-melatonin pattern to entrain the rhythm is due to the specific melatonin pattern secreted in winter or to the stage of the circannual rhythm at that time of year. Either a summer- or a winter-melatonin pattern was infused for 70 days into pinealectomized ewes, centered around the summer solstice, when an effective stimulus readily entrains the rhythm. The ewes were ovariectomized and treated with constant-release estradiol implants, and circannual cycles of reproductive neuroendocrine activity were monitored by serum LH concentrations. Only the summer-melatonin pattern entrained the circannual reproductive rhythm. The inability of the winter pattern to do so indicates that the mere presence of a circadian melatonin pattern, in itself, is insufficient for entrainment. Rather, the characteristics of the melatonin pattern, in particular a pattern that mimics the photoperiodic signals of summer, determines entrainment of the circannual rhythm of reproductive neuroendocrine activity in the ewe.
Overview of currently approved veterinary vaccine potency testing methods and methods in development that do not require animal use

Veterinary vaccines must be safe, pure, potent, and effective. Potency tests help ensure that each consistently manufactured batch of vaccine provides a level of protection as determined in the original efficacy study throughout the products shelf life. Currently approved assays range from host animal vaccination and challenge to the quantification of specific protective antigens using in vitro technology. The development, maintenance, and update of in vitro potency assays continue to be a priority for both the animal health industry and the corresponding regulatory agencies. New assay development emphasis is being placed on assays that currently involve laboratory animal vaccination/challenge such as vaccines containing the Leptospira and Clostridium spp. antigens. This paper provides an overview of various in vitro potency assays available, the factors that can impact the accuracy of these methods, and specific considerations to be taken into account during assay development.
Food security practice in Kansas schools and health care facilities.

Abstract This pilot study investigated perceived importance and frequency of specific preventive measures, and food and nutrition professionals' and foodservice directors' willingness to develop a food defense management plan. A mail questionnaire was developed based on the US Department of Agriculture document, Biosecurity Checklist for School Foodservice Programs—Developing a Biosecurity Management Plan . The survey was sent to food and nutrition professionals and foodservice operators in 151 acute care hospitals, 181 long-term-care facilities, and 450 school foodservice operations. Chemical use and storage was perceived as the most important practice to protect an operation and was the practice implemented most frequently. Results of the study indicate training programs on food security are needed to increase food and nutrition professionals' motivation to implement preventive measures.
FAST-GROWING JUVENILE PINYONS SUFFER GREATER HERBIVORY WHEN MATURE

We examined the hypothesis that tree-ring analyses of juvenile growth traits could be used to predict herbivory during mature years. At Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona, USA, some pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) are highly susceptible to the stem-boring moth, Dioryctria albovittella, and suffer chronic attack, while other adjacent trees are resistant and have remained relatively moth-free for years. Five major patterns emerged: (1) Susceptible trees suffer from 11 times more shoots killed per tree and produce <0.05 times as many cones as resistant trees. (2) This herbivore is largely restricted to reproductively mature trees that, at this site, are generally older than 46 yr. (3) Analysis of tree-ring data from resistant and susceptible trees shows that trees that eventually became susceptible grew more vigorously during their attack-free juvenile years than resistant trees (growth rings were 29% wider). However, when they matured and suffered chronic herbivory, susceptible trees produced growth rings 13% smaller than resistant trees. (4) Although previous studies showed that resistance was associated with higher oleoresin flow, we did not observe this pattern. Instead, we found that resistance was best correlated with slower juvenile growth rates. Current-year shoots of susceptible mature trees averaged 50% larger than those on resistant mature trees. (5) Tree-ring analyses supported the hypothesis of a trade-off between growth and resistance. This study shows that dendrochronology can be used as a tool to predict future herbivory and demonstrates that the fastest growing juvenile trees suffer the poorest performance decades later when they become moth-susceptible mature trees. Furthermore, it illustrates that traits associated with plant development can greatly affect herbivore distributions, and that herbivore selection pressures on juvenile trees can be very different than on mature trees.
Analysis of the Organization of Multicopy Linear- and Circular-Plasmid-Carried Open Reading Frames in Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Isolates

Plasmid cp8.3 of Borrelia afzelii IP21 carries several open reading frames (ORFs) and a 184-bp inverted repeat (IR) element. It has been speculated that this plasmid may encode factors involved in virulence or infectivity. In this report, we have characterized the distribution, molecular variability, and organization of ORFs 1, 2, and 4 and the IR elements among isolates of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. ORFs 1 and 2 are contained within a segment of cp8.3 that is bordered by the IR elements, while ORF 4 resides just outside of the IR-bordered region. By PCR, ORF 4 was amplified from most isolates while ORFs 1 and 2 were amplified from only some B. afzelii isolates. However, Southern hybridization analyses with ORF 1, 2, and 4 probes detected related sequences even in some isolates that were PCR negative. The ORF restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns varied widely even among isolates of the same species. Two-dimensional contour-clamped homogeneous electric field-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization detected ORF 1-, 2-, and 4-related sequences on linear and circular plasmids. In addition, an ORF 4-related sequence was detected on a previously uncharacterized, circular plasmid that is greater than 70 kb in size. The IR elements originally identified on plasmid cp8.3 of B. afzelii IP21 were also analyzed by Southern hybridization. Related sequences were detected in some but not all B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates. These sequences are carried on plasmids in addition to cp8.3 in some isolates. Single-primer PCR analyses demonstrated that in some isolates these sequences exist with IR orientation. The data presented here demonstrate that the IR elements and the ORF 1-, 2-, and 4-related sequences are multicopy and are variable in organization and in genomic location among isolates of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex. These analyses provide additional evidence for the highly variable organization of the plasmid component of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato genome.
Hominid evolution in northwest Africa and the question of the north African “Neanderthaloids”

The North African evidence bearing on hominid evolution is summarized and reviewed in relation to its industrial associations and apparent chronological order. Three tacit suppositions of the past and their effects on taxonomy and thinking in evolutionary anthropology are examined, namely the concepts of a single and unique origin of Man, of the inherent and essential, distinction between physical and spiritual Man, and of physical resemblance as absolute proof of relationship. The consequent confusion and looseness of application which have characterized hominid taxonomy, especially concerning the term Neanderthal and its derivatives, are examined and discussed primarily in relation to the so-called Neanderthals of northern Africa. It is suggested that the Atlanthropus remains may represent not one but two hominid varieties. Further it is argued that none of the North African remains are demonstrably related to the European Neanderthals and that some at least of them seem clearly unrelated. In conclusion it is suggested that the hominid remains from Ternifine, the Littorina Cave (Casablanca), Temara, Rabat, Jebel Irhoud and Tangier may represent links in a North African chain of hominid evolution which developed locally and remained independent of all external influence during the period covered by those specimens.
Effects of Trace Contaminants on Catalytic Processing of Biomass-Derived Feedstocks

Model compound testing was conducted in a batch reactor to evaluate the effects of trace contaminant components on catalytic hydrogenation of sugars. Trace components are potential catalyst poisons when processing biomass feedstocks to value-added chemical products. Trace components include inorganic elements such as alkali metals and alkaline earths, phosphorus, sulfur, aluminum, silicon, chloride, or transition metals. Protein components in biomass feedstocks can lead to formation of peptide fractions (from hydrolysis) or ammonium ions (from more severe breakdown), both of which might interfere with catalysis. The batch reactor tests were performed in a 300-mL stirred autoclave, with multiple liquid samples withdrawn over the period of the experiment. Evaluation of these test results suggests that most of the catalyst inhibition is related to nitrogen-containing components.
CIUSuite: A Quantitative Analysis Package for Collision Induced Unfolding Measurements of Gas-Phase Protein Ions.

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is a technology of growing importance for structural biology, providing complementary 3D structure information for biomolecules within samples that are difficult to analyze using conventional analytical tools through the near-simultaneous acquisition of ion collision cross sections (CCSs) and masses. Despite recent advances in IM-MS instrumentation, the resolution of closely related protein conformations remains challenging. Collision induced unfolding (CIU) has been demonstrated as a useful tool for resolving isocrossectional protein ions, as they often follow distinct unfolding pathways when subjected to collisional heating in the gas phase. CIU has been used for a variety of applications, from differentiating binding modes of activation state-selective kinase inhibitors to characterizing the domain structure of multidomain proteins. With the growing utilization of CIU as a tool for structural biology, significant challenges have emerged in data analysis and interp...
Integrating a Model-Driven Approach and Formal Verification for the Development of Secure Service Applications

We present SecureMDD, a development method for secure service applications that integrates a model-driven approach with formal specification techniques using abstract state machines (ASMs), refinement to code and verification with the interactive theorem prover KIV. A larger case study is used to highlight various aspects of the method with a focus on services and their formal verification.
Reply: Green tea EGCG plus fish oil omega-3 dietary supplements rescue mitochondrial dysfunctions and are safe in a Down's syndrome child.

Dear Sir,We thank Drs. Vacca and Valenti for their study reporting thecombined effects of omega-3 fatty acids and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea on mitochondrial energetic in aDown'ssyndromepatientandacontrolduringa6-monthinterven-tion [1]. This pilot study suggests that marine omega-3 fatty acidsand EGCG could have synergistic effects on mitochondrial respira-tory chain. However, a lack of data on individual effects of ﬁsh oiland EGCG on mitochondrial respiratory chain prevents us fromascertaining the presence of synergistic effects. Given the prom-ising nature of these pilot data, it would be important for a futurelarger study to conﬁrm these observations and explore potentialinteraction between both compounds. This work extends our ﬁnd-ingsonomega-3fattyacidswithriskofheartfailure [2]andfurtheremphasizes potential pleiotropic effects of ﬁsh oil or omega-3 fattyacids. Since both ﬁsh oil and EGCG are readily available at reason-able costs, conﬁrmation of the results could have potential clinicalimpact, especially in diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction is ahallmark.Conﬂict of interestLuc Djousse received investigator-initiated grants from AmarinPharma Inc, the California Walnut Commission, Merck, and the Na-tional Institutes of Health..References
Decision Making at the Crossroads of Practice Choice

Learn about a reflective decision-making approach to selecting a practice setting and culture. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Behavior of the Alkali Bee, Nomia melanderi, within the Nest (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Behavior patterns of Nomia melanderi Cockerell in burrow and cell construction, provisioning, oviposition, and larval development were directly observed for the first time in 23 nests in 3 glass-sided chambers kept in a greenhouse. Nest-making behavior by this nomiine bee was generally similar to that of halictine bees. An unusual feature was the removal of dirt particles that had fallen on provisions in the vertical cells. Burrows, initiated in the evening by females 7-20 days old, approached their maximum depths within 12 hours. Cells were excavated, lined with soil, and lined with an oral secretion at night. They were usually provisioned the following morning, with oviposition usually occurring that afternoon. Larval development and cell structure were normal, but nests in the observation chambers were deeper than those in nature and had fewer cells.
Profiling float-based observations of net respiration beneath the mixed layer

We employ profiling floats with dissolved oxygen sensors to observe in situ temporal oxygen evolution below the mixed layer, allowing us to characterize net respiration of organic carbon in eight distinct regions over the globe. Export and export efficiency are generally high in locations with strong seasonal variability and low in locations of weak seasonality. Vertically integrated respiration is weakly, yet significantly, correlated with remote observations of chlorophyll, net primary production, and planktonic community size structure. These correlations suggest that regimes of high net primary production and large phytoplankton fuel elevated respiration at depth. Several regions of float-based observations intersect with sites of other detailed observations (e.g., Hawaii and Sargasso Sea), which allows us to compare our results to independent studies. We find that there is good agreement among export production estimates at highly seasonal locations, and that float-based observations may be biased low at weakly seasonal locations. We posit that the reason for the low-latitude discrepancy is the relative steady state of oxygen concentration caused by weak seasonality and shallow wintertime mixed layer depths.
Cystometrics During Endoscopy of a Ureterocele: Determination of Potential for Reflux

AbstractWe describe a simple preoperative clinical test to determine whether a ureterocele that is unroofed will cause reflux postoperatively. The method is outlined and explained, and clinical examples are presented.
High Tc SQUID with a Single Layer Flux Transformer on Sapphire

We have fabricated a HoBa2Cu3O7-y SQUID magnetometer with a single layer flux transformer on a sapphire substrate. It consists of a small SQUID chip (2mm by 2mm) on a SrTi03 substrate and a large single layer flux transformer (17mm by 17mm) on a sapphire substrate. The transformer is mounted on the SQUID by a flip-chip method. We use a sapphire substrate and a large area HoBa2Cu3O7-y excimer laser deposition technique to reduce the cost. Effective area of the bare SQUID is 0.04mm2, and that of the SQUID with the flux transformer is 0.16mm2. The magnetic field resolution is 130fTHz-1/2 at 10Hz.
The Balkans and Syria’s Civil War: Realities and Challenges

The prime objective of this research paper is to look at the realities and challenges confronting the Balkan states and societies in light of Syria’s civil war. By examining the mobilization process of Balkan militants who are joining Syria’s rebel cause, especially the Islamic radical groups linked to al-Qaeda, this paper proposes a model that explains why and how Balkan militants are joining the fight in Syria. Drawing upon reliable media reports, personal observations, academic accounts, and other consistent sources, this paper argues that Balkan militants are joining Syria’s rebel cause because foreign Islamic radical groups (that have been operating in the Balkans since the early 1990s) have successfully indoctrinated them. This paper challenges the argument that Islam in the Balkans is a threat to the region, and the claim that Balkan Islam and Muslims in the region are becoming an increasing threat to the West. The central findings of this paper exemplify that the future of Balkan militants is bleak and that they will be confronted with a massive modern and democratic resistance that offers them nothing but reintegration into Balkan Islam, their natural “religious nest.” Notwithstanding the trends related to Syria’s civil war, Balkan Muslims belong to the West, culturally and mentally.
High-yield chemical synthesis by reprogramming central metabolism.

Altering the hardwired stoichiometry of central metabolism in yeast enables efficient synthesis of the isoprenoid β-farnesene.
Three-Dimensional Bioprinting: Emerging Technology in Cardiovascular Medicine.

With recent advances made in research, we are at a revolutionary and challenging period for 3-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, where a single device (printer) can deposit and layer building blocks of bioink (a composition of cells and structural scaffolds). A key advantage of 3D bioprinting is the ability to produce complex designs from a computer-aided file, making it possible to generate identical copies of patient tissues and organs within 3D space. A wide range of biomaterials are used for 3D printing; similarly, different types of bioprinters have been developed to deposit bioink. Thermal inkjet utilizes a thermal resistor and heat to force down the printing material. Piezoelectric inkjet uses the same approach with a piezoelectric crystal. 3D printers with microextrusion technologies use direct mechanical energy to deposit the printing material. Acoustic picoliters, which are nozzleless bioprinters, use a liquid reservoir that can contain cells as well as a variety of biological materials underneath a series of interdigitized acoustic rings. By adjusting the frequency of acoustic pulse, the size of the droplet can be changed and reduced to sizes that contain single cells with higher cell viabilities. Laser-induced forward transfer also uses a nozzleless approach. Using a series of laser pulses and alternating layers of absorption gelatins, laser-induced forward transfer techniques aim to deliver printing material to a substrate that can result in <95% cell viability. Cardiac valve replacement therapies include the use of mechanical or biological heart valves. …
Are Revision Hip Arthroplasty Patients at Higher Risk for Venous Thromboembolic Events Than Primary Hip Arthroplasty Patients

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to determine whether revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with increased rates of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) when compared to primary THA. Methods We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for all primary and revision THA cases from 2011 to 2014. Demographic data, medical comorbidities, and venous thromboembolic rates within 30 days of surgery were compared between the primary and revision THA groups. Results Revision THA had a higher rate of DVT than the primary THA (0.6% vs 0.4%, P = .016), but there was no difference in the rate of PE (0.3% vs 0.2%, P = .116). When controlling for confounding variables, revision surgery alone was not a risk factor for DVT (odds ratio 0.833, 95% confidence interval 0.564-1.232) or PE (odds ratio 1.009, 95% confidence interval 0.630-1.616). Independent risk factors for DVT include age >70 years, malnutrition, infection, operating time >3 hours, general anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 4 or greater, and kidney disease (all P 70 years, African American ethnicity, and operating time >3 hours (all P Conclusion Revision surgery alone is not a risk factor for venous thromboembolism after hip arthroplasty. Surgeons should weigh the risks and benefits of more aggressive anticoagulation in certain high-risk patients.
Headless Screw Fixation of Metacarpal Neck Fractures: A Mechanical Comparative Analysis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of metacarpal neck fracture fixation by headless compression screw (HCS) with that of Kirschner wire (KW) cross-pinnin...
La comunidad médica y su lucha en contra de la desnutrición en Chile (1860-1940)

The aim of this manuscript is to highlight the contribution of the first two generations of physicians who faced malnutrition in Chile, between the end of nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth century. In the history of Chilean medicine, there is a paucity of research about the role of these physicians in the fight against malnutrition. The main interest was centered in the forties of the twentieth century and the first policies and actions for the working class feeding have been overlooked. The existence of two pioneering groups that have common elements and differences to face the problem of under nutrition is established.
Theories and mechanisms of aging

Aging is characterized by progressive and accelerating changes in tissues and organs of the body. The decline and deterioration of functional properties at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ level contribute to loss of functional capacity which leads to loss of homeostasis, decreased adaptability to internal and external stress, and increased vulnerability to disease and mortality. The phenotype of aging presents with heterogeneity in the rate and extent of physiologic changes. Numerous theories of aging have been proposed that address why aging occurs from an evolutionary perspective and how the aging phenotype arises from a physiologic framework. Evolutionary theory suggests that aging is an inevitable consequence of the evolved anatomical and physiological design of the body. Physiologic theories of aging identify specific molecules, macromolecular systems, organelles, or systemic signaling which may contribute to the aging phenotype. The theories reflect our current understanding of the individual maintenance pathways and homeostatic mechanisms that allow us to live as long as we do. In this chapter, current theories of aging are reviewed, and their level of evidential support is assessed.
Variations in algorithm implementation among quantitative texture analysis software packages

Open-source texture analysis software allows for the advancement of radiomics research. Variations in texture features, however, result from discrepancies in algorithm implementation. Anatomically matched regions of interest (ROIs) that captured normal breast parenchyma were placed in the magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 20 patients at two time points. Six first-order features and six gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) features were calculated for each ROI using four texture analysis packages. Features were extracted using package-specific default GLCM parameters and using GLCM parameters modified to yield the greatest consistency among packages. Relative change in the value of each feature between time points was calculated for each ROI. Distributions of relative feature value differences were compared across packages. Absolute agreement among feature values was quantified by the intra-class correlation coefficient. Among first-order features, significant differences were found for max, range, and mean, and only kurtosis showed poor agreement. All six second-order features showed significant differences using package-specific default GLCM parameters, and five second-order features showed poor agreement; with modified GLCM parameters, no significant differences among second-order features were found, and all second-order features showed poor agreement. While relative texture change discrepancies existed across packages, these differences were not significant when consistent parameters were used.
Venmo: Exposing a user's lifestyle

The focus of this work is to investigate the implications of the intersection of payment processing and social networking. Venmo is a peer-to-peer mobile payment service with a social twist. We analyze the information that is publicly available on Venmo. This allows us to see patterns of a user's day to day life, who they interact with, and what they spend money on. In this paper, we modify an existing Chrome extension, Money Trail, by adding a map reduce method to track common messages that are used in a user's transaction. Analyzing the occurrence of common words exposes a user's personal activities and budget habits.
Imaging Infection with Indium-111-Labeled Leukocytes

The use of radiolabeled leukocytes for the detection and the localization of infections in patients depends on the inherent physiologic function of these cells to migrate to sites of inflammation. Techniques for radiolabeling leukocytes without destroying their biologic properties have been under development for almost three decades. This development has resulted in the Indium-111 leukocyte scan which has now been widely examined as a promising means for imaging focal infection.
Assessment and monitoring of flow limitation and other parameters from flow/volume loops.

Flow/volume (F/V) spirometry is routinely used for assessing the type and severity of lung disease. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and timed vital capacity (FEV1) provide the best estimates of airflow obstruction in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. Computerized spirometers are now available for early home recognition of asthma exacerbation in high risk patients with severe persistent disease, and for recognition of either infection or rejection in lung transplant patients. Patients with severe COPD may exhibit expiratory flow limitation (EFL) on tidal volume (VT) expiratory F/V (VTF/V) curves, either with or without applying negative expiratory pressure (NEP). EFL results in dynamic hyperinflation and persistently raised alveolar pressure or intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi). Hyperinflation and raised PEEPi greatly enhance dyspnea with exertion through the added work of the threshold load needed to overcome raised pleural pressure. Esophageal (pleural) pressure monitoring may be added to VTF/V loops for assessing the severity of PEEPi: 1) to optimize assisted ventilation by mask or via endotracheal tube with high inspiratory flow rates to lower I : E ratio, and 2) to assess the efficacy of either pressure support ventilation (PSV) or low level extrinsic PEEP in reducing the threshold load of PEEPi. Intraoperative tidal volume F/V loops can also be used to document the efficacy of emphysema lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) via disappearance of EFL. Finally, the mechanism of ventilatory constraint can be identified with the use of exercise tidal volume F/V loops referenced to maximum F/V loops and static lung volumes. Patients with severe COPD show inspiratory F/V loops approaching 95% of total lung capacity, and flow limitation over the entire expiratory F/V curve during light levels of exercise. Surprisingly, patients with a history of congestive heart failure may lower lung volume towards residual volume during exercise, thereby reducing airway diameter and inducing expiratory flow limitation.
Trial Tactics: Reverse Rule 404(b) Evidence: Parts I and II

Defendants have the same right to offer Rule 404(b) evidence as prosecutors, and they are not required to give pretrial notice under the Federal Rules of Evidence. When defendants offer this evidence, they attempt to prove that someone else is guilty of the crime attributed to them. This often is referred to as reverse Rule 404(b) evidence. Some defense evidence will be admitted - indeed the Confrontation Clause or Compulsory Process Clause may require admission in some cases - but not all defense evidence will be admitted. The issue is where to draw the line between admissible and inadmissible evidence. Two recent cases help to provide an answer. In United States v. Montelongo the court held that the defendant had a constitutional right to explore another person's possible guilt. In United States v. Seals, the court found that the evidence was irrelevant and appropriately excluded.
Exploiting Security Vulnerabilities in Intermittent Computing.

Energy harvesters have enabled widespread utilization of ultra-low-power devices that operate solely based on the energy harvested from the environment. Due to the unpredictable nature of harvested energy, these devices experience frequent power outages. They resume execution after a power loss by utilizing intermittent computing techniques and non-volatile memory. In embedded devices, intermittent computing refers to a class of computing that stores a snapshot of the system and application state, as a checkpoint, in non-volatile memory, which is used to restore the system and application state in case of power loss. Although non-volatile memory provides tolerance against power failures, they introduce new vulnerabilities to the data stored in them. Sensitive data, stored in a checkpoint, is available to an attacker after a power loss, and the state-of-the-art intermittent computing techniques fail to consider the security of checkpoints. In this paper, we utilize the vulnerabilities introduced by the intermittent computing techniques to enable various implementation attacks. For this study, we focus on TI’s Compute Through Power Loss utility as an example of the state-of-the-art intermittent computing solution. First, we analyze the security, or lack thereof, of checkpoints in the latest intermittent computing techniques. Then, we attack the checkpoints and locate sensitive data in non-volatile memory. Finally, we attack AES using this information to extract the secret key. To the best of our knowledge, this work presents the first systematic analysis of the seriousness of security threats present in the field of intermittent computing.
Obesity, Motility, Diet, and Intestinal Microbiota—Connecting the Dots

The goal of the present review is to explore the relationship between dietary changes and alterations in gut microbiota that contribute to disorders of gut motility and obesity. We review the microbiota changes that are seen in obesity, diarrhea, and constipation and look at potential mechanisms of how dysbiosis can predispose to these. We find that microbial metabolites, particularly short chain fatty acids, can lead to signaling changes in the host enterocytes. Microbial alteration leading to both motility disorders and obesity may be mediated by the release of hormones including glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2 (GLP-1, GLP-2) and polypeptide YY (PYY). These pathways provide avenues for microbiota-targeted interventions that can treat both disorders of motility and obesity. In summary, multiple mechanisms contribute to the interplay between the microbial dysbiosis, obesity, and dysmotility.
Methane storage on metal-organic frameworks

High surface area and high porosity metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are an attractive option to store methane at ambient temperature and low pressure (50 bar). More than 40 MOFs have been investigated for their methane storage ability. Like the Chahine rule for cryogenic hydrogen adsorption, it was found that for every 1000 m2 of specific surface area, one can expect 0.06 g/g of maximum methane excess adsorption. With few exceptions, this is largely independent of surface chemistry and geometry. This rule can be broken by materials with optimal pore sizes (∼7 A) and materials with open metal sites. The thermodynamics of adsorption, as it pertains to applications of methane storage, are discussed. Pelletization of the benchmark MOF, Cu3btc2, was found to have little effect on the storage capacity of the adsorbent. However, when pilot-scale amounts of material were tested, pelletization improved thermal management and increased the permeability. Both were attributed to the extra free space around the pellets. Additionally, on the pilot scale, all MOFs showed improved permeability compared to the benchmark activated carbon.
Limiting power density in pressure-retarded osmosis: Observation and implications

Abstract Pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) shows promise for mitigating energy and environmental concerns associated with seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. A systematic investigation of PRO membrane fouling and limiting flux was conducted for the RO-PRO scenario, where increasingly complex feed and draw solutions were used to represent treated wastewater and seawater RO brine, respectively. Four membranes were tested for water flux and power density. When there were no foulants in the feed solution, the membranes had distinctly different water flux and power density values. When there were foulants in the feed and draw solution, all membranes converged to similar water flux and power density values regardless of membrane transport parameters. For the first time, this study identified limiting water flux for multiple membranes in PRO and also, a limiting power density. To increase water flux and power density in PRO, it was suggested to first focus efforts on mitigating fouling on the feed side (support layer) of the membrane. If that can be done, then improvement of membrane transport parameters would be important for increasing limiting water flux and power density.
Predicting fish species richness and habitat relationships using Bayesian hierarchical multispecies occupancy models

Understanding how stream fishes respond to changes in habitat availability is complicated by low occurrence rates of many species, which in turn reduces the ability to quantify species–habitat rela...
A new approach for IR spectra matching using normalized local change

Spectra matching is widely used in various applications including the search for a spectrum of an unknown compound in an existing spectral database and quality control by means of comparing the spectra of products with standards. In this article, we present a new approach for calculating the similarities of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of organic compounds. Our method, named normalized local change (NLC) approach, incrementally calculates the spectral similarity based on the local spectral shapes. This allows for reducing the bias on the uneven weighing of large and/or broader peaks. In addition, the NLC approach is tolerant to the common issues in spectra matching including baseline offset, baseline sloping, and deviations in wavenumber axis alignment, suggesting its robustness and practical applicability. Performance evaluation confirmed that our NLC approach outperforms commonly used approaches for identifying FTIR spectra of an identical compound in a given dataset.
Chasing Total Solar Eclipses on Twitter: Big Social Data Analytics for Once-in-a-Lifetime Events

With the popularity of social networking services, big social data analytics emerged in various applications, such as discovering trending topics, monitoring public sentiment, and identifying human mobility patterns. In this paper, we take the opportunity of The 2017 Great American Eclipse, a once-in-a-lifetime event, to look into its potential social, emotional, and human movement impacts at the national level. Specifically, we collected more than five million English eclipse- mentioning tweets in a real-time manner using Twitter Streaming APIs. Then we profiled spatio- temporal distributions of the data, extracted both hashtagged and latent topics, analyzed emotions using polarized words, emojis and emoticons, and revealed both interstate and intrastate eclipse- chasing travel patterns. Our study provides a comprehensive example of understanding big social data and its associated influence from diverse perspectives.
Effects of Co-Inoculation with Pratylenchus penetrans and Fusarium oxysporum on Growth and Yield of Potato Cultivar Red Norland

Soil borne pathogens, Pratylenchus penetrans and Fusarium oxysporum were identified as common pathogens in potato fields showing poor plant growth in central Minnesota. A micro-plot study was conducted during 2016 and 2017 at the Sand Plain Research Farm, Becker, Minnesota to evaluate the effects of P. penetrans (200, 800 or 2000 nematodes per 5 kg soil) and F. oxysporum (5, 10 or 20 colonized barley seeds) on growth and yield of ‘Red Norland’ potato. Compared with the non-inoculated control, high pathogen level (2000 nematodes or 20 colonized barley seeds or both) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plant growth parameters (height, root weight, and stem weight) and yield. At the high rate, yield reduction was 29 to 34%, 22 to 35%, and 43 to 44% due to P. penetrans, F. oxysporum, and both pathogens, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential damage by both pathogens that warrants management of these pathogens to limit the damage and increase potato production.
Diary as data, diary as document

(2020). Diary as data, diary as document. Anthropology Southern Africa: Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 50-53.
Endocrine-exocrine signals in obesity-associated pancreatic cancer.

Obesity is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Now, a new study reports that obesity accelerates early pancreatic cancer development and growth in mice through local perturbations in the pancreatic microenvironment and implicates pancreatic islet-derived cholecystokinin as a driving factor.
Job-Leisure and Work-Family Conflict: Do they Really Matter in IT Professional Turnover?

Motivation, job satisfaction, and employee turnover intentions are not new topics in the employment of Information Technology (IT) professionals. Several previous turnover intention studies highlighted already proven factors related to turnover intention such as motivation and job satisfaction. There is limited research on the role that job-leisure and work-family conflict play in relation to turnover intention. This study examines how turnover intention in IT professionals is affected by extrinsic and intrinsic motivation when specifically factoring for work-family conflict and job-leisure conflict. Data for this study was gathered from IT professionals across the United States with a total of 170 valid responses. Results of the analysis indicated a significant association with intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. Our study did not support the hypothesis that extrinsic motivation positively affected job satisfaction. Most importantly, the moderating effects of work-family and job-leisure conflict between job satisfaction and turnover intention were supported. Findings from this study increase the understanding of motivational factors that affect IT professional's turnover intentions.
Instagramming Social Presence: A Test of Social Presence Theory and Heuristic Cues on Instagram Sponsored Posts:

This study investigates social presence theory, using sponsored posts on Instagram. By testing a 3 (social presence) × 2 (heuristic cues) × 2 (source of sponsorship) mixed factorial experiment (N =...
Touch Deprivation and Exercise During the COVID-19 Lockdown April 2020

Background: Touch deprivation has rarely been studied except in wartime nurseries and in very few orphanages in the world. Pandemics like COVID-19 are susceptible to touch deprivation at least for those living alone and to a lesser degree for friends social distancing in public places. Methods: A Survey Monkey study was conducted during April 2020. Respondents (N=260 individuals >18 years) completed several COVID-related stress scales. Results: Sixty per cent of the sample reported experiencing low to high levels of touch deprivation. Correlation analyses suggested that touch deprivation was more prevalent in individuals living alone and was negatively related to health practices scale scores and positively related to scores on scales measuring COVID-related stress, negative mood states including anxiety and depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Analyses of variance revealed significant differences between touch-deprived and non-touch deprived groups on these measures. Outside exercise was studied as a potential buffer to touch deprivation inasmuch as touching and exercise have been noted to have similar effects on mood states and physical health. Correlation analyses suggested that outside exercise was positively related to health practices and negatively related to COVID-related stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances and PTSD symptoms. Discussion: These data suggest the widespread prevalence of touch deprivation during COVID-19 lockdown and its relationship to negative mood states and sleep disturbances. Exercise was noted to decrease these problems as it has in previous non-COVID research. Conclusion: Exercise can reduce touch deprivation related problems during pandemics like COVID-19.
Price Sensitivity and Customer Perceived Switching Costs in Business-to-Business Markets: Joint Effect on Customer Repurchase Intentions

Previous research assumes an unconditionally positive association of perceived switching costs — financial, procedural and relational — with repurchase intentions. The authors theorize that price sensitivity differentially moderates the relationship of repurchase intentions with three different types of switching costs — financial, procedural and relational. Using a large-scale dataset (N=8,588) spanning multiple industries in the business-to-business domain, the authors show that price sensitivity moderates these associations such that: (1) the association of financial switching costs and procedural switching costs with repurchase intention is stronger when price sensitivity is low and (2) the association of relational switching costs with repurchase intentions is stronger when price sensitivity is high.
Experimental Study of PhiX174 Resuspension from Mobile Bed Sediment

AbstractPhiX174 (or ΦX174) is a spherical single-stranded DNA bacteriophage used as a surrogate to study viral enteric pathogens in the environment. The resuspension of viral pathogen from bed sedi...
Spatial and temporal variations in indoor radon concentrations in Pennsylvania, USA from 1988 to 2018.

Abstract Indoor radon poses one of the most significant environmental threats to public health as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Developing a more thorough understanding of the factors that affect radon concentrations is key for developing risk maps, identifying where testing should be a priority, and education about indoor radon exposure. The objectives of this study are to investigate seasonal and annual variation of indoor radon concentrations in Pennsylvania, USA from 1988 to 2018, to explore the hotspot areas for high indoor radon concentrations, and to analyze the association with various factors such as weather conditions, housing types, and floor levels. Based on a total of 1,808,294 radon tests conducted from 1988 to 2018, we found that 61% of the area (by zip codes), 557,869 tests conducted in the basement and 49,141 tests conducted on the ground floor in homes in Pennsylvania had higher radon levels than the U.S. EPA action level concentration of 148 Bq/m3 (equivalent to 4 pCi/L). Winter and fall had significantly higher indoor radon concentrations than summer and spring. Case studies conducted in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg showed that there was no significant correlation of daily temperature, precipitation, or relative humidity with indoor radon concentration on the day a radon test occurred.
Reliability evaluation of high voltage direct current transmission protection system based on interval analytic hierarchy process and interval entropy method mixed weighting

Abstract As the core of the secondary part of the high voltage direct current transmission (hereinafter referred to as HVDC) transmission system, HVDC protection is the first line of defense for the safe and reliable operation of the HVDC transmission system. Its reliability directly determines the safety of the HVDC transmission equipment and the stable operation of the power grid. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the reliability of the HVDC protection system. Based on the operating data of the converter station, this paper puts forward relevant evaluation indicators, and uses the mixed weighting method of interval analytic hierarchy process and interval entropy weight method to evaluate the converter station’s HVDC protection system and protection equipment. The evaluation results qualitatively and quantitatively judge the operating status of the equipment and verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the method. Using this method can scientifically and reasonably evaluate and analyze the operation of the HVDC protection system and various equipment, and judge the operation status of various equipment. This method can provide important guidance for the selection of new station equipment, the operation, maintenance, and overhaul of the HVDC transmission protection system of the converter station.