cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Population dynamics and crop yield effects of nematodes and white mold in peanuts, cotton and velvet beans

Abstract Dynamic population equations for the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria), Southern blight (`white mold') fungus (Sclerotium rolfsii), and microbivorous nematodes in peanuts, cotton, and the Alabama velvet bean were statistically estimated with replicated experimental data from Headland, AL, USA. The level of microbivorous nematodes the previous crop year was found to suppress the root-knot nematode and white mold in peanuts the following crop year in monoculture peanut production and in peanuts after velvet beans. Statistical results showed that both the root-knot nematode and white mold had a negative effect on peanut yield, while microbivorous nematodes had a positive effect on peanut and cotton yields. Scientific knowledge of these organisms does not fully explain the results, but the statistical results strongly suggest that these relationships exist. On the basis of statistical results for peanuts, each white mold occurrence (in a 60-ft row) cost $21.41, each root-knot nematode (in 100-cm3 soil sample) cost $0.41, and each microbivorous nematode (in 100-cm3 soil sample) had a benefit of $0.11. In cotton production, microbivorous nematodes had a benefit of $0.13.
PYY stimulates synthesis and secretion of intestinal apolipoprotein AIV without affecting mRNA expression

We tested whether exogenous peptide YY (PYY) can stimulate synthesis and lymphatic secretion of intestinal apolipoprotein AIV (apo AIV). Rats with mesenteric lymph fistulas and right atrial cannulas were given continuous intravenous infusions of control vehicle or PYY at 25, 50, 75, 100, or 200 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1. PYY (75–200 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1) stimulated lymphatic apo AIV output from 1.5- to 3.5-fold higher than basal output. In separate experiments, PYY (100 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1) produced a 60% increase in jejunal mucosal apo AIV synthesis but had no effect on mucosal apo AIV mRNA levels at doses up to 200 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1. Finally, exogenous PYY infusion (100 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1) produced a plasma PYY increment of 30 pM compared with an increment of 18.7 pM in response to ileal infusion of lipid. These results support the hypothesis that PYY may be an endocrine mediator of the effects of distal gut lipid on production and release of intestinal apo AIV, likely via a posttranscriptional mechanism of action.
Using the Model Coupling Toolkit to couple earth system models

Continued advances in computational resources are providing the opportunity to operate more sophisticated numerical models. Additionally, there is an increasing demand for multidisciplinary studies that include interactions between different physical processes. Therefore there is a strong desire to develop coupled modeling systems that utilize existing models and allow efficient data exchange and model control. The basic system would entail model ''1'' running on ''M'' processors and model ''2'' running on ''N'' processors, with efficient exchange of model fields at predetermined synchronization intervals. Here we demonstrate two coupled systems: the coupling of the ocean circulation model Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to the surface wave model Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN), and the coupling of ROMS to the atmospheric model Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Prediction System (COAMPS). Both coupled systems use the Model Coupling Toolkit (MCT) as a mechanism for operation control and inter-model distributed memory transfer of model variables. In this paper we describe requirements and other options for model coupling, explain the MCT library, ROMS, SWAN and COAMPS models, methods for grid decomposition and sparse matrix interpolation, and provide an example from each coupled system. Methods presented in this paper are clearly applicable for coupling of other types of models.
Rethinking the Curricular Imagination: Curriculum and Biopolitics in the Age of Neoliberalism

Giroux, H. (2009). Youth in a Suspect Society: Democracy or Disposability? New York: Palgrave Macmillan.Lewis, T. (2008). Defining the Political Ontology of the Classroom: Toward a Multitudinous Education. Teaching Education 19(4), 249–260.Lewis, T. (2009). Biopower, Play, and Experience in Education. In D. Kellner, T. Lewis, C. Pierce, & K. D. Cho (Eds.), Marcuse’s Challenge to Education (pp. 45–57). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.Lewis, T. (2009). Understanding the Logic of Educational Encampment: From Illich to Agamben. The International Journal of Illich Studies 1(1), 28–36.
Molecular recognition of arginine in small peptides by supramolecular complexation with dibenzo-30-crown-10 ether

Abstract The protonated, alkyl-guanidinium side chain of arginine forms a stable noncovalently bound complex with dibenzo-30-crown-10 (DB30C10) in the gas phase. This gas phase adduct is detected through the use of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The supramolecular complex is stabilized by extensive hydrogen bonding and ion–dipole interactions between the protonated guanidinium group and the 10 oxygen atoms present in DB30C10. Competitive collision induced dissociation (CID) experiments demonstrate that DB30C10 possesses a higher affinity for alkyl-guanidinium ions than the related compound 27-crown-9 (27C9). This is attributed to the smaller size of 27C9, which does not afford extra space to accommodate the alkyl portion of the side chain of arginine. Recent experiments in our laboratory have demonstrated the molecular recognition and quantification of lysine residues in small peptides through the formation of 18-crown-6 (18C6) adducts. The molecular recognition capabilities of 18C6 and DB30C10 are mutually compatible and can be utilized to determine whether a peptide contains arginine or lysine (or both) without any prior knowledge of the peptide sequence. Competitive CID experiments demonstrate that the DB30C10/arginine interaction is stronger than the 18C6/lysine interaction when they are attached to the same peptide. In contrast to the behavior observed for 18C6 interacting with lysine containing peptides, multiple adducts of DB30C10 with a peptide containing multiple arginine residues are not observed in great abundance, limiting the utility of DB30C10 for the quantification of arginine residues.
60 GHz beam selection grid antenna on low cost packaging substrate

In this paper, a grid antenna with beam selection capability is presented. The antenna covers the entire 60GHz band, from 57 to 64 GHz, and has a gain greater than 11dB over the whole band. With only 3 different feeding points, fed by in-phase and quadrature signals, the antenna can generate 5 beams between -14° to 14° from broadside in steps of 7°. The antenna, fabricated on a low cost packaging substrate, satisfies the requirements of low cost and small size for mass production and is a good candidate for 60GHz LOS communication systems.
Statistical and visual analysis of human West Nile virus infection in the United States, 1999–2008

Abstract Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection have spread across the continental United States since the disease’s first appearance in the United States in 1999. However, most WNV spatial studies to date have focused on relatively small scale urban areas. This study examines spatial autocorrelation and clustering of WNV cases from 1999 to 2008 throughout the continental United States. The data, collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the county level, were normalized by population, then a global Moran’s I test for spatial autocorrelation was performed on both the non-normalized and normalized datasets for each year during the study period. Both datasets exhibited strong positive spatial autocorrelation for every year ( p
A few useful things to know about machine learning

Machine learning algorithms can figure out how to perform important tasks by generalizing from examples. This is often feasible and cost-effective where manual programming is not. As more data becomes available, more ambitious problems can be tackled. As a result, machine learning is widely used in computer science and other fields. However, developing successful machine learning applications requires a substantial amount of “black art” that is hard to find in textbooks. This article summarizes twelve key lessons that machine learning researchers and practitioners have learned. These include pitfalls to avoid, important issues to focus on, and answers to common questions.
TDDB evaluations and modeling of very high-voltage (10kV) capacitors

Time-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB) data for very thick (8um) silica-based dielectrics is reported at relatively low fields (≪ 5MV/cm) but at extremely high voltages (up to 4000V). TDDB data was taken across a wide range of dielectric thicknesses ranging from 38A to 8μm (80,000A). Consistent with the TDDB results generally reported for thin films, a thickness-independent effective dipole moment of ∼13eA was concluded from the testing data. TDDB data is also presented for stacked dielectrics structures (Nitride/Silica) which tend to show a strong polarity dependence, depending on whether electron injection is into the nitride or oxide layer. While the time to failure is polarity dependent, the effective dipole moment is independent of polarity.
A study of the gross anatomy of the arteries supplying the proximal portion of the femur and the acetabulum.

The blood supply to the acetabulum, to the trochanters, and to the neck of the femur is abundant and is derived from several arteries. Nourishment of the femoral head in the adult is supplied by the foveal and cervical arteries, but to a greater degree by capital branches of the medial femoral circumflex artery which course along the neck to enter the femoral head at the articular rim. The vulnerability of these vital arteries explains the high incidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
Emergency preparedness: the best defense for major disasters.

This article discusses how Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois developed its disaster plan and how that plan was successfully tested when a tornado plowed through its service area, causing mass casualties who required both inpatient and outpatient care. Language: en
The Actual Achievements of Early Indo-Europeans, in Accurate Historical Context

Ricardo Duchesne’s reply to Martin Hewson’s review of his book, The Uniqueness of Western Civilization (2011), focuses on a number of important points concerning the impact of peoples speaking Indo-European languages in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. However, several of Duchesne’s key assertions need to be modified to accord with the data.
The big data divide

This article extends the notion of a “big data divide” to describe the asymmetric relationship between those who collect, store, and mine large quantities of data, and those whom data collection targets. It argues that this key distinction highlights differential access to ways of thinking about and using data that potentially exacerbate power imbalances in the digital era. Drawing on original survey and interview findings about public attitudes toward collection and use of personal information, it maintains that the inability to anticipate the potential uses of such data is a defining attribute of data-mining processes, and thus of the forms of sorting and targeting that result from them.
DODECALANA YAGERAE, NEW GENUS, NEW SPECIES, A TROGLOBITIC MARINE CIROLANID ISOPOD FROM GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND, BAHAMAS

ABSTRACT The troglobitic cirolanid isopod Dodecalana yagerae, new genus, new species, is described from marine caves on Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. Distinctive characteristics include long projections on pereiopods 1-3, setae on pleopod endopods 1-5, absence of seventh pair of legs, and absence of retinacula on maxillipedal endites. Comparisons are made to other troglobitic cirolanids, especially to Bahalana. Patterns of evolution are suggested.
Development and Implementation of Explicit Reduced Reaction Models in Supersonic Reacting Shear Flow Simulations

Starting from any detailed reaction model, an automatic reduction procedure based on quasi steady-state approximation for selected chemical species and on elimination of the fast reactions has been developed. The reduced reaction models developed on the basis of ignition delay of a fuel-air mixture in a zero-dimensional conflguration and laminar ∞ame conflgurations are then extended to simulations of supersonic reacting shear layers. Predictions of a hydrogen-air shear layer obtained with a detailed kinetic model and reduced reaction models developed are presented indicating good quantitative agreement at various cross sections in the two-dimensional ∞ow fleld considered. Further analysis also shows that the models can adequately explain basic combustion characteristics associated with the location of detached reaction fronts and ignition delay of zero-dimensional conflguration. The present simulations are also being extended to shear ∞ows comprising of ethylene-air system, including vitiation efiects.
The Test of the Effect of HRT on the Immobilized Nitrifying Bacteria Eliminating NH_4~+-N in Raw Water Worse than Quality II

To catch up the new standard of the effluent quality of waterworks and to meet the requirement of getting integrated regional water stream better.With a 24 h no-stop fluidized-bed reactor filled with immobilized granular nitrifying bacteria,the variation of properties of influent and effluent are examined.The results show that the effluent ammonia–nitrogen concentration ranges from 0.9 to 0.3 mg·L-1,while the influent ranges from 7.6 to 1.6 mg·L-1 when HRT ranges from 0.5~1.5 h.The conclusions come out that fluidized-bed reactor filled with immobilized granular nitrifying bacteria can bear the fluctuation of HRT.And that the effluent concentration can meet the Quality Standard of Raw Water Stream(CJ3020-1993)during the dry season.While during the wet season,the effluent can meet the Sanitation Standard of Drinking Water(GB5749-2006).
Issues in the Nutritional Support of the Ventilated Baby

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) premature infants who populate intensive care nurseries today often receive such overriding attention to their acute respiratory illness that appropriate attention to certain other adjunctive needs; adequate nutrition is often delayed. The outcome for these ELBW infants may be influenced by the intensity and length of the period of less-than-adequate nutrition. This article discusses initial fluid therapy, early postnatal intravenous amino acid administration, choice of energy substrate, and initiation and advancement of enteral feedings.
Educating Medical Students on Cultural and Societal Issues in the Health Care of Diverse Population Groups

Rapidly changing demographics in the USA and within its health care system are forcing societal and cultural issues to the forefront of medical education. The purpose of this paper is to describe a Culture and Society Seminar for second year medical students which educates them about cultural and environmental factors affecting the health status of different population groups. The course is designed as a year-long seminar consisting of monthly sessions. At each session, students are given a didactic lecture to initially introduce them to the health care needs of a specific population group. A problem-based learning (PBL) case correlated to the lecture is then used to facilitate discussion as to how one might approach the most culturally-sensitive and appropriate health care management of the individual described in the PBL case. The eight PBL cases address health care issues of underserved and poorly-understood population groups. Students keep a developmental journal of their reactions to the lectures, readings, cases and demonstrations. Students also conduct a health beliefs interview with an individual from any of the population groups discussed in the course and write an essay report about the health care issues of concern to this individual.
A Politicized Movement and the Memorialization of the Flemish Soldier

During the war one of the initiatives of the moderately political manifestations of the Front Movement was to investigate the claims of the language discrepancies. The inquiry took into account the eleven companies along the Belgian Front, which were comprised of around 2,000 men. It was determined that 82% of the soldiers spoke Flemish as did 53% of the corporals. But 66% of the officers did not speak Flemish; they only spoke French.1 These concrete results helped instigate a shift in the goals of the Front Movement. Described initially as an organization dedicated to the recognition of Flemish vitality, the Front Movement evolved into an official call for Flemish autonomy. The slogans of the Front Movement, nooit meer oorlog (no more war), godsvrede (god-peace [peace of God]), zelf-bestuur (self-management [autonomy]) became a rallying cry for the desire for an end to war and autonomy.2 The last tenet was the most problematic through the years as it was variously interpreted as the recognition of Flanders as a separate but equal state within Belgium (federalism) or the move toward a separate Flemish state from that of Belgium (separatism). In addition, as discussed in Chapter 8, The IJzerwake: A Different Memory of the Great War, the interpretation of godsvrede, a word no longer used in common parlance, continues to be a sticking point between the moderate and right-wing Flemish nationalists.
Hypermethylation in the MSO-epileptogenic brain: Reversal by dilantin or phenobarbital

Administration of the convulsant L-methionine-d, l-sulfoximine (MSO) has been shown to decrease the cerebral levels of the biologic methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) (Schatz and Sellinger, 1975a) as well as its demethylated product S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) (Schatz et al., 1977). These changes appear to be due to an increase in cerebral transmethylation flux as evidenced by an increase in histamine methylation both in vitro (Schatz and Sellinger, 1975b) and in vivo (Schatz et al., 1978), as well as an increase in protein carboxy- and phospholipid methylation in vivo (Schatz et al., 1981a). In vivo elevation of AdoHcy by co-administration of equimolar concentrations of adenosine (Ado) and homocysteine (Hcy) resulted in a decrease in cerebral histamine, phospholipid and protein carboxymethylation (PCM) (Schatz et al., 1981b,c). Administration of Ado+Hcy also prevents, at least partially, some of the MSO-induced increases in methylation and protects against MSO seizures (Schatz et al., 1981a). In view of these findings we investigated the effects of the clinical anticonvulsants Dilantin (DPH) and phenobarbital (PB) on cerebral transmethylation and MSO seizures.
Legal Aspects of DNA Testing and the Scientific Expert in Court

DNA analysts are often called to court to testify regarding results obtained on evidentiary items examined in their laboratory. The world they find in court (at least in the United States) operates on different principles than the scientific laboratory. This chapter describes some of the different perspectives that science and the law have from one another, how to prepare to serve as an expert witness, what to expect in court, issues surrounding admissibility of scientific evidence, dealing with discovery requests, and challenges around jury comprehension of DNA evidence. Interviews with two experienced expert witnesses (who have over 500 court testimonies between them), several prosecutors, and the defense attorney from the Duke lacrosse rape case have augmented the information in this chapter.
Influence of Hot Isostatic Processing on the Microstructure and Tensile Behavior of HPDC AM50

The mechanical properties of high pressure die cast (HPDC) magnesium can be highly variable and dependent on the manufacturing process history and on location within a casting. This investigation provides experimental input to modeling activities for the development of an ICME capability, to assess and quantify the impact of section thickness on the microstructure and tensile behavior of HPDC Mg AM50 alloy. AM50 2.5 mm thick plates were super vacuum die cast and characterized via quantitative metallography and uniaxial tensile testing. Plates were processed by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to identify the effect of different microstructural features, specifically β-Mg17Al12 and shrinkage porosity, on the mechanical behavior. This allows investigation specifically on the effects of casting defects, such as oxide bifilms on the microstructure and tensile behavior of these plates.
Another ‘Lost Decade’? Crisis and Structural Adjustment in Europe and Latin America

AbstractWith the recent economic crisis, conditional lending and mandatory structural reforms arrived in the European Union. Greece and a number of other crisis countries were subjected to a rigorous process of economic adjustment in exchange for emergency credits from the troika (European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund). Conditionality and structural adjustment were first tested in Latin America. This article compares the European adjustment programmes with the structural reforms introduced in Latin American countries several decades earlier. By doing so, the article reveals strong parallels in spite of the fact that the initial adjustment programmes are rarely considered a success story and that the neoliberal ideology which inspired the related reforms is widely made responsible for the recent crisis. The fact that there are differences in the adjustment programmes is not the result of a re-think of the neoliberal agenda, but of the specific dynamics of European inte...
The role of heme-oxygenase-1 in pathogenesis of cerebral malaria in the co-culture model of human brain microvascular endothelial cell and ITG Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells.

Abstract Objective To investigate the role of human host heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in pathogenesis of cerebral malaria in the in vitro model. Methods The effect of human host HO-1 [human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMEC)] on hemoglobin degradation in the co-culture model of HBMEC and ITG Plasmodium falciparum -infected red cells (iRBC) through measurement of the enzymatic products iron and bilirubin. Results Following exposure to the HO-1 inducer CoPPIX at all concentrations, the HBMEC cells apoptosis occurred, which could be prominently observed at 15 μM of 3 h exposure. In contrast, there was no significant change in the morphology in the non-exposed iRBC at all concentrations and exposure time. This observation was in agreement with the levels of the enzymatic degradation products iron and bilirubin, of which the highest levels (106.03 and 1753.54% of baseline level, respectively) were observed at 15 μM vs . 20 μM at 3 h vs . 24 h exposure. For the effect of the HO-1 inhibitor ZnPPIX, HBMEC cell morphology was mostly unchanged, but significant inhibitory effect on cell apoptosis was seen at 10 μM for the exposure period of 3 h (37.17% of baseline level). The degree of the inhibitory effect as reflected by the level of iron produced was not clearly observed (highest effect at 10 μM and 3 h exposure). Conclusions Results provide at least in part, insight into the contribution of HO-1 on CM pathogenesis and need to be confirmed in animal model.
Serotonin and Sexual Dysfunction

Editorial Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of psychotropic drugs and has received much attention because of its negative effects on quality of life and adherence to antidepressant agents. In patients with depression, sexual dysfunction can be attributed to the underlying disorder or to antidepressant drugs. Sexual dysfunction also can occur with first generation antipsychotic drugs and second-generation antipsychotic drugs (e.g., thioridazine and risperidone, respectively). In patients with schizophrenia, sexual dysfunction can be attributed to the underlying illness as well as to antipsychotic induced hyperprolactinemia due to dopamine blockade in tuberoinfundibular pathway [1].
11.2 A 1Mb embedded NOR flash memory with 39µW program power for mm-scale high-temperature sensor nodes

Miniature sensor nodes are ideal for monitoring environmental conditions in emerging applications such as oil exploration. One key requirement for sensor nodes is embedded non-volatile memory for compact and retentive data storage in the event that the sensor power source is exhausted. Non-volatile memory also allows for near-zero standby power modes, which are particularly challenging to achieve at high temperatures when using SRAM in standby due to the exponential rise in leakage with temperature, which rapidly degrades battery life (Fig. 11.2.1). However, traditional NOR flash requires mW-level program and erase power, which cannot be sustained by mm-scale batteries with internal resistances >10kΩ To address this issue, we propose an ultra-low power NOR flash design and demonstrate its integration into a complete sensor system that is specifically designed for environmental monitoring under high temperature conditions: such as when injected into geothermal or oil wells.
Safety of AQUI-S 20E (10% Eugenol) as a Sedative for Freshwater Fish

AbstractAQUI-S 20E (10% eugenol) has been shown to be an effective fish sedative for freshwater finfish, but to be approved for use in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must be provided with data demonstrating the product is safe to treated animals. Accordingly, we evaluated the safety of AQUI-S 20E when used to sedate Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, Yellow Perch Perca flavescens, and Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus. After identifying the highest effective concentrations likely to be used by fisheries biologists to sedate each species to handleable, replicate groups of fish were exposed to this intended concentration (1×) or a 50% higher eugenol concentration (1.5×) for periods of time adequate to effectively sedate 80% of fish to handleable (ET80) or for predetermined treatment periods exceeding the ET80. These predetermined treatment doses (40 and 60 mg eugenol/L for Rainbow Trout, 80 and 120 mg eugenol/L for Yellow Perch, and 100 and 150 mg eugenol/L for Channel Catfish), ...
Exploitations of wireless interfaces via network scanning

In brainstorming for ways to exploit Internet of Things (IoT) security, we envisioned the following premise: an attack which compromises the security of multiple wireless interfaces. In this project, we attempt to reveal information about a region of networks; this data includes each network's location, security, signal strength, and user activity. In exposing such data, we hope to shed light on the security problems associated with wireless networks.
Bockdalek Hernia With Gastric Volvulus With Ischemia in An Adult: A Case Report

We present an interesting case of a 73-year-old female who presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of abdominal pain for the past few days. Patient admitted history of “stomach problems” for the past few years with similar attacks every 3 - 4 months and attributed this to her “gallbladder”. After her dinner the night before, she started experiencing intense abdominal pain, which prompted her to come to the ED for evaluation. A portable chest X-ray was acquired which showed herniation of the gas-distended stomach overlying the left lung base. CT scan with IV contrast was then performed which confirmed a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia containing the antrum of the dilated stomach but the antrum was twisted to the left of the esophagogastric (EG) junction. There was pneumatosis in the wall of the caudal aspect of the gastric body, suggestive of ischemia. The patient underwent emergent exploratory laparotomy, derotation, partial gastrectomy and gastrostomy where she was found to have an adult Bockdalek hernia on the left side. We discuss this rare case and review relevant literature. J Curr Surg. 2017;7(1-2):15-19 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcs315w
Enhanced antimicrobial de-escalation for pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients: a cross-over study.

Antibiotics are commonly administered to hospitalized patients with infiltrates for possible bacterial pneumonia, often leading to unnecessary treatment and increasing the risk for resistance emergence. Therefore, we performed a study to determine if an enhanced antibiotic de-escalation practice could improve antibiotic utilization in mechanically ventilated patients with suspected pneumonia cared for in an academic closed intensive care unit (ICU). This was a prospective cross-over trial comparing routine antibiotic management (RAM) and enhanced antimicrobial de-escalation (EAD) performed within two medical ICUs (total 34 beds) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, an academic referral center. Patients in the EAD group had their antibiotic orders and microbiology results reviewed daily by a dedicated team comprised of a second-year critical care fellow, an ICU attending physician and an ICU pharmacist. Antibiotic de-escalation recommendations were made when appropriate based on microbiologic test results and clinical response to therapy. There were 283 patients evaluable, with suspected pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation: 139 (49.1%) patients in the RAM group and 144 (50.9%) in the EAD group. Early treatment failure based on clinical deterioration occurred in 33 (23.7%) and 40 (27.8%) patients, respectively (P = 0.438). In the remaining patients, antimicrobial de-escalation occurred in 70 (66.0%) and 70 (67.3%), respectively (P = 0.845). There was no difference between groups in total antibiotic days ((median (interquartile range)) 7.0 days (4.0, 9.0) versus 7.0 days (4.0, 8.8) (P = 0.616)); hospital mortality (25.2% versus 35.4% (P = 0.061)); or hospital duration (12.0 days (6.0, 20.0) versus 11.0 days (6.0, 22.0) (P = 0.918). The addition of an EAD program to a high-intensity daytime staffing model already practicing a high-level of antibiotic stewardship in an academic ICU was not associated with greater antibiotic de-escalation or a reduction in the overall duration of antibiotic therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02685930 . Registered on 26 January 2016.
Structural Co-Variance Patterns in Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Role of the Hippocampus.

Objective To interrogate hippocampal morphology and structural co-variance patterns in migraine patients and to investigate whether structural co-variance patterns relate to migraine disease characteristics. Background Migraine is associated with structural alterations in widespread cortical and subcortical regions associated with the sensory, cognitive, and affective components of pain processing. Recent studies have shown that migraine patients have differences in hippocampal structure and function relative to healthy control subjects, but whether hippocampal structure relates to disease characteristics including frequency of attacks, years lived with migraine and symptoms of allodynia remains unknown. Furthermore, this study investigated hippocampal volume co-variance patterns in migraineurs, an indirect measure of brain network connectivity. Here, we explore differences in hippocampal volume and structural co-variance patterns in migraine patients relative to healthy controls and examine whether these hippocampal measures relate to migraine disease burden. Methods This study included 61 migraine patients and 57 healthy control subjects (healthy controls: median age = 34.0, IQR = 19.0; migraine patients: median age = 35.0, IQR = 17.5; P = .65). Regional brain volumes were automatically calculated using FreeSurfer version 5.3. Symptoms of allodynia were determined using the Allodynia Symptom Checklist 12 (ASC-12). Structural co-variance patterns were interrogated using pairwise correlations and group differences in correlation strength were estimated using Euclidian distance. A stepwise regression was used to investigate the relationship between structural co-variance patterns with migraine burden. Results Migraine patients had less left hippocampal volume (healthy controls: left hippocampal volume = 4276.8 mm3, SD = 425.3 mm3, migraine patients: left hippocampal volume = 4089.5 mm3, SD = 453.9 mm3, P = .02) and less total (right plus left) hippocampal volume (healthy controls: total hippocampal volume= 8690.8 mm3, SD = 855.1 mm3; migraine patients: total hippocampal volume = 8341.8 mm3, SD = 917.9 mm3; P = .03) compared to healthy controls. Migraineurs had stronger structural covariance between the hippocampi and cortico-limbic regions in the frontal lobe (inferior opercular gyrus), temporal lobe (planum temporale, amygdala), parietal lobe (angular gyrus, precuneus), and the cerebellar white matter. Results of a stepwise regression showed that hippocampal volumes and the interactions between hippocampal volumes with the volumes of other cortico-limbic regions associate with migraine-related allodynia but not with headache frequency or years lived with migraine. Conclusion Migraineurs have less hippocampal volume and stronger hippocampal-cortico-limbic connectivity compared to healthy controls. Hippocampal volumes and measures of hippocampal volume connectivity with other cortico-limbic network regions associate with symptoms of allodynia.
La Ciudad En El Cine: Una Perspectiva Mundial

Commercial cinema is a worldwide form of entertainment enjoyed by most of the planet’s population and variety of cultures. Films are produced on six continents and marketed successfully internationally. However, cinema is more than a medium for telling stories of adventure, intrigue, comedy and romance. As most of the world’s population now lives in cities, many films take place in urban settings, where a large number of those cities’ physical and social problems are exposed. Commercial film, then, plays a useful role in determining how such issues can be confronted through the lenses of their many countries and cultures. That is, solutions to urban problems must be culturally sensitive. Moreover, as cities dominate life on planet Earth in the 21st century far beyond what their population alone would warrant, they are at the core of some of the most influential films of the last century. This paper, then, is significant in that it looks at some of these urban focused films and identifies the universal themes they consider.
Predictors of Sexual Intercourse Frequency Among Couples Trying to Conceive.

Abstract Background Little is known about the predictors of sexual intercourse frequency (SIF) among couples trying to conceive despite the well-established link between SIF and fecundity. Aim To evaluate men's and women's demographic, occupational, and lifestyle predictors of SIF among couples. Methods 469 Couples without a history of infertility participating in the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment Study (2005–2009) were followed up for ≤1 year while trying to conceive. At enrollment, both partners were interviewed about demographic, occupational, lifestyle, and psychological characteristics using standardized questionnaires. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models with Poisson distribution were used to estimate the adjusted percent difference in SIF across exposure categories. Outcomes SIF was recorded in daily journals and summarized as average SIF/mo. Results The median (interquartile range) SIF during follow-up was 6 (4–9) acts/mo. For every year increase in age for women and men, SIF decreased by –0.8% (95% CI –2.5 to 1.0%) and –1.7% (95% CI –3.1 to –0.3%). Women with high school education or less and those of non-white race had 34.4% and 16.0% higher SIF, respectively. A similar trend was seen for men's education and race. Only couples where both partners (but not just 1 partner) worked rotating shifts had –39.1% (95% CI –61.0 to –5.0%) lower SIF compared to couples where neither partner worked rotating shifts. Men's (but not women's) exercise was associated with 13.2% (95% CI 1.7–26.0%) higher SIF. Diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder in men (but not women) was associated with a 26.0% (95% CI –42.7 to –4.4%) lower SIF. Household income, smoking status, body mass index, night work, alcohol intake, and psychosocial stress were not associated with SIF. Clinical Translation Even among couples trying to conceive, there was substantial variation in SIF. Both partners' age, education, race, and rotating shift work as well as men's exercise and mental health play an important role in determining SIF. Conclusions As this was a secondary analysis of an existing study, we lacked information on many pertinent psychological and relationship quality variables and the hormonal status of participants, which could have affected SIF. The unique population-based couple design, however, captured both partners' demographics, occupational characteristics, and lifestyle behaviors in advance of their daily, prospective reporting of SIF, which was a major strength. Important predictors of SIF among couples attempting to conceive include men's exercise and mental health and both partners' age, education, race, and rotating shift work. Gaskins AJ, Sundaram R, Buck Louis GM, et al. Predictors of Sexual Intercourse Frequency Among Couples Trying to Conceive. J Sex Med 2018;15:519–528.
Development of the Health and Weight Attitudes Scale

Abstract Objective To develop and validate an instrument to assess attitudes toward Health at Every Size (HAES) principles. Methods Survey items were generated based on 5 HAES principles. A panel of reviewers was recruited to establish content validity. A convenience sample of college students in health education was recruited for pilot survey administration. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach α and test-retest reliability was assessed with Pearson correlation. Results Three panelists reviewed the instrument and provided feedback for revision. Cronbach α for the final instrument was .75 (n = 43) at pretest and .78 (n = 53) at posttest, and Pearson correlation was 0.85 (n = 39), indicating internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Conclusions and Implications The instrument was determined to be both a valid and reliable instrument to measure HAES attitudes among college students in health education. Nutrition educators may find this instrument useful in other settings to assess HAES attitudes or as an alternative to other instruments measuring anti-fat attitudes.
High-efficiency water-loaded microwave antenna in ultra-high-frequency band

High-index dielectrics are widely used in microwave antennas to control the radiation characteristics. Liquid water, with a high dielectric index at microwave frequency, is an interesting material to achieving tunable functionalities. Here, we demonstrate a water-loaded microwave antenna system that has high loss-tolerance and wideband tunability enabled by fluidity. Our simulation and experimental results show that the resonance frequency can be effectively tuned by the size of loading water. Furthermore, the antenna systems with water loading can achieve high radiation efficiency (>90%) in the ultra-high-frequency (0.3–3 GHz) band. This work brings about opportunities in realistic tunable microwave antenna designs enabled by liquid.
Intestinal epithelial cell-specific IGF1 promotes the expansion of intestinal stem cells during epithelial regeneration and functions on the intestinal immune homeostasis.

It is well known that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) acts as a trophic factor in small intestine under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, it still lacks direct in v...
Life cycle assessment of engineered nanomaterials

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used for the comprehensive environmental assessment of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and ENM-enabled products. A complete LCA can highlight a possible shifting of burden where reduction of environmental impacts at one stage may come at the expense of another. The objective of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with LCA as a methodology in the context of ENMs. This is done by first presenting a basic LCA framework, followed by peer-reviewed LCAs on ENMs. We conclude with a brief on evolving approaches that address ENM-specific challenges for LCAs. © 2014 Woodhead Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
How Fast Can We Compute Orbits of Groups

Many problems in Combinatorics and related fields reduce to the problem of computing orbits of groups acting on finite sets. One of the techniques is known under the name Snakes and Ladders. We offer the alternate name poset classification algorithm. We will describe this technique and compare the performance on example problems.
Origin Stories: Superheroes, Cyborgs, Artificial Intelligences (and Other Humans and Posthumans)

Assuming some version of a transhumanist future, what sort of relationship between the human and the posthuman should there be? The origin stories we tell ourselves contain a potential answer. In modern superhero origin stories, the difference between hero and villain is simply the hero’s determination to remain connected to his or her human identity. Although it is common to wonder whether we will recognize the human within the posthuman, it is just as important to consider whether the posthuman will recognize its own humanity—the question at the heart of so much anxiety about the posthuman. It is also important to consider how the Christian origin story provides the framework of created/creator relationship: Will we accept the responsibility of the creator for our creations?
Essence and modal knowledge

During the last quarter of a century, a number of philosophers have become attracted to the idea that necessity can be analyzed in terms of a hyperintensional notion of essence. One challenge for proponents of this view is to give a plausible explanation of our modal knowledge. The goal of this paper is to develop a strategy for meeting this challenge. My approach rests on an account of modality that I developed in previous work, and which analyzes modal properties in terms of the notion of a metaphysical law (which is a generalization of the concept of an essential truth). I discuss what information about the metaphysical laws (including essential truths) is required for modal knowledge. Moreover, I describe two ways in which we might be able to acquire this information. The first way employs inference to the best explanation. The metaphysical laws, including the essential truths, play a crucial role in causal and grounding explanations and we can gain knowledge of these laws by abductive inferences from facts of which we have perceptual or a priori knowledge. The second way of gaining information about the metaphysical laws rests on knowledge that is partly constitutive of competence with the concepts that are needed to express the relevant information. Finally, I consider how knowledge of the metaphysical laws can be used to establish modal claims, paying special attention to the much-discussed connection between conceiving and possibility.
OTMEN: Offloading Traffic Monitoring to Edge Nodes in Software-Defined Datacenter Networks

Network traffic monitoring is an essential component of many SDN applications, especially in the datacenter environment, where tenants' applications are often distributed over the computing resources. The conventional SDN procedures for flow-level monitoring force the network controller to install fine-grained forwarding rules on switches for the initiated flows, and they rely on the pull-based mechanism to collect traffic statistics from the network switches. Such an approach overwhelms the controller and faces challenges when deployed in datacenter networks, which can have millions of distinct active flows per second. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce the design and implementation of OTMEN, a scalable traffic monitoring system for SDN-enabled datacenter networks. OTMEN decouples the forwarding and monitoring configurations in the data plane to relax the controller, while allowing fine-grained flow-level monitoring at the edge switches. In the OTMEN system, the controller can offload traffic monitoring operations to edge nodes based on the monitoring rules as it provides a rich set of RESTful APIs for monitoring applications. We evaluated our proposed system on a realistic testbed, and the results show that OTMEN provides significant improvements and monitoring overhead reduction compared to the existing solutions.
Establishment and Characterization of Bacterial Infection of Breast Implants in a Murine Model.

Background Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common causes of Gram-positive and Gram-negative breast implant-associated infection. Little is known about how these bacteria infect breast implants as a function of implant surface characteristics and timing of infection. Objectives The aim of this work was to establish a mouse model for studying the impact of various conditions on breast implant infection. Methods Ninety-one mice were implanted with 273 breast implant shells and infected with S. epidermidis or P. aeruginosa. Smooth, microtextured, and macrotextured breast implant shells were implanted in each mouse. Bacterial inoculation occurred during implantation or 1 day later. Implants were retrieved 1 or 7 days later. Explanted breast implant shells were sonicated, cultured, and colony-forming units determined or analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Results P. aeruginosa could be detected on all device surfaces at 1- and 7- days post infection (dpi), when mice were implanted and infected concurrently or when they were infected 1- day after implantation. However, P. aeruginosa infection was more robust on implant shells retrieved at 7 dpi and particularly on the macrotextured devices that were infected 1 day post implantation. S. epidermidis was mostly cleared from implants when mice were infected and implanted concurrently. Other the other hand, S. epidermidis could be detected on all device surfaces at 1 dpi and 2 days post implantation. However, S. epidermdis infection was suppressed by 7 dpi and 8 days post implantation. Conclusions S. epidermidis required higher inoculating doses to cause infection and was cleared within 7 days. P. aeruginosa infected at lower inoculating doses, with robust biofilms noted 7 days later.
Light scalar modes from holographic deformations

We consider different ways of modifying the mass spectrum of a strongly coupled gauge theory with confinement using the $\mathrm{AdS}/\mathrm{CFT}$ correspondence. Single- and multitrace deformations are introduced, such that the resulting theory has a mode lighter than the confinement scale. The multitrace deformation is shown to be a possible way of achieving a light composite mode, unlike the single-trace deformation where the light mode is an admixture of elementary and composite states.
Modeling deformation induced anisotropy of light-activated shape memory polymers

Abstract Light-activated shape memory polymers (LASMPs) are a new generation of active materials that undergo phase transformations upon light irradiation at different wavelength and intensities. This type of material shows much promise in its use in adaptive and shape reconfiguration structures for applications in biomedical and aerospace engineering. LASMPs exhibit nonlinear viscoelastic behavior due to the rearrangements in the macromolecular networks of the polymers when they are mechanically deformed. The deformed configuration can have a different symmetry group than the original undeformed configuration. In this study we assume that the body has multiple natural configurations in order to incorporate the microstructural changes in the viscoelastic polymers due to mechanical loading and light irradiation. We also account for the directional preference of the new network that is formed due to stretching the polymers. In this paper, the constitutive models developed for elastic and viscoelastic LASMPs in our previous work (Yuan and Zhi, 2017; Zhi and Yuan, 2017) are modified to include the changes in the symmetry group of the new network due to mechanically stretching the polymer. The models are implemented within ABAQUS finite element (FE) through the use of user-material subroutines (UMAT).