cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Three-Dimensional Low Reynolds Number Tandem Flapping Wings

In this paper we extend our previous two-dimensional tandem wing study to three-dimensions. In our previous study we found that tandem wing performance highly depended on the phase lag angle and spacing between the forewing and hingwing. High resultant force is produced when the two wings flap in phase while high power efficiency is reached when the wings flap in counter phase. In this paper the effect of the phase lag angle between the fore and hind wings on the wing-wing interactions, force production, and power efficiency was studied for three different phase lag angles, 0°, 90° and 180°. Both wings experienced pitch-plunge motion at a Strouhal number of 0.3 and a Reynolds number of 200. The simulations were based on the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, discretized on overlapping grids. The wing motion was represented by a series of transformation matrices. Our three dimensional study confirmed conclusions drawn in our two dimensional study, i.e., the wing/wing interaction significantly affects tandem wing performance, in phase flapping leads to high resultant force and counter phase flapping results in high power efficiency. We also found that the LEV on the 3D wing was noticeably weaker than in the corresponding 2D case, as were the vortex interactions between the fore and hind wings. While the 3D results exhibited interactions between wing and tip vortices, the effect was insignificant as the tip vortices shed from forewing only encounter the near tip region of the hind wing. Nomenclature ψ = phase angle u = flow velocity p = pressure
Conductive scanning probe characterization and nanopatterning of electronic and energy materials

Recent years have seen a proliferation of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques that can probe and manipulate a diverse range of materials and devices. In particular, SPM methods that employ a conductive tip are well suited for probing electronic and electrochemical phenomena of direct relevance to electronic and energy technologies. Conductive SPM is also a versatile nanofabrication tool, which can create nearly arbitrary nanopatterns of oxide, metals, and organics on solid substrates. In this Feature Article, we provide an overview of recent conductive SPM work from our laboratory regarding the characterization and nanopatterning of electronic and energy materials. The discussion begins by describing the methodologies used to characterize organic photovoltaics and transparent conducting oxides. We then illustrate how different SPM techniques are applied to the more complex electrochemical environments presented by Li-ion batteries and other electrochemical systems. Lastly, the use of conductive ato...
Malignant intratubular and interstitial germ-cell neoplasia in bilaterally cryptorchid testes.

A case of bilateral intratubular and interstitial malignant germcell neoplasia of the testes is reported in a 26-year-old man with bilateral cryptorchidism and Crohn9s disease of the colon. Malignant intratubular and interstitial germ-cell neoplasia is a recently recognized entity associated with a contralateral testicular germcell tumor, infertility, and cryptorchidism. Although long-term data are not available, an orchiopexy performed early in the patient9s life may protect against infertility or the development of a malignant tumor. The author advocates the orchiopexy of cryptorchid testes of patients, ideally in the second year of life, as well as biopsy of the testes of older, high-risk men to identify neoplasia at an early stage prior to the development of a more malignant germ-cell tumor.
Design of Testing System for Optical Switch Matrix

The optical switch matrix is a key component in building up an optical cross-connect(OXC) device.For the purpose of testing the performance of the optical switch matrix,a testing system,which uses the Micro Controller Unit as master position machine and the computer as slave position machine,is proposed.The structure of the system and the application layer communication protocol are described in detail.A testing software is also realized with Visual C+ + 6.0 programming language.
Isolation and identification of Bacillus anthracis in the first exploded epidemic case in Jinzhou area in 2012

Objective:In June 2012,two farmers were suspected to infect anthracis after abatage cattle slaughter,so specimens were collected from them for isolation culture and identification of bacillus anthracis.Methods: Bacillus anthracis was isolated from specimens for culture,then microscopy,phage based splitting assay,toruloid test of bacillus anthracis,fluorescent PCR and normal PCR were respectively used for identification.Results: Three specimens from hand secretions of patients were positive by fluorescent PCR.Specific target bands were observed at 923 bp,1242 bp and 618 bp by normal PCR with three pairs of primers PagA,Cap and rpoB.Conclusion: The test was succeeded in a short time,which has provided strong laboratory support for prevention and control of epidemic situation and bought time for treatment of patients.
Tailoring tobacco counseling to the competing demands in the clinical encounter.

OBJECTIVES: We identified patterns of tobacco cessation counseling in primary care practices, including contextual factors that influence its provision. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed using direct observation of outpatient visits. POPULATION: We included 91 outpatient visits by cigarette smokers visiting 20 family physicians in 7 Nebraska community family practices. OUTCOMES MEASURED: We measured patterns and quality of tobacco counseling assessed by direct observation. RESULTS: A hierarchy of 5 patterns was discernable, ranging from appropriate to inappropriate provision or nonprovision of tobacco cessation counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Since tobacco-specific discussions are appropriate only in approximately three fourths of primary care visits by smokers, clinical practice guidelines that recommend intervention at every visit are unrealistic. However, the finding that only one third of eligible visits addressed tobacco makes it imperative that tobacco cessation counseling be reliably integrated into visits for well care and tobacco-related illnesses that represent teachable moments.
Why Don’T Promised Contributions to Charity Increase Mail Survey Returns? A Critical Review

Empirical studies investigating promised contributions to charity as a means of boosting mail survey responses typically reveal that such an “incentive" does not work. These studies, however, have not gone far enough in explaining why this should be the case. The present paper attempts to rectify this situation by offering a more complete explanation for these seemingly puzzling empirical results. It is recommended that the use of charity incentives in mail survey research be seriously questioned.
Continuous human bone marrow culture: Ia antigen characterization of probable pluripotential stem cells

The presence of Ia-like antigens on human CFU-C and BFU-e is confirmed and a cell type that lacked immediate capacity for granulocytic colony formation but generated CFU-c after brief incubation in simple suspension culture is identified. This pre-CFU-c, and its immediate progeny, was extremely sensitive to killing by anti-Ia serum with complement. In contrast, anti-Ia serum plus complement treatment of human bone marrow, while eliminating 93%-97% of all CFU-c and BFU-e, did not prevent the rapid regeneration of these progenitor cells and their production for some weeks under the conditions of continuous marrow culture. These studies suggest that the human equivalent of the pluripotential stem cell can replicate for some weeks in culture and generate committed progenitors, such as CFU-c and BFU-e. Furthermore, it would appear that Ia-like antigen is absent on the pluripotential stem cell, is rapidly gained as commitment to the various progenitor cell types occur, and is subsequently lost as these latter undergo differentiation within the marrow.
Predicting cannabis cultivation on national forests using a rational choice framework

Abstract Government agencies in the United States eradicated 10.3 million cannabis plants in 2010. Most (94%) of these plants were outdoor-grown, and 46% of those were discovered on federal lands, primarily on national forests in California, Oregon, and Washington. We developed models that reveal how drug markets, policies, and environmental conditions affect grow siting decisions. The models were built on a rational choice theoretical structure, and utilized data describing 2322 cannabis grow locations (2004–2012) and 9324 absence locations in the states' national forests. Predictor variables included cannabis market prices, law enforcement density, and socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental variables. We also used the models to construct regional maps of grow site likelihood. Significant predictors included marijuana street price and variables associated with grow site productivity (e.g., elevation and proximity to water), production costs, and risk of discovery. Overall, the pattern of grow site establishment on national forests is consistent with rational choice theory. In particular, growers consider cannabis prices and law enforcement when selecting sites. Ongoing adjustments in state cannabis laws could affect cultivation decisions on national forests. Any changes in cannabis policies can be reflected in our models to allow agencies to redirect interdiction resources and potentially increase discovery success.
Resource predictability and specialization in avian malaria parasites

We tested the hypothesis that avian haemosporidian (malaria) parasites specialize on hosts that can be characterized as predictable resources at a site in Amazonian Ecuador. We incorporated host phylogenetic relationship and relative abundance in assessing parasite specialization, and we examined associations between parasite specialization and three host characteristics - abundance, mass and longevity - using quantile regression, phylogenetic logistic regression and t-tests. Hosts of specialist malaria parasite lineages were on average more abundant than hosts of generalist parasite lineages, but the relationship between host abundance and parasite specialization was not consistent across analyses. We also found support for a positive association between parasite specialization and host longevity, but this also was not consistent across analyses. Nonetheless, our findings suggest that the predictability of a host resource may play a role in the evolution of specialization. However, we also discuss two alternative explanations to the resource predictability hypothesis for specialization: (i) that interspecific interactions among the parasites themselves might constrain some parasites to a specialist strategy, and (ii) that frequent encounters with multiple host species, mediated by blood-sucking insects, might promote generalization within this system.
Gully erosion and freeze-thaw processes in clay-rich soils, northeast Tennessee, USA

Abstract This study examines gully erosion in northeast Tennessee hillslopes in the Southern Appalachian Valley and Ridge physiographic province, where a thick sequence of red clay Ultisols (Acrisol, according to the World Reference Base for Soil) overlies dolomite and limestone bedrock. The role of freeze-thaw processes in gully erosion was examined weekly from 6/3/2012 to 9/17/2014 using a network of n = 78 erosion pins in three geomorphic areas: channels, interfluves, and sidewalls. Freeze-thaw days were identified using meteorological data collected on site. When freeze-thaw days occurred, erosion and deposition increased and gully conditions were more dynamic. When daily temperature did not plunge below freezing, more stable gully conditions persisted. Ordinary Least Square regression models of erosion pin length using freeze-thaw events explained significant portions of variability in channels (R² = 0.113, p
Demonstration of electric double layer p-i-n junction in WSe 2

We demonstrate the first electric double layer p-i-n junction in the channel of a WSe 2 field-effect transistor (FET). The measured current-voltage (I-V) characteristics have a nearly constant ideality factor over approximately three orders of magnitude in current. This is better than any prior report on WSe 2 . The formation technique has wide applicability across materials systems and is of particular interest for the formation of source-channel junctions in tunnel FETs in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) [1]. The most ideal TMD p-n junctions formed to date have been achieved using buried gates under WSe 2 by Ross [2], under MoS 2 by Sutar [3], by charge transfer doping in MoS 2 by Choi [4] and Li [5], and by EDL formation in MoTe 2 by Xu [6]. The junction formation described in this paper does not require fabrication of additional field plates to position the ions.
Opportunities, Talents and Participation

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the opportunities, talents, and participation. IEA's second mathematics study was first a study of mathematics, and issues of curriculum, student's achievements, and pedagogy were emphasized. It is found that with increasing demands for technical expertise coming from the broader social arena, greater weight is placed on mathematical skills and talents than on outcomes from exposure to other traditional content areas. Grade eight mathematics and the extent to which different students are given different mathematics courses serve as an indicator of how opportunities are distributed within a school system. It is found that if a system provides the same mathematics for all at the grade eight levels, one can infer that policies are in place which up until that point guarantee equal opportunities. It is found that if mathematics content is differentially distributed within the grade eight curriculums, then one can infer that policies that emphasize merit are dominant.
MicroRNA hsa-mir-155 Blocks Myeloid and Erythroid Differentiation of Human CD34+ Cells.

Abstract In a large microRNA-array and bioinformatics study, we determined all of the microRNAs (miRs) expressed by human CD34+ hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSPCs) from bone marrow and G-CSF mobilized blood. When we combined miR expression data, mRNA expression data from a previous study (Georgantas et al, Cancer Research 64:4434), and data from various published miR-target prediction algorithms, we were able to bioinformaticly predict the actions of miRs within the hematopoietic system. MircoRNA hsa-mir-155 was highly expressed in CD34+ HSPCs, and was predicted by our bioinformatics database to target several HSPC-expressed mRNAs (CREBBP, CXCR4, Jun, Meis-1, PU.1, AGTRI, AGTRII, Fos, and GATA3) that encode proteins known to be involved in myeloid and/or erythroid differentiation. We used luciferase-3′UTR reporter constructs to confirm that protein expression from these mRNAs were in fact down regulated by microRNA. As an initial test of mir-155′s effect on hematopoietic differentiation, K562 cells were transduced with hsa-mir-155 lentivirus and then exposed to TPA to induce megakaryocyte differentiation, or to hemin to induce erythroid differentiation. Compared to controls, miR-155 reduced K562 megakaryocyte differentiation by ~70%, and erythroid differentiation by >90%. Thus, mir-155 appears to be sufficient to inhibit both megakayrocyte and erythroid differentiation. K562 proliferation was not affected by mir-155, showing that the differentiation block was not due to cell cycle arrest. MicroRNA hsa-mir-155-transduced human mobilized blood CD34+ cells generated >70% fewer myeloid and erythroid colonies than controls in colony forming (CFC) assays, further indicating that mir-155 blocks both myeloid and erythroid differentiation. We are currently further testing the effects of mir-155 on differentiation of CD34+ cells in vitro, and also in vivo on their ability to engraft immunodeficient mice.
Bayesian inverse modeling of the atmospheric transport and emissions of a controlled tracer release from a nuclear power plant

Abstract. Probability distribution functions (PDFs) of model inputs that affect the transport and dispersion of a trace gas released from a coastal California nuclear power plant are quantified using ensemble simulations, machine-learning algorithms, and Bayesian inversion. The PDFs are constrained by observations of tracer concentrations and account for uncertainty in meteorology, transport, diffusion, and emissions. Meteorological uncertainty is calculated using an ensemble of simulations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model that samples five categories of model inputs (initialization time, boundary layer physics, land surface model, nudging options, and reanalysis data). The WRF output is used to drive tens of thousands of FLEXPART dispersion simulations that sample a uniform distribution of six emissions inputs. Machine-learning algorithms are trained on the ensemble data and used to quantify the sources of ensemble variability and to infer, via inverse modeling, the values of the 11 model inputs most consistent with tracer measurements. We find a substantial ensemble spread in tracer concentrations (factors of 10 to 103), most of which is due to changing emissions inputs (about 80 %), though the cumulative effects of meteorological variations are not negligible. The performance of the inverse method is verified using synthetic observations generated from arbitrarily selected simulations. When applied to measurements from a controlled tracer release experiment, the inverse method satisfactorily determines the location, start time, duration and amount. In a 2 km × 2 km area of possible locations, the actual location is determined to within 200 m. The start time is determined to within 5 min out of 2 h, and the duration to within 50 min out of 4 h. Over a range of release amounts of 10 to 1000 kg, the estimated amount exceeds the actual amount of 146 kg by only 32 kg. The inversion also estimates probabilities of different WRF configurations. To best match the tracer observations, the highest-probability cases in WRF are associated with using a late initialization time and specific reanalysis data products.
In Practice: Paying Attention to Stock Ranking

This in Practice piece gives a practitioner’s perspective on the article “Ranking and Salience” by Baolian Wang, working paper.
DWBA analysis of resonance structure in the 16O(16O, 12C)20Ne(41+) reaction

Abstract Resonance behavior of the 16 O( 16 O, 12 C) 20 Ne(4 1 + ) reaction is studied by using an EFR-DWBA method. The angular distribution and excitation functions of the reaction are reproduced fairly well by our calculations. It is shown that the enhancement mechanism embodied in the band crossing model plays an essential role in reproducing the gross peaks of the excitation functions.
Plasma: An International Open Access Journal for All of Plasma Science

Plasma is an open access, cross-disciplinary scholarly journal of scientific studies related to all aspects of plasma science, such as plasma physics, plasma chemistry and space plasma[...]
NetWalk: A Flexible Deep Embedding Approach for Anomaly Detection in Dynamic Networks

Massive and dynamic networks arise in many practical applications such as social media, security and public health. Given an evolutionary network, it is crucial to detect structural anomalies, such as vertices and edges whose "behaviors'' deviate from underlying majority of the network, in a real-time fashion. Recently, network embedding has proven a powerful tool in learning the low-dimensional representations of vertices in networks that can capture and preserve the network structure. However, most existing network embedding approaches are designed for static networks, and thus may not be perfectly suited for a dynamic environment in which the network representation has to be constantly updated. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, NetWalk, for anomaly detection in dynamic networks by learning network representations which can be updated dynamically as the network evolves. We first encode the vertices of the dynamic network to vector representations by clique embedding, which jointly minimizes the pairwise distance of vertex representations of each walk derived from the dynamic networks, and the deep autoencoder reconstruction error serving as a global regularization. The vector representations can be computed with constant space requirements using reservoir sampling. On the basis of the learned low-dimensional vertex representations, a clustering-based technique is employed to incrementally and dynamically detect network anomalies. Compared with existing approaches, NetWalk has several advantages: 1) the network embedding can be updated dynamically, 2) streaming network nodes and edges can be encoded efficiently with constant memory space usage, 3). flexible to be applied on different types of networks, and 4) network anomalies can be detected in real-time. Extensive experiments on four real datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of NetWalk.
Grafting through Method for Implanting of Lysozyme Enzyme in Molecular Brush for Improved Biocatalytic Activity and Thermal Stability

We report a “grafting through” conjugation strategy to improve lysozyme catalytic activity and thermal stability by the synthesis of a synthetic polymer–enzyme hybrid. The lysozyme was first conjugated with glycidyl methacrylate via ring-opening reaction between epoxy groups and lysine residues of the enzyme to synthesize the enzyme macromonomer. The conjugation was followed by free radical copolymerization of the macromonomer with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) (Mn = 5000 g/mol) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) (Mn = 500 g/mol). We demonstrated that implanting of a single lysozyme molecule in the molecular brush polymer chain resulted a significant improvement of the thermal stability up to 90 °C and 9-time extended half-life for this synthetic enzyme structure. The improved enzyme performance is explained by the crowding effect provided by molecular brush architecture of the synthetic hybrid.
Regulation of Rat ALDH-3 by Hepatic Protein Kinases and Glucocorticoids

The aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH, aldehyde NAD(P)+ oxidoreductase E.C. 1.2.1.3) are a superfamily of NAD(P)+-dependent enzymes which are comprised of at least three classes or families based on sequence similarity. The Class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase gene is expressed in a tissue-specific manner in microsomal and cytosolic fractions of rodents (Dunn et al., 1988; Boesch et al., 1996), with the highest level of constitutive expression occurring in corneal epithelium, stomach, and heart. This gene is also expressed at high levels in neoplastic tissue and some cell lines. The gene product also displays induced expression in liver, lung, bladder, colon, spleen and thymus after exposure of rodents to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH1). Takimoto et al. (1994) have characterized the 5′-flanking region of the ALDH-3 gene and demonstrated that it contains at least three major functional regulatory domains: a strong promoter proximal to the transcription start site, an inhibitory region just upstream of the promoter, and a PAH-responsive enhancer region approx. 3.5 kb upstream of the promoter. Expression of this gene appears to be controlled by interaction of at least these three functional domains.
A scalable and flexible DDoS mitigation system using network function virtualization

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks remain one of the top threats to enterprise networks and ISPs nowadays. It can cause tremendous damage by bringing down online websites or services. Existing DDoS defense solutions either brings high cost such as upgrading existing firewall or IPS, or bring excessive traffic delay by using third-party cloud-based DDoS filtering services. In this work, we propose a DDoS defense framework that utilizes Network Function Virtualization (NFV) architecture to provide low cost and highly flexible solutions for enterprises. In particular, the system uses virtual network agents to perform attack traffic filtering before they are forwarded to the target server. Agents are created on demand to verify the authenticity of the source of packets, and drop spoofed packets in order protect the target server. Furthermore, we design a scalable and flexible dispatcher to forward packets to corresponding agents for processing. A bucket-based forwarding mechanism is used to improve the scalability of the dispatcher through batching forwarding. The dispatcher can also adapt to agent addition and removal. Our simulation results demonstrate that the dispatcher can effectively serve a large volume of traffic with low dropping rate. The system can successfully mitigate SYN flood attack by introducing minimal performance degradation to legitimate traffic.
Molecular genetics of lissencephaly and microcephaly

Genetic malformations of the cerebral cortex are an important cause of neurological disability in children. The genes implicated in these disorders are essential for normal cerebral cortical development. Therefore, identifying these genes and studying their functions will help us further the understanding of the normal biological mechanisms of brain development. Lissencephaly and microcephaly are two groups of disorders that have been intensely studied and several causative genes within each group have been identified. Type I (classical) lissencephaly is characterized by a smooth-appearing brain with a lack or severe reduction of normal gyri. Three of its identified causative genes (LIS1, DCX and TUBA1A) are related to microtubules, which are essential for neuronal migration in the developing cerebral cortex. Microcephaly vera is a form of microcephaly with four responsible genes reported to date. Three of them (ASPM, CENPJ and CDK5RAP2) localize to the mitotic centrosome, and one (MCPH1) is implicated in cell cycle checkpoint regulation and DNA damage response. This suggests that abnormalities of neural progenitor cell division are fundamental to the pathogenesis of microcephaly vera. These genes for microcephaly vera are also suggested to have played a role in evolutionary volume expansion of the human cerebral cortex. These examples show that genetic studies of lissencephaly and microcephaly have been very fruitful in providing novel insights into various aspects of human cerebral cortical development.
Detection of Neuropeptide mRNAs by In Situ Hybridization Histochemistry

A technique for examining gene expression in individual cells is particularly important for our understanding of neuroendocrine function. The brain is much more heterogeneous than other tissues and is composed of intercommunicating cell populations. Thus, the function of an individual neuron can only be understood in the context of its location and connections with other cells. Because of this complexity, methods relying on tissue homogenization cannot adequately describe events in a cell population comprising a small fraction of the total sample.
A New Method for the Spectral Analysis of Unevenly Sampled Time Series

We present a new method for the spectral analysis of unevenly sampled time series. We apply the properties of inverse sums of matrices and pseudoinverses to a constrained least squares formulation of the spectral analysis problem and demonstrate that this approach yields accurate solutions in the form of Fourier coefficients. The Fourier coefficients relate time, power, and phase in a self-consistent manner, improving upon previous spectral analysis methods for unevenly sampled data. Our spectral solutions satisfy Parseval’s theorem, and the inverse transformations of our spectra reconstruct the original, unevenly sampled time series. This is the first presentation of such a method for unevenly sampled data.
A RETROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF TRICUSPID VALVE SURGERY TO TRICUSPID VALVE VEGETATION DEBULKING WITH ANGIOVAC FOR ISOLATED TRICUSPID VALVE ENDOCARDITIS

Tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) has been the standard treatment for tricuspid valve endocarditis (TVE) refractory to medical therapy, however many patients are not candidates for a surgical intervention due to prohibitive surgical risk. Percutaneous tricuspid vegetation debulking (PTVD) with the
Balancing Energy, Environment, and Economics

Human civilization owes a huge amount of our technological success to fossil fuels. These fuels made possible the Industrial Revolution in the early nineteenth century, self-powered vehicles, electricity, global communications, and spaceflight. However, fossil fuels are not sustainable, and petroleum, natural gas, and coal resources are finite. The concept of peak oil developed in the 1950s stated that every oil field would grow to reach peak production and then drop off. The constant discovery of new reserves was necessary to keep up with demand. The energy resources used by any society at any time are defined by technology, controlled by economics, and directed by policy. Present-day use of fossil fuels should at best be seen as a “bridge” to get human civilization to more advanced, sustainable forms of energy.
Community Size and Lung Cancer Resection Outcomes: Studying The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database

Background Socioeconomic factors play key roles in surgical outcomes. Socioeconomic data within The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD) are limited. Therefore, we utilized community size as a surrogate to understand socioeconomic differences in lung cancer resection outcomes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all lung cancer resections from January 2012 to January 2017 in the STS GTSD. This captured 68,722 patients from 286 centers nationwide. We then linked patient zip codes with 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes to understand the association between community size and postoperative outcomes. Demographic and clinical variables were evaluated for relationships with 30-day mortality, major morbidity, and readmission. Results Zip codes were included in 47.2% of patients. Zip-coded patients were older, were more comorbid, had less advanced disease, and were more commonly treated with minimally invasive approaches than were those without zip code classification. For geocoded patients, multivariable analyses demonstrated that sex, insurance payor, and hospital region were associated with all 3 major endpoints. Community size, based on Rural-Urban Continuum Codes coding, was not associated with any primary endpoint. Invasive mediastinal staging was related to morbidity, greater pathological stage predicted mortality, and worsened clinical stage was associated with readmission. More invasive surgery and greater extent of lung resection were associated with all primary endpoints. Conclusions Incomplete data capture can promote selection bias within the STS GTSD and skew outcomes reporting. Moreover, community size is an insufficient surrogate, compared with sex, insurance payor, hospital region, for understanding socioeconomic differences in lung cancer resection outcomes.
Mental Health Symptoms as Predictors of School Climate Evaluations among Middle School Latinx/Hispanic Students

A scarcity of counseling literature examines the impact that mental health symptoms have on school climate perceptions for students in transitional-aged settings, specifically Latinx/Hispanic stude...
A system for contact free energy expenditure assessment under free-living conditions: Monitoring metabolism for weight loss using carbon dioxide emission.

Weight disorders are strikingly prevalent globally and can contribute to a wide array of potentially fatal diseases spanning from type II diabetes to coronary heart disease. These disorders have a common cause: poor calorie balance. Since energy expenditure (EE) [kcal/day] constitutes one half of the calorie balance equation (the other half being food intake), its measurement could be of great value to those suffering from weight disorders. A technique for contact free assessment of EE is presented, which only relies on CO2 concentration monitoring within a sealed office space, and assessment of carbon dioxide production rate (VCO2). Twenty healthy subjects were tested in a cross-sectional study to evaluate the performance of the aforementioned technique in measuring both resting energy expenditure (REE) and exercise energy expenditure using the proposed system (the "SmartPad") and a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared gold standard reference instrument for EE measurement. For VCO2 and EE measurements, the method showed a correlation slope of 1.00 and 1.03 with regression coefficients of 0.99 and 0.99, respectively, and Bland-Altman plots with a mean bias = -0.232% with respect to the reference instrument. Furthermore, two subjects were also tested as part of a proof-of-concept longitudinal study where EE patterns were simultaneously tracked with body weight, sleep, stress, and step counts using a smartwatch over the course of a month, to determine correlation between the aforementioned parameters and EE. Analysis revealed moderately high correlation coefficients (Pearson's r) for stress (raverage=0.609) and body weight (raverage=0.597) for the 2 subjects. The new Smart Pad method was demonstrated to be a promising technique for energy expenditure measurement under free-living conditions.
Neonatal Exposure to Tramadol through Mother's Breast Milk.

Tramadol is an opioid used in the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol's use during pregnancy is generally avoided and may cause some reversible withdrawal effects in neonates, and its use during lactation is not licensed by the manufacturer. A small clinical trial reported infants were exposed to <3% of a mother's tramadol dose through breast milk with no evidence of harmful effects. Presented is a case study of breast milk, neonatal urine, and neonatal oral fluid for the analysis of tramadol and its metabolites, along with the validation of a method for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol in breast milk. Tramadol and its metabolites were extracted by solid-phase extraction after saponification of breast milk to remove lipids. Samples were analyzed by ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of tramadol and its metabolites in neonatal oral fluid. The breast milk concentrations were 63, 22, and 76 ng/mL for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol, respectively, on day of life 12. On day of life 20, the breast milk concentrations were 1,254, 388, and 937 ng/mL for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol, respectively. Oral fluid concentrations were 1,011, 1,499, and 406 ng/mL for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol, respectively, on day of life 20. Oral fluid concentrations were similar to breast milk for tramadol, almost four times higher for O-desmethyltramadol, and less than half for N-desmethyltramadol. The absolute infant dose was calculated to be 10 μg/kg/day and 294 μg/kg/day for tramadol on day of life 12 and 20, respectively.
Automated Verification of Concurrent Linked Lists with Counters

We present an automated verification technique for verification of concurrent linked lists with integer variables. We show that using our technique one can automatically verify invariants that relate (unbounded) integer variables and heap variables such as head ? null ? numItems > 0. The presented technique extends our previous work on composite symbolic representations with shape analysis. The main idea is to use different data structures such as BDDs, arithmetic constraints and shape graphs as type specific symbolic representations in automated verification. We show that polyhedra based widening operation can be integrated with summarization operation in shape graphs to conservatively verify properties of concurrent linked lists.
Integrating Technology into Teacher Preparation Programs

(1996). Integrating Technology into Teacher Preparation Programs. Teaching Education: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 9-14.
Implementation of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice in England

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in mental health is generating much interest throughout the world. England is the world leader in EBPs. Key issues in implementing EBPs are summarized. Based on extensive interviews, EBPs and sources of information in the United Kingdom are reviewed, development of EBPs in the United States and the United Kingdom are compared, and the challenges of translating evidence of effectiveness to practice are discussed.
Nutritional folate-deficiency in Chinese hamster ovary cells: Chromosomal abnormalities associated with perturbations in nucleic acid precursors

Abstract Folate deficiency is known to induce chromosomal abnormalities. We used a nutritionally folate-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture system to examine modulation of chromosome damage by purine or pyrimidine supplementation. The cells were cultured in folate-deficient (Fol − ) medium or Fol − medium supplemented with thymidine (dT) or hypoxanthine (Hx) until population growth arrest. The cultures were then switched to complete medium, permitting the cells to begin cell division. Cell-cycle progression was followed by flow cytometry to identify the first mitosis, when samples for analysis were collected. The mitotic index, frequency of chromosomal aberrations in mitotic cells, and relative distribution of different types of aberrations were determined. Cells grown in Fol − medium supplemented with Hx entered the G 2 /M phase of the cell cycle at 14 hours after media change as compared with 16 hours for Fol − cultures or 24 hours for Fol − cultures supplemented with dT. Cells cultured in Fol − medium alone or supplemented with dT showed similar frequencies of damage, averaging 20–22%, as compared with 2% for control cultures. In contrast, cells grown in Hx-supplemented medium exhibited a lower frequency of damaged mitoses (15%), as well as a reduction in certain types of abnormalities. This latter finding is surprising in light of our previous work showing that the presence of Hx during folate deficiency produced a more severe perturbation of phenotype (cellular enlargement) and growth control (S-phase delay and cell killing) than did dT supplementation or the absence of both nucleotide precursors.
Equipotential Energy Exchange Depends on Density of Matter

Abstract: Potential energy exchanged for work done by radial/center-bound gravitational force field along equipotential surfaces (where the radial potential remains unchanged by definition), depends also on density of matter of the source mass that is responsible for generating the locally dominant field. To the extent that equipotential hence nonradial parts of trajectory paths (of the objects that move within the field) are exposed to the (nonrotating) field’s influence, the moving objects’ energy is lost (regardless of direction of the nonradial part of their motion) and transferred to the field. Mathematically derived, with the use of (new) synthetic mathematics, a new law governing nonradial exchange of potential energy generalizes the previous law that has been derived from physical considerations and had already been confirmed by several experiments and observations.
Three Myths About Twombly-Iqbal

This essay tries to convey the meaning of the recent revolutionary cases on federal pleading law. To do so, it refutes the three leading myths about the Twombly and Iqbal cases and thereby establishes these three propositions: First, the Supreme Court has not revived code-based fact pleading. This first conclusion implies that the codes’ law/fact distinction plays no role in screening allegations under the new test for nonconclusoriness, and it also implies that the courts should not apply the new test for plausibility to each allegation but only to the ultimate assertion of liability. Second, we academics must beware of overstating the scope of the new cases. Their holdings apply only to claimants’ pleadings, and indeed only to their allegations on the merits. Third, we must also beware of reading optimistically the opinions’ evident confusions to infer an aimless Court. Its rather steady purpose indicates that the Justices now mean business as pleading revolutionaries.
A new quantitative ultrasonic method for diagnosis of chronic parenchymal liver disease

Abstract The degree of echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma was measured by an objective method comparing patient's sonograms with a tissue-mimicking phantom obtained with available real-time ultrasound machines. A single sonographic image of the liver and the phantom was taken using identical settings in each case. The ratio of the mean density of the phantom to that of the liver was obtained. The mean of the ratio in 30 normal subjects was 1.04 ± 0.01, in 26 patients with early alcoholic liver disease 1.23 ± 0.04, and in 74 cirrhotic subjects 1.54 ± 0.03, with a significant difference among the three groups (p
A new small drill hole minipermeameter probe for in situ permeability measurement: Fluid mechanics and geometrical factors

[1] Considerable heterogeneity is evident when permeability measurements are made on small scales, either in the field or in the laboratory on field samples. Small-scale permeability measurements have commonly been made by inducing multidimensional gas flow through a sample with various configurations of the conventional surface-sealing gas minipermeameter. In order to reduce weathering and seal-quality problems, a new minipermeameter probe was designed for field application within small diameter holes drilled into an outcrop. We briefly describe the small drill hole minipermeameter, while developing in detail the associated data analysis methodology for performing in situ permeability measurements with this new probe. Analysis of field data, which consists of gas injection pressure and mass flow rate, is based on a numerical solution in cylindrical coordinates of the ideal gas flow equation, assuming homogeneous and isotropic conditions over the averaging volume of the measurements. In the following development the semianalytical inverse solution for permeability will be derived for the new small drill hole minipermeameter probe, which varies from that of the conventional surface-sealing minipermeameter probe only in the choice of the appropriate characteristic length and in the magnitude of the associated geometrical factor.
Extending Systems Engineering Leading Indicators for Human Systems Integration Effectiveness

Human Systems Integration (HSI) is the integrated, comprehensive analysis, design and assessment of requirements, concepts, and resources for system Manpower; Personnel, Training, Environment, Safety, Occupational Heath, Habitability, Survivability and Human Factors Engineering. This paper describes a new research effort to extend a set of systems engineering leading indicators developed in prior research, to more effectively address HSI considerations. HSI is tightly coupled with the systems engineering process, particularly in large defense and government programs, making it challenging to determine if HSI is sufficiently considered to ensure a successful program. It is also challenging to isolate and identify HSI issues, particularly in the early stages of acquisition and program development. The objective of the research is to augment and extend the current systems engineering leading indicators, including interpretive guidance, to enhance the predictability of programmatic and technical performance on a program to include adequate HSI consideration.
Method for Determination of Cyclic AMP in Plasma

A simple procedure is described for measuring cyclic AMP (cAMP) in plasma, body fluids, and tissue extracts. A modification of the method of Brown et al. [ Biochem. J. 121, 561 (1971)], it is based on competitive binding of cAMP by a protein in crude adrenal extracts, and precipitation of the cAMP-protein complex by ammonium sulfate. cAMP concentrations in normal human plasma ranged from 8 to 16 nmol/liter, and in the plasma of dogs from 5 to 15 nmol/liter. The range of the method is 0.5-8 pmol per assay, and up to 0.4 ml of sample can be used. A cheap and easily prepared binding-protein is used and the procedure is suitable for clinical studies of cAMP concentrations in plasma.
Differences in Learning and Study Strategies Inventory Scores Between Chiropractic Students With Lower and Higher Grade Point Averages

Purpose: This pilot study was designed to investigate the relationship between chiropractic students' learning and study strategies and academic performance. Differences in strategic learning between chiropractic students with higher grade points averages (GPAs) and those with lower GPAs have not been previously reported. Methods: Fifty-seven consenting first-trimester chiropractic students self-administered the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI). Differences between high and low GPA groups were evaluated for 10 subtests and three factors using independent samples t -tests. Results: The high GPA group scored significantly higher (p < .05) on LASSI subtests Anxiety, Attitude, Concentration, Motivation, Test Strategies, and Selecting Main Ideas, and on factors Effort-Related Activities and Goal Orientation. No differences between groups were found for subtests Information Processing, Self-Testing, Study Aids, and Time Management or for the Cognitive Activities factor. Conclusions: The results o...
The thermal decomposition of the complex formed in the uranium(VI)-nitric acid-tri-n-dodecylamine extraction system

Abstract The complex formed in the extraction of uranium (VI) from sulphuric acid solution by tri-n-dodecylamine in benzene has been freed from benzene by vacuum evaporation prior to thermogravimetric examination and differential thermal analysis and the complex and its thermal decomposition products have been examined by infra-red spectroscopy. A structure is proposed for the complex.
Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in cats: 65 cases (1994–2006)

Objective—To describe the clinical signs, physical examination findings, clinical laboratory abnormalities, etiology, and outcome in cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—65 client-owned cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum. Procedures—Medical records of cats with spontaneous hemoperitoneum at 7 large referral clinics were reviewed. Cats were included if a definitive diagnosis of spontaneous hemoperitoneum could be obtained from review of the medical records. Results—65 cats met inclusion criteria. The most common historical findings were lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Common findings on physical examination included inadequate hydration status and hypothermia. The most common clinicopathologic abnormalities were high serum AST activity, anemia, prolonged prothrombin time, and prolonged partial thromboplastin time. Forty-six percent (30/65) of cats had abdominal neoplasia, and 54% (35/65) had nonneoplastic conditions. Hemangiosarcoma was the most often diagnose...
Filling a Plastic Bag with Carbon Dioxide: A Student-Designed Guided-Inquiry Lab for Advanced Placement and College Chemistry Courses

A guided-inquiry lab, suitable for first-year general chemistry or high school advanced placement chemistry, is presented that uses only inexpensive, store-bought materials. The reaction of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) with aqueous acetic acid (vinegar), under the constraint of the challenge to completely fill a sealable plastic bag with the gaseous carbon dioxide product, is presented to students of chemistry. Students must marshal their knowledge of non-STP gas stoichiometry, including the often misunderstood concept of limiting and excess reagents, to successfully complete the task. This contribution is part of a special issue on teaching introductory chemistry in the context of the advanced placement (AP) chemistry course redesign.