cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet Bonding of PFPE With Carbon Overcoat: Surface Energy and Spreading

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation effects on the functional perfluoropolyether (PFPE), i.e., Ztetraol films, were investigated by studying the bonded film thickness as well as the surface energy of PFPE lubricated media using Lifshitz-van der Waals and Lewis acid/base (LW/AB) theory. It was found that short-time UV irradiation enhanced the bonding of Ztetraol film with ion beam deposited carbon overcoat, which is attributed to the direct photodissociation of PFPE molecules. Long-time UV irradiation degraded PFPE chain and caused the loss of lubricant by evaporation. L-t plot was further employed to analyze the spreading behaviors of Ztetraol films, where L represents the distance of the leading edge of the lubricant film travels in the time t. With UV irradiation, the spreading of Ztetraol films was retarded possibly due to the enhancement of bonding of Ztetraol with overcoat and cross-linking between Ztetraol molecules.
My sclerotherapy technique for telangiectasia and reticular veins.

BACKGROUND Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for reticular and telangiectatic leg veins. OBJECTIVE To highlight the author's treatment technique. METHOD Review rational for technique supported by experience and literature. RESULTS Excellent results have been achieved using the technique presented. CONCLUSIONS Properly performed sclerotherapy is safe and effective in permanently eliminating unwanted reticular and telangiectatic leg veins.
Protein‐Protein Interactions Between Soybean Beta‐conglycinin (B1‐B6) and Myosin

Protein-protein interactions between soybean beta-conglycinin (B1- B6) and myosin were studied by turbidity, solubility and SDS-poly- acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. Turbidity and solubility studies showed that, under the experimental conditions used, these proteins interacted at temperatures between 60° and 100°C, while SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the interaction also occurred at 50°C. The interasction was such that no detectable complexing between these two proteins was observed. The presence of beta-conglycinin resulted in diminished aggregations of myosin heavy chains between 50° and 100°C.
Chemical reaction networks

A set of chemical species "interconnected" by reaction pathways is commonly referred to as a chemical network. We show that chemical networks are mathematically equivalent to a class of multiport networks. Hence, abstract circuit theory can be applied to study chemical systems. Both linear-graph and bond-graph representations of reaction networks are presented. We also indicate how network methods can be employed to treat coupled transport and chemical reaction processes.
Cachectin (Tumor Necrosis Factor)

Invasive stimuli, including parasitic, bacterial, or viral infection and neoplastic disease, precipitate catabolic changes in cellular metabolism and pathological alterations in the physiology of their mammalian hosts. These disruptions of normal homeostasis, left unresolved, can lead to the depletion of host energy stores advancing to wasting (cachexia), tissue damage, multiple organ system failure, shock, and death. Although such symptomatic patterns are all too familiar to clinicians, the underlying causes of this progressive decline have remained obscure. Because these patterns are frequently attributed to the metabolic demands or direct actions of the pathogen or its products, treatment has quite naturally focused on aggressive elimination of the invading agent and reactive support of failing host physiology. It now appears that invasive stimuli provide a trigger for the release of host-secreted cytokines, and the combined actions of these endogenous mediators elicit most or all of the biologic responses culminating in the pathophysiology of cachexia and shock. This new appreciation for the essential role of host-derived inflammatory mediators has provided a focus for new therapeutic approaches to a broad spectrum of invasive diseases.
Contrasting Orientation Toward Sport: Pre - and Post-Title Ix Athletes:

The purpose of this study was to examine possible changes which have transpired in the attitudes, perceptions, and reactions toward sport of pre- and post-Title IX athletes. It was hypothesized that along with the structural changes which have transpired in post-Title IX programs, a concurrent shift occurred in the attitudes, perceptions, and reactions toward sport of female athtetes. Based on data from 697 former female intercollegiate athletes, pre- and post-Title IX athletes varied on items relative to reasons for selection of a university, sport role commitment, importance of scholarship offer, reactions to the intercollegiate sport experience, and reactions to "retiring from intercollegiate sport. When contrasted to a comparable sample of former male inter collegiate athletes, the responses of post-Title IX female athletes were found to be more similar to those of their male counterparts than was true of pre-Title IX athletes.
1: Spontaneous preterm birth in infants with congenitally acquired cytomegalovirus infection

1 Spontaneous preterm birth in infants with congenitally acquired cytomegalovirus infection N. Aziz, L. Jelliffe-Pawlowski, C. Chambers, R. Baer, R. Currier, M. Norton Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA OBJECTIVES: Data pertaining to the association between congenital CMV infection and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) is limited. Given that infection may lead to inflammation during pregnancy and to placental abnormalities, we hypothesized that pregnancies with congenital CMV infection may be at increased risk for SPTB and abnormal placental markers. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of singleton pregnancies with second trimester screening in California in 2005-2010 who had infants with and without diagnosed congenital CMV infection reported in delivery discharge records. Controls were randomly chosen at a ratio of 4:1 from all infants without CMV infection. We assessed SPTB and compared placental markers in these groups. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 64 of 1,057,032 infants were identified with congenital CMV infection. The overall rate of SPTB was 42.2% (27/ 64) in the infants with congenital CMV infection compared to 7.0% (18/256) in those without infection. Infants diagnosed with congenital CMV infection were nearly 15 times more likely to be
Googling the Law: Apprising Students of the Benefits and Flaws of Google as a Legal Research Tool

This article discusses the pros and cons of using the free internet for conducting legal research and for teaching students the process of legal research.
Robust and secure monitoring and attribution of malicious behaviors

Worldwide computer systems continue to execute malicious software that degrades the systems' performance and consumes network capacity by generating high volumes of unwanted traffic. Network-based detectors can effectively identify machines participating in the ongoing attacks by monitoring the traffic to and from the systems. But, network detection alone is not enough; it does not improve the operation of the Internet or the health of other machines connected to the network. We must identify malicious code running on infected systems, participating in global attack networks. This dissertation describes a robust and secure approach that identifies malware present on infected systems based on its undesirable use of network. Our approach, using virtualization, attributes malicious traffic to host-level processes responsible for the traffic. The attribution identifies on-host processes, but malware instances often exhibit parasitic behaviors to subvert the execution of benign processes. We then augment the attribution software with a host-level monitor that detects parasitic behaviors occurring at the user- and kernel-level. User-level parasitic attack detection happens via the system-call interface because it is a non-bypassable interface for user-level processes. Due to the unavailability of one such interface inside the kernel for drivers, we create a new driver monitoring interface inside the kernel to detect parasitic attacks occurring through this interface. Our attribution software relies on a guest kernel's data to identify on-host processes. To allow secure attribution, we prevent illegal modifications of critical kernel data from kernel-level malware. Together, our contributions produce a unified research outcome—an improved malicious code identification system for user- and kernel-level malware.
An Improved Cohesive Zone Model for Low Strength Materials

An improved cohesive zone model is presented for the prediction of crack initiation and propagation inside a material with low failure strength. The model allows independent specification of the initial stiffness, critical fracture energy, and maximum failure strength of the material. This represents an improvement over a previously established exponential law, where specification of a low strength material produced an initial low stiffness. It is shown that if cohesive elements are introduced along all boundaries in a finite element mesh, the structural response is inaccurate. With the improved model a high initial stiffness is recovered. Numerical simulations demonstrate the ability of the improved model to predict failure of foam core sandwich structures with an initial crack present in the core.
Plume composition and evolution in multicomponent ices using resonant two-step laser ablation and ionization mass spectrometry.

The composition and evolution of plumes generated in a resonant infrared (IR) laser desorption of low-temperature ices is investigated via a recently developed two-step laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry (2S-LAIMS) technique where a neutral plume is ejected by an IR laser pulse and ionized by a UV laser pulse for analysis via time-of-flight mass spectrometry. By varying the delay between the lasers, we can construct a complete time-resolved model of the ejected plume components. We found that water ices containing mixtures of polar and nonpolar analytes displayed complex mass spectral profiles that varied as the plume evolved. In these samples, the low-volatility polar analytes and clusters were restricted to the early part of the plume, whereas volatile or nonpolar analytes were spread throughout the plume. The distributions of low-volatility polar species, clusters, and impurities from the copper substrate were well-represented by single Maxwell-like distributions centered at high velocit...
CO2, NOx, and particle emissions from aircraft and support activities at a regional airport.

The goal of this research was to quantify emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particle number, and black carbon (BC) from in-use aircraft and related activity at a regional airport. Pollutant concentrations were measured adjacent to the airfield and passenger terminal at the Roanoke Regional Airport in Virginia. Observed NOx emission indices (EIs) for jet-powered, commuter aircraft were generally lower than those contained in the International Civil Aviation Organization databank for both taxi (same as idle) and takeoff engine settings. NOx EIs ranged from 1.9 to 3.7 g (kg fuel)−1 across five types of aircraft during taxiing, whereas EIs were consistently higher, 8.8–20.6 g (kg fuel)−1, during takeoff. Particle number EIs ranged from 1.4 × 1016 to 7.1 × 1016 (kg fuel)−1 and were slightly higher in taxi mode than in takeoff mode for four of the five types of aircraft. Diurnal patterns in CO2 and NOx concentrations were influenced mainly by atmospheric conditions, while patterns in par...
High Anxiety Levels and Cultural Integration: Notes on a Psycho-Cultural Hypothesis

IN RECENT years the writerhas been directing a project designed to codify what is known about culture contact (acculturation) phenomena. Among other things this has involved attempts to characterize features of cultural systems. Explorations into psychological dimensions of conjunctive relations also revealed an interesting type of adaptation to such conditions, namely, a conscious strict control or even rejection of available anxiety reducing patterns and concomitant elaboration of in-group symbols of identification. Hallowell has pointed out that "certain anxieties may be inculcated in individuals [as part of the socialization process] in order to motivate them in the performance of patterns of behavior that are socially approved."' They are taught that certain things and events are painful or threatening, and correspondingly that there are approved ways for reducing these threats and alleviating the psychic pain involved in anticipating them. What has been further observed, however, is that the learned instrumentalities for dealing with acquired anxiety in certain acculturative situations are very narrowly defined, restricted in number, and carefully supervised by a designated elite. This mode of adaptation, moreover, appeared to be significantly associated with tight integration of culture. One manifestation of such control is reflected in the very low incidence of alcohol consumption and the non-sanctioning of periods of group indulgence. In other respects, also, patterns of permitted anxiety-reducing behavior are only narrowly permissive, and control over one's actions is not only demanded but apparently closely conformed to. These observations are especially arresting in view of the widespread adoption of periodic large-scale alcohol consumption, as one anxiety reducing mechanism, demonstrated among a great many groups at comparable levels of anxiety.2 At the psychological level also we should hypothesize the converse of our findings, namely, that severe constricting environmental pressures upon the individual will necessitate his seeking broad channels for reducing consequent high tension. The writer was prompted therefore to investigate further the possible theoretical expectation of correlation between these variables.
Fungal pneumonias in transplant recipients.

Fungi are ubiquitous in the environment. Opportunistic fungal pneumonias in the immunocompromised host continue to increase most commonly due to Aspergillus sp. Affected patients are usually hematopoietic stem cell and lung transplant recipients. Clinical presentation is protean, and the diagnosis i
Treating multiple myeloma.

Has the outlook for patients with multiple myeloma changed in recent years? Not much. This paper compares 81 patients followed from 1954 to 1960 with 61 patients seen from 1960 to 1967. Most of the first group received urethane, while later patients were given such agents as melphalan and cyclophosphamide. Although more patients temporarily improved on newer drugs, survival rates stayed about the same.
Design and Realization of Accelerating Download Scheme Based on Edge Cache

Considering the problems of slow download speed which caused by traditional networks congestion.This paper proposes an accelerated download scheme through study on CDN and P2P.It combines P2P and CDN and takes advantage of their merits to construct a new resource download service system.It shortens the distance between users and resources by sending center server resources to edge of network.Meanwhile,edge cache server and its users nearby automatically construct P2P download network.So resources becoming more marginate and then users obtain the high download speed.The result of experiment demonstrates the scheme not only effectively enhances download speed but also controls the network traffic of backbone network effectively.
Effect of medium range order on pulsed laser crystallization of amorphous germanium thin films

Sputter deposited amorphous Ge thin films had their nanostructure altered by irradiation with high-energy Ar+ ions. The change in the structure resulted in a reduction in medium range order (MRO) characterized using fluctuation electron microscopy. The pulsed laser crystallization kinetics of the as-deposited versus irradiated materials were investigated using the dynamic transmission electron microscope operated in the multi-frame movie mode. The propagation rate of the crystallization front for the irradiated material was lower; the changes were correlated to the MRO difference and formation of a thin liquid layer during crystallization.
Food Nostalgia and the Contested Time

In this article, I examine several narratives that express nostalgia through the food of Nanjing, especially those representing the famous halal ( qingzhen 清真) restaurant Ma Xiangxing 马祥兴, in order to investigate how narrative time can be manipulated in order to variously position and frame history. After outlining the context of prevalent cultural nostalgia in contemporary China, I begin with a publicity narrative generated by Ma Xiangxing. I then move on to literary representations by authors such as Wu Jingzi 吴敬梓, Huang Shang 黄裳, and Ye Zhaoyan 叶兆言. Finally, I look at “Nanjing 1912,” a high-end shopping and entertainment district that attempts to invoke the Republican era in order to attract consumers. As food nostalgia evolved from a rebellion against modernity to a marketing strategy in China, it has generated narratives that embody a mix of restorative and reflective nostalgia. A linear narration of history and tradition coexists with a circular narration that challenges its accuracy; thus, not only does originality eventually become a meaningless concept, but simulation also precedes and creates reality in the general commercialization of nostalgia in post-reform China.
Cellular ANTomata as Engines for Highly Parallel Pattern Processing

One important approach to high-performance computing has a (relatively) simple physical computer architecture emulate virtual algorithmic architectures (VAAs) that are highly optimized for important application domains. We expose the Cellular ANTomaton (CAnt) computing model—cellular automata enhanced with mobile FSMs (Ants)—as a highly efficient VAA for a variety of pattern-processing problems that are inspired by biocomputing applications. We illustrate the CAnt model via a scalable design for an \(n \times n\) CAnt that solves the following bio-inspired problem in linear time.
Deep-learning trust estimation in multi-agent systems

In this paper we propose a trust algorithm, dubbed NeuroTrust, based on a multi-layered neural network. Previous work introduced trust as a performance estimation algorithm between team members in multi-agent systems, to allow for behavior optimization of the team. The trust model was developed based on an Acceptance Observation History (AOH) and confirmation and tolerance parameters to control trust growth and decay. Further work proposed certain improvements, in an autonomous vehicles convoy scenario, by considering agent diversity and a non-linear relationship between trust and vehicle control. In this work we show a further optimization using a deep recurrent neural network. This multi-layered neural network delivers trust as a probability function estimation with AOH as a sliding window batch input. The neural network is pre-trained using supervised learning, to emulate the previous trust model, as baseline. This pre-trained model is then exposed to future optimization using on-line reinforcement learning. The proposed trust model could be adaptable to a variety of systems, external conditions, and agent diversity. One application example where such a biologically-inspired trust model is suitable would be for soldier-machine teaming. Furthermore, particularly in the autonomous convoy scenario, we can account for the trust-control relationship nonlinearity in the trust domain, thus simplifying the control algorithm.
Biomolecules at the amorphous silica/water interface: Binding and fluorescence anisotropy of peptides

We investigate binding of the tripeptides Lys-Trp-Lys (KWK) and Glu-Trp-Glu (EWE) to the amorphous silica surface using atomistic simulations. These peptides were chosen because they were previously utilized in experiments measuring binding affinity and steady-state fluorescence anisotropy from the indole chromophore of the tryptophan residue. Our simulations were performed using silica with surface change density of -0.8 elementary charges per square nanometer, which is expected at neutral pH. Even though positive charged KWK binds more strongly to the negatively charged silica surface, EWE also forms bound complexes with the surface that are stable for at least 15ns of simulation, in agreement with the experiments which revealed evidence for binding of both KWK and EWE to silica. Binding mechanisms include a wide variety of electrostatic interactions, as well as hydrophobic interactions between the indole group and hydrophobic areas of the heterogeneous silica surface. The long-time limit of the fluorescence anisotropy of tryptophan is calculated from the simulations in order to help interpret the recent experiments. We identify several factors which control the magnitude of the fluorescence anisotropy for each binding configuration.
Views on ageing in place from relocated low‑income housing residents in the US.

BACKGROUND Ageing in place (AIP) is the ability to live in one's home and community independently, despite age, ability level or income. AIM To elicit knowledge and feelings about AIP from low-income older adults relocated to low-income housing. METHOD Nursing students, supervised by nursing faculty trained in research, conducted semi-structured interviews about AIP with volunteer residents living in a low-income apartment complex in the southern US. FINDINGS Seven participants discussed common fears and worries as well as needs for AIP in low-income housing. Mental health issues were prominent. CONCLUSION Mental health warrants consideration along with physical, social and emotional well-being in beginning to identify and address the needs of older people ageing anywhere, perhaps especially in relocated low-income older adults. This information could inform future interventions to encourage AIP in the US and potentially in other countries.
Achieving low magnetic flux density and low electric field intensity for an inductive wireless power transfer system

In most loosely coupled inductive wireless power transfer systems, the air-gap magnetic flux density between coils is still far above safety limit, which is a potential threat to human beings and animals. In addition, less attention is paid to the air-gap electric field intensity, which increases significantly as the operating frequency increases. In this paper, a multi-kW inductive wireless power transfer system general design methodology that can inherently achieve low air-gap center plane magnetic flux density and electric field intensity is proposed. The effects of coil radius, number of turns, inter-turn distance and operating frequency are investigated. Proposed methodology is evaluated with a 3 kW, 30 cm distance wireless power transfer design example by FEA and experiment tests. Power scaling law within air-gap center plane magnetic field and electric field safety limits is developed.
Natural History of Borderline Patients Treated by Intensive Hospitalization

The authors have the largest follow-up sample of long-term treatment ever done. They have studied almost 500 patients, 20 years after discharge from the long-term treatment unit at Psychiatric Institute. This article reviews some of their findings and identifies the patient population that requires and can benefit from long-term treatment.
Reducing Energy of Baseband Processor for IoT Terminals with Long Range Wireless Communications

In this paper, we propose a new baseband architecture for Internet of Things (IoT) terminals that support long range communications such as those based on Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and spread spectrum technologies. We analyze the workload profiles of both systems and find that the frame detection unit has by far the highest computational load. Based on this analysis, we propose a simple architecture that uses only a scalar datapath. To optimize for low energy consumption, we introduce application specific instructions that minimize register accesses and include address generation units for streamlined memory access. Next, we derive energy-optimal operation settings for different channel conditions. We find that if target signal detection probability is greater than 0.9 and false alarm probability is less than 0.1, then for both good and bad channel conditions, our baseband processor has the lowest energy when the frame detection algorithm uses the longest correlation window and the highest detection threshold value.
Why Are We Lagging Behind? An Empirical Analysis of Municipal Capital Spending in the United States

This research examines the determinants of municipal capital investment in the United States. Using a data set of 100 large cities in five select years over 1992–2012, the regression analysis finds that local tax and expenditure limitations and legal debt limitations restrict municipal capital spending. The receipt of intergovernmental revenue, governmental fund balance, and some demographic factors have significant effects on the capital outlays. The empirical findings shed light on how to address the lag of critical investment in infrastructure at the municipal level in the United States.
International Teaching Assistants Professional Identity Development in the United States: A Multiple Case Study Perspective

Informed by Critical Theory and Poststructuralist Theory and the intersections of power, ideology, identity, and language, this study investigated how three ITAs construct their professional identities as instructors at a US university. To gain an in-depth understanding of ITAs’ professional identities development, the researchers used a qualitative approach with a multi-case study design to examine various data and variables including a) undergraduates’ feedback to ITAs’ instruction and b) ITAs’ English language use in academic settings and its influence on their teaching. Through narrative analysis, the researchers analyzed data from interviews, classroom observations, and research journals. Findings suggest that students’ course evaluations and the ubiquity of native speaking norm influence the ITAs’ professional identity formation. As a result, the ITAs have become more concerned about how their English language could influence their teaching while backgrounding their expertise in the content knowledge.
Longitudinal Auditory Evoked Responses and the Development of Language

Over the past 50 years, researchers have been interested in problems involving specific brain-language relationships. Issues pertaining to the interrelationship of hemispheric specialization, cerebral lateralization and language development have been explored by researchers utilizing a variety of methodologies. One methodology that has produced promising results involves the use of auditory evoked response (AER) techniques, AERs refers to the portion of the on-going electrical activity of the brain which is time locked to the onset of some external auditory event. Using AER techniques, researchers have been able to report evidence of specialization and cerebral lateralization in human infants (Barnet, de Sotillo, and Campos, 1974; Crowell, Jones, Kapuniai and Nakagawa, 1973; Molfese, 1972; Molfese, Freeman and Palermo, 1975; Molfese and Molfese, 1979a, 1979b, 1980; Schucard, Schucard, Cummins and Campos, 1981). In recent years, multivariate analyses of data obtained using AER techniques have yielded information concerning the development of hemisphere differences. These procedures have also enabled researchers to isolate and identify specific components of the AER across hemispheres which appear to reflect responses to specific language-relevant acoustic and phonetic cues.
Importance Sampling Methodologies for Simulation of Wireless Communication Links

Characteristics that make bit error rate (BER) analysis of wireless communication links difficult include: multipath Rayleigh fading channels, diversity combining, adaptive equalization, intersymbol interference (memory), error control coding, and trellis coded modulation. Although Monte Carlo simulation is a useful and general approach for BER analysis of many voice-band systems with these impairments, the technique is not feasible for systems with low BER’s due to long runtimes. Importance sampling (IS) techniques offer the potential for large speedup factors for Monte Carlo simulation of low BER systems. The basic idea behind importance sampling is to artificially modify, or “bias” the probability distributions to yield more events of interest (i.e., bit errors) than occur naturally. Appropriate “weights” are then used to yield an unbiased estimator. It is crucial to employ a proper IS biasing scheme and to choose “good” biasing parameter values, otherwise the required simulation run length for a given accuracy could be larger than for conventional Monte Carlo.
Relationship between Diabetes Self-Management Education and Self-Care Behaviors among African American Women with Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which African American women participate in diabetes self-management education (DSME) and the impact of participation on self-care behaviors. Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (2007) revealed, approximately, 53.6% of participants reported having had DSME, less than the 62.5% participation rate suggested by Healthy People 2020. Those who received DSME were significantly more likely to check their own blood sugar and feet regularly; to participate in moderate physical activity; and to have received healthcare provider foot examinations, glycosolated hemoglobin measurements, and dilated eye examinations in the past year. These results indicate the importance of DSME and the need for health care providers to develop strategies and policies to improve participation among this ethnic group of women. Thereby, decreasing complications related to Type 2 diabetes and improving the quality of life for these Women.
RITUALIZATION IN MARINE CRUSTACEA

The concept of ritualization of behavior patterns in animals is generally attributed to Huxley (1923), although Huxley (1966) gives credit for this concept to Selous (1901), and Darwin (1872) certainly had ideas along these lines. Ritualization has been variously defined (see Huxley, 1966), but it generally refers to the evolutionary development of communicatory movements or postures from movements or postures which originally served other purposes. Communication between individuals is improved by the evolutionary development of less ambiguous behavior patterns. Although the visual channel has been examined most frequently, evolutionary changes in sonic, tactile, and chemical activities could also result from ritualization, i.e., the development of a signal.
Harmonic Analysis and Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations

The aim of this report is to describe some recent research in the area of nonlinear evolution equations. The choice of the topics is largely influenced by the author’s own interests and it is in no way a complete survey of this field, which would be nearly impossible to achieve in a single exposition. Some very outstanding achievements in recent years such as, for instance, the work of Christodoulou and Klainerman [C-K] on global solutions of the Einstein equations will not be discussed here.
A Project-Based, Resident-Led Quality Improvement Curriculum Within a Pediatric Continuity Clinic.

Introduction Participation in quality improvement (QI) projects is required of pediatric residents, and evidence-based medicine has highlighted the importance of providing residents with experienti...
A Unified Platform for Simplifying the Design for Small-Scale Solar and Wind Energy Installations in Lebanon

Lebanon is one of the countries in the Middle East that are endowed with climatic conditions which are predominantly sunny and characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The principal electric power producer in Lebanon (Electricite du Liban, EDL) is suffering from heavy financial losses spinning out of control from year to year. In addition, the different technical problems are affecting the electricity generation, its quality and the reliability of the power grid. This shortage in the generation of electricity was increased by the absence of any investments in new power plants since 1996 and the increased demand on power which was approximated by the World Bank as being a yearly increase of 8%. The customer in Lebanon has to subscribe with small power producers (private generators) which are currently illegal in order to complement the energy provided by EDL. To help solve this problem, the usage of renewable energy is suggested in this paper as an alternative to the non-environmental non-economic private generators at the short term and to complement the shortages of power provided by EDL. More importantly, the long-term motivation is the implementation of an environmentally-conscious energy approach that aspires to zero-carbon footprints in our country. The main purpose of this work is to develop a unified platform for the national geographical availability of renewable energy and to provide end users with all needed technical data and installation guidelines for the deployment of solar technologies in their homes, buildings, or residential areas. Practical sizing and most efficient installation of the renewable energy source or combination of sources that are most convenient to the end user are made available depending on the geographical location in Lebanon, the grid connectivity and the space availability. The end user will be fully aware of the different technical, economic, environmental and cultural advantages of renewable energy sources.
Be Careful What You Ask for: The Negative Consequences of Unethical Requests on Job Performance and Citizenship Behaviors

Does receiving requests to engage in morally questionable behavior at work decrease one’s job performance? We draw on moral psychology and a psychological theory of meaning-making to explain the negative performance consequences of being the recipient of unethical requests. Specifically, participants of a laboratory experiment who received an unethical request from an experimenter performed worse on a cognitive task than those in a neutral-request condition (Study 1). Moreover, paired survey responses from a sample of U.S. working adults and their supervisors showed negative relationships between receiving unethical requests at work and both job performance and citizenship behaviors directed at the organization. These effects were mediated by a decrease in intrinsic job motivation, and moderated by moral disengagement (Study 2). Taken together, our studies suggest that receiving unethical requests can fundamentally change the meaning of one’s work and have negative performance consequences.
Adsorptive Removal of Fluoride from Water Using Nanomaterials of Ferrihydrite, Apatite, and Brucite: Batch and Column Studies

Abstract This study investigated the adsorptive removal of fluoride from simulated water pollution using various (hydro)oxide nanomaterials, which have the potential to be used as sorbents for surf...
The Real-World Utility of the LINQ Implantable Loop Recorder in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Patients.

Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine the practical use of the recently introduced LINQ implantable loop recorder (LINQ-ILR) in a cohort of pediatric and adult congenital arrhythmia patients. Background Correlating symptoms to a causative arrhythmia is a key aspect of diagnosis and management in clinical electrophysiology. Methods Retrospective review of clinical data, implantation indications, findings, and therapeutic decisions in patients who underwent LINQ-ILR implantation from April 1st, 2014 to January 30th, 2017 at Boston Children’s Hospital. Results A total of 133 patients were included, of which 76 (57%) were male. The mean age at implantation was 15.7 ± 9.1 years with a duration of follow-up of 11.8 months. Congenital heart disease was present in 34 patients (26%), a confirmed genetic diagnosis in 50 (38%), and cardiomyopathy in 22 (26%), and the remainder were without a previous diagnosis. Syncope was the most common indication for LINQ-ILR implantation, occurring in 59 patients (44%). The median time to diagnosis was 4.5 months, occurring in 78 patients (59%). Cardiac device placement occurred in 17 patients (22%), a medication change in 9 (12%), electrophysiology study/ablation in 5 (6%), or LINQ-ILR explantation in 42 (54%). Infection or erosion occurred in 5 patients. Syncope was correlated with a diagnostic transmission (54% vs. 31%, p = 0.01). Conclusions The LINQ-ILR is an important diagnostic tool, providing useful data in more than one-half of patients in
The Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response and Its Roles in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Therapy

The unfolded protein response (UPR) of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly conserved system by which cells regulate multiple pathways during misfolded protein accumulation. Acute UPR signaling inhibits translation, induces chaperone expression, and activates proteolysis, whereas chronic UPR signaling can lead to apoptosis. Each of the canonical functions of UPR serves as a mechanism that can limit or facilitate tumorigenesis. Tumor cells are able to coopt UPR signaling to facilitate proliferation, transformation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) under hypoxia and glucose starvation, potentially causing metastasis. UPR signaling is typically initiated by Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 (GRP78/BiP) binding to unfolded proteins, causing GRP-78 to dissociate from each of the three primary UPR sensors on the ER membrane: protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and inositol-requiring protein 1α (IRE1α). Recent studies highlight the complexity of the signaling interactions involved, but also potential clinical opportunities to target unique molecular interfaces. This review discusses the current understanding of UPR pathways, ongoing clinical approaches to manipulate UPR signaling, and future avenues by which cancer therapy may be advanced by utilizing approaches that target the molecules involved in UPR signaling.
Reduction of repetitive behavior by co-administration of adenosine receptor agonists in C58 mice

Repetitive behaviors are diagnostic for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and commonly observed in other neurodevelopmental disorders. Currently, there are no effective pharmacological treatments for repetitive behavior in these clinical conditions. This is due to the lack of information about the specific neural circuitry that mediates the development and expression of repetitive behavior. Our previous work in mouse models has linked repetitive behavior to decreased activation of the subthalamic nucleus, a brain region in the indirect and hyperdirect pathways in the basal ganglia circuitry. The present experiments were designed to further test our hypothesis that pharmacological activation of the indirect pathway would reduce repetitive behavior. We used a combination of adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonists that have been shown to alter the firing frequency of dorsal striatal neurons within the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia. This drug combination markedly and selectively reduced repetitive behavior in both male and female C58 mice over a six-hour period, an effect that required both A1 and A2A agonists as neither alone reduced repetitive behavior. The adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonist combination also significantly increased the number of Fos transcripts and Fos positive cells in dorsal striatum. Fos induction was found in both direct and indirect pathway neurons suggesting that the drug combination restored the balance of activation across these complementary basal ganglia pathways. The adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonist combination also maintained its effectiveness in reducing repetitive behavior over a 7-day period. These findings point to novel potential therapeutic targets for development of drug therapies for repetitive behavior in clinical disorders.
Bursting of molten steel thick films in a steel plate illuminated by a high energy laser

The beauty, kinematics, and dynamics of thin liquid soap films under the influence of gravity have inspired experimental and theoretical investigations by scientists at least since the research of Plateau and Lord Rayleigh in the mid1800s. The wide-ranging interest in thin films may also be attributed in part to readily available, inexpensive ingredients as well as to the enjoyable nature of the interactive activity itself. While the creation of the films produces relatively long-lived persistent films, the violent destruction of the films follows a rupture that may occur spontaneously and can also be initiated by external forces. This paper presents thick liquid films of molten steel and discusses the fundamental nature of the behavior of vertical thick films under the influence of gravity. This paper presents observations of stable thick liquid films of molten steel with thicknesses of 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, and 1.9 mm. We observe spontaneous bursting of vertical thick films in the presence of gravity, without any other external forces, with an initial horizontal speed of 0.68 m/s–0.9 m/s and a vertical acceleration of ∼(6 ± 1)g, with sudden hole enlargement, like soap film popping. Experimental measurements of the preburst films, following cooling to room temperature, show the presence of a three-dimensional dimple and bulge and fairly agree well with theoretical predictions of Surface Evolver, due to a liquid surface tension that is strong enough to resist the force of gravity.The beauty, kinematics, and dynamics of thin liquid soap films under the influence of gravity have inspired experimental and theoretical investigations by scientists at least since the research of Plateau and Lord Rayleigh in the mid1800s. The wide-ranging interest in thin films may also be attributed in part to readily available, inexpensive ingredients as well as to the enjoyable nature of the interactive activity itself. While the creation of the films produces relatively long-lived persistent films, the violent destruction of the films follows a rupture that may occur spontaneously and can also be initiated by external forces. This paper presents thick liquid films of molten steel and discusses the fundamental nature of the behavior of vertical thick films under the influence of gravity. This paper presents observations of stable thick liquid films of molten steel with thicknesses of 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, and 1.9 mm. We observe spontaneous bursting of vertical thick films in the presence of gravity, without...
Hysteroscopic Resection of a Complete Uterine and Vaginal Septum Under Laparoscopic Ultrasound Guidance

Video Objective The aim of this video is to demonstrate the use of laparoscopic ultrasound guidance during hysteroscopic resection of a congenital uterine and vaginal septum. Setting Our patient is a 20 year old G0 female who presented for difficulty with tampon insertion and removal as well as painful intercourse. On physical exam, the patient was noted to have a complete, non-obstructing longitudinal vaginal septum with two separate normal cervices. MRI of the abdomen and pelvis showed a complete septate uterus, two cervices, and two normal kidneys. Interventions This video shows the simultaneous use of hysteroscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound to safely and successfully resect the uterine and vaginal septum. Conclusion The goal is to encourage use of this technique during similar procedures for patients with mullerian duct anomalies desiring surgical correction.
The Pathology of Amyloidosis in Classification: A Review.

Background The amyloidoses are a rare and heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by the deposition of abnormally folded proteins in tissues ultimately leading to organ damage. The deposits are mainly extracellular and are recognizable by their affinity for Congo red and their yellow-green birefringence under polarized light. Current classification of amyloid in medical practice is based on the amyloid protein type. To date, 36 proteins have been identified as being amyloidogenic in humans. Summary in clinical practice, it is critical to distinguish between treatable versus non-treatable amyloidoses. Moreover, amyloidoses with a genetic component must be distinguished from the sporadic types and systemic amyloidoses must be distinguished from the localized forms. Among the systemic amyloidoses, AL continues to be the most common amyloid diagnosis in the developed world; other clinically significant types include AA, ALECT2, and ATTR. The latter is emerging as an underdiagnosed type in both the hereditary and wild-type setting. Other hereditary amyloidoses include AFib, several amyloidoses derived from apolipoproteins, AGel, ALys, etc. In a dialysis setting, systemic amyloid derived from β2 microglobulin (Aβ2M) should be considered, although a very rare hereditary variant has also been reported; several amyloidoses may be typically associated with aging and several iatrogenic types have also emerged. Determination of the amyloid protein type is imperative before specific therapy can be implemented and the current methods are briefly summarized. A brief overview of the target organ involvement by amyloid type is also included. Key Messages: (1) Early diagnosis of amyloidosis continues to pose a significant challenge and requires the participation of many clinical and laboratory specialties. (2) Determination of the protein type is imperative before specific therapy can be implemented. (3) While mass spectrometry has emerged as the preferred method of amyloid typing, careful application of immune methods is still clinically useful but caution and experience, as well as awareness of the limitations of each method, are necessary in their interpretation. (4) While the spectrum of amyloidoses continues to expand, it is critical to distinguish between those that are currently treatable versus those that are untreatable and avoid causing harm by inappropriate treatment.
Modeling the Performance of A Flow-Through Gas Diffusion Electrode for Electrochemical Reduction of CO or CO2

A flow-through gas diffusion electrode (GDE) consisting of agglomerate catalysts for CO or CO2 reduction, gas channels for reactants, aqueous electrolytes for ionic transport, and metallic current collectors was simulated and evaluated using a numerical model. The geometric partial current densities and Faradaic Efficiencies (FE) for CH4, C2H4 and H2 generation in GDEs were calculated and compared to the behavior of analogous aqueous-based planar electrodes. The pH-dependent kinetics for CH4 and C2H4 generation were used to represent the intrinsic catalytic characteristics for the agglomerate catalyst. The modeling indicated that relative to planar electrodes for either CO reduction (COR) or CO2 reduction (CO2R), substantial increases in electrochemical reduction rates and Faradaic efficiencies are expected when flow-through GDEs are used. The spatially resolved pH and reaction rates within the flow-through GDEs were also simulated for two different operating pHs, and the resulting transport losses were analyzed quantitatively. For CO2 reduction (CO2R), substantial loss of CO2 via chemical reaction with the locally alkaline electrolyte was observed due to the increased pH in operating GDEs.
Fair trade rebels: coffee production & struggles for autonomy in Chiapas: by Lindsay Naylor, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press, 2019, 262 pp., ISBN 978-1-5179-0578-1

As a participatory researcher, my excitement to read Lindsay Naylor’s Fair Trade Rebels was tempered early on, as the author contextualized her research within theoretical traditions while leaving ...