cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Native bees buffer the negative impact of climate warming on honey bee pollination of watermelon crops

If climate change affects pollinator-dependent crop production, this will have important implications for global food security because insect pollinators contribute to production for 75% of the leading global food crops. We investigate whether climate warming could result in indirect impacts upon crop pollination services via an overlooked mechanism, namely temperature-induced shifts in the diurnal activity patterns of pollinators. Using a large data set on bee pollination of watermelon crops, we predict how pollination services might change under various climate change scenarios. Our results show that under the most extreme IPCC scenario (A1F1), pollination services by managed honey bees are expected to decline by 14.5%, whereas pollination services provided by most native, wild taxa are predicted to increase, resulting in an estimated aggregate change in pollination services of +4.5% by 2099. We demonstrate the importance of native biodiversity in buffering the impacts of climate change, because crop pollination services would decline more steeply without the native, wild pollinators. More generally, our study provides an important example of how biodiversity can stabilize ecosystem services against environmental change.
Surgical repair of the cleft palate

The cleft palate is an important craniofacial defect resulting in direct functional deficits and is related to a variety of genetic syndromes. It varies in degree and clinical setting. Repair is important for oral and nasal function. This article describes methods for repair including 2-flap palatoplasty and V-Y pushback. Patient evaluation, postoperative care, and potential complications are discussed. Multidisciplinary team care is vital for these patients because of the variety of functions affected by this entity, and the need for timely diagnosis and intervention.
Heterogeneity in Cardiovascular Health among Asian American Subgroups: Risk Factors, Outcomes, Treatment and Prevention, and Future Research Opportunities

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart and cerebrovascular diseases, represents a leading cause of death in Asian Americans as a group. Much of our knowledge of CVD in Asian Americans has been based on studies that have either grouped Asian Americans together, or examined one Asian American subgroup alone. However, research that has compared Asian American subgroups, suggest marked heterogeneity in the prevalence of CVD and its risk factors among various subgroups (e.g., higher prevalence of coronary artery disease for Asian Indians and Filipinos). In this chapter, we will present our current understanding of CVD in Asian Americans with respect to: disease definitions, prevalence and epidemiology, cultural and structural barriers to health care, lifestyle and prevention, and future directions for research.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical perspectives and management.

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hyperandrogenic disorder and is characterized by a constellation of signs and symptoms often in association with a family history of hyperandrogenism and/or PCOS.It is often associated with hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance, which puts patients a
Prevalence of Caries in Pupils in Nanchang District of Wuxi City in 2010

[Objective]To understand the prevalence of caries in pupils in Nanchang district of Wuxi city,so as to carry out the scientific intervention measures duly.[Methods]The visual examination was adopted.Under natural light,by using probes and plane mouth mirror,the examination was conducted on every tooth in according to quadrant order.The diagnosis was made after probing examination,and was recorded.[Results]Among 13 427 pupils,the prevalence was 35.6%.The prevalence of boys and girls was 35.3% and 36.0%,respectively.The prevalence of lower-grade pupils was higher than that of higher-grade pupils.[Conclusion] The prevalence of caries was high in this district.The research on measures and strategies of caries prevention should be strengthened.
Crystal structure of an alternating octamer r(GUAUGUA)dC with adjacent G x U wobble pairs.

Abstract The crystal structure of the RNA duplex, r(GUAUGUA)dC, with a 3′-terminal deoxy C residue, has been determined at 1.38 A resolution. The r(GUAUGU) hexameric consensus sequence is present at the exon-intron junction in pre-mRNAs of yeast and higher eukaryotic organisms. The crystal belongs to the rhombohedral space group R 3. The hexagonal unit cell dimensions are a = b =39.71 A, c =68.15 A and γ=120° with one duplex in the asymmetric unit. The structure was solved using the molecular replacement method. The final model contains 332 atoms of the duplex and 67 solvent molecules. The R -factor is 17.6% ( R free of 23.1%) for 4035 reflections with F ⩾1.5σ( F ) in the resolution range 10.0 to 1.38 A. The duplex is of the A -type with a pseudodyad relating the two strands. The RNA helix is slightly distorted, in spite of the presence of two adjacent G·U wobble base-pairs located at the center of the helix. The twist angle between the wobble pairs, 38.1°, is above the average value and those between the wobble base-pairs and the flanking Watson-Crick base-pairs, 26.7° and 26.3°, respectively, are lower than the average values. The twist between the junction base-pairs are about 24°. The G·U wobble pairs are bridged by water molecules and solvated in the grooves. G·U base-pairs are as stable as the Watson-Crick A·U pairs and only slightly less stable than the G·C pairs accounting for their frequent occurrence in RNA.
Pile load transfer from static load test inversion

This paper presents an inversion scheme to estimate the distribution of load in a deep foundation from the load–movement curve measured at the head. The method may be useful in situations where static load tests have been performed on test piles that are not instrumented with strain gages or telltales, or the instrumentation data are unreliable. An inversion approach is described in detail that includes a non-linear ‘t–z’ analysis combined with a genetic algorithm that is used to optimise the solutions. The inversion approach is tested using three high-quality pile load test cases from the literature. The pile load distributions estimated from the inversions were in generally good agreement with the measured data. The inversion approach was also effective identifying the ‘true’ load distribution in a pile where residual loads were present.
Drug–device combination products: regulatory landscape and market growth.

Combination products are therapeutic and diagnostic products that combine drugs, devices and/or biological products, leading to safer and more effective treatments thanks to careful and precise drug targeting, local administration and individualized therapy. These technologies can especially benefit patients suffering from serious diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes, among others. On the other hand, drug-device combination products have also introduced a new dynamic in medical product development, regulatory approval and corporate interaction. Due to the increasing integration of drugs and devices observed in the latest generation of combination products, regulatory agencies have developed specific competences and regulations over the last decade. Manufacturers are required to fully understand the specific requirements in each country in order to ensure timely and accurate market access of new combination products, and the development of combination products involves a very specific pattern of interactions between manufacturers and regulatory agencies. The increased sophistication of the products brought to market over the last couple of decades has accentuated the need to develop drugs and devices collaboratively using resources from both industries, fostering the need of business partnering and technology licensing. This review will provide a global overview of the market trends, as well as (in the last section) an analysis of the drug-device combination products approved by the FDA during the latest 5 years.
Palmore v. Sidoti

Facts Linda and Anthony Sidoti, two Caucasians, divorced in Florida in May of 1980. Linda was awarded custody of thei three year-old daughter, Melanie. In September 1981, Anthony challenged the custody award, asserting that an "extreme change" in the child's living conditions warranted awarding him custody. The "extreme change" referred to Linda cohabiting with an African-American, Clarence Palmore, Jr.
SU-F-T-341: Generate Clinical Acceptable Trade-Off Options in Brain IMRT Planning by Local Multi-Criteria Optimization (MCO) Method

Purpose: we present a method to generate a set of treatment plans with clinical manageable dosimetric tradeoff options in brain IMRT planning guided by knowledge model prediction. Methods: Multi-criteria optimization (MCO) methods have been developed in RT planning to help physicians make the complex clinical tradeoff decision among different organ sparing goals. In local MCO method, a clinical acceptable tradeoff range is first predicted based on past planning experiences and the specific patient's anatomy. The anchor points of the local Pareto surface (PS) are obtained from the model prediction. The Pareto front is further refined by varying the objective within the acceptable trade-off range in plan optimization to generate additional point between the anchor points. The quality and efficiency of this method are validated by brain IMRT planning in this study. The knowledge model was first trained by 15 clinical brain IMRT plans. Then it is utilized to guide the Pareto front search for another set of 5 patient cases. We studied the number of plan optimizations needed in order to generate the Pareto surface with sufficient precision which is indicated by the mean minimum distance between the local PS and the global PS. Results: Local PS can be generated efficiently within the clinical tradeoff range. Using only two anchor plans, the mean minimum distance between the local and global PS in the PTV homogeneity-brainstem median dose (D50) objective space for the 5 validation cases are: ∼0.6% to 2% and 0.3% to 1% of prescription dose in terms of PTV dose homogeneity and brainstem D50, respectively. The tradeoff ranges covered by the local PS vary with patient anatomy, which are 10–20% and 40–80% on average for the two dosimetric parameters. Conclusion: By combining knowledge model and MCO, the local MCO method can generate clinical optimal tradeoff options efficiently.
Green and sustainability corporate initiatives: a case study of goods and services design

Competitive firms have achieved significant success through their product and service design strategies by combining operational lean practices with green-based strategic initiatives. Although lean typically drive green practices, they need not be mutually exclusive. This study showcased three global firms with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA (e.g., FedEx, H.J. Heinz Company, PPG Industries) that have obtained a competitive advantage with their products and services. Special attention was given to the green production initiatives currently underway inside these organisations. An overview of each firm will be presented as well as specific design methods and techniques used by the firms. A number of research propositions that would be appropriate for further study and research concerning the roles that strategic management, team integration, GSCM-based initiatives, and implementations can play in new product development and corporate sustainability. These initiatives, both in terms of radical and incremental product innovations, are typically based on a leaner and greener supplier partnerships.
Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Polymers Embodying Large Unilamellar Vesicles in Water.

We hereby describe a strategy for obtaining novel topological nanostructures consisting of dual-cavity basket 1, forming a curved monolayer of large unilamellar vesicles in water (CAC < 0.25 μM), and bivalent guests 4/5 populating the cavities of such bolaamphiphilic hosts. On the basis of the results of 1H NMR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering measurements, we postulated that divalent guest molecules 4/5 cover the curved vesicular surface in a lateral fashion to satisfy the complexation [2 + 2] valency and thereby give stable two-dimensional supramolecular polymers [1⊂4]n and [1⊂5]n. The results of experimental studies are also supported with coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics. Our discovery about the assembly of novel vesicular structures could be of interest for stabilization/functionalization of liposomal surfaces as well as detection of polyvalent molecules and removal of targeted substances from aqueous environments.
An innovative HD video and digital image processor for low-cost digital entertainment products

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation on high definition video and digital image processors for low cost digital entertainment products. Some of the specific topics discussed include: special features of system-on-chip design that supports HD video and digital image processing; target applications; block diagram of SoC; performance and power distribution; software platforms supported; and statistics and processing capabilities of the SoC.
A Self-Regulation Theory-Based Asthma Management Mobile App for Adolescents: A Usability Assessment.

Background: Self-regulation theory suggests people learn to influence their own behavior through self-monitoring, goal-setting, feedback, self-reward, and self-instruction, all of which smartphones are now capable of facilitating. Several mobile apps exist to manage asthma; however, little evidence exists about whether these apps employ user-centered design processes that adhere to government usability guidelines for mobile apps. Objective: Building upon a previous study that documented adolescent preferences for an asthma self-management app, we employed a user-centered approach to assess the usability of a high-fidelity wireframe for an asthma self-management app intended for use by adolescents with persistent asthma. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with adolescents (ages 11-18 years) with persistent asthma who owned a smartphone (N=8). Adolescents were asked to evaluate a PDF app wireframe consisting of 76 screen shots displaying app features, including log in and home screen, profile setup, settings and info, self-management features, and graphical displays for charting asthma control and medication. Preferences, comments, and suggestions for each set of screen shots were assessed using the audio-recorded interviews. Two coders reached consensus on adolescent evaluations of the following aspects of app features: (1) usability, (2) behavioral intentions to use, (3) confusing aspects, and (4) suggestions for improvement. Results: The app wireframe was generally well received, and several suggestions for improvement were recorded. Suggestions included increased customization of charts and notifications, reminders, and alerts. Participants preferred longitudinal data about asthma control and medication use to be displayed using line graphs. All participants reported that they would find an asthma management app like the one depicted in the wireframe useful for managing their asthma. Conclusions: Early stage usability tests guided by government usability guidelines (usability.gov) revealed areas for improvement for an asthma self-management app for adolescents. Addressing these areas will be critical to developing an engaging and effective asthma self-management app that is capable of improving adolescent asthma outcomes. [JMIR Hum Factors 2017;4(1):e5]
Measuring 20S Proteasome and Immunoproteasome Activities in Oxidative Stress

Protein degradation mechanisms are fundamental components in maintaining proteostasis and homeostasis. Intracellular proteins are highly susceptible to oxidative modification and damage. Inactivation of key enzymes and aggregation or cross-linking of numerous cell proteins are only some of the known outcomes of intracellular protein oxidation. Ultimately, protein oxidation, modification, aggregation, and cross-linking have been linked to multiple diseases and to the aging process. Our work has shown that oxidized proteins in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and endoplasmic reticulum are selectively degraded by the 20S Proteasome and the Immunoproteasome (both ± the 11S or Pa28 proteasome regulator) whereas oxidatively damaged mitochondrial proteins are degraded by the Lon protease. Rapid degradation of mildly damaged proteins prevents their aggregation and cross-linking, and allows for their replacement by de novo synthesis. Increased transcription/translation of key proteolytic enzymes in response to signaling levels of oxidants is a key feature of Adaptive Homeostasis. In the past few years, it has become commonplace to evaluate discrete proteasome activities using the cleavage of small fluorogenic peptides to measure caspase-like activity, trypsin-like activity, and chymotrypsin-like activity. Our studies demonstrate that substrate concentration, cell type or proteolytic enzyme concentration, and length of incubation are all key factors in determining the proteolysis of fluorogenic peptides. Our work provides a rational and quantitative approach to the measurement of proteasomal activities under both normal and stress conditions. This work has been supported by grant ES003598 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the US National Institutes of Health to K.J.A.D.
Salt Marsh Responses to Tidal Restriction and Restoration

People have had many reasons to build structures across tidal marshes that restrict tides, including agriculture, pasture, salt works, flood prevention, transportation, and access to uplands. Impacts to tidal marshes caused by tidal restrictions vary by type of restriction and its severity, as well as the geomorphology of the system. In most cases tidal flow can be restored, at least partially, and through monitoring, the physical and biological responses of the recovering marshes have been found to be predictable. Restoration of tidal exchange is important to restore various ecosystem services, such as essential fish habitat, and to reestablish a self-maintaining system. Unfortunately, tidal restrictions have enabled landowners and developers to build dwellings and infrastructure within areas landward of barriers that were once flooded by the highest tides. As documented by Reiner (chap. 21, this volume), as well as Adamowicz and O’Brien (chap. 19, this volume), restoration of such systems has been only marginally successful due to development within or adjacent to the marsh.
Effect of cancer nurse navigators (CNN) on physician engagement in multidisciplinary discussions prior to head and neck cancer treatment.

98Background: Aurora Health Care, a 15 hospital integrated system has recognized a multidisciplinary approach is the best practice for treatment of head and neck (HN electronic communication from the CNN requesting physician presentation of their patients at the MDC; engagement of site-specific CNNs to schedule their provider’s patients for the MDC; collaboration with cancer registrars to place their site-specific p...
High Fidelity Polycrystalline CdTe/CdS Heterostructures via Molecular Dynamics

Molecular dynamics simulations of polycrystalline growth of CdTe/CdS heterostructures have been performed. First, CdS was deposited on an amorphous CdS substrate, forming a polycrystalline film. Subsequently, CdTe was deposited on top of the polycrystalline CdS film. Cross-sectional images show grain formation at early stages of the CdS growth. During CdTe deposition, the CdS structure remains almost unchanged. Concurrently, CdTe grain boundary motion was detected after the first 24.4 nanoseconds of CdTe deposition. With the elapse of time, this grain boundary pins along the CdS/CdTe interface, leaving only a small region of epitaxial growth. CdTe grains are larger than CdS grains in agreement with experimental observations in the literature. Crystal phase analysis shows that zinc blende structure dominates over the wurtzite structure inside both CdS and CdTe grains. Composition analysis shows Te and S diffusion to the CdS and CdTe films, respectively. These simulated results may stimulate new ideas for studying and improving CdTe solar cell efficiency.
Aspect-ratio based triangular mesh smoothing

Mesh quality improvement is an important problem with a wide range of practical applications. The element quality of a mesh heavily affects the results of numerical simulation done using that mesh. In the context of finite element mesh smoothing, vertex repositioning is the primary technique employed, where we allow tangential vertex motion only and the connectivity of the mesh is unchanged. Element quality is measured either by max/min angles or aspect ratio (longest edge over shortest), or both. We investigate a smoothing method focusing on improving aspect ratio. For triangle meshes this is in theory not significantly different from angle-based smoothing methods which have been widely studied. However many focus on improving minimum angles only and we believe that aspect ratio will lead to a more balanced improvement on both the minimum and maximum angles. In addition, we are also motivated by aspect ratio improvments for quadrilateral meshes, which are unrelated to angles.
Fast and compact Kronecker-structured dictionary learning for classification and representation

In this paper, we present a computationally fast, storage-efficient approach, termed Kronecker-Structured Learning of Discriminative Dictionaries (K-SLD2), for learning a Kronecker-structured, overcomplete dictionary for the classification and representation of multidimensional signals like images, medical tomographic data, and videos. We evaluate the performance of K-SLD2 on several datasets, including Extended YaleB and the UCI EEG database. The use of Kronecker-structured dictionaries improves the classification performance over state-of-the-art dictionary-based methods when the number of training samples is small, at it is competitive with methods employing SIFT features even without feature extraction. Furthermore, Kronecker-structured dictionaries offer a more compact representation of signal classes, packing in more atoms with no more than 5% of the storage requirements of existing subspace models.
Cost-effective health information systems: user-driven internal development at the University of Iowa.

GOALS: The Information Network For Online Retrieval & Medical Management (INFORMM), health information system (HIS) for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), was analyzed with regard to development of a Computer-Based Patient Record (CBPR) in a cost-effective manner. The analysis: i) profiles INFORMM system functionality; ii) displays INFORMM use and satisfaction among physicians, nurses, and other hospital employees; iii) characterizes dynamics affecting INFORMM growth; and iv) evaluates the cost of a system of internal-development of software. DATA SOURCES: INFORMM utilization for 1989, 1994, and 1995; service requests from users for the years 1985, 1990, and 1994; 1994 MECON-PEERx data; gap analysis user survey conducted by an independent consulting firm. MAIN RESULTS: 1) Physician use has been dominated by a single function: retrieval of laboratory results. 2) Nurse use of the system was more diverse. A recent surge of nurse and physician use resulted from the introduction of online documentation of nursing care. 3) Overall use has been predominantly by non-clinician users, no one function dominating their pattern of use. 4) User service requests were predominantly from the non-clinician group of users. Requests from non-physician groups have been coordinated by a limited number of representatives of those groups, unlike requests from physicians. 5) The UIHC HIS ranked high in user satisfaction. 6) The overall cost of the UIHC HIS system is relatively low as a percentage of the gross operating budget or as a ratio to the volume of patient activities in this medical center. CONCLUSIONS: Internal development of INFORMM has been a cost-effective solution to the information demands of nursing staff and other users. INFORMM system composition reflects the quantity and organization of user requests. Satisfying the needs of physicians requires a change in the manner in which physician needs are assessed.
Three Position Controller for Tensile Regulation of Axon Length

Some evidence suggests that mechanical tension is a regulator of axonal length in both growth and retraction. The last phase of axonal growth was described by Weiss (1941) as “towing.” The tension exerted by the migration of the neuron’s target cell in the expanding animal embryo causes the attached axon to elongate. Bray (1984) showed that a similar process of tension-induced axonal elongation would occur in cultured neurons whose neurites were attached to a towing motor. Elimination of supernumerary axons in the development of skeletal muscle innervation (Purves and Lichtman 1980) occurs by axonal retraction, not degeneration (Riley 1981), indicating the presence of axonal tension to withdraw the supernumerary axons. Campenot (1985) found evidence for tension regulation in neurite length by adding or substracting nerve growth factor to ifferent regions of cultured neurons.
Natural Scene Statistics for Noise Estimation

We investigate the scale-invariant properties of divisively normalized bandpass responses of natural images in the DCT-filtered domain. We found that the variance of the normalized DCT filtered responses of a pristine natural image is scale invariant. This scale invariance property does not hold in the presence of noise and thus it can be used to devise an efficient blind image noise estimator. The proposed noise estimation approach outperforms other statistics-based methods especially for higher noise levels and competes well with patch-based and filter-based approaches. Moreover, the new variance estimation approach is also effective in the case of non-Gaussian noise. The research code of the proposed algorithm can be found at https://github.com/guptapraful/Noise Estimation.
Commentary: A pathway forward for implementation science in the search to accelerate the delivery of effective mental health treatment and services for youth: reflections on Williams and Beidas (2019)

Over the past several decades, implementation science has emerged as a promising new field designed to reduce the gap between research and practice. One population that has not fully benefitted from recent efforts to implement evidence-based mental health treatment and services are children and adolescents. In the review by Williams and Beidas, the authors provide a thoughtful discussion on where the implementation science field has previously been within the area of child psychology and psychiatry, identified the scientific limitations of prior phases or 'waves' in the historical development of implementation science, and recommend where the field needs to go - by underscoring the importance of developing and testing multilevel, integrated causal theories and mechanism-based approaches. This commentary draws attention to the importance of the perspectives and recommendations proposed in this review, which offer the potential to generate new advances in the field of implementation science that will ultimately, improve mental health care and clinical outcomes for youth.
Discontinuous Galerkin time domain analysis of electromagnetic scattering from dispersive periodic nanostructures at oblique incidence

An efficient discontinuous Galerkin time domain (DGTD) method with a generalized dispersive material (GDM) model and periodic boundary conditions (PBCs), hereto referred to as DGTD-GDM-PBCs, is proposed to analyze the electromagnetic scattering from dispersive periodic nanostructures. The GDM model is utilized to achieve a robust and accurate universal model for arbitrary dispersive materials. Using a transformed field variable technique, PBCs are introduced to efficiently truncate the computational domain in the periodic directions for both normally and obliquely incident illumination cases. Based on the transformed Maxwell's equations with PBCs, the formulation of the DGTD method with a GDM model is derived. Furthermore, a Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme is proposed to update the semi-discrete transformed Maxwell's equations and auxiliary differential equations (ADEs) with high order accuracy. Numerical examples for periodic nanostructures with dispersive elements, such as reflection and transmission of a thin film, surface plasmon at the interfaces of a metallic hole array structure, and absorption properties of a dual-band infrared absorber are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and capability of the proposed method.
Age-related changes in the relation between preschoolers’ anger and persistence:

Although the functionalist perspective on emotional development posits that emotions serve adaptive functions, empirical tests of the role of anger mostly focus on how anger contributes to dysfunct...
Pediatric Liver Ultrasound Elastography

Abstract Ultrasound elastography is an easy, relatively affordable, noninvasive method that can be used to assess for hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this article is to present an introduction to ultrasound elastography and provide case examples to show when its use can be beneficial.
Si-based materials for lithium-ion batteries I: Surface-modified Si/C powder

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze Si/C powder obtained from Paraclete Energy, Inc. The spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 1486.6 eV (0.834 01 nm). An initial survey spectrum together with O 1s, C 1s, and Si 2p are presented. A final survey spectrum was collected to ascertain the amount of beam-induced damage, which appears to be minimal. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show the expected silicon-carbon species related to the surface modification process in addition to oxidized carbon and silicon due to atmospheric exposure.
Improvement in the transience and mechanical performance of flexible Poly(phthalaldehyde) substrates

Abstract Cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) (PPHA) is a metastable polymer that depolymerizes to ortho-phthalaldehyde (o-PHA) at ambient temperatures. Both high molecular weights and a long shelf-life can be achieved. After an external stimulus trigger has been activated to break polymer backbone bonds, PPHA undergoes rapid depolymerization from the solid state. Flexible PPHA substrates can be made by mixing the polymer with traditional non-volatile plasticizers, however the solubility of plasticizers in PPHA is sometimes poor, and any solid products left behind after depolymerization can hinder the transience of the mixture. Hansen solubility parameters for PPHA were obtained and used to predict the solubility of plasticizers in PPHA. The freezing point of the degraded remnants is proportional to the total mole fraction of additives present in any given PPHA formulation. The colligative properties of o-PHA were obtained and used to estimate the freezing point depression of the transient remnants for multi-component mixtures. A single additive approach to plasticizing PPHA is presented in this study using diethyl adipate (DEA). Mechanical properties of PPHA films containing DEA were characterized. Glass transition temperature (Tg) values between 99.5 °C and 12.5 °C can be achieved using THF solvent to cast the PPHA-DEA film. A Tg of 187 °C was extrapolated for pure PPHA with no residual solvent. The flexibility of the DEA loaded PPHA films greatly improved at high DEA loadings. DEA also improved the transient depolymerization performance of DEA loaded PPHA resulting in complete liquification after depolymerization.
Connecting Public Health disaster with the environment in the context of COVID 19 Pandemic experience from an African perspective

Environment and health are considered global common good because both health and environment makes the world a global community. A global public health disaster like the Covid-19 pandemic automatically reminds us that we are a global community and that no one exists without the other's support. Hence, the deterioration of one part of the world is a threat to the global community. An outbreak of pandemic in one part of the world is also a threat to the global community, for example, SARS, Ebola, and the ongoing COVID 19. Environmental degradation and pandemic breed chaos, violence, anarchy, fear, death, and infections. They make people vulnerable to diseases and death. Environment and health are also linked to global security. The scarcity of resources, especially renewable ones, is a threat to global peace – eco-violence. Health too is linked positively to security and socio-economic development because epidemics and pandemics are not only threats to human health; they also hurt economic and socio-political life. The outbreak of Coronavirus is an excellent example. It causes anxiety, fear, and worry about biosecurity and micro-organisms that can be used as bioweapons. Therefore, there is a connection between health, environment, and security. These three elements connect all human beings directly or indirectly together. In the recent past, Africa and West Africa have witnessed some epidemics like Ebola and lesser fever that threaten the region and the global community. Health, environment, disease, and the divinity in African are linked together because ill-health is understood from religious and environmental backgrounds. Therefore, the ongoing Covid-19, because of its mode of transmission, is environmentally linked. The presentation discusses: the global health community, the relationship between human beings and nature, and African understating of health.
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Norepinephrine Outside the Intensive Care Setting for Treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome.

Vasoconstrictors are the treatment of choice for hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). We evaluate the real-life effectiveness of a sequential vasoconstrictor regimen of midodrine-octreotide followed by norepinephrine in a nonintensive care unit (non-ICU) setting in the United States, where terlipressin is not available. The diagnosis of HRS and definitions of response to therapy were based on 2015 guidelines from the International Club of Ascites. In adult patients with HRS without partial or full response to oral midodrine and subcutaneous octreotide, norepinephrine was administered at a starting dose of 5 mcg/minute, with a goal to achieve a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 10 mm Hg above baseline. We assessed predictors of response and treatment outcomes. A total of 61 patients were administered midodrine and octreotide for the treatment of HRS, with a 28% response rate. The median MELD-Na (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-sodium) score was 30 (interquartile range [IQR] 24-35). Responders were more likely to have alcohol-related liver disease and lower Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) grade. Of the nonresponders, 20 were then administered norepinephrine, of whom 45% achieved full or partial response. Achieving an MAP increase of ≥10 mm Hg was associated with a greater probability of response. Patients who responded to norepinephrine experienced improved transplant-free survival at 90 days (88% versus 27%; P = 0.02); 5 of 20 patients experienced norepinephrine treatment-related adverse events, namely arrhythmias. Norepinephrine can be effectively used in a non-ICU setting as rescue therapy in patients who have not responded to midodrine and octreotide. Based on these data, we propose a practical stepwise algorithm for vasoconstrictor therapy to manage HRS in situations where terlipressin is not an option.
Microgrid Protection: A Case Study of a Real-World Industry-Grade Microgrid

Microgrids are small-scale electric energy systems that operate in parallel with the main grid (grid-connected mode) or completely isolated (island mode) and can seamlessly transition between both modes. The design of protection systems for microgrids can be challenging due to changing operating conditions and system topology. Grid-connected and island modes yield different fault current magnitudes and directions. This paper presents a case study of a protection and relaying scheme of an industry-grade real-world microgrid. Mathematical analysis and simulations were completed to quantify the magnitudes and directions of the fault currents in grid-connected and island modes. Other protective elements such as sync checks and under/over voltage were utilized to ensure smooth operation. Using industry-grade relays, a protection scheme was developed to ensure proper operation.
Collection, Organization, Analysis, and Application of Usage Data to Inform an Academic Library's Annual Electronic Resource Renewal Decisions

Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican, liberal arts institution of higher education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of ...
Suicide Loss Survivors: Navigating Social Stigma and Threats to Social Bonds

The complicated grief experienced by suicide loss survivors leads to feelings of abandonment, rejection, intense self-blame, and depression. Stigma surrounding suicide further burdens survivors who can experience rejection by their community and social networks. Research in the field of psychology has delved into the grieving process of suicide loss survivors, however the effects of suicide require more sociological study to fully understand and support the impact of the suicidal bereavement process on the social interactions and relationships of those left behind after death. This study aims to contribute to the body of research exploring the social challenges faced after the suicide of a loved one. Based on the analysis of powerful personal narratives through qualitative interviews shared by 14 suicide loss survivors this study explores the social construction of the grieving and healing process for suicide loss survivors. Recognizing that the most reliable relief is in commiseration with like experienced people, this research points to the support group as a builder of social solidarity. The alienation caused by the shame and stigma of suicide loss can be reversed by the feelings of attachment to the group that listens, understands and accepts. Groups created by and for suicide loss survivors should be considered a necessary tool to be used toward healing those who suffer from loss by suicide.
Predicting workers’ inattentiveness to struck-by hazards by monitoring biosignals during a construction task: A virtual reality experiment

Abstract At construction workplaces, workers should be consistently attentive to approaching and nearby safety hazards. However, workers tend to allocate most of their attentional resources to a work task and often exhibit inattentive behaviors to hazards, which may lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Predicting construction workers’ inattentiveness is thus critical to preventing accidents in construction workplaces. With the advent of biosensing technologies, the potential of using biosignals to predict human behaviors has been proven in various fields of study. However, to date there has been little discussion about utilizing biosignals to predict construction workers’ inattentive behaviors. To this end, this study examines whether construction workers’ inattentive behaviors can be predicted by assessing biosignal reactivity. A virtual road construction environment was created and used for an experiment to expose participants to a repeated struck-by hazard without risking actual injury. Participants’ biosignals (i.e., electrodermal activity, pupil dilation, and saccadic eye movement) and physical engagement in inattentive behaviors were collected and analyzed. The results of statistical analyses revealed significant differences in biosignal reactivities between participants’ attentive behaviors (i.e., paying attention to the hazard) and inattentive behaviors (i.e., ignoring the hazard). The outcomes of the machine learning-based behavior classification also indicate the usefulness of predicting inattentive behaviors by monitoring workers’ biosignals during a construction task and provide a foundation for the utilization of biosignals in safety management to prevent accidents resulting from inattentive behaviors.
Patterns of Success in Small-City Downtown Retailing

Perceptions of the relative importance of various types of retail and service establishments are analyzed to discern common patterns of success in small-city downtown retailing. A hierarchy of priorities for enhancing the retail/service mix in the small-city downtown is developed based upon success patterns. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the implications for downtown improvement and redevelopment programs.
Wittgenstein, Language and Information: "Back to the Rough Ground!"

First of all, why are the issues of language and meaning important to the study of information systems? Information systems are, of course, tools that are used to search for information of various kinds: data, text, images, etc. Information searches themselves inevitably require the searcher to ask for or describe the information he or she wants and to match those descriptions with the descriptions of the information that is available: in short, when we ask for or describe information we must mean something by these statements. This places the requests for information as properly within the study of language and meaning. Surely, requests for information, or descriptions of available information, can be clear or ambiguous, precise or imprecise, just as statements in natural language can. In short, understanding how requests for, and descriptions of, information work, and, more importantly, how they can go wrong, is an issue of language, meaning and understanding.
The Somatomedin Hypothesis of Growth Hormone Action

The sections in this article are: 1 Early Studies on the Mechanism of Growth Hormone Action 1.1 The Sulfation Factor Hypothesis 2 Characterization of Somatomedin Biological Activity in Serum 2.1 Stimulation of Differentiated Cell Functions 2.2 Increases in DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis 2.3 Synthesis and Control 2.4 Mechanisms of Action 2.5 Assays and Serum Levels of Somatomedin 3 Purification of Somatomedin from Serum 3.1 Biochemical Characterization 3.2 The Isolation and Sequencing of Nonsuppressible Insulin-Like Activity-S Peptides and the Insulin-Like Growth Factor Terminology 3.3 Relationship to Nonsuppressible Insulin-Like Activity-S and Multiplicating Stimulating Activity 4 Characterization of the Specific Somatomedin Peptides 4.1 Development of Specific Assays 4.2 Pathophysiology of Serum Levels 4.3 Somatomedin Receptor Sites 4.4 Somatomedin Binding Proteins 4.5 Metabolism and Feedback on Growth Hormone Secretion 4.6 Lessons from the RNA and DNA Structures of the Insulin-like Growth Factors 4.7 Paracrine Actions 4.8 The Dual Effector Hypothesis of Growth Hormone Action 5 Evidence that the Somatomedins are the Major Effectors of the Growth Actions of Growth Hormone 5.1 Indirect Evidence 5.2 Direct Evidence 6 Epilogue
A NEW LOOK AT BEEF CATTLE PRICE REPORTING CLASSIFICATIONS

Beef production has become a series of highly specialized enterprises, consistent with technological and temporal developments throughout agriculture. Technological developments in forage and grain production, feed processing, feedlots, and transportation systems have helped physically transform the beef production industry and altered the flow patterns of beef cattle and carcass beef throughout the United States. A weanling calf produced in Virginia may be hauled to southern Georgia or Louisiana to be wintered on pasture, shipped to a Colorado feedlot for finishing, slaughtered in Colorado and the carcass shipped to Pennsylvania to a retail chain which services stores in Virginia.
Spin and charge fluctuations in α -structure layered nitride superconductors

To explore conditions underlying the superconductivity in electron-doped TiNCl where $T$${}_{c}$ $=$ 16 K, we calculate the electronic structure, Wannier functions, and spin and charge susceptibilities using first-principles density functional theory. TiNCl is the first high-temperature superconductor discovered in the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ structure of the layered transition-metal nitride family $M$NCl ($M$ $=$ Ti,Zr,Hf). We construct a tight-binding model based on Wannier functions derived from the band structure, and consider explicit electronic interactions in a multiband Hubbard Hamiltonian, where the interactions are treated within the random phase approximation to calculate spin and charge susceptibility. The results show that, consistent with TiNCl being a nonmagnetic material, spin fluctuations do not dominate over charge fluctuations and both may have comparable impact on the properties of the doped system.
Maximizing system capacity in a sub-symbol based DS-CDMA multiuser detector

A sub-symbol based multiuser detector for DS-CDMA systems was proposed in Uzmi and Mujtaba (1999). This paper addresses the optimization of such detectors to maximize the system capacity. It is shown that the maximum number of simultaneous users supported in a DS-CDMA system using a sub-symbol scheme can be increased by the proper selection of certain thresholds delineated in Uzmi and Mujtaba, and by imposing moderate synchronization requirements on the transmitters. It is also shown that, in a synchronized environment, performing with only one sub-symbol is enough for accommodating a fairly large number of users, if the system signal to noise ratio (SNR) is medium to high. It has been verified through simulations that the maximum number of simultaneous users depends on the degree of synchronism and is approximately given by the number of chips in the longest sub-symbol.
Principios de orden fijo de expresiones congeladas en español: un estudio experimental

Existen algunas expresiones idiomaticas en espanol que son conocidas como “freezes” (expresiones congeladas) y que se caracterizan por tener un orden fijo. Por ejemplo: vivo o muerto (*muerto o vivo), colorin colorado (*colorado colorin). El orden de estas expresiones esta determinado por principios semanticos y fonologicos. Se hizo una recopilacion de expresiones congeladas en espanol y se llevo a cabo un estudio experimental sobre estas expresiones (2000) para comprobar si los hablantes tienden a seguir ciertos principios fonologicos propuestos por Cooper y Ross (1975). Los resultados revelaron que los hablantes muestran una clara tendencia hacia tres principios: la ley de Pānini, la cualidad de la vocal y el numero de consonantes iniciales. En cuanto al cuarto principio, la obstruccion de la consonante inicial, parece ser que no rige en espanol, pues dos de los tres grupos de informantes no mostraron una tendencia a seguir este principio.
Look to LSHSS for Cutting-Edge Research

Purpose In this article, the Editor of Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools emphasizes that cutting-edge research should be a major force guiding daily clinical decisions regarding children with known or suspected communication disorders. She affirms that this issue contains such cutting-edge research. The latest research reported in this issue can serve to inform school-based SLPs in their decision-making regarding assessment and intervention for children with communication disorders, in their role as consultants to other professionals and to parents who ask critical questions, and in their capacity as leaders who seek to make positive changes that move the profession forward.