cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Young Children's Ability to Produce Multisyllabic English Nouns

Differentiation of normal versus delayed acquisition of correct production of multisyllabic words has not become a useful clinical tool because there are no clearly established clinical guidelines. Identification of normal patterns of emergence and progression of words with complex canonical form could help us to understand deficient development and would facilitate identification of phonological delays. In this investigation, phonological simplifications were determined for bisyllabic and multisyllabic English nouns produced by 72 normal, middle-class children. The children's age range was 24.5 to 54.5 months. Findings indicated that syllable deletion was a strategy used extensively by 2-year-olds, but this phonological process showed dissolution with age and, by the age of 4, syllable number was correct except in some words with atypical English stress patterns such as bisyllabics with iambic stress patterns. Target words were analysed for characteristics that were likely to cause syllable deletions, an...
A LABORATORY STUDY ON COUNTERCURRENT DESALTING OF PICKLES

The technique of countercurrent leaching was applied to the desalting of salt stock pickles. Experiments and calculations showed that a spent brine of 13–14% salt can be produced in 4–6 stages and that pickles can be desalted in 48 hr. The volume of waste effluent from countercurrent leaching is considerably less than the amount from conventional leaching, and the higher concentration of salt in the effluent makes salt recovery much more practical from a cost standpoint.
Spontaneous emission in microcavities with distributed mirrors

This paper presents an analytic approach to spontaneous emission in resonators with distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR's). The foundation of our analysis is the hard mirror (or penetration depth) approximation. Which we extend to radiation with both angular and frequency distributions. This has allowed us to derive approximate analytic expressions for the divergence angle of the spontaneous emission, the spontaneous emission rate and the spontaneous emission coupling factor in planar DBR resonators. These analytic tools provide insight into the considerable limitations to controlling spontaneous emission with DBR boundaries. We also explore cavity controlled spontaneous emission with the classical tools of intracavity field profiles, the induced EMF method and millimeter wave experiments-all of which are applied to distributed mirror boundaries. >
Role of sea salt aerosols in the formation of aromatic secondary organic aerosol: yields and hygroscopic properties

Environmental context In the coastal and ocean environment, oil spills and ship movement can produce hazardous, organic aerosols. In this study, the role of sea salt in the formation processes of crude-oil-derived organic aerosols derived was explored, and it was found that sea salt can greatly increase the formation and growth of these toxic aerosols. Understanding of this process is crucial for evaluating the effect of oil spills and ship movements on air quality and human health. Abstract Dual, large (52m3), outdoor chambers were used to investigate the effect of aerosol aqueous phase chemistry on the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) yields of the photooxidation products of aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal environment. Toluene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene were photochemically oxidised in the presence and absence of inorganic seeds (sea salt aerosol (SSA) or NaCl) at low NOx conditions. Overall, the presence of SSA, which was shown to contain water even at low relative humidities (RHs), led to higher SOA yields than the presence of NaCl seeds and the seedless condition. The results suggest that SOA yields in the coastal environment will be higher than those produced in terrestrial environment. To study the effect of SOA formation on the chemical composition of SSA, inorganic species were measured using a particle-into-liquid-sampler coupled to an ion chromatograph. The hygroscopic properties of the SSA internally mixed with SOA were analysed using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. The fresh SSA shows a weak phase transition whereas no clear phase transition appeared in the aged SSA. The depletion of Cl– due to the accommodation of nitric acid and carboxylic acids on the surface of SSA coincides with changes in aerosol hygroscopic properties.
3-Amino-6-nitroamino-tetrazine (ANAT)-based energetic salts

The synthesis and properties of several new high-nitrogen materials with 3-amino-6-nitroamino-tetrazine (ANAT) as the anion are reported; all salts were fully characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.
Research Article: The differential effects of nickel on 4 strains of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract Nickel concentration in the environment of Caenorhabditis elegans may affect its longevity. Furthermore, it would be expected that the genetic variants of C. elegans known to promote advanced longevity (clk-1, daf-2, and daf-2/clk-1) would be affected in an inverse proportion if the ability to detoxify nickel in the substrate were disrupted. Ten nematodes per variant were subjected to varying concentrations of nickel treated K Agar gel plates and monitored daily for 12 days for developmental disruptions and LC50. Four repetitions of this experiment were run simultaneously. Data from these tests were analyzed using TOXSTAT. The null hypothesis is that there is no significant difference between the sensitivity to nickel of the mutated C. elegans and the wild type. From the statistical analysis, the null hypothesis was rejected. Related research conducted by Barsyte showed an increase in heavy metal tolerance, specifically cadmium and copper, in 24-hour test trials with the wild type C. elegans. Thi...
The Design of Feeding Structures for Antenna Elements and Arrays

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Design of a Coaxially Fed Monopole with Large Ground Plane Design of a Balun-Fed Dipole Above a Large Ground Plane Two-Wire-Fed Slots: Open and Cavity-Backed Coaxially Fed Helix Plus Ground Plane The Design of an Endfire Dipole Array Yagi-Uda Type Dipole Arrays: Two Elements Yagi-Uda Type Dipole Arrays: Three or More Elements Frequency-Independent Antennas: Log-Periodic Arrays Ground Plane Backed Linear Dipole Arrays Ground Plane Backed Planar Dipole Arrays The Design of a Scanning Array The Design of Waveguide-Fed Slot Arrays: The Concept of Active Slot Admittance (Impedance) Arrays of Longitudinal Shunt Slots in a Broad Wall of Rectangular Waveguides: The Basic Design Equations The Design of Linear Waveguide-Fed Slot Arrays The Design of Planar Waveguide-Fed Slot Arrays Sum and Difference Patterns for Waveguide-Fed Slot Arrays; Mutual Coupling Included This chapter contains sections titled: References Problems
Using Deep Learning for Human Computer Interface via Electroencephalography

In this paper, several techniques used to perform EEG signal pre-processing, feature extraction and signal classification have been discussed, implemented, validated and verified; efficient supervised and unsupervised machine learning models, for the EEG motor imagery classification are identified. Brain Computer Interfaces are becoming the next generation controllers not only in the medical devices for disabled individuals but also in the gaming and entertainment industries. In order to build an effective Brain Computer Interface, it is important to have robust signal processing and machine learning modules which operate on the EEG signals and estimate the current thought or intent of the user. Motor Imagery (imaginary hand and leg movements) signals are acquired using the Emotiv EEG headset. The signal have been extracted and supplied to the machine learning (ML) stage, wherein, several ML techniques are applied and validated. The performances of various ML techniques are compared and some important observations are reported. Further, Deep Learning techniques like autoencoding have been used to perform unsupervised feature learning. The reliability of the features is presented and analyzed by performing classification by using the ML techniques. It is shown that hand engineered ‘ad-hoc’ feature extraction techniques are less reliable than the automated (‘Deep Learning’) feature learning techniques. All the findings in this research, can be used by the BCI research community for building motor imagery based BCI applications such as Gaming, Robot control and autonomous vehicles. Full Text: PDF DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijra.v4i4.992
Morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics and bud success responses of myrobolan 29 c plum rootstock subjected to water stress

Water stress treatments on some morphological, biomass, physiological, biochemical characteristics and budding success of apricot and plum cultivars/Myrobolan 29 C plum rootstock have been studied ...
Polymer-modified silica glasses I. Control of sample hardness

The functionality of divinyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was greatly increased by a substitution reaction to give PDMS with triethoxysilyl chain ends. Samples having number-average molecular weights of 720 and 17.6 × 103 g mol−1, and mixtures thereof, were added to tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or a related silane. The functionalized PDMS-silane mixtures were hydrolyzed in the usual sol-gel technique to give polymer-modified silica glasses. The hardness of the glasses was measured, and then related to the molecular weight of the PDMS, its molecular weight distribution, the composition of the PDMS-silane mixtures, and the nature of the silane.
Residual and thermoelastoplastic stress distributions in a heat treated solid cylinder

An important consideration in design is the determination of residual stresses developed during heat treatment of steel. By selecting an appropriate heat treatment technique, one can control the level of residual stresses in the components. Obviously beneficial residual stresses in the material increase the life of components. On the other hand, the unexpected failure of components that is later attributed to detrimental residual stresses is not uncommon.In this paper, residual stress distribution in a quenched long solid cylinder with temperature dependent properties is evaluated. Using three different speeds of cooling, the level of residual stresses for each speed was determined and compared with the others. From the stresses calculated, it was found that the tensile and tangential residual stresses are more sensitive to the speed of cooling than the radial one. For theoretical analysis a quasi-static uncoupled thermoelastoplastic analysis, based on incremental theory of plasticity, is developed and a ...
Ssu-Ma Ch'ien's Biography of Wu Ch'i吳起

(1981). Ssu-Ma Ch'ien's Biography of Wu Ch'i吳起. Monumenta Serica: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 197-233.
The On-Line Detection System of Disposable Syringe Needle Tube Defects

The domestic syringe production enterprises detect syringe needle tube defects by workers,which will causes problems such as visual fatigue leading to wrong detection and missing detection,and these problems has affects the efficiency of the production.At the same time,The strong light is bad to the eyes of the workers,So it need a more effective means of detection to replace artificial detection.In the production line of product testing,it emphasis on online real-time testing to ensure production process to achieve full control,to improve the production efficiency and product percent of pass.This paper aims to study a more efficient,more accurate and high speed automatic detection of the core technology of the scheme,and preliminarily gives a full online detection system.
Microelectrode assessment of chloride-conductive properties of cortical collecting duct.

The chloride-conductive properties of the isolated rabbit cortical collecting duct were assessed with microelectrode techniques. The transepithelial, apical, and basolateral membrane potential diff...
Oxygen radical-mediated damage to brain tissue.

The brain is the primary information-processing center of the body; its functioning in the most perfect state possible, within genetic constraints, is very important. Damage to brain most likely has more serious consequences than to other tissue because neuronal tissue is post-mitotic. Brain is a tissue having an abnormally high amount of 22:6 fatty acids,1 which due to the large number of carbon-carbon double bonds are easily peroxidized. Brain is not well endowed with the antioxidant protective enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase or glutathione peroxidase, nor does it have high levels of vitamin E.1 It does, however, have higher levels of ascorbate,2 which can in certain circumstances act as a prooxidant. Brain, especially human brain, does contain high levels of iron,3 apparently stored as ferritin. Catalytic levels of iron, in combination with oxygen free radicals, appear to be extremely important in mediating oxidative damage to membranes.4 The administration of free iron directly into the brain has been shown to cause death of neurons, resulting in permanent epiletiform centers.5 The iron-induced damage to brain has been shown to be due to peroxidative events.5 Thus, all of the background information clearly indicates the need to understand the basic aspects of oxidative damage to nervous tissue.
Building Regional and Ethno-Linguistic Communities in the Infosphere: .ASIA and .CAT

This paper will explore and compare two efforts to facilitate and promote connectivity and exchange online while also attempting to build regional and ethno-linguistic communities. Specifically we consider the rationales for the development of the .ASIA (www.dotasia.org) and .CAT (www.cat) top level domains. These two naming strategies share a common goal, as each revolves a geographically-oriented sponsored top-level domain, between the national and the global, in an attempt to reflect and create an online community.1 However, as we detail below, the two strategies differ greatly in terms of the mission, scope, and business plans to achieve this goal. Thus we conclude by suggesting that these two attempts at forming “community” on the internet can reveal some of the paths that community may take in a world of global interactions and commercial transactions.
Statements about the Past

We have now discussed at some length many of the problems which arise out of the phenomenalist analysis of statements about the material world. However, there is a special sub-class of statements about the material world, statements about the past, which present special problems, and we will deal with them in this chapter. The problem is basically that of analyzing tensed statements in ordinary language which refer specifically to the past, the present, or the future. It turns out that in order to construct an adequate analysis we will have to add slightly to the primitive language of our quasi-system. In particular, we will have to have constants, which will be viewed as proper names, and which will refer to particular sensations.
Issues Related With Calorie Restriction for Prevention and Treatment of Obesity

Page e6 The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased in the US and worldwide over the last 2 to 3 decades.1 Obesity is developed when lipids in the form of triacylglycerol are accumulated in the adipose tissue. However, obesity is not only a problem of energy imbalance since it is associated with changes of concentrations of circulating nutrients, metabolites, and adipokines. These adipokines, a type of cytokines secreted from adipocytes, are involved in regulation of satiety, inflammation, and other physiological functions.2 The increased levels of certain metabolites and decreased levels of essential nutrients in obesity are related with its complications as well. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, hypertension, and cancer, despite the fact as one of the major chronic diseases worldwide. Recently, obesity has been defined as a medical condition by the American Medical Association (AMA).
The nutritional intake of elderly patients with dysphagia admitted to the internal medical department of the emergency hospital was analyzed. The Fujishima dysphagia scale after care and treatment by the Nutrition Support Team was assessed.

AIM The Nutrition Support Team (NST) assessed the severity of dysphagia in elderly patients admitted to the internal medical department, and the appropriate nutritional treatment was determined. Patients were treated with either oral nutrition (enteral nutrition, EN) or artificial alimentation (parenteral nutrition, PN). The goal of this study was to analyze whether or not the route of nutrition affected the patient discharge rates. METHODS We divided 290 elderly inpatients with dysphagia into 2 groups, the pneumonia group (200 patients) and the non-pneumonia group (90 patients). The NST estimated the swallowing function using the Fujishima dysphagia scale. Monitoring was continued until the NST care and treatment had been finalized. RESULTS We further divided the pneumonia patients into two subgroups: those with a Fujishima dysphagia scale score ≤3 or ≥4 at the beginning of NST intervention. The changes in the swallowing function were analyzed.The swallowing function in the patients with a score ≥4 was significantly improved compared with that in the patients with a score ≤3. This difference, however, was not observed in the non-pneumonia group. In both the pneumonia and non-pneumonia groups, the ratio of patients discharged on oral nutrition was one-third, and the ratio of death in hospital was one-quarter, the remaining patients required artificial alimentation. CONCLUSION Among elderly patients admitted to the internal medical department of the emergency hospital with dysphagia, one-third left the hospital with oral nutritional intake, one-quarter died in hospital, and the remaining required artificial alimentation.
ISQUA16-3153THE IMPLICATIONS OF VARIATION IN RISK ADJUSTED COST OF CARE OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS ON COMPLICATIONS, COST, LENGTH OF STAY, AND READMISSION WITHIN 30 DAYS

1. Present a risk adjustment strategy for addressing variation of cost of care 2. Describe variation in risk adjusted cost of hospital care at US academic medical centers 3. Illustrate implications of risk adjusted cost variation relative to outcomes of inpatient care: cost, length of stay, complications, in-hospital death, readmission. This is a retrospective cohort study incorporating risk adjustment models to predict cost of inpatient care. The study cohort included …
Improved Micellar Formulation for Enhanced Delivery for Paclitaxel

We have previously improved the bioactivity of PEG5k-FTS2 system by incorporating disulfide bond (PEG5k-S-S-FTS2) to facilitate the release of farnesyl thiosalicylic acid (FTS).1 Later, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) moiety has been introduced to PEG5k-FTS2 system (PEG5k-Fmoc-FTS2) in order to enhance drug loading capacity (DLC) and formulation stability.2 In this study, we have brought in both disulfide linkage and Fmoc group to PEG5k-FTS2 to form a simple PEG5k-Fmoc-S-S-FTS2 micellar system. PEG5k-Fmoc-S-S-FTS2 conjugate formed filamentous micelles with a ∼10-fold decrease in critical micellar concentration (CMC). Compared with PEG5k-Fmoc-FTS2, our novel system exhibited further strengthened DLC and colloidal stability. More FTS was freed from PEG5k-Fmoc-S-S-FTS2 in treated tumor cells compared to PEG5k-Fmoc-FTS2, which was correlated to an increased cytotoxicity of our new carrier in these cancer cells. After loading Paclitaxel (PTX) into PEG5k-Fmoc-S-S-FTS2 micelles, it showed more potent efficienc...
Understanding College-Student Roles: Perspectives of Participants in a High School/Community College Dual-Enrollment Program

Dual-enrollment programs have been proposed as a useful way to ease students’ transition from high school to community college. Several studies have shown that dual enrollment produces positive eff...
Is Shape of Cancer Cell Correlated with its Invasiveness

This work is based on the hypothesis that shape of the cell on substrate is determined by the active mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton. Since invasive cancer cells are believed to have altered mechanical properties compared with non-invasive cells, it follows that changes in shape of cancer cells may correlate with the acquisition of invasive capacity. We try to understand whether there is a correlation between cancer cell shape and its phenotypic state. To proceed, we first need to capture cell shape and quantify it. Cells were cultured on glass substrates and then were fixed and stained for actin cytoskeleton. Images were processed to eliminate background noise. In order to quantitatively describe cell's shape, we chose a set of Zernike moments, which are widely used in image recognition and are calculated from a set of orthogonal basis function. Since we are dealing with high dimensional data we used principal component analysis (PCA) to examine changes in cell shape. We also used a machine learning neural network classifier to distinguish between different cell populations. We use paired osteosarcoma cancer lines which consist of a parental line that rarely undergoes metastasis and a line derived from parental line that almost always does. Comparing shape changes of invasive cancer line versus their paired low invasive cancer line gives insight to correlation between cell shape and invasiveness. To understand cytoskeletal mechanism behind this relation we perturbed cytoskeleton with different pharmaceutical drugs which each targets different element of the cytoskeleton and looked at the patterns of drug effect on cell shape. We also characterize shape changes of normal cells during their genetic step-wise transformation to cancer cells. [1]S. M. Lyons et. al. Biology Open 2016, 5, 289-299. [2]E.Alizadeh et. al. Integrative Biology, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6IB00100A.
Dietary Interventions and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling neurologic disease that has its onset in young adulthood. While the knowledge about underlying pathogenesis of MS has improved significantly over the last few decades, the exact cause still eludes us. Despite the availability of several United States Food and Drug Administration-approved disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for MS in the last two decades, the disease remains disabling for many. DMT use is limited by its partial effectiveness, significant side effects in many cases, and high cost that leads people with MS (PwMS) to look for alternative management options. Dietary intervention as a possible mode to help MS seems very appealing to PwMS; however, scientific data supporting this notion remains sparse. New information on the role of various non-MS health factors, especially vascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, salt intake, and obesity, that may play a role in MS pathogenesis appears very intriguing as it may partly explain the heterogeneity seen in MS activity and disability. This review will highlight the emerging information on various dietary approaches that may affect MS and their possible underlying mechanism.
Determination and survey of deoxynivalenol in white flour, whole wheat flour, and bran.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for determining deoxynivalenol (DON) in white flour, whole wheat flour, and bran was developed. A 25 g test portion was extracted with acetonitrile-water (84 + 16), and the extract was filtered and applied to a column containing a combination of charcoal, Celite, and other adsorbents. The eluate was then chromatographed on a silica-based, reversed-phase LC column by using a gradient of water and methanol. DON was measured at 220 nm. Average recoveries of DON from white flour, whole wheat flour, and bran spiked at 1 microgram/g were 88, 86, and 85%, respectively. The limit of determination of the method was or = 1 microgram/g from 163 bran, 272 white flour, 90 whole wheat flour, and 37 miscellaneous test samples were 20, 28, 14, and 2, respectively. About 52, 50, 40, and 27% of the same test samples were contaminated with DON at levels > 0.01 micrograms/g.
High Mortality among 30-Day Readmission after Stroke: Predictors and Etiologies of Readmission.

Background: Although some risk factors for readmission have been reported, the mortality risk is unclear. We sought to evaluate etiologies and predictors of 30-day readmissions and determine the associated mortality risk. Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study evaluating 1544 patients admitted for stroke (hemorrhagic, ischemic or TIA) from January 2013-December 2014. Of these, 134 patients re-admitted within 30 days were identified as cases;1418 other patients, with no readmissions were identified as controls. Patients readmitted for hospice or elective surgery were excluded. An additional 248 patients deceased on index admission were included for only a comparison of mortality rates. Factors explored included socio-demographic characteristics, clinical comorbidities, stroke characteristics, and length of stay. Chi-square test of proportions and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of 30-day stroke readmissions. Results: Among the 1544 patients, 67% of index stroke admissions were ischemic, 22% hemorrhagic, and 11% TIA. The 30-day readmission rate was 8.7%. The most common etiologies for readmission were infection (30%), recurrent stroke and TIA (20%), and cardiac complications (14%). Significantly higher proportion of strokes and TIA presented within the first week (p=0 .039) and had a shorter index admission length of stay (p=0.027). Risk factors for 30-day readmission included age > 75 (p=0.02), living in a facility prior to index stroke (p=0.01), history of prior stroke (p=0.03), diabetes (p=0.03), chronic heart failure (p=<0.001), atrial fibrillation (p=0.03), index admission to non-neurology service (p<0 .01), and discharge to other than home (p<0.01). On multivariate analysis, index admission to a non-neurology service was an independent predictor of 30-day readmission (p=<0.01). The mortality after a 30-day readmission was higher than index admission (36.6% vs. 13.8% p =<0.001) (OR 3.6 95%CI 2.5-5.3) and highest with recurrent stroke (p=0.006). Conclusion: Approximately one-third of 30-day readmissions were infection related and one fifth returned with recurrent stroke or TIA. Index admission to non-neurology service was an independent readmission risk factor.The mortality rate for 30-day readmission after stroke is more than 2.5 times greater than index admissions. Identifying high risk patients, appropriate level of service and early outpatient follow-up may help reduce 30-day readmission and associated mortality
Circular antisense oligonucleotides inhibit growth of chronic myeloid leukemia cells.

Antisense represents a conceptually powerful method for regulating gene expression. However, antisense oligonucleotides developed to date manifest two serious limitations—nuclease susceptibility and nonspecific hybridization. Circular oligonucleotides may be superior to conventional linear oligonucleotides in both respects. First, circular agents, having no ends, are exonuclease-resistant. Second, they bind to complementary strands of RNA and DNA with a higher affinity than corresponding linear agents. We assessed the activity of circular phosphodiester deoxynucleotides using chronic myeloid cell lines by targeting polypurine sequences. To represent cells having a bcr3/abl2-tγpe junction, we used K562 cells. A circle targeting a bcr polypurine sequence 385 nucleotides 5′ to the junction decreased the cell number by day 5 with an IC50 of 9 µM. To represent cells having a bcr2/abl2-tγpe junction, we used BV173 cells. A circle targeting the bcr-abl junction itself decreased the cell number by day 7 with an IC50 of 8 µM. Control oligonucleotides, whether the same sequence uncircularized or circles with the same nucleotide composition but in scrambled sequence, had little effect. Unlike linear agents, circles were stable when incubated in 10% serum. The amount of bcr-abl protein detected by Western blotting using a specific anti-bcr-abl antibody at 24 hr in antisense-treated BV173 cells was only 10% of that of cells treated with control circles, which demonstrates an antisense mechanism of action. Circular oligodeoxyribonucleotides (1) inhibit the accumulation of CML cells, (2) decrease the amount of bcr-abl protein per cell, (3) have sequence-selective activity, and (4) are more active than linear oligonucleotides containing only the base-pairing region.
Income and spatial distributional effects of a congestion tax: A hypothetical case of Oregon

Abstract In US urban areas, traffic congestion remains a growing and costly problem. The Texas Transportation Institute estimated that in 2014 delays due to congestion caused an extra 7 billion extra hours in delay, leading to wasted fuel, increased environmental degradation, and high user costs. Previous studies have focused on the impacts to congestion via highway toll lanes and the income distributional effects of tolling. While tolling can be effective in reducing congestion levels, these tolls have been found to be at least as regressive as fuel taxes. Further, these studies do not investigate the impacts tolling has on rural households compared to urban households. This study presents a per-mile congestion tax as an alternative policy tool to congestion tolling. Using a Suits Index with the Oregon Households Activity Survey, we find a per-mile congestion charge to be progressive on income. This suggests that the administratively challenging toll revenue redistribution payments that would be necessary to make congestion tolling progressive would not be needed. At the same time, however, the Suits Index suggests that a per-mile congestion charge would be regressive with regards to rural households. Econometric models are estimated to further support and explain these outcomes. While rural households, in general, drive more during peak hours compared to urban households, we find that low-income rural households are less likely to drive during these periods than wealthier rural households.
Latinx thoughts: Latinidad with an X

The term “Latinx” has become a site of contention, like “Latino” once was. Our goal is to propose an articulation of Latina/o/x populations through the term Latinx as a site of possibilities, while clarifying its potential use and the reasoning behind it. Rather than seeing the use of Latinx as a trend, or a rupture, in linguistic usage, we see its use as a continuity of internal shifting group dynamics and disciplinary debates. Complicating the argument that the term Latinx is an imperialist imposition on the Spanish language is possible by reclaiming the “x” history of (racial and ethnic) resistance as a marker of nonwhiteness (for example, in Xicana feminism), while turning to the “x” usage by Latin American and Spanish-speaking activists. Latinx foregrounds tensions among self-naming practices and terms that encompass all members of a diverse and complex ethnoracial group: Latinx acts as a new frame of inclusion, while also posing a challenge for those used to having androcentric terms serve as collective representational proxies.
Effect of Nerve-Cutting Technique on Nerve Microstructure and Neuroma Formation

Background Peripheral neuroma formation results from partial or complete nerve division. Elucidating measures to prevent the development of peripheral neuromas is of clinical importance. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various surgical nerve-cutting techniques on nerve microstructure and resultant neuroma formation. Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following nerve-cutting techniques: No. 15 scalpel blade with tongue depressor, micro-serrated scissors, nerve-cutting guide forceps with straight razor, and bipolar cauterization. The right sciatic nerve was transected using the assigned nerve-cutting technique. Neuromas were harvested 6 weeks postoperatively, and samples were obtained for histologic analysis. The contralateral sciatic nerve was transected at euthanasia and analyzed with histology and with scanning electron microscopy in a subset of the rats. Results Fifteen of the 20 rats survived the 6-week experiment. Scanning electron microscopy of the No. 15 scalpel blade group showed the most visual damage and disorganization whereas the nerve-cutting guide forceps and micro-serrated scissors groups resulted in a smooth transected surface. Bipolar cauterization appeared to enclose the fascicular architecture within a sealed epineurium. Each neuroma was significantly larger than contralateral controls. There were no significant differences in neuroma caliber between nerve transection groups. No substantial differences in microstructure were evident between transection groups. Conclusion Despite disparate microscopic appearances of the cut surfaces of nerves using various nerve-cutting techniques, we found no significant differences in the caliber or incidence of neuroma formation based on nerve-cutting technique. Nerve-cutting technique used when transecting peripheral nerves may have little bearing on the formation or size of resultant neuroma formation.
Bacterial Survivor: An Interactive Game that Combats Misconceptions about Antibiotic Resistance.

The growing threat of antibiotic resistant infections remains a huge public health concern. While many people are aware of “superbugs”, the vast majority of the general public does not understand how antibiotic resistance arises in a population of bacteria, and how exactly over use or misuse of antibiotics contributes to this problem. We developed an active learning exercise called “Bacterial Survivor” in order to combat misconceptions about antibiotic resistance in a large undergraduate non-majors microbiology course. The game models the random nature of genetic change, the impact of environment on survival, and illustrates the basic principles of evolution. This hands-on approach has been effective in counteracting student misconceptions about this important topic.
Helium irradiation of Y2O3-Fe bilayer system

Abstract Y2O3/Fe bilayer systems and associated interfaces with different crystallographic orientations were implanted with helium. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) analysis showed that implanted helium formed larger sized bubbles at the interface than within the individual film layers. The bubbles at the interface were located on the oxide side of the interface and only “wetted” a small area of the interface. In contrast, bubbles nucleating at grain boundaries within the iron layer were observed to symmetrically form across the grain boundaries, suggesting remarkable differences in helium bubble nucleation between metal/oxide interfaces and grain boundaries in metals.
Designing Single-Use Plastic Products: Far from the Earthly Paradise

Single-use plastic products design has been one of the cleverest and efficient plastic design achievements of the last decades of the twentieth century. New, simple, inexpensive and innovative solutions based on the flexibility of the technologically advanced plastics found wider applications in the everyday lives of millions of people around the world. Nevertheless, the bliss of these economic, handy products-miracles of the ever-growing global technology soon became a nightmare as all the plastic that has ever been produced has never been totally biodegraded and is still in some form on the planet. Although we use them for a few minutes, they can stay in the environment for hundreds of years. Our dependence on single-use plastics has now become unmanageable, and plastic pollution is everywhere: from our body through the food chain to the more remote beaches and uninhabited islands. This article aims to examine not only the advantages of single-use plastic product design, but also to point out their serious defaults, such as environmental pollution and discuss the possible measures to be taken by several public and state bodies, especially EU, who intend to protect people, economy and the planet itself.
Antecedents and Consequents of Disruptive Campus Protests.

This study provides an assessment of the independent effects of student input characteristics and institutional variables on the incidence and severity of campus unrest, the primary issues involved...
Prescribing Individually Tailored Exercise as a Means of Increasing Health Promotion Among University Faculty, Staff, and Students

The purpose of the study was to develop and monitor an individualized exercise health promotion program for faculty, staff, and students at the College of Health and Social Services (CHSS) at New Mexico State University. It was hypothesized that participants would: 1) increase the number of minutes exercised per week; 2) reduce their body weight and body mass index; and 3) report an increase in their Quality of Life. At pretest, the more participants exercised, the higher they rated their quality of life. These differences were significant. Other results showed a non-significant trend toward an increase in duration of minutes exercised, a decrease in body mass, and an increase in quality of life.
Unmet needs of family cancer caregivers predict quality of life in long-term cancer survivorship

To identify demographic and caregiving characteristics associated with caregivers’ unmet needs and to examine associations of caregivers’ unmet needs with their quality of life at 2 years and 5 years since their patients’ initial diagnosis. Family cancer caregivers completed prospective longitudinal surveys at 2 years (T1) and 5 years (T2) post diagnosis. Demographic and caregiving characteristics were measured at T1. Unmet needs and quality of life were measured at T1 and T2. Younger and spousal caregivers reported greater unmet needs (B > 2.03, p 2.50, p < .05), across the long-term survivorship phases. Findings highlight the contribution of earlier subjective caregiving stress to family caregivers’ needs not being met both currently and years later, which, in turn, related to poorer quality of life across different family caregivership trajectories. Findings suggest identifying at-risk subgroups of family caregivers based on demographics and assessing caregiving stress as a priority in psycho-oncology research and clinical practices. Family caregivers’ quality of life is affected by cancer survivors’ illness trajectory many years after the initial cancer diagnosis, so are the caregivers’ needs. Cancer survivorship care plan should take careful consideration of the nuanced long-term contributions of caregivers’ unmet needs to their specific aspects of quality of life.
A Highly Sensitive Fluorogenic Assay for the Detection of Nephrotoxin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Live Cells and Renal Tissue

Abstract A common manifestation of drug toxicity is kidney injury or nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxicity frequently leads to termination of clinical trials and drug withdrawals, which jeopardize biomedical progress. Efficient preclinical screening platforms capable of detecting mild signs of kidney damage, which may elicit considerable toxic response in vivo, are essential. A common manifestation of chemical toxicity is oxidative modification of cellular biomolecules. Therefore, we have developed a facile biomolecule carbonyl detection assay that well surpasses the sensitivity of the standard assays in identifying modest forms of renal injury. Using a novel fluorogenic sensor, TFCH, we have demonstrated the applicability of the assay in live kidney cells and in renal tissue. This robust assay can help inform preclinical decisions to recall unsafe drug candidates. Application of this assay in identifying and analyzing diverse pathologies is envisioned.
Evolution of the Self System

In the previous chapters we discussed biologic evolution and systems theory. We divided the data-processing systems of the human organism into a bimodal framework— the analog and digital coding systems. We used the term mind when referring to brain research and the attempts to localize this phenomenon.
Intelligent and autonomous wheelchair design: demo abstract

Many people have difficulty walking, and the percentage of people with this challenge increases with age. The "mobility challenge," which we address in this project, centers on one's ability to independently move through the world. Enabling individuals to maintain their independence of mobility has significant social importance for society as a whole. While research in sensing and autonomous technology has made great strides in recent years, affordable fully autonomous systems are still a distant goal, primarily because of a lack of sensing accuracy and robustness based on off-the-shelf low-cost sensors. Self-driving vehicles being tested by companies rely heavily on expensive 3D LiDAR to locate themselves on the detailed maps they need to get around, and to identify things like pedestrians and other vehicles. In this project, we investigate an efficient sensing and perception hardware and software system design for autonomous and intelligent wheelchairs. The goal is to develop an experimental testbed with multi-modal sensors, computing systems, control and mobility systems. This affordable testbed will be a full-fledged modular platform to test and deploy latest deep learning-based algorithm without expensive hardware components.
Anatomy of the Integumentary System

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It consists of two layers. The outermost layer is the epidermis, which is a stratified squamous epithelium. The second layer is the dermis, comprised of both loose and dense irregular connective tissue. Skin is classified as thick or thin depending on the thickness of the epidermis. Thick skin is found on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, whereas skin over the rest of the body is classified as thin. The epidermis is a layered structure with continuous turnover of cells called keratinocytes. Keratinocytes form from stem cells in the basal layer of the epidermis, and then migrate to the surface. As they migrate, they accumulate keratin and eventually undergo apoptosis forming the outermost layer of the epidermis, which sheds the apoptotic cells on a daily basis. In addition to keratinocytes, the epidermis contains melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, which the melanocytes transfer to keratinocytes. Melanin determines the color of skin and provides protection from UV radiation. Skin also contains hair follicles, eccrine sweat glands, apocrine sweat glands, and sebaceous glands, all of which are derived from the epidermis. Skin is richly innervated with free nerve endings and several different types of encapsulated sensory receptors. Common benign neoplasms of the skin are melanocytic nevi (moles), and acrochordons (skin tags).
A history of Clostridioides difficile infection portends infection recurrence and worse outcomes after stoma reversal.

Abstract Background Clostridioides difficile infection is reported to occur after 2.2% of colorectal operations and is associated with longer length of hospital stay, greater overall healthcare cost, and significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection is greatest after elective stoma reversal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of prior Clostridioides difficile infection on patients undergoing stoma reversal. We hypothesized that patients with a history of Clostridioides difficile infection who underwent stoma reversal will be at an increased risk of postoperative Clostridioides difficile infection compared with patients without a history of Clostridioides difficile infection. Methods This was an observational cohort study of patients undergoing elective stoma reversal surgery by colorectal surgeons at a single academic institution during a 10-year period. A prospectively maintained institutional database was queried to identify 454 patients who underwent stoma reversal surgery between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017. The primary outcomes were Clostridioides difficile infection after stoma reversal and time to Clostridioides difficile infection after bowel refunctionalization. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, discharge destination, and 30-day readmission rate. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with Clostridioides difficile infection after stoma reversal. Results A total of 445 patients were identified who underwent elective stoma reversal, 42 of whom had a history of Clostridioides difficile infection before the stoma reversal. There were no significant differences in patient age, number of days diverted, or use of perioperative antibiotics between patients with and without a history of Clostridioides difficile infection. The incidence of postreversal Clostridioides difficile infection was 23.4% in patients with a history of Clostridioides difficile infection compared with 9.6% in patients with no Clostridioides difficile infection history (P = .004); however, time to Clostridioides difficile infection after reversal did not differ. History of Clostridioides difficile infection was also associated with greater risk of postoperative complications (26.2% vs 9.4%, P Conclusion Patients with a prior history of Clostridioides difficile infection who underwent stoma reversal exhibited higher rates of postoperative Clostridioides difficile infection and were at greater risk of postoperative complications, discharge to a skilled facility, and 30-day readmission. Furthermore, research into interventions aimed at improving outcomes in this unique, high-risk population is needed.
Does Crowd Out Really Occur? Empirical Evidence—Replication in Many Time Periods

This chapter extends the initial tests in Chapter 13 tests to different, smaller time periods within the 1960–2010 period to ensure initial results were worthy of publishing, i.e., could be exhaustively replicated in other time periods and models, and were not spuriously related to just the initial time period tested. The goal was to create results so persuasive analysts would no need for further studies of whether crowd out exists.
Outlier-Robust Sparse Estimation via Non-Convex Optimization.

We explore the connection between outlier-robust high-dimensional statistics and non-convex optimization in the presence of sparsity constraints, with a focus on the fundamental tasks of robust sparse mean estimation and robust sparse PCA. We develop novel and simple optimization formulations for these problems such that any approximate stationary point of the associated optimization problem yields a near-optimal solution for the underlying robust estimation task. As a corollary, we obtain that any first-order method that efficiently converges to stationarity yields an efficient algorithm for these tasks. The obtained algorithms are simple, practical, and succeed under broader distributional assumptions compared to prior work.