cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Projecting sexual and injecting HIV risks into future outcomes with agent-based modeling

Longitudinal studies of health outcomes for HIV could be very costly cumbersome and not representative of the risk population. Conversely, cross-sectional approaches could be representative but rely on the retrospective information to estimate prevalence and incidence. We present an Agent-based Modeling (ABM) approach where we use behavioral data from a cross-sectional representative study and project the behavior into the future so that the risks of acquiring HIV could be studied in a dynamical/temporal sense. We show how the blend of behavior and contact network factors (sexual, injecting) play the role in the risk of future HIV acquisition and time till obtaining HIV. We show which subjects are the most likely persons to get HIV in the next year, and whom they are likely to infect. We examine how different behaviors are related to the increase or decrease of HIV risks and how to estimate the quantifiable risk measures such as survival HIV free.
A flow-based approach to vehicle detection and background mosaicking in airborne video

In this work, we address the detection of vehicles in a video stream obtained from a moving airborne platform. We propose a Bayesian framework for estimating dense optical flow over time that explicitly estimates a persistent model of background appearance. The approach assumes that the scene can be described by background and occlusion layers, estimated within an expectation-maximization framework. The mathematical formulation of the paper is an extension of the work in (H. Yalcin et al., 2005) where motion and appearance models for foreground and background layers are estimated simultaneously in a Bayesian framework.
Estimating misclassification error with small samples via bootstrap cross-validation

Motivation: Estimation of misclassification error has received increasing attention in clinical diagnosis and bioinformatics studies, especially in small sample studies with microarray data. Current error estimation methods are not satisfactory because they either have large variability (such as leave-one-out cross-validation) or large bias (such as resubstitution and leave-one-out bootstrap). While small sample size remains one of the key features of costly clinical investigations or of microarray studies that have limited resources in funding, time and tissue materials, accurate and easy-to-implement error estimation methods for small samples are desirable and will be beneficial. Results: A bootstrap cross-validation method is studied. It achieves accurate error estimation through a simple procedure with bootstrap resampling and only costs computer CPU time. Simulation studies and applications to microarray data demonstrate that it performs consistently better than its competitors. This method possesses several attractive properties: (1) it is implemented through a simple procedure; (2) it performs well for small samples with sample size, as small as 16; (3) it is not restricted to any particular classification rules and thus applies to many parametric or non-parametric methods. Contact: [email protected]
EFFECTS OF GRASSLAND FRAGMENTATION ON INSECT SPECIES LOSS, COLONIZATION, AND MOVEMENT PATTERNS

Ecological theory predicts that isolated habitat patches will experience greater rates of species loss and lower rates of recolonization compared to less isolated habitats. As a corollary, corridors of suitable habitat should reduce patch isolation, thereby decreasing species loss and enhancing colonization. Little ecological evidence exists, however, to compare species loss and colonization in habitat patches with and without corridors under field conditions. Using insects in a native grassland habitat, I performed a three-year field experiment that varied fragment size and connectivity to test the hypotheses that corridors influence patterns of insect species loss, rates of recolonization, and insect movement among habitat fragments. I detected few effects of corridors consistent with theoretical predictions. First, corridors generally failed to reduce insect species loss from otherwise isolated grassland patches, except for subtle effects in medium-sized patches. Species richness was slightly higher in medium patches with corridors than in medium isolated patches when averaged over the three years of the study. I observed the strongest positive effect of corridors in the third and driest year of the study. Second, corridors did not significantly influence overall rate of patch colonization, but slightly increased the probability of colonization by less vagile species. Interestingly, corridors did not affect recolonization by rare species, which are often the subject of conservation concern. Third, I characterized individual movement pathways of three insect species in plots with and without corridors. One of the three species significantly preferred corridors, while the other two species moved independently of corridors. Taken together, these results suggest that corridors have the potential to promote movement of organisms among habitat patches, but that their function may depend upon species characteristics, landscape context, patch size, and environmental variation.
Ecological barriers to early colony establishment in three coexisting acacia-ant species in Kenya

In black cotton uplands in East Africa, four sym- biotic acacia-ant species compete for possession of a single swollen thorn tree species, Acacia drepanolobium, and yet coexist at fi ne spatial scales. Three of the four ant species produce independent foundress queens that establish colo- nies claustrally within swollen thorns, most often on small saplings. We conducted surveys of such saplings at two sites in 2001 and 2004, and examined foundresses and incipient colonies within their swollen thorns to determine what fac- tors infl uence their success. Competition among foundresses for nest initiation sites was intense, with an average of over one founding attempt per swollen thorn in all samples, and with living and dead queens signifi cantly hyper-dispersed among available thorns. Combat with other foundresses was the most common cause of death among claustral queens, especially for Tetraponera penzigi. In interspecifi c battles for nest initiation sites, T. penzigi was dominant over Cremato- gaster nigriceps and C. mimosae, and C. nigriceps won over 80 % of its contests with C. mimosae foundresses. For single- ton foundresses, brood parasitism by the braconid wasp Tri- gastrotheca laikipiensis typically results in the death of the entire ant brood. Host queens defend parasite larvae, pupae and eclosed adults, apparently unable to distinguish the wasps from legitimate offspring. Rates of brood parasitism were as high as 15-20 % for incipient colonies of both Cre- matogaster species, but were extremely low for T. nigriceps in all samples. Although T. penzigi and C. nigriceps foun- dresses are always solitary, approximately 18 % of claustral C. mimosae colonies contain cooperating pleometrotic queens. For unparasitized, claustral C. mimosae colonies, brood production per queen did not differ between solitary and cooperating foundresses. However, the per-capita risks associated with parastitism were reduced for pleometrotic queens.
Real-time optimal-memory image rotation for embedded systems

Skew-corrected document images are necessary for subsequent downstream operations such as archiving, printing or improving OCR performance. Image rotation is a necessary and more expensive step in achieving skew correction of document images. Other applications of rotation include, image registration and orientation correction. Traditional image rotation algorithms [2-4] such as three-shear rotation [1] require three separable shears of the image. The embedded use of such techniques in scanners/printers presents technical challenges, since the memory available is limited and/or the document image is only available progressively in chunks of say 32 or 64 rows (swaths). Traditional image rotation algorithms require the entire image to be available before commencing the rotation operation. This paper presents an approach that allows image rotation using swaths of the image thus minimizing the overall memory requirement. We theoretically prove that the number of image swaths that are to be buffered is independent of the image size and depends only on the rotation angle. This approach enables rotation of any arbitrary sized image on memory constrained devices. The memory savings realized is at least 80%, for an A4-sized document image rotated 15°. Our progressive approach demonstrates real-time image rotation and hence improves on the state-of-the-art approaches for reduction of rotation complexity [5-10].
Discomfort with emotion moderates distress reduction in a brief mindfulness intervention.

The goal of this study was to investigate moderators of mindfulness training. The present study employed a brief form of mindfulness training with moderately distressed participants. Psychological distress was measured before and after a five-session mindfulness intervention. Two hypothesized moderators of treatment outcome, discomfort with emotion and mindfulness were measured before the intervention. Consistent with previous research, the brief mindfulness intervention was associated with reductions in psychological distress with a large pre-post effect size. Importantly, reductions in distress were significantly moderated by discomfort with emotion. Individuals reporting the most discomfort with emotion showed less reduction in distress after the mindfulness intervention. Results highlight the importance of investigating moderators of mindfulness intervention outcome.
A Stochastic Model for Adaptive Behavior in a Dynamic Situation

A stochastic model of adaptive behavior in a dynamic situation is proposed, and its properties developed. The model is developed from a hypothetical construct of behavior, and, in the limit, becomes a nonstationary probability diffusion process. Although the model has wide potential applicability, it is discussed in the marketing context for which the model was first proposed. In addition to properties of the model, important aspects of the model as it applies to marketing will be discussed.
The association of handgun ownership and storage practices with safety consciousness

BACKGROUND: As with other injury prevention practices, education about safe firearm storage is recommended to prevent injuries to children. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether parents who are safety conscious in other respects also practice firearm safety. METHODS: Data come from responses to a baseline survey administered as part of an intervention study. Participants were consenting adults who brought a child into an emergency department. These analyses were restricted to those parents who had young children (
Virtual world teaching, experiential learning, and assessment: An interdisciplinary communication course in Second Life

While many reports espouse the potential impact that 3-D virtual worlds are expected to have on teaching and learning in higher education in a few years, there are few empirical studies that inform instructional design and learning assessment in virtual worlds. This study explores the nature and process of learning in Second Life in a graduate interdisciplinary communication course in fall 2007. Literature suggests that 3-D virtual worlds can be well suited for experiential learning environments. In this study, the actual instructional effectiveness of Second Life as an experiential learning environment for interdisciplinary communication is empirically examined using mixed research methods of journal content analysis, surveys, focus group, and virtual world snapshots and video.
Adverse effects of hypolipidaemic drugs.

Cholestyramine, colestipol, clofibrate, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid (niacin), probucol, neomycin, and dextrothyroxine are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemic disorders. While adverse reaction data are available for all of them, definitive data regarding the frequency and severity of potential adverse effects from well-controlled trials using large numbers of patients (greater than 1000) are available only for cholestyramine, clofibrate, nicotinic acid and dextrothyroxine. In adult patients treated with cholestyramine, gastrointestinal complaints, especially constipation, abdominal pain and unpalatability are most frequently observed. Continued administration along with dietary manipulation (e.g. addition of dietary fibre) and/or stool softeners results in diminished complaints during long term therapy. Large doses of cholestyramine (greater than 32 g/day) may be associated with malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Most significantly, osteomalacia and, on rare occasions, haemorrhagic diathesis are reported with cholestyramine impairment of vitamin D and vitamin K absorption, respectively. Paediatric patients have been reported to experience hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis or gastrointestinal obstruction. Concurrent administration of acidic drugs may result in their reduced bioavailability. Serious adverse reactions to clofibrate will probably limit its role in the future. Of particular concern are ventricular arrhythmias, induction of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, and the potential for promoting gastrointestinal malignancy which far outweigh the reported benefits in preventing new or recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death and overall death. Patients with renal disease are particularly prone to myositis, secondary to alterations in protein binding and impaired renal excretion of clofibrate. Drug interactions with coumarin anticoagulants and sulphonylurea compounds may produce bleeding episodes and hypoglycaemia, respectively. Nicotinic acid produces frequent adverse effects, but they are usually not serious, tend to decrease with time, and can be managed easily. Dermal and gastrointestinal reactions are most common. Truncal and facial flushing are reported in 90 to 100% of treated patients in large clinical trials. Significant elevations of liver enzymes, serum glucose, and serum uric acid are occasionally seen with nicotinic acid therapy. Liver enzyme elevations are more common in patients given large dosage increases over short periods of time, and in patients treated with sustained release formulations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Xe adsorption site distributions on Pt(111), Pt(221) and Pt(531)

Abstract The ideal structures of the Pt(111), Pt(221) and Pt(531) surfaces expose adsorption sites that can be qualitatively described as terrace sites on Pt(111), both step and terrace sites on Pt(221), and kink sites on Pt(531). The real surface structures of these surfaces can be complicated by imperfections such as misorientation, reconstruction and thermal roughening, all of which will influence their distributions of adsorption sites. Xe adsorption sites on the Pt(111), Pt(221) and Pt(531) surfaces have been probed using both photoemission of adsorbed Xe (PAX) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of Xe. Both PAX and Xe TPD are sensitive to the adsorption sites of the Xe and serve as complementary means of assessing the distributions of adsorption sites on these three Pt surfaces. The adsorption of Xe is sufficiently sensitive to detect the presence of residual steps on the Pt(111) surface at a density of ~ 1.5% step atoms per Pt atom. On the Pt(221) surface, PAX and Xe TPD reveal adsorption at both terrace and step sites simultaneously. Although the ideal structure of the Pt(531) surface has no well-defined steps or terraces, Xe adsorption indicates that its adsorption sites are best described as a distribution of both step and kink sites with roughly twice as many steps sites as kinks.
AN AVIAN EGG FROM THE CAMPANIAN OF BAYN DZAK, MONGOLIA

(2002). An avian egg from the Campanian of Bayn Dzak, Mongolia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 719-721.
The Viability of Pan-European Marketing

Changes in the European Community present opportunities for marketers. A unification effort (EC92) will ease the exchange process. There are economies of scale and cost efficiencies to be gained. However, the target market must be reanalyzed. European consumers must be segmented by other means than geographic. Mass marketing and niche marketing may both be used to reach the new Euromarket.
Revision total hip arthroplasty in the United States: national trends and in-hospital outcomes

With the increasing number of primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) being performed, the frequency of revision surgery is also expected to increase. We analysed the immediate in-hospital complications and epidemiologic data of 3,469 revision and 18,186 primary THA cases. The National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) was evaluated between 2001 and 2010 for patients who underwent revision and primary THA. Patients were identified and included in our retrospective study based on ICD-9 procedure codes. The number of primary and revision THAs increased steadily from 2001 to 2010. The revision burden decreased for the same studied period (r = –0.92) to reach 13.9 % in 2010. The South region had higher revision burden of 17.4 % (p < 0.001). The primary THA group was more likely to be obese, morbidly obese, and have hypertension (p < 0.001). The revision THA group had an increased rate of blood transfusions (p < 0.001), deep venous thrombosis (p = 0.008), post-operative sepsis (p < 0.001), and wound complications (p < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rate was also higher for the revision THA group (0.6 % versus 0.2 %, p < 0.001). The revision burden has undergone a steady decrease over the ten years studied and the reason for this is likely multifactorial. The South region had a significantly higher revision burden when compared to the rest of the United States. Larger hospitals tend to perform relatively more revisions. Revision THA patients are associated with longer hospital stay, higher complications rate, and higher in-hospital mortality rate.
Chemical Biology Approaches to Genome Editing: Understanding, Controlling, and Delivering Programmable Nucleases

Programmable DNA nucleases have provided scientists with the unprecedented ability to probe, regulate, and manipulate the human genome. Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas9 system (CRISPR-Cas9) represent a powerful array of tools that can bind to and cleave a specified DNA sequence. In their canonical forms, these nucleases induce double-strand breaks at a DNA locus of interest that can trigger cellular DNA repair processes that disrupt or replace genes. The fusion of these programmable nucleases with a variety of other protein domains has led to a rapidly growing suite of tools for activating, repressing, visualizing, and modifying loci of interest. Maximizing the usefulness and therapeutic relevance of these tools, however, requires precisely controlling their activity and specificity to minimize potentially toxic side effects arising from off-target activities. This need has motivated the application of chemical biology principles and methods to genome-editing proteins, including the engineering of variants of these proteins with improved or altered specificities, and the development of genetic, chemical, optical, and protein delivery methods that control the activity of these agents in cells. Advancing the capabilities, safety, effectiveness, and therapeutic relevance of genome-engineering proteins will continue to rely on chemical biology strategies that manipulate their activity, specificity, and localization.
“Walking ATMs”: Do Crime Rates Affect Remittances of Mexican Migrants in the United States?

This study investigates the relationship between migrant savings, remittances, and crime. Using a model in which the migrant maximizes utility over the choice of storing savings in the United States or in Mexico, the migrant’s decision is determined in part by the potential of losing part of his income to theft. Using probit and Tobit analysis I test this model, finding evidence that higher probabilities of victimization lead migrants to alter their remitting behavior. In particular, I find that increased robbery rates reduce the size and incidence of remittances, whereas increased burglary rates increase the size and incidence of remittances.
Confederate Slave Impressment in the Upper South. By Jaime Amanda Martinez. (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2013. Pp. i, 233. $39.95.)

The author of this study has written a well‐researched analysis of the Confederate government's policy of slave impressment in Virginia and North Carolina during the Civil War. Countering numerous ...
C–H Arylation in the Synthesis of π-Conjugated Polymers

C–H activation reactions have allowed us to react traditionally chemically inert bonds in molecules to develop new methods for cross-coupling reactions. This type of reactivity can be applied to conjugated polymer materials in an effort to improve existing synthetic difficulties including harsh reaction conditions, multiple monomer functionalization steps, and organometallic reagent waste. In this Viewpoint, we highlight some of the encouraging advances in direct arylation polymerization (DArP) as well as ongoing challenges for future improvement and utility.
The consciousness disciplines and the behavioral sciences: Questions of comparison and assessment

In recent years a number of assessments of the non-Western consciousness disciplines have been undertaken by Western behavioral scientists. The author suggests that a variety of conceptual, methodological, experimential, and content inadequacies render the conclusions of these investigations of doubtful validity. He then describes the models of human nature postulated by these disciplines and the Western behavioral sciences, suggesting that comparing them results in a paradigm clash. The failure to recognize this clash seems to have resulted in inappropriate pathologizing interpretations. Attention is drawn to the relevance of recent findings in state-dependent learning, meditation studies, peak and transcendental experiences, transpersonal psychology, and quantum physics to an assessment of the consciousness disciplines, and suggestions for more adequate investigation are provided.
Exposure to sublethal levels of waterborne lead alters reproductive behavior patterns in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Lead (Pb) caused multiple effects on reproductive behavior and overall reproductive success. Adult fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were acclimated at a 16L:8D photoperiod to stimulate reproductive development. Reproductively mature adults were separated as male-female pairs and maintained for 4 weeks in either 0.0 or 0.5 ppm Pb. High lead accumulations occurred in testes and ovaries of treated fish; lead concentrations in control fish gonads were not detectable. Lead suppressed spermatocyte production and retarded ovarian development, although no lead-induced gonadosomatic index changes for either sex were noted. Lead decreased the number of eggs oviposited, increased interspawn periods and suppressed embryo development. Control males displayed maximum secondary sex characteristic development (banding, tubercle formation, head and eye darkening); lead-exposed fish displayed less. Control males spent more time in ceiling-directed behaviors associated with nest preparation and maintenance than lead-exposed. These variables were affected differentially with respect to stage of reproductive maturity at time of lead exposure, i.e., fish displaying greater secondary sex characteristic development before exposure were less affected by lead than those fish that showed less development.
HITS: A Short Domestic Violence Screening Tool for Use in a Family Practice Setting

Background and Objectives: Domestic violence is an important problem that is often not recognized by physicians. We designed a short instrument for domestic violence screening that could be easily remembered and administered by family physicians. Methods: In phase one of the study, 160 adult female family practice office patients living with a partner for at least 12 months completed two questionnaires. One questionnaire was the verbal and physical aggression items of the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS). The other was a new four-item questionnaire that asked respondents how often their partner physically Hurt, Insulted, Threatened with harm, and Screamed at them. These four items make the acronym HITS. In phase two, 99 women, who were self-identified victims of domestic violence, completed the HITS. Results: For phase one, Cronbach’s alpha was .80 for the HITS scale. The correlation of HITS and CTS scores was .85. For phase two, the mean HITS scores for office patients and abuse victims were 6.13 and 15.15, respectively. Optimal data analysis revealed that a cut score of 10.5 on the HITS reliably differentiated r espondents in the two groups. Using this cut score, 91% of patients and 96% of abuse victims were accurately classified. Conclusions: The HITS scale showed good internal consistency and concurrent validity with the CTS verbal and physical aggression items. The HITS scale also showed good construct validity in its ability to differentiate family practice patients from abuse victims. The HITS scale is promising as a domestic violence screening mnemonic for family practice physicians and residents.
TCT-197 Women Received Delayed Admission ECG with Typical Symptom Presentation in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

When treating ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) the paramount concern is timely and effective recognition since the potential consequences are known to be devastating resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The initial step is to determine if the interval of time for the Emergency
Effects of MRI Protocol Parameters, Preload Injection Dose, Fractionation Strategies, and Leakage Correction Algorithms on the Fidelity of Dynamic-Susceptibility Contrast MRI Estimates of Relative Cerebral Blood Volume in Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DSC perfusion MR imaging assumes that the contrast agent remains intravascular; thus, disruptions in the blood-brain barrier common in brain tumors can lead to errors in the estimation of relative CBV. Acquisition strategies, including the choice of flip angle, TE, TR, and preload dose and incubation time, along with post hoc leakage-correction algorithms, have been proposed as means for combating these leakage effects. In the current study, we used DSC-MR imaging simulations to examine the influence of these various acquisition parameters and leakage-correction strategies on the faithful estimation of CBV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DSC-MR imaging simulations were performed in 250 tumors with perfusion characteristics randomly generated from the distributions of real tumor population data, and comparison of leakage-corrected CBV was performed with a theoretic curve with no permeability. Optimal strategies were determined by protocol with the lowest mean error. RESULTS: The following acquisition strategies (flip angle/TE/TR and contrast dose allocation for preload and bolus) produced high CBV fidelity, as measured by the percentage difference from a hypothetic tumor with no leakage: 1) 35°/35 ms/1.5 seconds with no preload and full dose for DSC-MR imaging, 2) 35°/25 ms/1.5 seconds with ¼ dose preload and ¾ dose bolus, 3) 60°/35 ms/2.0 seconds with ½ dose preload and ½ dose bolus, and 4) 60°/35 ms/1.0 second with 1 dose preload and 1 dose bolus. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a variety of strategies can yield similarly high fidelity in CBV estimation, namely those that balance T1- and T2*-relaxation effects due to contrast agent extravasation.
Tetrandrine induces cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 boundary and Cell Death in vitro pancreatic cancer cells

IntroductionDeregulated cell cycle control/s are a hallmark of cancer, including Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths in t...
Authority versus Liberalism: Is There a Third Way?

References Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. "Rethinking Racism: Toward a Structural Interpretation." American Sociological Review, 62: 465-480, 1997. Bullard, Robert Doyle. Confronting Environmental Racism: Voices From the Grassroots. Boston: South End Press, 1993. Chou, Rosalind S. and Joe R. Feagin, The Myth of the Model Minority: Asian Americans Facing Racism. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers, 2008. Cohen, Jon, and Jennifer Agiesta. "3 in 10 Ameri cans Admit to Race Bias Survey Shows Age, Too, May Affect Election Views." Washington Post, June 22, 2008, page Al. Foner, Nancy and George Fredrickson, eds. Not Just Black and White: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Immigration, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2004. Frazier, E. Franklin. Black Bourgeoisie. Glencoe: Free Press ,1957. Lipsitz, George. Footsteps in the Dark: The Hidden Histories of Popular Music. Minneapolis: Uni versity of Minnesota Press, 2007. Nagourney, Adam and Megan Thee. "Poll Finds Obama Isn't Closing Divide on Race." The New York Times, July 16, 2008, page Al. Steinberg, Stephen. Race Relations: A Critique. Stan ford: Stanford University Press, 2007. Sze, Julie. Noxious New York: The Racial Politics of Urban Health and Environmental Justice. Cam bridge, MA: MIT Press, 2006.
Intentionally Designed Three-Phase Time Diary (TD) as a Multi-Pronged Practice.

Adopting qualitative approaches, this study highlights the value of integrating cognitive understanding with students’ daily experiences through a time diary (TD) project. Using an innovative three-phase design, the TD effectively heightened self-awareness, promoted self-reflection, inspired the desire to change, and facilitated knowledge application. The TD shows potential as a cost-effective, rigorous, scalable, and transferable approach for encouraging reflection and fostering student engagement, including theory-to-practice connections with practical implications for student affairs and outreach programs.
Profiles of Experience in Learner Talk

In contrast to the previous two chapters, which analyzed the themes and dimensions horizontally across the entire L2 Experience Interview Corpus, this chapter vertically analyzes and compares the psychosocial traits of each interview participant. We apply the methodological advantages offered by semantic content analysis and the L2 Experience Interview Corpus to study holistic patterns of individual differences among advanced L2 learners. In order to do this, we use Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC; Pennebaker et al. 2007) to detect clusters of psychosocial traits that might suggest distinctive profiles among L2 learners. In other words, are there discernable clusters of psychosocial traits present in the interviews, and do these clusters of traits correspond to larger patterns that could be considered learner profiles? These questions are addressed using cluster analysis to identify clusters of learners who describe their L2 learning experience in similar ways. We then use an additional dataset—self-reported TOEFL scores of 96 of the interview participants—to examine the relationship of the newly identified profiles to differential outcomes on the TOEFL.
Supercapacitors for electric rail transit systems

Supercapacitor (SC) is an energy storage technology that is rapidly developing, and being implemented in various industrial applications. Several electric rail transportation systems currently use super capacitors for voltage enhancement, and improved recuperation of regenerative braking energy. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the various aspects related to super capacitors applied in electric rail systems, such as their design, sizing and modeling, has been presented.
Filament-Assisted Impulsive Raman Spectroscopy

This chapter explores the use of nonlinear spectroscopy as a means to detect molecules in the gas phase. This investigation is motivated by the need for remote sensing and provides concepts that can incorporate backward lasing schemes. The current state of the art with respect to remote Raman sensing using spontaneous Raman is reviewed, and then the use of stimulated Raman and impulsive Raman is presented. We review the use of remote Raman spectroscopy with potential applications in atmospheric sensing, pollution monitoring, and chemical signature detection including explosives, radiological signatures, and biological pathogens.
A State-Building Response to Organized Crime, Illicit Economies, Hybrid Threats, and Hybrid Governance

In the chapter the author highlights the undesirable outcomes of doctrinaire law enforcement approaches and offers recommendations for the adoption of multifaceted policy responses. She argues that in order to design effective policy responses to organized crime and appropriately structure external assistance, it is important to stop thinking about crime solely as aberrant social activity to be suppressed, but instead think of crime as competition in state-making. A recognition that states often directly, not just indirectly foster and use crime, is equally important for devising successful strategies. In strong states that effectively address the needs of their societies, non-state entities cannot outcompete the state on a large scale. But in areas of socio-political marginalisation and poverty, non-state actors do—and they thus gain legitimacy within society.
Ecology and Evolution of the Amanita Cyclic Peptide Toxins

Organisms adapt to their environments by the process of natural selection. Whereas abiotic factors such as temperature and water are relatively stable or periodic, the environment created by other organisms is unstable because they themselves are evolving. The coevolution of organisms locked in antagonistic relationships with each other, often referred to as an “evolutionary arms race,” can lead to rapid and dramatic changes in the genomes and phenotypes of organisms on both sides of the interaction. (Antagonist is used in the sense of “other living things that work to make life difficult” [Dawkins R (1986) The blind watchmaker. WW Norton & Co, New York]). Although traits such as mimicry, camouflage, and running speed in animals usually receive the most attention as exemplars of the power of the arms race to generate the “organized complexity of the living world” (Dawkins R (1986) The blind watchmaker. WW Norton & Co, New York), arguably the most dramatic manifestation of the arms race in some taxa, especially fungi, bacteria, and plants, is their phenomenal skill at chemical synthesis. Collectively, these groups of organisms can biosynthesize tens of thousands of small molecules with highly ornate structures including precise regio- and stereochemistry. To a biochemist, the myriad chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes are as awe-inspiring as an eagle’s eye or a cheetah’s speed. (And, of course, the phenomenal properties of eyes and muscles are based on enzyme-catalyzed chemical rections). Like those macroscopic animal traits, the chemical richness of the natural world arises in large part from the perpetual struggle for survival between bacteria, fungi, and plants with each other and with their animal antagonists. It is from this perspective that we will consider the ecological function of the Amanita cyclic peptide toxins.
Late recovery of surgically-induced atrioventricular block in patients with congenital heart disease.

Objectives: To assess the incidence and establish possible predictors of late recovery of post-surgical heart block, treated with pacemaker implantation, in patients with congenital heart defects. Background: The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force has recommended pacemaker implantation for advanced second or third degree atrioventricular block which persists for 7 to 14 days after surgery. The incidence of late recovery of post-surgical heart block following pacemaker implantation has not been reported. Methods: Records of 44 patients with post-surgical heart block who underwent pacemaker implantation at our institutions since 1976 were reviewed for demographic, anatomic, surgical and surface electrocardiographic data to assess the incidence of, and factors associated with, recovery of atrioventricular conduction on long-term follow-up. Results: 32% (14) of patients recovered atrioventricular conduction at a median follow-up of 5.5 years while 68% (30) remained pacemaker dependent. The groups were similar in age and weight at surgery and period of follow-up (p = 0.5). Types of defect and surgical repair were not significantly different (p > 0.1). There was a similar number of patients with second degree-type II block in both groups (p = 0.15). The groups did not differ in timing of pacemaker implantation ( 14 days p = 0.18). Conclusions: Late recovery of atrioventricular conduction following pacemaker implantation for postsurgical heart block is common. However, clinical predictors, with reference to current recommendations, could not be identified. Prospective electrophysiologic evaluations may be warranted to establish guidelines for long term pacemaker dependency and criteria for pacing.
Metabolism and kinetics in the regulation of animal drugs.

"Criteria and Procedures for Evaluating Assays for Carcinogenic Residues," popularly known as the "Sensitivity of the Method (SOM)" proposal for the regulation of animal drugs and feed additives, employs an initial analysis to determine whether a compound must meet the requirements as a suspect carcinogen or the requirements for general food safety (GFS). Metabolism and kinetics of drug depletion play an important role in the six-step procedure that is used for either set of regulatory criteria. The only significant difference that exists between the two sets of criteria is the degree of testing required. However, the difference will usually not be manifest until positive findings of carcinogenicity in the chronic studies in laboratory animals trigger a further evaluation of the metabolism of the drug or feed additive. For both SOM and GFS, metabolic information will be used to determine the appropriateness of the test species as well as to help select a compound for residue analysis. Residue depletion kinetics in the food animals also play an integral role in the selection of species-strains for toxicity testing selection as well as in the selection of the compound for residue analysis in food. Furthermore, depletion kinetics are used to set a safe withdrawal period. The development of guidelines is discussed.
Die Benutzerschnittstelle von DIKOS

Bei der Beschreibung des BIS im vorhergehenden Abschnitt haben wir nur die Funktionalitat des BIS betrachtet und die zugehorigen Dialogfunktionen der DIKOS-Benutzerschnittstelle auser acht gelassen. Im folgenden werden wir nun die prinzipielle Gestaltung der Benutzerschnittstelle von DIKOS beschreiben und ein abstraktes Dialogmodell zur Beschreibung von Benutzerschnittstellen einfiihren. Unter Verwendung dieses Dialogmodells werden wir dann die Benutzerschnittstelle fur die Designer detailliert spezifizieren, wobei wir insbesondere auf die mit dem BIS verbundenen Dialogfunktionen eingehen werden.
Aromatic Thiolate-Protected Series of Gold Nanomolecules and a Contrary Structural Trend in Size Evolution

ConspectusThiolate-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a special class of nanomaterials that form atomically precise NPs with distinct numbers of Au atoms (n) and thiolate (−SR, R = hydrocarbon tail) ligands (m) with molecular formula [Aun(SR)m]. These are generally termed Au nanomolecules (AuNMs), nanoclusters, and nanocrystals. AuNMs offer atomic precision in size, which is desired to underpin the rules governing the nanoscale regime and factors affecting the unique properties conferred by quantum confinement.Research since the 1990s has established the molecular nature of these compounds and investigated their unique size-dependent optical and electrochemical properties. Pioneering work in X-ray crystallography of Au102(SC6H4COOH)44 and Au25(SC2H4Ph)18– revolutionized the field by providing significant insight into the structural assembly of AuNMs and surface protection modes. Recent discoveries involving bulky and rigid ligands to favor crystal growth as a solution to the nanostructure problem ha...
Is It "In" to Wear Scrubs Out?

Objective This study aimed to identify differences in perceptions between healthcare and non-healthcare personnel when it comes to wearing scrubs in non-healthcare settings. Methods An anonymous survey with 11 closed-ended questions sent via e-mail to healthcare students and employees at The University of Texas Health San Antonio and non-healthcare students and employees at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The answers were scored from 1 to 5 for each question, with a total score ranging from 11-55. Total scores were analyzed and compared between the two groups using a sample t test. Results 2730 people responded to the survey. The mean healthcare-related group responses scored 33.96 ± 7.65, while the non-healthcare group scored 34.47 ± 8.08, (p=0.096). Conclusions In this study, we found no significant difference in attitudes about wearing scrubs in public between healthcare and non-healthcare; it appears that both groups are concerned about wearing scrubs in public. Both groups agree with the value of wearing scrubs in the clinical settings only. Healthcare professionals in this study did not endorse the need to change out of scrubs after work, while non-healthcare subjects believed changing one's scrubs before leaving a clinical setting was proper. The authors believe healthcare institutions should emphasize wearing scrubs only in professional circumstances, make a distinction between uniform and surgical scrubs, provide clean surgical scrubs to their employees, and designate locker rooms to encourage staff to change before the end of the work period.
Semi-Autonomous Industrial Robotic Inspection: Remote Methane Detection in Oilfield

Robots have been increasingly used in industrial applications. They usually operate along with other robots and human supervisors in complex tasks such as industrial assets inspection, monitoring and maintenance. Even though fully autonomous robotics applications are still work-in-progress, supervised semi-autonomic operation of robots in industrial applications are going mainstream. They promote overall cost reduction, efficiency, accuracy and safety of human workers. These systems combine human-in-the-loop, semi-autonomous robots, edge computing and cloud services to achieve the automation of complex industrial tasks. This paper is a first in series where we describe a robotic platform developed within BHGE and GE-GRC, discussing its use in one example of industrial inspection case study for remote methane inspection in oilfield. We outline the requirements for the system, sharing the experience of our design and implementation trade-offs. In particular, the synergy among the semi-autonomous robots, human supervisors, model-based edge controls, and the cloud services is designed to achieve the responsive onsite monitoring and to cope with the limited connectivity, bandwidth and processing constraints in typical industrial setting.
Followup Care after Emergency Department Visits for Kidney Stones: A Missed Opportunity.

AbstractIntroduction:Followup care after an emergency department visit for kidney stones may help reduce emergency department revisits and increase use of stone prevention strategies. To test these...
Parenting Practices in the Context of Legal Marijuana: Voices from Seattle Parents

This study examined marijuana-related parenting attitudes, behaviors, and challenges in the context of nonmedical marijuana legalization in Washington State. Qualitative data were collected via 6 focus groups with a total of 54 parents of preteen and teenage children, following the opening of the first marijuana retail store in Seattle in 2014. A structured interview protocol was used to ask parents about their marijuana-related parenting behaviors and about information, skills, or strategies that parents might find helpful while raising children in a state where nonmedical marijuana use is legal for adults. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis with NVivo software. Findings indicate that most parents talked to their children about marijuana, communicating rules and information about the effects of the drug. Although most parents felt that marijuana use by underage youth was not acceptable, many recognized that it was something teens would likely experiment with. Most parents set guidelines about marijuana in their households, but several faced challenges monitoring their children’s behavior (e.g., use of edibles), imposing consequences when children used marijuana, reconciling societal and personal norms, and deciding whether or not to disclose their own use. Parents expressed that they would benefit from learning strategies to deal with these challenges, including factual information and parenting skills, through programs offered in schools or community settings. Results have implications for future research that seeks to inform prevention program development and shape policies attuned to the needs of parents.
Toward Sustainable Chemical Engineering: The Role of Process Systems Engineering

Products from chemical engineering are essential for human well-being, but they also contribute to the degradation of ecosystem goods and services that are essential for sustaining all human activities. To contribute to sustainability, chemical engineering needs to address this paradox by developing chemical products and processes that meet the needs of present and future generations. Unintended harm of chemical engineering has usually appeared outside the discipline's traditional system boundary due to shifting of impacts across space, time, flows, or disciplines, and exceeding nature's capacity to supply goods and services. Being a subdiscipline of chemical engineering, process systems engineering (PSE) is best suited for ensuring that chemical engineering makes net positive contributions to sustainable development. This article reviews the role of PSE in the quest toward a sustainable chemical engineering. It focuses on advances in metrics, process design, product design, and process dynamics and control toward sustainability. Efforts toward contributing to this quest have already expanded the boundary of PSE to consider economic, environmental, and societal aspects of processes, products, and their life cycles. Future efforts need to account for the role of ecosystems in supporting industrial activities, and the effects of human behavior and markets on the environmental impacts of chemical products. Close interaction is needed between the reductionism of chemical engineering science and the holism of process systems engineering, along with a shift in the engineering paradigm from wanting to dominate nature to learning from it and respecting its limits.
The Cardiovascular Effects of Convulsant Doses of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine in the Conscious Dog

Convulsant doses of lidocaine (11.0-16.5 mg/kg) and bupivacaine (3.4-5.1 mg/kg) were administered intravenously at 48-hour intervals in a randomized crossover design to seven awake dogs. Five dogs survived both drug injections, which were given on different occasions. Two dogs developed ventricular fibrillation and died following the IV administration of bupivacaine. No difference in control cardiovascular parameters, arterial pH, pO2 and pCO2, electrolytes, PR, QRS, or QT intervals, or drug concentrations were observed in these two animals compared with five dogs that survived a convulsive dose of bupivacaine. In the survivors, no arrhythmias were seen following Iidocaine, but one bupivacaine-treated dog developed transient ventricular tachycardia. In surviving dogs, mean peak arterial blood concentrations of Iidocaine and bupivacaine were 70.9 ± 14.8 μg/ml and 29.4 ± 3.2 μg/ml, respectively (mean ± SEM). In surviving animals tested with Iidocaine, mean maximum increases in HR, MABP, and MPAP were 108 ± 37%, 52 ± 6%, and 190 ± 73%, respectively (mean ± SEM). Foilowing bupivacaine, these increases in HR, MABP, and MPAP were 141 ± 38%, 46 ± 12%, and 284 ± 64%, respectively, and were not significantly different from the Iidocaine-treated dogs.