cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3-D plasma armature railgun simulations

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code has been extended to provide a simulation for the railgun plasma armature. This code was previously used with an approximate electromagnetic model to provide a two-dimensional simulation of a railgun plasma armature flow in the plane containing the insulators. A new three-dimensional electromagnetic solver has been incorporated into the code to permit full 3-D nonsteady MHD simulations of the plasma armature flow in a railgun. The finite-difference equations for magnetic vector potential and electric potential are solved using the ICCG method. The new electromagnetic solver was validated using 3-D solutions obtained from the finite element electromagnetic code MEGA. A full bore, 3-D simulation of a plasma armature reveals flow patterns significantly different than those of rail or insulator plane 2-D simulations. In particular, the maximum J/spl times/B force occurs off-axis and results in a plasma flow away from the projectile along the axis of symmetry. A zone of high shear flow forms near the rail surfaces which increases the viscous losses. Zones of low current, nearly stagnant flow form near the base of the projectile, consistent with experimental observations of a buffer between the armature and the projectile. >
Do New Health Conditions Support Mortality-Air Pollution Effects?

Abstract Epidemiological research underlying US air quality regulations documents significant associations between measures of fine particles and premature mortality. Recent studies examine potential mechanistic pathways, related to heart and lung functioning, that may contribute to the observed deaths. Our results support these pathophysiological analyses. We examine whether the onset of serious health conditions, consistent with disease pathways, is related to current and long-term exposure to particulate matter and ozone. Associations between air pollution and alternative indicators of health status are also evaluated. The 1996 wave of the Health and Retirement Study is used with a two-step estimator acknowledging limitations in our ability to measure individual exposures. The findings suggest significant current and long-term effects of particulates on new cases of heart attacks and angina, reinforcing the disease pathways identified in epidemiological studies. Long-term air pollution exposure is also a determinant of recently diagnosed chronic lung conditions and reports of shortness of breath.
Automated flight track taxonomy for measuring benefits from performance based navigation

A flight track taxonomy is presented which decomposes a set of radar tracks according to their lateral, vertical, and conformance segments. These identifications are based upon a novel set of filtering, segment identification and track decomposition algorithms. These algorithms have been optimized such that they can batch process large data sets efficiently and robustly.
Langmuir Layers of Magnetic Nanoparticles

Methods to form magnetic nanoparticle monolayers using non-aqueous Langmuir layers are reported. Following a discussion of the driving forces in various self-assembly techniques, we describe how aqueous Langmuir layers can be modified for use in conjunction with oxidationsensitive nanoparticles. Monolayers are formed using Fe and–Co nanoparticles, and transferred to carbon-coated transmission electron microscopy grids using the Langmuir-Schaefer method.
Protests Under a Semi-Authoritarian Regime in Russia

The main question on which this paper focuses is this: What conditions determine whether a group carrying out protests in Russia is more likely to be successful in attracting support by recruiting people to participate in its activities and gaining sympathy from the majority of the population? There is strong agreement among experts on Russian society and politics that protests in defense of abstract, general rights do not appeal to most citizens. This paper focuses on groups using protest tactics that have been more successful in gaining support, such as the Defenders of the Khimki Forest. The evidence that is presented in this paper suggests that Russians are more likely to take part in an organized group if it seeks remedies for concrete problems that directly affect them and their families. The appeal to felt needs that are grounded in everyday experiences also seems to be an important factor that helps a group to evoke a favorable response toward its actions among broad circles of the general public. For those doing scholarly research, to interpret the development of civil society in Russia mainly in terms of the struggles of human rights groups and political opposition movements would lead the researchers to neglect the activities of most social organizations in Russia and the complex realities of the settings in which those organizations strive to serve the interests of their members.
On the Unstable Equilibrium Points and System Separations in Electric Power Systems: A Numerical Study

An equilibrium problem of electric power system is closely associated with the system separations. An effective three-step scheme is developed to compute the system separations subject to different contingencies. For illustrative purposes, the proposed scheme is applied to small-sized power system testing models with promising results. Simulations are performed on the models of electric power systems, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. This scheme has the potential of being applied to the contingency analysis of large-scale systems.
A limitation in the use of mass isotopomer distributions to measure gluconeogenesis in fasting humans

The use of distributions of mass isotopomers in glucose from [U-13C]glycerol to estimate fractional rates of gluconeogenesis was examined. [U-13C]glycerol was infused into normal subjects who inges...
g The Future of Employment-Based Health Benefits: Will Employers Reach a Tipping Point?

This paper summarizes discussion at the Employee Benefit Research Institute's December 2007 policy forum, which sought to assess reports that the U.S. employment-based health benefits system has reached a "tipping point" because of ever-rising costs, with employers entering a period of fundamental change in providing health benefits to workers. Large employers say they are not ready to bail out of their role of acting as the backbone of health insurance coverage in the United States, although they are pushing for major changes that they hope will alleviate the rising costs of those benefits. Some of the changes large employers are talking about could be as much as a decade into the future. And large employers have not settled on one model for change and are not convinced that new consumer-directed health plans are the solution. The policy forum was held December 6, 2007, in Washington, DC. About 120 attended the forum and heard presentations by 12 experts on health care, behavioral finance, and consumer financial education.
Moment-based method to statistically categorize rock outcrops based on their topographical features

Geomorphological formations on the ocean seafloor are spatially complex objects. Rock outcrops in particular can be spatially compact, and highly anisotropic in their large- and small-scale topographic structure, and represent a significant source of clutter for short-range active sonars operating in shallow water. This paper describes a physical moment-based statistical method for categorizing rock outcrops based on their topographical characteristics, in particular isolating its facet-like features. The correspondence of these features to clutter-generating objects is then substantiated for a short-range, high-frequency shallow-water scenario, where the ensonified area is a fraction of outcrop size, via comparisons with high-fidelity acoustic backscattering predictions.
Flash matting

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to extract mattes using a pair of flash/no-flash images. Our approach, which we call flash matting, was inspired by the simple observation that the most noticeable difference between the flash and no-flash images is the foreground object if the background scene is sufficiently distant. We apply a new matting algorithm called joint Bayesian flash matting to robustly recover the matte from flash/no-flash images, even for scenes in which the foreground and the background are similar or the background is complex. Experimental results involving a variety of complex indoors and outdoors scenes show that it is easy to extract high-quality mattes using an off-the-shelf, flash-equipped camera. We also describe extensions to flash matting for handling more general scenes.
Home-based interventions for black patients with uncontrolled hypertension: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Aim: Assess the comparative effectiveness of two blood pressure (BP) control interventions for black patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Patients & methods: A total of 845 patients were enrolled in a three-arm cluster randomized trial. On admission of an eligible patient, field nurses were randomized to usual care, a basic or augmented intervention. Results: Across study arms there were no significant 12 months differences in BP control rates (primary outcome) (25% usual care, 26% basic intervention, 22% augmented intervention); systolic BP (143.8 millimeters of mercury [mmHg], 146.9 mmHG, 143.9 mmHG, respectively); medication intensification (47, 43, 54%, respectively); or self-management score (18.7, 18.7, 17.9, respectively). Adjusted systolic BP dropped more than 10 mmHg from baseline to 12 months (155.5–145.4 mmHg) among all study participants. Conclusion: Neither the augmented nor basic intervention was more effective than usual care in improving BP control, systolic BP, medication intensificat...
Student Perceptions of Online Homework Use for Formative Assessment of Learning in Organic Chemistry

Use of online homework as a formative assessment tool for organic chemistry coursework was examined. Student perceptions of online homework in terms of (i) its ranking relative to other course aspects, (ii) their learning of organic chemistry, and (iii) whether it improved their study habits and how students used it as a learning tool were investigated. Our students perceived the online homework as one of the more useful course aspects for learning organic chemistry content. We found a moderate and statistically significant correlation between online homework performance and final grade. Gender as a variable was ruled out since significant gender differences in overall attitude toward online homework use and course success rates were not found. Our students expressed relatively positive attitudes toward use of online homework with a majority indicating improved study habits (e.g., study in a more consistent manner). Our students used a variety of resources to remediate incorrect responses (e.g., class materials, general online materials, and help from others). However, 39% of our students admitted to guessing at times, instead of working to remediate incorrect responses. In large enrollment organic chemistry courses, online homework may act to bridge the student-instructor gap by providing students with a supportive mechanism for regulated learning of content.
Studies on the reconstitution of bovine erythrocyte superoxide dismutase. I. The presence of four divalent metal-binding sites on the apo protein which are different from the native sites.

1. 1. The extinction coefficient (E1 cm1 %) of metal-free protein at 258 nm is 0.85±10% based on Lowry determinations of solutions of bovine serum albumin. 2. 2. The two tyrosine residues of superoxide dismutase fluorescence at λmax = 320 nm when excited at λmax = 278 nm, and the empirical intensity of the emission is the same in both apo and native proteins. 3. 3. The binding of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Hg2+ to apo protein has been studied by fluorescence, polarographic, and optical absorption methods. 4. 4. The apo protein may bind four each of these ions to independent sites which differ in an unknown manner from those of the native protein.
Influence of Humidity on the Volatilization of Insecticide Residues as Affected by Formulation and Substrate

Adult Tribolium beetles were suspended on nylon organdy cloth 6 mm above the residues of certain volatile insecticides at a temperature of 32.2°C (90°F) and at humidities ranging from lows of 98%. Based on bioassay, residues of 2 organophosphorous insecticides (diazinon and naled) deposited by dilute emulsions, volatilized more rapidly at the high humidities when resting on filter paper, but volatilized more rapidly at the low humidities when resting on lipophilic surfaces. Lindane was not affected in this way by differences in substrate and humidity. The volatilization of diazinon residues deposited from solutions of toxicant in acetone or xylene was not greatly affected by differences in substrate and humidity unless surfactants were added. Volatilization of insecticides from nonsorptive diluents was much greater than from sorptive diluents at 20% RH but at 80% RH differences tended to be less and, in fact, with 0.5% aldrin and 1% naled emulsions there was significantly greater volatilization from the sorptive diluents. When naled was formulated in a porous and highly sorptive montmorillonite clay (Olancha Clay), its vapors resulted in an 84% mortality of Tribolium beetles at 80% RH and no mortality at 20% RH. On the other hand, when the toxicant was formulated in a nonporous and relatively nonsorptive pyrophyllite clay its vapors resulted in a mortality of 71% at both 80% and 20% RH. Since the 2 clays are chemically similar, it appears that the factor causing the difference in the relative volatility of the insecticides at the 2 humidities was the great difference in the porosity (specific surface) and/or sorptiveness of the two clays. The displacement of insecticide molecules from a substrate, by water, has been offered by some investigators as an explanation for increased volatility at high humidity. The present investigation shows that this could take place only on a hydrophilic substrate. With some insecticide formulations an increase in humidity can increase the rate of volatilization of toxicant even when the substrate has been eliminated as an influencing factor. In such cases some other explanation must be found for increased volatility at high humidities.
The Problem of the Concept of Role—A Re-Survey of the Literature

T HE purpose of this paper is to survey the literature with specific reference to the use of the concept-"role." The method used has been to survey systematically the literature in both books and journal articles in all possible fields, attempting to cover a period of approximately fifty years, from 1900 to 1950. The years 1900 to 1920 were rather sterile as far as this concept is concerned. The paper will deal with (I) the various definitions of role which have been used in the literature, (II) the methods with which it has been applied, (III) the fields of research in which the concept has been used, and (IV) will conclude with some generalizations which can be made on the basis of this survey. It was not until shortly before 1900 that social psychologists began to emphasize the concept of self as the basic element in the development of the personality in a process of symbolic interaction and to stress the importance of the individual's attitude toward himself as it is determined by the attitudes and expectations of others toward him. Possibly the earliest statement of this formulation is found in William James' chapter on "The Self"' in which he divided personality into four constituent elements: the material self, the social self, the spiritual self, and the pure ego. Of particular relevance to the concept of role is his description of the development of the social self:
A Mathematical Formulation of the Growth of Biological Materials

Several theories have been developed to characterize growth, more specifically that of tumors. Among these theories are those advanced by Laird, Burton, Greenspan and Deakin. While these theories consider the diffusion of blood, oxygen and other nutrients into regions surrounding the tumor, interactions between biochemical and mechanical processes have been ignored.
Analysis of avian influenza virus surveillance in live poultry markets in Jining City, 2013-2014

Objective To understand the distribution of avian influenza virus in live poultry market, and assess the risk of human infection caused by avian influenza. Methods Six live poultry markets were selected for the study, the environmental samples were collected by swab smear, Influenza A virus nucleic acid was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, the positive specimens were further subtypied. Results A total of 759 environmental samples were collected and tested, 37 samples were positive with avian influenza A virus nucleic acid, the overall positive rate was 4.87%.The positive rate in 2014 was higher than that in 2013(7.99% vs 1.63%,χ2=16.61,P0.01) The positive rate in the winter-spring season was higher than that in the summer-autumn season(7.98% vs2.54%, χ~2=11.85, P0.01). Positive specimens were detected in Yanzhou City and Weishan County, there were statistically differences among different counties(χ~2=29.72,P0.01) or among different types of specimens(χ~2=40.97,P0.01). Conclusion Influenza A virus in live poultry markets exists indeed, H5,H7 and H9 were the prevailing subtypes. It is necessary to conduct surveillance and health education among the people exposed to poultry in live poultry markets, We will effectively strengthen the market oversight, quarantine access, disinfection and suspended business.
Anesthetic Considerations for Emergency Equine Abdominal Surgery

The physiologic changes that take place in horses presented for emergency abdominal surgery and the effects of these changes on the horse's anesthetic management are discussed.
The Business Case for Expanded Clozapine Utilization

Objective:In most settings, less than 25% of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia receive clozapine, the only medication proven effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Therefore, a business case analysis was conducted to assess whether increasing clozapine utilization for treatment-resistant schizophrenia in a health care system would result in direct health care cost savings.Methods:Veterans with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who were treated in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) were studied. Treatment response, suicides, adverse drug reactions (and associated mortality), and effects on inpatient hospitalization related to clozapine were derived from a systematic review of published studies. A one-factor sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) with Monte Carlo simulation were conducted to calculate the cost-benefits of increased clozapine utilization.Results:Despite monitoring costs, in the base case analysis, the VHA would save $22,444 per veter...
Voriconazole exposure regulates distinct cell‐cycle and terminal differentiation pathways in primary human keratinocytes

Abstract Voriconazole is a second generation triazole antifungal used routinely in the care of solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients to both prevent and treat invasive fungal infections (1) . Voriconazole causes photosensitivity (2) and has been associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).(3) Possible mechanisms suggested include direct phototoxicity by voriconazole or one of its metabolites (4) , oxidative stress pathway activation (5) , an indirect retinoid effect, or DNA damage repair inhibition (6) . This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Emphasis on Intellect

Shelley’s short essay ‘On Life’ is essentially an essay on the all-importance of thinking. Twice in the course of its few pages, he asserts the fundamental philosophy of Berkeley that ‘nothing exists but as it is perceived’ (476, 477). Defining each individual mind not as a really separate entity but, rather, as a portion of ‘the one mind’, he yet, following Hume’s philosophy,1 acknowledges that ‘mind, so far as we have any experience of its properties …, cannot create, it can only perceive’. In the light of Shelley’s repeated assertion of the Berkeleyian view that to perceive is to define existence, the word only suggests not limitation or diminution, but rather, a precise definition or identification of function. Shelley defines the word thing as denoting ‘any object of thought, that is, any thought upon which any other thought is employed, with any object of distinction’ (478). Since, then, a thing does not have objective existence except as it is perceived, and since it is really a ‘thought’ useful to other or related thoughts, the question of the substantive origins of things is not nearly so important as is the role of the mind in correct perception.
Failing Before Beginning

The success or failure of a peacekeeping operation can be preordained even before the arrival of the blue helmets on the scene of the conflict. These predeployment factors can be either particular to the UN and the way it operates or specific to the conflict in question. Among the former, the organizational factors, are the UN’s process of deciding where to in-tervene, the mandate given the peacekeepers, who is chosen to lead and participate in the PKO, and how the mission is planned. The latter factors, the conflict-specific ones, will be examined in chapter four. How the UN operates, how it decides to become involved and what mandate it gives the peacekeepers are all elements that can affect the chances for achieving the mission’s objectives prior to the actual start of the operation.
A newborn with a transilluminant head

A 1-day-old late preterm neonate has a large head. ### Prenatal and Birth Histories ### Presentation ### Physical Examination (Day 1)
Modeling multi-mutation and drug resistance: analysis of some case studies.

Drug-induced resistance is one the major obstacles that may lead to therapeutic failure during cancer treatment. Different genetic alterations occur when tumor cells divide. Among new generations of tumor cells, some may express intrinsic resistance to a specific chemotherapeutic agent. Also, some tumor cells may carry a gene that can develop resistance induced by the therapeutic drug. The methods by which the therapeutic approaches need to be revised in the occurrence of drug induced resistance is still being explored. Previously, we introduced a model that expresses only intrinsic drug resistance in a conjoint normal-tumor cell setting. The focus of this work is to expand our previously reported model to include terms that can express both intrinsic drug resistance and drug-induced resistance. Additionally, we assess the response of the cell population as a function of time under different treatment strategies and discuss the outcomes. The model introduced is expressed in the format of coupled differential equations which describe the growth pattern of the cells. The dynamic of the cell populations is simulated under different treatment cases. All computational simulations were executed using Mathematica v7.0. The outcome of the simulations clearly demonstrates that while some therapeutic strategies can overcome or control the intrinsic drug resistance, they may not be effective, and are even to some extent damaging, if the administered drug creates resistance by itself. In the present study, the evolution of the cells in a conjoint setting, when the system expresses both intrinsic and induced resistance, is mathematically modeled. Followed by a set of computer simulations, the different growing patterns that can be created based on choices of therapy were examined. The model can still be improved by considering other factors including, but not limited to, the nature of the cancer growth, the level of toxicity that the body can tolerate, or the strength of the patient’s immune system.
Balancing Autonomy and Beneficence in Acute Stroke Therapy: Neurologist Attitudes Toward Delaying Thrombolysis in Order to Obtain Informed Consent (P7.332)

OBJECTIVE: To determine how U.S. stroke physicians are currently balancing patient autonomy and beneficence. BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, when no consent provider is immediately available to authorize start of thrombolytic stroke therapy, acute stroke physicians face a fundamental conflict between the ethical principles of autonomy (respect for persons) and beneficence (maximizing benefit). Delaying therapy to reach a consent provider maximizes autonomy but reduces benefit. Physician attitudes toward resolving this conflict have not previously been delineated. DESIGN/METHODS: A 6 item internet-based survey was administered to US academic stroke neurologists. Respondents were asked to indicate how much time (minutes), patients (number who fail to benefit due to delay), and brain (neurons lost due to delay) they would spend trying to reach consent provider for an aphasic acute stroke patient before proceeding with treatment under the doctrine of presumed consent. RESULTS: Survey responses were received from 103 of 332 academic stroke neurologists. In the time tradeoff framework, respondents indicated they would spend a median of 1.75 minutes trying to contact a consent provider before proceeding with thrombolysis. In the patient tradeoff framework, they would accept a median of 0 per 1000 treated patients failing to benefit from therapy before proceeding. In the brain tradeoff scenario, they would accept a median of 0 neurons lost before proceeding. Converting all choices to time, respondents indicated they would trade off shorter times in the patient framework (0 minutes) and the neuron framework (0 minutes) than in the time framework (1.75 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular neurologists indicate they emphasize beneficence over autonomy in deciding when to forego further attempts to reach consent providers to proceed with thrombolytic therapy under the doctrine of presumed consent. Their preference for rapid intervention is magnified when decisions are framed in person failure to benefit and neuron loss, compared with simple chronologic time. Disclosure: Dr. Kaplan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cranston has nothing to disclose. Dr. Saver has received personal compensation for activities with the University of California, BrainsGate, CoAxia, eV3, Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc., and PhotoThera, Inc.
Suggested Collaborative Learning Conceptual Architecture and Applications for Mobile Devices

This paper describes the theoretical and technical foundations for designing and developing an effective mobile collaborative learning (MCL) environment. The paper suggests a prototype based on client-server side with the support of functional components and working procedures, which help users to obtain contents from a server to meet the pedagogical needs. The proposed prototype provides the best MCL environment for students who want to learn at home and working places through mobiles. Finally, to find valuable hidden issues, the paper introduces a new application, “group” in Android operating system, and then conducts usability test in order to facilitate users for accessing and obtaining the contents in collaboration learning procedures.
A Comparison Study to Identify Birds Species Based on Bird Song Signals

this paper presents a comparison study in automatically identifying bird species based on bird acoustic signals, using audio files from XENO-CANTO online database. The features including Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC), geo-related meta-features, and the integration are compared. The learning classifiers Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN), and Ensemble Learning are examined. Our experimental results show that in the comparison study, ensemble learning using discriminant learner with the integration of MFCC features and geo meta-features obtains the best detection performance.
Environmental Contamination and Regulation

Environmental contamination as a result of human activities is not a recent phenomenon. Cicero first related structural damage of buildings and statues in Rome to smoky rains of wood and charcoal burning about 2100 years BP (Eney and Petzold, 1987). Some of the detrimental effects by mining activities on human health had been recognized a long time ago. The Romans used slaves to extract cinnabar (a Hg-containing ore) at the Almaden mine in Spain. Due to acute Hg exposure, the miner’s life expectancy was only about three years (Wren et al., 1995). Peat cores from a Swiss bog indicate that As, Sb, and Pb fluxes due to anthropogenic activities have been exceeding natural fluxes for more than 2000 years (Shotyk et al., 1998). The present enrichment factors in this bog are in the order of 20 times for Sb, 70 for Sb, and 130 for Pb. Modifications of the natural cycles of metals have led to a situation in which the inputs of metals in soils generally exceed the removal due to harvest of agricultural crops and the losses by leaching, volatilization, etc. (Jones, 1991; Van Driel and Smilde, 1990). The Industrial Revolution started in the mid-1800s and the large use of coal to produce energy caused the release of considerable amounts of gas, e.g., CO2, SOx, NOx, and fly ash into the atmosphere. Since then, the biogeochemical cycles of inorganic contaminants (e.g., metals) naturally present in the environment have been largely accelerated by human activities. The conversion of the world’s economy from coal to oil, initiated between the two world wars, enlarged the range of contaminants released in the environment to organic compounds, e.g., PAHs.
Gender and Meaning Making: The Experiences of Individuals With Cancer

This chapter discusses how males and females with cancer derive meaning throughout the various phases of the cancer journey from diagnosis through remission. Cancer is conceptualized as a traumatic event as it is unexpected and unpredictable. Both the negative outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress) and the positive outcomes (posttraumatic growth) will be discussed. The meaning that patients ascribe to their illness depends on numerous factors such as gender, age, level of education, employment status, cancer type, and cognitive appraisal. The authors apply relational-cultural therapy (a form of feminist therapy) and existential therapy to two fictional patients, one with breast cancer and one with prostate cancer. The impact of gender and culture on meaning making is highlighted in the case applications.
Severe obstructive sleep apnea in children with elevated blood pressure

The objective was to determine the prevalence of habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a cohort of children referred for elevated blood pressure (BP), and to determine the association between OSA and BP elevation, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. We performed a retrospective review of 446 consecutive new patients referred for elevated BP. One hundred four (23%) had habitual snoring. Patients with habitual snoring were more likely to be obese (86.5 vs. 55.6%, P < .001) and to have Medicaid insurance (52.4 vs. 36%, P = .004). Seventy-four patients had polysomnography, of which 57 (77%) had OSA; 21 (37%) had severe OSA. Severe OSA was associated with higher office systolic BP index after adjusting for body mass index, age, sex, and socioeconomic status (β = 0.07, P = .014). Fifty-two percent of patients with severe OSA had office systolic BP in the Stage 2 hypertension range. Children with habitual snoring or OSA were not at increased risk of receiving school services for a learning disability or receiving medications for inattention or mood problems. In summary, habitual snoring is common in children referred for elevated BP, and those with severe OSA are at higher risk of significantly increased BP.
Rejection of trace organic water contaminants by an Aquaporin-based biomimetic hollow fiber membrane

Abstract Forward osmosis (FO) is a promising key strategy for energy efficient water purification. Different draw solutions, that create an osmotic gradient, and water selective FO membranes exist that allow for a significant concentration of waste streams while water is being filtered and absorbed into the draw solution. Such technologies are often limited by the solute rejection and water flux characteristics of the membrane used. A new approach is the utilization of aquaporin-based membranes (ABMs). These biomimetic membranes make use of the high water permeability and selectivity of aquaporin proteins, which are embedded into the active layer of the membrane. In this study, a 0.6 m2 hollow fiber ABM module was tested for its rejection of three different trace organic contaminants: the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), the plastic component bisphenol A (BPA) and the preservative methyl paraben. Over 95% of methyl paraben was rejected by the membrane while for 2,4-D and BPA rejection rates of over 99% were attained. However, it could also be observed that BPA and methyl paraben adsorbed on the aquaporin membrane and were flushed out again during subsequent experiments. This phenomenon may have to be addressed in future studies by developing specific cleaning protocols for ABMs.
A Note on Conic Envelopes

An excellent S-level question asks how far a tender capable of 12 knots has to travel to intercept a ship travelling at 20 knots along a course passing within 1 nautical mile of port, the tender leaving port at the latest possible moment. The problem leads to interesting ramifications.
Preoperative Risk Stratification and Methods to Reduce Risk

Aging increases the likelihood that a patient will have an operative procedure. Approximately 12% of those aged 45 to 60 years are operated on each year, and this number will increase to more than 21 % by the year 2025.1 Whereas operations performed on patients older than 50 years of age were contraindicated in the past, an increasingly larger number of elderly patients are undergoing surgery at present. Studies of perioperative outcomes in the elderly have shown a decline in perioperative mortality rate from 20% in the 1960s2 to 10% in the 1970s3 to 5%-8% in the 1980s.4 These relatively low mortality rates have been attributed to improvement in anesthetic and surgical care.5 As a result, many patients, including those who are elderly, do quite well after surgery and have improved quality of life as a result of their surgery.
Character Recognition on a Humanoid Robotic Platform via a Laban Movement Analysis

An active area of research is exploring how to mimic human movement on a robotic platform. One step toward achieving this goal is the ability to create a method in which a robotic platform successfully portrays a character or character traits that a human can recognize. Ballet is a performing art in which recognizable character types are conveyed through movement. This paper explores the recognition and differentiation of archetypal characters used in classical ballet based on their upper body movements and applies this information to a robotic platform. An observational guide was created using Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) for analyzing the movements of distinct characters found across several classical ballets. Eleven examples were chosen: three villain character types, three bird character types, and five dying character types. The upper body movements of these characters were tracked utilizing the observational guide to see if their movements utilized the LMA characteristics in distinguishable ways. The results from tracking the movements were analyzed, and movement sequences were created on a NAO robot to emulate these character types: a process subsequently validated by a user study.
Computer Mediated Communication in the Universal Design for Learning Framework for Preparation of Special Education Teachers

This study investigated the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework as a basis for a bi-university computer mediated communication (CMC) collaborative project. Participants in the research in...
Gene Therapy Clinical Trials for Duchenne and Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies: Lessons Learned

This chapter reviews the discovery of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene, early attempts at plasmid-mediated DMD gene delivery and its limitations for clinical efficacy, and modifying the DMD cDNA to circumvent the obstacle of packaging in adeno-associated virus (AAV). The unfortunate events of the Jesse Gelsinger death are briefly discussed. The essence of the chapter is the review of the first clinical experience of DMD gene therapy using a mini-dystrophin and the challenges for immune responses. The potential way forward where possible to avoid these problems is fully described. In addition to DMD, our experience in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2D (LGMD2D), alpha-sarcoglycan, gene therapy in clinical trial is also described. Success was achieved with long-term gene expression following intramuscular delivery, but again we encountered an obstacle for delivery related to pre-existing immunity to AAV. The lessons learned from these clinical trials provide a template and a path for additional clinical trials for muscular dystrophies.
Sorption of copper and phosphate to diverse biogenic iron (oxyhydr)oxide deposits.

Abstract Iron (Fe) transformations partially control the biogeochemical cycling of biologically and environmentally important elements, such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and trace metals. In marine and freshwater environments, iron oxidizing bacteria commonly promote the oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe(II)) at circumneutral oxic-anoxic interfaces, resulting in the formation of mineral-organic composites known as biogenic Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides (BIOS). Previous studies have examined the microbial ecology, composition, morphology, and sorption reactivity of BIOS. However, a broad survey of BIOS properties and sorption reactivity is lacking. To further explore these relationships, this study utilized X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to characterize the Fe mineral species, acid digestions and elemental analysis to determine composition, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis to measure specific surface area, and copper (Cu) and phosphorus (P) adsorption experiments at concentrations designed to measure maximum sorption to evaluate reactivity of BIOS samples collected in lakes and streams of the North Carolina Piedmont. Sample composition varied widely, with Fe and C content ranging from 6.3 to 34% and 3.4–13%, respectively. XAS spectra were best fit with 42–100% poorly crystalline Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, with the remainder composed of crystalline Fe minerals and organic complexes. On a sorbent mass basis, Cu and P sorption varied by a factor of two and 15, respectively. Regression analyses reveal interrelationships between physicochemical properties, and suggest that differences in P binding are driven by sorption to Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxide surfaces. In total, results suggest that the physical and chemical characteristics of organic and Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxide phases in BIOS interplay to control the sorption of solutes, and thus influence nutrient and contaminant cycling in soil and natural waters.
ENCOURAGING POLITICAL DEFECTION: The Role of Personal Discussion Networks in Partisan Desertions to the Opposition Party and Perot Votes in 1992

Drawing on data from a unique study of the 1992 American presidential election, this article demonstrates that personal discussion networks influence voting behavior, independent of candidate evaluations and partisanship. These social networks encouraged two different kinds of defections from otherwise-expected behavior. People were more likely to vote for Perot if their personal discussants supported him and to convert preferences for him into a Perot vote on election day. Partisans also were more likely to defect to the other major party if their discussion network failed to fully support the candidate of their own party. These results withstood controls for candidate evaluations and partisanship as well as for selective exposure to discussants and selective perception of their preferences. They show the importance of adding social context to personal attitudes, interests, and partisanship in explaining voting behavior.
The effects of a brief motivation manipulation on reward responsiveness: A multi-method study with implications for depression.

Abstract Individual differences in reward responsiveness can be reliably measured at the neurophysiological level using the reward positivity (RewP) event-related potential (ERP). Alterations in reward responsiveness impact physical and psychological health. In particular, prior research indicates that a reduced RewP prospectively predicts depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear whether RewP can be modified through intervention or prevention. The present study examined the effects of a brief motivation manipulation on behavioral, neural, and self-report indicators of reward responsiveness in an unselected sample of young adults (N = 98). Participants completed a monetary incentive delay task twice while ERPs to monetary reward and loss feedback were recorded. Before the first round, all participants were read standard instructions. For the second round, participants were randomized to either a motivation manipulation, in which the experimenter prompted the participant to focus on the positive outcomes of winning, or to a neutral condition. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire assessing motivation to win/not lose money following both rounds. Reaction time for incentive trials decreased, while RewP to wins and self-reported motivation increased, from the first to the second round only in the motivation group. These results provide the first evidence that a brief motivation manipulation can enhance multiple indicators of reward responsiveness, including RewP. Longitudinal research is needed to test whether effects persist across time and generalize to clinically depressed samples and those at high risk for depression.
Strengthening United Nation’s Global Human Rights Policies against Exploitation by Multinational Corporations in South East Asia

AND INTRODUCTION 4 PART ONE: 5 The possible beginning for world unification in the early 20th Century PART TWO: 10 The United Nations Today PART THREE: 16 World Justice and Human Rights, Global Business Stewardship and South East Asia PART FOUR: 21 Morality and What it means to make a difference for all those involved PART FIVE: 27 Final thoughts on moral obligation for individuals and nations BIBLIOGRAPHY 35 WEB RESOURCES AND UN DOCUMENTS 36 “Strengthening United Nation’s Global Human Rights Policies against Exploitation by Multinational Corporations in South East Asia” Marcellius Smith | Portland State University SMITH 3 ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Acknowledgements: I wish to sincerely thank Sona Andrews, PhD; Provost of Portland State University, Ann M. Fallon, PhD, Director of University Honors Program; Leena Shrestha and Nelson Sigrah Academic Advisors; William York, PhD and Lawrence Wheeler, PhD, Professors in the University Honors Program; Nora Quiros, University Honors Coordinator; David Moore, PhD, Thesis Advisor and Professor; Deborah Arthur, JD, Professor University Studies Senior Capstone Project; Donny Swanson, PhD, Professor; Larry Bowlden, PhD, Professor Emeritus; Brian Elliot, PhD, Professor; Mehran Adyani, Manager of Intel Corporation; Frank Monfared, President and CEO of Business Solutions Group Corporation; Bahman Moallem, Manager of Intel Corporation, Sara Hyun Smith, My Daughter: You all have been my inspiration, mentor and guiding light. Your actions and advice have set an example on how I can learn to be a better person. You have always been there when I needed it the most and never given up on me. I would not know where I would be today without your profound direction and guidance...thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Gerontological Social Work and COVID-19: Calls for Change in Education, Practice, and Policy from International Voices.

In December 2019 the novel coronavirus appeared in Wuhan, China and COVID-19 became the named disease associated with this virus in January 2020. The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV...
Loss of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) Signaling Promotes IL-22-Dependent Host Defenses against Acute Clostridioides difficile Infection

Infection with the bacterial pathogen Clostridioides difficile causes severe damage to the intestinal epithelium that elicits a robust inflammatory response. Markers of intestinal inflammation accurately predict clinical disease severity. However, determining the extent to which host-derived proinflammatory mediators drive pathogenesis versus promote host protective mechanisms remains elusive. In this report, we employed Il10-/- mice as a model of spontaneous colitis to examine the impact of constitutive intestinal immune activation, independent of infection, on C. difficile disease pathogenesis. Upon C. difficile challenge, Il10-/- mice exhibited significantly decreased morbidity and mortality compared to littermate Il10 heterozygote (Il10HET) control mice, despite a comparable C. difficile burden, innate immune response, and microbiota composition following infection. Similarly, antibody-mediated blockade of IL-10 signaling in wild-type C57BL/6 mice conveyed a survival advantage if initiated three weeks prior to infection. In contrast, no advantage was observed if blockade was initiated on the day of infection, suggesting that constitutive activation of inflammatory defense pathways prior to infection mediated host protection. IL-22, a cytokine critical in mounting a protective response against C. difficile infection, was elevated in the intestine of uninfected, antibiotic-treated Il10-/- mice, and genetic ablation of the IL-22 signaling pathway in Il10-/- mice negated the survival advantage following C. difficile challenge. Collectively, these data demonstrate that constitutive loss of IL-10 signaling, via genetic ablation or antibody blockade, enhances IL-22 dependent host defense mechanisms to limit C. difficile pathogenesis.
Studies on blind and visually impaired users in LIS literature: A review of research methods

Abstract Current sight-centered designs and services in library and information science (LIS) do not effectively support blind and visually impaired (BVI) users. Simultaneously, there is a lack of studies focused on the research methods utilized in BVI research. This study analyzed 165 research papers retrieved from four LIS databases over a 40-year period. The uniqueness of BVI research methods on research design, data collection, and data analysis is highlighted. While survey and experiment are the two most commonly applied research designs in LIS research, survey and evaluation are the main research designs for BVI research. Concurrently, assessment report is a unique data collection method employed. More quantitative analysis was also applied in BVI research, and most of the qualitative analysis was not specified. This study reveals an opportunity to enhance the diverse approaches to BVI research and further satisfy BVI users' unique needs.