cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of nonlinear spatial dispersion on replica pulses In a 512-element liquid crystal modulator pulse shaper

Summary form only given. Liquid crystal modulators (LCMs) are the most widely used modulators in femtosecond pulse shapers. The pixellated nature of an LCM is known to give rise to low intensity replica pulses (Weiner et al, IEEE J. Quantum Electron., vol. 28, p. 908, 1992). Our study shows that a subtle nonlinear spatial dispersion has a profound effect on the characteristics of the replica pulses and may dramatically reduce their (already low) peak intensity.
A mixed valence zinc dithiolene system with spectator metal and reactor ligands

Abstract Neutral complexes of zinc with N,N′-diisopropylpiperazine-2,3-dithione (iPr2Dt0) and N,N′-dimethylpiperazine-2,3-dithione (Me2Dt0) with chloride or maleonitriledithiolate (mnt2−) as coligands have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of these zinc complexes have been determined using single crystal X-ray diffractometry. Complexes recrystallize in monoclinic P type systems with zinc adopting a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Two zinc complexes with mixed-valence dithiolene ligands exhibit ligand-to-ligand charge transfer bands. Optimized geometries, molecular vibrations and electronic structures of charge-transfer complexes were calculated using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311G+(d,p) level). Redox orbitals are shown to be almost exclusively ligand in nature, with a HOMO based heavily on the electron-rich maleonitriledithiolate ligand, and a LUMO comprised mostly of the electron-deficient dithione ligand. Charge transfer is thus believed to proceed from dithiolate HOMO to dithione LUMO, showing ligand-to-ligand redox interplay across a d10 metal.
John Locke and Natural Philosophy by, Peter R. Anstey

Locke's views in the philosophy of science have attracted considerable attention, and Peter Anstey's monograph adds to the growing literature. The book is an extended, historically-based, argument ...
Human erythrocyte protein 4.2: isoform expression, differential splicing, and chromosomal assignment

Human protein 4.2 (P4.2) is a major membrane skeletal protein in erythrocytes. Individuals with P4.2 deficiency exhibit spherocytosis and experience various degrees of hemolytic anemia, suggesting a role for this protein in maintaining stability and integrity of the membrane. Molecular cloning of P4.2 cDNAs showed that P4.2 is a transglutaminaselike molecule in erythrocytes but lacks the essential cysteine for cross-linking activity. Two cDNA isoforms have been identified from a human reticulocyte cDNA library, with the long isoform containing a 90-base pair (bp) in-frame insertion encoding an extra 30 amino acids near the N-terminus. Characterization of the P4.2 gene suggests differential splicing as the mechanism for generating these two cDNA isoforms. The donor site for the short isoform (P4.2S) agrees better with the consensus than the donor site for the long isoform (P4.2L) does. Expression of P4.2L was detected by a long-isoform-specific antibody raised against a peptide within the 30-amino acid insert. Western blot analyses showed P4.2L to be a minor membrane skeletal protein in human erythrocytes with an apparent molecular weight (mol wt) of approximately 3 Kd larger than the major protein 4.2, P4.2S. By in situ hybridization of a full-length 2.4-kilobase (kb) cDNA to human metaphase chromosomes, the gene for P4.2 was mapped to bands q15-q21 of chromosome 15, and it is not linked to the gene for coagulation factor XIIIa (plasma transglutaminase, TGase).
Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Cytotechnologists

We measured the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among cytotechnologists in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. We surveyed cytotechnologists to assess the prevalence of neck, shoulder, upper-back, elbow/forearm, hand/wrist, and lower-back symptoms in the prior year. Eighty-two (69%) of 125 cytotechnologists returned questionnaires, of which 95% were working as cytotechnologists. The prevalences of neck (61.5%), hand/wrist (56.4%), and lower-back (42.3%) symptoms were highest. Laboratory workers routinely involved in microscope-related work may be at risk for cumulative trauma disorders. We concluded that an ergonomic approach to this problem can help prevent musculoskeletal symptoms.
Phase I/II trial of GM-CSF and lenalidomide in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC)

15515 Background: Administration of GM-CSF in combination with thalidomide induces PSA responses in 20–25% of pts with HRPC. When administered in the neoadjuvant setting, this combination induces T...
Analysis on Monitoring Results of Influenza in Benxi City during 2008-2010

[Objective]To understand the epidemic law and features of influenza in Benxi city,provide the scientific basis for future prevention and control of influenza.[Methods]The visiting proportion of influenza-like illness(ILI%) reported by influenza monitoring spots hospitals in Benxi from 2008 to 2010 were collected,pathogenic detection was conducted in ILI samples,and the monitoring results were arranged and analyzed.[Results]In two monitoring cycles from 2008 to 2010,the ILI % reported by Benxi influenza monitoring spots hospitals was 2.53% and 3.16% respectively,and the positive rate of virus isolation was 3.08% and 10% respectively.The dominant types were different in different periods,which included seasonal influenza H1N1 in 2008,H1N1(A) in 2009,type B and seasonal influenza H3N2 in 2010.[Conclusion]ILI % change can reflect the epidemic situation of influenza virus in Benxi city.The dominant strains of influenza change constantly in different monitoring years,and children under 5 years old are the high risk population of influenza.
Parental Characteristics and Seed Production Techniques of Indica-Japonica Hybrid Rice Combination Chunyou 618

[Objective]The aim was to improve the seed yield of Indica-Japonica hybrid rice combination Chunyou 618.[Method]Based on the biological characteristics of Chunyou 618 parents,through field experiment study of many years and different location,the key techniques of hybrid seed production yield was summarized.[Result]When seed production of Chunyou 618,based on conventional techniques,production location choice surface is small,sowing time is strict,planting density is special,also pays attention to the prevention of abnormal temperature lead to blossom period not to meet.There are some special characteristics of hybrid rice seed production between Indica and japonica subspecies,in order to improve the yield and quality of hybrid seed,must be in strict accordance with the technical requirements for production.[Conclusion] The study provides a seed production basis for promotion of Chunyou 618 in a large scale.
Effectiveness of transfusion audits and practice guidelines.

To seek evidence of the effectiveness of transfusion audits and practice guidelines in improving transfusion practice, transfusion audit literature was reviewed. The inherent limitation of this approach is that investigators are more likely to report success and less likely to report unsuccessful experiences. Measures of success included decrease in units transfused, decrease in inappropriate units transfused, or increase in appropriate transfusion practice. Side benefits of audits included continuous improvement in practice guidelines, improvement in technologists' education, opportunities for consultation, and identification of areas for further research. Most successful programs had a common thread: individual education of the ordering physician by the transfusion medicine physician
Facet-dependent trapping and dynamics of excess electrons at anatase TiO2 surfaces and aqueous interfaces

Excess electrons from intrinsic defects, dopants and photoexcitation play a key role in many of the properties of TiO2. Understanding their behaviour is important for improving the performance of TiO2 in energy-related applications. We focus on anatase, the TiO2 polymorph most relevant in photocatalysis and solar energy conversion. Using first-principles simulations, we investigate the states and dynamics of excess electrons from different donors near the most common anatase (101) and (001) surfaces and aqueous interfaces. We find that the behaviour of excess electrons depends strongly on the exposed anatase surface, the environment and the character of the electron donor. Whereas no electron trapping is observed on the (101) surface in vacuo, an excess electron at the aqueous (101) interface can trigger water dissociation and become trapped into a stable surface Ti(3+)-bridging OH complex. By contrast, electrons avoid the (001) surface, indicating that oxidation reactions are favoured on this surface. Our results provide a bridge between surface science experiments and observations of crystal-face-dependent photocatalysis on anatase, and support the idea that optimization of the ratio between {101} and {001} facets could provide a way to enhance the photocatalytic activity of this material.
CHAPTER 32 – Foliar, Flower, and Fruit Pathogens

This chapter introduces some of the antagonists of plant pathogens as representative of the broad taxa and presents some methods by which these beneficial organisms can be employed in limiting plant diseases. Stem diseases produce symptoms that include decay and cankers on forest and orchard trees and wilts such as Dutch elm disease and chestnut blight Barr of Asian origin infecting the American chestnut, Castanea dentata . Flowers are ephemeral structures and have limited opportunity to become infected. One major disease of flowers that has received attention is fire blight of rosaceous plants, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora . In order to understand the principles that apply to biological control of plant pathogens, it is required to consider the ecology of the system at the level of the pathogens and the agents used to control them. Aerial plant surfaces, by and large, present hostile environments to colonizing microbes. The pathogenic microbes attempting to colonize these surfaces may face a number of difficulties, including competition with other nonpathogenic microbes. Microbial competition can be important at two main stages of growth of the pathogen populations. First, there may be competition during the initial establishment on a fresh resource that was not previously colonized by microorganisms. Second, after the initial establishment, there is further competition to secure enough of the limited resources present to permit survival and eventual reproduction.
Soap Opera, Then and Now

This essay examines the sustained sociological relevance of US daytime soap operas, a seemingly dead or dying generic form that continues to influence the entertainment landscape as well as media scholars from across the academy. The essay begins by examining soaps' longstanding resonance with three-core sociological concerns: identity, community or sociality, and cultural legitimacy. It then discusses scholarly research opportunities associated with the recent decline of the genre and concludes by examining current debates in soap opera scholarship.
Distribution of a thermal endemic minnow, The desert dace ( Eremichthys acros ), and observations of impacts of water diversion on its population

Population status surveys were performed from 1987 to 1996 for desert dace ( Eremichthys acros , a cyprinid endemic to several small thermal springs in Soldier Meadow, Humboldt County, Nevada, where the species occupies 7 spring areas in a single valley. Because spring distributions are patchy and all areas are not linked by surface flow, each area comprises a more-or-less isolated population, although irrigation practices or high runoff may occasionally link several of them. Although limited to thermal springpools and outflows, desert dace were found in temperatures ranging from 37° C near spring sources to 13° C in downstream areas. Between May 1988 and October 1989, most of the discharge from a major spring outflow was diverted from its natural channel into an irrigation ditch than in the channel. Reduced fish numbers still persist (1996), even though the affected site has been relatively undisturbed since 1989. To improve desert dace habitat and increase populations, irrigation diversion should be discontinued and water returned to the original channel. Continued protection and increased habitat preservation for desert dace are recommended because of their limited distribution, apparently restricted habitat requirements, and the potential for environmental disruption in the area.
Development of a reactor with carbon catalysts for modular-scale, low-cost electrochemical generation of H2O2

The development of small-scale, decentralized reactors for H2O2 production that can couple to renewable energy sources would be of great benefit, particularly for water purification in the developing world. Herein, we describe our efforts to develop electrochemical reactors for H2O2 generation with high Faradaic efficiencies of >90%, requiring cell voltages of only ∼1.6 V. The reactor employs a carbon-based catalyst that demonstrates excellent performance for H2O2 production under alkaline conditions, as demonstrated by fundamental studies involving rotating-ring disk electrode methods. The low-cost, membrane-free reactor design represents a step towards a continuous, modular-scale, de-centralized production of H2O2.
Defining the ultrasound longitudinal natural history of newly diagnosed pediatric small bowel Crohn disease treated with infliximab and infliximab–azathioprine combination therapy

Little is known about changes in the imaging appearances of the bowel and mesentery over time in either pediatric or adult patients with newly diagnosed small bowel Crohn disease treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapy. To define how bowel ultrasound findings change over time and correlate with laboratory inflammatory markers in children who have been newly diagnosed with pediatric small bowel Crohn disease and treated with infliximab. We included 28 pediatric patients treated with infliximab for newly diagnosed ileal Crohn disease who underwent bowel sonography prior to medical therapy and at approximately 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment initiation; these patients also had laboratory testing at baseline, 1 month and 6 months. We used linear mixed models to compare mean results between visits and evaluate whether ultrasound measurements changed over time. We used Spearman rank correlation to assess bivariate relationships. Mean subject age was 15.3±2.2 years; 11 subjects were girls (39%). We observed decreases in mean length of disease involvement (12.0±5.4 vs. 9.1±5.3 cm, P=0.02), maximum bowel wall thickness (5.6±1.8 vs. 4.7±1.7 mm, P=0.02), bowel wall color Doppler signal (1.7±0.9 vs. 1.2±0.8, P=0.002) and mesenteric color Doppler signal (1.1±0.9 vs. 0.6±0.6, P=0.005) at approximately 2 weeks following the initiation of infliximab compared to baseline. All laboratory inflammatory markers decreased at 1 month (P-values<0.0001). There was strong correlation between bowel wall color Doppler signal and fecal calprotectin (ρ=0.710; P<0.0001). Linear mixed models confirmed that maximum bowel wall thickness (P=0.04), length of disease involvement (P=0.0002) and bowel wall color Doppler signal (P<0.0001) change over time in response to infliximab, when adjusted for age, sex, azathioprine therapy, scanning radiologist and baseline short pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index score. The ultrasound appearance of the bowel changes as early as 2 weeks after the initiation of infliximab therapy. There is strong correlation between bowel wall color Doppler signal and fecal calprotectin.
The role of internal and external nitrogen pools in bermudagrass growth during spring emergence from dormancy

ABSTRACTAs bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) transitions from winter dormancy to active growth in spring, nitrogen is essential for new tissue growth. We examined the relative contributions of internally stored nitrogen and that taken up by preexisting and newly produced roots. Field-collected dormant bermudagrass was transferred to a nutrient solution culture system in a growth chamber. Cultures were provided either a non-nitrogen-containing solution or one amended with nitrate labeled with the 15N isotope of nitrogen, which allowed tracking of endogenous and exogenous N pools in all tissues as growth began. Nitrogen in stolon internodes was the largest N source for early growth. Though mass increased at the same rate in both N treatments over 3 weeks of growth, the unfertilized treatment showed early signs of nitrogen deficiency: low tissue N, slowed leaf elongation, and fewer but longer roots. Preexisting roots were active in absorption almost immediately; new roots were produced quickly and h...
Hope Therapy: Helping Clients Build a House of Hope

Publisher Summary The chapter explores the process of development of a system of intervention techniques derived specifically from the hope theory. The review of hope-related literature suggests that hope enhancing may be best achieved by integrating solution-focused, narrative, and cognitive-behavioral interventions, and hope reminding should incorporate abbreviated versions of these techniques. Thus, hope therapy is designed to help clients in conceptualizing clearer goals, producing numerous pathways to attainment, summoning mental energy to maintain goal pursuit, and reframing insurmountable obstacles as challenges to be overcome. A hopeful therapeutic relationship facilitates these hope components. The change in hope does not occur at the surface or behavioral level; rather, a person's deeper self-perceptions of being capable of agentic and goal-directed thought must be enhanced. Therapists typically have assumed that the reduction of negative symptoms leads to improved mental health and effective functioning. This assumption may not be entirely accurate. In emerging research, for example, investigators are suggesting that the sole attention to the reduction of negative thinking does not necessarily lead to optimal functioning. Research programs, in recent years, have demonstrated the importance of positive thinking and hope in relation to improved physical and psychological well being.
Chapter Twenty Five – Colony PCR

Colony PCR is a method for rapidly screening colonies of yeast or bacteria that have grown up on selective media following a transformation step, to verify that the desired genetic construct is present, or to amplify a portion of the construct.
The World Won’t Wait: Why Canada Needs to Rethink Its International Policies

The World Won’t Wait is a timely and relevant edited work on Canada’s foreign policy objectives going into the third decade of the twenty-first century. The World Won’t Wait was finalized right bef...
Tug of war between social self-regulation and habit: Explaining the experience of momentary social media addiction symptoms

Abstract Addiction-like symptoms in relation to social networking site (SNS) use are prevalent and can adversely affect users. This paper seeks to theorize on and examine the etiology of such symptoms. Relying on the dual system theory (DST) with a specific focus on social aspects, this manuscript develops a research model positing that the momentary experience of SNS addiction symptoms is driven by tug-of-war between social self-regulation (a reflective process) and habit (a reflexive process), the effect of which is mediated via SNS use. It then tests the hypotheses through analyzing survey data from 161 SNS users, using structural equation modeling techniques. Results support the dual system perspective we take. They show that (1) habit (a reflexive system manifestation) drives SNS use and the experience of addiction symptoms, (2) social self-regulation (a reflective system manifestation) inhibits use and the experience of addiction symptoms and, (3) dual system effects on momentary SNS addiction symptoms are mediated through SNS use. This study introduces and validates a model that explains the experience of momentary SNS addiction symptoms. In particular, the proposed model extends prior dual system models by examining an overlooked, yet important, reflective process (social self-regulation) in the context of SNS use; and by focusing on an important, prevalent, yet relatively disregarded outcome (momentary symptoms rather than full-fledged addiction). The findings point to interesting theoretical and practical implications.
The impact of individual physicians on outcomes after trauma: is it the system or the surgeon?

Abstract Background Benchmarking of mortality outcomes across the country has revealed major differences in survival based on the trauma center at which a patient receives care. The role of the individual surgeon in determining trauma outcomes is unknown. Most believe that differences in outcomes are primarily driven by system- and process-based variations. Our objective was to determine if variation in individual surgeon outcomes could help explain difference in survival after trauma. Methods Analysis of trauma patients in the Florida State Inpatient Database from 2010 to 2014. The presence of unique physician identifiers, in addition to hospital identifiers, rendered this data set ideal for performance of multilevel analysis. The amount of the variation attributable to surgeon-level variation was calculated using multilevel random-effects models controlling for patient clinical factors (such as injury severity and comorbidities/age) and hospital-level factors, such as case mix and bed size. Results There were 31 hospitals, 175 surgeons, and 65,706 admissions. The overall mortality rate was 5.6%. The average mortality rate across surgeons ranged from 0% to 17.4% (mean 0.4%, standard deviation 1.85). At the individual surgeon level, when controlling for clinical and hospital-level factors, 9% of this variation was attributable solely to the surgeon. Conclusions At the state level, we found that differences in outcomes among trauma centers are impacted by individual surgeon-level variation. Implementation of protocolized, system-based trauma care is useful for improving the overall quality of care for injured patients but does not entirely negate surgeon-specific variations in management.
Optical Recording of Zn2+ Dynamics in the Mitochondrial Matrix and Intermembrane Space with the GZnP2 Sensor.

The zinc ion (Zn2+) is emerging as an important signaling molecule. Here, we engineered an improved Zn2+ probe GZnP2 based on a previously developed fluorescent sensor GZnP1 to provide a higher fluorescent readout (2-fold higher) that is proportional to cellular labile Zn2+ concentrations. We further developed a set of GZnP2 derived imaging tools to determine the labile Zn2+ concentrations in the mitochondrial matrix, mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS), and cytosol in four different cell lines (HeLa, Cos-7, HEK293, and INS-1). The labile Zn2+ concentration in the matrix was less than 1 pM, while the labile Zn2+ concentration in the IMS was comparable to the cytosol (∼100 pM). With these sensors, we showed that upon exposure to high Zn2+, only the cytosol and the IMS were overloaded with Zn2+, while the mitochondrial matrix was unable to sequester excess labile Zn2+ in depolarized INS-1 cells. This work highlighted the importance of distinguishing the labile Zn2+ concentrations and dynamics between th...
The Role of G Protein Methylation in the Function of a Geranylgeranylated βγ Isoform

The γ subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins is isoprenylated and methylated on its carboxyl terminal cysteine residue. While retinal transducin is farnesylated, all other γ subunits are modified by ...
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF SUCKER ROD PUMPING

ABSTRACT The dynamic response of a sucker rod pumping string is governed by the one-dimensional, damped wave equation. Due to the nature of the surface motion and imposed pump loads, an analytical solution is not possible without unrealistic simplification. Numerical techniques are, therefore, required in its solution. This problem was first treated by S.G. Gibbs in the middle ‘60's using a wave equation with damping and harmonic approximations of observed surface displacement and stress functions. At present, the Gibbs' techniques are used in the industry. However, it has been recognized that the Gibbs' method gives poor results for systems pumping heavy oil. This paper covers the finite element formulation ofthe governing equations, including the kinematic analysis of surface equipment, characterization of downhole boundary conditions, and a derivation of the viscous damping components. The paper is written from the viewpoint of the system designer. That is, given a set of input parameters, a pumping system from the surface pumping unit to the downhole pump, can be simulated completely. This information can be used to tailor surface equipment for a given downhole motion, minimization of gear-box torques or rod stresses. Sample analysis are included which contain tabular data summarizing the overall system response as well as computer-generated plots displaying conventional data, e.g., dynagraphs, torque curves, etc.
Formal Modeling and Empirical Analysis in Political Science

Over ten years ago I wrote the passage above for my book, Methods and Models: A Guide to the Empirical Analysis of Formal Models in Political Science, and quoted Bartels and Brady’s 1993 comment also above. In Methods and Models I attempted to provide a framework for researchers to bridge the gap between sophistical empirical methodology and formal modeling. In this essay I summarize what I see as the important aspects of that framework and highlight the major points. Necessarily, however, this chapter does not go into some of the nuances discussed in the book nor do I present the numerous examples from the literature highlighted there. I hope that this chapter will serve as an introduction to the interested reader who will then explore this exciting research question further.
Genetics of brain networks and connectivity

Abstract The quest to identify genetic factors that affect the brain has several motivations. From a neuroscientific standpoint, there is a broad range of individual variation in all human traits including all aspects of behavior and cognition; population studies have shown these traits are partially influenced by variations in each individual’s genetic code, among many other factors such as environmental hazards, toxins, trauma, nutrition, and education. With the advent of gene sequencing technology—and more recently the capacity to sequence an individual’s genome—the scope of genetic studies has greatly advanced to include studies that try to pinpoint individual loci in the genome, or sets of such loci, where variations have a measurable impact on the human brain and behavior. At the same time, the whole field of genetics in animal models—from invertebrates to transgenic and outbred mice—has allowed, in some cases, direct manipulation of the genetic code to identify specific causal links between genetic variation, the brain, and behavior.
Arguing over Transportation Sales Taxes: An Analysis of Equity Debates in Transportation Ballot Measures:

What’s a fair way to pay for urban transportation? Local option sales taxes (LOSTs) for transportation are an increasingly common mechanism for locally financing transportation in the context of de...
Red blood cell transfusion in acute brain injury subtypes: An observational cohort study.

Abstract Purpose Optimal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds in acute brain injury (ABI) are poorly defined. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with ABI and moderate anemia (Hb 7–10 g/dL) in a neurological intensive care unit (ICU) at an academic medical center between 2008 and 2015. Transfused and non-transfused patients were matched based on age, ABI subtype, pre-transfusion hemoglobin, and ICU length of stay (LOS) at the time of RBC transfusion. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between RBC transfusion and hospital LOS, hospital mortality, ICU LOS, ICU mortality, and 24 h change in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores. Results 2638 patients met inclusion criteria, with 225 (8.5%) receiving RBC transfusion. Acute ischemic stroke was the most prevalent ABI diagnosis (43.3%) then intracranial hemorrhage (25.6%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (16.5%), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) (14.6%). In multivariable analyses, RBC transfusion was associated with longer hospital and ICU LOS, and higher SOFA scores. Each ABI subtype had similar results, except for TBI which showed no difference in hospital LOS. Mortality was not significantly different. Conclusions In moderately anemic patients with ABI, RBC transfusion was associated with longer hospital and ICU LOS. Prospective investigations are necessary to further assess these relationships.
Column Cache: Buffer Cache for Columnar Storage on HDFS

Columnar storage is a data source for data analytics in distributed computing frameworks. For portability and scalability, columnar storage is built on top of existing distributed file systems with columnar data representations such as Parquet, RCFile, and ORC. However, these representations fail to utilize high-level information (e.g., columnar formats) for low-level disk buffer management in operating systems. As a result, data analytics workloads suffer from redundant memory buffers with expensive garbage collections, unnecessary disk readahead, and cache pollution in the operating system buffer cache.We propose column cache, which unifies and re-structures the buffers and caches of multiple software layers from columnar storage to operating systems. Column cache leverages high-level information such as file formats and query plans for enabling adaptive disk reads and cache eviction policies. We have developed a column cache prototype for Apache Parquet and observed that our prototype reduced redundant resource utilization in Apache Spark. Specifically, with our prototype, Spark showed a maximum speedup of 1.28x in TPC-DS workloads while increasing Linux page cache size by 18%, reducing total disk reads by 43%, and reducing garbage collection time in a Java virtual machine by 76%.
Methane yield and lag correlate with bacterial community shift following bioplastic anaerobic co-digestion

Abstract Past plastic management practices have resulted in pollution. An improved management scenario may involve adding used bioplastic to anaerobic digesters to increase methane for renewable energy. In this work, effects of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) bioplastic anaerobic co-digestion with synthetic primary sludge on operation and microbial communities were investigated. Co-digesters treating sludge were co-fed 20% untreated or pretreated (55 °C, pH 12) PHB. Pretreament resulted in shorter lag (5 d shorter) before methane production increased after co-digestion. At steady-state, co-digesters converted 86% and 91% of untreated and pretreated PHB to methane, respectively. Bacterial communities were different before and after bioplastic co-digestion, whereas no archaeal community change was observed. Relative abundance of 30 significant bacteria correlated with methane production and lag following PHB addition. No previously known PHB degraders were detected following PHB co-digestion. Microbial communities in anaerobic digesters treating synthetic primary sludge are sufficiently capable of co-digesting PHB to produce additional methane.
Phase-Space Dynamic of Coherent Wave-Particle Interaction in the Radiation Belts

Modeling the interaction between coherent whistler mode waves and radiation belt electrons is an important component of space weather dynamics. Two main aspects of the wave-particle interaction are, the amplification of coherent VLF waves by an unstable radiation belt electron distribution and the precipitation and/or acceleration of these particles by the waves. The solution of the full problem requires a numerical self-consistent code which captures both effects simultaneously. Unfortunately, self-consistent codes of nonlinear phenomena are computationally intensive and the results can be challenging to interpret. To quantify the effect of waves on particles, we employ a novel approach wherein the particle trajectories are traced backward in time. The validity of this method is based on conservation of phase space density formalized in Liouville's theorem. The model resolves in high resolution the formation of a depletion in the region of phase-space known as a phase space hole that is associated with nonlinear wave growth.
Becoming illegible: the repatriation of Japanese fan culture in Genshiken

Japanese popular culture has become a major global phenomenon, with thousands of manga, anime, and video game titles translated and localized every year in dozens of countries. However, despite the...
Effects of inflow turbulence on structural response of wind turbine blades

Abstract A better understanding of the intense interaction between the turbulent inflow and rotating wind turbine components is critical to accelerating the path towards larger wind turbines. The present investigation provides the first field characterization of the influence of turbulent inflow on the blade structural response of a utility-scale wind turbine, using the unique facility available at the Eolos Wind Energy Research Station. A representative dataset under a stable atmosphere is selected for the characterization, including the inflow turbulent data measured from the meteorological tower, high-resolution blade strain measurement at different circumferential and radiation positions along the blade, and the wind turbine operational conditions. The results indicate that the blade response to turbulence shows distinct trends under three scale ranges. The blade structure responds strongly to the turbulent inflow in the lower and intermediate ranges, while it is primarily dominated by the rotation effect and other high-frequency characteristics of the turbine in higher frequencies. Moreover, the blade structural behaviors at different azimuth angles, circumferential and radial locations along the blade are compared, suggesting the comparatively high possibility of structural failure at certain positions. Further, the present study uncovers the linkage between the turbulent inflow and blade structural response using temporal correlation.
Robust Asynchronous Stochastic Gradient-Push: Asymptotically Optimal and Network-Independent Performance for Strongly Convex Functions

We consider the standard model of distributed optimization of a sum of functions F ( z ) = ∑ i = 1 n f i ( z ) , where node i in a network holds the function fi (z). We allow for a harsh network model characterized by asynchronous updates, message delays, unpredictable message losses, and directed communication among nodes. In this setting, we analyze a modification of the Gradient-Push method for distributed optimization, assuming that (i) node i is capable of generating gradients of its function fi (z) corrupted by zero-mean bounded-support additive noise at each step, (ii) F(z) is strongly convex, and (iii) each fi (z) has Lipschitz gradients. We show that our proposed method asymptotically performs as well as the best bounds on centralized gradient descent that takes steps in the direction of the sum of the noisy gradients of all the functions f 1(z), …, fn (z) at each step.
How Women Respond to Female Empowerment Songs: An Abstract

This research project aims to investigate the impact of music on female empowerment. Previous research established the link between listening to music and affective, attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes (e.g., Anderson and Eubanks 2003; Hansen and Hansen 1990). However, there is a dearth of research on the impact of music on female empowerment. Songs that encourage and promote female power have been part of the pop culture for a long time. Some examples of such songs are “Hit me with your best shot” by Pat Benatar, which was released in 1980, and “Sit still, look pretty” by Daya, which was released in 2016. The influence of these songs on pop culture and women, especially at younger ages, makes it important to study their impact on the female audience. Understanding such effects is critical to practitioners as well. To keep up with their target markets, firms continuously monitor the trends in the pop culture and try to adapt those in their promotional campaigns.
A Cost Benefit Analysis - Bilateral Infraclavicular Nerve Block: Single Injection Liposomal Bupivacaine Vs Bupivacaine HCl with Epinephrine and Dexamethasone

According to the CDC there were roughly 671,000 fracture reductions performed on inpatients in 2010
Risk perceptions and food-handling practices in the home

Abstract Unsafe food-handling practices in the home are linked with foodborne illnesses that represent sizable costs on the US healthcare industry and welfare losses to households. Past consumer food-safety education programs have only been modestly successful. Optimism bias may distort food-safety risk perceptions encouraging participation in risky food behaviors. Using multiple years of the FDA Food Safety Survey data, we explore the link between behavior-specific risk perceptions and three food-handling practices: handwashing, avoiding cross-contamination, and proper refrigeration of cooked foods. This approach describes risk perceptions as endogenous variables and allows for the decomposition of factors that directly influence food-safety behaviors, from those that indirectly influence behavior by changing risk perceptions. Our results suggest well-designed targeted information campaigns aimed at improving people’s safe food-handling practices must first decrease people’s optimism in the safety of their current practices. Given the lack of regulatory options to influence behavior in the home, this may provide an effective tool to address issues in performing safe food handling.
Adversarial Teaching Approach to Cybersecurity: A Mathematical Model Explains Why It Works Well

Teaching cybersecurity means teaching all possible ways how software can be attacked – and how to fight such attacks. From the usual pedagogical viewpoint, a natural idea seems to be to teach all these ways one by one. Surprisingly, a completely different approach works even better: when the class is divided into sparring mini-teams that try their best to attack each other and defend from each other. In spite of the lack of thoroughness, this approach generates good specialists – but why? In this paper, by analyzing a simple mathematical model of this situation, we explain why this approach work – and, moreover, we show that it is optimal in some reasonable sense.
A cluster quasi-randomized controlled trial of an interactive, monthly obstetric anesthesiology curriculum: impact on resident satisfaction and knowledge retention.

Abstract Background Increasingly, evidence supports the use of educational paradigms that focus on teacher-learner interaction and learner engagement. We redesigned our monthly obstetric anesthesia resident didactics from a lecture-based curriculum to an interactive format including problem-based learning, case discussion, question/answer sessions, and simulation. We hypothesized that the new curriculum would improve resident satisfaction with the educational experience, satisfaction with the rotation, and knowledge retention. Methods Fifty-three anesthesiology residents were prospectively recruited and quasi-randomized through an alternating-month pattern to attend either interactive sessions or traditional lectures. Residents completed a daily satisfaction survey about quality of teaching sessions and a comprehensive satisfaction survey at the conclusion of the rotation. Knowledge retention was assessed with a knowledge test completed on the final day. The primary outcome was daily satisfaction with the curriculum, and secondary outcomes included overall satisfaction with the curriculum, overall rotation satisfaction, and within-resident difference between pre- and post-knowledge test scores. Results No differences were observed in daily resident satisfaction after interactive sessions vs traditional lectures. Furthermore, no differences were observed between the interactive sessions and traditional lecture groups in overall satisfaction with the curriculum, overall satisfaction with the entire rotation or within-resident difference between pre- and post-knowledge test scores. Conclusions Our study failed to demonstrate improvement in resident satisfaction or knowledge retention following implementation of an interactive curriculum on a month-long obstetric anesthesia rotation. Reasons may include misalignment of the intervention with measured study outcomes, lack of sensitivity of the survey tools, and inadequate training of faculty presenters.
Characteristics of depressed suicide attempters with remitted substance use disorders

Abstract Substance use disorder (SUD) comorbidity in mood disorders increases suicide risk. Suicide attempters with active SUD appear to have distinct characteristics but little is known whether these characteristics persist during remission and if they are related to different aspects of suicidal behavior. In this study, suicide attempters with a DSM mood disorder and remitted SUD (AT+SUD) (N = 135) were compared to those without lifetime SUD (AT-SUD) (N = 219) in terms of demographic, clinical and suicidal behavioral characteristics. Factor analyses were conducted to generate subjective distress and impulsivity/aggression factors – previously identified by our group to predict suicide risk in mood disorders. Associations between these traits and SUD history and suicidal behavior characteristics were then tested. Compared with AT-SUD, AT+SUD were more likely to be male, less educated and to have a Cluster B personality disorder. AT+SUD individuals had greater impulsivity/aggression factor scores, but comparable subjective distress scores. AT+SUD made a greater number of suicide attempts, with higher lethality, despite comparable suicide intent and degree of planning with AT-SUD. Impulsivity/aggression was higher in multiple versus single attempters, but did not correlate with suicide attempt lethality. Among suicide attempters with mood disorders, a history of lifetime SUD was associated with more frequent and more lethal suicide attempts. Among other correlates of lifetime SUD in this sample, impulsive/aggressive traits may explain greater frequency of suicide attempts. The results underscore that persons with mood disorders and lifetime SUD are at particularly high risk of frequent and lethal suicide attempts where more intensive prevention efforts are warranted.
ParEst: joint estimation of the OFDM channel state information in MIMO systems

OFDM channel state information (CSI) is needed for determining key parameters in MIMO transmissions. In this paper, a novel CSI estimation method, ParEst, is proposed, which estimates the CSI from multiple transmitting antennas simultaneously. ParEst is based on a recent discovery that the CSI can be approximated very well by the linear combination of complex-based sinusoids on constant frequencies. ParEst finds the CSI of all antennas jointly by solving an optimization problem and achieves higher accuracy than existing heuristic methods. As the base sinusoids are on constant frequencies, ParEst pre-computes most key steps and reduces the run-time computation complexity to just a modest number of vector dot products equivalent to a few FFT calculations. ParEst can be applied to MIMO links in networks such as LTE, 5G, or Wi-Fi.
Pedagogical Interventions to Improve the Outcomes of Hispanics in AP Computer Science

A year-long proof-of-concept research project explored the impact of utilizing pedagogical strategies from teaching English as a Second Language and Bilingual education to improve the outcomes of Hispanics in Advanced Placement Computer Science A (AP CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). The project was conducted in the US during the 2019-2020 academic year with twenty-two AP Computer Science teachers. The intervention was evaluated by comparing the College Board's 2020 national and state AP CSA and AP CSP exam statistics with the aggregate scores of the students in the classroom of the project's teacher cohort. Teacher surveys were also used to evaluate the impact of the study on teacher's perception and teaching practices. Results from this research show that Hispanic students in the research cohort passed the AP CSP test at the same rate as all students passing the AP CSP test in the cohort. This contrasts favorably with the national and state Hispanic passing AP CSP test takers which are reported as 10 to 13% below all students AP CSP passing test takers. The pedagogical interventions used here are one approach to promote equity in computer science education. This paper presents a description of the project, a comparison of the project's data to the 2020 national and state AP CSA and AP CSP exam statistics, a summary of the teacher survey data and recommendations for continued research in this area.
The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century: by Keneshia N. Grant, Philadelphia, Temple University Press, 2020, 214 pp., $74.50 (hardback); $27.95 (paperback); $27.95 (ebook), ISBN 978-1-4399-1746-6 (paper)

Between 1916 and 1970, more than 6.5 million Black Americans left rural southern homes for cities across the North and West. This Great Migration was transformational for Black migrants themselves,...
Molecular Biology of Gynaecological Cancers

A broad understanding of the molecular abnormalities that underlie gynaecologic malignancies have emerged in the past few years. These molecular changes ultimately drive several hallmarks of cancer including aberrations in growth signals, evasion of apoptosis and immune surveillance, insensitivity to antigrowth signals, limitless replicative potential, sustained angiogenesis, and tissue invasion and metastases. Some of the key molecular aberrations include the DNA damage repair pathway in ovarian cancer, microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer, human papilloma virus-mediated molecular changes in lower genital tract carcinomas, and the role of anti-tumour immunity in all the cancers. This chapter highlights some of the recent molecular findings in gynaecologic malignancies, with an emphasis on clinically applicable developments.
Robust stability for 2D systems via a Lyapunov equation method

It is suggested that a Lyapunov method can be used to analyze the robustness of a stable 2D system. Some upper bounds are given to estimate the robustness of a stable system. Via matrix measure, the admissible parameter perturbation for structured uncertainty can be computed in real Parameter spaces. The solvability of 2D Lyapunov equations is s A 2D BIBO stable system might not admit a 2D Lyapunov equation, so a parameter Lyapunov equation method is suggested for more general situations.
The Value of Human Capital during the Second Industrial Revolution—Evidence from the U.S. Navy

This paper explores the role of human capital on earnings and other measures of job performance during the late 19th century. During this time, U.S. Naval ocers belonged either to a regular or an engineer corps and had tasks assigned to their specialized training and experience. To test for the e ects of specialized skills on performance, we compile educational data from original-source Naval Academy records for the graduating classes of 1858 to 1905. We merge these with career data extracted from official Navy registers for the years 1859 to 1907. This compilation comprises one of the longest and earliest longitudinal records of labor market earnings, education and experience of which we are aware. Our results suggest that greater technical skill translated into higher earnings early in careers, but wage premia diminished as careers progressed. From this evidence we argue that technical progress was more skill-depreciating than skill-biased during this period.