cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upper respiratory infection: helpful steps for physicians.

IN BRIEF: Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are extremely common in adults. Most adults have multiple URIs each year, with athletes being more or less susceptible, depending on training intensity. Most URIs are viral nasopharyngeal infections that will improve in 7 to 10 days with symptomatic treatment and result in little time lost from athletic participation. Physicians must recognize the symptoms consistent with bacterial pharyngitis, infectious mononucleosis, and sinusitis to provide appropriate diagnostic testing, treatment, and return-to-play recommendations.
An investigation of different molting techniques with an emphasis on animal welfare.

SUMMARY We experimented to evaluate the effect of a number of molting techniques that appeared to be less stressful than the conventional feed withdrawal (FW) method on postmolt performance. The molting techniques involved a continuous FW (T1, control group), 1 d FW followed by feeding a grape pomace (GP) diet containing 10 ppm thyroxine (T2) ad libitum, feeding a corn diet (T3) ad libitum, or the corn diet with an initial FW of 1 d (T4) or 2 d (T5), or regimens similar to T3, T4, and T5, respectively, in which the corn diet contained 10 ppm thyroxine (T6, T7, and T8). Induction of molting started at 66 wk of age and lasted until 30% body weight reduction (BWR) or 28 d—whichever came first. Postmolt performance information was collected up to 98 wk of age. The 30% BWR was obtained after 14 d FW with T1 and after 16 d FW with T2. Hens exposed to T6, T7, and T8 had a BWR of 26 to 29% after 28 d, and those exposed to T3, T4, and T5 had a BWR of 16 to 18% after 28 d from the start of induction of molt. Postmolt egg production (EP) was consistently greater for T1 and T2 than the other molting techniques. Other production traits, egg quality, and serum corticosterone, for the most part, were not different among various molting techniques. The results indicated that use of a GP diet plus thyroxine could support a similar postmolt performance as the conventional method of continuous FW. Unfortunately, the physiological response did not indicate that the use of a GP diet plus thyroxine was less stressful than the conventional method of continuous FW. Nevertheless, because use of the GP diet plus thyroxin supplies the hens continuously with some nutrients such as energy, protein, vitamins and minerals, etc., during induction of molt, this approach seems preferable due to ever-increasing public concern surrounding the hen welfare and the long duration of FW in a conventional FW technique.
Covering Spaces, Boundary Sets, and Interconnection Networks

: The paper introduces the ideas of algebraic mapping and boundary set as discrete analogues of the topological concepts of covering space mapping and boundary. These ideas are used to investigate various aspects of the theory of interconnection networks. Theorems 3 and 4 formalize and extend the discussion of group action graphs and Cayley graphs presented in [2]. Theorem 3 establishes the existence of a pair of adjoint functors between two special categories of interconnection networks. Theorem 4 characterizes the algebraic mappings with a universal lifting property. Using boundary sets, Theorems 6, 7, and 8 provide a mathematical foundation for the idea of wavefront computation discussed in [8] and [13].
Effect of Story Context on Children's Ongoing Word Recognition:

In this study, the reading time of specific target words embedded within an extended and meaningful story context was measured. The target words were either congruous or incongruous with the story context. Results indicated that the mean dif- ference between these target word types did not significantly vary between third and sixth grade children when these words were presented in isolation. However, this mean reading time difference between target types was found to be greater for the younger as compared to the older readers when these words were embedded within the story context. These findings extend prior work in this area and indicate that developmental differences in context effects during ongoing word recognition are present under conditions which require the comprehension and memory of extended and specific story material. The results are discussed in terms of an interactive- compensatory model of reading.
Fault detection and isolation techniques for quasi delay-insensitive circuits

This paper presents a circuit fault detection and isolation technique for quasi delay-insensitive asynchronous circuits. We achieve fault isolation by a combination of physical layout and circuit techniques. The asynchronous nature of quasi delay-insensitive circuits combined with layout techniques makes the design tolerant to delay faults. Circuit techniques are used to make sections of the design robust to nondelay faults. The combination of these is an asynchronous defect-tolerant circuit where a large class of faults are tolerated, and the remaining faults can be both detected easily and isolated to a small region of the design.
Target detection in cluttered forward-looking infrared imagery

This paper describes an algorithm for the detection of low- and high-contrast targets in forward-looking infrared imagery while rejecting the effects of clutter and other associated detrimental factors. The proposed automatic target recognition algorithm involves two modules—a detector module and a clutter rejection module. The detection algorithm, based on morphology-based preprocessing, acts as a prescreener that selects possible candidate target regions for further analysis and places target-size markers in those preselected regions. The application of simple nonlinear grayscale operations in the proposed detection algorithm has been found to be especially suitable for real-time implementation. The clutter rejection module uses target- and background-specific information, extracted from training sample, to reduce false alarms often generated in the detection step. The application of two Mahalonobis distances, derived from target and background features of the training image, improves false-alarm rejection. Preliminary results indicate that the developed detection and clutter rejection modules exhibit excellent detection performance for both low- and high-contrast targets in complex backgrounds while ensuring a low false-alarm rate.
The Discouragement of Smoking in a Hospital Setting: The Importance of Modeled Behavior

The present study looked at the importance of modeled behavior of hospital employees on the smoking behavior of patients and visitors. A high status model meant to resemble a medical doctor and a “peer” model meant to resemble a patient smoked in the presence of patients and visitors waiting in a no smoking area. The results clearly show an increased smoking rate among subjects when models smoked, with women slightly more influenced to smoke than men. No significant difference was found between models. The findings tend to support the importance of health personnel, particularly doctors, refraining from smoking in the presence of patients.
The role of assessment and evaluation in rehabilitation robotics research and development: moving from concept to clinic to context

The role of assessment is a critical component of the assistive technology research and development process which serves to link engineers, clinicians, and individuals with disabilities. The author provides a clinical perspective and discusses the process used to evaluate the feasibility and viability of several rehabilitation robotics systems developed at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center/Stanford University. >
The use of the harmonic scalpel versus knot tying for modified radical neck dissection.

Background. Although the utility of the harmonic scalpel (HS) in thyroidectomy has been extensively demonstrated, there is little experience regarding its use for neck dissections. Methods. Within 10 years, 119 patients underwent modified radical neck dissection (MRND) for thyroid cancer. In 51 patients, MRND was performed using conventional knot tying and in 68 using the HS. The number of lymph nodes (LNs) removed, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), drain output, duration of the drainage, and complications were compared for 47 patients undergoing first-time unilateral MRND without concomitant additional surgical procedures. Results. The number of LNs removed, operative time, duration of drainage, and rate of lymphatic leak were similar between groups. For the HS group, EBL (5 ± 3 vs 32 ± 10; P = .006) and drain output on postoperative day 1 (51.7 ± 6.2 vs 78.9 ± 11.9; P = .02) and at 1 week (6.1 ± 1.2 vs 10.2 ± 1.8, respectively; P = .03) were significantly less. Conclusion. Despite the limitati...
Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, which is used to treat both malignant and nonmalignant conditions, was first conceived more than 50 years ago, but problems associated with transplanting a nonsolid organ and modulating the immune response had to be solved before the procedure could be used clinically. This review summarizes background information about hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and discusses the current role of the procedure.
Kinematics of horizontal and vertical caterpillar crawling.

SUMMARY Unlike horizontal crawling, vertical crawling involves two counteracting forces: torque rotating the body around its center of mass and gravity resisting forward movement. The influence of these forces on kinematics has been examined in the soft-bodied larval stage of Manduca sexta . We found that crawling and climbing are accomplished using the same movements, with both segment timing and proleg lift indistinguishable in horizontal and vertical locomotion. Minor differences were detected in stride length and in the delay between crawls, which led to a lower crawling speed in the vertical orientation. Although these differences were statistically significant, they were much smaller than the variation in kinematic parameters between animals. The ability of Manduca to crawl and climb using the same movements is best explained by Manduca 9s relatively small size, slow speed and strong, controlled, passive grip made possible by its proleg/crochets.
Generalized Fringe-Retrieving A*: faster moving target search on state lattices

Moving target search is important for robotics applications where unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have to follow other friendly or hostile UGVs. Artificial intelligence researchers have recently used incremental search to speed up the computation of a simple strategy for the hunter. The fastest incremental search algorithm, Fringe-Retrieving A*, solves moving target search problems only on two-dimensional grids, which are rather unrealistic models for robotics applications. We therefore generalize it to Generalized Fringe-Retrieving A*, which solves moving target search problems on arbitrary graphs, including the state lattices used for UGV navigation.
Pushing “Reset”: The Conditional Effects of Coaching Replacements on College Football Performance†

Objectives. We assess the effects of coaching replacements on college football team performance. Methods. Using data from 1997 to 2010, we use matching techniques to compare the performance of football programs that replaced their head coach to those where the coach was retained. The analysis has two major innovations over existing literature. First, we consider how entry conditions moderate the effects of coaching replacements. Second, we examine team performance for several years following the replacement to assess its effects. Results. We find that for particularly poorly performing teams, coach replacements have little effect on team performance as measured against comparable teams that did not replace their coach. However, for teams with middling records—that is, teams where entry conditions for a new coach appear to be more favorable—replacing the head coach appears to result in worse performance over subsequent years than comparable teams who retained their coach. Conclusions. Thefindingshaveimportantimplicationsforourunderstandingofhow entry conditions moderate the effects of leadership succession on team performance, and suggest that the relatively common decision to fire head college football coaches for poor team performance may be ill advised.
Exploring the Use of Lesson Study to Develop Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Nature of Science

This study explored a modified version of Japanese Lesson Study to determine whether and how it influenced preservice elementary teachers in their abilities to deliver science lessons that included nature of science (NOS) to their own students. We used a case study approach that focused on one subset of a cohort of preservice elementary teachers within their field placement settings. Data sources included lesson plans, lesson feedback forms, videotapes of delivered lessons, and videotapes of lesson study feedback sessions. Early in the semester peers provided feedback on content, and later in the semester peers provided feedback on classroom management as well as content during the lesson study feedback sessions. We found that preservice elementary teachers were able to provide feedback to their peers regarding how to include NOS in their science lessons, yet did not naturally included NOS connections within their own lessons.
Spatially localized recruitment of anti-inflammatory monocytes by SDF-1α-releasing hydrogels enhances microvascular network remodeling.

Tissue repair processes are characterized by the biphasic recruitment of distinct subpopulations of blood monocytes, including classical ("inflammatory") monocytes (IMs, Ly6C(hi)Gr1(+)CX3CR1(lo)) and non-classical anti-inflammatory monocytes (AMs, Ly6C(lo)Gr1(-)CX3CR1(hi)). Drug-eluting biomaterial implants can be used to tune the endogenous repair process by the preferential recruitment of pro-regenerative cells. To enhance recruitment of AMs during inflammatory injury, a novel N-desulfated heparin-containing poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogel was engineered to deliver exogenous stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), utilizing the natural capacity of heparin to sequester and release growth factors. SDF-1α released from the hydrogels maintained its bioactivity and stimulated chemotaxis of bone marrow cells in vitro. Intravital microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that SDF-1α hydrogels implanted in a murine dorsal skinfold window chamber promoted spatially-localized recruitment of AMs relative to unloaded internal control hydrogels. SDF-1α delivery stimulated arteriolar remodeling that was correlated with AM enrichment in the injury niche. SDF-1α, but not unloaded control hydrogels, supported sustained arteriogenesis and microvascular network growth through 7 days. The recruitment of AMs correlated with parameters of vascular remodeling suggesting that tuning the innate immune response by biomaterial SDF-1α release is a promising strategy for promoting vascular remodeling in a spatially controlled manner.
Originalism and the Necessary and Proper Clause

This article analyzes a largely unacknowledged and, therefore, unsolved problem in constitutional theory and doctrine — the problem of multiplicity of meanings (i.e., encountering multiple conflicting meanings in practice when your doctrine or theory postulates just one). It does this by examining and comparing the debate over the meaning of the Necessary and Proper Clause in constitutional doctrine and the New Originalism’s notion of original public meaning in constitutional theory in order to help us get beyond the false and misleading assumptions underlying and motivating the myth of unitary meaning. It contrasts the role of the public and the express (as in original public meaning New Originalism) and the implicit and the unsaid (as in the case of incidental power in Necessary and Proper Clause doctrine) with the aim of better appreciating the role of each set of factors in doctrine and theory. The theory and practice on offer here, which seeks to navigate, but not to eliminate, multiplicity of meaning, is dialogic originalism. Rather than churning multiple meanings in search of a winner, as is often the case in litigation, argument and theorizing, dialogic originalism puts conflicting meanings in conversation with each other in order to gauge the drift of the conversation and to discover what is at stake for all sides. This approach does not pick winners by a process of elimination, but instead seeks larger elements and concerns shared by all.
Merit matters: Student perceptions of faculty quality and reward

This empirical research explores a role that the quality of teaching and students’ competence play in shaping students’ views about the upward mobility opportunities in their higher education institutions. It is often understood that the principal role of higher education is to promote merit-based mobility amongst students, as well as espouse the merit-based upward mobility amongst its faculty. How exactly students in higher education form their views about the presence of meritorious upward mobility is the question that remains largely unanswered, especially in developing societies. To help answer this question, the study relies on the binary logistic regression of data collected via 762 surveys from 6 public higher education institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and determines what factors help predict students’ views on whether faculty promotions are merited or not. Findings in this article are sub-selected from a broader empirical work, and they point to a novel link: the quality of teaching and students’ views on whether the most competent students are first to graduate in their faculties are the key predictors of whether students believe the faculty members within their higher education institutions are promoted based on merit. In the absence of meritocracy, students are, as this research finds, likely to categorize the educational system as corrupt. When the merit-based competition does not determine who moves up within higher education, one's belonging to the political, social, and economic elites tends to become the alternative basis for the upward mobility. Moving away from the merit-based mobility can have broad social consequences particularly in developing countries that are poorly equipped to react to such digressions, underlining the relevance of this work cross-nationally.
Intrarenal pressures during direct inhibition of sodium transport.

Renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) has been implicated in the regulation of sodium excretion. Studies using vasodilators and other maneuvers to increase RIHP have found a significant correlation between RIHP and sodium excretion. Since correlative studies do not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, it is not known whether the rise in sodium excretion in these studies is the result of increases in RIHP or if RIHP is elevated as a result of decreases in sodium and water reabsorption and increases in intratubular pressure. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine whether elevation of intratubular hydrostatic pressures in response to direct inhibition of tubule transport with loop diuretics results in increases in RIHP in dogs and rats. Intrarenal hydrostatic pressures, renal hemodynamics, and sodium and water excretion were examined in dogs during intravenous administration of furosemide (3 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.03 mg.kg-1 x min-1) or bumetanide (60 micrograms/kg bolus followed by 1 microgram.kg-1 x min-1). Furosemide administration increased urinary flow rate (V; 0.10 +/- 0.02 to 4.6 +/- 0.97 ml/min), urinary sodium excretion (UNaV; 16 +/- 5 to 549 +/- 123 mu eq/min), and proximal tubule hydrostatic pressure (PT; 21 +/- 1 to 28 +/- 1 mmHg) but had no effect on RIHP (7.2 +/- 0.6 to 7.4 +/- 0.7 mmHg) or peritubular capillary hydrostatic pressure (14 +/- 1 to 14 +/- 1 mmHg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Prevention of rabies in man.

Rabies vaccine is in many ways singular. Generally, it is administered after, rather than before, infection has taken place. The evidence for its efficacy is historical and empirical, and is not based on controlled experiments. In an age when viruses have been purified by sophisticated methodology, the opinion has been expressed that "rabies vaccine is the crudest biological product given parenterally to man" [1]. Although presently available rabies vaccines are far from ideal, in 1967, 566,596 doses were administered in the United States alone.1 Most courses of the vaccine were
Review of Operating Terrestrial Gravitational Wave Detectors

Several km-long interferometric gravitational wave detectors are now in operation, including the LIGO detectors in the US. I will describe their configurations and show their sensitivities, better than 10-18m/?Hz in a 50Hz-2kHz frequency band.
EARLY POSTOPERATIVE AND POSTGASTRECTOMY SYNDROMES: Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention

The evaluation and treatment of patients after operations on the foregut is a challenge for physicians and surgeons. The early postoperative period is an especially important interval because the very survival of the patient as well as the success of the surgical intervention depends on the correct interpretation of the presenting complaints. In all cases, a thoughtful and systematic approach allows physicians and surgeons to identify the causes and best remedies of these challenging problems.
The plasma cell labeling index: a valuable tool in primary systemic amyloidosis.

The plasma cell labeling index (LI) is of value in predicting prognosis in multiple myeloma. Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) is a plasma cell dyscrasia that shares many features with myeloma. We obtained bromodeoxyuridine LI on 125 patients who presented with AL, 22 of whom also had overt multiple myeloma. Forty-six patients had a plasma cell LI greater than 0%. Of the 46 patients with an elevated LI, 19 (41%) had multiple myeloma as compared with three (4%) of the 79 patients with an LI = 0 (P less than .0001). A response to chemotherapy was seen in 14 (30%) of 46 patients with an LI greater than 0, as compared with ten (13%) of 79 patients with an LI of 0 (P = .015). The median survival of the high LI group was 14.6 months v 29.8 months for the low LI group (P = .02). In the low LI group, 29% are projected to be alive at 60 months, as compared with 20% in the high LI group. When patients with myeloma were excluded from the analysis, the LI did not predict response but continued to indicate a survival disadvantage (P less than .05). The major utility of the LI was in identifying those patients most likely to have multiple myeloma and those AL patients with a poor prognosis (median survival, 14.1 months).
Evaluation of Ligand-Inducible Expression Systems for Conditional Neuronal Manipulations of Sleep in Drosophila

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model organism for dissecting the molecular mechanisms that regulate sleep, and numerous studies in the fly have identified genes that impact sleep–wake cycles. Conditional genetic analysis is essential to distinguish the mechanisms by which these genes impact sleep: some genes might exert their effects developmentally, for instance by directing the assembly of neuronal circuits that regulate sleep; other genes may regulate sleep in adulthood; and yet other genes might influence sleep by both developmental and adult mechanisms. Here we have assessed two ligand-inducible expression systems, Geneswitch and the Q-system, for conditional and neuronally restricted manipulations of sleep in Drosophila. While adult-specific induction of a neuronally expressed Geneswitch transgene (elav-GS) is compatible with studies of sleep as shown previously, developmental induction of elav-GS strongly and nonspecifically perturbs sleep in adults. The alterations of sleep in elav-GS animals occur at low doses of Geneswitch agonist and in the presence of transgenes unrelated to sleep, such as UAS-CD8-GFP. Furthermore, developmental elav-GS induction is toxic and reduces brood size, indicating multiple adverse effects of neuronal Geneswitch activation. In contrast, the transgenes and ligand of the Q-system do not significantly impact sleep–wake cycles when used for constitutive, developmental, or adult-specific neuronal induction. The nonspecific effects of developmental elav-GS activation on sleep indicate that such manipulations require cautious interpretation, and suggest that the Q-system or other strategies may be more suitable for conditional genetic analysis of sleep and other behaviors in Drosophila.
Fabrication of CMOS on ultrathin SOI obtained by epitaxial lateral overgrowth and chemical-mechanical polishing

A novel method for obtaining ultra-thin, defect-free silicon on insulator (SOI) film is introduced. This technique uses epitaxial lateral overgrowth of Si (ELO) and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). SOI films with thicknesses of 100 nm were obtained. These films were used in fabrication and dual poly CMOS devices. The quality of the SOI film obtained is the same as that of bulk silicon, and the device characteristics are comparable with those of devices fabricated on bulk. A minimum geometry unloaded inverter ring oscillator on SOI film obtained by ELO and CMP showed a speed improvement of 3* over the bulk devices. >
Extending Conifer Removal and Landscape Protection Strategies from Sage-grouse to Songbirds, a Range-Wide Assessment ☆

ABSTRACT Recent and unprecedented scale of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) conservation in the American West enables assessment of community-level benefits afforded to other sagebrush-obligate species. We use North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) count data and machine-learning to assess predictors influencing spatial distribution and abundance of three sagebrush-obligate songbirds (Brewer's sparrow [Spizella breweri], sagebrush sparrow [Artemisiospiza nevadensis], and sage thrasher [Oreoscoptes montanus]). We quantified co-occurrence of songbird abundance with sage-grouse lek distributions using point pattern analyses and evaluated the concurrence of songbird abundance within sage-grouse habitat restoration and landscape protection. Sagebrush land-cover predictors were positively associated with the abundance of each songbird species in models that explained 16–37% of variation in BBS route level counts. Individual songbird models identified an apparent 40% threshold in sagebrush land...
The Minnesota Experience

It is well known that the typical case of esophageal atresia (EA) which includes a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is managed by a primary repair procedure soon after birth. Where the esophageal defect is long, a primary repair is not possible and a variety of alternatives have evolved. At the University of Minnesota, a unique procedure was developed over two decades ago as a direct response to the use of the stomach, colon, or small intestine to replace the esophagus and in the belief that the esophagus itself is the best conduit to the stomach. This procedure involved applying traction to grow the native esophageal ends to the point that a primary repair can be performed and has been used in infants with almost no discernible lower esophageal remnant. Here, we discuss the procedure and outcomes.
Designed metalloenediyne warheads damage DNA and outpace DNA polymerase.

Normal cells eventually undergo a highly regulated process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, while abnormalities in this process may lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer. Cancer cells differ from normal cells with respect to their resistance to signals that control both cell growth and apoptosis. Furthermore, they divide more rapidly than normal cells, resulting in the development of cancerous tumors and metastasis. This has led to tremendous research efforts that aim to identify the various causes of cancer and aggressively treat this deadly disease. One strategy for combating cancer focuses on the inhibition of DNA polymerases, which function to synthesize DNA and are essential for DNA replication and damage repair. An orthogonal approach centers on the development of chemotherapeutic agents that can damage DNA in a manner that does not allow repair or replication by DNA polymerases. In PNAS, Zaleski and coworkers (1) use this latter approach and describe studies of new enediyne transition metal complexes (metalloenediynes) that function as cytotoxic metal-mediated diradical generators. Enediynes (Fig. 1) are highly toxic bacterial natural product compounds that contain the 3-ene-1,5-diyne conjugated unit as part of a 9- to 10-member ring system (2). These compounds are susceptible to thermal-activated and photoactivated Bergman cycloaromatization reactions that result in the formation of 1,4-didehydrobenzene diradical derivatives. The diradicals generated from enediynes are highly reactive chemical “warheads” that can abstract hydrogen atoms from the DNA sugar backbone … [↵][1]1Email: mkirk{at}unm.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christianity

Arthur C. Clarke, in his short-story “The Star” written in 1955, elucidates with the kind of prescience typical of his work the inevitable conflict between biblical literalism and scientifically-derived knowledge as it might relate to the discovery of life on distant worlds. In “The Star,” a Jesuit priest trained also as an astrophysicist travels thousands of light years across our galaxy to explore the Phoenix Nebula. The Phoenix Nebula is a giant, rapidly expanding cloud of hot gas left behind when a star ran out of nuclear fuel and perished as a supernova. When a dying star that becomes a supernova explodes, it briefly shines as brightly as ten billion Suns. If that supernova exploded somewhere in the Milky Way galaxy, it would initially appear brighter than the brightest star in the Earth’s nighttime sky. Then, after only a few days, it would begin to dim. After a few months, it would have faded away until it had become so faint that it would forever after elude detection by the unaided human eye.
Characterization of JP-8/SiO2 and RP-1/SiO2Gels

For next generation air-breathing and rocket propulsion systems gelled propellants can be a promising replacement for conventional solid and liquid propellants. Especially for rocket engine operation, the application of a gelled fuel and gelled oxidizer can combine the advantages of conventional solid and liquid propellants without taking into account the specific disadvantages of both individual systems. The present publication describes the rheological behavior of gelled JP-8 turbine fuel and gelled rocket propellant RP-1 when fumed silica is used as a gelling agent. Alongside the determination of an optimal gel mixing process, gel stability and rheological parameters showed a significant influence of the added silica amount.
Designing experiments to reduce uncertainty in point source locations in the Helmholtz equation

We show how a recently developed approach to formulating and solving stochastic inverse problems can be combined with an expected information gain to determine the physical placement of sensors that optimally reduce the uncertainty in the point source location for the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation.
Perceptions of Hospital Patient Safety Culture in Department of Veterans Affairs Station 593 Southern Nevada

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF FIGURES x CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE 1 Scope 2 Problem Statement 5 Purpose of the Study 6 Research Question 6 Definition of Terms 6 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 8 Introduction 8 History and Background 9 Hospital Administration 11 Economic Implications 12 Legal system 13 Organizational Culture and Patient Safety 15 Conclusion 16 CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 17 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY 20
What Is Multiphysics

In this chapter, the possible meanings of multiphysics will be discussed based on four definitions that can be found in the literature. Based on that, a clear definition of multiphysics will be reached to lay down the scope of this book. With this definition, more details will be shown about how to move from monolithic physics to multiphysics. The purpose is to bridge this common knowledge gap to help some readers who are familiar with traditional monolithic physics simulations move toward multiphysics. Detailed discussions will be made regarding the couplings and methods for developing multiphysics models. Finally, common types of multiphysics, as well as the essence and scope of “(physical) fields,” will be discussed to outline a big picture for multiphysics. This chapter aims to present the first comprehensive discussion on “what is multiphysics” to help readers understand and compromise the widely existing discrepancies in the definition, scope, and use of terminology in multiphysics.
BOLD fMRI for Presurgical Planning: Part II

In the early 1990s, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) entered the field of neuroimaging as a unique resource in the arsenal of preoperative planning tools for brain tumor patients. fMRI is a technique that takes advantage of the differences in magnetic susceptibility between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. It is a less invasive neuroimaging method than its positron emission tomography (PET) predecessor given that the contrast agent is endogenous [1]. fMRI is possible because oxyhemoglobin has a different magnetic resonance signal than deoxyhemoglobin. When a task is performed, oxygenated blood in excess of the amount needed (termed luxury perfusion) is delivered to the active area. The difference in magnetic susceptibility between deoxyhemoglobin concentrations and oxyhemoglobin concentrations creates the signal in functional imaging. This effect is termed the blood oxygen level-dependent signal (BOLD signal). fMRI provides good spatial localization (as low as 1 mm) and temporal acquisition resolution (as low as 1 s) though it is limited by the resolution of the hemodynamic response (8–30 s). The superior spatial resolution is particularly advantageous for mapping peri-tumoral eloquent areas for treatment planning [2].
How Can We Evaluate Ourselves

Teachers ter, New York, recently rejected a proposed contract under which they could have received a generous bonus in any year in which they received an exemplary evaluation. Why did they turn down this proposal? Although probably many different personal reasons could be cited for negative votes, the issue that received the most attention in the press was the issue of the evaluato teacher evaluation designed to improve instruction.
Modeling oceanic nitrite concentrations and isotopes using a 3Dinverse N cycle model

Abstract. Nitrite (NO 2 − ) is a key intermediate in the marine nitrogen (N) cycle and a substrate in nitrification, which produces nitrate (NO 3 − ), as well as water column N loss processes, denitrification and anammox. In models of the marine N cycle, NO 2 − is often not considered as a separate state variable, since NO 3 − occurs in much higher concentrations in the ocean. In oxygen deficient zones (ODZs), however, NO 2 − represents a substantial fraction of the bioavailable N, and modeling its production and consumption is important to understanding the N cycle processes occurring there, especially those where bioavailable N is lost from or retained within the water column. Here we present the expansion of a global 3D inverse N cycle model to include NO 2 − as a reactive intermediate as well as the processes that produce and consume NO 2 − in marine ODZs. NO 2 − accumulation in ODZs is accurately represented by the model involving NO 3 − reduction, NO 2 − reduction, NO 2 − oxidation, and anammox. We model both 14 N and 15 N and use a compilation of oceanographic measurements of NO 3 − and NO 2 − concentrations and isotopes to place a better constraint on the N cycle processes occurring. The model is optimized using a range of isotope effects for denitrification and NO 2 − oxidation, and we find that the larger (more negative) inverse isotope effects for NO 2 − oxidation along with relatively high rates of NO 2 − oxidation give a better simulation of NO 3 − and NO 2 − concentrations and isotopes in marine ODZs.
Optimal Dimensionality Reduced Quantum Walk and Noise Characterization

In a recent work by Novo et al. (Sci. Rep. \(\mathbf 5\), 13304, 2015), the invariant subspace method was applied to the study of continuous-time quantum walk (CTQW). In this work, we adopt the aforementioned method to investigate the optimality of a perturbed quantum walk search of a marked element in a noisy environment on various graphs. We formulate the necessary condition of the noise distribution in the system such that the invariant subspace method remains effective and efficient. Based on the noise, we further formulate how to set the appropriate coupling factor to preserve the optimality of the quantum walker. Thus, a quantum walker based on an N by N Hamiltonian can be efficiently implemented using the near-term quantum technology.
Phosphorylation of Serine Induces Lysine p K a Increases in Histone N-Termini and Signaling for Acetylation. Transcription Implications.

The mild acetylating agent, methyl acetyl phosphate, is used to estimate the p Ka values of some of the amine groups in peptides with sequences corresponding to a segment of the N-terminal tail of histone H4. When Ser-1 is not phosphorylated, the Lys e amines have p Ka values in the range of 7.8-8.3, which are much lower than the currently assumed values. When Ser-1 is phosphorylated, the p Ka values of these Lys amines are elevated to the range of 8.8-10.3, thus providing the rationale for reports that they are then better substrates for acetyltransferases. Thus, reversal of suppressed p Ka values of Lys e amines by Ser phosphorylation represents the basis for signaling in histone N-terminal tails to promote hyperacetylation, which is a hallmark of transcriptionally active euchromatin. In contrast, a state of hypoacetylation is present in the absence of phosphorylation as in transcriptionally inactive heterochromatin. A novel approach for estimating p Ka values based on a linkage between the Henderson-Hasselbalch and Michaelis-Menten equations indicates that the p Ka values of the Lys e amines in H3 and H4 N-terminal tails have a highly variable charge gradient dependent on the location and proximity to the phosphorylation site.
Learning to calibrate: Reinforcement learning for guided calibration of visual–inertial rigs:

We present a new approach to assisted intrinsic and extrinsic calibration with an observability-aware visual–inertial calibration system that guides the user through the calibration procedure by su...
ApoER2 (Apolipoprotein E Receptor-2) Deficiency Accelerates Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence via Cytokinesis Impairment and Promotes Fibrotic Neointima After Vascular Injury.

Objective: Genome-wide studies showed that mutation in apoER2 (apolipoprotein E receptor-2) is additive with e4 polymorphism in the APOE gene on cardiovascular disease risk in humans. ApoE or apoER...
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Mastocytosis

Gastrointestinal involvement is common in patients with systemic mastocytosis, and it is important to be able to recognize and characterize the various GI symptoms that these patients often experience. Through a systematic approach to the history taking, physical exam, and diagnostic testing, GI symptoms in systemic mastocytosis can be attributed to mast cell activation, mast cell infiltration, or other primary GI disorders or diseases unrelated to the mastocytosis. Following this approach, specific treatments can be tried or titrated to reach the desired effect of relief of symptoms and prevention of complications.
Mutations predictive of hyperactive Ras signaling correlate with inferior survival across high-risk pediatric acute leukemia

Background Cancer remains the number one cause of disease-related mortality in children, and despite advances in the molecular understanding of leukemia and targeted therapies, refractory leukemia remains a leading cause of death. It therefore is essential to further define features, e.g., FLT3 alterations and KMT2A rearrangements, associated with inferior survival early to augment or alter therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes. Methods To gain insights into the genetic drivers predictive of aggressive clinical behavior among pediatric leukemia patients, we performed comprehensive integrative clinical sequencing (ICS), including paired tumor/normal DNA sequencing and RNA-seq, for pediatric patients who presented at our institution over a period of five years with acute lymphoblastic or myelogenous leukemia (ALL and AML; n=43) and high-risk clinical features (high white blood cell count, extramedullary disease, or refractory and/or relapsed disease). Results We found that RAS- and Ras-pathway aberrations, including N-RAS, NF1 and PTPN11, are frequent somatic mutations and, importantly, associated with decreased event free and overall survival (OS) (P=0.04, median event free survival 22.8 vs. 5.6 months; P=0.04, median OS 124 vs. 22.5 months). Conclusions We thus propose that hyperactive Ras signaling confers inferior survival in high-risk pediatric acute leukemia and that Ras pathways should be molecularly characterized to inform clinical decision making and to identify patients for experimental clinical trials and RAS-targeted therapy.
COVID-19 assistance needs to target energy insecurity

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated changes in social and economic conditions may affect the prevalence of energy insecurity. Essential relief must be provided to the growing number of households that are energy insecure and protect them from even more dire circumstances caused by utility disconnections and unpaid energy bills.
Tool-Aided Assessment of Difficulties in Learning Formal Design-by-Contract Assertions

Object-based development using design-by-contract (DbC) is broadly taught and practiced. Students must be able to read and write symbolic DbC assertions that are sufficiently precise and be able to use these assertions to trace program code. This paper summarizes the results of using an automated tool to pinpoint fine-grain difficulties students face in learning to symbolically trace code involving objects. The pilots were conducted in an undergraduate software engineering course. Quantitative results show that data collected by the tool can help to identify and classify learning obstacles. Qualitative findings help validate student misunderstandings underlying these difficulties. Analysis of exam questions helps understand the persistence of student learning to read and write simple assertions about code behavior. Together, these results provide directions for intervention.
Pyroptosis Takes Aim at Neurodevelopment.

In a recent issue of Nature, Lammert et al. demonstrate that DNA damage drives AIM2-mediated pyroptosis during normal brain development, preventing anxiety-like behaviors acquisition in adults and revealing an important role for non-apoptotic mechanisms of cell death during neurodevelopment.
Distribution and properties of sandy soils in the conterminous USA – A conceptual thickness model, and taxonomic analysis

Abstract Sandy soils, as a group of soils, are unique soils. They have a specific set of physical and chemical soil properties that include rapid infiltration and conductivity, susceptibility to drought and erosion by wind, and low ability to hold water and nutrients. Sandy soils have a sandy or loamy sand texture in the fine-earth (
Microstructure and properties of Nb-Mo-Zr based refractory alloys

Abstract Microstructure and mechanical properties of five Nb alloys containing 8 to 17 at.% Mo, 8 or 35 at.% Zr, up to 7 at.% Ti, up to 2 at.% Al and up to 2 at.% Cr are reported. These alloys have been developed to replace heavy, expensive and difficult to process commercial Nb alloys, such as C-3009, for use at temperatures up to 1600 °C. The density of the alloys is in the range from 7.6 to 8.6 g/cm3. The alloys have a BCC matrix phase, and they also contain small amounts of secondary phases, which are rich in Zr and have BCC, FCC, hexagonal or monoclinic crystal structures depending on the concentration of other alloying elements, including oxygen and nitrogen. In the temperature range from 25 °C to 1600 °C, the alloys with a smaller amount of Zr are ductile and have higher specific strength than C-3009. The alloy containing 35 at.% Zr is stronger, but less ductile, than other alloys at temperatures up to 600 °C; however, it loses the strength rapidly at higher temperatures and becomes softer than other alloys at T > 1000 °C. The possible strengthening mechanisms responsible for the observed temperature dependence of the yield stress of the alloys are also discussed.
The Immediate Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic and Resulting Adaptations in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medical Education and Practice.

Since the first reported case of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States in January 2020, substantial changes to medical education have taken place secondary to the demands, chaos, and uncertainty related to the pandemic. The involvement of medical students, residents and fellows in COVID-19 care has and continues to vary by specialty and regions across the country. Our goal was to learn more about how COVID-19 has impacted Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) training and practice across the country. To do so, real time, in-depth experiences and opinions from persons within, or committed, to PM&R were pooled and this information was used to inform the creation of an anonymous survey that was distributed online to the PM&R community. 501 people completed the survey, 178 (35.5%) attending physicians, 183 (36.5%) residents and fellows, 29 (5.8%) interns, and 111 (22.2%) medical students. The survey results explore the impact of the global crisis on patient care and education in the field of PM&R. The adaptation from traditional patient care to telehealth was notable with 86.5% of physiatrists practicing via telemedicine during the pandemic. There was also a massive shift of education to virtual didactics with 92.5% of residents participating in virtual learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused PM&R to revisit traditional routines in medical education and adapt to new practices to enhance educational experiences while still maintaining safe social distance between physicians, trainees and patients. Based on the survey results, the adaptations the PM&R community has made have provided a diversified, easily accessible platform for medical students, physiatrists-in-training and physiatrists across the country that has been full of innovation and collaboration between residencies and national organizations. We foresee continued, successful adoption of these new educational platforms and the use of telemedicine to enhance medical education and patient care post COVID-19. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Low-cost spectrum analyzer for trouble shooting noise sources in scanning probe microscopy

Scanning probe microscopes are notoriously sensitive to many types of external and internal interferences including electrical, mechanical, and acoustic noise. Sometimes noise can even be misinterpreted as real features in the images. Therefore, quantification of frequency and magnitude of any noise is the key to discover the source and eliminate it from the system. While commercial spectrum analyzers are perfect for this task, they are rather expensive and not always available. We present a simple, cost-effective solution in the form of an audio output from the instrument coupled to a smart phone spectrum analyzer application. Specifically, the scanning probe signal, e.g., the tunneling current of a scanning tunneling microscope, is fed to the spectrum analyzer which Fourier transforms the time domain acoustic signal into the frequency domain. When the scanning probe is in contact with the sample, but not scanning, the output is a spectrum containing both the amplitude and frequency of any periodic noise affecting the microscope itself, enabling troubleshooting to begin.
Making bladder management a priority in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis can result in uro-neurological dysfunction, leading to a range of different urological problems that are distressing to the patient and costly for the NHS. Sue Thomas outlines th...