cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a local-scale urban stream assessment method using benthic macroinvertebrates: an example from the Santa Clara Basin, California

AbstractResearch that explores the biological response to urbanization on a site-specific scale is necessary for management of urban basins. Recent studies have proposed a method to characterize the biological response of benthic macroinvertebrates along an urban gradient for several climatic regions in the USA. Our study demonstrates how this general framework can be refined and applied on a smaller scale to an urbanized basin, the Santa Clara Basin (surrounding San Jose, California, USA). Eighty-four sampling sites on 14 streams in the Santa Clara Basin were used for assessing local stream conditions. First, an urban index composed of human population density, road density, and % urban land cover was used to determine the extent of urbanization upstream from each sampling site. Second, a multimetric biological index was developed to characterize the response of macroinvertebrate assemblages along the urban gradient. The resulting biological index included metrics from 3 ecological categories: taxonomic ...
Onsets and codas in 1.5-year-olds' word recognition.

Previous tests of toddlers’ phonological knowledge of familiar words using word recognition tasks have examined syllable onsets but not word-final consonants (codas). However, there are good reasons to suppose that children’s knowledge of coda consonants might be less complete than their knowledge of onset consonants. To test this hypothesis, the present study examined 14–22-month-old children’s knowledge of the phonological forms of familiar words by measuring their comprehension of correctly pronounced and mispronounced instances of those words using a visual fixation task. Mispronunciations substituted onset or coda consonants. Adults were tested in the same task for comparison with children. Children and adults fixated named targets more upon hearing correct pronunciations than upon hearing mispronunciations, whether those mispronunciations involved the word’s initial or final consonant. In addition, detailed analysis of the timing of adults’ and children’s eye movements provided clear evidence for incremental interpretation of the speech signal. Children’s responses were slower and less accurate overall, but children and adults showed nearly identical temporal effects of the placement of phonological substitutions. The results demonstrate accurate encoding of consonants even in words children cannot yet say.
An algorithm for improving optimal placement for river-routing

This paper describes a linear-time, terminal-position assignment algorithm that can be used in conjunction with the optimal-placement-for-river-routing algorithm of [9] to eliminate, or greatly reduce, the routing area between cells within a module. The terminal-position algorithm that is described, may be used to optimise the positions of the interconnections between the interior rows and columns of cells within a module for custom module generation. The method uses river routing within the cells to virtually eliminate routing channels between the cell rows and columns while producing little or no increase in cell area. Use of this pin assignment algorithm for optimising the interconnections between custom-synthesized cells provides a significant improvement in area usage in comparison with using the method of [9] alone.
INTEREST RATE RISK HEDGING FOR DUE‐ON‐SALE MORTGAGES WITH EARLY TERMINATION

The impact of random early termination on the interest rate elasticity and the related implications of hedging a mortgage security are examined. The common approach to computing duration using average mortgage life is shown to be biased and insufficient. Because the prepayment distributions of mortgages tend to have wide dispersions, substantial errors result from using average mortgage life. These results are also applicable to other financial obligations subject to prepayment.
Divergent Mitochondrial Biogenesis Responses in Human Cardiomyopathy

Background—Mitochondria are key players in the development and progression of heart failure (HF). Mitochondrial (mt) dysfunction leads to diminished energy production and increased cell death contributing to the progression of left ventricular failure. The fundamental mechanisms that underlie mt dysfunction in HF have not been fully elucidated. Methods and Results—To characterize mt morphology, biogenesis, and genomic integrity in human HF, we investigated left ventricular tissue from nonfailing hearts and end-stage ischemic (ICM) or dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathic hearts. Although mt dysfunction was present in both types of cardiomyopathy, mt were smaller and increased in number in DCM compared with ICM or nonfailing hearts. mt volume density and mtDNA copy number was increased by ≈2-fold (P<0.001) in DCM hearts in comparison with ICM hearts. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the expression of mtDNA-encoded genes in DCM versus no change in ICM. mtDNA repair and antioxidant genes were reduced in failing hearts, suggestive of a defective repair and protection system, which may account for the 4.1-fold increase in mtDNA deletion mutations in DCM (P<0.05 versus nonfailing hearts, P<0.05 versus ICM). Conclusions—In DCM, mt dysfunction is associated with mtDNA damage and deletions, which could be a consequence of mutating stress coupled with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α–dependent stimulus for mt biogenesis. However, this maladaptive compensatory response contributes to additional oxidative damage. Thus, our findings support further investigations into novel mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for mt dysfunction in DCM.
Rate responsive pacing using cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with chronotropic incompetence and chronic heart failure

Aims Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is a common finding in patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF) and is associated with a worse functional capacity. Whether rate responsive pacing with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) would acutely improve exercise performance in patients with advanced CHF and severe CI (<70% age-predicted maximum heart rate) is unknown. Methods and results Patients ( n = 13) with CHF, a CRT device, and severe CI were randomized in a double-blind crossover pilot study to either DDD (control) or DDDR (rate responsive) pacing. Six minutes walk test (6MWT) distance, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (VO2 @ AT), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) were measured. One week later, testing was repeated in the alternate pacing mode. Rate responsive pacing commenced with standard settings in only 9 of 13 (69%) patients. In these 9 subjects, 6MWT distance improved acutely from 358.5 ± 40.7 to 376.8 ± 24.5 m with DDDR pacing ( P < 0.05). VO2 max did not improve with DDDR pacing (14.0 ± 3.2 mL/kg/min) compared with DDD pacing (13.9 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min; P = 0.69). VO2 @ AT tended towards improvement with DDDR pacing (10.8 ± 2.9 mL/kg/min) compared with DDD pacing (9.6 ± 1.8 mL/kg/min; P = 0.29). There was a linear relationship between the increase in heart rate at minute 3 during rate responsive pacing and improvement in VO2 @ AT ( r = 0.83, P < 0.05). Conclusion When rate responsive pacing using a CRT device is achieved in patients with advanced CHF and severe CI, parameters of aerobic exercise performance improve acutely. Routine exercise testing to ensure successful restoration of heart rate response may be beneficial to optimize CRT settings in this patient population.
Radiostereometric analysis study of tantalum compared with titanium acetabular cups and highly cross-linked compared with conventional liners in young patients undergoing total hip replacement.

Background: Radiostereometric analysis provides highly precise measurements of component micromotion relative to the bone that is otherwise undetectable by routine radiographs. This study compared, at a minimum of five years following surgery, the micromotion of tantalum and titanium acetabular cups and femoral head penetration in highly cross-linked polyethylene liners and conventional (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) liners in active patients who had undergone total hip replacement.
The dependence of upstream wave periods on the interplanetary magnetic field strength

It has long been known that the periods of Pc 3, 4 pulsations on the ground correlate with the magnitude of the interplanetary magnetic field. This fact has been used to argue for an exogenic source for these pulsations. Particularly attractive candidates for the source of pulsations in this frequency range are the upstream waves of similar frequencies which are associated with populations of ions reflected from the bow shock. However, the dependence of the period of these waves on the strength of the interplanetary magnetic field has never been checked. This paper performs such a check and confirms that the upstream waves have the proper functional relationship.
James Hillman's A Terrible Love of War Chris Hedges’ War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning and Barbara Ehrenreich's Blood Rites

It is well that war is so horrible – we would grow too fond of it. Robert E. Lee I love it. God help me I do love it so. I love it more than my life. General Patton, in the film Patton Men go to wa...
Sequencing the IL4 locus in African Americans implicates rare noncoding variants in asthma susceptibility

Background Common genetic variations in the IL4 gene have been associated with asthma and atopy in European and Asian populations, but not in African Americans. Objective Because populations of African descent have increased levels of genetic variation compared with other populations, particularly with respect to low frequency or rare variants, we hypothesized that rare variants in the IL4 gene contribute to the development of asthma in African Americans. Methods To test this hypothesis, we sequenced the IL4 locus in 72 African Americans with asthma and 70 African American controls without asthma to identify novel and rare polymorphisms in the IL4 gene that may be contributing to asthma susceptibility. Results We report an excess of private noncoding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the subjects with asthma compared with control subjects without asthma ( P = .031). Tajima's D is significantly more negative in subjects with asthma (–0.375) than controls (–0.073; P = .04), reflecting an excess of rare variants in the subjects with asthma. Conclusion Our findings indicate that SNPs at the IL4 locus that are potentially exclusive to African Americans are associated with susceptibility to asthma. Only 3 of the 26 private SNPs (ie, SNPs present only in the subjects with asthma or only in the controls) are tagged by single SNPs on one of the common genotyping platforms used in genome-wide association studies. We also find that most of the private SNPs cannot be reliably imputed, highlighting the importance of sequencing to identify genetic variants contributing to common diseases in African Americans.
VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE: A REVIEW OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE

The popularity of video games, especially violent video games, has reached phenomenal proportions. The theoretical line of reasoning that hypothesizes a causal relationship between violent video-game play and aggression draws on the very large literature on media violence effects. Additionally, there are theoretical reasons to believe that video game effects should be stronger than movie or television violence effects. This paper outlines what is known about the relationship between violent video-game playing and aggression. The available literature on virtual reality effects on aggression is discussed as well. The preponderance of the evidence from the existing literature suggests that exposure to video-game violence increases aggressive behavior and other aggression-related phenomena. However, the paucity of empirical data, coupled with a variety of methodological problems and inconsistencies in these data, clearly demonstrate the need for additional research.
The Enterococcus faecalis fsr Two-Component System Controls Biofilm Development through Production of Gelatinase

Bacterial growth as a biofilm on solid surfaces is strongly associated with the development of human infections. Biofilms on native heart valves (infective endocarditis) is a life-threatening disease as a consequence of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in such a state. Enterococci have emerged as a cause of endocarditis and nosocomial infections despite being normal commensals of the gastrointestinal and female genital tracts. We examined the role of two-component signal transduction systems in biofilm formation by the Enterococcus faecalis V583 clinical isolate and identified the fsr regulatory locus as the sole two-component system affecting this unique mode of bacterial growth. Insertion mutations in the fsr operon affected biofilm formation on two distinct abiotic surfaces. Inactivation of the fsr-controlled gene gelE encoding the zinc-metalloprotease gelatinase was found to prevent biofilm formation, suggesting that this enzyme may present a unique target for therapeutic intervention in enterococcal endocarditis.
Breast tumor heterogeneity: causes and consequences

In breast and other cancer types, a high degree of diversity exists among and within tumors. Breast tumors are composed of a variety of cancer cells with distinct phenotypes and genotypes. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this intratumoral heterogeneity are not well defined. Two currently popular hypotheses that attempt to explain intratumoral heterogeneity are the cancer stem cell and the clonal evolution models. Each of these concepts has been investigated for some time, leading to the accumulation of findings that support one or the other. Although the two views share some similarities, they are fundamentally different notions with very different implications for clinical practice.
Tubulin in sea urchin embryonic cilia: post-translational modifications during regeneration.

Tubulin is the major protein found in the membrane/periaxonemal matrix fraction of mature sea urchin embryonic cilia but its distribution and possible function during ciliary assembly are unknown. Hypertonic salt may be used to deciliate the embryos, allowing synchronous regrowth of cilia and subsequent deciliation of the regenerating embryos at various times. During the earliest stages of regeneration, the amounts of tubulin in the axoneme and membrane/matrix fractions are nearly equal, but the proportion of tubulin in the axoneme fraction increases coincident with the quasi-linear growth phase while the membrane/matrix tubulin remains constant. Antibodies to tyrosinated and detyrosinated alpha-tubulin show that both the membrane/matrix and axonemal tubulin fractions are primarily unmodified (i.e. tyrosinated) at the earliest stages of regeneration but are progressively and equally detyrosinated coincident with regeneration, approaching a final level of 50% C-terminal Glu. A monoclonal antibody to acetylated alpha-tubulin reveals that both tubulin fractions are equally and maximally acetylated at relatively early stages of regeneration. In contrast, three-times-repolymerized tubulin from either unfertilized eggs or midgastrula embryos is primarily tyrosinated (greater than 97%) and not detectably acetylated. These data suggest that membrane/matrix tubulin is a precursor to axonemal tubulin and that acetylation and detyrosination may be involved in partitioning tubulin among cytoplasmic, ciliary membrane/matrix, and 9 + 2 compartments.
Temperature Advection: Internal versus External Processes

Abstract Local advection of temperature is the inner product of vector velocity and spatial gradient of temperature. This product is often integrated spatially to infer temperature advection over a region. However, the contribution along an individual direction can be dominated by internal processes that redistribute heat within the domain but do not control the heat content of the domain. A new formulation of temperature advection is introduced to elucidate external heat source and sink that control the spatially averaged temperature. It is expressed as the advection of interfacial temperature relative to the spatially averaged temperature of the domain by inflow normal to the interface. It gives a total advection of temperature that is identical to the spatial integration of local temperature advection, yet the contributions along individual directions depict external processes. The differences between the two formulations are illustrated by analyzing zonal advection of near-surface temperature in the e...
Small-Town Merchants are Not Using the Recommended Strategies to Compete Against Nationial Discount Chains: A Prescriptive Vs. Descriptive Study

The research question was: do small retailers use the strategies prescribed in the literature for them to compete with the large retail chains? Descriptive survey results of 62 small business owner personal interviews indicate that they do not use three of the four prescribed marketing strategies to compete with the large general merchandise discount store chains. Respondents were asked if they adjusted strategies after the major retailer moved in; 52% did not adjust product, 42% maintained the same price strategy, 21% did increase service strategy, and 50% did not alter promotion strategy. The findings revealed that 34% expanded their product line, with only 10% reducing their product line. Although not recommended, 37% actually dropped prices to compete. However, 77% did place a greater emphasis on service. Assessing the impact of these changes on financial performance, 58% indicated that their sales and profit margins had remained satisfactory over a 5-year period of measurement and a third (32%) had mixed results during the same time period.
A Survey of Stackelberg Differential Game Models in Supply and Marketing Channels: An Erratum

The presentation of Table 2 in the original version of this article ("A Survey of Stackelberg Differential Game Models in Supply and Marketing Channels", Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp., 385-413, 2007) contained a few typos. The corrected Table 2 is given below.
Cessation of Therapy during Complete Remission of Childhood Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract To assess the need for prolonged therapy in acute lymphocytic leukemia in remission, we studied the course of 132 patients removed from therapy after two to three years of remission. The median period off therapy was 21 months, with a range of one month to 7.5 years. Of the patients removed from therapy, 21 have relapsed (16 per cent). Of the patients who relapsed, six had not received specific Central-nervous-system therapy. We conclude that (1) programs for treatment of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia have resulted in an impressive number of long-term leukemia-free survivals even after cessation of all therapy, (2) the likelihood of relapse after therapy is stopped is greatest in the first year, (3) relapse was more frequent in patients who had not received Central-nervous-system irradiation, and (4) no other feature was found to predict whether relapse would occur after stopping therapy. (N Engl J Med 291:1230–1234, 1974)
Exafs Studies of Defects in β-Alumina Superionic Conductors

The local structures of Zn and Co in solid solution in Na β N –alumina have been investigated using EXAFS spectroscopy. These additives are members of a group that must be incorporated in β N –alumina to stabilize the rhombohedral structure. It is found that they are tetrahedrally coordinated to four oxygen atoms. The N–O bond distances are larger than the Al–O distance in β–alumina and larger than the Al(2)–O distances in disordered crystals determined by x-ray and neutron diffraction. The bonds about individual ions and mixtures of ions are consistent with predictions from bond-strength-bonddistance theory. A preliminary study of Na β–alumina that has been implanted with in and annealed indicates that a substantial fraction of the Mn is tetrahedrally coordinated.
Benign vascular invasion in vasitis nodosa.

Vasovasostomy specimens were examined for vascular changes in 50 cases of vasitis nodosa. In five, benign gland- or ductile-like structures were seen invading small veins and, in one, also the small arteries. The intravascular ductules appeared benign, and there was no clinical evidence of malignancy. The presence of ductules in the blood vessels always was accompanied by marked elastosis. In 12 additional cases, elastosis of arteries and veins was seen without intravascular ductules. These changes suggest that proliferating ductules in vasitis nodosa invade the blood vessels after they have become obliterated by regressive and reparative processes.
Effect of Thiamine and Other Factors on Parasitism of Cokeromyces Recurvatus By The Mycoparasite, Dimargaris Verticillata

(1977). Effect of Thiamine and Other Factors on Parasitism of Cokeromyces Recurvatus By The Mycoparasite, Dimargaris Verticillata. Mycologia: Vol. 69, No. 3, pp. 622-625.
EFFECTS OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS ON BENZPYRENE HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY IN RATS.

SummaryBP hydroxylase in liver and adrenals was quantitatively estimated in rats pretreated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Whereas 3-MC, BP and DMBA markedly stimulated BP hydroxylase acti...
Content-based vessel image retrieval

This paper describes an approach to vessel classification from satellite images using content based image retrieval methodology. Content-based image retrieval is an important problem in both medical imaging and surveillance applications. In many cases the archived reference database is not fully structured, thus making content-based image retrieval a challenging problem. In addition, in surveillance applications, the query image may be affected by weather or/and geometric distortions. Our approach of content-based vessel image retrieval consists of two phases. First, we create a structured reference database, then for each new query image of a vessel we find the closest cluster of images in the structured reference database, thus identifying and classifying the vessel. Then we update the closest cluster with new query image.
Methodological study on diagnosis strategy generation for construction machinery

Based on the relevance model theory and failure mode effect analysis,a fault-testing correlation matrix is established.With integration of correlation matrix and information entropy theory,the maximum information gain is calculated to generate a diagnosis tree,viz.,a group of nearest-optimal testing sequences for diagnosis strategies is formed.By applying a specific hydraulic steering system to validate the diagnosis strategy generation methods,this approach can effectively generate the nearest-optimal diagnosis strategies.
Enhancing Science Learning through Dynamic Bilingual Practices.

Language is one of the most important drivers of children's socialization and development of a sense of belonging within their school, community, and culture. For bilingual and multicultural children in particular, language plays a critical role in the development of their identity. If emergent language learners do not feel confident in their bilingual identities, they may find it more challenging to make meaning and construct knowledge in school. Dynamic language practices allow students to flexibly and dynamically shift between their various linguistic and knowledge resources, thus allowing their bilingual identities to thrive. In contrast to practices that restrict the use of the non-dominant language during specific times or while interacting with certain people, the use of dynamic language practices allows children who experience school in more than one language to see that drawing on all of their linguistic resources is a valid method for improving their academic literacy and learning.
Forces on three-level atoms including trapped-state contribution

In this paper we present a new calculation of the force on a stationary three-level atom in a bichromatic standing-wave light field (see Fig. 1). Contrary to other theoretical treatments,1 which ignore optical pumping into the trapped state, we find that a stationary atom experiences no force when there is no difference frequency detuning (i.e., when Δ = 0). However, when there is a nonzero differential detuning (Δ ≠ 0) there can be force components that vary in both the wavelength of the optical fields and their beat wavelength. This stimulated force can be much larger than the maximum spontaneous force associated with this system. To obtain a simple physical interpretation of this force, the problem is treated in a basis that is formed from symmetric |+〉 and antisymmetric |−〉 linear combinations of the atomic ground states2 (see Fig. 1).
A threshold covering flow-based location model to build a critical mass of alternative-fuel stations

Abstract To facilitate the transition to alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs), researchers have developed models for optimally locating an initial refueling infrastructure for AFVs with limited driving range. Recently, clustering of stations has emerged as a strategy to encourage consumers to purchase AFVs by building a critical mass of stations. Clustering approaches, however, have focused on serving demands represented as nodes or arcs rather than origin-destination (O-D) trips. This study proposes a Threshold Coverage extension to the original Flow Refueling Location Model that focuses on the percentage of a zone's O-D trips that can be successfully completed given a typical driving range and location of stations. It is motivated by the idea that drivers in an area will not purchase an AFV unless a critical mass of the trips they regularly make can be completed. Therefore, the new model optimally locates p refueling stations on a network to maximize the sum of weighted demand of covered origin zones, where “covered” means that the zone exceeds a specified threshold percentage of their total outbound round trips that are refuelable. The model is tested on networks for Orlando and the state of Florida. As the threshold percentage is raised, fewer zones can surpass the threshold. Covered nodes increasingly cluster together, as do stations for serving their O-D flows. The model's policy implementation will provide managerial insights for some key concerns of the industry, such as geographic equity vs. critical mass, from a new perspective.
Which point from an interval should we choose

In many practical situations, we know the exact form of the objective function, and we know the optimal decision corresponding to each value of the corresponding parameter x. What should we do if we do not know the exact value of x, and instead, we only know x with uncertainty - e.g., with interval uncertainty? In this case, a reasonable idea is to select one value from the given interval, and to use the optimal decision corresponding to the selected value. But which value should we choose? In this paper, we provide a solution to this problem for the situation in the simplest 1-D case. Somewhat surprisingly, it turns out the usual practice of selecting the midpoint is rarely optimal, a better selection is possible.
Is Urine Drug Testing a Good Idea for Patients on Chronic Opioid Therapy

Mr. Anderson is a 46-year-old gentleman who presents to your pain clinic for an initial evaluation. He has had chronic low back pain for the past 10 years but is now complaining of new, electric, or “shooting pains” down his leg. He tells you that he underwent several epidural steroid injections years ago.
Evaluating the performance of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in early stage Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Introduction Mild cognitive impairment is common in Parkinson's disease, even in the early stages, and can be a risk for developing dementia. To properly track development and progression of cognitive impairment, reliable measurement tools are necessary. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is currently used as a global cognitive screening tool and has been recommended as an abbreviated diagnostic tool to measure mild cognitive impairment in the context of global cognitive function. However psychometric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in PD have not been assessed in this context. Methods Data were obtained from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (n = 395). We examine psychometric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment among newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease patients using Rasch analysis. Results Only one item misfit the measurement model and principle component analysis indicated the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was unidimensional. Distribution of items calibrations formed a logical hierarchy from least to most challenging. Test items were markedly off-target (i.e., too easy) for this sample; this was also reflected in low person separation reliability. While 37% of participants performed all items correctly indicating a large ceiling effect, 22% of participants obtained a raw score in the range of 21–25 indicating mild cognitive impairment. No meaningful differential item functioning was detected. Conclusion Results suggest that in the context of early stage Parkinson's disease, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a unidimensional measure of global cognitive function. Implications for the use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in early stage Parkinson's disease and potential improvements to the assessment are discussed.
Impact of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug in North America and Europe: History, biology, ecology, and management.

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stal), is an invasive pentatomid introduced from Asia into the United States, Canada, multiple European countries, and Chile. In 2010, BMSB populations in the mid-Atlantic United States reached outbreak levels and subsequent feeding severely damaged tree fruit as well as other crops. Significant nuisance issues from adults overwintering inside homes were common. BMSB is a highly polyphagous species with a strong dispersal capacity and high reproductive output, potentially enabling its spread and success in invaded regions. A greater understanding of BMSB biology and ecology and its natural enemies, the identification of the male-produced aggregation pheromone, and the recognition that BMSB disperses into crops from adjacent wooded habitats have led to the development of behavior-based integrated pest management (IPM) tactics. Much is still unknown about BMSB, and continued long-term collaborative studies are necessary to refine crop-specific IPM pr...
A “Grievously Sinful Attempt to Destroy the Life Which God Has Given:” Abortion, Anglicanism, and Debates About Community Composition in Twentieth-Century Zanzibar

This chapter analyzes an abortion scandal that occurred on an Anglican mission station on the East African archipelago of Zanzibar in the 1920s. In 1921, British missionaries accused several young African female congregants of taking dawa (Kiswahili: medicine) to abort unwanted pregnancies. Prichard argues that African congregants drew from inherited ideas about social and biological reproduction in seeking to deal with ill-timed pregnancies, ideas which contradicted British mission administrators’ firmly held beliefs against abortion. To avoid sanction and excommunication, congregants and their families hid young lovers’ romances, sexual dalliances, and pregnancies from mission officials. The analysis of this scandal sheds light on contrasting ideas about the best way to strategically compose communities, and on the competing definitions of Anglicanism that circulated in early twentieth-century Zanzibar.
Are we nearing the end in the fight against hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is estimated to infect about 80–130 million people worldwide [1,2]. A significant proportion of patients with chronic HCV will progress to develop liver cirrhosis, and sub...
“Context Matters: ” An Exploration of Young Adult Social Constructions of Meaning About Death and Dying

The word “death” is often avoided in communication surrounding the end of life processes by both health care practitioners and lay people alike (Berry, 2008; Generous & Keeley, 2017). In its place,...
The determination of diketo l-gulonic acid, dehydro-l-ascorbic acid, and l-ascorbic acid in the same tissue extract by the 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method.

By the Roe and Kuether (1) method for the determination of vitamin C dehydro-Z-ascorbic (DHA) and diketo-Z-gulonic acid (DKA) are not differentiated. The basic principle of this method, however., is adaptable to the determination of Z-ascorbic acid (AsA), DHA, and DKA in the presence of each other. It is the purpose of this paper to report methods for such determinations. The first problem to overcome in this work was the extraction of the three compounds from tissues. This must be done by techniques that will not permit the oxidation of AsA to DHA and will keep at a minimum the ‘change of DHA into DKA. Roe and Oesterling (2) prevented the oxidation of AsA in plant tissues by extracting with a metaphosphoric acid solution containing 1 per cent of thiourea. However, in animal tissues thiourea will not adequately prevent the oxidation of AsA during extraction because of the powerful oxidant effect of oxyhemoglobin. The problem was solved by adding SnCla in 10 per cent concentration to the HP03 solution; SnClz effectively reduces the oxyhemoglobin of animal tissues. Furthermore SnCh is a more convenient reagent, since it can be removed later in the procedure. The procedure developed consists of grinding the tissue under 10 per cent solution of stannous chloride in 5 per cent HPOI, after which enough 5 per cent metaphosphoric acid solution is added to make the SnCh. concentration 0.5 per cent. From data on melting points, nitrogen content, and chromatographic adsorption Penney and Zilva (3) came to the conclusion that the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives of AsA, DHA, and DKA are the same compound. Absorption curves of the derivatives of DHA and DKA, prepared by ourselves, also indicate that these derivatives are identical substances. Penney and Zilva (3) have postulated that 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine couples only with DKA and, therefore, DHA gives rise to a derivative in
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

With the current epidemic of obesity spreading worldwide, surgical weight loss has been shown to be the most effective treatment. However, severely obese patients, that is, those with a body mass index (BMI) over 60, have an increased number of comorbid conditions and thus an increased operative risk. Several studies have demonstrated an increased rate of complications with weightloss surgery in this group of patients with approximately two to three times greater risk of morbidity and mortality than the morbidly obese patient with a BMI less than 60 (1, 2, 3).
Assessment of adolescent optimism: Measurement invariance across gender and race/ethnicity

Abstract Introduction Optimism is viewed as an important resource for resilience and is associated with various wellbeing outcomes, yet few measures of optimism have been validated for use with adolescents. The aim of this study was to (a) test the factor structure invariance of the School Success Profile Success Orientation scale across gender and four racial/ethnic groups and (b) estimate group-level differences in optimism. Methods Data from a diverse sample of adolescents ( N = 2063; mean 12.3 years; 52% female) from the southeastern United States were examined using multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis. Models for configural, metric, and scalar invariance were tested using WLSMV estimation in Mplus. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized one-factor model and indicated scalar invariance across gender and the four racial/ethnic (i.e., African American, Caucasian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American) groups. Cross-group comparisons of latent factor means indicated statistically significant differences in self-reported optimism. Female respondents reported higher optimism than males. Among the four racial/ethnic groups, African American youth reported the highest optimism levels. Native American youth reported higher optimism than Caucasian and Hispanic/Latino youth. Conclusions Results suggest the Success Orientation scale is appropriate for many assessment and evaluation purposes, including the assessment of optimism across gender and race/ethnicity and the investigation of substantive questions regarding cross-cultural differences in adolescents' expectations of the future.
Cancer Immunity and Gene Expression Data: A Quick Tool for Immunophenotype Evaluation.

The rapid advancement of next generation sequencing technology has resulted in accumulation of many datasets in cancer clinical and research laboratories, many of which do not have bioinformaticians. Xu and colleagues developed a user-friendly web-based tool to define the tumor immunophenotype among patients with cancer. By uploading user-defined datasets on the web, it can systematically track, analyze, and visualize the status of anticancer immune activity and the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. This tool can help immunologists and clinical researchers to perform quick, efficient, and comprehensive analysis of the tumor immunophenotype. See related article by Xu et al., p. 6575
Abnormally High, as Well as Low, Preoperative Platelet Counts Correlate With Adverse Outcomes and Readmissions After Elective Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Laboratory studies are routinely performed as a part of the preoperative workup for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The ramifications of abnormal preoperative platelet counts remain uncharacterized in large, multicenter patient populations. Methods Patients who underwent elective primary TKA were identified in the 2011-2015 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Risk of 30-day postoperative complications was calculated as a function of preoperative platelet counts. Patients were characterized as having a normal platelet count, abnormally low platelet count, and abnormally high platelet count based on relative risk calculations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to associate abnormal platelet counts with patient demographics, operative variables, 30-day postoperative complications, and readmissions. Results In total, 140,073 patients who underwent elective TKA were identified. Using the relative risk threshold of 1.5 for any adverse event, abnormally low and abnormally high platelet count thresholds were set at ≤116,000/mL and ≥492,000/mL, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed low platelet counts to be associated with higher rates of any, major, and minor adverse events and longer length of stay. Analogously, high platelet counts were associated with higher rates of any and minor adverse events and longer length of stay. Conclusion The present study employed a large patient sample size and showed that elective TKA patients with abnormally high, as well as low, platelet counts are at increased risk of postoperative adverse outcomes. Focused attention needs to be paid to TKA patients with preoperative abnormal platelet counts for optimization and postoperative care. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Designing air-independent slippery rough surfaces for condensation

Abstract Enhancing condensation heat transfer is significant for power generation, heat exchangers, water harvesting, and air-conditioning. While superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) are widely studied for condensation, this type of surface suffers from several weaknesses: (1) the hydrophobic surface chemistry does not favor nucleation, (2) the air lubricant has poor thermal conductivity, and (3) the air pocket may be displaced at an elevated humidity or subcooling. Patterned SHS can enhance vapor nucleation in the hydrophilic domains, but the superhydrophobic domains still rely on the air lubricant, resulting in the same weakness as SHS. Recently, the liquid infused surfaces have been developed by replacing the air lubricant with liquid lubricant, leading to more robust lubrication for liquid repellency. However, the original design of liquid infused surfaces shows a flat lubricant-water interface, which cannot provide a large contact area for heat transfer. Here, we successfully designed and manufactured the air-independent slippery rough surfaces (SRS) by conformal liquid lubrication on the rough solid surfaces. The surface chemistry of the SRS is governed by the liquid lubricant, not the solid textures, and the roughness is determined by the lubricated microtextures. Droplets are highly mobile on this air-independent slippery rough surface in the absence of air lubricant. Our comprehensive models provide rational design and optimization for the air-independent slippery rough surface that is highly desired in condensation heat transfer.
Noachian climatic conditions on Mars inferred from valley network junction angles

Abstract Valley networks (VNs) on Mars offer convincing evidence for its past water activities. Previous research empirically and theoretically suggested that the geometry properties, such as junction angles, of streams on Earth formed under different climatic conditions are different. Thus the geometry properties of VNs can be used to infer the early Mars climatic conditions under which VNs were formed. The frequency distribution of junction angles is less influenced by the post-formational modification processes than valley density and cross-section and can be accurately extracted from low resolution data. We first analyzed the association between the junction angles and environmental factors on Earth. The results suggested that the climatic factors are stronger than or on par with the geologic factors in controlling junction angles and that climatic parameters Aridity Index (AI) and Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) can be estimated from junction angles. We then applied the associations between terrestrial junction angle and climatic conditions to estimate the AI and MAP of Mars, considering the different solar radiation of the two planets. The spatial analysis of inferred climatic conditions showed that the Noachian Mars had an active global hydrological cycling and Mars was “warm” during the VNs' formation period. The duration of “warm” Mars is estimated by the ratio between the required water volume to form VNs and the runoff discharge derived from MAP. The range of “warm” period is from ∼4.4 to ∼77 million years. The results support the hypothesis that Mars was “episodically warm”.
A Method Towards Smart Manufacturing Capabilities and Performance Measurement

Abstract Smart manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing paradigm where information and communication technologies (ICTs) are integrated thoroughly into manufacturing system. Although smart manufacturing makes it possible for companies to become more agile, more adaptive to a changing environment, companies can hardly implement it in a cost-effective way because they still lack an understanding of their status quo and the goal. In this paper, an empirical method is proposed to measure the smart manufacturing capabilities and performances of a company. It firstly defines six capability levels to locate the development stage of a company. Additionally, a measurement framework is put forward to guide the measurement process. Furthermore, the measurement involves both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the activities from the seven dimensions. Four facets, “Resource”, “Technology”, “Organization” and “Ambiance”, are used to judge the capability level of each dimension. The global capability level is derived by the synthesis of the results of all the dimensions. The method can be used to develop a roadmap precisely tailored to each individual company to help it achieve the most of smart manufacturing. To show its feasibility and effectiveness, one case study is presented at the end of this paper.
Blogging Wounded Manhood: Negotiating Hegemonic Masculinity and the Crisis of the Male (In)fertile Body

Male (in)fertility blogs intervene into vernacular and public conceptions of both infertility and manliness. (In)fertility is a destabilizing condition that leads some men to feel marginalized by t...
Blacks Are Less Likely to Present With Strokes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations From the Buckle of the Stroke Belt.

Background and Purpose: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke systems has not been systematically evaluated. Our study aims to investigate trends in telestroke co...
A finite element model of conduction, convection, and phase change near a solid/melt interface

Detailed understanding of heat transfer and fluid flow is required for many aerospace thermal systems. These systems often include phase change and operate over a range of accelerations or effective gravitational fields. An approach to analyzing such systems is presented which requires the simultaneous solution of the conservation laws of energy, momentum, and mass, as well as an equation of state. The variable property form of the governing equations are developed in two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates for a Newtonian fluid. A numerical procedure for solving the governing equations is presented and implemented in a computer program. The Galerkin form of the finite element method is used to solve the spatial variation of the field variables, along with the implicit Crank-Nicolson time marching algorithm. Quadratic Langrangian elements are used for the internal energy and the two components of velocity. Linear Lagrangian elements are used for the pressure. The location of the solid/liquid interface as well as the temperatures are determined form the calculated internal energy and pressure. This approach is quite general in that it can describe heat transfer without phase change, phase change with a sharp interface, and phase change without an interface. Analytical results from this model are compared to those of other researchers studying transient conduction, convection, and phase change and are found to be in good agreement. The numerical procedure presented requires significant computer resources, but this is not unusual when compared to similar studies by other researchers. Several methods are suggested to reduce the computational times.