cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GraphSpace: sharing and collaborating through networks on the web

Networks, known mathematically as graphs, have become ubiquitous in computational biology. These graphs are used to represent systems such as protein interaction networks, transcriptional regulatory networks, or gene ontology. The study of these networks often occur at an interdisciplinary interface of computational and experimental biodlogy, where computational hypotheses generated by network algorithms may be experimentally validated.Network visualization is a crucial component in computationally-driven experimental biology, and serves a common platform for in communicating results with collaborators from multiple disciplines. Many websites exist for visualizing network results, but they tend to be specific to the computational algorithm used. We present GraphSpace, an easy-to-use web-based platform for storing, interacting with, and sharing biological networks.
Barriers to Nutritional Well-Being for Rural Elders: Community Experts' Perceptions

Older adults use public and private services, as well as personal resources, to meet nutritional needs. In-depth interviews conducted with 73 service providers and community experts in two rural North Carolina counties were analyzed for these experts' perceptions of barriers to adequate nutrition for older adults. Perceived barriers included characteristics of the county and programs, transportation, and kin, as well as older adult medical and economic conditions, food habits, knowledge, and attitudes. The importance given each of these domains varied by respondents' area of expertise. Community experts and providers may not see the connection between their services and nutritional well-being of older adults.
Scheduling a Life Science High-Throughput Platform under Starvation Constraints Using Timed Transition Petri Nets and Heuristic Search

High-throughput (HT) platforms have been increasingly used in the life science area for diverse bio-chemical experiments. This paper addresses the scheduling of HT platform based experiments under multiple constraints, such as operation constraints, resource constraints and starvation constraints. We use timed transition Petri nets (PN) to model the experimental process with constraints. We first propose the transition variant property of the PN model. We then propose the HCH (Hong-Chow-Haaland) algorithm, which is customized from A* algorithm, to find a feasible solution. HCH algorithm is more efficient than L1 algorithm and most other A* extended algorithms in identification of new markings when applied to the transition variant PN. We then applied HCH algorithm to two typical HT processes. The results show that HCH algorithm can be used to find optimal solutions with the time complexity of identifying new markings less than 2% of the L1 algorithm.
A methodology for systematic built-in self-test of phase-locked loops targeting at parametric failures

Test of phase-locked loops (PLLs) has been hampered by the complex mixed-signal nature of the system operation. While several built-in self-test (BIST) schemes have been proposed to reduce the cost of PLL test, a systematic BIST development methodology, specially targeting at the growing parametric failures in nanometer VLSI technologies, is yet to be developed. In this paper, we first present a detailed bottom- up parametric PLL macromodeling approach that is developed to realistically map the device-level process variations to the variations in system-level performances. Our parametric modeling techniques allow us to examine the correlations between the system performances and specific BIST measurements feasibly through behavioral-levels simulations. By exploiting our modeling infrastructure, an efficient methodology is then developed to facilitate evaluation and optimization of PLL BIST schemes. The proposed methodology is enabled by novel circuit-level macromodeling and powerful statistical dimension reduction techniques, the latter of which are employed to cope with the challenges imposed by the large number of process variations that must be considered. The application of our BIST development methodology is demonstrated by generating optimized BIST schemes that produce low mis-prediction levels for detection of parametric failures of charge-pump PLLs.
Smell/taste: odors in reality

The Deep Immersion Virtual Environment Laboratory at SwRI has been promoting to clients the use of virtual environments for training hazardous duties. The research during this effort created a testbed system for producing odor and radiant heat cues for firefighter training virtual environments. From this research came a conceptual strawman of a firefighter training system called the Advanced Virtual Environment Real-Time Fire Trainer (AVERT-FT). >
Design of wavelength converting switches for optical burst switching

Optical burst switching (OBS) is an experimental network technology that enables the construction of very high capacity routers, using optical data paths and electronic control. In this paper, we study two designs for wavelength converting switches that are suitable for use in optical burst switching systems and evaluate their performance. Both designs use tunable lasers to implement wavelength conversion. One is a strictly nonblocking design, that also requires optical crossbars. The second substitutes wavelength grating routers (WGR) for the optical crossbars, reducing cost, but introducing some potential for blocking. We show how the routing problem for the WGR-based switches can be formulated as a combinatorial puzzle or game, in which the design of the game board corresponds to the pattern of interconnections used to join the input sections of the switch to the output sections. We use this to show how the interconnection pattern affects the performance of the switch, and to facilitate the design of interconnection patterns that yield the best performance. Our results show that for a typical switch configuration, the WGR-based design can deliver more than 87% of the throughput of a fully nonblocking switch.
Wavenumber domain focusing of squinted SAR data with a curved orbit geometry

Synthetic Aperture Radar systems provide raw data that need focusing to achieve full-resolution imaging. Current SAR applications, including interferometry, require accurate, phase-preserving, and precisely co-registered coherent images over large ground swaths with the highest achievable resolution. In addition to these challenges, stripmap SAR data may be acquired with an off-broadside (squinted) geometry, either by design or through platform motion. The precise batch focusing of these large aperture and wide bandwidth data sets is known to require a 2D frequency processing approach. The standard wave domain focusing algorithm, however, is only exact for data acquired on a rectilinear trajectory. We investigate a generalization of the standard omega-k focusing formulation that allows curved data acquisition tracks. The new formulation can be used in conjunction with a known extension for conical, squinted imaging grids. The approximations necessary to allow the generalized geometry are analysed to determines the range of applicability of the proposed algorithm. The theory is validated using data simulated with parameters similar to the UAVSAR L-band SAR system.
Rapid response to infliximab in severe pustular psoriasis, von Zumbusch type

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a chemokine secreted by T cells which is thought to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. The monoclonal antibody, infliximab, complexes with TNF-alpha, rendering it inactive. A recent clinical trial has reported the clinical benefit and safety of infliximab in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. We report a case of rapid response and clinical benefit using infliximab in severe pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch.
Impacts on Emergency Department Visits from Personal Responsibility Provisions: Evidence from West Virginia's Medicaid Redesign

Objective To examine the impact of a 2007 redesign of West Virginia's Medicaid program, which included an incentive and “nudging” scheme intended to encourage better health care behaviors and reduce Emergency Department (ED) visits. Data Sources West Virginia Medicaid enrollment and claims data from 2005 to 2010. Study Design We utilized a “differences in differences” technique with individual and time fixed effects to assess the impact of redesign on ED visits. Starting in 2007, categorically eligible Medicaid beneficiaries were moved from traditional Medicaid to the new Mountain Health Choices (MHC) Program on a rolling basis, approximating a natural experiment. Members chose between a Basic plan, which was less generous than traditional Medicaid, or an Enhanced plan, which was more generous but required additional enrollment steps. Data Collection Data were obtained from the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services. Principal Findings We found that contrary to intentions, the MHC program increased ED visits. Those who selected or defaulted into the Basic plan experienced increased overall and preventable ED visits, while those who selected the Enhanced plan experienced a slight reduction in preventable ED visits; the net effect was an increase in ED visits, as most individuals enrolled in the Basic plan.
Passage of downstream migrant American eels through an airlift-assisted deep bypass

Abstract Traditional downstream guidance and bypass facilities for anadromous fishes (i.e., surface bypasses, surface guidance structures, and behavioral barriers) have frequently been ineffective for anguillid eels. Because eels typically spend the majority of their time near the bottom in the vicinity of intake structures, deep bypass structures with entrances near the bottom hold promise for increased effectiveness, thereby aiding in the recovery of this important species. A new design of a deep bypass system that uses airlift technology (the Conte Airlift Bypass) to induce flow in a bypass pipe was tested in a simulated intake entrance environment under controlled laboratory conditions. Water velocities of 0.9–1.5 m s −1 could be generated at the bypass entrance (opening with 0.073 m 2 area), with corresponding flows through the bypass pipe of 0.07–0.11 m 3 s −1 . Gas saturation and hydrostatic pressure within the bypass pipe did not vary appreciably from a control (no air) condition under tested airflows. Migratory silver-phase American eels ( Anguilla rostrata ) tested during dark conditions readily located, entered, and passed through the bypass; initial avoidance rates (eels approaching but not entering the bypass entrance) were lower at higher entrance velocities. Eels that investigated the bypass pipe entrance tended to enter headfirst, but those that then exited the pipe upstream did so more frequently at lower entrance velocities. Eels appeared to swim against the flow while being transported downstream through the pipe; median transit times through the bypass for each test velocity ranged from 5.8 to 12.2 s, with transit time decreasing with increasing entrance velocity. Eels did not show strong avoidance of the vertical section of the pipe which contained injected air. No mortality or injury of bypassed eels was observed, and individual eels repeatedly passed through the bypass at rates of up to 40 passes per hour, suggesting that individuals do not avoid repeated entrainment through the bypass. Airlift technology appears to be a viable method for increasing passage effectiveness for American eels through a deep bypass system.
Purification and Electrophoretic Characterization of Lactate Dehydrogenase from Mammalian Blood: A Different Twist on a Classic Experiment

A multiweek protein purification suite, suitable for upper-division biochemistry or biotechnology undergraduate students, is described. Students work in small teams to isolate the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from a nontraditional tissue source, mammalian blood, using a sequence of three column chromatographic procedures: ion-exchange, size exclusion, and affinity chromatography. Protein and enzyme activity elution profiles are determined by graphical analysis of assay data collected using rapid microplate spectrophotometric assays. Students perform quantitative assays on LDH pools and use these data to build a purification table for use in evaluating the protocol. The protocol typically generates final overall fold-purifications from 1500 to 2500 and activity recoveries of 45–60%. Electrophoretic separations in both denaturing and native-gel format are analyzed both visually and by use of commercial digital analysis software to assess the isoenzyme pattern of isolated LDH and to further evaluate th...
In-situ fluorescence imaging of sol-gel thin film deposition

Pyranine was used as a fluorescence probe to monitor the chemical evolution in-situ during thin film deposition by the dip coating process. The sensitivity of the pyranine luminescence to protonation/deprotonation effects was used to quantify changes in the water/alcohol ratio in real time within the depositing film as the substrate was withdrawn from the coating reservoir. The spatially resolved spectral results clearly showed that preferential evaporation of alcohol occurred with increasing distance from the reservoir and that the maximum water content reached rather high values near the drying line. Correlation of the luminescence results with the interference pattern of the drawn films allows the solvent composition in the film to be mapped as a function of film thickness. These experiments demonstrate for the first time that luminescent organic molecules may be applied to the processing science of sol-gel thin film deposition.
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation

This video demonstrates noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. In certain conditions, this technique offers the benefits of invasive ventilation with fewer of the risks that are associated with intubation.
Comparative Behavior and Competition Between Two Aphid Hyperparasites: Alloxysta victrix and Asaphes californicus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae; Pteromalidae)

A series of laboratory experiments was conducted to study one of the possible explanations why the endoparasitic hyperparasite, Alloxysta victrix (Westwood), was numerically more abundant by a 2:1 ratio in previous field studies over the ectoparasitic hyperparasite, Asaphes californicus Girault. It was hypothesized that perhaps a time factor or the day of attack in reference to the developmental stage of the Alloxysta larva/pupa within the aphid mummy could influence the competitive success or failure of the female Asaphes in her attempt at hyperparasitization as a tertiary. The host aphid was the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), and the primary parasite was Aphidius smithi Sharma & Subba Rao. The developmental time of the 1st hyperparasite, Alloxysta, inside the aphid mummy was long enough to permit 11 test-days for attack by the 2nd hyperparasite, Asaphes . Results of these laboratory experiments on hyperparasite competition indicated that 89.3% of the hyperparasites which emerged from mummies containing Alloxysta and attacked by Asaphes during the 1st half of the test-period (Days 1–6) were Asaphes, and only 10.7% were Alloxysta. However, during the 2nd half of the test-period (Days 7–11), successful hyperparasitization by Asaphes decreased to 33.4%, and conversely 66.6% of the Alloxysta survived this attack and emerged as adults. Thus, the ectoparasitic Asaphes does not invariably dominate the endoparasitic Alloxysta when the 2 hyperparasites come into direct association, as had been supposed. The numerical abundance and apparent competitive superiority of Alloxysta over Asaphes in previous field studies is due not merely to its greater specificity and higher searching efficiency, but to its ability to compete successfully with Asaphes by increasingly surviving attack the later this occurs during its development inside the mummy.
Forecasting Subcritical and Supercritical Flutter Using Gust Responses

This work presents a unique method to forecast flutter (Hopf) bifurcations based on observations of the system only in the pre-bifurcation regime. New techniques are introduced in to enhance prediction accuracy for both low-frequency oscillations and large-dimensional dynamical systems. The method is applied to an aeroelastic system using its response to gust loads. Numerical results demonstrate that the method can predict the post-bifurcation regime accurately for both supercritical and subcritical flutter.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Abstract 5223: Towards MYC targeted cancer therapy: Noninvasive molecular imaging of c-Myc signaling

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC MYC protein regulates a variety of human genes and is deregulated in most of human cancers. The deregulation of MYC is at multiple levels, from gene transcription to mRNA translation and protein activity. Activation of Myc protein is phosphorylation-mediated and has been found to be essential for development of many cancers. Here, we developed a bioluminescent sensor, using protein assisted split luciferase complementation system, to noninvasively detect the phosphorylation-mediated activation of the cytoplasmic Myc (c-Myc). In this sensor system, the c-Myc phosphorylation motif and the phosphorylation recognition domain of GSK3beta were fused with the two split luciferase fragments respectively. Phosphorylation induced c-Myc interaction with GSK3beta resulted in complementation of the two split luciferases and reconstitution of luciferase activity. Signal of the optimal sensor was specific for the c-Myc phosphorylation. It detected as low as 2-fold higher levels of c-Myc phosphorylation in cancer cells versus normal cells. It also detected the temporal regulation pattern of c-Myc phosphorylation upon serum stimulation in normal cells. MAP kinase inhibitor, PD98059 and U0126, and Atorvastatin (AT), induced dose dependent signal reduction in tumor cells, which was correlated with the decrease of endogenous c-Myc phosphorylation. In mouse tumor xenograft models, the sensor detected the inhibitory effects of AT well before there was a detectable difference in tumor size (P<0.05). For the first time, we developed a sensor that can noninvasively monitor phosphorylation mediated c-Myc activation. It may also facilitate drug development by allowing rapid readout of inhibition effect in high throughput drug screen for MYC-targeted cancer therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5223.
Carbon Relations, the Role in Plant Diversification of

The carbon cycle pulses with life. Each year, atmospheric CO 2 concentrations rise and fall as the balance of photosynthesis and respiration shifts with the seasons. The related exchanges of carbon between atmosphere, land, and oceans may balance such that atmospheric CO 2 and the greenhouse effect change little between years. Over long time scales, geological processes and evolutionary change can shift the controls on the carbon cycle with major impacts on climate and biodiversity. Recent syntheses of comparative paleoclimatic and biogeochemical data document several episodes during earth’s history which illustrate how the carbon cycle can mediate feedback between biodiversity and climate.
Taking time, breaking codes: moments in white teacher candidates’ exploration of racism and teacher identity

AbstractIn three narrative vignettes, this paper challenges scholars and practitioners of teacher education to consider ways that our courses do and do not engage white teacher candidates to take on racially conscious orientations. The work addressed in this paper has implications for our understandings of how preservice teachers can learn about racial identity in ways that benefit individual teachers and support their work in schools and communities. These findings buttress previous work in ‘second wave’ white teacher identity research and can translate directly into teacher education course and program design. Simultaneously, this research speaks to the broader literature in teacher education, offering evidence to support the value of extended periods of time for new teachers to build authentic relationships and conduct critical study of self and society in a climate where teacher preparation programs face pressure to reduce credits to degree and intensify their focus on preparing students for externall...
Balloon valvuloplasty for critical pulmonary valve stenosis in newborn: A single center ten-year experience

Abstract Critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) represents an emergency in neonates. Percutanous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) is now the first therapeutic option. The study present our experience between April 2003 and June 2013. We analyzed 72 patients with CPS and they were followed up from 18months to 9years. BPV was accomplished in 68 neonates. Arterial oxygen saturation significantly elevated after the procedure. There were significant reductions in peak-to-peak pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve. 2 patients had hemopericardium. PGE1 was continued because the right ventricle showed a dynamic RV outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) in 7 patients. Two patients had PDA stent placement. Follow-up revealed a mean transpulmonary systolic gradient of
Teamwork and coordination under model uncertainty in DEC-POMDPs

Distributed Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (DEC-POMDPs) are a popular planning framework for multiagent teamwork to compute (near-) optimal plans. However, these methods assume a complete and correct world model, which is often violated in real-world domains. We provide a new algorithm for DEC-POMDPs that is more robust to model uncertainty, with a focus on domains with sparse agent interactions. Our STC algorithm relies on the following key ideas: (1) reduce planning-time computation by shifting some of the burden to execution-time reasoning, (2) exploit sparse interactions between agents, and (3) maintain an approximate model of agents' beliefs. We empirically show that STC is often substantially faster to existing DEC-POMDP methods without sacrificing reward performance.
The Sounds of the Phones: Dangers of Zero-Effort Second Factor Login based on Ambient Audio

Reducing user burden underlying traditional two-factor authentication constitutes an important research effort. An interesting representative approach, Sound-Proof, leverages ambient sounds to detect the proximity between the second factor device (phone) and the login terminal (browser). Sound-Proof was shown to be secure against remote attackers and highly usable, and is now under early deployment phases. In this paper, we identify a weakness of the Sound-Proof system, namely, the remote attacker does not have to predict the ambient sounds near the phone as assumed in the Sound-Proof paper, but rather can deliberately make-or wait for-the phone to produce predictable or previously known sounds (e.g., ringer, notification or alarm sounds). Exploiting this weakness, we build Sound-Danger, a full attack system that can successfully compromise the security of Sound-Proof. The attack involves buzzing the victim user's phone, or waiting for the phone to buzz, and feeding the corresponding sounds at the browser to login on behalf of the user. The attack works precisely under Sound-Proof's threat model. Our contributions are three-fold. First, we design and develop the Sound-Danger attack system that exploits a wide range of a smartphone's functionality to break Sound-Proof, such as by actively making a phone or VoIP call, sending an SMS and creating an app-based notification, or by passively waiting for the phone to trigger an alarm. Second, we re-implement Sound-Proof's audio correlation algorithm and evaluate it against Sound-Danger under a large variety of attack settings. Our results show that many of our attacks succeed with a 100% chance such that the Sound-Proof correlation algorithm will accept the attacked audio samples as valid. Third, we collect general population statistics via an online survey to determine the phone usage habits relevant to our attacks. We then use these statistics to show how our different correlation-based attacks can be carefully executed to, for instance, compromise about 57% user accounts in just the first attempt and about 83% user accounts in less than a day. Finally, we provide some mitigation strategies and future directions that may help overcome some of our attacks and strengthen Sound-Proof.
Sub-lethal effects on fish provide insight into a biologically-relevant threshold of hypoxia

Hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen) is a mounting concern for aquatic ecosystems as its prevalence increases with rising anthropogenic nutrient inputs. Hypoxia is most commonly defined as 2.0 mg l–1 of dissolved oxygen, although this level varies widely across studies and agency regulations. Such definitions may be too conservative, as ecologically-relevant non-lethal effects (e.g. consumption and growth) of hypoxia on important aquatic species, such as fish, often occur at oxygen levels much higher than 2.0 mg l–1. In addition, many mechanisms that regulate hypoxia tolerance in fish have been proposed, including temperature, habitat, location in the water column, and body size, but there is ongoing debate over which mechanisms are most important. Using a structured meta-analysis of published studies, we showed consistent, significant negative effects on fish growth and consumption below 4.5 mg l–1. While the total amount of variation explained was generally low, below 4.5 mg l–1 of dissolved oxygen, phylogenetic relationships accounted for most of the explained variation in fish growth. Ecological factors including body size, location in the water column (pelagic, demersal, or benthopelagic), habitat (freshwater, marine, or diadromous), and temperature explained very little of the effect of hypoxia on fish growth and explained only a moderate level of variation in consumption. Our results suggest a dramatically higher threshold for sub-lethal effects of hypoxia on fish than oxygen levels generally set for regulation purposes, and provide little support for accepted ecological mechanisms thought to influence hypoxia tolerance.
A network of helping: Generalized reciprocity and cooperative behavior in response to peer and staff affirmations and corrections among therapeutic community residents.

Background: Clinical theory in therapeutic communities (TCs) for substance abuse treatment emphasizes the importance of peer interactions in bringing about change. This implies that residents will ...
Photodynamic therapy for dermatologic conditions in the pediatric population: a literature review.

Background Photodynamic therapy (PDT), using topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA), has been used for years to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions, including actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and in situ squamous cell carcinoma. While there is a wide range of neoplastic and non-neoplastic skin diseases for which ALA-PDT is used in adults, there is a knowledge gap when it comes to its use in children. This review highlights what is currently known regarding the use and efficacy of this therapy in the pediatric population. Methods A PubMed search was conducted to identify studies including pediatric patients undergoing monotherapy PDT with topical aminolevulinate (published 2005-2016). Results 20 pediatric articles were identified. ALA-PDT has been used successfully in children to reduce the number and size of basal cell tumors, inflammatory acne lesions, plantar warts, and linear porokeratoses. Conclusions ALA-PDT may be an attractive alternative to surgery for children with basal cell nevus syndrome, or to conventional destructive and/or topical methods used for plantar warts or linear porokeratoses. PDT can be considered for inflammatory acne when topical treatments have failed and systemic medications are not an option. Pain associated with treatment and insurance coverage may be a barrier to use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Using a creativity framework to promote teacher learning in lesson study

Abstract We examine whether an adaptation to lesson study using a creativity framework promotes teacher learning. Lesson study is a professional development model that engages teachers in a cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting upon a lesson with the purpose of understanding how to optimize students’ learning opportunities. The adaptation to lesson study intended to increase teachers’ capabilities for studying instructional materials before planning a lesson. We use data from a geometry study group where 6 geometry teachers who had not previously worked together investigated instructional materials for designing a lesson. The findings show evidence of teacher learning in relation to three visible changes. First, the teachers increased their mathematical knowledge for teaching by demonstrating the relationships between curricular concepts and anticipations of student thinking. Secondly, the teachers advanced the development of a professional community by using a shared language, considering a framework for understanding students’ prior knowledge, and developing mutual accountability to provide high-quality instruction. Finally, the teachers developed teaching and learning resources by identifying ideas for the lesson and designing tasks that use students’ prior knowledge to develop mathematical understandings. The study provides a case of using a creativity framework to make lesson study viable in other contexts different than Japan and promote teacher learning in professional development.
Battlefront Volunteers: Mapping and Deconstructing Civilian Resilience Networks in Ukraine

Social networks play an instrumental role in maintaining civilian resilience. During natural disasters and military conflicts, people use online platforms in an effort to reduce loss of human life and foster access to resources in their communities. The emergent mode of collective action, aimed at mitigating casualties by organizing into self-reliant human networks, highlights the infrastructural properties of social media. In a non-deterministic sense, platform affordances define associations and processes that constitute the social infrastructures at the core of civilian resilience networks. This study uses infrastructure ethnography to advance the theoretical understanding of social infrastructures in the context of the ongoing military conflict in eastern Ukraine. Between 2014 and 2016, building upon existing capacities of Facebook, thousands of Ukrainian civilians engaged in a collaborative effort to provide ordnance and supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, preventing the violent conflict from spreading further into the Ukrainian territory. Drawing upon network analysis and a set of in-depth interviews with the volunteers involved in these initiatives, I map and deconstruct the civilian resilience networks, illuminating the use of Facebook by the battlefront volunteer groups in creating social infrastructures.
Do words matter? health care providers’ use of the term prediabetes

Communication of risk is not solely the transfer of information; it is an interaction and exchange of ideas between concerned individuals. Health care provider communication about type 2 diabetes r...
Development of a standard capture efficiency test method for residential kitchen ventilation

Cooking activities are a major source of indoor air pollutants. To control pollutants generated from cooking activities, a range hood is commonly used in residential kitchens. Several building code...
Confronting Immigration Myths with the Reality: A Necessary Perspective for Culturally Grounded Social Work Practice

The aim of this article is to address the most common myths about immigration in the United States. Similar to the anti-immigrant sentiment of the 1800s, the immigration debate today is filled with...
DRL-cloud: deep reinforcement learning-based resource provisioning and task scheduling for cloud service providers

Cloud computing has become an attractive computing paradigm in both academia and industry. Through virtualization technology, Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) that own data centers can structure physical servers into Virtual Machines (VMs) to provide services, resources, and infrastructures to users. Profit-driven CSPs charge users for service access and VM rental, and reduce power consumption and electric bills so as to increase profit margin. The key challenge faced by CSPs is data center energy cost minimization. Prior works proposed various algorithms to reduce energy cost through Resource Provisioning (RP) and/or Task Scheduling (TS). However, they have scalability issues or do not consider TS with task dependencies, which is a crucial factor that ensures correct parallel execution of tasks. This paper presents DRL-Cloud, a novel Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL)-based RP and TS system, to minimize energy cost for large-scale CSPs with very large number of servers that receive enormous numbers of user requests per day. A deep Q-learning-based two-stage RP-TS processor is designed to automatically generate the best long-term decisions by learning from the changing environment such as user request patterns and realistic electric price. With training techniques such as target network, experience replay, and exploration and exploitation, the proposed DRL-Cloud achieves remarkably high energy cost efficiency, low reject rate as well as low runtime with fast convergence. Compared with one of the state-of-the-art energy efficient algorithms, the proposed DRL-Cloud achieves up to 320% energy cost efficiency improvement while maintaining lower reject rate on average. For an example CSP setup with 5,000 servers and 200,000 tasks, compared to a fast round-robin baseline, the proposed DRL-Cloud achieves up to 144% runtime reduction.
Advanced Assessment of the Upper Limb in Tetraplegia: A Three-Tiered Approach to Characterizing Paralysis

Background: More than half of all individuals who sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) experience some degree of impairment in the upper limb. Functional use of the arm and hand is of paramount importance to these individuals. Fortunately, the number of clinical trials and advanced interventions targeting upper limb function are increasing, generating optimism for improved recovery and restoration after SCI. New interventions for restoring function and improving recovery require more detailed examination of the motor capacities of the upper limb. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to introduce a three-tiered approach to evaluating motor function, with specific attention to the characteristics of weak and fully paralyzed muscles during acute rehabilitation. The three tiers include (1) evaluation of voluntary strength via manual muscle testing, (2) evaluation of lower motor neuron integrity in upper motor neuron-paralyzed muscles using surface electrical stimulation, and (3) evaluation of latent motor responses in paralyzed muscles that exhibit a strong response to electrical stimulation, using surface electromyographic recording electrodes. These characteristics contribute important information that can be utilized to mitigate potential secondary conditions such as contractures and identify effective interventions such as activity-based interventions or reconstructive procedures. Our goal is to encourage frontline clinicians - occupational and physical therapists who are experts in muscle assessment - to consider a more in-depth analysis of paralysis after SCI. Conclusion: Given the rapid advancements in SCI research and clinical interventions, it is critical that methods of evaluation and classification evolve. The success or failure of these interventions may depend on the specific characteristics identified in our three-tiered assessment. Without this assessment, the physiological starting point for each individual is unknown, adding significant variability in the outcomes of these interventions.
Menthol facilitates dopamine-releasing effect of nicotine in rat nucleus accumbens.

Menthol is a significant flavoring additive in tobacco products. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that menthol may promote tobacco smoking and nicotine dependence. Our previous studies demonstrated that menthol enhanced nicotine reinforcement in rats. However, it is unclear whether menthol interacts with nicotine at the neurochemical level. The present study used intracranial microdialysis to examine whether and the ways in which menthol affects nicotine-induced dopamine release in rats in the nucleus accumbens core (NAc), a terminal field of brain reward circuitry. To make comparisons with our previous work that showed an enhancing effect of menthol on nicotine self-administration behavior, male Sprague-Dawley rats were first trained in 20 daily 1-h sessions to press a lever for intravenous nicotine self-administration (15 μg/kg/infusion). Dopamine levels were then measured in the right NAc using intracranial microdialysis coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography. Five minutes before microdialysis, the rats received an intraperitoneal injection of menthol (0, 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg), a subcutaneous injection of nicotine (0.2 mg/kg or its vehicle), or both. Menthol alone did not affect dopamine levels in dialysates, whereas nicotine alone elevated dopamine levels. Combined nicotine and menthol administration significantly increased dopamine levels compared with nicotine alone. These data indicate a facilitating effect of menthol on nicotine-induced dopamine release in the NAc. These findings shed light on our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the menthol-induced enhancement of nicotine reinforcement.
A Contextual Theory of Counseling

This article proposes a contextualist approach to counseling wherein contexts are seen as being more than “situational” or merely backdrops. It is assumed that there is meaning within contexts deri...
Intergovernmental Lobbying in the United States: Assessing the Benefits of Accumulated Knowledge:

In the last fifteen years, there has been a significant accumulation of research on lobbyists and lobbying offices that represent state and local governments either in Washington or in state capita...
Aesthetic Comparison between Subcuticular Suture and Staple Closure of Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Incision Scars: A Prospective Controlled Single-blinded Trial.

Introduction Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) procedures are common and neck scar appearance is important aesthetically. This study compared subcuticular suture closure with staple closure regarding the aesthetics of the neck incision scar. Methods A single-blinded comparative prospective study with two cohorts involving one facility and multiple surgeons was done to study all consecutive patients who underwent one/two-level ACDF operations from 2015-2016. We excluded patients with corpectomies, postoperative wound infection, reoperations in the same admission, any previous ACDF operations, non-compliance in follow-up, and inability to give informed consent. We did single-layer skin stapling without platysma closure or subcuticular suture with platysma closure. Patients followed up between 1.5 and six months. We used the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES), range 0-5 with five being the best score. Digital images were taken in a standardized manner and saved in a secure database. A blinded plastic surgeon and a blinded neurosurgeon, not involved in the operation, evaluated the scars using SBSES. A priori sample size using a clinically significant difference of one was determined. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used; a p-value Results We studied 93 staple and 66 suture closures. There is no significant difference between the groups regarding age, sex, the incidence of diabetes, smoking, obesity (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2), chemotherapy or the length of the incision. There is no statistically significant difference regarding SBSES as evaluated by the plastic surgeon (staples vs. sutures, median 2 vs. 2, range 0-5, p = 0.32). There is a statistically significant difference as evaluated by the neurosurgeon (staples vs. sutures, median 4 vs. 3, range 0-5, p = 0.003). Post hoc power analysis was 0.90. Conclusion Using the validated SBSES to assess the aesthetic outcome of ACDF scars, we demonstrated that staples and sutures provide equivalent aesthetic outcomes per plastic surgeon evaluation, and staple closure results in statistically significant better aesthetic outcomes per neurosurgeon evaluation.
“You’ll never meet someone like me again”: Patty Jenkins’s Monster as Rogue Cinema

Film is a powerful medium that can influence audience’s perceptions, values and ideals. As filmmaking evolved into a serious art form, it became a powerful tool for telling stories that require us to re-examine our ideology. While it remains popular to adapt a literary novel or text for the screen, filmmakers have more freedom to pick and choose the stories they want to tell. This freedom allows filmmakers to explore narratives that might otherwise go unheard, which include stories that feature marginal figures, such as serial killers, as sympathetic protagonists, which is what director Patty Jenkins achieves in her 2003 film Monster. Charlize Theron’s transformation into and performance as Aileen Wuornos, and Jenkins’s presentation of the subject matter, make this film an example of rogue cinema. In addition, Aileen Wuornos is portrayed as a clear example of the rogue character. This character trope frequently defies social standards, suffers from past trauma, is psychologically complex, and is often exiled. As a prostitute and social outcast, Aileen Wuornos exists on the fringes of society and rejects the hegemonic power structure and later heteronormativity of society, which makes her a rogue figure. While there are several aspects to consider when analyzing Jenkins’s film, my intention is to argue that this film is an example of rogue cinema because of its content. In order to accomplish this task, I examine Theron’s bodily transformation and her performance as Wuornos. Furthermore, I look at how Jenkins handles the depiction of romantic love and gendered violence and argue that her treatment of this content renders this film rogue.
Developments in thermal-hydraulic sub-channel modeling for whole core multi-physics simulations

Abstract The focus of this article is on current developments of thermal-hydraulic sub-channel codes and associated nuclear fuel rod models for high-fidelity light water reactor (LWR) core multi-physics applications. The advanced thermal-hydraulics sub-channel code CTF is selected as an example. CTF is a shortened name given to a version of the legacy code COBRA-TF. Reactor Dynamics and Fuel Modeling Group at North Carolina State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are jointly developing CTF. The code has been integrated in the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of LWRs Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications code system. Within the CTF user’s group, the code is being used for different applications in academia, research institutions and industry. Recent developments and applications of CTF for LWR multi-physics modeling and simulation and associated verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification analyses are summarized. In addition, acceleration techniques and parallelization strategies for improving the computational efficiency for whole LWR core sub-channel calculations are briefly introduced. Special attention is given to the high-to-low fidelity model information approach for CTF improvements. Recent developments related to residual-based sub-channel equations and physics-informed data-driven modeling are discussed.
Feeder Impact Assessment of Smart Inverter Settings to Support High PV Penetration in California

Smart PV inverter functions have the potential to allow integrating increased PV penetration levels without the need of costly distribution upgrade measures. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of using California Rule 21 Phase I and Phase III smart inverter functions to increase PV hosting capacity. In particular, Volt-var, Volt-watt, and Limit Maximum Real Power functions are analyzed to increase PV hosting capacity by 25% on five real California distribution feeders. Comprehensive simulations are performed on each function over a range of settings, PV/load conditions, and feeder characteristics. Detailed analysis is shown to assess the impact that the settings have on numerous feeder metrics. Volt-var function with var priority is shown to be successful in improving hosting capacity with minimal PV energy curtailment. Additionally, smart inverter functions are compared against the distribution upgrade measures that would otherwise be required to increase the hosting capacity.
Complement potentiation of phagocyte-mediated ADCC of HSV-infected corneal cells.

The authors have shown previously that rabbit alveolar macrophages, peritoneal exudate macrophages, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes are highly effective mediators of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected rabbit stromal keratocytes. Using a completely homologous system of nonimmune rabbit phagocytes, anti-HSV serum, complement, and HSV-infected stromal keratocyte targets, the authors have found significant potentiation of ADCC by complement. Lymphocyte-mediated ADCC, on the other hand, was not potentiated by complement. Using a 1:100 dilution of complement (noncytolytic in antibody-mediated lysis) and a 1:10 dilution of antiserum obtained from rabbits undergoing stromal keratitis, ADCC mediated by the three phagocytic cell types was augmented by approximately 22%. For example, using alveolar macrophages as effector cells, the addition of complement increased the level of ADCC From 40% to 60%, a 20% increase. Percent ADCC was augmented less by complement at higher antiserum dilutions. However, the percent of the total ADCC attributable to complement potentiation increased at these higher antiserum dilutions. In some cases, ADCC was not detectable at these high antiserum dilutions without the added complement. The potentiating effect was observed at complement dilutions as high as 1:400. Further dilution or heat-inactivation resulted in ADCC values comparable to those obtained without complement. Target cells exposed to complement alone were not killed by phagocytes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 25:440446, 1984 Stromal keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common corneal disease in humans. Its importance stems from the frequency of initial attacks and from the likelihood that recurrences will lead to progressive scarring of the cornea. Most evidence suggests an immunologic basis for the corneal damage from recurrent disease.' Histologic data has shown the presence of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltrates in rabbit corneal stromas following induction of herpetic stromal keratitis. 23 The presence of viral surface antigens on stromal keratocytes of HSV-infected rabbit corneas has also been documented. 4 ' 5 Of the many complex immunologic processes that may operate during the course of herpetic stromal keratitis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) may play an important role. Data from this laboratory have established that rabbit phagocytes from various anatomical sites act as efficient effector cells in ADCC of HSV-infected rabbit corneal cells. 6 Rabbit lympho