cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coarse Grained Free Energy Functional for Lennard-Jones Systems

Results are presented for the coarse grained distribution function and Ginzburg-Landau free energy function for coexistence of liquid and gas phases. These distribution functions were obtained by two different methods: 1) the compilation of particle density information from different coarse-grained cells using the canonical ensemble, and 2) the compilation of energy and density information from a single simulation cell by tuning the chemical potential using the grand-canonical ensemble. Both methods permit the calculation of a coarse-grained free energy functional which links the atomic and mesoscopic length scales.
Message in a bottle: business education's impact on African BOP entrepreneurs

Developing human capital is a potentially powerful way to improve economies. The potential impact for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid (BOP) can be tremendous. This qualitative study of one general entrepreneurship curriculum aimed at BOP entrepreneurs, message in a bottle (McCormick and Gray, 2011b), suggests that marketing education can have the greatest impact on these entrepreneurs and their ability to sustain and grow their business. Further, the study addresses important research questions as to whether the curriculum achieves the stated goals of improving entrepreneur performance, even when delivered by someone other than a professional educator.
Crystal growth trends in solid-state lasers

Optically pumped solid state lasers have been successfully used in various aspects of laser materials processing, communications, medicine, remote sensing and optical recording and playback. Recent rapid progress in high power, narrow band diode laser pump sources has great impacts on the development of new solid state lasers. The first one is the removal of the requirement to have the broad absorption bands to match the flash lamp pump source. Since the laser diode emission can be focused into a very small spot, the size of the active lasing media is greatly reduced. However, the focused beam can deliver so much power that the laser host quickly reaches the thermal fracture strength limit. Thirdly, the emitting wavelength of the laser diodes is still discrete with limited tunability. Matching the absorption to the pump band is essential for high efficiency. Energy transfer with codoping becomes very necessary in many rare earth laser systems. Finally, because of the narrow band pumping, it is now possible to selectively excite a particular absorption line and observe efficient lasing. Multiple sites or disorders with inhomogeneous broadening, in almost all the cases, are hurting rather than helping the lasing performance.
No current evidence for widespread dosage compensation in S. cerevisiae

DNA inside cells is packaged into structures called chromosomes. Different species can have different numbers of chromosomes, but when any cell divides it must allocate the right number of chromosomes to each new cell. If this process goes wrong, cells end up with too many or too few chromosomes. The presence of extra copies of the genes on the additional chromosomes can cause the levels of the proteins encoded by those genes to rise abnormally, which can in turn lead to cell damage and disease. Proteins are produced using the information in genes via a two-step process. First, the gene’s DNA is copied to create molecules of RNA, and these molecules are then translated into proteins. In many organisms, the presence of extra chromosomes in a cell is matched by a corresponding increase in the RNA molecules encoded by the extra genes. Some organisms, however, counteract this effect through a process called dosage compensation. This process inactivates single genes or whole chromosomes by various means, and ensures that normal levels of RNA are produced, even in the presence of extra genes. In 2015, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison reported that dosage compensation occurs in wild strains of budding yeast and effectively protects the yeast cells against the harmful effects of having extra chromosomes. However, these findings conflicted with earlier studies of laboratory strains of this yeast, which had reported that RNA levels increased along with gene number. Torres, Springer and Amon have re-analysed the data published in 2015, and now challenge the findings of the previous study involving the wild yeast strains. The new re-analysis instead showed that, like in laboratory yeast strains, gene number still correlates closely with RNA levels in the wild yeast. This led Torres, Springer and Amon to conclude that, in contrast with the previous report, there is currently no evidence that dosage compensation occurs in wild strains of yeast. So why do the results of these two studies disagree? Torres, Springer and Amon identified several issues concerning the original analysis made by the researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For example, some of the strains included in the 2015 study were unstable and were naturally losing the additional chromosomes that they’d acquired. Also, the thresholds set in the analysis to identify dosage compensated genes do not appear to have been stringent enough. Together, the new findings indicate that dosage compensation is a rare event in both wild and laboratory strains of yeast.
INVESTIGATION ON DISINFECTION QUALITY OF MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS IN HENAN

Objective To know the quality of disinfection in medical institutions of different levels in Henan province,to find the problems and to offer the correct measurement.Methods On-the-spot sampling,examination and the data investigation were used to investigate the quality of disinfection in medical institutions of province level,prefecture level and county level in Henan.Results According to the statistical analysis of 29,660 samples from 1996 to 2007,the average eligible rate was 84.6% and there were the manifest differences in the three level hospitals.The average eligible rate of air indoor was the lowest,that was 48.21%.Conclusions The statistical data in the serial 12 years showed that the disinfectant quality was better in medical institutions in Henan province,but the disinfection of air indoor should be improved in the future.
Study on the Treatment for the Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B With Catalytic Iron Inner Electrolysis

Using an artificial dyeing wastewater containing a single azo bond dye,Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B as the study object,the mechanism of decolorizing and removal of pollutants in the CIIE process is studied in this paper.The results show that the reduction and the inner-electrolysis of iron as well as the adsorption and flocculation of ferrous ions all contribute to the decolorizing and removal of pollutants in dyeing wastewater,that is to say,the reduction and the inner-electrolysis of iron plays a key role in the process and the adsorption and flocculation of ferrous ions can effectively promote the decolorizing efficiency.In the process adsorption happens firstly and then the reduction proceeds.
The Strategies and Methods of Concurrent Development of Automotive Body

Some strategies and methods that must be concerned in concurrent body development are expatiated in this paper base on the author's more that ten years experience in body-in-white manufacturing and new vehicle development.The purpose is to give references to person in the same occupation.
Optimization via separated representations and the canonical tensor decomposition

Abstract We introduce a new, quadratically convergent algorithm for finding maximum absolute value entries of tensors represented in the canonical format. The computational complexity of the algorithm is linear in the dimension of the tensor. We show how to use this algorithm to find global maxima of non-convex multivariate functions in separated form. We demonstrate the performance of the new algorithms on several examples.
The acute scrotum.

In the pediatric age group, color Doppler sonography appears to be as accurate as scintigraphy in evaluating causes of acute scrotal pain, provided that sensitivity for detecting low-velocity flow is adequate. Sonography has the advantage of providing anatomic information and it lacks radiation. Scintigraphy remains a reliable method of evaluating acute scrotal pain and should be used when color Doppler sensitivity for low-velocity, low-volume testicular blood flow is inadequate leading to doubt about the sonographic diagnosis. It is also advocated when examiner expertise with color Doppler sonography is limited. Regardless of which imaging study one prefers, it needs to be recognized that imaging of any type is not warranted in patients with a high clinical suspicion of torsion, because it delays immediate surgical treatment needed to prevent permanent damage.
Surgical techniques in the diagnosis of pulmonary disease.

SUMMARY In conclusion, the previously described techniques have been found useful, alone or in combination, for the accurate assessment of the patient with pulmonary disease. These techniques may be used either to establish a diagnosis or to determine the extent of disease in order to plan further operative or nonoperative treatment. Future developments in tumor biology regarding radioactive labeling of tumor-specific compounds may lead to a re-evaluation of the need for these invasive diagnostic procedures. Until this occurs, judicious use of these surgical procedures is necessary for the accurate diagnosis of pulmonary disease.
The Electromagnetic Field Equations and Theoretical Aspects

The electromagnetic field equations as we know and use them are succinctly summarized in Maxwell’s equations. This set of four equations relates the four vector field quantities E, H, D and B with each other and with the sources of the magnetic field. These equations, attributed to James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) are, as Maxwell himself made clear, a summary of the work of Faraday, Ampere, Gauss, Coulomb, Helmholtz and others. However, perhaps the main reason they are attributed to him is that he introduced the idea of displacement currents (or, alternatively, of the continuity of charge) and by doing so he was able to predict the propagation of electromagnetic waves as well as unifying the theory of electromagnetic fields. While much of the work with electromagnetic fields before and after Maxwell does not require the definition of displacement currents, propagation, and all microwave aspects of fields are based on it. To understand how important this aspect is it is sufficient to look at the current in a capacitor. The flow of current through a capacitor cannot be explained by the pre-Maxwell field equations. With all that, the equation as we know them today were actually written by Oliver Heaviside who introduced the notation we are familiar with.
Theory of Citizenship and Ethically-Contradictory Action

The theory of citizenship advanced in the third book of the Discourses on Livy should be understood from within the conflict between politics and morality, what Croce identified as the phenomenon of the “autonomy of politics,” and not independently of it. One does the latter if one links Machiavelli’s discourse on citizenship to a prior tradition which did not consider such a conflict as a primary and ineluctible trait of political life, or if one links it to a posterior attempt to transcend or pacify this conflict. The reason is briefly stated: Discourses on Livy argues that political freedom depends on the capacity to renew the political and legal orders of the state from the outside, i.e., to open these to the claims of freedom as no-rule voiced by those who are excluded or oppressed by any given political form. Such a renewal of the state implies extra-constitutional action, and this action is inevitably seen as counter-ethical. Machiavelli effects a major redefinition of the citizen: citizen is that political subject who is able to trangress the laws and orders of the state for the sake of political freedom. Stated otherwise, the citizen is a political actor who undermines the distinction between citizen and prince in favor of the republic. Conversely, the prince is a political actor who undermines the same distinction, but in favor of the state. These two actors are defined by two antithetical and irreducible projects. The prince is defined by the project to stabilize a transgression, or to make necessary (i.e., to give a ground to) an order that is contingent. The citizen is defined by the project of transgressing a stability, or rendering contingent (i.e., withdrawing the ground of) an order which has acquired the traits of necessity.
Pensions for the Poor: the Effects of Non-contributory Pensions in El Salvador

Most Salvadorans reach retirement age without a formal pension, resulting in increased financial vulnerability and poverty in old age. Moreover, fewer women qualify for a formal pension and the average amounts for women are smaller. In this paper, we study gender-disaggregated effects of the Universal Basic Pension (UBP), a non-contributory pension of $50 per month for individuals aged 70 years and over in extreme poverty. We analyze a purpose-specific sample of 2256 households with adults between 66 and 74 years of age in the 32 poorest municipalities in the country using an instrumental variables approach. We contribute to the literature on non-contributory pensions by exploring new outcomes and analyzing gender differentiated effects. Independent of the recipient’s gender, we find that the pension increases non-labor income by 53% on average, lowering the probability that a beneficiary household lives below the extreme poverty line by 17 percentage points for males and 8.1 percentage points for females. Increases in food consumption and medical attention, and reductions in remittances are qualitatively larger for male pensioners. Pensioners appear to have gender-specific preferences with regard to investments in children, with increases in school enrollment and attendance for boys aged 11 to 18 years in households with a male pensioner and of girls of the same age in households with a female pensioner.
Biodegradable, antioxidant-loaded nanoparticles: a first step toward attenuating oxidative injury in vitro

Summary form only given. The relentless progression and devastating ramifications of neurodegenerative diseases make symptomatic and protective treatment of these ailments particularly critical and daunting. Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized by severe motor impairments, significant oxidative injury and degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Although symptomatic PD therapy is initially effective, antioxidant treatments are more promising because they may decelerate and even prevent dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Therefore, we are developing antioxidant-loaded, biodegradable nanoparticles-drug delivery platforms that are advantageous as an antioxidant therapy to slow neurodegeneration. Innovations in bionanotechnology and drug delivery-areas that integrate bio engineering, materials science and cell biology-promise to revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like PD. In particular, drug-loaded, biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles are promising drug delivery devices because they protect unstable and poorly soluble drugs from the biological milieu, facilitate sustained drug levels in the vicinity of the nanoparticle and can be internalized by cells. We have synthesized novel Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)-loaded biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles with ester- and carboxylic acid- end groups by nanoprecipitation and characterized their physical properties with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We have consistently modulated the diameters of the nanoparticles between 100 nm and 200 nm by varying the PLGA mass in the solvent and the solvent/non-solvent volumetric ratio. These nanoparticle formulations were customarily monodisperse, with polydispersity indices <0.1. The CoQ10 incorporation efficiency was calculated spectrophotometrically by UV absorbance at 275 nm, and our preliminary data indicate successful encapsulation of CoQ10 within the nanoparticles. These results motivate further investigation of the CoQ10-loaded nanoparticles as drug delivery devices in a simple yet appropriate PD cell model. Thus, we are concurrently developing an oxidative injury model with dopaminergic PC12 cells in order to test the antioxidant effects of these CoQ10-loaded PLGA nanoparticles. Our CoQ10-loaded biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles may significantly enhance the prospects for neuronal drug therapy by attenuating dopaminergic oxidative damage and slowing the neurodegeneration associated with PD
Rational, normative, descriptive, prescriptive, or choice behavior? The search for integrative metatheory of decision making.

Decision making, integral to everyday behavior, is the subject of thousands of studies each year. Its long history has led to the emergence of several competing models in the cognitive literature. Meanwhile, behaviorist analysts have carefully studied the mechanisms underlying choice behavior, including the value of reinforcement. Criteria for comparing and contrasting competing models of decision making are generated. Cognitive and behavioral perspectives are analyzed and integrated by emphasizing their commonalities in understanding behavior. The benefits of integrating models of decision making for understanding behavioral development are weighed against the challenges of such as endeavor.
Interferon induced thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA): Analysis and concise review

Interferon (IFN) has been associated with development of thrombotic microangiopathy including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We reviewed literature from the earliest reported association in 1993, to July 2016 and found 68 cases. Analysis of this data shows: (1) Mean age at diagnosis was 47 years (95% CI, 44-50). (2) Majority of cases were seen where IFN was used for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and one case each for hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and Sezary syndrome. (3) There were no cases reported for polycythemia vera (PV) or lymphoma. (4) Sex distribution was nearly equivalent with the exception in patients with multiple sclerosis where there was female predominance (12 of 16 with reported data). (5) For pooled analysis, the average duration of treatment with IFN before TMA was diagnosed was 40.4 months. (6) Comparative analysis showed that patients with MS required the highest cumulative dose exposure before developing TMA (MS 68.6 months, CML 35.5 months, HCV 30.4 months). (7) Cases of confirmed TTP (where A disintegrin and Metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13: ADAMTS 13 level was measured) showed presence of an inhibitor. (8) In all cases of confirmed TTP, moderate to severe thrombocytopenia was a striking clinical feature at presentation while this was not a consistent finding in all other cases of TMA. (9) Outcome analysis revealed complete remission in 27 (40%), persistent chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 28 (42%) and fatality in 12 patients (18%). (10) Treatment with corticosteroids, plasma exchange and rituximab resulted in durable responses.
Abstract C46: [Advocate Abstract:] Hope for Lung Cancer

I will list the statistics of lung cancer and the outcomes. I will list how far we have come as far as treatments and outcomes. I will demonstrate how HOPE is related to lung cancer. Citation Format: Terry Gillespie. [Advocate Abstract:] Hope for Lung Cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C46.
Uncaging carbon disulfide. Delivery platforms for potential pharmacological applications: a mechanistic approach

We describe the kinetics of the formation and decay of a series of dithiocarbamates under physiological conditions. The goal is to provide a toolbox of compounds that release CS2 by well-defined kinetics in such media. Carbon disulfide is a known environmental toxin, but there is fragmentary evidence suggesting that CS2 may have bioregulatory and/or therapeutic roles in mammalian biology. Further investigation of such roles will require methodologies for controlled delivery of this bioactive small molecule to specific targets. Reported here are mechanistic and computational studies of CS2 release from a series of dithiocarbamate anions (DTCs), where R2N represents several different secondary amido groups. The various DTCs under physiologically relevant conditions show a tremendous range of reactivities toward CS2 dissociation with decay lifetimes ranging from ∼2 s for imidazolidyldithiocarbamate (ImDTC-) to ∼300 s for diisopropyldithiocarbamate (DIDTC-) to >24 h for pyrrolidinyldithiocarbamate (PDTC-) in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution at 37 °C. Thus, by making the correct choice of these tools, one can adjust the flux of CS2 in a biological experiment, while the least reactive DTCs could serve as controls for evaluating the potential effects of the dithiocarbamate functionality itself. Kinetics studies and density functional calculations are used to probe the mechanism of DTC- decay. In each case, the rate of CS2 dissociation is acid dependent; however, the DFT studies point to a mechanistic pathway for ImDTC- that is different than those for DIDTC-. The role of general acid catalysis is also briefly probed.
The Collapse of the NPT— What if?

With approximately 135 parties, the NPT has more adherents than any other arms control treaty and is justifiably regarded as an international success. Over the nearly two decades since it entered into force in 1970, the nonproliferation treaty has been a bulwark of efforts to contain the spread of nuclear weapons around the globe and has provided a framework within which many countries have begun to use the atom for peaceful purposes. Its injunction of nuclear disarmament has added strength and legitimacy to the many calls on the existing nuclear-weapon states (NWSs) to move swiftly and effectively to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis in young patients: Stemless total shoulder arthroplasty trumps resurfacing arthroplasty—Opposes

Abstract When considering shoulder arthroplasty in a younger patient the surgeon can choose between stemmed, stemless or resurfacing implants for humeral reconstruction. Resurfacing arthroplasty can reproduce humeral anatomy independent of the humeral shaft, minimize bone resection and offer potential easier revision surgery. The resurfacing implant has been in use for over 30 years and has favorable long-term outcome.
Thinking Fast: Freedom, Expertise, and Solicitation

An articulation of problems with certain themes at work in the existential phenomenology that underpins Dreyfus’ critique of McDowell, especially insofar as Dreyfus draws on Heidegger’s existential analysis. Although this paper argues that the substance of Dreyfus’ critique of McDowell is compelling, this paper further demonstrates that Dreyfus’ own account of human experience needs to be enhanced through a more critical exploration of the themes of freedom, expertise, and solicitation.
Modulation of endothelial function by hypoxia: perturbation of barrier and anticoagulant function, and induction of a novel factor X activator.

Exposure of the vessel wall to hypoxemia is a central feature of ischemic cardiovascular disease. This led us to examine the perturbation of endothelial cell properties under hypoxia. An atmosphere of pO2 of 12 mmHg is not lethal to the endothelial cells for up to five days, but barrier function was impaired. Increased passage of macromolecule tracers were observed in time-and dose-dependent manner and electron microscopy demonstrated small gaps (0.5 — 1.0 µm) between cells. Expression of the anticoagulant cofactor thrombomodulin was also perturbed: thrombomodulin activity and antigen decreased in parallel. Northern blots showed almost complete suppression of thrombomodulin in hypoxic culture. Furthermore, synthesis of other proteins, such as fibronectin, was slightly enhanced under hypoxia. In addition to the suppression of these anticoagulant cofactor, hypoxic endothelial cell displayed a noval procoagulant activity distinct from tissue factor. Further study revealed that hypoxic endothelial cultures directly activated Factor X, as assessed by functional assays and SDS-PAGE. In addition to this no activation of Factor IX or prothrombin was observed. The hypoxia-induced Factor X activator was membrane-associated, required calcium to form Factor Xa, was inhibited by HgCl2 but not by PMSF, and had Km ≈ 25 µg/ml. Co-incubation of hypoxic cultures with cycloheximide prevented the expression of this activity, suggesting that protein synthesis is required for its expression. These functional perturbations of endothelial cells were reversible following reoxygenation. These data indicate that hypoxia imposes a selective perturbation on endothelial cell function, suggesting the possible contribution of hypoxemia to vascular dysfunction in ischemia.
Round-Tripping RSS for Socialized Techno-Pedagogy in a Twenty-First-Century Learning Community

This chapter presents a combination of technological and pedagogical advances that manifest as examples of practice in two separate undergraduate Communication Design courses at a university in California. Following a brief introductory overview of RSS and the concept of information push and pull in and out of the cloud, a theoretical foundation for the techno-pedagogy is provided from the perspective of situated learning and communities. The theoretical foundation supports the idea that this new techno-pedagogy is fostering a transition from the traditional learning management system model to a more integrated social learning network model—specifically with combinations of existing (freely available) tools for content publication, consumption, and annotation. Following a brief description of the university and its demographics, two specific course cases from the Spring 2012 semester will be explored: an introductory “Media Tools” course and an introductory multimedia programming course (with general curricular descriptions provided in each case). An overview of all different technological tools used in each course will be presented, and a comparison will be made between pedagogical processes (and the author’s experiences) as manifest in each of the two courses throughout the semester. Responses from students in each course will be discussed—as well as successes and failures of specific tools and pedagogical strategies—with suggestions for future improvements.
Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung

Beim Jahresabschlus sind die Bilanz und die Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung (Erfolgsrechnung) gleichrangig. Nach dynamischer Bilanzauffassung kommt der periodengerechten Gewinnermittlung als betriebswirtschaftliches Informations-, Lenkungs- und Kontrollmittel sogar eine entscheidende Bedeutung zu. Die Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung wird zum Masstab der Leistungsfahigkeit eines Krankenhauses. Das Verhaltnis von Aufwand und Ertrag bestimmt die Wirtschaftlichkeit. Aus der Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung werden die Selbstkosten zur Berechnung der Pflegesatze nach der Bundespflegesatzverordnung ermittelt. Durch Kosten- und Leistungsanalysen konnen im Zeit- und Betriebsvergleich sowie im Soll- und Ist-Vergleich Verlustquellen aufgedeckt und Entscheidungen getroffen werden, die die Wirtschaftlichkeit eines Krankenhauses verbessern helfen.
Does obesity influence lymph node harvest among patients undergoing colectomy for colon cancer

Adequate lymph node harvest among patients undergoing colectomy for cancer is critical for staging and therapy. Obesity is prevalent in the American population. We investigated whether lymph node harvest was compromised in obese patients undergoing colectomy for cancer. Medical records of patients who had undergone colectomy for colon cancer were reviewed. We correlated the number of lymph nodes with body mass index (BMI) and compared the number of lymph nodes among patients with BMI less than 30 kg/m2 to those with BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater ("obese"). Among all 191 patients, the correlation coefficient was 0.04 (P > 0.2). The mean number of nodes harvested from 122 nonobese patients was 12.4 +/- 6 and that for 69 obese patients 12.8 +/- 6 (P > 0.2). Among 130 patients undergoing right colectomy and 35 patients undergoing sigmoid colectomy, the correlation coefficients were 0.02 (P > 0.2) and 0.16 (P > 0.2), respectively. There was not a statistically significant difference in lymph node harvest between obese and nonobese patients (14.1 +/- 7 vs. 13.8 +/- 6, P > 0.2; and 11.8 +/- 6 vs. 8.6 +/- 5, P > 0.2), respectively. Obesity did not compromise the number of lymph nodes harvested from patients undergoing colectomy for colon cancer.
Geographical Isolation in Marine Species: Evolution and Speciation in Ostracoda, I

This paper is the first of a series of studies investigating evolutionary processes in Ostracoda with emphasis on the relationship of speciation to climatic and tectonic events. Two types of geographical isolation and the resulting effects on ostracod populations are investigated: (1) Miocene to Holocene populations of Hermanites transoceanica from the Pacific and the Caribbean are examples of small, isolated founder populations; they were found to show a high degree of morphological stability despite frequent isolation of small populations on islands and atolls. (2) The formation of the Isthmus of Panama is a classic vicariant event and serves as a natural experiment to study rates of morphological divergence in large populations of ostracods of the same species, split from each other by a “dumbbell” type of allopatric separation. In species of many genera for which pre- and post-Isthmus material was examined ( Cativella, Occultocythereis, Touroconcha, Hermanites. Puriana , and Orionina ) morphological change has been minor or absent for 3.0 million years, since separation occurred. These studies indicate remarkable intraspecific stability under circumstances that, in theory, might have led to speciation. The results show ostracods are well-suited for studies of speciation due to the high degree of confidence that fossil species are equivalent to biological species.
Family Role in Patient Safety in the Intensive Care Unit

Family members feel a natural inclination to protect and serve their loved ones and can serve an important role in patient safety in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, family members have often been excluded from this role by policies that keep them away from the bedside and have not been included in safety process design. In order to include families in a way that can maximize patient safety, healthcare providers must encourage the following: (1) family members must be included as part of the team during rounds, procedures, and bedside care; (2) family members need to be empowered to speak up if something is not going well with their loved one or if they are concerned about a potential error; and (3) family members need to be given a role to play in development of hospital safety policy and plans that would encourage these actions, such as through Patient-Family Advisory Councils (PFACs).
Intrinsic dynamics enhance decodability of neurons in a model of avian auditory cortex

Birdsong is a complex vocalization that bears important similarities to human speech. Critical to recognizing speech or birdsong is the ability to discriminate between similar sequences of sound that may carry different meanings. The caudal mesopallium (CM) is a secondary area in the auditory system of songbirds that is a potential site for song identification, displaying both between-category selectivity and within-category tolerance to conspecific song. Electrophysiological studies of CM have identified a population of neurons with intrinsically phasic firing patterns in addition to the more typical tonic and fast-spiking neurons. The function of these phasic neurons in processing spectrotemporally complex conspecific vocalizations is not known. We investigated the auditory response properties of phasic and tonic neurons using computational modeling with particular focus on the selectivity and entropy of the simulated responses to birdsong. When biophysical models of phasic and tonic neurons were presented with identical inputs, the phasic models were more selective among syllables and more robust to noise-induced variability, potentially providing an advantage for song identification. Additionally, the overall responsiveness of a model to the stimulus set determined which decoding metric better captured the coding strategy of the model9s response. The relationships between measures of decodability found in the model simulations are consistent with extracellular data from zebra finch CM.
From Past to Present: The Deep History of Kinship

Anthropological research has long established the central importance in human societies of the shared, conceptual systems of social relations we refer to as kinship systems in providing a foundation for culturally formulated systems of social interaction. Historically, and from an evolutionary perspective, kinship systems came into play even before the Upper Paleolithic as our ancestors worked out, during hominin evolution, a qualitative transformation away from the individualistic, face-to-face systems of social interaction of the great apes to the relation-based systems of social interaction that characterize human societies. This transformation, realized through the monumental intellectual achievement of working out computational systems of kinship relations expressed through kinship terminologies, has also provided a framework for accommodating two diametrically opposed drivers of social interaction: the centrifugal effect of individual interests and the centripetal effect of social constraints.
Facility Deployment Decisions Through Warp Optimization of Regressed Gaussian Processes

A method for quickly determining deployment schedules that meet any given fuel cycle demands is presented here. This algorithm is fast enough to perform in situ within low-fidelity fuel cycle simul...
A Framework for Joint Attack Detection and Control Under False Data Injection

In this work, we consider an LTI system with a Kalman filter, detector, and Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller under false data injection attack. The interaction between the controller and adversary is captured by a Stackelberg game, in which the controller is the leader and the adversary is the follower. We propose a framework under which the system chooses time-varying detection thresholds to reduce the effectiveness of the attack and enhance the control performance. We model the impact of the detector as a switching signal, resulting in a switched linear system. A closed form solution for the optimal attack is first computed using the proposed framework, as the best response to any detection threshold. We then present a convex program to compute the optimal detection threshold. Our approach is evaluated using a numerical case study.
Toys of the '50s, '60s and '70s at the History Center

Toys link us to the past, they connect us personally to memories, and collectively bond us to the time and place they were created. In reflecting on our childhood and the toys that were formative to our developing years, we often find that what we played with tells a larger story thanjust our own. Toys reflect culture-their form, their function, and their design serve as material evidence ofthe culture in which they were created.
Methods for analysis of complex survey data: an application using the Tanzanian 2015 Demographic and Health Survey and Service Provision Assessment.

Background Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) seek to better utilize household and health facility survey data for monitoring and evaluation, as well as for health program planning. However, analysis of this complex survey data are complicated. In Tanzania, the National Evaluation Platform project sought to analyze Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data and Service Provision Assessment (SPA) data as part of an evaluation of the national One Plan for Maternal and Child Health. To support this evaluation, we used this survey data to answer two key methodological questions: 1) what are the benefits and costs of using sampling weights in rate estimation; and 2) what is the best method for calculating standard errors in these two surveys? Methods We conducted a simulation study for each methodologic question. The first simulation study assessed the benefits and costs of using sampling weights in rate estimation. This simulation used weighted and unweighted estimates and examined bias, variance, and the mean squared error (MSE). The second simulation study assessed the best method for calculating standard errors comparing cluster bootstrapped variance estimation, design based asymptotic variance with one level (svy1), and design based asymptotic variance with three levels (svy3). We compared coverage probability and confidence interval length. Results Our results showed that although weighted estimates were less biased, unweighted estimates were less variable. The weighted estimates had a lower MSE, indicating that the effect of the bias trade-off was greater than the effect of the variance trade-off for most indicators assessed. The best performer for variance estimation was the cluster bootstrap method, followed by the svy3 method. The svy1 method was the worst performer for most indicators assessed. Conclusions As complex survey data become more widely used for policymaking in LMICs, there is a need for guidance on the best methods for analyzing this data. The standard of practice has been a design-based analysis using survey weights and the single-level svy method for calculating standard errors. This study puts forth an alternative approach to analysis. In addition, this study offers practical guidance on determining the best method for analysis of complex survey data.
Endoscopic Proximal Hamstring Tendon Repair for Nonretracted Tears: An Anatomic Approach and Repair Technique

Proximal hamstring injuries are common, and open surgical repair with suture anchors has been the gold standard when surgical intervention is warranted. Endoscopic techniques offer the opportunity of surgical repair with smaller incisions to limit complications and expedite rehabilitation. The purpose of this technique guide is to describe a modified endoscopic technique that allows a safe and anatomic repair of proximal hamstring injuries. The patient is positioned prone with the feet at the head of the bed, table in reverse Trendelenburg, and knees flexed to 90°. Four portals are used, 3 in horizontal alignment within the gluteal fold and 1 directly superior to the ischial tuberosity. The sciatic nerve is identified, dissected, and mobilized away from the operative field. Retraction sutures help retract the gluteus maximus and further protect the sciatic nerve. Dissection is within the interval between the conjoint and semimembranosus tendons. The tendons are freed and mobilized, the ischial tuberosity is decorticated, and an anatomic repair is performed via 4 suture anchors, 2 at each tendon footprint. Advancements in arthroscopy have permitted adequate visualization and exposure of the hamstring footprint, thus allowing for an anatomic repair with increased protection of the sciatic nerve and decreased resources and cost.
Impacts of motile Escherichia coli on air-water surface tension

Immiscible multiphase flow in porous media is largely affected by interfacial properties, manifested in contact angle and surface tension. The gas-liquid surface tension can be significantly altered by suspended particles at the interface. Particle-laden interfaces have unique properties, for example, a lower surface tension of interfaces laden with surfactants or nanoparticles. This study investigates the impacts of a motile bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli , strain ATCC 9637) on the air-water surface tension. Methods of the maximum bubble pressure, the du Nouy ring, and the pendant droplet are used to measure the surface tension of the motile-bacteria-laden interfaces. Measured surface tension remains independent to the E. coli concentration when using the maximum bubble pressure method, decreases with increased E. coli concentration in the du Nouy ring method, and presents time-dependent changes by the pendant drop method. The analyses show that the discrepancies may come from the different convection-diffusion processes of E. coli in the flow among various testing methods.
Reliving the 1950s: the big push, poverty traps, and takeoffs in economic development

The classic narrative of economic development—poor countries are caught in poverty traps, out of which they need a Big Push involving increased investment, leading to a takeoff in per capita income—has been very influential in foreign aid debates since the 1950s. This was the original justification for foreign aid. The narrative lost credibility for a while but has made a big comeback in the new millennium. Once again it is invoked as a rationale for large foreign aid programs. This paper applies very simple tests to the various elements of the narrative. Evidence to support the narrative is scarce. Poverty traps in the sense of zero growth for low-income countries are rejected by the data in the whole period 1950–2001 and for most sub-periods. The poorest quintile also does not have significant negative growth of the relative income ratio to the world’s richest country over 1950–2001, nor is relative growth for the lowest quintile significantly different than other quintiles. The claim that “well-governed poor nations” are caught in poverty traps is rejected by simple regressions that control for both initial income and quality of government (instrumenting for the latter). The idea of the takeoff also does not garner much support in the data. Takeoffs are rare in the data, most plausibly limited to the Asian success stories. Even then, the takeoffs are not associated with aid, investment, or education spending as the standard narrative would imply.
Machine Learning-Based Automated Methods for Brain Tumor Segmentation, Subtype Classification, Tracking and Patient Survival Prediction

This chapter discusses novel machine learning and context-aware deep learning methods for automated brain tumor growth modeling, tumor segmentation, tumor subtype classification, tumor tracking and patient survival prediction using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (mMRI). We first report a machine learning framework for brain tumor growth modeling, tumor segmentation and tracking in longitudinal mMRI scans, comprising of two methods: feature fusion and joint label fusion (JLF). The first method combines stochastic multi-resolution texture features with tumor cell density features in order to obtain tumor segmentation predictions in follow-up scans from a baseline pre-operative timepoint. The second method utilizes JLF to fuse segmentation labels obtained from (i) the stochastic texture feature-based and Random Forest (RF)-based tumor segmentation methods; and (ii) another state-of-the-art tumor growth and segmentation method known as boosted Glioma Image Segmentation and Registration (GLISTRboost, or GB). We then discuss a novel deep learning pipeline, known as Context-Aware Convolutional Neural Network (CANet), for tumor segmentation, tumor subtype classification and patient survival prediction. We evaluate the methods using dataset of multimodal Brain Tumor Segmentation Challenge (BraTS) 2015, BraTS 2019, and the Computational Precision Medicine: Radiology-Pathology Challenge on Brain Tumor Classification 2019 (CPM-RadPath), respectively. The evaluation result shows the proposed methods achieve state-of-the-art in longitudinal brain tumor tracking and tumor subtype classification. The performances also suggest that the proposed methods offer promising results in tumor segmentation and overall survival prediction. Moreover, our result has been ranked second for tumor subtype classification in the testing phase of 2019 CPM-RadPath Challenge.
A scoping review of the application of systematic instructional design and instructional design models by academic librarians

Abstract Background Academic libraries are providing more instruction than ever to increasingly diverse audiences. Librarians have also shown increased interest in learning theories and instructional design (ID). However, there has not yet been a systematic survey of the literature on how librarians are using ID models and systematic ID in professional practice. Methods The researchers conducted this scoping review of journal articles published since 1990 to look at what ID models or systematic ID are used in academic library instruction and what is role and influence of ID. Nine databases were searched to identify articles. Results Of the 11,221 abstracts, 58 articles described use of a systematic ID or an ID model to create an instructional product. The review found that ID models were sparsely represented in the literature and that it often appeared in a simplified or adapted form. However, it held particular promise as a tool for collaboration and reflective teaching practices. Conclusions While instruction represents a major skillset in academic librarianship, the application of ID needs further representation in the scholarly literature. Further reflection on librarian use of ID can inform teaching practices committed to accountability in higher education and learner centeredness for their populations.
Plunge and rebound of a taxi market through COVID-19 lockdown: Lessons learned from Shenzhen, China

Abstract This paper traces the plunge and rebound of the taxi market in Shenzhen, China through the COVID-19 lockdown. A four-week taxi GPS trajectory data set is collected in the first quarter of 2020, which covers the period of lockdown and phased reopening in the city. We conduct a spatiotemporal analysis of taxi demand using the data, and then select taxis that continued to operate through the analysis period to examine whether and how they adjusted operational strategies. We find, among other things: (i) the taxi demand in Shenzhen shrank more than 85% in the lockdown phase and barely recovered from that bottom even after the city began to reopen; (ii) the recovery of taxi travel fell far behind that of the overall vehicle travel in the city; (iii) most taxis significantly cut back work hours in response to the lockdown, and many adjusted work schedule to focus on serving peak-time demand after it was lifted; (iv) taxi drivers demonstrate distinct behavioral adaptations to the pandemic that can be identified by a clustering analysis; and (v) while the level of taxi service dropped precipitately at the beginning, it quickly rebounded to exceed the pre-pandemic level, thanks to the government’s incentive policy. These empirical findings suggest (i) incentives aiming at boosting supply should more precisely target where the boost is most needed; (ii) the taxi market conditions should be closely monitored to support and adjust policies; and (iii) when the demand is severely depressed by lockdown orders or when the market is oversupplied, taxi drivers should be encouraged and aided to use more centralized dispatching modes.