cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Control of the Chemical Hazards in P-xylene Production Process

Objective To determine the chemical hazards in the production process of p- xylene,analyze the workers' hazard exposure levels,assess the effect of the occupational hazards preventative measures and formulate countermeasures to improve the occupational health condition. Methods Data was collected by the methods of occupational health survey,occupational health detection and etc. The collected data were analyzed and evaluated by SPSS statistical software. Results Benzene, toluene, xylene, hydrogen sulfide, raffinate oil,solvent gasoline,etc. were the main chemical hazards in the production process of p- xylene. Among them,the concentration- short term exposure and concentration- time weighted average of benzene,toluene,xylene,in some cases,exceeded the occupational exposure limits; the concentration- short term exposure of raffinate oil,in some cases,exceeded the occupational exposure limits; other chemical toxics' concentration met with the requirements of occupational exposure limit. The concentration- short term exposure of benzene,toluene,xylene in the sampling points were higher than that in other sampling points; however,conclusioncould not be drawn that the over standard rate of benzene,toluene,xylene in sampling point was higher than that in other sampling point. Conclusion Sampling process should be improved and personal protective equipments should be strengthened. The risk that chemical hazards can be reduced effectively based on the con-ditions of improvement of protective measures and occupational health management.
Research and Development of Embedded Communication Software for Smart Meters Based on DL/T 645—2007 Protocol

The DL/T 645—2007 protocol for multi-function watt-hour meter is drafted to unify and standardize the data exchange between multi-function watt-hour meters and data terminal equipments.To reduce code amount of embedded communication software in watt-hour meter and improve the execution efficiency of communication software,on the basis of analyzing characteristics of encoding table for data identification in DL/T 645—2007 protocol,data that is metered,processed and recorded by a watt-hour meter is organized and stored rationally.A smart meter acts as a slave station,which receives communication commands from a master station.After simply transferring data identification sent from the master station,the store address of required data can be calculated,thus the time used for data retrieval from storage space outside a MCU embedded in the meter is obviously shorten.The proposed method is available for design of a smart meter possessing such functions as interacting with consumers,metering diverse electricity parameters and exchanging large amount of information with a master station.
Research on M2M Functional Architecture and Security

M2M communication is seen as a form of data communication between entities that may have no human interaction,which is called machine-type communication.M2M is thought to be the main application of Internet of Things at present,the functional architecture and security problem of which is worthy of being stressed.Focused on this problem,European Telecommunications Standards Institute(ETSI) has concluded the requirements on security.Besides,ETSI has designed a functional architecture in high level.The security of each model is further studied at last.
Hyperoptics: a high throughput and low latency multicast architecture for datacenters

Multicast has long been a performance bottleneck for data centers. Traditional solutions relying on IP multicast suffer from poor congestion control and loss recovery on the data plane, as well as slow and complex group membership and multicast tree management on the control plane. Some recent proposals have employed alternate optical circuit switched paths to enable lossless multicast and a centralized control architecture to quickly configure multicast trees. However, the high circuit reconfiguration delay of optical switches has substantially limited multicast performance. In this paper, we propose to eliminate this reconfiguration delay by an unconventional optical multicast architecture called HyperOptics that directly interconnects top of rack switches by low cost optical splitters, thereby eliminating the need for optical switches. The ToRs are organized to form the connectivity of a regular graph. We analytically show that this architecture is scalable and efficient for multicasts. Preliminary simulations show that running multicasts on HyperOptics can on average be 2.1× faster than on an optical circuit switched network.
Single-Laboratory Validated Method for Determination of Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid in Chaparral-Containing Dietary Supplements

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) occurs naturally in chaparral (Larrea tridentate Coville), a plant which commonly grows in the Southwest United States and has been used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans indigenous to that region. In addition to its traditional use as a tea, manufacturers of dietary supplements have marketed chaparral-containing products in a variety of formulations. Because of the hepatotoxicity of NDGA, and its occurrence in regulated products, we have developed a method for the determination of NDGA in dietary supplements and have tested this method in several dietary supplement formulations. Products were extracted with 80% methanol, filtered, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. NDGA was detected and determined with both a diode array detector and negative-ion electrospray. Fragmentation in the triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was obtained by collisional activation of the [M-H] - ion. Collisional activation produced sufficient fragmentation to provide unambiguous identification. Lack of a stable isotope labeled internal standard has led us to compare quantitations based on UV detection with quantitations based on tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Presence of NDGA was confirmed in several dietary supplement products. Quantitative results from the 2 detection methods were comparable for most products. The limit of quantitation using MS/MS was lower and fewer interferences were observed, although UV detection provided better linearity.
Effectiveness of tuberculin skin test screening in a rural family practice

Tuberculin skin tests were performed on 1,146 patients out of an active patient population of 3,112 patients over a ten-year period in a rural western New York State family practice. There were 19 new positive tuberculin reactions and six cases of active tuberculosis discovered in the population. All but two of the patients with new positive tuberculin reactions and all of the patients with new cases of active tuberculosis were members of at least one of the following high-risk groups: (1) contract with an individual with active tuberculosis, or a positive family history of the disease; (2) immigrants to the United States; (3) a history of alcohol abuse; (4) having lived in an institutional setting; (5) health care personnel; and (6) having signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (cough, anorexia, weight loss, positive chest roentgenogram). All new cases of active tuberculosis were diagnosed because of symptoms. No asymptomatic person with a positive tuberculin test developed active disease during the study period. The positive predictive value of using risk factors to prescreen for the tuberculin skin test was 16 percent. The negative predictive value of not screening people without risk factors (because they will have a negative tuberculin test) was 99.8 percent.
The Spectacular Favela: Violence in Modern Brazil

Erika Robb Larkins. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2015. xi and 256 pp., maps, photos, diagrams, illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $29.95 paper (ISBN 978-0-520-28277-3).In T...
Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction and Oligohydramnios of Undetermined Etiology.

A 32-year-old G3P2002 (3 pregnancies, 2 births at full term, 0 preterm, 0 abortions, 2 still living) pregnant woman of Filipino ancestry was referred to a tertiary institution for severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)4 at 20 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound showed fetal size uniformly less than expected, with measurements <1% for age, small chest, echogenic bowel, thickened nuchal fold, enlarged cisterna magna, and severe oligohydramnios. The obstetric history was relevant for 2 healthy children with a different partner. The healthy Filipino father of the current pregnancy also had 2 healthy children with a different partner. There was no relevant medication or drug history, and thyroid function tests were normal. The patient was Rh-positive, with negative antibody screen and negative cystic fibrosis carrier screen. Maternal serum quad screen (α-fetoprotein, estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin, and inhibin A) for fetal aneuploidy indicated low risk. Maternal complete blood count included a hematocrit of 33%, hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL (reference range 11.5–15.5), and mean corpuscular volume of 60 fL (reference range 81–98). Prenatal records indicated that the father of this pregnancy had normal complete blood count values, although the original test results were not available. Diagnostic amniocentesis showed that amniotic fluid α-fetoprotein was normal for gestational age, and PCR for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and toxoplasmosis was negative. Interphase …
Intellectual Property Creates Jobs for America

Intellectual property is a proven driver of U.S. economic growth. This report captures the total economic benefits of IP-intensive companies to 50 states and the District of Columbia. The state-by-state fact sheets show the economic impact on employment, exports, output, and wages impacts.
Stress drops of induced and tectonic earthquakes in the central United States are indistinguishable

Induced earthquakes currently pose a significant hazard in the central United States, but there is considerable uncertainty about the severity of their ground motions. We measure stress drops of 39 moderate-magnitude induced and tectonic earthquakes in the central United States and eastern North America. Induced earthquakes, more than half of which are shallower than 5 km, show a comparable median stress drop to tectonic earthquakes in the central United States that are dominantly strike-slip but a lower median stress drop than that of tectonic earthquakes in the eastern North America that are dominantly reverse-faulting. This suggests that ground motion prediction equations developed for tectonic earthquakes can be applied to induced earthquakes if the effects of depth and faulting style are properly considered. Our observation leads to the notion that, similar to tectonic earthquakes, induced earthquakes are driven by tectonic stresses.
The Present and Future of Unions Settling for Less

I ask what the new collective bargaining means and whether it will last? I conclude that ultra-concession bargaining evolved from the declining size and influence of American unions and will become the way of the future in collective bargaining. I also recognize that ultra-concession bargaining can sometimes benefit unionized firms and their workers by making employers more competitive and saving jobs, though we do see some clearly negative consequences in the limits of collective bargaining as a way to promote and protect the workers’ voice at the workplace.
A Decade of Research with Yuriy

• This contribution describes my collaborations and personal relationship with Yuriy Reznikov.
Microcomputer Systems: Evaluation and Acquisition Procedures for the Educational Administrator

(1983). Microcomputer Systems: Evaluation and Acquisition Procedures for the Educational Administrator. The Journal of Data Education: Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 5-7.
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in the management of ovarian cancer

There is considerable interest and enthusiasm within the clinical gynecologic oncology community regarding the potential for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors to play a critically relevant role in the management of epithelial ovarian cancer and particularly (although not exclusively) in the setting of known mutations in the BRCA gene. This review will briefly highlight the biological rational for the use of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in this malignancy, followed by summary of currently available clinical data supporting the delivery of agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for non-investigative use.
Concomitant Acute Toxic Leukoencephalopathy and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and acute toxic leukoencephalopathy (ATL) are both potentially reversible clinicoradiologic entities. Although their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings differ, rarely both may occur simultaneously in acutely encephalopathic patients. Our aim was to determine the incidence and causes of concomitant "ATL-PRES." METHODS Retrospective search of suspected acutely encephalopathic adults since 1998 throughout our picture archiving and communication system revealed 167 patients with PRES and 106 patients with ATL. Images of these patients were retrospectively evaluated by two neuroradiologists and a fellow to identify the cases which carry both features of PRES and ATL. Imaging findings were scored based on previously reported scoring system as mild, moderate, and severe. The clinical outcome of the patients was determined according to the modified Rankin scale. RESULTS Our search revealed a series of 6 patients (%2.2) in 273 patients who presented acutely with either encephalopathy or seizures, caused by various etiologies, including immunosuppression following transplantation (n = 2), hypertensive crisis (n = 2), chemotherapy (n = 1), and sepsis (n = 1). MRI demonstrated findings consistent with both PRES and ATL simultaneously on FLAIR and diffusion weighted imaging. Severity of imaging findings of concomitant "ATL-PRES" was concordant with each other (rho ≈ 1.0, P < .00001), and each patient eventually returned to clinical baseline. This finding, along with their similar etiologies, raises the possibility of an underlying common pathophysiologic thread, perhaps being endothelial toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant "ATL-PRES" was found in 2.2% of the patients in a large cohort of ATL and PRES. Etiologies varied. Clinical symptoms and MRI findings were potentially reversible.
Comparison of Usability, Accuracy, Preference, and Satisfaction Among Three Once-Weekly GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Pen Devices.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are relatively new additions to the treatment options available for type 2 diabetes. These agents provide glycemic control by increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decreasing inappropriate glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and increasing satiety (1). The GLP-1 receptor agonists are an attractive treatment option because they are associated with weight loss and have a low risk of hypoglycemia. However, their use is limited in some patients because of gastrointestinal adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), cost, and their subcutaneous route of administration (1). There are currently six GLP-1 receptor agonists approved for use in the United States: exenatide (Byetta), 2005; liraglutide (Victoza), 2010; exenatide XR (Bydureon), 2012; albiglutide (Tanzeum), 2014; dulaglutide (Trulicity), 2014; and lixisenatide (Adlyxin), 2016. Many differences exist within this class of medications, including efficacy and safety profiles, dosing schedules, and preparation and administration requirements, making product selection and use potentially confusing for both health care professionals (HCPs) and patients. Dosing schedule is one important consideration when comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists. Whereas three of the GLP-1 receptor agonists are available in multi-use, disposable pen devices and are given either twice daily (exenatide) or once daily (liraglutide and lixisenatide), the other three GLP-1 receptor agonists are once-weekly formulations available in single-use, disposable pen devices (albiglutide [2], dulaglutide [3], and exenatide XR [4]). Once-weekly products may offer the advantage of better adherence and ease of use compared to once- or twice-daily medications. In clinical studies, adherence to treatment and treatment satisfaction significantly increased with once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists compared to once- or twice-daily GLP-1 receptor agonists (5–7). In comparing efficacy and safety of the once-weekly agents, meta-analyses and head-to-head trials demonstrate that dulaglutide showed the greatest reduction in A1C compared with other once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists, …
An Integral of Ramanujan and Orthogonal Polynomials

Introduction, beta integrals and Jacobi polynomials. A classical beta integral has the form ∫[l 1 (t)] a [l 2 (t)] b dt (1.1) where l 1 (t) and l 2 (t) are linear functions, a and b are complex numbers, and C is an appropriate contour. Two important cases are Euler’s integral.
Epithelial differentiation in meningiomas. An immunohistochemical, histochemical, and ultrastructural study--with review of the literature.

Meningiomas possess features indicative of epithelial differentiation. The present study further documents this finding by a multimodality approach on serial sections from 25 meningiomas of all histologic and clinical categories. Standard light microscopic examination, immunohistochemical staining with a variety of epithelial and nonepithelial markers, and histochemical staining for mucin were performed on each case. Directed electron microscopic examination was performed on selected examples of epithelial feature-positive and -negative cases. All cases were immunoreactive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen. Thirty-two percent were reactive for cytokeratin and 39% for S- 100. Twenty percent showed mucin positivity by histochemistry. Electron microscopic examination of cytokeratin-positive cases showed either intracellular lumina (secretory areas) or cytoplasmic tonofibrils, whereas cytokeratin-negative tumors lacked lumina and tonofibrils. Previous studies showing epithelial features in meningiomas are reviewed with emphasis on the studies using immunohistochemistry. These histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics are of utility in the examination of tumors of suspected meningeal origin, particularly when dealing with atypical presentations or histomorphologic features.
Relaxed constraint and thermal desensitization of the cold-sensing ion channel TRPM8 in mammoths

Unlike the living elephants, which live in warm tropical and subtropical habitats, mammoths lived in extreme cold environments where average winter temperatures ranged from −30° to −50°C. Like other cold adapted and artic species, mammoths evolved of suite of morphological and molecular adaptations that facilitated life in the cold. Here we reanalyze mammoth genomes and find that genes with mammoth-specific amino acid substitutions are enriched in functions related to temperature sensation. Among the genes with mammoth-specific amino acid substitutions is TRPM8, which mediates sensitivity to nonnoxious cool temperatures from 25-28°C and cooling sensations induced by the chemical agonists menthol and icilin. We find that TRPM8 evolved rapidly in the mammoth stem-lineage, likely because of an episode of relaxed purifying selection. Functional characterization of resurrected mammoth and ancestral TRPM8 indicates that the mammoth TRPM8 is desensitized to cold but maintains sensitivity to menthol and icilin. These data suggest that as mammoths evolved into a cold tolerant species they lost the need for a cold-sensitive TRPM8.
Data model harmonization for the All Of Us Research Program: Transforming i2b2 data into the OMOP common data model.

Background The All Of Us Research Program (AOU) is building a nationwide cohort of one million patients' EHR and genomic data. Data interoperability is paramount to the program's success. AOU is standardizing its EHR data around the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) data model. OMOP is one of several standard data models presently used in national-scale initiatives. Each model is unique enough to make interoperability difficult. The i2b2 data warehousing and analytics platform is used at over 200 sites worldwide, which uses a flexible ontology-driven approach for data storage. We previously demonstrated this ontology system can drive data reconfiguration, to transform data into new formats without site-specific programming. We previously implemented this on our 12-site Accessible Research Commons for Health (ARCH) network to transform i2b2 into the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Network model. Methods and results Here, we leverage our investment in i2b2 high-performance transformations to support the AOU OMOP data pipeline. Because the ARCH ontology has gained widespread national interest (through the Accrual to Clinical Trials network, other PCORnet networks, and the Nebraska Lexicon), we leveraged sites' existing investments into this standard ontology. We developed an i2b2-to-OMOP transformation, driven by the ARCH-OMOP ontology and the OMOP concept mapping dictionary. We demonstrated and validated our approach in the AOU New England HPO (NEHPO). First, we transformed into OMOP a fake patient dataset in i2b2 and verified through AOU tools that the data was structurally compliant with OMOP. We then transformed a subset of data in the Partners Healthcare data warehouse into OMOP. We developed a checklist of assessments to ensure the transformed data had self-integrity (e.g., the distributions have an expected shape and required fields are populated), using OMOP's visual Achilles data quality tool. This i2b2-to-OMOP transformation is being used to send NEHPO production data to AOU. It is open-source and ready for use by other research projects.
PRE- VERSUS POST-PROCEDURE CLINICAL EVENT RATES AND ASSOCIATED HEALTHCARE RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING COMMERCIAL MITRACLIP PLACEMENT

MitraClip (MC) was approved for commercial use in patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) at high surgical risk and is effective in appropriate patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Little is known about the real-world impact of MitraClip on CV hospitalizations,
Methodological Advances in Leveraging Neuroimaging Datasets in Adolescent Substance Use Research

Purpose of Review Recent innovations in the statistical analysis of neuroimaging data related to adolescent substance use are highlighted. Going beyond assumptions of homogeneity in small studies of regional localization, the focus is on novel approaches that integrate across regions of the brain and levels of analysis in order to detect individual differences in use along with antecedents and consequences.
Initial Presentation and Progression of Secondary Osteonecrosis of the Knee.

Abstract Background Early detection and intervention are critical to maintaining the native articular cartilage before collapse in secondary osteonecrosis of the knee (SOK). We conducted a retrospective study documenting the initial stage of presentation and the progression of SOK. Methods Our database was reviewed for patients younger than 65 years of age diagnosed with atraumatic SOK between 2002 and 2018. Demographic data, plain radiographs as well as MRI at initial evaluation, and initial treatment were classified and analyzed. Results One hundred four patients with 164 knees were identified. Mean age was 39 ± 16 years. Females (64%) with bilateral disease (58%) predominated. Seventy-five percent of patients had a history of corticosteroid use, of which 41% were diagnosed with hematologic malignancy and lupus. Fifteen percent of patients had a history of ethanol abuse. At initial presentation, 55% of patients were diagnosed with Ficat-Arlet stage I/II, while 45% were diagnosed with Ficat-Arlet stage III/IV. We found a significant difference in the mean age of patients at early stage of SOK with corticosteroid use (31 ± 12 years of age) when compared to ethanol use (43 ± 13 years of age, P = .02). Treatments included observation (57%), joint preservation surgery (20%), and total knee arthroplasty (23%). Conclusion Nearly half of patients presented at late stage compromising the potential for joint preservation. The difference in age of referral by over a decade, based on etiology of SOK, suggests a strong provider-based referral or screening bias may be present. Hence, a multidisciplinary approach to earlier detection and referral may be a more effective strategy for preventing the progression of SOK.
Scaling Up Agricultural Research With Artificial Intelligence

Agricultural systems are enormously variable in space and time. New and developing artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools can leverage site-based science and big data to help farmers and land managers make site-specific decisions. These tools are improving information about soils and vegetation that forms the basis for investments in management actions, provides early warning of pest and disease outbreaks, and facilitates the selection of sustainable cropland management practices. Continued progress with AI will require more observational data across a wide range of agricultural settings, over long time periods.
Prognostic Value of Preoperative Imaging: Comparing 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography to Computed Tomography Alone for Preoperative Planning in High-risk Histology Endometrial Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) increases the sensitivity for preoperative detection of lymph nodes and distant metastases in endometrial cancer. The objective of this investigation was to determine the prognostic value of preoperative PET-CT compared with computed tomography (CT) alone for high-risk endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective review of high-risk histology endometrial cancer from 2008 to 2015. Clinical variables including surgical procedure, preoperative imaging modality, and outcome were collected. Survival analysis was performed utilizing the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methodologies. RESULTS Of the 555 women treated for high-risk histology endometrial cancer, 88 (16%) had preoperative PET-CT, and 97 (17%) CT without PET available. PET-CT demonstrated positive findings in 37 women (42%) compared with 33 (30%) with preoperative CT alone. PET-CT had a positive predictive value of 96% for nodal metastasis compared with 60% for CT alone. The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 59 months (range, 12 to 96 mo). Patients with a negative preoperative PET-CT (n=54) had a median progression-free survival (PFS) that was not reached, whereas the median PFS in the PET-CT positive group was 13 months (n=34). Women with a negative PET-CT had a longer median overall survival (OS) not yet reached compared with 34 months in the PET-CT positive cohort (hazard ratio, 2.4; P<0.001). CT findings did not associate with PFS or OS. CONCLUSIONS PET-CT demonstrated superior sensitivity for lymph node metastasis and detecting distant disease compared with CT. Preoperative PET-CT, whether positive or negative, offered OS and PFS prognostic value not observed with CT alone.
Dry Sliding Wear Studies of Nickel-Phosphorus and Chromium Coatings on 0–2 Tool Steel

An investigation of dry sliding wear of electrodeposited nickel-phosphorus and chromium coatings on 0-2 tool steel against 52100 steel has been carried out. Wear and friction measurements were made in an argon atmosphere under dry sliding conditions at 0.2 m/s sliding speed and a load of 10 N. Among the materials studied, significant differences in wear rates were found that depended upon the nature of the coating. This work has determined the wear rates and has examined factors involved in the wear process for nickel-alloy coatings produced using electroless, direct-current, and pulsed-current plating, and chromium coatings. Thermal treatments after plating affected wear performance and indentation hardness. In all the nickel-alloy coatings, a laminar morphology was found that varied with the deposition method and was affected by thermal treatment. The wear test system used in this research was designed to examine flat specimens using a rotating 52100 steel ring as the counterface. The system was computer-interfaced and controlled, which permitted real-time measurements of wear and friction coefficient. These features made the system particularly suitable for studying the wear of thin metal coatings.
Chalk and Related Deep-Marine Carbonates

Abstract Since the Jurassic, chalks and related carbonates have accumulated via multiple processes, under a broad range of water depths and in a wide array of marine environments. Trace-fossil suites in these deposits are highly variable, representing as many as six ichnofacies. Variability among Zoophycos Ichnofacies suites reflect variations in water depth, substrate consistency, and redox conditions in relatively quiet deep-sea, outer-shelf, and epeiric basins. Trace-fossil suites allied with the Cruziana , Glossifungites , and Trypanites ichnofacies, with notable exceptions, indicate deposition in shallower, periodically more energetic shelf-sea settings; suites of the latter two ichnofacies reflect depositional hiatuses and development of firmgrounds and hardgrounds formed by erosional exhumation or syndepositional cementation. Trace-fossil suites in redeposited carbonates are more enigmatic. While some calciturbidite suites are characteristic of the Nereites Ichnofacies, others may reflect the work of allochthonous tracemakers and may be more appropriately assigned to the Arenicolites Ichnofacies. As they reflect environmental and early diagenetic conditions, trace-fossil suites in chalks and related carbonates can help assess depositional facies, sea-level histories, paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic regimes, and petroleum potential.
Diversity without Integration? Racialization and Spaces of Exclusion in International Higher Education.

In predominantly white universities in the United States, international students are frequently exposed to racism, xenophobia, and other forms of exclusion. This ethnographic research examines how ...
DeepSnow: Modeling the Impact of Snow on Solar Generation

The falling cost of solar energy deployments has resulted in ever-increasing growth in solar capacity worldwide. The primary challenge posed by increasing grid-tied solar capacity is handling its variability due to continuously changing conditions. Thus, prior work has developed highly sophisticated models to estimate and forecast solar power output based on many characteristics, including location, elevation, time, weather, shading, module type, wiring, etc. These models are highly accurate for estimating solar power, especially over long periods, for sites at low latitudes, i.e., closer to the equator. However, models for sites at higher latitudes are less accurate due to the effect of snow on solar output, since even a small amount of snow can cover panels and reduce power to zero. Improving the accuracy of these models for annual solar output by even 2--3% is significant, as power translates directly into revenue, which compounds over the system's lifetime. Thus, if a site produces 2--3% less power on average per year due to snow than a model predicts, it can mean the difference between a positive or negative return-on-investment. To address the problem, we develop DeepSnow, a data-driven approach that models the effect of snow on solar power generation. DeepSnow integrates with existing solar modeling frameworks, and uses publicly available snow data to learn its effect on solar generation. We leverage deep learning to quantify the effect of different snow variables on solar power using 4 million hourly readings from 40 solar sites. We evaluate our approach on 10 solar sites, and show that it yields a higher accuracy than the current approach for modeling snow effects used by the U.S. Department of Energy's System Advisor Model (SAM), a popular solar modeling framework.
Is Postpartum Patient Navigation Uniquely Beneficial for Women with Antenatal Depressive Symptoms

Objective Women with depression benefit substantively from the comprehensive postpartum visit yet are less likely to attend such visits. Postpartum patient navigation has been associated with improved postpartum visit attendance. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether patient navigation was associated with differential postpartum visit attendance for low-income, largely racial/ethnic minority women with antenatal depressive symptoms. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a prospective postpartum patient navigation program for adult, low-income, largely racial/ethnic minority women receiving prenatal care at a single university clinic (n = 474). Patient navigators assumed supportive and logistical responsibilities for patients between delivery and postpartum visit completion (“navigation cohort”); women in the navigation cohort were compared with women who would have been eligible for patient navigation but received care the year before program implementation (“pre-navigation cohort”). Women were considered to have antenatal depressive symptoms if they had a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score above 9 prior to delivery. The primary outcome was attendance at the comprehensive postpartum visit by 12 weeks. Factors associated with this outcome were assessed in a prenavigation cohort of women and were subsequently evaluated in the total cohort (prenavigation and navigation groups) using multivariable models. An interaction term between antenatal depressive symptoms and navigation status was generated to evaluate for effect modification. Results In the prenavigation cohort, antenatal depressive symptoms were more frequent among women who did not attend the postpartum visit (25.0 vs. 10.2%, p = 0.002) and remained a risk factor for postpartum visit nonattendance on multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.83). In the navigation cohort (n = 218), the presence of antenatal depressive symptoms was not associated with attendance (p = 0.117). In multivariable analyses of the total cohort, the interaction term between antenatal depressive symptoms and navigation was statistically significant (aOR: 11.06, 95% CI: 1.21–101.08). Conclusion Postpartum patient navigation appears particularly beneficial among women with antenatal depressive symptoms for increasing postpartum appointment attendance. Key Points
Abstract P661: Atheromatous Disease of the Parent Artery is Common in Patients With Lacunar Infarcts

Background: Perforator disease caused by parent artery atheromatous disease is one of the mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of lacunar infarcts, but there is limited data on its prevalence....
Universal research ethics and international business studies

Research ethics have received comprehensive institutional attention at least since the creation of the U.S. Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the Conduct of Research in 1989. Over the last decade, business scholars have focused on a variety of important questions in research ethics, with significant attention being focused on the “grey” areas of questionable research practices. This editorial adopts a different approach. The normative foundations of research ethics, and the core values that should inform research in international business studies, are identified and related to AIB’s new and revised ethics codes. Explanations for the persistence and growth of research misconduct and detrimental research practices are provided. Finally, best practices for institutionalizing research ethics in international business studies are identified.
The Burden of Head and Neck Cancer in the United States, 1990 - 2017.

Purpose Head and neck cancers (HNC) are among the most common malignancies in the United States and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Traditional risk factors for HNC include tobacco, alcohol, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. Geographic location has also been shown to play a role, whether directly or indirectly. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence, mortality and geographic variability of HNC within the United States between 1990 and 2017. Materials and Methods The Global Burden of Diseases Study 2017, which models incidence and mortality, was used to obtain incidence and mortality data for “lip and oral cavity cancer”, “nasopharynx cancer”, “other pharynx cancer” (tonsil, oropharynx, and hypopharynx) and “larynx cancer” for the United States between 1990 and 2017. Results The overall incidence rate of HNC increased (annual percent change (APC) = 0.23. 95% CI: 0.1-0.3) from 1990 through 2017 while overall mortality decreased (APC = -0.37. 95% CI: -0.4 to -0.3). The anatomic sub-site which saw the largest increase in incidence was “other pharynx” (APC=1.07. 95% CI: 0.9-1.2). In 2017, those in the West had the lowest incidence while those in the South had the highest (15.7 and 20.8 per 100,000 individuals, respectively). Conclusions The incidence of HNC in the United States increased between 1990 and 2017. This was driven by larger increases in those sites more prone to HPV-related HNC. While there exists geographic variability in the burden of this disease, additional studies are needed to further understand the impact of patient-specific factors.
Relative risk of groundwater-quality degradation near California (USA) oil fields estimated from 3H, 14C, and 4He

Abstract Relative risks of groundwater-quality degradation near selected California oil fields are estimated by examining spatial and temporal patterns in chemical and isotopic data in the context of groundwater-age categories defined by tritium and carbon-14. In the Coastal basins, western San Joaquin Valley (SJV), and eastern SJV; 82, 76, and 0% of samples are premodern (pre-1953 recharge), respectively; and 3, 0, and 31% are modern (recharged during or after 1953), respectively. Carbon-14 and helium-4 data indicate most premodern samples are 1000 to 10,000 (33%) or >10,000 (50%) years old. Organic chemicals that could be associated with deeper hydrocarbon reservoirs (e.g. thermogenic gases and benzene) occur most frequently in premodern groundwater, suggesting premodern groundwater has a higher risk of degradation from upward migration of hydrocarbons than modern and mixed-age groundwater. Low sulfate concentrations in some premodern groundwater containing high thermogenic-methane concentrations (>28 mg/L) indicate methane attenuation associated with sulfate reduction can be limited in premodern groundwater. The more common occurrence of manufactured compounds, like tetrachloroethene, in modern and mixed-age groundwater than in premodern groundwater indicates modern and mixed-age groundwater has a higher risk of degradation from land-surface sources than premodern groundwater. Time-series data for chloride in groundwater affected by disposal of oil-field water in unlined ponds indicate some modern and mixed-age groundwater are susceptible to chemical migration within 2–3 km of surface sources. Timescales for diluting chloride concentrations in groundwater with fresh recharge once disposal ponds are decommissioned are shorter in mixed-age groundwater with large fractions of modern water (9–14 years in one example) than in mixed-age groundwater with large fractions of premodern water (no evidence of dilution after 12 years of monitoring in one example). The presence of predominantly premodern groundwater in the Coastal basins and western SJV indicates these areas have relatively high risk from upward migration of hydrocarbons, reduced methane attenuation capacity, and long dilution times, whereas predominantly modern- and mixed-age groundwater in the eastern SJV indicates this area has relatively high risk from chemical migration from land-surface sources and subsequent extensive spreading. Age-based characterizations of relative risk could inform the design of groundwater-monitoring programs near oil fields in terms of the spatial distribution of monitoring points relative to source areas and monitoring frequency and duration.
Integral Equation Methods for Electromagnetics

This text/reference is a detailed look at the development and use of integral equation methods for electromagnetic analysis, specifically for antennas and radar scattering. Developers and practitioners will appreciate the broad-based approach to understanding and utilizing integral equation methods and the unique coverage of historical developments that led to the current state-of-the-art. In contrast to existing books, Integral Equation Methods for Electromagnetics lays the groundwork in the initial chapters so students and basic users can solve simple problems and work their way up to the most advanced and current solutions. This is the first book to discuss the solution of two-dimensional integral equations in many forms of their application and utility. As 2D problems are simpler to discuss, the student and basic reader can gain the necessary expertise before diving into 3D applications. This is also the first basic text to cover fast integral methods for metallic, impedance, and material geometries. It will provide the student or advanced reader with a fairly complete and up-to-date coverage of integral methods for composite scatterers.
H 2 /H ∞ controller synthesis: illustrative numerical results via quasi-newton methods

A quasi-Newton search technique is applied to the fixed-structure H2/H∞ control problem introduced in [1,2]. This quasi-Newton technique is based upon the BFGS variable metric algorithm developed in [3] for unconstrained nonlinear optimization. A barrier modification is used to enforce closed-loop stability, while a discrete homotopy is used to enforce an H∞ constraint. Numerical results for three different illustrative problems are presented.
Bottle Design, Plastic

Blow molding of plastic bottles became popular soon after World War II. As both plastic material and blow-molding technology developed, conversion to plastic bottles expanded from household products into health, beauty aids, and food containers. The advantages of plastic are many. They are safer, lighter, easier to handle and to manufacture, and offer versatility in design. This article covers the requirements and procedures for plastic bottle design. Basic steps are listed and run from defining the bottle requirements to production start-up. Many of the questions that must be answered before design begins are what will the bottle hold, what will be the product end-use, and what are the aesthetic and distribution requirements. Options for bottle manufacture are extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and stretch blow molding. Descriptions, advantages, and disadvantages of each process are given. Filling and packing considerations must be addressed and cover such considerations as bottle stability, labeling and decoration, sealing, and so on. Roll-ons, plugs, certain closures are considered special design. Colorants and material use, computer design functions, specifications, and testing are all part of the design. Environmental concerns are numerous and include reduction of waste, recycling, reuse, and incineration and conversion to energy. Keywords: plastic bottles; design requirements; specialty designs; blow molding; filling; closures; bottle dimensions; recycling; waste; reuse; computer design; colorants
Inefficient Competition in Local Exchange Access Services

Local exchange companies (LECs) charge interexchange carriers (IXCs) for access to the local telephone network and for transport of telephone calls to the IXC's premises. In the 1990's, competing companies, called Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), entered this market. CAPs provided transport services from LEC offices and the premises of larger individual customers to the IXCs' networks. When LECs used usage-sensitive fees to recover the largely usage-insensitive costs of access provision, the highest volume users were required to contribute a greater share of the local exchange company's costs. For such customers, total revenues recovered from access were higher than the costs of stand-alone access services, leading LECs to claim that the pricing structure created an artificial incentive for CAPs to enter the market. Evidence presented in this paper supports that hypothesis. In particular, the level of the Common Carrier Line Charge, an access fee to recover the joint and common costs of the local loop, is strongly correlated with entry of CAPs. The levels of fees for transport and switching services are not significant, reflecting different characteristics of these charges. The results are robust across a variety of regulatory models.
Learning a cost-sensitive internal representation for reinforcement learning

Standard reinforcement learning methods assume they can identify each state distinctly before making an action decision. In reality, a robot agent only has a limited sensing capability, and identifying each state by extensive sensing can be time consuming. This paper describes an approach that learns active perception strategies in reinforcement learning and considers sensing costs explicitly. The approach learns a task-dependent internal representation and a decision policy simultaneously in a finite, deterministic environment. It not only maximizes the long-term discounted reward per action but also reduces the average sensing cost per state. The initial experimental results in a simulated robot navigation domain are encouraging.
Development of a test environment for pre- and post-synthesis verification of correct VHDL description of core processor systems

For the development of both new and legacy core processor systems, the development of an automated pre-synthesis simulation environment which can be used to verify correct hardware description language (HDL) description of the processor is most critical and is the primary subject of the paper. It is most critical in that first, it will help assure that the HDL described processor will correctly execute its assembly language instruction set. Secondly, automation of the pre-synthesis simulation environment will significantly reduce the time required for pre-synthesis design capture verification. Thirdly, parts of the automated pre-synthesis simulation environment can be used for post-synthesis prototype testing. The paper first specifically describes an automated pre-synthesis simulation environment developed to test and verify correct VHDL description of a complex legacy core processor, a Zilog Z8001 processor. Secondly, unique test programs are written for the processor, each of which tests portions of the VHDL code written to describe the processor. The same methodology and procedures can be used to create an automated pre-synthesis simulation test environment for other new and legacy core processor designs. A method of verifying correct synthesis of a prototype of a legacy or new processor system is also presented.
Patterning the early sea urchin embryo

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the current understanding of mechanisms that underlie the patterning of the early sea urchin embryo. Its focus is on the partitioning of the cleavage and blastula stage embryo into distinct domains of gene expression and cell fate. Although many questions remain unanswered, recent studies have advanced the understanding of the early patterning of this embryo, and so a re-evaluation of the problem is warranted. The sea urchin embryo has a long and rich history as a model system for the analysis of patterning. The classical fate map of the cleavage stage embryo (Horstadius, 1973) has been modified in important ways by recent studies. Improved methods of cell labeling have been used to generate higher resolution fate maps and have made it possible to examine more advanced developmental stages. The most extensive fate mapping studies have been carried out with embryos of Lytechinus variegatus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.