cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transitioning to E-books: Usage and Attitudes Among Business Faculty

The authors discuss declining usage of print collections in business disciplines and describe a survey of business faculty conducted in fall 2009. Results indicate a preference for print books but a willingness to substitute e-books. Using these results, this article outlines reasons for faculty preferences and implications for future collection development.
Influence of ocean winds on the pelagic ecosystem in upwelling regions

Upwelling of nutrient-rich, subsurface water sustains high productivity in the ocean's eastern boundary currents. These ecosystems support a rate of fish harvest nearly 100 times the global mean and account for >20% of the world's marine fish catch. Environmental variability is thought to be the major cause of the decadal-scale biomass fluctuations characteristic of fish populations in these regions, but the mechanisms relating atmospheric physics to fish production remain unexplained. Two atmospheric conditions induce different types of upwelling in these ecosystems: coastal, alongshore wind stress, resulting in rapid upwelling (with high vertical velocity, w); and wind-stress curl, resulting in slower upwelling (low w). We show that the level of wind-stress curl has increased and that production of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) varies with wind-stress curl over the past six decades. The extent of isopycnal shoaling, nutricline depth, and chlorophyll concentration in the upper ocean also correlate positively with wind-stress curl. The size structure of plankton assemblages is related to the rate of wind-forced upwelling, and sardine feed efficiently on small plankters generated by slow upwelling. Upwelling rate is a fundamental determinant of the biological structure and production in coastal pelagic ecosystems, and future changes in the magnitude and spatial gradient of wind stress may have important and differing effects on these ecosystems. Understanding of the biological mechanisms relating fisheries production to environmental variability is essential for wise management of marine resources under a changing climate.
Solving seasonality in tourism? Labour shortages and guest worker programmes in the USA

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of guest workers in tourism and hospitality in the USA. Despite the fact that many jobs in tourism require few hard skills and should therefore be open to a wide labour market, human resource managers report a dearth of qualified applicants. In order to meet seasonal shortfalls of workers, many have turned to the H-2B and J-1 programmes as a means of accessing foreign guest workers. Each comes with a particular set of rules and regulations that produce a different sort of worker, the H-2B workers with more experience but higher costs, and the J-1 workers with less experience, but more flexibility and lower costs. The study is based on qualitative interviews and analysis of hiring managers and recruiters in the Carolinas in the USA. Results provide a voice for operators to express the challenges they face in recruiting in a seasonal industry, and suggest that neither programme is adequate to fully meet the hiring needs of the industry.
CRISPR/dCas9-mediated Transcriptional Inhibition Ameliorates the Epigenetic Dysregulation at D4Z4 and Represses DUX4-fl in FSH Muscular Dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most prevalent myopathies, affecting males and females of all ages. Both forms of the disease are linked by epigenetic derepression of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array at chromosome 4q35, leading to aberrant expression of D4Z4-encoded RNAs in skeletal muscle. Production of full-length DUX4 (DUX4-fl) mRNA from the derepressed D4Z4 array results in misexpression of DUX4-FL protein and its transcriptional targets, and apoptosis, ultimately leading to accumulated muscle pathology. Returning the chromatin at the FSHD locus to its nonpathogenic, epigenetically repressed state would simultaneously affect all D4Z4 RNAs, inhibiting downstream pathogenic pathways, and is thus an attractive therapeutic strategy. Advances in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing make it possible to target epigenetic modifiers to an endogenous disease locus, although reports to date have focused on more typical genomic regions. Here, we demonstrate that a CRISPR/dCas9 transcriptional inhibitor can be specifically targeted to the highly repetitive FSHD macrosatellite array and alter the chromatin to repress expression of DUX4-fl in primary FSHD myocytes. These results implicate the promoter and exon 1 of DUX4 as potential therapeutic targets and demonstrate the utility of CRISPR technology for correction of the epigenetic dysregulation in FSHD.
For Judge David Alan Ezra

That we enthusiastically dedicate this Symposium to Judge David Alan Ezra is entirely mete and just. After all, Judge Ezra has been a stalwart member of our law faculty for twenty-eight years, and he has been inducing students to ponder the wonderful intricacies of Federal Courts since 1994. Judge Ezra is also known far and wide as an outstanding Federal District Court Judge, a reputation he began to amass when he took the bench in 1988. Recently, he stepped down as Chief Judge of the District Court of Hawai'i after serving seven noteworthy years in that capacity.
Effect of Social Structuring in Self-Organizing Systems

Dealing with unforeseeable changing situations, often seen in exploratory and hazardous task domains, requires systems that can adapt to changing tasks and varying environments. The challenge for engineering design researchers and practitioners is how to design such adaptive systems. Taking advantage of the flexibility of multi-agent systems, a self-organizing systems approach has been proposed, in which mechanical cells or agents organize themselves as the environment and tasks change based on a set of predefined rules. To enable self-organizing systems to perform more realistic tasks, a two-field framework is introduced to capture task complexity and agent behaviors, and a rule-based social structuring mechanism is proposed to facilitate self-organizing for better performance. Computer simulation-based case studies were carried out to investigate how social structuring among agents, together with the size of agent population, can influence self-organizing system performance in the face of increasing task complexity. The simulation results provide design insights into task-driven social structures and their effect on the behavior and performance of self-organizing systems.
Transient Functions for Land Drainage

Solution of the diffusion equation for a line sink in a plane yields the error function, erfc . By superposition and integration functions, D( u n ) and q (u n ) which describe the transient position and rate of fall of a water table under artificial drainage for multiple drains and the transient discharge of the drains, are developed. These may be used to determine in situ vaules of transmiss ivity and storage coefficient as well as for drainage design. A means of using the method for any initial water table position is presented and some design examples are given.
The Hispanic Consumer Segment

The Hispanic subculture is a significant component of the United States economy. Although the market offers a large opportunity for development by businesses, it has been largely ignored by consumer goods companies. This paper describes the nature of the Hispanic consumer segment and discusses marketing strategies for this group.
A matched dual-tree wavelet denoising for tri-axial swallowing vibrations

Swallowing disorders affect thousands of patients every year. Currently utilized techniques to screen for this condition are questionably reliable and are often deployed in non-standard manners, so efforts have been put forth to generate an instrumental alternative based on cervical auscultation. These physiological signals with low signal-to-noise ratios are traditionally denoised by well-known wavelets in a discrete, single tree wavelet decomposition. We attempt to improve this widely accepted method by designing a matched wavelet for cervical auscultation signals to provide better denoising capabilities and by implementing a dual-tree complex wavelet transform to maintain time invariant properties of this filtering. We found that our matched wavelet did offer better denoising capabilities for cervical auscultation signals compared to several popular wavelets and that the dual tree complex wavelet transform did offer better time invariance when compared to the single tree structure. We conclude that this new method of denoising cervical auscultation signals could benefit applications that can spare the required computation time and complexity.
Structural Effect of Phosphoramidate Derivatives on the Thermal and Flame Retardant Behaviors of Treated Cotton Cellulose

The present research is aimed at studying the structural effect of two phosphoramidate derivatives diethyl 3-hydroxypropylphosphoramidate EHP and dimethyl 3-hydroxypropylphosphoramidate MHP as flame retardants for cotton fabric. EHP and MHP were obtained in very high yield and purity by one step procedures. Cotton twill fabrics treated with the two compounds at different add-ons (5–20 wt %) were characterized. Vertical flammability, limiting oxygen index, thermogravimetric, and microscale combustion calorimeter analyses were performed, and all resulted in better flame retardancy and thermal behavior for MHP compared to EHP. A study of the functional groups which appeared on the treated fabrics by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy revealed different binding mechanisms between each compound and cotton cellulose. Analysis of the released gas products by thermogravimetric analysis-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed some distinctive details in the degradation of the treated fabrics ...
Production and Transport of Blanks and Tools at the French Middle Paleolithic Site of Combe-Capelle Bas

Recent studies of Middle Paleolithic lithic assemblages have focused on questions of interest to lithic analysts everywhere, including the effect of raw material availability, occupation span, and tool maintenance on assemblage characteristics. In this paper, we add to the growing database on Middle Paleolithic assemblages using material recently excavated at Combe-Capelle Bas in the Dordogne region of southern France. The site provides a unique opportunity for addressing questions concerning lithic assemblage variability because it is located on a high quality flint source. We present data on core reduction, blank selection, raw material procurement, and lithic transport that provide information on lithic use pertinent for both Old World and New World archaeologists. Our data show that raw material availability and group mobility influenced blank selection, production, and transport at Combe-Capelle.
Role of Nonresonant Sum-Frequency Generation in the Investigation of Model Liquid Chromatography Systems

In vibrationally resonant sum-frequency generation (VR-SFG) spectra, the resonant signal contains information about the molecular structure of the interface, whereas the nonresonant signal is commonly treated as a background and has been assumed to be negligible on transparent substrates. The work presented here on model chromatographic stationary phases contradicts this assumption. Model stationary phases, consisting of functionalized fused-silica windows, were investigated with VR-SFG spectroscopy, both with and without experimental suppression of the nonresonant response. When samples are moved from CD3OD to D2O, the VR-SFG spectrum was found to change over time when the nonresonant signal was present but not when the nonresonant signal was suppressed. No effect was seen when the solvent was changed and pressurized to 900 psi. These results suggest that the response to the new solvent manifests primarily in the nonresonant response, not the resonant response. Any structural changes caused by the new so...
Gamma Decay of Low-lying Levels in Nb 93

Mean lifetimes for four levels in $^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ have been measured by the Doppler-shift attenuation method. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray angular distributions have been measured for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay of excited levels in $^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ up to 1127 keV in excitation. The levels were excited by the $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, p\ensuremath{\gamma})^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ reaction at a bombarding energy of 14.77 MeV. Spectra of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays in coincidence with protons were obtained with a 55-${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ Ge(Li) detector. Spin assignments obtained from the present results for the low-lying positive-parity levels in $^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ are in agreement with previous assignments. A ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ of ${\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ has been assigned to a level at 685 keV in excitation and a ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ of ${\frac{5}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}({\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ has been assigned to an 809-keV negative-parity level. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray mixing ratios measured for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay of excited low-lying levels in $^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ have been combined with lifetime measurements to calculate the electromagnetic transition strengths. The experimental $E2$ transition strengths are shown to be consistent with those predicted by a weak-coupling model.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, \mathrm{p}\ensuremath{\gamma})$, $E=14.77$ MeV; measured $\ensuremath{\tau}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, $\mathrm{p}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coin, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}(\ensuremath{\theta})$, $\ensuremath{\delta}$. $^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ deduced levels $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$.
Immunohistochemical Evaluation of GATA3 Expression in Tumors and Normal Tissues A Useful Immunomarker for Breast and Urothelial Carcinomas

GATA3 expression has been reported in urothelial and breast carcinomas; however, the published data on GATA3 expression in tumors from other organs are limited. Immunohistochemical evaluation of GATA3 expression in 1,110 carcinomas and 310 cases of normal tissue using tissue microarray sections, 48 breast and bladder biopsy specimens, and 53 breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens was performed. Sixty-two of 72 urothelial carcinomas (86%) and 138 of 147 breast carcinomas (94%) tested positive for GATA3. All other cases, except for 2 of 96 endometrial carcinomas, tested negative for GATA3. On fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples, 88% of primary breast carcinomas and 82% of metastatic breast carcinomas tested positive for GATA3. Our study revealed that GATA3 is a sensitive and specific marker for the diagnosis of breast and urothelial carcinomas. When working on a tumor of unknown origin, GATA3 should be routinely included in the initial screening panel if either a breast or urothelial primary tumor is suspected.
A Simple Method for Detection and Identification of Protease Inhibitors in Serum

A simple method has been developed for the simultaneous detection and identification of protease inhibitors in serum. This method combines immunoelectrophoresis and agar gel casein precipitation inhibition on a single medium.
When robots decide to kill

CZECH WRITER KAREL CAPEK'S 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), which famously introduced the word robot to the world, begins with synthetic humans—the robots from the title—toiling in factories to produce low-cost goods. It ends with those same robots killing off the human race. Thus was born an enduring plot line in science fiction: robots spiraling out of control and turning into unstoppable killing machines. Twentieth-century literature and film would go on to bring us many more examples of robots wreaking havoc on the world, with Hollywood notably turning the theme into blockbuster franchises like The Matrix, Transformers, and The Terminator.
Accidental femoral nerve block following administration of local anesthetic for varicocele repair.

Abstract We report the unusual complication of transient left femoral neuropathy following injection of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride for the management of postoperative pain following a left varicocele repair.
An electrostatic MEMS scanner with in-plane and out-of-plane two-dimensional scanning capability for confocal endoscopic in vivo imaging

We present an electrostatic MEMS scanner for a dual-axes confocal fluorescence endomicroscope to collect fluorescent images in three orthogonal planes of tissue with large field of view (FOV) at high frame rate. The scanner employs a novel lever-based dual-gimbal structure to perform coupling-free switchable XY/XZ/YZ two-dimensional (2D) beam scanning, and uses the parametric resonance excitation mechanism to produce large-amplitude motions. Test results show that the scanner can achieve large optical deflection angles, up to ±14.5° in the X-axis and up to ±10° in the Y-axes, and displacements up to 370μm in the Z-axis at atmospheric pressure, and its resonant frequencies of Z-, Y-, X-axes are near at 0.54kHz, 3.47kHz and 8.55kHz, respectively.
Association of perioperative radiation therapy with outcome in 204 patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma: A two-institution study.

10520 Background: Radiation therapy (RT) for retroperitoneal and pelvic sarcomas (RPS) is controversial. We examined the association of perioperative, advanced modality RT on outcomes in primary RP...
Slums: How Informal Real Estate Markets Work, edited by Eugenie L. Birch, Shahana Chattaraj, and Susan M. Wachter

Slums: How Informal Real Estate Markets Work is the most recent contribution to the “City in the Twenty-First Century” series by the University of Pennsylvania Press. The editors, Eugene L. Birch, ...
Validation of an LC-MS/MS assay to simultaneously monitor the intracellular active metabolites of tenofovir, emtricitabine, and lamivudine in dried blood spots

The ability to monitor adherence to antiretroviral therapy is critical for the interpretation of outcomes from clinical studies of HIV, and for optimizing patient care. The antiretrovirals tenofovir (TFV), emtricitabine (FTC), and lamivudine (3TC) are commonly included in drug regimens for HIV prevention and treatment. The active form of the drugs tenofovir diphosphate (TFVdp), emtricitabine triphosphate (FTCtp), and lamivudine triphosphate (3TCtp) are found intracellularly in erythrocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The ability to collect and analyze dried blood spot (DBS) samples is an attractive alternative to PBMC sampling in many resource limited settings. We developed and validated an assay to quantify all three intracellular metabolites over the range of 100-25000 fmol/sample. This assay utilizes a simple protein precipitation/liquid-liquid extraction of a single 3-mm DBS punch (from a Whatman 903 Protein Saver card) with isotopically labeled 13C5-TFVdp included as the internal standard. Following extraction, samples are analyzed by anion exchange chromatography on a Thermo Biobasic AX 5μm column with detection by electrospray ionization in the positive mode on a AB Sciex API-5000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with a total run time of 8min. The assay was linear over the entire range (R2>0.996). The assay was accurate (inter-assay%bias within ±3.0%) and precise (inter-assay % CV≤9.8%). The assay was also reproducible from multiple punches within a spot as well as punches from separate blood spots. Stability was established at room temperature for 3days, and at -80°C for up to 63days. Clinical samples were analyzed from subjects on Truvada®, Stribild®, Descovy®, and Triumeq® regimens and intracellular metabolites were detected in all samples as expected, indicating the assay performs well for all current formulations of TFV, FTC, and 3TC.
Willingness to Seek Treatment Among Black Students With Anxiety or Depression: The Synergistic Effect of Sociocultural Factors With Symptom Severity and Intolerance of Uncertainty.

Abstract Anxiety and depressive disorders are among the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders, yet they remain largely undertreated in the U.S. and Black adults are especially unlikely to seek or receive mental health services. Symptom severity has been found to impact treatment-seeking behaviors as have sociocultural factors. Yet no known research has tested whether these factors work synergistically to effect willingness to seek treatment. Further, emerging data point to the importance of transdiagnostic risk factors such as intolerance of uncertainty (IU). IU may be negatively related to seeking treatment given that Black adults may be uncertain whether treatment might benefit them. Thus, the current study examined the relations between symptom severity/IU and willingness to seek treatment for anxiety/depression problems and the impact of key sociocultural variables (i.e., cultural mistrust–interpersonal relations [CMI-IR], perceived discrimination [PED]) on these relations among 161 (85% female) Black undergraduates. Consistent with prediction, symptom severity was positively related to willingness, but unexpectedly, IU was positively related. There was a significant Symptom Severity × CMI-IR interaction such that severity was positively related to willingness among students with lower cultural mistrust, but not higher mistrust. There were also significant IU × PED interaction such that IU was positively related to willingness among students with lower PED, but not higher PED. Results highlight the importance of considering the interplay between symptom severity, transdiagnostic vulnerability factors, and sociocultural variables when striving to identify factors related to treatment seeking behaviors among anxious and/or depressed Black students.
Exploiting ion channel structure to assess rare variant pathogenicity

Background A 27-year-old woman was seen for long QT syndrome. She was found to be a carrier of 2 variants, KCNQ1 Val162Met and KCNH2 Ser55Leu, and both were classified as "pathogenic" by a diagnostic laboratory, in part because of sequence proximity to other known pathogenic variants. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between both the KCNQ1 and KCNH2 variants and clinical significance using protein structure, in vitro functional assays, and familial segregation. Methods We used co-segregation analysis of family, patch clamp in vitro electrophysiology, and structural analysis using recently released cryo–electron microscopy structures of both channels. Results The structural analysis indicates that KCNQ1 Val162Met is oriented away from functionally important regions while Ser55Leu is positioned at domains critical for KCNH2 fast inactivation. Clinical phenotyping and electrophysiology study further support the conclusion that KCNH2 Ser55Leu is correctly classified as pathogenic but KCNQ1 Val162Met is benign. Conclusion Proximity in sequence space does not always translate accurately to proximity in 3-dimensional space. Emerging structural methods will add value to pathogenicity prediction.
Contributions of Ankle, Knee, Hip, and Trunk Muscle Function to Gait Performance in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background The relative importance of lower extremity and trunk muscle function to gait in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Objective This study aimed to investigate the association of lower extremity and trunk muscle function with gait performance in people who have MS and mild-to-moderate disability. Design This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Methods Participants were people who had an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of ≤ 5.5. Eleven lower extremity and trunk muscles were assessed using handheld dynamometry or endurance tests. Gait performance was assessed with the Timed 25-Foot (7.62 m) Walk (T25FW) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Regression analysis was used to quantify the association between gait outcomes and muscle variables. Results Seventy-two participants with MS and a mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 3.5 (SD = 1.14) were enrolled. Adjusted for age and sex, the multivariate model including hip abduction, ankle plantar flexion, trunk flexion, and knee flexion explained 57% of the adjusted variance in the T25FW; hip abduction, ankle plantar flexion, and trunk flexion explained 61% of the adjusted variance in the 6MWT. The strongest predictors were ankle plantar flexion endurance for the T25FW and hip abduction strength for the 6MWT: a 1-SD increase in ankle plantar flexion (15.2 heel-raise repetitions) was associated with a 0.33-second reduction in the T25WT (95% CI = - 0.71 to - 0.14 seconds); a 1-SD increase in normalized hip abduction strength (0.14 kg/body mass index) was associated with a 54.4-m increase in the 6MWT (28.99 to 79.81 m). Limitations Different measurement scales for independent variables were included because the muscle function assessment used either force or endurance. Conclusions For the major muscles in the lower extremity and trunk, hip abduction, ankle plantar flexion, trunk flexion, and knee flexion were the strongest predictors of gait performance.
Traumatically Brain-Injured Donors and the Impact on Lung Transplantation Survival.

Background Concern has been raised over inferior lung transplantation survival associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) organ donors. Our purpose was to explore the relationship between TBI donors and lung transplantation survival in the lung allocation score (LAS) era. Methods We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and identified all adult (≥18 years) lung transplantations performed from May 4, 2005, to December 31, 2015. Recipients were dichotomized based on donor cause of death, TBI versus non-TBI, propensity score across eight variables (final LAS, intensive care unit admission before transplantation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before transplantation, donor age 50 years or older, cytomegalovirus antibody recipient−/donor+, ischemia time, annual center transplantation volume, single versus double lung transplantation), and matched 1:1 without replacement. Our primary outcomes were survival at 1, 3, and 5 years by Kaplan-Meier method. Results A total of 17,610 patients underwent isolated lung transplantation over the study period at 75 different transplantation centers. TBI was the leading cause of death in the donor population: 47% of all donors. Propensity score matching generated 6,782 well-matched donor TBI versus non-TBI pairs (all covariate p > 0.2). Risk-adjusted survival was similar between recipients of TBI donors versus non-TBI donors at 1 year (86% versus 86%, log-rank p = 0.27), 3 years (68% versus 68%, log-rank p = 0.47), and 5 years (55% versus 54%, log-rank p = 0.40). Conclusions In the largest analysis of TBI donors and the impact on lung transplantation survival to date, we found similar survival out to 5 years in lung transplant recipients of TBI versus non-TBI donors, alleviating concerns over continued transplantation with this unique donor population.
High-repetition rate, TW-class, picosecond CO 2 laser for a variable species ion source

A CO 2 laser driven, high-brightness, H, He, C, Ne ion source from a gas jet plasma is being developed. The high-repetition rate, 0.5 TW, picosecond, CO 2 laser driver is described.
Dwyer Functions DU and Their Applications to Sampling Without Replacement from a Finite Population

In this paper Dywer Functions DU and D U • are given. The DU -functions are the final functional forms in sampling theory in which any moment function expressible in terms of symmetric functions can be represented.
Designing a Content-Based Video Retrieval System

This chapter extends the discussion of the main questions behind the design of content-based image retrieval systems to their video counterparts. It examines the main concepts, algorithms, and challenges in building content-based video indexing, browsing, and retrieval systems.
Introduction to a Discussion of the Use of Aquatic Toxicity Tests for Evaluation of the Effects of Toxic Substances

A variety of classes of aquatic toxicity tests are presented and discussed in relation to their ability to provide useful estimates of the environmental effects of chemicals or discharges. These classes of tests can be judged and compared numerically by several standards: ability to permit extrapolation to meaningful effect; ease and cost of conducting tests; applicability to response to a wide variety of chemicals; availability of documented detailed procedures; ecological importance and persistence of effect; and scientific and legal defensibility of the procedure. No single class of tests can be expected to be clearly superior to all others, indicating the need for a variety of testing at successive tiers of intensity of study.
Salinity Tolerance — Mechanisms, Models and the Metabolic Engineering of Complex Traits

Soil salinity reduces plant productivity in many farming areas world-wide. Salinity affects dry-land farming and is found in irrigated areas where sodium accumulates over time. Reports have appeared about rising water tables, a result of deforestation, moving saline groundwater to the surface, and about intruding seawater in coastal areas, following increased removal of fresh water for human consumption. The United Nations Environment Program estimates approximately 20% of the world’s agricultural land s as salt-stressed (1– 3). While the extent of salt-affected land is highly variable on a local scale, salinity is a considerable problem in countries such as Pakistan, India, sub-Saharan Africa and Australia where as much as one-third of the land may be affected. Estimates of losses due to salinity in irrigated areas world-wide vary considerably (4, 5). Prohibitively high salinity already forces aband onment of about 10 × 106 ha. of irrigated land every year (4), and one-third to one-half of the land presently irrigated may to be heading towards this fate. Salt build-up in irrigated areas is particularly significant considering that the production capacity of irrigated crops is approximately three times that of dryland farming (3). Breeding programs are ongoing for generating varieties that could tolerate higher soil salinity while maintaining productivity, but the success of such programs has been marginal. Flowers and Yeo (3) have discussed the impact of various breeding strategies: (a) improving halophytes, (b) incorporation of genes from halophilic relatives of crop species, (c) selection within the species’ range of phenotypes, (d) generation, through mutation, of new phenotypes followed by selection for salt tolerance, and (e) selection based on yield potential only, disregarding salt resistance. The authors, summarizing a search for salt-tolerant varieties which have been released to farmers, conclude that the research and breeding efforts have not resulted in new varieties in the field in a substantial way. As the preferred strategy for future breeding, they suggested the “pyramiding” of established beneficial physiological traits by multiple crosses.
Regional variation in drivers of connectivity for two frog species (Rana pretiosa and R. luteiventris) from the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Comparative landscape genetics has uncovered high levels of variability in which landscape factors affect connectivity among species and regions. However, the relative importance of species traits versus environmental variation for predicting landscape patterns of connectivity is unresolved. We provide evidence from a landscape genetics study of two sister taxa of frogs, the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) and the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) in Oregon and Idaho, USA. Rana pretiosa is relatively more dependent on moisture for dispersal than R. luteiventris, so if species traits influence connectivity, we predicted that connectivity among R. pretiosa populations would be more positively associated with moisture than R. luteiventris. However, if environmental differences are important drivers of gene flow, we predicted that connectivity would be more positively related to moisture in arid regions. We tested these predictions using eight microsatellite loci and gravity models in two R. pretiosa regions and four R. luteiventris regions (n = 1,168 frogs). In R. pretiosa, but not R. luteiventris, connectivity was positively related to mean annual precipitation, supporting our first prediction. In contrast, connectivity was not more positively related to moisture in more arid regions. Various temperature metrics were important predictors for both species and in all regions, but the directionality of their effects varied. Therefore, the pattern of variation in drivers of connectivity was consistent with predictions based on species traits rather than on environmental variation.
Low-Power Resonant Acceleration Switch for Unattended Sensor Wake-Up

We have designed, built, and tested novel low-power (less than 10 nW) resonant acceleration switches. The switches respond to vibration at specifically designed frequencies between 30 and 1000 Hz by resonating with sufficient displacement to close an electrical contact and consume power only while vibration is occurring. A rotational design avoids switch closings from DC acceleration, and the quality factor, adjustable between 102 and 105 by tuning the vacuum level, sets the resonant detection threshold. The design includes electrostatic combs for self-test and frequency tuning (up to several Hz), compliant contacts to reduce squegging and contact damage, and ruthenium-coated contacts for improved reliability. Fabrication is accomplished with deep reactive ion etching at up to 50:1 aspect ratios, HF vapor release, and XeF2 frequency trimming (up to 30% of the as-fabricated frequency). Testing with vibration recordings played back through a shaker table demonstrates that the switches correctly identify a target without any false alarms. [2018-0061]
Emergency Department Directors Are Willing to Expand Reproductive Health Services for Adolescents

Abstract Study Objective Nearly 20 million adolescents receive emergency department (ED) care each year, many of whom have untreated reproductive health issues. ED visits represent an opportunity to provide appropriate care, however, ED physician reproductive health care practices and capabilities in the United States have not been described. We sought to characterize pediatric ED director's individual practice and ED system resources for providing adolescent reproductive health care. Design, Setting, Participants, and Interventions We invited pediatric ED division and/or medical directors nationally to participate in an anonymous, online survey. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes included ED directors' personal practice regarding providing adolescent patients reproductive health care, and their ED's resources and standard practice regarding screening adolescents for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other reproductive health concerns. Results One hundred thirty-five of 442 (30.5%) ED directors responded. Respondents were 73% (90/124) male, with a median of 18 (interquartile range, 13-23) years of experience and 63% (84/134) working in urban EDs. Seventy-one percent (90/130) preferred face-to-face interviews for obtaining a sexual history, but only 59% (77/130) of participants “always ask parents to leave the room for sensitive questions.” Eighty-four percent (106/127) were receptive to pregnancy prevention interventions being initiated in the ED, with 75% (80/106) of those willing to provide an intervention. Only 16% (21/128) indicated their ED has a universal STI screening program, and only 18% (23/126) “always” successfully notify patients of a positive STI test. Conclusion ED directors are comfortable providing adolescent reproductive health care, and many individual- and ED-level opportunities exist to provide improved reproductive health care for adolescents in the ED.
Navigating morality in neoliberal spaces of English language education

Abstract Neoliberal policies in education have created a focus on profits and competition, systemically casualized teachers as workers, and commodified language and race in ways that impact teachers and how they navigate the morality of their work under these conditions. This article investigates teachers as they construct moral selves in the neoliberal context of private English language institutes in South Korea. Drawing on data from a two-year longitudinal study, it offers new insights on teacher morality construction using positioning analysis of narratives. Narrative analysis allows for situated, interactive, layered examinations of how teachers create moral selves. In their stories, explanations, justifications, and other linguistic devices mark positions in which teachers disagree with, yet align to neoliberal policies. These tensions illustrate how neoliberalism comes to be viewed as immutable, and how teachers adopt an individualized sense of justice in response, while also facing pressure to maintain privileges they gain through the system.
Impact of Number of Noise Eigenvectors Used on the Resolution Probability of MUSIC

The MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm is a well-known eigenanalysis technique and has been studied extensively. The algorithm relies on accurate partitioning of the eigenvectors of the spatial correlation matrix between the signal (i.e., signal subspace) and noise eigenvectors (i.e., noise subspace). In this paper, we present a novel statistical framework for analyzing the resolution performance of the MUSIC algorithm in resolving closely spaced sources. The statistical framework is based on the first-order approximation of the perturbations in the noise subspace eigenvectors. Using this framework, we derive an analytical expression for the probability of resolution of the MUSIC algorithm according to the number of noise eigenvectors used in the spectrum computation. Such an investigation cannot be carried out with the existing probability of resolution expressions of the MUSIC algorithm. Using the analytical tools presented in this paper, it is possible to predict the resolution performance with respect to many important system parameters, i.e., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the number of samples, and the number of noise eigenvectors. For example, we found that the resolution threshold in terms of SNR is independent of the number of noise eigenvectors used. The simulation results are presented to verify the accuracy of the analytical expressions. More importantly, real radio-frequency experiments with a 24-GHz radar platform are carried out to demonstrate the resolution performance of MUSIC to support our findings in practical settings.
Design and additive manufacturing of electro-mechanical metamaterials with designed anisotropy and self-sensing

In this talk, I will present our research on design, additive manufacturing, and performances of new classes of multi-functional materials that transcend the common electro-mechanical coupling limitations. These materials are as light as carbon aerogels, but with orders of magnitude higher stiffness and strength, they possess multi-functionalities. They are composed of interconnected 3D hierarchical micro-structures as designed “atoms” and “molecules” as in natural materials to reach uncharted white space in the material selection charts. Attention is focused on our development of a suite of novel additive manufacturing and processing techniques to synthesis traditionally unprocessable inorganic/organic highly responsive building blocks and architect them into scalable form factors with precisely defined active three-dimensional micro- and nano-scale features. We will discuss the possiblities of coupling and decoupling of the piezoelectric coefficients, density stiffness scaling, and selective electro-mechanical amplifications through our metamaterial design and printing approach. These insights shed light on a next generation of metamaterials, with designed-in structural and smart functionalities, including self-sensing and actuation, vector sensing and detection as well as simultaneous impact wave absorptions and self-monitoring with only a fraction of solid, as opposed to relying on multiple components.
Asymmetric allylborations of diene aldehyde Fe(CO)3 derivatives: Efficient kinetic resolution of racemic complexes and the highly enantiotopic group and face selective allylboration of a meso substrate

Abstract Efficient kinetic resolutions of racemic diene aldehyde-Fe(CO) 3 complexes 4 and 5 and the highly enantiotopic group and face selective allylboration of meso complex 8 are described.
Effect of arm motion on standing lateral jumps.

Abstract The role of arm swing in jumping has been examined in numerous studies of standing jumps for height and forward distance, but no prior studies have explored its effect on lateral jumping. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of arm motion on standing lateral jump performance and to examine the biomechanical mechanisms that may explain differences in jump distance. Six participants executed a series of jumps for maximum lateral distance from two in-ground force platforms for two jump cases (free and restricted arms) while an eight-camera, passive-reflector, motion capture system collected 3D position data throughout the movements. Inverse kinematics and dynamics analyses were performed for all jumps using three-dimensional (3D) link models to calculate segment angular velocities, joint moments, joint powers, and joint work. Free arm motion improved standing lateral jump performance by 29% on average. This improvement was due to increased takeoff velocity and improved lateral and vertical positions of the center of gravity (CG) at takeoff and touchdown. Improved velocity and position of the CG at takeoff resulted from a 33% increase in the work done by the body. This increase in work in free arm jumps compared to restricted arm jumps was found in both upper and lower body joints with the largest improvements (>30 J) occurring at the lower back, right hip, and right shoulder.
Specific splice junction detection in single cells with SICILIAN

Precise splice junction calls are currently unavailable in scRNA-seq pipelines such as the 10x Chromium platform but are critical for understanding single-cell biology. Here, we introduce SICILIAN, a new method that assigns statistical confidence to splice junctions from a spliced aligner to improve precision. SICILIAN9s precise splice detection achieves high accuracy on simulated data, improves concordance between matched single-cell and bulk datasets, increases agreement between biological replicates, and reliably detects un-annotated splicing in single cells, enabling the discovery of novel splicing regulation.
Control, Risk and Information Security Precautions

The introduction of the Internet to the business world has changed many ways of doing business. Unfortunately, the Internet has also become an arena where individuals are constantly at risk for computer viruses, spyware/adware infection, and malicious attacks designed to misuse or appropriate corporate assets. The wide-spread publicity of both cyber-attacks and ways to combat these problems, public and corporate education efforts, and prevention efforts (including corporate spending on new protections and enforcement of existing policies), suggest that it is logical for users to put precautionary practices in place. Unfortunately, they often don’t. Many individuals within organizations underestimate their vulnerability and do not follow prescribed security policies and procedures implemented within their organizations. Extant security literature heavily emphasizes automatic or programmed security measures, but does not focus strongly on the behaviors of individuals in the security setting. This paper examines two research questions: What are the effects of organizational policies and procedures on security precautions taken by individuals? What is the role that individual risk perceptions play in individual cyberprecautions choices? These questions will be addressed by theory taken from the formal control and fear of crime literatures. This theory posits that formal controls and individuals’ experiences have a strong effect on both individual perceptions of mandatory rules and individual risk perceptions. These perceptions, in turn, lead to precaution-taking behaviors. The resulting model will be tested with a field survey.
ADVANCES IN HIGH‐RESOLUTION MALDI MASS SPECTROMETRY FOR NEUROBIOLOGY

Research in the field of neurobiology and neurochemistry has seen a rapid expansion in the last several years due to advances in technologies and instrumentation, facilitating the detection of biomolecules critical to the complex signaling of neurons. Part of this growth has been due to the development and implementation of high-resolution Fourier transform (FT) mass spectrometry (MS), as is offered by FT ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) and Orbitrap mass analyzers, which improves the accuracy of measurements and helps resolve the complex biological mixtures often analyzed in the nervous system. The coupling of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) with high-resolution MS has drastically expanded the information that can be obtained with these complex samples. This review discusses notable technical developments in MALDI-FTICR and MALDI-Orbitrap platforms and their applications toward molecules in the nervous system, including sequence elucidation and profiling with de novo sequencing, analysis of post-translational modifications, in situ analysis, key advances in sample preparation and handling, quantitation, and imaging. Notable novel applications are also discussed to highlight key developments critical to advancing our understanding of neurobiology and providing insight into the exciting future of this field. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev.
Comparing fetal biometric growth velocity versus estimated fetal weight for prediction of neonatal small for gestational age.

Growth velocities derived from fetal biometrics have been proposed to improve prediction of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. We sought to determine if ultrasound growth velocities for abdo...
Feasibility and Compatibility of a Biomass Capsule System in Self-Healing Concrete

Cracking can facilitate deteriorations of concrete structures via various mechanisms by providing ingress pathways for moisture and aggressive chemicals. In contrast to conventional maintenance methods, self-healing is a promising strategy for achieving automatic crack repair without human intervention. However, in capsule-based self-healing concrete, the dilemma between capsules’ survivability and crack healing efficiency is still an unfathomed challenge. In this study, the feasibility of a novel property-switchable capsule system based on a sustainable biomass component, polylactic acid, is investigated. Capsules with different geometries and dimensions were studied focusing on the compatibility with concrete, including survivability during concrete mixing, influence on mortar and concrete properties, and property evolution of the capsules. The results indicate that the developed elliptical capsules can survive regular concrete mixing with a survival ratio of 95%. In concrete containing 5 vol.% of gravel-level capsules, the compressive strength was decreased by 13.5% after 90 days, while the tensile strength was increased by 4.8%. The incorporation of 2 vol.% of sand-level capsules did not impact the mortar strength. Degradation and switchable properties triggered by the alkaline matrix of cement were observed, revealing the potential of this novel biomass capsule system in achieving both high survivability and self-healing efficiency in concrete.