cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the evaluation of hyper-singular integrals arising in the boundary element method for linear elasticity

The boundary element method (BEM) for linear elasticity in its curent usage is based on the boundary integral equation for displacements. The stress field in the interior of the body is computed by differentiating the displacement field at the source point in the BEM formulation, via the strain field. However, at the boundary, this method gives rise to a hypersingular integral relation which becomes numerically intractable. A novel approach is presented here, where hyper-singular kernels for stresses on the boundary are made numerically tractable through the imposition of certain equilibrated displacement modes. Numerical results are also presented for benchmark problems, to illustrate the efficacy of the present approach. Solutions are compared to the commonly used boundary stress algorithm wherein the boundary stresses are computed from known boundary tractions, and derivatives of known displacements tangential to the boundary. An extension of this approach to solve linear elasticity problems using the traction boundary integral equation (TBIE) is also discussed.
On Hayek's road to serfdom: 60 years later

Abstract Stimulated by recent work of Levy–Peart–Ferrant, Rosser and McPhail, I read The Road to Serfdom by projecting it onto four registers—security and freedom, impersonal forces and the market, rules and the rule of law, and language and education—and identify in each the need for judgement, hopefully balanced but inevitably arbitrary beyond an analytical threshold, a need exacerbated by incomplete and dispersed knowledge. My larger project is to understand the role of the expert, theoretician if one prefers, in a ‘free’ society.
Genome-wide association with bone mass and geometry in the Framingham Heart Study

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and compromised bone structure, heritable traits that contribute to fracture risk. There have been no genome-wide association and linkage studies for these traits using high-density genotyping platforms. We used the Affymetrix 100K SNP GeneChip marker set in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) to examine genetic associations with ten primary quantitative traits: bone mineral density (BMD), calcaneal ultrasound, and geometric indices of the hip. To test associations with multivariable-adjusted residual trait values, we used additive generalized estimating equation (GEE) and family-based association tests (FBAT) models within each sex as well as sexes combined. We evaluated 70,987 autosomal SNPs with genotypic call rates ≥80%, HWE p ≥ 0.001, and MAF ≥10% in up to 1141 phenotyped individuals (495 men and 646 women, mean age 62.5 yrs). Variance component linkage analysis was performed using 11,200 markers. Heritability estimates for all bone phenotypes were 30–66%. LOD scores ≥3.0 were found on chromosomes 15 (1.5 LOD confidence interval: 51,336,679–58,934,236 bp) and 22 (35,890,398–48,603,847 bp) for femoral shaft section modulus. The ten primary phenotypes had 12 associations with 100K SNPs in GEE models at p < 0.000001 and 2 associations in FBAT models at p < 0.000001. The 25 most significant p-values for GEE and FBAT were all less than 3.5 × 10-6 and 2.5 × 10-5, respectively. Of the 40 top SNPs with the greatest numbers of significantly associated BMD traits (including femoral neck, trochanter, and lumbar spine), one half to two-thirds were in or near genes that have not previously been studied for osteoporosis. Notably, pleiotropic associations between BMD and bone geometric traits were uncommon. Evidence for association (FBAT or GEE p < 0.05) was observed for several SNPs in candidate genes for osteoporosis, such as rs1801133 in MTHFR; rs1884052 and rs3778099 in ESR1; rs4988300 in LRP5; rs2189480 in VDR; rs2075555 in COLIA1; rs10519297 and rs2008691 in CYP19, as well as SNPs in PPARG (rs10510418 and rs2938392) and ANKH (rs2454873 and rs379016). All GEE, FBAT and linkage results are provided as an open-access results resource at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?id=phs000007 . The FHS 100K SNP project offers an unbiased genome-wide strategy to identify new candidate loci and to replicate previously suggested candidate genes for osteoporosis.
Soil Science Education and the "Age of Money": Reflections and Concerns for the Near Future

Soils are major players in the environment. Globally,they store more than twice as much carbon as dovegetation or the atmosphere; they contain the equiv-alent of about 300 times the amount of carbon nowreleased annually through the burning of fossil fuels.Recent evidence suggests that soil carbon reserves aredecreasinginseveralpartsoftheworldatamuchfasterrate than anticipated. This is generating concern thatthe degassing of soils could lead to a dramatic accel-eration of global warming. Concurrently, there is thepossibility that large amounts of organic and inorganiccontaminants,nowretainedbysoilorganicmatter,maybecomemobilizedandendupinaquifersortheoceans.At this juncture, little is known about what the futuremay have in store relative to any of these processes.Some computer models predict the degassing of sur-face soils within less than 50 years, whereas othermodels predict soils to act as important CO
Trojan siRNA Opens the Door to Chemotherapy

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is resistant to most chemotherapeutic agents because it does not express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or Her2/neu (hence, “triple-negative”). Unfortunately, most chemotherapies target one of these three receptors, making the treatment of TNBC a major clinical challenge. A new study by Deng et al . describes nanoparticles assembled from different layers of polymers for sequential delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA), which first disables a drug-resistance pathway in tumors. After this siRNA “Trojan horse,” a chemotherapeutic agent can be released to kill the unsuspecting cancer cells. Nanoparticles encapsulating the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin were coated with a poly-l-arginine (PLA) layer containing siRNA, followed by an outer shell layer of hyaluronic acid (HA). The particles were engineered to first release the siRNA payload targeting multidrug resistant protein 1 ( MRP1 ), to disable tumor resistance, followed by doxorubicin, to kill the tumor cells. Together, these two layers worked to protect, target, and release the cargo more slowly over time than would a typical intravenous injection. The PLA layer enabled high siRNA loading of up to 3500 siRNA molecules per particle, with enhanced stability, better silencing efficiency, and lower cytotoxicity as compared with other polycationic materials, while the HA layer prolonged the circulation time and provided tumor-targeting by serving as a native ligand to CD44—a marker overexpressed in TNBC. Three tail vein injections of these combo nanoparticles every 5 days in human tumor-bearing mice showed significant tumor regression, whereas control animals with TNBC receiving either doxorubicin liposomes with scramble-sequenced siRNA, empty liposomes with MRP1 siRNA, or saline resisted treatment. siRNA against MRP1 was chosen on the basis of an in vitro screen using the human TNBC cell line, MDA-MB-468, and was tested in a xenografted human tumor model, suggesting that this approach could be translated to use in people. Harnessing synergistic gene therapy and chemotherapy along with smart nanomaterials paves the way for the treatment of such aggressive cancers. However, the authors still need to examine the long-term safety, dosing, and clinical effectiveness of this platform technology. Following these studies, the system can be adapted to treat many other cancer types by substituting the drug, the siRNA, and the surface particles to target and combat tumor cells in a personalized manner. Z. J. Deng et al. , Layer-by-layer nanoparticles for systemic codelivery of an anticancer drug and siRNA for potential triple-negative breast cancer treatment, ACS Nano , published online 21 October 2013 (10.1021/nn4047925).[[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn4047925
Performance of American Indian children with fetal alcohol syndrome on the test of language development

Alcohol is a teratogen known to have deleterious effects on the developing embryo and fetus. Language deficits secondary to central nervous system dysfunction are among the sequelae of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Limited information is available regarding the language deficits associated with FAS, particularly among the population of American Indians in whom FAS is highly prevalent. The TOLD-P and TOLD-I were administered to 27 American Indian children: 10 with FAS and 17 normally developing control subjects. Pure-tone screening, immittance measurement, and vision screening preceded language testing. The older FAS children presented syntactic deficits while the younger FAS subjects presented more global language deficits.
Physiological impact of the N95 filtering facepiece respirator on healthcare workers

OBJECTIVE: To assess the physiological impact of the N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) on healthcare workers. METHODS: Ten healthcare workers each conducted multiple 1-hour treadmill walking sessions, at 1.7 miles/h, and at 2.5 miles/h, while wearing FFR with exhalation valve, FFR without exhalation valve, and without FFR (control session). We monitored heart rate, respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, blood oxygen saturation, and transcutaneously measured PCO2 . We also measured user comfort and exertion, FFR moisture retention, and the carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations in the FFR’s dead space. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between FFR and control in the physiological variables, exertion scores, or comfort scores. There was no significant difference in moisture retention between FFR with and without exhalation valve. Two subjects had peak PCO2 > 50 mm Hg. The FFR with exhalation valve offered no benefit in physiological burden over the FFR without valve. The FFR dead-space oxygen and carbon dioxide levels did not meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s ambient workplace standards. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy healthcare workers, FFR did not impose any important physiological burden during 1 hour of use, at realistic clinical work rates, but the FFR dead-space carbon dioxide and oxygen levels were significantly above and below, respectively, the ambient workplace standards, and elevated PCO2 is a possibility. Exhalation valve did not significantly ameliorate the FFR’s PCO2 impact. Key words: N95 filtering facepiece; respirator; physiological; healthcare workers; comfort; exertion; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; workplace. [Respir Care 2010;55(5):569 –577]
Evaluating an integrated system supporting multiple information-seeking strategies

Many studies have demonstrated that people engage in a variety of different information behaviors when engaging in information seeking. However, standard information retrieval systems such as Web search engines continue to be designed to support mainly one such behavior, specified searching. This situation has led to suggestions that people would be better served by information retrieval systems which support different kinds of information-seeking strategies. This article reports on an experiment comparing the retrieval effectiveness of an integrated interactive information retrieval (IIR) system which adapts to support different information-seeking strategies with that of a standard baseline IIR system. The experiment, with 32 participants each searching on eight different topics, indicates that using the integrated IIR system resulted in significantly better user satisfaction with search results, significantly more effective interaction, and significantly better usability than that using the baseline system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emotions and Multilingualism: Languages and emotions: What can a multilingual perspective contribute?

I had studied Fula for two years … but despite this indispensable apprenticeship I needed a year of life with the Fulani before I spoke fluently; today I continue to make many mistakes, and up until the last moment of our stay I was always learning new words and turns of speech. When I think of all that I have still to learn, I wonder how I could have written the pages which follow. (Riesman, 1977: 3) Jenny B. is a young, charming and enthusiastic doctoral student in linguistics, interested in the language of emotions. This year she was awarded a grant to conduct her field research in Karani, a language that has not been extensively studied before. After lots of bureaucratic complications, she had finally gotten her visa and airplane ticket, survived the flight (or rather an endless series of flights and rides), and at long last arrived in The Village, located at the heart of the Karani-speaking community. It took her a few days to settle in and then she was ready to begin her research in earnest. Based on a few previous studies of languages related to Karani and on the remarks of anthropologists who had worked with Karani speakers before, Jenny hypothesized that Karani emotion terms might differ from their English counterparts. Prior to the trip she had taken an intensive, summer-long Karani course; upon arrival, she immediately began listening to conversations around her and taking notes.
Retrograde Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion: Going Backward to Go Forward.

Chronic total conclusions (CTOs) have long been considered among the most challenging lesion subsets for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The basis for this belief is multifactorial, including the absence or subtlety of perceived patient symptoms, assumptions that CTOs are often associated
Digital Testing -- Basics to Advanced Research Issues

This tutorial covers the basics of testing digital systems and also introduces some of the important cutting edge practices in the areas of VLSI testing. It assumes almost no prior knowledge in the area of testing. Thus the first part of the tutorial will help students, designers and faculty with little or no background in digital testing. The goal of the second part of the tutorial is to make the participants aware of state of the art practices and resulting research problems. Though, only a few research problems of the present day constantly changing VLSI field will be discussed at some length in. The objective of the tutorial is to whet the appetite of the advanced undergraduate students for VLSI testing by covering the basics of testing and to expose the graduate students and the faculty to the latest and state of the art testing research.
Whole-Body Rejuvenation Utilizing Energy-Based Modalities

The landscape of aesthetic dermatology has changed dramatically over the past couple of years due to soaring patient demands for minimally invasive, safe, effective, and fast whole-body procedures and the continuously emerging new technologies. Moreover, the concept of whole-body rejuvenation as the new paradigm that ensures skin health and age prophylaxis by stimulating dermal remodeling, epidermal turnover, skin tightening, and modulating repletion or depletion of volume requires clinical application of a combination of energy-based devices (intense-pulsed light, fractional lasers, vascular lasers, ultrasound, radiofrequency, shockwave, and low-energy laser light devices) alongside fillers/toxins and an at-home skin care regimen. This present-day reality has mobilized physicians to carefully assess the best strategies for their patient’s goals while capitalizing on the advantages of each of the technologies entering the arena. As such, this report aims to provide an overview of the mainstream energy-based modalities currently used for whole-body rejuvenation.
Mode of Expression of Host Preference by Circulifer tenellus , the Vector of Curly Top Virus

Beet leafhoppers were presented with a choice between a preferred host, sugarbeet, and a nonpreferred host, tomato, by 3 different methods, involving both seedling and young growing plants. Leafhoppers moved to preferred and nonpreferred hosts without distinction provided foliar surface areas of the 2 species were similar in size. Within seconds after alighting upon either species, leafhoppers routinely chose a spot where they remained very still as though feeding. This still period of apparent feeding lasted an average of 24 minutes on tomato and 36 minutes on sugarbeet under natural conditions. It lasted twice as long when leafhoppers were captured, caged, and starved for 2 hours immediately before testing. At the end of the still period, leafhoppers promptly flew away from tomato plants, but on sugarbeets they usually moved about for a time and then settled down to an extended period of stillness. Both preferred and non preferred hosts were infected during the initial still period in tests with viruliferous leafhoppers. Apparently the leafhopper: (1) finds preferred hosts by random movement from plant to plant; (2) does not discriminate until after spending 25 to 50 min on a plant; (3) feeds on both preferred and non preferred hosts before discriminating; and (4) expresses preference by departing from non preferred and remaining on preferred hosts.
Development of a Traditional Special Library in Network Age

A Special Library is Usually Server to Someone Scientific Research Institution,High Professionalization,Less Readers,high level.In the Fast Growing Network,It has more Problems,Readers lost,No More Collects,and Staff Knowledge of aging.In Network age,How to survive and develop is a big problem.
Case 40: Taking Over an Ongoing Clinical Trial

You have been put in charge of a clinical laboratory in a university hospital. A long-term clinical study is ongoing which you are now in charge of. There is a massive amount of data being generated. You are fully aware of the hypothesis and understand the questions that are being posed. A nurse coordinator is in charge of the handling and storage of data, while a senior technician is in charge of analyzing and reporting on it.
Conduction band edge effective mass of La-doped BaSnO3

BaSnO3 has attracted attention as a promising material for applications requiring wide band gap, high electron mobility semiconductors, and moreover possesses the same perovskite crystal structure as many functional oxides. A key parameter for these applications and for the interpretation of its properties is the conduction band effective mass. We measure the plasma frequency of La-doped BaSnO3 thin films by glancing incidence, parallel-polarized resonant reflectivity. Using the known optical dielectric constant and measured electron density, the resonant frequency determines the band edge electron mass to be 0.19 ± 0.01. The results allow for testing band structure calculations and transport models.
Promoting Constructive Modes of Self-Criticism

In this chapter, the focus of attention will shift to therapeutic interventions designed to enable clients to learn and to implement constructive self-critical behaviors. Topics discussed will include (1) the use of therapeutic images and concepts as means for conveying important ideas about the form that such alternative behaviors might take; and (2) the employment of various behavioral directives and other procedures to help individuals to engage actively in such behaviors. The general understanding here, as throughout this book, is that no single approach will be possible or most effective with all clients. Thus, the attempt is to provide the therapist with options that may be used with different clients who prove amenable to different interventions.
Explaining the familiarity-liking relationship: Mere exposure, information availability, or social desirability?

A large and diverse body of marketing literature suggests that well-known brands enjoy several advantages compared to less familiar brands. Specifically, brands with higher levels of familiarity appear to achieve higher levels of liking or preference among both consumers and retailers. This familiarity-liking relationship has proven to be one of marketing's most robust and reproducible empirical generalizations. However, there remains a considerable amount of uncertainty as to the conditions under which this relationship arises. In this study, we identify, conceptualize, and empirically assess three alternative hypotheses of the familiarity-liking relationship: mere exposure, information availability, and social desirability. Our results suggest that social desirability is the most powerful of these three potential mechanisms underlying the familiarity-liking phenomenon.
Prognostic Factors for Failure of Antibiotic Treatment in Patients With Osteomyelitis of the Spine.

Study design Retrospective cohort study. Objective The aim of this study was to identify factors independently associated with antibiotic treatment failure in patients with spinal osteomyelitis. Summary of background data There are few studies that have identified risk factors for antibiotic treatment failure in medically managed spinal osteomyelitis. Identifying such factors could help to identify patients who can be treated solely with antibiotics. Methods All patients who underwent antibiotic treatment for spinal osteomyelitis in one of our institutions between January 1, 2001 and January 1, 2015 were identified. Patients who underwent surgery before the start of the antibiotic treatment were excluded. Results We included 215 patients with a mean age of 58 years; 63 (29%) patients had failure of antibiotic treatment. Diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.79, P = 0.037), fever (HR 1.61, 95% CI 0.93-2.79, P = 0.088), osteomyelitis at an additional site (HR 5.17, 95% CI 2.63-27.9, P = 0.001), and the presence of an epidural abscess (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.05-3.45, P = 0.033) were associated with failure of antibiotic treatment. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, diabetes (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.03-2.79, P = 0.019), osteomyelitis at an additional site (HR 8.26, 95% CI 2.51-27.2, P = 0.001), fever (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.00-3.12, P = 0.050), and the presence of an epidural abscess (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.06-3.13, P = 0.030) were independently associated with failure of antibiotic treatment. Conclusion Antibiotic treatment failed in 29% of patients; diabetes, current other osteomyelitis, and having an epidural abscess were independently associated with failure of antibiotic treatment. Level of evidence 3.
Structural, Mutagenic and In Silico studies of Xyloglucan Fucosylation in Arabidopsis thaliana Suggest a Water-Mediated Mechanism

The mechanistic underpinnings of the complex process of plant polysaccharide biosynthesis are poorly understood, largely because of the resistance of glycosyltransferase (GT) enzymes to structural characterization. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a glycosyl transferase family 37 (GT37) fucosyltransferase 1 (AtFUT1) catalyzes the regiospecific transfer of terminal 1,2-fucosyl residues to xyloglucan side chains - a key step in the biosynthesis of fucosylated sidechains of galactoxyloglucan. We unravel the mechanistic basis for fucosylation by AtFUT1 with a multipronged approach involving protein expression, X-ray crystallography, mutagenesis experiments and molecular simulations. Mammalian cell culture expressions enable the sufficient production of the enzyme for X-ray crystallography, which reveals the structural architecture of AtFUT1 in complex with bound donor and acceptor substrate analogs. The lack of an appropriately positioned active site residue as a catalytic base leads us to propose an atypical water-mediated fucosylation mechanism facilitated by an H-bonded network, which is corroborated by mutagenesis experiments as well as detailed atomistic simulations.
Assessment of the petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation potential of the sediment microbial community from an urban fringing tidal marsh of Northern New England.

We assessed the impact of dodecane, n-hexane and gasoline on the microbial diversity of chronically polluted fringing tidal marsh sediment from the Great Bay Estuary of New Hampshire. Dilution cultures containing saturated alkane concentrations were sampled at zero, one and 10 days, and alkB and cyp153A1 alkane hydroxylase gene libraries and 16S rRNA sequences were analyzed. The initial sediment had the most diverse alkane hydroxylase sequences and phylogenetic composition whereas treated sediments became less functionally and phylogenetically diverse with alkane substrates apparently enriching a few dominant taxa. All 1- and 10-day samples were dominated by Pseudomonas -type alkane hydroxylase sequences except in dodecane treatments where primarily Rhodococcus -type alkane hydroxylases were detected. 16S rRNA profiling revealed that the Gammaproteobacteria, particularly Pseudomonas , dominated all one day samples, especially the n-hexane and gasoline treatments (63.2 and 47.2% respectively) and the 10-day n-hexane treatment (which contained 60.8% Pseudomonas and 18.6% Marinobacter ). In contrast, the 10 days of dodecane treatment enriched for Actinobacteria (26.2% Rhodococcus and 32.4% Mycobacterium ) and gasoline treatment enriched for Firmicutes (29.7%; mainly Bacillus , Lysinibacillus and Rumelibacillus ). Our data indicate that fringing tidal marshes contain microbial communities with alkane-degrading abilities similar to larger meadow marshes, and support the hypothesis that alkane exposure reduces the functional and phylogenetic diversity of microbial communities in an alkane-specific manner. Further research to evaluate the ability of such fringing marsh communities to rebound to pre-pollutant diversity levels should be conducted to better assess the threat of petroleum to these habitats.
Baby brain atlases

The baby brain is constantly changing due to its active neurodevelopment, and research into the baby brain is one of the frontiers in neuroscience. To help guide neuroscientists and clinicians in their investigation of this frontier, maps of the baby brain, which contain a priori knowledge about neurodevelopment and anatomy, are essential. "Brain atlas" in this review refers to a 3D-brain image with a set of reference labels, such as a parcellation map, as the anatomical reference that guides the mapping of the brain. Recent advancements in scanners, sequences, and motion control methodologies enable the creation of various types of high-resolution baby brain atlases. What is becoming clear is that one atlas is not sufficient to characterize the existing knowledge about the anatomical variations, disease-related anatomical alterations, and the variations in time-dependent changes. In this review, the types and roles of the human baby brain MRI atlases that are currently available are described and discussed, and future directions in the field of developmental neuroscience and its clinical applications are proposed. The potential use of disease-based atlases to characterize clinically relevant information, such as clinical labels, in addition to conventional anatomical labels, is also discussed.
Geopolitical Market Concentration (GMC) Risk of Turkish Crude Oil and Natural Gas Imports

This chapter explores the geopolitical risk of Turkey’s crude oil and natural gas diversification portfolios. We use the methodology of Chaterjee (Strateg Anal 36(1):145–165, 2012) to forecast the Geopolitical Market Concentration (GMC) risk of Turkey’s diversification portfolios under worst and best case scenarios. Our analysis is based on the market shares and the political stability of countries supplying crude oil and natural gas to Turkey. The results are robust to the choice of parameters in the double exponential smoothing method, which we use for forecasting.
Transient Open-Channel Flows

In the previous chapters, we considered transient flows in the closed conduits. In this chapter, we discuss transient flows in open channels. A flow having a free surface is considered open-channel flow even though the channel may be closed at the top, e.g., a tunnel flowing partially full. A number of common terms are defined, and the examples of transient flows are presented. The dynamic and continuity equations describing these flows are derived, and a number of methods for their solution are discussed. Details of explicit finite-difference and implicit finite-difference method are then presented. This is followed by a discussion of a number of special topics on open-channel transients. The chapter concludes with a case study.
Eddy Current Calibration of Fatigue Cracks using EDM Notches

Eddy current nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is well known as an effective technique for detecting fatigue cracks in conducting materials [1]. Along with detection, it is also important to be able to size fatigue cracks. This sizing is difficult because eddy current phenomena do not in general allow a quantitative image to be obtained, rather, a characteristic signal is obtained from a test which is much like a defect fingerprint. Defect sizing is facilitated by calibration procedures, which utilize classification schemes. EDM notches are often used to produce reference signals which are then used in the classification schemes. There is, however, much discussion in the NDE community as to the accuracy of EDM notch reference standards for eddy current fatigue crack calibration [2–3]. In response to the need for accurate fatigue crack standards to be used for training a classification system for the NASA Space Shuttle main engine heat exchanger unit, a study was carried out comparing eddy current responses to EDM notches and fatigue cracks in stainless steel tubing.
The Murine GL261 Glioma Experimental Model to Assess Novel Brain Tumor Treatments

The GL261 glioma is representative of a carcinogen-induced mouse syngeneic glioma model. This model represents one of the very few brain tumor models developed in immunocompetent animals that has growth characteristics similar to human GBM. The ideal animal model should share the invasive properties that the human GBM displays, since this is a major reason for the failure of current treatment strategies. Here we demonstrate, through a detailed comparison with human GBM, that the murine GL261 glioma closely mimics its human counterpart in a number of significant ways, but most importantly in its invasive and angiogenic properties representing the relevant biology of human GBMs. Therefore, it should prove to be a valuable preclinical model for testing novel drugs and therapeutic strategies that inhibit glioma invasion and angiogenesis.
Call off the hunt

The first grizzly bear shoot in Wyoming for decades is immoral and unscientific, says Marc Bekoff
“English is my only weapon”: Neoliberal language ideologies and youth metadiscourse in South Korea

Abstract This study explores language ideologies among adolescents attending a South Korean English academy. Current research on language ideologies and English learning has primarily been conducted in countries where English is predominantly spoken, or among adult learners. This study explores these dynamics in South Korea, a country where English is not widely spoken, yet plays a key role in educational and economic opportunity. We analyzed written questionnaires from 27 adolescents positioned as “near-native” English speakers within their English academy. Our analysis documented specific audiences participants invoked in their reflections on English learning, which included adults, peers, language policies, and a hypothesized community of “native English speakers.” We then explored the range of purposes for which participants discussed the use of English across these audiences. Throughout the sample, participants positioned English use in relation to economic status, perceived intelligence, and employability in both global and local contexts. We found participants were keenly aware of their ability to strategically leverage English to both accommodate and resist these dynamics across multiple audiences. We argue that participants’ understanding and leveraging of neoliberal language ideologies illustrates the need to explicitly address these dynamics within global English learning. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate adolescents’ agency, creativity, and metalinguistic awareness toward language and its use.
Secure guest virtual machine support in apparition

Recent research utilizing Secure Virtual Architecture (SVA) has demonstrated that compiler-based virtual machines can protect applications from side-channel attacks launched by compromised operating system kernels. However, SVA provides no instructions for using hardware virtualization features such as Intel’s Virtual Machine Extensions (VMX) and AMD’s Secure Virtual Machine (SVM). Consequently, operating systems running on top of SVA cannot run guest operating systems using features such as Linux’s Kernel Virtual Machine (KVM) and FreeBSD’s bhyve. This paper presents a set of new SVA instructions that allow an operating system kernel to configure and use the Intel VMX hardware features. Additionally, we use these new instructions to create Shade. Shade extends Apparition (an SVA-based system) to ensure that a compromised host operating system cannot use the new VMX virtual instructions to attack host applications (either directly or via page-fault and last-level-cache side-channel attacks).
Neighborhood effects and obesity in adult survivors of pediatric cancer: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

e23051Background: Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for obesity and associated chronic health conditions - risks that are potentially modifiable if survivors adopt a lifestyle with adequate...
SAVIOR ICU: sonification and vibrotactile interface for the operating room and intensive care unit

Alarm fatigue is an issue for healthcare providers in the intensive care unit, and may result from desensitization of overbearing and under-informing alarms. To directly increase the overall identification of medical alarms and potentially contribute to a downstream decrease in the prevalence of alarm fatigue, we propose advancing alarm sonification by combining auditory and tactile stimuli to create a multisensory alarm. Participants completed four trials—two multisensory (auditory and tactile) and two unisensory (auditory). Analysis compared the unisensory trials to the multisensory trials based on the percentage of correctly identified point of change, direction of change and identity of three physiological parameters (indicated by different instruments): heart rate (drums), blood pressure (piano), blood oxygenation (guitar). A repeated-measures of ANOVA yielded a significant improvement in performance for the multisensory group compared to the unisensory group (p < 0.05). Specifically, the multisensory group had better performance in correctly identifying parameter (p < 0.05) and point of change (p < 0.05) compared to the unisensory group. Participants demonstrated a higher accuracy of identification with the use of multisensory alarms. Therefore, multisensory alarms may relieve the auditory burden of the medical environment and increase the overall quality of care and patient safety.
Fabrication of integrated single-chip Fourier spectrometers

The goal of this work is to achieve an ultra-miniature spectrometer that has a footprint of less than 1mm x 1mm. The design is based on a novel technique known as Fourier spectral filtering. The sensor consists of a group of photodetectors integrated with different Fourier filters. Each filter, combined with the intrinsic spectral response of the silicon photodetector, was designed to have a unique sinusoidal transmission function. By utilizing multiple sinusoids and collecting the data from all of the detectors, a Fourier transform can be performed and the spectral content of the signal can be extracted.
Novel QUEST MRI In Vivo Measurement of Noise-induced Oxidative Stress in the Cochlea

Effective personalized therapeutic treatment for hearing loss is currently not available. Cochlear oxidative stress is commonly identified in the pathogenesis of hearing loss based upon findings from excised tissue, thus suggesting a promising druggable etiology. However, the timing and site(s) to target for anti-oxidant treatment in vivo are not clear. Here, we address this long-standing problem with QUEnch-assiSTed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (QUEST MRI), which non-invasively measures excessive production of free radicals without an exogenous contrast agent. QUEST MRI is hypothesized to be sensitive to noise-evoked cochlear oxidative stress in vivo. Rats exposed to a loud noise event that resulted in hair cell loss and reduced hearing capability had a supra-normal MRI R1 value in their cochleae that could be corrected with anti-oxidants, thus non-invasively indicating cochlear oxidative stress. A gold-standard oxidative damage biomarker [heme oxidase 1 (HO-1)] supported the QUEST MRI result. The results from this study highlight QUEST MRI as a potentially transformative measurement of cochlear oxidative stress in vivo that can be used as a biomarker for improving individual evaluation of anti-oxidant treatment efficacy in currently incurable oxidative stress-based forms of hearing loss.
Cost-effectiveness of continuing pneumococcal conjugate vaccination at age 65 in the context of indirect effects from the childhood immunization program

Abstract The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positon of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Background Continued indirect effects provided by the childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV13]) program in the United States have decreased disease in the adult population, reducing the potential direct effects of vaccinating older adults. Objective We examined the incremental cost-effectiveness of continuing to recommend PCV13 in series with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) at age 65 compared to a strategy that only included a recommendation for PPSV23 at age 65. Methods We used a probabilistic model following a cohort of 65 year olds in 2019. We used vaccination coverage and disease incidence estimates for healthy adults and adults with chronic medical conditions. We incorporated continued indirect effects from the childhood PCV13 program on adult disease incidence. Results In the base case scenario, continuing to recommend PCV13 at age 65 cost $561,682 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. In a scenario where PPSV23 provided modest protection against non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia, costs increased to $2.3 million per QALY. These estimates are larger than our prior estimates for cost-effectiveness of this recommendation in the context of predicted indirect effects due to new data indicating PCV13 provided limited impact on serotype 3, the major cause of the remaining PCV13-type disease. Under our prior assumptions about PCV13 effectiveness against serotype 3 disease, the cost of continuing the recommendation is $207,607 per QALY. Conclusion Indirect effects from the childhood PCV13 program have dramatically increased the cost per QALY of continuing to recommend PCV13 at age 65 after only a few years.
Neighborhood disorder and child behavioral problems among kinship children: Mediated by social support and moderated by race/ethnicity?

Abstract Background Children in kinship care may be placed in similar neighborhoods as their birth families, which are predominantly characterized as distressed neighborhoods with high poverty and crime rates, poor-quality housing conditions, and few social resources. Disordered neighborhoods are negatively correlated to social support, but this dynamic may vary by race or ethnicity. However, children’s previously established attachment and social bonding may offset the negative effects of distressed neighborhoods on child behavioral health. Objectives This study examined the relation between neighborhood disorder and children’s internalizing and externalizing problems among children in kinship care and tested caregivers’ social support as a potential mediator. Moreover, this study examined if race/ethnicity moderated the pathway from neighborhood disorder to social support, and from social support to children’s internalizing and externalizing problems. Participants and Setting This study used NSCAW II wave 3 data for a sample of children in kinship care. Methods Univariate, bivariate, and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using STATA 15. Results Neighborhood disorder was indirectly associated with children’s internalizing and externalizing problems through a mediator of social support. No racial/ethnic differences were identified. Conclusions Implications for improving social support for kinship caregivers to ameliorate the effects of neighborhood disorder on children’s behavioral health are discussed. Implementing effective neighborhood-level interventions could promote positive outcomes for children in kinship care.
A survey on dilated cardiomyopathy in non-endemic areas of Keshan disease in Gansu Province

Objective To investigate the situation of dilated cardiomyopathy in non-endemic areas of Keshan disease, and to provide the evidence for control and evaluation of Keshan disease. Methods Twelve endemic counties of Keshan disease and two non-endemic counties of Keshan disease were chosen, two non-endemic townships of Keshan disease were chosen from each county, then one non-endemic village of about 500 residents was selected as investigated site from each non-endemic township, the sampled villages' natural environment, the production method and life style were similar to those of the village of Keshan disease. The residents of the villages sampled were surveyed by physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG); suspected dilated cardiomyopathy patients were conducted chest X-ray or cardiac echocardiography. Results The number of investigated villages was 28, and 13 200 people were surveyed by physical examination and ECG. The number of subjects with abnormal ECG was 1 518, and the rate of abnormal ECG was 11.50%. One patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and 285 patients with quasi-latent Keshan disease were found, the total prevalence was 2.17%. The proportion of quasi-latent Keshan disease between male and female was 1.00︰1.07. The prevalence (1.98%) of quasi-latent Keshan disease in villages of endemic counties was lower than that (3.25%) of the villages in non-endemic counties, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2= 12.096, P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy and quasi-latent Keshan disease in non-endemic areas of Keshan disease can be used as references in the evaluation of Keshan disease in the endemic areas of Keshan disease,which may provide evidence for Keshan disease control and evaluation. Key words: Keshan disease; Dilated cardiomyopathy; Condition; Prevalence; Control
Low-Cost Mid-Infrared Polarizer Based on Direct Coupling to Surface-Plasmon Polaritons

We report a new type of reflective polarizer based on free-space coupling to surface-plasmon polaritons that has a high extinction ratio and high efficiency at infrared frequencies.
Accounting-Based Valuation with Changing Interest Rates

This paper generalizes Ohlson’s [Contemporary Accounting Research Vol. 11 No. 2. 661–687 (1995)] equity valuation framework to allow for stochastic interest rates. Much of this analysis initially deals with the specialized setting in which earnings suffice for cum-dividend value. In such a case, the beginning-of-period (lagged) rate determines the capitalization factor, not the current rate. The underlying earnings dynamic modifies the traditional random walk model via an additional term, namely current earnings multiplied by the percentage change in interest rates. The general model retains these basic aspects of the earnings-sufficiency setting. Empirical implications bear on the returns-to-earnings regression: The earnings-response coefficient decreases as the beginning-of-period rate increases.
Compartment Syndrome of the Thigh in a Patient with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

Introduction The severe pain that commonly accompanies appendicular flare-ups of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is often ascribed to compartment syndrome, but no documentation exists. Case report We revisited the case of an adult with classic FOP who underwent measurement of compartment pressure of the thigh during an acute, severely painful flare-up of the thigh. The intracompartmental pressure of the thigh was measured at 95--110 mm of mercury (normal compartment pressure is 0--8 mmHg). A fasciotomy of the thigh was performed. Despite immediate post-operative relief of pain, progressive heterotopic ossification and loss of function of the hip and knee occurred. Conclusion This unique case documents and confirms the suspected presence of compartment syndrome during an acute flare-up of FOP and has vital implications for understanding the pathophysiology and care of patients with acute appendicular flare-ups of FOP and for the design of emerging clinical trials.
Voices of the students: Adolescent well-being and social interactions during the emergent shift to online learning environments

Health and safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic required many face-to-face United States schools to suddenly shut their doors, moving classes to virtual learning environments. Amidst concerns of technology overuse, adolescents across the country saw dramatic increases in both personal screen time use and social isolation as they learned to navigate online schooling. Understanding the impact of the pandemic-related shutdowns upon adolescent well-being, learning, and social life is critical for designing effective online learning experiences, but research provides few insights from the adolescent perspective. This mixed methods study works to fill this gap by investigating adolescent needs and perceptions during the pandemic. The main questions asked are:To what extent does adolescent well-being during the pandemic differ from pre-pandemic well-being?What factors do adolescents view as influences upon their learning during the imposed shift to online schooling?What social changes and concerns do adolescents report during the pandemic? Twenty-one adolescents completed Likert scale surveys and participated in semi-structured one-to-one interviews. Results showed a significant decrease in positive affect and a significant increase in negative affect during the pandemic, suggesting a decline in well-being. The majority of participants reported high distractibility and noted the lure of entertaining technology, but also described their smartphones as "connecting" and "necessary". Social interactions were a priority for all participants, but participants agreed that opportunities for social connectedness in online education were limited. The challenges of online learning, the importance of identifying and responding to student needs, and suggested strategies for online education are discussed.