cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nature and fate of natural resins in the geosphere. XI

The results of ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) oxidation of a mature Class Ib amber polymer are reported and discussed. These data indicate that the residual double bond present in mature Class I ambers is not located in the A/B ring structure of these materials and that C17 of the original labdanoid precursors is retained in mature Class I ambers as a methyl group. These data also suggest that the reaction which results in formation of the residual unsaturated structure in mature ambers also results in a second covalent connection between the A/B ring system and the polymer backbone, probably through C8 of the original labdanoid structure.
The Bacterial Content of the Prostate and its Relation to Prostatic Adenoma

We have at the present time no adequate explanation of the etiology of tumors, benign or malignant. Irritation, both bacterial and traumatic, is considered by many as an exciting factor, and it was thought interesting to carry out an investigation of the relation of infection to prostatic adenoma. In this series all the cases selected were those showing prostatic adenoma with the exception of Case 9, which proved to be a prostatic abscess and was included because of its bacteriologic interest.
Strained-Si MOS Field-Effect Transistors: Building Devices on Relaxed -Si1−xGex Buffer Layers

The experimental application of strained-Si / relaxed-Si1−xGex heterostructures to n-MOSFETs is discussed, focusing on the enhanced mobility provided by the strain. This paper provides an overview of the theoretically-predicted electronic properties of these heterostructures, as well as their growth. Several practical issues which arise in MOS applications are covered, including the effect of the relaxed-Si1−xGex, buffer layers on diode performance, and the observation of self-heating effects in the output characteristics of the MOS transistors.
Can Local Probes Go Global? A Joint Experiment–Simulation Analysis of λ6–85 Folding

The process of protein folding is known to involve global motions in a cooperative affair; the structure of most of the protein sequences is gained or lost over a narrow range of temperature, denaturant, or pressure perturbations. At the same time, recent simulations and experiments reveal a complex structural landscape with a rich set of local motions and conformational changes. We couple experimental kinetic and thermodynamic measurements with specifically tailored analysis of simulation data to isolate local versus global folding probes. We find that local probes exhibit lower melting temperatures, smaller surface area changes, and faster kinetics compared to global ones. We also see that certain local probes of folding match the global behavior more closely than others. Our work highlights the importance of using multiple probes to fully characterize protein folding dynamics by theory and experiment.
SP0117 Doing it Differently? New Approaches to Student Education and Improving Health Outcomes

Educators aim to transform students9 knowledge, behaviors, and skills learned in the classroom to relevant situations in the real world. The rapid increasing of technology in healthcare provides a fertile ground for the implementation and evaluation of technology-based and competency driven curricula in the health professions. The technologies available to faculty are vast. These technologies include: web-based learning platforms, student response technologies, learning object creation tools, lecture capture software, e-portfolios, google glasses and computer-based simulation. This presentation will review the latest in technology-based education, provide practical guidance on the use of these technologies in learning and highlight key research in the field of simulated learning and competency assessment. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Epidemiological analysis of rubella in Xuchang from 2004-2010

[Objective]To analyze the incidence and epidemic features of rubella in Xuchang City,and provide scientific evidence for developing control strategies and measures. [Methods]The descriptive epidemiology was used to analyze the reported data about rubella in Xuchang City from 2004-2010. [Results]A total of 1 384 cases of rubella were reported during 2004-2010,with average annual incidence of 4.65/100 000,the peak incidence appeared in 2006 and 2010.The incidence between areas was significant(χ2=3236.37,P0.01);most cases appeared in late spring and early summer,the ratio of male to female was 1.15∶1,the difference was significant between genders(χ2=6.82,P0.01);68.28% cases were children under 6 years;96.75% were scattered children and students. [Conclusion]The reported incidence of rubella was higher in Xuchang City.It is necessary to strengthen the immunization and prevention.
Methodology for determining void swelling at very high damage under ion irradiation

Abstract At very high damage levels in ion irradiated samples, the decrease in effective density of the irradiated material due to void swelling can lead to errors in quantifying swelling. HT9 was pre-implanted with 10 appm He and subjected to a raster-scanned beam with a damage rate of ∼1 × 10−3 dpa/s at 460oC. Voids were characterized from 0 to 1300 nm. Fixed damage rate and fixed depth methods were developed to account for damage-dependent porosity increase and resulting dependence on depth. The fixed depth method was more appropriate as it limits undue effects from the injected interstitial while maintaining a usable void distribution. By keeping the depth fixed and accounting for the change in damage rate due to reduced density, the steady state swelling rate was 10% higher than calculation of swelling from raw data. This method is easily translatable to other materials, ion types and energies and limits the impact of the injected interstitial.
Reduction of thiazine dyes by bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells in culture

The uptake of methylene blue (MB), and toluidine blue O (TBO) by bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells grown on microcarrier beads was detected as a decrease in the concentration of dye in the medium after these thiazine dyes were added to the medium surrounding the cells. Because the reduced forms of these dyes are much more lipophilic than the oxidized forms, we considered the possibility that reduction of the dyes at the cell surface might have preceded the uptake by the cells. Therefore, we studied the ability of the cells to reduce a toluidine blue O-polyacrylamide polymer (TBOP), which was too large to enter the cells in either the oxidized or reduced form. The TBO moieties of the polymer were reduced by the cells, indicating that the dyes did not have to enter the cells to be reduced and that reduction can occur at, or near, the cell surface. The rate of TBOP reduction was about the same as the rate of uptake of the monomeric dyes, indicating that the cell surface reduction mechanism had a sufficient capacity to account for the monomer uptake by the cells. We also found that ferricyanide ion, which also did not permeate the cells, was reduced by the cells and that external ferricyanide inhibited the monomeric MB uptake. Thus the results with ferricyanide were also consistent with the concept that the monomeric thiazine dyes are reduced at the cell surface before the more lipophilic reduced forms are taken up by the endothelial cells.
Another Piece to the Troponin Puzzle: Better Confirmed, and With a Path Forward∗

There is a tendency to consider biomarkers such as the cardiac troponins as mere diagnostic probes or prognostic markers, rather than important elements of our armamentarium to evaluate the pathophysiology of a variety of disease states. The present paper from Japan by Takashio et al. [(1)][1]
Economics of site preparation and release treatments using herbicides in Central Georgia

Land expectation values (LEV) of site preparation and release treatments using herbicides in central Georgia are calculated and compared Loblolly pine growth and hurdwood competition levels were measured at age 6for the site preparation treatments and age 8for the release treatments. These measurements were projected to final harvest using the North Carolina State University growth and yield simulator. On six directly comparablesites, site preparation improvedlundexpectation valuesmore than release. When the most profitable treatments on each site were compared, site preparation LEVs {afier tax) were more than twice as profitable as release ($403 vs. $IWac). Veipar L'and Pronone LOG herbicide treatments increused the land expectation va!ue mostfor site preparcrtion. Arsenal AC and Velpar L provided the highest returns among the herbicides testedfor release. South. J. Appl. For. 22(3):154-162.
Generalization of scaling laws for gas breakdown to account for pressure

The increasing importance of electronics miniaturization has motivated research into the behavior of breakdown voltage for microscale and nanoscale gaps1–4; however, the traditional Paschen's law for predicting gas breakdown fails for smaller gaps1. Recent studies have developed analytic and numerical approaches to predict these deviations at atmospheric pressure1,2; however, the analytic expressions2 are only valid at atmospheric pressure and cannot be used to predict or explain recent breakdown studies at sub-atmospheric pressures down to vacuum3,4 or deviations from Paschen's law at higher pressures.5 In this presentation, we will generalize previously derived expressions2 for breakdown voltage at atmospheric pressure to derive simplified scaling laws valid for any pressure up to the Meeks criterion for streamer discharge. We will compare these results to particle-in-cell simulations, numerical solutions, and experiments3,4. The implications of these expressions for predicting breakdown voltage as a function of pressure and the significance for understanding deviations from the traditional Paschen's law will be discussed.
Integrating Multimedia and LMS Tools to Cultivate Creative and Reflective Learners.

The challenge for an instructor, no matter the delivery system, is to inspire students towards creative thinking.AÂ Online asynchronous and hybrid courses provide a unique opportunity for instructors to harness mobile multimedia tools such as tablets, and smart phones coupled with Learning Management System (LMS) tools to enhance instructor presence as well as student engagement in the creative process through real-time collaboration and feedback.In this 40-minute A¢â¬Ahow toA¢â¬Â presentation, attendees will be reintroduced to multimedia tools readily available to them like smart phone and tablets along with inexpensive presentation tools such as Camtasia to make engaging presentations.AÂ Using Distance Education courses in media criticism and online journalism, the presenter will demonstrate a few tips and tricks to improve image and sound quality.AÂ In addition to utilizing lecture presentations, attendees will learn how to integrate multimedia into announcements as well as in A¢â¬AinstructionalA¢â¬Â videos on how to think and write creatively and make presentations using video blogs.Finally, the presentation will explore student-teacher collaboration tools such as Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and Video Blogging via Kaltura CaptureSpace.AÂ Furthermore, Blue Pulse A¢â¬â a unique social feedback platform will be discussed as it relates to designing engaging content.AÂ Link to PREZI: https://prezi.com/kko4duvtkl9k/
Teaching Game Theory to Improve Adversarial Thinking in Cybersecurity Students

The ability to anticipate the strategic actions of hackers, including where, when, and how they might attack, and their tactics for evading detection, is a valuable skill for cybersecurity. Therefore, developing the strategic reasoning abilities of cybersecurity students is an important cybersecurity education learning objective. This paper proposes that basic game theory concepts should be taught to cybersecurity students in order to improve their strategic reasoning abilities. It details a pretest–posttest educational experiment that demonstrates that 2 h of basic game theory instruction results in a statistically significant improvement in students’ abilities to anticipate the strategic actions of others. It also provides details of the game theory curriculum to help other cybersecurity educators replicate these results. Additionally, this paper suggests that another benefit of teaching game theory in a cybersecurity course is that it may fundamentally alter the way students view the practice of cybersecurity, helping to sensitize them to the human adversary element inherent in cybersecurity in addition to technology-focused best practices. This could result in a more naturally strategic-minded, and therefore better equipped, cybersecurity workforce.
Obligaciones y responsabilidad civil

Incumplimiento contrato de prestacion de servicios educacionales. Contenido del contrato. Obligacion esencial. Indemnizacion del dano moral. Regimen de responsabilidad. Sentencia del noveno juzgado civil de Santiago, 2 de marzo de 2018, rol 20378-2016, no disponible en buscador electronico y sentencia de la Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago de 28 de abril de 2019, rol 7379-2018, no disponible en buscador electronico.
Magnetic Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles are of interest in a wide range of biomedical applications due to their response to applied magnetic fields and their unique magnetic properties. Magnetization measurements in constant and time-varying magnetic field are often carried out to quantify key properties of iron oxide nanoparticles. This chapter describes the importance of thorough magnetic characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles intended for use in biomedical applications. A basic introduction to relevant magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles is given, followed by protocols and conditions used for measurement of magnetic properties, along with examples of data obtained from each measurement, and methods of data analysis.
COCONUT: Seamless Scale-out of Network Elements

A key use of software-defined networking is to enable scale-out of network data plane elements. Naively scaling networking elements, however, can cause incorrect behavior. For example, we show that an IDS system which operates correctly as a single network element can erroneously and permanently block hosts when it is replicated.In this paper, we provide a system, COCONUT, for seamless scale-out of network forwarding elements; that is, an SDN application programmer can program to what functionally appears to be a single forwarding element, but which may be replicated behind the scenes. To do this, we identify the key property for seamless scale out, weak causality, and guarantee it through a practical and scalable implementation of vector clocks in the data plane. We prove that COCONUT enables seamless scale out of networking elements, i.e., the user-perceived behavior of any COCONUT element implemented with a distributed set of concurrent replicas is provably indistinguishable from its singleton implementation. Finally, we build a prototype of COCONUT and experimentally demonstrate its correct behavior. We also show that its abstraction enables a more efficient implementation of seamless scale-out compared to a naive baseline.
Abstract 454: Impact of Uremia on Human Adipose Phenotype

Background: Recognition of adipose-related signaling participation in vascular processes is increasing, though direct interrogation of clinically relevant human adipose has been sparse. Few scenarios rival uremia for health impact. To advance understanding of the spectrum/determinants of human adipose biology, we compared fresh extremity adipose from patients with/without uremia. Methods: Subcutaneous adipose and clinical data was collected from patients undergoing open elective surgery. Protein was isolated, and mediator levels determined via multiplex assays. Results: In the 71 patient cohort, mean age=63.4y; 63.3% had diabetes, 49.2% had hyperlipidemia and 53.5% had coronary disease. Compared to non-uremic patients, uremic patients had 1/10th the levels of leptin, 1/3rd the levels of adiponectin, and 3-fold higher levels of resistin (Table 1). Females had 6-fold higher leptin, 1.5-fold higher adiponectin and 2-fold higher TNF but equivalent resistin. There were no differences in mediator levels when stratified by age. In both the obese/non-obese strata, we observed a concordant pattern of association (magnitude/significance) of uremia and leptin/adiponectin/resistin. No differentials in other mediators emerged upon BMI stratification. Multiple regression analysis for leptin/adiponectin/resistin (with age/gender/uremia as independent variables) showed uremia as the highest independent predictor of all three mediators, followed by gender, whereas age had no effect. Conclusions: Based on direct biopsy of living human adipose, uremia is associated with adiposopathy, including perturbations in the adipose derived hormones leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. Compared with other parameters including BMI, uremia overall dominated in determining adipose phenotype.
Comparison of GMO and Conventional Corn Stover: Chemical Composition, Digestibility, and Intake Preferences by Beef Cows—Year 1 Progress Report

Data from this analysis suggest that differences in chemical composition likely exist when comparing conventional and GMO corn stover. However, the myriad of brands, hybrids, and trait combinations that exist highlight that more controlled plot-based studies need to be conducted, focusing on trait variation within a single corn isoline as to determine individual trait effects on these potential differences in feeding value.
Obscenity and the Internet: A Case Study of U.S. Law

U.S. Law makes a sharp distinction between public communications that are indecent, which are generally permissible, and obscene, which are prohibited and subject to legal penalties. This study analyzes the way that laws have been interpreted over time, focusing specifically on how the Internet has complicated the way obscenity has been interpreted in the courts. In the current state of law, whether a work is obscene or not will be determined by community standards existing where it is received. Moreover, obscenity is judged subjectively by courts without a need to consult experts. Nevertheless, obscenity laws can be understood as protection for the majority, in the name of a universal good.
From Popular Insurrection to Full-Scale War

The build-up of discontent against the Liberal policies of the State of Guatemala reached its climax in 1837 when the peasants of Mita rose against the government of Mariano Galvez. After Rafael Carrera assumed command of one of the rebel groups, the uprising grew in scale and intensity. Confronted with superior forces, Carrera adopted a method of fighting that was generally perceived as guerrilla warfare. Sociopolitical conditions alone cannot explain his vertiginous victory. Carrera’s military success is grounded on a hybrid form of warfare where various modalities of combat are combined at alternate levels of intensity to achieve operational and strategic superiority. Carrera’s memoirs and other contemporary accounts show that Carrera’s approach to warfare gave him the edge over his more numerous and better-armed enemies.
Rethinking the marginalizing discourses around teenage pregnancy

This article examines the literature on schooling for teenage mothers in order to expose the normalizing discourses that position young mothers as at risk for failure. Through an exploration of the...
Overview on DeepMind and Its AlphaGo Zero AI

The goal of this paper is to give insight into what the company known as DeepMind is and what accomplishments it is making in the fields of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Among their accomplishments, particular focus will be placed upon the recent success of AlphaGo Zero which made waves in the machine learning and artificial intelligence communities. The various parts of AlphaGo Zero's implementation such as reinforcement learning, neural networks, and Monte Carlo Tree Searches will be explained with brevity to give better understanding of the process as a whole.
Metal Ion and Metal Chelate Catalysis of Salicyl Phosphate Hydrolysis

New kinetic and equilibrium data (1–4) on the hydrolysis of salicyl phosphate and its analogs in the presence of metal ions and metal chelate compounds reveals many patterns of behavior which determine: (a) whether catalysis does or does not take place, and (b) the degree of catalytic activity achieved.
Distribution of Cosmic-Ray Ionization Rates in the Galactic Diffuse Interstellar Medium as Inferred from Observations of H$$_{3}^{+}$$,OH+, andH2O+

Cosmic rays play a vital role in initiating the chemistry that occurs in molecular clouds. The ionization of H and H2 begins a network of ion-molecule reactions responsible for generating many of the diatomic and small polyatomic molecules observed in the ISM. A few such species—OH+, H2O+, and H\(_{3}^{+}\) in particular—are formed and destroyed by rather simple processes, making them powerful probes of the cosmic-ray ionization rate. At present, we have performed observations searching for H\(_{3}^{+}\) absorption in over 50 sight lines, and for OH+ and H2O+ absorption in an additional 8 sight lines. Using these observations, we have inferred the distribution of cosmic-ray ionization rates in the diffuse ISM throughout the Galaxy. Some of the highest ionization rates are about 25 times larger than the lowest upper limits, suggesting variations in the underlying low-energy cosmic-ray flux across the Galaxy. We posit that such variations are caused by the distance between an observed cloud and the nearest site of particle acceleration, a conjecture supported by the high ionization rates found in close proximity to supernova remnants.
Uncertainty and evolution: contributions to identity development for female college students who identify as multiracial/biracial-bisexual/pansexual

xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 Problem 3 Purpose 4 Research Questions 4 Rationale 4 Significance of the Study 6 Theoretical Framework 8 Tentative Assumptions 9 Definitions 11 Summary 17 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 20 Essentalist vs. Constructionist Perspectives 21 Identity 22 The Role of College in Developing Identity 25 Identity Development in Females Josselson 27 Racial Identity Development 29 Multiracial Identity Development 32 Brief Historical Overview 33 Hypodescent – “One-drop” 33 Two Turning Points: The End of Anti-Miscegenation Laws and the 2000 U.S. Census 34 Emergence of Biracial and Multiracial Identity Models 35 Deficit Models 35
Importance of Preserving Correlations in Error-Vector-Magnitude Uncertainty

Correlations between measurement records, e.g., frequencies or time records, are an important consideration in the uncertainty analysis of high-frequency electronic systems. To study the importance of preserving correlations, we introduce a method to scramble the correlations of a correlated uncertainty analysis and develop a software tool to do this as part of the NIST Microwave Uncertainty Framework. We then compare the results of a correlated uncertainty analysis and the corresponding scrambled analysis in estimating the uncertainty in the Error-Vector-Magnitude of a modulated signal. This comparison shows that preserving these correlations is critical to accurately assessing system performance and uncertainty.
Management of Heart Failure in Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Patients Utilizing an Outpatient Diuresis Clinic

Background Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for treatment of heart failure (HF) is on the rise, and with technologic advancements, patients are living longer on device support. This has led to increased LVAD-related hospitalizations and health care expenditures, including management of volume overload. The Johns Hopkins Heart Failure Bridge Clinic (HFBC), a HF-trained Nurse Practitioner (NP) led clinic with ability to administer outpatient intravenous (IV) diuretics, has resulted in significant reductions in HF readmission rates. We developed a protocol for LVAD patient assessment and management via the HFBC, and describe our initial experience regarding the role and efficacy of this unique program in outpatient management of HF in LVAD patients. Methods LVAD patients were evaluated by an LVAD provider and subsequently referred to the diuresis clinic for volume overload thought not to be related to an LVAD issue. If seen in the diuresis clinic, patients then had repeat evaluation with the LVAD/HF team within one week. Baseline characteristics and HF outcomes were assessed. Results Twelve patients were seen in the diuresis clinic a total of 29 times (average 2.41 ± 2.84 visits per patient) (Table). In the clinic, IV furosemide was administered 23 times in 11 patients. Mean IV furosemide dose administered was 116 ± 24 mg. During the visits, 13 (17%) received potassium. The mean urine output during first in clinic void after IV diuretic was 198 ± 144 ml. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, renal function, weight, or electrolytes post-diuresis. At 9 of 29 visits (31%), oral diuretic dose was uptitrated. Prior to establishing care in the HFBC, the 12 patients had 30 total post-LVAD hospitalizations for volume overload. All 29 HFBC clinic visits resulted in successful discharge of patients to home in improved and stable condition, therefore avoiding immediate hospitalization for acute decompensated HF. Conclusions We describe successful implementation of an outpatient IV diuresis protocol for treatment of HF in LVAD patients. This strategy has major implications in reducing LVAD-related HF hospitalizations and healthcare utilization.
Simultaneous energy harvesting and storage via solar-driven regenerative electrochemical cycles

Solar energy is regarded as the most promising source of electricity considering its large magnitude on earth every day. The effective use of such an intermittent energy source relies on development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy conversion and storage technologies. Here, we design a novel solar-driven regenerative electrochemical system for simultaneous photoelectric energy harvesting and storage. With rational screening of redox species and comprehensive electrochemical study, a high Seebeck coefficient of −1.8 mV K−1 is achieved by solely exploiting earth-abundant materials based on the thermogalvanic effect. A high energy conversion efficiency (1.23%, and 11.9% versus the Carnot efficiency) is achieved under a low temperature gradient of 35 °C. Moreover, the durability of the proof-of-concept device has been examined under solar irradiation employing the bifunctional current collector/solar absorber with good electrical conductivity, efficient solar absorption and photothermal transduction. This innovative cell design integrating simultaneous energy conversion and storage represents an alternative approach towards cost-effective harnessing of solar energy and even more broad thermal energy in ambient environments.
Prediction of Functional Markers of Mass Cytometry Data via Deep Learning

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the analysis of flow cytometry data, which involves measurements of a set of surface and functional markers across hundreds and thousands of cells. These measurements can often be used to differentiate various cell types and there has been a rapid development of analytic approaches for achieving this. However, in spite of the fact that measurements are available on such a large number of cells, there have been very limited advances in deep learning approaches for the analysis of flow cytometry data. Some preliminary work has focused on using deep learning techniques to classify cell types based on the cell protein measurements. In a first of its kind study, we propose a novel deep learning architecture for predicting functional markers in the cells given data on surface markers. Such an approach is expected to automate the measurement of functional markers across cell samples, provided data on the surface markers are available, that has important practical advantages. We validate and compare our approach with competing machine learning methods using a real flow cytometry dataset, and showcase the improved prediction performance of the deep learning architecture.
Clinical Reasoning: An unusual case of auditory hallucinations in a middle-aged man.

A 48-year-old left-handed man presented to our emergency department (ED) with a 2-year history of auditory hallucinations that had become louder over several days.
Learning to "Think Like a Lawyer": Developing a Metacognitive Model for Legal Reasoning.

In the area of law, metacognition is an implicit goal of instruction, as legal studies classes often stress learning to “think like a lawyer.” However, the explicit metacognitive model for using le...
Memory and Executive Function in Adolescent and Young Adult Females with Moderate to Severe Obesity Before and After Weight Loss Surgery

There is a global increase in the prevalence of severe obesity in females during adolescence, which is a critical period for neurocognitive development. An increasing number of adolescents and young adults are now undergoing weight loss surgery as a treatment strategy for obesity. In addition to metabolic complications, obesity has been linked to neurocognitive comorbidity, and studies exploring cognitive performance in adolescents with severe obesity and the impact of bariatric surgery on cognitive abilities are limited. Verbal memory and executive function were assessed cross-sectionally in 69 females with moderate to severe obesity and 24 females without obesity, 13-24 years old. In an exploratory analysis, cognitive changes were also assessed longitudinally over 12 months in a subset of 35 females with moderate to severe obesity following weight loss surgery (n = 21) or following usual care without surgery (n = 14). In cross-sectional analysis, females with moderate to severe obesity showed lower scores for short-term and long-term recall (verbal memory) and response inhibition and cognitive flexibility (executive function) than the comparison group, when adjusted for age and baseline intelligence. Females with moderate to severe obesity who underwent surgery showed significant weight loss but no improvement in verbal memory and executive function scores over 12 months compared with those who did not have surgery. Females with moderate to severe obesity demonstrate worse performance in tests of verbal memory and executive function than the comparison group without obesity. In addition, exploratory analyses provide no indication that weight loss surgery improves these observed cognitive decrements over a period of 12 months. Further studies are necessary to comprehensively evaluate changes in cognitive function following bariatric surgery.
HRSA's PEPFAR-Supported Resilient and Responsive Health Systems Initiative in Liberia

During the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak, Liberia suffered 2,544 deaths, including 8% of its doctors, nurses and midwives. The Government responded in 2016 with a seven-year Health Workforce Program (HWP), the goal of which was "the creation of a fit-for-purpose, motivated, and highly-skilled workforce." The US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) with the support from the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), established Resilient and Responsive Health Systems project to assist Liberia in strengthening health workforce and health systems. As the HWP approaches its final year, progress the numbers and skills of physicians, nurses and midwives have improved, through national and global support, and there have been some improvements in the overall health system. Improving health for everyone in Liberia is an ongoing process that requires continuing support and collaboration from national and global partners including US government agencies, UN agencies, academic and training institutions, private foundations, regional networks, and especially the people of Liberia.
The active site region plays a critical role in Na+ binding to thrombin.

Abstract The catalytic activity of thrombin and other enzymes of the blood coagulation and complement cascades is enhanced significantly by binding of Na+ to a site >15 A away from the catalytic residue S195, buried within the 180- and 220- loops that also contribute to the primary specificity of the enzyme. Rapid kinetics support a binding mechanism of conformational selection where the Na+ binding site is in equilibrium between open (N) and closed (N*) forms and the cation binds selectively to the N form. Allosteric transduction of this binding step produces enhanced catalytic activity. Molecular details on how Na+ gains access to this site and communicates allosterically with the active site remain poorly defined. In this study, we show that the rate of the N ∗ → N transition is strongly correlated with the analogous E ∗ → E transition that governs the interaction of synthetic and physiologic substrates with the active site. This correlation supports the active site as the likely point of entry for Na+ to its binding site. Mutagenesis and structural data rule out an alternative path through the pore defined by the 180- and 220- loops. We suggest that the active site communicates allosterically with the Na+ site through a network of H-bonded water molecules that embeds the primary specificity pocket. Perturbation of the mobility of S195 and its H-bonding capabilities alters interaction with this network and influences the kinetics of Na+ binding and allosteric transduction. These findings may have general mechanistic relevance for Na+-activated proteases and allosteric enzymes.
Birth is but our death begun: A bioarchaeological assessment of skeletal emaciation in immature human skeletons in the context of environmental, social, and subsistence transition

The second millennium BC was a period of significant social and environmental changes in prehistoric India. After the disintegration of the Indus civilization, in a phase known as the Early Jorwe (1400–1000 BC), hundreds of agrarian villages flourished in the Deccan region of west-central India. Environmental degradation, combined with unsustainable agricultural practices, contributed to the abandonment of many communities around 1000 BC. Inamgaon was one of a handful of villages to persist into the Late Jorwe phase (1000–700 BC), wherein reliance on dry-plough agricultural production declined. Previous research demonstrated a significant decline in body size (stature and body mass index) through time, which is often used to infer increased levels of biocultural stress in bioarchaeology. This article assesses evidence for growth disruption in the immature human skeletal remains from Inamgaon by correlating measures of whole bone morphology with midshaft femur compact bone geometry and histology. Growth derangement is observable in immature archaeological femora as an alteration in the expected amount and distribution of bone mass and porosity in the midshaft cross-section. Cross-section shape matched expectations for older infants with the acquisition of bipedal locomotion. These results support the hypothesis that small body size was related to disruptions in homeostasis and high levels of biocultural stress in the Late Jorwe at Inamgaon. Further, the combined use of geometric properties and histological details provides a method for teasing apart the complex interactions among activity and “health,” demonstrating how biocultural stressors affect the acquisition and quality of bone mass.
Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 counts on whole fresh apples by treatment with sanitizers.

The objectives of this study were to determine if washing of whole apples with solutions of three different sanitizers (peroxyacetic acid, chlorine dioxide, or a chlorine-phosphate buffer solution) could reduce a contaminating nonpathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 population by 5 logs and at what sanitizer concentration and wash time such a reduction could be achieved. Sanitizers were tested at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 times the manufacturer's recommended concentration at wash times of 5, 10, and 15 min. Whole, sound Braeburn apples were inoculated with approximately 1 × 108 or 7 × 106 CFU per apple, stored for 24 h, then washed with sterile water (control) or with sanitizers for the prescribed time. Recovered bacteria were enumerated on trypticase soy agar. Washing with water alone reduced the recoverable population by almost 2 logs from the starting population; this can be attributed to physical removal of organisms from the apple surface. No sanitizer, when used at the recommended concentration, reduced the...
A Study of the Phosphorus Requirement of Dairy Cattle

Summary 1.A study was made of the phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen metabolism of heifers before calving and when in milk, on a basal ration low in phosphorus and on the basal ration supplemented with special steamed bone meal, in which alfalfa hay furnished the principal source of protein. 2.Positive phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen balances were obtained in the heifers of both lots before calving. Apparently 10.81 to 12.25 grams of phosphorus per day furnished a sufficient amount of this element for growth and pregnancy from 18 to 30 months of age. 3.Phosphorus balances during heavy milk production were usually negative on a ration of low phosphorus alfalfa hay, corn silage and corn, with or without blood meal. The phosphorus balances were positive, however, on the same ration supplemented with bone meal. 4.The cows on a low phosphorus ration utilized food phosphorus more efficiently than those on a high phosphorus ration. 5.Lack of appetite for roughage often prevented metabolism studies of the animals on the low phosphorus ration.
Pre-operative urodynamics in women with stress urinary incontinence increases physician confidence, but does not improve outcomes.

UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TexasAims: To determine if pre-operative urodynamic testing (UDS) affects physicians’ diagnostic conﬁdence and ifphysician conﬁdence affects treatment outcomes at 1 year. Methods: The Value of Urodynamic Evaluation(ValUE) trial randomized 630 women with predominant stress urinary incontinence (SUI) to ofﬁce evaluation (OE)or OE plus UDS prior to surgery. After OE, physicians completed a checklist of ﬁve clinical diagnoses: SUI, overactivebladder (OAB) wet and dry, voiding dysfunction (VD), and intrinsic sphincter deﬁciency (ISD), and reportedtheir conﬁdence in each. Responses ranged from 1 to 5 with; 1¼‘‘not very conﬁdent (<50%)’’ to 5¼‘‘extremely conﬁdent(95þ%).’’ After UDS, investigators again rated their conﬁdence in these ﬁve clinical diagnoses. Logistic regressionanalysis correlatedphysician conﬁdence in diagnosis withtreatment success. Results: Of 315 womenwho received OEplus UDS, 294 had complete data. Conﬁdence improved after UDS in patients with baseline SUI (4.52–4.63, P<0.005),OAB-wet (3.55–3.75, P<0.001), OAB-dry (3.55–3.68 P<0.005), VD (3.81–3.95, P<0.005), and suspected ISD (3.63–3.92, P<0.001). Increased conﬁdence after UDS was not associated with higher odds of treatment success althoughmean changes in conﬁdence were slightly higher for those who achieved treatment success. Physician diagnosesshifted more from not conﬁdent to conﬁdent for ISD and OAB-wet after UDS (McNemar’s P-value <0.001 for both).Conclusions: In women undergoing UDS for predominant SUI, UDS increased physicians’ conﬁdence in theirclinical diagnoses; however, this did not correlate with treatment success. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:302–306, 2014.# 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Key words: incontinence; outcomes; urodynamics
Effects of Alphabet-Supplemented Speech on Brain Activity of Listeners: An fMRI Study

Purpose The purpose of this article was to examine the neural mechanisms associated with increases in speech intelligibility brought about through alphabet supplementation. Method Neurotypical part...
Monosomy 7 syndrome associated with congenital adrenal hypoplasia and male pseudohermaphroditism

Background: Bone marrow monosomy 7 is an uncommon disorder of the pluripotent stem cells that leads to frequent childhood infections and leukemia. Primary adrenal hypoplasia occurs very rarely and is incompatible with life. Male pseudohermaphroditism results from inadequate androgen secretion or inappropriate androgen action. We report a case of monosomy 7, adrenal hypoplasia, and male pseudohermaphroditism. Case: An infant was born with sexual ambiguity and bilateral inguinal masses. Bone marrow karyotype was 45,XY,-7. Serum testosterone level was low normal. The infant died on the fourth day of life. Autopsy revealed severely hypoplastic adrenal glands, inguinal testes, and a vaginal pouch. Conclusion: Monosomy 7 and male sexual ambiguity are reported in association with primary adrenal hypoplasia of the cytomegalic (X-linked) type.
Entrepreneurship and socioeconomic development: Catalyzing African transformation in the 21st century

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of public policies on engendering entrepreneurship and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) development in Nigeria. Gaps in policies and factors that impede entrepreneurship and MSME development are identified and proposals are offered to address the impediments. Design/methodology/approach – A thorough review of the mainstream literature on entrepreneurship and MSME development is undertaken. This constitutes the reference point for identifying and reviewing specific public policies formulated and programs designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activities and facilitate MSME development. Data were obtained from federal government agencies. This paper contends that for public policies to accomplish their designed objectives of engendering entrepreneurship and MSME development, strategic realignments of various policy dimensions and programs are imperative. Findings – Misalignments occur when existing public policies in other domains are in...
Social Media Visual Analytics for Events

For large-scale multimedia events such as televised debates and speeches, the amount of content on social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter can easily become overwhelming, yet still contain information that may aid and augment understanding of the multimedia content via individual social media items, or aggregate information from the crowd’s response. In this work we discuss this opportunity in the context of a social media visual analytic tool, Vox Civitas, designed to help journalists, media professionals, or other researchers make sense of large-scale aggregations of social media content around multimedia broadcast events. We discuss the design of the tool, present and evaluate the text analysis techniques used to enable the presentation, and detail the visual and interaction design. We provide an exploratory evaluation based on a user study in which journalists interacted with the system to analyze and report on a dataset of over one 100 000 Twitter messages collected during the broadcast of the U.S. State of the Union presidential address in 2010.
Optimal pole placement for discrete-time systems

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a technique to increase the damping in discrete-time closed-loop systems by modifying a nominal LQ performance criterion. These modifications are not complex or difficult to implement after the nominal performance criterion is specified. A pole shifting technique that is used to independently position the closed-loop eigenvalues has been presented. This independent pole-shifting technique can be applied to any nominal set of pole locations that arise in any full-state feedback design strategy. There are several reasons behind basing the pole-placement strategy on the LQ approach. First, the LQ approach is a multivariable technique. By using an LQ approach, the trade-offs associated with the relative weighting between the state vector and the input vector can be determined by the magnitudes used to form the state weighting matrix, Q, and the input weighting matrix, R. Second, effective stability margins are automatically guaranteed with LQ-based full-state feedback designs. Third, the closed-loop system that results from an LQ design provides a target model response that can be used to define a reference model. The chapter also discusses how the pole-shifting strategy can be combined with the regional pole placement strategy.
Laser induced collisions

If the energy defect of an atomic process ΔE is large with respect to kT , then the cross section for collision or chemical reaction will be quite small. In this paper we consider collision processes where one or more photons are utilized to conserve energy, i.e., nħω ≅ ΔE. A proto-type system is shown in Fig. 1. Energy is first stored in the designated s state of the A atom. During collision of the A and B atoms an electromagnetic field at frequency ħω causes the A atom to make a virtual transition. Long range dipole-dipole coupling between the two atoms causes this excitation to be transferred to the B atom to complete the excitation. Energy transfer is thus initiated or “switched” by the presence of the optical radiation. The possibility of collision processes of this type have been predicted by GUDZENKO and YAKOVLENKO [1] and by HARRIS and LIDOW [2]. Recent theoretical work is given by PAYNE and NAYFEH [5], GELTMAN [4], and GEORGE, et al. [5]. Though an apparently successful experiment recently reported by LIDOW, et al. [6] is now in question, we report additional experimental results which we believe demonstrate a laser induced collision.
Maple and the art of thermodynamics

Maple is a computer algebra system that has the potential to be the tool of choice for many computational problems in science and engineering. In this article, we show how Maple can be used to develop graphical images of thermodynamic functions. We also describe ThermoView, a standalone program that can display Maple-based images and animations. The visual images and tools described here can be used to enhance thermodynamics courses and give students an improved perspective on the relationships between thermodynamic state variables. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 6: 223–234, 1998
Analog dial gauge reader for handheld devices

In a typical process industry, there are several critical dial gauges wherein the readings are to be monitored on a periodic basis. Most of these dial gauges are still analog in nature and currently these are being monitored manually. The manual capture of readings is a tedious task and is also prone to error. This paper outlines an algorithm that can automatically identify the dial gauge readings using image captured by a PDA device. This will help in reducing the error in readings as well to provide a record of the actual reading for future reference. Our algorithm uses polar representation of the dial gauge image to identify the needle position as well as the start position of the dial gauge. Once these are obtained the reading of the dial gauge can be estimated with prior calibration information. The algorithm was tested on multiple dial gauge images captured in a local chiller plant and is shown to obtain the readings reliably in about 95% of these images.
Ellipse detection using sampling constraints

The ellipse is a fundamental shape in both natural and man-made objects and hence frequently encountered in images. Existing ellipse detection algorithms, viz., randomized Hough transform (RHT) and multi-population genetic algorithm (MPGA), have disadvantages. The RHT performs poorly with multiple ellipses and MPGA has a high false positive rate for complex images. The proposed algorithm selects random points using constraints of smoothness, distance and curvature. In the process of sampling, parameters of potential ellipses are progressively learnt to improve parameter accuracy. New probabilistic fitness measures are used to verify ellipses extracted: ellipse quality based on the Ramanujan approximation and completeness. Experiments on synthetic and real images show performance better than RHT and MPGA in detecting multiple, deformed, full or partial ellipses in the presence of noise and interference.