cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving a Complex Finite-Difference Ground Water Flow Model Through the Use of an Analytic Element Screening Model

This paper demonstrates that analytic element models have potential as powerful screening tools that can facilitate or improve calibration of more complicated finite-difference and finite-element models. We demonstrate how a two-dimensional analytic element model was used to identify errors in a complex three-dimensional finite-difference model caused by incorrect specification of boundary conditions. An improved finite-difference model was developed using boundary conditions developed from a far-field analytic element model. Calibration of a revised finite-difference model was achieved using fewer zones of hydraulic conductivity and lake bed conductance than the original finite-difference model. Calibration statistics were also improved in that simulated base-flows were much closer to measured values. The improved calibration is due mainly to improved specification of the boundary conditions made possible by first solving the far-field problem with an analytic element model.
The St Andrew's Sexual Behaviour Assessment (SASBA): development of a standardised recording instrument for the measurement and assessment of challenging sexual behaviour in people with progressive and acquired neurological impairment

Inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) as a sequela of neurological impairment is often overlooked in comparison to other challenging behaviours such as agitation and aggression, yet the impact on patients and carers can be equally significant and pervasive. Inconsistencies in terminology and lack of standardised measurement tools for ISB limit the degree to which such behaviour can be objectively and consistently identified, reported and managed within and between services. This paper proposes a new ISB scale, the St Andrew's Sexual Behaviour Assessment (SASBA) based on the Overt Aggression Scale – Modified for Neurorehabilitation (OAS-MNR: Alderman, Knight, & Morgan, 1997). The validity and reliability of the SASBA for use with people who have both progressive neurological conditions and acquired brain injury admitted to in-patient services is explored. This scale allows continuous observations of four categories of ISB, each of which has four levels of severity, that were developed with reference to rele...
Chinese rhesus and cynomolgus macaques in HIV vaccine and pathogenesis research

The development of an effective, prophylactic vaccine for HIV is a public health priority. Nonhuman primate models of AIDS are an instrumental component of HIV vaccine and pathogenesis research. Rhesus macaques of Indian origin are by far the most widely used species in vaccine research. The demand for these animals is intense, threatening their future availability. Do other macaques, such as non-Indian rhesus macaques and cynomolgus macaques, represent a viable alternative? In this perspective, the potential advantages and pitfalls of performing HIV vaccine research in non-Indian rhesus or cynomolgus macaques is examined.
Parylene C at subambient temperatures

Dependence of Parylene C deposition rate on dimer sublimation temperature, inert gas pressure, substrate temperature, and mass of dimer has been investigated. It was found that Parylene C deposition proceeds best at ambient temperature and produces film of optimum performance. Opacity in the film results from its rough morphology and not from the incorporation of the dimer in the film as is normally thought. This was evidenced from scanning electron microscopy and from an estimation of the volatile contents of the Parylene C films. Deposition of Parylene C at liquid nitrogen temperature proceeds via trapping of active monomer species followed by spontaneous polymerization. A quantitative study of the monomer to polymer transition by ESR spectroscopy is presented.
Neighborhood Social Conditions Mediate the Association Between Physical Deterioration and Mental Health

This study investigates how neighborhood deterioration is associated with stress and depressive symptoms and the mediating effects of perceived neighborhood social conditions. Data come from a community survey of 801 respondents geocoded and linked to a systematic on-site assessment of the physical characteristics of nearly all residential and commercial structures around respondents' homes. Structural equation models controlling for demographic effects indicate that the association between neighborhood deterioration and well-being appear to be mediated through social contact, social capital, and perceptions of crime, but not through neighborhood satisfaction. Specifically, residential deterioration was mediated by social contact, then, social capital and fear of crime. Commercial deterioration, on the other hand, was mediated only through fear of crime. Additionally, data indicate that the functional definition of a "neighborhood" depends on the characteristics measured. These findings suggest that upstream interventions designed to improve neighborhood conditions as well as proximal interventions focused on social relationships, may promote well-being.
Mapping the Macroprocess

Over several years of teaching psychoanalytic case writing to advanced candidates at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, instructors noticed that while students can often learn to write convincingly about the moment-to-moment work in the analysis— the microprocess—it is often quite difficult for them to understand and convey a sense of the longitudinal movement of the case over time—the macroprocess. To redress this, a pedagogical method was devised that helps candidates visually map an analysis in order to facilitate case writing and formulation. Changes in the analysis are tracked over time, encouraging explication of how those changes have come about. The method is illustrated with a pedagogical vignette.
Chemical exchange in tissue extracts revisited: bicarbonate and deuterium isotope effects on 31P resonances of phosphoethanolamine and phosphocreatine.

It is not sufficiently appreciated that chemical exchange can markedly affect the appearance of 31P tissue extract NMR spectra. In addition to the commonly recognized 31P chemical shift effects of divalent metal cation (e.g. Mg2+) binding upon ATP resonances, multiple resonances for phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocreatine (PCr) are observed under certain conditions of pH, temperature, and D2O and bicarbonate concentrations. In the presence of bicarbonate ion (commonly used to neutralize acidic extractions) carbamate formation causes a second 31P resonance for PE to appear. This effect has been described previously for 13C and 1H amino acid resonances in tissue extracts [Sherry et al. J. Magn. Reson. 89, 391-398 (1990)]. The observation of a splitting of the PCr 31P resonance in aqueous solutions containing D2O has been recently ascribed to proton scalar coupling but was described earlier in an underappreciated report [Kupriyanov et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 114, 1117-1125 (1983)] as due to a deuterium isotope effect. These effects, carbamate formation and deuterium isotope shift, are verified herein to cause marked shifts in PE and PCr 31P resonances. The dependence upon experimental parameters is explored.
Segmentation Using Intensity And Range Data

Perception is the integration of various sensor outputs into a unified vision of the world. A major part of research in machine vision has been limited to the use of individual sensors for building machine vision systems. The use of multisensor data is advocated for object recognition systems, and an algorithm for fusion of intensity and range data for segmentation is proposed. The algorithm consists of two steps. First, the initial seed segmentation is achieved by using the most dominating sensor at a given time. For this purpose the distributions of the intensity and range data are considered, and the image is segmented recursively by using the most significant peak in both histograms. Second, the initial segmentation is refined by using region merging; the regions are merged if the combined strengths of range and intensity boundaries are low. The experimental results for synthetic and real scenes are presented.
Generalized Estimating Equations in Longitudinal Data Analysis: A Review and Recent Developments

Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) is a marginal model popularly applied for longitudinal/clustered data analysis in clinical trials or biomedical studies. We provide a systematic review on GEE including basic concepts as well as several recent developments due to practical challenges in real applications. The topics including the selection of “working” correlation structure, sample size and power calculation, and the issue of informative cluster size are covered because these aspects play important roles in GEE utilization and its statistical inference. A brief summary and discussion of potential research interests regarding GEE are provided in the end.
Border settlement, commitment problems, and the causes of contiguous rivalry

Many studies have examined the formation of interstate rivalries, but few provide a theoretical mechanism capable of explaining why some neighboring states experience protracted conflict while othe...
Information Search and Decision Making: Effects of Age and Complexity on Strategy Use

The impact of task complexity on information search strategy and decision quality was examined in a sample of 135 young, middle-aged, and older adults. We were particularly interested in the competing roles of fluid cognitive ability and domain knowledge and experience, with the former being a negative influence and the latter being a positive influence on older adults' performance. Participants utilized 2 decision matrices, which varied in complexity, regarding a consumer purchase. Using process tracing software and an algorithm developed to assess decision strategy, we recorded search behavior, strategy selection, and final decision. Contrary to expectations, older adults were not more likely than the younger age groups to engage in information-minimizing search behaviors in response to increases in task complexity. Similarly, adults of all ages used comparable decision strategies and adapted their strategies to the demands of the task. We also examined decision outcomes in relation to participants' preferences. Overall, it seems that older adults utilize simpler sets of information primarily reflecting the most valued attributes in making their choice. The results of this study suggest that older adults are adaptive in their approach to decision making and that this ability may benefit from accrued knowledge and experience.
Reduced dose pentostatin for initial management of hairy cell leukemia patients who have active infection or risk of hemorrhage is safe and effective.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a chronic B-cell malignancy described in 1958 by Bouroncle and colleagues[1][1] characterized by splenomegaly, pancytopenia, cellular immunodeficiency, “hairy cells” on the peripheral smear, and a characteristic immunophenotype. HCL has a variable clinical course,
Backpropagation algorithm for a generalized neural network structure

The author presents a generalized neural network structure and the associated backpropagation learning algorithm. This structure is an extension of a neural net structure presented by P.J. Werbos (1988, 1990). Generalization is aimed at ease of implementation and flexibility in structure selection. It is shown how certain network structures can be accommodated using this general structural form. Networks that are investigated include feedforward, recurrent, and memory networks. >
A Membrane-Embedded Amino Acid Couples the SpoIIQ Channel Protein to Anti-Sigma Factor Transcriptional Repression during Bacillus subtilis Sporulation

ABSTRACT SpoIIQ is an essential component of a channel connecting the developing forespore to the adjacent mother cell during Bacillus subtilis sporulation. This channel is generally required for late gene expression in the forespore, including that directed by the late-acting sigma factor σG. Here, we present evidence that SpoIIQ also participates in a previously unknown gene regulatory circuit that specifically represses expression of the gene encoding the anti-sigma factor CsfB, a potent inhibitor of σG. The csfB gene is ordinarily transcribed in the forespore only by the early-acting sigma factor σF. However, in a mutant lacking the highly conserved SpoIIQ transmembrane amino acid Tyr-28, csfB was also aberrantly transcribed later by σG, the very target of CsfB inhibition. This regulation of csfB by SpoIIQ Tyr-28 is specific, given that the expression of other σF-dependent genes was unaffected. Moreover, we identified a conserved element within the csfB promoter region that is both necessary and sufficient for SpoIIQ Tyr-28-mediated inhibition. These results indicate that SpoIIQ is a bifunctional protein that not only generally promotes σG activity in the forespore as a channel component but also specifically maximizes σG activity as part of a gene regulatory circuit that represses σG-dependent expression of its own inhibitor, CsfB. Finally, we demonstrate that SpoIIQ Tyr-28 is required for the proper localization and stability of the SpoIIE phosphatase, raising the possibility that these two multifunctional proteins cooperate to fine-tune developmental gene expression in the forespore at late times. IMPORTANCE Cellular development is orchestrated by gene regulatory networks that activate or repress developmental genes at the right time and place. Late gene expression in the developing Bacillus subtilis spore is directed by the alternative sigma factor σG. The activity of σG requires a channel apparatus through which the adjacent mother cell provides substrates that generally support gene expression. Here we report that the channel protein SpoIIQ also specifically maximizes σG activity as part of a previously unknown regulatory circuit that prevents σG from activating transcription of the gene encoding its own inhibitor, the anti-sigma factor CsfB. The discovery of this regulatory circuit significantly expands our understanding of the gene regulatory network controlling late gene expression in the developing B. subtilis spore.
Perception of Time Since Smoking Cessation: Time in Memory Can Elapse Faster.

Self-reports concerning smoking behaviors are subject to different types of response bias that may severely affect the data quality. This study examined the evidence and extent of backward telescoping bias in reports on time since completely quitting smoking among former smokers. The study goals were to determine whether the extent of bias differs, on average, across subpopulations with diverse sociodemographic characteristics, prior smoking habits and duration of smoking abstinence, and across the survey administration mode (phone, in-person, mixed). The sample included 1,611 subjects who responded to the 2002–2003 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Multiple regressions for subjects who quit smoking recently, some time ago, and a long time ago were fitted, where the variance was estimated via the Balanced Repeated Replications approach. The model-based estimates were used to compare the extent of response bias across diverse subpopulations of respondents. Analyses revealed a significantly smaller overall extent of response bias for respondents who were younger (p < 0.01), female (p < 0.01), Non-Hispanic White (p = 0.02), employed (p < 0.01), who were regular (rather than occasional) smokers in the past (p < 0.01), and who quit smoking recently or some time ago as opposed to a long time ago (p < 0.01); a significant overall effect of survey mode was also detected (p < 0.01). Male respondents who smoked occasionally in the past tended to provide the most disagreeing reports. The discrepancy in reports may be due to backward telescoping bias. Studies which use the national survey smoking cessation measures should be aware of not only possible forward telescoping (that has been addressed in the literature) but also backward telescoping. This will help correctly account for possible impaired perception of time elapsed since smoking cessation in former smokers.
Cisplatin, Methotrexate and Vinblastine Plus Surgical Restaging for Patients with Advanced Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urothelium

AbstractChemotherapy with cisplatin, methotrexate and vinblastine (CMV) is active in advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium. Aggressive surgical resection of residual disease following responses produced by CMV was incorporated into a combined modality approach. Between 1982 and 1990, 64 patients were entered into the study. Of 55 patients evaluable for response 11 (20%) had a pathological complete response, 14 (25%) achieved a complete response following resection of residual disease and 5 (9%) whose disease was not surgically restaged had a clinical complete response. The overall complete response rate was 55%. Patients with liver, lung or bone involvement had significantly decreased survival compared to patients without visceral disease (p = 0.002). With a median followup exceeding 50 months, 14 patients (22% of all patients entered into the study) were free of disease at 23 to 98+ months. There were no deaths related to treatment. CMV produced high rates of response in patients with ad...
A streaming-based network monitoring and threat detection system

The unyielding trend of increasing cyber threats has made cyber security paramount in protecting personal and private intellectual property. In order to provide the most highly secured network environment, network traffic monitoring and threat detection systems must handle real-time data from varied and branching places in enterprise networks. Though numerous investigations have yielded real-time threat detection systems, in this paper we addressed the issue of handling the large volumes of network traffic data of enterprise systems, while simultaneously providing real-time monitoring and detection remain unsolved. Particularly, we introduced and evaluated a streaming-based threat detection system that can rapidly analyze highly intensive network traffic data in real-time, utilizing the streaming-based clustering algorithms to detect abnormal network activities. The developed system integrates the streaming and high-performance data analysis capabilities of Flume, Sharp, and Hadoop into a cloud-computing environment to provide network monitoring and intrusion detection. Our performance evaluation and experimental results demonstrate that the developed system can cope with a significant volume streaming data with high detection accuracy and good system performance.
Computer simulation of cable processing

Electrochemical or water treeing is currently the major long term materials problem associated with the use of crosslinked polyethylene for insulating electrical distribution cables.
Burden of USA hospital charges for traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACTObjectives: This study sought to estimate charges associated with USA hospital visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI), compare charges from 2006–2010 and evaluate factors associated with higher charges.Methods: The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database, 2006–2010, was used to estimate charges for emergency department visits and inpatient hospital stays associated with TBI and trends in charges over time were compared. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate factors associated with visit charges.Results: In 2010, there were $21.4 billion (95% confidence interval (CI) = $17.7–$25.2 billion) in charges for TBI-related admissions, an increase of 22% from 2006. Charges for ED visits resulting in discharge or transfer were $8.2 billion (95% CI = $7.4–$8.9 billion), an increase of 94% from 2006. The proportion of charges for TBI-related visits was disproportionately higher than the proportion of visits for TBI across all years of the study (p < 0.001). Patient age and gender, West...
Data driven game theoretic cyber threat mitigation

Penetration testing is regarded as the gold-standard for understanding how well an organization can withstand sophisticated cyber-attacks. However, the recent prevalence of markets specializing in zero-day exploits on the darknet make exploits widely available to potential attackers. The cost associated with these sophisticated kits generally precludes penetration testers from simply obtaining such exploits ᑛ so an alternative approach is needed to understand what exploits an attacker will most likely purchase and how to defend against them. In this paper, we introduce a data-driven security game framework to model an attacker and provide policy recommendations to the defender. In addition to providing a formal framework and algorithms to develop strategies, we present experimental results from applying our framework, for various system configurations, on real-world exploit market data actively mined from the dark-net.
Castration alters protein balance after high-frequency muscle contraction

In the absence of androgens, markers of autophagy were elevated, and these could not be normalized by muscle contractions. In the fasted state, REDD1 was identified as a potential contributor to au...
Taking the Show on the Road

In this chapter, we look at how community-based or service learning projects reach beyond university programming into future projects, collaborations, and geographical borders. We share more narratives by people who took their learning beyond the walls of academia. We summarize why we believe this kind of programming—that starts with groups from the community working in collaboration with the university—is such an important tool for education and improving society. We reflect on our hopes for the future, which encourages the development of a community of people willing to expand their own approach to teaching and learning.
FKBP5 polymorphisms influence pre-learning stress-induced alterations of learning and memory.

FK506 binding protein 51(FKBP5) is a co-chaperone of heat shock protein 90 and significantly influences glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FKBP5 gene are associated with altered hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, changes in the structure and function of several cognitive brain areas, and increased susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal events. The mechanisms underlying these associations are largely unknown, but it has been speculated that the influence of these SNPs on emotional memory systems may play a role. In the present study, 112 participants were exposed to the socially evaluated cold pressor test (stress) or control (no stress) conditions immediately prior to learning a list of 42 words. Participant memory was assessed immediately after learning (free recall) and 24 h later (free recall and recognition). Participants provided a saliva sample that enabled the genotyping of three FKBP5 polymorphisms: rs1360780, rs3800373, and rs9296158. Results showed that stress impaired immediate recall in risk allele carriers. More importantly, stress enhanced long-term recall and recognition memory in non-carriers of the risk alleles, effects that were completely absent in risk allele carriers. Follow-up analyses revealed that memory performance was correlated with salivary cortisol levels in non-carriers, but not in carriers. These findings suggest that FKBP5 risk allele carriers may possess a sensitized stress response system, perhaps specifically for stress-induced changes in corticosteroid levels, which might aid our understanding of how SNPs in the FKBP5 gene confer increased risk for stress-related psychological disorders and their related phenotypes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Die neue Richtlinie zur Röntgenverordnung und zur Strahlenschutzverordnung „Qualitätssicherung durch Ärztliche und Zahnärztliche Stellen“

Bei der Richtlinie „Arztliche und Zahnarztliche Stellen" bestand der Bedarf fur Anderungen und Erganzungen. Eine vom Bundesministerium fur Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit eingerichtete Arbeitsgruppe ubernahm diese Aufgabe. Schwerpunkte der Uberarbeitung waren die Konkretisierung der Aufgaben und Befugnisse der Arztlichen und Zahnarztlichen Stellen, die Formulierung von Anforderungen an deren Organisation und qualitatssichernde Masnahmen, die genaue Beschreibung des Prufumfangs einschlieslich Nennung der anzufordernden Unterlagen, die Klarstellung des Begriffs „Befundanforderung“, die Klarung der Rolle des Zentralen Erfahrungsaustauschs der Arztlichen und Zahnarztlichen Stellen (ZAS, ZZAS) und die Erganzung um Festlegungen zur Zusammenarbeit mit den qualitatssichernden Stellen nach Sozialgesetzbuch V (SGB V). Die Vorgehensweise der Arbeitsgruppe und die Inhalte der neuen Richtlinie werden im Artikel vorgestellt.
Tumoral Calcinosis of the Spine

Tumoral calcinosis (TC) is an uncommon pathological entity of obscure etiology, characterized by dystrophic calcification in periarticular soft tissue. The calcification usually takes the form of calcium hydroxyapatitic crystals surrounded by a foreign body giant cell histiocytic reaction. TC shows the following characteristics without common pathogenesis:
Engineering the electronic defect bands at the Si 1−x Ge x /IL interface: Approaching the intrinsic carrier transport in compressively-strained Si 1−x Ge x pFETs

We identify the existence of electronic defect levels close to the Si 1−x Ge x band edges associated with the Ge surface concentration at the Si 1−x Ge x /IL interface (0 1−x Ge x /IL interface, through control of the Ge surface concentration, high channel carrier mobility over wide charge densities in compressively-strained Si 1−x Ge x channel pFETs is demonstrated. For the first time, the dominant scattering mechanisms for hole mobility in Si 1−x Ge x channel pFETs are investigated to understand the carrier transport physics.
Nonlinear Time-Frequency Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

Permanent magnet synchronous motors are essential components in a wide range of applications in which their unique benefits are explored. However, in order for a permanent magnet synchronous motor to achieve satisfactory performance, particular control frameworks are essential. After all, permanent magnet synchronous motor is an AC machine, which is characterized by its complex structure and strongly coupled system states. Therefore, in order for it to achieve satisfactory dynamic performance, advanced control techniques are the only solution. This paper presents a precise speed control of permanent magnet synchronous motors using the nonlinear time-frequency control concept. The novel aspect of this nonlinear time-frequency control, which is an integration of discrete wavelet transformation and adaptive control, is its ability in analyzing the fundamental temporal and spectral qualities inherent of a permanent magnet synchronous motor and exerting control signals accordingly. Simulation results verifies that the proposed nonlinear time-frequency control scheme is feasible for alleviating the nonlinear behavior of the permanent magnet synchronous motor which hampers the tracking of speed with desired precision.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Energy Efficiency Improvement in Anode Baking Furnaces

Energy Efficiency is currently the biggest challenge in the Aluminum Industry. One of the high energy consumption facilities in a smelter is the Anode Baking Furnace (ABF). Due to unavailability of natural gas in the region, Alumar ABF uses Diesel oil, which increases significantly the energy costs. This paper describes how a different technical approach led to improved energy efficiency and reduced costs. Changes in process parameters, maintenance strategy and operational training were the main enablers.
Microwave Heating of Crystals with Gold Nanoparticles and Synovial Fluid under Synthetic Skin Patches

Gout is a disease with elusive treatment options. Reduction of the size of l-alanine crystals as a model crystal for gouty tophi with the use of a monomode solid-state microwave was examined as a possible therapeutic aid. The effect of microwave heating on l-alanine crystals in the presence of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in solution and synovial fluid (SF) in a plastic pouch through a synthetic skin patch was investigated. In this regard, three experimental paradigms were employed: Paradigm 1 includes the effect of variable microwave power (5–10 W) and variable heating time (5–60 s) and Au NPs in water (20 nm size, volume of 10 μL) in a plastic pouch (1 × 2 cm2 in size). Paradigm 2 includes the effect of a variable volume of 20 nm Au NPs in a variable volume of SF up to 100 μL in a plastic pouch at a constant microwave power (10 W) for 30 s. Paradigm 3 includes the effect of constant microwave power (10 W) and microwave heating time (30 s), constant volume of Au NPs (100 μL), and variable size of Au NPs (...
Growth and Body Composition in Children with Chronic Disease

Adequate nutrition is essential for normal growth and development. Children with chronic disease may have functional limitations due to a physically based disorder of prenatal (genetic, disruption of fetal development), perinatal (late pregnancy or delivery), or postnatal origin likely with accompanying alterations in dietary intake, metabolism, growth, and activity resulting in body composition that differs from the healthy child. This chapter, which is an update of previous work [1], describes two contrasting models of altered body composition in children; those with cerebral palsy (CP) and Down syndrome (DS), both prevalent disorders with a differing etiology and impact on growth, body composition, and nutritional status. These differences require separate approaches for accurate nutrition-related clinical assessment and management.
Comfort Woman: A Filipina's Story of Prostitution and Slavery under the Japanese Military by Maria Rosa Henson (review)

Henson, Maria Rosa. Comfort Women: A Filipina's Story of Prostitution and Slavery under the Japanese Military. 2nd ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2017. Review by Paul A. Rodell.
Constraining, Negotiating, and Facilitating Leisure after Disaster: a Case of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Disasters influence human lives on a large scale. In 2017 only, 441 disasters killed 13,310 people and directly affected approximately 93 million individuals around the world (Centre for Research on the Epistemology of Disasters n.d.). Nonetheless, it remains understudied how these tragedies impact survivors’ leisure lives. Survivors may suffer increased constraints to leisure in their post-disaster lives (Crawford et al., Leisure Sciences, 13, 309-320 1991), while being able to negotiate such constraints so that they can maintain leisure participation (Jackson et al., Leisure Sciences, 15, 1-11 1993). Also relevant may be leisure facilitators (Raymore, Journal of Leisure Research, 34(1), 37-51 2002) that enable survivors to enjoy leisure pursuits. This study examines effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on survivors’ leisure lives through the theoretical lenses of leisure constraints, constraint negotiation, and leisure facilitators. One-month field work in the disaster-stricken area was conducted, from which 16 survivors and five disaster volunteers were recruited to subsequent semi-structured interviews between June and July, 2012. An analysis of interview data, guided by grounded theory, suggested that disaster-related life events (e.g., bereavement, destruction of home, and displacement) created situations where survivors struggled with finding meaningfulness of leisure activities and dissociated declining resources from the use for leisure purposes. The analysis also indicated that survivors negotiated these constraints by resisting confining norms and reattaching positive meanings to leisure. Furthermore, survivors encountered two major leisure facilitators: causes for leisure participation and enabling others. The findings are discussed in light of leisure constraints, constraint negotiation, and facilitation as well as implications for practitioners in disaster-stricken areas.
Open resection and laryngotracheal reconstruction in a case of subglottic hemangioma in PHACE syndrome.

Abstract We describe a 1 month old infant with PHACE syndrome who underwent successful management of subglottic hemangioma by open resection and laryngotracheal reconstruction using a thyroid ala graft. Propranolol is typically the treatment of choice for subglottic hemangiomas however, recent reports have suggested adverse complications with the use of propranolol in children with PHACE syndrome. The child had cerebral and cervical vascular anomalies associated with her PHACE syndrome making her at an increased risk of stroke with the use of propranolol.
Molecular and point-of-care diagnostics for Ebola and new threats: National POCT policy and guidelines will stop epidemics.

Introduction: US hospitals that admitted Ebola virus disease (EVD) patients mitigated risk by using point-or-care testing (POCT) for critical support in isolation units. Success proved unequivocall...
Selective inhibition of sporulation of Bacillus subtilis by netropsin.

Abstract At low concentrations, the basic-polypeptide antibiotic, netropsin, did not inhibit growth, over-all RNA synthesis, replication of phage Oe, or synthesis of some catabolite-repressed enzymes in Bacillus subtilis 168. Cells developed normally until t2 of sporulation, but no refractile spores were formed in the presence of the antibiotic. The selective inhibition of sporulation by netropsin may be related to the base composition or sequence of some sporulation specific genes.
Gene activity in the oocyte nucleus: ribosomal RNA synthesis

The nuclei of many growing oocytes are characterized by a comparatively enormous quantity of nucleolar material. This may be present either as a single giant, lobular, or compound nucleolus as in many invertebrates and some vertebrates; as hundreds of individual nucleoli floating free in the nuclear, sap, the case in amphibians; or as some combination of these two extremes. Nucleolar ribosomal RNA synthesis is quantitatively the dominant aspect of gene activity during oogenesis. Most of the RNA synthesized in the oocyte nucleus in Xenopus is ribosomal in nature, and this appears to be true even for the shortest labeling periods it is possible to use. In the Xenopus lampbrush-stage oocyte, over 95% of the RNA molecules synthesized per unit time are ribosomal RNA molecules. Radioautographic evidence regarding the location of RNA-synthesizing sites in the amphibian lampbrush-stage oocyte nucleus shows that RNA synthesis takes place in the several hundred free-floating nucleoli as well as in the chromosomal apparatus.
Rethinking breast self-examinations: are we asking the right questions?

There are a myriad of studies on the efficacy of BSE, with mixed results. Research also highlights growing health disparities and continuing limited access to technology in underserved communities. Results from a pilot study with rural teens suggest that successful skill mastery and sustained practice can be learned. Perhaps most importantly, BSE offers a technology-free method for self-assessment that can be taught at the community level and provides an opportunity for women to gain a measure of self-control over their bodies and themselves.
Myeloproliferative and Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Myeloproliferative syndromes (MPS) are characterized by clonal proliferation patterns of hematological precursor cells with a tendency to develop acute leukemia. Cytopenias typically seen in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are uncommon, as are dysplastic morphological features. Hence a pathogenesis different from MDS is suspected, which is an important reason to separate the discussion and classification of MPS from MDS
CLINICAL TRIALS IN REHABILITATION WITH NEURAL REPAIR

Pre-clinical experiments that demonstrate neural repair must be interpreted with caution by clinicians who wish to apply studies of animal models of disease and regeneration to their patients. Ideally, in vivo models bear parallels and recognizable differences from the cascades of post-injury and pro-restorative mechanisms that may evolve in patients. Experience-dependent learning may also drive neural and behavioral adaptations differently in caged rodents and people. With caution, biological experiments can lead to well-designed clinical trials to test new interventions.
Detecting and mapping slums using open data: a case study in Kenya

The worldwide slum population currently stands at over one billion, with substantial growth expected in the coming decades. Traditionally, slums have been mapped using information derived mainly fr...
The Pets of Hurricane Matthew: Evacuation and Sheltering with Companion Animals

The purpose of this research was to understand the ways in which ownership of companion animals influences evacuation decision-making, using Hurricane Matthew of 2016 as a case study. Using stated-...
Anesthetic Errors During Procedures in the United States.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of anesthetic errors per discharges in the United States within these errors, the incidence of death. A secondary aim was to identify any association between the mortality and patient comorbidities. METHODS A retrospective analysis of the hospitals in the United States using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database during 2007-2014 was performed. The study population consisted of patients who were recorded as inpatient discharges who experienced complications as a result of incorrect anesthetic administration resulting from either an overdose or inappropriate medication administration in the United States. RESULTS Between 2007 and 2014, a total of 17,116 anesthetic errors were reported. There was a substantial decrease in the total number of these errors over time, from 2483 in 2007 to 1391 in 2014 (44% decrease). There were 131 reported deaths in this cohort (0.77% mortality rate), with 61 mortalities in teaching hospitals (0.86% mortality rate) and 57 in nonteaching hospitals (0.73% mortality rate). During the study period, deaths decreased from 21 in 2007 (0.85% mortality rate) to 11 in 2014 (0.79% mortality rate), corresponding with a 7.1% decrease in the mortality rate. Comorbidities associated with a significant increase in mortality from anesthetic substances included fluid and electrolyte disorders (odds ratio 8.82, 95% confidence interval 5.24-14.83, P < 0.001) and coagulopathies (odds ratio 5.26, 95% confidence interval 2.53-10.93, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that although the incidence of anesthetic errors is small, they do still exist in our hospitals. Certain comorbidities appear to predispose patients to increased risk. The subsets of patients who appear to be at the greatest risk include those with preexisting electrolyte and fluid disorders and coagulopathies.
Spiers: Smarter Growth: Activism and Environmental Policy in Metropolitan Washington

Since the postwar era, the Washington (DC) metropolitan area has seen explosive population growth while facing environmental concerns. These challenges include water quality of the Potomac, loss of...
Advanced BIM Platform Based on the Spoken Dialogue for End-User

Since the advent of automatic speech recognition-based virtual assistants (e.g., Google Assistant and iOS Siri), it has become more common to use voice-based information retrieval systems in search engines. In addition, recently, such search engines have served not only to accept keyword-based commands from the human voice but also have evolved to recognize and understand more natural human language. As a result, various industries including the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) have been exploring the application of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems to their processes in order to improve work efficiency/productivity. While other areas have somewhat succeeded in interacting with machines (computers) using natural language, the AECO field is still utilizing keyword-based speech recognition. and lags behind the research of other industries trying to apply natural language-based ASR systems. Thus, this paper aims to apply natural language-based voice recognition system to building information modeling (BIM) and be used to manipulate the building model. In order for the BIM software to understand natural language queries and show the appropriate results in response to it, connecting natural language with BIM data is the key effort. This is because, in general, the words and sentences people use on a daily basis (i.e., natural language) are not highly correlated with the BIM data. With natural language processing (NLP) and structured querying language (SQL), therefore, this paper tries to propose not only a way to connect natural language and BIM data but also a way to manipulate BIM itself.
Strategies for Optimizing the Use of PPE During Surgery in COVID-19 Pandemic: Rapid Scoping Review of Guidelines.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a fundamental role in the prevention of spread to Health Care Professionals (HCP) ; especially in a surgical setting. This scoping review of surgery guidelines was performed to appraise the quality of appropriate PPE recommendations and propose a strategy to optimize the PPE usage. This rapid scoping review of guidelines on surgery during COVID-19 was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews protocol. Important databases were searched from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, for relevant studies produced by a national/international academic association/organization, in English literature, using relevant keywords. Quality of evidence was graded according to GRADE guidelines. The searches yielded a total of 1725 studies, out of these 41 guidelines on surgery during COVID-19 matching with pre-defined criteria were evaluated. The level of evidence was uniformly rated "low," as assessed by GRADE guidelines and recommendations provided by them were mostly non-specific covering a narrow range of items. The crucial issue of optimization of PPE was not addressed at all. Economic implications demand optimization of PPE and conservation of resources. A simple decision-making algorithm addressing all the limitations of guidelines can be constructed, which allows HCPs to safeguard themselves and at the same time optimize/ conserving resources.
Health care ethics ECHO: Improving ethical response self-efficacy through sensemaking

In clinical practice, evidence suggests that teaching ethics using normative ethical theory has little influence on the ethical actions of providers in practice. Thus, new training methods are needed that improve clinician response to ethical problems. A sensemaking approach to ethics training has demonstrated promise as an evidence-based pedagogical method to improve ethical reasoning and response. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) is theoretically linked to improved sensemaking. This study examines the effectiveness of ECHO and training in use of sensemaking approaches to ethical response by clinicians. A quasi-experimental design study using univariate linear regression was used to examine the effect of the three types of ethics training on ethical response self-efficacy scores, while controlling for participant characteristics of years in practice, discipline and sex. We found evidence that training in sensemaking through participation in ECHO promotes improved ethical response self-efficacy of clinicians. However, results also suggest that a traditional ECHO format that does not explicitly introduce sensemaking strategies into the training does not result in the same learning outcomes as measured through an ethical response self-efficacy survey. This study found important preliminary results to support use of sensemaking approaches in clinical ethics training.
Potential Gains in Education Attainment from Treating Adolescent Drug Dependence

There is a growing view that interventions to prevent and treat drug dependence in adolescents may have considerable long-term societal benefits as this is a period of rapid human capital accumulation. A reasonable estimate of the societal benefit from improved human capital accumulation is inhibited by the short duration of intervention studies and the potential for reverse causation between drug use and educational attainment in observational studies. Instrumental variables have been used to derive reasonable estimates amid reverse causation, but for those already suffering from drug dependence instrumental variables may not identify the margin of interest. The objective here is to estimate the additional education attained for those who achieve abstinence following a diagnosis of drug dependence. We use the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) which followed a nationally representative sample of 12-16 year olds annually from 1997 to 2003. We estimate the probability of attaining a high school diploma by 2003 (when ages 18 to 26) based on an assessment of drug dependence transitions fro 1998 to 1999. The four transition types are: never drug dependent, continuous drug dependence, abstinence following drug dependence, new drug user. The DSM-IV diagnosis of drug abuse or drug dependence was imputed from the 2001 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Separate categorical variables were created for marijuana and hard drugs. Controls for sociodemographics and parental characteristics were included. We found that those who are abstinent following marijuana drug dependence had a higher probability of high school graduation of 1.8 percentage points (p-value=0.02) over those who remain marijuana drug dependent. This is considerably less than the 12.2 percentage point (p-value<.0001) higher probability of high school graduation among those who never abused marijuana when compared to the continuously drug dependent group. The magnitudes of the effects for hard drugs were similar, but not statistically significant. We find a small but positive relationship between transitioning to abstinence following drug dependence and the likelihood high school graduation. This estimate is relevant for deriving the social benefits from achieving abstinence from adolescent drug treatment programs because those diagnosed with drug abuse/dependence enter treatment rather than those who never had drug problems. Our estimate should be considered an upper bound because those who return to abstinence are likely to be a favorably self-selected group.
Frequency Diversity in Electromagnetic Remote Sensing of Lower Atmospheric Refractivity

This paper explores the effects of system frequency on electromagnetic (EM) remote sensing of atmospheric refractivity. A frequency range of 2-40 GHz covering S to Ka bands is analyzed. A multi-frequency inversion algorithm is developed to estimate the evaporation duct heights using a parabolic wave equation propagation model. The capabilities of a theoretical multi-frequency system are explored for high and low signal to noise ratios for varying numbers of frequencies and bands. Experimental data were collected using the Lower Atmospheric Propagation Ultra-Wide Band (LATPROP-UWB) system deployed during the Coupled Air-Sea Processes and EM Ducting Research (CASPER) East Campaign. Range-dependent propagation loss measurements at 53 frequencies ranging from 2 to 40 GHz were made. The evaporation duct refractivity profiles estimated from the multi-frequency LATPROP-UWB data were compared to the profiles inferred from the concurrent meteorological and oceanographic measurements. Inversion results show that the optimal refractivity retrieval can be achieved using 10 frequencies and results in a fourfold reduction in the estimation RMSE compared to a single-frequency inversion.
Smooth-talking T cells leave asthma breathless

The plasma membrane channel PANX1 mediates release of bio-active adenine nucleotides; however, its function in immune cells is unknown. In this issue of Immunity, Medina et al. show that PANX1 mediates adenosine-dependent communication between regulatory and effector CD4+ T cells during allergic airway inflammation.