cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rewriting the past and reimagining the future: The social life of a Tamil heritage language industry

Globally circulating discourses associated with heritage language industries often promote temporally dichotomous views of spoken and written languages that deny coeval status to linguistic minorities. In the multilingual city of Montreal, Quebec, where Sri Lankan refugees work to preserve a classicalist style of Written Tamil and Indian immigrants work to revitalize a modernist style of Spoken Tamil, this division of labor is undermined by elders and youth who, in mixing colloquial and literary styles of Tamil, French, and English, reframe curricular and nationalist discourses of language loss and degeneration into more empowering narratives of developmental progress and ethnolinguistic identification.
Images of Conflict Resolution and Social Control American and Japanese Attitudes Toward the Adversary System

The study employs a questionnaire instrument on the adversary system to compare respondent attitudes from the Tokyo and Minnesota district courts. Empirical verification of the Japanese and American models of conflict resolution and social control developed in the research is accomplished by comparing the responses of the two groups to modal statements about defense counsel roles arrayed in a continuum from administrative (counsel as coach) to due process (protect the client) roles. When urbanization and respondent's role (prosecuting judge, defense attorney) are controlled for, the Japanese reject the extreme implications of the adversary system, particularly in terms of the due process notion, while the American group supports the due process statements. The study corroborates the view that culturally generated value differences may have important impact on conflict resolution and social control, and by implication, international conflict resolution behavior.
Autofocusing for RF tomography using particle swarm optimization

RF tomography employs geometric diversity to obtain high resolution images of targets, potentially with narrow band waveforms. In order to properly capitalize on this spatial diversity, precise knowledge of the sensor positions is required to sub-wavelength accuracy. While GPS can provide good estimates for these locations, remaining uncertainties distort the images produced and limit their utility. In this paper, an autofocusing approach is proposed to compensate for these uncertainties. A cost function is established for the image by evaluating the sharpness of image sub-regions in the neighborhood of known point-like targets. These targets can be identified either from a knowledge base or by examining preliminary imaging results. The cost function is then minimized by adjusting the estimated sensor positions using particle swarm optimization. The algorithm is shown to significantly improve the quality of RF tomographic images, allowing the separation of closely spaced targets that were severely distorted in uncorrected images. Results are provided for both simulated and measured data. A discussion of potential enhancements and wider applications of the algorithm is also included.
MO‐B‐I‐618‐02: Overview of Digital Detector Technology

There are various technologies available for the acquisition and display of digital radiographicimages. A division has historically existed between “computed radiography” (CR) using photostimulable storage phosphors placed in a cassette holder with subsequent processing in a reader, and “direct radiography” (DR) using a detector with integrated electronics and direct readout and image display. In 2005, these distinctions are less obvious, as some storage phosphor (PSP) devices are automated with direct image display, and some direct flat‐panel devices are used like a portable cassette. Generally speaking, rather than distinguishing digital detectors based on “CR versus DR”, consideration of cassette versus cassetteless digital radiography is perhaps warranted as the technology advances. Besides the venerable cassette‐based PSP detector and plate reader for large field of view imaging (35 × 43 cm), digital detector technologies now available include PSP line‐scan systems in a cassetteless enclosure, optically coupled CCD‐camera systems, fiber‐optically coupled slot‐scan CCD array detectors, indirect x‐ray conversion scintillators and thin‐film‐transistor (TFT) photodiode arrays, and direct x‐ray conversion semiconductors layered on TFTdetector arrays. Dedicated digital mammography detectors use similar technologies, with appropriate tuning for resolution and speed. Detective quantum efficiency measurements, equipment specifications, unique acquisition techniques (e.g., digital tomosynthesis and dual energy radiography), PACS/RIS integration and quality control issues are reviewed in the presentation. Educational Objectives: 1. To describe digital radiography in general terms, and compare with screen‐film detectors 2. To understand acquisition and information flow of digital radiography devices 3. To compare cassette and cassetteless operation in terms of resolution, dose efficiency and signal to noise ratio 4. To describe new data acquisition and image processing techniques 5. To consider PACS/RIS interface and design features for digital radiography
Selecting Top Corporate Leaders: An Example of Biographical Information

A system of structured interviews, superior-peer-subordinate ratings, and consensus discussion is describedfor the selection of top level managers in a multi-national Fortune 50 firm. The interviews and superior-peer-subordinate ratings were used to gather biographical information on 66 candidates. The biographical information was used to generate consensus ratings on nine performance dimensions for the job of division general manager. Concurrent validity evidence provides preliminary support for the selection system. Implications for the personnel selection and leadership literatures are discussed.
Exact Fault-Sensitive Feasibility Analysis of Real-Time Tasks

In this paper, we consider the problem of checking the feasibility of a set of n real-time tasks while provisioning for timely recovery from (at most) k transient faults. We extend the well-known processor demand approach to take into account the extra overhead that may be induced by potential recovery operations under earliest-deadline-first scheduling. We develop a necessary and sufficient test using a dynamic programming technique. An improvement upon the previous solutions is to address and efficiently solve the case where the recovery blocks associated with a given task do not necessarily have the same execution time. We also provide an online version of the algorithm that does not require a priori knowledge of release times. The online algorithm runs in O(m ldr k2) time, where m is the number of ready tasks. We extend the framework to periodic execution settings: We derive a sufficient condition that can be checked efficiently for the feasibility of periodic tasks in the presence of faults. Finally, we analyze the case where the recovery blocks are to be executed nonpreemptively and we formally show that the problem becomes intractable under that assumption.
THE QUANTITATIVE ASSAY OF “FOLLICLE STIMULATING” SUBSTANCES1

A number of the responses elicited in immature female rats and mice by gonadotropic extracts prepared from various sources have been applied to the quantitative assay of these extracts. The production of follicular enlargement, luteinization, ‘blood point’ formation, increase in ovarian weight, precocious vaginal canalization and induction of estrus as judged by the vaginal smear have all been used, singly or in combination, as indicators of the gonadotropic potency of the injected material. At the inception of our work on the concentration and purification of the urinary gonadotropic material of ovariectomized and post-menopausal women, it became imperative to assay our preparations as accurately as possible. Earlier work (1) demonstrated that this gonadotropin is predominantly follicle-stimulating in nature, thus precluding the possibility of using luteinization or hemorrhagic follicle formation as a criterion of activity. Attempts were therefore made to assay the preparations, using immature mice, on t...
Automorphisms of matrix algebras over commutative rings

Abstract The automorphisms of an n × n matrix algebra over a commutative ring can fail to be inner. The extent of this failure, however, is under control. For instance, the commutator of any two automorphisms and the n th power of each of them are necessarily inner.
Nitric oxide from neuronal NOS plays critical role in cerebral capillary flow response to hypoxia

We investigated, using a direct, intravital microscopic technique, whether nitric oxide (NO) from neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) plays a role in the cerebral capillary flow response to acute...
MANUMIELLA SEYMOURENSIS NEW SPECIES, A STRATIGRAPHICALLY SIGNIFICANT DINOFLAGELLATE CYST FROM THE MAASTRICHTIAN OF SEYMOUR ISLAND, ANTARCTICA

The peridiniacean dinoflagellate cyst Manumiella seymourensis new species described herein characterizes Maastrichtian shallow marine sediments cropping out on Seymour Island, northeastern Antarctic Peninsula. It dominates palynological assemblages throughout the lower Maastrichtian (and possibly uppermost Campanian) to lower upper Maastrichtian part of the Lopez de Bertodano Formation. Despite its superficial similarity to some other southern mid to high paleolatitude Campanian-Maastrichtian species, M. seymourensis represents a discrete, biostratigraphically useful population of peridiniacean cysts. Its morphology and size parameters remain consistent throughout almost all of its stratigraphic range, equated with relatively stable environmental conditions throughout much of the Maastrichtian in the James Ross Basin. Morphological variations, equated with environmental change, are apparent in specimens in the lowermost and uppermost parts of its range.
Manufacturing Capabilities using High Power Direct Diode Laser (HPDDL) Cladding

Alion Science a Technology developed an automated, low-cost, efficient system that is capable of laser cladding (RaD 100 Award winner 2004). Current objective is refurbishment of worn /corroded ship components used by the U.S. Navy.
Scaling and Sustaining an Intervention: The Case of Reading Recovery

ABSTRACTIn every school district across the country, every year, initiatives are adopted with the goal of improving the literacy performance of young students, and, just as frequently, these initiatives fail or quickly become passing fads. In this article, Rodgers reviews literature related to scaling educational innovations and describes challenges and barriers to implementing and maintaining evidence-based reform. Using Reading Recovery as a case example, she describes features of the intervention that are thought to be linked to its longevity in terms of scalability and sustainability. She also shares lessons learned from the most recent period of its expansion with the 5-year grant to scale up Reading Recovery across the county. Implications from this article include the importance of adopting an initiative that has a well-articulated design, collecting data on the progress of the students served, and having a person in the district who acts as a redirecting agent, maintaining the design of the initia...
Sheep Scab Mite (Acari: Psoroptidae): General Morphology and Immunocytochemistry Using Serum from Infested Animals

The basic morphology of the digestive, reproductive, and nervous Systems of the sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis Hering, was defined by light microscopy. An understanding of the stricture of the digestive system of P. ovis is prerequisite to identification of target antigens in specific regions of the digestive tract using immunocytochemistry. Sera from a mite-infested animal and an animal with repeated mite infestations no longer able to maintain a population of P. ovis (acquired resistance) were used to determine antibody specificity to the mite digestive system, and these were compared with the sera from uninfested animals. Sera from naive animals with mite infestations and those animals with repeated infestations had antibodies that were specific against the digestive tract, whereas sera from uninfested control animals did not demonstrate any antibody specificity to mite antigens. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that polyclonal antibodies to mite gut antigens were present in infested naive animals as well as in multiply infested animals, indicating that gut antigens have a possible role in host resistance.
Workout at work: Laboratory test of psychological and performance outcomes of active workstations.

With growing concerns over the obesity epidemic in the United States and other developed countries, many organizations have taken steps to incorporate healthy workplace practices. However, most workers are still sedentary throughout the day--a major contributor to individual weight gain. The current study sought to gather preliminary evidence of the efficacy of active workstations, which are a possible intervention that could increase employees' physical activity while they are working. We conducted an experimental study, in which boredom, task satisfaction, stress, arousal, and performance were evaluated and compared across 4 randomly assigned conditions: seated workstation, standing workstation, cycling workstation, and walking workstation. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) and exercise habits were examined as moderators to determine whether differences in these variables would relate to increased benefits in active conditions. The results (n = 180) showed general support for the benefits of walking workstations, whereby participants in the walking condition had higher satisfaction and arousal and experienced less boredom and stress than those in the passive conditions. Cycling workstations, on the other hand, tended to relate to reduced satisfaction and performance when compared with other conditions. The moderators did not impact these relationships, indicating that walking workstations might have psychological benefits to individuals, regardless of BMI and exercise habits. The results of this study are a preliminary step in understanding the work implications of active workstations.
Vorticity Confinement technique for preservation of tip vortex of rotating blade

In this study the Vorticity Confinement (VC) approach is combined with Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) technique to avoid over-confinement and divergence of upwind secondorder of approximation schemes. The TVD schemes were combined with the first (constant confinement parameter e) and second (constant unit-less confinement parameter c) VC formulations and to adoptive vorticity confinement formulation by Hahn and Iaccarino. These VC techniques were applied to convected Taylor vortex. For the former two VC methods combination of the second-order upwind discretization scheme with VC shows significant over-confinement of convected vortex whereas the first-order discretization scheme leads to strong dissipation of vortex. While the latter VC technique shows acceptable results for first-order upwind scheme, it either diverges or strongly over-confines when the second-order upwind discretization scheme is adopted. The combination of VC with TVD shows flowfield close to analytical convected vortex for above listed VC methods. The proposed combined TVD and VC technique is applied to tip vortex generated by rotating blade and compared to experiment. The optimum value of vorticity confinement parameter is adjusted to these conditions. The grid generation issues and needed local grid refinement are discussed. Convergence of CFD algorithm with added vorticity confinement is confirmed. Application of VC to CFD code FLUENT shows much more close comparison to experimental results in terms of vortex velocity profile and size of vortex core compared to the same CFD code without VC approach.
Monitoring on epidemic situation of animal bites in Xuanwu District of Beijing from 2005-2011

[Objective]To monitor the epidemic situation of animal bites in Xuanwu District of Beijing,understand the epidemic trend and law,and provide a scientific basis for rabies prevention.[Methods]The registration data of rabies cases in clinics in Xuanwu District from 2005-2011 were analyzed statistically.[Results]A total of 64 294 patients who were bit by animal were registered in the vaccination clinic for rabies from 2005 to 2011,all of them received rabies vaccination.54.41% of injuries occurred on the hand.The majority of animals were pets,and 81.64% were dogs.[Conclusion]It is important to carry out the education about standardized breeding of pets,timely treatment of wound and vaccination.In order to enhance the awareness rate of knowledge about rabies prevention,the government should strengthen the popularization of knowledge about rabies control.
Rates of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization Among Adults With ADHD.

Objective: Research has demonstrated an association between ADHD and intimate partner violence (IPV). However, it is unclear whether adults with ADHD persisting from childhood are especially at ris...
Post-Synthetic Defucosylation of AGP by Aspergillus nidulans α-1,2-Fucosidase Expressed in Arabidopsis Apoplast Induces Compensatory Upregulation of α-1,2-Fucosyltransferases

Cell walls are essential components of plant cells which perform a variety of important functions for the different cell types, tissues and organs of a plant. Besides mechanical function providing cell shape, cell walls participate in intercellular communication, defense during plant-microbe interactions, and plant growth. The plant cell wall consists predominantly of polysaccharides with the addition of structural glycoproteins, phenolic esters, minerals, lignin, and associated enzymes. Alterations in the cell wall composition created through either changes in biosynthesis of specific constituents or their post-synthetic modifications in the apoplast compromise cell wall integrity and frequently induce plant compensatory responses as a result of these alterations. Here we report that post-synthetic removal of fucose residues specifically from arabinogalactan proteins in the Arabidopsis plant cell wall induces differential expression of fucosyltransferases and leads to the root and hypocotyl elongation changes. These results demonstrate that the post-synthetic modification of cell wall components presents a valuable approach to investigate the potential signaling pathways induced during plant responses to such modifications that usually occur during plant development and stress responses.
Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Template Microtubule Networks to Enhance Persistence in Cell Polarity and Directed Migration

Increased expression of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) enhances directed cell migration, but the mechanism behind VIFs' effect on motility is not understood. VIFs interact with microtubules, whose organization contributes to polarity maintenance in migrating cells. Here, we characterize the dynamic coordination of VIF and microtubule networks in wounded monolayers of retinal pigment epithelial cells. By genome editing, we fluorescently labeled endogenous vimentin and α-tubulin, and we developed computational image analysis to delineate architecture and interactions of the two networks. Our results show that VIFs assemble an ultrastructural copy of the previously polarized microtubule network. Because the VIF network is long-lived compared to the microtubule network, VIFs template future microtubule growth along previous microtubule tracks, thus providing a feedback mechanism that maintains cell polarity. VIF knockdown prevents cells from polarizing and migrating properly during wound healing. We suggest that VIFs' templating function establishes a memory in microtubule organization that enhances persistence in cell polarization in general and migration in particular.
Bulletproofing: Small Arms, International Law, and Spiritual Security in the Gambia

Hultin uses international small arms control and its manifestation in the Gambia to describe how anthropologists have focused on the ways local contexts problematize or transcend putatively universal norms (like those found in humanitarian discourses, including small arms control). In the Gambia, spiritual security clashes with the norms and tropes of small arms control. But, at the same time, as this focus has a great deal of merit, it makes for another trope: the trope of incommensurability. This trope is an anthropological forte, but it risks neglecting the aspirational uses of international ideas to form new social identities. To address this point, the chapter develops the notion of the “procedural class” as a facet of the moral topography of contemporary Africa.
Children’s Physical Activity and On-Task Behavior Following Active Academic Lessons

ABSTRACTSitting for extended periods of time is detrimental to children’s physical health and may cause off-task behavior in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a classroom physical activity (PA) program, TAKE 10!®, on children’s PA and on-task behavior. Participants in the program included 137 children from six classes (third to fifth grades) in one ethnically diverse elementary school in the Southwestern United States. Classroom teachers implemented 10-minute bouts of active academic TAKE 10!® lessons for 12 weeks (four weeks baseline and eight weeks intervention). PA was measured using pedometers and on-task behavior was measured using systematic observation in the classrooms. Children’s step counts increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 853 from baseline to end-intervention. There was also significant (p < 0.05) improvement in on-task behavior of 5.5%. Active academic lessons were effective in increasing children’s in-school PA and on-task behavior in the classroom.
The Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (MFT‐PRN): Creating a More Perfect Union Between Practice and Research

This article describes the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (MFT-PRN). The MFT-PRN is designed to build a professional community based on practice-informed research and research-informed practice, increase the diversity of participants in MFT research, and unify researchers and clinicians. Clinics choose measures from a list that best represent their clinic needs. Clients' outcomes are assessed regularly, and therapists receive immediate graphical feedback on how clients are progressing or digressing. Data are pooled to create a large and diverse database, while improving client outcomes. We will discuss advantages of the MFT-PRN for researchers, therapists, clients, and agencies, and provide one model that we hope will inform other collaborative clinical-research models in the field of marriage and family therapy. Video Abstract is found in the online version of the article.
Abdominal Plastic Surgery and Adjunctive Procedures

Complex abdominal wall reconstruction often requires adjunctive procedures to ensure not only functional outcomes, but also better aesthetic body contour and shape. These procedures should be mastered by the operating general surgeon or should be referred to the plastic surgeon. In this chapter we will describe some of these adjunct procedures such as liposuction alone; lipoabdominoplasty; miniabdominoplasty; full abdominoplasty; or even superior or reverse abdominoplasty. Miniabdominoplasty employs the use of umbilical float technique to allow a scarless movement of the umbilicus inferiorly by about 2 cm while simultaneously plicating the fascia; however, this technique limits the skin excision significantly. Full abdominoplasty with extended scar allows multiplanar application of all modalities while removing the maximal skin by extending the scars to the flanks which minimize the chance of formation of “dog ears.” Superior or reverse abdominoplasty involves the excision of excess skin of the superior aspect of the abdominal wall and is usually performed on patients who also desire reduction, mastopexy, and/or augmentation via the same inframammary incisions. Next, we will discuss abdominal surgery after massive weight loss which requires extensive peri-operative management and planning in addition to flawless execution of this complex procedure in order to obtain excellent outcomes. Finally, we will examine the latest evidence based literature on avoidance and management of complications from abdominal plastic surgery operations.
The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey: Memories from the Farm of My Youth

Review of: The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey: Memories from the Farm of My Youth, by Alan Guebert with Mary Grace Foxwell
The Talloires Network and the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship: Explorations on sustainable and innovative leadership

Higher education does not exist in a vacuum. Institutions of higher learning should serve as vibrant and dynamic anchors to their communities and to society. Civic engagement and community service should be inextricable from research, teaching and learning. The Talloires Network is an international coalition of higher education institutions founded on such a vision. It is because of this vision that the MacJannet Foundation approached the Talloires Network in 2009 to establish the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. Following in the footsteps of founders Donald and Charlotte MacJannet, the international Foundation is dedicated to providing pathways for individuals and institutions to use their skills for the good of their communities. The MacJannet Prize recognizes exceptional student community engagement initiatives at Talloires Network member universities and contributes financially to their ongoing public service efforts. This special edition journal of Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement features articles from five first-place MacJannet Prize winners and one second-place winner. The articles offer a glimpse of university civic engagement projects in six countries created to help marginalised and vulnerable communities. They highlight the complexity of civic engagement efforts in different institutional environments and regions of the world and provide insight into the pedagogy and practice of engagement. Further, the articles highlight the many challenges associated with this type of work, not only with scaling up the initiatives but with institutionalising them. Finally, these accounts serve as a reminder of the critical importance higher education institutions have in the success of these initiatives and the dedication of the individuals who lead them.
Prenatal programming of postnatal plasticity for externalizing behavior: Testing an integrated developmental model of genetic and temperamental sensitivity to the environment

Although both gene- and temperament-environment interactions contribute to the development of youth externalizing problems, it is unclear how these factors jointly affect environmental sensitivity over time. In a 7-year longitudinal study of 232 children (aged 5-10) with and without ADHD, we employed moderated mediation to test a developmentally sensitive mechanistic model of genetic and temperamental sensitivity to prenatal and postnatal environmental factors. Birth weight, a global measure of the prenatal environment, moderated predictions of child negative emotionality from a composite of dopaminergic polymorphisms (i.e., DRD4 and DAT1), such that birth weight inversely predicted negative emotionality only for children with genetic plasticity. Negative emotionality, in turn, predicted externalizing behavior 4-5 years later, beyond genetic and postnatal parenting effects. Finally, birth weight moderated the indirect effect of dopaminergic genotypes on externalizing problems through negative emotionality, partially supporting a prenatal programming model. We discuss theoretical and empirical implications for models of environmental sensitivity.
Brain reflections: A circuit‐based framework for understanding information processing and cognitive control

Here, I propose a view of the architecture of the human information processing system, and of how it can be adapted to changing task demands (which is the hallmark of cognitive control). This view is informed by an interpretation of brain activity as reflecting the excitability level of neural representations, encoding not only stimuli and temporal contexts, but also action plans and task goals. The proposed cognitive architecture includes three types of circuits: open circuits, involved in feed-forward processing such as that connecting stimuli with responses and characterized by brief, transient brain activity; and two types of closed circuits, positive feedback circuits (characterized by sustained, high-frequency oscillatory activity), which help select and maintain representations, and negative feedback circuits (characterized by brief, low-frequency oscillatory bursts), which are instead associated with changes in representations. Feed-forward activity is primarily responsible for the spread of activation along the information processing system. Oscillatory activity, instead, controls this spread. Sustained oscillatory activity due to both local cortical circuits (gamma) and longer corticothalamic circuits (alpha and beta) allows for the selection of individuated representations. Through the interaction of these circuits, it also allows for the preservation of representations across different temporal spans (sensory and working memory) and their spread across the brain. In contrast, brief bursts of oscillatory activity, generated by novel and/or conflicting information, lead to the interruption of sustained oscillatory activity and promote the generation of new representations. I discuss how this framework can account for a number of psychological and behavioral phenomena.
On the relation between Marcus theory and ultrafast spectroscopy of solvation kinetics

Abstract The phenomena of solvent exchange control the process of solvating ions, protons, and charged molecules. Building upon our extension of Marcus’ philosophy of electron transfer, we provide a new perspective of ultrafast solvent exchange mechanism around ions measurable by two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy. In this theory, solvent rearrangement drives an ion-bound water to an activated state of higher coordination number, triggering ion-water separation that leads to the solvent-bound state of the water molecule. This ion-bound to solvent-bound transition rate for a BF 4 - -water system is computed using ab initio molecular dynamics and Marcus theory, and is found to be in excellent agreement with the 2DIR measurement.
Malignancy and Meckel's diverticulum: A systematic literature review and 14‐year experience at a tertiary referral center

BackgroundMeckel’s diverticulum is present in about 2% of the population. The literature reports 3.2% incidence of tumors within Meckel’s diverticulum; the tumors are predominantly benign.Objective...
Protein Corona in Response to Flow: Effect on Protein Concentration and Structure

Nanoparticles used in cellular applications encounter free serum proteins that adsorb onto the surface of the nanoparticle, forming a protein corona. This protein layer controls the interaction of nanoparticles with cells. For nanomedicine applications, it is important to consider how intravenous injection and the subsequent shear flow will affect the protein corona. Our goal was to determine if shear flow changed the composition of the protein corona and if these changes affected cellular binding. Colorimetric assays of protein concentration and gel electrophoresis demonstrate that polystyrene nanoparticles subjected to flow have a greater concentration of serum proteins adsorbed on the surface, especially plasminogen. Plasminogen, in the absence of nanoparticles, undergoes changes in structure in response to flow, characterized by fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The protein-nanoparticle complexes formed from fetal bovine serum after flow had decreased cellular binding, as measured with flow cytometry. In addition to the relevance for nanomedicine, these results also highlight the technical challenges of protein corona studies. The composition of the protein corona was highly dependent on the initial mixing step: rocking, vortexing, or flow. Overall, these results reaffirm the importance of the protein corona in nanoparticle-cell interactions and point toward the challenges of predicting corona composition based on nanoparticle properties.
Examining Admission Factors in an MPA Program

AbstractThis article presents an in-depth examination of the validity of the admission factors employed by a NASPAA-accredited MPA program. Admission factors are examined to determine if particular...
The plica syndrome.

The plica syndrome is an uncommon pathologic entity diagnosed far too often in the setting of concomitant pathology. Medial patellar pain is more likely to be related to patellofemoral maltracking than to plica syndrome. Likewise, anteromedial joint line tenderness is more likely to be related to a meniscal tear than to a pathological plica. An accurate history and physical examination aided by appropriate ancillary tests to confirm the diagnosis are essential to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment. Conservative measures are very effective and must be emphasized before any operative procedure. When arthroscopy is indicated, a thorough examination of the entire knee joint is necessary. A plica may or may not be present. When a pathological plica is found, excision is rewarded with excellent results. Unfortunately, many normal plicae are removed simply because they are present and not because they are symptomatic or pathologic. This leads to persistent symptoms because of misdiagnosis, as well as possible complications secondary to the operation.
Modeling the Inhibition of the Bacterial Reduction of U(VI) by β-MnO2(s)

Pyrolusite (β-MnO2(s)) was used to assess the influence of a competitive electron acceptor on the kinetics of reduction of aqueous uranyl carbonate by a dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium (DMRB), Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32. The enzymatic reduction of U(VI) and β-MnO2(s) and the abiotic redox reaction between β-MnO2(s) and biogenic uraninite (UO2(s)) were independently investigated to allow for interpretation of studies of U(VI) bioreduction in the presence of β-MnO2(s). Uranyl bioreduction to UO2(s) by CN32 with H2 as the electron donor followed Monod kinetics, with a maximum specific reduction rate of 110 μM/h/108 cells/mL and a half-saturation constant of 370 μM. The bioreduction rate of β-MnO2(s) by CN32 was described by a pseudo-first-order model with respect to β-MnO2(s) surface sites, with a rate constant of 7.92 × 10-2 h-1/108 cells/mL. Uraninite that precipitated as a result of microbial U(VI) reduction was abiotically reoxidized to U(VI) by β-MnO2(s), with concomitant reduction to Mn...
Combinatorially Designed LDPC Codes Using Zech Logarithms and Congruential Sequences

We investigate a systematic construction of regular low density parity check (LDPC) codes based on (γργ-1, ργ, ρ, γ{0,1}) combinatorial designs. The proposed (γ,ρ) regular LDPC ensemble has rate \({\left( {1 - \tfrac{1}{\rho }} \right)^\gamma }\) girth ≥2γ+1, and exists for all γ≥2. The codes are a subset of Gallager’s random ensemble, but contains a good combination of structure and (pseudo)randomness. In particular, the simple case of γ=2 results in a class of codes that are high-rate, systematic, quasi-cyclic, linear-time encodable and decodable, and free of length-4 and length-6 cycles. Analysis on distance spectrum shows that they are better than the Gallager ensemble of the same parameters. Simulation of the proposed codes on intersymbol interference channels show that they perform comparably to random LDPC codes. Unlike random codes, the proposed structured LDPC codes can lend themselves to a low-complexity implementation for high-speed applications.
Exafs Analysis of Ion Containing Polymers

The K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) of zinc and rubidium in various sulfonate and carboxylate ionomer systems has been measured and interpreted. In dehydrated zinc neutralized ionomers, the zinc cation was found to be tetrahedrally coordinated to oxygen atoms. For ionomers with hydrocarbon backbones, these oxygen atoms may originate from the sulfonate or carboxylate groups. For ionomers with perfluorinated backbones, some of the oxygen atoms may be ascribed to water coordination as well. In fully hydrated zinc neutralized ionomers, the zinc cation exists as Zn(H2O)6 2+. in contrast, the fully hydrated monovalent rubidium neutralized ionomers exhibited a highly disordered nearest-neighbor environment about the cation. It seems that a high degree of local structure about the cation is not necessary for the formation of ionic aggregates detected by small-angle x-ray scattering.
A 72.4-dB SNDR 92-dB SFDR Blocker Tolerant CT $\Delta\Sigma$ Modulator With Inherent DWA

This brief presents the design and implementation of a new blocker tolerant wideband continuous-time delta-sigma modulator. Using a customized digital integrator with inherent data-weighted averaging at the back-end of the modulator, the power consumption of the quantizer is reduced while the speed of operation is increased. Additionally, by using a single amplifier biquad structure in the loop filter, the number of op-amps is reduced, thus reducing the analog power consumption. Also, the modulator robustness to the out-of-band blocker is improved by increasing the number of levels in the digital integrator and feedback DACs. The out-of-band blocker tolerance is improved by 3 dB compared to a conventional CIFF-B delta-sigma modulator with a minimal increase in the power consumption. The proposed architecture has been implemented in a 65-nm CMOS technology and operates at a 250 MHz sampling frequency. It achieves 73.5 dB SNR, 72.4 dB SNDR, and 92 dB SFDR over a 7-MHz bandwidth and a Walden figure-of-merit of 341 fJ/conversion.
Functional MRI of the mouse olfactory system

Abstract Although olfactory dysfunction is an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and is commonly present in a range of other neurodegenerative disorders, the mechanisms for its pathogenesis are not yet clear. Since fMRI allows the mapping of spatial and temporal patterns of activity in multiple brain regions simultaneously, it serves as a powerful tool to study olfactory dysfunction in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, there have been no reports to date of mapping odor-induced activation patterns beyond the olfactory bulb to the extended networks of olfactory and limbic archicortex, likely due to the small size of the mouse brain. Therefore, using an 11.7 T magnet and a blood volume-weighted fMRI technique, we mapped the functional neuroanatomy of the mouse olfactory system. Consistent with reports on imaging of the much larger human brain, we mapped activity in regions of the olfactory bulb, as well as olfactory and limbic archicortex. By using two distinct odorants, we further demonstrated odorant-specific activation patterns. Our work thus provides a methodological framework for fMRI studies of olfactory dysfunction in mouse models of neurodegeneration.
A Novel Architecture for a Two-Tap Feed-Forward Optical or Electrical Domain Equalizer using a Differential Element

For the first time, we demonstrate a novel architecture for a tunable two-tap feed-forward equalizer (FFE) based on a differential element, enabling reduced equalizer size, complexity, and power. This architecture is applicable to optical or electrical domain equalizers, and we demonstrate link equalization.
Five-fingered Hand

Upton [1] considered the five-fingered hand as a form of thumb hypoplasia. In this unusual anomaly the thumb is smaller in width and longer in length and has the characteristics of a finger. Although some consider this condition to be a form of triphalangeal thumb with long rectangular middle phalanx and absent web space, [2] it differs from the typical triphalangeal thumb, because this radial digit is nonopposable and has a distal metacarpal growth plate. This radial border digit lies in the same plane as the ulnar four digits and usually has the same length as the adjacent index finger. This finger is slender and sometimes joined to the index finger in an incomplete simple syndactyly. The skeletal anatomy of this radial digit is similar to the other fingers in that it lacks the trapeziometacarpal joint, has a well-developed middle phalanx, and has an interpalmar plate ligament in the 1st web space between the metacarpal heads. There is a distal growth center to the metacarpal head and the three phalanges have proximal growth centers. The scaphoid is often absent or hypoplastic. The thenar musculature is also absent as is an adductor pollicis muscle. The fifth radial finger has extrinsic flexors and extensors muscles similar to those of the normal fingers (Fig. 31.1).
Fundamental Properties of Helium in Metal Tritides

Tritides can be a useful tool for studying the fundamental properties of helium in metals and offer certain advantages over ion implantation methods. In this paper, recent studies on a number of different tritides are described which have increased our understanding of helium mobility, bubble nucleation, bubble growth and helium densities in bubbles.
Deep reinforcement learning algorithm for dynamic pricing of express lanes with multiple access locations

Abstract This article develops a deep reinforcement learning (Deep-RL) framework for dynamic pricing on managed lanes with multiple access locations and heterogeneity in travelers’ value of time, origin, and destination. This framework relaxes assumptions in the literature by considering multiple origins and destinations, multiple access locations to the managed lane, en route diversion of travelers, partial observability of the sensor readings, and stochastic demand and observations. The problem is formulated as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) and policy gradient methods are used to determine tolls as a function of real-time observations. Tolls are modeled as continuous and stochastic variables and are determined using a feedforward neural network. The method is compared against a feedback control method used for dynamic pricing. We show that Deep-RL is effective in learning toll policies for maximizing revenue, minimizing total system travel time, and other joint weighted objectives, when tested on real-world transportation networks. The Deep-RL toll policies outperform the feedback control heuristic for the revenue maximization objective by generating revenues up to 8.5% higher than the heuristic and for the objective minimizing total system travel time (TSTT) by generating TSTT up to 8.4% lower than the heuristic. We also propose reward shaping methods for the POMDP to overcome the undesired behavior of toll policies, like the jam-and-harvest behavior of revenue-maximizing policies. Additionally, we test transferability of the algorithm trained on one set of inputs for new input distributions and offer recommendations on real-time implementations of Deep-RL algorithms. The source code for our experiments is available online at https://github.com/venktesh22/ExpressLanes_Deep-RL .
Social Cybersecurity Chapter 13: Casestudy with COVID-19 Pandemic.

The purpose of this case study is to leverage the concepts and tools presented in the preceding chapters and apply them in a real world social cybersecurity context. With the COVID-19 pandemic emerging as a defining event of the 21st Century and a magnet for disinformation maneuver, we have selected the pandemic and its related social media conversation to focus our efforts on. This chapter therefore applies the tools of information operation maneuver, bot detection and characterization, meme detection and characterization, and information mapping to the COVID-19 related conversation on Twitter. This chapter uses these tools to analyze a stream containing 206 million tweets from 27 million unique users from 15 March 2020 to 30 April 2020. Our results shed light on elaborate information operations that leverage the full breadth of the BEND maneuvers and use bots for important shaping operations.
Direct anabolic three carbon metabolism to a six carbon metabolite occurs in human heart and in vivo across mouse tissues

Abstract Anabolic metabolism of carbon in mammals is mediated via the one and two carbon carriers S-adenosyl methionine and acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). In contrast, anabolic metabolism using three carbon units via propionyl-CoA is not thought to occur. Mammals are primarily thought to oxidize 3-carbon units by shunting propionyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA for entry into the TCA cycle. We found that this may not be absolute and that in mammals one non-oxidative fate of two units of propionyl-CoA is to condense to a six-carbon trans-2-methyl-2-pentenoyl-CoA (2M2PE-CoA). Using ex vivo isotope tracing, we found that 2M2PE-CoA formed in human myocardial tissue incubated with propionate. In whole-body in vivo stable isotope tracing with infusion of 13C-labeled valine achieving steady state, 2M2PE-CoA formed via propionyl-CoA in multiple murine tissues including heart, kidney, and to a lesser degree in brown adipose tissue, liver, and tibialis anterior muscle. These results confirm the in vivo existence of at least one anabolic three to six carbon reaction conserved in humans and mice that utilizes three carbons via propionate. Highlights - Ex vivo metabolism of propionate in the human heart includes anabolism of 3-carbon to a 6-carbon metabolite - In vivo fate of valine across mouse organs includes formation of a 6-carbon metabolite from propionyl-CoA - In both cases, this reaction occurred at physiologically relevant concentrations of propionate and valine
Property Rights within a Theory of Entangled Political Economy

This paper is concerned with the way economists conceptualize the relationship between politics and property rights. It is customary for economists to treat polity and economy as comprising separate domains of human action. In contrast, we treat society as a single domain of action comprised of different forms of organization where the entities organized within polity are entangled with those organized within economy. What results from this alternative analytical scheme is abandonment of the presumption of truly settled property rights in favor of recognition that property rights are always potentially open to contestation. To be sure, we would also note that with a ten percent rate of discount, something that can be retained for seven years is about half as valuable as something that can be retained forever. Nonetheless, entanglement calls attention to the processes through which rights of action are established and challenged.
Morbid Obesity Increases 30-Day Readmission and Morbidity in Clostridiodes difficile Infection

Readmission for patients hospitalized with Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) carries high morbidity, mortality, and burden on healthcare resources. This study aims to determine if morbid obesity is risk factor for 30-day readmission in patients hospitalized with CDI. This retrospective cohort study used the 2014 National Readmission Database. Included patients had a principal diagnosis of CDI and excluded if younger than 18 years of age or admitted during the month of December. Readmissions to any hospital for non-trauma diagnoses within 30 days of the index admission were included. The primary outcome was 30-day all cause readmission. Secondary outcomes were (1) in-hospital mortality; (2) morbidity, initiation of dialysis, or total parenteral nutrition; and (3) resource utilization during index admissions. A total of 91,265 subjects were included in this study, 4388 of whom were morbidly obese. Morbid obesity was associated with significantly higher odds of readmission and was associated with higher adjusted mean total hospitalization charges and costs, higher odds of PMV, and acute renal failure requiring dialysis in individuals that develop CDI. Morbid obesity is an independent risk factor for 30-day readmission in patients hospitalized for CDI. Morbidly obese patients admitted for CDI experienced higher morbidity and increased resource utilization.