cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Communication and process simulation of set-based design for concrete reinforcement

Two discrete-event simulations are developed to assess the feasibility of improving the delivery process of reinforced concrete structures. The simulations represent the resource and information flows necessary for supporting set-based design of reinforcing bars used in concrete. Set- based design enables the exploration of feasible solutions for longer in the design process than is otherwise affordable using point-based design, so as to allow for input from several project participants early on and at the same time. The simulations use the canonical example of selecting longitudinal reinforcement for a beam-column joint. The first simulation uses EZStrobecopy to model the amount of time necessary to converge to a satisfactory design solution using set-based vs. point-based design methods. The second simulation uses XML data exchange and state machines in a service-based architecture to analyze the required information flows for communicating design sets. This enables the exploration of a metalanguage to express design goals.
Overtaking Vehicle Detection Using Dynamic and Quasi-Static Background Modeling

Robust and reliable detection of overtaking vehicles is an important component of any on-board driver assistance system. Optical flow, with the abundant motion information present in image sequences, has been studied extensively for vehicle detection. However, using dense optical ?ow for vehicle detection is sensitive to shocks and vibrations of the mobile camera; image outliers caused by illumination changes; and high computational complexity. To improve vehicle detection performance and reduce computational complexity, we propose an efficient and robust methodology for overtaking vehicle detection based on homogeneous sparse optical flow and eigenspace modeling. Specifically, our method models the background into dynamic and quasi-static regions. Instead of using dense optical flow to model the dynamic parts of the background, we employ homogeneous sparse optical flow, which makes detection more robust to camera shocks and vibrations. Moreover, to make detection robust to illumination changes, we employ a blockbased eigenspace approach to represent quasi-static regions in the background. A region-based hysteresis-thresholding approach, augmented by a localized spatial segmentation procedure, attains a good tradeoff between true detections and false positives. The proposed methodology has been evaluated using challenging traf?c scenes illustrating good performance.
Farmland Inheritance, Transaction and Transference: A Case Study in the Southern Region of Thailand

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of changing farm sizes under cultural farmland inheritance and transactions, in the context of succession decision. Results show that farmland inheritance strategies, involving the sharing of farmland amongst children, will not change from their parents and this will decrease farm sizes for the following farming households. In the past, farmers could enlarge farm sizes by purchasing farmland, but that shall become more difficult for future generations because of changing economic conditions. Farm training and providing suitable technology for small scale farms of the future is therefore required.
The Quest for Human Nature: Social and Scientific Issues in Evolutionary Psychology

Historically, evolutionary theory applied to human behavior has often been used to explain and justify existing social arrangements and institutions. Biological explanations of human social behavior tend to be ideologically and politically reactive. A politicized biology is an obstacle to socially responsible scientists who seek to use evolutionary theory in their work. The papers in this volume represent an attempt to recapture human evolutionary theory by framing it as an interdisciplinary, reflexive endeavor that can transcend old-style biological determinism and nature-nurture debates.
Intellectual Property Rights Requirements for Heterogeneously-Licensed Systems

Heterogeneously-licensed systems pose new challenges to analysts and system architects. Appropriate intellectual property rights must be available for the installed system, but without unnecessarily restricting other requirements, the system architecture, and the choice of components both initially and as it evolves. Such systems are increasingly common and important in e-business, game development, and other domains. Our semantic parameterization analysis of open-source licenses confirms that while most licenses present few roadblocks, reciprocal licenses such as the GNU General Public License produce knotty constraints that cannot be effectively managed without analysis of the system's license architecture. Our automated tool supports intellectual property requirements management and license architecture evolution. We validate our approach on an existing heterogeneously-licensed system.
A Porphyrin Increases Survival Time of Mice after Intracerebral Prion Infection

Prion diseases, including scrapie, are incurable neurodegenerative disorders. Some compounds can delay disease after a peripheral scrapie inoculation, but few are effective against advanced disease. Here, we tested multiple related porphyrins, but only Fe(III)meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine injected into mouse brains after intracerebral scrapie inoculation substantially increased survival times.
Stress-only myocardial perfusion imaging a new paradigm.

Although the acquisition protocols of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) have evolved over the past 4 decades, 2 sets of images (stress/rest) remain a standard practice ([1][1]). Even more sets are at times acquired for special indications (e.g., we described a protocol with 4 sets of images, rest/4
Young Jeezy and “The Recession” What Gangster Rap Can Teach Us About Economic Poverty in the Black Community

This article presents an in-depth case study and qualitative examination of Young Jeezy’s album “The Recession” to explore to what extent Gangster Rap artists use Hip-Hop as way to respond to struc...
Capitalist Logics, Pollution Management, and the Regulation of Harm: Economic Responses to the Problem of Waste Electronics

The means and conditions of capitalist production and accumulation encourage and necessitate the exploitation of labor and the environment through sustained and continual crises of over-production ...
Change in the water quality of industrial channels due to resuspension of sediments contaminated with heavy metals

Industrial channels were used extensively during the two previous centuries and have become heavily contaminated. This study investigates possible water quality changes in the Lachine Canal (Montreal) due to the release of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn and Pb) into the water column during resuspension of anoxic sediments subjected to potential remediation. This release can be initiated by dredging activities for sediment removal. Equilibrium in the water from the Lachine Canal has been calculated using the program EQUILIB from the software FACT. The speciation of heavy metals in the water column was calculated with and without a solid phase before and after possible dredging. Speciation of heavy metals in pore water of anoxic sediments has been calculated, taking into account that corresponding sulfides are the solid phases controlling their solubility. The concentration of heavy metals under anoxic conditions considered could decrease by 8 orders of magnitude. The impact of various scenarios in the area of concern was reviewed from an ecotoxicological perspective. Dredging can possibly change the redox and acid–base conditions in the water column. The impact of dredging will be less if sediments contain calcium. Dredging can lead to an increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the water column and a change of metal speciation.
Current evolutionary adaptiveness of psychiatric disorders: Fertility rates, parent−child relationship quality, and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.

This study sought to evaluate the current evolutionary adaptiveness of psychopathology by examining whether these disorders impact the quantity of offspring or the quality of the parent-child relationship across the life span. Using the National Comorbidity Survey, this study examined whether DSM-III-R anxiety, posttraumatic stress, depressive, bipolar, substance use, antisocial, and psychosis disorders predicted later fertility and the quality of parent-child relationships across the life span in a national sample (N = 8,098). Using latent variable and varying coefficient models, the results suggested that anxiety in males and bipolar pathology in males and females were associated with increased fertility at younger ages. The results suggested almost all other psychopathology was associated with decreased fertility in middle to late adulthood. The results further suggested that all types of psychopathology had negative impacts on the parent-child relationship quality (except for antisocial pathology in males). Nevertheless, for all disorders, the impact of psychopathology on both fertility and the parent-child relationship quality was affected by the age of the participant. The results also showed that anxiety pathology is associated with a high-quantity, low-quality parenting strategy followed by a low-quantity, low-quality parenting strategy. Further, the results suggest that bipolar pathology is associated with an early high-quantity and a continued low-quality parenting strategy. Posttraumatic stress, depression, substance use, antisocial personality, and psychosis pathology are each associated with a low-quantity, low-quality parenting strategy, particularly in mid to late adulthood. These findings suggest that the evolutionary impact of psychopathology depends on the developmental context. (PsycINFO Database Record
EUS for Pancreaticobiliary Duct Access and Drainage

EUS-guided pancreaticobiliary access was reported in the early 1990s, and since then we have seen tremendous progress in technique to access the pancreaticobiliary system, passing wire through stricture to guide retrograde intervention (rendezvous), and to establish direct drainage routes. This technique has been utilized in tertiary care centers for pancreaticobiliary disease, where technical success rate of ERCP is high but there is sometimes a need for other methods of therapy due to certain conditions or anatomic constraints. EUS-guided access and drainage are highly successful in trained hands, however, higher complication rates remain an issue even at high-volume centers. A variety of techniques are available, and there are certain steps endoscopists should know to increase success and to reduce complications. This chapter is aimed to guide readers when and how to use this useful but challenging technique of pancreaticobiliary access and drainage.
Jihadism’s War on Democracy

The term “War of Ideas” began appearing in the years following the al Qaeda terror attacks against the United States on 9/11. In the days following the massacres, the mainstream media displayed a stunning lack of determination in identifying where aggression was coming from and why. In the hours following the bloodshed in Manhattan, Pennsylvania, and Washington where about three thousand—mostly civilians—were killed, the main question raised by networks, publications, and commentators was, “Why do they hate us?” Incredibly revealing, this slogan told the world and the public at home that America did not know who the “they” (i.e., the attackers, who they represent, and what they wanted) were. It also underlined another stunning revelation: that what mainstream intellectuals understood from 9/11 was that sheer “hate” was the reason, and worse, the roots for this so-called hatred were unknown. Al Qaeda’s onslaught on American soil signaled the start of what was called since, the “War on Terror.” But historical precision tells us that in reality the jihadi war on the United States and other democracies began several years earlier. The sudden post—Cold War rise of combat Salafists (al Qaeda and others) against American and Western targets in the 1990s and the actions taken by Khomeinists (Iran and Hezbollah) since the early 1980s preceded America’s campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq by two decades.
Sexual Health Education Topics in Schools: Inclusion and Timing Preferences of a Sample of Southern U.S. College Students

Previous literature indicates that the American public is comfortable including multiple topics in sexual health education curriculum in public schools, yet comprehensive sex education is often portrayed as controversial, especially in the southern USA. Southern university students (N = 560) completed an online survey containing 18 potential sexual health education topics that could be taught in schools. Favorability and timing of all topics as well as demographics variables’ relationships with a total topic endorsement score were assessed. All topics were endorsed by a majority of participants. The least endorsed topic (sexual pleasure) was still selected to be taught at some time by a majority (70 %) of participants. Political affiliation had the strongest relationship with overall endorsement of topics followed by religious commitment. Political affiliation mediated the predictive path of religious commitment to the total topic endorsement score. Findings indicated that, similar to previous literature, individuals would like a wide variety of topics to be included in sexual health education. Therefore, ideas of heightened dispute surrounding comprehensive sex education in the southern USA may be unfounded. Additionally, caution should be exercised when assessing religious individual’s support or opposition of sexual health topics without also analyzing their political affiliation.
Abstract 5416: Activity of the pan-PIM kinase inhibitor INCB053914 in models of acute myelogenous leukemia

The PIM family of serine-threonine protein kinases (PIM1, PIM2 and PIM3) was initially identified as preferential integration sites of the Moloney murine leukemia virus in Eμ-myc mice, resulting in perinatal lymphomagenesis. Molecular characterization has revealed that PIM kinases drive cell proliferation and survival in a number of hematological malignancies beyond lymphomas by mediating responses to cytokines, growth factors and cellular stress. Overexpression of various PIM kinase family members in these malignancies has been associated with poor overall survival and with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, development of a pan-PIM inhibitor may be useful in the treatment of hematological malignancies, both as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy or targeted agents. The in vitro and in vivo activity of INCB053914, a pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, was determined in a panel of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines. Greater than half of all AML cell lines tested were sensitive to single agent INCB053914, with anti-proliferative IC50 potencies Citation Format: Holly Koblish, Niu Shin, Leslie Hall, Sybil O9Connor, Qian Wang, Kathy Wang, Lynn Leffet, Maryanne Covington, Krista Burke, Jason Boer, Kevin Bowman, Ke Zhang, Hao Feng, Chu-Biao Xue, Yun-Long Li, Wenqing Yao, Reid Huber, Kris Vaddi, Peggy Scherle. Activity of the pan-PIM kinase inhibitor INCB053914 in models of acute myelogenous leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5416. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5416
Polarization switching from plasmonic lattice mode to multipolar localized surface plasmon resonances in arrays of large nanoantennas

We experimentally investigate plasmonic lattice modes of gold nanoantenna arrays that occur in asymmetric structures containing a silica substrate and either air or a thin layer of a high-index dielectric. Very distinct polarization switching is observed in the nanoantenna arrays wherein by rotating the incident light polarization by ninety degrees, the array can exhibit either a plasmonic lattice mode or a multipolar localized surface plasmon resonance of varying nature. A large range of nanoantenna lengths are studied, and since the length of the nanoantennas dictates the multipolar localized surface plasmon resonance, we find that the characteristics of the polarization switching are affected accordingly. We also investigate how the thin layer of the high-index dielectric on top of the nanoantenna arrays, in conjunction with varying nanoantenna length, impacts the generation of plasmonic lattice modes and the polarization switching in the arrays. The high-index dielectric is found to assist in the gene...
Robust Probabilistic Logo Detection in Broadcast Videos for Audience Measurement

In the last decades there has been a increasing interest in the development of computer vision strategies to automatically recognize logos in images/videos since several application contexts have arisen in which the logo detection task has also a huge economical relevance. In this paper a logo detection system is presented. The modular architecture consists of a decoder DVB-T/DVB-S, a workstation to drive/control/record and process videos and a console that enables the (even remote) management of various video streams coming from several decoders. The algorithmic pipeline runs on the workstation and it consists of a preliminary key-point detection based on speeded-up key point detection and a matching strategy based on an optimized version of RANSAC. The main advantages of the proposed solution are the capability to detect multiple occurrences in the same image and to keep detection accuracy even under heavy occlusions. Experiments were carried out on a publicly available dataset and on three challenging broadcast videos concerning a music show and two sport events (rugby and rally). The encouraging results make the proposed system a reliable measure of the visibility of logos, whose functionalities could be fully exploited if the cross-check with official audience rating will be carried out.
Major phylum-level differences between porefluid and host rock bacterial communities in the terrestrial deep subsurface.

SUMMARY Earth's deep subsurface biosphere (DSB) is home to a vast number and wide variety of microorganisms. Although difficult to access and sample, deep subsurface environments have been probed through drilling programs, exploration of mines, and sampling of deeply-sourced vents and springs. In an effort to understand the ecology of deep terrestrial habitats, we examined bacterial diversity in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), the former Homestake gold mine, in South Dakota, USA. Whole genomic DNA was extracted from deeply-circulating groundwater and corresponding host rock (at a depth of 1.45 km below ground surface). Pyrotag DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed diverse communities of putative chemolithoautotrophs, aerobic and anaerobic heterotrophs, numerous candidate phyla, and unique rock-associated microbial assemblage. There was a clear and near-total separation of communities between SURF deeply circulating fracture fluids and SURF host-rocks. Sequencing data from SURF compared against five similarly-sequenced terrestrial subsurface sites in Europe and North America revealed classes Clostridia and Betaproteobacteria were dominant in terrestrial fluids. This study presents a unique analysis showing differences in terrestrial subsurface microbial communities between fracture fluids and host rock through which those fluids permeate. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Randomized trial of cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy versus conventional therapy for large bile duct stones (with videos)

Background and Aims Bile duct stones >1 cm have a decreased incidence of successful endoscopic extraction and often require lithotripsy. Although previous guidelines suggested mechanical lithotripsy for large common bile duct stones, current guidelines suggest cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy as an adjunct with or without balloon dilation or mechanical lithotripsy. However, no randomized trials have assessed the usefulness of this practice. Methods Patients with bile duct stones >1 cm in diameter were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy versus conventional therapy only. Conventional therapies such as mechanical lithotripsy or balloon dilation were also allowed in the laser lithotripsy group. Randomization was stratified by history of ERCP in the past 3 months. The primary outcome was endoscopic clearance of the bile duct stones. Results Endoscopic clearance was achieved in 39 (93%) of 42 patients treated with cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy and 12 (67%) of 18 treated with conventional therapy only ( P = .009). The 9 patients in whom ERCP was unsuccessful underwent surgical common duct exploration with stone removal. Mean procedure time was 120.7 ± 40.2 minutes for the cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy group compared with 81.2 ± 49.3 minutes for the conventional therapy group ( P = .0008). There was no significant difference in fluoroscopy time, number of procedures, or adverse events (cholangitis) (cholangioscopy, 2; conventional, 1) and post-ERCP pancreatitis (cholangioscopy, 2; conventional, 1). Conclusion Cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy increases the incidence of endoscopic clearance of large bile duct stones and decreases the need for surgery compared with conventional therapy alone. However, it is associated with longer procedure times. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT0175997.)
Four Seasons: A Ming Emperor and His Grand Secretaries in Sixteenth-Century China

Of all the Ming emperors, the Jiajing Emperor and his grandson the Wanli Emperor ruled China the longest. Together, their reigns (1522–67 and 1573–1620, respectively) covered most of the sixteenth ...
Affection, Deception, and Evolution: Deceptive Affectionate Messages as Mate Retention Behaviors.

This study explored how partner mate value (PMV) and factors indicative of the relational climate (i.e., commitment and satisfaction) might affect individuals’ tendency to use deceptive affectionate messages (DAMs). Participants (N = 203) responded to a survey including measures regarding these variables. Contrary to predictions, PMV and the tendency to engage in DAMs were significantly and negatively associated with one another. Analyses further indicated that commitment significantly moderated the negative association between PMV and DAMs. The present study also provided evidence that when commitment to the relationship is low, satisfaction mediates the negative association between PMV and DAMs.
Rehabilitación ecológica, reserva Thomas Van Der Hammen

Este acercamiento busca presentar una alterativa de ocupacion dentro de la reserva Thomas van der Hammen, y para ello parte de considerar el estado actual de la reserva, no solo de sus modos de ocupacion, si no de las formas de conectividad posible entre los diversos ecosistemas que alli se plantean. El articulo presenta algunas de las fases que se alcanzaron dentro del proceso de la investigacion, asi como las afectaciones de uno de los actuales usos, los viveros; se revisa el impacto que este uso tiene sobre los humedales presentes en la reserva, buscando que la propuesta plantee un proceso de reconversion de las formas de ocupacion a fin de reducir la afectacion sobre el suelo.
Understanding and Responding to Our Transgender Moment

At the heart of the transgender moment are radical ideas about the human person – in particular, that people are what they claim to be, regardless of contrary evidence. Transgender activists do not admit that this is a metaphysical claim. They do not want to have the debate on the level of philosophy, so they dress it up as a scientific and medical claim. But modern medicine cannot reassign sex physically, and attempting to do so does not produce good outcomes psychosocially. Transgender medicine is based on a transgender worldview. But the worldview promoted by transgender activists is inherently confused and filled with internal contradictions. Activists never acknowledge those contradictions. Instead, they opportunistically rely on whichever claim is useful at any given moment. But if you pull too hard on any one thread of transgender ideology, the whole tapestry comes unraveled.
Cell type-specific expression of the human apoB gene is controlled by two cis-acting regulatory regions.

Abstract The human apolipoprotein B (apoB) gene codes for two related proteins, apoB-100 and apoB-48. ApoB-100 is synthesized in the liver, is the major protein constituent of low density lipoprotein, and serves as the ligand for the LDL receptor. cis-acting DNA sequence elements required for hepatic specific apoB transcription were identified in hepatoma (HepG2) and epithelial carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines transfected with apoB/CAT (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) hybrid constructions. HepG2 cells express the transfected apoB constructions at high levels relative to expression in HeLa cells. Mutational analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the apoB gene revealed the presence of positive and negative regulatory regions. The most distal of these regions, located from -261 to -128 (with respect to the start site of transcription), was found to have a roughly equivalent negative activity in both cell types. However, sequences located from -128 to -86 showed a positive activity in HepG2 cells and a negative activity in HeLa cells. Finally, a sequence element located between positions -86 and -70 was found to have a very strong positive effect in HepG2 cells and only a mild positive effect in HeLa cells. These two proximal regions located between -128 and -70 appear to act together to determine the cell type-specific expression of the apoB gene in HepG2 and HeLa cells. Using the gel mobility shift assay and the DNase I footprinting technique, we demonstrated that DNA binding proteins from HepG2 and mouse liver nuclear extracts interact with the crucial positive region located between -86 and -70. This region was also found to contain sequence elements similar to sequences found in the promoters of other apolipoprotein genes, as well as other genes that are expressed in the liver, suggesting that these genes may share some transcriptional regulatory components.
Enabling Fixtureless Assemblies in Human-Robot Collaborative Workcells by Reducing Uncertainty in the Part Pose Estimate

This paper presents an automated part localization technique for performing fixtureless assembly operations in a human-robot collaborative workcell. The main focus of this paper is to localize the part in the least possible time and ensure the part is not damaged during the contact-based probing phase due to the uncertainty in the preliminary pose estimation. Given the preliminary estimate of the part pose in the workcell, we automatically generate contact patches on the part for probing. We then estimate the probing time by considering the different subset of patches and select the subset with the least estimated probing time. The robot motions for part probing consider the potential error in the initial estimate to keep the part safe during the contact-based localization procedure. The probed positions of the contact patches are used to reduce the uncertainty in the part pose. We have characterized the performance of the developed method using both simulation and experimental studies. 1.1.DISCLAIMER: Certain commercial equipment instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to foster understanding. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by National Institute of Standards and Technology. It does not imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.
Alcohol Warnings: How do you know when you have Had One Too Many?

This study evaluates the impact of a new federal requirement that warnings appear on alcoholic beverage containers. The study uses multiple data points before and after implementation of the warnin...
Cryo-EM structures of STING reveal its mechanism of activation by cyclic GMP-AMP.

Infections by pathogens that contain DNA trigger the production of type-I interferons and inflammatory cytokines through cyclic GMP–AMP synthase, which produces 2′3′-cyclic GMP–AMP (cGAMP) that binds to and activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING; also known as TMEM173, MITA, ERIS and MPYS)1–8. STING is an endoplasmic-reticulum membrane protein that contains four transmembrane helices followed by a cytoplasmic ligand-binding and signalling domain9–13. The cytoplasmic domain of STING forms a dimer, which undergoes a conformational change upon binding to cGAMP9,14. However, it remains unclear how this conformational change leads to STING activation. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of full-length STING from human and chicken in the inactive dimeric state (about 80 kDa in size), as well as cGAMP-bound chicken STING in both the dimeric and tetrameric states. The structures show that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions interact to form an integrated, domain-swapped dimeric assembly. Closure of the ligand-binding domain, induced by cGAMP, leads to a 180° rotation of the ligand-binding domain relative to the transmembrane domain. This rotation is coupled to a conformational change in a loop on the side of the ligand-binding-domain dimer, which leads to the formation of the STING tetramer and higher-order oligomers through side-by-side packing. This model of STING oligomerization and activation is supported by our structure-based mutational analyses. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of full-length STING show that cyclic GMP–AMP induces a half-turn rotation of the ligand-binding domain relative to the transmembrane domain, forming a tetramer and higher-order oligomers for signalling.
IoT Based Express-Lanes for Autonomous Vehicle

The automotive industry has recently taken a path of advancement towards being fully autonomous. Everything in the world has become a part of this network called the Internet of Things (IoT). This paper discusses the benefits and the potential of what adding sensors and systems to our traffic's infrastructure has to offer. Specifically in high-volume automobile traffic areas, we are seeing a bottleneck, in theory we're approaching a tangent in the technological world where we can integrate our ideas to test whether we can reduce this everyday dilemma. The proposed solution is a concept that uses a network of sensors connected with computer devices, while simultaneously communicating with the automobiles on the road through the internet.
Basically Deserved Blame and its Value

How should we understand basic desert as a justification for blaming? Many philosophers account for free will by reference to the sort of moral responsibility that involves a blameworthy person deserving blame in a basic sense of desert; free will just is the control condition for this sort of moral responsibility. But what precisely does basic desert come to, and what is it about blame that makes it the thing that a blameworthy person deserves? As it turns out, there are challenges in attempting to understand basic desert for blame. One concerns whether the only good in harming a person by blaming her is instrumental. If so, there may be reason to reject desert-based conceptions of blame. In this paper, I will develop an account of basically deserved blame. In doing so, I will also defend the controversial thesis that the harm involved in blaming can be good in a way that is not merely instrumental.
Preparation and the Real World of Education: How Prospective Teachers Grapple with Using Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices in the Age of Standardized Testing.

The most highlighted provision and consequence of the reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, is obsessive practices ...
Q-Learning Based Energy Harvesting for Heterogeneous Statistical QoS Provisioning over Multihop Big-Data Relay Networks

With the increasing demand for the data-intensive wireless multimedia services over the time-varying wireless channels, the big-data based wireless network problem demands the 5G candidate framework to process such massive amount of multimedia data without causing extra burden to the backhaul links in supporting the heterogeneous statistical delay-bounded quality-of-service (QoS) provisionings. Due to the benefits of energy harvesting (EH) technologies, wireless devices are able to support the data-intensive wireless multimedia services by harvesting energy from the environment. Energy harvesting has emerged as the promising technology to solve the energy supply problem while bringing new challenges due to the stochastic nature of the harvested energy in supporting the heterogeneous statistical quality-of-service (QoS) provisionings. However, due to the unknown dynamics of the harvested energy as well as the channel state information (CSI), it is challenging to design the efficient routing protocol for selecting the optimal routing and power allocation policies under the statistical delay-bounded QoS constraints. To overcome the aforementioned problems, in this paper we propose the Q-learning based optimal routing and power allocation policies through learning from the history of the energy harvesting process while satisfying the heterogeneous statistical delay-bounded QoS constraints over multihop big-data relay networks. In particular, under the heterogeneous statistical delay-bounded QoS requirements, we formulate the end-to-end effective-capacity optimization problem for the battery-free energy harvesting based big-data multihop relay networks. Then, we apply the Markov decision process as well as Q-learning methods for deriving the optimal multihop routing algorithms over big-data multihop relay networks. Also conducted is a set of simulations which evaluate the system performances and show that our proposed Q-learning based multihop routing scheme outperforms the other existing schemes under the heterogeneous statistical delay-bounded QoS constraints over multihop big-data relay networks.
Controversies over the Nanjing Massacre

With the judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, it seemed that the Nanjing Massacre case was considered settled, and a page of history was turned over, with few apparent complaints from the Japanese at the time. However, with the West Berlin crisis, conflicts with the Soviet Union, and the Communist victory in China in 1949, geopolitics changed dramatically. As a result, the United States reversed its course by setting free many of the Japanese war criminals. In Circular No. 5 of March 7, 1950, which is also known as the Fifth Directive, Douglas MacArthur “established in Tokyo a three-man parole board authorized to reduce prison sentences of Japanese war criminals, held in Japan.” Concerning eligibility for parole, the document stipulates:
Aqueous lithium-ion batteries with niobium tungsten oxide anodes for superior volumetric and rate capability

Abstract Lithium-ion batteries with aqueous electrolytes have substantial safety and cost benefits over the flammable, expensive and moisture sensitive organic electrolytes used in current batteries. However aqueous batteries suffer in terms of a reduced electrochemical stability window and offer much lower energy and power densities relative to batteries with organic electrolytes. Here we report that the use of niobium tungsten oxide anodes in conjunction with lithium manganese oxide cathodes and water-in-salt electrolytes, enables aqueous lithium-ion batteries with outstanding volumetric capacity and rate capability. Our battery could be cycled stably with high coulombic efficiency and a volumetric capacity of ~200 Ah l−1 was observed at 1C rate, which is much higher than state-of-art graphite (50–110 Ah l−1). Moreover, the battery could be cycled at high rates – increasing the charge/discharge rate by an order of magnitude (0.5C–5C) resulted in only about 25% reduction in capacity. The volumetric energy and power density of our full-cell device is far superior to what was been reported for “aqueous” lithium-ion batteries and is attributed to the dense-packing of micron size niobium tungsten oxide particles in the anode, as well as the abundance of tunnels within the particles that allow fast diffusion of lithium ions. The facile synthesis, ease of handling, safety (non-flammable nature) and high-performance, makes aqueous lithium-ion batteries with niobium tungsten oxide anodes an attractive alternative to traditional batteries, especially in applications where high volumetric energy and power density are desired.
Evaluation of a Simple Weight-Based Screening Tool for Asymptomatic Neonatal Hypoglycemia.

The objective of this study was to determine if the use of weight-based criteria to screen for asymptomatic hypoglycemia is consistent with using percentile curves to determine small and large for ...
The EXPRES Stellar-signals Project. I. Description of Data

The EXPRES Stellar-Signals Project is providing sets of high-fidelity, spectroscopic and photometric observations to enable direct comparisons of various approaches for disentangling stellar signals and true radial velocities (RVs). We will provide all EXPRES RVs, meta data, and activity indicators as well as high-precision photometric data from the Fairborn Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes (APTs) for HD 101501, HD 34411, HD 217014, and HD 10700. Intrinsic stellar variability and the resulting apparent RVs are widely believed to dominate the error budget for extremely precise radial-velocity (EPRV) measurements. Several new methods to disentangle photospheric velocities from Keplerian velocities are being developed throughout the EPRV community. In addition to releasing data sets for testing these methods, the EXPRES Stellar-Signals Project will publish a summary of the current state of the field circa 2020 to guide next steps toward mitigating photospheric velocities in EPRV data. More information can be found on http://exoplanets.astro.yale.edu/science/activity.php.
Microbial Species-Area Relationships in Antarctic Cryoconite Holes Depend on Productivity.

The island species–area relationship (ISAR) is a positive association between the number of species and the area of an isolated, island-like habitat. ISARs are ubiquitous across domains of life, yet the processes generating ISARs remain poorly understood, particularly for microbes. Larger and more productive islands are hypothesized to have more species because they support larger populations of each species and thus reduce the probability of stochastic extinctions in small population sizes. Here, we disentangled the effects of “island” size and productivity on the ISAR of Antarctic cryoconite holes. We compared the species richness of bacteria and microbial eukaryotes on two glaciers that differ in their productivity across varying hole sizes. We found that cryoconite holes on the more productive Canada Glacier gained more species with increasing hole area than holes on the less productive Taylor Glacier. Within each glacier, neither productivity nor community evenness explained additional variation in the ISAR. Our results are, therefore, consistent with productivity shaping microbial ISARs at broad scales. More comparisons of microbial ISARs across environments with limited confounding factors, such as cryoconite holes, and experimental manipulations within these systems will further contribute to our understanding of the processes shaping microbial biogeography.
[Clinical features of children with recurrent Kawasaki disease: a Meta analysis].

Objective To study the clinical features of children with recurrent Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Med Online, and Weipu Data were searched for case-control studies on the clinical features of initial and recurrent KD. The articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform the Meta analysis. Effect models were selected based on the results of heterogeneity test, and then pooled OR or weighted mean difference (WMD), and their 95% CI were calculated. Results A total of 9 case-control studies were included, with 12 059 children with KD in total, among whom 206 children had recurrent KD (127 boys/61.7%; 79 girls/38.3%). The results of the Meta analysis showed that compared with the initial KD onset, the children with recurrent KD had a shorter duration of fever (WMD=-1.81, 95%CI:-2.99 to -0.64) and a lower proportion of children with swelling of the hands and feet (OR=0.46, 95%CI:0.26 to 0.80). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of coronary artery lesions between recurrent KD and initial KD (OR=1.34, 95%CI:0.84 to 2.14). Conclusions Current evidence shows that children with recurrent KD tend to have a shorter duration of fever and a lower incidence of swelling of the hands and feet. KD recurrence is more common in boys. Current evidence does not show an increased risk of developing coronary artery lesions in children with recurrent KD.
Emergency Contraception Administration, Toxicology Kit Use, and Postassault Reporting: A Comparison of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and Non-SANE Medical Providers.

ABSTRACT Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) are specially trained to meet the postassault medical forensic needs of sexual assault patients. However, there remains a dearth of literature comparing directly postassault service provision and action in cases treated by SANEs as compared to non-SANE medical providers. In this study, we compare rates of emergency contraception administration, toxicology kit use, reports to police at the time of examination, and mandatory child abuse reports among n = 3,969 sexual assault cases treated by SANEs and non-SANE medical providers. Compared to cases treated by non-SANE medical providers, cases treated by SANEs were significantly more likely to have emergency contraception administered, less likely to have a toxicology kit collected, less likely to have a police report filed at the time of examination, and more likely to have a mandatory child abuse report filed. Observed patterns suggest that non-SANE medical providers may find it difficult to balance the needs of the criminal justice system with those of their patients, whereas SANEs provide a tailored, comprehensive first response. We discuss the importance of consistent, accurate documentation and clearly defined protocols in the medical forensic response to sexual assault patients.
Acceptability of randomization to levonorgestrel versus copper intrauterine device among women requesting IUD insertion for contraception.

Assess feasibility of randomizing women to intrauterine device (IUD) type.Women enrolling in a 2-month study who desired an IUD for contraception were randomized 1:1 to receive a levonorgestrel-releasing 52-mg IUD (LNG-IUD) or copper T380A IUD (Cu-IUD), understanding they could switch IUD type at the end of the study.Randomization to IUD type was acceptable to 54/55 (98%) women who screened. All 32 enrolled participants completed follow-up. Two women exchanged their IUD (Cu-IUD to LNG-IUD), and two requested removal (one LNG-IUD, one Cu-IUD). Overall, 88% continued their assigned IUD.Randomization to IUD type is feasible, and few women change their IUD.
Learning Conversational English with Student-Generated Podcasts

A high percentage of international students in the United States enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses or in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs in many community colleges. These programs are faced with the need to integrate adequate instructional activities and performance-based assessments that help improve and accelerate language speaking skills to prepare students for the next academic level. The goal of this exploratory and descriptive developmental case study was to develop a class project with performance-based learning activities for an ESOL advanced level conversational class using podcasting technology and a constructivist instructional design approach. These activities were a series of five student-generated podcasts (scripted and unscripted) lab assignments. The findings documented that student-generated podcasts can affect conversational language skills in the pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary domains; that students have positive attitudes toward the use of podcasting for language learning; and that using a constructivist instructional design model (CIDM) is effective in supporting authentic learning activities.
Surface inhomogeneities on the W UMa star AC Bootis

New photometric data and two older data sets for AC Boo can be represented with a common set of Roche model parameters and two starspot pairs which drift only in longitude and are located on the cooler component.
Developmental regulation of sarcomeric gene expression.

Publisher Summary Analysis of muscle gene transcription has advanced to the point, where definitive information is available regarding a number of important muscle-specific cis and trans factors, and the information for additional cis and trans factors will soon be forthcoming. An important hurdle, therefore, is the identification and cloning of the relevant trans factors that will allow detailed analysis of their structure, interactions, and regulation. One class of factors, the Myfkins, is already cloned, and the progress in understanding the interaction of these factors with their DNA binding sites and with other transcriptional factors is well under way. It is necessary to obtain clones for the other binding factors that at present are known only via their DNA-binding sites and footprints. The availability of such clones will not only allow these factors to be analyzed in terms of their binding interactions with DNA and the transcriptional machinery, but also in terms of the cooperative interactions between different muscle factors.
Convergence through divergence: compensatory changes in phonetic accommodation

In phonetic accommodation, talkers talk differently based on their interlocutors' speech. This is generally convergence, but simultaneous convergence along incompatible dimensions is not always possible. In the current study, I found that when exposed to artificially extended VOT, speakers shortened their stop closures, in divergence from the model talker. I interpret these adjustments as compensatory changes resulting from individual learned patterns of articulation. Individual differences in the phonetic features adjusted in accommodation may reflect constraints on the potential pathways of sound change. Additionally, accommodation studies must take multiple dimensions of phonetic similarity into account in assessing how much accommodation occurs.
Dynamic performance and control of a multilevel universal power conditioner

This paper presents the development of a control scheme for a multilevel diode-clamped power converter connected in a series-parallel fashion to the electrical system such that it can compensate for deviations in utility voltage (sag, surge, and unbalance) and act as a harmonic and/or reactive current source for a load. New carrier-based multilevel pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques are identified to maximize switch utilization of the two back-to-back diode-clamped inverters that constitute the universal power conditioner. An experimental verification for a 6-level power conditioner is given.