cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Premature Delivery and the Millennium Development Goal

Worldwide, approximately 15 million babies (1 in 10) are born prematurely each year. Prematurity is the leading cause of death among newborns, accounting for 1 million deaths per year, and, after pneumonia, is the second leading cause of death in children under age 5 years. Newborns who do survive preterm delivery (PTD) struggle with visual, auditory, and learning disabilities. In order to reach the fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG-4) of reducing the mortality rate in children under age 5 years by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, there must be significantly fewer PTDs. In high-income nations, 50% of babies born at 24 weeks survive, whereas in low-resource nations, this survival rate is not achieved until 32 weeks of gestation. Over 90% of babies born in low-resource settings before 28 weeks die in the first few days of life (< 10% die in high-income nations), a 10:90 survival gap. Over 60% of PTDs worldwide occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Risk factors for PTD include adolescent pregnancy, short interval between births, poor prepregnancy weight (very low or high body mass index), chronic diseases (diabetes and hypertension), infectious disease, substance abuse, cervical incompetence, and poor psychological health. Thus, a commitment to improving maternal health and the quality of prenatal care is necessary to achieve the MDG-4.
Against All Reason? Scepticism about the Instrumental Norm

A naturalistic project descended from Hume seeks to explain ‘ought’ and normativity as a product of motivational states such as desires and aversions.1 Following Kant, rationalists reject this thesis, holding that ‘ought’ rather expresses a command of reason or intellect independent of desires. On Hume’s view the only genuine form of practical reason is theoretical reason operating in the service of desire, as in calculation of means to ends. Reason at most discovers normative requirements, which exist through the interrelation of subjective desires and objective world. The Humean desiredependence view of the source of normativity is commonly associated with instrumentalism, an influential theory of normative content according to which agents ought always and only to act so as to optimise satisfaction of their own desires. But rationalists (including Thomas Nagel, Jean Hampton, and Christine Korsgaard) have recently argued that proponents of desiredependence are not entitled even to this instrumentalist ‘ought’ (see also Wallace, 2003). Instrumentalism holds that all normativity derives from the instrumental norm: approximately, the principle that one ought to take the means to one’s ends, or
Personhood, Positioning, and Cultural Pragmatics: American Dignity in Cross-Cultural Perspective

This essay contends that the communication of personhood is a transitory, sometimes durable interactional accomplishment that creatively invokes cultural meaning systems. A cultural pragmatic perspective that integrates communicational and cultural dynamics is discussed, developed through the concept of positioning, and demonstrated with several instances of interactive talk. The demonstration yields some of the interactional workings of one cultural model of personhood that is prominent in America today, a deeply structured system of values referred to here as a code of dignity. This coding of communication is comparatively analyzed, thus drawing attention to its tendency to supplant others. Implications of the approach and findings are discussed.
The effects of oxide stress waveform on MOSFET performance

Three different waveforms were used to study the behavior of n-MOSFETs after dynamic oxide stress. It is shown that the transport and detrapping properties of holes generated near the anode can account for the differences observed after unipolar and bipolar oxide stressing. Bipolar stress yields a lower rate of bulk charge trapping and longer time to breakdown than unipolar stress. The difference is dependent on both field and frequency. At the same time, bipolar stress leads to enhanced interface trap generation. Since the gate-drain overlap region of MOSFETs in circuits is subject to bipolar stress, DC transistor stress tests may underestimate the MOSFET degradation rate. The observation that interface trap density does not saturate during bipolar stress as readily as during unipolar stress is particularly alarming. Bidirectional tunneling current creates a larger number of interface traps than does unidirectional gate current. Even though unipolar stressed devices suffer more bulk trapping and TDDB (time-dependent dielectric breakdown) degradation than do bipolar stressed devices, the degradation in transconductance, mobility, and threshold voltage is worse in bipolar stressed devices. >
The Knowledge Square and the Concepts of Actual and the Space of the Epistemic Actual ()

We have discussed the foundational blocks of the spaces of the potential, possibility and probability and their relationships to the process of knowing in order to reduce human ignorance in all areas of knowledge. We shall now turn our attention to examine the space of the epistemic actual and discuss the connectedness of this space to the spaces of probability, possibility and the potential (the space of the universal object set) in the reduction process in the knowledge production. The space of the epistemic actual is the final destination of our knowledge journey and the results of the game of knowing. It helps to close the theory of the knowledge square as a continuum process of thought where the chain is never broken, and guarantees that the knowledge production is a never-ending process in the sense that the space of the epistemic actual is also ontologically and epistemologically connected to the potential space through logical dualities and creative tensions. It is here that the principles of corroboration, falsification, verification and acceptance of true or false propositions and knowledge claims acquire meanings. It is this analytical structure of the theory of the Knowledge square that allows scientific and philosophical assessments of meanings embodied in the potential, possible, probable and actual and the corresponding developments of logical paradigms and mathematical structures to deal with them.
Cancer as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

Improvements in early diagnosis and cancer treatments have contributed to high survival rates for many cancer patients. However, these patients often die of cardiovascular disease rather than recurrence of their cancer. Heart disease manifesting after cancer may be due to several mechanisms: shared cardiovascular risks between cancer and cardiovascular disease, inflammatory states associated with malignancies, and/or cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapy. Cancer treatment increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases directly by damaging critical structures of the heart or indirectly by promoting accelerated atherosclerosis. Estimating cardiovascular risk by using advanced imaging and monitoring of the cardiac biomarkers can be used for early detection and treatment of subclinical cardiac injury. Better knowledge of these early and late cardiac effects in cancer patients will enable adoption of both primary and secondary prevention measures of long-term treatment complications in cancer survivors.
Prevalence and Clinical Intentions of Antithrombotic Therapy on Discharge to Hospice Care

Abstract Background: There are no guidelines for antithrombotic therapy on admission to hospice care. Antithrombotic therapy may offer some benefit in these patients, but is also associated with well-described risks. Objective: We quantified the frequency and characteristics of patients prescribed antithrombotic therapy on discharge from acute care to hospice care. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Settings/Subjects: Adult (age> = 21 years) patients discharged from acute care to hospice care between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2014. Measures: Our primary outcome of interest was receiving an outpatient prescription for antithrombotic therapy on discharge to hospice care. Results: Among 1141 eligible patients, 77 (6.7%) patients received a prescription for antithrombotic therapy on discharge to hospice care, most frequently, aspirin (57.1%), enoxaparin (26.0%), and warfarin (20.8%). Patients actively treated for deep vein thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism, or with a history of atrial fibrillation or ...
Political Realities of Digital Communication: The Limits of Value from Digital Messages to Members of the US Congress

Digital activism tools are intended to give voice to grassroots movements. However, a recent proliferation in one type of these tools -- activist-focused digital messaging tools (DMTs) -- have depreciated the value of citizen communication to policymakers. Although DMTs are popular among digital activists, previous research has found DMT messages provide little to no value to policymakers. This paper analyzes DMTs role in political activism in the U.S., and describes how DMTs are paradoxically widening the communication gap between citizens and their policymakers. We discuss this gap created by DMTs in terms of a diffusion of unsuccessful innovation. We use DMTs as a case study to encourage the LIMITS community to support and engage in effective forms of political activism. Technology has widened a gap between policymakers and citizens. The LIMITS community can help bridge this gap and support policies for adapting to global limits.
Bovine Serum Albumin Adsorption on TiO2 Nanoparticle Surfaces: Effects of pH and Coadsorption of Phosphate on Protein–Surface Interactions and Protein Structure

Protein adsorption on nanoparticle surfaces plays a critical role in biological systems, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) is a useful model protein to study due to its high abundance and similar properties as its human variant. Herein, a quantitative understanding of the interaction between titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle (22 nm average diameter) and BSA was carried out to explore the effect of pH on surface coverage and adsorbed protein structure. Experiments were conducted under different pH conditions (pH 7.4, 4.5, and 2.0) that simulate the pH of blood, lung, and stomach fluids, respectively. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used for in situ adsorption characterization and protein secondary structure analysis. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to provide quantitative determination of the surface coverage. These results show that BSA adsorption on TiO2 highly depends on pH as well as the presence of salts. Furthermore, it is als...
Automated measurement of syntactic complexity in corpus-based L2 writing research and implications for writing assessment:

Research investigating corpora of English learners’ language raises new questions about how syntactic complexity is defined theoretically and operationally for second language (L2) writing assessme...
The germ-organ theory of non-communicable diseases

Gut dysbiosis is associated with many non-communicable human diseases, but the mechanisms maintaining homeostasis remain incompletely understood. Recent insights suggest that during homeostasis, epithelial hypoxia limits oxygen availability in the colon, thereby maintaining a balanced microbiota that functions as a microbial organ, producing metabolites contributing to host nutrition, immune education and niche protection. Dysbiosis is characterized by a shift in the microbial community structure from obligate to facultative anaerobes, suggesting oxygen as an important ecological driver of microbial organ dysfunction. The ensuing disruption of gut homeostasis can lead to non- communicable disease because microbiota-derived metabolites are either depleted or generated at harmful concentrations. This Opinion article describes the concept that host control over the microbial ecosystem in the colon is critical for the composition and function of our microbial organ, which provides a theoretical framework for linking microorganisms to non-communicable diseases.
Evaluation of a point-of-care blood glucose monitor in healthy goats.

OBJECTIVE To assess agreement between a point-of-care glucometer (POCG) and a laboratory chemistry analyzer for blood glucose measurements in goats. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING University teaching hospital. ANIMALS Eighteen healthy adult goats. INVESTIGATIONS Whole blood samples were obtained via jugular venipuncture prior to premedication with xylazine and butorphanol (T0), following premedication (T20), and after 1 hour of inhalant anesthesia (T60). Each sample was tested with a POCG and a laboratory analyzer (HITA). Agreement was assessed using concordance correlation coefficients and calculation of bias and 95% limits of agreement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Mean blood glucose concentration at T0 was 3.9 ± 0.6 mmol/L (70 ± 10 mg/dL; POCG) and 2.9 ± 0.4 mmol/dL (53 ± 8 mg/dL; HITA). Glucose concentrations at T20 were 6.7 ± 2.4 mmol/L (121 ± 43 mg/dL) and 5.4 ± 2.1 mmol/L (97 ± 37 mg/dL) and at T60 were 5.7 ± 1.7 mmol/L (102 ± 31 mg/dL) and 4.7 ± 1.3 mmol/L (85 ± 24 mg/dL) when measured with the POCG and HITA, respectively. The POCG overestimated blood glucose compared to the HITA. The bias ± SD was 1.08 ± 0.53 mmol/L (19.4 ± 9.5 mg/dL) (95% LOA 0.04 to 2.11 mmol/L [0.7 to 38.0 mg/dL]) and the concordance correlation coefficient was 0.82. After correcting the results of the POCG using a mixed-effects linear model, the bias was 0.0 ± 0.38 mmol/L (0.0 ± 6.8 mg/dL) (95% LOA ± 0.74 mmol/L [± 13.4 mg/dL]) and the concordance correlation coefficient was 0.98. CONCLUSIONS The POCG overestimated blood glucose concentrations in goats, compared to the HITA, but when the POCG concentrations were corrected, the agreement was excellent.
Mechanistic Landscape of Membrane-Permeabilizing Peptides.

Membrane permeabilizing peptides (MPPs) are as ubiquitous as the lipid bilayer membranes they act upon. Produced by all forms of life, most membrane permeabilizing peptides are used offensively or defensively against the membranes of other organisms. Just as nature has found many uses for them, translational scientists have worked for decades to design or optimize membrane permeabilizing peptides for applications in the laboratory and in the clinic ranging from antibacterial and antiviral therapy and prophylaxis to anticancer therapeutics and drug delivery. Here, we review the field of membrane permeabilizing peptides. We discuss the diversity of their sources and structures, the systems and methods used to measure their activities, and the behaviors that are observed. We discuss the fact that “mechanism” is not a discrete or a static entity for an MPP but rather the result of a heterogeneous and dynamic ensemble of structural states that vary in response to many different experimental conditions. This ha...
Structural similarity networks predict clinical outcome in early-phase psychosis.

Despite recent advances, there is still a major need for prediction of treatment success in schizophrenia, a condition long considered a disorder of dysconnectivity in the brain. Graph theory provides a means to characterize the connectivity in both healthy and abnormal brains. We calculated structural similarity networks in each participant and hypothesized that the "hubness", i.e., the number of edges connecting a node to the rest of the network, would be associated with clinical outcome. This prospective controlled study took place at an academic research center and included 82 early-phase psychosis patients (23 females; mean age [SD] = 21.6 [5.5] years) and 58 healthy controls. Medications were administered in a double-blind randomized manner, and patients were scanned at baseline prior to treatment with second-generation antipsychotics. Symptoms were assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale at baseline and over the course of 12 weeks. Nodal degree of structural similarity networks was computed for each subject and entered as a predictor of individual treatment response into a partial least squares (PLS) regression. The model fit was significant in a permutation test with 1000 permutations (P = 0.006), and the first two PLS regression components explained 29% (95% CI: 27; 30) of the variance in treatment response after cross-validation. Nodes loading strongly on the first PLS component were primarily located in the orbito- and prefrontal cortex, whereas nodes loading strongly on the second PLS component were primarily located in the superior temporal, precentral, and middle cingulate cortex. These data suggest a link between brain network morphology and clinical outcome in early-phase psychosis.
The Irish revenue police: a short history and genealogical guide to the ‘Poteen Hussars’

Jim Herlihy is an acknowledged expert in the records of Irish police forces and has already produced genealogical guides to the records of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropol...
Pre-crastination and procrastination effects occur in a reach-to-grasp task

How do we decide which object to pick up when faced with two alternatives? Imagine one object is near, but needs to be carried a long distance, and the other object is far, but needs to be carried a short distance. You might predict that participants would favour the far object that needs to be carried a short distance. In other words, they would procrastinate and delay picking up an object to minimise physical effort. In actuality, participants prefer to carry the near object a long distance, which is called pre-crastination. Pre-crastination may be preferred to procrastination because picking up the first object hastens completion of the first goal of the task and, subsequently, decreases cognitive load. The goal of the current study was to further investigate the mechanisms of the pre-crastination effect. This was done by converting the primarily walking task used in the first study on pre-crastination to a reach-to-grasp task. This change enabled the measurement of the duration of information processing (i.e., reaction time) when participants decided which object to move. Surprisingly, participants exhibited a range of behaviours: about 40% pre-crastinated, 40% procrastinated, and 20% neither pre-crastinated nor procrastinated. We suggest that scaling the task down from a walking task to a reach-to-grasp task altered the physical effort, cognitive load, and the interaction between these task demands. This enabled some participants to pre-crastinate and others to procrastinate. There was an intriguing relationship between the duration of information processing and the behaviour of participants: participants with the shortest reaction time had the strongest tendency to pre-crastinate, and participants with the longest reaction time had the strongest tendency to procrastinate. These findings fit with the automatic pre-crastination response hypothesis; that the "decision" to pre-crastinate is automatic. This automaticity caused the short durations of information processing for participants who pre-crastinated. Participants who procrastinated had to, first, inhibit the automatic response to pre-crastinate, which caused long durations of information processing.
Association of sustained supraphysiologic hyperinsulinemia and inflammatory signaling within the digital lamellae in light-breed horses.

BACKGROUND: Hyperinsulinemia is associated with equine laminitis, and digital lamellar inflammation in equine metabolic syndrome‐associated laminitis (EMSAL) is modest when compared with sepsis‐associated laminitis. OBJECTIVES: To characterize digital lamellar inflammation in horses in a euglycemic‐hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC) model of laminitis. ANIMALS: Sixteen healthy adult Standardbred horses. METHODS: Prospective experimental study. Horses underwent EHC or saline infusion (CON) for 48 hours or until the onset of Obel grade 1 laminitis. Horses were euthanized, and digital lamellar tissue was collected and analyzed via polymerase chain reaction (pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes—CXCL1, CXCL6, CXCL8, IL‐6, MCP‐1, MCP‐2, IL‐1β, IL11, cyclooxygenases 1 and 2, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF‐α], E‐selectin, and ICAM‐1), immunoblotting (phosphorylated and total signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 [STAT1], STAT3, and p38MAPK), and immunohistochemistry (markers of leukocyte infiltration: CD163, MAC387). RESULTS: Lamellar mRNA concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐11, COX‐2, and E‐selectin were increased; the concentration of COX‐1 was decreased; and concentrations of CXCL1, CXCL6, MCP‐1, MCP‐2, IL‐8, TNF‐α and ICAM‐1 were not significantly different in the EHC group compared to the CON group (P ≤ .003). Lamellar concentrations of phosphorylated STAT proteins (P‐STAT1 [S727], P‐STAT1 [Y701], P‐STAT3 [S727], and P‐STAT3 [Y705]) were increased in the EHC group compared to the CON group, with phosphorylated STAT3 localizing to nuclei of lamellar basal epithelial cells. There was no change in the lamellar concentration of P‐p38 MAPK (T180/Y182), but the concentration of total p38 MAPK was decreased in the EHC samples. There was no evidence of notable lamellar leukocyte emigration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results establish a role for lamellar inflammatory signaling under conditions associated with EMSAL.
Ocean remote sensing using passive acoustics

Conventional acoustic remote sensing techniques typically rely on controlled active sources which can be problematic to deploy and operate over the long term, especially if multiple sources are required to fully illuminate the ocean region of interest. Conversely, receiver arrays are becoming increasingly autonomous, miniaturized, and capable of long term deployment thus enabling passive acoustics for ocean remote sensing applications by taking advantage of uncooperative sources of opportunity (e.g., shipping noise) or the ubiquitous ocean ambient noise which have not typically been used in traditional ocean sensing applications. This fully passive approach can also be advantageous when regulations forbid the use of active sound sources or when no active sources are readily available—e.g., at very low frequencies (~10 Hz) or during covert operations. This presentation will discuss the recent development of ocean remote sensing using passive acoustics notably (1) passive acoustic thermometry to estimate deep ocean temperature variations and internal tides using coherent processing of low-frequency ambient noise; (2) localization of drifting sensor networks using ambient noise to enable random volumetric ad hoc receiver array for tracking underwater targets; and (3) monitoring of the shallow water sound channel using shipping sources of opportunity.
A Neutronic Study of an Accelerator-Based Neutron Irradiation Facility for the Treatment of Superficial Melanoma by Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Previously, a neutronic study of an accelerator-based epithermal neutron irradiation facility (AENIF) for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was performed using three-dimensional Monte Carlo transport calculations. The major components of the AENIF are a radio-frequency quadrupole proton accelerator, a [sup 7]Li target, and a moderator assembly. Neutrons are generated by bombarding the bombarding the [sup 7]Li target with 2.5-MeV protons. The neutrons emerging from the [sup 7]Li target are too energetic to be used for BNCT and are moderated as they traverse the moderator assembly to the patient. The design of a moderator assembly for an AENIF for the treatment of glioblastoma is reviewed, and this design is compared with the design of a moderator assembly for an accelerator thermal neutron irradiation facility (ATNIF) for the treatment of superficial melanoma. The ATNIF moderator assembly consists of a 50-cm-high [times] 30-cm-diam cylinder of D[sub 2]O, surrounded on its top and sides by a 40-cm-thick graphite reflector. This moderator assembly creates, at the surface of a large phantom at its irradiation port, a boron absorbed dose rate of (3.2 [+-] 0.2) cGy/(min[center dot]mA), for a tumor [sup 10]B concentration of 24 [mu]g of [sup 10]B per gram of tissue. For a single-sessionmore » dose equivalent of 40 Sv to the tumor, the treatment times is 13 min for a 30-mA proton beam. With different moderator assemblies, a 30-mA, 2.5-MeV proton accelerator can be used to treat both superficial and deep lesions from melanomas and gliomas.« less
Severe obesity is associated with liver disease severity in pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent among children with obesity. The primary objective of this study was determining whether obesity severity is associated with NAFLD severity. By using paediatric classifications for severe obesity, clinicians may be able to better risk stratify patients, which in turn would guide more effective management and treatment. METHODS Retrospective cohort study including patients followed at Cincinnati Children's Medical Center for NAFLD. Patients were categorized as overweight or class I, II, III obese based on established body mass index (BMI) cut-offs. Liver disease severity was determined using biochemical, imaging (magnetic resonance elastography [MRE]), and histologic evidence of liver injury. RESULTS Three cohorts were studied individually based on the method used to assess disease severity (biochemical n = 767, imaging n = 366, and histology n = 249). Between the three cohorts, there were significant differences in age, proportion of patients with class II and class III obesity, and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. In the biochemistry cohort, the odds of having ALT > 80 U/L were highest in patients with class III obesity (P = .026). In the imaging cohort, liver stiffness was significantly different between BMI groups of patients (P = .001). In the histology cohort, those with class III obesity had significantly higher odds of NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥ 5 (P = .012). DISCUSSION Obesity severity is associated with liver disease severity. Patients with more severe obesity are more likely to have more advanced liver disease, a finding that can assist in risk stratification, as well as monitoring and treatment approaches.
Integral Equation Methods

We shall discuss certain integral equations that arise in the problem of computing the function w = f (z) that maps a simply connected region D, with boundary Γ and containing the origin, conformally onto the interior or exterior of the unit circle 1w 1 = 1. In the case when Γ is a Jordan contour, we obtain Fredholm integral equations of the second kind \(\phi (s) = \pm \int_{\Gamma } {N(s,t)\phi (t)dt + g(s)}\) where φ(s) known as the boundary correspondence function, is to be determined and N(s, t) is the Neumann kernel. We shall discuss an iterative method for numerical computation of the Lichtenstein—Gershgorin equation and present the case of a degenerate kernel and also of the Szego kernel. The case when Γ has a corner yields Stieltjes integral equations and is presented in Chapter 12.
Sublinear Cost Low Rank Approximation via Subspace Sampling

Low Rank Approximation (LRA) of a matrix is a hot research subject, fundamental for Matrix and Tensor Computations and Big Data Mining and Analysis. Computations with LRA can be performed at sublinear cost, that is, by using much fewer memory cells and arithmetic operations than an input matrix has entries. Although every sublinear cost algorithm for LRA fails to approximate the worst case inputs, we prove that our sublinear cost variations of a popular subspace sampling algorithm output accurate LRA of a large class of inputs.
Topography of speech-related acoustic and phonological feature encoding throughout the human core and parabelt auditory cortex

Speech perception involves the extraction of acoustic and phonological features from the speech signal. How those features map out across the human auditory cortex is unknown. Complementary to noninvasive imaging, the high spatial and temporal resolution of intracranial recordings has greatly contributed to recent advances in our understanding. However, these approaches are typically limited by piecemeal sampling of the expansive human temporal lobe auditory cortex. Here, we present a functional characterization of local cortical encoding throughout all major regions of the primary and non-primary human auditory cortex. We overcame previous limitations by using rare direct recordings from the surface of the temporal plane after surgical microdissection of the deep Sylvian fissure between the frontal and temporal lobes. We recorded neural responses using simultaneous high-density direct recordings over the left temporal plane and the lateral superior temporal gyrus, while participants listened to natural speech sentences and pure tone stimuli. We found an anatomical separation of simple spectral feature tuning, including tuning for pure tones and absolute pitch, on the superior surface of the temporal plane, and complex tuning for phonological features, relative pitch and speech amplitude modulations on lateral STG. Broadband onset responses are unique to posterior STG and not found elsewhere in auditory cortices. This onset region is functionally distinct from the rest of STG, with latencies similar to primary auditory areas. These findings reveal a new, detailed functional organization of response selectivity to acoustic and phonological features in speech throughout the human auditory cortex.
Mobility and Cultural Citizenship: The Making of a Senegalese Diaspora in Multiethnic Brazil

Media reports and social science literature on Senegalese migrants in Brazil have focused on market experiences of the camelos (street vendors) and the economic function of the dahiras (religious organizations) that have facilitated their recent arrival or lives in Brazil. This chapter shows that the focus on economic processes obscures the various profiles of Senegalese migrants, the long history of their presence in Brazil, and the impact of their everyday actions. Thus, the chapter examines how some Senegalese migrants, as Africans and/or Muslims, embark upon the performance of ethnic and religious identities to counter harmful stereotypes about Africa and Islam.
Enforcement for sale: Lobbying for water in Pakistan's Indus Basin

Abstract Surface irrigation is a common pool resource subject to over-exploitation by upstream users. We ask to what extent state enforcement of de jure water allocations, designed to ensure adequate irrigation to downstream users, is up ‘for sale.’ Unique data on the land ownership of nearly a quarter-million irrigators in Pakistan's vast Indus Basin watershed provide a measure of political influence. Consistent with an influence-driven model, the decline in water availability and land values from head to tail is accentuated along channels having greater lobbying power at the head and attenuated along channels having greater lobbying power at the tail. Our paper shows how power disparities can be leveraged through the administrative state to capture valuable common resources.
The Black Man's Burden: The White Clinician

(1975). The Black Man's Burden: The White Clinician. The Black Scholar: Vol. 6, Black Psychology, pp. 13-18.
BOIN Suite: A Software Platform to Design and Implement Novel Early-Phase Clinical Trials.

PURPOSEUsing novel Bayesian adaptive designs has great potential to improve the efficiency of early-phase clinical trials. A major barrier for clinical researchers to adopt novel designs is the lac...
Den Hartog, Chris, and Nathan W. Monroe. The Jeffords Switch: Changing Majority Status and Causal Processes in the U.S. Senate: Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2019. 221 pages. $75 (hardcover).

In The Jeffords Switch, Chris Den Hartog and Nathan W. Monroe dive deeply into the 107th Congress to leverage a very rare event to assess the importance of party majority positions in the United St...
Constructing a Shared Infrastructure for Software Architecture Analysis and Maintenance

Over the past three decades software engineering researchers have produced a wide range of techniques and tools for understanding the architectures of large, complex systems. However, these have tended to be one-off research projects, and their idiosyncratic natures have hampered research collaboration, extension and combination of the tools, and technology transfer. The area of software architecture is rich with disjoint research and development infrastructures, and datasets that are either proprietary or captured in proprietary formats. This paper describes a concerted effort to reverse these trends. We have designed and implemented a flexible and extensible infrastructure (SAIN) with the goal of sharing, replicating, and advancing software architecture research. We have demonstrated that SAIN is capable of incorporating the constituent tools extracted from three independently developed, large, long-lived software architecture research environments. We discuss SAIN’s ambitious goals, the challenges we have faced in achieving those goals, the key decisions made in SAIN’s design and implementation, the lessons learned from our experience to date, and our ongoing and future work.
Potential microbial contamination from drilling lubricants into subseafloor rock cores

Abstract. International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 357: “Serpentinization and Life” drilled shallow cores into the Atlantis Massif near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in October 2015 using seabed drills. Serpentinization and other geochemical processes occurring within the Atlantis Massif release hydrogen, methane, and other chemicals that can potentially fuel microorganisms through chemosynthesis. The subseafloor rock cores collected during IODP Exp. 357 are the first of their kind, meaning the analysis and interpretation of these samples required new methodologies, including a specialized approach for distinguishing endemic subsurface inhabitants from potential contaminants from various sources. Background samples of various potential contamination sources were collected during sampling: 109 samples of seawater collected before, during, and after drilling; 20 samples of greases and oils associated with the drilling equipment; and samples of the laboratory's ambient air. Despite the widespread usage of drilling lubricants and the importance of controlling contamination in drill-core samples for microbiological analyses, no studies to date have looked at DNA in drilling greases and oils. In this study, drilling lubricants were analyzed as possible sources of microbial contamination of subseafloor rock core samples by environmental sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. We find that microbial signatures from drilling lubricants are only found in low abundance in seafloor samples (at most a few percent of total sequence counts), with laboratory contaminants being a greater source of contamination.
Preparing nursing students for diverse populations.

Abstract Aim To improve undergraduate nursing students and educator intercultural knowledge and competencies by implementing an academic systems change. Background Many organizations have diversity and inclusion guidelines and initiatives for healthcare providers to consider in determining culturally competent care, which has a direct impact on the care given, received, and overall outcomes. Design 1. Assess student’s mindset at the beginning and the end of an undergraduate nursing course. 2. Ensure diversity and inclusion content was provided to faculty through a continuing education program. 3. Review all undergraduate courses for diversity and inclusion content. Methods The Intercultural Development Inventory®, a 50-item cross-cultural, theory-based assessment tool was used in a pre- and post-test design (n = 61 intervention; n = 56 control) to determine undergraduate nursing student’s mindset and assists the student’s in developing a personalized Intercultural Development Plan. The effectiveness of faculty diversity and inclusion education was evaluated using a post program evaluation. Curricular blueprinting of all undergraduate nursing courses for diversity and inclusion content was completed. Results The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the post-test between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion While evidence is lacking in specificity of how to best implement diversity and inclusion content in curriculum, these results provided some excellent baseline data that can be tracked while continued changes occur.
The effects of NOAA-20 VIIRS Solar Diffuser Stability Monitor (SDSM) Relative Spectral Response (RSR) on the Solar Diffuser (SD) degradation estimations

Solar Diffuser (SD) has been used for on-orbit imaging sensors such as historical Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and next generation NOAA’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors. The SD provides radiometric calibration reference for Reflective Solar Bands (RSB) and it also carries ground calibration to on-orbit. There have been slight discrepancies in the long-term radiometric calibration using SD and moon. Even though there have been some studies and publications to explain these differences, the differences were assumed to be the viewing angle differences to the SD. Using a Surface Roughness-induced Rayleigh Scattering (SRRS), we tested the current SD degradation estimation algorithms and found that the center wavelength based current SD estimation algorithm over-estimated SD degradations up to one percent level in the shortest wavelength band after two years of operation. Instead of using the center wavelength approach, the correct SD degradation was estimated by using the Relative Spectral Response (RSR) function of the SDSM detectors. After applying the correct SD degradation, the on-orbit calibration coefficients were very consistent with the moon based calibration.
Asymptotic Analysis of Data Deduplication with a Constant Number of Substitutions

Data deduplication has gained attention in large-scale storage systems due to the explosive growth in digital data. Recently, the information-theoretic aspects of conventional deduplication algorithms have been studied and novel algorithms with better performance have been proposed. In this paper, we study the performances of variable-length deduplication and multi-chunk deduplication algorithms from the point of view of information theory. We consider a source model in which source strings are composed of repeated blocks with each data block containing a constant number of substitution edits. We show that over the proposed source model, the variable-length deduplication algorithm can achieve asymptotically arbitrarily large compression ratio and the multi-chunk deduplication algorithm is order optimal under mild conditions.
Effects of Combined Oxytocin and Beta-3 Receptor Agonist (CL 316243) Treatment on Body Weight and Adiposity in Male Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Previous studies have indicated that oxytocin (OT) reduces body weight in diet-induced obese (DIO) rodents through reductions in energy intake and increases in energy expenditure. We recently demonstrated that hindbrain [fourth ventricular (4V)] administration of OT evokes weight loss and elevates interscapular brown adipose tissue temperature (T IBAT ) in DIO rats. What remains unclear is whether OT can be used as an adjunct with other drugs that directly target beta-3 receptors in IBAT to promote BAT thermogenesis and reduce body weight in DIO rats. We hypothesized that the combined treatment of OT and the beta-3 agonist, CL 316243, would produce an additive effect to decrease body weight and adiposity in DIO rats by reducing energy intake and increasing BAT thermogenesis. We assessed the effects of 4V infusions of OT (16 nmol/day) or vehicle (VEH) in combination with daily intraperitoneal injections of CL 316243 (0.5 mg/kg) or VEH on food intake, T IBAT , body weight and body composition. OT and CL 316243 alone reduced body weight by 7.8 ± 1.3% (P < 0.05) and 9.1 ± 2.1% (P < 0.05), respectively, but the combined treatment produced more pronounced weight loss (15.5 ± 1.2%; P < 0.05) than either treatment alone. These effects were associated with decreased adiposity, adipocyte size, energy intake and increased uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) content in epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) (P < 0.05). In addition, CL 316243 alone (P < 0.05) and in combination with OT (P < 0.05) elevated T IBAT and IBAT UCP-1 content and IBAT thermogenic gene expression. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the combined treatment of OT and the beta-3 agonist, CL 316243, produces an additive effect to decrease body weight. The findings from the current study suggest that the effects of the combined treatment on energy intake, fat mass, adipocyte size and browning of EWAT were not additive and appear to be driven, in part, by transient changes in energy intake in response to OT or CL 316243 alone as well as CL 316243-elicited reduction of fat mass and adipocyte size and induction of browning of EWAT.
Planning for Implementation Science in Clinical Practice Research: An Augmentative and Alternative Communication Example

Purpose Most evidence-based clinical research findings in communication sciences and disorders never achieve full implementation by practicing clinicians. To address this almost universal problem, this tutorial focuses on the initial planning steps of including implementation methodologies as part of clinical practice research programs. Integrating the principles and methodologies of implementation science can shift the current reality, leading to better uptake of evidence-based interventions. Method A step-by-step approach to integrating implementation science into new or existing research projects is provided, including the construction of a logic model, the selection of an implementation framework, and the selection of research methodologies. A detailed example of an augmentative and alternative communication research program is provided to illustrate the process. Conclusions Readily available online tools can help researchers start the process of integrating implementation science into clinical practice research, and existing frameworks can assist with developing and guiding research programs to ensure maximal impact. If the ultimate goal is to improve the daily lives of individuals with communication disorders through the use of evidence-based practices, clinical practice researchers must integrate these approaches into their research programs.
Penalizaciones salariales por maternidad y segmentación del mercado laboral: el caso de la Argentina

En este articulo se explora la relacion entre la segregacion del mercado laboral y las penalizaciones salariales por maternidad en la Argentina en los sectores formal e informal. Se emplean estrategias de estimacion de minimos cuadrados ordinarios (MCO) y regresion por cuantiles, asi como la descomposicion de Blinder-Oaxaca y la de Nopo para identificar las fuentes de las diferencias salariales. Se concluye que hay evidencia solida de segmentacion del mercado laboral y que las penalizaciones salariales por maternidad difieren sustancialmente de un sector a otro y entre distintos cuantiles de salarios. En particular, las madres trabajadoras del sector formal no sufren penalizaciones, pero si las del sector informal. La penalizacion salarial aumenta con el numero de hijos, especialmente por los de menor edad, y es mayor en la base de la distribucion salarial condicional, seguida por el extremo superior.
A Retrospective Review of Patients Undergoing Lateral Canthoplasty Techniques to Manage Existing or Potential Lower Eyelid Malposition: Identification of Seven Key Preoperative Findings.

Background Lateral canthal procedures are often indicated to correct or prevent lower eyelid malposition. When determining an appropriate lateral canthal procedure, planning is essential and includes proper analysis and identification of any contributory anatomical factors. Methods A 12-month retrospective review was performed on patients undergoing lateral canthal procedures. Important components of the preoperative examination were studied to relate patient anatomy and results. Outcomes were followed for a minimum of 5 years. Results Of 288 consecutive lower eyelid canthal procedures, a total of 146 met the inclusion criteria. Common designated abnormal preoperative findings included a negative vector (62 percent), lid margin eversion (12 percent), scleral show (21 percent), neutral or negative canthal tilt (49 percent and 18 percent, respectively), and lateral canthus -to -orbital rim distance of more than 1 cm (11 percent). The distribution of lateral canthal procedures performed in our study population included inferior retinacular lateral canthopexy (n = 36), inferior retinacular lateral canthoplasty (n = 88), tarsal strip lateral canthoplasty (n = 15), and dermal-orbicular pennant lateral canthoplasty (n = 7). Successful outcomes were noted to be 86 percent and 91 percent according to surgeons and patients, respectively. Conclusions Specific findings on the preoperative physical examination identify when simple or more complex lateral canthal procedures should be performed. The authors report seven key physical findings that should be documented to effectively determine a lateral canthal procedure that is appropriate for prevention and management of lower eyelid malposition. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.
Probing the Nature of Neutrinos at Pion Factories

(ORNL). The principal motivation of these measurements are to perform a class of experiments to rigorously test the validity of the SM of particle physics using neutrinos as probes. The experiment will search for the appearance of ve from vμ produced in the beam-stop from muons decaying at rest. It will also search for vμ → ve oscillations with super high sensitivity. The detector will also be sensitive to the disappearance of ve’s when the second proton storage ring is complete. Recent reported neutrino oscillation signal observed by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector1,2 (LSND) can also be scrutinized with an improved sensitivity of about two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, measurements will yield high statistics neutrino-electron scattering data and due to the fast-spill nature of the beam, a precise measurement of the sin2 w will be possible. These measurements will be performed using the newly approved high-intensity short beam-spill spallation source. The experiment will yield data with high statistical precision and small systematic errors due to the precise measurement of the known ve+12C→ 12Ng.s +e– cross section. Measurements will also be made of other neutrino nucleus cross sections with super high precision which are of interest to fundamental physics as well as nuclear physics and astrophysics. Neutrino oscillations phenomenon is a class of lepton-number violating processes which can be utilized to test the validity of the SM of the electroweak sector in particle physics. Neutrino oscillations can only occur if the physical neutrinos are not pure quantum mechanical systems, but rather a superposition of different mass
Disk resonator gyroscope with whole-angle mode operation

We present a demonstration of a whole-angle mode operation of a 0.6 mm single-crystal silicon disk resonator gyroscope (DRG). This device has a Q factor of ~80,000 and a resonant frequency of ~250 kHz and is fabricated in the epi-seal process. Discrete-time control algorithms for rate-integrating gyro operation were implemented based on Lynch’s algorithm. Despite the fact that this DRG is over 5 orders of magnitude smaller than the 58 mm HRG, the device’s error sources are shown to be accurately modeled by the basic error models developed by Lynch.