cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diatoms on the carapace of common snapping turtles: Luticola spp. dominate despite spatial variation in assemblages

Filamentous algae are often visible on the carapaces of freshwater turtles and these algae are dominated by a few species with varying geographic distributions. Compared to filamentous algae, little is known about the much more speciose microalgae on turtles. Our objectives were to compare the diatom flora on a single turtle species (the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina) across part of its range to examine spatial patterns and determine whether specific diatom taxa were consistently associated with turtles (as occurs in the filamentous alga Basicladia spp.). Using preserved turtle specimens from museums, we systematically sampled diatoms on the carapaces of 25 snapping turtles across five states. The diverse diatom assemblages formed two groups–the southern Oklahoma group and the northern Illinois/Wisconsin/New York group, with Arkansas not differing from either group. Of the six diatom species found in all five states, four species are widespread, whereas Luticola cf. goeppertiana and L. cf. mutica are undescribed species, known only from turtles in our study. L. cf. goeppertiana comprised 83% of the diatom abundance on Oklahoma turtles and was relatively more abundant on southern turtles (Oklahoma and Arkansas) than on northern turtles (where mean abundance/state was > 10%). L. cf. mutica was the most abundant species (40%) on New York turtles. Some Luticola species are apparently turtle associates and results support a pattern of spatial variation in Luticola species, similar to that in Basicladia. Using museum specimens is an efficient and effective method to study the distribution of micro-epibionts.
Linear nearest neighbor optimization in quantum circuits: a multiobjective perspective

Several current implementations of quantum circuits rely on the linear nearest neighbor restriction, which only allows interaction between adjacent qubits. Most methods that address the process of converting a generic circuit to an equivalent circuit which satisfies this restriction, minimize the number of additional SWAP gates required by this process. Moreover, most methods which address this problem are designed for 1D circuits. Considering the new and promising proposals for 2D quantum circuits, what we propose is a new perspective on this problem, namely that it can be seen as a multiobjective optimization problem. To test our hypothesis, we developed a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm that solves this problem by considering two objectives: minimizing the size of the 2D grid where the circuit is placed, and minimizing the number of additional SWAP gates. Of the methods designed for 2D circuits, only one considers different grid sizes which are much larger than strictly necessary. Consequently, our algorithm makes considerations which other methods do not make, since it naturally finds the grid which requires fewer SWAP gates for the circuit conversion, whether it is one-dimensional or two-dimensional. Our experimental results indicate that allowing a larger grid size results in fewer additional SWAP gates in about 73% of the tested circuits. Additionally, the average improvement we found when using larger grid sizes is about 30%, while the best improvement over using the smallest possible grid is 63.8%.
Influence of Ammonium Salts on Discharge and Charge of Li–O2 Batteries

Li–air (O2) batteries are promising because of their high theoretical energy density. However, these batteries are plagued with numerous challenges, one of which involves modulating the battery discharge process between a solution or surface-driven formation of the desired lithium peroxide (Li2O2) discharge product, and the oxidation of Li2O2 below 4 V (vs Li/Li+). In this work, we show that tetrabutylammonium (TBA) salts dissolved in ether or dimethyl sulfoxide (with no lithium salt present) can be used as a Li–O2 electrolyte with a lithium metal anode to support Li2O2 formation, lead to >500 mV reduction in charging overpotentials at low current rates as compared to that with lithium salt, and support the oxidation of Li2O2 during charge. Furthermore, on the basis of results from several spectroscopic techniques, we propose a mechanism that involves electrochemical-induced transformation of TBA to tributylamine at ∼3.55 V, and the formation of a tributylamine oxide intermediate in the presence of O2 or ...
A Murine Model of Persistent Inflammation, Immune Suppression, and Catabolism Syndrome.

Critically ill patients that survive sepsis can develop a Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS), which often leads to extended recovery periods and multiple complications. Here, we utilized a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method in mice with the goal of creating a model that concurrently displays all the characteristics of PICS. We observed that, after eight days, mice that survive the CLP develop persistent inflammation with significant myelopoiesis in the bone marrow and spleen. These mice also demonstrate ongoing immune suppression, as evidenced by the decreased total and naive splenic CD4 and CD8 T cells with a concomitant increase in immature myeloid cells. The mice further display significant weight loss and decreased muscle mass, indicating a state of ongoing catabolism. When PICS mice are challenged with intranasal Pseudomonas aeruginosa, mortality is significantly elevated compared to sham mice. This mortality difference is associated with increased bacterial loads in the lung, as well as impaired neutrophil migration and neutrophil dysfunction in the PICS mice. Altogether, we have created a sepsis model that concurrently exhibits PICS characteristics. We postulate that this will help determine the mechanisms underlying PICS and identify potential therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for this patient population.
Reflexivity in Counterspaces Fieldwork.

Reflexivity is an important tool for navigating ethically important moments in fieldwork. It may be particularly useful in situations where the researcher has the potential to undermine the conduct of the study and/or the well-being-enhancing role of counterspaces. In this article, I explore my use of reflexivity to traverse ethically important moments I encountered while investigating a counterspace for African-American youth who had been incarcerated. The ethical challenge concerned whether and how to continue this study in light of realizing that I held implicit biases toward the research participants. I describe my process for arriving at a decision and propose key considerations for the use of reflexivity in supporting ethical fieldwork within counterspaces.
Novel Therapies for Myelofibrosis

The purpose of the review was to provide a contemporary update of novel agents and targets under investigation in myelofibrosis in the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor era. Myelofibrosis (MF) is a clonal stem cell disease characterized by marrow fibrosis and a heterogeneous disease phenotype with a variable degree of splenomegaly, cytopenias, and constitutional symptoms that significantly impact quality of life and survival. Overactive JAK/STAT signaling is a hallmark of MF. The only approved therapy for MF, JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, can ameliorate splenomegaly, improve symptoms, and prolong survival in some patients. Therapeutic challenges remain, however. Myelosuppression limits the use of ruxolitinib in some patients, eventual drug resistance is common, and the underlying malignant clone persists despite therapy. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of MF has informed the development of additional agents. Promising targets under investigation include JAK1 and JAK2 and downstream intermediates in related signaling pathways, epigenetic modifiers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and immune regulators.
Research needs and recommendations on environmental implications of additive manufacturing

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as “three-dimensional (3D) printing,” is the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer by layer. AM provides a cost-effective and time-efficient way to fabricate products with complicated geometries and advanced material properties and functionality. Based on the 2014 National Science Foundation (NSF) Workshop on Environmental Implications of Additive Manufacturing, this paper outlines potential environmental implications of AM related to key issues including energy use, occupational health, waste, lifecycle impact, and cross-cutting and policy issues, in terms of their current state-of-the-art, research needs, and recommendations, respectively.
Power quality and voltage profile analyses of high penetration grid-tied photovoltaics: A case study

Installed Photovoltaic (PV) capacity across the smart distribution grid has been on the rise in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, under high penetration of PV, there could be potential impacts on the operation and planning of distribution networks. In order to evaluate the impacts of grid-tied PV, a case study on power quality and voltage profile analyses is conducted using a 1.1 MW AC grid-tied PV power plant located at Florida International University. As part of the power quality analysis, study explores Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and high power and high energy ramp rate analysis. Current THD is posed to trigger problems when generation is highly intermittent wherein Voltage THD does not have a tight relationship with power output. For voltage profile analysis, the case study considers peak and minimum daytime load scenarios under different levels of penetration, including the existing level, and appraises the plant's current and potential impacts in steady-state and time-series scenarios. The effect of using smart inverters with grid-support functions is also simulated. Results show that some major problems like voltage deviations and feeder losses can be expected at 60% PV penetration in minimum daytime load. The number of switching operations for voltage regulators also increase when smart inverters operate at Volt/VAr control mode. Results of the case study are discussed to highlight the significance of these issues in high penetration scenarios.
Two-dimensional antiscatter grid: A novel scatter rejection device for Cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE Scattered radiation remains to be a major cause of image quality degradation in Flat Panel Detector (FPD)-based Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). We have been investigating a novel two-dimensional antiscatter grid (2D-ASG) concept to reduce scatter intensity, and hence improve CBCT image quality. We present the first CBCT imaging experiments performed with the 2D-ASG prototype, and demonstrate its efficacy in improving CBCT image quality. METHODS A 2D-ASG prototype with septa focused to x-ray source was additively manufactured from tungsten and mounted on a Varian TrueBeam CBCT system. CBCT projections of phantoms were acquired with an offset detector geometry using TrueBeam's "developer" mode. To minimize the effect of gantry flex, projections were gain corrected on angle-specific bases. CBCT images were reconstructed using a filtered backprojection algorithm and image quality improvement was quantified by measuring contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and CT number accuracy in images acquired with no antiscatter grid (NO-ASG), conventional one dimensional antiscatter grid (1D-ASG), and the 2D-ASG prototype. RESULTS A significant improvement in contrast resolution was achieved using our 2D-ASG prototype compared to results of 1D-ASG and NO-ASG acquisitions. Compared to NO-ASG and 1D-ASG experiments, the CNR of material inserts improved by as much as 86% and 54% respectively. Using 2D-ASG, CT number underestimation in water equivalent material section of the phantom was reduced by up to 325 HU when compared to NO-ASG and up to 179 HU when compared to 1D-ASG. CONCLUSION We successfully performed the first CBCT imaging experiments with a 2D-ASG prototype. 2D-ASG provided significantly higher CT number accuracy, higher CNR, and diminished scatter-induced image artifacts in qualitative evaluations. We strongly believe that utilization of a 2D-ASG may potentially lead to better soft tissue visualization in CBCT and may enable novel clinical applications that require high CT number accuracy.
Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor Also Reduces Voice Tremor.

OBJECTIVE Voice tremor is a common feature of essential tremor (ET) that is difficult to treat medically and significantly affects quality of life. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) of the thalamus is effective in improving contralateral distal limb tremor and has been shown in limited studies to affect voice tremor. Our objective was to retrospectively evaluate whether Vim-DBS used to treat patients with essential motor tremor also effectively treated underlying concurrent voice tremor and assess whether particular lead locations were favorable for treating vocal tremor. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, patients had unilateral or bilateral lead placement and were monitored for up to 12 months. We used the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) subscore to assess vocal tremor. Changes in vocal tremor before and after stimulation and over several sessions were assessed. RESULTS Of the 77 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were treated for essential tremor, 20 (26%) patients had vocal tremor prior to stimulation. Active Vim-DBS decreased the amplitude of voice tremor by 80% (p < 0.001). The mean FTM score as 1.24 pre-operation, 1.08 post-implantation (consistent with a lesion effect), and 0.25 with stimulation. The effect magnitude was maintained at last follow-up with slight improvement over time (p < 0.05). Unilateral and bilateral stimulation resulted in similar degrees of tremor reduction. A model of the centroid of stimulation showed that Vim thalamic stimulation that is more anterior on average yielded better voice tremor control, significantly so on the left side (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was improvement in head, tongue, and face tremor scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Unilateral and bilateral Vim-DBS targeted to treat the motor component of essential tremor also dramatically decreased the amplitude of voice tremor in this group of patients, suggesting a potential benefit of this treatment for affected patients.
Prevalence and Risk of Severe Cognitive Impairment in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background Our primary goal is to describe the prevalence, severity, and risk of cognitive impairment (CI) by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, in mL/min/1.73 m2) in a cohort enriched for advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD; eGFR Methods Chi-square tests measured the prevalence of severe CI and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by eGFR level. Logistic regression models and generalized linear models measured risk of CI by eGFR, adjusted for UACR. Results Participants were 574 adults with a mean age of 69; 433 with CKD (eGFR Conclusions One quarter of those with eGFR 30, suggesting that eGFR
Understanding antagonism and synergism: A qualitative assessment of weight management in youth with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Aims No current clinical guidelines focus on weight management in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Our aim was to characterize the patient-perceived experience and barriers to weight management in youth with T1DM. Methods Participants were recruited from the University of North Carolina (n = 16, 56% female, 60% White, 50% insulin pump users, mean age 14.8 years, mean HbA1c 8.5% (69 mmol/mol)) and the University of Colorado (n = 18, 50% female, 80% white, 53% pump users, mean age 15.3 years, mean HbA1c 9.3% (78 mmol/mol)). Focus groups were stratified by sex and weight status (BMI cutoff = 25). Discussions were guided by a standardized set of questions, audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed thematically using inductive qualitative methods. Results Youth with T1DM expressed four interrelated themes of antagonism between type 1 diabetes and weight management: dysregulated appetite, disruption of blood glucose levels associated with changing diet/exercise, hypoglycemia as a barrier to weight loss, and the overwhelming nature of dual management of weight and glycemic control, and two interrelated themes of synergism: improvement in shared, underlying heath behaviors and exercise as a tool for weight and glycemic control. Variation in emphasis of specific thematic elements was greatest across sex. Youth identified five major components of a weight management program for T1DM: intensified glucose management, healthy diet with known carbohydrate content, exercise, individualization and flexibility, and psychosocial and peer support. Conclusions There is critical need for personalized, T1DM-specific weight recommendations to overcome disease-specific barriers to weight management in the context of T1DM.
Tomographic studies of the sQGP at RHIC

Azimuthal correlation functions are used to study jet and di-jet properties as a function of centrality in Au+Au collisions at $$\sqrt {s_{NN} } = 200$$ GeV. Utilizing a novel technique to decompose the correlation function into a (di-)jet and an underlying event, the jet-pair distribution is extracted and compared to similar results for d+Au collisions obtained at the same collision energy. A striking similarity is observed between the widths and associated yields of the (di-)jet distributions for d+Au and peripheral Au+Au collisions. By contrast, the distributions for mid-central Au+Au collisions indicate an increase in the di-jet yield with centrality, and a very broad away-side jet having a possible minimum at Δϕ≈π. These features point to significant medium induced modification to the away-side jet and are compatible with recent predictions of jet-induced “conical flow”.
Edges impose planar alignment in nematic monolayers by directing cell elongation and enhancing migration.

Boundaries play an important role in the emergence of nematic order in classical liquid crystal systems; we explore their importance in adhesive cells that form active nematics. In particular, we study how cells are affected by an edge, which in our experiments is a boundary between adhesive and non-adhesive domains on a planar surface. We find that such edges induce elongation and direct the migration of isolated fibroblasts. In confluent monolayers, these elongated cells co-align and migrate to form an active, two-dimensional nematic structure in which edges enforce planar alignment and provide local slip to streams of cells that move along them. On an adhesive square island of dimensions 1 mm × 1 mm, cells near the edges in confluent nematic monolayers have enhanced alignment and velocity. The corners of the adhesive island seed defects with signs that depend on the direction of the motion of the streams of cells that meet there. Distortions emerge with rotations of −π/2 to form a −1/4 defect for streams that move clockwise or counterclockwise, and +π/2 to form a +1/4 defect for converging streams. We explore how cells transmit alignment information to each other in the absence of an edge by studying cell pairs and find that while such pairs do co-align, this alignment is only transient and short lived. These results shed light on the importance of edges in imposing nematic order in confluent monolayers and how edges can be used as tools to pattern the long-range organization of cells for tissue engineering applications.
Hearing Loss Contributes to Balance Difficulties in both Younger and Older Adults

Objective: The number of steps required to regain balance is an easily obtainable clinical outcome measure. This study assessed whether number of steps during loss of balance could identify older adults with hearing loss who have balance deficits. We aimed to answer two questions: 1) Does hearing loss negatively affect the ability to regain balance, as reflected by an increased number of steps needed to respond to a perturbation while simultaneously attending to speech-in-noise; and 2) Do hearing aids improve balance control, reflected by a decrease in number of steps needed to regain balance? Methods: 20 young adults and 20 older adults with normal hearing, and 19 older adults with hearing loss performed an auditory-balance dual-task. Participants were asked to listen and repeat back sentences from a standardized audiology test, while simultaneously responding to backward surface translations. Outcome measures were performed on the auditory test and number of steps needed to regain balance. Repeated measures ANCOVA models were run in using group, time, hearing levels, and perturbation levels as predictors. Results: Auditory scores confirmed difficulty hearing speech-in-noise in older adults with hearing loss and no hearing aids, and in young and older adults with normal hearing and simulated hearing loss. Results showed that group, auditory and balance conditions are significantly related to both outcomes measures and time is not significant for steps. Older adults with hearing loss had a significant increase in number of steps needed to regain balance compared to young adults and older adults with normal hearing. Conclusion: Number of steps may be an appropriate clinical assessment tool for identifying fall risk in older adults with hearing loss. Further research needs to be performed to identify proper assessments and treatment interventions for older adults with hearing loss who have balance deficits.
Rapid determination of volatile bases in fish by using an ammonia ion-selective electrode

A simple and rapid method using an ammonia ion-selective electrode (ISE) to measure volatile bases in fish is proposed. Accuracy and precision were determined with 5, 10, 20, and 30 ppm NH 3 standard solutions. Ammonia values obtained with the method correlate strongly with total volatile basic nitrogen (r 2 = 0.88). Recoveries of added ammonia to homogenized fish samples ranged from 83.7 to 96.0%. Responses of the probe to trimethylamine (TMA), calculated as NH 3 (mg/100 mL), ranged from 74.9 to 91.7%. These findings indicate that the probe measured TMA as well as ammonia. Storage trials on 8 fish species illustrated that the results obtained with the ISE method reflected nitrogen concentrations based on total volatile base (TVB) analysis. This procedure may be used in lieu of the traditional TVB method for on-site rapid screening of fish.
DNA sequences of mouse H-2 and Qa genes.

We present aligned DNA sequences of the coding regions of the classical H-2 loci K, D, and L; the pseudogene K1; and seven of the nonclassical Qa genes
The Analysis of Cremains: A Case Study Involving the Inappropriate Disposal of Mortuary Remains

Cremation as a method of body disposition has increased over the last two decades. Mishandling of the remains is bringing the analysis of cremains to the attention of forensic anthropologists. The destruction of skeletal components by heat, and mechanical reduction, make the analysis of cremains difficult. Three years after receiving cremains believed to be that of their mother, a family received a second set of cremains that were also purported to be those of their mother. Questioning whether which, if either, set of remains were the decedent, the family initiated an anthropological analysis of both sets of remains. The investigation focused on both osseous and nonosseous characteristics of each set. Total weight of the material and differences in both the osseous and nonosseous characteristics indicate that the cremains represent two individuals. These differences include the degree of color change due to heat, the amount of bone fragments vs. ash, and the lead and calcium content remaining in the fragments from each set. Differences in the nonosseous components of each set are related to coffin hardware, and medical and dental artifacts.
Expected feedback and successful adaptation to a multinational organization (MNO): A comparison between American and Japanese employees

This study examined expected feedback and employee adaptation to a multinational organization (MNO). The survey data were collected from 262 American and Japanese members from Japanese MNOs in the U.S. The results revealed that American employees valued feedback and expected both direct and indirect styles of feedback more than Japanese. Although there was no difference in the expected frequency of direct feedback, American employees expected to receive a higher frequency of indirect feedback than Japanese members. Further, a high frequency of direct feedback contributed to successful adaptation of both American and Japanese members. These findings provide guidance for an increasing number of MNO managers.
Investigating Powder Spreading Dynamics in Additive Manufacturing Processes by In-situ High-speed X-ray Imaging

The quality of the powder bed is known to be one of the main factors that influence the quality of the part being manufactured by powder-bed-based additive manufacturing processes [1]. For example,...
Risk Factor Modification in Patients with Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) results from a defect in the gastric or duodenal mucosa and submucosa caused by an imbalance between injurious factors and defense mechanisms in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Typically, the most common etiology is an infection with Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Gastrinoma, inflammatory diseases, or medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also lead to gastritis and PUD. Environmental factors have also been implicated, but are less well elucidated. Prevention through avoidance of injurious factors is critical. Once PUD has occurred, treatments are targeted toward protecting the gastrointestinal tract with acid suppression and, avoiding further insults, while allowing for time to restore the integrity of the mucosa. If H. pylori infection is confirmed, then multi-antibiotic drug regimens are necessary for treatment of the resultant PUD.
Wearable Cane and App System for Improving Mobility in Toddlers/Pre-schoolers With Visual Impairment

Abstract Children with congenital visual impairment (SVIB b) integrate into indoor/outdoor activities of a specialized preschool for learners with SVIB and c) be adopted by families, professionals and learners with SVI&B as a safe mobility solution. Stakeholders and children under five with SVI&B evaluated the prototype system. Results: The project successfully created a hands-free wearable white cane that provided students with SVI&B under age five with next step warning when walking across a variety of terrain. Preschool participants with SVI&B easily adopted the wearable cane into their activities with minimal to no prompting or instruction. The P20 prototype scored well across usability features, including maintaining consistent, hands-free, autonomous arc. The invention of a hands-free mobility tool was a significant outcome of this project. These data support that autonomous arc has the ability to provide developmentally appropriate safe mobility solution for toddlers with SVI&B.
Ventral/Incisional Hernia Repair (Open and MIS Approaches)

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for ventral/incisional hernia repair as performed by the following approaches: open and MIS. Indications for the procedure include the presence of an epigastric, ventral or incisional hernia, and a staged closure of a large omphalocele. The procedure-specific risks include recurrent hernia, enterocutaneous fistulas, adhesions, granulomas, chronic pain and, if mesh is utilized, mesh infection or migration. Alternatives to the procedure (except in the case of strangulation/incarceration) are symptom management. Variations in the procedure include robotic, laparoscopic, and open hernia repairs, the latter two of which will be described. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: identification of hernia sac with reduction of hernia contents and adhesiolysis, identification and freshening of the fascial edges, primary fascial closure or closure with mesh, and incisional closure. If mesh is utilized in an open repair, the mesh may be placed in an underlay, sublay, inlay, or onlay repair. The underlay and sublay approaches will be reviewed.
Transparent interaction and human–robot collaboration for military operations

Abstract The future of robotics, envisioned by the US military, is made up of humans teamed with autonomous, intelligent robots. A shift in human–robot interaction (HRI), from the teleoperation of robotic systems to a more teamwork-oriented interaction, concurrently changes the informational requirements of the actors in the interaction. Consequently, military research into robotics is exploring what information fulfills those changed informational requirements, how robots can convey that information to human teammates, and what information do robots need to acquire from those human teammates. In this chapter, we discuss how the conception of a military robot is anticipated to change, how that change influences the interaction between humans and robots, and some of the different lines of research being done to support future HRI.
Factors influencing the use of adaptation strategies to climate change in paddy lands of Kamfiruz, Iran

Abstract Climate variability in recent decades has made it imperative to use adaptation strategies to offset the adverse impacts of climate change. The present study mainly aimed to determine the variables influencing farmers’ decisions on adaptation and to investigate the variables dictating the extent to which each adaptation strategy is used. So, data on production inputs, demographic characteristics, socio-economic attributes, and institutional-cultural factors were collected from 360 rice farmers in the basins of Kamfiruz district, Iran and were analyzed by descriptive statistics, multinomial logit, and the Tobit Heckman two-stage models. The results indicated that the most common adaptation strategies included modifying crop cultivars and changing the area of land under cultivation. Besides, the estimation of the multinomial logit model implied that 13 variables could account for 51.42 % of the variance in the possibility of farmers’ adaptation. Moreover, cultivated land area, seed, fertilizer, pesticide, water, age, educational level, experience, income, land size, and training were the factors found to significantly affect farmers’ decision to apply adaptation practices. Of these explanatory variables, cultivated land area, water, and training were the key factors influencing adaptation strategies while labor and land tenure were not. Finally, a distinction was presented by the two-stage Tobit method between the variables influencing the selection of an adaptation strategy and the variables affecting the extent of the use of adaptation strategies. The policy recommendations for adaptation activities, training courses, land management, and the control of water input are suggested to enhance farmers’ adaptability.
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors collaborate to activate pharyngeal satellite cells without muscle injury

Satellite cells (SCs), adult muscle stem cells in craniofacial muscles proliferate and differentiate/fuse without injury, unlike quiescent SCs in uninjured limb muscle. However, whether intrinsic or extrinsic factors driving their increased basal activity are largely unknown. We compared SCs from the pharynx, which contains constrictor muscles critical for swallowing, to SCs from limb muscle. Pharyngeal SCs are intrinsically more proliferative and contain higher mitochondrial content relative to limb SCs. Pharyngeal SCs occupy less quiescent microenvironments containing collagen V and pharyngeal muscles provide a distinctive SC niche enriched with neighboring resident macrophages and fibroadipogenic progenitors. Loss of SCs impacts pharyngeal myofiber cross-sectional area and the number of neighboring cells, suggesting that SCs are required to maintain pharyngeal muscle homeostasis and its unique niche. Taken together, this study gives new insights to explain the distinctive SC activity of craniofacial muscles, which may explain their unique susceptibility to various muscular dystrophies.
Adversarial jamming attacks and defense strategies via adaptive deep reinforcement learning.

As the applications of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in wireless communications grow, sensitivity of DRL based wireless communication strategies against adversarial attacks has started to draw increasing attention. In order to address such sensitivity and alleviate the resulting security concerns, we in this paper consider a victim user that performs DRL-based dynamic channel access, and an attacker that executes DRLbased jamming attacks to disrupt the victim. Hence, both the victim and attacker are DRL agents and can interact with each other, retrain their models, and adapt to opponents' policies. In this setting, we initially develop an adversarial jamming attack policy that aims at minimizing the accuracy of victim's decision making on dynamic channel access. Subsequently, we devise defense strategies against such an attacker, and propose three defense strategies, namely diversified defense with proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, diversified defense with an imitation attacker, and defense via orthogonal policies. We design these strategies to maximize the attacked victim's accuracy and evaluate their performances.
ACCESS AND USE OF ICT IN SCHOOL MANAGEMENT IN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

In the digital era, the ability of schools to access and provide ICT resources is very important. This study examines the level of accessibility and use of ICT resources in school management in Mindanao State University's main campus (MSU MC). It aims to give a picture of the current profile of the ICT facilities in the university particularly those employed for school management through describing the accessibility of those ICT facilities by taking into account their availability and convenience of access and its use by pertaining to the ICT user-ability of the human resource of the university. This study was incited due to the visible difficulties met by the students as well as the teacher and staff in the school management activities in MSU MC despite the application of ICT in it. The data for this study were collected through a semi-structured survey, interviews, and document reviews of related literature. Correlation of the variables was tested using the chi-square test. And the comparative analysis of the opinions of the groups of respondents was done through a t-test. The results of this study find that over-all, the current ICT facility of the university is claimed as fairly effective in school management that only Plagiarism is seen as the most prevalent negative consequence on its implementation. In addition, the correlation analysis in this study discloses that ICT accessibility and user-ability have no direct relationship with effective school management. And although the comparative analysis showed that there is a significant difference of opinions between the groups of respondents, its statistical value proved only that the variance of the opinions of the groups of respondents is only little. These results evidently reflect that the ICT facility in MSU MC is not so much defective. However, the research results also reveal that the problems in the availability and convenience of ICT tools in MSU MC as well as in the user-ability of the human resource in ICT are pretty much important aspects of an excellent ICT facility like strong internet bandwidth, need of maintenance and update on latest ICT trends, motivation to use ICT tools, etc. Thus, this study recommends that the ICT resources in MSU MC for school management should be further developed as seen appropriate
Sexual Partner Accumulation From Adolescence to Early Adulthood in Populations With Physical Disabilities in the U.S.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to examine the lifetime and pre-18 sexual partnering patterns of populations with physical disabilities from adolescence to early adulthood and how these patterns further vary by biological sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Methods Data were from 13,458 respondents to Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Poisson regression models were used to assess differences in pre-18 and lifetime sexual partner counts among populations with physical disabilities compared with those without disabilities. Moderation analyses by biological sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation were used to consider further differences among minority subgroups. Results The results indicated more similarities than differences in sexual partnering patterns across disability severity groups. Specifically, populations with disabilities had just as many pre-18 and lifetime sexual partners as peers without disabilities. There was variation by biological sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation, although this was not tied to disability status. Conclusions These results fill an important gap in the literature by considering the sexual partnering behaviors of populations with physical disabilities in the U.S. over the life course. Future research should continue to include populations with disabilities and other minority groups to ensure that their experiences are represented in sexual health policies and programs.
Comparison of Hospitalization Trends and Outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with versus without Opioid Use Disorder

Discrepancies in medical care are well known to adversely affect patients with opioid abuse disorders (OUD), including management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with OUD. We used the National Inpatient Sample was queried from January 2006 to September 2015 to identify all patients ≥18 years admitted with a primary diagnosis of AMI (weighted N = 13,030; unweighted N = 2,670) and concomitant OUD. Patients using other nonopiate illicit drugs were excluded. Propensity matching (1:1) yielded 2,253 well-matched pairs in which intergroup comparison of invasive revascularization strategies and cardiac outcomes were performed. The prevalence of OUD patients with AMI over the last decade has doubled, from 163 (2006) to 326 cases (2015) per 100,000 admissions for AMI. The OUD group underwent less cardiac catheterization (63.2% vs 72.2%; p
Metamodernism and Vaporwave: A Study of Web 2.0 Aesthetic Culture

With the advent of Web 2.0, new forms of cultural and aesthetic texts, including memes and user generated content (UGC), have become increasingly popular worldwide as streaming and social media services have become more ubiquitous. In order to acknowledge the relevance and importance of these texts in academia and art, this paper conducts a three-part analysis of Vaporwave—a unique multimedia style that originated within Web 2.0—through the lens of a new cultural philosophy known as metamodernism. Relying upon a breadth of cultural theory and first-hand observations, this paper questions the extent to which Vaporwave is interested in metamodernist constructs and asks whether or not the genre can be classed as a metamodernist text, noting the dichotomy and extrapolation of nostalgia promoted by the genre and the unique instrumentality it offers to its consumers both visually and sonically. This paper ultimately theorizes that online culture will continue to play an important role in cultural production, aesthetic mediation, and even personal expression as media becomes more integrated into our systems of meaning.
Toxin breakdown does not preclude the potential for defensive toxin use in a fruit fly

Animals that ingest toxins can themselves become toxic or unpalatable to predators and parasites. However, most animals rapidly eliminate toxins to survive toxin ingestion. It is therefore unclear how species transition from susceptibility and toxin elimination to tolerance and accumulation as chemical defense emerges. Studies of chemical defense have generally focused on species that display active toxin sequestration and target-site insensitivity mutations that permit survival without necessitating toxin metabolism. Here we investigate whether animals that presumably rely on toxin elimination for survival can also utilize ingested toxins for defense. We use the A4 and A3 Drosophila melanogaster fly strains from the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource (DSPR), which respectively possess elevated and reduced metabolic toxin resistance. We find that ingesting nicotine increased the survival of A4 but not of A3 flies against Leptopilina heterotoma wasp parasitism. Further, we find that despite possessing enhanced toxin clearance mechanisms, A4 flies accrued more nicotine than A3 individuals. Our results suggest that enhanced metabolic detoxification can allow for greater toxin intake by offsetting the cost of toxin ingestion. Passive toxin accumulation that accompanies increased toxin intake may underlie the early origins of chemical defense.
Microstructure Modification: Piston Materials for High Stress and Temperature Conditions

Pressure and temperature in internal combustion engines have rapidly increased during the past 15 years. Operating at maximum temperatures of up to 420 °C in series production engines (which is equivalent to a homologous temperature of 0.92!), light vehicle diesel pistons for modern passenger vehicles probably represent aluminium’s most challenging hightemperature application. To meet these requirements, Federal Mogul has developed the process of local remelting for critical piston regions. The technical benefit of the remelt process has been proven by engine validation.
Path Orderings for Termination of Associative-Commutative Rewriting

We show that a simple, and easily implementable, restriction on the recursive path ordering, which we call the “binary path condition”, suffices for establishing termination of extended rewriting modulo associativity and commutativity.
Dean vortices with wall flux in a curved channel membrane system: 4. Effect of vortices on permeation fluxes of suspensions in microporous membrane

Abstract A curved channel duct was designed, built and used specifically to produce Dean vortices as a result of flow around a 180° curve. We present evidence, using optical reflection, of the existence of these vortices in the curved region and following flat section. By placing a test membrane section in the flat region, we report on increased permeation (up to 30%) in the presence of weak Dean vortices as compared to pure crossflow without such vortices. These results augur well for the development of a new vortex-inducing membrane module.
The Thioredoxin Binding Site of Phosphoribulokinase Overlaps the Catalytic Site

Phosphoribulokinase (PRK1, E.C. 2.7.1.19) is one of a class of enzymes whose activity is linked to the light/dark cycle by thioredoxin, ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase, and ferredoxin (1). Although enzyme activation is known to require disulfide reduction, the location of the disulfide at the primary structural level has not been established for PRK or for any other plant enzyme that is regulated in this fashion. Previous studies with BrAcNHEtOP, a potential active-site probe, identified an essential cysteinyl residue within the ATP-binding domain of PRK. Two observations suggested a connection between the active-site cysteine and a thioredoxin-sensitive cysteine. Oxidized PRK is not alkylated by BrAcNHEtOP (2) and ATP retards the oxidative deactivation of PRK (3,4). More recent data, summarized here, confirm that the active-site sulfhydryl also participates in the regulation of kinase activity.
The Enigma of Soviet defense expenditures: Past and present

(1992). The Enigma of Soviet defense expenditures: Past and present. European Security: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 352-380.
Iterative Methods for Solving Linear Systems

List of Algorithms Preface 1. Introduction. Brief Overview of the State of the Art Notation Review of Relevant Linear Algebra Part I. Krylov Subspace Approximations. 2. Some Iteration Methods. Simple Iteration Orthomin(1) and Steepest Descent Orthomin(2) and CG Orthodir, MINRES, and GMRES Derivation of MINRES and CG from the Lanczos Algorithm 3. Error Bounds for CG, MINRES, and GMRES. Hermitian Problems-CG and MINRES Non-Hermitian Problems-GMRES 4. Effects of Finite Precision Arithmetic. Some Numerical Examples The Lanczos Algorithm A Hypothetical MINRES/CG Implementation A Matrix Completion Problem Orthogonal Polynomials 5. BiCG and Related Methods. The Two-Sided Lanczos Algorithm The Biconjugate Gradient Algorithm The Quasi-Minimal Residual Algorithm Relation Between BiCG and QMR The Conjugate Gradient Squared Algorithm The BiCGSTAB Algorithm Which Method Should I Use? 6. Is There A Short Recurrence for a Near-Optimal Approximation? The Faber and Manteuffel Result Implications 7. Miscellaneous Issues. Symmetrizing the Problem Error Estimation and Stopping Criteria Attainable Accuracy Multiple Right-Hand Sides and Block Methods Computer Implementation Part II. Preconditioners. 8. Overview and Preconditioned Algorithms. 9. Two Example Problems. The Diffusion Equation The Transport Equation 10. Comparison of Preconditioners. Jacobi, Gauss--Seidel, SOR The Perron--Frobenius Theorem Comparison of Regular Splittings Regular Splittings Used with the CG Algorithm Optimal Diagonal and Block Diagonal Preconditioners 11. Incomplete Decompositions. Incomplete Cholesky Decomposition Modified Incomplete Cholesky Decomposition 12. Multigrid and Domain Decomposition Methods. Multigrid Methods Basic Ideas of Domain Decomposition Methods.
THE EFFECT OF URETHANE ON THE NUCLEAR MORPHOLOGY OF CELLS OF THE GRANULOCYTE SERIES AS OBSERVED IN MARROW CULTURES AND LEUKEMIC BLOOD

In cultures by the marrow culture technic of human marrow and leukemic blood containing concentrations of urethane from 1:200 to 1:40,000, marked changes in the morphology of the cells of the granulocyte series were noted. These changes were not noted in the control nor in duplicate cultures containing the methyl-bis (B-chloroethyl) amine hydrochloride form of nitrogen mustard in concentrations from 1:500,000 to 1:40,000,000, nor were they noted in previous studies of cultures containing colchicine or exposed to 200 kilovolt or million volt x-rays, neutron rays or radioactive phosphorus, nor in the bloods or marrows of patients with untreated chronic granulocytic leukemia, of healthy individuals or of persons with miscellaneous diseases. The changes consisted of an early increase in number of normal mitoses in the progranulocytes; a steadily rising percentage of granulocytes and progranulocytes showing condensation of the chromatin in the nucleus into dense fragments separated by clear spaces; a progressive increase in the number of cells of the granulocyte series with double nuclei, affecting all cells from the progranulocytes to the neutrophil lobocytes but appearing to be most numerous in the granulocyte stage; and the appearance in the cultures by 4 to 5 days of cells containing separated fragments of structureless material staining like basichromatin, which probably represents a karyorrhexis of the nucleus. Note : Nothing in this article is to be construed as a recommendation of urethane for the clinical treatment of leukemias. While many years must elapse before its place in therapy can be evaluated, it does seem worthwhile to give urethane a trial for metastatic malignant tumors. Our present impression is that either radioactive phosphorus or total body irradiation with x-rays given in small regularly spaced doses is far superior to urethane in the treatment of leukemias.17 When the cells become resistant to radiation therapy, urethane may be worthy of a trial.