cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early history of in vitro fertilization

Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is used widely for a variety of purposes, it is often not appreciated how this technology was developed. A large number of experiments beginning in 1878 contributed to the first successful reports of IVF over 75 years later. The discovery of sperm capacitation in 1951 was central to the development of IVF technology, and it was rapidly followed by the first convincing reports of IVF in several species. The ability to fertilize oocytes in vitro has allowed major advances to be made into understanding the mechanisms involved in fertilization and early development, and IVF now supports reproductive biotechnology in animals and in humans. This article is a historical review of key experiments that helped to provide the basis for present day IVF procedures, placed into context with current practice.
The disclosure of diagnosis codes can breach research participants' privacy.

Objective: De-identified clinical data in standardized form (eg, diagnosis codes), derived from electronic medical records, are increasingly combined with research data (eg, DNA sequences) and disseminated to enable scientific investigations. This study examines whether released data can be linked with identified clinical records that are accessible via various resources to jeopardize patients' anonymity, and the ability of popular privacy protection methodologies to prevent such an attack. Design: The study experimentally evaluates the re-identification risk of a de-identified sample of Vanderbilt's patient records involved in a genome-wide association study. It also measures the level of protection from re-identification, and data utility, provided by suppression and generalization. Measurement: Privacy protection is quantified using the probability of re-identifying a patient in a larger population through diagnosis codes. Data utility is measured at a dataset level, using the percentage of retained information, as well as its description, and at a patient level, using two metrics based on the difference between the distribution of Internal Classification of Disease (ICD) version 9 codes before and after applying privacy protection. Results: More than 96% of 2800 patients' records are shown to be uniquely identified by their diagnosis codes with respect to a population of 1.2 million patients. Generalization is shown to reduce further the percentage of de-identified records by less than 2%, and over 99% of the three-digit ICD-9 codes need to be suppressed to prevent re-identification. Conclusions: Popular privacy protection methods are inadequate to deliver a sufficiently protected and useful result when sharing data derived from complex clinical systems. The development of alternative privacy protection models is thus required.
Verbal Complex Phenomena in West Central German: Empirical Domain and Multi-Causal Account

This paper is a synchronic investigation of verbal complex phenomena in the West Central German dialects. The types of verbal complexes attested in 187 recordings of West Central German from the Zwirner Corpus are first classified and analyzed. A GoldVarb analysis reveals that in subordinate clause two-verb complexes, the factor groups syntagm and verbal prefix type have statistically significant effects on word order, while in main clause two-verb complexes the factor groups syntagm, verbal prefix type, and a grammatical correlate to focus have statistically significant effects. Taking as a point of departure Lotscher 1978 and Sapp 2007, a multi-causal account of verbal complex pheno-mena involving grammatical, functional, and performance factors is developed, with a close examination of the role of language processing in verbal complex formation. Following Hawkins' (1994, 2004) notions of Early Immediate Constituents and Minimize Domains, it is argued that the type of verbal complex known as Verb Projection Raising can be linked in part to an advantage in language production. The paper concludes with a discussion of the speaker-hearer dichotomy as it relates to German clausal structure and the role of interfaces in the analysis of verbal complexes.*
Pre-flashover luminosity along an alumina/vacuum interface

Two preflashover luminosity phases, one near the voltage peak (phase I) and the other just prior to the onset of voltage collapse (phase II), are found to be associated with the surface flashover of alumina in vacuum. The light emission is also observed under the no-breakdown condition (phase III). A new ancillary experiment, performed using three high-sensitivity photomultiplier tubes (two viewing the dielectric surface head-on and the other viewing edge-on) indicates that the plasma corresponding to phases I and III does not expand away from the insulator surface; whereas the plasma of phase II expands away from that surface. The observed results suggest qualitatively that the phases I and III may be attributed to a solid state process whilst the phase II may be a mixed response of both solid state and gaseous processes. >
Androgen replacement therapy in women

Abstract Objective Review of literature with regard to androgen replacement therapy in women. Design Review of the MEDLINE database and references from articles. Conclusions Androgens affect sexual function, bone health, muscle mass, body composition, mood, energy, and the sense of well-being. Androgen insufficiency clearly has been demonstrated in patients with hypopituitarism, adrenalectomy, oophorectomy, and in some women placed on oral estrogen therapy which increases sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels and lowers the free and bioavailable forms of T. Symptoms of androgen insufficiency in women may include a diminished sense of well-being, low mood, fatigue, and hypoactive sexual desire disorder with decreased libido, or decreased sexual receptivity and pleasure that causes a great deal of personal distress. The preponderance of evidence from clinical trials supports the correlation of decreased endogenous androgen levels with these symptoms and alleviation of many of the symptoms with the administration of T or, in some cases, DHEA. There are no Food and Drug Administration-approved androgen preparations on the market for treating androgen insufficiency in women. The safety profile of androgens in doses used for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder has been excellent with only mild acne and hirsutism being noted in a minority of patients.
Approximation Lasso Methods for Language Modeling

Lasso is a regularization method for parameter estimation in linear models. It optimizes the model parameters with respect to a loss function subject to model complexities. This paper explores the use of lasso for statistical language modeling for text input. Owing to the very large number of parameters, directly optimizing the penalized lasso loss function is impossible. Therefore, we investigate two approximation methods, the boosted lasso (BLasso) and the forward stagewise linear regression (FSLR). Both methods, when used with the exponential loss function, bear strong resemblance to the boosting algorithm which has been used as a discriminative training method for language modeling. Evaluations on the task of Japanese text input show that BLasso is able to produce the best approximation to the lasso solution, and leads to a significant improvement, in terms of character error rate, over boosting and the traditional maximum likelihood estimation.
Cartographies: Graduate education, SOTL and the third space

This article examines the ways in which the scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) can be integrated into graduate education in the humanities to support future faculty preparation in teaching...
TERTIARY XANTHOIDEA (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: BRACHYURA) FROM THE WEST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA

Abstract Collection of new fossils from the west coast of North America has resulted in additions to the Carpiliidae, Goneplacidae, Panopeidae, and Pilumnidae in the fossil record. Features of the dorsal carapace of members of each of these families, as defined using modern biological classification techniques, are useful in assigning the new fossil taxa to these four families. Description of new taxa and reassignment of several previously described taxa have resulted in a reevaluation of the fossil record of those groups on the west coast of North America. New species include Orbitoplax tuckerae, Panopeus prosakrolophos, and Panopeus torus. New combinations include Branchioplax carmanahensis (Rathbun, 1926), Orbitoplax weaveri (Rathbun, 1926), Panopeus baldwini (Kooser and Orr, 1973), Panopeus olearis (Rathbun, 1926), and Panopeus soledadensis (Rathbun, 1926).
Ambiguity during engineering problem solving

Work place engineering problems are recognized as being complex and ambiguous. However, most of the problems students are asked to solve during their degree programs are classroom problems. Most studies of ambiguity in problem solving have defined ambiguity as a characteristic of the problems. We are interested in understanding how students interpret engineering problems, either creating or resolving ambiguity during their problem solving process. The research question that guides this study is: How is ambiguity manifested by engineering students as they solve problems? This study is part of a larger project examining engineering students' engineering problem solving across different types of engineering problems. Twenty materials engineering students were asked to solve four materials engineering problems during a think-aloud session. For the analysis, points of ambiguity during the problem-solving process were identified as periods in which the students specifically verbalized uncertainty. The points of ambiguity in the transcript were then analyzed through script analysis. More specifically textual instances of ambiguity were linked with three main periods and situational categories: a) the situation that caused the ambiguity, 2) what happened during the point of ambiguity, and 3) the reaction of the student after reaching the point of ambiguity. Results indicated that students experienced points of ambiguity in both closed- and open-ended problems. Several motifs were common to both types of problems, including confusion over how to use given values, not having necessary content knowledge, lack of self-confidence, and difficulty conceptualizing the problem. The lack of constraints inherent in the open-ended problems also caused additional ambiguity among some students. Our findings show that ambiguity can take many forms and is not just a function of the problem structure. Students reach points of ambiguity (e.g., points where they do not know what to do next), due to many factors. Some of these factors represent aspects of their academic and epistemological development. Our analysis to date suggests that students need more comprehensive training and practice to be prepared in facing problems that reflect the work in engineering practice. We are currently examining the data further to identify patterns in their response to ambiguity, which may help in developing pedagogical strategies and tools to support students' ability to successfully solve engineering problems.
Wilms' tumor after treatment.

Sixty-one Wilms' tumors (WTs) from 59 patients who received preoperative therapy were studied. Twenty-seven WTs from 26 patients who did not receive preoperative treatment were also reviewed as controls. Marked and diffuse morphological changes occurred in treated cases. Necrosis affected mostly undifferentiated and replicating elements and was extensive, up to 90% of tumor mass. Minimal residual tumor, permitting recognition as Wilms', was always spared. Epithelial and rhabdomyoblastic components were more resistant to treatment: moreover, they appeared to be susceptible to differentiation and maturation. Necrosis and muscle cell differentiation seemed to have prognostic implications. Cases with extensive necrosis (>90%) had a better outcome, although the difference was not statistically significant. The rhabdomyoblast/tumor mass ratio, after treatment, appears to carry prognostic meaning. Chemotherapy had no apparent effect on anaplasia.
Towards methods for systematic research on big data

Big Data is characterized by the five V's — of Volume, Velocity, Variety, Veracity and Value. Research on Big Data, that is, the practice of gaining insights from it, challenges the intellectual, process, and computational limits of an enterprise. Leveraging the correct and appropriate toolset requires careful consideration of a large software ecosystem. Powerful algorithms exist, but the exploratory and often ad-hoc nature of analytic demands and a distinct lack of established processes and methodologies make it difficult for Big Data teams to set expectations or even create valid project plans. The exponential growth of data generated exceeds the capacity of humans to process it, and compels us to develop automated computing methods that require significant and expensive computing power in order to scale effectively. In this paper, we characterize data-driven practice and research and explore how we might design effective methods for systematizing such practice and research [19, 22]. Brief case studies are presented in order to ground our conclusions and insights.
Hydrodynamic theory of quantum fluctuating superconductivity

A hydrodynamic theory of transport in quantum mechanically phase-disordered superconductors is possible when supercurrent relaxation can be treated as a slow process. We obtain general results for the frequency-dependent conductivity of such a regime. With time-reversal invariance, the conductivity is characterized by a Drude-like peak, with width given by the supercurrent relaxation rate. Using the memory matrix formalism, we obtain a formula for this width (and hence also the dc resistivity) when the supercurrent is relaxed by short range Coulomb interactions. This leads to a new -- effective field theoretic and fully quantum -- derivation of a classic result on flux flow resistance. With strong breaking of time-reversal invariance, the optical conductivity exhibits what we call a `hydrodynamic supercyclotron' resonance. We obtain the frequency and decay rate of this resonance for the case of supercurrent relaxation due to an emergent Chern-Simons gauge field. The supercurrent decay rate in this `topologically ordered superfluid vortex liquid' is determined by the conductivities of the normal component of the liquid. Our work gives a controlled framework for low temperature metallic phases arising from phase-disordered superconductivity.
THE TREATMENT OF DUPUYTREN'S CONTRACTURE BY PARTIAL FASCIECTOMY.

A conservative method of partial palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture through multiple, short, longitudinal, palmar skin incisions and conventional finger incisions has been presented. Thirty-seven patients with fifty-one hands treated by this method during the past nine years have been under observation. Forty-one hands were classified excellent; five, good; three, fair; and two, poor-one seven years after operation. All hands except two have been markedly improved and no serious complications have occurred. One of the patients with poor results had had an excellent result until a brachial plexus injury was sustained in the involved extremity. The present series is small and a longer observation is necessary, but the described surgical procedure has been followed by rapid wound healing, low morbidity, early return to work, no significant complications, and satisfactory results.
Alterations in the immunogenicity and antigenicity of mammalian erythrocytes following treatment with neuraminidase.

SummaryThe immunogenicity and anti-genicity of sheep, horse, goat and chicken erythrocytes (RBC) were studied following their exposure to Vibrio cholera neuraminidase. BALB/c mice immunized with neura-minidase treated sheep or horse RBC had approximately a 15-20-fold decrease in the number of splenic plaque forming cells and corresponding reductions in serum hemagglutinin and hemolysin titers. When neuraminidase treated sheep erythrocytes were used as target cells in the hemolytic plaque assay a fourfold reduction in PFC was noted. These data suggest that sialic acid is an important constituent of glycoprotein antigens of sheep and horse erythrocyte membranes. In contrast to these findings, there was no alteration in either immunogenicity or antigenicity of chicken erythrocytes following their treatment with neuraminidase.
Protocols for the Evaluating the Effects of Land-Use Patterns and Runoff Management on Urban Streams

The design of urban runoff management facilities generally includes peak shaving for flood control, and best management practices (BMPs) for removing pollutants from the runoff. A number of scientists have concluded that the combination of these two control practices, which were developed independently of one another, is not sufficient to protect aquatic ecosystems. But these conclusions have focused solely on the bioassessment of urban streams without taking into account the design criteria used for peak flow reduction facilities and for BMPs. Previous studies at the Colorado State University Urban Water Center (CSU), have demonstrated that if the design storms for peak flow control are properly chosen and used in conjunction with the properly sized volumetric BMPs, it is possible to preserve the predevelopment peak-flow frequency curve and to minimize geomorphic instability in an urbanizing watershed. Current research at CSU is now focusing on the development of a protocol for data collection along urban gradients combined with mathematical modeling to determine the ecologic impacts of urban runoff resulting from different land use patterns and/or implementation of alternative runoff management technologies. A protocol is being developed that includes a procedure for data collection and analysis to determine how statistical characteristics of stream-flow, i.e. “stream metrics,” change with urbanization and runoff management practices, and how these stream metrics can be used to estimate geomorphic stability and health of a stream ecologic system under alternative development and/or runoff control scenarios. This paper describes the protocol that has been developed and how it is being applied to test areas in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, using data gathered by the USGS in their Urban Gradient Studies under the NAWQA program. 1 Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1372, Fort Collins, CO 805231372; PH (970) 491-7430; e-mail: larry.roesner@colostate.edu 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1372, Fort Collins, CO 805231372; PH (970) 491-7430; e-mail: rohrerca@engr.colostate.edu
Basic results on theta functions in several variables

We seek a generalization of the function ϑ (z, τ) of Chapter I where z є ℂ is replaced by a g-tuple \(\vec z = \left( {{z_1}, \cdots ,{z_g}} \right) \in {\mathbb{C}^g}\), and which, like the old ϑ, is quasi-periodic with respect to a lattice L but where L⊂ℂg. The higher-dimensional analog of τ is not so obvious. It consists in a symmetric g×g complex matrix Ω whose imaginary part is positive definite: why this is the correct generalization will appear later. Let logg be the set of such Ω. Thus logg is an open subset in ℂg(g+l)/2 It is called the Siegel upper-half-space. The fundamental definition is: $$\vartheta \left( {\vec z,\Omega } \right) = \sum\limits_{\vec n \in {\mathbb{Z}^g}} {\exp \left( {\pi {\kern 1pt} {i^t}\vec n\Omega \vec n + 2\pi {i^t}\vec n \cdot \vec z} \right)} .$$ (Here \(\vec n,\vec z\) are thought of as column vectors, so \(\mathop n\limits^{t \to } \) is a row vector, \(\mathop n\limits^{t \to } \cdot \vec z\) is the dot product, etc.; we shall drop the arrow where there is no reason for confusion between a scalar and a vector.)
Extended durability of external metal mirror reflector of side-firing Nd:YAG laser fiber used for prostatic ablation.

ABSTRACT A new side-firing neodymium:YAG laser fiber has been developed, incorporating a solid gold external parabolic mirror reflector. Clinical trial of this fiber during actual laser prostatecto...
Obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome in Singapore children.

Introduction: Obesity affects about 10% to 15% of our school-going population in Singapore and is a risk factor for development of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS). This article reviews the prevalence, aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, complications and treatment of obese children with OSAHS with particular reference to children in Singapore. Methods: Review of articles or conference papers reporting data with regards to OSAHS in Singapore children. Results: Prevalence of OSAHS was high in obese children in Singapore and was more common in males with no racial predisposition. Hypersomnolence as a presenting symptom was uncommon. Cognitive function, behaviour, attention and processing speed was affected and improved after intervention. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism were also found with the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) as an independent predictor of insulin resistance. Tonsillectomy and or adenoidectomy was efficacious as treatment and risk of complications was low. No significant increase in weight occurred post intervention in those enrolled in concurrent weight management programmes. Conclusions: Prevalence of OSAHS is high in obese Singapore children and many are 'asymptomatic'. A low threshold for evaluation is necessary for early diagnosis and intervention for prevention of morbidity. Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy is safe and efficacious and remains the first-line treatment in most obese patients.
Use and fabrication of temporary orthotics.

Abstract Orthotics are effective for altering compensatory motions which result from abnormalities in the foot and lower extremity. In specific cases, temporary use of an orthosis is beneficial for reducing abnormal stresses while allowing involved structures to heal. Additionally, a temporary orthotic may provide a trial period to determine if the athlete would benefit from a permanent orthosis. A step-by-step procedure is presented for the fabrication of a temporary semirigid orthotic. Used as an adjunct to the treatment and rehabilitation program, temporary orthotics are effective in encouraging early weight-bearing tolerance, while placing the foot near the subtalar joint neutral position.
The Influence of the High School Classroom Environment on Learning as Mediated by Student Engagement.

Classroom learning environments are frequently assumed to exert their influence on learning indirectly, via student engagement. The present study examined the influence of environmental challenge and support on learning in high school classrooms, and the potential for student engagement to act as a mediator in this relationship. Data were collected in seven classrooms in six different subjects in several US high schools. The 104 students in these classes participated in the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) and reported records (N = 254) of engagement, learning, and related experiential variables. Measures of the learning environment were also rated from video footage. Variations in the learning environment observed and rated from video were linked to students’ real-time reactions to instruction synchronously. Results indicated that environmental support, but not environmental challenge, was significantly related with perceived learning. Multi-level path analyses revealed that the association between envir...
Superconductivity in the two-dimensional t-J model.

We study the t-J model in one and two dimensions. It is shown that superconducting correlations at large distances are enhanced at doping 〈n〉=1/2, and near the region of phase separation. Including a nearest-neighbor density-density repulsion term of strength V, and working at large V/t and J/t, our results can be explained using a previously discussed variational state where electrons are paired in singlets without cluster formation, in analogy to the attractive Hubbard model. We argue that the physics of the t-J-V model is basically independent of the dimension and that a smooth connection exists between small and large V/t. Then, we conjecture that the two-dimensional t-J model should also present strong superconducting correlations near the region of phase separation, at 〈n〉\ensuremath{\sim}1/2. Numerical results both in one and two dimensions support our claims.
Forensic Accounting, Fraud Theory, and the End of the Fraud Triangle

Defenders of the fraud triangle have risen to the challenges of the many criticisms of the fraud triangle, mostly be ignoring them. Criticisms notwithstanding, the fraud triangle has endured and has formed the basis of fraud theory since its origination to this day. Yet, the elements of the fraud triangle (or any geometric shape of choice) as originally developed and modified, have been misused, abused, contorted, stretched out of shape, and pressed into uses for which it was never intended and cannot possibly accommodate. This paper analyzes the geometry of fraud theory and argues that forensic accounting researchers and practitioners must recognize it cannot explain fraud and must consider that there are n-dimensions of financial crime that must be accounted for in any model that attempts to explain, predict, prevent, detect, and prosecute financial crimes, of which fraud is merely a subset.
Fighting against evolution of antibiotic resistance by utilizing evolvable antimicrobial drugs

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide public health problem (Bush et al. in Nat Rev Microbiol 9:894-896, 2011). The lack of effective therapies against resistant bacteria globally leads to prolonged treatments, increased mortality, and inflating health care costs (Oz et al. in Mol Biol Evol 31:2387-2401, 2014; Martinez in Science 321:365-367, 2008; Lipsitch et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:1938-1943, 2000; Taubes in Science 321:356-361, 2008; Laxminarayan et al. in Lancet, 2016; Laxminarayan et al. in Lancet Infect Dis 13:1057-1098, 2013). Current efforts towards a solution of this problem can be boiled down to two main strategies: (1) developing of new antimicrobial agents and (2) searching for smart strategies that can restore or preserve the efficacy of existing antimicrobial agents. In this short review article, we discuss the need for evolvable antimicrobial agents, focusing on a new antimicrobial technology that utilizes peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria by targeting bacterial genes.
Clinical presentation of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: Pitfalls in diagnosis

A patient presented with a rapidly growing mass in the cervicothoracic paraspinous region. Associated clinical and radiographic skeletal abnormalities and histopathologic findings showing mild to moderate proliferation of spindle cells in a myxoid stroma led to the diagnosis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Recognizing the clinical features of this disease is important and should avoid the need for obtaining tissue to make the diagnosis, because performing a biopsy may be particularly morbid in these patients.
Faces of the Civil War Navies: An Album of Union and Confederate Sailors: Coddington, Ronald S. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press 401 pp., $32.95, ISBN 978-1-4214-2136-0 Publication Date: October 2016

Increasing attention to the significance of the navies during the American Civil War has been a boon to the historiography of the conflict, but focus on individual sailors has been somewhat limited...
Synchronized UML diagrams for object-oriented program comprehension

We propose a novel approach for visualizing reverse-engineered Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams (class, object, and sequence) to improve Object-Oriented Program (OOP) comprehension on a web-based programming environment, JaguarCode. It aims to help students better understand static structure and dynamic behavior of Java programs and object-oriented programming concepts. This paper presents an evaluation of JaguarCode, supporting those UML diagrams to investigate its effectiveness and user satisfaction. The results of the experimental study revealed having synchronized UML diagrams positively impacted students' understanding of program execution. It was also observed that students were satisfied with the aspects of the synchronized visualizations of UML diagrams with source code.
Spatial dynamics of the logistics industry: Evidence from California

Abstract Is logistics decentralization a consistent trend across metropolitan areas? If so, is the trend more pronounced than population or employment decentralization? This paper examines logistics industry location trends from 2003 to 2013 in the four largest California metropolitan areas: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento. We define measures of both decentralization and de-concentration and compare logistics location trends with those of population and employment. Decentralization with respect to logistics establishments and employment is confirmed for Los Angeles; the other metro areas show mixed results. Possible explanatory factors include metropolitan size, economic development policies, share of non-local trade, and local geography.
Huggable: The Impact of Embodiment on Promoting Socio-emotional Interactions for Young Pediatric Inpatients

Most hospitals make efforts to provide socio-emotional support for patients and their families during care. In order to expand the service provided by certified child life specialists, we created a social robot and a virtual avatar that augment part of the care CCLS offers to patients by engaging pediatric patients in playful interactions and promoting their socio-emotional wellbeing. We ran a randomized controlled trial in a form of a Wizard-of-Oz study at a local pediatric hospital to study how three different interactive media (a plush teddy bear, a virtual agent on a screen, and a social robot) influence the pediatric patient's affect, joyful play, and social interactions with others. Behavioral analyses of verbal utterance transcriptions and children's physical behavior revealed that the social robot is most effective in producing socially energetic conversations as well as increasing positivity and promoting multi-party interactions. The virtual avatar was socially engaging but children tended to attend more exclusively to a virtual avatar and were less responsive to others. The plush toy was least engaging of the three interventions, but children touched it the most. Based on these findings, we recommend use cases for each agent appropriate for individual pediatric patients' health conditions and needs. These analyses of behavioral data suggest the benefit of deploying a physically embodied social robot in pediatric inpatient-care contexts on young patients'; social and emotional wellbeing.
Technoeconomic analysis of biorefinery based on multistep kinetics and integration of geothermal energy

In this work, a technoeconomic study is conducted to assess the feasibility of integrating geothermal energy into a biorefinery for biofuel production. The biorefinery is based on a thermochemical conversion platform that converts 2,000 metric tons of corn stover per day into biofuels via gasification. Geothermal heat is utilized in the biorefinery to generate process steam for gasification and steam-methane reforming. A process simulation model is developed to simulate the operation of the proposed biorefinery, and corresponding economic analysis tools are utilized to predict the product value. Process steam at 150 oC with a flow rate of approximately 16 kg/s is assumed to be generated by utilizing the heat from geothermal resources producing a geothermal liquid at 180 °C and a total flowrate of 105 kg/s. In addition to the use for gasification and steam-methane reforming, additional geothermal capacity at 100 kg/sec from multiple wells is used for electricity production via Organic Rankine Cycle to add to the profitability of the biorefinery. The total capital investment, operating costs, and total product values are calculated considering an operating duration of 20 years for the plant and the data are reported based on the 2012 cost year. Simulation results show that the price of the fuel obtained from the present biorefinery utilizing geothermal energy ranges from $5.18 to $5.50 per gallon gasoline equivalent, which is comparable to $5.14 using the purchased steam. One important incentive for using geothermal energy in the present scenario is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels used to generate the purchased steam. Geothermal energy is an important renewable energy resource, and this study provides a unique way of integrating geothermal energy into a biorefinery to produce biofuels in an environmentally friendly manner.
The role of tear proteins in tear film stability in the dry eye patient and in the rabbit.

Sigma receptors have been identified in the lacrimal glands of rabbits; stimulation of these receptors results in the modulation of protein secretion from acinar cells. 1–4 When acinar cells were incubated with various sigma ligands, it was established that increases and decreases in protein release could be used to identify agonists and antagonists.4 Following the application of a newly designed agonist, N,N-dimethyl-2-phenylethylamine HC1 (AF2975), to the rabbit eye, a statistically significant increase in total protein was observed, when compared to either baseline values or the fellow eye.3 Tears were collected, and protein fractions were separated into various fractions with the use of size-exclusion high-pressure liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC).4 In particular, a 23 min protein fraction (about 16–18 kDa) was found to increase by 150% and 90% at 10 and 60 min, respectively following the topical application of AF2975 (50 μl of 0.15%) to the rabbit eye. Other protein peaks also showed an increase, but much less than the 23 min peak. Following desalting and concentrating, it was possible to separate the 23 min protein peak from rabbit tears into five isoforms using isoelectric chromatofocusing and a protein standard with a pI of 4.6. The isoforms were acidic with pIs higher than 4.6; however, the 23 min protein peak has not been specifically identified, which would require determination of its amino acid sequence. The function of the small-molecular-weight 23 min protein fraction is not known, but has been contrasted to the human tear fraction commonly referred to as tear-specific prealbumin (TSP) or as proteins migrating faster than albumin (PMFA).5–7
Virtual Culture: Identity and Communication in Cybersociety

From the Publisher: Virtual Culture marks a significant intervention in the current debate about access and control in cybersociety by exposing the ways in which the Internet and other computer-mediated communication technologies are being used by disadvantaged and marginal groups such as gay men, women, fan communities, and the homeless, for social and political change.
Advanced driver assistance systems for teen drivers: A national survey of teen and parent perceptions.

OBJECTIVE Recently developed advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have the potential to compensate for teen driving errors and reduce overall crash risk. To date, very limited research has been conducted on the suitability of ADAS for teen drivers-the population most likely to benefit from such systems. The opportunity for ADAS to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes involving teen drivers is hindered when there is a lack of trust, acceptance, and use of those technologies. Therefore, there is a need to study teen and parent perceptions of ADAS to help identify and overcome any potential barriers to ADAS use. METHODS A U.S. national survey was developed based on themes from previously conducted teen and parent ADAS focus groups. Survey topics included trust in ADAS, effect of ADAS on teen driver safety and driving behavior, effect of ADAS on skill development, data privacy, and cybersecurity. Responses included 5-point Likert scales and open-ended questions. The survey was managed through an online respondent panel by ResearchNow. Eligibility criteria included licensed teens (16-19 years) and parents of licensed teens. Teen and parent responses were compared using chi-square statistics in SAS 9.4. RESULTS Two thousand and three (teens = 1,000; parents = 1,003) respondents qualified for and completed the survey between September 1 and September 20, 2017. Overall, teens (72%) and parents (61%) felt that ADAS would have a positive impact on transportation. However, teens were more likely to exhibit a positive outlook on ADAS, whereas parents were more likely to have a negative outlook (P < .01). Teens felt that ADAS would be useful during bad weather or drowsy driving but were less concerned than parents about ADAS intervention during their own risky driving (P < .01). The majority of teens (65%) and parents (71%) agreed that teens should learn to drive on vehicles without ADAS, with parents being more likely to agree than teens (P < .01). Parents (55%) were more likely than teens (47%) to be concerned about insurance companies keeping track of teen driving data (P < .01). Most respondents exhibited some concern of ADAS being susceptible to hacking (57%). CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first effort to quantify ADAS perceptions among teen drivers and their parents at the U.S. national level. These data highlight potential barriers to ADAS use among teen drivers, including a relative disinterest among teens for ADAS intervention during risky driving as well as concerns among both teens and parents that ADAS will inhibit skill development. These survey findings will help inform educational programs to accelerate fleet turnover and provide the foundation for ADAS optimization and evaluation studies among sociodemographic groups.
The de-Alzheimerization of age-related dementias: implications for drug targets and approaches to effective therapeutics.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was differentiated from senile dementia (SD) in 1910 due to its early onset and pathological severity. In 1976, this distinction was upended when SD was redesignated as AD to focus efforts and funding in dementia-related research. AD then became conflated with amyloid plaques and, to a lesser degree, neurofibrillary tangles complicating efforts in understanding dementia causality and its treatment. The resultant four-decade search for therapies-based almost exclusively on amyloid was an exercise in futility. While dementia is a complex, multifactorial syndrome, AD is viewed as a homogeneous, linear disease. An amyloid-agnostic approach is necessary to discover therapeutics for age-related dementias.
Doctors Without Burdens: The Neocolonial Ambivalence of White Masculinity in International Medical Aid

Drawing from rhetorical field research at a nongovernmental aid organization in rural Tanzania, this essay investigates the relationship between U.S. hegemonic masculinity and neocolonialism in int...
Cell stress management by the mitochondrial LonP1 protease - Insights into mitigating developmental, oncogenic and cardiac stress.

Abstract Mitochondrial LonP1 is an essential stress response protease that mediates mitochondrial proteostasis, metabolism and bioenergetics. Homozygous and compound heterozygous variants in the LONP1 gene encoding the LonP1 protease have recently been shown to cause a diverse spectrum of human pathologies, ranging from classical mitochondrial disease phenotypes, profound neurologic impairment and multi-organ dysfunctions, some of which are uncommon to mitochondrial disorders. In this review, we focus primarily on human LonP1 and discuss findings, which demonstrate its multidimensional roles in maintaining mitochondrial proteostasis and adapting cells to metabolic flux and stress during normal physiology and disease processes. We also discuss emerging roles of LonP1 in responding to developmental, oncogenic and cardiac stress.
Permeable carbon nanotube-reinforced silicon oxycarbide via freeze casting with enhanced mechanical stability

Abstract Reinforcement strategies were applied to solution-based freeze-casting systems to form porous ceramic composites. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were used as the reinforcing fillers in a polysiloxane preceramic polymer freeze cast with dimethyl carbonate to produce silicon oxycarbide-based lamellar pore structures. Using a carefully designed dispersion procedure, CNT agglomerates were reduced both in suspension and in pore walls. Electrical conductivity increased by ten orders of magnitude over pure silicon oxycarbide, indicating the preservation of CNTs after pyrolysis. Permeability, compression, and diametral compression (Brazilian disk) tests were performed to demonstrate the reinforcing effect of CNTs without sacrificing the permeability of the final porous structures.
Water Resources and Hydraulics

This exciting new textbook introduces the concepts and tools essential for upper-level undergraduate study in water resources and hydraulics. Tailored specifically to fit the length of a typical one-semester course, it will prove a valuable resource to students in civil engineering, water resources engineering, and environmental engineering. It will also serve as a reference textbook for researchers, practicing water engineers, consultants, and managers. The book facilitates students' understanding of both hydrologic analysis and hydraulic design. Example problems are carefully selected and solved clearly in a step-by-step manner, allowing students to follow along and gain mastery of relevant principles and concepts. These examples are comparable in terms of difficulty level and content with the end-of-chapter student exercises, so students will become well equipped to handle relevant problems on their own. Physical phenomena are visualized in engaging photos, annotated equations, graphical illustrations, flowcharts, videos, and tables.
Emergency department visits resulting from electric scooter use in a major southeast metropolitan area

To determine the frequency, characteristics, and resource use related to the emergency department (ED) encounters resulting from electric scooter use in a major metropolitan area. This Institutional Review Board-approved study was conducted at a four-hospital healthcare system. Our clinical data warehouse was retrospectively searched from 5/3/2018 (the date electric scooters were introduced) through 8/15/2019 for various forms of the word “scooter” in triage notes. Demographic variables, arrival mode, length of stay, disposition, and resource utilization, including diagnostic radiology, were extracted. Over the 471-day study window, 293 unique patients presented with e-scooter injuries (0.62 mean ED visits/day). When broken down into 8-h periods, there was a significant increase (p = 0.048) from Friday after 5 PM through Sunday night. Thirty-two percent of patients arrived at the ED during (newly enacted at the time of study) nighttime e-scooter ban hours (9 PM–4 AM). There was a range of one to nine diagnostic radiology examinations per patient, with 100% (293) of patients receiving at least one diagnostic radiology examination. A total of 710 diagnostic radiology examinations were performed on the entire cohort (mean 2.4 per patient): 77.2% (548) were radiographs and 22.1% (157) were computed tomography (CT). ED visits resulting from electric scooter injuries are common and increasing. E-scooter injury patients disproportionately present on evenings and weekends, possibly exacerbating already busy periods in the ED. Healthcare resource needs and availability should be considered when developing policy about electric scooter use and distribution, particularly involving emergency care providers in close proximity to e-scooter distribution centers.
Bilateral adhesive capsulitis following influenza vaccination: A case report

Bilateral shoulder adhesive capsulitis may develop in association with the administration of an influenza vaccine. Vaccine administration should utilize proper technique to avoid injection into the shoulder capsule.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract mesenchymal tumors: Impact of rapid onsite evaluation and correlation with histopathologic follow-up.

BACKGROUND Mesenchymal tumors (MTs) of upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) can show morphologic overlap thus posing a diagnostic challenge. This study evaluated the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) cytology in the diagnosis of UGIT-MTs and impact of rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE). METHODS We retrospectively search our electronic database between January 2001 and August 2019 for cases that underwent EUS-FNA for a submucosal/or intramural upper GI tract mass forming lesions. Data pertinent to immunostain expression in UGIT-MTs was also collected. RESULTS We identified 139 cases, of which 72 cases had subsequent surgical resection. The cytologic diagnoses included nondiagnostic, negative, atypical, suspicious for neoplasm and positive for neoplasm (PFN) in 11, 7, 11, 10, and 100 cases, respectively. Diagnosis of PFN was rendered in 51 of 69 cases with ROSE (74%) and in 49 of 70 cases without ROSE (70%). However, the cases with ROSE had a higher percentage of cases being precisely classified than without ROSE (86% vs 61%, P < .05). On comparison of cytologic cases with cell block (CB) (n = 118) and without CB (n = 21), ROSE was performed in 67 (57%) and 2 (10%) cases, respectively (P < .01). All the cases with diagnosis of PFN were confirmed on subsequent surgical resection. CONCLUSION EUS-FNA has a diagnostic yield of 72% for UGIT-MTs. ROSE could improve diagnostic performance by further classifying MTs, probably via securing adequate lesional material for cell block for additional ancillary testing and precise diagnosis.
Improving cybersecurity hygiene through JIT patching

Vulnerability patch management remains one of the most complex issues facing modern enterprises; companies struggle to test and deploy new patches across their networks, often leaving myriad attack vectors vulnerable to exploits. This problem is exacerbated by enterprise server applications, which expose tremendous amounts of information about their security postures, greatly expediting attackers' reconnaissance incursions (e.g., knowledge gathering attacks). Unfortunately, current patching processes offer no insights into attacker activities, and prompt attack remediation is hindered by patch compatibility considerations and deployment cycles. To reverse this asymmetry, a patch management model is proposed to facilitate the rapid injection of software patches into live, commodity applications without disruption of production workflows, and the transparent sandboxing of suspicious processes for counterreconnaissance and threat information gathering. Our techniques improve workload visibility and vulnerability management, and overcome perennial shortcomings of traditional patching methodologies, such as proneness to attacker fingerprinting, and the high cost of deployment. The approach enables a large variety of novel defense scenarios, including rapid security patch testing with prompt recovery from defective patches and the placement of exploit sensors inlined into production workloads. An implementation for six enterprise-grade server programs demonstrates that our approach is practical and incurs minimal runtime overheads. Moreover, four use cases are discussed, including a practical deployment on two public cloud environments.