cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outbreaks of zygomycosis in hospitals

Zygomycosis refers to a group of uncommon and frequently fatal mycoses caused by fungi of the class Zygomycetes, the organisms of which are usually found in decaying organic matter. Disease can be transmitted by the inhalation of spores or by direct inoculation on disrupted skin or mucosa. For rare diseases such as zygomycosis, two or more cases occurring in a short time should be investigated as a probable epidemic. Twelve hospital outbreaks and two pseudoepidemics caused by Zygomycetes have been cited in the English literature. The first epidemic was recorded in 1977 and the last in 2008. Outbreaks have been reported in the USA, the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Cases have included cutaneous, disseminated, pulmonary and rhinocerebral disease. Species identified have included Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus rhizopodiformis, Rhizopus microsporus, Rhizopus spp., Absidia corymbifera and Rhizomucor pusillius. Sources of infection have included Elastoplast adhesive bandage rolls, ventilation systems, wooden tongue depressors, karaya (plant-derived adhesive) ostomy bags, and water damage to a linen store and patient shower room. Patients have included cardiosurgery patients, renal transplant recipients, orthopaedic patients, adult leukaemia patients, intensive care unit neonates, immunocompromised haematology patients, and burn unit patients. Although zygomycosis outbreaks in the hospital environment are infrequent, a high index of suspicion should exist if necrotic lesions appear in proximity to a postoperative wound. Direct tissue examination and tissue culture and histopathology must be routinely performed.
The Southern Political Science Association: An Inventory

The occasion of this meeting in Lexington and the fact that the Southern Political Science Association is approaching the age at which a youth is traditionally believed to be converted into manhood led me in preparing this paper to seek to enter into the spirit of celebration and bring before our membership some of the significant events of the twenty years of our organization. Particularly did I feel this might be of interest to the members of the Association who have joined our ranks in recent years and have had no opportunity to learn much of our infancy and adolescence. My enthusiasm for this subject received a setback when, after a trip to Chapel Hill to look into the records of our annual meetings, I found them so filled with gaps that it had taken our secretary many weeks to prepare a list of past presidents or even to determine who are now members of the Executive Committee. This very fact, however, persuaded me to carry out my original plans, even though my total accomplishment should be to call attention to our paucity of early records, in the hope that original and older members might be able to fill some of the gaps in our archives. This Association was organized in Atlanta early in 1929. At the organization meeting only a few institutions were represented; in reality, departments of political science in southern universities were then as scarce as Republicans in a south Georgia rural county, though the first separate Department of Government in the South had been established at Louisiana State University in 1908. Political science, where offered at all, was often taught as history with a low numerical designation or was hidden away in the social science survey courses which were then coming into vogue. I am not an original member of this Association so I feel free to praise
A Method of Characterizing Radio Signal Space for Wireless Device Localization

In this work we present a novel approach for describing radio signal spaces for localization algorithms. We first introduce a new metric, the Discretely Distributed Log-H ¨ older Metric (DDLHM). The DDLHM is designed to characterize the type and degree of signal distortion relative to lognormal signal-to-distance path models. We first show how the DDLHM can describe and discriminate distortions in an exhaustive set of synthetic signal spaces. We then determine a reduced set of maximally diagnostic distortion parameters. Using only 4% of the maximal set of DDLHMs, we found the reduced set matches with an acceptable degree of error 95% of the time. Using the synthetic reduced set, we characterized a variety of wireless localization algorithms' behaviors to attenuation, bias, and multipath. We found algorithms made much different tradeoffs between best case and average case error. We then use the DDLHM to identify distortion types in three different physical environments using measured 802.11 signal strengths, and predict the positioning performance of several localization algorithms. Our approach predicts average localization error to within 2 meters of the observed average error.
Design of a nested eight‐channel sodium and four‐channel proton coil for 7T knee imaging

The critical design aim for a dual-tuned sodium/proton coil is to maximize sodium sensitivity and transmit field (B1+) homogeneity while simultaneously providing adequate proton sensitivity and homogeneity. While most dual-frequency coils utilize lossy high-impedance trap circuits or PIN diodes to allow dual-resonance, we explored a nested-coil design for sodium/proton knee imaging at 7T. A stand-alone eight-channel sodium receive array was implemented without standard dual-resonance circuitry to provide improved sodium signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over a volume coil. A detunable sodium birdcage was added for homogeneous sodium excitation and a four-channel proton transmit-receive array was added to provide anatomical reference imaging and B0 shimming capability. Both modules were implemented with minimal disturbance to the eight-channel sodium array by managing their respective resonances and geometrical arrangement. In vivo sodium SNR was 1.2 to 1.7 times greater in the developed eight-channel array than in a mono-nuclear sodium birdcage coil, while the developed four-channel proton array provided SNR similar to that of a commercial mono-nuclear proton birdcage coil.
A formal protocol conversion method

The need for the protocol conversion has been recognized with the proliferation of heterogeneous networks. From a formal viewpoint, we regard that problem as generating a protocol which satisfies the properties of the conversion. In this paper, we prove that, one can determine whether a converter exists, for some protocol classes, given protocols in the form of communicating finite automata, Moreover, we give a construction method for such a converter for those classes, and derive an upper bound of the computational complexity of the construction algorithm.
General analysis of noise in recorded transitions in thin film recording media

General noise voltage relations based on magnetization correlations in thin film recording media have been developed. Transition position jitter or amplitude fluctuations are a consequence rather than an input to the model. The effect of nonstationarity due to recorded data patterns is included by a simplified first-order model of the down track variation of the correlation function. Estimates of position jitter and amplitude fluctuations are given. An example of peak detection is used to illustrate the determination of error rates. >
Basis functions for the buckling of plates

We form basis functions on an angular region for the buckling of plates. Convergence of these functions is established under mild hypotheses. The basis functions are useful in the study of buckling of any polygonal plate.
Using Alternative Assessments in Business and Foreign Language Classes.

The present study will be divided in three parts: (1) a discussion of authentic alternative assessments vs. traditional assessments in language and business classes; (2) an explanation on how to create authentic alternative assessments using technology-based and non-technology-based materials; and (3) tools to evaluate these authentic assessments. We will discuss alternative assessments which have been used in a number of different business and foreign language classes, student reactions to these assessments, and our observations as to the impact and results these assessments have had on student learning.
Los mundos (teóricos) de Coraline: Psicoanálisis, Postfeminismo y Postmodernismo en el cine de animación

This article contributes to the study of methodologies and theoretical approaches to animation, using as study case the animated film Coraline (Henry Selick, 2009), which incorporates different theories from diverse historical, social and philosophical movements to its complex argument. Besides, this research justifies the need of integrating a strong theoretical inspiration in the current animated movies, besides the digital innovations that may accompany in parallel to the narrative. Through the analysis of this animated production, it is argued that animated figures can and may be protagonists of extremely complex narratives as the one we are discussing here. Animation can potentially dig in depth on questions like identity or the cognitive development of the character throughout the visualization of the protagonist’s experiences, fears and frustrations in her way to maturation.
Placement for clock period minimization with multiple wave propagation

A linear program is used to direct the placement of Standard Cells such that the clock period is minimized. Constraints upon the logic path delays and the clock signal arrival times at the flipflops allow multiple signals, corresponding to several clock cycles, to exist simultaneously on the logic signal paths during operation. The linear program constraints relate the clock period to the maximum and minimum logic path delays. Delays are achieved in the clock and logic paths by the use of delay elements and resistive polysilicon wires in the interconnection network.
A Constitutional Cause of Action and the Internal Revenue Code: Can You Shoot (Sue) the Messenger?

In 1971, the Supreme Court in Bivens created a constitutional cause of action allowing a plaintiff to obtain money damages against federal officers in their individual capacities. In the years following Bivens, a suit against Revenue Agents or Revenue Officers in their individual capacities for improper tax assessment or tax collection was infrequent and pursued primarily by the tax protester movement. Beginning in 1997, Congress conducted sensational hearings concerning the perceived abuses by the Internal Revenue Service and its employees and levels of enforcement dropped significantly as taxpayers began using a Bivens action as a tactic to influence the manner in which Revenue Agents conduct audits or the aggressiveness in which Revenue Officers attempt to collect delinquent taxes. Under current law, an aggrieved taxpayer may recover damages against the United States, subject to a monetary limitation, for unlawful conduct by employees of the Internal Revenue Service. Based on the same conduct, a taxpayer may institute a Bivens action against an individual federal official with no corresponding monetary limitation. Based in part on economic status, however, I conclude that recovery against the United States, subject to the monetary cap, is likely to be greater than a recovery against an individual federal official. The result is that the primary purpose of a Bivens action is not to recover money, but to deter the vigor in which tax assessment and collection is pursued and, ultimately, directly impacts the level of tax enforcement.
Using visualization and analysis with efficient dimension Reduction to determine underlying factors in hospital inpatient procedure costs

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made public a data set showing what hospitals charged and what Medicare paid for the one hundred most common inpatient stays. Here we present the application of Reduced Basis Decomposition (RBD), an efficient novel dimension reduction algorithm for data processing, to the CMS data. This was paired with a comparative visual exploration of the results when put into context with characteristics of the hospitals and marketplaces in which they operate. We used Weave Analyst, a new web-based analysis and visualization environment, to visualize the relationship between the hospital groups, their charge levels, and distinguishing indicator variables. Particular insights to the relatively small number of underlying factors that exert greatest influence on hospital pricing surfaced thanks to the combined synergetic integration of the modeling, reduction, and visualization techniques.
Poetry on the edge: modern medievalism’s marginal verses

This essay is a preliminary examination of the relationship between prose and poetry in the work of modern editors of medieval texts, work that typically separates out the two modes of writing, even where they coexist unitarily in the source materials. The principal vehicle for this examination is a unicum manuscript (Bodl. Mich. MS 50) of a twelfth-century Hebrew ethical will written by Judah ibn Tibbon, a Granada-born translator of Arabic philosophical and religious texts who spent most of his adult life in exile in the Provencal city of Lunel. The will is written in both prose and verse; the late medieval/early modern scribe’s decision to consign the prosodic portions of the text to a margin running down the outer edge of the page is evocative of the unease that subsequent students and editors of this and other texts produced by the Islamicate culture of Spain would confront when editing those texts for modern readers. By responding to this manuscript’s provocation of format, the essay stakes out the ground for future and continuing discussion of the marginal place of poetry with respect to the related prose in modern and contemporary scholarship.
On-Orbit Performance and Calibration of the Soft X-Ray Telescope on Yohkoh

This paper documents details of the on-orbit performance, data problem solving, and calibration of the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) experiment on Yohkoh. This information is important to a full understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the SXT data set. The paper begins with summaries of SXT calibration issues and how they have been addressed, operational anomalies experienced during the mission, and a brief discussion of the SXT optical train. The following section on the accuracy of Yohkoh pointing determination provides information important for alignment of SXT images with each other and with other solar data. The remainder of the paper gives details of work by the experiment team to understand and ameliorate the many instrument anomalies and changes which impacted the scientific data.
Restricting Patent Challenges Will Harm Small Businesses

This essay responds to efforts by the pharmaceutical industry to place limits on the types of entities that can petition the Patent Office to review the validity of issued patents. The piece argues that the basis for this opposition -- a series of challenges to drug patents brought by a hedge fund investor -- isn't really a problem at all, but rather is likely to benefit the public. Pointing to empirical evidence that non-manufacturers and small businesses are underrepresented among parties bringing PTO challenges, it also explains that restricting access to patent challenges will have a disproportionate impact on small business, which are the primary constituency current patent reform efforts are supposed to help.
Effects of Processing on Fiber/Matrix Interfaces in Ni3Al/Sapphire Single Crystal Composites

Composites consisting of Ni3Al modified with Zr, Fe, and B (IC-50) reinforced with continuous sapphire single crystal fibers have been prepared by vacuum hot pressing foil/fiber multilayers. Previous research detected formation of Zr-rich precipitates and sulfur segregation at fiber/matrix interfaces in these materials subsequent to fabrication. In this work, fiber bonding to the Ni3Al matrix has been characterized using fiber push-out tests. Segregation and precipitation at fiber/matrix interfaces has been examined using scanning Auger electron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. For comparison, composites have also been prepared from Ni, Ni-Al, and Ni-Al-Zr solid solution matrices, to evaluate the effects of matrix strength and reactivity on processing and fiber/matrix reactions.
Der TSI-Motor mit 90 kW

Die Basis des 90-kW-TSI-Motors bildet der von Volkswagen eingefuhrte 1,4-l-TSI-Motor mit 125 kW und 103 kW mit Doppelaufladung, der bereits mehrfach ausgezeichnet worden ist — unter anderem mit dem Paul-Pietsch Preis, Best New Engine 2006 in der Klasse 1,0 bis 1,4 l sowie Best of What’s New von Popular Science 2005. So steht der 1,4-l-90-kW-Motor mit Einfachaufladung fur die konsequente Weiterentwicklung von turboaufgeladenen Downsizing-Konzepten.
Making Social Class Work

Occupation data are a workhorse of social history. In a succinct form, an occupation suggests a person's place within the social structure and the life chances that stem from it. Occupations are th...
Challenging Behaviors and Task Transitions in Autism: Translating Clinical Phenomenology and Basic Behavioral Process

In addition to the core symptoms of autism (restricted/repetitive behaviors, language deficits, and social deficits), behavior problems such as tantrums, self-injurious behaviors, and aggression are common and present a great challenge to caregivers, increase social isolation, and lead to placement in restrictive educational and living settings. Transitions between activities seem to present challenges to people with autism-triggering problem behaviors, and methods for managing transitions are widely included in treatment programs. There is little objective research on the causes of transition problems in this population. The primary hypothesis is that for individuals with autism, environmental uncertainty is aversive, and transitions between activities are a common source of uncertainty given the social and communication deficits in autism. This chapter describes the literature on behavior problems related to transitions and presents some areas of basic behavioral research that may direct the understanding and treatment of transition difficulties in autism.
Vitreous opacification after cataract extraction

We performed pars plana vitrectomies on a consecutive series of 24 eyes in which nonhemorrhagic vitreous opacification was responsible for loss of visual acuity after cataract extraction. Twelve eyes were aphakic and the remainder were pseudophakic. Preoperative fluorescein angiograms were performed in 20 cases, and the results of all studies were within normal limits. Postoperatively, a restoration of clear media and an improvement in visual acuity occurred in all cases. Visual acuity was 20/20 or better postoperatively in 15 of 24 cases, and 22 of 24 achieved 20/30 or better. The remaining two cases improved to 20/40 and 20/50 from a preoperative level of 20/200 and 20/400, respectively. In carefully selected cases vitrectomy techniques provide an effective means of managing this syndrome.
Hydrous Mineral Dehydration Around Heat-Generating Nuclear Waste in Bedded Salt Formations

Heat-generating nuclear waste disposal in bedded salt during the first two years after waste emplacement is explored using numerical simulations tied to experiments of hydrous mineral dehydration. Heating impure salt samples to temperatures of 265 °C can release over 20% by mass of hydrous minerals as water. Three steps in a series of dehydration reactions are measured (65, 110, and 265 °C), and water loss associated with each step is averaged from experimental data into a water source model. Simulations using this dehydration model are used to predict temperature, moisture, and porosity after heating by 750-W waste canisters, assuming hydrous mineral mass fractions from 0 to 10%. The formation of a three-phase heat pipe (with counter-circulation of vapor and brine) occurs as water vapor is driven away from the heat source, condenses, and flows back toward the heat source, leading to changes in porosity, permeability, temperature, saturation, and thermal conductivity of the backfill salt surrounding the w...
Secure system identification

This work is concerned with the identification of linear time-invariant systems in the presence of an adversarial agent that attacks sensor measurements. The attacker is omniscient and we impose no restrictions (statistical or otherwise) on how the adversary alters the sensor measurements. We work in a noisy scenario where, in addition to the attacks, the sensor measurements are also affected by additive noise. Given a bound on the number of attacked sensors, and under a certain observability condition, we show that we can still construct a model that is useful for stabilization. Furthermore, we show that this model is closely related to the original system.
NMR Structural Studies of Flexible Molecules

In recent years, NMR has been applied with great success to determine precise three- dimensional solution structures of compact globular proteins and small, inflexible cyclic peptides. NMR also holds promise for providing structural information on flexible biomolecules, although a quantitative description of structure is complicated by the inevitable population-weighted averaging of the key NMR parameters. Here we describe simple procedures for calculation of the dominant structure in the conformational ensemble of a linear peptide and for characterizing the domain motions and overall structural preferences of multidomain proteins.
Nitroxyl Surprise: A Simple Amine Additive Revealed as Copper’s Co-Catalyst in the Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

Even the best mechanistic hypotheses can be refined. Unexpected details discovered by careful analysis can promote useful reactions.
Examining Daily Electronic Cigarette Puff Topography Among Established and Nonestablished Cigarette Smokers in their Natural Environment.

Introduction Understanding exposures and potential health effects of e-cigarettes is complex. Users' puffing behavior, or topography, affects function of e-cigarette devices (eg, coil temperature) and composition of their emissions. Users with different topographies are likely exposed to different amounts of any harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs). In this study, we compare e-cigarette topographies of established cigarette smokers and nonestablished cigarette smokers. Methods Data measuring e-cigarette topography were collected using a wireless hand-held monitoring device in users' everyday lives over 1 week. Young adult (aged 18-25) participants (N = 20) used disposable e-cigarettes with the monitor as they normally would and responded to online surveys. Topography characteristics of established versus nonestablished cigarette smokers were compared. Results On average, established cigarette smokers in the sample had larger first puff volume (130.9 mL vs. 56.0 mL, p < .05) and larger puff volume per session (1509.3 mL vs. 651.7 mL, p < .05) compared with nonestablished smokers. At marginal significance, they had longer sessions (566.3 s vs. 279.7 s, p = .06) and used e-cigarettes more sessions per day (5.3 s vs. 3.5 s, p = .14). Established cigarette smokers also used e-cigarettes for longer puff durations (3.3 s vs. 1.8 s, p < .01) and had larger puff volume (110.3 mL vs. 54.7 mL, p < .05) compared with nonestablished smokers. At marginal significance, they had longer puff interval (38.1 s vs. 21.7 s, p = .05). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that topography characteristics differ by level of established cigarette smoking. This suggests that exposure to constituents of e-cigarettes depends on user characteristics and that specific topography parameters may be needed for different user populations when assessing e-cigarette health effects. Implications A user's topography affects his or her exposure to HPHCs. As this study demonstrates, user characteristics, such as level of smoking, can influence topography. Thus, it is crucial to understand the topography profiles of different user types to assess the potential for population harm and to identify potentially vulnerable populations. This study only looked at topography of cigarette smokers using disposable e-cigarettes. Further research is needed to better understand potential variation in e-cigarette topography and resulting exposures to HPHCs among users of different e-cigarette devices and liquids.
Microbial and organic matter patterns in a prescribed burned and thinned managed forest ecosystem

Prescribed burning and thinning were implemented in an Alabama forest (Bankhead National Forest) as a management strategy to control pest and disease outbreaks and also to increase forest productivity. However, using fire as a control mechanism in this forest may alter soil nutrient cycling, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil microbial populations. There is the need for continuous research on forest ecosystems to bridge knowledge gaps in our understanding of SOM transformations and microbial processes in a repeatedly burned forest ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to assess and document the impact of prescribed burning and thinning on soil labile organic matter fractions, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), potential carbon mineralized (PCM), enzymatic activity, and energy (ATP) potentials. Labile organic carbon was isolated using the density method, whereas enzyme activities were determined as described in Bottomley et al. (Methods of soil analysis: part 2—Microbiological and biochemical properties, Madison, Wisconsin, USA: Soil Science Society of America, 1994). Microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN) were determined using the fumigation-incubation method. Treatment applications had some effects on MBC and MBN although these effects were not statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Light fraction carbon (LFC) and light fraction nitrogen (LFN) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by treatments. Irrespective of treatment, xylanase activity was the highest (3244 ± 327–5223 ± 567 μmol/g 24 h−1), whereas amylase activity was the lowest (12.57 ± 8.9–116 ± 42.8 μmol/g 24 h−1). Correlation analysis revealed that amylase, β-glucosidase, and NAGase correlated with particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON), and LFC, whereas cellulase, xylanase, and invertase had no correlation with the labile organic matter fractions. Compared to the referenced treatment plot, burned and thinned plots had reduced MBC, MBN, and increased PCM although this was not statistically significant. Although enzyme activities within plots were significant, no significant enzyme activities between plots were observed except with amylase. The lack of statistical significance on microbial activities, MBC, and MBN support our hypothesis that prescribed burning and thinning temporarily affected microbial indices, and these parameters are expected to return to pretreatment levels after a period of time.
Mathematics teachers’ views about the limited utility of real analysis: A transport model hypothesis

Abstract In the United States and elsewhere, prospective teachers of secondary mathematics are usually required to complete numerous advanced mathematics courses before obtaining certification. However, several research studies suggest that teachers’ experiences in these advanced mathematics courses have little influence on their pedagogical practice and efficacy. To understand this phenomenon, we presented 14 secondary mathematics teachers with four statements and proofs in real analysis that related to secondary content and asked the participants to discuss whether these proofs could inform their teaching of secondary mathematics. In analyzing participants’ remarks, we propose that many teachers view the utility of real analysis in secondary school mathematics teaching using a transport model, where the perceived importance of a real analysis explanation is dependent upon the teacher’s ability to transport that explanation directly into their instruction in a secondary mathematics classroom. Consequently, their perceived value of a real analysis course in their teacher preparation is inherently limited. We discuss implications of the transport model on secondary mathematics teacher education.
Success when we deemed it failure? Revisiting sites and services projects in Mumbai and Chennai 20 years later

Abstract Twenty years after the sites and services approach was largely abandoned by the World Bank, new evidence from India demonstrates that the projects were largely successful and achieved many sought after urban planning goals. Drawing on field visits, semi-structured interviews with residents and project officials, archival research and spatial analysis, we found that sites and service projects in Chennai and Mumbai had transformed into bustling and thriving communities over the last two decades. Contrary to past critiques, the incremental housing approach – where small serviced plots are developed and sold to low income households – had worked. This unique land product is not typically available in the formal sector and helped to broaden access to the housing market. However, the bigger success to emerge from these projects, is the creation of well-planned and well-serviced neighborhoods that are both livable and inclusive. This occurred because the incremental development process was coupled with neighborhood planning and the integration of mixed income households. Key design innovations included incorporating a range of plot sizes to reach different income groups, increasing density, developing a hierarchy of road and open space layouts, incorporating mixed use by allocating space for commerce and social services, and strategically selecting sites for connectivity to transport and economic activity. Lessons from these projects offer valuable tools and insights for planners as they guide growth to create more inclusive and livable cities.
Spatial Reading: Digital Literary Maps of the Icelandic Outlaw Sagas

Digital humanities scholarship contributes to current conversations on literature in many forms, especially in its recontextualizing of what it means to read. By integrating visual, spatial, and quantitative forms of knowledge alongside the practice of text-based hermeneutics, digital techniques expand the possibilities of interpreting texts, particularly with the emergence of widely available geospatial and data visualization tools. This article outlines and reflects on a methodology for producing geospatial and data visualizations of place names in the Icelandic outlaw sagas, and discusses how the results corroborate existing research and also facilitate critical methods of ‘reading’ these texts spatially. While articulating the saga-specific findings of the visualizations, this article also contextualizes the conceptual work of digital literary mapping as a method that is particularly insightful as we determine the role and validity of digital techniques, especially for interdisciplinary and historically-situated work.
Host and Viral Genetics and Risk of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the third most common malignant disease in women, with an annual worldwide incidence of 493,243 cases. It is a leading cause of cancer death in developing countries [1]. Even in the United States, cervical cancer is still the number three cause of cancer death in women aged 15–34 and the number five cause in women aged 35–54 [2]. Therefore, the disease ranks fourth for average years of life lost from cancer, and it disproportionately affects minority groups and women of low socioeconomic status [2]Cervical cancer is the third most common malignant disease in women, with an annual worldwide incidence of 493,243 cases. It is a leading cause of cancer death in developing countries [1]. Even in the United States, cervical cancer is still the number three cause of cancer death in women aged 15–34 and the number five cause in women aged 35–54 [2]. Therefore
A New Traversal Method for Virtual Reality

One of the biggest issues facing VR as a platform is the limitation of the user’s physical space. Not everyone has a lab, empty warehouse, or open space in their home or office, and even if they do, the hardware also limits the physical space the user can take advantage of.
Mechanistic Investigation of Enantioconvergent Kumada Reactions of Racemic α-Bromoketones Catalyzed by a Nickel/Bis(oxazoline) Complex

In recent years, a wide array of methods for achieving nickel-catalyzed substitution reactions of alkyl electrophiles by organometallic nucleophiles, including enantioconvergent processes, have been described; however, experiment-focused mechanistic studies of such couplings have been comparatively scarce. The most detailed mechanistic investigations to date have examined catalysts that bear tridentate ligands and, with one exception, processes that are not enantioselective; studies of catalysts based on bidentate ligands could be anticipated to be more challenging, due to difficulty in isolating proposed intermediates as a result of instability arising from coordinative unsaturation. In this investigation, we explore the mechanism of enantioconvergent Kumada reactions of racemic α-bromoketones catalyzed by a nickel complex that bears a bidentate chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand. Utilizing an array of mechanistic tools (including isolation and reactivity studies of three of the four proposed nickel-containing...
LPV models for jet-printed heightmap control

The technological development of microscale additive manufacturing requires automated control of material deposition to build a desired 3D structure. This paper considers 3D structures as heightmaps and presents a novel, linear parameter-varying (LPV) model of heightmap evolution for control. Three model identification methods are proposed, each using numerical simulations of liquid drop wetting on nonflat surfaces to obtain the model's time- and space-varying impulse response. First, a method using online numerical simulations is developed for high accuracy at high computational expense. Second, a method using regression to a precomputed dataset of numerical simulations is developed for computationally constrained applications. Third, a spatially invariant version of the second method is developed for compatibility with methods of fast, frequency domain, control computation. For fast numerical simulations, the solver Surface Evolver is used. In simulation, the LPV models identified by the three proposed methods show improved accuracy and precision over a standard linear model. The fast-to-identify and more accurate LPV heightmap evolution models improve the foundation for automated control of microscale additively manufactured structures.
Cognitive performance in relation to hydration status and water intake among older adults, NHANES 2011-2014

Risks of dehydration and cognitive decline increase with advancing age, yet the relation between dehydration, water intake, and cognitive performance among older adults remains understudied. Using data from the 2011–2014 cycles of the Nutrition and Health Examination Survey (NHANES), we tested if calculated serum osmolarity (Sosm) and adequate intake (AI) of water among women (n = 1271) and men (n = 1235) ≥ 60 years old were associated with scores of immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency, and attention/processing speed. Sosm was categorized as 300 (dehydrated) mmol/L. AI of water was defined as ≥ 2 L/day for women and ≥ 2.5 L/day for men. Women with Sosm between 285 and 289 mmol/L scored 3.2–5.1 points higher on the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST) of attention/processing speed than women in other Sosm categories (P values < 0.05). There was evidence of a curvilinear relationship between DSST scores and Sosm among women and men (P values for quadratic terms < 0.02). Meeting an alternative AI on water intake of ≥ 1 mL/kcal and ≥ 1500 mL, but not the sex-specific AI, was associated with scoring one point higher on a verbal fluency test (P = 0.02) and two points higher on the DSST (P = 0.03) among women. Significant negative associations between dehydration or inadequate water intake and test scores were not observed among men. Hydration status and water intake were moderately associated with attention/processing speed among females. Future work should consider the effects of both dehydration and overhydration on cognitive function and investigate potential sex differences in cognitive responses to hydration status.
Beyond Native and Nonnative: Translingual Dispositions for More Inclusive Teacher Identity in Language and Literacy Education

ABSTRACTThis article proposes translingual dispositions as a way to move beyond the NES/NNES dichotomy in understanding language teacher identity. Recent scholarship in TESOL and Applied Linguistic...
Human Milk Omega-3 Fatty Acid Composition is Associated with Infant Temperament.

There is growing evidence that omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty-acids (PUFAs) are important for the brain development in childhood and are necessary for an optimal health in adults. However, there have been no studies examining how the n-3 PUFA composition of human milk influences infant behavior or temperament. To fill this knowledge gap, 52 breastfeeding mothers provided milk samples at 3 months postpartum and completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ-R), a widely used parent-report measure of infant temperament. Milk was assessed for n-3 PUFAs and omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs using gas-liquid chromatography. The total fat and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids in milk were also examined. Linear regression models revealed that infants whose mothers’ milk was richer in n-3 PUFAs had lower scores on the negative affectivity domain of the IBQ-R, a component of temperament associated with a risk for internalizing disorders later in life. These associations remained statistically significant after considering covariates, including maternal age, marital status, and infant birth weight. The n-6 PUFAs, n-6/n-3 ratio, and total fat of milk were not associated with infant temperament. These results suggest that mothers may have the ability to shape the behavior of their offspring by adjusting the n-3 PUFA composition of their milk.
Perioperative Anesthesia Lean Implementation Is Associated With Increased Operative Efficiency in Posterior Cervical Surgeries at a HighVolume Spine Center.

Objective Lean management strategies aim to increase efficiency by eliminating waste or by improving processes to optimize value. The operating room (OR) is an arena where these strategies can be implemented. We assessed changes in OR efficiency after the application of lean methodology on perioperative anesthesia associated with posterior cervical spine surgeries. Methods We utilized pre- and post-lean study design to identify inefficiencies during the perioperative anesthesia process and implemented strategies to improve the process. Patient characteristics were recorded to assess for differences between the 2 groups (group 1, prelean; group 2, post-lean). In the pre-lean period, key steps in the perioperative anesthesia process were identified that were amenable to lean implementation. The time required for each identified key step was recorded by an independent study coordinator. The times for each step were then compared between the groups utilizing univariate analyses. Results After lean implementation, there was a significant decrease in overall perioperative anesthesia process time (88.4 ± 4.7 minutes vs. 76.2 ± 3.2 minutes, p = 0.04). This was driven by significant decreases in the steps: transport and setup (10.4 ± 0.8 minutes vs. 8.0 ± 0.7 minutes, p = 0.03) and positioning (20.8 ± 2.1 minutes vs. 15.7 ± 1.3 minutes, p = 0.046). Of note, the total time spent in the OR was lower for group 2 (270.1 ± 14.6 minutes vs. 252.8 ± 14.1 minutes) but the result was not statistically significant, even when adjusting for number of operated levels. Conclusion Lean methodology may be successfully applied to posterior cervical spine surgery whereby improvements in the perioperative anesthetic process are associated with significantly increased OR efficiency.
Abstract WMP53: Traditional Vascular Risk Factors Account for Different Proportions of Ischemic Stroke Within Different Gender and Race Groups

Introduction: Few studies have compared the proportion of ischemic strokes attributable to traditional vascular risk factors (population-attributable risk percent or PAR%) between genders and races...
Correction of Three Prominent Mutations in Mouse and Human Models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Single-Cut Genome Editing.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), one of the most common neuromuscular disorders of children, is caused by the absence of dystrophin protein in striated muscle. Deletions of exons 43, 45, and 52 represent mutational "hotspot" regions in the dystrophin gene. We created three new DMD mouse models harboring deletions of exons 43, 45, and 52 to represent common DMD mutations. To optimize CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing using the single-cut strategy, we identified single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) capable of restoring dystrophin expression by inducing exon skipping and reframing. Intramuscular delivery of AAV9 encoding SpCas9 and selected sgRNAs efficiently restored dystrophin expression in these new mouse models, offering a platform for future studies of dystrophin gene correction therapies. To validate the therapeutic potential of this approach, we identified sgRNAs capable of restoring dystrophin expression by the single-cut strategy in cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with each of these hotspot deletion mutations. We found that the potential effectiveness of individual sgRNAs in correction of DMD mutations cannot be predicted a priori, highlighting the importance of sgRNA design and testing as a prelude for applying gene editing as a therapeutic strategy for DMD.
Technical Aspects of a New Technique for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate Using Technetium-99m-DTPA

Technetium-99m-DTPA has previously been proposed as an appropriate radiopharmaceutical for the determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Some 99mTc-DTPA preparations have been found to be inadequate for estimating the GFR because of partial binding of the 99mTc-DTPA to plasma proteins. This protein bound entity which cannot be filtered by the glomerulus results in an error in the calculated GFR from plasma clearance. Our methods use a single injection and either one or two blood samples to estimate the GFR utilizing a protein-free ultrafiltrate of the plasma. Both the one-sample and two-sample methods are easy to perform. The one-sample method is sufficiently accurate for clinical use. The two-sample method is suggested for investigational purposes where special accuracy is required. The technique employed in both of these methods to correct for protein binding results in an accurate estimate of the GFR using 99mTc-DTPA.
Potential for Cognitive Communication Impairment in COVID-19 Survivors: A Call to Action for Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the virus resulting in COVID-19 infections in nearly 4.3 million Americans with COVID-19 in the United States as of July 29, 2020, with nearly 150,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of survivors (https://www.coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html). This tutorial reviews (a) what has been reported about neurological insults in cases of COVID-19 infection, (b) what is known from similar conditions in other disorders, and (c) how that combined information can inform clinical decision making. Method PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for COVID-19 or other coronavirus infections, cognitive impairment observed following critical care, and disorders for which intermittent or chronic hypoxia is characteristic. These were combined with searches relating to cognition, brain, and communication. All searches were conducted between April 8 and May 23, 2020. Meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials addressing other critical illnesses were also included to extend findings to potential cognitive communication outcomes following COVID-19. Results COVID-19 infection results in a combination of (a) respiratory infection with mechanical ventilation secondary to inadequate oxygenation, (b) inflammatory system reactivity, and (c) increased blood clotting factors. These affect central nervous system function incurring long-term cognitive communication impairment in a proportion of survivors. Diagnostic and intervention approaches for such impairments are discussed. Conclusions The existing literature on cognitive sequela of COVID-19 infection is small to date, but much can be learned from similar viral infections and disorders. Although COVID-19 is novel, the speech-language pathology approaches to evaluation and intervention of other populations of critical care patients are applicable. However, speech-language pathologists have not routinely been involved in these patients' acute care. As such, this is a call to action to speech-language pathologists to address the unprecedented numbers of patients who will need their services early in the disease process and throughout recovery.
The values of religious nones, dones, and sacralized Americans: Links between changes in religious affiliation and Schwartz values.

OBJECTIVE Religious identification is associated with specific values, particularly conservation values that focus on social rather than personal interest. Recent research, however, suggests that the psychological repercussions of religious commitment can persist after people cease identifying as religious. We examine if this religion residue effect leads to differences in values between those who were once religious but no longer identify as religious and those who never identified as religious. METHODS We use longitudinal survey data to examine how changes in identification with religion are associated with Schwartz's circle of values. RESULTS Results show that religious affiliates were more likely than both those who disaffiliated across waves and those who consistently had no affiliation to endorse each of the social focus values except universalism. As hypothesized, when it came to conservation values, those who disaffiliated from religion were more similar to affiliates than were those who were consistently unaffiliated. Additional analyses showed that (a) associations between religious identification trajectories and values were largely consistent across genders, and (b) those who disaffiliated from evangelical Protestant denominations stood out from other disaffiliates. CONCLUSIONS We conclude with a discussion of how these findings further understanding of the association between religion and personal values.
Burrowing owls as potential phoretic hosts of ground squirrel fleas during a plague epizootic

During the course of a plague epizootic, decimation of rodent host populations may result in the transfer of fleas to alternate or phoretic hosts, including to sympatric raptors that prey on rodents. We studied flea abundance and flea species assemblages on burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in southwestern Idaho before (2012 – 2014), during (2015 – 2016), and after (2017) an epizootic of plague in Piute ground squirrels (Urocitellis mollis). We examined (1) if a larger proportion of burrowing owl nests contained fleas, (2) the likelihood that owls within a high flea abundance class increased, and (3) if owls harbored ground squirrel fleas during the epizootic. Using a flea abundance index assigned to 1,184 owls from 236 nests, the proportion of nests and the likelihood that owls had high flea abundance decreased rather than increased during epizootic years. Moreover, of 3,538 collected fleas from owls at 143 nests, no fleas were species that Piute ground squirrels typically harbor. Instead, Pulex irritans was the predominant flea collected in all study years (> 99%). Thus, although raptors may play a role in plague, there was no evidence that the die-off of ground squirrels resulted in higher flea intensity in burrowing owls or that they served as frequent accidental or phoretic hosts for ground squirrel fleas that could potentially be infectious with Yersinia pestis.
Reclaiming Control: How Journalists Embrace Social Media Logics While Defending Journalistic Values

This article uses semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews with journalists at 16 US newspapers to examine how strategies for sharing news content and interacting with audiences on platform...