cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The electronic medical record and Patient-centered care.

Background One goal in EMR development should be to facilitate a patient-centered clinical encounter. Methods Qualitative analysis and suggestions are offered for how the EMR can individualize patient care, in support of a patient-centered approach. Result Three promising target areas in efforts to develop a patient-centered EMR are: elicitation of the chief complaint, conduct of health screening activities, and evaluation of health literacy. Conclusion EMR design can facilitate a more patient-centered clinical encounter.
Connected-diagram expansion of transport coefficients, ii. Quantum gas obeying boltzmann statistics.

Abstract : A connected-diagram expansion method is applied in the evaluation of the correlation function formulas for transport coefficients of an imperfect quantum gas obeying the classical statistics. The diagram expansion is independent of representation and could be applied to charged particles subjected to a magnetic field. The formal fugacity expansion of a transport coefficient is obtained in terms of the solution of a transport equation, which is in general linear and inhomogeneous. This expansion is in agreement with that derived by Kawasaki and Oppenheim, Phys. Rev. 139, A649 (1965), for a classical gas except for part of the field term. This formal expansion has a divergence difficulty. This difficulty can be eliminated by the summation of partial infinite fagacity series. It is shown that after the elimination of the difficulty, the expansion in powers of the density should be approximately valid at least in the first few orders. Terms in the combination of n (density) and ln n do not arise. (Author)
Coping with Cultural Diversity in GSE Environments

High performing teams are composed of members who are committed to team success and to each other [1]. These high-performance teams develop over a period of time and are capable of delivering outstanding performance results. Theirmembers often have complementary problemsolving, technical, and interpersonal skills [1]. These teams have learned how to leverage the strengths of its members and usually have developed very sophisticated styles of communication. Teams that are formed to support global software development are usually brought together to support a specific mission. These global software development teams are usually composed of members that come from several continents, speak several languages, subscribe to different cultural accepted management structures, and may have a different perceptions of the global software development team ultimate mission. In addition, each team member brings to these global software development teams different expectations of acceptable team behaviors, and may be used to different levels of formality in their communication styles.
Structural insights into translational recoding by frameshift suppressor tRNASufJ

The three-nucleotide mRNA reading frame istightly regulated during translation to ensure accurate protein expression. Translation errors that lead to aberrant protein production can result from the uncoupled movement of the tRNA in either the 5 ' or 3 ' direction on mRNA. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characterization of +1 frameshift suppressor tRNA SufJ , a tRNA known to decode four, instead of three, nucleotides. Frameshift suppressor tRNA SufJ contains an insertion 5 ' to its anticodon, expanding the anticodon loop from seven to eight nucleotides. Our results indicate that the expansion of the anticodon loop of either ASL SufJ or tRNA SufJ does not affect its affinity for the A site of the ribosome. Structural analyses of both ASL SufJ and ASL Thr bound to the Thermus thermophilus 70S ribosome demonstrate both ASLs decode in the zero frame. Although the anticodon loop residues 34-37 are superimposable with canonical seven-nucleotide ASLs, the single C31.5 insertion between nucleotides 31 and 32 in ASL SufJ imposes a conformational change of the anticodon stem, that repositions and tilts the ASL toward the back of the A site. Further modeling analyses reveal that this tilting would cause a distortion in full-length A-site tRNA SufJ during tRNA selection and possibly impede gripping of the anticodon stem by 16S rRNA nucleotides in the P site. Together, these data implicate tRNA distortion as a major driver of noncanonical translation events such as frameshifting.
Is the assumption of normality or log-normality for continuous response data critical for benchmark dose estimation?☆

Abstract Continuous responses (e.g. body weight) are widely used in risk assessment for determining the benchmark dose (BMD) which is used to derive a U.S. EPA reference dose. One critical question that is not often addressed in dose–response assessments is whether to model the continuous data as normally or log-normally distributed. Additionally, if lognormality is assumed, and only summarized response data (i.e., mean ± standard deviation) are available as is usual in the peer-reviewed literature, the BMD can only be approximated. In this study, using the “hybrid” method and relative deviation approach, we first evaluate six representative continuous dose–response datasets reporting individual animal responses to investigate the impact on BMD/BMDL estimates of (1) the distribution assumption and (2) the use of summarized versus individual animal data when a log-normal distribution is assumed. We also conduct simulation studies evaluating model fits to various known distributions to investigate whether the distribution assumption has influence on BMD/BMDL estimates. Our results indicate that BMDs estimated using the hybrid method are more sensitive to the distribution assumption than counterpart BMDs estimated using the relative deviation approach. The choice of distribution assumption has limited impact on the BMD/BMDL estimates when the within dose-group variance is small, while the lognormality assumption is a better choice for relative deviation method when data are more skewed because of its appropriateness in describing the relationship between mean and standard deviation. Additionally, the results suggest that the use of summarized data versus individual response data to characterize log-normal distributions has minimal impact on BMD estimates.
Emotion Regulation: The Interplay of Culture and Genes

Given the mounting empirical evidence to support both the cultural and biological shaping of emotional processes, there is a clear need to integrate these determinants of emotional processes. Much in the same vein as these efforts, in our research on gene-culture interactions, we have examined how cultural and biological factors jointly influence emotion regulation. The present paper specifically aims to present research considering both cultural and genetic factors as two interacting influences that shape emotion regulation. A series of studies conducted to test the gene-culture interaction involving OXTR rs53576 consistently show that individuals with the variant that is associated with socio-emotional sensitivity tend to utilize culturally normative forms of emotion regulation more than those without it. These findings underscore the importance of considering the interplay between socio-cultural and genetic factors that shape social behaviors.
A linear tendency correction technique for improving seasonal prediction of SST

tropical Atlantic sector using an AGCM coupled to a slab ocean. By construction, the model has systematic biases in its deterministic dynamics because the slab ocean has no ocean dynamics. We show that the linear correction procedure successfully corrects the model biases in the regions where ocean dynamics are expected to be important. [4] In a recent study, Chang et al. [2003] (hereafter CSJ) show that SST anomalies in the tropical north Atlantic (TNA) can be predicted two seasons in advance using an AGCM coupled to a slab ocean, owing to the combined effect of the remote ENSO influence and local thermodynamic air-sea feedbacks. But in the tropical south and equatorial Atlantic, the simple coupled model revealed poor skills and under-performed the persistence forecast. Here we use CSJ’s results as a reference with the exception that the prediction and verification period is expanded from 1959 to 2000. We focus on February–May, the peak months of the gradient mode of variability in the tropical Atlantic [Chiang et al., 2002], allowing us to investigate the importance of ocean dynamics in its evolution.
Evaluating the Separate and Combined Effects of Positive and Negative Reinforcement on Task Compliance.

Positive and negative reinforcement are effective for treating escape-maintained destructive behavior. The current study evaluated the separate and combined effects of these contingencies to increase task compliance. Results showed that a combination of positive and negative reinforcement was most effective for increasing compliance.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Endotoxin Levels in Children with H. influenzae Meningitis before and after Administration of Intravenous Ceftriaxone

Total, cell-free, and cell-bound endotoxin and bacterial density were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 22 children with Hemophilus influenzae meningitis. Also the effect of ceftriaxone on CSF endotoxin levels was investigated in eight patients by reexamining their CSF 2-6 h after the initial dose. Initial CSF bacterial density correlated with initial CSF endotoxin levels (P less than .001). Ceftriaxone induced a marked increase of free endotoxin in CSF, from an initial (mean +/- SE) 0.75 +/- 0.21 to 1.29 +/- 0.23 log10 ng/ml (P less than .01). This increase correlated positively with the number of bacteria killed in the CSF (P less than .01). The increase in free endotoxin was associated with an increase in mean CSF lactate levels from 8.5 to 9.7 units/l (P less than .05) and mean lactate dehydrogenase levels from 102 to 180 mmol/l (P less than .02) and a decrease in mean CSF glucose from 1.17 to 0.46 mmol/l (P less than .05). Initial CSF total endotoxin concentrations correlated both with the Herson-Todd clinical severity score (P less than .001) and with the number of febrile hospital days (P less than .001). These findings suggest that highly bactericidal agents initially lead to release of free endotoxin from gram-negative organisms into CSF, with associated enhanced inflammatory response by the host.
Preparation of monodisperse PMMA microspheres in nonpolar solvents by dispersion polymerization with a macromonomeric stabilizer

We discuss a dispersion polymerization procedure for pre- paring monodisperse and micron- sized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles in hexanes with methacryloxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane stabilizers. We investigate the effects of the stabi- lizer molecular weight, stabilizer concentration, and monomer con- centration on the particle size and polydispersity. We find that a mini- mum molecular weight of 10 000 g/mol is necessary to synthesize col- loidally stable PMMA dispersions. The particle polydispersity is mini- mal ( £ 5%) for stabilizer to mono- mer weight ratios of 0.02 to 0.1, while PMMA particles prepared under conditions outside this range are polydisperse. The particle diameter can be varied from 0.4 to 1.5 lm by appropriate choices of stabilizer and monomer concentra- tions. Stable PMMA suspensions can be prepared at up to 26.3% solids. The dispersions are stable in most liquid aliphatics, and are monodisperse enough to form or- dered domains at high concentra- tion. This single-stage synthesis, requiring only commercially avail- able materials, may be of interest to those seeking a simple way to pre- pare highly monodisperse non- aqueous dispersions in the micron size range.
Translational damping on flapping cicada wings

We measured the dynamic damping of a pair of flapping cicada wings mounted on a robotic insect thorax mechanism capable of high frequency flapping. The damping coefficients were derived based on the measurements of the wing-thorax mechanism translating along its body principal axes. The robotic mechanism has a 10cm wingtip-to-wingtip span, flaps up to 65Hz, and weigh 2.86 gram including the motor and wings. To measure the flapping induced damping during translation, we developed a pendulum system mounted with encoder, and attached the flapper at the end and in different orientations such that its motion is along its principle axes. The damping of the flapper is then calculated from the decaying rate of the magnitude of the oscillating pendulum. The damping coefficients calculated from the experiments are very close to those estimated based on our mathematic models using Blade-Element Theory (BET) and quasi-steady aerodynamic models. As expected, the damping linearly increases with the flapping frequency and is most prominent along forward/backward direction.
Molecular requirements for induction of CTGF expression by TGF-β1 in primary osteoblasts

Abstract Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a cysteine rich, extracellular matrix protein that acts as an anabolic growth factor to regulate osteoblast differentiation and function. In osteoblasts, CTGF is induced by TGF-β1 where it acts as a downstream mediator of TGF-β1 induced matrix production. The molecular mechanisms that control CTGF induction by TGF-β1 in osteoblasts are not known. To assess the role of individual Smads in mediating the induction of CTGF by TGF-β1, we used specific Smad siRNAs to block Smad expression. These studies demonstrated that Smads 3 and 4, but not Smad 2, are required for TGF-β1 induced CTGF promoter activity and expression in osteoblasts. Since the activation of MAPKs (Erk, Jnk and p38) by TGF-β1 is cell type specific, we were interested in determining the role of individual MAPKs in TGF-β1 induction of CTGF promoter activity and expression. Using dominant negative (DN) mutants for Erk, Jnk and p38, we demonstrated that the expression of DN-Erk caused a significant inhibition of TGF-β1 induced CTGF promoter activity. In contrast, the expression of DN-p38 or DN-Jnk failed to inhibit activation of CTGF promoter activity. To confirm the vital role of Erk, we used the Erk inhibitor (PD98059) to block its activation, demonstrating that it prevented TGF-β1 activation of the CTGF promoter and up-regulation of CTGF expression in osteoblasts. Since Src can also act as a downstream signaling effector for TGF-β in some cell types, we determined its role in TGF-β1 induction of CTGF in osteoblasts. Treatment of osteoblasts with a Src family kinase inhibitor, PP2, or the expression of two independent kinase-dead Src mutant constructs caused significant inhibition of TGF-β1 induced CTGF promoter activity and expression. Additionally, blocking Src activation prevented Erk activation by TGF-β1 demonstrating a role for Src as an upstream mediator of Erk in regulating CTGF expression in osteoblasts. To investigate the involvement of the TGF-β1 response element (TRE) and the SMAD binding element (SBE) in CTGF induction, we cloned the rat CTGF proximal promoter (− 787 to + 1) containing the TRE and SBE motifs into a pGL3-Luciferase reporter construct. Using a combination of CTGF promoter deletion constructs and site-directed mutants, we demonstrated the unique requirement of both the TRE and SBE for CTGF induction by TGF-β1 in osteoblasts. Electro-mobility shift assays using specific probes containing the TRE, SBE or both showed TGF-β1 inducible complexes that can be ablated by mutation of the respective motif, confirming their requirement for TGF-β1 induced CTGF promoter activity. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that CTGF induction by TGF-β1 in osteoblasts involves Smads 3 and 4, the Erk and Src signaling pathways, and requires both the TRE and SBE motifs in the CTGF proximal promoter.
Collective co-ordinate of a quantized field

An explicit construction of the collective-co-ordinate operator conjugate to the field momentum is given. Use is made of the phase operators conjugate to the occupation number operators, defined in an extended Hilbert space in which the latter have a spectrum consisting of positive and negative integers. The relevance of the constructed operator to the quantization of a field about a classical solution (soliton) is discussed.
The role of geochemistry and energetics in the evolution of modern respiratory complexes from a proton-reducing ancestor ☆

Complex I or NADH quinone oxidoreductase (NUO) is an integral component of modern day respiratory chains and has a close evolutionary relationship with energy-conserving [NiFe]-hydrogenases of anaerobic microorganisms. Specifically, in all of biology, the quinone-binding subunit of Complex I, NuoD, is most closely related to the proton-reducing, H2-evolving [NiFe]-containing catalytic subunit, MbhL, of membrane-bound hydrogenase (MBH), to the methanophenzine-reducing subunit of a methanogenic respiratory complex (FPO) and to the catalytic subunit of an archaeal respiratory complex (MBX) involved in reducing elemental sulfur (S°). These complexes also pump ions and have at least 10 homologous subunits in common. As electron donors, MBH and MBX use ferredoxin (Fd), FPO uses either Fd or cofactor F420, and NUO uses either Fd or NADH. In this review, we examine the evolutionary trajectory of these oxidoreductases from a proton-reducing ancestral respiratory complex (ARC). We hypothesize that the diversification of ARC to MBH, MBX, FPO and eventually NUO was driven by the larger energy yields associated with coupling Fd oxidation to the reduction of oxidants with increasing electrochemical potential, including protons, S° and membrane soluble organic compounds such as phenazines and quinone derivatives. Importantly, throughout Earth's history, the availability of these oxidants increased as the redox state of the atmosphere and oceans became progressively more oxidized as a result of the origin and ecological expansion of oxygenic photosynthesis. ARC-derived complexes are therefore remarkably stable respiratory systems with little diversity in core structure but whose general function appears to have co-evolved with the redox state of the biosphere. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Respiratory Complex I, edited by Volker Zickermann and Ulrich Brandt.
Abstract 4267: Eltrombopag, a non-peptide thrombopoietin receptor agonist, enhances theex vivoexpansion of human hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are characterized by their capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency, allowing them to replenish all mature, differentiated cells of the hematopoietic lineage. HSCs are not immortal but have a limited replicative potential and finite lifespan, properties which may be further negatively influenced by increased age or malignant disorders of the bone marrow. To overcome this problem, various combinations of cytokines, including recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO), have been developed to support in vitro culture as well as ex vivo expansion of HSCs. Although rhTPO appears to enhance the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitors, its use in humans has been limited due to the generation of neutralizing antibodies. Eltrombopag is an orally-active, non-peptide small molecule TPO receptor agonist that has been shown to promote megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation in a manner similar to that seen with rhTPO. We hypothesized that eltrombopag may enhance the ex vivo expansion of human HSCs to a degree equivalent to that of rhTPO. To test this hypothesis, human bone marrow derived CD34+ cells isolated from 5 healthy individuals were incubated in serum-free expansion medium containing SCF (50 ng/ml), IL-3 (10 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 ng/ml), LDL (40 μg/ml) and various concentrations of eltrombopag (0 - 100 μM) or rhTPO (0 - 100 ng/ml) and CD34+ cell numbers determined using FACS analysis over the course of a 14-day ex vivo culture. Both eltrombopag and rhTPO exhibited dose-dependent increases in CD34+ cell numbers, with 10 μM eltrombopag and 100 ng/ml rhTPO providing the most robust CD34+ cell expansion. Under these conditions, both 10 µM eltrombopag and 100 ng/ml rhTPO resulted in a five-fold greater CD34+ cell expansion compared with control (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4267.
Governing Equality: Mathematics for All?.

With the notion of governmentality, this article considers how the equal sign (=) in the U.S. math curriculum organizes knowledge of equality and inscribes cultural rules for thinking, acting, and ...
The management of ulcerative colitis.

(1947). The Management of Ulcerative Colitis. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 167-177.
Embedded performance measures as teaching and assessment devices

Standard methods of testing trainees during courses on health and safety are time-consuming and, therefore, testing is rarely completed. Embedded performance measures, however, offer an alternative to traditional testing; they are completely integrated with instruction and require the learner to perform numerous short problem-solving tasks. The author focuses on the history of embedded performance measures and their effectiveness in health and safety training. Language: en
Transgenic Plant-Produced Hydrolytic Enzymes and the Potential of Insect Gut-Derived Hydrolases for Biofuels

Various perennial C4 grass species have tremendous potential for use as lignocellulosic biofuel feedstocks. Currently available grasses require costly pre-treatment and exogenous hydrolytic enzyme application to break down complex cell wall polymers into sugars that can then be fermented into ethanol. It has long been hypothesized that engineered feedstock production of cell wall degrading (CWD) enzymes would be an efficient production platform for of exogenous hydrolytic enzymes. Most research has focused on plant overexpression of CWD enzyme-coding genes from free-living bacteria and fungi that naturally break down plant cell walls. Recently, it has been found that insect digestive tracts harbor novel sources of lignocellulolytic biocatalysts that might be exploited for biofuel production. These CWD enzyme genes can be located in the insect genomes or in symbiotic microbes. When CWD genes are transformed into plants, negative pleiotropic effects are possible such as unintended cell wall digestion. The use of codon optimization along with organelle and tissue specific targeting improves CWD enzyme yields. The literature teaches several important lessons on strategic deployment of CWD genes in transgenic plants, which is the focus of this review.
High-performance data systems

It is noted that advances in massively parallel, large-memory computers and cooperative processing networks allow researchers to execute large-scale codes that generate massive amounts of data. Recent developments in high-speed networks allow large amounts of data to be transferred through a HiPPI (High Performance Parallel Interface) network in reasonable time frames. To support this high-performance computing environment, data storage, and data conversion capabilities must be provided to allow the massive amounts of data generated to be stored in a timely and reliable manner and to allow them to be retrieved easily for analysis and display. >
Hybrid resonant coupling modulator in vertically-integrated silicon on silicon nitride platforms

We report a resonant hybrid modulator at rates exceeding cavity linewidth using coupling modulation. Integrated in a hybrid silicon-on-silicon nitride (SON) platform, the device utilizes the high-speed plasma dispersion in Si and high-Q resonance in SiN.
A generalized traction integral equation for Stokes flow, with applications to near-wall particle mobility and viscous erosion

Abstract A double-layer integral equation for the surface tractions on a body moving in a viscous fluid is derived which allows for the incorporation of a background flow and/or the presence of a plane wall. The Lorentz reciprocal theorem is used to link the surface tractions on the body to integrals involving the background velocity and stress fields on an imaginary bounding sphere (or hemisphere for wall-bounded flows). The derivation requires the velocity and stress fields associated with numerous fundamental singularity solutions which we provide for free-space and wall-bounded domains. Two sample applications of the method are discussed: we study the tractions on an ellipsoid moving near a plane wall, which provides a more detailed understanding of the well-studied glancing and reversing trajectories in the context of particle sedimentation, and the erosion of bodies by a viscous flow, in which the surface is ablated at a rate proportional to the local viscous shear stress. Simulations and analytical estimates suggest that a spherical body in a uniform flow first reduces nearly but not exactly to the drag minimizing profile and then vanishes in finite time. The shape dynamics of an eroding body in a shear flow and near a wall are also investigated. Stagnation points on the body surface lead generically to the formation of cusps, whose number depends on the flow configuration and/or the presence of nearby boundaries.
Representing genetic information with formal grammars

Genetic information, as expressed in the four-letter code of the DNA of living organisms, represents a complex and richly expressive natural knowledge representation system, capturing procedural information that describes how to create and maintain life. The study of its semantics (i.e., the field of molecular biology) has yielded a wealth of information, but its syntax has been elaborated primarily at the lowest lexical levels, without benefit of formal computational approaches that might help to organize its description and analysis. This paper discusses such an approach, using generative grammars to express the information in DNA sequences in a declarative, hierarchical manner. A prototype implemented in a Prolog-based Definite Clause Grammar system is presented, which allows such declarative descriptions to be used directly for analysis of genetic information by parsing DNA. Examples are given of the utility of this method in the domain, and speed-ups and extensions are also proposed.
Integrated Care from the Patient’s Perspective and its Relationship to Medical Group Attributes

Integrating care for patients with multiple chronic conditions is essential to improving quality. Yet little is known about care integration from the patient’s perspective and how it relates to med...
New Imaging Probes to Track Cell Fate: Reporter Genes in Stem Cell Research

Cell fate is a concept used to describe the differentiation and development of a cell in its organismal context over time. It is important in the field of regenerative medicine, where stem cell therapy holds much promise but is limited by our ability to assess its efficacy, which is mainly due to the inability to monitor what happens to the cells upon engraftment to the damaged tissue. Currently, several imaging modalities can be used to track cells in the clinical setting; however, they do not satisfy many of the criteria necessary to accurately assess several aspects of cell fate. In recent years, reporter genes have become a popular option for tracking transplanted cells, via various imaging modalities in small mammalian animal models. This review article examines the reporter gene strategies used in imaging modalities such as MRI, SPECT/PET, Optoacoustic and Bioluminescence Imaging. Strengths and limitations of the use of reporter genes in each modality are discussed.
Introduction: Mapping the Global Brandscape of Higher Education

This chapter situates marketing and branding for higher education in a context of global competition. Brandscapes suggest a complex territory that requires new conceptual tools. Among these concepts, global competition and position taking (Marginson in Higher Education 52:1–39, 2006; Journal of Studies in International Education 11:5–32, 2007; Handbook of globalization and higher education, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 2011) are of particular interest. Other emergent higher education phenomena, such as accreditation and rankings, are not to be understood only as quality assurance strategies, but also as instruments for institutional branding and strategy in response to the acceleration of competition (Blanco Ramirez in Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education 36:329–342, 2015). This chapter discusses existing literature on the topic and highlights emergent theories of marketing and branding in higher education. This theoretical discussion sets the stage for the case studies presented in each of the subsequent chapters.
Molecular Clocks and Nucleotide Substitution Rates in Higher Plants

In the early 1960s, researchers noticed that the number of differences between amino acid sequences varied roughly linearly with the time of divergence between the species from which the amino acid sequences were sampled (Margoliash, 1963; Zuckerkandl and Pauling, 1962, 1965). This seminal observation led to the formulation of the “molecular clock” hypothesis (Zuckerkandl and Pauling, 1965), which asserts that change at the molecular level occurs regularly through time. An important corollary prediction of the molecular clock hypothesis is that rates of molecular evolution are equal among diverse evolutionary lineages.
Group Representations I: Rotations and Spherical Harmonics

In this chapter and the next two, three apparently remote subjects are shown to have important interconnections: group representations, the classical special functions, and quantum mechanics.
Multi-objective optimization of circular-toothed gerotors for kinematics and wear by genetic algorithm

Abstract A multi-objective optimization of circular-toothed gerotor gear geometry by genetic algorithm is presented that minimizes the size, flow ripple, adhesive wear, and subsurface fatigue wear (pitting) of the pump, insofar as the geometry is concerned, subject to the constraints to guarantee a feasible profile. Three pump geometries available to the authors used in automotive applications were compared to the optimization results. A clear Pareto front was established that gives insight into the design space of circular-toothed gerotors. The optimization identified that the industry reference pumps were very near to or on the Pareto front, so this work demonstrates mathematically that some circular-toothed gerotors in industry have reached an optimal solution. Another pump geometry is also identified that could be a better compromise between the objective functions than the reference pumps. The methodology presented here can be readily extended to other profile types and the results can serve as a benchmark for comparison.
Mino’s Smile

This book is a compendium of scientific presentations at a Symposium held at the NASA Ames Research Center in honor of Dr. Minoru M. Freund and his work. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to remember Mino—as we all called him—than revisiting the ideas that he helped formulate and move forward, many of them truly revolutionary. In his congenial way Mino was quite an activist, a zealot and a visionary.
Religion and Politics at the Border: Canadian Church Support for American Vietnam War Resisters

In May 1971, in the Admiral's Room of the Detroit airport, 12 miles (20 kilometres) from the U.S.-Canadian border, delegates to a joint conference of the Canadian Council of Churches and the U.S.-based National Council of Churches closed their meeting by speculating whether the groups' cooperation on the handling of draft resisters ana military deserters who had left the United States for Canada could act as any sort of model for U.S.-Canadian relations in general.1 This was a particularly prescient concern about which to speculate. The resister aeserter issue had been a sore point between the two nations for the past several years, particularly the previous two.2 Several denomina tions of churches in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere in the world had provided financial support, shelter, and various forms of counsel to American men who had moved to Canada. The U.S.
Censorship in Research and Scholarship

Social science research projects have come to rely heavily on governmental funding, but the subjects they touch on often challenge deeply-held social and religious values. Efforts to censor the results, either through withdrawal of funding or through interference with publication, are common even in democracies and can occur when research is privately funded. Two especially sensitive areas of research in the USA, sex and race, are reviewed here to illustrate these points. Examples include the research of Alfred Kinsey and surveys by the National Institutes of Health, the contentious work on race and IQ by Jensen and Herrnstein-Murray, and an abortive conference on genetics and crime. The role of industrial sponsors in university self-censorship is also briefly considered.
Organisms Living in and upon Paramecium: The Endosymbionts

Paramecia and certain other bacterivorous ciliates play an important role in detritus-based food webs and as links in planktonic food chains in aquatic ecosystems. The ciliates collect and ingest the diverse bacteria growing in nature formed as a result of decomposition of dead organic material. The amount of different bacteria eaten by a single Paramecium to support its growth and multiplication must be enormous. The paramecia may then be eaten not only by other protozoa such as amebas and didinia, but also by a number of different aquatic species of metazoan animals including their larval stages (W. D. Taylor, 1978, 1979, 1980; K. G. Porter et al., 1979).
Pharmacokinetics of Phosphatidylethanol 16:0/20:4 in Human Blood After Alcohol Intake.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of the phosphatidylethanol (PEth) 16:0/20:4 homolog in uncoagulated human blood samples taken from 18 participants in a clinical laboratory setting after consumption of 2 standard doses of ethanol (EtOH). METHODS Male and female participants received either 0.4 or 0.8 g/kg oral doses of EtOH during a 15-minute period. Blood samples were collected before and throughout 6 hours immediately after alcohol administration and then again at days 2, 4, 7, 11, and 14 of the follow-up period. PEth 16:0/20:4 levels were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. RESULTS (i) The increase in PEth 16:0/20:4 from baseline to maximum concentration was less than that of PEth 16:0/18:1 or PEth 16:0/18:2 homologs during the 6-hour period after EtOH administration; (ii) the mean half-life of PEth 16:0/20:4 was 2.1 ± 3 (SD) days, which was shorter than the mean half-life of either PEth 16:0/18:1 or PEth 16:0/18:2, 7.6 ± 3 (SD) or 6.8 ± 4 (SD) days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacokinetics of PEth 16:0/20:4 in whole blood samples is detectable after alcohol consumption and differs in amount synthesized and rate of elimination versus PEth 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2. Measuring the concentrations of these 3 homologs has the potential to provide more information about the amount and time frame of alcohol consumption than any one alone.
Terrific Twos: Promoting Toddlers’ Competencies in the Context of Important Relationships

Late toddlerhood is a time of tremendous growth during which toddlers both contribute to and learn from important relationships, such as those with parents, siblings, and caregivers. Developmental growth in self-awareness and identity; the expression of emotion, language, and communication skills; emerging self-regulation skills; and budding social interests serve as the undergirding for toddlers’ burgeoning abilities to engage with and learn from the world around them. These emerging social-emotional competencies are supported by parents’ and caregivers’ practices in the context of secure relationships within family and early childcare environments. The behaviors that promote young children’s social-emotional competencies are called “emotion socialization practices.” In recent years, our understanding of how adults’ capacities to engage in emotion socialization with toddlers and young children and the effects of these practices on young children’s development have widely expanded, providing important information about how to support toddlers’ competencies. The purposes of this chapter are to outline key developmental milestones unique to social-emotional development in late toddlerhood and to examine the ways in which family and early childcare contexts and adults’ emotion socialization practices promote toddlers’ social-emotional competencies. We also examine characteristics associated with adults’ emotion socialization practices, including methods for assessing adults’ practices in the context of adult-child relationships, in order to develop effective interventions and support programs for parents, caregivers, and the toddlers for whom they care.
Distance to trauma centres among gunshot wound victims: identifying trauma 'deserts' and 'oases' in Detroit.

Introduction Among the factors related to survival among individuals with gun shot wounds (GSW) is distance to trauma care. Relatively little is known about neighbourhood-level patterns of GSW mortality and distance to hospitals with trauma centres. This study focuses on distance to the nearest trauma centre as a correlate of survival among GSW victims. Methods Fatal and non-fatal shooting incident data for 9,205 victimisation in Detroit, Michigan between 2011 and 2017 were collected. A Bayesian conditional autoregressive model was utilised to estimate block-group levels of GSW mortality. Clustering techniques were used to identify spatially proximate neighbourhoods with higher or lower than expected rates of GSW mortality. Results Distance to the nearest trauma centre was associated with a 22% increase in fatal outcomes, per-mile (OR 1.22, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.40) after adjusting for block-group level covariates. A Getis-Ord Gi* analysis identified 91 block groups with lower than expected rates of GSW mortality and 12 block-groups with higher than expected rates. Conclusion Distance to the nearest trauma centre is associated with GSW victim survival. Clusters of block-groups with below-average GSW mortality were observed within close proximity of major trauma centres in Detroit. Improving speed and access to trauma care may play a role in reducing GSW mortality.
Identifying Anti-prion Chemical Compounds Using a Newly Established Yeast High-Throughput Screening System

Prion-like protein aggregation underlies the pathology of a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. At present, few high-throughput screening (HTS) systems are available for anti-prion small-molecule identification. Here we describe an innovative phenotypic HTS system in yeast that allows for efficient identification of chemical compounds that eliminate the yeast prion [SWI+]. We show that some identified anti-[SWI+] compounds can destabilize other non-[SWI+] prions, and their antagonizing effects can be prion- and/or variant specific. Intriguingly, among the identified hits are several previously identified anti-PrPSc compounds and a couple of US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for AD treatment, validating the efficacy of this HTS system. Moreover, a few hits can reduce proteotoxicity induced by expression of several pathogenic mammalian proteins. Thus, we have established a useful HTS system for identifying compounds that can potentially antagonize prionization and human proteinopathies.
Low-intensity monitoring of small-mammal habitat associations and species interactions in an urban forest-preserve network

Abstract Context Anthropogenic landscape modification and fragmentation result in loss of species and can alter ecosystem function. Assessment of the ecological value of urban reserve networks requires baseline and continued monitoring. However, depending on the desired indicators and parameters, effective monitoring can involve extensive sampling that is often financially or logistically infeasible. Aims We employed a low-intensity, mixed-detector survey design to monitor the small-mammal community across a network of 53 fragmented forest preserves (225 sites) in a highly urbanised landscape in the Chicago metropolitan area from August to October, 2009–2012. Methods We used a sequential process to fit single-season occupancy and pairwise co-occurrence models for six common small mammal species to evaluate habitat associations and interspecific interactions. Key results Shrew species and meadow voles occurred more often in open canopy-associated habitats, whereas occupancy was greater for eastern chipmunks, grey squirrels and white-footed mice in closed-canopy habitats. Habitat associations were complicated by negative pairwise interactions, resulting in reduced occurrence of meadow voles when predatory short-tailed shrews were present and lower occupancy rates of white-footed mouse when chipmunk competitors where present. White-footed mice co-occurred with short-tailed shrews, but detection of white-footed mice was lower when either eastern chipmunks or short-tailed shrews were present, suggesting that densities of these species could be inversely related. Conclusions We found evidence for both habitat segregation and interspecific interactions among small mammal species, by using low-intensity sampling across the reserve network. Thus, our sampling and analysis approach allowed for adequate assessment of the habitat associations and species interactions within a small-mammal community. Implications Our findings demonstrated the utility of this monitoring strategy and community as bioindicators for urban-reserve networks. The approach described holds promise for efficient monitoring of reserve networks in fragmented landscapes, critical as human population densities and urbanisation increase, and we discuss how adaptive sampling methods could be incorporated to further benefit conservation efforts.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in pregnancy and risk of major birth defects in the offspring.

Background The tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended during pregnancy to protect newborns against pertussis infection in the months prior to their primary pertussis vaccination. Although research on the safety of the vaccine has been reassuring, most previous studies have considered major malformations as a single outcome, and have not examined potential risks for specific malformations. Methods Using data from the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study collected between 2006 and 2015, we identified exposures to Tdap vaccine in both early and late pregnancy and examined potential risks for specific malformations. We used logistic regression models to calculate propensity score-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We identified 2,357 women exposed to Tdap during pregnancy. For first trimester exposures, the risk estimate for malformations overall was 1.0 (0.7, 1.5). We had power to examine nine specific malformations and found adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.7 to 1.3, none of which had confidence intervals that excluded 1.0. For second or third trimester exposures, we examined 15 malformations with potential late pregnancy etiology, and calculated adjusted risk estimates for nine of these. Risk estimates ranged from 0.5 to 1.9, with no lower confidence bounds that excluded 1.0. Conclusions We observed no evidence of appreciable risks for selected specific major malformations associated with Tdap vaccine exposure during early or late pregnancy. As pertussis remains a public health concern and Tdap vaccination levels in pregnancy remain below desired levels, these data provide further reassurance regarding the current recommendations for Tdap vaccination in pregnancy.
HERPETOFAUNAL ASSEMBLAGE AND NATURAL HISTORY OF A WETLAND AND PRAIRIE COMPLEX OF THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

Tallgrass prairies are some of the most imperiled ecosystems in North America, yet the herpetofauna found within these habitats are not well known. We studied the herpetofaunal assemblage of the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt and Chichaqua Wildlife Management Area complex (CBG) in Iowa as well as the natural history of Thamnophis species. We found that the CBG housed substantial diversity with seven species of anurans, one species of salamander, three species of turtles, and nine species of snakes. Three Thamnophis species in the CBG differed in body size, diet, and both ambient temperature and time of day at capture. This research contributes to our knowledge of the diversity and natural history of herpetofauna in northern prairies.
Robust Miniature Pure-Phase Modulators at λ = 488 nm

We demonstrate miniature silicon nitride (SiN) pure-phase modulators operating at the blue wavelength. The devices are based on adiabatic micro-rings that are robust against fabrication variations and hold great promise for large-scale visible integrated systems.
How We Write with Crowds

Writing is a common task for crowdsourcing researchers exploring complex and creative work. To better understand how we write with crowds, we conducted both a literature review of crowd-writing systems and structured interviews with designers of such systems. We argue that the cognitive process theory of writing described by Flower and Hayes (1981), originally proposed as a theory of how solo writers write, offers a useful analytic lens for examining the design of crowd-writing systems. This lens enabled us to identify system design challenges that are inherent to the process of writing as well as design challenges that are introduced by crowdsourcing. The findings present both similarities and differences between how solo writers write versus how we write with crowds. To conclude, we discuss how the research community might apply and transcend the cognitive process model to identify opportunities for future research in crowd-writing systems.
‘I left because…’: Caribbean high-skilled emigrants’ reasons to migrate to the US

The rate of emigration of highly educated people from the Caribbean is one of the highest in the world but little research exists on this phenomenon. This paper helps to fill this gap by focusing o...
Transactive Resilience in Renewable Microgrids: A Contract-Theoretic Approach.

Renewable energy-based microgrids play a critical role in future smart grids. Due to the uncertainties of renewable generations, the microgrids face potential risk of load shedding during operation. To address this problem, we propose a contract-based approach to enhance the resilience of microgrids. Specifically, in the framework, the microgrids who may not be self-efficient to meet their local demands can purchase the needed power from their connected microgrids by signing a contract that specifies the power price in advance. We leverage a principal-agent model to capture the energy trading relationships between the microgrids through a resilience as a service (RaaS) paradigm. By focusing on the incentive compatible and individual rational constraints of the service requester, the service provider designs the optimal contracts for the transactive resilience that yields the largest payoff despite the incomplete information. We characterize analytical solutions of the optimal contracts for several scenarios where the service requester has various options on its hidden actions. Numerical simulations are used to illustrate and corroborate the obtained results.