cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Network: How Are Networks Theorized?

As we saw in the previous chapters, different parts of Telecorp relate in different and complex ways. I've introduced activity networks and actor–networks in thumbnail fashion as two different ways of getting at how these parts relate. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and see what's actually involved in analyzing such networks. As we've seen, activity theory and actor–network theory have common ground but also disagreements stemming from their very different projects. As I said in Chapter 2, I'm not going to provide a middle way or “just right” solution (that's a tired trope, and nobody really believes it anyway). I'll settle for a dialogue – one that honestly examines the dispute, not the sniping that has until now taken place between the two camps. Let's have a real argument! And it's high time that this argument take place. Activity theory and actor–network theory have traditionally worked in separate areas. Activity theory is primarily a theory of distributed cognition and focuses on issues of labor, learning, and concept formation; it's used in fields such as educational, cognitive, and cultural psychology, although it's also making inroads in human–computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work, communication, and anthropology. In contrast, actor–network theory is primarily an ontology – an account of existence – and focuses on issues of power in science and politics: rhetoric, production of facts, agreements, and knowledge. It's used in science and technology studies, philosophy, and sociology.
Quartz c-axis orientation patterns in fracture cement as a measure of fracture opening rate and a validation tool for fracture pattern models

We evaluate a published model for crystal growth patterns in quartz cement in sandstone fractures by comparing crystal fracture-spanning predictions to quartz c-axis orientation distributions measured by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) of spanning quartz deposits. Samples from eight subvertical opening-mode fractures in four sandstone formations, the Jurassic–Cretaceous Nikanassin Formation, northwestern Alberta Foothills (Canada), Cretaceous Mesaverde Group (USA; Cozzette Sandstone Member of the Iles Formation), Piceance Basin, Colorado (USA), and upper Jurassic–lower Cretaceous Cotton Valley Group (Taylor sandstone) and overlying Travis Peak Formation, east Texas, have similar quartzose composition and grain size but contain fractures with different temperature histories and opening rates based on fluid inclusion assemblages and burial history. Spherical statistical analysis shows that, in agreement with model predictions, bridging crystals have a preferred orientation with c-axis orientations at a high angle to fracture walls. The second form of validation is for spanning potential that depends on the size of cut substrate grains. Using measured cut substrate grain sizes and c-axis orientations of spanning bridges, we calculated the required orientation for the smallest cut grain to span the maximum gap size and the required orientation of the crystal with the least spanning potential to form overgrowths that span across maximum measured gap sizes. We find that within a 10° error all spanning crystals conform to model predictions. Using crystals with the lowest spanning potential based on crystallographic orientation (c-axis parallel to fracture wall) and a temperature range for fracture opening measured from fluid inclusion assemblages, we calculate maximum fracture opening rates that allow crystals to span. These rates are comparable to those derived independently from fracture temperature histories based on burial history and multiple sequential fluid inclusion assemblages. Results support the R. Lander and S. Laubach model, which predicts that for quartz deposited synchronously with fracture opening, spanning potential, or likelihood of quartz deposits that are thick enough to span between fracture walls, depends on temperature history, fracture opening rate, size of opening increments, and size, mineralogy, and crystallographic orientation of substrates in the fracture wall (transected grains). Results suggest that EBSD maps, which can be more rapidly acquired than measurement of tens to hundreds of fluid inclusion assemblages, can provide a useful measure of relative opening rates within populations of quartz-filled fractures formed under sedimentary basin conditions. Such data are useful for evaluating fracture pattern development models.
Structural investigation of Titan tholins by solution-state 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR: one-dimensional and decoupling experiments.

Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is enveloped in a reddish brown organic haze. Titan haze is presumed to be formed from methane and nitrogen (CH4 and N2) in Titan’s upper atmosphere through energetic photochemistry and particle bombardment. Though Titan haze has been directly investigated using methods including the Cassini mission, its formation mechanism and the contributing chemical structures and prebiotic potential are still not well developed. We report here the structural investigation of the 13C and 15N labeled, simulated Titan haze aerosol (tholin) by solution-state NMR. The one-dimensional 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR spectra and decoupling experiments indicate that the tholin sample contains amine, nitrile, imine, and N-heteroaromatic compounds of tremendous import in understanding complex organic chemistry in anaerobic, extraterrestrial environments.
The Genus Bandara Ball (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

This is a small group of golden yellow leafhoppers, closely related, and intermediate between Eutettix and Mesamia . Three species, B. johnsoni (V. D.), the genotype; animana (Ball) and aurata (Ball) have been described and three additional species are described here.
Efficacy of aerosolized tobramycin in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background Direct aerosol delivery of aminoglycosides such as tobramycin to the lower airways of patients with cystic fibrosis may control infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and improve pulmonary function, with low systemic toxicity. We conducted a randomized crossover study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aerosolized tobramycin in patients with cystic fibrosis and P. aeruginosa infections. Methods Seventy-one patients with stable pulmonary status were recruited from seven U.S. centers for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and randomly assigned to one of two crossover regimens. Group 1 received 600 mg of aerosolized tobramycin for 28 days, followed by half-strength physiologic saline (placebo) for two 28-day periods. Group 2 received placebo for 28 days, followed by tobramycin for two 28-day periods. Pulmonary function, the density of P. aeruginosa in sputum, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and the emergence of tobramycin-resistant P. aeruginosa were monitored. Results In the first 28-day period, tr...
The Analysis of Building the University Library Information Service Mode with New Media

The widespread use of new media is the inherent requirements in the information age,which will bring a huge influence and impact on traditional university library information service.The article reveals the connotation and characteristics of the new media firstly,and then analyses how the university library to use the advantages of the new media,and finally combined with the main forms of new media puts forward corresponding information service model.
Appropriating Ancient Greek Myths: Strategies and Caveats

ABSTRACTIn her essay on Medusa (this issue) Doris Silverman proposes an anthropological reading of the myth in its times. She argues for its utility in psychoanalytic practice as a myth that illuminates the mother-daughter dynamic. She claims to be delving into the history of females at the time the myth became established and elaborated but mistakenly assigns the myth, which first appeared in art and literature of the Archaic Period (800–480 B.C.E.), to the Classical Period (480–323 B.C.E.). This error undermines the entire anthropological section of her article. Silverman’s essay moved me, as a classicist, to propose that anyone attempting to appropriate classical myths for psychoanalytic insight and practice (a) specify the version being analyzed and the context, if known, in which the myth arose or later resurfaced; (b) use classical scholarship on that myth judiciously; (c) avoid reductionism and over-generalization (e.g., “Greek women”); and (d) use clues or gaps within the text as a basis for subve...
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone improves reproductive performance of dairy cows with slow involution of the reproductive tract.

Eighty multiparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly at calving to receive either 100 μg of GnRH or saline 13 or 14 d postpartum (PP). From 4 to 28 d PP the cows' reproductive organs were palpated weekly per rectum, and cows were subclassified within each group as undergoing slow (delayed) cervical and uterine involution (abnormal) or as normal cows. Last milk obtained after removing the milking machine was assayed for progesterone 3 times a week for 120 d PP. Fourteen of the 80 cows were removed from the experiment because of culling or various veterinary treatments of pathologic conditions that could confound analysis of the GnRH treatment effects. As expected, the treatment of normal cows with GnRH had no significant effects on the first estrus or the first estrous cycle PP, on services per conception, days open, or any other reproductive trait measured. However, in the abnormal group of cows receiving saline, first rebreeding after calving was delayed (81 vs 67 d), fewer were pregnant by 105 d PP (23 vs 64%), and number of days open was greater (121 vs 87 d) compared with those receiving GnRH; all were significant (P <.05). Treated abnormal cows were equivalent to the control normal cows. Thus, GnRH given 13 to 14 d PP to cows characterized as undergoing slow involution of the reproductive system, but with no other clinical problems, seems to assist in promoting rapid normal reproductive function. Subsequent losses due to culling were greatly reduced.
How does convulsive therapy work

There is no death of hypotheses to explain the antidepressant action of convulsive therapy. Neurohumoral-receptor, kindling-anticonvulsant, and neuroendocrine ideas are prominently discussed. Views based on direct comparisons with antidepressant drugs or based on pharmacologic models are seen as inadequate. The neuroendocrine hypothesis, derived from human studies, appears the most viable. It argues that the affective disorders result from a deficiency of a mood-modifying peptide (antidepressin) derived from the hypothalamus. Convulsive therapy stimulates the production and release of antidepressin. Studies dedicated to the search for this peptide as a replacement for ECT are encouraged.
Rebooting Computers as Learning Machines

Artificial neural networks could become the technological driver that replaces Moore's law, boosting computers' utlity through a process akin to automatic programming--although physics and computer architecture would also factor in.
Attributions About Morally Unreliable Characters: Relationship Closeness Affects Moral Judgments

ABSTRACTAcross 6 studies, relationship closeness strongly influenced moral attribution. First, we found that moral attributions were stronger when one interacted with an intimate compared to less intimate other. Second, we examined attributions about those who treat some people well and others badly. Moral character attributions were worse when an actor harmed an intimate relationship partner compared to a less close relationship partner. Further, the effect of relationship partner on moral attributions was influenced by perceivers’ beliefs about one’s true character. Perceivers were apt to believe that one’s true character is revealed when interacting with close others.
LDPC-Coded Optical Communication over the Atmospheric Turbulence Channel

The free-space optical (FSO) systems that are robust in the presence of atmospheric turbulence are discussed in this invited paper: (i) coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and (ii) coded multiple-input multiple- output (i.e., multi-laser multi-detector or MIMO) concept; both employing low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Two MIMO concepts are discussed: (i) repetition-MIMO, and (ii) space-time coded-MIMO. The second goal of this paper is to discuss the incompatibility that arises from the bandwidth mismatch between RF/microwave and optical channels. We describe two coded modulation schemes suitable for hybrid microwave-optical communications: (i) coded-OFDM as multiplexing technique, and (ii) Q-ary bit-interleaved coded pulse-amplitude modulation. The third goal of this paper is to describe the ultimate channel capacity limits, and to see how close we can approach those limits with proposed coded-MIMO concepts.
NGOs and Their Vulnerabilities During the Time of Transition: The Case of Poland

This paper focuses on the development of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Poland, as a case study of the sector's development in the Central and Eastern European countries of transition. It is argued that, in this situation, the development and growth of the NGO sector though shaped, as in the West, by a set of legislative, political, economic, cultural, and historical forces, nevertheless is circumscribed by the specific conditions of political transformation. The nature of and the power with which legislative, fiscal, or organizational forces condition the development of the sector varies according to the scale at which they operate (local, national, or international). Moreover, it is argued that the position of NGOs is significantly regulated by the state's political ideology, and the formative and evolving character of the latter translates into instability in states' actions vis-a-vis the nonprofit sector.
Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) at first transurethral resection of bladder tumour is a significant predictor of subsequent recurrence and progression

Introduction To evaluate if moderate CKD (eGFR <60 ml/min) is associated with high rates of NMIBC recurrence or progression. Patients and Methods A multi-institutional database identified patients with serum creatinine values prior to first TURBT. CKD-epidemiology collaboration formula calculated patient estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations with recurrence-free (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results A total of 727 patients were identified with a median patient age of 69.8 (IQR 60.1-77.6). Data for eGFR was available for 632 patients. During a median follow-up of 3.7 (IQR 1.5-6.5) years, 400 (55%) patients had recurrence and 145 (19.9%) patients had progression of tumor stage or grade. Moderate or severe CKD was identified in 183 patients according to eGFR. Multivariable analysis identified eGFR < 60 (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9; p=0.002) as a predictor of tumor recurrence. The 5-year RFS rate was 46% for patients with an eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min and 27% for patients with an eGFR <60 ml/min (p=0.0004). Multivariable analysis demonstrated eGFR <60 ml/min (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.75-7.94; p=0.001) was associated with progression to muscle-invasive disease. The 5-year PFS rate was 83% for patients with an eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min and 71% for patients with an eGFR <60 ml/min (p=0.01). Conclusion Moderate CKD at first TUR is associated with reduced RFS and PFS. Patients with reduced renal function should be considered for increased surveillance.
Breastfeeding was not protective against breast cancer

Source Citation Michels KB, Willett WC, Rosner BA, et al. Prospective assessment of breastfeeding and breast cancer incidence among 89 887 women. Lancet. 1996 Feb 17;347:431-6.
Technology and The Evolution of Resource Sharing

Much of the discussion surrounding the transformation of the library and resource sharing in particular is focused on the role technology plays. That being said, the next step, then, is to discuss what types of technology have played an impact in this evolution and how these technologies have altered the ways in which students conceive of and interact with the academic library. Some technologies like responsive design have enabled students to interact with the library comfortably in a mobile environment. If users become comfortable with a mobile environment then logically the expectations they have of how the library will work for them will necessarily change. This is just a small example of how the technologies covered in this chapter can help alter the user's expectations and as such alter the services provided in fundamental ways.
Vagueness and the Desiderata for Definition

The purpose of this paper is to show how vagueness is relevant to definition and thereby to thought experiments, the methodology of analysis, and substantive philosophical positions. I hope to achieve this goal en passant in the course of arguing for the main thesis: definitions must preserve borderline cases to the same extent as clear cases.
"Corporate Venture Capital, Credible Commitments, and Calculative Trust"

Within venture capital markets, ventures have been hesitant to accept corporate venture capital (CVC) from investors that are rich in complementary resources in favor of accepting funding from trad...
Axial Scattering from Thin Cones

A recent paper4 considers the physical-optics (PO) approximation for early-time scattering. For axial backscattering examples of perfectly conducting bodies of revolution (BOR), including paraboloids and circular cones, seem to have good PO results as compared to exact and asymptotic results. However, the perfectly conducting angular sector is not approximated at all by PO (giving zero axial backscattering) for the case of the incident electric field parallel to the plane of the angular sector.
Memory and Appropriation: Remembering Dante in Germany During the Sexcentenary of 1921

The commemorations in Germany for the sexcentenary of Dante’s death in 1921 can be understood through Jan Assmann’s classic explanation of how institutions construct collective memory as a “contemporized past” for present purposes. Assmann’s view of collective memory can be further extended to explore how rival institutions work to construct competing memories, or how an institution attempts to wrest memory from another institution. Dante was taken off the Index of Prohibited Books only in the late nineteenth century and was fully promoted as an exemplary Catholic poet only in 1921 in Benedict XV’s encyclical. German Catholic writers used the sexcentenary as an occasion to “remember” Dante as a Catholic writer and thinker in opposition to those who more traditionally commemorated Dante because of his anti-papal attitudes, as a proto-Protestant precursor of Luther. This rival confessional memorial reconstruction of Dante by competing institutions was eschewed by professional, academic scholars in university departments of Romance Philology, and was instead carried out in the popular press by writers, intellectuals, and politicians in newspapers and periodicals with broad audiences. Making no claim for original research, articles in these outlets typically assert partisan positions by providing rival pedigrees that link Dante either to a German anti-papal legacy or to a German Catholic legacy. For example, Dante commemoration in newspaper articles by the poet and Reichstag secretary Hans Benzmann exemplifies the anti-Catholic view of Dante, while the commemorative newspaper article by the Catholic publicist, member of the Catholic Centre Party, public health reformer, and professor in an agricultural university Martin Fassbender exemplifies the Catholic community’s attempt to bring Dante into its fold. Moreover, because memory of Dante was being offered to the German nation as a spiritual and political model for recovery from the catastrophe of the First World War, a Catholic Dante implied a Catholic role in post-war German renewal after years of Catholic repression. Catholic institutional memory of Dante during the sexcentenary thus not only sought to reclaim its cultural patrimony from another community that it thought had misappropriated it, but it also functioned as a proxy for memory of the war.
Lessons learnt from software tuning of a Memcached-backed, multi-tier, web cloud application

Cloud computing has largely replaced dedicated and physical computing systems by providing critical features such as elasticity and on-demand access to resources. However, despite its many benefits, the cloud does have its limitations, such as limited or no control over the hardware and limited customization options. Users who deploy applications on the cloud only have control over software tuning and optimizations since the infrastructure is managed by the provider. In this paper, we analyze cloud-deployed Web applications that are multi-tiered and employ Memcached as the object caching layer. Memcached is a high performance memory caching system and, if there are no other bottlenecks in the system, the overall application performance should be dictated by Memcached. However, we show that other components of the system such as web servers, load balancers, and some underlying system configurations, severely impact application performance. We analyze these components and provide guidelines on their implementation and parameter tuning to minimize resource waste in the cloud.
Re-conceptualizing pain through patient-centred care in the complementary and alternative medicine therapeutic relationship.

Aims The study aim was to understand the patient description of the therapeutic relationship with their CAM provider in the context of pain self-management. Background Because pain is a subjective state, its assessment depends on patient perception of and response to pain. For nurses to provide empathetic and compassionate care, there is a need to explicate patient perceptions of the therapeutic relationship to (re)conceptualize models of patient-centred care. Design Inductive qualitative content analysis of patient interviews was conducted to identify how patients described therapeutic relationship themes and understand self-management of pain. Methods Participants were individuals working with a CAM practitioner and solicited through purposive and snowball sampling in collaboration with the practitioners from the mid-Atlantic region of the United States in 2016 (N = 13). Verbatim transcriptions of audio-recorded semi-structured in-depth interviews (430 single-spaced pages approximately) were content analysed. Findings Patients described the therapeutic relationship with the provider as a: (1) giver, who was "in-tune" with their sense of self to support self-affirmation through empathetic listening; and (2) guide, who connected the mind and body through their practice to support self-reflective learning. Conclusion This description of the CAM therapeutic relationship advances understandings of readjustment of patient relationship with pain through the provider's empathetic listening and connecting the mind and the body to support patient self-affirmation of pain experiences and self-reflective learning. The findings illuminate how a feminist standpoint contributes to understandings of the therapeutic relationship that centres patient subjectivity and co-construction of meaning-making processes to support self-management of pain.
Geographic relationships between soil and water acidity, soil-forming factors and acid rain

Acid rain has been credited for the existence of most pH l acidic waters were nearly as common in areas receiving acid rain in pre-industrial times as they are today; regional land-use changes co-occur with acid rain, and; acidic surface waters are comparatively common in Southern Hemisphere watersheds with acid soils in the absence of acid rain all indicate that acid rain incrementally adds to the acidity of surface waters rather than creating the perceived profound widespread aquatic acidification.
Questioning the Conventional Wisdom

There is little dispute that the California energy crisis began with demand severely outstripping supply in the western United States in the summer of 2000. But tellers of the California tale have embellished that story with a number of additional claims, such as the following: - The state should have deregulated more broadly. - Generators "gamed" the California wholesale-retail auction. - The lack of real-time or other market-based pricing removed consumers' incentive to conserve. - Long-term contracts would have insured against high wholesale prices. - Generators used market power to further drive up prices. - Temporary price caps would have lessened the crisis significantly. - But for California's mistakes, electricity markets will work. Those assertions may have some merit. But, the author argues, that merit is not without qualification.
Videogames and Fictionalism

Videogames depict objects, individuals and situations that, like those depicted in fictions such as novels and films seem imagined rather than real. There has been some resistance within game theory to the idea that videogames and the objects depicted in them are fictional, however. In particular, games scholar Espen Aarseth has argued that some objects seen in videogames are best seen as virtual rather than fictional. This is because virtual objects such as videogame dragons and swords allow player engagement in a way that the fictional objects of novels and films do not. In this paper I will provide an analysis of the concepts of fiction and virtuality that allows the reconciliation of our intuitions about each. The dragons and swords seen in videogames are fictional in being generated as a part of an imaginative game, but they are also virtual in being distinctively robust and interactive fictive props.
Theoretical and Numerical Investigation of Radiative Extinction of Diffusion Flames

The influence of soot radiation on diffusion flames was investigated using both analytical and numerical techniques. Soot generated in diffusion flames dominate the flame radiation over gaseous combustion products and can significantly lower the temperature of the flame. In low gravity situations there can be significant accumulation of soot and combustion products in the vicinity of the primary reaction zone owing to the absence of any convective buoyant flow. Such situations may result in substantial suppression of chemical activities in a flame, and the possibility of a radiative extinction may also be anticipated. The purpose of this work was to not only investigate the possibility of radiative extinction of a diffusion flame but also to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the influence of soot radiation on a diffusion flame. In this study, first a hypothetical radiative loss profile of the form of a sech(sup 2) was assumed to influence a pure diffusion flame. It was observed that the reaction zone can, under certain circumstances, move through the radiative loss zone and locate itself on the fuel side of the loss zone contrary to our initial postulate. On increasing the intensity and/or width of the loss zone it was possible to extinguish the flame, and extinction plots were generated. In the presence of a convective flow, however, the movement of the temperature and reaction rate peaks indicated that the flame behavior is more complicated compared to a pure diffusional flame. A comprehensive model of soot formation, oxidation and radiation was used in a more involved analysis. The soot model of Syed, Stewart and Moss was used for soot nucleation and growth and the model of Nagle and Strickland-Constable was used for soot oxidation. The soot radiation was considered in the optically thin limit. An analysis of the flame structure revealed that the radiative loss term is countered both by the reaction term and the diffusion term. The essential balance for the soot volume fraction was found to be between the processes of soot convection and soot growth. Such a balance yielded to analytical treatment and the soot volume fraction could be expressed in the form of an integral. The integral was evaluated using two approximate methods and the results agreed very well with the numerical solutions for all cases examined.
A pushdown transducer extension for the openfst library

Pushdown automata are devices that can efficiently represent context-free languages, have natural weighted versions, and combine naturally with finite automata. We describe a pushdown transducer extension to OpenFst, a weighted finite-state transducer library. We present several weighted pushdown algorithms, some with clear finite-state analogues, describe their library usage and give some applications of these methods to recognition, parsing and translation.
Distributed Learning without Distress: Privacy-Preserving Empirical Risk Minimization

Distributed learning allows a group of independent data owners to collaboratively learn a model over their data sets without exposing their private data. We present a distributed learning approach that combines differential privacy with secure multi-party computation. We explore two popular methods of differential privacy, output perturbation and gradient perturbation, and advance the state-of-the-art for both methods in the distributed learning setting. In our output perturbation method, the parties combine local models within a secure computation and then add the required differential privacy noise before revealing the model. In our gradient perturbation method, the data owners collaboratively train a global model via an iterative learning algorithm. At each iteration, the parties aggregate their local gradients within a secure computation, adding sufficient noise to ensure privacy before the gradient updates are revealed. For both methods, we show that the noise can be reduced in the multi-party setting by adding the noise inside the secure computation after aggregation, asymptotically improving upon the best previous results. Experiments on real world data sets demonstrate that our methods provide substantial utility gains for typical privacy requirements.
The 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' Impact on Deferred Taxes and the Valuation of an Entity

Financial analysts generally view deferred taxes as an accounting aberration that has little impact on the valuation of an entity. The headlines in financial publications that focus on the recent decrease in federal corporate income tax rates impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities and the resulting effect on net income changed that. This article provides an explanation of the origination of deferred taxes and their impact on the valuation of an entity.
Optical communications downlink from a 1.5U cubesat: OCSD program (Conference Presentation)

In this presentation, we discuss the first demonstration of a lasercom downlink from a LEO 1.5U CubeSat to our optical ground station at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA. Two vehicles, AC7-B&C, were built under NASA’s Optical Communications and Sensors Demonstration (OCSD) which is a flight validation mission to test commercial-off-the-shelf components and subsystems that will enable new communications and proximity operations capabilities for CubeSats and other small spacecraft. As designed, the 1.5 U CubeSats weigh 2.3 kg and consume ~2 W during most of the mission life. During lasercom engagements, ~3 minutes, the spacecraft consumes an additional 10-20 W power depending on the set point of the laser transmitter, which yields 2-4 W at 1.06 m. The transmitter consists of a directly modulated laser diode followed by a Yb fiber amplifier and exhibits an overall wall-plug efficiency ~20%. The AC-7B&C vehicles were launched in November 2017 and placed in a 450-km circular orbit. Following on-orbit checkouts and preliminary pointing calibration utilizing on-board star trackers, we have demonstrated (at the time of this submission) first time communications downlinks up to 100 Mbps from the 7B vehicle using open loop pointing (beaconless) to our ground terminal, which is near sea level. The preliminary link experiments at 50 and 100 Mbps (OOK/PRBS23) using the AC-7B CubeSat were recorded at 100 ms intervals. At 50 Mbps, error rates near 1E-6 were observed with numerous error free intervals. At 100 Mbps we observed BERs approaching 1E-6. At the time of these collects, however, the B vehicle was still exercising a scan pattern since the final alignment had not been completed. Thus, the optical link was not continuous over the entire pass. Link budget estimates indicate that lower BERs should be achievable and we will continue to assess the link performance as the system is optimized.
The Teacher Testimony Project: A Research, Pedagogical, and Advocacy Vehicle for Teachers of Color.

A new generation of Teachers of Color in the present educator reform era are engaged in acts of conscious-raising to critique and challenge an educational system that underserves and routinely marg...
The Epidemiology and Clinical Manifestations of Autoimmunity in Selective IgA Deficiency

Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency, defined as an isolated deficiency of IgA (less than 0.07 g/L). Although the majority of people born with IgA deficiency lead normal lives without significant pathology, there is nonetheless a significant association of IgA deficiency with mucosal infection, increased risks of atopic disease, and a higher prevalence of autoimmune disease. To explain these phenomena, we have performed an extensive literature review to define the geoepidemiology of IgA deficiency and particularly the relative risks for developing systemic lupus erythematosus, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, type 1 diabetes mellitus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and vitiligo; these diseases have strong data to support an association. We also note weaker associations with scleroderma, celiac disease, autoimmune hepatitis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Minimal if any associations are noted with myasthenia gravis, lichen planus, and multiple sclerosis. Finally, more recent data provide clues on the possible immunologic mechanisms that lead to the association of IgA deficiency and autoimmunity; these lessons are important for understanding the etiology of autoimmune disease.
Trends of Burn Injury in the United States: 1990 to 2016.

Objective The aim of this study is to report patterns of burn injury within the United States from 1990 to 2016 with regard to age, sex, geography, and year. Summary background data Advances in the management of burn injuries as well as successful public health efforts have contributed to reductions in the annual incidence and mortality of burns. However, several studies suggest that these reductions are not equally distributed throughout the US population. Main outcomes and measures The Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 was utilized to collect incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLD) from 1990 to 2016. All measures were computed with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). Results The overall incidence of burn injury in the United States has decreased from 215 (95% UI, 183-246) to 140 (95% UI, 117-161) per 100,000. However, the relative mortality of burn injury has been fixed over the 26-year study period. Alaska had the highest rates of burn incidence in 1990 and 2016, closely followed by southeastern states. When adjusted for incidence, relative mortality in 1990 was highest in Alabama and Mississippi and the mortality-incidence ratio increased for these states in 2016. In addition, 35 states also demonstrated an increase in the relative mortality of burn injury during the study period. Conclusions Regional trends of burn incidence and mortality are highly variable and are likely due to a multitude of factors. Addressing these disparities will require close examination of the contributing factors of burn injury and severity.
State-independent quantum state tomography by photon-number-resolving measurements

Complete and accurate quantum state characterization is a key requirement of quantum information science and technology. The Wigner quasi-probability distribution function provides such a characterization. We reconstructed the Wigner function of a narrowband single-photon state from photon-number-resolving measurements with transition-edge sensors (TESs) at system efficiency 58(2)%. This method makes no assumption on the nature of the measured state, although a limitation on continuous-wave photon flux was imposed by the TES. The negativity of the Wigner function was observed in the raw data without any inference or correction for decoherence.
Pathology of the Eye

The eye is a complex organ composed of unique anatomical structures. Understanding the functional anatomy and physiology of the eye is critical to understanding the pathology and those features important to toxicologists are reviewed here. In addition, the uniqueness of the eye as an organ necessitates some special handling and processing techniques that are outlined by best practice guidelines important for toxicologists. Mechanisms of toxicity relevant to drug development are discussed with specific examples of toxicity related to cornea, lens, and retina. Common background lesions associated with the eye are listed as are common pathologic responses to xenobiotic-induced injury. Finally, there is a brief discussion of animal models used in ocular toxicity and special considerations in risk assessment.
Legacy effects of liquid dairy manure in grain production systems

Abstract Transferring liquid manure from dairy farms to nearby cash-grain farms has the potential to support high grain yields at reduced cost, while making use of animal wastes that might otherwise cause environmental hazards if not utilized appropriately. Yet, empirical evidence of the legacy of long-term liquid manure application, and its interaction with crop rotation management on grain yield and soil properties is scarce. Here we evaluate the benefits and legacy of repeated liquid dairy manure (115 Mg ha−1 yr−1) over 12 years (2003–2014) on corn yield, soil organic matter (SOM) content, and soil nutrient availability in three annual cash grain cropping systems under different crop rotation management in southern Wisconsin. The three systems include: continuous corn (CC); minimum-till corn-soybean (CS); and an organically managed corn-soybean-wheat/oat-clover rotation (CSW). Results showed that, liquid manure application increased corn yield, soil test phosphorus (STP), and soil test potassium (STK) content across the three systems, and soil pH and nitrate (0–90 cm) in CC over the 12 years. The lack of significant impact of manure on SOM content suggested that the liquid manure application was insufficient to build SOM on these fertile Mollisols. The legacy benefit of liquid manure application on corn yield was significant in 2015, but no longer detectable in 2017, three years after the last application, while STP and STK content remained higher in manure treated plots than no manure plots. In 2017, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil pH, and soil nitrate content were also greater in manured plots, but the effect was crop rotation specific. We show that manure is an equivalent or superior substitute for synthetic fertilizers providing a potential win-win scenario for both grain and dairy farms in the North Central US, where synthetic fertilizer is costly (cash-grain farms) and land for manure spreading is often limited (dairy farms). Our study suggest that liquid dairy manure application is beneficial for agroecosystem productivity but continual applications are needed to sustain its benefit in the crop production systems in the region.
几种检测解脲脲原体方法的平行比较研究

解脲脲原体(Uu)是性传播疾病的病原体之一,寻找简便、快速、准确的检测方法十分必要.支原体的营养要求苛刻,较一般细菌生长缓慢并难以培养[1,2].本研究用3种不同来源的支原体液体培养基和支原体固体培养基对Uu作分离培养,并将分离培养法同套式聚合酶链反应(Nested PCR)作了平行比较研究。
Size distribution and lung-deposited doses of particulate matter from household exposure to biomass smoke.

Exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) is associated with a number of adverse health effects. However, it is unclear which aspects of PM are most hazardous, and a better understanding of particle sizes and personal exposure is needed. We characterized particle size distribution (PSD) from biomass-related pollution and assessed total and regional lung-deposited doses using multiple-path deposition modeling. Gravimetric measurements of kitchen and personal PM2.5 (<2.5 µm in size) exposures were collected in 180 households in rural Puno, Peru. Direct-reading measurements of number concentrations were collected in a subset of 20 kitchens for particles 0.3-25 µm, and the continuous PSD was derived using a nonlinear least-squares method. Mean daily PM2.5 kitchen concentration and personal exposure was 1205 ± 942 µg/m3 and 115 ± 167 µg/m3 , respectively, and the mean mass concentration consisted of a primary accumulation mode at 0.21 µm and a secondary coarse mode at 3.17 µm. Mean daily lung-deposited surface area (LDSA) and LDSA during cooking were 1009.6 ± 1469.8 µm2 /cm3 and 10,552.5 ± 8261.6 µm2 /cm3 , respectively. This study presents unique data regarding lung deposition of biomass smoke that could serve as a reference for future studies and provides a novel, more biologically relevant metric for exposure-response analysis compared to traditional size-based metrics.
Distribution, Stability, and Continuity of Autonomic Nervous System Responsivity at 18- and 36-Months of Age:

Objective:Cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) measures, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and preejection period (PEP), are valid and reliable indicators of children’s sensitivity to their envi...
From “Sick Man” to Strong Man: The Changing Role of English Language Teaching in China in an Era of Rising Nationalism and Global Ambitions

This chapter examines how a resurgence of nationalism in the People’s Republic of China under President Xi Jinping has affected the teaching of English there. First, the authors provide a brief history of English in China, and then focus on its role in the internationalization of Chinese universities in the 1990s and early 2000s. Next, they examine recent changes to national and local English teaching policies through the perspectives of instructors and students at a coastal university in southern China that was part of the economic opening and reforms in the 1980s but has since shifted its orientation away from internationalization under pressure from the central government. By recounting of these experiences, the authors reveal the range of impacts that recent nationalist policies have had on English teaching in China and point to pedagogical interventions that seek to balance internationalist and nationalist desires in China.
Determination of four arsenic species in environmental water samples by liquid chromatography- inductively coupled plasma - tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract Robust and sensitive methods for monitoring inorganic and organic As species As(III), As(V), dimethylarsinate (DMA), and monomethylarsonate (MMA) in environmental water are necessary to understand the toxicity and redox processes of As in a specific environment. The method is sufficiently sensitive and selective to ensure accurate and precise quantitation of As(III), As(V), DMA, and MMA in surface water and groundwater samples with As species concentrations from tens of nanograms per liter to 50 µg/L without dilution of the sample. Mean recoveries of the four species spiked into reagent water, surface water and groundwater and measured periodically over three months ranged from 87.2 % to 108.7 % and relative standard deviation of replicates of all analytes ranged from 1.1 % to 9.0 %. • A PRP-X100 column and nitrate/phosphate mobile phase was used to separate As(III), As(V), DMA, and MMA in 0.45 µm filtered surface water and groundwater matrices. • Oxygen was used in the collision cell of the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer with MS/MS mode to shift the measured As mass from 75 to 91. • The analytical performance of the method and figures of merit including detection limits, precision, accuracy, and interferences when applied to surface water and groundwater matrices were investigated.
The use of blood biomarkers in precision medicine for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a review

Introduction A biomarker is a substance, structure, or process that indicates the presence of a disease, infection, or environmental exposure. Clinically useful biomarkers are measurable, improve diagnostic or prognostic performance, and ultimately aid clinicians in determining the initiation, duration, or magnitude of therapy. Areas covered The purpose of this review is to explore the roles of various blood biomarkers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and how their use may improve the precision with which clinicians can identify, treat, and ultimately prevent ASCVD. Our review will include lipid biomarkers, markers of cardiac injury and wall stress, markers of inflammation, and a few others. Expert opinion Several biomarkers have recently been highlighted as "risk-enhancing factors" in the 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline for the Primary Prevention of ASCVD, which can help guide shared decision-making. These included elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. However, some other biomarkers mentioned in this review are not commonly used despite showing initial promise as prognostic of ASCVD risk, as it is not clear how treatment decisions should be changed after their measurement among asymptomatic individuals. Future studies should focus on whether biomarker-directed management strategies can improve clinical outcomes.
Discussion Summary: Open Communications

Dr. Feldmann opened the discussion with a question to Dr. Welch: “The data [in the current NIH trial] reflect aggregate recruitment on a center-by-center basis. Are all centers ahead of schedule?” Dr. Welch replied that, “All the centers are up with the expected schedules. The one not up to schedule is no longer part of the study. Everybody is recruiting and some more than others, particularly those who are experienced in the process. It has really been quite successful.”
Liver transplantation in children using non-heart-beating donors (NHBD).

Gozzini S, Perera MTPR, Mayer DA, Mirza DF, Kelly DA, Muiesan P, Sharif K. Liver transplantation in children using non-heart-beating donors (NHBD). Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:554–557. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Selected livers from controlled NHBD are accepted for OLT in adults. Recent evidence has shown good medium-term outcome. The purpose of this study was to report our experience of pediatric OLT with whole and partial grafts from NHBD, analyzing complications and outcome. Retrospective review of all the recipients who underwent primary OLT between December 2005 and December 2008, using livers from NHBD. Four children (one male child) mean age was 9.5 yr (0.2–17), mean weight was 26 kg (range 2.6–48), underwent OLT using NHBD. Mean donor age was 14.2 yr, and mean WIT (systolic BP <50 mmHg to cold perfusion) 12.2 min (range 10–15). Two children received reduced grafts and two full grafts. Mean cold ischemia time was 7.18 h (range 6–8). Liver function tests one wk and nine months post-OLT confirmed a good graft function. One child was treated for two episodes of acute rejection. Post-transplant complications included two cases of mild ischemic cholangiopathy treated conservatively. Graft and patient survival was 100% with a mean follow-up of 19 months (range 8.1–43.4). Short- to medium-term follow-up suggests that liver grafts from young NHBD with short warm and cold ischemia times can be safely utilized in pediatric transplantation.