cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observing and Analyzing Human Nonverbal Communication

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses observation and analysis of human non-verbal communication using some experiments. Vocalizations are so pervasive in everyday life that one tends to overlook the ongoing silent communication signals that surround. Yet, these nonverbal signals are crucial in daily lives, whether one is conscious of them or not. These signals often support and reinforce talking, but they can also act as independent sources of communication. Smiles comprise a set of non-verbal graded signals, running through a continuous set of changes from a simple closed-mouth smile all the way to a full, open-mouthed grin. People use this set of signals abundantly every day, in many different situations. Recipients respond in what seems to be organized, meaningful ways. This exercise is designed to help to explore human non-verbal communication by observing smiles in a variety of contexts and by using one's observations to analyze the role that these signals may play in human interaction.
Design and Implementation of a Parallel Research Kernel for Assessing Dynamic Load-Balancing Capabilities

The Parallel Research Kernels (PRK) are a tool to study parallel architectures and runtime systems from an application perspective. It provides paper and pencil specifications and reference implementations of elementary operations covering a broad range of parallel application patterns. The current PRK are trivially statically load-balanced. Future large-scale systems will require dynamic load balancing for unsteady workloads and for handling system/network fluctuations and non-uniformities. We present a new PRK that requires dynamic load balancing, and provides knobs for controlling workload behavior. It is inspired by Particle-In-Cell (PIC) applications and captures one of the computational patterns in such codes. We give a detailed specification of the new PRK, highlighting the challenges and corresponding design choices that make it compact, arbitrarily scalable and self-verifying. We also present implementations of the PIC PRK in MPI, with and without application-specific load balancing, and show an implementation with runtime-assisted load balancing provided by Adaptive MPI features. Our experimental results provide an illustrative example of how PIC can be used to assess the load-balancing capabilities of modern parallel runtimes.
Thyroid Surgery 2020

In the past few decades, thyroid surgery has changed by increasing use of outpatient surgery, neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and numerous small incision or remote incision approaches to thyroidectomy. Since innovation in surgery is driven by the belief that something could be done better, the future of thyroid surgery will only change if surgeons believe that there is a need to make improvements. We suggest that future developments in thyroidectomy should focus on reducing the incidence of nerve and parathyroid injuries, better identification of residual thyroid tissue in the neck and thyroid cancer in lymph nodes, and reducing the need for thyroidectomy if nodules can be definitively proven to be benign preoperatively.
On the sustained tracking of human motion

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for sustained tracking of humans, where we combine frame-to-frame articulated motion estimation with a per-frame body detection algorithm. The proposed approach can automatically recover from tracking error and drift. The frame-to-frame motion estimation algorithm replaces traditional dynamic models within a filtering framework. Stable and accurate per-frame motion is estimated via an image-gradient based algorithm that solves a linear constrained least squares system. The per-frame detector learns appearance of different body parts and dasiasketchespsila expected gradient maps to detect discriminant pose configurations in images. The resulting online algorithm is computationally efficient and has been widely tested on a large dataset of sequences of drivers in vehicles. It shows stability and sustained accuracy over thousands of frames.
The Effects of Culture and Performance on Trust in News Media in Post-Communist Eastern Europe: The Case of Serbia:

This study tested the influences of cultural and performance factors on trust in news media in Serbia by conducting a survey on a stratified random sample of the population (N = 544). The results s...
Serum Glycoproteome Profiles for Distinguishing Intestinal Fibrosis from Inflammation in Crohn's Disease.

Background Reliable identification and quantitation of intestinal fibrosis in the setting of co-existing inflammation due to Crohn’s disease (CD) is difficult. We aimed to identify serum biomarkers which distinguish inflammatory from fibrostenotic phenotypes of CD using serum glycoproteome profiles. Methods Subjects with fibrostenotic and inflammation-predominant CD phenotypes (n = 20 per group) underwent comparison by quantitative serum glycoproteome profiles as part of a single tertiary care center cohort study. Following lectin elution, glycoproteins underwent liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry. Identified candidate biomarkers of fibrosis were also measured by serum ELISA, a widely available technique. Results Five (5) glycoproteins demonstrated a ≥20% relative abundance change in ≥80% of subjects, including cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA). COMP (431.7±112.7 vs. 348.7±90.5 ng/mL, p = 0.012) and HGFA (152.7±66.5 vs. 107.1±38.7 ng/mL, p = 0.031) serum levels were elevated in the fibrostenotic vs. inflammatory CD groups using ELISA. Within the fibrostenotic group, intra-individual changes of candidate biomarkers revealed HGFA levels significantly declined following the resection of all diseased intestine (152.7±66.5 vs. 107.1±38.7 ng/mL, p = 0.015); COMP levels were unchanged. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of COMP in the submucosa and muscularis of resected fibrostenotic tissue. Conclusions In this biomarker discovery study, several serum glycoproteins, specifically COMP and HGFA, differ between between predominately inflammatory and fibrostenotic CD phenotypes. The development of blood-based biomarkers of fibrosis would provide an important complement to existing prognostic tools in IBD, aiding decisions on therapeutic intensity and mechanism selection, surgery, and the monitoring of future anti-fibrotic therapies for CD.
An Introduction to CNS-Resident Microglia: Definitions, Assays, and Functional Roles in Health and Disease

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain. As such, their activation is associated with a range of conditions in the healthy and inflamed CNS. In the healthy brain, microglia maintain homeostasis by continuously sampling their environment [1]. When CNS infection and/or inflammation occurs, microglia respond appropriately by changing their activation state. Recent studies illustrate that microglial activation is not an “all or nothing” event. Instead, like peripheral macrophages, microglia exhibit a range of activation states associated with pathogen defense, wound healing, and tissue repair functions (Fig. 1.1) [2, 3]. In addition, although microglia can change their morphology in response to specific stimuli, morphology is now well demonstrated to be a poor discriminator between different types of activation (Fig. 1.1) [2–4].
The High Cost of Lowering the Bar

State bar licensing authorities and law schools have been debating whether the passing score on the bar exam is set at the right level or should be lowered. Much of the debate centers on generalizations without evidence about the effect that changes to the bar exam may have. We present data suggesting that lowering the bar examination passing score will likely increase the amount of malpractice, misconduct, and discipline among lawyers. Using a large dataset drawn from publicly available California State Bar records, our analysis shows that bar exam score is significantly related to likelihood of State Bar discipline throughout a lawyer’s career. We investigate these claims by collecting data on disciplinary actions and disbar-ments among California-licensed attorneys. We find support for the assertion that attorneys with lower bar examination performance are more likely to be disciplined and disbarred than those with higher performance. Although our measures of bar performance have only modest predictive power of subsequent discipline, we project that lowering the passing score would result in the admission of attorneys with a substantially higher probabil-ity of bar discipline over the course of their careers. But we admit that our anal-ysis is limited due to the imperfect data available to the public. And we do not infer a causal relationship between low bar scores and high discipline rates. For a precise calculation, we call on state licensing authorities to use their in-ternal records on bar scores and discipline outcomes to determine the likely impact of changes to the passing score.
Dielectric properties of mono- and bilayers determined from first principles

Two-dimensional materials, especially Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMDs), have emerged as a potential alternative to silicon for future electronic devices. We study the static out-of-plane dielectric constant for a range of single and bilayer two-dimensional materials. Dielectric response of these two-dimensional materials is studied using Density Functional Theory (DFT). Our calculations reveal that the dielectric constant increases with increasing chalcogen atomic number. The results also show that the ionic contribution to the dielectric response is much smaller compared to the electronic contribution.
Connecting theory and data to understand recombination rate evolution

Meiotic recombination is necessary for successful gametogenesis in most sexually reproducing organisms and is a fundamental genomic parameter, influencing the efficacy of selection and the fate of new mutations. The molecular and evolutionary functions of recombination should impose strong selective constraints on the range of recombination rates. Yet, variation in recombination rate is observed on a variety of genomic and evolutionary scales. In the past decade, empirical studies have described variation in recombination rate within genomes, between individuals, between sexes, between populations and between species. At the same time, theoretical work has provided an increasingly detailed picture of the evolutionary advantages to recombination. Perhaps surprisingly, the causes of natural variation in recombination rate remain poorly understood. We argue that empirical and theoretical approaches to understand the evolution of recombination have proceeded largely independently of each other. Most models that address the evolution of recombination rate were created to explain the evolutionary advantage of recombination rather than quantitative differences in rate among individuals. Conversely, most empirical studies aim to describe variation in recombination rate, rather than to test evolutionary hypotheses. In this Perspective, we argue that efforts to integrate the rich bodies of empirical and theoretical work on recombination rate are crucial to moving this field forward. We provide new directions for the development of theory and the production of data that will jointly close this gap.This article is part of the themed issue 'Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms'.
Early Operation in Patients With Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis and Acute Stroke Is Safe.

Background To determine if preoperative embolic stroke is associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke among patients undergoing early operation for mitral valve (MV) infective endocarditis (IE), we compared outcomes among patients presenting with and without acute stroke. Methods From 2003 to 2015, 243 consecutive patients underwent surgery for active MV IE. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: 72% (174 of 243 patients) with no preoperative acute stroke (clinical, radiographic or both) and 28% (69 of 243 patients) with stroke. Both preoperative and postoperative strokes were confirmed in all patients with brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and comprehensive examination by a neurologist. Results Among patients presenting with stroke, 33% (23 of 69 patients) were asymptomatic and had only positive imaging findings. The median time from admission to operation was 5 days. The overall rate of new postoperative stroke was 4% (10 of 243 patients). The rate of postoperative stroke was not different between the 2 groups: 4% (7 of 174 patients) among patients with no preoperative stroke and 4% (3 of 69 patients) with stroke ( p = 0.9). One patient developed a hemorrhagic conversion of an acute infarct. Operative mortality was 7% (13 of 174 patients) among patients with no preoperative stroke and 7% (5 of 69 patients) among patients with stroke ( p = 0.9). Conclusions MV surgery for IE and acute stroke can be performed early with a low risk of postoperative neurologic complications. When indicated, surgical intervention for MV IE complicated by acute stroke should not be delayed.
Cellulose Abetted Assembly and Temporally Decoupled Loading of Cargo into Vesicles Synthesized from Functionally Diverse Lamellar Phase Forming Amphiphiles

Self-assembled micrometer-scale vesicles composed of lamellar phase forming amphiphiles are useful as chemical microreactors, as minimal artificial cells, as protocell mimics for studies of the origins of life, and as vehicles for the targeted delivery of drugs. Given their varied uses, discovery of a universal mechanism that is simple, rapid, and that produces vesicles from a large variety of amphiphiles with different chemical and physical properties at high yield is extremely desirable. Here we show that cellulose, in the form of cellulose paper, facilitates the assembly of membranous vesicles 5–20 μm in diameter from scientifically and technologically important amphiphiles of diverse chemical structures and functionality such as fatty acids (fatty acid vesicles), amphiphilic diblock copolymers, and amphiphilic triblock copolymers (polymersomes). Assembly of vesicles occurred within 90 min of placing the amphiphile-coated cellulose paper into aqueous solutions. Varying thermal and chemical conditions, ...
Racial/ethnic representation in lifestyle weight loss intervention studies in the United States: A systematic review

Obesity remains a persistent public health and health disparity concern in the United States. Eliminating health disparities, particularly among racial/ethnic minority groups, is a major health priority in the US. The primary aim of this review was to evaluate representation of racial/ethnic sub-group members in behavioral weight loss interventions conducted among adults in the United States. The secondary aims were to assess recruitment and study design approaches to include racial/ethnic groups and the extent of racial/ethnic sub-group analyses conducted in these studies. PubMed, PsycInfo, Medline, and CINAHL were searched for behavioral weight loss intervention trials conducted in 2009-2015 using keywords: weight, loss, overweight, obese, intervention and trial. Most of the 94 studies included a majority of White participants compared to any other racial/ethnic group. Across the included studies, 58.9% of participants were White, 18.2% were African American, 8.7% were Hispanic/Latino, 5.0% were Asian and 1.0% were Native Americans. An additional 8.2% were categorized as "Other". Nine of the 94 studies exclusively included minority samples. Lack of adequate representation of racial and ethnic minority populations in behavioral trials limits the generalizability and potential public health impact of these interventions to groups that might most benefit from weight loss. Given racial/ethnic disparities in obesity rates and the burden of obesity and obesity-related diseases among minority groups in the United States, greater inclusion in weight loss intervention studies is warranted.
Maternal Choline Supplementation during Normal Murine Pregnancy Alters the Placental Epigenome: Results of an Exploratory Study.

The placental epigenome regulates processes that affect placental and fetal development, and could be mediating some of the reported effects of maternal choline supplementation (MCS) on placental vascular development and nutrient delivery. As an extension of work previously conducted in pregnant mice, the current study sought to explore the effects of MCS on various epigenetic markers in the placenta. RNA and DNA were extracted from placentas collected on embryonic day 15.5 from pregnant mice fed a 1X or 4X choline diet, and were subjected to genome-wide sequencing procedures or mass-spectrometry-based assays to examine placental imprinted gene expression, DNA methylation patterns, and microRNA (miRNA) abundance. MCS yielded a higher (fold change = 1.63–2.25) expression of four imprinted genes (Ampd3, Tfpi2, Gatm and Aqp1) in the female placentas and a lower (fold change = 0.46–0.62) expression of three imprinted genes (Dcn, Qpct and Tnfrsf23) in the male placentas (false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 0.05 for both sexes). Methylation in the promoter regions of these genes and global placental DNA methylation were also affected (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, a lower (fold change = 0.3; Punadjusted = 2.05 × 10−4; FDR = 0.13) abundance of miR-2137 and a higher (fold change = 1.25–3.92; p < 0.05) expression of its target genes were detected in the 4X choline placentas. These data demonstrate that the placental epigenome is responsive to maternal choline intake during murine pregnancy and likely mediates some of the previously described choline-induced effects on placental and fetal outcomes.
Developing key PSE skills for the workforce of the future

Abstract Process systems engineering (PSE) skills are imperative for the success of the chemical enterprise in a competitive and ever-changing world. Unfortunately, the importance of developing these skills is not always understood or accepted in industry or academia. Thus, engineers early in their careers sometimes have a steep learning curve applying PSE tools, and some may not be fully aware of the discipline and its possibilities. This presentation will cover the author’s perspective on key PSE skills to develop as part of the toolbox of successful engineers given ongoing trends. Developing and enhancing these key skills would enable the chemical enterprise to become more effective, sustainable, and innovative. Some of the skills to be discussed include sustainability evaluations, molecular design, process and supply chain modelling, process control and optimization, relevant data analytics, amongst others. The talk will incorporate experience obtained through 20 + years of work from the following viewpoints: industrial PSE practice and research, development of technical engineering leaders in the chemical enterprise, and academic formation of new engineers at both graduate and undergraduate level. The talk will provide perspective of some actions that can be taken by industry and academia to better prepare engineers in training for the demands of the chemical enterprise. When engineers are versed on the right tools, the challenges currently face by PSE become the opportunities of the innovators of tomorrow.
Toward a model informed consent process for BRCA1 testing: a qualitative assessment of women's attitudes.

As an initial part of a project to develop a model informed consent process for BRCA1 testing, we conducted a series of focus groups. At the groups, women initially expressed great interest in testing, but their interest diminished after learning more. If offered testing, women would most want to learn about test accuracy, practical details of testing, and management options if the result was positive. Perceived benefits of testing included gaining information leading to risk reduction, relief of uncertainty, more responsible parenting, and assisting in research. Perceived risks included the discomfort and cost of the testing process itself, and anxiety after a positive result. The risk of possible insurance discrimination was rarely mentioned spontaneously. Many women would want their providers to make recommendations, rather than be nondirective about testing. We observed that women vary greatly in their informational and counseling needs, and suggest that the informed consent process should be individualized, taking into account a woman's perception and her preferences for how testing decisions should be made.
Economic Incentives and Agricultural Drainage Problems: The Role of Water Transfers

The opportunity to transfer water creates incentives for farmers to consider the value of water in off-farm uses when making farm management decisions. Water transfers can complement other policy approaches to agricultural drainage problems by prompting farmers to use less water for irrigation, recognizing its opportunity cost, and by providing water to mitigate drainage-related contamination and to replace and restore damaged wetlands.
Stress in Dairy Animals—Management Induced Stress in Dairy Cattle: Effects on Reproduction

During stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated. Hypothalamic neurons within the HPA axis secrete corticotropin-releasing hormone that causes the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary. The ACTH causes the adrenal gland to secrete cortisol (a stress hormone). Cortisol will initially improve an animal's ability to cope with stress. Long-term increases in cortisol, however, are unhealthy. The hormone responsible for reproduction is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH is released from the hypothalamus and causes the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary. The release of LH stimulates ovarian follicular growth and ovulation (essential processes for reproduction). Physiological and psychological stressors will typically inhibit GnRH and LH release. Some stressors activate the HPA axis (i.e., increase cortisol) and inhibit GnRH and LH through an HPA-dependent mechanism. Other stressors including postpartum negative energy balance have inhibitory effects on GnRH and LH but act through pathways that do not involve the HPA axis. A certain amount of management-induced stress is unavoidable. The best reproductive performance will be achieved when stress is minimized so that the endocrine components of the reproductive axis can function at their maximal level.
Three-Dimensional Printing of Magnetic Data Storage Structures

Bar codes and quick response codes are the standard methods of visual data storage. These codes rely on changes in visual patterns to encode data into a binary format. Problems with these methods include limited data storage capacity and poor visual appeal in product marketing. This work examined magnetic patterns as an alternative to visual patterns as a potential means to encode data. Using magnetic patterns it is theorized that data storage capacity can be improved, while embedding the code within a tagged object. Magnetic patterns were formed using neodymium magnets, which yielded results that are similar to a bar code. Lines of high magnetic field strength followed by regions of low magnetic field strength at different spacing produced different overall magnetic patterns. Next, magnetic patterns were 3-dimensionally printed using an iron and polylactic acid commercial filament. The effect of infill density and the print line of the magnetic regions were studied by measuring the attractive force between the sample and a neodymium magnet attached to a force gauge for different print configurations. As expected the infill density of 100% had the highest force, which was roughly 330 mN, while the 10% sample had the lowest force being about 120 mN. It was expected that print line should not have an influence on magnetic force, but in this experiment magnetic regions with print lines at 0° were about 10 mN higher than samples printed at 90°. The cause of this was likely due to the printer error. Future work will study print plane, which is another processing variable in 3-dimensional printing. The target goal of matching the data storage capability of QR codes will also be work towards.
Factors controlling surface oxygen exchange in oxides.

Reducing the working temperature of solid oxide fuel cells is critical to their increased commercialization but is inhibited by the slow oxygen exchange kinetics at the cathode, which limits the overall rate of the oxygen reduction reaction. We use ab initio methods to develop a quantitative elementary reaction model of oxygen exchange in a representative cathode material, La0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ, and predict that under operating conditions the rate-limiting step for oxygen incorporation from O2 gas on the stable, (001)-SrO surface is lateral (surface) diffusion of O-adatoms and oxygen surface vacancies. We predict that a high vacancy concentration on the metastable CoO2 termination enables a vacancy-assisted O2 dissociation that is 102–103 times faster than the rate limiting step on the Sr-rich (La,Sr)O termination. This result implies that dramatically enhanced oxygen exchange performance could potentially be obtained by suppressing the (La,Sr)O termination and stabilizing highly active CoO2 termination. The performance of solid oxide fuel cells relies on oxygen exchange kinetics, which can limit oxygen reduction at the cathode. Here the authors use ab initio methods to model oxygen exchange in a representative cathode material to better understand the active molecular mechanism toward optimized design.
Miscellaneous Issues: Paper Money Contaminated With Cocaine and Other Drugs, Cocaine Containing Herbal Teas, Passive Exposure to Marijuana, Ingestion of Hemp Oil, and Occupational Exposure to Controlled Substances

Abstract People defend positive drug testing by using various excuses including handling paper money contaminated with cocaine and illicit drugs, herbal tea contaminated with cocaine passive exposure to marijuana, and ingestion of hemp oil. These issues are discussed in this chapter. Studies have shown that handling paper money contaminated with drugs does not cause false positive test results because illicit drugs are not absorbed through skin. However, some herbal tea such as Mate de Coca which are legally sold in some South American countries contain small amount of cocaine and drinking such tea may cause positive cocaine test result. Passive exposure to marijuana smoke does not cause false positive marijuana test result. Hemp seeds are washed with hot water before use, which removes trace amount of tetrahydrocannabinol. Therefore, eating hemp containing food or consume help oil should not produce positive marijuana test result.
Planning Urban Green Spaces in Their Communities: Intersectional Approaches for Health Equity and Sustainability

This chapter reviews intersectional approaches to planning urban green spaces in communities. We define intersectional planning as the integration between planning for green spaces and for other planning elements such as transportation, housing, and water management. Approaches that consider “green spaces in their communities” recognize parks and open spaces as closely connected with their neighborhoods and rely on community-driven plans to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders. This chapter also borrows from Agyeman’s (Introducing just sustainabilities: policy, planning and practice. Zed Books, London, 2013) “just sustainabilities” framework to emphasize the importance of equity in sustainability discourses and practices. To identify intersectional green space planning approaches, we rely on the review of secondary data (e.g., policies, plans, media accounts) and on fieldwork conducted in Denver, Los Angeles, and Chicago. We particularly focus on intersections between recreation and (1) water management, (2) transportation and land use, and (3) housing. We observe that a number of planning approaches seek to integrate different planning sectors, with various degrees of success. The most common intersectional approaches integrate recreation with water management and transportation. Less common but most effective frameworks combine green space, land use, and housing. We demonstrate that intersectional approaches can help cities and their residents maximize the various benefits that urban green spaces bring to their communities—from health equity to sustainability to leveraging funding—while minimizing negative impacts of green spaces such as environmental gentrification. We conclude the chapter by summarizing the successes and struggles of emerging intersectional approaches to planning green spaces.
Compatibilization of Polyester/Polyamide Blends with a Phosphonated Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Ionomer: Comparison of Monovalent and Divalent Pendant Ions

The successful compatibilization of immiscible amorphous polyester (PETG) and semicrystalline polyamide (poly(m-xylylene adipamide) (MXD6)) blends using a phosphonated poly(ethylene terephthalate) ...
The Effect of Catholic University Characteristics on Student Religiosity: A Meta-Analysis

What features of a Catholic university (if any) make a difference for student religiousness? Despite growing interest, no comparative institutional data on this question are currently available to Catholic scholars. To demonstrate thevalue of such information and suggest common metrics, the question was examined by means of a meta-analysis of 26 studies measuring student religious outcomes in Catholic universities since 1960. Overall, there is a “Catholic difference”: religiosity in Catholic universities exceeds secular universities by about half (.40-.50) a standard deviation. Student church attendance — an “objective” religious activity — is highly sensitive to institutional differences; prayer and self-assessed religiousness — reflecting “subjective” personal devotion or attitude — are not. Church attendance has dropped by .5 standard deviations since the 1960s, with most of the decline occurring recently; rises sharply (r=.84) with increased Catholic concentration; and declines in universities that are more selective, as indicated by Carnegie undergraduate profile (r=-.88), and wealthy, as indicated by average faculty salary (r=-.91). Schools with fewer required theology/philosophy courses have very low church attendance; those with very high church attendance have lower selectivity, indicated by lower entering SAT scores and higher admissions yield. The implications of these limited findings for improving Catholic identity and faith practice, and the added value that more comprehensive data would bring, are discussed.
“Why Are Video Games So Special?”: The Supreme Court and the Case Against Medium Specificity:

The 2011 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association adjudicated the State of California’s right to regulate the sale of “violent” video games and, in the process, effectiv...
Local differential privacy for physical sensor data and sparse recovery

In this work, we exploit the ill-posedness of linear inverse problems to design algorithms to release differentially private data or measurements of the physical system. We discuss the spectral requirements on a matrix such that only a small amount of noise is needed to achieve privacy and contrast this with the ill-conditionedness. We then instantiate our framework with several diffusion operators and explore recovery via constrained minimisation. Our work indicates that it is possible to produce locally private sensor measurements that both keep the exact locations of the heat sources private and permit recovery of the “general geographic vicinity” of the sources.
Decision-Making in Patients with Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis with Glottal Insufficiency: Balancing Voice Versus Airway

Surgery of patient with bilateral vocal fold paralysis must often balance the effects of surgical treatment on both the voice and airway. In both the acute and the chronic management of the patient with bilateral vocal fold paralysis, the decision must incorporate the prognosis of the injury and the potential for recovery, the severity of the injury, and the functional needs of the patient. Better airway may occasionally need to be sacrificed for better voice and vice versa. Impaired cough and impaired swallow may also need to be considered where permanent laryngeal dilation is being done. As part of the workup, advanced functional studies of respiration and voice may incorporate fiber-optic and rigid laryngoscopy with stroboscopy, pulmonary function testing with flow loop studies, laryngeal electromyography, and CT radiographic imaging. In the management of patients with acute vocal fold paralysis, temporary tracheostomy, arytenoid lateralization suture, and Botox injection into the adductors may have a role in improving airway, while injection laryngoplasty has a role in improving voice. In consideration of the permanent procedures to open the airway in patient with bilateral vocal fold paralysis, static procedures such as open and endoscopic arytenoidectomy, open arytenoid lateralization procedures, and transverse cordotomy with myectomy may be considered. Lipo injection, bilateral medialization laryngoplasty, and medialization laryngoplasty with or without arytenoid adduction have a role in patients with voice disturbance with glottal incompetence. Nonselective and selective reinnervation can be performed in patients to achieve dynamic rehabilitation and restore function.
Green Energy from Garbage? A Case Study of Municipal Solid Waste’s Contested Inclusion in Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard

Renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) are powerful state-level climate policy tools that set minimum renewable energy targets. They have been adopted by 29 states, in the United States (U.S.) as well as Washington, D.C., and have fueled much of the growth in the U.S. renewable energy sector. However, because these policy tools are state-driven, the technologies and fuel types included in each state’s RPS vary. In this article, I discuss the inclusion of municipal solid waste in Maryland’s RPS, and a social movement for environmental justice that has emerged around this decision. Given the prominence of RPSs in both fueling renewable energy adoption in the U.S., as well as in encouraging particular technologies, it is increasingly important to interrogate the types of technologies and fuel sources that climate policies like RPSs incentivize, and how they are received by the communities for which they are proposed. Thus, this article’s objective is to inspire critical thought about the classification schemes that govern renewable energy production.
Postsecondary Educational Attainment of Young People Leaving Care in the USA: Implications for Practice and Policy

Research over the past two decades has generally shown poor postsecondary educational outcomes for youth transitioning to adulthood from out-of-home care, but research on the topic is limited (Gypen L, Vanderfaeillie J, De Maeyer S, Belenger L, Van Holen F, Child Youth Serv Rev 76:74–83, 2017). The California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH) has been following the educational trajectories of a population-based sample of youth in out-of-home care into adulthood (Courtney et al., 2018). The study has followed 727 youth who were first interviewed in 2013 while still in care at age 17, with follow-up interviews at age 19 (n = 611; 84% sample retention) and 21 (n = 616; 85% sample retention). This chapter describes trends in the secondary and postsecondary educational attainment of these young people, support they received to pursue their education, and the obstacles they have encountered along the way. The study’s findings have implications for social work practice and policies and programs intended to positively influence the postsecondary educational attainment of youth transitioning to adulthood from state care.
Objective Response Rate Among Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Sarcoma Treated With Talimogene Laherparepvec in Combination With Pembrolizumab: A Phase 2 Clinical Trial.

Importance Patients with advanced sarcoma have limited treatment options. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) has been shown to increase tumor-specific immune activation via augmenting antigen presentation and T-cell priming. Objective To examine whether T-VEC in combination with pembrolizumab is associated with increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte infiltration and programmed death-ligand 1 expression and thus with increased antitumor activity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic sarcoma. Design, Setting, and Participants This open-label, single-institution phase 2 interventional trial of T-VEC plus pembrolizumab enrolled 20 patients with locally advanced or metastatic sarcoma between March 16 and December 4, 2017, for whom at least 1 standard systemic therapy had failed. The median duration of therapy was 16 weeks (range, 7-67 weeks). Reported analyses include data through December 14, 2018. Intervention Patients received pembrolizumab (200-mg flat dose) intravenously and T-VEC (first dose, ≤4 mL × 106plaque-forming units [PFU]/mL; second and subsequent doses, ≤4 mL × 108PFU/mL) injected into palpable tumor site(s) on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR; complete response and partial response) at 24 weeks determined by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST), version 1.1, criteria. Secondary end points included best ORR by immune-related RECIST criteria, progression-free survival rate at 24 weeks, overall survival, and safety. Results All 20 patients (12 women [60%]; median age, 63.5 years [range, 24-90 years]) were evaluable for response. The study met its primary end point of evaluating the best ORR at 24 weeks determined by RECIST, version 1.1, criteria; the best ORR was 30% (95% CI, 12%-54%; n = 6). The ORR overall was 35% (95% CI, 15%-59%; n = 7). The incidence of grade 3 treatment-related adverse events was low (4 patients [20%]). There were no grade 4 treatment-related adverse events or treatment-related deaths. Conclusions and Relevance In this phase 2 clinical trial, treatment with T-VEC plus pembrolizumab was associated with antitumor activity in advanced sarcoma across a range of sarcoma histologic subtypes, with a manageable safety profile. This combination therapy met its predefined primary study end point; further evaluation of T-VEC in combination with pembrolizumab for patients with select sarcoma subtypes is planned. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT03069378
Nonholonomic Virtual Constraint Design for Variable-Incline Bipedal Robotic Walking

This letter presents a method of designing relative-degree-two nonholonomic virtual constraints (NHVCs) that allow for stable bipedal robotic walking across variable terrain slopes. Relative-degree-two NHVCs are virtual constraints that encode velocity-dependent walking gaits via momenta conjugate to the unactuated degrees of freedom for the robot. We recently introduced a systematic method of designing NHVCs, based on the hybrid zero dynamics (HZD) control framework, to achieve hybrid invariant flat ground walking without the use of dynamic reset variables. This work addresses the problem of walking over variable-inclined terrain disturbances. We propose a methodology for designing NHVCs, via an optimization problem, in order to achieve stable walking across variable terrain slopes. The end result is a single controller capable of walking over variable-inclined surfaces, that is also robust to inclines not considered in the optimization design problem, and uncertainties in the inertial parameters of the model.
A Flat Inferior Vena Cava on Computed Tomography Is Associated With Worse Outcomes in Emergency General Surgery.

Abstract Background Several trauma studies have shown that a “flat” inferior vena cava (IVC) is associated with poor clinical outcomes, including hypovolemic shock, major bleeding, transfusions and mortality. These studies utilize IVC measurements on computed tomography (CT) scans, and rarely include emergency general surgery patients. We examine the association between IVC flatness and clinical outcomes in a series of patients with perforated viscus. Materials and methods Medical records at an academic hospital were reviewed of adults with perforated viscus. Patients who underwent laparotomy or laparoscopy were included if they underwent CT within 12 h prior to incision time. Perforated appendicitis was excluded. A ratio was calculated of the transverse to anterior-posterior diameter of the IVC at 3 locations, then averaged. Clinical outcomes were analyzed by the average IVC ratio. Results A total of 83 patients were included. Using binomial regression, the average IVC ratio significantly correlated with ICU admission (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 11) and acute kidney injury (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 5.3), but not postoperative shock (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.56 to 2.6). Conclusions A flat IVC on CT prior to an operation for perforated viscus was associated with worse outcomes, including increased rate of ICU admission and acute kidney injury. More outcomes research is needed to assess the potential role of IVC assessment in preoperative resuscitation.
Corporate diversification, economies of scope, and the risk-return relationship

Corporate diversification was believed to enhance returns and reduce risk. Empirical research was split between supporting and rejecting speculations about the resulting favorable combination of hi...
A systematic review of constructive and solutions journalism research

Academic activity surrounding constructive and solutions journalism has surged in recent years; thus, it is important to pause and reflect on this growing body of work in order to understand where ...
Association between surgical volume and survival among patients with variant histologies of bladder cancer

Abstract Objective To examine the relationship between hospital volume and the management of bladder cancer variant histology. Variant histologies of bladder cancer are rare which limits the ability for providers to develop expertise however there is a clear hospital and/or surgeon-volume relationship for management of rare or complex surgical and/or medical diseases. Methods We queried the National Cancer Database from 2004-2016 for all cases of bladder cancer, identifying cases of variant histology. Our primary outcome was overall survival while secondary outcomes included identifying treatment patterns. Hospitals were stratified into those that managed ≤2, >2-4, >4-6, and ≥6 cases per year of variant histology. Results We identified 23,284 patients with bladder cancer of variant histology who were treated at 1301 hospitals. Few institutions had high volume experience with this disease: 18.5% (n = 241) treated >2 patients annually and 5.7% (n = 76) treated >4 cases annually. Hospital volume positively correlated with utilization of early radical cystectomy (RC) in non–muscle invasive disease and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive disease. On multivariable analysis, increased hospital volume was associated with improved survival. After stratifying by sub-type, hospital volume continued to be associated with improved survival for squamous, small cell, and sarcomatoid cancers. Conclusion Management of variant histology urothelial carcinoma at high-volume centers is associated with improved overall survival. The mechanisms of this are multifactorial, and future research should focus on improvement opportunities for low-volume hospitals, centralization of care, and/or increased access to care at high-volume centers.
Libraries Within Their Institutions: Creative Collaborations

* Introduction: Cooperation Within Institutions (William Miller) * The Embedded Librarian: Strategic Campus Collaborations (Barbara I. Dewey) * Reflections on Collaborative Teaching of Science Information Literacy and Science Writing: Plans, Processes and Pratfalls (Deborah Huerta and Victoria McMillan) * Teaching Centers, Libraries, and Benefits to Both (Joni E. Warner and Nancy H. Seamans) * A Blueprint for Progress: Collaborating with Faculty to Integrate Information Literacy into the Curriculum at Purdue University (Alexius Smith Macklin and Michael Fosmire) * Collaboration in Collection Management: A Convergence of Education and Practice (Margaret Beecher Maurer and Don A. Wicks) * Reeling 'Em In: How to Draw Teaching Faculty into Collaborative Relationships (Melissa Moore) * Formal and Informal Structures for Collaboration on a Campus-Wide Information Literacy Program (Jordana M. Y. Shane) * A Campus-Wide Role for an Information Literacy Committee (Trudi E. Jacobson and Carol Anne Germain) * Talking Toward Techno-Pedagogy: IT and Librarian Collaboration--Rethinking Our Roles (Juliet Habjan Boisselle, Susan Fliss, Lori S. Mestre, and Fred Zinn) * Collaborating to Create the Right Space for the Right Time (Jill McKinstry) * New Library Facilities: Opportunities for Collaboration (Joan K. Lippincott) * Digital Preservation of Theses and Dissertations Through Collaboration (Gail McMillan) * Cooperative Dimensions of a Digitization Project (Andrew Adaryukov) * Using the Assessment Cycle as a Tool for Collaboration (Christie Flynn, Debra Gilchrist, and Lynn Olson) * Sharing Technology for a Joint-Use Library (Richard F. Woods) * Index * Reference Notes Included
Loneliness and Adolescent Health Behavior

Abstract This study investigated relationships between loneliness and a number of adolescent health behaviors in a sample of nearly 1,300 senior high school students. Based upon scores on the revised U.C.L.A. Loneliness Scale, adolescents were classified into a super-lonely, lonely, or not-lonely group. Chi-square tests were used to determine whether the three groups differed in terms of participation in a variety of health or health risk behaviors. Lonely adolescents were more likely to use marijuana than adolescents who are not lonely. Boys who are lonely are less likely to participate in aerobic exercise, be physically active, and are more likely to watch television than boys who are not lonely. Among girls, extreme or super-loneliness was associated with the likelihood of being a current cigarette smoker and vomiting to control weight. Girls in the lonely and super-lonely group were more likely than those in the not-lonely group to have had an eating binge, to consider themselves to be “binge eaters,”...
Cerebella: Automatic generation of nonverbal behavior for virtual humans

Our method automatically generates realistic nonverbal performances for virtual characters to accompany spoken utterances. It analyses the acoustic, syntactic, semantic and rhetorical properties of the utterance text and audio signal to generate nonverbal behavior such as such as head movements, eye saccades, and novel gesture animations based on co-articulation.