cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endocrine disrupting activities of surface water associated with a West Virginia oil and gas industry wastewater disposal site

Currently, >95% of end disposal of hydraulic fracturing wastewater from unconventional oil and gas operations in the US occurs via injection wells. Key data gaps exist in understanding the potential impact of underground injection on surface water quality and environmental health. The goal of this study was to assess endocrine disrupting activity in surface water at a West Virginia injection well disposal site. Water samples were collected from a background site in the area and upstream, on, and downstream of the disposal facility. Samples were solid-phase extracted, and extracts assessed for agonist and antagonist hormonal activities for five hormone receptors in mammalian and yeast reporter gene assays. Compared to reference water extracts upstream and distal to the disposal well, samples collected adjacent and downstream exhibited considerably higher antagonist activity for the estrogen, androgen, progesterone, glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone receptors. In contrast, low levels of agonist activity were measured in upstream/distal sites, and were inhibited or absent at downstream sites with significant antagonism. Concurrent analyses by partner laboratories (published separately) describe the analytical and geochemical profiling of the water; elevated conductivity as well as high sodium, chloride, strontium, and barium concentrations indicate impacts due to handling of unconventional oil and gas wastewater. Notably, antagonist activities in downstream samples were at equivalent authentic standard concentrations known to disrupt reproduction and/or development in aquatic animals. Given the widespread use of injection wells for end-disposal of hydraulic fracturing wastewater, these data raise concerns for human and animal health nearby.
Effect of Plasmodium Gallinaceum Infection on the Mortality and Body Weight of Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effect of Plasmodium gallinaceum on the longevity and physiological status of Aedes aegypti was studied. Infected and noninfected mosquitoes had similar rates of mortality when placed under conditions of nutritional stress. Starvation did not alter the rate at which early oocysts developed. Dry-weight and lean dry-weight determinations, taken as measures of metabolic status of mosquitoes, showed no significant differences between infected and noninfected ones.
Seasonality of Green Cloverworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Adults and an Expanded Hypothesis of Population Dynamics in Iowa

Adult activity and reproductive condition of the green cloverworm (GCW) were monitored in soybeans during 2 outbreak years (1978 and 1979) and 2 endemic years (1980 and 1981). Although four adult flights may occur in any year, adult phenology was substantially different between the two types of years. Furthermore, flights 1 and 4 may be too small to be detected in endemic and outbreak years, respectively. Regardless of the type of year, no females captured during flights 1 and 2 were unmated and preovipositional. It is suggested that both flights are composed of immigrating adults and that flight 1 moths do not directly give rise to flight 2 moths in Iowa. Adult activity also was monitored during 1979 and 1980 in alfalfa, which is the primary alternate host of GCW in central Iowa. The same flights were observed in both crops, but relative abundance and the proportion of unmated females were lower in alfalfa than in soybeans. These results imply that survivorship and adult emergence are lower in alfalfa. The most likely cause of reduced adult emergence in alfalfa probably is the frequent cutting of the crop for hay production. Consequently, alfalfa fields probably serve as population sinks for GCW, with populations in alfalfa contributing relatively little to populations in soybeans. These results are combined into a hypothesis to explain GCW population dynamics in central Iowa.
Cooperative Pseudo Jahn-Teller Effect as Microscopic Mechanism of (OMT)-(LTT) Structural Phase Transition in La 2−x Ba x CuO 4 Superconductors

A microscopic mechanism for the structural phase transition from the orthorhombic mediate temperature (OMT) phase into the low temperature tetragonal (LTT) one is suggested on the basis of the cooperative pseudo Jahn-Teller effect. The local distortions mixing the ground and the first excited electronic states are ordered antiferrodistortively and are connected in part, with the oxygen octahedra rotations around the [100] axis. The results are in agreement, with the neutron scattering experiments data.
Immune response to oligopeptide permease A (OppA) protein in pigs naturally and experimentally infected with Haemophilus parasuis

Haemophilus parasuis is an important swine pathogen that causes Glasser's disease, characterized by pneumonia, polyserositis and meningitis. Protection against H. parasuis infection is associated with the presence of homologous antibodies in serum. However, a H. parasuis antigen that can elicit a protective immune response against all H. parasuis strains has yet to be found. A novel immunogenic and species-specific H. parasuis protein was identified by screening H. parasuis whole cell proteins using swine convalescent sera. One protein of 52kDa was clearly immunodominant and conserved among different H. parasuis strains. This protein was further identified as an oligopeptide permease A (OppA). Because OppA elicited a specific antibody response in pigs that recovered from H. parasuis infection, we investigated its potential role in diagnostics and protective immunity. An ELISA test using recombinant OppA (rOppA) as its coating antigen was further developed and tested. H. parasuis specific antibodies to rOppA were detected in serum from convalescent pigs but not in serum from specific pathogen free (SPF) or conventional pigs. Pigs immunized with rOppA protein had robust serological responses. However, the antibodies were not protective against challenge infection. We conclude that OppA is a universal species-specific H. parasuis immunogen, and a good marker for previous systemic infection with H. parasuis.
'Unknowing': toward another pattern of knowing in nursing.

Knowing is wonderful, but it is just a guiding means. Unknowing is a condition of openness. This unknowing in the intersubjective space of two people or people of two cultures allows others to be. This art of unknowing may enable a nurse to understand, with empathy, the actual essence of the meaning an experience has for a patient. This pattern of unknowing focused herein on the intersubjective whole between patient and nurse is applicable as well to learning in a more formal sense. To be open to learning one needs to posture oneself in a position of unknowing to hear a colleague, a teacher, a student. To provide and find openness is to be able to say, "I never thought about it that way," and at once experience the wonderment of coming upon an "unknown."
Artificial Versus Natural Light Source Identification with Light Intensity Sensors for Energy Monitoring

Abstract Studies have shown that increasing the granularity of energy consumption information in buildings could facilitate achieving energy saving objectives. Lighting systems in buildings are one of the main consumers of electricity with a share of approximately (direct and indirect) 23 percent of the total electricity in the US. Direct monitoring of lighting systems is not feasible due to challenges for instrumentation. In this study, we are proposing an approach for monitoring of lighting systems energy consumption by using single light intensity sensors. Load monitoring through light sensors is challenging due to the contribution of natural light in variation of the signal magnitude in the captured time series. Accordingly, we have proposed a new feature in frequency domain that helps us identify artificial light (AL) source type and improve AL event detection. Field experimental study showed the effectiveness of the proposed feature by eliminating all false positives in event detection.
Nontunneled ureterocolonic anastomosis: an alternate to the tunneled implantation.

Abstract A nontunneled, nonrefluxing ureterocolonic implantation was performed in 32 patients who underwent construction of a continent colonic reservoir with a tapered distal ileum, and in 6 who underwent bladder replacement or urinary undiversion with an ileocolonic segment. Between January 1986 and June 1988, 76 ureterocolonic anastomoses were performed with a success rate of 96%. Our preliminary report shows that this technique is a valuable alternative to the tunneled ureterocolonic anastomosis for various reconstructive procedures. ( J. Urol., 142: 961–963, 1989 )
Comparison between antegrade and retrograde cerebral perfusion or profound hypothermia as brain protection strategies during repair of type A aortic dissection.

Background: The goal of this study was to compare early postoperative outcomes and actuarial-free survival between patients who underwent repair of acute type A aortic dissection by the method of cerebral perfusion used. Methods: A total of 324 patients from five academic medical centers underwent repair of acute type A aortic dissection between January 2000 and December 2010. Of those, antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) was used for 84 patients, retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) was used for 55 patients, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) was used for 184 patients during repair. Major morbidity, operative mortality, and 5-year actuarial survival were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of operative mortality and Cox Regression hazard ratios were calculated to determine the predictors of long term mortality. Results: Operative mortality was not influenced by the type of cerebral protection (19% for ACP, 14.5% for RCP and 19.1% for DHCA, P=0.729). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, hemodynamic instability [odds ratio (OR) =19.6, 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.102–0.414, P 200 min(OR =4.7, 95% CI, 1.962–1.072, P=0.029) emerged as independent predictors of operative mortality. Actuarial 5-year survival was unchanged by cerebral protection modality (48.8% for ACP, 61.8% for RCP and 66.8% for no cerebral protection, log-rank P=0.844). Conclusions: During surgical repair of type A aortic dissection, ACP, RCP or DHCA are safe strategies for cerebral protection in selected patients with type A aortic dissection.
Fast computations for approximation and compression in Slepian spaces

The discrete prolate spheroidal sequences (DPSS's) provide an efficient representation for signals that are perfectly time-limited and nearly bandlimited. Unfortunately, because of the high computational complexity of projecting onto the DPSS basis — also known as the Slepian basis — this representation is often overlooked in favor of the fast Fourier transform (FFT). In this paper, we show that there exist fast constructions for computing approximate projections onto the leading Slepian basis elements. The complexity of the resulting algorithms is comparable to the FFT, and scales favorably as the quality of the desired approximation is increased. We demonstrate how these algorithms allow us to efficiently compute the solution to certain least-squares problems that arise in signal processing.
On the Prediction of α-Martensite Temperatures in Medium Manganese Steels

A new composition-based method for calculating the α-martensite start temperature in medium manganese steel is presented and uses a regular solution model to accurately calculate the chemical driving force for α-martensite formation, $$ \Delta G_{\text{Chem}}^{\gamma \to \alpha } $$ . In addition, a compositional relationship for the strain energy contribution during martensitic transformation was developed using measured Young’s moduli (E) reported in literature and measured values for steels produced during this investigation. An empirical relationship was developed to calculate Young’s modulus using alloy composition and was used where dilatometry literature did not report Young’s moduli. A comparison of the $$ \Delta G_{\text{Chem}}^{\gamma \to \alpha } $$ normalized by dividing by the product of Young’s modulus, unconstrained lattice misfit squared (δ 2), and molar volume (Ω) with respect to the measured α-martensite start temperatures, $$ M_{\text{S}}^{\alpha } $$ , produced a single linear relationship for 42 alloys exhibiting either lath or plate martensite. A temperature-dependent strain energy term was then formulated as $$ \Delta G_{\text{str}}^{\gamma \to \alpha } \left( {{\text{J}}/{\text{mol}}} \right) = E\varOmega \delta^{2} (14.8 - 0.013T) $$ , which opposed the chemical driving force for α-martensite formation. $$ M_{\text{S}}^{\alpha } $$ was determined at a temperature where $$ \Delta G_{\text{Chem}}^{\gamma \to \alpha } + \Delta G_{\text{str}}^{\gamma \to \alpha } = 0 $$ . The proposed $$ M_{\text{S}}^{\alpha } $$ model shows an extended temperature range of prediction from 170 K to 820 K (−103 °C to 547 °C). The model is then shown to corroborate alloy chemistries that exhibit two-stage athermal martensitic transformations and two-stage TRIP behavior in three previously reported medium manganese steels. In addition, the model can be used to predict the retained γ-austenite in twelve alloys, containing e-martensite, using the difference between the calculated $$ M_{\text{S}}^{\varepsilon } $$ and $$ M_{\text{S}}^{\alpha } $$ .
Genetic Differences in Chicken Heterophil mRNA Expression in Response to In-Vitro Stimulation with Salmonella enteritidis

Heterophils were collected from chickens from genetically diverse lines and gene expression in response to in vitro stimulation with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) was measured for cells from each line. Heterophils are cells important in the initial detection of and mounting of an immune response to pathogens. Understanding the response of heterophils to stimulation with SE and how this response is different for diverse genetic lines may allow selection for increased resistance to this bacterial pathogen.
Students' perspectives on RateMyProfessors.com: an empirical investigation of perception and attitude

Since its inception in 1999, the website of RateMyProfessors.com has been popular and has gathered more than 15 million ratings of approximate 1.5 million professors from more than 7,000 schools. It provides college students opportunities to rate and comment on their instructors and helps them with course selection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the college student perception and attitude towards this website. We analysed survey data from 166 undergraduate students. Our findings suggest that overall students have positive experiences and find RMP as a reliable source of information for course selection. About 25% of participants who have posted ratings have stronger positive attitude towards the website and higher tendency to check the website before registering classes.
Coming to Grips with Ambiguity: Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry for Protein Quaternary Structure Assignment

Multiprotein complexes are central to our understanding of cellular biology, as they play critical roles in nearly every biological process. Despite many impressive advances associated with structural characterization techniques, large and highly-dynamic protein complexes are too often refractory to analysis by conventional, high-resolution approaches. To fill this gap, ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) methods have emerged as a promising approach for characterizing the structures of challenging assemblies due in large part to the ability of these methods to characterize the composition, connectivity, and topology of large, labile complexes. In this Critical Insight, we present a series of bioinformatics studies aimed at assessing the information content of IM-MS datasets for building models of multiprotein structure. Our computational data highlights the limits of current coarse-graining approaches, and compelled us to develop an improved workflow for multiprotein topology modeling, which we benchmark against a subset of the multiprotein complexes within the PDB. This improved workflow has allowed us to ascertain both the minimal experimental restraint sets required for generation of high-confidence multiprotein topologies, and quantify the ambiguity in models where insufficient IM-MS information is available. We conclude by projecting the future of IM-MS in the context of protein quaternary structure assignment, where we predict that a more complete knowledge of the ultimate information content and ambiguity within such models will undoubtedly lead to applications for a broader array of challenging biomolecular assemblies. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
Toward visual field assessment using head-worn sensing devices

With the flourishing development of body sensor networks, a variety of head-worn sensor-based devices have emerged in many domains, to facilitate applications involving head movements. This paper explores the potential of using head-mounted sensors coupled with computational algorithms, to assess visual field defects through analyzing head motion in reading activities. Visual field defects, such as homonymous hemianopia, is a common disorder that occurs after stroke, injury, or vascular brain damage. A customized reading experiment is conducted on 17 participants, while Google Glass is used for head motion monitoring and visual field defect simulation. The results show a 6%–10% drop in reading performance with the simulated condition. Several machine learnig algorithms demonstrate the distinguishability of head motion in reading activities for visual field defect, with an average accuracy of 91%. Furthermore, experiment results suggest that the difference in head motion between normal and impaired visual field is less significant under extreme reading conditions.
A Case of Multiple Myeloma Associated with Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Gallbladder Manifesting as Acute Cholecystitis

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematological malignancy that represents 1% of all cancers. MM is distinguished from other plasma cell disorders by prominent bone marrow involvement and systemic organ damage. Extramedullary plasmacytomas of the gall bladder (GB) or biliary ducts, whether solitary or in association with MM, are very rare. We report a case of a 66-year-old female with a history of refractory MM who presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Her laboratory evaluation revealed an abnormal liver panel and lactic acidosis. Abdominal ultrasonography was consistent with acute cholecystitis with no evidence of biliary obstruction or abnormal liver parenchyma. An open cholecystectomy with liver biopsy was performed. The histological evaluation revealed involvement of the GB submucosa and serosa, as well as the liver parenchyma by abnormal plasma cells with lambda light chain restriction. Congo red stain for the GB sample was positive. The patient declined further treatment for MM and was discharged home with comfort measures.
Impactful Learning Environments: A Humanistic Approach to Fostering Adolescents’ Postindustrial Social Skills:

“Humanistic education” and “postindustrial skills” movements are concerned with promoting social development, thus, it is apropos to question if a humanistic learning environment is effective in fo...
Alloy Phase Stability: Opening Remarks

The problems of phase stability in alloys involve subjects that fall quite naturally between metallurgy and metal physics. By metallurgy we mean, for the most part, the more traditional aspects of the structure-property relations in metals and alloys and their manipulation by heat treatment, although a principal purpose of this Advanced Study Institute (ASI) is to demonstrate the continuing success that physics is having in dealing with metallurgical complexity. By metal physics, we mean the application of quantum theory, classical mechanics and elasticity, and statistical mechanics to metallic alloys. The dichotomy, actually, has always been somewhat artificial, especially as many of the most insightful advances in metallurgy have come from chemists, physicists and crystallographers who have chosen to work on alloys and their phase relations and properties. It could nonetheless have been said some years ago that if one studied the Fermi surface of pure copper one was a physicist whereas if one wanted to understand the alloying effects of Zn on, for example, the hardness of Cu, one was a physical metallurgist. [And if one wished to design a heat treatment to optimize the properties of an alloy, ferrous or otherwise, one was certainly a metallurgist!]
Multi-Element Arrays for NDE Applications

Ultrasonic phased or time delay steered arrays have been widely used for diagnostic medical applications for the past several years. There has been no similar widespread use of these arrays for Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) applications. This paper discusses the different requirements of the two applications and how this affects the design of an array.
Hydrogen stabilization.: Nine isotypic orthorhombic A5Pn3H phases (among A=Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Eu, Yb; Pn=Sb, Bi) formerly described as binary β-Yb5Sb3-type compounds

Abstract Pervasive but commonly unappreciated hydrogen impurities in the indicated divalent metals or in reaction systems at high temperature have led to misreports of Ca 5 Pn 3 H, Sr 5 Pn 3 H, Eu 5 Pn 3 H and Yb 5 Pn 3 H for Pn=Sb, Bi as binary phases with the orthorhombic β-Yb 5 Sb 3 -type structure (space group Pnma ). Sm 5 Bi 3 H is a new member and contains Sm 2+ . These phases do not form, or are decomposed into hexagonal Mn 5 Si 3 (H x )-type analogues, in heated systems under dynamic high vacuum. The structure of these hydrides is better described as orthorhombic Ca 5 Sb 3 F-type with H or F in tetrahedral interstitial sites; Sr 5 Pn 3 F and Y 5 Sb 3 F are new examples of the latter group. Both the Ca 5 Sb 3 F- and Mn 5 Si 3 -type A 5 Pn 3 H x phases show appreciable ranges of hydrogen content. The relative stabilities of the orthorhombic hydrides increase with decreasing cation size and, secondarily, for Bi over Sb. EHMO band calculations for the reported binary Ca 5 Bi 3 (Yb 5 Sb 3 -type) structure signal the presence of a bound interstitial by the appearance of underutilized calcium states in a half-filled band at E F that are displaced on hydrogen inclusion in the correct site. Magnetic and resistivity data are also reported.
Going concern opinions and IPO pricing accuracy

In a marked shift, it has become relatively more common for ordinary initial public offerings (IPOs) to contain going concern opinions (GCOs) in their offering documents. Examining the implications of such GCOs for IPO investors in a sample of ordinary IPOs from 2001 to 2012, we find that GCOs increase price accuracy by reducing price revisions and underpricing. Further, we show that GCO IPOs with reputable underwriters experience higher price revisions. Our underpricing analysis supports the lawsuit avoidance theory. We also provide novel evidence that the market can distinguish between temporarily constrained GCO IPOs and those with persistent problems that receive a second GCO post-IPO. Overall, this paper contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on whether GCOs contained in IPO prospectuses provide material information and result in better pricing mechanisms.
Digital Image Processing and Analysis: Applications with MATLAB and CVIPtools

Digital image processing and analysis is a field that continues to experience rapid growth, with applications in many facets of our lives. Areas such as medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, communication systems, and space exploration are just a few of the application areas. This book takes an engineering approach to image processing and analysis, including more examples and images throughout the text than the previous edition. It provides more material for illustrating the concepts, along with new PowerPoint slides. The application development has been expanded and updated, and the related chapter provides step-by-step tutorial examples for this type of development. The new edition also includes supplementary exercises, as well as MATLAB-based exercises, to aid both the reader and student in development of their skills.
Prototype of running clinical trials in an untrustworthy environment using blockchain

Monitoring and ensuring the integrity of data within the clinical trial process is currently not always feasible with the current research system. We propose a blockchain-based system to make data collected in the clinical trial process immutable, traceable, and potentially more trustworthy. We use raw data from a real completed clinical trial, simulate the trial onto a proof of concept web portal service, and test its resilience to data tampering. We also assess its prospects to provide a traceable and useful audit trail of trial data for regulators, and a flexible service for all members within the clinical trials network. We also improve the way adverse events are currently reported. In conclusion, we advocate that this service could offer an improvement in clinical trial data management, and could bolster trust in the clinical research process and the ease at which regulators can oversee trials.
From the Streets to the Ivory Tower: Kiswahili in African-American Cultural Discourse

“From the Streets to the Ivory Tower” provides an overview of the role Kiswahili, an East African language, has played in African-American cultural discourse. Highlighting selected texts, the essay argues Kiswahili contests the presumed primacy of Western languages and cultures and serves a transgressive, albeit somewhat contested, role in the burgeoning manifestations of Black Power/Nationalism/Diaspora. Debates about the language’s efficacy were common in academic and popular journals in the middle and second half of the twentieth century; however, all arguments notwithstanding, Kiswahili remains a recognizable, commonly taught, and often referenced African language—from literary texts (Scott-Heron, Killens, Reed) to advertisements (Afro Sheen) to cultural celebrations (Kwanzaa) to children’s books (Feelings)—in African-American discourse.
Records with rank polymorphism

In a rank-polymorphic programming language, all functions automatically lift to operate on arbitrarily high-dimensional aggregate data. By adding records to such a language, we can support computation on data frames, a tabular data structure containing heterogeneous data but in which individual columns are homogeneous. In such a setting, a data frame is a vector of records, subject to both ordinary array operations (, filtering, reducing, sorting) and lifted record operations—projecting a field lifts to projecting a column. Data frames have become a popular tool for exploratory data analysis, but fluidity of interacting with data frames via lifted record operations depends on how the language’s records are designed. We investigate three languages with different notions of record data: Racket, Standard ML, and Python. For each, we examine several common tasks for working with data frames and how the language’s records make these tasks easy or hard. Based on their advantages and disadvantages, we synthesize their ideas to produce a design for record types which is flexible for both scalar and lifted computation.
Left Sciatic Neuropathy After Cesarean Delivery in an Obese, Diabetic Patient

A 31-year-old woman, G3P2, presents electively near term for her third cesarean delivery (CD). Her pregnancy has gone well and her baby is of normal estimated fetal weight, but the patient is obese and has had Type 2 diabetes for 10 years, which has been poorly controlled at times (L-1).
A Justice Paradox: On Climate Change, Small Island Developing States, and the Quest for Effective Legal Remedy

Despite their clear and significant vulnerability to climate change, small island developing states have not had the opportunity to pursue in earnest a remedy for the impacts of that change. All small island developing states face significant challenges to their economic well-being and the availability of basic resources -- including food and water. Some face the loss of habitability of their entire territory. Identifying and implementing adequate repair will be difficult enough. After at least two decades of knowledge of these impacts, however, small island developing states still face the equally difficult task of just getting their claims heard. This is not for want of trying. Indeed, there has been extensive research and scholarship as well as abbreviated attempts in international fora to hold large emitters accountable. These have not been effective. Further, the latest attempt to clarify the legal responsibility of the largest emitters has been met with threats of reprisal by those large emitters. This kind of intimidation, coupled with a weak international legal regime at base, delays justice for small island developing states.In this article, Professor Burkett explores the failure of the legal regime to provide adequate process and substantive remedy for small island developing states -- either through the absence of viable legal theories, capacity constraints, or uneven power dynamics in the international arena -- or all three. She argues, however, that the costs of pursuing these claims -- and other novel approaches she outlines in the article -- are dwarfed by the costs to small island communities of unabated climate impacts. In surveying the possible claims and introducing new approaches, Professor Burkett attempts to respond to a striking and persistent (if surprising) justice paradox: the current international regime forecloses any reasonable attempts at a remedy for victims of climate change who are the most vulnerable and the least responsible.
Coma and Related Disorders

Coma is a state of eyes-closed unresponsiveness that usually reflects serious and sometimes irreversible brain pathology. The site of coma can be localized by directed examination of the cerebral cortex and all three levels of the brainstem. In most cases, coma is due to a medical condition rather than to a mass lesion. Prognostication of comatose patients is most accurate for those who have sustained cardiac arrest and in most cases should wait until 72 hours after the inciting event. Patients in the persistent vegetative state show roving or tracking eye movements, an irregular sleep-wake cycle, and an inability to interact with the environment in a meaningful way. The minimally conscious state differs in that patients are able to respond to external stimuli in a limited manner, make basic verbalizations, hold objects appropriately, and follow simple commands. Brain death examination should follow a strict protocol to establish the absence of brain function and to exclude the possibility of an alternative diagnosis. Increased intracranial pressure is a serious neurologic emergency and should be approached in an organized but rapid fashion in an attempt to obtain the best possible outcome.
Wrist - Radioulnar Joint

Position of probe: Place the probe in short axis orientation on the dorsal aspect of the proximal wrist. The ulnar side of the probe should lay on the dorsal ulnar head. The radial side of the probe should lay on the distal dorsal radius. The probe should span the radioulnar joint. The convex surface of the ulnar dome should be visible on the left side of the screen. Lister’s tubercle may be visible on the right side of the screen. The radioulnar articulation should be visible near the center of the screen, slightly to the left side. Ideally, a thin layer of gel should be seen between the probe and skin surface (to confirm that no pressure is being applied to the joint).
RESPIRE++: Robust Indoor Sensor Placement Optimization under Distance Uncertainty

Sensor placement in wireless sensor networks (WSN) aims to maximize coverage while minimizing total deployment cost. However, existing coverage-only approaches do not consider the robustness of the entire system where sensors may break down or malfunction. In this paper, we first propose a robustness-aware sensor placement approach by constructing a multi-objective optimization model. Our experiments demonstrate that this method increases the robustness of a WSN by up to 50%, with 201% higher probability of monitoring the entire environment as compared to the state-of-the-art coverage-only approach. The paper further improves the proposed method by introducing a robust optimization based sensor placement approach which considers the distance uncertainty between a sensor and a target. We show that this improved model increases the probability of target detection by up to 77% compared to state-of-the-art coverage-only approach.
Toward a Phage Cocktail for Tuberculosis: Susceptibility and Tuberculocidal Action of Mycobacteriophages against Diverse Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains

The global health burden of human tuberculosis (TB) and the widespread antibiotic resistance of its causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis warrant new strategies for TB control. The successful use of a bacteriophage cocktail to treat a Mycobacterium abscessus infection suggests that phages could play a role in tuberculosis therapy. To assemble a phage cocktail with optimal therapeutic potential for tuberculosis, we have explored mycobacteriophage diversity to identify phages that demonstrate tuberculocidal activity and determined the phage infection profiles for a diverse set of strains spanning the major lineages of human-adapted strains of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Using a combination of genome engineering and bacteriophage genetics, we have assembled a five-phage cocktail that minimizes the emergence of phage resistance and cross-resistance to multiple phages, and which efficiently kills the M. tuberculosis strains tested. Furthermore, these phages function without antagonizing antibiotic effectiveness, and infect both isoniazid-resistant and -sensitive strains.IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis kills 1.5 million people each year, and resistance to commonly used antibiotics contributes to treatment failures. The therapeutic potential of bacteriophages against Mycobacterium tuberculosis offers prospects for shortening antibiotic regimens, provides new tools for treating multiple drug-resistant (MDR)-TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB infections, and protects newly developed antibiotics against rapidly emerging resistance to them. Identifying a suitable suite of phages active against diverse M. tuberculosis isolates circumvents many of the barriers to initiating clinical evaluation of phages as part of the arsenal of antituberculosis therapeutics.
Non-Clairvoyant Scheduling with Predictions

In the single-machine non-clairvoyant scheduling problem, the goal is to minimize the total completion time of jobs whose processing times are unknown a priori. We revisit this well-studied problem and consider the question of how to effectively use (possibly erroneous) predictions of the processing times. We study this question from ground zero by first asking what constitutes a good prediction; we then propose a new measure to gauge prediction quality and design scheduling algorithms with strong guarantees under this measure. Our approach to derive a prediction error measure based on natural desiderata could find applications for other online problems.
Are Learners Satisfied with Their MOOC Experiences? Assessing and Improving Online Learners’ Interactions

With the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, most students study remotely online, which can unleash the benefits of massive open online course (MOOC) platforms. MOOC platforms offer various advantages over traditional education. Still, it is inevitable that there still remain significant challenges that hamper the development and popularity of MOOCs. Interactions and collaborated learning remain as vital weaknesses. In this paper, we are interested in improving MOOC interactions by investigating learners’ experience with current popular MOOC platforms starting with a survey. We also conducted a task analysis on three popular MOOC platforms, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Canvas, to analyze whether and how they include key interaction functions. We found that learner-instructor and teamwork interaction affect users’ experience most. Based on our findings, we propose a set of comprehensive guidelines, called IN-MOOC, to facilitate interpersonal interactions on MOOC platforms. In summary, IN-MOOC provides comprehensive and hierarchical guidelines to improve users’ experience via enhancing interpersonal interaction on MOOC platforms.
Comparison of EPA Animal Biology Laboratory and Company Laboratory Efficacy Data for Federally Registered Rat and Mouse Baits

The authors compared the efficacy data for federally registered rat and mouse baits tested both by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Animal Biology Laboratory and by company laboratories. We chose ready-to-use, dry bait products evaluated according to the same laboratory test protocols. The data, which included 364 tests, were analyzed in two ways. First, we made 12 comparisons based on the mean percent acceptance and the mean percent mortality. Regardless of the combination of active ingredients (diphacinone, warfarin, or prolin), the species (Norway rat or house mouse), or the efficacy criterion (acceptance or mortality), the products always did better in company tests than in EPA tests on the average. These differences were usually greater for comparisons of the mean percent acceptance than for comparisons of the mean percent mortality. Second, we determined the amount of agreement between 99 matched sets of EPA and company data. We found agreement in 65 of the comparisons. Where agreement was not found, the products failed company tests but passed EPA tests in 5 cases, and passed company tests but failed EPA tests in 29 cases. Where individual companies have performed subsequent studies, they have confirmed in their laboratories the efficacy problems discovered in the EPA laboratory. We have discussed the reasons for the differences between the EPA and company data and the steps that are being taken or should be taken to reduce these differences.
Rules governing membrane reorganization and axon-glial interactions during the development of myelinated fibers.

Publisher Summary To study the development of membrane-related recognition molecules, a series of studies is carried out that examine the macromolecular differentiation of the cell membrane in the axon and surrounding glial cells because these cells recognize each other and interact during the maturation of myelinated fibers. A number of considerations suggest that axon–glial interactions during myelination involve cell recognition molecules located on the surfaces of the participating cells. A mitogenic signal for Schwann cells has been demonstrated in association with the axon membrane. There may be more than one signal regulating axon–glial interaction residing on the axon surface. It has been clearly demonstrated that Schwann cells are pluripotential and that the axon determines whether myelination will take place. The pattern of myelin formation, in both peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS), is highly specific in terms of myelin thickness, internode distance, and nodal size along each axon. In the case of CNS myelin forming cells (oligodendrocytes), local regulatory mechanisms, distributed throughout the processes of the oligodendrocyte and subjected to axonal control, modulate myelin formation.
Glenoid and other scapula fractures

Abstract The scapula is well protected from injury, so when it is fractured it is usually from a high-energy mechanism. There is a high incidence of associated injuries, particularly pulmonary injuries in up to 55% of cases, which need prompt evaluation and attention when evaluating the patient with a scapula fracture. The majority of extra-articular fractures can be treated nonoperatively. For more displaced fractures, 3D reconstructions of CT scans are very useful in the workup and allow more accurate measurements of the glenopolar angle, lateral border offset, and angulation, which are used to guide decision making for operative versus nonoperative treatment. Intra-articular fractures are also better visualized with 3D CTs and are more likely to require surgery. Complications are uncommon, with poor outcomes usually due to associated nerve and brachial plexus injuries.
Developing metadata services for grid enabling scientific applications

In a web-based scientific computing, the creation of parameter studies of scientific applications is required to conduct a large number of experiments through the dynamic graphic user interface, without paying the expense of great difficulty of use. The generated parameter spaces which include various problems are incorporated with the computation of the application in the computational environments on the grid. Simultaneously, for the grid-based computing, scientific applications are geographically distributed as the computing resources. In order to run a particular application on the certain site, we need a meaningful metadata model for applications as the adaptive application metadata service used by the job submission service. In this paper, we present how general XML approach and our design for the generation process of input parameters are deployed on the certain scientific application as the example and how application metadata is incorporated with the job submission service in SYNSEIS (SYNthetic SEISmogram generation) tool.
What is Special about Specialization

This essay argues that several key issues regarding craft specialization deserve to be further investigated. These include how specialization develops, variation in strategies to achieve intensification of production, causal factors for technological innovation versus technological conservatism, and how specialization changes in relation to the development of urbanism. Recent studies moving us forward in productive directions with respect to methodology examine the value of goods in specific social contexts, consider the impact of ritual life on craft production, and more thoroughly assess the sources of variation in finished products. Keywords: production; craft; specialization; social research; archaeological; American goods
Lead-free piezoelectric ceramic in the system of Bi/sub 1/2/Na/sub 1/2/TiO/sub 3/-Bi/sub 1/2/K/sub 1/2/TiO/sub 3/-BaTiO/sub 3/ (BiNT-BiKT-BT)

Electromechanical properties of MPB composition (Bi/sub 0.486/Na/sub 0.426/K/sub 0.12/Ba/sub 0.028/TiO/sub 3/) in the system of BiNT-BiKT-BT have been investigated. The conventional processing method has been used to prepare the samples. Dielectric behavior of the MPB composition indicates a phase transition at about 150/spl deg/C. High temperature polarization measurements also confirmed the phase transition, which represents antiferroelectric behavior at 160/spl deg/C. A relatively high d/sub 33/ of 183/spl plusmn/5 pC/N, a tan/spl delta/ of 2.1%, a dielectric constant of 750, a Curie temperature of 295/spl delta/C with thickness and planar coupling coefficients of 55%, and 35% have been obtained. High piezoelectric coefficient with higher thickness coupling coefficients makes this composition, a promising candidate as a lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.
Wayfinding in Social Networks

With the recent explosion of popularity of commercial social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, the size of social networks that can be studied scientifically has passed from the scale traditionally studied by sociologists and anthropologists to the scale of networks more typically studied by computer scientists. In this chapter, I will highlight a recent line of computational research into the modeling and analysis of the small-world phenomenon – the observation that typical pairs of people in a social network are connected by very short chains of intermediate friends – and the ability of members of a large social network to collectively find efficient routes to reach individuals in the network. I will survey several recent mathematical models of social networks that account for these phenomena, with an emphasis on both the provable properties of these social-network models and the empirical validation of the models against real large-scale social-network data.
Structure-function relationships that govern FcϵRI signaling by allergens (HYP3P.344)

Multivalent antigens trigger robust FcϵRI-dependent signaling responses in mast cells and basophils. Most prior studies have relied on chemically heterogenous artificial ligands, rendering it difficult to predict receptor cluster size and orientation and to translate the observations to clinical relevance. This work focuses on the use of structurally defined polyvalent antigens to crosslink IgE-FcϵRI, including a symmetrical trivalent ligand (DNP3-fibritin) and natural allergen (shrimp tropomyosin). In silico docking and computer simulation methods were used to build structural models of ligand-IgE-FcϵRI ectodomain complexes and to estimate aggregation properties, including distances between individual receptors after crosslinking. Signaling responses were studied in “humanized” RBL-2H3 cells and in human basophils from allergic subjects. High resolution imaging approaches were employed to provide insight into the kinetics of crosslinking and the nanoscale organization of FcϵRI signaling. The bell-shaped secretory responses are shown to be linked to the balance of positive (Syk-mediated) and negative (SHIP-mediated) signaling, as well as to differences in aggregate size, complexity and time course. Structurally defined antigens provide an improved basis for understanding FcϵRI signal initiation and termination. These studies lay the foundation for understanding the essential structural features of natural allergens, such as valency, epitope distance and affinity.
Analysis of the effect of vegetation on albedo in residential areas: case studies in suburban Sacramento and Los Angeles, CA

Increasingly “urban greening” is being implemented in order to meet goals of sustainability. Tree planting is part of these efforts that provide climate and environmental benefits. Albedo is an important factor in climatological and ecological functioning. Using GIS, this study assesses albedo changes of suburban communities resulting from trees. Based on orthophotos and LiDAR, a shading algorithm is used to examine how tree shading changes albedo throughout the year. For comparison, changes in community albedo were calculated with low and high assumptions for tree albedo. Under the low tree albedo assumption (0.14), community albedo was decreased (–0.07) by the effect of tree shading at all times modeled during the year. Using a high albedo for trees (0.20), the albedo changes were slight (<–0.01). This indicates the importance of considering the albedo of both the trees planted and the surfaces that are shaded when developing urban greening policies.
Regulation of Mammary Development and Lactation

The mammary gland is unique, not only in its secretory products, but in its ability to complete an entire cycle of growth and differentiation each time it is called upon to provide nutrition for a new set of offspring. For this reason, in this chapter, the hormonal control of mammary development and the coordination of mammary function with other events in the female reproductive cycle are considered, along with the regulation of milk secretion and ejection. The focus will be on hormonal controls as they are understood in the human, drawing on animal studies when necessary for clarity or when information from humans is lacking. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the complex hormonal interactions which regulate mammary function at the organismic level, making the general principles accessible to the nonspecialist. The hormonal control of mammary development will be discussed, followed by a description of prolactin secretion through the female life cycle and the role of oxytocin in milk ejection. Finally, the effects of breast-feeding on fertility and our current understanding of the interaction between nutrition and lactation will be outlined.