cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of cardiac β1-adrenergic receptor transcription during the developmental transition

The β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) gene contains binding sites for myc/max proteins within a glucocorticoid response element. Transcriptional activation of the β1AR is the result of cooperative bind...
German Cockroaches: Efficacy of Chlorpyrifos Spray and Dust and Boric Acid Powder

Blattella germanica (L.) populations in low-income homes Were effectively controlled with residual applications of Chlorpyrifos dust or water emulsion spray, and boric acid powder. Mean population reductions at 0.5, 1, and 6 months were: 1% chlorpyrifos dust, 90, 96, 99%; 1% chlorpyrifos dust + 0.5% chlorpyrifos spray, 99, 99, and 97%; 0.5% chlorpyrifos spray, 95, 99, and 100%; and boric acid powder, 95, 97, and 98%, respectively. Pretreatment counts of cockroaches by type of room gave means of: kitchen 467, dining room, 241, hall 47, living room 45, bedroom 37, bath 21, and miscellaneous rooms 0.
Treatment of Vague Information in the Development of a Risk Evaluation System — Application to Seismic Risk Analysis

The development of an expert system involves processing many different types of information; some specific and some vague. Experts do have judgment and heuristic rules based upon their broad knowledge and experience. This judgmental knowledge often involves linguistic descriptors such as “serious,” “possible,” “important,” and so on. The way experts handle such information and reach assessment is also ill-structured and impossible to model using conventional mathematical means. This paper describes the use of fuzzy sets theory to incorporate vague information in the formulation of rules and the querying process when perfect matching no longer exists and contradictory statements are present. Two techniques, fuzzy system identification and the vertex method, are discussed in the treatment of information to obtain the risk functions. The models will be illustrated by means of examples derived from a seismic risk study.
Perspectives on Distributed Network Protocols: A Case for Building Blocks

Although it is common practice to design large systems by decomposition, it does not seem to be the case in the design of "small" distributed protocols, especially when the network is assumed reliable. Many such protocols share common features, yet are designed and proved as isolated cases, which makes them difficult to understand and even more difficult to validate. In this paper, a building-block approach to the design of distributed protocols is advocated. We take a few simple and rather basic protocols proposed by various researchers, and assert that these protocols are suitable to serve as building blocks. We then go through the exercise of designing several protocols employing these building blocks. We illustrate how such a design can lead to better understanding and clarity of the protocols, and even to improvement in performance.
Small nuclear RNPs and RNA processing

ABSTRACT Small RNAs discovered about 16 years ago are metabolically stable, conserved through evolution, and localized to specific subcellular compartments. The sequencing of small RNAs has resulted in the discovery of cap structures, and the nucleotide sequences of all the six capped snRNAs are defined, in some cases for several species. The discovery that patients with autoimmune diseases produce antibodies directed against small RNPs, and the hypothesis that U1 RNA may be involved in splicing hnRNAs, has brought small RNAs to the attention of many investigators. All the capped snRNAs appear to be synthesized by polymerase II, and other small RNAs by polymerase III. Genes having identical sequences to U1, U2, and U3 RNA have been isolated and, interestingly, the human genome appears to contain more pseudogenes for small RNAs than real genes.
Information Literacy in the Sciences: Faculty Perception of Undergraduate Student Skill

Academic librarians need reliable information on the needs of faculty teaching undergraduates about seeking and using information. This study describes information gathered from semistructured interviews of teaching faculty in the sciences from several Boston-area colleges. The interview results provided insight into science faculty attitudes toward student research skill and ability. Faculty articulated what they wanted from students seeking research articles, including finding where the gaps were. They described their concerns about threats to research integrity including conflicts of interest and Open Access publishing. Study results will prove useful for librarians trying to better serve the needs of their science faculty.
On value activities and competitive advantage: an empirical study

Chief executive officers (CEOs) of both supplier and distributor firms can create and sustain a distinctive competitive advantage by working with sales managers (SMs) to establish and maintain appropriate capabilities that add value. However, there is not much information in either the marketing or strategic management literature about the process used by SMs and CEOs in developing such capabilities. Using the resource-based view (RBV) approach and the perceptions of CEOs and SMs from industrial distribution firms; a scale has been developed to investigate the importance of a firm's value activities on achieving a competitive value. While several studies have examined the differences in perception between CEOs and SMs with respect to product strategies, empirical studies investigating the value creating activities are almost non-existent. Results developed in this study using the differences in the mean perception scores of CEOs and SMs indicate the importance of the four value activities of supplier relationships, customer relationships, competitor relationships, and top management activities. The theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed. Future research directions are presented.
Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction using a Silver–Zinc Alloy

We report on CO2 electroreduction activity and selectivity of a polycrystalline AgZn foil in aqueous bicarbonate electrolyte. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show that the alloy foil was slightly enriched in zinc both at the surface and in the bulk, with a surface alloy composition of 61.3±5.4 at % zinc and with Ag5Zn8 as the most prominent bulk phase. AgZn is active for CO2 reduction; CO is the main product, likely due to the weak CO binding energy of the surface, with methane and methanol emerging as minor products. Compared to pure silver and pure zinc foils, enhancements in activity and selectivity for methane and methanol are observed. A five-fold increase is observed in the combined partial current densities for methane and methanol at −1.43 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), representing a four- to six-fold increase in faradaic efficiency. Such enhancements indicate the existence of a synergistic effect between silver and zinc at the surface of the alloy that contributes to the enhanced formation of further reduced products.
Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients Treated for Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) commonly occurs in elderly patients. This study explores the clinical outcomes in elderly patients with OCSCC based on their functional status and clinical comorbidities. Methods and materials We retrospectively reviewed 180 patients aged ≥70 who were treated with definitive intent with surgery followed by adjuvant therapy if indicated for newly diagnosed OCSCC from 1998 to 2013. Pathology review was conducted, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and the Head and Neck Charlson Comorbidity Index (HN-CCI) were assessed. We performed Kaplan-Meier analyses and cumulative incidence estimates to assess overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional recurrence (LRR). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to test age, adjuvant therapy, adverse pathologic features, ECOG status, and HN-CCI status as predictors. Results The median age was 80 years (range, 70-95 years), with a median follow-up time of 23 months. The median OS was 18 months and 46 months for patients aged 70 to 84 and ≥85, respectively (P=.0017). The LRR was 24% at 1 year and 30% at 2 years for all patients. On univariate analysis, ECOG score ≥2 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.96; confidence interval [CI] 1.19-3.21; P=.008) and HN-CCI score ≥2 (HR=1.97; CI 1.17-3.34; P=.011) were predictors of worse OS. On multivariate analysis, HN-CCI score was a better predictor of OS, PFS, and LRR than was ECOG score. Predictors of worse OS were age ≥85 (HR=1.78; CI 1.07-2.96; P=.026), HN-CCI score of ≥2 (HR=2.21; CI 1.20-4.08; P=.011), and adverse features (HR=2.35; CI 1.34-4.13; P=.003). Adjuvant therapy did not have a significant impact on OS or LRR for patients with adverse features even though 48% of them did not receive it. Conclusion Elderly patients with good health and performance status may live long enough to experience disease progression from OCSCC. ECOG and HN-CCI scores may be useful to evaluate the candidacy of elderly patients for adjuvant therapy. However, the benefit of adjuvant therapy in this population remains elusive and should be investigated prospectively.
Molecular microbiology techniques

Abstract It is well known in microbiology community that the culture-dependent methods significantly underestimate the biocomplexity and misrepresent the true composition of microbial communities in the original environment. Many culture-independent molecular microbiology techniques have been developed in the past decades and introduced into oil and gas industry. These techniques are based on direct extraction of nucleic acids from environmental samples, thus overcoming the difficulties associated with the laboratory cultivation of microorganisms and providing a direct analysis of samples and insight into gene functions. This chapter describes molecular microbiology techniques widely used in oil and gas industry and the advantages and limitations of each technique. The applications of molecular microbiology techniques in petroleum industry are illustrated with some case studies in reservoir souring and mitigation, and diagnosis and monitoring of microbial corrosion in various oil industry systems.
Kinin B1 Receptor Promotes Neurogenic Hypertension Through Activation of Centrally Mediated Mechanisms

Hypertension is associated with increased activity of the kallikrein-kinin system. Kinin B1 receptor (B1R) activation leads to vasoconstriction and inflammation. Despite evidence supporting a role for the B1R in blood pressure regulation, the mechanisms by which B1R could alter autonomic function and participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension remain unidentified. We sought to explore whether B1R-mediated inflammation contributes to hypertension and investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that activation of B1R in the brain is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, using the deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt model of neurogenic hypertension in wild-type and B1R knockout mice. Deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt treatment in wild-type mice led to significant increases in B1R mRNA and protein levels and bradykinin levels, enhanced gene expression of carboxypeptidase N supporting an increase in the B1R ligand, associated with enhanced blood pressure, inflammation, sympathoexcitation, autonomic dysfunction, and impaired baroreflex sensitivity, whereas these changes were blunted or prevented in B1R knockout mice. B1R stimulation was further shown to involve activation of the ASK1-JNK-ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways in the brain. To dismiss potential developmental alterations in knockout mice, we further used B1R blockade selectively in the brain of wild-type mice. Supporting the central origin of this mechanism, intracerebroventricular infusion of a specific B1R antagonist, attenuated the deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced increase in blood pressure in wild-type mice. Our data provide the first evidence of a central role for B1R-mediated inflammatory pathways in the pathogenesis of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension and offer novel insights into possible B1R-targeted therapies for the treatment of neurogenic hypertension.
Functional morphology of terrestrial prey capture in salamandrid salamanders.

ABSTRACT Salamanders use the hyobranchial apparatus and its associated musculature for tongue projection on land and for suction feeding in water. Hyobranchial apparatus composition and morphology vary across species, and different morphologies are better suited for feeding in aquatic versus terrestrial environments. We hypothesize that differences in hyobranchial morphology result in functional trade-offs in feeding performance. We predict that semi-aquatic and aquatic salamandrids with hyobranchial morphology suited for aquatic feeding will have lower performance, in terms of tongue-projection distance, velocity, acceleration and power, compared with terrestrial salamandrids when feeding in a terrestrial environment. We found that semi-aquatic and aquatic newts had lower velocity, acceleration and muscle-mass-specific power of tongue projection when compared with the terrestrial salamanders Chioglossa lusitanica and Salamandra salamandra . The fully aquatic newt, Paramesotriton labiatus , has a robust, heavily mineralized hyobranchial apparatus and was unable to project its tongue during terrestrial feeding, and instead exhibited suction-feeding movements better suited for aquatic feeding. Conversely, terrestrial species have slender, cartilaginous hyobranchial apparatus and enlarged tongue pads that coincided with greater tongue-projection distance, velocity, acceleration and power. Chioglossa lusitanica exhibited extreme tongue-projection performance, similar to that seen in elastically projecting plethodontid salamanders; muscle-mass-specific power of tongue projection exceeded 2200 W kg −1 , more than 350 times that of the next highest performer, S . salamandra , which reached 6.3 W kg −1 . These findings reveal that two fully terrestrial salamandrids have morphological specializations that yield greater tongue-projection performance compared with species that naturally feed in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Equilibrium vaccination patterns in incomplete and heterogeneous networks

Abstract Under-vaccination is a usual concern of disease control studies, but this paper employs a simultaneous-move game in a three-agent contagion network to show that it is only one of the three inefficient patterns. When the network structure is incomplete or individual characteristics are heterogeneous, there exist new types of Nash equilibrium outcomes with either the right number but wrong set of people getting vaccinated or too many vaccinations, and these equilibria are robust to standard refinements. While untargeted policies can correct the standard under-vaccination problem, targeted policies are more palatable for correcting the new inefficiencies. Universal mandates can never improve on any Nash equilibria.
Neutral Theory, Transposable Elements, and Eukaryotic Genome Evolution

Among the multitude of papers published yearly in scientific journals, precious few publications may be worth looking back in half a century to appreciate the significance of the discoveries that would later become common knowledge and get a chance to shape a field or several adjacent fields. Here, Kimura’s fundamental concept of neutral mutation-random drift, which was published 50 years ago, is re-examined in light of its pervasive influence on comparative genomics and, more specifically, on the contribution of transposable elements to eukaryotic genome evolution.
University Sports Rivalries Provide Insights on Coalitional Psychology

Sports are an excellent venue for demonstrating evolutionary principles to audiences not familiar with academic research. Team sports and sports fandom feature dynamics of in-group loyalty and intergroup competition, influenced by our evolved coalitional psychology. We predicted that reactions to expressions signaling mutual team/group allegiance would vary as a function of the territorial context. Reactions should become more prevalent, positive, and enthusiastic as one moves from the home territory to a contested area, and from a contested area to a rival’s territory during active rival engagement. We also predicted that men would be more responsive than women based on sex differences in evolved coalitional psychology. The research team visited public places immediately prior to 2016–2017 collegiate football and basketball games. A male research confederate wore a sweatshirt displaying the logo of one of the competing university teams and vocalized the team’s most popular slogan when he saw a fan displaying similar logos. Observers followed 5 m behind, recording reactions (N = 597) and response positivity/enthusiasm. Reaction tone was most positive in the rival territory, least positive in the home territory, and intermediate in the periphery and contested territory. Rates of “no reaction” were lowest in the rival territory but were highest in the periphery. Men had higher reaction rates and more positive and enthusiastic reaction tones than women. Reactions generally followed predictions based on expected signal value. This project provides evidence that coalitional psychology influences dynamics related to university sports team rivalries and that context matters for expressions of alliance.
Quality of life at diagnosis predicts overall survival in patients with aggressive lymphoma.

Our aim was to evaluate whether quality of life (QOL) scores at diagnosis predict survival among patients with aggressive lymphoma. Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were prospectively enrolled within 9 months of diagnosis in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE and systematically followed for event-free and overall survival (OS). QOL was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General (FACT-G), which measures 4 domains: physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being (WB); a single item Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) measuring overall QOL; and a spiritual WB LASA. From 9/2002 to 12/2009, 701 patients with aggressive lymphoma who completed baseline QOL questionnaires were enrolled. At a median follow-up of 71 months (range 6-128), 316 patients (45%) had an event and 228 patients (33%) died. All baseline QOL measures but emotional WB were significantly associated with OS (all P 50 (P = 0.0004). In this large sample of patients with aggressive lymphoma, we found that baseline QOL is independently predictive of OS. QOL should be assessed as a prognostic factor in patients with aggressive lymphoma.
DIFFUSION AND CONDUCTIVITY EXPONENTS NOT BASED ON THE ALEXANDER-ORBACH CONJECTURE

For length scales larger than the percolation correlation length slightly above the percolation threshold, the diffusion and D.C. conductivity exponents can be computed respectively as μ d i f = 1 + β p and μ c o n d = 1 + 2 β p in both 2 and 3 dimensions with βp being the standard percolation exponent. These formulas are in excellent agreement with the best available estimates.
Real-time predictors of smoking among sexual minority and heterosexual young adults: An ecological momentary assessment study.

Abstract Background Sexual minority young adults have higher smoking rates than the general young adult population, but reasons for this disparity are poorly understood. The current study aimed to: 1) identify real-time predictors of smoking among sexual minority and heterosexual smokers and 2) examine between-group differences in these predictors. Methods We conducted an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study in the San Francisco Bay Area, California in 2016-2017. Data from 84 young adult smokers (44% identified as sexual minority, including 29 bisexual and 8 gay/lesbian) with 6498 EMA assessments were analyzed. Both internal and external predictors and interaction terms between each predictor and sexual group were examined using generalized estimating equation models. Results Common correlates of smoking were found for both groups (e.g., craving, absence of smoking bans, presence of other smokers, outside location, and seeing triggers). Unique factors for sexual minority smokers were being at a bar (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.06–2.90) and the number of other smokers present (aOR = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.04–1.20), while the presence of a smoking family member reduced the odds of smoking in this group (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.02-0.85). In interaction models, the number of other smokers exerted a greater influence on sexual minority participants compared to their heterosexual counterparts (aOR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.01–1.20), while craving (aOR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.75-0.93) and presence of a smoking family member (aOR = 0.11, 95%CI = 0.01-0.82) had weaker influences. Conclusions Our study highlights unique situational factors associated with smoking among sexual minority young adults and differences in these factors by sexual identity. Future interventions targeting sexual minorities should address bar attendance and specific triggers.
Cultural Competence in Recreation Therapy: Working with African-Americans, Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans, Hmong Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Rican Americans

The significance of this publication is not only in the information provided but also in the questions raised and the challenges proposed. Professionals are encouraged throughout the book to evaluate themselves, their training programs, the assessment methods they use, their interactions with their clients, and the services they provide. We are challenged to look inward at our own beliefs, biases, and competencies. We also are encouraged to look carefully toward the populations with whom we interact to identify their values, interests, and motivations. Case study samples are used to illustrate various concepts. Many of these â€œreal-lifeâ€ situations contained information that I had not previously known, thus highlighting my own need to continue the journey toward true cultural competency.
The Effects of Retail Banner Standardization on the Performance of Global Retailers

Abstract Global retailers often face an important decision about the extent to which they should standardize or adapt their retail banners, a choice that the authors refer to as retail banner standardization (RBS). Drawing on the international marketing and retailing literatures, this study investigates how RBS affects the performance of global retailers in a longitudinal sample of 69 global retailers from multiple countries and sectors, across ten years. Findings indicate that the role of banner standardization in the successful performance of global retailers depends on retailer and market-level characteristics. Specifically, the results demonstrate that RBS improves retailer profitability as retailers increase their global penetration and emphasize status-based differentiation. Findings also suggest that banner standardization has stronger effects on profitability as retailers increase their focus on emerging markets and e-commerce. However, the authors also find that while RBS increases profits at low levels of global diversity, this effect becomes non-significant as retailers expand to highly diverse foreign markets. As such, the study provides important implications for global retailers while also filling the gap in banner/brand standardization/adaptation research that lies at the intersection of retailing and international marketing.
Fabrication and experimental demonstration of a hybrid resonant acoustic gradient index metasurface at 40 kHz

Over the past few years, acoustic gradient index metasurfaces (GIMs) have been actively studied for the numerous wave control capabilities that they facilitate. Previous research, however, has primarily focused on GIMs that operate in the audible frequency range, due to the difficulties in fabricating such intricate structures at the millimeter and submillimeter scales, for ultrasonic applications. In this work, we design, fabricate, and experimentally demonstrate the working of a hybrid resonant acoustic gradient index metasurface for airborne ultrasound at 40 kHz. The fabrication of such a GIM is made possible by projection microstereolithography, an emerging additive manufacturing technique. Numerical simulations were conducted to verify the metasurface design, and experiments were performed to corroborate these simulations. The stronger dissipation associated with airborne ultrasound is highlighted in this paper. The experimental demonstration of such a metasurface for airborne ultrasound could further its prospects as a candidate for miniaturized acoustic devices.
A multi-modal neural network for learning cis and trans regulation of stress response in yeast

Deciphering gene regulatory networks is a central problem in computational biology. Here, we explore the use of multi-modal neural networks to learn predictive models of gene expression that include cis and trans regulatory components. We learn models of stress response in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our models achieve high performance and substantially outperform other state-of-the-art methods such as boosting algorithms that use pre-defined cis-regulatory features. Our model learns several cis and trans regulators including well-known master stress response regulators. We use our models to perform in-silico TF knock-out experiments and demonstrate that in-silico predictions of target gene changes correlate with the results of the corresponding TF knockout microarray experiment.
Association of local anesthesia versus conscious sedation with functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing embolectomy.

PurposeCompare functional outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing embolectomy with either local anesthesia or conscious sedation. Secondarily, identify differences in hemodynamic para...
Market-Based Versus Price-Based Microgrid Optimal Scheduling

An optimal scheduling model for a microgrid participating in the electricity distribution market in interaction with a distribution market operator (DMO) is proposed in this paper. The DMO administers the established electricity market in the distribution level, sets electricity prices, determines the amount of the power exchange among market participants, and interacts with the independent system operator. Considering a predetermined main grid power transfer to the microgrid, the microgrid scheduling problem will aim at balancing the power supply and demand while taking financial objectives into account. Numerical simulations exhibit the application and the effectiveness of the proposed market-based microgrid scheduling model and further investigate merits over a price-based scheme.
An examination of articulatory skill in monolinguals and multilinguals: A tongue twister experiment

The main goal of this study is to determine whether articulatory differences exist between monolinguals (n = 19) and bilinguals (n = 21) through the analysis of tongue-twister production, following Goldrick & Blumstein (2006). The latter were divided into early bilinguals (consistent exposure to both of their languages before age 5, n = 8), mid bilinguals (exposure to L2 between 5 and 10 years, n = 5), late bilinguals (L2 exposure between 10 and 15 years, n = 3) and trilinguals (n = 5).The stimuli comprised 64 sequences that each contained four syllables (e.g., kif tif tif kif) and had to be repeated three times to a beat of a metronome (150 beats per minute). The recordings were rated by a trained listener, who gave a score of 1 for each accurately produced onset and coda consonant, and a score of 0 otherwise. In addition, a subset of the sounds produced were manually aligned in Praat to validate the raters' scoring and determine whether speakers also differed in less perceptible aspects of speech. The results show that while there are no overall differences in accuracy between the two groups (monolingual versus multilingual), bilinguals who were first exposed to their second language later in life (between 5 and 15) exhibit a statistically significant advantage in the articulation of tongue-twisters (Dugaillard & Spinu, 2019). Our findings underscore the importance of directly measuring bilingual language proficiency and incorporating this information to experimental design (DelMaschio & Abutalebi 2018, Sulpizio et al. 2019).
The Rise and Fall of Banks: What is the Future for Banks?

As of 8/31/2020, the market cap (value) of Facebooks is $835.2 Billion, while the sum market caps of arguably top 5 Banks combined (J.P Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citi Group) only $816.7 Billion. In fact, Facebook cap is 10 times larger than Morgan Stanley, the lead underwriter on the Facebook IPO. What is happening? How the value of a young (IPO in 5/2012) and such an average Tech company (less than half of Apple cap $2.21 Billion) exceeds the values of large banks with estimated asset management of $8.29 Trillion combined? Why a company with a relatively small revenue of only $75 Billion exceeds the value of these Banks with a combined revenue of $405 Billion (2019 revenues). The answer is simple, welcome to the tech revolution and good-bye to the industrial revolution. Facebook revenue grew 26.6% in 2019, while these five banks combined barely 3%; this is the entire story. With an easy access to raise capital via the stock market, and when investors can have zero commission fees due to the raise of Fintech (such as Robinhood), banks struggle. From the agriculture to the industrial revolutions, toward the current tech revolution, we are witnessing the rise and the fall of banks. Thus, Banks are no longer what called as “value stocks”; we brand them as ‘Sunset’ stocks: passed their prime time; and join long lists of companies like railroad, oil and gas, metals. This study also enhance our understanding of the valuation companies like Tesla, Amazon and PayPal stocks.
Prospects of Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning to Fight Against COVID-19

IoT and Machine Learning has improved multi-fold in recent years and they have been playing a great role in healthcare systems which includes detecting, screening and monitoring of the patients. IoT has been successfully detecting different heart diseases, Alzheimer disease, helping autism patients and monitoring patients’ health condition with much lesser cost but providing better efficiency, reliability and accuracy. IoT also has a great prospect in fighting against COVID-19. This chapter discusses different aspects of IoT in aiding healthcare systems for detecting and monitoring Coronavirus patients. Two such IoT based models are also designed for automatic thermal monitoring and for measuring and real-time monitoring of heart rate with wearable IoT devices. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) is a Machine Learning algorithm that has been performing well in detecting many diseases including Coronary Artery Disease, Malaria, Alzheimer’s disease, different dental diseases, and Parkinson’s disease. Like other cases, CNN has a substantial prospect in detecting COVID-19 patients with medical images like chest X-rays and CTs. Detecting Corona positive patients is very important in preventing the spread of this virus. On this conquest, a CNN model is proposed to detect COVID-19 patients from chest X-ray images. Two CNN models with different number of convolution layers and three other models based on ResNet50, VGG-16 and VGG-19 are evaluated with comparative analytical analysis. The proposed model performs with an accuracy of 97.5% and a precision of 97.5%. This model gives the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve area of 0.975 and F1-score of 97.5. It can be improved further by increasing the dataset for training the model.
Synopsis, by Way of Autobiography

Chapter 1 introduces the problem autobiographically, tracing how I came to see the problem, and key influences on my thinking. Unique as my development has been, I suggest that it contains enough common themes to shed light on some of the reasons for the persistence of statistical inference. This personal account is one of three uses of history that I make. A second obviously is a history of the relevant concepts, back to their roots. Efforts at understanding that begin with the modern versions of these concepts are doomed from the start, in accepting conceptual packages that were seductive but ultimately irrelevant. A third use of history is a brief study of the ontogenesis of probability concepts, by way of illustrating the forgotten struggles we all went through in constructing these concepts. The dualistic concept of probability which arose in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries predictably led to rival theories in succeeding centuries: the various frequency and “subjective” theories. Fisher, who formulated the first modern theory of statistical inference, attempted to straddle the theories in practice, while stoutly professing allegiance to the frequency theory. Psychologists’ confusion on significance testing owes much to their having learned primarily from Fisher.
“I disagreed with a lot of values”: Exploring Black immigrant agency in ethnic-racial socialization

Abstract Ethnic-racial socialization is a mechanism through which immigrant parents instill in their children a sense of pride in their culture while preparing them for negative experiences with racial and cultural out-groups. For Black immigrant parents, this can include promoting a wariness of Black Americans in their children. Through this lens, we investigated an understudied intercultural dynamic via interviews with 12 first- and second-generation African and Caribbean immigrants. Using deductive and inductive analyses, we first examined the socialization messages they received about Black Americans from their parents, finding that in addition to messages inculcating ethnic and cultural pride, the participants also heard warnings about affiliation with Black Americans. Those messages relied on personal experiences and harmful stereotypes. Second, emergent from the data were examples of the ways the participants rejected their parents’ warnings. Experiences outside of the home appeared to influence views that were alternative to their parents. This novel finding provides avenues for future research investigating Black immigrants’ paths to a sense of connection or distancing from Black Americans.
Laser ignition energy for turbulent premixed hydrogen air jets

Abstract New measurements of laser ignition energy in flowing turbulent hydrogen air mixture jets are reported. Successful ignition occurs if the input by the ignition laser within the volume of laser absorption and the chemical energy released by the incipient reactions in this volume exceed the losses by conduction and radiation. The volume of laser absorption and incipient reactions is defined as the ignition kernel. The ignition kernel is labeled as the flame kernel if the ignition is successful. A cylindrical jet burner injecting a lean premixed mixture upward into ambient air with a laser focused on the axis at a fixed height above the exit is utilized. The effects of bulk velocity on the flame kernel development during 0 − 200 μ s following the laser pulse are studied. The ignition and the flame kernel are imaged using schlieren, midinfrared emission and Rayleigh scattering. The Rayleigh scattering and the midinfrared images are processed to measure the transient temperature distribution. The minimum reliable ignition energy (MRIE) increases with an increase in the bulk velocity. A phenomenological model equating the MRIE to the energy losses calculated using the flame kernel volume, the kernel temperature, the mixture properties, and the flame speed is proposed. The calculated and the measured MRIE are in good agreement.
Beyond Linear Regression

Nearly all regression analysis begins by estimating a linear model of the form: $$ \begin{array}{ll} {y_i} = {\beta_0} + {\beta_1}{x_{{i1}}} + {\beta_2}{x_{{i2}}} + \cdots + {\beta_k}{x_{{ik}}} + {\varepsilon_i} \\={{{\mathbf{x\prime}}}_i}\beta + {\varepsilon_i}, \end{array} $$ (4.1) where \( \beta = ({\beta_0},{\beta_1}, \ldots, {\beta_k})\prime \) is the vector of parameters to be estimated and \( {{\mathbf{x\prime }}_i} = (1,{x_{{i1}}}, \ldots, {x_{{ik}}}) \) is the vector of covariates for the ith of the n observations.
Axonogenesis and morphogenesis in the embryonic zebrafish brain

We have examined early neuronal differentiation and axonogenesis in the fore- and midbrain of zebrafish embryos to address general issues of early vertebrate brain development. AChE expression and HNK-1 antibody immunoreactivity were used as markers for differentiated neurons and axons, respectively. The pattern of neuronal differentiation followed a stereotyped sequence. AChE-positive cells first appeared between 14 and 16 hr in three small, isolated, bilaterally symmetrical clusters on the surface of the brain. The three clusters--the dorsorostral, ventrorostral, and ventrocaudal clusters--proved to be the progenitors of the telencephalon, ventral diencephalon, and mesencephalic tegmentum, respectively. With further development, more cells were added to these three clusters, and new clusters appeared in the anlage of the epiphysis (18 hr) and in the pituitary and dorsal mesencephalon (by 24 hr). Subsequently, as more neurons differentiated, the gaps of unlabeled cells were reduced; by 48 hr, the cluster boundaries were indistinguishable. Axonogenesis also followed a stereotyped sequence. The first HNK-1-labeled processes arose from the first three clusters of AChE-positive cells and connected the clusters. The earliest axonal growth cones appeared at 16 hr, directed caudally from two to three neurons of the ventrocaudal cluster and pioneering the ventral longitudinal tract. By 18 hr, the tract of the postoptic commissure was initiated by growth cones directed caudally from the ventrorostral cluster toward the ventrocaudal cluster. By 20 hr, axons from the dorsorostral cluster projected ventrally to form the supraoptic tract. The other dorsoventral tracts (the dorsoventral diencephalic tract and the tract of the posterior commissure) became evident between 20 and 24 hr. These observations provide a continuous record of the topological distortions involved in the conversion of the tubular embryonic brain into the contorted adult form. The telencephalon, ventral diencephalon, and hypothalamus originate from the same rostrocaudal level of the neural tube. The pattern of differentiation demonstrated that the early development of the rostral neural tube occurs simultaneously in several independent centers, similar to the overtly segmental development of the hindbrain.
Rewriting Logic as a Unifying Framework for Petri Nets

We propose rewriting logic as a unifying framework for a wide range of Petri nets models. We treat in detail place/transition nets and important extensions of the basic model by individual tokens, test arcs, and time. Based on the idea that "Petri nets are monoids" suggested by Meseguer and Montanari we define a rewriting semantics that maps place/transition nets into rewriting logic specifications. We furthermore generalize this result to a general form of algebraic net specifications subsuming also colored Petri nets as a special case. The soundness and completeness results we state relate the commutative process semantics of Petri nets proposed by Best and Devillers to the model-theoretic semantics of rewriting logic in the sense of natural isomorphisms between suitable functors. In addition we show how place/transition nets with test arcs and timed Petri nets can be equipped with a rewriting semantics and discuss how other extensions can be treated along similar lines. Beyond the conceptual unification of quite different kinds of Petri nets within a single framework, the rewriting semantics can provide a guide for future extensions of Petri nets and help to cope with the growing diversity of models in this field. On the practical side, a major application of the rewriting semantics is its use as a logical and operational representation of Petri net models for formal verification and for the efficient execution and analysis using a rewriting engine such as Maude, which also allows us to specify different execution and analysis strategies in the same rewriting logic language by means of reflection.
Energy efficiency in multiple-antenna channels with markov arrivals and queueing constraints

Energy efficiency in multiple-antenna fading channels is analyzed in the presence of Markov sources and queueing constraints, which are imposed as limitations on buffer overflow probabilities. Two random arrival models, namely discrete Markov and Markov fluid processes, are considered. Employing the notions effective capacity of time-varying channels and effective bandwidth of time-varying sources, maximum average arrival rates of these sources that can be supported by multiple-antenna wireless systems under statistical queueing constraints are determined and the throughput levels are identified. In the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime, minimum energy per bit and wideband slope expressions are obtained. Performance with both uniform power allocation and low-SNR optimal power allocation across transmit antennas is investigated. It is shown that the minimum energy per bit does not depend on the queueing constraints and source burstiness. On the other hand, wideband slope is shown to decrease as queueing constraints get stricter and/or sources become more bursty, thus resulting in degraded energy efficiency.
Global outsourcing and its managerial implications

Our purpose in the paper is to provide a concrete framework to help managers rethink about global outsourcing and focus on how to manage the alliances to ensure its success in the global market. This paper discusses the driving factors for the global outsourcing and the opportunities exposed to information technology and information systems (IT/IS) society. Major issues that a developing country may face for improving its environment to be a bidding candidate in global outsourcing business are explored and strategies are suggested as well.
Monoaminergic uptake in synaptosomes prepared from frozen brain tissue samples of normal and narcoleptic canines.

Abstract Canine narcolepsy, a model of the human disorder, is associated with altered catecholamine but not serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in some brain areas, particularly the amygdala. A possible explanation for these global changes could be the existence of specific defects in monoamine uptake processes. We have studied the uptake of [ 3 H]norepinephrine (NE), [ 3 H]5-HT in synaptosomes prepared from cortex and amygdala of narcoleptic and control Doberman pinscher brains. Since narcoleptic canines are relatively few in number, we have used a specific brain freezing procedure that has been reported to allow restoration of metabolically functional tissue upon thawing. Preliminary studies comparing monoamine uptake in fresh and frozen brain samples of both groups of dogs were carried out and demonstrated that this procedure significantly altered serotoninergic but not noradrenergic and dopaminergic uptake. All further investigations were then done on synaptosomes prepared from frozen samples. Our results demonstrate that synaptosomal uptake of [ 3 H]NE, [ 3 H]DA and [ 3 H]5-HT in cortex and amygdala are not altered in narcolepsy.
Joint Detection of Bivariate Gaussian Noise Sequences

A method is proposed for joint detection of independent, identically-distributed (IID) zero-mean bivariate Gaussian noise sequences. Received sequences are used to estimate ratio statistics that span a three-dimensional basis, and deviations from an asymptotic form are used to generate the final detection statistic. Sensitivities of the measure to statistical deviations are shown. The technique is applied to radiometric detection and is shown to achieve performance close to ideal energy detection, but without requirements for noise estimation.
Functional and Molecular Imaging: Applications for Diagnosis and Staging of Localised Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is currently the most common solid organ cancer type among men in the Western world. Currently, all decision-making algorithms and nomograms rely on demographics, clinicopathological data and symptoms. Such an approach can easily miss significant cancers while detecting many insignificant cancers. In this review, novel functional and molecular imaging techniques used in the diagnosis and staging of localised prostate cancer and their effect on treatment decisions are discussed.
New Applications of Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Alpha‐fetoprotein Assays in Clinical Diagnosis

The radioimmunoassay measurements of CEA and AFP together with cytological examination were performed in 63 samples of pleural or peritoneal exudates obtained from patients with different malignancies. Elevated levels of CEA and/or of AFP were detected in 22 of 29 cytologically positive samples, in 3 of 6 cytologically suspected samples and in 24 of 28 cytologically negative samples. In 30 patients with abdominal tumours the concentrations of CEA and AFP were compared in peripheral circulation and in the veins draining tumours. In 16 of these patients concentration of either CEA or AFP was higher than in the peripheral circulation. The value of measurements of CEA and AFP in exudates and in blood from veins draining tumours for differential diagnosis is discussed.
Steady motion of an insulating rigid flat-ended punch over a thermally conducting half-plane☆

Abstract An insulated, rigid, flat-ended punch moving steadily over the surface of a half-plane is considered. It is assumed that the motion has been sustained for a sufficiently long period for a steady thermal state to have been achieved, the source of heat being the energy dissipated at the interface due to Coulomb friction. The effect of thermal distortion on the contact pressure distribution is found and the temperature profile under the punch is given. A closed-form solution is found for the case of large Peclet number.
Growing-up in the Countryside: Children and the Rural Idyll.

The recent surge of interest in the study of children and childhood has brought with it a keener recognition of the diversity of growing-up. In this emerging geography, most attention has been given to the experiences and behaviours of urban children. Few studies have explicitly focused on what it is like to grow-up in the countryside, particularly within the United Kingdom today. In this paper we begin to address this hidden geography by reporting on a study undertaken within rural Northamptonshire. We explore some of the ways in which children encounter the countryside through their own experiences, and (re)examine the `rural’ from their own viewpoint. We uncover an alternative geography of exclusion and disenfranchisement. Rather than being part of an ideal community many children, especially the least affluent and teenagers, felt dislocated and detached from village life. Yet socio-spatial exclusion of this kind is also typical of many childhoods away from the rural and can relate to children almost anywhere. What particularly distinguishes a rural upbringing, however, is the sharp disjunction between the symbolism and expectation of the Good Life (the emblematic) and the realities and experiences of growing-up in small, remote, poorly serviced and fractured communities (the corporeal).