cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Vanishing Latino Male in Higher Education

Latino male students are “vanishing” from the American education pipeline, a trend that is especially evident at the secondary and postsecondary levels. The question of why Latino males are vanishing from America's colleges is complex, and this scholarly article explores some of the socio-cultural factors, peer dynamics, and labor force demands that may be conspiring to propagate this trend. The authors expound on various theoretical and empirical explanations for this persisting and troubling trend.
Oral benzo[a]pyrene in Cyp1a1/1b1(-/-) double-knockout mice: Microarray analysis during squamous cell carcinoma formation in preputial gland duct

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a prototypical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) found in combustion processes. Cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1B1) and other enzymes can activate PAHs to reactive oxygenated intermediates involved in mutagenesis and tumor initiation; also, CYP1 enzymes can detoxify PAHs. Cyp1(+/+) wild-type (WT) and Cyp1b1(-/-) knockout mice receiving oral BaP (12.5 mg/kg/day) remain healthy for >12 months. In contrast, we found that global knockout of the Cyp1a1 gene (1a1KO) results in proximal small intestine (PSI) adenocarcinoma within 8-12 weeks on this BaP regimen; striking compensatory increases in PSI CYP1B1 likely participate in initiation of adenocarcinoma in 1a1KO mice. Cyp1a1/1b1(-/-) double-knockout (DKO) mice on this BaP regimen show no PSI adenocarcinoma, but instead preputial gland duct (PGD) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) occurs by 12 weeks. Herein, we compare microarray expression of PGD genes in WT, 1a1KO and DKO mice at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of oral BaP; about four dozen genes up- or down-regulated during most critical time-points were further verified by qRT-PCR. In DKO mice, CYP3A59 was unequivocally identified as the BaP-inducible and BaP-metabolizing best candidate responsible for initiation of BaP-induced SCC. Striking increases or decreases were found in 26 cancer-related genes plus eight Serpin genes in DKO, but not in 1a1KO or WT, mice on this BaP regimen; of the 26, 8 were RAS-related oncogenes. The mechanism by which cancer-related genes are responsible for SCC tumor progression in the PGD remains to be elucidated.
Combining coordination mechanisms to improve performance in multi-robot teams

Coordination is essential to achieving good performance in cooperative multiagent systems. To date, most work has focused on either implicit or explicit coordination mechanisms; while relatively little work has focused on the benefits of combining these two approaches. In this work we demonstrate that combining explicit and implicit mechanisms can significantly improve coordination and system performance over either approach individually. First, we use difference evaluations (which aim to compute an agent’s contribution to the team) and stigmergy to promote implicit coordination. Second, we introduce an explicit coordination mechanism dubbed intended Destination Enhanced Artificial State (IDEAS), where an agent incorporates other agents’ intended destinations directly into its state. The IDEAS approach does not require any formal negotiation between agents, and is based on passive information sharing. Finally, we combine these two approaches on a variant of a team-based multi-robot exploration domain, and show that agents using a both explicit and implicit coordination outperform other learning agents up to 25%.
Standardised tests: uncertainty analysis clarifies the controversy

In the USA, in the last decade, standards have been adapted for each grade level. These standards are annually checked by state-wide tests. The results of these tests often determine the school's funding and even the school's future existence. Due to this importance, a large amount of time is spent on teaching to the tests. Most teachers believe that this testing approach is detrimental to student education. This belief seems to be empirically supported by the fact that so far, the testing approach has not led to spectacular improvements promised by its proponents. While this empirical evidence is reasonably convincing, the teacher community has not yet fully succeeded in clearly explaining their position to the general public - because the opposing argument of the need for accountability also seems to be reasonably convincing. In this paper, we show that the situation becomes much clearer if we take uncertainty into account - and that, hopefully, a proper use of uncertainty can help in resolving this situation.
Abstract TP434: Regulation of BK Channel ß1 Subunit Expression by Muscle Ring Finger-1 Protein in Diabetic Vessels

BK channels, abundantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), are the key determinant of vascular physiology. BK channel activity is tightly regulated by its accessory β1 (BK-β1) subun...
The Effects of Exercise on Fatigue, Quality of Life, and Psychological Function for Men With Prostate Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses

Abstract Context Conflicting data exists on the role of exercise interventions in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) regarding quality of life (QOL) endpoints. Objective To evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on fatigue, QOL, depression, and anxiety in PCa patients. Evidence acquisition We searched seven major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and Scopus) for randomized control trials (RCTs) of supervised exercise interventions for men with PCa from database inception to October 2015. For meta-analyses, studies required standardized fatigue, QOL, or mood-related scales with standard-care control groups. The effect size was measured in terms of mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous outcomes using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochrane Q test and I 2 statistic. Evidence synthesis We selected 13 RCTs enrolling 1057 PCa patients (mean age 69.4±2.1 yr) undergoing exercise interventions, of which eight studies involving 675 patients qualified for meta-analyses. The study duration varied from 4 wk to 6 mo. A 12–16-wk exercise intervention significantly improved fatigue symptoms (MD 4.83, 95% CI 3.24–6.43; p p p = 0.003) and FACT-Prostate (MD 3.85, 95% CI 1.25–6.46; p =0.04) scales. The pooled data did not reveal a significant improvement in depression or anxiety. Conclusions Combined evidence from RCTs shows improvement in QOL and fatigue according to FACT scales. No significant differences in depression or anxiety were observed. Patient summary Exercise improves fatigue and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with prostate cancer. Further studies are necessary to identify patient-specific exercise regimens to optimize these benefits.
Hormone-releasing silicone-rubber intrauterine contraceptive devices: Effect of incorporation of various compounds on intrauterine devices in rats

Intrauterine devices (IUD's) containing 0, 5, or 10 per cent by weight of progesterone, melengestrol acetate (MGA), norethindrone, norgestrel, medroxyprogesterone acetate, isoxsuprine, or R2323 or wound with fine copper wire were placed in one or both horns of cycling female rats. All the progestins improved retention of the silicone-rubber IUD's to some degree. The effects of these compounds on the estrous cycle, mating, ovulation, fertilization, tubal transport, and implantation varied among the compounds. Effects were local or systemic, depending upon the amount and the drug. Uterine motility studies showed clearly that 5 per cent MGA decreased uterine motility; however, no consistent results could be obtained using the other compounds in the same in vivo system.
Aggregation Response of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Proteins and Amino Acids

Enzymatic hydrolysates of casein (CH). yeast (YH), and soy (SH), and nonhydrolyzed torula yeast (TY), 21 amino acids (L- form), DL-carnitine hydrochloride, guanosine-3'-monophosphate, and L-thyroxine were tested as arrestants (aggregants) for Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), the Caribbean fruit fly. Flies aggregated in greatest numbers on CH compared with YH, SH, and TY, and on 2.5 and 3.5% CH compared with 1.5 and 5% CH. Arginine, glutamine, and phenylalanine were more effective in aggregating flies than other amino acids, DL-carnitine hydrochloride, guanosine-3′-monophosphate, and L-thyroxine; agar, cystine, aspartic acid, hydroxy-L-proline, proline, histidine, and DL-carnitine hydrochloride were least effective in aggregating flies than other amino acids, guanosine-3′-monophosphate, and L-thyroxine.
RELATION OF AGE OF TWO HOST FUNGI TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE MYCOPARASITE PIPTOCEPHALIS VIRGINIANA

SUMMARY The age of hyphae of Choanephora cucurbitarum and Phycomiyccs blakesleeanus influenced the degree and type of host hyphal response in the relationship with Piptocephalis virginiana. Conditions which retarded germination and growth rate of P. blakcsleeanus favored the development of P. virginiana. Parasitism of young host hyphae by P. virginiana induced the production of abnormal branching which may be manifested by swollen hyphae, witches' broom, or coiling of the hyphae. Resistance of old host hyphae was due neither to chitin content nor to the thickness of the cell wall. Physiological studies have given us insight into many aspects of host-parasite complex, and have shown the parasitic relationship to be influenced by numerous nutritional and environmental factors. Several investigators have suggested that the age of the host fungus may contribute, through metabolic activities, to the success or failure uf the parasite in establishing a nutritional relationship. Karling (1942) reported that Rozella cladochytrii Karling infected young rhizomycelium of its chytrid host more abundantly than the old rhizomycelium. Berry (1959) found that Piptocephalis virginiana Leadbeater & Mercer readily attacked young hyphae of Helicostylum sp., but mature hyphae were resistant. Mullins and Barksdale (1965) reported that Dictyomorpha dioica Mullins parasitized the hyphae of Achlya flagellata Coker when less than 72 hr. old.
Implementer-initiated adaptation of evidence-based interventions: kids remember the blue wig

Adaptation of evidence-based interventions by implementers is widespread. Although frequently viewed as departures from fidelity, adaptations may be positive in impact and consistent with fidelity. Research typically catalogs adaptations but rarely includes the implementers' perspectives on adaptation. We report data on individuals implementing an evidence-based teen dating violence prevention curriculum. Key informant interviews (n = 20) and an online focus group (n = 10) addressed reasons for adaptations, adaptation processes and kinds of adaptations. All implementers described making adaptations, which they considered necessary to achieving intended outcomes. Adaptations were tailored to needs of individual students or learning opportunities presented by current events, fine-tuned over repeated applications and shared with colleagues. Adaptations modified both content and delivery and included both planned and in-the-moment changes. Implementers made adaptations to increase student engagement, and to fit students' learning needs, learning style, social maturity and culture. Student engagement served as an indicator that adaptation might be needed and provided feedback about the immediate effects of the adaptation. These findings underscore the value of fidelity assessments that measure participant response, intervention-specific guidance to implementers and evaluation of the impact of adaptations on participant response and intervention outcomes.
Linkage Mechanism of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Expenditure and Public Employment Service in Beijing

This paper focuses on unemployment benefits expenditure on the public employment service in Beijing.It carries out a deep investigation of the promoting role that unemployment insurance benefits play in seeking employment and the effect of public employment service.It makes an objective analysis and evaluation of the expenditure effect to find the problems in the course and give targeted suggestions.
Chain Reactions: The Impact of Order on Microtask Chains

Microtasks are small units of work designed to be completed individually, eventually contributing to a larger goal. Although microtasks can be performed in isolation, in practice people often complete a chain of microtasks within a single session. Through a series of crowd-based studies, we look at how various microtasks can be chained together to improve efficiency and minimize mental demand, focusing on the writing domain. We find that participants completed low-complexity microtasks faster when they were preceded by the same type of microtask, whereas they found high-complexity microtasks less mentally demanding when pre-ceded by microtasks on the same content. Furthermore, participants were faster at starting high-complexity microtasks after completing lower-complexity microtasks, but completion time and quality were not affected. These findings provide insight into how microtasks can be ordered to optimize transitions from one microtask to another.
Individual Differences in Chunking Ability Predict On-line Sentence Processing.

There are considerable differences in language processing skill among the normal population. A key question for cognitive science is whether these differences can be ascribed to variations in domain-general cognitive abilities, hypothesized to play a role in language, such as working memory and statistical learning. In this paper, we present experimental evidence pointing to a fundamental memory skill—chunking—as an important predictor of crossindividual variation in complex language processing. Specifically, we demonstrate that chunking ability reflects experience with language, as measured by a standard serial recall task involving consonant combinations drawn from naturally occurring text. Our results reveal considerable individual differences in participants’ ability to use chunk frequency information to facilitate sequence recall. Strikingly, these differences predict variations across participants in the on-line processing of complex sentences involving relative clauses. Our study thus presents the first evidence tying the fundamental ability for chunking to sentence processing skill, providing empirical support for construction-based approaches to language.
Abstract 270: Self-Efficacy and Cardiovascular Health in 6th Graders: An Insight from Project Healthy Schools

Background: Behaviors such as regular physical activity are associated with improved self-esteem among children and adolescents. However, associations between wellness behaviors (including diet) and both self-esteem and leadership among middle-school children have not been well studied. Methods: Data were collected from middle-school children enrolled in Project Healthy Schools, a school-based wellness program. Baseline data included self-reported information on diet, physical activity, and questions on self-efficacy for empathy and leadership. Physiologic data included body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), heart rates (resting and one minute post exercise protocol), non-fasting lipids, glucose. Respondents were grouped into tertiles based on survey items related to empathy. Results: Data from 1,079 6th graders (mean age 11.6 years) were included. Students in the low tertile for empathy had higher BMIs than students in the middle/higher tertiles (p=0.03) with no difference between tertiles for lipids (including total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol). A trend towards higher glucose levels was observed among children in the lower tertile compared to the other tertiles (101.2, 99.4, and 99.5 for tertile 1, 2, and 3 respectively, p = 0.58). A similar trend was observed for systolic BP (p = 0.52) but not diastolic BP, resting HR or HR post exercise. No difference was observed between self-efficacy for leadership and any of the physiologic parameters. Those in the highest tertile for leadership self-efficacy were more likely to be physically active, averaging 4.71 (± 2.11) days of vigorous activity; a similar trend was noted for empathy. Moderate exercise (≥ 30 minutes per day) and team sports positively correlated with empathy and leadership. Conclusions: Among middle-school students, measures of empathy and leadership were associated with higher levels of physical activity and participation in team sports; but not with physiologic parameters. Given that higher levels of empathy and leadership were associated with lower BMI, it is possible that programs which improve leadership skills and promote empathy can improve healthy lifestyle habits.
Clinically Useful Antimicrobial Agents

The many new antimicrobial agents commercially available have created new problems for the clinician. This is the first in a series of five articles in which the authors consider the clinical application of the commonly used drugs and the problems involved in their use. Subsequent articles in this series will discuss the following aspects of antimicrobial therapy: part 2, dosage and mode of administration; part 3, untoward reactions; part 4, selection of regimen; and part 5, some current concepts of therapy.
Natural selection on morphology varies among years and by sex in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

ABSTRACT The evolution of morphology in a population reflects several factors, including the influence of environmental variability on natural selection. We estimated natural selection on, and heritability of, 4 individual morphological traits (bill length, bill depth, flipper length, and foot length) and 2 multivariate morphological traits in adult Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at Punta Tombo, Argentina, from 1983 to 2010. We estimated heritability of morphology with parent–offspring regression and animal models, conditioning on sex because the species is sexually dimorphic. For the analysis of selection on each trait, we estimated both linear and quadratic selection gradients, based on the number of fledglings produced, for breeding males and females in each year. Estimates from animal models indicated that all 6 traits were heritable; in parent–offspring regressions, corresponding heritabilities were significantly higher in sons than in daughters in 100% of tests. Over 28 yr, we detecte...
Benign Intracranial Hypertension with Nasal Steroid

A 13 year-old boy with Crohn’s disease (in remission) was evaluated at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK, because of a 10 day history of head and back pain, intermittent blurring of vision, and squint.
Tonic Upgaze in Infancy

Tonic upward ocular deviation without seizure activity or neurologic disease is reported in 3 infants from the Pediatric and Neuro-ophthalmology Units, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
DNA Strand-Displacement Timer Circuits

Chemical circuits can coordinate elaborate sequences of events in cells and tissues, from the self-assembly of biological complexes to the sequence of embryonic development. However, autonomously directing the timing of events in synthetic systems using chemical signals remains challenging. Here we demonstrate that a simple synthetic DNA strand-displacement circuit can release target sequences of DNA into solution at a constant rate after a tunable delay that can range from hours to days. The rates of DNA release can be tuned to the order of 1–100 nM per day. Multiple timer circuits can release different DNA strands at different rates and times in the same solution. This circuit can thus facilitate precise coordination of chemical events in vitro without external stimulation.
Evolutionary Time and the Creation of the Space of Life

I want to make it clear that I have no quarrel with most scientists, but even many good scientists in general have developed some bad habits in dealing with time during the last century.
Negotiating Flexibility: External Contracting and Working Time Control in German and Danish Telecommunications Firms:

This study examines how different participation rights and structures affect employee control over working time. The analysis is based on a comparison of matched call center and technician workplac...
Predicting Corrosion-Related Bridge Durability with Laboratory-Measured Permeability Results

AbstractA variety of complex modeling techniques is available to estimate the onset of chloride-induced corrosion in reinforced concrete infrastructure. Despite great progress in this area during t...
Computer Solution to an Electric Field Problem in Impedance Plethysmography

Abstract Surface potentials, such as those used for electrocardiography and electromyography, are readily obtained and widely accepted as meaningful indications of activities within the body.Surface electrical impedance changes car, also cc used for monitoring purposes, and specifically to detect movements of mode fluids. The complexity of the electric field problem implied by these procedures is so create, however, that little work has been done to obtain solutions to the potential and current distributions within the associated body tissues. These solutions are becoming increasingly important, for example in the application of electrical impedance plethysmography to the movement of blood in the thorax. lost of the reported work on electrical impedance plethysmography has been limited to correlating empirical data. To establish this technique on a more meaningful basis, the internal current flux field must be known. A very general numerical iterative procedure has been developed to establish the flux and potential field in any three dimensional multiphase discrete model of a physical system satisfying Laplace's equation and with known boundary conditions. The program has been applied specifically to mapping the current flux .In the thorax for a given set of exciting surface electrodes used in an electrical impedance plethysmography Its usefulness in other areas of the biosciences as well as the physical sciences is unlimited.
Defence industries in the 21st century: a comparative analysis

Since the end of the cold war, a growing number of emerging states have been building and investing in indigenous defence industries. As the number of producers and suppliers in the system increase...
Quantum well intermixed tunable wavelength single stripe laser diode

A single waveguide laser with two separately addressed sections is fabricated using selective area intermixing of InGaAsP multiple quantum well grown on InP substrate. The selective intermixing of quantum wells is achieved by capping the two sections with PECVD grown silicon nitride and silicon dioxide respectively followed by rapid thermal annealing the device at 750°C for 30s prior to the fabrication of the quantum well laser. The fabricated device is capable of producing laser emission that can be tuned continuously from 1523 nm to 1556 nm by applying separate electrical currents into each 400 μm long section.
Repurposing the algorithm: How digital signal processing brought on the re-use of reverb

The earliest digital reverberation algorithms were designed to provide sound with a wider and more immersive sense of physical time-based space. These algorithms successfully replicated the perceptual attributes of realistic rooms, but there was also an interesting and perhaps unforeseen secondary outcome. The ubiquity of digital reverberation made the creative misuse of these algorithms to construct physically impossible spaces readily accessible to musicians. By providing users with access to algorithm controls, reverb grew from a tool for constructing realistic perceptions of rooms into the creation of sound design—and often, the centerpiece of composition. Rather than provide a perceptually accurate presentation of sounds in a stereo field, artists instead began to approach reverb as a smaller part of larger timbral systems. Examples span from reverse reverb to the more complex Eno-based shimmer system, and reverb’s place in production and perception will be considered and discussed.The earliest digital reverberation algorithms were designed to provide sound with a wider and more immersive sense of physical time-based space. These algorithms successfully replicated the perceptual attributes of realistic rooms, but there was also an interesting and perhaps unforeseen secondary outcome. The ubiquity of digital reverberation made the creative misuse of these algorithms to construct physically impossible spaces readily accessible to musicians. By providing users with access to algorithm controls, reverb grew from a tool for constructing realistic perceptions of rooms into the creation of sound design—and often, the centerpiece of composition. Rather than provide a perceptually accurate presentation of sounds in a stereo field, artists instead began to approach reverb as a smaller part of larger timbral systems. Examples span from reverse reverb to the more complex Eno-based shimmer system, and reverb’s place in production and perception will be considered and discussed.
Keeping it real: utilizing NYC open data in an introduction to database systems course

Over the past few years many governmental and non-profit organizations have begun releasing all sorts of datasets to the public. These datasets, commonly referred to as open data, typically cover subject areas such as transportation, weather, economics, health and the environment. This freely-available data provides an excellent opportunity to expose database students to "real-world" data. "Real-world" data sets are rarely pristine -- they are frequently poorly formatted, designed and documented. They may even contain inconsistencies. It is important for database students be exposed to these types of data sets and to learn how to work with them. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to some useful NYC data sets and describe how the author utilized them in an Introduction to Database Systems course.
22. Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy

This chapter provides an outline of the basic indications, setup, and steps of a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with and without splenic preservation. It is intended to serve as a guide and not as a step-by-step approach. First and foremost, the surgeon must have a thorough understanding of the diseases and anatomy of the pancreas and its relationship to other organs. If performing pancreatic surgery laparoscopically, the surgeon must possess complex laparoscopic skills, such as gentle handling of tissues, intracorporeal suturing, and knot-tying techniques.
Assessment of Time-Series Machine Learning Methods for Forecasting Hospital Discharge Volume.

Importance Forecasting the volume of hospital discharges has important implications for resource allocation and represents an opportunity to improve patient safety at periods of elevated risk. Objective To determine the performance of a new time-series machine learning method for forecasting hospital discharge volume compared with simpler methods. Design A retrospective cohort study of daily hospital discharge volumes at 2 large, New England academic medical centers between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014 (hospital 1), or January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2010 (hospital 2), comparing time-series forecasting methods for prediction was performed. Data analysis was conducted from February 28, 2017, to August 30, 2018. Group-level data for all discharges from inpatient units were included. In addition to conventional methods, a technique originally developed for allocating data center resources, and comparison strategies for incorporating prior data and frequency of model updates, was conducted to identify the model application that optimized forecast accuracy. Main Outcomes and Measures Model calibration as measured byR2and, secondarily, number of days with errors greater than 1 SD of daily volume. Results During the forecasted year, hospital 1 had 54 411 discharges (daily mean, 149) and hospital 2 had 47 456 discharges (daily mean, 130). The machine learning method was well calibrated at both sites (R2, 0.843 and 0.726, respectively) and made errors greater than 1 SD of daily volume on only 13 and 22 days, respectively, of the forecast year at the 2 sites. Last-value-carried-forward models performed somewhat less well (calibrationR2, 0.781 and 0.596, respectively) with 13 and 46 errors of 1 SD or greater, respectively. More frequent retraining and training sets of longer than 1 year had minimal effects on the machine learning method’s performance. Conclusions and Relevance Volume of hospital discharges can perhaps be reliably forecasted using simple carry-forward models as well as methods drawn from machine learning. The benefit of the latter does not appear to be dependent on extensive training data and may enable forecasts up to 1 year in advance with superior absolute accuracy to carry-forward models.
Debunking and fully apt belief

One of the contentious philosophical issues surrounding the cognitive science of religion (CSR) is whether well-confirmed CSR theories would debunk religious beliefs. These debates have been contentious in part because of criticisms of epistemic principles used in debunking arguments. In this paper I use Ernest Sosa’s respected theory of knowledge as fully apt belief—which avoids objections that have been leveled against sensitivity and safety principles often used in debunking arguments—to construct a plausible debunking argument for religious belief on the assumption that religious belief is formed simply through processes theorized by CSR. But, in fact, most believers also rely on arguments of various sorts, and their beliefs are not debunked. Keywords: debunking argument, cognitive science of religion, Ernest Sosa.
Microscopic Ultrasound Stimulation of Neural Tissue

Transcranial focused ultrasound has recently been studied as a promising noninvasive neuromodulation technology to stimulate deep brain regions with higher spatial resolution of sub-centimeter (cm) scale, compared with its noninvasive counterparts. In this paper, we propose the concept of microscopic ultrasound stimulation (µUS) in that miniaturized ultrasound transducers can be implanted in the neural (e.g. brain) tissue or on its surface to provide local ultrasound pressure intensities with sub-millimeter (mm) spatial resolution. Using finite-element simulations, we have studied the effects of diameter (0.2-4.5 mm), thickness (0.2-0.5 mm), and sonication frequency (0.5-5 MHz) of a disk-shaped piezoelectric transducer on its resulting acoustic beam profile. Since the focal zone of an ultrasound transducer is scaled down by its size, our results demonstrate the promising spatial resolution of hundreds of micrometers scale using µUS method.
Use of spreadsheets in thermal analysis. Part 3

Abstract Spreadsheets have rarely been used to analyze TG and DTA (or DSC) data to obtain activation energy E and reaction order n (or mechanism). In the recent past and in this paper spreadsheet procedures have been successfully used to ascertain E and n or E and mechanism. In this paper, these procedures are applied to theoretical TG data, to TG data for calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate, teflon and sodium bicarbonate and to DTA data for benzenediazonium chloride. In addition, some of the many advantages of using such procedures are mentioned. The aim of this paper is to extend the implementation of spreadsheets in thermal analysis.
An Integrated Multi-Time-Scale Modeling for Solar Irradiance Forecasting Using Deep Learning.

For short-term solar irradiance forecasting, the traditional point forecasting methods are rendered less useful due to the non-stationary characteristic of solar power. The amount of operating reserves required to maintain reliable operation of the electric grid rises due to the variability of solar energy. The higher the uncertainty in the generation, the greater the operating-reserve requirements, which translates to an increased cost of operation. In this research work, we propose a unified architecture for multi-time-scale predictions for intra-day solar irradiance forecasting using recurrent neural networks (RNN) and long-short-term memory networks (LSTMs). This paper also lays out a framework for extending this modeling approach to intra-hour forecasting horizons thus, making it a multi-time-horizon forecasting approach, capable of predicting intra-hour as well as intra-day solar irradiance. We develop an end-to-end pipeline to effectuate the proposed architecture. The performance of the prediction model is tested and validated by the methodical implementation. The robustness of the approach is demonstrated with case studies conducted for geographically scattered sites across the United States. The predictions demonstrate that our proposed unified architecture-based approach is effective for multi-time-scale solar forecasts and achieves a lower root-mean-square prediction error when benchmarked against the best-performing methods documented in the literature that use separate models for each time-scale during the day. Our proposed method results in a 71.5% reduction in the mean RMSE averaged across all the test sites compared to the ML-based best-performing method reported in the literature. Additionally, the proposed method enables multi-time-horizon forecasts with real-time inputs, which have a significant potential for practical industry applications in the evolving grid.
Fractal auditory stimulation has greater benefit for people with Parkinson's disease showing more random gait pattern.

Abstract Background Healthy gait dynamics are characterized by the presence of fractal, persistent stride-to-stride variations, which become more random with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Rhythmic auditory stimulation with fractal beat-to-beat variations can change gait dynamics in people with PD toward more persistence. Research question How does gait in people with PD change when synchronizing steps with fractal melodic metronomes with different step-to-beat ratios, and which stimulus do they prefer? Methods In this cross-sectional study, 15 people with PD and 15 healthy older adults walked over-ground in three conditions: self-paced, paced by a fractal auditory stimulus with a 1:1 step-to-beat ratio (‘metronome’), and fractal auditory stimulus with a 1:2 step-to-beat ratio (‘music’). Gait dynamics were recorded with instrumented insoles, and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) was applied to the series of stride time intervals. Stimuli preference was assessed using Likert-like scales and open-ended questions. ANOVAs were used to compare mean, coefficient of variation, α-DFA, and the responses from the continuous Likert scales. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between ‘music’ and ‘metronome’ enjoyment or difficulty with gait outcomes, and to determine the association between baseline α-DFA and changes due to the stimuli. Results Our major findings are that (i) stride-to-stride variations were more persistent with the ‘metronome’ compared to baseline for both groups, (ii) the effect was greater for people with lower α-DFA at baseline (i.e., more random stride-to-stride variations), and (iii) both groups found the ‘metronome’ less difficult to synchronize with. Significance This study showed that people with PD and healthy older adults walk with higher statistical persistence in their stride-to-stride variations when instructed to synchronize their steps with a fractal stimulus. Participants with lower persistence at baseline benefited the most from the fractal ‘metronome’, highlighting the importance to develop patient-centered tests and interventions.
Tunable Ultrahigh-Saturation Structural Colors from Toroidal Resonances by Phase-Change Material Sb 2 S 3 Metasurfaces

Leveraging sharp toroidal resonances supported by an all-dielectric metasurface (MS) made of high-index phase-change material Sb2S3 nanopillars (NPs), we demonstrate tunable ultrahighly saturated structural color with unprecendted large color gamut.
Preschool Healthy Food Policy Did Not Increase Percent of Food Wasted: Evidence from the Carolinas

This research evaluates the effects of a South Carolina (SC) policy, which changed the nutrition standards for foods served in early care and education (ECE) settings, on wasted food. A two-group pre-test/post-test evaluation was performed in ECE centers serving children age 3-5 from households with lower incomes in SC (n = 102 children from 34 centers, intervention) and North Carolina (NC; n = 99 children from 30 centers, comparison). Direct observation was performed to assess the quantity and kcal of food served and quantity and percent of food discarded, by food group and nutrient, enabling assessment of waste in the absence of intervention. Mixed-effects linear models were fit to estimate, by state, differences in change from baseline to post-implementation at the center level. Covariates were selected a priori, including center enrollment, racial composition, director educational attainment, years in operation, for-profit status, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participation. Waste of food was high across states and time points. The policy was not associated with a change in percent of food discarded in SC compared to NC in adjusted analyses.
Bayesian-based withdrawal estimates using pharmacokinetic parameters for two capsaicinoid-containing products administered to horses.

Capsaicinoids deter horses from chewing on bandages and are applied topically to provide analgesia to musculoskeletal injuries. They are banned during competition due to their nerve blocking properties. The pharmacokinetics of oral (PO) and direct gastric administration via nasogastric tube (NG), or topical (TOP) administration of two capsaicinoid-containing products were investigated, and the withdrawal times required prior to competition were estimated. Capsaicin (CAP) and dihydrocapsaicin (DCAP) were quantified in plasma, and both compounds were best described by a delayed absorption two compartment elimination model following PO administration and by a first order absorption one compartment elimination model following TOP administration. Capsaicin and DCAP could not be quantified in most samples following NG administration. Following PO administration, the time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax ) for CAP and DCAP was 0.25 (0.08-0.50) hr. Following TOP application, the Tmax for CAP and DCAP was 4 (2-6) and 5 (3-12) hr, respectively. By 8 hr post-PO administration and 36 hr post-TOP application, CAP and DCAP were below the lower limit of quantification. Capsaicin and DCAP were not detected in urine samples. Withdrawal times were predicted using the 99.99% credibility interval limits of the pharmacokinetic parameters calculated with Bayesian estimation.
Long-term behavioral effects observed in mice chronically exposed to static ultra-high magnetic fields

Purpose The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether chronic exposures to ultra-high B0 fields can induce long-term cognitive, behavioral, or biological changes in C57BL/6 mice. Methods C57BL/6 mice were chronically exposed to 10.5-T or 16.4-T magnetic fields (3-h exposures, two exposure sessions per week, 4 or 8 weeks of exposure). In vivo single-voxel 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate possible neurochemical changes in the hippocampus. In addition, a battery of behavioral tests, including the Morris water-maze, balance-beam, rotarod, and fear-conditioning tests, were used to examine long-term changes induced by B0 exposures. Results Hippocampal neurochemical profile, cognitive, and basic motor functions were not impaired by chronic magnetic field exposures. However, the balance-beam-walking test and the Morris water-maze testing revealed B0 -induced changes in motor coordination and balance. The tight-circling locomotor behavior during Morris water-maze tests was found as the most sensitive factor indexing B0 -induced changes. Long-term behavioral changes were observed days or even weeks subsequent to the last B0 exposure at 16.4 T but not at 10.5 T. Fast motion of mice in and out of the 16.4-T magnet was not sufficient to induce such changes. Conclusion Observed results suggest that the chronic exposure to a magnetic field as high as 16.4 T may result in long-term impairment of the vestibular system in mice. Although observation of mice may not directly translate to humans, nevertheless, they indicate that studies focused on human safety at very high magnetic fields are necessary.
Negative Impact of Compressive Biaxial Stress on High Precision Bipolar Devices

Some packaging technologies of electronic devices introduce compressive biaxial stress and variable vertical stress. In unipolar MOS devices, stress variations typically only linearly affect drain current via carrier mobility. Collector currents of bipolar devices are additionally affected by variations in intrinsic carrier concentration. This leads to increased variability of key device parameters in the compressive stress regime. Reducing package-induced compressive stress, or inducing tensile stress, should improve device variability due to local stress variations.
Bacteriophage ICP1: A Persistent Predator of Vibrio cholerae.

Bacteriophages or phages—viruses of bacteria—are abundant and considered to be highly diverse. Interestingly, a particular group of lytic Vibrio cholerae–specific phages (vibriophages) of the Inter...
Supporting interdisciplinary teaching about the Earth with the InTeGrate website

Increasing the number of undergraduate students that are ready to creatively, effectively, and ethically address today’s grand, Earth-related, societal challenges (NRC: National Academy Press 2001) is one of the central goals of the NSF-funded InTeGrate STEP Center. This cannot be done from a single disciplinary perspective, but requires a more holistic understanding of Earth systems in combination with expertise from disciplines that study social systems. It requires effective communication, understanding, and cooperation among Earth, marine, atmospheric, and climate scientists as well as political scientists, economists, engineers, humanists, and others. The InTeGrate website addresses the need for this more holistic approach by helping faculty in any discipline bridge silos and address Earth-related societal challenges with their students. The project website provides effective, tested, community-contributed strategies for incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives, example interdisciplinary teaching activities and course descriptions, and sections addressing teaching specific interdisciplinary topics and themes. It also reflects and addresses audiences at various scales within the InTeGrate community, including perspectives from faculty, college and university program chairs, and employers. The website contains advice and examples of a spectrum of ways to build connections between disciplines, from starting small with a guest speaker in a single course to a fully linking curriculum. Example teaching activities and course descriptions give concrete ideas of how various interdisciplinary teaching strategies play out in the classroom. Results and recommendations from workshop participants provide a way to jump into the middle of rich, interdisciplinary discussions, including environmental justice, risk and resilience, and system thinking.
High Degree and Order Spherical Harmonic Models for the Moon From Clementine and Historic S-Band Data

A spherical harmonic model complete to degree and order seventy has been developed from Doppler tracking of the Lunar Orbiters, the Apollo 15 and 16 subsatellites, and the Clementine spacecraft. The model combines 361,000 observations from Clementine with 347,000 historical observations. The model was developed using the method of Lerch [1991] in order to derive a more realistic realization of the uncertainties associated with this model. An a priori power law of the form 15 × 10−5/12, where l is the spherical harmonic degree, was applied in this model. The Clementine data provide a powerful constraint on the low degree harmonics, and the sectoral terms through degree twenty, by virtue of the spacecraft orbit geometry, and the excellent quality of the tracking data. The gravity anomalies in our model, GLGM-2 (Goddard Lunar Gravity Model-2), have a dynamic range of −294 to +358 mGals when evaluated on the lunar surface at a reference radius of 1738 km. The error predicted from the GLGM-2 covariance ranges from 14 mGals on the equatorial near side to 44 mGals over the high latitude regions of the lunar far side. The model resolves the mascon basins first deduced from Lunar Orbiter tracking [Muller and Sjogren,1968]. Mare Orientale is resolved as a horseshoe-shaped low with an amplitude of −225 mGals centered on the inner and outer Rook rings. Although direct tracking is not available over substantial regions of the lunar farside, the model still resolves far side basins such as South-Pole Aitken, Hertzsprung, Korolev, Moscoviens, and Tsiolkovsky.
Analysis of Oxidative Modification of Proteins

Reactions between protein molecules and reactive oxygen species (ROS) often lead to the modification of certain amino acid residues such as histidine, lysine, arginine, proline, and threonine, forming carbonyl derivatives. Carbonylation of proteins has thus often been employed for the quantification of generalized protein oxidation. Besides carbonylation, other types of oxidative damage that have been investigated in depth are the modifications of cysteine, tyrosine, and aspartate, or asparagine residues. Except for cysteine residues, whose oxidation is often determined by the loss of protein thiol groups, quantification of oxidative damage to tyrosine, and aspartate residues is usually carried out by the measurement of specific oxidation products such as dityrosine, nitrotyrosine (when nitrogen species are the oxidants), and isoaspartate. Methods described in this unit include spectrophotometry, immunoblotting, radiolabeling, GC/MS, ELISA adapted for analysis of oxidative modification.
High voltage, sub nanosecond feedthrough design for liquid breakdown studies

Experiments in self-breakdown mode and pulsed breakdown at high over-voltages in standard electrode geometries are performed for liquids to gain a better understanding of their fundamental breakdown physics. Different liquids of interest include liquids such as super-cooled liquid nitrogen, oils, glycerols and water. A typical setup employs a discharge chamber with a cable discharge into a coaxial system with axial discharge, and a load line to simulate a matched terminating impedance, thus providing a sub-nanosecond response. This study is focused on the feed-through design of the coaxial cable into this type of discharge chamber, with the feed-through being the critical element with respect to maximum hold-off voltage. Diverse feedthroughs were designed and simulated using Maxwell 3-D Field Simulator Version 5. Several geometrically shaped feed-through transitions were simulated, including linearly and exponentially tapered, to minimize electrostatic fields, thus ensuring that the discharge occurs in the volume of interest and not between the inner and outer conductor at the transition from the insulation of the coaxial cable to the liquid. All feedthroughs are designed to match the incoming impedance of the coaxial cable. The size of the feedthroughs will vary from liquid to liquid in order to match the coaxial cable impedance of 50Ω. The discharge chamber has two main ports where the feed-through will enter the chamber. Each feed-through is built through a flange that covers the two main ports. This allows the use of the same discharge chamber for various liquids by changing the flanges on the main ports to match the particular liquid. The feedthroughs were designed and built to withstand voltages of up to 200 kV. The feedthroughs are also fitted with transmission line type current sensors and capacitive voltage dividers with fast amplifiers/attenuators in order to attain a complete range of information from amplitudes of 0.1mA to 1 kA with a temporal resolution of 300 ps.