cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XXXII. Œconomical means of procuring pure the salts of manganese, and of analysing the minerals which contain manganese and iron

(1835). XXXII. Œconomical means of procuring pure the salts of manganese, and of analysing the minerals which contain manganese and iron. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 6, No. 33, pp. 193-196.
Electrophysiological and endocrinological correlates during the metamorphic degeneration of a muscle fibre in Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera).

1. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s), membrane resting potentials, and intensity of birefringence were measured from the two principal planta retractor muscles (PPRMs) of the first pair of prolegs during metamorphosis of Galleria mellonella . This was done to determine whether cessation of efferent nerve impulses to these single fibres signals their degeneration. 2. E.p.s.p.s were elicited reflexively by brushing the insect9s last abdominal segment. Though they become attenuated, e.p.s.p.s can be recorded until 11-12 hr. after pupal ecdysis. By this time the membrane resting potential has dropped from c . 55 mV. to less than 18 mV., and the intensity of birefringence has become minimal. 3. Continuous electromyographic records taken during the initial 18 hr. after pupal ecdysis suggest that the PPRMs are being excited regularly as they degenerate. 4. No ‘sparing effect’ on the degeneration of the PPRMs could be detected when programmed, current-limited stimuli were administered to pupae via chronically implanted electrodes. 5. Removing all acknowledged endocrines by transecting newly emerged pupae has negligible effect on the decrease of the PPRM birefringence, but greatly retards the degradation of the membrane resting potential and e.p.s.p.s. This retardation can be alleviated by injecting the steriod hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone.
Endocrine Symptoms in Hypothalamic-Pituitary Tumors

Researchers at Universite Paris Descartes and other centers in Paris, France performed a retrospective, study of 176 patients (93 boys) aged 6 years (range 0.2-18 years) with hypothalamic-pituitary lesions to determine whether the time to diagnosis could be shortened by analyses of clinical and endocrine presenting symptoms.
Going for the Win: Reactions to Perceived Advantage by Competitive and Cooperative Negotiators

Negotiating parties seldom face equivalent circumstances, or structural conditions, at the beginning of a negotiation. Instead, conditions surrounding the negotiation may favor one party at the expense of the other. This study examines the effects of negotiation structural asymmetries on perceived advantage and negotiator aspirations. Three key questions are addressed: Are negotiators aware of such asymmetries? More importantly, if negotiators are aware of such asymmetries, do they approach the negotiation differently? Finally, if a negotiator construes a negotiation as a competitive, rather than a cooperative task, do such different approaches lead to different reactions to perceived advantage? Results from this experiment - in which participants were asked to indicate how they would behave in a hypothetical negotiation - suggest that whether negotiators construe a negotiation as a competitive or cooperative task they perceive advantage when aware of a positive asymmetry and disadvantage when aware of a negative asymmetry. However, only when they construe the negotiation as competitive do negotiators change aspirations in response to asymmetries. Implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed.
Cigarette advertising in Cold War Bulgaria

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the parameters of Bulgarian cigarette advertising in the Cold War period. It contrasts the evolution of cigarette marketing in Bulgaria and the USA in the context of contrasting communist and capitalist notions of the “good life” versus the “common good”. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is informed by a growing literature on advertising under communism, but also new work on consumption in the Soviet Union and Cold War Eastern Europe. It draws upon archival and printed Bulgarian, and some American, sources, and the memoir of a key player in the Bulgarian tobacco industry. Findings – The paper concludes that marketing of cigarettes in communist Bulgaria gained momentum in the same period that cigarette advertising in the USA was severely curtailed. In Bulgaria, the notion that cigarettes were key to the promised “good life” and “building socialism”, out-weighed any notion of harm to the “common good”. Originality/value – This study casts doubt on the common notio...
Antitumour Activity of N -(β,β′-dichlorodiethylaminomethyl)-tetra-cycline, ‘Tetracycline-mustard’

LOCALIZATION of tetracycline in tumour tissue has been reported with both human and animal neoplasms1. Though the tetracycline class antibiotics have no antitumour effect by themselves, the possibility of using them as carriers of more potent agents seemed worthy of investigation. As a model system a nitrogen mustard (HN2) derivative was considered most practical because of simplicity of structure, availability of starting materials and general knowledge concerning the antitumour activity of mustard type alkylating agents.
The design of the flexible planet gear in mechanical arm

In view of the rigid link flexible joint,the industry mechanical arm which actuates by the flexible planet gear,this paper proposed one kind of new modeling and the computational method.Because joint is flexibility,in the work is very easy to have resonating,causes the mechanical arm movement path to have the deviation frequently,for this reason it has studied a model which connection between the flexible joint rigid link body and N level industry mechanical arm,this model carries on the actuation by permanent magnetism DC servo motor and the flexible planet gear.In the mechanical arm dynamic modeling process,had considered fully gear's cycle and the gear rigidity,and take two level of industry mechanical arms as the example,simulating the dynamic mechanical arm model with rigid link flexible joint,and actuated by the planet gear.
Forest Metabolism: Influence of Air Contaminants on Photosynthesis and Respiration

Photosynthesis is the most important metabolic process of forest ecosystems. In simple outline the process amounts to the reduction of carbon dioxide to CH2O and the oxidation of water to molecular oxygen and results in the derivation of approximately 95% of the dry weight of plants. Photosynthesis is the process primarily responsible for forest productivity.
Role of pharmacists in reducing occupational exposure to HIV

The role of pharmacists in reducing the occupational hazard of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission via needle-stick injuries is described. Some 40% of all pharmaceuticals used in hospitals are now administered by injection, and sales of large-volume injectable drug products continue to grow. Most needle-stick injuries in which health-care workers are exposed to HIV-contaminated blood occur during recapping of used needles, picking up and carrying the needle, or placing it in a receptacle. Pharmacists are responsible not only for the purchase, storage, dispensing, and use of drug products but also for providing information about their administration and safe disposal. Single-use vials, ampuls, and prefilled syringes must all be evaluated for availability, ease of use, and disposal. A major factor in drug-purchasing decisions must be the safety of nurses. Syringes that have been redesigned to eliminate the need for recapping offer a major safety advantage. Needle disposal units should be made more conveniently accessible. Pharmacists can help prevent the transmission of HIV to health-care workers by using their influence as educators and decision makers to reduce the risk of needle-stick injury.
Interactive Information Service Technology of Tea Industry Based on Demand-Driven

Information service technology is a bridge between user and information resource, also is the critical factor to weight the quality of information service. Focusing on the information service features of tea industry, the demand-driven and interaction of information service were emphasized in this paper. User and market as the major criterion for testing the quality of information service, the interactive information service mode based on the demand-driven was proposed to realize the maximum of information service value. Demands of users as the driving factor in the mode, introducing the interactive ideas of loop optimization on information demand and combining the push and feedback mechanism of information, the information service mechanism was further optimized to meet the actual demands of users.
SU-G-TeP3-06: Nanoparticle-Aided External Beam Radiotherapy Leveraging the Cerenkov Effect

Purpose: This study investigates the feasibility of exploiting the Cerenkov radiation (CR) present during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for significant therapeutic gain, using titanium dioxide nanoparticles (titania) delivered via a new design of radiotherapy biomaterials. Methods: Recently published work has shown that CR generated by radionuclides during PET imaging could substantially enhance damage to cancer cells in the presence of 0.625 µg/g titania. We hypothesize that equal or greater damage can be achieved during EBRT. To test this hypothesis, Monte Carlo simulation was done using GEANT4 in order to get the total CR yield inside a tumor volume during EBRT compared to that of the radionuclides. We considered a novel approach where a sufficiently potent concentration of the titania was delivered directly into the tumor using radiotherapy biomaterials (e.g. fiducials) loaded with the titania. The intra-tumor distribution/diffusion of titania released from the fiducials was calculated. An in-vitro MTS assay experiment was also carried out to establish the relative non-toxicity of titania for concentrations of up to 1 µg/g. Results: For a radiotherapy biomaterial loaded with 15 µg/g of 2-nm titania, at least 0.625 µg/g could be delivered through out a tumor sub-volume of 2-cm diameter after 14 days. This concentration level could inflict substantial damage to tumor cells during EBRT. The Monte Carlo results showed the CR yield in tumor by 6 MV radiation was higher than the radionuclides and hence potentially greater damage may be obtained during EBRT. No significant cell viability change was observed for 1 µg/g titania. Conclusion: Altogether, these preliminary findings demonstrate a potential new approach that can be used to take advantage of the CR present during megavoltage EBRT to boost damage to tumor cells. The results provide significant impetus for further experimental studies towards development of nanoparticle-aided EBRT powered by the Cerenkov effect.
Giant strain with low cycling degradation in Ta-doped [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2]TiO3 lead-free ceramics

Non-textured polycrystalline [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2](Ti1−xTax)O3 ceramics are fabricated and their microstructures and electrical properties are characterized. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the coexistence of the rhombohedral R3c and tetragonal P4bm phases in the form of nanometer-sized domains in [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2]TiO3 with low Ta concentration. When the composition is x = 0.015, the electrostrain is found to be highly asymmetric under bipolar fields of ±50 kV/cm. A very large value of 0.62% is observed in this ceramic, corresponding to a large-signal piezoelectric coefficient d33* of 1240 pm/V (1120 pm/V under unipolar loading). These values are greater than most previously reported lead-free polycrystalline ceramics and can even be compared with some lead-free piezoelectric single crystals. Additionally, this ceramic displays low cycling degradation; its electrostrain remains above 0.55% even after undergoing 10 000 cycles of ±50 kV/cm bipolar fields at 2 Hz. Therefore, Ta-doped [Bi1/2(Na0....
Assistive technology evaluations: Remote-microphone technology for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract The goal of this study was to conduct assistive technology evaluations on 12 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to evaluate the potential benefits of remote-microphone (RM) technology. A single group, within-subjects design was utilized to explore individual and group data from functional questionnaires and behavioral test measures administered, designed to assess school- and home-based listening abilities, once with and once without RM technology. Because some of the children were unable to complete the behavioral test measures, particular focus was given to the functional questionnaires completed by primary teachers, participants, and parents. Behavioral test measures with and without the RM technology included speech recognition in noise, auditory comprehension, and acceptable noise levels. The individual and group teacher (n = 8–9), parent (n = 8–9), and participant (n = 9) questionnaire ratings revealed substantially less listening difficulty when RM technology was used compared to the no-device ratings. On the behavioral measures, individual data revealed varied findings, which will be discussed in detail in the results section. However, on average, the use of the RM technology resulted in improvements in speech recognition in noise (4.6 dB improvement) in eight children, higher auditory working memory and comprehension scores (12–13 point improvement) in seven children, and acceptance of poorer signal-to-noise ratios (8.6 dB improvement) in five children. The individual and group data from this study suggest that RM technology may improve auditory function in children with ASD in the classroom, at home, and in social situations. However, variability in the data and the inability of some children to complete the behavioral measures indicates that individualized assistive technology evaluations including functional questionnaires will be necessary to determine if the RM technology will be of benefit to a particular child who has ASD.
Cutting Theory and Chip Morphology

Machining is a mechanical process where excess material from a workpiece can be removed by cutting action to produce a part of specified geometrical shape and surface finish. Machining can be performed on virtually all solid materials even though the term commonly applies to the cutting of metals and alloys, less frequently to plastics and wood, and rarely to other solid substances (rocks, composites, etc.).
Normal amniotic fluid volume across gestation: Comparison of statistical approaches in 1190 normal amniotic fluid volumes

Aim Ultrasound estimation and evaluation of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) is an important component of pregnancy surveillance and fetal well-being. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast four statistical methods used to construct gestational age-specific reference intervals for the assessment of AFV. Methods A total of 1095 normal AFV derived from four studies that measured AFV using dye-dilution or direct measurement at the time of hysterotomy were used to construct reference intervals using polynomial regression, quantile regression, Royston and Wright mean and SD, and Cole's lambda mu sigma (LMS) methods. The 2.5th, 5th, 50th, 95th, and 97.5th centiles were derived for each statistical method. Results AFV increased curvilinearly from 15 gestational weeks and onward. Based on the 50th centile, the maximum value occurred at 30 weeks’ gestation for the polynomial regression and mean and SD methods while the maximum was achieved at week 31 for the quantile regression and LMS methods. When data were sparse, the quantile regression method produced dramatically different estimates at the higher centile. Conclusion The four statistical methods produced similar results at gestational ages in which AFV was high. The quantile regression approach, however, produces results that are more reflective of the data when the data are sparse. Given the flexibility and robustness of the quantile regression method, we recommend its use in constructing reference intervals when the interest lies in the tails of the reference distribution.
Electrochemistry of iron-sulfur proteins

Iron-sulfur proteins and enzymes are unique because they possess one or more iron-sulfur clusters. They are ubiquitous in nature, playing key roles in photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and terminal respiration, not to mention a host of other biologically important reactions including CO oxidation to CO2, interconversion of H2 and H+, and sulfite/nitrite reduction. Historically, most studies focused on the electron-transferring properties of iron-sulfur proteins, but now several enzymes have been discovered that clearly use iron-sulfur clusters for catalysis. The iron-sulfur clusters in these proteins and enzymes are usually coordinated to the polypeptide by the amino acid cysteine in its thiolate form, —CH2S-. Inorganic sulfide (S2-“acid labile sulfide”) is required for the formation of the clusters, except for the special case fo Fe(SCH2HR4H)4-containing proteins. While these are single iron proteins which do not contain a metal cluste, they are generally included in the iron-sulfur proteins. Iron-sulfur proteins can then be characterized by considering the type and quantity of iron-sulfur clusters they possess. The most common encountered clusters types found in iron-sulfur proteins are shown in Fig. 1.
Management of dystonia in paediatric palliative care

Dystonia is a challenging neurological symptom found in paediatric palliative care (PPC).1 While well defined as a movement disorder characterised by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions associated with abnormal movement and posturing, dystonia is less well recognised and identified by clinicians.2 A wide range of therapies exist but consensus is often lacking regarding choice of treatment. No studies to date have analysed differences in management of dystonia between palliative care and neurology services. We performed a survey of practice of the PPC database at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, a non-malignant caseload covering southeast England. Specifically with regard to dystonia, documentation over 12 months (preceding July 2017) was retrospectively reviewed to assess …
X-ray phase and coherent scatter imaging techniques compatible with screening mammography (Conference Presentation)

Conventionally, the contrast of X-ray images is due to the attenuation of intensity of x-ray beams after penetrating materials, which is proportional to the imaginary part of the complex refractive index. Subtle density variations within soft tissue yields poor contrast. One method to improve the contrast of x-ray images is to utilize phase information, which could provide a signature 1000 times larger than attenuation. However, phase imaging relies critically on the spatial coherence of the x-ray beam which traditionally requires synchrotron sources, small-spot, low power laboratory sources, or precisely aligned gratings and multiple exposures. An additional source of tissue-typing information, which is simply discarded in a conventional mammogram, is coherent scatter. Coherent scatter imaging relies on diffraction within the tissue and hence produces a signature that depends on the molecular structure, but as conventionally collected requires raster-scanning of the beam and multiple exposures. None of these methods is compatible with conventional screening mammography. We will discuss two methods to achieve phase imaging with large-spot sources practical for clinical use. The first uses polycapillary optics to focus x-rays from a large-spot source and achieve the necessary coherence for propagation-based phase imaging. The second uses structured illumination implemented with a coarse wire mesh to enhance phase signatures and relax the coherence requirement. We will present recent results from both methods, including computational algorithms for phase contrast, phase retrieval and resolution enhancement. We will also present a slot-scanning coherent scatter system which utilizes a slot to shape the beam and shielding placed at specific angles to capture specific coherent scatter signatures in a geometry that is compatible with slot-scan mammograpy.
Negotiating Parental Requests for Medication

Clinical case and commentary on how physicians should respond when confronted by medication requests from parents of children with mood and concentration disorders. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
SECOND ORDER OSCILLATION WITH RETARDED ARGUMENTS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the second order oscillation with retarded arguments. The study of oscillatory behavior of solutions of functional differential equations has received little attention as compared with the corresponding theory in the case of ordinary differential equations. There seem to be two reasons for this phenomenon. One is the fact that available techniques in the past to study oscillation require spontaneous descriptions of the solution and its derivative at the same instant t. Another obstacle in such a study is the lack of concrete examples on which one may formulate general results. It is well known that even in the simplest case of linear difference differential equations, the solutions are described in terms of roots of certain transcendental equations.
Sleep Restriction Therapy

Drawing on clinical experience in sleep disorder centers and laboratory-based investigations, we are continuing to develop conceptual models as well as behavioral treatment strategies for insomnia. The technique reported on here, sleep restriction therapy, has had its effectiveness confirmed in laboratory and clinical studies and is now widely used in sleep disorders centers (Spielman, Saskin, & Thorpy, 1987; Friedman, Bliwise, Yesavage, & Salom, 1991; Morin, Kowatch, & Wade, 1989; Morin, Kowatch, & O’Shanick, 1990; Rubinstein, Rothenberg, Maheswaran, Tsai, Zozula, & Spielman, 1990).
Experimental Convergence of Boundary Element Methods for the Capacity of the Electrified Square Plate

This paper presents numerical experiments using the Galerkin and Collocation boundary element methods for a first kind integral equation (with the single layer kernel) on an open surface г in ℝ3. In (Ervin, et al.1) this integral equation, which determines the charge density of an electrified plate $$\Gamma = \{ \underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{x} \in {\mathbb{R}^3}:|{x_1}|,|{x_2}| < 1,{x_3} = 0\} ,$$ is derived from the exterior Dirichlet problem of the Laplacian in ℝ3\г. Existence and uniqueness for the solution of the integral equation are established in appropriate Sobolev spaces. The asymptotic convergence of the Galerkin procedure for the boundary integral equation is derived for piecewise linear, continuous test and trial functions subordinate to a regular triangulation of г. The theoretical results given here from (Ervin, et al.1) generalize those in Stephan2) where the boundary γ of г is assumed to be a smooth curve.
The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)

Consider two polynomials $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {f\left( x \right) = {a_{0}} + {a_{1}}{x^{2}} + \ldots + {a_{n}}{x^{n}}} \\ {g\left( x \right) = {b_{0}} + {b_{1}}{x^{2}} + \ldots + {b_{m}}{x^{m}}.} \\ \end{array} $$
Extended Retrosigmoid Approach for the Resection of a Pontomedullary Junction Cavernous Malformation.

Objectives To describe an extended retrosigmoid approach for the resection of a cavernoma involving the ponto-medullary junction, with emphasis on the microsurgical anatomy and technique. Design A retrosigmoid craniotomy is performed in the lateral decubitus position and the sigmoid sinus exposed. After opening the dura, sutures are placed medial to the sinus to allow its gentle mobilization. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is drained from the cisterna magna, and cerebellopontine cistern, and dynamic retraction is used over the cerebellum. Subarachnoid dissection of the cerebellopontine angle gives access to cranial nerves IX/X, VII/VIII, and VI. Inspection of the pontomedullary junction medial to the facial nerve reveals hemosiderin staining in that region. A small pial opening is made, exposing the hemorrhagic cavity. The cavernous malformation is then identified, dissected circumferentially, and resected. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr Rhoton's laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants The senior author performed the surgery. The video was edited by Drs. J.B. and V.N. Outcome Measures Outcome was assessed with extent of resection and postoperative neurological function. Results A gross total resection of the lesion was achieved. The patient did not develop any postoperative deficits. Conclusion Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the cerebellopontine angle and meticulous microneurosurgical technique are necessary to achieve a complete resection of a brainstem cavernoma. The extended retrosigmoid approach provides an adequate corridor to the pontomedullary junction. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/FIKixWJT75w .
PLATYPNEA ORTHODEOXIA SYNDROME: A STORY OF WEIGHT GAIN UNMASKING CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Platypnea orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) describes a rare condition of dyspnea and hypoxemia induced by upright posture that resolves when supine. Two conditions must coexist: an interatrial communication and a functional component that redirects shunt flow in the upright position. A 65 year old lady
Moderation of the Association Between Individual Food Security and Poor Mental Health by the Local Food Environment Among Adult Residents of Flint, Michigan

Purpose: Food insecurity is a psychosocial stressor with deleterious effects on mental health. This study examined whether the local food environment moderates the association of individual food insecurity with poor mental health. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from adult residents of Flint, Michigan (n=291), in 2015. Multivariate logistic models assessed whether quality of the local food environment moderated the relationship of food insecurity with poor mental health. A binary indicator of poor mental health was created. Participants were asked to rate their overall "mental or emotional health" using a 5-point Likert scale. Individuals were classified as having either good mental health (i.e., ratings of good, very good, or excellent) or poor mental health (i.e., ratings of fair or poor). Results: In fully adjusted models, food insecurity was associated with 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-6.2) times higher odds of poor mental health. However, increased proximate access to vegetables and fruits moderated this association. For example, those in the bottom 25th percentile of access to vegetables had 7.4 (95% CI: 2.7-20.5) times higher odds of poor mental health. In contrast, for those in the top 25th percentile of vegetable access, food insecurity was only marginally associated with poor mental health (odds ratio=2.2; 95% CI: 1.0-4.7). Conclusion: Greater proximate access to vegetables and fruits moderated food insecurity's association with poor mental health. Longitudinal evaluation of programs and policies that improve availability of nutrient-rich foods in food insecure communities is needed to determine whether they yield a mental health benefit.
Predictors of Death in Necrotizing Skin and Soft Tissue Infection

Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a surgical emergency that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aims to identify predictors of in-hospital death following a NSTI. We queried the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient Database (SID) for California between 2006 and 2011. We used conventional and advanced statistical methods to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality, which included: logistic regression, stepwise logistic regression, decision trees, and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms. A total of 10,158 patients had a NSTI. The full and stepwise logistic regression models had a ROC AUC in the validation dataset of 0.83 (95% CI [0.80, 0.86]) and 0.81 (95% CI [0.78, 0.83]), respectively. The KNN and decision tree model had a ROC AUC of 0.84 (95% CI [0.81, 0.85]) and 0.69 (95% CI [0.65, 0.72]), respectively. The top predictors of in-hospital mortality in the KNN and stepwise logistic model included: (1) the presence of in-hospital coagulopathy, (2) having an infectious or parasitic diagnoses, (3) electrolyte disturbances, (4) advanced age, and (5) the total number of beds in a hospital. Patients with a NSTI have high rates of in-hospital mortality. This study highlights the important factors in managing patients with a NSTI which include: correcting coagulopathy and electrolyte imbalances, treating underlying infectious processes, providing adequate resources to the elderly population, and managing patients in high-volume centers.
Reconfigurable and Adaptive Radar Amplifiers for Spectrum Sharing in Cognitive Radar

The increased use of the wireless spectrum for broadband applications has necessitated a new approach to radar transmission. Future radar systems will be required to adjust operating frequency in real time to avoid interference from other wireless devices operating in the same band. This paper describes the use of a 90 W tunable power-amplifier matching circuit to reconfigure a power amplifier for high power-added efficiency and spectral compliance at multiple frequencies within the S-band. To reconfigure the amplifier in real-time spectrum sharing scenarios, a modified gradient search algorithm is employed to tune the amplifier based on measured data. A look-up table allows previous optimum tuner settings to be stored after the first reconfiguration at each operating frequency, allowing faster optimizations upon re-visits to each frequency. Next research steps are discussed; including the streamlining of system timing, operating the search algorithm under control of spectral prediction and decision-making processes and analyzing the effect of impedance tuning on range and Doppler detection.
Learning Abstraction as a Modeling Competence

Knowing the nature of models is fundamental to modeling, and hence, modeling competence. We propose that model abstraction, or thinking of models as abstractions, is an important and overlooked aspect of the nature of models dimension of competence. Models are inherently abstractions because they are analog structures that are pulled away, or abstracted, from their referents. Moreover, while modeling researchers readily agree that models are abstractions, they do not specify abstraction as a characteristic of models that students should learn. Using data from a pretest-posttest, control-group study, we argue that learning to think of models as abstractions is crucial to students’ success in modeling. Specifically, this learning counteracts the well-known proclivity for students to generate models that are copies of their referents. Our data consist of test responses from 175 high school students who engaged in a modeling activity in which they learned to think of models as abstractions. These are supplemented with think-aloud interviews of 12 students who worked key test items. Analyzing the item task demands together with student responses, we show that thinking of models as abstractions (1) runs precisely counter to thinking of them as copies, (2) can be learned on an instructional timescale, and (3) can transfer to new modeling contexts. Further, we explain how these attributes of learning meet the criteria for competence as defined in the literature.
Effect of diet on non-nutritive oral behavior performance in cattle: A systematic review

Abstract Stereotypies are repetitive behaviors the may be performed in effort to relieve frustration or cope with a sub-optimal environment. Cattle are hypothesized to cope with the differences between forage and grain-based diets with oral stereotypies that manifest as in the form of non-nutritive oral behaviors (NNOB). Diets fed in confinement contain less roughage compared to the predominantly forage diets cattle consume while on pasture. These changes in diet composition, presentation, and time required to consume elicit physiological changes in the rumen and require cattle to spend less time engaged in oral behaviors (e.g. mastication of the cud, using the tongue to grasp and pull on grass) – all factors that contribute to NNOB performance. Allogrooming and self-grooming are also classified as NNOBs, however, they have function and are not stereotypic in nature. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the current state of research regarding the relationship between diet and NNOB performance in cattle. Searches of CAB Abstracts, AGRIS, Scopus and SPAC, performed prior to September 2018 resulted in 22 articles (25 studies) that analyzed the impact of dietary treatments on NNOB performance in both beef and dairy cattle housed in confinement. Increasing dietary roughage levels decreased the performance of NNOBs while limiting dietary roughage increased NNOB performance. However, there was little conclusive evidence to suggest that ingredient type, particle size, total feed amount, mode of feeding, or mineral addition influenced NNOB performance. Strengths of the studies included consistent housing across treatments and valid and reliable methods of behavioral recording. Many studies did not consider weaning method in their animal selection and some studies did not randomize animals into each treatment, identifying an opportunity for improvement in this area of research. Risk of bias was performed using JBI Critical Assessment Tools and a very low risk of bias was found for both randomized and (non-random) quasi-experiment trials. This systematic review examined studies varying in sample size, cattle age/sex and experimental design, showcasing a small yet diverse research area.
COVID-19 Meets Big Tech

In summary, there are various effects of COVID-19 on big tech that clearly cannot be lumped together as a single category. The pandemic has led to a heavy cut in discretionary expenditure, which has hit businesses such as Twitter and Facebook severely. Firms with more diversified offerings maintained a stronger cushion against losses. Firms that were able to augment their offerings to meet the special business and consumer demands created by the COVID-19-led lockdown performed better.
Healing of erosions in rheumatoid arthritis remains elusive: results with 24 months of the anabolic agent teriparatide

Erosion healing in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is difficult to demonstrate. This extension study aimed to determine whether 2 years of teriparatide (TPTD) produces erosion healing. Subjects in a prev...
Online Station Assignment for Electric Vehicle Battery Swapping

This paper investigates the online station assignment for (commercial) electric vehicles (EVs) that request battery swapping from a central operator, i.e., in the absence of future information a battery swapping service station has to be assigned instantly to each EV upon its request. Based on EVs' locations, the availability of fully-charged batteries at service stations in the system, as well as traffic conditions, the assignment aims to minimize cost to EVs and congestion at service stations. Inspired by a polynomial-time offline solution via a bipartite matching approach, we develop an efficient and implementable online station assignment algorithm that provably achieves the tight (optimal) competitive ratio under mild conditions. Monte Carlo experiments on a real transportation network by Baidu Maps show that our algorithm performs reasonably well on realistic inputs, even with a certain amount of estimation error in parameters.
An optimized method for sample collection, extraction, and analysis of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs from a non-porous surface.

Abstract Illicit use of the potent opioid fentanyl and its analogs (fentanyls) are on the rise in the United States. As use increases, drug production tends to also increase, leading to more locations being contaminated with the potentially lethal substance. Because fentanyl-contaminated locations may present a risk to the general public, a method for sampling, identifying, and quantitating these fentanyls from surfaces is in need. This research developed and optimized a surface-wipe collection and extraction method for 17 fentanyls and 10 common fentanyl adulterants from a non-porous surface and quantitated the amount of each compound collected with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The final, optimized surface-wipe method resulted in an average collection and extraction efficiency (±SD) of 62.0 (±14.0)%, with a range of 34.1 (±2.6) – 82.5 (±9.6)%. While legislation has yet to be implemented regarding remediation levels for fentanyl-contaminated locations, when such legislation is drafted, this method can be implemented to determine the safety of these locations prior to and after decontamination has occurred.
US building energy efficiency and flexibility as an electric grid resource

Summary Buildings use 75% of US electricity; therefore, improving the efficiency and flexibility of building operations could provide significant value to the rapidly changing electricity system. Here, we estimate the technical potential near- and long-term impacts of best-available building efficiency and flexibility measures on annual electricity use and hourly demand across the contiguous United States. Co-deployment of building efficiency and flexibility avoids up to 742 TWh of annual electricity use and 181 GW of daily net peak load in 2030, rising to 800 TWh and 208 GW by 2050; at least 59 GW and 69 GW of the peak reductions are dispatchable. Implementing efficiency measures alongside flexibility measures reduces the potential for off-peak load increases, underscoring limitations on load shifting in efficient buildings. Overall, however, we find a substantial building-grid resource that could reduce future fossil-fired generation needs while also reducing dependence on energy storage with increasing variable renewable energy penetration.
Popliteal Vessels and Branches

The popliteal vessels have many different options to serve as a recipient site for microvascular free tissue transfer. There are several branches of the popliteal vessels that are suitable for microvascular anastomosis. Additionally, a microvascular anastomosis can be performed directly to the popliteal vessel itself in an end-to-side configuration and maintain perfusion to the distal leg. In this chapter we describe several techniques for popliteal vessels and the branches of the popliteal vessels via suprageniculate and the infrageniculate exposures which can be performed with medial or lateral approaches. The midpopliteal exposure is also described in the prone position.
and turn back again

The conventional view of evolutionary relationships within the living reptiles is that turtles are basal to the other groups. Their placement is based largely on the absence in turtles of temporal fenestrae, openings on either side of the skull involved in jaw muscle attachment, which all other groups of living reptiles and their descendants have. Rieppel and deBraga's recent analyses1,2 of fossil and living groups of reptiles challenged this long-held conclusion, although their results have since been questioned3. We present a molecular analysis in support of Rieppel and deBraga's original conclusions.
Al-Qaeda and the Law of War

Nearly since September 11 itself, the legal community has been debating the legal status of al-Qaeda members-criminals versus combatants of war. Though there are many lenses through which one can view this issue, this Article examines the question in terms of individual rights of al-Qaeda members under international law. The author puts the issue in context by first discussing the significance of the label-the distinction in treatment between criminal suspects and prisoners of war. Then, the Article analyzes al-Qaeda and its operations to determine where its members might fall on the continuum from criminal to combatant. Ultimately, the Article suggests that, at least when considering their personal rights under international law, al-Qaeda members should be considered combatants of war, rather than criminals. However, the nature of al-Qaeda makes it difficult to apply international humanitarian law to the group, with interesting implications for the future of this area of law.
Model Selection for Diagnosis and Treatment Using Temporal Influence Diagrams

This paper describes the model-selection process for a temporal influence diagram formalization of the diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal pain. The temporal influence diagram explicitly models the temporal aspects of the diagnosis/treatment process as the findings (signs and symptoms) change over time. Given the complexity of this temporal modeling process, there is uncertainty in selecting (1) the model for the initial time interval (from which the process evolves over time); and (2) the stochastic process describing the temporal evolution of the system. Uncertainty in selecting the initial Bayesian network model is addressed by sensitivity analysis. The choice of most appropriate stochastic process to model the temporal evolution of the system is also discussed briefly.
Dilute spin-exchange assignment of solid-state NMR spectra of oriented proteins: acetylcholine M2 in bilayers.

The assignment of amide resonances in the two-dimensional PISEMA (Polarization Inversion with Spin Exchange at the Magic Angle) spectrum of uniformly 15N labeled M2 peptide corresponding to the channel-lining segment of the acetylcholine receptor in oriented phospholipid bilayers is described. The majority of the resonances were assigned through comparisons with spectra from selectively 15N labeled recombinant peptides and specifically 15N labeled synthetic peptides. Some resonances were assigned to specific amino acid residues by means of homonuclear 15N spin-exchange spectroscopy. A modification to the conventional spin-exchange pulse sequence that significantly shortens the length of the experiments by combining the intervals for 15 N spin-exchange and 1H magnetization recovery is described.
Hybridization of Blind Source Separation and Rough Sets for Proteomic Biomarker Indentification

Biomarkers are molecular parameters associated with presence and severity of specific disease states. Search for biological markers of cancer in proteomic profiles is a relatively new but very active research area. This paper presents a novel approach to feature selection and thus biomarker identification. The proposed method is based on blind separation of sources and selection of features from a reduced set of components.
Using robotics educational module as an interactive STEM learning platform

In traditional teaching methods of teaching science and engineering, students lack experience of applying physical principles to real time physical situation required in these disciplines of study. Students are not engaged to create interest in learning through interactive activities. Lack of interest combined with shortage of practical experience in learning eventually leads them to failure to keep up with the grades expected of them or even can lead to increased rates of attrition in science and engineering disciplines. To overcome this problem, we present a novel and versatile interactive learning tool using data logging capabilities of Robotic Educational Module of Lego NXT. In the present work, we describe the method of Robotics-based educational tool to study electrical conductivity of liquids, body resistance, and Newton's law of cooling. The details of the method — designing and building a robo-based physical system, programming, data collection, analyzing data, calculating and interpreting results are given. The method has been demonstrated to K12, and undergraduate student participants of summer camps. The Robotics-based educational tool can be used for teaching or for learning and can be extended to several other areas of science and engineering.
The placemat protocol: Measuring preschoolers' healthy-meal schemas with pretend meals.

Nutrition instruction can lead to more healthful food choices among children, but little is known about preschoolers' healthy-meal schemas because there are few developmentally appropriate measures. This study validated the Placemat Protocol, a novel measure of preschooler healthy-meal schemas using realistic food models to assemble pretend meals. Preschoolers (N = 247, mean age 4 years 8 months) created 2 meals (preferred and healthy), completed measures of verbal nutrition knowledge and vocabulary, and were weighed and measured for BMI. Parents reported healthy eating guidance, child dietary intake, and family demographics. Children used an average of 5.1 energy-dense (ED) and 3.4 nutrient-dense (ND) foods for their preferred meal, but reversed the ratio to 3.1 ED and 5.1 ND foods for their healthy meal. Healthy meals contained fewer estimated kcal, less fat, less sugar, and more fiber than preferred meals. Meal differences held for younger children, children with lower verbal nutrition knowledge and vocabulary, and child subgroups at higher risk for obesity. Placemat Protocol data correlated with parent healthy eating guidance and child obesogenic dietary intake as expected. The Placemat Protocol shows promise for assessing developing healthy-meal schemas before children can fully articulate their knowledge on verbal measures.
Reflectance, Optical Properties, and Stability of Molybdenum/Strontium and Molybdenum/Yttrium Multilayer Mirrors

The motivation of this work is to develop high reflectance normal-incidence multilayer mirrors in the 8-12 nm wavelength region for applications in astronomy and extreme ultraviolet lithography. To achieve this goal, Mo/Sr and Mo/Y multilayers were studied. These multilayers were deposited with a UHV magnetron sputtering system and their reflectances were measured with synchrotron radiation. High normal-incidence reflectances of 23% at 8.8 nm, 40.8% at 9.4 nm, and 48.3% at 10.5 nm were achieved. However, the reflectance of Mo/Sr multilayers decreased rapidly after exposure to air. Attempts to use thin layers of carbon to passivate the surface of Mo/Sr multilayers were unsuccessful. Experimental results on the refractive index {tilde n} = 1-{delta} + i{beta} of yttrium and molybdenum in the 50-1300 eV energy region are reported in this work. This is the first time ever that values on the refractive index of yttrium are measured in this energy range. The absorption part {beta} was determined through transmittance measurements. The dispersive part {delta} was calculated by means of the Kramers-Kronig formalism. The newly determined values of the refractive index of molybdenum are in excellent agreement with the published data. Those of yttrium are more accurate and contain fine structures around themore » yttrium M-absorption edges where Mo/Y multilayers operate. These improved sets of optical data lead to better design and modeling of the optical properties of Mo/Y multilayers. The reflectance quality of Mo/Y multilayers is dependent on their optical and structural properties. To correlate these properties with the multilayer reflectance, x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze samples. Normal-incidence reflectances of 32.6% at 9.27 nm, 38.4% at 9.48 nm, and 29.6% at 9.46 nm were obtained from three representative Mo/Y multilayers which had about 0%, 25%, and 39% atomic oxygen assimilated in their yttrium layers, respectively. Based on the optical properties, multilayers with higher oxygen content should have higher absorption. However, the 25%-oxygen multilayer had less interface roughness and thus had higher reflectance than the 0%-oxygen sample. The 39%-oxygen multilayer had the highest absorption and roughness, thus had the lowest reflectance among three samples. The optical and structural properties of the multilayers are competing in the reflectance results.« less
RNA-Guided Nucleases: A New Era for Engineering the Genomes of Model and Nonmodel Organisms

In 1946, H. J. Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery with Drosophila melanogaster , some 20 years earlier, that exposure to X-rays caused mutation ([Muller 1927][1]). This led to the identification of a large number of Drosophila mutants and chromosome rearrangements, many