cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating Resilience to Depression in Adults With ADHD.

Objective: ADHD is associated with elevated rates of comorbid depressive disorders, yet the nature and development of this comorbidity remain understudied. We hypothesized that a longer period of prior ADHD treatment, being less likely to engage in maladaptive cognitive/behavioral coping strategies, and less severe ADHD symptoms would predict greater likelihood of lifetime resilience to depression. Method: Seventy-seven adults with ADHD completed diagnostic interviews, clinician-administered symptom rating scales, a stressful life events measure, and self-report questionnaires. We used logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with resilience to depression. Results: Adults with more extensive ADHD treatment histories were more likely to be resilient to depression. Those who were less likely to report ruminative thinking patterns and cognitive-behavioral avoidance were also more resilient. Severity of current or childhood ADHD symptoms and recent negative life events did not predict resil...
Present Situation and Development Trend of Power Science and Technology in China

On the basis of briefly describing the development course of electric power industry in China and summarizing its features and development trend, the present situation of power science and technology in China and its development trend are analyzed in detail. Due to persistent and fast growth of electric power demand in China and large power demand scale, the author points out that at present the developed power science and technology in China should possess following features: it should be reliable, practicable and easy to be spread out and applied; evident economic benefit can be brought about by use of it; it should be of state-of-art technology and is adaptable to the development of modern science and technology; the developed power science and technology should be energy saving and in favor of environmental protection.
Antimüllerian hormone in relation to tobacco and marijuana use and sources of indoor heating/cooking

Objective To evaluate exposure to tobacco, marijuana, and indoor heating/cooking sources in relation to antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels. Design Cross-sectional analysis in a sample of premenopausal women (n = 913) enrolled in the Sister Study cohort (n = 50,884). Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Women, ages 35–54 years at time of enrollment, with an archived serum sample and at least one intact ovary and classified as premenopausal. Intervention(s) Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum AMH (ng/mL) levels ascertained by ultrasensitive ELISA assay. Result(s) Lower AMH levels were associated with sources of indoor heating, including burning wood (−36.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −55.7%, −7.8%) or artificial fire logs (−45.8%; 95% CI, −67.2%, −10.4%) at least 10 times/year in a residential indoor stove/fireplace. Lower AMH levels were also observed in women who were current smokers of ≥20 cigarettes/day relative to nonsmokers (−56.2%; 95% CI, −80.3%, −2.8%) and in women with 10+ years of adult environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure (−31.3%; 95% CI, −51.3%, −3.1%), but no associations were observed for marijuana use. Conclusion(s) We confirmed previously reported findings of lower AMH levels in current heavy smokers and also found associations for long-term ETS exposure and indoor burning of wood or artificial fire logs. These findings suggest that combustion by-products from common exposures can have toxic effects on the human ovary.
Three-Dimensional Molecular Modeling of Bovine Caseins: A Refined, Energy-Minimized κ-Casein Structure

Abstract A refined three-dimensional molecular model of κ -casein has been produced using energy minimization techniques and a Kollman force field on a previously reported predicted three-dimensional structure. This initial model was constructed via molecular modeling techniques from sequence-based secondary structural prediction algorithms. Both the initial and refined structures agreed with global secondary structure analysis from vibration spectroscopy. The refined structure contained many of the features of the initial model, including two sets of antiparallel β -sheet structures containing predominantly hydrophobic side chains, which could form interaction sites with α s1 -casein. Two types of energy-minimized dimer and tetramer models are presented: 1) using Cys as potential intermolecular disulfide binding sites and 2) using the two sheets as possible hydrophobic self-association sites, without Cys interactions. All structures yielded good stabilization energies and are in agreement with chemical, biochemical, and physical chemical results obtained for κ -casein.
Differential effects of peptide hormones bombesin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and somatostatin analog RC-160 on the invasive capacity of human prostatic carcinoma cells.

AbstractThe effects of bombesin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and a somatostatin analog (RC-160) on the in vitro invasion of reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) by two human prostatic carcinoma cell lines were examined. Aggressively growing PC-3 cells were found to be invasive in this assay in contrast to the relatively indolent LNCaP cells. Bombesin increased penetration of basement membrane by both cell lines. Although VIP had no effect on invasion by PC-3 cells, it enhanced invasion by LNCaP cells in a dose-dependent manner. In agreement with these results, VIP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity only in LNCaP cells. In contrast to bombesin and VIP, RC-160 did not alter invasion by either cell line. Our results suggest that certain neuroendocrine peptides can increase the invasive potential of prostatic carcinoma cells and may thereby contribute to the rapid progression and aggressive clinical course of prostate tumors containing neuroendocrine elements.
Species-Specific Female Cues Control Conditioned Sexual Approach of Male Japanese Quail ( Coturnix japonica )

Adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) use visual species-specific cues to discriminate the sex of conspecifics. For example, male Japanese quail demonstrate social proximity to female, but not male quail, if they are allowed to copulate with female quail and receive noncopulatory exposures to males. In the present study, species-specific female cues were used to investigate learning about sign stimuli in a sexual Pavlovian conditioning paradigm. Copulation with a female taxidermic model (US) was paired with a previously neutral block of wood (CS). After several trials, paired subjects came to approach the block of wood. The findings indicate that a female taxidermic model containing speciesspecific sign stimuli can serve as an effective US. In addition, female sign stimuli may play an important role in the acquisition of sexually conditioned responses.
Challenges and obstacles of being on the technology forefront: development of an advanced networking course

Information technology graduates who are skilled in networking are in great demand, and college faculty are challenged to provide the opportunity for students to attain these skills. Interviews with managers and network professionals indicate that broad-based experience with multi-vendor network environments and internetworking expertise are essential to graduates' success in industry. The experience requirements exceed those skills taught in the introduction to networking and data communications course. Thus, this paper describes the reasons for developing an advanced networking course, the course description, course content, prerequisite knowledge, and assessment tools used in the class. The paper also addresses the challenges and obstacles that faculty encounter in rendering the course, particularly with respect to lack of resources and limited faculty expertise.
A framework for network reliability through QoS mapping between lower and upper layers

The majority of todaypsilas infrastructures are vulnerable to various disruptions that affect their essential services. Consequently, different research programs have been aiming at lowering such disruptions. In fact, the problem of designing systems with dependability, reliability, or security characteristics has long been acknowledged as an area for further research, and has received a substantial amount of attentions in the last few years by many different organizations and institutes. However, there are various inconsistent concepts and terminologies that are commonly used to describe the performance of systems (e.g., high-confidence, survivable, trustworthy, and robust). Some of these concepts are quantitative while others are qualitative, and it is a challenge to analyze and evaluate the performance of systems subjectively. Therefore, in this research, we are relating the various subjective concepts to a simple measurable concept which is the reliability concept, and based on analyzing this concept in the high-speed IP-based network environment, the reliability concept is further expressed by the quality of service (QoS). A QoS mapping between the lower and upper layers loss rate performance parameter has been developed. Further, the impact of the lower layer packets loss on the upper layer frames quality has been investigated. This mapping allows better understanding of the technical network parameters from the applicationpsilas perspective of the service level agreement (SLA) and it balances the reservations of the right resources.
Buying into the Regime: Grapes and Consumption in Cold War Chile and the United States by Heidi Tinsman (review)

Tinsman, Heidi. Buying into the Regime: Grapes and Consumption in Cold War Chile and the United States . Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2014. Review by Michael R. Hall.
Multi-code multicarrier CDMA: Performance analysis

A new multi-code multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-MC-CDMA) system is proposed and analyzed in a frequency selective fading channel. By allowing each user to transmit an M-ary code sequence, the proposed MC-MC-CDMA system can support various data rates as required by next generation standards without increasing the interference which is common in general multicarrier CDMA systems. The bit error rate of the system is analytically derived in frequency selective fading, with Gaussian noise and multiple access interference. The results show that the proposed MC-MC-CDMA system clearly outperforms both single-code multicarrier CDMA (MC-CDMA) and single-carrier multi-code CDMA in a fixed bandwidth allocation. This indicates that MC-MC-CDMA can be considered for next generation cellular systems.
Design and characterization of three-dimensional twist-braid scaffolds for anterior cruciate ligament regeneration

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee, with more than 350,000 ACL injuries reported annually in the US. Current treatments include the use of autografts and allografts, which have a number of disadvantages. Previous attempts to use synthetic materials in ligament replacement have been unsuccessful due to their inability to replicate the long-term mechanical properties of the native ligament. The focus of this study was to develop twist-braid poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds for ACL regeneration. Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) was incorporated into the twist-braid scaffolds to evaluate its impact on their mechanical behavior. The twist-braid scaffolds were also compared with braided scaffolds. Scaffold mechanical properties were evaluated based on stress-relaxation, tensile and fatigue properties of the braided-only, twist-braid, and the twist-braid scaffolds with PEGDA. All the scaffolds exhibited properties comparable to the native human ACL with the twist-braid scaffolds displaying resistance to fatigue. Scaffolds were seeded with rat patellar tendon fibroblasts. Cell viability and the amount of protein released were studied over a course of 8 weeks. The scaffolds were stained with Picrosirius red after 8 weeks to show the deposition of extracellular matrix by the cells. The results from this study showed that the twist-braid scaffolds have properties most suitable for ligament regeneration.
Immune cell signaling in autoimmune diseases

On September 20, 2016 the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association convened a selected group of 16 experts in Washington DC to discuss current issues and future directions of research in autoimmune diseases from the cell signaling perspective. The major topics considered included new findings on the follicular T cell cells in mice, their metabolic patterns and their control by the newly discovered T follicular regulatory cells. Current work on the metabolic pathways deemed important for the function of T cells was presented. The broader implications of these studies on our understanding of human and murine T regulatory cell and current aspects of B cell biology, innate immunity and organ damage were discussed. This document should provide the reader with a quick update on these topics and help instigate novel studies.
Motivational Properties of Mirror-Image Stimulation in the Domestic Chicken

Brief exposure to a mirror was found to be an effective means of inducing baby chicks to ambulate down a simple straight alley. It was also shown that visual access to a mirror was more effective than a conspecific for eliciting attack responses and suppressing distress calls in an unfamiliar situation. The results suggest that mirror-image stimulation may represent a supernormal social stimulus for some animals.
Biomaterial Cues to Direct a Pro-regenerative Phenotype in Macrophages and Schwann Cells.

Following peripheral nerve injury (PNI), inflammatory cues impede repair. We have previously demonstrated that spinal cord matrix (SCM) proteins and hyaluronic acid (HA) nanofibers mitigate chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) inhibition and promote growth in peripheral neurons. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a characteristic CSPG, chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), SCM, and HA fibers on macrophages and Schwann cells (SCs). We hypothesized that our cues would accelerate the macrophages' return to rest following classical activation (M1/pro-inflammatory) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/mL) and would accelerate the transformation of SCs from an immature state following injury to a mature/pro-myelinating phenotype. LPS stimulation of the macrophages caused upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; M1 gene) and led to significantly increased cell area and decreased circularity. However, the SCM and HA nanofibers mitigated this effect, significantly reducing iNOS expression. SCs on the fibers had significantly reduced area and increased elongation. These morphological changes may have polarized the cells leading to decreased GFAP (immature gene) and increased Oct6 and Krox 20 (promyelin genes) expression. Antibody arrays were used to measure relative levels of inflammatory cytokines released by the cells. The arrays confirmed that anti-inflammatory cytokines are released from the cells when cultured with our biomaterial cues and helped identify targets for future investigation including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-10, monocyte colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) from the macrophages, Agrin, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1 from SCs, and IL-2 from both cell types. In conclusion, these results suggest that our biomaterial cues have pro-regenerative effects on both cell types and if combined may trigger cells toward regenerative programs.
They Couldn’t Get My Soul: Recovered Memories, Ritual Abuse, and the Specter(s) of Religious Difference

During the 1980s and early 1990s, hundreds of women recovered memories of suffering extraordinary and nefarious torments at the hands of loved ones and trusted authority figures—a phenomenon that came to be known as satanic ritual abuse (SRA). In this article, I argue that late twentieth-century satanic ritual abuse discourse helped perpetuate intolerance toward non-Christian religions and foreclose conditions of possibility for benign religious difference in the United States. Psychological diagnoses related to satanic ritual abuse fueled popular anxieties regarding the sexual peril of American minority religions. Perpetuating diagnoses of satanic ritual abuse reinforced popular suspicions that religious minorities are dangerous, particularly when it comes to matters of sexuality.
Abstract 18179: Predictors of Incident Pacemaker Implantation in the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT)

Introduction: Although permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is common, predictors of this procedure have not been well studied. We therefore sought to identify characteristics that predict PPM im...
Understanding Blind User’s Accessibility and Usability Problems in the Context of myITlab Simulated Environment

Universities are increasingly adopting online training and assessment tools such as Myitlab. Often, these tools pose accessibility barriers to the blind and visually impaired (BVI) students. As a first step towards developing a technology policy to accommodate BVI students in classroom, this paper investigates accessibility and usability of myITlab online environment for the BVI. The investigation adopts a taskoriented, user-centric, multi-method evaluation approach (Babu et al, 2013). The results reveal problems such as use of inappropriate text alternatives, use of nested tables, and inconsistency in the user interface, inadequate keyboard operability, inappropriate reading order, and inappropriate instructions. The presence of critical accessibility and usability issues suggests a probable misalignment in the product accessibility life cycle processes. It also suggests the need of involving users with disabilities in product design and evaluation to ensure that, the intrinsic accessibility functionality of the product is accessible and usable.
NiZnCu-ferrite coated iron powder for soft magnetic composite applications

Abstract Soft magnetic composites (SMCs) comprised of ferrimagnetic and electrically insulating coating materials for iron powder are capable of increasing frequency ranges and efficiency of electromagnetic devices, nominally electric motors. Soft ferrites can withstand stress relieving temperatures and allow for reduction in eddy current contributions while minimally effecting magnetic performance. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of a NiZnCu-ferrite coating material of 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt% on iron powder using traditional press and cure (700 °C) powder metallurgy techniques. Powder properties such as apparent density and Hall flow rate are used to determine effect of acoustic mixing procedure on coating uniformity. An increase in resistance and porosity are found for increasing coating amount, with subsequent decreases in density, permeability, and magnetic saturation. We find lower core loss values for increasing coating amount, related to eddy current loss, however, lower induction levels are also seen. Our work highlights the importance of soft ferrites, more specifically Ni 0.5 Zn 0.3 Cu 0.2 Fe 2 O 4 , and their ability to vastly improve SMC developments using more traditional powder metallurgy (PM) techniques.
A research study on unsupervised machine learning algorithms for early fault detection in predictive maintenance

The area of predictive maintenance has taken a lot of prominence in the last couple of years due to various reasons. With new algorithms and methodologies growing across different learning methods, it has remained a challenge for industries to adopt which method is fit, robust and provide most accurate detection. Fault detection is one of the critical components of predictive maintenance; it is very much needed for industries to detect faults early and accurately. In a production environment, to minimize the cost of maintenance, sometimes it is required to build a model with minimal or no historical data. In such cases, unsupervised learning would be a better option model building. In this paper, we have chosen a simple vibration data collected from an exhaust fan, and have fit different unsupervised learning algorithms such as PCA T2 statistic, Hierarchical clustering, K-Means, Fuzzy C-Means clustering and model-based clustering to test its accuracy, performance, and robustness. In the end, we have proposed a methodology to benchmark different algorithms and choosing the final model.
Internet congestion control using the power metric: Keep the pipe just full, but no fuller

Abstract Recently there has been considerable interest in a key paper [1] describing a new approach to congestion control in Internet traffic which has resulted in significant network performance improvement. The approach is based on a 1978 paper [2] and a companion 1979 paper [3] which identified a system operating point that was optimal in that it maximized delivered throughput while minimizing delay and loss. This operating point is simply characterized by the insight that one should “Keep the pipe just full, but no fuller” and we show this is equivalent to loading the system so that in many cases (including those relevant to TCP connections) the optimized average number in the pipe is exactly equal to the Bandwidth-Delay Product. It is important to understand the reasoning and intuition behind this early insight and why it provides such improved behavior of systems and networks. In this paper, we first develop this insight using purely deterministic reasoning. We then extend this reasoning by examining far more complex stochastic queueing systems and networks using a function called Power to mathematically and graphically extract exact and surprising results that support the insight and allow us to identify the optimum operating point for a broad class of systems. These observations allow us to study the impact of Power on networks leading eventually to supporting the statements about steady state congestion and flow control as presented in [1] for today’s Internet. We point out that the discussions about the latest congestion control algorithms [ 1 , 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] address the dynamics of tracking flow, dealing with multiple intersecting flows, fairness, and more, and which focus on the dynamic behavior of data networks whereas our work here focuses only on the steady state behavior.
The Application of Speckle Metrology to Heart Mechanics

Commonly used techniques for analysis of regional heart function include sonomicrometry, implanted markers, and surface markers. However, these techniques cannot offer the high spatial resolution needed to define regional abnormalities in the heart. We have recently applied a computer aided speckle interferometry technique (CASI) with high spatial resolution to measuring the deformation of heart muscle. We applied silicon carbide particles to the surface of the isolated heart and loaded the heart by increasing the intracavitary pressure. The movement of the speckle pattern was tracked with a CCD camera. This technique produces equivalent results to that of the gold standard in heart mechanics, sonomicrometry, but with three orders of mapitude higher spatial resolution. We have used this technique to determine changes in myocardial deformation of perfused, ischemic and reperfused rabbit hearts.
Critical and future trends in data mining: a review of key data mining technologies/applications

Every day, enormous amounts of information are generated from all sectors, whether it be business, education, the scientific community, the World Wide Web (WWW) or one of many readily available off-line and online data sources. From all of this, which represents a sizable repository of data and information, it is possible to generate worthwhile and usable knowledge. As a result, the field of Data Mining (DM) and knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) has grown in leaps and bounds and has shown great potential for the future (Han & Kamber, 2001). The purpose of this chapter is to survey many of the critical and future trends in the field of DM, with a focus on those which are thought to have the most promise and applicability to future DM applications.
Modeling Textured Translucent Materials with Lazy Solid Texture Synthesis

An algorithm is introduced for rapidly synthesizing solid textures from a set of 2D example images. In contrast to previous techniques, this method restricts synthesis to a subset of the voxels, while enforcing spatial determinism. A major difficulty lies in reducing the dependency chain of neighborhood matching, so that each voxel only depends on a small number of other voxels. The key idea is to synthesize a volume from a set of 3D candidates, each being a triple of interleaved 2D neighborhoods. An efficient algorithm is presented to carefully select in a pre-process only those candidates forming consistent triples. This significantly reduces the search space during subsequent synthesis. The result is a new parallel, spatially deterministic solid texture synthesis algorithm which generates high resolution solid textures on surfaces within seconds. With a GPU implementation, this method can interactively synthesize new textures for surfaces that appear when breaking or cutting objects.
Bacon’s New Magic: The Transfigured Aim of the Sciences

The epochal world-historical significance of Sir. Francis Bacon does not lie principally in an original production of a method for the scientific revolution. The inductive method was already known since the time of Aristotle. His originality rather in providing a new aim for the sciences. Aristotle had conceived of the highest science – metaphysics – as also the least useful. The value of wisdom is intrinsic. For Bacon science takes on the same aim as magic – human power and manipulation over the natural order. The tradition of magic however he regards much like Greek philosophy as fruitless. Bacon’s achievement then was to marry the utilitarian, power centered goals of magic to a systematic method. In so doing Bacon laid the foundation of the modern technological project. This also had effect of overturning the classical hierarchy which subordinated the mechanical arts to the liberal arts.
Treatment component #2: Effective commands and consistent consequences including rewards

Abstract The process for using effective commands is delineated as a way to reverse coercive cycles. Parents should limit commands and provide a transitional warning and make sure the child is listening. They should then issue an effective command, allow a few seconds for compliance, ignore any attitude, and praise any move toward compliance. If there is no move toward compliance, then they should reissue the command with a warning as to the consequence for noncompliance. Again, they should wait, praise any compliance, and ignore any attitude. If there is no compliance, they should move immediately to the consequence. For consequences, parents have many options: rewards, response cost, and natural and logical consequences. After consistent enforcement, the parent should see dramatic progress such that they will increasingly be able to fade out reward systems and avoid conflicts more and more. Common difficulties are discussed, and therapeutic handouts and links to online resources are provided.
Biochemical and Structural Characterization of XoxG and XoxJ and Their Roles in Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase Activity.

Lanthanide (Ln)-dependent methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) have recently been shown to be widespread in methylotrophic bacteria. Along with the core MDH protein, XoxF, these systems contain two other proteins, XoxG (a c-type cytochrome) and XoxJ (a periplasmic binding protein of unknown function), about which little is known. In this work, we have biochemically and structurally characterized these proteins from the methyltroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. In contrast to results obtained in an artificial assay system, assays of XoxFs metallated with LaIII , CeIII , and NdIII using their physiological electron acceptor, XoxG, display Ln-independent activities, but the Km for XoxG markedly increases from La to Nd. This result suggests that XoxG's redox properties are tuned specifically for lighter Lns in XoxF, an interpretation supported by the unusually low reduction potential of XoxG (+172 mV). The X-ray crystal structure of XoxG provides a structural basis for this reduction potential and insight into the XoxG-XoxF interaction. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of XoxJ reveals a large hydrophobic cleft and suggests a role in the activation of XoxF. These studies enrich our understanding of the underlying chemical principles that enable the activity of XoxF with multiple lanthanides in vitro and in vivo.
Association of obesity with postoperative outcomes after proctectomy.

Abstract Background Prior efforts evaluating obesity as a risk factor for postoperative complications following proctectomy have been limited by sample size and uniform outcome classification. Methods The ACS NSQIP was queried for patients with non-metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent elective proctectomy. After stratification by BMI classification, multivariable modeling was used to identify the effect of BMI class on adjusted risk of 30-day outcomes controlling for patient, procedure, and tumor factors. Results Of 2241 patients identified, 33.4% had a normal BMI, 33.5% were overweight, 21.1% were obese, and 12.0% were morbidly obese. Increased risk of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) was observed in obese (OR 2.42, 95%CI:[1.36–4.29]) and morbidly obese (OR 3.29, 95%CI:[1.77–6.11]) patients when compared to normal BMI. Morbid obesity was associated with increased risk of any complication (OR 1.44, 95%CI:[1.05–1.96]). BMI class was not associated with risk adjusted odds of anastomotic leak. Conclusions Morbid obesity is independently associated with an increased composite odds risk of short-term morbidity following elective proctectomy for cancer primarily due to increased risk of superficial SSI.
Remdesivir for the Treatment of Covid-19 - Final Report.

Abstract Background Although several therapeutic agents have been evaluated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), none have yet been shown to be efficacious. Methods We conducte...
The Rise of Public Diplomacy 2.0

Silicon Valley consultants refer to the millions of people who make up the grand social experiment that is user-generated content as “Web 2.0”—as if the World Wide Web had just downloaded a new software update. The result is an interactive version of the Internet whereby the user is no longer a passive receiver of information but a provider of content and comment in addition to consumption. Time’s Lev Grossman described the new phenomenon as “an opportunity to build a new kind of international understanding, not politician to politician, great man to great man, but citizen to citizen, person to person.” Public diplomacy is the art of communicating a country’s policies, values and culture to the people of another nation. “Public Diplomacy 2.0” is the art of using this new Internet phenomenon in order to achieve those objectives—“citizen to citizen, person to person”—and more.
Respiratory Effectiveness of Cloth Masks

The shortage of medical masks and respirators led to an explosion of cloth mask offerings. In the absence of any regulatory requirements, and appropriate guidance, the medical masks vary greatly in their performance and have become more of a fashion item. We review the filtration mechanisms and test methods and show data on common offerings. Almost exclusively, the data suggest that cloth masks do not offer much of a protection, and many are poorly designed with only the pressure drop and fogging in mind; these compromise the performance of the entire mask. While cloth masks do not offer significant respiratory protection, it is still critical that masks are worn during pandemics regardless in that they do reduce the number of aerosols expelled by the wearer.
Neural network-based multi-task learning for inpatient flow classification and length of stay prediction

Abstract Inpatient unit resources are among the most expensive and valuable resources for healthcare organizations. Inpatient resources such as room, bed, and medical devices can be more efficiently managed if we can predict inpatient flow and length of stay (LOS) before admission and inpatient bed assignment [1] . Patient LOS prediction has been researched individually using classical machine learning methods, such as linear regression, regression trees, random forest, and neural networks for a long time. Inpatient LOS and flow share many common features in training predictive models because both are closely related to relevant features such as recovery status and surgery types. Besides, these two tasks are closely related. For example, a patient with a more complex inpatient flow tends to have a longer LOS. This paper is the first comprehensive study that links them together as multi-tasks and develops an artificial neural network-based multi-task learning model (ANNML) for mixed types of task prediction in inpatient LOS and flow identification. The constructed multi-task learning model was tested on a real-life dataset collected from a large hospital in New York City and compared with four single-task learning models. The results show that ANNML can use the most relevant features to achieve a better prediction accuracy for both task types and has less overfitting and testing variance than single-task learning models.
Securing Edge-based IoT Networks with Semi-Supervised GANs

With the phenomenal growth of IoT devices and their exponentially increasing applications at the edge of the network, it has become imminent to provide secure, flexible, and programmable network services to support user privacy, security, and quality of service. However, such services can be only be enabled and effectively applied when the edge systems automatically identify these devices. Existing IoT classification systems are based on supervised training methods that require labeled data and manual feature extraction. Such approaches suffer from many challenges such as privacy, labeling efforts, and adaptability to new devices. This paper develops a multistage multi-class classifier based on semi-supervised generative adversarial networks that perform automatic feature extraction with minimal labeled data. The classifier can identify devices with 96% accuracy when only 3% of the training data is labeled. Moreover, the classifier can infer the device type (IoT, Non-IoT, and anomaly) of any new device correctly with 90% accuracy. We also show how our model can support novelty detection, such as zero-day malware attacks.
Frequency, severity, and implications of shoulder pain in people with major upper limb amputation who use prostheses: Results of a National Study.

Background People with upper limb amputation are potentially at increased risk of shoulder pain because they often perform compensatory movements to operate their prostheses and rely more heavily on their nonamputated limb for everyday activities. Objective To describe the frequency, severity, associated factors, and implications of shoulder pain in people with unilateral major upper limb amputation who use prostheses. Design Cross-sectional, observational design. Setting National recruitment of people living in the community. Participants U.S. veterans and civilians (N = 107) with unilateral major upper limb amputation. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Shoulder pain (any, ipsilateral and contralateral to amputation), activity performance (Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputation), health-related quality of life (Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey mental component summary [MCS] and physical component summary [PCS]), and disability (Quick Version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score [QuickDASH]). Results All participants completed a comprehensive in-person assessment. Participants were 97% male with a mean age of 57.1 years and a mean time since amputation of 23.4 years. The prevalence of any shoulder pain was 30% (15% ipsilateral, 25% contralateral, 10% bilateral). Shoulder pain intensity (0 to 10 scale) was moderate for both ipsilateral (mean 4.9, SD 2.0) and contralateral (mean 4.2, SD 2.0) pain. No significant difference in shoulder pain frequency was observed by amputation level. The prevalence of any shoulder pain was greater in those using a body-powered prosthesis (38% compared to 18% in externally powered users). Each additional year since amputation was associated with an increased likelihood of having contralateral shoulder pain (odds ratio: 1.05, confidence interval: 1.01, 1.10). In linear regression models, those with contralateral shoulder pain had worse PCS (β = -7.07, p = .008) and worse QuickDASH (β = 18.25, p Conclusions In our sample of predominantly male veterans with major upper limb amputation, shoulder pain was a common condition associated with functional and quality of life implications. Among prosthesis users, the shoulder contralateral to the amputation was at greatest risk, with risk increasing with every year since amputation.
Applying a systems lens to understand patient safety effectiveness in low-and-middle-income countries.

Ensuring patient safety in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) requires tailored approaches that are appropriate to the unique challenges faced by health systems in LMICs. To date, the evidence on how to effectively improve patient safety in LMICs is limited and although we can infer lessons from high-income countries (HICs), there are meaningful differences between HICs and LMICs that require careful study. The study by Hall et al 1 in this issue of BMJ Quality & Safety, which used implementation science methods to study what helped or hindered the roll-out of a patient safety programme in Guatemala, is therefore a welcome addition to this evidence base.1 Based on the findings from Hall et al ,1 and the growing focus in the field of implementation science to analyse mechanisms by which implementation strategies work (or do not work), we argue that patient safety endeavours globally should consider systems-level barriers and explicitly include tailored strategies to overcome them.2 LMICs have unique contextual factors that require interventions to be adapted, rather than directly transported from HICs. Mixed-methods implementation science studies like those employed in Hall et al ’s paper1 are particularly helpful for increasing our understanding of how to translate systems thinking into real-world practice. Hall et al 1 used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)3 to identify facilitators and barriers for implementation and inform the optimisation of patient safety implementation strategies in Guatemala. They evaluated implementation determinants acting across multiple levels, including the individual, inner organisational context, and external environment which led to several insights related to the overall health system and context. The authors found that clinical staff were intrinsically motivated to provide high-quality and safe care for their patients, but often faced systems barriers of insufficient time, resources and staff to implement known evidence-based protocols. Some …
The Dilemmas of Teaching Dilemmas in a Foreign Language Classroom

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been widely incorporated in STEM classrooms. Unfortunately, its effectiveness for foreign language teaching is less explored. This design case describes the design and implementation process of a Chinese PBL unit in a US elementary school along with the design considerations of teaching dilemma-centered instruction. We provide detailed accounts of our process of developing this PBL curriculum, learning materials, and the two rounds of implementations. We also reflected on the design process and examined the design dilemmas faced by this interdisciplinary design team. Findings show multiple design tensions, which include balancing the language and PBL teaching goals, balancing L1 and L2 use, and the communication challenges within a collaborative design project.
Are there Important Exceptions to the Size Principle of α-Motoneurone Recruitment?

The size principle states that motoneurones are recruited in a sequence that follows a size rule; small motoneurones are recruited before large ones. By extension, exceptions to the principle would be identified when that size order is reversed for motoneurones within a functional group. At first glance, and ignoring for the moment the exact meaning of motoneurone size, these notions appear unambiguous. Some uncertainty arises, however, as to the nature of the experimental observations that would be necessary and sufficient to demonstrate exceptions to the size principle. In addition, it is unclear whether any such exceptions should be regarded as important to our understanding of neuromotor operation or function.
Participants' Expectations and the Success of Knowledge Networking in the Public Sector

This paper reports a study of how participants' expectations of interorganizational knowledge sharing are related to the success of information technology projects that require such sharing. Survey data was collected from 478 participants in the six cases in New York State. The study identified four dimensions of participants' expectations of knowledge sharing. They are benefits in providing more effective services, organizational barriers, technological incompatibility, and legal and policy constraints. Furthermore, we find that the participants' expectations regarding organizational barriers are associated with success of knowledge networking. The less positive participants' expectations are about the inter-organizational structure and implementation processes, the less likely their efforts succeed.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated miRNAs are important for the maintenance of EBV transformed B cells

The human oncogenic gamma-herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), infects approximately 95% of the adult human population and causes B-cell lymphomas in immune-compromised individuals, such as AIDS patients. EBV transforms primary human B cells into indefinitely proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) in vitro, which represents an important model system for the transformation of B cells by EBV. EBV encodes 25 viral miRNA, but their role in virus replication and pathogenesis is unclear. Three of these miRNAs, miR-BHRF1-1, miR-BHRF1-2, and miR-BHRF1-3, are expressed during the latency III stage of EBV, the EBV gene expression pattern observed in AIDS-associated B cell lymphomas and LCLs. We have performed functional studies examining the roles of the three BHRF1 miRNAs during the transformation of primary B cells by EBV in vitro as well as in the maintenance of the transformed state in established LCL cultures. Our preliminary data suggest that at least one EBV miRNA is necessary for LCL outgrowth. EBV is also known to up-regulate a number of cellular microRNAs, including miR-155, and our preliminary data also suggest a role of miR-155 in the maintenance of LCLs. We are currently examining the mechanisms by which EBV and cellular microRNAs contribute to the growth and maintenance of LCLs. Together, our data point to a role for EBV-encoded and EBV-induced miRNAs in EBV-induced cell transformation.
Charge-changing cross sections for 1--25-keV H(1s) incident on a Na-vapor target

Measurements of the charge-changing cross sections sigma/sub g/- and sigma/sub g/+ are reported for 1--25-keV fast H(1s) atoms incident on a Na-vapor target. The cross section sigma/sub g/- falls from 3 x 10/sup -15/ cm/sup 2/ at 1 keV to 3.5 x 10/sup -18/ cm/sup 2/ at 25 keV. The cross section sigma/sub g/+ rises from 1.1 x 10/sup -17/ cm/sup 2/ at 2 keV to 1.5 x 10/sup -15/ cm/sup 2/ at 25 keV. Measured values of the equilibrium fractions F/sub -//sup infinity/ and F/sub +//sup infinity/ for incident H/sup -/ ions are also presented.
Sporulation in Hansenula wingei Is Induced by Nitrogen Starvation in Maltose-Containing Media

The sexually agglutinative yeast Hansenula wingei lives in association with bark beetles that inhabit coniferous trees. This yeast was induced to sporulate by malt extract, which contains a high percentage of maltose (50%) and a low percentage of nitrogen (0.5%). A solution of 1.5% maltose without any growth factors also induced ascosporogenesis in H. wingei. Thus, only a carbon source is required for sporulation as in Saccharomyces. However, potassium acetate did not induce sporulation in H. wingei as it does in S. cerevisiae. Instead, disaccharides (such as maltose, sucrose, or cellobiose) promote sporulation better than either monosaccharides (such as dextrose, fructose, or mannose) or respiratory substrates (such as ethanol or glycerol). The specificity of disaccharides in promoting sporulation in H. wingei may be considered an adaptation since these disaccharides are present in the natural environment of this yeast. In addition, the specificity of disaccharides may be related to the induction of the disaccharidase because cells precultured on dextrose sporulate well on maltose, but cells precultured on maltose sporulate poorly on maltose. When (NH(4))(2)SO(4) was added at a low concentration (3 mM) to synthetic sporulation medium (1.5% maltose solution), sporulation was abolished, whereas other salts and nitrogen sources inhibited to a lesser extent and vitamins and trace elements had no effect. Oxygen was required for sporulation, as expected for an obligate aerobe. Maximal sporulation was achieved in 2% malt extract broth at high cell density (10(9) cells per ml), pH 5, and 25 degrees C. By using these optimal physiological conditions and hybrid strains selected from an extensive genetic breeding program, about 30% asci (10% tetrads) were obtained routinely. Thus, the genetics of cell recognition in this yeast can now be studied.
Land documents, tenure security and land rental development: Panel evidence from China

We use household and farm-plot level data from a two period panel survey covering six provinces in China to explore how tenure security, especially issuance of land documents, affected people's behavior in China's rural land rental market. A correlated random effect model is used to account for the endogeneity of document issuance and land reallocations. The econometric analysis shows that possession of documents and fewer major land reallocations encourage households to engage in land renting to non-family members, and the effects of land right documents are stronger in 2008 than in 2000.
Development and validation of a low‐frequency modeling code for high‐moment transmitter rod antennas

[1] The goal of this research is to develop and validate a low-frequency modeling code for high-moment transmitter rod antennas to aid in the design of future low-frequency TX antennas with high magnetic moments. To accomplish this goal, a quasi-static modeling algorithm was developed to simulate finite-length, permeable-core, rod antennas. This quasi-static analysis is applicable for low frequencies where eddy currents are negligible, and it can handle solid or hollow cores with winding insulation thickness between the antenna's windings and its core. The theory was programmed in Matlab, and the modeling code has the ability to predict the TX antenna's gain, maximum magnetic moment, saturation current, series inductance, and core series loss resistance, provided the user enters the corresponding complex permeability for the desired core magnetic flux density. In order to utilize the linear modeling code to model the effects of nonlinear core materials, it is necessary to use the correct complex permeability for a specific core magnetic flux density. In order to test the modeling code, we demonstrated that it can accurately predict changes in the electrical parameters associated with variations in the rod length and the core thickness for antennas made out of low carbon steel wire. These tests demonstrate that the modeling code was successful in predicting the changes in the rod antenna characteristics under high-current nonlinear conditions due to changes in the physical dimensions of the rod provided that the flux density in the core was held constant in order to keep the complex permeability from changing.