cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holistic assessment of occurrence and fate of metolachlor within environmental compartments of agricultural watersheds.

Abstract Background Metolachlor [(RS)-2-Chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-N-(1-methoxypropan-2-yl)acetamide] and two degradates (metolachlor ethane-sulfonic acid and metolachlor oxanilic acid) are commonly observed in surface and groundwater. The behavior and fate of these compounds were examined over a 12-year period in seven agricultural watersheds in the United States. They were quantified in air, rain, streams, overland flow, groundwater, soil water, subsurface drain water, and water at the stream/groundwater interface. The compounds were frequently detected in surface and groundwater associated with agricultural areas. A mass budget approach, based on all available data from the study and literature, was used to determine a percentage-wise generalized distribution and fate of applied parent metolachlor in typical agricultural environments. Results In these watersheds, about 90% of applied metolachlor was taken up by plants or degraded, 10% volatilized, and 0.3% returned as rainfall. One percent was transported to surface water, while an equal amount infiltrated into the unsaturated zone soil water. Conclusions An understanding of the residence times of water in the different environmental compartments, and the important processes affecting metolachlor as it is transported along flowpaths among the environmental compartments allows for a degree of predictability of metolachlor's fate. Degradates with long half-lives can be used (in a limited capacity) as tracers of metolachlor, because of their persistence and widespread occurrence in the environment.
Electrophysiology of Polyneuropathy

As a class, polyneuropathies are some of the most commonly presented disorders to a neuromuscular clinician. Polyneuropathies generally are of one of two forms, axonal or demyelinating. This classification is often helpful in identification of potential causes. Axonal polyneuropathies are most commonly associated with diabetes, alcohol, or toxins, including side effects of medication. Demyelinating polyneuropathies, as a whole, are much less common and can be acute or chronic, and idiopafhic or associated with a monoclonal gammopathy. Finally, hereditary neuropathies, including the various forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, have similar but somewhat distinct characteristics compared with acquired forms of polyneuropathy. Nerve conduction studies, and, to some extent, needle eletromyography (EMG), can assist with the evaluation of polyneuropathies, and can help to shorten the differential diagnosis regarding potential causes.
Is agricultural productivity slowing

Abstract Declining rates of growth in crop yields, slowing investment in agricultural research, and rising commodity prices has raised concerns of a general slowdown in global agricultural productivity. However, there is no evidence of a general slowdown in the rate of growth in agricultural output. Thus, for productivity to slow, input use in agriculture would have to be expanding at an accelerated rate. Available data suggest that growth rates in agricultural land, labor and inputs in total have been steadily slowing over time, leading to accelerated growth rates in their average productivities. Increased cropping intensity has compensated for declining growth in average yield per harvest to keep land productivity growth from falling. Most of the acceleration in world agricultural productivity growth has taken place in developing countries; for industrialized countries, long-term trends show gradually declining agricultural productivity growth.
Simulated laser-induced breakdown spectra of graphite and synthetic shergottite glass under Martian conditions

Abstract We report the results of a simulation of the laser-induced breakdown spectra of graphite and synthetic shergottite glass in an atmosphere similar to that of Mars using a 1-D, Lagrangian hydrodynamic model, a spherical geometry description of the laser ablation and plume expansion and a local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) approach for the emission spectra. We compare the LIBS spectra of two calibration targets on board of the Curiosity rover to the simulated ones calculated under nominally the same conditions as those encountered on Mars. The simulations provide an additional way, to laboratory based comparative studies, to better understand the effects of laser parameters and atmospheric pressures. We report on the effect of laser irradiance and ambient pressure on the electron and ion temperature, electron number density, and fluid velocity parameters characterizing the plasma. Finally, we show the effects of laser irradiance and ambient pressure on the simulated emission spectra of graphite and shergottite and compare them to those acquired by ChemCam. The agreement between the two is good, particularly for the prominent emission lines.
Defibrinating enzyme from timber rattlesnake (Crotalus h. horridus) venom: a potential agent for therapeutic defibrination. I. Purification and properties.

Abstract A defibrinating (thrombin-like) enzyme, isolated from timber rattle-snake ( C. h. horridus ) venom by gel filtration, ion exchange and adsorption chromatography was found to be homogeneous by (i) analytical ultracentrifugation, (ii) electrophoresis in highly cross-linked (12.8%), acidic, 6M urea polyacrylamide gels. The molecular weight was 19,610 based on amino acid composition, 19,500 by sedimentation velocity and 19,500 by sedimentation equilibrium. The enzyme is specific for the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion and does not affect other blood clotting factors; it exhibits an unusually high stability to acid pH and high temperature and it is partially inhibited by heparin only in very high concentrations. The ease of isolation of this enzyme and its apparent lack of side effects “in vivo” warrant further investigation into its mechanism of action and its potential use as an agent for therapeutic defibrination.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy

Ziel der Studie war die Untersuchung der Effektivitat einer extrakorporalen Stoswellentherapie (ESWT) in der Behandlung erwachsener Patienten mit chronischer Ansatztendinopathie der Achillessehne. Zwischen Juni 2003 und Januar 2004 wurden 68 Patienten mit chronischer Achillessehnenansatztendinopathie in die Studie eingeschlossen. 35 Patienten wurden mit einmaliger ESWT behandelt, 33 Patienten wurden konservativ ohne ESWT therapiert. Jeder ESWT-Patient erhielt eine einmalige Behandlung mit 3000 Impulsen der Energieflussdichte 0,2 mJ/mm2. Im 3-Monats-Follow-up lagen die VAS-Werte bei 2,9 in ESWT-Gruppe vs. 7,2 in der Kontrollgruppe. Bei der Bewertung nach dem Roles-Maudsley-Score erreichten nach 3 Monaten 51% der ESWT-Patienten vs. 39% der Kontrollpatienten ein hervorragendes oder gutes Ergebniss. ESWT ist eine effektive und sichere Therapie zur Behandlung der chronischen Ansatztendinopathie der Achillessehne.
Pereira v. Sessions: A Jurisdictional Surprise for Immigration Courts

On June 21, 2, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a bombshell opinion regarding immigration court procedure: Pereira v. Sessions. On its face, the case is a boon for certain noncitizens seeking relief from deportation. Yet, as this Essay explains, Pereira’s implications are far greater. Although the Court’s opinion never mentions jurisdiction, Pereira necessarily means that immigration courts lack subject-matter jurisdiction over virtually every case filed in the last three years, plus an unknown number of earlier-filed cases. This situation arises from the chronic failure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to comply with the law in commencing deportation proceedings. With the clarity afforded by Pereira, the result is that these pending removal cases should be dismissed.
Robustness of Arctic sea-ice predictability in GCMs

General circulation models have been amply used to quantify Arctic sea-ice predictability. While models share some common aspects of predictability loss with increasing forecast lead time, there is significant model spread in the magnitude and timing of predictability loss. Here we show that inter-model differences in predictability are linked to inter-model differences in the persistence timescales of sea-ice anomalies that are unique to each model, with models that exhibit longer persistence having higher potential predictability. Given this result and previous work showing that in a single model control simulation the magnitude of persistence fluctuates between multi-annual periods of high and low persistence, we assess whether initial-value predictability is dependent on the persistence state of the initial conditions. We find that predictability is not clearly impacted by the persistence state of the initial conditions, suggesting that predictability may be robust within a constant climate mean state.
A New Incentive-Based Optimization Scheme for Residential Community With Financial Trade-Offs

Demand-side management and incentive-based optimization have the potential to improve energy efficiency of modern smart homes and smart communities. Existing approaches only refer to consumers’ comfort level to thermal-related electric appliances. Other controllable appliances may not be included in the incentive designs, and the total community power consumption is somehow neglected. Thus, the involvement of residents’ participation is limited. To address this issue, we propose a new incentive-based residential energy optimization system to manage community demand reduction requests efficiently and, meanwhile, reward consumers with multi-level financial incentives and guaranteed comfort. A new design of comfort indicator is used, which considers both thermal and major controllable electric appliances based on the consumers’ comfort level. We integrate a genetic algorithm to solve this optimization problem, i.e., to minimize the reward costs for the utility (according to maximize the consumers’ comfort level). As an alternative approach, the mixed integer programming technique is also employed if the objective function includes a certain piecewise linear decision variable. Simulation studies on both 10-house and 100-house cases show that the proposed approach is outperformed two existing approaches in terms of reward incentives, comfort levels, and the number of active appliances.
Acknowledging the Transition Spectrum

We agree with Dubov and Fraenkel (2018) that facial gender confirmation surgery (FGCS) is medically necessary for transgender women seeking to affirm themselves and should be included in transgende...
Shaping a social robot's humor with natural language generation and socially-aware reinforcement learning

Humor is an important aspect in human interaction to regulate conversations, increase interpersonal attraction and trust. For social robots, humor is one aspect to make interactions more natural, enjoyable, and to increase credibility and acceptance. In combination with appropriate non-verbal behavior, natural language generation offers the ability to create content on-the-fly. This work outlines the building-blocks for providing an individual, multimodal interaction experience by shaping the robot’s humor with the help of Natural Language Generation and Reinforcement Learning based on human social signals.
Acute and chronic ischemia in the bilateral cerebellar border zones in patient with migraine with associated diffusion weighted imaging findings.

Abstract We present a case of acute and chronic ischemia in the bilateral cerebellar border zones in a patient with migraine with aura. To our knowledge, this imaging presentation has not been published. The patient presented with 20 years of migraines that had worsened with developing aura prior to MRI, which showed restricted diffusion in the bilateral cerebellar border zones, consistent with acute ischemia. Additional ADC hyperintensities were demonstrated in the border zones, consistent with chronic infarcts. Follow-up CT angiogram showed no occlusion, stenosis, vasospasm, or significant atherosclerosis in the posterior circulation. Additionally, follow-up MRI performed 56 days after initial MRI showed that post-migraine ischemia can be associated with signs of microscopic damage on DWI/ADC map that are not visible with T2 weighted or FLAIR sequences. Cerebellar border zone hypoperfusion from cortical spreading depression and/or transient vasospasm is the most likely etiology due to poor collateral circulation and thus a lower ischemic threshold. Changes in physiologic response to 5-HT during migraine with aura may be responsible for these perfusional abnormalities. Some patients may be more prone due to anatomic variability of the superior cerebellar arteries (SCA) and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries (PICA). Radiologist should be aware of subtle small cerebellar zone infarcts with migraine patients when scrutinizing the posterior fossa.
Neonatal white matter tract microstructure and 2-year language outcomes after preterm birth

Abstract Aim To determine whether variability in diffusion MRI (dMRI) white matter tract metrics, obtained in a cohort of preterm infants prior to neonatal hospital discharge, would be associated with language outcomes at age 2 years, after consideration of age at scan and number of major neonatal complications. Method: 30 children, gestational age 28.9 (2.4) weeks, underwent dMRI at mean post menstrual age 36.4 (1.4) weeks and language assessment with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development–III at mean age 22.2 (1.7) months chronological age. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated for 5 white matter tracts. Hierarchical linear regression assessed associations between tract FA, moderating variables, and language outcomes. Results: FA of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus accounted for 17% (p = 0.03) of the variance in composite language and FA of the posterior corpus callosum accounted for 19% (p = 0.02) of the variance in composite language, beyond that accounted for by post menstrual age at scan and neonatal medical complications. The number of neonatal medical complications moderated the relationship between language and posterior corpus callosum FA but did not moderate the association in the other tract. Conclusion: Language at 2 is associated with white matter metrics in early infancy in preterm children. The different pattern of associations by fiber group may relate to the stage of brain maturation and/or the nature and timing of medical complications related to preterm birth. Future studies should replicate these findings with a larger sample size to assure reliability of the findings.
Plasmonic nanostar photocathodes for optically-controlled directional currents.

Plasmonic nanocathodes offer unique opportunities for optically driving, switching, and steering femtosecond photocurrents in nanoelectronic devices and pulsed electron sources. However, angular photocurrent distributions in nanoplasmonic systems remain poorly understood and are therefore difficult to anticipate and control. Here, we provide a direct momentum-space characterization of multiphoton photoemission from plasmonic gold nanostars and demonstrate all-optical control over these currents. Versatile angular control is achieved by selectively exciting different tips on single nanostars via laser frequency or linear polarization, thereby rotating the tip-aligned directional photoemission as observed with angle-resolved 2D velocity mapping and 3D reconstruction. Classical plasmonic field simulations combined with quantum photoemission theory elucidate the role of surface-mediated nonlinear excitation for plasmonic field enhancements highly concentrated at the sharp tips (Rtip = 3.4 nm). We thus establish a simple mechanism for femtosecond spatiotemporal current control in designer nanosystems. Photocurrent control in nanoscale systems offers opportunities for nanoelectronic devices and ultrafast imaging applications. Here, the authors show by means of angle-resolved two-dimensional velocity mapping that angular photoemission distributions can be controlled by varying the polarization and frequency of the laser.
Message from the Steering Committee Chair

This year's theme is "Connecting Intelligent Systems to New Age Transistors". The Conference offers tutorials on January 4 and 5, and keynote and regular papers on January 6, 7 and 8. Specific features include Visionary Keynotes, PhD Forum, Designer Track, Tutorials, Papers, Posters, a Women-in-Engineering Forum, Student Research Forum, Startup Forum, Panel Discussions, Fellowships, Design Contest, and Industry Exhibits.
Socioeconomic variables as a predictor of indication for pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

Abstract Objectives Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is a common pediatric procedure performed for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) or chronic/recurrent tonsillitis. A better understanding of factors associated with clinical indications for AT would positively contribute to patient-centered care of these conditions. Our objective is to assess the relationships between race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) and indications for adenotonsillectomy in pediatric patients. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for pediatric patients between the ages 0–18 years who underwent adenotonsillectomy between October 2012 and October 2017 at Boston Medical Center. Indication for surgery was categorized as sleep disordered breathing (SDB), tonsillitis, or other. Age, race, ethnicity, gender, language, distance to hospital and insurance type were collected as demographic variables. 9-Digit patient zip codes were matched to a corresponding area deprivation index (ADI) which combines 17 neighborhood level socioeconomic markers. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess for association between demographic variables and indication for adenotonsillectomy. Results 1315 children were included in this study (mean age = 6.4 years, 0–18 years). African American (OR = 3.90, p-value Conclusion We found significant relationships between indications for adenotonsillectomy and race and ethnicity as well as gender and age. Additionally, our study showed that indication for AT was not associated with either ADI or insurance status. This suggests that race and ethnicity are predictors of indication independent of SES. Knowledge of predictive factors of adenotonsillectomy indications may help to improve patient centered care.
Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Transplant Recipients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the mainstay in the treatment of patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis. However, little is known about the outcomes of TAVR in trans...
Physical activity and sedentary time in a rural adult population in Malawi compared with an age-matched US urban population.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess patterns of objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in a sample of adults in a rural setting from a low-income Sub-Saharan African country (Malawi). The patterns of PA and sedentary behaviour in Malawi were compared with US data collected and analysed using the same methodology. Methods: The Malawi PA data were collected as part of a survey experiment on the measurement of agricultural labor conducted under the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study program. ActiGraph accelerometers (model GT3X) were worn on the right hip in a household-based sample of 414 working-age adults (15–85 years). Results: Mean total and 95% CIs for PA by category in min/day for Malawi adults were: sedentary 387.6 (377.4–397.8), low-light 222.1 (214.7–229.5), high-light 136.3 (132.7–139.9), moderate 71.6 (68.8–74.5), vigorous 1.1 (0.5–1.8) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) 72.8 (69.7–75.9). Mean of PA and sedentary behavior (min/day) summed across age and sex groups are compared between Malawi and US samples: sedentary behaviour, 387.6 vs 525.8 (p<0.001); low-light, 222.1 vs 217.0 (p=ns); high-light, 136.3 vs 45.6 (p<0.001); moderate, 71.6 vs 28.0 (p<0.001); vigorous, 1.1 vs 2.5 (p<0.001); MVPA, 72.8 vs 30.5 (p<0.001). Compared with the USA, Malawi participants averaged consistently less sedentary time/day and more minutes/day in all intensity levels of PA, except for low-light and vigorous PA. Conclusion: Overall, levels of MVPA and high-light activity in adults in Malawi were substantially higher and sedentary time was substantially lower than those observed in US samples using near identical data collection, scoring and analysis.
Opioid use disorder and HIV

Abstract Since the peak of HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the United States in the late 1980s, there has been a monotonically downward trend in HIV among PWID over the subsequent 30 years, leading to a 90% decline in injection drug use-related HIV transmission. Behavior change, syringe service programs, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, and effective HIV treatment have been key drivers of this success. However, the current opioid crisis threatens to reverse the decades-long downward trend in PWID-associated HIV. The large HIV outbreak among PWID in rural Indiana in 2015 was reminiscent of the introduction of HIV to networks PWID in New York City in the late 1970s. Opioid and other substance use disorders are a well-documented barrier to linkage, retention, and favorable clinical outcomes among HIV-positive people. However, there has been progress in closing treatment disparities between HIV-positive PWID and non-PWID and effective interventions have been identified for improving treatment outcomes in HIV-positive PWID.
Loss of Slfn3 induces a sex-dependent repair vulnerability after 50% bowel resection

Bowel resection accelerates enterocyte proliferation in the remaining gut with suboptimal absorptive and digestive capacity because of a proliferation-associated decrease in functional differentiation markers. We hypothesized that although schlafen 3 (Slfn3) is an important regulator of enterocytic differentiation, Slfn3 would have less impact on bowel resection adaptation, where accelerated proliferation takes priority over differentiation. We assessed proliferation, cell shedding, and enterocyte differentiation markers from resected and postoperative bowel of wild-type (WT) and Slfn3-knockout (Slfn3KO) mice. Villus length and crypt depth were increased in WT mice and were even longer in Slfn3KO mice. Mitotic marker, Phh3+, and the proliferation markers Lgr5, FoxL1, and platelet-derived growth factor-α (PDGFRα) were increased after resection in male WT, but this was blunted in male Slfn3KO mice. Cell-shedding regulators Villin1 and TNFα were downregulated in female mice and male WT mice only, whereas Gelsolin and EGFR increased expression in all mice. Slfn3 expression increased after resection in WT mice, whereas other Slfn family members 1, 2, 5, 8, and 9 had varied expressions that were affected also by sex difference and loss of Slfn3. Differentiation markers sucrase isomaltase, Dpp4, Glut2, and SGLT1 were all decreased, suggesting that enterocytic differentiation effort is incompatible with rapid proliferation shift in intestinal adaptation. Slfn3 absence potentiates villus length and crypt depth, suggesting that the differentiating stimulus of Slfn3 signaling may restrain mucosal mass increase through regulating Villin1, Gelsolin, EGFR, TNFα, and proliferation markers. Therefore, Slfn3 may be an important regulator not only of "normal" enterocytic differentiation but also in response to bowel resection.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The differentiating stimulus of Slfn3 signaling restrains an increase in mucosal mass after bowel resection, and there is a Slfn3-sex interaction regulating differentiation gene expression and intestinal adaptation. This current study highlights the combinatory effects of gender and Slfn3 genotype on the gene expression changes that contribute to the adaptation in intestinal cellular milleu (i.e. villus and crypt structure) which are utilized to compensate for the stress-healing response that the animals display in intestinal adaptation.
Power loss reduction for tilt pad journal bearings utilizing pad pockets and steps

Abstract Tilting Pad Journal Bearing (TPJB) are ubiquitous in turbomachinery from small high speed compressors to large turbine generator sets. The TPJB's power losses increase with machine size and speed, reaching as high as 1–2 MW loss (equivalent power for about 1000 homes) per bearing, in a large turbine generator. This study presents a novel power loss reduction technique, inserting a pocket and step in the pads, to activate cavitation in the pocket while maintaining pad stability. The benefits are demonstrated via Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic (TEHD) CFD simulations comparing results with and without these modifications. The novel approach shows power loss reductions up to −27% without a load capacity loss, while reducing required supply oil flow, and peak pad temperature.
Epidemiology and Prevention of Burns Throughout the World

Injury is the physical damage that results when a human body is suddenly subjected to energy in amounts that exceed the threshold of physiological tolerance [23]. Injury is public health problem — out of every ten deaths in the world, one is due to injury [232]. Injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in men throughout the world (nearly 12 % of total deaths) after cardiovascular, infectious and neoplastic diseases. For example, injuries are the leading cause of death in men aged 15–59 in Latin America and the Caribbean [232]. Although progress is being made against many illnesses, the incidence of injuries is decreasing at rate slower than the reduction in illness in high-income countries (HIC). In lowand middle-income countries (LMIC), both death and disability from injuries is increasing very rapidly. In LMIC of Americas, Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Regions, more than 30 % of DALYs among men aged 15–44 years was from injury.1 [232]
Grounded Identities, Transient Lives: The Emergence of International Student Voices in an Era of Cosmopolitan Learning

This paper is an exploration of the identity negotiations of two international undergraduate students at a public research university in the United States. Studying abroad constitutes a culturally contested space for educational sojourners, with ruptures that require constant sense-making and negotiations of identities as students attempt to combine the foreign and the familiar. Situational contexts, interpersonal interactions, and the imagination all determine what students learn and how that learning occurs. However, the influence of cosmopolitan learning on the identity negotiations of students is little understood. The experiences of foreign students in many ways challenge the traditional understanding of an international education and the categorization of a traditional international student. Focusing almost exclusively on nationality as an organizing agent and bereft of significant and robust concepts that bring into view the content of international student sense-making, international education discourses neglect to explore the complexity and meanings students ascribe to educational sojourns.
Mobile phones, smartphones, and the transformation of civic behavior through mobile information and connectivity

Abstract Information and communication technology (ICT) use in e-governance has grown in significance for contemporary scholarship on government administration and civic engagement. But the unique contribution of types of mobile phone devices has not been well distinguished in the overall relevance of ICT. This paper makes a theoretical and empirical case for exploring these relationships in the context of South Africa, a country where mobile technology plays a uniquely prominent role in society. Using multivariate regression analysis with data from the Afrobarometer Survey it compares the direct effect of basic mobile phones and smartphones on civic engagement and its behavioral opposite, civic deviance. The paper then tests the interaction effect of mobile phone technology with an important construct in democratic theory: the relationship between social capital and civic behavior. The results of the analysis show that the use of mobile phone technology can cut both ways, increasing both civic engagement and deviance. However, when moderated with social capital, mobile phone use is strengthened only in its effect on civic engagement, while the effect on deviance is made insignificant. This suggests that there is a complementary socio-technical process at work for positive civic behaviors involving mobile phones and social capital. The findings are explained through the lens of technological dimensions information, communication, and connectivity, and suggestions are made for applying these findings to public sector mobile ICT innovation.
An introduction to quantum field theory

Part I. Scalar Fields: 1. Classical fields and symmetries 2. Canonical quantization 3. Path integrals, perturbation theory and Feynman rules 4. Scattering and cross sections for scalar fields Part II. Fields with Spin: 5. Spinors, vectors and gauge invariance 6. Spin and canonical quantization 7. Path integrals for fermions and gauge fields 8. Gauge theories at lowest order Part III. Renormalization: 9. Loops, regularization and unitarity 10. Introduction to renormalization 11. Renormalization and unitarity of gauge theories Part IV. The Nature of Perturbative Cross Sections: 12. Perturbative corrections and the infrared problem 13. Analytic structure and infrared finiteness 14. Factorization and evolution in high energy scattering 15. Epilogue: bound states and the limitations of perturbation theory Appendices References Index.
Raising interest in STEM education: A research-based learning framework

Despite efforts of the past three decades, participation of under represented minority groups is still an issue in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In this context, a program between the Community College of Philadelphia and Drexel University to provide research experience to minority students was implemented based on the hypothesis that learning about science and engineering is more effective if it is paired with the challenge of independent research in a specifically collaborative "micro-environment", as for example in active research laboratories. Six minority undergraduate students (three male, three female) were selected from a pool of twenty applicants. Each student independently selected a Drexel faculty advisor and corresponding research group best aligned to their interests within the first two weeks of ten-week program. From the outset, library integration underpinned the program. To this aim, students were personally introduced to key library professionals and digital library search tools and databases were immediately employed to review at least three relevant journal articles to their research foci, which assisted to form the basis for independent research proposals. By week four, students presented research plans before a panel of faculty and student judges. In order to complete the program, each student produced final deliverables — an oral presentation, technical poster and paper describing their work Students demonstrated familiarity with basic research methods and universally reported increased interest in STEM education and careers, with many continuing to work in their labs beyond the program's formal duration. The work presented herein represents a research-based active learning model for strong faculty-librarian partnerships fostering STEM research and education.
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Serum factors in rabbits with white matter-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (WM-EAE) were studied with respect to their role in demyelination in vitro in organotypic central nervous system (CNS) tissue cultures and in vivo in the myelinated retina of the rabbit eye. By absorption with staphylococcal protein A, IgG was quantitatively separated from the other serum proteins. No IgG was demonstrable in the absorbed IgG-depleted sera by Ouchterlony double diffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both the IgG-depleted WM-EAE sera and the IgG fractions had complement-dependent demyelinating activity on CNS cultures, and both contained immunoglobulin binding to myelin and oligodendroglia of the cultures, as demonstrated by an immunoperoxidase technique. However, only the purified IgG fractions in the absence of complement induced swelling of myelin and proliferation of oligodendroglial processes with redundant myelin in tissue cultures. The IgG-depleted complement-inactivated WM-EAE sera produced no morphological changes. In the rabbit eye model, antibody-dependent cell-mediated demyelination was observed only with the IgG fractions but not with the IgG-depleted EAE sera. No oligodendroglial proliferation occurred. These studies demonstrate for the first time that in CNS cultures, non-IgG immunoglobulins as well as IgG mediate complement-dependent demyelination and that these bind to myelin and oligodendrocytes, whereas only IgG causes myelin swelling and oligodendrocyte proliferation.
Phosphorylation Sites, Cytochrome Complement, and Alternate Pathways of Coupled Electron Transport in Euglena gracilis Mitochondria

Abstract Mitochondria from Euglena gracilis have been examined for the possible absence of a phosphorylation coupling site and of b type cytochromes. Mitochondria from cells grown on glutamate + malate as carbon source are shown by site-specific assays to contain coupling sites analogous to Sites I, II, and III of the mammalian respiratory chain. An alternate pathway, relatively specific for oxidation of lactate and NADH, is able to bypass the antimycin-sensitive site. The lowered phosphorylation efficiency associated with this pathway suggests that it involves one less than the normal number of coupling sites. In the absence of antimycin, oxidation of lactate involves at least two coupling sites in these mitochondria. Low temperature difference spectra provide evidence for the presence of seven substrate-reducible cytochrome components in Euglena mitochondria, including components analogous to a and a3 of mammalian cytochrome oxidase, two c type cytochromes, and three b types. One of these may bind CO and cyanide; another resembles mammalian cytochrome b.
A Message-Oriented Implementation of a Multi-Backend Database System (MDBS)

In this paper we describe the communication mechanisms for a mufti-backend database system (MDBS). MDBS is designed to provide for capacity growth and performance enhancement by the addition of more backend minicomputers and associated disks and by the replication of the same software without additional programming. MDBS has been implemented using a permanent process for each major database system function. Further, the processes in a backend are identical to the processes in another backend. The communication functions in MDBS involve interprocess and interbackend mechanisms for control and synchronization. Our primary purpose is to analyze the implementation decisions for the communication mechanism and to describe MDBS from the communications viewpoint.
The longitudinal effect of body adiposity on joint mobility in young males with Haemophilia A

Although body adiposity and disease severity in haemophilia have been found in cross-sectional studies to be negatively associated with joint mobility, it is not clear how these two factors affect the rate of joint mobility loss over time. Over a 10-year period, repeated measures of joint range of motion (ROM) were collected annually using universal goniometers on bilateral hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow joints in 6131 young males with haemophilia A aged ≤ 20 years. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using data on weight and height during follow up. The effect of body adiposity, adjusted for disease severity, on the rate of joint mobility loss over time was assessed using a longitudinal model. Compared with haemophilia males with normal BMI, those who were obese had lower ROM at initial visit and a faster rate of joint mobility loss in the lower limbs. Overweight subjects experienced similar loss in ROM, although to a lesser degree. A decline in ROM with age was also observed in upper limb joints but the rate was not significantly affected by body adiposity. Haemophilia severity, joint bleeding and the presence of an inhibitor were other significant contributors to joint mobility loss in both upper and lower limb joints. Excess body adiposity accelerates joint mobility loss in weight bearing joints particularly among those with severe haemophilia. Our findings suggest that body weight control and effective treatment of bleeds should be implemented together to achieve better joint ROM outcomes in males with haemophilia.
Of Citizenship and Conflict: Immigrant Political Incorporation in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Why do some political actors choose to engage in the process of political incorporation - or ‘incorporative activities’ - with new immigrants? Historical analysis of Northern Ireland - a least likely case for successful political incorporation of new immigrants due to its contentious political history - and a brief comparison with the Republic of Ireland suggests that how governments and political actors settle the past demands of minority groups – whether ethnic or political – may have future unintended consequences for the political incorporation of new immigrants. In places where these demands are accommodated, institutions are changed to be more open to minority participation, and ‘old’ minority political organizations may serve as political advocates and allies for newcomers. In places where these demands are ignored or actively squashed, there may be neither the institutional ‘space’ nor the civil society capacity to engage in political incorporation. Therefore, a legacy of deep social conflict, while perhaps negatively impacting some variables such as social trust, can also lead to the kinds of institutional changes and organizational capacity that actually enhance the ability of some societies to cope with the changes and challenges presented by new migration.
New hypothesis distinctiveness measure for better ellipse extraction

A new method for determination of the best hypothesis in Hough transform (HT)-based methods to detect ellipses is described. The method uses a new distinctiveness measurement to rank the hypotheses and determine a suitable candidate. The method is aimed at improving HT robustness to image noise and quantization effects. Experiments on images that demonstrate the method's applicability are also presented.
Prediction of bend allowance and springback in air bending

In the fabrication industry, one of the critical challenges is to maintain close geometric tolerances in finished products, particularly in the air bending process. In many cases, this problem is related to springback and plastic elongation/compression of the sheet, as it undergoes deformation in bending. Springback refers to the elastic recovery of the bent sheet after unloading, whereas bend allowance refers to the elongation of the sheet during bending. Both factors, if not predicted properly, may lead to dimensional inaccuracies in the finished product and cause difficulties in the assembly. Therefore, it is essential to predict springback and bend allowance in order to obtain the final desired geometry. A new analytical model was developed to predict springback and bend allowance simultaneously in air bending, and a user-friendly computer program, BEND (Version 3.0), was developed. Results obtained from the BEND program were compared to other analytical predictions and experimental results available in the literature. It was concluded that the proposed analytical model and the computer program predicted bend allowance and springback within acceptable accuracy.
Estimation of genetic variance components and heritabilities for cut-flower yield in gerbera using least squares and maximum likelihood methods

Genetic variance components and heritability were estimated for cut-flower yield of gerbera in the Davis population using ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood methods. The overall estimate of narrow-sense heritability is 0.33 based on least squares (LS) and 0.31 based on maximum likelihood (ML). The results of the study indicate that (1) ML and LS provide very similar results if sample size is large enough, suggesting both are useful for plant breeding programs; (2) about one third of the variation in gerbera cut-flower yield is additive, implying selection in cut-flower will be successful; and (3) although additive variation gradually decreased, heritability remained near 0.27 suggesting there is still potential variation in the population for further selection.
Management Thinking in the Earned Value Method System and the Last Planner System

Management theory has been neglected in the construction industry, which has rather focused on best practices. This paper investigates the theories implicit in two prevalent project control systems: the earned value method (EVM) and the last planner system (LPS). The study introduces two fundamental and competing conceptualizations of management: managing by means (MBM) and managing by results (MBR). The EVM is found to be based on MBR. However, project control based on MBR is argued to be inappropriate for managing at the operational level where tasks are highly interdependent. The LPS is found to be based on the MBM view. The empirical evidence from literature and case study suggested that the MBM view is more appropriate to manage works when it is applied to the operation level where each task is highly interdependent.
Cancer chemotherapy and cachexia: mirtazapine and olanzapine are 5‐HT3 antagonists with good antinausea effects

Mirtazapine and olanzapine are easy-to-use psychiatric drugs with potent antinausea effects. Ondansetron and later members of the 'setron class are currently standard treatments for cancer chemotherapy-related nausea and emesis. They are potent 5-HT3 blockers, but it is often not appreciated that mirtazapine and olanzapine bind with similar affinity to 5-HT3 receptors, have a longer half-life, are considerably cheaper than the 'setron class, and often offer better and smoother 24-h nausea control than 'setron class drugs. Mirtazapine and olanzapine often have salutary antianxiety effects and improve sleep quality. They occasionally relieve chemotherapy-related and advanced cancer-related nausea and appetite decrease better than the 'setron group that are specifically marketed for nausea control. Mirtazapine and olanzapine frequently give potent nausea reduction and appetite increase in advanced cancer-related cachexia. Several cytokine changes potentially induced by mirtazapine and olanzapine use are discussed that may have salutary effects in several cancers. We suggest mirtazapine and olanzapine be included as first-line options in treating both chemotherapy- and advanced cancer-related nausea. Multiple clinical and economic advantages of mirtazapine and olanzapine over currently used 'setron class medicines are reviewed. Double-blind studies against the 'setron class drugs are warranted.
Kienböck's disease: an approach to treatment.

Since its description in 1910, Kienbock's disease has continued to be a difficult problem for clinicians as well as patients. An incomplete understanding of the etiology as well as the natural history of the disease has led to an assortment of surgical treatment options. The authors present a review of Kienbock's disease and the theories behind different surgical interventions, as well as their current approach to treatment of patients with Kienbock's disease.
Initial implementation of an acute care surgery model: implications for timeliness of care.

Background In July 2007, we introduced an acute care surgery service to an academic department of surgery staffed in a prearranged, dedicated rotation by critical care-trained surgeons to address all emergency department, inpatient, and transfer consultations. This study is designed to evaluate the impact on patient care and describe the case-mix experienced. Study Design A retrospective review was done of a prospectively collected database encompassing all patients evaluated. Diagnosis, operations performed, and times of operations were recorded. Results Eight hundred sixty-one patients were evaluated. Four hundred ten patients (47.6%) had 500 operations; 368 (72.8%) were performed in the operating room and 132 (26.2%) at the bedside. Respiratory failure and malnutrition (n = 130), soft-tissue infection (n = 115), abdominal pain (n = 97), biliary (n = 94), bowel obstruction (n = 78), diseases of the colon (n = 49), and appendicitis (n = 46) were the most common diseases seen. The most common operations performed included incision and drainage (n = 61); tracheostomy or percutaneous gastrostomy, or both (n = 125); cholecystectomy (n = 53); appendectomy (n = 41); colectomy (n = 34); and complex abdominal wound care (n = 43). In the year before implementation, 55.4% of emergent procedures were performed between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm, compared with 70% after implementation (p = 0.0002). Procedures performed after 5:30 pm decreased from 44.6% to 30%. Conclusions Implementation of an acute care surgery service has been positive in terms of facilitating the ability to provide more timely care by increasingly using the daytime operating room and providing a breadth of consultative and operative experience to the participating academic surgeons and trainees.
Bayesian Inference of Scale Parameters in Exponential Family Using Conditionally Specified Priors

This article considers a unified Bayesian approach for comparing scale parameters in an exponential family, assuming other parameters such as location or shape, are known. Particular cases include the normal, gamma, Weibull, exponential, Poisson, and binomial distributions. Convenient conjugate priors are found in joint distribution conditionally specified. Hyperparameter elicitation techniques are discussed. The results are illustrated in the comparison of scales of two normals and two Weibull densities.
Alignment, Transactive Memory, and Collective Cognitive Systems

Research on linguistic interaction suggests that two or more individuals can sometimes form adaptive and cohesive systems. We describe an “alignment system” as a loosely interconnected set of cognitive processes that facilitate social interactions. As a dynamic, multi-component system, it is responsive to higher-level cognitive states such as shared beliefs and intentions (those involving collective intentionality) but can also give rise to such shared cognitive states via bottom-up processes. As an example of putative group cognition we turn to transactive memory and suggest how further research on alignment in these cases might reveal how such systems can be genuinely described as cognitive. Finally, we address a prominent critique of collective cognitive systems, arguing that there is much empirical and explanatory benefit to be gained from considering the possibility of group cognitive systems, especially in the context of small-group human interaction.
Parathyroid hormone stimulation of calcium transport is mediated by dual signaling mechanisms involving protein kinase A and protein kinase C.

PTH stimulates calcium absorption by renal distal convoluted tubules. The PTH receptor is capable of coupling to adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. However, it is not known whether the actions of PTH require activation of both pathways. Three approaches were taken to identify the signaling pathways responsible for stimulating calcium entry in distal convoluted tubule cells: second messengers formed in response to PTH were identified, the effects on calcium uptake of inhibiting protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC) with chemical or peptide blockers were determined, and calcium transport was reconstituted by the addition of exogenous second messengers. PTH increased cAMP formation in primary cultures of mouse distal and proximal tubule cells. However, PTH stimulated inositol trisphosphate formation only in proximal tubule cells. Blocking PKA with Rp-cAMPS or the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor inhibited PTH-stimulated Ca uptake. Likewise, the PKC inhibitors, calphostin C and PKC pseudo...