cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NOVEL INTRON PHYLOGENY SUPPORTS PLUMAGE CONVERGENCE IN ORIOLES (ICTERUS)

Abstract A recent study of New World orioles (Icterus spp.), which traced a large number of plumage characters onto a mitochondrial DNA phylogeny, reported high frequencies of evolutionary convergence and reversal of plumage characters (Omland and Lanyon 2000). Although those results are consistent with other smaller scale studies that have documented plumage homoplasy, the mitochondrial genome is inherited as a single linkage group, so mitochondrial data represent only one gene tree. The mitochondrial (mt) DNA tree may not reflect the true evolutionary history of a lineage; therefore, it remains possible that the plumage characters could reflect the true species phylogeny. Other rapidly evolving regions of DNA can provide independent phylogenetic hypotheses useful for evaluating mitochondrial gene trees. A novel phylogenetic marker, a region of the nuclear gene ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) spanning from exon 6 to exon 8, was sequenced in 10 oriole species. The resultant nuclear gene tree reconstructs th...
Temporally Contiguous Pencast Instruction Promotes Meaningful Learning for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students in Physiology

Smartpens allow for the creation of computerized "pencasts" that combine voice narration with handwritten notes and illustrations. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of voluntary participation in extracurricular instruction with a pencast on student learning. Dental and dental hygiene students were given instruction in a complex physiological topic using lecture and static slides. An Internet link to a pencast that covered the complex topic in a more temporally contiguous fashion was also provided for voluntary review. The students were given a multiple-choice exam that consisted of retention and transfer test questions. Sixty-nine percent of the students who did not watch the pencast and 89 percent of the students who watched the pencast answered the retention test question correctly (p=0.08). Fifty-four percent of the students who did not watch the pencast and 90 percent of the students who watched the pencast answered the transfer test question correctly (p=0.005). This finding indicates that students who watched the pencast performed better on a transfer test, a measurement of meaningful learning, than students who received only the narrated instruction with static images. This supports the hypothesis that temporally contiguous instruction promotes more meaningful learning than lecture accompanied only by static slide images.
Recent Advances in the Discovery of Norovirus Therapeutics

Noroviruses are members of the family Caliciviridae. Norovirus infections are a global health burden that impacts >20 million individuals annually in the U.S. alone. Noroviruses are associated with high morbidity among vulnerable populations, particularly immunocompromised patients. This perspective highlights recent developments related to the discovery and development of norovirus-specific small-molecule therapeutics as well as recent advances in our understanding of norovirus biology and pathogenesis. Most of the work in this area is at the early discovery stage and has been primarily focused on inhibitors of norovirus 3C-like protease and RNA dependent RNA polymerase. However, recent discoveries emanating from basic studies in norovirus research have resulted in the identification of new host-related drug targets that can be exploited. A repurposed compound has been advanced to human clinical studies.
Restoration of autophagy in endothelial cells from patients with diabetes mellitus improves nitric oxide signaling.

Abstract Background Endothelial dysfunction contributes to cardiovascular disease in diabetes mellitus. Autophagy is a multistep mechanism for the removal of damaged proteins and organelles from the cell. Under diabetic conditions, inadequate autophagy promotes cellular dysfunction and insulin resistance in non-vascular tissue. We hypothesized that impaired autophagy contributes to endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. Methods and results We measured autophagy markers and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation in freshly isolated endothelial cells from diabetic subjects (n = 45) and non-diabetic controls (n = 41). p62 levels were higher in cells from diabetics (34.2 ± 3.6 vs. 20.0 ± 1.6, P = 0.001), indicating reduced autophagic flux. Bafilomycin inhibited insulin-induced activation of eNOS (64.7 ± 22% to −47.8 ± 8%, P = 0.04) in cells from controls, confirming that intact autophagy is necessary for eNOS signaling. In endothelial cells from diabetics, activation of autophagy with spermidine restored eNOS activation, suggesting that impaired autophagy contributes to endothelial dysfunction (P = 0.01). Indicators of autophagy initiation including the number of LC3-bound puncta and beclin 1 expression were similar in diabetics and controls, whereas an autophagy terminal phase indicator, the lysosomal protein Lamp2a, was higher in diabetics. In endothelial cells under diabetic conditions, the beneficial effect of spermidine on eNOS activation was blocked by autophagy inhibitors bafilomycin or 3-methyladenine. Blocking the terminal stage of autophagy with bafilomycin increased p62 (P = 0.01) in cells from diabetics to a lesser extent than in cells from controls (P = 0.04), suggesting ongoing, but inadequate autophagic clearance. Conclusion Inadequate autophagy contributes to endothelial dysfunction in patients with diabetes and may be a target for therapy of diabetic vascular disease.
Bromobenzene epoxidation leading to binding on macromolecular protein sites.

Bromobenzene is metabolized via the hepatic mixed-function oxygenase system to reactive intermediates; i.e., 2,3- and 3,4-bromobenzene epoxides. These metabolites presumably bind to tissue macromolecules evoking cytotoxicity. However, the specific sites of macromolecular proteins are not known and this was investigated using microsomal protein and hemoglobin. The results indicate that 2,3- and 3,4-epoxide bind to macromolecules at different rates. The 3,4-epoxide is more reactive, binding covalently to microsomal protein at the site of its synthesis, whereas bromobenzene 2,3-epoxide is more stable, leaving the microsomal protein compartment and binding covalently to soluble protein, i.e., the hemoglobin beta chain. Structural analysis with fingerprint mapping of the hemoglobin beta chain after pretreatment with cysteine and histidine blocking agents such as p-nitrophenacyl bromide, 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide and diethylprocarbonate indicated that the 2,3-epoxide preferentially binds to the cysteinyl residue, whereas the 3,4-epoxide binds to the histidinyl residue. This difference in binding of the 2,3- and 3,4-bromobenzene epoxides may be an important factor in determining the degree of their cytotoxicity.
The effect of gravity on turbulent, premixed flame propagation

x, y, z = axis system (see Fig.3) h = height of channel L = integral scale 77 = Kolmogorov scale fwaa = wall shear stress u' = magnitude of large scale turbulent velocity Uj = i* component of mean velocity U = x component of mean velocity (;'=!) V = y component of mean velocity (/=2) Uwan = Uhei, = belt velocity Una = x component of root mean square velocity Vms = y component of root mean square velocity
P-016 High Specificity Identification of Acute Large Vessel Stroke: Maximising Cohort Selection for Potential Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background and purpose With mechanical thrombectomy (MT), 0–4.5hr patients ineligible for IV tPA likely benefit from recanalization therapy, and >4.5 hr patients may also benefit. However, limited centers provide MT. To transfer all high NIHSS patients for MT would be inefficient and costly, as NIHSS has been demonstrated to be of somewhat limited value as a surrogate for large vessel occlusion (LVO). We identify an NIHSS subset analysis that initial evaluators can use to help identify LVO patients, for whom MT may be beneficial. Methods Acute strokes presenting to VUMC from 2012 to 2013 (779) were evaluated for presentation NIHSS. All patients had vascular imaging and 125 demonstrated LVO. Modified receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each combination of three NIHSS items. Subsets were ranked by a modified area under the curve (AUC). False negative rates could not exceed 80%, enabling comparison of each combination9s specificity for LVO while ensuring >20% sensitivity. Results The 3 NIHSS subset with the largest modified AUC was “Facial Palsy”, “Language”, and “Extinction”. Given that “Language” could bias selection towards left hemisphere stroke, we identified the best AUC subset after excluding “Language”: “Level of Consciousness - Questions”, “Facial Palsy”, and “Extinction”. Using 4 out of 7 possible points as cutoff, these criteria have 89.3% specificity and 28.8% sensitivity for LVO. Figure 1 shows the modified ROC curve. Conclusion We present a three-item score, derived from the NIHSS that is 89% specific for LVO. Hospitals without MT capabilities can use this easy to implement score to identify patients, with a likelihood of being correct for 9/10 referrals, who may benefit from transfer to a MT providing center. However, in order to maximise specificity, we have chosen to settle for only 29% sensitive, with 2/3 of LVO not being detected. While non-ideal, it is hoped that this scale may provide a reasonable balance of resource utilization and potential patient benefit. Disclosures S. Zuckerman: None. A. Sivaganesan: None. C. Zhang: None. M. Dewan: None. P. Morone: None. J. Mocco: None.
Temporary Suppression of Estrous Cycles in the Rat by Prolactin

ConclusionsIn the regulation of the ovarian activity of rats prolactin is shown to be capable of playing a part, directly or indirectly. Prolactin can not be summarily omitted from lists of pituitary principles having action on the gonads of mammals. The suggestion of Dresel that lactation anestrus in mice is induced by prolactin is supported by these tests on mature non-parous rats. But under effective prolactin dosage the corpora of rats remain large, and at the age of 10-12 days their large cells show no clear evidence of degeneration. The failure of daily injections of low or moderate doses of progesterone to affect the estrous cycles of rats suggests that in this rodent, though the corpus luteum hormone plays its part, it is perhaps not the hormone primarily responsible for the anestrous of either gestation or lactation.
The Significance of Nonlinear Characteristics on the Seismic Induced Pressures of Deeply Embedded NPP Structures

The conventional approach for treating the soil-structure interaction (SSI) effect is to apply various linear methodologies (e.g., substructure and direct methods). In the absence of any major nonlinear effect, linear methodology is sufficient to capture the SSI response parameters. However, for situations where structures are deeply embedded and/or buried (DEB) below grade and a sizeable inertial effect must be considered, the nonlinearity induced by the interaction at the soil/structure interface may potentially influence the SSI response. This is especially true for the seismic induced soil pressures. The effect of such nonlinear characteristics on SSI methodologies should be assessed to determine the extent to which the nonlinearity associated with DEB structures needs to be modeled. Sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is carrying out a research program to develop a technical basis to support the safety evaluation of deeply embedded and/or buried (DEB) structures as proposed for advanced reactor designs. In this paper, a study of the effect of the soil/structure interface on seismic induced pressures is presented. The nonlinear effect considered includes separation or slipping along the side soil/wall interface. This paper describes various finite element models developed using the LS-DYNA computer code to study the nonlinear effect associated with the soil/structure interface interaction of DEB structures subjected to seismic motion. It is found, based on results to date, that the seismic response characteristics of DEB structures are considerably influenced by the modeling technique for soil/structure interfaces. One of the prominent effects found is the soil/structure interface separations, which modify the soil pressure distributions in both circumferential and vertical directions, as well as their frequency content.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The Third Century: Some Anticipated Consequences of Governmental Reorganization

As we enter the third century of the American experiment it is essential to recognize that we can draw upon two quite distinct intellectual traditions in shaping future patterns of organization.' One possibility is to draw upon the intellectual tradition of this last century. If we follow the logic of that tradition-which I shall refer to as the second century-we run the risk of creating a new imperialism to be associated with Presidential Government. The other possibility is to draw upon the intellectual tradition of the first century and fashion an extended federalism. That possibility can be realized by drawing upon principles of federalism and constitutional rule to govern all of our efforts in undertaking collective activities and solving common problems.
Therapy in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome

objective: To evaluate the different therapies in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Methods: Seventy children with GBS were analyzed and their therapies and curative effects were observed and compared. Result: There were the paralysis of upgoing atonicity and syndrome. There were protein and cell's separating phenomenon in the cerebrospinal guild. Patients in IVIG group recovered more rapidly than those in other groups. It was also found that IVIG was helpful for those children with GBS to avoid secondary infections and shorten the period of treatment. Conclusion: IVIG therapy is safe and efficacious for children with GBS.
The Liver Throws the Skeleton a Bone (Resorption Factor)

The clinical association between chronic liver diseases and osteoporosis has long led to speculation that specific liver-derived proteins regulate bone mass. Direct evidence of a “liver-bone axis,” however, has proven elusive. A recent publication provides experimental data to support a liver-bone axis mediated by the bone regulating properties of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1).(1) The liver is the major site of IGFBP1 expression, and its established function resides in regulating the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). In the current study, recombinant murine and human IGFBP1 led to differentiation of osteoclast precursors in vitro. IGFBP1 activity was dependent upon the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand (RANKL), the major secreted signal from stimulated osteoblasts and osteocytes to induce osteoclast differentiation. IGFBP1 alone had no effect on osteoclasts. Injection of IGFBP1 in wild-type mice led to osteoclast activation and bone loss, with IGFBP1 removal preserving bone mass. IGFBP1 did not alter osteoblast function, indicating a specific role in bone resorption. The investigators then demonstrated that neutralizing IGFBP1 prevented the bone loss observed in two murine models, ovariectomy and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) overexpression. Thus, the investigators have identified IGFBP1 as a novel bone resorption factor secreted by the liver.
When Good Things Happen to Bad People: Practical Aspects of Holding Directors and Managers of Insolvent Corporations Accountable

Creditors of insolvent corporations, while facing a loss on their debt recovery, often chafe at what they perceive to be abuses of position or process by the directors and managers of the failing company. The individuals in control of the entity may seek generous severance or retention packages, or other consideration, to motivate them to guide the sinking ship into a safe harbor (usually a going-concern sale). Trade creditors regularly encounter managers who continue the operation of the nonviable business well into the "zone of insolvency," allowing the company to incur further trade debt (which will go unpaid) and otherwise depleting corporate assets. Creditors are often perplexed by the inherent tensions that arise from individuals controlling corporate assets in which neither management nor equityholders have a legitimate economic stake, because the corporation is insolvent and creditors' interests predominate. There is often a perception on the creditors' part that directors and managers are all too willing to pursue risky ventures to preserve their jobs or generate a return for equity, consuming funds that would otherwise be available to creditors upon liquidation. Academic discourse is replete with discussions about the fiduciary obligations of an insolvent company's directors toward their creditors. Some cases even suggest that some courts would be willing to impose liability on management for conduct that is short of self-dealing or fraud. As a practical matter, however, frustrated creditors will usually find that there is no meaningful recourse against what they may understandably perceive as abuses by incumbent managers and directors, unless those individuals have crossed a fairly bright line. Well-counseled managers and directors can get away with a lot on a business level, so long as they stop short of outright fraud or self-dealing.
The effect of statins on survival in patients with stage IV lung cancer.

Abstract Objectives Prior studies have shown an anticancer effect of statins in patients with certain malignancies. However, it is unclear whether statins have a mortality benefit in lung cancer. We compared survival of patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving vs . not receiving statins prior to diagnosis. Methods Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry linked to Medicare claims, we identified 5118 patients >65 years of age diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC between 2007 and 2009. We used propensity score methods to assess the association of statin use with overall and lung cancer-specific survival while controlling for measured confounders. Results Overall, 27% of patients were on statins at time of lung cancer diagnosis. Median survival in the statin group was 7 months, compared to 4 months in patients not treated with statins (p Conclusions Statin use is associated with improved survival among patients with stage IV NSCLC suggesting a potential anticancer effect. Further research should evaluate plausible biological mechanisms as well as test the effect of statins in prospective clinical trials.
Real space CMB temperature and polarization formulas

I derive formulas for the real space CMB temperature and polarization by solving the first order Boltzmann equation for the Stokes parameters $I$, $Q$ and $U$.
Evaluating New SMAP Soil Moisture for Drought Monitoring in the Rangelands of the US High Plains

On the Ground Level 3 soil moisture datasets from the recently launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite are evaluated for drought monitoring in rangelands. Validation of SMAP soil moisture (SSM) with in situ and modeled estimates showed high level of agreement. SSM showed the highest correlation with surface soil moisture (0–5 cm) and a strong correlation to depths up to 20 cm. SSM showed a reliable and expected response of capturing seasonal dynamics in relation to precipitation, land surface temperature, and evapotranspiration. Further evaluation using multi-year SMAP datasets is necessary to quantify the full benefits and limitations for drought monitoring in rangelands.
Using Linguistic Tools and Thinking in Trademark Cases

Chapter 2 briefly described some of the analytical tools available to linguists. Mentioned were phonetics and phonology, morphology, lexicography, syntax, and meaning (semantics and pragmatics). Chapters 4 through 13 described actual trademark cases in which various these tools were used. For purposes of emphasis, I now offer a summary of which linguistic tools and techniques were used in each case. The most frequently used tools were morphological and semantic analyses, with phonetic and lexicographical analyses slightly less frequent. In these cases, the use of syntactic and pragmatic analyses was somewhat surprisingly uncommon.
The Fatal Flaw in the Methodology of Law & Economics

This paper identifies and analyzes some of the basic structural flaws of utilitarian economic analysis and provides an alternative way of analyzing economic and moral problems.
Welcoming Counterstory in the Primary Literacy Classroom

Counterstories are a tool used by minoritized communities to tell stories that reflect their experiences and knowledge. Counterstories challenge the stock stories and grand narratives accepted by the majority and put forth in school curriculum. As young children tend to speak openly and share their responses to literature candidly, counterstory can be a powerful tool for empowering children in the primary literacy classroom. The author reflects on her experience in primary literacy classrooms engaging children in telling their counterstories in response to children’s literature. The pedagogical promise of counterstory and ways of eliciting and welcoming counterstory in the primary literacy classroom are discussed.
Mer Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling Prevents Self-Ligand Sensing and Aberrant Selection in Germinal Centers

Mer tyrosine kinase (Mer) signaling maintains immune tolerance by clearing apoptotic cells (ACs) and inducing immunoregulatory signals. We previously showed that Mer-deficient mice (Mer-/-) have increased germinal center (GC) responses, T cell activation, and AC accumulation within GCs. Accumulated ACs in GCs can undergo necrosis and release self-ligands, which may influence the outcome of a GC response and selection. In this study, we generated Mer-/- mice with a global MyD88, TLR7, or TLR9 deficiency and cell type-specific MyD88 deficiency to study the functional correlation between Mer and TLRs in the development of GC responses and autoimmunity. We found that GC B cell-intrinsic sensing of self-RNA, but not self-DNA, released from dead cells accumulated in GCs drives enhanced GC responses in Mer-/- mice. Although self-ligands directly affect GC B cell responses, the loss of Mer in dendritic cells promotes enhanced T cell activation and proinflammatory cytokine production. To study the impact of Mer deficiency on the development of autoimmunity, we generated autoimmune-prone B6.Sle1b mice deficient in Mer (Sle1bMer-/-). We observed accelerated autoimmunity development even under conditions where Sle1bMer-/- mice did not exhibit increased AC accumulation in GCs compared with B6.Sle1b mice, indicating that Mer immunoregulatory signaling in APCs regulates B cell selection and autoimmunity. We further found significant expansion, retention, and class-switching of autoreactive B cells in GCs under conditions where ACs accumulated in GCs of Sle1bMer-/- mice. Altogether, both the phagocytic and immunomodulatory functions of Mer regulate GC responses to prevent the development of autoimmunity.
Mapping the Postcolonial Across Urban and Suburban College Access Geographies

In US cities, a domino effect of concentrating poverty and suburbanizing wealth shapes discourses of local higher education access for residents of color. How the racialization of space mirrors col...
Continuous Functions on Intervals

In this chapter, we begin the study of continuous functions with the special case of real-valued functions defined on an interval in R. The concepts we develop here will be reexamined in a more general setting in later chapters.
Feminismo y política en Despierta, mi bien despierta, de Claribel Alegría

espanolNo hay resumenes disponiblesRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 46, 1995: 721-729 EnglishNo abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 46, 1995: 721-729
Echocardiography in a Patient with a New Murmur

Heart murmurs are common in cardiac care unit (CCU) patients. As many of CCU patients are intubated and unable to provide medical history, the physical exam becomes crucial in piecing together a patient’s medical history. Once a new murmur is identified, echocardiography can be a helpful tool in the critical care setting to further elucidate the cardiac abnormalities of a CCU patient. Whereas many patients have murmurs representing manifestations of chronic diseases, this chapter focuses on the diagnosis and etiology of murmurs that are presumably new at the time of CCU admission and represent an acute change in clinical status.
Can advanced practice nurses succeed in the primary care market

In the mid-1980s the Columbia University School of Nursing (CUSN) reconfigured its mission to once again become the premier training ground for clinical experts in nursing. Its APN faculty members were expected to function as APN primary care providers in some of its affiliated clinics. Extensive studies at CUSN have validated the high quality and effectiveness of comprehensive APN-managed patient care when compared to a randomly selected group of patients managed by primary care MDs. The issue of APN-MD primary practice fee equity for professional services at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center was settled by agreement to the same reimbursement per visit, while acknowledging that APNs would customarily have longer contact time with each patient, and therefore a lower number of visits per day. The studies concluded that the ideal configuration of professional health care services would see APNs with hospital admitting priviledges alongside primary care and specialty MDs working collectively to serve their patients together in the new system.
Astrocytes Increase Barrier Properties and ZO-1 Expression in Retinal Vascular Endothelial Cells

Purpose. Diabetic retinopathy and other diseases associated with retinal edema are characterized by increased microvascular leakage. Astrocytes have been proposed to maintain endothelial function in the brain, suggesting that glial impairment may underlie the development of retinal edema. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of astrocytes on barrier properties in retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Methods. Bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells were exposed to conditioned media from rat brain astrocytes. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) was determined on 24-mm Transwell (Cambridge, MA) polycarbonate filters with the End-Ohm device (World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, FL). ZO-1 protein content was quantified by microtiter enzyme-linked imraunosorbent assay. Results. Astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) significantly increased TER (P < 0.0001) and ZO-1 content {P< 0.01). Both serum-containing and serum-free NIB defined ACM increased ZO-1 expression, but heating abolished the effect. Serum-free ACM decreased cell proliferation by 16%. Conclusions. Astrocytes release soluble, heat-labile factors that increase barrier properties and tight junction protein content. These results suggest that astrocytes enhance blood-retinal barrier properties, at least in part by increasing tight junction protein expression. Our findings suggest that glial malfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vasogenic retinal edema. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1997;38:2423-2427.
General Equilibrium Condition and Hydrodynamics of Superfluid 3He-A

It is now generally accepted that the order parameter of superfluid 3He-A is a complex tensor \({A_{\mu i}} = {\Delta _0}{\hat d_\mu }({\hat m_i} + i{\hat n_i})\), where \(\hat d\), \(\hat m\) and \(\hat n\)(m) are three real unit vectors. A “texture” of 3He-A refers to a slow spatial variation of the “orbital or anisotropy axis” \(\ell \equiv \hat m \times \hat n\), and the “spin axis” \(\hat d\), possibly accompanied by a nonvanishing “superfluid velocity” \({\vec \nabla ^{(s)}} \equiv (h/2M){m_j}\vec \nabla {n_j}\) (where M is the mass of a 3He atom), while the magnitude parameter Δ0 is usually fixed at the constant equilibrium value. Such textures are all quasi-degenerate in energy because the 3He-A order parameter has spontaneously broken the gauge symmetry and the rotational symmetries in. orbital and spin spaces. From the above definitions of \({\vec \nabla ^{(s)}}\) and \(\hat \ell\), one may verify a relation first obtained by Mermin and Ho:2 $${\partial _i}{V_j}^{(s)} - {\partial _j}{V_i}^{(s)} = (\hbar /2M)\hat \ell \bullet {\partial _i}\hat \ell \times {\partial _j}\hat \ell$$ (1) which implies $$ \partial {V^{(s)}}_i = - (\hbar /2M)\hat \ell \bullet ({\partial _i}\hat \ell ) \times \delta \hat \ell + (\hbar /2M){\partial _i}(\delta \phi ) $$ (2) .
Evaluation of thermodynamic equations of state across chemistry and structure in the materials project

Thermodynamic equations of state (EOS) for crystalline solids describe material behaviors under changes in pressure, volume, entropy and temperature, making them fundamental to scientific research in a wide range of fields including geophysics, energy storage and development of novel materials. Despite over a century of theoretical development and experimental testing of energy–volume (E–V) EOS for solids, there is still a lack of consensus with regard to which equation is indeed optimal, as well as to what metric is most appropriate for making this judgment. In this study, several metrics were used to evaluate quality of fit for 8 different EOS across 87 elements and over 100 compounds which appear in the literature. Our findings do not indicate a clear “best” EOS, but we identify three which consistently perform well relative to the rest of the set. Furthermore, we find that for the aggregate data set, the RMSrD is not strongly correlated with the nature of the compound, e.g., whether it is a metal, insulator, or semiconductor, nor the bulk modulus for any of the EOS, indicating that a single equation can be used across a broad range of classes of materials.
Implementation of a Phasor Measurement Unit using LabVIEW

The development of real-time Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) has made it possible to monitor and record dynamic information in power systems. PMUs are becoming an integral element of power systems as they provide synchronized measurements of real-time phasors of voltage and currents. Research has been carried out to develop a PMU model that can be easily integrated into most power system simulations. This paper tests a PMU model developed in LabVIEW using real-time data by integrating with a data acquisition (DAQ) system that is compliant with LabVIEW. This model is configurable and provides a great experimental setup for students to gain knowledge about PMUs and synchronized phasor measurements.
Human Papillomavirus and Health Decision-Making: Perceptions and Accountability in College.

Objective:To identify knowledge and beliefs about the human papillomavirus (HPV) among students in a residential academic institution, including perceptions of safety of the HPV vaccine, perception...
The Role of Molecular Testing for the Indeterminate Thyroid FNA.

Thyroid nodules are common in the adult population where a majority are benign and only 4.0% to 6.5% are malignant. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a key method used in the early stages to evaluate and triage patients with thyroid nodules. While a definitive cytological diagnosis is provided in more than 70–75% of all thyroid FNA cases, the group of indeterminate lesions offers a challenge in terms of interpretation and clinical management. Molecular testing platforms have been developed, are recognized as an option by the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines, and are frequently used in conjunction with FNA as an integral part of the cytologic evaluation. In this review, the utility of molecular testing options for nodules assigned to the group of indeterminate thyroid FNAs is described.
UPSC Examination Papers on Public Administration in India

Every year, about 15,000 people take the civil service entrance examinations administered by India's Union Public Service Commission. Many choose to write optional papers on public administration. These optional papers have a significant influence in shaping the academic discipline of public administration in India, and they illustrate the current boundaries of the discipline. This research note examines the content of these optional papers over ten years, 2009 to 2018. The papers place an unusual emphasis on American theoretical literature on public administration. However, the view of American literature is outdated in important ways. There is also a significant mismatch in emphases between the theoretical and practical aspects of the papers. Although reform of the syllabi for these papers is desirable, it may be difficult in practice.
Portable gluten sensors: qualitative assessments by adults and adolescents with coeliac disease

Background Portable gluten sensors are now commercially available to the public, although there is genuine uncertainty within the medical community over whether they should be used for coeliac disease management. The present study described qualitatively the experience of using a portable gluten sensor for 15 adults and 15 adolescents with coeliac disease participating in a 3-month pilot clinical trial. Methods Participants were 30 individuals, aged 13-70 years, with biopsy-confirmed coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet. All received a portable gluten sensor and were randomised to low, medium, and high numbers of single-use capsules. Open-ended questions addressed likes and dislikes using the portable gluten sensor after 3 months. Major themes were identified and described. Results Participants liked that the portable gluten sensor provided extra assurance to check foods presented as gluten-free, the convenient size and portability, the added sense of control, and overall peace-of-mind. Participants disliked having attention drawn to them when using the sensor and feeling as if they were deterring others from eating. Participants also disliked the physical difficulty associated with using the capsules, questionable accuracy and the inability to test fermented foods. Adults were more enthusiastic about the sensor than adolescents. Conclusions Positive and negative experiences may be expected when using commercially available portable gluten sensors to help manage coeliac disease. As future versions of this and other gluten sensors become available, it will be important to investigate the relationship between users' experience with the sensors and long-term outcomes such as mucosal healing and quality of life.
COVID-19: Concern and Education for Global Health for a Have-to Traveler

COVID-19, a severe respiratory disease mediated by SARS-CoV-2 virus, is an extremely infectious This virus was a recant outbreak from Wuhan City of China in late December 2019, but no remedy has been found yet The coronavirus can spread mainly from person to person when they come in close contact with each other Respiratory droplets from an infected person's infect any nearby people Furthermore, asymptomatic person can also infect others Data and information were searched from Web Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases, and the articles published before June 2020, using relevant keywords WHO, CDC and other Govt Agencies have published a protective measure for better prevention of the COVID-19 disease until vaccines or any other antivirals become available "Stay at home", "Uses of Mask", and "Wash hands frequently for 20 sec" are some of the general strategy for precaution However, it is not possible for the "must travellers/traveler" and/or "front-line workers" to "stay at home" The concerns of the must-traveler and front-line workers to avoid any unwanted consequences that may arise from their traveling issues were discussed in this review
Protocolizing the Workup for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Improves Outcomes

Background The workup for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) can be difficult to coordinate, and determining appropriate patients for ventriculoperitoneal shunting can be challenging. Therefore, we hypothesized that implementing a formalized protocol can improve patient selection for a shunt. In conjunction with neurology and neurosurgery, we instituted a standardized means of assessing patients whose presentation is concerning for INPH and compared their workup with similar patients seen without the Protocol (i.e., preprotocol [PP]) regarding baseline characteristics, assessment, and outcomes. Methods Twenty-six PP patients were compared with 40 Protocol patients on measures, including baseline deficits, workup, neurosurgical evaluation, and response to shunt. Results Average age was similar between groups, and the percentage of patients who had a decline in gait, cognition, and/or incontinence was not statistically different (p > 0.05). Significantly more Protocol patients underwent high-volume lumbar puncture (HVLP; 97.5%; PP, 61.5%; p Conclusions Implementing an INPH Protocol leads to standardized and more extensive assessment and better patient selection for and subsequent outcomes from shunting, specifically regarding gait.
Effects of passive back-support exoskeletons on physical demands and usability during patient transfer tasks.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of three passive back-support exoskeletons (FLx ErgoSkeleton, V22 ErgoSkeleton, and Laevo V2.5) and patient transfer methods on physical demands in the low back and shoulders during patient transfer. Twenty professional caregivers (17 females and 3 males) performed a series of simulated patient transfer tasks between a wheelchair and a bed with three different patient transfer methods including the squat pivot, stand pivot, and scoot with two directions (wheelchair to bed and vice versa). The passive exoskeletons (FLx ErgoSkeleton, V22 ErgoSkeleton, and Laevo V2.5) significantly affected trunk postures (forward flexion and lateral flexion), shoulder postures (flexion and abduction), hand pull forces, muscle activities of erector spinae and middle deltoid (p-values
A pilot project: Improving the transition care process for neurosurgical adolescent patients with indwelling shunts to adult care.

Abstract Background A formal transition program has not been described for neurosurgical adolescent patients with an indwelling shunt device. Transitioning from pediatric neurosurgical care to adult care without transition guidance has caused abrupt transfer of care at this institution. The goal of this pilot transition program was to help patients and caregivers feel informed and prepared for transition. Methods The Got Transition®, Six Core Elements of Transition, were used to create this program. Both a policy and a registry to track and monitor patients were created. A validated questionnaire for transition readiness was measured. Education was provided based on the results of the questionnaire to prepare the adolescent for transfer of care. A smartphone application was used to promote health care independence. Transfer to adult neurosurgical care included hand-off between the pediatric and adult teams, child life and social work involvement, and scheduled follow up with an adult neurosurgical provider. Findings All patients 14 to 18 years with indwelling shunts were enrolled in the pilot program. Eight patients completed a baseline transition readiness assessment, received education and anticipatory guidance, and downloaded the smartphone application. At the end of the six month pilot, three patients were successfully transferred to adult care. Discussion The integration of a transition readiness questionnaire and smart phone application during this pilot program was feasible and continues to be used at this institution. Adolescent patients with shunts require gradual and carefully planned transition services.
The effect of technology funding on school-level student proficiency

Abstract This study presents new evidence on the effect of technology funding on school-level student proficiency. I exploit exogenous variation in school-level technology funding using the California Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program. The program provided eligible schools with technology vouchers to purchase qualifying hardware and software products and services. Using a regression discontinuity difference-in-difference design and data on voucher eligibility, voucher use, and school-level student proficiency, I find that voucher eligibility had no significant impact on school-level student proficiency, while voucher use had positive impacts on school-level student proficiency. The voucher use results are driven entirely by schools using the voucher funds for technology resources, but reallocating dollars initially earmarked for technology to other school inputs.
Night-time Ionospheric Localized Enhancements (NILE) Observed in North America Following Geomagnetic Disturbances

The Ionospheric Data Assimilation Four-Dimensional (IDA4D) technique has been coupled to Sami3 is Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI3). In this application, ground- and space-based GPS Total Electron Content (TEC) data have been assimilated into SAMI3 while in situ electron densities, autoscaled ionosonde NmF2 and reference GPS stations have been used for validation. IDA4D/SAMI3 shows that Night-time Ionospheric Localized Enhancements (NILE) are formed following geomagnetic storms in November 2003 and August 2018. The NILE phenomenon appears as a moderate, longitudinally extended enhancement of NmF2 at 30-40° N MLAT, occurring in the late evening (20-24 LT) following much larger enhancements of the equatorial anomaly crests in the main phase of the storms. The NILE appears to be caused by upward and northward plasma transport around the dusk terminator, which is consistent with eastward polarization electric fields. Independent validation confirms the presence of the NILE, and indicates that IDA4D is effective in correcting random errors and systematic biases in SAMI3. In all cases, biases and root-mean-square errors are reduced by the data assimilation, typically by a factor of 2 or more. During the most severe part of the November 2003 storm, the uncorrected ionospheric error on a GPS 3D position at 1LSU (Louisiana) is estimated to exceed 34 m. The IDA4D/SAMI3 specification is effective in correcting this down to 10-m.
Migration, Refuge, and Adjustment

This chapter focuses on psychological effects of migration and refuge. Migration occurs when a person or a group of people move from one place to another, with the intention of staying in the new place for a considerable period of time. Moving to a new place usually causes considerable disruption in life, including changes in work, social relations, community networks, and lifestyle, and requires extra effort for successful adjustment to take place. When the migration is transcultural or diversely different sociocultural environment, with remarkable differences in language, life patterns, value systems, or social customs, it usually involves considerable cultural change, and calls for special cultural adjustments. The cultural change and adjustment associated with migration often cause psychological stress, emotional strain, and even mental complications while the migrant adjusts to the new situation. It is better not to examine the impact of migration on mental health at the occurrence of a mental disorder as the direct relation between them is rather thin. Instead, it is more useful to investigate psychological adjustment on personal and family levels. Refuge is a unique kind of migration that occurs when people flee from a threat or danger, particularly from ethnic persecution. Generally, refugees face more difficulties than ordinary migrants and the challenges include adjusting to their new lives from practical social perspectives, finding a place to live and resources for living, and worrying about the family members from whom they are separated or with whom they have lost contact. The first thing that needs to be recognized by clinicians is that most refugees have gone through terrible psychological traumas, either prior to, during, or even after they seek refuge. Mostly the traumas are multiple, severe, and chronic, beyond what ordinary human beings could take.
Usability and Acceptability of Biometric Security Systems

Biometrics are receiving a lot of attention because of the potential to increase the accuracy and reliability of identification and authentication functions. A lot of research has been done to assess the performance of biometric systems, with an emphasis on false acceptances and rejections. Much less research has been done on the usability and acceptability of biometric security systems. A number of factors are increasing the usability of biometric devices. The sensors are getting smaller, cheaper, more reliable, and designed with better ergonomic characteristics. The biometric algorithms are also getting better, and many systems include features to train the users and provide feedback during use. In addition, biometric devices are being integrated into associated security systems, such as access control and encryption services, to provide a seamless environment.
NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE LEGAL STATUS OF MIGRANT WORKERS: DISPATCHES FROM THE ARABIAN GULF

In many societies, including the United States, non-citizen mi­ grants1 are increasingly seen as a problem of national security.2 This perception is in line with the nature and diversity of migration in an era of globalization, which brings waves of people from one country or area to others. It also comports with the idea that secur­ ity increasingly encompasses subjective and politically-constructed issues that fit into the category of existential or identity threats. A government’s consideration of an issue as a security challenge has implications; the issue receives privileges in terms of national atten­ tion and economic resources.3 Thus, securitizing a policy problem is the surest way of prioritizing it.
Agent‐Based Simulations for Disaster Rescue Using the DEFACTO Coordination System

When addressing terrorist threats we must give special attention to both prevention and disaster response. Enabling effective interactions between agent teams and humans for disaster response is a critical area of research, with encouraging progress in the past few years. However, previous work suffers from two key limitations: (i) limited human situational awareness, reducing human effectiveness in directing agent teams and (ii) the agent team’s rigid interaction strategies that limit team performance. This paper focuses on a novel disaster response software prototype, called DEFACTO (Demonstrating Effective Flexible Agent Coordination of Teams through Omnipresence). DEFACTO is based on a software proxy architecture and 3D visualization system, which addresses the two limitations described above. First, the 3D visualization interface enables human virtual omnipresence in the environment, improving human situational awareness and ability to assist agents. Second, generalizing past work on adjustable autonomy, the agent team chooses among a variety of “team-level” interaction strategies, even excluding humans from the loop in extreme circumstances. ∗This research was supported by the United States Department of Homeland Security through the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE). However, any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect views of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.