cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rational and Intuitive Styles: Commensurability across Respondents' Characteristics

This study was designed to examine differences in responses to the six rational/intuitive scales of the Personal Style Inventory in relation to gender, age, ethnic group, birth country, occupation, and industry. Data were collected from 495 participants in training programs in Australia, England, New Zealand, and the United States. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated no differences among groups on the six scales which then are not sensitive to the characteristics so separate norming scores are not indicated. Lack of differences between sexes contrasts with the finding that women score more intuitive than men on other style assessment tools. Findings are not, however, consistent. And, since characteristics other than gender may show similar disparate results, further study of rational-intuitive commensurability is needed.
Comment on John T. Metzger's “planned abandonment: The neighborhood life‐cycle theory and national urban policy”

Abstract Metzger fails to define or distinguish key concepts related to neighborhood change theories and policy and instead mischievously treats them interchangeably, as if they were synonyms. The intellectual history he presents is distorted and myopic. Unsupported assertions, distortions, and citations taken out of context characterize his use of evidence. No wonder he erroneously deduces that a monolithic, unchallenged neighborhood life‐cycle theory, promoted by an intellectual conspiracy headed by Anthony Downs, held sway in academic, planning, and policy‐making circles for the past half century.
Managerial Perspectives on Organizational Learning

How do managers build an effective learning organization capable of achieving a sustainable competitive advantage? Discovering the answer to this question is today's and tomorrow's challenge for top managers. The concept of organizational learning is elusive and multifaceted. Although there are numerous writings on this topic, action-oriented perspectives - much needed for operational guidance - have received limited attention. Focusing on this gap, the present article proposes an action-oriented framework of organizational learning and, using this framework, explores the perspectives of twenty-three top managers on implementing organizational learning.
The prevention of in-dwelling, catheter-related urinary tract infections — the outcome of a `performance improvement' project:

This article aims to show that by making a small change in practice (in this case the introduction of a silver/hydrogel-coated catheter), by using a performance improvement approach a 60.6% reduction in hospital-acquired, catheter-related urinary tract infection was achieved. Apart from the obvious benefits to patients, in an era where bed shortages are an everyday occurrence and budgets are always stretched significant cost savings and reduction in bed occupancy was achieved. The article describes the process of performance improvement, which is an ideal vehicle for any infection control initiative. Without the strict constraints associated with clinical research, performance improvement encourages all grades of staff to participate in projects of varying complexity.
Type H superconductors and the vortex lattice.

Superconducting material is used, for example, in magnetic resonance imaging for medical examinations and particle accelerators in physics. Knowledge about superfluid liquids can give us deeper insight into the ways in which matter behaves in its lowest and most ordered state. Work by the author on superconduction in liquid helium established the existence of type II superconductors and proved that vortex lattices exist in superfluid helium, in the presence of magnetic fields. He showed that the Ginzburg–Landau theory could be extended to include this “new” type of superconductors, which today are in common use. His work on phase transitions of these superconductors under the influence of magnetic fields was groundbreaking, although he has worked in many other areas since then. He was awarded the Nobel prize in 2003 “for pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids” with V. L. Ginzburg and A. J. Leggett.
Prevalence and correlates of mothers and fathers attending pretest cancer genetic counseling together

Objective To determine the prevalence of fathers’ attendance at pretest cancer genetic counseling sessions with mothers undergoing BRCA1/2 genetic testing for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) risk, and to identify psychosocial and other correlates of fathers’ attendance.
Effect of imaging parameters on the echoes from ultrasonic contrast agents

High-resolution contrast-assisted techniques would facilitate differentiation of tissue and microbubble echoes. The authors have found that for the same transmitted time-averaged intensity, the wideband transmission produces an equal or higher received echo intensity from the contrast agent. Thus a wideband imaging scheme could be as effective as the more traditional narrowband technique. In addition, the transmission of wideband high intensity pulses is shown to produce a consistent time domain echo from the microbubbles. This echo is the same whether the bubbles break or remain intact over several pulses. A change in the phase of the transmitted pulse is shown to leave the polarity of the received signal unchanged under a set of experimental conditions.
A multifractal wavelet model with application to network traffic

We develop a new multiscale modeling framework for characterizing positive-valued data with long-range-dependent correlations (1/f noise). Using the Haar wavelet transform and a special multiplicative structure on the wavelet and scaling coefficients to ensure positive results, the model provides a rapid O(N) cascade algorithm for synthesizing N-point data sets. We study both the second-order and multifractal properties of the model, the latter after a tutorial overview of multifractal analysis. We derive a scheme for matching the model to real data observations and, to demonstrate its effectiveness, apply the model to network traffic synthesis. The flexibility and accuracy of the model and fitting procedure result in a close fit to the real data statistics (variance-time plots and moment scaling) and queuing behavior. Although for illustrative purposes we focus on applications in network traffic modeling, the multifractal wavelet model could be useful in a number of other areas involving positive data, including image processing, finance, and geophysics.
Protein Homeostasis and Aging: the importance of exquisite quality control

All cells count on precise mechanisms that regulate protein homeostasis to maintain a stable and functional proteome. A progressive deterioration in the ability of cells to preserve the stability of their proteome occurs with age and contributes to the functional loss characteristic of old organisms. Molecular chaperones and the proteolytic systems are responsible for this cellular quality control by assuring continuous renewal of intracellular proteins. When protein damage occurs, such as during cellular stress, the coordinated action of these cellular surveillance systems allows detection and repair of the damaged structures or, in many instances, leads to the complete elimination of the altered proteins from inside cells. Dysfunction of the quality control mechanisms and intracellular accumulation of abnormal proteins in the form of protein inclusions and aggregates occur in almost all tissues of an aged organism. Preservation or enhancement of the activity of these surveillance systems until late in life improves their resistance to stress and is sufficient to slow down aging. In this work, we review recent advances on our understanding of the contribution of chaperones and proteolytic systems to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, the cellular response to stress and ultimately to longevity.
Potential Design Flaws In ABC Systems And Suggested Safeguards

ABC systems have received extensive attention in the last decade. The ABC literature has convincingly demonstrated that traditional cost systems systematically distort product costs. It is less widely recognized, however, that ABC systems can also distort costs if improperly designed. One notable cause of distortions in ABC systems is the assumption of constant average costs of all activities. This assumption and the design choices concerning the aggregation and the allocation procedures create great potentials for product and service cost distortions. The present article examines this problem and provides some solutions to enhance the accuracy and power of ABC systems. It will be argued that: (1.) Activity and product costs are not neutral to the process of cost aggregation and allocations; (2.) Many activity costs follow step or other nonlinear patterns. The ABC system designer should examine all activities for these patterns; (3.) Where activities are not proportional to cost drivers, pooling should be avoided; (4.) As product volume and product mix change, unit activity costs and other initial system parameters may change and render the ABC system less reliable. Frequent updating of the system is crucial under these conditions; and (5.) Frequent revisions and updating of the ABC system is equally crucial for companies that operate under rapid technological changes.
Critical assessment of the fatigue performance of additively manufactured Ti–6Al–4V and perspective for future research

Abstract To realize the potential benefits of additive manufacturing technology in airframe and ground vehicle applications, the fatigue performance of load bearing additively manufactured materials must be understood. Due to the novelty of this rapidly developing technology, a very limited, yet swiftly evolving literature exists on the topic. Motivated by these two points, we have attempted to catalog and analyze the published fatigue performance data of an additively manufactured alloy of significant technological interest, Ti–6Al–4V. Focusing on uniaxial fatigue performance, we compare to traditionally manufactured Ti–6Al–4V, discussing failure mechanisms, defects, microstructure, and processing parameters. We then attempt to identify key knowledge gaps that must be addressed before AM technology can safely and effectively be employed in critical load bearing applications.
Creativity, Learning Techniques and TRIZ

Abstract Creativity and innovation are acquiring a foremost importance in the scientific and engineering world. TRIZ offers a systematic approach for problem solving, still it requires creativity abilities when translating the recommendations offered by inventive principles and standard inventive solutions into the specific domain of the problem. Goal of this paper is to show that creativity can be enhanced if the learning process is better understood and how strongly learning and creativity training are linked. The technologist who wants to be a lifelong learner and a creative professional inventor can profit from different techniques that cognitive psychology proved to be effective for learning, like metaphor, story and visualization, focused and diffuse modes of thinking, interleaving and how to overcome Einstellung. Their commonalities and relationships with problem solving approaches will be explained. Different learning techniques can be mapped to already well known TRIZ tools, giving them a neuroscientific foundation. Often TRIZ practitioners in a corporate environment are called to facilitate TRIZ sessions with very little time allocated. Being effective in a short time is crucial to enhance trust and leverage application. Several sessions at GE Global Research Munich offered a chance to compare different approaches and observe how to boost the idea sparking process, even in situations where the facilitator is not a subject matter expert or the inventive team has little or no background in TRIZ.
Observations on Some Factors Which Influence Aggregation by Blaps sulcata (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Israel

In Israel, activity by the desert-dwelling Blaps sulcata Castelnau normally begins about sunset, reaches its peak toward midnight, and ceases at dawn, but may vary with the weather and with other local environmental conditions. In nature, the beetles spend the daylight hours aggregated in large numbers under thick, flat-bottomed stones, where temperature and humidity are favorable and they are protected from enemies. They are photonegative, and move directly to shady areas upon exposure to direct sunlight. Though thick stones are usually preferred to thin, flat stones as hiding places, the latter proved more attractive under experimental conditions if they were provided with the scent from the anal gland secretion of the insects. The anal glands thus appear to serve 2 functions: (1) as defense mechanisms against predators, when large quantities of the liquid are sprayed suddenly, and (2) for attraction of other members of the species, so that aggregation results. In the latter instance, the exudation is gradual and in very small quantities; a high concentration of the scent was found repellent to Blaps itself. Antennectomized individuals did not respond in this manner, but aggregated in greater numbers under a thick, nonscented stone than under a flat, scented one. However, amputation of both antennae greatly hindered the general activity of these individuals.
A Dialectic of Difference: Towards a Theory of the Chicano Novel

In a recent and widely acclaimed essay, Joseph Sommers issued a challenge to all literary scholars, but especially to Chicano scholars, to justify the theoretical suppositions of their work.' Sommers argued that the students of Chicano literature were, if not wrong, at least partially misguided in our critical efforts. He implied that a move could be made toward the proper path of criticism. As proof of his own critical selfawareness, he revealed the critical presuppositions of his work, which were to serve as models for our own future critical acts.
Quality Control Assesment for Iodine Deficiency Disorders Laboratory Network in Sichuan Province,2000-2010

Objective To summarize the inadequacies of quality control in laboratories in Sichuan by reviewing the conduction of iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) laboratory newtwork in past 11 years;enhance the laboratory quality control;and further to guarantee the quality of IDD surveillance.Method The results of external quality control assesment for iodine deficient disease laboratory network in Sichuan province from 2000 to 2010 were analyzed.Results For provincial laboratory in 11 years,the results of salt iodine and urinary iodine were qualified.Both |Ze| and |Zi| of urinary iodine test were ≤2.For municipal level laboratories;qualified rate of salt iodine was 87.5%-100%;of urinary iodine was 93.3%-100%;97.2% laboratories' |Ze|≤2,2.8% were 2|Ze|3,0% was |Ze|≥3.94.4% laboratories' |Zi|≤2,3.9 % were 2|Zi|3,1.7 % was |Zi|≥3.For county level laboratories,qualified rate of salt iodine was 86.1%-100%.Conclusion Network for IDD laboratory was covered all the municipals and counties.Capability of salt and urinary idodine detection was kept at a relatively high level in individual laboratory.
Polychlorinated biphenyls New evidence from the last decade

Millions of pounds of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds have been produced in multiple countries for industrial applications over the last several decades. PCB exposure induces various adverse health effects in animals and humans. Environmental and occupational exposures to PCBs have been associated with liver, kidney, endocrine, and neurodevelopmental adverse effects. We have collected and reviewed animal and human data cited in the US National Library of Medicine from 2000 to 2010. In brief, our review shows new evidence, that is, in animal studies, exposure to one of the PCBs, A1221, induces a significant alteration of serum luteinizing hormone. The effects were more profound in the F2 generation, particularly with respect to fluctuations in hormones and reproductive tract tissues across the estrous cycle. Morphological analyses of brain tissue from rats exposed to A1254 confirmed the results of an earlier work which showed that the relative size of the intra- and infrapyramidal (II-P) mossy fibers was smaller than that in the controls and also reduction in growth was selective for the II-P mossy fibers. PCB exposure increased anogenital distance and prostate size but decreased epididymal weight, epididymal sperm count, and motile epididymal sperm count. No effects were observed on testicular weight or size. The epidemiological data showed an association between diabetes mellitus prevalence and elevated concentrations of PCB 153. Additionally, prenatal PCB exposure studies were associated with a smaller thymic index at birth and could adversely affect immune responses to childhood vaccinations and resistance to respiratory infections. PCB exposure was also reported to adversely affect enamel development in children in a dose-dependent manner. Because PCBs and their metabolites are potential health hazards, understanding the risk factors associated with individual PCBs, PCB mixtures, and PCB metabolites is important. PCB exposures of vulnerable populations (pregnant women, fetuses, infants, and children) are of particular concern because of heightened sensitivity during this period of brain development.
The effects of ryanodine on model systems derived from muscle—I: Glycerol-extracted muscle fibers

Abstract Glycerol-extracted rabbit psoas muscle fibers were placed in a calcium-buffered electrolyte solution, and tension responses to ATP and ryanodine were measured. When [Ca 2+ ] was suboptimal, ryanodine enhanced tension development in fibers extracted for 1–5 days or for 120 days. The enhancement was seen also after treatment with desoxycholate. Although ryanodine is known to affect the calcium pump, the present results cannot be attributed to this, because the calcium pump is inactivated by prolonged glycerol extraction or by desoxycholate. A direct effect of ryanodine on contraction seems probable, and the results are consistent with a sensitization to Ca 2+ .
Direct effects of graded hypoxia on intact and denuded rabbit cranial arteries.

In isolated rabbit common carotid, internal carotid, and basilar arteries denuded of endothelium, mounted for measurement of contractile activity, and contracted with 10 microM serotonin (common an...
Saving students money with ebooks: A cross-departmental collaboration between interlibrary loan and course reserve

At the University of Minnesota Libraries, the interlibrary loan, acquisitions, and course reserve departments developed a new, data-driven project to provide students access to required course materials through patron-driven acquisition and cross-departmental collaboration. Item usage and student cost-savings data were collected throughout the project. During the spring 2015 semester, a survey was distributed to students across various disciplines affected by the project. Intended to measure the pilot project's success, the data and survey also yielded compelling evidence that academic libraries can best serve student needs by purchasing multiple user ebooks of required materials and promoting their availability.
Teaching Cloud Computing

Just how do you teach cloud computing? It requires substantial hands-on applications and is constantly evolving--thus it presents some unique challenges for educators.
Survival of the Fittest Ideas: The Enduring Importance of Free Speech on Campus

In Unlearning Liberty (2012 - Encounter Books), Greg Lukianoff has published a timely and provocative analysis of contemporary threats to freedom of speech at US colleges and universities. Lukianoff is a First Amendment attorney, and he is also the President of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). Thus, Lukianoff makes it abundantly clear that there is hardly anyone who is better qualified to author this book.
What is the optimal approach for pericardiectomy in dogs

IN a paper summarised on p 95 in this issue of Veterinary Record , De Ridder and others (2016) describe a novel abdominal transdiaphragmatic approach for subtotal pericardiectomy in dogs. The authors compare their novel transdiaphragmatic approach to a right fifth intercostal approach in a series of small and large breed dog cadavers. The study also includes details of the outcomes in nine clinical cases in which pericardiectomy was performed through a transdiaphragmatic approach. In small cadavers the intercostal and transdiaphragmatic approaches removed the same percentage of pericardium; in large cadavers a significantly higher percentage of pericardium was removed with the intercostal approach compared to the transdiaphragmatic approach. All of the dogs in the clinical case series survived surgery, did not experience complications and their coeliotomy incisions healed. The authors concluded that the transdiaphragmatic technique was safe, potentially more appealing to owners and less technically challenging compared to an intercostal approach. However, the study found a reduction in exposure, when using the transdiaphragmatic technique, especially to the heart base. Additional lighting, either with a thoracoscope or a headlamp, was often required. Classical open pericardiectomy techniques are either through a right fifth intercostal thoracotomy or a median sternotomy. Median sternotomy offers the best exposure, but is the most invasive approach …
Distraction of the Maxilla (Le Fort I)

A Le Fort I osteotomy with maxillary advancement can be used to correct Class III malocclusion that is related to congenital or developmental maxillary hypoplasia. A Le Fort I osteotomy combined with distraction osteogenesis is a powerful technique that can be used to treat the most severe forms of maxillary hypoplasia [1]. It also offers the benefits of functional airway improvement. Le Fort I distraction advancement may improve obstructive sleep apnea or aid in the removal of a long-standing tracheostomy [2, 3]. It is a technique that may be performed before skeletal maturity or during childhood, after the maxillary canines have erupted. Traditional acute Le Fort I advancement is usually performed after skeletal maturity [4]. Performing a Le Fort I distraction can correct a child’s facial deformity and may be important for his/her psychological well-being and self-confidence. Following a Le Fort I distraction during childhood, the subsequent need for a Le Fort I advancement at skeletal maturity may often be avoided. The importance of orthodontic involvement and preciese treatment planning cannot be overemphasized. This chapter will document the indications, techniques, instrumentation, and postoperative care involved with Le Fort I distraction.
An Approach to Measure the Expectation of Generic Functions of the Market Return

This paper proposes an approach that associates the risk-neutral probability measure with option prices and then computes the expectation of quantities under the real world probability measure, exploiting the form of the stochastic discount factor. This approach deviates from foundational approaches that embrace assumptions about preferences and economic primitives to propose formulas for prices and risk premiums. Our method is analytically tractable, absolved of distributional assumptions, and we use the approach to elaborate on empirical questions regarding disaster probabilities, conditional return moments, and conditional return asymmetries.
Pediatric Ganglion Cysts: A Retrospective Review:

Background: Ganglion cysts are the most common type of soft tissue tumors of the hand. In the pediatric population, monitoring may be appropriate unless cysts are painful, interfering with range of motion or parental concerns exist. Reported recurrence rates after surgical removal of pediatric ganglion cysts vary widely in the literature. Notably, recurrence rates are higher for children than adults, ranging from as low as 6% to as high as 35%. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of a single pediatric hand surgeon's patients undergoing excision of primary and recurrent ganglion cysts from 2010 to 2015. Variables measured included patient age at diagnosis of ganglion cyst, time to presentation, location of cyst, hand dominance, previous therapy, previous surgery, length of surgery, tourniquet time, length of follow-up, any associated complications, and recurrence of cyst. Results: Ninety-six patients were identified with an average age of diagnosis 10.2 years. Indications for surgery: 95.8% for pain or decreased range of motion, 4.2% for cosmetic or parental concern. About 75% of the cysts were dorsally located, with the remaining 24.2% being volar. A total of 5 (5.3%) recurrences were recorded. Tourniquet time was on average 9.8 minutes longer for cases that resulted in recurrence. Multivariate analysis of the data demonstrated a 25% increased risk of recurrence with patients who had a previous aspiration. Conclusions: This is a retrospective review of a single pediatric hand surgeon's outcomes of pediatric wrist ganglion cysts. Our recurrence rate of 5.3% is low for a pediatric population indicating potential merit in this surgeon's operative and postoperative techniques. We demonstrate significantly increased rates of recurrence when a cyst had been previously aspirated, possibly indicating scarring and disruption of planes resulting in difficult dissection, increased tourniquet times, and incomplete excision.
Autonomous Multi-camera Tracking Using Distributed Quadratic Optimization

Multi-camera object tracking is an efficient approach commonly used in security and surveillance systems. In a conventional multi-camera setup, a central computational unit processes large amounts of data in real time that is provided by distributed cameras. High network traffic, cost of storage on the central unit, scalability of the system, and vulnerability of the central unit to attacks are among the disadvantages of such systems. In this paper, we present an autonomous multi-camera tracking system to overcome these challenges. We assume cameras that are capable of limited computation for locally tracking a subset of objects in the scene, as well as peer-to-peer network connectivity among the cameras with a decent bandwidth that is sufficient for message passing to achieve coordination. We propose an efficient distributed algorithm for coordination and load-balancing among the cameras. We also provide experimental results to validate the utility of the proposed algorithm in comparison to a centralized algorithm.
Etiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

The study aimed to review the etiology of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and to propose a treatment algorithm based on a systematic review of the current literature and individual experience. FBSS is a term that groups the conditions with recurring low back pain after spine surgery with or without a radicular component. Since the information on FBSS incidence is limited, data needs to be retrieved from old studies. It is generally accepted that its incidence ranges between 10% and 40% after lumbar laminectomy with or without fusion. Although the etiology of FBSS is not completely understood, it is possibly multifactorial, and the causative factors may be categorized into preoperative, operative, and postoperative factors. The evaluation of patients with FBSS symptoms should ideally initiate with reviewing the patients' clinical history (observing "red flags"), followed by a detailed clinical examination and imaging (whole-body X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography). FBSS is a complex and difficult pathology, and its accurate diagnosis is of utmost importance. Its management should be multidisciplinary, and special attention should be provided to cases of recurrent disc herniation and postoperative spinal imbalance.
Factors Affecting Special Education Services for English-Language Learners with Suspected Language-Learning Disabilities

This article focuses on factors that impact identification of and services for Englishlanguage learners (ELLs) with suspected language-learning disabilities. These factors include (a) home and school environments, (b) the school's philosophy, (c) instructional strategies, and (d) other contextual variables that affect language use. In addition, these factors must be taken into account in evaluating language, communication, and academic strengths and weaknesses. The author discusses the impact of these factors on the language and communication skills and academic progress of Roberto, an ELL whose home language is Spanish and who was diagnosed with a language-learning disability in both Spanish and English when he entered middle school. When these factors are addressed and policies put in place before ELLs enter school, these students may be helped earlier and be provided with effective educational services.
Congenital contractural arachnodactyly. A heritable disorder of connective tissue.

Twelve kindreds with congenital contractural arachnodactyly, a distinct syndrome of arachnodactyly, dolichostenomelia, contractures, scoliosis, characteristic ear shape, and normal intelligence that is transmitted by autosomal dominant inheritance have been identified in the literature and two additional kindreds described.
In Pursuit of a Biomarker of Weight Gain Susceptibility-Is FGF21 a Candidate?

In our westernized obesogenic environment plagued by an overabundance of calorie-dense food and physical inactivity, obesity has become a highly prevalent condition and a major concern to public health. Interestingly, the predisposition for weight gain varies among people despite similar environmental exposures or familial traits (1). While eating less and moving more are obvious remedies for obesity, such therapeutic strategies often fall short of what is expected from affected patients. Many claim that the obesity epidemic should be tackled by prevention, especially if a simple clinical test or established biomarker can identify individuals with a high susceptibility for weight gain. Individuals who are able to withstand periods of energy excess and resist weight gain are thought to ignite a thermogenic response (an “adaptive” increase in energy expenditure), thus dissipating some of the excess energy consumed as heat rather than storing it as body fat. This hypothesis was first suggested by Neuman in 1902, who coined the term “luxuskonsumption” (2), and was reaffirmed by Stock almost 100 years later (3). In an elegant series of studies using a respiratory chamber, the group from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Phoenix showed that in response to acute …
I Didn’t Do It: Comparing Denial Posture Crisis Strategies Between Government and Business

Businesses and governments occasionally face crises as a result of being falsely accused of harming their stakeholders. This research seeks to determine how they can most effectively respond using an experiment with 617 participants. Using situational crisis communication theory’s (SCCT) prescribed responses, the study examines unique reputation repair impact of post-crisis response strategies on a government organization compared with a business organization. This study also defines four different types of kategoria as strategies within SCCT’s denial posture and tests their crisis outcomes against other denial posture strategies. Participants were significantly more favorable toward a government organization compared with a business organization. Significant differences were detected in outcomes between different denial posture strategies. Implications for theory and practitioners are discussed.
Building Adaptive Industry Cartridges Using a Semi-supervised Machine Learning Method

In the middle ground between research and industry applicability, there is optionality, although the first comes with proven results, the latter is challenged by scalability, constraints and assumptions when applied in real case scenarios. It is very common that promising research approaches or PoC (proof of concepts) encounter difficulties when applied in industry solutions, due to specific industry requirements, bias or constraints. The paper is to show how industry business knowledge can be incorporated into machine learning algorithms to help eliminate bias, that might have been overlooked, and build industry domains cartridges models to be used in future solutions. The industry models are currently explored by businesses’ that want to enhance their portfolios with cognitive and AI capabilities and learn from transaction-based insights. With this research we aim to show how best machine learning models can learn from industry expertise and business use cases to create re-usable domain cartridges which can stand as core for: Bots, RPA (Robotic Processing Automation), industry patters, data insights discovery, control and compliance.
SAFE: A Comprehensive Data Visualization System

Short abstract: The authors discuss SAFE, a comprehensive data visualization system that enhances logistics, medical preparedness, and responses for mass-participation endurance events such as mara...
Visuomotor Figure Construction and Visual Figure Delayed Recall and Recognition in Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Background: Individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) develop visuospatial deficits over time, and those with logopenic variant (lvPPA) are at greatest risk of developing such deficits. Ho...
Governmental Power and Positioning of Marginalized People

This chapter extends Rom Harre’s positioning theory to a critical topic in conflict analysis, that is, the ways in which governments exert disciplinary controls over the governed. In particular, I examine a menacing kind of governmental power to manipulate vulnerable population groups by distorting their sense of self, generating a feeling of their inferiority and diminishing their social or political standing in the nation. This is the power to humiliate systemically. Such power can be exercised, for example, through certain governmental directives, verdicts, policies, decisions and norms that foster debasement, disgrace or denigration. The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the power-positioning interface of such controls. I argue that underlying such governmental power of consciousness-distortion are systems of positioning that state agencies carefully craft and strategically deploy. A case study of the current immigration policies and discursive practices of the United States government is presented. Underpinning the intense polemics over “the immigration problem” in the United States are contested systems of positioning of immigrants and native-born Americans.
Temporal Changes in Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Men With Prostate Cancer Electing for Conservative Management in the United States

Objective To characterize the role of clinical and sociodemographic factors in the use of conservative management for localized prostate cancer in the US between 2010 and 2015, and to understand how those factors evolved in light of the recent national increase in conservative management rates. Methods Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program “Prostate with Watchful Waiting Database,” where conservative treatment was delineated by a distinct classifier, was used to evaluate factors associated with electing for conservative management at initial diagnosis (2010-2015). Men aged ≥40 years with cT1-T2a and T2NOS with Gleason score 3 + 3 and 3 + 4 were included (n = 118,415). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between clinical and sociodemographic factors and electing conservative management. Results Between 2010 and 15, a total of 22,099 (18.6%) men were managed conservatively. Mean age of men managed conservatively decreased from 66.6 to 64.6 years, and median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increased from 5.7 to 6.0 ng/mL, P Conclusion Characteristics of men undergoing conservative management are rapidly changing. Younger men, men with higher PSAs, and men of all incomes are increasingly being managed conservatively. Narrowing of income-based disparities with concurrent broadening of patients considered eligible for surveillance is encouraging.
Assessing computational thinking: A systematic review of empirical studies

Abstract With the increasing attention to Computational Thinking (CT) in education, there has been a concomitant rise of needs and interest in investigating how to assess CT skills. This study systematically reviewed how CT has been assessed in the literature. We reviewed 96 journal articles to analyze specific CT assessments from four perspectives: educational context, assessment construct, assessment type, and reliability and validity evidence. Our review results indicate that (a) more CT assessments are needed for high school, college students, and teacher professional development programs, (b) most CT assessments focus on students' programming or computing skills, (c) traditional tests and performance assessments are often used to assess CT skills, and surveys are used to measure students’ CT dispositions, and (d) more reliability and validity evidence needs to be collected and reported in future studies. This review identifies current research gaps and future directions to conceptualize and assess CT skills, and the findings are expected to be beneficial for researchers, curriculum designers, and instructors.
Novel, Self-Assembling Dimeric Inhibitors of Human beta Tryptase.

β-Tryptase, a homotetrameric serine protease, has four identical active sites facing a central pore, presenting an optimized setting for the rational design of bivalent inhibitors that bridge two adjacent sites. Using diol, hydroxymethyl phenols or benzoyl methyl hydroxamates, and boronic acid chemistries to reversibly join two [3-(1-acylpiperidin-4-yl)phenyl]methanamine core ligands, we have successfully produced a series of self-assembling heterodimeric inhibitors. These heterodimeric tryptase inhibitors demonstrate superior activity compared to monomeric modes of inhibition. X-ray crystallography validated the dimeric mechanism of inhibition, and compounds demonstrated high selectivity against related proteases, good target engagement, and tryptase inhibition in HMC1 xenograft models. Screening 3872 possible combinations from 44 boronic acid and 88 diol derivatives revealed several combinations that produced nanomolar inhibition, and seven unique pairs produced greater than 100-fold improvement in potency over monomeric inhibition. These heterodimeric tryptase inhibitors demonstrate the power of target-driven combinatorial chemistry to deliver bivalent drugs in a small molecule form.
Chapter 8 – User Documentation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses issues and approaches to the design of user documentation for a system. A broad view of documentation was presented, including information incorporated into the system, printed materials, and online help and references. User documentation is stored information about how to use a system. There are many forms of documentation and many purposes served by documentation. The most typical example is the traditional bound reference manual. But documentation also includes online help utilities, intelligent tutoring systems, and user forums. The main problem that defines or frames documentation design is that people interacting with software systems have a wide variety of information needs. People's attitudes about learning and the use of documentation are paradoxical. They want to produce high quality results, but often are unwilling or unable to use the documentation that could help them achieve their goals. Learning by doing increases people's motivation and their subsequent ability to apply what they have learned, but it makes the learning process more demanding. Putting documentation online gives readers more flexibility in access, but most people are more comfortable with paper and find it easier to read. Other users of a system are a valuable source of ongoing information and help. Intelligent tutors are developed by modeling and tracking a set of well defined tasks, whereas help agents are triggered by specific user or system events. Documentation design should be approached as a design problem on its own, with training or help scenarios developed and refined and prototypes built and iterated, in parallel with the design of the system as a whole.
Using Electronic Sum-Frequency Generation to Analyze the Interfacial Structure of Singlet Fission-Capable Perylenediimide Thin Films

Organic materials that undergo singlet exciton fission show promise as exciton multiplication materials for semiconductor solar cells by converting high-energy photons into pairs of spin-triplet ex...
Exploring epigenetics with chemical tools.

Identifying chromatin modifications and their interactomes is imperative to understand how chromatin functions and is regulated. Now, two new studies report on chemical tools that enable characterization of the biological interactions within native chromatin.
EVEN-PLUS syndrome: A case report with novel variants in HSPA9 and evidence of HSPA9 gene dysfunction.

EVEN-PLUS syndrome is a rare condition characterized by its involvement of the Epiphyses, Vertebrae, Ears, and Nose, PLUS other associated findings. We report here the fifth case of EVEN-PLUS syndrome with novel variants c.818 T > G (p.L273X) and c.955C > T (p.L319F) in the HSPA9 gene identified through whole-exome sequencing. The patient is the first male known to be affected and presented with additional features not previously described with EVEN-PLUS syndrome. These features include agenesis of the septum pellucidum, a short chest and sternum, 13 pairs of ribs, a single hemivertebra, laterally displaced nipples, hydronephrosis, unilateral cryptorchidism, unilateral single palmar crease, bilateral clubfoot, and hypotonia. qPCR analysis provides supporting evidence for a nonsense-mediated decay mechanism for the HSPA9 truncating variant. In silico 3D modeling supports the pathogenicity of the c.955C > T (p.L319F) missense variant. The study presented here further describes the syndrome and broadens its mutational and phenotypic spectrum. Our study also lends support to HSPA9 variants as the underlying etiology of EVEN-PLUS syndrome and ultimately provides a better understanding of the molecular basis of the condition.
Visual Degradation of PV Modules After 30 Years of Exposure in Algeria

Understanding the degradation mechanism of photovoltaic modules is important for the development of new materials. In this work, a visual inspection was carried out on 60 PV modules and the defects of degradation are discussed according to an enhanced National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL Visual Inspection checklist. The modules studied have operated for approximately 30 years in two different environments in Algeria, the first one warm and dry while the other was moderate and humid. The aim of this work is to identify the most frequent types of visual defects after almost 30 years of field exposure of crystalline silicon modules in order to help manufacturers to understand outdoor degradation mechanisms and improve long-term reliability of photovoltaic modules in the Algerian climates.
The Landscape of Disaster Film: 2000-2020.

The public understanding of disasters is influenced by the portrayal of disasters in popular culture. Disaster films have persisted as a core aspect of disaster popular culture. A systematic assessment of the most recent disaster film cycle (i.e., 2000-2020) is warranted to gain insights into the current landscape of the genre and to better understand the imagery the public encounters onscreen. This study evaluated 173 disaster films and found most depict natural hazards and global catastrophes despite films about monsters and those depicting smaller disasters being the most popular. This study has implications for future research on disaster films and their influence on the public's understanding of disasters. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Meditation on Mahr, Modernity, and Muslim Marriage Contract Law

In this essay, I sketch an alternative model for the Islamic marriage contract. I propose the use of the partnership contract, rather than sales, as its background framework. I believe that applying the well-established (and recently re-energized) principles of Islamic partnership law to Muslim marriage contracts would have several advantages over the current sales-based framework, including eliminating several traditional rules that have been harmful to women. Among other things, some of the existing rules that would disappear under a partnership model include: the lack of mutuality between husband and wife, legal tolerance of marital rape, and a husband’s exclusive right to unilateral divorce. A scheme of Islamic marriage law based on partnership contracts would fit better with modern attitudes about marriage, mutuality, women and individual agency. As such, it would support the sharia-based approach of Muslim women activists more effectively than the current strategies that sometimes require uncomfortably stretching and pulling outdated doctrines to fit modern sensibilities. But my enthusiasm for a paradigm shift to this alternative model for Islamic marriage law is tempered by this caveat: paradigm shifts are not easy. They usually require disentangling emotional connections and long-held patterns of behavior, and these changes usually require much more than a good theoretical argument. So, while as a legal theorist, I would wholeheartedly support new Islamic marriage law based on a partnership contract model, the activist in me is concerned about the pragmatic realities of making it stick. Simply put, no matter how perfectly developed it might be, not everyone will be convinced to switch to this new scheme of marriage law. I therefore note some of the real-life challenges to introducing the alternative model, and what I think should be done in light of these challenges.
EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANEMIA TRANSMITTED TO MAN

Excerpt In his recent book, titled "Diseases Transmitted from Animals to Man" (1941), Thomas Hull1writes: . . . "equine infectious anemia has never been known to infect man." The purpose of this re...
Panel on software engineering ethics

The panel addresses practical issues and approaches for integrating the study of ethics into professional software engineering education. The three presentations summarized below assume that one goal of applied ethics in software engineering education is to equip professionals to recognize and reason about ethical issues in practical situations. All three address the question of how best to do so, from different but complementary perspectives: the case-based approach to ethics (Leslie Burkholder), practical methods for ethical reasoning (Preston Covey), and models for integrating ethics in software engineering curricula (Donald Gotterbarn).
Energy and Power Characterization of Parallel Programs Running on Intel Xeon Phi

Intel's Xeon Phi coprocessor has successfully proved its capability by being used in Tianhe-2 and Stampede, two of the top ten most powerful supercomputers today. It is almost certain that the popularity of Xeon Phi in heterogeneous computing will grow significantly, which requires comprehensive studies on different aspects of this newly arrived many-core chip. Despite a number of previous studies on the performance of Xeon Phi, the power and energy behavior of the coprocessor has not been fully studied. In this paper, we present the performance, power and energy results of multiple parallel programs with contrasting workloads running on Intel Xeon Phi. Several interesting findings are derived from these results: 1) the Xeon Phi thread is power-hungry even when idle and altering the number of executing threads will largely affect the power consumption, 2) performance improvement and energy savings are highly related, 3) running code in native mode yields better performance and consumes less energy, and 4) co-running programs with complementary workloads has potential to conserve energy with negligible performance influence. In addition, we discuss an incorrect way of measuring power of Xeon Phi using the on-chip power sensors and present our solutions.