cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical detection of harmonic oscillations in fluorescent dye-loaded microbubbles ensonified by ultrasound

A new optical contrast agent has been developed by exposing dye-loaded microbubbles to a rapidly-cooled thermal treatment to homogenize the dye distribution across the surface. Ultrasound causes these microbubbles to oscillate in size which changes the self-quenching efficiency of the dye molecules creating a “blinking” signal. We demonstrate for the first time that these microbubbles can reproducibly generate second, third, and even fourth harmonic fluorescence intensity modulations, in addition to the fundamental frequency of the driving ultrasound. Detecting these harmonic signals could produce a higher signal-to-noise ratio for fluorescence imaging in medical applications by allowing fundamental frequency interference and artifacts to be filtered out.
Laparoscopic appendectomy in children after the learning curve.

OBJECTIVES Despite its increasing popularity, several recent studies comparing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) in children have failed to demonstrate significant improvements in patient outcomes. Many series include the "learning curve," wherein surgeons inexperienced with laparoscopic techniques compare their results with results with OA with its extensive history. This study was designed to investigate outcomes in pediatric appendectomy patients managed by surgeons with extensive laparoscopic experience. METHODS We preformed a retrospective review of 197 consecutive children undergoing appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis from January 2002 through May 2004 at a university-affiliated community hospital by pediatric and general surgeons with extensive laparoscopic surgical experience. RESULTS The study included 117 patients who underwent LA and 80 who underwent OA. Of 122 acute appendicitis cases, mean operating times were 47 minutes (LA) and 48 minutes (OA). The LA group (n=71) had a faster return to full diet (17.6 h vs. 28.6 h, P=0.0008), and shorter postoperative length of stay (LOS) (1.06 d vs. 1.66 d, P<0.0001) compared with the OA group (n = 51). Complication rates, time on intravenous (IV) antibiotics, and IV opiates were similar among the 2 groups. Complicated appendicitis cases (LA, n=34; OA, n=26) were similar with regard to LOS, return to normal bowel function, complication rate and time on IV antibiotics and opiates, but was associated with an increased operation time (LA, 65 min; OA, 51 min, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Following the completion of the laparoscopic surgery learning curve, LA has a comparable operation time and results in a decreased postoperative LOS, and faster return to normal bowel function compared with OA in children with acute nongangrenous, nonperforated appendicitis.
Gutter Impingement in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Gutter pain and impingement are recognized entities following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). However, little concrete information is available in the existing literature regarding the etiology, po...
Phenetic Analyses of the Bat Subfamily Stenodermatinae (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

The 64 species of stenodermatine bats were analyzed phenetically under the common-part-removed transformation of Wood (1983). Two clustering techniques, two ordination techniques, and a minimum-spanning tree were employed to assess patterns of overall similarity among species. Phenetic relationships within and among genera were discussed, and these relationships were compared to the phylogenetic classification proposed by Owen (1987 a ). Most of the 17 recognized genera were shown to be phenetically distinct. Of the two that were not, one ( Chiroderma ) was shown by Owen (1987a) to be well defined and supported phylogenetically, whereas the other ( Vampyressa ) may be polyphyletic. Phenetic relationships among stenodermatine bats generally do not reflect hypothesized phylogenetic relationships, particularly at higher taxonomic levels, indicating a considerable degree of parallel or convergent evolution within the subfamily.
Structure-Based Carbon Nanotube Separations by Ion-Surface Interactions

Single-stranded DNA wraps helically around individual single walled carbon nanotubes to form a DNA/CNT hybrid, which is both stable and dispersible in aqueous solution. Subjected to ion-exchange chromatography, a hybrid elutes at an ionic strength that depends on the electronic band structure of the core nanotube, thus providing a mechanism for separating nanotubes by chirality. We present experimental data and a theoretical model for this separation process on dielectric substrates that explains all the salient features observed experimentally to date, and provides accurate predictions for critical elution salt concentration. The competition between adsorption on the stationary phase and counterion condensation in the mobile phase is characterized by estimating the difference in free energy between the two states of the hybrid. Parametric study of the DNA wrapping geometry, SWNT dielectric properties, hybrid length and diameter indicates that the elution is most sensitive to the hybrid’s effective charge density, primarily governed by the DNA helical pitch. The model correctly predicts hybrids with metallic nanotubes are weaker binding than hybrids with semiconducting nanotubes and larger diameter nanotubes are eluted at later times.
Analytical Metrics for Asteroid Mitigation

One of the most profound future challenges for human space activities is the development of practical engineering approaches to the deflection of hazardous solar system bodies. Over the past decades there have been many different approaches proposed and developed at a theoretical level, many of which have been reviewed in the NRC report “Defending Planet Earth.” With these many different approaches to mitigation, there is sometimes confusion about comparisons between these approaches with respect to the important parameters of deflection needed, time to go, the type of deflection and the significant unknowns involved with each approach. This paper will integrate previous studies to develop a common set of metrics by which different methods can be compared independent of system-level design. Such metrics can be used to help guide policy and engineering developments to deal with this hazard. The initial focus of this study is on developing a simple form of the effectiveness of a technique and the detectability of this technique over a given time span.
Medical practice and its future.

I UNDERSTAND that my place in this symposium is to tell you something of medical practice as it is today and something of its past, and to speak of those forces within and outside of medicine whose influences point toward the medical practice of tomorrow. You are approaching the end of your medical-school training. Except for minor digressions, your thoughts and efforts have been on the scientific aspect of your chosen profession. What you may know of the actual practice of this profession cannot have come from personal experience. Clinical medicine is not a science. It is the utilization of . . .
Approaching the compressive modulus of articular cartilage with a decellularized cartilage-based hydrogel.

Abstract ECM-based materials are appealing for tissue engineering strategies because they may promote stem cell recruitment, cell infiltration, and cell differentiation without the need to supplement with additional biological factors. Cartilage ECM has recently shown potential to be chondroinductive, particularly in a hydrogel-based system, which may be revolutionary in orthopedic medicine. However, hydrogels composed of natural materials are often mechanically inferior to synthetic materials, which is a major limitation for load-bearing tissue applications. The objective was therefore to create an unprecedented hydrogel derived entirely from native cartilage ECM that was both mechanically more similar to native cartilage tissue and capable of inducing chondrogenesis. Porcine cartilage was decellularized, solubilized, and then methacrylated and UV photocrosslinked to create methacrylated solubilized decellularized cartilage (MeSDCC) gels. Methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) was employed as a control for both biomechanics and bioactivity. Rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were encapsulated in these networks, which were cultured in vitro for 6 weeks, where chondrogenic gene expression, the compressive modulus, swelling, and histology were analyzed. One day after crosslinking, the elastic compressive modulus of the 20% MeSDCC gels was 1070 ± 150 kPa. Most notably, the stress strain profile of the 20% MeSDCC gels fell within the 95% confidence interval range of native porcine cartilage. Additionally, MeSDCC gels significantly upregulated chondrogenic genes compared to GelMA as early as day 1 and supported extensive matrix synthesis as observed histologically. Given that these gels approached the mechanics of native cartilage tissue, supported matrix synthesis, and induced chondrogenic gene expression, MeSDCC hydrogels may be promising materials for cartilage tissue engineering applications. Future efforts will focus on improving fracture mechanics as well to benefit overall biomechanical performance. Statement of Significance Extracellular matrix (ECM)-based materials are appealing for tissue engineering strategies because they may promote stem cell recruitment, cell infiltration, and cell differentiation without the need to supplement with additional biological factors. One such ECM-based material, cartilage ECM, has recently shown potential to be chondroinductive; however, hydrogels composed of natural materials are often mechanically inferior to synthetic materials, which is a major limitation for load-bearing tissue applications. Therefore, this work is significant because we were the first to create hydrogels derived entirely from cartilage ECM that had mechanical properties similar to that of native cartilage until hydrogel failure. Furthermore, these hydrogels had a compressive modulus of 1070 ± 150 kPa, they were chondroinductive, and they supported extensive matrix synthesis. In the current study, we have shown that these new hydrogels may prove to be a promising biomaterial for cartilage tissue engineering applications
Effects on cigarette consumption of a work–family supportive organisational intervention: 6-month results from the work, family and health network study

Background Observational studies have linked work–family issues with cigarette consumption. This study examined the 6-month effects on cigarette consumption of a work–family supportive organisational intervention among nursing home workers. Methods Group randomised controlled trial where 30 nursing homes across New England states were randomly assigned to either usual practice or to a 4-month intervention aimed at reducing work–family conflict via increased schedule control and family supportive supervisory behaviours (FSSB). Cigarette consumption was based on self-reported number of cigarettes per week, measured at the individual level. Results A total of 1524 direct-care workers were enrolled in the trial. Cigarette consumption was prevalent in 30% of the sample, consuming an average of 77 cigarettes/week. Smokers at intervention sites reduced cigarette consumption by 7.12 cigarettes, while no reduction was observed among smokers at usual practice sites (b=−7.12, 95% CI −13.83 to −0.40, p Conclusions Cigarette consumption was reduced among smokers at organisations where a work–family supportive intervention was implemented. This effect, however, was not explained by specific targets of the intervention, but other psychosocial pathways related to the work–family interface. Trial registration number NCT02050204; results.
Religion and Migration: Cases for a Global Material Ethics

ABSTRACTThis review article describes three ethnographies, two on peculiar churches in Africa and their relationship to the global, and one on the biographies of Africans who migrate globally in search of a better life. I elucidate several intersecting themes in these ethnographies – perception and materiality; ethical life; existential mobility – which suggestively point to a concept I term global material ethics, one that innovates studies of religion, migration, and contemporary cultural life in Africa.
Public Health in the Post-Westphalian System of Global Politics

The decade of the 1990s witnessed a renaissance of interest in infectious diseases in both the public health and political worlds. By the early 1990s, public health experts were growing increasingly concerned about a resurgence of infectious diseases around the world. In 1992, the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to Health published its seminal report Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States (Institute of Medicine, 1992). This report marked the beginning of extensive public health and political efforts in the 1990s to come to grips with ‘emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases’ (EIDs).
Pilot Study of a Web-Delivered Multicomponent Intervention for Rural Teens with Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a web-delivered multicomponent behavioral and family-based intervention targeting self-regulation and self-monitoring of blood glucose levels (SMBG) and glycemic control (HbA1c) in teens with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) living in rural US. Methods. 15 teens with poorly controlled T1DM participated in a 25-week web-delivered intervention with two phases, active treatment (weekly treatment sessions and working memory training program) and maintenance treatment (fading of treatment sessions). Results. Almost all (13 of 15) participants completed at least 14 of 15 treatment sessions and at least 20 of 25 working memory training sessions. SMBG was increased significantly at end of active and maintenance treatment, and HbA1c was decreased at end of active treatment (’s ≤ 0.05). Executive functioning improved at end of maintenance treatment: performance on working memory and inhibitory control tasks significantly improved (’s ≤ 0.02) and parents reported fewer problems with executive functioning (). Improvement in inhibitory control was correlated with increases in SMBG and decreases in HbA1c. Conclusions. An innovative web-delivered and multicomponent intervention was feasible for teens with poorly controlled T1DM and their families living in rural US and associated with significant improvements in SMBG and HbA1c.
Chapter 2: My Home Is Your Home: Property, Propriety, and Neighbors

“My Home Is Your Home: Property, Propriety, and Neighbors” traces suburbia’s interest in private property to two dominant discourses: the classical liberal theories of Locke and Kant, which advocate property as a form of protection from invaders, and the concept of dwelling articulated in Heidegger and Arendt, which posits property as a means for developing an isolated identity. I contend that the relationships characterized by T.C. Boyle’s The Tortilla Curtain, John Cheever’s Bullet Park, and John Updike’s Rabbit Redux can be better described by employing the redefinitions asserted by thinkers such as Kenneth Reinhardt, Eric L. Santer, and Jeremy Waldron, who see the neighbor as not an individual similar to the self, but an other who is in proximity and in need.
Combined Loading Tests of Large Diameter Corroded Pipelines

Current methods for estimating the remaining strength of aging, corroded pipelines have been restricted to the capabilities of pressure based engineering models that rely on the definition of hoop stress in the pipe wall. Because in practice, pipelines are subjected to a variety of loading conditions (e.g.; axial bending from settlement and thermal stresses) that act in concert with those derived by internal pressure, a multi-year combined testing and analysis program was initiated by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company aimed at developing computer tools for the prediction of rupture and wrinkling in corroded pipes. During the program, seventeen full-scale tests of mechanically corroded 48-inch diameter (1219-mm), X65 pipes subjected to internal pressure, axial bending, and axial compression were performed to provide data necessary for the verification of analytical models and failure prediction models. While all of the tests were designed to produce rupture, wrinkling, as defined by the occurrence of a limit moment during the application of bending loads, was produced in eleven of the tests either prior to or instead of rupture. Loading of the pipe was intended to simulate that which would be observed by a pipe in-service and included both load control and displacement control of the applied bending load, and in some tests, intended to define the amount of additional pressure required to cause burst after wrinkling was produced.Results of the tests showed that two different failure modes are produced depending on whether the bending moment is transmitted to the pipe as a fixed load or a fixed displacement, and consequently, the burst capacity of the corroded pipe may not be compromised by the presence of axial loads. This paper discusses the tests performed, including a description of the load schedule and corrosion geometries, and key results of the tests that were used in the development of a new strain-based burst prediction procedure for corroded pipes subjected to combined loads.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
Exposure-Response Assessment

Radon has provided the risk management community with a difficult example of a pollutant that moves through essentially the entire environment and exposes people through inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption. It is radioactive, and so presents a threat from the radiation it emits. It is an inert gas, meaning it tends not to react chemically with other materials in the environment and, hence, can move easily through soil, air, etc. It is ubiquitous in the soil beneath homes, diffusing up into the home air, and also enters homes through the drinking water (especially when that water has been drawn from wells that are surrounded by rock).
CD138 Regulates Myeloma Cell Survival, Proliferation, BM Engraftment and Tumor Organization

Abstract Multiple myeloma is the 2nd most common blood cancer in adults with a median survival time of 5 years despite high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation interventions. Syndecan-1 or CD138, is a heparan-sulfate coated glycoprotein, which is highly expressed on the surface of plasma cells and myeloma cells, important for adhesion and accumulating survival signals. Expression of CD138 is heterogeneous in myeloma tumors, in vivo and in vitro leading some to speculate it may distinguish stem-like subpopulations. While this role is highly disputed, we investigated the effect of CD138 expression on tumor pathology in vivo. To characterize CD138neg and CD138high subpopulations, we used GFP+ Vk*myc myeloma model from Leif Bergsagel, which develops myeloma tumors in BM and spleen of C57Bl/6 mice. We found CD138high populations were more proliferative in vivo based on EdU incorporation experiments. We transferred equal numbers of sorted subpopulations into hosts and found that CD138high cells generated larger tumors in the BM than CD138neg cells after 12 weeks. Analysis of these tumor-bearing mice revealed that all tumors contained both subpopulations, indicating that these two subsets are hierarchically equivalent. We find that in mice with small tumors, the majority of cells (80% or more) are CD138high cells, while in large tumors, the level drops (to 30-50% of tumor) with higher composition of CD138neg cells. We also find lower CD138 levels on myeloma cells found in the blood compared to BM. Using intravital two-photon time-lapse imaging in the tibial BM, we find that tumor cells from smaller, early stage tumors are physically arrested within the BM parenchyma, while in larger, more advanced tumors, myeloma cells are more motile and active. CD138neg cells were more apoptotic based on ex vivo Annexin V staining following serum starvation. Interestingly, serum starvation led to rapid reduction in CD138 surface expression. Taken together, we propose a model where CD138 expression regulates localization and survival in the BM niche, but is downregulated from the plasma membrane when tumor size outgrows the necessary resources, allowing myeloma cells to migrate and metastasize to distant new locations. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Development and Evaluation of a Simulation Model for Microvascular Anastomosis Training

Background Many plastic surgery training programs have implemented microvascular preparatory courses. However, these courses vary in length across institutions, lack formal assessment, and trainees receive certificates of completion rather than competency. In addition, many institutions use animate tissues as practice models which may not be readily available, require special treatment or storage, and lack consistency across vessel segments. In this study, we developed a proficiency-based training microvascular anastomosis curriculum using a synthetic model. In addition, we developed and validated a scoring rubric and patency testing apparatus. Methods Proficiency benchmarks were developed by evaluating four plastic surgeons performing interrupted end-to-end anastomoses on synthetic vessels mounted superficially and at depth. Using a pretest–posttest design, seven plastic surgery residents from two institutions were asked to train to proficiency on the superficial exercise. Skills transfer was evaluated using a vessel mounted at depth. Each anastomosis was scored on 11 metrics of mechanics, completion time, stenosis, and leakage. Results Experts outperformed residents prior to engaging in the training curriculum, confirming construct validity. Residents' skills significantly improved on 10 of 14 metrics after training, confirming curriculum effectiveness. Only one resident was able to achieve all proficiency benchmarks on two consecutive training trials. Skills learned on the superficially mounted vessel moderately transferred to the vessel mounted at depth as evidenced by significant pre- to posttest learning gains for 4 of the 14 metrics. Conclusion The proficiency goals may have been overly stringent; however, residents improved microvascular anastomosis skills on the majority of metrics by engaging in simulation-based training using a readily available synthetic model.
Plasmid-Based Reverse Genetics of Influenza A Virus

Influenza A viruses have broad host range with a recognized natural reservoir in wild aquatic birds. From this reservoir, novel strains occasionally emerge with the potential to establish stable lineages in other avian and mammalian species, including humans. Understanding the molecular changes that allow influenza A viruses to change host range is essential to better assess their animal and public health risks. Reverse genetics systems have transformed the ability to manipulate and study negative strand RNA viruses. In the particular case of influenza A viruses, plasmid-based reverse genetics approaches have allowed for a better understanding of, among others, virulence, transmission, mechanisms of antiviral resistance, and the development of alternative vaccines and vaccination strategies. In this chapter we describe the cloning of cDNA copies of viral RNA segments derived from a type A influenza virus into reverse genetics plasmid vectors and the experimental procedures for the successful generation of recombinant influenza A viruses.
Explaining populism beyond Laclau: A historical-comparative assessment of On Populist Reason

Populism has been a rather marginalized notion in mainstream social sciences. In his ambitious work On Populist Reason, renowned theoretician Ernesto Laclau aimed to give the notion a more central ...
Control of Rapid Thermal Processing: A System Theoretic Approach

Abstract Tight control of the wafer temperature is essential in Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) of semiconductor wafers. Of the various techniques for controlling the temperature, model-based control has the greatest potential for attaining the best performance.An identification of a state-space model based on the subspace-fitting technique results in an experiment-based model. Subsequently, a Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller is designed. To improve response, open loop control obtained by a convex optimization is incorporated into the feedback controller. The identification technique and the controller are validated with experimental results from an RTP system at Stanford University.
Quality and Consumer Acceptance of Berry Fruit Pomace-Fortified Specialty Mustard.

Blueberry pomace (BP) and cranberry pomace (CP) are good sources of dietary fiber and phenolics. This study aimed to develop berry fruit pomace (FP)‐fortified specialty mustard with elevated bioactive compounds and ascertain consumer acceptance of a new product. Wet BP and CP were ground and incorporated into Dijon‐style mustard at concentrations of 15%, 20%, and 25% (w/w). Total dietary fiber (TDF), total phenolic content (TPC), and radical scavenging activity (RSA) were evaluated for samples obtained from both chemical extraction (CE) and simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGD). Physicochemical properties and consumer acceptance were also examined. Increasing concentrations of BP or CP significantly increased TDF of mustards from both CE (AOAC methods) and SGD, with the highest values from 25% fortifications. TDF from AOAC ranged from 26.86% to 40.16% for BP and from 26.86% to 38.42% for CP, while TDF from SGD ranged from 31.02% to 42.68% for BP and 31.02% to 63.65% for CP. From CE, no significant variation of TPC was found, but RSA significantly increased with increasing concentration of BP and CP. TPC from SGD was higher than that from CE, where TPC decreased with increasing concentration of BP or CP. RSA from SGD was lower than that from CE. Sensory scores of pomace‐fortified samples were significantly lower than the control; however, informed panelists scored BP‐fortified mustard significantly higher on appearance and color liking than uninformed panelists. This study demonstrated that with proper marketing, the utilization of FP in condiments is a viable option for potential health benefits. This research is applicable to multiple areas of the food industry. Juice manufacturers or other companies that process raw agricultural produce can use this research as another way to repurpose biowaste, and companies making specialty condiments can use this research to inform future product development. General considerations discussed regarding the use of berry fruit pomace can be applied by any company interested in pomace reuse.
On the importance of minimizing “coast-time” in x-ray driven inertially confined fusion implosions

By the time an inertially confined fusion (ICF) implosion has converged a factor of 20, its surface area has shrunk 400 × , making it an inefficient x-ray energy absorber. So, ICF implosions are traditionally designed to have the laser drive shut off at a time, toff, well before bang-time, tBT, for a coast-time of t coast = t B T − t o f f > 1 ns. High-foot implosions on NIF showed a strong dependence of many key ICF performance quantities on reduced coast-time (by extending the duration of laser power after the peak power is first reached), most notably stagnation pressure and fusion yield. Herein we show that the ablation pressure, pabl, which drives high-foot implosions, is essentially triangular in temporal shape, and that reducing tcoast boosts pabl by as much as ∼ 2 × prior to stagnation thus increasing fuel and hot-spot compression and implosion speed. One-dimensional simulations are used to track hydrodynamic characteristics for implosions with various coast-times and various assumed rates of hohl...
Fractional Fourier Transforms

In the next few lectures we provide a brief overview of Fourier analysis and how it has been used to model lin- ear physical phenomena, particularly the reversible propagation of scalar waves in homogeneous media and the irreversible diffusion of one molecular species within another. The purpose of this review is to orient the reader so that the significance of wave propagation in fractal media will be apparent as will anom- alous diffusion. These latter topics have emerged in the last two decades as the natural successors of the phenomena examined in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Denkungsart in Kant’s Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View

Frierson address the question of how Kant sees “pragmatic anthropology.” He lays out Kant’s general sense of “pragmatic” and then his specific treatment of humans’ “mode of thought,” or Denkungsart, a concept central to the empirical investigation of human freedom. In the end, a discussion of this concept provides answers to the questions of how anthropology studies human beings “as free” and, more generally, what Kant’s pragmatic anthropology is.
The Discovery of Triple-Stranded Nucleic Acids

This section will briefly outline some of the basic features of nucleic acids that are essential to understanding the properties of triple-stranded forms.
Exploring Computational Mechanismfor Contexts.

Human problem solving is done within a context, which constrains the solution space. There have been growing interests in computational modeling of contextual knowledge representation and context-based problem solving. There are different approaches to exploring the concept of context and corresponding computational mechanism for representing and utilizing the contextual model, both formal and empirical based on different interpretations of the notion. This paper explores and discusses some aspects of the computational mechanism for contexts, and proposes a goal-directed framework for context-based problem solving. In this model, a context is defined in terms of an object and its relationships with other objects. Every context is centered at such an object, and cannot exist without it. A problem-solving task (e.g. find an object) with this framework can thus be defined as a process of determining a context or a sequence of contexts in which a solution path (e.g. steps for finding the object) can be decided. A set of operations is specified for context manipulation. The questions the author tries to answer are: what is context, how can contexts be formed and manipulated, and how can contexts be used in reasoning and problem solving.
Electron Drift Velocity and Attachment and Ionization Coefficients in CH4, CF4, C2F6, C3F8 and n-C4F10

The perfluoroalkane series of molecules n-CNF2N+2 ((N = 1 to 4) have received increasing attention in recent years. due to a large extent to their very desirable electron transport and rate coefficient characteristics for use in a variety of applications including high voltage gaseous dielectrics, plasma etching, radiation counters and diffuse discharge switches. [1] Despite the diverse nature of the applications to which these molecules have been used, very few accurate transport and rate coefficient measurements have been made in these molecular gases, particularly at low E/N values.
Some Criterion-Based Experimental Designs

In Chapter 5, we considered designs that attempt to spread observations evenly throughout the experimental region. We called such designs space-filling designs. One rationale for using a space-filling design is the following. If we believe interesting features of the true model are just as likely to be in one part of the experimental region as another, we should take observations in all portions of the experimental region. A space-filling design attempts to do this. One difficulty is deciding exactly what it means for a set of observations to be evenly spread throughout the experimental region. There are many ways in which a design might be considered space-filling, and we discussed several in Chapter 5. Which design is best is not clear.
Stimulant and Wake-Promoting Substances

There are more than two dozen stimulants and wakefulness-promoting drugs that have been used as pharmacologic maneuvers for improving performance and decreasing the undesirable effects of sleep loss. However, their pharmacology, efficacy, and safety differ substantially. The three most widely known of these substances are caffeine, amphetamines, and modafinil. This article provides an overview of the pharmacology of these substances and their clinical uses.
The evolution of social media and its impact on organizations and leaders

This paper examines organizational impacts of social media on Fortune 100 companies over a 5-year period (2011–2016). Specifically, the study focuses on three broad areas of social media impact: (1...
Gamification of DSP: Electronic vs Pen-and-Paper

Gamification is the incorporation of gaming elements into non-game situations, such as education or training. We have developed a game that can be used to teach signals concepts, and have implemented it in both a pen-and-paper version and in an electronic version. This paper discusses the game and how it applies pedagogical concepts such as active learning and game-centric curriculum design. We discuss the merits and drawbacks of each type of implementation, student reactions, and how a similar game could be incorporated into other signals-based classes.
Association of Carotenoids, Vitamin E and Vitamin C intake with Parkinsonism and Progression of Parkinsonian signs in Older Adults (S4.006)

Objective: In this analysis we tested the hypothesis that carotenoids, vitamin E and C intakes are associated with incident parkinsonism and the progression of parkinsonian signs in older adults. Background: Prior work suggests that a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a reduced risk of parkinsonism and a slower rate of its progression. Identifying modifiable risk factors may facilitate the prevention or mitigate this growing public health problem. There are limited studies looking at the association between nutrients and parkinsonism. Design/Methods: 706 participants from the Rush Memory and Aging Project (an ongoing longitudinal cohort study) were assessed annually for up to 12 years of follow-up. Twenty-six items from a modified version of United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale were employed to assess four parkinsonian signs. Parkinsonism was present if there were two or more parkinsonian signs and a continuous global parkinsonian score summarized the overall severity of parkinsonism. Nutrients intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire administered at baseline. All the nutrients were calorie adjusted using the regression-residual methods. Participants with Parkinson’s disease at baseline, missing or invalid food frequency questionnaire and no follow-up parkinsonian signs assessments were excluded. Results: In proportional hazards models (adjusted for age, sex, smoking), persons in the highest quintile of lutein (HR=0.56, 95%CI:0.39–0.81), total carotenoids (HR=0.69, 95%CI:0.48–1.00) and vitamin E (HR=0.70, 95%CI:0.50–1.00) intake had lower rates of parkinsonism when compared to those in lowest quintile. In the adjusted linear mixed models, nutrient intake of beta-carotene (ptrend=0.01), lutein (ptrend=0.009), total carotenoids (ptrend Conclusions: Anti-oxidant nutrients in diet including carotenoids, Vitamin E and C may reduce the risk of parkinsonism as well as its progression in older adults. Study Supported by: Consolidated Anti Aging Foundation and RO1AG054057 Disclosure: Dr. Agarwal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Buchman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bennett has nothing to disclose. Dr. Morris has nothing to disclose.
The Politics of Shame: The Glendale Comfort Women Memorial and the Complications of Transnational Commemorations

Since 2010, Korean-American communities, with the support of local governments, have sponsored ten “comfort women” memorials throughout the United States. This study focuses on the memorial statue ...
Optimizing organic cover crop-based rotational tillage systems for early soybean growth

Cover crop-based rotational tillage (CCBRT) practices continue to be adopted on organic farms across the globe. In these systems, fall-planted cover crops are mechanically terminated in the spring and used to suppress weeds and eliminate the need for tillage and cultivation in the soybean (Glycine max L.) phase of the rotation. However, challenges remain as to maximization of soybean yields due to later planting dates of soybean and delayed early soybean growth. In this study, soybeans were planted into cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) using two strategies (planting at Zadoks’ stage 45 and 69), with termination with the roller-crimper occurring at Zadoks’ stage 69 for each rye variety which differed in their time to maturity. The impacts of cover crop variety and planting strategies were compared through measurements of (1) cover crop biomass; (2) the regrowth of cover crops; (3) soybean plant populations; (4) weed densities and biomass; and (5) soybean nodulation. Biomass production of each cover crop differed significantly by year, ranging from 7907 kg DM ha−1 to 11,466 kg DM ha−1. Significant differences in weed densities and weed biomass were found between rye varieties and control treatments across the different planting strategies. Soybean nodulation was suppressed by CCBRT management, potentially impacting early soybean growth. Soybean yields were equivalent from both the earlier vs. late maturing varieties of rye. Soybean yields varied across planting strategies of soybeans when cereal rye reached Zadoks’ stage 45 versus stage 69, with greater or equivalent yields of the early planting strategy beans in 2016 and lower or equivalent yields in 2017. Further work must be conducted to understand the benefits and risks of earlier planting of soybeans in the CCBRT system and to develop best management practices to promote early soybean growth.
The Use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Patients With CKD and Cancer: A Clinical Approach

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been used to manage anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) to reduce transfusion requirements and anemia symptoms. Lack of objective benefit of normalizing hemoglobin (Hb) levels and increased evidence of ESA-induced complications in persons with anemia has resulted in clinicians generally attempting to maintain Hb levels in the 10- to 11-g/dL range. In 2000, concerns in patients with cancer arose attributable to associations of ESA use with increased mortality, thrombotic complications, and cerebrovascular accidents led to a change in US Food and Drug Administration oncology guidelines regarding limitation of ESA use for chemotherapy-induced anemia. No guidance was rendered for individuals with CKD and cancer. Persons with CKD with remote or active malignancy should receive the lowest ESA doses possible that achieve a maximum Hb level of 10g/dL. Based on current data, although ESAs may promote progression or worsen outcomes in some cancers, we lack data that ESAs increase the likelihood of developing new cancers in patients on dialysis or earlier stages of CKD.
Assessing storage requirements, water and energy savings, and costs associated with a residential rainwater harvesting system deployed across two counties in Southeast Florida

Abstract This article analyzes the feasibility of a widely-deployed residential rainwater harvesting (RWH) system for reducing demands and supplementing existing, centralized water supply systems in a heavily populated region in Southeast Florida. The analysis employs a unique integration of models and approaches, which are portable and applicable in diverse contexts and include: a nonparametric bootstrapping model for synthetically generating multiple realizations of regional rainfall, water supply and demand, and storage size and reliability outcomes; and an approach for determining expected water and energy savings and costs associated with the RWH system. Findings suggest that a RWH system designed to meet the outdoor irrigation demands of detached homes in Florida's Broward and Palm Beach Counties could meet 54% of the total additional water demand created by the growing population in this region. This is significantly greater than the percentages of demand that could be met by several proposed centralized approaches to water supply using groundwater recharge by reclaimed water, comparable to the percentage of demand that could be met by desalinating brackish water from the Floridian Aquifer, but less than the percentage of demand that could be met by a proposed new reservoir and canal system for groundwater recharge. The findings also suggest that the expected cost of water provided by the decentralized RWH system, which includes substantial savings in energy requirements and costs, would be significantly less than the expected costs of water provided by all centralized water supply system alternatives considered, with the exception of the reservoir and canal system.
Categories of Inference in a Multi-Faceted, Educational, Knowledge-based Recommender System.

Knowledge-based recommender systems comprise one category of user-modeling system that can draw inferences from user models. This brief paper contains a global description of a multi-faceted, educational, knowledge-based recommender system, including a basic set of descriptors that the model contains, a taxonomy of inferences that might be made over such models, and a listing of literature that is relevant to educational recommender systems.
Development of a procedure writers’ guide framework: Integrating the procedure life cycle and reflecting on current industry practices

Abstract The current study aims to advance a procedure development process that will create procedures as effective safeguards. Several past incidents identified that many current procedural systems failed to support workers conducting their work safely and effectively. There is currently a dearth of systematic inquiry regarding the procedure development process. A key element of the procedure development process is writers' guide, which dictates how these procedures should be developed, written, reviewed and managed. The current effort collected 16 writers' guides across various industries such as chemical, oil and gas, nuclear, and energy. Different components of these writers' guides were identified, summarized, and later categorized according to a newly developed writers' guide framework. The framework uses four phases of the procedure life cycle and five sections for procedure content. The analysis showed that industry practices primarily focus on general goals of the procedure, writing style, and review process. Many important components of the procedure, such as process hazard information, execution challenges, and training requirements were not addressed adequately. Of the 41 components, there were only 3 that 80% of the writers' guides contained suggesting little consensus about the content. The proposed writers' guide framework organizes all components including low frequency of appearance ones in different phases of procedure life cycle. The significance of the current procedure writers' guide framework is that it not only produces a structure for a comprehensive writers’ guide but also opens an opportunity for future improvement in current procedure writing practices.
Deep Learning in Orthopedics: How Do We Build Trust in the Machine?

The paradigm of manual radiological assessment in orthopedics is at the point of significant disruption due to major breakthroughs in deep learning algorithms and computational power. Deep learning...
One-Pot Synthesis of Indoles and Pyrazoles via Pd-Catalyzed Couplings/Cyclizations Enabled by Aqueous Micellar Catalysis.

An effective one-pot synthesis of either indoles or pyrazoles can be achieved via Pd-catalyzed aminations followed by subsequent cyclizations facilitated by aqueous micellar catalysis. This new tec...
Thymoquinone-Loaded Polymeric Films and Hydrogels for Bacterial Disinfection and Wound Healing

The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize novel biocompatible topical polymeric film and hydrogel systems that have the potential to deliver the antibacterial agent thymoquinone (TQ) directly to the skin target site to manage the local wound infection and thereby wound healing. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) matrix-type films containing TQ were prepared by the solvent casting method. In vitro skin permeation studies on human cadaver skin produced a mean flux of 2.3 µg TQ/cm2/h. Human keratinocyte monolayers subjected to a scratch wound (an in vitro wound healing assay) showed 85% wound closure at day 6 in the TQ group (100 ng/mL TQ) as compared to 50% in the vehicle control group (p = 0.0001). In a zone-of-inhibition (ZOI) assay, TQ-containing films and hydrogels completely wiped out Staphylococcus aureus in 10 cm diameter Tryptic Soy Agar plates while 500 µg/mL gentamicin containing filters gave 10 mm of ZOI. In an ex vivo model, TQ-containing films eradicated bacterial colonization on human cadaver skin. Furthermore, in a full-thickness wound infection model in mice, TQ-containing films showed significant activity in controlling Staphylococcus aureus infection, thereby disinfecting the skin wound. In summary, TQ-containing PVP films and hydrogels developed in this study have the potential to treat and manage wound infections.
Knowledge Integration, Green Innovation and Financial Performance: A Mediating Model

Developing green products and improving green production processes are important in increasing environmental performance and sustainability. The sophisticated processes involved in green innovations is a learning curve and a complex journey that many companies engaged in green operations must navigate. In this study we establish a mediating framework, arguing that a green company’s internal and external knowledge process integration enhance its environmental performance through green innovations. Drawing on the theories of organizational learning and dynamic capabilities, our empirical analysis of 231 firms based in China suggests that the impact a firm’s knowledge process integration on environmental performance is mediated through its green product innovation and green process innovation. This study contributes to the much-needed efforts in finding ways to improve green innovations and financial performance, and provides helpful managerial implications to practitioners on how to successfully manage resources to improve green innovations and achieve expected benefits.