cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome From E-Cigarette Use

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or "vaping," is gaining widespread popularity as an alternative to conventional cigarettes among adolescents. Little is known of the health risks of e-cigarette use, especially in children and adolescents. We present a Case Report of a previously healthy 18-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea, cough, and pleuritic chest pain after e-cigarette use. She developed respiratory failure with hypoxia and was intubated, and ultimately met diagnostic criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Chest tubes were placed to drain worsening pleural effusions. Computed tomography of the chest revealed dependent opacities in both lung bases, superimposed smooth interlobular septal thickening, and pleural effusions. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed cellular debris and reactive mononuclear cells, and cell counts were remarkable for elevated mononuclear cells and eosinophilia. After the results of a workup for an infectious etiology came back negative, the patient was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and intravenous methylprednisolone therapy was initiated. After this the patient rapidly improved, was weaned off vasopressor support, and was extubated. This is the first reported case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome as a risk of e-cigarette use in an adolescent, and it should prompt pediatricians to discuss the potential harms of vaping with their patients. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lipid pneumonia, and eosinophilic pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who exhibit respiratory symptoms after the use of an e-cigarette.
Intersectionality: The Linkage of Racism with Other Forms of Discrimination

In addition to race, other personal characteristics also can lead to oppression. Social subsets such as ethnicity, gender class, and ability status also are important in establishing one’s place in society, and ultimately one’s sense of self. The overlapping and entwining of race with all of these social subsets determines the degree of discrimination one experiences in society. This chapter focuses as well on the structural and institutional intersection of discrimination. Racism, the overarching form of oppression, is examined by using Critical Race Theory to understand the interface of societal institutions with intersectionality. An analysis of racism illuminates the intersection of social subsets and there is discussion about how racial oppression is related to issues of power and cultural sway. The intersectionality of various forms of oppression is further explicated by examining the interconnections between cultural subsets and identities and the forces of colonization and immigration.
Consensus-Based Credibility Estimation of Soft Evidence for Robust Data Fusion

Due to its subjective naturewhich can otherwise compromise the integrity of the fusion process, it is critical that soft evidence (generated by human sources) be validated prior to its incorporation into the fusion engine. The strategy of discounting evidence based on source reliability may not be applicable when dealing with soft sources because their reliability (e.g., an eye witnesses account) is often unknown beforehand. In this paper, we propose a methodology based on the notion of consensus to estimate the credibility of (soft) evidence in the absence of a ‘ground truth.’ This estimated credibility can then be used for source reliability estimation, discounting or appropriately ‘weighting’ evidence for fusion. The consensus procedure is set up via Dempster-Shafer belief theoretic notions. Further, the proposed procedure allows one to constrain the consensus by an estimate of the ground truth if/when it is available. We illustrate several interesting and intuitively appealing properties of the consensus procedure via a numerical example.
Design Issues for Randomized Trials

In this chapter, we consider issues involved when designing studies with time-to-event outcomes. This includes determining the expected number of events to occur over the study period, the total number of subjects to be recruited into the study, the power of the study, the time period over which to accrue the study subjects, the time period over which enrolled subjects will be followed, and how to adjust sample size requirements to allow for subjects who might be lost to follow-up and/or who might switch therapies from the one they were originally allocated during the study period.
A neuroimaging investigation of design ideation with and without inspirational stimuli—understanding the meaning of near and far stimuli

Despite the fact that inspirational stimuli (e.g., analogies) have been shown to be an effective means to assist designers, little is known about the neurological processes supporting inspired design ideation. To explore the impact of inspirational stimuli on design ideation, an fMRI concept generation task was developed (N = 21). Results demonstrate that inspirational stimuli of any kind (near or far from the problem space) improve the fluency of idea generation. Furthermore, neuroimaging data help to uncover two distinct brain activation networks based upon reasoning with and without inspirational stimuli. We term these inspired internal search and unsuccessful external search. These brain activation networks give insight into differences between ideating with and without inspirational stimuli, and between inspirational stimuli of varying distances.
Dancing with the Stars: The Practical Value of Theory in Managing Star Employees

Star employees create disproportionate value for organizations. However, managing stars is decidedly difficult. Scholars have not yet appropriately addressed this practical problem. Much of the iss...
CHAPTER 15 – Sex Steroids, Bone, and Aging

Individual variations in circulating levels of sex steroids with aging may have important effects on the bone, as aging is associated with decline in the sex steroids. This chapter reviews the role of changes in levels of estrogen (menopause), testosterone (andropause), and the adrenal androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated derivative DHEA(S) (adrenopause) on skeletal aging. With the onset of menopause, estrogen deficiency is associated with a rapid bone loss, which estrogen therapy prevents by inhibiting bone resorption. Recent data indicate that low estradiol levels and high levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in older women are associated with reduced bone density and increased fracture risk. Estrogen is important for bone maturation and accretion in men, and bioavailable estradiol levels are significantly correlated with bone density in older men. Some reports indicate that in men, there is an increase in SHBG and a decrease in total and free, or bioavailable, testosterone with aging. Levels of free testosterone have been associated with bone density in men. Low DHEA adrenal androgen levels are of potential risk for the skeleton for two reasons: androgens provide an anabolic effect on bone mass, and these androgens, DHEA(S) and androstenedione, are precursors of estrogens by aromatization in peripheral tissues.
A comparative study of larval culicid species at Peach Creek Equestrian Center (College Station, TX).

It has long been noted that mosquitos pose a substantial threat to humans not only inthe United States, but also on an international land. Deemed the most dangerous animals in theworld, the family Culicidae (Diptera) are highly potent vectors of some of the world’s mostdeadly diseases including but not limited to Malaria, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, and YellowFever. Given the overall danger associated with these animals, the study of their populations andthe epidemic potential that they pose is of the utmost importance in global public health. Thisstudy focused on establishing a relative population comparison of the bodies of water at PeachCreek Equestrian Center, a relatively isolated ranch south of College Station, TX, and found thatthe only species discovered in three bodies of water was Psorophora sp. (Diptera, Culicidae).Key words: vector, Culicidae, public health, survey, comparison
Does Election Matter in a Hybrid Regime

It is well recognized in the extant discussion that election poses a dilemma to the leaders of the hybrid regimes: they want to show a veneer of democracy through a contested election but want to ensure their victory. As these elections only deliver success to the regime, the question remains of whether participation in these elections is worth for opposition. This chapter discusses the pros and cons of participation in the election in a hybrid regime, draws on various countries’ experiences, and describes the situation in Bangladesh leading to the 2018 election.
Changes in the Economy: Technological Unemployment and Creative Authorial Labor

Rapidly increasing computerization, automatization, robotization, telecommunication, and advances in AI—both Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Intelligence—may reduce an economic need for human labor and work, an economic phenomenon, which is often referred as “technological unemployment.” Although this can be a very painful process, leading to many possible disastrous scenarios, it may also create economic conditions for the emergence of the Age of Leisure in a “post-work” society, a possibility that is not guaranteed in itself but based on people’s political will. In this Age, genuine leisure will become the dominant way of being for people in a “post-work” society.
Finger-powered fluidic actuation and mixing via MultiJet 3D printing.

Additive manufacturing, or three-dimensional (3D) printing, has garnered significant interest in recent years towards the fabrication of sub-millimeter scale devices for an ever-widening array of chemical, biological and biomedical applications. Conventional 3D printed fluidic systems, however, still necessitate the use of non-portable, high-powered external off-chip sources of fluidic actuation, such as electro-mechanical pumps and complex pressure-driven controllers, thus limiting their scope towards point-of-need applications. This work proposes entirely 3D printed sources of human-powered fluidic actuation which can be directly incorporated into the design of any 3D printable sub-millifluidic or microfluidic system where electrical power-free operation is desired. Multiple modular, single-fluid finger-powered actuator (FPA) designs were fabricated and experimentally characterized. Furthermore, a new 3D fluidic one-way valve concept employing a dynamic bracing mechanism was developed, demonstrating a high diodicity of ∼1117.4 and significant reduction in back-flow from the state-of-the-art. As a result, fabricated FPA prototypes achieved tailorable experimental fluid flow rates from ∼100 to ∼3000 μL min−1 without the use of electricity. Moreover, a portable human-powered two-fluid pulsatile fluidic mixer, capable of generating fully-mixed fluids in 10 seconds, is presented, demonstrating the application of FPAs towards on-chip integration into more complex 3D printed fluidic networks.
Development of new performance indices to evaluate the fatigue properties of asphalt binders with ageing

This work presents the development of new fatigue performance indices for asphalt binders based on viscoelastic continuum damage (VECD) theory and failure energy. Five plant-produced asphalt mixtur...
Explicit instruction for the development of L2 Spanish pragmatic ability during study abroad

Abstract This study investigates the effects of pragmatic instruction and short-term study abroad (SA) on the development of apologies in second language (L2) Spanish. Students who spent four weeks in different SA programs in Spain were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (n = 9) or a control group (n = 9). Native Spanish speakers from Spain were recruited to provide baseline comparison data. Prior to departure, the experimental group received explicit pragmatic instruction on how to formulate apologies in Spanish. During SA, they performed two task scenarios designed to promote their pragmatic competence. The control group did not receive pragmatic instruction, nor did they perform the tasks. Before departure and during the final week of the program, both groups completed an oral discourse completion task (ODCT) consisting of five apology scenarios. The ODCT data and appropriateness ratings indicate that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in three areas of pragmatic development: appropriateness, strategy use, and speech rate. Findings suggest that explicit pragmatic instruction both before and during SA contributes to participants’ L2 pragmatic competence.
High protein diet leads to prediabetes remission and positive changes in incretins and cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract Background and aims High Protein diets may be associated with endocrine responses that favor improved metabolic outcomes. We studied the response to High Protein (HP) versus High Carbohydrate (HC) Diets in terms of incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP, the hunger hormone ghrelin and BNP, which is associated with cardiac function. We hypothesized that HP diets induce more pronounced release of glucose lowering hormones, suppress hunger and improve cardiac function. Methods and results 24 obese women and men with prediabetes were recruited and randomized to either a High Protein (HP) (n = 12) or High Carbohydrate (HC) (n = 12) diet for 6 months with all food provided. OGTT and MTT were performed and GLP-1, GIP, Ghrelin, BNP, insulin and glucose were measured at baseline and 6 months on the respective diets. Our studies showed that subjects on the HP diet had 100% remission of prediabetes compared to only 33% on the HC diet with similar weight loss. HP diet subjects had a greater increase in (1) OGTT GLP-1 AUC(p = 0.001) and MTT GLP-1 AUC(p = 0.001), (2) OGTT GIP AUC(p = 0.005) and MTT GIP AUC(p = 0.005), and a greater decrease in OGTT ghrelin AUC(p = 0.005) and MTT ghrelin AUC(p = 0.001) and BNP(p = 0.001) compared to the HC diet at 6 months. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the HP diet increases GLP-1 and GIP which may be responsible in part for improved insulin sensitivity and β cell function compared to the HC diet. HP ghrelin results demonstrate the HP diet can reduce hunger more effectively than the HC diet. BNP and other CVRF, metabolic parameters and oxidative stress are significantly improved compared to the HC diet. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01642849.
Destination Health: Doc Feelgood’s Rock Therapy: by Various Artists, Bear Family BCD 17524, 2020, CD, $11.49

Medical imagery has been a staple within recorded song lyrics since 1890. Its manifestations vary greatly, of course. Sometimes audio commentaries relate to direct contacts with doctors and nurses ...
Comparative Performance of Latest-Generation and FDA-Cleared Serology Tests for the Diagnosis of Chagas Disease.

Confirmed diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease (CD) requires positive results by two different IgG serology tests. Variable sensitivity has been reported among tests and in different endemic regions. Inadequate specificity presents a particular challenge in low prevalence settings such as the United States. This study provides a direct comparison of the latest-generation IgG serology assays with four previously assessed FDA-cleared tests. Seven hundred and ten blood donor plasma specimens were evaluated by Wiener Lisado and Wiener v.4.0 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and Abbott PRISM Chagas chemiluminescent assay (ChLIA). Sensitivity and specificity were assessed relative to infection status as determined by the original blood donation testing algorithm. All three latest-generation assays demonstrated 100% specificity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 98.6, 100.0). Wiener Lisado, Wiener v.4.0 and Abbott PRISM had sensitivities of 97.1% (95% CI: 95.1, 98.4), 98.9% (95% CI: 97.4, 99.6) and 95.5% (95% CI: 93.2, 97.3), respectively. As with previously evaluated FDA-cleared tests, all three assays had the highest reactivity and sensitivity in samples from donors born in South America and lowest reactivity and sensitivity in specimens from those born in Mexico, with intermediate results in specimens from Central American donors. Wiener v.4.0 had the highest diagnostic sensitivity in all comparisons. Our findings suggest that the latest-generation CD serology tests could improve diagnostic sensitivity without affecting specificity.
Crowdsourced Tick Image-Informed Updates to U.S. County Records of Three Medically Important Tick Species

Burgeoning cases of tick-borne disease present a significant public health problem in the United States. Passive tick surveillance gained traction as an effective way to collect epidemiologic data, and in particular, photograph-based tick surveillance can complement in-hand tick specimen identification to amass distribution data and related encounter demographics. We compared the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code of tick photos submitted to a free public identification service (TickSpotters) from 2014 to 2019 to published nationwide county reports for three tick species of medical concern: Ixodes scapularis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae), Ixodes pacificus Cooley and Kohls (Ixodida: Ixodidae), and Amblyomma americanum Linneaus (Ixodida: Ixodidae). We tallied the number of TickSpotters submissions for each tick species according to “Reported” or “Established” criteria per county, and found that TickSpotters submissions represented more than half of the reported counties of documented occurrence, and potentially identified hundreds of new counties with the occurrence of these species. We detected the largest number of new county reports of I. scapularis presence in Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas. Tick image submissions revealed potentially nine new counties of occurrence for I. pacificus, and we documented the largest increase in new county reports of A. americanum in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. These findings demonstrate the utility of crowdsourced photograph-based tick surveillance as a complement to other tick surveillance strategies in documenting tick distributions on a nationwide scale, its potential for identifying new foci, and its ability to highlight at-risk localities that might benefit from tick-bite prevention education.
So fun! How fun brand names affect forgiveness of hedonic and utilitarian products

Abstract Fun brand names created through the use of fun fonts, symbols, unique spelling, and linguistic creativeness are ubiquitous in the marketplace. In this research, we examine when and how fun brand names can influence consumers’ willingness to forgive. Specifically, we argue that a fun brand name can buffer against the negative consequences of brand transgression, but only when the product is utilitarian. Relying on an inconsistency-based explanation, we propose that a fun brand name for a utilitarian (vs. hedonic) product induces consumer perceived inconsistency, which activates a concrete mindset, lowers negative emotions, resulting in positive consequences namely, a greater willingness to forgive in the event of a brand transgression. Across one text analysis study and three randomized experiments, we provide evidence for the inconsistency-based account, while also testing alternative explanations. Finally, we provide insights into the effect of fun brand names with utilitarian products and offer implications for marketing strategy and public policy.
Orogastric Tube Insertion in Extremely Low Birth-Weight Infants.

BACKGROUND Orogastric (OG) tube insertion is a frequent practice performed by nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Combining the nose-ear-mid-umbilicus (NEMU) method with a birth weight (BW)-based method to determine optimal insertion length of OG tubes could reduce misplacement in extremely low birth-weight (ELBW) infants. PURPOSE The objective of this study was to determine whether combining the NEMU method with a BW-based method to determine insertion length of OG tubes reduces misplacement of OG tubes in ELBW infants younger than 6 hours. METHODS The study included 129 ELBW infants in the NICU younger than 6 hours. We compared the frequency of OG tube misplacements in ELBW infants during 2 different time periods. In period I, the insertion length of OG tubes was estimated with the NEMU method alone. In period II, the insertion length of OG tubes was estimated by combining the NEMU method with a BW-based method. OG tubes were considered misplaced if the tip was above the diaphragm (high) or near the pylorus (low) in radiographs obtained after placement. RESULTS Infants who had OG tubes placed by combining both methods were less likely to have low OG tubes (53% in period I vs 34% in period II; P < .05). The BW-based method alone predicted optimal OG tube insertion length in 57 of 89 infants (64%). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH Combining the NEMU method with the BW-based method increases the probability of optimal OG tube placement in ELBW infants. Additional studies across multiple centers would validate the diagnostic accuracy of this method.Video abstract available athttps://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx.
Overconfidence and War: The Havoc and Glory of Positive Illusions

A study offers insights into why states wage war and traces the effects of human tendency toward overconfidence through two turning points that erupted into war and two that did not.
Severe Epigastric Abdominal Pain

A 56-year-old male with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and diabetes presents to the emergency room complaining of severe abdominal pain. The patient reports epigastric pain for months, but it has just acutely become intolerable over the last 8 h. He states that the chronic pain has been a “gnawing” pain that comes on after eating. He thought he was just having some indigestion and would take some antacids for relief. Late last night, the pain became excruciating and now he is having trouble moving. At initial exam, blood pressure is 130/70 mmHg, heart rate is 110 bpm, and temperature is 101.5 °F. He appears to be in severe distress secondary to pain. The patient refuses to straighten his legs because it hurts too much. He almost jumps off of the table when you press on his abdomen. He has diffuse guarding and rebound tenderness. Blood work is drawn displaying a WBC of 15,000/μL (normal 4.1–10.9 × 103/μL), BUN of 35 (7–20 mg/dL), creatinine of 1.8 mg/dL (0.5–1.4 mg/dL), serum amylase of 70 μ/L (30–110 μ/L), and lipase of 60 μ/L (7–60 u/L). An upright CXR demonstrates free air under the right diaphragm.
Development of a microarray chip for gene expression in rabbit ocular research

The rabbit, because of its large eyes, ease of handling,and cost effectiveness, has become a standard ophthalmic ani-mal model for many surgical experiments, such as glaucomafiltration surgery (GFS), as well as for the development ofnew devices and medical therapies. Over the last five years,microarrays, which can simultaneously evaluate changes ingene expression of thousands of genes and are unparalleled intheir utility as a discovery tool, have been extensively used toidentify the molecular mechanisms of disease. Microarraysare commercially available for the most common animal mod-els. However, there is no microarray for the rabbit. Further-more, there is little rabbit sequence in public databases fromwhich a microarray could be developed. In this paper we re-port the sequencing of rabbit tissues and the development oftwo rabbit microarrays. To test the biological validity of thesemicroarrays as a research tool, we performed GFS on rabbitsand compared the results of this study to other GFS and wound-healing studies.METHODSRabbit eye cDNA library construction: Eight- to nine-week-old, New Zealand white rabbits were obtained from Myrtle’sRabbitry (Thompsons Station, TN). Animals were treated ac-cording to the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals inOphthalmic and Vision Research and in compliance with in-stitutional animal use and care guidelines. Eyes from two adultrabbits were dissected and separated into two tissue groups:anterior (cornea, conjunctiva, and iris) and posterior (retinaand sclera). Two separate cDNA libraries were constructedusing a procedure descibed in reference [1]. Briefly, total RNAwas extracted from tissue using RNAzol (Tel-Test Inc.,Friendswood, TX) and Poly (A)+ RNA was isolated using anoligo-dT cellulose affinity column. An aliquot of the RNA wasrun on a denaturing gel, and quality was assessed by the pres-ence of a smooth, mRNA-shaped curve of an appropriate rangeof fragment size. Oligo-dT primed cDNA was synthesized atBioserve Biotechnology (Laurel, MD) using the SuperscriptII system (Invitrogen, Carlsbad CA). The cDNA was run overa Sephacryl S-500 HR column (Invitrogen) to fractionatecDNA larger than 500 bp prior to being directionally clonedin NotI/SalI sites in the pCMVSPORT6 vector (Invitrogen).
Metal complexes of cyanocarbons : XIII. Dicyanoketeniminato complexes of some noble metals

Abstract The preparation and characterization of some percyanocarbon complexes containing the MNCC(CN) 2 linkage, where M is rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum, are described. From IR and NMR spectral data it is concluded that the dicyanoketeniminato group is a hard ligand which is comparable in its electronic characteristics as a ligand to the N -cyanato and N -thiocyanato groups.
Unsaturated aminophospholipids are preferentially retained by the fast skeletal muscle CaATPase during detergent solubilization. Evidence for a specific association between aminophospholipids and the calcium pump protein.

When fast twitch skeletal muscle vesicles (SR) and purified calcium pump protein are stripped with the nonionic detergent C12E8 (octaethylene glycol dodecyl ether), not all the membrane phospholipids are removed from the calcium pump protein. Maximal extraction produces a remnant of 6-8 mol of phospholipid/mole of calcium ATPase (CaATPase). In contrast to native SR and the prestripped purified CaATPase, the remaining phospholipid is markedly enriched in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in both preparations; the remaining lipid is also enriched in phospholipid that is predominantly unsaturated. In addition, virtually all of the associated PE is plasmalogenic (96% as opposed to 63% in the native SR). The amino-specific cross-linking reagent DFDNB (1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid) and the amino binding reagent TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid) were utilized to identify the monolayer of the native preparation where these phospholipids reside, and to determine which phospholipids are closely associated with the calcium pump protein following detergent treatment. These studies demonstrate that PE and PS are closely associated with the pump protein, PE residing almost exclusively in the outer monolayer of SR, while PS resides in the inner monolayer. Nonspecific phospholipid exchange protein was shown to be capable of exchanging phospholipids from donor vesicles into those phospholipids associated with the CaATPase; stripping of lipid-exchanged vesicles with C12E8 exhibited the same specificity with regard to head-group species (i.e., PE is markedly enriched in the extracted protein associated fraction). The results suggest that specific protein-lipid interactions exist, favoring the association of plasmalogenic aminophospholipids with the calcium pump protein.
On the high intensity aspects of AGS Booster proton operation

Observations of high intensity effects on the proton performance of the AGS Booster are presented, including present operational limits and correction methods. The transverse emittances, optimum tune working points, damping of coherent transverse oscillations and correction of stopband resonances through third-order are discussed in addition to the observed tune spread due to space charge forces. The initial longitudinal phase space distribution, capture and acceleration parameters and measurements are also given. Operational tools and strategies relevant to the high intensity setup are mentioned. >
Detector-Response Correction of Two-Dimensional γ -Ray Spectra from Neutron Capture

The neutron-capture reaction produces a large variety of γ-ray cascades with different γ-ray multiplicities. A measured spectral distribution of these cascades for each γ-ray multiplicity is of importance to applications and studies of γ-ray statistical properties. The DANCE array, a 4π ball of 160 BaF2 detectors, is an ideal tool for measurement of neutron-capture γ-rays. The high granularity of DANCE enables measurements of high-multiplicity γ-ray cascades. The measured two-dimensional spectra (γ-ray energy, γ-ray multiplicity) have to be corrected for the DANCE detector response in order to compare them with predictions of the statistical model or use them in applications. The detector-response correction problem becomes more difficult for a 4π detection system than for a single detector. A trial and error approach and an iterative decomposition of γ-ray multiplets, have been successfully applied to the detector-response correction. Applications of the decomposition methods are discussed for two-dimensional γ-ray spectra measured at DANCE from γ-ray sources and from the 10B(n, γ) and 113Cd(n, γ) reactions.
Demonstrating the Threat of Hardware Trojans in Wireless Sensor Networks

As the demand for cheaper electronic devices has increased, the location of manufacturing foundries has changed, sometimes to untrusted places in foreign countries. Some of these locations have limited oversight of the manufacturing of complicated and sensitive electronic components including integrated circuits (ICs). The integrated circuits are key component in all current electronic devices and can be modified to be malicious or to monitor the functions of their applications. These malicious modifications on the ICs are called hardware trojans (HWTs). HWTs can be designed to quietly monitor, to actively send out sensitive information, or to destroy their host device completely. The idea of hardware trojans in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has not been investigated before; thus, our goal is to demonstrate the potential threat that hardware trojans pose for sensor networks. This is important to study, given that in WSNs hundreds of sensors are deployed and in most cases left unattended, which gives the opportunity to an attacker to trigger a HWT on the sensors. For our investigation, we used TelosB sensors that have been used for some WSN applications. An attacker in a network can, for example, take advantage of the SPI bus that is used by the radio to eavesdrop messages and even disrupt communications completely. Currently, security breaches through software is given great importance in the WSN academic and research community. Our research shows that the same level of importance must be given to attacks through hardware to ensure a trusted and secure network.
Superfluid 3HE: Size effects, surfaces, kapitza resistance and the attainment of ultra low temperatures

There are many really interesting problems still to be studied in low temperature physics. The technology involved is difficult and new, measuring techniques will have to be developed. The subject will continue to fascinate people for many years to come.
A software configurable coprocessor-based state-space controller

We present a software configurable coprocessor-based state-space controller that can control physical processes representable by a linear state-space model. Our proposed architecture has distinct advantages over purely software or purely hardware approaches. It differs from other hardware controllers in that it is not hardwired to control one or a small range of plant types (e.g. only electric motors). Via software, an embedded systems engineer can easily reconfigure the controller to suit a wide range of controls applications that can be represented as a state-space linear model. Additionally, we introduce a novel design methodology to help bridge the gap between controls and embedded system engineering. Control of the well-understood inverted pendulum on a cart is used as an illustrative example of how the proposed hardware accelerator architecture supports our envisioned design methodology for helping bridge the gap between controls and embedded software engineering.
Compositional variability in a cold‐water scleractinian, Lophelia pertusa: New insights into “vital effects”

We analyzed Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios in the thecal wall of Lophelia pertusa, a cold-water coral, using SIMS ion microprobe techniques. The wall grows by simultaneous upward extension and outward thickening. Compositional variability displays similar trends along the upward and outward growth axes. Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios oscillate systematically and inversely. The sensitivity of Lophelia Sr/Ca ratios to the annual temperature cycle (−0.18 mmol · mol−1/°C) is twice as strong as that exhibited by tropical reef corals, and four times as strong as the temperature dependence of Sr/Ca ratios of abiogenic aragonites precipitated experimentally from seawater. A comparison of the skeletal composition of Lophelia with results from precipitation calculations carried out using experimentally determined partition coefficients suggests that both temperature-dependent element partitioning and seasonal changes in the mass fraction of aragonite precipitated from the calcifying fluid influence the composition of Lophelia skeleton. Results from calculations that combine these effects reproduce both the exaggerated amplitude of the Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca oscillations and the inverse relationship between Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios.
Honey bee colonies provided with natural forage have lower pathogen loads and higher overwinter survival than those fed protein supplements

Malnutrition is a major cause of colony losses. In managed hives, bees are fed protein supplements (PS) during pollen shortages. If bees were provided with natural forage instead of PS, would they have lower pathogen levels and higher queen and colony survival? We addressed this question by either providing colonies with forage (Brassica rapa—rapini) or feeding them PS from November to February. Soluble protein concentrations in the PS were lower than the rapini pollen as were levels of most amino acids. Nurse bees digested less of the protein in PS than the pollen. Hemolymph protein titers in nurse bees and colony growth did not differ between those fed PS or foraging on rapini. However, colonies fed PS had higher levels of black queen cell virus and Nosema and greater queen losses, indicating that natural forage might improve overwintering survival.
Species imperilment and spatial patterns of development in the United States.

Conservation biologists and others hypothesize that humankind's "ecological footprint" is affected not only by the sheer intensity of human activity but also by its spatial arrangement. We used a multivariate statistical model and state-level data to evaluate correlations between species imperilment and the level and spatial distribution of human settlement and infrastructure development in the United States. The level of human activity—measured by the number of people and households, incidence of roads, and intensity of nighttime lights—was significantly correlated with the ecological imperilment of species. Our regression models consistently showed that a 1% increase in the level of human activity across the United States was associated with about a 0.25% increase in the proportion of plant and animal species considered at risk of extinction by The Nature Conservancy. The distribution of human activity did not affect species imperilment. Our results point to rising levels of human activity—and not some particular (e.g., sprawling) distribution of human activity—as the most relevant anthropogenic factor explaining biodiversity loss in the United States.
Neonatal Periostin Knockout Mice Are Protected from Hyperoxia-Induced Alveolar Simplication

In bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), alveolar septae are thickened with collagen and α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-positive myofibroblasts. Periostin, a secreted extracellular matrix protein, is involved in TGF-β-mediated fibrosis and myofibroblast differentiation. We hypothesized that periostin expression is required for hypoalveolarization and interstitial fibrosis in hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice, an animal model for this disease. We also examined periostin expression in neonatal lung mesenchymal stromal cells and lung tissue of hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice and human infants with BPD. Two-to-three day-old wild-type and periostin null mice were exposed to air or 75% oxygen for 14 days. Mesenchymal stromal cells were isolated from tracheal aspirates of premature infants. Hyperoxic exposure of neonatal mice increased alveolar wall periostin expression, particularly in areas of interstitial thickening. Periostin co-localized with α-smooth muscle actin, suggesting synthesis by myofibroblasts. A similar pattern was found in lung sections of infants dying of BPD. Unlike wild-type mice, hyperoxia-exposed periostin null mice did not show larger air spaces or α-smooth muscle-positive myofibroblasts. Compared to hyperoxia-exposed wild-type mice, hyperoxia-exposed periostin null mice also showed reduced lung mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin, elastin, CXCL1, CXCL2 and CCL4. TGF-β treatment increased mesenchymal stromal cell periostin expression, and periostin treatment increased TGF-β-mediated DNA synthesis and myofibroblast differentiation. We conclude that periostin expression is increased in the lungs of hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice and infants with BPD, and is required for hyperoxia-induced hypoalveolarization and interstitial fibrosis.
The chemistry of the anoxic waters in the Framvaren Fjord, Norway

In the summer of 1993, a number of chemical parameters (H2S, O2, pH, TA, TCO2, NH 4 + , PO 4 3− , SiO2, Mn2+ and Fe2+) were measured in the Framvaren Fjord, a permanently super-anoxic fjord in southern Norway. The extremely steep gradient of sulfide near the interface suggests that other than downward flux of oxygen, three other possible oxidants, particulate manganese and iron oxides, phototrophic sulfur oxidation bacteria and horizontally transported oxygen account for the oxidation of the upward flux of H2S. Water intrusion through the sill accounts for the temperature inflection above the interface, which, together with internal waves (Stigerbrandt and Molvaer, 1988), may cause fluctuations of the depth of interface. Significant gradients of hydrographic properties and chemical species between 80–100 m suggest that there is a “second interface” at about 90 m that separates the deep and older bottom waters. A stoichiometric model is applied to examine the biogeochemical cycles of S, C, N and P in the Framvaren. High C:S, C:N and C:P ratios are found while the nutrients (N, P) have Redfield ratio. Based on the C:N:P ratio of 155:16:1 in organic matter, about 30% of sulfide produced by sulfate reduction is estimated to be removed by processes such as oxidation, formation of FeS2, degassing and incorporation into organic matter. The rates of oxidation of H2S by Mn and Fe oxides in the water near the interface were slightly faster than the observed values in the laboratory, probably due to the presence of bacteria.
Low-probability-high-penalty enforcement strategies and the efficient operation of the plea-bargaining system

Economists have long believed that the optimal enforcement of any given expected penalty involves setting the penalty as high as possible so as to allow for a correspondingly low probability of punishment that economizes on enforcement costs. Limits on how high the penalty can be have been thought to be constrained by sufficiently low enforcement costs and the criminals’ wealth and level of risk aversion.’ Easterbrook also notes that a low-probability-high-penalty strategy imposes particularly high penalties on some risk-averse people who are concerned about being falsely convicted.2 However, even these discussions understate the
Reprint of:Aeroacoustic predictions in complex geometries

Abstract The simulation of sound generating flows in complex geometries requires accurate numerical methods that are non-dissipative and stable, and well-posed boundary conditions. A structured mesh approach is often desired for a higher-order discretization that better uses the provided grids, but at the expense complex geometry capabilities. One solution is to use an overset mesh based discretization where locally structured meshes are globally assembled in an unstructured manner. This article discusses recent advancements in overset, also called Chimera, methods concerning boundary conditions, parallel methods for overset grid management, and stable and accurate interpolation between grids. Several examples are given, some of which include moving grids.
Brain neurotensin receptors in mice bred for differences in sensitivity to ethanol.

Abstract The hypothesis that some of ethanol's acute effects are mediated via neurotensinergic systems was investigated by characterizing neurotensin (NT) receptors in mice (LS and SS) selectively bred for differences in sensitivity to ethanol. [ 3 H]Neurotensin binding in brain membranes from both mouse lines was specific, saturable, reversible, and linear with protein concentrations. Subcellular localization studies showed specific NT binding to be concentrated in the microsomal/synaptosomal fractions. Scatchard analyses of [ 3 H] NT binding indicated similar K D values for membranes from various brain regions of LS and SS mice. However, B max values in frontal cortex, cerebellum, and striatum were greater in SS than in LS mice. In competitive binding studies IC 50 values were lower for NT 8–13 than for NT 1–13 , and IC 50 values for NT 1–8 , NT 1–11 , D-Trp 11 -NT, and D-Tyr 11 -NT were greater than 1000 nM. Association and dissociation rate constants for [ 3 H]NT and resulting K D values (0.8 nM) were similar for LS and SS brain membranes. Ethanol, in vitro, had no effect on NT binding characteristics, but as expected various cations markedly increased K D values.
Medicare Physician Payment Reform: Will 2014 Be the Fix for SGR?

The year-end passage of bipartisan legislation to avert the reduction in Medicare physician payment rates required by Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is nothing new. The SGR formula, enacted as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997—the last substantial legislation to reform Medicare payments and reduce the deficit—adjusts Medicare physician payment rates so that total spending on physician-related services increases in line with the overall economy.
Evidence-Centered Assessment Design and the Advanced Placement Program®: A Psychometrician's Perspective

This paper provides an overview of evidence-centered assessment design (ECD) and some general information about of the Advanced Placement (AP®) Program. Then the papers in this special issue are discussed, as they relate to the use of ECD in the revision of various AP tests. This paper concludes with some observations about the need to validate various claims that are often made about ECD.
Ballooning stability boundaries with plasma compression

Level curves for the resistive compressible ballooning growth rates and the ideal ballooning stability boundaries with incompressibility and perpendicular compressibility are determined in the parameter space of shear‐versus‐pressure gradient for realistic tokamak equilibria. The trajectories of these level curves differ from the ideal incompressible stability boundary in this space.
1573 REGRESSION OF CONGENITAL MURINE POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD) IN METANEPHRIC ORGAN CULTURE (MOC)

A form of autosomal recessive PKD naturally occurs in the mutant CPK strain of C57BL/6J mice. In order to examine the role of enviromental factors in the expression of genetically determined PKD, the organogenesis of CPK kidneys was studied in our previously described MOC system (In Vitro 18:675, 1982). In this system, advanced murine nephrogenesis occurs in a serum-free, completely controlled biochemical environment. Newborn kidneys from controls (CON) and CPK mice were microsliced into 100 μm explants and cultured in Ham's F-12: DMEM supplemented with insulin (8 × 10−7 M), T3 (2 × 10−9M), transferrin (6 × 10−8 M), PGE1(7 × 10−8 M), and Na2SeO3 (7 × 10−9 M) at 36 ± 0.5°C in mixed air:5% CO2. During 120 hours of culture:1) CON explants increased in size and demonstrated advanced tubular differentiation; and 2) CPK explants, which initially exhibited prominent proximal tubular dilatation and cyst formation, demonstrated total cyst regression in addition to overall growth and differentiation similar to CON. We conclude that in the CPK animal model of PKD: 1) early changes of proximal tubular cyst formation are totally reversible in vitro; and therefore that 2) genetically determined cyst formation can be modified by environmental factors. MOC of CPK kidneys provides a controlled experimental system in which the enviromental factors modulating cystic organogenesis may be isolated and further characterized.
An Exploration into States' Commitment to AFDC

There are great differences in the level of income that state governments provide to poor families with children. This study attempts to identify, through a stepwise regression analysis, statistically significant determinants of maximum monthly AFDC payments in the state. Controlling for other variables in the multiple regression model, the percentage of nonwhite population in the state is found to be the strongest predictor of the level of maximum monthly AFDC payments (a negative relationship). Per capita personal income and tax effort in the state are also found to be statistically significant predictors of the dependent variable (positive relationships).
Factorization in Integral Domains

Abstract In this paper, we study several factorization properties in an integral domain which are weaker than unique factorization. We study how these properties behave under localization and directed unions.
Emergency preparedness training of tribal community health representatives.

This study describes the development and evaluation of online Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) training adapted to the learning styles and needs of tribal Community Health Representatives (CHRs). Working through a university-tribal community college partnership, the Arizona Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Arizona and Dine College of the Navajo Nation delivered a blended online and face-to-face public health preparedness certificate program based on core public health emergency preparedness competencies. This program was carefully adapted to meet the environmental and learning needs of the tribal CHRs. The certificate program was subsequently evaluated via a scenario-based decision-making methodology. Significant improvements in five of six competency areas were documented by comparison of pre- and post-certificate training testing. Based on statistical support for this pedagogical approach the cultural adaptations utilized in delivery of the certificate program appear to be effective for PHEP American Indian education.
Response of linear slowly varying systems under external excitations

Abstract An approximate closed-form solution for a linear slowly varying system under external excitation is derived. The derivation of the solution is based on the technique of freezing slowly varying parameters, a technique used in establishing the stability of slowly varying homogeneous systems. The error between the approximate and exact solutions is given, and an upper bound on the norm of the error in terms of a measure of the rate of change of the system matrix and the norm of the exact solution of the system is derived. Approximate responses of two particular linear slowly varying systems under external excitation are obtained by the proposed technique; good agreement between the approximate and numerically obtained solutions is observed.