cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Student Absences and Academic Achievement

We use nationally representative data on students in the United States who are enrolled in grades 7-12 together with the statistical techniques of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Quantile Regression (QR), and Instrumental Variables (IV) to explore how various types of student absences are related to test scores. Using a variable that measures total absences, the OLS results suggest that missing two weeks of school is associated with a one-tenth standard deviation reduction in math score. Estimates vary widely when allowing the relation to differ by type of absence and by quantile of the conditional test score distribution. Using absence due to injury as an IV for total absence leads to larger coefficients than OLS.
Hair product use, age at menarche and mammographic breast density in multiethnic urban women

Select hair products contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that may affect breast cancer risk. We hypothesize that, if EDCs are related to breast cancer risk, then they may also affect two important breast cancer risk factors: age at menarche and mammographic breast density. In two urban female cohorts (N = 248): 1) the New York site of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project and 2) the New York City Multiethnic Breast Cancer Project, we measured childhood and adult use of hair oils, lotions, leave-in conditioners, root stimulators, perms/relaxers, and hair dyes using the same validated questionnaire. We used multivariable relative risk regression models to examine the association between childhood hair product use and early age at menarche (defined as <11 years of age) and multivariable linear regression models to examine the association between childhood and adult hair product use and adult mammographic breast density. Early menarche was associated with ever use of childhood hair products (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1, 4.8) and hair oil use (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2, 5.2); however, additional adjustment for race/ethnicity, attenuated associations (hair products RR 1.8, 95% CI 0.8, 4.1; hair oil use RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0, 5.5). Breast density was not associated with adult or childhood hair product or hair oil use. If confirmed in larger prospective studies, these data suggest that exposure to EDCs through hair products in early life may affect breast cancer risk by altering timing of menarche, and may operate through a mechanism distinct from breast density.
Facile Synthesis of Uniform Carbon Coated Li2S/rGO cathode for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium sulfide (Li2S) is one of the most attractive cathode materials for high energy density lithium batteries as it has a high theoretical capacity of 1166 mA h g-1. However, Li2S suffers from poor rate performance and short cycle life due to its insulating nature and polysulfide shuttle during cycling. In this work, we report a facile and viable approach to address these issues. We propose a method to synthesize a Li2S based nanocomposite cathode material by dissolving Li2S as the active material, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the carbon precursor, and graphene oxide (GO) as a matrix to enhance the conductivity, followed by a co-precipitation and high-temperature carbonization process. The Li2S/rGO cathode yields an exceptionally high initial capacity of 817 mAh g-1 based on Li2S mass at C/20 rate and also shows a good cycling performance. The carbon-coated Li2S/rGO cathode demonstrates the capability of robust core-shell nanostructures for different rates and improved capacity retention, revealing carbon coated Li2S/rGO composites as an outstanding system for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries.
Parental guidance of young children’s mathematics and scientific inquiry in games, cooking, and nature activities

This study investigated the influence of guidance instruction and type of activity on parental guidance of young children’s mathematics and scientific inquiry during cooking, games, and nature acti...
Adenine metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae adenase from bakers' yeast.

Abstract Di Carlo, Schultz, and McManus (1951) provided evidence for the presence of adenase in the yeasts Candida ( torula ) utilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Roush (1954) prepared extracts of adenine-induced C. utilis that contained an adenase but found that extensive fractionation was required to separate the adenase from accompanying guanase and uricase ( Roush, 1958 ). Heppel, Hurwitz, and Horecker (1957) obtained a highly purified adenase from Azotobacter vinelandii but the adenase in the crude extracts was accompanied by adenosine deaminase and several fractionation steps were required to separate the two activities. This paper reports an induced adenase in S. cerevisiae . The crude enzyme is practically free of enzymes acting on many purine and pyrimidine compounds other than adenine and it is obtained easily from commercially available fresh or active dry bakers' yeast.
Efficient general unification for XOR with homomorphism

General E-unification is an important tool in cryptographic protocol analysis, where the equational theory E represents properties of the cryptographic algorithm, and uninterpreted function symbols represent other functions. Some important properties are XOR, Abelian groups, and homomorphisms over them. Polynomial time algorithms exist for unification in those theories. However, the general E-unification problem in these theories is NP-complete, and existing algorithms are highly nondeterministic. We give a mostly deterministic set of inference rules for solving general E-unification modulo XOR with (or without) a homomorphism, and prove that it is sound, complete and terminating. These inference rules have been implemented in Maude, and are being incorporated into the Maude NPA. They are designed in such a way so that they can be extended to an Abelian group with a homomorphism.
Estimating crown conch (Melongena corona) tissue weight from archaeological shell measurements: An allometric methodology for coastal historical ecological research

Abstract Coastal archaeologists and historical ecologists are taking an increasingly robust interest in marine shell assemblages recovered from coastal villages and civic-ceremonial sites. These assemblages must be quantified before archaeologists can make assessments of biomass flows and subsistence contributions. We present the results of an experimental allometric study on Melongena corona snails collected from the mangrove dominated shoreline of Weedon Island Preserve, Florida, USA. Our analysis produced regression constants for predicting tissue weight estimates from four independent linear shell metrics, including: length, aperture-length, height, and width. This study is unique in its integration of field and laboratory experimentation, and in the large sample size used to develop allometric constants. To exemplify the utility of our regression models, we apply our allometric constants to a late-Precolumbian (ca. 895–1268 CE) marine shell assemblage excavated from the Weeden Island site (8PI1), Pinellas County, Florida, USA.
CEO characteristics and corporate philanthropy in times of organizational crisis

While corporate philanthropy has been considered a firm’s reputation management activity, less research has focused on the relationship between CEOs as the ultimate decision maker and corporate phi...
Hiring the Formerly Incarcerated: The Mediating Role of Morality:

Obtaining employment has been shown to reduce recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals, but many face discrimination when applying for jobs. The current research examined how the length o...
THE FLUIDIZED STATE

This chapter discusses the fluidization regimes of the fluidized state. The phenomenon of fluidization can be best visualized in terms of a simple experiment. Particles such as sand are poured into a tube provided with a porous plate distributor. Gas or liquid is then forced upward through the particle bed. This flow causes a pressure drop across the bed. When this pressure drop is sufficient to support the weight of the particles, the bed is said to be at minimum fluidization. A further increase in the flow rate of gas often causes bubbling that can be seen through the walls of a transparent tube or at the top of the bed. For narrow tubes and a sufficiently deep bed, the bubbles coalesce and form a slug. These gas slugs then move up the bed in a fairly regular periodic motion. Large-size particles, such as corn, can be made to spout if the gas is brought in through a small central tube. A spout is a centrally located, upwardly moving particle region. Above such a spouted bed, the particles drop down in a fountain and move down the tube in an annular region. As the gas velocity is increased substantially above the terminal velocity, the fluidized bed, the slugging bed, and the spouted bed are all blown out of the tube. Continuous operation in the dense-phase regime can be continued by rapidly feeding solids into the bottom of the bed. The resulting flow regime is called recirculating fluidization.
Effects of hydroperiod on growth, development, survival and immune defences in a temperate amphibian.

The many and varied effects of human‐induced environmental change have the potential to threaten animal biodiversity and species abundance. Importantly, human land use and global climate change are predicted to reduce water availability, which might have negative consequences for freshwater organisms. In this study, we tested for an effect of a shortened hydroperiod on larval growth and development, and post‐metamorphic survival and immune function in a temperate frog, Rana pipiens. Animals developing under pond drying conditions metamorphosed at a smaller size and had lower survival after metamorphosis. We found sex‐specific differences in larval period in our fastest drying treatment, with males metamorphosing more quickly than females. Individuals that developed under drying conditions also showed reduced skin swelling after phytohaemagglutinin injection, indicating a compromised immune response. We found support for trade‐offs between growth, development and post‐metamorphic immune function across hydroperiod treatments. Whole blood from animals with shorter larval periods had lower bacterial killing ability, and small‐bodied juveniles had lower antibody titres. Overall, our results indicate that a shortened hydroperiod can affect the rate of larval amphibian growth and development, and might negatively impact the condition of species that rely on freshwater for development. Our work improves understanding of the complex impacts that environmental stressors might have on the health of animal populations. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Attractiveness of Pheromone Components With and Without the Synergist, Methyl (2E,4E,6Z)-2,4,6-Decatrienoate, to Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is attracted to its male-produced aggregation pheromone, a ~3.5:1 mixture of (3S,6S,7R,10S)- and (3R,6S,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol (SSRS and RSRS respectively), and also to the pheromone of its Asian sympatric species Plautia stali Scott (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), methyl (2E,4E,6Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate (MDT). A stereoisomeric mixture of (7R) 10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ols (= mixed murgantiols) is used together in commercialized products with MDT because the latter is a synergist for H. halys attraction to mixed murgantiols. However, the optimal ratio for MDT combination with mixed murgantiols, and the sensitivity of bug captures to variation in ratio of the two pheromone components, have not been tested to date. Using black pyramid traps at two sites (in Maryland and West Virginia, United States), different ratios of mixed murgantiols to MDT were tested over two entire seasons. Also, captures using various ratios of the two active pheromone stereoisomers were undertaken in month-long trials with and without MDT. Results showed that H. halys adult and nymphal captures were relatively insensitive to the ratio of synthetic pheromone (mixed murgantiols) to MDT, as long as each was present in the trap. Captures of adults and nymphs were responsive to the lure loading of the SSRS isomer, but relatively insensitive to levels of the minor component, RSRS. The relative insensitivity of H. halys to these attractant ratios gives flexibility to development of more cost-efficient synthesis and trapping as well as other semiochemical-based management tactics.
Cl - and H + coupling properties and subcellular localizations of wildtype and disease-associated variants of the voltage-gated Cl -/H + exchanger ClC-5

Dent disease 1 (DD1) is caused by mutations in the CLCN5 gene encoding a voltage-gated electrogenic nCl-/H+ exchanger ClC-5. Using ion-selective microelectrodes and Xenopus oocytes, here we studied Cl-/H+ coupling properties of WT ClC-5 and four DD1-associated variants (S244L, R345W, Q629*, and T657S), along with trafficking and localization of ClC-5. WT ClC-5 had a 2Cl-/H+ exchange ratio at a Vh of +40 mV with a [Cl-]out of 104 mm, but the transport direction did not reverse with a [Cl-]out of 5 mm, indicating that ClC-5-mediated exchange of two Cl- out for one H+ in is not permissible. We hypothesized that ClC-5 and H+-ATPase are functionally coupled during H+-ATPase-mediated endosomal acidification, crucial for ClC-5 activation by depolarizing endosomes. ClC-5 transport that provides three net negative charges appeared self-inhibitory because of ClC-5's voltage-gated properties, but shunt conductance facilitated further H+-ATPase-mediated endosomal acidification. Thus, an on-and-off "burst" of ClC-5 activity was crucial for preventing Cl- exit from endosomes. The subcellular distribution of the ClC-5:S244L variant was comparable with that of WT ClC-5, but the variant had a much slower Cl- and H+ transport and displayed an altered stoichiometry of 1.6:1. The ClC-5:R345W variant exhibited slightly higher Cl-/H+ transport than ClC-5:S244L, but co-localized with early endosomes, suggesting decreased ClC-5:R345W membrane trafficking is perhaps in a fully functional form. The truncated ClC-5:Q629* variant displayed the lowest Cl-/H+ exchange and was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and cis-Golgi, but not in early endosomes, suggesting the nonsense mutation affects ClC-5 maturation and trafficking.
A review of nonpharmacological adjunctive treatment for postpartum women with opioid use disorder.

Abstract Introduction Over the past decade, opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women has increased by over 400%. Although medication assisted treatment (MAT) provides necessary care for women with OUD, effective adjunctive nonpharmacological treatments have not been systematically identified. This is especially concerning for the postpartum period, which includes several unique risk factors (e.g., sleep deprivation, mood disturbances) for MAT non-adherence and relapse. This review summarizes the existing knowledge regarding nonpharmacological treatments for OUD during the postpartum period, as well as provides recommendations for the future. Methods PubMed and PsycINFO were searched in July 2018 using combinations of 28 keywords. Eligibility criteria included: (1) coverage of postpartum period, (2) use of nonpharmacological treatment for OUD, (3) conducted in clinical samples, and (4) written in English. Results A total of 4 out of 38 identified articles met eligibility criteria. Two of the studies offered weekly on-site group counseling, with one also offering monthly social worker meetings. The third study offered four sessions with a patient navigator during the postpartum period. The last offered an employment intervention. All four reported favorable effects on OUD at end of follow-up (range: 30 days postpartum to 1 year postpartum). However, the details of the interventions, methodologies, and abstinence rates were sparse. Discussion Few published studies examine nonpharmacological OUD treatments specific to the postpartum period. Identification of adjunctive nonpharmacological treatments designed to the unique needs of postpartum women is of critical public health importance, and further research is needed.
(Invited) Nanomaterials and Smart-Phone Based Biosensors for Point-of-Care Diagnostics

In this talk, I will give an overview of recent works in our laboratory for hand-held biosensing devices based on smartphone and 3D-printing. We have synthesized various functional nanomaterials such as organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers, carbon quantum dots, single-atom nanozymes for signal enhancement in bioassays. Applications of these smartphone based nanosensors for biomedical diagnostics and food safety monitoring will be discussed.References: 1. L. Jiao, H. Yan, Y. Wu, W. Gu, C. Zhu, D. Du, Y. Lin. When Nanozymes Meet Single-Atom Catalysis. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, doi.org/10.1002/ange.2019056452. C. Zhu, S. Fu, Q. Shi, D. Du, Y. Lin. Single-Atom Electrocatalysts. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 13944-13960.3. N. Cheng, J. Li, D. Liu, Y. Lin, D. Du. Single-Atom Nanozyme Based on Nanoengineered Fe-N-C Catalyst with Superior Peroxidase-Like Activity for Ultrasensitive Bioassays. Small 2019, 1901485.4. X. Niu, Q. Shi, W. Zhu, D. Liu, H. Tian, S. Fu, N. Cheng, S. Li, J. N Smith, D. Du, Y. Lin, Unprecedented peroxidase-mimicking activity of single-atom nanozyme with atomically dispersed Fe-Nx moieties hosted by MOF derived porous carbon. Biosensors & Bioelectronics 2019, 142, 111495.5. W. Wen, D. Du, Y. Lin. Recent Advance in Electrochemical Immunosensor. Analytical Chemistry 2017, 89, 138-156.6. C. Zhu, G. Yang, H. Li, D. Du, Y. Lin. Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors Based on Nanomaterials and Nanostructures. Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87, 230-249.7. R. Ye, C. Zhu, Y. Song, Q. Lu, X. Ge, X. Yang, M. Zhu, D. Du, H. Li, Y. Lin, Bioinspired Synthesis of All‐in‐One Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Nanoflowers Combined with a Handheld pH Meter for On‐Site Detection of Food Pathogen. Small 2016, 12, 3094-3100.8. Y. Wang, M. Zeinhom, M. Yang, R. Sun, S. Wang, J. Smith, C. Timchalk, L. Li, Y. Lin, D. Du, A 3D-Printed, Portable, Optical-Sensing Platform for Smartphones Capable of Detecting the Herbicide 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid. Analytical Chemistry 2017, 89, 9339-9346.9. N. Cheng, Y. Song, M. Zeinhom, Y. Chang, L. Sheng, H. Li, D. Du, L. Li, M. Zhu, Y. Luo, W. Xu, Y. Lin, Nanozyme mediated dual-immunoassay integrated with smartphone for use in simultaneous detection of pathogens. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b12734
Gender in oil, gas and mining: An overview of the global state-of-play

Abstract This special section of the Extractive Industries and Society brings together a collection of papers on gender and the extractive industries. These papers were developed from presentations delivered at the international conference, Gender in Oil, Gas and Mining: New Frontiers of Progress, Challenges and Solutions, held at World Bank headquarters in Washington DC, June 2018. The section presents work which seeks to address gender gaps in oil, gas and mining. It includes papers that examine gender in the context of the Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); traceability schemes for tin, tantalum and tungsten (otherwise known as the “3Ts”) and gold; and national policies on extractives.
Nanoscale serration characteristics of additively manufactured superalloys

Abstract Structural elements made of nickel-based superalloys usually operate at high temperatures. Many surface failure mechanisms such as creep, fatigue, fretting fatigue, corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking start from the surface. Thus, studying the surface mechanical properties and deformation behavior of materials is vital in order to draw a correlation between the surface properties and failures. Herein, a nanoindentation technique was implemented to characterize surface properties of a widely used additively manufactured (AM) superalloy, i.e., Inconel 625. The specimens were tested in a range of temperatures in a vacuum chamber. Serrated plastic flow characterized by pop-in events during nanoindentation, known as Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect, was observed in all three tested elevated temperatures. This phenomenon depicts itself as bursts of plasticity in the loading section of the load-displacement curves. These bursts were studied comprehensively to explore incipient plasticity. Hertzian contact mechanics were implemented to extract the maximum shear stress beneath the indenter from the pop-in loads. The results show that the initial pop-in load increases as the temperature increases. The average initial pop-in load increases by almost four times from 300 °C to 650 °C. This was attributed to the formation of strengthening precipitates. The average size of the serrations and the magnitude of dislocation nucleation increase from 300 °C to 500 °C and decrease from 500 °C to 650 °C. The serrations are attributed to the dislocation generation and movement as well as their interaction with the solute atoms and precipitates.
Emergent organization of multiple visuotopic maps without a feature hierarchy

The primate visual system is comprised of multiple visual areas. Despite their foundational relevance, there are no normative accounts for why there are multiple areas nor why they have their signature "mirrored map" topography. Here I show that the stereotyped cortical organization of multiple mirrored areas naturally emerges in simulated cortex, in which self-organizing processes are used to map a multi-scale representation of visual space smoothly onto a two-dimensional cortical sheet. Predominant accounts of multiple areas emphasize hierarchical processing, where each area extends and elaborates on the previous areas representation. Here, no explicit hierarchical relationships were required to manifest this multi-areal organization, suggesting that feature hierarchies may be the derived rather than the driving force of this organization. This modeling work thus provides a simple computational explanation for the hallmark features of early visual topography, and the presence of multiple areas, as emergent from a single functional goal -- to smoothly represent the visual field at multiple spatial scales. One Sentence SummaryThis work presents a formal model of simulated cortex with multiple visual areas, where purely spatial relationships underlie the large-scale motifs of visual cortex.
Telestroke consultation can accurately diagnose ischemic stroke mimics.

IntroductionTelestroke (TS) networks are standard in many areas of the US. Despite TS systems having approximately 33% mimic rates, it is unknown if TS can accurately diagnose patients with acute i...
Observation of spatially localized atomic electron wave packets.

We have excited and detected an atomic electron wave packet that is localized in the polar and azimuthal angles. The wave packet is formed through the coherent superposition of Rydberg states of atomic sodium. The superposition is achieved by short-pulse optical excitation of the atom in the presence of a strong rf field. The wave packet is detected by dc field ionization. The behavior of this wave packet in a strong dc field is much different from that of an eigenstate. This behavior agrees well with a simple classical model.
Sedimentation, Memory, and Self in Hegel and Merleau-Ponty

This chapter explores the concept of sedimentation in Hegel’s account of absolute knowledge in the Phenomenology of Spirit drawing on Merleau-Ponty’s 1954–55 course notes on institution and passivity. The chapter first identifies the notion of sedimentation that informs Merleau-Ponty’s reflections on institution. Such a sedimentation involves a non-egoic modality of retention that activates critical thinking. The chapter then explains why absolute knowledge in the Phenomenology of Spirit rests on a process of sedimentation that is very much in line with Merleau-Ponty’s analysis. My argument revolves on the aspects of self-appropriation and ownership that characterize Hegel’s account of absolute spirit, which are integral to a Hegelian-inspired view of ethical memory.
Negative evaluation of role transitions is associated with perceived stress and alcohol consequences: Examination of the Transitions Overload Model in young adulthood using two years of monthly data.

BACKGROUND Young adulthood is characterized by transitions into and out of social roles in multiple domains. Consistent with self-medication models of alcohol use, the Transitions Overload Model (J Stud Alcohol Suppl, 14, 2002, 54) hypothesizes that one cause of increased alcohol use during young adulthood may be the stress of navigating simultaneous role transitions. This study examined the simultaneous occurrence of major developmental role transitions in the domains of education, employment, romantic relationships, and residential status and their associations with perceived stress, heavy episodic drinking (HED), and negative alcohol-related consequences. Further, we extended the Transitions Overload Model to explore whether the number of transitions rated as having a negative impact on one's life was related to perceived stress, HED, and alcohol-related consequences. METHODS A community sample of young adult drinkers (N = 767, 57% women, ages 18 to 25 years) in the Pacific Northwest provided monthly data across 2 years. Multilevel models were used to assess the average (between-person) and month-to-month (within-person) associations of role transitions with perceived stress, HED, and negative alcohol-related consequences. RESULTS Although having more role transitions was positively associated with HED frequency and alcohol-related consequences at both the between- and within-person (monthly) levels, it was not associated with increased stress. The number of transitions rated as having a negative impact on one's life, however, was positively associated with stress. Thus, rather than the total number of transitions, it is the number of negatively perceived major developmental role transitions that is associated with perceived stress and increased risk for negative alcohol-related consequences. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to Transitions Overload Model assumptions, more transitions were not a significant predictor of more perceived stress; rather, the evaluation of the transition as negative was associated with stress and negative alcohol-related outcomes. This distinction may help elucidate the etiology of stress and subsequent alcohol consequences and identify individuals at-risk of these effects.
A mathematical model to investigate the effects of fishing zone configurations and mass dependent rates on biomass yield: Application to brown shrimp in Gulf of Mexico

Abstract A mathematical model is developed to investigate the effect of harvesting zone configuration upon total biomass yield of a resource species with size dependent continuum spatiotemporal population dynamics. Size (with the interpretation of average mass per individual at each spatiotemporal point) is modeled as an additional state variable along with population density in contrast to the traditional approach of viewing size as a structure parameter. The model takes a form of a coupled system of partial differential equations (PDE) of reaction–diffusion type for the population density and first-order hyperbolic transport type for the mass state variable. The model was investigated both analytically and numerically and is illustrated by applying it to the harvesting of a brown shrimp population in the Gulf of Mexico distributed within a patched network of hypothesized marine protection areas (MPAs) and fishing zones. The results highlight the critical role that size dependent mobility plays in determining optimal MPA network configurations.
Mechanisms of Variation in Microbial Pathogenesis

Variation that occurs in pathogens is based firmly upon one of three prime mechanisms of genetic variability: point mutations, genetic rearrangements, or lateral gene transfer (LGT). As LGT recently has been the focus of significant new insights into pathogen evolution it will be highlighted in this chapter. The intensive sequencing of microbial genomes and the comparisons made among them expanded our understanding of the scope of LGT in bacterial gene evolution. The main distinction is that the environment and ecology of pathogens is played out within another living organism-the host. The pan-genome represents the most accessible set of building blocks available for use in LGT. In the current environment, however, the widespread selective adaptation has spread because antibiotics are added to everything from cutting boards to cattle feed. The discussion of pathogenic gene content, style, and core distribution is intimately linked to the problem of defining both the species in bacteria and the events most likely to lead to new speciation. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) involves the sampling of DNA sequences for a subset of housekeeping genes and the assessing of alleles for the purpose of studying the extent of recombination. LGT can cause shifts in the immediate pathogenesis of a clonally evolving group such as the clonal complex. The chapter reviews the way in which LGT has been an architect in the virulence, the genes, the genome, and the pan-genome of pathogens.
Improving patient satisfaction through physician education, feedback, and incentives

BACKGROUND Patient satisfaction has been associated with improved outcomes and become a focus of reimbursement. OBJECTIVE Evaluate an intervention to improve patient satisfaction. DESIGN Nonrandomized, pre-post study that took place from 2011 to 2012. SETTING Large tertiary academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Internal medicine (IM) resident physicians, non-IM resident physicians, and adult patients of the resident physicians. INTERVENTION IM resident physicians were provided with patient satisfaction education through a conference, real-time individualized patient satisfaction score feedback, monthly recognition, and incentives for high patient-satisfaction scores. MAIN MEASURES Patient satisfaction on physician-related and overall satisfaction questions on the HCAHPS survey. We conducted a difference-in-differences regression analysis comparing IM and non-IM patient responses, adjusting for differences in patient characteristics. KEY RESULTS In our regression analysis, the percentage of patients who responded positively to all 3 physician-related Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) questions increased by 8.1% in the IM and 1.5% in the control cohorts (absolute difference 6.6%, P = 0.04). The percentage of patients who would definitely recommend this hospital to friends and family increased by 7.1% in the IM and 1.5% in the control cohorts (absolute difference 5.6%, P = 0.02). The national average for the HCAHPS outcomes studied improved by no more than 3.1%. LIMITATIONS This study was nonrandomized and was conducted at a single site. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first intervention associated with a significant improvement in HCAHPS scores. This may serve as a model to increase patient satisfaction, hospital revenue, and train resident physicians. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:497–502. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
The WindSat polarimetric radiometer and ocean wind measurements

The wind vector affects a broad range of naval missions, including strategic ship movement and positioning, aircraft carrier operations, aircraft deployment, effective weapons use, underway replenishment, and littoral operations. Furthermore, accurate wind vector data aids in short-term weather forecasting, the issuing of timely weather warnings, and the gathering of general climatological data. WindSat is a satellite-based multi-frequency polarimetric microwave radiometer developed by the Naval Research Laboratory for the U.S. Navy and the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Integrated Program Office (IPO). It is designed to demonstrate the capability of polarimetric microwave radiometry to measure the ocean surface wind vector from space. The sensor provides risk reduction for the development of the Conical Microwave Imager Sounder (CMIS), which is planned to provide wind vector data operationally starting in 2010
Deep Canonical Correlation Analysis

We introduce Deep Canonical Correlation Analysis (DCCA), a method to learn complex nonlinear transformations of two views of data such that the resulting representations are highly linearly correlated. Parameters of both transformations are jointly learned to maximize the (regularized) total correlation. It can be viewed as a nonlinear extension of the linear method canonical correlation analysis (CCA). It is an alternative to the nonparametric method kernel canonical correlation analysis (KCCA) for learning correlated nonlinear transformations. Unlike KCCA, DCCA does not require an inner product, and has the advantages of a parametric method: training time scales well with data size and the training data need not be referenced when computing the representations of unseen instances. In experiments on two real-world datasets, we find that DCCA learns representations with significantly higher correlation than those learned by CCA and KCCA. We also introduce a novel non-saturating sigmoid function based on the cube root that may be useful more generally in feedforward neural networks.
Traveling Michel Serres’ Passage du NordOuest: what happens, once the ice breaks? A reflection on architectural research conducted between the humanities and engineering.

This paper investigates the complex design process for sustainable buildings mediating between spatial composition and architectural typology on one side and thermal, climatic conditions and energy use on the other hand. The theoretical base is Hermes V Le Passage du Nord-Ouest (Serres, 1980) by the French philosopher and mathematician Michel Serres (1930 -), where he is searching for a passageway from the exact sciences to the arts and humanities. While both are looking to explain the world with their own methods, they are turning their backs at each other. The shipping passage in the North of Canada connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific serves him as a metaphor for this complex thought space linking, connecting and dividing, these two explanations of the world. This text is dealing with the connection of places, which seemingly are separate: rigidness and phantasy, myths and exactness, quantitative and qualitative knowledge. Based on this understanding the paper analyses the design process between architecture and engineering as a passage passing four overarching theoretical frames crossing between geometry and perception, drawing and material, atmosphere and typology, technology and desire thus befriending quantitative and qualitative methods of design thinking. The research analyzes a built experiment, the Interlock House, which focused on the relationship of spatial composition and air flow as a means of energy transfer, the impact of passive and active environmental controls and systems on architectural design and improved building energy performance. The means to travel the passage: proportions, thermal detailing, natural ventilation strategies and daylighting are here identified as key moments for sustainable design. Design communication for sustainable buildings needs to convey information between multiple entities with opposing language systems and thus equals a map rather than a flow chart. A collaborative design methodology emerges from these passages when the ice breaks.
Evidence for climatic and hillslope‐aspect controls on vadose zone hydrology and implications for saprolite weathering

Through the delivery of water in snowmelt, climate should govern the rate and extent of saprolite formation in snow-dominated mountain watersheds, yet the mechanisms by which water flows deeply into regolith are largely unexplored. In this study we link rainfall, snow depth, and water content data from both soil and shallow saprolite to document vadose zone dynamics in two montane catchments over 2 years. Measurements of snow pack thickness and soil moisture reveal strong contrasts between north- and south-facing slopes in both the timing of meltwater delivery and the duration of significant soil wetting in the shallow vadose zone. Despite similar magnitudes of snowmelt recharge, north-facing slopes have higher sustained soil moisture compared to south-facing slopes. To help interpret these observations, we use a 2D numerical model of vadose zone dynamics to calculate the expected space–time moisture patterns on an idealized hillslope under two wetting scenarios: a single sustained recharge pulse versus a set of short pulses. The model predicts that the duration of the recharge event exerts a stronger control on the depth and residence time of water in the upper unsaturated zone than the magnitude of the recharge event. Model calculations also imply that water should move more slowly through the subsurface and downward water flux should be substantially reduced when water is applied in several pulses rather than in one sustained event. The results suggest that thicker soil and more deeply weathered rock on north-facing slopes may reflect greater water supply to the deep subsurface. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complexity, Scaling, and Fractals in Biological Signals

A biological signal carries information about the complex biological phenomena being measured and is typically a time series having both a regular and random component. This chapter focuses on dynamic physiologic phenomena, in order to reduce the number of time series discussed to a manageable size. The output of dynamical physiologic systems, such as the cardiac system, the respiratory system and the motor control system, have all been shown to be fractal or multifractal statistical time series. Consequently, the fractal dimension turns out to be a significantly better indicator of health than the more traditional measures, such as heart rate, breathing rate, and stride rate, all average quantities. Fractal physiology, as this field has come to be called, focuses on the complexity of the human body and the characterization of that complexity through fractal measures and the dynamics of such measures. These new measures reveal that the traditional interpretation of disease as the loss of regularity is not adequate and a better interpretation of disease is the loss of variability, or more accurately, the loss of complexity. Keywords: physiologic time series; fractal statistics; allometric control; scaling; variability
even-skipped is not a pair-rule gene but has segmental and gap-like functions in Oncopeltus fasciatus, an intermediate germband insect.

The pair-rule gene even-skipped is required for the initiation of metameric pattern in Drosophila. But Drosophila segmentation is evolutionarily derived and is not representative of most insects. Therefore, in order to shed light on the evolution of insect segmentation, homologs of the pair-rule gene even-skipped have been studied in several insect taxa. However, most of these studies have reported the expression eve but not its function. We report the isolation, expression and function of the homolog of Drosophila even-skipped from the intermediate germband insect Oncopeltus fasciatus. We find that in Oncopeltus, even-skipped striped expression initiates in a segmental and not pair-rule pattern. Weak RNAi suppression of Oncopeltus even-skipped shows no apparent pair-rule like phenotype, while stronger RNAi suppression shows deletion of nearly the entire body. These results suggest that in Oncopeltus, even-skipped is not acting as a pair-rule gene. In almost all insects, prior to its striped expression, even-skipped is expressed in a conserved broad gap-like domain but its function has been largely ignored. We find that this early broad domain is required for activation of the gap genes hunchback and Kruppel. Given the large RNAi deletion phenotype and its regulation of hunchback and Kruppel, even-skipped seems to act as an uber-gap gene in Oncopeltus, indicating that it may have both upstream and downstream roles in segmentation.
Robotic assisted microsurgical varicocelectomy

The purpose of this chapter is a contemporary review of the use of robotic microsurgical techniques for the purpose of fertility improvement in males. The robotic-assisted microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy technique will be discussed in detail. There are potential benefits in terms of decreased surgeon fatigue and improved surgical efficiency when utilizing a robotic platform for such procedures. This chapter presents the technique and early outcomes of some high-volume centers utilizing this technique.
Long-term variability of inflammatory markers and associated factors in a population-based cohort.

Objectives: To investigate long-term variability in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and to determine associated risk factors for high-risk inflammatory profiles. Design: Prospective population-based cohort study. Participants: Participants (N = 1,443) of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study and the Beaver Dam Eye Study, two population-based prospective studies of aging in the same cohort. Measurements: In participants aged 43 to 79 at the initial examination (1988?1990), serum high-sensitivity CRP was measured from three time-points (1988?1990, 1998?2000, 2009?2010), and serum IL-6 was measured from two (1998?2000, 2009?2010). Results: When IL-6 levels were categorized into tertiles, 50.8% of participants were in the same group 10 years later (weighted kappa (?) = 0.34). When CRP was categorized into three risk groups, 53.4% of participants were in the same group 10 years later (? = 0.36), and 32.4% were in the same group at all three examinations (? = 0.27). IL-6 increased from a geometric mean of 1.54 pg/L to 1.78 pg/L over 10 years, whereas CRP increased from a geometric mean of 1.67 mg/L to 2.25 mg/L over 10 years and then decreased to 1.93 mg/L over the next 10 years. These 10-year decreases in CRP were not observed in those not reporting statin use. Factors associated with long-term higher levels of IL-6 and CRP were older age (IL-6), obesity, smoking, lower physical activity (IL-6), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (IL-6), and a history of statin (non)use (CRP). Conclusion: Inflammatory marker levels tracked over the long term into older age with within-person increases were observed. Several potentially modifiable risk factors were associated with long-term higher levels of inflammatory markers.
On additional symmetries of the KP hierarchy and Sato's Båcklund transformation

A short proof is given to the fact that the additional symmetries of the KP hierarchy defined by their action on pseudodifferential operators according to Fuchssteiner-Chen-Lee-Lin-Orlov-Shulman coincide with those defined by their action on τ-functions as Sato's Backlund transformations. A new simple formula for the generator of additional symmetries is also presented.
Priming Mortality Salience: Supraliminal, Subliminal and “Double-Death” Priming Techniques

The study examined whether successively presented subliminal and supraliminal morality salience primes (“double death” prime) would have a stronger influence on death thought accessibility than subliminal or supraliminal primes alone. A between-subjects 2 (subliminal prime/control) × 2 (supraliminal prime/control) design was used. The supraliminal prime prompted participants to answer questions about death. For the subliminal prime, the word death was presented outside of awareness. Both priming techniques differed significantly from a control in ability to elicit mortality salience. There was an interactive influence of both primes. Implications for unconscious neutral networks relating to death are discussed.
Gender differences in injection risk behaviors at the first injection episode

Abstract Objectives To examine gender differences in drug injection equipment sharing at injecting initiation. Methods Young injecting drug users (IDUs) in New York City February 1999–2003 were surveyed about injection risk behaviors and circumstances at initiation. Analyses were gender-stratified and excluded participants who initiated alone. Multiple logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios. Results Participants ( n = 249) were 66% male and 82% White. Mean initiation age was 19.2; mean years since initiating was 3.0. Women were significantly more likely to cite social network influence as a reason for initiating, to have male and sex partner initiators, and to share injecting equipment than men. Among women, sharing any injection equipment was associated with initiation by a sex partner and having ≥2 people present. Among men, being injected by someone else predicted sharing any injection equipment, while using a legally obtained syringe was protective. Conclusions Social persuasion stemming from sexual and/or social relationships with IDUs may increase women's risk of sharing injection equipment at initiation, and consequently, their early parenteral risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. Interventions should focus on likely initiates, especially women in injecting-discordant sex partnerships, and IDUs (potential initiators).
Inequalities involving the genus of a graph and its thicknesses

Let G be a graph with p points and q lines, and genus γ. The thicknesst(G) has been introduced as the minimum number of planar subgraphs whose union is G. This topological invariant of a graph has been studied by Battle, Harary and Kodama [1], Tutte [7], Beineke, Harary and Moon [3], and Beineke and Harary [2].It is natural to generalise this concept of the thickness of a graph to the union of graphs with a specified genus. We say that the n-thickness of G is the minimum number of subgraphs of genus at most n whose union is G. Denoting the n-thickness of G by tn, we write in particular t0 the 0-thickness, i.e., the thickness.
A miniature, directional surface-fence gage

NEW, miniature (3.175 mm overall diameter) surfacefence gage was developed to measure simultaneously the magnitude and direction of wall shear stress under threedimensional turbulent boundary layers. This paper describes the design, calibration, and application of the gage.
Status Of The Fourth Underground Coal Gasification Experiment At Hanna, Wyoming

The fourth underground coal gasification experiment conducted by the Laramie Energy Technology Center is currently underway at a site near Hanna, Wyoming. The Hanna IV experiment, as originally conceived, was significantly larger than the three previous experiments. The experiment was designed to meet the following objectives: determination of the interrelationships of well spacing, air injection rate, and areal sweep efficiency; demonstration of the ability to conduct reverse combustion linkage over distances up to 45.7 m (150 feet); determination of pressure and gas composition gradients within the coal seam during process operation; determination of gasification zone progress as a function of time; and demonstration of relaying the process down a row of process wells. A portion of the technology development has involved environmental assessment of the process. This assessment included characterization of the effluents from the process as well as initiation of biological effects studies and determination of the fate of pollutants from the process. Major concerns associated with the process are impacts on air and ground water quality and the effects of subsidence. This paper describes the initial phase of the Hanna IV experiment in which difficulties were encountered and a sustained gasification process could not be maintained. An overridemore » situation across the 30.5 m (100-foot) well spacing resulting in a premature shutdown of the experiment. Preparations are being made to continue the experiment and recover from the override situation.« less